With a career that spanned more than 30 years, Lisa Lampanelli was a constant on the comedy scene. With numerous tours, Grammy nominations, and national TV guest appearances and specials under her belt, Lisa made headlines in 2012 when she lost more than 100 pounds with the help of bariatric surgery. The comedian went on to speak with unflinching honesty about her lifelong food and body-image issues, and has since gone from insulter to inspirer. I had the pleasure of talking with her about her new direction in life. Lisa will perform at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, April...

Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. This is incredibly true, even in your small business. I recently received a call from a prospective client who needed advice on how to open a successful holistic business. I suggested that we create a business plan using my Planning for Success™ business planning model. She replied, “I don’t think I need a business plan, can you just tell me what to do?” That response made me realize that most new entrepreneurs don’t know the high level standard business concepts that it takes...

Do you or anyone you know suffer from diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus, Hashimoto’s, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome? At first these conditions seem very different from one another, some involving muscles, joints and nerves while others seem to affect the digestive system and skin. What could these complex and very different diseases have in common? They are among the 80-100 different autoimmune conditions that have been identified by researchers. Autoimmune conditions are categorized by a dysregulation of the immune system whereby the immune cells begin to attack the body’s own organs...

From the time of the ancients until the 17th century everyone recognized the interconnectedness of the mind and body. The idea of viewing the mind and body as separate was a result of a philosophical argument (Cartesian Dualism) to understand thinking and what and how we can know. It was also the dividing line between science and religion. Mind, body and soul were no longer connected, so the body could be examined. It was not until Merleau-Ponty introduced the philosophical argument of the “living body” in Primacy of Perception that we begin to return to a union of mind/body...

Struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, a depression that comes from being chronically anxious? Maybe you have a phobia that’s limiting your life, or you’re attempting to cope with your emotions with cigarettes, alcohol, or food. You’ve probably tried a number of things in order to feel better, even traditional therapy or one of the many pharmaceuticals on offer. It’s possible that you’ve even started giving up hope. There is help, and you’ll find it in the most unlikely of places. Inside your mind…your subconscious mind that is. How do you access your subconscious mind? The answer is through hypnosis....

Chris Addley is a local Connecticut Chef that wears two crucial hats. He wears his chef hat as the creative genius behind the fine dining, farm-to-table meals at Hartford’s Firebox Restaurant, and he wears his culinary Professor’s hat as a mentor to many people who are learning the ins and outs of working in the culinary industry. Chris Addley is at the helm of an exceptional restaurant in Hartford’s Frog Hollow neighborhood. Firebox’s story is as unique as its food. When you dine there, you directly support the work of non-profit Billings Forge Community Works (BFCW). Since both of...

I personally became aware of the complexity of autoimmune conditions as an adolescent when my mother was diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and suffered the challenges of these illnesses. I learned quickly that autoimmune conditions can take different paths and intensities but follow the same fundamental core issue, your immune system is mistakenly attacking your body. Autoimmune conditions damage your tissues and organs and can’t tell the difference between foreign cells and your own cells. Though there are no scientifically proven reasons why the immune system inappropriately misfires, there are some commonalities in why some individuals having a...

Most holistic business owners dread knowing their financial position and as a result, your level of abundance is directly impacted. This month’s column is dedicated to inspiring you to know your numbers and clearly understand your financial picture. When this important information is clearly defined, you consciously raise your manifesting vibration. Know Your Impact “Success is measured by impact, impact is rewarded with abundance, abundance is defined by you.” This is a quote by yours truly. These wise words came to me when I was struggling with how to measure success in my own business. I realized that abundance...

When we talk about detox, we typically focus on just the physical body. What about the mental, emotional and spiritual bodies? Those need to be detoxed as well. Let’s take the mind for example. The mind is virtually unlimited in its capacity, but for all of us there seems to be a lot of old garbage in its vast storehouse. We know that every thought, whether in word or image form, affects our emotional body and in turn elicits a physical response on one level or another, whether we’re aware of it or not. What if we could clear...

Yes, there’s been a lot of talk more recently about CBD, the cannabinoid derived from Cannabis and Hemp plants. Ironically, Hemp derived CBD or Cannabidiol does not provide the “Buzz” or psychoactive/euphoric effect which its THC containing close cousin Cannabis does. CBD is a phytocannabinoid and as such, is plant derived. There are also synthetic cannabinoids such as the prescription drug Marinol. The third division of cannabinoids are the endocannabinoids that are part of the “endocannabinoid system”(ECS), which functions inside our bodies as a homeostatic regulator. History of CBD Reportedly the cannabinoids THC and CBD were first isolated in...

The Virtual Gastric Band Hypnosis weight loss program is an amazing new method that can naturally help people make better food choices and lose weight. This technique is a safe and healthy alternative to weight loss surgery and is designed to replicate the effects, results and benefits of the gastric band or bypass surgery without going under the knife. Best of all, there is no diet, no deprivation and no hospital stay. This unique and very specialized concept was originally developed in Europe by UK Clinical Hypnotist Sheila Granger. Clinical trials have shown a 95% success rate with the...

If you are a small business owner, you know that the decisions you make daily impact your bottom line. Are you exercising the same care for your finances that you apply to the services you offer your clients? Following is a financial health check you can use to evaluate your financial health as a small business owner. Are You Focusing on The Big Picture? There are many pieces to a small business owner’s total financial picture. Your financial plan, budget, and investments are three critical components to keep in mind no matter how busy daily operations become. 1. Financial...

You’ve been eating so well. You’ve been exercising. You’re losing weight, you’re feeling more energetic, your clothes are fitting better. Just look in that mirror – what a fine specimen you are! But… You still have a bit of that gut, huh? Oh, it’s definitely decreased. Like maybe there’s an orange in there now instead of a cantaloupe. And it’s not flab – you can barely pinch an inch. But whatever it is, you want it gone. So, what gives? Why does it feel like there’s literally something physical inside preventing you from attaining that nice flat belly you...

Years ago, when I first moved to Connecticut for work, I did not know anyone in the area. Over the next few weeks, I started feeling stressed, depressed, my skin was breaking out and my hair was shedding at a high rate. Then one day out of the blue, I got a hug from a student of mine. That hug moved me instantly to tears and I was shocked at my reaction. That night it hit me, I was missing human touch. I was so focused on work and settling in that I hadn’t even realized that it had...

Bernard Ilsley, “The London Medium,” is a third-generation psychic, and was born with the gift leaving most people who witness his ability astounded. He works with three spirit guides and is able to consult each different spirit guide depending on which specialized subject he is working on for the individual consulting him. His recording’s now play on every continent in the world, they now run into the millions. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bernard to talk about his gift and upcoming show at the Ridgefield Playhouse on March 19, 2019. DH: How did you discover you...

When you walk through the door of Bailey’s Backyard, you are entering a community venue for culinary and artistic treasures. Original art hangs on the walls, local musicians occasionally play in the backroom, and comfortable spaces welcome you to settle in and enjoy the artfully created meals by Connecticut Chef Zachariah Campion. Zach attended a cooking class at the Simsbury High School Culinary Program that launched him into a career as a Chef. He attended Johnson and Wales in Providence and received his 4 Year Culinary Arts Degree where expert chef-instructors taught him the craft of culinary arts in...

A tremendous amount of research is coming out in regards to genetics and personalized wellness. Gastrointestinal health, although largely impacted by environment, is also influenced by genetics. This is why no single diet is universally successful. People have unique biochemical individuality, based on their genes, which governs how well they may tolerate different foods. Indigestion symptoms may vary from upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea, gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, and/or diarrhea. This article will discuss how and why environment sets the foundation for proper gut health, and the role of genetics as an influencer. The Environment A person’s environment is...

ore than 30 million Americans take antidepressant drugs…The effectiveness of … drugs has been the subject of several reviews. The results indicate that they have not been shown to work any better than a placebo in cases of mild to moderate depression, the most common reason for prescription medication … In fact, the research indicates that SSRIs and other antidepressant drugs might actually increase the likelihood of suicide in adults and children … These medications … may cause significant side effects.      ~ Michael T. Murray, ND, & Joseph Pizzorno, ND, The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (3rd Edition...