MONTHLY ARCHIVES: AUGUST 2015
Tips Tuesday – Transition to Fall and Back To School!
Tips Tuesday – Transition to Fall and Back To School!
Well I just got back from holidays and realized school starts in a week! Even though it’s later this year summer never seems long enough for me. Summer is my favorite season hands down. So I brace myself for less time with the kids and wearing socks to bed again. BUT it’s not ALL that bad. While on Holidays last week with my husbands sometimes overwhelming large family, I did a little self review, on many levels. Transition is inevitable! My Mom, My in laws, My ex-In laws and my step kids will have all moved within a year and the latter three within weeks of each other. Can you say Holly Crap! the transition of seasons are a little more typical, but can still be tough. I decided to plan ahead to allow the transition to happen more gently. here is what I have decided to try and I invite you to try and even make more suggestions of our own!
1- Get outside more regardless of the season so that I don’t become as house bound, and enjoy the seasons more!
2- Motivate the kids to get their homework done BEFORE we get home from work so we can get outside for bike rides and other seasonally related sports
3- Embrace the positives of each season like hot chocolate and tea on cold days, family game night, walks in the fresh sparkling snow!
4- Indulge in really nice looking warmer clothes, do something fun with my hair colour, layer up a lot to stay warm and plan a vacation somewhere HOT!
5- Be more child like while observing change. Children have no pre conceived notions or attachment to outcome because many times it’ the first time. We assume a lot about experiences. One thing I have learned is that If we choose to observe the moment the outcome changes almost every time. So assuming winter will suck, will make it so.
So we’ll whether the weather whatever the weather whether we like it or not! Now choosing to not like it will affect how we enjoy our life as much as choosing to like it, soooo…. might as well save yourself some grief and have fun with it right? So get creative with your problem solving. If transition is an issue, what do you not like about it? Then come up with a plan to seek the positives and see how your life changes for the positive with your new positive outlook!
De-Stressing Back To School!
De-Stressing Back To School!
If there re a few little details I have learned over the last 20 years of being a mother I will say this. Back to school does NOT have to be drama and stress! Here are a list of suggestions to help you through!
- It’s been a busy summer, if you feel like you have not had enough time one on one with your kids, book it in IN INK on your calendar now while you have some time to work with. One thng I had issues with was Mother’s working guilt. SO book in quiet time, fun time anytime with each kid separately and then some time together as a family. Doesn’t matter what it is just have fun with it! Don’t wait for back to school to look back and say crap where did the time go?
2) I used to rush around getting clothes for a full fall wardrobe. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS ALOST ALWAYS SWELTERING!!! The worst torture you can put your kid through is sending them to school in flannel or heavy sweaters. Do yourself and your wallet a favour and get some last minute sale rack summer clothes for the first day. They will still feel fresh and new but won’t melt all day!
3) Wait to see what others are doing! Booking your back to school shopping AFTER school starts allows you to prolong the fun, Save on your finances as EVERYTHING goes on sale for fall clothes after back to school ,and lets face it, kids want to know what their friends are wearing. Many times I dropped a ton of cash on what we thought were great ‘fashion’ items only to find out ‘No one else is where stuff like that MOM!’ SOOOO wait till after back to school, it gives you all something to look forward to, they will still fit through to the spring cause lets face it they grow like little weeds! And it would suck to buy stuff early to find out there brand new American Eagle jeans are now FLOODS!
4) If you MUST buy some fall stuff do it with assistance AND sanity. Don’t go over board pick one or two outfits that can mix and match. Go AFTER you have gone through their clothes at home to fill in the gaps.
5) Use the sales clerks, hoping that they are experienced. I had a great experience with Alicia at Garage! My 12 year old has a new figure and doesn’t know what her ‘Look” is . So after gliding through several store without her ‘Seeing anything she liked’. I took her for a for sure win (Where my 19 and 14 year old like to go) Garage!. I have had to except that the days of popping her in a dress and curling her hair for the first day are over. She wants to ‘Fit in” not stand out like a Barbie doll! As we were gliding through yet again with her face looking like a deer in head lights I grabbed a couple things and shoved her into a change room, knowing if she just started trying things on she would get a feel for what she liked. It’s a tricky stage going into Grade 7 is a big year and kids feel pressure to feel comfortable with how they look. Luckily Alicia zoned in on us and started bringing in looks she knew were popular! And Bingo! We left with some great summer /fall transition outfits!
6) Book in your back to school hair cut BEFORE school starts. Even if it’s just a trim! They can always come back in to get their fashion forward cut a month later, once they see what the friends are doing, but going in looking fresh and tidy is KEY! For older girls consider waxing, taming those brows or legs for the first time helps them feel tidy and confident. Wanna make it special? Flip flops are still going to be worn for the first few weeks maybe a mani and pedi are the answer?
No matter what approach you take for back to school, it’s a big transition for everyone so be gentle with yourself! AND THEM LOL
Good Luck!
Living Consciously, Living Green!
Living Consciously, Living Green!
It does not matter how you have been living your life up till now. From this day forward you can make more conscious decisions to create a more positive affect on your immediate environment and in turn send ripples of awareness all around you affecting the entire planet!
Where do you start?
Start your own Eco Audit!
Look at the energy preservation in your home. Do you use a lot of air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter? Could your doors and windows be improved or updated? Roof leaking? Insulation adequate? Are your appliance high efficiency? If you rent and don’t have a lot of say in the purchase or maintenance of your home look at communicating with your landlord to improve these issues, and or begin doing small improvements like caulking, applying film to the windows in the winter to prevent heat leakage. Everyone can open windows at night in the summer and close windows and drapes in the day to prevent over running of A/C. Try using your BBQ more often in seasonal weather to reduce hydro use and prevent from heating up the house with your stove. If it’s yellow let it mellow! Flush less! Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth. Be a light cop! Make sure lights you don’t need are turned off! Unplug appliances you don’t need on a regular basis to reduce small amounts of energy being wasted, it adds up! BTW ALL THIS SAVES YOU MONEY!!
Go Deeper..
What are your consuming habits? If something breaks, do you toss it and replace it right away? Maybe ask yourself do you really use it a lot? Do you need it? Could you repair it or donate it to someone who could repair it? Always ask yourself if something could be reuses, repurpose or repaired before filling our already exhausted landfills! When you purchase something ask yourself if you need brand new or if you could support recycling and repurposing by buying from second hand or off kijiji! Again saving you money and reducing the manufacturing of new products that cause negative eco impact in the manufacturing of new products and the endless filling up of our land fills! |When you do buy, do you consider where it is made? Locally made has the least negative impact on the planet. How is it made? Do they use recycled products to reproduce their products if so what percentage? What is in the product? How will it be reused or repurposed after you use it? Think long term when you buy, do you really need it? Can you reuse or donate it after? Is it easily repaired? Is it full of toxic materials that will leak into our water table as it decompose? Does it decompose?
Consider using less…. and less….. and less…..
Native Americans believe every choice they make should be deeply considered in its impact on not just the immediate timeline but on 7 generations!!! If we began to think this way many issues would be diverted. When buying anything ask yourself can I find it with less packaging? How will I deal with this packaging? Every Piece of plastic EVER MADE is still on this planet. The original plastics were quite toxic too! We need to reuse this seemingly multi use product found in so many things, and reduce, if not CEASE, making any more NEW plastic.
Buy Local Small Green Business
Where do you shop? Do you go to big companies shipping in copious amounts of off seas products made in countries with lax regulations on the manufacturing of their products? Of do you prefer to shop at markets, or small shops boasting hand made reusable items?
We are a society of convenience and short sightedness. But this can be corrected! Shifting these realities is as simple as shifting your awareness. Make small choices each day that ads up!
Besides! Think of how ‘inconvenient’ it would be if we pollute our planet beyond repair??
***Help shift to a new awareness with HHDS with our workshops and classes listed on our site now!
https://hybridhairanddetoxspa.wordpress.com/hhds-2015-workshops-classes-2/
Change is Inevitable -To Move Forward and Make Greater Impact…..
Change is Inevitable
For some time now many of you have been noticing the combining of Hybrid Hair and Detox Spa posts and the posts of the Institute For Harmonious Living. The reasoning behind this is the culmination of a long transition for me. For some time now I have recognized a calling to follow my path to attaining certification for Holistic Life Coaching, and most recently for Energy Psychology.
What is Holistic Life Coaching?
First lets look at the definition of similar applications of ‘Coaching’, ‘Life Coaching’, and ‘Health and Wellness Coaching’.
Coaching
Is training or development in which a person called a coach supports a learner in achieving a specific personal or professional goal. The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally,coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives, as opposed to general goals or overall development
Life Coach
Life coaching draws upon a variety of tools and techniques from other disciplines such associology,[citation needed] psychology, neuroscience,[8] and career counseling with an aim towards helping people identify and achieve personal goals. Specialty life coaches may have degrees in various fields and may have studied counseling psychology and related areas.
Health and Wellness coaching
In the world of health and wellness, a health coach is an emerging new role. Health coaching is becoming recognized as a new way to help individuals “manage” their illnesses and conditions, especially those of a chronic nature.[32] The coach will use special techniques, personal experience, expertise and encouragement to assist the coachee in bringing his/her behavioral changes about.
So when people ask what Holistic Life Coaching is, basically combine the above and much more. We now realise through the proof of scientific studies that our mind, body and spirit are linked. That if one or more areas are out of balance it affects the ‘Whole’. We also understand that our childhood experiences affect the forming of our personalities, future choices and roles we play in our personal and professional lives. We also have accepted that our stressful over stimulated lives cause us, over time, to become sick, mentally, physically and emotionally.
So the answer to this ‘Whole Life’ impact to our existence is a ‘Whole Life Coaching approach’ or Holistic Life Coaching.
What is Holistic Life Coaching
Is the recognition of an individuals multi dimensional existence. That the mind, body and spirit co-exist, and are dependant upon each others balanced health and well being. Rather then treating separate pieces of an individual with only Physical Western style medical approach to illness, or coaching for individual needs regarding careers, relationships or self, the approach taken on behalf of the Holistic Life Coach is one of the Whole Being. The Holistic Life Coach understands that the career is affected by the personal self, the relationship is affected by the career, the physical body is affected by the spirit, and on and on and on….
So how would specialising and treating in any one area have an indefinite affect in a positive way to the individual if the connected entities were not balanced and cleared and developed into a well oiled machine. The Holistic Life Coach uses a plethora of tools and skills to assist the client to achieving, mental, physical and emotional states of peak performance and in turn ‘Coaches’ the client to their desired goals and outcomes in every aspect of their existence including, relationships, career, physical health and mental and emotional stability.
What is Energy Psychotherapy?
Energy psychology addresses the relationship of energy systems to emotion, cognition, behavior and health. These systems include electrical activity of the nervous system and heart, meridians, biophotons, biofields, etc.
Although psychological functioning involves thought, emotions, chemistry, neurology, genetics and environmental aspects, at an essential level bioenergy is also involved. Just as an audiotape or computer hard drive contain information in electromagnetic fields, similarly our brain and body operate electromagnetically. Energy psychology is applicable to a wide range of areas including psychotherapy, counseling, education, vocational guidance, physical health, pain management, sports and peak performance.
Energy psychotherapy includes approaches to the assessment and treatment of psychological problems via bioenergy systems. In addition to many standard therapeutic elements such as rapport, listening and discussion, energy psychotherapy also involves procedures that specifically address the underlying energetic aspects of the problem through attunement, manual muscle testing, and various techniques that involve stimulating the body at discrete locations by holding or tapping, assuming specified body postures and movements, visualization, use of affirmations, expressed intentions and assertions, and more. Many approaches to energy psychotherapy also focus on the relationship among bioenergy, consciousness, thought, intentionality, and spirituality. These therapies often achieve observable and measurable results rapidly and usually without causing undue emotional distress or abreaction.
The field of Energy Psychology (EP) has been referred to as “a major breakthrough” and“the medicine of the future.” and is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most effective therapeutic treatments available today.
Although Energy Psychology may be new to many people several forms of it have been around since the mid 1980’s. EP is based on firm groundwork of Eastern medicine and the subtle energy fields that stretches back at least 5000 years; which focus on the electrical activity of the nervous system, acupuncture meridians, chakras and biofields.
Energy Psychology (EP) is the name given to a variety of therapies that work with the body’s energy system to produce a psychological change by balancing, restoring and improving human functioning both mentally and physically. EP embraces the Mind-Body connection using non-invasive techniques that rapidly release emotional blocks, foster healing and change emotional patterns at a deep core level and is used as a tool during Holistic Life Coaching practices.
So in understanding what Holistic Life Coaching and Energy Psychology is, I can explain further why I have incorporated these amazing educational accreditations into my life.
Initially I felt that this was something I was always meant to do. In starting my career in Hair Design well over 20 years ago I noticed many clients would treat me like a confidant, or counselor, looking for solace, comfort and advice. I always felt a little uneasy about this in a manner of my wanting my response to be one of grounded support, not opinion. Fast forward over 5 years ago while creating Hybrid Hair and Detox Spa, I attained Reiki Level one Attunement. At this time during treatments many obstacles for my clients would come up and they would look to me for assistance. Once again on a grander scale I was motivated to assist these people with an approach backed by educational knowledge, skills and tools. I have in the past utilized personal, marital and career counselling to find assistance navigating through difficult life experiences . At no time did I feel empowered or did I feel that I was left with tangible tools that I could effectively use to transform my life and ‘turn my life around’. I left feeling re-victimized and lost without hope. My thoughts reflected despair and yielding to the, ‘well that’s life’ analogy.
I got a taste of Life Coaching from a lovely client who offered me a couple of sessions and I was bitten by the bug. Her sessions were different, more empowering and gave me hope. Over time I searched for Life Coach training that would allow me to still be a full time mom, business owner and entrepreneur, this was NOT easy! Many classes were structured during evenings (I already worked two evenings a week and kids were not happy), were too long (Would have taken 10 years to finish part time) Or too expensive, in that I would have to give up my current business to attend or worst still were weekend warrior classes that I simply could not in good conscious attend as I felt I would not have trained deeply enough to truly positively affect change in the lives of my clients. Then through a dear friend I was referred to Christina Reeves. Through her amazing class that was conformed to my needs and flowed and ebbed with the demand my life called for, I had finally found my opportunity to fulfill a life long passion. To impact others, effectively, affectively, deeply and permanently empowering in a positive manner. The Goal was to offer others the tools that they could use in their daily lives to be physically healthier, emotionally more balanced and mentally and spiritually impervious to outside negative influence, in turn creating irreversible healing in EVERY area of their lives simultaneously. Now over two years later, I have been offered the opportunity by my own Mentor and Holistic Life Coach Instructor to take over where she so revolutionarily left off.
As of September 8th 2015 I will be offering Holistic Life Coach Certification Training to ten amazing people searching for an outlet for their purpose to help others. The program is 10 months long and more information can be fund here:https://instituteforharmoniousliving.wordpress.com/ or feel free to call me at 519-404-6627.
As mentioned earlier this evolutionary training experience is offered in the comfort of your own home through Skype and or Phone call at a time specified at your convenience.
As I begin to transition this fall to two days a week in Hybrid Hair and Detox Spa, I have all the confidence that Elena and Jenna have you in the best of hands. Their authenticity, genuine care and service to our guests is something special I have been looking for in my Green Family for some time. As I will still be an active participant for some time at HHDS, I recognize the time is now to begin allowing the next generation to assist with the evolution of this amazing 1st Green Salon Spa and Energy Space in KW and take my next step in assisting further the collective evolution of humanity. In many ways this is an extension of HHDS in an effort to create awareness of ourselves and in turn a conscious connection to our planet. The healing we experience in our selves in inevitably impact our planet as more and more people are awakened to their power to heal themselves and make healthier choices for our Planet as we are all intrinsically connected to Earth and Earth to us. Now stating my efforts to assist with the accumulative evolution of humanity sounds like a pretty big undertaking and perhaps a little cocky. But it isn’t really, because as each client benefits from a HLC session , or multiple sessions, as each future Holistic Life Coach signs on for training, one more ‘Evolutionary Minion’ is set lose out into the world. One more empowered person is set off on their own path that undoubtedly will impact many more and in turn create an epidemic of crazy, happy, empowered, courageous souls. So I won’t be doing it alone.
I invite you, Do you want to help?
https://instituteforharmoniousliving.wordpress.com/
info@instituteforharmoniousliving.com
519-404-6627
Tips Tuesday-Identifying Roles We Play That Affect Communication & In Turn Relationships
Identifying Roles We Play That Affect Communication & In Turn Relationships
Our last Meet up really triggered some of our sensitive spots regarding how we are truly in control and not in control of our reality at the same time. We now understand we have no control over others, their choices or behaviour, however we have full control over our reaction, response-ability and in turn our experience of relationships and our lives.
This is a double edged sword. It is a jagged pill to swallow to acknowledge our participation through choice of focus and reaction in our reality especially if we have been experiencing a lot of pain, drama and chaos. However once we get beyond the denial, self judgment and guilt, which does not serve us in our healing, we become empowered with awareness. We begin to realize that if we have created our past reality by passively making negative choices leading us to negative experiences we can, in turn, make consecutive positive choices that lead to a more positive experience. Let me explain passive choices. We think by not making choices or simply floating through each day letting life happen to us we are a victim to reality and haven’t chosen to have this reality experience. When in truth we have CHOSEN to passively making negative choices leading us to negative experiences and by focusing and reacting to the pain, drama and chaos. By not making a choice we are choosing to not make a choice.
In an attempt to deflect responsibility we point the finger at others blaming them for our reality so we do not have to take responsibility for our selves. In truth others act as a mirror for us. That is the purpose of relationships so what triggers us about others behaviour is really an opportunity the universe has to say, ‘See, look at this and release this behaviour in your self’. However it is not that simple. Just because we see someone being irresponsible at work, as an example, doesn’t mean that you are irresponsible at work necessarily. But since it bothers you, since it triggers you, you might ask yourself , where am I being irresponsible in my own life? This is where we have a lot of control, if we do not like what we see, we can take responsibility for our selves and in turn the universe has les of a mirror reflection opportunity in others to trigger you.
Now next meet up on Saturday August 15 @ Moses Springer Park from 3-5 we will be discussing Roles We Play when interacting with others. Some people would describe these as personality traits, or forms of archetypes. In reality we play each of these roles ourselves at different times of our life. When it serves us to get the outcome we want in a manipulative fashion. Some people live and react from some of these roles more then others. By identifying them, understanding why we use them, we can start to understand what the root emotion is that we are trying to compensate for, that we might be missing we can begin to release these roles from our behaviour and be less affected and more understanding of others when they play them on us.
I look forward to sharing these roles with you and if time allows start delving into primary and secondary emotions. Please feel free to bring a friend!
Don’t worry if you have missed the passed meet up groups we will recap them again in future groups to allow for you to catch up and or delve deeper and ask questions you didn’t think of the first time.
MONTHLY ARCHIVES: AUGUST 2014
Tips Tuesday – Back To School Hair and Make Up
This time of year is crzy! Getting ready for school, getting reorganized! Here are som simple ways to prep for the first day!
Make Lunch the night before!
Long Hair? Put it in loose braids the night before when just barely damp let dry over night and run fingers through it in the morning , touch up with an iron if need be in the a.m
Short hair? Curls are big and sleek and shiny is always in. For curls, wrap hair around your finger when slightly damp with some product in it and pin to the head with bobby pins, use one to two inch sections the bigger the section the bigger the curls. Next morning separate each curl in three and go! For sleek hair wash and blow dry the night before in the a.m use a straight iron to smooth and sleek fly aways, make sure you use Thermal Protector like our Onesta Thermal Spray.
Make up generally becomes the subject around grade 7 or 8 or age 13. Most young girls don’t need foundation or blush. If the complexion isn’t clear, don’t cove up and clog with foundation, check out our RVB Holistic Skin care options to clear the skin before applying make up, as it can make matters worst if not removed properly. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT ALL MAKE UP IS REMOVED AT THE END OF THE DAY. Light glosses and natural shadows are key for younger ages. We offer Make up consultations where the application is explained, the appropriate colours are suggested and tools recommended. This is a great way for your daughter to learn the appropriate way to wear make up. Heavier liners are more popular these days. For a more natural look use shadows to line the eyes and finish with a quick brush of Mirabella Mascara. If they insist on a stronger line, The Eye liner Marker from Mirabella ROCKS! It is soo easy to apply and having a quick lesson on how to do it is a great idea so as not to OVER do.
When everyone is back in class , may I recommend a MENTAL HEALTH DAY FOR YOU?? Reflexology with a pedi? Aroma Touch Massage which is at a discount this sept for only $60 Reg $75, or enjoy a crystal Grid Lay Out and Hair cut! You name it we have the treatments and services so ease your frazzled back to school nerves!
XO to you and yours this back to school season!
