Sun 4 Dec 2011

Perception & Attitude

Posted by Rosemary Evans under Monthly Newsletter
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Monthly Newsletter                        Perception & Attitude                    December 5, 2011

“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.” -Bruce Barton-

I have a dear friend whose granddaughter has brain cancer.  This little granddaughter is only 2 years old and has been fighting this evil monster for the last 4 months.  The mother of the child writes a daily “journal” to keep everyone abreast of what is happening and how her daughter is responding to the treatments.

When we learn of something like this it helps to put life into perspective and helps us stop and think about all that we have been given.  It makes everything else pale in comparison when someone is fighting for their life.  All the hard feelings, all the anger, all the fussing and pettiness, all the feelings of injustice seem to melt away when we realize how precious life is.  Since none of us knows exactly when our time will run out we should live our life with passion, compassion and kindness.

We all have our perception of what is happening to us and around us, but it is just that, a perception, wrapped up in attitude.  If you lose your job what is your perception?  You can be so distraught that you can’t function, or you can look at it as an opportunity to pursue your dream of what you want your life to look like.

It’s easy to get all flustered if you get lost trying to find an address or a place.  Or, you can enjoy a little diversion and admire the scenery along the way.  Again it is perception and attitude.

Sometimes our perception of ourselves is way off.  We need to learn to separate our behavior from our character, and admit our negative behavior without slaughtering our character.  Say things such as “I raised my voice” not “I’m a bad person”. Or, “I told a lie”, not “I am a liar”. This turns the verdict completely around and gives you a better perception of the situation.  Of course, it is important to remember that repeated, unchanged behavior can become your character.

What is your perception of yourself?  Your life? Your dreams and goals?  No one has the power to give you that perception and so you must give it to yourself.  No one can catch the vision of your goals and dreams except you.  No one can feel what you are feeling, except you.  No one can live up to your limitless abilities except you. No one can solve your challenges and problems except you.  You can learn skills from others, and you can feel love and encouragement from others but the problem solving is up to you.  No one can live your life for you – and I don’t really think you would want them to – so make it count.

The mother of the toddler who has brain cancer has the best perception and attitude and her “journal” entries are nothing less than heroic and inspiring.  There is a place on the website for people to make comment about her entries. I must say that all the comments show how what a difference in other’s lives she is making by her incredible goodness, faith and love.  Her attitude inspires the reader to be a better person, and helps one see how much love there is in the world.  She is so compassionate and giving that it really does put life in perspective.  Her entries make one want to be a better, more loving person and to show more love to others. Her words may seem like such a little thing and she certainly wouldn’t classify herself as a hero but it is the little things that really count and make the biggest difference.

So as we start December 2011 with all its hustle and bustle, be sure to take care of yourself, and see the goodness in others.  See how you can help in little ways that make a big difference through your actions and kindness. Check yourself to see what your attitude and perceptions are and then correct your course if you need to.

“Miracles seem to rest, not so much upon faces or voices or healing power coming suddenly near to us from far off, but upon our perceptions being made finer so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear that which is about us always”.  - Willa Cather-

Till Next Time,

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com

 

 

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Sun 27 Nov 2011

Delayed Gratification

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Weekly Insight                          Delayed Gratification                   November 28, 2011

“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable pre-requisite for success.”    – Brian Tracy-

I think if you ask most people “who wants to be a millionaire?” you would get a 100% response of hands raised to say “I do, I do”.  Every day and every week thousands upon thousands of people buy lottery tickets in the hope that they will be the next millionaire.   Most people only dream of what they would do if they had all the money they wanted and needed.

Do you know that many people who win the lottery are broke within 3 years after winning?  They are actually worse off than before they started.  Why is that?  Probably quite obvious – they run out and buy, buy, buy until the well runs dry.

When we look at people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Brian Tracy, and others who have succeeded financially, we may want to say they are lucky.  We don’t understand the self discipline, the delayed gratifications, and the focus it took in order to make their dreams a reality.

You may even say that the money has always been in their family and therefore they didn’t earn it and so they don’t deserve it.  After what you know about people who win and lose after they win the lottery, it should be quite obvious that keeping money growing so they can hand it down to the next generation takes discipline and responsibility.  Financially successful people realize that there was a price paid to get where they are, and they are being responsible to maintain it.

What about the successful artist or musician?  Think of the hours of discipline and focus it took to get where they are.  They were willing to forego immediate pleasure to practice, practice, and practice in order to be the successful artists that they became.

My oldest son lived in a very small basement apartment with only two bedrooms, for many years.  He had 4 little kids, and was going to school to get his education.  But he and his angel wife were willing to make the sacrifice for the short term in order to enjoy great rewards in the long term.  Most women would have been on depression medications or felt angry and frustrated living in such cramped living conditions. I think most people may have felt it wasn’t “short term” as year after year went by, while he was going on to earn his Master’s degree.   But his wife had patience and believed in what her husband was accomplishing; she murmured not and was supportive. She saw the bigger picture for their future.

My son is an entrepreneur and he has built his business on a shoe string budget, struggling to become successful. He went into debt, borrowing from one place to pay another.  He worked hard and for the most part alone.  He was a one man show for many years– wearing all the hats of a business owner with no help.  He was finally able to hire a part time person and now he has a couple of employees to help him with all the duties and responsibilities that come along with owning one’s business.

As his mother I have watched the struggles and have celebrated the successes.  He has the fortitude, the focus, the tenacity to follow through with his goals and see them grow and develop into what he has set his mind on.  I know that his business will continue to grow because of his leadership.  He doesn’t let fear over take his thoughts and he is willing to pay the price.

What price are you willing to pay to make your dreams a reality?  Whether it is losing weight, going back to school, writing a book, etc., what are you willing to do today to propel you forward to what you really want?  What are you willing to give up today in order to have what you want tomorrow?  Is that piece of chocolate cake worth it?  Is being so busy with busy stuff, TV, texting, etc. keeping you from accomplishing your dreams?

I have been working on a big project for the last 3 years, on a shoe string budget, and have come to really appreciate all those successful entrepreneurs that had to go through all the steps in order to succeed.  In order to see this project come to life, I have had to put off a few things that would have been fun.  But I know it will be worth it.

So instead of envying all the hard working, successful people, we should all be celebrating their accomplishments.  It should also give us a lot of encouragement knowing that if they did it we can too.

So don’t give up. Keep going, because you are worth it.  Be willing to pay the price because you can do it!   Whatever you decide to do you can, because you are amazing. You were meant to soar!

“We are not going to succeed in everything we attempt in life. That’s a guarantee. In fact, the more we do in life, the more chance there is not to succeed in some things.  But what a rich life we are having! Win or lose, we just keep winning.”
- Susan Jeffers

Till next time,

Truly caring for your health and happiness!

 

Rosemary Evans

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com

 

 

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Sun 20 Nov 2011

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

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Weekly Insight                HAPPY THANKSGIVING                   November 21, 2011

 “When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another and ourselves…….and thanksgiving offers us all this opportunity to mindfully connect with what we are grateful for.” –Jack Kornfield

Many years ago I read a story that I want to share with you this week.  The author is Jane Bunker Newcomb and the article is entitled “The Traveling Smile” from the Ensign Magazine.

Jane sat on a San Francisco bus going home from work, tired and discouraged after “one of those days” when nothing seemed to go right.  It was rush hour and the bus was packed with people, all dull-eyed, tired, aching and short-tempered.

A large packaged-laden lady got on the bus.  Every seat was taken, so she had to stand in the aisle near Jane.  Jane looked at this lady with her drawn and bitter face and thought “War Horse”.

Seated across the aisle was a small, plain-looking lady, someone you wouldn’t ordinarily notice.  She looked up at “War Horse” and her face was lit with a smile, “Could I hold your packages”, she asked; “It is so hard to stand when your arms are full”.

“War Horse” glowered in confusion and looked away.  But when she looked back, the smile was still there.  Her wrinkled brow eased some as she handed over the packages.  “They are very heavy,” she said.  “There are two pairs of specially made shoes for my crippled son, and they weigh twenty pounds a pair.”  She paused and the next words seemed hard for her to say, “Thank you.”  They chatted on and as they did she smiled; her whole face softened and her body relaxed.

Soon the seated lady got off and the other woman – War Horse – sat down in her place.  But her expression had changed and she smiled up at the young coed standing above her.

“Could I hold your books for you?  It’s difficult to hold on with books sliding every which way.”

The girl smiled back, and as she gave up her books, Jane heard her ask, “Did I hear you say you have a son who goes to Jefferson?  That’s where I go to school.”

Jane got off at the next stop but she imagined that smile traveling all over San Francisco.  Jan couldn’t help but smile and somehow wasn’t so tired anymore.

Simple acts of kindness such as a smile can make a big difference in someone’s life.  None of us go around with a sign to “tell our stories” and so we aren’t aware and compassionate about other’s lives.  Thanksgiving is a time to stop and contemplate all the blessings that we have and then show that gratitude by doing simple acts of kindness.  Sometimes a smile and acknowledgment may seem so simple, yet it can mean so much and can soften hearts, including your own.

This is the season to stop and contemplate all the goodness; all our blessings; all the love and encouragement that we can offer to others.  The magic of it is that we get back what we give.

A great way to remember all the goodness in our life comes from Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book Simple Abundance.  She suggests keeping a gratitude journal.  In the June 2003 Readers Digest, in the Medical Update section, we read, “New research shows that people keeping a gratitude journal sleep better and have more good moods and a stronger sense of connection to others.” They suggest we each “spend a few minutes daily writing in a journal or reflecting on five things you’re thankful for” (p.60).  Obviously good advice.

Have a meaningful and grateful day filled with friends, family and love.  Happy Thanksgiving!

“If you can’t be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped.” –Author Unknown-

Till Next Time,

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com

 

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Sun 13 Nov 2011

Aligning Yourself with Your Truth

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Weekly Insight             Aligning Yourself with Your Truth         November 14, 2011

“Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results but first you have to believe”. –Mark Victor Hansen-

Since we are now into November some of you may be thinking since you haven’t reached your goals for 2011, to just give up and start anew in 2012.  I know things are starting to get a little hectic as we head into the holiday season with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, but it is amazing what you can accomplish in a short time frame.

 I know it may be a little discouraging and you may want to give up but don’t stop now.  Spend an hour a day on your goal and you will be pleasantly surprised at what happens in 30 days. An hour a day on your health & weight loss, or on writing your book, or whatever your goal, can really add up.  That one hour a day can be the little difference in accomplishing your goal or not.

If you are clear on your vision and are true to yourself you will find the strength, the energy, and the clarity to accomplish what you started.

I am reminded of an author that wrote 16 novels and every one of them was rejected by publishers.  She said it was somewhat embarrassing to tell people she was a writer because they would ask her what she had published and of course she didn’t have any of her work out there.  But she believed in herself, and she was grateful to her husband for his encouragement and support.  When she submitted her 16th novel, she was told that if she re-wrote most of it that it might have some merit.  She re-wrote 300 of the 500 pages and still she got rejected.  But she didn’t give up and her 17th novel was finally accepted by a publisher.  Her book became a New York best seller.  Now that’s what I call tenacity!

The reason she was able to have the tenacity no matter what anyone else said is because she had aligned herself with her truth.  We have everything we need right inside of us.   Aligning ourselves gives us clarity and helps us see the answers that are already within.  Sometimes receiving information can help us align ourselves and give us an “ah-ha” moment.  Most of the time, though, we keep looking outside ourselves for answers.  But if we take the time to be very still, to meditate and align ourselves within, we can know what path that we need to take.  It is all within because we were born with greatness, we were born to succeed.

Katherine Dunham offers this suggestion:  “Go within every day and find the inner strength, so that the world will not blow your candle out.”  We need to listen to our soul because it will whisper our truth and tell us what we need to know and do.

A few years ago I attended an event that helped me see my “truth” and I had my “ah ha” moment.  The information was inspirational and empowering.  I realized that when you align yourself with who you really are there is no stopping you from going forward and accomplishing your dreams and desires.  No matter what anyone else says or thinks of you, it will not derail you because deep down you know your truth and you know what you must do. No matter how late in the month, or year, or your life it may seem, please don’t wait for permission, for approval, or for acceptance.  Make something happen now – you can do it.

“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” -Mark Victor Hansen-

Till Next Time,

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

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Sun 6 Nov 2011

Leading With Passion

Posted by Rosemary Evans under Monthly Newsletter
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Monthly Newsletter                  Leading With Passion                   November 7, 2011

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead-

Many years ago when I was involved with a direct selling skin care company, I had an experience that stuck with me.  At one of the regional meetings, the CEO turned off all the lights in the conference room, and she lit a match.  Immediately the darkness was overcome with instantaneous light.  Then she had each one of us light a match and the whole room was cloaked in a ray of brightness.

When the CEO lit her match she was inspiring us to do the same; she was giving us hope, optimism and showing us that we could accomplish goals together.

When we let our light shine, we inspire others to do the same.  That is the trait of a great leader.  Because she was so passionate about her goals for the company, she invited us into the light to share her vision and her passion.  We were excited to do so and inspired to accomplish goals both for ourselves and for the company. She believed in us and helped us believe that we could make a difference.

In John J. Murphy’s book “Leading with Passion”,  he states 10 essential guidelines that help us achieve any goal and to help us be better leaders.

  • Create a compelling vision to focus intention and attention
  • Clarify purpose, context and meaning
  • Gain commitment from the heart, not just agreement from the head
  • Set priorities and focus efforts on what matters most
  • Recognize and accent the power of grace
  • Foster more creativity and innovation
  • Demonstrate integrity and build trust
  • Lead by passionate example
  • Generate growth in yourself and others
  • Awaken the Spirit in work

Mr. Murphy goes on to say:  “Inspiration springs forth when we allow ourselves to be ‘in-spirit’ – aligned with our true essence.  Stop and think about it.  When you feel truly passionate and inspired about someone or something, what frame of mind are you in?  What are you willing to do?  What kind of effort are you willing to put forth?  How fearful are you?  Chances are you feel motivated to do whatever it takes, without fear or doubt, to turn your vision into reality.  You grow in confidence.  You believe you can do it.  You are committed from the heart and soul.”

 You may not even think of yourself as a leader, and perhaps you do not have a team of employees or students.  Maybe you don’t own a company or have an organization but we are all leaders in our own right.  Someone is always watching us and following our example.  What kind of a leader are you?  What kind of an example are you showing the world?  Your family?  Your kids or grandkids?  Are your living your life with passion, integrity and vision?  Do you walk your talk?  Are you being true to your core essence?

If you look to any inspired leader you will see these key factors in action.  Make no mistake – our example – our passion – our inspiration can change the world.  It is the only thing that ever really has. 

“There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it’s the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessperson.” – Anthony Robbins-

 Till Next Time,

 Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

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Sun 30 Oct 2011

Relationships

Posted by Rosemary Evans under Weekly Insights
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Weekly Insight                                Relationships                                October 31, 2010            

“A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself – to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved.  Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart,” –Leo F. Buscaglia-

In last week’s Insights we talked about relationships and the importance of feeling loved and appreciated.  As promised I am continuing this subject.

A few months ago I went to the movie “Midnight in Paris” with Owen Wilson playing Gil Pender and Rachel McAdams as his fiancé.  It was filmed in Paris so the photography and scenery was amazing and you could actually feel like you were there, seeing what he was seeing.

At first I thought the movie was merely entertainment but when I looked at the deeper meaning of the movie it became apparent that “Gil Pender” is madly in love with his fiancé, but they are two different people with different goals and dreams for their lives. She wants security and status and he wants to seek out his possibilities and use his creative talents by writing a novel.  He wants to move to Paris, she does not.

He spends so much time wandering the streets of Paris at night re-writing his novel that his fiancé gets herself involved with the character played by Michael Sheen.   She thinks he is intelligent, well-educated, romantic and acceptable in the eyes of her snobbish parents.

It’s obvious that Gil is not compatible with his fiancé and that she is not supportive of what he is doing.  In fact she tells him over and over to stick to what he is good at and what he is already doing – his job.

Sad as it was to see them go their separate ways, you are happy for each of them because they found out before they got married what they needed in order to fulfill their own dreams.

When you are in a lasting relationship there are things you need to do in order to keep the relationship strong so both parties are happy and fulfilled. Listed below are some great insights sent to me by Jackie Lapin of “The Art of Conscious Creation”:

12 Keys to Creating Intimacy

We all yearn for it. And even though we may be in a relationship, we may not have it. What is it? It’s intimacy. It’s that amazing point when two people open their hearts to each other and reveal their souls.

Intimacy emerges when there is trust. When trust overcomes and banishes fear. Intimacy is marked by authentic communication, shared dreams and deep respect for the other person’s feelings.

How does one consciously create intimacy? By doing the following:

Accepting –When someone feels accepted as he or she is, then that person feels safe.  Once safety becomes a cornerstone of a relationship, people open up, trusting that they are not going to get hurt when they reveal their true selves.  Accept your partner without trying to change him or her and intimacy begins to grow.

Comforting –Offer comfort, a place to go for refuge.  When someone knows that one’s partner will unfailingly be there to offer comfort and solace, intimacy swells and grows naturally.

Sharing—Intimacy must be a two-way street. Therefore, both parties must share their innermost thoughts, feelings, dreams, hurts, passions, goals, aspirations and joys. When you share fearlessly, then your partner feels safe to share. This triggers trust and a shared mission, which in turn feeds intimacy.

Listening—A vital key to intimacy is each partner’s willingness to listen intently to the other. People must feel heard to feel validated and appreciated. Interrupting, being too busy to listen, talking over the other person, narcissistically talking without giving the other person a chance to be heard, or listening half-heartedly are all intimacy killers. True listening from the heart will dramatically increase the intimacy quotient.

Opening—Too often people come to a relationship with a specific point of view or opinion that precludes openness. But it is in this openness that intimacy can flourish. A partner must be open to new ideas, new opportunities, new ways of being together that naturally flows when a second person is introduced into his or her sphere. Be open to what your partner brings to the table or what newness results from the union.

Empathizing—To foster true intimacy, each partner must empathize with the other. Place yourself in their shoes, know what your partner is feeling, let your partner know that you understand. To mutually share the feeling and the same perspective creates an ever-stronger bond.

Appreciating—Everyone wants to feel appreciated, but it is especially essential in an intimate relationship. Each partner must express, demonstrate and exude appreciation for the other in any of a myriad of ways. But it must not be something that only happens in the beginning, when the relationship is new. This fire must be kept lit for the duration of the coupling to maintain the intimacy.

Acknowledging—As humans, we want to be acknowledged. We need to know that we matter. To maintain intimacy in a relationship, it is imperative for each partner to acknowledge the other—to let one’s lover know that he or she is the priority, that he or she is valued as a person unto themselves, that each sees in the other a person of shining humanity.

Anticipating—People feel especially valued when their partner anticipates their needs, wants and desires—and acts on them. Whether it’s taking out the trash, offering a back rub or knowing just where one’s partner likes to be touched—such anticipatory actions inspire intimacy.

Giving—Giving comes in so many forms…giving of oneself, giving time, giving gifts, giving one’s heart. Without generosity in giving, a relationship will wither. For a relationship to be truly intimate, both parties must be giving equally, without condition, without expectation.

Encouraging—Intimacy in a relationship will thrive where both parties encourage and support each other in nearly every aspect of life—work, children, personal time, health, personal growth, individual passions, shared passions, family challenges, etc. Support and encouragement are essential to building intimacy.

Loving—Love, of course, is the reason for intimacy. Intimacy cannot stay for long in a relationship built on any other need, emotion or justification. Love must be abundant and flowering for intimacy to expand and grow. By loving fearlessly and unconditionally, the greatest intimacy can be attained and sustained.

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing.  He may avoid suffering and sorrow but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live. –Leo F. Buscaglia-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com  

 

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Sun 23 Oct 2011

Greatest Need

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Weekly Insight                          Greatest Needs                     October 24, 2011

“I believe that you control your destiny, that you can be what you want to be. You can also stop and say, No, I won’t do it; I won’t behave his way anymore. I’m lonely and I need people around me, maybe I have to change my methods of behaving and then you do it.” – Leo Buscaglia-

 

My daughter asked me last week, “What do people really want more than anything?”  I said “to be loved and appreciated”.  She then said, “Why is that so difficult for us to give?”  My reply was because of our “human conditioning”. 

We seem to withhold love and words of appreciation to those around us for many reasons.  Maybe you were not raised in a home where love and appreciation was shown. Maybe because we wait for the other person to “go first” – if they tell me, then I will tell them.  So in the waiting game no one wins and everyone is feeling unloved and unappreciated.

Sometime it is our pride and arrogance that gets in the way.  We won’t admit that we need love and appreciation nor are we going to give it to others, because we perceive they have more than us.  Or, we don’t think they understand our suffering and therefore we’re not going to tell them anything nice.  We do self-sabotaging behaviors and end up frustrated and sad.  We misunderstand others and feel our needs are not being met.

We let our own insecurities take over and then we are not loving or gracious, maybe because we do not want to appear vulnerable.  Whatever the reasons, we are missing out on real happiness and intimacy.

I think we all know someone who is in a relationship that is not very loving, not supportive and certainly not appreciative.  We can see all around us that relationships are crumbling with the divorce rate so high.  When it happens to people we know we are all affected by the impact of lives so full of promise being dashed to the ground. We also feel sad if children are involved, knowing how it impacts their little souls.  We may stand idly by, not knowing what to say or do to help them in their suffering, yet being wrenched in our very souls for them.

I think we focus too much on what is lacking rather than the strengths of our partners.  We don’t stop to appreciate their many talents and abilities and only see what they are not doing – their lack.  We have an expectation that they are to fulfill our every whim and should know what we need and provide it, without us having to tell them.  That really is totally unfair as no one, no matter how well they know us, can read our mind.

In reality, we need to make ourselves happy, to make ourselves feel good and not be waiting for our partner to entertain us or make us happy.   When we take responsibility for our own happiness then we can give more to others.  When your partner doesn’t feel burdened with thinking that it is their responsibility to make you happy, then they actually have more to give to you, and they give more willingly and with more joy.

It is unhealthy to expect our partner to be just like us – to think like us – to do everything like us.  It is actually very arrogant to think our way is the only way and that we are always right.  It is the little differences between you and your partner that create attraction and passion.

In John Gray’s book “Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice”, he says the following:

“To me, the most obvious symptoms of society’s increasing stress is our tendency to disregard what is most important in life.  Having time to love our partner and others close to us is one of the greatest gifts in life, and yet we often do not realize this until it is too late and the opportunity is gone”

Dr. Gray goes on to say: “A man will give his heart and soul to make enough money to provide for his family and then come home too tired to even talk with them.  Likewise a woman will give with all her heart to support her husband and children – and then resent them for not giving back the kind of support she herself thrives on giving.  Under the influence of stress, both men and women forget why all humans of both genders do what they do.”

“We all need to take off our rose-colored glasses and see our partners as they are, and not as we would wish them to be.  No one is perfect and to be fully loved in spite of our imperfections is a blessing that some people only dream of.  Learning to feel and express real love is – or should be – the apex of any relationship.”

I’ll continue this subject next week, but here are a few keys to keeping your relationships strong: Acceptance; Sharing; Listening: Appreciation; Giving; Encouraging; Acknowledging; Empathizing; Being Open and Being Loving & Lovable.

“Love always creates, it never destroys. In this lie’s man’s only promise.” –Leo Buscaglia-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

 Till Next time

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

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Sun 16 Oct 2011

Benefits of Barley Grass

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Weekly Insight                 Benefits of Barley Grass                   October 17, 2011

 We were made to experience and participate in that joyful, creative flow of living energy.  Its music is vigilance, and we are its dancers. –Steve Brunkhorst-

 What is Barley Grass?

Barley grass is the name given to the leaves of barley in the new growth stage when the plant reaches 12-14 inches. During the initial growth stages barley grass absorbs nutrients from the soil as well as the sun.  At this stage of growth, barley grass is at its nutritional peak, and contains many of the vitamins, proteins and minerals essential for a balanced diet. Because these nutritional goodies are presented in simple plant form, they are readily accessible to the body once ingested.

Barley grass is a great source of potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese and calcium.  Pantothenic acid, vitamin C, the B vitamins, folic acid and beta carotene can also be sourced from barley grass. These nutrients and vitamins contribute to healthy skin, bones and organs, efficient digestive function, and overall good health. Barley grass has also been touted to reduce cholesterol levels, stimulate blood circulation, and reduce the risk of cancer.  All this aside, barley grass is an easy way to get your daily dose of the good stuff, as it’s available in tablet, powder or juice form.

 The FDA has approved a health claim for foods containing oats because studies have shown that consuming these kinds of foods effectively lower blood cholesterol levels. Some scientists believe that the benefits of taking barley supplements or eating foods containing barley grains are at least equivalent to, if not greater than, the benefits of oats  While barley grain is good for you and adds many benefits, barley greens has many additional benefits and it is gluten free.

 Barley grass has the ability to help strengthen the immune system and helps stimulate oxygen supply and tissue growth.  It contains chlorophyll which helps cleanse the body of toxins and detoxify the liver.  Chlorophyll has anti inflammatory properties, making it great for those who have digestive problems or a sensitive digestive system and chlorophyll helps to heal every cell in your body.

Besides containing a host of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, barley grass is full of antioxidants, making it great for fighting free radicals and is a must for an anti aging regimen.  It is said to have 30 times more vitamin B1 and 11 times the amount of calcium than cow’s milk, 6.5 times as much carotene and nearly 5 times the iron content of spinach, close to seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the vitamin B1 in whole wheat flour, and 80 micrograms of vitamin B12 per 100 grams of dried barley plant juice.   It contains as much protein per weight as a steak, but it is an easier to digest protein, making it popular with body builders. The juice of young barley grass is a true superfood, and considered one of the most nutrient-packed foods found in nature.

 Barley grass is very high in organic sodium, which dissolves calcium deposited on the joints and also replenishes organic sodium in the lining of the stomach. This aids digestion by improving the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

 Health Benefits of Barley Grass

  • improve hair, skin and nails
  • help relieve stomach problems
  • improve energy levels
  • help treat asthma
  • reduce inflammation
  • may help improve sleep
  • improve mental clarity
  • may inhibit growth of cancer cells
  • prevent blood vessel damage
  • may prevent diabetes
  • help with migraines
  • reduces cholesterol levels

Green barley powder is loaded with every essential amino acid, over 12 minerals, and 13 different vitamins (including Vitamin K!).

 You can grow your own barley grass or buy the powder and mix with juice or put it into your morning smoothie, or take in a supplement form, they are all beneficial.

 Every waking moment we see our legacies in their current state of being. The term “living legacy” might be more accurate because it is now that our quality of life will determine what we leave behind.  –Steve Brunkhorst-

 Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

 Till Next Time,

 Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com  

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Sun 9 Oct 2011

Don’t Be A Mean Girl

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Weekly Insight                       Don’t Be A Mean Girl                             October 10, 2011

“When there is no enemy within, the enemies without cannot hurt you.” –African Proverb-

It seems to me that there are a lot of ‘mean girls’ portrayed on television when you flip through the channels.  It is almost as if it is celebrated or to be expected.

I think one of the most haunting attitudes is when we let the ‘mean girl’ from within beat us up with all the lies that we let her tell us.  Are you listening to that negative mean girl within?

The inner mean girl will tell you that you can never change or that your situation will never change.   She will tell you that you are a big fat loser.  She (or he) does this to keep you in your comfort zone which really is not all that comfortable.  Of course staying in your comfort zone only makes you feel worse about yourself and keeps you stuck.  It leads to self-sabotaging behavior and keeps you from accomplishing your dreams.

I was talking to a dear friend of many, many years this week and he was lamenting about all the “bad” things that have happened to him over the years.  He brought up things that I thought he should be celebrating as strengths of his and proof that he is a survivor.    But he was letting the negative voice within tell him what a loser he was, and he was listening to all the lies that mean voice within was saying.

We may not be where we think we should be on the road of life and we may have made some poor judgments and choices, but it is all a learning curve and so we need to learn the lessons and move on.  Some of the poor choices are just that, poor choices.  We need to come on down off the cross and stop playing victim.  It is easy to blame others for the way our life is turning out, but in reality we are in charge of our thoughts and actions.

I asked my friend why he wanted to re-live all that pain.   Yes it would be nice if we could alter the past, do things differently and change our childhood to a positive experience.  We need to remember that no one can change the past; not our parents, not our children, not our friends, not even God himself.  That is why we need to live our life in the now, look forward and not get stuck in the past.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?  But how do you do that?  First of all, forgiveness comes into play.  We need to forgive our self for disappointing us and not living up to our potential.  We need to forgive our self for believing all the lies we tell about us.  We need to forgive others for their part in making us feel like losers and believing the lies that were told to us.   When we realize that everyone is probably doing their best, (although sometimes their best is pretty marginal), then we can move on and not take it so personal.

It is important to ask yourself “what triggers your “mean girl”?  Is it lack of sleep, lack of proper nutrition, re-living negative moments?  Is it your associations with people who are willing to feed the negativity because it gives them power?  Do you hand them your power willingly because you are telling yourself the same lies?  

When we realize that the inner mean voice is only a sign of the insecurities about our own incredible power, then we can stop the bully within.  Start by writing down all your strengths.  What do you want to change about yourself?  What do you want to accomplish?  What are you willing to do to make the necessary changes? Then sit quietly, meditate and do your positive affirmations. Now get up and take action!

I have a friend that plays Monopoly with her family.  Whenever her husband falls into the bad habit of beating himself up, she tells him “Here is your “get out of jail” card”.  Unlike the game of monopoly, we are the judge, jury and prisoner of our own thoughts.  We can face our fears and free our selves, because we do have a choice.

Stop comparing yourself to anyone else.  That is easier said than done, I know.  But we are one of a kind; we each have our own path to walk.  Remember that you are amazing.  Remember there is nothing that you cannot accomplish or overcome.  Look what you have overcome already.  Realize how amazing you are – now celebrate you – you are incredible.

“Men harm others by their deeds; themselves by their thoughts” –Augustus-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

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Sun 2 Oct 2011

Amazing Melaleuca Oil

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Weekly Insight               Amazing Melaleuca Oil                     September 26, 2011

“We tolerate things we don’t like because we are not aware we don’t have to tolerate it.”  -Bob Proctor-

I subscribe to several doctor’s newsletters via e-mail.  What I have been reading is that a lot of strains of virus, organisms, bacteria etc are becoming so strong that stronger and stronger antibiotics have to be created to kill off the offending infections.

I think every family should have in their medicine chest a bottle of Melaleuca oil, which comes from a tree in Australia.  It is also known as “Tea Tree Oil”, not to be confused with Tea Oil or Sweet Tea Oil.  Tea Tree Oil possesses antiseptic properties, has good skin penetration and does not irritate the skin. 

It is for topical use only but it has many uses such as a topical antiseptic for cuts, fungal nail infections, acne, and vaginal infections. 

Tree Tea oil inhibits the growth and kills the following organisms:

  • Candida albicans -yeast
  • Propionibacterium acnes
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa – common bacteria which is everywhere – on medical equipment, hot tubs, etc.
  • Staphypylococcus aureus – highly contagious and can be picked up from a variety of places and things, including hospitals and clinics
  • Streptococcus pyrogenes
  • Trichomonas vaginalis
  • Trichophyton mentagrophytes – fungi all around us

If you recognize any of these organisms or if your doctor has diagnosed you with any of these conditions, then you will realize why this product is so effective in the key uses mentioned above. (See “The Healing Power of Herbs” by Michael T. Murray, ND)

We can’t avoid all the fungi and bacteria that we are exposed to, but we can fight back by taking care of our health, building up our immune system and using healthy essential oils to fight these nasty critters. As with all essential oils you need to mix Tea Tree Oil with almond or jojoba oil.  Remember that essential oils are potent and you only need to use a few drops.  It has a medicine smell but you will feel it doing its job immediately and see the healing powers within days.

Be sure to wash your hands often, and wash all your fruits and vegetables before eating with essential oil of Grapeseed (another great essential oil) mixed in water and sprayed on your fruits and vegetables before rinsing well.  When you are cutting fruits such as lemons, limes and melons, they need to be washed before cutting.  By buying organic foods you will cut down on some of the chemicals and pesticides but you still need to wash your fruits and vegetables because of human handling and organisms.

By taking these and other preventive measures, hopefully we can cut down on the flu, cold and diseases that are so prevalent, especially during the fall and winter months.

“I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise.

~ Dawna Mark-

 Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till next time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sun 2 Oct 2011

Making The Right Decision

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Monthly Newsletter                  Making The Right Decision                 October 3, 2011  

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” –Napoleon Hill-

What is your lack of making a decision costing you?

In Napoleon Hill’s timeless book “Think & Grow Rich” we read the following: “Accurate analysis of over 25,000 men and women who had experienced failure disclosed the fact that lack of decision was near the head of the list of the 30 major causes of failure.  This is no mere statement of a theory – it is a fact.”  That statement was written over 80 years ago, and it proves that we still deal with the same challenges, fears and insecurities today as we did back then.

Napoleon Hill was born in poverty and his mother died when he was 10 years old.  Fighting against all manner of ‘disadvantages’ and the social pressures of his day, he became one of the most influential men of his times.  His work is still influencing millions today. Napoleon Hill realized at an early age that he was not a victim of his circumstances. He made a decision to rise above his impoverished beginnings.

Mr. Hill reminds us that we are not our fears, our challenges or even our insecurities.  This is definitely worth remembering when indecision sets in.  We are infinite possibilities and creative geniuses but we have forgotten that fact.  We have given our powers away to our fears.

Long before I was born, my mother wrote a poem and entered a radio contest.  Because of her circumstances and fear of her mother, she put a fictitious name on the poem when she sent it in.  Her poem won the contest and someone came to her mother’s home, with the prize money.  Her mother, not knowing that her daughter had entered the contest, said that no one by that name lived there.  The people from the radio station left with the prize money.  My mother heard them at the door but because of her insecurities and fears, said nothing.  She didn’t run after them, and didn’t call the radio station to claim her prize.  She froze and let an opportunity to change her life dissolve into thin air.

One of the girls who worked at the radio station took that poem and put it to music. It ended up as the number one song for twelve weeks in a row.  It was made famous by Frank Sinatra and later by Doris Day and other singers.  A few years after that, it was back up on the number one chart for another eight weeks. 

The young girl at the radio station became famous as a one-hit-wonder.  She ended up in the Hall of Fame both in Canada (where it all started) and the U.S.  The title of the poem my mother wrote, which became the hit song is “I’ll Never Smile Again”.  Every time that song would be aired on the radio my mother would cry because she knew she had missed out on a glorious adventure and opportunity.  The girl at the radio station who put it to music had recently lost her husband to kidney failure, so I am sure this song had great meaning to her also.  Since my mother had made a decision to not claim it, someone else claimed it for their own.  And, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

When we don’t make a decision, we actually do make a decision by default.  By putting off something we need to do, we are actually letting opportunities slip away.  By letting our fears stop us in our tracks we are sending out the message to all the good things that could come to us to back off.  We repel all the good, all the opportunities and blessings that could be ours.

My mother was besieged with challenges being a single mother of five little children, estranged from my dad, living with her mother and having no income.  It is so easy to start believing that we are failures when we are burdened with problems and challenges. When we start on the downward spiral of “stinkin thinkin” it is hard to see the light, the good, and the potential.  We have to remember that we are not our challenges, we are not our circumstances, and we are not our problems.  We are designed to solve problems and overcome obstacles. We have been given a creative mind that can create solutions 

My mother was not aware that her brilliant, creative mind did come up with the solution, by writing that poem. But she let the fear overcome her and let it all slip away.

What opportunities and blessings are you letting slip away by not making a decision?  What missed opportunity slipped away because of fears, insecurities or procrastination?  What opportunities are your repelling by negative thinking and negative habits? What message are you telling yourself, about yourself, and believing?

 Make a decision today that you will reach your potential, realize your dreams, and that you will never give your power away. You are amazing, you are infinite – you were made to soar!

“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” –Napoleon Hill-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

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Sun 18 Sep 2011

Is All Change Good?

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Weekly Insight                        Is All Change Good?                  September 19, 2011           

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” –Reinhold Niebuhr-

Many people have the idea that if they could just change some aspect of their outer features that that would change everything.  Sure, changing your nose or chin, etc. would make you look a little different, and may even be an improvement, but it should not be for the hopes that now everything in your life will be wonderful and you can only truly be happy “when” that happens.     

You will quickly find out that it doesn’t automatically make you any richer, smarter, or any other of the adjectives one could muster up. 

We can get very caught up with the thought that “when” or “then” I will be happy, or we can’t be happy until that certain “something” happens:   When I get married, then I will be happy!   When I buy a house, then I will be happy!  When I get the nose job or lose 20 pounds….  It’s always “when” or “then”.  

So, why not be happy now instead of waiting for some distant future?  Decide now, because life is passing oh so swiftly.  Why waste another moment of your life for all the “whens” and “thens” when you have the “nows” that are already so full of promise.

The fact is life is always changing but if you are not happy now you are never going to be happy “when”.  If you are not happy in your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, life could throw you a curve ball when you hit your 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and start to see your youth fade away, especially if you do not love and appreciate yourself..

You are probably familiar with the saying: “Everywhere I go, there I am.” We all know or have read about people who have made radical changes to their bodies, and they wake up and find out they are still themselves.  Usually they start thinking of the next thing that they can change about themselves, not realizing that they are already beautiful.  They cannot see their beauty because their inside vision of who they really are is clouded.  The sad thing is this vision stops them from accomplishing their dreams and their goals and aspirations for themselves.

In case you think I am against change through surgery, I am not.  It has its purpose and it can help change the body shape which may lead to greater appreciation of oneself. 

It may help get someone over the hurdle that is stopping them from being their best self and accomplishing their goals.  But it can be a substitute for what is really going on inside. Having an eyelift or a chin lift can enhance your overall appearance, but it probably won’t and shouldn’t change how you vote, think and go about your daily life.   If you truly love yourself now, then minor changes are just that, minor changes, and do not affect your degree of happiness.

I read about a lady that obsessed constantly about her thighs, and wanted liposuction.  She harped on this for so long that her husband finally gave in and she spent half of their savings to have this procedure.  Turns out it was the most painful experience of her life, and, she was so bummed because her best friend, her sister and her husband could not see that it made any difference.  They thought she looked great before and she looked great now.  She finally came to this realization – it is never about your body – it is about how you love and honor yourself and your attitude about yourself.

You can love and honor you by taking care of yourself, eating nutritious foods, exercising, reading and associating with uplifting people.  You talk to yourself in a positive manner, say your affirmations every day, and have an attitude of gratitude for all that you are capable of doing.  When you can love yourself “as is” that is the first step for changes within.

By seeing your amazing, beautiful, real self, you can stop the self-criticism and comparing.  Stop the negativity about yourself to yourself and others. If you have people that are negative about you, then stop the association, get new friends who see you and love you as you are.  

To get in touch with your real self, the beautiful person you know deep down that you are because you were created perfect, remember your affirmations and talk to yourself as you would talk to your best friend.  What you say to yourself matters; make it good, because when you change your script, you change your life.

“One day at a time – this is enough.  Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone, and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come.  Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering”. –Reinhold Niebuhr-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com  

 

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Sun 11 Sep 2011

Road Less Traveled

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Weekly Insight                       Road Less Traveled                September 12, 2011

“Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.” –Oprah Winfrey-

Since yesterday was the 10th anniversary of September 11, when the world was turned upside down, and the day everything changed, we need to remember also of how the world joined together in a giant wave of humanity and love.

Listening to all the stories of miracles amid heartbreak makes one stop and realize that every day is a gift.  Watching those events unfold, most Americans probably know exactly what they were doing and where they were when the tragedy happened.  Watching the news was like watching something out of a horror movie and was hard to wrap the mind about the severity of it.  I think for all those that were involved personally, it was a surreal experience. 

 All the stories of those that survived such a horrendous ordeal are amazing, heart wrenching and inspirational  There were many stories of people who, because of one reason or another, were late for work that day or decided to take the day off and so they were not in the Twin Towers.  There are many stories of survivors who were able to get out of the buildings and their lives were spared

The stories of all those brave fire fighters and policeman willing to risk their lives to save someone else is so heart wrenching and fills you will love and gratitude.  Without a doubt they are truly heroes. The sacrifice of the everyday citizens on Flights 93 and 77 who acted with courage, honor, and integrity under so much distress is something we should never forget.

We know that just making one different decision or altering one course of events can change everything.  I went to see the movie “Seven Days In Utopia” with Robert Duvall, about a young golf pro that came to a fork in the road; hesitated, then took the road to the small town of Utopia.  Because of that one decision his whole life changed for the better. It also reminds me of Napoleon Hills words from his book “Think & Grow Rich” where he states that “When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears.”  The young golfer was ready, and the character played by Robert Duvall was the great teacher and mentor who helped change his life.

If we can remember that our life has a purpose and each of us has a mission to help make the world a better place and to reach out and be concerned with our neighbor,   then we can bring the healing that is so needed.   One of the stories I watched yesterday at church was about a man who was in one of the Towers and was able to survive that ordeal.  Going through something like that changes your focus.   His focus changed from trying to get all the material things, to spending time with his family. He realized that yes, life is precious and we need to do what is important to help others, while we can.  We need to make a difference while we can.

So as we remember and reflect on the sobering events of 9/11 let us also remember the hope, the love and the unity that came out of that tragedy and never take our freedoms for granted.  We must make a decision today to make a difference in our own life and in life of someone else, because life is precious and life is a gift.

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”  -Henry David Thoreau-  

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com  

 

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Mon 5 Sep 2011

Where’s Your Focus?

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Monthly Newsletter          WHERE’S YOUR FOCUS?               September 6, 2011

“Our thoughts create our reality – where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go. –Peter McWilliams-

A few days ago I was visiting with my dear friend who is a high school teacher.  She was mentioning about a young woman who attended one of her classes a few years ago.  That young woman is now married with a young child of her own, and my friend has kept in touch with her through all these years.

Because this young woman came from a very dysfunctional family and was abused physically, emotionally and sexually, my friend has become more than a favorite teacher; she has become a mentor, a confidant and a great support to this woman.

Recently my friend drove 4 hours to where this young woman lives to give her support because she was so emotionally distraught that she committed herself to the hospital.  She was in such a bad place that she commented that “she had the worst life of anyone on the planet.”  

My friend has the kindest heart and related some of the things that her friend has gone through.  I don’t want to diminish any of her friend’s pain, but everyone has a story and we have all experienced things that perhaps we wish we hadn’t.  

I think what happens to most people is that they get stuck in the past and live their lives backwards instead of forward.  No one can change the past but you can change your future.  Why would you want to re-play those old painful tapes over and over and keep yourself in a constant state of turmoil and unhappiness?  We can learn from the past, but we must live in the now and look forward to the future. 

Yes, it is true, some of us weren’t loved or cared for, or honored the way we should have been.  But the question to ask is, what are you doing about it now?  If you focus on what you have now and not on what you feel you didn’t receive, you can change your life. Remember to love and take care of yourself because loving yourself enables you to love and take care of others without sacrificing your own self-esteem.

All you have to do is look around to see so many examples of people who are living a full life in spite of their handicaps or past.  I love reading; it opens your mind to new thought patterns.  I remember reading about Tony Melendez, who was born without any arms but learned to play the guitar with his feet and now goes around the world doing concerts and spreading love and hope to others.  How about Nic Vujicic who was born without any arms or legs and yet he is so self-sufficient and is a motivational speaker to teenagers, giving them hope, love and acceptance.   When you read about Helen Keller and all her accomplishments despite her challenges, you can’t help but be humbled to think at how blessed you are to have your eyes and ears.  So, for me that is what we need to focus on first and foremost: what we have, not what we don’t have. 

So what are you focusing on?   It is true, what you focus on is what you will get more of.

In many of my previous newsletters you have read about positive self-talk.  Self talk is important, but it is preceded by “right thought”, which will lead to the right type of positive self talk.  An important part of this process is to see yourself as the infinite person that you are and focus on right thoughts.

So, how do you do that?  First of all write down 10 things that you are grateful for – whatever comes to mind.  Focus on these 10 blessings in your life.  Now stop, and meditate on how these blessings have helped you. It may seem strange to write them down but putting them on paper and reading them back, helps you to “see” with new eyes all that you have.  Focusing on the good things you have received helps you to have more of what you want.

If you are going through some difficult times, then focus on what you are learning from this experience, and think about how it will help you in the future.  We learn what to do and also what not to do by all our experiences. What you are going through may be painful, but remember that life is a learning experience.  If we are to grow and know, we have to experience the good, the not so good and sometimes some really uncomfortable situations.  But reflect on how you handled that last challenge and what you learned from it.  Begin to see how much wiser and emotionally stronger you are because of it.  Then move on to bigger and better things. If you have endured some real challenges then please be kind to yourself and celebrate the fact that you are a survivor and an over comer.

Remember no matter how bad things get, you are powerful.  Do not relinquish your power and worth to the negative things of life; keep “right thoughts” foremost in your mind.

“Each one of us has all the wisdom and knowledge we ever need right within us.  It is available to us through our intuitive mind, which is our connection with universal intelligence. To whatever degree you listen and follow your intuition, you become a creative channel for the higher power of the universe.” –Shakti Gawain-

So here is what I want you to focus on this time:

  • Count your blessings
  • Focus on the positive
  • Remember how much you love others and how much they love you.
  • Remember your infinite worth and love and honor yourself.
  • Whatever you choose ask yourself “Is it worthy of me?”

 “The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear.” –Brian Tracy-

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till next time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

 www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com.

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Sun 28 Aug 2011

Anti-Aging Argan Oil

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Weekly Insight                         Anti-Aging Argan Oil                     August  28, 2011

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art”.    — Eleanor Roosevelt-

It seems that you cannot pick up any magazine these days without an article on skin care and of course many advertisements for skin care products. And when you see how many skin care lines are for sale on the network shopping channels on T.V. and in every department store, you may become a little overwhelmed with all the choices.

Each product seems to claim that they are the best; that they actually work and that they are indeed anti-aging, and will make your skin glow like a baby.  But at what cost, not just to your pocket book, but also to your health?

So what is the truth?  Do all those products really deliver on their promises?  Is there just one product or do they all work, or do none of them work?  And how healthy are they?

I think more and more people are becoming educated about making healthier choices when it comes to products they use on their body, and one thing becomes very obvious: If you wouldn’t put it in your body, why put it on your body?

If you are anything like me you probably have tried a lot of products. As a licensed aesthetician, I personally checked out well over 100 skin care products in my search to find the “perfect” product line for my clientele.  I don’t do facials anymore but I am still interested in skin care products, and I still investigate the ingredients that are contained therein.

The most important thing you can do for your skin is to eat healthy.  You really are what you eat and if you want healthy skin, you have to eat healthy and give up all the simple sugars which cause inflammation in the body and age the skin. (See my e-book “Healthy Body – Healthy Skin” for more information.)

 In last week’s Insight I talked about the importance of keeping the liver healthy.  One of the signs of a toxic liver is broken out or dry, wrinkled, dull skin. After dealing with the side effects of prescription drugs, I knew I needed to find something that was very gentle and moisturizing.  What I discovered was the wonderful healing properties of Argan oil. 

Argan oil is a true skin super food incredibly rich in Vitamin E, essential fatty acids and proteins.  It is healthy, anti-aging oil for all skin types to help fight lines, repair imperfections, and minimize scars and stretch marks, and all the while restoring texture, elasticity and tone. Because it helps to heal damaged skin and combat free radicals that ultimately result in the destruction of the skin’s cells, you will notice that your skin will become softer and smoother and healthier.

Eczema, psoriasis, acne, wrinkles, dry skin, calluses, dandruff, hair loss, and inability to grow long hair are all treatable with regular use of Argan oil. However, those without any skin or hair issues will also appreciate its ability to protect from future damage, and will appreciate the good doses of moisture it provides. Best of all, it does all of this without any additives. It’s just perfect as-is!  High-end cosmetics add synthetics to their formulas to promote anti-aging effects but Argan oil naturally contains all the benefits without the use of toxins.

Argan oil is lightweight and easily absorbed and can be used alone or mixed with other creams.  It is often referred to as “liquid gold” because of its healing and anti-wrinkle abilities.  Because you only need a few drops, you will also find that it is really reasonably priced.

So where does Argan oil come from?  Argan oil comes from a tree grown in southwestern Morocco and has been used for hundreds of years by the Berber women.  Now this long held, anti-aging secret can be yours too.  So for some real beauty bling get yourself some 100% organic Argan oil and make your face smile.

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.”  — Michael Pritchard–

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sun 21 Aug 2011

Keeping Your Liver healthy

Posted by Rosemary Evans under Weekly Insights
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Weekly Insight                   Keeping Your Liver Healthy                     August  22, 2011

You can’t punish yourself into change. You can’t whip yourself into shape. But you can love yourself into well-being. – Susan Skye-

Last fall and during the winter months I had one virus after another until I ended up with pneumonia and thyroiditis.  Because of my illness, I had to be put on prescription medicines for over a month.  When taking any drugs, the liver gets overloaded and can become sluggish.  During this time my face broke out and nothing I did and no skin care regime seemed to make it better.  Since I eat healthy my doctor was a little perplexed as to why.   Because hormone therapy is her specialty, she suggested I see a dermatologist for my condition.  I knew that the dermatologist would probably suggest more drugs and I certainly didn’t want to do that. I ended up visiting with a nutritionist and she suggested that since I had been on prescription drugs I needed to detoxify my overworked liver.

 As the body’s largest internal organ, the liver plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. Not only is it critical to proper protein synthesis and healthy digestion, but it’s also the hub of your body’s natural detoxification system.  When the liver is working at its peak, everything from energy and cholesterol levels to weight and complexion will reap the benefits. If you have had your gall bladder removed, then the liver has to take on double duty to keep everything working properly.  My nutritionist said that anyone who has had their gall bladder removed should be on bile salts for the rest of their life, to help with digestion and to keep the liver healthy.

I had to go on a pretty intense detox cleansing to rid myself of all the toxins in my system, but taking care of the liver on a daily basis is something that we all should be doing to have ultimate health, according to the nutritionist.

 We are all exposed to many environmental pollutants and free radicals, and if you are not eating a healthy diet 100%, then your suboptimal liver functions can drag your entire system down, leaving you tired and in need of detoxification.  You may find yourself to be oversensitive to any number of dietary or chemical insults and maybe even find yourself overweight and nothing seems to help shed those extra pounds.  If you experience any of the above conditions and don’t feel your body is up to snuff, then launching a daily liver-supporting supplement regimen could be one of the smartest steps to take.

Some suggestions to keep your liver healthy are:

  • If you smoke, quit! 
  • Don’t consume alcohol (alcohol affects a woman’s liver even more than a man’s).
  • Avoid eating undercooked seafood and meat. 
  • Do eat apples – the pectin binds to heavy metals and helps to detoxify the liver.
  • Drink lemon juice water, first thing in the morning as it helps to cleanse your stomach and bowels.
  • Eat artichokes as they increase bile production as does dandelion and chicory.
  • Eat beets as they are a blood purifier.
  • Avoid sugar, high fructose corn sweeteners, and especially artificial sweeteners, white flour, white rice, soda pop and processed foods.

 A great supplement to take is milk thistle.  If the liver has already been compromised in any way, it cannot cleanse the blood as expected. Skin problems like psoriasis and dermatitis can erupt when the blood is in need of cleansing. The milk thistle herb will support the liver to cleanse the blood. As a result, skin conditions will be lessened. When liver diseases are present, milk thistle has been proven to effectively treat such conditions. In fact, milk thistle has been prescribed by doctors for hepatitis, inflammation control and cirrhosis. When liver enzymes are elevated from taking prescription drugs, milk thistle will protect the liver.

 This effective liver support supplement which has been used throughout ancient history does not have side effects for the most part. If any, there may be a slight case of diarrhea. Some prescription medications may have interactions with milk thistle. Your best bet would be to consult with a healthcare professional about such medications and the milk thistle herb.

 Vitamin C, magnesium, co-enzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, along with milk thistle can help ease the burden on an overworked liver.  These great supplements also help more than just your liver to keep your body in optimal health. As I have said before, Healthy Body – Healthy Skin.

“It doesn’t matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn’t matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years — we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on.”  –Saron Salzberg-

 Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

 Till Next Time,

 Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

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Sun 14 Aug 2011

Coconut Flour & Coconut Sugar

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Weekly Insight                 Coconut Flour & Coconut Sugar                   August 15, 2011

“As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a Weekly Insight a few weeks ago I discussed the importance of coconut oil.  If you deleted it or don’t remember reading about it, go to www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com and click on BLOG to read how wonderful, delicious and beneficial coconut oil is.

If you are gluten intolerant or just serious about your health then coconut flour is another way for you to indulge in your favorite treats.  You can turn them into delicious guilt-free health promoting foods, provided of course, that you don’t laden then down with sugar or sugar substitutes.  Try using Stevia, xylitol, honey or maple syrup in place of sugar and never use corn sweeteners. Since coconut flour has a slightly sweet taste, you can use less sweeteners.

Coconut flour is also excellent as a thickener for sauces and desserts and because it is so versatile, the possibilities are endless.  Coconut flour contains 19% non-gluten protein so by adding a heaping spoonful to your morning smoothie or shake you can start your day off with a filling, healthy and delicious breakfast.

Where does coconut flour come from? Coconut flour is fiber from the coconut meat after most of the oil has been extracted. It contains an abundance of dietary fiber, which has been proven in studies to help support blood sugar health and control weight.  Dietary fiber slows down the release of glucose and therefore requires less insulin to utilize the glucose and transport it into the cell where it is converted into energy. Foods rich in soluble dietary fiber are low glycemic index foods. If you are interested in becoming more weight-conscious, adding coconut flour to your daily meals is a delicious and smart choice!

You can substitute part of the flour in your recipe for coconut flour, and if you use enough eggs in your recipe you can substitute 100% coconut flour.  It works great in muffins and most cakes using 100% coconut flour and by adding 1 egg per 3 oz. of coconut flour you will not have your finished baked goods fall apart.  Because gluten is what holds things together, adding the eggs acts as a binder when using gluten free flour.

Another product from the coconut tree is coconut sugar, also labeled at your grocery store as palm sugar.  However, as delicious as it is, and as healthy as it is, the problem is that it is not a sustainable product.  The sugar is made from the sap of the flower of the coconut tree when it is in full bloom.  Cutting off the coconut flower prevents the formation of more coconuts.  Using the coconut flower sacrifices coconut products in favor of the sap/sugar. I guess you can’t have your coconut sugar and coconuts too!   Because of that I cannot in good conscience recommend coconut/palm sugar.

So bottom line, don’t use palm sugar but do use coconut oil, and if you are wheat sensitive, or just looking for a delicious way to add healthy fiber to your diet, or for a great protein source then use coconut flour.  Coconut oil has many benefits, and I think you will also find coconut flour to be delicious, beneficial and satisfying.  So what are you waiting for?

Coconut Flour Chocolate Cake

  • 1 cup organic butter – softened  (I think Paula Den would love this recipe)+see note below
  • 1 2/3 cups sugar *
  • 10 eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups coconut flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan or Sea salt
  • 1 1/3 cups coconut milk (also can use almond milk, or if not diary intolerant – half & half)
  • 1 tsp Xanthan (optional, but helps to bind the ingredients)
  • Coconut oil (to grease pans)

*In place of sugar add xylitol  – made from raspberries and/or birch trees– a healthy alternative – same measurement needed.

or use

1-1/3 cup applesauce and 1/3 cup honey mixed together

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 inch or 8 inch layer pans with coconut oil and dust with cocoa powder.

In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, (or beaters) combine butter and sugar, and beat together for about 2 minutes. Add eggs in one at a time and beat high speed for about 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla while beating the eggs and butter mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients together and add alternately with the milk to the butter mixture. Beat batter for about five minutes on high speed. Spoon batter into the two prepared cake pans and smoothen out tops.

Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean. Place pans on wire rack and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool cakes completely before frosting. Use your favorite frosting to frost the cake.  Tastes so good, you don’t need to use frosting.  Enjoy!  (Tastes great with fresh raspberries for a healthier alternative)

+Just a little side note: when you buy organic butter from grass fed cows you will notice that the butter is much softer than the butter made from cows fed corn or grains, plus it has more minerals and vitamins.

For more great recipes using coconut flour go to www.tropicaltraditions.com.

Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. Most of all other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you
-Jeffrey Gitomer

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

 

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Sun 7 Aug 2011

Healthy Vibration

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Weekly Insight                         Healthy Vibration                            August 8, 2011

“You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and you’re responsible for the energy that you bring to others.  –Oprah Winfrey-

I have a young neighbor friend that has always had a dream of being a dancer and going to New York City.  After High School she followed her heart and she did go to New York to dance.  Being a dancer takes a lot of energy and focus, in fact the more the performance looks effortless and beautiful for the audience, the more effort has gone into the practice.  As she was in the middle of a practice she fell and hurt her back.  Not realizing how badly she was injured she continued to dance.  She ended up having to have back surgery and it triggered all sorts of other health challenges for her.  She is now on disability insurance and hasn’t been able to gain her health for the past two years. 

I hadn’t talked to her since before she left for New York so I was surprised to hear of all her challenges.  But what struck me the most in our conversation was how she was bringing up all the “bad things” that had happened to her in the past, even going back to junior high school times.

Since she is not working and does little other than watch television I mentioned to her the importance of feeding her mind with positive thoughts and reading some of the awesome books that are available that could center her.  This seemed to make her unhappy as she said everyone was telling her to read.  Maybe because of the physical and emotional  pain she is in it is easier to watch television than to focus on a book, however, that said, there are also lots of books on DVD’s that she could listen to or watch.

It is always easier to look for outward “fixes” in our lives and it always easier to focus on the injustices of what has happened to us.  I love the quote that I choose this week by Oprah, because we are responsible for our own lives, and we are responsible for the energy that we bring to others. 

I have written before with this question “Are you an Energy Giver or an Energy Taker”? It is something to think about and we may not always like the answer.

This neighbor girl did say she was going to dance again but I think given the fact that she is on many different prescription drugs and that she isn’t taking care of herself, it may be hard for her to realize that goal without some serious changes.

I love these great thoughts by Dr. Robert Anthony:

“When we discover something is going wrong in our lives we have two choices. We can complain and blame, or change. I have learned not to beat myself up when things go “wrong” because that creates a very low vibration and by doing that I attract more of the same thing.  Instead I ask, “How can this serve me?” In other words, if things did not turn out the way I wanted them to, I at least want to pull one good thing out of the experience.  So my focus is on what I can take away from the experience that will help me next time. Then I move on.”

“Remember, if you think your problems are “out there” then you will continue to look “out there” for the solutions. Keep in mind that if you blame someone else for your problems then THEY have to change in order for you to have what you want and be happy. It
never works.”

“Too many people take the victim road and end up in a ditch. When you play the victim you feed the victim and the universe sends you more opportunities to be one.”

“You will always experience the greatest results when you become fully accountable.  Only when you become accountable for EVERYTHING can you be responsible to change ANYTHING.”

It is a simple fact that if you want to be physically fit and healthy, then you eat good food.  If you want to be emotionally and mentally fit and healthy, read good books.  If you need a positive mental attitude, hang-out with positive thinkers.  Junk food, trashy novels, reality TV shows and negative people can derail you of your good intention. To maintain your high vibration it is important to surround yourself with positive situations and people.

You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.” Galileo

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Till Next Time,

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

 

 

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Sun 31 Jul 2011

Are You Looking Around to See Who You Are?

Posted by Rosemary Evans under Monthly Newsletter
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Monthly Newsletter                                                                                         August 1, 2011

Are You Looking Around to See Who You Are?

“Every time you don’t follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness.”  ~Shakti Gawain

Who do you think you are?  Has someone ever said that to you?  Have you said it to yourself or have you said it to your children or perhaps even to someone else?  We are all aware that it is a negative statement and more of a put-down than anything else. 

Because we all want to be loved and accepted we have a tendency to worry about what others think of us and to do what they are doing, to feel our worth.  It is easy to create an identity by looking left and looking right and thinking what everyone else is thinking and doing what everyone else is doing – “going along to get along” mentality.  

We can see this mindset in our youth when they succumb to peer pressure; but adults often stagger along under the weight of the same pressures.  We all want to be thought of as smart and cool and that we are progressive thinkers.   No one wants to hear the ridicule and disdain of someone telling us we are naive or backward or not worldly savvy.

Courage is not the lack of fear; courage is doing the right thing even though you feel the fear.  When you know your likability is on the line, but you stand up for what you know is true anyway, then you can feel the true essence of your real self – your true north – your true power.

When you take the time to really know who you are and whose you are, then what others say loses its grip on your life and you are free to follow your inspiration and become all that you can become.

Who you hang around with makes a big difference.  They are your unspoken “happiness tribe” or “unhappiness tribe”.  We seem to catch the emotions of the people we are around and are continually being affected by their vibes.

Dr. Phil McGraw says that if you want to give up drinking, then don’t hang out with your friends in a bar.  If you want to eat healthy, then don’t go to the candy or goodie store.  It all sounds so simple and makes a lot of sense except when we are with friends and that is what they want to do.  If you are not strong then you end up doing what you have always done and of course you get the same results you have always gotten.  You can beat yourself up and think of yourself as weak, or you can actually change your environment and you may even have to change the friends you hang out with.  When you have the conviction and courage to change, then everything changes.

It is important that you do your positive affirmations every day, because as Dr. Robert Anthony says, “positive self talk works on the theory of displacement.  If you have a glass of dirty water and you put it under the faucet and start running clean water into the glass, eventually the dirty water will be displaced by the clean water.  When you replace unworkable thoughts with positive, workable thoughts, the same phenomenon occurs.  It is not necessary to get rid of limiting beliefs we hold in our subconscious.  What is more important is to ensure that the dominant thoughts we hold in our mind support us in getting what we want, instead of what we don’t want.”

So re-consider the question: Who do you think you are?

“If we change the picture, the change in our behavior and performance follows automatically.”  -Dr. Robert Anthony-

Till Next Time

Truly Caring for Your Healthy and Happiness!

 Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com 

 

 

 

 

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Sun 24 Jul 2011

Your State of Mind

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Weekly Insight                         Your State of Mind                   July 25, 2011

“If you are in the wrong state of mind – you will not find what you are looking for.  You must be in the right state to achieve anything in life,” – Dr. Robert Anthony-

I received an e-mail from Dr. Stan Gardner earlier this week which I share with you:

“In this age of scientific enlightenment, we must never forget the power of the mind over our body.  While there are certainly many causes for various ailments, ofttimes we can eliminate or vastly improve the symptoms (and even the root cause) of disease through our mental focus. 

Fear of moving forward with our lives may give us joint pains to inhibit movement; fear of speaking may give us laryngitis; stress may be the trigger for that heart attack; anger and lack of forgiveness may give us cancer, and the list goes on. It does help to have an understanding of various nutrients, herbs, procedures that can help us physically, but let us never forget the power of the mind and thoughts on our physical bodies.”

Yes, I agree that we need to feed our body with proper nutrients and minerals to keep it at its ultimate state of health and keep our hormones healthy, but we can trip ourselves up by our thoughts. 

We all can succumb to momentary pleasures like grabbing a bag of chips when we are famished or buying the Milk Duds at the movie.  But what is the bigger picture for your life than these temporary pleasures?  We can let all the little fixes and food cravings keep us from accomplishing our purpose here on earth.  Only by being your own best friend and loving yourself will you stop the self-sabotaging behavior. 

How can you change the past and free yourself from all the past hurt, disappointments and unkindness?  Maybe you came from a home that was violent, or maybe you were abused in any and/or all ways.  Maybe you came from a home where divorce, failures and sin where present.  When we have only lived through these experiences and not worked through them, we accumulate feelings of guilt, resentment, anger, and inferiority.  We end up spending too much time recollecting sorrow and not enough time collecting joy.

 It is time to stand up for yourself and learn to forget the past and concentrate on today.   It is time to stop waiting for someone else to give you permission to live your life.  How do you do that?  By moving away from thoughts than weaken you and moving towards thoughts that strengthen you.  The subtlest changes in your thought-form can radically transform the chemistry in your brain and change the cells in your body.

Remember to do your affirmations daily and remind yourself how amazing and valuable you are.  You are one of a kind and there is a purpose for your life.  All that you have been through are just lessons to help you be more compassionate and aware of others so that you can fulfill your purpose and help to add healing to the world.

As I have said before, “if nothing changes, nothing changes”, so be the change you are seeking.  Choose happiness, choose health, and choose wisely.  Learn to be a gatekeeper of your thoughts and let nothing in that is harmful to your well being.

“The secret to health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles; but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly,” –Buddha-

Till Next Time,

Truly Caring for Your Health & Happiness!

Rosemary Evans

Live Your Perfect Weight

www.LiveYourPerfectWeight.com  

 

 

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