Colette Baron-Reid: She Basically Saw Right Through Me And Found A Five Pound Bag Of Sugar

Colette Baron-Reid & Me!

On October 6, 2019 I arrived at the Houston Convention Center, for the second day of Hay House Live! That day's workshop was with Colette Baron-Reid.  Colette is a gifted intuitive counselor, spiritual medium, best-selling author, recording artist, and so much more. I could not wait meet her and learn from her in person.

I went in a different door than the day before, and lost my way, as some construction was going on and not all of the doors were open. I ended up walking with a really kind soul who turned out to be Balboa Press author Jennifer Gamboa. When we arrived at the main hallway for the Hay House events, she reached into her bag to give me one of her books, but realized she didn't have one on her, so I asked for her autograph on a piece of paper instead. Later in the morning I did go and buy her book Victim No More! How To Get Your Power Back.

Jennifer Gamboa & Me

As I walked along the hallways, I saw coach and author Nancy Levin who had just finished a morning meditation class. So I walked in to say hello and asked if she would sign one of her books Jump...and Your Life Will Appear. I told her my name and she said "Don't I know you?" I was surprised that she knew who I was from Instagram. I had reviewed her book Worthy and we did follow each other, but it was such a nice feeling to meet someone who you admire, and they know who you are. There is this feeling of validation, that you are seen. I first saw Nancy in 2013 at a Hay House I Can Do It! event in Austin. She was the event director and also a speaker. I have been a fan ever since! Nancy was so kind and welcoming in person. I'm so grateful I was able to meet her in person. That is part of why I love these events much. The people who are a part of this, make you feel as "worthy' as you feel about them.

Nancy Levin & Me

After visiting Dr. Robert Holden one last time to give him some Kindness tags for his kids, I went to find Colette Baron-Reid's room. I was so excited for this workshop!

Hay House Live! Houston 2019

I said my usual prayer and visualization before the day's event for a wonderful experience. Yes, I did get that first seat again in the center just as I wanted. I put my handbag on my chair and stuffed two filled Hay House bags under my chair so no one would trip on them.I had quite a bit with me that day, they could barely fit under the chair, and one of them was jutting out the back. 

Front and center!

I also had time to leave a kindness on a chair before everyone started coming into the room.

Kindness...Pass It On Mission in action!

I was happy to see a familiar face, Linda Jones from the prior day's class. We sat together again for this workshop. She surprised me with a beautiful pair of green earrings that reminded her of the healing color she saw around me when we did the James Van Praagh workshop. It just made my day, and I love wearing them. Such an unexpected kindness! We had a really fun day and Linda was even called to pick a card during the workshop.

Colette Baron-Reid & Linda Jones

Colette has such beautiful energy. She just fills the room with it. She always talks about how handsome her husband is (which he is!), but Colette is really stunning in person. Her beautiful soul matches her beautiful appearance. Colette and her husband are such a lovely couple. They really work well together and it was such an informative and fun event.

Beautiful Colette Baron-Reid

Colette did a card pull for her weekly astrology reading and I was picked for Libra. Now mind you, I was a little overwhelmed and excited to pick a card from Colette, so I forgot what card it was!  More excuses...it was the first time I used her deck Wisdom of the Oracle, so I wasn't familiar with the cards yet. I bought one for myself at the event, it is such a beautiful deck, I just love it! So anyway, I think the card I picked was Never-Ending Story in the protection position (upside-down) because she said it meant "not my circus, not my monkeys," so I can observe the drama, but I sure don't have to participate in it! She also said I was a natural healer. I just loved hearing that and I told her I am a Reiki Master, an energy healer. It just felt like validation that day, that I am indeed on the right path. I did become a small ham and mentioned my birthday was the next day, so I did get a Happy Birthday from the audience, which was so nice too!

Wisdom of the Oracle

Colette gave us tips on how to set boundaries and protect our energy. She was speaking to a room full of empaths, psychics, healers, and those very sensitive to energy, so it was most appreciated. She mentioned using himalyan salt blocks, the kind used to cook fish. You rest your feet on top of them to keep you grounded and from picking up other people's energetic "stuff." I have since found himalayan foot lamps, they are detoxifying too. 

There was supposed to be a John Holland workshop, but it was cancelled due to illness, so some of the people from that class came into our room. John does mediumship classes, and although Colette can connect with the departed too, this was going to be more about oracle cards and readings. But spirit had other plans, and lots of departed energies filled the room and she was able to give readings to loved ones who really needed it, even pets came through! I know the day evolved exactly how it was supposed to.

It was such a good day. We laughed, we cried, we covered all of the emotions. We worked with others on card readings, and it was fun to get a reading from different people and give them too. That was the first time I tried before I was actually trained. There was so much stepping out of my comfort zone that weekend, but there was a feeling of trust in this group of people. You just know you won't be judged and you can be your real self.

We did different exercises and we even listed things we don't want to carry around any more, all of the emotional baggage. I had quite a negative list for myself, but one of the items on my list was feeling like I was responsible for everyone. Part of that is from being a mother and part of it is a control factor with a splash of OCD. I knew I had to let that go, everyone needs to live their own lives, and make their own mistakes so they can grow. It's part of their path and I can't keep jumping in the middle of it trying to save people that actually don't need saving, they are doing fine. 

I forgot that I wrote this down until I pulled out my notes from the workshop, but number ten on my list was "That I can't speak in public with confidence." I don't know why I was thinking this at the time, but since that workshop, I have taught in-person classes, and done live online meditations, healings, and Meetups. So I left that baggage behind, and look what opened up! I love seeing how things are always unfolding for us even when we don't realize it at the time. Our lives flow when we let it, and each encounter, lesson, and stumble is preparing us for the next step. This is why I needed to let go of being responsible for everyone, their lives are unfolding for them just as mine is, and it's all good.

Sight unseen, we were each able to pick a card to keep, and the one I chose was Armadillo Spirit from Colette's Spirit Animal oracle cards. We learned about the meanings of the different animal spirits. Armadillo spirit is about setting healthy boundaries. Message received.

Spirit Animal Oracle Cards

After the event, I grabbed my bags and rushed to get to the book signing line. I had a long drive home, so I wanted to try to get as close to the front of the line as I could.

Colette told us that during the book signing, if she saw something while she was meeting us, she would do a quick, spontaneous reading. I wasn't expecting her to see anything with me. I thought she would have some messages for others from spirit just as she did in the workshop.

I got in line with Linda so we could take turns taking pictures of each other with Colette. When it was my turn, I blabbered how lovely she was and how great the workshop was and how excited I was to meet her in person. After she signed my book, Colette looked at me and told me I was addicted to sugar. She basically saw right through me and found a five pound bag of sugar. She told me I was pre-diabetic. Colette also told me that sugar is affecting my intuition, which is something I am trying to develop more. She said sugar is like crack to me and I needed to stay away from it. Wow. I mean WOW! Spot on, that is my weight issue, that is my addiction, and it has been an issue since I was a kid. I am severely addicted to sugar. If I completely remove it from my diet, I feel great, the minute I add it back in, I am hooked. And quite frankly, it's rare that I'm "off" sugar. Candy, cake, ice cream, anything with chocolate and I am all in. It has been such a difficult thing to overcome. Seriously, it has been my biggest lifelong challenge.

There have been so many times that I've gone to a CVS, gas station, or supermarket and filled my arms with loads of candy. And then checking out the cashier would always comment "Oh are you going to the movies?" Or "You must have a big family." Or "Aw you are having your child's birthday party!" I didn't have the courage to admit it was all for me. I thought they were being rude and presumptuous. But I know now that those were cries from the Universe telling me "This is too much. Stop. Please." But I didn't listen.

I had blood work later on that month for my annual checkup. My blood sugar was oddly decent, but my liver told a different story. So, this is something I am being very conscious of. It is such a struggle for me, but I know my health depends on making a change. Once again, Colette validated something very important. Out of anything she could have seen or felt, that is what came though, a Divine intervention for certain. It was quite a blessing that I will always be grateful for. Colette is truly gifted.

Colette Baron-Reid and me!

I left the convention center on a cloud thinking about the incredible weekend I just had. I headed home thanking spirit for such a great time. It was more than I ever could have imagined. 

Over an hour into my ride home, I had a sinking feeling that I left a bag behind. I don't know why it hit me in the middle of the highway, but I just could feel it. I pulled over and off to the access road so I could check. I was right, I left an entire tote bag with lots of new books and meditations, including my signed copy of Jump and Your Life Will Appear by Nancy Levin. My heart sunk. I also had my Kindness Cards in there, and some money to leave on vending machines as kindnesses. I called the convention center to see if somehow someone turned it in. It wasn't in lost and found, but they took my information. I knew it was too late to drive all the way back and expect to find it, the room was probably already locked up. It was Sunday, so I wouldn't be able to reach anyone else, so I took a deep breath, said a prayer that it all would be found and returned, and headed home.

The next day, I launched an all out mission to find my tote bag. I called Hay House, reached out to Starsha on the Hay House Wisdom Community Facebook page, and emailed Jessica at Hay House. Everyone was looking for my bag! And within a very short time, Jessica let me know that one of the event coordinators from Hay House took it with them so that it could be returned to whoever left it behind. She asked for my mailing address and I thanked her for all of the help I received so quickly.

Hay House is awesome!

Everything I left behind in that Hay House tote bag was sent back to me, even my Kindness mission Ziploc bag with butterflies and money! I never believed anyone at this event would consider keeping it for themselves, but it was still such a great feeling to know how loving and kind the Hay House community is. I am so grateful to Hay House and all who helped return this to me, including some Divine help as well!

Even Scar enjoyed the Hay House paper from the box.

Scar The Cat

There was so much packed into this one day: learning, validation, and the importance of community. Being seen was a big theme the whole weekend, even with things that I'm not proud of, but it can't heal if it's not brought into the light. I left behind things no longer serving me and what was meant for me came back!

For more information on Colette Baron-Reid:

Wisdom of the Oracle deck: Click here

Spirit Animal Oracle cards: Click here

The Map book: Click Here

Colette's website: Click here

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern

www.suitablegifts.com

Diet Week 3: Now We're Getting Somewhere!

At the end of week 2, I received the frozen portion of my Nutrisystem order for the month. I didn't realize I was getting a free week of Turbo10 along with it. The Turbo Takeoff kit includes a week of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a week of chocolate Nutricrush shakes and Turboshakes. This was supposed to be a kickstart for my first week of dieting.

I am incredibly glad that I didn't start out my weight loss plan with Turbo10, because I would have been a lunatic. I was already in sugar, carb, and calorie withdrawal on the regular plan's 1,500 calories a day. Having two weeks to prepare for this new twist, was very helpful, as I was already feeling adjusted to the plan. It's not something I "had" to do, but I felt better physically and mentally to give it a try.

The idea of Turbo10 is to help you lose up to 10 pounds in your first month. Ideally, a 1-2 pound per week goal is a healthy goal, but having a little extra push in the right direction appealed to me. After week 2, I was already down 5.5 pounds. I started Turbo10 on Sunday. I had breakfast, shake for snack, lunch, shake for snack, and dinner. I also added in vegetables and of course tons and tons of water. 

I made it through the first 3 days on an average of 900 calories a day. It certainly wouldn't be sustainable or healthy in the long term, but through the hunger, I remained determined. It became a bit of a personal quest for me to continue. Maybe the hunger was affecting my sense of reasoning, however, I carried on. 

By Wednesday, I was unhinged. Thank goodness for a dear friend at work who I shared this with. She's working a challenging diet program and could feel my pain. I was so cranky and I had a nagging headache that Tylenol couldn't remedy. As I've mentioned in prior blogs, support is the biggest change for me in my quest to be healthy again. Having someone to reach out to, helped me through the day. 

I realized later in the evening what had actually caused the headache and it wasn't Turbo10.  I took a relaxing salt bath the night before and tossed in about 2 cups of epsom salt. I overdid it, as I had done once before with a Himalayan salt bath. I don't know if it was the detoxing effect from the salt or dehydration, but after I guzzled more water, I felt better.

On Thursday I worked the Turbo10 plan through lunch. My family was taking me to dinner for a pre-birthday celebration, so I put the plan on hold for the evening. I had a salad, and a yummy panko-battered stuffed chicken, homestyle mashed potatoes, and asparagus. I only ate about half of what was on the plate. And I didn't take the rest home either. I am getting used to what "just enough" feels like, and I didn't want to overdue it just because it was there. Feeling better is overriding the yummy factor, and I'm grateful for that. I also don't want to work so hard all week at dieting, only to ruin it on a huge meal.

Friday was my birthday, but I stuck to the plan all day, even through dinner. But then there was cake... I had a small piece, and that was enough. The cravings have subsided so much. As long as I don't get back into the snacking routine, my body doesn't crave it. 

Saturday I went out to breakfast with family and again didn't overeat. I shared some of my struggle and again received wonderful ideas, support, and encouragement. There really isn't anything we need to go through alone. I ordered the healthiest breakfast available and ate a small portion of the plate, similar to what I have been eating for breakfast on the plan. I drank black coffee and water since they have zero calories. For the rest of the day, I stuck to the plan.

Sunday hubby and I went out for breakfast at Denny's and I ordered the Fit Slam breakfast. It was the lowest calorie breakfast on the menu but it was still around 390 calories. That's double what I've been eating. It had egg whites, spinach, tomatoes, a fruit cup, turkey bacon, and an English muffin. I ate it all! Oh well, it really was good! We spent the day in a beautiful town about an hour and a half from our home. We had lunch out and I ordered the veggie burger. There was no burger too it, as it was just vegetables on a bun. I ate just the veggies and the bottom of the bun, plus a few homemade potato chips. I drank unsweetened iced tea, another zero calorie beverage.

So with only three days of being completely devoted to Turbo10, I wasn't sure what my weigh-in would look like on Monday. But I knew overall I did really well. Even eating out, I kept my diet in mind and didn't go overboard.

Drumroll please...I lost 4.5 pounds! Wow! That was quite a bit to lose in a week! I don't have any plans to ever do that again, but it did give me a boost. I am down 10 pounds in 3 weeks! I can't imagine what would have happened had I followed it perfectly for the whole week. But honestly, it was a bit much. I think it gave me a lift psychologically, but the regular plan itself is working, and I know I will get to my goal just by following it.

I can get a bit obsessive, I can obsessively overeat, and I can also obsessively focus on my diet. I am striving for balance. Writing, posting on social media, and talking to friends and family is what is keeping me balanced. I want this to be a healthy, lasting change. I would like to lose 10 pounds a month, but as long as the numbers on the scale are heading down, and I'm feeling well, I'll be happy.

I am also celebrating each 10 pound milestone with a non-food treat. Being overweight, I really stopped pampering myself. I didn't feel well or look well, and I just wanted to hide. I can already feel my personality coming back, and I know it will get better and better. So my plan is for every 10 pounds, I'm putting $30 away in savings. I am also celebrating in this way:

10 Pounds = mani/Pedi
20 Pounds = new walking/workout shoes
30 Pounds = double-piercing my ears (the 2nd closed up a long time ago)
40 Pounds = hair cut/color (a good salon visit hasn't happened in ages)
50 Pounds = facial (it's been years)
60 Pounds = massage (haven't gone because of my weight)
70 Pounds = new boots
80 Pounds = new makeup/makeover
90 Pounds = spa day
100 Pounds = shopping spree! I'm taking all the savings I put away for each 10 pounds, and going shopping!

I'm not sure if I will go for the ultimate 100 pound weight loss, it really depends on how I look and feel. I will be healthy with less of a weight loss than that. I will see when to stop as I continue to go through this. And if I do lose that much, I won't be underweight, I will be within normal guidelines for my height. Time will tell!

Thank you all for listening and supporting. I'm here for you too!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

My Name is Kerri, and I'm a Chocoholic

Yes, I admit it. And in the admitting, I am set free. I have had a sugar addition since I was quite young. Candy, icecream, cookies, cake (you get the idea) have been in my daily diet for decades. I craved it, stockpiled it, hid it and devoured it.

At my annual doctor's appointment last month, my doctor went over my blood work with me. My cholesterol had dropped 5 points since last year, thyroid was healthy, blood sugar was perfect, everything was in normal range. "I'm addicted to sugar!" I blurted out. There, I said it. I needed to say it. She wasn't asking for it in the least, but I needed to own it, share it and let it go. We talked about it for a bit, she gave me some advice and sent me on my way.

Since that appointment, my sugar craving is gone. I don't think that was the only reason for it, but it was the final piece I needed. For quite some time now, I have been making steps towards better health. I have been listening to my intuition and immersing myself in healthier reading, TV and radio programs. Many ideas and repetitive signs to take action have been coming my way, so I followed them.

I have a list of intentions ("I am's") that I state when I meditate. Here are some of them:

• I am thin.
• I am perfect wellness.
• I am losing weight quickly and healthfully.
• I am craving healthy foods.

I have also been praying for help in eliminating my sugar cravings and eating better.

I have been eating healthier, going to the gym, and have even started using a hula hoop (it's a bit comical right now, but I plod on!). I have really felt like everything I needed to do to live a healthier life was coming together wonderfully except for the sugar. And honestly, I was so addicted, I didn't know if I wanted to give it up. I knew it was toxic, and at times I even felt angry from it after eating it. It gave me brain fog, forgetfulness and exhaustion. Yes, the chocolate bar cried out for me, and I always relented. The cravings were incredibly intense.

A few weeks before the doctor appointment, I had given up my morning muffins. It was a staple with my morning coffee (no sugar in the coffee, I was actually able to give that up last year). There were 4 tiny chocolate chip muffins in a bag. Total junk. There were at least two occasions where I opened a bag, ate a muffin and tasted some weird chemical, carbon dioxide-ish burst of yuk. I don't know if it was from what they fill the bag with (like they do with potato chip bags to keep the chips from crushing), but you would think that would have stopped me from buying them. Nope. Get buying, kept shoving them in my pie hole. Addiction at its finest.

There were just so many layers to my addiction to sugar. It was my escape when I was anxious, my reward when I accomplished something, it was my go to for everything. Sad? Candy. Happy? Candy. Tired? Candy. Candy, candy and more candy with a side of donuts. You can not even imagine the sheer volume of sweets I could consume in a day. I knew all of the junk was actually starving my body (even though it was ballooning on the outside), but I couldn't stop it.

I believe in the Law of Attraction. What you put out into the universe as an intention or belief, will appear. It took some time, but it happened. I persisted with my desire to change by envisioning it, and knowing that I would connect to better health. I continue to envision myself at the ideal weight I would like to be, and I know I will be that. I am not on a diet, I'm not starving myself. I just cut out the candy fest, soda, cakes...I could go on but you know what I'm talking about! Sugar!! I even made it through Halloween with candy in the house, and didn't have a bite. And it wasn't difficult for me. 

For the first time, I haven't had any sugar withdrawals. I have tried in the past to let go of sugar, usually combined with a low-calorie diet, and I was miserable. I'm not counting calories this time, but I am eating so much healthier that I'm losing weight.

Here are some points that I feel have really helped me make this change:

• Start with a desire.
• Set an intention (write it down, say it aloud...often)
• Watch for the signs (and your intuition) and follow them.
• Pray.
• Meditate on your intention.
• Live as if what you want is already here. The universe will provide you with what you put out there. Speak, think and feel like it already is in existence (It may take practice, but you can do it!).
• Feel worthy. Know that you deserve all the joy, love, peace, health, abundance and more that you want. And there is enough of it all for everyone.
• Be patient. The change could occur immediately, or take some time (as mine did). Giving up will never get you where you want to be.
• Express gratitude. Give thanks for everything. And give thanks as if what you want is already here. "Thank you for my quick and easy weight loss" etc.

I'll be giving updates on my health journey. Feel free to comment and share your journey too!

In Gratitude and Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com