The December EVOLVING is a joy-filled, holiday-infused issue filled with seasonal hope and joy. With two new departments, a Holiday Gift Guide and lots of recipes and articles, it's a must-read issue.
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 1 December 2011 A Guide for Conscious Living December 2011 ~ Vol. III, Issue 10 X volving 5 Tips for Staying 5 Tips for Staying 5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Healthy This Healthy This Holiday Season Holiday Season Holiday Season Minimalism for a Minimalism for a Minimalism for a Stress Stress Stress- Free Holiday Free Holiday Free Holiday Drugs Treat, Drugs Treat, Drugs Treat, Food Heals Food Heals Food Heals Inside: Inside: Inside: Holiday Gift Guide Holiday Gift Guide Holiday Gift Guide
Transcript
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 1 December 2011
A Guide for Conscious Living
December 2011 ~ Vol. III, Issue 10
X volving
5 Tips for Staying 5 Tips for Staying 5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Healthy This Healthy This Holiday SeasonHoliday SeasonHoliday Season
Minimalism for a Minimalism for a Minimalism for a StressStressStress---Free HolidayFree HolidayFree Holiday
I am working with two aspiring writers, helping them to reach their goals and fuel their passion as writers. In helping them, I also help myself; and the joy I feel at each of their triumphs is equal to what I feel for my own. Speaking with one of the writers recently, I told her that I’ve never felt like an expert on any particular topic, so I prefer to interview others. And while that’s true, it’s more of a deep need to hear other people’s stories than it is a lack of knowledge on my part. Because I believe we are all experts on the inner workings of our minds/hearts/souls. And I so enjoy hearing other people’s sto-
ries because there are honest, heartfelt and deep lessons to be learned from each other. We all seem so different, but at our core, so completely alike. So it is with great joy that I announce a new department in Evolving: “Let’s Get Naked.” Heidi Alfrey, a Unity Minister, interviews, exposes and honors all of life’s warriors and heroes — us. For her debut, Heidi interviewed myself. I am deeply touched by her ability to extract my story, as well as the opportunity to share my journey with you. Another exciting change this month is the addition of “In the Kitchen with Bon-nie” in the Eating Well in Kansas City section. Bonnie Rabicoff is the host of the radio and television shows by the same name. She introduces herself this month; future months, look for great recipes from local chefs as well as interviews. I’m so happy to share Bonnie’s knowledge with you, dear reader. In addition to all these exciting changes, we have a joy-filled, holiday-infused issue filled with seasonal hope and joy. Wishing you all the best of this and every season.
In Gratitude,
Jill Dutton
To have an account executive help you with your marketing plan, contact
Jill Dutton and a rep will contact you shortly.
Connie “Crash” Humiston
Karen E. Cowdry
ON THE COVER: "Soul Creation" by Sherrie Taylor. An avid student of all things spiritual, Sherrie is a transcendental artist painting her creativity from the Cosmos. She allows the universal archetypes and understanding to flow through her, transforming her art into a channel of love, light and healing for those who meditate upon her work. In addition to her art ministry, Sherrie is a Reiki Master Teacher and Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, emphasizing the power of color and art as modalities of achieving wholeness. Sherrie’s work can be seen and purchased at the 1109 Art Guild on Massachusetts St., Law-rence, KS 66044. Hours are Tue – Sat. 11:00 am-5:00 pm & Sun: 1:00 pm-
5:00 pm . To view more artwork by Sherrie Taylor please feel free to visit her website at www.sherrietaylorart.com or you can contact her at [email protected].
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 4 December 2011
Life’s Wisdom Cards: 200 Cards of Wisdom, Inspiration and Beauty to Nurture the Soul
Compiled and written by Brad VanAuken and Brad Nowlin Pithy and profound, these cards feature quotes from over 100 phi-losophers, poets, sages, gurus, vi-sionaries, leaders and others ac-companied by five different im-ages created by Nicole Corea. Quoted: Abraham Lincoln, Al-bert Einstein, Anais Nin, Aristotle, Arthur Schopenhauer, Benjamin Disraeli, Carl Jung, Carl Sagan, Cicero, Confucius, Dalai Lama, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Eleanor Roo-sevelt, Epictetus, Friedrich Nietzsche, Galileo Galilei, Gandhi, Harry S. Truman, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Henry David Thoreau, Huang Po, Kahlil Gibran, Lao Tzu, Marilyn Ferguson, Mark Twain, Maya Angelou, Meister Eckhart, Neale Donald Walsch, Nelson Mandela, Norman Vincent Peale, Paul Tillich, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Frost, Robert M. Pirsig, Seneca, Stephen Covey, Theodore Roethke, Viktor E. Frankl, Walt Disney, Wayne Dyer, William James, Winston Churchill and more than 60 others. Brad VanAuken is the author of
Life: An Unfolding and Brand Aid. www.lifeunfolding.com Brad Nowlin is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist. www.bradnowlin.com To order or for more informa-tion, contact Brad Nowlin at [email protected] or 913-579-8526. Retail price: $24.95 ISBN: 978-0-9752873-1-6
Angels InSight
The divine alarm clock rings...it's time to wake up! Stef-fany Barton, RN, angel intuitive and local medium, has been se-lected by the DailyOm.com, an internationally recognized website developed for spiritual growth and conscious living, to offer an online course. "Awaken to your Amazing Angels" is a 21-day course featuring videos, au-dio instructions and guided medi-tations to help you super-charge your connection to your angels. Enrollment is open and ongoing. Visit www.dailyom.com — Courses: Awaken to Your Angels, to sign up today. Additionally, Steffany is pleased to announce the release of her first
children's book, The Wonder-Wings! Beautifully illustrated, this book introduces chi ldren and adults to nine of the archan-gels and describes the gifts of each angel. Angels Insight, a book for spiri-tual living is also available for pur-chase. Steffany shares tips, tools, and techniques for living the high life. Books, CDs and readings may be purchased on her website, www.angelsinsight.com or by call-ing 913 451-4567.
James L. Fleming, M.D. Holistic and Integrative Psychiatry
Combining the best of modern psychiatric treatments with complementary alternative strategies
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 5 December 2011
I don’t dash. But I do shovel snow and I love to walk in the winter when it’s not too cold; and to sled a time or two is good fun. Thirty
minutes of slipping and sliding down the snowy hills burns about 260 calo-ries, the same as 30 minutes of high-impact aerobics and a good cross train-ing. Snow shoveling burns about 200 calories in the same amount of time.
Even with exercise, we tend to gain a bit of weight during the holidays. Trust me, I’m the first in the buffet line, not being shy to indulge a healthy appetite. But this year has been a stellar year for me to create new records of long walks, exploring and hiking new trails. My son, who loves to read biographies, says that Ben Franklin outlived all his contempo-raries, dying at the ripe old age of 84 in 1776. He believed it was “good to exer-cise to perspiration” daily.
So ho, ho, gosh-darn ho. How are we to keep those pounds away? Last year, about five pounds of more-to-love grew around my small-boned frame. Not cute. It took a while to shrink those lovely adipose cells by both watching my diet and exercising.
Make a List and Check it Twice
When my sister dropped over 50 pounds seven years ago, she arrived at my house for the holiday feast with spe-cial water to drink and avoided many foods on the holiday table. She ate just one bite of pie! I’m so proud of her for keeping the weight off! She offers a good model: Plan for those nights of the “big” parties or holiday dinners. No is a two letter word we all understand even if we do disappoint the holiday cook.
Eat balanced meals through the day to keep blood sugar level and then the voracious hunger you feel when you see FUDGE will ease the passion for that morsel of sweet. Those buffets and/or parties that offer waistline-dangerous foods offer good stuff too. The nutri-tionists say to choose foods with lots of color, which always include vegetables and fruits. Avoid those vegetables morphed into calorie-filled diet busters with cheese, salt-laden canned soup, fried onions and crème. Even those who are not fond of sweet potatoes can love their high color, which promises healing antioxidants like beta-carotene — and the same for dark greens, as you readers know.
Drink, drink, drink but make it a club
soda with slices of fruit and cherries. Maybe toast with an ounce or so of wine and avoid like the plague those calorie-laden sweet cordials so popular in the sexy ads.
A Wonderful Life
Choosing to indulge in holiday foods with discretion and making time to ex-ercise will help you feel better and cope with the stress of the season. Added bonus: When we take care of ourselves, we give from a full cup….and that is a true gift to family and friends.
Each January, The Yoga School offers a program “Yoga for Weight Loss” where everyone works a little harder to melt holiday pounds with cheer and good
attitude. Check our website www.theyogastudio.com
Read testimonials from the many who are now trim and energized.
The difference between a helping hand and an outstretched palm is a twist
of the wrist. Laurence Leamer
A s the season of gift-giving ar-rives, it occurs to me that very little attention is given to "receiving." Every giver needs a
receiver. How do you feel when you give to someone else? Often there is a sense of pride, of pleasure, a satisfaction in help-ing someone else feel better, less hungry, less needy and, just simply, loved. Giving and receiving are inseparable and remind us of our interconnectedness with each other. I love to give. In fact, I am rather ad-dicted to it. The truth is I fight the need to over-function, trying to be a good person who is "selfless." Some years ago, when I was in a particularly lonely and needy time of my life, I was telling a friend that others didn’t seem to reach out to me. She told me that I was often busy taking care of others and looking as if I did not need help. I listened to what she said and be-gan making a more conscious effort to step back, giving others the opportunity to give. Receiving from others is a gift we give to them. When we receive graciously and with gratitude, the giver feels good. It can help self-esteem, acknowledging that they have something to contribute. The act of giving produces feel-good hormones and the sense of well-being is heightened. Now, why would we want to keep others from feeling good by not openly receiving from them? Receiving can trigger shame, a sense of emotional vulnerability, weakness, em-barrassment or the need to reciprocate. Accepting words or actions from others may feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Amanda Owen in The Power of Receiv-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Giving Yourself the Life You Want and Deserve outlines three steps in receiving: Accept All Compliments: This means receiving openly and willingly without conditions. Be genuinely appreciative. Life gives constantly; but only those who receive notice it. Make a goal of accepting one compliment a day--really taking it in without deflecting it in any way. In fact, thank people for what they do or say to you. Count Your Blessings: Gratitude is the result of noticing what there is to receive and taking it in with appreciation. Think about and write down at least five things that you are grateful for each day. Imag-ine yourself “in the experience of the
gratitude.” This will change your brain chemistry and, very likely change your relationships with others as well. Be Spiritually Naked: This means be-ing self-revealing. “It means that you ex-press all of your vulnerable, clueless, hateful, depressed, lost and lonely parts, too.” If we embrace our wholeness, others will do the same. We experience each other as human beings with faults and failings as well as virtues and talents. We are authentic, telling our own truth to each other. This is a difficult thing for givers to do. Giving or receiving from a place of power, wholeness and strength looks and feels differently than doing it from fear or emptiness. I often gave to others because I had a deep longing to be loved, noticed or appreciated. When others don’t recip-rocate, we are lonelier. Takers trying to fill an emotional hole never feel like they get enough — a bottomless bit. The giving and receiving business is tricky and complex. It takes working on ourselves, learning to love ourselves and others. Melody Beattie says it so well, “When we are open to receiving love, we will begin to receive it. It may come from the most surprising places, including from within ourselves. We will be open to and aware of the love that is and has been all along.” Enjoy giving and receiving this holiday season. You may just take a giant step toward your own wholeness . Jude LaClaire, Ph.D., LCPC, LCSW is a counselor, author and educator. For counseling appointments, seminars, training, speaking engagements or information on Neurobehavioral
Programs call 913-322-5622. For more information about Jude LaClaire or the Kansas City Holistic Centre, go to
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 6 December 2011
R eady or not, The Naked Movement is here! I am thrilled to have the first Let's Get Naked column inside Evolving, be-cause that is exactly what the "revealed"
life requires one to do — EVOLVE. I am Rev. Heidi Alfrey, a Unity Minister and Empowerment Coach. My life is committed to stripping away limiting learned beliefs from religion, family, education and culture that block my natural joy and spiritual free-dom. I am also committed to inviting others to play at that level of power, prosperity and purpose. This column will feature interviews with men and women who have removed the "hand-me-down clothing" of fear, doubt and worry and are coura-geously living the life they were born to live. Their stories are your stories, as genius is in every one of us… So if you want to unlock your imprisoned splendor, Let's Get Naked! I love asking people at the beginning of an inter-view, "So do you want to 'Get Naked'?" They often giggle, and then I ask them, "Are you willing to be Naked with your clothes ON?" and then they under-stand the importance of our conversation. Jill Dut-ton is one of those great souls; and, who could be more appropriate for the first "naked" interview than the same Jill, whom you all know and love as the publisher of this magazine? When I asked her at our first meeting how the magazine began, her eyes filled with tears (a sure sign of nakedness). Jill shares what a transformational journey Evolving has been for her. Here is her story… Jill is a born spiritual entrepreneur. She credits her adventurousness and risk-taking abilities to be-ing exposed to a wide variety of activities as a young child, ranging from backpacking in Europe to watch-ing live theatre in New York. From her mother she learned inspiration and from her dad, stability. No one ever tried to "contain" her. When she had a new idea, her mom would say, "That sounds great!" Later in her life, Mom would call and ask, "What's going on with you now, Jill?" — always curious, supportive and encouraging. Not surprising, when she went to study in higher education, she referred to herself as a "non-traditional student," taking English courses and greatly enjoying writing. She began working in the freelance arena, got married and life went along pretty well for Jill. It is so easy for life to feel "good enough", but our purpose is not to experience just "good" but "great" — to live the curriculum of our soul. (At this point, Jill was about to be invited to "get naked.") A turning point in 1990 would forever change the course of her life, as this was the year her father died. Jill was 26. Her father's passing left her stunned, "No one I knew well had ever died," Jill says. The sense of loss and confusion stopped her in her tracks — the most challenging part was the reali-
zation that she did not have a sense of spiritual con-nection — and that had to change. When the student is ready, the teacher appears... Into Jill's life came Karen Martin, a beloved counselor who made her transition back to Spirit last year. Karen was there at the perfect time and guided Jill into her own heal-ing, inviting her to experience her grief and vulner-ability. A powerful exercise that shifted Jill's per-spective was a letter Karen asked her to write to her father…not avoiding, but, instead, tapping into the rawness of her experience. As she allowed herself to write and feel nakedly about what was there, anger at her dad passing before she'd said all she wanted to say, the sadness about his physical presence being gone. It became clear that these stories were hers, not his, and she was now responsible for peeling them off. With this new sense of freedom and in-sight…Jill was ready to PLAY BIG. Self-help books seemed to call to her; but with her new-found spiritual voracity, she found she would skim through them to find "the meat" rather than read the whole book. Then Divine Inspiration hit (you have to get naked first, you notice), the idea of publishing her own magazine with just the "spiritual facts" came to her. She had no idea "how" to create it…she just knew it was hers to do. We know from the Laws of Prosperity, the "how" is none of our business! Her mantra became, "I can do this!" In 1994, Evolving Woman was born. It was a time of believing in herself as she never had before. With few resources (that she knew of personally anyway) and living in an old historic home that was falling apart at the seams, she was not to be deterred. Jill poured her heart into the magazine and "learned as she went." When you boldly live your calling, every-one benefits. Jill received numerous comments over the six years she published Evolving Woman, from prison inmates to local women, stating the magazine was changing their lives.
Jill learned two crucial lessons during this time of her life: you have to ask for help and allow people to celebrate who you are. One of those appreciative moments for Jill occurred after interviewing best-selling author Richard Bach. After receiving the copy of the magazine with the interview, he called and simply said, "I just want you to know you are won-derful," Jill breathed deeply and let it in. In 2000, Jill knew this chapter of her life had come to a close and she was ready to explore free-lance writing. With the enthusiasm and confidence of having done what she did not know "how" to do, life was truly an adventure. She wrote for the Kansas City Star and many other wonderful publications, loving the work and meeting fabulous people. Her book, The Joyous Journey: Living Life on Purpose, with Purpose, was published in 2008. Jill is committed to listening when Spirit calls. In late 2008/early 2009, the stirrings began and in March 2009 a new magazine emerged…Evolving: a magazine for men AND women! It has become a source for souls to gather and evolve together — whether it is the artists featured on the cover, the local writers or the loyal readers. We are always all creatively expressing, growing spiritually, ALWAYS evolving and I'd say...Getting Naked! Jill, thank you for revealing yourself to me and all of us who benefit by you following your passion and listening to your "inner knowing" rather than your "outer conditioning." When one person lets their Light shine, we all see better…Rock on, Jill! Thanks for reading, you Evolving Souls, … and one thing is for sure in upcoming interviews…more will be revealed!!!! Heidi Alrey holds a Masters degree in Counseling and is a Unity minister, serving as one of the ministers at Unity Temple on the Plaza. She has a spiritual counseling practice and teaches many lively classes that remind men and women "who they are" and the "power within." Tune into her outrageously transformational online radio show at www.unity.fm on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. CST or anytime in the archives. She travels nation-wide, presenting authentic living playshops, with the title, "What if you knew you had Nothing to Hide? Find Heidi on her website www.letsgetnaked.us
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 8 December 2011
“ Is soy okay to eat?” This is one of the most common questions pa-tients ask me. Soy is widely pro-moted and widely damned. So
what’s the story? Here’s what I’ve con-cluded: Most soy sold in the US is genetically modified (GM). The European Union does not permit GM foods to be grown or sold in their countries because stud-ies showed damage in most every organ in animals fed GM foods. The long-est human studies of the effect of GM foods lasted only 90 days and were per-formed by the GM industry. The indus-try has fought scientists wanting to conduct longer-term independent stud-ies. The ones that have been done have not been favorable. The most common GM foods are soy, corn, Hawaiian papaya, sugar cane, sugar beets, wheat, rice and milk con-taining recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). GM foods are not labeled in the United States, so if it’s not organic, consider it GM. Yet organic is not a fail-safe. Eating organic will lower but may not eliminate your expo-sure to GM foods as GM seeds easily spread by wind and wildlife. Most soy consumed in the US is in the form of soy derivatives, such as soy protein isolates and texturized vegeta-ble protein. This is no different that eating white flour or high fructose corn syrup. These soy derivatives are every-where in packaged, processed and fast foods. Many vegetarians replace meat with soy derivatives such as veggie bur-gers, sausages and protein powders. Case reports exist of hormone imbal-ances in people whose primary protein source is processed soy. Some raise concerns about anti-nutrients in soy which block the ab-sorption of minerals and other nutri-ents. Some say this does not appear to be a problem in a diverse minimally processed diet. If this truly is an issue, Asian cultures have gotten around this by eating fermented soy which reduces these anti-nutients. Examples of fer-mented soy include miso, tempeh, nama shoyu, a fermented soy sauce,
and natto. Sea vegetables and sea crea-tures are a mineral rich part of the tra-ditional Asian diet which would provide additional minerals over and above those blocked by soy. What about hormones in soy? The estrogen-like compounds called isofla-vones in soy are weak. As part of a di-verse, minimally processed diet, this does not appear to be a concern. Asian cultures have been eating soy for mil-lennia without feminization of their men. Weak estrogens from plants ap-pear to block stronger estrogens pro-viding an anti-cancer effect. Soy clearly has elements of pharma-ceutical interest such as isoflavones. Can we get these from eating soy foods? It depends. These isoflavones are avail-able from tempeh, a fermented soy product, not from texturized vegetable protein, and to a small degree from soy milk. So what is the best way to enjoy soy? As part of a diverse, minimally-processed diet, favoring fermented soy such as miso, tempeh, nama shoyu and natto, and avoiding soy derivatives. Eat only organic soy.
Bethany Klug is a physician for whom food is a doorway to personal, community and planetary health. Learn more about her practice of “Restoring Health with Holistic
Medicine” at 913-642-1900 and www.bethanyklug.com.
Food Conscious—by Bethany Klug, D.O.
Soy: Enjoy or Avoid?
Eating Well in Kansas City
Most soy consumed in the US is in the form of
soy derivatives, such as soy protein isolates
and texturized vegetable protein. This is no
different that eating white flour or high
fructose corn syrup.
Weight Loss Competition!
We Challenge You to Become One of “The Biggest Losers” of Johnson County!
���� 12 Week Program
���� $29 Entry Fee (majority of this fee is awarded to winners)
���� Free Personal Coaching
���� Free Nutritional Information
���� Free Metabolism Test and body scan
���� Prize $$ Awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place and a bonus 4th place winner! Cash prizes will be awarded to the participants who have lost the biggest percentage of weight.
The 12-week program advises proper nutrition, food choices, and encourages exercise. Each person will receive personalized weekly, one-on-one coaching. The cost is $29 for the 12 week program.
All money will be paid out in cash and prizes to the top three participants that have lost the biggest percentage of weight in the 12 weeks.
Each week participants will weigh-in and consult with the coaches, who will help you along the way, offering various options to help reach your ideal weight and body composition. The program encourages participants to eat a healthy level of protein and calories each day and teaches the benefits of good nutri-tion and exercise. Our April challenge saw our participants lose almost 1500 lbs and we paid out over
$3,600 in winnings!
COMPETITION LOCATION
Midwest Nutrition, 11836 Quivira Rd. Overland Park, KS 66210
Monday, January 2 - 6:15pm, Wednesday, January 4 - 6:15pm or Saturday, January 7 - 10:00am
Call to Pre-Register for Contest:
(913) 814-7532 and please
mention seeing it in
*Since success is so high in these competitions – seats fill up FAST – call to save
your spot.
The participants shown all lost their weight with the help of local Weight Loss Compe-titions. In total, they were able to lose 916 pounds!
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 9 December 2011
I am pleased to become a contributing writer for Eating Well in Kansas City, and would like to introduce myself to you. I am the producer and host of “In the Kitchen with Bonnie.”
“In the Kitchen with Bonnie” premiered June 2010 and is produced each week in the kitchen of Kansas City’s many celebrated chefs. Its purpose is to high-light food products, preparation, presentation, bever-age pairings and a behind-the-scenes chat with the chef. We have expanded the program format to include other products and topics of interest to foodies (organic wines, the field-to-fork process – food pre-pared directly from the harvest in the garden and a “Cooking with Kids” feature to address child obesity). Our “foodie” series can be seen on Educational TV Channels in the Kansas City metro area and at www.inthekitchenwithbonnie.com. Please check the website for a schedule of show times. The entire series is available on the “Show Archive” page at www.inthekitchenwithbonnie.com. “In the Kitchen with Bonnie” can also be heard during a one-hour broadcast on Radio Bach Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. (1660 am, 96.5 FM in HD and streaming on the web at RadioBach.com) and again on Sunday eve-nings on KMBZ at 7:00 p.m. (NewsRadio 98.1 FM KMBZ, NewsRadio 980 AM, and streaming on the web at KMBZ.com). This month I will be “In the Kitchen” at Piropos (discovering the tastes of Argentina), Rozzelle Court (creating art on the plate at The Nelson-Atkins Mu-seum of Art) and Blanc Burgers + Bottles (with a look at their efforts to locally-source food products). We will offer two special features in December, as well. The first is “At Home for the Holidays.” I invite our audiences into my home to help prepare for holi-day entertaining. My mother (Ida Mour) joins me to share one of our traditional foods for the season, po-tato pancakes (latkes). Our other feature is “Cooking with Kids.” In this feature, Executive Chef Charles d’Ablaing (Chaz – The Raphael Hotel) teaches kids how to prepare healthy snacks.
In the Kitchen with Bonnie—by Bonnie Rabicoff
An Introduction
Eating Well in Kansas City
Quinoa with Garlic, Shallots, Butternut Squash, Haricot Verts, Brussels
Sprouts and Dried Cherries topped with Crisp Arugula and Shaved Parmesan
As seen on “In the Kitchen with Bonnie” Prepared by Executive Chef Stephanie Dumler
(The Westside Local) Ingredients: ½ t. minced garlic ½ t. minced shallots ¼ c. thyme roasted butternut squash 2 T. chopped haricot verts 4 each Brussels sprouts, halved and roasted 1 T. chopped dried cherries ¼ c. white wine 1 c. cooked quinoa ½ c. vegetable stock Salt and pepper Pinch of shaved Parmesan Pinch of crisp arugula Cooking Quinoa: Rinse 1 cup quinoa thoroughly under cold running water in a chinois (a fine mesh cone strainer); drain. Place in a saucepot and add in 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. The grain will have “popped” and look curled. Lay out on a sheet pan to cool for service. Preparing the Dish: Heat a medium sized sauté skillet. Add in canola oil, then add in the garlic and shallots; sauté lightly. Add in the squash, haricot verts, Brussels sprouts and dried cherries; sauté over medium high heat until vegetables are heated through. Deglaze with white wine, reduce by half. Place quinoa in the skillet, toss everything together. Add in vegetable stock and sauté until nearly all liquid has evaporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour quinoa into a bowl and garnish with Parmesan and arugula.
Bonnie Rabicoff, Producer & Host of “In The Kitchen with Bonnie”, previously served as the Vice President of Development and Community Partnerships for KCPT Public Television for 11
years. Friends, dinner guests and viewers told her she should “do” a cooking show. It is with this
encouragement and the support of Entercom Radio “In the Kitchen” was created.
Visit www.inthekitchenwithbonnie.com for a schedule of show times.
GrassFed, GreenFed, Probiotics!
Creating a HIGHER Standard Than USDA Organic!
Beyond Organic is the most exciting new company to hit the U.S. in YEARS, and the
plant is right here in Kansas City – with the farm nearby in Southern Missouri! Jordan Rubin, founder and CEO of Garden of Life, launched Beyond
Organic Nov. 1!
Beyond Organic produces the BEST food in the world! There is not another option to buy food of this quality, any-where! Beyond Organic will NOT be
available in stores — you HAVE to or-der online — delivered FRESH and di-rect from his farm to YOUR door. And,
if you live in KC, you have the option to pick it up. You can order right from
our website www.Evolving.MyBeyondOrganic.com
Shop now at www.Evolving.MyBeyondOrganic.com or contact Jill Dutton, [email protected] or 913-944-1298, for more info or to host a
Beyond Organic tasting party in your home.
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 10 December 2011
Feature—by Aaron Lerner
Drugs Treat, Food Heals
I was 9-years-old when I was diag-nosed with severe plaque psoriasis. For those unfamiliar, psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that
manifests itself in the form of red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). The disorder is a chronic recur-ring condition that is not fully under-stood, and can vary in severity from mi-nor, localized patches to complete body coverage. By the time I reached high school in 1993, I had undergone every treatment and taken every drug that was in exis-tence at the time, including systemic ones that were harsh and reserved only for the most severe cases. Because of the toxicity of the medications, I was re-quired to have regular blood and liver-function tests. This seemed a small price to pay for getting even some relief from the embarrassing and unsightly lesions that would cover 50 to 60 percent of my skin's surface area without the drugs. As long as I took the medications, my skin would improve, and I would ask no questions. Never would I say that I was totally symptom-free, but it was no longer the first thing people noticed upon meeting me. By 2008, I was using the most recent in my growing list of drugs, an immuno-suppressant that came in the form of
four injections — one per week — and carried a price tag of $1,200 a month. This created a dilemma for me financially. I had recently lost the health insurance that I had grown dependent upon, and I didn't know how I would be able to continue treatment without it. I couldn't have known at the time, but a soon-to-be confluence of perception-changing events (my perceptions) would soon take place and totally reshape the way I looked at food as medicine, and the way I understood the idea of treat-ment coming from outside the body, and true healing coming from within. In short, from that time forward I would no longer need the drug that had me choosing between paying my bills and NOT having skin that was more reptile-like than human. It has been nearly four years since I have last used a pharmaceutical, or doc-tor-prescribed, side-effect-laden treat-ment of any kind for my skin. That said,
I do not consider myself to be “cured.” I believe that I will always be susceptible to the same triggers that affected me before, and have the same pre-disposed potential for symptoms to flare up — and remiss — in direct correlation with my daily decisions and various environ-mental factors. This article is not about me, though. It's not about what you should eat, and it's not geared toward people with pso-riasis alone. In my work as a health and fitness coach, I meet people every day who re-luctantly wear labels. Often, they were given these labels by medical doctors; and, sometimes there are those who simply "read it on the internet," and stamp themselves using their own nega-tive-labeling strategy. Like psoriasis, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyal-gia are two examples of incredibly com-mon conditions that people are typically not born with. Chronic fatigue can es-sentially be defined as a severe lack of energy, and fibromyalgia as moderate to severe chronic muscular pain. Once peo-ple become "diagnosed," the seemingly logical next step has become to immedi-ately seek the correct medication to make the symptoms disappear, tempo-rarily. Stop the medication, the symp-toms inevitably return. Insert next/newest drug for same condition here, and the carousel continues. What I am suggesting is for people to look at this with a slightly differently approach: If you are having trouble pro-ducing energy, for example, you are quite likely having a problem at the mi-tochondrial level. The sections of human cells known as mitochondria are the energy centers of the cells, and are therefore the energy centers of life. No energy, no life. If the wall or function of the mitochondria are damaged, energy suffers; and, what leads to a reduction in mitochondrial integrity is oxidative stress. Typically, the energy centers are already weakened by poor nutrition (more specifically, individual nutritional deficiencies); so much so, that by the time other toxins, stressors, processed foodstuffs, polluted air, water, etc. enters our bodies, the problem only becomes
compounded. Obviously I am not a doctor, and the examples/descriptions given above are grossly simplified. There is incredible research however, backed by my own personal results and experiences, to demonstrate that specific types of exer-cises and foods can rebuild the mito-chondria in our cells. Fibromyalgia, reduced sex drive, wrinkling skin and a host of other condi-tions and diseases are all symptoms of oxidative stress and cellular damage; and, there aren't any medications that can "fix" these problems. While I do not mean to imply that any of the above symptoms are not real, I do believe that the mistake is in stopping at the diagnoses, and turning towards managing the condition through medical and pharmaceutical interventions. We seem to have entered into a world where symptoms are given names and too eas-ily accepted as diseases. Working to erase those labels is a journey that re-quires research, introspection and open-mindedness. A headache is not a disease, rather a symptom; so too, is low libido, impotence and chronic fatigue. I have seen too many people find relief, and sometimes completely and permanently reverse symptoms through dietary and lifestyle adjustments — to think that it is impossible for others not to experience the same at some level. If we clean up our internal and exter-nal environments, the human body can very often have an amazing ability to regenerate and heal itself in ways that are beyond explanation. Nobody argues with the fact that our body will heal itself after getting a cut or breaking a bone. Based on that reasoning alone, why shouldn't we believe that our bodies are equipped with an eternal wisdom that is capable of healing itself on a much broader scale?
Aaron Lerner is a Lifestyle Coach and Performance Specialist with National
Academy of Sports Medicine. Contact Aaron at 816-309-7047, [email protected]
Eating well with olive oil! Sample before you buy over 20 fresh oils…unflavored, fused and infused. Over 25 balsamic vinegars, olives, pas-tas, sea salts, gourmet oils, sauces, books & more are also at the store. 7945 Santa Fe OPKS ~ 913.649.7900 ~ www.thetastefulolive.com
Eating Well in Kansas City
Harness the Purifying Power of Ayurveda—Chopra Center Endorsed. 3-step purify program provides all natural detox system. Jan Kelly, OTR/LMT 913-706-2284 midwestmyofascialreleasecenter.com
Showcase your food-related product or service in the Eating Well KC Directory. Include photo or logo and up to 40 words of text. Will be edited to fit. Due by the 15th of the month. $75 for three months, $120 for six months or $180 for a full year—or 1/2 price with a current display ad. Must be prepaid. Contact [email protected].
Fibromyalgia, reduced sex drive, wrinkling skin
and a host of other conditions and diseases are all
symptoms of oxidative stress and cellular damage;
and, there aren't any medications that can
"fix" these problems.
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 11 December 2011
nibs, raw… Theobroma Cacao, known as, "Food of the Gods"… C - H - O - C - O - L - A - T - E . The aroma, taste, and texture of chocolate seduc-tively draws in lovers. It calms, it comforts, it intoxi-cates, it entices and it lures... You either crave and love it or are ambivalent to it. Americans consume upwards of 12 pounds per person per year. During the winter holidays and at Valentines Day, chocolate consumption rises. There is much controversy over the health benefits of chocolate. The part to note is the type of chocolate, how minimally it has been processed, and how little dairy and sugar have been added to it. (Milk and sugar block the antioxidant absorption). Studies conducted show raw chocolate and dark chocolate have more anti-oxidants and help prevent stoke and heart issues. Anti-oxidants help protect the body from free radicals, which can damage the cells and cause aging. The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) score value meas-ures the antioxidant level of foods. Raw cacao powder or raw chocolate, with no other ingredients and not heated, tops this list. ORAC scores for the Top 10 Antioxidants Foods (per 100 grams) 1) Raw cocoa powder* 95,500 2) Raw cacao nibs* 62,100 3) Roasted cocoa powder 26,000 4) Organic Goji Berries* 25,300 5) Acai Berries* 18,500 6) Dark Chocolate 13,120 7) Milk Chocolate 6,740 8) Prunes 5,770 9) Raisins 2,830 10) Blueberries 2,400 Source: US department of Agriculture/Journal of American Chemical Society *Brunswick Laboratories MA, USA Chocolate is the highest food source of the mineral magnesium. Some statistics indicate 70-80 percent of Americans are magnesium deficient due to over use of alcohol, caffeine, phosphoric acid in soda, stress and some drugs. Magnesium helps blood flow and circula-tion, as well as lessens blood coagulation to help lower blood pressure, and in turn, easing the load on the heart muscle. It promotes strong bones, increases flexi-bility, calms and relaxes muscles, helps balance hor-mones and helps the brain function properly. Is it any wonder that giving chocolate to a loved one is so popu-lar? Chocolate contains a caffeine-like substance called theobromine. Theobromine is a cardio stimulant and helps relax smooth muscle. Dogs and cats do not have the enzymes necessary to metabolize theobromine which is why chocolate is so dangerous to our furry friends.
Ever wonder why chocolate has come to be known as the "love" food? It contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the love chemical and anandamide, the bliss chemical. PEA is an adrenal related chemical released when we are in love. It helps drive away depression and create feelings of exhilaration and joy by being absorbed in-stead of dopamine. Anandamide is an edogenous can-nabinoid receptor. It makes us feel good. Cacao also contains anandamide inhibitors; these inhibitors slow down the metabolization of anandamide, so we feel better longer. Note to self: eat more raw truffles… feel happy longer! Chocolate also contains tryptophan; you know, the same chemical found in your thanksgiving turkey, the one that makes you happy and sleepy. Tryptophan combines with other nutrients and vitamins in the body to help produce the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter, serotonin, as well as the neurotransmitter, melatonin, which helps us sleep. So where does cacao (pronounced ka-cow) come from? Cacao, consumed by many ancient cultures, is reported to be 5,000 to 15,000 years old. It comes from a jungle tree that can grow up to sixty feet in the wild. The cultivated tree usually grows fifteen to twenty-five feet and is a very delicate plant that must be shaded from wind and excessive sun. It takes five years for the fruit to mature. Due to the frailness of the tree, the pods must be handpicked using extension tools for the higher pods. The pods are cracked open using ma-chetes. Inside is the fruit — the luscious treasure — the cacao bean. The cacao bean, also referred to as cacao seeds, cacao nuts, chocolate seeds, chocolate beans, or cacao nibs, is actually a nut. Each pod averages twenty to fifty beans. The air changes the beans from a cream color to lavender. The beans are piled in heaps and covered for three to ten days, which ferments them and removes a lot of the bitterness. The beans are then sun-dried in low moisture areas or dried by indoor heat pipes. As the beans dry, they lose about half their origi-nal weight. It takes about 400 beans to make one pound of chocolate. So how did chocolate get the name, “Food of the Gods?” In 1753, Carl von Linnaeus, the Swede who de-veloped the plant and animal Latin categorization sys-tem, did not like the name cocoa so he renamed the
chocolate tree “Theobroma cacao,” which literally translates to “Cacao, the Food of the Gods.” This amaz-ing food has been used for shamanic rituals, as cur-rency, as medicine, as an aphrodisiac and in prepara-tions to soothe chapped dry skin and lips. Over the years, the fascination with chocolate has produced many new processing methods. The Mayans and Aztecs heated the chocolate and made a hot frothy drink mixed with spices. In 1528, Cortes took beans back to Spain where the chocolate drink was reserved for the nobility for over a century. The fame of this drink eventually helped spread it to other countries. By the 1700’s, chocolate houses, like coffee houses, flour-ished. In 1765, the first chocolate factory opened in Massachusetts. In 1795, Dr. Joseph Fry of England invented a steam engine to grind the cacao beans and led to the mass production of chocolate. In 1819, Fran-çois Louis Callier pioneered the Swiss version of choco-late making. In 1828, Conrad Van Houten patented his "Dutching" process, which added alkaline salts to the powdered cacao so it mixed better with water. In 1879, "conching," a process that produced a more smooth and creamy chocolate that melted on the tongue, was invented by Rodolphe Lindt of Berne, Switzerland. So what is the best way to enjoy chocolate? Choco-late was originally eaten raw. Raw cacao is still the healthiest way to consume this food of the gods. Once the chocolate is heated over 42 degrees, it starts losing nutrients. The raw chocolate is more "chocolaty" so it usually takes less to satisfy a chocolate craving. High quality dark chocolate contains at least 70 percent co-coa solids and still contains vitamins A, B1, C, and E. Making your own chocolate treats allows you to con-trol the ingredients, avoid allergens like nuts and dairy, use healthier fats and far less sweetener. What better activity can you think of than to make a healthy creamy chocolate treat on a blustery fall or winter afternoon? Here’s to finding your Chocolate Bliss! “Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....chocolate....” Homer Simpson, 2000 Sherree Ross, HHC,
AADP, EFT-ADV, food-mood expert and founder of Whole Body, Whole Food, Whole Health, is a board certified Holistic Health Coach, Reiki Seichim and Karuna® Reiki Master/Teacher, EFT-ADV Practitioner, trained herbalist and or-dained minister. An alternative healer and intuitive for 20 years, Sherree utilizes personalized individual
coaching programs, group coaching programs, corpo-rate wellness consulting, phone consultations, group seminars/workshops, and cooking classes to guide indi-viduals and/or groups through their own growth and healing process to whole body wellness by understand-ing how their food and lifestyle choices effect mood, relationships, career, physical activity, and spirituality. Contact Sherree at [email protected] or
www.SherreeRoss.com.
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 12 December 2011
Holiday Gift Guide Unique, non-traditional and inspirational gift ideas
Aquarius | 3936 Broadway, KCMO
www.aquariusbooks.com | 816.931.6303
Come to Aquarius for gifts of purpose and
lasting value. We have the extraordinary and
hard-to-find item that gives you pleasure to
give, plus long-lasting pleasure for the recipi-
ent. We honor and support all paths and our
goal is to help you find exactly the right item.
We support local artists and stock fair trade
clothing. This is your source for meditation
pillows, singing bowls (both Tibetan and crys-
tal), incense, oils and candles, books, calen-
dars, sacred objects of all sorts, and some
things just for fun, along with a huge new
supply of stones and crystals.
Arbor Creek Animal Hospital
Mike Tarrant, DVM, CVA
www.ACAnimalHospital.com | 913.764/9000
Treat your pets to the gift of health and a
longer pain-free life! Acupuncture and ther-
apy laser treatments can ease pain, as well as
help the body heal from a variety of ailments.
We offer Chinese herbal therapy, acupunc-
ture and therapy laser treatments, as well as
traditional veterinary services. If you are look-
ing for options and an open- minded ap-
proach to Veterinary care, please give us a
call! Gift certificates available! We are located
at 159th and Murlen in Olathe.
Dino Athan
Vibrational Attunement CDs &
Chakra Balancing
www.VibeTuneCDs.com | 913.491.4989
Need to lose weight? High blood pressure,
cholesterol, diabetes, low thyroid? Stomach,
intestinal or colon issues? Chronic illness?
Sounds that vibrate at the same frequency of
our internal organs and chakras facilitate
healing. How effortless (and economical) to
lie down with a CD: Weight Loss / Blood Pres-
sure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Thyroid / Stom-
ach & Intestinal / Colon Health / Cell Regen-
eration / Meditation/ FREEDOM from Addic-
tions / Children’s De-Stress. See 12-1 and 12-
13 event listings for in-person! “In 3 ½ listens,
my blood pressure dropped 20 points.”—
Matthew, Palm Springs, FL.
“I’d been bloated for weeks and was prepar-
ing for a cleanse. Instead, I reclined with
Dino’s Weight Loss CD and immediately felt
my intestines gently moving, feeling lighter
each minute. How easy is that?!”—Connie
“Crash” Humiston, Shawnee, KS.
At The Healing Place
1539 Maple Woods Drive Liberty, MO
www.atthehealingplace.com
816.415.2607
Tammy Barton and Sheri Woxland invite you
to explore our full list of massage and body-
work services, jewelry and artwork this holi-
day season. We offer a unique line of custom-
ized gifts ranging from Astrological bracelets,
healing gemstone jewelry and inspirational
artwork. Don't forget you can purchase gift
certificates for massage, cranio sacral ther-
apy, Astrological yearly forecasts, tarot read-
ings and much more. What sets us apart from
other business's is the full integration process
Tammy and Sheri do with each client ~ work-
ing with your entire body, mind and spirit. We
carefully blend and meld from the various
services we provide to truly cater to what you
as a client need. Visit our website for a full list
• When the cellular memory of love is reactivated, nothing (physical, emotional, or ethereal) can be off balance.
• Normally in only 2 sessions, I empower you to release from your HEART, not from your brain.
Vibrational Healing &
Chakra Clearing Group Rate, with this ad:
$20/person sug-gested Minimum of 3 persons
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 13 December 2011
Holiday Gift Guide Unique, non-traditional and inspirational gift ideas
The Pachakuti Mesa Tradition Cross Cultural Shamanic Arts for Personal and Planetary Renewal
With Daniel Baxley A two-year, five part weekend intensive appren-ticeship program that is a heartfelt initiation into
the healing power of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition as originated by don Oscar Miro –Quesada – and
with contemporary relevance for Personal and Planetary Transformation.
Weekend 1: January 6,7,8 2012 The Call to Heal (Releasing the Past) Weekend 2: April 27,28,29 2012 A Balance of Power ( Transforming the Present) Weekend 3: October 12,13,14 2012 The Condors Quest (Creating the Future) Weekend 4: Mar. 22,23,24 2013 The Hummingbirds Ascent (Living the Mystery) Weekend 5: August 23,24,25 2013 Our Shamanic Self ( Serving the Earth) Friday 7-10 PM –Saturday 10 AM - 10 PM Sunday 10AM – 4 PM
Tuition : $250 per weekend paid in advance of each weekend. Register early as class size is limited and early sign ups will receive priority.
These weekends of re – membering of our common destiny will be held at Daniel and Karrie Marie Baxley’s sacred White Deer Lodge on many beautiful acres of woods, trails, creeks, and ponds near Gardner, Kansas
Daniel Baxley is a Master Ceremonialist, Teacher and Healer. He is a long time student of don Oscar Miro Quesada and one of 26 stellar teachers from around the world trained and endorsed to teach this tradition. He brings his gentleness and open heart to all he touches to open up sacred space and open up one’s own
door to healing.
For more information or to register contact Daniel at: [email protected] Or call 816-769-7343 Visit us online at www.shamanicpathways.net
Botanical PerfumesBotanical PerfumesBotanical PerfumesBotanical Perfumes “matter is the most spiritual in “matter is the most spiritual in “matter is the most spiritual in “matter is the most spiritual in
the perfume of plants”the perfume of plants”the perfume of plants”the perfume of plants”
OTHER PERFECT GIFTS! • CDs—Educational & Meditation
• Angel Readings—Personal or Group
• Workshops & Speaking Engagements
• Past Life Regression
www.angelsinsight.com | 913.451.4567
Energy Healing SchoolEnergy Healing SchoolEnergy Healing SchoolEnergy Healing School
Discover your potential to Discover your potential to Discover your potential to Discover your potential to Heal yourself and othersHeal yourself and othersHeal yourself and othersHeal yourself and others
Classes Start in September.
Individual healing sessions are available by appointment 913913913913----831831831831----4422 ~ 6045 Martway, Suite 104, Mission, KS 662024422 ~ 6045 Martway, Suite 104, Mission, KS 662024422 ~ 6045 Martway, Suite 104, Mission, KS 662024422 ~ 6045 Martway, Suite 104, Mission, KS 66202
KKKKarearearearennnnEliseEliseEliseElise KKKKarearearearennnnEliseEliseEliseElise SUNLESS TANNINGSUNLESS TANNINGSUNLESS TANNINGSUNLESS TANNING Achieve a red carpet glow with the all-natural SunFX spray tan.
Professionally applied in five minutes.
50% off your first tan.50% off your first tan.50% off your first tan.50% off your first tan.
Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!Find us on Facebook!
In the NorthlandIn the NorthlandIn the NorthlandIn the Northland
Dino Athan Vibrational Attunement CDs
Chakra Balancing • Meditation
• Weight Loss
• Colon Health
• Cell Regeneration
• Children’s De-Stress
• Stomach & Intestinal
• Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Thyroid
Hear Previews & Purchase:
www.VibeTuneCDs.com 913.491.4989
Holiday Gift Guide Unique, non-traditional and inspirational gift ideas
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 17 December 2011
Q uick, what do you love about the holidays? I’m not a big holiday person but I do love watching “How the Grinch
Stole Christmas,” eating chocolate-covered cherries and opening sock gifts with my family. These are my favorite holiday things. The rest I pick and choose wisely.
Chiseling away all the excess that you don’t enjoy and keeping the things you love is the minimalist approach to the holidays. It’s the path least followed because the ma-jority of us succumb to the commer-cialized, artificially sweetened, just-one-more version of the holidays.
Just one more gift, just one more party, just one more family gather-ing, just one more batch of cookies, fudge, peanut brittle. Cramming just one more thing in doesn’t serve you or others in your life. It’s just a form of keeping up with the Joneses when the holidays should be about cele-brating that one special thing in the few special ways that resonate with you and bring you joy.
Stress is self inflicted. You get stressed when you overextend, over-book, overeat, over-drink, and over-spend. You can feel stress-less when you do less, which is so simple – but, something that’s taken me until mid-life to figure out. I used to live the holidays and life in black and white – all or nothing. I even flew to Rome one holiday for 15 days to avoid the whole darned thing. Fortunately, I’ve realized it doesn’t have to be all or nothing; it can be just as you please--all, nothing, or just right.
Here are some of my favorite tips for minimizing the stress and being true to your health and happiness during the holidays.
Make time for Yoga
It’s the only exercise I know that can totally transform your mental and physical state in a single class. You can walk in feeling like a tight piano string and leave feeling like an al dente soba noodle.
Take a Breath
Deep inhalations slow you down
and center you. I recommend carry-ing either aromatherapy smelling salts or essential oils in your purse or car to sniff whenever you need a lift or to slow your thoughts down.
Visualize the Calm
If you carry a smart phone, download the De-Stress Brainwave iPhone app for under $5 that has 5-8 minute sight and sound-based medi-tations to do when visions of stress dance in your head.
Give Sentimental Value
If exchanging gifts is something you choose to do, give something that has emotional, sentimental, home-spun or from-the-heart mean-ing vs. designer, fight-for-it at Toys R Us, or otherwise supply-and-demand-imposed value. Don’t allow yourself, or your children, to be brainwashed by materialism – a minimalist wouldn’t. Consider forgo-ing television during the holidays as a commercialism cleanse.
Go Back in Time
Return to simpler times by watching a classic movie with a stel-lar message like Jimmy Stewart’s, It’s a Wonderful Life. If we only fo-cus on ourselves or our ego, we for-get we’re all connected — and it's that connection that is most impor-tant of all.
So have yourself a minimally in-vasive, ultimately stressless, merry little holiday, doing the select few things that bring you and yours joy.
B r e n d a Clevenger is a writer and publi-cist at Group Renaissance PR. She inspires women at her blog, Midlife Mona L i s a , where she encourages women to paint their best life on a new canvas. Y o u c a n r e a c h h e r a t [email protected] or 816-501-6042.
E very day, you experience situa-tions where you leak energy — and your power along with it. Just like a leaking bottle drips
water, your energy leaks one drop at a time until you’re feeling empty, power-less and stressed out. Perhaps you feel your energy drain every Monday morning during your com-mute to the job you hate and feel trapped in. Or, do you feel a knot in your stomach at the thought of asking your partner for what you honestly need in your relation-ship? It’s not true that you can build up your power just once, then you’ll always feel powerful in all situations. But you can learn how to be as powerful as you can be in any moment, no matter what is hap-pening or who you are with. So the big question is how to maintain your power consistently, moment by mo-ment, in each situation every day. The first step is to understand how power works. The three fundamental truths about the nature of power are: Truth #1: How powerful (or power-less) you feel varies, depending on: • Who is with you • Where you are • Your past experiences For example, you’ll feel more powerful when you’re with a friend you’ve known for years than someone you’ve just met. And you’ll feel more powerful in your office than in the Oval Office. Truth #2: Power isn’t spread equally across all parts of your life. Instead, you’ll feel more powerful at home than at work, or vice versa. You’ll feel powerful today at home if you believe your beloved is trust-worthy, respectful and loves you deeply. Conversely, you’ll feel less powerful when you go to work if you believe that your boss is too demanding and the work is unfulfilling. Truth #3: Your power doesn’t grow in a linear fashion; it goes up and down, based on the circumstances. For in-stance, you could be feeling strong and powerful until an accident lands you in a hospital bed for a week, followed by months of rehab. It’s hard to feel power-ful when you’re dependent on others just to get dressed and your income is sus-pended. The next step in maintaining your power is to identify the requisite skills to being powerful on a moment-by-moment basis, which are: • Your level of awareness (how quickly you notice when your power is draining) • How well you assess your options • Choosing your response from a power-
ful place Your ability to use these skills to re-spond powerfully in every situation de-pends on how much energy and desire you have in that moment. For instance, when you’re feeling perky, you have your best shot at stating your opinion, seeing all of your options, setting a boundary or getting what you need. However, there are times when you might not have the physical or mental capacity to communi-cate as clearly as you’d like to. Your energy and desire are affected by these physical and emotional factors: • Hunger • Physical fatigue • Mental fatigue • Emotional exhaustion If you’re hungry, tired or mentally shot, you’ll be less able to respond to a situation powerfully than when you’re rested, alert and have a full tummy. Pay attention to and heed the signals your body gives you about when you’re able to give your full energy to the situa-tion at hand, and when you’re best served by minimal interaction. I’m stating the obvious here, but I see so many people ignoring their fatigue, and paying a huge price for it. Most of the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth that happens in rela-tionships (at home and work) can be eas-ily avoided when you don’t engage in a conversation that you can’t participate in fully and powerfully. I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. Give yourself a break when you’re bushed. Gracefully exit any con-versation that pushes you past your lim-its. Remember, too, you can’t do this per-fectly all the time. Give yourself and oth-ers space to be human, to grow and to learn. Judy Widener is a Certified Life Coach and author of Power For A Lifetime: Tools You Customize to Build Your Per-sonal Power…Every Day of Your Life. Her passion is assisting her clients to discover what is most important to them, then to create more balance and fulfillment in their lives. Judy has coached more than 600 people over the past 12 years. Her website is www. myinnerfrontiers.com.
Revelations—by Judith Widener
Find Your Personal Power
Revelations—by Brenda Clevenger
Minimalism for a Stress-Free
Holiday
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 18 December 2011
1 Ask your doctor about getting your vitamin D level checked. If we are deficient in vitamin D,
our immune system is less likely to be functioning at optimal lev-els to help us fight colds.
2 Consider drinking warm green tea. The antioxidant flavonoids in green tea help us to
strengthen our immune system and have some potential anti-viral and anti-bacterial benefits as well.
3 As the weather gets colder, I know we like comfort foods to help keep us warm. Just make
sure those comfort foods include a variety of vegetables in various colors. All the phytonutrients will help to support your im-mune functioning throughout this holiday season. So, think to eat vegetables and not the sweets and cookies. Foods high in sugar load (high in glycemic load) have been seen in studies to suppress immune functioning. So, say yes to vegetables and try to keep in-take of sweets to a minimum.
4 Our bodies are essen-tially machines. And all machines need time to cool off and rest. So,
make sure to get plenty of rest. I usually recommend my patients to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. While we sleep, our body recovers and regenerates. So, find time to rest and allow your body to recover from the daily hectic schedule of this holi-day season.
5 Make it a priority to in-tentionally implement relaxation periods into every day. Studies show
that stress suppresses immune functioning. So, if you want to have the health and energy to tackle all you need to do this winter season, make sure you take 5 minutes several times per day to de-stress. This way, your immune system can keep up with you and your schedule! With these tips, you should be able to enjoy a healthier winter with your family and loved ones!
5 Tips for Staying Healthy This Holiday Season
Dr. Julie Chen offers simple solutions for avoiding the winter flu.
Dr. Julie T. Chen, M.D. an integrative medicine physician who is board-certified in internal medicine and is also fellowship-trained and board-certified in integrative medicine. She has her own medical practice in San Jose, CA, is the medical director of corporation wellness at several Silicon Valley-based corporations, is on several medical expert panels of websites as well as non-profit organizations, is a recurring monthly columnist for several national magazines, and has been featured in radio, TV, newspa-per, and magazine interviews. She incorporates many types of healing modalities into her practice including, but is not limited to, medical acu-puncture, Chinese scalp acupuncture, clinical hypnotherapy, strain-
counterstrain osteopathic manipulations, and biofeedback. To learn more about Dr. Julie, you can check out her website at
www.makinghealthyez.com.
T here are several tips I pass along to my pa-tients to help them stay healthy during the winter months. We all know that stress levels can increase during the holiday season. With
the weather changing towards colder temperatures, how can we try to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy? Here are a few quick tips to keep your im-mune system healthily humming along this winter:
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 19 December 2011
I t's difficult for me to believe that it will soon be forty years that I have been sign-ing “RN” after my signature on medical charts. Those forty years have provided
many experiences and opportunities to see changes in the medical field. Many commonly accepted medical practices in those initial years would be considered malpractice today. Does it make you wonder what practices in today's medical field will be considered malpractice in the next forty years? I have experienced a professional epiphany and have come to realize that the healthcare sys-tem does not necessarily facilitate good health. Unfortunately, the existing system func-tions as a disease management system where many times symptoms are alleviated; but, physiological causes are never addressed. There are trained physicians adhering to the standards of care they were taught; yet there seems to be a revolving door of patients who have a growing list of medications. The results are frustrating for both patients and practitioners. Another term used loosely in the medical com-munity is health care team. As the patient, you are a member of the team. It benefits you to be more knowledgeable about your health condi-tions. Many accepted medical standards of care today fall short of having true therapeutic and restorative value. There are definite systemic problems; but, that should not undermine the professional's duty to do the job well or prevent openness to alternative/complementary options to care. With the technology available today, you have enormous amounts of information available to help you make informed decisions about your choices. Use it! Any doctor who encourages you otherwise is not the doctor for you. Choose your physician wisely! When our daughter had been diagnosed with severe, life-threatening asthma, my husband and I felt we had few choices in regards to her medi-cal care. We saw pediatricians, allergists, and pulmonologists in consultation and it was a great concern when she obtained no relief from the traditional medical interventions. The massive dosages of steroids had greatly compromised her health and led us yet to another specialist, the endocrinologist. After extensive testing, we were told that she had no severe allergies but some mild sensitivi-ties which were, “Certainly nothing that would be contributing to the severity of her condi-tion.” Our concerns continued to grow as her
condition grew more ominous. I received a phone call from a concerned fam-ily friend, who happens to be a family practice doctor. He hesitantly suggested that we had other “alternatives” and told us about NAET. I started my journey into alternative/complimentary medicine and did some re-search. I found that NAET—an acronym for Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Treatment, was a unique approach to treating allergies/sensitivities and other chronic inflammatory con-ditions. I met with “Dr. David”. Dr. David Beaulieu, M.S., D.C. is the leading NAET Practi-tioner in the KS/MO area. He explained that the treatments are non-invasive and a drug free natural solution to eliminate allergies/sensitivities of all types and intensities through the use of “energy balancing,” kinesiology and acupressure. Dr. David has been using NAET in conjunction with other modalities in his practice for over fifteen years. I was skeptical, to say the least, but desperation won out over skepti-cism. We proceeded with NAET and the treat-ments were nothing short of incredible. Follow-ing NAET, she has had no reoccurrence or treat-ment for asthma in ten years. No inhalers, no nebulizer, no medications, no trips to the hospi-tal for asthma! I wondered, “If NAET can do this for asthma, what can it do for other chronic in-flammatory diseases?” I was invited by Dr. David to learn more and began to “shadow” him in his office. For over a year I was observing, asking questions and satis-fying my curiosity regarding the use and effec-tiveness of NAET. I even had NAET treatments myself and found that my health improved. No longer did I have those vague “I don’t feel good” complaints. I felt better than I had felt in twenty years. I began following the life-style instruc-tions I heard him giving to patients. I’m now one of the few women my age I know who can say — “I am pharmaceutically FREE.” Because of the many positive patient outcomes I have observed with Dr. David, I made the deci-sion to go to California to be trained in NAET and Advanced NAET with the founder, Dr. Devi Nambudripad. It has been the most satisfying experience of my nursing career to work with Dr. David in his practice and to assist in the treat-ment of patients with a wide gamut of inflamma-tory disease processes. Most of our patients, like my daughter, come to our office as an act of des-peration when nothing else they have tried has brought any relief or improved the quality of life.
If you wonder if you might benefit from NAET; if you just don’t feel as good as you think you should and don’t know why; if you have been told you have no allergies or sensitivities, but still have symptoms; if you are taking numerous pre-scription drugs and finding no relief from physi-cal symptoms; consider the possibilities of NAET. Dr. David Beaulieu is available for free telephone consultations to discuss your health and nutritional concerns. You can view the web site at www.askdoctordavid.com. Be sure to read our “Patient Stories”, which are testimonies of how patients have been helped by NAET.
Call Dr. David to get your questions an-swered. As health professionals, our first and foremost thought is always—DO NO HARM.
What do you stand to gain? You may contact “Dr. David” Beaulieu M.S., D.C.
Tues, Wed, Thurs. 10am – Noon, Central Time
1-800-888-4866 or 816-753-4866 if calling from the Kansas City area.
Eliminate Allergies
By Betsy O’Neal, R.N.
I’m now one of the few women my
age I know who can say — “I am
pharmaceutically FREE.”
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 20 December 2011
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)
This month’s eclipse will make you dig deep in your subconscious to see why you’re so mean to yourself. Meditate especially on eating issues, and on how you run yourself ragged. Make it a pri-ority to have breaks in your day. Use loving affirmations. Release perfection-ism and appreciate your strengths, so more of them can come forward! Deep breathing will also have profound anti-stress results. You deserve to treat your-self with gentleness!
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)
The total eclipse this month is challeng-ing your to see how you hold people at bay by seeming to have all the answers. Let yourself be vulnerable by admitting to yourself that you are scared to be hurt. There’s so much energy right now to go to a deeper level of intimacy and bonding in your closest relationships. Mediate to let your mind take a back-seat to your heart and your emotions.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)
If you’re feeling at all defensive in your marriage or partnership, please under-stand this month’s eclipse is releasing deep spiritual blocks. Your ego wants to protect itself, but your soul wants to trust and surrender. Relationships are a mirror of how you connect with the Uni-verse. As you let go of this internal struggle, you’ll feel a deep peace and serenity – and your relationship will deepen. If single, you could attract a very high quality person who is ready to be your soul mate!
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Not only is there a total eclipse this month, but Uranus is moving direct in your sign. This means you’ll have amaz-ing revelations and insights about how to solve long-standing problems in your life. If you have an anxiety, sleep or an-ger issues, you’ll come across cutting edge information to correct the diffi-culty. You’ll also get information
through meditation. Please act on the information so you can live in the change! These deep shifts will alter the way your feel about yourself, as well as the way people perceive you. It’s like your soul is shimmering on your sur-face!
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
This month’s eclipse will shed light on financial issues and how they relate to your self-esteem. Do you think you’re unlovable because of money matters? Are you ashamed about spending hab-its? Meditation will reveal ways you can heal these difficulties. Share your story with someone who can help you create a budget. Just by being open, you’ll take a burden off your relationships and things will be smoother and more harmonious.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
This month’s total eclipse could make you feel strange. You rely on your brain, but the eclipse makes it feel like scram-bled eggs! As you meditate, believe that higher parts of your brain are being accessed and activated. Visualize your intuition (the higher level of thought) is merging with your day-to-day thinking. You’ll be blessed with insights about relationship challenges, and even about childhood issues. Just don’t struggle to “figure things out” – instead, let solu-tions flow into your mind by relaxing mental tension.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Watch out for jumping to conclusions and saying half-thought-out ideas! The eclipse is triggering old fears and sub-conscious anger. Be especially careful at work and with family. It’s as if you have glasses on that have pictures of the past glued inside. Meditate to ask for emo-tional centering. You’ll likely see you’re not even reacting to present circum-stances. Keep sane with frequent deep breathing! If you actually do need to confront someone once you’ve done your inner reflection, you’ll be poised and clear.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)
How are you doing with meeting impor-tant goals? Please spend time in medita-tion to get insights into how you could be more effective with finances, rela-tionships and friends. You’ll be able to see if certain beliefs or actions are keep-ing you from your highest good! You could have a little burst of money, espe-cially if you’re clearing out the “junk” in your life. It’s also a great time to recon-nect with old friends. Keep up with
meditation even when problems resolve, because there’s many “spiritual goodies” at your fingertips if you stay connected!
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)
You’ve got lots of courage and energy to make changes! This month’s eclipse will help your break through fears of con-fronting others at work or at home. Confronting doesn’t mean being angry – it’s being clear and authentic. It could also mean daring to give your insights when you think they “won’t matter” or that you’re “not good enough” to speak up. Just taking these brave steps will increase your sense of self-worth!
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)
Relationships are about to go to a new, exciting level! Old problems in current partnerships can be suddenly overcome, or, if single, you can meet someone great! But . . . you must meditate to re-lease old anger and disappointments. You won’t be able to enjoy these new blessings if you’re caught up with nega-tive emotions from the past. You’ll feel it’s too good to be true or will still find fault even though issues are healed. Forgive yourself and others and move on to a joyous future!
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)
Meditate on prosperity to reap wonder-ful rewards form this month’s eclipse! Focus on how much good stuff is in the Universe! See yourself receptive to fi-nances, love, health and happiness. Find a friend or two who can give your spiritual pep-talks when you get nega-tive or “poverty minded”. Poverty could be in the realm of shutting yourself out to self-love, intimacy or other life bless-ings. There’s enough to go around and you deserve abundance!
Aluna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer and soul evolutionist practi-tioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counsel-ing and has been teaching and con-sulting for more than two decades. H e r b o o k “Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological Signs” is now on Amazon in Kindle ver-sion. Ms. Michaels is available for ap-pointments in her home or by phone. Ca l l (248) 583-1663 or v is i t www.alunamichaels.com
Spiritual Horoscope—by Aluna Michaels
December 2011
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)
Happy birthday Sagittarius! There’s a total eclipse this month affecting your relationships in a positive way. Meditate on what you’d like to change about how you connect with your spouse or partner. You can heal many subconscious problems that sabotage your ability to have smoothness in this area of life. If single, you can change your “vibe” so you attract better people. You’ll also be able to see self-esteem issues clearly and uproot them easily!
Call NOW for your 30-day FREE trial
of Kangen Water®.
Cathy Weaver 913-461-7034
MiraclesWithWater.enagicweb.com
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 21 December 2011
resources
Include photo or logo, name, brief description and contact info. Will be edited to fit four lines. Due by the 15th of the month. $75 for three months, $120 for six months or $180 for a full year—or 1/2 price with a current display ad. Must be prepaid. Contact [email protected].
Dr. Jay PetersDr. Jay PetersDr. Jay PetersDr. Jay Peters Marriage & Addictions Counselor. Smoking/Weight Mgmt. Hypnosis. Regression/Past Life Hypnosis 913-339-9591 www.drjaypeters.com
COUNSELING
Ronnie Wilson, Energy Healer, CranioSacral Ronnie Wilson, Energy Healer, CranioSacral Ronnie Wilson, Energy Healer, CranioSacral Ronnie Wilson, Energy Healer, CranioSacral TherapistTherapistTherapistTherapist Creator of Quantum Shift Energetix 913-906-9986 www.innerjourneyhealing.com
HYPNOSIS/EFT New Day Hypnotherapy, LLCNew Day Hypnotherapy, LLCNew Day Hypnotherapy, LLCNew Day Hypnotherapy, LLC www.newdayhypno.com Smoking, weight, stress and more 913-908-6907
Teri Higbee, Radiant Living ExpertTeri Higbee, Radiant Living ExpertTeri Higbee, Radiant Living ExpertTeri Higbee, Radiant Living Expert: Weight Loss, Energy Therapies, Prosperity, Empowerment Processes, Clarity of Purpose, Shamanic Astrol. LoveWisdomWellness.com; 913-219-6788.
LIFE COACH
Learn Bowenwork. Learn Bowenwork. Learn Bowenwork. Learn Bowenwork. Effective manual therapy for pain relief. Easy on the practitioner’s body. Leverage income—work on multiple clients. Ongoing classes. Nancy Pierson 512-750-4012.
PAIN RELIEF
PSYCHIC
Nakala Akasie, Spiritual Psychic Medium. Channeled readings by phone. $45 for one hour, CD included. 913-206-1294 [email protected]
Daniel Baxley, Daniel Baxley, Daniel Baxley, Daniel Baxley, Shamanic Healing and Teachings, Pachakuti Mesa Tradition. Sweat Lodges, Workshops. 816-769-7343, www.shamanicpathways.net
SHAMANISM
Diane Davis ReedDiane Davis ReedDiane Davis ReedDiane Davis Reed, Pathfinders Consulting Pathfinders Consulting Pathfinders Consulting Pathfinders Consulting Shamanic Counseling, Bioenergetic Integrative Healing, Psychosynthesis, Red Moon Lodge, [email protected], 816-741-0820
At the Healing Place, At the Healing Place, At the Healing Place, At the Healing Place, Massage, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Reiki, ChanRi, Chakra Balancing, Astrol-ogy, Tarot, Past Life Regression, Intuitive Body-work (816) 415-2607 www.atthehealingplace.com
Nature Spirit HolisticsNature Spirit HolisticsNature Spirit HolisticsNature Spirit Holistics Energy Medicine expert Author Cathleen Miller—Intuitive therapies, Conscious life counseling, Spa events, seminars www.livingthespiral.com 913-499-8514
Natural High Wellness CenterNatural High Wellness CenterNatural High Wellness CenterNatural High Wellness Center: Colon Therapy, Massage Therapy, Ion Cleanse, Far-infrared Sauna, and more. We are here to help; call us at (913) 901.8699 www.naturalhighwellness.com
BRASBRASBRASBRAS--------Thermography, Linda Bamber:Thermography, Linda Bamber:Thermography, Linda Bamber:Thermography, Linda Bamber: Breast Research Awareness and Support. Safe, pain-free, no radiation. Overland Park. Linda at
(417) 770-0451. www.breastresearchawareness.com.
TRAVEL AMBASSADOR TRAVELAMBASSADOR TRAVELAMBASSADOR TRAVELAMBASSADOR TRAVEL Your full service travel planners 816-554-2300 Lee's Summit or 322-6336 Raymore www.ambassadortvl.com
Harness the Purifying Power of AyurvedaHarness the Purifying Power of AyurvedaHarness the Purifying Power of AyurvedaHarness the Purifying Power of Ayurveda————Chopra Center Endorsed. 3-step purify program provides all natural detox system. Jan Kelly, OTR/LMT 913-706-2284 midwestmyofascialreleasecenter.com
Raphael Smith, PsyDRaphael Smith, PsyDRaphael Smith, PsyDRaphael Smith, PsyD – Clinical Psychologist specializing in Grief and Pet Loss Counseling, Depression, Anxiety, GLBT & Relationship issues. (816) 960-4525 or www.theStruanCenter.com
HOLISTIC RETREATS w/ Author, Holistic Intuitive Cathleen Miller Balancing Hormones & Holistic Life Mastery
Colorado - Hawaii - Canada www.LivingtheSpiral.com
Shelly Wilson, Reiki Master ~Shelly Wilson, Reiki Master ~Shelly Wilson, Reiki Master ~Shelly Wilson, Reiki Master ~ IntuitiveIntuitiveIntuitiveIntuitive, offers loving guidance enabling you to heal and grow. Live an authentic life and LOVE yourself in the process! ShellyRWilson.com 918-782-4778
Yoga ~ over 20 years experience. Yoga ~ over 20 years experience. Yoga ~ over 20 years experience. Yoga ~ over 20 years experience. Emphasis on alignment & safety. New and ongoing students. Seeking Solace Yoga Studio, 7501 Mission, PV, KS 913-302-2439 seekingsolaceyoga.com
YOGA
Ayurveda Practitioner, Ayurveda Practitioner, Ayurveda Practitioner, Ayurveda Practitioner, Stephanie Kieltyka Mohr works to find health & relieve disease with recommendations for diet, exercise and lifestyle. www.GoWithSteph.com
Annola M. Charity.Annola M. Charity.Annola M. Charity.Annola M. Charity. Certified. Louise Hay, “Heal Your Life” teacher, inspirational speaker, author, and Life transformation coach. For more info, Annolachar-ity.webpress.com or [email protected]
Read Back Issues ~ View Distribution Locations Leave a Comment/Suggestion ~ See Upcoming Themes
www.EvolvingMagazine.com
A Guide for Conscious Living
X volving
Gardens of DelightGardens of DelightGardens of DelightGardens of Delight Center for Natural Healing, near Parkville Yoga, Herbal Products, Wellness Therapies www.gardensofdelight.org ~ 816-584-0777
N2Paws N2Paws N2Paws N2Paws Offering Doga (doggie yoga): an integrated approach to balance and relaxation for you and your canine companion! [email protected]
FENG SHUI LIZ BROWN,LIZ BROWN,LIZ BROWN,LIZ BROWN, Feng Shui expert since 1996 "Inspired Guidance for Great Change" Consultations, clearings/blessings, classes, workbooks. www.ahandinhealing.com 816-444-2725
SHIFT your House; Change your LIFE!SHIFT your House; Change your LIFE!SHIFT your House; Change your LIFE!SHIFT your House; Change your LIFE! Five-Element Classical Style: Consult/Clearing Ronda Reinke gets Powerful Effective Results! 831-521-0861 www.HappyHealthyHomes.com
The Yoga School of Therapeutics The Yoga School of Therapeutics The Yoga School of Therapeutics The Yoga School of Therapeutics Kansas State Education Board Approved School 10400 W. 103rd Street, #14 Overland Park, KS (913) 492-9594; www.theyogastudio.com
EVOLVING… A GUIDE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING 22 December 2011
events Include date, title, text and contact info. Events are due by the 15th of the month. $18 for up to 25 words; $.25 a word after that. Featured events include a boxed frame with a graphic: $33 per
