On Forgiveness

We often find it hard to forgive and let go, but it is essential if we wish to be at peace. When we forgive others, we show love for ourselves, and release all negativity from our hearts. You don't need to tell the person you forgive him/her, and you don't need that person to accept your forgiveness. Forgive them even if they aren't sorry. Stand in front if the mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and think of the person you need to forgive most. Repeat-"I forgive you, and I set myself free."

Book Review of "Rework" by Heinemeier and Freed

Flip the pages of "Rework" and you will be pleasantly surprised by the black and white drawings that grace every other page. It is a bit unusual for a business book... When you start reading, you will realize this is an unusual type of book, giving unusual advice. Did I mention it is great advice, because I truly believe so!

"Rework" takes business outside of the box by making it available to everyone. One of my favorite concepts is getting rid of the word "entrepreneur", because it is dated. The writers suggest throwing away traditional ideas of what a business person looks and dresses like, and just making and selling a product or service YOU would want to buy. The book mocks workaholism, and gives many reasons as to why anyone can be successful by working normal hours.

The writers emphasize the importance of doing what works for your business, as opposed to doing what everyone else does to get ahead, ie: hiring more people, spending more on ads, acquiring more territory. You can't please everyone, so make sure you know what you're selling and who your customer is, and you will do great.

The most wonderful advice anyone doing any kind of business will benefit from, is to become educators. Let's "out-teach" the competition! Anyone can sell you a scarf, but the companies that take the time to make a video and show you 20 ways to tie it really stick out of the crowd. This is a brand that creates fans! This is the way I have done business for the last 8 years. Educating not only shows my professionalism and knowledge, but encourages customers to try to copy my technique and treatments to do better and make more money! A wonderful example of this in the book is comparing brand educators with chefs who openly publish their recipes and secrets. 

I love this book, it was a quick and pleasant read, and surely, very informative. I would definitely rate it as one of the year's best in business.

My Visit to a Tijuana Orphanage, and Info on How You Can Help

Dear friends, I would like to share my experience visiting an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, in hopes that it will inspire you to participate, donate, and show your love. I had the privilege of getting introduced to the Corazon de Vida Foundation by my friend, Veronica, who has been on many trips with them in the past, and came along with me and my friend Dana on our first visit! A bit of background - Corazon de Vida helps bridge the gap between orphaned children in Tijuana, Mexico and loving people who come to volunteer, sponsor children, and provide generous donations that make meals, clothing, and education available for these amazing kids. There are few things that can compare to the warmth, sincerity, and beauty of a child's smile, and when I saw these children's smiles, I could hardly believe how happy they were in that moment, surrounded by the rubble of Tijuana's houses. You will see the beautiful photos of the time we had bonding with the kids, but I'd like to start off by showing a couple of photos of Tijuana's landscape, and telling you about my journey.

I woke up at 4am, got dressed, packed my supplies into the trunk of my car, and drove to the arranged location to board a charter bus to Mexico at 5:30am. The bus makes 3 stops before the Mexican border - Los Angeles 5:30am, Irvine 6:15am, and San Diego 8:15am. My friend Gayane and her  sweet children made a shopping trip to help us with supplies that were much-needed at the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage. Some of the things we bought were shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, toilet paper and toothbrushes. Dana brought giant tubs of detergent, and what looked to be a life-time supply of toilet paper. Once we arrived at the border, we cleared the bus, it got x-rayed, and so did our posessions. We went through customs, and were in Tijuana by 10am. Corazon de Vida sponsors and visits 11 orphanages, but this day, we were at the Casa Hogar Sion - the largest, housing 90-100 children. There is a girl's and a boy's house, each has 2 floors with bunk beds. The children don't have personal possessions - there is one great big closet in each house - they wear whatever is clean and fits them. The dorm rooms may be poorly decorated and tight, but they are clean and bright, and so are the little inhabitants who dwell at Casa Sion.

I am a fluent Spanish-speaker, so communicating with the kids in their language was easy for me, but I can tell you without a doubt - there is no language barrier when it comes to love and care. The children are sweet, shy, and talented. Another volunteer brought a conga and you should have heard the great beats all of the kiddos were producing on that drum! Simply tremendous! The beauty in this photo is Rebecca -she's 9 years old and has 10 siblings, all of whom live at the orphanage... This was very hard for me to take in, and was very painful to hear. Some kids here are orphans, with deceased parents, some are left by parents who can't support them financially. Rebecca really touched my heart. She was playing board games with us, and got a fancy pink manicure and glittery makeup that day. I love her smile, I just adore it, she reminded me of myself at that age! There were little babies at the orphanage, barely 3 months old - Veronica held little Luis, who could barely hold his tiny head up, he was so small... It made me sad, but also made me grateful to know that there are good people out there who will adopt him. Hopefully... I met some young ladies who were academic stars! One just got accepted to Dental school, and the other to Veterinary school!  I respect their dedication and hard work on the way to triumph over poverty.

Dana and I didn't waste any time, and jumped in the kitchen at 11am, where we peeled and cut up fruit for a giant fruit salad until 1pm, and then served a mountain of hot rice, broccoli, and chicken to 150 people at lunch. It was a great experience, because we were able to physically help out where we were needed! 

We played, we made food, we ate, we talked, we drew and colored, we bonded, and at 2pm, we boarded the bus back to Los Angeles. It was hard saying goodbye, but I have already signed up for my next trip back to Casa Hogar Sion on December 6th - it's a Holiday trip, and you can sign up using this link

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bus-2-december-6-2014-cdv-holiday-bus-to-the-casa-hogar-sion-orphanage-tickets-13102643359?aff=efbnen. 

Please donate to the cause using this link! I am hoping to raise at least $500 for the kids by Christmas! I am sure that we can raise that amount and much more if we all pitch in a little (or a lot)! The organizer of the trip, George, pointed out how ripped and destroyed the sofas in the boy's dorm were, and said they desperately needed some leather sofas. I couldn't resist but to offer a pair of mine from the office. They were enjoyed here by clients and staff, but now its time to do some good in Mexico :) I am glad to keep the giving spirit, and I know you will fall in love with these kids, as well. I hope to see you all on my next trip, and remember - open your heart - let love out, let love in :)

 CLICK HERE TO HELP ME RAISE FUNDS FOR THE KIDS
 https://www.crowdrise.com/DashasCasaSionFundraiser/fundraiser/dashasaian

Happy Birthday, Louise L Hay

Today is Louise Hay's Birthday, she is 88 years young! If you are not familiar with this amazing woman, please look her up, and pick up one of her books. Louise's wisdom has been the strength that gave me power to overcome my mother's illness, and stand up to all the daily difficulties of life. I was fortunate to meet her 4 years ago in Toronto, ON at a Hay House event, where I gifted her some skin care items she is ....everything! Happy birthday, young fearless soul!

Dasha's Natural Oncology Protocols for a Healthy, Long Life

Helping people has become a big theme in my life, and I do it with love, and sincerity. This is a hard blog entry to write, but I trust that you will respect my vulnerability, and trust my advice. I want to help you all with your health and quality of life, but if you are currently under the supervision of an oncologist, I don't want you to do anything without consulting your doctor first.

 

A year and a half ago, my mother (best friend, soulmate, business partner, inspiration, motivation, and the most important person in my life) had a seizure, and was rushed to the emergency room. Unconscious, completely unaware of what was going on inside her head... little did she, or any of us know, that she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor the size of an orange, and given 5 weeks to live. 

This was a year and a half ago. 

My mother is alive and well today, and cancer-free!

I give credit to her strong will and exceptional motivation, and the amazing Dr. Badie at City of Hope, who agreed to operate on her, and removed the tumor. The video below about him will give you an idea about this man. He is an angel, and truly the strongest in his field. I am grateful every day for the spontaneous spark of idea in my head that pushed me to seek a second opinion, and move my mother to THIS hospital for treatment. It will be hard getting an appointment with him, but keep trying, don't give up! It took me almost 2 days of repetitive calling to get an OK to bring her over.

After her surgery, mom endured 6 weeks of daily radiation and chemo, and the same day she started this treatment, I put her on a special natural alternative cancer treatment plan. I am not a doctor, but I have studied nutrition, and did very much research after our diagnosis. Although there are many alternative oncology protocols that all work well (Cellect, Amygdalin B17, Gerson system juicing, mistletoe and hydrogen peroxide injections, etc), I have put together a plan which works best for my mom, without causing her discomfort, or interruption of regular medical treatment. I have mom on the Budwig Diet since May 1st.

This method is known to do wonders for people with cancer, even those who have days to live. Here is the recipe:

6 tablespoons of Organic Low fat cottage cheese

3 Tablespoons of Barlean's Fresh Flax Seed oil (unflavored without lignants)

blended together on low with a hand mixer until smooth like whip cream.

Add to that 2 tablespoons of FRESHLY ground flax seeds (you have to do it right away with a coffee mill, not pre-ground) eat this 2x day - morning and evening.

Here is the video how to do it. I also add 1 table spoon of turmeric to it, since turmeric is known to fight brain tumors.

I strongly believe in the power of mushrooms, such as reishi, shitake, maitake, and cordyceps. These supplements from Aloha Medicinals pack a powerful punch against inflammation, and increase immunity. Mom takes 6 in the morning, and 6 in the evening. The product is called Immune-assist Critical Care Formula 500mg of mushrooms. Believe it or not, we had an outbreak of shingles on her face recently, and her immunity was suppressed (+the dreadful chemo that was lowering it). It took us 3 weeks to raise her platelets from 90 to 165!

Nutrition is very important, and as a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, I believe that our bodies will heal ourselves when fed nourishing and balanced meals. I don't believe in processed foods, and I eat a simple diet of fruits and vegetables. To get the most into your system, get a juicer or a vitamix. Mom juices about 3lbs of veggies a day. I'd like you to get the book "The Body Ecology Diet" by Donna Gates. It will teach you how to alkalize your body, and reduce candida and inflammation that causes acne, poor digestion, weight gain, and allergies. She is an inspiration of mine, and an amazing person I adore and look up to! You can purchase this book by clicking on the Body Ecology link below.

As far as supplements, you need 5000IU of Vitamin D3 daily, and 1000mg of Vitamin C as well as 1000mg Calcium with 500mg Magnesium daily! Mom also takes a teaspoon of Organic Bee Pollen, daily, drinks roasted dandelion root tea to help her kidneys and liver function properly, drinks alkaline water from our machine, takes enzymes, and 500mg of bee propolis.

I truly believe that this approach is helping her thrive to this day. She has stood up from the wheelchair (she was wheelchair bound for 4 months), now walks all by herself (even takes the stairs), writes using her weak hand, and does many of the tasks she was able to do in the past!

P.S.Most importantly, I have saved the best formula for last!

Hope + Love = Miracles

Sending my love, and best wishes. Never give up!

Simple Advice for Total Well-Being

Want to boost your metabolism, oxygenate your body, aid your digestion, and re-energize? My simplest advice to you is:

1. Drink more water! We often can't think logically, get fatigued, dehydrated, and lazy just because we are lacking water in our system. A lot of times we end up over-eating, because we can't tell when we are genuinely hungry for a snack - often just water would be sufficient. (and no, coffee, juice, and soda don't count)

2. Become more aware of your breathing. Are you taking in enough oxygen? Can you feel your ribcage expanding when you take a breath? Take time and sit upright. Really pay attention to your breath, and breathe until you feel your fingertips and toes tingling with energy!

You Are Born Capable of Achieving Anything You Want

I feel like we often get desensitized, and need a daily reminder of how POWERFUL we are, and that we have infinite abilities! We are born capable of achieving anything we want, so stop dwelling in the past, creating excuses, and repeating habitual patterns, and do whatever it is you want! Turn your "should" into ---->"could", and the "could" into... ---->"DONE"! If you need a little push - this will be your daily dose of "get off your ass and ROCK it!"