‘The pond froze and killed everything,” he says. “Once the pond thawed, a drought ensued and the water was used by someone for a waning farm.” He realized that we have tremendous impact upon our environment, and thus have just as much responsibility in the choices we make. With a B.A. in environmental studies, Kevin brings a passion for educating and inspiring those around him to make healthy choices, and to know what is possible.

Meet DwellGreen this Saturday at the Sarasota Naturally festival.

In our busy world, with lifestyles running in many directions, it can be difficult to know our options in sustainable building and energy efficiency. Kevin’s company is here to make it easy. They offer performance evaluations with a 200-point system, and the help does not end there. Kevin has a trusted array of service providers, all meeting the requirements DwellGreen (founded by our very own John Lambie) has created. Kevin can help you with projects small and large. He can step in and give you the latest in simple strategies to implement on your own or in collaboration with his expertise.

DwellGreen has its own software called Dwell Pro used for residential. The breaking news now is that commercial software is coming soon! The approach is practical, focusing on goals such as longevity and savings.

Kevin brings his own unique set of skills to our community. He is passionate about raising awareness, sees education as key and is able to talk about all aspects of building to people of all backgrounds. In time, he even hopes to give back by offering these evaluations to Habitat for Humanity.

Come out to Sarasota Naturally this Saturday, Nov. 10, to meet this warm approachable man. DwellGreen will be there nine companies strong! You can meander from exhibit to exhibit, observing and handling samples. Try out some of your challenging questions around environment and get ready to receive a thoughtful, personable response. Visit www.sarasotanaturally.com for all the event details.

This article is brought to you by:
*Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru. Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info
*This Week in Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. 

This is a fitting response because we have entered the home of an interior designer of two decades who pioneers a new field called “interiorology.”  Laurel’s passion is helping people connect with their homes and their hearts. She is a true master in guiding her clients in understanding and defining their relationship to their home and creating an environment that is individually life-giving.

Her career has never stopped at superficial color combinations, but has always moved into the deeper questions around understanding what our homes are for us. This is what has brought her to coin a the word “interiorology. Laurel has learned that the real discernment in creating our environment is to connect with our deeper desires, something that can be challenging for us to do in our distracted world.

Have you ever had a sense that your home is not that comfortable for you? Or perhaps a certain room does not speak to you, or becomes a hodge-podge of stuff? Or maybe you have more possessions than you care to, but don’t know how to hold on to memories and let go of clutter? Maybe you have a super active household where chaos reigns and you long to have your home reflect peace and serenity. Laurel can be a guide for you.

Laurel utilizes her experience, her training and deep reflection. She has created a system of self-discovery that is both playful and deep at the same time. In the process of finishing her first book introducing interiorology to the world, she has already begun to hold workshops and private sessions for people of all backgrounds and interests.

You can dip your toe into the refreshing well of wisdom Laurel has to offer by attending her booth at Sarasota Naturally on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This green living, holistic festival is a perfect backdrop to Laurel’s work. If you want to learn more before then, visit Laurel’s website for her personal contact information at interiorology.org.

This article is brought to you by:

- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.
- This Week in Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

Cabot cheese has won every taste award, even with their low-fat varieties such as the Light Pepper Jack at 50 percent of the fat. They know that the way to win people is through their tastebuds, so most of their marketing is done by setting up sample stations at events and festivals. They will be at Sarasota Naturally as well, showcasing their Greek-style yoghurt. With Cabot you get taste and nutrition all at the same time.

Their outreach is comprehensive. They know in our busy world it can be hard to understand good nutrition, or even how to create healthy meals. In response they channel their efforts in major ways by utilizing social media, posting recipes and nutritional information to help people lighten up. Cabot not only lets you understand what you are buying, but shares easy, fun tips on how to create delicious meals with greater nutrition. On their website they also have a “magnet” giving a substitute guide for mayonnaise, sour cream and whipping cream using their yogurt. You will find out how much to use and in what combinations it actually works.

Cabot Creamery put its money where its mouth is by offering matching grants to schools. Their monetary donations supply better nutrition to the youngest members of our society. In addition, the Girl Scouts even offer a patch for them. What do the young women need to do to obtain this patch? Not only research into calcium and bone health, but also by offering peer-to-peer education. Passing the word from friend to friend is one of the most influential, trustworthy ways to build awareness, and Cabot knows this to be true. 

Does this whet your appetite to learn more? Visit them at Sarasota Naturally, of which Cabot Creamery is a proud sponsor, on Nov. 10 to learn more firsthand by taste and conversation. With their thick, tangy Greek-style yoghurt packed with vitamin D, calcium, and double the protein of traditional yoghurts, what do you have to lose?

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.
- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

Johnna White

Johnna’s approach, evident by the store’s name evoking scenes from Peter Pan, is “playful, whimsical, and sometimes even silly,” in her own words. While life is serious, sometimes we take things too seriously and need to lighten up to refresh ourselves. “Walking into Pixie Dust will be like a journey into grandma’s attic,” Johnna shares. The air will be one of finding long-lost treasures.

On the serious side, Johnna is deeply committed to the promotion of co-existence. Items of all cultures, traditions and perspectives will be there, side by side. She will even have an entire line of vibrational products from a woman who merged her background in science and physics with natural elements that help a person heal, find peace, and more.

This 750-square-foot store will boast of a retail section and a gathering space for groups and private sessions. Johnna is also a certified hypnotherapist, helping people with smoke cessation and a variety of personal challenges. She is a recipe for success, planning on using her business experience, her trust in the universe in following her dreams, and her commitment to a vision and mission. She is new to our town, stepping immediately up to the plate of service. While her hope was to open a store like this in a few years, everything escalated as she happened upon the present location with her supportive husband after a downtown dinner. “The details just fell into place synchronistically,” she says in a lively tone.

You can visit her at Sarasota Naturally, happening on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. On the same day, take a short walk through the doors of her store, a new gathering place where you will find something ancient and something new.

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.
- This Week in Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

Diego Malatesta (R) and Ambrish Piare of Ivory Lounge and Sangria.

“If we work together, we will create more business,” says Diego Malatesta, general manager of Ivory Lounge and Sangria Tapas Bar of downtown Sarasota. Diego has always loved the feel of a vibrant downtown where people of all ages go to enjoy the stores, restaurants and each other as community. His passion is to help build that type of community here in Sarasota where nightlife and affordable prices go hand in hand.

My first encounter with Diego impressed upon me his personal graciousness and driving optimism. As the director of our local green living, health and wellness festival Sarasota Naturally, I met him on my first round of meeting merchants to have them sign the form that lets me close the street. Eyeing his lounge that opens at 5 p.m., the thought of having musicians in there during the day popped into my head. I opened the idea to Diego, and without a moment’s hesitation he said, “Of course, that is a great idea!” So during the event on Nov. 10, attendees can enjoy the shade of the lounge, rest upon yoga mats and blankets and relax to some of our top musicians of didgeridoo, flute, crystal and Tibetan bowls and gong. Diego sees the event as a great community builder for his own vision for downtown.

With a degree in animal science, Diego’s savvy business skills might surprise you — but this native Peruvian is all heart, and is, in his own words, “here to stay.” Diego works with Sangria and Ivory’s owner, Ambrish Piare, to reach out to our community by participating in the Suncoast Community Foundation and the supporting breast cancer survivors.

If you have never been to Sangria, you will be in for a real treat. Boasting delectable tapas and fine Spanish wine, the restaurant’s ambience can be exactly what you desire, from family friendly to sweetly romantic. The warm Latin colors and comfortable seating make it a pleasant place all around. Ivory, in contrast, gives us a taste of something new and something young with its Miami-style couches outside and the backlit bar in the wide open dance space. Take a look at the exciting events happening there weekly!

Ivory, Sangria and almost all downtown restaurants and stores have stepped forward to participate in Sarasota Naturally by offering healthy menu items and 10 to 20 percent off purchases in the stores during the day! Even Wet Noses will give pet treats and Happy Feet Plus will have storewide giveaways! Once the music starts up on Lemon Avenue, Salute!will be selling bruschette (2/$3) and a veggie pasta ($8) on their part of the street for you to enjoy through the evening. A community drawing together …

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturallyand Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.
- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

Photo courtesy of Natural Health and Wellness of New England.

Raindrop therapy massage — the very name throws you into images of nature. When I first heard the name I imagined cascades of water rushing down the side of a mountain … well, perhaps not quite that dramatic, but at least it conjured up a picture of round drops of moisture poised upon large tropical leaves, ready to drop to earth.

Yet Charlotte Warn, LMT, tells us that raindrop therapy uses essential oils, not water. Oils are for plants what blood is for our body, and the essential oils extracted from plants can offer powerful healing effects to our body for an entire host of reasons. They stimulate tissue growth and the nervous system, and help to bring the body back into structural and electrical alignment. The technique can be used with many different types of massage. 

So what do the oils affect? They release toxins from the body, such as viruses and bacteria. They boost the immune system and even help bone health. It is a detoxifying system. When particular concerns are brought to the practitioner, the oils can be tailored to create a perfect formula for each person.

And how does it work? The oils are applied in a unique fashion. They are not put into the palm of the massage therapist’s hands to be rubbed into the body. Instead, they are literally dropped, like raindrops, onto the body from about six inches above the spine. This is so the first contact is strictly between the oil and the receiver, allowing the body to respond without distraction from the healing properties.

After the oils have been dropped, the therapist then steps in with hands to facilitate the process by moving the oil to helpful spots upon the body. Some use a technique called “vita-flex.” It is a simple motion of the fingertips rolling and releasing upon reflex points. From there an electrical charge is spurred, traveling upon the body’s nerve path until it reaches the blocked place (usually caused by toxins or damage). In addition, hot compresses are sometimes used to assist the release of healing properties in the oil.

Get a first-hand taste by meeting Charlotte at Sarasota Naturally, Nov. 10 on downtown Main Street! 
 

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.Visit kimberlybraun.com for more information.
- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

I walk into the waiting room of Thrive and am greeted by soothing colors, comfy pillows and a trickling wall-mounted stone fountain. What is this place of respite from heat and traffic? It is the office of two naturopathic physicians. We are getting ready to interview one of them, Dr. Jessica Lipham, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Naturopathy. The very office tells my senses much about the style of medicine of which we are about to learn. With raw herbs in large glass jars, loose Chinese teas filling shelves, vegan cookbooks on the counter next to burning aromatherapy candles, we are definitely in a unique place for health and wellness. Even the woman at the front desk exudes joy and ease, sure to set anyone entering the office with stress into a place of reassurance.

Dr. Jessica Lipham

The medicine of naturopathy, like nature itself, is a weaving of many interdependent elements into a creative plan honoring the unique history of each patient. The primary principle upon which the system is built is, “First of all, do no harm.” The medical approach reinforces the belief that the body has within itself all it needs to create health, and naturopathy works in harmony with this innate ability, enhancing it, finding it, and repairing it.

What does that all mean? It doesn’t sound very concrete, does it? Yet, it is….

A licensed naturopathic physician (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.

Your first appointment with Dr. Lipham will likely surprise you. Ushered into a sunlit sitting room and offered a tea of your choice, you can relax into conversation for about two and a half to three hours as you share your history, your present needs and your hope for the future. With you as a respected participant in the diagnosis and the treatment, Dr. Lipham will assess what you have shared and create an integrative plan. Working with nutrition, supplements, lifestyle and various therapies (such as acupuncture, cupping, craniosacral and more,) Dr. Lipham will show herself to be a true advocate for your health. They can even order traditional tests and scans as needed and ask you to bring any records or medications you presently have.

In the office of Thrive you will not only find private session rooms, but also a yoga/workshop space with a soft wood floor, mats, pillows and sheer curtains to provide a community approach to your growth in understanding the body and how to care for it. How interesting it is that we need skills to understand something as close to us as ourselves, yet it remains true.

Check out Thrive’s website or visit them on Nov. 10 at the fifth annual Sarasota Naturally.

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.

- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

Why Zija? In 1998, Marcia suffered from terrible arthritis, leading her to take numerous medications for 13 years. She met a distributor of Zija and tried it. Within a few months Marcia was medication free. This compelling story has sparked her own heart:

“My life of pain seemed pretty hopeless and progressive in intensity, and I hate to see people in that same circumstance. There is a healing, natural botanical that can help them, rather than just mask the pain or symptoms.”

The discovery of Zija happened pretty unassumingly by Ken Brailsford, considered to be the father of herbal encapsulation. Where did he learn about it? From a documentary on the Discovery Channel! The program was dynamic and compelled him to start asking questions of chemists, pharmacologists and more. Eventually discovery and research produced results.

Marcia points out, ‘Since it is all natural, it gives to us what our food oftentimes fails to give — that is, nutrition.” Nutrition gives our bodies what we need to maintain health and bring healing. Marcia boasts of her grandchildren using Zija daily and what advantages they derive from it.

Why wait to discover this alive product? In a world where learning is made easy by the internet, you can visit Marcia’s site. She is also a proud sponsor of Sarasota Naturally, our local green living festival. Come visit her on November 10 in downtown Sarasota.   

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru, Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info
- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

The mission of Macy’s Pest Control, from John to present owner Dean Burnside, reads as following:

Our Purpose is to represent Jesus Christ to the Gulf Coast by providing peace of mind at a fair price, protecting our environment as the leader in green pest management, and serving others with excellence in all we do.

In warm, gregarious tones, John told me how they put it into practice.

First of all, you care about the type of service you offer to your customers. Macy’s does this by keeping in stride with the latest in organic products. John clearly knew his stuff: He explained the unique invasion patterns of four different types of roaches (American, Australian, Brown-bandid and German) and two types of termites (subterranean and dry wood), and how Macy’s protects homes from each of these insects. He also happily told me that when Dupont put out the first “no-risk” liquid pesticide for termites, called Altriset, Macy’s was the first company to buy it. 

This is true care for family, for pets and for the environment. Macy’s success with Altriset was so great, Dean is a national spokesperson for the product.

“Altriset has optional eye and skin wash on the label and requires no protective clothing; and best of all,” John beamed, “it actually works!”

Caring also involves hearing the needs of the local people. John endearingly refers to Sarasota as “the tree-hugging capitol of Florida,” explaining that people here are chemically sensitive and environmentally conscious, pushing the need for alternatives.

According to John, this type of industry excellence requires that you “stay on target with the green industry,” which is a second way they put their mission into practice; that is, to build people’s awareness by your own expertise. Clearly John is an expert; he could even explain to me how Altriset works non-agressively with the calcium receptors of the little bugs.

The third way Macy’s models their mission is by caring for their employees by creating a helpful, flexible, family-friendly business. The cookie-cutter approach to job demands finds no place in this company.

John Macy has personally brought character and vision to Macy’s through his own adventurous spirit. After founding the company in 1989 and selling it to Dean in 1998, he took on even more challenges through a personal truck stop ministry. Dean later invited John back to Macy’s as an ambassador helping in sales. There is no better man to reach out to new customers, for John combines true sincerity and care with in-depth knowledge. You will also be surprised at how much you will share with him; to shake his hand is to become his friend.

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru.

Macy’s proudly sponsors Sarasota Naturally. Come out and learn more from John and Dean about their Go Green Plus 3 treatment plan for your own home. Or visit www.macyspestcontrol.com to begin your education right now!  

This article is brought to you by:
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info.
- This Week in Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

She explains what this looks like in practice. For one, each store gets to know the needs and desires of their customers. The Stickney point store caters to those specialty-foods-loving vacationers eager for a nice picnic or quick bite as they relax at the beach; while the Bahia Vista store stocks items that are more cost-effective for the local demographic of young middle-class families and the Amish community. This goes all the way down to types of cheese, and suits shoppers who will be buying large quantities of healthy sandwich slices for work and school lunches.

Earth Origins goes much further than this when it comes to caring about the community. Grobhofer’s store participates in autism outreach and awareness, and placed a table outside the store educating people about the “truth in labeling” legislation; both these initiatives are a direct result of affected families who shop with them. Imagine that—your local food provider stepping up to the plate for your own cause!

Earth Origins’ staff members model a great sense of community. With guiding principles such as “Respect, Mentorship, Commitment and Involvement,” they hold a high ideal for themselves. This is revealed in the extensive training for new employees and the ease with which each member is encouraged to envision the role they would like to have over time. While Grobhofer’s part-time position fit her schedule working with a holistic chiropractor and as a personal trainer, she quickly saw herself bringing all her talents fully on board.

Come out to get to know Earth Origins at this year’s Sarasota Naturally Festival on Nov. 10 in downtown Sarasota. You will get much more than fun food and product samples; you will get a taste of personal care, too! If you can’t wait until then, pinpoint the Earth Origins location nearest you at www.earthoriginsmarket.com.

Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru

This article is brought to you by:  
- Kimberly Braun, Empowerment Guru and Director of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest. Visit kimberlybraun.com for more info. 
- This Week In Sarasota, a media sponsor of Sarasota Naturally and Celebrate Wellness Fest.

The festival is the fruit of my own discovery upon moving to Sarasota in 2006. I wanted everyone to get a taste of what I was finding and what better way than to have a super big party, inviting everyone! This is Celebrate Wellness, and this is ALL ABOUT YOU.

There is another reason the festival exists, it is the fruit of my own passion for meditation and contemplative practice. How can a big party be the fruit of a practice involving silence and stillness? The connection that can be discovered in stillness is the ground on which my festival exists and this quality of living is the hope I hold for each person who participates, including myself.

As my life’s work I have found it to be one of the most accessible, transformational tools for growing in health on all levels. So for this last article before the festival we shine a spotlight on Meditation and contemplative practice as an option for our health and wellness. Two free evenings were offered at Prana Yoga Center by Joy Yackley on gong and myself, as a way of uniting and grounding the preparation for Celebrate Wellness, along with setting an intention for a power-packed weekend- THIS WEEKEND, March 10-11, 10am-6pm at Phillippi Estate Park, www.celebratewellnessfest.com.

But for now, let’s stop a moment and consider meditation and such practices as a worthy choice for your own growth.  Let’s take a short look at meditation, and the simplicity of it all.

That word alone might make you say, “What is so SIMPLE about meditation?!” On one level you are right, since there seem to be as many types and methods of meditation as there are meditators. And with meditation becoming a buzz-word in the self-help circles there are quite a few different definitions as well. For some people meditation might be ‘quieting the mind;’ for others it might be ‘moving away from the mind;’ and for those attempting to practice meditation there is the inevitable experience of the ‘monster mind that terrorizes without end!’

Having said all of this, the conclusion might simply be that there is NOTHING SIMPLE about meditation.

This conclusion would be an unfortunate error, and could quite possibly lead you to give up, avoid, fear, mistrust, agonize over, dread or procrastinate opening the door to meditation….but meditation is as simple and joyful as spending time with your closest friend-you know, the one who really understands your head and heart.

Let’s begin by embracing a definition broad enough and deep enough to touch upon the many diverse explanations out there.  Allow yourself to think of meditation in these or similar phrases:

‘A practice or opening to Awareness’

‘A coming home to your Self’

‘A communing in One-ness’

‘A resting in stillness, peace, truth or love’

Now, think back to a moment, recent or distant, in which you lost yourself in some unfolding beauty. Maybe it was a sunset or a special moment with a friend. Whatever the instant allow yourself to revisit it now. If you can, taste the harmony and the peace. In these deep moments we lose the boundaries our minds have created and we merge within ourselves and with everything around us. There is definitely a sense of timelessness, isn’t there? THIS is reality, or at least a fuller reality than the level on which most of us live each day. In this deeper reality is the fullness of wisdom, the source of all our power and the presence of unconditional love. Now REMEMBER- you have tasted it many times in your life, and most probably the experience was unplanned and instantaneous.

If you can think of one time you dwelt on this level, you can easily begin to live on this level more and more each day. Imagine living your day with energy and peace and joy regardless of your circumstances.  Meditation is one of the most effective tools for this end. A commitment to some constant practice will, without fail, bear fruit in your life even if you don’t see it or feel it immediately. This will happen even if you give only

10-15 minutes a day. Every one of us has 10-15 minutes to give regardless of how busy we are.

Now that we have a working definition and a small commitment to the practice we can move to the challenges you may incur. This is the step that may lead you to say, ‘I just can’t meditate!’ and throw your arms up in frustration. This is a natural response and you are normal to think it, just don’t listen to the message!

Here are the two most common challenges I encounter as I work with others:

1. Our minds absolutely, positively will not stop going on and on and on…
2. Many feelings of anger, fear, judgment, etc…come out of nowhere

If these or other challenges happen to you, remember you are okay! You are not regressing, you are actually progressing. Following are a few helpful tips to bear in mind:

1.‘Give up battling the mind with the mind’

I am not sure who said it that way first, but spiritual writers of all ages give us this advice. What does it mean? Our minds have set-up a construct of reality based upon our experiences and conclusions. Motivated largely by this construct, the inner dialogue reigns supreme as our minds continue to figure out what we need to do to achieve or safeguard our idea of reality and our place of safety in this reality. Once we open the door to a deeper consciousness our minds will either be afraid we are losing contact with reality and try to exert control…or just keep chattering because it doesn’t know how to stop.

If we try to force the mind to be quiet we are really acting on the level of our mind. What we want to do is shift our attention from our mind altogether, just don’t give it any fuel! I like to picture my mind as a wild medusa man or woman jumping outside my window. I let him/her do their thing while I focus on the warmth of my home. Laugh at your mind if you can since you are not losing reality but gaining a deeper reality. Deep within yourself is such amazing strength and love, you deserve to tap into the wealth already at your disposal. The last thing you want is your own mind to take you away from all that you deserve.

 2.  Accept yourself unconditionally

Practices in meditation give our deeper selves the chance to exhale, which will begin to release all the hidden parts of this life or many lifetimes. When our hidden parts bubble to the surface-rejoice! The more that comes into your consciousness the more you can release and transform them. Ultimately all these hidden, perhaps shadow or dark, parts will serve to bless you. They are an important part of your journey into Wholeness. Embrace yourself and stop judging yourself. In doing this, you release the power deep within you that will lead you to healing and freedom. It is not easy to accept ourselves unconditionally but this is a non-negotiable step to live in abiding peace.

3. Do what you can, not what you can’t

Learn what works for you. There are many types of meditation out there. Explore and note what works. A sign of what works is a growing in peace, an enjoyment of the time and a clearer mind. There is not one better way to practice meditation. Sound or chant, time in nature, imaginative meditation, breathing, and focusing are a few of the many types available to you. Join a group or choose a trained spiritual director to help you. I have had a spiritual director/companion for years and this has sped up my own growth tremendously. At times we encounter blocks, they need not become barriers for years, and a trained director can help you.

4. Live consciously

Begin to make small choices to live in awareness throughout your day. You could do one task with attentiveness like washing dishes, folding laundry, or eating lunch. You could choose to be present to five people you meet each day. Another option is to take a five minute walk and let your eyes scan the earth as you walk to notice what is there. Once something strikes your fancy, let yourself stay with it for as long as it lasts. Begin to choose a healthy diet, or a little exercise, or even giving your body the amount of rest it needs at night. The choices are endless.

These are only a few beginning reflections on meditation. The practice has been integral to my own life since the age of five so I am a wholehearted advocate for its transformative power. We go through life largely unaware, though Life is continuously unfolding. In some small way, Life could be likened to a sunrise. The sun is going to rise whether we are present for it or not…its being remains an invitation, and such is Life. In our deepest sense of Self, we are becoming and unfolding with great power and beauty, whether we are present or not…why not accept the invitation to be present?

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*Regina DeWitt and Prana Yoga Center. Check out their great classes and treatments: www.pranayogasarasota.com

*Joy Harnam Kaur Yackley, has a local hypnosis and healing arts practice. She shares her passion for Kundalini Yoga teaching a weekly donation based community class at Rising Tide. Joy offers monthly gong meditations at Prana Yoga Center and other locations. She is a Reiki Master and certified Kundalini Yoga, Qi gong, and living on live foods instructor.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4GHd-3uFe0

www.facebook.com/people/Joy-Harnam-Kaur-Yackley/1031364223

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me,) your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, YOUR happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

This is a fitting response for Stephen McFadden and me, because we have entered the home of an interior designer of two decades who is pioneering a new field called “interiorology.”  Laurel Phipps’ passion is helping people connect with their homes and their hearts. She is a true master in guiding her clients in understanding and defining their relationship to their homes and creating an environment that is individually life-giving.

Her career has never stopped at superficial color combinations, but has always moved into the deeper questions around understanding what our homes are for us. This is what has brought her to coin the term “interiorology.” Laurel has learned that the real discernment in creating our environment is to connect with our deeper desires—something that can be challenging for us to do in our distracted world.

Have you ever had a sense that your home is not that comfortable for you? Or perhaps a certain room does not speak to you, or becomes a hodge-podge of stuff? Or maybe you have more possessions than you care to, but do not know how to hold on to memories and let go of clutter? Maybe you have a super-active household where chaos reigns and you long to have your home reflect peace and serenity? Laurel can be a guide for you.

Laurel utilizes her experience, her training and her deep reflection. She has created a system of self-discovery that is both playful and deep at the same time. In the process of finishing her first book introducing interiorology to the world, she has already begun to hold workshops and private sessions for people of all backgrounds and interests.

You can dip your toe into the refreshing well of wisdom Laurel has to offer by attending her keynote talk at Celebrate Wellness Fest taking place at Philippi Estate Park March 10-11 from 10am-6pm. Check out her time slot by visiting the schedule of events. Her talk is appropriately titled ‘Interiorology: Home, Heart and You.’ But if you want to learn more before then, visit Laurel’s website for her personal contact information: www.interiorology.org.

- This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me), your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, you happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

It felt great, the whole mystery of it: the fact that someone could hit a part of me and I would automatically respond.

Maybe you were not as fascinated by the rubber hammer as a child; maybe it provoked a bit of trepidation that this nice doctor was going to hit you—but have you ever thought about it? What is a reflex, anyway? If it is important to see that we have them active within us, perhaps the same principle could be applied to a whole body of holistic care.

You would not be the first to think this; in fact, the use of reflexes as a way to stimulate health in the body has been around for a very long time. Archaeology has found murals of ancient reflexology medical practices in Egypt as early as 2330 BCE and other places such as Japan and China. It has not been until recently—that is, the 19th century or so—that it formalized into a systematic practice. Pavlov’s studies on reflex and fight-or-flight were highly influential, and America adapted practices in the early 1900s. It was around 1938 that Dr. William Fitzgerald developed a system of what is called “reflex areas.”

In reflexology the feet and hands are believed to carry an entire map of each part of the body, and when pressure is exerted upon specific points, the coinciding part of the body is believed to be affected.

You need to experience it to really get a sense. When Elaine Koelmel was working on my feet in the video here, she found that the sides of both feet (corresponding to my lower back) were very tender. Her observation from simply touching my feet was that my lower back needed a little TLC, and she was right. I had not told her I was sore before we began, but my feet sure did! In applying pressure to these tender points she stimulated the reflex to my lower back. How cool is that? We can work on areas in need without even touching them. My Reflex touched, Revealed my need, and was used to Restore wellness to my back.

There are many reasons our feet and hands can be used to create health in the body, but one of them (the one linked to Pavlov’s theories) says that pressure sensors in the feet and hands are a part of the body’s reflexive response that makes possible the “fight or flight” reaction to danger. Feet ready to flee and hands ready to fight communicate with the body’s internal organs—think adrenal glands—to make possible either eventuality. The perception of pressure by the feet and hands taps into the reflex network that makes possible our every move. Reflexology, consistently applied, provides an exercise of these pressure sensors and thus a conditioning of the internal organs to which they are inextricably tied.

Elaine will be giving an interactive talk at Celebrate Wellness Fest called “Meet Your Feet.” Not only will she introduce you to basic reflexology, but you will walk away with your own foot chart and specific techniques you can use on yourself at home, or on a lucky loved one. Be sure to visit the website and check out her presentation time. The festival, brimming with live music and overloaded with free health treatments, classes and talks is just around the corner: March 10-11 at Phillippi Estate Park.

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me), your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, YOUR happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

If we learn prevention, we will live a long, healthy and productive life.

Carolyn Waygood surely lives her last name. She is all about helping people along the way of good. One role she takes is that of a coach. Coaches abound nowadays, helping us in all sorts of fun ways. Maybe it is insight on getting organized, or perhaps it is creating a large vision of our lives and a game plan for carrying it out … but have you ever heard of a coach that is for a specific part of your body? They exist as well.

Carolyn is a breast health coach; she is fired up to increase awareness, education and prevention of breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today. She talks about details we may not know, such as the different types of estrogen and how they effect us. She reveals facts that are not common knowledge, like the effect of wearing bras for long periods of time.

Have you ever heard of using a thin, double-layered polyeurethane filled with a thin layer of lubricant to conduct your own breast check? It allows your fingers to be a magnifying glass. And with 1 out of 8 (close to 7) women being diagnosed yearly with breast cancer, and over 400,000 dying this year, who wouldn’t want to know more about easy options? Easy options are part of the reason that deaths through breast cancer have decreased since 1985. Turning to Carolyn is a great place to begin your own education.

What might really pique your interest is that there are facts and myths around breast cancer that are not readily shared with you. Yes, you are not completely “in the know.” Carolyn’s talk at Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012 shares about 21 of these facts and myths. You can get the inside story with her. Check her out on her Celebrate Wellness Fest presenter page. Visit her website, and be sure to mark her presentation time on your calendar when you join us for our community -building health festival on March 10-11 at Phillippi Estate Park!

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me,) your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, YOUR happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

- Data for this article sourced from BetterBreastCheck.com and The Breast Site.

Isn’t it amazing how something so integral to our lives can go without any reflection? And not just in the case of being a donor. Who among us ever thinks about the coursing of blood within our veins during the day, or the heart that so faithfully and mysteriously pumps without pause? Unless we have a condition or experience pain, our thoughts more often remain rooted in the events outside ourselves.

In ages past, blood was a common part of the language and attitudes in the culture. It was seen as a deeply symbolic representation of life, and in some cases of spirit. While we still use phrases such as “recovering from a broken heart” or “working with all one’s heart” (as though any of us could literally work without our hearts), we tend to compartmentalize our relationship to our blood by keeping it neatly within the medical realm.

Donating blood is an opportunity to think about it on many levels. First, we can think about the need there is for blood for our fellow humans. Every two seconds someone needs blood, and this translates to a need of 44,000 units daily. One pint can save three lives. What I find extremely compelling about the need for blood is that less than 38 percent are able to give blood out of all of us. This means if we are able, why aren’t we doing it?

There are more ways to allow the donating of blood to perk our thoughts; after all, most people will confess that their philanthropic choices in life help themselves as much as the beneficiary. Blood is a reminder of our connection to each other. On a cellular level it brings in the new/healthy and carries away the old/toxic. How efficient is that?! One stream accomplishes health in what may seem to be two different directions.

It reminds us then not only of our connection to each other, but also that the varying circumstances and flow of our lives can serve us, both in what seems positive and what seems negative. There is also the reminder when we get down to the bare essentials (blood is one of them), that life is pretty simple. It may be decorated with all sorts of bangles and bells, but the essence is deep, enduring, and straightforward. All of us wish for “life” in the fullest sense of the word.

So, what is your reason for not giving blood? Mine was the first one. Jayne Giroux speaks on behalf of the Suncoast Community Blood Bank in the video below, letting us know they cannot do it without us. In fact, if you go to the SCBB website you can see the level of need for each type, the places where the bloodmobile can be found or even see how to host a drive, just like Hotel Indigo (in the video) does with devotion and regularity. If you want to find out when the bloodmobile will be at Hotel Indigo or other ways they support the community you can call (941) 487-3800 or visit them at 1223 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 34236.

In six weeks you can learn more or donate as the bloodmobile opens its doors during  the 2012 Celebrate Wellness Fest. This event will be a spectacular interactive experience at Phillippi Estate Park from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on March 10 and 11. With all sorts of free health tests, mini-treatments, presentations by health experts, workshops, great food, local musicians (14 of them!) a kid’s zone and all-day drawings giving away lots of services, you can follow your visit to the bloodmobile with a day of fun.

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me), your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, your happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion.

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

Holly Dykema’s husband is a stroke survivor. The initial devastation let her experience firsthand, the challenge of creating a new way of life, and even more so, the lack of support around her to know how to make the best of things and move forward on all levels.  Finding limited resources spurred her to create them herself, and not only for herself, but for ALL stroke survivors, caregivers and anyone interested in learning more about this traumatic event.

It doesn’t always have to be a catastrophe, Holly realized.  Awareness can be the best tool, especially in the case of stroke.

Knowing signs, symptoms, prevention and action steps can greatly influence the final outcome. Even though it is in the top five leading causes of death, 80% of strokes are preventable through simple modifications and 85% are treatable.

For instance, smoking increases your risk significantly. For the ones inhaling they quadruple their risk, and for those standing around them, breathing in that second hand air the risk is doubled! This is clear cut research that can lead us to better choices. The website Holly and friends created is chock full of helpful tips, personal stories, insightful research, and direct contact information for all the questions you might have. All for you, free to view, visit www.strokefl.org and empower yourself through awareness. You are not alone, and the Stroke Association of Florida wants to be sure you know it through their outreach.

Holly will be a keynote presenter at Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012, happening March 10-11 of 2012. Check out the website at: www.celebratewellnessfest.com to mark your calendar for her time slot, and for all the other juicy presenters.

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me,) your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, YOUR happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.

The Twists of Chiropractic

Life experiences, as small and subtle as they can be at times, fuel larger decisions such as where to live, what career path to take, and with whom we desire to build a relationship, just to name a few. Dr. Christopher Bretz is no exception. His choice to be a chiropractor comes from the inspiring example of his eagle scout troupe leader who was himself, a chiropractor. Even though chiropractic has been around for a long time, I am sure his personal role model was still considered on the fringes of supported health care options 20 years ago.

This is no longer the case. It seems chiropractic, covered by many insurance policies today, acts as a bridge between the branches (erroneously named I believe,) of mainstream and alternative medicine.

When you think of the practice, first thoughts floating into your mind could be the force with which you are adjusted, yet chiropractic is anything but aggressive. Laying on a table, the spinal expert will confidently twist you in one direction or the other, sometimes isolating certain parts of your back and giving a quick, sharp jolt. This jolt brings a vertebrae, or part of your spine, into alignment.

These manipulations are directed to open the flow in your spine so that YOU can bring yourself back into healthy balance. They are a stepping stone to better blood, nerve and oxygen flow, giving relief to muscles working hard to cope with the ways you are out of alignment and reducing inflammation.

Bretz chiropractic is an amazing office. Tucked away in a small corner of a Publix plaza near Honore and Clark, it has an unassuming look. Who would think he has a cutting edge imaging machine (with the lowest radiation possible,) to get a good look at your spine? And a class IV Laser using wavelengths of light to aid in spinal decompression (if you have ever had a bulging or herniated disc, carpel tunnel, myofascial discomfort or even tennis elbow, this would be a ticket of relief for you!)

Christopher Bretz knows that our health is largely in our hands, so as he helps you with his expertise and equipment, he also teaches you how to strengthen yourself in a room devoted to stretching and specifically targeted exercises.

Who knew chiropractic could be so life giving? If you haven’t tried it, you do not know what you are missing. Bretz Chiropractic will be present at Celebrate Wellness Fest on March 10-11, 2012 for you to try out (www.celebratewellnessfest.com;) but if you do not want to wait, visit www.sarasotapainreliefnow.com/ or call 921-2225.

This Empowerment Guru segment is brought to you by:

*Stephen McFadden, professional filmmaker. Hire him today for your own promotional or creative project. For all the details visit: www.mcfaddencreative.com.

*This Week In Sarasota, a proud sponsor of Celebrate Wellness Fest 2012

*Kimberly Braun, M.A. (that’s me,) your hostess. As creator of Celebrate Wellness and professional meditation coach, YOUR happiness, your health, your peace and your empowerment are my passion. Check out my own website at www.kimberlybraun.com

Something you would like me to cover here? Email questions and ideas to: info@celebratingwellnessfest.com.