Boston Healing Blog

What I'm about to discuss is a matter of life and death. 

I am allergic to peanuts.  Yes, the bad kind of allergic where I can have anaphylactic reactions and die from ingesting just a small amount.  Yes, this means I grew up without peanut butter.  This is no tragedy to me.

For me, it's a part of life.  I carry an epipen with me everywhere I go.  I don't eat food when I can't read the package or speak with confidence to the person who made it.  I don't eat jam or jelly at other people's houses (most of it will be cross-contaminated from knife-sharing during sandwich-making -- I learned this as a kid the hard way).  I have had friends act annoyed or hurt when I refuse to eat the food they offer me.  I don't let it bother me.  My life is more important to me than sparing the feelings of the oversensitive. 

I very rarely eat out.  When I do eat out, I am an annoying customer.  I ask questions about everything.  I ask the same questions over and over again.  I'm not trying to be annoying, neither am I doubting the faculties of the person I'm speaking to, I just know that when it's not your life on the line, you're not going to be as diligent as I am.  After all, my life, quite literally, is.

Last weekend, I received a terrifying reminder of this reality.  My best friend had recently started working as a waitress at a new upscale tapas restaurant which had been getting great local reviews.  As I said, I rarely eat out, and the Asian theme of this restaurant did cause me to pause, since peanuts are a prevalent ingredient in Chinese cuisine.  But since this was a nice restaurant to which I had a personal connection (my friend assured me I could speak to the owner and head chef directly before ordering), I decided it would be safe to stop by and try a dish or two.

The restaurant was clean and decorated in a modern style.  It was one of those new, trendy, too-hip-to-use-the-word-fusion places where the head chef is also the owner.  The chef/owner and the manager both greeted me personally when they found out their waitress was my friend.  I explained my allergy to them an they assured me it was no problem to keep my meal nut free.  "I created all the recipes, and I know what I put nuts in," the owner assured me. 

When I made my selections, my friend brought the list to the owner and he okayed everything, positive there was nothing to be worried about.

My first dish had a suspicious-looking dressing drizzled across it.  Even though I had already been assured repeatedly that everything I ordered was peanut-free, experience has taught me it never hurts to be redundant in these matters.  "There're no peanuts in this dressing, right?" I asked again.

"No, no," stated the owner.  "It's just sesame.  I make it myself."

I started to eat the salad with as much confidence as I start to eat anything I didn't make with my own two hands.  The food was creative and very well prepared, but after about five minutes.  I noticed a familiar tickling sensation in the back of my throat.

Trying not to panic, I called my friend over.  "Are you sure there's no nuts in this?" I asked.

"The owner promised me there's not," she said, but when she saw the worry on my face, she rushed to call him over.

The owner and the manager came over and assured me again the dish was peanut-free.  "It's only sesame paste," the owner told me.  "You're not allergic to sesame seeds, right?"

Half the restaurant staff was standing around me at this point telling me, in essence, that I wasn't feeling what I was feeling.  When you're trying to decide whether to run to the bathroom and inject yourself with epinephrine, this is the second-worst experience in the world.

The worst experience in the world is struggling to breathe in the passenger seat after you've injected yourself with epinephrine and realized it didn't do anything to mollify the anaphylaxis while your friend is driving down the left side of the road to get you to the hospital before your throat closes completely and your heart stops. 

In the emergency room I was IV'd, EKG'd, and injected.  My blood pressure dropped so low that for a while they were worried I would have a heart attack.  I was admitted overnight with an IV and a heart monitor.  Several doctors and nurses stopped in to let me know I was lucky to be alive.

My friend later told me that while I had been in the bathroom administering my epipen, the owner had checked the packaging of the sesame paste he had used to make the dressing, and sure enough, peanuts were the second ingredient.  This was not a vague warning of "processed in a facility which also may contain peanuts," this was the second freaking ingredient after sesame seeds in the sesame paste. 

Fortunately, my parents taught me exactly what to do in that situation, so I was able to save myself by taking my medicine and rushing to the ER.  If that hadn't been the case, you probably wouldn't be reading this entry right now.

And all because the restaurant owner wouldn't check a package of sesame paste.

Peanut allergies have been in the news a lot in the past ten years.  The generation below mine has apparently been walloped with a peanut allergy epidemic.  Peanuts have been banned from school campuses, and in-class birthday parties with cupcakes and cookies are a thing of the past.

Still, many who don't deal with these allergies on a personal level tend to roll their eyes at these regulations.  For most people, it's hard to believe that something that can be so nourishing and tasty (and often nostalgic and comforting - think PB&J) can be literal poison for someone else.  There are also people who may have a technical peanut allergy with only minor reactions such as hives, who go around saying things like "I can eat a small amount and it's okay."  For me, this is not an option.  One nibble of a peanut butter cookie could cause me to go into anaphylactic shock and die. 

But because of all the conflicting information (as well as real variations in type and severity), many non-allergic people still view these allergies as something minor, exaggerated, psychosomatic, or even fabricated to garner attention.  I know, because the fact of my allergy has been met with each one of these attitudes more times than I can count, as recently as this week.

I'm not going to name the restaurant.  The goal of this entry is not to attack an individual chef or establishment.  I merely want to relate my first-hand experience as an example to whoever reads this of why it really is that important to know what you're feeding people, whether you own a restaurant or not, especially if they let you know they have a food allergy. It's a weird and scary world out there when an innocent legume that can nourish one person can react like arsenic in the belly of another.  We all need to look out for one another.  Sometimes it can be as easy as reading the label on a package.

This Saturday, Boston Sports Club of Davis Square is holding a special fitness event from 1-4 which is FREE and OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS.

Though there is no charge for the "Fitness Fest," donations will be accepted to help BSC yoga instructor extraordinaire fund his project, Dharma Wind, a hand-built catamaran which will, upon completion, be the site of open-air yoga and other mind/body classes, as well as traveling, open sea yoga retreats.

From Ben's website:

"In addition to the artistry of form and the soulful heritage of the voyaging canoes, the Dharma Wind is being built as a double canoe for many practical reasons.  Being a catamaran, she is very wide, and incredibly stable.  Keeping the deck clear of unnecessary structure, we will have a large open space for training in mind-body arts.  It will be an open air studio with the freedom of movement.  With uncluttered space, and horizon on all sides, the mind will quickly lend itself to the expansion and reflection of meditation.  We will also be able to rig temporary shelter over this space, for conducting classes in dry comfort while rain ripples the surface of the water."

Sounds pretty idyllic to me.

The fundraiser event will include three fitness classes that cover a wide range of exercise approaches, starting with a spin class, following up with something called "triple threat" (I know I'm intimidated,) and finally closing with a yoga class taught by Ben himself. Come by to get a feel for the yoga offerings of Dharma Wind.  As you do your sun salutations in the temperature-controlled, second-story gym overlooking the Rockwell-esque bustle of Davis Square, you can envision how you might feel cycling through the same poses on the deck of a beautiful wooden boat out on the open ocean. 

If the word "menstruation" makes you cringe, please take this opportunity to navigate away from this blog entry.  You're not going to like what comes next.

But if you're a woman between the ages of twelve and fifty, you most likely deal monthly with She of 1,000 Euphemisms, or, bluntly, the human reproductive cycle.  Menses.  Your period.

And if you're one of these women raised in North America, you are probably familiar with the range of "feminine hygiene" products available in drugstores and supermarkets.  Most of you probably consider yourselves either tampon or pad girls, and purchase boxes of your preferred method monthly or bi-monthly, maybe raising an eyebrow over warnings of Toxic Shock Syndrome or articles about the bleaches and chemicals used in the cotton in these disposables, maybe worrying momentarily about all the waste created by going through a dozen boxes of these products every month, but generally resigned to one of these approaches.  After all, what other options are there?

Well, there's the menstrual cup, for one.  Please take a moment to view the image above.  This magical little cup is a reusable, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and relatively worry-free alternative to tampons.  Yes, you stick that thing inside of you.  Yes, you reuse it.  No, it's not gross, or at least not any grosser than shoving a piece of cotton up there and letting it rot, or reusing your underwear after washing them, for that matter. 

Here's the rundown.  You wash it and replace it twice a day in the shower or in the bathroom while you get ready for bed.  The rest of the time, you don't need to worry about leakage, or make any mad dashes to the bathroom with your purse.  When the cup is properly placed, you can't even feel it.  Many women have experienced a significant reduction in cramps after switching to cups from tampons, and since cups simply collect falling fluid rather than absorbing it, you can leave it in for 12 hours at a time without worrying about Toxic Shock Syndrome. 

I've personally used a cup for five years, and I remember when I first started I was actually angry that I had used tampons since I was fourteen.  For me, there was no comparison.  I used to dread those few days a month during which I felt like I was keeping a dirty little secret, always sneaking off to the bathroom with an unmarked package and silently praying for divine leak protection in formal wear.  After a few cycles using a cup, my attitude toward my period changed completely.  I often said I forgot I even had a period because the maintenance was so carefree compared to life pre-cup.

As if the sheer convenience weren't enough, cups are also environmentally and economically sound.  The same cup will last you ten years if you take care of it properly, saving whole dump trucks full of waste generated by disposable tampons and pads.  Plus, a cup will run you about thirty bucks.  If you buy even one four-dollar box of tampons per month, a cup will more than pay for itself in less than a year. 

It's truly the wave of the future.  So, are you ready to go with the flow?

In the United States and Canada, the two most readily available brands of menstrual cups are The Keeper and The Diva Cup.

The Keeper is the original American manufacturer of the modern menstrual cup.  The Keeper is a brown, latex rubber model which comes in two sizes:  Size B for women who have never given birth vaginally, and Size A for women who have.  (The inside of your vagina changes considerably not only after childbirth, but also as you grow older.  Many women in their late twenties or thirties require the larger sized cup, even if they've never given birth).  As the first modern mainstream provider of menstrual cups, and being the only modern brand that offers a product in natural latex instead of silicone, Keepers have acquired a somewhat crunchier, more holistic image than many of their competitors, including the Diva Cup.

The Diva Cup, which is also available in two sizes and is made of a soft, clear, medical-grade silicone.  Diva Cup is a Canadian company, and Divas have traditionally been marketed less to the "organic, granola, one-with-your-body" and more to the "practical, in-control, on-the-go" side of the modern girl demographic than the Keeper.  The fact that it's made of silicone is especially exciting to those who are interested in cups but are allergic to latex.  (Keeper has since released its own silicone cup, The Moon Cup, but reports of shady branding practices have led many cup enthusiasts [they do exist] to call for a boycott of this product.  For more information about the Moon Cup US boycott, click this link.)

Both of these brands are available at Whole Foods and Cambridge Naturals, but there are a dozen other international brands out there, all of which are designed slightly differently and may "fit" different people better.  If you want to know all your options, check out this comprehensive comparison.  (Note, not all of these international brands hold US FDA approval, so this is something to consider if FDA approval is a concern for you.)

If you're interested in the history of the menstrual cup, check out this page on the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health website.

And for the YouTube-attention-spanned (down here, guys!  down here!), here's a video sponsored by Diva Cup that gives a pretty snappy rundown.
 

Most of us are aware of all the problems caused by the overabundance of salt in the American diet, but the profusion of SUGAR is also the cause of a plethora of health problems. 

The average American consumes over 100 lbs of sugar and sweeteners every year.  Not only does too much sugar eventually lead to diabetes and heart disease, but in the short run it causes weight gain, mood swings, and low energy. 

Michelle Pfennighaus, a certified nutrition and wellness coach registered with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, is teaching a FREE WORKSHOP at VIM Fitness in Central Square at 7PM on January 25th, 2010.  Drop by and lay the smackdown on your sugar addiction.

Sugar Smackdown
January 25, 2010
7:00 pm
VIM Fitness, 350 Mass Ave, Central Square
Cost: Free
Open to the public - all are welcome

REGISTER HERE for FREE

It's that time of year when New Englanders break out their snowboots and faux-fur-rimmed parkas to greet Old Man Winter's hoary endowments.  Like many of you readers, my roommates and I spent much of the weekend trudging around in a sparkly white wonderland attempting to mold and manipulate the sparkly whiteness to our whims using shovels, scrapers, and occasionally, arms and legs.  

We do it because we have to, and we generally don't think too much about it, but change the setting, the clothes, and the intention, and you've got an intensive kettlebell workout.  Yet most of us don't take the time or the mental energy to properly prepare our bodies for the strain.  Not only that, but we rush to get through the task as quickly as possible, most likely mentally occupied with something else. 

Would you go to the gym in your flipflops and jeans and begin carelessly tossing around barbells?  Then why tackle snow shoveling with such cavalier lassitude?  Just because it's a task you don't want to be doing doesn't mean it won't screw up your back.  You may find yourself sore the day after shoveling snow.  Your shoulders and chest may feel weak and/or tight from the lifting and pushing.  Or you may notice a painful burning sensation in your lower back or hip area. 

According to our own Richard Green, a sharp pain in the lower back while shoveling means you've crossed a threshold, and your body's defenses are kicking in to let you know to stop.  But if you're in the middle of shoveling and have no help, you're probably not going to be able to stop completely.  If you feel yourself beginning to push your limits, try to do only the bare minimum of work that is necessary. 

If after shoveling you notice tenderness to the touch in your lower back, you have probably strained a muscle or some other soft tissues (including tendons, ligaments, and fascia). 

Richard should know.  He strained his own back just this weekend shoveling snow, proving even the most accomplished bodyworkers are not immune to bodily strain.  Richard uses a combination of ice and ibuprofen to help mollify inflamed muscles.  He would like to remind others who use ice not to place the freezing surface of the icepack directly on the skin, but make sure to use a barrier such as a towel or cloth.

But of course, a flurry of prevention is worth a blizzard of cure.  MTW's own Kris Quinones shares some tips to prevent injury while hoisting your slushpile to the curb. 

Kris's Shoveling Tips::

*Buy a decent shovel:  Invest the $30 for a quality one.  Those cheap, plastic shovels wreak havoc on your body and don't work well at all.  Some are shaped for lifting snow (flat), others are curved for "plowing" or pushing snow aside.  Find the right one. 

*Bend your knees:  Please folks, don't lift with your backs.  Snow isn't always light and fluffy so don't think you can just "fling" that snow without keeping your back straight.

*Take breaks:  I've got a long driveway.  Waaaay long.  So I tackle it in sections, taking breaks every 20 minutes or so.  I also find it helpful to go out and shovel after only a few inches have accumulated - even when it continues to snow.  Going out twice to lift less snow is better than going out once and straining my muscles.

*Wear the right gear:  Dress in layers and wear boots with proper traction.  I'm amazed at how many people I see out there in their regular shoes.  Good traction = good body mechanics = less risk of injury.

*Know your limits:  Shoveling can be quite a cardio workout.  Don't underestimate the amount of energy it takes and ask for help if you need it.   -KQ

This time of year, people tend to make New Year's Resolutions.  I've always thought the notion was a little silly, myself.  Why wait for some arbitrary "beginning" to improve yourself?  Your mind and body don't run by the calendar.  Anytime can be the right time to change for the better.

For us in the Northeast, this time of year does not obviously lend itself to active change (or activity of any type, really, besides cuddling by fireplaces, knitting, and drinking warm chocolatey and/or alcoholic beverages).  That said, midwinter is as good a time as any to change your diet or start a workout routine. 

In a climate like ours here in Boston, winter is a time of self-reflection and regeneration.  Symbolically, it is a quiet time of gestation, preparing us for the rebirth of the coming spring.  If you look at it that way, it makes perfect sense that the seeds you plant during these seemingly lifeless months will grow into the person you will be in the year to come.

Getting in shape/losing weight always hangs out near the number one spot in those Top Ten New Year's Resolutions lists.  Since it's relatively safe to assume that the readers of a wellness blog are interested in, well, wellness, I'm going to go ahead and wager that many of you have goals of improving or maintaining your physical health in 2010. 

Starting a yoga routine can be one of the most effective ways to jump-start your fitness goals.  But if you've seen some advanced yogis in wild poses like the one above, you may find the prospect a bit intimidating. 

Our massage therapist Jared was a busy student who didn't think he had time to work out.  "I hardly exercised," he tells me.  "I would run a couple of miles every few weeks, but I didn't have anything close to a regular workout routine.

"A lot of my friends and clients were into yoga, and it got me interested.  People would come in to be massaged because of injuries sustained while they were trying to get into this or that pose.  I really started doing yoga hoping to better understand the needs of my clients.

"When I took my first class, I was shocked by how these people could move.  That first time, I was struggling just to get into the basic poses.  I knew I wasn't doing any of them right, but I also knew the second time would be easier.  Sure enough, at my second class, I could nail most of the basic poses, and felt the workout much more."

Jared started taking a yoga class once per week at Karma Yoga in Harvard Square.  By his third class, he started noticing changes in his body, both in class and in everyday life.  "I noticed while I was doing normal things, like opening doors, or even walking, that my movements were more controlled and fluid.  My stride was more confident and controlled.  I used to sort of drag my feet and shuffle around. 

"I used to be very clumsy.  All of a sudden, I was more aware of my body.  The more I've practiced, the more in control of my movements I feel.  I don't trip over myself or bump into things anymore.  And I noticed I was getting more flexible.  It wasn't as difficult to bend over and pick something up.

"I'm also much stronger physically now.  It's been great - so much better for me than weight lifting, which shortens muscles.  Yoga lengthens as it strengthens, and also teaches you how to use those muscles practically."

Another major benefit of yoga that becomes immediately apparent to most people beginning their practice is the awareness and control of breath.  "I have much more endurance and don't get out of breath as easily as I did before," Jared notes.  "Also, when I do get out of breath, I recover much more quickly."

It's true that some of the most advanced poses can take years of practice to achieve, but the basics can be learned relatively quickly and easily, and each pose can be modified for the individual's ability level.  Because of this inherent "customization" factor, every yoga practitioner will get the workout that is most beneficial to him or her.  Jared has learned to adjust his poses slightly as his ability level increases.  "Every class, I notice I can do a little more."

Jared's tips for fledgling yogis:

*Go with a friend, especially someone who practices yoga.  It'll help you feel less awkward, and you can ask them your questions. 

*Let the teacher know you're new.  They will usually give you extra help and instruction to get you started right.

*Tightish clothes are better than loose.  There are a lot of upside-down positions, and baggy clothes will fly up. 

*Everyone has to start somewhere.  Remember, don't be too hard on yourself, and above all, be flexible.  Listen to your body and its abilities.  Take it slow.  You'll be a pro before you know it.

Every year when the holidays arrive, I start seeing articles about eating everywhere.  There are of course the ubiquitous, "Avoid Holiday Weight Gain,"  "Healthy Holiday Eating Tips,"  and "How to Resist Temptation this Holiday," bad-omen-style articles that linger around us as we go about our good cheer like a passive-aggressive, tsk-tsking aunt.  Then, of course, there are the "Reasons You Should Indulge Over the Holidays" articles, stressing moderation and wise choices.  While these tips make more sense than "try low-fat yogurt instead of eggnog," they can also make the celebrant hyper-aware of each treat that passes through their lips, effectively killing any comfort and joy.

It's enough to make the casual partier shout "I don't even care anymore!" and stampede the peppermint bark and spice cookies with a shovel. 

My friend Jess is in grad school for Nutrition and Diatetics at NYU, and I often peruse her blog for real-life food advice and ideas.  Just before Thanksgiving, I read an entry she wrote in which she expressed pointed frustration over all the emotional stakes surrounding "food holidays."

From Keeping It Real Food:

"I am of the belief that a lot of people who feel they have problems 'controlling' themselves at such events feel that way because they've been told they have problems with self-control around food and therefore they need to buy this or that magazine so it can tell them how to reign it in and stay in line like a 'good' girl (or boy). If a publication tells you you're an emotional eater, you're more likely to subscribe to that idea and incorporate it into your behavior. Power of suggestion."

Jess suggests a shift in our focus at the holidays.  Since when did the food we gather around become more important than the family and friends we eat it with?  Why don't we try to look at it as a meal, a drink, or a plate of cookies prepared for us by someone we love instead of a taunting caloric landmine. 

People still make a big deal out of  the "French Paradox."  The French, who eat a diet consisting mostly of meat, butter, cheese, and white bread about four times a day, have one of the lowest rates of obesity and heart disease in the world.  Could it be that part of the reason for this conundrum is that the French eat largely to enjoy the the experience of eating, or the company they're with, rather than obsessing over the physical food they consume? 

The bottom line is, what you eat over a day or two is not going to ruin your life, or even your waistline.  If you are generally healthy, you will go back to your normal life unscathed by your holiday meal.  The question is, will you have enjoyed the time with your family and friends, or will you have spent the whole time obsessing over what is (or isn't) on your plate?

Rebecca Nisetich is a graduate student, a William Faulkner fan, and a preparer of tasty and creative vegetarian meals.  She is also an impressive distance runner.  She was the fifth woman to place in this year's Stone Cat 50 Mile Ultra-Marathon, on a hilly, rocky, outdoor trail in Ipswich.  This accomplishment is even more impressive when you speak to Rebecca and discover Stone Cat was only the third ultramarathon she had ever run. 

"I played a few sports in high school, but I was never really what you'd consider athletic," she tells me over tea in Central Square's 1369 Coffee House.  "I really only started running in college.  When I first started at Colby College, I was honestly too shy to go work out at the gym.  I was an only child for a long time, and even though I liked the social aspects of dorm life, I found that I really needed a good chunk of alone time during the day were I could just sort of exist with my thoughts.  Running wound up being a way to solve both of these problems.  It gave me the physical activity my body needed and the daily period of solitude my mind craved. 

"My Junior year when I was in Cape Town studying anthropology, I took my running to the next level.  In South Africa, distance running is like a national pass time. Everyone does it, and the marathons they have there are a big deal, almost like the World Series is here.  I ran my first ultramarathon (a marathon longer than 26.2 miles) there.  When I heard about the ultramarathon, I was excited to give it a try.  After I finished, I knew I was hooked."

When Rebecca heard about the Stone Cat Ultramarathon, she started training for it immediately.  "I knew I wanted to do it.  It would be the longest marathon I'd ever run, and it would give me a great long-term goal to work toward."

After a few weeks of training, however, she noticed severe pain in her left hip.  "Runners are obsessed with their bodies, almost to the point of being paranoid.  I went to the doctor right away.  Even though all the x-rays came back normal, he decided it was probably a stress fracture.  Something didn't add up.  I think he probably had some preconceived notions about me because I'm a female and a vegetarian.  It is true that women who run are prone to stress fractures, and especially prone when they don't eat enough.  However, I'm a very healthy vegetarian.  I love to eat, and I'm very careful with my body.  But a doctor's a doctor, so I trusted him.

"He advised me to take eight weeks off, and I did.  When I started running again, though, the pain came back, only less severe this time.  I tried to run through it for a while.  I mean, the doctor said it should be better, right?   But eventually I couldn't ignore it any longer.  I went back to the doctor and they continued to say that it was a bone issue.  They kept saying I wasn't eating enough.  I felt almost judged.  It was like they were accusing me of being anorexic.  I told them I ate a lot, but they didn't seem to believe me. 

"They also had this attitude of 'Silly girl, you're pushing your body too hard!'  They told me I was basically doing it to myself by running.  One doctor even suggested I 'just use the elliptical.'  Compared to most marathon runners I know, I don't even run that much!  It really annoyed me.  I mean, I doubt they're telling all the male athletes they see that their bodies can't handle their sport. 

"I didn't know what to do.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to run the marathon.  Then my friend Meredith from the Cambridge Running Club told me about massage therapy.  She had had great success at Massage Therapy Works with Richard Green.  I was desperate and willing to try anything, and Meredith was confident that Richard could help me, so I made an appointment.

"When I came in for my first appointment and told him my symptoms, he was practically completing my sentences for me.  'So you have pain in the hipbone and they probably told you it was a stress fracture from pushing yourself too hard, right?'  I was shocked.  Richard explained that what was actually going on was my left hamstrings were so tight that the tendons were actually pulling the covering from the bone.  It's the same thing that happens with shin splints, only it was happening with my hip.  I was so relieved to finally hear some answers that made sense.

"He said he was confident he could resolve the issue with Sports Massage.  We did two preliminary sessions to correct the problem.  These were rough, but I made it through.  I didn't even realize how tight those muscles were, but when he was working in there, let me tell you, I felt it.  Sometimes when he was working on an area that was especially painful he'd tell jokes to keep me occupied until it was over.  But after only two sessions the pain in my hip was completely gone.

"I continued to come back for maintenance massages throughout my training, and when the big day arrived, I'd never felt better.  My hip was pain-free, and I noticed the rest of my muscles had newfound flexibility which helped a lot on the hilly terrain.

"I'd been by to check out the trail before.  A lot of runners are afraid to run on a natural, wooded trail because its so uneven, and most runners are terrified of falling.  I actually learned to run on trails like this in Maine, so I wasn't very worried about it.  The only tough thing was the race took place in the autumn, and the fallen leaves on the trail could get pretty slippery.  Fortunately after a few laps, all of our sneakers had beaten the trail down and smoothed things out a little, so it got easier."

In the end, Rebecca finished the fifty mile race in only eight hours and thirty-nine minutes, and was the fifth woman to place.

"I didn't know I'd be good at this when I started," she says.  "Being good wasn't even really a goal at first, ultramarathons were just something I decided to try out.  Now they've become a part of my life."

A very important part.  Rebecca is now getting her PhD in 20th Century American Literature from the University of Connecticut.  Before a long day of studying, she gets up early in the morning for a run.

"I love the feeling of knowing I'm doing something good for myself first thing.  It puts me a great mindset for the rest of my day.  Plus, it's nice to feel connected to my body.  When you spend twelve hours a day reading and writing papers, that connection can get lost.  Being reminded of my own physicality helps keep things in perspective."

Watch a video about Rebecca running the Stone Cat 50.

For months now, Massage Therapy Works has had occasional visitors from a place called Natural Standard.  On these days, pharmacy students show up in the mornings in groups of three to four to experience sample massages and talk to Richard about the benefits of bodywork and complementary health care. 

I became intrigued by these guests.  Traditional Western pharmacy students interested in complementary health care?  I wouldn't have believed it five years ago, but with all the positive press natural and holistic remedies have been getting lately, it seemed, well, natural.  I talked to one of the students and she told me they had come from schools all over the country to do an academic rotation at Natural Standard, the authoritative worldwide database of herbal and naturopathic remedies, which happened to have its homebase right here in Davis Square.

Natural Standard was founded by Catherine (Kate) Ulbricht, PharmD, MBA[c], and Ethan Basch, MD, MSc, MPhil in 1999.

Kate meets with me the day after she returns from one of her many business trips.  Her two Boston terriers are comatose in her office, sprawled out and snoozing off the jet lag. Kate is doing no such thing. 

We leave her office to the dreaming pooches and walk out to the comfort of the lobby.  This sojourn affords me a nice little tour of Headquarters.  It's a big, sunny, open setting with two large rooms filled with desks and cubicles.  ""This is the student room," Kate says as we go through the first, bubbling with activity.  "It's where the pharmacy students work."  We go through another room of employees.  "Of course, Natural Standard is an online database, so most of the company exists on the internet.  Our medical writers contribute from all over the world.  But we need a place to meet people, and an address to get mail."

The employees and students are all busy, bustling, even, but still jovial.  It's that frenetic calm that comes when all of the action is under control. 

In the quiet lobby on red, plush chairs, I ask Kate how it all began.

She brightens and says, "When I was fifteen, I wanted to work."  In her small Connecticut hometown, she convinced her parents to sign the documents that would allow her to take a job at the local pharmacy, a tiny operation with one full-time pharmacist and one sub.  "There wasn't a soda counter there," she says, "but it wouldn't have been out of place."  Kate worked sweeping floors, vacuuming, and ringing up customers. 

At the cash register, she discovered she loved the one-on-one aspect of customer service that came with small business.  She would speak at length with the client to hone in on the product that would treat his or her individual needs. She learned about herbs, vitamins, and drugs, and when it came time to go to college and choose a course of study, she decided she wanted to become a pharmacist.

You can now follow Massage Therapy Works on Twitter.  As if this news wasn't exciting enough, we will be offering SPECIAL TWITTER-ONLY DISCOUNTS every week.  These specials will be day-of-service, because I've read in Wired that the point of Twitter is to be up-to-the-minute.  Just to add an element of suspense, the specials will be on a different day every week. 

(Psst.  There's one today, but this is the only hint you're going to get.)