I had the privilege of being interviewed by fellow Life Coach Amy Pearson this week! Please listen to this short interview on self-nurture! I know that you will be inspired by the idea of making self-care more simple and reasonable in your life!

Also, I have a new coaching column in Portland Woman Magazine! “Get a life (coach)!” will be featured in every issue, with insights to guide you in your every day life. You can pick it up free in various locations in Portland, Oregon (like the library or grocery store) or read it on-line. Just follow the link and flip to page 27.

I was also delighted to write a feature story about Andrea Moore, the winner of the Mama Makeover contest for Portland Family Magazine. You can also pick that up free in Portland, Oregon or read it on-line on page 12. Her story is so inspiring, you don’t want to miss it!

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Photo by Campbell Salgado Studio

The 2010 Portland Mama Makeover is coming to an end this week. It has been an amazing experience to work with Andrea Moore, this year’s winner. I had the honor of being her personal life coach for this healing journey; we cried, laughed and dreamed together over the two months.

After weekly sessions of Pilates, acupuncture, bodywork, coaching and more, the changes in her are dramatic. She is stronger, sits up taller and holds herself with more intention. Her after-makeover photo session with Campbell Salgado Studios speaks volumes about the difference this experience has had in her body.

Her energy level has increased and she often talks about a new feeling of “aliveness.” She has had some incredible moments of clarity that are opening doors in her life in several directions. I can’t wait to see which ones she chooses to step through!

Andrea wrote a tender blog about our coaching work together. If you want to be inspired by a woman who is truly willing to live fully, even after suffering a devastating loss, take a moment to read her story.

I am already looking forward to next year’s Mama Makeover!

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Last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Single and Unplugged, an internet radio show dedicated to supporting and inspiring single parents. My topic was self nurture: how to tend to yourself when time and money are often limited. It was a great show and I think the information and insights are relevant to any busy parent, single or partnered. Please listen and share with your friends!

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I am so thrilled to be a part of the Portland Mama Makeover essay contest giveaway! We had more than 200 women apply and so many who really deserve the nurturing of this special opportunity. So much so that we decided to choose 4 runners-up! If you want to read about the mamas who were chosen and all the self-care they are going to experience, check out the Mama Makeover site!

I have been in contact with the winner Andrea Moore and can’t wait to start our 6 life coaching sessions! She is a truly committed mama to Sophia, almost 12, Maddy, 2 and a half, and their Angel: Michael Dominic who lived 15 days on earth. She is healing from the loss of her precious baby and ready to focus some attention on herself and “start living again.” This 8 week holistic makeover will give her the support and tools that she needs to do just that. If you want to follow her journey and cheer her on every step of the way, please bookmark the Mama Makeover blog where she will be posting updates!

It is an honor for me to work with women who are truly ready for positive change and greater clarity in their lives!

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I was inspired and excited by all the comments on my Mindfully Mothering blog from other mamas yesterday about their simple yet nourishing Self Nurture practices!

While reading them, I noticed that many of the acts: drinking a cup of tea, listening to music, window shopping, reading, soaking in the tub…are ones that many of us do regularly. And yet it was the intention and presence these mamas gave to the actions that made them truly Self Nurturing!

My Self Nurture practice today was to create time to connect with people who are important to me. You know how busy life can be…As a working mama, I often get caught up in getting things done and lose track of making time just to connect.

So today I called Sweet boy’s Step-Mama to chat about his upcoming Prom, hear all about his tux fitting and just catch up. I am blessed to have a great relationship with her and Sweet boy is blessed to have two mamas who love him so much!

After our conversation, I sat down and wrote Sweet boy a little card, sharing how proud I am of him and how excited I am for him about his Prom. I wish I could be there to see him shining in his stylish Tux. Then I let myself feel how much I miss him and looked at some photos of him when he was a little guy.

Over the past few years as Sweet boy and I having been living apart, I have missed him every minute of every day.  But I don’t often let myself just have the time to sit and experience my feelings of sadness and longing.

So today, I am just missing my Sweet boy and that is the most nurturing gift I can give myself.

How are you caring for yourself tenderly today?

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I know that you, like me, are choosing to be more conscious in your language, especially in your relationships. But don’t you have those moments when words just slip out? Whether from frustration, distraction or anger, we all use words we wish we didn’t.

What about the words always and never? These two small words pack a powerful punch. My Tranquil Parent article this week is all about the potency of always and never and some good reasons to rethink using them!

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In working with busy women, one theme I notice is that they often have trouble asking for and receiving help and support. Many of us identify with being in the role of supporter and nurturer and it can be a challenge to step back and let someone else give us the very thing we give so freely to others.

“Asking for help is a sign of weakness,” is a common limiting belief in our culture. We may not believe it consciously, but it operates on an unconscious level making us feel less than when we can’t do everything (perfectly) ourselves.

The truth is that asking for help is a sign of empowerment and intelligence. Can you really be the successful, fulfilled woman you want to be, the kind of mother, professional, partner and/or community member, without the support and resources that other people can offer?

I wrote an article for the Tranquil Parent about the value of asking for help and how it is actually a gift to others in your life. Give it a read!

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