Costa Women Blogs

This is one of those topics that many of us think about but it seems to be a Taboo, especially now, in the digital age of have 3 gazillion Facebook friends and 2.7 quadrillian of followers on Twitter, all of whom constantly “like” you and your posts. We´re told left, right and centre that we shouldn´t worry about, or even mention, people who don´t like us, and instead, concentrate on those that do. Me here included! But, the truth is that our mind is automatically drawn like bees to honey, to the negatives and to any critics, as much as we tell it to focus on the positives. Of course, the degree of that attraction, and more importantly, the time it “stays” there, depends on how well we train it to. Still, this isn´t my point in this blog entry. This one is dedicated to the clandestino wonderings of our naughty mind into the deep and dark taboo of “Why don´t they like me??”. Some of us resort to extremes like dying our hair, buying gifts and paying endless compliments, all in the name of “changing their minds” about us, yet all to no avail. So, WHY?? Why are some people so set on disliking us? 1. Envy– this one is a very obvious and well known one. With a little twist. On top of being envious of our wealth/partner/social life/figure/job/travel etc, it is actually more about being convinced that THEY deserve it much more than we do. That surely, someone with THEIR background/language skills/popularity etc deserves that more than we do. “How DARE you have THAT job if you didn´t have all the family connections that I did??” / “How on earth do you have THAT figure if you eat chocolate every time I see you and I barely eat 2 celery sticks a day and still don´t have that waistline??”   2. Rejection – you refuse to join them in something / agree to something they want. They suggested a travel trip some time ago and you said NO. You had the most valid reasons in the whole wide world. You thought you explained it in the nicest possible way. They elegantly said “Not to worry, no problem at all, of course I understand”. Well, you SHOULD worry. It IS a problem and they do NOT understand. Apply this to anything that you might have said that ugly word to – joint birthday party, their home-selling scheme, doing your make up, hiring them as your caterer/graphic designer/interior decorator etc. 3. Revenge – at some point of their lives, often college, they had an……….read more in my blogspot..http://marinanitzak.blogspot.com.es/

Living in Mallorca where even the tourist industry closes up between Oct and April, finding work or just hanging on to an existing job is a challenge for everyone. My husband and I had an advertising agency based in Palma which we closed a few years ago since most of our clients were RE developers. Unfortunately, advertising is the first item cut during a crisis but when a business needs it the most. I was happy to get out from under a lot of monthly expenses and slow paying clients. I started to develop my interest in writing and wrote for several USA based websites concentrating on Mallorcan cultural, gastronomic and touristic themes. In 2008 we began to publish a golf and culture magazine. Loved doing it, clients loved it, readers loved it, golf courses loved it. Everyone loved it but few loved paying for advertising. Since it was also difficult finding dependable sales people and unable to do it all ourselves, we decided to let it go.  The last issue is still out there in web space So, what to do on an island with no real industry other than tourism, where salaries are low, where many Spaniards are getting fired when they reach the top of their professions only to be replaced by  inexperienced, younger people willing to accept a lower wage?  And to top it off,  I don’t speak German which is a requirement for many jobs. Writing for websites is not a very profitable business these days and while working for oneself is interesting, the idea of investing in an office, with a myriad of new monthly expenses, isn’t. Some American friends started to work with “some health and beauty product” which raised my curiosity when one said, “If I hadn’t seen the results with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.” Still not knowing what the product was or even the company name, I accepted an invitation to a meeting at the home of one of the German leaders who happened to live nearby. The product turned out to be a network marketing product… MLM (multi-level marketing)…a pyramid scheme to some.  Being from the land where MLM was born, it wasn’t uncommon to have the Avon Lady knocking on our door on a Sunday morning to drop off the latest product brochure.  I was aware of the bad image  MLM marketing sometimes brings to mind and some of the people it attracts lured by a way to get rich quickly. What I met were a lot of really nice women (and a few men) who, like me, were looking for a way to work while managing their own time. One was a young English woman, recently divorced and a mother of two. With no way to support herself, she was introduced to the products quite by accident. With the encouragement but most importantly, the training and support of her sponsor, she was earning a dignified monthly income within a year. I decided to try one product since the compensation plan requires that in order to be a distributor, one product has to be ordered every month. If this works, I thought, the trade-off seemed quite good. I would be provided with a website, a back office system, free client support, a toll-free telephone number to the UK headquarters where the orders are processed and shipped and above all, the training and support of one of the company’s top income leaders. All I have to do is bring in the customers. A few months later I took on a second product which I found to be compatible with the first company’s product line. Again, I  have the support of a leader who introduced the products in France and is a leading distributor in central Europe. He lives nearby and any question is answered almost immediately by phone or email.  If anyone is thinking about working with an MLM company, first of all, look for people that you would like to work with and a product and company that you can identify with.  Carefully read the compensation plan, check out the company’s history (how long has it been around?), philosophy, directors, leaders, etc. Check if the company has done their homework. Which countries are open for product distribution? Are there distribution centers in these countries or will I have dissatisfied customers because shipping takes too long? Does the company try to sell their distributors a lot of educational material in the form of DVDs, books, etc. Bad sign. It sounds great to support a new company, but if the company has no track record, bad news. Many MLM companies close up in the first few years, leaving a lot of shattered dreams behind. In return, a good company should provide training, an understandable compensation plan, a website, back office, and best of all, residual income. You will have to decide if the product is good or not by using it. Does the product excite you, can you identify with it? Why promote on-line shopping if you don’t like to shop? Is the product something you can explain and refer? Is the product and plan something that can be duplicated? And remember, MLM is only a marketing plan and a way for a company to spread internationally without paying millions in advertising costs.  The industry requires WORK and lots of it. Some companies stress working your warm market such as family and friends, but maybe you’re more comfortable presenting the products at a business meeting. Contacts, meetings, communication,  follow-up. And remember that MLM is not a get rich quick scheme. To sum up, if you are interested in becoming a MLM distributor, be sure to treat the decision as a business decision. Certainly not a decision to be taken lightly.

How can I forgive? Especially how can I forgive, if what you did to me was so awful? I mean, anyone whom I tell it to, says I am right and that you were simply awful to me. So how can I forgive you? What you did was really dreadful. I suffered so much. If I forgave you, what would I do with all of that suffering? Just throw it in the trash? Poof … so simple … all gone? I can’t do that. You hurt me too much. I have to remember it because it was so bad, and if I forgive you it will all be gone. What are you saying? That I should look at what was done to me as more than just the idea that you hurt me. That I should look at it like it was part of my life growth plan. That every person with whom I come in contact in my life can serve a purpose in my life. No matter what kind of interaction I have with them. So even if they do something major big-time terrible to me, it can still serve a purpose in my life. So that I can grow into more of what I really am, by dealing with this situation in a way that allows growth, and not in a way that poisons me and keeps me in a prison of hatred or resentment or pain. But for that to work, I have to look at the painful situation with new eyes. Not so much you hurt me, as how can I grow and learn from this. How can I begin to look through such new eyes? How can I stop seeing the pain as something I need to hang on to, because it defines who I am up to here in my life? Simple: choose to do so. Nothing else is needed. For much more about the need to learn how to forgive in order to have a successful relationship, and how forgiving not only enables the relationship to grow towards spiritual partnership  but also enables the one who is forgiving grow towards inner peace, see my new book The Tao of Spiritual Partnership which is now available in paperback version. The Kindle version will be released near the end of November 2012. To download the first chapter, click here From the Description on Amazon: More exciting than any other kind of relationship you have ever known, spiritual partnership is a path, a Tao, available to you so that you may transform your life. Spiritual partnership becomes background music to daily life allowing you to enhance the process of your growth and evolution.This ground-breaking book addresses:• relationship patterns that hold you back from a truly fulfilled life• the strong connection between sexuality and spiritual partnership• communication leading to true connection & lasting transformation of your relationshipIt is precisely at the problematic crossroads so often encountered in relationships that we are offered the opportunity to create a new foundation based on mutual complementarity rather than need; a free relationship between two people who want to be together, rather than two people who need to be together. Needing another, we are told, is the measure of love, but for a fully conscious individual nothing could be further from the truth. And therein lies part of the secret and healing power of spiritual partnerships. Praise for The Tao of Spiritual Partnership “All humans seek the illusive touch of another’s Soul, which opens us to the sense of belonging to something bigger than the self. Dr. Kortsch has given us the true “tao” of relationship in this brilliant exploration of emotional tapestry. We will be grateful for this illumination of spiritual partnership for generations to come.” Chris Griscom: Spiritual Leader, Author “Eloquently and comprehensive, showing how your primary love relationship may be a sacred vessel that transports you and your partner to a place of mutual healing and expansion.” Robert Schwartz: Author of Your Soul’s Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born “The Tao of Spiritual Partnership is a unique blend of wit and wisdom; Dr. Kortsch encourages us to take responsibility for our relationships, while recognizing and seizing the opportunities for our own personal spiritual growth.” William Buhlman, Author of Adventures Beyond the Body  Also have a look at my earlier book Rewiring the Soul: Finding the Possible Self (paperback or Kindle). To download the first chapter, click here From the Description on Amazon: Ask anyone, whatever their circumstances, if their life is vibrant, fulfilling, harmonious and happy. An honest reply is likely to be ‘no’, because to answer a truthful ‘yes’ is no mean feat. Only to grow psychologically and emotionally is not enough. And only to grow spiritually is not enough either. All three dimensions need to be developed in order to realize your full potential. If you are willing to assume total responsibility for the self and to start what is an on-going journey, you will quickly begin to glimpse the first fruits of the ultimate goal: inner well-being, freedom, peace, harmony and joy. This book sets out the pathway to self-mastery and self-discovery and walking that pathway will be the most exciting adventure of your life.

Apples, olives, lettuce, red cabbage, beans, flax seeds, basil, thyme, camomile, cumin, bay leaf, sunflower oil… you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a list of the world’s healthiest foods. But actually it’s a list of the foods my partner David is currently intolerant to!   I am passionate about food – eating fresh, organic produce that’s right for my body! But how do you know what’s right for your body? This blog is one of a series that will explore food and the mind body connection. In this article we will look at food intolerances and how we can identify the foods we are intolerant to. In following articles we will look at theories on how we develop allergies and food intolerances and what we can do about it; why we crave specific foods – often the ones we are intolerant to; and how you tap into our body wisdom so you can eat what is right for your body and enjoy doing so!   So, what does it mean to be intolerant or allergic to a specific food? When you have an allergy or intolerance to a specific food your body is unable to metabolise it and eating it produces a negative impact on your health.   What’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance? An allergic reaction is rapid, often intense and sometimes life threatening. Peanuts and shellfish are the ones that usually spring to mind and for some people can lead to anaphylactic shock that requires an injection of adrenalin, immediately. If you have an allergy you invariably know about it.   Food intolerances on the other hand are much more difficult to detect because the reaction is less obvious and symptoms can appear up to 72 hours after eating. So unless you are very in tune with your body, you will probably be totally unaware that you are intolerant to a specific food(s).   How would you know if you have a food intolerance? If you suffer from any unexplained skin, respiratory or digestive problems like skin rashes, urticaria, dermatitis, eczema, nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, mouth ulcers, nausea, abdominal cramp, gas, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome they could be symptoms of a food intolerance.   How can I find out if I have a food intolerance? I have tried a number of different and very effective ways to test for intolerances in the past (see below) but have always been looking for a test that is both comprehensive and affordable.    When we were researching intolerances and what was causing David’s dermatitis we came across www.TestYourIntolerance.com which uses just a small hair sample taken from the back of your head (or elsewhere).   Although this test doesn’t rate the severity of the intolerance, it more than makes up for this by testing nearly 600 food and non food items for just £45 or 60 euros. PLUS they will also test an additional 5 items of your choice. For example you can send them a sample of your pet’s hair.   David’s dermatitis which had been a problem for decades on and off, and had currently been acute for nearly a year cleared up within weeks of eliminating his intolerant items.  Their service was also excellent. We were so impressed that I became an agent for them here in Spain. I have put together a couple of special offers so that you can make the most of booking through me 🙂   Test Package with FREE nutrition Test 60 euros / £45 When you book your test with me, you will also receive a FREE nutrition test worth £5 which will tell you which vital nutrients your body lacks, from a list of 80 together with a report indicating which foods contain these missing nutrients.   Test / EFT Package 90 euros / £70 Very often we crave precisely those foods we are intolerant to and avoid those we are deficient in. In addition to the Intolerance Test Package you will also get a one hour EFT session by Skype or telephone  (normally 60 euros / £50) to help you make any necessary lifestyle changes with a minimum of fuss and suffering.   If you would like more information or to order your Package email me at info@GetEnergised.com or if you live in Spain you can call me on 654 32 07 35.   There are other ways to discover your intolerances and each has its own merits. Here’s a list of some I have used in the past.   Following an elimination diet take times as you need to take your diet back to basics before reintroducing specific foods one at a time checking for any reactions you may have. It requires dedication and can take some time, especially if you have a number of food intolerances, but it is a great way to start listening to your body. The cost will depend on whether you opt to do this yourself or under the guidance of a nutritionist.   The York Test http://www.yorktest.com/ is a blood test done via post using a simple finger prick blood sample. They offer a Food Scan which tests 113 foods for £250 and a Food and Drinks scan which tests 158 items for £299. Intolerances are rated on scale of 1-3 depending on the severity of the reaction. You also receive 2 telephone consultations with a nutritional therapist.   Bio Resonance tests electromagnetic signals to assess any intolerances and can give you a very precise reading on a scale of 0-10. Costs vary according to the practitioner and the machine they use and the number of items they test.   Kinesiology or muscle testing and dowsing are often used to assess intolerances and are have the advantage that they are not limited in the amount of items they can test. However both do depend on the skill and experience of the practitioner. Costs vary according to the practitioner.   I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.   In my next blog we will be looking at some theories of how we develop allergies and intolerances and how we can clear them.  

I attended the excellent evening presentation last night by Leila Youssef  on how we can use our monthly cycles to harness energy in our lives.   It certainly gave me food for thought , thank you Leila, and reminded me of my journey in understanding my body and how to “tune in” for maximum benefit to myself and all around me. As I am now in my third trimester (66 next year ) and I have made many mistakes along the way, I would like to share some books with you all which have helped me enormously on my journey and have helped me fulfil  my potential as a woman and human being.    In sharing along the way, I have also helped my friends, colleagues, my children and my grandchildren.   I am a teacher/mentor to them all on how to “listen to their bodies”. Here is my reading list: You can heal your life – Louise L Hay Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Dr Christiane Northrup The Wisdom of Menopause Creating  Physical and Emotional Health during the Change -(again by Dr Christiane Northrup.) Mother- Daughter Wisdom  – Dr Christiane Northrup Natural Solutions to Menopause – Marilyn Glenville. I think that all these books are available on Kindle or IPad. If we all share along the way, we can help all women to release their full potential and in turn, educate the next generation on honouring our gifts.   We still have a long way to go.    Nearly 95 million girls in this world still do not read or go to school.    They need our help.   Female Genital Mutilation still exists.   Doctors are still not trained in nutrition and the messages our bodies give to us.   Let’s try to help them!

So you are thinking of moving to Spain? There are a number of things to consider before making the big move, work being the most important aspect, unless of course you are retired.Unless you have your...