This time of year a lot of people are thinking about diet and weight loss. I remember when I used to work at an athletic club as a personal trainer the gym would be so packed this time of year you could hardly breath!

All of us who worked at the gym knew that it would only be that way for a short time and then sometime in mid February things would be back to normal (the only people who stayed were the ones who the gym atmosphere worked for).

Athletic clubs are great for some people, but let’s face it, it is not right for everyone.

Learning to live a holistic lifestyle no matter where you are is a healthy approach for all. If the gym works for you I am not discouraging this approach, but if you would like to try an alternative (or live even healthier than you are now) I encourage you to read on!

I am sure you have heard that diets don’t work- only lifestyle change. But how do you change your lifestyle?

One of my favorite books (or on CD) about the holistic approach to staying healthy is FRENCH WOMEN FOR ALL SEASONS: A YEAR OF SECRETS, RECIPES AND PLEASURE

I love all Mediterranean food, I love wine, and I embrace pleasure! This is truly a lifestyle, it teaches you how to live an eat mindfully.

I definitely don’t believe in diets… but I do believe in holistic eating and cooking!

If you need support Mireille also has a  French Women community online!

This lifestyle is all about being comfortable in your own authentic skin, not about being super model thin or dieting temporarily to loose 10 pounds (in fact she does not advise this type of weight loss and emphasizes how unhealthy this is!)

She also discusses the benefits of cooking with your children, going to the farmers market or growing your own food- and sharing the holistic lifestyle with the entire family! What a gift to give your children, the gift of REAL food!

Mireille encourages you to cook local organic foods (only real food not preserved packaged!)- simple recipes less is more!

You won’t find any gym routines in Mireille’s book, it is all about being active and healthy in your everyday life- when you can’t get outdoors in the winter time, she does mention one of her favorites exercises for body and mind… Yoga.

She gives some delicious recipes in the book along with her some of her secret French women tips:)

I highly recommend you get the CD so you can listen as you go about your daily life, Mireille Guiliano is delightful to and inspirational too!

PS. And…she had me at eating dandelions (and wildcrafting them!!!) YES, french women love eating dandelions!

Valuing yourself is one of the best gifts you can give to your children.

There are many ways to boost self esteem and feel worthy, below are a few ideas that you can use together with your children to nourish self worth.

1. Celebrate what is already working for you and your family.

2. Visualize the way you want your relationship between you and your children, family, and spouse to be;  take steps to live it on a daily basis.

3. Be in touch with mind, body and soul:  Teach your children to use positive visualizations and guided imagery for learning, creativity and relaxation. Practice your spirituality.  Encourage daily physical exercise so you can be in touch with your body. Give massage therapy!

4. Encourage your children to listen to the wise voice within, and you do the same!

5. Laugh and play together!

6. Live with gratitude and take time to thank others by both giving and receiving (you are worthy of gifts too!).

7. Keep moving forward; always growing and changing toward your best authentic self.

8. Ask for support when needed.

9. Stop judging yourself, be aware that negative chattering inside the mind and find ways to overcome it.

10. Valuing the place you live also shows that you care about yourself and the world around you. Get outdoors as much as possible, slow down and appreciate the miracle of everyday life (For example:  identify a new flower in your yard, learn as much as you can about it and follow it’s cycle through the seasons, what are the birds, squirrels,  bugs and other wild animals doing during the year?) Discuss and learn with your children.

Additional Resources- wonderful books for you and your children :
I’m a Medicine Woman Too!: A Tale of Herbal Wisdom and Personal Empowerment

Spinning Inward: Using Guided Imagery with Children for Learning, Creativity & Relaxation
Sanctuaries of Childhood: Nurturing a Child’s Spiritual Life

Related articles

• A Non-Consumer Christmas: Simple Gifts for Kids and Grown-Ups (getrichslowly.org)
• Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D.: New Study on Guided Imagery for Healing Kids’ Chronic Pain (huffingtonpost.com)

LOVE  Comments! Are there things you can do to express value for your family?

* If you like this mp3 course don’t forget to sign up for my updates so you don’t miss any other great resources- the sign up box is on the right hand side of this page

Colds and Flu Audio Webinar

This webinar is from the course Kids & Herbs ~ A naturally simple course for parents

This Mp3 is a conversation between two parents (me and John Gallagher from Learning Herbs ) we talk about how we use herbs daily with our kids.

This MP3 audio is a casual webinar format, it is perfect for the busy parent- download and listen on the run!

Topics of the Mp3 include:

Download the Mp3 on the link below:

KidsHerbs-2

Disclaimer:

Related articles

• How to use and make your own natural herbal remedies for children- colds and flu (authenticmama.com)
• How to take charge of your childs health naturally (authenticmama.com)

“Why is it that when I don’t know what I want, there is always someone waiting to tell me what it is? I’m just lucky I guess. ~ Anne Wilson Schaef

Do you really know what your needs are?

If you are not living authentically, you may wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and wonder who the person is that is staring back at you.

If we get used to doing what everyone else expects of us, we may loose the ability to determine what we want. We may get confused about what it is exactly that is good and right for us.  Our needs are not being met because we do not know what those needs are.

Unless you know what you want, what your values are, and what is right for you, you cannot be an honest person. You are not only being dishonest with yourself, but you are being dishonest with everyone you are trying to please. You may think you are pleasing them, but the reality is they will never get to know the real you.

People who will try to punish you for being authentic

In The Essential Laws of Fearless Living by Guy Finley he states ” Walk away from anyone who “helps” you to feel that it’s necessary for you to hurt; leave anyone who causes you pain for “your own good”.

Often we may fear being authentic about our wants, needs and values because of the reaction of others. In my view, honesty is the best policy. Real love is unconditional.

“Never accept as natural or necessary any relationship outwardly- or inwardly – with a person or psychological state that punishes you. Say “NO” and just go! A whole new independent life awaits you.” Guy Finely

Here is a great needs inventory from the Center For Nonviolent Communication

This list may help you in your path to authenticity, do you recognize any of these needs that may not be getting met in your life right now? Are you able to communicate these needs in a healthy way with others?

Here are some great products and resources:   Guy Finely Fearless Living

Classes I teach (check back frequently for updates)

Herbalist 101

Holististic Herbal Remedies For Children

Kids and Herbs – A naturally simple course for parents

Check out my other blog The Herbalist’s Path!

My Short Bio:

Short professional Bio:

I am a self taught herbalist (constantly learning & growing) who also has a Master Herbalist diploma from The American College Of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). I love herbalism because I feel there is always something new to learn from the plants. I teach basic herbal online courses at universalclass.com &  www.kidsandherbs.com.

I also have a certificate in holistic nutrition from ACHS. I have experience as a wellness director,nutrition consultant, personal trainer & aerobics instructor.

I received my massage license (LMT #10528) from East West College in Portland Or. in 2002- I enjoy practicing Deep Tissue and Thai massage.

Email me at authenticang at gmail dot com for more information.

Check out what students and clients are saying below!