Meet Robin Waters Casper, Author and Therapist

Meet Robin Waters Casper is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Reiki Master Teacher, an author, and a publisher. She enjoys writing books for children of all ages, and publishing books in a variety of genres including poetry, new age, and romance. Learn more about Robin and her work by visiting http://www.watersnlight.com.

1. How did you first become interested in practicing Reiki?

The most fascinating, empowering, and inspiring element leading me to learn the practice of Reiki was its beautiful, healing energy that works as well for treating oneself, once attuned to it, as it does for others. Because of some major auto-immune problems, I was gratified to find something I could implement naturally and with no other cost after the class. This means I now have direct access with my own inner power to bring forth at will for pain management whenever I choose, no need to run off to this practitioner or that doctor with every ache and pain. Other profound benefits are spiritual alignment with my higher self, more clarity and intuition, less anxiety and stress, and generally a calmer, healthier sense of well-being, even though I still have a compromised physical being. My initial interest blossomed into a sincere desire to become a Reiki Master Teacher so I could pass on this ability to others.

2. What do you see as the connection between your work as a Marriage and Family Therapist and your work as a Reiki practitioner and an author/publisher?

My current career, a blend of Reiki and writing/publishing books, arose from a background as a helper in the healing process. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I mostly worked with children, teens, and families. I was the 0 to 5 (California First Five) Program Therapist at our local Mental Health Center. I loved working with families and their young children, using techniques specifically designed to enhance attunement in relationships between the child, parents, and caregivers. Increased brain development due to the mirroring of feelings, eye-contact, healthy touch, and audio communication of talking, reading, and singing often brought much joy, closeness, and, sometimes, parental reunification. A child’s first five years sets up an entire life and what happens during those years will directly effect that individual in either healthy or unhealthy attachment and brain development. To be part of positively impacting children and families in this way has been an honor. Lucky Lucky the Love Puppy; A read-along, sing-along, feelings picture book grew from this work at Butte County Department of Behavioral Health in Northern California.

Additionally, I was a play therapist working individually with children, and I would at times create my own materials. When I was a private practice intern, my supervisor, Julie Tamminga, whom I met at my first therapist job, Children’s Bureau of Southern California, immersed me in Mindfulness Training via Zen-inspired Vypassana Meditation, a technique she called “Focused Watching”, a way to observe the body while following the breath. Because creators frequently use what they know to write or explore projects that interest them, I wrote a children’s story to help children identify emotions from how their body felt inside and to breathe through the difficult times when they were feeling upset. It also touched on other issues, including grief, problem-solving, compassionate caring, and general self-soothing. I presented the story to Joyce C. Mills, MFC, Ph.D., award-winning therapy storyteller, and Executive Director at StoryPlay Center, Arizona, at a workshop of hers I attended. I was fortunate that she agreed to consult and provide endorsement for the book for ages 7 to 9 that evolved into Mindful Max and the Mental Magic Club.

Before that, earlier in my career, Julie had introduced me to Reiki, practicing her new skills on me as I was beginning to show signs of health problems. But it wasn’t until many years later when a massage therapist used Reiki, and years later still, when an alternative health NAET practitioner, Vickie Van Scyoc, re-introduced it to me and a mutual friend, Casey Fickardt-Hersch, LCSW, invited me to attend a Reiki One Class that I wanted to learn it for myself. I did not know back when Julie or the massage therapist provided me with energy healing, that if one learned Reiki, one could use it for self-treatment. I now make it a point to inform people that we all are healers and all have this ability within us, and that Reiki is easily learned and accessed.

The next writing project sprung from spirituality and a psychologically inspired imagination: a novel I’ve been writing, revising, and pursuing editing for many years, originally called Rich with Wonder, but now titled, Beaming up Rosie. The story revolves around a quirky, nearly middle-aged dentist, Rosie Rich, who has managed to suppress her tumultuous history, but is dogged by a fear of being swallowed up in a pit of Hell for her sins. She meets young, cosmic surfer-hunk, Ken Wonder, and catapults onto a sexy, roller-coaster ride of metaphysical New Age antics and synchronicities, sending her into a tail-spin of emotional and spiritual challenges, as she desperately seeks redemption while encountering this odd, sensual conundrum of Mystical Magic Man vs. Dangerous Devil’s Delighter, alternate dimensions, and layers of synchronicity where healers, psychics, mediums, spirit guides, angels, entities, occultist proponents and past lives confront and intertangle with her present-day human dramas. I plan on releasing it this year, 2017.

Lucky Lucky the Love Puppy; A read-along, sing-along, feelings picture book, is the last book I wrote and the first one I published once I decided to start Waters N Light Reiki N Books. For ages baby to six, it follows Lucky, my true-life Golden Cocker Spaniel, as he emotes various feelings through doggy behaviors. The story began as a song that fell from my lips one day as I was petting him. Another incidence of allowing creativity to unfold naturally, I grabbed my smart phone and recorded it, knowing instantly it would be my next book. I wrote the song, had it transcribed and put to piano music by Gina Trenalone, then professionally recorded it at Heirloom Studios in Chico, California. At the end of the story/song, I present questions to invite discussion with teachers, parents, and therapists about feelings. Obviously, again, it was inspired from connections in my work singing and reading to children with parents for the above-mentioned attunement and brain development process. I am super proud of all my books, but this one is the most fun as I go out in the world singing and flipping pages for children in classrooms and libraries. The kids often spontaneously sing the catchy first part, “Oh Lucky Lucky the Love Puppy”. There is a Spanish version in the works. Now that I’ve moved to Hawaii, I seriously plan to create and collaborate on Lucky Lucky Aloha Puppy, the next version with English and Hawaiian translation. I see it as an enjoyable, interactive, and effective way to introduce children to emotional education.

Note: In addition to Amazon, you can also find my work on CDBaby.

3. What inspired you to start writing and publishing books?

As you can see, my higher self, or soul if you will, compels me to write entertaining projects with substance that offer healing to others, whatever age they may be. Self-publishing is now a viable way for authors to publish with many established authors who’ve landed traditional contracts utilizing self-publishing, or combining modes for their backlist. Thus, Waters N Light Reiki N Books stemmed from a sincere desire to bring my brand to the public while retaining all rights. However, Beaming up Rosie, may branch out into the traditional world on its own journey to self-realize. I am open to that unfoldment given the right situation.

4. Do you have an intentional goal as an author to help your readers in some way?

I intend to weave meaningful emotional and/or spiritual insight into each book without preaching or lecturing. I strive to make the reading experience one that is engaging, mesmerizing, and, perhaps, thought-provoking. To this extent, I envision a non-fiction series of miraculous phenomenal events as reported by healers of all kinds in the Sublime Healers 300 Series.

5. What else would you like people reading this interview to know about you and your work?

I consider it an honor and a privilege to teach, write, and record about healing. One mission I have is to bring Reiki to as many people on the planet as possible, so I co-developed a Reiki Volunteer Program at Enloe Medical Center. I encourage others to bring Reiki Programs to their communities. I love to assist and collaborate with other Reiki Teachers, which led to creating several tools for a more effortless and engaging process, including power points for Reiki I, Reiki II, and Advanced Reiki Training (Reiki 3 Part I), a free Reiki Intro accessed at www.watersnlight.com home page or at www.learnitlive.com, a tool for Reiki Grounding in the chakras for attunements, Harp Solo & Chakra Grounding Meditation, (see below) and chakra harp to play in the background of classes, and promoting my Reiki Master Teacher, Kathy Christian’s, CD, Reiki Meditation for Self-Treatment, an awesome way to get folks immediately started using Reiki for self-care. I administer a Facebook group called Helping Reiki Master Teachers Teach. I plan on continuing to teach Reiki so many others can experience its awe-inspiring benefits. I would like to teach it ocean-side here in Maui, and, also, continue as a Spiritual Expert Instructor online at www.learnitlive.com.

In 2016, I released a CD/Download with my colleague, Rev. Dr. Katy Valentine, Harp Solo & Chakra Grounding Meditation, (also professionally recorded at Heirloom Studios) that consists of a brief introduction, a 13-minute Harp Chakra Grounding Meditation of soothing voice against Katy’s lovely harp that is tuned in ancient modes to correspond with the chakras, followed by about 40 minutes of Divine Energy Harp Solo with more chakra-tuned harp and then a couple minutes of light Celtic harp, Katy’s original composition, Swift Wind, to bring the listener back to the present moment. I, my students, and others listen for grounding, prayer, meditation, attunements, background for massage, complimentary arts of all kinds, and yoga. Available as a CDAmazon, CreateSpace (Amazon’s creative Design Department) and CDBaby, also Katy’s website: www.agapeharp.com.

As far as books and the Lucky Lucky the Love Puppy Song, and links to our harp meditation CD/download, all may be found on my website or at my online store through my website: www.watersnlight.com/books.html and www.watersnlight.com/products/services.html. My author name is Robin Waters Casper, LMFT. It will be Robin L. Waters for Beaming up Rosie.

If you wish further info or communication, or are interested in Reiki classes, collaborative Hawaii Reiki teaching opportunities, tools, publishing collaborations, or submitting a phenomenal healing story for the Sublime Healers 300 Series, please visit www.watersnlight.com and drop me a note through the contact form. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks, Robin!

Meet Joseph Mwansa of Global Empowers

Joseph Mwansa is a Zambian National who currently resides in Perth Western Australia. He was born in Kawambwa District in Luapula Province, and he left Zambia to study Construction and Economics at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia in 2009. He has created an advanced water purification tablet which can aid in the prevention and cure of third world water and food problems. His goal is to reduce deaths caused by dirty water, and to help millions of people during emergencies and disasters. Learn more by visiting http://www.globalempowers.com.

1. What gave you the idea to create a water purification tablet?

I was raised in a village where unsanitary water and malnutrition is quite common; it has always been there. I was probably malnourished at some stage when I was younger; I remember quite fondly those mornings where we would rise from bed to collect fresh water which we would later boil in order to make it safe for consumption. Years later I would find myself in Australia, and visiting my family in Africa after six years, I was saddened at the realization that not much had changed; my childhood friends, the people I had grown up with, somehow seemed frail and hopeless; the problems we experienced together back then are still the same ones chasing them today.

Coming to Australia was a success on its own, something that I believe happened through divine intervention and likewise great determination on my parents' side: they and many others took great joy in seeing me take on this new chapter in my life, and after stepping away from education I knew I had to find another way to repay them. Launching Vigor Aqua and having it positively change the lives of many will be my greatest measure of success and true joy.

2. What are some of the specific benefits of your product, Vigor Aqua?

In developing this tablet, my main focus groups were pregnant women and children. The prevalence rate for malnourishment in pregnant women and children is at some of the highest it has ever been. A lot of women in developing countries lack their daily nutritional needs, including pregnant and lactating mothers. This usually results in stunted growth in kids and babies and an array of other childhood illnesses. Vigor Aqua can therefore accommodate the nutritional needs of both mother and baby by releasing vitamins and nutrients while also providing them with clean drinking water. We also have aging grandparents who are, sadly, left with caring for their grandchildren in the event of their parents passing due to illness and other ailments; these grandparents are left without a way to feed and provide for the young as the cycle of poverty continues. In many instances there might be a breastfeeding infant who now has no way of receiving a proper diet as their only source of a healthy nutrition has passed and clinics and hospitals are often too far to seek help. It is also my wish to work with hospitals, NGOs, and small charities alike to provide Vigor Aqua for emergency and disaster relief.

3. How did your own experience growing up in Zambia influence your decision to start Global Empowers?

Global Empowers started some time ago; I'm just the next person in line, trying my best to take it to the next phase. My parents managed to move us from the village to the capital, Lusaka. They worked hard and tirelessly to ensure their children have bright futures and better their own lives while managing to stay pure and true to their roots, carrying with them the same humility they had known in the village. They were able to provide for many with the little they had, and never once have they sought any reward for their efforts; they did so to give thanks to those who had helped them. Therefore Global Empowers has always been there, it has always been an idea needing to be put into motion.

4. How will sales of your product help you give back to the community through your foundation?

The Mwansa Foundation will receive a percentage of the profits of the sales from Vigor Aqua. These will be utilized to provide kids and adolescents with education, mentorship, and motivation. I believe that representation is key, and through this program, we wish to develop their minds and teach them the importance of education; the mind is a powerful tool, and we want to help them unlock theirs. We focus strongly on personal growth and empowerment.

5. What else would you like readers to know about your project?

Having done much of the background work, we are now in the process of seeking and securing funds. We also welcome likeminded people who are able to share in the passion and vision behind Global Empowers and who can facilitate Global Empowers in carrying out our mission.

Thanks, Joseph!

Meet Mark Pagaduan-Iha, Writer

Mark Pagaduan-Iha is a pet health and longevity blogger. He currently writes articles that offer tips and suggestions on ways that pet parents can not only keep their dogs healthy, but also increase both their healthspan and lifespan. Mark is currently at work on a book about dogs. Check out his website at http://dogadvertiser.com/.

1. How did your own experience as someone who loves pets inspire you to start your website?

I've always been a pet lover and especially fond of dogs, but I don't think I realized how much they really meant to me until my own pup became afflicted with heart disease. The whole ordeal was difficult to process, and even presently I find myself getting quite emotional about it.

My husband and I found very little answers from our primary vet and cardiologist regarding our fur baby's heart disease. Essentially, we were told that we would have to take a "wait and see" approach. Which I understood completely because they were trained in a certain school of thought, but at the same time it infuriated me. I've never been someone who doesn't take action. Listen, we're talking about my baby here, and I wanted to do anything and everything to help him.

After reaching out to other professionals, reading scientific studies, and scouring the internet for answers, I realized that there are other pet parents in the same exact predicament. They were either not given concrete answers regarding their pets' health or they were just given some medication and told to go on their merry way. In either case, their dogs weren't being helped. These pet parents, like myself, wanted more holistic or natural alternatives to help with the ailments that our fur children were facing. But many of us didn't know where to turn.

So a light bulb sort of went off in my head that maybe I should start a website dishing out my findings on natural and holistic methods to other pet parents. Here's something I learned as well: all pet parents want their fur kids to live as long as healthily possible. That in itself is powerful stuff.

2. What is the significance of the site's name, The Dog Advertiser?

To be honest when I first started the site, I wanted to be very inclusive of "all things dog." I felt the name The Dog Advertiser was very cute but also conveyed the feeling of a general dog news publication. However, I quickly realized two things. The first is that you can't be all things to all people; the task became overwhelming when trying to source every type of interesting story that came up. The second thing I realized is that my true passion is dealing with the health, wellness, and longevity of our pets.

So I decided to shift the focus of the site, but still retained the name. Plus, our two kids are in the logo, so how could we ever change it? ;-)

3. How do you decide what content to feature on your site?

I wish I could say that there's a real process behind it, but there really isn't. Well, I take that back. I keep track of pet health news, and if there's something I feel people should know, I'll post it. So for example if there is a new drug that might be coming out, I'll research it and write something regarding it. Something like that came up recently with a drug called Sileo, which is supposed to keep dogs calm and quell anxiety. It came out right before the 4th of July holiday, and the drug company was doing some press and media for it. I took issue with the fact that no one had written about the adverse effects of Sileo, so I went to task and wrote a piece about it, cited my resources, and outlined all the nasty things that could happen if your pup took it.

However, most of the time the posts come from identifying what's really going on within the pet community and what's going on in our own lives. Health in general is very broad, but we are writing about things that can help heal your pet and also little tips and tricks that you can use to help increase their longevity. Also, when it comes to longevity, the content regarding it is endless. Especially because our dogs' chemistry is so similar to ours.

4. Would you tell us a little bit about the book you're currently writing?

Which one? Haha. Actually, I have several books that I'm in the process of writing. But the one you're referring to is actually somewhat of a general guide to help pet parents navigate through the basics, such as diet, choosing a vet, a run down of some of the major pet ailments and of course various holistic/natural remedies that they can utilize. There will be much more inside of it, but that's the overall theme. The book is getting so big that some are referring to it as a "bible for natural pet health." I needed to cut a lot out, because I didn't want people to refer to it as that.

The book really is a starting off point to help people navigate through the sometimes complex world of pet health. The problem I often see (and I'm guilty of doing this in my posts sometimes) is that experts talk in their own complicated language. It's too hard for many newbies to understand and frequently intimidating. So much so that a lot of pet parents call it quits and just defer to their conventional vet. They end up back at square one. It's quite a big turn off, so I'm trying to take the opposite approach and lay the foundation, speaking in simple terms all the while giving them a ton of information that they can easily understand and implement.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

I would like your readers and really everyone to know that I'm in the trenches with them. They are not alone in this. I have a pup who has had severe skin/coat allergies and was diagnosed with heart disease. He wasn't feeling well for a long time. But along the way I learned some natural and healthy ways to manage it. As a result, he's not only feeling better, but our primary vet and cardiologist are very surprised and pleased with how he's doing. In addition, his skin issues have been completely resolved. After nearly 9 years of trying everything under the sun to cure his skin allergies with conventional medicine, he finally responded to a more natural approach.

So essentially, I know how they are feeling, what they might be going through, and the daily struggle that goes along when caring for a pet that might not have ideal or optimum health.

But beyond that I would like to convey that traditional medicine doesn't always have the answers. While I do believe it's important to consider both conventional and holistic treatments and therapies, it's crucial that pet parents see that there is hope with alternative medicine and remedies. Primarily, yes, I will often seek out the advice of my holistic vet, but I will also consult my primary one as well. It's important to get BOTH sides of the story and BOTH views.

That's what The Dog Advertiser is about. We want to help you with the health, wellness, and longevity of your pet using alternative and natural methods. But we also do our best to lay out both sides of the coin. It doesn't behoove anyone if you are one-sided, and at the end of the day it's not about us; it's about our beloved fur babies. It's our job to protect them, love them, and most importantly give them the best chance at having a fulfilling and healthy life.

Thank you so much for this interview; I appreciate it and hope to see you and your readers on The Dog Advertiser soon! :-)

Thanks, Mark!

Meet Sean Wheeler, Certified Atlanta Hypnotherapist

Sean Wheeler is the most popular Atlanta hypnotherapist, appearing on CNN (see video below), Nancy Grace (forensic hypnosis), and Q100's The Bert Show (helping host stop smoking, and guests' relationship troubles). He is recognized as one of the leading experts in hypnosis, performing over 10,000 sessions for more than 2,500 clients.

1. How did you first become involved with hypnotherapy?

I actually graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and my first job out of college was working with CNN. Within a couple years, I had my first opportunity to actually be on TV and anchor a sports segment. I decided to try a session of hypnosis to help with the anxiety I always felt in front of the camera, and needless to say, it went well!

Not only did it help me feel more relaxed and confident in front of the camera; it also helped my overall sense of confidence and well-being. I changed dramatically as a person during the next couple of years, so when I fell victim to CNN's layoffs shortly following the ill-fated AOL/Time Warner merger, I used it as an opportunity to study hypnotherapy full-time, and I became certified.

After getting hired by another department within Turner later that year, I built my hypnotherapy practice on the side until finally taking it full-time in 2007. It's funny, because since leaving my TV career, I've appeared on TV (and radio) numerous times as a hypnotist, and that initial experience with hypnosis is still helpful to me to this day.

2. What is the strangest fear you've helped someone overcome?

While I've worked on a wide range of odd and interesting fears and phobias (including the fear of vegetables!), my favorite story will always be the client who had a fear of cats. This was a 52 year-old woman who'd been afraid of cats since she was 19--so for more than 30 years. Her fear had been so intense that she wouldn't even enter a home if she knew a cat lived there. It dramatically affected her ability to go places and do things. 

The best part of this story is that I met this woman in my hypnotherapy class. So when I worked with her, it wasn't for money; it was for class credit! I asked if she'd let me hypnotize her because at that time, I was the proud owner of two cats. My thinking was "If this works, we'll find out right away!"

When she arrived at my home for the session, she checked to make sure that I'd locked the cats in their cages, in a separate, locked room, before she would enter. Two hours later, she was holding my cats in her arms, sobbing. Happy tears! She couldn't believe what she was doing, or that such a dramatic change could happen so quickly.

After she left, I did an enthusiastic "fist-pump" because it was at that moment I knew that not only did hypnosis work, but I also knew that I could be successful with it as a therapist.

3. Why does hypnosis work so fast?

Hypnosis tends to work more quickly than other forms of therapy because it's used to communicate directly to the subconscious mind. Most other forms of therapy utilize solely the conscious mind (or "will power"), where participants find change to be a slow and painful process.

When communicating only with the conscious mind, you're avoiding the real problem, which is the internal conflict that exists within the mind. Most of my clients know what they should be doing (i.e. stop smoking, eat healthier, etc), but there's an internal conflict between the logical and emotional minds that causes distress and frustration.

Hypnotherapy actually slows things down during the session itself in a way that allows the subject to really hear, receive, and process information without external distractions, and thus much more efficiently. Hypnosis also produces a deep state of mental and physical relaxation which helps individuals to think more clearly and subsequently make better decisions. 

But perhaps most importantly, by communicating with the subconscious (emotional) mind, hypnotherapy can end the internal conflict and produce an internal agreement that leads to immediate changes that feel natural and comfortable right away.

4. What's been your greatest success story in helping others with hypnosis?

Wow. It's very difficult to pick one specific story out of two thousand clients, but one story that comes to mind is a client (now friend) named Ann Russell. When she first contacted me, she did so by email because at that time, her anxiety made her incapable of making a phone call. She was also painfully shy and struggled to even make eye contact with people.

We met for an initial session, and while we discussed many topics (including performance anxiety), nothing particularly spectacular happened that day. But a week or so later when she came back for a second session, something spectacular did happen. It happened to be that rare week when Atlanta was hit with an ice storm, so when she arrived outside my then home office, her car got stuck on a steep incline and was slowly sliding backwards toward several parked cars.

I found this out when my phone rang. The woman who wasn't previously able to make a phone call was calling me for help! So I put on my best ice-walking shoes (!) and ran out to see if I could help her avoid disaster. 

When I got to her car, I took some cardboard boxes out of her trunk and placed them underneath her rear tires; she got a bit of traction and was able to find some dry pavement.

When we sat down to do the session, Ann was most amazed with how she'd just been able to communicate with me, think on her feet, and follow instructions. She told me that previously, her performance anxiety would have "shut her down" and essentially paralyzed her in such situations. 

We did a number of sessions that year over the course of 6-7 months, and the happy ending to this story took place nearly a year following our initial session, when she agreed to share her story in front of an audience of roughly 100 people at my annual World Hypnotism Day seminar. The same woman who had hidden in the back row and avoided eye contact with everyone the previous year was now standing in front of the room, holding a microphone, and talking about her experience with hypnosis.

It was the best endorsement I could possibly receive, and it still makes me smile just thinking about how much Ann has changed.

5. I see you are married with a beautiful little girl. How does your personal life impact your professional one?

Since my daughter Sienna is my undisputed #1 priority in life, I've actually structured my work schedule around spending as much time with her as possible. I see fewer clients than I could because there's no amount of money that can buy back the time I spend with her during these early years of her life.

But I'd have to say that the reverse of this question is something worth discussing even more. My professional life and experience as a hypnotherapist has had a tremendous impact on my personal life, especially as it relates to my daughter.

I've discovered through years of therapy that many of my clients' problems had roots in their childhood--specifically related to their experiences with their parents. Those who develop serious self-confidence or self-esteem issues often were ignored, abandoned, or abused by one or both of their parents.

It's become so clear to me that by the time Sienna was born, I already knew that I'd be sacrificing some financial success in order to be more present in her life. I'm comfortable with that, and grateful every day that I've made the choice to do so. I know from experience that with the right kind of attention and guidance, she's going to grow and develop into a confident, happy, and capable adult.

Thanks, Sean!

Some Natural Ways To Stop Snoring

A lot of times when we think about how to stop snoring, we think of surgical interventions and expensive medical devices. But there are other options, too, for some of us. Maybe you're one of the lucky people who can find relief from natural methods to stop snoring--and/or maybe your snoring is troublesome to your sleep partner, but your doctor has said your snoring doesn't sound like a major medical issue.

If you're looking for a collection of interesting, non-invasive options to try to see if they help you, check out James' anti-snoring blog. He focuses on affordable, natural methods to help you stop snoring, and he gives detailed overviews and reviews of different products on the market today.

Some of the products featured on the blog include a washable fabric chinstrap that helps keep your mouth and jaw in a comfortable position while you sleep that discourages snoring, an anti-snoring pillow, and an adjustable mouthpiece that helps keep your airway clear while you sleep.

In addition to product reviews, the site contains other resources, such as a Sleep Apnea 101 page that goes over the basics of sleep apnea and discusses various treatment options. What I think is most important about this page is that you really get an idea of the ways that sleep apnea has a negative impact on your health (including increasing your likelihood of developing heart disease!), which is good motivation to address your snoring.

If you or one of your loved ones has been snoring, why not read up on different anti-snoring methods and give some natural methods a try to see if they help? You never know: sometimes the easiest answer turns out to be the best one. Or better yet, talk to your doctor about the natural methods you discover through James' blog and go from there. But the first step is always gathering information, and James' anti-snoring blog is a helpful place to start.

Meet Per Wickstrom, Founder of Best Drug Rehabilitation

Per Wickstrom overcame his battle with addiction in his mid-30s. It was a tough battle, but Per managed to pull through after he found the right rehab program. When Per Wickstrom became sober, he decided he wanted to help others become sober and opened his own drug rehab centers. Learn more about him at http://www.perwickstrom.com/.

1. In your own life, what was the turning point that led you to seek recovery?

The turning point in my life was when I didn't have control over when I wanted to take drugs or drink. It was my body that decided when to take them as soon as I was going through withdrawal. I came to this realization in my late 30s. I considered taking drugs as something to do on weekends just to take the edge off from the stress of the week. I knew right away that when it got to the point I needed to take drugs every day, there was an issue. It was something I had to do for myself.

2. What do you think of the 12-step programs in obtaining and maintaining sobriety?

I think it might work for some people, but definitely not for all addicts. Take me, for example; I tried to quit a few dozen times but never always needed up going back to using again. This cycle stopped when I was placed in a program, which spoke to me, and I never went back to using again. Everyone is different; therefore, the way they overcome addiction is different as well. At my rehab centers, we offer five different programs our clients can choose from. The success rate is much higher compared to our competitors who only offer one program.

3. In founding your own rehab center, what were some of your "must-haves" for the facility itself?

The must-haves at the facility are staff that are very supportive and help out the patient whenever they think they can't do it any more. Another must-have is, like I mentioned, the choice between many different programs as well as creating new routines and schedules for patients so that when they graduate from the facilities, they stick to the routines they were taught during their recovery. This ensures they will not go back to their old life and their old routines, which may trigger them to use again. After someone graduates from our facilities, they are appointed a counselor to be able to contact if ever they are going through a hard time in their lives.

4. Would you tell us a little more about what the holistic approach at your center involves?

The Holistic track provides the patient with an enhancement of their rehabilitation through our treatment program. These elements can include yoga, guided imagery, relaxation sessions, and the philosophy and spirituality of Martial Arts, and also includes lectures by recovering addicts, alcoholics, and counselors. This is one of our popular programs chosen by patients at our rehab centers.

5. For family members or friends who want to talk to someone dealing with addiction about the possibility of seeking treatment, do you have any advice?

My advice is to seek help as soon as possible. But the addict has to recognize they have a problem and want to do something about it. It is very difficult to convince someone to go to rehab, but they have to see how their actions are hurting themselves and other people around them. This is exactly what I went through on my journey to recovery. It was only when I realized I had hit rock bottom that it was time to make a change in my life.

Thanks, Per!

Meet Richard Mills, CEO of SleepCogni

Richard Mills, CEO of SleepCogni, is a double award winning medical device innovator. His previous product innovation, Swellaway, went onto raise significant VC funding and won the national Medilink innovation of 2015. He has over 20 years experience in leading internet, medical, and technology companies. He is quoted as being one of the top ten of Yorkshire, UK entrepreneurs.

SleepCogni is the world's first bedside sleep device that integrates cognitive science and CBT, stimulus control, and physiological measures that allow the individual to self-manage their insomnia. SleepCogni combines environmental and personal data into an interactive sensory experience device.

A Kickstarter campaign to fund SleepCogni is currently underway.

1. How did your own difficulties with insomnia help give you the idea for SleepCogni?

I had suffered from insomnia for many years, unable to switch off a busy mind and fall asleep. I was so desperate to find a natural way of falling asleep, and determined to overcome his addiction to sleeping pills that I turned to what I knows best--technology. I believed that the secret was in reversing the ill effects of the daily stimulus and helping the mind and body wind-down with natural sleep cues to a sleep ready state. 

My objective is to help the world rid itself of sleeping tablets. They are addictive and harmful, with over 75M prescriptions for sleep disorders written in the US/UK alone in 2014, an average growth of 23% on the previous year. The Centre of Disease & Control (CDC) say sleep deprivation is now a global health epidemic. 

2. What distinguishes your product from other treatments or products meant to help people sleep?

SleepCogni is the world's first bedside sleep device that integrates cognitive science, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and stimulus control. SleepCogni's patented technology monitors the bedroom environment, but more importantly measures you physiologically, which then allows you, the individual, to self-manage and induce sleep. Our independent clinical research has proven that the way you wind down to sleep can actually improve your overall sleep quality and duration, too.

SleepCogni combines environmental and personal data into an interactive sensory experience using techniques based on CBT, the proven gold standard insomnia treatment. The bedside device produces a personalized program of audio, visual, and tactile natural sleep cues based on the user's physiological state, winding the user down to a relaxing, sleep ready state. Engaging with SleepCogni via the trigger component distracts a busy/wandering mind, and the gradually decreasing sleep cues act as confirmation (bio-feedback) that you are relaxing and unwinding from the blur and stress of the day, allowing you to drift off to sleep.

The uniqueness of SleepCogni is that it is personalized to the user; it monitors the body and--unlike any other device on the market--interacts with it to help the user reverse the ill-effects of the day and to induce sleep. SleepCogni also works as a training program, which means it becomes more effective the more it's used as it teaches you to wind down.

3. How does SleepCogni help to counteract the negative effects of the light we take in all day and evening from TV, computers, phones, etc?

Stress and over-stimulus in day to day life is contributing to our inability to fall sleep and stay asleep. We are all being hyper-aroused and over-stimulated from the moment we wake up through all of our visual, sound, and tactile senses. Many things are triggering our "fight and flight" mode. Unnatural sounds and artificial lighting can interfere with our biological clock delaying the natural cues our body receives throughout the day to which circadian phase we are in and ultimately the onset of sleep.

For many, our normal pattern of winding down before bed now involves watching films, using smart phones or tablets, catching up with social media, or browsing the internet before bed. But it is these devices that emit blue light to which our body is most sensitive. Such sub-optimal lighting suppresses melatonin and disturbs our biological clock, delaying our natural cues‎ to sleep. SleepCogni's sensory wind down program helps to counteract the effects of these devices.

4. What are the roles of sound and light when it comes to helping us sleep?

After extensive research, we found that your senses all naturally wind down as you get ready to sleep. Firstly, this happens through visual cues and the light sequence. Secondly, you focus on audio cues through our stereo speakers washing soundwaves over you, listening more intensely as your eyes become tired. Finally, you experience a gentle vibration for tactile cues through the trigger device.

Recent studies have shown that blue light (short-wavelength) has a greater effect on shifting the circadian clock and on melatonin suppression.

One study examined the effects of reading on a light-emitting device compared with reading a printed book. Participants who read on light-emitting devices took longer to fall asleep, had less REM sleep [the phase when we dream], and had higher alertness before bedtime [than those people who read printed books]. SleepCogni avoids using blue light. Instead, we use non-stimulating wavelengths (≥ 510nm).

SleepCogni has an array of sensors that feeds back into the generation of specific sounds which will bring down your heart rate, calm down the mind, and help you sleep more quickly. The music and soundscapes (of which there will be more than one and personalized) will consist of elements that can change tempo, timbre, and pitch.

5. How did you decide on Kickstarter to launch your product--and what are you offering to people who support your campaign?

I really like the idea of crowdfunding, people around the world helping designers and entrepreneurs get their idea/product innovation off the ground. Kickstarter is a global platform, and we believe we have a product that can help sleep sufferers / insomniacs get a good night sleep around the world.

We are offering early birds, before the 10th of December, a 50% discount and to be first to use the bedside device for just £99 / $149. Learn more at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sleepcogni/sleepcogni-wind-down-fall-asleep-sleep-better.

Thanks, Richard!

Meet Paul Scherer, CEO at Devirex Ltd, Maker of Lipivir®

Paul Scherer is the CEO of Devirex Ltd, a company in Switzerland which has recently released a product called Lipivir, which helps treat and prevent cold sores.

1. How long has Lipivir® been on the market?

A sampling campaign took place in December of 2014. But the real launch in UK started in May of 2015.

2. What distinguishes it from other cold sore medications?

Lipivir® is the only product which can prevent cold sores from occurring. People who suffer regularly (every month or so) use it twice daily (i.e. after brushing the teeth for being safe not to forget). Others will use it a few days before a special event (birthday, wedding, going out with friends) to be safe. And some people will use it when they feel the first signs (tingling).

We'd better not call it a medication because the transparent gel preserves the beauty of your lips. There are no side effects known (except if someone uses much to big amounts for each application; in this case it can dry out the skin). And the usual daily skin care routine can be continued after applying Lipivir®. Also lipstick is fine after Lipivir®'s application. We'd better call it a beauty product. It's an extension of your daily cosmetics (for cold sore sufferers)!

3. Is Lipivir® available over the counter to consumers worldwide, or in selected countries?

Lipivir® is available online (www.lipivir.com) and is delivered to your home 3 to 4 days after you order. It is delivered to the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria so far. Further EU countries will follow soon.

4. Why are cold sores so common?

Cold sores is the symptom of a viral infection (herpes virus). 85% of the population carry the herpes virus. But most of the people who carry it even don't know it. 33% of the population suffer from cold sores every year. 10% of the population suffer from cold sores several times every year (up to twice every month). 50% of the population who carry the virus don't know it.

5. Is there anything people can do to prevent cold sores from occurring?

As mentioned above Lipivir® is the only product preventing cold sores that is generally applicable. If someone is exposed to heavy sunlight (UV light, also sun studio) I would combine Lipivir® with a sun-protecting lipstick.

Thanks, Paul!

Introducing Blog to Rehab

Blog to Rehab is the blog section of a website called Detox to Rehab. This website is meant to be a resource for people seeking information on addiction and recovery. There is information on things like interventions, treatment options, and more.

The blog shares a lot of stories of individual people and their recoveries. There are short videos you can watch to get a first-hand perspective on people's stories and how they found their way out of addiction. These stories are compelling and inspiring. For me, these first-person voices are the best part of the blog.

The blog also contains other useful information regarding addiction and recovery such as advice for families who have a loved one facing an addiction, and links to relevant news articles about new studies and details about drug use and recovery. Another thing the blog does really well is to give a unique perspective on widely covered stories from the mass media that relate to drug and alcohol abuse--for example, there are posts about Steve Sarkisian and Lamar Odom, but these stories give more context about the struggle with addiction.

Really, the bloggers do a great job of giving readers some insight into the wide variety of people who deal with addiction, and the blog provides resources along the way to help us learn more about ourselves and our loved ones, too.

Introducing My Big Fat Nut (Milk) Sacks

Sometimes when I see almond milk at the store, I wonder how hard it would be to make nut milk at home. Well, it turns out it's not that hard at all. There's a very cleverly named and easy to use product called My Big Fat Nut (Milk) Sacks that lets you make the nut milk of your choice at home.

Almond, coconut, and cashew milk are the most popular choices, of course. But you can also use the mesh sacks to make cheeses, cauliflower rice, and other food items at home. This product is currently on sale at Amazon for under $10, and for that price, you get two 12" x 12" triple-stitched sacks made of BPA-free Italian nylon mesh. You get two different sizes of nylon mesh, 75 micron and 200 micron.

The idea behind making the sacks from nylon is that they are easy to clean and don't retain odors. They can be reused many, many times. It's a green way to make nut milk rather than buying containers of milk every week at the store. And you can use fresh, organic nuts to make sure you're getting the healthiest product possibly.

If you are at all interested in paleo eating, nut milk is a highly recommended food. These nut milk sacks could be a great way to shift from packaged products to homemade goodness.

Introducing The Integral Eye Movement Therapy Video Series

If you have an interest in different types of therapy, you may be familiar with eye movement therapies. Personally, I'm not a therapist, but I do follow trends in therapy and have been aware of EMDR for quite some time. But I hadn't heard about Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) before Andrew T. Austin sent me the information about his Integral Eye Movement Therapy video series.

These videos were designed with clinicians/therapists in mind, but the information in the videos is of interest to many laypeople as well, and in fact, about half of the sales of the videos so far have been to people who want to apply the techniques for their personal development.

The series contains four parts and goes into depth regarding the structure of the treatment, how the exercises work, and issues related to PTSD, anxiety, identity reimprinting, and more. I have heard a lot about eye movement therapies helping with anxiety and traumatic stress, so I was particularly interested that one of the four parts is devoted entirely to covering the use of IEMT for long-term anxiety.

Today we so often think of pharmaceuticals as a first-line for mental health, but isn't it refreshing that practitioners like Andrew Austin are devoting their time and efforts to non-drug interventions that can help people reduce their pain and suffering? The techniques in the videos have a broader application, too, and can help people identify and work with emotional patterns and other aspects of the self.

A Perspective on Beverly Hills MD Lift and Firm Sculpting Cream

As you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, I generally don't write product reviews but instead do posts that introduce different products, services, companies, etc. There are a lot of other websites out there that review products--and the beauty industry is a great example of an area where you really do want to surf around and check out some reviews before making a purchase, especially since many products are pretty pricey.

This Beverly Hills MD lift and firm sculpting cream review is a great example of a thorough, point-by-point review of a beauty product. I love that the author of the review is 68 years old and is reviewing a product intended for helping you to repair, improve, and protect your skin--it's great to find a reviewer who really is the intended market for a product (and hey, we're not all 22 years old any more!).

The review gives you a lot of detailed information about the product and has a friendly, personal tone. Really it was more like reading about someone's personal experiences and ups and downs with dermatology rather than reading a review. The personal touch definitely makes a difference when it comes to keeping me reading. She found the cream to be helpful and effective, but she also doesn't make miraculous claims for it. She says that it makes her look like she's in her 50s rather than her 60s, and I appreciate the realism in her approach.

The other nice thing about the review was that the author included two different links for purchasing the product: one direct from the manufacturer and another with discounted prices from affiliates who contract with the manufacturer. If you're in the market for a lifting and firming cream, why not check this one out?

Where to Learn about Personal Development and Self Improvement

Is there anything you want to change in your life? Do you ever feel like you might make more progress on projects important to your work and/or personal life if you could maintain a stronger sense of positivity?

If you've been thinking about these types of questions, you might really enjoy www.PersonalDevelopmentInsights.com, the website of Carmen Wyld, a personal development coach, author, and speaker who also teaches a course called Personal Development--Ultimate SECRETS to an Amazing Life! on udemy.

Speaking of Carmen's udemy course, she is offering it at a significant discount if you use this coupon code. With the code, the course is only $15. It includes lots of valuable, insightful resources including video lectures and lots of downloadable content.

What are the benefits of personal development for all of us? As Carmen says, some people "don't bother" with such topics because they think that only people who are already rich and successful have a good life. But really, we can all have a better life if we look inside ourselves rather than focusing on other people and what we don't have.

As Carmen also says, another problem that many people run into is that they try to follow what seems to have worked for other people rather than gaining personal, individual insight and figuring out what might work for them. We're all unique, so there are unique solutions to the difficulties we face. There's not a one-size-fits-all solution to making improvements in your life; to use Carmen's phrase, we have to fine-tune what's in our "personal toolbox" so that it helps us reach what we have in mind for ourselves.

Another interesting aspect of Carmen's work is that she begins with self-examination and self-exploration, but she expands outward into how our personal choices help us create change in the world at large. She considers each of us to be a co-creator when it comes to affecting change in ways that have social, environmental, and cultural implications.

I've enjoyed checking out Carmen's website and her udemy classes, and I think she's got a lot of interesting content that she's sharing that could be a catalyst for positive change.

Introducing Knowledge Exchange

Sometimes when I'm online, I just like to browse a website with a collection of interesting articles and videos. This is exactly the kind of site that Knowledge Exchange has set out to be.

You can find articles on a variety of topics, and the two main things that I like about this site are that the articles are clearly categorized under useful descriptive subheadings, and the content on the site is updated every day. I always like a site that promises new content each day--it makes it worthwhile to visit the site to see what's been added since my last visit.

Some of the recent articles on Knowledge Exchange include fall gardening ideas, tips for managing arthritis, and information about the possible benefits of coconut oil. Much of the content on the site focuses on home and health related topics, including cooking, diet, and gardening. There are also articles on business, especially work from home business and ecommerce.

By the way, if you follow Knowledge Exchange on Facebook, you can have little descriptions of new articles posted to your news feed as the website is updated.

This is a site with lots of content, and I think it will continue to grow. I'll be checking back with the site over the next few months to see how it has expanded over time!

Introducing Teasenz, Seller of Chinese Tea and Tea Ware

As a tea drinker myself, I've noticed that we as tea drinkers know what we like. We often develop very particular tastes when it comes to tea. Whether you are already a connoisseur of Chinese teas or if you want to try authentic Chinese tea for the first time, you will likely find something to capture your interest at www.teasenz.com.

Teasenz is a China-based company that ships tea all over the world, both as a retailer and wholesaler. What distinguishes their tea is that they only sell loose leaf tea (no tea bags), and they only sell pure tea (no blends). They guarantee that all of their teas are authentic and shipped direct from China. They also have a great shipping rate of $5 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the world for packages weighing less than 4.4 pounds.

Teasenz only sells Chinese tea, not teas from other countries. You can find lots of different varieties of Chinese teas such as black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, and herbal tea. The herbal teas include goji berry tea, rose flower tea, honeysuckle tea, and many other pure teas. The descriptions on the website explain the different health benefits of the herbal teas. Personally, I'm tempted to try some of the different green teas to see which I like best.

I was glad to hear about Teasenz, and they would also be a good site to check out for gift ideas for friends who like tea. Their tea ware collection includes infusers, strainers, tea pots, and much more.

Meet Pauline Baylock, Reiki Practitioner and Health Coach

Pauline Baylock is a certified Reiki practitioner and AADP Certified Health Coach. Her company, Balance Life 360, views wellness as a multifaceted labor of love, one that should combine self-care for the mind, body, and spirit. Her passion is empowering people to explore integrative healing modalities, relaxation techniques, and spiritual practices that restore, enhance, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Pauline's most recent project is expanding her practice to include mobile Reiki sessions in the Manhattan and Brooklyn areas. Learn more about Pauline and her company at www.BalanceLife360.com.

1. How did you first become aware of Reiki--and what inspired you to learn to become a Reiki practitioner?

I've been vaguely aware of Reiki for many years. I would meet a Reiki practitioner here and there, but I never asked for a full description of what Reiki was, which is interesting now that I'm thinking about it because I'm usually more inquisitive about things that intrigue me.

I knew it was energy healing that involved placing your hands on the recipient. I also remember most practitioners I met were slightly odd, perhaps that was a coincidence, or maybe they were on a different level of consciousness than I was and that's why their vibe was weird to me, who knows? What I can say is I was always intrigued by Reiki--the word itself is quite unusual; it's always had an erotic mysticism about it. Now who sounds odd, LOL! I've always wanted to try a session; even though the few practitioners I met seemed odd (not in a bad way), the idea of Reiki had a compelling allure to me.

My first attunement, that's when the transference of the Healing Energy is passed from the Reiki Master to the student, was a a game changer for me. I decided I wanted to do something personal and special to celebrate my 50th birthday. I was already on the path of spreading my wings spiritually, and in other areas of my life, I guess you can say I was having an awakening on many levels: reclaiming my power, validating, valuing and stepping up for myself etc. So it seemed like taking the Reiki class happened at the right time, or more specifically in Divine Order. I knew in my heart I discovered two things that weekend; one was the perfect vehicle for me to use to get people to initiate a self-love, self-care regimen, and the other was that Reiki was going to enhance my entire life. I'll never forget what fellow students said to me on day two of the class: "Pauline, something has shifted with you; it seems like you have a peaceful glow." That was interesting because I didn't notice any major shifts that I thought others would pick up on, only internal stuff that I was feeling a because I was spending my birthday doing something loving and beautiful for me. Whatever "it" was, was very noticeable to people that didn't even know me. I thought to myself, "Wow, this stuff is deep".

2. How does Reiki fit into the context of the self-care and healing practices you have been engaged in with your company, Balance Life 360? 

My healing practice at Balance Life 360 is Empowering People to Choose a Healthy Life. 

This is a good question, Mandy, because self-care is just what it states, self-care. Reiki self-care is a part of my daily healing routine. I'm experiencing positive changes in many areas of my life, which makes me a clearer vessel for the transference of Reiki energy to my clients. As I continue to practice Reiki on myself, I'm becoming a better practitioner, and I'm growing spiritually as well. The extra benefit is it's helping me to understand that people are as unique as snowflakes, and it isn't until you begin to deal with everyone as a unique individual that you are an effective conduit for their healing. No matter what your practice is.

Balance Life 360 is about encouraging people to explore their options when it comes to healing modalities. Self-care should be a multifaceted labor of Love. 

Reiki is the perfect fit for anyone that wants to introduce a self-care practice into their life because Reiki balances the energy in our body, and enhances our body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is unique in that it's individualized--it gives each recipient what they need, bringing all the areas that are out of balance in their life into balance. 

Balance Life 360 is a holistic approach to healing that encompasses all aspects of the client's life. It's taking into account what's eating them as well as what they're eating. It's gently supporting, loving, and empowering the client to develop a self-care system, or as I like to call it, a self-love system, that feels right for the individual.

3. What has been your own experience in developing healthy habits, and how has your own experience motivated you to help others? 

Trial and error, going easy on myself. I'm not out to prove anything to anyone. I don't define myself by my diet, which changes according to my moods and how much I weigh; rather I pay attention to what my body communicates to me. Yes, we have to learn how our body communicates with us, as that will eventually lead you to healthier habits. Like everything else, committing ourselves to a healthier lifestyle is a habit. I'm still giving myself time to develop healthier habits in all aspects of my life; it's an ongoing process. 

It's crazy that we think we can change a lifetime of behavior overnight; it's not realistic, and we're setting ourselves up for failure when we believe this. Let's take nutrition, for example. I come from a culture where food is a very important aspect of bonding and our celebrations. I've grown up on some of the most culturally diverse foods that you can imagine, from dishes of my southern roots, to sampling the cuisine of many friends of various ethnicities that have entered my life. Food, or should I say experimenting and enjoying rich delicious food, is as much a part of my spiritual flow as breathing! I've added healthier options and have developed a deep appreciation for high vibration foods, those foods that give us life and energy, so my desire to eat unhealthy foods has diminished considerably; however, I'd be lying to you if I told you fried chicken, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and a delicious glass of wine, were a thing of the past for me, smile.

When you're taking loving care of yourself on a regular basis, then you don't have to become a fanatic about anything in your life. My healthy habits are me doing what feels good and right for me. Sometimes it's bike riding or a trampoline workout, here and there I've experimented with yoga, at times it's a vegetarian or vegan flow, morning lemon water....

My staples are drinking lots of water, green drinks, lots of walking, reading--nourishing the mind is just as important as nourishing the body. The most important life-changing habit is daily meditation. It's my time to connect with my source, my divinity, my light. It's my opportunity to connect to my true self, and get answers to many of my questions, direction, my time when I most experience unconditional love, my moment of peace.

Wow!!! It seems each question takes me deeper into myself.

4. Would you tell us a little bit about your mobile Reiki practice?

My mobile Reiki practice is just like the name says, mobile. It's part and parcel of who I am as a person: I don't like to feel encumbered or tied down, and I like the freedom of being able to meet people at different locations, and participate in events that wouldn't normally have a Reiki practitioner there. I noticed most people were tired of going to the gym, or having to rush to a class of one kind or another. A lot of people don't have the energy to add anything else on their plate. Many people tell me they like the privacy of their own environment, and some say they don't have time to add another appointment to their a schedule; however, if they didn't have to leave the house....

Mobile Reiki speaks to all of these issues, and I can relate to most of what people were telling me because these people are me, either now or at one point in my life. I love working out in the privacy of my own home, creating my own schedule; there was a time when I had ZERO energy to do anything, and Reiki is a energy balancing therapy that not only enhances a person's energy level, but it also makes people feel good. NONE of the people I spoke to had a problem with feeling good--in fact, EVERYONE is open to feeling good. BINGO!!! Reiki makes you feel good, which then makes you want to do other things that make you feel good, work out, eat right, create a hobby, seek more interesting friends, improve your intimate relationships and so on and so on....

Reiki, I discovered, is a catalyst for introducing ALL other healthy habits into your life, which in turn makes you healthier by default. POW!!!

I ask my clients at the beginning of a session or before a demonstration, if they are willing to set an intention to feel good, and surrender to the process. Everyone is is usually OK with that request.

5. What else would you like readers to know about Reiki and about your work as a Reiki practitioner?

I'd like people to know that there are no silver bullets; Reiki can be an invaluable part of a consistent self-care regimen that has enormous health and spiritual benefits, but it's not everything. We have to be willing to love ourselves enough to make our wellness a top priority in our lives. No one can give that to a client, not your family, your lover, or your Reiki practitioner. We have to be brave enough to participate in your own rescue. The Reiki practitioner is not the healer; we are conduits, vessels, supporters, but we are not the healers. That comes from a higher source and within the individual. We all have the power to heal ourselves and bring our body into its healthiest state with self-healing, but sadly, many of us are not aware of this power.

Sharing Reiki continues to be a humbling experience to me on so many levels, and most importantly, it gives me tremendous joy to be a part of another person's journey. 

It takes one person to change your life, YOU!

Love Light & Healing,

Pauline

Thanks, Pauline!

Introducing YouQuest, An App for Self-Discovery

I always like hearing about brand-new apps, and here's one that's just been released. It's called YouQuest, and it was created by a company called 500 BC. In fact, when I clicked on the 500 BC site, I was greeted by a line which read, "Update your life, not your status," and I have to admit that this caught my interest!

The idea of the YouQuest app is that it is a game of self-discovery. As you use the app, you explore history and imagine your own ancient past. The app incorporates timeless wisdom from ancestors like Buddha. The app gives you a two-fold journey: discovering the past, and discovering yourself.

When we think about smartphones, the first thing we think of isn't generally inner wisdom or self-discovery, is it? YouQuest wants you to start using your phone for different purposes, rather than always skimming the surface of our usual activities of instant messaging, looking at viral videos, and so on.

YouQuest utilizes an algorithm and starts by guiding the user, over time, through a series of quizzes and offering targeted wisdom based on the user's responses.

The app was inspired by 500 BC's founder, Carol Phelan-Marsh, reflecting on her daughter's experience surviving cancer. She said, "My daughter survived bone cancer, and had to dig deep to do it (we all did). We used every tool, ancient and modern, to help her successfully battle osteosarcoma. I swore if she came through this that I'd launch a product to help others find their inner warriors."

You can download the app via iTunes and Google Play.

Moulage: Help Save Lives with Creative Art

Have you heard of medical moulage? It's one of those things you've probably seen but maybe haven't heard the name for--it's the art of creating realistic injury simulation effects to help people train for emergencies. In fact, first responders depend on this type of training to be able to gain experience with detailed, realistic scenarios such as injuries that could occur in natural disasters, violent situations like shootings, military contexts, and accidents.

Taylor Wilmering is the daughter of a former police officer and since 2008 has found her career as a moulage makeup artist, using makeup and other supplies to create realistic injuries on civilian role-players during trainings for such groups as civilians in basic first aid classes, CERT response teams (civilians trained in disaster preparedness and response, light search & rescue, and first aid), EMS personnel, police, and the US military. Taylor is currently running a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for supplies for her moulage kit.

Taylor helps a lot of people with her work, and the cost for supplies really adds up as it takes a lot of equipment to simulate realistic injuries. The cool thing is that most of these supplies are reusable, so for a small investment, you are helping many different people train and practice their skills in helping people who are injured.

Based in Missouri, most of Taylor's work has been with local responders in her home state, but she's also worked in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. And she's willing to travel wherever she's needed. You can learn more about Taylor by checking out her resume on her website, and you can also connect with her on Twitter.

Introducing INRTracker, a Tool for People Who Take Warfarin

Do you or does someone close to you take Warfarin (Coumadin)? It's a very commonly prescribed blood-thinner. Personally, I've had more than one relative who has been on this medication, and it's one of those meds where you have to keep on top of your follow-up appointments for blood draws to make sure that you have the correct level of medication in your body.

INRTracker is personal health management tool for people who take Warfarin, and the name of the tool comes from the INR Test that patients get to check their level of Warfarin. INRTracker is a free web app that lets you enter your personal health data and generate reports to keep track of your medication level and try to figure out why you might be having any fluctuations in your drug therapy. You can use the app to enter lots of data that factors into your health, such as what you eat and what your blood pressure is.

INRTracker was co-founded by someone who is on Warfarin therapy for a genetic blood clotting disorder (Veronica), and someone who learned code specifically to build the website (Pavan). Oh, and they are also a couple. :) In other words, the site is brought to you by people who care about people who need to take Warfarin.

In addition to their app, Veronica and Pavan share other resources useful to patients. For example, check out their Warfarin diet guide. And check out this article about blood clot symptoms in the leg.

This screenshot also gives you a good idea of the app.

I think this is definitely a resource worth exploring if you are managing Warfarin therapy!

A Blog about Natural Home Products and Ideas

Have you ever heard of the Norwex brand of products? They are natural, chemical-free products designed to help you clean your home--and more. In addition to their cleaning products, Norwex sells a lot of other products, too, such as bath care items, body lotions, and products specially designed for kids.

If you want to buy Norwex items, you need to buy them through an independent consultant. Suzanne Holt is a Norwex consultant who also maintains an informative blog at LittleGreenCloth.com. In addition to posting content about Norwex products, she also posts a lot of useful tips for keeping your home clean and organized without using chemicals or other products that are dangerous to your family. She has a lot of interesting posts about saving time and money at home, too.

Honestly I've learned a lot about ways to avoid chemicals by reading Suzanne's website. Her ideas are especially relevant if you have kids or if kids regularly visit your home because she's talking about products that aren't hazardous to have around. It's a lot more convenient to pull a cleaning cloth out of a drawer than to take bottles of chemicals back and forth from a high shelf!

If you're looking for a work-from-home business opportunity, Suzanne's site may also be of interest as she tells you how to become a Norwex consultant yourself. You can sell the products at parties and/or to friends online. If you're looking for extra income, I think it's worth it to check out this opportunity as it's a proven one with a demonstrable track record.