As I welcome in the new year of 2013, I am excited about the ‘new’ part of what this year holds for all of us. The Mayan calendar did end, but the world did not. The word ‘cliff’ became a daily word in the world languages, but we are still on solid ground. Let go of the negativity, and embrace the possibilities of the year to come!

Think of 2013 as the year of coming together – spending more time with community, friends, and family. It will be a time of gathering with like-minded people. Let it also be a time to become more conscious, more aware. What does this mean? To become more conscious is to be more aware of your surroundings, your thoughts, your actions and behaviors, and the ways life shows up in your world. The awareness you create will bring more flow with life. This can mean not doing life in the same old way. By paying attention and creating new responses and actions in your daily life, you can simplify your life in order to bring ease to yourself and happiness to your day.

The awareness you create only comes from going within to tap into the stillness inside yourself. This does not come by doing more, but by doing less. Spend more quiet time, and embrace the stillness. This can be a big shift for some people. You will realize that by being still, you are better able to sense life more clearly and create the happiness you deserve.

Who doesn’t want more happiness? You can create it!

Try this short stillness exercise from my Holistic Nurse friend, Carol:

When you leave work and get into your vehicle, stop and take several slow, easy breaths, letting go of your day of work. Rub your hands together creating warmth, then place over your closed eyes. Continue to breathe several slow, easy breaths. Slowly bring your hands down your face, so your fingertips are the last to leave your eyes. Slowly open your eyes to a fresh, new perspective as you prepare to drive home. AHHHHH, how refreshing, the stillness.

Since I am anticipating the start of 2013, I could not help but begin looking for new, healthy recipes, especially ones that will be easy to store and have on hand for the week. Two clients shared this recipe with me. I tried this Detox Salad, and I loved it with the recommended dressing.

This salad contains a powerhouse of nutrients. I could not begin to figure out all the nutrients this salad contains in just one cup/serving. Of course, I recommend using all organic ingredients for the highest nutritional concentration of good, clean food. It does take a little work to prepare, and having a food processor makes it much easier than doing all the chopping by hand. This delicious, nutritious salad is definitely worth the work!

Initially, I made ½ the recipe, and I ate a cup each day for a week. Try it for yourself!

Detox Salad (adapted from Oh She Glows Detox Salad). Makes about 12 cups.

1 Bunch Carrots (approximately ¾ pound of carrots after the greens are removed)
2 Bunches Broccoli
1 Head Cauliflower
3-4 Leaves Kale
Approximately ½ cup fresh parsley (more if you prefer)
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup raisins
1 cup currants (Raisins may be substituted if necessary)

Chop all ingredients and combine in a bowl. Or, use a food processor, if you prefer.

Tahini Dressing: mixes well in the food processor
2/3 cup Tahini nut butter
2/3 cup filtered water
½ cup freshly squeezed lemons
1-1.5 teaspoons salt

Enjoy these recipes together on a daily basis, and begin detoxing anytime.


Photo: courtesy doughingrogue.com

This year I have been very organized for the holidays. I am looking forward to the family celebrations, but I am looking forward to the dawning of 2013. Even if we avoid falling off the fiscal cliff and other disasters, the world will be different in 2013. I feel that the new year will bring a more balanced and less chaotic world. By starting – or continuing – to strive for health in our physical bodies, there are always options to consider for improvement.

When you start, increase, or adjust your exercise program in January, most people will experience some initial muscle soreness. I have found numerous benefits to physical exercise and working with a trainer. The trainers I work with are always finding ways to work different muscles, and my muscles seem to speak to me when I begin moving in a new way. Muscle soreness or pain can easily – and naturally – be relieved without drugs. One way is to use ginger.

A study recently published in The Journal of Pain finds that daily doses of ginger are effective for relieving muscle pain following strenuous exercise:

Researchers from the University of Georgia and Georgia College and State University followed 74 student volunteers who performed 18 assigned exercises for 11 consecutive days while taking ginger supplements. The students were divided into three groups, each of which was given either raw ginger, heated ginger, or a placebo. While the authors expected the heated ginger would be more effective than the raw, the results show both versions similarly beneficial in reducing the level of muscle pain by 23 to 25 percent.

Ginger contains anti-oxidant compounds known as gingerols, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to reducing muscle pain from exercise, they have been shown to reduce pain and swelling, and improve mobility in those suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Try this delicious and refreshing cold ginger drink to soothe your sore muscles after exercise, as well as to take advantage of ginger’s other healing properties:

Iced Ginger Tea

1 pound fresh ginger root
2 quarts water
Juice of 2 limes
Maple Syrup to taste

Directions: Peel the fresh ginger, grate and mix it with water in a large pot. Bring to a boil & simmer for 5 minutes. Cover and turn off heat. Let steep for 24 hours. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve. Add the lime juice and maple syrup. Stir until dissolved.

Courtesy of Greenmedinfo.com

Make this the year of you! This year, 2012, is the year of expansion and change. We can all feel it in the air. Have you noticed? Many of the old ways of our lifestyles are not working as well as they once did. Spread your wings by doing something new to adapt to the changes in your life!

Do you know how to reduce stress in your physical, mental, and emotional body? The first step in reducing stress is to examine what you are telling yourself. What are you nattering about? What old tapes are you playing? These all take mental and physical energy, reduce our focus in the present moment, and drain us. Do you want to change this? Begin by looking at the big picture. Step back. Look at the entire flower garden instead of just one wilting flower that is done blooming.

Allow yourself to visualize a bigger picture, and know that everything happens for a reason. Guess what? You may never fully know the reason, but there is always a lesson in the experience. Be willing to change. It will make life easier.

I don’t focus on “New Year’s Resolutions.” Why resolutions and why the New Year? Instead, use each day as a starting point with clear intentions for what you want and where you are going in your life process.

Intentions are different than resolutions. At this time of constant change, resolutions do not keep up with the changes or allow us to incorporate new things. Resolutions are stated in the future. For example: I am going to exercise 4 times per week in 2012. Intentions are stated in the present or as if they already happened. For example: I am exercising 4 times per week in 2012. The change and quality in the words we tell ourselves make a huge difference vibrationally for what will actually manifest. Revisiting your intentions daily or weekly will allow you to change with the times as you grow to expand in your own life!

Energy Healing / Reiki sessions help us relieve stress and pain, gain clarity, focus, and help to maintain a sense of peace and well being. Would you like to get started or clarify your intentions? The Energy Medicine sessions I offer will facilitate this throughout the year!