You are here: Home / Archives for Parenting

Swine Flu-”Tread Lightly and Carry a Big Stick”

2009
Leave a Comment

cute_pigI am going to weigh in on this swine flu situation from a PREVENTATIVE health advantage.

Tread lightly and carry a big stick

The Swine flu is a threat, however perhaps more from it’s highly contagious capacity than a deadly virus. My motto is “Tread lightly and carry a big stick”.

What I mean is…

In metaphorical terms, treading lightly means dealing with a painful subject delicately (so as not to upset the subject of the questioning)– pay attention to what is happening in our world, BUT without contributing to a fear-based collective frenzy.

Immune system is a very powerful defense matrix

Carry a big stick means- be proactive in your approach to preventative health. Use this current circumstance as an opportunity to care for yourself. Your immune system is a very powerful defense matrix. It is capable of protecting you, much like a highly trained army. Nourished and strengthened it is amazing. It is like a magical guardian- warding off any potential lurking viruses or bacteria waiting to attack your body.

What to Do: Be Responsible

  • Frequent hand washing with soap and water. Teach your children to wash their hands with an adequate amount of soap and water, and use a favorite tune as your clock. Ten seconds is a good amount of time to briskly rub your hands together, about the length of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ….
  • Stay Home if you or your child is sick. Remember that a pain reliever only masks your body’s fever, aches or pains.  You or your child need to feel better without using any pain relievers to return to work or school.
  • Take good care of yourself. Prevention is how we stay well. Start with the basics. Eat right, get enough sleep, exercise.

Teach your children through your example. Learn from this current swine flu virus situation. Take the upper hand and stay healthy. Read my blog  Just a Little Kiss for ways to keep your immune system up and running.

One last thing,  remember to smile frequently….. happiness is contagious too!

Filed Under: Blog, Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

“Ah Ha” Moment: using a guided relaxation as your tool

2009
2 Comments

Every Tuesday morning for the last year and a half, I carve out time to record a new weekly guided relaxation podcast.  Every now and then I get a message ( like the one below) that sends a signal to a place deep inside me– kind of like a strong and powerful voice that says, “Keep on doing– what you are doing!”

This note arrived last week from a lovely mother describing her experience in using the guided relaxation podcasts…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: , , ,

Finding Balance and Joy in our Everyday – healthy habits to get you started

2009
Leave a Comment

Last week Oprah shared her weight struggle story with millions. She said,  “I let the well run dry. That’s what happened when I started to get unbalanced, when I started to not take time for myself, when I started to go unconscious.”
When Oprah gains weight, she says it means her life is out of balance. “It’s not about the food. It’s about using food—abusing food,” she says. “Too much work. Not enough play. Not enough time to come down. Not enough time to really relax.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Fun, Healthy Living, Parenting, Seasons Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Healing Hobbies

2009
Leave a Comment

Recall the memory of a childhood afternoon…simple, carefree, and with no concept of the meaning of time – perhaps riding your bike, lying in the backyard making a clover daisy-chain, or lost in a make-believe world of fort building or playing dress-up. Remember how naturally relaxed you felt? Take this memory and notice how you feel right now. Does just the thought of those relaxed times begin to make you feel more at ease?

Lose track of time

When you spend time doing something you really enjoy, you tend to lose track of time on the clock. Spending time in this way moves you into a detached space from your day-to-day situations or issues. In this free place, you can be at your best, and feel happy for no real reason except that you are enjoying whatever activity you are presently focused on. Remember the child-like feeling of creating fun, simple and effortless? This same type of feeling brings a powerful punch to addressing your current-day stress and health problems.

Read on at Health Central

Filed Under: Fun, Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: ,

Gratitude For Family

2008
Leave a Comment

At this time of year it’s natural to reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. Gratitude, is the quickest, most powerful way I know to lift up my spirits and place them in a feeling of secure comfort. Here is a glimpse into a moment of my gratitude…

Transported back in time
Last autumn we were driving through the rolling flint hills of eastern Kansas, going home for Thanksgiving. As we crossed over the bridge, the banks of the Kansas River seemed wider than they did when I was a child. Pulling up into the driveway, I noticed that my parents’ house appeared smaller than it had when I was a child, but my size and perspective were smaller in those days. As I walked through the door I was met with the scent of delicious cooking. The warmth in my parents’ faces combined with their loving hugs instantly transported back to the time of my youth. Even though I am a grown woman with a family of my own, I was amazed at how quickly I felt twelve years old again.

Read on at healthcentral.com

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting, Seasons Tagged With: , ,

Beautiful From the Inside Out

2008
Leave a Comment

Yesterday, on Houston’s morning show, Great Day Houston- I spoke about creating positive self-esteem, in a segment entitled “Beautiful From the Inside-Out.” In a nutshell, Deborah Duncan ( a fun and very talented TV talk show host) and I had a conversation focused on the following points regarding creating positive self-esteem.

Beautiful From the Inside-Out

Positive self-esteem is so important. How do we get comfortable in our own skin?
  • Become Aware of our self-sabotaging thoughts, such as “I am such a …”
  • Powerful Positive Thoughts are like a mirror of what you attract.
  • Affirmations such as, “I see the best in everyone”
  • What’s on Your Mind? use creative self-expression techniques to find out.
  • Comparing Your Self remember each of us is unique and has individual gifts.

Your new gentle, quiet confidence allows others to feel good around you. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same!

Watch the TV segment Beautiful in Your Own Skin

Read the full article Comfortable in Your Own Skin on Healthcentral.com

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With:

Pay it Forward

2008
Leave a Comment

I receive regular feedback on the free-guided relaxations I broadcast each week. It made me think – how can this feedback help others, too?

Pay it forward
I find sharing our stories, no matter how simple or dramatic, is a great way to connect to others. Our stories provide hope, inspiration, and that comfortable feeling that YOU are not alone. If you have a story to share, please reply and I will help pass it on.

Shared stories

Following are two recent stories that help others with sleep.

I have been listening to your Creating Healthy Balance Everyday broadcasts on Blog Talk radio since inception, almost a year now. I love your relaxations. I download you on my ipod and listen to you at bedtime. I have always had a hard time going to sleep and because of that have not had great sleeps. I find your mediations are my cure!

I do fall asleep to your soothing voice. I realize you don’t really want us to fall asleep, but for me you are a godsend. I listen to your podcasts every evening to relax me, if I fall asleep then great, if I don’t fall asleep then great, I had a wonderful relaxation and at least turned my mind off for a while and then I do a second relaxation. Most of the time it only takes one, but sometimes it takes more.

When I wake up in the morning I listen to another relaxation to get myself set for the day. So, thank you for teaching me how to relax.
Marie Kiist in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada

Ok no lie this works!  My husband and I were bug eyed at about 130 am the other morning.  I told him I had read these tips on how to relax, and so we tried it.  Within minutes we were both asleep.  Thanks for this important info.  Sean (my hubby) always says having the right tools – for cooking, building, writing – is the key for success.   Now we know the key to a good nights sleep might just be relaxation!
Sue
Check it out:
Guided Relaxation Podcast and Switching Gears: 5 Minute Relaxation

Previously posted on Health Central

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Switching Gears

2008
Leave a Comment

Think back to the time of your childhood. Most of us, as kids, mastered the art of riding a bicycle. Can you remember how daunting it felt ⎯ fearful, yet completely focused on balancing, maneuvering the pedals, and guiding the handlebars⎯ all at once? How it almost felt impossible. Anytime we learn something new, it feels a little scary.
Its like riding a bike
Children and adults alike can struggle with constant thoughts appearing in their mind and have trouble “switching gears” to fall asleep at night. Learning how to let your body and mind relax is just like riding a bike.  A six or seven year old may feel intimidated to master the balance and coordination of riding on two wheels, however perseverance and the desire to do it guided you in learning. And, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve been on a bike, when you get back on, it comes back to you. Learning skills of relaxation through the avenue of breathing and body awareness empowers you with a remedy to relax your body and quiet your mind.

Try these simple tips to relax your body and mind: 5 Minute Relaxation

  • Start with dedicating 5 minutes before you get out of bed in the morning, and 5 minutes before you go to sleep at night.
  • Bring all of your attention to what you can feel (your body lying on the bed, covers touching your skin, hair on you head, etc.)
  • Bring all of your attention to what you can hear (listen for all the sounds that you can hear, allowing your awareness to move from sound to sound)
  • Bring all of your attention to your breath (notice that you are breathing, notice that you have an inhalation and an exhalation. Follow your breath, in and out)


Finish reading the post at health central

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: ,

In Times of Stress- Women Get the Prize

2008
4 Comments

A recent segment on national television spoke about how women are experiencing higher levels of anxiety and stress from our current financial crisis than men! I found this interesting and reflected on why this may be true.

Sandwich generation
Many of us, myself included, are in the age group known as the “sandwich generation.” This means we have many factors sandwiching us together ⎯ sometimes making us feel more squished than a grilled quesadilla. We are worried about our ageing parents, packing lunches and helping with homework for our children, contributing to our family’s income, and maybe even organizing the family budget. Today, 68% of families are from two-incomes, which contributes to why woman are feeling the repercussions of our current financial global anxiety perhaps more than men.

Grounded and calm
I truly believe, if we stay grounded, calm, and focus our energy on the things that are important to us, we can manage our stress and lead others in our example.

read on at health central

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: , , , ,

Calm Before the Storm

2008
Leave a Comment

Living in Houston brings with it moments of Hurricane season “thrills,” keeping us Houstonians diligently and humbly aware of Mother Nature and how her powerful force can change life on a dime.

Here is a glimpse of my life the day before Ike arrived… keeping calm before the storm.

Heading out early (6am) morning to fuel up our cars and buy some bottled water, batteries and a few cans of beans, protein bars and assorted snacks. Our local media is broadcasting round the clock and it can really whip the general population into a panicked frenzy. It is easy to get mesmerized by the continual feed of updates, weather predictions and tips for enduring the storm. Preparing early and turning off the TV and radio for periodic breaks during the day helps me stay unflustered.

While out doing my errands in preparation for Ike – I caught a moment of what I thought would be a great “photo” to capture the general feeling of “preparing for a hurricane”

This is a description of what my photograph would look like-

The marquee above the freeway which normally flashes traffic flow information reads- “Hurricane forming in the gulf- fill your gas tank” while simultaneously two pick-up trucks heading south carrying full loads of ply wood  

read on…health central-calm before the storm

Filed Under: Nurture and Comfort, Parenting Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »