We learn how to experience joy and love when we invest in our connection with others and make healthy, happy choices.
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Articles:
Spiritual/Self-Help • Elder Care • Parenting & Relationships • Diet • Holistic Practices • Ancient Healing • Personal Care
Career & Business
Responding to Trauma... whether large or small, trauma affects us all
By Amy Sprague Champeau, MS, LMFT, SC
9/11, Columbine, the shootings in Arizona. These names are synonymous with national traumas. 'Trauma' is a term that describes what happens to us when we experience a very stressful event. Originally thought to apply only to life-threatening experiences, we now know trauma may be experienced not only by those who lived through the trauma firsthand, but also those who have witnessed or heard about the trauma or been involved with those immediately affected. more...
Lessons from the Butterfly...
a miraculous transformation
inspires greater consciousness
By Jamie Jacobs
Ever notice people who seem to have the world by the tail, then lose it all, or stumble publicly, and still find their way to great heights once again? I think we can all relate to hitting a low point in our lives where we feel we've lost significant parts of our former lives – our jobs, our homes, our material possessions, even people and pets we love. Times like these often open the door to the creation of our best selves and our best lives. more...
Good Vibrations...
accentuate the positive,
eliminate the negative
By Crystel Lyons
If you have ever given a pep talk to your houseplants, you have been tapping into the vibrational energy of that plant with the intent of positively affecting the outcome. Studies reveal that words - written or spoken, music, gestures, pictures, even thoughts & intentions have a vibrational energy that deeply affects us at a cellular level. more...
Honoring Your Roots...
find healing at your family altar
By Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP
An altar that honors your predecessors can make your life more meaningful & your heart more full. more...
Making a Difference...
suicide prevention program comes from near tragedy
By Angelina Montemurro, MD.
I am a physician and mother of three sons. Last year my eldest, Albert, was nearing graduation from the UW-Madison Business School, with a Fortune 500 job secured. A successful student with good grades, he was involved in organizations and had many friends. My family and I had regular contact with him and had no idea he was planning to kill himself. more...
By Patti Fluger
Oct. 6, 2008 was a beautiful Fall day. The leaves were beginning their majestic change to colorful splendor, and the sky was the clearest blue I’d ever seen. Everything seemed right with the world, but the war had only begun raging inside of me. There was no lump, bump or strange-looking mole, just a feeling of exhaustion and uneasiness. I knew something was wrong, but never anticipated anything so life changing. I had been diagnosed with leukemia, and everything as I knew it was about to change. more...
By Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP
There is a path to a meaningful life. Too often, however, we are stalled at the boulders that are blocking this path. We feel stuck, yearning for that something “out there” that will bring us joy, connection, satisfaction. more...
Terrece Crawford: Surviving Cancer with
Art, Horses & a Prayer to Live
By Jamie Jacobs
Terrece Crawford was in the final days of breast cancer treatment when I met her. She shared her story of survival. Clearly being an artist played a pivotal role in her healing. more...
Life in the Theatre of God's Grace
By Susan Bowen
What is your passion? What is it that speaks to you and calls you to be, the be as in human beings, the be through which we interact with the world? more...
A Tribute to Suzie:
A Beautiful Passing
By Shirley Ostlund as told to Jamie Jacobs
This story is about my cousin, Suzie, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. Our mothers were sisters, and we had a close relationship. Suzie was a giving person – of her time, her thoughts, her advice, even her money. She was mother to four children, Robin, Sandy, Jason and Ashley – whom she loved deeply. more...
Out of the Wound Comes the Gift: Forgiveness Opens the Door to Your Creative Intelligence
By Lydia Van den Broeck
What is Creative Intelligence? What is that emptiness that seemingly gives form to everything? Creative Intelligence is Source, Love, God, the Essence of who I am. Deep within, like a silent reflecting pool of stillness, I find that Essence. Forgiveness accesses that Essence. I want to forgive. Forgive myself for not knowing how to forgive. Forgiveness has set me free. more...
By Connie Matter, RN, BS
What is Hospice? Historically, it was a centuries-old concept of hospitality offered to weary and sick travelers on long journeys. Today, we understand hospice in a different way. more...
The Healing Power of Companion Animals
By Marie Boyum
Medical and scientific communities, animal shelters and the “average Joe” around the world are recognizing the health benefits from being a pet owner. more...
Ten Warning Signs
of Alzheimer's
By Alzheimer's Association
1. Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. What’s normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally. more...
By Judge Michele Lowrance
If you are going through a divorce, or know someone who is, I know you are terrified. We look around and see the wreckage of this process everywhere. I’ve seen it everyday as a judge in Domestic Relations Court in Chicago since 1995. For two decades prior to that, I sharpened my skills as a divorce attorney, but gave up being a warrior for the “right side” when it became clear to me there was no right side in a divorce. Like “an eye for an eye,” the only thing that happened was everyone was left with no eyes. more...
By Jill Egizii
I didn’t know what parental alienation was until it happened to me. I stumbled upon the term on the internet one day and thought “My gosh, that’s what’s happening to me!” My battle has been ongoing for over five years at a cost of over a half million dollars. more...
Author Anonymous to Protect the Safety of his Son
Imagine being a loving responsible parent and your child is taken away from you through false allegations and manipulation of a badly broken and overwhelmed family court system. more...
What is Parental Alienation and How Does it Hurt a Child?
By Jamie Jacobs
More than 1.4 million people file for divorce every year, impacting at least 2 million children. Most parents can arrange matters of custody, visitation and support. more...
The Importance of Teaching Your Children to be Inner Directed
By Jamie Jacobs
Perhaps our childhood dreams are to be a fire fighter, veterinarian or doctor – but being a mom or dad is right up there on our list. Impatiently, we look forward to each milestone that brings us closer to adulthood – driving a car, securing our first job, going on our first date. The ultimate rite of passage is that of being a parent and creating our own legacy. more...
Body Composition Analysis... assessing your health utilizing new technologies
By Crystel Lyons
A space age device is now available for home use that can tell you what you're made of. Body Composition Readings present a more complete picture of your state of health than the traditional Body Mass Index or Fat Caliper Tool. more...
Food Allergies May be the Clue to Solve Your Health Problems
By Karen Carnabucci
The woman caught my eye – she was the only one at the breakfast table with a bowl of Brussels sprouts. more...
Food That is Good
for You Can Taste Great
By Alessandro Casalena
Many people believe that healthy foods mean food that doesn’t taste good. Not true! Using fresh ingredients and flavorful herbs can make the healthiest dishes taste great. This Lentil & Feta Salad is high in fiber and uses heart-healthy olive oil. more...
Traditional Chinese Medicine... the blending of east and west
By Joan M. Steinhoff, C.Ac., MSOM, RN, BSN
Dating back thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a rich heritage and history in healthcare and healing. Despite its antiquity, the practice of this healing art still provides a continuum of care which lives on today. more...
Yoga for Everyday Living...
exploring the pieces of the yoga puzzle
By Pamela Grubb, ACSW, MSW, E-RYT 500
Yoga means to yoke, to join, to live in harmony with the natural order of nature. It is the union of the individual soul with the universal spirit. Yoga is a process allowing for limitless possibilities for change while enhancing the creativity of the individual. It is a way of life, serving as a vehicle for an individual's growth and development. Yoga is a spiritual path to higher awareness of the divine that lies within us. more...
Mind-Body-Spirit...
making the connection
By Lydia Van den Broeck, Ph.D.
I have cried the tears of a thousand lifetimes. I have felt the joyous heart of eternity. They are One; tears of joy, tears of sadness. I am Light. I walk in the Light. more...
Prevention
is the breast medicine
By John H. Hicks, M.D.
Breast care can come easily and comfortably when we understand the causes of breast tenderness, early menopause and Cancer. The body offers many clues to assist us in determining solutions that support and enhance hormone and breast health. If you are experiencing symptoms of breast tenderness, premenstrual syndrome, hot flashes and uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, your body is sending you information to let you know of internal system imbalances. more...
Colon Hydrotherapy: Natural Health Care's Best Kept Secret
By Crystel Lyons
To most people, the subject of colonics is off limits. It seems the lowly colon is the ‘Rodney Dangerfield’ of the body. I love to see the response when people ask me what I do… their noses wrinkle up and faces pale, others will either roll their eyes or run. The brave ones ask me, “How can you do it?!?” more...
The Healing Power Of Energy Work
By Laurie Buchanan, Phd, HHP, CHT, RMT
The human body is an amazing design. It is filled with energy and has three separate—yet interdependent—energy systems. These energy systems are alive and intelligent. Each of us has a personal energy signature that we are responsible for. more...
Men's Health: New Answers Come From Chinese Medicine
By Arthur Shattuck, NCCAOM
Men encounter several health conditions that are specific to their gender – such as prostate disorders, erectile dysfunction and male breast cancer. Although they are uncomfortable to discuss, they are vitally important to men’s health. more...
- Chiropractic May Help Health Problems from A(sthma) to W(hiplash)
- Flu Prevention
- How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher
The Search for Optimal Health... discovering hidden sources of toxins
By Ingo G. Mahn, DDS, AIAOMT, Dr. of Integrative Medicine
Lately you haven't been feeling well. You've been to almost every type of practitioner. The prescribed pills, supplements and treatments have resulted in some minimal improvement, but still, you are not feeling as well as you'd like. more...
Focus on Beauty...
pro-active steps for eyes, lips and décolleté
By Curzio Caravati
In my career as a licensed esthetician, I've treated hundreds of women wishing to delay the aging process. They consider therapeutic, organic facial treatments as one possible solution. Many of my clients come to me seeking to improve a condition that could have been prevented by starting earlier with the proper regimen. Pro-active skin care is much less expensive than surgical interventions. more...
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
what are bioidentical hormones?
Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy For You?
Hormone levels decline as we age. Bioidentical hormone therapy replenishes the hormones that your body needs to function. more...
Making Room for Life
7 simple steps to clutter freedom
By Jo Lueck
So you have a pile of stuff that won't go away. How do you ever get rid of it? Not many people look forward to organizing. The trick is to minimize the dread and non-productive thoughts, and maximize the forward momentum. So, let's get started. more...
By Curzio Caravati
Your daily skin care regimen is very important. When the inquiry is made as to your actual routine, one of the most common responses I hear is “Well, I use just soap and water.” As an educated skin care provider, I’d like to explain why this regimen is inadequate. more...
By Crystel Lyons
The best things in life are free. Some of the easiest things you can do to maintain your health are within both your grasp and your means. What can you do to safeguard your health without blowing your budget? more...
What We Put on Our Skin Could Hurt Us
By Alicia Read
It is estimated that humans absorb (ingest) up to 60% of what we put on our skin – we literally are what we eat! The Environmental Working Group (a consumer watchdog agency) notes that on average, adults apply 126 unique ingredients on their skin daily and nearly 90% of personal care product ingredients have not been evaluated for safety by any publicly accountable institution. more...
By Kimberly Errigo
Most of us are familiar with the frightening character The Headless Horseman from the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by American author Washington Irving. Fewer people are familiar with his cousin, The Body-less Horseman, who was twice as frightening. more...