Live in Lawrence, Kansas

Jan 19th, 2010

Do you or a loved one suffer from depression or anxiety?

Nature Knows Best . . .

The NATURAL MIND Process Combines the Best of Nature & Science To Heal Depression & Anxiety

Did you know?

• Worry that goes way beyond legitimate causes increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic health problems. The same goes for depression, also known to weaken the immune system–even cause cancer.
• Anxiety and panic attacks can fuel fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, headaches, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Depression can make the body hurt, and can worsen the symptoms of PMS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disorders.

It’s clear that body and mind are connected. And believe it or not, each really does have the other’s best interest at heart.

Body and mind: it’s time to treat them like the partners in your health they can become. Find out more by visiting www.NaturalMindNaturalBody.com

Introducing the Natural Mind course
starting Monday, January 25 in Lawrence.

Here’s what you’ll have access to with the Natural Mind course:

• A vitamin and supplement plan with unique tips to keep you on track. Certain affordable basics that work.
• The scoop on food allergy and food intolerance and its effect on mood and behavior.
• Guest experts who work with people like you everyday in an integrative way, i.e. minding both the body and the mind (listed below)
• Online community for support between sessions—talk to coaches, other students.
• Skills and tips toward finding the exercise you CAN stick to—and why.
• The story on toxic metals and environmental chemicals—why they make you feel sad, mad, and bad—and how to get rid of them.
• Snack time: some healthy, tasty snacks to keep you going for the two-hour class.
• Nature-reconnection practices, and how they heal.
• Meditation de-mystified. We’ll teach you what we know about getting started with a mindful practice you can sustain–just breathe!
• Basic body-mind sense: how hormones, adrenals, and other key systems can be renewed for ultimate good mood.
• A look at common addictions, like caffeine and sugar, that often make the mind spin out of control and the body sick. How to cut back or eliminate them.
• Eight Weeks Of Support, Knowledge, And Coaching!

8 Consecutive Mondays, January 25 – March 15, 2010

• An 8-week course in how to use nutrients, make lifestyle changes, and incorporate meditation and nature to give the boot to depression and/or anxiety. Research has shown it takes 21 days to lock in new habits.
• Easy to find location: The Unity Church of Lawrence, Kansas, 900 Madeline, near 9^th and Iowa Streets, close to I-70.
• Experts from the fields of clinical psychology, family practice, holistic psychiatry, naturopathy, holistic health counseling, and energy medicine are on the advisory board
• The following guest speakers will share their expertise during this course:
• Dr. Stephen Ilardi, Professor of Clinical Psychology and author of The Depression Cure
• Dr. Farhang Khosh, Naturopathic Physician
• Sherree Ross, Holistic Health Counselor
• Laura Mead, Bioenergy Practitioner and Meditation Teacher 
• The brand-new book from a three-time best-selling author, Dr. Mark Hyman, MD. The UltraMind Solution is yours to keep as part of the course. (You’d pay $27 at a bookstore).
• The Natural Mind Workbook for crafting goals and tracking progress by Cheryl Miller and Sue Westwind ($17 value).
• Two coaches, differing skills, one vision—working in tandem for you.
• Healthy, tasty snacks with mood in mind
• Your own personal Natural Mind plan
• Small Group discussion—besides lecture and discussion, there will be a period for gaining support and ideas from a smaller group.

Visit the website for full details and to sign up. http://www.naturalmindnaturalbody.com/ Don’t delay – we start in less than one week!

Are You a Spoiled Child?

Dec 23rd, 2009

During this time of giving, this is a good question to ask yourself.  “Am I a spoiled child?”

Are you more interested in how YOU feel, what people are giving to YOU, and how you’re doing in your own life?  Or do you often think of others?  Do  you ask people how they’re doing and really dig down a little because you care and you’re interested?  Or do you prefer they ask you how you’re doing?

Over time I’ve known a handful of spoiled children – both kids and adults  This spoiling often happens when one parent or both over functions in a family.  They do all the cooking and cleaning,  pick up after everyone….do all the errands, write all the thank-you cards for the kids, give, give give.  What results are spoiled kids who assume they are the center of the universe – not just the center of their universe, but the center of THE universe.  I feel sorry for these kids because they grow up inept—unable to be fully functioning humans.  They become one dimensional.

Once they turn 18, though, they’re on their own as adults and it’s their responsibility to repair the damage that was done to them by an overly indulgent parent.  It’s now their job to start asking others how they are, to take an interest, to help out, to pull their own weight.  To take their place in THE universe.

How much fun is it to hang out with a spoiled child?  Yes, I know, not much.  If you know one, drop a hint and plant a seed that they would be much happier and more attractive if they both gave and received.  But this takes courage….and compassion.

The Secret to Getting Icky Things Done

Nov 22nd, 2009

Sometimes household chores stay on my “to do” list for weeks.  Every time I think of them, I wince…..”Oh no, I’ve got to do X.”  The longer it’s been on my list, the more punishing the thought is and a feeling of overwhelm or dread washes over me.  Sometimes it’s very mild, sometimes it’s spicy hot.

A case in point.  I’ve been meaning to rake the leaves, mow one last time, and sweep the leaves and nut shells off the deck before it turns cold.  Oh yes, and sweep the stairs going down to the basement (dirt, leaves, cob webs, dead crickets, etc.)  In other words, yuck. 

In the back of my mind, these tasks have been taunting me, “you never have enough time, you’re not very well organized, you’re lazy, you should have done this sooner.”  There’s always a little bit of truth to the voice that taunts – just enough truth that I can choose to feel bad about myself.  Or I can shush that voice because it clearly is just speaking up to cause trouble.  Any bit of truth it speaks is just a tiny bit of the whole truth.  That same voice speaks to you.  The whole truth is that everyone is busy, everyone has tasks they don’t want to do, and everyone does their best…even if it isn’t very good at times.

Sometimes making a to-do list works wonders, and sometimes it’s the kiss of death for the tasks.  Once the items are grouped into one big, long list, the self-talk can get really ugly.  Negative self-talk saps energy and momentum, so I caution you not to get caught up in it.  If it speaks up, tell it to hush up because you’ve got a plan.  A plan??  Yes, a plan. 

This is what I do when my to-do list isn’t working.  I just do the task.  I don’t look directly at it and just do it.  Oh, I’m raking the leaves.  Oh, I’m sweeping the steps.  In other words I start in, not thinking about the dreaded task.  I do the first thing that comes to mind like grab a broom.  That step is pretty easy.  And then I just flow with it moving from sweeping to raking to mowing–not thinking, but doing.

When I feel like I’ve had enough, I stop.  But I don’t stop when I “think” I’ve had enough.  That little devil on my shoulder often pipes up when I’m close to finishing a task.  She says, “Just go and have a cup of coffee, you can finish this up later.”  I used to fall for it and stop before finishing.  Now I ignore the voice because I know I’ll feel much better finishing the task now.  There’s nothing like a finished task. 

Now I’m sitting on my tidy deck with a cup of coffee surveying my success.  Yesterday I raked and mowed.  Today I swept and straightened.  This coffee sure does taste great!

In summary:  Do “the thing” first, before doing what you want to do like drink a cup of coffee, fire up your computer to check emails, call a friend, or turn on the TV.  Do the thing first.  Don’t put it on a list or shove it to the back of your mind to do later, do it first.  Do it now.  The rest of your day will go much better, you’ll feel good about yourself, and you’ll enjoy the fun stuff more.

When a recipe flops….

Nov 7th, 2009

I call myself an intuitive cook – that means I usually don’t use recipes.  It also means that sometimes my cooking flops like it did the other day when I ad libbed a green curry chicken.  The problem is I don’t have much skill at Thai cooking.  I have a lot more skill at eating Thai food.  So it wasn’t surprising that my soup turned out poorly.  I didn’t know how to correct the seasonings.  Everything I tried made it worse.

Lesson learned (hopefully).

The solution is obvious – add to my skills as a cook.  My city offers a variety of whole foods cooking classes at the Community Mercantile.
I can sign up for cooking classes.  I can also scour the web for recipes and cooking demos like I did this morning.

How fun!  See how a problem (ruining my dinner) can turn into fun…..

So now the resources are pouring in…..

A friend sent me a wonderful web site that I think you may also enjoy.  Here’s a recipe for the Pea Shoot salad pictured below

If you think you can’t cook, reach out and take a class, gather recipes that are surefire winners.  Set yourself up to succeed in the kitchen.

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Do you have a cooking success or failure story.  Tell it at the “comment” link below!

Another Fabulous Fall Meal (Gluten-Free)

Oct 25th, 2009

I’m having a lot of fun cookin’ up new ideas for fall produce–and sharing them in videos like this one.  Here’s what I had tonight.  The color is washed out because it loses resolution from the video conversion process.  But, trust me, the colors of the real thing were bright and appealing!

So………….I want to have more healthy dinner ideas from you!  At the comment link below, describe your healthy meals and how to make them.  And if you send me the embed code for a video, I’ll plunk it in so everyone can see it. 

Night After Night – What's for Dinner?

Oct 24th, 2009

Now I’m on a roll with the fall harvest.  On my stovetop right now I’m steaming spaghetti squash.  When it’s fully cooked you can scrape it away from the shell in spaghetti-like strands.  Here’s a preview…

I’m not an expert on spaghetti squash.  I think I’ve had it once maybe.  So I’m channeling the universe again, and the universe says, top it with a spaghetti sauce with sauteed garlic, fresh mushrooms, and add several handfuls of fresh spinach at the end.  Next, I christened it with a few shakes of red pepper flakes.  But for the more delicate pallets, you can skip the heat.

I don’t know what the etiquette is for complimenting your own cooking, but since nobody was here to eat it with me, I went on and on about how great it was.  And it was great.  It satisfied me on so many levels. 

You can’t see how beautiful it looked because this video washes out all the colors.  You also can’t smell it and see the swirls of heat coming off of it.  It was slurpy-good and I mean that in the best sense of the word.  You can see all the juice this little number created.  Even Toby wanted to lick the plate!  But I beat him to it!

Share your ideas for healthy fall meals at the comment link below.  And include your “recipes.”  I don’t really use recipes but describe the basic ingredients.  Would love to hear what you’re cooking! 

What’s For Dinner

Oct 23rd, 2009

Here’s what I’ve got baking in the oven. I’m working on going gluten- and dairy-free and I’m trying to wrap my mind around how to make things taste good. So tonight I cut open an acorn squash from the farmers’ market and started channeling the universe for ways to make it taste like heaven.  After a long work week, I want food that tastes great and satisfies all of my senses.

Note:  When I cook intuitively, each step becomes clear as I move through the processes of washing and chopping and scanning the row of spices. 

Here’s what came to me while tuning in.  I mixed the following fruits and nuts together adding a small amount of olive oil for moisture, flavor, and health benefits:

• One apple (chopped)
• Small handful of dried cranberries
• Small handful of organic raisins
• A tablespoon each of raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds
• 5-7 walnuts
• A sprinkle of dried onions
• A dash of ground cloves
• A smidgen of ginger
• Several shakes of cinnamon
• Several shakes of sea salt

After mixing these ingredients together, I filled the two halves of the acorn squash and popped them in the convection oven on 375 for an hour.  I did not peel the acorn squash.  I just cut it in half and scooped out the seeds.  I’ll keep checking it in case it doesn’t take that long. It smells divine. 

I think hearty fall foods help compensate for the sometimes cold, wet, and dark days of fall and winter. Flannel sheets help too!  It also helps that it’s the weekend and tonight I get to do whatever I want!  I hope you set aside times during the week to do whatever YOU want.  It’s critical to health and happiness.  And I’m not just saying that.  It’s critical.

Just checked and it’s not done yet so I’m snacking on celery dipped in red pepper humus. 

Anybody have ideas for some healthy, hearty fall foods? Tell us at the comment link below. 

The Fun Theory

Oct 22nd, 2009

Have you ever noticed that if things are fun, we’ll do them even if they’re more difficult than the alternative?  Getting more physically active is our #1 health challenge.  How can we make it more fun?  A group of students from Stockholm came up with a brilliant idea…and here’s how they implemented it.

At company picnics and retreats, employees do the craziest things because they’re fun…like the three legged race and the ropes challenge courses.  I recently heard of a company challenge to build a “boat” from cardboard that must transport an employee from one end of the pool to the other.  What else can we do at home and at the work site to make physical activity more fun?

Here’s my suggestion. Create a “Fun Committee” at work that dreams up wild and crazy and FUN ways to bring wellness into the workplace.  And on the home front, get your kids involved.  If they’re not yet teenagers, the serious gene isn’t full blown yet and they’re not as worried that you’ll embarrass them.

I’m tapped out.  I need your help….what other suggestions do you have? Leave your comments at the link below.

Good Reason To Limit Use of Plastic

Oct 22nd, 2009

This story is so strange I even went to Snopes.com to see if it was an urband legend.  I wish it was.  Plastic is one of the least biodegradable products on the planet.  Can we use less?  Leave your comments at the link below the post.

Midway
Message from the Gyre

These photographs of albatross chicks were made just a few weeks ago on Midway Atoll, a tiny stretch of sand and coral near the middle of the North Pacific. The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking.

To document this phenomenon as faithfully as possible, not a single piece of plastic in any of these photographs was moved, placed, manipulated, arranged, or altered in any way. These images depict the actual stomach contents of baby birds in one of the world’s most remote marine sanctuaries, more than 2000 miles from the nearest continent.

Click here to see the rest of the photos.

Missing in Action

Oct 7th, 2009

I’ve been missing in action again – helping my elderly parents with the transition to “independent” living.  This has been “The Year of The Parent” on the Chinese calendar.  Actually, it’s been more like two years, but who’s counting.

As soon as I get back to normal here at CherylMillerVille, I’ll fire up the blog posts and spread a little more health and happiness around.  Until then, how are you doing?  What’s up in your life?  What’s down in your life?  Leave a comment at the comment link below.