Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Thursday, April 20-April 26, 2017 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 19 P eople who have not spent much time in a garden may not consider this re- warding hobby much of a threat to their health. But as veteran gardeners can attest, gardening can contribute to nagging aches and pains that can force even the most ardent green-thumbers indoors. Gardening is a physical activity that, de- spite its peaceful nature, can be demand- ing on the body. Thankfully, there are sev- eral ways that gardening enthusiasts can prevent the aches and pains that can sometimes pop up after long days in the garden. • Use ergonomic gardening tools. Er- gonomic gardening tools are designed to prevent the types of aches, pains and injuries that can cut gardeners' seasons short. Gardening in- juries can affect any area of the body, but injuries or aches and pains affecting the back, wrists and hands are among the most common physical problems gardeners endure. Look for ergonomic tools that reduce the strain on these areas of the body. Even arthritis sufferers who love to garden may fi nd that ergonomic tools make it possible for them to spend more time in their gardens without increasing their risk for injury. • Alternate tasks. Repetitive-strain injuries can affect gardeners who spend long pe- riods of time performing the same activity in their gardens. By alternating tasks dur- ing gardening sessions, gardeners can re- duce their risk of suffering repetitive strain injuries. Alternate tasks not just on muscle groups worked, but also level of diffi culty. Remember to include some simple jobs even on busy gardening days so the body gets a break. • Take frequent breaks. Frequent breaks can help combat the stiffness and muscle aches that may not appear until garden- ers fi nish their gardening sessions. Breaks help to alleviate muscles or joints that can become overtaxed when gardening for long, uninterrupted periods of time. When leaning down or working on your hands and knees, stand up to take breaks every 20 minutes or the moment aches and pains start to make their presence felt. • Maintain good posture. Back injuries have a tendency to linger, which can keep gardeners indoors and out of their gardens. When gardening, maintain good posture to prevent back injuries. Gardening back brac- es can protect the back by providing support and making it easier for gardeners to main- tain their posture. Tool pouches attached to gardening stools or chairs also can be less taxing on the back than gardening belts tied around the waist. Gardening might not be a contact sport, but it can cause pain if gardeners do not take steps to prevent the onset of muscle aches and strains when spending time in their gardens. Ways to avoid aches and pains when gardening ELLIOTT SUPPLY CO. INC. 2301 W. Stagecoach Trail, Hwy. 182 • Polkville, NC Bob Elliott, Owner 704-538-8661 Ben Elliott, Service Mgr. FINANCING ON THE PURCHASE FINANCING ON THE PURCHASE OF ANY NEW OF ANY NEW SCAG MOWER SCAG MOWER * 48 Months 48 Months For Up To For Up To 0 % *O.A.C. Talk to your SCAG Dealer for details. www.SCAG.com www.SCAG.com CLINE'S CLINE'S Nursery Nursery SPRING SPRING KICKOFF! KICKOFF! Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri. 9am-5:30pm Saturday 9am-3pm Saturday 9am-3pm Sunday-11am-3pm Sunday-11am-3pm Find Us On Find Us On FACEBOOK FACEBOOK ©CommunityFirstMedia ©CommunityFirstMedia WE HAVE 1,000's 1,000's OF OF Blooming Blooming PERENNIALS 1901 FALLSTON RD. • SHELBY, NC 28150 704-487-9861 704-487-9861 www.clinesnursery.com www.clinesnursery.com OUR OUR GREENHOUSES GREENHOUSES ARE FULL! ARE FULL! Come by and Come by and see us today! see us today! • FERNS • TROPICALS • FERNS • TROPICALS HANGING BASKETS HANGING BASKETS ANNUALS • TREES • SHRUBS ANNUALS • TREES • SHRUBS AND MORE! AND MORE! 130 W. Graham St., Shelby, NC 704-480-1899 e Ultimate Cooking Experience © Community First Media Community First Media Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 9:30 am - 1:00 pm Saturday 9:30 am - 1:00 pm FUTURE ENERGY CO. FUTURE ENERGY CO. "When We Start Eggin, "When We Start Eggin, You'll Come Beggin!" You'll Come Beggin!" Ulti t C ki E p i Ulti t C ki E p i Spring Spring Sale Sale P rotecting the planet is a goal for millions of people across the globe. And that's a good thing, as the planet is in- creasingly in need of help. Behaviors few people may give a second thought to can dramatically impact the planet in a negative way. For exam- ple, according to Worldwatch Institute, 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away each year, less than 1 percent fi nd their way into recycling bins. The end result of that waste is the deaths of around 1 bil- lion birds and mammals each year due to the ingestion of plastic. If that information elicits deep emotions, perhaps this is the year to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Recycling and reusing is a good place to start, but there are other ways to embrace green-living practices in ev- eryday life. • Plan a spring garden. Ex- plore the possibilities of a vegetable garden and plant- ing some fruit trees. Growing your own food can reduce reliance on commercially im- ported food products. Plus, the plants and other greenery will contribute to the environ- ment in a positive way, by providing animal habitats and fi ltering the air. • Rely on fresh air and natural light. To cool or even warm up a home, use out- door air rather than turning on the HVAC system the moment you feel uncomfort- able. Natural sunlight coming through windows can warm up a space and illuminate it adequately. • Reduce reliance on mo- tor vehicles. The organization TreeHugger says currently there are around 700 million cars on the road, producing 900 million tons of carbon di- oxide each year. Bicycling or walking to the store or school, and carpooling to work can help reduce these emissions. • Use natural cleaning in- gredients. Vinegar, baking soda and citrus oils can be used to clean and deodorize, reducing reliance on harmful cleaning chemicals. • Opt for paperless when- ever possible. Reduce paper waste by signing up for pa- perless billing and receipts. Try paying bills electronically, which will cut down on the number of paper bills and envelopes that end up in the trash. • Conduct a home energy audit. Find out if your home is hemorrhaging energy and money by conducting a home energy audit. A professional energy audit will check for water and air leaks, HVAC system effi ciency, insulation levels, window quality, and much more. Many people resolve to live more eco-friendly lifestyles at the dawn of a new year, and such resolutions can produce positive results for years to come. Simple ways to greener living W hen planning your garden this spring consider planting a little extra to donate locally. Fresh local food is fi nding its way to agencies in Cleveland County that are working to relieve hunger. Beginning in mid-May 2017, each Saturday at the Foot- hills Farmers' Market in Uptown Shelby volunteers operate a Farmer Foodshare® Donation Station. Donation Stations raise local funds at the market to buy top-quality fresh local food for people at risk for hunger in our community. Market shoppers buy food from farmers and donate it, or give cash and volunteers buy food. Farmers donate excess food at the end of the market days, which ensures that nothing goes to waste. Produce from home gardens is welcomed as well. These donations are distributed to re- cipient organizations locally. You can help provide fresh food for the hungry and support local farmers by visit- ing the Farmer Foodshare Donation Station Table at the Foothills Farmers' Market be- ginning in mid-May 2017, each Saturday in Uptown Shelby between 8am - 12noon. For information on Farmer Foodshare visit www.farmerfoodshare.org; www.foothillsfarm- ersmarket.com or call 704-473-4722. Consider planting extra to donate...