Where is Kristen?

Please visit my current blog at: www.healthywomen.org/blogs/wellnessinpractice

Self-Awareness

This one is a little tricky to advise on because it’s a very personal journey. Being able to look at oneself with not only understanding, but with acceptance, is a continual process. Acknowledging our human flaws, as minute or grand as they may be, and embracing them allows us to keep our downfalls from getting in the way of our success. A wise man once said to me, "Get out of your own way!"

Continually educating ourselves and climbing intellectual levels is integral to self awareness. This allows us to continually "wake up" to our current surroundings.

Another key element? Good friends or a good therapist. It’s in those long talks and hours of self-analysis and self-criticism that we often discover parts of ourselves previously unknown, feelings we didn’t know we had and an understanding of how our past plays a role in who we are today.

Being aware of oneself and our role on this earth helps clarify what’s working and what’s not, motivating us to change. Say hello to you!

Reinvent Yourself

Did you know that our bodies today are not made up of the same cells they were 30 days ago. If our bodies reinvent themselves, then our minds should be quite capable of doing the same thing, shouldn’t they?

It was the morning I woke up immobile from back pain that I knew things had to change. I had been at a corporate job, at what you would think would be an interesting gig. And it was to a certain extent, the actual job that is, minus the environment. Somehow working at a magazine where people talked to each other in hostile tones and operated at the stress level equivalent to an emergency room seemed utterly normal to me at first.

No matter how unhappy you are, there is always some comfort in what you know. That sense of security washed over me every time I entered my office, sat at my desk and turned on my computer. Morning after morning I was comforted, not only by starting each day in this same way, but in knowing that this was my success, the culmination of my professional career thus far.

It took debilitating muscle spasms in my back to kick me into action. If you pay attention to the universe, it will let you know when something isn't right for you. Are you ignoring the messages?

Wholesome Transformation

I won't apologize for missing in action (although all two of you might be angry:). I was in the process of, what I like to call, Wholesome Transformation (remember, my company name is Wholesome Evolution, so for consistency purposes...). What does that mean? Well, basically I got the hell out of dodge. That's right--Goodbye Corporate America, alpha females, off-gassing carpets, cubicles, 12-hour work days, windows that don't open, unreliable elevators, zombie commute, non-existent lunch breaks. I'll miss you cleaning staff, amazing benefits package, raises, partners in crime. Hello working in the health field, supporting a nonprofit, working from home. Stay tuned for how I went from stuck and stressed to healthy and happy. Wishing the same for you...

Stress Strategies

I know I've been missing in action for a while, but I'm back! I have completed my studies and am now officially practicing as a holistic health counselor. I have to admit that I got caught up in my high-stress corporate job and wasn't managing my stress as well as I could have been. But here are some things I learned that might help you: 1.Breathe 2.Smile 3.Get Hugs. It may seem simple, but these three things can really help, as can a good book, a cup of tea or your favorite healthy meal. So making time for these outlets is important, because when we get burnt out, we're no good to anyone else. Also, appreciate the good things in life, because focusing on the positive will in turn bring more positivity into our lives (Hey, didn't you read the Secret?)
In health and happiness...

Cloning Cows

Um, gross. Recently the FDA has moved to approve the cloning of cows for distribution to meat-eating Americans. If the thought of this alone isn't disturbing enough, there's more. Meat companies will not be required to label the cloned cow-meat as such. So, people won't be able to make an educated decision when shopping. Other than sending complaints to the FDA, what can we do? Eat organic. If you still need more convincing, just pick up the book "Fast Food Nation," or rent the film, and you'll see why organic meat is truly your best option.

Ice Cream to Get Pregnant?

Quoted from the Associated Press: "A diet rich in ice cream and other high-fat dairy foods may lower the risk of one type of infertility, a study suggests." Reality: The study this comes from, Harvards Nurses Study, inspects all factors in women's health over many years; it's not a scientific experiment where specific dietary factors are studied in isolation. It also only refers to ovulation, which is to blame for infertility only a small fraction of the time. There are plenty of studies that dairy actually contributes to infertility (especially those who are sensitive to lactose), and of course with ice cream comes loads of sugar, which will keep your blood sugar fluctuating and can cause acidification of the cervical mucus, which can become more hostile to sperm, therefore...you get it. No wonder the entire nation is confused- the media jumps on every passing bandwagon. My advice? Don't listen to the fads, the news, or even to me—listen to your body.