Anyway, there is a version of acupuncture called acupressure that I do at home. I use a product called a Hälsa mat, which consists of 8,820 spikes that stimulate your body’s acupressure points when you lie on it. Stimulating these pressure points causes your body to release pain relief hormones that promote mental and physical well being.

According to Dr. Oz, who endorsed this product on his television show, lying down on the Hälsa mat and breathing deeply for a few minutes also can assist with weight loss.  He says the pressure from the spikes helps your cortisol levels drop, which can cause you to lose belly fat.

Other benefits of acupressure include increased endorphin levels, sometimes causing euphoria, as well as:

• Decreased muscle tension
• Improved sleep
• Improved circulation
• Improved digestion
• Increased oxygen uptake
• Increased energy levels
• A deep sense of relaxation and more.

All I can say is I that feel a significant difference by using the Hälsa mat and pillow each day; I lie on them for at least 20 minutes. At first you might think it hurts, but as you adjust your weight and mind, the discomfort goes almost unnoticed. If you’re interested in learning more about this therapy or trying out the product for yourself go to www.halsamat.com. 

Enjoy!  Well maybe…

Susan Celeslie
Celeslie’s Salon & Spa
170 Richardson Crossing
Arnold, MO 63010
 636-464-0070
www.facebook.com/CelesliesSalonSpa

It is known that for every inch of girth the body grows approximately four miles of blood vessels to nourish the extra tissue. Blood which would normally be sent to the head and brain remains in the abdominal cavity.  The heart must work harder due to an increase of fatty tissue.

An easy way to get rid of stomach fat – all while helping with proper digestion, sound sleep and a healthy heart – is one of the most natural ways to lose weight. I do this quick exercise every evening, which is both simple and effective: 

1. Lie on your back.  Relax.  Put the palm of your hand on your navel.  Then begin to rub clockwise from the navel in small circles and then gradually expand the movement until the upper and lower limits of the abdomen are being rubbed.
2. Then reverse it, rubbing counterclockwise in smaller and smaller circles until you are back at your navel. Rub slowly with gentle pressure. Repeat for two minutes. Your own body’s electricity shoots out into the skin and underlying tissue.
3. Using your imaginative powers, concentrate on a feeling of heat within the area being massaged. The more you visualize this, the more effective the exercise will be for you.

When the stomach is massaged, fatty deposits are broken up so they can pass out of the body. Taoists believe that belly fat can be literally rubbed away. It’s important to rub deeply and slowly. If right-handed use your right hand. If left-handed use your left hand. Concentrate on your hand moving over the whole area.  Let your body do its own healing work while you imagine the cells of fat actually melting away. The best time to do this exercise is just before bedtime. If you persist, you will reap the benefits. Try it!

Sincerely,
Susan Celeslie

Celeslie’s Salon & Spa
170 Richardson Crossing
Arnold, MO 63010
636-464-0070   

www.facebook.com/CelesliesSalonSpa

I love rituals and consistency. They give me comfort and help me maintain a regular schedule that works well for me. One of the absolute best ways I’ve found to keep my  mind and body resolution intact is through a book called “REINVENTING THE BODY, RESURRECTING THE SOUL” by Deepak Chopra. It’s one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. It lifts my spirits, and I feel wonderful after reading it.

Some of my favorite passages in the book talk about how, “change is a choice. Your body is alive with unknown abilities, but it looks to you for direction. When you introduce new intention your body finds a way, on it’s own to adapt to anything you want. For every step you take your body follows.”

It shows you, “how to subtly direct your mind to access the quality of kindness, or how to recapture a sense of innocence, perhaps by walking in the woods or gazing at the sea. Return to these thoughts every day and build an inner connection. Quietly, but steadily, you will find that the higher qualities of life and love will start to enter your life.”

It teaches you that, “the negative imprints of your past are not the real you. They are scars of experience. Real change requires a relaxed, natural attitude. Your cells constantly move back and forth lighting an inner fire. How DNA learned that is a mystery. Consider the most basic function of energy, which is to keep your body alive. Your body is in a healthy state when it’s energy is in a healthy state. The body is nothing but energy patterns and whether you are aware of it or not, you are manipulating them.”

Another of my favorite passages states that, “You can bring healing to any aspect of your life by shifting an unhealthy energy state into a healthy one. Studies in longevity, for example, examine why some people live to a healthy age. The highest correlation for reaching ninety or a hundred in good shape is emotional resilience, the ability to bounce back from life’s setbacks. Their secret fits neatly with one of the qualities of healthy energy: flexibility.”

This book will help you understand what happens when you feel a craving. You are torn in two directions: the impulse to resist fights, and, the urge to give in. It will show you three ways to end conditioning. Reversing our habits will be uncomfortable—-that’s only natural.

Other ideas I found powerful included a description of some of the things that can get in our way on our road to a new and improved self:

• Fear is physically debilitating and when it turns to terror it’s paralyzing.
• Humiliation is like fear in that it makes your body weak.
• Embarrassment is mild humiliation.
• Frustration is mild humiliation, but more bottled up.
• Guilt creates a restless feeling.
• Shame is a numbness inside that can feel cold and empty.
• Grief is like depression but even more cold and numbing.
• Hostility is like anger, but needs a trigger to set it off.
• Arrogance is disguised anger, like hostility, and it is also chronic.
• Dependency is the ego’s way of pretending to be helpless because it doesn’t want to face it’s fear.
• Competitiveness, overachieving, and acting overbearing are very general ego strategies that externalize fulfillment and make it dependent on winning.

This book will help you in so many ways and is a great way to jump start “CREATING THAT NEW YOU.” Click here for a preview of the book; you must have a PDF reader to view this page.

Until next time,

Susan

I got there early to use the sauna before my massage and facial. The instant I slipped into that luscious robe and entered the sauna I left the world behind – IT WAS MY TIME. I reveled in my solitude, and minute by minute my body and mind continued to relax.

Our sauna is infrared, which heats your body from the inside out. So I felt the warmth on my skin as relief seeped into my joints and my body. I suddenly remembered why I NEEDED THIS SOOO MUCH!

The massage therapist soon began her soothing strokes. Her technique was amazing, and she found every place in need of work. It’s like she was one with me, and I FOUND IT INTOXICATING. I didn’t want it to end. Each and every employee at Celeslie’s loves what they do, and it shows.

After moving to the facial room, the esthetician came in and analyzed my skin to determine what treatment I needed. I didn’t care to participate; I was still in my intoxicated state, so I left it up to her. She gave me a peel, which tingled a little and followed up with a mask to soothe the skin. While the mask was on she gently massaged my hands and feet with AVEDA Hand and Foot Relief™. Her touch was heavenly! My senses were so in sync; I was transported to a calm and serene place. And, NOT ONLY DID MY FACE FEEL AMAZING, MY SKIN GLOWED!

I knew when she finished that this entire experience is one that needs to be done on a regular basis of once or twice a month. IT IS LIFE-ALTERING TO FEEL THIS WAY. I decided then I was going to be like our clients who get the “Day of Beauty” package. At $149 it’s our best selling package and includes our Signature Massage, Classic Facial and Spa Pedicure. It’s a bargain for how it makes you feel, and how long-lasting the results are.

I will gladly give up a dinner out or a new piece of clothing to transport me to this state of relaxation, which you forget is not only possible, but desperately needed. Come experience it for yourself, you will be glad you did!

Sincerely,
Susan

• Green Tea, which is known for its potential to fight cancer and heart disease, and may lower cholesterol, burn fat, prevent diabetes and more. I drink it after my V-8 every morning. The best-tasting and the least expensive green tea I’ve found is available for sale at Celeslie’s.
• Juice Plus+, a whole food based product that provides a wide array of nutrients found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. I take it because although I eat fruits and vegetables, I don’t eat kale or greens or turnips, or certain fruits I’ve never heard of that our bodies need, and I never will eat them. You can learn more and order your own supply through our website at www.celesliesjuiceplus.com.
• Sasco Peak Performance Energizer, a fabulous natural product available at Celeslie’s that I find really works well to combat muscle weakness. It also gives me energy without any side effects.
• Potassium, a mineral that is necessary for my kidneys, and other organs to work properly, this supplement is known to help prevent high blood pressure, digestive problems, and more.
• Resveratrol, an antioxidant that is commonly found in many plants such as grapes and blueberries. I take it for its anti-aging and cancer prevention benefits.
• Biotin for strong hair and nails. It makes my hair grow really fast. A person’s aging shows in their hair, that’s why a really good shampoo and conditioner are also needed. I use AVEDA Be Curly, because I’ve found that it gives my hair the most shine. Both are available at Celeslie’s.
• Baby Aspirin to thin my blood and help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
• Mega Red Fish Oil, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, to reduce pain, dry eyes and lower my risk of heart disease.
• Vitamin D, which aids in the absorption of calcium and helps my body to maintain strong bones.
• Probiotics, which can treat infections and inflammation, and help regulate my digestion. I take one probiotics tablet daily and prefer the refrigerated ones because they contain live cultures instead of dried. The intestinal tract is a finely balanced ecosystem and probiotics help keep it balanced. A growing body of evidence suggests that you can treat, and even prevent some illnesses with certain kinds of live bacteria. And with Clostridium difficile (C-dif) infections rampant in hospitals it’s good to have your intestines healthy and able to fight infections!

The bottom line is to do your own research and check what’s available at your local health food store. Most importantly, ask your physician which, if any, supplements are right for you.

Next time we will get into, as my husband calls it, my “weirdo stuff.”

Until then,
Susan

For example, I make my bed every morning. It gives me the sense it’s time to start the day and then I am not lured back in…

I launder my sheets at least once a week, and I use Tide with Fabreeze because I love the smell. You can also use lavender or some other scent linen spray. Every other wash I put eucalyptus oil in the detergent dispenser, which I understand is a great way to get rid of dust mites.

My bedroom has to be uncluttered and pretty minimalist, clean and inviting. I have to look at it and think, “I can’t wait to jump into bed and go to sleep,” but I always follow the routine outlined on the previous post.

Because I often get a stuffy nose, I use a Neti pot with purified water and the saline solution 2 or 3 times a week. I used this long before Dr. Oz recommended it, but it is one of his favorites. After using the Neti pot I can breathe clearly all night long and throughout the next day. You can get one at a Health Food Store and the directions are included.

Another thing I swear by is purified water. I’m very picky about my drinking water so it has to be smooth tasting. I use a ZEROWater filtered pitcher, which you can get at any store for around $28. It comes with a meter to measure what’s in the water. I can taste the difference and drink more water. I use it for cooking, as well.

I recently had a conversation with a physician I know and he said he thinks diseases and cancers are on the rise because of chlorine in our drinking water. He said to either get a filtered system or fill a glass milk jug with tap water and leave it in the fridge for 3 days until the chlorine dissipates. Use two jugs so you can rotate them and have better drinking water.

Another product I love is Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer with self-tanner in it, I can’t mess up with it, and it’s available at any store. I also love Fake Bake Self-Tanner, which we carry at Celeslie’s. It comes in different shades and even has one for the face. I apply it nightly after drying myself off after my bath – just a smooth application all over gives my skin some color and moisture. Then in the morning I follow-up with AVEDA body moisturizer.

I look better and feel better when I use these products; fat and flaws don’t look so bad with a tan, moisturized skin, but I won’t use tanning beds and I minimize my time in the sun. And since the whole point is to make you feel better while going through this process, give yourself a glow all over!

Until next time,
Susan

1. Set up an area for my routines, including enough space for my yoga mat.

2. Plan for the next day’s breakfast:

A. 1/2 cup V8 Juice with a little pepper sprinkled on top.

B. Set up my blender next to a measuring cup and a metal glass. As promised, here is my almond milk recipe:

•  Put 1.5 cups of ice cubes in the blender followed by a scoop of JuicePlus+ Dutch Chocolate mix, which is a whole food based powdered protein drink with fiber available online at www.celesliesjuiceplus.com. (110 calories. 0 fat, 12g net carbs, 13g protein)
•  Add 7 ozs. UNSWEETENED Almond Milk for weight management, which is rich in calcium plus lactose and soy free. (45 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g net carbs, 2g protein. 30% daily recommended  calcium, 25% daily recommended Vitamin D, both for bones, and 50% daily  recommended  Vitamin E for skin.)
•  Serve immediately. I pour mine into a metal glass to keep the protein shake really cold while I drink it. It’s like having a chocolate shake without the calories or fat!

3. Create a bedtime routine and adhere to it without fail including:

A. No TV after 10:30 pm

B. Remove any makeup with our wonderful Parisian Peel Facial Scrub (use gently 2-3 times a week), and then use our pure Vitamin C Serum on my face.

C. Floss and brush my teeth – a critical habit for overall good health including my gums and heart – with a Sonicare toothbrush while my bath water is running.

D. Take a warm bath and soak for 20 – 30 minutes in NAKED FLAKES (available at Celeslie’s), which are all-natural magnesium flakes that increase my absorption of much needed magnesium. Experts say we are  deficient in magnesium because it’s no longer rich in our soils. Since it is hard on our digestive track to take an oral magnesium supplement I put it in my bath water to relieve muscle and  joint soreness, give me more energy, and relax me. I usually doze within 10 minutes on my  bath pillow.

I sleep like a baby after this routine!

Susan

My New Year’s resolution is to focus on my health. I want more energy. I want to feel healthier and look younger. I want to stop getting bogged down by the stresses of life. I want my old self back!

Come along on this journey with me to good health and well being! Follow me here on my new blog to see what I’m doing, what works, and what doesn’t. I’m putting myself out here to help as many people as I can, and I don’t want to leave anyone behind.

I hope you join me. Even if you don’t try everything I do, making one change is better than doing nothing. Do what works for you. It’s time to put the focus back on ourselves and make our health and well-being the number one priority for a while.

Sincerely,
Susan Celeslie

Celeslie’s Salon & Spa
170 Richardson Crossing
Arnold, MO 63010

636-464-0070

www.facebook.com/CelesliesSalonSpa