Happy New Year 2022

The Best of 2021 – A New Year’s Tradition

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A tradition my husband and I started years ago was to sit down either on New Year’s Eve or New Years Day and reflect on all the blessings we’ve experienced throughout the year. I document this all in my journal. Reliving these events is what fills our hearts and helps us to focus on what’s really important in life. We typically make a meal together on New Year’s Eve and then reflect on the blessings of the year. It’s quite easy to focus on the bad especially during the insanity of the past two years. It was and continues to be like watching a tennis match bouncing back and forth from open to close, mandates or not!

One thing the shutdown taught us was to value time with family and friends. We took so much for granted like travel, vacations, concerts, or spending quality time with loved ones. As you read my list, you’ll see only one of the bulleted lists is a material item.

  1. We found a great deal on a hybrid car in February. This was a blessing to help us save money on fuel for my husband’s daily commute.
  2. Also in February, I added a new clean product line with Modere and experienced the amazing benefits of liquid collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. I had tried powder collagen’s with no success so grateful that I gave this one a try. Not only did it transform our health, but it literally saved our Baylee’s (bulldog) life. In less than 60 days, she went from hips collapsing and not being able to use her back leg to being completely mobile and active. We are forever grateful.
  3. In March, our Governor lifted the mask mandates. It felt like freedom and pray we don’t go back.
  4. My husband and I started reading Revelations in Through the Word app. I highly recommend this app created by Kris Langham. He and his team explain every chapter and verse in everyday terms. He also has a great sense of humor which helps when trying to understand sometimes challenging information.
  5. In July, my mom felt comfortable enough to have me come home (Michigan)! It was a glorious time after almost 2 years apart.
  6. Our son Wes was married in October. The wedding took place on October 2 in a beautiful wooded area in rural Indiana.  His wife is a beautiful young woman who has a strong faith in God. We flew home from the wedding on my husband’s birthday so I surprised him with a first-class ticket!
  7. My best friend came to visit in September. Vicky has been a dear friend for years and was my rock when my husband left for South Carolina to start his new job. It was a stressful time and it was great to reconnect.
  8. My sister Carolyn came to visit in August and we experienced a culinary tour in downtown Charleston. Another reason I’ll be looking to drop a few pounds in 2022.
  9. My brother Dennis came to visit in November and we took a History of Charleston walking tour. Charleston is rich in its culture and beautiful architecture.
  10. Early December I flew to Michigan to spend time with my 98-year-old mother and siblings. It was an early Christmas gift to myself.

I truly believe 2022 will only be better. I pick a word each year to live by and this year it is Courageous.  Every day is a choice to live life the way God intended. We will not die one day sooner or later than what God planned for us so why live in fear.  God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love.  (2 Timothy 1:7) So promise me, you will continue to live your best life.

Finding Joy in Family

4 Simple Tips to Reclaim Your Joy During Stressful Times

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Would you have thought back in March when this partial isolation started that we would still be somewhat locked down in July? Thankfully we can explore outside, have lake or beach adventures and take time to reflect on what brings us joy with limited resources.

I have been very thankful during my time of self-reflection, to be comforted by knowing I have a foundation of faith.  With so much discord in many facets of life these days, it is so incredible to believe in a God that we can trust. It gives such a sense of peace to know he holds all things under his control and that they will work out best for those that love him.

It has been therapeutic for me to expand my horizons with new things to find joy in. So, I want to share these tips with you in hopes that it may help you as well.

  1. Create a getaway haven in your home or yard. God gave us two perfect trees to hold a hammock! I am happy to be enjoying it daily along with the sunshine and my surroundings.Create an Escape Haven
  2. Create/find a mental escape. I have spent time doing some “light” reading. Escaping into a fun novel has reduced my stress and taken me away to some fun places if only in my mind! Remember the brain doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined. Meditation is also a wonderful way to create a mental escape and restore balance.
  3. Create a fun dining experience. Last weekend we picked up food from a couple different restaurants (each picked our favorites) and took it to a park to eat. We packed a picnic basket with beverages and other necessities and were able to enjoy the fresh air, new scenery and each other.
  4. Create more family time. I have enjoyed some precious time celebrating our growing family. Thankfully, my children were able to visit for a few days and help me celebrate my day of birth. However, you don’t need a reason to be together. The photos you see in the collage above are of our wonderful weekend together.  We had fun exploring the beach, our grandson came which always helps re-energize the family and we are thrilled to announce my son’s girlfriend recently said “YES”. Words cannot express how much joy this brings us.

Nothing puts things in perspective like realizing our joy does not come from what we have, where we can go or what we do….it truly comes from the love we share with those closest to us. This summer, maybe more than ever, I have been thankful for the slower pace of my personal world that has allowed me to discover more joy in making these precious memories and the people I share them with.

As my family watched the incredible show of fireworks put on by our many incredible neighbors on July 4th, it was a wonderful reminder that we still live in a great country and can find so much joy if we look for it.

 

Saving time and money at Costco

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Whether you have a large family, small business or preparing for hurricane season, Costco is a convenient and cost effective way to shop. That is assuming you have the space to store everything and the discipline to stop buying those fun things you may not really need. Either way, it is an experience. I started this post pre COVID19 so thinking the experience may not be quite as much fun now.

We’ve had a Sam’s membership for years and I felt they had a good selection of organics. However, Costco definitely rules in the area of selection and quantity of organic products which is always my goal. Eat more organic!

Kirkland Signature is the house brand for Costco. The bath tissue is a great value here and I thought at first we were crazy buying 30 rolls! However, the convenience of not having to pick this up on a regular basis was a blessing. Now that we have created a bath tissue crisis, not sure this is as readily available but much more of a coveted commodity! The cost is $16.99.

And speaking of commodity, the Kirkland water is a great value at $4.99 especially for those of us who need to keep extra water on hand for emergencies. Buying the 6 one gallon bottles uses less plastic plus you can reuse or recycle them.

Quinoa is a staple in our predominantly plant-based home. Snacks, gluten-free, are fun but always monitor sugar levels. The Made Good granola minis taste great but too high in sugar for me. Essential fatty acids are key in our diet so I felt the chia seeds and hemp hearts were great value as well. I add 2 tablespoons to my green smoothies and sprinkle the hemp hearts on my salads or stir either into my overnight oats.

We go through a lot of black beans for soups, stews, appetizers and my favorite black bean brownie recipe. The case is a great value and so convenient to have on hand. $6.99 for 8 cans is .87 per can. The organic tomato sauce works out to be around .66 cents per can for the 12 cans. The almond milk 3-pack works out to be $2.99/carton which is an exceptional value.

Also, my favorites are the organic frozen fruits and vegetables like pineapple, black cherries and broccoli! The frozen organic black cherries are delicious in my chocolate smoothies.

I’ve attached my receipt so you can compare prices and see other items I’ve purchased. I shop for convenience so I’m not saying everything is the best deal but my priority is the taste, quality and that certified organic stamp. Happy shopping and as always you are worth the time and investment of buying quality food for you and your family.


 

 

 

Personal Care Products that could be Harming Your Family

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As I was cleaning out cabinets, I decided to glance over the ingredient list of some hair care products that I used to use. To be honest, it scared me. I used to put these on my body and didn’t think about the impact to my skin, lungs or other vital organs!

Think about the personal care products that you and your family use on a daily basis…lotions, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sanitizer, nail polish, baby soaps, make up, perfumes/colognes, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent.  EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) concluded in a study that on average people use 9 personal care products daily and applied an average of 126 unique ingredients on their skin daily. That’s a lot of chemicals!

Do you feel safe knowing that the government does not require long term safety studies or pre-market testing for most ingredients in personal care products? According to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA.” The cosmetic industry is authorized to police it’s own ingredient safety and many of these ingredients have the potential to harm humans and animals. The FDA panel has only banned 11 ingredients while the European Union has taken action on hundreds of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.

Your skin is your largest organ and is porous, so whatever you put on it will be absorbed within moments of application. And what about your lungs? You are inhaling the chemicals as well, even if you aren’t applying them to your skin.  If the products you use contain harmful ingredients such as harsh, toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances, those ingredients make their way into your body, your blood and lymphatic system. The majority of mainstream personal care products contain carcinogenic chemicals, allergens, endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogens, irritants and can cause harm to your reproductive system. It is easy to see why it is so important to be diligent to watch what is in the products that you are using.

So what ingredients should you avoid? There are countless toxic ingredients in the products that we use on a daily basis and so it is important to do your research and always look at the ingredient list in everything that you buy. A few ingredients to avoid are fragrance, perfume, substances that generate formaldehyde (nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates cancer causing formaldehyde–see list below), mineral oil and petroleum, parabens, ethanolmines (DEA, MEA, TEA), benzones, triclosan, heavy metals such as cadmium, aluminum, mercury, lead, and arsenic, phthalates, and styrene. This list unfortunately is not all-inclusive. Plus these chemicals are xenoestrogens which can disrupt our hormone balance and health.

You can easily switch over to safe products by accessing easy to use Apps and websites like ThinkDirty, EWG’s Skin Deep, and the Good Guide which will rate your personal care products for safety and toxicity. Always read the ingredient label and do not be fooled by labels such as natural and even partial organic products can contain harmful ingredients. I especially avoid parfum or fragrances as I will have an immediate reaction to these. Use products with the MADE SAFE® seal. Also, support hair and nail salons that offer safer and more natural products. I ask lots of questions before making an appointment and conduct my own research on their product lines. Knowing which companies test on animals is a top priority as well. Check out the company’s testing practices on sites such a PETA.org to find which do and do not test.

Avoid these ingredients/chemicals as they contains a formaldehyde-releasing chemical:

  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • Quaternium-15
  • Bronopol (2–bromo–2–nitropropane–1,3-diol )
  • 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
  • Hydroxymethylglycinate

For your safety, schedule time to review and clean out the harmful products that you are using and replace them with safe nontoxic options! I’d love to chat more about healthier options, set up your call here!

Towels rolled into I Love (shape of heart) and letter U at omni hilton head hotel

Taking Life for Granted

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My husband and I recently enjoyed our annual vacation at the Omni Hilton Head Resort. It didn’t take long to realize how we are taking life for granted.

A few inconveniences happened during our trip, which left me a bit frustrated, and truly perturbed (this had nothing to do with the hotel or service because the staff is amazing).

It was no sooner than this happened that God created an opportunity to help me put life into perspective.  I was exiting our room and saw our room attendant.  She saw me take our dog out and asked if she could clean now. I said yes please, as our room was starting to feel like a sandbox! She had already progressed to the next floor, so stated that she had to go grab her cart. I told her I really didn’t want to inconvenience her but she insisted it was not a problem.  A few minutes later I realized I forgot something and went back to the room.

Now if you know me, I’m usually in a hurry. However, this time I stopped to talk to her. I asked her name, which was Novia (quite a beautiful name!). I if she was full-time or seasonal. She shared that she was seasonal and would be going back to Jamaica in February. I asked her if she was excited to go home and if she had any family here or if they were all in Jamaica.  I saw her light up as she expressed excitement to return to her husband and 10-year-old daughter.

Everything about my mood changed at that moment. I forgot about all my superficial concerns and inconveniences immediately as I was overcome with sadness to the point of immediate tears. I was choked up and struggling to speak. I expressed how difficult that must be. We are staying at a 5-star hotel and being pampered while a mom and wife are separated 10 months out of the year from her family, to make a living for them.  I felt sad, as we as Americans take so many things for granted

I asked her what could be done and if her daughter and/or husband could come to visit at least while she was here working. She mentioned looking into getting a Visa for her daughter. I told her I wanted to help. I didn’t know what that would look like or what I could even do but God had put it on my heart to offer. She was moved and asked if she could give me a hug. I eagerly accepted it. She also agreed that God brought her down to our floor for this reason. (She was working another floor and stopped there, went up, and got her cart to service our room). I searched frantically for a business card, which I never leave home without, but couldn’t find one. I finally found my business brochure that had my contact info and gave it to her. I asked her to please keep in touch and let me know what she found out and how I could help.

I came back to my room to find this on our bed.

towels rolled into I love (shape of heart) the letter U left by our room attendant at omni hotel

It brought tears to my eyes again.  I pray that she will keep in touch and/or allow me to help her. I can’t imagine a better gift that I could give than to reunite a family, especially a mother and her daughter. I told myself that when I went home I was going to make it more of a priority to help those who aren’t as blessed as I am.  I now remotely understand how when people go on a mission trip they come back changed.

Although the Omni Resort was far from the mission field, I was given an opportunity to serve someone who is far less fortunate than I. I left a generous tip in the room with a note encouraging her to keep in touch. I can’t wait to write the happy ending to this story. I have a few ideas on how I am going to make it work so stay tuned for future posts.

And a couple of things we can all do is number one, appreciate how good of a life we have in the United States. Second, slow down to connect with people and learn about their lives. Last, but most importantly, we can pray for others. I didn’t hear from her and I know the hotel couldn’t provide her contact information, but I pray for her and her family often, especially her daughter.

 

One Door Closes and Another One Opens: Changes at B Renewed

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B Renewed started in my home office in 2009. I knew God had given me a gift to share health and whole food nutrition. It wasn’t an easy task, as I didn’t have a manual, just divine guidance. Through the years, I experienced many painful lessons! However, every challenge has provided an opportunity for me to learn and grow.

Due to continued growth beyond the Tri-state area, some changes will be occurring at B Renewed soon and I wanted to share them with you first. I can’t express how much love and gratitude I have for each of you. Allowing B Renewed to serve your wellness needs locally has been a gift and an honor.

Effective September 1, we will be transitioning into a new phase of our business. Our business has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years, and much of that growth has been from clients outside of the tri-state area. To meet the growing demands of remote clients, we are transitioning to online or virtual products and services platforms to support this change.

The good news is that we will still serve our clients locally, however; it will be in a different capacity, which means consulting will be conducted via video conferencing or telephone.

The B Renewed Wellness Center, our physical location, will close effective August 31. Our contact information such as our office number as well as our email addresses will remain unchanged. If you have an existing appointment or currently participate in one of our local coaching programs, we will honor our commitment to you.

So many of you are probably asking, “What about Ashley?” Well, a week after I announced my decision to the team, her husband was offered a position out of state. We both knew at that moment, that God’s hand was all over this change.

You may also be wondering about obtaining your enzymes, supplements, and hormone balancing products.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wellness journey. My mission was, and still is, to create a legacy of health for you and your children, and grandchildren. If you would like to help me in this mission, I’m looking for people who have a desire to make a difference, aren’t afraid of hard work, and are teachable. You do not need formal education, just a heart for serving.

Thank you and God bless.

 

Dr. Bonnie’s 2012 Reflections

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This spring we experienced a beautiful week in Avon/Outer Banks, NC with our three grown children. For those who have grown children, you know how precious this is getting everyone together. We had a home on the beach and watched the sun set and rise against the ocean with all its glory. We played in the water, made smores in the firepit and played cards and games galore. Our oldest daughter even caught a baby shark on our fishing excursion. It was a place that we all agreed we would want to revisit soon.

The next milestone was my son deciding to enlist in the Army/ROTC. He left for Basic Training in Ft. Benning, Tuesday, September 18. I had no idea how hard that would be to let go. When you spend your entire life protecting that life, letting go and trusting that he will be safe and treated well with complete strangers was extremely difficult. I struggled with that for several weeks as we had little or no contact with him.

However, the blessing is what I have learned and want to share with others. The emotions range from fear of not knowing where or who is taking care of them to concern for their ability to pass the tests. My plan is to join a support group and raise awareness for parents who experience this same thing. To comfort them and let them know it is normal to experience these feelings. I knew nothing about the military process and have learned much that I can share with other moms to give them a sense of peace when their child makes the decision. I am SO proud of him to want to serve our country but nevertheless, seeing him walk on that plane unto the unknown was tough.

The final life-altering event was losing Beau. You can read his multi-part story here. I have never experienced losing a pet that I had grown so close to. The intensity of the pain it brought us was excruciating at times. 

We knew it would be hard, but didn’t truly realize what a huge part of our life he had become. Since working from home, we shared almost every moment for the past three years including meals, walks and just life. Beau had a gift of helping my clients by showing them his love and protection. I loved watching him interact with clients that are critically ill as he was very sensitive and much calmer around them. 

Pets bring so much life into a home and even though we still have Catalina (cat), there is a huge void in our home and in our hearts. I know time will heal but he will always remain in our hearts. Besides, I know “all dogs go to heaven.” My husband made the sweetest comment and said that God knew what an amazing dog he gave us (almost 13 years, 91 in human years!) and was ready to take him back. I think he was right on with that thought.

Last, but not least, my business has continued to grow and God allows me to serve so many in different capacities. Instead of only helping people with their health, I’m also teaching people how to manage their own wellness businesses. I’m on a mission to save lives and people from toxic food and toxic medications. Taking a team perspective is much more impactful as together we can serve more.

Disease (yes, even cancer) IS preventable and curable. And even if we have cancer or other chronic disease, it doesn’t mean that chemo and radiation are the only answers.  There are many other natural, safe options. We need an army of men and women sharing the message of whole food nutrition and natural healing. Our children’s lives and futures are at stake.

If you are ready to make a change in your health or want to spread the word, please contact me. The training is included and you don’t need a PhD to make a difference!

Sleeping with Darth Vader – Part II of Beau’s Journey

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You can ready Part 1 of the journey here if you’ve missed it.
Beau in his chair

It’s Monday, December 3, 2012 and I’m awakened at 3:30 a.m.  Yesterday, it was 2:30 a.m. so I’m grateful for an extra hour of sleep.  I awake to what sounds like Darth Vader sleeping next to me.  It is the deep raspy gurgling breathing of our boxer, Beau. He has a history of snoring but typically only when he sleeps on a pillow (so we usually didn’t allow him to have one).

However, for the past couple days, it’s much louder and constant.  His struggle to breathe through his nose is keeping him up as well. He finally stops fighting to find a sleeping position in which he can breathe and sits up. Instead of being annoyed at my lack of sleep, my heart goes out to him as I know the quality and quantity of his rest is vitally low.  It is starting to show in his eyes. As a wellness coach, I preach the importance of getting uninterrupted sleep, as this is when our immune system rebuilds and repairs.

This scenario brings back memories of my dad before he passed away as he struggled with emphysema.  I can somewhat relate as for years in my childhood I struggled with asthma and depended on an inhaler.  If you’ve ever experienced this you know the fear when you are fighting to breath especially for a child.  I’m so blessed that I was able to heal myself (through whole foods) and be free of the asthma but most importantly eliminate my dependency on medication.

Besides the plethora of whole foods/herbs, I am using a combination of therapeutic essential oils on Beau’s paw pads including eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, and a blend of various other oils. I also am using a cold-air diffuser using the same oils throughout the day and night to oxygenate his body as well as enhance his immune system. I know it won’t resolve the problem but will give his body some support and relief.

Beau has been diagnosed with a nasal tumor along with nasal polyps.  It was not confirmed cancerous but a 90% chance it is. Therefore, these conditions create his struggle to breathe.  Since his nasal passages are partially blocked, he breathes from his mouth.  I had never seen this before in a dog and it is sad to see him struggle although most days he does quite well.

A scarier aspect that we’ve come to accept is when the nasal polyps burst.  The nasal bleeding can continue for hours.  He also starts a series of sneezes, which would be bloody and end up everywhere.  You know, dogs don’t use tissues.  We started to learn the routine and follow him around when he started the sneezing fit and put a towel in front of him.  However, he never sits still while he sneezes.  Our walls end up being sprayed and it was a never-ending event of wall washing.  My husband and I take turns cleaning.  We may feel a bit inconvenienced but much more concern, love and compassion for what he was going though.  I am wishing he could just tell me what he needed or how he felt.  I know he doesn’t feel well, as he is not responding to our touch with the excitement he used to. Not wanting to be physically touched is totally out of character for Beau and all boxers.

We are amazed at the amount of blood and how he functions despites the constant dripping stream from his nose. The poor guy continues to lick his upper lip in an attempt to stop the drip.  We used capsicum and helichrysum, which typically will stop internal bleeding, but this situation is not the same. My go-to, proven natural remedies weren’t working.  The first time, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, was the worst.  It started around 8 pm and continued throughout the night.  I prayed so hard for it to stop on Thanksgiving morning so we could bring Beau back in the house.  He hadn’t been in a kennel since he was a pup.  It was cold in the garage and he hated to be alone. We finally had no choice but to kennel him and we dug out our space heater to keep him warm. The bleeding finally subsided around 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning and we were able to have our four-legged baby back in the house, on his chair, where he belonged.  Talk about an answer to prayer.

Although God gave us a reprieve for the day, it started back that weekend.  It gets easier as we now know what to expect and that short term it isn’t life threatening.  However, long-term we accept (not very well) the fact that the tumor may continue to grow and possibly create additional restrictions.  We are flooding his body with whole, raw foods and herbs.  I start to feel a bit defeated.  I’ve helped so many people with their health issues but why can’t I help him?  That’s when I hear the reminder message loud and clear.  “Bonnie, you’re not God, you are just using what knowledge you’ve been gifted.  You don’t decide who is healed or who lives or dies.” I had to remind myself that I provide the protocol and leave the rest to our maker.

Beau loved sitting in this position as he could keep an eye on me while I'm working in the kitchen.

However, this little guy is so near and dear to my heart, I wanted to step in and take over because I’m not ready to let go.  Then I humbly hear the voice, “that’s not what we agreed to Bonnie”. I am again reminded how blessed I’ve been called to serve others in this capacity and that God gave us Beau to take care of for whatever time He deems.

So lovingly we’ve  nicknamed Beau Darth and other days we’d call him our “little” Cujo (bloody nose days).  We’ve always attempted to maintain a sense of humor about life to keep it in perspective.  Besdies, this is just our temporary stomping ground.I laughed one day as our UPS lady seemed quite apprehensive to deliver a package as we were standing outside.  I’m sure he looked like a flesh destroying beast to her with his bloody little nose!  I told her he was just a sick “little” guy with partial loss of vision, hearing and completely harmless.

Beau has always had a big heart for women and children.  He is so gentle and forever erased my initial fear of dogs. Boxers are a needy and physically affectionate animals and have a constant desire to touch their humans.  We’ve been so blessed to enable him in his needs.

Writing about Beau’s journey is great therapy for me and hopefully a way to help others who may have to experience this.  If you’ve been down this road (or are currently there) please comment or let me know how I can support you in any way.

A Mom and Her Dog – Part I of Beau’s Journey

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They steal our hearts with their unconditional love.  You can leave the house for five minutes and they greet you with such excitement that you’d think you had been away for days, weeks or months. They create habits and lifestyle that we condone or become enslaved to.  I’m not referring to our children; however, they could fall into this same category. I am referring to our four-legged children.

Beau is our four-legged child/twelve-year-old boxer. Beau came into our lives when my son was 10 years old.  He and my husband wanted a dog and I swore we wouldn’t have one of those little creatures in my home! (Never, say never!) However, I really felt it was important for a “boy to have a dog” as much as I despised the thought of a dog in my home.  I remember telling a friend that we had an indoor dog she exclaimed, “You have a dog in your home?!” as it was completely out of character for me.

It all started when a family in Kentucky advertised a litter of pups and we went to “look”.  We were on the floor checking out all the pups when Beau walked over and curled up in my lap and went to sleep. It was done.  I lost the battle.  Beau reached out and grabbed my heart at that moment and 12 years later he still owns it.

We brought him home and since this was my son’s pet, I’d place Beau in bed with him so they could bond.  However, Beau would always find his way back to our bedroom.  I’m not sure why this was (or maybe I do)!  Was it because I carried the dog around with me constantly like he didn’t have legs?  Or, I would take him for a walk and end up carrying him because he’d get tired.  My husband tells everyone the story that the dog’s feet never hit the ground the first nine months of his life.  Sadly, that is partially true.

I remember “walking” him one day carrying him like a baby on his back, which he was perfectly content with.  One of my neighbors thought he was hurt or sick and asked me what was wrong.  I told him that “he was just tired of walking” so I had to carry him.

One thing we noticed about Beau when we brought him home the first day was that he had unusually large feet especially for a boxer.  Well, Beau grew into those feet and peaked at around 80 pounds.  Therefore, sleeping with us in bed wasn’t as cute as it was in the beginning.  So we did the most humane thing possible, we replaced our queen size bed with a king.  However, no matter how big the bed was, Beau insisted on sleeping between us and sleeping on a body part.  He like laying on our legs and many nights we would wake up with partially paralyzed extremities!

Well, those fond memories are gone as Beau is no longer strong enough to jump up in bed.  For a while we would help him up in bed but realized this wasn’t in the best interest for any of  us.  After a few heartbreaking and failed attempts, we purchased him his own dog bed, which we placed next to ours.  We didn’t know how he would adjust after 11 years but I think he realized it was time.

Beau was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor when he was around 5 years old. We revamped his diet, supplements and lifestyle to the same protocol I would use for my cancer clients.  He did exceptionally well up until the last few months.  We recently learned the cancer is back and this time it is a nasal tumor.  Boxers have an extremely high rate of cancer and typically don’t survive much past eight years so we knew we might expect a return one-day.  However, living this much longer than average, we feel extremely blessed.

Obviously with our commitment to holistic approaches, Beau is receiving mass quantities of herbs, essential oils and the best foods. He eats a blend of raw and cooked meats (organic/clean of course) along with raw goats milk. I’m also utilizing infrared technology on him.

The hardest part is seeing the changes in him.  He no longer runs to greet us when we come home.  He may lift his head off “his” chair or bed but the good ole days off his energetic puppiness is gone.  His appetite surprisingly is still good.  I am grateful as Beau and I have been drinking green smoothies together for years and he eats most all other whole, clean, organic foods that are in our home.  Yes, Beau eats better than 90% of most Americans.

We are taking one day at a time and staying focused on enjoying the moments we have left and thank God for bringing the once bouncing (and large) bundle of joy into our lives. Animals teach us so many lessons in life and Beau has taught me more than I could mention.

My son left home years ago and is now in the military.  What started out as a boy and his dog developed into a mom and her dog.  I’m so grateful as he’s taught me so many lessons about life and unconditional love.  He has also brought joy and love to many of my clients.

If you’ve had a special pet in your life, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Pinch me, I’m dreaming.

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Pinch me, I’m dreaming.

It is only Day 2 of 8 of my CNHP (Certified Natural Health Professional) training and I’m beyond words with what I have experienced. I can’t decide which is more incredible, the training or the people I’ve met.

And yes, I’m already getting so attached to these people in two days. But, when you are spending 8-12 hours a day, it’s hard not to. My roommate has already dubbed me the “social bee” which she tells me she greatly admires. She says in her sweet Hispanic voice that, “she is working on it” (becoming more social).

I have met so many beautiful people like Isabel, Lilly, Dale, Debbie, Scott, Dina and I could go on and on. I believe there are close to one hundred of us and yes, I want to meet them all! I love to hear the stories of how they were sick (or a family member) and then experienced true healing. Their stories of what brought them here is a bit different but their passion for helping others is always the same.

Our frustrations are similar as well. How do we help those we care about that won’t listen? And how can we stand by while possibly our own family members are dying and won’t allow us to help? Well, the answer is that we share with those that want help and we give the rest to God.

Because there are lots of folks that do want help, I will continue to learn.  And speaking of learning,  I’ve passed Nutrition, Muscle Testing/Kinesiology and Body Systems! Tomorrow is Iridology.

Oh, and if this is only a dream, please don’t wake me yet.

The Arrival

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The Arrival

The day has finally arrived and I am excited beyond measure.  I train for 8 straight days (many 12 hour days) in Indianapolis to complete my certification as a Natural Health Professional.  I’ll be surrounded by amazing instructors and students from all over the world.  This will signify another important phase of my incredible journey as a wellness professional.  I can’t even imagine the doors that this will open with the education I receive not only from the instructors but from my fellow students/colleagues.  My new business cards have already been printed so my only option is to succeed. 

It was an uneventful drive to Indianapolis beside the fact that my GPS was left on Optimal Route.  Optimal means you end of driving through Federal Express parking lots to save a few miles.  I figured this out quickly and immediately corrected!

I have mixed emotions about spending 8 days in a hotel much less with someone I’ve never met.  However, being the social creature that I am, I am thrilled to share this adventure with another human being. 

Isabel is my roommate and from our time via email and the telephone, I knew she would be a blessing to share this adventure. God, as always, had his hand in connecting us.  

She was born in Columbia but lived in the LA area since she was 18 years old.  I’m guessing she is in her mid-fifties or early sixties.  She has an only child/son as well so we have that in common.  We shared the challenges, love and sometimes heartbreak that raising a child can bring. 

She has had the luxury of being mentored and works for a wellness guru who has been practicing for over 30 years.  She shared that California is full of wellness consultants (which I knew) and that some of them charge between $25 per hour and $225 based on their experience.  She shared the culture of the area she lives in and about the foods available and even raw food restaurants.  (It made me smile to think that Evansville could support a raw food restaurant.)

 She has been eating raw for years.  I had been contemplating taking this next step in my diet as learning to prepare raw food would be such a value to my cancer and chronic disease clients.  To date, I’ve been eating raw (minus 2 meals) for 7 days.  It is not as hard as I thought it would be (since I was primarily raw) and much less time consuming which I love!

 The Fitness Center is now open and calling me. Then off to Day 1 of Training (for 11.5 hours).  Prayers will be graciously accepted!

The Ripple Effect…Why I Do What I Do

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The first email that I opened today was from a newsletter subscriber thanking me for doing what I do.

A few hours later, I received a phone call from someone diagnosed with cancer.  He said the nurse at the clinic had suggested that he contact me.  She had attended one of my online classes and told him I would be a great resource as he wanted to take a healing approach to his cancer. I have since completed my training as a holistic cancer coach.

Later that day I met with a new client and she commented “meeting you is an answer to my prayers”.

Someone once shared that what I do is like skipping a stone on the water.  The ripples can continue on and on.  You never know where it will stop or if it does.

It is on those days that I may think I’m not really making a difference in the world or that it is all too hard to be a solo entrepreneur where a few words of appreciation and encouragement really keep me going.

However, I want to say that I do receive so much support and words of encouragement regularly from my friends, family, business partners and clients.  I am so blessed in that respect.

When I am working with a client and they change their eating habits, it can impact their spouse,  kids and their grandkids.  I think about the fact that we are in times where we could outlive our children because of the breakdown of DNA over the generations.  This is sad and scary.

What if I could help change that?  I know how my health has dramatically improved  but would people really want to make such “drastic” changes in their health?  Drastic defined as not eating junk food, fast food or processed food daily.  What if people were willing to take extra time to cook foods that are not laden with additives, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, etc?   What if we decided our life is worth investing time and resources in?

Well,  first I had to stop making decisions for others, put it out there and see who was open to experiencing a new way of life with energy, vitality, mental clarity and free of prescription medications and sickness.

Creating and maintaining a lifestyle of wellness isn’t for everyone.  However, it is for those who want to experience a life that is much easier to navigate through as well as those willing to experience temporarily inconvenience to make it a reality.