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7 year old Cody McCasland’s positive attitude and his closetful of legs can make anyone smile. Yes legs! His lower legs had to be amputated at the age of 15 months due to a rare condition called Sacral Agenesis, yet that has not stopped him one bit. (more…)

I went to a childbirthing class over the weekend. Lots of information - some new and some a verification of what I already knew. And some were both! (I always knew that women have to dilate 10 cms before the pushing starts, however, I had never actually SEEN what 10 cms looks like. Truly a jaw dropping moment!)

I appreciated one exercise in particular - the massage. What was interesting about THIS massage (more…)

Many of my clients would like to create more time in their lives. However, it’s not about CREATING more time, it’s about MAKING time for the important things in our life. One thing to consider are the choices that we make throughout our day. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself to help make decision making easier and to make time for the things that you want.
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Through an organization called Toastmasters, I mentor women inmates at the Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC) in communication and leadership skills. It’s amazing to see the transformations that occur with these women. During the first meeting, most are hesitant to even introduce themselves. Then after a few weeks they’re volunteering for every available speaking role and starting to enthusiastically make their way through the speech workbook.

What I find most amazing about these women (more…)

Our family pet cockatiel, Phineas, passed away a couple of weeks ago. It was sad and unexpected, yet I find comfort in knowing that he is soaring with the big birds in the sky now.

During the last two weeks however, I found that I kept hearing about death. First it was my bird, then I heard (and watched) the horrific news coming from Iran about the death of Neda Agha-Soltan. A few days later I heard about Michael Jackson’s and then Farah Fawcett’s passing. I felt sad and grief stricken with all the news.

What was going on here?!? (more…)

On a recent trip I watched “He’s Just Not That Into You” on the plane. It’s an entertaining movie with some good knee-slapping scenes and a lot of “oh no he didn’t!” moments. The movie starts off with a scene of a little girl getting knocked over by a boy at a playground. A well meaning parent chides, “It’s okay. He does those things because he likes you,” which sets off the life long challenge of misread signs, dating jerks and tolerating bad behavior. (more…)

Lately my life has been about snacking. I like to think of it as eating my 6 square meals a day. It’s fun, because I get to eat. However, it can also be tiring - thinking of portions and what to eat that’s healthy, or at least not bad for me.

Actually many studies have shown that eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day is better for you. The body is better able to metabolize food and use the energy more efficiently when “fed” throughout the day. (more…)

Fresh green peppers, savory onion, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots and organic free range chicken. . . what does that spell? A delicious, healthy and inexpensive home cooked meal!

Last night I was sick of the usual recipes, but I was also tired and hungry, so my mind wandered to Panda Express or to the closest burrito joint around. After a quick reminder of the effects this would likely have on my body - heavy bloat and an uncomfortable rock in the pit of my stomach - I decided to try a new recipe, Pollo de Olla. I scanned the ingredients (they sounded delish!), made a detour to the grocery store, picked up my to-be-assembled dinner and went home to cook.

I actually enjoy cooking, so deciding to cook wasn’t too difficult of a decision to make. However, as most of us do when we’re hungry and tired, I would have happily shoved the closest food-like substance into my mouth. What really stopped my “fast food” impulse is my soon-to-be-born child. I started thinking: What is best for him? What would be healthier? What would I want him to eat?

Isn’t it funny how we are more ready to provide self care for others rather than to take steps for our own well being?

A couple of hours later I was enjoying my home made Pollo de Olla or chicken stew. Simple, yet so scrumptious! Good for me and good for my baby.

Make Happiness Yours!
Susan

With all the media coverage of the H1N1 Swine Flu, it is certainly hard to ignore and not have the news have some kind of effect. Normally I do not scare easily, but the sense of urgency in these stories is very apparent.

Despite the danger of this potential epidemic, the fact is we can not control it.
What we CAN do, however is to control our own behavior, get educated and stay healthy.

Our immune system is absolutely amazing. The human body is naturally equipped to deal with all kinds of sickness, injury and trauma - the flu is no different. On a daily basis people come into contact with thousands of germs and bacteria a day, usually with no significant consequence. However, when our immune systems are compromised, our bodies are more susceptible to the bacteria in the environment, and we get sick. (more…)

The current economy adds an element of stress that can affect our state of mind and our attitude, which can, in turn, disrupt our own health and well being.

It’s ironic really. When we’re busy and overwhelmed with our job and work, we wish we had more time to ourselves for the things we want in life. For some, the economy has opened up time - and plenty of it. But instead of moving forward with what we want to do, urgency drives us toward what we feel we should be doing. (more…)