Kid Reporter, Brennan LaBrie, Seeks Relief With Z-CoiL Footwear

Colleen LaBrie and her son, Brennan visited the Seattle, WA Z-CoiL store searching for relief from upper back and neck pain. They had heard of Z-CoiL of Seattle from collaborator Jack Olmsted of Port Townsend, WA.

Brennan's newspaper, "Brennan's Spruce St. Weekly" has been published for two years. Since he's 10 years old now, that means his talent for journalism was already blossoming at 8 years old. He does his own jokes, cartoons and hand written articles.

Click here to read the full story.

Winter Fruit - Tangerine Recipes

So to further share my love for the often under-estimated fruit, I wanted to provide you with two VERY TASTY recipes that feature tangerines.

Please enjoy! Let me know what you think of them in the comments.

Tangerine Teriyaki Tuna
4 fresh tuna steaks, about 6 ounces each

INGREDIENTS:

For the marinade:

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh tangerine juice
3 strips tangerine zest
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 slices (1/4″ thick) fresh ginger, crushed

For garnish:

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (ideally a mixture of black and white sesame seeds), for garnish
1/4 cup chopped scallion greens

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a shallow mixing bowl and whisk together. Add the tuna steaks and marinate for 30 to 60 minutes, turning the steaks once or twice. Keep the bowl covered in the refrigerator.

2. Preheat the grill to high. With a slotted spatula, carefully lift the tuna steaks out of the marinade. Strain the marinade into a small saucepan and boil to a thick, syrupy glaze.

3. Lightly spray the fish steaks with non-stick cooking spray or sesame oil. Brush and oil the grill grate. Grill the fish until cooked to taste, about 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium. As each side is cooked, brush it with the glaze (the boiled marinade). Sprinkle the tuna with chopped scallion greens and sesame seeds and serve.

Serving Size: 1 tuna steak

Tangerine Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust

INGREDIENTS:

For crust
about 30 chocolate wafers, ground fine in a blender or food processor (1 3/4 cups)
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted

For filling
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream at room temperature
2 tablespoons freshly grated tangerine zest (from about 4 tangerines)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh tangerine juice
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 large whole eggs
1 large egg yolk

For glaze:
3/4 cup tangerine marmalade (about 7 1/2 ounces)

DIRECTIONS:

For Filling:

In a small bowl stir together wafer crumbs and butter until combined well. Pat crumb mixture onto bottom and 1 inch up side of a 9-inch springform pan and chill crust 30 minutes.
Make filling:

Preheat oven to 300°F.

In a bowl with an electric mixer beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in sugar gradually until mixture is combined well. Beat in sour cream, zest, juice, liqueur, salt, and flour. Beat in whole eggs and yolk, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Wrap bottom and side of springform pan with three 14- by 12-inch pieces of foil, 1 at a time, arranging each piece in a different position to make sure foil is at least 1 1/2 inches up side all around. Put pan in a large baking dish and pour filling into crust. Put dish in middle of oven and with a measuring cup slowly add enough water to it to reach 1/4 inch up side of springform pan, being careful not to let any water inside foil. (Cooling in water bath prevents cheesecake surface from cracking.)

Bake cheesecake 1 hour 15 minutes, or until edges are just set but middle still trembles slightly. Turn off oven and let cheesecake stand 1 hour (cheesecake will continue to set as it stands). Remove dish from oven carefully and transfer cheesecake in pan to a rack to cool completely. Remove foil and chill cheesecake, covered loosely, 6 hours or overnight.
Make glaze:

In a small saucepan melt marmalade over moderate heat, stirring, and cool to warm.

Remove side of springform pan and spread marmalade evenly on top of cheesecake. Chill cheesecake 2 hours (glaze will soften if served at room temperature).

Winter Fruit Spotlight – Tangerine Dream!

I was discussing the limited selections of winter fruit the other day with a friend when we realized there was actually quite a plethora of wintertime goodness available (outside of the ol’ standby – apples). After some discussion, we agreed that one of our favorites was the lovely tangerine.

A tangerine is a citrus fruit, Citrus reticulata, which is smaller and less sweet than a classic orange. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of fiber and folate. The fruits are sometimes considered excellent pocket foods, because they are small with easily removed rinds (unlike the orange, but that may just be me…).

The tangerine is actually a variety of mandarin orange from China, which made its way to Europe and North America in the nineteenth century via Tangier, the Moroccan city which gave the fruit its name. Varieties include the popular Dancy, seedless mandarin varieties like the clementine, satsuma, and a new hybrid, the neopolitan.

In 1710, the word “tangerine” entered the English language to describe things from that city, and the word was adopted for the fruit specifically in the 1800s. Originally, it was known as a “tangerine orange,” but the name became shortened over time.

The peel of a tangerine is easy to remove, and tends to be slightly loose over the fruit below. Once the peel is removed, the segments of the tangerine are also easily separated; sadly most varieties have an abundance of seeds.

The season for tangerines is November through February in the Northern hemisphere. When selecting the fruits in the store, look for firm to hard fruits which feel rather heavy for their size. The peel may have a pebbly appearance, but it should not be discolored. Other varieties have smoother skins, and tangerines can often be found with their stems and leaves attached.

Tomorrow I will post some great recipes that feature tangerines and maybe, just maybe – I will post a link to my favorite Tangerine Dream song :)

Winners of the Z-CoiL Best Idea on TWO Feet Video Contest!

Congratulations to our winners of the Z-CoiL “Best Idea on TWO Feet” Video Contest! All three videos will be made into commercials which may be aired across the country.

• Grand Prize Winner: Put a Spring in Your Step by Heidi Tungseth in MN.
• 2nd Place Winner: Z-CoiL’s? Yes, Please! by Stephen Boyd in Muncie, IN.
• 3rd Place Winner: Cool Shoes, Man! by Matt Pierce in Marina, CA.

See all of the videos here: http://www.youtube.com/ZCOILcontest

Stop Back Pain With These Top Tips

How to Ease Your Backache
Roughly 8 out of 10 people suffer from back pain at some point during their lives. Women, in particular, are prone to posture and back problems—thanks to toting around outrageously heavy purses, going through pregnancy, or giving one-hip rides to kids. Whether you’re in the midst of fighting the ache or just want to prevent it, here are some expert-endorsed quick-and-easy ways to wage your war.

Pass the broccoli, please
You know that calcium is key for strong bones, but Japanese researchers have identified something else you need: vitamin K. It’s believed that the vitamin, found in broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens, helps calcium deposit in the bones, making them denser. The stronger your bones, the stronger your whole body—and the lower your chances of an injury that could cause back pain.

Lighten your load
If your purse or briefcase tips the scales at more than 10 percent of your weight, it’s too heavy. And you need to carry it right. Your best bet is a model with a long strap that lets you position it across your chest like a messenger bag. Can’t part with your shorter-strapped number? Switch shoulders every 20 minutes.

Sleep right
A harder bed may not be better for your back. A recent study in Spine found that people who slept on softer beds reported less lower-back pain than those who snoozed on harder ones. Pillows? Yours shouldn’t raise your head out of alignment with your spine. How to tell: If you’re a back sleeper, your chin shouldn’t press into your chest. If you’re a side sleeper, it shouldn’t curve up toward your shoulder.

Tighten those abs
Having strong core muscles (we’re talking abs here) can help protect your back from injury. Do this core-strengthening pelvic tilt 2 to 3 times per week: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and lower back flattened. Pull in your belly button toward your spine, contracting your abs; your pelvis should lift slightly off the floor.

Aim for good posture
Sitting at a desk for eight (or more) hours a day can really do a number on your back. Make sure to sit with your back against your chair (get a lumbar pillow if you chair doesn’t allow this) and both feet flat on the floor.

How Z-CoiL® footwear can help
The shock-absorbing heel in Z-CoiL footwear, in conjunction with thick forefoot cushioning, reduces impact to the body by up to 50% compared to conventional shoes. The built-in Z-Orthotic also promotes good posture, which relieves further stress on your back, while rocker-bottom soles in the shoes help you maintain a smooth gait as you walk. Check out our full line of Z-CoiL Footwear: www.zcoil.com

Enjoy Z-CoiL's Picks of the Season at a Special Price!

No matter what, we have a shoe to match your style!

And for a limited time, you can get our Picks of the Season at a special price!

Click here for the printable certificate.

To find a Z-CoiL store in your area, visit our Store Locator.

Shin Splints? 10 Tips for Staying Pain-Free

I ran across a great article on active.com by Marlene Cimons and had to share some of the great tips with you. Click here to read the full article.

Shin splints is a general term used to refer to a painful condition in the shins. It is often caused by running or jumping or sprinting, and may be very slow to heal.

Experts agree that when shin splints strike, you should stop running completely or decrease your training. Then ice your shin to reduce inflammation. Here’s a sampling of the tips Marlene suggests:

• Gently stretch your Achilles if you have medial shin splints, and your calves if you have anterior shin splints. Also, try this stretch for your shins: Kneel on a carpeted floor, legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back. Then slowly sit back onto your calves and heels, pushing your ankles into the floor until you feel tension in the muscles of your shin. Hold for 10 to 12 seconds, relax and repeat.


• In a sitting position, trace the alphabet on the floor with your toes. Do this with each leg. Or alternate walking on your heels for 30 seconds with 30 seconds of regular walking. Repeat four times. These exercises are good for both recovery and prevention. Try to do them three times a day.


• If you continue running, wrap your leg before you go out. Use either tape or an Ace bandage, starting just above the ankle and continuing to just below the knee. Keep wrapping your leg until the pain goes away, which usually takes three to six weeks.

Check out the Z-CoiL Freedom athletic shoe, which may prevent pain in your shins when running. Because the conical coil acts as a shock-absorber, you will be placing less pressure on your joints with each stride.

Click here to read the full article.