Yesterday afternoon our lovebird, Peachy, died in my husband’s arms, as he held her next to his heart.

I was away at an appointment with one of our daughters when we got the call that she wasn’t doing well. The next call I got from my husband was to tell me she’d died. Even in her final moments, she was trying to chirp and get up on his shoulder. Ultimately she just couldn’t do it anymore, so he held her and felt her final breaths and last heart beats as she was able to feel and hear his heart. He sensed that she felt secure and safe being physically close to him.

For such a little thing, she had a big impact on our family. I got her for my birthday when my girls were just four years old. This July would have been 12 years since she came to live with us. Her original name was “Tequila Sunrise” because of her brilliant green, orange and yellow coloring. I didn’t want to have a bird named after an alcoholic drink, so we renamed her. Because she was a “peach-faced” lovebird, we decided she should be Peachy.

Shortly after we got her, I began saying her name with an inflection in my voice. I would repeat “Pea-chy-girl” over and over, saying the “chy” syllable in a higher pitch. Eventually, she began to whistle the syllables with the same inflection. To our amazement, it became obvious that Peachy had learned to “say” her name in her language–whistling. As soon as I would speak her name to her, she’d give me a big intro chirp. I’d then say it again with more enthusiasm and she’d repeat it back to me. It was a game we’d play, and I loved showing off her intelligence to anyone visiting. She’d also hop to whatever side of the cage I was nearest, letting me know she was engaged in our game. I’d move back and forth in front of her cage and she’d follow me as if we were mirroring each other. We’d play our “name game” even when I called to her from two rooms away.

My husband had a couple unique whistling sequences, and before long she learned those as well. Peachy and Dominic would whistle back and forth throughout the day. In these past few years with Dominic at home full-time, their whistling exchanges were a constant part of our days.

Amazingly, she knew which of the two of us came downstairs to the main floor without seeing us. She was familiar with our footsteps. As soon as she identified which of us was coming down in the morning, she’d call out with the chirps and whistles that were uniquely ours. We were each greeted by her every morning.

Today, I continue to grieve her loss. I expect to see her in her cage as I enter the room (I haven’t been able to take it down yet). I hear her beautiful sounds that serenaded us each and every day. I miss her unique voice and the music she brought to us. I realize that no matter how little she was, she held a very large presence in our lives. Today, I feel the void left with her passing.

Peachy-girl, I miss you. I send you love and light and thank you for the gifts you brought our family. You were a wonderful gift to us. We will cherish you always.

I had the honor of assisting with a special taekwondo class that started last night. This special class has been created to help an awesome woman who is dealing with Stage 4 cancer and a small group of her friends and family to achieve their black belts.

Reconnecting with this group of students–who I knew from a former school we all attended–both humbled and filled me with abundant gratitude. Having had cancer in 2007 and today thriving and living life fully, I know that her story could have been mine. Her story could be anyone’s. It is not unique, yet the experience she is going through right now is uniquely hers.

As I witnessed her commitment to progressing towards her black belt, I was reminded of my own journey to achieving mine. In the midst of my training I was diagnosed. I continued training while I simultaneously worked to build up my immune system. About midway through my training, I had a mastectomy. I tested for one of my belts four weeks post-op. Ultimately when I tested for my black belt, I was required to create my own form (a series of planned moves which demonstrate combinations of punches, blocks and kicks). I chose to do my form to Melissa Etheridge’s “I Run For Life.” My choreographed form, accompanied by her lyrics and music, reflected the power of my mind to strengthen my body, connect with the Divine, and endure the experience of walking through cancer. When I performed that form, it was one of the most powerful moments I’ve lived thus far.

As I watched this brave woman begin the work towards her personal goal to achieve her black belt I thought about what it takes to accomplish such a goal. When we set our mind and our sights on a desired achievement, we can do anything.

I am proud to walk with this woman of courage along with her family and friends towards her awesome goal. In my opinion, she is already a black belt at heart because she’s chosen to begin this journey.

As promised, here is Part Two of Tapping Into Your Inner Pharmacy. Our inner pharmacy is made up of our five senses, the pathways through which we experience the physical world, allowing us to connect with the creation of perfect health. As we learn to engage in practices that nourish our five senses, we can feed our body physically, mentally and spiritually to create balance. Through sounds, feelings, sights, tastes and smells, we can nourish and heal ourselves.

Last week we looked at the senses of hearing and touch. This week we’ll look at sight, taste and smell.

3. Healing Through Sight: The images we focus on, shapes, and color can all have a powerful effect on our body, mind and emotions. Choosing nourishing visual input is as important as choosing nourishing food. Think about the colors you surround yourself with in your home decor and clothing. Do they make you feel vibrantly alive, peaceful, safe? Do they feed your soul? Are you drawn to pastel shades or earth tones; cool, soft colors such as blues, greens and whites; or are you attracted to bright, strong, bold colors with vivid shapes and designs that enliven you?

Think about other visual stimulation you expose yourself to. Do you watch violent movies and television shows? If so, those violent scenes can trigger stress hormones which flood our circulation and agitate every cell in our bodies. What scenes could increase your sense of peace and calm? Sunsets and sunrises are good examples. Think about how you feel as you experience the sun’s arrival or departure. Usually soothing, pleasure chemicals are generated, which provide us with wonderfully peaceful and serene feelings.

In your home or workspace, choose artwork and other visuals that elicit feelings of joy, serenity, vitality, peacefulness, and other emotions that are positive and uplifting. If photos of friends and family elicit feelings of connection and happiness, surround yourself with them. It’s important to surround yourself with images that enhance your sense of well-being and improve your living and working environments.

4. Healing Through Taste: The Ayurvedic word for taste is rasa which also means emotion or mood. So, what we taste impacts and elicits emotions. Only when we experience all six tastes at a meal–sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent–do we feel completely satisfied. Sweet is considered the taste of energy, sour is the taste of acid, salty is the taste of the ocean, pungent is the taste of digestive fire, bitter is the taste of concentrated nutritional information and astringent is the taste of concentration. Most foods have more than one taste. Here are just a few examples:

Sweet: grains, dairy, bread, honey, oil, nuts
Sour: citrus fruits, sour fruits, tomatoes, yogurt, vinegar, alcohol
Pungent: hot peppers, ginger, salsa, thyme, basil
Bitter: green and yellow veggies, turmeric
Astringent: Beans, legumes, lentils, pomegranates, tea (these are most lacking in the Western diet!)

Look for ways to incorporate foods from each category into every meal.

5. Healing Through Smell: Aromas and scents can trigger healing powers within and invoke states of well-being. Think about the scent of the earth after the first spring rain, cut grass, the aroma of a homemade meal at your grandmother’s house, the scent of a newborn baby. Our sense of smell connects us directly with our emotions, memories, and instincts. Through a process known as neuro-associative conditioning, we can link a healing response to the experience of a particular smell. For example, each time we sit down to meditate, if we burn sandalwood incense, we soon learn to associate the feeling of relaxation with that aroma. Simply smelling that scent will trigger a sense of quiet relaxation at any time.

Identify an aroma you are especially fond of and inhale its essence whenever you are feeling relaxed, at peace or are having a particularly good day. Gradually, your body will associate these pleasurable feelings with the use of the aroma. Before long, just the smell will evoke a heightened state of well-being.

As the Chopra Center points out, it’s important to remember that health is not the absence of disease–it’s the dynamic state of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Health, happiness, vitality, and beauty are the fruits of a balanced life which is achieved through lifestyle choices that nourish body, mind and soul. Our environment has a profound influence on how we feel. Engaging all five senses in multiple ways daily can enliven our inner pharmacy. Creating a harmonized daily routine is a necessary step to achieving perfect health.

What can you begin doing today to engage your inner pharmacy?

Recently, I held one of my workshops called, “Self-Love Means Green Love.” The intent of this workshop is to help people see that there are many actions we can take to promote health, wellness and vitality for ourselves. During the two-hour session we go through my “Bellisima Recipe for Self-Care” which includes looking at how to tap into our own inner pharmacy (something I learned about when I attended the Chopra Center’s “Perfect Health” retreat a few years ago). Additionally, we talk about and try out some other suggested daily practices and a suggested morning ritual.

Do you know what it means to tap into your inner pharmacy? We all have the ability to affect our holistic well-being through what we put on our bodies, what we take into our bodies, and what surrounds us in our environment. The optimal way to affect our holistic well-being is by using the pathways through which we experience our physical world–our five senses. When we participate in daily practices which nourish and nurture our senses, our bodies are filled with life-enhancing energy. Through our senses, we can give the best to our minds, bodies and spirits, creating restorative and preventative perfect health for ourselves.

I’d love for you to attend one of my future classes and discover or reconnect with the ways to lovingly care for your whole self. In the meantime though I offer here a few suggestions to get you on your way.

Let’s take a look at the first two of our five senses and see how you can create a pathway that feeds you in a holistic way–in mind, body and spirit.

1. Healing Through Sound: Music, mantras, primordial sounds, and drumming can all aid in healing and awakening energy centers in our body. Listening to sounds of nature through CDs or our iPods (especially at this time of year when we may not be able to get out in nature very often) can bring a sense of peace and calm. Poetry read out loud can also connect us to that deeply centered and grounded place in ourselves. Chakra toning is another technique that uses our sense of sound to connect with our energy centers. As we consider what to choose, we want to choose sounds that are pleasing to our ears and our spirits. If we feel our stomach tightening or notice any other signs of resistance in our bodies, then what we’re listening to is probably not the best choice. To create a healthy pathway through our sense of sound, we want to choose sounds that evoke feelings of calm, peace, happiness, and joy.

By using sounds over and over again which we respond to in positive ways, we can create an automatic physiological auditory response. For instance, I use a certain singing bowl CD every morning. As soon as I start this music on my iPod, my body immediately begins to relax. It is evident in my breathing and how my body feels. Experiment freely to find music that inspires, moves, and heals you.

2. Healing Through Touch: Touch is fundamental to both our health and our well-being. Self-massage is not only a good way to release toxins from our body, but it is also one of the most loving actions we can do for ourselves. When I’m massaging my body, it’s impossible to simultaneously have feelings of loathing for myself. As I massage my body, I actually feel my love for myself increase. Taking 5-10 minutes (or on days when you have less time, even 1-2 minutes) to massage yourself with an oil, such as sesame oil, is a great practice that nourishes your body and stimulates health and well-being.

Next week, on Wellness Wednesday, watch for Part Two. In the meantime, I encourage you to practice some of the techniques offered here to connect with your own inner pharmacy through your senses of sound and touch. Have a great week working with these.

Joan Borysenko states, “The knowledge that all things are interconnected is a first step toward spiritual awakening. A second step is putting that knowledge into action through good stewardship of personal and planetary resources. When the Lakota medicine man Wallace Black Elk was asked how we might heal the earth, he answered that the earth can heal herself; all we have to do is stop making her sick.”

We can stop making Mother Earth sick by changing our perspective. When we are able to see what we receive from the material world as gifts rather than resources at our disposal, we can begin to have a different relationship with all we have. When we begin to see our food, clothing, and shelter as gifts rather than resources, we are able to connect with a sense of gratitude for the way in which Mother Earth provides for our basic needs. Through that gratitude, we can begin to truly appreciate all we have and not take it for granted. From this perspective of being grateful, we will naturally want to use less rather than more. This awareness shifts us from an assumption that resources can be exploited to a perspective that the gifts of our world must be protected by us–to see ourselves as stewards of Mother Earth’s gifts. When we’re able to see ourselves as stewards–rather than “conquistadors”–we begin to see that these gifts must also be preserved by us for future generations. Lastly, we begin to understand that when we exploit resources, not only do we make the earth sick, but we make ourselves sick as well.

Today, what actions can you take that reflect your understanding of our interconnectedness with the web of life? What steps can you take that promote preservation and health of our planet rather than exploitation and sickness?

Here are a few ideas:
*Compost your kitchen waste.
*Donate to charity clothes you no longer wear or your children have outgrown.
*Find a new way to reuse an item that has outgrown its original use. (e.g., Turn old drapery fabric into a retro jacket. If you don’t sew, find someone who could make it for you. Spread the wealth!)
*Organize a neighborhood swap party this spring to promote reuse of items rather than the need to buy more.
*If you don’t have your own garden, donate your compost to someone who does.
*Propose to your town or city that a piece of unused land be used to start a community garden.
*Download music instead of buying a CD.
*Support your local library by checking out books rather than buying them.
*Elicit the ideas of your family to come up with other ways to see everything we have as gifts.

What additional ideas can you and your family create that move you and the planet towards a healthier life?

In Japan, February 16th is Fumi-e, a day when people demonstrate their non-attachment to Western imports. We can borrow from the Japanese tradition and use the spirit of today to celebrate the vitality and health of our local economies, practicing our non-attachment to imports–which can include other cities and towns, other states, and other countries.

Today, take time to shop in small, locally-owned businesses, patronize local artisans, dine at local venues, or make something from scratch using fresh local foods.

While you’re at it, I invite you to say out loud (or sing or chant) the following:

“Buy it local, shop close to home,

Seek what locals make and grow.”

Thanks to Dallas Jennifer Cobb for this chant (which can become a daily mantra to remind us to support our local economies today and every day)!

Not that many years ago, astronauts left the earth’s atmosphere and were able to send back the first pictures of our Earth from a whole new perspective. Those photos showed us this big, gorgeous, colorful globe suspended in “air,” a sphere we’d learned about in science class that constantly spun and rotated around the sun. Although we knew that our earth was a round sphere, until that time, we’d never been able to see it in all its glorious brilliance. Up to that point, our experience of our planet was based on our own little acre of land and we loved it or hated it depending on what happened in our little piece of the world.

When those first photos were sent back, it was an opportunity to broaden our perspective about our world. For many, it was the beginning of a new love and appreciation for this planet, our planet, which supports our lives and all life on earth. Those photos, and the subsequent photos of our beautiful home have been the impetus for many to have a new appreciation and love relationship with Mother Earth. We have been able to see first-hand that the earth is poised independently in space, yet is completely interdependent on the solar system of which it is one part. She moves with grace, dignity and strength yet she stands vulnerable to conditions and situations that can harm her. She is a perfect body which needs our support in creating perfect health for her. Many of us now understand this at a deep soul level.

As Mother Earth is a perfect body which needs our support and love, so are all of our bodies. Yet, how often do we beat ourselves up or condemn ourselves for what is wrong with them? How often do we say things like, “I’m too fat,” “I wish I were taller,” “I wish I had bigger or smaller _______,” “I wish I were stronger, faster, ________,” (you fill in the blanks) and other statements of self-denigration? We focus on what we believe is wrong with us and what needs to be changed or improved according to our self-judgment and the messages we receive from society. We create stress in our bodies because of all this negative self-talk. As we strive for the perfect body, we actually destroy the possibility of perfect health.

The real shocker is that not only do we impact our own mental and physical health with our negative self-image, but we may actually be causing negative self-belief at a genetic level for our future generations. Scientists are just beginning to understand a hereditary process called “epigenetics” which is the study of heritable changes that occur without a change in the DNA sequence. What this means is that we can impact our offspring at a genetic level by what we think and feel, not just through them hearing our negative messages and taking them in as environmental influences. For instance, while pregnant, if a woman is constantly beating herself up for becoming “fat” or losing her figure, the stress hormones released in the process can impact the way her unborn child sees him/herself in the future. Epigenetics suggests that it is also carried on to future generations.

We all want to pass on and foster in our children a good self-image and self-esteem. It’s important to remember that what we say, what we do, and how we act can affect our children’s belief in themselves. If we find it difficult to make changes in the way we see our own bodies for our own benefit, maybe we can do it for the benefit of our present and future children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One other thought: as a mother of two teenage girls, I see how it’s almost “cool” for adolescents and teens–boys and girls–to beat themselves up, whether it’s related to their bodies or minds. Anything we adults can do to model and effect change for our children will be well worth it.

As many have done with regard to our planet, why not change our perspective and see our bodies as perfect and beautiful just as they are? Truly, they are, no matter our size or shape. Our bodies are a beautiful orchestrated miracle–a symphony of parts all working together to create a divine masterpiece–a divine composition. The more we can tap into that knowledge, the more we can achieve and maintain perfect health.

So why not start right now: when it comes to your body, what are you grateful for today?

Tonight, I will once again be hosting Castle Rock Women, Wine & Wellness. What an honor it is for me to host this wonderful event in my home the first Wednesday of each month. The women who attend as well as our monthly speakers are all amazing women doing amazing things!

Lisa Shultz founded Women, Wine & Wellness in 2008 in order to bring women together. She creates an energized environment for connecting women with other like-minded individuals–building community and supporting others. She loves to help women entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses with her events, speakers, resources, and personal mentoring. I love being a part of her mission by opening my home in the south each month. The relationships I’ve developed in the past two years, first as an attendee, and then as the Castle Rock host, have been so rewarding. Being able to support fellow entrepreneurs and connect potential collaborators with each other has been gratifying. Having support from these women for my own business endeavors has been equally satisfying.

The women who attend each month are dynamic and love to network, learn, grow and be inspired. WWW naturally attracts women professionals and business owners as well as women who just want a night out to connect with other women. The positive energy is catchy. Even my teenage daughters notice the powerful energy in our home after a WWW event!

Women, Wine & Wellness has a mission to connect and empower women.

WWW provides:

* A place to grow your connections and expand your network
* Find services, products and organizations to maximize your results
* Learn from experts
* Find a coach or mentor for accountability, guidance and inspiration
* Make new friends
* Find partners and alliances
* Add income streams to your business

Tonight our speaker, Sally Bonkrude, will talk to us about how to sell ourselves with a 30-second non-commercial. I can hardly wait to hear what she has to say. As always, our speakers give us value we can take away and apply to our personal and professional lives.

Tonight is expected to be cold outside; however, my home will be nice and toasty, thanks to the energy and warmth of the women who will be here. If you’ve never been to a WWW event, please come on over to Castle Rock tonight and enjoy some hot apple cider and warm snacks (and of course, wine!). You can also learn more about WWW at www.womenwineandwellness.com.

Earlier this week, I received this video for the second time and realized it’s time to pass it on. What struck me as I watched this again is how the message is linked to what my own inner guidance has been showing me. My focus words for 2011 are BELIEVE and CREATE. These came to me through the vision board workshop I attended recently. BELIEVE in the endless possibilities, in my abilities, and in the value of the writing and work I feel called to do. CREATE what I’ve been dreaming and bring it to life. This video reminds me that everything I’ll need will come to me as I’m ready for the next piece of the puzzle. Whether it’s new ideas, new words, new characters, people to collaborate with, or anything else I’ll need to bring my vision to life this year, all will unfold in right timing. What I need to do is let go of limiting beliefs, ask for guidance, be open, and allow. Louise Hay calls it “following her inner ding.”

If we have the courage to dream and believe in our dreams, if we pay attention to the guidance that comes to us in so many different ways, if we let go of old beliefs and ways of seeing the world that no longer serve us OR our dreams, then our dreams can become our reality. As Louise Hay states, “Our thoughts can make our life.” What are you dreaming? What are you thinking? Are they aligned or are your thoughts preventing your dreams from manifesting? What do you need to do to have the life of your dreams?

From Jane Houlihan, EWG’s Senior Vice President for Research and the visionary behind our popular cosmetics database Skin Deep:

One of my favorite things about the Holidays, especially Thanksgiving, is spending time with my family — in the kitchen or around the table. If you’re looking for great new recipes to enliven your cooking, or as a gift for your friends and family, check out EWG’s 2010 Holiday Gift Bag. It includes The Earthbound Cook: 250 Recipes for Delicious Food and a Healthy Planet, an insulated Klean Kanteen and other great items to green your holiday kitchen. Click here to order one today (supplies are limited).

I hope these tips make having a green holiday easier. Happy Holidays!