PFTL NEWS October 2019
HOUSEPLANTS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH (from WebMD Sept 2019)
For Allergy Relief – Researchers found that rooms with plants have less dust and mold than rooms without any foliage. Leaves and other parts of the plants act as natural filters to catch allergens and other airborne particles. Common low-light houseplants like Chinese evergreen or the peace lily can do the job. Violets and other plants with textured leaves might be even better trappers. Avoid plants with pollen or spores.
Spider Plants for Moisture – Furnaces and air conditioners can sap humidity indoors, especially in the winter. That can raise your chances for catching a cold or the flu, or make your skin itch. Houseplants add moisture to the air. One study found a collection of spider plants boosted the relative humidity in a bedroom from 20% to a more comfortable 30%.
Air Purifiers – Carpets, paint, cleaners, printer toners and inks, and many other indoor objects give off pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can build up in the air and irritate your eyes and skin, worsen your asthma, or make it hard for you to breathe. Houseplants can soak up VOCs. Some good air-scrubbers are English ivy, asparagus fern, and dragon tree.
Herbs for Better Digestion – Mint may help tamp down bloating, gas, and other problems after you eat. Common varieties you can grow in containers include peppermint and spearmint (essential in mint juleps). Basil, another herb for cooking, also can help calm your stomach. Try steeping the leaves in hot water.
Relaxing Lavender – This fragrant purple plant has been an important herbal medicine for centuries. You can inhale lavender oil or massage it on your skin for aromatherapy. You can also boil the leaves for tea. Some studies suggest it may help calm you and help lower any anxiety. But more proof is needed.
Aloe for First Aid – Gel from this plant is a popular home remedy. It can treat sunburns and other minor burns. It can soothe your psoriasis and other skin conditions. Juice from the aloe plant can even help you poop if you’re constipated.
Restful Sleep – Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. It’s how they turn sunlight into food, a process called photosynthesis. Some, like gerbera daisies, keep giving off oxygen even after the sun goes down. Put a few cheerful pots in your bedroom and the extra oxygen may help you sleep more soundly.
Stress Relief – Feeling the weight of daily pressures? Try and add a heart-leaf philodendron or a snake plant to your décor. It may help you relax. Several studies have measured people’s levels of blood pressure, heart rate, and the stress hormone cortisol while they handled a tough task or were under mental stress. Being around plants has a calming effect on people.
Sharper Focus – Plants may help raise your test scores, make it easier to concentrate on your tasks, and strengthen your memory. Students in classrooms with three potted plants performed better on math, spelling, reading, and science tests than kids in classrooms without any greens. Bring home a golden pothos or a bamboo palm and you just might clear that to-do list.
Faster Healing – Taking a bouquet of flowers or potted foliage to a loved one in the hospital can be more than just a thoughtful gesture. It may actually help them recover more quickly. Researchers found that people who had surgery got better faster if they had plants in their room or even a view of the nature from their window. They also tolerated pain better and needed fewer medications when surrounded by greenery. Try an orchid or a peace lily.
DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR ROADRUNNER SPORTS – WILMETTE
We now have referral cards from Roadrunner Sports, which is located in Eden’s Plaza, Wilmette; these are good for a 10% discount on footwear. Roadrunner Sports is known for having the world’s most accurate 3D Foot Scanner which analyzes your feet for the perfect fit and shoe. They also have active wear, sports bra, accessories for nutrition, safety and injury prevention. Ask Julie Cohen for a Referral Card.
DIETITIAN, SUSAN STEIN
For many years, we have referred clients who seek nutritional and diet advice to Susan Stein. Susan is a highly qualified registered, licensed dietitian. She understands that everyone is different and no one meal plan will work for everyone.
Susan has been a Registered Dietitian for over twenty years. She provides individualized nutrition counseling in accordance to the guidelines established by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
She works with clients who are dealing with a variety of health issues and with individuals who are seeking a healthier, more fit lifestyle. Ms. Stein is a member of the American Dietetic Association and is certified in both Adult and Childhood/Adolescent Weight Management. She is the coauthor of a children’s book titled Color Me Fit: Nutrition and Fitness for Kids.
Susan will arrange to see our clients on-site at the PFTL studio. She is offering a package to include a 90-minute evaluation and goal setting session, followed by two 60 minute counselling sessions. The usual fee is $305, but she is discounting the package by 10% to $275, for PFTL referrals.
Let Julie or Debora know if you would like to be referred to Susan Stein.
ROTARY BOOK DRIVE
Every year the Rotary Club of Wilmette collects books for distribution to inner-city, charter schools in Chicago. The Book Drive runs from October 1 to November 16. There is a collection box by the front entrance of the studio for gently used books that are suitable for K-12 students.