It doesn't seem fair does it? Ever wondered why some people can seem to do all the wrong things and yet everything goes right for them including the way they look?

You might be surprised to hear there is a very simple but rather profound explanation for this.  Those of you familiar with the movie called "The Secret" would now be open to the idea that your thoughts have the power to influence your world, well, what if I told you that the feelings and thoughts you have about yourself actually influence your genetics.  What thoughts and feelings are you consistently having about yourself?  Do you realise just how much power they have over your future, your health, your abilities, your longevity, your vitality.
Rohan O'Reilly, Holistic Strength Coach and Movement Specialist, believes this is because you have been given the WRONG information.  For example we are always told that aerobic activity is the best way to improve the way you look, he believes this is totally inaccurate in that it ignores several KEY ELEMENTS. For most people the idea of aerobic activity means going to a gym putting on the i pod and sweating it out on a tread mill. 

It may come as a harsh shock to learn this is not the most effective way to get the benefits you are after, whether they be- to lose weight, improve your physique or hope to protect your mobility as aging progresses.  In fact in many cases this style of exercising may even send you backwards.  I had a client who after exercising at the gym for a month weighed in lighter but she had managed to lose muscle and had a higher percentage of body fat after the addition of exercise. 

If you find this hard to believe, consider for a moment, the yoga instructor or tai chi master, they do not engage in rigorous physical activity or any strenuous activity but instead engage in activity that utilises the mind body connection, discipline and controlled movement and focus on using energy to create power and give them more energy and life.

Rohan will be speaking as part of our seminar on 27th of March 2010.

Don't miss out on how you can use your mind in your movement to get greater results without more effort.

How do you feel about yourself and what are you communicating to others? What you wear and your self image is a powerful tool, you can be creative and use it to express yourself and communicate your power and your message.  Know the power of the image you are projecting.  What is the message you would like to send out to the world?

"It's all about Image!  Underestimate it's power and be prepared to suffer the consequences." Says Anne from Reset, Reshape, Restyle

Anne Noonan, Professional, Personal and Business Stylist since 1998, has prepared 10 key tips that highlight the importance of image and perception in the way others receive you.  The power in this is that you can use your personal image as a tool to get noticed by those who matter to you or to express yourself in ways that are important  to you, deliberately rather than accidently sending out the wrong message.  The bottom line is the way you dress sends a message out... what would you like it to say?  Whether it’s the boss, that special someone, you want to look good whatever your shape and size, or you just want to make more of an impact in your chosen field, consider these points.

1. Image is a perception – Think about how others perceive YOU!

What others say, and how you leave people feeling after you deal with them is a sure barometer.

2. Know what colour works for you as it can be powerful.

Black is safe, but colour speaks volumes.  It can make you look healthy, vibrant and welcoming when chosen well or pastey, lethargic and ill when it’s not.

3. Know your unique body shape!  It’s far simpler than you think.

No, it’s not all about columns, goblets and bells.   Body shape is simple and when you know your unique features, dressing it well will save you literally thousands.

4. How’s your grooming and hygiene.

Nails, hair, skin, makeup and fragrance.   Believe me, people notice.   Judgements are made immediately on grooming alone – don’t let them be the wrong ones.

5. Body Language speaks louder than words.

I’ve seen deals broken because of lousy eye contact, handshakes, conversation and general nervous behaviour at crucial moments.

6. The written and spoken word on business cards, email etc.

Your emails, letters, business card and your presence on social media all add up to an image of YOU.  Bad grammar and spelling might reflect a cute personality, but in a world where image is everything, it’s too risky.

7. What shows on the outside is a reflection of what’s going on inside.

Your personal state of health will show in your skin, your posture, your eyes, your nails, your hair, your teeth.   Your personal nutrition and health program will show in your image.  How’s your digestion?  What’s going on in the gut will show more than you think.

8. How do you network and who do you network with?

You are judged on your relationships.   The office grapevine and political network is a jungle – and we haven’t even touched on social networking! 

9. Behaviour and Etiquette.

Best not choose the office Christmas party to let the boss know how unhappy you’ve been all year.   It’s the social events where you’re observed more than ever.

10. Dress for your audience whether it’s one person or many!

If the audience expects a suit, wear one.    If soft knits or casual dresses are more expected, then wear them.    But never, ever, ever, ever dress down to come to another level.   Always be a step above.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that the mind and the unconscious desires and needs control not just our behaviours but also influence our physiology.

Sue Lester, NLP Practitioner, shares with us some of the contributing factors or underlying "stuff" that sometimes accompanies excess weight.
 

Excess weight can be an excuse not to take risks and fully live life. It can make you dependent on others, binding those with obligations to care for you. It can be an unattractive buffer when not wanting sex within a relationship e.g. after the birth of a child. It can be a protective barrier to conception and all the associated fears of bringing a baby into the world.

Self Sabotage: Excess Weight Self Abuse. Excess weight, the failure of diets etc becomes confirmation of their own unworthiness. The beliefs are unworthy, unlovable, a failure. The fat becomes an excuse not to actively pursue dreams or relationships which would disprove those beliefs. It ‘unconsciously’ creates disease to shorten an unhappy life. Also in this category is the woman who stays with a possessive partner who encourages overeating so she won’t be attractive to others, and thereby reducing the risk she will leave the relationship. 

Self Protection. In this category is the underlying belief that being overweight is sexually unattractive and therefore will keep her safe from unwanted advances.  This is common in women who have developed physically before they could emotionally deal with the attention, who grew up with stories of attractive women ‘asking for it’, or who have been sexually abused. The fat is seen to cover dangerous curves.

 

It can be an act of defiance e.g. “You can control the rest of my life but not what I eat/how I look.” This is also common in anorexia, which also fits into the self abuse category. Fat can be used as an excuse for not being in a relationship, initially from fear of intimacy, then becoming Comfort Eating through loneliness.  Comfort eating is to fill a hole in the soul.

Family Fat. Some have simply been fed ‘fat’ food from in the womb throughout their lives, patterning and being surrounded by overweight people.  They have never experienced any pleasurable physical activity as it has always been painful, uncomfortable or humiliating and never ‘fun’.  Their taste buds are used to high salt and high sugar foods, and certain textures. They haven’t learnt to cook healthy options, and have lifestyle habits centred around fast and snack food, and drinking soft drinks, juice, flavoured milk or alcohol instead of water.  

 

They may or may not have Self Protection or Self Abuse unconscious beliefs too. Those in this category will need to spend more time re-educating themselves, and looking closely at how and what health problems and limited life choices they are passing on to their children.

 

If you are overweight and still reading, congratulations!  I recommend you write down what stirred you up the most, and consider why. Then consider what next steps could you take, what do you need to do to support your move forward?  Sometimes bringing an issue to light is enough to dissolve it, however if the underlying issue has been present for a lengthy time you will find it easier to clear with the help of a trained professional. Be reassured that anything can be changed, if that’s what your heart desires.

 

Why losing weight is so unappealing and often riddled with failure...
"Lose" vs "Release" 

If you 'lose' something, what do you do? Go looking for it, right?  And how do you feel about 'losing' something - anxious, frustrated, worried, guilty, annoyed?  Our unconscious mind associates the word 'lose' and 'loser' with negative connotations, so  'losing' weight is also negative.  And who wants to be the biggest loser in the country?  Call it 'releasing weight' and notice the difference in how that feels. 'Releasing' is positive, implies choice and free will. There's also no expectation to see it again!

Join us at our Right-Size Your Weight: Weight Release Program: where your relationship with food and yourself and healthy living practices are the focus.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms your gut health and integrity might be compromising your overall health and wellbeing!

• bloating
• cramping
• diarrhea
• food sensitivity or allergies
• joint pain
• poor bone health
• muscle pains
• fatigue
• inflamation and raised body temperature
• cognitive and memory defects
• shortness of breath
• lack of energy
• low tolerance for exercise
• skin outbreaks/rashes
• urticaria (hives)

You might have a "leaky gut".

Getting what you want out of 2010

Happy New Year!

As I sit here and contemplate the passing of 2009 and reflect on the learnings and the victories...  I find my mind drifting to an ocean scene.  For me 2009 was very much like the ocean, the highs and lows metaphoric of ebb and flow of the shifting tides and the changing waves, some parts of the year the waves were monstrous and threatening and sometimes they were still and calm and refreshing.   Sometimes I felt like I was riding on the peak, using the momentum to carry me to great heights and some days I felt like I was being tumbled under an oppressive force. 

I love the ocean, its immense power, it's appearance as a playground, and its alluring and enticing unpredictability and somewhat threatening nature.  Similarly I love life, with all its highs and its lows, the ups and the downs because they are engorged with learnings. 

So to ensure I get the best out of 2010 and make the most of the 2009 learnings, I did three things.

1.  I allowed myself time to reflect
2. I got in touch with what is really important to me and what I want
3. I made time to construct a plan

New Year Planning Tool

Reflection time:

Contemplate your weaknesses they will lead you to make improvements, note down your strenghs they will highlight your opportunites for success, celebrate your victories- this anchors the taste and high of success and powers up an important driver to move you towards more achievement.

Get clear on what you want:

Start by writing down a list of everything that is important to you, keep going until you can't think of anything else.  Then take a highlighter and highlight the top 10 things that you believe are your highest values or you think are the most important to YOU.  The YOU is important here, what is important to you, not anyone else.

Finally on a seperate piece of paper think about where you spend most of your resoureces, specifically time, money and energy.  Highlight the top 5 things. Whether you believe it or not these actually highlight your unconscious values which are arguably your most powerful drivers.  

From these two groups you will be able to write a clear list of what is important to you and what you value most. 

For example I found that I spend a lot of time and money on networking.  I also spend time and money and energy keeping in contact with friends and family and colleagues, checking emails, on the phone, on facebook and catching up for a coffee or a chat. So from this I could clearly see that relationships and communication are amongst my highest values . 

Planning to get the best out of 2010.

Sue Lester, NLP practitioner and one of my friends and colleagues sent me this great easy and effective planning strategy for you to use. 

The New Year is the ideal opportunity for a fresh start, but before you set your desires for the year please take the time to sit down to reflect on what worked for you last year.  

Start by asking yourself the questions:

1. What worked well for me in 2009?
2. What would I like to improve on in 2010?
3. What is the one thing I would like to master this year?

Set your desires for the year on this template (I can email it to you or you can create your own using these titles: Purpose, Driving Question, Master Skill, then create a table with each of the areas you believe are important for example: happiness, spiritual/mental, personal development, relationship, health, career, finance, family.

Then once this has been done spend a moment expanding your thinking by stretching your imagination out to the end of this year to see which achievements are going to make you feel most fulfilled.  

2010 Plan Instructions:

1. Please write on the attached sheet 3 to 5 goals that you are committed to achieving in 2010 for each of the headings. Once you have filled it in print it off so you have your ‘one page’ plan for 2010. Make sure it fits onto one page so it is easily displayed.
2.  Do not write any more than five for each, and only three is ideal. When you have finished the list make sure you feel totally comfortable in achieving everything in it. Some goals may need boundaries i.e. Be physically fit for the rest of my life: boundary = exercise 1 hour 5 days a week, make healthy eating choices etc.
3.  The trick is that you feel motivated when you see the list and not overburdened.  Make sure there is no form of stress to be involved with this list. Make it light and easy to achieve. This will allow your intention to be very clear for the New Year and it will be based purely on your desires not your expectations!

 In addition, consider the following:

• An overall major objective for this year, like: “have fun” or “be here now” or “be myself”. Basically something you can refer to as your centre/anchor/rock for the whole year. Like your main intention that overrides all your actions.

• Write out your purpose i.e. to lead and inspire transformation.

• Think of a driving question that is going to get you the best results for the year i.e. “what is the ultimate strategy for continuing to harness my full potential while expanding beyond my imagination?” this will allow your unconscious to go to work for you for the year and create for you results like you could never imagine. Make sure the question presupposes the existence of the key elements of your purpose. Using words and phrases like ‘continue to’, ‘even more’ or ‘enjoying this’ will ensure this occurs.

• Decide on the one skill you will master this year that is going to ensure that everything you desire is fulfilled i.e. Time Management 

Wishing you fulfillment, success and health worth celebrating in the coming year!

 

Which is better for you butter or margarine?

It is the age old debate, whether to choose the "less processed", purer but saturated fat of butter or the processed, trans fats from margarine.  The two schools of thought are as divided as the "Love it or Hate it" Marmite campaign, it would appear.  Until now...

Having been brought up in a family that despised margarine and wouldn't hear of the downside of butter, I definitely grew up with a taste for it, and so naturally was pleased when I was able to find all these health benefits.

Health benefits of butter:
Butter really is rich in beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and beneficial fatty acids.  
Butter may be protective against cancer with antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium and anti cancer agents like vitamin D and conjugated linoleic acid.    

However it is our heart health we are concerned about when avoiding butter, so let's look at the facts. 
Butter which is high in saturated fat raises cholesterol, but it actually raises the good with the bad.  Elevated cholesterol levels have been implicated in heart disease.

Dietary guidelines for saturated fat recommend no more than 10-15g a day.  One tablespoon of butter contains 7g of saturated fat, so that's a lot.

What about margarine?
Margarine on the other hand is made with plant oils and is generally unsaturated, containing more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils which help to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) without raising total cholesterol.  Unsaturated fats are usually healthier and they tend to be liquid at room temperature.  When we consider margarine, it is first necessary to consider how margarine is made. 

Basically the process involves taking a generally healthy plant oil which is naturally in a liquid state and converting into a solid.  It is this process that produces the undesirable effects associated with some margarines.  Very often this process involves hydrogenation, which is the addition of hydrogen to vegetable oils to form a more "solid" fat, which makes it more spreadable and less likely to spoil (or oxidise and taste rancid).     

The problem with this hydrogenation process is that trans fats are formed.  Trans fats affect cholesterol with a double whammy, they both increase the bad cholesterol and DECREASE the good and have actually been found to make blood platelets stick together. 
One tablespoon of this type of margarine will typically give you 3g of trans fats and 2g of saturated fat.  Arguably, not actually better than butter, when you consider that butter will also increase good cholesterol.

However, now it is possible to buy margarines that are trans fat free (this may mean they contain 0.5-2g of trans fats per serve.  These are usually the ones recommended by the Heart Foundation and are found in tubs or liquids rather than in wrapped "blocks". 
(They get around adding the hydrogen by adding water in the process). 

So, when buying margarine you need to be sure you read the labels and be sure you choose varieties that read: trans fat free and no hydrogenated oils.

The Solution:

Here is what I do, which I believe gives you the best of both with the least "processing":

I mix half butter and half olive oil and make a delicious and very spreadable spread. 

The recipe:

250g good quality pure butter (no salt added)
1 cup olive oil

Leave the butter out so it becomes soft, then using a beater blend the two together until the oils are mixed and the texture is smooth.  (No need to overdo, this may lead to oxidation of the olive oil).  Turn the mixture into an airtight container and store in the fridge.  The fridge will set it so that it firms up.

What's in Season? And how should I prepare it?

Eating food that is in season locally is such a good idea!  It is CHEAPER, it is FRESHER, which makes it HEALTHIER and TASTE BETTER!

So what is in season in Summer in Australia?

Fruit in season:
Pear, Nashi, Red Gala Apples, stone fruits (cherry, apricot, peach, nectarine, plum), lemon and yellow grapefruit and orange (Valencia), berries (gooseberry, strawberry, mulberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, blackberry, raspberry), pineapple, mango, prickly pear, lychee, banana, passionfruit, rambutan, rhubarb, grape, fig

Vegetables in season:
Vine leaves, rocket, chevril, basil, mint, (bay leaves, chives, coriander, dill, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme all year round), runner and snake beans, green beans, borlotti beans, okra, avocado, squash, sweet corn, zucchini flower, choko, cucumber, capsicum, chilli, eggplant, tomato, radish, spring onion, salad onion, red onion, leek, celery, asparagus

Recipe idea:

Rocket, Nashi and Parmesan Summer salad
Arrange 2 handfuls rocket, 1 nashi pear thinly sliced or cubed, shaved cucumber (use a potato peeler and peel lengthways), avocado (sliced) in a beautiful salad bowl.  Sprinkle with shaved parmesan.  Dress with a squeeze of lemon or balsamic reduction and a drizzle of olive oil, and a grind of black pepper.

So fresh and yummy!

Here are some more recipe ideas and tasty meal solutions.  (Seasonal, quick and tasty recipes).

Here is a yearly overview of fruit and vegetables in season.

What are the healthiest wines and beers you can choose?

Is alcohol good for you or bad for you?

Let's face it, most of us enjoy a nice little drink every now and again, but how does that affect your health?  Certainly research seems to imply that their are even some health benefits to drinking.  In fact one study found teetotallers were as much at risk of heart disease as those who consumed more than 3 units of alcohol a day.  

So, it's good for you right? 
Well, yes and no.  Alcohol is actually toxic to the body, so depending on the quality and the quantity of the form you drink it in, you may lessen or increase the impact it has on your body, both negatively and positively.

Here is what I recommend:

Drink good quality alcohol, in small amounts (1-2 units), and have at least 2 alcohol free nights a week.

How do you determine the quality?

Look for organic and preservative free wines.
It is easier to buy preservative free red wine than white wine, because red wine is higher in tannins, which acts as a natural preservative.  I know Hardy's does a preservative free Red wine.
Choose light (as in alcohol), dark (as in colour), preservative free beers.  You can buy preservative free Hahn Premium light.  I think Fat Yak is also a good option.
Although if I was going to recommend one over the other I would recommend wine from a health point of view.  Beer contains yeast, and this can have a negative impact on some people's health, particularly their digestion, which is where it all starts!

Where can you buy them:

You will find some good options of preservative free and organic wines on www.organicwine.com.au
as well as a bit more information on wines and preservatives. http://www.organicwine.com.au/Article.aspx?NID=33

Dan Murphys and some of the big stockists sometimes stock Hardy's preservative free wine (although, these are more likely to be no added preservatives rather than preservative free).

In South Africa, you can get organic and preservative free wine from Woolworths.

Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year, the happy jingles

that fill the air, the excitement and buzz as people frantically race around looking for ways to spoil each other, and the food... oh the food. 

Christmas is definitely a sensual indulgence! The sounds, Smells, Sights,Tastes, and "Touches" of Christmas leave us engorged.

Here are some ways to survive the sensory banquet surrounding you.

1.Set your intention or connect with the purpose of the day.  I always try and set aside some time for gratitude on Christmas day, which for me has always been a day of blessings and abundance.  
2. Shop wise:  you will see more than you need and want, it's called "great marketing".  We are notorious for blowing the budget at Christmas. 
First way to manage this is: set one!  Decide on an overall spending "target"! Then break it down into a food target, a presents target, an alcohol target, an aesthetics target (for the decorator in you).  Yeah, it is Christmas, but Christmas is about a WHOLE lot of really wonderful things that don't cost a penny... it's not worth the stress of the debt in the New Year. 
Reward Yourself! Buy a piggy (piggy bank) and everytime you practise restraint from being a bit greedy, feed the piggy.  Turn your discipline into abundance!
3. Survive the Christmas Banquet: There is so much yumminess around on Christmas day.  It is a day to celebrate and spoil yourself absolutely.  But, what are some sneaky ways you can bring some moderation into the day?  Start with a salad starter.  Make a sexy salad and before you tuck into your main meal, fill up a side plate full of it and start with that.  Don't eat your pudding straight after Christmas Lunch... Give yourself a little break and bring it out later.  You will enjoy it more and you will ease the blood sugar load.  Make up a delicious watermelon, kiwi and berry Christmas-y salad to serve with your pudding, and make sure you get some of it on your plate.
4. Ease the load and Support your body:  Drink LOADS of water, start your day with a veggie juice and consider a few supportive supplements: Milk thistle is a great herb for supporting your liver as are B vitamins.  (If you are on any medication, please be extra careful.)
5. Get out and Jiggle about.  Go for a walk with family and friends around the block or to the park or along the beach between Christmas dinner and pudding.  Or put on some music and have a bit of a dance.  Get your lymphatic juices flowing (help your body pump out those toxins and also get your body moving.)

 

 

 

Wishing you a magical Christmas in ways that are meaningful to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Randy Pausch shares his inspirational message following his journey with prostate cancer.