I know we had a last minute e-mail go out about it, but I'm hoping some of you caught the Voice America radio program that I did with Debbie Friedman. We had a great time and got some awesome information out into the internet ethers in the process! It's been a while since I spoke of my friend Debbie and her work, so let me toss a little endorsement her way by saying that if you are looking for manifesting help in any way, she's the gal that can take your feng shui one step further.

Her catchy website name Cleaning Out The Closet which refers to her CD sets and work on "cleaning out the closet of your mind" is one of my favorite de-cluttering methods for the invisible clutter - your thoughts that are working against you. If your interested at looking into her work, or to purchase her CD's, click this link! Cleaning Out The Closet CD

And if you did listen, I hope you thought it was helpful.

We've got 9 spots left before we close this training class (and who knows when we're going to do it again.) If you're on the fence about signing up, feel free to contact me about reserving your spot (or working out a payment schedule if that's what's holding you back.) There is a bit of pre-class homework that is required, and I want everyone to get this information as soon as possible. I'm planning on making the most of our face-to-face time, and rather than spending all our time together on rote learning concepts, we're going to be spending more time in the field. If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during one of my consultations, now's your chance!

The meeting dates are September 13-16 and November 1-4. Here's the link for more information: Feng Shui Palace Certification Course

To register, go to: Feng Shui Palace Certification Registration

For questions, email Mary at mary@fengshuipalace.com

Question #1: I've had many successes using your wonderful advice. Now my new house seems to be feng-shui'd pretty well... Except I keep on having problems with strange bills. I keep on receiving bills for things my insurance should have taken care of, and all manner of strange and unexpected demands for money (from companies... by mail). What gives?

Answer #1: This question reminds me of the most basic premise of energy: "Where thoughts go, energy flows." My guess is that with all the stresses and possible financial worries that come with buying a new home, your thoughts concentrated on lack for enough time to manifest scenarios that energetically correspond to lack. My advice is to start being grateful for all you do have and build a bridge back to manifesting more things to be grateful for instead. Pull the plug on thoughts of lack and these annoyances of bills will dissolve.

For those of you who have followed my newsletters for a while, I'm sure you remember a few years back when my then 39 year-old brother had 6 way bypass surgery. Well, my other brother appears to have trumped him by having a heart attack at 33. He now has two stints in his arteries and is desperately looking for help with regard to changing his ways before this situation gets any worse. Yes, it appears that my family definitely was given the crummy heart genes - but let's not put any thought time on that, right? As a matter of fact, I just did a complete bloodwork panel to see what shape I'm in and my doctor actually said that my bloodwork was "very feng shuied." Yes, she actually said that. :)

My brother was less than impressed with the quality of information given to him upon his hospital dismissal to say the least. He received a little pamphlet that basically had the food pyramid on it, and the pat-on-the-back talk about eating a "balanced diet." Does anyone really know what that means - really? He also signed up for the low sodium cooking class that the hospital offered, but that is about the extent of what's available. I could see by the look on his face that confidence is low with regard to his feelings that he can make a significant health shift based upon what he's been offered. So I offered to help.

We started with a four-hour trip to the grocery store. (Living in the heart of the Midwest - "meat and potato country" - makes for a challenging shopping excursion to say the least, but we did manage to locate some of the basic necessities that can start to rebuild health.) Then we went to his house and worked on making his kitchen one that would support his new healthy lifestyle.

Here were some of the things we did:

1. First, we de-cluttered the kitchen. This included removing all old, processed, unhealthy food products as well as and items that don't belong in the kitchen. I don't think the Costco-sized bottle of chives that had turned white from old age are filled with any quality chi, do you? (Spices and items like this usually last about 6 months max.) Something also told me that the "time-saving" processed Bob Evans microwavable cheddar mashed potatoes in the fridge weren't helping the situation either, so out they went. :)

My thoughts on this type of processed food is this: You can either spend time in the kitchen or in the doctor's waiting room, but you're going to spend the time. And you can either spend your money on good quality food or on chemically engineered pharmaceuticals, but you're going to spend the money. It's up to you to choose where you want to spend your time and money.

2. Next, we space-cleared and cleaned the kitchen. We wiped down the cabinets and shelves. (This can have a wonderful space-clearing effect that can help hold the new health intentions. If you've got a greasy film on anything - it's not in tip-top health shape, got it? You can do a salt burn or sage burn or any other space clearing ritual you know to shift the chi in your kitchen.)

3. Next, we took a look at the quality of his cookware. After all, the pots and pans are what touches the food and must be in good order. If you want to do the same I'd suggest avoiding aluminum or aluminum clad pans. Stainless steel, copper, clay, cast iron, glass, and porcelain-coated cast iron are MUCH better. Minimize use of Teflon-coated pans if you must use them at all. And throw out the microwave. Yes, get rid of it. I consider this is the number one anti-health item in the home, and I've got plenty scientific studies to back me up.

4. When it came to actual foods, we purchased some no sodium or low sodium condiments (working in sea vegetables as much as we can!) We also purchased some organic grains to start the day off on the right foot. A simple substitution from processed grains like micro-wavable and sugared-up Quaker Oats to organic grains (and there's a lot more out there than oats my friends!) can be a great, simple life-altering baby step back to health. Corn is actually the grain associated with the heart/fire element (yep, there's a grain for each of the five elements!) so dig into grits and other organic corn meals for breakfast and you're off to a heart-healthy start!

5. And finally, we substituted his table salt with a good, high quality, sea salt. I know sodium is on the heart-healthy restriction list, but if you're going to use it for anything, use the good stuff with minerals and other good stuff in it. And cook it into the food as opposed to sprinkling it on the food at the table. (His wife is a bit of a salt addict so I knew this was something to be dealt with quickly. After tasting the good salt, she wondered how she had not stumbled upon this great-tasting stuff before!)

This was enough change for now and about all he could take in without going into overload. I'll be pulling together some recipes and give him more to think about when he has worked the above changes into his life but for now, he has taken his first quality steps on his path to heart health.

Success Story # 1.

Hi Karen! I wanted to tell you the one thing that is going right in my life - I really need an FS tune up. :) Last year, right after Thanksgiving, my husband bought me a beautiful black lab pup. She spent most of her days over the cold winter (we live in New England) in the family area of our home, blending well. :) She made our house a home, but more importantly, she healed wounds from my childhood that I could not heal on my own. Our love section is missing from our house and although most of our relationships are okay, I'm always the one left behind. Puppy changed all that. I noticed I've been much more open, much more out there. I'm gradually learning to trust and let new people in. She is now 7 months, and is here for a reason. I know all animal lovers say there is nothing like a puppy or kitten to heal broken hearts, but I didn't know for real until my husband brought this wonderful little four-legged heart healer into our family area. :) He's certainly happy he did !

:) I don't recommend everyone go out and spend hundreds on a pet shop pup, but when I look at the FS of it all: black in the family section, moving/living energy, sound, etc....it all fits. Thanks for listening.

Success Story # 2.

Hi! Just wanted you to know I punched up my career section of home and desk at work and have received 7 letters of recognition from customers for my work since then! How cool is this?!?! I'm going to punch up the helpful people section for my severe pain due to fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis etc, thanks so much. You're my bright spot when my pain is so bad!

Here's the link to report your success story. (It's at the bottom of the web page) Feng Shui Palace Success Stories

Here's the link for additional feng shui enhancing products:

1. I choose to be healthy, and I make consistent healthy choices for my body.

2. The perfect help for any situation is always easily and readily available to me.

1. Create a health-conscious kitchen! Review the list in the food Energy Tips above and see if you can up the chi level in your kitchen. It is time well spent.

New York, NY

I will be available for a very limited number of consultations in New York City. The time slots available are: June 14th at 1PM and 5PM, June 15th at 9AM, 1PM and 5PM. These consultations are available for $599.00. On Saturday, June 16th, I will be available at 9AM and 1PM, and the consultation rate is $1197.00. Please call 714-508-9935 if you are interested in one of these slots. It is strictly on a first come/first serve basis.

Budapest, Hungary

July 27-30, 2007

I will be speaking at the International Feng Shui Conference held in Budapest. There will be some pre and post conference tours and workshops as well. Click on Feng Shui Seminars - Conference in Hungary for additional information on the conference.

Orange County, CA

September 13, 14, 15, 16 and November 1, 2, 3, 4 (these 8 days are part of one class)

I'm hosting The Inspired Feng Shui Practitioner Training Program in Orange County, California. For more information, go to: Feng Shui Palace Certification Program

To register, go to: Feng Shui Palace Certification Registration

For questions, email Mary at mary@fengshuipalace.com

Southern California

When I'm not traveling or writing, I am available for on-site commercial or residential consultations. Prices range from $495.00 to $599.00. Call 714-508-9935 to check availability and to book an appointment time.

With intentions of being of service,

Karen

If you are having trouble reading this newsletter, please go to the newsletter that is printed online at Feng Shui Palace Newsletter