le femme FOCUS Magazine March April 2015

le femme FOCUS

Life Is About Connection.

Without It We Starve.

My Life As..

A Fire Walker!

femme to femme |March April 2015

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March April 2015

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ON THE COVER www.lefemmefocus.com

PUBLISHER’S LETTER/ 06

Welcome to le femme FOCUS! It is a delight to be able to offer the women of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex an exciting new online magazine focused totally on the female species. For you, about you!

More than engaging, insightful articles for forward thinking women (and ok, men), le femme Focus will combine multimedia technology into an exciting platform that offers breathtaking photography and in-depth editorial content which is sure to intrigue the most discerning consumer.

Success will come from our ability to totally inform and entertain you, the le femme Focus readers, with superior and spectacular features on a wide variety of subjects, interviews of women with outstanding, heartwarming stories, thought provoking organic features on a variety of current topics women face, and style notes to improve life and lifestyle.

We have regular columnists, so we hope you find one you enjoy following, contributors who have solid information to share, and hot new products specifically for you!

Le femme FOCUS offers ladies an interesting digital reader publication, an internet radio show on Pegasus Net Waves, le femme FOCUS on air hosted by Faye Marie Seaberg and our website will be a wealth of exciting news, stories and products all just for you, le femmes!

Let us know what you would like to see included in the publication, subjects that are of interest to you or if you have any questions. We want to hear from you: lefemmefocus@gmai.com Thanks for reading and we hope you come back soon,

07 | Feature

Connecting With a Mission

By Deborah Viapiana-Ricci

Let's for a moment imagine our "bucket lists". Does it include teaching life empowering skills to desperately impoverished people in third world countries? I didn't think so. Well‌that's exactly what Lisa Turley-Walker and a handful of incredibly committed women did! This is a story about connection, strength of spirit, and old fashioned "Moxie".

Lisa met Ann Webb, creator of "Idea LifeVision" on facebook in July 2010. Ann passionately shared her mission about getting this program into schools everywhere, not knowing at that point, it would ultimately ripple out faithfully across three continents. Lisa was again contacted on facebook by philanthropist, Vinay Rai. He spoke of his work through "Rai Foundation" and wanted a group to travel to India and teach at his universities. Their alliance was formed and Mr. Rai generously agreed to finance their in country expenses. Pulling all the necessary details together over the next year, Ann, Lisa, and Laurie Olsen would lead a team on their maiden voyage to India bringing Ann's life changing work to fruition.

The eight women crusaders met in Chicago and flew to India together. Upon leaving the New Delhi airport, an overwhelming stench combined with the spicy aroma of curry confirmed their arrival.

While traveling to their destination, it was difficult not to be taken over by the palpable grief they witnessed and yet the children still seemed to possess an aura of joy. Close observance would reveal that the joy seemed to dim around age eleven, when most "pavement dwellers" would lose this state of innocence and give up hope.

Once the team arrived, they were enthusiastically greeted by more than five hundred eager girls between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two and would now be teaching them Ann's life-altering program. The "students" were instructed to write down their personal life visions. They would then record it in their own voices, set it to music, commit to listening to it every day continuing to reinforce their "Lifevision" in a very real way

Feature | 08 Being totally consumed with their work, they spent every waking moment with their very "hungry' students. These girls were grateful to leave the streets and have a chance for a different way of life. Instead of prostitution, they could choose a real career and continue to share what they had learned with others. Since then, several girls have been certified as "Life Vision" coaches!

In November 2014, Lisa flew to Kenya with Ann to continue the work, sharing the journey with two previous teachers and four new adventurers.

However, not having sponsorship, Lisa's team each spent $3,500 to travel there. The women stayed in various Kenyan guest houses provided by a non-profit organization called "Reach the Children". By now, the vision had expanded.

They were each required to gather $500 in individual donations to buy female goats for sustaining families with drinkable and saleable milk as well as breeding abilities to enable a gift for another family in need. They stayed in Butere the first week, teaching the "LifeVision" program to packed audiences of over two hundred women. In between, the team got to personally deliver goats and visit various orphanages experiencing a myriad of emotions that could not be measured. Fortunately, the area was very lush and Hawaiian-like, making their stay more bearable.

Lisa shared her experience of times she spoke with local children who were happily caring for younger siblings while their parents worked.

During that time, Lisa met a ten year old boy named Malika who asked what they could do to keep their gums from bleeding. Lisa purchased sixty toothbrushes and gave him the duty of handing out these precious gifts to his family and friends. She also asked Malika who spoke English very well what his vision for his life was. He enthusiastically answered he would become an aeronautical engineer one day. He was entrusted with a bright blue soccer ball another member of the group had brought to give away, which he promised to share with local children and take home at night for safekeeping.

While in Africa, Lisa met Christine who, years earlier, was suffering extreme poverty but held the belief for a better life. 9 years ago, Ann shared "LifeVision" with Christine, asking her what skills she possessed. It happened she was a seamstress. Ann purchased a new machine, enabling Christine to build a business that is successfully thriving.

She also became an ordained preacher, and a certified "LifeVision" coach. Her soft angelic spirit continually radiated to anyone who came to hear her speak. They are in regular contact and are truly honored and excited to be sharing the cover of the magazine in such a profound way.

Lisa reminisced that she felt a sense of familiarity when she first landed of having been there before…saying no matter where they went, they were greeted with a most genuine "welcome home!" Days were long and full, but nights always gave rise to a most contented sleep; they had been part of something so big watching these sweet people dwell in hope for a brighter future one day while learning to see their lives in a most connective way… living very simply, always wanting to expand their learning and be able to serve one another exponentially.

When I asked Lisa if there was an unspoken message reflected in the photo she quietly thought and replied, “A solid sisterhood in constant connectivity …One for all and all for one." She continued "Life is not what we think it is. Africa taught me what it's really about …Connection.

Without connection, we are literally starving ourselves."

So…about that bucket list?

Deborah Viapiana-Ricci is a freelance writer, Life-Style Coach living in McKinney TX with her husband, Wil. Inspiring the next generation woul bedher greatest wish!

09 | Feature

The World’s True Connectors

By Holland Haiis What is a real connection and how can we master this as women?

A connection is anything that unites, joins, or links. And while we may believe this can only happen on social media, we have a responsibility to dig deeper. But, are we willing to put down the devices and disconnect, so we can work to make a real connection?

It takes discipline to cease all the continuous Facebook posts, and a purpose to let Twitter fly away without all those wonderful Tweets.

However, the comfort in hearing a human voice, instead of one more text in a long stream of texting, and the synergy of meeting with another, face to face, as we set aside the constant emailing and enjoy the real sound of laughing (not LOL), can only be the beginning.

Once upon a time women were the silent minority; but were we really the minority?

While many of our parents may have accepted those facts, women of today understand we are the world’s powerhouse.

In the past, women have harnessed the power of their greatness, but no more! We birth life, we lead families, are the backbone of business, and innovators in our own right, translation: we are the world’s true connectors. So, we begin, or continue, to own our power and understand our link to it, as we master the true connection to our purpose and our lives.

The choice to live responsibly by lending a helping hand to other women in need, allows us to further our connection to the mastery of our greatness.

We understand it is time to unite in our power and ideas, instead of the old world thinking that had us feeling we should divide and conquer.

As stated in Consciously Connecting: A Simple Process to Reconnect in a Disconnected World, “It’s time to start connecting to our words by

Feature | 10

empowering the content of our daily dialogue with positive and nonjudgmental communication.� The negative, demeaning, critical thoughts and words, toward other women, have no place in the Twenty-First Century Arena.

It is imperative for us, as women, to lead in every field with voices of clarity and conviction.

We should require ourselves to walk away from gossip, not to wallow and luxuriate in it.

When we chose to speak with integrity and align to our truth, we empower ourselves to be victors and not victims, and we cannot allow the victimization of any other. We must chose to commit and connect to create a team to carry the torch that will build a bridge to women of all sizes, ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. These actions will be the true connections for us all, and they will be the actions that truly connect us.

The decision must be made as to what type of energy we want to create and how we will decide to shift our focus. We have the ability to propel our platforms forward with our passion and persistence, and that will allow us to connect to anything and everything that we desire.

We are aware, and it is understood, no one woman can walk the journey of any other woman, yet we share the path and connection of womanhood. This is what unites us, this is our link. We will master our connections as women when we stand in celebration and connection to ourselves and each other. The celebration which embodies, empowers and engages us to be different, imperfect and insecure, and gives us the ability to accept and acknowledge this with grace and gratitude.

This is the moment to take the opportunity to reset and rewire to the true meaning of connection. The place deep within that allows us to join the journey of unification.

Holland Haiis is the Author of Consciously Connecting: A Simple Process to Reconnect in a Disconnected World. For more information on how you can Consciously Connect contact Holland at www.hollandhaiis.com To purchase her book visit Holland’s website, Balboapress.com, B&N, Amazon or any other retailer.

I Am Living the Dream. Are You?

I AM Living the Dream. Are You?

By Melinda Cooper I know you have a dream! We began our lives with imagination, passion, and creating as a natural part of who we are. Women not only dream for ourselves yet we dream for our families, our children, and finally our jobs or businesses. It could be a dream of a different car, a different weight, a different home or a dream of being completely financial freedom… all these are a dream! So many now call it goals or desires.

Isn’t it time you are Living Your Dream? I believe in Living the Dream now rather than years from now. You may be asking how to do that if you don’t have enough money, if you don’t have someone as your support or back-up. Maybe you feel you cannot find another job at this moment. I give you my heart, my hand, and my theory to let you know YOU CAN LIVE YOUR DREAM NOW! Please allow me at this instant to share a little bit of my dream with you! I am Melinda Cooper, I am Living the Dream. I have a life that I’m very happy with, grown children, hopeful of one day being a grandmother, a wonderful husband, a dog and a business I love doing. It hasn’t been about having everything I’ve ever wanted the journey would have been over long before I learned to live it. It hasn’t ever been about rushing the road simply it would not have been the journey I’ve been meant to have. I cannot tell you it has been easy simply it has not been. It

Feature | 12

certainly hasn’t always been fun yet definitely a lot of lessons and people who have come and gone through my life. All of these things are part of it!

I had a dream just as so many others have had, yet I learned you must walk it every day. You would not be walking had you not started those many years ago taking very nimble steps, falling, and getting back up again! Admit it you had the dream in your heart to one day get behind the wheel of a car and drive yourself to some destination. A dream of wearing that dress that you knew made you look fantastic, you felt it from your heart! Yes there have been many dreams in your life, some I’m certain have come, gone and simply have not come to mind because of the hustle of today. Yet if you take just a moment to let your mind run free you’ll find the fond memories are there.

My dream is a simple one now at this time in my life. It is one to serve others the best that I am capable of doing. It is one to have a business that people respect and are able to see the greater picture far beyond their self. I work to be a place (using the term loosely) where others would recommend to entrepreneurs who are ready to build to the next step or greater goal of their own at the moment.

If you can imagine for just a moment, I am a serial entrepreneur! Through the years I have built businesses, joined forces with others, and maintain the growth mode to be able to continue to build other businesses. I began a digital magazine only 7 months ago not even certain how to do it, if I truly wanted to do it; moreover, how I would get the word out. To date, Living the Dream Magazine (www.livingthedreammagazine.com) is growing, it does have momentum and now the dream is evolving into a greater dream.

In My DREAM I help others build their business, I build a place where they can be seen, and I spread the word to give them a place to be seen and heard. I see this as an opportunity to grow with others who are Living their dream. It is Living the Dream of the bigger picture together! I’m looking forward to serve you.

Melinda, I am Living the Dream

Guest |14

Living in the Moment

By Christina Castle Many people are so concerned with adding days to their life that they forget to add life to their days. I am a firm believer in living life, that there is a huge difference between living and simply existing. There are many reasons to live in the moment, but first it’s important to note that even that term does not mean the same thing to everyone.

For me living life in the present is part of living life to the fullest. The two are not exactly synonyms, but they are closely related. You cannot live life to the fullest if you do not even slow down and live in the moment.

If you have ever found yourself at home thinking about what you need to do at work, or at work thinking about things happening in your personal life, you know how distracting it is. Living in the moment means you are totally immersed in an experience. It can mean getting up early to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise, going for a bike ride instead of watching television, or taking an adventurous vacation. Take notice of the world around you. Realize the small things you see every day can bring happiness to even the most boring day.

The past is history.

The future is a mystery.

The only time we really have is now‌just this moment.

Think back on the events in your life that you vividly remember. Those are the events where you were living in the moment. Even though years have passed, you can still remember the details: Your wedding day, the time you won the spelling bee or first place in a sporting event, got elected to a position you wanted or helped someone you did not know. Living in the moment is easy during special times in your life. However, most days don't contain special events, and unless you learn to live in the moment, worry, fear, resentments or other distractions will rob you of your life.

more before they can be happy - more money, a better house, a fancier car, a better spouse, etc.

Steve Strauss, a professional speaker and personal coach suggests that you ask yourself ‌ "What if this is as good as it gets?" Steve said, "When I let go of requiring that the future be any certain way - Poof!

Suddenly I became content with what I had now."

There are many reasons to enjoy life, many adventures to embrace. But part of being able to enjoy life to the fullest is to master the skill of living in the moment. Give it a try and see what you experience. It might surprise you!

Wayne Dyer in his many books talks about the compulsion some people have of always wanting Christina Castle is a freelance writer who lives in Dallas, TX.

15 | Business

Staying Authentic With Hard Business Decisions

By Kadena Tate One thing I see business owners constantly struggle with is staying authentic when multiple business decisions come to their door.

As soon as you start down a path that is not authentic to who you truly are, you will feel this tension in your soul and this will lead you to things like self-sabotage, stuck energy, or quitting on all your goals. If you are someone who naturally leans toward speaking, committing to something like daily blogging might make you feel stuck. One of the biggest obstacles I coach people through is stuck energy.

You know that feeling when you have every available resource at your fingertips to get something done, but you can’t seem to make any progress? That’s stuck energy.

My goal is to keep you as far away from that as possible.

With the New Year just past, you are probably thinking about where you want to take your business in 2015.

You see all the people in your industry doing new things and you’re wondering what you should do, where you should take your brand, what products you should release, where you should speak… It’s all a long list of potential projects you can bring to your brand.

Each of these decisions will have an impact on who you are and what you do.

Making decisions that align with our ultimate vision and our most authentic selves isn’t always easy. Most of the decisions you make throughout this year will either make you extremely happy or extremely miserable depending on how much closer you feel to your authentic self.

Here are some of the steps I take to create authentic business decisions: 1. Create an ultimate business and personal vision.

When I know the end goal of where I’m trying to go, I can figure out when decisions get me closer to that vision and when they don’t.

Making decisions without an end point is like driving without a destination. You will ultimately end up driving in circles with any final point so it is ultimately confusing and never ending.

Business | 16

Write out what you want your legacy to be. Create a vision board if you must.

2. Make a list of “yes” and “no”.

What I mean by this is for you to decide what you will and will not do along your path as a business owner. We all know what we enjoy to do and what we don’t enjoy doing. If there is a way to outsource or completely cut out the things you don’t enjoy, then be sure to budget for those services. If it is something you must do, find a way to make it enjoyable if you can.

Sign up for speaking gigs if that energizes you. If website design makes you too stressed out, hire someone. If you want to travel make sure to attend events in other states and countries.

3. Take a break.

Sometimes taking a break can give you the clarity you need to break through. When we are overworked, stressed, and exhausted, it can prevent us from hearing our hearts calling. Our passions get hidden under ever-growing To-Do lists and demands from the people around us.

This could be anything from a weekend off to a few weeks off to recharge the batteries. It is within silence that we can hear our inner guidance tell us our next steps.

4. Ask someone we admire or hire a coach.

After doing all the steps above, sometimes you will come to the conclusion that you need even more guidance. This is where a mentor, coach, or asking someone who has been in this position before can benefit you.

5. Any decision is better than no decision at all.

Don’t let your dreams and goals stay in your to-do list. I see far too many people stay in stuck energy because they aren’t sure what to do at all. I can guarantee that taking no action at all won’t get you closer to your goals. While you might feel productive thinking about what choice you want to make, you must take action.

6. Always adjust as you go.

There are many things that might sound good in theory but don’t work for you and your life once they are executed.

You might find that a project or goal no longer suits you and your vision. It is perfectly okay to let go and adjust your course with this new knowledge.

Kadena Tate, Business Acceleration Alchemist, teaches service based entrepreneurs how to take who they are and what they know and package that into multiple product and service offerings. www.kadenatate.com

17 | Health & Wellness Your Body Weight is NOT Your Enemy

By Ashly Torian “Weight is the screen that prevents us from looking within for the whisper of who we truly are.”

Ashly Torian

We believe what we imagine is true. If the belief is “I am too big and no one will like me because of that”, then the toxic belief eventually becomes true. My body will respond and I would contract and become small, no one will notice me, life will be yucky and I would be miserable.

This toxic belief leads to a dark place; one that is made up and untrue.

Body Weight and how we relate to it is a rocky relationship. Sometimes we are friends…and sometimes we are arch enemies…but no matter what, we are always connected, well, at least we are meant to be.

When we are friends with our body and the weight she reflects, she is cooperating and staying where we “like” her to. We talk nice and appreciate her, and tend to give her what she needs. But if the body’s weight goes up to a place we don’t like, we begin to judge and criticize her; we are not nice nor do we show appreciation for our body. We punish ourselves by over-eating, binge eating OR we over exercise in a punishing way.

Food is not the enemy either.

Just because a “bad” food is eaten, doesn’t mean punishing exercise, or other form of punishment you choose, has to be done for eating it. Food has no moral value; it is neither good nor bad. Food is for nourishment not punishment. We are pleasure beings and that is what we are meant to experience.

So if weight isn’t the enemy and food isn’t the enemy and neither are holding you back from your ideal body, then what is?

Are you ready for this?

You made it up.

It is your imagined perceptions that you believe to be true. Those are the enemy.

These are known as Toxic Dietary Beliefs.

Are you ready to stop giving them power? And finally be FREE to live in the body you desire?

Here are 2 ways you can begin to free yourself from this body jail you have created.

One is to step into your body as it is now, with all the mess, extra weight, and brokenness. As hard as it may seem, you have got to take this first step.

Those of you in denial about the true nature of your body might be thinking, “I am in my body…that is the way I get around” Well, not true. If you dislike or even hate your body because of the weight she is holding onto, then you do not whole-heartedly accept your body. You live dis-embodied.

The way to step into your beautiful body is done like this: Take a deep breath, place your hands over the part of your body you dislike the most and say” I am listening, I am open, I am so sorry for ignoring you, what is it you would like me to know?”

And just remain quiet for as long as it takes for her to answer back. And she will.

Health & Wellness | 18 Another way to do this is writing a letter from your body to you, expressing past treatment, how it has made her (your body) feel, how she has responded and what she would like from you now.

This is very powerful and something we do in the E.N.D. Retreat that I offer. It is perception changing.

Another way to eliminate this toxic belief is to involve Pleasure in your life.

Pleasure is experienced in many ways; it doesn’t have to be with food, it can be a walk in nature, singing, painting, drawing, jazz, music, ballet, anything.

Stop the war with your body by developing your pleasure inventory. A pleasure inventory is a detailed list of everything in life that brings you pleasure. Include all things big and small that enrich your life. It could be as grand as an exotic vacation or as simple as petting your dog.

Here is one way to do this: pick a time to be with just yourself and draw up a list of everything you can think of that brings a smile to your eyes and joy to your heart. This process may take several days; in fact, I continue to add to mine. It is a work in progress. The way we experience pleasure, as we shift and change in life, is amplified. You will continue to add to this pleasure list as you open yourself up to receiving more pleasure.

Why is pleasure so important to our well-being?

Pleasure is a metabolic powerhouse. Pleasure is a vital nutrient in life. When the body physically feels pleasure it catalyzes the relaxation response, which allows the body to burn fat for energy and hold on to lean tissue.

Keep this in mind; A relaxed, pleasure-filled eater has natural appetite control.

When pleasure is eliminated in life, the craving for sweets and carb filled goodies is on the rise.

And your good intentions are left behind in the wake of a fast food binge or over eating frenzy.

Add to that, without pleasure, we humans tend to get a little cranky and look to food to ease the tension. STOP making food the “bad guy”, stop blaming the cause for body weight issues on something else and see the issue for what it is ….you are looking for pleasure, plain and simple.

Seek and find what brings joy, goodness and pleasure to you; is it sitting at the park and watching life happen around you, taking a moment to breathe in the aroma of honey suckle, the smile of a baby, the playfulness of your children, reflecting on all that is beautiful in your life, rolling your foot on a ball while sitting at your desk, a massage, lunch with your best friend? etc.

Make your list now, don’t delay. Bring that smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

This puts your body in a place to burn fat for energy, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar.

Pleasure is vitally necessary and not only GOOD for your heath but most importantly puts you IN your body!

Don’t let your body weight or size prevent you from living freely and fully. Once you release this toxic belief, your body will respond by letting go of the weight she doesn’t need for protection.

You will experience FREEDOM.

your

much

desired

Ashly Torian is the founder of Ashly’s Bio~Balance, author, speaker and creator of the E.N.D. Retreat, a place where you FREE yourself from food and body confinement.

For more information go to www.ashlytorian.com

19 | Health & Wellness

Clues That Your Thyroid May Be Over or Underactive

By Christina Reiter, CCN

Doctors are now investigating why thyroid testing may appear normal or “within range” when the thyroid continues to respond inadequately. Helping them identify a pattern of dysfunction will assist them in determining if the thyroid is properly being treated or if more assessment is required.

Swelling in the Neck A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid. It can also be due to a cause unrelated to the thyroid.

Persistent weight gain, especially around the midriff.

Thyroid hormones help insulin move glucose from blood into the cells. “When thyroid levels are low, more insulin is needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels. More insulin means more fat cell growth, which shows up as increased fatty deposits on the trunk area.” This translates

to extra “fluff” around the middle that you just can’t seem to lose, no matter how frugal you are with calories. The adrenals lose strength when the thyroid is underactive, which also slows down metabolism.

Cold hands and feet indicating lack of blood flow Thyroid disorders can disrupt the ability to regulate body temperature. People with hypothyroidism may feel cold more often than usual. Hyperthyroidism tends to have the opposite effect, causing excessive sweating and an aversion to heat.

Nagging, chronic infections and remain in the body longer than usual.

Beta-carotene depends on thyroid hormones in order to convert into vitamin A. Therefore, if thyroid hormones have been suppressed, beta-carotene can build up in the body and cause yellow skin, especially in the hands. The official name for this is called Carotoderma. Vitamin A plays an important role in immune system health and susceptibility to infections. When the body cannot convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, the body may become more symptomatic, or it simply may not have the strength to kick a bug, resulting in more frequent infections.

Health & Wellness | 20

Changes in Heart Rate and Increased Cholesterol Thyroid hormones affect nearly every organ in the body and can influence how quickly the heart beats. People with hypothyroidism may notice their heart rate is slower than usual. Hyperthyroidism may cause the heart to speed up. It can also trigger increased blood pressure and the sensation of a pounding heart, or other types of heart palpitations.

are sometimes mistaken for menopause. If a thyroid problem is suspected, a simple blood test can determine whether the true culprit is menopause or a thyroid disorder -- or a combination of the two.

Hypothyroidism can cause many other symptoms, including: • Dry skin and brittle nails • Numbness or tingling in the hands • Constipation Tips for Treating an Underactive Thyroid

Excessive hair loss, painful joints, sleepless nights and other signs Hair loss is another sign that thyroid hormones may be out of balance. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair to fall out. In most cases, the hair will grow back once the thyroid disorder is treated Because thyroid disorders can cause changes in menstrual cycle and mood, the symptoms

1. Work with one of our qualified health care practitioners at Texas Star Pharmacy.

2. Populate your gut with good microbes. Remember, gut flora convert 20% of T4 into usable T3!

Eat fermented foods and drink probiotic beverages with every meal!

3. Regulate your immune system 4. Address any blood sugar imbalances 5. Diet and lifestyle can drastically affect your adrenals, the HPA axis, and the health of your thyroid; does your current diet and lifestyle support a healthy thyroid?

If you need help mapping out your personal pathway to better health, contact us at Texas Star Pharmacy, 3033 W. Parker Rd., #100, Plano, TX, 75023, 972-519-8475 and make an appointment with our Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Christina, to help guide your way.

Real Pharmacy, Real People, Real Care

Daily Living | 22

She Works Hard for the Money...

By Regina the Reluctant aka Leslie Clay White Tonight I was a "Celebrity Bartender". A local restaurant, Komali, held a guest bartending event benefiting the nonprofit I work for. Two hours. A portion of the sales was donated back to my organization. Did I say I tended bar for two hours? Plus, we got to keep the tips. Two hours, right?

Oh my goodness. Whatever you tip your bartender, double it. Komali's resident mixologist, Leeann was wonderful. She works hard! She gave great instructions and was very patient as I tried to remember all the steps.

When someone comes up to the bar, lay down the napkin. The marketer in me noted that it was probably a good idea to lay it down logo side up! (Do I get points for that?) Make sure you get a credit card to start a tab or get their cash. Whew! Everyone started tabs - that was easy. Don't know what I would have done if I had had to make change.

Now this bottle has their specialty Komali margarita. No salt on that one. Skinny margaritas are in that bottle. Beer and wine behind you. Leeann, along with giving us, well mostly me, instructions was also running the cash register. Be sure and tell her what drinks go on what tabs. Oh yeah - remember to smile and chat up the customers. Ah, that one was easy to do. Most of them are supporters!

Put ice in the shaker, fill up the mix to the ice. Top it with another glass. Make sure the two fit tightly together and shake, shake, shake...shake, shake, shake (yeah that KC and the Sunshine Band song was swirling through my mind). Pour it in the glass. Don't forget the lime garnish. Set it down with a smile. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I had a BLAST! However, I have no plans to quit my day job. Did I mention that bartending is REALLY hard work?

I am a professional fundraiser, mom, wife, musician. I drive a two door black convertible I call the Batmobile. Look for me on the freeway. I will be the one in the really cute hat! Title of the blog?

That comes from the fact that most of the time I just blurt out what I am t hinking.

www.notsosecretmusing.blogspot.com/

23 | Daily Living

thieves

by Becca Menig

Comparison is the thief of joy.

I've been thinking about this. Is it not true!

We compare appearances. We compare talents. We compare tastes.

We express love by comparison.

"I love you more than infinity."

"Well, I love you more than that."

"But you can’t, infinity is never ending."

"Well I do. I love you beyond infinity."

It's a debate worth having as Spoke and I celebrate twenty-five years married, this month. <> <> <>

"Do you fight much?" a girl, newly wedded, asked me. We were sipping wine at an open-air bar, Dallas new to her, both of us new to each other.

We had just one big one I told her.

(There was another, small in comparison, in Pisa, Italy. Tempers teetered like the tower. We'd lost our way, the sun was setting and we were close to missing the ride back to Florence. Mad at our circumstances, we took it out on each other and rode back to the city in complete silence.)

I wish I could have shared words of wisdom with my young friend but when marriage is blithe and effortless, as ours is, you don't understand it yourself. You simply feel

Daily Living | 24

blessed.

We're lovers, I could have said, soulmates too. Spoke would tell her it's magic.

Comparisons with my new, young friend stare me down at times. She has her youth and I'm envious. I've perspective that has come with age and which she's beginning to recognize and appreciate, as she embraces life's experiences. <> <> <> We compare choices. We compare wealth. We compare desires.

At what will be a casual, French cafe dinner to celebrate, Spoke and I will likely reminisce about memorable meals spanning our quarter-century together; full baguettes with orange marmalade and strong coffee, four courses at the swanky restaurant in a Bahama hotel, cappuccino in Rome, Sam's pizza on Greenville Avenue, fried scallops in Cape Cod, shaved truffles on a plate-sized ravioli in Firenze, the numerous bowls of Conchiglie ai Quattro Formaggi at MoMo . . .

What joy they each brought! We wouldn't wish to compare them.

A classic bistro dinner, enjoyed slowly over a few hours, is so classically us, it too will likely be memorable for years to come. Comparison may join us, briefly but rightly so, for it would come as no surprise to either of us, if at some point in the meal, the other leans in and from across the small cafe table, says,

"I love you more than infinity."

I believe each day gives us something; a few minutes of afternoon light casting intricate shadows on a dining room wall, or a delicious Pesto because the basil got knee-high. Maybe some things broke my heart....... I write about them all. My name is Becca. I live in Dallas but I left my heart in Florence, Italy. I'd like to thank you for reading. www.from3906.blogspot.com

Virtual Living By: Deborah Viapiana-Ricci

Here’s a question we all need to ask ourselves…Are we living a “virtual” life?

And, if we had the courage to answer honestly, we ALL are! Society continues to slyly endorse our mindless engaging in forms of communication that are anything BUT real communication.

the other side of the counter as well as the people in line behind you. How about when we’re out for stroll, or at the gym, or worse yet, driving in our vehicles? What could be so important that we feel overwhelmingly compelled to respond to the endless barrage of beeps and tweets that can’t wait until we are safely available?

Multi-tasking while on the phone is the absolute recipe for disaster…And, this of course, pertains widely to the use of such devices while we are driving our vehicles.

We need at least 60% of our brain’s functioning ability to carry on a conversation...so where does that leave the rest of our cognitive strength for making good decisions while on the roads? In fact, Texas has been posting the number of deaths that have occurred due to texting on large signs hanging over the highways, hoping to bring a higher level of awareness to this wide spread problem, or at the very least, scare the crap out of some of us hardheaded communicators.

Oxford defines “commune” (the root of communication) like this: “to speak confidentially and intimately; feel in close touch.” I don’t know about you but I don’t think that incessantly texting and tweeting fit into that definition?

It’s gotten absolutely mad out there! We can’t even carry on a simple one-to-one transaction while checking out at the grocery store without being on some sort of “communication” device?

Has it really come to this? What is going on with us that we can’t give our full attention to the moment we are standing in? Say nothing of how incredibly rude it is to the person on

And, by the way my friends, texting while driving is the number one cause of teen deaths in America…say nothing of the thousands of others who die while texting.

FYI: The texting related death toll in Texas is

Daily Living | 26 absolutely staggering…all needless…all preventable…And, no amount of justifying or excuse making to the parents of the kids you killed will bring them back. And, I’m not sure, but if you were lucky enough to survive the crash, I don’t think that texting is something they allow in prison.

There is also another piece to this omnipresent dilemma. This lack of human contact is leading our youth into a kind of dangerous introversion where they are not able to look another person in the eye while being spoken to. An article written by Pat Christen, published in the Huffington Post, stated that her “a-ha” moment was very alarming when she realized that she had stopped looking into her children’s eyes!

Very, very sad, indeed.

We all need to get a grip and get real…with ourselves first and anyone else we care about. Instead of bitching about our jobs or any other trivialities, let’s get off our devices, look each other in the eye and have some real communication…a heartfelt conversation that holds an extraordinary opportunity to change yours or the life of someone else’s.

Okay, folks…Be a REAL trend-setter…it may come at the cost of sarcasm or ridicule, but we can create a sustainable possibility for living in real communication with one another and be the change we all wish to see in the world. And, if for some reason, my message does not move you to change, or you are not convinced of the severity of this wide-spread epidemic, I encourage you to watch an amazing You-Tube video entitled “Can We Auto-Correct Humanity”…Join me, won’t you?

Deborah Viapiana-Ricci is a Life-Style Coach and freelance columnist living in McKinney, Texas, with her husband, Wil. Please feel free to write her! Deborah@teresinas.com

27 | Medical & Aesthetics

Heart Disease in Women

By Kathryn E. White M.D.

developed comprehensive testing for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other related disease processes.

This allows a physician to make targeted recommendations for an individual based upon genetic information as well as a more thorough analysis of biomarkers and other risk factors.

The leading cause of death in women is heart disease. Because women often do not exhibit the traditional symptoms men have, heart disease in women is under diagnosed.

Historically, more research has been done on men with regard to cardiovascular disease. My practice focuses on women’s health and therefore I address heart disease in women as an area of particular concern.

Historically, physicians have used traditional lipid panels (total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, HDL “good” cholesterol and triglycerides) to determine a patient’s risk.

Over half of patients who present to the hospital with heart attacks and strokes had “normal” LDL cholesterol levels. As many as 50% of patients manifest their first sign of heart disease with sudden death! Clearly, there were risk factors present but had not been identified by the typical testing. In addition to the traditional lipid panel, analysis of lipoprotein particles adds more information and provides a more accurate predictor of risk.

What can be done to decrease risk and allow women to lead longer and more productive lives?

Testing is now available that permits identification of someone’s true risk of heart disease. Personally I can attest to the value of this individually focused assessment. I have gone through the testing as have members of my family. As a result, we have made some modifications to our lifestyle and use of supplements. I have been offering this testing to my patients for several years. I believe that early identification of risk will allow patients to modify behaviors to positively impact their lives.

New advanced biomarkers allow for earlier detection, risk reduction and even reversal of disease. Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. has

Action items to identify risk factors: Lipoprotein particles are associated with LDL and HDL cholesterol. Lipoprotein particles allow fats to be transported into the blood stream. The specific type and character play an important role.

Medical & Aesthetics| 28

There are additional tests related to heart function which allow detection of strain or damage to the heart muscle. This allows for treatment prior to any symptoms being noted.

Inflammation is an important predictor of disease.

This evaluation looks at several different markers of inflammation.

The development of plaque in the walls of our blood vessels can begin even in childhood. While the inflammatory system is activated to try and repair damage, it can further worsen disease as inflammatory plaques are unstable. They are therefore more prone to rupture resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

There are several genetic tests done to determine heart disease risk as well as risk for developing blood clots in the legs or lung. This can help determine women who would be at greater risk when using such common medications as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Testing to identify how one metabolizes folic acid is important as a defect in this pathway is often associated with depression and other cognitive disorders.

Several metabolic tests including thyroid, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels as well as indepth diabetes testing are included.

Abnormalities in any of these levels also increase the risk of developing heart disease so it is important to address them as well. Low or deficient levels of vitamin D are extremely common and treatment is as simple as taking a vitamin D supplement! Low levels have been associated with a myriad of disease processes including bone loss, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression and even breast and colon cancers.

Omega-3 index evaluation reflects nutrients in the diet that can be beneficial and decrease certain risk. Proper fish oil supplementation can help improve a variety of the inflammatory factors and lipoprotein particles.

Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. is extremely dedicated to lowering heart disease risk and improving overall health.

They also offer complimentary consultations with their Clinical Health Consultants to review your results and make specific recommendations regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation and stress reduction.

In fact, a recent independent claims analysis revealed a 41% reduction in heart attacks as well as 17% decrease in stroke and 15% decrease in diabetes complications using this testing.

What should you do?

I would encourage everyone to have this evaluation done and make a commitment to improve your health, decrease your risk and enjoy not just a longer life, but a better quality life!

Kathryn E. White MD is a Board Certified gynecologist practicing for over 20 years in the Plano/Frisco area whose practice focuses on womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health/wellness, hormone replacement therapy and weight loss. She provides surgical services at Baylor Medical Center Frisco and is also the Medical Director of Azure Med Spa in Frisco, Texas.

29 | Medical & Aesthetics

Adrenal Stress and Cortisol: What’s the connection?

By Donna S. Barsky, PharmD Cortisol is one of the hormones released by the adrenals during the stress response. Prolonged cortisol elevations, caused by chronic stress, decrease the liver’s ability to clear excess estrogens from the blood and can cause cardiovascular diseases like High Blood Pressure. Excess estrogen increases levels of thyroid binding globulin (TBG), the proteins that thyroid hormone is attached to as it’s transported through the body. It also suppresses thyroid receptor site sensitivity (It’s as if the thyroid hormone is knocking on the cell’s door, but the cells don’t answer.)

When thyroid hormone is bound to TBG, it is inactive. It must be cleaved from TBG to become “freefraction” before it can activate cellular receptors. (These free-fraction thyroid hormones are represented on lab tests as “free T4 [FT4]” and “free T3 [FT3]”.) When TBG levels are high, the percentage of free thyroid hormones drops. This shows up on labs as low T3 uptake and low free T4/T3.

Aside from adrenal stress, the most common causes of elevated TBG secondary to excess estrogen are birth control pills and estrogen replacement (i.e. Premarin).

Did you know that the thyroid and cortisol hormones have a delicate relationship and work together to make sure you have the energy you need to be healthy? When a person has hypothyroidism, supplementing with bioidentical thyroid hormone, or desiccated thyroid, will help restore proper thyroid function and resolve their symptoms. However, some patients do not respond as expected to the thyroid hormone, and still experience symptoms such as low energy, brain fog, anxiety and stress. Why aren’t they responding to treatment?

Adrenal fatigue is often the missing link. In order for thyroid hormone to raise a person’s metabolism, their adrenal glands must be functioning properly. Cortisol acts in synergy with the thyroid hormone and makes it work more efficiently. Without the necessary cortisol, patients either do not tolerate or are unable to properly convert the inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into the active thyroid hormone (T3).

The diagnosis of adrenal fatigue is often missed by mainstream doctors because medical school does not teach them about mild adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue, but rather only extreme conditions such as Addison’s disease. They are not educated about cortisol and its effects on the functions of other hormones. Many doctors treat adrenal fatigue as if it does not exist, and unfortunately, many patients have encountered this response.

Medical & Aesthetics | 30 Even mild adrenal insufficiency can impair health and should be treated. A patient’s clinical history is the best indicator of adrenal function.

Physiologic replacement doses of cortisol are safe and highly beneficial to patients with adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism.

Levels of DHEA and its derivative, DHEAS, peak in young adulthood and then begin to decline. By the age of seventy, your DHEA level may be less than a fifth of what it was at the age of twenty. In elderly adults, higher levels of DHEA correspond with better health and longevity. When blood levels are low, supplemental DHEA often enhances energy, immunity, and libido. A healthy diet is also important for anyone with adrenal insufficiency. If low blood sugar is a problem, you may find it helpful to eat several small meals during the day. Make sure to include adequate protein and reduce or eliminate refined carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol, all of which stress the adrenal glands. Nutritional supplements are also vital. You can find more on this important topic in appendix C, but for now, I want to mention one nutrient in particular that is crucial to healthy adrenal glands: vitamin C. The adrenal cortex has the highest concentration of vitamin C of all the organs in the body, and the cells of this gland use it at a higher rate than any other cells. Vitamin C enhances immunity, which is often impaired in those with adrenal insufficiency. During times of stress, our bodies excrete vitamin C more rapidly, making our need for this vitamin even greater. I advise some of my adult patients to supplement with 3,000–6,000 mg of vitamin C per day. A slow-release buffered form is best to prevent over acidity of the stomach and to ensure sustained blood levels throughout the day Here’s the tricky thing about adrenal stress: it’s almost always caused – at least in part – by something else. These causes include anemia, blood sugar swings, gut inflammation, food intolerances (especially gluten), essential fatty acid deficiencies, environmental toxins, and of course, chronic emotional and psychological stress.

When they exist, these conditions must be addressed or any attempt to support the adrenals directly will either fail or be only partially successful. With that in mind, here are some general guidelines for adrenal health:      

Avoid or at least greatly minimize stimulants Stabilize blood sugar (via a moderate or low-carb diet) Practice stress management and relaxation techniques Have fun, laugh and make pleasure a regular part of your life Avoid dietary causes of inflammation (refined flours, high-fructose corn syrup and industrial seed oils in particular) Ensure adequate intake of DHA & EPA

Specific nutrients such as phosphatidyl serine and adaptogenic botanicals likePanax ginseng, Siberian ginseng, Ashwagandha and Holy basil leaf extract are also helpful in modulating the stress response and supporting the adrenals. However, these are potent medicines and should be taken under the supervision of a trained practitioner.

If you believe that you have an issue with stress and fatigue, please, give us a call at Texas Star Pharmacy, 3033 W. Parker Rd., #100, Plano, TX 75023, 972-519-8475, and make an appointment to see our Certified Clinical Nutritionist,

31 | Medical & Aesthetics

What If All You Needed was a Transfusion?

By Julese Crenshaw When you have the rare but treatable disorder known as aplastic anemia, your marrow -- the spongy substance inside your bones -- stops making new blood cells, red and white blood cells and platelets for the body. Any blood cells the marrow does make are normal, but there are not enough of them. Aplastic anemia can be moderate, severe or very severe. People with severe or very severe aplastic anemia are at risk for life-threatening infections or bleeding. Sometimes it stops making just one type, but more often you become low on all three: red and white cells, and platelets.

It can develop slowly or come on suddenly. If your blood count gets low enough, it can be lifethreatening.

While it happens to those in their late teens and early 20’s, as well as the elderly, anyone can get aplastic anemia, male or female. There are two types: acquired and inherited aplastic anemia and a doctor will determine which you have.

Inherited aplastic anemia is causes by gene defects, and is most common in children and young adults. If you have this type, there is a higher chance of developing leukemia and other cancers, so see a specialist regularly. Acquired aplastic anemia is more common in adults. Researchers believe something triggers problems in the immune system like: certain medications, toxic chemicals, Epstein-Barr or HIV, and radiation or chemotherapy.

Symptoms depend on what type of blood cells you're low on, as each type of blood cell has a different role but you may be low on all three.   

Red cells carry oxygen around the body.

White cells fight infections.

Platelets prevent bleeding.

If your doctor can identify the cause of your aplastic anemia and get rid of that trigger, the condition may go away. But doctors can rarely pinpoint the exact cause. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants and medicines, which can prevent or limit complications, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Transfusions require careful matching of donated blood with the recipient's blood and while they help relieve the symptoms of aplastic anemia, but they're not a permanent treatment. A blood and marrow stem cell transplant replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor).

With prompt and proper care, many people who have aplastic anemia can be successfully treated. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for some people who have aplastic anemia. For healthy people a mouth swab is all that is required to be tested to donate. You could save a life. Think about it please.

Many families lose loved ones to aplastic anemia, with no matches for transfusions. So please ask questions and think about making a life-saving donation of your healthy blood. YOU could help a family!

This year Six Paige Minatrea would have been a senior at McKinney Boyd High School, walking down the aisle and on stage to receive her diploma, closing a chapter of her life and beginning a new journey.

Six, as she was called, was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia at age 4 and until she was 14, it stayed under control. However, in the summer of 2011 she was faced with needing a Bone Marrow Transplant due to bone marrow failure. Although the new marrow was successful, Six Paige developed major complications, leading to her passing.

We are asking all of our friends and family to please donate and help us make this a very special scholarship for a student to receive.

GoFundMe.com/SixPaigeMemorial In honor of Six, the Minatrea family will announce the winner of the Six Paige Scholarship Award during the Boyd Awards Ceremony in May, 2015.

Are you or do you know that extra special student at Mckinney Boyd who embodies the character, strength, and determination we all loved so much about Paige? A student that is caring, giving, loving, and has the mindset of wanting to change the world, just like Six Paige? If so, we want to meet them.

To apply, please request an application, complete and return it to: Melissa Minatrea cc: Azure Med Spa, 2840 Legacy Drive, Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 Note: Six Paige Memorial Scholarship.

Thank you for Helping Us Celebrate the Joy of Six Paige's Life and God Bless, The Minatrea Family

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35 |Motivate & Inspire

Your Ship Has Not Sailed…

By Pam Russell I am 47 years old. Not a spring chicken but also not a dead duck. I am just now coming into what I feel is my calling…in my business and, ultimately, in my life. I have been in the printing and promotional products industry for almost two decades. I have had to wrap my brain around the fact that I don’t have to do that for the rest of my life. Something I have done for almost my entire career.

I can let it go.

I can change.

There is no rule book on how long you have to keep doing something, working somewhere, making money from something. Your career. Your life. Your choice.

Friends, family and co-workers may try to dissuade you from walking a new career path. I have heard it all from people in my life. Some negative. A lot positive.

“But Bob, you have done ‘x’ for so long. You can’t change now.”

“Sue, are you crazy?? You can’t start over at 55 years old.”

I beg to differ. My response is, “I can. I will. Watch me!”

Roy Kroc (McDonald’s Founder) – sold paper cups until he was 52 years old.

Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics Founder) – sold home goods and books door to door until she was 45 years old.

Colonel Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken) launched his business at the age of 65, using his first Social Security check as his startup funds.

Motivate & Inspire | 36

Julia Child didn't even learn to cook until she was almost 40 and didn't launch her popular show until she was 50.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie books) began writing as a columnist in her 40s. Contrary to a belief begun by the TV series about her family, the popular Little House books weren't written when she was a young girl. They were written and published when the 'girl' was in her 60's!

I am a firm believer that everyone, EVERYONE, has value to bring from their own unique experience and expertise….and passion.

I’m a Purpose Strategist that includes some sales coaching along the way.

Someone asked me if I had a ‘certificate’ that qualified me to be a sales coach. My response, “I don’t have a piece of paper but I am a real life human being with a 20 year track record of sales success.”

BAM! There you go!

You can twist and turn your experience and/or your passion many different ways that can deliver happiness, success and a life you always dreamed about living!

What do you have experience in? What do you love to do? Think about it. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted every day? Right everything down and then think of ways to make a business out of it. It isn’t as hard as you might think. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

It can be done. It CAN be you!

Life is too short to feel defeated. Feel empowered by making a choice to walk a new path, set a new goal and live a new dream! The ship is in the harbor waiting to depart…with you on it!

37 | Motivate & Inspire

My Life As.. A Fire Walker!

By Laura Klekar

It has been WAY tooo long since I wrote a blog. I am sure I have dropped way down in the Google search!! A lot has happened since my last blog. I walked on fire, yep you read that right, I walked on fire. No, I did not walk barefoot over asphalt in Texas during August. I am pretty sure all the skin on my foot would seer off if I did that. No I did the fire walk at Tony Robbins 4-day event – Unleash The Power Within.

Ok, not actual fire and flames, but hot coals, ok well it was very hot ash and coals, about 1200 degrees. And yes it is life changing. I kept signing the song – I am a fire starter by Prodigy in my head. I am not an actual arsonist, I am starting a fire within to take it to the next level!!

So, let me take you back to Thursday, October 23 rd. It is a beautiful evening in Dallas, at least I think it is, I have been inside the Dallas Convention Center for about 10 hours and really have no concept of the weather or time at this point. All I know is that it is dark outside, which means it is either nighttime, or I am dreaming this whole thing…ooh…..

OK, no really, night time has fallen on Dallas this Thursday and we are heading out to do our fire walk. All 5,000+ of us. Yes about 6k people attended Tony Robbin’s event.

People flew in from all over the world. And together we walked on fire, or hot coals and ash- you say tomato, I say tomato (wait, that doesn’t really work when you type it does it???)

Back to my story AGAIN! Picture it – Dallas, Convention Center, close to 6k people clapping, yelling YES! And heading out to the parking lot where lines of grass covered with 1200 degree plus coals and ash are patiently waiting for people to walk over (hot coals/ash are surprisingly patient, I mean it was almost midnight and the coals are like, we will just sit over here being hot as hell till you get up the nerve and mindset to walk over us because of there is one thing hot coals love it is to be walked on, it is like every coals dream. Some might get to be in a BBQ, but to be a fire walk for Tony Robbins, that is the big time baby!) People stream into the area. There are drums beating in the background, it all very primal sounding, which I thought was very cool :-). Some people are excited, some are nervous, yet we are all in this together. This is a metaphor for facing your fears (a very f'ing hot metaphor). If you can walk on “fire” what else can you do? Just about anything.

Motivate & Inspire | 38

We had hours of prep with Tony. We visualized, got into state, celebrated. We. Are. Ready. I must admit, I was super excited. I am telling the truth. As soon as I saw the walks laid out, my excitement level shot through the roof. I was READY. I ended up at near the front of a line due to mistakenly thinking the guy with the glow stick was leading us to another line. Turns out he was just a guy with a glow stick walking up to his friend.

They let us get in line there, because really, who is going to complain that someone cut in front out you in line to walk on 1200+ degrees ash and coals!

It got up to be my turn quickly. I had seen people back out and people walk right over no issue, and now my turn was up and I was jazzed!! I got into State, yelled – Yes! Yes! Yes! and started walking. My first thought was – “Wow I really can’t feel anything, I can’t believe I can’t feel this!” You know what happens when you start to focus on your feet when walking over hot coals – yep that is right; you start to feel the f’ing hot coals. My last step my thought was “Shit this hot, I can felt the coals now!” Then I was done, just like that. I wiped my feet, had them hosed off and then I CELEBRATED Bitches!! I just walked on FIRE!!!! Hell Yea!!!!!

Then my right foot started to sting, and continued to sting. Turns out that when I focused on my feet and felt the bringing hot coals, I got a burn on the bottom of my right foot.

That is what you get for coming out of State and losing your focus. Your foot burns. That didn’t stop me!! Oh no!! I went home, cleaned it up, put some ointment on it, went to bed, and I never felt it again. I went back to the event the next day and I jumped around, danced, stood for several hours, and never felt my foot. Why? Because I didn’t focus on it. I focused on the accomplishment, the amazing feeling of having done the walk. I also learned that when you face your fears and tango with them, you may get burned. However, that doesn’t need to stop you. You can keep going. As long as you are alive and breathing you can keep going, keep progressing, keep kicking butt, and of course keep shaking your ASS!! (See Tony Robbins for Shake Your Ass reference ) I dedicate my business to helping people keep going after the burn, to keep up the momentum, and stay focused on what is best for them. To keep at it, kick ass, to take it to the next level and be outstanding! Are you with me? Are you being held back by fear, or have you lost your mojo, focus, momentum and motivation? You can live a profitable life, or live the status quo – which do you choose? Sign up for a complimentary Profitable Power session and keep the fire within you going strong!

I Am A Fire Walker!

Laura Klekar | Empowerment Coaching, to support women and business owners looking to boost confidence their lives and businesses. 214.966.0715, laura@empowereveryday.com, empowereveryday.com/

Home to Happiness

By DeeDee Lowder

The heart of the South Pacific, Fiji, is blessed with 333 tropical islands famous for cobalt blue waters, soft coral diving, white sand beaches and its pristine natural environment. Fiji’s underwater scenery is spectacular and some of the finest, and most accessible, dives in the Pacific can be found here. Its reputation as the ‘soft coral capital of the world’ is well justified and its countless reefs, drop-offs, walls and channels will have even experienced divers and snorkellers, ‘ohhhing’ and ‘ahhing’, into their mouthpieces. A leader in eco-tourism, Fiji, is home to happiness.

Fiji’s events calendar is loaded with festivals and celebrations to delight and inspire you.

Flamboyant cultural festivals are held throughout the year, many of which are Hindu festivals put on by the Fijian-Indian community.

There are 12 public holidays some of which feature traditional dance and other public displays.

Yachting regatta’s and music festivals are also popular, and there are regular rugby, golf and

surfing tournaments. Whether you’re into music, culture or sport, you’ll easily find something perfect for you.

Those who take their time will discover that there are ample opportunities to stretch the legs and climb a mountain, visit an orchid garden, raft down a river, soak in a hot spring or visit a village. Two islands begging for exploration are Taveuni – known as the Garden Island because of its abundant tropical growth and beautifully weathered mountains – and further south, Kadavu. Life here revolves around the church, the village, the rugby field and the garden.

Fiji is surely every beach bum’s vision of nirvana.

Palm-fringed beaches, fish-packed reefs and smiling locals: pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, these sunny isles are so warm they sizzle.

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