I’m skeptical when it comes to psychics. But I do believe there are things in this world we don’t understand, or have not yet discovered- both spiritual and scientific.
Having said that, I’m always open to new information- whether I disagree with it or not.
I met Celebrity Psychic and Elk Grove resident Belinda Bentley at a local Starbucks a few months ago. She’s been on national TV programs, and is the personal psychic for celebrities Dave Navarro and Margaret Cho.
She’s not a one-trick psychic. Bentley can read tarots, read palms and perform energy healing. She even does exorcisms on body parts.
“I’ve worked with people who thought different body parts were haunted,” she said. “It’s not that uncommon.”
Recently, a television network contacted Bentley and asked her to work with celebrities in a reality-type TV show.
Bentley is only 30 years old, but has already experienced so much in her life. She grew up in a conservative household in Los Angeles where spirits were considered demonic, she said. However, Bentley frequently felt spirits in her childhood home. Bentley said cabinets in the kitchen would open without anyone there and other strange phenomena would occur.
When she was a teenager, a friend jokingly suggested she was psychic. The friend’s boyfriend tested Bentley’s psychic skills by asking her a specific question, to the effect of “what did I do on a certain night a few years back?” He mentioned a specific date. Bentley guessed based on what she could see in her mind and was dead-on right. From that point on she decided to foster her psychic abilities. She moved to New Zealand for one year at age 20. More psychic experiences ensued.
While on a New Zealand beach, Bentley reached down to pick up a seashell. She felt a hand on her back. Bentley turned around to present the seashell to the person touching her, who she assumed was her daughter. She was shocked that no one was there- her daughter was on a hill in front of her.
Bentley has many stories about answering her past clients’ questions accurately, and knowing information that no one, or very few people could know about the person.
Psychic readings allow her to help people one-on-one, which is rewarding, she said.
But when people don’t listen to her advice Bentley said her job can be frustrating.
“There’s been times when people don’t listen and their life is hell,” she said. Then Bentley has to hear a sad story, which could have been prevented.
But when people do take-up Bentley on her advice, they’ll send her an e-mail saying she changed their life.
“I remember one woman, she tape recorded our hour session and she said ‘everything in that reading has come true,’ she said ‘every last detail,’ and I’m like ‘that’s 100 percent, that’s unheard of, even for me!’”
I’ve never encountered a psychic who is so shocked at her own abilities.
“We’re not taught that this is normal, but it is,” she said. “Everybody has a psychic connection.
“There are so many people who say they wish they came with a manual so they would know how to live life and a lot of people think that’s the Bible. I personally think it’s our intuition.”
She said people should listen to their intuition.
“You want a manual, and you don’t think you have one,” she said. “It makes no sense when you’re getting hints.”
To enhance or get in touch with your intuition, Bentley suggests meditating.
“Developing you intuition is about listening to yourself,” she said.
After our chat, Bentley gave me a reading.
I’ve had readings before and I’ve rarely liked them. I used to work at a retirement facility where one resident had been a psychic in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen for 50 years. She gave me a reading and said I would go to graduate school (yeah!) but I would be low income for the rest of my life and only have one or two children (I want four.)
Another psychic once told me my heart is closed and it will be at least 8 year before I find love. Good thing that reading was free at a Farmer’s Market!
Even if the readings were good, I’d like to think we control our own futures.
Bentley had good predictions for my future. But one thing she said stuck out in my mind. It wasn’t something of great importance, but I can’t figure out how she could have known this fact.
Bentley said she felt like there was something else she had to tell me. After a long pause, she asked me if I’m going through a name change. “I’m am!” I replied. My friends and family call me Kate, but I’ve always applied to jobs with my full name, Katie. I mentioned to my mom that I might go by Kate at work too. Bentley said this would greatly help my career and my outlook on myself in my future career.
This wasn’t earth shattering, but I can figure out how she knew this. Maybe a lot of people are transitioning from their full name to a nickname? Or, Maybe Bentley saw a vision of the conversation I had with my mom in her mind?…
Monday, August 24, 2009
Yet another helpful app for the iPhone
The iPhone can help you if you’re lost, recommend a good restaurant within your budget, and now, fix a flat tire.
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
Monday, August 17, 2009
Yet another helpful app for the iPhone
The iPhone can help you if you’re lost, recommend a good restaurant within your budget, and now, fix a flat tire.
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
Yet another helpful app for the iPhone
The iPhone can help you if you’re lost, recommend a good restaurant within your budget, and now, fix a flat tire.
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
On Aug. 14, AAA announced a “Roadside application” for the iPhone to AAA members.
The free app is available for download on the iTunes App Store.
“When used, the app quickly sends a member’s vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other detailed information directly to AAA for roadside assistance,” according to the press release.
Of course, a call can be made too.
Whether an AAA member calls Roadside Assitance or uses the app, AAA will contact the member to let them know their information was received.
The app also includes a “While You Are Waiting” feature. This allows members to search for nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA discounts, AAA approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations.
AAA Roadside is available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
AAA’s first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store.
For more information visit www.aaa.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Find Local College Classes
Education never hurt anyone.
A new Web site, Courseopedia.com, locates local classes in your area of interest. Click on the subject you’d like to study, then type in your zip code.
The site is launching with listings for California schools and will gradually expand to create a nationwide source of information on personal enrichment, vocational and career advancement courses – including those offered by private instructors.
Courseopedia currently lists 30,000 courses from 17 California city and community colleges.
http://www.courseopedia.com
A new Web site, Courseopedia.com, locates local classes in your area of interest. Click on the subject you’d like to study, then type in your zip code.
The site is launching with listings for California schools and will gradually expand to create a nationwide source of information on personal enrichment, vocational and career advancement courses – including those offered by private instructors.
Courseopedia currently lists 30,000 courses from 17 California city and community colleges.
http://www.courseopedia.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Vegan Meals- Grocery List
Pick-up a copy of the Elk Grove Citizen's June 10 edition and check out the Home & Garden insert for my story featuring five nights of vegan meals and the recipes to go with them. Here is the grocery list promised in the article. Enjoy!
Grocery List
1 large eggplant
1 green bell pepper
4 red bell peppers (3 for stuffing)
1 red onion
1 yellow onion
2 bunches baby bok choy
2 avocados
2 golden beets
50 button mushrooms
6 shallots
1 Japanese eggplant
1 container of sprouts
Fresh mint, parsley and oregano
1 cup pine nuts
Alvarado St. Bakery Sprouted Wheat Burger Buns
Alvarado St. Bakery Essential Flax Seed Bread
2 pkgs Sunergia soy foods soy feta any flavor
Follow Your Heart cheese alternative Monterey Jack
Follow Your Heart Organic Vegenaise
Galaxy Nutritional Foods cheddar flavor rice slices
Vegetable spread for sandwich (recipe used Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with eggplant and garlic)
1 pkg firm or extra firm tofu
1 container Cold Mountain Kyoto White Miso (any light miso will do)
Boca Vegan meatless burgers
Mirin
Sesame seeds
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Hot chili oil
Vegetable oil
Garlic flavored olive oil
Garlic flavored grapeseed oil
Evaporated pure cane sugar (you only need a pinch, but this tastes great in cakes and muffins too)
Sea salt
Pepper
Grocery List
1 large eggplant
1 green bell pepper
4 red bell peppers (3 for stuffing)
1 red onion
1 yellow onion
2 bunches baby bok choy
2 avocados
2 golden beets
50 button mushrooms
6 shallots
1 Japanese eggplant
1 container of sprouts
Fresh mint, parsley and oregano
1 cup pine nuts
Alvarado St. Bakery Sprouted Wheat Burger Buns
Alvarado St. Bakery Essential Flax Seed Bread
2 pkgs Sunergia soy foods soy feta any flavor
Follow Your Heart cheese alternative Monterey Jack
Follow Your Heart Organic Vegenaise
Galaxy Nutritional Foods cheddar flavor rice slices
Vegetable spread for sandwich (recipe used Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with eggplant and garlic)
1 pkg firm or extra firm tofu
1 container Cold Mountain Kyoto White Miso (any light miso will do)
Boca Vegan meatless burgers
Mirin
Sesame seeds
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Hot chili oil
Vegetable oil
Garlic flavored olive oil
Garlic flavored grapeseed oil
Evaporated pure cane sugar (you only need a pinch, but this tastes great in cakes and muffins too)
Sea salt
Pepper
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
“Restore the Core” class for moms
Wendy Hoag’s positive, and friendly personality can’t be taught. She teaches various workout classes for moms, including “Restore the Core,” which I participated in on June 8 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Color Me Mine in Elk Grove.
Hoag is a Certified Fitness Instructor with separate certifications for the various types of exercise she does. Her encouragement and fun attitude made working out more enjoyable. She was immediately welcoming and helped everyone with their form throughout the workout. She adjusted my form when I needed it too.
I’ve taken numerous Pilates and yoga classes over the last 10 years, and Hoag’s moves are some of the most effective and fun to do.
The “Restore the Core” class is for expecting moms-to-be and women who have had babies. I am neither, but I was curious about the moves that would “restore” one’s abs after pregnancy. The tough moves had my legs and arms shaking rather ungracefully, but I can see how doing these exercises on a regular basis would tone the core and help posture. One mom sitting next to me said she sits up straighter in her car now that she takes this class.
“Restore the Core” was done barefoot on cute children’s mats with animals and letters. These are the kind of mats I imagine would be in a child’s nursery. We aligned our spines along the ruler print in the middle of the mat and put our feet between two letters or animal prints on either side.
The class was not a sweat session, but an enjoyable yet challenging toning workout. The lights were dimmed for most of the workout. And the doors of the studio were wide open; making the class feel like it was outside because of the nice breeze flowing inside. I made a mental note of some moves Hoag used and will try to incorporate them on a regular basis now. They worked!
I am pretty sore today, not uncomfortably sore though. I will still take a walk this evening. I can tell the class worked more than just my abdominals. My inner thighs are painin’ too. That must be from using the “mommy muscle balls” to squeeze between my knees while executing the moves.
Hoag said the first class is usually hard because people may not know the moves yet. The second class can be harder because now you know the moves and are doing them correctly, so the workout gets tougher. But after several weeks participants can see a big difference in their bodies.
This workout evens out the two sides of the body. Because activities like driving or cradling a baby on one side, the body may not always tone evenly. This class helps to even out the muscle definition, she said.
Class participant Amanda Hixson said she’s “getting slimmer all the time.”
Her goal is to get back into pre-baby shape and get stronger because she injured her back.
Hixson is a physical therapist at Kaiser Permanente. She said Hoag’s style of teaching ab workouts is the best.
“This is the only stability class I’ve taken that takes into account your back safety,” she said.
Hixson enjoys the class so much she will continue to take it throughout her next pregnancy.
“I want to stay stronger so my next pregnancy is easier and recovery is easier,” she said.
For more information about Restore the Core classes, please visit http://www.strollerfit.com/elkgrove.
Hoag is a Certified Fitness Instructor with separate certifications for the various types of exercise she does. Her encouragement and fun attitude made working out more enjoyable. She was immediately welcoming and helped everyone with their form throughout the workout. She adjusted my form when I needed it too.
I’ve taken numerous Pilates and yoga classes over the last 10 years, and Hoag’s moves are some of the most effective and fun to do.
The “Restore the Core” class is for expecting moms-to-be and women who have had babies. I am neither, but I was curious about the moves that would “restore” one’s abs after pregnancy. The tough moves had my legs and arms shaking rather ungracefully, but I can see how doing these exercises on a regular basis would tone the core and help posture. One mom sitting next to me said she sits up straighter in her car now that she takes this class.
“Restore the Core” was done barefoot on cute children’s mats with animals and letters. These are the kind of mats I imagine would be in a child’s nursery. We aligned our spines along the ruler print in the middle of the mat and put our feet between two letters or animal prints on either side.
The class was not a sweat session, but an enjoyable yet challenging toning workout. The lights were dimmed for most of the workout. And the doors of the studio were wide open; making the class feel like it was outside because of the nice breeze flowing inside. I made a mental note of some moves Hoag used and will try to incorporate them on a regular basis now. They worked!
I am pretty sore today, not uncomfortably sore though. I will still take a walk this evening. I can tell the class worked more than just my abdominals. My inner thighs are painin’ too. That must be from using the “mommy muscle balls” to squeeze between my knees while executing the moves.
Hoag said the first class is usually hard because people may not know the moves yet. The second class can be harder because now you know the moves and are doing them correctly, so the workout gets tougher. But after several weeks participants can see a big difference in their bodies.
This workout evens out the two sides of the body. Because activities like driving or cradling a baby on one side, the body may not always tone evenly. This class helps to even out the muscle definition, she said.
Class participant Amanda Hixson said she’s “getting slimmer all the time.”
Her goal is to get back into pre-baby shape and get stronger because she injured her back.
Hixson is a physical therapist at Kaiser Permanente. She said Hoag’s style of teaching ab workouts is the best.
“This is the only stability class I’ve taken that takes into account your back safety,” she said.
Hixson enjoys the class so much she will continue to take it throughout her next pregnancy.
“I want to stay stronger so my next pregnancy is easier and recovery is easier,” she said.
For more information about Restore the Core classes, please visit http://www.strollerfit.com/elkgrove.
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