Yummy!!

Forks Over Knives is a website that no one should miss!!

This wonderful Whole Food Plant Based Diet website provides healthy and healing information, delicious on-going recipes and a calendar of events being held during the year.

Please take the time to visit this website and try some of the recipes.  You will be so glad that you did!  Go to www.forksoverknives.com

Happy and Healthy Eating!

Colleen :-)

The Importance of Protein....

Although there are debates about diets that include "high amounts of protein" it is known that protein is essential for every person to include in their daily meals. Many times we hear about not getting enough protein for our bodies, and when you are dealing with a chronic illness, it is imperative that in one way or another, your body receives the protein it needs. 

Protein is a nutrient that needs to fulfill the healthy and healing function of every single cell in your body.

Here is what protein does for our various systems:

1. Neurological system relies on protein to transfer information between your brain, spinal cord, other organs and your cellular system.

2. Digestive tract functions properly when your protein needs are met.

3.  Endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones that regulate your immune, central nervous and reproductive systems.

Many thanks to The Truth About Cancer organization (www.thetruthaboutcancer.com) that has shared the following information...

***Remember that looking for Organic is the best to buy when you can.

Hope this information helps you!

Colleen :-)

Walking.....








Throw on your shoes, sneakers, flip flops or anything else that makes your toes and feet happy and start walking!!

Here are just a few benefits for walking everyday:

• Gets you outside among other people and into your community.
• Prevents or manages various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
• Strengthens your bones and muscles.
• Improves your mood.
• Improves your balance and coordination.
• You sleep better.

So head outside as soon as you can!

(Don't forget to give a gift of a smile or hello with each person you pass along the way)

Stepping out of my door,

Colleen :-)

Gifts of the Ocean...

On a walk along the beach, the waves brought in sea glass and a heart shaped stone along my path.
These could have been passed by hundreds of feet before mine came upon each of these small gifts that reminded me of all the love and blessings in my life.

Sending special wishes for many blessings in your days!

Colleen :-)

Laughter...

What will make you smile and laugh today????

Laughter is heathy and healing!   Make sure that your day includes those bright times that make you smile and even belly laugh.  Don't forget to share it with others, especially those who may need those smiles more than you would ever know.

Carry your laughter with you wherever you go and enjoy each and every day!

A very happy Sunday to you,

Colleen :-)

Walk Through...

Paraphrased from Joel Osteen:

"During the tough times, it's easy to get discouraged.  No matter what you are facing today, know this:  you are not alone, and you are just walking through.You don't have to stop and live in the tough times.  They are only temporary.  I encourage you today, don't allow fear to paralyze you.

Remember, God is with you. He is walking beside you. He is strengthening you. He is making a way of escape for you. He is lining up people and situations to bring you out of that tough place into a place of strength and victory.  Don't give up!

Press on and walk through! Begin to get a vision of your life on the other side of these challenges. See yourself more loving, more faithful, stronger and more blessed than ever before. As you keep moving forward and walking through, you will get to the other side of these times and experience the victory God has in store for you!"

Blessings and walking with you in spirit,
Colleen :-)

Hay House World Summit...Finding Health and Wellness  (listen for free)

 

 

 

Some of you may have heard of Hay House Publishing if you have read Wayne Dyer, Brian Weiss or other authors published and presented over the years.

Right now Hay House has presentations that you can listen to as you take a "Journey to Self-Discovery, Health and Success."

Listen to break through lessons and tools from today's life-changing experts.

Connect in health and spirituality.

Create meaningful relationships.

And more...

Go to www.hayhouseworldsummit.com to sign up (the summit started May 6th but there are some wonderful speakers in the next few days until the 23rd).

Enjoy!


Hugs,
Colleen :-)

Surviving Adversity....(for anything anyone may be going through)

Twenty six years ago the actor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In a recent article, Fox shared his six rules for surviving adversity in life. 

These are well worth sharing with you........

1. Exercise - "We have learned it will prolong your ability to operate positively in the world."

2. Pacing - For Michael J. Fox he says "It helps me think-the physical motion creates intellectual motion."

3. Acceptance - "It isn't resignation, and it freed me to actively deal with and endeavor to change my situation. I like to say, 'My happiness goes in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations.'"

4. Honesty - "Don't remain silent or ashamed about your illness"  But I would add here that DO share with those you know will give you the support and kindness you would want.

5. Optimism - "I hate when people say, 'You're giving them false hope. To me, hope is informed optimism"   (I LOVE this one!!)

6. Humor- "I laugh at (my involuntary movements and the scenes they create). There are times when I love these things."

May these "rules" help you in each and every one of your days!

Positive energy and healing,

Colleen :-)

Oh the love of our pets and our healing...

We just got very good news about one of our dog's health and were reminded of the incredible joy these little fur balls bring into our lives!   Recently I listened to a video by Eckhart Tolle who shared that our pets, when well cared for, are living the "total bliss" we are often seeking in our own lives.

That is why when we sit and pet our dogs and cats, our blood pressure goes down and we are drawn into our pets' lives and their peace & calm immediately.

I thought I would share this wonderful list of Wellness Tips We Can Learn From a Dog (author unknown):


*Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.

*Let the experience of fresh air in your face be pure ecstasy.

*When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

*Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

*When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

*Take naps and stretch before rising.

*Run, romp, and play daily.

*Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

*Be loyal.

*Never pretend to be something you're not.

*If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

*When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

*Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

*On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

*When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

*If you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing, run right back and make friends.

*Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Enjoy the wonderful animals in your life and start bringing more of their days into your life!

Hugs,
Colleen :-)

Are You Awake?....

I had the opportunity to see this singer, Stowe Dailey Shockey, and really enjoyed her music. As a cancer survivor, her songs ring true to all that life holds for each of us every day, no matter what experiences we may have along the way.

Stowe's song "Wake Up" is one that I think you will enjoy.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JyggRXAlms


Look for her book "Flying High".....her album is also of the same name and holds wonderful songs including "Second Chance"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAN_SoBchBE


and "The Stars"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7b2UUKNi9I



Don't forget to be who you were meant to be!

Happy Listening,
Colleen :-)

Love and strength...

For those who have the opportunity to speak with, or hug, your mom today, make sure to take the time to do this with the blessings of another year together.

With some who have lost their mom or do not have the relationship they have hoped for today, you may not have the chance to connect in the same way.  But let there be plenty of moments that you take today to "talk" with your mom and send hugs for them into the universe.

Let your heart feel your faith and strength...and embrace the love that is encircling all of us on this special day.

Celebrating all the moms with tender and gentle effect...

Happy Mother's Day!

Colleen :-)

Hope...and Finding It...

ONLY FROM HERE

There was no room for me
On the sunny meadow
So I bowed my head down
And moved…
To the shadow.

And I stood there watching
How others rejoice
Feeling poignant sorrow,
No hope and
No choice.

Yet, it’s only from here,
From this dreary sight, 
From this deep, deep darkness
That I saw
         The Light.   

LILIANA KOHANN                                       ©Artpeace 2005

**Shared from www.thehealingpoems.com

Unexpected Good...

As we go through our every day routines, we are sometimes caught up in everything happening along the way as it usually does, that we can even miss some of the Unexpected Good in our lives.

These don't need to be huge events or surprises, but can be even those small blessings that may make us smile, belly laugh, share something with a friend, have a lighter step in our walk, hug a family member or just plain make us feel good inside.

What are some of the Unexpected Good we may need to pay better attention to in our days?


* A neighbor waves with a bright smile just for you

* A flock of geese fly overhead squawking with one another to say hello

* The roses smell exceptionally beautiful

* Children run by giggling and their laughs become contagious

* A waiter brings a complimentary drink to add to the taste of your food

* A friend asks in what way can they help you today

* The clerk at the store goes out of his/her way to assist you

* A walk down the street brings sunshine and warmth on your back....and in your heart


I am sure your list would have even more Unexpected Good, so make a mental note of what your list would contain.

Today is the time to really start noticing all of it!

With goodness and hugs to you,

Colleen :-)

Soy information...

People have asked me to post some information from my research on the ingredient soy that is used in many food products for taste.

Many people are allergic to soy, or make a personal choice not to use it in their food.  However, people with chronic illnesses are even more aware of studies that show soy is not good for their health and healing.

What many of us don't realize is that as our society has turned more towards organic, we should be reading the labels on our food further to make sure we know exactly what is in what we are eating.

This post is about Soy and Chickens......the next time you go to the store, you probably will see "Organic Chicken Vegetarian Fed" (or something like this....usually frozen in some of the top health food stores).

Please be aware that "Vegetarian Fed" very often means that the chickens have been fed corn and SOY!!   So if the chickens are eating soy, the eggs we eat also have SOY!

But in my research I have found that there are now SOY FREE EGGS.   I have been able to find them at Whole Foods, and will continue to search further.   Also, online research shows that there are farms listed that raise Soy Free Chickens.

***And as an added note....Please be aware that TOFU, also known as bean curd, is a food made by coagulating SOY milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks.  Another product to avoid if you do not want to consume soy. (Although I am not very familiar with it, there are online products listed as "soy free tofu" to check out)

Happy Soy Free eating!

Colleen :-)

Tapping during your day....

It is not dance steps that we are talking about here, but "Tapping" (EFT....Emotional Freedom Technique) is a combination of Ancient Chinese Acupressure and Modern Psychology that provides startling results.  And the wonderful part of this healing skill is that it is literally in your own hands and can be used anytime, and anywhere.

Nick Ortner, the NY Times Best-Selling Author of "The Tapping Solution" explains on his website:

"You’re tired of feeling sad, depressed, anxious, discontent, and unwell. You’re sick of the expensive and ineffective treatments. You’re fed up with relinquishing the power over your health and happiness to psychologists and doctors. You’d like to grow, flourish, and thrive, putting the past in the past. You want to be your best, living a life that is filled with peacefulness, joy, and fulfillment, from day to day and moment to moment.

Tapping provides relief from chronic pain, emotional problems, disorders, addictions, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical diseases. While Tapping is newly set to revolutionize the field of health and wellness, the healing concepts that it’s based upon have been in practice in Eastern medicine for over 5,000 years. Like acupuncture and acupressure, Tapping is a set of techniques which utilize the body’s energy meridian points. You can stimulate these meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips – literally tapping into your body’s own energy and healing power."

Because you don't need any tools except for your hands/fists this amazing process is free and releases the negative energy within our bodies so that we can live happier and healthier lives.

The more I share this information, the more people are using this technique now.  But Nick Ortner has been using Tapping with groups all over the world and bringing calm and peace to many.

Please take some time to visit www.thetappingsolution.com to learn how to make your days even better while having control to improve your health and mind.

Happy Tapping!

Colleen :-)

Learn More at http://www.thetappingsolution.com

Who am I.....

As we go through our days, we often see ourselves as others may.....a wife, husband, sister, brother, mother, father, coworker, colleague, friend, teammate, caregiver, etc.

But it is not until we truly look inside ourselves (and without any other influences) do we get to know who we are and what our importance means to us.

It is this that lies in each of our hearts and is there for us to seek, know and be reminded of what makes us part of this incredible day.

So who are you?

Take this moment to sit in quiet and think of five words that are you.  Say them out loud slowly, and let your mind and heart hear them. Fill your body with these positive acknowledgements. They are part of the puzzle pieces that make up your wonderful being!

For me, they are:

Faithful
Spiritual
Engaging
Connected
Courageous

Breathe these in deeply and let them settle in the areas of your body where they belong.

Now go out into your day, reminding yourself along the way of these beautiful attributes and make sure to celebrate you each and every day!

With joy,

Colleen :-)