Transformation Coaching Magazine May 2021 by Transformation Coaching Magazine

SPRING TUNE-UP Release Negativity Spring Tune-Up Focus on Nutrition The Best Kept Secret You are What You Think…& then You Eat Prescription for Health & Wellness

4 16 22 24 28 30

INSPIRATION & GROWTH Be Magnetic The Matriarchs If Today Were Your Last… Learn & Let Go

8 10 14 20

PUBLISHERS Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

EDITOR Lisa Cedrone

CONTRIBUTORS Rena Greenberg, Jessi Franz, Jo Mooy, Linda Commito, Mark Pitstick, MA, DC, Mary Boutieller, Arielle Giordano, Dr. Carol Wentz Randaci, OMD, AP, Gregg Sanderson, Terez Hartmann © Copyright 2021 Transformation Services, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.TransformationMag.com

We believe that self-employment is the ultimate form of empowerment. Our mission is to bring you guests whose powerful entrepreneurship stories and real-world advice will give you the inspiration and tools to create a business and life that you love.

Listen on our website or your favorite podcast app or watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

Release Negativity

How to let go of the five emotions that derail happiness. By Rena Greenberg

no matter how arrogant and smug he or she may appear on the outside. Be generous with yourself and others Five emotions can stop you in your tracks if when it comes to bestowing compassion. Remember you you don’t have awareness of them and the danger they are not alone, even if your feelings tell you that you are. present in your life. That means that, left to their own devices, these emotions are like a speeding train without a conductor. They are ready to derail every goal you When you’re feeling jealous, your ego is convinced have set for yourself, whether the goal is financial suc- that someone has more than you, and it’s not fair. Does cess, a healthy mind and body, losing weight, quitting the object of your jealousy appear to be smarter, happier, drinking, or having a happy marriage. or more beautiful? they graced with greater wealth, The good news is that, when you shine some love, and abundanceAre than you? light on their darkness, you can take your power back If so, realize that nothing as it appears. Though as quickly as the blazing sun can soak up the remains life is surely not fair, we all cycle inisand out of abundance of a torrential summer shower. The first step is to stop in friendship, love, wealth, and success. of us will running from these five painful emotions and, instead, lose our youth. Each of us will experience Each other losses as face them with the courage you have at your core. Let’s well. Coveting someone else’s good fortune only dimintake a look at them and their antidotes. ishes your awareness of the blessings in your own life. Perhaps your jealous reaction stems from feeling a lack of attention. Is the one you love focused on someWhat causes fear? It’s the feeling of being out one other than you? The antidote to jealousy is cultivatof control. Ultimately, we experience fear because the ing a grateful heart and patience. It’s true that you may truth is we don’t have control. For instance, none of us not have the attention, wealth, youth, love, or success you knows when our death day is coming. desire in this moment. But that doesn’t mean you won’t Subconsciously, it may seem that if you distract have it in the future. yourself enough with food, alcohol, drugs, shopping, In the meantime, by focusing on the gifts that socializing, working, or surfing the Internet, etc., you you do have—whether they be a beautiful home and can avoid the awful nagging fear that your life will in- loving friends or amazing pets and a loving spouse—you evitably end. Living this way prevents you not only from can start to feel gratitude for the wonderful life that you experiencing true happiness, but also from achieving a do have, while accepting what you don’t appear to have much higher potential within yourself. in this moment. The antidote to fear is faith. Faith that even though you will die, your life really matters and contains great meaning. At the core of each person is a wound. This wound is a combination of sadness and loneliness. It can be so painful that it’s no wonder that most people will Anger is such a difficult emotion, one that do anything to distract themselves from feeling the incauses so much internal anguish. Think about how you tensity of this grief. feel when you are angry. Chances are you are clenching Why is this deep sadness present? It’s due to the some part of your body. Maybe your fists, jaw, or belly illusion that we are separate—cut off from our greater is constricted and tense. Your breathing is most likely nature. All the crazy happenings in this physical world shallow and labored. And your thoughts are replaying only exacerbate this loneliness and sense of isolation. an event or scenario that is deeply painful to you. Per- It takes a lot of food, alcohol, and/or spending to cover haps you feel betrayed, cheated, or disrespected. up this pain! The antidote for anger is compassion. How hard The antidote to this deep sadness within, believe it is to be you right now! Expand your awareness and re- it or not, is feeling it. That’s right, and to do that you must alize it’s not just you. It’s difficult to be human in general. summon up all your courage. Sit with the sadness, while Even your perpetrator—the one who disap- at the same time calling on your deepest connection to pointed or betrayed you—has great pain and insecurity, the Sacred within yourself and all around you.

JEALOUSY

FEAR

SADNESS

ANGER

Bow your head, and with the deepest humility ask/pray for the Divine to surround you in the highest light and eternal love, as you sit with the sadness. The antidote to deep sadness is the courage to sit with your wound, while inviting your higher consciousness and deeper wisdom to bathe you in Truth—beyond what your conscious mind perceives.

SHAME

Shame is the most toxic of human emotions. Nothing is worse for most people than feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. It’s an emotion that makes us feel like we’ve hit rock bottom. In some religions, shaming someone or taking away their dignity is considered to be akin to murdering them. In the Sufi way, the greatest gift you can give others is to erase their mistakes in your own mind and to see them purely as if their unwholesome behaviors never happened. Isn’t that what you would like for yourself? The antidote to shame is to realize that human pain exists in all people. Bathe yourself in Divine love by calling it to you and opening your heart completely. To release yourself from shame, release everyone else, too. Know that your mistake ultimately strengthened you and is making you a better, wiser and stronger person.

MOVING FORWARD

This life journey is not about acquiring more things, but rather uplifting your own consciousness and transcending every emotion and experience that has held you back, real or imagined, past, present, or future. Self-hypnosis is taking control of your thoughts and feelings to create the life that you deserve, and it can help as a process for releasing these negative emotions. Create a vision of how you want your life to be. Take a deep breath. See it. Feel it. Give thanks for it. Emotion is energy in motion and beyond every emotion is a field of Infinite Presence. Bask in this field, consciously release all toxic emotion, and claim your higher destiny.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Robert Metz

Love Life, Live Happy, Live Healthy with Rena Greenberg Rena Greenberg, a Hay House author, can be reached at http://www.EasyWillpower.com. Her weight loss and gastric bypass hypnosis success has been featured in 150-plus news stories including USA Today, Woman’s World, The Doctor’s, CNN, Good Morning America and Nightline. PBS stations nationally aired Rena’s show, “Easy Willpower,” in August 2015. Her wellness program is sponsored in 75 hospitals and 100-plus corporations. She conducts hypnotherapy sessions with people all over the world on Skype.

Be Magnetic

Show the dark world the light that you carry within your soul. By Jessi Franz I recently read the word “magnetic” while scrolling through social media, and I cannot even remember the context in which it was used. However, it stuck with me and kept popping into my mind, especially the phrase: “Be magnetic.” This resonates with me, and the idea rolled into a hundred other thoughts on how I was supposed to interpret the concept. Often, I look around at the world today—especially when I think back on all the trials I have personally conquered throughout my short 30 years on his planet— and I feel defeated. It’s difficult to even turn on the news without some type of devastating story that only leaves me filled with worry and anxiety. You walk through the stores and everyone has masks on. You cannot see smiles through a mask, and there are no hugs or handshakes without deep concern or severe hesitation. I sense that many humans feel defeated by the pandemic. We hold on to any type of positivity thrown our way, any feelings of hope, peace, or that one day things will be back to “normal,” whatever that looks like for each individual. In many ways, humans are at war with one another. We long for a society of acceptance, grace, equality, peace and prosperity. But sometimes it just seems so far out of reach. We are lonely. Any type of safe socializing and group gatherings have been striped from us. We must walk into a restaurant wearing a mask, only taking it off at our table to chew our food and sip our drinks. The tables

in front of us and the tables behind us are empty, because, you know, social distancing. In these times, we cannot forget how beautiful the world can be. For some reason, it is easier to notice the ugly, instead of the marveling at the beauty surrounding us every single day. We must intentionally change our thinking because we are magnetic, and we attract to us what we bring into our consciousness. Be magnetic. Show the dark world the light that you carry within your soul. Show the world that even on your own personal dark days, there is always something to be grateful for in your life. Show the world that even when it is ugly, you are still capable of showing compassion. Be magnetic. Light up the room. Slip your mask down—if only for a socially distant millisecond—to flash that smile. Be magnetic. Share your personal stories of hope. Share your stories of peace. Share your stories of the hard times that you conquered to let the world know that it is possible, and that they, too, can overcome adversities. Be magnetic. Walk hand in hand (figuratively, of course), with those who are struggling. Meet people right where they are at and listen to them. Hear their words so that in that very moment, they might feel a little less alone. Be magnetic. Strive to be that one person who says kind words to a random stranger. That might be the only kind thing that person hears that day. Be a light. Be someone’s strength, but also don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Be magnetic!

Jessi Franz is the wife of an amazing, supportive husband, TJ, and she has four beautiful children. She is a public speaker, university graduate with my BA in Behavioral Sciences, certified Master Life Coach, Recovery Coach, Relationship Coach, Goal Success Life Coach, Happiness Life Coach and Life Purpose Life Coach. Jessi has made it her life’s mission to help as many people as possible, in all walks of life, to find peace during chaos and confidence in their authentic Self, and to help them embrace their personal journeys. She has completed extensive studies on many therapeutic techniques to help beautiful souls overcome adversity, whatever it may be, and to reach their full potential. Contact her at jessifranz90@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Eye for Ebony

The Matriarchs

Mother is the supreme female archetype revered in every culture. By Jo Mooy Fifty countries around the world set aside one day to honor mothers and the role she plays in the family. Mother’s Day is a fairly new holiday. It first entered consciousness in 1872 when pacifist, abolitionist, and suffragette Julia Ward Howe appealed to the women of the world to unite to stop wars. She asked them, “Why do you mothers of mankind not interfere in these matters to prevent the waste of human life of which you alone bear and know the cost?” Howe was followed by Anna Jarvis, whose mother said, “There are so many holidays for men, but why none for mothers?” After her mother’s death, Anna Jarvis launched a 35-year long campaign to fulfill her mother’s wishes. She wrote a stream of letters to Presidents Taft and Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, as well as prominent businessmen in the community, asking that a day be set aside to honor mothers. Merchant John Wannamaker heard her plea. When he opened an auditorium in Philadelphia for a Mother’s Day service in 1907, the auditorium could only seat one-third of the 15,000 people who showed up. Finally, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Mother’s Day holiday into law. Who is this Mother? She is the supreme female archetype revered in every culture. She’s the lineage holder for all the women who form a long procession through the ages. She’s the keeper of their stories. She records the important events that affect the family or tribe. She governs with wisdom while dispensing sage advice to the younger ones. She is often the figurehead ruler of the family though she may not necessarily be the one who birthed you. She is the Matriarch. But she’s more personal than that. She’s mom, mama, mommy or ma. She’s the one you call when experiencing stress or you’re desperate and in need. She’s a nurturer and referee, and a nurse and doctor when you’re young. As you get older, she’s a teacher, counselor, and a highly adept drama diffuser.

She’s a banker who doles out loans knowing they will never be repaid. And if you’re very lucky, she’s not only your friend but also your greatest fan. And so it goes until one day she’s gone. It could happen suddenly or after a long illness. The counseling and phone calls stop. You remember things you should have said or done. Or things you can no longer share with her. The empty space she leaves behind is cold and hollow. You realize how much you leaned on her. You expected her to always be there for you. After all, she’s your mother. But now you’re an orphan. It may take a year or more to ease the grief. Or it may never ease. But the passing of time allows you to see with different eyes what your relationship with her was about. The arguments you had don’t seem as severe as when the angry words were hurled. You realize all the times she told you no, you can’t do that, was for your own good. Instead, the little moments of joy you shared become epic events. The remembered sound of her laughter fills you with tears. This introspection makes you examine your relationship with your own children. One day your daughter calls about a problem at work and asks for advice on how she should handle it. You remember how you once called your mom for advice on similar problems. It’s a Deja vu phone call. As you listen to your daughter and figure out what to tell her, the Mother-Torch is passed to you. With the grandmother now gone, you’ve just become the family’s “mom.” You are now the Matriarch. There’s no preparation for this archetypal role shift. Yet, it’s instinctual and feels profound. There might be some genetic code that activates when the Lineage Matriarch transfers from one generation to the next. Siblings recognize it. When my mother died, my sisters and I were cleaning out her house. Taking a rest by lying on her bed, my youngest sister leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You’re the mom now!” It was inconceivable to even consider such a thing, so I denied it. She simply said, “Yes, you are!”

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Caroline Hernandez

I didn’t accept the role all through the grieving process. In truth, I didn’t accept the role at all. That is until a Deja vu phone call from my daughter triggered it. My mom was no longer there physically to give me advice. But I was expected to know what to say and how to counsel my daughter with wise words born of my own experiences. I rose to the occasion because my mother was still there in me. Recently, my grandson in college caught Covid and was quarantined for two weeks. My daughter called me with the news. Though my grandson texted me every few days on his progress, he was calling his mother several times each day as his symptoms worsened. (He recovered.) My daughter suggested what I should or should not say to him during his ordeal. I had a quiet chuckle because it reminded me I had done the same with my mother when she was going to interact with my daughter, her granddaughter. Without any counsel, my daughter was now in training for when the Mother-Torch is passed. We’ve never discussed the role of a Matriarch in the family. She’ll figure it out just like I did and all the mothers through time have figured it out. The maternal lineage once worshipped as Inanna and Devi, Isis and Gaia, is intact.

For when one lioness departs, another is there to take her place in raising the next generation of mothers through the cycles of life. It’s what the Matriarchs do!

Conscious Living with Jo Mooy

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

NOT JUST A GAME! Each custom-designed deck of Just Ask 1 2 3 cards offers 53 thought-inspiring questions and a Directions card. A lovely organza gift bag is included to hold the cards for selecting.

Just Ask 1 2 3 is a fun pathway to conversation, kindness and connection!

Only $15.95 There are different pathways to connecting: Deck 1 Easing In – easy, playful questions to break the ice and have fun! Deck 2 Getting Closer – thought-provoking questions to get to know each other better . . . including ourselves. Deck 3 Deepening Conversation – Insightful questions that invite sharing experiences and reflections on life and relationships.

JustAsk123.com & LoveIstheNewCurrency.com 13

If Today Were Your Last…

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mason Hassoun

There are no guarantees, so live with gratitude and appreciation for each new day. By Linda Commito If today were your last day in this body, what would you want to be experiencing—truly experiencing? Would it be the voice or touch of a loved one, listening to the sounds of the birds or enjoying a conversation with a friend, eating a favorite meal, watching the way the waves break on the shore, walking through a forest of trees or bed of flowers. . .? One afternoon, there were nine people grocery shopping in Boulder, Colorado, checking off their “to-do” list, never giving a thought to the fact that it might be the last time they would be able to do or experience anything again. Perhaps we’ve had an inkling that flying in or jumping from a plane, rock climbing, or even driving a car could be a final act, but “grocery shopping”? There are no warnings for most of us, no guarantees. We’ve been experiencing anxiety this last

year dealing with Covid, watching the figures of those who have died go up every day, giving us an awareness that it could be someone we love, including ourselves. It has hopefully increased our understanding and appreciation for these precious moments with those we care about. Perhaps living with this consciousness has made us more aware of what is valuable—those we love, this one moment in time, our very breath. One day we may take a breath, breathe it out and then— NOTHING. There is no assurance that there will always be another one. In fact, we can bet everything on the fact that someday there won’t. We just don’t know when. But why wait? What if you were to live each day as though it were your last? Would you live differently? Would you want to experience it with a loving heart, an open mind and a desire to leave behind a little more love and kindness? Maybe

this day, we can each do what they whose lives were cut short will never be able to do again. For Officer Eric Talley, who gave his life to protect others, he will never be able to hug his seven children and tell them how much they are loved. It makes it ever more important to say, “I love you” when parting from someone who is dear in our lives. My friend Cecily says, “Life is too short and wildly uncertain.” We have no control, no warranty on our one precious life. What we can commit to is doing what we love and making this the best life that we can in every moment. We can live with gratitude and appreciation for each new day, each chance to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset, every opportunity to say, “I love you” and every time that we can say or do something that can make someone’s day—or life—a little better. Perhaps that will be the best measure of our lives in the end.

Love is the New Currency with Linda Commito Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Jony Ariadi

Spring Tune-Up

Nutrition Response Testing is one of the most powerful tools you can use to address imbalances in your body and stay healthy. By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC Your body has an inner wisdom that knows just what is needed to reach optimal health. This “innate intelligence” has been recognized by various cultures across time. You can look, feel, and be your very best when you work with this inner source and heed its counsel. Wouldn’t it be nice to communicate with your body and get “yes” or “no” answers about what problems or stressors are causing imbalance? And wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to precisely and accurately determine what is needed to address those imbalances? Enter Nutrition Response Testing (NRT), a personalized nutritional analysis and treatment program. I’ve always searched for the very best ways to be optimally well, and NRT is a quantum leap in that regard. NRT is one of, if not the most powerful, healing approaches available today. It’s quite a challenge to determine exactly what is at the core of a person’s problems. There are literally hundreds of possibilities that can cause common physical and “mental” ailments that keep people from feeling happy, healthy, and energetic. NRT allows us to accurately and safely analyze the primary causes of imbalance and dis-ease. These core causes can include: • offending foods (GMO, non-organic) and food allergies • immune imbalances: overgrowth of viruses, bacteria, yeast, or parasites • EMF: electromagnetic fields from “dirty electricity” • excess chemicals due to the 2,000-plus chemicals we’re exposed to daily • toxic metals from numerous sources in everyday living • skin trauma—from surgery, injury, IVs, shots, body piercings or tattoos • deficiencies of minerals and vitamins and other vital nutrients • chronically poor diet that prevents a healthy body and mind • lack of digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, good bacteria and yeast • poor lifestyle habits NRT uses subtle muscle testing by a licensed health care provider to determine if any of these underlying causes are interfering with normal health and body function. If an organ is already stressed, weak, or imbalanced, applying pressure over the organ or a reflex point will temporarily cause a brain-muscle disconnect. That’s what causes a strong indicator muscle to go “weak” and how your practitioner can identify imbalances safely, accurately, and inexpensively.

Muscle testing, when skillfully used by a trained practitioner, provides very accurate feedback from the body. This communication tells what your body needs and what the priorities are for regaining wellness.

HOW IT WORKS

As you know, if a person is in danger of freezing to death, his or her innate intelligence knows to send more blood to organs essential for survival—the brain and heart especially. Blood moves away from nonessential areas like the hands and feet. That’s why the extremities can freeze, but the person’s core temperature keeps him or her alive. Similarly, your body’s inner wisdom knows how and when to conserve energy. Here’s how it works with muscle testing: Let’s say your liver is stressed, imbalanced and weak. Applying pressure over the liver dermatome—the skin area associated with that organ and that receives the same nerve supply—causes ischemic stress (stress due to pressure on the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin.) That puts more stress on an already stressed organ. The body responds by temporarily diverting energy from a strong area, the middle deltoid muscle, to the liver. That’s why a previously strong indicator muscle temporarily goes weak. It’s your body’s way of confirming that the liver needs help. After an evaluation, a personalized nutrition program of whole food supplements, a real whole-food diet, and optimal self-care habits is recommended. Over a period of months, most people are amazed at how great they feel, especially when their lab results reflect the inner feelings of wellness. Here are some testimonials from actual patients who gave permission to tell their stories. I share these to help you understand how amazingly resilient and self-restorative the body is when you get rid of the “bad things,” give it the “good things,” and stay with the program consistently. • I lost 40 pounds and have more energy than I’ve had in 20 years!—Jim Sowers • I use to take a lot of medication for blood pressure, thyroid, neuropathy, blood sugar, cholesterol, and multiple sclerosis. Now I don’t take any meds and all those problems are fine. My multiple sclerosis symptoms of 15 years are gone!—Tom Johnson, R.N. • My energy level is more like it was 30 years ago. —Rev. Evelyn Bott • I used to have 25 symptoms. After doing the NRT program, I lost 55 pounds and all my symptoms are normal. —Howard Woods, Jr.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mor Shani

• For the first time in 25 years, I am pain free! And best of all, my recent lab work all came back normal.—Ida Kennedy • Within two weeks of changing his diet and taking whole food supplements, my four-year old son Isaiah’s diarrhea, eczema and “social anxiety” are gone!—Karen Krivak • At age 4, my son Carson was very delayed in his development. The specialists thought he was autistic or had a severe language disorder. After just eight weeks, Carson has great eye contact, can sing more than 15 songs, can say some of his ABCs and can count to 10. He plays with other children, doesn’t hide in a corner by himself, and talks more and more every day! He couldn’t do any of this before.—Sarah McCloskey Symptoms that have responded well to NRT include: depression, fatigue, tremors, overweight, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, sinus drainage and congestion, memory loss, cold hands and feet, facial twitches, rectal itching

and burning, indigestion, night sweats, hot flashes, tender breasts, PMS mood swings, muscle cramps, sweet cravings, bad breath, brain fog, shakiness, skin rash, acne, irritability, dizziness, nervousness, panic attacks, ridged and split nails, frequent colds and flu, asthma, visual disturbances, sneezing attacks, joint pain, hair loss, urinary frequency/urgency/incontinence, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, imbalance/vertigo and heart arrhythmias. If you’re suffering with one or more of the above symptoms and think you’ve tried everything, don’t give up. Consider adding this powerful tool to your regimen so your body/mind is optimally well and on a similar wavelength as your spirit. That allows your essence to shine through brightly always and in all ways—no matter what is going on around you. Author’s note: Check the website http://www.unsinc.info (click on “Find a Clinician”) at the bottom of the home page) to find a practitioner in your area.

Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, master’s clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, frequent media guest, and webinar/workshop facilitator. He directs The SoulPhone Foundation and founded Greater Reality Living Groups. Dr. Pitstick can help you know and show—no matter what is happening to or around you— that your earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst forever. Visit http://www.SoulProof.com for free articles, newsletters and radio interviews with top consciousness experts.

Learn & Let Go

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Jordan Wozniak

Remembering the lessons of past mistakes is invaluable; continually replaying them is not.

By Mary Boutieller

Recently, I walked along a path with a friend of mine, and she started talking about the long-ago mistakes she had made in her life. You know those mistakes? The ones that you have moved on from but have never really forgotten? The ones that, when you are feeling unworthy, remind you that you’ve screwed up in life and are not so perfect? I would imagine that if you have any years behind you, you might remember an experience that you wish had gone differently. As she sighed and started to recount the error of her ways, I stopped her mid-sentence. I had heard her laments before and each time she has brought them up, I could see how much it pained her. This time, however, it dawned on me that, in her life, she had made so many more good decisions than bad, yet she could only focus on those few times when her judgment or understanding wasn’t at its best. If her whole life had been about making one bad mistake after another, it’s doubtful that she would have become the amazing woman she is today! So I asked her to recall all of the times when she made an affirming decision, when she moved toward her best self instead of away, and to remember all of the right turns she has made on her way to becoming. Biologically, I get it. We are “programmed” to tune in to the negative, unpleasant and dangerous things in our lives so that we can 1. survive them; and 2. try to not do them or be near them again. These innate skills

worked well for us as we practiced being the hunter instead of the prey—as we slept outside with only the night sky to warn of intruders. Our evolution owes part of its survival to those early instincts. And while we have evolved, sometimes our primordial brains seem stuck in the past. I started to wonder what it is that causes us to brood over things from the past that we can no longer change? What makes us relive the times when we messed up or when someone really hurt us, instead of realizing that those experiences helped us grow? The challenge, it seems, is in letting go of the stuck and stagnant stories of the past and forgiving ourselves and others for any trespasses. We don’t know until we know. Life’s lessons are sometimes easy and sometimes not. Yet, if we don’t learn to live and love and forgive and let go, we reduce our capacity for the very things we want in our lives, like joy, contentment and peace. Brant Menswar wrote: “The secret to becoming unbreakable is realizing that you are already broken. We all are.” We have all had those moments when we have fallen down, whether through our own actions or the actions of others. And chances are, they were awful. Yet, as awful as they were, they don’t define who we are today. Remembering the lessons that those mistakes is invaluable; continually replaying them is not. Steve Maraboli said: “The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the

situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” When you find yourself recollecting those memories, ask yourself if it is helpful. Check in and see if what you are thinking about is fostering your continued growth or keeping you stuck in the corners of your past. I came across this poem written by Suzy Kazzem, and thought I’d share it with you:

COMING FORTH INTO THE LIGHT I was born the day I thought: What is? What was? And What if? I was transformed the day My ego shattered, And all the superficial, material Things that mattered To me before, Suddenly ceased To matter. I really came into being The day I no longer cared about What the world thought of me, Only on my thoughts for Changing the world.” Once and for all, let’s befriend ourselves. Let us hold our hearts and our experiences with the same tenderness as we would another loved human being. Let’s appreciate who we have become, one messy, necessary, step at a time.

The Yoga of Life with Mary Boutieller Mary Boutieller is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.

Focus on Nutrition

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Yilmaz Akin

When the body is nutritionally satisfied, you experience true hunger—not toxic cravings. By Arielle Giordano When I decided to follow a caloric-based eating plan, I started letting go of foods such as dairy and meats and monitored my calorie intake. But I was not losing weight! I expressed my disappointment to my “eating for health” coach and she told me not to worry, saying that if I changed my eating habits to a plant-based nutrition program I would never have to worry about my weight again! The truth was that—for this plan to truly work—I needed to get really honest with myself. I focused with close attention on all the foods I put into my mouth. I was amazed to become aware of a huge discrepancy: What I thought I was eating and what I was actually eating were two different things. I believed the amount of food I was ingesting was MUCH less and all healthy choices. I did not think I had food addictions and felt I knew the definition of real hunger. My “aha” moment and realization was when I noticed that the body does not lie! I was not losing weight because I was not feeding my body the proper nutrition. I listened to my coach, and began following her instructions more closely. Dr. Fuhrman’s book Eat To Live is a nutritional plant-based program which includes 90 percent fruits and vegetables. It defines the difference between “true” hunger and “toxic” hunger. Fuhrman explains that when we do not feed our bodies the proper nutrients, we

do not feel well and our digestive tract is continuously at work. Toxic hunger overpowers the natural instinct that controls appetite and leads to an increase in calorie consumption. Toxic hunger decreases with a lifestyle high in micronutrients. When the body is nutritionally satisfied, a new sensation of hunger appears when the body actually needs something. Body intelligence is a great guide and gift. Paying attention to the nutritional foods we eat can make a significant difference in the way we look and feel. Listening and being aware of the body’s needs and nourishment can impact health in a powerful way. For example, I have been shopping in the organic produce aisle lately, and I have been attracted to certain colors of foods, such as the orange in carrots or the red in beets. I followed my body’s guidance and purchased the foods. As a result, I experienced a physical sensation of well-being from satisfying these healthy food cravings. “Let the nutrition of the food be at the heart of the matter” became my new motto to improve physical health and well-being. In learning to listen to my body, I have learned the importance of the nutritional value of foods instead of caloric assessment. I have shifted from a caloriebased approach to a nutritional eating program. This means the quality of the food is more significant than the quantity. Portion control is not an aspect of eating nutritional foods.

My weight has dropped off slowly and naturally. The Eat to Live program by Dr. Fuhrman has transformed my body physical health and well-being. My husband and I also attended a seven-day retreat with Dr. Fuhrman. We ate three full meals with dessert every day, and we both lost weight. We learned that it is not “how much” you eat but WHAT you eat that’s most important to maintaining a healthy weight! Happy eating! Author’s Note: Dr. Fuhrman has a new book titled Eat for Health. For more information, visit http://www.drfuhrman.com.

HEALTHY EATING RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Listen to your body and follow through with healthy choices. • Focus on the nutritional value of foods. • Eat organic. • Avoid GMO products. • Review ingredients and labels carefully. • Review the “Dirty Dozen” list from the Environmental Working Group shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php).

Dancing from the Inside Out with Arielle Giordano Transformational Life Coach Award-Winning Author & Speaker, Professional Dancer. Arielle’s Award-Winning book for Best Self-Help Award: Dancing With Your Story From The Inside is available on http://www.Amazon.com. Her professional career includes the Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Professor for the College of Humanities, History and the Arts at the University of Phoenix. She is a published co-author of Transform Your Life Books 1 & 2 and author for Tampa Bay Wellness, Conscious Shift & Transformation magazine. She has published her 4th book, an Instructor’s Manual for Barlow Abnormal Psychology 4th ed. and authored Psychology, A Journey 3rd.ed. Study Guide published by Nelson Education, Toronto, ON. She has also studied philosophy at the College of Integrated Philosophy with John DeRuiter for twenty years. Arielle has been a featured guest on radio and television, in newspapers, and the media across the US and Canada. She is a certified Essentrics Stretch and Dance Instructor. Arielle offers coaching sessions, classes and workshops and a free 30-minute Consultation. Websites: http://www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com, http://www.ariellegiordano.com. Email: agbeautifuldance@gmail.com

The Best Kept Secret

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

With a healthy, plant-based diet, the human body is a self-healing machine. By Dr. Carol Wentz Randaci, OMD, AP As a culture, are people in the United States living longer lives than previous generations? Yes. But are those extra years statistically better when it comes to health? No. The United States ranks 26th among OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries with an average life expectancy of 79 years, while Japan leads the world at 84 years. Almost all western European countries, along with Australia, Canada, Chile and Iceland, have longer life expectancy than the United States. What is it about the other 25 countries and their cultures that supports health into later years? It’s mostly a diet based on whole foods and herbal medicine. There is a saying in Japanese culture hara hachi bu that means “stop eating when you are eight-tenths full.” It takes around 20 minutes for the brain to process the information coming from the stomach; if you continue to eat until you feel full, you will most likely overeat. In conjunction with not overeating, what these cultures eat creates health instead of inflammation and illness, which are hallmarks of the U.S. diet. The top foods eaten in countries with better health and longer life expectancy than the United States are green, yellow and red vegetables, fruits, tofu, seaweed, mushrooms, nuts, grains, legumes, herbal teas and botanical medicine. All these foods are low in saturated fats and sugars and rich in vitamins and minerals that reduce the risk of cancers and heart disease. The average Japanese diet, for example, contains nearly five times the amount of cabbage varieties compared to Western dishes. When I worked for Rodale Organic Research Station in Pennsylvania, we ran experiments with all types of new (to us) cruciferous varieties from Japan that were then introduced into the American farming culture to increase and diversify brassica selections including broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprout, radishes, turnips, and all types of bok choy. They all offered health benefits. The entire cabbage family offers excellent sources of dietary fiber containing high levels of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as calcium and iron. Tofu, which is made from soybean curds, is a main staple in healthy diets around the world. It is gluten-free, very low in calories, and an excellent source of easy-to-digest protein packed with an impressive array of nutrients. Tofu, which also lowers cholesterol and improves cardiovascular health, contains all nine essential amino acids our bodies need. Let’s also look at mushrooms: They are superfoods, very low in calories, with no cholesterol, high fiber, protein,

antioxidants, minerals, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6. They lower the risk of developing serious health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

DIET IS KEY

According to The Global Burden of Disease Study, a comprehensive regional and global research program that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors from 145 countries, most U.S. deaths are related to nutrition—and they are preventable. The No. 1 cause of death, disability, and increased risk of chronic health conditions such as neuropathy or loss of mobility, is your diet. In fact, the U.S. diet has replaced lung cancer as the leading cause of chronic illness and death in the country; smoking kills one-half million Americans every year, but the U.S. diet kills hundreds of thousands more. The American Heart Association estimates that 46 percent of U.S. adults have hypertension and, on average, someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 38 seconds. If it is so prevalent, why don’t we have better guidance with diet? Perhaps it is not a priority among medical and political establishments that get a huge amount of funding through lobbyist groups like the Meat Association, American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Dairy Council and the National Chicken Council? Most primary care physicians, who lack the databased information about what a true healthy diet looks like, only have seven to 22 minutes to spend with each patient. How much of that time is spent on prevention through diet? Ten seconds talking about nutrition. Ten seconds! And yet the combination of dietary risks we face are linked to 41 diseases, says Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, a staff physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. And some of the most common diseases are preventable: obesity or hiatal hernia; common stomach problems; varicose veins and hemorrhoids; two of the most common venous problems; colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related death; diverticulitis, the No. 1 disease of the intestines; appendicitis, the No. 1 cause of emergency abdominal surgery; gallbladder disease, the No. 1 cause of nonemergency abdominal surgery; as well as ischemic heart disease, the most common cause of death in the United States. These health conditions are a rarity among plantbased diet populations. Is this suggesting heart disease and

most chronic diseases may be a choice? Absolutely! But how could that be so? It’s because of the addictive nature of sugar, fat and other chemicals in our food, along with the pleasure people have programmed themselves to derive from eating this “junk food.” The acquired taste is outweighing the cost and discomfort of the chronic disease caused by eating them. It is well documented that coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and hardening of the arteries begins in the United States by age 10. The arteries of nearly all children raised on the standard American diet already have the first stage of this disease. But it doesn’t stop there. Plaque continues to build into the 20s then 30s with the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs. But it is possible to reverse heart disease, not just prevent further degradation. As one example, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic took people with heart disease so severe the medical industry had given up on hopes of recovery and put them on a very strict plant-based diet. He found it not only stopped further damage but reversed the damage already present. As soon as patients stopped eating an artery-clogging diet, their arteries started opening up. Their bodies started dissolving some of the plaque. Even in cases of severe triple vessel heart disease, after just three weeks on a vegan diet, or whole food plant based diet, their arteries opened up without drugs, without surgery—providing evidence that the body wanted to and was ready to heal all along.

The best kept secret that most doctors do not talk about is that—given the right conditions— your body can heal itself. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

Dr. Carol Wentz Randaci is the director of the Vegan Culinary Institute in Sarasota, FL, a board certified Oriental Medicine Doctor and Acupuncture Physician, Energy Therapist, Naturopath and Hopeful Human. Dr. Carol has trained with alternative medicine’s finest physicians and has practiced Raja Yoga meditation under the guidance of Ram Chanrda, Babuji Maharaja for 36 years. You can reach Dr. Carol at AiZen Healing Center by emailing aizenhealing@gmail.com or calling 941.284.8894.

NOT JUST A GAME! Each custom-designed deck of Just Ask 1 2 3 cards offers 53 thought-inspiring questions and a Directions card. A lovely organza gift bag is included to hold the cards for selecting.

Just Ask 1 2 3 is a fun pathway to conversation, kindness and connection!

JustAsk123.com & LoveIstheNewCurrency.com 27

You are What You Think…& then You Eat

Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like, and let the food fight it out inside.—Mark Twain By Gregg Sanderson “You are what you eat.” A popular phrase accepted as a truism by many. It conjures up pictures of me as a talking carrot, or covered with cream cheese and lox, or as a metaphysical cow, but, since I often enjoy nuts, I’m not entirely comfortable with the motto. I prefer, “You are what you think. Then you eat.” A paradox of the spiritual journey is the quest to overcome limitations, while simultaneously embracing dietary restrictions. “I am an unlimited reflection of the Infinite, but salt will give me water on the knee.” “I get my power from Spirit, but I can’t eat anything fried. And a favorite: “Spiritual people eat vegetables. Inferior ones eat meat. Namaste.” Of course you know I’m kidding, yet many a true word is said in jest.

Beliefs are the law of your life. Conditions don’t affect spiritual truths. Our use of the truth affects conditions. So does our misuse of it. Your thinking creates your world, so what do you create when you think something is bad for you? That’s right. That also applies when you think something is good for you. Put it all together and you have a Belief System, appropriately abbreviated B.S. Other factors enter into it and influence the B.S. There is scientific evidence, consensus of believers, even social pressure, and a different B.S. appeals to different folks at different times on the way to enlightenment. I just returned from a health fair that offered a myriad of methodologies designed to increase wellbeing and promote good health. It’s a

wonderful potpourri, and of course every discipline appeals to those receptive to it. But it’s all B.S. There is, however, a line to draw. Despite the old wives’ tale, sauce for the goose may not be sauce for the gander. In fact, for some it may not be sauce at all, so your B.S. might not fit well with somebody else’s. Never fear, there’s enough B.S. to go around. The spiritual truth is that every B.S. works, so none are better or worse in that department. Whatever you believe about healthy living is your reality, perfectly valid, and I applaud you for it, but never forget that sanctimony is the world’s least appealing character trait. You have your B.S., I have mine, and enlightenment will be there whenever we arrive. And I still think carob is a lousy substitute for chocolate.

Happiness is BS with Gregg Sanderson

Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.

Prescription for Health & Wellness

The best medicine for being well is practicing an attitude of being well. By Terez Hartmann We are indeed blessed to have access to more healing modalities, fitness programs and food options than ever before. As fabulous as this is, it also can be quite overwhelming at times. How do you choose among all the offerings. No matter what tools or methods you use, one thing is certain: Allowing and maintaining a healthy body and mind starts and ends with focusing on and being well, while staying in integrity with what YOU believe is necessary for success. If you would like to get and stay in the mode of groovin’ on life and choosing the path to wellness and fitness that is best for you, try this prescription of “multivitamins” and water.

THE ULTIMATE MULTIVITAMINS: F AND P

Vitamin F: The Power of Focus. All those who have any understanding of the Law of Attraction (LOA) know that when it comes to aligning with anything, focus is everything. So it’s no wonder that using Vitamin F to your advantage is one of the keys to successful results in any health or fitness practice. If your goal is to allow well-being and a fab bod with joy and ease, focus on conversations, experiences, thoughts and stories that are about joy and ease. The LOA is very much like “The Force” in Star Wars in the way that it responds to your point of focus. The more you use Vitamin F to point yourself in the direction of what feels good, the more the LOA will deliver good-feeling results and the bod to boot! Vitamin P: The Power of Presence. If you want to thrive with a body and mind that feels good, accept the gift of presence. NOW is when we allow, and it is in this moment that your body gives you cues about what is best for you. Once you direct Vitamin F by declaring your intention to inhabit a strong, flexible, healthy, slim body, Vitamin P then gives you feedback in your gut that lets you know if what you are about to eat, drink or do is moving you toward or away from your desired destination. When you feel lighter—especially physically energized—this is something that jives with both what you want and your current beliefs, so rock on!

Remember that you alone are and always will be the best judge of what is best for YOU, even if nine out of 10 people choose the lard and banana miracle diet.

THE WATER FORMULA™ FOR WELL BEING

If there is one thing that every school of health and fitness agrees upon, it is this: Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. I believe water can give you even more than hydration, so each time you raise your glass, cup or bottle, apply the WATER Formula™ to get the most out of your “multivitamins.”

W: Be WILLING to focus on what you WANT. When you awaken, throughout the day, and when preparing for sleep, use Vitamin F to affirm and open yourself up to allowing well-being, for example: Affirm, “I am willing to feel better now.” Or, ask the question, “How can I feel better right now?” Once you state your affirmation or put forth your question, use Vitamin P by paying attention to and acting upon any feel-good thoughts, ideas or opportunities that present themselves. You’ll be amazed by how quickly the proper use of Vitamins F and P can start turning things around!

A: APPRECIATION always leads to a great destination! Start or end your day by making a list of what IS working and what you can and do love about right now. Make it your mission to focus upon any and every thing that you like throughout your day. Even if the items on your list or things you notice have nothing to do with the subject of health or fitness, the more you use Vitamin F to accentuate the positive aspects of your life and apply Vitamin P to feel groovy now, the faster you begin to shift your momentum from resisting to allowing your well-being!

T: Focus on the TRUTH that supports success. Just as there certainly are true stories about drama and difficulty, there are also many true stories about people who have healed their bodies and minds and who enjoyed the journey of aligning with a fit, strong body. Use Vitamin F productively by seeking out and collecting evidence of well-being and success stories that support

the truth that well-being/having a slim, strong body is possible and also can be possible for YOU.

E: EXPRESS to increase well-being. EXPRESS to allow success by using Vitamin F to talk or write about ideas that increase good feelings and add power to what you want. Stay tuned in with Vitamin P and as long as you feel good, keep talking the good talk!*

R: RELAX to allow well-be-ing. The journey is the destination, so if your destination is all about having a body and mind that functions with joy and ease, use Vitamins F and P to just let yourself BE. The more you chill, the less you ill! ‘Nuff said! *If talking about health, etc., makes you feel worse rather than better, you can still express to increase well-being by talking or writing about a different subject that you can and do feel good about now. If even this feels like a stretch, sometimes the best medicine is to be silent, meditate, go for a walk in the park, watch a funny movie, take a nap or do anything that promotes quieting and calming your mind.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS IN HEALTH, FITNESS AND WELL-BEING:

Regardless of the path you choose, always remember that aligning with and maintaining well-being is the result of practicing an attitude of being well. Play more, stress less. Love more, criticize less. Carve out time to discover what moves and excites you, for when it all comes down to it, joy is and always will be the best medicine.

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: http://www.TerezFirewoman.com