The Truth About Losing Weight

Millions of Americans are overweight-are you one of them? Are you someone who is ready to lighten up? Do you feel you would be healthier and feel better if you took off some weight? There are many benefits to being the best size for your body—it’s easier on the joints, blood pressure many times goes down, cholesterol may drop, you will have more energy, your self-esteem climbs.

First, let’s look at how you talk to and about yourself and your weight. I challenge you to adopt the vocabulary of “releasing” or “taking off” weight. The word lose literally means “to be unable to find something, often only temporarily; to fail to win; to be unable to control something”. Do you really want to find the weight later? Monitor how you talk about your new lifestyle. Maybe you want to see “less of you” physically. You may want to release 5 pounds at a time.

Secondly, how do you talk to and about your body right now? Do you call yourself “fat” or other unkind words? This just reinforces what you do not want to be. It is important to be kind to ourselves. Studies show fat people think about being fat most of the time. This means they are focused on the “problem” and not the “solution”. I challenge you to “see yourself”, that is, visualize the way you desire to be. Healthy, strong and trim, or looking good in shorts and a sexy top. Accept yourself just the way you are right now. Not the way you used to be and not the way somebody else looks. Acceptance is the only path that leads to change. New studies show that genetics is only 8% of our body style. The rest we get to choose!

Practice mindfulness when you eat. I watch most people get a large portion of food, look down at their plate and shovel it in in 5 minutes. The fork does not go down, they do not pause. Or, they are on the cell phone and not paying attention to their food. Our brain needs to register and signal our stomach that we have eaten, we are full, and it is time to stop eating. Eat slowly and chew your food for good digestion. If you are over 40, our bodies don’t have the enzymes that we used to have for digestion, so it is important to chew your food thoroughly.

Do not cook or eat when you are angry or upset. Food, like most anything, absorbs the energy of the cook. If we are mad, this energy goes into the food.

Also, be sure you are eating enough food. Our body goes into fat storage mode when it thinks it may not get enough to eat. Our metabolism goes into “slow down” mode to conserve our energy and protect us. Our bodies are very good at self-monitoring.

You don’t have to clean your plate. You will not get bad karma for leaving a little food or throwing food away! Re-think what you were told as a child and see if it still serves you now.

Don’t eat at buffets if you tend to overeat. This may seem obvious, but if you don’t have self-discipline right now and you fill up with food, avoid all-you-can-eat buffets.

Fast food-just say no! There are so many additives and chemical in fast foods, just say no! If you don’t do anything else for your body, get off the fast food!

No-fat and low-fat foods are to be avoided. Again-just say no! These foods have been compromised in some way to manipulate the fat content. Most have artificial sweeteners, or tons of sugar, and/or extra chemicals added. No pink, yellow or blue packets of sweeteners. No diet sodas. The body cannot absorb these toxic chemicals. The body does not know how to classify these artificial substances. The toxins lodge in the brain and in the fat cells.

Detox/cleanse your body. Consult with your medical team to see if you could benefit from a detoxification program. The most effective seem to be 30-day programs that are simple and gentle on the systems of the body and that don’t require a special way of eating or drastic lifestyle change. The most important organs to cleanse include the colon and the liver. Doing things like fasting are drastic, very hard on the body, and for most people do not work.

Drink a glass of pure, filtered water when you first get up in the morning. This helps hydrate and cleanse the body as it wakes up.

Always eat breakfast. Eat your breakfast within 30 minutes after getting out of bed. This jump-starts your metabolism. Most bodies benefit from some protein at breakfast as well.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Not tap water which contains chlorine, may contain fluoride, and any number of contaminants. These chemicals cause huge imbalances in the systems of the body.

Release and move forward in your life. Get rid of things that no longer serve you. Not moving forward and not making decisions can be reasons your body holds onto weight. Your mind-set really matters here. Affirm the following “I release everything and everybody that are not for my Highest Good!”

Be aware that when you make positive changes and grow as a being that some people will not be happy for you. You many not want to discuss your new lifestyle and way of thinking with them. Perhaps you can speak by phone once a week with a coach or a friend who truly supports you.

Finally, choose to be happy! Really choose to be happy. Happiness leads to a manifestation of health spirit, mind, and body.

Three Ways to help a Loved One Facing Illness or Challenge

One of the quickest ways to heal the body and mind is to honor yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Three hints that will help you or someone you love feel supported:

1.Spend more time with people or animals you love. Surround yourself with things that are beautiful and that you love. Separate from any “energy vampires” or people that can’t or won’t support you. Your energy is precious, especially during healing or stress.

2.Please don’t tell a person you “understand” unless you have been through the very same thing. Instead, support by listening.

3.Make a list of five errands that need to be done. Offer to help your friend with specific tasks. Or offer to bring them a special treat like tea, a treat, favorite magazine, or stationery and stamps.

What is the best way to use essential oils for patients?

Research has shown that essential oils enhance and support the immune support whether inhaled or topically applied. Essential oils have the ability to penetrate and carry nutrients through the cell wall to the nucleus and improve the health of the cell. Oils also increase ozone and negative ions, which inhibit bacterial growth.

How do I get the benefits out of essential oils?

Begin with one oil at a time and see if you notice a change fairly soon. The safest place to apply oils at the beginning is on the bottom of the feet. You will also want to inhale the oil, as this is the way the body absorbs the fastest. You only need to use two or three drops of the oil. Shake two to three drops into the palm of your hand and apply. You can use a gentle oil like Lavender as a deodorant or in your bath. You can use essential oils in place of a synthetic perfume. Because essential oils work naturally with your body, they are not a quick fix. Please allow three months for the oils to really have an impact.

What should I avoid when using essential oils?

Keep oils away from light and heat, although they seem to do fine in temperatures up to 90F. If you do have a reaction to an oil, it is because it is pulling toxins, metals, or chemicals from your system. After my second surgery, I was applying oils very generously to rashes on my skin. They got worse because my body could not detoxify that fast. Either stop applying the oils for a short time or dilute with a pure, organic vegetable oil.

Do not use oils if you are pregnant without your doctor's approval. Avoid sunbathing after applying oils, as they could react to the sun. Keep bottle lids securely fastened, and out of the reach of children. Keep oil out of eyes, ears, and away from mucous membranes. If you get oil in your eyes, soothe with a drop of vegetable oil. Water will not work.

If you Have to Be in the Hospital

The quality of care you receive during a hospital stay can determine how quickly and how well you recover—or if you recover at all.

Consumer Reports surveyed readers in April of 2001 and found 22% were less than highly satisfied with their hospital. They complained about unanswered calls for assistance, inadequate pain relief, pressure to leave the hospital too soon, or recovery prolonged by complications caused by the hospitalization itself. The remaining 78% who responded to the survey stated they were highly satisfied with their stay.

Unlike other services, the care you get at a hospital can have serious long-term consequences, so any risk of receiving substandard care must be taken seriously. Seven percent of survey respondents stated the hospital tried to discharge them or a family member before they felt physically ready to leave. Be assertive. If you appeal your early discharge, you may be allowed to stay longer.

How can you determine if your local hospital is up to par? Experts have identified three crucial factors for quality hospital care: sufficient staff (especially registered nurses), a good system for organizing care, and lots of experience with your particular medical condition.

For the best results and a quick recovery:

Research the hospital. Chose a facility that has a good reputation or where you have had a positive previous experience.

Plan ahead. Some hospitals give out patient directions. In my case, my surgeon provided an informational brochure and my surgery counselor called the hospital with questions I had. Sometimes you can speak with an individual who has had the same surgery you are going to have.

Bring a family member or friend with you. There is a shortage of nurses, and it helps to have someone else looking out for you. In my case, walking the halls several times a day helped my recovery. I was not allowed to walk alone, so my husband would walk with me and help with my IV pole. This kept me from waiting for the physical therapist and saved my insurance from paying for this service.

Know the staff and make sure they know you. The really good nurses will come around and introduce themselves when their shift begins.

Keep a journal or notebook concerning any changes, medications given, and anything else you want to discuss with your doctor(s).

Double-check any medication. Pay attention or have a family member watch this. After surgery, you may be groggy for a few days.

If you are in pain, seek relief. I asked for pain medication once because I just could not sleep.

It is fun to have a few calls or visitors when you are in the hospital, if you feel up to it. Be aware it does take a lot of energy to entertain, so keep visits short. There are several interruptions throughout the day beginning somewhere around 5:30 a.m. and I found I tired easily. Save your energy for healing yourself.

Essential Oils work within the Body’s Natural Balance

I observed two things years ago when I began to use essential oils. First, essential oils can be more potent than prescription drugs. Secondly, I have never had a side effect from an essential oil. Most therapeutic herbs can be distilled into essential oils. The key difference is that the herb’s essential oils can be from 100 to 10,000 times more concentrated—and therefore—more potent than the herb itself.

Essential oils have a chemical structure that is similar to that found in human cells and tissues. This makes essential oils compatible with human protein and enables them to be easily identified and accepted by the body. Because essential oils are soluble with the lipid membranes of cell walls, they have the unique ability to penetrate cells and disperse throughout the entire body quickly. A nicotine skin patch works in the same way.

An important point: because of the complexity of essential oils they do not disturb the body’s natural balance but they work in harmony with.

Therapeutic-grade or medicinal quality essential oils (2% of all oils produced) when diffused provide negative ions, which can break down potentially harmful chemicals and render them nontoxic.

One of my favorite herbs for cooking—oregano—a hardy perennial, has researchers finding new evidence of the benefits contained when in an essential oil form. We already know it is a general tonic, immune stimulant, and has antioxidant capacity. To make an essential oil from oregano the leaves and stems are used. Researchers at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, have found that some essential oils, particularly oregano, destroy streptococcus pneumonia cells. The researchers are testing a combination of oregano, thyme, rosewood, cinnamon, and clove oils. Clove oil has been researched for its action against tooth decay. Therapeutic-grade oregano oil shows actively against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites and may be one of the best oils around for healing infections without antibiotics.

Oregano oil, when topically applied, may be applied neat ONLY to the bottoms of the feet. Oregano may burn sensitive skin, and for any other skin application, dilute with a high quality organic vegetable oil like sesame seed oil, grape seed oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, or extra virgin olive oil using a formula of 1 drop of essential oil to 50 drops of vegetable oil. Avoid contact with all mucous membranes. Pure essential oregano oil is much stronger than taking powdered oregano in capsule form.

Answers for Those Suffering with Chronic Disease

5 Tips for Getting Through It

Some doctors will admit that there is no single cause for chronic disease and no one answer for every person. The body can and has healed itself from every imbalance and condition that has been labeled a disease. A disease, or dis-ease means that the body is not at ease, it has broken down and is not functioning optimally. One or more of the body’s systems have been compromised or taxed. Basically, the body is fighting itself. Here are 5 tips to help you regain your health and care for your body and spirit:

1. You must detoxify your body. There is a reason your body has shut down and many times it is because it has been loaded with toxins until it can no longer function as our Creator intended. For example, silicone from breast implants has caused chronic fatigue syndrome and lupus. Here are some ways to begin to minimize toxins: drink filtered water (tap water contains chlorine and in some states fluoride which are highly toxic to the body); purchase a shower and bathtub water filter; get an air purifier for your bedroom or whole house. Avoid sodas, diet sodas, artificial sweeteners (none of them are safe), all fast foods, foods labeled no fat, no carbs, no sugar, fat free, etc. These foods contain chemicals. Read the labels. Your body does not recognize many of these chemicals and does not know how to process them. Stop smoking. Be responsible about the amount of alcohol you drink.

2. Handle your emotions around being sick. Understand your thoughts and emotions can contribute to being sick. Have you found your purpose in life? Many, many people are not what I call “on-purpose”. What makes your heart sing? Take an honest look at any anger, resentment, resistance or lack of acceptance about yourself or your life. Ask yourself this question from your heart, “are there any benefits to my being sick?” Perhaps you get attention, it is a great excuse, etc.

3. Get some exercise every day. Walking is the best, because it does not deplete your energy, it adds to it. Walk for 30 minutes in the sunshine. If you cannot walk for 30 minutes, walk for 20, or 15 or 10. Sunshine helps the immune system as well.

4. Try the therapeutic essential oil, Lavender. Lavender is the most gentle essential oil and she is direct from Mother Nature. Essential oils help raise the body’s vibration and help rebuild the immune system—crucial for maintaining optimum health.

5. Homeopathy has shown great results with chronic disease because it works with the body, not against it. Natural medicine does not cause additional side effects. Seek out a knowledgable, experienced homeopathic or naturopathic physician.


These tips are meant to be used in conjunction with appropriate medical care and are not intended as medical advice.

3 Gifts for Someone Facing Illness or Surgery

You want to help a loved one, support a friend or cheer up a colleague and you know the traditional gift of flowers may not be appropriate.

Three suggestions for gifts that will really help:

1. Therapeutic essential lavender oil—use for relaxation, bruises, scars, and needle trauma. This is a safe oil to begin with for anyone who has never used essential oils. Lavender oil is also safe for children.

2. An angel, cross, religious or spiritual gift to help the person remember they are NOT their disease. This provides emotional and spiritual support.

3. Gift of a massage, facial, pedicure, counseling, or energy work to give them some quiet time and TLC. Check with their health care team to determine if medically appropriate.

Cultivating Your Beliefs for 2008

As we enter 2008 and review all the things we wish to accomplish this year, I encourage you to challenge your belief system. I was having a conversation with a person that I had never met before, and I told her that I was a medical intuitive and healing counselor and she said "I believe in all of those things". Later on I wondered why people tell me that they either do or do not believe in what I do. They don't say these words to bankers, or hairdressers, or engineers. The fact is that intuitive sciences have worked for years and that each one of us has a powerful intuition (inner voice, consciousness) if we just listen. We are wired with intuition, not wired without. It exists whether you believe it or not. You can use it for a quality of life or not. I await the day when we don't discuss whether we believe in spiritual, non-tangible things, but perhaps that we don't believe in money that is green or big coats or ________... (you fill in the blank)



What if you did believe?