Sowing the first seeds of the year!

March 3, 2010

It has been such a gorgeous sunny week and I have been looking through my Moon Planting book to start working out the best days to begin my planting.  Today is a root day so I have been out sowing parsnips, swede and beetroot in trays in the greenhouse and it has got me very excited about the onset of the growing season.  The winter has been so cold but with the excitement of the snow it didn’t seem that long and dreary like it often does, so Spring seems to have come around very quickly! 

I’m not really prepared – the new glass greenhouse I purchased in the autumn is still sitting in bits in the garage and the garden needs to be cleared to create a space for it, and I still haven’t prepared the beds for the early potatoes and shallots which need to go in soon…… but having sat down and gone through my notes of last years’ growing I realised that actually I still have a good month before I need to start worrying about being late to start!

Getting some seeds in today has really given me a boost and even such a small step has got me enthused to get started on the rest of the work in getting the allotment ready.  It was a pleasure to take an hour out and potter in the garden and get my small polythene greenhouse cleaned out and in use again.  I’ve not been too good about getting outside during the cold weather (except of course in the snow, you couldn’t keep me indoors then!) but there is a definite hint of spring in the air this week so it will be easier to spend time outside in nature and take the opportunity to recharge.

If you are still thinking about whether to try growing some things this year stop thinking and get planning!  For a small investment you can enjoy a summer of fresh, tasty home grown food on your plate and I’m pretty certain once you’ve tried it you’ll want to do more and more each year after that!

Happy growing :)

Natalie, BMore Natural

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NO HANDS® Massage now at The Ananda Clinic in Tonbridge

February 15, 2010

I am delighted to be a part of new clinic Ananda at 231 Hadlow Road in Tonbridge.  Ananda – meaning ‘bliss’ – is a multi-discipline clinic owned and run by local McTimoney Chiropractor Janet Adams.  Janet has put a great deal of thought into the presentation of the 4-room centre and has managed to create a wonderfully calming environment of soft neutural tones and a very gentle energy throughout.  

The practitioner team offer a wide range of therapies for mind, body and soul including McTimoney Chiropractic, NO HANDS Massage, deep tissue and sports massage, pregnancy massage,  Ayurvedic medicine and massage, Reiki healing, Hopi ear candling, beauty therapy, reflexology, personal and business coaching and counselling.  Susan, our practice manager, is on-hand during the daytime to receive phone enquiries and assist clients at the centre.

With off-street parking and on a main bus route Ananda is easily accessible and well worth a visit!  Please call Susan on 01732 850 695 for more information or visit our website for treatments offered by BMore Natural.

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Positive thought to help us through challenging times

February 1, 2010

42-15654381As we are all acutely aware, 2009 was a year of challenges for many.  From job losses, crashing investment funds and home repossessions it was doom and gloom – exacerbated by media sensationalism.  However this has also been a time where many have turned to their inner reserves and discovered that changing their perception has enabled them to not only cope with the hardships thrust upon them but also found ways to thrive in these tough conditions.

In the midst of all this, the one thing we can control is our mind.  Our thoughts are precisely that – ours.  We all know the brain is a powerful thing and whilst some have learned to master their thought processes, many still succumb to fear and anxiety and allow this to control their lives.  The person who can turn a negative situation into an opportunity is the person who will sail through tough times, secure in the knowledge that they can indeed cope with anything.

Positive thought is something that doesn’t cost money, needs no special equipment and can be done anywhere – essential criteria for leaner times!  It is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered and the more you do it the more naturally it will come.  Start with small conscious changes to your thought patterns – recognise when you use the words ‘can’t', ‘won’t’ and ‘haven’t’ in negative situations and see how you can turn it from a negative thought to a postive one, for example: ‘I haven’t got enough money/time/energy’ – now wouldn’t that be more empowering if you changed it to ‘I have all that I need and trust that my needs will be met’?  You may not feel that you have all that you need at that moment in time but the power of thought can actually reprogramme your mindset to believe that you have exactly that, and the more you practice it the more you will start to live in that contented state of mind.

NLP is a powerful technique that can help us retrain our minds to embrace positive thought and break those negative thought patterns.  If you would like to know more contact Beverley Hamilton at Positively Life Changing.

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NO HANDS® Reflex and Chair Massages – utterly brilliant!

January 31, 2010

In November I completed my year long NO HANDS training with a totally amazing weekend learning an array of treatments that take place fully clothed, both on the couch and in the massage chair.  Over an intensive four days we immersed ourselves in the NO HANDS world and emerged blissfully relaxed, energised, enthused and definitely feeling the effects of the latest addition to the Colon work!!!!!

ReflexThe NO HANDS Reflex Treatment
Stimulating the reflexes of your feet is as ancient as touch itself and can affect your whole body. Based on the principle that your foot represents your whole body, millions of people all over the world have experienced the powerful therapeutic benefits of Reflex treatment. The NO HANDS Reflex treatment takes it one step further. Experience the power of your reflexes being worked WITHOUT PAIN but deeper than you have ever felt! With the use of clear hand signals you remain in charge of the session so it is neither too deep nor too light for you.

Chair The NO HANDS Chair Massage
This is an amazing way to get a NO HANDS Massage – whilst remaining fully clothed! You sit in a specially designed chair and get all the benefits of powerful Massage. Using the ‘Gentle Giant’ of NO HANDS, it is possible to work deeply through clothing (without pain) to help you to release tension, recharge and rejuvenate. Because it is so portable I can bring this chair to the venue or workplace of your choice and can offer special group rates for you and your colleagues or friends.

DetoxThe NO HANDS Detox Treatment
This is a powerful clothed treatment which combines working specific reflex points in your feet with the deep and powerful NO HANDS Colon treatment. This stimulates your body’s own natural instinct to de-toxify and cleanse itself. It is particularly good for those times in your life when you just know you need a good ‘clear out’.

 

I am delighted to be able to offer all these treatments now, with the Chair Massage being an ideal treatment to take ‘On Site’ into offices, conferences, pamper events etc.  For further information and contact details please visit the main site www.bmore.net.

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New Year, New Projects…. Tips for goal setting

January 6, 2010

goalsettingIf, like me, you are into setting goals and planning projects, then here are some tips to help you get your goals clear in your mind and start working towards them.  Setting resolutions in the New Year is a great way to get motivated but sadly most resolutions seem to be broken by the middle of January!   Try to assess whether the change you want is actually something that can be changed (for example, improving your diet) and if you have a lot of changes you want to make divide them into categories such as  ’must have/do’, ‘would like’ and ‘if I get time’ to help you prioritise them.

Make your goals SMART – this is something that crops up a lot in goal setting workshops and stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.  These are essential ingredients for successful goal setting and can help you determine whether it is something you are actually serious about doing or just a whim!   By being clear in your mind what it is you want to achieve, how you can measure your progress, how achievable and realistic it is and when you want to achieve it by you can monitor your journey and take the relevant action to stay on track.

When you have a clear idea what it is you want to achieve, take a moment and close your eyes and really immerse yourself in the outcome.  See your goal, feel it, touch it, taste it, live it…. enlist all your senses to make this vision as real as possible.  Think to yourself that you are already experiencing this outcome, you already have it.   As well as concentrating on the result keep reminding yourself of the motivation for setting this goal.  Keep your affirmations in the present tense to add power to the vision.

Then try to take daily action, no matter how small, to work towards your goals.  By breaking them down into bitesize tasks it is much easier to take action immediately and not feel too overwhelmed.    Try and do something every day, even if it’s just reading through your goals and action plans.  Little action often = more likely success!  Doing something each day keeps the idea fresh in your mind and can be really good for building momentum to get the bigger tasks done.  It also keeps the goal in our conscious mind so that when we are presented with choices we can take the option that will help move us towards our desired outcome.  Try to keep things on a manageable scale to avoid getting overwhelmed by what needs to be done – being over-ambitious could prove disheartening and you will be more likely to give up.

Keep the language you use positive.  Rather than focusing on giving something up (smoking, unhealthy diet etc) reword it for a positive outcome, such as following a healther lifestyle or eating to nourish your body.  This way you are not giving yourself a message of deprivation but a positive addtion to your life.  Also be aware of using the word ’should’ – work out if you really want to make the change or whether you are doing it because others are putting pressure on you.  This will make a huge difference to your success.

Every time you reach a goal give yourself a reward – cross it off the list and treat yourself with something that makes you happy.  Whatever motivates you and will give you some drive to get to each level can be a reward but avoid replacing one bad habit with another – for example if you’ve stopped smoking don’t make the reward alcohol, or if you’re trying to adopt a healthier diet avoid food treats as your reward.  Treats such as a trip out, a new book, a massage or a home spa evening can all be good rewards along the journey.  Whatever lifts your spirit and helps you towards your goal.

Above all keep the process fun and enjoyable – part of the success of goalsetting is enjoying the journey and keeping your energy high and enthusiastic.  If your goal journey starts to become a chore it may be time to go back to your plan and have a rethink.  Remember it’s perfectly ok to change your goals along the way!  What may seem to be the thing we most want to achieve at the outcome can sometimes lose it’s appeal as we work towards it and see the reality of it – this is not a failure, it is a brilliant learning process that will help us find what it is we really want!

Although the new year began on January 1st you can start working towards your goals at any time – the warmer days of spring may be more practical for starting an outdoor fitness regime for example, or you may have a particular time of year that you favaour – choose a time when you feel strongest to begin your journey for the best possible start.

Good luck with your 2010 goals and have fun!

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BMore relaxed this Christmas – 5 tips to deal with festive stress!

December 3, 2009

relaxStress is experienced when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to cope with those demands. The level of stress a person may feel varies from person to person, or example, something which may be extremely stressful for one can be a mere hiccup for another.

Stress is not always a negative thing. Some people thrive on stress and even need it to get things done. When the term ‘stress’ is used in a clinical sense, it refers to a situation that causes discomfort and distress for a person and can lead to other problems, such as anxiety and depression.  At this time of year there is a lot to think about, plan and organise and it can sometimes get overwhelming.  

5 tips to deal with stress over the Christmas period:

Avoid conflict – if you are going to be spending time over Christmas with people you struggle with, try to avoid trigger conversations or situations.  For example, if a particular subject always ignites tempers, quickly steer the conversation in another direction to avoid the usual pattern.

Relax – make sure you give yourself some time to relax and try to spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.  The run up to Christmas can be extremely stressful so try to take regular time out doing something that lifts your spirit such as a walk in your favourite place, snuggle up with a book or come and have a blissful massage to ease away tension!

Eat well – a nutritious diet is important all through the year but it’s easy to overdo the rich food at this time of year. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and avoid an excess of sweet and fatty foods – treat yourself during the festivities but try not to overindulge!

Keep regular hours – with family and friends visiting it’s easy to fall into a routine of late nights and later mornings!  If you can keep your sleep patterns as normal as possible for most of the time you will find you feel more balanced and better able to slip back into your usual routine after the break.

Enjoy yourself – it’s important to make time to have some fun and keep a balance in your life so if you feel yourself getting overwhelmed take a few deep breaths and take a moment to regroup.  Remember this is the ‘party season’ so try to keep things lighthearted and have fun – you deserve it!

Above all enjoy the time you spend with family and friends and take some time to be thankful for all the blessings in your life. No matter how big or small they are, no matter how hard life can sometimes seem, we are surrounded by wonderful gifts and if you can remember to take a moment to look around now and again and appreciate the wonder of life it will make the hard stuff more bearable.

Seasons greetings,

Natalie, BMore Natural

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BMore healthy this winter – 5 tips for natural wellbeing!

November 2, 2009

Winter LeavesAs we move into November we are heading towards the end of autumn and into winter. The evenings are long, the weather sometimes isn’t great and it’s very easy to let our healthy intentions lapse in favour of comfort foods and snuggle-downs in front of the TV.

Here are some tips to help keep you at your best over the coming months whilst maintaining a natural approach to your wellbeing.

1. Keep lots of fresh fruit and veg in your diet. Although it’s tempting to snuggle with comfort food you won’t be doing yourself any favours. I find it harder to keep my fruit quota up but with veg it’s easy as I make lots of hearty soups with fresh veg, lentils and chickpeas. Be adventurous with your ingredients and season with spices, herbs, fresh stock and lots of pepper. Yummy!

2. Maintain some kind of exercise routine. Ok on a cold winter evening it may not be your idea of fun to haul yourself down the gym (it’s not mine anyway!) but try to make time on sunny days for a brisk walk or try a new activity with a friend or partner – what about dancing or mountain biking? And of course for us gardeners there is always plenty of clearing and digging to be done!

3. Get plenty of rest. Sleep is important to help our bodies heal and repair themselves and not getting enough sleep can deplete our immune systems. If you have trouble getting to sleep at night try lavendar sprays, a warm bath or a herbal sleep remedy. Rest during the day is also important, just taking time to clear our minds and rest our bodies even for a few minutes can make a difference to wellbeing.

4. Take supplements to help beat colds. Zinc, Vitamin C and Echinacea are all good immune boosters. If in doubt consult your health care professional. If you are susceptable to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it is important to try and spend time in natural daylight each day.

5. If the winter is really getting you down try to think about projects for the spring to change your focus and give you something to work towards. Rather than setting new year resolutions think about longer term goals and how you can work towards them. Giving yourself plenty of time to research, plan and start taking action can make the goal more achievable and help pass the long winter evenings.

If you have any tips for staying happy and healthy through the winter feel free to post a comment below.

Stay warm and keep smiling :)

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NO HANDS® Colon Treatment – Special Offer

October 20, 2009

colonI have done the first few full NO HANDS Colon treatments recently and the immediate feedback has been positive, with comments about ‘getting things moving’ and feeling ‘lighter and more open’ in the abdominal area.   

Now bowels are not something I usually make a point of talking about but having spent a weekend learning how the colon works and what can happen when it ceases to function properly I have to say it suddenly makes for an interesting subject for a bodyworker such as myself!  So if you can relate to any or all of these symptoms you may benefit from a colon treatment:

  • lower back pain
  • bad breath (metallic taste)
  • skin problems
  • mood swings
  • irritability
  • fatigue
  • recurring headaches
  • digestive problems (including flatulence, strong smelling stools, constipation and IBS)

The Vegetarian Times reported in 1998 that “autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80% with waste materials [that the body hasn't been able to eliminate], the main causes being a diet high in sugars and processed foods”.

When you consider the diet of the average person today it is easy to understand why so many people have colon related problems.

Thank you to those who have been interested enough to try a colon treatment - and if you are hesitating then now is the time to make use of a fabulous introductory offer:

Try your first session for just £15.  If you wish to continue with the recommended 6-12 weekly sessions receive them all for just £15 each – that’s a saving of £10 per session on my usual clinic rate (to receive this special introductory price sessions must be purchased in blocks of 6 and pre-paid).

This offer will be valid only until the end of the year after which it will revert to the regular price – so if you are thinking about trying it don’t think for too long!

Natalie, BMore Natural

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Book Recommendation – In Tune With The Moon 2010 by Michel Gros

October 20, 2009

I was so impressed with the 2009 edition of this book that I have already purchased next years so I can plan my growing season well in advance!

The best thing about this book is that is has a simple to use day-by-day calendar specifying exactly what to plant when. Even in my absolute beginner-ness I was able to follow this, and now the more technical stuff is gradually starting to go in (my winter learning project!). I was able to go to straight the week I wanted, check the correct days for planting and make a note of it in the diary section, easy peasy.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is getting interested in gardening in accordance with the moon. It also covers constellations for added potency and Chinese calendar information so has plenty to chose from. Just pick which guides you are most comfortable with and follow those – you can make it more complex as you get a feel for it.

Happy gardening!

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Hypnosis audios – Lose Weight and Feel Confident

October 20, 2009

Have you ever wondered why you can’t lose weight and keep it off?
Do you feel frustrated that your eating patterns stay the same?


To hear a sample:

Would you like to boost your self esteem and feel truly confident?
Do you get nervous in certain situations? Dread making a presentation?
Avoid situations that might make you feel self-conscious?


To hear a sample:

To puchase either recording  Click Here!

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