Adrienne’s Weight Loss Story

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I just lost 40.4 pounds while working with Renee Simon. For the last 11 years I have been trying to loose weight. Weight Watchers didn’t work as I would gain all the weight back. My doctor wrote in his files “obese. ”    I tried on my own but of course gained more. My doctor put me on a weight program where a scale is sent to me and whenever I weigh myself it goes  directly to him. I was supposed to be given a nutritionist with the program, but as my luck would have their nutritionist left and I had no one to help me.  I luckily found Renee. It’s been a godsend. I’ve been on the program since January 2023. As of today, September 18th, 2023 I have lost 40.4 pounds. The best part is I’m actually keeping it off. I’m now wearing clothes I haven’t fit into since 2005.  I am so happy I cannot express. The other day I dropped something on the floor and had to bend down to get it. I realized that’s the first time I bent down with absolutely NO difficulty!!!  I cannot recommend Renee‘s talents enough!   I’ve included before and after photos so you can see the difference yourself!!

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Interview With Adena Blickstein, MD

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Here is a Youtube Video interview with me discussing holistic health and healing approaches for infertility, Interstitial Cystitis, and many other common problems.

Women’s Empowerment Workshop: Kickstart The New Year! January 6, 7-8:30 PM EST

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What I realized at the last half day women’s empowerment retreat that I hosted a few months ago, is that women love to be together to share ideas and support each other in community. It makes sense since many of us are ready to grow and move forward in our lives and celebrate who we are while moving towards our life purpose and actualizing to the next level. To this point, I decided to host a workshop for women who want to create their best lives in 2023, reach some new goals, and blossom.
Here is the agenda:
  • Movement to get your juices flowing (think yoga stretching, tai chi, free dance)
  • Guided meditation to help you manifest what you desire in 2023
  • Visualization and free writing to help you create your 2023 plan
  • Sharing with other like-minded sisters
January 6th is the first full moon in 2023. It is a Full Wolf Moon so join our pack and let’s do some howling together! The program is virtual so you can join from where ever you are. Investment is $35 before 12/31 and $40 after that. To register call (914) 760-7763 or [email protected]. Payment is through Venmo or Zelle.

Women’s Empowerment Retreat, October 15, 10-1 PM

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Join a small group of women who want to grow and reach their potential with other wonderful, like-minded ladies. The retreat will include some movement (think yoga stretching, tai chi, free dance) to wake up your spirit. Journeying and  free writing to learn more about your soul’s calling, and guided quiet reflection time to tap into your highest self and divine light.  Other inspiring activities to help you let go of areas where you feel stuck so you can dream about and manifest your future. The event will be a combination of outdoors and indoors socially distanced, $99 for the full program including drinks and snacks. To enroll email Renee at [email protected] or call (914) 760-7763. Address to be given upon registration.

Reiki 2 Class – December 10, 1-5

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Reiki 2 Class – December 10th, 1-5 PM,  30 minute break

This class will advance your intuitive knowledge and ability to heal yourself and others. The class will start with a review from Reiki 1 and delve deeper into the ancient art of Reiki including the following advanced techniques:

    • Learning and using Reiki symbols for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing
    • Distance healing to send Reiki to anyone anywhere in the world
    • Methods to clear old habits and muscle memories that don’t serve you
    • Chakra balancing techniques
    • Rooting to balance and protect yourself from negative energy and people
    • Hands on practice to help you solidify the teachings

Limited Space: Call 914 760-7763 to Register

Class investment: $250, includes all class materials, and attunement

Virtual Restorative Yoga October 3rd

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Restorative yoga is for anyone who would like to relax & renew. No prior yoga experience  is needed. You will be guided into restorative poses using props you have at home to make you comfortable in a completely supportive environment for total relaxation.

The restorative sequences will:

  • Help your spine and open tight hips, hamstrings & shoulders
  • Detoxify and strengthen your organs, and Improve focus & energy
  • Decease stress, anxiety, depression & pain
  • Enhance your body’s ability to heal itself
  • Bring balance to body, mind, & spirit
  • Help you de-stress and quiet your nervous system

In addition to the restorative sequences there will be

  • Pranayama breath work
  • Light stretching
  • Yoga Nidra practice – A guided deep relaxation to help you quiet your mind and melt away

Questions for Renee: (914) 763-9107

3-4:15 PM, $15, online via zoom

Call or text  1 (914) 760-7763 or email at [email protected] to reserve your spot and get the zoom link! Payment with Venmo or Zelle. Have your yoga mat or something else to lie down on, a couple of pillows, blanket and yoga blocks if you have them. Other classes are November 7, December 5th.

 

 

 

Face What You Need to Change

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This quote from James Baldwin really hit home for me. I have been having a few old health issues showing up recently. Whenever there is something challenging it is normal human behavior to try to ignore or hope it goes away. I did that for awhile, fully knowing that there was something deeper emotionally I had to look at. As a mind body practitioner, I truly believe that most physical problems also have a mind/emotional component. When we have a handle on the role the mind and emotions have on the body we can really go deeper into whatever is ailing us, and in many cases the problem will resolve.

I remembered a technique I learned in my Mindfulness Teacher Training class called dialoguing with a symptom or body part and decided to try it. The techniqe is simple. Take some breathes, relax completely and than connect to the part of you that needs support. Once you feel connected start dialoging asking questions such as “why are you there,” “what do you need to tell me,” “what do you need from me to feel better,” etc. After spending a few minutes practicing this technique I got a very strong story as to what the origin of the problem was and what I needed to do to feel better.

If you are struggling with an illness or a symptom of some sort and you have done the traditional medical approach and still not seeing any results, it may be time to look at something deeper. Healing is a complex process that usually needs time and multiple tools to help.

Feel free to contact me if you need help with this practice or any other mindfulness practices to get outside of your head and balance your body, mind and spirit.

 

 

Self-Care Strategies for the New Year

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Self-Care Strategies – I hope you find the list below helpful as you start the new year.

  1. Quiet Your Mind

Meditation is an incredible way to find balance and harmony in your mind and your body. When you commit to a daily meditation practice, you are inviting yourself to slow down, reconnect with your highest self, and set a daily intention for wholeness, balance, and well-being.

What to Listen for:

Anytime you notice tension, anxiety, or a sense that you are frazzled, stressed, or off-balance, take this a cue to slow down.

What Daily Self Care Looks Like:

  • When you recognize a lack of balance in the mind or body, take a moment to sit comfortably with your eyes closed and notice how your body feels, becoming aware of any tightness, stress, or tension. As you breath, send energy into the area of tension with the invitation to soften, ease, and heal.
  • Carve out time each day to meditate. It is as simple as that. Even if you only have five minutes a day, take that time to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and bring awareness to your breath.
  1. Get Your Zzzzz’s

A good night’s sleep is overwhelmingly underrated. Without this basic form of self-care, your body will have a much more difficult time releasing stress and resetting itself for the day ahead.

What to Listen for:

How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed? Are you tired throughout the day? Notice your energy levels, and take them as a clue for whether or not you are getting the restful sleep your body needs.

What Daily Self Care Looks Like:

  • Get between seven and nine hours of restful sleep each night.
  • Prepare your body for restful sleep with a healthy bedtime routine, including taking a hot bath, disconnecting from technology an hour before bedtime, and winding down with gentle yoga, journaling, reading, and soothing aromatherapy.
  1. Energize Your Body

Exercise provides the body and mind with energy, stimulation, and balance. Of course movement looks different for everyone, depending on physical abilities and limitations. Daily exercise can be as simple as incorporating more walks into your day-to-day life and gardening, or attending yoga, spin, or martial arts classes regularly.

What to Listen for:

Notice how still and how active you are in any given day, as well as your energy levels. If you notice that your energy is feeling stagnant, your digestion is imbalanced, and your motivation to move is low, it may be time to put some focus on strengthening and moving the body.

What Daily Self Care Looks Like:

  • Carve out 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (such as jogging) per week.
  • Incorporate two days each week of strengthening exercises which work all the major muscle groups.
  • Find a yoga class that is suitable for your level and make it a habit.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator to squeeze in your exercise.
  • Take supplements for energy such as a good multi-vitamin mineral complex, extra B’s, D3, and a probiotic.
  1. Design a Colorful Diet

The famous saying “You are what you eat” rings true, therefore, it’s important to be mindful of everything you put in your body each and every day to best support your health.

What to Listen for:

Become aware of your cravings and eating habits. Educate yourself on where your food is coming from and notice how colorful your menu is each day.

What Daily Self Care Looks Like:

  • Eat the Rainbow: Include plenty of fruits and veggies in your diet to ensure your body is getting the right mix of nutrients every day. Eat 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 fruit to keep sugar intake down.
  • Stock up on Grains: Incorporate whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and oats into your daily diet.
  • Choose Plant-Based Proteins: Such as nuts, legumes, pea and chia seed protein, and high protein grains like quinoa.
  • Avoid Processed Foods: Minimize sugars, red/processed meat, trans fats, and salt.
  1. Eat Mindfully

It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat that matters to your physical health. Just like we rush from event to event in life, we can run through our meals, causing our bodies to physically digest the hurry of the day, leading to overeating, digestive issues, and even malnutrition.

What to Listen for:

Tune into the inherent needs of your body and eat accordingly. Notice when you’re hungry, when you’re full, and what foods make you feel energized, anxious, heavy, and sluggish—and observe how your eating habits affect your mood and well-being.

What Daily Self Care Looks Like:

  • Eat only when you’re hungry.
  • Stop eating when you are full, trying your best to leave a quarter of your stomach empty to properly digest your meals.
  • Plan to eat in relaxed environments, away from technology, stressful conversations, and work.
  • Eat slowly, gratefully, and joyfully.

 

What I learned from tropical storm Isaias

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Storms are hard. There is the fear of not knowing how bad it will be or how to prepare adequately. There is also fear watching the storm with the trees blowing in the wind and seeing branches coming down and hoping nothing will damage your house or property. I have had several trees come down in different storms and damage my house and deck. And then there is the aftermath of the storm in terms of cleaning up the debris, getting all of the trees that are down cut up and off the property and finally getting any lost power, internet and cable back up.

During Isaias, I was home watching the storm and went downstairs to where I felt it safest when the eye of the storm hit about 2 PM. I heard branches come down and later found two down trees on the property where I am renting, one making a nice sized hole in the gravel driveway. We lost power, cable and internet. I was incredibly lucky to have a partial generator which kept my refrigerator going, some lights on as well as microwave and toaster oven. I made 3 nights of prepared foods the night before the storm as a precautionary step. We had extra batteries for 3 lanterns and enough propane for the generator. I felt ready. We were lucky to get our power restored in 2 days. It took over 2 weeks however, to get our internet and cable back.

Here is what I learned from the experience:

  1. Having no cable TV was an inconvenience as I like relaxing with Netflix at night, but I enjoyed playing cards, doing cross word puzzles, reading, doing yoga stretches and drawing in my mandala coloring book. I also just closed my eyes and did nothing for just a few minutes which I seldom do which was very relaxing and helped me to sleep better.
  2. For the first week I stayed positive and upbeat, grateful that I had my power restored, had water, etc. I was fine without internet and used the offices at my town to catch up on email and do zoom yoga and nutrition appointments. They were genuinely nice in giving me the space and I was sure it was only for a few days.
  3. By the beginning of the second week frustration set in. I called Optimum many times and got no where with support and service. First, they refused to send anyone out insisting it was because of electricity outages around, even though we had no electric problems. Later, they sent out several people who were the wrong people and could not fix outside problems. I was on hold waiting to speak to a support person for at least an hour every time and most were from another country and far away from the problem. I felt anger creeping in and a sense of hopelessness and loss of control.
  4. Finally, I surrendered to the situation and gave up worrying about it and was resigned that it would be fixed when it was the right time. It was helpful that a good friend offered a spare room in her house for me to do all of my appointments so although it was inconvenient to run over there so much, I had a plan that was working.
  5. It felt good to relax about it and I realized that there were many others in the same situation, so I had empathy for them instead of worrying about my own situation. I also learned that a lot of my fear -based behavior was from conditioning that I had to get all my work done and not let down any of my clients by canceling appointments.
  6. I came to realize that losing internet and cable was worth the sacrifice so that the town and state senator could escalate the problem and that hopefully if we get a similar storm or worse there will be a better solution.
  7. The bottom line is we are all so dependent on technology these days that if it goes down, we are in trouble. I am hoping the experience will help the cable and utility companies to have a better emergency plan and that our local officials will take them to task with fines or whatever would help to fix the problem.
  8. For me, the bottom line is to be prepared, let go of what I cannot control and remain calm and at peace regardless of the storm. I am hoping we have all built resiliency from this experience that well help us to navigate future storms and other emergencies, as well as the rest of the this Covid experience.

I would love to hear what you have learned from the storm if it effected you and from Covid. My heart goes out to everyone in Louisiana and Tesas that have it much worse with Hurricane Laura.