On today's episode of the Encouraging Health Series, we're going to heat things up a bit just in time for Valentine's Day. Join me as I talk with Natalie Hjelsvold. You can connect with Natalie and find out more about her at the following links: Follow me on Twitter: @vivaciousvixens; Read My Blog: http://www.vixennatalie.blogspot.com; Phone 403-618-9463

On today's episode of the Encouraging Health Series, I will be speaking with Jamie Ridler on the topic of creativity. Here's how Jamie describes her business: "At Jamie Ridler Studios, I help people find the confidence and courage to discover and express their creative spirit, whether that means exploring
their artistic self or bringing more of their creative capacity to their
life and business. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops and events like
Wishcasting (http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca/wishcasting), Full Moon
Dreamboards (http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca/full-moon-dreamboards) and the
Creative Living with Jamie (http://www.creativelivingwithjamie.ca) podcast,
I help women bring their creativity to life!

Would you like to spend 2011 in a community of like-minded dreamers,
connecting with the energy of each full moon and creating a magical year as
you create your monthly dreamboards in community? Welcome to a Year of
Dreams!"

Jamie Ridler Studios: www.openthedoor.ca
Podcast: http://www.creativelivingwithjamie.ca
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/starshyne
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamieridlerstudios

On today's episode of the Encouraging Health Series, I will be talking with Christine Cook of truebluematch.com.

Christine's professional life has always been about supporting and educating
parents and children.

She currently presents workshops throughout NH for parents through PTOs and
co-hosts a day-long parent retreat three times a year.

Deciding it was time to return to the workforce full time in the fall of
2009 Christine became discouraged with the lack of opportunities due to the
failing economy. The idea of a matching website for parents had been
growing since some lonely days as a new parent with her first son. She
decided to follow that idea and make it a reality.

Truebluematch.com, a friendship matching service for parents was launched in
November of 2010. It provides opportunities for moms to meet moms and dads
to meet other dads that share similar interests, parenting styles and
personalities.

The site has resonated with parents. Many parents who have lost their jobs
in the recession have also lost some friends and the opportunities to meet
others. Truebluematch.com provides a great resource for these parents to
connect with others face to face--a critical component for happy parents!

In this next interview of the Encouraging Health Series, I will be talking with Julie S. Ong, from http://www.EverythingMacrobiotic.com
Author of The Everything® Guide to Macrobiotics, Certified Natural Chef,
Macrobiotic Counselor, and Spiritual Life Coach

Julie S. Ong¹s love for cooking began more than fifteen years ago, when
she asked a friend to teach her how to cook.

But instead of a lesson on sauteing or baking, she learned why our food
choices are essential to our well-being and it inspired her to create a
healthier lifestyle for herself, while she learned the essentials of
cooking.

As Julie studied at the Kushi Institute and worked on becoming a certified
natural chef at Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts,
she realized some of the ailments that had constantly plagued her
throughout her life (severe acne, migraines,
sinusitis) began to fade away with her new approach to food.

And she cooked for cancer survivors, combining her new macrobiotic cooking
skills with coaching to increase their recovery and vitality.

Julie was soon tapped by Adams Media to write The Everything® Guide to
Macrobiotics book which appeared on bookshelves in 2010.

Today, Julie has created an online resource at EverythingMacrobiotics.com
that complements her book. She provides coaching and training to people
who want more vitality in their lives.

Three things you may not know about Julie:


* When she isn¹t cooking, she watches reruns of Ghost Hunters.

* Her motto is ³Eat better, live better, love better!²

* She believes being of part Chinese descent has driven her curiosity for
the balance (the yin and the yang) approach to holistic eating.

In this next interview in The Encouraging Health Series, I have the opportunity to speak with Denise Taylor of http://www.wegetto.com.

Denise lives in Sellersburg, IN with her husband and their 4 living
children. Their oldest daughter, Jonnae, passed in June of '08 after a 3 yr
bout with leukemia.

As an inspirational speaker/writer Denise has shared her story and message
all over the world. She's the author of "Heavenly Birth. A Mother's Journey.
A Daughter's Legacy" and will offer and autograph copies of her book at
conference.

"Learning is a gift even if pain is the teacher." This quote from the
movie, "The Ultimate Gift" is one that captures the essence of Denise's way
of thinking...living. She states, "Jonnae's life began with me teaching her
and ended with her teaching me. I'm most passionate about sharing the
amazing lessons we learned together. There is a gift in everything.
Sometimes the package isn't an attractive one."

Today on the second episode of the Encouraging Health Series I have the pleasure of interviewing Julie Hammerstein. Julie is a nutritionist, speaker, author, and global advocate for healthy families. Julie has helped thousands of people take back their health by following a simple step-by-step plan that gets results. Julie also has a new book coming out called Fat is Not a Four-Letter Word. You can visit http://www.JulieHammerstein.com for more information on Julie and all of her offerings.

To pre-order a copy of Julie's new book, please email Julie at [email protected]

Connect with Julie on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/JulieHammerstein.

Today Amy offers a shift in perspective on the topic of self-care. Listen in for something that could make all the difference in your own life if you're struggling to make your own needs a priority and if you've ever labeled taking time for yourself as "selfish."

Join us for the kickoff episode of my new "Encouraging Health" series.  Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Robin Stephens, as my very first guest in the series.
Robin Stephens is a former professional organizer and health and wellness coach whose mission and vision is to help smart, sassy women over 45 cleanout their inner closet and create their own mid-life miracle life as they've never known it before - energy-rich, and on-fire in body, mind and spirit.  Visit www.yourlifeinorder.com for free articles, podcasts and "mid-life inorder" motivational audio tip of the week.

Allowing the real you to shine through means revealing both the bad and the good, your pain and your dreams.

I'm so excited to be kicking off my new season. Join me for a fun and fresh 15 minutes, as I explore topics that support you in becoming an Energized Woman!