Last night, I held a gathering at my home for the sheer purpose of bringing people together who are on the path of healing their mind/body/spirit.  I want to reach out to as many as possible about the positive message of creating the changes we desire. The theme of the evening was for us to view the film based on Louise L. Hay's teachings, "You Can Heal Your Life". The film was so very poignant about the power of our thoughts and how they create our reality. What stood out for me the most during this film was the many testimonials from others, of various backgrounds and professions, and how they discovered this for themselves when faced with a challenge to make a big change. Our conversation after the film ended, made it very clear to me that so many of us are on this journey of making change.   This film was inspirational, motivational, and emotionally profound.  

You all know people who are stuck in a mind set that they’ll never meet their soulmate, have a career that they really want, or leave an abusive relationship, and so on and so forth. The way they speak to themselves and rationalize why they cant do this, or that, just keeps them held in ransom within fear. But guess what? What if its never too late to make a change? What if you just stopped what you were doing right now and said to yourself, "I am willing to change"?

I have been sharing the power of our thoughts, emotions, and affirmations with hundreds of people, for many years.  And as a life coach, medium and healer,  I have seen a multitude of people make positive changes in their lives. One day very soon, I will write my own story for all to read but one person stands out to me in this moment. My husband's grandmother began vaudeville dancing in her early 20's, when it was unusual for young women  not to be married, let alone have a career. She met her soulmate during her stage career, and later took care of him for seven years after he had a massive stroke.  She did so never complaining about it, as she would not place him in a nursing care facility. After he passed on, she kept on working until she was in her 80's! When she retired, she turned to her passion of oil painting and was quite good at it! She woke up everyday, put on a stylish outfit, took great care of herslef,  played cards with friends and enjoyed the presence of others. At age 92, she was learning Spanish.  Was it ever too late for her to pursue what she desired? She clearly didn’t think so.  She felt that everything was possible if you believed in yourself, and she lived by that example.

When we make excuses not to change, we block positive people and situations from manifesting in our lives. Why do we hold ourselves back? Because our self talk tells us that we don't think we are worthy, or we are too afraid, or we are too fat, not pretty enough, we are too broke, or we do not love ourselves enough to trust our own heart.   I have news for you though......we are never too old to make a positive change. Our physical body ages but not our spirit.  If you listen to your heart and the energy that flows from it, you can feel the vitality in your physical body when you think of a thought that feels good. It all comes down to how you approach your life -- as positive, or negative. If you take care of yourself by allowing healthy relationships and situations into your life, if you are eating well, exercising and getting enough rest -- you will find that your life will begin to change in the positive direction you intend. 

It is our Divine purpose to live with JOY.  You CAN change.  You ARE worthy. 

Our time on earth now is quite unique and we have the ability to create positive change -- right NOW.  So, go ahead and rent the dvd "You Can Heal Your Life".  It may just be the message you have been looking for.

Sugar has been linked to more than sixty different ailments, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.  Studies show that there are almost 30 million of us with Type 2 diabetes with another 70 million individuals that qualify as pre-diabetics. Yes, sugar is very sneaky!

It is not only in obvious forms such as cookies and candy but also in just about any other food you can think of. From packaged meats to soups to commercial salt, sugar is in there. It’s even hidden in such nonfood items as vitamins, aspirin, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and various cosmetics!

The sugar connection to cardiovascular health was first noticed in the 1970s. In the classic study The Saccharine Disease, surgeon Capt. T. L. Cleave showed convincing evidence that increases in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other common diseases could be traced to increases in sugar and refined-carbohydrate intake. These diseases were virtually nonexistent in primitive cultures, he noted, until about twenty years after the societies began eating refined carbohydrates.

In his classic book Sweet and Dangerous, Dr. Yudkin cited numerous examples in a variety of societies that showed that sugar was a more likely cause of heart disease than fat. For example, the Masai and Samburu tribes of East Africa, he explained, have almost no heart disease, yet they eat a high-fat diet of mostly meat and milk but no sugar.

Recent research is proving the validity of the theories posed by Drs. Cleave and Yudkin, showing a direct relationship between sugar and heart disease because of insulin. Remember that when sugar is eaten, insulin is produced. Insulin not only helps to store excess sugar as fat but also helps regulate blood triglyceride levels, which are a major predictor of the development of heart disease. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin your pancreas will produce, and the higher your triglyceride levels are likely to be.

While refined sugar consumption has declined in recent years, a new breed of sugar substitutes has emerged in the form of artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, aspartame, and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).  Ironically, these may be even more harmful to your health than sugar itself. Could it be just a coincidence that at the same time the country was quietly being slipped high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the general food supply, the average cholesterol levels were shooting up through the roof?   Not to mention the trend of increasing triglycerides and abnormal liver tests. Remember this – our bodies are not designed to metabolize HFCS. HFCS skips right past the need for insulin production  and goes right into your cells where it becomes an uncontrolled source of trouble all the way down to your liver. Your body simply doesn’t recognize HFCS so it doesn’t know how to control it, and in the end it stores it as fat.

Here are some highlights of a sample program to help control and treat Type 2 diabetes:

1)   A high quality multivitamin that contains optimal levels of B-complex vitamins.  It should also include trace minerals like vanadium ( 100 mcg),  manganese (10 mg) and molybdenum (100 mcg). In order to metabolize fructose and sucrose, the body requires a molybdenum-dependent enzyme so daily amounts of this trace mineral is critical to avoiding depletion and to help your body get rid of the brain fog which often accompanies sugar intake. 

2) Magnesium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in diabetes because it personally escorts glucose into the cells as well as performs more than 300 other bodily tasks. I highly recommend an additional 200 -400mg of magnesium which can be taken during the day or before bed, for peaceful and uninterrupted sleep!

3)  For men, look for an iron-free Male Multi-Vitamin. Excess iron is a major factor in cardiovascular disease and can be unusually elevated in males past the age of 40, and in females who have stopped menstruating.  So, if you are in this category -- women -- take an iron-free multi vitamin!

4) Biotin – 5 mg. A high potency biotin can enhance sugar metabolism, lower triglycerides and stop yeast in its tracks. Yeast overgrowth is an all too common byproduct of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It can create huge sugar cravings that even the most potent appetite suppressants cannot control.  My clients (and myself) have personally experienced fuller hair and stronger nails with biotin, which is an added bonus!

5) Chromium 200 – 400 mcg. A key nutrient that improves insulin sensitivity & is also very helpful in overall weight loss, alsong with 500 mg of L-Carnitine to stabilize blood sugar, increase energy levels and support healthy fat metabolism.

6)  EPA and DHA (the Omega-3s) – 1,500 mg twice per day. This natural anti-inflammatory will decrease inflammation, raise HDL, lower triglycerides, and prevent the type of nerve damage that is frequently associated with diabetic neuropathy.

7)  Vitamin D-3; 5,000 IU taken 1 – 2 times per day.  But make sure to check your Vitamin D levels with your doctor and have them oversee your D supplementation, every 3-6 months. The ideal level is between 50-80 mg/dl according to the Vitamin D experts. Vitamin D is probably the most deficient vitamin in America today. 

Lastly, please be aware of your sugar content & its disguises, in every form.  I can not reiterate enough  the dangers that sugar can cause to our quality of health.   Spread the word to your family & friends and support one another as you make health your priority!

Yes, 2012 IS here and so are we! Yay! By the way, I never bought into the world coming to an end in 2012, and I still do not feel that way. BUT I will write an article on this in the near future....

Happy New Year, beautiful souls!  Since I usually state my intentions with the new & full moon and work as an intuitive life coach, I rarely encourage New Year's "Resolutions".  Instead, I ask my clients & of myself, to be aware of our "intentions". There is no time, except NOW and there is no better time to become clear of what you want in your life, right NOW. 

On my radio show last Monday with Shelly Wilson, we touched briefly on the power of intention & we will be exploring this topic even further on Jan. 16th. My hope is that you will begin 2012 by reaching out to a group of link-minded people that you resonate with for support. I always tell my students & clients, that a group where the relationships are energetically balanced, is key. 

What I mean by energetically balanced is people who are traveling on & exploring a spiritual path similar to your own, so that you do not feel alone in your journey. On my website, the very first thing I write about on my homepage, is that sometimes we all just need a little push, guidance, or support to help us along our path. As "sensitives", I am sure that we can all relate to feeling a little "different" from others in our family or others in our lives. 

If you’re anything like me, then perhaps you've questioned that there is more to life than what appears to be directly in front of you, or what you are told, or what you have been socialized to believe. You most likely have had your own spiritual experiences, and so you are drawn to metaphysics, energy healing, or understanding more about your intuition. Personally, I call this being "aware". And if you have awareness, you are alive.

I’ve met people from all walks of life, and literally from all over the world. We usually have one thing in common -- we are all on a spiritual quest to find our purpose. In my workshops over the years, Ive witnessed transformation in front of my eyes. Its an amazing feeling to bear witness to someone's "ah-hah" moment, when something is said and they just suddenly "get it". The connections Ive made with students, clients & colleagues is something I hold dear to my heart & soul. 

I promise that I won't ever try to lecture anyone to "see things my way"; but I do try to push the envelope a little further than most. My goal is to get others thinking & feeling in a way that will allow you to see your truth. From there is where your intentions arise. I want to help push you to be all that you can be, encourage you to reach for your goals and dreams, challenge you and help you to expand your consciousness, so that you don't feel alone anymore in the direction you know is your innate truth & wisdom.

If you believe that there is no one out there who understands, then please think again – there ARE people out there who do. You just have to state your intentions that you are involved with like minded people and keep following your spiritual development. When you do this, you will find that people will be brought into your life on a regular basis whom will support you, and vice versa. 

Set your intentions. Trust. Take action. And if you need a little push, you know where to find me! I wish you all a healthy, happy & fulfilling 2012!

During the holidays, most of us overindulge in sweets. Sugar cravings are the downfall for many of us. I know from experience that once you start binging on sugary foods, it can be very difficult to stop. I also know the detox symptoms can be annoying (skin breakouts, irritability, insomnia), but its worth it!

Overeating sugar can lead to serious consequences such as hypoglycemia and diabetes. Further, sugar raises insulin levels too much, your body’s signal to make fat, bad news for your health.

Do you need a sugar detox?

•Do you binge on junk foods, especially fatty and sugary foods?
•Do you eat all of your calories at one meal?
•Do you have second and third helpings at a meal but still feel hungry?
•Do you experience a wired feeling that is only relieved by eating sweets?
•Are you easily frustrated, and moody with frequent crying spells?

If you answered yes to 3 of the 5 questions above, then a sugar detox may be right for you. 

First, add 2 apples to your diet every day for stabilizing fiber. Second, drink half of your body weight in water! Dehydration slows resting metabolic rate and can cause waste products to build up in your intestines, colon and liver. Third, learn how to safely detox in winter by scheduling an appointment with me today!  Don't delay!  There is nothing like today to start feeling GREAT!   

Cutting processed foods and refined sugars out of your diet is THE most important dietary change you can make to improve health and lose weight.  If you’re trying to eat healthy, perhaps you have heard to stay away from processed foods.   Yes, I know that it can be difficult to cut processed foods out of your diet, but it isn't impossible.  Although most people know that processed foods are bad for them, it’s often unclear what makes them so dangerous to a person’s health.  

Please remember – processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state.

Have you ever wondered why a pre-packaged food stays fresh for months, when the same food made from scratch grows moldy in just days? It’s because food manufacturers use man-made ingredients that prolong a product’s shelf life.   For instance, trans fats are oils infused with hydrogen. They raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Dr. Michael Aziz agrees and so do I.  In his book, The Perfect 10 Diet, he writes  “Trans fats are really like plastic and when we eat them they incorporate in our cells and the cells cannot communicate or talk to one another. In turn, hormones are disturbed, weight gain follows but more troubling, the risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke and infertility goes way up.” Trans fats are commonly found in commercially fried food and packaged foods, especially baked goods. But you won’t see the phrase, “trans fat” in the list of ingredients. Instead, look for the word, “hydrogenated.”

Please also be aware of labels that claim no trans fats. They’re often still in there, because the FDA allows food with up to a half-gram of trans fat per serving to be labeled “trans fat free.” The problem is, those servings can be small so we eat many servings, and those half-grams add-up.

When Cooking, Go Back to the Basics,  and EAT WHOLE FOODS.

Vending machines are often loaded with processed foods. In addition to trans fats, they often contain too much salt, which can cause heart problems and creates a craving for even more salt.
Another addictive ingredient you’ll find in processed foods is high fructose corn syrup, which is linked to obesity and diabetes. Former FDA toxicologist Dr. Dana Flavin says that while sugar is burned and turned into energy, high fructose corn syrup turns into fat, causing what’s known as “fatty liver.” High fructose corn syrup is the main ingredient in soft drinks, but is also hidden in foods like bread and pasta sauce.

Dr. Steven Sinatra, author of Metabolic Cardiology, says that high fructose corn syrup and its chemical cousins, are directly linked to high blood pressure and heart disease, which unfortunately, most doctors treat with medication instead of going to the source.  I promise you that adequate exercise, the restriction of simple carbohydrates, sugars and high fructose corn syrup is key to losing weight and being healthy. 

In addition, you will want to  avoid MSG like the plague!  MSG is labeled as hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract, soy protein isolate, spices, natural flavorings, citric acid or anything with the word, “hydrolyzed” or “autolyzed.”  These additives can create uclers, migraines and fatigue.

Processed foods not only create health risks, they also make us look old. Although identifying processed foods and removing them from our diet isn’t easy, it may be less troubling than dealing with the health problems they can create.  If you want clear, vibrant skin, eat whole foods and consume an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables every day.

• What new opportunities would you like to pursue in 2012?  
  
• What exciting changes are you ready to make?  
  
• Who will help make the journey fun and inspiring?
  
• What one, helpful habit are you willing to develop to support your efforts?  
  

That's all you need to think about in order to get started.  Please stay tuned for more inspiration all month long.  Please tune into my radio show MIND BODY SPIRIT HOUR with Paige & Shelly.  I hold true to my motto "You deserve to heal & live your best life!!  For the rest of your life!"Please print it out & read it every day!!!  Allow yourself to shine in 2012.  Isnt it about time?  What are you waiting for?  Now is all we have.  And all we have is you, and I.  So, lets make it as good as we possibly can!  There are no limits.  Please reply to this blog & share your goals, dreams and inspirations.