When Love Is Not Enough, Part 1

Girls, you must read this true story from a friend who I met in bible study. The story.... amazing, her strength is contagious and her forgiveness from her past is healing for all of us chicks.

No matter what we may go through to make us the women we are today, there is a plan God has for us when we were born. We are all on a journey to be the best God wants us to be. We wonder why bad things happen to good people...but God hasn't taken us this far to let us go now. 

So...I will be making updated posts of her story as she writes from her heart. Sometimes we don't share our most intimate feelings for fear of people who may judge us. She is not one of those women. Confident, loving and successful in many ways, she exhumes the Holy Spirit who lives within her and within a few minutes of connecting our shared emotions, I asked her to write her story for my blog. Enjoy!

When Love is Not Enough...

 by anonymous

When I was young, I knew and understood that my value and worth in this world originated from a bond of love innately born within a solid Christian family.  As familiar as I was with the influences that moved me nearer and nearer to the inevitable journey of self-discovery and awareness, the realization that there are many "bonds of love" and family structures that are not coeval to my own was an astonishing discovery.  However, as long as my intrinsic value rested peacefully within my "bond of love", I grew to live, love, learn, and expect lifelong bliss.

As I continued through the journey of life and as I grew into "My Own", falling in love seemed the next logical experience.  A different kind of love than before, however it, if chosen successfully, should prove to provide the bearers with lifelong happiness.

After the wedding bells and after years of living under the impression that I would always be the recipient of love and believe in the ideology of happily married bliss, the roses in my garden began to fade.  If you asked me what happened or to describe my experience, it would be nearly impossible to express in words alone.  The "Eyes of Love" were altered and had become the "Eyes of a Stranger".  Life took a turn that was never anticipated or expected. A turn that led me into loneliness and divorce. While I remained in love, my ex-spouse moved on with the love from another.  And he moved nearly 2,000 miles away from our two children and me.

At this time, I am going to take a time out.  My emotions are almost too much for me to endure and express.

(I'm back)  So many memories that I would rather forget and erase from my mental dairy.  Memories that were never to be a page in my book of life.  But there they were.  Written, sold, placed on a shelf, purchased, and read - all in one step.  Also, loneliness, depression, emptiness, and friendlessness were never to be "MY" enemies. But they were growing with an incessant passion.  Regardless of how I tried, nagging and nagging at my inner mind and spirit, I could not fight the fight.  It was a pointless attempt.  I suppose that I could best be described as a psychological mess.

A psychological mess is an understatement.  During the last five years of our marriage, I was the recipient of verbal and physical abuse, abandoned in a state where the only family I had were my two children.  Who, and rightly so, were depending on me for their support, love and so much more.  To further my plight, I had not worked outside the home in over 15 years and he drove away with our only car.

So how does one react when love is not enough.  Where does one find reassurance when an empty "shell" would be an accurate description of their spirit and soul? First, I am a Christian, raised in a Christian family.  Second, the only place to fall was at the foot of the Cross, my cross.  Third, rest assured that there I could find the hope of a new beginning, discover a new life and fill up the emptiness with the Grace of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Since that time, I have found assurance through prayer and reading the Bible.  My favorite chapter is Psalms 91 and I read it over and over.  My favorite passage:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.  Proverbs 3: 5-6. I have repeated these scriptures at least 5,000 times.  It has helped me to not give into worry and the stress of life.

But I do understand that my story is complex, so I think it best that it be written in a few segments.  In my next segment, I will be happy to write about the "Strength in the Olive Jar". Until then, God Bless and Keep You.

I would like to introduce my friend Dr. Warren Katz to you. I have known Dr. Katz and his wife for over 25 years. He is an outstanding plastic surgeon with a good reputation.

If you are looking to do any permanent procedures I would advise you to get at least 3 opinions then wait a month before you make your decision. The doctor can make all the difference. There are many corrective procedures you can have done that are not invasive and you get great results. You can also get amazing results with the correct make-up and contour effects.

Dr. Warren Katz has been practicing cosmetic and plastic surgery in Dallas for more than 25 years. He is certified by The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, The American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and The American Board of Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Katz has appeared in many national and local magazines discussing various procedures. He also appeared on CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN both performing and discussing cosmetic procedures.

I called Dr. Katz to ask him 5 of the most asked questions we get from our clients to help anyone who is thinking of different options for medical procedures.

                  

What is the difference between a traditional face lift and these "mini lifts" that I read about?
Dr. Katz: A traditional face lift is a procedure that involves lifting a large flap of tissue in the face and neck. The muscles below the skin are tightened, excess fat is removed as well as excess skin. Implants, either synthetic implants or fat grafts, may also be utilized.

A "mini lift" has similar incisions. However  the amount of tissue lifting and tightening is significantly less than a traditional lift. Therefore, the results are much less. Anesthesia is normally required for a traditional face lift. The anesthesia may be general or IV sedation. We prefer IV sedation (avoid general anesthetic). A "mini lift" can be done with only local anesthesia because much less is done. Surprisingly, the post operative course is very much the same for both procedures.

What is a "liquid face lift"? Does it produce the same results as a surgical face lift?
Dr. Katz: A "liquid face lift" is a process whereby fillers and neurotoxin are injected into the face to improve facial features. The results and duration of effects are, obviously, much less than with a surgical face lift. A patient should have both procedures explained before deciding on a particular procedure.

Does facial plastic surgery make you look unrecognizable or different?
Dr. Katz: No. Facial plastic surgery is designed to make you look rested and refreshed. Sometimes it is performed to soften a feature of your face that concerns you. With good surgery, it should not be obvious to others that you have had surgery.

Do only women have facial plastic surgery?
Dr. Katz: No. More and more men are undergoing facial plastic surgery. Today approximately 25% of our patients are men.

What type of anesthesia is used for cosmetic surgery?
Dr. Katz: Either IV sedation or general anesthesia is used for most cosmetic procedures, excluding very minor procedures which are performed with local anesthesia. We prefer to use IV sedation for all our surgical procedures. This is performed by an anesthesiologist. There is no patient awareness during the surgery. The patient is breathing on his/her own, and is not on a respirator. Normally this also eliminates post operative nausea and vomiting.

                 

If you knew me very well, you would never dream I would have waited this late to post another blog...since I talk all the time. But, that is probably why.

I have been so busy talking with women in all areas of the country and coming up with solutions to their beauty frustrations. Now I need to blog about it. We just sent out our summer Newsletter, so if you didn't get it, go to my web site, christiharris.com. I will be posting more videos that I know will help you resolve some problems you may have on a day-to-day basis with your skin, makeup, hair and brows. Let me hear from you, as well.

Stylemaker Salon

Through my network of professionals in my field I have recently been introduced to Shelly Beatty owner of the Stylemaker Salon in Fort Worth, Texas. I have visited the salon and I must say this lady knows her stuff! She will tell you the truth about thinning hair, hair replacement, extensions and is able to back up her promises. I was amazed with the results she has had. The before and afters speak for themselves. She is an amazing woman that I just had to interview and share her story with all of you. I asked Shelly to share with me her background and I asked her 8 questions everyone needs to know. Chicks share this info with your husbands and friends who may be experiencing thinning hair. I would certainly go for a consultation if you are frustrated. She has clients from all over the U.S. who are happy with hair now.

With nearly 30 years of industry experience, Shelly Beatty is the President of Stylemakers Inc. She began Stylemakers in 1991 after a decade of experience in hair design and styling and now works one-on-one with clients every day who are suffering with various degrees of hair loss. Her extensive clientele includes many of Fort Worth's elite, and they appreciate her vast training, experience, caring personality and attention to detail. Shelly has won numerous awards for her excellence and has been sought after by media as a salon industry expert in working with cancer patients, hair thinning and hair loss.

Shelly's success - as a stylist and a business owner - is due in large part to her deep and genuine care for her clients. She understands the intense relationship between a person's hair and their self-image. That's why she has worked extensively to bring the highest quality Hair Replacement options and Laser Hair Therapy technology to Fort Worth and now specializes in working with men and women who suffer all forms of hair loss and balding.

Shelly trains monthly and extensively with the Specialty Physicians from the Hair loss Control Clinic in New York, New York and with other Hair Restoration Industry leaders in order to understand the causes of hair loss and to offer insight for clients who are seeking answers. Shelly is able to fully explain the causes of hair loss and offer direction to clients who are seeking hair recovery. During an in depth Hair Loss Exam, she will examine the client's hair follicle at a 200X magnification in order to show the client what is happening at the follicular level of the hair. With this information, she can determine what is causing the hair loss and offer the best options for the client.

Can Hair Loss be stopped and/or reversed?
Shelly Beatty: At this time there is no cure for baldness. However, it has been proven that hair loss can be stopped and/or reversed with Laser Hair Therapy (LHT) but only if the hair loss is caught before the follicles go completely dormant (bald). Once the follicles have been dormant for 5 years or more there is still the opportunity to stop the loss but very little chance of regaining hair. The best time to address hair loss with LHT is within 1-3 years of experiencing the hair loss onset.

What is the best way to make thin hair look fuller?
Shelly Beatty: If you want an instant "lift" to the hair, use a root lift product on the base area of the hair. Then style your hair with a large round brush to add fullness. Always use an IONIC blow dryer as well. This will make the process of drying your fine hair less damaging since fine hair is much more sensitive to heat damage. If you want more of a permanent solution to thin hair, utilize LHT to strengthen and thicken your hair. This will take a little time...approximately 3-6 months. And lastly you could add Micro-Point extensions to add more hair instantly. These extensions are very fine and lightweight and therefore will not damage the clients own hair. You can use extensions to add thickness and fullness in addition to making hair longer. Always use a CERTIFIED EXTENSION SPECIALIST when applying extensions.

If hair is really thin, especially on top, should you try Rogaine?
Shelly Beatty: The FDA has only approved two treatments for the condition of hair loss: Rogaine (Minoxidil) and Laser Hair Therapy (LHT). We suggest Minoxidil when the hair loss has been occurring for more than 5 years and there is an actual missing area of hair. Minoxidil is a lifelong commitment. Once you start using it you should never stop or you may lose the vast majority of the hair it stimulated to regrow. We recommend using LHT to actually repair the dormant follicles which have stopped producing hair. LHT does not have any negative effects and many times can reverse the hair loss issue and correct the follicle long term.

If hair has been thinning for more than 10 years, should you do a hair transplant?
Shelly Beatty: Women are rarely candidates for hair transplantation because their loss is typically diffused and will continue to worsen. Therefore at some point the transplant would have to be redone. Men typically do better with transplants because they have entire areas of missing hair. However, be aware that if when transplants are performed, if hair is currently present in the transplant area, that hair will continue to experience loss thus resulting in additional transplants procedures.

Does stress cause hair loss?
Shelly Beatty: YES! When the body is under duress it creates a larger amount of testosterone which then gets converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). The androgen receptors at the base of the hair follicles are very sensitive to DHT. When too much DHT is present it binds onto the androgen receptors. This causes shrinking of the hair follicles and prohibits new hair growth. This is the largest cause of hair loss. Determine if you have this first by having a hair loss exam and then use a recommended DHT blocker to protect your androgen receptors which are located at the base of your hair follicles.

Does Menopause cause hair loss?
Shelly Beatty: Many times it can simply because hormone levels are not as they should be. It is suggested that women have their hormones checked and if the hormones are "off" seek advice from your physician to correct them.

If you have Alopecia and have patches of missing hair, what else is out there besides just wearing a wig?
Shelly Beatty: Wearing a wig definitely gives you an instant "fix". However, it is not very conducive to an active lifestyle. We suggest a complete hair transformation with Natural Advantage. This hair replacement service is amazing and beautiful. It will give you back your lifestyle and confidence as your new hair is attached and will not come off until we take it off. You can shower, swim and sleep with your new hair without worry of it ever coming off. It simply becomes a part of you!

How do you find a hairpiece that looks natural?
Shelly Beatty: The best way to get a completely natural look with a hair piece is to have one custom made just for you. At Stylemakers a professional hair replacement specialist can design a hair piece that will blend right in to your own hair. When done correctly, no one will be able to tell you are wearing one. Here's a fun fact: Many people in the movies and TV wear hair pieces that are designed by the pros. But since they look so natural you will never know!

Visit Shelly and her talented team at Stylemaker Salon

1201 West Lancaster, Fort Worth, Texas 76102  - 817.332.9100

or check out her website at stylemakersalon.com.

Giveaway Winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Libbi!

She is our December giveaway winner. 

She will be receiving $300 in product from my website www.christiharris.com. Everyone stay updated on my posts and future giveaways. I'll be doing some really great interviews with very inspirational women that we can learn so much from and the conversation is always open to all.

It Is Time To Be Fruit Filled

My mom lives with me. She is 92 and looks like she is no more than 75. We are both very health conscious and do whatever we can to stay healthy and strong. She has said she needs a husband (since my Dad died) and I have said I need a wife (since my divorce), so we make a good team. To this day she makes sure I eat right. She makes a fruit drink every night so it will be ready for breakfast. The fruit drink she makes consists of apples, bananas, grapes (seeded), oranges, strawberries and blackberries. You can use any fruit you choose really. She also adds Puritan's Pride Soy Protein Powder and Lecithin Granules, Osteo Bi-Flex Nutrajoint, which has Glucosamine, Vitamin D3, Acai and Life's Greens with advanced Probiotic Formula. I love Puritan's Pride! They are an affordable vitamin company that has a huge selection of vitamins. You can order through their catalog or online.

This fruit drink helps cleanse my system and is high in alkaline. Plus it really works to lose weight, too. I drink this every morning on an empty stomach and when I read the below info I smiled and said "Thank you Mama!"

Eating Fruit - this opened my eyes.
Dr Stephen Mak treats terminally ill cancer patients by an "un-orthodox" way and many patients have recovered.  He believes in natural healing in the body against illnesses.  See the article below.

EATING FRUIT...

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it and just popping it
into our mouths.  It's not as easy as you think.  It's important to know how and WHEN to eat fruit.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS!  * 
FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.  Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit.  The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid.  The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals!  You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach.  The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes - all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon, that are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter.  If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice.  If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.  You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body.  Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty.  This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber.  Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away?  Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit.  Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine.  Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.  Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system.  They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant.  Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C.  They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.  Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation.  Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Don’t Drink Cold water after a meal.  Can you believe this??  For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.  It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal.  However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed.  It will slow down the digestion.  Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food.  It will line the intestine.  Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer.  It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks - HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.  Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.  You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.  Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.  Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.  Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.  Let's be careful and be aware.  The more we know the better chance we could survive. 

Tis' the Season to Give

Christmas brings the giving spirit out in all of us. I love to hear from people about their life lessons, trials, successes, how they achieved happiness and found their passion. We can learn so much from each other, whether it's advice we are giving or just listening to one another. Getting involved is the best thing chicks can do. Merry Christmas to everyone! I wish you all the best Holiday Season ever!

I decided this Christmas I'm going to give a lucky winner $300 in free product from my website.  To be a part of my giveaway and future giveaways, follow my blog and get involved.