Intervals -- that simple state of motion where one starts slowly and then speeds up. Recover slowly and then speed up again. Repeat, and repeat as the body learns to produce energy and withdraw as much fuel from our muscles as it can.

I suspect my gray matter operates in the same manner. I seem to be the most productive when I can concentrate, walk away, concentrate, literally run away, and then back at it again. I have always enjoyed multiple projects and hate monotony. Variety, thinking, and movement. Time to recover.

I am several hours into a new job application. Just a little something to help protect me as I get ready to go into business for myself. I am in this research mode which could literally last for weeks if I truly had the time. Luckily for my kids, I do not!

It will be a very merry Christmas, I suspect.

EXPEDITION

Personalized Journey into Health and Wellness for You and Your Family....

DEBORAH HAYES,
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
AND MOTHER OF
TWO VERY SPECIAL CHILDREN..

Experience and Credentials:

*Parenting
-Parents in Progress, Rockford School District
-Rebound, Sensory Integration Disorder, The Out of Sync Child
-Engaging Autism
-Parenting a child wtih Asperger Syndrome

*Nutrition
-Nutrition 101, Northern Illinois University
-Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family, Swedish American Hospital
-Nourishing Body and Soul, Deepak Chopra
-Allergy Free Cooking, Eileen Yoder
-Safe Foods, Deborah Mitchell
-Eating well for Optimum Health, Andrew Weil
-Genotype Diet, Dr. Peter Dadamo,

*Education
-Bachelor of Psychology, Northern Illinois University
-Minor in Human and Family Resources
-Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA

Expedition: Empowerment: Evolve : Growth: Potential

Let's begin your journey together.......

Email me at *************** for rates and services.

********************************************************************

For those of you that have been following along, I think my business fliers or my business cards would look something like this. I have so many more books and resources I would need to pull out and double check. I want to add some kind of nutrition certificate (I would love to make it to Dr. D's conference next year). Between all of the reading on Celiac Disease and cooking classes, I am an amateur 'nutritionist' - no doubt. Dr. Julia, here in Rockford, would be a great source of support, I suspect.

Thank you for your comments! Two brains really are better than one

It's time. I have talked about wanting to become a naturopathic doctor in the past and opening up a very practical type of clinic. I have imagined a place surrounded by country side, open porches, rocking chairs, a huge kitchen, and medical offices within the first floor. A huge garden would exist out back, daily or weekly excursions to the local farmer's market or the grocery store would be part of an ongoing curriculum, cooking lessons, and one on one consultations. Referrals to appropriate experts would take place as needed, child care would be offered, and exercise classes of all types would also be readily available.

Take a look at some of the large YMCA's or fancy fitness centers and imagine what a 'Holistic' center might look like. Imagine a local college with this type of 'clinic' located within the premises.

Now, switch back to reality. I am a single mom, two kids, transitioning through a divorce. The assets are tied up for the moment, the current vehicle is unreliable, and the lawyer bills are mounting. But I hear a calling. I see opportunity. Church keeps talking about "letting God lead." I am not certain whether he is leading, or I am simply trying to carve out an existence which makes sense to me.

Let me explain. Moonlight keeps me awake at night. I can roll out of bed without coffee if I wait til sunrise. In the summer, it's not unusual for me to naturally wake up at 4:30 a.m. In the winter, I could sleep til almost 8:00 a.m. Movement gives me more energy. I am more productive. Good food, a good church, and being able to brainstorm with other people fuels my motivation. And my divorce? Things were out of balance for a long time, and I became desperate enough to LEAP out of an off kilter situation.

Of course, life isn't always in balance. But I would be wise to tip the scales back to a more balanced format when I can. God, family, work,-- Sleep Nutrition Exercise.

How does one put that into a business card?

I am going to pair up with a reflexologist. I have my personal trainer certification background and my experience as a "Mom." What do I call what I can give to people?

Journey? Expedition? Growth? What is health and wellness anyway?

I would answer: it's disease prevention and evolution. It's giving more to this world than one takes.

Any suggestions as to a name? Or business advice? Thank you

tarzanna@live.com

Healthy Balance. While it is not always possible, it just makes sense to create an environment which helps one function to the best of their ability.

I have discovered:

In the Spring, exercise with the sun rise. No matter what happens later that day, I just seem to handle it a little better....

In the Summer, find a way to work outside. Host classes within the park districts, or outdoor fairs. Find outdoor activities that both you and your children enjoy... and don't suffer through it if it isn't your cup of tea!

In the winter (where truthfully, I should not be), get outside around 12:00. Go to bed early. Try to rise with the sunrise (Yes! Even with kids and bus schedules!) If you can't rise with the sunrise, get to bed early!

Accept the fact that winter is just a less productive time (if you are an A!). It takes energy to keep warm, and my skin suffers terribly.

God.... Family.... Work,...... Sleep .... Nutrition.....Exercise.

This
is
my
healthy
balance.

Seven months into the divorce process, two months into the new job (it's a progressvie chiroprator, physical therapist, and massage therapist clinic), and seven months into self discovery ..........

I woke up this morning, looked at the 20 different choices which all beg for attention, and I said ,"God, what should I do first this morning?"

After a moment of quiet and stillness, two words were softly spoken within my brain. "Nourish yourself."

I had to smile. That could be taken so many different ways. Should I eat? Should I nourish my soul by going to church? Should I nourish myself by trying to put my thoughts on paper?

I think he meant all three. Spinach, green leaf lettuce, blueberries and a combination pineapple orange juice was processed within my blender. (Orange is an avoid, it's just what I had in the fridge.) I am always amazed that I #1) do not need coffee right away and #2) that I am not hungry for several hours after wards. I sip this concoction through a plastic cup with one of those permanent plastic straws built into it. (Great for sensory kids, by the way.)

Coffee does have to happen a couple of hours later or I come down with a headache. Obviously, that's my coffee addiciton that has brewed for years. I finally bought some decaf so I could slow it down just a bit! I had heard that decaf is terrible for you, but I have not had time to research that issue yet.

Grocery shopping: Kid friendly juices (I cannot get my little one to drink water. He comes home dehydrated. Soymilk in individual containers are sold only at some stores. Sometimes I just don't have time to make an extra stop. But perhaps, I could improve things by looking into ordering on-line. Hmmmm. I like that idea.) Pineapple, kiwi, organic carrot chips, asparagus (just because they might actually eat it!), red apples, one lime, two plums, banannas, gluten free frozen bread WITHOUT that dreaded carboxymethulusose (forgive mispelling), soy cheese, Ezekiel cinnamon raisin bread, Namaste carrot cake mix, gallons of water (we have rusty water here), etc. In my fridge or freezer, I already have butternut squash, apricots, frozen cranberries, blueberries and raspberries, brown rice tortillas, eggs, soy milk, peanut butter, almond butter, gooseberry jam, cherry jam, broccoli slaw, spinach, green leaf lettuce, frozen chicken, frozen whiting fish, mahi mahi, organic beef summer sausage, beef sticks, venison, etc.

The cabinet is stocked with gluten free brown rice noodles, rice, buckwheat, millet, seeds, dried cranberries,onions, garlic, raisins and A LOT of nuts.

I have some 'emergency' processed food if I can't cook (organic cereal), but cooking is always best.

I forgot to buy beans. There is always something.

What are my goals? Keep the job I have because it is a paycheck. Find a job which supports my passion - prevention. I have an appointment with someone who practices 'Reflexology.' I do not know what that entails, but the sign "Healthy Balance" caught my attention as I drove by. I will do my best to give my current employer what he needs, but I need to believe in what I am doing on a day to day basis. I also need to pay the bills. So many of us are suffering during these tough times. I feel blessed to have a steady paycheck AT ALL.

Anyway, I look forward to the day I can support myself financially, spread a positive message to the rest of the world, and take care of my kids. I keep bumping into people who claim that many things will come together January through March this year. "There are no coincidences" keeps popping up in conversation.

On January 10th, I will try to attend a Holistic Health Fair supported by Womanspace. It is a nonprofit group which encourages women to explore..... both career wise and spiritually. I hope to bump into open-minded people who need a Certified Personal Trainer and amateur nutritionist! I have also asked Clayton College to send me information on the various degrees they offer. The holistic nutrition certificate caught my attention.

I ALSO have begun a job application which might allow me to fly from state to state on the weekends (Health and Fitness Fairs.) Yes, I have quite a few irons in the fire right now. It's no wonder I need NOURISHMENT!