VOI - Voices of Intention

Some days I want to go out and kick butt when I run... I see myself as this amazing athlete who should be at the Olympics winning gold medals 😆 - Oh, I'm so funny!

If there was a slow runner category then I would totally win ALL the medals... 🥇🥇

But...

Today was one of the days that I set out... To. Just. Run. 🏃‍♀️ No expectations, just a long and slow pace that's perfect for meditating and brainstorming.

It was the greatest run I've had all summer. All the elements aligned and I went farther and longer than usual and without any discomfort. Funny, that when you set out to just be and allow curiosity to wash over you, the power you gain is limitless (and your run goes by super fast 😀)!

I guess that's what Zen feels like. 💕

Today is a big day!!
I completed my Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate program on 8/31/2023 and today I successfully completed my PreCODE/ReCODE Coaching Certification. I am looking forward to working with people to reduce their risk of getting Alzheimer's as well as help those already moving through the process of the disease to regain as much of their lives as possible.

We will walk this road together!

If you are interested in additional information, please reach out to me through DM or visit my website at www.newvoi.com

Stay Happy, Healthy, and Hopeful 💕🧠💕

When you think you can't...

That's when you have to believe the most that you CAN!

Moving through the tough stuff, stretches each of us to where we are uncomfortable but gain the most growth...

Then...

When you get past the hard you BELIEVE and KNOW you will make it through something else when it shows up.

And...

You can celebrate any way you want!!

So much benefit for something so simple and bound to our lives! Take advantage, everyone in what ever way works for you! 💜❤️

Can changing the way that you breathe reverse Alzheimer’s? Probably not, but it’s another interesting example of how we can treat the contributors to this disease without the use of astronomically-priced medications with serious side effects.

A recent study had participants consciously breathe for 20 minutes twice a day, and found significantly lower amyloid levels in their blood samples. This is a particularly interesting result for us, as it highlights (again) that amyloid plaques are an immune response, and calming the body may have helped clear amyloid, but also could have prevented production. To learn more about this study, check out the link in my bio. https://www.iflscience.com/breathing-exercises-reduce-the-buildup-of-a-likely-cause-of-alzheimers-disease-68721

Nature knows...

My dad always used to say, "Stop and watch the dog...Trust the dog... the dog's nose, knows." Meaning we often need to stop and listen and watch to really know what's ahead or what our next move is. Funny, more often than not, the dog does know what lies secretly in the bushes or is standing motionless next to a tree.

There are times we need to stop being so sure we have control and know the way and just take in the signals surrounding us...

After the events of yesterday, I decided today to try my best to sit back and relax. Rest, be mindful, practice self-care. Wow, that is so tough...

But...

When I stood silently looking at the beauty of nature from the deck, what'd ya know... I became a resting post for some very delicate and beautiful moths... in fact, two used my foot to rest and clean themselves, and another sat lightly on my hand. I was even able to walk with them alighted on me.

Spiritually, moths are a sign of death and rebirth... of transformation. I believe they shared a message with me this morning as I stood listening to messages outside my own head.

I guess good ol' Dad was right again... be still and observe, you will learn more than you expect ❤️

For everyone who has been touched by dementia in some way... Let's reduce stigma and incease understanding of those going through these devastating diseases during the month of June.

Thank you to Governor Tony Evers for proclaiming June 2023 as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. We honor the more than 120,000 Wisconsinites living with Alzheimer's or dementia and the more than 191,000 serving as caregivers.
http://ow.ly/jHHw50OEpK5

Love shows up anywhere...
Be ready to find it ❤️

Small steps make great gains!
This is what it takes to get things going!

Thank you to City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Water Department for becoming dementia friendly by
Learning about dementia and better ways to interact with community members experiencing dementia!

Through education, awareness and compassion we build upon the mission of creating a Dementia Friendly La Crosse County!

Does your business, agency or group want to become dementia friendly? This is a free community resource that is available through Wisconsin Department of Health Services Dementia Care Specialist Program and Dementia Capable Wisconsin initiatives.

Call the La Crosse County Aging and Disability Resource Center to inquire and schedule yours 608-785-5700!

The 37th Annual Wisconsin Alzheimer's Conference was wonderful! So many talented, dedicated and loving people in our state working for the betterment of individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

So much love in the face of sorrow. I was completely moved by the keynotes and award winners.

So much innovation and dedication in this group!

Great team from La Crosse representing our area at the 37th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin State Conference Rising With Resilience Conference 💜 Kathy Lucey, Kelsey Flock, Chuck and Sharon Zimmer, Julia Johnson, and DeeAnn Z Romanowski

When days are tough, surrpund yourself with people who support you and share your load.

Your brain and body need all the goodness of community 😍

Friends in La Crosse county... come and see what we have going on during this amazing month!

June is Brain Health & Dementia Awareness Month!

Dementia Friendly Community La Crosse County Dementia Coalition invites the public to attend events and activities throughout the month of June to raise Dementia Awareness! Various opportunities will be available to learn about dementia, the resources for families, business and how our community can support those living with dementia and their care partners. For questions and a printed schedule of events, call the Aging & Disability Resource Center of La Crosse County 608-785-5700.

It's been a difficult day... actually, difficult is an understatement.

It seems the effort of standing still is overwhelming...
Your mind races in circles
Your heart races
Your hands get cold
You feel lightheaded

Physiologically, your body doesn't know if you are excited or scared... it is just reacting. It's time for you to take control.

STOP...
Focus on something in the yard or in the room you are in.
And
BREATHE deeply
BREATHE deeper
Breathe deepest

Then state a positive word out loud
🌟Love
🌟Joy
🌟Beauty
🌟Empower
🌟Clarity

You just interrupted the negative thoughts that were racing through your mind. Even if just for a moment...

You took control...
Keep going...

You feel alone, but
You are NOT alone...

You are doing it ❤️💜❤️

It's not about being profound or the smartest person in the room.

It's about heart, caring, and figuring out the puzzle of self compassion.

Treating yourself as you would your most dedicated and special friend.

But instead of that, we often give ourselves a good pouring of self-criticism and deflating self talk... none of which bring up our energy and expand that with others.

But... WAIT! Theres hope for all of us! And to the ROCK SOLID Care Partners of Loved Ones with dementia, consider yourselves some of the most amazing people on this earth.

You Give, Give, Give... and wonder with each step if you are
Doing the right things...
Making the right choices...
Giving the best care...

And you know what?
YOU ARE 💜

But you MUST take care of YOU!
Even a few minutes a day can make a difference!

So, take a moment RIGHT NOW
To breathe deeply
IN & OUT
IN & OUT
IN & OUT.
Now, reach out your arms , cross them, and hug yourself!

And know you are not alone.
You are giving your best...
And your Loved One appreciates you. ❤️💜❤️

I'll be talking on this very topic in a virtual session - 4/20/2023 @ 1100CT for the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association. To register, call 800.272.3900.

Another type of diet to consider? OMG! Seriously!

I get it... There is so much information available to us about the types of foods to eat, when to eat them, where to get them from, how much of each type to eat, you name it, there's a question about it... ugh! All of the information, can truly make your head spin!

The largest concept to know is that our bodies LOVE and THRIVE on REAL, WHOLE, and CLEAN food! With an emphasis on REAL food.

Processed food is is so easy and it's readily available, but as you get ready to pick up a quick snack, ask yourself these 3 questions...

1. Is it REAL food?
2. Is it WHOLE food?
3. Is it CLEAN food?

If it's not, you are risking inflammation to your body and brain. Inflammation dramatically increases your risk for disease and a whole host of conditions.

REAL, WHOLE, CLEAN...
Check out the information below for more insight on the MIND and Mediterranean LIFESTYLE diets...

#

Those following plant-based diets similar to KetoFLEX 12/3 had fewer beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in their brain, according to new research. The study also produced some really interesting results about the size of the impact: the best adherents had almost 40% lower odds of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had brains similar to being 12 or 18 years younger.

The great news is that simply adding more leafy greens, olive oil, fish and berries, can actually delay your onset of Alzheimer's disease or reduce your risk of dementia as you age. (For an even better effect, we suggest abstaining from inflammatory whole grains and dairy.)

While diet can make a huge impact, your cognitive health will continue to improve when paired with other lifestyle interventions. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/health/alzheimers-mediterranean-mind-diet-wellness/index.html

Care Partners! You are the most amazing people on this earth! Keeping your loved one with dementia at home or providing care to others in some capacity... know that you are soon to be the focus!

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association is putting on a 3-part education series that is focused on YOU, the Care Partner because your mental and physical health and wellbeing are critical to all those around you... especially YOURSELF!

Please review our flyer and register! It's going to be an amazing series!

I never turn down a good read... here's one that's worth a look!

Why we remember — and forget. And what we can do about it Authors Andrew Budson and Elizabeth Kensinger offer insights on how to keep both a healthy brain and a strong memory.

Reaching for the glasses,
Clinking of ice into a glass,
Glugging of the liquid from the bottle,
Crackling of ice beneath the liquid,
Wafting aroma from the glass,
Feeling the weight of the glass in hand...
😋 Taking that first satisfying sip… ahhhhh...

This experience may have been a reality each day after a hard day’s work for your Loved One who has Alzheimer's or dementia.

But now…
There no longer exists a work day
There no longer exists the ritual of cocktails
There no longer is this relaxing experience
That was so engrained into a Loved One’s routine.

Can this be a reality again?
The answer is “Yes” depending on your Loved One's circumstances.
When the answer is “Yes”, how can you make it happen?

Most importantly, determine if your Loved One can have alcohol (medically and for other safety concerns)
Then a shot, a splash, a taste, or a non-alcoholic substitute can be shared…

So...
🥃Get out those familiar tumblers or glasses
🧊Share in getting out the ice and placing the cubes into the glasses (Enjoy the clink)
🌟Share the action of pouring into a shot glass (it may be surprising that your Loved One knows just how much to pour!)
🍒Gather the garnishes (a cherry or olive hits makes the drink!)
🛋Sit together…
🍻Sip together…

Most importantly,
❤️Share a moment of the past together.

Often, our Loved Ones surprise us when we share known actions and activities with them, and give them the opportunity to help in the ways they still can.

For more ideas on how you can involve your loved one or to work with me privately, message me directly using the button below!

Stay Happy, Healthy, and Hopeful!

When’s the last time you were curious?
I mean butterflies 🦋 in your stomach curious, or just can’t wait and feel like a 5-year old on your birthday 🎂curious?

I bet…
It's been a while.

But how EXCITING to know that we can grow our brains 🧠 by being curious?

The act of being curious is exciting🥳 !
It makes us look forward to something…
It may even make us a little scared,
Because...
It’s part of the unknown 😱…

But the unknown, though it has no certainty
Builds🔨 neural pathways - connections inside our brains that increase growth and power 💥…
For the very reason of being unknown!

As human beings, we do the same things over and over… over and over... and over and over... our actions become routine and certain.
And for most of us, that familiarity is super comfy...
Because it has a degree of certainty,
But…

If we want to continue to have a brain🧠 that is functioning at its best,
We need to move from familiar to unfamiliar
From the comfortable, to the uncomfortable
Because…
Our brains will grow when we step out of what we know
And into what is new.

It doesn’t have to be scary
AND
It doesn’t have to be fast.

So think about your days…
There are SO many routines that we do without conscious thought.
What can you change in your routine that can build up your brain?
What’s new can you be CURIOUS about to step closer to… and DO?

Growing is about DOING (when a plant grows, it is DOING the growing… not wishing it would grow)
Try something a little new today…

Look around you…
What are you curious about?
Step forward... try it!

Julia Lindaas Johnson

There is nothing about Alzheimer's that easy...
Not for the Care Partners, family, friends and especially the person moving through it.

But...

A change in how a person/family/Care Partner looks at the situation can make a huge impact on the emotions that we feel along the path of the journey.

This article about ultra-marathoner, Mark Macy, is one that shows life for everyone keeping going... despite the challenges and limitations of disease process the article sheds light on how life and a person's essence never stops being...

Here's to living in the moment ❤️💜❤️

https://coloradosun.com/2022/08/24/mark-macy-travis-adventure-racing-alzheimers-2/?fbclid=IwAR0N10gnSRNHcE0RIdCiQfRU9FmqVxBqOiJ3_YytUjZxc9mJnncV_rnUgys

"Impossible challenge": Colorado father-son adventure racers are pushing the limits of Alzheimer’s Colorado adventure racing pioneers Mark and Travis Macy to publish "A Mile at a Time" book detailing Mark's battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Do you ever look for an excuse not to move?

🥶It's too cold for a walk...
☔️It's too rainy for a walk...
🥵It's too hot for a walk...
🔸️It's too... well, you fill in the blank...

We can ALWAYS make excuses NOT to do something even when we KNOW for a fact that it'll benefit us somehow (even if it's just a little bit).

BUT...

One day our threshold for brain 🧠and body 👤 healthfulness may tip to the side where we have to look back and wish we had...

🔸️Exercised more,,
🔸️Eaten better,
🔸️Practiced stress reduction and
🔸️Started all the other things we have control of...

Then it takes a lot more time and effort to tip the needle back to the healthfulness side of our meters.

So...
The next time your mind tells your heart a little white lie about how you can skip out of exercise, good nutrition, stress management and sleep...

Remember the looks on the faces of these pups (or your own), who are saying...
"We can NEVER have enough walks!!"

And do what you need to do to keep your brain🧠 and body🥗 healthy so your golden years are golden and not rusty!

👇👇👇Drop a comment below how you helped your brain health today!

Stay Happy, Healthy & Hopeful ❤️🧠❤️

Wow... what a day... 🌊💥

So many things going on and reasons to be happy and peaceful...

But, WHOA...
a grand funk 🤬💩 hit me today and stuck all day long.

VOI - Voices of Intention has been moving forward and growth is afoot, but man that growth can totally derail a gal... when it means, well, growth and change and uncertainty and excitemement and wonder and, and, and... 🤯

I like certainty... no really, I LOVE ❤️ certainty and routine, but to grow I have to let go of what I know and and know (really believe) that what is ahead...

🔸️Is the right thing...
🔸️Is amazing...
🔸️Is solid...
🔸️Is what it is planned to be...

But how to get that solid in my heart and gut?

Well, I got out my journal 📒and headphones 🎧
Today is my15th consecutive day of journaling
AND...
What flowed from my fingers came like mania! 🔥
I didnt even realize I was writing so feverishly until I had 7 pages filled with...

💎Insights...
💎Openness...
💎Direction...
💎Epiphanies...
💎And finally...
CALM

If you are feeling something exciting, scary, wierd or just plain great...

📝Grab a notepad and pen...
📝Jot it down,
📝Long or short,
📝Let your truth come out...
😌And feel your mind relax.

Your brain and body will love you for it! 🧠❤️🧠

I bet you have a favorite cup… ☕️

You look into your cupboard and you see it in its special place on the shelf and… you smile.

When you hold it in your hand full of your favorite beverage,
⭐️the contour fits perfectly,
⭐️it’s never too hot or too cold,
⭐️the handle is in just the right place
⭐️it’s a color and pattern that is… well, wonderful!

You fill it up each day with coffee or tea or something else you love

And…

When you drink from it, you feel
🧡At home
🧡Comforted
🧡Satisfied
🧡Powerful
🧡Imaginative
🧡Rooted
🧡Blessed
And any number of other emotions.

Rarely if ever, do you drink from that cup and feel unhappy.

Why? (And how on earth does this relate to your brain… right?)

Well…
Each one of us needs to find that magical place within ourselves in order to find solace, stability, freedom, certainty and health. There is so much empirical evidence that shows us that in order to have brain and body health, our connections need to be strong within ourselves and with social connections. Our gut bugs rely on a healthy mind and our minds rely on healthy gut bugs to be maintain and sustain overall health. Our neurotransmitters and hormones – everything about your body’s chemistry relies on self-care.

So, take a moment to imagine yourself as a living “cup”… And not just any cup, but your FAVORITE cup!
Pour yourself a cupful of...
🙂Self-compassion,
🙂Self-belief,
🙂Self-worth and
🙂Self-care

Wow!… if you have 3+ cupfuls each day from that favorite cup, how much beauty you will have in your life caring for yourself when you fill up YOURSELF as the cup… and make yourself your own favorite.

You would never neglect to keep your favorite up clean or ready for use, would you?

So… when you become your own FAVORITE cup ☕️… don’t let neglect sneak in. Keep yourself ready for all the greatness awaiting you!

Share a comment of how you will fill your cup today… I’d love to hear!

Be Happy, Healthy & Hopeful! ❤️💜❤️

HOPE! We need HOPE!

"ALL dementias have been wiped from the planet!"

Those would be words to stop us all in our tracks, wouldn't they? As a person and a clinician, I dream of a day when there would be a news clip or article saying that AD and all other chronic illnesses have been eradicated. Wow - wouldn't that be something?

(sigh) But...

That is not the way life comes at us, is it?

We often look to pharmaceuticals to "cure" us instead of gaining better understanding how to heal ourselves from the inside. There are many drug trials available for most diseases with continued money and research and time spent to find a cure. But no "one size fits all" medication has been created to fix AD as is true with so many other disease processes.

Not long ago, I posted about a new medication that entered the market (still awaiting FDA approval) called Lecanemeb. This, as many Alzheimer's drugs have been, was touted as the drug that could be the next possible cure for this devastating disease. I even had someone ask me if the education she was pursuing would be viable once AD had been "cured" by people taking this medication.

Oh how I wish I could have said "Yes".

Globally, people want to believe that a pill is going to fix all that we have done to our bodies for generations, even centuries... it's not that easy.

As Lucanemab enters the scene, what was the next "cure" is now showing itself to be another medication that only slows the progress of AD.

And...

A recent publication is indicating that this new medication may have contributed to deaths of individuals taking it. The report indicates that a brain hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) was responsible for at least one death and that Lucanemab may have been contributory. Further investigation and monitoring is being performed.

This is a difficult outcome to swallow.... for all of us. Every person taking a trial medication has a life and a family and... No one wants this kind of result to occur, but unfortunately, with AD drugs there still is not one simple way to stop the disease. So drug trials continue.

However, preventing and reversing IS being seen with Precision Medicine... these healthful protocols are finding their way to this desired prevention and reversal of Alzheimer's disease and along with being more healthful, epigenetics are changing DNA expression in upcoming generations...

Now that is news we want to hear!!

No doubt about it, this type of precision protocol takes work and dedication on the part of the person and his/her family and the practitioner and coach... and it's complicated, but it is thus far the safest alternative for cognitive decline in people with early to moderate severity Alzheimer's disease.

If you have interest, take a deeper look at the Lucanemab article, click the link below... more to come as things continue to develop...
https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/health/alzheimers-drug-lecanemab-trial/index.html

Hopefully one day, we won't see unsettling news like this anymore and there will be an easy way to navigate devasting diseases.

If you would like more information about the Bredesen Protocol and/or more information about how to get started with it, DM me! I'm here for you!

Stay Rooted in Hope you Beautiful Soul...
Stay Happy, Healthy & Hopeful
❤️💜❤️

Ok, Im gonna be quick!

It's wintertime in the Northern hemisphere and often when we are cold we don't physically sense the need for hydration...

But...

it's still there

And...

Just as important as it was when it's warm outside!

When our bodies aren't hydrated we can feel...
🧠Sluggish,
🧠Irritated,
🧠Confused,
🧠More hungry...

And can get
🧠Headaches,
🧠Muscle aches,
🧠Urinary tract infections and more...

So, even though it's not sweltering outside, give your body at least 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water EVERY day! (Example: 140 # = 70oz H2O)

If you feel led, snap a picture of you and your trusty water bottle and share it below!

Grab your water bottle and start sippin!
Be Happy, Healthy & Hopeful ❤️