You are used to me writing about health – food, relationships, supplements, alternative treatments. You may not know that I’ve studied energy healing for over 15 years, working with energy of the body, auric fields, energy as it relates to relationships and even our homes. So, I’m starting a 12 week series of blog posts relating to this fascinating topic and how it affects all areas of our health including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual and relational. Energy is a force of life and a God-given instrument to enhance our wellbeing. The posts will go live by each Tues of the week until mid-October! So, join in regularly and post your experiences so we can all learn from each other.
You may have heard of energy fields, auras, chakras or meridians that correlate to your bodysystems in Eastern medicine. We’ll look at all of these aspects and the energy of your emotions, thoughts, foods and more. There are little tricks in the home you can do to increase positive energy, as well as energy tune-ups for increased health and wellness. I’ll talk about how to protect your energy (from negative people or places) and how to project your energy. This is information that will help you feel better, handle stress and life better and potentially heal from long-standing issues that have been “in your energy field” that you will now be able to release. There’s no voodoo involved, or strange & wacky ceremonies. Just great energy information to assist you on your life’s journey. See you next Tuesday!
Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category
12 Week Energy Series Kickoff!
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010Dream a BIG Dream
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010Are you holding on to a dream that you’ve had for years? Are you reaching for that dream or letting it be idle in your mind? It’s easy to get discouraged and let a dream fade, but that’s not what dreams are for. I believe we are called to pursue our dreams as part of our life’s work – an answer to the soul’s calling. Some dreams may seem out of reach, but often we can get closer than we ever thought with just a little effort, creative thinking and support.
I’m dreaming a big dream and need your help!!
Oprah is producing a new reality show on her debut network, OWN. It’s a show for TV hosts that will air Jan 2011. I’ve entered the competition and need a severe amount of votes! If you have 3-5 minutes of time, please view and vote for my audition on Oprah by clicking here? You can vote as often as you like, or make comments! The votes don’t tally immediately, but they DO count.
What are you dreaming? Sometimes going for our dreams means asking people for help. It can feel difficult or embarrassing to do this, but I don’t believe we are meant to do this life alone…we need people’s support. Share your dream today with a loved one or a new friend. You never know how you will get there, or if it will look as you imagined, but all you can do is try. Believe me, the journey during the ‘try’ is worth more than a million moments of ‘not trying.’ This way, there is no failure – only success!!
I’ve been in pursuit of my dream since I was a small, small child and feel grateful for the achieved milestones. Now I’m reaching higher for ‘My OWN Show’ and I sincerely appreciate your help!! It takes a village to raise a child, and, launch a big dream…
The will to live
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010There’s nothing that clarifies life more than death.
When people we love pass away, it’s typical to go through a grieving period for the loss of their earthly presence. I believe we also go through a spiritual emergency regarding the life we are or are not living. For a certain time we may question what we didn’t say, haven’t done, aren’t doing or even what we are doing. The presence of death seems to spark this kind of character review and actions taken… or not.
What are we doing here, anyway? We don’t want to die, but are we really living? This is a large topic, larger than a simple blog entry, but one that makes me think of a common word in the English vocabulary: will. As I ponder life and living, this word ‘will’ seems one that is vastly overused, yet generally misappropriated.
Here are a few definitions of WILL: a decree, a determination by choice, a futuristic intent, a legal document declaring the disposal of property after death.
If I had to put all of my money on the table, although the pile wouldn’t be high, I’d bet that the most used translation of the word ‘will’ would be “a futuristic intent.” Of course, it’s appropriate to have a will and an intention. The problem with this overly used word is that it keeps us out of the present and always in another time-zone, one that hasn’t happened yet and probably “never will.” We can’t predict the future, nor should we constantly expend energy on something that is not actually even real. Most intentions, except the tangible ones such as “I will turn the light off” never turn out like our vision in the first place. If we have an intention of moving to California, we can fulfill the actual packing and moving, but the vision of our intention – the smells, experiences, feelings are never as we had envisioned. Think about it – the amount of time we spend dwelling on, worrying about or planning for some unknown happening consumes the majority of most people’s day. Even our hopes and current desires are wrapped around this notion of ‘will’. How can we live a life of happiness and peace when we are not even living a life of actual reality? This is a powerful realization which prompts the awareness to remove the ‘will’ and live in the now.
When the ‘will’ becomes ‘am’ then the mind becomes aligned with the body and spirit and health is created. Examples: “I will lose weight.” “I am loosing weight.” “Someday I will take dance classes.” “I am dancing!” “I will call her back tomorrow.” “I am calling her right now.” “Before I die, I will travel South Africa.” “I am booking my flight to South Africa.”
As a matter of fact, however positive the will to do something is, it’s not worth anything until it is done. This begs the question, “What are you waiting for?”
I know we can’t do everything in one single moment, but to understand that you are only doing what you are doing right now, and nothing more, is an awakening to the present that allows a life to be lived deeply – richly, with no regrets. It returns the reality of your life right before your very eyes. As we mourn the death of others, ours becomes a time to celebrate the life we still have right now, not later – there is no later. This concept is the impetus to make that call, book the flight, paint your house, call your long-lost friend.
As you alleviate the ‘will’ mentality of the constant time-traveling mind, health and happiness in your life begin to flourish and now becomes the only time to live.
Accepting what is
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
There’s a fine line between acceptance and passivity. I’ve often resisted acceptance and at times have found myself trying to create something that shouldn’t be. There is an art to accepting ‘what is’ in life, and learning how to be aware of acceptance without falling victim to the swallows of passivity is the key to enjoying it’s beauty. It’s important to accept our life as it is, and also have a heart to know what we want to experience. All we have is now, so what are we doing with our “nows”? Accepting life fully will generally lead to greater happiness and peace. This is not to be mistaken for laziness, passivity or a “who cares” attitude.
There are people that push in life and push too hard. Always focused on something other than what is right in front of them. The danger of that way of life lies in the fact that many live a life without a clear presence, without gratitude and with no awareness of the smallest, acute happenings of life unfolding right now. The stress of this “push” causes mental and physical maladies, not to mention spiritual disconnections.
On the other side of the ‘fine line’ are those that could care less about life or goals or self-actualization and call their state of uninvolvement a “detachment” – a surrender to the universe or a trust that a higher power has everything worked out and if that is true, there’s nothing to do anyway but “let life happen.” There are fads and philosophies that use this as a base mantra. This is dangerous, as well, to the human organism for similar reasons as above. A lack of interest, proactivity or gumption will cause the spirit to become faint, the heart to close from lack of vitality and the body to recoil from anything that requires great endurance.
I believe acceptance is like a beautiful dance. An activity that’s enjoyable, one instigated by you and yet open enough to allow the rhythm of life to create a destiny yet unknown. The acceptance of ‘what is’ is work, needing a mind dedicated to the now, a spirit moving in faith and a body in motion. It is from this active space of surrender and motion that we find the beauty of our lives, and in that, we discover and celebrate “what is.”
Tips for Pre-Cleansing
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010I know you (Donna), you want to eat all the sweets and potato chips in the house before you “start” the 
cleanse. Humans have this funny thing called a ‘mind’ that tries to manipulate us with fear of loosing something – don’t fall for it! You are not going to starve, you are not going to be banned from sugar the rest of your life, you are not going to waste food in your pantry (give it away if you have to) and you are not going to fail this cleanse!! You can do it! One of the great things about this cleanse is that by the end of the 30 days, your body and mind will break the food addiction pattern. Cravings will cease and before long, you’ll have an organic lifestyle that is free of mental anguish, instead choosing to healthier options that will keep your body amazingly strong.
Here are some tips to consider before and during the cleanse – some are reminders.
1 – If you have sensitive teeth or weak enamel, drink the lemonade with a straw.
2 – While taking fiber supplements or teas, drink 2 glasses of pure water in addition to the water you drank with the fiber concoction. Herbal teas and our drink mixes on the cleanse do not count as pure water.
3 – If you are taking other supplements that are not necessary, discontinue for at least a week during the cleanse (week 2 or 3). Do not discontinue if you need supplements or other medication for health purposes.
4 – Addicted to coffee? Read the last post.
5 – Alcohol – a general no-no during a cleanse. A cheat of a wine spritzer (half glass wine, half seltzer) or similar is not going to ruin it, but will not help either. I suggest no alcohol.
6 – No store-bought fruit juices allowed except the pure cranberry. If you juice, green apple or berry juice in a mixed green juice is allowed.
7 – If you own a juicer, you can ramp up this cleanse by adding one afternoon juice cocktail of choice: kale, carrot, cucumber, green apple, ginger, celery, green bell pepper, etc.
8 – If you make smoothies and want to include fiber or acai in smoothies, no soy milk, bananas or vanilla/chocolate flavorings. Rice almond or hemp milk preferred.
9 – Try to get 7 1/2 – 8 1/2 hours of sleep every night.
10 – Light to moderate exercise ONLY.
The most important thing: DON’T give up! The first week is the hardest, week two you will start to see results and be encouraged, week three we’ll need to get creative and the fourth week – you’ll be feeling so great you won’t want it end!!
Spring Cleanse SHOPPING LIST!
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Basket of veggies
A good way to prepare for the cleanse is to know what you will be leaving OUT of your diet. In some cases (like with sugar) there will be alternatives. Some people recommend prepping the diet before the cleanse starts, for example, getting off the caffeine and sugar a few days ahead of time. If you are an addict, please move gently through this. Try the substitutions and if there is a struggle, I’ve got some specific recommendations. (I was a HUGE caffeine junkie at one time. And sugar. I get it.)
BREAD WARNING: If you CANNOT live without some type of bread product, there are a couple that are allowed with moderation. The Baker, wheat-free breads (German style) or Grain alternatives listed below (NOT CANE JUICE SWEETENED. ONLY FRUIT JUICE SWEETENED GLUTEN-FREE BREADS).
NO DAIRY
NO REFINED SUGAR (see alternatives)
NO WHITE FOODS (bread, rice, pasta, crackers)
NO GLUTEN (wheat, barley, gluten products)
NO CAFFEINE (green or white tea the exception)
Specialty Items To Buy/Have on Hand
1. Lemons (a bag a week approx)
2. Pure Cranberry Juice (not concentrate, not ocean spray, it will say Just Cranberry or Pure Cranberry. There will be no sugar in it. Will need two 32 oz bottles)
3. Acai (powder or frozen)
4. Flaxseed Meal or Psyllium Seed Husks (*Only use psyllium if your bowel and elimination system is in great working condition. If you have constipation, colitis, spastic colon, polyps, irritable bowel or other weak bowel condition, do not use psyllium. If using psyllium, you must drink ample amount of water with and during day. I will be using Flax meal, as it is gentler on my system to cleanse and offers other health benefits. You may decide the same.)
5. Dandelion or Milk Thistle Tea. (Some people are sensitive to these teas if asthmatic or allergic or weak liver. Please use your discretion. If you have used either in the past, both are advised on this cleanse. Some tolerate Dandelion better than Milk Thistle. If sensitive, a general Detox Tea will suffice.)
6. Other teas recommended:
Ginger, Peppermint, Alfalfa, Detox, Red Clover, Burdock, Mullein, Green, White Tea (many of these are in combinations in store, or buy loose in bulk)
7. Filtered or Distilled Water. (If you don’t have a home filter, I suggest boiling your drinking water for 5 minutes throughout this cleanse.)
CAN DO FOODS
Oils
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Flax Oil
Beverages
Pure Water
Herbal Teas (listed above)
Coffee Alternatives (I love Teeccino)
Rice Milk (original, unsweetened)
Almond Milk (original, unsweetened)
Nuts/Seeds
Almonds (limited)
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Sugar Substitutes
Stevia
Zsweet
Maple Syrup (limited)
Raw Honey (limited)
Fresh Dates (limited)
Fruits
Green Apples
Grapefruit
Lemons
Limes
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Pomegranate
All berries
Avocado (in moderation)
Raisins (very limited – per dish recommendations)
Legumes
Adzuki Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Lima Beans
Mung Beans
Split Pea
Black Beans (moderation)
All sprouted beans
Fava beans
Grains/Flours
Gluten-free oats
Brown Rice
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Millet
Quinoa
Chickpea
Corn
Dal
Rice Bran
Lean Protein
Freshwater Fish
Turkey
Chicken
Lamb (limited)
Ocean Fish (limited)
Veggies
Green Beans
Kale
Lettuce
Parsley
Peas
Sweet Potatoes (limited)
Radishes
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Watercress
Seaweed
Endive
Dandelion
Corn (limited)
Celery
Cauliflower
Carrots
Cabbage
Brussel Sprouts
Broccoli
Beets
Bell Peppers (limited)
Asparagus
Artichokes
Arugula
Spices/Herbs
Garlic
Clove
Mustard
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Cayenne
Dill
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Turmeric
Nutmeg
Fennel
Dill
Basil
This… or That?
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010Some decisions are easy to make, but we still choose unwisely. We “know better” but eat fried chicken instead of baked, drink 4 glasses of wine when one is ample…we have healthy, great options, but… So when it comes time to make larger life decisions, we look at our track record and realize maybe healthy choices aren’t our forte. There’s a subconscious lack of trust in ourselves and this creates stress.
The proverbial fork in the road – it’s a place we all come to, sometimes without even a realization we are there. I recently spoke with one of my ministers about this place. This forked road. He reminded me that we will often make wrong decisions – and it may not be how we want to experience this world, but it’s ok. We are people that make mistakes.
Sure, we learn from mistakes, sometimes. Sure, we can again change our minds. And certainly, nothing (but love) lasts forever. But finding peace with decisions requires a maturity that is based in faith.
I didn’t want to be responsible or mature, so I asked him for his direct advice. I normally can’t stand people’s advice, but there are times when I just want to be told what I “should” do. His reply: “When it comes time, I think you’ll know.”
I want to fight that response, it’s not what I want to hear. Someone do it for me. Help me. Just decide for me for goodness sake! But in my heart of hearts, I do know that when it comes time, I’ll know. Just like every other decision that I cared about. I generally go thru a process of mental turmoil for a few weeks, then exhaust myself and in that mental exhaustion I find my heart and suddenly, I hear the answer. It was there all along, but drowned by the noise in my mind. Not all decisions can be made in the heart, this is true. But when you have the luxury of time to decide, you can either relax in the process or have a mental war of “this or that” – I suggest you spare yourself the anguish. Try to let go and listen to your heart. You’ll know – when it’s time.
My “Crappy” Superbowl Party
Thursday, February 11th, 2010As a health writer, I can discuss things most people won’t. Halitosis. B.O. Hormones and these pesky chin whiskers, herbs that enhance sex… it’s what I do, what can I say. This story, however, is a bit revealing – and comical in a twisted sort of way – but there is a good health issue at hand. Constipation. Here’s my Crappy Superbowl Party story. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by the way.
It was a SuperBowl I’ll never forget. It just happened last week for crying out loud! Superbowl XLIV. I was at a party, a small gathering of my gay boyfriends. I’m straight, they are all gay, I’m the only woman – go ahead, psychoanalyze that Freud. Anyway, it was all I could do to get to the party. I had recently started a 6 week contract job, was finishing a writing project, had a TV shoot the day before and 3 weeks prior had a death in my family. ‘XLIV’ pretty much summed it up– no life left. On top of all that, I hadn’t gone number 2 in about 7 days. I KNOW!! I was seriously backed up, and felt like crap.
Of course my gay bf’s had lots of yummy food to eat, so eat I did. And by the end of the first quarter I thought I was going to explode. The pain, the bloating, the weariness. I needed help. Luckily these men love me and I figured if I could talk to anyone about anal issues, it was them. In the moment of my not so quite desperation, one bf recommended an enema. I needed it “right now.” For some strange reason, eh-hum, he had an enema bottle on-hand. After sterilization and some icky lube, I was able to find victory during the 3rd quarter. “We won!” I said, returning to the living room with a bounce in my step.
I’m not proud that I was constipated and had to use my bf’s enema bottle, but it did entice an interesting post Superbowl conversation about colon health and colonics. I’ve had issues with elimination most of my life and know, by now, that STRESS and dietary changes are the main culprits that keep me from “winning” on a daily basis. A healthy body and bowel should eliminate at least 1-2 times a day, if not three. It really is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and over 655,000 deaths a year are due to colon cancer. Risk factors include family history, polyps in the colon or age 50 +. If you are stressed or are having poopage problems for other reasons, you may consider a colon cleanse, natural fibers like flax or some gentle yoga exercises. That week was miserable, prompting strict attention to my precious colon. Nothing is worth the stress of ill-health.
Thanks bf’s! It was a great party (btw, who won that game?)
SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF COLON CANCER:
* A change in bowel habits.
* Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
* Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
* Stools that are narrower than usual.
* General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps).
* Weight loss with no known reason.
* Constant tiredness.
* Vomiting.
Me & Mocha
Monday, January 25th, 2010
My dog died 2 weeks ago. This is the first I’ve been able to write about it. His name was Mocha, a chow, and travelled with me for 16 years. We went everywhere a girl and her 55 lb dog could go, often staying for a year or two so I could follow my dreams or just explore. Los Angeles, Nashville, Santa Barbara, Atlanta, Birmingham, New York, Louisville and every stop in between. Mocha made me feel safe, loved and not alone. What a companion he was…
I’d been carrying him up stairs for 4 years (often 3 -4 flights!) because of his bad hip, but didn’t mind at all. For all he’d done for me, it was a simple thing. During the last stretch of his life, we discovered he had a tumor on his paw and cancer growing in his body. His limp was debilitating. Although it required lots of meatball treats, a friend’s special handicap service van and trips to the vet every three days for new bandages, I’m so glad to have alleviated his pain and given his quality of life back, if only for 2 weeks. He rallied.
Those of you that have lost a pet, a friend or family member can relate to the grief that follows. I knew I had to put him to rest on that last day – he was telling me. Somehow in a process such as this, everything else in the world becomes unimportant. Have you noticed this phenomenon? When it comes to life and death, or even severe illness, a perspective is found that trumps all others. Money, fears, trivial desires or even small ailments fade. The mental chatter of once important work matters, to-do lists or arguments with a friend simply dissipate. What Mocha’s life and his death taught me – love is what really penetrates. The rest, I usually make up somehow to either occupy my mind, validate my existence or just to give me something to complain about. Love prevails, and in grieving, it’s a time to transform the recognition of that love from the physical to purely the spiritual.
The painting here is a tribute to him and was an essential part of my healing process. All of the emotion that was swirling inside was placed onto that canvas.
Although I miss seeing him and touching him, it’s strange, but I don’t feel like Mocha is really gone. He’s visited my dreams twice and his energy is part of mine. And wonderfully, I feel safe and loved. He taught me that.
To all those who have lost a beloved companion, my heart is with you and I hope that love helps you heal.
Tell It Like It Is
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010Have you ever wondered when your life is going to change? I mean really change. As each year begins, we have a stirring hope that this will be the year our dreams come true, our relationships improve, we are out of financial debt, our anxieties would ease, or the weight will stabilize. The resolutions are in place, daylight is returning and maybe, just maybe, we’ll open our eyes one morning with a sign, an epiphany, a kismet occurrence or revelation that will make everything seem *poof* magically different and better. Good luck.
This year, I have a new mantra. To change the circumstances that need changing, to make my life flow, I’m going to tell it like it IS. Here’s my theory…
We largely communicate the way we were taught – polite, correct, without emotion, a particular tone, niceties and most of all, what we think others want to hear. Half of this protocol is appreciated and allows the world to function with order. The other half? Complete baloney. So many days pass without a single, meaningful or honest conversation. And the worst part? I find myself talking smack to MYSELF! My dreams, hopes, will and soul are clouded with a playback recorded symphony of these same niceties; explanations that generally cover excuses, passions, feelings and that powerful lifeforce that burns in my gut. No more. From here on, if you’re going to talk to me, you’re going to hear what is true. Not mean. Not rude. Not without compassion or PC, but true. It’s an attempt to do what I actually claim that I do so well – communicate. Live with purpose. Inspire. And I realize that so much goes undone by the mere drain of energy that it takes to keep up the b.s. of societal living. Explaining why to my family or friends. Talking myself into or out-of a new car/outfit/dessert. The self-talk and interractions with others that we call communication are simply not good enough any more.
I’m on a mission to live with purpose. To get what I want. To feel what happens in life, good or bad, and share my experience so that others can relate and vice versa. To walk a path of integrity that risks judgment. That’s my goal.
I hope you find the power to Tell It Like It Is and let loose your creative genius that makes you thrive. To own your spirit. To release your thoughts and care. There is nothing more inspiring than to see truth in words, in art, in beauty. Let it rip.
Leah Guy is a Producer, TV Host, Writer and passionista for inspired, healthy living. She believes in 
A Girl Named Guy Productions is a multi-media company focused on Eco-tainment. Creator & CEO, Leah Guy, launched the company in 2006 with a goal to meet the demand for positive, inspired content for the mainstream audience. AGNG produces videos, 
