Fresh Start Winter Renewal Detox Video

The winter detox is here!  If you are feeling heavy, bloated, and irritable after the holidays, this is a great way to get back on track!
www.personaljourneywellness.com/winterdetox2015



Fresh Start Winter Renewal Detox

Watch the Global Premiere of Origins the Movie

Watch the Global Premiere of Origins the Movie: From November 13th through November 22nd, watch the feature-length movie Origins for FREE from filmmaker Pedram Shojai. #OriginsFilm @Well_Org



FREE movie only until November 22.  So much good information about farming, our food system, and how it affects our health and the health of our children.  It is inspiring and will help to get you to make some needed changes in the way you eat.

Would You Have Recognized Me 5 Years Ago?

BAKERY MEMORIES

It's a funny thing how the sight of something as innocuous as a bakery treat can bring back a flood of memories, feelings, and emotions.  This week I am back home.  By home I mean the place that I grew up and spent the better part of my life.  Of course, just being here is a walk down memory lane.  But I was doing quite well dealing with the emotions a hometown can stir up, until I saw this...a pastry that must have a name, but honestly I don't even know what it is.  But the sight of it sent me back to the Sunday mornings of my childhood.  

My mom would take me to church with her every Sunday morning.  My distant memories of this are wearing frilly dresses and my favorite Mary Jane shoes, listening to men speak Latin, kneeling, and smelling incense.  But it was the stop on  the way home that was the highlight of the morning for me.  Walking into Capitol Bakery brought happiness to my young heart.  Of course, it probably contributed to my lifelong battle with sugar addiction, however, at the time I was blissfully unaware of  that.  Why I liked this little confection I can't say, I don't even know exactly what it is.  There is yellow cake on the bottom and some type of brown sugar crumble on top finished off with confectioner's sugar.  As the health coach that I am today, I should be horrified.  There is not one redeeming healthy component to this food item.  But I have vivid memories of being that little girl holding my mom's hand, excitedly walking through the bakery door, looking through the glass bin, and getting to pick out what I wanted. I would skip back to the car anticipating the sweet sensation of my little cake alongside a cold glass of milk. 

I hadn't seen this pastry in many, many years.  I'd never known anyone else who made it.  The bakery closed it's doors quite a long time ago and became a wholesale business.  That is most likely why I stumbled upon it at the breakfast buffet in my hotel lobby.  In a nanosecond I was transported back to Capitol Bakery, holding my mommy's hand, and looking through the glass of a pastry bin.  I lost my mom 9 years ago and there are days I miss her so much and then there are days I am so caught up in my present life that I don't think about her at all.  But standing there in the lobby of my hotel looking at that covered dish brought back a warm and precious memory of my mother and me and our Sunday morning excursions.  

Food, after all, is memories.  It is such a huge component of our lives. The sight and smell of it can transport us to times long ago.  That is most likely partly why those of us who struggle with emotional eating continually carry on a battle to keep food in it's proper place in our lives.  We struggle to maintain a healthy balance of food as fuel for our bodies and food for the fun of it.  I have been a health coach for 3 years now, lost 100 lbs by eating healthy and exercising, and firmly believe in clean eating and seasonal detoxing for digestive health.  So did I break every one of my self-imposed eating rules and have a pastry?  Did I take a brief moment of food for the fun of it?  You bet I did!  And thought fondly of my mom with every bite. 

COMING SOON!

EAT CLEAN AND LOSE WEIGHT

What Would My Life Have Been Like If I Hadn't Been Fat?

I have asked myself that question a lot lately.  Now that I am a health coach and have been living in a smaller body for the last few years, it has made me wonder what my life would have been like if I had had this body all along.

I grew up a chubby kid, an overweight teen, and an obese adult for most of my life.  What opportunities would I have had, what choices would have been afforded me, what path might I have taken if I had been slender?  Would my life be different than it is today?  I will never know, but it brings a focus on how our appearance and how we feel about ourselves can be so influential on how our lives turn out.  How many
dreams do we not pursue because our weight holds us back?

People who have always been thin might not have any idea what I'm talking about.  Their choice of marriage mates, careers, athletic pursuits, etc. might not have been as dictated or entwined with their size as

How Did This Happen to Me?

someone who is heavy.  For the overweight, their body can be a big factor in their ability to freely choose.  Some might say it is the world we live in.  We live in a thin and pretty world where fat people need to get a handle on themselves.  Or could it just be a lack of self-esteem and confidence on the part of the overweight and they are holding themselves back from reaching out and grabbing their dreams and goals knowing they deserve the very best?

I really don't know the concrete answer to those questions, it might all play a part.  But one thing I have come to realize is that is wasn't all my fault.  Since becoming a health coach and educating myself on food and nutrition, I have come to understand that I became caught in the processed and fast food phenomenon that reached epic proportions in the last 50 or so years.  As I grew into adulthood, the food industry was adding more and more salt, sugar, and fat into my food and I became a food addict, a sugar addict to be precise.  I didn't realize they were drawing me in, that they were making me an addict.  All I knew was that Rice-A-Roni tasted so much better than plain rice and that ice cream made me feel happy.  So I ate and ate until I finally tipped the scales at around 250 lbs. and wondered "how did this happen to me?"

How did I turn it around?  Believe it or not, it was when I threw in the towel on weight.  I knew I was never going to look like Gwyneth Paltrow so why bother.  But I vowed to get myself as healthy and fit as I possibly could.  I just wanted to feel better in my body and about myself.  So I started walking, cutting down on starchy carbs and desserts, and stopped obsessing over the scale.  It took almost two years, but I lost 100 lbs.  I still don't look like Gwyneth Paltrow...I'm not stick thin, but I'm healthy.  My thighs don't rub together, I can fit into any restaurant booth, and I look forward to buying a few clothes every now and again.  Not big things, but they make me happy.

Today

 Eleven years ago I moved to central Kentucky, a state with one of the worst records for obesity, especially childhood obesity, in the country.  It was one of the deciding factors that influenced my decision to become a health coach.  Sitting in a local theater one evening, I observed that nearly every young girl who walked in was either overweight or obese.  Having walked in those shoes, my hope is that I can play a part in educating women and girls struggling with weight issues to understand that they have choices and that I can support them on their journey to better health.

I have reaped so much joy from helping my clients change their relationship with food, make peace with their bodies, and find balance in their lives.  By giving them the tools that they need to get back into good old-fashioned healthy eating, I hope to help them to see wellness is not only about weight, but it is a permanent lifestyle change, and that they have a choice to say to the food industry 'you don't own me, I'm in control'.

So, what would my life have been like if I hadn't been fat?   Like I said, who knows, but one thing I do know is that I would not be where I am today, having the joyful pleasure of helping others learn the healing power of food.  And for that opportunity, I am grateful.

About Bonnie


Bonnie Peterson received nutrition and wellness training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is board certified by the AADP.  Bonnie offers private one-on-one health coaching and group programs in person or by phone, email, or Skype.
Bonnie also conducts workshops, seminars, and classes covering a variety of health-related topics and she will be leading a spring detox starting in a few weeks.  If you want to learn more about how to incorporate simple but healthy meals into your diet, or you need support, a nudge, and someone to be accountable to, find out how Bonnie can help you using any of the contact avenues below!  She offers a free 30 minute session.  

Contact Information

 

Phone: (859) 779-8325  

Email:  bonnie@personaljourneywellness.com

Website

Facebook Page

Sign Up For the Spring Detox Starting June 4!

I Luv U.............Hello? R U There?

I Luv U............R U There?  TTYL?

Right off the bat let me start off by saying that I'm over 50, so okay, I might have a different perspective on technology than some of the Gen Xers and beyond.  But, the truth of the matter is, no matter how old or young we are, our family relationships, really all of our relationships, are impacted by how differently we now communicate.  

The convenience of a quick text (or you can insert email here as well) cannot be underestimated.  We've all had those times when we just can't get into an extended conversation with someone, but need to relay some information.  Text it, done.  But the art of texting has gone well beyond the relaying of information.  We now face communication and connection issues that are often the direct result of modern technology.   

THE COWARD TEXT - Have you ever had plans with someone and then need or want to cancel? Texting makes it easy to do without having to hear their disappointment or irritation.  

THE 'I NEED A FAVOR or INVITATION' TEXT - They might say no, and then I'll feel badly.  I'm afraid to ask in person so I'll text my request. Then if they turn me down, they won't hear my disappointment.

THE UNANSWERED TEXT - Maybe they haven't looked at their messages or email lately.  But, maybe they're mad at me.  What did I do?  Why didn't they respond? (Especially hard for insecure individuals).

THE ALL CAPS TEXT - Stop shouting!  Not a way to 'talk' things out.

THE UNENDING TEXTS - What could have been a 5 minute conversation is an afternoon of texting.

THE MISUNDERSTOOD TEXT -Written thoughts often sound differently than if they were said and can have an unintentional tone.  

THE MISDIRECTED TEXT - Horror of horrors, you hit the wrong name in error and send a private thought or personal message to the wrong person. 

Of course, there are wonderful ways that texts and email can enhance relationships.  The spouse stuck in a meeting can send a quick I Love You note.  Or the teenager having to give a report in front of his/her class or about to take a test can get an encouraging note of support from a parent..."You can do it honey".

For someone who did not grow up with texting, email, or social media as part of my everyday life, I am still trying to figure out if the convenience of these means of communicating outweighs the potential impact they have on human relationships.  How many of us have seen couples, even whole families, ignore each other at a restaurant as they each get lost in the private world of their cell phones.  Or had a fun visit or a meaningful conversation with someone interrupted or ended completely when the sound of the Theme from Star Wars ringtone fills the air. 

Speaking of social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter...they can all be wonderful tools to stay connected and share a bit about ourselves and our lives with others.  Social media is becoming an important factor in the business world as well.  As a health coach, I myself use social media to share recipes, information, the latest in nutrition news, and inspirational thoughts (https://www.facebook.com/PersonalJourneyWellness; https://twitter.com/peterson_bonnie).  But it can have a flip side.  Why did they unfriend me?  Or worse yet, they blocked me!  What does that mean?  It can be hurtful to say the least. Or you see pictures posted of all your friends together or at a party and wonder why you weren't invited.  You have no way of knowing the circumstances, but the pain of feeling left out is real and can run deep.  Social media posts are often the view of themselves that most people want others to see.  Their reality, however, may be quite different.    

Will we hopefully get tired of talking with our thumbs and learn to face each other again?  Or actually use our phones to hear each others voices...to tell someone how much we care about them and hear their love in return?  Will we move beyond using social media as a primary way to share ourselves with the world, as a tool to shed someone from our lives, or to make a point when we have an issue with a friend or family member?

While understanding that internet and wireless communication is here to stay, my hope is that we can get a handle on our collective attraction to this distraction, and take time to put it down, look around, and experience real life human connection.  

I would love to hear your voice and connect with you.  Would you enjoy having 30 minutes to talk with someone who would love to hear your thoughts and your goals for your health and your life?  I offer a free health coaching consultation call or meetup.  Call me at 859-779-8325 or email me at bonnie@personaljourneywellness.com.  Let's talk!
 

In the meantime, please enjoy this 1 1/2 minute video entitled A Silent Message for All of Us:

 

Who is That Talking to Me? Oh Wait, It's Me

A few months ago I was sitting on a plane waiting to take off for my return flight to Lexington, Kentucky.  Without much to do but sit there, I watched the parade of people looking for their seats go past me.  It's funny how sometimes when you are not concentrating on work, reading, making plans, or whatever, the strangest thoughts come into your mind. As I sat there it struck me that every person that walked past me had two eyes, one nose, one mouth, one chin (okay some had more than one chin), but not one person looked the same.   Even though we have the same moving parts, the nuanced differences give us our one-of-a-kind appearance.  There are many different eye shapes, colors, and sizes.  Our hair and skin comes in many shades.  Noses can be straight, crooked, wide, or narrow.  Our lip outline, size, and color varies.  Ears can be big or small, stick out or be tight to the head.  Put these varying combinations on different shaped heads and our unique sameness as humans is on display.

The same applies to the rest of our bodies-same parts, but our shape, height, and muscular structure set us apart. On the inside, we have the same organs in the same places, but there are differences there as well, for example, our digestive systems.  My mom was deathly allergic to mushrooms.  Many people are lactose intolerant or gluten sensitive. Others have a stomach of steel...seems they can eat anything and never get sick.  And there are those that have very sensitive constitutions with a list of no-no foods.  Our bodies also respond differently.  Have you seen a friend lose weight and feel great on a certain diet plan, but you didn't lose an ounce and felt terrible?  That is where bio-individuality comes in.  Each of us has different nutritional requirements, tastes, and metabolisms.  That is why we need to discover a way of eating that works for us individually.  How do we do that?

Amazingly, our bodies will lead the way.  Our bodies are constantly talking to us, sometimes in whispers (I feel so lazy today), sometimes a little louder (that bacon burger was good, but now I don't feel so hot), and sometimes in shouts (I've got a splitting headache).  We need to listen.  We need to stop ignoring the signs and symptoms that our body is constantly sending us that it needs our help.  It wants to heal.  Give it what it needs and it will respond.

I don't need to tell you what it's crying out for...fresh, healthy food and adequate exercise.  You know the drill. What many don't realize is that even small steps in the right direction will provide relief.  There is a variety of good food out there, so there is bound to be a few that will work for you that you can incorporate into a healthy eating plan.  If you need help, a health coach can provide the support and tools you need.  I offer private one-on-one coaching, group sessions, a jumpstart plan to get you going, and detox plans designed to give your liver and digestive system a well deserved break.

Shhh...what is that you hear?  It's your body...listen to it's wisdom.  Honor it.

www.personaljourneywellness.com
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859-779-8325