Risky Business

When was the last time you danced?  I don’t mean at your Cousin Vinnie’s wedding!  What  I mean is the last time you put on your favorite music, turned up the volume and let your spirit soar?  When was the last time you felt free?  Wouldn’t you like to forget about your responsibilities, stress and the everyday minor annoyances of life for just a little while?  It’s time to feed that inner child from within.  So take those old records off the shelf…..

 

Okay, you probably don’t still have your old record player.  The good news is technology has made it super easy to find just about any song you want to hear.  You can take your wireless laptop into any room and find just about any song on YouTube.   Dancing is very liberating. I must advise, however, to try this when nobody is home.  The reason is that I want you to feel uninhibited to express yourself without the judgment of others.  Dancing is a great way to burn extra calories while getting your heart rate up. Dancing will build up your strength, muscles and endurance.  You may find you get winded pretty quickly.  Pause and take some deep breaths.  Please do not overdo it.  You are probably not 20 anymore.  It is important to periodically monitor your pulse to make sure you are in range.  Dancing makes you feel grounded and centered and brings out the kid in you. Please don’t forget to do some warm-up stretches beforehand.  It is very easy to pull a muscle.  Again, you can find a wide array of warm-up exercises on YouTube.  Do you remember Jane Fonda?  All her exercise routines are on YouTube.  You have no excuses! 

Let's get physical!

 

Have fun and let foot loose.  It’s Risky Business, but someone has to do it!!

 

Christine Segal is a Certified Holistic Health Coach having studied at Integrative Nutrition.  She also holds a Master’s Degree in Education.  She hosts a weekly radio show on health and wellness on Freedomizer Radio called “WakeUP and Live.”  Please visit her website at www.innerbeautyworkshops.com for more information.  Christine works with clients in person or via telephone.  Please write her for a consultation  Christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com. 

Why prevention is the best defense against the flu…

It’s that time of the year again.  No...I’m not referring to the holidays; I’m referring to the onslaught of signage and newspaper articles recommending a yearly flu shot.  Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with reminders to have that injection.  It insults my soul to see banners on the road advertising for this.  I cannot begin to describe how much this bothers me.  So much so, that I find myself knocking over signs whenever I am near them. 

Yes!  I knocked this one down!  And...I'm proud of it!

 

I decided to pay a visit to a Riteaid to find out what the ingredients were in the flu shot.  After all, why would anybody subject themselves to an injection not knowing what was in it?  I kindly asked the woman behind the counter and was handed a piece of paper from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Center for Disease Control and Prevention which discussed potential reactions to the flu shot, not the ingredients.  I kindly informed her that this does not list the ingredients.  She then handed me the package insert which also contained no list of ingredients.  I left disillusioned and decided to try CVS.

I approached the woman behind the counter and was again handed the Vaccine Information Sheet from the CDC.  I kindly told her that this does not contain the ingredients, can I please have a list of the ingredients.  She told me that the vaccine contained H1N1, H3N1 and BTexas 6 2011.  She then said rather uncomfortably, “If you are wondering whether or not the vaccine contains thimerosal, it has a trace.”  I then looked at her and said, “How can you give an injection when you have no idea what is in it?!”

Am I losing my mind!  What is wrong with people?  How can we be so trusting to allow someone to inject something into our bodies when THEY don’t even know what is in it?

Want to prevent the flu?  Build up your immune system!  It is important to stay away from sugar and processed foods that are laced with chemicals.  How can your body fight germs if it has to constantly work to rid itself of chemicals?  It is important this time of the year, if you live in a colder climate, to take Vitamin D3 supplementation.  To find out how much you need, ask your doctor to check your Vitamin D3 levels and suggest the dosage you should be on.  In addition, an extra dose of Vitamin C will help the body increase the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. 

Here are some home remedies that can help:  Lemon and honey, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, elderflowers, ginger, turmeric, probiotics or how about a bowl of homemade chicken broth.

Lastly, please get fresh air!  This is something you need to do year round.  Staying in an enclosed area for long periods of time is detrimental to your health.  Who cares if it is cold outside!  Suck it up and open your windows!

Enjoying super fresh air in Vermont!

 

Christine Segal offers workshops or telephone coaching. Please email Christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for details.

 

The Onion

The Onion

I bet you didn’t know that you are an onion.  You consist of layers and layers of conditioning that you have picked up since the day you were born.  By conditioning I am referring to the acceptance of other people’s viewpoints and opinions as your own.   These viewpoints come primarily from parents, close family relatives and friends.  However, we can also be conditioned by media in any shape or form.  These conditions shape our reality and it is what we believe to be true.  For example, we may have a parent who is a strong supporter of a political party, either Democrat or Republican.  As a child, we listened to that parent talk about political issues and, as a consequence, we identify ourselves with that party.  This is how we are conditioned to “think” like our parents.  This is especially true in the case of religion.  We are almost always identify ourselves with the religion that we grew up with.   There is no reason to listen to our instincts because it has been decided for us by our parents.   This is why we are all onions.

To discover our essence or our true self, we need to peel away the layers of conditioning that we have accumulated since childhood.  You may be wondering why we need to peel away anything.  Why not stay an onion.  If we stay an onion, our center or core is concealed.  Our true essence cannot shine from within.  In order to become our higher self, we must break through the conditioning and decide for ourselves who we are to become.

It's  messy job, but we must do it!

 It is an ongoing process to remove the layers of conditioning which involves opening our eyes to behaviors that we picked up when we were a child.  Take a good look at your parents.  Are there certain behaviors you “learned” from them and have become a part of you?  We mirror those that are the closest to us.  Here is an exercise you can do.  Look at one of your parents and write down something that bothers you about them.  For instance; my mother is always critical of me (something I often hear from my clients.)  Now write down what you would want them to be like.  For example, I would want my mother to be kinder to me and appreciate me the way I am.  Now look at your behavior.  Are you kind to those around you?  Do you appreciate people or take them for granted? Are you critical of yourself?  Do you put limitations on yourself?   Remember, life provides a mirror.  Can you see it?

This is how we peel an onion.  One layer at a time.   When we peel an onion, we most certainly will cry.  It can be painful at times, but it is a process in self-discovery and growth.  The more layers you peel away, the more you will become your most authentic self and the happier you will become.  After all, happiness comes from within.

At the center, you will shine!

 

Christine Segal offers workshops or telephone coaching. Please email Christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for details.

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Sunday should be a day we rest.  By spending some quiet time whether walking in nature, reading or doing something we enjoy, we charge our batteries for the work week.  Most people go days on end without taking a break to just sit, relax and enjoy the sunshine.  I am one of those people.  I am the energizer bunny.  This past weekend I was in New York City for an Integrative Nutrition Conference.  It was inspiring and informative and I left with the feeling that I needed to spend more time on me so I can go out into the world and do what I have to do with my energy intact.  Therefore, I am going to structure my Sundays in a way that both sets me up and relaxes me for the week ahead.  Please feel free to follow along as I make these three adjustments.

1.      Sunday morning write out what goals you have for the week or the things that must get done by the following Saturday.  Do not start working on them; just have them handy and ready to go.  On the top of page, write Monday’s date.  Place them by your desk or write them in a planner that you can keep with you for easy reference.

2.      Plan your meals for the week.  Make a list of what you will eat for each meal.  For instance, Monday for breakfast oatmeal, orange juice and a banana.  Tuesday for breakfast eggs and toast.  Once you make the list, write a separate list of the ingredients you need to purchase or have on hand to cook those items.  How many times do we leave a store and realize we forgot something?  By planning your meals, you will know what you are eating and what you need to purchase for the week.  You can also designate a shopping day and a day to cook for more advanced planning.

3.      Now that you have your week organized, REST!  Do something you enjoy for the remainder of the day. 

When you wake up on Monday, you will know what you have to do and what you will be eating for the entire week.  You will also be relaxed, charged and ready to conquer the items on your list.  Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Feeling Energized

 

*I apologize for the late blog article .  I am in the process of replacing my computer.  As of now, I have no printer and no way to get my photos online.  Hopefully, I will be back to speed sometime this week. 

 

Christine Segal offers workshops or telephone coaching.  Please email Christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for details.

 

 

The Obesity Story…

America is the midst of an obesity epidemic.  Last week, a report was released “predicting” that by the year 2030, 1 out of 2 adults will be classified as obese.  This is very alarming!  Have you ever heard of the term “false alarm?”  That is what I am calling this report.  It is my hope that Americans will wake up to the fact that our food is not the same as yesteryear and make healthier choices for themselves and their family.   We must LEARN HOW TO READ LABELS to avoid harmful substances that have been placed in our foods and called “preservatives” and so forth. 

We live in an information age society.  No longer do you need to go the library and look up information in the card catalog.  Information can now be found at your fingertips in the convenience of your own home.  There is no reason why you should take something you read at “face-value.”  When in doubt, look it up!  Learning to listen to your own instincts is crucial to solving the obesity epidemic.  If you read that something is good for you and your instincts tell you that it isn’t, then don’t eat or drink it…it’s that simple! 

In order to be healthy, start reading labels and don’t put anything into your mouth that you do not recognize as food such as polyvinylpyrrolidone.  Shop at local markets for the freshest, organically grown and nutrient dense foods or better yet join a CSA. (Community Supported Agriculture) 

Eating can be very emotional and can be used as a substitute for happiness.  It is important to recognize that food cannot change your marital status or change the job you do not like.  It’s YOU that needs to change those things by loving and appreciating yourself for who you are.  Nobody is perfect.  It is YOU who creates your future by the choices you make.   

If you need help reaching your health goals, please enlist in the services of a Health Coach who can gently guide you along that path. 

We can change the world one person at a time as we learn how to take care of our body so our mind can remain clear and focused on becoming part of the solution to the problems that have engulfed us.  Darkness cannot survive if there is light…not even the light from one single match.  The world needs your contribution!

I am available for in person or telephone coaching.  Please email:  christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for more information.

On the Radio!

I am happy to announce this week that I am coming to the airwaves!  Beginning on Friday, September 21^st at 3:00 pm I will be hosting a weekly radio show on the Freedomizer network.  (http://www.freedomizerradio.com/)  Freedomizer Radio is a station that promotes awareness in the political and corporate world; how these two entities affect our world.

My radio show, which will be broadcast for 90 minutes, will be called “Wake Up and Live.”  “Rise to the new you through awareness of the world around you.”  My program will focus on becoming your best self by understanding the body’s nutritional needs and understanding the soul’s need for wisdom.  I will teach you how to use your own intuition to cipher through mainstream information on health and wellness.  My program will keep you up-to-date on newly released so called “scientific studies” and how to interpret them for your best use.  In addition, I will feature weekly guests who bring their expertise to the table.

You can listen to my broadcast “live” by visiting Freedomizer radio and finding the link.   I will post a link of each show after my weekly blog posts in order for you to listen at your own convenience.  One of the best ways to “multi-task” is to play my broadcasts while you cook dinner or fold the laundry.  It will turn mundane tasks into enjoyment as your mind can escape into the world of healthy living.  It is my hope that my radio program will motivate you to set goals and take action steps toward those goals.  Your participation is the only way significant change can occur in the world. 

I am available for in person or telephone coaching.  Please email:  christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for more information.

Life is Precious

As one becomes a more spiritual being, things that never bothered you begin affect your brain at a conscious level.  Your picture of reality begins to slowly change as you look at life differently.  Your eyes are the same but the vision is different.  The life you are living just doesn’t feel the same anymore.  People appear different, your job appears different even the Earth appears like you have never seen it before.  Things you didn’t pay much attention to in the past, now command your attention.  Life on Earth is much more precious.

I was driving my car on the highway the other day and noticed that stuck to my side view mirror was a cricket.  The poor thing was holding on for dear life.  I was amazed that it didn’t fall off.  As I was watching it, I thought…”What am I doing?”  I pulled the car off the side of the road, took a newspaper and gently helped the cricket down to safe ground.   I’m ashamed to say, old me would have just kept driving.  I felt a sense of peace when I helped that cricket.  Why isn’t that cricket’s life as precious as my own?

The same holds true for the animals that are being raised to feed us in factory farms.  These poor animals are not fed the proper foods, left in confined areas where they do not see the light of day and have no freedom of movement.  These are still living beings.  Why isn’t their life considered precious?  Why do we allow such treatment of animals?  Are we really that hungry?   These animals feel pain just like we do.  Aren’t these animals’ lives as precious as our own?

Our forests are being cleared because we need the land to raise the cattle that are not being treated properly.  Aren’t these trees precious?   Do you know if you play classical music around a plant it will respond by growing faster and stronger?  The benefit of which is more oxygen so we can breathe cleaner/fresher air.  Can’t you see that their life is as precious as your own?

When we blast tons of chemicals underground into our soils to extract natural gas, we are disturbing ecosystems in the soil.  Is the extracting of natural gas that important especially when there are alternative energy forms?  Why do we not value the life forms that exist under our own feet?  Aren’t they precious?

 Life in any form is precious.  If you can see that it is, you are evolving.  After all, (evol)ve = love.

Please visit my website at www.innerbeautyworkshops.com for further information on my coaching program or call (631) 355-9442 to set up an appointment for a coaching session.