Holistic Health and Wellness

This week I talk with Dr. Norman Rosenthal, author of the bestselling book, Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation. Not only does he give us a really great  explanation of what TM is, Dr. Rosenthal also offers a glimpse into the science behind meditation. He explains some of the effects that meditation can have on our brains and bodies and shares a few of the benefits that come with a regular meditation practice. According to some studies people who meditate have been shown to live longer and have fewer heart attacks and strokes. He also shares some incredible stories from his clients and other people who have used TM as a tool for healing and health. These stories are really inspiring and were definitely my favorite aspect of the book. Transcendence is a really great read. The scientific sections of the book are easy to understand. As Dr. Rosenthal put it, this is not a "how-to" but rather a "why-to" book, which makes a really compelling case for including some kind of meditation practice in your wellness toolbox. In addition to being a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School, Dr. Rosenthal is the internationally renowned researcher who first described seasonal affective disorder and pioneered light therapy. He has written over 200 scholarly articles and five books. YOu can learn more about his work, and connect with him at www.normanrosenthal.com.

This week's conversation about Business as Practice is an audio recording of an unscripted discussion I had with my dear friend and fellow entrepreneur, Liz Cruz-Kaegi. Liz Cruz-Kaegi, PhDLiz is partner and co-founder of World Commodity Services (WCS). She is a successful entrepreneur, scientist, educator and innovator. Her love of nature and adventure led her to a career in Biology and Aquatic Ecology and eventually to a PhD in Oceanography at Texas A & M University. She is a native of Honduras and has been a professor at the National University of her country and a scientist and administrator at several government and international organizations. In 2004, Liz launched CK Quest, LLC, a market research and business consulting firm specializing in small and medium size business. Over the years, CK Quest evolved into an international market research and market entry strategy firm specializing in Latin America. CK Quest has helped several companies introduce their products successfully to the region. Liz is a member of several women business organizations. She was president of the Tri County Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) and was named among the 2007 Top Ten Women Business Owners in South Jersey by South Jersey Magazine. Most recently, Liz has teamed up with her friend Luis Arango to launch WCS. Through this company they aim to put their knowledge of international trade, market research, sales and technology to the service of buyers and suppliers of bulk commodities. In addition, she is an agent for the Australian Trading House, FTN Exporting. Liz enjoys reading History, traveling, hiking and geocaching. She lives with her husband, two children, and three cats in Haddon Heights, NJ. Liz's favorite Wellness Possibilities include: - Hiking- Cooking & eating whole foods- Yoga - The Ishayas' Ascension Together we have explored AntiGravity Yoga and Contemplative Painting at Rest Stop Rejuvenate in Rockaway, NJ. Something Liz said during the conversation: "You never go into business for yourself. You need a community."

If you enjoyed our conversation with author don Miguel Ruiz earlier this year, then you won't want to be miss this inspiring new interview with don Jose Ruiz, co-author  of the Fifth Agreement. Don Jose Ruiz grew up in a world where anything was possible. From the moment he could speak, he became an apprentice of his nagual (shaman) father, don Miguel Ruiz, and his curandera (healer) grandmother, Mother Sarita. As a teenager, he traveled to India to study with friends of his father, and at the age of twenty-three, he became the successor to the family lineage. In the tradition of his ancestors, don Jose has dedicated his life to sharing the teachings of the ancient Toltec. For the past seven years, he has been lecturing and leading classes across the United States, and at sacred sites around the world. You can learn more about don Jose and his work at www.miguelruiz.com.

Episode 120 - An interview with Raw Vegan Chef, Kristen Suzanne. Kristen Suzanne, owner of KristensRaw.com, is an accomplished raw vegan chef, author, and blogger helping people succeed with the raw food diet. As a former competitive bodybuilder, she’s been studying nutrition, fitness, and food preparation for more than 15 years.

Episode 119 - Prescriptions from the Garden, an interview with Master Gardner Kathleen Barnes about her book RX from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow. Kathleen shares some great tips on how eating certain foods can be beneficial for helping to cure common ailments and improve your health. http://www.kathleenbarnes.com www.WellnessPossibilities.com - Give the gift of wellness, or discover how easily you can bring wellness into your life or workplace. Holistic Health & Wellness is hosted by Sue Nyoni Artwork by Liqui-Site Designs, Inc. - www.liqui-site.com

Episode 118 - an interview with an interview with certified personal trainer, author, motivational speaker and wellness coach, Kahlil Carmichael. Kahlil is the CEO and President of The Fitness Doctor Incorporated a fitness rehabilitation and personal training company. As a fitness expert, Kahlil has successfully helped to create fitness and wellness programs for schools, and faith based organizations. He has facilitated dozens of retreats to help many individuals including those facing challenges such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Kahlil has helped hundreds of people including top physicians, CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, dynamic leaders of faith based organizations, and many more. Kahlil is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer.

The Happiness Project, an interview with Gretchen Rubin, the author of the #1 New York Times and international bestseller,The Happiness Project—an account of the year she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, www.happiness-project.com, she reports on her daily adventures in the pursuit of happiness. You can also join the happiness conversation on Twitter, @gretchenrubin, and on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/GretchenRubin.

No one is going to play along if the game is no fun. This is Meghan Telpner’s philosophy on great food; making a little love in the kitchen to bring forth sweet, simple, healthy and delicious living. Meghan runs a cooking school in downtown Toronto. This is the home of the messes she makes creating inspired, simple, creative and awesomely delicious recipes for her healthy living guides, guests and well loved blog, Making Love In The Kitchen. When she’s not teaching, writing, making tasty things and travelling to markets on her flower laden bicycle, Meghan spends the colder months in sunny locales leading the most nourishing and inspiring retreats ever. With her realistic and humourous approach, along with her contagious enthusiasm for all things made from scratch, Meghan has quickly become a sought after food, nutrition, and lifestyle expert for major media outlets including web, print, radio and TV including regular contributions to The National Post, The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News, Glow Magazine among others. Discover the goodness she's cooking up at www.meghantelpner.com

Celebrate Magnificence and Freedom, an interview with The Four Agreements author don Miguel Ruiz. International best selling author and spiritual teacher don Miguel Ruiz has changed countless lives with the wisdom of The Four Agreements. His latest book, The Fifth Agreement, continues this journey into true happiness and love with a new insight: Be skeptical, but learn to listen. Don Miguel wrote The Fifth Agreement with his son, don Jose Ruiz. Father and son are also collaborating to offer a unique retreat in Costa Rica, November 27 – December 3, 2011. This weeklong experience offers twice daily sessions with don Miguel and don Jose that invite individuals to examine their lives and take steps to realize true personal freedom and expansion. Participants are also invited to enjoy yoga, meditation, personal coaching, and plenty of time to relax by the Pacific at a beautiful, secluded resort. For more information on how you can join this journey to Costa Rica and learn directly from don Miguel and don Jose, please visit: http://www.globalj.org/ruiz.html. Listen Now OR Subscribe to Holistic Health & Wellness

Uncut Flower Essences, an interview with Dr. Brent Davis, founder of FlorAlive, Uncut Flower Essences at www.floralive.com. Aware of the power of intention in achieving a goal, Dr. Davis created patented methods of flower collection and essence extraction that are in harmony with the healing intentions of Nature. (The designation "UNCUT" refers to a unique, co-operative, non-invasive approach to the plants themselves, necessary for the highly sensitive process of full transfer of their healing information.) To view some of the testimonial videos, click here. To learn more about Dr. Brent Davis and FlorAlive, please visit www.floralive.com.    Listen Now OR Subscribe to Holistic Health & Wellness