holistic – FaithFueled™ Mom

I was given tickets to Natural Product Expo East in exchange for press coverage for the event. All my opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy.

Natural Products Expo East

For the last three years, I have been told that I needed to attend Natural Products Expo West and East. Every year I make in excuse but this year I finally did it all wrong. I covered the Natural Expo East as a blogger. I have covered other events over the years. Attending very large expos like Idea World Convention and smaller expos like the Gluten-Free and Allergy Friendly expo which is now known as the Nourish Festival. So I thought I knew what I was doing from what I have learned over the years. Like go in with very little and bring a jacket. Usually, that’s all I really need because I am in and out within a day.

Now, the same friends have shared the enormity of the expo but I still went in unprepared. I was god smacked walking into the four floors Baltimore Convention Center of Vendors sharing Natural wellness goods, services, and products. It was overwhelming from the beginning. I marched in my super cute boots ready to take on the expo and make connections with the brands. That was the first of many mistakes.

5 Mistakes I made at the Natural Products Expo East

1. Come Prepared and have a game plan

I allowed myself two days to tackle the entire event and that was not enough time. If I was better prepared it might have been more feasible but I was naive. If you plan on attending the Natural Products Expo East which will be hosted in the nearby metro area Philadelphia for 2020. Save the date. I would make a game plan of the important vendors you want to connect with first. You can easily get distracted and sidetracked with all of the options that are there I would make the list of the important brands and start there.

For me, I am an ambassador and affiliate for a few of the brands who attended. Prior to my attendance, I had spoken with a few via email and we were supposed to connect at Expo East. Some of them I was unable to connect with because it was hard to find them and along the way, I got distracted by many distractions. Next year, I will visit my friends first and then wander around.

2. Wear proper attire.

I work in a gym Mon-Thurs and rarely get to wear “real clothes” so when it was time to get dressed for the Natural Products Expo East. My plan was to look cute. Completing my outfit with some leopard boots I got last year after the winter season. I have been dying to wear them but breaking in my new boots and the Natural Product Expo East was the wrong idea. About Mid Day in my feet were tired, blistered and sore. Lesson learn, opt for comfy foot attire at a massive expo.

3. Give yourself time

I thought it would only take two days to check out the expo but there is a reason it is four days long. I think it would have been a much more enjoyable experience if I didn’t feel rushed and could take my time. When it comes to Philly I will make sure that I go at least three days and I will take my time with my game plan and comfortable shoes. I won’t leave feeling so overwhelmed.

4. Use the resources

Natural Products Expo East was great about sending emails about the schedule daily as well as the Expo Booklet was informative. At the beginning of my day, I utilized the maps but by the end, I had misplaced my book and was lost often. I get lost in a circle so next time I will keep my booklet available to me at all times.

5. Bring more business cards.

I usually don’t give out my business cards unless I make a really meaningful connection. They cost money and most people throw them away. I brought about 50 business cards without realizing how many companies that I was going to connect. I handed out 47 business cards at the Expo. There is the ability to scan your badge but my business cards are memorable. Towards the end of the stack, I became stingy with my cards but if I had brought more I would not have worried about running out.

Learning from my Mistakes

Natural Products Expo East was so much more than I expected. The people were amazing with their passion for their products, goods or service. It was well organized and it was a great opportunity for me to get from behind my computer and make connections. I am so excited about the opportunities that have already started coming to my inbox and I can’t wait to attend next year better prepared and open for opportunity.

I got to experience so many amazing brands, products, and services. It was great to actually touch, try and also hear the stories behind the product development. I have heard Natural Products Expo West is triple the size and passion. One day I will get there but I don’t think it will be this year. It’s also nice to know that there are people who have dietary issues, supplemental needs like me and there are companies that are serving them. It’s almost taboo to be Natural so at the Natural Product Expo East, I found that I am not alone. It was a great experience and I hope I learn from my mistakes for the next one.

Have you ever attended an expo? Are you interested in Natural Products?

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I received a $50 gift card t shop at Swanson’s Health Products in exchange for a blog review post. I have also received free products from Tp Therapy and Dirty Bird Energy. Although I received these items for free, they do not affect my opinion. My Full Disclosure Policy

I don’t know if it’s my age or the fact that I am active every day, but I don’t remember having muscle soreness on a daily basis. I tell people if I don’t wake up sore something is wrong. Muscle soreness is a part of my life and just like anything that makes you uncomfortable you want to find a better way.

I was in Las Vegas this summer at the IDEA World Convention. During my first day, I spent 9 hours of getting certified for STRONG by Zumba, at which, I believe six of those hours were exercise. (At least it felt like it; I may be being dramatic so maybe 4.5) But it was more than an hours worth of group fitness. At the end of the day, I was whooped and sore. I had a nagging issue in my pec that radiates to my shoulder; now I know its bicep tendinitis, but at the time I had no idea what was wrong. It’s not an injury or strain just the fact that I am 35 years old and I do push-ups and pull-ups almost every day could probably be the problem.

Regardless, by the third day of IDEA, my usual nag had become a scream. I was in tears because of the pain.

I have a high tolerance for pain and yep, pulling the natural birth Mom card. “I had my babies naturally!” So, for it to bring me to tears meant it was pretty painful. I hate taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen. My stomach is really that sensitive.

My roommate offered me two things that I had never heard of before. 5 Arnica 30c tablets and a Salspas patch. Can I say Magic? I placed the Arnica 30c under my tongue, slapped that patch on my shoulder and next thing you know I was waking up. The pain must have subsided and allowed me to go to sleep.

When I got home, I had to get this fantastic homeopathic remedy, so I checked out Swanson Health Products which is my go-to for affordable Natural and Homeopathic needs and was able to stock up on everything Arnica.

Being the nerd that I am of course, I had to see why many people didn’t know that this natural pain reliever existed. terrific I have sent many to Swanson’s to get their own, and it’s in quite a few of their gym bags.

I also carry the cream and one day I have hit my shin on the grocery cart (have you ever done that “OH MY GOODNESS”) put the cream on my shin and it stopped throbbing in about 2 minutes and didn’t leave a bruise for once. I now swear by it like Windex, and my girls are always asking for the Arnica Oil at home for their “Boo boo’s” well actually that’s just Mimi my older ones just get it themselves. I am grateful my Roomie shared her homeopathic goodness, and now as always, I feel obligated to share too.

Why not Tylenol?

Other than being really conscious of what I put in my body (that whole honor your temple conviction thing I got going) I am one of those people who hate taking pills. It’s not that I can’t I just don’t want to and if I can get relief by letting little candy-like pellets dissolve or rubbing cream; sign me up, for pain relief. Other than that I will suck it up and deal with it. There are also many adverse side effects associated with prolonged Acetimophrin consumption.

According to Dr. Dennis Lee, “Even though Tylenol most likely does not cause serious liver damage in recommended doses, it can cause elevations of liver enzymes in the blood suggesting injury to the liver. In a study of 145 healthy subjects who were randomized to receive placebo or 4 grams of Tylenol daily for two weeks, subjects in the placebo group experienced no elevations of ALT, a liver enzyme, but 33%-44% of the subjects in the Tylenol group had ALT elevations greater than three times the upper limits of normal. The highest ALT elevation was greater than 500 which is approximately 10 times the upper limit of normal. All enzyme elevations returned to normal after stopping Tylenol. Thus, recommended doses of Tylenol given to healthy subjects for two weeks can cause mild to moderate reversible liver injury. Tylenol, like all other medications, should be used cautiously under a doctor’s supervision with monitoring of liver enzyme levels.”

If you take Tylenol too long it will elevate the liver enzymes in your blood once you stop; it reduces. How about avoiding that in general? Some things are necessary for Acetaminophen and muscle soreness is not one of them. There are so many ways to either avoid or treat your aches and pains without popping a pill. It also takes so long to give you the relief I have a suggestion of some alternatives reliefs to muscle soreness.

7 Things you must have to Relieve Muscle Soreness

7. Arnica Montana

Arnica 30c is amazing it works almost instantly, and it is a safer alternative to reduce your pain relieve from muscle soreness, joint swelling, and bruising. It is non-drowsy and doesn’t react any other drugs because it’s homeopathic. It comes in a Pellets, Gel, Cream, and Oil. In concentrated form, the herb is toxic if eaten but the pellets are highly diluted making it edible and pure Arnica has been classified by the FDA as an unsafe herb. I only recommend getting homeopathic diluted tablets and not using the herb itself orally. It has been used since the 1500s it’s a yellow flower that grows in Europe and the US also known as Leopard Bane, and it will be your new best friend.

6. Foam Rolling

Self-Myofascial release (SMR) is something that I hope you have heard of and if you haven’t you need too. SMR is a corrective measure for muscle imbalances and helps to reduce trigger points which are those tender muscle soreness you get those extra sore spots. It is best to do SMR before and after workouts along with stretching.

Foam Rollers come in many shapes and sizes and is necessary for anyone who exercises period whether its regularly or sporadically you should Foam Roll before and after every workout can help prepare you for your next work out. I am a Trigger Point Ambassador, and I use a variety of their products. I love their products because they have created great tools to make foam rolling simple and straightforward. My personal favorite is the Grid Stick it’s a hand-held foam roller that works wonders on my traps, neck, arms, and back. I can use it by myself or with one of my mini assistance.

I am also in over with their massage balls put your lacrosse balls to the side and try the MB1 or MB5 Massage ball. It is entirely unbelievable on my shoulders, pecs, and hips. It’s layered, and each color is a different density it’s like a deep tissue massage in all the right places. I use it pretty much daily. The MB1 is a half the size of the MB5 measuring at 2.6 inches in diameter the MB5 is 5 inches both are great investments if you plan on being active.

5. Oils and Soaps- Or in Soap

“When I was at Rugged maniacs this summer cheering some of my clients on I got to try Dirty Bird Energy Soap sample. They also gave me the Recover Soap that comes in their resealable container. I am in love this soap is fantastic and junk free made with all natural ingredients. “No Parabens, No Sulfates, Only the Good Stuff!”

It is a fantastic exfoliate which is what helps you absorb the muscle relieving ingredients. It contains Arnica, Eucalyptus and Rosemary extract which is the ultimate combination of body repair oil treatments. It helps to reduce the bruising and inflammation, and it is invigorating coming out of the shower. I also love the case because it makes it easy to travel in my gym bag and keep it away from the lil divas!

4. Diet

I can’t stress enough that we have to honor our temple. How we fuel our temples affects every aspect of how it functions if you want to be your best you have to treat it that way. There have been studies that show that people who ate a whole based nutrient dense diet that has little to no processed food recovered at a faster rate than those who don’t.

3. Water

A study in the Journal of Athletic Training concluded that if you are dehydrated, you can increase the “severity” of DOMs or delayed onset muscle soreness which occurs within 12 to 48 hours after exercise. It is the soreness from your muscle repairing themselves and growing. It is critical to muscle injuries and tears from strength training. When your body cells don’t have enough water that can delay the protein synthesis used to repair your muscles. Dehydration can also cause the breakdown of muscle tissue which is defeating your workouts. Drinking water before and after exercise will help reduce muscle soreness and promote growth. Water is a naturally powerful way to ease your pain.

2. Massage and Stretching

Massages and Stretching are essential for muscle soreness and workout recovery. I know you have heard it before but it so true. I really didn’t realize the value of Self-Myofascial and Stretching until attending school and practicing it myself. I am guilty of wanting to jump into the workout and get it done. I have found when I foam roll and stretch first I can challenge myself greater in the workout and the recovery isn’t as painful. Starting the habit of warm-up and cooldown can be helpful in decreasing muscle soreness.

1.Heating Pad and Ice Pack

Old school remedy that is effective and can work I would use this for ongoing aches, pains, and injury. I think we always want an instant fix but applying all of these suggestions and taking 20-40 minutes to REST can be really effective in reducing muscle soreness. Alternating heat and ice can help with blood flow and help reduce inflammation resulting in pain relief. Some inexpensive ways to create a “Cryo pack” or ice pack. Take a water bottle about half full and freeze it wrap it in a towel and apply or you can create an amazing heat pack with a cup of rice in a sock. Tie it up and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and get a fantastic adaptable heating pad to relieve your soreness.

You don’t have to suffer in pain or need to take pain relievers to cope. I hope that with these suggestions you can stay out the pharmacy and live your best life pain-free.

What is your go-to for pain relief?

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