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New Post has been published on https://whatboundariestravel.com/ryze-mushroom-coffee/

Ryze Mushroom Coffee

Ryze Mushroom Coffee – Is it as good as they say?

You’ve likely seen all these mushroom coffee ads as you scroll through any social media platform.. but are they really worth it? Do they really provide all the benefits they suggest?  And the taste??  Mushroom? Coffee?  Well, we tried out Ryze Mushroom Coffee so we can share our personal and honest experience!

The RYZE brand offers several different variations of their mushroom products – coffee, chicory, cocoa, chai, and matcha.  The various products differ in mushroom content, caffeine levels, and of course taste.

RYZE Mushroom Coffee

What is it: The mushroom coffee product consists of an organic mushroom blend of Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, and King Trumpet mushrooms, as well as Arabica Coffee, MCT Oil, and Coconut Milk. Only 48 MG of caffeine so about half as much as a cup of coffee.

What is advertised to do: The Ryze site suggests all-day energy and focus with an enhanced level of well-being. The various mushrooms all have benefits listed including energy, focus, stress relief, better sleep, better digestion, immune properties, and antioxidant benefits.

Advertised Taste: Nutty taste with a smooth and creamy feel.

OUR TAKE

What we tasted: We tried the RYZE Mushroom Coffee product with the Superfood Creamer that was included as a free sample.

Effects we experienced: After using the product for two weeks, one to two cups a day as suggested, I definitely felt more energy and focus.  How do you explain more energy?  I barely went through the motions of my daily workouts and soon found myself looking forward to them.  Just feeling more overall positive about the day, ready to get up and just go!  We’ve heard people talk about positive health impacts (lower blood pressure, A1C levels, etc) and I am not going to promote those simply because the product does not suggest that and I am not a medical professional.  As always, chat with your MD if you have any questions or concerns about this or any product!

The Taste: I was pleasantly surprised with the great taste.  The superfood probiotic creamer really enhanced the flavor in my option.  I also tasted a little coconut.  For my second cup I added some of my sugar free vanilla creamer and it was SO good!

  THE FINAL WORD

We really enjoyed this product, both the taste and the advertised benefits.  The biggest surprise being the taste, it was truly delicious.  This product will likely replace our current coffee so we will be taking in less caffeine and expect to continue to feel great!  If you decide to try out the Ryze Mushroom Coffee you will save 15% when using the links from this post!

Check out our video review here!

What’s next?  We ordered the chicory, cocoa, and the chai products so we can see how we like those as well.  Check back for our review of those, coming soon!

  This post includes affiliate links which will offer you a discount for this product and give us a commission on any sales,  

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Plague Church of Venice – Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

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Sappho Women’s Festival 2022 – We’re going to Greece!

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How to Use AI Copywriter as a Travel Blogging Tool for Greater Efficiency

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Discovering Woodinville Wine Country

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Discovering Woodinville Wine Country

Our first stop in discovering Woodinville Wine Country was Woodin Creek Village, an adorable collection of living, shopping, eating and drinking venues with massive neighborhood gardens of colorful fresh flowers growing along the streets. We picked Woodin Creek Kitchen & Tap for it’s outside tables on a gorgeous PNW summer day, but we’ll go back for the delicious food! I had pulled pork sliders with mango Cole slaw and a tangy Korean BBQ sauce with the perfect kick. Cheryl’s chicken and Brie sandwich was topped with soft brioche bun that practically melted in your mouth. And the fries! Wow! We shared both truffle fries and those covered with garlic and Parmesan cheese, but other choices included regular fries,tater tots and sweet potato fries…yum!! An extensive menu of local brews are on tap, including a past favorite of ours when we’d lived here, Mac & Jacks African Amber, made right down the road in Redmond, Wa. We’d just missed Saturday Brunch Breakfast (stops at 2pm), but those selections looked definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend the Woodin Creek Kitchen & Tap!

An urban oasis exists in Woodinville Wine Country!

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New Post has been published on https://whatboundariestravel.com/blanche-stuart-scott-barnstormer-1st-us-female-solo-pilot-women-take-flight/

Blanche Stuart Scott - Barnstormer & 1st US Female Solo Pilot - Women Take Flight

While putting in the research time to get a better feel for what made Blanche (Betty) Stuart Scott love to fly, I learned the meaning behind several important terms.

Barnstormer. A barnstormer pilot is one who travels through small towns or rural areas performing daring feats in the air. The name came from the early practice of flying the plane low through the open doors of a barn. An extremely dangerous occupation for anyone, performing death-defying feats to impress an audience and meant to show the public exactly what this new form of transportation called an airplane was all about.

Indefatigable. A term I found synonymous with Blanche Stuart Scott.  A person who tirelessly persists toward a goal or effort. Blanche’s determination to learn to fly, to perfect her flying techniques, to make a place for herself in a world dominated by men, and to put in the hours upon hours necessary to become one of the most famous early flyers – either male or female – shows her indefatigable spirit in every way.

Table of Contents

Before She Became a Pilot

Accidental First Flight

Barnstormer Extraordinaire

A Woman of Many “Firsts”

Further Reading on Blanche Stuart Scott

Before She Became a Pilot

At the age of 13, Blanche was cited by the Rochester local authorities for driving her father’s automobile around town. However, since there was not yet a minimum age for driving established, she was allowed to continue driving around the countryside attracting attention. Her love for cars (and her spirit of adventure) only grew from there.

After finishing school, Blanche’s adventurous spirit caught the attention of the Willys-Overland Company (designer of the Willys Jeep). The car company offered her the chance to drive across the country to document how easy is was to make such a trip. The car she was loaned was dubbed the “Lady Overland.” It was a media frenzy in Times Square on the day she was scheduled to start the journey. Fans and dignitaries thronged the streets.

The New York Times wrote on May 17, 1910:

Miss Scott, with Miss Phillips as only companion, starts on long trip with the object of demonstrating the possibility of a woman driving a motor car across the country and making all the necessary repairs en route. Miss Blanche Stuart Scott yesterday started in an Overland automobile on a transcontinental journey which will end in San Francisco.

At the time, there were only 218 miles of paved road outside of the cities of the United States. Blanche’s promotion trip covered over six thousand miles, zigzagging between Overland dealers. She was accompanied by newspaperwoman Gertrude Phillips, who did not drive, but kept notes and filed press releases as they headed westward. They left New York on May 16 and arrived in San Francisco on July 23, 1910.

Accidental First Flight

It was in Dayton, Ohio on her famous road trip when Blanche would see an airplane for the first time. The Wright Brothers were there giving flying lessons. As she watched two airplanes flying above a field, she notes in her autobiography “I looked at them and thought how perfectly idiotic they were.” She later recalled, “Anybody who’d do that was crazy as a loon.”

The publicity surrounding Blanche’s automobile journey brought her to the attention of airplane show promoter Jerome Fanciulli. Jerome managed the Exhibition Flying Team of  Glenn Curtiss (considered to be the founder of the US aircraft industry) and thought Blanche would be the perfect protege. He convinced her to take a chance on this new exciting mode of entertainment. “The idea of being a nobody and a nothing in New York’s millions had irritated me,” Blanche remembers, “Here was a chance for the brass ring.”

However, it was harder to convince Curtiss to give her lessons. No woman had done this before in the United States. If something went wrong, the bad press could be devastating to his Exhibition Team. The plane was a single seater, so the student would have to fly alone. Finally, Curtiss reluctantly agreed to provide her with flying lessons in New York. She was the only woman to ever receive instruction directly from Curtiss.

“I learned in two days,” Blanche recounts. “The plane had a 33-horsepower motor and we sat out in front. The technique was for the instructor to way ‘good bye and God bless you,’ and you were on your way. The had you cutting grass – flying just above the ground – which we know today is very dangerous.”

To protect Blanche while she was learning the basics of flight, Curtiss fitted a block of wood (called a limiter) on the throttle system to keep the plane from becoming airborne while she practiced steering, taxiing, and “grass-cutting”. Then on September 6th, as she practiced, the limiter malfunctioned (or an errant gust of air caught her aircraft) and she soared to an altitude of nearly 40 feet! Thankfully, she was able to execute a gentle landing in the field.

Seated in what she called “an undertaker’s chair” in front of “a motor that sounded like a Whirling bolt in a dish pan,” Blanche wore specially-made bloomers filled with three petticoats.

Blanche’s first flight was short and possibly unintentional, but she is credited by the Early Birds of Aviation as being the first woman to pilot and solo in an airplane in the United States. However, there is some discrepancy among aviators that the flight of Bessica Medlar Raiche on September 16, 1910 might be the first – as hers was accredited by the Aeronautical Society of America and Blanche’s flight was not.

Barnstormer Extraordinaire

At the time, Blanche wasn’t concerned about record books. She was devoted to learned her craft and becoming a part of the Glenn Curtiss Exhibition Team. She made her first public appearance in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 24, 1910. She was billed as the “Tomboy of the Air” and “The Most Famous Aviatrix in the World”.

During her exhibition career Blanche Stuart Scott typically earned up to five thousand dollars a week performing dangerous stunts of flying upside down and dropping in a “death dive” from over 4000 feet in the air! After World War I, she gave up stunt flying and barnstorming and wrote for the movies for several years, became a radio commentator, an assistant manager of a radio station and then a special consultant for the Air Force museum at the Wright‐Patterson Base.

Blanche Stuart Scott – Pioneer Pilot

A Woman of Many “Firsts”

Blanche Stuart Scott was born in Rochester, New York on April 8, 1884. She died at the age of 84. During her inspirational life she racked up many accomplishments and led the field for women flyers.

From her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame

Blanche Stuart Scott (1889-1970)

Blanche Stuart Scott, a pioneering aviator of indomitable spirit of adventure, became the first woman to drive across the United States and the first woman to fly in America.

Born in Rochester, New York, Scott was a pioneering aviatrix, becoming the first American woman to take a solo hop into the air, although her flight is not regarded as official. In 1910, she became the first woman to drive an automobile coast to coast in her car – the “Lady Overland”. Scott was also the first and only woman to take flying lessons from Glenn Curtiss, later flying with the Curtiss Exhibition Team and earning the nickname “Tomboy of the Air”. Blanche Stuart Scott’s life spanned the era when airplanes were just being invented and given trials, to the moment she saw Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon. 

Further Reading on Blanche Stuart Scott

Tomboy of the Air: Daredevil Pilot Blanche Stuart Scott – Julie Cummins

Flying High: Pioneer Women in American Aviation (Images of Aviation) 

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New Post has been published on https://whatboundariestravel.com/aida-de-acosta-women-take-flight/

Aida de Acosta's 30 Year Secret - Women Take Flight

Researching Aida de Acosta was such a treat! What an amazing human being. Not only was she the first woman to pilot ANY type of motorized aircraft (a scandalous dirigible flight in 1903!), which she did a full 6 months BEFORE the Wright Brothers took their famous flight –  she ALSO founded the first United States eye institute and directed the first United States eye bank. Her life story is such an inspiration!

Table of Contents

Aida in Paris with Santos-Dumont

Flying Lessons

The Famous Flight

The Scandal that Followed

The Secret Revealed

Aida’s Contribution to Eye Care and Beyond

Further Reading on Aida de Acosta

Aida in Paris with Santos-Dumont

Aida de Acosta was born in Long Branch, New Jersey in 1884 to parents of Cuban/Spanish decent. The family was well-known in the social circles of New York and often traveled to Europe for holidays. It was on a trip to Paris in 1903 that Aida came to meet the flamboyant Brazilian aeronaut Alberto Santos-Dumont – a meeting that left her with a secret she couldn’t reveal for almost 30 years!

Alberto Santos-Dumont captured the imagination of the world with his balloons and motorized airships. In Paris, he was a common sight flying low over the rooftops and through the streets where he would tether his dirigible to a lamp post near his favorite cafe and order a drink. In 1901, he became one Paris’s most loved celebrities when he won the 100,000-franc Deutsch Prize for an 11.3-km (7-mile) flight with his airship No. 6 from the suburb of St. Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in less than half an hour. The victorious aeronaut then presented one-quarter of the purse to his crew and the rest to the poor people of Paris.

Aida was just 19 when she met Alberto in Paris. Santos-Dumont wrote that Aida de Acosta “was a very beautiful young Cuban lady, well known in New York society…having visited my station with her friends on several occasions, (she) confessed an extraordinary desire to navigate the air-ship.” 

Flying Lessons

Alberto Santos-Dumont was so impressed with Aida that he agreed to teach her the mechanics of his beloved No 9 La Baladeuse (The Runabout) Zeppelin. He very much wanted the world to understand how easy it was to pilot one of his flying machines and Aida was the perfect protege.

Aida’s training included learning the basics of steering the rudder with a lever for the propellers, shifting ballast as needed, and the all-important way to get airborne by dropping weights. It only took her 3 lessons before Santos-Dumont deemed Aida ready for her flight. Santos-Dumont decided to use his handkerchief to help relay signals to Aida while he followed along under the flying machine on his bicycle. “If I wave it with my right hand, you will turn toward the right, and so, on the left. If I wave it around in circles, you will make the motor go as fast as it can.”

And he added the most valuable safety measure – a length of rope tied to her wrist. She was to pull this rip cord attached to a panel on the gas bag if she should go too high or lose control. This would allow the machine to come down quickly. If she fainted, the rip cord would serve the same purpose. She was ready to fly!

The Famous Flight

June 29, 1903 was a beautiful and practically windless day in Paris. Many were outside enjoying the day and especially fans of the American and British polo teams who were playing that day in a field at Bois de Boulogne. Santos-Dumont and Aida decided this was the perfect day for a flight. They left the hangar with Aida in the basket and Santos-Dumont riding below on his bicycle giving directions onward toward the polo field.

Aida must have been enchanted as the rooftops of Paris glided by while she fearlessly piloted the Zeppelin alone. All too soon she arrived at the polo field and gently set the aircraft down with help from those on the ground pulling the dragging guide rope. Santos-Dumont met her with a wild grin and asked how she’d fared. “It is very nice, Monsieur Santos-Dumont,” Aida said.

“Mademoiselle,” he cried, “vous êtes la première aero-chauffeuse du monde!” (You are the first woman aero-driver in the world!)

They watched some of the polo match together until it was time for her to get back in the basket alone and head back to the hangar. The entire trip took about one and 1/2 hours. Aida de Acosta flew Santos-Dumont’s aircraft alone from Paris to Château de Bagatelle and landed in the polo field. This was six months before the Wright Brothers’ first flight. Thus she became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft solo.

The Scandal that Followed

The press who were covering the international polo match immediately wanted to know more about the young lady who piloted the aircraft. Unfortunately for Aida, the excitement she must have felt was very quickly squashed when her mother heard of the adventure and the interest of the press. Aida was a girl of 19 who lived in the Victorian age where notoriety in the newspapers was not something a lady of social standing would seek in any form – except for her birth, marriage, and death.

Aida’s mother immediately went to Santos-Dumont and asked that her daughter’s name not be mentioned to the press or in any of memoirs, as this would cause a great scandal in the family. To prevent any further possibility of the family being dishonored, she quickly packed up and took Aida back to New York. Alberto Santos-Dumont agreed to do as she asked and faithfully kept his word. He only mentioned Aida by description in his book, My Airships, and never gave her name.

The Secret Revealed

It wasn’t until almost 30 years later that Aida’s secret was revealed. She was hosting a dinner party in 1932 when a young naval officer spoke of his dream to fly a dirigible one day. Aida smiled and said, “I’ve flown dirigibles myself; they are a lot of fun.”

It was the first time she had ever revealed she was the girl who flew solo in 1903 Paris in the No. 9 La Baladeuse owned by the famous Alberto Santos-Dumont. There were a few photos of her taken that day, but until that moment no one knew who the mysterious woman was who became the first female to fly solo in a motorized flying machine.

Aida’s Contribution to Eye Care and Beyond

Aida de Acosta may have been keeping a big secret, but she certainly wasn’t idle. In 1922, after losing sight in one eye from complications of glaucoma, Aida became a champion and advocate for eye care in the United States. In 1925, she began a fund-raising campaign that resulted in $3 million to fund the establishment of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital, becoming the first eye institute in the U.S.

But Aida didn’t stop there. After World War I ended, Aida de Acosta traveled back to Europe to work for the American Committee for Devastated France. In 1935, she was named chairwoman of the newly formed art committee of mayor La Guardia in New York City. By 1945, she became executive director of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration in New York, the first eye bank in the United States.

In 1908, Aida married Oren Root III, nephew of American statesman and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elihu Root. They divorced in 1922. They had a son, Oren Root IV (1911-1995), and a daughter Alva de Acosta Root (born 1914 and named for suffragette-heiress Alva Belmont. In 1927, she married Colonel Henry S. Breckinridge. He was attorney to Charles Lindbergh during the Lindbergh kidnapping case, and assistant secretary of war under Woodrow Wilson. They divorced in 1947.

Aida de Acosta – socialite, philanthropist, and the first woman pilot died in Bedford, New York on May 26, 1962 at the age of 77.

Further Reading on Aida de Acosta

She Beat Wright Brothers – American Girl Flew First Powered Aircraft – Newspaper article headline by Richard Kleiner from the Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard Aug 1953

The Flying Girl – How Aída de Acosta Learned to Soar – a children’s picture book about the inspiring true story of Aída de Acosta.

  Be sure to check out the next Notable Flyer in Women Take Flight… Blanche Stuart Scott – 1st woman airplane solo flight and barnstormer extraordinaire!

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Discover the Culinary Treats of Paris with Eating Europe

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Discover the Culinary Treats of Paris with Eating Europe

First stop, Fric Frac for Croque Monsieur

Paris is an amazing city with so many wonderful sites and, of course, delicious culinary treats. After you’ve roamed around the city exploring the many icons of Paris you’ve no doubt worked up an appetite. Paris is well known for it’s delicious assortment of culinary treats, but where to start? Where do you go to step away from the touristy restaurants and find that perfect pastry? We discovered the Paris Hip Eats & Back Streets food tour offered by Eating Europe and found ourselves entertained by a knowledgeable local guide. Before long, we were roaming authentic Parisian neighborhoods in search of the perfect Croque Monsieur.

A Twist on the Original Croque Monsieur

Not only will you experience the traditional Croque Monsieur which is a tasty, melty ham and cheese delight mixed in with béchamel sauce, but you can also try Fric Frac’s unique twist on the traditional sandwich, the Winnie. Adding roasted dried fruit, goat cheese, chives, and lavender honey to the delicious toasted bread, Fric-Frac has created a masterpiece!

Regional Charcuterie Plates

After a short walk, all while learning about the fascinating history of the Parisian neighborhood we are passing through, we head toward our next stop. A quaint shop serving up a beautiful charcuterie plate of cured meats from the Savoie region tempts our palates. Paired with a fine glass of wine we indulge in a sampling of various meats, learning about each as we go. 

  Parisian Pastries

No Parisian food tour would be complete without a stop for some of the areas finest pastries! Yann Couvreur did not disappoint. After our group took our obligatory photos of the delicious delights, we carefully chose the perfect pastry from an incredible assortment available.  Talk about a hard decision! We definitely marked this shop on the map for a return visit.

  All the fixings to make your couscous dish

An Unexpected Find

A food tour is truly a great way to learn about a city. Who would have thought that one of the top three most-eaten dishes in Paris would have been couscous? Our taste buds were now tempted. A stop at a traditional Algerian restaurant found us creating our own version of this delicious dish and we quickly understand why this dish is so popular!

Learning about the regions of France and the varieties of cheese typically found

French Wine and Cheese

Not only did we indulge in some delicious cheese sampling from all around the country, we did so while learning about the various regions of France and what types of cheese these regions produce.  Our guide at this stop toured us around the entire country of France by tasting cheeses from each region, accompanied by delicious wines.  

What better way to end a great food tour?

Eating Europe offers great food tours in several countries proving a delicious opportunity to get a taste of the local life. You can find them in Rome, Florence, Amsterdam, London, and Lisbon just to name a few locations. 

While Eating Europe offered us the Hip Eats & Backstreets Tour to review, the opinions shared here are our own. Some of the links back to the Eating Europe site may include affiliate programs where we earn a commission should you purchase a tour from them at no extra cost to you!  

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Van Gogh Starry Night Experience in Paris – Extended Until Jan 5, 2020!

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New Post has been published on https://whatboundariestravel.com/van-gogh-starry-night-experience-in-paris/

Van Gogh Starry Night Experience in Paris

Below are only a few of the soundbites offered for the Van Gogh Starry Night Experience in the Paris Atelier des Lumieres showing Feb 22 – Jan 5, 2020. Each description is completely accurate. And still did not do this incredible collection justice…

“A Masterpiece of Light and Sound”

“Goosebumps!”

“I literally cried!”

“Completely Immersive”

“Van Gogh Comes Alive!”

Fifty major works of the artist Vincent Van Gogh are projected on every available surface of this cavernous and dark industrial hall. Ceilings, walls, floors, exposed pipes, and stairways all become a swirling palette for the genius of the artist most well-known for his Starry Night works.

The Van Gogh Starry Night Experience

While the colors of Van Gogh’s art dance and meld all around you, the music provides an incredible depth of feeling to each part of the immersive performance where all you have to do is just stand and let it surround you.It begins with the penetrating eyes of Van Gogh slowly appearing and taking form all around you as if in an invitation to enter his own personal and tortured world. The musical score plays an important part of the feature, as both sight and sound mesh to bring you completely into Van Gogh’s world.His darker early works of peasants, fishermen, and potato eaters combine with the incredible canvases of yellow light from his beloved Provence. Instantly recognizable hues of blue and golden yellow fill every available space as the music soars.

Of course Van Gogh’s iconic sunflowers will make an appearance, as will his more recognizable works like Cafe Terrace at Night (1888) and the Bedroom (1888). As the show draws to a close, heavy, rough brushstrokes and the ominous appearance of crows in one of his last works, The Wheat Field with Crows (1890) foretell the end of time for an artist who’s works remain timeless.

The Music of the Van Gogh Starry Night Experience 

The musical score of this performance plays an integral part in the depth of emotion shown and felt on screen. Below are the songs used in the experience…

THE ‘VAN GOGH, STARRY NIGHT’ SOUNDTRACK

‘Prologue’ –Jean-Baptiste Lully : Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme LWV 43: Ouverture (1670)Luca Longobardi : White Room

 – ‘The Provençal light’ –Janis Joplin : Kozmic Blues

– ‘The early works’ -Sofia Gubaidulina : String Quartet No. 4Edvard Grieg : Peer Gynt Op:23, NO 18. Solveigs sang (Solveig ́s Song)

– ‘The nature’ –Bedřich Smetana : Smetana: Má Vlast – 2. Vltava

– ’The period in Paris’ –Giacomo Puccini : Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro

– ‘Arles’ –Miles Davis : Ascenseur pour l’échafaudMoses Sumney : Doomed

– ‘Olive trees and cypresses’ –Antonio Vivaldi : The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, V 315 « Summer »: III. PrestoMozart Recomposed de Luca Longobardi

– ‘Saint Rémy’ –Nina Simone : Don’t let me be misunderstood

 – ‘The Plaine d’Auvers’ –Luca Longobardi : Elegie I 

– ‘Epilogue’–Johannes Brahms : Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83 Luca Longobardi : Elegie I (reprise)

How to best enjoy the Van Gogh Starry Night Experience 

Because tickets often sell out, it’s preferable to purchase your tickets online as soon as possible. There were very limited tickets available on site. Online you can choose your date and time of entry. Entry is timed for every 30 minutes, however we weren’t limited to just 30 minutes once inside. We could have stayed for as many repeats as we wanted (plan time to see it at least twice if possible).

Once you enter the performance space, there are 2 additional ongoing shows running in a loop:

Verse – a very short piece created by Thomas Vans in collaboration with Jonathan Fitas. Verse takes you on a journey into this universe in a hypnotic and metaphysical stellar journey. Verse offers a condensed vision of the eternal poetry of the cosmos.

Dreamed Japan: Images of the Floating World – Created by Danny Rose, this short program takes visitors on a spectacular journey into the Japan of the collective imagination, where spirits, geishas, and samurai warriors dance and frolic all around us. The music and art meld effortlessly though this wondrous floating world.

NOTES: For the best possible viewing, the first entry of the day would ensure you were in least crowds. Also, if there are crowds, try finding a different spot from which to view the show. There are often nooks and crannies where you can see more of the big picture. It is possible to take photos and video (without flash, of course) within the performance space.

Tickets for the Van Gogh Starry Night Experience in Paris

The art centre is open 365 days a year from 10am to 6pm. Late openings on Friday and Saturday until 10pm and Sunday until 7pm. From Monday to Friday: closing of the ticket office at 4pm • On the weekends: booking online only. 

The book and gift shop and Le Studio are open during art centre’s opening times.

Full rate: €14,5 

Senior rate: €13,5 (more than 65 years old) 

Reduced rate: €11,5 (students, unemployed, disability card and Education Pass holders) 

Youth rate: €9,5 (5-25 years old)  

Family rate: €42 (for 2 adults and 2 children from 5 to 25 years old)  Free for children under the age of 5 >> On presentation of written proof Address: 38 rue Saint Maur 75011 Paris. By metro: Lines 9 (Voltaire, Saint-Ambroise), 3 (Rue Saint-Maur) and 2 (Père Lachaise) By bus: Lines 46, 56, 61, and 69 

To complement the Van Gogh Starry Night Experience, it’s recommended to download the free Van Gogh, Starry Night app. The app gives detailed descriptions of the works displayed and which galleries you will find them.

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Check out the latest from Florida Spectator

New Post has been published on http://floridaspectator.com/festivals-and-special-events-on-floridas-historic-coast/

Festivals and Special Events on Florida’s Historic Coast

Festivals, parades, seasonal celebrations – Florida’s Historic Coast has an annual calendar chock full of events that appeal to a wide variety of interests. The following are just a sampling of some of the most popular events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches.

ONGOING

First Friday Art Walk From 5 – 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, new exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments are featured at over 20 galleries in St. Augustine. A complimentary shuttle service to most galleries is provided by St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys from the San Sebastian Winery. 904.829.0065

Uptown Saturday Night From 5 – 9 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, experience live music, refreshments, shopping and much more on St. Augustine’s San Marco Ave., between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. 904.823.9263.

JANUARY

Matanzas 5000 5K & Fun Run One of Florida’s fastest 5K races on a scenic USATF-certified course. 904.461.1615 www.matanzas5k.com

St. Augustine Film Festival Presented by Flagler College, the St. Augustine Film Festival presents more than 20 outstanding films with filmmakers’ panel discussions. www.fliff.com/st._augustine

FEBRUARY

Arts and Crafts Festival at St. Augustine Beach Pier A festive atmosphere features fine art & crafts and live music at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park. Admission is free. 352.344.0657 www.tnteventsinc.com

MARCH

Searle’s Sack of St. Augustine This authentic re-enactment portrays Captain Robert Searle’s 1668 attack on St. Augustine to loot the silver ingots held in the royal coffers. The re-enactment includes a Raider’s encampment at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park and an evening attack at the city’s Plaza de La Constitucion. 904.534.6168 www.Searlesbucs.com

Celtic Music and Heritage Festival A St. Patrick’s Day Parade, traditional Irish music, Scottish pipes and drums, and contemporary Celtic Rock in celebration of St. Augustine’s Celtic history dating back to 1565! Located at Francis Field. www.celticstaugustine.com

APRIL

Rhythm & Ribs Festival Non-stop music featuring popular performers and award-winning barbecue all weekend long at St. Augustine’s Francis Field. 904.417.8470 www.rhythmandribs.net

Blessing of the Fleet This annual event has watercraft from trawlers, yachts, sailboats and motor craft all decorated to receive a blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. 904.824.9725 www.sayc2000.com.

St. Augustine’s Easter Parade Features marching bands, floats, drill teams, the Easter Bunny, and the St. Augustine Royal Family with the city’s carriage horses wearing special hand-made bonnets. The parade winds through downtown St. Augustine. 904.829.2333.

A Taste of St. Augustine This signature food festival at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre serves up “tastes” from over 20 local restaurants competing for the prestigious TOStA (Taste of St. Augustine) awards, as well as the “People’s Choice”. 904.829.3295 www.epicbh.org/tasteofstaugustine.html

Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest Experience northeast Florida’s abundant bird and wild life while enhancing your photography skills at more than 110 photography workshops, classroom sessions and special events. 904.209.4422 www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com/bird_festival

MAY

THE PLAYERS Championship Come see your favorite golf pros compete at the world-famous PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Recognized by PGA TOUR members as “their” championship tournament, THE PLAYERS features one of the most coveted titles in professional golf, the strongest field of competitors and the richest purse. www.pgatour.com

MID-MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER

Music by The Sea Concert Series Every Wednesday evening through September, a free live concert takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd. 904.347.8007 www.thecivicassociation.org

MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY

Concerts in the Plaza Throughout the summer months, every Thursday evening a free live concert takes place from 7-9 p.m. in St. Augustine’s historic Plaza de la Constitucion. 904.825.1004 www.plazaconcerts.com

JUNE

Drake’s Raid The English corsair Sir Francis Drake and his raiders return to St. Augustine in an authentic recreation of the 1586 sack of the city. 904.829.9792 www.DrakesRaid.com

Battle of Bloody Mose This annual re-enactment of the June 26, 1740, Battle of Bloody Mose, a pivotal battle between the British and the Spanish militia composed of former British slaves granted freedom by the Spanish. 904.823.2232 www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose

JULY

July 3 – World Golf Village Fireworks World Golf Village celebrates Independence Day with its annual Community Fireworks—one of the largest displays in Northeast Florida. World Golf Village is located off I-95 Exit 323, St. Augustine. www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org

July 4 – St. Augustine Fireworks and Concert The All Star Orchestra performs in the Plaza de la Constitucion then one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast bursts above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflects in the waters of Matanzas Bay.

Ancient City Kingfish Challenge This exciting competition offers cash and prizes for the biggest catch. This annual tournament takes place from the St. Augustine City Marina on the Bayfront. 904.824.8322 www.acgfa.com

SEPTEMBER

St. Augustine Founder’s Day Celebration Dozens of authentic re-enactors portray the 1565 founding of St. Augustine by Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his Spanish colonists. Colorful ceremonies and presentations, including the landing of Menendez, are followed by a special mass at St. Augustine’s Mission Nombre De Dios’ outdoor altar. www.floridalivinghistory.org

Florida Heritage Book Festival Florida’s rich and colorful literary heritage is celebrated at a series of workshops, presentations and readings. Meet award-winning authors, fellow book lovers and publishing professionals. 904.940.0194 www.fhbookfest.com

St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival The oldest city’s Spanish culinary heritage is celebrated with this festival that features the very best in Spanish foods and wines. The Festival offers a variety of special events at various venues and restaurants as well as a Grand Wine Tasting and the Vino Battalla. www.SpanishWineFestival.com

OCTOBER

Greek Festival Greek music, dance and food set in a virtual Greek village at St. Augustine’s Francis Field. Greek dancers and performers are featured along with an authentic Agora market, Cafenio, Taverna, Kids Center and much more. 904.829.0504 www.stauggreekfest.com

St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association (SAiRA) Food & Wine Fest A popular food and wine sampling from 17 area restaurants at The River House from noon to 4 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club. www.StAugustineRestaurants.com

A Taste of the Beach Annual ‘taste-fest’ with the crowd and judges selecting the “Best of the Beach” restaurant. Admission is free and taste tickets sell for $1 each. Noon – 5 p.m. at St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion. 904.347.8007 http://www.thecivicassociation.org

NOVEMBER

Great St. Augustine Chowder Debate More than 30 area restaurants compete for top honors in this tasty fundraiser for Shriners Children’s Hospitals. Tastes are $1 each and winners will be selected in New England, Minorcan, conch and/or seafood categories. 904.829.8646 www.conch-house.com

Pirate Gathering Three days of pirate fun and history in the nation’s oldest city! Enjoy historic exhibits, living history demonstrations, a privateer parade and pirate battles. 904.824.4997 www.pirategathering.com

St. Augustine Half Marathon Put on your running shoes for a foot-race that suits your running level. 10K Run, Family 5K Run and the St Augustine’s Kids Race and a Half Marathon. Each race starts and ends at Francis Field. 305.716.1111 http://staugustinemarathon.com

Fall Arts and Crafts Festival More than 150 artists from around the USA are juried into this Thanksgiving weekend art festival at Francis Field. 904.824.2310 www.staugustineartfestival.com

MID-NOVEMBER THROUGH JANUARY 31

Nights of Lights Selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine glows with more than 3 million white lights. The Nights of Lights spectacular lighting display reflects the city’s 450-year history. www.NightsofLights.com

St. Augustine Christmas Parade St. Augustine’s Annual Christmas Parade, the largest in North Florida, includes floats, marching bands, horses and the arrival of Santa. The parade marches through historic downtown St. Augustine. 904.824.4997

Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes This annual tour showcases holiday decorations at a selection of St. Augustine’s most outstanding private homes. Enjoy a taste of nostalgia in the colorful decorations hand crafted by members of The Garden Club of St. Augustine. 904.797.0660 http://gardenclubofstaugustine.org/tourofhomes.html

Regatta of Lights Brilliantly lighted boats glide through St. Augustine’s Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos during this annual holiday parade of sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and other vessels. Hosted by the St. Augustine Yacht Club. 904.824.9725 www.staugustineyachtclub.com

Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour “Christmas Around the World” This annual Christmas tour features 24 inns throughout historic St. Augustine. Each inn is paired with a distinguished St. Augustine restaurant offering savory nibbles, sweet treats and other refreshments. www.staugustinebandbtour.com

Beach Blast-Off Kick off the New Year in seaside style at this St. Augustine Beach event! Enjoy fireworks and food at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off. 904.829.5681 www.sabevents.com

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Best SUV Tent, Roof Top Tent, or Truck Bed Tent for Camping Fun! (Best Tents for 2019)

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Best SUV Tent, Roof Top Tent, or Truck Bed Tent for Camping Fun! (Best Tents for 2019)

Let’s go CAMPING!! Getting outside can be so much fun – IF – you know how to do it right! No more sleeping on the cold, hard, wet ground when you have a perfectly good SUV or truck to be your camping partner. You have lots of choices between a roof top tent, a truck tent or a standalone SUV tent. Bringing the kids? Grab sleeping bags for the little guys, while you and your love slip into a deliciously comfortable car camping air mattress (inside and away from the elements) sleeping like babies. We did the research. You already have the SUV or truck, now all you need is the perfect SUV tent, truck bed tent, car awning, or roof top tent!

Here are complete listings of the BEST SUV TENTS, ROOF TOP TENTS, TRUCK TENTS, AND CAR AWNINGS we’ve found for 2019!

Best SUV Tents

Backroadz SUV Tent by Napier

5′ 5″ interior

Rated for 3 season use

Privacy storm flap in door

SUV & Pick-Up models

    Ozark Trail 5 Person SUV Tent

Free-standing or attach to SUV

Media Sleeve and power port

Vestibule area to keep out elements

Designed for 5 people

Rightline Gear 110907 SUV Tent

7’2″ inside height for standing

Sleeps 4 adults inside

Sleeve attaches to any size SUV, minivan, wagon or pick-up

Water resistant with tape-sealed seams

Napier Outdoor Sports 5 Person SUV Tent w/ Screen Room

10×10 tent sleeps 5-6 people

Over 7 feet of headroom

Can be freestanding or attached to SUV

Designed for easy 1 person set-up

ArcHaus Shelter and Tailgate Tent

6’6″ inside height for standing

Can stand alone or fully enclosed to SUV or van

Highly water and tear resistant

6′ stretch sleeve to fit larger SUVs

KingCamp 5 person Melfi Plus SUV Tent

2 doors and 1 window for excellent ventilation

86 inches center height and 9×9 inside

6×6 shade awning

Sleeps 5

Napier Sportz Cove SUV Tent

Universal sleeve for SUVs and minivans

Mesh bug screen and built-in bug flap

Lightweight ~ 7 pounds

2 foot awning for shade

What is a SUV Tent?

A SUV tent is an awesome invention! You combine the comforts of your own SUV with the fun of outdoor camping. A tent attached to your car or truck can triple the amount of space for your gear AND guarantee you’ll get a much better nights sleep than with an air mattress directly on the ground. A SUV tent is similar to the stand-alone tent varieties in many ways, but the main advantage is the connection to YOUR SUV or truck by serving as an extension of your vehicle itself. They come with secure connections to your vehicle to help prevent bugs and rain from ruining the camping fun.

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Top 5 Reasons to Buy a SUV Tent

Comfort

Bring More Stuff

Camp Almost Anywhere

Safer

Save $$

Car Roof Top Tents

Tepui Ayer Baja Roof Top Tent

Perfect for rainy climates

Sleeps 2 adults comfortably

Rain fly protection

Mesh walls and roof for ventilation and star gazing

Reliancer Ranger Roof Top Tent

Sleeps 3 adults

Double foam full mattress included

Windows\sunroof\doors with mosquito netting

Waterproof, UV & mold resistant

Camco Roof Top Tent w/ Annex

Includes high density mattress

Mounts to most roof racks

Sleeps up to 3

Designed to all season use

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Why Use a Car Roof Top Tent?

Quick set-up = more time to enjoy outdoor activities

Security

Keeps you away from things the crawl/walk/slither on the ground

Best View in Town!

  Truck Bed Tents

Guide Gear Full Size Truck Bed Tent

Fully enclosed to keep you dry

Easy set-up and take down

Large door and mesh windows for ventilation

Ample headroom w/ center height of 63″ (5’2″)

Guide Gear Compact Truck Bed Tent

Made for compact pick-ups with bed footprint of 63″w x 74″l

Center height 4’7″

Sleeps 2

Under 10 pounds to carry

Napier SportZ Truck Bed Tent

Models available for full, mid-size, and compact truck beds

No guide ropes needed

Large rear access panel to reach inside the cab

Sewn-in floor and mesh windows for ventilation

Why Use a Truck Bed Tent?

Convenience

Quick Set-Up

Takes up little space

Safe and secure

You’re always ready for adventure!

Car Awnings for Shade

Timber Ridge Car Canopy

Can fit 3-4 people under awning

May be freestanding or attached

Air vent in top to allow wind to go through

Portable, small, and easy-to-transport

ARB Accessories 4×4 Awning

Retractable roof rack awning

Made of rugged, lined PVC

Waterproof and UV protection

Adjustable height and easy to deploy

Hasika All-weather Car Awning

Easy to install on vehicles with roof racks – SUVs, pick-ups, and vans

Heavy duty ripstop polyester material

90% UV blockage to keep temps cooler

8’2″ awning radius

Leader Accessories Waterproof Camping Awning

Fits SUVs, vans, campers, and RVs

Extra sun wall for 110 sq ft of shade

Easy 1 person set-up

Extra mesh window for view and ventilation

  We hope this list whets your appetite for the great outdoors as much as it did for us! Enjoy camping in style!

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Best TENS Unit – Ultimate Buying Guide – Pharmacist Recommended

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New Post has been published on https://whatboundariestravel.com/best-tens-unit-buying-guide/

Best TENS Unit – Ultimate Buying Guide – Pharmacist Recommended

Best TENS Unit for Pain Relief

When your body is in pain, the number one goal is to find relief fast! A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit or portable muscle simulator can be used to quickly manage nerve-related pain without any drugs or harmful side effects. No needles! No drugs! We’ll show you the best TENS Units in terms of features, reviews, and value for your money.

As a registered Pharmacist who travels quite a bit, I’ve seen how effective these TENS Units can be first-hand. Many of my patients – and even family and friends – suffering with chronic pain have found blessed relief using a good quality TENS machine. I’ll give you a list of the Best TENS Units to use as an Ultimate Buying Guide – see below. I’m sure you have lots of questions and I’ll do my best to answer them here, too.

Whether you suffer from:

painful arthritis

chronic back and shoulder pain

fibromyalgia

plantar fasciitis

gout pain

low back pain

painful periods

peripheral neuropathy

bursitis, pulled muscles

sports injuries

carpal tunnel

tennis elbow

or any other conditions causing aching discomfort in your joints or muscles; a TENS Unit just might be the answer you’ve been looking for – without addicting medications that might make you feel groggy all the time.

So without further ado, I’d like to present our BEST TENS UNIT ULTIMATE BUYING GUIDE. (If you’re interested in learning even more about TENS machines and their features, as well as how they work to stop the nerve impulses causing pain in your body – I’ve added more general information after the guide.)

BEST TENS UNIT BUYING GUIDE

We’ve put together this guide to make it easier to wade through the seemingly endless list of TENS machines available – and updated it to include the most recent models. This list of the Best TENS machines were picked based on their ease of use, affordability, recommendations from other health professionals, portability, and extra features. Those with more positive reviews from other users and health professionals were given a heavier weight.

Best TENS Unit By Reviews

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Wireless TENS Units

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Most Portable TENS Units for Travel

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Best TENS Unit Gallery with Features & Photos

iReliev Playmakar (more expensive, but wireless!)

WIRELESS TENS + EMS

25 intensity levels and 80 mA output power

Remote control

FDA Cleared to relieve pain associated with chronic symptoms like arthritis

TruMedic PL-009

Lightweight 5.3 oz

Approved for OTC (over-the-counter) use

Intensity Wheels for different pain levels

Access to pain management videos w/ purchase

HealthMateForever YK15AB

#1 on Amazon – over 8,000 positive reviews!

Back-clip for portability

Long-life pads

Powered Muscle Stimulator (PMS) mode

Nursal TENS UNIT

FDA Cleared

20 strength levels

Rechargeable and Portable

8 pads

iReliev TENS UNIT

25 Output Intensity Channels

Dual channels

Uses 3-AAA batteries

80 mA output power

HealthMateForever Portable Model HM8ML

Very light and portable for travel

Updated with new FOOT and LEG modes

20 Intensity Levels

Long-life pads included

  1byone Bluetooth Wireless TENS Therapy

Bluetooth Phone App for wireless use

100 Intensity Levels

Can also use integrated control unit

4 electrode pad sizes

TENS 7000 2nd Edition

Ranked #2 on Amazon (over 5,000 reviews)

Used by physical therapists since 2008

2 channels and multiple therapy modes

Hard Carry Case Included

TechCare Plus24 TENS Bundle

Lifetime Warranty

24 Modes

Includes reflexology shoes and fitness belt

FDA Approved TENS and PMS device

Will TENS Therapy Help My Pain?

TENS Unit Therapy is the application of electrical current through electrodes placed on the skin for pain control. The electrical stimulation given by a TENS machine may be enough to effectively block the body’s gateway pain receptor signals to the brain and provide prescription strength pain relief without the side effects. See below. 

  A TENS machine also stimulates endorphin release (the body’s natural painkillers) to help reduce pain. Endorphins were first discovered in 1975. They are natural opiate-like substances, similar to morphine, but not as potent and without the side effects. Endorphins are manufactured by our bodies in response to pain and act as a natural pain killer. Endorphins are released by the descending nerve fibers or nerves which travel down the spinal cord from the brain. TENS unit stimulation can increase natural endorphins, “the body’s feel-good chemical”, as a natural pain reliever.

Best TENS machine to target a particular area of pain?

Plantar Fasciitis

For specific areas of the body that hurt – for example, pain of plantar fasciitis in the feet and ankles – electrode TENS sandals provide a unique and effective way to target the pain. I use these TENS sandals when plantar fasciitis tries to slow me down and can highly recommend them!

TENS Sandals for targeted pain relief

Lower Back Pain

For lower back pain, a TENS back belt can be a much more convenient and powerful way to cover a larger area than with electrode TENS pads alone. With the electrodes enclosed within the back belt, you simply wrap it around the sore area and connect it to your TENS unit. These are also portable and easy to bring along when traveling!

TENS Back Belt targets lower back pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Hand Pain

Palm Massage Tool for Carpal Tunnel

When your hands are sore and aching, it affects every aspect of your life. Using a TENS machine with a Palm Massage tool to target hand and wrist pain is a safe and effective way to get your life back. Wearable electrode gloves ensure the proper electrical stimulation is sent to the areas that hurt the most. These are also small enough to slip into your bag or purse and be taken with you wherever you go!

Is a TENS Unit Scientifically Proven to Work?

Scientific Studies on TENS Units

Directly from the study cited in Current Rheumatology Reports:“Specifically, we show that low-frequency TENS activates μ-opioid receptors in the spinal cord and the brainstem, whereas high-frequency TENS activates δ-opioid receptors in the spinal cord and the brainstem.” TENS therapy activates the same receptors in the body as powerful opioid drugs.

A 2016 study on lower back pain sufferers showed fixed-site TENS Units to be a safe and effective option for treating chronic low back and lower extremity pain. These results motivate the development of wearable analgesic devices.

For fibromyalgia sufferers, the news is very good. A recent study from the Carver College of Medicine has shown TENS Unit stimulation may significantly increase quality of life in terms of pain, fatigue and function for those with primary fibromyalgia.

How To Use A TENS Machine

In the not-so-distant past, TENS machines were only available in the offices of physical therapists and physicians. Today the best TENS units are completely portable and can be used almost anywhere. Having hand-held pain relief available for home and travel is a Godsend to many suffering with chronic pain.

Your TENS machine package should come with a handheld TENS unit (this provides the small electrical charge), electrode wires (unless it’s a wireless model) and electrode pads to connect to the wires. TENS therapy is applied directly to the skin using the TENS unit and small gel-coated pads or electrodes.

Now place the electrode pads around the area in pain. Here is an older video from ProCare Pharmacy showing a 2 lead unit (today’s units are much small and more advanced), but it will give you an idea of the proper pad placement.

You control the amount of electrical stimulation (intensity) of the TENS unit by varying frequencies, from low (< 10 Hz) to high (> 50 Hz). TENS therapy is thought to work by alteration of the body’s ability to receive or perceive pain signals rather than by having a direct effect on the muscle contractions. Try all of the different channels and work up to the right intensity to ease your pain.

If often helps to vary the time, intensity, and channel used as our muscles can adapt to the stimulus over time and it may feel as though the TENS unit isn’t working. Keep experimenting with different combinations to give your body the best chance of success.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best TENS Units

Are TENS Units Something New?

No. TENS units have been used by doctors and physical therapists for over 40 years with great success. Now, instead of having to go into the doctor’s office for pain relief therapy, today there are portable units for personal use with the same pain relieving power output. Use the Best TENS Units Buying Guide above to find a model that can work for you at home or for travel.

Are TENS Units FDA Approved?

Because TENS units and EMS (electronic muscle stimulation) units are considered Medical Devices by the FDA, the companies who manufacture them must show that the device is safe and effective when used as directed. By purchasing an “FDA Approved” device, you’re ensuring the FDA has determined the product is properly designed, manufactured, and labeled to provide reasonable assurance that they are safe and effective for over-the-counter (OTC) use.

What is EMS and PMS?

EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) occurs when a device (such as a specially-designed TENS unit) mimics the body’s electrical impulse system and causes muscles to contract. EMS differs from TENS in that EMS is centered on the muscle groups, while TENS focuses on the nerve pathways.

PMS (powered muscle stimulation) occurs when a group muscles are caused to contract by use of electrical stimulation. These electrical impulses are generated by the TENS machine and delivered through electrode pads placed directly on or near the muscle group being targeted.

Both EMS and PMS muscle stimulation is used to treat swelling and inflammation that can put a strain on both the muscles themselves and their supporting joints. Look for a TENS unit with EMS or PMS capabilities to encourage greater healing of the muscles by stimulating blood flow and improving range of motion.

What Features Should My TENS Unit Have?

There are so many TENS units on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best. You can the Best TENS Units Buying Guide above to narrow down your choices. Features to look for include dual or quad channels (to stimulate more than one area at a time), rechargeable batteries (or wireless capability) and programmable sessions (because once you find the perfect pain relief level, you’ll want to use it again and again!).

Some TENS machines have rechargeable lithium batteries and others use easily available 9-volt, AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable machines may be more attractive if you’re using your unit often, but it’s a personal preference. Other attractive features to look for are portability if you’re planning to travel with your unit, wireless capability if cords are a nuisance,  and an easy-to-see screen with back light if it will be used in a darkened room. 

Most of the best TENS units sold today will have a good warranty, but it doesn’t hurt to double check. Some companies give a lifetime warranty, while others will cover the unit for 30 days after purchase. All those machines recommended above do come with a good warranty for return.

Will Insurance Pay for My TENS Machine?

Many insurance plans will reimburse (pay you back) for the purchase of a TENS Unit for chronic pain relief. Medicare Part B may cover the cost of your machine if you are someone who has been suffering from chronic pain for at least three months, for which other, standard pain relief methods have failed. Give your insurance company a call and ask what they require in terms of receipts for reimbursement or if they have a particular brand they prefer.

Can I take my TENS Unit on a plane?

YES! Directly from the TSA website:“TENS units are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. If your doctor has told you that your specific TENS unit shouldn’t go through an X-ray, you should notify the TSA officer so they can conduct alternate screening. To help you get through security more efficiently, remove your TENS unit from your carry-on bag and put it in the screening bin so the TSA officer can get a clear view of it.”

If you travel with your TENS unit, size and weight might be more important than if you’re only using it at home. Some units come with a belt clip that make it completely portable, even while out walking or on a long plane trip.

Should I Buy Extra TENS Unit Supplies?

To increase the conductivity of the electrode pads, some people find it necessary to use a drop or two of TENS conductivity gel applied to the pads. TENS gel also increases the life of the pads so they don’t have to be replaced as often.

The electrode pads that come with each TENS unit are usually coated with a special sticky, gel-like substance that helps them adhere to the body, but can still be reused time and time again. After a while though, the stickiness of the TENS pads will go away and you’ll have to replace the pads. You can buy TENS pads in large sizes for areas like the back or shoulder and smaller pads for the wrist or elbows.

Any Other Questions About The Best TENS Machine?

If there are other questions you have about this Best TENS Unit and Ultimate Buying Guide article, please don’t hesitate to ask here. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll certainly try to find it for you!

Take care and please let me know if this works well for your pain relief!

Lisa Chavis, RPh

And as with all medical conditions discussed on the Internet, check first with your doctor before using any alternative treatments. Do NOT use any TENS device on patients who have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other implanted metallic or electronic device, as this may cause electric shock, burns, electrical interference, or other serious medical situations.

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