Saturday, November 24, 2012
Giving Thanks
The season of Thanksgiving...the time for giving thanks for the blessings in our lives. But this is not always easy to do when you're coping with illness, or facing any of the trials & tribulations that are a natural part of life.  I know there was a time when I was so overwhelmed with all that was happening in my life, particularly being so ill, that it was difficult to tap into feelings of gratitude.  But I can tell you that finding ways to do so has had such a positive impact on my life. Even when it felt a bit forced or insincere in the moment, the act of shifting to the positive, to all I had to be thankful for...even during those times I really had to dig deep to think of anything...always seemed to lift me from that funk. Because when you focus on giving thanks for what  you do have (however small it may seem at the time), the more blessings you will attract...and the more you will find to give thanks for.

So if life seems overwhelming, and you find it hard to count your blessings, dig really deep...you just might be surprised at how much you truly do have to give thanks for.  And in the process discover the power of positive, and begin attracting more goodness into your life.

With gratitude,  Andrea  :-)
Written at 3:52 AM by Andrea.
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Emotion Factor & The Hidden Cause of Illness
I mean really...something that happened when you were two years old could be behind an illness or physical symptoms 20, 30, 40, even 50 years later??  I can personally attest that YES, this is not only possible, but probable.  My 15 year journey to find healing from a debilitating chronic illness has led me down many paths, and I've tried just about every treatment, technique, and supplement I've come across.  But what has had the greatest impact is the discovery of the trauma and emotion behind my symptoms...and the patterns and behaviors that resulted from them. 

I won't bore you with the details, but I can tell you that events and circumstances that occurred when I was two and three years old established patterns of thought and behavior that I can now see were contributing factors in the development of the chronic illness I suffered with later in life. 

Thankfully we live in a time when there are so many knowledgeable and talented people who have the skill and ability to help us to identify, release, and move past these traumas and emotions.  If you have "tried everything" and have been unable to identify the cause of your illness/physical symptoms, or your instincts tell you that emotional blocks could be behind your physical challenges, I would recommend you consider the following:

1.  EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique
This technique involves tapping on acupressure points on the body, and can offer profound results. This does not require practitioner assistance, although working with someone experienced in EFT can greatly enhance results. While I use EFT on a regular basis on my own, it was the work I did with Ruth Stern that really helped me make the most of this powerful technique.  Read more about EFT

2.  Consider working with an energy healer/intuitive.  The work I have done with Cranio Sacral Therapist Charlene McLachlan, as well as others who do energy work, have provided amazing insights & results.  Releasing and letting go of blocked energy allows healthy chi to flow through the body, mind & spirit...and create an environment of healing so the body can do what it was intended to: heal itself.  Read more about Cranio Sacral. 

If you need help locating a practitioner feel free to email me and I would be glad to share the names/contact info of the energy healers I have worked with, or try to help you find someone in your area: andrea@healwithhope.com

~ Andrea  :-)
Written at 8:19 AM by Andrea.
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Monday, August 20, 2012
THE POWER OF 1...Can Change The World!
You've likely read the Ghandi quote, "be the change you wish to see in the world" and perhaps thought to yourself, what difference can I make. I'm only one person. What can one person do?

Actually A LOT! By simply making a commitment to treat all people with respect, love, and caring, your attitude and actions will not only impact your life in a positive way, but all who you come in contact with each day. Every interaction with family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers, is an opportunity to plant seeds of positivity. These small acts of kindness can trigger the people whose lives you have touched, to extend that same gift of caring to another...with the potential to ultimately blossom and grow into a larger collective energy that truly can change the world!

As more and more people make a commitment to use their POWER OF 1 for good, this collective energy will one day create the compassionate, caring, and loving world we all dream of. Sound simplistic? Maybe it is. But is it possible? YES! And you have the power to make it happen!!  ~ Andrea Chervenak

PS To view our beautiful new POWER OF 1 Necklace & Key Chain: www.WearYourIntention.com
Written at 2:46 PM by Andrea.
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When Positive Thinking Turns Into Negative Attraction
As a believer in the power of thoughts and intentions, I also recognize the pitfalls of accepting responsibility for the energy one attracts to their life. If being a negative person will draw more negativity to your life, and being a positive-focused person will attract the good stuff...what happens when you think, act, and project positivity...and still wind up attracting lots of not-so-good-stuff? The pitfall is you can feel guilty, perhaps view things as your own fault..."I must not have been thinking positive enough" or "I must be doing something wrong for this to have happened."

I've certainly have been in this place, and have found peace in acknowledging that sometimes bad stuff just happens. It has nothing to do with the way you are thinking, or what you are deserving of. Plenty of bad things happen to good people. I can give you the rationale I've used a million times to explain the bad stuff: "everything happens for a reason" and "there are lessons in all experiences, good and bad." And both of these explanations are probably true. But the key to all this is to remember that positive thinking is as important in how you deal with stuff, as it is in attracting it.

In other words, thinking positive absolutely will impact the kind of people and experiences you draw to your life. But no matter how positive a thinker you are, stuff you don't want to atract may happen anyway. The true test arises when you are deep in the swamp, feeling stuck and life is not going the way you had intended. This is when drawing on the knowledge that the power of positive can move you through this circumstance more easily and quickly than if you allow yourself to focus on the negative, wallow, and perpetuate the situation.

Positive thinking becomes:
  • Acceptance ("OK, this is what it is and I have to deal with it")
  • Gratitude ("This sucks, but I know it can be so much worse...plus I am so grateful for all the blessings I do have...")
  • Faith ("I know I can and will get through this"...and if you are a believer, thanking God for guiding you through can be a huge help
  • Creating a vision for where you want to be (the outcome you desire)
Positive thinking may not enable you to create perfection in your life...let's face it, life just isn't perfect all the time. But what it can and will do, is light the way for resolution to greater things...and eventually draw more positive experiences and energy.  ~ Andrea Chervenak

Written at 2:31 PM by Andrea.
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Saturday, June 16, 2012
Recommended Reading
With summer just around the corner I thought I would share two books you might want to add to your summer reading list:

To Heaven & Back by Mary C. Neal, MD

In 1999 Dr. Neal died when her kayak became pinned at the bottom of a waterfall.  This book is Dr. Neal's incredible story of the journey she took from life, to death, and back again....and the impact her journey has had in affirming the preciousness of life, as well as the spiritual oasis that awaits when we pass. 

"I know that every day really does matter. Not everyone has a profound spiritual expereience such as a near-death experience, but taking time to really look at the patterns of your every day life and noting how events seem to unfold in a manner that is unlikely the result of chance, allow any person to begin to see God working in his own life. I think it is only when a person truly sees God working in his own life that this faith can be transformed into a complete trust that God's promises are true.  Complete trust that God has a beautiful plan and that it is one with a hope and a future allows me, and each of us, to face challenges with confidence and courage, even when the plan and its beauty seem hidden."

The Positive Dog "A Story About the Power of Positivity"
by Jon Gordon

While the story itself is a bit simplistic, the message is one we all could use a reminder of.  This is a sweet tale of two dogs living in a shelter and how the benefits of being positive shared by one to the other changes everything.

In addition to the story, Gordon shares statistics about the health benefits of positivity, along with an action plan of strategies to create a positive life.  Makes a great gift!

"It really does pay to be positive."

~ Andrea Chervenak 6/16/12
Written at 8:14 PM by Andrea.
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Guest Blogger: Crystal Giannini

Health Risks of Belly Fat

by Crystal Giannini

Pot belly or abdominal fat - belly fat, is common not only in middle-aged men and women, but also in kids and teens. What's concerning about this is there are a number of potentially fatal health disorders that are linked to excess belly fat. Therefore, it becomes essential to learn about the these health risks and to find ways to reduce or impede belly fat!

Understanding Belly Fat

People with apple shapes, usually males, gather fat mostly around the middle of the stomach. Medically, some fat in the belly is subcutaneous, which exist below the skin. However, a majority of the belly fat is visceral existing inside the abdominal wall. Although the former fat results in ugly looking belly, it is the visceral fat that is more risky as well as responsible for fatal health risks. According to the medical experts, the visceral belly around the abdominal organs is more active to adversely affect breathing and hormonal balance.
In women who have mostly pear-shaped bodies, subcutaneous fat tend to gather around the thighs and hips, while visceral fat gathers in the belly. Usually, belly fat increases once they pass menopause. According to the various studies, it is this visceral fat that disturbs the metabolic process and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes in both the genders.

The Effects of Belly Fat

According to MayoClinic.com, health risks associated with belly fat include:
• Type 2 diabetes

• Stroke

• Sleep apnea

• Heart disease

• Metabolic syndrome

• Insulin resistance

• Low levels of good cholesterol (HDL)

• High triglycerides

• Few cancers, such as colorectal or breast cancer

• Gallbladder problems (women)
There is also been concern that belly fat can lead to dementia and Alzheimer according to a press release by the American Neurological Association in May 2012. Above all, the worst news is that extreme belly fats can double the risk of premature death.

While excess belly fat can trigger deadly cardiovascular problems among males and females, the chances of their occurrence is more prominent in males. According to the recent research that is discovering a connection between the vital immune system chemicals and visceral fat, the interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases by boosting insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. When the visceral fat is in high quantities and is close to the portal vein, the negative effects are very detrimental. The portal vein carries blood to the liver from the intestines wherein the visceral fat releases fatty acids. Once the fatty acids reach the liver, they affect the production of blood lipids to generate higher bad cholesterol levels (HDL) and increase resistance to insulin.

The Amount of Belly Fat that is Risky

In men, a waist size of at least 40 inches is said to be harmful. On the other side, some studies have revealed that a waist size of 33 inches or more in women increases the danger of health problems.

Getting Rid of Belly Fat

Fortunately, it is very easy to lose belly fat, as it is burned more quickly by exercising regularly. One of the most used methods for losing belly fat is through aerobic exercises at moderate intensity. Consider brisk walking for 30 to 90 minutes daily for losing belly fat. Next, go for strength training at least two or three days in a week, wherein you use weights to restore and add muscles for boosting metabolism. With these two strategies, ensure that you also add a sensible diet plan featuring low-fat foods and high-fiber as well as high-protein items to build muscles and boost metabolism for burning overall body fat. In addition, make an attempt to control portion sizes in each meal so that you consume fewer amounts of calories throughout the day.

Learning to control belly fat effectively through exercise and a controlled diet will help you to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle!

Crystal Giannini loves to blog on weight loss tips.You can find her blog at: http://bellyfat360.com/how-to-lose-belly-fat/
Written at 10:37 AM by Andrea.
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Saturday, April 21, 2012
Healthy Planet...Healthy YOU!
The observance of Earth Day is the perfect time to commit to exploring new & better ways to care for our planet. It is also an important reminder of the connection between a healthy planet, and the health of the people who inhabitant it! Polluted land, air & water allows human exposure to toxins that cause cancer & other diseases. (Read More About Reducing Toxic Exposure)

Your support of companies who offer organic, natural & recycled products...like our sister company Wear Your Intention... helps to reduce, and hopefully one day eliminate, the harmful affects of toxins to people and our amazing planet. ~ Andrea Chervenak, founder Wear Your Intention



Written at 7:57 PM by Andrea.
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Sunday, March 25, 2012
GUEST BLOGGER: Stephanie Newell
Stephanie Newell is part of IMDesign, a company that designs and manufacturers aluminum furntiure and cabinets in North America. I know there are many of you who are looking for alternatives to chemically treated home items, and thought you would find Stephanie's story of interest. ~ Andrea

I FEEL GOOD

by Stephanie Newell

In 2008 we were living in a condo which was air conditioned and heated with a heat pump. After several visits from the repair man to keep us cool and warm he told us there was no more he could do and we would have to get a new heat pump. It was only 10 years old so we asked why at such a young age it was irreparable. The repair man immediately said that all the gasses floating around in the apartment were drawn in by the heat pump and they eventually killed it. He pointed out that our kitchen cabinets, which were very close to the heat pump were made from particle board of some sort and the out gassing from that was a contributor. He even opened the cupboard under the sink and showed us how water had damaged the cabinets and they were bubbling and buckling. He said the carpets which had been in the apartment for 9 of the 10 years were another culprit.

We had never heard of MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) although we have lots of other allergies in the family to dust, pollens, mould and animals. We had to ask ourselves if these chemicals caused the demise of the heat pump after just 10 years what were they doing to us? As it happened we were planning the construction of a new home at the time so we started really thinking about the materials we should be using. Thanks to that repair man two of the main changes we made were the use of concrete and solid wood floors throughout and all of our beautiful cabinets and some of our furniture are made from aluminum (no out-gassing, and no mold).

We have been living in the house now for three years and I can't tell you the number of times we've said to each other that we feel better now than we ever have.We're both in our sixties. Could it be the changes in our living environment? We have no hard scientific proof but….

Through IMDesigns our family now offers to others aluminum cabinets and furniture for indoor or outdoor use. There is no out-gassing whatsoever, also mold does not thrive on aluminum, making this great for people who suffer from chemical allergies. Our products are custom made and can be shipped flat packed. They come in all colours and are made to last forever for sustainable living.

If you'd like more information about IMDesign's aluminum cabinets and furniture: http://www.bc-kitchens.com/
Written at 8:18 AM by Andrea.
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