You might say that money isn’t everything, but if you don’t have it, it’s right up there with oxygen. Medical research tells us that financial distress is the number one cause for ill health. This is an alarming fact! Did you know that all major diseases are associated with stress, and that having money problems is the biggest contributor to stress? 

Stress is a silent killer and the root cause to gaining unwanted, excess weight. Money and health work hand in hand. Let’s face it: when we are under stress, healthy eating habits are hard to maintain. You may eat to your fill and grab fast food because you’ve got no time to waste. 

A stressful lifestyle is rarely a healthy one!Cortisol is a critical hormone also known as the “stress hormone.” Excess amounts of cortisol not only result in general weight gain, but also weight gain in specific areas such as your tummy. We should certainly be more conscious of what stresses us out from now on!

So, does healthy living really cost more?

It certainly can. Organic foods, fresh produce, gym memberships, personal trainers, sports teams, and having the right equipment and gear can all become expensive. But you might want to ask yourself, is being sick more expensive than living healthy? The answer is yes!

Health certainly needs to be a big feature on your expenses list. Good planning makes these expenses do-able. There are many stores offering healthy choices. You may want to shop around to find where you can get the best deals.

Suze Orman, an internationally acclaimed personal finance guru, says: “In most cases, your health goes down the drain when you have wealth problems. You don’t go to a doctor because you don’t have the money. You don’t eat the right food because you don’t have money. You worry all the time because you don’t have money. Your blood pressure is high because you don’t have money, and on and on. This is why your health must be your priority. Your health is the number one important thing in your life.”
Financial comfort means reduced stress. It means we can focus on what it takes to be healthy, and these things are having a clear mind, time to exercise, keeping active, and eating well.

Financial comfort means you are able to live a healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle benefits not only your body and mind, but your spirit as well. Moderate exercise, nutritious food, good hygiene and adequate sleep are the basic ingredients for a healthy body.

“I’d rather have my health than all the money in the world.” How often have your heard people say that? But in reality, health and wealth is not an “either/or”, it’s an “and/and” – wealthy people are generally healthier and live longer than poor people. If you want to take care of your health, you need to take care of your wealth and if you take care of your health you are taking care of your wealth.

So what has wealth got to do with health? A LOT!

See you at the gym!

John Gray, Ph.D. is the #1 bestselling relationship author of all time. He is the author of over 20 books, including The New York Times #1 Best-Selling Relationship Book of All Time: MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS. His books have sold over 50 million copies in 50 different languages around the world. His unique focus is assisting men and women in understanding, respecting and appreciating their differences. John’s advice can be easily used to improve relationships at home and in the workplace.

I had the privilege of spending some time with John in Dubai. He shared seven great insights on creating deep relationships at work and in life.

1. The Difference – Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

Men and women mistakenly expect each other to think, communicate and react the way they do themselves. Accepting the difference is the key. Knowing we WON’T understand each other. From this place we can build a solid relationship.

2. How to Avoid Arguments

Remember that the person objects not to what you are saying but to how you are saying it.
Men need to know that by acting as if they are always right may invalidate a women’s feelings.
Women need to become aware of when they send messages of disapproval instead of disagreement as this will ignite a man’s defenses.

Reframing to the others person’s understanding is the key.

3. Discovering Our Different Emotional Needs

Support each other by giving what the other needs not what you need in that instance.

4.Men go to Their Caves and Women Talk

This is the biggest difference in how men and women cope with stress. He feels better about solving problems and she feels better talking about them.

5. Communicate Difficult Feelings

When we get upset, disappointed, frustrated or angry, it is difficult to communicate in a non judgmental or blaming way. By releasing these feelings, your chances of being understood and accepted are much greater. Writing out your negative feelings is an excellent way of releasing the intensity and will give you greater awareness to adjust your approach.

6. Asking For Support

If you want to GET then you have to ASK. Say no more.  You know what they say about making assumptions…..

7. Speaking Different Languages

We have the same words but the way they are used have different meanings. Their expressions are similar, but they have different connotation or emotional emphasis. So know you are probably experiencing misinterpretations or misunderstanding not judgment or criticism, knowing this is the secret to good communication.

So there you have it. Thanks John, it certainly was a hilarious few days.  Men are indeed from Mars! 

Rasheda Khatun, philanthropist, public speaker and life planner, was not always celebrating her life, but something made her change.

RASHEDA KHATUN’S PASSION FOR celebrating life derives from her experience of facing death. She has experienced first-hand the gift of life and now lives each moment with joy. It is her daily mission to motivate everyone else to do the same.

From an early age, Rasheda discovered that life is what you make it. Her enquiring mind and curiosity about the world meant she always wanted to know why things were the way they were. In 2006, in the midst of her successes, Rasheda was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a cancer in its final stage.
Her chances of survival were slim and treatment offered a 50/50 chance of cure. If unsuccessful, Rasheda was looking at a possible lifespan of around 6 months. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts about how her family – especially her parents – would deal with her death and how this would impact them. Hearing the grim diagnosis, her family could not help but mourn the thought of losing their daughter and sibling.

Soon after Rasheda was diagnosed, her entire family came flooding through the door to see her, most of them wailing and mourning. People were entering the house and rooms and did not even acknowledge her. She began to freak out. She jumped up to make sure they could see her and reminded them that she was still alive. She was upset that her family had placed her in the grave already and in that moment she decided she would not mourn her death today, as today she was still alive. She would also not let anyone else mourn her while she was kicking and breathing. She decided that she would live fully every day, even if she only had six months to live, for you can live a whole life in just one day. That’s what she did and what she continues to do today.

Chemo was aggressive and Rasheda was too weak to even open a bottle of water. She became reliant on friends and family to take care of her. She explains with great detail that the extreme physical and emotional pain is just like you see in the movies – you vomit, you’re tired, your taste buds malfunction, your hair falls out and your body hurts. In fact, you can’t even touch your body without hurting. The only thing you can rely on is your mental strength.
Rasheda lost all of her hair. For a young girl who takes her appearance seriously, that was a big deal and she tortured herself about it daily. She was in denial and kept postponing shaving it all off until it reached the point where it became comical. So, she simply combed it over, just like the old men who are going bald. When she finally did shave off her hair, she vomited through the whole process. The anxiety was just too much.

Her family suffered a lot as well. Rasheda knows now more than ever that cancer can be harder for the family than the patient. She knew she was in pain and could mentally train herself to handle it, however her family could do nothing but watch her suffer, not knowing what to do most of the time, but worry.
It was months after the initial shock that she began to engage the knowledge she already had – positive thinking, focus and intention to help her heal. Having the right body condition became increasingly important. She knew if her body was to endure such strong medication, it would need to be in the best condition possible. She was unable to physically exercise, so prayer and meditation became key. She found yoga and body balance (a mix of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi) as well as laughter and humour.
Rasheda made a real effort to work with her thoughts and calm her mind through meditation, prayer and stretching. She would find a place of stillness and focus. In a place of clarity she decided what she wanted – her life back.

Throughout her treatment she lived in celebration. She let go of her faith and simply lived in joy every day she was alive. Her family and friends embraced her way of living and became an integral part of her recovery.

She questioned why it took this life-threatening illness to see the true value and preciousness of life. As a result, she vowed to advocate for people not to wait for death to come knocking before seeing true living.

She wondered what happened to those who had no family and friends to support and love them, and of those who lived in poverty, or where treatment was not affordable or available.
After eight months of aggressive chemotherapy and to the surprise of her doctors, the cancer was successfully treated and eventually disappeared. Rasheda began to fundraise with friends to provide medical care for cancer patients so she could help them live fully, even if they had only one day to live.

She began working on her own life purpose after wondering why she was given a second chance. She found her life purpose – to help people live in celebration of who they are every day. She learnt that education gave life – long awareness and awareness gave freedom. It is the feeling of freedom that allows you to celebrate.

‘Celebration of Life’ became her mantra, which then became the name of her foundation – a philanthropy project spreading celebration as a way of life, helping cancer patients and those with life-threatening illnesses live fully. Celebration of life also brings education to those living in poverty so they can too build something of their lives and live in freedom. “Celebration of Life is a behaviour. It lives and breathes inside us. It is a reminder for us to celebrate everything that happens in our life,” 

“Please don’t wait till you loose a loved one, or face cancer, or have an accident or any other illness before you see the value in yourself. Embrace all your life events whether it’s joy or sorrow, because it is when we celebrate everything that we feel the preciousness of our life. Today you are alive and you can live a whole life in one day”
Rasheda has organised several masquerade balls, a carnival of colour and an angelic ball in the UAE. All were attended by hundreds and raised millions of dirhams for worthy causes, such as Cancer Research UK and Friends of Cancer patients UAE, Harmony House India, CNCF Vietnam and Mother Teresa Mission India.

Rasheda meets cancer sufferers through the organisation and shares her philosophy with them. “Believe in yourself. Don’t think about the future; just celebrate everything in your life at present. Focus your mind on joy and love. Allow yourself to be taken care of by your family and friends. Sharing the experience will lighten the burden, so join a support group. Make a choice to live every day and when you’re feeling blue, call on those you love and share,”she explains.

Rasheda believes that cancer did not come into her life to take it away, but rather to give her life. In June 2012, she completed five years in remission. Rasheda continues to celebrate her life with even more zest and urges everyone to “live every day in your own celebration, sharing with loved ones and strangers. Spread this energy and your world will be a fulfilling one”.

We all know fresh foods are good for us, and we all want to eat them, but our forever busy lives makes it somewhat challenging. Breaking through the change is the key to making eating well a part of your everyday lifestyle. Fresh foods are an important part of keeping your body healthy. But if you’re not used to eating fresh foods, they can be difficult to incorporate into your diet. Here are six fail-proof tricks that will help you get started:

Start small and snack. Carve out time in your day for snacking on fresh food. In the morning, try a bag of bright-orange baby carrots. Apples are a perfect late-afternoon snack. Start taking bananas, raisins, raw nuts or other simple foods to work to replace the snacks you might have gotten from the vending machine.

Next, work fresh food into all of your meals. Make your regular dishes healthier with a serving of fresh fruits or vegetables. Grate a carrot into your morning scrambled eggs or add fresh broccoli to complement your chicken and brown rice at dinnertime. It only takes a few minutes to add a serving of vegetables to your day.

Have berries for dessert or add them to breakfast. Replace that bowl of ice cream with mixed berries or add blueberries to your morning cereal. They’re rich in antioxidants and have been shown to prevent blindness. Try strawberries, raspberries or other berries for variety.

Shop strategically. Buy healthy foods and snacks that are easy to grab while you’re on the go.Put fresh food where you can see it. One of the most effective ways to eat fresh is to put healthy food where you can easily grab it.

Place a dish of apples on the coffee table or tuck a bag of raw nuts in your car. If you can see them, you’re more likely to choose the choose nutritious food instead of junk food when you’re hungry.

Prepare and store salads. If you don’t have time during the day to chop, dice and toss, simply prepare a large bowl of mixed greens, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, dried cranberries (whatever you like) at night. Then, store it in plastic bags or containers. That way, eating a healthy salad is as simple as open, pour and dress.
Eating fresh is about making simple changes in your diet. For more easy tips for healthy living, read Simple Health Value.

Consuming the right foods in your bodies makes a much fresher, sharper and happier YOU!


By Dr. Andrew Myers • July 31, 2013 • Healthy Eating

Becoming ‘health conscious’ is what everybody is talking about. There is so much advice out there today but how do you work out what’s best for you? For one, I think you you need to learn to listen to your body. Two, remember your grandmothers words – “if you don’t know what’s in it, don’t eat it.” And three, apply common sense first.

The fact is we MUST take care of our bodies in order to live a life full of vitality and just to do the things we want to be able to do.

Today I post an interview from Marie Forleo sharing the importance of really checking what is in the foods you are eating. Surprisingly some foods we assume are healthy, are in fact not.

It’s time to take care of yourself.

Marie Forleo,

Today is the last day of a 14 day detox I’ve been on.
Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything crazy like “drop 20 pounds in a week”.

Josh put us on it to help us cleanse our livers and reboot our bodies after a fun and indulgent summer.

Now I know food is a highly controversial topic and there are loads of strong, opposing views on what you should and shouldn’t eat.
I believe your health is the most important piece to creating a business and life you love (because without it — you don’t have anything else!), so I’m especially excited for you to watch this one.

Of course – as you know – what you choose to eat and consume is your choice and responsibility.

As I’ve said before, I know how heated and passionate folks can get about food. We all know that there’s a ton of conflicting science and research out there.
Not to mention the economic, moral, political, social and ethical implications our food choices can have.
I know it’s not always easy or affordable, but taking small steps to eat more real food (not processed or loaded with chemicals) is a great step in the right direction.

Shape.com, 9 September 2013.  By Ysolt Usigan

Next time your guy gets on your case about cuddle time—he says he’s too hot, needs his space, doesn’t feel like relaxing—present the evidence. Research suggests that there’s more to cuddling than meets the eye. Lovey-dovey’ness aside, the health benefits of cuddling will surely convince him to make time for it.

Reason 1: It Feels Good
Cuddling releases oxytocin, which is also known as the feel-good hormone. “It increases overall happiness,” says psychologist, physical therapist, and author of bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for 

Happiness Elizabeth Lombardo.

“Cuddling, holding, and sexual play releases chemicals, like oxytocin, in the brain that create a sense of well-being and happiness,” says Dr. Renee Horowitz, an ob-gyn who recently opened the Center for Sexual Wellness in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Cuddling can also release endorphins, which is the chemical released after a good workout or when you eat chocolate, Horowitz adds, which contributes to that great feeling.

Reason 2: It Makes You Feel Sexy
The most obvious benefit to cuddling is getting close to your partner in the physical sense. Cuddling can lead to fun sexy time or relaxing and loving time post sexual intercourse, but there’s also a chemical plus.

“There is also the release of dopamine, which is an excitatory hormone that increases sexual desire,” Horowitz says. Plus, studies show that sex is healthy for fitness and mental reasons, too. So it’s a win-win.

Reason 3: It Reduces Stress and Blood Pressure
Stress management coach and holistic therapist Catherine A. Connors reminds how physical contact with others can help to reduce stress. “Hugging, kissing, or more physical acts of touch increases oxytocin levels, which is a ‘bonding’ hormone—this chemical reaction can help to reduce blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease, but it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety,” Connors says.

Reason 4: It Bonds Women with Babies and Partners
According to Dr. Fran Walfish, celebrity doctor and author, cuddling is healthy for people because of the obvious factor of emotional attachment. “Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is closely linked to childbirth and breastfeeding, and a recent study shows that it has a biological role in bonding between mother and baby,” she says. “The study, led by Lane Strathearn, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, shows that women raised with insecure attachment themselves are more likely to have difficulty forming secure attachments with their children (and partners).”

It’s healthy to want to be close. “Too little or too much is not good. Observe and explore your own personal comfort zone. You will be a better communicator with your partner on how much feels good and when it gets too close for comfort,” Walfish says. “Your goal is to find a balance between your comfort zone and needs along with your partner’s.

Reason 5: It Helps You Communicate Better
According to David Klow, a marriage and family therapist in Chicago who works with many couples on how to improve intimacy in their lives, reminds us of one great benefit of cuddling and non-erotic physical touch. Most couples in marital therapy complain about communication issues, Klow says. “Most people want to feel understood, and communication is the vehicle by which they transmit understanding and empathy. Non-verbal communication can be a very powerful way to say to your partner, ‘I get you,’” he says. “Cuddling is a way of saying, ‘I know how you feel.’ It allows us to feel known by our partner in ways that words can’t convey.”

Make sure your life is full of cuddles and I am sure you’ll live a healthy, happy long one!

Wake up with me every morning and join me in my 6 essential steps to having an incredible day!

1) Stretch your body from head to toe. Circulate your head round 10X one way and then the other. Move your shoulders up and down and around 10X. Stretch your arms up and reach for the sky, stretching your rib cage on each side. Move your hips round in a circle, 10X in one direction and then 10X in the other. Join your knees together and make a little circle whilst bending your knees – do it 10X. Keep your legs straight and let your body fall forward. Reach for your toes and keep bouncing forward giving the back of your legs a good old stretch.

2) Time to breath. We are going to take 5 deep breaths using your diaphragm filling your lungs fully. Ready…? Good! First let all the air out of your lungs and squeeze your belly in. Now take a slow, deep, long breath. Fill your lungs letting your belly rise slowly. Breath in for as long as you can sipping that last bit of air and HOLD. 1, 2, 3 and release slowly squeezing in your belly. The key here is your pace – nice and slow. Imagine the goodness of oxygen filling your lungs and being circulated all around your body. Feel the oxygen pass your throat and fill your lungs. Imagine the healing powers oxygen alone has. Thank God for your ability to breath. Give it a go now.

I remember that day during my cancer treatment, I vomited so much I couldn’t breath. I thought I was going to die and at that point I was in so much pain, I wanted to. Today, 8 years later, I push myself to run 10km and at the last leg when I’m short of breath, I remember the day I couldn’t breath and then I run that last km in gratitude that I can, and I run till I get to that finish line! I love the taste of fresh air, it has a taste you know.

6) Make yourself a green juice. Look up alkaline juices and check out Jason Vale. Really give your body a good start. Layering your stomach with a green drink before you go have that coffee will keep you energized and alert. Knowing you are full of goodness. My green juice is made of:

1 avocado, 1 lime, a stick of celery, handful of spinach, parsley and Kale if you have it. Stick it in the juicer and Voila! If you have Green power, add a scoop of that too and a spoon of crushed nuts. Then enjoy.

There you have it folks. My 6 steps to an incredible day!

Now if you’re like me, you like to do many things at once. So the stretching can be done on the way to the bathroom – whilst your brushing your teeth and other things too  Whilst your breathing go put the kettle on and make that cup of lemon water and prepare for your green drink. And whilst you make that green drink think about the tasks you need to do for the day.

Wake up with Rasheda everyday.

A beautiful friend of mine passed away last night. She journeyed with cancer for 5 years. Each year as we donated at the Celebration Of Life Charity ball to help cancer patients with medical care and support, I did so with all those friends battling it out in mind. In hope that somehow I’m contributing to their lives too.

I write this in memory of Kerry Aldridge, always full of smiles, laughter and joy. How we ever got any work done together, I don’t know ;-)

I remember her support during my time. I feel deep gratitude that I am alive today.

I didn’t get to see her in her last months. I wish for her she was able to go as a free women.

I think now of the meaning of Celebration Of Life – our work is not to save lives…. No. Our work is to set people free – have them live life – even if they have one day to go, as it is only then one does not loose the fight.

I honor Kerry today, for her life – for all the conversations – for the things she did for others – those known to her and those not.

I wish for those around her to keep the love vibration held high – to drown themselves in honor and gratitude – To celebrate her life, a life well lived.

Those who die truly do gift us with life when they go.

All my love, from the heart,

Rasheda xx

Meet organising expert Shelina Jokhiya. She’s going to teach us how de-cluttering your environment will clean up your space while cleaning up all other areas of your life, too.

Born and raised in Kent, England, Shelina came to Dubai 9 years ago and was working as a lawyer. Today, she has her own business in helping people clean up!

What made you come up with your business idea? 

I first had the idea over 10 years ago with a friend. Being so organised ourselves, we thought it would be great to somehow use our skills, but never thought this could be a business. I started Googling organizational businesses last year, and found it to be a really big industry.

The typical executive wastes 150 hours a year (almost an entire month) searching for lost information. For someone earning $50,000 a year, this loss is equivalent to $3,842 annually.  Forbes ASAP

Tell us about the concept of your business.

I start by going into people’s homes or offices. I have a three-step process:

1. Declutter. I remove unwanted items, and shred unimportant and unneeded documents.

2. Organise. I create manageable systems to ensure everyone in the home or office can find things easily. A little bit of law and order goes a long way!

3. Train. You’ll say goodbye to clutter forever by creating new habits of keeping your space clean and minimal.

How does decluttering your life benefit your health?

Let’s start by looking at the cost of clutter on your heath:

* Stress from constantly facing the clutter

* Headaches from the stress

* Feeling tired

* Insomnia

* An increase in blood pressure which can lead to heart disease

This list goes on. De-cluttering has a huge impact on helping you improve your health through giving you more space, time, and energy to do the things that are important to you.

How does decluttering your life benefit your wealth?

* It reduces your shopping list. Clutter means we end up buying items we already have in our kitchen or wardrobe. Salt and sugar seem to be a constant recurrence in a lot of households. You don’t need multiple bags of these items!

* It reduce your bills. Have you ever missed bill payments because you’re unable to locate your bills? This can cause unnecessary charges and fines.

* It stops you from buying other items that you do not need, because you can now see what you currently have.

* It lets you sell your clutter. You will be surprised to find many items you no longer use which can be sold.

Please tell us about experiences where decluttering has helped someone live the life they love.

We worked with a family living in a large villa. I came in and totally removed the chaos in the house and create organised systems. The family now lives in a harmonised house. They have more time for each other.

I’ve worked with a senior executive business woman who spends most of her time working and has very little time to organise her day-to-day home life. Decluttering her home space got her to finish work early and spend more time relaxing and taking care of herself.

I then worked with a company that’s focused on profits for the last 10-20 years, but has not paid much attention to their back office systems or organisation needs. Decluttering their work space, filing system, and email inboxes has improved the overall company bottom line in addition to making their employees happy.

How do you help businesses?

Decluttr Me are here to maximize employees workspace through the process of reorganisation, archiving and shredding. We will help clear the office space, which will in turn clear the space in employees mind, unlock new ideas, create more business opportunities and reduce stress.  I provide two services to business – decluttering and organising in the office & training on the clean desk policy.

By decluttering the business and creating organised systems, I can help the company increase productivity and stop losing money (from time wasting and waste of resources such as paper). With the training, the service focuses on training employees to improve their productivity and learn how to utilise technology. With improved processes, your company can save money as well as enjoy a more clutter free, stress free, organised workspace and filing area.

So, if you want more space in your life or business, you probably need to de-clutter your home or office. Making physical space and having organised, manageable systems will really turn your life around. Whether it’s tidying up your email inbox, a disorganised kitchen, a messy filling system, or creating a clean desk policy, DeCluttr Me is the company to call.

Find out more about DeCluttr Me on www.decluttrme.com

Have a fabulous day!