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Earlier this week, I received this email from a Body Firm client. It’s intense, but digs at the core of our happiness and unhappiness. I’d like to share, and thank our client for taking the time and thoughtfulness to write and send this forward.

“There is one thing I believe is more important than a goal. The state of consciousness with which you travel to reach your goal. The state of presence, peace, and awareness as you place one foot in front of the other towards your imagined desire. *How* the race is run is more important I feel than crossing the finish line first or sometimes even at all. Finishing or winning a race at all costs is the opposite of this. Crushing and destroying your opponents, as in war, in order to have peace is an extreme example of this – we must “ruin” in order to have “peace”?? Another example is working in an overly stressful environment, and sacrificing your health in order to earn a “bonus” of numbers in a bank account, does not give you the happiness we imagine. You cannot “buy” your health back, although some people try to buy back their health and happiness after they sacrifice both for a “goal” which too often is more costly in many additional areas; and sometimes not achievable. All this is not to say goals are bad, in fact if taken gently, they are great, it’s just that there is something even more important than the goal… how you obtain it, and maybe THAT is the goal.”

Earlier this morning a wonderful client (and friend) sent me this quote. I do not know who wrote it, but it was provoking and I’d like to share it:

“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two, stands resistance. Fight the resistance inside you.”
This is what happens when we suppress our true goals, our inner voice, as some might say our “authenticity”. We stop fighting for what we really want to achieve and we pretend we can deal with it another day. Whether it is to eat healthier, write a book, make a career change, work on your core, laugh more or climb Mt. Whitney, maybe it’s time to stop resisting what keeps knocking at our door (our heart) and embrace the change.

Truly, who wants to live two lives? How wonderful would it be to live at ease, with the confidence and security that we are living without resistance?

Go for that fitness goal! Check out the calling to try the crazy dance class. Seek out the new career opportunity which is constantly pulling at you and see what it’s like to cut sugar out of your diet for a month (I couldn’t help myself!)

I know at times I’ve certainly felt that inner “life” which wanted to come out, but I would suffocate it until at some point it wouldn’t let me any longer. And when it won’t let me, I am eternally grateful because it’s then I find myself smile and feel light.

Seems like half the people I know right now have a cold or the flu.  I am a strong believer in Ginger (#5 but is #1 on my list) as a powerful cold elixir, but in some fun research I found homeopathic remedies I thought I’d pass along.  Since every person is different and have a variety of health variables, please do your own research and check with your doctor to ensure these are right for you!

1) Vitamin D. Vitamin D is perhaps the most overlooked, and yet arguably one of the
most effective, remedies for treating the common cold. Although it works better as a preventive regimen, taking higher than normal doses of vitamin D3 daily — some experts recommend taking 10,000 international units (IU) or more of vitamin D3 every day — can help reduce cold and flu symptoms and get you back to normal health much more quickly than without them. (http://www.lef.org)

2) Apple cider vinegar. Cold viruses tend to put the body into an overly acidic state, which makes it that much more difficult for the immune system to fight disease. But taking apple cider vinegar, a powerful alkalizing food, will help not only kill a cold but also squash its miserable symptoms. Mixing a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with warm water, honey, and lemon, and drinking the concoction several times a day will have you back to health in no time. (http://www.rd.com/slideshows/8-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/)

3) Vitamin C. A powerful immune booster, vitamin C is a go-to remedy for both preventing and treating colds. Some experts recommend taking up to 2,000 milligrams (mg) or more of non-genetically-modified (non-GMO) ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate every two hours while suffering cold symptoms. Other vitamin C options include camu camu and acerola cherry powders, as well as “liposomal” vitamin C preparations. (http://www.naturalnews.com/034591_vitamin_C_mega-dose_healing.html)

4) Honey. A powerful soothing and healing agent, raw honey or bee pollen from untainted bees can go a long way in boosting immunity and treating cold symptoms. Its diverse array of antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial nutrients make honey an excellent cold medicine that mixes well with other cold remedies such as apple cider vinegar and lemon. (http://www.naturalnews.com)

5) Ginger. Another powerful, soothing agent, ginger root is a powerful healer with amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Because it targets stomach upset, those suffering from cold symptoms that involve digestion can experience dramatic relief from taking ginger. Ginger also helps warm the body, which is highly effective at promoting perspiration and the expelling of toxins and other harmful invaders. (http://www.naturalnews.com/030318_cinnamon_colds.html)

6) Zinc. Often sold in syrup or lozenge form for such purposes, zinc has been scientifically shown to help combat the sniffling, sneezing, and coughing symptoms typically associated with colds. Zinc is also a powerful immune-boosting trace element that facilitates the proper function of more than 3,000 proteins in the body, as well as the promotion of healthy digestive function, which is where the bulk of immunity lies. (http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2011/03/16/zinc-keystone-to-immunity)

7) Echinacea. A 2007 study out of the University of Connecticut found that supplementing with echinacea herb not only reduces your chances of developing a cold by more than 50 percent, but can also shorten the duration of cold symptoms by several days. Because it stimulates the immune system and promotes the activation of T-cells, echinacea is an excellent cold remedy, especially when combined with many of the other remedies listed in this report. (http://natsci.edgewood.edu)

8) Neti pot. If stuffed-up sinuses are one of your primary ailments, using a neti pot to clear them out is an easy, natural way to help you get back on your feet. Just fill a sanitized neti pot with warm water and about one teaspoon of sea salt, and gently pour it down your sinuses. Besides clearing out your nasal passages, the cleansing salts will also help eliminate bacteria and other harmful pathogens. (http://www.naturalnews.com/029600_neti_pot_sinus_infections.html)

9) Oil of oregano. Rich in four specific groups of chemicals that synergistically promote healing and strong immunity, essential oil of oregano is unparalleled in its ability to both prevent harmful viruses from taking hold, and eradicating existing viruses such as the common cold. The natural terpene chemicals found in oil or oregano exhibit powerful antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, while carvacrol, the primary active ingredient in oil of oregano, fight off harmful pathogens. (http://www.naturalnews.com/024685_oregano_oil_of.html)

10) Coconut oil. This elixir from the coconut palm is one of the most powerful, natural antiviral compounds known to man. Coconut oil has an amazing ability to target virtually any virus, including cold viruses. Rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), coconut oil absorbs directly into viral cells where it breaks apart and disintegrates the protective coating of the virus, effectively killing it. Take a tablespoon or two daily of extra virgin coconut oil, particularly at the onset of cold symptoms, can effectively thwart the virus from taking hold and running its course. (http://www.naturalnews.com/026624_oil_coconut.html)

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/042226_common_cold_natural_remedies_apple_cider_vinegar.html##ixzz32K7i04jM

Because it’s personal~
Tammy Parkinson CNC, CPT, CLC
Body Firm of Los Gatos
408 896 2639
www.mybodyfirm.com

Do you have a favorite recipe? I personally love this carrot ginger soup one of my girlfriends made for me a few years back. She bought all the ingredients (from a local organic market), cooked it for half her day and created the most amazing soup I’ve ever tasted…and I’m not particularly a “soup person”!

My point? She knew what she wanted to create. She knew how it was supposed to taste. She knew for the outcome to turn out like she was hoping it would she needed the right ingredients, she needed the necessary kitchen items and she needed the hours to invest in the recipe. With focus, skill, following directions, adding in a little of her own flair and taking the time needed, she introduced me to perfection!

Our goals are like a recipe. To achieve what we want in life, we must take the time to write out the ingredients, shop for them, have the right tools to manifest them and take the time and patience to finish the project.

We might have recipes (or goals) that we add a little dash of cinnamon to when it calls for nutmeg (so to speak), or we might turn the oven on higher to cook something faster (knowing it might not turn out exactly right…yet we need to get it finished), but we have to follow some assembly of a recipe to get the meal (goal) that we want to enjoy.

Think about that! Do you have an intention without ingredients? If so, take a step back, consider what spices and elixirs would benefit your end result’s desire, so that you can develop and enjoy the most amazing “soup” you’ve ever had!

Kindness. To me, there is not many greater gifts than someone being kind. This past weekend a new client of mine asked my husband and I to come to his restaurant for dinner so he can make us his best pizza. Well, if you know me…I don’t eat pizza; however I glanced at the menu and knew I could create something. I mostly wanted to say hello, enjoy a quick salad and get on with the last weekend before Christmas. I mean, I had a list a million sheets thick to take care of. I was practicing being “present” so upon our journey there, I let go of obligations and figured we’d stay maybe an hour; calculating in the back of my mind I still had time to wrap presents if we were home in another hour and a half.

After a full tour of his impeccable 20 year old establishment and introductions to all his staff, Ali led us over to a table made up just for us. He brought over his special eggplant creation, home made baklava (I’m on my no sugar challenge so my husband had to step up here and have some!) a glass of wine for each of us, freshly made bread (again, my husband “had” to step up here) and then proceeded to ask us about our lives. He was genuinely interested in “us” and spent time inquiring. When we arrived, I asked for some lemon with my water. After about 10 minutes I thought he had forgotten. Then to my surprise, one of his employees was asked by Ali to run to his house down the street and pick us about 10 fresh lemons from his tree! Ali knew I loved them and he was at close of business so was running out.

He made Brad a special “creation” pizza and cooked up a salmon steak for me, seasoned and cooked to perfection. It was probably the best salmon I’ve had in a very long time.

Ali paid attention to every detail and at the end of the night (which was about 2 hours later), he bundled up everything we didn’t finish and gave us a beautiful to go box.

Both of us were astounded at the level of kindness he showed to us. His professionalism and friendship were both unequivocally genuine. It reminded me how special one can feel when a little extra smile is added to the equation. Ali heightened my awareness of customer service, pride and how nice it is to simply listen.

The restaurant is “The Last Chance” in San Jose. I recommend you go there, have fun, enjoy the deep roots and pride the owner and his workers place in what they call their second home. We will go back, not just for the food, but for the fellowship.

Honestly, he had me when I got a bag of fresh hand picked lemons! Now that was kind.

During this Holiday Season, we often think of presents. Buying presents, giving presents, wrapping presents, mailing presents and of course receiving presents! It’s fun to give, to watch someone you love open something they enjoy and cause them to smile.

What about the other present…BEING present? We get into such a rush this time of year that rarely are we in the moment. Rarely do we pause, listen, slow down and embrace what we are feeling, what we are seeing, what we are listening to.

How often these past few days have you taken a pause to hug someone you love…really hug them? Did you rush in the door, say hello to your family so you could get on the computer to order that deal which only had 2 hours left remaining on the web? Did you get on the road, driving frantically to your favorite store to buy gifts before it closed; ignoring the rainbow, the decorated houses, the scent of the air after the rain?

When you went to that holiday party this past weekend, were you present? Did you notice everyone around you? Did you engage in conversation true to the moment? Did you get the opportunity to go “inside” and reflect on the memories of the party after you left?

Trust me, I know how easy it is to have lists, to run from commitment to commitment only to find myself with 10 more things to do at 10 pm. It’s a habit to set priorities for the future, yet while doing that, we can often forget to sit quietly and BE.

I am suggesting to take a pause this upcoming week. Notice your family and friends, really notice. Tuck your phone away and out of sight for the night and meet new people, laugh and enjoy new and old friend. Listen to the sounds both internally and externally. Smile at the little things and while wrapping your presents, wrap your heart and mind around being present.

When we know know a big storm is on the horizon or we plan on taking a trip “in” to a storm, we prepare for it. If our tires are bald, we consider new tires. We look at our windshield wipers, get new ones if needed, and we keep a blanket in the car.

For our homes we check any leaks which might need attending, we clean the gutters and stock up on candles.

If we know we are going to be out and about we bring our hats, gloves and umbrellas.
We prepare for the storm as best we can.

What about when we wake up, expecting a sunny “emotional” day and an emotional hurricane hits us out of the blue. Are you prepared? Do you know how to calm yourself down to handle the chaos? Do you know how to move into “safety” mode and protect your family (i.e. how not to yell, have a breakdown, be grumpy, etc.)?

How about when you over indulge in food and even alcohol? Do you know how to ground yourself and be healthy again? Do you quickly drink more water and choose low salt, low sugar foods on quick reflex to reset your body; or do you go for the greasiest burrito you can find to keep the dark clouds brewing in your body?

We value the safety of our cars and homes in stormy fronts; do you think we should also create a plan of how to react and protect our health in times of internal winter weather?

I think it’s time for a health preparedness plan!