Holistic Feathers

There is something so comforting about chocolate in all its guises, no matter what time year we are in.  I guess that is why our Raw Gaia Living Facials are such a winner with our clientele, because we use Raw Gaia’s Raw Chocolate Face Mask as as a powerful antioxidant antidote to tired, stressed, pollution-zapped skin.

Although I am no longer able to eat Cadbury’s chocolate – but I can still enjoy the chocolate face mask! – I remember curling up on my Nanna’s lap as a tiny tot, enjoying some “girl time” and sharing a bar of her favourite chocolate with her while the house was quiet, the family all slumbering except for us. Old Jamaica, a dark chocolate, rum and raisin bar, was introduced by Cadbury Bournville in 1970 – obviously a great year for vintage stuff as that’s my birth year *chuckle*

So imagine my horror when I was advised to stop eating sugar … and dairy. Along with a whole truckload of other stuff, including fruit. Oh no! Never mind, after about a week I figured out that I can still consume RAW chocolate and some forms of sugar (xylitol, agave syrup and stevia).

Thank heavens for the internet … every kind of food type can be tracked down online!

So if you are looking to move to a more ‘natural diet’, I’d love to share with you my favourite list of suppliers who may well have some goodies which will help you to switch to a more health way of eating – and living – without too much pain.

Goodness Direct
What a treasure-trove of information as well as a vast range of products – and if your basket is over £35 then you get delivery for free*). They also have great special offers so make sure you sign up for their free newsletter when you hop over and have a look …

Higher Nature
Not just for your vitamin and nutritional supplements, they have a fabulous range of products including my absolute favourite, Virgin Coconut Butter. Yum yum yum! Excellent for cooking and baking, a spoonful to take away the craving for something sweet … love it, love it, love it! They also sell unpasteurised apple cider vinegar, pumpkin butter, special omega oil dressings …
Higher Nature : superior quality nutritional supplements for all your family needs
Higher Nature also give you some great discounts and delivery is always really speedy.

Doves Farm
Free delivery (via courier) for all your baking needs if your basket is over £30 – easy enough to do if you love cooking, as I do! They also produce gorgeous sugar-free wholesome breakfast cereals which I’ve not yet seen in London supermarkets.

St Helen’s Farm
I am amazed at how easy it was to switch to goats dairy – as long as i was St Helen’s Farm products! You are able to find most of their products in your local supermarket nowadays, and their milk is delicious. BUT if you are unable to find a specific product, then do get in touch with them as they offer the most amazing customer service – and their website also makes for a very interesting read.

Conscious Chocolate
Love, love, love their range of chocolate – so if you are not familiar with them, take a look at what they offer. You can always order online if you find that they do not have a local stockist … but personally, that’s asking for trouble as I could easily eat a whole bar in one sitting. But enough about me being greedy when it comes to chocolate …

Holistic Feathers
Yes – us! We also stock a lovely range of organic goodies – ‘tho sadly not chocolate in edible form as it is just too tempting to buy in bulk!

Raw Chocolate face mask

Other favourite stores (but more in the line of reducing your toxic load in your domestic cleaning products) are Summer Naturals and Stairway of Life.

Summer Naturals were the first company to educate me about toxic chemicals within our household cleaning products … Anne, the owner, is a very knowledgeable lady and offers super-speedy service.

Stairway of Life also sells a wide range of products and organic oils and supplements – well worth a look and if you can’t find what you are after, then do get in touch with Yasmin, the owner, who is always amazingly helpful.

So time to get shopping and start taking small steps to change your world, inside and out …

*Subject to terms and conditions

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Blast Off!
The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality
by Allison Maslan

Launched 19th January 2009

This incredible new book by Allison Maslan reached the much-coveted top spots in Amazon’s best-seller lists since it’s launch just three days ago!

Blast Off! is a truly powerful book that will really inspire you to grab your dreams and make them a reality. I was delighted to have been gifted the opportunity to review this book for Allison and would love to share my thoughts with you in the following review …

Blast Off! by Allison Maslan

The lure of reviewing a book which promised me a “surefire success plan to launch your dreams into reality” was just too strong to resist, with a bright, sparkling new decade creeping up on me rapidly. Opening up the package from Allison was a wonderful surprise – I certainy didn’t expect such a substantial-sized glossy book and a quick flick through found me cooing with pleasure at the graphics and clean, simple layout throughout.  There was something so reassuring about the weight (forgive me, I adore books and really appreciate the beauty of a quality printed book!) but the rocket images silently assured me that it was going to be a really fun process.

“Dreams are gifts of the soul. We need to make every effort to cherish them, to live them. Otherwise they only surface in our sleep. A soulful life is an awakening and actualizing of our deepest dreams within.” ~ Allison Maslan

So Allison’s “Blast Off” book begins with this powerful quote. With so much information contained in one package, I thought the only way to really get the feel of how Blast Off! could help with my own life – and develop my own flight plan – would be to work through the book slowly and surely.

Allison opens her heart in the Introduction, sharing her story with you: her courage and determination shines through, which really inspired me to reflect on my own life path and consider how I could step forward to create my own reality with her help.

Blast Off! is an incredible book which could better be described as a life-manual. Allison covers a variety of areas in life where there is always room for improvement, so this truly is a BOOK FOR LIFE. You can always dip in and out of sections as your life changes, ever-flowing towards new opportunities, new dreams.

I loved the Big Picture Vision Board, thrilled to bits with my own. Blast Off! also walks you through very easy steps to achieve your dreams, breaking down your vision into bite-size chunks meaning that no dream is impossible. You feel nurtured and cared for by Allison, as she steps out from the pages of Blast Off! and helps you to figure out exactly what you want from life – and how you can get it.

My personal favourites were:
Chapter 1 – Blast Off! to a life of passion and meaning
Chapter 2 – Blast Off! to soulful living
Chapter 3 – Blast Off! to limitless living
Chapter 8 – Blast Off! to adventure and amusement

I will be working through this book for a long time, believe me! So if you have always wondered what life coaching was all about but had been a little wary of finding your own life coach to work with, I really do recommend Blast Off! with all my heart as a starting point … an invaluable guide at a gem of a price, which is a drop in the ocean compared to the treasures you will unearth as you work through this book and watch your life transform.

Blaststation is also an amazing concept, where for a very small monthly fee you can access a unique life-coaching software program which is web-based (so no downloads) which is interactive with some great tools and the perfect way to access life-coaching from the comfort of your own home, accompanied by the Blast Off! book.

I truly believe this book will be an invaluable tool for absolutely everyone – and anyone – who feels stuck in life but has a dream. I will be recommending this to all of my clients and really look forward to watching my dreams take shape as I use my Sun-Up Script™, Rocket Words™ and Mini Feats™ on a daily basis.

Go on … be brave, be fearless and create your new life with Blast Off!

* * * * *

Please read Allison’s message below and then go see for yourself why Blast Off! hit the bestsellers list on it’s very first day of launch! Enjoy your sparkling new life where your dreams will surely become reality following Allison’s easy step-by-step coaching programme in your own time, using your own flight plan.

Find Your Purpose

By Allison Maslan, author of Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality

As you set out to find your purpose, or first commit to living a life of purpose, what drives you may still feel a bit elusive. Many people have no idea if they have a real purpose on earth. Ask a friend randomly what their life purpose is, and they may take a long pause before answering, “Good question. I’m not sure.” Well, I’m here to tell you (and them) that you do have a purpose and it’s probably not as mysterious as you think.

Most likely its right under your nose. Maybe your purpose is to feed hungry children, build a gigantic bridge, love your children, or just be in the moment. Your life purpose is most likely connected to the areas that create passion and meaning in your life. Here are some simple steps for accessing your life purpose.

Get in touch with what really matters to you in the world and in your life. What do you get passionate talking about, reading or exploring? Before taking impulsive action steps toward a new career, business opportunity, or new relationship, ponder what gives you that inner surge of excitement. This could be the most important key for long-term staying power and success.

Gather your thoughts and focus your energy toward these ideas. Find a way to involve yourself in this activity.

Explore several possibilities before settling on one. However, if one really moves you, then go for it!

Connect with other people on a regular basis who are passionate about these ideals or activities.

See how you feel in this new arena. Does it stir your Secret Spark energy? This is what we call “alignment,” or “being congruent.” When we are expressing our true inner thoughts, beliefs and ideals through external actions that match those thoughts, beliefs and ideals, we are operating in harmony rather than in conflict. The “practice-what-you-preach” philosophy.

Not doing what you love could be very harmful to your health and your prosperity. Most people think that doing what you love is a luxury, so they settle for something they don’t enjoy. Someone who loves your career more than you do will no doubt perform the job better than you. This person will eventually be greatly rewarded because this work matters to them. Part of what you’ll get from being out of alignment in your work is dissatisfaction and burnout.

In my new book Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality, you will be guided to find your purpose in life. The book is set to release in this month! Wouldn’t you like to get some great gifts as a thank you for purchasing my book? See how at http://www.myblastoff.com/booklaunch/.

Blast Off! workbook by Allison Maslan

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Over the past 4 – 6 weeks I have been bombarded by emails from well-respected coaches and professionals, reminding me that now is the time to prepare New Year resolutions and be ready for a sparkly new decade.  Some of these emails have offered heartfelt assurances that if I follow their program at the never-to-be-repeated special price, I will step into the 2010 as a new person!

What’s so wrong with “me” being me?!  Indignant at the idea that I have to whip myself into a frenzy and get myself a new improved Callie for the new year and new decade, I found myself looking back over the past decade with amazement. I have had some real highs, some real lows, shown incredibly bravery – some would say utter foolishness, no doubt! – but I have also wholeheartedly stepped fully into my own personal power.

How many of us actually sit down and make a list of all our achievements – at any point in our lives?  Not many, I am guessing … so why not take a moment to take stock of how magnificent you are and take note of all your achievements this past decade (undeniably a very difficult time for most people), and celebrate New Years Eve knowing that you ARE fabulous?

Here is my list of my Top 10 personal achievements for this decade:

1.  Surviving the Millenium Party

I vividly remember the furore surrounding the Millenium, forecasting that the world would come to an end as Big Ben chimed on 31st December 1999. More a dinner-party girl than raucous booze-up chick, no-one was more surprised than I to find myself ringing round friends on 30th December 1999, asking them to bring a bottle to my house the next night.  With a friend assisting me in the kitchen, we started backing (and knocking back sherry) to celebrate each country’s passing into the new Millenium.  Too much sherry is not a good thing but we had an excellent time and I remember standing on top of the bridge, near to our home, with my 9-year-old son just after the midnight chimes and breathing in the new energies of 2000, hungry for change.

2.  Capturing my dream job

The hunger which started on 1st January 2000 escalated into an all-out fixation on moving away from our small town, with little hope of a future for myself or my son as he grew up; on 10th July 2000 (my 30th birthday) I attended three interviews in London, and was offered all three positions … one of them my dream Human Resources job.  Elation turned to tears.  Alas, instead of listening to my heart and my instincts, I chose to listen to well-meaning friends and family; this little bird just didn’t believe in herself enough to move her son & her whole life up to London in just one month.  Thus one golden opportunity slipped by …

3. Finding my wings

In 2002, the hunger had turned into desperation … August Bank Holidays saw us (my son and I) moving into a tired, tatty home in an area of London we had no knowledge of.  No job, limited savings, no friends or family living within reasonable commuting distance.  All we knew was that my son could start school in a few days time at a local school.  Incredibly brave – or unbelievably foolish?  All I knew was that I had to act on my instincts and despite feeling lonely and having to work through some very bad times, I’ve never once regretted taking flight in order to give us both a better future.

4.  Embracing the new

As a single mum, I had never been abroad on holiday – that is, until I met my wonderful partner in 2003.  Wanting my first flight to be a memorable one, he chose to take me away to New York for Thanksgiving … a fantastic experience for anyone, let alone for someone who had never boarded a plane before! Oh boy, he had no idea what he was about to unleash … a geek who adores planes with an unsatiable wanderlust!

5.  Conquering the fear of water

The wanderlust within saw my son and I setting off to Egypt, a dream holiday destination for me after years and years of reading and researching Egyptian mythology … not only did we see the pyramids (a little disappointing, tainted by the “lookie for free” chants of locals desperate for baksheesh – monetary tips/bribes), but we also explored Wadi Rum and Petra in Jordan.  However, my real achievement was conquering my fear of water – specifically drowning! – and learning to snorkel!  Sure, I still swim like a drowning dog and hate snorkelling in choppy waters or being out of my depth, but I managed to get burnt ears by snorkelling for 5 hours at a stretch once a patient new friend encouraged me to see the world just under the surface!

6. Passing my Holistic Massage qualification

Strange that my new career was ultimately decided by an Italian course being over-subscribed (!), but passing my Holistic Massage qualification despite ill-health, a demanding job and a very traumatic domestic episode is one of the real major achievements in my life!

7.  Pastures new

Aforesaid trauma led us to seek new pastures and here, in our village, I finally found a place in the world where I felt safe and free to be me.  The achievement was listening to my intuition and knowing we would be led to a place that was perfect to us, and knowing that I can pack up and move with just 9 days notice – and still be working full-time throughout!

8. New home, new career

Soon after moving to our new home, I was gifted the opportunity to travel to Mumbai (and the Maldives) for just under one month … whilst there, the decision was jointly made with my partner to leave my stressful job and instead follow my heart.  Another brave/reckless decision?!  Hey, I was getting pretty good at these!!!

9.  Standing proud

In mid-2009, it was perhaps the biggest “wow” feeling that a proud Mum can have … watching my son at his pass-off parade as a Household Cavalry Mounted Trooper, fulfilling his childhood dream.  I was so proud I almost exploded!

10.  Validation …

It is really hard to pick out 10 specific achievements, but I need to give the last spot to my most recent achievement.  After much hard work and a feeling that perhaps my legs were moving but everything else was static, I was invited at the beginning of December to launch a new programme of seminars (due to start Spring 2010) as a co-lecturer by someone I very much look up to as a leading light in my field.  Validation, if ever it were needed, that I am on the right path and that all my efforts have been recognised … how wonderful!

Looking back over the past decade, I am amazed that so much has taken place and that I have been blessed with so many opportunities and so many wonderful friends, not least my amazing partner who supports me no matter how mad my ideas may seem to the outside world!

However, the one thing that the Noughties have given me is the knowledge that I have stepped into my full power, fully embracing the Divine Feminine and giving me an incredible opportunity to share with others all that I have learnt on the rocky path that led the way through 2000-2009.

I would love to know what your Top 10 achievements in 2000-2009 have been so please do get in touch if you would like to share and celebrate how amazing YOU are!

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I wondered:

“What if we as a global community, this New Year’s Eve for 2010
joined together in lighting Fires of Forgiveness
all across the Planet in a
Great Wave of Forgiveness??

A releasing from our Hearts of all the peoples
we have ever felt wronged us?

How much healing and light would that bring?

How much more compassionate would we become?

How much lighter would we feel?

So here’s my invitation for this New Year’s Eve
when the firecrackers announcing the New Year pf 2010 are lit

Let’s visualise each beautiful firecracker as Fires of Forgiveness
with each crackling, shining Firecracker
our personal Fire of Forgiveness
freeing us from anger, pain, hurts, wounds, and so on

… and we become FREE in the Forgiving we give from our hearts

I’ll meet you there

– let’s see what kind of a New Year’s Eve party
we can create for 2010 through the Fires of Forgiveness

Shared by email from a friend – sadly, alas, no idea of its original author but I liked the concept enough to share with you all

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We are so very happy to announce that we have already made over £170 for Afghan Heroes via our Holistic Feathers fundraising page.

Thank you so much to all those who have contributed so far … we are very grateful to you for your support, particularly as this cause is so dear to our hearts.

We will continue to raise awareness for Afghan Heroes over 2010.

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Christmas is such a wonderful time for gathering together with our loved ones, it seemed really important that – somehow – we at Holistic Feathers could support our chosen charity, Afghan Heroes, and all that this newly-formed charity stands for.

(If you would like to find out why we are supporting Afghan Heroes then please kindly read our Charity page – it’s a very personal thing.  Sending unconditional love to our troops and the area is a core element of our personal meditation practice.)

Part of Afghan Heroes “mission” is to gather donations of cash and items to ensure that every single soldier, on every tour of Afghanistan, will receive a parcel ‘from home’. These parcels will include basics such as letters, antibacterial gel, toothpaste, magazines, biscuits, shower gels and DVDs and the aim is to ensure they know they, and their work, is appreciated from us back home.

Our dream was to hold a Christmas Open House Extravangza on Saturday 5th December 2009 and we were blessed with many offers of support, free publicity and raffle prizes from our friends and contacts made through networking.  As well as providing a stress-free shopping experience for some gorgeous Christmas gifts, conversation over mince pies and mulled wine and a chance to learn more about yourself with the Self-Mastery Game, we were also going to hold mini pamper-sessions where all profits raised were going to Afghan Heroes.

However, we have sadly – and very reluctantly – had to postpone plans for this fundraising event due to unforeseen circumstances  (I am currently undergoing medical tests).  All of the Christmas goodies are still available at our online store!

Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to the following amazing people for their enthusiasm and support for a cause which they know is so close to our hearts:

Anne Jones & Brenda Targett – Anne Jones

Azmina Jiwa – Happiness Life Coach

Debbie Mulkern – Ripple Limited UK

Fiona Syrett – Utilities Warehouse

Kate Wardman – Self-Mastery Game

Rachna Sachdeva – Mums In Control

Sofia Benke – Salt Cave

Plus we would also like to thank our friends and relatives who were willing to donate their time – and catering skills – to help out on 5th December … rest assured we will be planning something much bigger in 2010!

If you would like to make a Christmas donation via our (Holistic Feathers) fundraising page for Afghan Heroes, please kindly click on the image below …

Thank you so much for your kind generosity,

With bright blessings,

Callie x x

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