So what about all those Christmas decorations?

With Thanksgiving just a memory it’s now time to clean the house so you can begin to decorate for Christmas. Every year at this time I have clients ask me if decorations are really clutter and can they “get in the way” of good chi? My answer is always the same. Yes and no. Way to clarify, right? Here’s how I arrived at that conclusion.

It has always been my experience that before we even take the decorations out of the closet the house gets a very thorough cleaning. In Feng Shui terms this is never a bad thing. It seems that even though cleaning isn’t my favorite thing to do, it does shift the mood in the house and that in itself will uplift the chi.

Ok, so the house is clean and the decorations are out of the closet. You start unpacking the boxes and everything just goes in the same spot it was placed in for the last 10 years. Good or bad? Well, both actually. If you like how it looks then, go ahead and keep it the same. That being said, if you are just decorating on automatic pilot then that might be a problem. If you are displaying something just because you always have and you don’t really like the item then you shouldn’t put it out. In fact if you really don’t like something you may want to get rid of it. One of the first rules of Feng Shui is to surround yourself with things you find beautiful. If you don’t like it or it doesn’t work as intended, get rid of it. Now of course there are the sentimental things and it goes without saying that everyone needs a few of those. But if you don’t like them and keep it only because it’s was your grandmothers then you may want to consider either passing it along to someone else or just leaving it in the box in the attic until one of your kids shows an interest. Don’t spend time worrying about this however because a sentimental item neatly packed in a box in the attic is not considered clutter.

Once I go through this with my clients then I am usually also asked if holiday decorating can be overdone. Absolutely! However if you take them down right after the New Year then I don’t feel as though any damage can be done that quickly. The entire Holiday season is generally very busy and with people running on high energy that usually means tons of good chi coming your way.

How can you stay healthy this winter?

The most important thing is to try and not get sick in the first place. Easier said than done? Maybe……

But here are some of my suggestions.

Stay hydrated and by this I mean actually drinking WATER. Soda, coffee and Gatorade do not count.

Rest and get quality sleep. A good night’s sleep is very important for our immune systems. Our bodies need to replenish themselves and when we don’t get enough sleep this can’t happen properly.

Eat well and on a regular schedule. Fresh fruits and vegetables are really critical in the winter. The more you can implement into your dishes the better. We love raw veggies and always have some on hand for snacking. When cooking your vegetables, less is better.

Try to keep stress at bay. Choose your battles and don’t waste energy on something you can’t fix or aren’t in control of. Write a list so we don’t feel so overwhelmed by the daily tasks we all have to endure. Laugh as much as possible. Rent a comedy movie and blow off some steam.

You knew this one was going to be on the list but WASH YOUR HANDS and don’t touch your face.

I have a ton more information on getting and staying healthy. Join me at my Gather health group for more!

http://thenaturalpath.gather.com/
Thanks
Teresa Abbott
Naturopath

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

Don't sample too many candy bars tonight!!

CD Review Joshua Bell At home with friends

I really enjoy listening to music, especially when I am cooking!

Once again I was chosen to review a CD for One 2 One Network, so the other night we listened to this CD while preparing dinner for friends.

This CD is a very eclectic collection of music styles and the vocalists he invited along are really amazing. I guessed it was Sting singing before I read the jacket.

The music is all over the map including pop, bluegrass, classical, jazz and ethnic. The instruments are awesome.

While I normally think of instrumental music as calming this is also uplifting and energetic all at the same time.

Joshua Bell is a Grammy award winning violinist and it shows on this record.

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):

I Loves You Porgy featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, stringsGrieg:
Sonata No. 3 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolinVariant Moods:
Duet for Sitar & Violin featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand featuring Regina Spektor, vocals

New Album Review Harry Connick, Jr. Your Songs

I was chosen by One 2 One Network to review a new CD from Harry Connick, Jr. The title of the album is Your Songs and I would bet that you will recognize most of them.

All the way
Just the way you are
Can’t help falling in love with you
And I love her
They long to be close to you
Besame mucho (Kiss me much)
The way you look tonight
First time ever I saw your face
Your song
Some enchanted evening
And I love you so
Who can I turn to (when nobody needs me)
Smile
Mona Lisa

Generally I don’t care for remakes all that much but he gets away with it here. I am familiar with most of the songs on the album and found myself singing along the very first time I listened.

His song choices span several decades and he presents it in Sinatra / Big Band style. The accompanying instruments really add to the appeal of the music while not detracting from his voice at all.

Besame Mucho is the only song on the album that I didn’t know and of course I couldn’t understand a word of it but it’s a top tapper for sure. I googled it so I could read the lyrics while it was playing. I don’t know if he speaks Spanish or just learned this song but he does it well.

While reading the insert, I saw that he dedicated this record to his Mother, Anita.

Even though this is not my favorite music style I did like the album and will keep it near the top of my easy listening selections.

Talking Clutter again

Since fall is officially here, I thought I would address clutter once again before we are stuck inside all winter.

You have heard me say this before. Feng Shui is about increasing the flow of energy or chi in your space to create harmony but it’s also about surrounding yourself with things that you love. That being said, when there is too much “stuff” in the way, the energy gets stuck and things tend to stagnate in your life.

Sometimes when there is an energy blockage you may not even be aware that it is the clutter that is causing the issue. Now, I am not asking you to live a totally minimalist lifestyle. You don’t have to completely clear the decks! Just take a look around your home and ask yourself the following questions.

Do I like this?
When is the last time I used it?
Where did it come from?
Does it have sentimental value to anyone in the household?

I have found that we sometimes get so used to seeing something in a particular spot that we are almost immune to the fact that it’s even there.

Do you catch yourself saying, why didn’t I get rid of that long ago? Or, why didn’t we fix that before now? If so, then you need to take a look at your surroundings in a whole new light. Go through each room and actually stop and look at each piece of furniture, everything that hangs on the walls or sits on a table or shelf. Is it in good repair or has it been around way too long already? Is it just there simply because it always has been?

Do you save every newspaper and magazine?
Are there piles that seem to take on a life of their own?

In the past I have suggested that you not even bring the junk mail in the house. Toss it in the recycling bin before it ever gets inside. Keep a shredder handy and instead of setting it down so it can pile up, shred it. Look at things one time and get it done.

Remember my 9 minute plan. Take 9 minutes each day and clean, sort and put things away. Once you get used to it, you will be amazed how much you can get done in a short 9 minutes. Hopefully there will come a time when you don’t even need a full 9 minutes per day anymore and can cut back to less days a week.

Until next time!


“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.”

William Morris

Do EMF's effect you?

Last night I was reading an article on EMF's (Electrical Magnetic Fields) and of course that reminded me that I should get my gauss meter out and do another test. Well, it's here at the cabin and I was at home last night.... so maybe next week.

Anyway, we have made an effort to remove as much electrical "stuff" from our bedrooms as possible just to see if it has an impact which is why I wanted to test again.

From my Feng Shui training, I understand that EMF's will interfere with your sleep and eventually have an effect on your health. So, we unplug things when not in use and keep the alarm clock away from our heads when sleeping. Sleeping with the TV on is also a concern.

Have you ever had your home tested for EMF levels? You may be surprised at the levels items give off even when they aren't ON.

Why don't I just take my own advice?

As you may know, I am a Naturopath so I love to learn new alternative modalities and pass that on to my clients. The one that I really think should be taught and shared with every person on the planet is EFT.

Emotional
Freedom
Technique

If you haven't heard of it, check it out. It has to be the most simple thing I have ever learned and the best part is that it totally works.

I don't know if I can share it here so if you would like more information email me and I will get it to you asap. There is a link on the site where you can watch a video demonstration and download a free manual.
Anyway, I have been feeling really uneasy and anxious since last night and it just finally dawned on me to do a couple of rounds of EFT and I already feel better. I need to listen to myself more often... ;)

CD Review ~~ Diane Birch Bible Belt

One2One Network sent me a CD from Diane Birch to review which I have had for about two weeks now. I am thoroughly enjoying this CD and have probably already listened to it about 20 times. Her voice is amazing. She sounds like several other female singers on the one hand but is totally original on the other. It's folksy, bluesy story telling at its finest. She has written all the songs on this album herself.

The music is uplifting with a great beat that is different with each song. The instruments just put it over the top. It's interesting to me that I can listen to her music very softly or cranked all the way up and it's great either way.

Diane Birch is going places!
Thanks One2One.
Bible Belt from Diane Birch is definitely a hit!

25 Health Benefits of Lemons

25 Health Benefits of Lemons

1. Lemon being a citrus fruit, fights against infection.
2. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals.
3. Lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL.
4. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lower the rates of certain cancers.
5. Lemon juice is said to give a glow to the skin.
6. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water are believed to clear the digestive system and purify liver as well.
7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before bath which relieves head ache and cools the body.
8. Applying lemon juice to acne dries the existing ones and prevents from getting more.
9. Lemon juice acts as a natural hair lightner.
10. Lemon juice is given to relieve gingivitis.
11. Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold.
12. Lemon juice is given to prevent or treat urinary tract infection.
13. Lemon juice is applied to the sites of bites and stings of certain insects to relieve its poison and pain.
14. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems.
15. Lemon juice soothes the dry skin when applied with little glycerin.
16. Lemon juice used for marinating seafood or meat kills bacteria and other organisms present in them, thereby prevents many gastro-intestinal tract infections.
17. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt (warm) every morning lowers cholesterol levels and brings down your weight.
18. Lemon juice is the best drink to prevent dehydration and shock in case of diarrhea.
19. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.
20. A table spoon of thick lemon syrup everyday relieves asthma.
21. Lemon juice relieves itchy skin.
22. Gargling lemon juice relieves throat infection and also used as a treatment for diphtheria.
23. Lemon juice is an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy hair.
24. Lemon applies over the face removes wrinkles and keeps you young.
25. Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.

Lemon is not usually allergic or toxic.

Posting today has been a challenge

Test post just to see if it will go through

With all the flu discussions out there..........

Good Germs vs Bad Germs

Anti-bacterial soaps are all the rage but before you buy your next bottle consider this. We have both good and bad bacteria in and on our bodies. Most of the bad bacteria is kept in check by the good bacteria. The problem is that the soap doesn’t know the difference and kills all the bacteria. This leaves us more vulnerable to the bad germs. This is an oversimplification but you get my point. Just say NO to anti-bacterial and anti-microbial products. Now, I am not saying that you shouldn’t wipe off the shopping cart handle or the remote in your hotel room. Just don’t make a habit of washing with these products.

Washing your hands with soap and warm water is very effective. We do not need to be bombarding our systems with all these chemicals.

This of course is just my opinion but I wanted to put it out there.

CD Review -- Yanni Voices

Yanni Voices

I received the Yanni Voices CD from O2O Network and was asked to listen to the CD and then write and post a review. I was familiar with Yanni and in fact already had some of his albums. Along with the CD was a bonus DVD about the making of the CD plus tour highlights. I promptly put the CD in the player in my office as I usually listen to very soft background music when I am working.

As of this writing I have listened to the entire CD half dozen times and counting. It is a great mix of artists and music styles. The beat is uplifting even when it’s on the softer side. The sounds vary and include opera, love songs, pop and of course international beat and lyrics.

My overall opinion is that if you like instrumentals then you will like this CD. To me it comes across very mellow, however if you kick up the volume it can be very energetic.

April series on Spring Cleaning and Clutter

Now that spring is near, although you wouldn't know it looking at the new snowfall, we need to again address the issue of clutter. There seems to be a misconception that if it works and you use it once every 10 years or it looks good in that spot etc.... that it's not clutter. Not necessarily.

Ok, so it is true that you should love everything in your space but that doesn't mean you have to keep and display everything you own. This is where the "less is more motto" really comes in. If you have too much stuff and for sentimental reasons you just can't get rid of it, then change things up from time to time. Pack some of it away and bring it back out with the seasons for instance. Keeping things clean and fresh is really important in Feng Shui.

If an item no longer works either fix it or get rid of it. I think we all tend to be pack rats and always think that we may "use that" someday. Well, someday rarely ever comes.

As I wrote about earlier, take baby steps. Start with one closet or drawer. Work for nine minutes each day on removing the clutter. Make lists so you know what is in the freezer or the pantry. Use things up and rotate others instead of just buying more. Movement creates good energy. Once you start you will see how easy it is to continue for just that nine minutes.

Out of time for today so this is to be continued.....................

I wonder what's in there?

Do you find yourself going to the grocery store only to find out when you get home that you already had half the items you just purchased? I keep two magnetic pads on the side of my refrigerator. One is a grocery list. The other is to list all the items in the freezer. When I use something I cross it off and when I grocery shop, I make a new list or add to the existing one. Works great and you don’t ever have to wonder what’s in there. This little hint saves on waste too because you use the food before it ends up pushed to the back and freezer burned.

What the heck is a Feng Shui cure anyway?

They can be many things and the items do not have to be purchased just to be a cure. A cure is an item that is specifically placed to “fix” something that is out of whack or to “call in” something you would like to see in your life. This would include plants, crystals, wind chimes, mirrors, fountains, statues and coins just to name a few. The “cures” are placed with intention and are left there until the “fix” is manifested in your life.

Make that Clutter go away!

In August 2006 I graduated from the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui as a Certified Practitioner trained in Black Sect Tantric Feng Shui. To clarify, this means that my specialty is the ancient Chinese way. Now, a lot of people will argue that this is the “correct” way to practice Feng Shui however, I have been taking classes for the Compass school and find that while it is different it now makes more sense to me. For my writings here though I will generally be discussing and using the Black Sect teachings.


Clutter got you down?

There are many ways to get rid of your clutter but the most important is to stop making more before you even try to clear it out. Here are a few tips that really work for me.

First of all, do not even bring the junk mail into the house. Toss it in the recycling or shred it before it makes it to the desk or table. Also, I have found that if you want to get off some of the mailing lists and they don’t seem to listen, then mail them their stuff back with a nice little note asking to be removed.

Assign a spot for everything and stick to it. Purse, keys, kids backpacks, mittens, shoes whatever it is that you are always searching for in the morning should have a designated place and be in that place before bed at night. Makes for much easier mornings.

Mind clutter is a big deal. Keep a to-do list and use it. Another thing that works for us is to keep a pad and pen in the nightstand and when you wake up thinking about something, write it down and go back to sleep.

Flat surfaces are made specifically for you to fill up, right? Ok, so start there. Walk around your home and see what surfaces collect “stuff” and make that your initial focus. Take nine minutes per day and just get rid of things that are no longer useful but are out in the open that everyone visiting can see. It doesn’t sound like much but you can really get a lot done in nine minutes. Once the initial “flat surfaces” are done then move on to the places that aren’t obvious and stick with the nine minutes per day. In no time at all you will have a clutter free home or office.

Start a bag or box for items that are in good condition but that you no longer wish to keep. This way you will have a head start if you choose to have a yard sale or to donate the items to charity.

Would you like to make changes in your life and you don't know where to start?

Feng Shui (pronounced fung schway) literally means "Wind and Water" and is about creating balance and harmony in your space and your life by enhancing the flow of "Chi". Chi (pronounced chee) basically means energy in English. Good chi is strong and balanced where Poor chi is weak and unbalanced. What we try to accomplish with Feng Shui is finding a good balance between the two. I have studied and am certified in the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui which originated in China and is practiced worldwide today. The practice of Feng Shui has been interpreted in different ways In addition to Black Sect there is Western or Compass Feng Shui, which I am currently studying. There is no right or wrong here, just different ways of thinking which are all based on living the best life that you can.

Just so we are clear here, Feng Shui is not a religion or new age mysticism but more of a common sense approach to decorating, design and living. It is my belief that one can change and / or improve their life, career, relationships and finances with the use and implementation of basic Feng Shui principles.

My focus over the next few weeks will be to post articles about the fundamentals of Feng Shui and to explain the terminology that I will be using in future articles. Some of the information that I plan to cover will include, The Bagua, The Five Elements, Your Front Door, Clearing your Clutter, Selling your Home with Feng Shui, Relationships/Partner/ Romance and Space clearing for starters.

Also, I have started a Feng Shui Basics group at Gather and I would love to have you join us.

fengshuibasics.gather.com

Till next time!

Teresa
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner

I would like you to look at Gather

Have you ever checked out Gather?

Take a minute and see what you have been missing.

http://tabbott.gather.com/joinme.action

Organic or Not?

It’s only Tuesday and I have already seen three articles this week about the importance (or not) of buying and eating organic food. Now, I personally think that organic fruits and vegetables taste better and have more nutrition and I prefer to buy food as whole as I can with minimal or no processing. Living in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the winter however makes that a little more difficult but the variety that stores are stocking seems to get better each year.

The argument appears to be about the increased cost as some people are not willing to pay more for organics.

The way I look at it is we only have one body and I would like to take good care of mine. Another point of view is that the more organic we buy the more signals we send that this is what we want and the more farms there will be. Hopefully that will help to keep costs down.

So get out there and support the organic farms!

Happy Chinese New Year

2009

The Year of the Ox

January 26, 2009 marked the end of the Rat year and the start of an Ox year. If you were born in an Ox year (see chart below) then this could be a great year for you.

The personality traits of an Ox would be that they are hard working, sometimes to the point of being a work-aholic. They are alert, aware, speak very little but are eloquent when they do. People of the Ox sign are dependable, calm, can be stubborn, modest, humble, systematic, logical, possess common sense, very grounded but individualistic. They tend to be eccentric but can usually inspire confidence in others. Ox people make good teachers as they are very patient and tireless. They also tend to be most compatible with Rat, Snake or Rooster people. The Ox is also a sign of prosperity. An Ox will not be extravagant nor will they set new trends. Please understand that this is a general overview and won’t fit everyone.

Chinese Zodiac Chart for the Ox

19 February 1901 - 7 February 1902: Metal Ox
6 February 1913 - 25 January 1914: Water Ox
25 January 1925 - 12 February 1926: Wood Ox
11 February 1937 - 30 January 1938: Fire Ox
29 January 1949 - 16 February 1950: Earth Ox
15 February 1961 - 4 February 1962: Metal Ox
3 February 1973 - 22 January 1974: Water Ox
20 February 1985 - 8 February 1986: Wood Ox
7 February 1997 - 28 January 1998: Fire Ox
26 January 2009 - 14 February 2010: Earth Ox

Whether you are an Ox or not you can make a few Feng Shui changes and have a great 2009.

Till next time.

Taking the lazy way out today!

I receive daily quotes via email and thought this one was worth sharing today.


Here's the Quotation for Wednesday, January 21, 2009


If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, American Scientist, Publisher, Diplomat )

Happy New Year

My Feng Shui training has made me much more aware of the changing of the seasons. The Chinese Year of the Ox will begin on February 4th and that means we will be in an Earth year.

What does that mean exactly?

Well, this will be a good year to slow down and take stock. Think things through, spend time on yourself and in nature. Get outside, plant a garden, walk more, enjoy the sunrise and sunset as often as possible. Pay attention to how you feel and what makes you happy. I mean really happy on the inside not just happy for the moment.

Today's email quote

I received this via email and wanted to pass it on to you.

~~~~~~~~
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.

Luciano de Crescenzo
~~~~~~~~

Live, Laugh, Love

Till next time !

How are those resolutions going?

I have to admit that I really don't agree with the whole resolution idea. I do believe that setting goals is very important but not to the point where you stress over each and every one. Write things down and be realistic. Take baby steps to get started and see how it goes. Starting out slowly and achieving your goals will make it easier to strive for more.

Good Luck