Free Weight Loss & Wellness Goodies

Do you want to get your hands on free information on how to lose weight without surgery or dieting? Or learn about getting healthy or how yoga works? If you do then head on over to Carolyn Hansen's Elite Health And Fitness Giveaway?

My friend Carolyn Hansen is running this event, and it is unlike any other that I have ever participated in.

Carolyn has invited just 14 health and fitness marketers to join her in providing gifts for the event (I am one). Among others, you will find gifts related to self improvement, weight loss, stress management, and even healthy snack recipes.

Unlike other events where you have to register just to see what is on offer, for this Elite Health and Fitness Giveaway Event you simply visit the site and you see the gifts immediately.

If you see something you like, click on the relevant offer button to visit the page where you can grab the gift. It doesn't get any easier than this.

But you only have a short time to grab the gifts before they are removed. Here's the page again:

Carolyn Hansen's Elite Health And Fitness Giveaway

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas everyone.

Nancy and I are taking a break for the next couple of months. We hope you have a great Christmas and New Year.

Enjoy this video with our Seasons Greetings for the festive season.

Reduce Stress, Be Happier & Raise Healthy Children

If you want tips on reducing stress, creating a loving partnership, dealing with children, breastfeeding or well-intentioned advice keep reading...

I’ve recorded some tips on reducing and preventing stress with my friend Lorraine Cuadro over at The Essence of Breastfeeding.

Lorraine is a mum and breastfeeding counsellor who is passionate about helping people enjoy parenting and connect with their children - while looking after yourself and your relationships. We had a chat for about an hour about ways that I beat stress and anxiety using a variety of techniques to relax, change my thinking and deal with challenges.

The audio is part of a series that Lorraine is putting together which includes a variety of topics. Some are specific to parenting but others will help you put the romance back into your relationship, run a business from home, deal with stress or difficult people. The topics include

• Stress prevention and reduction (how I cured myself from being a frazzled burned out grump!)


• Bedtime and toilet training for toddlers (Margaret Saunders)


• Setting boundaries to deal with unwanted advice (Yvonne Collier)


• Reconnect with your partner and invest in your love and intimacy (Natalia Mendez)


• Creating a successful business from home (Emma Newman)


• Tried and proven techniques to help minimise your pain, help you heal and sort through the emotions associated with birth (Faye Read)


• Plus lots of advice on parenting

You’ll get one free hour long audio, every week beginning 1st December. You’ll also get access to lots of great tips on breastfeeding.

The whole series is valued at $497, but it's totally free if you sign up now.

Just register your name and email address to get 8 hours of inspiration from this team of parenting experts. Be quick - after 1st December 2009, Lorraine plans to charge for all these great audios, but as a favour to her friends she's agreed to let people get free access if they sign up now.

P.S. Lorraine is in Australia which is a day ahead of many other countries, so to be safe, sign up before 30th November to make sure you get in on this amazing free offer.

6 Steps to Feel Good About Your Body

My friend Sarah Maria has just released her fabulous new book Love Your Body, Love Your Life: 5 Steps to End Negative Body Obsession and Start Living Happily and Confidently. The book outlines her 5-step process for helping you feel great in and about your body and yourself. Her work embraces the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual which she says is the key to true and lasting healing.

Here is an excerpt from her book, with 6 tips to feeling beautiful today! You'll notice that Sarah Maria's approach is very spiritually oriented, encouraging you to feel good about your body and befriend it.

P.S. if you purchase the book from Amazon, Sarah Maria has a special surprise for you including lots of free bonuses and the chance to go in a draw to win a magical meditation retreat with Deepak Chopra at the Chopra Center for Well-being. Scroll down to the end to find out how to claim your free gifts.

6 Tips to Feel Beautiful Today! By Sarah Maria

How many times have you waited for something to change so that you could finally start feeling beautiful?

If you are like most women, the answer is “all the time.”

Here is the problem: most of us tend to live with the delusional belief that we somehow need to change in order to be beautiful. It usually sounds something like:

When I lose this extra weight, then I will be attractive.
If I can just get my abs a little more toned, then I can wear that bikini I love.
I feel so much better after I put on my make-up in the morning.
I looked much sexier before I had these wrinkles.
My hair looks drab and lifeless until I get it colored.

Unfortunately, we think these stories, these lies, that we have been taught are true. We believe that we somehow need to change who we are, how we look, and what we do in order to finally be sexy, attractive, and drop-dead gorgeous.

This is a lie – an erroneous, ubiquitous, and often painful lie. The truth of the matter is that you are inherently, unconditionally, and absolutely beautiful and loveable right now, without changing a single thing.

Fortunately, very fortunately, you can expose these lies and choose to no longer live under their spell.

Ready to get started? Here are 6 simple and sure-fired ways to help you feel beautiful today:

1.Become aware of what you are thinking.

Simply become aware of the stories you are telling yourself so that you are no longer reacting on auto-pilot. Through awareness alone, you can begin to transmute your reality and transform lies into truth. Actively acknowledge that there is no inherent truth in the belief that you need to change something about yourself in order to be attractive. Consider that you can start feeling beautiful immediately, in this moment, without changing a single thing.

2. Set an Intention to See Beauty

Setting an intention is simple: intend to create a different reality for yourself. Here are some examples:
I intend to experience my inherent beauty. Or: I intend to see my beauty and perfection at all times. Or: I intend to know I am inherently beautiful, lovable, and worthwhile.

Do you ever see your reflection in the mirror and grimace at your wrinkles, vowing to purchase the latest anti-wrinkle cream?
Set an intention to find your beauty in your reflection.

Or when you undress, do you ever suck in your stomach, berating yourself for not yet losing those 5 extra pounds?
Set an intention to appreciate the body that you have right now.

Do you ever go shopping for clothes and wish you were a size (or more) smaller?
Set an intention to unconditionally accept your body.

Hopefully you get the idea; set an intention to see yourself through the eyes of beauty.

3. Take a “Meditation Moment”

Meditation is the mental equivalent of brushing your teeth. This means that it is an essential and indispensable daily activity designed to help rest and rejuvenate your body, cleanse your psyche, awaken your spirit, and help you live a life that you love.

Nourish yourself with instant meditation moments throughout the day.
Are you waiting at the bus stop on your way to work? Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to connect within.

Are you making dinner for the family? Take 30 seconds and focus on the sounds, smells, and sensations in your environment, letting them nourish your senses.

Are you in the shower, getting ready to start your day?

Turn your attention to the feeling of warm water cascading against you, gently caressing your body, and allow yourself to relax.

These meditation moments can happen anywhere, anytime – 30 to 60 seconds of closing your eyes and connecting within can make all the difference in the world.

4. Your Body is Your Best Friend

Your human body is your truest ally. Befriend it and it will serve you tirelessly.

Treat it as you would a dear friend:

Feed your body with healthy food, taking the time to give it proper nourishment.

Remember to exercise, and make it enjoyable. If the gym makes you cringe, opt for yoga, Pilates, dance, or good old walking. Anything to get your body moving will do wonders.

Relaxation is key. In our harried and hurried world, it is essential that you remember to relax and rejuvenate.

Instead of critiquing your body for not being enough of this and for being too much of that, offer it gratitude and appreciation for it unwavering support and devotion.

5. Create Meaningful Moments

Every day is filled with countless tasks and errands: going to work, talking with friends, picking up the kids, supporting your significant other, washing dishes, going to the gym, visiting the supermarket, shopping – on and one it goes. Remember that you can imbue each moment with meaning. It can be as simple as smiling at everyone you meet, reacting with compassion and love instead of anger, or making sure to tell your friends and loved ones how much you care about them.

6. You’re Smoking Hot, Inside Out

Remember, you were born beautiful. Believing that you are unattractive is a learned habit. You can unlearn it and discover the Joy, Peace, and Love that are your natural sate and birthright!


So that is it – 6 Simple Steps. 6 simple steps to start feeling beautiful, right now, in this moment. You don’t have to go anywhere or do anything to experience the Beauty that you already are. In fact, there is nothing you can do, say, or buy that will make you any more perfect, any more beautiful, or any more desirable than you are in this very moment. Simply know this, and you will revel in your true beauty.


SPECIAL OFFER
If you want to grab your own copy of Sarah Maria’s book Love Your Body, Love Your Life: 5 Steps to End Negative Body Obsession and Start Living Happily and Confidently head on over to Amazon. Click here to purchase your copy and begin to love your body today. If you buy in the next couple of days you will also get dozens of free bonuses including:

• Escape The Diet Trap ( 70 minute audio to help you quit dieting)



• Why Mars & Venus Collide – audio from Dr. John Gray



• Marci Shimoff’s Happiness Action Plan

Plus dozens of other free reports, meditations, audio downloads and other self-help goodies.

You’ll also be in the draw to win an incredible week at Seduction of Silence, the Chopra Center’s renowned week-long meditation retreat valued at $2,775. How cool is that?

After you purchase from Amazon, go to Sarah Maria’s website, type in your order number and you’ll get instant access to an amazing list of free bonuses.

Love Your Body Quiz

Do you constantly find fault with your body? If you do, then you're one of the 80% of women, and a growing proportion of men who are unhappy with their body.

Today is Love Your Body Day. The National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation educates women about the dangers of fad diets, poor body image and inappropriate media images.

NOW is also concerned about the growth in cosmetic surgery to enhance appearance. Did you know that the 'toe tuck' is the latest must have surgery, for women who believe they have "ugly" toes or are unable to fit into their Jimmy Choo shoes? NOW encourages women to love their bodies, as they are and embrace their uniqueness.

You can get the facts here or click the heart shaped icon to do a short quiz on body image. Entering an email is optional.

You can also get a free e-book from body image expert, Sarah Maria. Her e-book Overcoming the Lies: Secrets to Creating a Body and a Life that You Love (valued at $37) is designed to help you "break free from the myths that are keeping you trapped
and discover your inherent beauty, brilliance, and strength".

Can you forget your troubles and be happy?

According to author, Evelyn Brooks in her new book Forget Your Troubles: Enjoy Your Life Today, you can stop stress in its tracks and get happy right now.

Evelyn's recipe for beating stress is a unique 5-step S.M.A.R.T. formula that is easy to put into practice, with simple step-by-step instructions and practical advice from someone who's been there:

"Forget Your Troubles" is the synthesis of all I've learned in years of wading through stressful relationships, seemingly insurmountable problems and far too many dead-ends.

This book is intended for anyone who is overwhelmed by stress right now – and lately that seems to be just about everyone I meet!

She sure got that right! These days it seems like most people are overwhelmed by stress and struggling to meet the demands of a busy life.

You can check out Evelyn's new book Forget Your Troubles at her website. In addition to her 5-step formula you will also learn how to better prioritise your time, abolish self-defeating thoughts and lift your confidence. And if you act now, when you buy her book at amazon.com before midnight tonight, you will qualify for valuable bonus gifts from other bestselling authors who share her goal of helping you attract success, prosperity and happiness. (Just go back to Evelyn's website to claim all your free gifts)

Bright Shiny New Blog Coming

It’s been a while since I’ve posted regularly to this blog, but that’s all about to change. Coming soon(ish), Nancy and I will be back in action bringing you news, opinion and random thoughts called ’60 Second Sanity Break’.

We may be blogging here, or we may be moving to a new domain, but it will be happening. I know, I know, this is starting to sound like a commercial for hair regrowth. Just keep an eye out - we will be back with a new blog design and new posts in the New Year.

I don’t plan to post as often as I have in the past. I’ve learned that the less time I spend online, the healthier I feel, so I need to keep my promise to myself to spend only a few hours a week online, and to take plenty of time to disconnect from the computer.

Have a great weekend everyone. Nancy and I will look forward to being back to regular posting soon(ish)…

In the meantime, check out this website with links to great self-help freebies for health, wealth and well-being.

Free Self Help Gifts every week

A new website A Gift A Week promises free self-help gifts every week worth at least $29.

Signing up is easy. You just pop in your first name and email, and then once or even twice a week, you will receive an email message from A Gift A Week containing a link to a free gift that is yours to download with no strings attached, and no further sign up. You'll also get the following free gifts at sign up:

• Downloadable mp3 recording: “7 Steps to Soaring Self-Esteem”
• The Self-Esteem Preview E-Book" by Dr. Joe Rubino
• Napoleon Hill’s classic e-book “Think and Grow Rich!”

"Guest" Biz Blog Post

I just discovered a terrific business blog, Jobacle.com. In fact, I liked it so much that I applied for a blogger position! Check it out, I think you'll find lots of useful info.

Please read my "guest" spot, too.


4 Life/Work Balance Lessons We Can Learn from TV


As always, thanks for reading,

Nancy L.

Importance of Downtime for Teens this Summer

You can read Nancy's latest post on helping teens with overload and get tips to recognize and prevent your kid’s stress overload and to promote a healthy balance...

Related articles:
Overbooked kids

Free Goal Setting Reminder Tool

Have you set any goals yet?

Some people set goals throughout the year, but many take advantage of the New Year to kick themselves into action.

If you'd like help with your goals, use this Goal Setting Reminder Tool that explains why setting 90 day goals and chunking them down into smaller goals works.

You'll get sent a reminder of your goals, the first action your committed to make, and your goal setting milestones or steps along the way to your 90 day goal.

New Year's Giveaways and Help with New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year. To get 2009 off to a good start I’ve found some great giveaways for you, as well as some tips on setting your goals.

The experts tell us we should be setting and reviewing our goals throughout the year, but many of us see the “fresh start” a New Year offers as the best time to create new goals and set New Year’s Resolutions. The best advice I can give is you is to follow Nike’s advice and “just do it”. One of the biggest mistakes people make in goal setting is failing to take action. They wait for the timing to be perfect, or for their plan to be perfect. Obviously jumping in without an iota of planning can lead to unwanted consequences, but spending all your time writing nice neat goals and planning can see opportunities pass you by.

If you want your New Year’s Resolutions to stick - set your goals, prepare your mindset for change, write an action plan and then DO IT!

To help you with your New Year’s Resolutions I’ve found some giveaways on the net that give you free advice on everything from being the next King or Queen of ebay to improving your health and understanding the Law of Attraction.

Self improvement giveaways

• 777 Self Help - a huge variety of self improvement products on just about any topic you can imagine.



• New YOU Year Blast Off - mainly personal improvement (mindset change, weight loss, health, parenting) with a few of the inevitable make money on the internet programs



• Happy New Years Giveaway - mainly downloads and ebooks on making money online, as well as software giveaways and graphics packages



• New Year Gifts - more downloads and ebooks on making money online, as well as software giveaways and graphics packages



• There is also a Daily Software Giveaway that lets you get your hands on software for free, so long as you download it before the day is up. I strongly recommend you read the feedback before you download the software. Some software isn’t worth downloading, but you can also find some gems.