Online Wellness: A Safe Haven

I have a co-worker that when we talk, he won’t look at me in the eyes or make visual contact. I am not the only one that has this problem with him. What can I do?

From Lacking Visual Contact

Dear Lacking Visual Contact,

I know how frustrating it can be to have someone not really connect with you. Connection, which is likely the deeper issue here, is a heart thing. The first thing that will help you is to understand what is going on for the person who is not making visual contact. If you can view this challenge from their perspective you are more likely to either not be as bothered, or you can find a way to work through the challenge.

Looking someone square in the eyes or even make visual contact for American’s is an absolute must in our culture. In other culture’s, not so much, in fact it can be a sign of disrespect. If you are speaking to someone who is well versed in American culture, then you may be looking at someone who may manifest signs of insecurity, or discomfort with you.

If the person has low self-esteem, give up trying to make them look at you, start by instilling confidence, love and a sense of joy when you are around them. People with low self-esteem can lack the confidence to really think they are of value to others, you can show their value to them by the way you treat them and talk to them. This could be a long process, are they worth it? Sure they are. Are you patient enough to do this? Sure you are!

If your coworker is intimidated, it is time for a different tactic. Do you remember as a child when your parent would stare at you until you got so uncomfortable you felt forced to look at them? Then you would see your disapproving parent glare at you and then the toy they want you to put away. You got the message loud and clear. Parents have a patented technique of teaching children to subconsciously read their disapproval.

We each have the keenest ability to feel condemnation from others. Check your motives and judgment to be sure you are not subtly passing that on to your coworker. If you are intimidating them in any way – go back to the self-esteem paragraph.

So many people today do not feel loved, heard or valued. The greatest gift we can give is to truly and sincerely value someone we wouldn’t normally value.

You are the best and so is your coworker!

Do you have a question about better managing your relationship with your clients, colleagues, or friends and family? Email us at newsletter@healertoday.com


For More information about Pamela visit her site at http://www.communicatewithclass.com

Coffee - A Cultural Icon:
I am convinced after living in the Pacific Northwest for over 12 years that Oregonians love their coffee at least as much as the Viennese or natives of New Orleans. Although I am not a coffee drinker myself, I do love the smell of freshly ground coffee and enjoy the social, lively atmosphere of cafes and coffee houses. I understand for some people that the ritual of the coffee making and brewing is almost as important as the coffee itself.

As a nutritional therapist, I am concerned about helping people get sugar, chemicals, and all manner of processed foods out of their diet. So where do I stand on coffee? Before I take a stance on this beloved beverage, let’s look at the effects of coffee on the body.

Coffee - The Bad and the Ugly
Coffee is a narcotic beverage in the same alkaloid group as morphine, cocaine, and strychnine. The caffeine can combine with your stomach acid to form a more potent toxin called caffeine hydrochloride. As this toxin absorbs into your portal circulation and hits your liver, bile is released in an attempt to flush it from your system. This is what creates “bowel regularity” among coffee drinkers.

Heavy coffee use depletes the body of Thiamin or B1. This can result in fatigue, nervousness, aches and pains and headaches.

Regular use of coffee inhibits vitamins and minerals from being properly absorbed in the small intestine. Coffee causes excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and trace minerals into the urine, causing a diuretic effect that also contributes to dehydration. These minerals are all essential to good health and specifically bone health.

Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant and causes the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, a hormone needed for a rapid fight or flight response. When coffee is over used, the adrenal glands can become exhausted. Exhausted adrenal glands create endocrine distress, blood sugar imbalances, and the inability to handle life’s day to day stress.

Over 208 acids in coffee contribute to indigestion and a wide variety of health issues including arthritis, allergies, skin irritation and general pain and inflammation throughout the body. Coffee breaks down into a by product called uric acid, and this acid is known to burden the kidneys, contributing to kidney stones and gout. Coffee contains naturally occurring carcinogens such as trichloroethylene (a solvent and degreasing agent) and nitrosamine, and many other compounds that are hard on the liver.

We must acknowledge that coffee is specifically contraindicated for those with high blood pressure, chronic headaches, insomnia, gout, heart disease, tinnitus, irritable bowel problems, acid indigestion, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, liver disease, and autoimmune disease just to name a few.

Some Tips for Healthier Coffee Drinking:
Okay, you have probably figured out that it would be virtually impossible for me to endorse coffee as a healthful beverage. On the other hand, if I told my clients that they had to give up coffee entirely, some may never come back. So, here are 8 tips for the middle road:

#1 Choose Organic
Conventional coffee is heavily sprayed with pesticides.

#2 Get the Sugar Out
Use stevia or xylitol or just enjoy the sweet taste of some cream or coconut milk in your coffee as it will provide natural sweetener and some healthy fats.

#3 Avoid Coffee Concoctions
Ditch the flavored creamer concoctions as they are made with hydrogenated vegetable oils and corn syrup.

#4 Try Coffee Alternatives
Roobios tea (rich red tea from South Africa), teeccino (teeccino.com), Inka (inkacoffee.com/index2.htm), as well as green and black tea and yerba mate are great substitutes that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Trying these alternatives is a great way to cut down coffee usage to one cup per day or eliminate entirely over time. Sei Mee Tea is another alternative that exists made from brown rice(1-866-844-9448).

#5 Take Coffee Holidays
Everyone should know how they feel without coffee! You will only know the true state of your health when you are not propped up with caffeine. A coffee holiday would also be a good time to eliminate sugar and processed foods for a week to a month depending on your wellness goals.

#6 Reduce to One Cup of Naked Coffee Per Day
Naked coffee - this got your attention right? One cup a day does not mean a mega-grande French vanilla frappuccino with caramel and chocolate syrup. Keep it simple and enjoy the real taste of the unadulterated coffee.

#7 Only Use Freshly Ground
Coffee beans will become rancid when exposed to light and oxygen. Grind your coffee fresh daily and store beans in the refrigerator or freezer.

#8 Eat Before or With Coffee
Coffee spikes blood sugar and decreases appetite. Your body needs fuel to run the day, so drink your cup of coffee with a protein rich, nutrient dense breakfast.

The ideal is that we can all function well and have abundant energy without caffeine or sugar to prop us up, however, if you must have your one cup of coffee per day ENJOY IT WITHOUT GUILT (assuming you are in decent health) and incorporate some of the above tips.

© Ellen Syversen, Pathways for Health, LLC, pathwaysforhealth.net. (541) 912-8624. 2011.

A series on EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MASSAGE THERAPY:

Traditionally MASSAGE THERAPISTS have been resourceful attracting business through word of mouth referrals and networking through local groups. Today, more and more massage therapists are utilizing the internet to, not only grow their businesses, but also to attract new clients, keep updated on changes in their industry, research complementary products and services, connect with other CAM providers, learn new techniques, and find educational and training opportunities. “Massage Magazine” reports that “more than 40 percent (of their) readers go online several times a month or more to do general research for their practice…more than 50 percent use the internet for social networking…almost 18 percent go on line several times a day” to promote their business. The growth of the internet daily-deal, such as Groupon, has added another layer for online marketing and acquiring clients.

As Americans continue to experience high stress levels, and the medical maladies that are a result of that stress, the future growth of the massage therapy industry is predictably UP! An icon in the world of MASSAGE THERAPY is CREST MASSAGE CENTER, Eugene, OR, started by Marlene Varady around 1988. Marlene, LMT #1971, is the ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT MEMBER FOR JANUARY, 2012. She and husband/business partner, Richard Wohlberg, LMT #4121, another OWA member in good standing, are well known in the Lane County Oregon area for not only the great services they offer, but also for their commitment for making their community better, safer, and healthier. Learn more about Marlene, Richard, and the rest of the CREST MASSAGE CENTER at: www.crestmassagecenter.com.

A series on EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MASSAGE THERAPY:

Massage therapy can be found with individual therapists that have private offices and may include home and office visits. Massage therapy is also offered in hospitals, spas, treatment centers, and worksites. The Duke University Health System has a center to integrate medical disciplines with other CAM disciplines such as massage therapy with chiropractic. Insurance companies are beginning to pay for massage therapy for their policyholders.

As Americans continue to experience high stress levels, and the medical maladies that are a result of that stress, the future growth of the massage therapy industry is predictably UP! An icon in the world of MASSAGE THERAPY is CREST MASSAGE CENTER, Eugene, OR, started by Marlene Varady around 1988. Marlene, LMT #1971, is the ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT MEMBER FOR JANUARY, 2012. She and husband/business partner, Richard Wohlberg, LMT #4121, another OWA member in good standing, are well known in the Lane County Oregon area for not only the great services they offer, but also for their commitment for making their community better, safer, and healthier. Learn more about Marlene, Richard, and the rest of the CREST MASSAGE CENTER at: www.crestmassagecenter.com.

Mary Jo Wevers, PhD, is a member in good standing with ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION. Mary Jo’s practice centers around Soul•Personality Integration & Healing. She is a Jungian Karmic Astrologer, Accredited JourneyTM Practitioner, Licensed Spiritual Health Coach. Mary Jo gives permission to OWA to blog this part of her NEWSLETTER. You can read more at: www.maryjowevers.com phone (541) 740-8081. This is PART 2/2:
________________________________________________________
Celestial Events

The Month Ahead

As the Sun moves into Aquarius it will square Jupiter in Taurus. While the Sun illuminates our desire to take action in humanitarian and altruistic ways, we must keep our vision grounded in practical creativity. Can we be inventive and futuristic and at the same time build with patience and fortitude? How will we consciously promote equality and reform this coming month?

The Sun in Aquarius disposits to Uranus in Aries, conjoining Ceres. Our will to reform in innovative ways is expressed with confidence and courage that nurtures and supports our pioneering efforts. Pluto in Capricorn squares Ceres and Uranus in Aries, causing tension and conflict between the revolutionaries and the Old Guard. What old constructs need to be razed before we can shape a new future?

Saturn in Libra opposes Jupiter in Taurus. We must take responsibility for creating harmony, fairness and justice as we create our new world. The planet Saturn will begin another retrograde period on February 7th. It will station direct on June 25th. We can take advantage of this review period during the coming months to assess and evaluate our social and financial structures for fairness and justice. How can we create more balance through cooperation and collaboration?

Venus and Chiron in Pisces square the North Node in Sagittarius. As we move toward our new vision for the future and make it a physical reality we must incorporate the spiritual values of compassion, forgiveness, and healing.

New Moon in Aquarius

A New Moon occurs when the Sun and the Moon conjoin overhead from our perspective on Earth. This represents the fusion of our outer consciousness and awareness, symbolized by the Sun, with our inner emotional and unconscious self, symbolized by the Moon. This is a fertile time for new beginnings, for sowing the seeds of your new projects and endeavors.

The next New Moon will be on Sunday January 22nd at 11:39 p.m. (PST). This New Moon will be at 2 degrees Aquarius squaring Jupiter in Taurus. This is an opportunity to begin new projects that are innovative, humanitarian and rational. Build your new vision with patience and practicality.

The area of your astrological chart where 2 degrees Aquarius falls represents the area of your life where you can be more inventive, visionary, and open to change that creates more freedom in your life. What political, social and spiritual causes help you develop your uniqueness and individuality? How can you detach emotionally and be more objective, seeing yourself as an individual connected to all of humanity? In what ways can you network and work together with others for a common cause?

You may wish to set some new goals or create some Aquarian affirmations on January 22nd. Examples are: “I connect with others in my community in rational, open-minded, friendly ways.” “I network with others in a spirit of equality to advance our common goals.” “I manifest my hopes and dreams for the future with innovation and intuition.”

You will begin to see evidence of the seeds you sow on this New Moon as they come to fruition on the following Full Moon in Leo on February 7th. This Full Moon will reward you with heart-centered confidence to connect with others and communicate your vision for the future in creative, inspiring ways.

“Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have the obligation to be one."
 - Eleanor Roosevelt
_________________________________________________________________
Taurus Aromatherapy Blend

My aromatherapy synergy for this month is Taurus - a satisfying and soothing blend that enhances practical creativity and self-esteem. Anise top note is warm and sweet. Middle notes of Cardamon and Ylang Ylang relax and rejuvenate the body while stabilizing moods. Oakmoss bass note provides a deep, comforting connection to the earth.

Taurus Aromatherapy blend is available as a convenient room spray in three sizes:

2 oz. $ 8.00
4 oz. $15.00
8 oz. $30.00

Also available in a jojoba oil base to use as a perfume, anointing oil, or in a diffuser.

1/2 oz. $6.00

An additional charge will be applied for shipping. E-mail or phone Mary Jo to order.
_______________________________________________________
Healing with The JourneyTM

If you would like to heal your body, mind and spirit, Journeywork may be for you. Journeywork is a way to access the root cause of an issue so it can be resolved and released.

As an Accredited Journey Practitioner I use guided meditations
to help you clear cell memories and experience greater health, well being and inner peace.

For more information about The Journey please go to www.thejourneyusa.com or contact me. A variety of sessions are available in person, by phone or Skype to address your needs.
_______________________________________________________
Learn more about Mary Jo Weavers at her website: http://www.maryjowevers.com
________________________________________________________
ONLINE WELLNESS ASSOCIATION is dedicated to promoting member websites. Have you applied for membership? Apply now at: http://www.onlinewellenssassociation.com