May 2016 ISSUE 10
ARTIST INTERVIEW & SOUL ART DAY
LAURA HOLLICK COLOR TRENDS
FOR
SPRING 2016
BEAUTY MARKS
HOLLY FULGER
UNCOVERS THE TRUTH CELEBRATING
WOMEN
& BATTLE SCARS
FABULOUS MAY ~ 2016
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The mission is to change the lives of every person open to discovering their souls purpose and living a life they didn't know was possible for them on an individual level.
At BellaMia, we believe every woman is beautiful. Editor-in-Chief: Mia Saenz Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Amanda Rhymers Art Director: Charlotte Hayes Creative Consultant: Dana Canneto Creative Project Manager: Victoria Gonzales Editor : Amanda Rhymers Me Director: Dr. Mary Pritchard Lifestyles Director: Sharon Otness Fashion Editor: Linnea Duvall This publication is published bi-monthly For advertising please contact BellaMia magazine
BellaMiaMagazine@gmail.com BellaMia is a publication of BellaMia Inc. BellaMiaMag.com BellaMiaMagazine@gmail.com
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ear BellaMia Readers,
Fabulous! All women are Fabulous and we are celebrating you. We have spotlighted some beauties who are over 50. In this issue we have two very cool showcasings. The first is Fabulous and the second is Laura Hollick, renowned artist. With so many woman looking Fabulous these days, people have noticed women are not like our grandmothers. This issue is supporting all women of all ages. We love and support women younger than 50. We love and support the middle ages of women. And we love, and support the older woman. Our belief is “Every Woman is Beautiful�. Laura Hollick is very beautiful on the Fabulous cover, in addition to being featured an Editorial. Discover more about her, our other Fabulous woman, and about Soul Art Day. Our SuperFood this month is Turmeric, the miracle spice. It can be used in a number of ways and the benefits include helping eliminate inflammation. Turmeric in BellaMia features tumeric in several recipes, a facial mask in our beauty section, as well as a tooth whitening product. Hail to Turmeric! We are also graced with the lovely actress Holly Fulger. Holly has a new series called the Hollywood Beauty Detective. Holly is up to amazing work empowering women and bringing back a feeling of safety and confidence.
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Enjoy all that BellaMia has to share.
Mia
lessings and Love,
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Mia Saenz, Editor and Chief BellaMiaMagazine@gmail.com
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May 2016 Saving the World at 60
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Beauty Marks & Battle Scars
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Artist Q&A Laura Hollick
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Embracing Age with Intention
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On the Cover Laura Hollick: Ceremonial Body Adornment Photographed By: Stephanie Belle
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May ~ 2016 ~ 2015 November
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Fabulous at 50+
The Beauty of Diversity
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B Me ella
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aving The World at
Sixty
Kimberley Heart
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MAY ~ 2016
ecently, I was helping a client who was hiring a wellknown, high-end matchmaker. You have certainly seen their ads in popular magazines. My client is a seventy-nine-year-old man and they assured him that there are plenty of women in his income bracket looking for love. They mentioned, just off handedly, that they do not take women over sixty as clients. Stunned, I protested to them in outrage. They simply shrugged me off saying, “It’s not us, it’s society.” Then they said, “You don’t have to worry, it will be years until you have to face that fact.” What they didn’t know was that I am sixty-three. The fact that I don’t look sixty is irrelevant; just knowing my age would have eliminated me from obtaining their services is unacceptable. This level of discrimination told me that in their eyes I wasn’t worthy of love, companionship, sex, or respect. It
meant, according to their view of what men wanted, I was worthless and held no value. But, my client was jubilant, he had found a way to find love again. As I listened to him talk about how empty his life was without the warmth and love of a women, I wondered of all the women over sixty that were lost to him. I knew my client didn’t want to live if he couldn’t have a women to love and be loved by. What about all the women over sixty; don’t we deserve love? There are so many more women over sixty than men, what does that mean to our chances for love? I want to answer that
Separating ourselves realized, as Ion forIothers based my fears, agefaced says more about oftenwe us that thanwe thetoo people discriminate trivialize against. love, questions directly: It doesn’t mean a thing. We do not have to play into a culture that diminishes us. No one can keep us from love, unless we decide we don’t deserve it. “Woman over sixty,” when you think of that concept, what pops into your mind? Some people are very old at sixty, and some are very young at eighty. Do you see wrinkles, fat, and age? Or do you see grace, wisdom, and beauty regardless of the number of wrinkles? What about women like me, who are well over sixty, and who are driving forces in society and in business? Would you instantly devalue me if I shared that I am sixty-three? Would you look me in the face and tell me I don’t deserve to be loved, despite my success? Separating ourselves for others based on age says more about us than the people we discriminate against. Tall men are more likely to be successful then short men, regardless of their aptitude. Beautiful women are most likely to be thought less intelligent than “average looking women,” regardless of their abilities. When you and I fail to see the person inside the shell we call a body, we perpetrate immense
harm. Let me be even clearer: when we tell a woman—through these judgments— that she worthless because of her age, we hurt her, her family, her friends, and society. We strip her of her human dignity and wound her, sometimes beyond repair. I myself have been rejected by a man who was very much in “like” and “lust” with me. When he found out my age he used that excuse to withdraw and end the relationship. I know the helplessness of this, and I know the pain of rejection based on the number of candles on my birthday cake. Our failing world needs the grace of wise women. We, as women, who fear rejection must stop lying about our age and demand respect regardless of the number of candles on our birthday cakes. The grace and wisdom that we as women over sixty bring to the table is beautiful. Beauty, grace, wisdom, esteem, power, intellect born of knowledge and experience—the world needs these traits. It needs us. Hold on to that fact. The world needs us. Younger women need us, because we have paved the way and can show them how to jump the hurdles of life’s pitfalls. And men need us to stand strong and support them when they get frightened that they will be disenfranchised from life because of their age. The world needs us, and that is a great thing. We need to recognize just how much we are needed and then we will stop apologizing for the number of candles on our birthday cakes and realize that we are the ones who might very well save the world. ~ Kimberley Heart www.Getlove.com
Beauty Marks & Battle Scars
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Dr. Mary Pritchard
“All of these lines across my face tell you the story of who I am. So many stories of where I’ve been and how I got to where I am.” - Brandi Carlile
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isit the cosmetic section of any supermarket and you’ll find yourself immersed in an aisle of “anti-aging” products. Wrinkle repair cream, lotions that firm and lift, redness soothing creams, and creams that make your scars less visible. I know because I’ve shopped for those products. At 42, I’m caught between looking for products that treat my oily skin to prevent adult-onset acne and fighting my wrinkles caused by the dry climate in which I live. If that weren’t enough, I also have scars on my belly that are a constant reminder of my 8 surgeries - 6 for the ‘treatment’ of endometriosis.
It used to be that when I looked in the mirror, I saw nothing but wrinkles, blackheads, acne, and scars marring my otherwise unmarked skin. Flaws on nature’s design. To be told: I wasn’t too fond of any of them. But a couple of years ago a simple conversation with my boyfriend led me to a powerful reminder: My scars tell my story, but they don’t define who I am. Like the lines upon my face, the scars on my belly are more battle scars than defects. They symbolize my strength, my perseverance, and my ultimate triumph over my endometriosis. They represent not a loss of the ability to bear a child, but the gift of getting my
menstrual cycles back after entering menopause for 9 years at the age of 26, the gift of my feminine nature, and the incredibly powerful ability of my body to heal itself. Now I consider them beauty marks instead of battle scars. Most importantly, my wrinkles and my scars remind me to take care of myself.
...make
For example, my Absolute Yes list contains things like: sleep at least 8 hours each night; eat nourishing, home-cooked food every day; do yoga every day; meditate twice a day; take at least one whole day off each week to play and have fun; and start and end my day in gratitude.
an Absolute Yes list and an Absolute No list.
This realization led me back to one of my ‘bibles’ of women’s wisdom: Sara Avant Stover‘s The Way of the Happy Woman. In it, she encourages all women to make an Absolute Yes list and an Absolute No list. On your Absolute Yes list you should put everything that makes you a stronger, better person. Things you truly don’t want to live without. Things that make you feel fabulous. The Absolute No list contains things that weaken, irritate, and lead you away from who you know you really are.
My Absolute No list says: no checking email until after 8am; no putting me at the last of my list; and no checking email more than a few times a day or zoning out on my iPad or internet for more than 30 min at a time.
I made these lists almost three years ago. My life was very different back then, yet my Absolute Yeses and Nos really haven’t changed that much. I still struggle with items on both lists, but I think having them visible helps keep them in the forefront. Time to print them out and hang them up! Or better yet, let my wrinkles and scars serve as a reminder that I am worth honoring my Absolute Yes and Absolute No lists. That when I don’t, I only end up creating more ‘scars.’ Valuable lessons learned. What stories do your scars and wrinkles tell? And how are they connected to ignoring your Absolute Yes and Absolute No lists?
By Dr. Mary Pritchard www.DrMaryPritchard.com 1
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The Key to Shine Your Ageless Beauty
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Claire Sierra, MA
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MAY ~ 2016
eauty means so many things to so many people across the ages and cultures. What was revered in one time or place is disdained in another. For example, during many eras, being curvy and a bit plump was enviable and a sign of wealth and privilege. Even more recently, Marilyn Monroe at 5’5 and 118 lbs. was a size 12-16. Today she would be in the “plus-size model” class. The fact that her size is even a conversation is worthy of contemplation. Yet most women today have grown up dieting, with images of an elusive ideal. We are bombarded with messages about youth and thinness. No matter what that is, we never fit the mold, we never measure up.
Their leadership was derived from their radiance and magnetism: they shined from within.
There’s an idea of a perfected external beauty to the exclusion of all else. Fortunes are made and spent on the nipping, tucking, highlighting and bronzing of self. It can be fun to play with our look—and how we feel can be impacted positively too. But it can be an attempt to fit in, to hide out. Beauty can be a mask of who you truly are. Fortunately, we are in an age when the status quo of both perfection and beauty are changing. The many colors, shapes, sizes and ages of women are recognized for the unique glory we each truly are.
What if instead you could drop the façade— release the striving for perfection and be acknowledged for the beauty you really are? But how does that happen? It means turning from focusing so much on the outer—wrinkle-free skin or perfect hair—to address the inner. So your radiance and light shines. Beauty is not superficial folly, but rather a deeper current. Looking to iconic women from the past, we see those revered as beauties had a special aura about them. Marilyn Monroe, acknowledged as being “a little plump,” had a certain something about her. Her essence was palpable. Cleopatra of Egypt and Helen of Troy were known for their legendary beauty. Their leadership was derived from their radiance and magnetism: they shined from within. And similarly, I see this with Mary Magdalene. Since writing The Magdalene Path, women from all walks of life and around the globe have shared with me how they are compelled by Her unnamable presence and mystery. That’s authentic magnetism. In a passage from The Magdalene Path, Light from Within, addresses this, “There is another aspect to beauty that does not rely solely on the outer manifestation of form. Draw on the light and life from within. The inspiration of beauty for women at any age is a key component to reclaim the Divine in feminine form.… Many women, if not most, do not see or value their own beauty, other than what they believe is true about their outer form. What women believe about their beauty depends 100% on what the culture at large has taught them about their own value and worth, physically…
Yet you each bear beauty beyond measure! In repressing and denying this, you suffer. You reject yourselves as beings of light and power. When a woman is in full, radiant contact with her beauty, from the inside out, she conveys a light that is magnificent for all to see. Women desperately need to connect with this sacred inner beauty, to see how this expresses into form as outer beauty.” Cultivate your inner light. This is your radiance, which shines as your true inner beauty. We can use this awareness as a practice when going through a phase of feeling small and invisible. Address that belief, and start projecting your essence energy into the world, so that when you go out in public, you show up. Your magnetism can bring people and opportunities to you. Radiant and alive, you’ll attract people and situations that you have a Divine destiny to meet. As I began using this practice in my life, I noticed that people responded and reacted to me differently. I learned to own and manage my radiance—choosing situations and circumstances wisely. Release the need be perfect and be yourself. Allow yourself to be visible and shine. That’s where the magic of your sacred feminine power lives. -Claire Sierra, MA www.MagdalenePath.com
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Embracing Age with Intention By Dana Canneto
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never thought I’d say this but life DOES get better with age!
So now a life once lived from fear is now a life lived from freedom.
At 43, I feel my healthiest, happiest and way more fulfilled than I did in my 20’s and 30’s.
As I always say, life is a journey and when we are going through the early stages of that journey, as much as we think we know it “all” there is still so much to learn and grow into as well as shed and release from what no longer serves us.
For me, it’s been about embracing my womanhood. The older I get, the wiser I get and the more grounded I get in my truth and beingness. However, I didn’t always feel this way especially in my late 20’s and early 30’s when I was knee deep in body drama and self-hate. It was one afternoon approximately 7 years ago with a wake up call that led me towards making the bold decision to create a better life for myself.
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I believe that is really what life is about. It’s about re-learning who we are as we release old conditioning ways and step deeper into our truth, purpose and authentic beauty. As young women, we can often worry so much about the external things in our life, the things that “complete” us, so we think. Yet as we age, we realize, it’s what is within us that completes us as long as we pay
attention to our needs and desires and fulfill those needs from an internal space. I know from my own experiences that only “I” can fulfill my needs and desires, not someone or something else as previously thought.
goals for ourselves. We can pity ourselves over and over for NOT doing the very things we wanted to do and blame others yet if you get really clear and intentional on what you want out of life as you grow and evolve, you cannot be steered wrong.
As young women, we are also so pressured by society when we are in our more impressionable years to be a certain way, to respond in a certain way, to dress a certain way and so on. The “shackles of shoulds” as I call them, we get sucked into. As we age and embrace ourselves in an entirely new way we have experiences that lead to us to dropping the shoulds and recognizing we have full control of our lives.
Whatever it is, take a good look at where you are now, no matter what age you are at and set clear intentions for yourself. “How do I want to feel when I’m ____?” (set an age) and keep going!
The key to all of this however is “intention”. How do you want to live the rest of your life? My intention is to continue to expand into the highest version of myself and to make the next years the most fulfilling years of my life. Therefore I am going to take appropriate actions in doing just that which involves taking care of my physical body, my skin, my mental and emotional body and continuing to immerse myself in deep spiritual practices that keep me aligned with the divinity of who I am and this ever expansive Universe. Yet if we don’t set clear intentions for ourselves and we continue to get stuck in old stories and patterns, we may never get to that place of embracing our self at any age. We might hold onto resentment on the very things we wish we did that never got accomplished or that we lived a healthier lifestyle or that we carried out different
I intend to be MORE vibrant, MORE luminous and even MORE embodied into this feminine powerful body of mine who exudes light and love to those around me. I intend to live with balance, sensuality and pleasure in all aspects of life and fulfill my innermost dreams and desires that I set out for myself. I intend to love myself more fully and shine my light on those that I am here to serve, inspire and guide towards a more loving and authentic life with themselves. I intend to be a pillar of confidence so that I can not only lead by example for others but so that I can be free of any destructive thoughts, behaviors and intentions by others and stay true to myself as I stand in my power. Lastly, I intend to live and fulfill my purpose with tenacity, grace and ease so that my vital life force energy is not just sustained but intensified as the years go by. This or something even better for the highest good of all concerned. What is your intention? ~ By Dana Canneto www.danacanneto.com MAY ~ 2016
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Get Fit and Fab after 50 & Focus on You!
I most articles you always hear turning 50 n
is a milestone. It is a time of transition with numerous challenges of perhaps children in college, or challenges with jobs and relationships, and additional life stressors. Your body isn’t as resilient as it once used to be. But it is never too late to get in touch with your mind and body and take the time to reexamine lifestyle habits.
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By Susan Jacob-Kokura Tips to getting on the road to keeping fit and fab after 50! Adequate sleep. Getting enough sleep plays a vital role in good health and can help protect your physical and mental health. Power of positive thinking. Live a purposeful life and take the time to understand what it is you want out of life. Positivity is infectious so start spreading the joy to others. Meditation. Setting aside some time every day to focus on you for self-renewal can help. Read or do something that inspires you. Getting an annual checkup and health screenings. You need blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and thyroid tested. Also, talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms of depression (ex. sadness, loss of interest in activities once pleasurable, insomnia, fatigue, appetite loss or overeating),
which can be common for women over 50. The following health screenings are very important to women over 50: Heart disease screening, bone health with a bone density scan, sexual health, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, annual mammograms, and pap smears. Make sure your vaccinations and immunizations are up to date. Exercise is good for the mind and body! Get plenty of aerobic exercise (like walking) to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Take up a yoga class to enhance flexibility which gives you better balance to avoid falling and risk of fractures. Have some fun! Do what makes you happy. Feeling youthful comes by acting how you feel. Go dancing or rock climbing or painting, gardening or any other enjoyable hobby to find a creative outlet and stimulate your brain.
Surround yourself with positive focused people. Positive people can enhance your energy and help support you in pursuing the best that life has to offer. For women over 50, now is the time to focus on you! With children out of the house or older children not needing as much attention, you can take `the time and do things for yourself. And if you have a significant other, it is the time to enjoy traveling and other hobbies with them or if you are single, it is the time to get out and have some fun. Do what makes you happy and live in the moment and enjoy your fabulous 50’s. ~ Susan Jacob-Kokura
Healthy eating habits and picking colorful foods. It is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat heart healthy foods, whole grains, and lean protein. Speak with a nutritionist or your health care provider to get ideas on healthy food choices. Making sensible choices with alcohol. Drink in moderation. For all women, not just woman over 50, one alcoholic drink a night is plenty. Declutter your home and life. Eliminate clutter. Fill your living space and life with great music, books, and friends. Your living space should be your oasis where you can recharge. MAY ~ 2016
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Fabulous We are celebrating all women in this Fabulous issue. Although we at BellaMia believe “All Women are Beautiful� This issue features women over 50 and how fabulous they are and look. 18
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We are not our Grandmot hers!
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Kat Maeda
A native Californian, this 68 year-old grandmother has made forever-young practices, habits, and thinking her daily ritual. A certified holisitic nutrition and Ayurveda health coach, Kat Maeda walks her talk. Since health, wellbeing, feeling young, and having a youthful glow is related to the health of our cells, she sticks to a clean, plant-based diet 80 to 90% of the time. She eats the foods that support her bio-individuaity, makes or uses organic beauty products, gets 7-9 hours of sleep, walks and runs barefoot on the beach, brushes her skin, practices yoga and meditation, and laughs and loves a lot!
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Bonnie Gayle
Body Liberator, Creator of Sex Butter & Founder of Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs. Over the past 25 years Bonnie has been an acting CFO, business manager, educating entrepreneurs and business owners on how to run their businesses efficiently and effectively so they can be profitable and pay themselves. At the age of 41, Bonnie’s body changes from early onset menopause resulted in losing her libido & her love life. On a mission to heal herself, Bonnie worked with a microbiologist to create Sex Butter, an organic libido-enhancing lubricant. Today, Bonnie helps people overcome money and sexual challenges.
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April ~ 2016
Anna Maria Kinberg
Celebrity Psychic Medium & Award Winning Interior Designer Anna Maria Kinberg communicates with Spirit Guides, Angels, and those who have passed to receive messages that will assist her client’s in the pathway towards fulfilling their life purpose and growing as a soul. Combining the messages received from spirit, and her gifts as a Psychic Interior Designer, Color, and Space Clearing becomes the blueprint to bring harmony and remove any energy imprints or paranormal activity that may be affecting our space. Anna Maria and her team have appeared on ABC TV, DYI Network, ABC Radio, among others. Her book Spirit Messages - Healing Spaces will be released Jan, 2016.
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Kellie Valent i
The founder of Live Life Years Younger Naturally and affectionately called The Gut Lady. She is a fermentation experimenter, Holistic Wellness Mentor and traditional nutrient-dense whole food activist that is passionately teaching everyone about the possibility that lies in each of us to heal our bodies from sickness and disease and to also be proactive about our health as well as our families health. Why settle for living a life of mediocrity when you can live a life of abundance and vitality, naturally! Let’s journey this life together. www.livelifeyearsyounger.com
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Laurence Yhullo
I am a 60 years old woman, loving life and dedicated to making the best of every experience that comes my way! Gratitude, forgiveness and love have taken me to the greatest heights and saw me through tough storms. I am passionate about nutrition, I am a Chef, amongst other things, I presently work with children in all aspects of development, including teaching languages! I love life and respect it in all forms! Yesterday is gone, tomorrow does not exist, now is all I focus on!
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Linnea M. Duvall
I love the power of clothes, and self esteem, and always wanted to be a part of anything that could provide that much personal power. I also had a passion for healing.I was an Editor at Vogue and Glamour Magazine, where I created and conducted Fashion and Self Esteem workshops. I am now a Marriage Family Therapist, deeply involved in working with humans and self esteem. I find that self esteem is a critical factor to our health and well being. It is my joy to see a person fall in love with themselves, and a true honor to be a part of that process, whether in person as a therapist, or with the articles I write as Fashion Editor of BellaMia.
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Carolyn Gervais
Growing up, I faced horrendous challenges; parental abuse, teen pregnancy, depression and anorexia. These challenges ignited my desperate need to dig deeper. At seventeen I began my search for the meaning of life; later becoming certified in spiritual psychology, clinical hypnotherapy and earning a MS degree in holistic nutrition.Forty years of experience in metaphysical-spirituality is reflected in my first book, I Dreamed I Was Human; my second book, to be released this summer, and my monthly articles in BellaMia and Sedona Journal of Emergence magazines. My services include: dream interpretation, intuitive counseling and soul path plans.
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Kimberley Heart
Kimberley Heart is a gypsy at heart, being a world class Fortune 100 leadership consultant, award-winning speaker, and author allows her the freedom to indulge her travel lust. Kimberley’s expertise on two topics rarely combined, love and greatness, propelled her to “top in her field”. Smart, savvy, and loving Kimberley has shared her wisdom as a dynamic radio host, guest-expert for national television, and as a recognized seminar leader. Kimberley is often described as the “teller of truth,” and is as authentic as they come. She agrees with Helen Keller, “Live is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
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BEditorial ella
Q&A with
Laura ollic k
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w w w. L a u r a Hol l i c k . co m BellaMia: You are an amazing artist.
When did you first know you were an artist?
Laura: I’ve always known I was an artist. To me, being an artist is a way of experiencing the world. I’ve always experienced the world through a creative lens with an imaginary flair. I was always that kid who was dreaming up worlds in my imagination and transforming them into reality by making things to represent those imaginary worlds. I am the same today, although the things I create are much more elaborate, with full sets, costumes, and team. I am an artist to the core and it breathes through every moment of my life.
BellaMia: Your work is about making the
most fantastic ideas come to life. When did you decide you would be the subject of art?
Laura: In my teens I developed acne and
felt extremely ugly. This brought great sadness and pain to my heart. At the same time this experience birthed an epic desire to be beautiful. I started to photograph myself in search of my beauty. I did hundreds of photos in private, this is before the cell phone camera existed. I would set up the timer on my film camera and then bring the roll of film in to be developed at the local photo-lab. I was always so embarrassed when the photo-lab technicians would comment on all the pictures I had taken of myself.
Magenta Crown: (above) 36 Laura Hollick photographed by Kevin Thom May ~ 2016
It took me years before I would actually share my images publicly. Truly it took years to make peace with seeing myself. Which, ironically, is what I’ve discovered beauty to be, the willingness and ability to see through the eyes of spirit.
BellaMia: Will you share with us
International Soul ArtÂŽ Day?
Laura: Yes! International Soul Art Day is
one of my favorite events of the year. Each year my studio hosts this special day where thousands of people from across the globe connect virtually to create art together for the day. This year will mark our 5th Annual International Soul Art Day. On the big day I guide people through a Soul Art journey to unleash their creativity and awaken their capacity for higher vision and intuition. People of all different skill levels participate in the day, from master level artists, to people who are intimidated to draw a stick figure. The heart of Soul Art Day is about honoring our Inner Artist within the context of our Global Soul Family. International Soul Art Day is happening on May 11th, 2016 You can get all the details and sign up for International Soul Art Day here:
www.soulartday.com
Red Tree: MAY ~ 2016 Laura Hollick photographed by Kevin Thom
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BellaMia: You have extensive pro-
grams you teach. Will you share with us your school?
Laura: I teach the creative processes
and embodiment practices I’ve developed over the past 20 years. My main program is the Soul Art Certification. Soul Art is a unique art form that is not technique based.
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Artist: Laura Hollick photographer, Stephanie Bell
Tree Whispers Laura Hollick photographed by Kevin Thom
It is founded on the principles that our creative
energy gives us access to our spiritual wisdom when we express ourselves creatively. Soul Art is used for deep healing and transformation, as well as tapping into higher levels of vision and intuition. We now have Certified Soul Art Guides in every continent (accept Antarctica) and they are leading creative, spiritual journeys around the world using the Soul Art methods. April ~ 2016
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I also lead an advanced program called nü Icon, which is for people
who want to master their personal expression and embody their uniqueness in their life and career.
I’m continuously developing new creative processes and practices to unearth deeper layers of spiritual awareness and the ability to express and embody these insights in the world. I truly view my whole life as art, and I’m an ongoing work in progress. To learn more about my programs and journeys: http://www.laurahollick.com
BellaMia: As an evolved conscious woman, what would you like
us to know?
Laura: I would like for everyone to know that they are creative.
Everyone has the ability to connect with their spirit and express what is unique about them. Of course this doesn’t mean everyone will express their creativity through traditional art mediums or using themselves as art like I do, but it does mean that life force energy moves through them. Life force energy is creative energy. For anyone who wants to cultivate their creativity and feel more courageously alive when it comes to their personal expression I’d love to offer some guidance and insight through a simple quiz I created called: What kind of Creative Spirit are you? This quiz can help to clarify the unique way creative energy moves through you and the role creativity wants to play in your life and career. Discover what kind of creative spirit you are with my free quiz here:
www.soulartstudio.com
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Green Dragon Laura Hollick photographed by Kevin Thom 41 MAY ~ 2016
Q & A
Holly Fulger
with
Hollyfulger.com
BellaMia: What made you start your
own show, “The Hollywood Beauty Detective”.
Holly: I wanted to make a difference. I BellaMia: How old were you when realized
you wanted to be an Actor?
Holly: It wasn’t until I got to college and was
talked into doing a play, that I found acting was a way for me to express myself…and that I loved it.
BellaMia: Growing up did you have issues
with body image or your looks?
Holly: Yes, I was incredibly shy and awkward. I was tall, thin, and had terrible eyesight, resulting in Coke-bottle glasses that made me look like an astonished bug. I was teased and bullied. I have carried that with me my entire life.
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wanted to explore other versions of beauty and present them to women. I wanted to honor those versions and help change a consciousness that has been manipulated for far too long.
BellaMia: As an Actor, what was your
favorite roll?
Holly: Ahhhhh….a play called Road I
did years ago in Chicago with the theatre company I was with, The Remains Theatre Ensemble. I played various roles in the play but my favorite was that of a young girl named, Carol, who ends up having a cathartic monologue at the end of the play, raging against being slut-shamed, being used, and being imprisoned by poverty.
BellaMia: What are your
plans for your body image work?
Hollyfulger.com
Photoshop!
Holly: Again…honor other versions of beauty.
Show women that it is their essence that makes them beautiful…their individuality….their soul. Those things have nothing to do with the shape of one’s body.
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BLifestyle ella
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Reclaim your Goddess
Through the Sacred Art of Belly Dancing
here is no denying that our female figure is perfect and beautiful in every way. As we learn to accept, nurture and embrace our emotional body we experience a love deep within our heart that can and will ignite ‘you’ with your inner goddess. Raks Sharki a sacred art more commonly known as its western nickname: belly dance. It is said to be the oldest form of dance recorded within our history books, but how can you really benefit from belly dancing as a female? As a spiritual dancer and energy healer, I personally love this form of dancing. Belly dance will improve your fitness, your co-ordination, your focus, whilst burning at least 300 calories per workout. It will beautifully sculpt your legs, and tone your abdominal muscles. It is also said to support digestion as it helps food to move along the digestive system, and last but not least belly dance will give your body a sensational stretch assisting the removal of lactic acid build-up which will minimize injury and pain within our joints and muscles. Make sure you choose the right music to support your belly dance. This is important as you will begin to slowly reduce the amount of thoughts that enter your mind, while you
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By Suzanne Taylor support your memory to spark creativity as you focus on your graceful hip drops, and sensual belly rolls. Are you ready to feel invigorated ladies? Firstly we will start with the shimmy, a classic and powerful movement that will draw the energy up from the earth. Standing with your knees slightly bent and keeping both feet flat on the ground (gently start to shake your hips). Use your knees to help you shake your hips from side to side, and when you feel comfortable, start to shake faster keeping your focus strongly on your balance. You may step up onto your tip toes and add some snake-like arm movements. You are now in full shimmy. You may walk, run or a 360 degree turn with your shimmy. Think of moving into a positive mindset as you experiment with the shimmy… feel its flammable energy.
Our second dance movement is called the hip lift - another strong favorite of mine - that will awaken a little goddess energy within you. Stand with your feet flat on the ground with your arms slightly bend out to the side (they do not have to be parallel with your shoulders, but slightly bend your arms) now hold your chest slightly forward, and bend your knees (the closer to the ground the easier this movement will be for you) starting with the right hip, only straighten your right leg so that the hip bone shoots up to the rib cage, and then back down into neutral position. You are straightening the leg (hip up) and then bending the knee (hip back down). Repeat this movement on the opposite side. When you feel comfortable with this movement you should speed up the hip lifts. April ~ 2016
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Our third dance movement is the belly roll, and I ask you to be patient with this movement as it can be difficult to grasp, but once you master it, you will love it. In standing position both feet flat on the ground with your knees bent, and chest lifted arms out to the sides; you are going to contract your upper abdominal muscles, and then contract your lower abdominal muscles (your belly should be really tight at this point) now push out the upper abdominal muscles, and release the lower abdominal muscles (repeat this exercise numerous times.) Working within this movement we are aiming to have a smoother belly roll. Have fun with it. Remember and breathe; now speed up your movement until you perfect your roll. Well done goddesses I would love you to spend a few more moments with me as I share with you my golden triangle technique supporting a positive self-image.
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Stand with your feet hip width apart and keep your tailbone facing downwards, lengthen your spine and take a few deep breaths as you visualize the cosmic breath naturally flowing through every inch of your body. Using your thumb and index finger on each hand make a triangle shape, and hold it over your forehead area (just above the eyebrows) now visualize a sunbeam of energy penetrating down through your triangle, through your forehead allowing the energy to flow down through your spine May ~ 2016
all the way down to your sacrum (you may slightly move your hips) when you feel the build-up of energy keeping your triangle shape turn it upside down and place it over your womb area, and hold. Bringing your focus to your downward triangle visualize the sun beam of energy flow out of the triangle this time from the inside outwards. Feel any density within you disperse, and enjoy the experience. ~ Suzanne Taylor zenstretchworkshops@gmail.com
Design your Destiny with a feng shui mindset
Manifest a lifestyle that reflects your heart through the art and craft of interior design, and feng shui movements. Scottish, Featured writer ~ Bellascope, Cosmic ordering coach
Coach Suzanne Taylor Month of May 50% off
Claim your complimentary coaching call zenstretchworkshops@gmail.com 47 MAY ~ 2016
Best Spring Trends! With a Surprise! By Linnea M. Duvall
I
t’s May!! And the perennial trends for Spring are always Florals and Pastels…but which ones? This year’s top colors are pale pink and soft warm blue. The technical Pantone names? Rose Quartz and Serenity. Take florals you already own and add a long soft scarf that incorporates the pale pink or soft blue of the season. Wear it with the florals you already own, or with your white or ivory dresses and tops. Update your wardrobe with touches of Spring 2016’s signature colors. Think pink for tops for your jeans, or pink socks, or pink sneakers for that matter!! Think soft blue, as well, like blue chambray shirts with your jeans…such a cool but crisp and classic look. And a terrific place to find pastel scarves? Your
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museum gift store. They always have a delicious selection of rich and beautifully colored scarves to choose from. I just found one at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens with exactly the pink and blue for this season! Score! But there are also the brights that cheer us when they flash by. 2016”s winning brights are jazzy and fresh; bright coral orange and bright crisp green. Pantone names…Fiesta, and Green Flash. You may just feel like a super heroine wearing that Green Flash! There is also a razor sharp trend of geometric black and white. Stripes or geometric prints are highly desirable this year; in dresses, tops and pants! Knot a bright orange or bright green scarf round your neck and head out. Given jaunty neck scarves, or long skinny scarves tied at your neck are a trend for this Spring, what a terrific way to bring a sharp touch of color to your black and white palette.
But let me share with you what will always be the best Spring trend you can ever follow, (frankly the best Life trend you can ever follow). I learned it from a Master. It was May. I was a Senior in High School in a small town in Pennsylvania. And I had been awarded the privilege to be backstage, and then front row for a Bill Blass Fashion Show, which was about the biggest thing this little town had ever seen! I was beside myself with excitement, for my dream was to work in the Fashion Industry, first and foremost as a model, but IN the industry was also highly desirable! To be at this show was beyond description exciting. It was a view into the world I aspired to. Because the power of clothes, and image had already made a profound impression on me. And I wanted to be a part of anything that could have that much effect on your every day life, and provide that much personal power. So there I was, mesmerized by the whole thing. Mr. Blass, elegance personified, was attending in person, commentating the show. He described color with a lip smacking delight. He waxed eloquent about the fabrics he chose and why. And then…he took my breath away. At the finale of the show, as all the models came out for their final catwalk, in the most eye popping gorgeous clothes and colors and sheer swirling fabrics I had ever seen, Mr Blass said, with gusto, “It’s May, it’s May, the lusty month of May”. I honestly gasped. It was so shocking to hear someone say the word lusty in public, with such freedom, and enjoyment, and obvious invitation to delight in it.
This was a small provincial town in Pennsylvania, and I had been raised in a quite conservative religious community. Lust…lusty, the very words were verboten, let alone indulging in the “actions” they suggested. There were sermons preached against it. And you were instructed to avoid it, and anything that could cause it. But Mr. Blass, (forever thank you!), had torn the lid off that provincial way of thinking with his simple statement. For what is Spring about if not lustiness? And what a healthy joyous part of life it is!! Merriam Webster’s Dictionary provides these definitions. Lusty: full of strength and energy. Merry, Joyous, Hearty, Enthusiastic, Healthy, Vigorous! and Lust: Pleasure, Delight, Enthusiasm, Eagerness. A strong desire for something.
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How about Life? How about a strong desire for Life, and all the health and vigor and joy that desire brings with it? BE lusty for Life. DRESS lusty for Life. Indulge in all the panoply of color and taste and scent that Spring ushers in. Choose clothes and colors that make you
May ~ 2016
feel beautiful and energized, and yes, desirable. What styles make you walk with confidence, (and when on a date, with just that little bit of swish)? What fragrances make you feel your most powerful yet feminine? Spritz them on, they are part of your ensemble! What colors, especially what colors that are this year’s trends, make your skin glow and make you feel alive? Wear them, revel in them, and let them all be a powerful factor in your delight in YOUR life. What is your best trend for Spring? Your own Lust for Life. Let your desire for energy, delight, and joy be evident. Let every color you choose, every floral or geometric you pull out of your closet, every fragrance you spritz, every scarf you knot, be a reflection, a representation of the wonderful tumult of life that is bubbling within you and all around you. It’s May, it’s May…the lusty month of May. Dress accordingly. ~Linnea M. Duvall www.linneamduvallmft.com
GLAD RAG BAGS Good for the Earth. Good for Women. GOOD FOR YOU! Sophisticated, elegant, unique upcycled designs with a great ethos for women and the world. www.gladragbags.com
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Love
Are you ready to
the skin you’re in?
What if you fell deeply wildly in love with your body?
Yes
, it’s possible
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30daystobodylove.com
“
BMan ella
“W
A
omen are goddesses by nature, and they should be cherished and loved.”
lejandro Ferradas
Real Estate Advisor www.alejandroferradas.com 53 MAY ~ 2016
Feeling Good About Looking Good This Summer
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Tina Ketchie Stearns
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MAY ~ 2016
he first warm days of spring have me dreaming of the beach and the pool. But who is ready to put on that bathing suit and head out? After months of eating comfort food (e.g. Christmas cookies and Valentine’s Day chocolate) and wearing bulky sweaters, the thought of bearing a little skin can be somewhat intimidating. Luckily, the warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get moving! Exercise is important year round. It not only helps our bodies burn calories, but according to this information from the Mayo Clinic, [http:// www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art20048389] it can also help prevent a wide range of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, depression and arthritis. And a fun little bonus - exercise can improve your sex life! For women it helps enhance arousal, while men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction.
Just in time for us to get ready for bathing suit season, the weather warms up and we can do our favorite activities outside. Here are a few suggestions to get you moving: Take a walk. This one’s easy and my favorite. After a long stressful day at work, I love coming home, lacing up my favorite athletic shoes and walking around my neighborhood. I do a 5-mile walk, but a brisk 1 mile walk is a fabulous start! It’s a great way to get some fresh air and clear your mind of the day’s challenges. Sign up for a 5K Run/Walk. There’s nothing like the goal of a looming race to get you moving. If you’ve always wanted something to help you be more active, go ahead
and sign up for that race, and then start training. There are 5Ks everywhere, and many of them use the money from your registration fee to support worthy causes. One I love is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, [http:// ww5.komen.org/findarace. aspx] which supports breast cancer research. Check out the Couch to 5K [http:// www.c25k.com/] for a great training regimen.
Ride a Bike. Remember that feeling of exhilaration you had as a kid, riding your bike through the neighborhood, wind rushing through your hair? Riding a bike can be just as much fun as an adult! Check out Bicycling.com [http://www.bicycling. com/] for great advice on getting the right gear and getting started, safely. Bring it Inside. There are plenty of ways to get active inside also, especially for those of you who suffer from spring allergies. Sign up for a Zumba class, join the local Y, start swimming, or look for a karate class for adults where you can get in shape and learn a little self-defense at the same time. The whole point is to get active for a healthier you. And we all know that feeling good is a huge part of feeling sexy! My team at Go Free® Pants is all about feeling sexy!
Who is ready to put on that bathing suit and head out?
Back to the bathing suit dilemma. My solution is another essential summer item that rarely gets any press: the bathing suit cover up. I say essential because few women who are past their 30’s wouldn’t be caught dead without one. Teenagers and 20-somethings might be fine strutting around in just a bathing suit from the car to the pool or over to the snack bar. But as for me, I feel a little more comfortable with a little more material covering my body when I’m not right beside a body of water!
MAY ~ 2016
There are three things that are important when choosing a cover up. First, it should be easy to get on and off. A quick tie around the waist or something that slips easily over the head is key. There’s nothing worse than getting to your chair by the pool and then feeling like you’re making a spectacle of yourself just getting out of your cover up. Second, it should be easy to care for. No delicate hand wash or dry clean only materials here! After all, these garments are worn around chlorine and saltwater, so you need to be able to wash it and keep it fresh with little worry. Third, it needs to look nice enough to take me from the pool to a quick stop at the grocery store, pumping gas, or even a quick drink with friends before heading home. My cover up is something I’m proud to wear even when not at the pool or the beach! Summer is around the corner! I’m not crazy about the annual dreaded event of trying on bathing suits, but knowing I’ve got a great cover up makes the process much more fun, and most of all, makes me feel good about looking good this summer! ~Tina Ketchie Stearns http://www.gotplans123.org http://gofreepants.com
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Where
Psychic Super Powers Meet the Ancient Wisdom of The Tarot
A New Dream Is Delivered Every Monday, On the Air. THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: IN THE HEART OF LOVE Click to register for the next Mash-Up.
www.Rebeckaeggers.net/registration 57 We Are Your Forbidden Fruit! MAY ~ 2016
Could the Fragrances in your Home
Sharon Otness
A
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be making you sick?
s a wellness advocate I run seasonal detox and clean eating programs for women. We work on eating clean unprocessed foods free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. Perhaps you have done one yourself. Cleaning your diet up with food is a fantastic first start. But food alone can’t take care of the toxic load we are carrying around. What about the other toxins in your life? Did you know that we are bombarded by the chemicals in the everyday products we use we might just take for granted? While we can’t necessarily control all of the toxins used in our world from the chemicals in the outside air there are so many ways we can control our own personal environments. We can control what we put on or in our bodies, what cleaning products we use and how we keep our
homes fresh and smelling great. (Be sure to check out the article I wrote in the March issue on the house plants that remove chemical toxins from your home). Could chemical and synthetic fragrances be making you sick? Do you get frequent headaches, sniffles that just won’t go away or a queasy feeling? Thirty three million Americans suffer from sinusitis, ten million have asthma and headaches cost us billions in lost productivity. In the Bay Area, I was doing Home Staging for real estate. If the home was still being lived in, the first process was removing all of the homeowners extra items before I could re-arrange furnishings and add in fresh new accessories. I used to wonder why so many people had tissue boxes everywhere. The
"Living Life on a Natural High"
www.sharonotness.com MAY ~ 2016
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fact that these same homeowners had multiple plugin and stick on type air fresheners all thru-out their houses escaped me at the time, but now I realize they were most likely having reactions to the synthetic fragrances in these seemingly innocent little packages. Do you use these in your home? How about candles, spray room fresheners, and fabric softeners? “Fragrances” are also found in laundry detergent, dishwashing soaps, and almost all of your cleaning supplies. The bottom line is we love things to smell nice in this country but all of that fragrance may be harming our health. 95% of the chemicals in most commercial fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum and natural gas, known as petrochemicals. In the US manufacturers are not made to disclose the hundreds of synthetic chemicals in their products as they can hide behind the word “fragrance” as being a “trade secret”. The ingredients in “fragrance” are
absorbed into the bloodstream directly thru the skin. The EWG (environmental working group) found that more than 75% of products using the word “fragrance” contain phthalates which have been shown to disrupt hormone activity, reduce sperm counts, cause reproductive malformation and have been linked to liver and breast cancer, diabetes, and obesity. That “fragrance” can pack quite a punch. We still want our homes to look and smell clean and fresh. So, what do we do instead? Study the labels of your products. Avoid anything that uses the word “fragrance”. There are so many more choices in commercial products with more natural cleaning ingredients. And of course you can make your own. It is amazing how inexpensive and easy it is not to mention less costly. Vinegar, baking soda, lemons and oranges, castile soap, borax, salt, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils are easy ingredients to have on hand. If you would like to know more, I would love to connect! And be sure to check out the easy to make reed diffusers I provided the recipe for in this issue. ~Sharon Otness www.sharonotness.com
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How to Make Reed Diffusers
By Sharon Otness www.sharonotness.com
with Essential Oils
You will have a toxin free and beautiful way to scent any room in your home. Gather supplies: • Bottles of choice (look for bottles with a narrow neck)
Place about a ¼ cup of fractionated coconut oil to your bottle. Add about 10-15 drops of your essential oils of choice ( I use doTerra) and swirl to mix with the fractionated coconut oil. Place sticks in the oil. Continue to flip the sticks every day for a few days and then as needed to refresh.
• Fractionated coconut oil • Reed sticks (or bamboo skewers) • Essential oils (I use doTerra)
Here are some blends to get you started:
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wild orange + lemon, lavender + lemon, peppermint + wild orange, spearmint + rosemary. MAY ~ 2016
The Goldmine of Superfoods
W
hen you discover the benefits of turmeric, you’ll think you struck gold! This amazing super food is native to southwest India and has an earthy, pungent, slightly bitter smell and taste, with a kick of a peppery flavor. It was first valued for it’s gorgeous yellow color and used as a dye thousands of years ago. But it’s turmeric’s medicinal properties that will blow you away. The truth of the matter is: food has been our medicine for thousands of years and some foods, such as turmeric, may be just as effective as pharmaceutical drugs without the side effects. A little, bright orange rhizome (an underground stem) called turmeric can have such a dramatic effect on reducing inflammation in the joints. And it’s natural! What’s really exciting is that turmeric has many more benefits beyond helping alleviate joint pain caused by inflammation. Benefits of turmeric Considered precious and holy, turmeric is used as part of the religious ceremonies in India and has been traditionally
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By Kat Maeda recommended in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine to treat more than chronic inflammation, such as: • Calming indigestion • Treating throat infections and colds • Cleansing wounds and skin sores • Supporting and protecting the liver from oxidative stress • Reducing high cholesterol • Alleviating the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis • Treating inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis • Treating symptoms associated with diabetes and kidney disease
In addition to the benefits listed above and turmeric’s amazing anti-inflammatory power, I especially love turmeric for these five reasons: 1. Turmeric is a brain food – it is supports memory function, is healing to the brain, and improves the oxygen flow – when the brain functions at optimally, serotonin and melatonin levels are also improved. 2. The curcumin has been proven in clinical studies to be highly effective with people who suffer depression – and without the side effects of prescription drugs1 3. More and more studies suggest that turmeric may indeed protect against neurological degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.2,3; 4. It’s also an anti-cancer food! Growing research shows that turmeric is highly effective in the treatment and prevention of cancers because curcumin “displays antitumor properties”4. It has been shown to kill cancer cells in cancers such as lung, bladder, and prostrate, the second leading cause of cancer death among men. 5. It’s a secret ingredient to beautiful skin! Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, eating turmeric regularly supports health skin. Get beautiful skin from the inside and out - it’s a great defoliant.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23832433 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25210998 3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16266772 4 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25172633 1 2
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So what’s in turmeric that makes it medicinal? Turmeric is loaded with compounds called curcuminoids. The most important and the main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. It is imperative to pair it with black pepper so you can absorb it - research shows that the piperine in black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin by some 2000%. Are there contraindications? To get high benefits for targeted medicinal support, please consult with your medical practitioner for supplement usage. If you are pregnant or nursing, always check with your doctor before adding turmeric or curcumin supplements to your diet. People who suffer with gallstones or bile duct dysfunction should avoid turmeric. And, according to some studies, there is evidence that turmeric may interfere with a chemotherapy agent used to fight breast cancer (if you’re on chemotherapy, check with your oncologist before adding supplements to your regimen).
Cooking with turmeric Fresh turmeric is available at farmer’s markets and in the produce section of most grocery stores –it’s usually near the fresh ginger and Jerusalem artichokes. It also comes ground (not to be confused with curry, which is a blend of spices including turmeric). I use a lot of both fresh and ground turmeric - my best and most fresh source is also organic and I found it on Amazon. Store your fresh turmeric in the fridge and be sure to keep your ground turmeric in a tightly covered jar in a cool pantry or cupboard. You can add fresh turmeric to tonics, juices, sautés, soups, or dips. For tonics and juices, simply scrub the turmeric lightly with a brush. I peel it with a potato peeler when adding to sautés, dips or soups. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to rice or quinoa dishes for a beautiful golden side dish. Remember to always add black pepper. I especially love turmeric milk at night before I go to bed using almond milk or a blend of almond and coconut milks. Find your favorite ways to consume turmeric and stay young, healthy, and happy! ~ Kat Maeda, INHC, CMWA www.katmaeda.com
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Soothing Bedtime Warm Turmeric Milk Serves 1
Ingredients 1 cup almond milk 1 cup light coconut milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 1 ½ tablespoon ground turmeric
(or finely grated fresh turmeric*) 1 big pinch fine ground pepper pinch cardamom 1 tablespoon raw honey
Directions In small saucepan, heat milks until warm but not hot.
Using a wire whisk, rapidly stir in remaining ingredients to completely blend. Enjoy! *wear plastic gloves to grate to avoid yellow finger tips and nails
~ Kat Maeda, INHC, CMWA www.katmaeda.com MAY ~ 2016
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Golden Glow Green Smoothie Makes 4 servings
Use your Vitamix (or other high speed blender) for this amazing green smoothie that will have your skin glowing in no time. I like to drink this twice a day sometimes – and it’s a great way to also get your fruit and veggie servings.
Ingredients: • 1 ½- 2 cups filtered water • 1 large green or Fuji apple • 1 pear (if pears are not in season, use 2 apples) • 1 small banana • juice of 1 lemon • 3-4 fresh turmeric • 2 Persian cucumbers • 4 ribs celery • ½ bunch parsley, with stems • 1 bunch baby spinach with stems or ½ bunch kale, stems removed • 1 bunch dandelion greens • ½ head romaine lettuce • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper • additional water, if needed
Directions: • To your Vitamix, add water, fruits, lemon juice, turmeric, cucumbers, celery and parsley and blend quickly on high. • Then add remaining ingredients one at a time, quickly blending between to reduce volume. • Finally, stir in black pepper and additional water if thin if needed. • Store in tightly covered jars in refrigerator up to 2 days.
~ Kat Maeda, INHC, CMWA www.katmaeda.com
Restorative Detoxifying Veggie Broth Makes 6 cups
Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil • 2 medium leeks, sliced and rinsed • 2 large yellow onions • 1 pound carrots • 1 pound celery • 4 cloves of garlic, crushed • 1 head broccoli, chopped • ½ a small bunch kale or chard (or a mixture of leafy greens), remove stems and use leaves only • ½ cup fresh mushrooms • 1 handful fresh flat leaf parsley • 1 large piece of Kombu (seaweed) • 1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, skin removed and grated • 1 2-inch piece of fresh turmeric, skin removed, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground if fresh is not available) • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • Filtered water to cover veggies, about 3 inches
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Directions: Coarsely chop the vegetables into even sized pieces. Heat the olive oil in a big soup pot and add veggies one at a time, from the onions to the fresh herbs, stirring in between. Add parsley, bay leaf, kombu, ginger, turmeric and salt and pepper. Let veggies cook for about 5 minutes. Add enough water to cover by 2-3 inches. Bring soup to a boil and then reduce heat and barely simmer on low for up to 2 hours, but not less than 90 minutes. For a strained broth: Strain through a fine mesh strainer (set vegetables aside). Salt to taste. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. For a velvety soup: Place the strained vegetables and about 1 cup of the veggie broth together into a blender. Add a bit of olive oil and season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed. Blend on high until liquefied. Store broth and soup up to a week in glass jars in the fridge or freeze for up to three months. ~ Kat Maeda, INHC, CMWA MAY ~ 2016 www.katmaeda.com
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Turmeric Exfoliant Mask A beautiful treatment for glowing skin! I recommend doing this treatment at night as part of your evening skin care regimen.
Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons gluten free oats* • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric • ½ teaspoon raw honey • 2 tablespoons plain organic yogurt from grass fed cows • 1 drop lavender essential oil • 1 drop geranium essential oil • Coconut or olive oil – for step two
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Directions: TO MAKE: Add oats to blender; turn on high 10-15 seconds to make an oat flour In small bowl, mix ground oats, turmeric, honey, yogurt, and essential oils to make a thick paste STEP ONE: Apply to face in a thin coat, avoiding eye area and top of nose where skin is thin. Let dry 5 minutes – no longer to avoid orange skin! With a warm (dark colored) washcloth, gently wipe mask from face, rinsing well. STEP TWO: Using your choice of coconut or extra virgin olive oil, apply a small amount into your face, gently massaging in small circles. Gently lay a hot washcloth over your face, using your fingers and hands to hold tight around the edges to create a light steam to the face. Let washcloth cool and then gently wipe clean. Spray a skin freshener like rose water on your face. Apply your favorite nighttime moisturizer or moisturizing oils. *if you have oily skin, try barley flour instead of oats ~ Kat Maeda, INHC, CMWA www.katmaeda.com MAY ~ 2016
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Teeth Whitening Turmeric Toothpaste
Directions: • Mix all ingredients together with a fork to combine to a thick paste.
Ingredients
• Use a small amount (about ½ teaspoon) on toothbrush and brush 2 minutes.
• 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
• Use only once a day (I recommend at night) up to 2-3 times a week.
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Floss your teeth – the turmeric will color any food residue caught in your teeth so flossing will be easy.
• ½ tablespoon baking soda • 3 drops pure peppermint essential oil
• Follow by brushing again with your favorite healthy toothpaste (no fluoride, sugars, artificial anything). • Scrap your tongue; rinse well.
Notes: • Your toothbrush will become yellow; color will fade away between turmeric paste applications. • If you have sensitive teeth or gums, this toothpaste may be too abrasive for you. • Do not use more often than recommended.
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• Store in small tightly covered jar in your bathroom. Those little jars you get with honey in them from restaurants are perfect. May ~ 2016
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How to Rejoice with a Blissful Half-Life Celebration
I
By Kellie Valenti
believe that women in midlife should rejoice and have a halflife celebration and create more bliss in our lives. This might look like a reflection of celebrating who you are and where you’ve been and a great time to look forward and carve out a path of what the future holds with the intention of bliss and happiness. Now that I’m in my fifties, I feel like I’ve really hit my stride. I’m much more confident with who I am. I’m more accepting, I’m more at peace in my own skin, I’m healthier and the women I am attracted to, adore and spend time with, are much the same. As women in their twenties, thirties and forties, we sometimes are still trying to figure it all out, balancing careers, nurturing relationships or raising children. As part of the reflection, when we look back at an earlier time, women were taught that a women’s place was in the home, which meant
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getting married, having babies and taking care of their families. There wasn’t much encouragement to live outside the stereotypical box. Much less to have a voice and express deep inner desires of the heart and to go after those desires and dreams. What does this look like for you? Can you reflect on all that works and all that needs work? What stays and what goes? What’s made you stronger and the powerful woman you are today? Interestingly enough, women in their fifties today are much more different than their mothers. As much as I love and adore my mother and grandmother, I’m not them and I don’t believe that women today are. We are much more confident with who we are as women and often encouraged to be the powerhouse we were created to be in all areas of our lives. We take care of our families and we’ve raised our children to be strong independent
thinkers and dreamers who achieve their goals and to actually live a happy, healthy and balanced life. So in honor of our half-life celebration and looking forward, part of what we should spend time focusing on is our health and wellbeing. Interestingly enough this is when we are much more accepting of our bodies and celebrate all that our bodies do for us. As an example, what if we actually thanked our arms for the ability to give and receive hugs, and our lips for giving and receiving kisses and our hands for caressing our skin and our legs for taking us on magnificent adventures in nature and our heart and lungs for helping to let life flow through our veins and our pelvis for grounding our lives and our brain for praising and adoring all that is and is possible for the now and the future. When we are grounded and at peace, we have less stress, we manage
our diets better, we feel the need to nourish our mind, bodies and souls as a whole being rather than just giving ourselves a quick fix. Celebrating you also includes scheduling regular testing to make sure your body is serving you as well as it should and taking the necessary steps to be always be proactive and not reactive. We spend time in meditation, in nature, in nurturing relationships and not so much time in drama and high anxiety situations. In the end, reflecting and celebrating is paramount. You are a beautiful woman, both inside and out. You are created to be magnificent with a light that shines so brightly and that leads others to you because you have a magnetic personality and a voice that isn’t afraid to hide anymore. You are confident, strong, intelligent, beautiful, nurturing and most of all, you are a women living in this time and place for a very specific purpose. Go after your dreams, live your life at full throttle, enjoy good belly laughs with your best girlfriends, look through rose colored glasses like a child and realize that you were born to be you and no one else. I adore you and I believe in the power of you‌ isn’t it time you did the same? To your health, Kellie Valenti www.livelifeyearsyounger.com
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BNew ella
Paradigm
Cups of Consciousness
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By Aleya Dao
he first four months of 2016 were a time to rest, release, and reflection. May is the month of momentum. The first two weeks of May are a perfect time to do last minute organizing, streamlining, and final de-cluttering. Get ready to be pulsed forward. In the middle of May you will feel an energetic wind begin to blow you forward. Whatever you are focused on is where you will go. This is a potent time. Focus on moving forward in your life in a positive and empowering way.
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Let’s take a moment to get ready for the change and align your compass in the direction you intend to go. »» Take a deep breath in and pull your awareness into your core using your breath, intent, and imagination. »» Imagine an inner river of light flowing up and down the front of your spine. »» Imagine holding your awareness in this inner river. »» Take a moment to think about the qualities you want in your life. Greater support, love, connection, purpose, fulfillment? »» Invite the energetic aspect of you (your Higher Self) to activate those qualities in your inner river of light. »» For example: If you want more support, love, joy, and connection in your life imagine those qualities flowing like a current in your inner river of light/ divine line. »» Intend and imagine that connecting with these qualities internally is setting your inner energetic compass to head in that direction in your life. »» Imagine a path in front of you that holds those qualities as well. »» Intend that the energetic wind (that will begin to blow onto the planet in the middle of May) will push you forward on this path that holds these intended vibrations.
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This month’s cup is a double shot and will help you point yourself in the your desired direction, get grounded, and centered so that when the winds blow you will sail in the direction you intend.
1
Cup Catch the Wave st
https://aleyadao.box. com/s/lsxdeg13olzbrbze14pftba25n4l0xov Use this first cup to locate and align to an energetic wave that can move your forward in your life. Allow for the old energies from the past arise and release. Align and position yourself to catch a beautiful, strong, wave of energy that can help propel you in the direction that you intend as opposed to the past.
»» Pull your awareness into your divine line. »» Invite the Higher Self of you, your body deva, and Team to energetically locate and orient your direction for the current/ stream/wave of light that is beginning to come onto the planet that can propel you in an empowered direction. »» Move into position to catch this energetic wave in the most empowered and joyful wave. »» Tones and light language to help you catch this wave. »» Imagine a wave of energy coming in from behind you and you are in position to be propelled, supported, inspired, and moved forward by this wave of light, love, joy, and empowerment. May you catch the wave in a way that inspires and supports you.
2
Cup Expand your base chakra. Anchor in your intentions, get traction and move forward. nd
https://aleyadao.box.com/s/ dskl8jrf2vdloejkqvzf This second cup will help you get your feet back on the ground while simultaneously being able to bring in high vibrations. It will enable you to increase the support and empowerment as you move forward into new energetic terrain. You have a greater capacity for manifesting the more grounded you are. »» Energetically locate your lower energy centers. »» Clear your base chakra with tones. »» Activate the base chakra with tones and the vibration of the essence of you and your body deva. »» Create an energetic grid that holds the pulse, flow, movement to help you get traction and manifest your intentions and move into right action. »» Pulse the flow of inspiration, motivation, and flow. May you feel the grounded pulse from Earth supporting you as you move forward. For greater support with the energetic weather go to:
www.CupsOfConsciousness.com -Aleya Dao
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Beginnings New in New
Beginnings in The Golden Years Years The Golden
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Lorraine Cohen
‘True beauty is not related to what color your hair is or what color your eyes are. True beauty is about who you are as a human being, your principles, your moral compass; being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are.’
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~ Ellen DeGeneres
he first time a dear friend referred to me as a crone, I felt insulted. I was only in my late 50’s and did not see myself as an old hag, which is typically associated with the word “crone.” The more we spoke, I began to realize that she was acknowledging my years of experience, wisdom, and spirituality. True meaning of the Crone: A woman of age who is venerated as a model for empowerment, wise, self-defined through the fulfillment of female life experience.
We become seasoned and mature from life experiences that reveal ourselves to ourselves. During times of contemplation I have asked myself, “If I could turn back the clock, would I? And if so, why? What would I want to change? If I accept that everything I have experienced has shaped me to become this amazing crone that I am, why would I wish to change the past?” And yet, there can be this wondering, what if? Many of the most challenging experiences bring our greatest accomplishments and gifts. They can help us to discover that all the things that we may judge as broken, flawed, and unlovable within ourselves are what make us the most beautiful. And in that discovery, to embrace ourselves with love and compassion for our humanness and reconnect us with our Divinity, which is our true source of power.
Here are three questions that invite you to look more closely at who you have become and what you really want to fulfill your calling and destiny in your golden years (or at any time in your life!): 1. What makes you feel the most vital, alive, and inspired that aligns with your spirit and your deepest desires? Whatever energizes and lights you up, brings out your playful inner child, and feels joyful makes life your oyster. Do plenty of that! 2. What insights and gifts have you received from your life experiences that have been of the greatest value to your growth that you also wish to share with others? Every person and experience serves us to grow and contributes to the person we become. There are no real mistakes and nothing is wasted. The key is how you use those opportunities to awaken your true self and show up in the world. 3. What is your soul calling you to do or be in your next life chapter? Everyone has a calling that can be found in natural talents that become gifts, passions, joys, and things we love. Sometimes a life purpose is meant to be shared in quiet ways and sometimes in louder, bigger ways. Perhaps there is a longing you have denied in the past that you are ready to say YES to! Every day is a new beginning. As we let go of the old, which can feel like small or large deaths, what emerges is always something more magnificent. While outer beauty can be pleasing to the eye, it is our inner beauty that captivates and connects us heart to heart, soul to soul. Our inner beauty
Our inner beauty is eternal, timeless, ageless, and ever expanding. is eternal, timeless, ageless, and ever expanding. These years are not a time to bemoan for nothing of value is truly lost. Instead, we arrive at a time of celebration and new opportunities. For in honoring who we have become, a new chapter begins in which we can choose to teach, speak, and quietly inspire one another, all women, and all peoples who wish to embrace the totality of life and our connection with all beings. As we awaken the ancient crone within ourselves, and we learn to trust the power of our feminine inner knowing. You may look at the golden years as a signal to slow down; to enjoy more time with family, travel, pursue interests you have put aside or see this as an opportunity to dive deeply into a new path and platform to express your life calling. Personally, I just celebrated my 66th birthday. I feel like I am just getting started to really live! What next juicy chapter are you ready to live that allows your beautiful self to shine more brightly? The possibilities are limitless! The best is yet to come! Lorraine Cohen http://lorrainecohen.com MAY ~ 2016
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The Beauty of Diversity
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Carolyn Gervais
hose of you who have been searching for a very long time as to who and what you are as life essence, want to know why and for what purpose you serve on a planet filled with so much divisiveness, separateness, fear and hate; when all you really want is to express love and peace in ways that are soothingly harmonious in a world full of disruption.
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and masculine, which are exhibited by such phenomena as the North and South poles of any planet. Everything the Creative Force creates has a feminine pole and a masculine polar opposite. Polar opposites are naturally drawn to one another because in essence they are one and the same energy.
For Example: It has Because our earthly been noted that many existence is a duality, identical twins that everything has an are separated at birth extreme opposite, through adoption, everything has an like up and down, often have dreams extreme opposite, suffering and joy and strong feelings or love and hate. It like up and down, part of them is appears that more suffering and joy or that missing; they sense people in today’s love and hate. a twin which they world are attracted are determined to to the extremes of find. When my sensationalism. We identical twin and I come by our inborn were less than two dualistic traits naturally after all it years old, I developed pneumonia. was and still is the Creative Force My twin soon followed and we within us that created our manifested were hospitalized. We were put macrocosm, our physical bodies, into separate rooms, and cribs minds and all of life everywhere we can imagine. So it’s not surprising that surrounded with plastic that we couldn’t see through; finding out which created all, is dualistic as well years later, we were in oxygen tents. with ‘Its’ opposite poles of feminine
That long separation totally traumatized us. I came home first and was laid in my crib feeling sad, lost and lifeless. I remember that feeling today and know now I had no will to live without my twin. That feeling still remains, so even though my twin and I aren’t always on speaking terms, I can’t imagine my life without her in the world with me. Identical twins at conception are one embryo until it splits in half to form two embryos that have the exact same DNA. Though the one egg becomes two people, the energetic memory of being one creates a bond that I compare to a mother and her child. This is what the Creative Force has done, physically split into two polarities but yet that energy is and always will be, one masquerading as the many. We are continually learning what will destroy and what will help us to survive as humans. The Creative Force from which we are made, expresses through all its creations with many variations. Endless color variations exist in the plant, mineral, and animal kingdoms and we marvel at the beauty and diversity of their many colors and shapes. We rejoice in how they contribute to the balance of the world. Why do so many then withhold their love from the diversity in people; their color, shapes and how that diversity adds and enhances who we become as we utilize one another’s knowledge, talents, lessons and view of life? The human kingdom, supposedly the most intelligent, has been creating so much wasteful and needless destruction that the most vicious of man eating animals and deadly diseases seem tame in comparison.
Here are the words from a song I wrote called “Deeper” from my music CD, Face In the Mirror, that I feel is a way to heal our differences and balance the world: We’re picking up the pieces again, we’re starting all over again; maybe it’s time for sure we can be friends. I know that life can really seem tough, and what we’ve been though seems rough, but here we are together once more our paths have crossed again. We have to look a little deeper into love, try a little harder it won’t take much, push away the past it’s only a crutch and live in the now and see what we can do. Let’s try to make the best of it now, let’s see if we can work it on out, all our differences it now or it will never be. You say we’re just reliving the past, we’re pushing too hard too fast, but don’t you see the chance to finally work it out at last. We have to look a little deeper into love, try a little harder it won’t take much, push away the past it’s only a crutch and live in the now let’s see what we can do, can do, can do. Carolyn Gervais www.awakeningyou.com MAY ~ 2016
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Weaving Hope
Rebecka Eggers
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rise in the early morning. As the sun tips over the horizon, I survey the landscape of who I have been. What emerges, if memory serves at all, is a tired, broken woman laboring beneath the dense contents of an over-stuffed burlap bag. In her own estimation, she has never found shelter. But I can see the hand of her sanctuary casting a shadow beneath a sweltering sky. I am reluctant to regard this, furtive, traveling abode as anything more than an apparition. But since I have been observing it, it has never lost sight of its task, not even for a moment. As a result, I have grown vaguely tired of distrusting it. At this moment, I am standing in a disquieting purgatory space custom-made to harbor me like the fugitive I presently am. I am between worlds. No longer recognizable in one and not yet fully schooled in the ways of the other, I stand in no-man’s land.
This place is oddly characterized by what is missing: movement. Or perhaps I should say, forward motion. No matter how many steps I take in one direction, they are undone in another. I am in the cantankerous, irredeemable still-point. I am not who I was and I have not yet emerged as the woman I will be. Nor am I being asked to do anything so progressive or ardent as becoming. In this place, I am tasked only with the work of weaving. The subject matter of my loom is a peculiar one. My soul rests upon it. Row after row of plump black threads, jet black like a moon-starved night, flank silken threads of light. Were it not for
the skill of my weft facing weave, you would be keenly aware of the warp. But as it stands, I have created the illusion that light and dark have come together in a kind of spontaneous coitus.
As I near the end of the weaving, I am daring to posses hope and all the mercurial, fledgling magic it contains. In some sense this feels like a treasonous act. To seize hope is to eventually leave behind the familiar, overbearing weight From this joining a silvery twilight bursts of the ill-suited, but sturdy burlap from the threads and then contracts again bag (and with it the burden I have into a flat, inanimate, textile. If you watch for always carried). It feels as though I was long enough, you get the sense that, in one betrothed to disappointment so young moment, the fabric is breathing and that it is that I scarcely know alive just as in the next, it is who I will be without dead as a doornail. its sharp companI am being ionship and its ironic In this work of weaving, I am form of protection. being asked to leave behind asked to something that was once very But the time is leave behind precious to me. All of my life, I nigh! The jilting of my have defined myself in opposisadistic lover is upon something tion to something. I have been me. There can be no that was once the revolutionary set against turning back. the hand of the oppressor since very precious In fact, just as I have I can remember. I have also been recounting this been the outsider standing to me. tale, I have also placed firm against inclusion. I have the last two strands. been as suspicious of those Now I am down to the on the inside of anything as I last warp and woof of the very last row. have been of that ghostly hand sheltering the journey-woman. As I take the scissors in my hands, and begin to cut the strands from So, here I stand at this loom, thread by the frame, I realize that hope always thread, surrendering my identity to the warp implies a dream. It insists upon sometension that holds the tender fabric of my thing for which it is worth the effort of new identity. Hidden in the ebb and flow of hoping. Otherwise what’s the point?! darkness and light is my secret ingredient. I am weaving the contrary threads of my soul: The sun is slinking over the horizon Pitch black weft slinks over two strands of now and in the fading light of this day’s hope, then under one. Repeat. Glistening light labor, a new dream appears. dives beneath my hope then climbs over two Fabulous. strands... ~ Rebecka Eggers My hope! www. rebeckaeggers.com MAY ~ 2016
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Happiness Through Social Relationships By Jennifer Jimbere
T
ake a moment and picture your next doctor’s exam. You are probably thinking about waiting in the front room, sifting through older copies of magazines, trying not to eavesdrop on conversations around you while you flip through your emails on your phone. Then you are called into the examination room. As usual, your doctor asks how you’ve been feeling, checks your eyes, ears and throat, then blood pressure. While doing so, you get asked questions like, “how is
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your exercise, diet and work?” Then the doctor does something completely unexpected and asks how happy, optimistic, and satisfied you are. Wait, what? I am in my doctor’s office right? An emerging body of research in Positive Psychology suggests that probing into your happiness is one of the most important things your doctor can do to predict your health and longevity, yet few doctors do discuss this now. Ample evidence now indicates that happiness is an important factor in your health. I believe that your doctor asking you about your happiness would assist if he or she wants to keep you physically and mentally healthy. In scientific studies of happy people, those who were satisfied with their lives and have an optimistic outlook, tend to report fewer symptoms of illness, and actually get sick less often when measured objectively.
I’ve read a lot of books on the subject of Positive Psychology and there is compelling evidence that happiness influences health in a variety of ways. Imagine that you are left alone on this planet, you are in charge, no one else is here. At first, a world without traffic, no lines on your favorite ride, and no waiting in line at the bank -- seems perfect! No one around to stop you from taking a private tour at Oprah’s house!
- could ultimately end up horribly? Why would a world without other people in it be like hell on earth?
Family relationships and close friendships are important to happiness.
The possibilities are endless. You might chose to spend days visiting the homes of your favorite celebrities and drink the most expensive wines available. 6 months later, you are lonely beyond belief and bored to tears. You own the world and have no restrictions, but you have no one to share the experiences with, and no one to call when you have conquered a fear that you were not able to face before. There is no one to toast and enjoy that beautiful wine with. Every day you might wake up dreading the isolation. The new challenges you face today, like learning French are useless as you have no one to talk to. Now why is it with this scenario - one with so much adventure, creativity and freedom
Life is only meaningful if we have people who care about us, people who show affection to us and people to share experiences with. Perhaps, even people who annoy us, actually add to the interest life has. Common sense tells us that social relationships are vital to our ability to flourish and provide us a sense of fulfillment. Simply put, we need others to flourish.
Family relationships and close friendships are important to happiness. Many studies show that happy people are also more blessed with good families, friends and supportive relationships than are people with low life satisfaction. I will give you a real life example. In my work as a coach and consultant I work alone as a solopreneur and use a tool called the circle of personal perspective. Inspiring individuals, teams and organizations to unleash their strengths and maximize performance, there are many people that I support. The tool measures satisfaction in all areas of life including financial, work, love, friendships, spirituality and health. I recently noticed a spike in my own results.
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An improvement in the friendships and work quadrant of the tool. This is because, in addition to all of the other work I do and all of the blessed friendships I have, I am now working as a co-founder of the Radical Joy Seeking Women’s Club with two amazing women from 2 different parts of the world. We are 3 women working in partnership to build an online community. As experts in Spiritual Psychology, Positive Psychology and Health and Wellness we have a mission: Empowering Women World Wide to take their Personal Growth to Heart. radicaljoyseekingwomen.com Their is a visionary new understanding of happiness and wellbeing, and I am living proof that happiness increases through social relationships and my vision is that our doctors in the medical field will begin to ask you at your annual checkup, “ How happy, optimistic and satisfied are you?” We can find a route to increased happiness through social relationships. Jennifer Jimbere jimberecoachingandconsulting.com
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How would you like to unleash your strengths to maximize your personal & business performance? Jimbere Coaching and Consulting uses proven, action oriented, research based applications in the areas of coaching, change management and positive psychology to help move you forward.
Sign up for your free video series on Coaching Myths & Tips Change Management Tips Positive Psychology Practice Tips
www.jimberecoachingandconsulting.com April ~ 2016
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How I
Cured Myself from
Chronic Illness
“C
By Connie Costa
After discovering best-selling author, onnie, we have decided that Alan Cohen, my life’s purpose became we are going to wrap your office door with crystal clear to me. I am a Transformational yellow caution tape and attach a bottle of Coach, Published Writer & International Lysol to the door. So every Speaker. I decided to read time you go in and out of every book I could find about your office you get sprayed personal development, attend I hadn’t with Lysol!” My co-worker every seminar that peaked my made this comment half been sick in interest, and immerse myself jokingly because I would get in the self-help and new age months! severely sick about twice a world. month. On average, I was How could Then one day it hit me. I ill every other week and I this be? hadn’t been sick in months! had convinced myself that How could this be? How could this was going to be my life, a girl who was chronically ill forever. with bronchitis, viruses, colds, flu, and After I stopped working at that job, I even illnesses that my doctor had to look decided to start creating a career that I loved up, was no longer sick? The answer was to do. This didn’t happen overnight. On the simple. On my path of spiritual enlightenroad to living my dream career I worked at a ment I learned to have purpose, immense few terrible jobs that made me miserable. It gratitude and self-love. When I was not took over two years for me to really be on the living my purpose, I was constantly sick path I knew was truly my own. because my body was serving as my guide and telling me, “No, this isn’t working for
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you. This is not what you are meant to do!” The problem was that I wasn’t getting the message.
how this event is actually helping us in our life. When we can be grateful for our lives, and realize that everything is already in perfect order, we have reached nirvana.
The famous question I always ask people is, “Are you living your life’s Before going to sleep, I recall my day purpose?” Unfortunately, the truth is and thank God for every single event and that most people are not. Each one of us every person in my day. If anything negative has been imbued with a specific purpose crossed my path, I see the positive lesson it before we incarnate in this world. We are brought to me. If I don’t immediately see the each here to serve humanity in our own positive lesson, I thank God anyway. I am unique way. In his life changing book, sure I will see it eventually. I How to Make One Hell of highly recommend doing this a Profit and Still Get to before you go to sleep at night. “You were Heaven, author Dr. John Demartini says, “You born with a Self-love is also crucial to were born with a magnifthe equation of eternal health magnificent icent purpose to fulfill in and happiness. The more purpose to fulfill this world; buried deep we love ourselves, the better in this world; in your heart, it’s your our life works. Period. Dr. reason for being. When buried deep in Demartini states, “The more you awaken to your respect and love you have for your heart” purpose, you’re inspired.” yourself, the greater and more financially rewarded your life Another unfortunate problem is most will be.” The more you love yourself, the people don’t notice all the blessings in higher your self-worth. In his book, The their life. They only notice what they don’t Breakthrough Experience, Dr. Demartini have, or what they think is missing. When says, “Gratitude is the key to fulfillment. you can be truly grateful for everything Gratitude and self-worth come hand in you have, “good or bad”, you will see a hand, and great worth comes from gratedramatic change in your life. I know what fully fulfilling our dreams.” you are thinking. “How can I be grateful for the ‘bad’ in my life?” The truth is things When people ask me why I am always we label as “bad” are actually blessings in so happy, my heart knows it’s because I am disguise. They are our greatest teachers. committed to my purpose, to gratitude and Think back to your life and recall any negself-love. I never see myself retiring from ative event that occurred. Now write down my work. I look forward to it constantly all the blessings that came from that “negevolving along with me until the day I leave ative” event. There are always blessings and this Earth. Dr. Demartini dismisses the idea the secret is to train our brain to recognize MAY ~ 2016
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that we should retire at a certain age. He claims that when we are no longer serving a purpose, our body starts to shut down, “…anyone or anything that doesn’t fulfill its purpose automatically decays.” It makes perfect sense to me. If you have purpose, gratitude and self-love you have discovered the fountain of youth. Your body and soul want that reason to live, reason to thrive. Without it there is no point. This is how I plan to stay young and fabulous forever. I have noticed that people who have a purpose, mission, gratitude, and love themselves, are healthy and happy. Those without it are ungrateful, lack self-worth, are more prone to chronic illness, and are generally unhappy. The Universe isn’t punishing us. It wants us to wake up and be on our own destiny’s path. It’s up to us to take notice, be interested, and get moving! As you can imagine, these days I am rarely sick. That’s not to say I have mastered everything I have mentioned. I definitely have my days. However, I know that the more I commit to my purpose, service, gratitude, and self-love, the more success, happiness and health I have. Life is so beautifully designed.
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Are you ready to:
F A B U L O U S
ind
purpose
e grateful
nconditionally
ove yourself
pen
p and
erve
Connie Costa www.ConnieCosta.com
Fabulous Fusion Why Should You Wait Even One Second Longer?
Book Your 3-Hour
Cream Your Creativity Passion Integration Session Today.
Enter CREAM 50 at checkout for 50% off of all sessions purchased during the month of May. www.rebeckaeggers.com/fabulous-fusion 93 MAY ~ 2016
VISUALLY TELL YOUR UNIQUE STORY!
FROM REAL TO SURREAL:
photography, photo-manipulation/ enhancement, graphic design, logo illustration, layout design, BellaMia art director, and general visual art creating addict!
Designed for Rebecka Eggers
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Designs for yourDreams May ~ 2016
WWW.SHUTTERBUGSCREATIONS.COM
It’s the Season to Be Seen & Live in Full Bloom
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Andrea Allen
t’s spring time!
The flowers are filling the walkways and the fields. Their colors and brilliance bring a sense of inspiration and happiness to everyone who passes by. But you aren’t reading this to talk about pretty flowers. You want to know how you can start to be seen and to live your life in full bloom. You are ready to live in color with your own radiance and purpose permeating the earth. The moment you start to live this way and share your message you will feel
the vibrancy and boldness of your being return, as if blooming after a long, cold winter. Imagine walking in a field of flowers - the peace and the joy that brings to you. Now imagine that the people around you tell you how just by being in your presence, they feel uplifted, inspired and happy. It’s the season for you to start living on purpose, to be seen and for everyone around you will see you in full bloom. MAY ~ 2016
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1) You Need to Nurture the Nature: Even nature needs a little bit of nurturing. Do know that you have everything you need already in your little seed to blossom, though sometimes planting a seed in rich soil, watering it often, allowing it sunshine and protecting it from the creatures, help protect it and nurture it to it’s fullest potential. Likewise, you need to plant your seed in an environment where you feel supported and nourished. Coaches, mentors, masterminds, are helpful. Also you need to protect yourself from those who are going to tell you that you can’t live your purpose, who make you feel bad for trying to launch your message in the world, and those who don’t believe in you. You also need to keep watering your dreams and your goals and shine lots and lots of knowledge, positive thoughts and kind words during the process.
Here are the 4 steps to shift into a season to be seen & live in full bloom! 2) Stop Trying to Look
Like the Other Flowers:
Just because the tulips are gorgeous, doesn’t mean the lilacs aren’t. Just because someone loves roses the best doesn’t mean another strolling by might choose the delicate daffodil as their favorite. Don’t try to be something you’re not, or feel like you have to copy. Don’t feel like everyone has to choose you as their favorite either. Just be YOU. The first step is that you need to know who you are, then clarify your message and as you do your message will get brighter and even more brilliant!
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3) Let your Flower Root: One of the most common reasons a flower doesn’t bloom is their roots don’t take root and can then be easily uprooted. Likewise it is essential that your purpose and your message have the time to take root. If you keep pulling up the roots of one idea before it has even taken root then of course it can’t bloom. Have Patience in the process! Nurture and pour on all the ingredients you have into your purpose, into the strategies and don’t give up. Keep with it, preserve and stop pulling the roots up and dig a little deeper right where you are.
4)
Let Go, Grow and Be Seen:
When we try to have too much control in the process we are going against the greatest power of nature. This is when we just need to let go and let the course of our life guide us. Trust the Process. The storms are going to come, but remember that from these storms our roots go deeper and we learn to stand stronger. Then when the sun is out you will show your beautiful bold colors and your uniqueness will shine for the world to see! - Andrea Allen www.inspireme2b.com MAY ~ 2016
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Aries
21 March – 20 April A talkative month ahead with a lot of interesting conversations that are not all linked within a particular subject. Dress to impress around the 12th as you shine from the inside out; as a meeting may lead to a romantic gesture on a soul vibration. For those of you single Arians expect your diary to be fully booked. Remember and let others engage in conversation!
Leo
24 July – 23 August May will be tough on your emotions this month Leo as I clearly see the scales out of balance. You may struggle as your mood dips around the 7th and not easing off until the 16th of the month. Spend this dense period working on releasing your inner fears, and doubts as you will be grateful around the 23rd when you enter the magical energy aligning with our cosmos. Your wish has been granted!
Sagittarius
98
May ~ 2016
Taurus
21st April – 21 May A promising cash flow during May Taurus as you feel inspired to indulge in tasks that have been placed on the shelf, gathering dust, for a while now. As you have entered a zone that will be very lucky for you embrace the energy with friends, or a community project with like-minded people sharing ideas- the universe is sending you many useful connections. Synchronicity is strong at the moment!
Virgo
24 August – 23 Sept Are you in need of some TLC Virgo? Remember and take time out to pamper, and honour you. Rome certainly wasn’t built in a day, so keep this in mind concerning a personal goal. You are on the right track, and are being divinely guided at this moment in time. When we believe we receive- have faith in your work, and your beautiful self. By the 16th of the month- I feel peace and harmony for you!
Capricorn
23 Nov – 21 Dec
22 Dec – 20 Jan
Forgetfulness and clumsiness regarding minor tasks is expected to last until the 10th as your spiritual energy heightens an awakening is on the cards for most. Make sure you keep yourself guarded, and connected to Earth during this unsettling phase. As I step into your vibration I sense a boost in your energy, and I feel keen to work out more often than usual. Enjoy the ride and be sure to keep a dream diary!
Love is in the air Capricorn as my mind shifts into a daydreaming state that reflects my desire for sensory stimulation. Allow the sensual energy to flow freely by focusing on you at this present time reducing worry concerning work, and family life. Allow your-self to be free and manifest all that your heart desires!
Gemini
Cancer
22 June – 23 July
You will be glad to hear that your energy is finally balancing beautifully after a few hectic months feeling a little crazy. Yes a month ahead full of slow paced happy days leaving you feeling contented, and in control. Your hard work however is paying off for you as a mysterious man concerning love or business puts a massive smile on your face- a weight will be lifted. Well done!
In the mood for dancing Cancer as your expressive energy is certainly on a mission this month. All good though, as you find the strength to release certain things from your heart, in a non-dramatic way. As the month progresses you may find old patterns, and habits fizzle out due to the shift within your relationship zone. A perfect time to embrace new friendships!
Libra
24 Oct – 22 Nov
24 Sept – 23 Oct As I enter your vibration Libra I am feeling full of energy and a lot of laughter for May. Well done on your achievements; so much to celebrate, and with good friends who have supported you through the developmental transition. Thoughts about study will enter your mind around the 8th of the month and I feel that by the 18th you may open a door that will bring about changes in 2017. Grab this opportunity with both hands!
Aquarius
Scorpio
SDuring May you will encounter some difficulty cutting old ties; you understand when all is set free you can begin writing a new chapter- one that reflects your desire. Painful memories will fade by the 17th leaving you for good; an emotional breakthrough is on the cards for you Scorpio- embrace the love of the divine allowing all goodness to radiate through your love life. Expect a rise in your Libido!
Pisces
21 Jan – 19 Feb
20 Feb – 20 March
Expect to tie up a few loose ends at the beginning of the month Aquarius. As I step into your vibration I feel a little agitated and extremely bored, but by the 9th the feeling will dissolve as you have awareness relating to the awkward emotions. Only you can make that call. The change is yours; are you ready to accept?
Financially things are going to start moving again for you Pisces but remember to spend your money wisely, and put a little away for a rainy day. Moving into the money vibration spend time appreciating all that you have as this will automatically boost the gold coins inside your piggy bank. Clear out the old and bring in the new!
MAY ~ 2016
By Suzanne Taylor ~ Angel Channel ~ www.angelstartherapy.com
22 May – 21 June
99
Bella People