Festive greetings and saying No

A short Festive post for this week.

I try so hard to be organised at this time of year.  There are so many different focus points . . .  celebration, presents, cards, decorating along with the business of day-to-day life.  However I also realise that for my own health and sanity sometimes I have to say No.  I find this hard to do, I often put others before myself.  So I've been following my own advice, trying to make sure that every day has a little bit of calm and serenity before steeling myself to say No.

As time is short and sweet at this time of year I would just like to wish you peace, health and happiness at this time of year.  Thank you for your support and the time spent reading and I'll be back around the 27th.

This article links so many of my strategies for living a healthier life

This weeks blog article is actually linked back to another article.  Pamela from Reiki Medicine and Self Care posted a link to this article:-

6 Unexpected Ways Writing Can Transform Your Health

I love this article.  It links emotional healing (Reiki can help you with that too) whilst writing with your chosen instrument and paper (my beloved fountain pens and Filofax).  It also mentions how writing can help cancer patients and helps with gratitude and thankfulness (see my blog article on gratitude here).

So what are your thoughts?  Why not try writing down your health issues or what you are thankful for.  It doesn't have to be grammatically correct, just emotionally felt.  Here's to your good health. 

As always, thank you for reading and have a great weekend.

Heather x

It’s a ladies prerogative apparently – I’ve changed my Filofax set-up again

Sometimes I think I’d be a honorary member of the Filofax Anonymous Group.  You know the one where you sit in a circle (similar to any addiction support group) and plead your case. 

“Hi.  I’m Heather and I buy new Filofaxes at regular intervals AND change my setup frequently”

Don’t they say that admitting you have a problem is the first step to being cured.  Except I’m not sure I want to be cured.  You see I was beginning to lose my lust for my Filofaxes.  My IPhone did everything I needed my Filofax to do and I rarely checked my ‘Day to Day’ Filofax that I carry in my handbag (purse for my American readers).  Except I missed one appointment and several tasks and with the start of a busy project at work, I was beginning to fray at the edges (metaphorically speaking of course). 

I began to wonder how to solve this issue when I realised I could use a Pocket sized Filofax as a combined Purse (wallet for my American readers), diary, shopping list and task list keeper.  I already printed my IPhone calendars out in mini format for my Filofax – why not upsize slightly and print them in Pocket size.

I’ve not got the setup correct completely yet but I found the Cuban Pocket has the necessary back note pocket, a zip pocket for change, it’s wide enough to almost print my diary out on A6 size paper.  I managed to find a bargain price for the Cuban Pocket in brown and I just love the smooth leather.  Although initially quite stiff, it’s gradually beginning to soften and although it doesn’t lay flat just yet, I’m sure it will with a little more training.  Anyway, enough of the chatter, here are some photos of the gorgeous Filofax in question.  Some with the big brother, my household A5 Cuban.

As always, thank you for reading this blog and following my crazy flitting from one filofax (size and style) to another.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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William and Reiki on his last day

Hello all. I hope you're feeling well. This week I've taken my boys to the East Coast for half term. I love our family time and I'm grateful we have a bolt hole to escape the 'Rat race'.

  

I've always wanted to visit Northcote Heavy Horse centre and I had a real calling to visit this week. The weather was wet and windy but we donned our waterproofs and in our eagerness arrived before opening time. On arrival it was explained today wouldn't follow the normal plan as one of the heavies was very ill.

We loved meeting equines of all shapes and sizes; from the Shetlands to the enormous (and aptly nicknamed Rhino) Belgian Trekpaard.   In the sand school was a beautiful Shire who was in considerable discomfort. I dropped the boys into the cafe and enquired if I could offer the distressed Shire, William some Reiki.

I quietly entered the indoor school and stood just in the entrance offering Reiki. Waves of energy flooded through me and William appeared to settle a little, turning his body in whatever direction was necessary. I truly felt William knew his time was limited and after a while he hobbled off so I closed the session.

I continued to send distance Reiki throughout the day and several hours later whilst out walking, a beautiful rainbow appeared above us. My soul realised Wiliam had passed over Rainbow bridge. I therefore wasn't surprised when I read on Facebook that William had been put to sleep.

It was an honour to meet such a beautiful, magnificent creature.  I’m sorry it was in such sad circumstances.  I can only hope the Reiki made his transition more peaceful.

Please, when you’re next in Lincolnshire (check opening times at their website below) go and visit this small sanctuary where heavies are treated (entirely by volunteers I hasten to add) with complete love and respect.

Alternatively spend some money at their on-line shop and help support this wonderful place.  You can find their webpage here:-

http://www.northcotehorses.com/horses/

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Real Life example of Holistic Therapies and Teenagers

Hello all.  How are you?  I thought I’d use a real life example of how I integrate Holistic Therapies into everyday life for this week’s blog post. 

I was called away from work yesterday by my son’s High School.  My eldest son had been involved in an incident and had injured his neck.  Whilst the injury itself was not serious, the emotional impact on my sensitive eleven year old cannot be under-estimated.

We spent the afternoon discussing his feelings whilst watching a film together on the sofa.  After checking there was no heat or swelling around the neck area, we alternated cold and hot compresses.  I also used oral arnica tablets and Neal’s Yard Remedies Arnica salve in a gentle massage around the affected area.

I realised my son’s active imagination would mean falling asleep would be an issue so he listened to a meditation app, I placed a crystal grid around his bed and used Neal’s Yard Remedies to Roll Sleep on his pulse points.  Needless to say hands-on and distance Reiki have been continuously used.

Today is going slowly as I just want to check how he’s doing; patience has never been one of my strongest points. 

Are there any other holistic therapies you would have used in the same situation?  Let me know below, I’d love some more ideas.

As always, thank you for reading and I hope this advice helps someone lead a healthier, holistic life.  Any questions, please ask me in the comments below.

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Breast Cancer awareness month

October used to be a difficult month for me.  The promotion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was a constant reminder of a painful and a scary experience for me.  However time (and counselling) has helped alleviate those raw feelings and allow me the hindsight to embrace Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Therefore this month’s blog post is a list of some of the active, holistic steps I’m taking to hopefully prevent the cancer returning.

 I have made daily life-style changes to boost my immunity.  I no longer take my health for granted and aim to eat healthily with a balanced, nutritional diet.  Exercise is a key part of staying healthy and following chemotherapy I struggled to be strong enough to walk the 5 mile Race for Life.  10 years later I’ve completed a triathlon and ran the Race for Life this year. 

Stress can be an immunity zapper and I did tend to worry and fret about anything and everything.  Using Reiki as a spiritual practice has allowed me to stop, take a breath and ‘see the bigger picture’.  I also use crystals, meditation, aromatherapy oils, massage and EFT to ensure I stay calm and relaxed wherever possible. 

Counselling was a life changer.  Admitting I wasn’t coping with constant, niggling worries of the cancer returning prevented my new life from evolving.  I contacted my Breast Cancer nurse who referred me to the local Hospice for counselling.  

One of the most important elements in the prevention of breast cancer is regularly checking your breasts! If you find a lump or thickening (or any of the symptoms in the picture below), pop to your GP and have it checked out.

Finally, I try to reduce the number of toxic products in my environment.  I use eco-friendly household cleaners (some home-made with essential oils).  The products I place on my body (as our skin absorbs a vast percentage of what we place on it) are based on organic, natural, and ethical health and beauty products.  I’ve found the Neal’s Yard Remedies range so amazing I am now a stockist of their products and use their products in my treatments.  You can find these products here:- https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/HeatherWinterton

As always, thank you for reading and I hope this advice helps someone lead a healthier, holistic life.  Any questions, please ask me in the comments below.

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine. 

Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising

Help me raise much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.  During this week I will be donating 10% of all sales to Macmillan Cancer support.  Orders for this event must be sent to me and NOT submitted through my website.  Please share this post with your friends and family; the more people that shop, the more money we can raise. 

Have a browse through my website https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/HeatherWinterton (or I can email you a brochure) but then CONTACT ME DIRECTLY and let me know what you would like.  As this is an online event, there will be a free draw for all ‘attendees’ contacting me direct to place an order.

Hassle free shopping in the comfort of your own home whilst raising valuable funds for Macmillan Cancer Support; it doesn’t get any better, does it? The event will be largely run through my Facebook page so please make sure you ‘like’ my Facebook page (link below) and then share this post with your friends and family.  

Last but not least, this fundraiser has no geographical limits (other than a UK postal address.) The more people that shop, the more money we can raise.  

Closing date for all orders, midnight (BST) on Friday 27^th September 2013.  Any questions, please contact me.  

Thank you

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