Got stress? Feeling frazzled? Chances are, you’ve got plenty of reasons. Stress quickly descends upon us when life comes at us fast or grinds away and wear us down from heavy loads, especially without receiving much respite.

Unexpected situations that assault our sensibilities is one form, as my daughter experienced last Saturday while celebrating her birthday with friends upon discovering that her new purse, wallet and jacket had been stolen.  Undoubtedly, at the moment of discovery, the stress response kicked in with the realization of what it all meant and everything she now had to do–reporting stolen credit cards, thinking about all the scheduled credit card payments that would have to be updated, changing locks, “doing time” at the DMV to get another license, replacing keys and the countless items stashed away in a purse. 

Then this morning, I received news that a friend’s car had been broken into for the seventh time in less than a year, and two days back-to-back!  For sure criminal assaults take their tolls in many ways, robbing us of our stuff, not to mention our serenity, but more commonly, we’re increasingly assaulted with feelings of too many responsibilities, competing priorities, unexpected events, interrupted plans, or any number of self-imposed expectations that breed chronic stress, all with the potential for creating a  noticeable toll upon our health. Read More

Ahhh–the gift of inspiration!  I unwrapped a present Christmas morning–a plaque emblazoned with messages for the heart and soul. As I read each one out loud, I knew their truth right down to my bones–the attitudes and actions for creating a daring life adventure filled with harmony, happiness and well-being. The perfect gift, since I speak to businesses and other organizations about the importance of energizing work, life and wellness. They’re magical if fully embraced in creating transformations, of closing gaps between what is and what you want to be.  If you’re assembling a list of New Years’ resolutions, these will have you soaring!

1. Direct Your Own Destiny
2. Believe in Yourself
3. Find Reasons to Smile
4. Embrace the Journey
5. Have Faith
6. Conquer New Heights
7. Follow Your Heart
8. Explore New Horizons
9. Dare to Dream
10. Let Laughter Happen
11. Share the Joy
12. Write Yourself a Happy Ending

I love this list and upon reviewing it more closely, recognized how in tune it is with our Guts, Grace & Gusto Guidelines featured in Dancing through Life with Guts, Grace & Gusto which I wrap my presentation talking points around.  These are vital to navigating the twists, turns and transitions encountered on our journeys. We’re all dancing along a tangled path of competing priorities, multiple challenges, squeezed by limitations of time and energy, meeting unexpected detours, collecting lessons for the heart along the way.  We need reminders to get us back on track, because our best intentions can get derailed at times. Read More

Do you know someone who”s been affected by this debilitating condition? Those chances are increasing with as many as one million Americans now living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and about 60,000 Americans diagnosed with it annually. Research studies reveal convincing evidence of its link to environmental exposure in our increasing toxic world.

My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease  when he was 59, so it became a very personal research project as to its cause, managing symptoms and prognosis.  My fast moving, quick-witted, and animated dad was ultimately transformed–slowed down, sometimes unable to move or speak,and many of his characteristic facial expressions disappeared, among other heart-breaking symptoms.   When my dad was diagnosed in the 70′s, PD didn’t have the same visibility as it does today due to the public awareness generated by actor, Michael J. Fox who was stricken with PD in his mid-thirties.

A new study led by researchers at The Parkinson’s Institute, published Nov. 14 in the journal Annals of Neurology reports “Our study confirms that common environmental contaminants may increase the risk of developing [Parkinson's], which has considerable public health implications,” according to Dr. Samuel Goldman and his colleagues. This study indicates that exposure to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) appears to greatly increase the risk of PD, a sixfold increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Exposure to two other solvents perchloroethylene (PERC) and carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) also boost the chances of developing the neurodegenerative disorder. All three solvents linked to Parkinson’s are used extensively worldwide.  TCE is a common agent in paints, adhesives, carpet cleaners and dry-cleaning solutions. In the U.S., millions of pounds of TCE are released into the environment each year. While this study focused on job-related exposure, the solvents are common in soil, groundwater and the air in the United States. For example, TCE is detected in up to 30 percent of the nation’s drinking water supplies, according to the researchers. Read More

As a wellness and transformation coach, I’m continually researching what’s happening in health today and tracking trends. Clearly, America is suffering as reflected in increasing rates of disease, and linked to changes which have occurred in past few decades in an essential component of good health—our food.

What a sight last Wednesday night to see throngs of people purchasing tickets for an Environmental Working Group event featuring author and food activist, Michael Pollan, who’s definitely concerned about what’s happening to American food, or as he referenced now appearing as “edible foodlike substances, which are no longer the products of nature but of food science.

Pollan walked on stage, carrying two grocery bags filled with a sampling from today’s supermarket. Pulling out item after item, he referenced failed nutrition policies, increasing nutritional deficiencies and how the food industry has changed what America eats and the correlations to increasing obesity, cancers and other health issues. In the past three decades since government has been doling out dietary advice, millions of Americans are now sicker and fatter.

While items are now packaged with health claims, they’re often anything but healthy. The more we worry and obsess about nutrition, the less healthy we’re becoming. With two-thirds of Americans now overweight, and one third clinically obese, and estimates projecting an entire nation of overweight citizens by 2040 based on current trends, our 21^st century Western diet, typically loaded with sugar, salt, chemicals and non-nutritive substances, has led Americans down the road to more illness and obesity. Read More

As events were unfolding 10 years ago, I was at my computer, stunned, just miles from the Pentagon.  I wrote the following in my attempt to process the events of which had never been experienced, and sharing now as my way of reflecting back.

It’s Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I look out the window and see a gorgeous day. I turn on the TV and our world is in chaos. Fifteen miles down the road, thousands have lost their lives, families have lost fathers, sons, daughters and mothers, husbands and wives. Many children now in school will learn too soon they have lost a mommy or daddy. We too, may have lost friends in this unexplained tragedy and wait for any news.

How can we sort out the chaos and what comes from such terror and tragedy? This is a life-as-you-know-it-shattering event. What we believed to be safe no longer is. This event will shape millions of lives in immeasurable ways. We won’t ever think the same, perspectives on life are jolted into a new reality along with our priorities. Things that seemed so important and pressing just a few hours ago, really don’t matter now.

America is reeling from the unfathomable. The tallest buildings in the world just collapsed into rubble. Multiple jetliners hijacked off airport runways and became vehicles of destruction and devastation. Our nation’s defense center is in flames.

We haven’t heard the stories yet of the lives lost or those that almost perished but were miraculously spared. Those stories will come in time and break open our hearts.Thousands walked out of their homes this morning, believing it to be just another day. Some stopped for their morning mocha. Some kissed their lovers goodbye. Some didn’t. Some dropped their kids at daycare. Some fought traffic snarls and rushed to their desks to tackle their priorities. An hour or so later, all work stood still as the world watched and wondered why.

What will we do about this? How will we change? What is this all about? Why was this necessary for the world to witness? Some of the answers will come. Some will likely forever be questions. Read More

Have you ever been so determined to achieve a life-changing goal that you set your intention and boldly declared you were going for it? As a wellness coach, I work with many who do just that. Some are tired of feeling constantly fatigued, exhausted, overweight, and other conditions that are robbing them of vibrant living. They’re  seeking solutions to look and feel better, to have more energy, shed pounds and inches, often lots of them, and to make healthier choices.  It requires setting intentions to succeed and the challenge of changing habits that support their health.  It’s rewarding to see people who set those intentions and take them to heart, reach their goals and triumph in their victories.

There are many factors working against wellness today and why two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and one-third considered obese. Our world has changed and our bodies barraged by toxins, stress and nutritional deficiencies, which contribute to weight gain, energy drain and many degenerative conditions. Toxins and impurities are surrounded by fat cells which accumulate around the organs, midriff and throughout the body in the form of toxic fat. Whole body nutritional cleansing has proven to be an effective solution for so many seeking weight loss and enhancing their overall health. Read More