I was afraid this would happen. I’ve been longing to visit the Monterey bay area for what seems like forever. You know how sometimes you read about a place and you just know that you are going to fall in love with it before you even get there. Well, that’s Monterey and Carmel for me. And yes…I did fall in love! Monterey offers the ultimately iconic California experience and it’s easy to see why the drive to Big Sur has been voted the top road trip in the United States. The coastline is just breathtaking. There are an endless...

When you think of Napa Valley, what comes to mind? Images of picturesque rolling hills with miles of vineyards, world class restaurants with food and wine to die for, pampering at exquisite spas, luxurious resorts and quaint bed and breakfasts, right? Well, I bet your first thought isn’t that you would find eco-friendly lodging there, or if you did that you would actually want to stay there with all of the tempting alternatives. Think again… In May of 2007 Jim Gunther and Jamie Cherry of San Francisco, CA, took the reins as the new innkeepers of The Inn on...

After working with hundreds of holistic practitioners, we’ve discovered 7 easy steps to increase your revenue streams and attract new patients/clients. You can only see so many clients in one day and I bet you’re tired of trading time for money. Learn to develop passive and residual income streams so you can take a vacation. By following these proven techniques, you will add $10,000 to your monthly revenue. Learn how by attending our newly released workshop for holistic practitioner and business owners. You’ll get to work one-on-one with a direct marketing expert who will help you design a winning...

Sitting outside and feeling the sun’s warming rays on our bare skin, laying lazily on the beach, and strolling the farmer’s market and taking in the colors, scents, textures and flavors of fresh locally grown foods. Jumping into the refreshing waters of a Maine lake, sailing or kayaking on Casco Bay, sharing laughter and good times with friends on a warm summer night – nourishing our hearts with shared connections. There’s nothing better than a Maine summer – and we who have endured the long winter, know it! In Chinese Medicine, summertime is the most Yang time of year...

Every individual supposedly has an ultimate goal, one that is the same for all people, regardless of race, creed, nationality or physical condition. The goal may be held in the subconscious mind, but it is the eventual and final goal. That goal is self-actualization. Regardless of background, education, financial standing or numerous other factors, individuals are subconsciously encouraged to move onward and upward, to become the best they possibly can within their beliefs and values systems. Progress toward the ultimate goal, and necessary intermediate objectives, is affected by experiential factors – especially the atmosphere of early years, opportunity and...

“Our whole mission is really to open up this dialogue.” Foria is a natural sensual enhancement product specifically designed for female pleasure. Currently available in California and Colorado, it is a topical spray that contains purified cannabis extracts – primarily THC – and other natural ingredients. I spoke with Anna Walters, Director of Marketing and Communications for Foria: Q: What was the inspiration for this product? A: We had a desire to contribute a safe, non-toxic sensual enhancement tool to help women and people who love them experience the full pleasure that we are all naturally capable of. We...

The work I do with all my clients is based on the newest research in various fields, including sexology, psychology and medicine. I enjoy seeing the results of controlled experiments. It lends a clear perspective to issues and scenarios that are often anything but clear. I am an enthusiastic supporter of research, especially about the long and continually neglected subject of sexual experience. There is one subject, however, that I feel the research has shed enough light on to warrant a consistent, specific response from sexuality helping professionals: cognitive distraction during sex. The experience that people are thinking about...

Although it’s a common misconception that only women experience troublesome veins, the fact is, one in three people in the U.S. including men has some form of vein, or venous, disease. That breaks down to 55% of women and 40 to 45% of men; of these, 20 to 25% of women and 10 to 15% of men will have visible varicose veins. Still, gender does make a difference. What is venous disease? Venous disease is defined as the impairment of blood flow back towards the heart. This occurs when healthy vein valves become damaged and the backward flow of...

Settled in the 1600’s and a long time ship building mecca, the Kennebunkport river banks saw five-masted ships and schooners making their way down the river on their way to the sea. Sea captains built fine mansions, many of which are preserved today as lovely inns with antique charm. Over 100 years ago, this part of the Maine Coast first became a resort destination – today it’s “the place to be all year.” Set in the heart of historic Kennebunkport, Maine, one of these old mansions is now home to the Captain Fairfield Inn. The Inn was designed in...

There are many benefits to be gained by serving raw meat and vegetables. It’s the most natural diet of all for cats. When food is cooked, both vitamins and enzymes are destroyed and the fat and protein molecules can be altered by the heating process making it more difficult for the cat’s system to digest and use them. Dr. Francis M. Pottenger conducted long-range testing between 1931 and 1942 on animals. The results showed that animals fed only cooked food, even though the diet was perfectly balanced, showed markedly reduced immune response. As the study progressed, heart lesions, allergies,...

I fell in love with gardening while growing up in the small town of South Paris, Maine, home to the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead. As a young woman I would quietly enter the gate to Bernard McLaughlin’s garden, which he left open for visitors. Too shy to speak with Bernard directly, I would observe this old and wise gardener at work, carefully bent over a patch of bloodroot or primroses or hauling a wheelbarrow full of weeds. It was in Bernard’s garden that I first began touching plants and paying attention to color, texture, and fragrance. As a young...

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle Meditation is so much more than being ‘zenned out.’ It’s about the creation of a morning (and maybe even an evening) ritual that brings you into clear focus and prepares you for the day. It’s about creating a center of excellence that starts with you. It’s about developing a habit that can sustain you through all the ups and downs of life. As a matter of fact, the more you meditate, the more the ups and downs of life become smooth sailing on...

Did you know that today more than 60% of brides want to include at least some eco-friendly elements in their wedding planning? It makes sense, because taking care of the earth means thinking about the future – and that is what weddings are all about. The great news is that the number of eco-friendly options has exploded over the last few years, and you can now make your wedding green no matter your style or budget. The trick is to keep the environment in mind as you walk through the planning process. Here are some easy ways to get...

Sunny, breezy, 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Seriously… am I really in Seattle? This would be my 4th trip to this beautiful city and I kid you not, every time the weather has been absolutely stunning. I’m totally convinced that there is an urban legend going on about how terrible the weather is out here. In order to keep the population down, the locals all say it rains every day…but I think I’m on to them. Because really, between the amazing food and drink, nightlife scene, eclectic shops, Wild Alaskan King salmon for $11/lb, and...