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Claudi

Mar 22
0

The Clothes We Wear

By | Total Wellness, Total Wellness Mom | 4 Comments

Being pregnant three times these past few years has caused me to expand and contract several sizes. I have been blessed to have an assortment of friends donate jeans and clothes to fit my various sizes.

I have tubs of clothes ranging in sizes from size 16 down to size 8. I have organized them in the approximate weight I am at those sizes. Right now I have about 5 pounds to fit into all the 11 to 12 sizes, 15 pounds to release to get to the size 10’s and I am thinking 25 pounds to see size 8.

I started to use more recycled clothes when I learned the following facts:

The textile industry is the third most polluting industry of our globe.

More than 2000 chemicals are used in the textile industry.

90 percent of clothes are imported…. And many of those imports come from China.

Textile mills, specifically in China, are releasing wastewater (water used to bleach, rinse chemicals and dyes) back into the rivers, lakes and streams. Proven pollution has or is happening locally and globally.

Huge amounts of water and pesticides are needed to grow cotton.

Making new clothing is not only polluting our globe it is polluting us. When I go into a department store to shop for clothes I notice something every time… my cheeks get red, my throat gets dry and I get a slight headache after about 30 minutes of trying on clothes. Why?

Residues of chemicals even toxic chemicals can be found in new clothing. These chemicals can cause rashes and other reactions in adults but can be especially harmful to babies.

A Green Peace sponsored research called “Dirty Laundry”, found hormone disrupting chemical residues in new clothing of over 6 different major brand name clothing and shoe companies.

The mark up of most department store clothing is 100%.

We throw away about 68 pounds of clothing and cloth products a year.

Are you shocked too? I know and we all love those Macy’s coupons. I am not saying never buy anything new but maybe try a few tips to help you get a new wardrobe with less of an impact on our environment and less toxic effects to your health.

When you are done with your clothes, donate them to Goodwill or a community donation box that sends the clothes to poor communities overseas.
Use your used clothing to make something new. My friends make SMITTENS. They are old sweaters turned into mittens. You can search online for other ideas like sweaters into winter hats, etc.

Have a Frock Swap. This is a fun party to have with all your friends. Each person invited brings decent clothing that no longer fits them or they are ready to let go of. Maybe up to 10 items. The hostess lays it all out with areas for trying on clothes. The guests get as many tickets as outfits they brought to swap and you can take home that many “new used” clothes.

Sell your clothes on Craig’s List or other online spaces.

Shop consignment and second hand stores. More and more classy nice second hand stores are becoming available everywhere. If you are looking for something specific talk to the store’s buyers and have them on the look out for you.

Purchase your young children’s clothes used at garage sales, Craig’s List or from a friend whose kids are older. (At one garage sale I spent $125 and had clothes for my 3 month old until he was 3 years old.)

Buy organic cotton fabrics or textiles made from sustainable cotton, bamboo, or hemp.

When you do buy new, buy just what you need or really want. And always wash your clothes thoroughly before wearing them. You may even want to air them out first and then wash them.

Remember, every little thing counts. Using your socks with holes in them for dust rags or even getting out and exercising so you can get back into your pre-winter weight clothes and not having to buy new ones impacts our world for the better!

Was this article helpful?  We would like to hear from you! Leave a comment on below.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Mar 19
0

Am I A Bad Mom?

By | Total Wellness Mom | One Comment

I admit I was a bit torn about going to a special conference at the end of the month. I was torn because it would be my son’s second birthday and a part of me wanted to make it special for him…I thought…or was it because that’s what good moms do? They bake cakes, have parties and celebrate their kid’s birthdays on their birthdays.

And then I thought a little more about the first time I left him to attend a conference. He was 8 months old and I invested over $2000 (I mean my credit card invested) to attend a Mastermind training with a world renowned business expert. That investment has paid me back 10 times my investment and it is still growing every month. That investment I made now pays for my son’s development training with a childcare specialist with 40 years experience who helps train parents and teaches kids in fun interactive ways.

I believe after God and my marriage, my kids are my next priority. But I learned that caring for them is not enough.  In fact, I learned that although I will never be a perfect parent that my job was to continue to learn and grow from other successful parents with my values.  My job is to be a better person and be an example for my child.  Henry Blackaby stated, “I never want anything in my life to hinder my children” and I so get that statement.  Our fears, our un-forgiveness’s, and our lack of knowledge can directly affect our children.

It’s time to step up to the plate whether you are a new parent like me, single with no kids, or a grandparent. We must continue to grow and learn and improve ourselves.  And yes, that will take some investing of your time and money. But the reward will be phenomenal.

I know you are probably saying but I tried that and it didn’t work.  They just took me for my money and didn’t help me. Stop playing the victim. Accept responsibility. You might have not done your research, learned about the mentorship you needed, or just made a mistake.  Don’t let that hold you back from moving forward.

It’s never too late to be a better parent or person.  This is the special conference I was going to attend at the end of the month.  The Divine Call of God on Business. I am really excited because I know this isn’t just going to change my business, it’s going to change me.

Will it be a sacrifice to be away from my family? YES of course. But I am willing to make those sacrifices for my family and myself.

I love being a mom. I love being a business owner.  I love being the Total Wellness Doc and Mom but to stay in love with all of that, I have to invest in my own personal and professional growth.

So won’t you join me? Make a commitment to invest in yourself and your family today.  Tell us what you did on our new Facebook page.

And if you would like to learn more about my Mompreneur Business mentor Sandi Krakowski, this is a great article she wrote.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Mar 01
0

Do You Give Yourself Grace?

By | Dr Mary Starr, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 9 Comments

Grace can be defined as a virtue coming from God, a merciful or compassionate nature, an act of kindness, courtesy or clemency, and an exemption. Let’s really think about these definitions…

The other day my girlfriend Chasity called me to share her disappointments in herself. She is a mom of 2 children less than 3 years old and a very big dog. She has a loving and supportive husband with a demanding job that allows him to be at home on the weekends. Chasity has a seasonal job too that currently has her working from 3pm to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

She called to say she was disappointed in herself because she wasn’t losing more weight, she was late to exercise classes and that she wasn’t contributing more money to the family.

As I listened to her I just heard a woman beating herself up and not giving herself grace.

GRACE in the seasons of life

There are definitely seasons in our lives that we may need to give ourselves grace. Seasons when our family will require more attention than when they are older. Seasons after surgery or during an illness when we have to slow down and require less of ourselves. Seasons when we are attempting new things like going back to school after a long time that we will need more GRACE.

Because Chasity was born with some amazing gifts to get done in one day what most of us get done in a week, she still feels that she can accomplish those same things with 2 kids. Maybe she can…but it is important to give ourselves GRACE when we don’t meet our expectations.

GRACE to our bodies

Chasity doesn’t understand why she isn’t losing more weight but she is still nursing her baby. The body needs extra stored body fat when nursing. Although initially the “baby” weight will come off more quick for nursing moms, they will maintain about 10-15 pounds extra naturally.

When I work with obese women, many times they are very discouraged that they have not released any significant weight or that they have gained weight. We must give our bodies GRACE. The keys to releasing weight if you are obese can be found in our Total Wellness Slique Experience Virtual Coaching program. But in a nutshell, we address that women with a high percentage of body fat have a very low metabolism. They will need to spend 1 to 6 months re-training the body’s metabolism through healthy eating and exercise. This is also why many women plateau at 30 pounds or even 50 pounds.

We must give our bodies’ GRACE. This also includes when we start to exercise after a long break in real exercise. Give your body small steps towards physical fitness. This isn’t the Biggest Loser so let’s make sure we slowly build up. 5 minutes the first day, 10 minutes the next, and so on until we can maintain 40 minutes of continuous aerobic activity. The same thing applies when we start to strength train from no weights then light weights then heavier weights. I always recommend working with a professional to get you started exercising the right way.

Be kind with your words

Have you ever been with a friend who is always referring to himself or herself as large, overweight, or stupid? Think about it. Maybe you say those things. It’s true we can, without even thinking, be meaner to ourselves than we would ever think about saying to anyone else. We lack compassion and kindness towards ourselves. And ultimately, self love.

Start today even if you are not happy with yourself. Don’t speak it. Say positive words over yourself. Tell your body it is beautiful even if you don’t think it yet. The “Power of your Tongue” to actually bring things into being is amazing. You have the power to build yourself up or tear yourself down.

Grace to others

My husband is an expert gunsman (if that is a word).  He received awards when in the Navy for his pistol and rifle shooting. As you can guess, he really likes gun shows.  So the other night he was watching this show called Top Shot and I sat down to watch it with him.

It was the season finale and his favorite Southerner contestant Chris Reed was still in the running. We were on our seat with suspense when the arrogant young man, George, does something no one ever expected. He throws the competition so his now friend Chris Reed can compete for the final prize of 100,000 dollars. George gave up his chances at winning because his friend Chris needed the money. Chris had been in an awful motor vehicle accident that nearly took his life. Today with kids at home, he wanted to earn that money for his kids’ education as well as the recognition and achievement of being Top Shot. Chris went on to winning the Top Shot and the $100,000 and the tears rolled down my face. I didn’t expect to see such an example of GRACE on a reality TV show.

Everyday we have the opportunity to be a George and step down so someone else can step up. That is, to be kind and merciful towards others. To forgive someone, ourselves and just let go of the past.

How about you? Will you show yourself and someone else GRACE today?

If you want to share your story of Grace, comment below. 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Feb 27
0

Bra… Friend or Foe

By | cancer, Total Wellness | 7 Comments

Bra…  Friend or Foe
By:  Pamela Howard, DC, CCT

Every morning, women get up and put on their bra; it’s part of our daily routine.  Since breasts have become “fashion accessories”, we must make sure they take their rightful place. But what if your bra was harming your health, would you forsake it?

Syndy Ross Singer & Soma Grismaijer are two researchers bold enough to study the effects of bras on women’s health and wrote a book on it, Dressed to Kill; The link Between Breast Cancer and Bras and their follow up book, Get it Off! Understanding The Cause of … Breast Pain, Cysts and Cancer, despite threats with a lawsuit by the Intimate Apparel Council (trade association in the US for the multi-billion dollar bra industry).  Singer & Grismaijer found it interesting that the cancer industry has never looked at bras and breast constriction as a possible cause of breast cancer. They concluded that with a medical industry that earns $10,000,000,000 annually on treatments for breast cancer, getting rid of bras would cost the medical industry billions.

Surrounding our breasts is the greatest number of lymph vessels and nodes. When the breast region is constricted by a bra, the lymph system cannot flow freely. This causes a buildup of fluid, less effective feeding and cleansing of the tissue, an increase in accumulated toxins and restriction of lymphocytes which destroy abnormal cells.  In addition, the petrochemicals in bra materials can leach out of the fabric and into the skin, causing loss of breast skin color and dermatitis.  Dr. Irmgard Keeler-Howard of Houghton College states that chemicals that comprise elastic may be cancer causing.

Consider Singer & Grismaijer’s findings:

o  Women wearing bras 24 hours per day were 125 times more likely (3 out of 4 chance) to developing breast cancer
o  Women wearing bras more than 12 hours per day, but not to bed, had a 1 out of 7 risk
o  Women wearing bras less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 152 risk
o  Women who rarely or never wore bras had a 1 out of 168 change of breast cancer
o  Wearing a bra at least 14 hours a day tends to increase the hormone prolactin, which decreases circulation to the breast tissue.
o  Professional women have higher than average BC incidence rates than rural women who wear their bras less often
o  80% of bra wearers who experience lumps, cysts, and tenderness saw their symptoms vanish, within a month of getting rid of their bra
o  In 1997 Singer compared a group of women in Fiji – half of the women wore bras and the other half went without.  The diet, environment and lifestyle of both groups were the same.  Those who wore bras had the same rate of breast cancer as women in the US.  Those who went braless experienced practically no breast cancer.

Bras are not the first item of clothing to be called on the carpet for potential health issues. Over the centuries, various items of clothing which chronically constricted a region of the body have come under fire.

Asian cultures bound women’s feet in the name of fashion, creating irreversible deformed and dysfunctional feet.  Tightly laced corsets from the 1700-1900’s contributed to an enlarged left heart ventricle as well as congestion of the brain, liver and kidneys.  Neckties have been linked with reduced blood circulation to the brain, shoes causing corns; Tight Pants Syndrome may be the cause of unexplained stomach cramps, and chest pain and heartburn.

In addition, tight belts restricting lymphatic flow to the groin region may be linked with increases in colon cancer. This, incidentally, occurs most frequently below the belt region in the sigmoid colon and rectum. Also, men’s tight briefs reducing sperm count, and repeated trauma from eye glasses have been linked with skin cancer on the bridge of the nose.  I think you are getting the idea, constrictive clothing may not be the direct cause of our health issues but it certainly creates an environment conducive to ill health.

It’s time we consider health over fashion and demand new fashion trends featuring healthy breasts…  au natural!  Enhance lymph flow with gentle lymph massage, moving them from the nipple outwards, mostly toward the armpit.  Stimulate lymph flow by dry brushing, rebounding on a mini trampoline or bouncing on a gym ball while moving the arms.  If you must wear a bra, consider bras made from natural fabrics and avoid padded, push-up, sports, strapless, underwire and tight/ill fitting bras which contribute to breast compression as well as bras resembling body armor which may heat up breasts to unnatural temperatures.

Dr. Pamela Howard, DC, Certified Clinical Thermographer; founded Advanced Thermal Imaging in 2005 to provide a safe, non-invasive means of detecting health concerns utilizing Thermography throughout Central PA & Upstate NY. Visit her website to learn more at www.athermalimage.com

 

Would you like to learn about Young Living Essential oils that have been found to help breast health and even inhibit cancer growth? We are here to serve you so let us know if these topics are important to you.

Feb 13
0

Myths About Marriage That Keep You Single and How To Avoid Them

By | Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 2 Comments

Myths About Marriage That Keep You Single and How To Avoid Them
By Aesha Adams-Roberts

I talk with men and women on a daily basis about life and love. And one of the most common points that comes up with all of them have to do with their beliefs about love, marriage, and the opposite sex.

For example, right before Christmas I had my 5th dentist appointment (yeah, I know) and I asked two very attractive, professional single women about their love lives. They willingly shared all the juicy details with me.  One, a dental hygienist, told me she had met the love of her life on Myspace a few years ago, and he wants to marry her. In fact, he asked her what would she think if he bought her an engagement ring for Christmas. Her answer: “Why are we talking about this?!”  When I probed her for more information, she told me she is scared to get married because all of the marriages in her immediate family ended in (an ugly) divorce, and she was certain that it would happen to her too.  The dental associate who was working on my teeth at the time said she hoped one day love would find her. “Are you dating,” I asked? “No,” she replied, “I just don’t go out enough. But it’ll happen for me one day–maybe.”

The beliefs these two women had about themselves and about marriage shaped the actions they did–or didn’t–take. One was sabotaging her chances for marriage, the other was passively waiting for it to happen.

The beliefs a woman has about herself, love, marriage, relationships, and the opposite sex is often the greatest hindrance to her meeting and marrying the man of their dreams, more than any other factor I’ve observed so far–age, race, weight, economic status.

Our beliefs are powerful because they shape our actions.  Some of the ways beliefs are formed are through the ways we’re groomed by our parents (whether they were married or divorced or single), our friends, our communities, the media, and our culture. We have the power to say “yes, I believe that” or “no, I don’t believe that” to these influences, but if we’ve experienced something that confirms what any of these sources say, it is often a challenge to believe anything else.

For example, many people believe that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. We’ve heard “experts” quote it as an undisputed fact and we may have even seen divorce happen again and again with our families and friends.

However, a 2005 article in the New York Times by Dan Hurley revealed that this supposedly fact-based belief is not accurate. In reality, 3 out of 5 marriages last until “death do us part!”

Question: What would happen if we collectively started believing that most marriages thrive instead of die?

Another commonly held belief I’ve heard over and over from single women, is that men should always make the first move when it comes to dating. These women are waiting for their Knight in Shining Armor to appear, sweep them off their feet, and ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after.

However, when I asked my Facebook followers what they thought about the belief that men should always make the first move, surprisingly, all of the women said “Yes, they should!” Their rationale was that a man isn’t a “real man” if he doesn’t approach them, that he doesn’t have backbone, and that if he doesn’t pursue a woman, he doesn’t recognize her value and will eventually want the woman to take the lead on everything.

However, most of the men said, “No!”  One man in particular said, “As the saying goes, “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” Also, I see a woman that makes the first move as confident. Confidence is attractive. (Very)”

Another man’s comment revealed the pressures most men feel when it comes to approaching a woman:

“Let’s see…men run the risk of getting flat out rejected, denied, charged with assault or harassment, called perverted names if signs were misread, slapped, or beat up when making the first move. Ladies at worst, may only face a polite decline. Who should make the first move? The one with the least to lose.”

The men’s comments flew in the face of traditional beliefs about men’s and women’s roles in dating.  But more surprising to me was how the women felt the need to defend their positions on why men should always approach a woman.  Instead of taking note that attractive, single men were telling them on Facebook (for all the world to see) that they don’t mind if a woman takes initiative and shows she is interested in man, my single sisters held on tight to their beliefs that a man should always take the first move.
So, what’s a sister to do?

If you want to know if your beliefs may be keeping you from the marriage of your dreams, I suggest you spend some time journaling and reflecting. Actually write down the beliefs you have about yourself, about what it means to be in love, about what men should and shouldn’t do, and ask yourself: where did these beliefs come from? Did they come from your family? your religious beliefs? Your culture? Ask yourself:  Do I really believe this? Why?

Remember, you have the power to choose your beliefs. Choose wisely because they may be the only thing between you and the man of your dreams!

Aesha Adams-Roberts, PhD is an author, speaker, and dating and relationship expert. After years of making painful dating mistakes, Aesha finally learned what it takes to find the man of one’s dreams. She married hers after just 11 months. Using the time‐tested principles she discovered, she founded AeshaOnline.com, a site designed to help women not just meet, date and marry the man of their dreams, but figure out why they have been unsuccessful in the past. AeshaOnline.com is today’s go‐to site for people who want to know the secrets to happy relationships from dating into marriage, parenting and beyond.

 

 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.

Feb 02
0

Discover Your Own Value

By | Total Wellness, Total Wellness Mom, Wellness Coaching | 3 Comments

Discover Your Own Value

By: Angela Brooks

“You deserve mean children” … “Your ornery and always will be” …  “Your just like them”

As I reflect back in my early days. I still hear words that were spoken over me…not once…but for years. Why would I not believe them they loved me right? and they knew me better than anyone, even myself. Cause how I could I know who I was as a kid growing up – I was being told who I was before I had permission to deny the words that were coming at me.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not angry at the ones that spoke those words. I understand now they were trying to deal with their own mess in their journey …some of it just spilled out on my road and I stepped in the toxic waste. It stuck to my feet for many years because I did not know I could just wipe it off and be done with it. Instead…I carried it…into everything I did for the next 29 years.

I grew up in church where when someone asks for prayer it became the gossip of the church. Instead praying for guidance or healing of a situation it was judged. As I grew up I saw fewer people kneeling in public. It made me hold back from asking, not wanting to be the center of church attention. I just held it in – since those were church people and knew God – I sure did not want to ask God to help me because…well his opinion scared me.

I knew the bible had all the answers for my life and it said “You reap what you sow” and I had sowed some pretty bad seeds…so I figured I was getting what I deserved, and I needed to suck it up.

Living Life according to what I believed

At the tender age of 16 I knew it all. I got married and moved to another country….not another state. I lived in a duplex that had rats the size of cats that lived in the garage (I am not kidding).

I did not lay eyes on another family member for two and half years. My mother came to visit once for 30 days after the first year. My youngest friend back then was 30 years old. I hung out with people who were past the silly thoughts I was having at 16 – so I tried to be like them. Grown up – drinking and partying to fit in. I hung with the best of them. I got in two fist fights, one with military women and almost got deported from the country – punched a man in the face when he put his drunken hands on me – then told his wife.

I never felt like I fit in. I wanted to be more than broke, and broke is what I was. Since I had never bought groceries for myself much less a house hold – I had no idea how to look for bargains and make the best of having little. I was allowed to spent $80 on household and food every 2 weeks. Most of the time my refrigerator had crackers and peanut butter. I ate the left-overs at the day care center I was working for, I only worked 15 hours a week. The other 153 hours a week I got hungry often. I was thin, very thin.

At 18 – I lived in the south, in house that had cock-roaches, (I hate those things) around more strangers trying to find my way. They did not know me and I didn’t either. Inside of me, I knew I wanted more – I just did not know what it was. I had mentioned once out loud that I wanted to work in business – I did not know what kind of business. I was driven in that direction but after being told to get a real job and not waste my time. I did. I was like them in the rat race. Stuffing my dream deeper in my pocket.

My Belief was showing up

At 20 I wanted children – but was told I was too young and what did I know about raising a kid – I could not take care of myself. The baby that I miscarried was never mentioned again – it was not talked about – I was not allowed to talk about it or to cry over it. It was over. Move on. Be tuff. Grow the hell up.

Sowing more seeds

At 21 1/2 years old – I was divorced after 6 years of whatever that was called, a marriage or a cage. I was angry at the world and it was not going to get in my way! I spewed whatever I wanted to whoever I wanted and could care less if it hurt your feeling. Grow the hell up and get over it.

I ran head first into another relationship that poured more acid on the toxic waste that was on my shoes. Walking down a path that brewed more anger.

This sums up my worldview at the time.

Full of spit and vinegar I was living out what people expected me to be. Mean, Ornery and like them. On the inside I knew I was not like them and that was not who I was. I had no idea how to change the pattern. I was right dead smack in the middle of a pit with no ladder – no hand held out to pull me up. Since I was so close to the ground I dropped to my knees and looked up. I said, “God – if you can hear me then I need you to help me this is not the life I want.” – something twinge but I had no idea it was God. I walked on.

Ending another dead end relationship, jumping right into another one, this time it almost  took my life. I fell head over heels in love with the devil himself. I knew with every part of my being I did not need to be around this man. He scared me – he excited me – but I could not leave. Everyone had already told me I was wrong again and I was going to get what I deserved – so I waited for it to show up. Family members stopped talking to me and would act like I was not in the room. Church felt like I was choking so I stopped going, my friends were his friends, my life was a freaking mess. Then it happened – he hid my one year old son from me for over 15 hours. I quickly understood how psychosis felt in my patients. I also understood how women who had shot their husbands did it with the blank mug shot face.

My son arrived home safe and I was scared and angry. I wanted out – but again felt I was in a pit that was deeper than before. This time I had been abandoned from all the males in my family. I called no one, I stayed until he hit me so hard in my left eye that he lifted me off the ground. I left shoe marks 5 feet up on the white wall in the hallway – I remember falling what seemed like forever, but I do not remember hitting the floor. I was floating in time. Everything stopped but yet it felt like it was in slow motion. I tried to get up and saw the huge puddle of blood on the white carpet of the brand new house. He rolled me over and our eyes met. There was hate – anger, actually I saw fire. I opened my mouth to scream and I don’t know if anything came out. All sound was gone, I could hear nothing, but I felt the tears roll down my cheeks and I rose off the floor with such power that I swore someone picked me up. The rage that came out was that of 10 horses – I screamed and I made a promise that I have never gone back on. With the whole left side of my face swollen down to the middle of my neck – I had whip lash and blood pouring out my nose. I felt no pain, I felt no feelings, I had something pushing me out the door so fast I did not realize I had my son wrapped around my hips like he was super glued. No one touched me – no one said a word. They moved out of my way. My ass was out of there.

I got home, walked into my bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. My face was black and purple, my shirt covered in blood, my son looked as if he was so scared he would never speak again. I looked at that young girl straight in the eye. “You will never live like this again, you will not look back, I have no idea where you are going but it is not here.” I dropped to my knees and said, “God I know you are here – and I need you and tonight I need you to show up. The peace that fell over me was like a cool breeze – I held my arms out and allowed him to love me in the mess I was in and the tears fell – buckets full.

I picked up the phone and called the ones that had stopped talking to me. Within 6 hours the biggest U-haul I had ever seen showed up, my driveway filled with people I did not know. Women came in my kitchen and began loading boxes faster than I had ever seen anyone pack. Not one person mentioned my face – someone took my son because I could not remember when he had been fed or had a drink.

I drove out the driveway broken, crushed, and lost.

Somehow I knew what just happened was going to be used later in my life for the good…somehow.

Visions lead people

I still had the passion for business in my gut. I ran into an old acquaintance and she had a bottle of product she was selling she told me how she was making money selling them to people. It was my first exposure to marketing a multi-leveling company. I was in! I had no clue how to make it work and neither did my friend, but I was drawn to it. I stayed with the company for several years – making MM’s and gas money.

At 25 – I began working out in the gym – which lead me to a new group of people who needed my product. They all bought it. I began pumping iron and dispensing the anger inside onto the dumbbells all 30lbs as I curled them with each arm. One…two…three….four…. My body began taking on a new shape that brought a new confidence in myself.  I went on to try out for the gladiators in Nashville – I was toned packed with muscles and full of attitude. I never once thought they could beat me. I smiled at my competitor who was twice my size and grinned. My mind was set – I would have one of those uniforms.

I pushed – I pulled – I darted – I jabbed. I made the 2nd string.

I could see myself on a stage and I just guessed it was the gladiators – I never got the chance to use my 2nd string position. I did not care – I made it.

My focus, drive and vision pushed me to the level I was able to compete. It was never about moving onto the next level. It was about filling the desire that was brewing inside. From there I focused on running a 10K Classic, I did not want to win it – I wanted to finish. Out of 1500 people I did – #84. Another goal met – I felt confidence rise again.

Strength was growing on the inside.

What I had learned from a very rocky path were the things that I focused on – I got. Even the rocky relationships – they were what I felt like I deserved at that time. I was filling my belief. It took lots of tears, a few more back slides, and determination to know I was designed for more and what I deserved was to be live wild and bold like my God had designed me to be. He gave me the courage to move forward and knock the dust off my feet from the journey that was behind me. It took 16 more years before I could see through the fogged life that I had lived. I am no longer angry; I actually have the courage to thank the people in my past for pushing me out of that life so I can be who I am.

At  16 – 18 – 20 – 25 and now 45

I had people who loved me and supported me my whole life – but I shut them out. As a brewing volcano I was not looking for the positive in my life. Today, I am blessed! I have two healthy children, a wonderful husband, a home filled with peace and love, a job, a business, I am a published author, and I am headed in the direction bigger than my minds- eye because I am focused with a business coach in place to lead me down a path she / and he has already paved. I am not walking in the dark but full on in the light that was provided.

As a business owner – learning how to generate my own leads, write my own copy, lead a team full of business minds, speaking into the lives of other nurses in a place I wanted out of, I know how you feel – as you can see – I was once there. I felt like I had nothing to offer anyone else – I was not good enough. I remember telling my best friend at the time “I am going to be a millionaire someday – even though I had no idea how I am going to do that”. She laughed and so did I – except deep inside my gut I believed me.

I knew I had to change

I was drawn to the internet in 1996 – but not very many people were online yet. It was drawing me like a magnet.

After working with a few companies online, before I found one that I could relate to, the business journey began. I followed people who were leading with the business model to talk to more people and follow up on the phone. To be honest, I sucked at it. I made very little money.

I hired a coach, Sandi Krakowski, in 2011 for a full year and learned the skill of life/business coaching (to coach myself and others; to learn how to truly “listen” and connect with people, and to myself).

After my first six months with that coach I was clear on what my core values were; I was mindful of how to apply what I had learned in my own life; so I could attract the outcomes I sought.

Once again for 2012, I have hired two coaches Sandi and PJ McClure to continue growing personally and coaching my business.
It takes time, and I have lots to learn. I apply everything she teaches me – even when it makes no sense to me – the results show up. I apply it again. My business grows, so does my confidence. In 8 months I replaced half of my nursing income.

As I sit on my couch looking out the front windows I can look out across an open 17 acre field – in the distance the dogs are barking and the day is coming to a close. In the distance, is the world that is waiting for me, the same world that I despised at one time. The same one that I thought had nothing to offer for me.

As I reflect on my life I now know that with every painful wrong turn there is something to learn. Someone is out there waiting on me to grow .

My journey began 29 years ago

As I consider all the people touched by my decision to contribute rather than complain, I’m moved beyond measure by the potential I know is inside each and every one of you.

Everyone has value, and it can be expanded when you get in touch with your true self.

Everyone has a story to tell.

Everyone has life lessons to share.

Everyone has skills that can be repackaged to make a greater contribution; to make more money; but more importantly, to connect yourself with the world more closely.

P.S: Please leave a comment below – I would love to hear from you.


IMG005823 Discover your own valueAngela Brooks is a mental health nurse educator who spent the last 22 years working in a state funded mental hospital. In ‘A Nurses Story’, she shares not only what her patients have taught her over the years, but what we can all learn from those we consider ‘at the  margins of society’. But it’s also a book about nursing, about nurses, and about how a nurse healed alongside her patients. Ultimately, “A Nurses Story” exposes a raw truth – that each of us, individually, can inspire self-worth and purpose in every life we touch, if only we choose to.

What are nurses really thinking? What causes them to be frustrated and want to quit nursing even when they love taking care of people? What makes nurses stay, even when it feels like everything is against them?  In ‘A Nurses Story’, you’ll discover the answer.  

The words in this book give voice to the millions of men and women who care for us and our loved ones every day in our most vulnerable times.  ‘A Nurses Story’ is their story.

Jan 30
0

The ABCs of Getting Out Of The Rut, Tips and Lessons Learned From Names of Young Living Essential Oils

By | Dr Mary Starr, Mind and Soul, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 11 Comments

It’s been over five years since Pam’s husband left her. She started out working a 9-5 job and doing whatever she could to make extra money for herself and her two children.

It had been a struggle, looking at co-workers being promoted and not her. A good friend told her about getting new skills, taking care of her appearance, getting a new haircut and buying new sets of clothes.

Pam told herself over and over again…tomorrow… but tomorrow never came.

She is still struggling to love herself or to get a date. She was only 32 but felt like 49. Looking at her friends from a distance…getting all that they wanted…she felt, she was in a rut and not going anywhere…not living the life she once dreamt.

Why did she not want to change and take on a new way of living? Maybe get a new skill, learn a language, dye her hair and embrace the new?
Is she succumbing to doing the same things over and over again…hoping for something different to happen?

Some of us may relate to Pam’s story and feelings. Hoping for a change. It may never happen because being stuck in the same old ways of doing things and not rising above obstacles and challenges…will not create a different result.

Are you tired of doing the same things over and over again?

Are you expecting something different to happen in your life?

The first month of 2012 is over but we still have 11 more.

It has been a privilege to work with Young Living Essential Oils and many hard working, determined, focused and ambitious mompreneurs who stay at home, work part-time and some full-time.

Along the way, we meet some people like Pam that makes us ponder and evaluate on our own lives and feeling sad at the same time. We are definitely not perfect.

We do know what works…

Here are our ABCs tips and lessons of getting out of the rut and living a life that is different each year…to fulfill our dreams and our mission in life. We derived these lessons from Young Living Essential Oil’s names.

A: Acceptance, Awaken and Abundance  

Though these are names of Young Living Essential Oils, we can draw tips and lessons from them… to get out of the rut and create a different life this year.

Acceptance:

Most of us either have been given or have heard of Serenity Prayer. It says God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.

Some things in life cannot be changed like our height. But there are many that can be changed. Whatever can’t be changed, we must learn to accept.

The great success book called the Bible in James 1:5 said if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Question to ask: What can’t I change and what can I change? Write it down and appreciate them.

Awaken:

Some people are just not aware of the need to change and do things differently. We are sleep walking in our daily lives…we sleep walk to work, play and eat. Our potential is not awaken and our dreams may have been tucked away in one corner of our brain because of fears.

In order to live out of the rut, there needs to be an awakening. Recognize there may be a sleep walking lifestyle in us.

Question to ask: Am I a sleepwalking zombie? Do I lead my life daily without directions and a plan?

Abundance:

Marie, a user of Abundance oil shared this upon her return to the United States after living in France for a few years:

I love Young Living Essential Oils. I first learned about using oils for cures when I lived in France and a Doctor treated my neck pain with oils. Upon my return to the U.S., I learned about Young Living and ever since, I have used these oils every day!  

I am especially fond of Abundance, particularly in this time when the news tells us such bad news about lack. When I use the oils, I set my intention, which is easy to do with Abundance. I ask that abundance be provided to me in all areas of my life. When I smell this fabulous oil, I feel abundant and special.

Are we looking at half empty or half full glasses in our lives? There is a great difference how we view life. If we believe there is a lack, we will not attract abundance or fulfillment. Gratitude, purpose and hard work will promote abundance.

Question to ask: How healthy is my mind?

B: Believe, Brainpower

Believe:

Eleanor Roosevelt said the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.  

Even the Little Engine That Could had to remind himself, “I think I can, I think I can” as he climbed up the hill. We read the book when we were younger and believed everything was possible.

Question to ask: What happened to our belief?

Has negative people and circumstances led us to where we are today with unbelief?

Brain Power:

To give our brain a boost would require us to feed it with powerful words, lessons and experiences. Most of us only use less than 10% of our brain and leave 90% in idleness.

Many successful people and those who are going places and achieving their dreams know the importance of reading inspirational books and listening to motivational MP3s. Learn from someone who already succeeded in what you are trying to achieve.

Success breeds success…that is the only way to increase our brainpower!

Reading junk or not reading at all will not feed our brain, thus a powerless brain.

Question to ask: What am I feeding my brain daily?

C: Clarity, Common Sense

Clarity:

To get to our destination while driving, we need to have clarity of where we are going and the road system should not be blocked by traffic or constructions.
If there are roadblocks…we need alternative routes to get to the destination.

Imagine what would happen to your trip if the roads you needed to take were experiencing a heavy rainstorm and visibility was zero. You either get to your destination later or may have to reroute because of no clarity.

Or there is no clear direction to follow…no MapQuest, no proper road signs. Could we arrive at our destination?

Likewise in the journey of life, we need clarity…clarity of goals and purpose. Possibly a detour or alternative route.

Question to ask: Do you know what you want in life? Or are you living somebody else’s life?

Common Sense:

The Common Sense Essential Oil is known to enhance individual’s reasonable and rational decision-making abilities.

To get out of the rut we need to take steps to make it happen…it is common sense…we heard it before, use your common sense.

What happened to our common sense? Dwell in disbelief, lack of motivation, and no urgency and be complacent and settle.

Question to ask: Do you know your enemies? Those that are trying to hold you back and leave you in the rut?

Are you tired of doing the same old and expecting different results? Nothing will change if we don’t take the steps to make a change.

We would like to hear from you. Please join us in our Facebook community where we answer your questions everyday. Leave your comment below and let us know how we can further serve you.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Jan 26
0

Lessons and Blessings of Another Miscarriage

By | Body, Dr Mary Starr, Pregnancy, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Total Wellness Mom, Wellness Coaching | 12 Comments

We all have highs and lows in our life.  It is inevitable and it is life.  The lows of life are sad, tragic, depressing, and awful, right?  What if the lows of your life were actually blessings in disguise or experiences to help you grow?

My 2011 Christmas Holiday was spent in one of those blessings and lessons. On December 25th 2011 while everyone else was celebrating Christmas, I was learning that I needed immediate surgery.

The Highs
It all started with our 5-day vacation to Austin, Texas.  I was 12 weeks pregnant and besides a lot of fatigue, nothing was abnormal. It was an awesome vacation and Saturday December 17th was one of the top 12 days of my life.  Starting with a morning walk to a delicious Mexican Diner, followed by a trip to Zilker Park and a ride on the Zilker train, then off to the Austin Nature Center.  Austin was beautiful, but it was the family time that made it so special.

Then that afternoon my husband and I set out on a 90 minute journey in the Hill Country of Texas where we saw hundreds of little deer and spent quality time talking.  We arrived at the beautiful Meyer Bed and Breakfast, got ready and headed to one of the most special and beautiful weddings I had ever been too.  A day of family, fun, friends, and romance who could ask for more?

The Lows
The next morning, I had breakfast with some of my favorite people including my spiritual mentors Dr. Jack and Lavonne Atnip. We laughed and joked and shared stories of how much our lives have been blessed by this couple.  But somewhere, something inside of me wasn’t feeling right.  I was really tired and thought maybe I just ate too much cake.  As I kissed Dr. Lavonne goodbye she said, “you take care of yourself and get some rest.”  A normal, typical thing that someone would say to a pregnant woman, but something inside of me just didn’t feel right.

On the drive back to Austin, this once beautiful terrain made me nauseous and irritable.  We arrived home and I laid down to rest for a while, but I just couldn’t get comfortable.  My back ached, my legs felt weird, and then all of sudden I felt something coming out of me.  I rushed to the bathroom to see bright red blood.   OH NO not again.  Am I having a miscarriage?

My first trip to the Emergency since a car accident in 1997, confirmed that the baby inside of me had no fetal heartbeat and was only the size of a 6-week fetus even though now I was about 13 weeks pregnant. They said you are having a miscarriage. Then they sent me home to mis-carry my baby.

My husband and I were heart broken as we had gone through this in June of 2011 as well.  Our baby Rachel would have been born January 2012 and now our baby Jesse who would have been born June 30th 2012 was going to heaven too.

But as I said before, I trusted God completely and knew He had His reasons. So although sad, I started to see the blessings in it.

The Blessings

God had given me one of the most amazing days of my life.

He gave our family time to be “on vacation” for 3 weeks.

He ordained 2 weeks with my aunt and uncle who cared and nurtured me, my husband and our 22 month old son Joshua in a wonderful and loving way.

God blessed us with 3 weeks of sun and springtime weather.

I got to go heal for a week at Jones Health Essentials in Florida where I got to spend quality time with our in-laws, nieces and nephews.

We had excellent health insurance for the first time in 15 years.

We were 5 minutes away from one of the best hospitals I had ever been to.

I spent several days in the bathroom bleeding and what I thought was miscarrying my baby.  Me, being a strong willed and natural Doctor, I sometimes think I know everything.  I thought I was fine… but I wasn’t. It’s not that I didn’t listen to my body which I am known to do… but I didn’t follow the doctor’s directions…  right away…  and had I waited much longer, I might have lost my life.

The Lessons and more Blessings:

My Ego for natural medicine was so big, I would brag all the time that I haven’t needed to take any drug or even an aspirin in 11 years.  A part of me thought “I will never need medical care”, “I will never need drugs.”  “essential oils can take care of everything”.

Well I sure learned my lesson.

A second emergency room visit on Christmas day showed that I would need immediate surgery or I would risk never having babies again or worse.

I would need anesthesia for this surgery and the thought of surgery and drugs scared me a lot at first.  I was very frightened and then like a blanket of snow, this PEACE fell over me like you can’t imagine.  (more on that in another blog)

 The Blessings and Lessons of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center  

For more than 13 years I have interned, taught and/or assisted clients at more than 17 hospitals all over the United States, including top ranked hospitals like Stanford.  Out of 17 hospitals, I have never seen the excellent care and outstanding service that St. David’s South Austin Medical Center had.  In all areas, they were excellent from registration to wheeling you out the door.

Have you ever been to an ER that was beautiful and clean, quick, comfortable, and had courteous staff?   St. David’s did.

But it was my experience with the Doctors and Nurses who blessed me the most.

Dr. Glen, the ER doc, was compassionate and kind.

Joyce, my hospital room nurse was attentive, listened, and even let me put some essential oils on to relax.

Nancy, my OR nurse, talked with me while I had a 20 minute wait before being wheeled into surgery.

I was blessed with one of the best anesthesiologist in the state who listened to me and respected my wishes.

But the most outstanding doctor I have had the privilege to work with was Dr. Hemkumar, a female OBGYN who performed the surgery.  She spent time talking with us, explaining the procedure, answering our questions.  She had been a doctor in India delivering hundreds of babies and then went back to school here in the US for medicine again.  She had 2 of her own children and really understood motherhood. She was compassionate, personable and really connected with her patients.  I was blessed by her skill and person and St. David’s is highly blessed to have her on staff.

The Lesson I Learned Through the Blessing of St David’s Hospital is that we all are needed.  Nature’s medicine as well as traditional medical intervention.  Had I not had my medical intervention on December 25th 2011 and the excellent care of St. David’s Hospital, I may not be here to talk to you now.

After spending a day and a half at St. David’s hospital, I checked out okay to go back to my aunt’s to rest and heal.  But before we left, a wonderful volunteer named Francesca came to wheel me downstairs.  She was an elderly woman who had lost her husband and daughter, yet was one of the most pleasant person you have ever met.  I realized then that life would be filled with highs and lows. But even with hurting hearts, we can choose happy.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Jan 16
0

Your Mindset May Determine Your Bank Account and Total Wellness

By | Mind and Soul, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 5 Comments

I was watching Extreme Home Makeover “The Gibbs family” when I was overtaken by emotion. Six kids raised by a mom who suffered 5 brain aneurysms 6 months after her husband passed away. The house was falling down with ceilings that were rotted, flies everywhere, and 2 of the kids had to sleep on the coaches.  It was a visual picture of poverty that made me cry for 20 minutes.

Then, Wednesday I was driving to work and there was a kid pushing a kid in a stroller.  The taller, maybe 15 years old, was in a dirty jacket, old shoes and filthy pants and toddler being pushed in the stroller had 3 days worth of dirt and food on her face, one shoe missing, and an old coat.  Now I know poverty doesn’t always look dirty but sadly, this isn’t uncommon in my town of less than 12,000 people. There are 4,000 living in poverty.  The behavior, appearance, and attitudes of poverty mentality is all over.  Rude language and manners, apathy, violence, destruction, lack of respect for authority, lack of respect for education, lack of respect of property, and dishonor.

Now saying that… I myself have lived in poverty. Even when I started earning 2 times the amount of the average person, I still lived with poverty mentalities of no respect for my property, spending more than I earned, and relying on someone else or system to fix it. (MY Credit Cards)

Even though I have made a lot of progress, I still have a ways to go.  As we go into another year I think it is important for all of us to check ourselves for Poverty Roots and if you have a passion for helping those in Poverty, I encourage you not only to work on yourself, but also read the rest of the blog and tell us what you think of my opinion.

What does living in poverty financially look like?  In my town for a family of 3, it is  $18,310 a year.  Let’s think about that? If a mom has kids and stays home to watch them and the dad works to pay rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, insurance and any other necessities that is only about  $1,525 a month…. that is about $9 an hour working 40 hours a week at a minimum wage job or $12 an hour working a “Part Time Walmart job” of about 30 hours a week.

Could someone survive with that minimum standard? Let’s See

Here are some stats for my town of about what things cost (conservative estimates):

Rent (2 bedroom apartment): $500
Transportation (cheap car payment and gas): $250
Car Insurance: $75
Groceries: $250
Utilities: $125
Health Care Insurance: $300  (low estimate)
Miscellaneous: $50

= $1550   Therefore, this family would fall short of the minimum of $25 every month as long as they don’t buy anything else and nothing else happens that requires money.

But I know what you are thinking already! You are saying, “Mary, you know as well as I do that most people living in poverty get public assistance”. Yes you are correct, but let’s talk about Assistance THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

Housing assistance  – People need shelter especially in my town where it snows 8 months of the year.

Downside – Accountability of care and who lives in the homes is limited. Most of the time either landlords don’t put any effort into making the homes clean and comfortable or the tenants dirty and destroy the property. (My opinion, remember)

Food assistance – Food Stamps, Food Pantries, Food Banks Women and Infant Food and Formula all important and needed.  Hunger is still a problem especially in children here and all over the world.

Downside – Fresh foods are very rare at food banks, which contain the highest nutrition content and for Food Stamps assistance, there is no regulation of what foods you can or should buy. The cashiers at our local grocery store inform me that I would get sick watching kids and adults with food stamps purchasing Monster Energy Drinks and carts full of junk food.  Did you know that Bakeries can even take food stamps.  A local Buffalo, NY Bakery makes $100 birthday cakes for individuals who pay in food stamps. Our Women and Infant food program limits what formulas they disperse so if a baby requires a certain brand because of digestive complaints the woman will have to pay for it.  Sadly our local food stamp system is abused further when those incarcerated and fed 3 square meals a day are still accumulating food stamp credits.  One local man was able to use over $1000 dollars of food stamps when he was released from 100 days in jail.

Money assistance  – I don’t know all the facts of our local Department of Social Services but I do know they have benefits for emergencies, babysitting, rent etc.

Downside- Don’t know a lot, but recently an 18 year old unstable new mom who had a stable home with her mother, and who was assisting in the care of her child, decided she would much rather go live in an apartment with her boyfriend.  2 months later because of the money assistance they get, she lives in a small apartment with her boyfriend receiving almost $1300 in money, housing and food assistance.

My good friend who is single and works her butt off in a home business 20 hours a week and working a 20 hours a week job makes $35,000 a year and complained to me that the store employees earn more than her a year with their government assistance and food stamps and just working 15 hours a week for minimum wage and having several kids.  The comment made by these women were “why would we want to work more when the government has provided nicely for us…”

I was on government assistance for a short period of my life… and I admit, I did once buy almost $80 dollars on a birthday cake and junk food for a party I had.  I admit it.  But there was a greater part of me that wanted to be done with that, that was ashamed but even more, wanted to have something greater for my life.

This year I got to work with 3 individuals in serious poverty.  One young 21 year old man who had been in and out of correctional institutions since he was 14 years of age. The others were a 50 year old mom and her 15 year old daughter who had such bad financial skills that they had moved over 30 times, including shelters, in her daughters lifetime.  The mom was obsessed with her appearance and was proud of the fact she was still stripping at a local strip club every week.

After many conversations with these individuals I learned that it is the MINDSET that needs to be changed starting in the youth if we are to change our community.
Making Assistance programs stricter with drug testing and more accountable is very important, but until we change the MINDSET of the individuals we cannot change their outcomes.

My husband grew up in poverty and yet he is one of the most successful people I know.  Why?  Because his mom instilled a strong work ethic, responsibility, honor, and God into his heart.  Although she qualified, she could not use public assistance because it was shameful to her. So later in Jay’s life when he was very, very poor, he would eat people’s 8 day leftovers and crackers, walk 10 miles to work, do extra jobs to just keep his head above water. Today he is an IT Analyst and owns two Small Businesses.

Working with these individuals this summer, I learned that both the 21 year old and the 15 year old were spoiled as children. The 15 year olds mom didn’t have money but she gave into her every whim.  Today you can still see her throwing a tantrum at 15 and the 50 year old acting like her sister and not her mom.  These two have a mindset of ME mentality and an I Deserve it Mentality which ultimately I believe will lead to their destruction.

But the biggest thing I learned from these individuals this summer besides how not to raise children was that if we want to change our community, if we want to change Poverty, we have to change the MINDSET more than their Bank Account.

How can we change Mindsets about Poverty? Well I do believe some Community organizations are on the right paths. They are starting with young children and youths to instill compassion, encouragement, and skills that will let them rise up.

If you want to see some examples of this, take 40 minutes and watch this Secret Millionaire show with my friend Dani Johnson.  I especially liked the Music Program for youth in poverty.

Let me know how you think we can change Poverty.  Please your comment below. Thank you for reading to my opinion.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

 

Jan 09
0

Happy Marriage and Total Wellness Through Relationship Counseling

By | Marriage, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 8 Comments


I look around the room of this small church and thought to myself: Wow, there are a lot of happy couples here.  I was at a wedding of a good friend and I couldn’t help but laugh at all the couples in the room, who if you didn’t know any better you would think all of them just got married.  Laughter, happiness, kisses; looks of endearment, joy, and passion were present throughout that room.

Why were all these couples so happy? Let me share their secret.

75% of the couples in the room have invested into programs and or counseling that helped them learn to communicate with each other better, love each other deeper, get over some past hurts, deal with current stressors in their relationships, and learn to be a better spouse.

This may sound kind of strange to you or maybe you have had marriage counseling in the past.  I am pretty open that I have a session with my marriage counselor every month not because I am struggling in marriage but because I want to keep my marriage happy and improve my skills.  It is a significant investment of money and my time but IT IS WORTH IT!

So the morning after the wedding I had breakfast with a group of couples from the wedding.  I had to laugh because; all of us have been counseled by the same counselors, Dr. Lavonne and Jack Atnip.  Here are some of their stories:



This year think about making a New Year’s Resolution to improve your marriage. You might end up happier than you ever thought you could be. Please leave your comment below and let us know your thoughts.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Jan 05
0

How to Raise Responsible Children with Clear Boundaries in an Entitlement Era

By | Kids, Nutritional Supplements, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness Mom | 5 Comments

Can indulging too much and giving too much spoil our children? We know there is not a complete parenting manual out there in the marketplace today. Sometimes parents follow the steps in a parenting book and still find it frustrating to have failed in some areas. Me too.

With modern conveniences, busy lifestyles, overscheduled children and demands from every area…are we aware of what is important? How can we cut through the noise and distractions and focus on raising responsible children who know their boundaries? Establishing boundaries that encourage and promote freedom to be who they are designed to be?

When my daughter was four, I brought her to a dance studio against her will. Then she turned five, I sent her for piano lessons because almost everyone was doing that. When she was seven, it was time for violin. The ‘well-intended’ activities turn into family feuds when the ‘good daughter’ would not practice or hated piano and violin.

In frustration I yelled across the soccer field to my husband, “Look, she is just standing at the soccer field, not kicking the ball!” We have come a long way, in fact seven years of ‘remodeling our parenting skills’. Through mistakes and many frustrations, we have enforced certain rules upon ourselves (the parents) and now the children are less scheduled and are very much growing in the way they should go….

Realize parenting is about our own personal growth, boundaries and our own lifestyle. After all, children look up to us and are modeling what we are doing. Now, we believe in parenting like a mentor, a coach who does the very things expected from the children. Now we have authority, as we model and live life with honesty and boundaries…raw in front of our children.

These are seven ways we are teaching responsibilities and boundaries:

1.    Learn to do things on your own. We can show you once or twice. Then you have to take over and do it yourself. There is a difference between a close relationship with my children and dependency. They are to do assigned housework and clean their bathrooms. “Live with your own trash if you want to” philosophy. I don’t want an adult child that depends on me to provide or do certain things for them.
2.    Learn that life is not a bed of roses. Life can be difficult and has obstacles. I share with them the obstacles I’m facing and how certain things that were expected did not turn out the way I wanted.
3.    Learn to cope with disappointment, struggles and unhappy situation. Life is not always a happy time and easy time. However, we can command our soul to be happy and cope with the disappointment.
4.    Learn to work and move forward. We are made to work, for nothing will drop from the sky. Nice things cost money to buy. You need to make the money to support the lifestyle you want.  There is a big difference between a Bugatti and a Toyota made car.
5.    Know there are consequences to everything. There is no bailing out in our family when enough warnings are given about the consequences of certain actions or behavior.
6.    Curb the need for immediate gratification. With lots of conveniences it is easy to feed ourselves and get immediate gratification for almost anything. They are told the difference between convenient food and food made from scratch.
7.    Our children want to be treated well and respected. They are watching us. Do we respect spouse, friends, co-workers, and ourselves and ultimately do we respect them?

I believe the English idiom the apple never falls far from the tree says a lot about parenting responsible children. The bible says train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

This year, what words are you speaking over yourselves and your children? Questions to help us move forward:

1.    Do we have an entitlement mentality? For example, I deserve to have a healthy body without putting some work in getting nutritional food into my body.
2.    Do you procrastinate on projects? For example, are you still waiting for the right time to get a home business going. There is no perfect or right time. The time is now.
3.    Are you waiting for the government to make your life better? For example, you are waiting for a pay raise and you have not increased your skills for the last 20 years. You are using the same skill 19 times over without new skills.

If the answers are yes, we need a change. Do you have children that have similar traits as the three illustrations above? I am still learning and growing in these areas and making sure I follow through. To raise responsible kids, I have to be a responsible adult.

To have a healthy body, I put clear boundaries to differentiate between the good nutritional food and supplements and the bad. Please leave us a comment below. We would like to hear from you.

Claudia Looi is a copywriter, travel and web content writer. She’s dedicated herself to helping entrepreneurs create their online presence with email campaign, sales page and web content. A writer and traveler who has lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and New York in the travel industry for over 12 years and has had the luxury of traveling to almost 30 countries. Currently, her works include writing for tour operators, hotels, real estate, wellness and immigration consulting industries. When not working, you will find her reading or planning her next family trip with her husband and two teens.

Jan 02
0

Top 10 Tips to Keeping a Food and Nutritional Journal for Total Wellness

By | Nutritional Supplements, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 7 Comments

Top 10 Tips to Keeping a Food and Nutritional Journal for Total Wellness

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Now that the celebrations are over, lots of us have eaten quite a bit more than usual in special family meals with cookies, pudding and pies. While we put away our Christmas decorations…the last thing we may want to know is to start a food and nutritional journal.

We may find ourselves drifting through life year after year with no personal agenda when it comes to food and nutrition. It seems like there is no sense of direction about food until we hear of some crisis… health related.

“I eat good.”  “My diet is healthy”  ” We don’t eat out at all.”  These are some common things I hear when working with Health Coaching clients and then I have them keep a Food diary and we enter into a tracking system that tells us how much real nutrition they are getting every day…

The result of 90% of clients is a wake up call to see how they are really eating.  Most people don’t realize that even when we are eating healthy we may not be getting enough nutrition.  

We have had pregnant moms and entire families think that they were eating only healthy foods to do this tracking and then realize they were still lacking some key nutrition.

It’s easy to forget about ourselves, particularly, giving attention to our food and nutritional intake. However, the new year can be a time to take a look deeply and time to bring out a “compass”…a flow chart, a cheat sheet, a journal…whatever we call it…let’s take control of our total wellness by keeping a food and nutritional journal this new year.

Here are 10 tips to help you jumpstart with a journal:

1.    Start small. Remember the question how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. It is the same for starting a food journal. You start by taking small steps… you learn about food and nutrition while you journal. Write down what you eat for breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner.
2.    Know your portions. We tend to eat bigger portions than we need. We can start by making our serving a little smaller each day. Instead of a baseball size meal, change it to a tennis ball size and eventually to a golf ball size. To assist with the visual serving size, get three of these balls and let them remind you of your portions.
3.    Commit to reading and motivating yourself. Reading inspirational books like biographies and motivational books can help re-access our lives and change our outlook. Books are able to open doors for us to a world outside our own. For example, reading a book about Helen Keller who was blind and deaf. Her stories will inspire us to look beyond obstacles and limitations.
4.    Plan your meal. A week with planned meals can help save money, time and help us eat healthier. If you plan your meal for the week, you will know exactly what you are having for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is no second-guessing; you know how to balance your meal with proteins, carb, vegetables and fruits.
5.    Create balance. Have time for work, play and enjoy your meal. Time for quietness just by yourself or just meditate and journaling. A food and nutritional journal can be combined with your journey about your life. This includes writing your thoughts for the day along with the food you enjoy.
6.    Drink tea. A food journal does include your beverage and water intake. Drinking tea is a way to relax. Young Living has created a wonderful tea called Slique that has anti-oxidant value of green tea and help curb appetite. Have a cup before your meal each day. The English enjoy their afternoon teatime for a reason. This could be a well planned day for relaxation and satisfying your appetite.
7.    Set free. Holding grudges and unforgiveness can obstruct our growth. To achieve total wellness, we need to forgive. Forgive ourselves, our loved ones and set our spirit free. Forgiveness Oil by Young Living helps while you are taking steps to forgive yourself and others who have hurt you. There is nothing more freeing than to power forgiveness.
8.    Don’t stay idle. Idleness may lead to boredom and lack of purpose that eventually leads us to nowhere. It can be a time-waster and energy sucker. When we make an effort to build relationship with people, take time to exercise and journal, we place our energy on achieving something that will give us a sense of purpose.
9.    Have a routine. Remember when our kids were babies? We set them up with a routine for nap, feeding and bathing. A routine helps children know what to expect at a certain time. Likewise, as adults with routines, we are able to expect ourselves to perform certain task. Setting up a daily routine requires a to-do-list. A to-do-list will help us track our time and also help us to have discipline to track our food and nutrition.
10.    Get the journal and start writing. The journal can be any writing material that suits you. It may even be an excel sheet on your laptop. The key is to get going. Write down what you had for the day, why you eat it and how you feel and what are you going to improve or eliminate. Oftentimes, with an accountability partner we can create and stay with a new habit.

These are 10 tips to help you start a food and nutrition journal for 2012. Remember to add nutritional supplement to your diet from Young Living Essential Oil. What better way to start creating a healthier you now?

Here is a bonus tip: An easy way to track your nutrition is to use the free site SparkPeople. Although it will take you about 5-10 minutes to set up and an additional 5-10 minutes a day it is an easy way to track your results everyday.

Let us know how we can assist you. Every Tuesday we have free one Hour Total Wellness Coaching. Please join us and let us answer your questions. Please leave your comment below.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Dec 29
0

An Exercise to Help You Review Your Year

By | Mind and Soul, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 5 Comments

This is the last week of the year and it is a great time to reflect on 2011. This exercise might take a few hours, a few days, or even an entire week but it will be worth it.   This exercise has helped me and many others move from just so so happy with our lives or marriages to creating lives we only dreamed of.  So are you ready?

First thing:

Turn off the TV, get away from distractions and get out your calendar or planner and starting with January you write down some of the highlights, special events, things that you learned, ways you grew, life lessons etc. Go week by week, month by month moving closer to the end of the year.

Second Thing:
Now that you have everything written down go back and highlight the real important things of your year.  The things that really stick out to you.

Third Thing:
Now it’s gratitude time.  With another highlighter or you may even re-write them out highlight or mark everything you are grateful for.  Remember even life’s hard lessons always have a purpose.

Now for some of us, we may really need to spend a lot of time in gratitude.  Reviewing looking at our accomplishments, sharing them with others who are good listeners or friends and basking in this peaceful place for a few days or the rest of the week. When you feel really GRATEFUL for your year (not just part of it but ALL OF IT) then you can move forward.

After you have gone through your year, focused on what you are grateful for now it’s time to take a hard look at your development and growth. They say if you are not growing your rotting.  I don’t know about you but I don’t like to rot.

Fourth Thing:
What new things did you try or skills did you develop with your parenting, marriage, job, or business?  Did you give it your best shot?  Are you still working on those things?  Are you still doing the same techniques and tools you did 3 years ago or 2 relationships ago and they just aren’t working?  I know change is difficult but right now you need to know if what you are doing has been productive, positive, or beneficial to you.

Remember sometimes change can be subtle.  We all want instant gratification. We want to start a new way of eating, parenting, doing our business, or thinking and have instant results.  Give yourself a break if you didn’t see dramatic results.  Do you still feel you are moving forward?  Most growth and change comes from consistent work, changing our thinking and speaking patterns, and getting to the roots of what caused our problems in the first place.

Okay that’s enough for this week.  Next month we will have some more good content on techniques and tools to help you improve your health and happiness in all areas of your life.

Remember if you don’t take a good look at your year you may end up spending this next year learning the same lessons, not seeing the positive, not being grateful and worst of all being in a rut for 2012.  I don’t want that for you or me.

I believe you can have the best year of your life.  It will take some work but I am here for you and we can work together to bring Total Wellness to 2012 in all areas of your life! Please leave your comment below.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Dec 19
0

How To Achieve Total Wellness Through Simplicity

By | Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness | 7 Comments

How To Achieve Total Wellness Through Simplicity

Sometimes it takes a catastrophic experience to make us realize what is important in life. Life is actually not so complicated if we see it with a different pair of eyes.

I was raised in simplicity. Our home was just the usual table, chairs and some necessities. There were no clutter and fancy things. But I changed.
Soon the house of simple became a house full of things to sell when it was time to move. The $15 Pooh bear was worth $1 in our moving sale, the $20 table lamp was on the curb to be picked up by a passerby or the garbage man. Some big items and random things were sent to Goodwill.

When I did the calculations, those knick knacks were worth thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours shopping and hunting. Most were worth close to nothing at the moving sale.

Did I learn after the move? Not really…

After moving to Florida, instead of accumulating knick knacks, I started accumulating real estate since the crowds were doing so. News of so-and-so just made $35,000 flipping a house without money down and another was making a ‘killer deal’ in Arizona. With a little coaching from a guru, I did my due diligence and went for the ‘killer deal’ as well.

2008 came…

I was sitting with a few hundred hungry men and women in Pittsburgh listening to a millionaire, who once was homeless and had $2.03 to her name. She said, “The majority is always wrong. Go the opposite direction… (Paraphrased)”.

Here is a millionaire, living a simple lifestyle, traded her big mansion for a cookie cutter home and discovered her destiny. She was on a quest to help set free those who were in debt and to live a life of freedom.

Something changed inside of me…
I was on a quest to simplify my life to achieve total wellness since that day.

Here are 5 tips to help simplify your life:
1.    Know who you are and your purpose in life. Once I discovered my purpose in life, things do not appeal to me any longer. I started journaling and discovering myself. I went deep into my inner core and faced myself. It is not pretty sometimes but if we want to know who we are and our purpose, we have to go to the secret places and deal with our feelings, insecurities and desires. I know God has a plan for me and I set out to discover and let him take control while I did the work.
2.    Write it down and set a budget. I’m sure you have heard that “B” word all the time in financial advisor books or websites. I used to hate that word when my husband mentioned it. It felt restrictive and overwhelming. But, I am a recovered shopaholic and know the freedom of setting a budget and tracking all expenditures. I keep a list of things to buy even for the grocery shopping. No more seven different breakfast items in my pantry and four different frozen breakfast items.
3.    Have your spouse and children on the same quest. Sometimes your spouse or children may not agree with your new way of living. I believe in living by example. If we show up with a great attitude and live the life we set out to live and do the things we said we are going to do…these are more powerful than words. Nothing is more fulfilling than having your family members agreeing with your quest to simplify your lifestyle and home.
4.    See the needs of others. We live in a blessed nation. Despite the news about the economy, we have plenty compared to some of our brothers and sisters across the globe. With a heart of gratitude and eyes that see beyond ourselves and giving to charitable organizations, we may gain different outlooks on our things. In my travels, I’ve seen and experienced lavish lifestyle and also seen the impoverished. With careful planning and giving, we can see the fruits of our giving and may be motivated to help the needy instead of buying stuff that don’t add value to us.
5.    Surround yourself with like-minded people. Keeping up with the Joneses will not bring fulfillment. This phrase never existed until the 70s. But that does not mean our grandparents or parents were any different when it came to wanting to be accepted by their peers or keeping up with their peers. If our peers are not supporting our new lifestyle, we need to hang-out with a different group. Read motivational books that can keep you on track with your chosen lifestyle.

The word ‘simplicity’ is defined as the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do…unpretentiousness and naturalness (Dictionary.com).
It encompasses our mind, body and soul, which is our whole being. I discovered once we took control of our spending and set boundaries with our money, it set me free to look deep into myself and take proper actions to improve my total being, thus total wellness.

As I am still learning the art of simplicity, I am selling my home, putting a lot of great ‘stuff’ on eBay for sale and cleaning up every room including the garage. My house is less cluttered and creativity flows.

The Chinese believes in Feng Shui….which to me means an uncluttered life and not too much ‘stuff’ which may bring obstructions to the flow of energies in our home.

Can you envision an uncluttered lifestyle….simplicity may not be for everyone. It does not mean not having stuff you like and enjoy. It means instead of having five, settle for one. That is my way of achieving total wellness, freedom and increasing creativity in my work and maintaining stronger mind, body and soul. To top it up, I am a user of Young Living Essential Oils and a Ningxia Red drinker. I believe in investing into my skills and journeying through life with a mentor in health, life and business.

I wish you well…Please leave your comment below. We love to hear from you.

Claudia Looi is a copywriter, travel, web content writer and manages blogs for several businesses. She has lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and New York in the travel industry for over 12 years and has had the luxury of traveling to almost 30 countries. Currently, her works include writing for tour operators, hotels, real estate, wellness and immigration consulting companies. When not working, you will find her reading or planning her next family trip with her husband and two teens. You can find her at Travel Writing Pro. Feel free to download her free report on How to Live Out of Your Suitcase for  a WEEK!

Dec 15
0

Dealing with the Stressors of the Holidays

By | Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 5 Comments

Dealing with the Stressors of the Holidays
Dr. Mary Starr Carter

In 2004 a survey by the American Psychological Association discovered that the
Top 4 Stressors of the Holidays include:

61% Lack of Money

42% Pressures of Gift Giving

34% Lack of Time

23% Credit Card Debt

Now as it is 2011 and we have gone through several economical crisis I can imagine this is a lot worse.

Lack of Money, Pressures of Gift Giving, Credit Card Debt   
There has been many a year that my husband and I got each other nothing for Christmas simply because we could not afford it.  But truly some of my best memories came from those years.

Know what you can afford and what you can’t 

By planning months in advance, setting money aside or planning a budget you will cut down on the stress.  Don’t budge on your budget no matter how cute that dress would be for your grand daughter.

I love my nieces and nephews but everything I have ever gotten them has been destroyed, lost, or forgotten in about 3 months.  So I stopped getting them things.   I know this was probably not the best way to do it, but I don’t get gifts for Christmas, Holidays, or Birthdays.  Rather than spend 20-30 dollars 2 times a year I would rather invest that money and give it to them when there is a greater need like a new home, a school investment or an investment in their skill development (this isn’t always college).   I know my family and friends were a little ticked off at first, but had I had to do it over again I would say __________ Jay and I have decided that instead of getting you lots of little things that some day when you are bigger and have proven yourself to be responsible with money we will invest to help you in your life.

Just think if you are having to buy gifts on credit at say 18% interest you are not only going to save on the $20 dollar gift but on average another $6 dollars on top of that.  If you have 6 nieces and nephews then you are saving close to $50 in interest. (Based on the average debt payoff schedule of 4.5 months)

Young children really don’t need anything new unless it is a necessity.  This year my husband and I won’t purchase anything for our 20-month-old son except a memorable ornament we will do each year of his life.  We got some hand me down toys and have requested our family (really my mom who has a tendency to go overboard) to get recycled or second hand gifts.  Kids grow out of clothes and toys so why not re-use and recycle. Did you know the textile industry is the 3rd leading polluter of our world?

In bigger families talk about a Secret Santa with a spending limit, and gift request.  Everyone puts on paper what there name and a gift they want that is approximately that spending limit.  Not only will you save money not having to buy for everyone but you also will have a gift you actually want.

Lack of Time  
This is my favorite subject to talk to others about because I am a very busy businesswoman and mom but I have learned to prioritize the important things and delegate the things that make me unhappy. This year I asked my husband to give me 3 gifts my carpets cleaned, my cellar organized, and my blender fixed.  Now he is very busy too, so I asked him to delegate.  For less than $300 dollars we not only are getting all that stuff done but our entire house cleaned too.  WAHOOO!!!  Someone needed money for Christmas and we needed help.

Ask for help.  You may have an elderly aunt who might help make cookies for you, or watch your kids for free.  Or you can find a friend or family member who needs some extra Christmas money and pay them to help you. Delegation is sooooooo wonderful.  It takes loads off your shoulders if done right.

Also make sure you don’t plan too much during the holidays.  If you have a blended family you can always celebrate your Christmas on another date.  Dragging your kids all over isn’t fun for them.  Believe me.   Make it a Christmas week where you go to visit a different family member each day, spend quality time with them when you are with them, and celebrate your Christmas together on any day.

Dealing with Conflict
I don’t think there is any family who doesn’t have conflict at the holidays.  But how you deal with it cannot only relieve stress for you but for everyone.  Here are some examples.

Jessica has an estranged daughter that only comes around during the holidays.  Her daughter thinks that Christmas is an invitation to eat all the food and demand the most gifts for her children.  The daughter doesn’t have transportation so Jessica and her husband have to go get the kids in two separate trips because the girls are so big.  It finally got to the point that their presence was ruining everyone else’s holiday. So Jessica decided what she could do and what she couldn’t.  She purchased gifts and a Christmas dinner for her daughter brings it to them in the early afternoon stays to spend time with the family and then leaves to go enjoy her Holiday IN PEACE.

Sarah has a son in law who makes everyone want to get up and leave the dinner table when he starts talking politics.  He gets everyone so heated that people literally will walk out.  Although a quiet and reserved woman Sarah sat down with her son in law and told him that he was not allowed to talk politics and some other subjects in her home.  She loved him but this was not time for that.  He honored her request mostly and the holidays have been special ever since.

Lastly there will always be son in laws who don’t listen, uncles who drink too much and people who put their foot in their mouth. You may not be able to control them but you can control how you respond.

And my last hint for you on Stressful family events are to make sure you are oiled up with your Peace and Calming and Stress Away.  Inhale them frequently during those times and see how your body just relaxes even amongst the angst and chaos around you.

Take time for yourself
The Christmas holiday should always include a time for you.  Take a half-day to pamper you.
Ask a friend, spouse, parent or in law who normally get’s you a gift and watches your children to give you that gift this year.  Say

“ __________ What I really would like for Christmas this year is a day to myself.   I know this may be a bit forward but instead of getting me a gift this year would you mind taking the kids for the day so I can relax by myself.”

Some of you may have to force yourself to do this, but it is important to take time for you!

God Bless your Holiday Season.  Make a happy, healthy and the least stressful year yet!  Please leave your comment below. We love to hear from you.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Dec 12
0

How I Got Pregnant After a Miscarriage

By | Nutritional Supplements, Pregnancy | 10 Comments

How I got Pregnant after a Miscarriage
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter  

I have heard many clients say that their sickness, health challenge or even cancer was the best thing that ever happened to them.  For me it was my miscarriage.  It woke me up to the years that I neglected some fundamental things in my health.  Years that I would say starting next month I will get in shape, tomorrow I will go to the gym.  I just couldn’t get into a consistent rhythm.

My miscarriage gave me a desire to get my body fit again.  To take off years of build up I call it.  And when I started walking down that path to Total Wellness that’s when I got pregnant again.

Here is what I did to get my body back to Health and pregnant again.    

My Immune System
About several days after the miscarriage my body went into full-blown allergic state.  I was having some really severe allergies for weeks afterwards.  I had to pull out the big guns of what I knew of nutritional wellness, eating and drinking water like never before.  I know it was foundational for my recovery.  I talk more about what I did specifically for my allergies in my Ebook Natural Remedies for Allergies located at The Total Wellness Library.

There are many theories that Fibromyalgia starts from a traumatic event in a person’s life.  Fibromyalgia is usually a breakdown of the immune system along with debilitating pain.  I believe had I not recovered myself properly from my miscarriage I could have ended up with Fibromyalgia symptoms down the road.

Nutrition and Food:
The second week after my miscarriage I got out the old juicer and started juicing everything from cherries to veggies and even some special liver support veggie blends.  I know this started to re-fortify and heal my body.  I was also on a juice fast the week after I conceived so this baby started with some mega doses of natural vitamins and minerals.

I also started to eat very regularly having a shake within an hour of waking up and another healthy breakfast a few hours later. A light lunch and sensible dinner and if I needed it some healthy snacks or another shake throughout the day.  I wasn’t so concerned with losing weight as of getting my blood sugar and body back in balance.

Rest:
I didn’t rest enough during my first pregnancy with my son Joshua and that led to some poor health physically and emotionally for almost a year.  After my miscarriage I allowed my body to rest every day. Sleeping until I woke up, and taking a nap most days.

When I found out I was pregnant I also let myself rest extra. My body was tired from the changes and growing a baby. This time I am doing my best to listen to it and rest when I feel I need it.  This also means I have slowed my pace some, got extremely focused in what I do, and I am not taking on anything new.

So many times we just go on with life when we get a cold, have a set back or even have a miscarriage. Resting and allowing the body to recover is important.

But with that said too much rest can be harmful.  With my first son I was sitting or lying down a lot in the last trimester.  It was winter I could work from home on the computer but all that sedentary living I lost a lot of muscle, which was replaced with fat.

Because I spent over a month on mostly bed rest before my miscarriage I lost a lot more strength.  I couldn’t even carry my 25lb son up and down the stairs afterwards.  That loss of strength not only weakened me physically but emotionally as well.  You can fall into a very dark place where you just don’t have the strength to get going to do anything.

Exercise and Building Strength:
If I could say the one thing that was life changing after my miscarriage was the Strength building exercises I did.  Chalene Extreme it is called and it kicked my butt back into shape.  In 30 days I lost over 20 % body fat.  It pushed me farther than I had pushed myself in years.  I was stronger than I had ever been and the endorphins really knocked me out of a depression.

I let it go for a while after finding out I was pregnant but found myself losing muscle again. So I am absolutely going to make Strength Training part of this pregnancy no excuses.

Sunshine  & Heat Therapy:
Since it was the summer I got to go outside and take my naps in the sun while getting some much needed vitamin D.  In September I got to do some consistent heat therapy sessions with the Biomat and Infrared Sauna.  I know this was not only cleansing to my body but also strengthening.

Counseling, Vacations and Family Support:
I think for my husband and I it was about two weeks before it really hit us what we had lost.  Rachel we named our child after reading the book “Heaven is Real” by Todd Burpo .   Ironically I finished that book the day before Rachel our baby went back to see Jesus.

My counselor Dr. Lavonne Atnip was very helpful, in helping me deal with my emotions, deal with other people sharing their stories (which at one point didn’t really make me feel any better), help me help my husband, and just how to move forward.  Counseling made things better for sure.

My family and friends came forward to help me with making me my favorite meals, (like Grandma Vita’s chicken cutlets or Aunt Shirley Turkey Breast); they took care of my son, and let me have some alone time.  My colleagues were very generous by taking some of my Teleclasses, sending me cards and gifts and just being encouraging.

We got to go on vacation to my mother in laws “Jones Health Essentials” where it is just a wonderful time of family, garden fresh foods, and enjoying the healing modalities there.  Ironically I got pregnant right after that vacation.   So I would tell any women when you are ready to conceive again go on a vacation. It will do your body good!

God:
Because of my faith I never blamed God or was angry with Him.  I think I questioned Him a few times but I know He ordained that experience for me.  I learned so much; I strengthened my health, my relationship with my husband and my son.

I think strong faith has carried me through this with a peace that passes all understanding.  I wish that same peace that I found through Jesus Christ for all those who suffer, because it will bring you healing.

Thank you for reading my story, for sharing this experience with me and for sharing my story with those who have gone through miscarriage, are struggling to get pregnant or are just thinking about getting pregnant. Please comment below or send me an email.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Dec 08
0

The Reality of Holiday Loneliness and Depression

By | Depression, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 9 Comments

The Reality of Holiday Loneliness and Depression

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter
While the holiday season is a joyous time of the year for many it can also be the worst time of the year for some. Instead of “I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus”, it may turn out to be like one of the book’s title written by Ann Hodgman called I saw mommy kicking Santa Claus!

There are many reasons why depression and loneliness are part of the holidays. The loss of job, missing a loved one, divorce or coping with an illness. All of these losses can bring grief instead of joy.

The loss of a spouse, parent, grandparent, child or good friend:
Losing a loved one means an empty seat at the special dinner and probably a missing link to the whole celebration. Many times the holiday season will have to take on a new direction and tradition. It is difficult to celebrate the season as before. Some people feel better by visiting the cemetery, lighting a special candle or journaling about it.

No matter how it is done, the truth is, emptiness and loneliness will still exist. The only way to cope is to have someone to talk to and embrace the sadness instead of dwelling deeper into depression or loneliness.

Maybe take a break from the old tradition. Keeping yourself busy throughout the holiday season by donating your time at a food bank, getting a seasonal job in retail, taking a cruise with a friend, or visit a relative out of state during the holiday instead of being at home. Break away from routine and familiarity and surround yourself with friends and family.
Your sadness may still be there but you may get great joy out of helping others and making them happy.

The loss of a job:
Losing a job means there is uncertainty and maybe a lack of funds for holiday giving and days ahead. It may be time to cut down on expenses and evaluate on the style of gift giving.

Friends of mind lost their sole income in October several years ago and were destitute by Christmas.  Although their basics needs were paid for there was no money for gifts.  They gave the kids beautifully wrapped boxes with a whole in the top.  All year long they would write down any time God blessed them or something good happened in their life and the following year they would open them.  Although the kids were not thrilled at first the boxes became a huge reminder of gratitude and blessing.  The family was blessed over and over that year and the following Christmas they loved opening their boxes and reading all the good things that happened to them the following year.

Divorce or children moving out:
Through the years we have created memories with our spouse and children. A divorce or children moving away with their own families can leave you with loneliness and misery. Just like losing a loved one be sure to fill your time with things you love, caring for others or caring for yourself.

Military family with loved ones serving overseas:
During the holiday season a military spouse may struggle with challenges of loneliness, fear and worry. They have to do everything to create a happy holiday celebration for the children without their spouse. That burden   is a very difficult one and should not be carried alone. If possible ask for help from your family and friends with anything you need. Join support groups and seek out help if you need it.

Feelings of loss and loneliness can be very dark place to stay.  Using essential oils can help uplift your moods during those lonely times and throughout the year.

One of my favorite essential oils is Joy.  Joy inhaled more than 10 times a day or diffused several times a day in your environment can truly improve your outlook.  See when you inhale a pure therapeutic essential oil like Young Living’s Joy oil it goes directly to the part of the brain called your limbic center or “emotion center”.  Inhalation therapy is one of the quickest ways to change your “stinking thinking”.

Here is Peggy Nederlof story about Joy oil.
Last year I experienced depression and felt comatose. It was so unlike me. I heard about the blend Joy and started to palm inhalate it. Within 10 minutes I started to feel better. I continued to use Joy multiple times during the day, and within 2-3 days, I felt as though I could take action and move away from my depression. It was very powerful. 

I then started to use Valor every morning on my feet and added that to my routine of breathing in Joy. After a week, I felt so much more balanced that I no longer felt depressed or needed to use Joy as much. Valor is now my go-to oil to start my day.

Finally, dealing with grief, loss, and loneliness, does take some courage to face the day.  I agree with Peggy starting your day with Valor is a great way to start and end your day as well as use throughout the day if you need it.

Take 3-6 drops of Valor (depending on the size of your feet) and rub the oil on your feet and hold there for a minute.  Do the same thing for your shoulders and chest .   Follow with Joy…..  aghhh I just took a break while writing this and not only do I feel clearer in my thinking but definitely uplifted too!

Try it and see what you think.  Remember if you feel you have a serious depression or feelings of suicide please seek competent medical advise, if you don’t feel like you are getting answers keep searching.

We look forward to hearing your stories. Please leave your comments below.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Dec 01
0

Appreciating…

By | Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 7 Comments

"I know God is preparing me for my husband's health to fail that is why we got this recent medical
scare." What? I asked perplexed."I know God is preparing me by helping us see how precious each day is with each other."

See my friend Karen's husband had always had borderline bad health.  If it wasn't for all the nutritional products he took like NingXia Red and Young Living essential oils I do feel he would be in much worse health today.  But this recent scare was serious.  Serious enough for them both to put their life in perspective and appreciate every day they have together. 

And that is what they are doing. Taking trips together that they never did. Enjoying quality time together.  And praising God for their life. 

Sarah also had this same awakening with her husband. He was a diabetic in poor health and high stress. He too took a lot of nutrition and NingXia Red to support his health. But when Sarah and her husband's awakening happened they spent many weeks searching for the best treatments, praying for a miracle, and loving each moment they had with each other. God granted them a miracle and removed the urgent life threatening health challenge. But after a few months they forgot about that miracle and went back to their busy, overworked, stress filled lives.  Their thoughts were, we will work hard for a few more years so we can retire together and enjoy life. 

About a year into this thinking she soon realized this was destroying both of their health. They were not enjoying life they were just running.  Waking up to one night next to her husband after he had a diabetic seizure helped her begin to see how their poor choices led them back to a very scary place. 

How many years have you said;  When I do this then we can; go on vacation, spend more time together, take the family to Disney World, and so on…

The time is now. Stop waiting for some day and start today. 

But But But I can hear our excuses now…. I don't have that option I need to pay the mortgage, I have to put my son through school, I can't just stop my business, I am on a deadline. 

Here are a few ideas to help you find the time, money and peace about enjoying your life and family.

Downsize your life:  
Ask for reduced hours.  Going from full time work to retirement can be just too much for a physical and emotional health.  But think about starting to reduce your hours for a year or two years as they can be beneficial for both employers and you.

Start a direct sales or networking business….  Why would I give you this advice?  Well because I know that if you can find 5-10 hrs in your life that aren't family or work time, like TV time you can created a residual income that will fund an early retirement, being able to stay home with your kids, or go back to school like you always wanted.

I know this to be true because I did it.  It allowed me many 'freedoms' in my life including being able to take an entire year off when I had my first baby and working now and being able to control my schedule and work part time and not have my son in day care.

Let go of obligations that are taking too much time away from your family. Whether it's church choir practice, or the Quilter's Association assess if that obligation is stressing you more than helping you.  Remember God wants strong families not ones that are apart more than they are together. 

Let your younger children know that their activities will be limited and when they are expected to spend time with their family.  By framing what is expected and living to that standard yourself your children will grow to not see workaholism as a standard but family first as a standard.

Get rid of some stuff?  Do you have boat or RV you barely use?  Are you paying for it every month still?  If you can't sell it think about renting it. Everybody loves stuff you would be surprised who might be looking for your stuff. 

Have you ever thought about what life might be like if you lived in a house that was $50,000 less or even an apartment.

My friend Dani was convicted to simplify her life and downsize from a huge home with tennis courts and 5 bathrooms to a small 5 room home that barely fit her family. She was convicted by God that her stuff was controlling her life.  When she obediently put her huge house on the market in a down economy only they ended up earning almost $100,000 more.  In that small house she learned to be humble, to spend quality time with her family and trust God.

Today He has made her a hugely successful multi-millionaire.  You can see more about Dani at America's Secret Millionaire.

I personally have learned a lot from Dani about living life to the fullest.  She although very busy in her career guards her family time very carefully and plans trips to see her extended family often.  Dani appreciates and loves life to the fullest!  She has taught me to appreciate life a great deal more, downsize to upsize my life, and live life to the fullest. I hope this blog will help you reconsider areas in your life that might be taking away versus adding to your precious life.

I hope you know how precious I think you are.  I don't want to see you hurting, struggling, or finding yourself in a divorce because your priorities were wrong.  It's never to late to change.  I believe in you, let our resources help you,  and  let God direct you.  Your life will be OUTSTANDING if you do!

Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as  the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Nov 28
0

Your 10 Day Pick Me Up Simple Things You Can Do to Overcome Fatigue, Depression and Stress

By | Nutritional Supplements, Wellness Coaching | 13 Comments

Your 10 Day Pick Me Up Simple Things You Can Do to Overcome Fatigue,Depression and Stress

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

During the holidays, special occasions, stressful times, it seems like we can throw our diets and exercise routines out the window.  After a few weeks of this we may or may not realize we are feeling more tired, achey, and even a little depressed.  This break from good health can last a few weeks, a few months or even a few years.  It's important to know that we all fall off the wagon especially around the holidays, but there are some simple Pick Me Ups you can do that will get you back on track.

Drinking
Water Water Water. If you have let soda, more coffee runs, alcohol creep into your diet STOP.  Cut back on those things or even eliminate them for 10 days and just drink water.  Not just a little water but lots of it. Get up to half your body weight in ounces of water per day.   Yes you will run to the bathroom a lot more until your body starts to really absorb the water. This could be about day 7 but right around the 5-7 day mark you may notice you have more energy, less pain, and improved digestion.    Some people even notice their thinking get's clearer.

“Every time I have pain or a headache I drink an 8 oz glass of water wait a few minutes and then another 8 oz of water.  I would say about 50% of the time my pain decreases or goes away”  LK

Eating
If you are like me once I get into the sweet I can't stop without intervention…  My intervention comes in the form of food replacements.  I like Balance Complete and water because it is quick easy and tastes great.  Balance Complete will give me nutrition, fiber,a sweet fix I may need and by not having a heavy meal I have more energy.  Replacing a meal a day for 10 days not only helps get me back on track but it helps re-program my body's taste buds. 

“Balance Complete helps me overcome sugar and bread habits”   CH 

I give 10 more strategies for overcoming sugar habits in my ebook 10 Hidden Secrets why you can't keep your hand out of the cookie jar.  

Moving
Moving gets the blood pumping which can bring more energy to the body. If you work a sedentary job or a job where you are standing in one spot all day long then I highly recommend heel raises and stretching a minimum of every hour for 30 seconds at a time. We all have different abilities but not moving is very detrimental to our bodies.  If you drive for more than an hr do abdominal and buttock squeezing for 5-10 seconds several repetitions every couple of hours.  

“Writing all day at my computer I have to get up and move every hr or else my body hurts at the end of the day and I lose focus when I don't take stretch breaks.” JC

Resting
Are you out of your good sleep habits?  Or maybe you rarely have good sleep habits?  The best thing you can do is give yourself 10 days of going to bed at the same time every night and waking at the same time every night.  Rest is Best but it is best when we can create a habit for our health.  Some people's habits are 5-6 hrs of sleep at night and an additional 90 minute nap after work.   What is your best sleep habit for your lifestyle?

If you have trouble sleeping get our FREE copy of  Sleep Well Ebook.

If you feel like you may not be able to do the above recommendations for 10 days I understand we all have different and ever changing lives.  Give your best effort for as many days in a row you can. If you can go longer than 10 days GREAT!   But there is one thing that is the Ultimate Pick Me up.  Drinking 6 oz of NingXia Red a day for 10 days Super Saturates the body with healthy nutrition and fortifies your health. 

You drink 1 oz in 8 oz of water every 2-3 hours. A 10 day challenge can really improve the way you deal with stress, decrease the sugar blues, and increase your energy.  

“My daughter struggles with anxiety. I started giving her 2 oz of NingXia Red in her lunch every day and 1 oz at home.  I can always tell if she doesn't drink her NingXia Red at school because of her mood when she gets home. We immediately get out a packet and she drinks it and you can see her body relax and the anxiety go away. “ PL

To learn more about the benefits of NingXia Red please read our recent articles Ningxia Red:Good Eating is Not Common Sense.

So here is a 10 day Challenge for you.  I know if you will give it your best effort you will feel better. If you have a medical condition seek proper medical advice before starting your 10 day Challenge.  But everyone can start drinking more water and getting rest today.  If you need to go slow that's fine your results will just be slower. If you want faster results do everything listed for 10 days or more and you will feel the difference! 

Let us know how your 10 day Challenge goes! 

Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as  the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Nov 24
0

The Secret Weapon to Destroy Worry

By | Dr Mary Starr, Mind and Soul, Total Health Support Systems | 9 Comments

The Secret Weapon to Destroy WORRY  
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

I was raised by worry wart parents so of course I became a worry wart person.  Worry would keep me up at night. It would have me running all out most days.   It would keep me from ever having peace. Worry led me to a few mini meltdowns and even what I would call a nervous breakdown.  But most of all worry stole many years of my life. 

What did I worry about?  Like most people money, debt, time, the safety of my loved ones, the outcome of a test, my own abilities and the list goes on. 

The word worry means strangle.  S-T-R-A-N-G-L-E  Strangle or STRONGHOLD well worry definitely was strangling me.  It was robbing me of my joy and peace and although I didn't know it at the time it was robbing the people in my life and the people I wouldn't meet because of this STRONGHOLD.    

When did my WORRY let go of it's stronghold. It started in Fall of 2007 when I opened up my heart to God and started to let Him in.  At first I noticed I was sleeping sounder at night.  Nothing had changed in my exterior life I still had zero dollars in my bank account and a quarter of a million dollars in debt but yet I was sleeping sound.  I wasn't running running running like a chicken with my head cut off. If I didn't finish oh well the world would not end.  

I started really understanding and living Biblical principals particular Mathew 11:28-30 and Mathew 6:34.  Before I was always depending on myself to accomplish everything, when I let go of worry and that STRONGHOLD FEAR  I allowed God to come in direct and lead me in the right directions.  My life became much more simple. I didn't feel like I was going around and around but never getting any results. 

Now don't get me wrong I still let worry and fear creep in every now and then but then I remember there is no point in worrying in fact worry can be quite deadly. 

Worry, Anxiety, and Stress are contributors to most of the 75-90% of all hospital visits.   Worry is killing people.  And don't think that your problems have to be bad for worry to get it's STRONGHOLD on you.  You and I, both have met plenty of people who are financially secure by most standards yet worry the most.  I remember visiting these clients who had gotten married two years previously and their home was extremely cluttered and unsafe. 

Instead of getting a bigger home or storage for their now blended family they “stored” everything in their home. The husband was so worried about money he would not allow the wife to buy anything even with her own money. She desperately needed some nutrition supplements and essential oils but he couldn't see spending that money.  Yet this young couple already had saved over $200,000 in the bank and had no debt. That STRONGHOLD eventually led to the demise of their marriage. 

Worry can lead to addictions, hoarding, and worse, the end of your relationships and your health. 

I want you to think about what you worry about. Do you worry what people will think of your messy house or the things you have to don't have in your home?  Do you worry if your family will like your new wife?  Do you worry if your children will stay healthy, get good grades, or become a good person? 

Write down what you worry about. 

Now I want you to look at that list and STOP WORRYING…..  That might be impossible for many of you because worry is your habit it is in your programming. 

But there are some SECRET WEAPONs to kill WORRY.

THANKSGIVING:  See worry is a verb and action something that you consciously or unconsciously do.  In order to re-write your programming you will need to also have another action — GRATITUDE – the action of Thanksgiving.

In her book 1000 Gifts a Dare to live fully right where you are by Ann Voskamp the reader is taught to be grateful for things that we mostly miss when we are in worry.  If you struggle with worry or live in fear most days then I highly recommend this book and follow the instructions. 

Accepting God's grace as your Provider.  For anyone out there who has been on top of the world physically, emotionally and financially and then the next day lost it all you will attest to how fleeting things can be.  When I learned not to worry about money (and am still learning) that is when God's grace opened up.

If you need more help on that open up the Bible and read the stories of the amazing grace poured out on a who lot of people who didn't deserve it.

Let go of Control:  If you are a controlling person like I used to be it is very difficult to let GOD take over let alone another person. No one can do it as good as you.  Well that may be true but we all have to let go to move forward in life.  If you truly want to grow your business, raise amazing independent healthy minded children, develop into the best person you can be we have to let go and let GOD. 

Don't do drugs do OILS….  I have met numerous people who end up medicated do to the worry and anxiety in their life.  If you are on those meds please be aware you can not just come off them without some serious and sometimes fatal side effects.  Please work with a qualified doctor who has a lot of experience in taking patients off those meds successfully.  

But whether you are on medication or not and you have worry or stress you can use therapeutic Young Living essential oils like Stress Away,  Valor,  Peace and Calming, or Tranquil oils to help decompress and relax your brain and body.  When you inhale an oil like Young Living essential oils that are pure and free from synthetics your brain immediately responds. These specific oils have been scientifically been proven to bring you into a state of relaxation.

Many Young Living users will inhale oils 10-20 times a day as well as wear them as perfume or cologne to protect their health and calm their mind. 

Simplify:  In my office one of the doors has a sign that says simplify.   Having less, doing less, running less, can add a great deal of peace to your life.

This summer I started a Program that helped people get off the streets and into a learning and growing environment that mentored them to a better life.  I probably used this program as a crutch after my miscarriage to fill a void. You caretakers know that too well…. take care of everyone else but ourselves. 
Well I found over the months that this was bringing more and more stress to me and my family.  I came to the conclusion that I needed to let go of this program in order to put myself and my family first. I did and it was like a huge weight off me.  I also reclaimed some things I lost due to that program and feel a much greater peace and simplicity in my life.

Lastly I just want to share with you that I am still no expert on Not Worrying, but since I have incorporated the above recommendations into my life I am a whole lot happier and have a great deal of peace in my life.  I wish this same Peace for you. 

God Bless you, your family and your life to Total Wellness.

Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as  the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Nov 21
0

Ningxia Red: Good Eating is Not Common Sense

By | Nutritional Supplements, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 8 Comments

 

Ningxia Red 1 liter $51.99 including shipping

Ningxia Red: Good Eating is Not Common Sense

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Modern technology has taken over the manufacturing of our our daily food. Most of us that lead a busy lifestyle fail to realize that this processing has caused the actual nutritional value of what we eat to go way down. What used to be from farm to table is now highly centralized technological food processing.

The need for longer shelf life for food has compromised nutrients stored in natural condition of our food. The focus of high yield, high productivity and profits may reduce the nutrients in our everyday food. And what nutrients are labeled are not necessarily digested by the body. And worse off our bodies are becoming sensitive to some of this new food.

According to USA Today, Celiac disease is on the rise in the United States, and has doubled in the last 15 years. Is there a relation between the way we produce our food now and the increase in Celiac disease? This is just one of the many types of diseases that are on the rise in our country. We are becoming more advance but our people are getting really unhealthy.

Good eating is no longer common sense? Is there more we need to know to stay healthy? Are most of us lacking in necessary nutrients? I think so.

There are six major categories of nutrients needed in our body. They are the fats, carbohydrates, water, proteins, minerals and vitamins. To take it a step further, some examples of minerals are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc and sulfur. Some examples of vitamins are Vitamin D, K, C, various types B.

Deficiency of one or many of these combinations will lead to poor health and every single year we lack a certain combination which will lead to complications and chronic diseases.
Other than those listed, our body also need antioxidants, phytochemicals and other micro-nutrients. No wonder we need more than common sense!

Where do you fill in the FOOD GAP?

Books upon books, TV programs and magazines talk about the connections of food, lifestyle and health. There are hundreds of nutritional supplements and vitamins advertised daily throughout all mediums of communication. When you visit your local store, there go the shelves full of all names, colors, sizes of nutritional supplements.

Many medical professionals agree with the need of nutritional supplements in our diet.
Are you at a lost sometimes looking at nutritional supplements for your family? To top it off, there are packaging for infants, children, teens, adults and seniors….is there really a difference when it comes to nutrition?

What if there is one nutritional supplement that is suitable for the whole family?
Let us present Ningxia Red, the consumable supplements that have more testimonials and health results than anything we’ve ever presented. It is for children and adults of any age (even suitable for your pet).

Because of the way NingXia Red is made (as close to nature as possible) and because it is liquid it is more nutrition is absorbed in the body because it is FOOD versus a concentrated synthetic pill. 

Here are some testimonials, causes and remedies:

Don’t feel sick all the time now: "We have been using NingXia Red for a month now and when I asked my fourteen-year-old daughter if she noticed any difference, she replied, 'I don't feel sick all the time. Now I'm going to have to fake it to miss time from school!' We laughed and I told her I would like to go on a day trip with her sometime—maybe I will let her take a sick day for that." 
—Marina Thornton

Boost of energy: "NingXia Red has given me a boost in energy—and having a very active job of setting up and taking down temporary exhibits at a natural history museum, I can use it. Thank you for making my life better. I am now registered to be a distributor, and will spread the good word about this wonderful product." 
—Craig Yaneki

Takes away sugar cravings: "I'm drawn to eating sugary foods. However, when I drink NingXia Red regularly it takes away my sugar cravings. This is nothing less than a miracle for me." 
—Hope Smith

Reduce stress: “I typically use two ounces of NingXia Red each morning when I wake up, and during high-stress times, I use one to three ounces more during the day. The results have my husband now interested in the Young Living product line, and our patients have even noticed a difference in my energy levels at the office. I also know that the difference has been significant enough that the people around me have taken notice and are now looking at Young Living products with interest themselves." 
—Marilynn Alvarez

Why do all these testimonials have a similar trait?

They all point to overcoming fatigue, stress and low immune system which lead to sickness. The food we consume and the lack of proper nutrients are known to cause the negative effects on our body.

How can you benefit from Ningxia Red?
•    More energy without stimulants
•    Greater immunity
•    Greater stamina all day long
•    Higher level of health and well-being

The main ingredient in Ningxia Red is Lycium barbarum, also known as wolfberry. The Chinese in Ningxia Province, Northwest China has been known to live for over 100 because of the consumption of wolfberry.

Are you looking for a gift of health this holiday season? Instead of bringing a bottle of wine, bring a bottle of NingXia Red to your Holiday Gatherings. It taste great and will be a great hit!  For more information about Ningxia Red as a nutritional supplement, a means for you to make some money during this holiday season or a way to earn part-time income, please contact us at our contact page.

Note: The above testimonials are from the official Young Living Essential Oils website. More of our customer testimonials in next weeks newsletter.

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as  the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Nov 17
0

Are You a Door Mat?

By | Dr Mary Starr, Mind and Soul, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 8 Comments

Are you a Door Mat?  
Saying NO, Setting Boundaries, and Expressing your True Feelings

Dr. Mary Starr Carter
 

I pointed to the door mat and said to my client Karen  " you are not a door mat". See for the past several years many people had been taking advantage of her. She was a retired with a huge heart for people and animals and it seemed like her family, friends and service organizations she belonged to were constantly calling to get her to do things. 

For years she obliged and spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars caring for the needs of others.  She was at her breaking point. Her blood pressure was 220/100 and the doctor wanted to hospitalize her. 

She was very scared and VERY STRESSED. Kari had put everyone's needs before her own until she literally was ready to explode. The physical is directly related to your emotional health.  If you have poor emotional health and balance you will see physical deterioration.  For some it can lead to early death.   

Peggy was on that same track. Almost ready to retire she was still always saying yes to whatever or whomever asked for her help. She worked for almost 15 years like a dog from April – October managing and caring for a Seasonal store. She literally worked her fingers to the bone. She would work 10-12 hr days, many 6-7 days a week .  

Her hands were now all arthritic. And during her "off" time of the year she was babysitting her granddaughter, filling in at her cousins store, and really never taking any time for herself. 
 

To make it worse she had step children that wanted everything but were never grateful. They were mean, hurtful and offensive at every family gathering. Yet Peggy never said anything. Peggy was almost 60 when she began to really physically and mentally lose it. 

All those years of saying YES of biting her tongue when people hurt her were building up.  One day her step child said an ungrateful statement and something inside of Peggy exploded.  All that anger just came to the surface and she ran over slapped the girl across the face and ripped out part of her hair. THIS WAS NOT PEGGY. Peggy was a quiet peaceful person, but all those years of not expressing her feelings of hurt and anger came out at once. 

Peggy was mortified that she was even capable of that kind of behavior. She sought counseling and learned why that happened and developed techniques of Saying NO , Expressing herself and setting Boundaries that not only will avoid it ever happening again but brought a great deal of joy to her heart.  Surprisingly she is a much happier, healthier, has released 30lbs without even changing her eating or exercise. 
 
In both Kari and Peggy's case they were physically and emotionally deteriorating because they did not CARE for themselves enough to SAY NO, express their feelings, and stop the bad behavior towards them. 
 
Saying NO –  Setting Boundaries:

For some us we are innately wired to want people to like us. Somewhere in that programming we think that doing things for others will cause them to like us. Even as adults when this knowledge no longer makes sense we are wired subconsciously to do this. We give things away, we may even overlook our own self care to care for others.     

Saying No to others is about Saying YES to yourself.  It's about loving yourself and your physical and emotional health enough to make a change for the better. Saying NO is hard at first but it is crucial to your health. 

Whether it is to your mom, sister, brother, principal, or church saying no is important. Sometimes you may have to say no to everything for a period of time to re-group, retreat, and regain your own health and the health of your family. 

Many individuals don't realize that saying YES to everyone may mean you are saying NO to your family or spouse or worse yourself. 

Make sure you have prioritized what and whom is most important in your life and then base your decisions of how often and whom you say yes to on that. 
 
Expressing your Feelings : 

It is not my forte to teach you how to express your feelings because I still am not good at it. Of course you will find me crying at every sad story because I do have deep compassion but to share my own feelings that is difficult.

But I have learned a lot from Dr. Lavonne Atnip an incredible psychologist and marriage counselor. We can end up with all sorts of dysfunction for our childhood and adolescents even if you had great parents. Some people at an early age were chastised for showing emotion so now to them expressing how they feel will only lead to pain in their minds. 

Others when they were young would express themselves and were told that they were stupid.  All these things can lead to adults not expressing their true feelings or expressing them inappropriately, including Low Self Esteem.  

I am not qualified to tell you how to break these habits but I do have some great resources:

Dr. Lavonne Atnip offers phone consultation to people all over the US. 

The book Boundaries  by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. Robert Townsend.   

Healing for Damaged Emotions   David Seamans and Beth Funk  

We have to understand that more STRESS can be caused by not saying NO, not setting boundaries with people or environments in our life, or not expressing our true feelings.  Stress can lead to your physical demise…..  REALLY.  

Right now you may feel it could be more stressful to SAY NO, SET BOUNDARIES, or EXPRESS YOURSELF.  That may be true for a short period of time, but if you want to work through that you can have a much more REWARDING and FUFILLING LIFE and most of all experience TOTAL WELLNESS.  

Join us this Coming Total Wellness Tuesday when we teach you  
11/22/11  How to eat what you want during the holidays and not get sick or gain weight?
Listen Live or via the web:
Phone Number: (203) 347-3041
Pin Code: 700454#
 HYPERLINK "http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=24332394"http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=24332394

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.


Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Nov 14
0

7 Tips for a Happy Holiday Travel

By | Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 7 Comments

7 Tips for a Happy Holiday Travel

This is the time when all the shopping centers and the local strip malls are decorating the streets and stores with lights and Christmas trees. The supermarkets are filled with holiday goodies, turkeys and hams. It is also time for many to plan for road trips or flights to visit loved ones for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas.

It is a busy time ahead and also a joyous time of celebration. Holiday travels can be quite stressful as roads and airports are crowded with holiday makers. We may be facing threats like bad weather, ice storms, heavy snowfall, flight delays and children getting the flu.

Here are 7 tips for healthy travels with your family:

Tip # 1 Planning and reduce stress
For busy moms and dads or grandmas and grandpas, the holiday season can be a chore or a dread. There is the buying of gifts, planning the road trips or air travels and endless things to do before the travel.
Write down your plans once you decide where and when you are traveling. A few questions to help you plan
•    What mode of transportation am I taking?
•    What do I need when I travel?
•    What should I pack?
•    Who is going to keep an eye on my house, pet or plants (if you have)?
•    When am I stopping the mail or newspaper delivery?
Don’t sweat over small things. When you plan ahead you will know exactly what to do and expect and have a better physical, emotional and spiritual health. Remember your children’s health also depends on yours.

Tip # 2 Get plenty of rest
The lack of sleep and rest can weaken your immune system. Remember it’s a season of celebration with family, focus on the time of celebration not the hassle of travels. Because what you focus on will ‘grow’.

To aid with a good night’s sleep before and during your travels, you can get our free sleep eBook here. In this eBook we have outlined 10 secrets to sleeping well. Through experience, I find Lavender and Rutabala can help me rest and sleep better at night. There are other Young Living Essential Oils like Peace and Calming and Joy to help you relax throughout the day.

Tip # 3 Drink plenty of fluid
When we mention fluid, it does not include caffeinated drinks or sodas. It is pure water. Because of the hassle of bathroom stops or getting to the lavatory in the airplane most travelers drink less water when traveling. To avoid dehydration it is necessary to drink plenty of liquid.
Your body needs it even while you are traveling. Avoid over-indulging in alcohol while traveling.

Tip # 4 Be pro-active
Staying healthy does depends on our own habits and actions. We can choose to keep our hands clean at all times with sanitizers like Thieves Sanitizer or wash our hands before handling food.
When traveling with children, clean the airplane seats and food trays with Thieves wipes. Keep their hands away from touching floors and toilet seats.

You can also apply Young Living Essential Oil like Thieves on yourself and your children while traveling on a plane or on a road trip.

Watch what you eat while you are traveling. Be cautious about what you eat and drink. This is not the time to try a new drink at the airport or on your road rest stops.

Tip # 5 Nutritional Supplements
Traveling does not mean we stop taking our nutritional supplements. Plan ahead the amount and storage for your nutritional supplements before traveling. Airlines do not allow large container of liquids in your carry-on. Your bottled nutritional supplements may be mishandled in your checked luggage.

For example, if you take Ningxia Red everyday, you might want to get the convenient packets for air travels. If you prefer to travel light, it is best to have clean small containers available to store your non-liquid nutritional supplements.

Tip # 6 Foot swelling and body aches and exercise
If you have been traveling for hours on a plane or car, you may experience body aches and foot swelling. Inactivity and staying in one position does not allow good blood circulation.

Remember to wear loose fitting pants and shirts, comfortable shoes and take short breaks like walking on the aisle of the airplane or road rest stops to stretch and flex your muscles.
If you exercise regularly, continue to do so even while you are away from home. Bring your running shoes and get going once you are at your destination.

Tip # 7 Adjustments
If you live in New York and you are traveling to Oregon, there is a three hours difference in time. That is quite an adjustment for some of us. Your family members are ready to eat and you were about to go to bed.

So how do you adjust? Some of us can adjust easily but some can’t and there is nothing wrong with both. If you can’t adjust to a slight time change, you can slowly help your body makes small changes few days before traveling.

Imagine those who have to travel across the world where the night and day are completely opposite. Have fun and make little adjustments and enjoy yourself.

Don’t let the fear of germs or colds or inconveniences stop you from having a happy travel time with your family this holiday season. Practice caution and plan ahead and you will have a good time.

Join us this Tuesday on our Free Total Wellness Coaching Call for an exciting topic "Don't let your travel be interrupted this Holiday Season: Tips for staying healthy and out of the Emergency Room and Urgent Care. Remember to dial in early.

Have feedback? Please leave your comment below. We love to hear from you.

Claudia Looi is a copywriter, travel, web content writer and manages blogs for several businesses. She has lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and New York in the travel industry for over 12 years and has had the luxury of traveling to almost 30 countries. Currently, her works include writing for tour operators, hotels, real estate, wellness and immigration consulting companies.When not working, you will find her reading or planning her next family trip with her husband and two teens. You are invited to download her free report on How to live out of your suitcase for a week! (Five EASY packing tips).

Nov 10
0

Veteran’s Day: A Day to Remember

By | Dr Mary Starr, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 5 Comments

Veteran's Day : A Day to Remember

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

I started crying when I read the Sunday paper.  It shared a story of a local Solider who only got to spend two weeks with his new baby and wife before he was deployed and then killed in Iraq.  I thought that is so sad, and then I thought how blessed my family is.  Blessed that we don't have to worry about my husband being deployed for months at a time, or risking his life.  Today's blog are just a few stories and sacrifices that these soldiers do for us.

Sacrifice to their Relationships
When I heard the news I was crushed.  Some dear friends were getting divorced.  He was a Coast Guard who was deployed about a week every month and she had a small business owner.  WHAT?  I couldn't believe it. They were so happy.  But then I thought about my relationship even before I was married when my then boyfriend and now husband would be apart for more than a week or two. It was miserable and we could talk every night unlike many soldiers.   Soldiers and their families sacrifice their relationships and sometimes their marriages to serve us.  Sometimes their marriages survive sometimes they don't.    
 

Sacrifice of themselves
Two Sunday's ago I was walking through the Atlanta airport with my husband and 7 month old son. I remember how happy we all were. As we were coming around a corner I noticed a young man in a wheel chair, what looked like his wife pushing a stroller with a baby and another airport attendant pushing him.

As I looked closer I noticed the young man had a bandaged arm. In fact he was missing his arm below the elbow. And then I saw his t-shirt. It said Fallen Hero. It hit me he was an injured war veteran. I instantly was wrecked. As we turned the corner I began to cry. My husband noticed and said what is wrong? I couldn't speak my heart hurt so badly for this veteran. I thought of not just him, but all those affected by war. I thought of my friend Loralee Johnson's brother who was killed in the war.


Soldier’s sacrifice their bodies and sometimes their lives for you and me.

Sacrifice of their minds
We don't see real war when we watch TV, but soldiers do.  Many see awful things that lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD can lead to medication or self medication.  Today many soldiers are being medicated on low dosages of anti-depressants even before they are deployed. 

Sara Cost's * son returned home with terrible side effects from multiple anti-depressant usage.   It took several months but he was able to regain his healthy mind and get off the medications with the help of his doctor and some natural medicinal treatments. 

Amy Smith * brother was not so lucky.  He spiraled into alcohol and drug use when he returned suffering with PTSD and anti-depressant drug side effects.  He has been in and out of jail multiple times since his return.  He was not that person before he left. 
Soldiers sacrifice their emotional health for us.

Sacrifice of their Spirit
Tom* was a good Christian boy when he left for the Navy besides a bit of a party side he loved God and his family.  He went into the nuclear navy where he lived with 100 people on a submarine 292 ft long, 39 ft wide with a nuclear reactor, food storage and supplies.  For more than 30 days and up to 3 months the sub was submerged with no daylight or leave.  During his last year of enlistment Tom's good friend was killed in a motor-vehicle accident.  That was his final straw he rebelled lost all his Armed Service benefits and ended up in a lifestyle far from God for many years.   

Being a Soldier is a sacrifice to their spirit.

Honor
This Sunday I was in the Chicago airport and all of sudden I heard clapping getting nearer and nearer me. I looked and there is an American flag and women holding signs in front of a young man returning from the army. All the airport patrons were clapping for this solider.  It was very honorable.  Unfortunately not all soldiers get this honor.

Whether we agree or not with the decision for troops to be overseas these men and women have sacrificed a great deal for their country.  They have sacrificed their bodies, lives, emotional and spiritual health.  This Veteran's day and every day remember to pray for them and honor them. 

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.


 

Nov 07
0

How to Look 40 When You are 60: An Interview with Cindy Mirabito

By | Benefits of Exercise, Nutritional Supplements, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 9 Comments

How to Look 40 when you are 60 :  An Interview with Cindy Mirabito

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

As I looked in the mirror one day and made another excuse of why I do not want to exercise I remembered my friend Cindy Mirabito. Cindy is almost 60 years old and LOOKS AWESOME.  She is not only fit and strong but she really does look like she is 40. 

Why does she look so good? 

Here are some Total Wellness Tips from Cindy on How to look 40 when you are 60:

1)   Make time to EXERCISE NO MATTER WHAT.   I was always active with my 3 oldest children I would walk and even run.  But as happens many times we allow life to get in the way and exercise took a back seat when my youngest children were born.  But I soon realized that I needed to exercise not just for the physical benefits but really the mental benefits.  I was home alone with my young girls for 10-12 hours a day.  As soon as my husband got home I would head out the door.  It was my routine, and I would walk 5 miles and then eventually I extended it to 10 miles a day.   The fresh air, the time alone just for me was very beneficial to my overall health.

Several years ago I was caring for my parents out of state and stayed there for 2 months.  During that time I didn't exercise because I thought they needed me more.  I realized afterwards that not exercising was a mistake and even just getting outside for a few mile walk would have been more beneficial for my health.  Since I learned that lesson I needed to care for my husband for a period of time when he had a back issue.  I didn't stop exercising because I needed that boost for both my mental and physical health. 

2)  Gym's are not for Skinny people.   I was nervous myself about going to a gym.  I know many women feel that gyms are what we see on TV, full of skinny beautiful people.  That is not the environment you will see.  At my gym there are people of all shapes, sizes and ages. No one is judging you on what you look like or wear.  Plus a gym is available everyday even when the weather is bad outside.

3) Gym's can help you meet new friends, stay accountable and find support.    I met new friends with young children like me that I wouldn't have met if I was just home exercising.  One friend I made became my workout partner and she taught me how to lift weights.  This was encouraging and motivating because you knew everyday there was someone waiting for you to work out.    

4) You have to PUSH to get the results you want and sometimes that means investing in a Personal Trainer.    It is easy for someone to go to the gym and just get into a routine of walking or lifting and forget that they have to PUSH their bodies to get the results they want.  Or sometimes people will PUSH the wrong way and hurt themselves because they didn't understand proper form when lifting.  I invested in a Personal Trainer for more than a year.  This taught me routines and proper form of lifting weights, using bands, and other not so obvious tools that if you just go to the gym you may miss.  That investment was useful as a motivator and helping me take the next step in my workouts.  Now I can maintain my workouts on my own with what I learned from my Personal Trainer.

5)  Healthy Parents make Healthy Kids. Today some of my children have families of their own and some of my children are in college, but most of them work out.  When your children see you taking care of yourself they will follow in your foot steps.  It becomes part of your family's lifestyle.  

6)  Learning to eat right.  What you put in your mouth is important.  Going to the gym will not make the changes you want without changing what you put in your mouth.  Most of us don't realize that we may not be eating the right foods or proper quantities. I invested in learning from a Wellness Coach how to eat right for me.  I struggled with Acid Reflux which the doctors wanted to put me on drugs.  Through food changes, my Young Living vitamins and exercise I rarely have any reflux now and don't need medication. 
 
7) Investing in your Health.  Staying young and healthy through the years has been an investment of time and money.  I use and taught my children to care for their skin daily at an early age.  We use costly skin care, Young Living supplementation, and take care of our teeth.  All these things contribute not only to our outward appearance but inwards as well. The results are paying off.  For several years I have had Bone Density scans, after my baseline they found my Right hip had some density loss. I started on Young living's Super Cal as well as more weight bearing exercises and my last scan showed no change and no further loss.  My girlfriend who doesn't exercise keeps coming back with bone loss every time she get's scanned.  I know my investment is helping to maintain my health.

8)If you don't take care of yourself no one will- so find a MOTIVATOR.   Since I had children later in life I wanted to be able to keep up with them as they grew.  Today I workout with my daughters and even learned to ski at age 50.  In fact the instructor complimented me saying that my ability to do so well skiing had to do with my core strength. I know that core strength comes from my working out.

Many people my age are plagued with being overweight, having high blood pressure and cholesterol, or even diabetes.  This is one of my motivators. When I get my yearly doctor check ups and blood work I don't have any of that!

Cindy's tips can help all of us men and women younger and older.  As a new mom myself I think of her as a role model for women with children as well as women who are past menopause.  I spent almost a decade going to the gym but I forgot how to push myself.  Getting a personal trainer and into a specific PUSH routine woke me up to my body's new strength.  And like Cindy said it made me a happier and healthier mom. 

If you want to look younger, feel stronger, and be healthier take Cindy's advice and JUST DO IT! Please leave us your comment below.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Oct 27
0

Healthy Halloween Tips

By | Body, Sugar Addiction, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 5 Comments

Healthy Halloween Tips

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

 

Healthy Halloween Tips:

1)    Frame your kids for how much candy they can eat during Halloween and each day afterwards.
2)    If you have will power go through the candy and freeze candy bars and treats in small portion size snack bags. 
3)    Choose lower calorie treats like lollipops.  Dum Dums or  Organic Lollipops
4)    Be the Geek who gives out apples
5)    Play-Doh  makes a Halloween Trick or Treat size you can give out.
6)    Family Video sells Video Rental Cards for a $1 each (great if you get a dozen or so trick or treaters)
7)    Make sure you kids have enzymes if they are going to eat all those carbohydrates like Essentialzyme-4   by Young Living 
8)    Have Young Living's Peppermint oil on hand to rub on belly's that overeat
9)    Have your children drink lots of water during treat season
10)     THROW IT AWAY…. do you really need all that sugar poison…  (of course this is my vote)

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

 

 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Oct 24
0

7 Days of Juice Fasting – Almost

By | Colon cleansing, Dr Mary Starr, Losing Weight, Master cleanse, Mind and Soul, Nutritional Supplements, Total Wellness, Weight Loss, Wellness Coaching | 29 Comments

7 Days of Juice Fasting – Almost 

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

So I am writing this on the 7 ½ day of my almost Juice Fasting. As some of you know I had been recently inspired by the movie “Fat, Sick and Almost Dead”.  Although I had done several different cleansing and fast I had never done juices.  My husband and I had been getting colds much more frequently than usual, gained some weight, and just felt overall “yucky”.   So we both committed to do it.

Reboot is a term used in the movie to rest the body from solid foods and fortify with high dosages of nutrition from freshly juiced vegetables and fruits.

Reboot Tip #1:   Having a partner to do your cleanse or fast with helps you stay motivated. 

The Saturday before our cleanse my husband decides we need to eat pepperoni pizza since will be fasting soon.  I am tired and hungry and give in to 3 slices and some fried mushrooms.  Although I knew already this wasn't a good idea I would soon feel why in the next few days.

Reboot Tip #2:  Eat light before your fast for at least several days or longer.   Light meaning no starch breads, pasta, or pizza, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol, or even meat, It does mean eat lots of veggies, fruits, healthy soups to get your fiber intake high.  This tip will help the transition to cleansing be much easier.

I didn't spend a lot of time investigating what kind of juicing I was going to do I just knew I was going to do mostly GREEN juices meaning more veggies than fruits.  The cost of about 3 days of groceries for both of us was about $75 with a few organic veggies like carrots and apples and the rest non-organic. 

Reboot Tip #3:  Decide on your recipes and get your food buying done in advance. Know where you can purchase the produce you will need.  For some of us it may be a 15-45 minute trip to get organic veggies and some will not be in season. Plan your time accordingly.

Day 1:   We start juicing and Jay can't stand the Mean Green juice with Ginger and refuses to drink it.  He starts juicing his own drinks including apple and lemon, apple and carrot and things like that. I am braver and even make a tomato juice with garlic. 

Day 2:  My throat is burning and my skin yeast gets in full flare even though I am only having like 1 apple or less per drink.  I am a little stiff and achey and a bit spacey.  Jay turns into a gorilla Tuesday morning most likely because he is not having juices regularly maybe 3 a day and letting 6-8 hrs go by in between drinks. Jay and I both continue.

Reboot Tip #4:  You must do your juices or shakes every few hours especially in the beginning. A minimum of 3-6 20 ounce juices a day.

Day 3:  I realize that because of the yeast in my system that just juicing even veggies will not be good for me so I add a protein shake.   We both do 3 shakes and 3 juices today. Jay is a lot less irritable and I feel kind of good except I am not pooping.

Reboot Tip #5:  Juicing can spike blood sugar and cause a body that has some underlying yeast overgrowth to flare up. 

Day 4:  Jay's special protein shake and enzymes gets him to flush out a lot of old poop. He feels increased energy and stamina, but his cough from last week's cold is still hanging on.  His bloating in his gut is down and his face is thinner.  I feel good but still not having any significant bowel movements even with my cabbage juice.

Reboot Tip #6:  You have to get the poop out when doing any type of cleansing, fasting or juicing program. Not pooping will drain your energy, give you headaches, mental fogginess and just have for feeling yicky if those toxins can't get out.  If not pooping use Smooth move tea or Senna may be a good choice before and during your cleanse.

Day 5:  I feel good and get my colon moving some but decide to go do an Infrared Sauna to sweat the toxins out for 45 minutes.  Boy do I start stinking in that sauna, those toxins really start coming out. Today I notice a difference in my face thinner but also my complexion is clearer.  I even go out to Tim Horton's to meet friends and have no cravings for breads or sugar. I have energy all the way until midnight.

Jay is back to juicing only once a day and maybe one shake so he is feeling not so good.  His sinuses are very congested again and he has a cough.

Reboot Tip #7:  Infrared Saunas, Lite exercise, Chiropractic, Foot Detox, Raindrop Therapies are all good to do when cleansing to help release toxins out of your system.

Day 6:  I feel really good and get a juice and a shake in before a day of cleaning and heavy lifting.  I can't believe the energy I have.  Although I forget to bring any shakes, juices or water so at noon I eat a pear that was there. I feel pretty dehydrated by 6pm but still lots of energy. I have released 9lbs.

Jay warms up some beans around noon and eats 2 servings of beans that day. He lost 12 lbs.

Day 7:  I have no desire to make another veggie juice because every time I drink one my throat gets irritated so I am deciding that I will just have protein shakes and a little light food. I enjoy a shake this morning and eat a little sweet potato.

Reboot Tip #8:  Coming off a cleanse is just as important as starting if not more.  

Jay's cough is really bad now.  Sunday after church we find ourselves on the road to show a property we own in Syracuse NY and Jay decides he is going to get a Five Guys hamburger and Fries, I tell him I am not going to eat meat for a while but I still have a few of his French fries.  He finishes his fries and is full and decides to save the burger until later.  When he eats his burger (protein, bread and heavy food his body isn't used to having) he can't keep his eyes open and goes to bed at 6pm that night.

 That night I cook a turkey breast for my son to have this week but end up eating over a cup of it.  I didn't feel hungry but I definitively craved something that must be in turkey.  I guess I am officially done with fasting. I can't even fall back into a Daniel Fast now. 

Did this Juice Fasting make Jay's cold worse?  No, his actions of not drinking water or juicing regular or even have shakes regular led to that in my opinion. 
But overall this was a really good experience for both of us. We feel good and have broken sugar habits and shrunk our stomachs. We are motivated to continue to eat smaller portions, liter foods, and exercise more regularly.  

I realize that juice fasting is not the right place for me and most of my clients to start when trying to rest and reboot our bodies. I pray that our story will be an encouragement to you. We are real people too who struggle with food. But we both were ready to REBOOT.  You can do it too even if it is a day to start with.  But I will share with you my favorite Reboot program which is safe and sooooooo much simpler is the 5 day Cleanse by Young Living.  It is easy to stick with and taste a lot better than the mean green juice with more benefits in my opinion.

The 5 day cleanse is the next thing we will do one to two times before the end of the year to solidify and continue our progress. 

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

 

 

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.


Oct 17
0

The Road to Wellness: Dealing with Stress

By | Dr Mary Starr, Total Health Support Systems, Total Wellness, Wellness Coaching | 9 Comments

The Road to Wellness:  Dealing with STRESS
Lessons learned from the STRESSED OUT and the STRESSLESS
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter 

Terry came up to me with a sad smile. “How have you been?”  “Good I said, How about you”   “I am dying he says….   Why are you stressed out?  I've got all these projects and deadlines and I am not going to make my Saturday deadline. 

It keeps me up at night.  I tell you just give me a gun I want to shoot myself….  “What I say doesn’t tell me that I am a doctor I am legally bound to report those statements I jokingly respond…  You know I am kidding.  He proceeds to complain that if his clients were sloppy they should have hired someone else.   Terry is a perfectionist, everything has to be just so. Now I know, he is joking about wanting to kill himself but the fact is he is STRESSED OUT.   

Wil has a full time job, a family, some real estate, and also does some website work for people on the side.  He is the type of guy who can't say NO.  He has gained 30lbs over the past two years and he has been on and off sick every other month with a cold, sinus infection or lung congestion for the past 6 months . His body is trying to tell him something.  

Sarah is super talented. She speaks all across the United States with hundreds and even thousands of people in her audiences.  She helps so many, but is driven to travel a minimum of once a month for 3-4 days at a time. Her body is deteriorating even though she takes lots of supplements.  She doesn't believe in rest.  Even when she is home she is working and going all the time.  She just won't quit.

All three of these individuals are STRESSED OUT. 

HERE IS WHAT I SEE IN STRESSED OUT PEOPLE

1)  The are always striving to be perfect, do better, good is never good enough

2)  They over promise to people please

3)  They can't say NO to anything. 

The greatest thing my mentor taught me is “just because you can        doesn't mean you should”

4)  They are STRIVING all the time. 

The word Strife or Striving means “lack of agreement”, “state of conflict” or “war”.   The Bible is very clear about the downfalls of Strife.

5) They are money driven and no matter how much they get or have saved it's not enough.  

Money and having it is not bad, it's when we have our own personal issues with money like the LOVE OF IT.   Mathew 6:24 is a good statement to read out of the Bible about the love of money. 

But the fact is WE ALL HAVE STRESS, but why is it some people like our three friends end up with heart disease and a variety of health problems and others can handle mountains of stress with out ever getting ILL physically or emotionally.  

I believe it has a lot of how they deal with it.  Here are some observations I have made of those who LIVE in AMAZING HEALTH with MOUNTAINS OF STRESSFUL things in their lives.  I call these individuals the STRESSLESS.  There stressors vary from huge Multi-million dollar businesses, to caring for a disabled child or ill parents.

Here are my observations of how they deal with STRESS:

1)  Acceptance:  “It is ….what it is“    They accept the situation they are in unconditionally.

2)  Live in the moment:   They don't look back at things they could have done better a year ago or even yesterday.  They live in the NOW. 

3) Positive, Positive, and Positive:  Even if their house just burned down their words, thoughts, and actions stay attached to a positive rope. The words that come out of their mouths are NEVER Negative. 

We all have heard the phrase the Power of the tongue. Dr. Lavonne Atnip a Psychologist and Christian Marriage Counselor teaches in depth about this. She says even saying the words, “I am tired” causes the mind to respond and create tiredness in the body.  Our poor friend Terry doesn't realize with every word and complaint he utters especially like “I want to die” although his logical mind knows differently he is creating a physiological response in his body that is NOT GOOD.

4) They have a basic mentality that they were put on this earth to serve. It can be a small or big capacity but the mentality and fullness of their life after you meet them all seems the same.  A mom who cares for her autistic son or a Pastor who leads thousands to Christ a year. 

5) They let go of their burdens and Let God deal with it.  Most of these individuals have a deep connection to GOD.  They live this Bible Verse, 
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30  

None of us can wake up tomorrow and change into people like these Healthy Happy Stressless individuals, but we can wake up tomorrow and work on ONE thing.  Maybe we can stop using the phrase, “I am dying” or “this is killing me” the next time we are at the gym or doing something hard.   

Pick one thing that you can do tomorrow to start on the road to a STRESSLESS LIFE.   Write it in the Comment Section and we will all support each other on the road to health. 

Got Feedback? Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

 

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.