Soothing the Sore

by Fran Arthurs

Lately my back has been twinging a little... okay, a lot! A little slip in the snow while walking resulted in days of feeling stiff and sore.

Foodsmiths, naturally, is a hot-bed of information and advice for limpers and cringers like me. Mhari took me under her wing and pointed out the benefits of a hot soak in Epsom salts, along with a few drops of the right essential oils. Her picks were from our Divine Essence Organic Essential Oils:

• Camphor-White-Wood - helps relieve muscular and joint pain
• Eucalyptus Lemon-Scented - helps relieve arthritic and rheumatic pain
• Lavender-Spike - Spike is very different from True Lavender. The essential oil is used for analgesic and healing properties to relieve pain.
• A spoonful of dried lavender flowers because it looks pretty and smells great.

Mhari recommends at least 1 cup of Epsom salts per bath, but if you're going for pain relief 2 cups is better. You can add the essential oils (10 - 20 drops each) to the bath water, or add the oils to your salts, along with 1/4 cup baking soda and dried lavender, then shake vigorously in a jar to mix it all up. Turn down the lights, put on some music, make yourself an anti-inflammatory smoothie to drink (recipe below) and soak in your Epsom salt bath for an absolute minimum of 30 minutes.

Of course along with aches, pains, sprains and strains comes inflammation. I wanted to cool down and un-knot the hot mess in my back, so what better than a super healthy tropically inspired smoothie? This is the recipe I came up with:

• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory that helps the body heal)
• 1/2 kiwi, peeled and cut into pieces (the peptide kissper displays anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in the intestines)
• 1/2 banana (high levels of rutin, a compound that complements vitamin c, helps maintain strong blood vessels, and has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties)
• 1 inch chunk of fresh ginger, grated (an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory and a delightful flavour in a smoothie)
• 1 tbsp Botanica Turmeric Golden Mylk (the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric with all the accessories, in an easy to use powder)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (anti-inflammatory, helps ease swelling, and balances blood sugar)
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Blitz in a blender until smooth. It comes out thick and creamy, but if it's too thick, add some water. When I brought it to work, I was surprised how many people were interested in the anti-inflammatory properties. It seems a lot of folks have issues with inflammation!