Happenings this week 10/05/09 + range of motion

Hi everyone—

We are into the full swing of fall! I have a gorgeous ash tree in my front yard that is a wonder to me—turning from green to brilliant purple, and eventually to yellow. Let your eyes and spirit be fed by the beauty of fall color!

Here’s what happening this week:

• Weds 10/7, 6:30-8 p.m.: Compass Bio-Scan Open House. If you’ve been wanting to come in for a Compass Bio-Scan or you want to re-scan, we’re having a scanning “party”! Stop by between 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday. We’ll also be showing a DVD on the overmedication of our kids.
• Wednesday 10/7 by midnight—last day to receive $20 off of registration for October whole foods cleanse! Register here. Choose between two groups—one will meet on Weds at noon, and one will meet on Weds evenings at 6 p.m. beginning 10/21.
• Thursday 10/8, 7 p.m.: Antibiotic Alternatives—Natural Remedies. Want to know what to have on hand to help your body weather the cold and flu season? Video and discussion. Registration required; more info here!
• Friday, 10/9. Hawaiian Lomilomi massage, open appointments. I currently have openings for this Friday: 60-min massage openings at 2:15 and 4 p.m. I am running special pricing through 10/31—more info here. Lomi is relaxing, rejuvenates the body and uplifts the spirit. Treat yourself this week!

Coming up next week:

• Thursday, 10/15. Open one-on-one appointments for nutrition coaching and Compass bio-scans. Current openings: 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. Call or email if you’d like one of these slots! Compass bio-scans can help us get information from your body on what herbs and supplements your body needs to bring it into balance. This information combined with a diet based on whole foods is powerful! Email me to book an appointment.
• Thursday, 10/15, 7 p.m. Fall Potluck! Let's share our favorite healthy, wholesome Fall fare! Bring a dish to share and the recipe. Leave with a happy tummy and lots of recipes to warm up the cool weather. Registration required; more info here!
• Friday 10/16: Hawaiian lomilomi appointments available: 9 a.m. (90-min), 11:30 a.m. (90-min), 2:15 p.m. (60 min) and 4 p.m. (60 min). Email me to book appointment.

Health tip: Range of Motion

One of my favorite concepts learned in massage school was the value of taking a joint through its range of motion. Many aches and pains are cleared up simply by moving a joint through its full range of motion. If you think about all the muscles, tendons and ligaments that serve in the movement of a joint, you can imagine that if we only use some of them on a regular basis, and rarely give the others a chance to move too, then those muscles will be out of balance—some overused and some underused. Taking a joint through its full range of motion brings the muscles back into balance. They all get a chance to flex and stretch. You can almost feel them going “AAHHH!” So next time your muscles are feeling achy, stiff or sore, try moving them slowly through their full range of motion—a couple of times in each direction—and see if they don’t feel better!

All the best to you this week!

Tamara

Happenings this week 092909 + recipe!

I'm going to switch to a weekly format for my newsletter—so you can get more “in the moment” info on wellness topics and offerings. These will also be posted on my blog, so if you’d rather subscribe to the blog than receive email, please click here to go to my blog and click on the “Posts” drop down box under “Subscribe to this blog” in the right-side menu.

THIS WEEK:

• Weds 9/30, 7 p.m.: The Unsuspected Thyroid—A FREE seminar with Dr. Inge Wetzel. Just a reminder for those that have registered, otherwise this seminar is FULL. More info here!
• Thursday, 10/1. Open one-on-one appointments for nutrition coaching and Compass bio-scans. Current openings: 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m. Call or email if you’d like one of these slots! Compass bio-scans can help us get information from your body on what herbs and supplements your body needs to bring it into balance. This information combined with a diet based on whole foods is powerful! Email me to book an appointment.
• Friday, 10/2. Hawaiian Lomilomi massage, open appointments. I currently have openings for this Friday: 90-min massage openings at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and 60-min massage openings at 2:15 and 4 p.m. I am running special pricing through 10/31—more info here. Lomi is relaxing, rejuvenates the body and uplifts the spirit. Treat yourself this week!

Coming up next week:

• Wednesday 10/7—last day to receive $20 off of registration for October whole foods cleanse! Register here. Choose between two groups—one will meet on Weds at noon, and one will meet on Weds evenings at 6 p.m. beginning 10/21.
• Thursday 10/8, 7 p.m.: Antibiotic Alternatives—Natural Remedies. Want to know what to have on hand to help your body weather the cold and flu season? Video and discussion. Registration required; more info here!
• Thursday 10/8. One-on-one appointments for nutrition coaching and Compass bio-scans: 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. Email me to book an appointment.
• Friday 10/9: Hawaiian lomilomi appointments available: 9 a.m. (90-min), 2:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. (60 min). Email me to book appointment.

As we slip into fall weather, here is a wonderful recipe shared at our last cleanse to warm your body and spirit:

Butternut Squash Soup

1 butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled
2 large yellow onions
1/2 medium red bell pepper, seeded
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup organic coconut milk
3 1/2 cups purified water
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Minced fresh cilantro

1. Cut squash, onion, and bell pepper into small cubes. Warm a large pot over medium heat; add oil and vegetables and toss to coat. Cook for 15 minutes; add paprika and toss.

2. Add coconut milk, water, and sea salt. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are soft enough to blend into a smooth soup, about 20 minutes.

3. Blend soup in batches in a blender or food processor. Taste before seasoning. Add apple cider vinegar. Serve with minced cilantro.

Enjoy your week!

Tamara

yummy gluten-free/vegan treats from babycakes in NYC

I'm really not usually star-struck...but I love Gwyneth Paltrow's blog called GOOP. She posts some awesome recipes on there every month or two. This time, there are some recipes for gluten-free/vegan treats--including double-chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cupcakes and lemon poppy tea cake--all from babycakes bakery in NYC.

Mostly made with ingredients we recommend!

http://goop.com/newsletter/49/null.pdf?utm_source=Goop+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8b5f4375ea-Goop49_09_24_2009&utm_medium=email

Enjoy!

FREE thyroid seminar, last cleanse of the year, weekly workshops, lomi at YWC

Hi, everyone—

Ahhh…the days are getting shorter and the leaves are beginning to change color. Fall is upon us! As the seasons transition, I hope that you will have a chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty and colors of fall.

As I say that, much is on the schedule this fall to entice you to switch gears and care for your body, mind and spirit. Hoping there’s something here that will catch your eye:

The Unsuspected Thyroid FREE seminar with Dr. Inge Wetzel, Weds 9/30 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Dr. Inge’s last seminar on colon health was very enlightening, and she has agreed to come back and talk about another of her specialties, thyroid health! Your thyroid gland secretes a number of hormones that regulate, among many other things, your metabolism. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are common conditions and often people have symptoms of one of these conditions, yet blood tests show “normal” levels.

Dr. Inge searched for answers for her own health issues for many years, only to discover it was her thyroid after all. In this presentation we will travel down the road she took to feel better. You will get practical insights and knowledge on how to feel like your old self again.

Come and be a part of this dynamic event! I’ll also be offering Compass bio-scans (FREE with $40 purchase) after the seminar. The “Compass” helps us get information from your body on what herbs and supplements your body wants to bring it into balance. The technology is based on Galvanic Skin Response or GSR, the same technology used in the polygraph test. It’s an impressive technology, and the Compass reading only takes a few minutes!

Date: Wednesday, September 30

Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Location: 8700 Monrovia, Suite 310, Lenexa, KS (Commerce Bank building at 87^th and Monrovia)

Space is limited, so please RSVP here, and feel free to bring a guest!

Fall Cleanse With Friends—Whole Food Cleanse

Our last cleanse of the year! We have seen some amazing transformations through cleansing—below are a couple of testimonials:

“I first wanted to tell you how great I still feel, I have lost almost 20 pounds now and my whole family has dramatically changed the way we eat. I have been singing the praises of this cleanse to several people…”

“Ok, I had to give you guys this update. I just had my colonoscopy this morning. The doc said I have absolutely no inflammation anywhere in the colon!! This is the first time ever there has not been even the slightest bit of inflammation or evidence of colitis. And I have been doing this annually for almost 20 years!! I can't believe it, but I have pictures and a medical report to prove it!”

“I just want to let everyone know how appreciative I am of everyone’s support! My objective was to improve my nutrition habits. What I want to contribute…is to listen to our bodies. If we do that, it tells you what you need! My epiphany! Hugs to All. This is an amazing experience for me!”

This is the whole food cleanse where we eat a more cleansing diet at the beginning and work our way up to a full healthy diet. One of the best parts is that we share tons of recipes for each phase of the cleanse—even the most novice cook will learn to make delicious food that feeds your body oh so well and tastes delicious! We will be scheduling two groups—both meet on Wednesdays through the cleanse—one at lunch time and one in the evening. More info and registration at www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends. Register by 10/7 and receive $20 off! We expect this cleanse to fill up, so if you know you want to participate, RSVP ASAP!

Next cleanse: Master Cleanse juice fast in January 2010. J

Moments of Truth—A Weekly Dose of Support, Information and Inspiration

This started out as weekly support for cleansers post cleanse, but I’ve decided (already!) to modify this format as it seems so many of you want more information on lots of different holistic wellness topics and I have so much info to share! This weekly format is OPEN TO ALL, and I’ll be posting a month or two of topics in advance. Some will be info I share workshop-style, we may watch some videos, and there will be guest lecturers. Topic ideas and requests are welcome! Otherwise, I’ll choose. J All meetings on Thursdays, 7 p.m. at my office in Lenexa. $12.

Upcoming workshops:

9/24: Wheel of Life: What does balance look like? What are the areas that need attention and focus to bring us into balance?

10/1: no meeting (master cleanse group meeting)

10/8: Antibiotic Alternatives: Treating Infections with Natural Remedies (video and discussion)

10/15: Fall Potluck: Let’s share our favorite healthy, wholesome fall fare! Bring a dish to share and your recipe.

10/22: The Importance of Healthy Fats.

10/29: Reading Labels: what's ok? what should I avoid? Become a savvy label reader!

11/5: Cancer: Unlocking the Mystery (video and discussion)

11/12: Eating According to Your Blood Type: Learn how eating according to your blood type can give you more energy, bring you into balance, and optimize weight loss.

RSVP and online payment options available on my website: www.tcreighton.com/programsandclasses/weeklyworkshops.

Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage

I am so thrilled to be renting space at Your Wellness Connection in Shawnee and finally offering you Hawaiian lomilomi massage! Lomilomi is a deeply rejuvenating massage that nurtures your body and spirit! Lomi was first practiced by the kahunas and family elders of Hawai'i. Today, lomi is practiced by massage therapists and is performed with prayerful intentions and blessings, deep breathing, music of the islands, hot stones, and guided visualization. By addressing the body with such focused intention, deeper levels of release can occur so that you may reconnect with your spirit, find joy, and increase the momentum for change and wellbeing in your life.

To entice you to try it, I am offering a special—buy one lomi massage and get the second 50% off through 10/31. Choose between 60-minute and 90-minute lomi’s. Many more details here, including times available, pricing, and on-line payment: Hawaiian lomilomi.

Tuning In—Developing the Disciplines to Hear and Follow Your Inner Compass

It’s back! A new and expanded version of this 8-class series is being offered beginning 10/6. Your inner compass is your personal guidance system, which you can use to access your spirit and its divine roadmap, helping you create your greatest life. This class was developed in partnership with Kelly Murphy-Boulé and Katie Van Ommeren—two amazing ladies and my partners in Inner Compass Wellness. We developed this class based on tools and disciplines that have worked for us, and for our continued growth. Sure to be transformative! Click here for more info: Tuning In Series.

Please pass this newsletter along to anyone you feel would be interested and would benefit from these offerings. And, of course, if you’d prefer to not receive future newsletters, please reply to this email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

All the best to you!

Tamara

FW: Free seminar with Dr Inge Wetzel, last chance for August cleanse, biweekly support

Hi, everyone—

A quick note on this beautiful sun-shiny morning in Kansas City!

Colon Health with Dr. Inge Wetzel, Weds 8/5 6:30 – 8 p.m.

I have a unique opportunity to offer a FREE seminar on colon health and the origin of disease. Research has linked a wide variety of health problems with intestinal inflammation including arthritis, allergies, eczema and other skin ailments, some cancers, asthma, and even some mental health issues like schizophrenia. If you have ever wondered what you can do to be proactive, have more energy, lose weight, prevent cancer and many other diseases…you need to hear what Dr. Inge has to say!

Come and be a part of this dynamic event as Dr. Inge Wetzel discusses the truth about how your gut health affects your overall health. I’ll also be offering Compass bio-scans (FREE with $40 purchase) after the seminar. The “Compass” helps us get information from your body on what herbs and supplements your body needs to bring it into balance. The technology is based on Galvanic Skin Response or GSR, the same technology used in the polygraph test. It’s an impressive technology, and the Compass reading only takes a few minutes!

Date: Wednesday, August 5

Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Location: 8700 Monrovia, Suite 310, Lenexa, KS (Commerce Bank building at 87^th and Monrovia)

Space is limited, so please RSVP here, and feel free to bring a guest.

August Cleanse With Friends—Whole Food Cleanse

We have added capacity for our August cleanse, but there are only 5 spots left! If you are planning to join us, please RSVP ASAP. More info and registration at www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends.

Because of your great desire to change your health via cleansing, we will be offering two more cleanses this year: a Master Cleanse, kickoff Sept. 23, and a Fall Whole Food cleanse, kickoff 10/21. More info at www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends.

Moments of Truth—biweekly support and inspiration

For those who have completed a holistic nutrition series or cleanse, I am kicking off an informal biweekly support group called “Moments of Truth.” This is a "come as you are" format to help you continue working on your health and wellness goals. Come to every meeting, or drop in as you like! $12/meeting or $40/four. I’ll provide support and continuing education on holistic nutrition philosophies and help you track your progress, get answers to your questions, and help you pick yourself up when you stumble. J

Upcoming dates:

Tuesday 8/4 at 6:30

Tuesday 8/18 at 6:30

Tues 9/1 at 6:30

Tues 9/15 at 6:30

Tues 9/19 at 6:30

Info and online payment options available on my website calendar: http://www.tcreighton.com/calendar.html

All the best to you!

Tamara

FW: Aug cleanse, supplements, schedule, office update!

Hi, All—

Let me just say that getting this newsletter out has felt like giving birth—many birthing pains! A lot has been happening since the last post…so much to share. I hope this note finds you enjoying the gloriousness of summer, no matter where you are. J

August Whole Food Cleanse

We hurried up and scheduled another cleanse for August, because the June one sold out! I have to tell you that if you want to make positive changes in your health via diet, this is the way to springboard yourself to a new place. It’s an awesome experience with awesome results. We’ve held two other whole-food cleanse groups this spring/summer and the results have been profound! Typically people find that they lose weight, cravings fall away, energy returns, “real” food tastes incredible, and they are motivated to make other positive changes toward wholeness and wellness.

Kickoff is Weds, August 12 and the cleanse begins on Saturday 8/15. More info at: www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends.

There are only 6 spots, left so reserve yours today!

For those outside of the Kansas City area, remote access via a live weekly webcast will be available for the August cleanse! Cleanse with us from your own corner of the world! If this is of interest to you, please register for the cleanse above, then reply to this email so that we may ensure smooth access to the kickoff meeting on 8/12.

Herbs and supplements

We receive many questions regarding supplements in the course of working with clients. My philosophy is that you only take supplements for a time--not forever--to support your body as it heals, rebuilds, and brings itself back into balance. Otherwise, the best source of nutrients is always whole foods.

To make it easy for you to secure high quality and reasonably priced herbs and supplements, I've aligned with Nature's Sunshine--a 35+ year-old company with humble beginnings and a passion for quality. I love that they were founded around the power of herbs--herbs are like whole foods (magical!) and can help bring the body into balance. With a $40 purchase, you can become a member and save 10-45% on retail. Worth it! For more info and to access my link to the Nature's Sunshine product list and online ordering, click here.

Not sure what supplements you need? I can help you assess that! I am now using a device called the “Compass” which helps us get information from your body on what herbs and supplements your body needs to bring it into balance. The technology is based on Galvanic Skin Response or GSR, the same technology used in the polygraph test. (But sorry, the Compass can’t assess truth telling. J)

It’s an impressive technology, and the Compass reading only takes a few minutes! I am currently offering FREE Compass readings with a $40 purchase (a $25 value.) To make it easy for those interested, I’ve opened time in my schedule on the next three Thursdays:

Thursday 7/16: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.

Thursday 7/23: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.

Thursday 7/30: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.

Call me at (913) 232-6419 or reply to this email to book your slot.

Schedule

With getting my office set up, I am beginning to hold more regular hours…yea! I have updated my website to include all that I’m offering in the current months, including open appointment times, classes, cleanses, and support groups. Please check it out by clicking here!

Here is a list of current and upcoming offerings, more info on my website:

· Belly Truths—Essential Nutrition series: a 4-class series at the Yoga Gallery, downtown Overland Park 7/28 – 8/18

· Belly Truths—Find Your Best Health program: my most comprehensive offering! Combines the power of a whole food cleanse, support group, and holistic nutrition education. Begins Thursday 9/10.

· Moments of Truth—biweekly support and inspiration: For those who have completed a holistic nutrition series or cleanse

· Tuning In—Developing the Disciplines to Hear and Follow Your Inner Compass: Expanded to 12 classes! A wonderful series to begin living on purpose and for getting your spiritual life on track

Office Update!

I have loved moving into an office! It brings such organizing energy and intention to my days and weeks. I have had a roadblock…or, let’s say “detour” with offering massage from this location. Long story short: no can do. I am currently searching for interim short-term space and plan to be booking Hawaiian lomilomi massages (my passion and specialty) for early to mid August. Stay tuned! I can’t wait to bring this awesome body work to you!

Thank you so much for your attention today—it’s always my pleasure being in touch with you! Let me know how I may help you as you dream your wellness dream.

All the best,

Tamara

P.S. Please pass this along to anyone you know who might benefit from these offerings. J

Understanding addiction

I subscribe to "GOOP" which is Gwenyth Paltrow's way of pondering and sharing insights and information from the vast array of resources she has available to her. I'm not one to be star struck, so know I'm not interested in what she has to say from that perspective. I am, however, intrigued by the steady stream of insights that come via her emails.

This is a lengthy post on addiction that arrived in my in-box yesterday and I felt compelled to share it with you. Hope it gets you thinking!

All the best,

Tamara


From GOOP:

Have you ever loved somebody who drinks until their usually charming personality is usurped by a monster? Or discovered that someone you adore is throwing up after every meal? Or wondered if you are stuck in a feedback loop of tension and unrest because you need the adrenaline of stress to function? How do we become enslaved by addiction? What is addiction? Below the sages weigh in....

Question:
Addiction is defined as “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, such as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” What makes so many of us prone to addiction in its various forms? What causes us to be open to this enslavement? And how do we begin to undo it?

Michael Berg replies:

A: I Want More

When looking through the lens of Kabbalah, addiction is seen as a positive door to greater personal transformation, provided we understand these urges are coming from the soul, not the body. In a way, it is the deepest, truest part of ourselves saying, “I am not satisfied.”

Kabbalah teaches that we are in this world to achieve lasting and true fulfillment. However, our wires often get crossed and we think this fulfillment can come from physicality. This is never the case. The material world always leaves us wanting more. There is a saying, “If today I have one then tomorrow I want two, and if today I have 100, then tomorrow I will want 200.”

The addiction battles many of us fight are here to push us toward finding a deeper fulfillment, which comes from connecting to the real things in life: love, compassion, sharing and revealing our true essence.
Addiction is simply a misguided yearning of the soul. What happens with alcohol, drugs, sex and money is that they are short-term fixes for this deeper desire. Sure, in the moment, they give us a certain amount of fulfillment, but as we know it never lasts.

Our soul has this massive thirst, and we are trying to quench it with a teaspoon.

Therefore, there are three essential things we can do to begin the process of leaving addictive behavior behind:
1. Realize these yearnings are coming from a true place (our soul) telling us we need to do more, and we can do and be more.
2. Begin a process of both realizing and connecting to our true essence by focusing, meditating and becoming more conscious of our thoughts, behaviors and true potential.
3. Do actions that take us out of selfish behavior. Become a more giving person. This helps us be less busy with ourselves.

Being addicted doesn’t make us bad, weak or hopeless. Just the opposite. It means we have a unique soul that wants more. We aren’t satisfied with the status quo. We have a burning desire to connect to something bigger than ourselves. And as we come to understand the source of our desires, and stop letting our addictions distract us from our true essence, we can find a lasting, uninterrupted level of fulfillment.

Zen Master Dennis Genpo Merzel replies:

A: I think it’s important to first understand the root cause of all our addictions. Our major addiction is to the self and all that we consider to be the self, in other words, to my body, my mind, my ego, to my beliefs, concepts and opinions, and to my desires, cravings and attachments. Most of our addictions are to avoid the truth that “I” does not exist as a separate entity, and we use our drugs of choice to help the “self” feel better temporarily. To realize “no-self” is to face true emptiness or the void that we are always trying so desperately to fill.

Our addiction to the concept of self is the most deeply ingrained and the hardest to overcome. To do so we have to begin by seeing into the truth that there really is no self. The self is just a concept, an agreed-upon notion, much like that of a corporation. Over a period of 80 to 100 years, the CEO and all the employees will have changed several times. The product and even the name of the company may also have changed. So what is the company? In fact, there is no company, other than a legal agreement that it exists and persists over time as the same company. The self is just like this. We know that before there was a concept of self, there was no such thing called the self. We all agree when a baby is born that this baby is a self and has a self. But the baby doesn’t have a concept of self. We build that concept up over time, and the more time and energy we invest in the concept of self, the more attached, or addicted, we become to the notion that “I” exists as a separate, solid and permanent entity. Moment by moment, day by day, year by year, the more we have invested in this notion, the harder it is to free ourselves from the addiction of self. Once we have truly realized that there is no self, the easier it is to drop our addictions.

From this notion of self comes all our suffering. When we realize there is no self, there is no suffering, for there is no one to suffer. However, this is not the end of what is possible to realize. Imagine a triangle with “the self” at one end of the base, and “the no-self” at the opposite end of the base. Then envision moving to the apex of this triangle and embrace the two aspects of the one reality: the relative, the self; and the absolute, the no-self. And since the relative and the absolute are one in reality, just two opposite ends of the same triangle, we realize that the no-self is the self.

At this point, we are totally free to choose to be a human being. We can choose our addictions wisely. I choose to have my cup of coffee in the morning. I choose to avoid harmful substances or behaviors. I choose to be attached to my family, friends and loved ones. I choose to be attached to helping all beings awaken – and it too is an addiction!

Cynthia Bourgeault replies:

A: It’s not really a question of “mind over matter” because the mind IS matter

As recent neuroscience has demonstrated, every habit lays down its own neural pathway i.e., it carves its own rut track in the brain – and the inertia around these pathways is considerable. The disruption of ANY happy pathway brings with it considerable discomfort and resistance. So you’re quite right in lumping together habits and addictions; the difference between them is more one of degree than of kind. One can be addicted to coffee, alcohol, porridge for breakfast, endorphins, heroin, meditation, exercise, sex or God! The difference is only that the classic “chemical dependency addictions” add to our already full plate of cognitive and emotional distress and at the interruption of a habit, physiological distress as well.

Most of the moral and spiritual training of Western minds over the past two millennia has been couched around instilling “good habits” – or at least replacing unhealthy behavior patterns with healthy behavior patterns. But there has been a school of spiritual training in all the great traditions that claims that real spiritual maturity is the ability to be habit-free: to be able to bushwhack through consciousness without laying down ANY of those familiar but deadly ruttracks.

My own teacher Rafe belonged to this school of thought. On his prayer desk, he kept a quotation from the British spiritual teacher Maurice Nicoll: “Faith is a continual inner effort, a continual altering of the mind, of the habitual ways of thought, of the habitual ways of taking everything, of habitual reactions.” Rafe took that saying deeply to heart. From time to time, he would spontaneously uproot his established patterns and preferences in order to keep his spiritual life (as well as his mind) supple, and to experience that pure rush of freedom that comes from being able to sit in the chaos of a disrupted habit – like an anthill that’s just been kicked in – and transform the pain into the razor’s edge of pure consciousness.

To do this, however, is an advanced spiritual skill. It requires an ability to sit in the presence of powerful emotional currents – pain, grief, yearning, fear – and experience them as pure sensation rather than as part of the story we keep telling ourselves about who we are. This is an acquired skill, whose foundations are in meditation and conscious breathing.

Both habits and addictions, in my experience, are a kind of shorthand we resort to for getting through our lives because we lack the spiritual/energetic force to stay present to the field of our own “pure awareness.” Our habits are primarily the SYMPTOMS of our low level of Being, not the CAUSE of it. So my own preference is to work a little each day on increasing my tolerance for Being (or presence or pure awareness – they’re simply different ways of speaking about the same vitalized energy field of consciousness). Once that force of Being is strong enough within us, then dealing with habits/addictions is like taking off a raincoat once the sun is shining.

Deepak Chopra replies:

A: Addiction Is a Mystique and a Mystery

Human beings become addicted because we are complex. Addictions are like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces are on the table but no one quite knows what the whole picture should be. Here are the main pieces:

1. The addictive substance or behavior
2. Brain chemistry
3. Social pressure for and against addiction
4. A vulnerable psyche
5. The X factor

It’s important to understand all five elements, because leaving anyone out leads to false hope and tragically, temporary cures (or no cure at all). If you have a family member who’s an addict, don’t form an opinion until you have looked at every piece of the puzzle. You don’t want to fall into the trap of blame and shame, which is always waiting when addiction starts creating intense stress in a relationship.

The addictive substance or behavior: This piece of the puzzle has always grabbed the headlines. A hundred years ago it was “demon” rum and whiskey. In the fifties, the demon became heroin, now it’s crack. In reality, no substance is a demon. The ability of a drug to induce pleasure isn’t an evil. There must be another element, or a number of them, to turn any substance addictive. Millions of people try cocaine, heroin, LSD and marijuana and then walk away. The ones who can’t walk away are different, and it’s that difference we must isolate and heal. The same goes for addictive behavior such as overeating or craving power or the need to control.

Brain chemistry. Drugs change the brain by affecting receptors in your brain cells that exist for pleasure and the cessation of pain. If you take any substance long enough, the brain adapts by altering its receptors, and then the trouble begins. The burned-out addict is actually a burned-out brain. When pleasure receptors are overloaded, then they no longer transmit signals of pleasure. Instead, the addict finds himself fending off pain. This becomes the chief reason for getting high, and it marks a far more desperate phase of addiction. When your whole purpose in life is not to feel agony, existence becomes hollow and meaningless.

Social pressure. Although we all have an image in our minds of the secretive addict shooting up or drinking alone, society always plays a part. Cocktail parties are social events that permit people to escape social rules. They are temporary vacations from inhibition. They are also group bonding sessions, as is passing a joint. Social pressure is complicated. It can work to encourage belonging, but it can also throw you out of the group and make you an outcast. Addicts experience both sides. Before they are labeled addicts and shunned by society, they went through an early phase of trying to belong. The net result is a deep confusion about where they stand with family and friends.

Vulnerable psyche. Addicts aren’t weaker than other people, nor are they morally deficient, irrational, stupid or undisciplined. All those labels are used by outsiders who want to judge against the addict. If you discard moral self-righteousness, the reality is that addiction preys upon some kind of psychological wound. It seems to cure the wound at first. The first high is often described by addicts as a kind of miracle cure or religious euphoria. Their reaction is extreme because at a deeper level they are seekers of healing. A hidden trauma or unconscious need has been searching for a cure. It quickly becomes obvious, however, that addiction mimics a cure – it is actually only a distraction or an empty escape. What the addict really wants – a sense of meaning, a grip on reality, a self that doesn’t feel impaired – still hasn’t been found.

The X factor. Having figured out the first four pieces of the puzzle, a great deal of good can be done. Addicts can be brought to healing and self-knowledge. They can be weaned off substances and their brains (slowly) returned to a more balanced chemical state. Yet there remains the X factor. Call it a predisposition, karma, the unconscious or a perverse urge to self-destruction. For some addicts, the journey of addiction is existential. They want to experience a kind of “left hand path,” to pick up a term from Indian spirituality. Wrestling with the devil tempts them into a private melodrama of the soul. The lure of temptation is seductive to everyone, not just addicts. Ultimately we want to come through to the other side. The point isn’t self-destruction (except in some rare cases), but finding safety and a better reason to be alive.

Added up together, these five pieces give us understanding about what creates addicts. They also explain why we are such an addicted society. As the result of more leisure, money and the absence of old moral strictures, along with a craving for distraction, modern America is an addict’s paradise. The term is used ironically – in which we are all free to define our own existence. In other words, we are free to explore human complexity. This isn’t to make light of addicts. They can cause enormous harm to themselves and others (always remembering that the greatest harm by far isn’t caused by exotic or illegal substances but by alcohol).

It turns out that there will never be one picture of addiction, even when all the pieces are on the table. Each addict is unique. The pieces fit together differently from one person to another, and in the end, the X factor counts for a lot. As long as addiction enjoys a mystique that is at once forbidden, criminal, tempting and scary, no one will discover a rational solution. Too much of our irrational side comes into play. Hard as it may be, coming to terms with any addiction means coming to terms with the complexity of a life journey, with all of its dark passages and hidden motivations.

Dr. Karen Binder-Brynes replies:


A: Over the years as a psychologist, I have treated countless patients who have suffered from one form or another of “addiction.” Whether it was the woman whose whole body was marked with needle marks from her secret heroin addiction, the young girl addicted to binging and purging or the good-looking athlete, wasting hours of his days with video porn...all suffered terribly from something that has most likely plagued humankind from the beginning of time – addictive behavior.

Addiction, in my view, has two basic elements. These include the tolerance and withdrawal phenomenon. Tolerance basically means that over time, more and more of the addictive behavior or substance is needed to achieve the desired effect. Withdrawal essentially means that the individual has a very painful physical and/or emotional reaction when the substance or behavior is ceased. Addiction is probably one of the most costly and serious problems facing our culture today. If each of us stops to reflect, we can probably all come up with at least one negative addiction we have or have had in our lives that has caused pain and suffering.
There is much controversy in the medical and psychology worlds in terms of what the exact nature of addiction is. I tend to gravitate toward a multi-leveled, biopsychosocial model as a theorem for explaining addiction. Although historically addictions were usually regarded in terms of psychoactive substances, such as drugs, that when ingested caused chemical alterations in the brain, the current thinking has broadened to include other compulsive behaviors such as pathological gambling, shopping, eating, etc. In our current lives, even “working” can be addictive. In fact, so commonplace are addictions, that we have adopted the terminology “oholic” for many behaviors, e.g., alcoholic, shopaholic, workaholic and so on.

Without getting too technical, it is now accepted that the human brain, like many animal brains, is organized to prefer one outcome over another. In essence, “all sentient beings have developed in such a manner, through natural selection, that pleasurable sensations serve as their habitual guides” (Darwin, 1958:89). Basically what this means is that most addictions can be traced to an activation of the brain’s pleasure and reward systems. What I am saying is that humans and other animals will seek to find pleasure and for the most part, avoid pain at all costs. This makes intuitive sense as well as being a biological reality. Now the question becomes whether or not one’s individual will can ignore, overcome or avoid the temptations of those habits, which ultimately turn from pleasurable and rewarding to destructive and often life-shattering addictions.

Why some people become more prone to addictions than others is a matter of great debate. The arguments range from a strict “disease” model suggesting a biochemistry of addiction, perhaps with genetic basis, to a “choice” model (Szasz, 1973) suggesting that the addict is a person who chooses a taboo substance or behavior to a low-risk lifestyle. Regardless of the causes, addictions can be costly and cause tremendous suffering for not only the “enslaved” person but for their families, friends and society in general. If you or someone you know is addicted to substances or destructive behaviors, it is never too late to get treatment. Denial and shame are often deterrents to seeking assistance. Never lose hope that you or a loved one can get help and beat an addiction. People can make miraculous recoveries from the powerful grip of addiction. I have seen it!

Shaikh Kabir Helmsinki responds:

A: I’m sure there are addiction counselors who could share their knowledge and give excellent answers to these questions at the psycho-physical level. In the end, however, most addiction counselors themselves would acknowledge that the spiritual level is where these questions will be most adequately answered.
First of all, let’s be compassionate with ourselves and toward people who try to deal with the pain of life through addictions. These are sometimes the most sensitive people among us. What we experience as the pain of life is really a call to the transcendent level of human experience. Addictions are both misguided attempts at self-transcendence and ways to numb ourselves. Intoxication shuts down parts of the mind, frees us of inhibitions and opens us up (sometimes). Sexual addiction brings a rush of emotion and sensation. Other less dangerous addictions are still just numbing dead ends in the long run.

Meditation, and any true spiritual practices, such as meditation, singing/chanting or body-prayer, may also be repetitive activities, but they point us toward a dimension of experience that is not a deadend of physical dependency, but, rather, an infinite opening to an ever-changing reality. This connection with the transcendent level of experience is not an abstract aloofness. The experience of the sacred and holy leads us back to life. It can be integrated with the immanent experience of our daily life, livelihood and relationships.

We need to bring the transcendent, the holy, the sacred into our lives. But it is in the nature of addiction to also be in denial, to justify our futile, repetitive, self-defeating ways.

Transformation becomes possible when the soul in its state of addiction can say: “I don’t want to feel this way, live this way or be this way. Help me...”

The Infinite understands all languages and answers, and in some way, all calls.

Have you noticed the intensification of time lately? There’s so much pain and confusion out there. At the same time, the Infinite is beckoning, inviting with an unprecedented insistence.

Last chance to join cleanse, massage openings, farmers markets, new office!

Hi everyone!

It’s officially summer here…the flowers are blooming, the pool is open and school is out. Hope your summer is off to a wonderful start! Here is a quick update on available cleanses, classes, local fare, and massage:

Summer 2009 Cleanse With Friends

Our next cleanse kick-off is just one week away—and there’s a few spots left! Those that completed the spring cleanse are still singing its praises. Awesome results! This is a great cleanse to kick off weight loss and healthy eating. It’s simple, effective, gentle, and "doable" when life is busy. Kickoff is Wednesday 6/3, the cleanse begins 6/6, and we’ll meet weekly for four weeks. By the end of 21 days, we will be eating a normal, healthy diet that you can continue to follow if you choose. A great cleanse for beginners!

Say yes to a new you! Sign up (or get more info) at http://www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends/calendar/10146459/?from=list&offset=0. Questions? Reply to this email or call me (913-232-6419) with any questions you have.

$25 Massages!

I have a handful of remaining openings for student clinic massages. They are:

This Friday 5/30: 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Next Friday 6/5: 11:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

That’s it! Help me finish student clinic and graduate. Call BMSI Institute (913-649-3322) to set up appointments. BMSI is located on 96^th Street—near 95^th and Antioch in Overland Park. Come 10 minutes early if you can to optimize time on the table.

Local Fare—Farmers’ Markets

Buying produce at local farmers’ markets is one of the best ways to feed your body delicious and nutritious whole foods and be in tune with the season. Plus, an outing to a farmers’ market feeds the soul! I love strolling the aisles and seeing/smelling the fresh fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers. And many also offer locally raised meats, dairy and eggs.

For a list of KC community farmers’ markets (yes, some produce is organically grown—ASK!), click here: Top 10 KC area farmers markets

For a list of organic farmers’ markets in KC: KC Food Circle organic farmers markets

For info/search capability for farmers’ markets anywhere in the US: http://www.localharvest.org/

New office

I’m officially moving my office out of my house and into the executive suites at 8700 Monrovia, Lenexa, beginning June 1! It’s on the 3^rd floor of the Commerce Bank building…just a stone’s throw away from where I officed when with ZMC. One of my partners, Kelly Murphy-Boulé, offices there now, and this is where we’ve been holding cleanse meetings and Tuning In classes. I’ll be offering nutrition coaching, Belly Truths nutrition classes, and Hawaiian lomilomi massage from this location! A schedule and open house is in the works as we speak, and I’ll send an update on those in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your time today. Enjoy the beautiful weather. J Please pass this on to others you know would be interested!

All the best,

Tamara

Hello on this wet spring day!

A quick update on some items in my last email--

Belly Truths™—A Learning Series: Essential Truths About You and Food

Well, as life sometimes goes—the opportunity to offer this class came around more quickly than I thought! The first Belly Truths series class starts THIS WEEK at the Here’s To You! Women’s Social Network studio in Shawnee. (If you’re already a member of HTY!, you’re automatically registered.) The schedule is as follows:

Foundations of Holistic Nutrition: Tonight 4/13 OR Tomorrow 4/14
Sugar and Cravings: 4/27 or 4/28
Stress and Stress Eating: 5/11 or 5/12
Food, Mood and Sleep: 5/25 or 5/26

Join us for a fun, interactive, and enlightening learning series! Change your relationship with food forever and gain insights into how you can achieve the level of health and energy you most desire. Expect to leave with new knowledge that you can put into practice immediately. Bring your questions!

All classes begin are 6-8 p.m. $30/class or $95 for the series of 4! For more info, directions, and to register, please click here or call me at (913) 232-6419.


Next Cleanse: Summer 2009 Cleanse With Friends

Our spring whole foods cleanse has been an amazing experience. So great, we’re going to do it again in June! This is a great cleanse to kick off weight loss and healthy eating. It’s simple, effective, gentle, and "doable" when life is busy. Kickoff is Wednesday 6/3, the cleanse begins 6/6, and we’ll meet weekly for four weeks. By the end of 21 days, we will be eating a normal, healthy diet that you can continue to follow if you choose. A great cleanse for beginners!

Say yes to a new you! Sign up (or get more info) at http://www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends/calendar/10146459/?from=list&offset=0. Questions? Reply to this email or call me (913-232-6419) with any questions you have. SAVE $20 if you register by 5/23.


Last Round $25 Massages!

I’ll be finishing massage school in May! Here are the dates of my last days in clinic. Slots fill up VERY quickly, so call NOW to get your desired dates and times. Also, please feel free to take advantage of this great deal even if you don’t feel comfortable seeing me. I understand sometimes it easier to see someone you don’t know…I have some fantastic classmates, so feel free to book with Rick, Kimber, Brad, or Anna Lisa. Call BMSI Institute (913-649-3322) to set up appointments. BMSI is located on 96th Street—near 95th and Antioch in Overland Park. Come 10-15 minutes early to optimize time on the table.

Last dates in clinic:

· Thursday 4/30: 3:45 p.m.
· Friday 5/1: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Thursday 5/7: 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m.
· Thursday 5/14: 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m.
· Friday 5/15: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Thursday 5/21: 2:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5 p.m.
· Friday 5/29: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.

Check out my new blog!

I’ve started a blog called “All Things Holistic” and I’d love for you to subscribe. You can get there via my website or by clicking here: http://tamaracreighton.blogspot.com/. My plan is to post articles, insights, etc. a couple times a week—as well as these e-newsletters. If there’s something you’d like more info on whether related to nutrition, alternative therapies, supplements, cleanses, personal development, etc.—let me know! I’d love nothing more than to provide information that you want and can use to change your life for the better.

Have an awesome week! :-) Please pass this on to others you know would be interested.

All the best,

Tamara

Spring cleanse, Tuning In, More $25 massages, Blog!

Hello and Happy Spring!

Is there anything better than the emergence of Spring? Lawns greening, trees budding, and flowers blooming all remind us that life brings cycles of growth and rest. May you be energized by all of the growth around you! Perhaps you are doing some “growing” of your own, or you have intentions for growth and learning yet this year. If so, be in sync with the season and take action! Here are some events, classes, etc. that can support your growth:

Spring 2009 Cleanse With Friends

Just as our homes are in need of deep cleaning in the spring, our bodies are in need of cleansing, too. Spring is the best time to cleanse! Join us for a 21-day whole food cleanse that is designed to be simple, effective, gentle, and "doable" when life is busy. Kickoff is this Tuesday 3/24, and we’ll meet weekly for four weeks. By the end of 21 days, we will be eating a normal, healthy diet that you can continue to follow if you choose. This is a great cleanse for beginners!

Say yes! Sign up (or get more info) at www.meetup.com/cleansewithfriends. Questions? You’re welcome to reply to this email or call me (913-232-6419) with any questions you have.

Tuning In—Developing the Disciplines to Hear and Follow Your Inner Compass

Last chance to sign up—class starts this Wednesday, 3/25! Your inner compass is your personal guidance system, which you can use to access your spirit and its divine roadmap, helping you create your greatest life. This class was developed in partnership with Kelly Murphy-Boulé and Katie Van Ommeren—two amazing ladies and my partners in Inner Compass Wellness. We developed this class based on tools and disciplines that have worked for us, and for our continued growth. This eight-class series is sure to be transformative! Click here for more info: Tuning In Series.

$25 Massages!

$25 massages continue! Thank you to those that have come to student clinic—I love working with you! Below are more dates that I have open. Slots fill up quickly, so call early to get your desired dates and times. Also, please feel free to take advantage of this great deal even if you don’t feel comfortable seeing me. I understand sometimes it easier to see someone you don’t know…I have some fantastic classmates, so feel free to book with Rick, Kimber, Brad, Anna Lisa or Dee. Call BMSI Institute (913-649-3322) to set up appointments. BMSI is located on 96th Street—near 95th and Antioch in Overland Park. Come 10 minutes early if you can to optimize time on the table.

Here are the dates I’ll be in clinic:

· Sunday 3/29: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Sunday 4/5: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Friday 4/10: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Saturday 4/11: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Thursday 5/7: 2 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

I’ll have one more round of clinic dates—I’ll keep you posted.

Check out my new blog!

I’ve started a blog called “All Things Holistic” and I’d love for you to subscribe. You can get there via my website or by clicking here: http://tamaracreighton.blogspot.com/. My plan is to post articles, insights, etc. a couple times a week—as well as these e-newsletters. If there’s something you’d like more info on whether related to nutrition, alternative therapies, supplements, cleanses, personal development, etc.—let me know! I’d love nothing more than to provide information that you want and can use to change your life for the better.

Belly Truths™—Essential Truths About You and Food

I’ve been collaborating with two other holistic nutrition coaches in KC to develop an awesome nutrition-oriented learning series called Belly Truths. So exciting! Much info to share!! Very shortly I’ll be putting the first four classes on the calendar—this may happen as early as mid April. The initial series will be four classes meeting every other week and will include these topics: foundations of holistic nutrition; cravings and sugar; food, mood and sleep; and stress and adrenal fatigue. These classes will be offered to the general public and can also be incorporated into a corporate wellness program. Stay tuned for more info!

Thanks for your time today. J Please pass this on to others you know would be interested! Now get outside and enjoy this gorgeous weather!

All the best,

Tamara

Where to eat in Kansas City

Several friends have asked recently about where to eat out in KC--who serves healthy food? Organic? Most of us love a meal out yet want to continue to feed ourselves healthfully...or at least want our tummies to enjoy our choice.

The truth is, you can find something healthy to eat (nearly) anywhere you go!

Make it a point to find what restaurants and foods work for you. I try to stick to dishes that are simple (fewer ingredients) and are as close to “whole” as possible, e.g. a piece of grilled chicken and a salad with vinegar and oil versus a more complex dish and salad with creamy dressing. I stay away from cream sauces and wheat…these typically offend my tummy.

Of course, many restaurants have nothing organic, and organic is always better if you can find it. We love Bluebird Bistro (1700 Summit, KCMO) for a night out, Jason’s Deli for a nice lunch (huge, organic salad bar with much more than salad). Ruby Tuesday also has an organic salad bar. A great resource for KC restaurants is www.vegkc.com – all restaurants listed have vegetarian dishes (but many also offer meat as well) and many are organic. Other favorites: Eden Alley (in Unity Temple on the plaza), Local Burger (in Lawrence), Bo Lings, Panera.

No matter where you go, if you don’t see something on the menu, ask them to make something for you. I’ve asked for grilled chicken breast or fish with a whole bunch of sautéed or steamed veggies instead of a potato. The chef is usually very accommodating and sends me a gorgeous plate of food.

Know what foods you like, what foods your body thrives on, and keep trying!

Hello!

I have so much information to share with you! Subscribe to this blog for weekly posts of articles, recipes, and news regarding nutrition, wellness, and cleansing. If there's anything you'd like information on, please ask!

All the best to you,

Tamara