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Good Stress

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Lately with all the focus being placed on getting the R6 into race ready condition, there has been a lack of focus on the health aspect of this website which I would like to address. The truth is that in preparing for being a Novice racer with WMRRA this year there has been a great deal of stress in finding out issues related to the bike, what still needs to be done and the financial aspect that continues to grow as more items require my attention. But is all stress necessarily bad stress? No, in fact, stress is important in order to lead a happy and healthy life. Studies have shown that small bouts of stress are actually beneficial and good for us. Our bodies produce adrenaline when we feel threatened which makes our brain function clearer and improves our metal and physical performance. In addition, our immune systems also benefit by moving your white blood cells to wherever they are needed in the body to combat infection, repair tissue and increase your body’s natural defenses. So let’s talk about stress…

As a society, we tend to view stress as negative, but it actually should be more about the degree of stress and how we respond to it. For example, when you are about ready to speak to an audience, that stress and rush of adrenaline you experience can actually help you, it can actually optimize your brain function, temporarily increasing your memory and focus. Short term stress unleashes an army of hormones which helps to clean out any potentially harmful pathogens, but there is a fine line between that periodic type of stress versus the the chronic type of stress such as a rocky relationship or financial issues. If those hormones linger for too long or are released in very large doses then the body’s immune defenses suffer, leading to inflammation and disorders like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

The key to stress being helpful or ultimately harmful is how you handle the recovery period right after the stressful event. If you let something minor like being stuck in traffic affect you all day (a chronic anxiety), even though you are no longer in it, you are more apt to experience the negative effects of stress on you mentally and physically. It is important to take the necessary steps to bring your heart rate and blood pressure back into balance as quickly as possible. We can’t avoid stress (wouldn’t that be amazing if we could), but we can control the way we react to it, we actually have more control over our well-being than we care to admit. So smile, even if you have to force it, it will actually make you feel better and bounce back quicker. Heck, it may make you look somewhat weird and make you laugh at the mere sight of yourself. How can you feel pissed when you smile, it is way too hard. Say we have a fight with our significant other, when we get stressed the estrogen in our brains releases cortisol for 24 hours making the memory of the spat more pronounced and harder to get out of our minds. The quicker you tend to make up after a quarrel, the sooner you eliminate the threat and the damaging effects it has on your body. Yes, make-up sex, causes a surge of oxytocin which you experience during the big “O” which in turns creates a closer bond between the two of you while lowering adrenaline and cortisol levels, need I say more? Stuck in traffic and stressed? Look at it as a chance to jam to your music and enjoy the extra time getting to your destination, shift your focus to something positive, make a phone call to a friend and catch up (on your bluetooth, of course). Recovery and a quick one at that is what will determine if the stress you experience will either help you or hurt you, so take that deep breath and let it go, things always work out the way they are supposed to. Besides being too stressed also leads to depression and in the words of my youngest son, “Ain’t no body got time for that” and I couldn’t agree more. Ride on ladies and flash those pearly whites!

Kudos to us Vixens

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Vixens, as riders we tend to start out at a disadvantage, but being female riders I think shows we have “balls” and we definitely do get major credit for that. I believe it takes a certain type of woman to ride, she has to be confident, outgoing and let’s face it the majority of us have quite the personality to boot. Come on, think about it…getting off your bike with helmet in hand, you can start conversations with anyone and they have a huge amount of respect for you, women because they see how strong and independent you are (yes they want to be you) and men because they think it’s sexy (yeah, they can’t help that, it’s the way they are wired). I only state we are at a disadvantage mostly due to the machines we ride, they were developed without us in mind and I mean this in every way. It limits what kind of bikes some of choose to ride because as beginners it is intimidating to climb onto a machine which may weigh up to 300+ pounds more than us, the seat height is too high and we are unable to touch the ground or feel secure in touching it even 3/4 of the way, the handlebars are too far away, the suspension is too stiff for our body weight, etc. The truth is that many of us don’t want a bike we can’t flat foot at a stop and that ends up limiting what types of bikes we choose to ride as our starter bikes. Don’t get me wrong, starting out with a bike you are completely comfortable with to learn the in’s and out’s of motorcycling is incredibly important, but I find that the fear ends up dictating our choices and before we know it we have outgrown the bike we started with and aren’t fully enjoying the ride.

I will make myself an example in this, I bought a Ducati Monster 696 ABS as a starter bike. I wish I would’ve just bought the 796 (the seat height was also a determining factor, it was slightly higher) instead, but because I was being told that the 696 was more power than I would need, I chose my current bike. In the line of Ducati’s it was the one where I could get the most leverage for my feet to touch, but no one mentioned to me that it could be lowered by shaving the seat down, adjusting the suspension, etc. The truth is that dealerships are meant to sell you a bike, they aren’t there to help you enjoy it or get the most out of it, they are there to turn a profit. It is solely up to us to help educate each other and give each other advice that otherwise could not be learned through them. The first week out while on my tiptoes at a stop, I dropped the bike, it was so embarrassing and it really pissed me off. I went back to the dealership and discussed my issue, but the fact that they were guys, they had little (useful) advice to offer or maybe coming from a guy I just tuned them out. At the time, there was a gal named Rachel, that worked once a week at the dealership and she was way shorter than me and also rode. I asked her the same questions I had asked the guys and she was a plethora of information, the first was to have my seat shaved to gain leverage, lowering the bike using lowering links (which I still have a hard time getting behind unless you are only using the bike for pleasure riding and not leaning your bike in any way), suspension (which is still my go to) and just plain old seat time. I shaved the seat and got my suspension done and guess what? I could’ve gotten that 796 I wanted had someone just been a resource for me and told me what I needed to do to get my bike to fit me. Leverage is a huge factor for a beginner, but as you progress and get more seat time, experience and confidence, fully touching the ground doesn’t become a factor (while it is nice) and you can manage with one foot touching. Don’t be afraid to ask other women riders for advice, especially ones who fit your body type, they understand your struggles and will jump right on board to help you get more out of your ride. Sad to say, but we are the minority when it comes to riding so manufacturers concentrate of the major population of riders which happen to be men, so it is that much more imperative that we band together and show the industry that we do matter. I would love to see the day when a woman can walk into a dealership and be greeted by a knowledgable saleswoman, dealerships that offer free setup for women riders, offer workshops on how to maintain your bike, offer discounts to various businesses that can help us customize our bikes to fit, etc…Yeah it’s a pipe dream, but it isn’t impossible. Until that day arrives though, it is up to all of us to help educate and give each other advice on how to absolutely love our rides.

Tell other women riders about us and have them register on the website and like us on Facebook, we are here to help and make this the best online resource there is. If we can improve in any way let us know. We want to provide you with interesting information for riding and for women’s issues as the two go hand in hand. If there is an event you want posted, an issue you want discussed, etc. let us know via email and we will do it. MotoVixens is a community of women riders that are passionate about riding and their health, as riders we must maintain a certain energy level to focus and ride and it is all about being healthy and fit. Here’s to looking at all us fabulous Vixens! Now go out and Ride C.H.I.C!

Lung Cancer – What you should know

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I was recently reading an article in a magazine that spoke about people that either never smoked or were considered “never smokers” which meant that they had taken a drag on fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lives and their diagnosis of lung cancer, even though they were healthy adults that exercised regularly and ate right.  Of course this caught my eye, since I lost my mother to lung cancer when she was just 47 years of age and never smoked a day in her life.  Sure she was the victim of secondhand smoke, but really who hasn’t been?  It turns out that 1 in 5 women who contract lung cancer are what they consider never smokers and 60% of never smokers with lung cancer are women (researchers think that hormones may play a role in this).  That is staggering especially when you stop to think that they never smoked.  In fact doctors haven’t a clue why nonsmokers get lung cancer, but secondhand smoke, exposure to radon (a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water then seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation) and pollution continue to be the main culprits.

Diagnosing lung cancer is tricky since you can’t feel a tumor growing in them until it is large enough to cause discomfort and you start to feel chest pain, a cough that won’t go away, coughing up blood, wheezing or even hoarseness.  Unfortunately, these symptoms are similar to signs of bronchitis and pneumonia and doctors are more prone to diagnose you for infections like these than to order more tests when you fill out your questionnaire about your health and state you are not a smoker.  That is why it is imperative for you to be proactive about your body and your health, ask lots of questions, if there is a history in your family of cancer (of any type) speak to your doctor about your concerns.  Your sensitivity to harmful particles in the air may be hereditary.  When you breathe in carcinogens they are absorbed into the bloodstream and it’s your liver that is in charge of clearing them out, but if your liver is slow it allows those carcinogens to linger in the bloodstream and do their damage.  If you have an overactive liver, they break down non harmful molecules and turn them into carcinogens, which are sent back into the blood to circulate throughout your body, then if your lung cells absorb them then that is where the cancer will grow.  In a study of more than 100,000 women it was found that the more children a women (never smoker) had the less likely she was to get lung cancer.  It is believed that pregnancy may change a woman’s lung cells making them resistant to cancer.

While there is still so much more research to be done to understand lung cancer and what causes it, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself from lung cancer.  There is no diet or magic pill to prevent lung cancer, but researchers know that certain foods and eating strategies can help to lower your risk, no surprise it seems to be the same for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general.  Vegetables over vitamins, crucifierous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, kale & cabbage) contain glucosinolates, a type of chemical compound believed to reduce the risk of lung and other cancers.  Even though glucosinolates are available in supplements, the body doesn’t absorb the crucial cancer-fighting compound in pill form as well as it does from food sources.  Get more soy in your diet, the isoflavones (a compound in soy), have been found to slow lung cancer cell growth.  Scientists discovered that people with the most soy in their diet had a 23% lower risk for lung cancer than those with the least.  Drinking tea, in the study those who drank black tea helped to protect nonsmoking women from lung cancer.   Smokers and nonsmokers who drank at least one cup of green tea a day were 5x’s less likely to get the disease than those who didn’t drink any.  Go easy on alcohol, having 3 or more drinks a day increased the risk of lung cancer by 30%.

At the time my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, there was little hope and understanding of the disease (because she had never smoked).  It is nice to know that there is finally research being done and that doctors are aware that the majority of women affected are healthy young women with no history of smoking.  There has also been recent advances in lung cancer medications and therapies which yield better results that the traditional chemotherapy of the past.  There are also several blood and breath tests being developed for early detection and hopefully in the next 5 years there will be one that works to pinpoint the disease accurately.  Also if you are concerned about Radon, you can buy a DIY kit at your local hardware store (or for $15 to $25 at sosradon.org).  If readings are at four picocuries per liter or higher, the EPA recommends that you install a radon reduction system, usually a pipe and fan that vents the vapors to the outside.  Find a certified radon contractor in your area at neha-nrpp.org or nrsb.org.  Don’t forget to alert your doctor who can assess your lung cancer risk.

I hope that this blog has been informative and helpful to you.  If there is something you would like to discuss or would like me to research, please let me know and I would be happy to do so.  In the meantime, be healthy and ride, Vixens!

 

 

Healthy and Happier You

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Ever hear “listen to your gut”?  Well, maybe we should listen to it more since there is scientific proof that your gut is directly connected to your health.  The stomach is a complex organ that houses an independent network of hundred of millions of neurons (more than the spinal cord).  It is so complex and important to our bodies that it is sometimes referred to as “the second brain.”  It is not only in charge of the digestive process, but your gut’s lining is the core of your body’s immune system and defends you from viruses and bacteria.  The cells within the gut lining also produce 95% of the serotonin in our bodies (with functions ranging from stimulating nerve-cell growth and sending messages to our immune system of invading germs) and the rest of it occurs in the brain where it regulates your mood.  Serotonin connects the gut and the brain constantly sending messages back and forth.  When we are stressed, scared or nervous, our brain sends a message to our gut and our stomach gets upset as a response so it is safe to say that if our digestive tract is off, our brain (which affects our mood) gets that message from our gut and our mental state for that day can be greatly altered.  Essentially a healthy gut means a happier you…

In a healthy gut good bacteria should outnumber bad, but what’s going on in that head of yours can greatly affect the balance.  Emotional issues influence what lives in your GI tract and being under stress, depression and anxiety could change the way your bowel contract and how your immune system functions, then changing the type of bacteria in the small intestine and colon.  For example, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a disorder that causes abdominal pain (and other symptoms we all know but I won’t list) are accompanied by gas & bloating (so lovely) and sometimes by anxiety and depression (good Lord, it’s a trifecta) and all of this can be related to an overabundance of bad bacteria in the small intestine.  And if women aren’t already blessed with enough, we seem to be more susceptible to this.  What is know is stress is a factor, so stress less ladies!

The use of antibiotics and our affinity for junk food contributes to the imbalance in our guts and there is a link between the bacteria in our gut and the rise of food allergies and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.  Increasing the number of good bacteria in our GI tract by taking probiotic supplements and eating foods that contain probiotics can help combat these health issues according to scientists.  There is new research that these good bacteria could alleviate mood and anxiety disorders as well.

So the solution is to eat more fruit and veggies and cut back on processed foods, animal protein and simple sugars (what we hear over and over again) which feed harmful bacteria and allow them to thrive in numbers.  Choose foods that have probiotics (milk, sauerkraut and yogurt), prebiotics (bananas, whole grains and veggies like onions & tomatoes) which feed the good bacteria in our bodies.  If you choose a probiotic supplement look for formulations containing Bifidobacterium or strains of Lactobacills with a dose of 1 billion to 10 billion colony forming units.  Avoid unnecessary medications like laxatives and NSAIDs (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) as well as antibiotics which wipe out both good and bad bacteria.  If you take antibiotics, take probiotics for twice as long as the antibiotic prescription to prevent nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramping that they can cause.  Cut back on alcohol because research has shown that as little as one drink a day can increase your risk of an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your small intestine and cause GI distress.  But sometimes a girl needs to just have a drink to de-stress, it is all about moderation ladies!  And lastly exercise, it is mainly for stress management and a 30 minute daily sweat session helps your gut keep things moving.  Squeeze in a walk, jog or even some yoga and take a few minutes each day to just relax.  It is not only good for your mental health, but it is also good for your gut and we all now know that what happens in your gut can affect your whole body and your state of mind.  Here’s to a happier and healthier 2013!

Chocolate Boosts Your Metabolism!

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What girl doesn’t love chocolate?   And with the holidays in full gear, there is a lot of it around.   So when I was perusing my November/December Fitness magazine and came across “Six Fat-Fighting Superfoods” that stated CHOCOLATE BOOSTS YOUR METABOLISM in the first sentence, I was intrigued.

As we get older, our metabolism slows down significantly and while calories can determine the success or failure of your diet, some foods can aid in helping to speed up your metabolism and help you see quicker results.  Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., and author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth states, “Foods stimulate the body to produce hormones.  Some of those hormones coax your metabolism into fat-furning mode and others make it sluggish and more apt to store fat.”  I’m going to give you the brief lowdown of the article, but the gist is this, eat healthy and splurge in moderation then you’ll not be in that self-loathing mode after the holidays are over.

Eggs:  According to Bowden, eggs are the best protein source on the planet as they contain all nine essential amino acids that your body needs to build muscle tissue.  The more muscle you have, the greater your fat-burning potential since it takes more calories to maintain muscle than fat.

Dark Chocolate:  A recent study found that eating 1.5 oz of dark chocolate (about the amount in a Hershey’s bar) reduced cortisol levels (a stress hormone found to slow down metabolism) in the body.  Researchers suspect that caffeine and theobromine may be responsible, look for chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa-the darker the more beneficial.

Sesame Seeds:  OK this one surprised me…Lignans (a plant chemical found in sesame seeds) enhances fat burning by increasing liver enzymes that break down fat.  These tiny seeds are loaded with both protein and essential fatty acids which increase the metabolic rate, they are also a rich source of minerals and fiber.  Going to ask for extra on my next sushi roll!

Smoothies:  The caveat being that it must contain whey protein powder, which contains leucine, a muscle building amino acid.  I am lactose intolerant, so this one is a no go for me, but if you aren’t there are studies that state eating whey protein can help reduce the loss of lean muscle mass which keeps your metabolism revved.  Whey protein can also be mixed into yogurt, pudding and added into the dry ingredients when you are baking muffins or cookies.

Yellow Bell Peppers:  Did you know one third of Americans are vitamin C deficient?  Our bodies need vitamin C to produce carnitine, which helps our muscles use fat for energy, which in turn boosts our metabolism.  One yellow pepper has 341 milligrmas of vitamin C, nearly 3 and a half times the amount in an orange (talk about packing a punch)!  It isn’t a surprise then that people with higher levels of vitamin C in their blood had lower BMIs and less body fat.  Slice some into a sandwich, salad or even dice and sprinkle in a soup.

Peanuts:  Obviously not going to happen if you have an allergy, but for those of you who don’t, read on.  Peanuts are rich in fiber and the process of digesting them actually burns calories too.  Peanuts, like all nuts, are high in calories so keep it to an ounce (2 tablespoons) for a snack during the day and you’ll get all the benefits it has to offer.  Also a good reason to revisit good ole PB & J!

I know we all hear that water is important in keeping us lean, but did you know that H2O boosts your metabolism because your body has to work to raise the temperature of the ingested water to match that of your core?  If you want to lost an extra 6-7 pounds a year, there is a study that was conducted at Virginia Tech, where people drank 2 glasses of water before breakfast and on average consumed 75 calories less that those who didn’t.  Consider it your calorie free appetizer!

Being in the midst of the holiday season, sharing time with family and friends and just the stresses of everyday life we can forget to take care of ourselves.  Take some time daily to just relax and tune everything out (your “me” time), it will go a long way in keeping you sane.  It is getting colder out there and riding in this type of weather poses its own challenges, but stay warm, take frequent breaks (in warm coffeeshops), carry healthy snacks to stay alert and hydrate…Vixens ride!

Carol T. Carpenter

Maintaining Weight

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The winter months are here, the holiday season is ramping up, it’s cold, we’re with family and friends and it’s just the perfect recipe for us to gain a few pounds. I’ve been writing a lot about moto stuff lately so I thought now would be a great time to discuss a woman’s issue: Weight.  BTW- This doesn’t mean you should eat fat free, your body needs fat to function, just the right kinds of fat.

As riders, those of us who have had our suspension setup, should be careful about too much weight gain as it will require some adjusting for our ride (later), the feel of our ride, fit of our gear, never mind the self loathing alone should deter us. The key to enjoying this season is plain and simple, portion control and moderation. This in fact should be year round for all of us as we do have the potential of more fluctuation then men do.  There was an article in the Marie Claire magazine in October 2012 that basically spoke about this and broke it down by age group.

For women in their 20’s (you lucky dogs) have a higher metabolic rate, but it can drop 5-10% by your early 20’s because of a rise in your reproductive hormones.  This means that as your body gets ready to have kids, estrogen level rise and increases your body fat.  The table they suggest is 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat.  The suggested exercise routine is at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 – 4 times a week.

For women in their 30’s, the hormones responsible for muscle and bone growth have either leveled or fallen off and the growth hormones that used to help with burning off fat, decrease significantly making it that much more difficult to lose weight (thank you mother nature).  The table suggested is 30% carbs, 35% protein, 35% fat.  The recommended exercise routine is full body conditioning, like cardio with weights, which will burn calories and build muscle at the same time.

For women in their 40’s (I am one of them), for us lucky ones, our metabolism drops more and so should our calorie requirements.  We are also approaching the M (I just can’t say or write this) word and have less estrogen which means that fat goes right to our tummy, not the hips or thighs (yippee!).  The table suggested is 25% carbs, 40% protein, 35% fat.  The recommended exercise routine is the same as in your 30’s complimented with resistance training to help with the age-related  loss of muscle mass.  I will give you an example of my own routine:  3mi run with my dog every morning, 2-3 times a week power yoga (more if time permits), CMS (Body Evo) once a week and if my boys are busy with sports, another 3 mi with the dog in the afternoons on those days.  My routine isn’t complicated and it works for me, find out what works for you and stick with it, do it daily, you’ll end up looking great and feeling better.

The basic reason for this blog is just to keep in mind it is easier to be vigilant than try to work it all off later.  We can enjoy the holiday season completely, we just have to be more mindful of our choices and key words: Portion Control.  Indulge, but in little portions, that way you can have your cake, eat a bite or two and still look and feel fabulous!  I hope this has been helpful in some way, please let me know, I would love to hear from you.

Vixens Ride (although a little less since it’s gotten so damn cold)!

Carol T. Carpenter

MotoVixens

Adventuress Skin Care Collection

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Ladies, we love our beauty products, but one specifically designed for a woman rider?  So awesome!  I just had to give it a try.  Michele Carter, the founder of Adventuress, is a highly active woman and developed a skincare line to fit her lifestyle.  Her skincare line is naturally derived and perfect for those with skin sensitivities or allergies.  Michele sent me a trial size sampler pack that included the cleanser, skin purifier, moisturizer, a sunscreen wipe and facial wipes.  As this is October, I have yet to use the sunscreen wipe and facial wipes, but immediately opened the other items to try.

I placed a small portion of the cleanser on my Clarisonic (I just love that thing) and went to town. Then I used my own toner (I suppose I could’ve used the facial wipe, but am saving it for a particularly sweaty day to freshen up with) and applied the skin purifier, which is this silky gel that glides on to your face and makes it feel so smooth.  I then followed up with the moisturizer, which was nice and creamy, absorbed quickly and was not at all greasy.

I am on the third day and my skin feels smoother and I have to admit that I do see a difference in my skin’s texture.  Despite the fact I cram my face in and out of helmets daily, subject my poor face to the bitter cold running and riding and basically living an active lifestyle, my skin looks remarkably hydrated.  My hands down favorite of all the products, and mind you this will and can change at any given moment, is the skin purifier (which is actually more like a serum).  I love how it feels going on and how it feels as it absorbs into my skin.

A sunscreen wipe is a great idea.  Not having to worry about your hands being dirty as you swipe it on, brilliant!  Anyone at a track day with nothing but port-a-potty’s knows what I mean, yeah, ick!  Just a side note off the subject, wet wipes are a girl’s best friend, carry a pack with you in your backpack or luggage.

I am coming close to the end of the products and while the trial sample pack is great to get your feet wet, it would also be great for a weekend get away, around 3-4 days, 4 days if you are really frugal.  I highly recommend you try her products, I honestly think you will see a difference in texture on the first day and it only gets better each day after.  I am placing my order in for a lifetime supply of that serum though so if she runs out, chances are it was me!  Go to our resource page and link to her store directly.

Ladies should always put their best face forward before shaming those boys…Vixens Ride!

Carol T. Carpenter
MotoVixens

Acupuncture

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My introduction to acupuncture was when I was little and saw my mother getting tiny needles strategically placed all over her body, horrified I asked if it hurt and she said, “no.”  I honestly thought she was being stoic and just sat there thinking she was insane.  It is part of my culture, I should know all about it, right?  Wrong, I chose not to identify with my culture growing up, I wanted to be completely Americanized.

It wasn’t until I had children and was having pain so debilitating (female problems) and my option was to have surgery or deal with the pain with the help of some very strong drugs.   Against surgery and (gasp! Drugs), I started researching other methods and discovered that acupuncture was an option.  I spoke to several acupuncturists and decided to start treatment.  Remarkably, I started to feel relief, then my health improved and next thing I knew I started to feel normal (well, as normal as can be) again, no surgery needed.  Acupuncture is the philosophy that your body has an energy flow and if it is blocked it can’t flow causing pain, discomfort, disease, etc.  The needles are placed on points corresponding to organs requiring treatment and meridians in order to reopen that energy flow and allow your body to heal itself.  My female issues are basically gone, but I still get pain from riding and putting stress on my body as I ride over rough terrain and perched high on my bike in a full tuck.  I find that a “tune up” when I start to feel pain keeps me feeling great, helps me sleep and allows me the energy to be a mom and entrepreneur.

Please visit our resources page for a listing of companies in our area that are a part of our endeavor to help women be the best they can be.   Be well and Vixens Ride!

Carol T. Carpenter
MotoVixens

Diva-do and Neck-it Review

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Raci babi

Vixens, we all love to look good when we ride and we also consider comfort and style when choosing our products, this is why when I came across the Diva-do and Neck-it I had to give it a try.  The Diva-do is a hybrid between a do rag and a hair net that was designed to keep long hair protected from the elements while keeping your hair from the dreaded helmet head.  The Neck-it is a polar fleece turtleneck that has a flap that extends down the front of your chest to keep out the biting wind in fall/winter.

The Diva-do was extremely easy to use and once I got the hang of it, I was able to put it on again in seconds.  It sits fairly low on the forehead and over the ears, I particularly liked that since in the winter my ears tend to get quite cold.  The Diva-do also made getting my helmet on and off easier, which was a definite plus.  It does however make the helmet just slightly tighter, but not at all uncomfortable.  I have a lot of breakage from the constant rubbing from taking my helmet on and off and have noticed lots of shorter hairs in the front of my hairline.  The Diva do is made to keep hair from breakage by protecting it from the friction of those actions. There are many different patterns to choose from, so go to www.raci-babi.com and see what appeals to you.  BTW-There is a Wick-it for shorter hair too!

The Neck-it looks like a turtleneck with a dickie, for those of us that are old enough to know that word.  I ride year round and fall/winter is trying for me when the weather gets cold and my concentration on getting to my destination to get warm consumes my thoughts and detracts from the road.  Nothing in the world is worse than being cold to the point you are shivering on your bike.  The Neck-it is worn under your jacket and while I couldn’t snap the collar on my jacket, it kept the wind out completely.  It wasn’t until I rode home without it on that I realized what a difference it made.  There are many different patterns to choose from so you can coordinate with your gear, I plan on getting another one to do just that!

Ladies, riding is a statement, riding in style makes an impact…Vixens Ride!

Carol T. Carpenter
MotoVixens

Massage Envy

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For those of you unfamiliar (you’d have to be living under a rock, but OK) with Massage Envy, it is a chain of massage centers that make it easy and more cost effective for you to get pain relief.  I joined many years ago at the Redmond location in Bear Creek when I was plagued with debilitating upper back pain and migraines.  Unable to function, I started receiving massages to alleviate the pain.  It is widely documented that massage is beneficial in not only alleviating pain, but helping you lead a better quality of life.  As riders, we all have times when our bodies tell us that it is time for a “tune up” and it is up to us to listen to what our bodies need.  We would never skip a tune up or ignore an issue on our bike, why should we ignore our well being?  We are the pilots of our machines, if we aren’t 100% then our riding will reflect that.

Massage Envy has a few deals going, check out our special offers page and print out the flyer, take it in to a location near you and get the relief you need.  Be well and Ride C.H.I.C!  Needless to say…Vixens Ride!

Carol T. Carpenter
MotoVixens