Getting Out There — at Gorge Trail in October Mountain State Forest. Literally 10 minutes from my house and I’ve never been there — shame on me!

Just got back from Seattle. We had such a great time! I made you a little video (in which JaneCat Video-bombs with her tail!). Enjoy!

I have a three year-old daughter. So we’ve been watching a lot of Disney films around here. I’m not totally into the “princess culture” — but I do love me some good fairy sparkle. I do love the messages, too, which usually revolve around believing in yourself, being true to yourself and having faith in the good of humanity (or animals or fairies, or whatever). Despite (or because of) the occasional parental-death (ok, that’s usually the case!) the child or animal or fairy or magical nanny that the story revolves around learns a lesson of faith in oneself, and love and compassion for others.

This message seems a lot like that of many self-help books and motivational speakers and coaches. If only we’d listened to those messages of our youth, maybe we wouldn’t need all of them? But, alas, as we age out of those stories, we forget.

Don’t you think, though, that deep down we know the truth?

That if we just believe in ourselves, we can do anything.

Hells yeah!

Except …I have trouble with that one. And I know I had trouble with it as a kid, too.

I wanted to believe. I want to believe. I get glimpses that it is true.

And I certainly see it in others. I’m pretty awesome at seeing the potential in others, actually. I can inspire you to greatness and get you to do your homework and pat you on the back when you do it! That’s why I love coaching.

So it seems, however, that it’s time for some self-coaching.

I need to believe in myself more than I doubt myself.

Do you know that feeling? That self-doubting I’m-not-good-enough I-don’t-know-enough voice?

I’ll admit it, I hear it sometimes (ok, often!) in my own head, and also from my clients. And again, I’m pretty good at noticing it for my clients — at calling them out on it and reminding them that they KNOW ENOUGH ALREADY.

And myself? I take more trainings and get more programs and go on more workshops. Not that there’s anything wrong with trainings and programs and workshops — no they can be the bees knees and really HELP us get motivated and help us believe in ourselves, to give us the knowledge that we seek and need to do our work well.

What I’m talking about, though, is using “I-need-to-know-more” as a way of stopping ourselves from doing our work. And as a way to stop us from believing in ourselves (as Mary Poppins and pretty much every Disney matriarch suggests is the way to be/do/have what you want!).

Do you know what I’m talking about? Have you noticed this in yourself?

If this isn’t something you’ve noticed before, try this: The next time you want to read another book on the same subject, or sign up for a class or program, ask yourself if it’s really what you WANT to do, and something that will bring your closer to the feelings you want and goals you have set for yourself, or is it a way to procrastinate more, to doubt yourself more, to put off claiming your place as an expert?

My hope is that all the classes and programs I offer are a full-bodied “YES!” for everyone joining them — that it sounds like just what you need to stay motivated an accountable. If, however, there are doubts (no, I’m not talking about “I can’t afford it”! More on that next week) and if you are not doing your work that you already know to do, then maybe it’s time to do the work!

There’s some real truth in the idea that we need to believe in ourselves to do our great work in the world. If we don’t believe in ourselves, why would anyone else believe in us?

Sometimes we need a mirror to see our greatness.

The one thing we can’t see is our own face, and that often also includes our own truth. That’s where a great coach or mentor comes in — to help you see the heights your greatness can take you to. To show you the way back to yourself. If you see someone doing something awesome and you get some jealous feelings, it often just means that you have the seed of that greatness in yourself!

What you see in others, you have in yourself.

You just have to believe.

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EXTENDED through TOMORROW (5/27) at midnight Eastern — Buy-one-get-one-free sale in the Laurie Coyle Designs Etsy Shop!

Just enter what you’d like as your free item (of equal or lesser value) in the “notes to seller” at checkout and I’ll send it along with your purchase!

BOGO! I’m holding a Buy-one-get-one sale in my shop!!!! Anything you buy, I’ll throw in a second for FREE. Just let me know upon checkout what you’d like (equal or lesser value) and I’ll send it along with your purchase! (through sunday 5/26/13) www.etsy.com/shop/LaurieCoyleDesigns

Birds, inspring words, critters and veggies — all simple, modern and meaningful!
Art prints from paintings, cards and custom fabric designs.

GET SOME!

So John and I have been on raw foods for almost 3 weeks now. We TOTALLY cheated all weekend, though, eating PIZZA and CUPCAKES — it was Natalie’s b-day and also Mother’s Day and we went to a wedding. I’m trying really hard not to become more stressed by this cleanse/eating plan, so we decided to go with the flow, eat lots of salad and a few smoothies plus some of that other stuff. It seems to be working ok.

I have been feeling much better in general, with all of this real, clean food with lots of living energy. I never really realized how much of the food I was eating was, well, dead. I don’t eat much meat anymore, and that’s not even what I’m talking about. But even the “healthy foods,” the bottled juice, the powdered green drink, the bars, the dried beans and grains, and cooked veggies — are all lacking something. They don’t have much (if any) life-force energy left in them. And isn’t life-force really what we’re looking to get from our food? Energy, vitality, nourishment, excitement for life?

Honestly I had never really thought about it before. I didn’t really give a second thought to how close-to-living my food was. Having a fridge full of non-rotting produce is pretty awesome, though — because we keep using the produce! Every day! And it’s pretty easy. Just keep that blender and juicer going! We are not sticking 100% to our food plan, but making really informed, thoughtful choices as much as possible (while not stressing out too much!). It feels good in body and mind.

So what changes have I seen in my body? I’ve lost a little weight. Not a ton but some. I feel less bloated, my digestion is faster and more efficient (TMI? Sorry! This kind of thing came up a lot at the IIN conference! hah!), I can tell when my digestion is taxed — it’s harder to wake up in the morning, harder to function, there’s not as much energy available to DO things. I definitely have more energy to sustain me through the day by eating and drinking raw.

I have also noticed some detox symptoms. This isn’t talked about much, but when you begin to eat more raw, real food, your body is able to use those nutrients to feed your body systems, so the rest of your body can begin to detox. Usually around the third day of a detox program you will begin to feel yucktastic. I felt like I had a hangover the first time I did a detox (it was with herbs and supplements, and cutting out sugar and wheat, adding in more veg and fruit, but not much other diet change). This time I felt tired, had a headache for about 2 days, and then after day 4, really perked up and was feeling MUCH better. Amazing.

As I have begun doing mostly juice and smoothies (another way to let your digestive system off the hook — only consuming liquids — this is for the third week of the program we are doing) I have felt more symptoms. I have been kind of low energy, especially in the afternoon. I have been more introspective  which can be good or bad depending on what you have to do! It was hard on a day when I had a ton to do, it was great yesterday as I had a photo shoot with the lovely Thea Coughlin. It was a nurturing, fun day and I just made sure I didn’t have much other stuff to do that day! I think I’m feeling the upswing now, though, after about 3 days of liquids (and a few raw foods here and there — I was really hungry!).

I think the main benefit I’m getting is awareness of my body and how hard I was taxing it. I was a pretty “healthy” eater — however, I’m seeing how important it is to let my body rest and repair, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to do it. It’s not done, and I think it will probably change my eating habits going forward. I love a good glass of green or orange goodness!

FYI the 21-Day Raw Food Reset we are doing is from Young & Raw and you can find it here. There is also a good (free!) detox program from IIN available here – it’s a 3-day program so I would honestly do the whole thing at least twice, for 6 or so days — since the detox really happens starting on day 3!

I would love to hear if you have an experience with any sort of detox or cleanse — or if you’re interested and what you find holds you back from going for it. Leave a comment below!

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Hang it up somewhere you can see it everyday.

You’re creating your own reality, every day in many little ways.

Making it happen. every. single. day. ♥

A little video for you today:

I had such an amazing, inspiring time at IINLive. If this is something you are intrigued by, do be sure to check  out the Institute for Integrative Nutrition here. Together we are doing some amazing things!

…And if you’re interested in getting some health coaching yourself, please do contact me! I’m halfway though my program and I’m combining it with my existing life coaching packages to create dynamic change in the lives of my clients. It’s AWESOME.

My hubby and I have been doing a raw-food cleanse for the last 11 days — it’s a 21 day cleanse so we’re halfway through! I feel AMAZING. This isn’t necessarily part of the health coaching package, though if you’re interested I would love to lead you through it. It was tough going for the first 4 or so days as my body detoxed some yucktastic stuff I’d been carrying around (even though I’m a pretty healthy eater now, all that old stuff has been just sitting there!).

Throughout my weekend in New York I kept noticing that my energy was up and I was able to do a lot more than I have in the past without getting tired. All that travelling and walking and stairs (we were staying in a 5th floor walk-up!) can get exhausting, and though I slept VERY well each night, I was ready to go the next day. I totally credit this cleanse and sticking to (mostly) raw foods all weekend. It’s a whole new world for me and it’s looking very green and bright!

The stage is set, ready to deliver some inspiration and info!

Me with my travelling buddy Cameron, who also happens to be my cousin’s wife. I’m so glad we’re on this path together!

Up on stage, Dr. Andrew Weil (who is way shorter than anyone imagines!) — I mentioned him in my last Linky Love post, and here are links to the other speakers that I mention in my video: Alicia Silverstone, Alex Jamieson, Joe Cross.

The really interesting thing about Integrative Nutrition is that some of the information is conflicting, and we have to work our little brains to synthesize all that we are learning, and see how it applies to our lives and our clients lives.

To see how each individual works and how they respond to different diet and lifestyle changes. Nutrition is a relatively new science and something that works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else.

I LOVE this idea and am applying it in all areas of my life and business. Starting wherever a client is, and working with where they are NOW and where they want to go — that’s the true nature of coaching. It’s not about the outside picture, though that’s nice too, it’s more about the inner landscape and how changes and growth impact your individual needs, desires, goals and challenges.

It’s so individual and also universal. It taps us into the fact that we’re all connected in our uniqueness. Whoa. It’s big stuff, and also small changes. It’s powerful and also incremental. And it’s fantastic.

Since we’re talking about coaching here — I must remind you that my super-special-awesome sale on my coaching sessions expires THIS Friday May 10 at midnight eastern — so get your booty on over there and buy some hours while they last! Only $50 each!

Lots of love today and always,

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{Linky Love (aka “Bright Shiny Object Syndrome”); every Monday I’m sharing some things I’m pretty stinkin’ excited about}

(Not Safe For Work! or, ya know, if you’re sensitive to language haha not me! This is fucking awesome!;)

I truly find this hilarious. It reminds me of my college years, shopping at Value Village in Tacoma, WA — where there was a unique abundance of hot-pink adult-size terrycloth jumpers. I’m sure I have photos somewhere, I’ll have to go looking for those.

I just got back from IIN Live in New York City. This year we got to listen to speakers including Dr. Andrew Weil, Alicia Silverstone, Dan Butler, Michael Ellsberg, Alex Jamieson, Joe Cross and many more. It was inspirational, educational, joyful and SO hopeful and expansive.

Being in a group of like-minded peeps is SO powerful. We are lighting the world on fire with this knowledge. I’ll talk more about the experience later this week (still synthesizing all I learned!) — but if it’s something that speaks to you please do go check out the school here – we’re creating a ripple effect of health and empowerment and it’s changing lives! I’m so humbled and honored to be part of this revolution of food and lifestyle. ::::happy sigh::::

xoxoxoxox

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p.s. Just a quick heads-up that I’m offering my One-hour Breakthrough to Clarity Coaching sessions for only $50 this week! You can even book multiple sessions at this price to use at a later date in 2013; must be purchased by midnight eastern, THIS FRIDAY May 10 to lock-in in this $50 rate. Regular price $200. Click here to Buy Now

{Linky Love (aka “Bright Shiny Object Syndrome”); every Monday I’m sharing some things I’m pretty stinkin’ excited about}

The Desire Map from Danielle LaPorte. YES.

I’m reading this now, doing the workbook and it is just truly awesome. Indeed, how DO you want to FEEL?

Are you as excited as I am to see this film? Whoa. Just, whoa.

teehee. Thug Kitchen. ’nuff said.

xoxoxoxox

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