A Balanced Perspective Weekly
onHealth and Wellness
September 10, 2005
1. Is Fertility Awareness Right For You?
2.Events You Can't Miss!
3. Cooking Classes
4. Holistic Health Counseling - In A Rut?
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1. Is Fertility Awareness Right For You?
(Natural Birth Control)
What's Wrong With The Pill?
I have seen many women come into my office who experience
uncomfortable side effects from using the Pill, as well as
women who have had terrible side effects when coming off of
hormones like Depo-Provera. I have also seen women with
symptoms that are often associated with hormonal imbalances
like acne, moodiness, PMS, and even difficulty losing weight.
Most women are in the dark about how their symptoms may
be associated with their hormone levels, let alone the
knowledge of what they can do about it.
In the last few years I have begun to learn about something
called the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). I have found it
to be a very effective tool for women to become more aware
and knowledgeable about their body. In fact, I would myself
consider it an essential piece of information for all women who
are in their fertile years. The cherry on top is that it can be
used as a natural method of birth control as well as help you
in your efforts to achieve pregnancy.
Not The Rhythm Method
Just so we’re clear, we are not talking about the rhythm
method. FAM is a system a woman can use to begin
understanding and interpreting her body’s signals throughout
her menstrual cycle. Through checking your temperature,
cervical fluid, and cervical position daily (it’s not as difficult as
you might think), you can learn to determine when you are
fertile and when you are not, completely naturally. You can
interpret the rise and fall of your various hormonal levels, and
even discover changes that occur when something is wrong.
Detect Problems That Could Go Unnoticed
I believe all women should be empowered by this information
about their own body. You do not have to have a medical
degree to comprehend or appreciate this very important
natural process that occurs every month.
Using FAM can alert you to problems that may need medical
attention like thyroid disease or PCOS. You can also
discover if you are not ovulating and seek treatment to
correct it. These are all common problems that you may not
notice as quickly had you not been using FAM.
Discover Your Body
Knowledge is power. And what better knowledge could you
have than that of your own body? It is very empowering to
understand how your own estrogen and progesterone levels
affect you at different times of the month and to be able to
prepare yourself for the symptoms. It is also empowering to
be able to partner with your doctor in discovering and
resolving problems that are related to your hormonal cycles.
How Effective Is It?
You may be wondering just how effective a natural birth
control method can be. Just like the pill, FAM has a “perfect”
use and “typical” use effectiveness rate. Its perfect use rate
is between 97-99%, which means that if 100 couples use the
method perfectly for 1 year, 1-3 will experience an unplanned
pregnancy (more detailed info at www.fertaware.com). The
other great news about FAM is that it allows for times of
spontaneity…no condoms, no diaphragm, and no spermicide
(except when fertile of course!).
Get Started!
So what now? How do you get started? I would love to go
into more detail, but this newsletter would turn into a book,
so I am going to direct you to the best person I know here
in the city who can teach you about FAM. Her name is Ilene
Richman and you can find her and more info on FAM at her
website www.fertaware.com
Ilene holds classes at the BEAUTIFUL Center For Health and
Healing here in the city. In just 4 two-hour workshops (you
also get a private follow-up session) you will have the tools you
need to begin. Call her to sign up. 212-475-4490
Want even more info?
Here are some websites to check out:
www.gardenoffertility.com Book: Garden Of Fertility
www.tcoyf.com Book: Taking Charge Of Your Fertility
www.justisse.ca
www.fertaware.com (Ilene’s site)
Please let Ilene know how you found out about her!
xoxo
Melissa
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"Before I came to Melissa, I felt very vulnerable and unbalanced.
As a dancer, I was experiencing frustration with my body and self-
image. Melissa explored with me, a wonderful holistic approach to
all my issues. The most valuable thing I discovered about myself
from my sessions with her (that I feel many women struggle with)
was my emotional attachment to food....(continued at end of
newsletter)"
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2. Events You Can't Miss!
1. Self-Esteem and Body Image Night
This was a great success last year and I'm looking forward
to doing it again. This will be at 7pm, October 19th.
Pre-registration is required and I am not charging for this
event, but a hat will be passed for a donation.
2. Partner Dancing Simplified!
Monthly Modern Jive Party - 4th Sat. of every month.
$15 at the door, $12.50 ahead of time - no partner needed
September 24th is the next party 8pm -12am
Located at Empire Dance: www.empiredance.com
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3. Cooking Classes
(located on the Upper West Side)
Organic Food, Organic FUN, and Good Company
"I truly enjoyed the cooking class. It was more than I expected.
I met some really interesting people, and Melissa was a great
instructor, patient and very informative. Not to mention the dish
we made (salmon burgers, quinoa,and our very own salad dressing)
were all so easy to make and very tasty and satisfying. I look
forward to taking another class soon" - Valerie-Saun Alerte
September 15 (1 spot available)
Veggie Burgers
Hummus w/ Tortilla Chips
Cool Cucumber Salad
Almond Apricot Cups
September 22
Vegetable Summer Rolls
Peanut Sauce
Nutty Millet
Garlic Sauteed Broccoli
October 13
Salmon Burgers
Spring Out Quinoa
Sunset Salad
Parsley Ginger Dressing
October 25
Garlic Braised Tempeh
Cranberry Wild Rice
Autumn Salad
Element Dressing
New Menus Coming In November
Stay Tuned!!
Pre-Register Today – Only $40 per class
All classes are held on the Upper West Side
Class is from 6:30 until 8:30p.m.
And includes all of the following
*Hands-on instruction
*Meet new people
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you’re eating
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
Made by The Fabulous You!
Please contact Melissa at Melissa@wellnessandenergy.com for
more details and to register or call 917-689-6530
**Classes are fun, relaxed, and not intimidating! They are
great for beginners!
**Private classes are also available to small groups. Please
contact Melissa@wellnessandenergy.com for details.
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4. Holistic Health Counseling
In a rut?
Tired of not sticking to your diet?
Would you like private one-on one support to keep you not
only keep you accountable to achieving your life and health
goals but also help you to determine if you are doing the
right things?
Specialized coaching for women addressing body image,
self-esteem, food choices, weight, and the related!
IV. I also do private counseling and education for women
with herpes. (accurate info, self-esteem, and relationship
support)
Balanced * Natural * Whole Foods * Organics * Self-Esteem
Relationships * Life Coaching * Physical Activity * Fun
Initial consultation: for fees click here
Long term and short term programs to fit unique concerns and
needs.
Call me to schedule an appointment: 917-689-6530
melissa@myheartdances.com
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"Don’t get me wrong, I am a dancer, an athlete, and I’m running
around New York City all day long, so I need to eat a lot to sustain
the physical energy I expend. But many times I found myself
starved for something when I felt stressed, nervous, or anxious. I
was often eating for the wrong reasons. Melissa worked with my
current diet and made personal adjustments and recommended
delicious and creative new things to try. But more importantly, she
showed me how to listen to my body and tap into my what I really
needed in life such as: to spend time with an old friend; finding a
source of faith that helped me through different challenges; how to
deal with various personal and family relationships; new, fun forms
of exercise; and enjoyable, yet healthy guilty pleasures. It’s surprising,
but all these little things satisfied my craving for cookies. I now have
the tools and the ability to recognize my emotional needs so I can
recover smoothly and get right back on track. I feel physically leaner,
more energetic then ever before, and have gained the confidence to
take on life without the thought of failure holding me back!"
Elizabeth, NYC |
As always, thanks for reading and please send comments and feedback Melissa@myheartdances.com

™ was developed to support individuals in
living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our
mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself
and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after
your dreams to "let your heart dance!"

Copyright 2002-2006
Melissa King
Nutrition Counseling with Life Coaching
917-689-6530
www.myheartdances.com
Please feel free to share this newsletter or reprint articles, but you MUST include authorship and contact information. Melissa King, 917-689-6530 www.myheartdances.com

Feedback, Comments, Suggestions?
Melissa@myheartdances.com
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