Feb. 16, 2016
Embracing change
So, 5 months ago (has it been 5 months already?!) I moved my family from Ohio to Colorado. It wasn't an easy decision. It took a lot of planning, especially because there were so many of us- two adults, four children- and because our lives were so built up in Ohio. We had a lot of friends, (Avon, Ohio is a very smal town, we knew everyone by year two), we had my husband's family, and the kids had so many friends that they were growing up with (after all we were in Ohio 9 years). It was tough, but one that we (my husband and I) felt we had to make. We wanted a better lifestyle, more opportunities, better weather, and I really wanted to be near my family (they either live here or in California). 
It's been a tough 5 months. Lots of adjusting. My high schooler was very upset to leave his friends, but he's making new ones and trying to make the best of it. What a trooper! But, everyday, when the sun comes out (not much sun in Ohio) and I look out and see the mountains, and breathe in the fresh air, and not to mention that being a Holistic Nutritionist definately has lots of benefits here, everyone is into health, YAY!! I love the fact that I love living where I am. We get outside everyday, we walk or bike or run everywhere! I love looking around and seeing eveyone enjoying life, loving the outdoors and in general thrilled to be alive! I can't wait to see what the next few months will bring!
So even though its been a tough adjustment (change is always hard), I'm so glad we did it. Life is an advnture and if you're not happy where you are, make the change. Its always tough getting out of your comfort zone, but what is that famous saying "Life begins when you step out of your comfort zone" Hurrah!
Cheers!!  

Jan. 19, 2016
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​This past week and weekend have been so crazy busy! In good ways! I'm finally finishing up my third health book and I'm going to make it available to buy here on my site as an ebook. I'm still in the editing stages, but I will keep you all informed as to when it will be available. Theres a lot on my plate this month, but I'm so excited about what's going on.
  I've been a Health and Wellness professional for twenty years, so my kids have grown up with that lifestyle.  They've been eating organically and GMO free for years and anytime I'm on some wild kick whether its going Gluten free, beef free, vegan, vegetarian, taste free, whatever it is, my poor kids have gone along for the ride. And I commend them for it. While all their friends were downing soda and pizza, when the kids were little I made them eat something a little more nutritious.  Not that they dont eat that stuff, but I certainly try hard to make sure they dont eat a ton! As they've gotten older, they've been able to choose basically whatever they wanted, and surprisingly they've generally opted to go more towards the healthier alternatives. Makes me proud.
The other morning, my ten year old was having some multi grain pancakes and fruit. He said 
"Mom, do pancakes have a lot of carbs? And what's the sugar content in maple syrup?" 
I love that! I know that as they get bigger and can decide on their own what they want, that they may not always gravitate towards the healthy choices, but at least theyre getting a 'taste' of it now while they're young. 
While its not easy to always feed your kids the healthier alternative, if, for the majority of the time, they are eating healthy meals coupled with healthier snacks, they're well on their way to creating a path for long term healthier decisions when you're not around.
Good luck!
Cheers!!!  

Feb. 9, 2016

I, for years now, have been a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. While the world around us is reeling with the strong hold that technology has over us, let us not forget the energy that humans provide to the natural world. Every year on National Prayer Day (which is generally on May 5th, this year will be on May 6th) there are numerous reports of crime dropping by a significant precentage, and people have said that in general they feel surprisingly calmer.
The power of thought is not, by any means, a new way of thinking. In fact, it has been around since the time Jesus walked the Earth. Wasn't it he who said when he was standing on the hill speaking to his followers "Believe you can and so you will"? When he only had a loaf of bread for thousands of people and was able to feed them all? Just about every religion and culture has taught this way of thinking. The Chinese believe that you can actually move objects with the power of your mind, so why not move yourself? Change the way you think, change your life? 
The power of your thoughts are very profound. Whatever you think, so you will become.  When my kids were very little we used to play what we called "The intention game" Basically whatever they wanted to see, whatever they wanted to experience they would request with words, then thought. Whether it was a pink flower in winter, a small black puppy, a red VW bug, whatever it was. This one time in particular my oldest son, who was 9 at the time, said he wanted to see a pink Hummer. Yes, a pink Hummer. We had been playing this game for quite sometime now, and although I believed this would happen, there was still a part of me that was thinking "hmm, well if he believes it, so it will be'. My daughter who was younger said "No way!" His response, "Yup, that's what I want!"
As we drove to the grocery store that day, I stopped at a red light. I looked to my right and what I should see parked on the street, yup, a stretch pink Hummer. I had never seen it before, nor did we ever see it again. But there it was. 
What you think, what you believe, creates your world. The 'Secret" which is a training based on that very thing, teaches you how to think and believe in what you think. If you are down trodden all the time, my guess is that not a lot of good happens to you. Create a world with which you want to live. Expect that what you want, what you give power to, will happen. The more energy you give to something, the more powerful it will become. 
So this week I want you all to try something. "The Intention Game". Start off small. Think of something that you want to see, and believe it with all your heart. That's the key. Try not to doubt, or undermine. Believe. Believe like the sun will rise tomorrow, like you'll sleep in your bed tonight. Start with seeing a Robin in winter, or someone with a red shirt, or maybe that Starbucks will happen to give you a free coffee! Believe it and so it will be. 
Shut out all thoughts of negativity, because those do take over faster than postive thoughts. You're reconditioning your brain to think in a different way, and you're starting off small. 
Next week, think bigger, until you're planning your life and creating what you want. The Universe is waiting to give you what you want. Create it now! Good Luck and have fun! 
Cheers! 

Jan. 6, 2016

I am really looking forward to this year! Even though I can never predict how a new year will go, I always try and be optimistic. I expect good things and definately expect new learning experiences, which can either be fun, challenging, mysterious (why the heck did this happen), or a minor bump in the road. Whatever happens this year, I would like to think I'm ready for it.
Are you? I know that making New Years resolutions is big thing, and maybe rightly so. I always believed that if you want to make a change, do it now. Don't wait for a new year, but on the other hand, it gives you a 'day' in which to do it. A day that you can look forward to that will mark a special event that motivates you. Either way, I love the idea of 'resolutions' Its exciting, its something to look forward to and it gives you motivation to expand and be a better you, which is always awesome!
Even if your goals are just to eat better, walk a block or two a day, say one nice thing to someone or yourself a day, its something. Or if you have bigger goals, more power to you!
Mine this year:
Find more time to exercise
Cut back on sugar
Find more "me" time
dont take things too seriously
read more write more!
Watch the sky
Always, always be a better me than last year


I would love to hear from you and what your New Years resolutions are! Email me or leave comments!!
Enjoy your first week in the new year and Happy 2016!!!!!
Cheers!

• Overview

Dec. 23, 2015

Ugh! I have to apologize that it has been so long since I've blogged! The end of the year has been so insane, and I have gotten several emails asking what I've been up to and where have I been!
I can assure you it's all been good! I'm finishing up another book, this one is one Herbs and Supplements, I'm trying to expand my site, and with the holidays closing in fast, things just get nuts! 
So along with this craziness, as I'm sure you can all relate to, I'm getting less sleep and running around like a mad woman! I am trying to keep up with my health and keep my stress levels in check, but it's not always easy. The other day, I was up early after burning the midnight oil the night before, and I was pushing my limits. My sleep deprivation didn't hit me until about 1pm and I had a holiday party to attend to at my son's school so I knew I had to do something. So, I broke down and went to Starbucks. Yes, that's right I went to the ol' Buckys. I got a mocha and downed it like it was the last coffee I was ever going to have. I think I even burned my tonsils a little.
About twenty minutes later, this really weird feeling came over me. I was exhausted! Like WaBam exhausted and it hit me hard! I was dizzy and my eyes couldn't focus. I was wiped out! Wasn't the years' supply of sugar and caffeine supposed to take care of this? Now I felt even worse!   
I had very little time to figure my way out of this one, I had 37 fourth graders counting on my Christmas crafts! So I ran, better yet sludged my way, to my millions of health books and thumbed through, looking for anything to tell me what was up, until I found something that made perfect sense. First: don't consume a years worth of sugar in one sitting Second: when one isn't used to that much sugar and caffeine it can have an adverse effect.
Well, I do drink coffee, not a ton, but I do, and I do occassionaly go to Bucks. So why this time?
What I discovered is how you metabolize the caffeine and the sugar. I happen to have a very high metabolism, and even though it sounds like the coffee just wouldn't work on me because of that, strangely, depending on how the coffee is brewed will depend on how my body responds to it. If the coffee happens to have more sugar than coffee, my body could be responding to the excessive amount of sugar by actually crashing to protect it from overload. Instead of getting that super rush, my body actually shut down to metabolize the sugar. Sounds odd, but that's exactly what it felt like it was doing.
And come to find out there are a lot of people that go through this. I also know that some coffees have been harvested differently, or grown with a lot more chemicals. All these factors contribute to how I felt and how many others have felt when they drink coffee. I know that black coffee doesn't seem to do this to me and drinking my husbands acid free coffee gives me a lovley boost with zero side effects.
So what did I do to move me along in my zombie like state? I had a elementary school party to attend to!! I made a protein shake. I quickly mixed a scoop of good quality protein powder with some almond milk and chugged it down! Protein will counteract the effects of that sugar or caffeine crash. And it works quickly! Within ten minutes I felt like myself again, and I could go on with my day optimally.
So, if this ever happens to you, whether affected by a mugful of sugar/caffeine or just a crash from doing way to dang much this holiday, grab a protein shake. Protein gives you a boost of energy and it goes right to your muscles providing you with the much needed stamina to last the rest of the day. There are several types of protein, I actually alternate between a Whey or a Vegan Protein. Either is good as long as you're getting at least 16-25 grams per serving. Anything less won't do a whole lot.
Women need 45-60 grams of protein a day
Men need 65-80 grams
Children need 20-35 grams.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!!!!!!
Cheers!