H.O.T.S Test - What Are YOU?!

I have referred an number of friends to this test recently ... now it is your turn to participate!

"HOTS" is an acronym for four dominant personality types, Hare, Owl, Turtle and Squirrel. Why should a tired woman care about this?

It is fatiguing for the body to involved in activities that don't "fit" the spirit. That's the simplest way I can put it.

For example, I am a pure "Hare." Hare's bubble with ideas and enthusiasm. I love to start things, brainstorm things and promote things. I am not a great "finisher" of things, nor will I necessarily pick the best things to do. I definitely cannot foresee problems. Ooops.

What exhausts a Hare? Projects that are endless and heavy on admin. Trying to do too much like the squirrel, owl and turtle side of affairs. Sharing my fabulous ideas with Turtles who can't help but shoot them down and hurt my feelings!

My husband is a hybrid, Squirrel/Owl. He is excellent at seeing the big picture, picking the best idea and following through. He also does not see problems. Ooooops.

Knowing this information has saved us a lot of worry and hassle. We KNOW we need to consult with our doctors, lawyers and friends who are experts before we "pull the trigger!" (Sometimes we forget and pay the price. Yikes.)

Take a moment to find your type. I also suggest you have you family and business partners take the test. It is fun and easy to do. Work with the results and you will be amazed at the ease that will tiptoe back into your life.

Post your findings here using the "Comments" feature. Share any "ah has" while you're at it. What will you change about your life based on the HOTS Test? I am eager to hear! - Viveca


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Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart! e-Guide provides useful forms and journals to help you keep track of vital health information. Simply fill out the forms and provide to your doctor. Discover simple home medical tests that can save both time and money. A "must-have" for anyone who is tired of being tired. Order your copy today at www.FatigueBeGone.com.

Breathing in I calm my body

"Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!"
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Breathing and hanging out with dogs, one of our greatest healers, that always energizes me!

Relax Max - 5 Minute Relaxation Tips

Eazy-Peezy Tips & Techniques you can put to use, today!

In my early twenties I shared a small, intense, 60-hour-a-week-boiler-room office with my best friend Marion. Our desks faced each other so it was easy for her to see when I reached maximum overload. In the midst of a grimace, another cup of java and a coffin nail reach Marion would give me a big smile and say, “Relax Max.”

I could have used that smile last week, but never mind … I’m a bigger, smarter girl now and I have a toolbox full of chill out techniques. (Had to develop this because stress is a major contributor to Adrenal Fatigue.)

Hmmmm. What shall I do before I make waffles? How about something QUICK!

5 Minute Relaxation Opportunities:

Stress Magnet: Shoulders
Shoulder lift, circles and rub-a-dub. Lift: Close your eyes lift your shoulders to your ears and take five slow breaths. Circles: This is almost like dancing in your chair! Roll your right shoulder forward and around five times - your left will have to follow. Rub-a-dub: You don’t have to wait for an appointment with your masseuse or body worker to help your shoulders and neck relax. Rub and ample supply of yummy smelling lotion between your hands and work it into your shoulders and neck. Feeling knots? Join the club! Gently rub and work them out (this make take a couple sessions, be patient!)

Stress Magnet: Hands
Rub-A-Dub: Nothing get more use and abuse than our hands! Get some more of that yummy lotion (I have mango lotion!) and work your way around the palm and fingers of one hand, then move onto the other. When you’re done give them a good, energizing shake! (If you do heavy keyboarding shake out your hands every hour and give them a couple rubs a day. Minutes a day can save your from the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome and its ultimate solution - surgery.)

Stress Magnet: Back
S-t-r-e-t-c-h. It’s easy. Sit in your chair with both feel flat on the floor. Place your left hand on your right knee. Twist gently as far as you can to the right. You want to be looking over your right shoulder. Hold for five breaths then release and return to facing front. Now put your right hand on your left knee and twist your body to the left. Ummmmm. Feels good doesn’t it?

Stress Magnet: Monkey Mind
You know that feeling … too much to think about piling up on even more to think, worry and stress about. I have a couple techniques for this dozy!

See it – Name it Exercise:
Pick a single room and walk around it naming everything you see out loud. “I see my favorite blue parrot lamp. I see my nightstand. I see my joy dog Albert on my bed.” Continue until you feel your mind relax. Focusing on what is tangible pushes out the intangibles (fear/worry/anxiety.)

Make a Note of It and Give Thanks Exercise:
Try writing a Thank You Note to someone AND be stressing out about something. Again, the monkey mind can’t do both at the same time. As you write and thank and remember an act of kindness the stress just melts away …. A fringe benefit to this may be a friendly phone call or card back!

Gratitude A-B-C List Exercise: This is along the lines of the Thank You Note. Write down the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper or in your journal. Spend five minutes listing out everyone, every pet, every possession for which you are grateful. Stop after five minutes and return to repeat the process tomorrow. As your list grows, so does your peace of mind.

For more relaxing, energy-boosting ideas, pick one of these topics: Come To Your Senses; Best Time of The Day; Watch Your Thinking; Quietest Place On Earth; Re-energizing Power of the Pup & Purr; Music to Soothe The Beast and Health Benefits of Friendship.

For more information about Adrenal Fatigue and for the results of our "When Are You Most Tired" Poll, click here.

Coming to my senses today. All day.

I am been feeling a lot of stress – financial, political and familial. The way out – the FUN way out -- is to focus on bringing joy to my senses -- sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell AND intuition.

This is a lot easier than you might think …

Sight: Today I will be conscious of what I choose to look upon. Hanging up in front of my desk is Peety my cockatiel. He is my cheerful office buddy and a constant source of inspiration. To the left of my monitor is my bright monkey coffee mug. Both Peetie and my mug have lots of yellow to stimulate my intellect and creativity. My desk and office is fairly clear and clean so I don’t visually overwhelmed. An excellent book that helped me is SORTED! The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Life - Once And For All

What do you gaze on daily? Does it feed or sink your spirits? Add a flower, add something favorite to your line of sight and take away an eye-sore.

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Hearing: I work with Mozart (Baby Einstein - Baby Mozart - Music Festival) as my creativity and focus muse. This CD is multi-purpose -- me and the babes! Another CD I just started using is Increase Vitality : Dr. Andrew Well's Music For Self-Healing. Awesome! Listening to it now. Finally, I have A funky CD -- Zouk Love en Francais.

What do you have on hand to lift your spirits or getting your feet dancing? Something Salsa, something rock, something ethereal?

+++++++++++++++++

Taste: Been doing that food combining technique since a couple weeks now. Not only have I lost weight and feel more energized, I am enjoying the taste of food more. In about an hour I’ll have some peanut butter on celery sticks … What tastes pick you up? What can you crunch on?

Another quick & tasty pick-me-up … a drop of Peppermint or Lemon
Essence oil on my tongue throughout the day.

What tastes boost your body and spirit? Treat yourself to something that makes your mouth say WOW!

+++++++++++++++++

Touch: I have ugs on my feet, favorite jeans hugging my lower half and a cuddly turtleneck up top. Tonight I will steep myself in a lavender/Epsom salt bath.

What can you wear now or later today that feels comfy, luxurious or peppy? Rub your hands or feet with a couple drops of Peppermint Essence Oil in your favorite lotion for a quick boost. (Or, put your feet in cold or warm water to perk up or calm down.)

+++++++++++++++++

Smell: I dabbed some Lavender essence oil on the collar of my turtleneck so it can waft up at me all day long. Not only will I feel soothed but anyone who stands close to me will benefit too! Along this line I am using a breathing technique that I learned on the Andrew Weil Feel Better, Live Longer CD set. Dr. Weil advises us to make our breaths “deeper, slowly, quieter and more regular.” His CD teaches different breathing techniques and I felt a BIG difference after just one session.

A free way to up your breathing is through laughter. Click here to pick and watch a FREE on on-line episode of 30 Rock with Tina Fey!

Notice your breathing today. Try closing your eyes now and just focus on your breath. How many times do your slowly breath in and out during a minute? Find out. Then extend it to two minutes and focus on breathing “deeper, slowly, quieter and more regular.”

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Intuition: To the left of my monitor is a Sonia Choquette “Trust Your Vibes Intuition Card" that I picked before starting work today. It reminds me to “Cloak myself in Light.”

According to Sonia “Cloak yourself in light deflects negative influences and prevents them from attaching to you and disturbing your peace.”
To listen into my interview with Sonia Choquette on this topic go to: http://www.getreadyforlove.com/111804.htm

Notice your intuitions - inspirations today. Have a friend flash to mind? Call her or him. Feeling stuck? Take a walk around your block, your building or up and down a couple flights of stairs. If your body is clogged, so is your intuition.

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Well my friend, this is what I’ll be up to today. Try what you like and let me know how it plays out for you. Do you have tips for me? Please add them using the “Comments” option. Thanks! - Viveca

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Is your super woman role taking a toll on you? You're not alone. Experts suggest more than 80 percent of American women (and men) suffer from adrenal fatigue. Learn how to wrap your super woman cape around fatigue and cast it out of your life forever in Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart! e-Guide. Available at http://www.fatiguebegone.com/

Trust Your Vibes

and you will energize your body, mind & spirit

One of my favorite teachers when it comes to the mind/body connection is Sonia Choquette. Several years ago I had the opportunity to interview her when I was producing the “Get Ready For Love” Show.

One of the “vibe” techniques Sonia covered in our interview was “Body Talk.” I use this often when I feel out of sorts or downright in pain. Click here to go to Sonia Choquette’s Interview page. You can listen in anytime that is convenient for you. (MP3 Audio Link.)

In keeping with this theme, notice your body talk today. Notice how you feel around different people. Who energizes you? Who saps your energy? Do you have pets? How do you feel around them? Jot down how you feel after phone conversations.

Where do your pleasant and unpleasant interactions show up in your body? When I am uncomfortable around someone my chest/breathing will tighten up. When I feel good around someone my creativity, joy and energy “pops.” Feels light like champagne bubbles in my body!

Share your observations – I love hearing from you! Viveca P.S. Just came to me! Our bodies give us FREE counseling if we know how to listen BUT if we tune it out long enough it gets very costly.

Poll Results --- When Are You Most Tired?

TGIF! Now, about those "When Are You Most Tired Poll" results I keep forgetting to post ... Thanks Kim for bringing that to my attention. Sorry.

First of all, pretend you are a scientist. Use this information as part of your process of elimination not instead of consulting your doctor. Your sleuthing + Your Doc's Expertise is vital to helping you get your groove back!

Now, roll-of-drums, here are the results of our poll

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If you are most tired between 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Could be Allergies.

Run a food journal for at least a week. Notice & note how you feel after you eat. For example, I tend to fall asleep within 20 minutes of a bowl of ice cream. My eyes start to water within ten minutes of eating a GIANT Chocolate Donut from my local superstore. My girlfriend Kelley watched this happen and told me to never eat another one of those donuts!

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If you are most tired between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Could be Borderline Anemia

Run a food journal for at least a week while naturally increasing your iron absorption. How?

Heat and eat acidic foods like tomatoes, apples & lemons, in a cast iron skillet to boost the amount of iron you absorb. Combine iron rich foods with high acid foods to boost your iron absorption. Examples: beans and tomato sauce or cereal and strawberries.

You can also add an iron pill with a chaser of lemon juice or water. Do not take an iron pill without the chaser as it is hard on the liver.

If you notice an improvement you are on the right path. Keep it up!

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If you are most tired between 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Could be Adrenal Fatigue

Run a sleep journal for at least a week. Go to sleep before 10 p.m. and stay in bed until 9 a.m. whenever possible. Turn off the TV, Computer & Cell Phones by 8 p.m. If shutting down and sleeping this is difficult to do you could be among the 80% of American Women who suffer from Adrenal Fatigue at some point in their lives. Click here for more information on what to do ...

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If you are most tired between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Could be Toxin Overload

Eliminate worn out plastic containers - if they are scratched or blistered, they are worn! Rinse produce well. (I soak mine in water plus a splash of bleach for ten minutes, rinse and soak is fresh water for ten minutes.) Clean out under your bathroom sinks and kitchen sink with a mixture of bleach & water.

Again, notice and note how you feel ...

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If you are most tired All-Day-Long

Could be Functional Hypothyroidism, Wilson's Syndrome, Candidiasis, Dehydration, Anxiety, Migraine or Depression.

My own experience with fatigue is that a number of hidden fatigues will gang up. I had adrenal fatigue Plus borderline anemia Plus Candidiasis Plus anxiety Plus dehydration ... the food journal and sleep journal was critical tools to help me identify and peal them back one at a time.

It takes time to wear ourselves down (years) and it is pretty amazing how our bodies can turn that around in weeks or months if we get ourselves on the right path and chip away .... May I suggest that you treat yourself to a copy of the Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart e-Guide?

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Poll Results of the Fatigue Be Gone Community:

Our #1 Fatigue was in the 3-5 p.m. time --- Adrenal Fatigue
Our #2 Fatigue was in the All-Day-Long --- See list above
Our #3 Fatigue was in the 7-10 a.m. --- Allergies
Our #4 Fatigue was in the 11 - 2 p.m. --- Borderline Anemia

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Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart! e-Guide provides useful forms and journals to help you keep track of vital health information. Simply fill out the forms and provide to your doctor. Discover simple home medical tests that can save both time and money. A "must-have" for anyone who is tired of being tired. Order your copy today at www.FatigueBeGone.com.

The Stress Diet

Psst. If you just got my newsletter on the topic of "How To" Boost Energy through Food Combining just scroll down to the next post. This info was just sent in by my friend Marla and is too much fun not to share today!

The Stress Diet

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help WOMEN cope with the stress that builds during the day

BREAKFAST
1 Grapefruit
1 slice wholemeal toast
1 cup skimmed milk

LUNCH
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken with a cup of spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 biscuit

AFTERNOON TEA The rest of the biscuits from the packet 1 tub of Gino Ginelli ice cream with chocolate topping DINNER 4 bottles of wine (red or white) 2 loaves garlic bread 1 family size Supreme pizza 3 chocolate bars LATE NIGHT SNACK 1 whole cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

REMEMBER : 'stressed' spelled backwards is 'desserts'

Finally, here's some advice for you:

Dr. Neil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started ....... So I looked around my house to see things I'd started and hadn't finished; and, before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonay , a bole of Baileys, a butle of Kehuha, a pockage of biscuits , the mainder of bot Prozic and Valum scriptins, the res of the Chesescke, some saltins an a bax a cholates ... Yu haf no idr who gud I fel.

Re-Energize Yourself with the Power of Food Combining

Easy as 1-2-3: “How to” mix and match foods to boost your energy.
Start tonight!

For years I’ve flirted with the concept of food combining. It always seemed like a “good” idea but the books and explanations I found were always very technical, tedious and confusing. Not so with The Food Combining/Blood Type Diet Solution

For your ease and enjoyment, here is my 1-2-3 bottom-line “how to” and why of food combining. It is so simply you can start tonight!

Step 1. Tonight eat a meal that includes:

A single protein source + vegetables

Example: Meat/chicken/tofu/fish + steamed broccoli and kale. Add a salad with any veggies you want. Wait 20 minutes, then have a piece of fruit.

Note: Just use salt/pepper for seasonings OR seasonings that DO NOT include MSG. MSG has many names. Click here for a list you can print out and keep handy.

* * *

Step 2. Do NOT include a starch with your dinner. Wait 20 Minutes on Fruit.

Starch = potatoes, rice, pasta, frozen peas, squash

* * *

Step 3. Notice how you feel in the morning and repeat for the next dinner.

* * *

Why? According to The Food Combining ---, when we combine foods that don’t go well together we stress out our digestion.Then, instead of resting at night our body is busy, busy, busy digesting and breaking down these foods.

Symptoms of poor food combining include: fatigue * insomnia * acid reflux * head aches * depression * weight gain and/or inability to loose weight.

My turn! I suggest you start tweaking how you eat with just one meal, dinner. Why? This will give you an immediate energy boost in the morning. It is also one of the easiest for me to manage. Finally, when a small change works I get inspired to take on more. If I take on too much I am also inspired --- to put-it-all-down!

Your turn! Try this for yourself. Give it a fair test - one week to see how you feel. Even Mikey, my man, who was unhappy about giving up that dinner potato is a fan. His Acid Reflux has calmed down, he’s lost a bunch of weight and feels better. Yippee!

I also recommend buying the book, The Food Combining/Blood Type Diet Solution
by Dina Khader. It is very well put together, easy to follow - even has pictures!

For more information about The Blood Type Diet, click here.

For information on my daily adrenal etc. supplement boosting routine, click here, and scroll down to the bottom of the page.