Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

Have you ever done something you aren't proud of?

A couple weeks ago, I was running late to get my kids to school. My 10 year old daughter has become the queen of dilly-dallying (I swear just to watch my head explode) and I had forgotten I was out of gas.

I stopped into my regular gas station and (lo, and behold) guess what...they had changed the pumps. You know, to the new fancy kind with TVs.

Well, I have a hard time with change and find the idea that we need to watch TV (receive additional marketing input) while we pump gas depressing. So, I boil over from frustrated to irritated.

But I press on. No time to think about "what this world is coming to" right now.

I put in my card. Punch in my zip code. Load the nozzle into my card.

AAAAANNNNDDDDDD......

Get an error message.

Then, "Please see attendant."

GAH! I do not have time for this. If we had just kept the stupid "old" pumps (that weren't old), this would not be happening to me right now. Seriously! Can't a girl catch a break?

I try again. No luck.

SO I head inside to a line of people and a single cashier who is on the phone. (Obviously I'm not the only one having trouble. He must be on the phone with the company trying to get support).

I wait my turn. Impatient but quiet.

When it is my turn, I express my frustration and move on.

-----

Fast forward a few days. I need gas again. Not running nearly as late, but late enough. It happens again.

I won't go into detail about what I said either time because I am embarrassed. But I was irritable, unkind, and full of blame. (I did not yell or curse - not that it wasn't on my mind).

----

Fast forward another several days. I am not falling for this again. Out of spite, I venture out of my way to a different gas station.

And, guess what.

THE SAME THING HAPPENS!!!

And then I realize. I'm using the wrong zip code.

I try again with the correct zip code and everything works just fine.

And then it hits me.


Moral of the story....

There are plenty of lessons to learn from this experience (time management, vehicle maintenance, parenting, attitude adjusting, and gratitude all easily come to mind). But for me, the most important one was "Who am I? Who do I want to be? and How do I want to be perceived?"

I always pay at the pump. This gentleman has never met me before (nor anyone else in that store). This was an awful first impression. And, hopefully, not a good picture of who I really am.

Definitely not who I want to be. 

And so. Since then I've been looking harder at who I am and how I show up in the world. Not just when I'm running a meeting, marketing, coaching, or posting to social media...

But who I am when I don't think people are looking. When I don't intend to be noticed. When I'm "just" mom, or the lady in the checkout line, or the girl next to you in Jazzercise, or another car on the road....

What about you? Who do you want to be?




Thanks for being here.

Beth
www.secondnaturehealthcoaching.com

I wanna be a mall walker when I grow up...

So, the other day, I ended up in a mall.

This is highly uncharacteristic of me. Not only do I struggle with the consumerism and marketing messages but I just plain have a REALLY hard time with the noise, lights, and energy of that environment.

Anyway, I needed my car services at the dealership next door. I typically stay at the dealership and use their handy work stations to accomplish something productive - newsletters, blogging, taking an online classes, catching up on email...you get the point. But on this particular day, I was hankerin' for a trip to Target. (I'm such a rebel, I know!) But Target just happens to be next door...in the M.A.L.L.

And it felt early enough, and exciting enough, that I could handle it. SO I went.

It was bitterly cold that day and only 9am (the sun was barely up!) so I opted for the free shuttle from the dealership. He kindly dropped me off at the nearest mall entrance and I began my trek to the other end of the mall.

I quickly felt that dread and anxiety that is all too familiar to me. But I pressed on. (It was far better than hoofing it outside in the shadows and wind, after all!)

I decided to make it a personal growth exercise.

• Slow down. What are your running from?
• 
  
• Breathe. 
• 
  
• Relax the shoulders.
• 
  
• Use your senses to be present. (Be intentional about my intake, rather than overwhelmed). 

And it worked.

I soon realized the mall was closed. HA! I was one of very few people in the mall. All the stores were still locked up, most of the lights still off. It was just me and the "old folks" (in various stages of health and ability) cruisin' the halls.

But, more importantly, what I realized was that everyone else seemed so cheerful. Most were walking with a buddy - some conversing, some not. Nearly everyone gave me a smile or nod. Several even extended a greeting.

This was not the mall I was used to. And I liked it. I wanted to stay and walk. Join these lovely people in their journey. Learn from them. (They obviously knew so much more than I did. And not just about malls.) And continue to grow.

I did finish my journey to Target (and then back around the outside since the mall entrance was closed.) but then moved on with my day. But I do plan to visit again soon.

And, long term, I'd love to be one of the 70+ ladies at Jazzercise. Fit as can be. Still jumping and dancing. But if my future holds mall walking instead. I'll be ok with that too.

Thanks for being here.

Beth
www.secondnaturehealthcoaching.com

Where did you get your inspiration to become a coach?

Wow! What a great questions! Let's see...

So, I think I've always been a bit of a coach - meaning that people tend to see me as wise beyond my years when it comes to things like spirituality, purpose, and the big picture. 

I'm also a thinker and analyzer. And I love to brainstorm... 

But I guess those are things that make me a great coach, not really my inspiration for becoming one. 

I've always been a bit of an environmentalist but not really very cognizant when it came to my own health.  

When I had kids, they started struggling with allergies and eczema, respiratory problems, food allergies...I became more aware. We started changing the products we used - personal care, cleaning, laundry. 

Then I started struggling with my own health - rashes, GI distress, mental health problems. I wasn't getting answers from western medicine and started thinking outside the box. 

I began by learning about nutrition, gut health, a variety of mental and "self-care" practices, and listening to my intuition and I was able to heal my own body. 

Friends and acquaintances who had watched my journey started seeking my counsel on the things that had seen me and my kids overcome - food allergies, skin issues, mental health struggles. It was so rewarding to help people who were struggling and couldn't find answers anywhere else. 

I eventually realized this was my purpose. To help others make these big life-changing shifts, that were both good for them and our planet, in a way that felt do-able. Possible. Normal. 

I started selling Verefina products as a way to teaching about natural skin care (and tossed the other info in when I had a willing ear). But it wasn't enough. So I went back to school to become a holistic health coach and later received my certificate in mental health first aid and wellness recovery action planning.

It has been a great adventure and I look forward to sharing this mission with more people in the years to come!

Thanks for the question Barbara. 

If anyone else has a question, please comment below or send it to: beth@secondnaturehealthcoaching.com

Have a beautiful day!

Baby, it's cold outside...let me warm you up!

Baby it's cold outside...

Yes, I realize it's winter. AND I live in the mountains. But the last couple of days have been far colder than usual for where I live with single digits when I drop off for school and highs in the teens. Brrrr!

Beyond the obvious "dress in layers" type ideas, here are a few of my favorite winter weather saviors:

• Rise with the sun. I know we all love to sleep in but making the most of the daylight hours really helps. (And watching the sun rise is so therapeutic!)
• Use the excuse to make a fire. I know, it's a pain. A hassle. But it is also beautiful, smells good, warming, and relaxing.
• Drink warm water upon waking. This is actually a good idea year-round (it is more soothing to the GI tract and bio-available than cold water) but it helps warm from within. 
• Drink warm tea throughout the day. (see above).
• Light candles after dark. While they don't provide much heat, the glow is provides a soothing warmth.
• Snuggle up. What better way to warm up than to share body heat ;)
• Try warming spices like: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and pepper. I add cinnamon to my morning smoothies to combat the colder temps of the beverage so that I can enjoy this healthy meal year round. 
• Eat hearty meals. Think: soups, stews, whole grains, and roasted root veggies. 
• Splurge on a hot bath when you get the chance. 
• Moisturize with warm oil. Try a high quality coconut or olive oil warmed in a water bath. 

Which ones do you already enjoy? 

Which would you like to try? 

What other ideas do you have?

Thanks for sharing!

And if you liked this article and would like to receive 3 of my favorite healthy, winter go-to recipes for warming up...

Request your recipes here...

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It's all about you...

Hey there, stranger!

It's been a loooong time since I've blogged because I'm still struggling to find the best use of this space. Is it: a place for unique content, another place/way to disseminate the same content I share elsewhere, a place to journal or rant, a place for research findings, a place to interact and "debate" ideas with you? 

I'm still not sure but I think I'd like for it to be a way to start a dialogue. Share ideas. Ask questions. 

So, if you have a question about physical, mental, or spiritual wellbeing, write it in the comments below. I'll check them and create new blog posts with the answers as soon as I can. I'll also be posting my own musings and findings. 

Note: as a coach, I work to help you help yourself. I don't do the work for my clients. So, questions need to be educated - meaning you must have already done some research on the topic or be looking to start a dialogue. 

Also, please remember that I am not a medical doctor, dietician, or nutritionist. Information provided is not meant to take the place of seeing a licensed health professional. 

SO! 

What are you struggling with? 

What are you confused about? 

What could you use some advice on?

Fruits and Nuts Granola (GF)

Ingredients

2 cups gluten free oats
1/2-3/4 cups chopped nuts/seeds*
1/4 cup juice (we like apple or pomegranate)
1/8-1/4 cup pure Grade B maple syrup (to taste)
2T melted coconut oil
1.5t cinnamon
1/2 cup dried fruit, chopped*

* We use what we have leftover/on-hand for nuts, seeds, fruit, juice, oil, spices, etc. Play with it!

• Nuts and seeds we like to include: flax seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pecans, slivered almonds, walnuts, and cashews. Note: we tend to avoid chia seeds because they seem to easily get stuck in the teeth when eating this granola. 
• Dried fruits we like to include: apples, cranberries, raisins, currants, goji berries, acai berries, and blueberries.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Spray a parchment lined baking sheet with coconut oil. 
• In an large bowl, mix all ingredients. **
• Spread mixture on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

** For softer fruit, leave out and add after granola has cooled.

Natural Immune System Support

Sick days… Medical expenses… making arrangements for sick kids…  No energy to party and have fun… there are a million and one appealing reasons why you don’t want to get sick.

As you know, Cold and Flu season is here but that doesn't mean you are doomed to get sick this holiday season. Stay healthy all winter through with these simple steps:

·      Immunity-Boosting Foods: These foods are great addition to your diet during the cold & flu season, because they are high immunity-boosting nutrients, or anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties:

§  Probiotics (cultured and fermented foods)

§  Essential fats – e.g. from cold-pressed seed oil and cold water fish

§  Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, tomatoes – they are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A

§  Healthy sources of protein – fish, ground seeds, lentils, beans

§  Mushrooms

·      Nutrients for a Strong Immune System: The best way to use nutrition to boost your immunity is to eat a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods. Sometimes it’s challenging to do so everyday, during the season when we are so busy with work, friends and family. The following are the nutrients that you should pay attention to (supplement when necessary) in order to help you keep your immune system healthy:

§  Vitamins A, B6, B12, and C

§  Zinc

§  Antioxidants

·      Using Herbs to Boost Immunity and Fight Infection: There are different ways that herbs can help boost the body’s immunity – by working directly with the immune system, by aiding the body to better deal with stress, and by helping the body fight infection.

You can boost your immunity with these herbs:

§  Astragalus

§  Calendula

§  Echinacea

You can help your body fight infection with:

§  Garlic

§  Echinacea

§  Oregano oil - use as short term remedy only

·      Gut Health and the Immune System: The guts houses 70% of the immune system – keeping the digestive system healthy can boost your immunity. These are a few things you can do to keep your digestive system healthy:

§  Start your day with a cup of warm water with juice of half a lemon first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to support liver and gall bladder (which feeds into the digestive tract)

§  Promote healthy gut flora by adding foods that are rich in probiotic

·      Lifestyle Improvements: Ultimately though, your first line of defense against illness is to make healthy lifestyle decisions. The more you can avoid putting toxins into your body and maintain or improve the condition of your vessel, the easier it will be for your body to fight off infection. How many of these healthy-living strategies are you already doing?

ü  Don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation.

ü  Learn your sleep needs and get adequate rest.

ü  Exercise regularly, even a moderate walk 20 minutes a day is beneficial.

ü  Maintain a healthy weight – we all know that being overweight is unhealthy but yo-yo dieting is nearly as bad for your body.

ü  Washing your hands, counters, doorknobs and light switches frequently.

ü  Avoid stress and practice stress-relieving strategies such as meditation, breathing exercises, walking, counseling, journaling, etc.

ü  Try skin brushing or a hot towel scrub to aid lymphatic drainage.

ü  Stay hydrated to flush out unwanted pathogens.

I hope this has helped reduce your fears and left you feeling empowered to naturally prevent and fight disease this cold and flu season. For more information on this topic or for support in putting this information (and more) into practice, check out my immune support program available on my website.

And as a health coach, I must legal tell you: Please note these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For more information please see my full Disclaimer, visit my website or contact me.