Transformation!

Ok, I will admit, I have one too many heart decorations in my house and yes, I tend to go a little overboard for Valentine's Day.  My husband and I will celebrate five years of marriage on the 14th and we will be renewing our vows next month.  This was just another great excuse to throw a party and buy more hearts!  I think it is such a pretty and joyful holiday to celebrate the ones that we love.  Yesterday I heard on the morning news that the 24th is the most depressing day of the year.  Now granted, they were broadcasting from New York where it is freezing cold, but I had to sit and wonder for a moment, how society can label such a negative idea for us to hear and bury into our subconscious mind.  I don't subscribe to the "most depressing day of the year" theory and I hope you don't either.  Later in the day, I happened to see Oprah and she was doing a show about the Bird Flu.  Well my day was certainly not depressing until I watched and listened to the scary details of what is to come with all of these new strains of viruses.  Be that as it may, I am not going to spend anymore time elaborating because this is my time to share fun things with you!

I want to say Happy New Year to all of you.  It feels so good to be present with you at all the meetings this month.  The meetings are growing, and many new programs are in the works for the new year, all to benefit you and your health!  I hope you take the time to read the entire newsletter as we do our best to keep you abreast of all the great things going on in WWS and provide you with insightful wellness information. 

I labeled my column Transformation, as this is the time of year when we all vow to make positive changes in our lives.  I now know, after thirty some years of trying New Year resolutions, that by March, I am back to my old ways.  The interest in the gym fades away and the m&m's make their way back into my candy jar.  Well not this year.  I of all people know what it is like to love food and struggle with my weight.  It has been an issue ever since I was in high school.  On the Friday nights when it felt like I was the only teen-ager not permitted to go to a party or to the skating rink, I would submerge myself into an entire tray of brownies.  I will never forget the first time I got on this path.  I gained twenty pounds within two weeks.  From that time forward, keeping my mouth shut and keeping the weight off has continuously been something I struggle with.  Yes I have hypo-thyroidism but I refuse to let that be my excuse!  Dealing with my own struggles and listening to my close friends deal with similar issues, I decided that this was going to be the year of change for all of us!

By now you should have seen the email that went out explaining Butterflies for Better Health.  This was idea that came to mind one day as I was working on my health plan for the new year.  I looked at all of the reasons why I have failed in the past and then realized that in the times I had support, I did much better.  I also know that many of us respond well to challenges.  As women many of us are looking for the same outcome in life, especially when it comes to health.  We want to be able to turn the switch on one day and begin to love the idea of working out.  (For those of you that are already there, I commend you.)  We desire to look healthy, have lots of energy and feel like we are in control of what goes in our mouths.  If all that was so easy, obesity would not be on the rise like it is in this country and diets wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar industry.  It can be lonely when you attempt to tackle these challenges without support.  Been there, done that.  Not anymore.  Butterflies for Better Health is my way of showing all of you that we can do it and we can do it together and win!  

I have already started routine chiropractic care which I have always believed in but was never under true care with one doctor.  Dr. Migdal whom I met through WWS has made me feel like a new person.  I also started working out with Jill at Get Fit!  We knew this was something we had to do together.  This is the first time in my life, I can honestly say I love working out and look forward to every day that I go!  I am determined that this will be my year for true health changes.  We have all the tools now through WWS and certainly all of the needed professionals to help see us through.  If you commit to being a Butterfly for Better Health, you too will experience these changes that I have already noticed in three short weeks.  Even better, many of the services will be offered to you at no cost or special discounted r ates.

So in closing, I want to say, this is the year to love and be proud of you.  To allow that beautiful woman emerge out of you with a strong sense of self confidence and pride that you have this area of your life in balance.  Take the pledge and spend March through May with us as we see may dreams come true!  See you at the Valentine's Party! 

Kellie Kuecha

Welcome…to 2006!  What a great year for purifying your mind, body and spirit.  What a great year for taking yourself deeper into your own Soul for healing, for finding clarification, for learning how to expressing yourself in your greatness!

Authors Marilyn Segal and Carolyn Cohen are the experts on wellness.  Having authored three books, Whose Illness is it Anyway?  The Heart Speaks, and  Precious Reflections they are also co-hosts of The Quest…Metaphysical Radio.

Wellness is the balance of our mind, body and spirit.  We, women, are here on this plane to bring balance not only to ourselves but to all we touch.  It is our job to become the best we can be and pass that along.

Whether you know it or not, your Life Purpose is the guiding principle, or force, behind the events in your life.  It is that inner voice calling you from deep within your soul.  Your life purpose is always seeking self expression, using some method of trying to awaken you to the power of its message. 

Have you ever wondered, “What on Earth am I doing here?”  Do you feel unfulfilled in your life?  Do you want more from your life?  Are you truly happy?  Your Life Purpose is your reason for being here.  Finding it is the single most important thing you can do in your life.

Albert Schweitzer said:

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Your life purpose is that which brings satisfaction at the deepest part of your being.  It makes your spirit feel alive and makes your heart expand with joy.  It is your true expression of love.

It is your highest potential expressing itself naturally and powerfully in everything you do.  The whole package of wellness is learning how to balance your mind, body and spirit.  This journey is a lifelong process, constantly changing as we change.  It is your job to become the detective and find out what you need in your own life and give it back to yourself.  It is your job to stay alert and become aware.  It is your job to learn to listen to that quite voice within. Learn to listen to the subtleness that life provides.  Healing comes to us when it is time to learn something from a deeper part of ourselves.  From our soul’s perspective, it is always in perfect order and right on time.

You know when you are on purpose because, as a flower, you blossom.  The same is true when you are not on purpose…your road gets bumpy and life becomes a struggle.  This is plain and simple.  If you are seeking more from your life or if you feel as if life keeps giving you lemons…seek some help from someone who can help you.

Wouldn’t it be grand if you can imagine yourself at an information booth seeking your LIFE PURPOSE?  You would walk up to this booth, pay for the service, and a computer print out comes directly to you informing you of your Life Purpose, your Life Lesson.  Can Life Be That Simple?

For a Life Purpose Reading or Soul Healing you may contact Marilyn Segal or Carolyn Cohen 561-852-0917   or visit their website  www.TwinWisdom.com.

I am so happy these days to finally welcome myself back. Does that sentence make sense to anyone? Probably not, but let me elaborate and maybe you will relate to what I have been going through. Long ago, I really don’t remember how many years it has been, I felt one with my body. I think some might refer to that as Balance. I never thought of how I felt each day because I felt fine. I had energy, looked pretty fit, had a light heart, had fun, etc. etc.

Somehow when I wasn’t looking, a mysterious cloud descended upon me. Sometimes I would say it felt like a monster crawled inside my body and took the control panel. What had happened to me? I started swelling up like the Pillsbury dough boy, forgetting little things, felt the need to hibernate, lost my light heart, had little energy, and could not sleep through the night any longer.

You guessed it, The Hormonal Horrors of Menopause.

Now I have always been ms. au natural and never even considered artificial hormonal replacements, so I rode the wave and there I was. This year, I found out that I have had an extreme case of Candida. My belly was growing daily, the scale was my dreaded enemy and I still was not myself as I remembered. Doctor after Doctor took tests, x rays, exposed me to radiation time after time, and then sent me away, telling me I was fine. I was not fine. I knew it, I just could not accept that I was going to look like an inflated balloon, and feel so weird in my own skin.

I tell you this story because I finally asked for the answer from people just like you and me and one day heard the word Candida, and that changed everything. I learned of specific foods that were feeding the condition, and after a change in my diet, I began to feel much better. Now I had the energy to start back on the road to reclaiming myself and my body, or should I say my old body. After New Years Eve when all the chaos of family visits and parties subsided, I made a pack with Kellie Kuecha to buddy up and finally get fit. I say that and chuckle because the gym we chose to start this journey is named “Get Fit”. I have to say that after just three weeks of attending this quite different functional gym, filled with bright colored balls, ropes and other toys, I feel great and can feel the old Jill making her way to the surface. Thank you Christine and Kevin King for mak ing this transition so much fun.

The morale to my story is never give up on yourself or your health. Keep asking others and yourself constantly until truth prevails…

Jill Evans

Important Membership Changes!

Due to the fact that we will be adding several new staff members in the new year to run the Women's Wellness Society, we will have to raise our membership prices moderately.  Now is the time to join if you are not yet a member.  Please keep plugging into our site for further information on this.  Also starting on February 1st, members will need to choose what chapter they will want to belong to.  Up until this point we have allowed members to visit all of the chapters, as we have encouraged getting as much knowledge as possible, however there have been some drawbacks to doing this from a company and chapter standpoint.  We want to form a cohesive group of women helping women and have found that difficult to do without having women committed to a particular chapter.  So, starting in January, you will need to first pick a chapter to become a member of and then if you choose to visit other chapters, you will need to purchase a National Membership Upgrade.  The cost of the upgrade will be $50.00 for the year but will enable you to visit chapters in your area and all across the US.  Thank you for understanding!

Referral gift if you locate a new Chapter Leader

As we set our mission into motion of “Bridging the gap between Women and Wellness,” new chapters will be opening across the county.  If you know someone who may be interested in becoming a Chapter Leader, please email Kellie at kellie@womenswellnesssociety.com.  We are offering a referral gift of $100 for your recommendation, which will be paid when the new chapter reaches a membership of twenty.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Meeting Sponsors are a great way for our members to learn about you and your business. The cost is $200 for the meeting which includes a five minute presentation, a business profile on the Meeting Program and your logo/link on our site for one month. We also offer table sponsorships for $50 where you can network with our members, display products and materials and stand out among the others.

Submit your Business listing today!

All Professional and Corporate business members are entitled to a business listing on our site.  We want to begin filling up our listings and we need your help.  If you would like to be listed in this section we will need the following information:  Name, email, phone, web address, profession.  You will need to submit this information to our web support department at support@womenswellnesssociety.com.

Let's Barter!

Many of our members have expressed an interest in bartering with other members.  We think this is a great idea and we would love to start a formal WWS barter club!  Please email us if you would like to belong to this elite group of women and men!

Job Boards

Our Job Boards are available for anyone wishing to post a position in the company for others to view.             

New Chapter Kickoff

Join us on February 16th as we kick off the Boynton Beach Chapter.  A big welcome to Amy Sandifer as our newest chapter leader!   

Valentines Special for all WWS members at Faces and Beyond Day Spa!!

Faces and Beyond is pleased to announce $30.00 facials (a savings of over 50%) from now until February 13th!  $5.00 from each facial will be dontated back to WWS to begin our S.O.S fund.

Contact Ann at 954-783-2220 

Join us on Valentines Day as we spend this special Holiday together with friends, and loved ones.   This party is open to all chapters and their friends and family!  Make your reservation early for a fabulous night at Maggiano's   Central Boca Women's Wellness Society Dinner on February 14th at
6:30 PM
wine and 5 course dinner included for $30 per person!
Special world renown author and guest speaker
Dr. Michael Mirdad on
love,intimacy, relationships,friendships and laughter...
Surprises,gifts, and lots of fun and a chance to meet your fellow members from other chapters.
rsvp today www.womenswellnesssociety.com
 or call Jill at 561-482-9121
      

As 2006 unfolds, many of us have already taken a pledge to somehow improve our health, while many of us are still wondering where to begin.  Whether you are already on track or you want support in getting on track, we have been where you are and we want to join hands with you and take this pledge together!  Butterflies for Better Health is a National Challenge that encompasses 5 key areas of women’s health.  Physical, Personal, Environmental, Financial and Social Wellness will all be the focus of this three month challenge beginning March 1^st, 2006.  Gift this special gift to yourself!!

As a Butterfly for Better Health, you will be taking a three month pledge to transform your mind, body and spirit.  The challenge period will include lots of fun tasks and gatherings for you and will include lots of support and weekly online check-ins!  Enjoy fitness training, social events, meditation, journaling and many other fun activities to help you on your path to transformation.  At the end of the contest period, we will have three winners, a first and second runner up and a Grand Prize winner.  Each of the activities will have a point value. Final results will be based on cumulative points and an essay explaining your transformation!  Entry Fee is $50.00 per person and will include many great benefits including a transformation party at the end of the three month period.  Please visit our website to register and for additional information, contest rules and prizes.

January Healthy Recipe

Grilled Spicy Filet Mignon Salad with Ginger-Lime Dressing Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay I made this a few days ago....YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KK

3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon chili paste with garlic 1 tablespoon peanut oil 2 (12-ounce) filet mignons Freshly ground pepper Whisk soy sauce, lime juice, chile paste, and peanut oil together in a small baking dish. Add the steaks, turn to coat, cover, and let marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling. Heat grill to high. Remove steaks from marinade and pat dry. Season both sides with pepper and grill for 3 minutes per side or until slightly charred and cooked to medium-rare doneness. Remove from the grill, let rest 5 minutes, and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. Salad: 1 head Bibb lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 3 cups mizuna leaves, torn into bite-size pieces 1/4 cup chiffonade Thai basil or regular basil, optional 1/2 English cucumber, halved and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices 2 carrots, julienned 5 radishes, thinly sliced 8 each yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved Ginger Lime Dressing, recipe follows Salt and ground black pepper While steak is resting, combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Toss with half of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter, top with the steak, and drizzle the remaining dressing over the top. Ginger-Lime Dressing: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon finely diced shallot 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons peanut oil Salt and freshly ground pepper Whisk ingredients together in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sit 10 minutes before using.

This newsletter is sponsored by: 

In July of 1996, Christine King broke her back, shattering a lumbar vertebrae in a JetSki accident. She was paralyzed from the waist down, and doctors couldn’t say whether she would ever walk again. In an eight-hour emergency surgery, two rods and four screws were inserted to hold her back together, and bone was taken from her hip to replace the vertebrae that had exploded.

The surgery repaired her back, but nerve damage and internal injuries meant a long, slow rehabilitation and post-rehab process. During rehab, she slowly regained feeling in her lower body and then gradually became strong enough to walk. Before the accident, Christine had been in excellent physical shape, and doctors said this was the main reason she was able to walk again.

To retrain her body to perform everyday activities, she exercised with resistance bands, hand weights, stability balls, tubing and other tools. In doing so, she built strength, flexibility, stamina and balance. This type of training— functional training —targets groups of muscles simultaneously, mimicking the movements made in everyday life. It is very different from resistance training with gym machines, designed to strengthen isolated muscles.

The experience gave her an acute awareness of the importance of exercise, and especially the benefits of functional training. She realized that this type of training could make a profound difference for everyone—from healthy, active people to those with injuries and medical conditions, to those who want to lose weight.

Before the accident, Christine was vice president of a video production company. But the accident changed everything. She decided to dedicate her life to helping people develop healthier lifestyles and become more functionally fit. After getting certified by the American Council on Exercise, she became a post-rehab specialist. In 1997, she founded Get Fit! and later became a medical exercise specialist. For several years, she worked with people individually and in small groups. Driven by a mission to make personal training affordable and accessible to everyone, she opened Florida’s first functional training studio in Delray Beach in 2004.

Directions to Get Fit!

From the South:
Take I-95 north to Linton Boulevard (Exit #51) and go east.
Turn left on S. Federal Highway (U.S. 1).
At the second light, turn left onto Southeast 10th Street.
Make an immediate left onto S. Federal Highway, heading south.
Turn right into the second plaza, “Executive Quarters.”
Get Fit! is the left (south) anchor unit in the plaza.

>From the North:
Take I-95 south to W. Atlantic Avenue (Exit #52A) and go east.
Turn right on S. Federal Highway (U.S. 1) and go 1 mile.
After the light at 10th Street, turn right into the second plaza “Executive Quarters.”
Get Fit! is the left (south) anchor unit.

Copyright Women's Wellness Society Inc. 2005 All Rights Reserved