Anemia is a condition in which blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells.

How To Prevent Anemia- Foods That Can Help

Eat foods high in iron: 

Spinach, broccoli, kale, and other dark green  vegetables

Tofu 

Peas 

Lentils 

White, red, and baked beans

Soybeans

Chickpeas

Tuna 

Eggs 

Beet juice

Shrimp 

Brown Rice

Dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, figs, and apricots

Beef (chuck roast, lean ground beef) 

Garlic

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time……

Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays

          

 
Living With Hope Counseling    

Co-dependency is a learned behavior that often can be passed down from one generation to another. 

It is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects a person’s ability to have a healthy and mutually satisfying relationship.

Co-dependency was first described and termed regarding people being in chemical dependency patterns and those who aided their addictions.

Today it is observed in individuals who are in relationships with chronically or mentally ill individuals as well as any co-dependent person from any type of a dysfunctional relationship.

Individuals who are co-dependent have low self-esteem and tend to look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better. They progressively develop a sense of reward and satisfaction from “being needed.” 

When the caretaking becomes compulsive of the Co-dependent person, they can feel as if they have no other choice but to help and they are unable to break away from the cycle of dysfunctional behavior.

Individuals who are Co-dependents look at themselves as the victims and are attracted to that same type of weakness and dysfunction in love and friendship relationships.

Some Characteristics of Co-dependent People Are:

They have an exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions of others.

The can confuse love and pity, with the tendency to “love” people they can pity and rescue.

They feel hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts.

They have an unhealthy dependence on relationships. 

The co-dependent will do just about anything to hold on to a relationship so that they avoid feeling abandoned.

They have an extreme need for approval and recognition.

They do not trust other people.

They have problems identifying their feelings.

They have problems with change, intimacy, and boundaries.

They have anger issues and are often dishonest and indecisive.

If you or someone that you know demonstrates co-dependent behaviors, there is help. Counseling can help.

       Reference- Mental Health America


1 Corinthians 10:13:  “You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.”

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time……

Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays

          

 
Living With Hope Counseling    

Marriage and Relationship tips

Be polite and respectful to one another at all times even when you are upset



Always talk things out-----instead of sweeping things under the rug-- but ask for a time out if you are too upset to talk calmly-------- just tell your spouse that you are taking a time out and tell them when you will resume the conversation

Keep things interesting and fresh--------- mix things up-------- try a new restaurant together------- try a new hobby together--------

Have a sense of humor

tell each other what your needs are

LISTEN to each other 

Take care of yourself

Surprise each other 

Don't interrupt each other

acknowledge positive actions and gestures

be each others biggest cheer leader

let go of the past and do not bring it up if it was negative

take responsibility for your own happiness

Be a blessing for each other 

Say and show "I love you" daily  

Express yourself using "I" statements

Comfort each other

Don't leave the house or go to bed mad

agree to disagree

remember it is best to show your love and support rather than to be right 

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time……

Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays

          

 
Living With Hope Counseling    

I tell my clients all of the time that the way that they think will influence how they feel and act. 


I cannot say this enough!

A single word can influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.

Optimistic words such as "Peace", "Calm" , and 'Positive" can modify the expression of genes which strengthens our frontal lobes and stimulates the brain’s cognitive functioning. 

Positive words actually drive the motivational aspect of the brain and build resiliency.

Conversely, negative and hostile language can disrupt specific genes that play a main role in the production of neurochemicals that protect us from stress. 

One single negative word can enhance the activity in our amygdala (the fear center of the brain). This releases stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters in which interrupts our brains’ functioning.

Hostile and negative words actually send alarm messages to the brain and they partially shut down the logic-and-reasoning centers located in the frontal lobes.

Having positive views and thoughts about yourself and others will produce a mentally and physically healthy outlook and person.

Having a poor self-image and allowing negative thoughts will ignite suspicion, doubt, and will fester more negativity.

Change your thoughts and change your world. Once you begin to change your thought process, it will become your new norm of the perception of reality......and you will then think and feel BETTER!
  Reference Therese J Borchard

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time……

Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays

          

 
Living With Hope Counseling    

There are EXTREME health benefits when you walk barefoot OUTSIDE - on the ground!


When you walk outside barefoot- you  experience electrically conductive contact of your body with the surface of the Earth. 

This is called Grounding or Earthing.

The Earth carries an enormous negative charge. 


The Earth is electron-rich and it can serve as a powerful and abundant supply of antioxidants and free-radical-busting electrons for you!


Antioxidants protect your body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. 

A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has an unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. 
 
Free radicals may be formed through natural human physiological processes as well as from the environment. They may be the result of a poor diet, stress, smoking, alcohol, inflammation, drugs, air pollutants and more.
 
Your body is actually made to "work" with the Earth in the manner in which there is a constant flow of energy between your body and the Earth. 

When you place your feet on the ground, you literally absorb large amounts of negative electrons through your feet. 

This simple process of "Grounding" is one of the most potent ways to receive antioxidants possible.

This "Grounding" has been demonstrated to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, enhance well being, improve immune response, heal wounds, prevent and treat chronic autoimmune diseases and more.

^{Reference: Mercola.com} 

By Diane Gammon MS

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time……

Week Days, Evenings, and Saturdays

          

 
Living With Hope Counseling    

When you face adversity which is difficult times, it may seem like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. 

It may seem like there are no answers, no relief in sight. 

You may seem like you are rock bottom.


The best thing about being rock bottom is that the only way that you can go is up! 

If you do all that you can- with what you have- with where you are in life- then -What is going to happen is going to happen and it will be okay...in time.

If it is out of your control then you can adjust your perspective on the situation. This can be difficult but it is possible.

Counseling can help.

Take a deep breath. Do the best that you can do and let go of what you do not have control over.... and this too will pass. 

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Jesus’ words)

 

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (Jesus’ words)

 

Philippians 4:6,7 … do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

By Diane Gammon M.S.     

 Clinical Mental Health Counselor

   Now open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays,

and Saturdays  

      

Do you have fears that you just cannot seem to shake? 






Talking to a skilled and interested professional about your fears and perceptions can be extremely helpful.

They can help you to identify the roots and any irrational thoughts. 

A counselor can also help you to work through your fears to where they can be reduced and replaced with positive and productive thoughts and feelings.

No matter how big or how small your fears are- they are worthy of your time and attention to work through them. 

YOU ARE WORTHY of your time and attention to work through them. 

The only way to get past something is to work through it.  
                              

                                 By Diane Gammon M.S.     

 Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                Now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 

and Saturdays  

      

Let It Go!

Past hurts and pain  and--- old injustices have a way of keeping us STUCK in our tracks.

This stops us from making the most of today. 

Whether you are holding on to pain, fear, a break up of a loved one, a death of a loved one, being stuck in life, financial stress, poor choices, bad relationships, pain of betrayal, and more-- YOU CAN LET GO AND MOVE ON FROM THEM!


The power to get past the past does not lie with the actual nature of events themselves.  It lies within YOU!


To let go or to get unstuck-- requires you to revisit the pain or injury-------- and then to look at it from a new perspective....one that is more realistic.

 Do not look at it as totally cutting ties and as a full amputation but rather----  
Think alteration.

Letting go requires thinking and doing. 

The 3 biggest strong holds are  love, fear, and rage.

You have to examine irrational, unproductive thoughts.

YOU HAVE TO CONFRONT YOUR EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT and minimize it from a boulder to a pebble. Then, place the pebble in your pocket as a cherished reminder--- WHILE--making room in your heart for something new.

Forgive and Anchor Yourself in the Future and Be Present in today.

Reference: Psychology Today

         You can also pray and ask Jesus to help control your mind.

                                

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

                          By Diane Gammon M.S.        

 Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                Now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 

and Saturdays  

      

What is earth day?

 Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth. 

Then the idea for a national day to focus on the environment came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.

Ways you can help our earth: 

Carry a reusable shopping bag instead of using plastic ones

Ride your bike more

Recycle

Plant a small tree

Plant a vegetable garden-  

  Our food system is broken. Industrial agriculture is polluting water, destroying habitat and harming our health. The livestock sector alone contributes to climate change at least as much as all trucks, cars and planes combined! But you can help.

 Make a personal commitment to help change our food system by starting a vegetable garden- to eating less meat.

This will also help YOUR health as eating raw organic vegetables is the healthiest food that you can consume for your body! 

                     By Diane Gammon M.S.                    

 Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                Now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 

and Saturdays  

Do you want better mental health? Do more of what makes you happy!

It is important o make time for yourself in doing something that you really enjoy!

It is so easy to get caught up in all of our responsibilities. We often forget that we need to take time for ourselves. 

I want to challenge you to do something for yourself every day that makes you happy! 

Tell yourself that you deserve it! YOU are worthy! 

                      By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

 Now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays