Think Positive! Blog - official blog for ipopin.com

Positive Spotlight

On my recent trip to Sedona, AZ I cam across a few places that I thought would be perfect to highlight in my positive spotlight.

In Scottsdale, AZ we ate (twice) at True Food Kitchen.  This restaurant is an innovative new eatery developed in partnership with Fox Restaurant Concepts and best-selling author Dr. Andrew.  The food was simply delicious. My family and I all eat wheat-free.  My sister and I also are dairy-free, sugar-free, and potato free.  It was amazing to find a few choices on the menu.  I had them make a dish with penne pasta (brown rice pasta) and roasted cauliflower.  It was heavenly!  There were plenty of healthy choices for those who eat a more regular diet as well.  Perhaps the best part was the drink that my sister and I ordered - Andy's Elixer.  This fun drink had Olivello juice, agave nectar, and soda water.  It was a fantastic treat!  We are still looking for Olivellow juice so we can make our own.  If you live in the PHX area, I highly recommend True Food Kitchen for yummy food that's good for you.

Next, I want to highlight the hotel in Sedona.  We stayed at the .  We are not owners; however, you don't have to be an owner, you can stay there like a regular hotel (we didn't have to listen to any talks or do anything like that).  The rates were reasonal too.  I have been to several hotels in Sedona, and I truly believe that the Hyatt has THE VERY BEST location and views.  It is in the center of Sedona and easy access to anywhere you want to go.

We were in a 2 bedroom suite.  The main part of the suite was big.  It had a full kitchen, a living room, a nice master bedroom with large bathroom.  There was a wonderful and spacious balcony off the living room that provided stunning views of snoopy (pic to left) and lucy rock.

The second bedroom was like a reg hotel suite.  It had a small refrig, microwave, sink.  There was a sitting area and a nice patio (thoguh the views were of the building, not the red rocks).  Overall it felt huge and perfect for what we needed.  This place had the best of both worlds.  It felt like a nice big condo rental, and it had the ammenities of a hotel - room service, pool, concierge, and Scott.  Scott was so helpful to all of us.  He helped with luggage, directions, and many questions that we had.  He was delightful.

The pool was the second prettiest pools I have seen - first being at the Princeville Resort on Kauai, Hawaii.  This pool had an incredible view of the red rocks and was beautifully decorated with flowers.  The pool is built up high so that the views are unobstructed by the buildings.  There were plenty of umbrellas and shaded areas as well as full sun. It was a slice of heaven to be up there.

Bottom line: I highly recommend the Hyatt Pinon Pointe if you are going to Sedona.  Don't worry you don't have to be vacation club owner - it is also a wonderful hotel with great views, perfect location, and friendly staff. 

Gift from an angel - Rich Griffith

I have been dealing with a big flare up with my health problems.  I have severe chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome.  I am at a point that I am nearly completely disabled.  It has been a rough road for me.  In addition to the physical symptoms, I have also struggled mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.  Recently I was at a low point and I had withdrawn from the online community.  In part because I had some folks blame me for my illnesses. They basically told me that I wan't "doing it" right or trying hard enough.  I was so surprised by this reaction! 

I have been a leader in the field of positive thinking and tapping into our inner resources for health, happiness, and success for many years.  While my personal and spiritual practices have not (YET) healed my illnesses, I can honestly say that it is my positive attitude and my deep spiritual beliefs that help get me out of bed each day and carry on my life.  I believe that the goal of my positive attitude and my spiritual practice is to find peace and happiness.  I mean true unshakable peace and happiness that is there depsite challenging life circumstances.  I have not yet managed to attain this 100% of the time(nor do I know anyone who has); however, I believe that I have done very well and generally live a happy life - even with my disabilities and pain.  

While I was still feeling the sting of some comments and less than compassionate responses from some folks, I received a notice that Rich Griffith had mentioned me in a blog post.  I clicked to read his post and was stunned (in a very good way).  Rich's post touched and moved me beyond measure!  It was as if he had been reading my mind and had a direct line to what I have been going through. I was unable to get through the post without tears welling up.  This beautiful gift came from a generous and wonderful man at the perfect time in my life!  I do not think words can ever convey how much this post meant (means) to me.  I have printed it and will keep it near me to read when I have a bad day.  It was a nice affirmation that I am on the right path and what I do is making a difference in the world.

Rich, from the bottom of my heart and the core of my being, thank you!  My kindred spirit... my friend... you are an incredible gift to this world!

Dr. Hal Blatman

Many of you know that I have dealt with chronic pain most of my life and most significantly for the last 9 years.  I have been to many different doctors and health care providers with very little luck.  Most of them told me that there was nothing they could do for me and that my pain would only get worse with time. I never was able to accept that prognosis.  I certainly wasn't ready to give up.  I continued to do what I could - self-hypnosis, affirmations, guided imagery, energy work, EFT, etc.  While all of these techniques helped, I was still having severe pain so I continued my search for a health care provider that could help me.  That search led me to Blatman Pain Clinic and Hal Blatman, MD in Cincinnati, OH, a nationally recogonized expert on myofascial pain.  He is a cutting-edge physician that is board certified in pain management, occupational/environmental medicine, and holistic medicine.

Dr. Blatman has been a blessing!  He blends holistic and traditional approaches in a way that is the perfect combination for me.  I believe he is a true holistic pracitioner in every sense of the word.  He considers the whole body.  He truly understands how everything is connected and treats his patients accordingly. Dr. B is the first doctor that I have been able to share all of my symptoms with.  Instead of getting overwhelmed or thinking that I have a mental problem, he actually makes sense of the symptoms and offers a solution. He is so incredibly smart and knowledgable.  When you are in the room with him, it is clear that he is an expert at what he does AND he also honors you as the expert on your body.  His language is a perfect example of this. He often says "let's see what your body has to tell us today."  He will ask what your intuition has to say about what's wrong or about a treatment.  I feel like I am a true and valued partner in my health care (as it should be).  

I feel confident that no matter what is wrong, Dr. Blatman will always search to find an answer.  I know that he won't leave me hanging like so many other doctors who brush you off if they can't find a quick answer that can be fixed by a little pill.  Dr. Blatman will keep digging to find answers and then keep digging to find solutions.  He doesn't give up.  He believes that we can all achieve better health and feel better. 

Dr. Blatman uses trigger point injections to help the myofascial pain.  I wasn't sure how well these would work because I had many types of injections before with little improvement.  What I didn't know is that Dr. Blatman is a master with his needles!  I let him know where my pain is and then he gets his needles and goes to work.  Sometimes the places he injects are not the same places that I hurt.  In the beginning I thoght "oh, he didn't hear me right."  However, I had little faith... he has been right everytime.  I think he "hears" my body and is guided by what he hears (like a good acupuncturist).  The injections are painful, but totally worth it.  A day or 2 after the injections I get complete pain relief or at least greatly reduced pain.

It has been a year since I started with Dr. Blatman and I have made significant progress.  My pain levels are dropping and my energy level is increasing.  I recover more quickly when I do have a flare up.  I can feel my strength coming back.  It's been a long road and I have more to go.  I am delighted with progress I have made.  Thank you, Dr. Blatman! 

Dog-Wa - natural nutrients for your dog

I have decided to start a new series here at the Think Positive! Blog.  The new series, Positive Spotlight, will be a category for me to highlight people, places, and things that I like and think are positive.  I hope this series will bring some extra positivity into your lives.

To start this series, I am shining the light on a cool business, Dog-Wa, that I recently discovered.  In the interest of tranceparency, I want to let you know that the co-owner of this business (Matt Isreal) went to high school with my sister.  They recently re-connected through Facebook.  Traci (my sister and business partner) shared Matt's story with me and I thought it sounded awesome.  I believe so strongly in holistic, herbal, and natural medicine for myself - naturally I thought it was cool that Mat's company is making such a quality product for dogs!  Way to go Matt!

So here goes...

I asked Matt to give me a summary of his business and to share how he stays positive during these difficult economic times.

Our company manufactures Dog-Wa, a revolutionary liquid concentrate that provides dogs with essential vitamins and nutrients from leafy greens needed to create a well-balanced diet.

As for staying positive as a business owner during this economic period, Matt replied:

My inspiration comes from feedback from excited customers. When I need more inspiration, I review the business plan we have developed to secure additional funding. I look over all the exciting and important things we have accomplished in our first year in business, focus on what we would like to accomplish next, and how we plan to do it. You have to be realistic about your challenges, but it's just as important to be realistic about your achievements. This process keeps you focused on you goals. When you set goals, be realistic about your challenges and your accomplishments, then set realistic goals. Then go back and raise your goals. Remember, the biggest challenges you face should be the ones you set for yourself.

This sounds like a good plan for a business owner to stay focused and positive.  I agree with Matt - it is important to acknowledge our successes as we go along.

Matt, keep up the great work!  Thanks for helping to make this world a better place!  For all you dog lovers out there, be sure to check out Matt's Dog-Wa product - you wouldn't want to forget your best friend during the holidays.