Alison Stone RMT

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RES™ week in Ventura California

January 30, 2015 11:13 pm / Leave a comment

As I sit here on February 2, 2015 and look out at the snowstorm swirling about the house I realize that it wasn’t long ago I was in sunny California. It seems like a dream.  Was I even there?  You bet I was!  It was a fabulous and totally exhausting week away!

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Let’s start at the beginning. Way back when I signed up for my Restorative Exercise Specialist™ Certification.  That was, oh, about a year and a half ago.  The first part was to get my Healthy Foot Practitioner™ last October.  This was a huge eye opener for me.  Stretches and exercises I thought I could do were being cut off as my body decided to take the easy route and bypass the muscle I was actually supposed to be stretching.  Learning even the basic calf stretch with a half dome and how it actually is supposed to feel was a surprise.

Fast forward through the Whole Body Alignment series of DVD’s and webinars and text books.  Oh geez, I can’t do half of these exercises!  What was I thinking?  With practice and determination I improved.

Time to sign up for RES™ week.  One whole week in Ventura California, meeting my teacher Katy Bowman live, face to face, along with other fantastic teachers who all showed me even more things my body can’t do… YET!

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Putting the 25 Alignment points to practice is the first step.  Keeping the points in alignment while doing these exercises is next.  And when you have the points just right, WOW! What a feeling!

These Restorative Exercises™ are simple things yet they are not easy to do. It is all about mindful movement to strengthen your body.

I am 50 years old now and I want a strong healthy body for life.

I want my cardiovascular system to flow smoothly.

I want a strong core and pelvic floor.

I want knees and hips that I can depend on to get me up and down the stairs.

I want shoulders that move without creaking.

I want strong bones to carry me through life.

I want to take care of my body, my human machine.

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And most of all I want to pass on what I have learned to others who want to be healthy and strong for life too.

Becoming a Restorative Exercise Specialist™ has provided me the link that is missing in many healing modalities.  It is the nuts and bolts so to speak, the foundation of our human machine and how to use it properly.

So, here are some things I learned about myself:

  1. I love to travel. (I knew that already, but I will say it again)
  2. I can live with 3 people I just met (literally at the airport) for 6 days.  These 3 ladies who already knew each other welcomed me into their tribe with open arms.  Thank you!
  3. I am a fountain of useless and not so useless information.
  4. I can make pretty good poached eggs.
  5. I need to bolster my legs to sit cross legged.
  6. I can stand from cross legged without touching my hands to the ground.
  7. I need to build up callouses on my hands to hang and do pull ups. (but as a massage therapist do I really want to do that?)
  8. My extremely tight psoas muscle was probably the cause of my appendicitis last year. My psoas didn’t like my appendix being removed and is still a problem, but I am working on it.
  9. I am an extreme rib thruster.  Thanks psoas.
  10. Walking on sand is more work and takes longer than on flat even ground.  I knew this, so I will revise that sentence. Walking to class on sand takes longer because when you are by the ocean you may just have to stop and watch dolphins and pelicans.  And you know, when you are from Toronto you have to stop and watch them because when would you ever get a chance to do that at home?  (Sorry Katy, that is why I was a few minutes late to class.)

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I will be incorporating Restorative Exercise™ into my Massage Therapy treatments, on the table and as take home exercises to enhance your treatments.  I will also be offering private hour long Restorative Exercise™ classes.  Contact me for more details.

www.alisonstonermt.com

416-389-6006

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Paleo Salmon Cakes

October 30, 2014 4:12 pm / Leave a comment

Sometimes it is hard to get fish into our diets. I like salmon because it has taste! Not only does it have taste, you can add some pretty heavy duty seasonings to salmon to make it even tastier! Not only is salmon high in Omega-3 fatty acids, it is high in vitamins and has a low glycemic index (which means it won’t spike your blood sugars).
With any left over salmon or tins of wild caught salmon I like to make salmon cakes. Here is how:

2 tins salmon (I like wild caught or sockeye)
1/2 large mashed baked sweet potato
1 egg
2 spring onions chopped
1 tbsp cilantro finely chopped
lemon zest from half a lemon
a few drops of hot sauce
salt and pepper

Mix everything together and then using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pack the measuring cup with salmon mixture. Tap it out onto parchment paper and continue with the rest of the mixture. This usually makes 10 salmon cakes.
Heat a pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot add 1 tablespoon ghee (or use butter). When that has melted carefully place salmon cakes in pan 5 at a time. Cook for at least 5 min and then carefully turn over to cook the other side.
Serve with a green salad or coleslaw and homemade garlic aioli. (recipe below)

I have learned how to make homemade mayonnaise with an immersion blender. It is so darned easy and tastes so much better than the store bought stuff.
Here is how to do it:

In a large measuring cup add
1 cup light olive oil
1 egg
1 tbsp lemon juice
pinch of salt
Let this settle in the measuring cup for about 30 seconds
Place immersion blender at the bottom of the cup and switch it on. As mayonnaise starts to form, slowly bring the blender up to the top of the mixture until all the oil has emulsified. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Garlic Aioli

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt
Mix ingredients all together and let sit so flavours can mingle.
Serve with Salmon Cakes.

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Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cheesecake

October 6, 2014 1:34 pm / Leave a comment

It all started about 25 years ago. Yes, I am that old! A fall Homemakers magazine came to my house and in it was a recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake. Hmmm. Weird. I don’t think so. Pumpkin Pie is where it’s at. I mean, I love cheesecake, but seriously, pumpkin belongs in a pie!

Fast forward a couple of weeks. (Yes, still 25 years ago. Actually, now that I do the math, it was 26 years ago. I was pregnant with my daughter Clancy.) We were having a small weekend getaway up at Deerhurst Inn and Country Club before our little bundle of  joy arrived. The leaves were changing to the beautiful bold Canadian colours of orange, gold and crimson. We went for a couple of  long walks … or waddles… depending on who you talk to. It was lovely to enjoy the crisp air and sunshine.  Then back to the inn to devour whatever the chef decided to entice us with that evening for dinner.

Quite honestly I don’t remember anything about that weekend except for the cumbersome walking and the cheesecake. Yes, that’s right, PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE! It consumed my brain and taste buds for days! Smooth, not too rich and the perfect mix between cheesecake and pie. I describe it as the glorious taste of Pumpkin pie wrapped up in the velvety goodness of cheesecake. All this sitting on top of a gingersnap crust. This is key. Don’t use regular Graham crackers. Ginger snaps all the way.

So, as soon as I got home, out came the Homemakers magazine and I decided to whip up a cheesecake for myself. Well, to share, I suppose. I was pregnant but I couldn’t eat a whole cheesecake by myself!

Now, here is where I decided to change the recipe up a bit. My mum had given me a cheesecake recipe years before and it was the best recipe EVER. Just a plain cheesecake recipe that you were supposed to top with cherries. Yuck!  I always skipped that part. From then on any cheesecake recipe that I came across which sounded delicious, I would just use the flavour part of that recipe and keep the original cheesecake recipe the same. After a couple of attempts to get the right consistency (I use a bit of flour to help it set) and it was perfected. This Pumpkin Cheesecake has become a Family Tradition for Thanksgiving dinner. I don’t dare show up to our family gathering without it! It is by far our favourite cheesecake ever. I now use gluten free gingersnaps for the crust, but I originally used the regular ones.
Here is how to do it:

Crust
Combine and pat in a lightly greased 9-1/2″ spring form pan:
2 cups crushed gingersnaps
3 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp brown sugar

Filling
2 pkgs cream cheese
250 g sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 can pumpkin 14oz
1/4 cup flour (regular, gluten free or 1/8 cup coconut)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients well in food processor. Bake at 325F for 1-1/2 to 2 hours until filling is set.
Garnish with pecans
Top with whipped cream.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

 

How to Use My Website for Online Booking

 

By now you may have visited my website, and if you haven’t you should go there right now and have a look!  www.alisonstonermt.com

Isn’t it great?  I work for myself so it really acts as my receptionist.  I turn my phone off when I am working (and sometimes forget to turn it back on!), so this enables you to have a look when I have appointments available that suit you and then book one for yourself.  This means no telephone or email tag to pin down an appointment time! I still take appointments by phone, email, or text but my online booking is there for your convenience if you choose to use it.

The online appointment book is for Massage Therapy only.  For Personal Training and Specialty Classes please contact me directly through email info@alisonstonermt.com or phone 416.389.6006

Now… how do you use it?

It is easy really.

  • First, go to my website (and then bookmark it for easy access another time).
  • Next, click on the Appointment Book Tab.
  • Note that if you would like an appointment on that day, you will need to phone, email or text me to see if I have anything available. It will show that I am unavailable, but that is just to avoid double bookings as that has happened in the past.
  • Pick a day you would like and click on that date on the calendar.
  • It will then show you what has already been booked on that day as well as any open appointment times available. (As I need time to take payments from my clients and change the table, there is a default of 15min between appointments).
  • Click on the time you would like. If there are 2 or more appointment times available back to back you can choose the exact time you would like from the drop down box.
  • Fill in your name, phone number and email address. You can add a note if you would like, but it isn’t necessary.
  • You may then click on either “Book just this one” or, if you want to book more appointments, click on “Add more than one” and choose another appointment time.
  • Now you wait! First you will get an email to say that I have received your appointment request and to please wait for a confirmation email. I also receive appointment requests via phone, email and text, so if one of those has come in first and I haven’t had a chance to put it in my appointment book yet, I will have to ask you to pick another appointment time. In the 2 years I have been using this program there has only been a conflict twice.
  • Once you have received your appointment confirmation you will know that your appointment is in my book.
  • You will also be sent a reminder email the day before your appointment.
  • I do require 24hrs notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment or there will be a cancellation fee(full amount) or rescheduling fee($20).

And that is how to book an online appointment with me for Massage Therapy.  That was easy wasn’t it?

 

 

September 30, 2014 8:15 pm / Leave a comment

Welcome to My Blog

June 29, 2014 8:23 pm / Leave a comment

Hi! My name is Alison Stone and I am a Registered Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer. In 2005 I graduated with honours from the 2200hr Massage Therapy Program at CDI College in Toronto.  I am a registered member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), an active member of the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario (RMTAO), and Certified with Can-Fit Pro.

I am also in training to be a Restorative Exercise Specialist TM which is very exciting for me as my focus has been on rehabilitation, posture and proper body mechanics.

Located in Scarborough Ontario, I provide advanced therapeutic and relaxation massage in a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment.

My clients are all ages including children, adults and seniors. Services include a variety of massage techniques that are designed to relieve the pain and stress related to day to day living, while aiding in the rehabilitation of physical injuries.

I have a broad range of experience having worked in a chiropractic office, my home based clinic, and now renting space with long time friends in Head to Toe Salon and Spa.  For 2 years I was also a team trainer for elite level girl’s fastball teams travelling throughout Canada and the US.

Extra training has prepared me to be able to provide a variety of treatment modalities for my clients including deep tissue therapy, soft tissue release, trigger point therapy, positional release, myofascial release, reflexology and aromatherapy.

I offer the highest quality of care to my clients.  I am friendly and knowledgeable and care about all aspects of your treatment. Each treatment will be customized to meet your specific needs by incorporating a variety of assessment and treatment techniques that are best suited to you as an individual.

As part of my service, you will be provided with knowledge of self-administered pain management techniques such as stretching and strengthening exercises and the use of heat or cold therapy, which will help you get the most out of each treatment.

I am dedicated to improving the general wellbeing of all my clients.

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