How To Set New Year's Resolutions That Actually Work

It's that time of year when thoughts turn to the future and new beginnings. Typically these thoughts are formulated by setting plans and resolutions for the new year. Also typically these resolutions tend to turn to nothing after a few weeks or even days.

Reasons Our Resolutions Fail

There are many reasons why such good intentions may fail including:

1. Unrealistic Goals - be sure to make your aim relatively easy and not too time consuming. If you achieve this aim easily enough you can always add to it later on.

2. Attempting Too Many Things At Once - this is linked to having unrealistic goals. Many people having not taken on any new challenges all year think it is feasible they can suddenly do 3 or 4 new things all at once. Not satisfied with aiming to lose weight, they also attempt to change their job, save money, write a novel, and train for the London Marathon all from Day 1. Once one of these challenges falls by the wayside it is easier for the others to fall off too.

3. Unrealistic Timeframes - again this is linked to the problem above. You may have time to achieve a number of goals through a year, but there is no need to start them all on 1st January. So why not concentrate on just one goal in January, achieve that, and then turn to another afterwards? People think major changes in lifestyle or habit can occur quickly and get despondent without immediate results but it is perseverance that is more important in the long run. Imperceptible daily changes will resolve into something tangible after a few weeks.

4. Lack of Immediate Reward - don't expect immediate benefits. Progress is not always made in a straight upward linear line. You may have setbacks, you may think you are not getting anywhere. It is worth reassessing your goals as you go and making adjustments if necessary, or complete changes, but do give yourself time.

5. Not Allowing Enough Time - this can apply to problem number 4 above with reference to allowing time to notice results or simply the practical ability to dedicate enough time on a daily basis to your resolution. If you are a busy person and you decide you are going to take up jogging where do you think the extra hour a day is going to come from for your training? If you are beginning a novel or starting a gym regime you have to accept that there is only one way to achieve this - you simply have to put in the time. This means removing time from somewhere else, for example commuting, family time, or sleeping. It will obviously be easier to do something that only takes 5 minutes a day and impinges less upon your present commitments.

6. Disconnection With What We Actually Want - think carefully why you really want your goal. Is it the process you will enjoy or the actual outcome, the journey or the destination? - there is a big difference between the final benefit and the means to achieve that benefit. For instance do you want to save more money without any particular cause or is your ultimate aim to go on an exotic holiday next August? The means and the journey is important, and your chances of success are greater if you will enjoy the actual method, but a clear intention towards achieving a result will provide the drive to get the task done. In fact some maintain the intention is the only important part of the left side of this equation ie. I = R where M is zero. In other words if you intend for something it doesn't matter what method you use, you will achieve the result.

Intention + Method = Result

7. Lack of Personal Motivation - make sure you choose something you really want or need. The stronger the desire the stronger the chances of achieving the goal. You have to have a strong personal motivation to achieve your goal. If you are doing something as someone else suggested it, or you just feel you "should" you are more likely to give up early.

8. Non Specific Targets - all the literature on setting goals and aims always stresses that any goal has to be measurable and specific. So instead of a vague notion to "get fit" for example, set a deliberate plan to do 10 press ups a day.

9. Relying on Others - although it can sometimes be useful to publicise your goal and/or work together in a group this does lay you open to others' whims. If your goal relies on someone else also doing the same thing your challenge could fail for practical reasons (the lift to the gym you rely on fails to turn up) or personal reasons (your friend's circumstances change and they can't continue).

10. Procrastination - some potential new resolution makers feel unable to take action until all the conditions are perfect, for example: "I'll start running when I get those running shoes" or "I'll launch my new business when my new website is up". There can also be deflection of the actual task in hand whereby people deceive themselves into believing the laying of the ground work (such as purchasing the running shoes) fulfils the task rather than actually starting the real task (the actual running). It helps to accept that conditions are never perfect and you are better off just starting. Then by the time conditions become perfect (conditions tend to align with you after you have started something anyway) you will find you are already half way there.

Two New Things To Try This New Year (Or Any Other Time!)

1. Think in 30 Day Blocks

This is one of the most powerful tools I've ever used to achieve things. Once you commit to a goal resolve to stick to it for 30 days. Mark the start date in your calendar or diary, and the end date. Tick off the intervening dates if this helps.

If you miss a day start again with a new 30 days (but you'll find this is actually rare). The interesting thing about setting the 30 day goal is your mind becomes immediately conditioned and does not forget.

When you get to the end of the 30 days readjust the goal, start a new one, or simply carry on! But be sure to set a new timetable - again in blocks of 30 days (so for some goals you may set a 60 or 90 day challenge, although I would recommend you break down the more long term goals into 30 day sections anyway).

As an example, say if you want to write something like a short story or even a novel, you make sure you do that, every day! It doesn't matter if you do it at 6am or 11.55pm, but you must write at least a sentence every day. Tick!

The increments may seem small but it is the compounded accumulative effect which counts.

80 percent of success is showing up

Woody Allen

If your challenge is to get fit by running set a specific challenge to run around the block once a day. This may only take two minutes so can easily be done first thing in the morning before work (or possibly on the way to work?), or last thing at night, or at a number of opportunities during the day. You will feel the benefit after only a week. After 30 days adjust the challenge to twice round the block for the next 30 days.

For fitness challenges like this I do advocate forms of HIT training (high intensity training). Not only does it take a lot less time, science has shown it generally gives us more health benefits too. So why jog for an hour and a half a day when a sprint up a hill in 30 seconds achieves as much? A good HIT technique to try is 8 on/off sprints/walks. So you walk for 30 seconds, sprint for 30 seconds, walk again etc (repeat 4 times).

The 30 days represents a significant challenge, but is also realistic and does not appear too far into the distance or unattainable. This timeframe also fits in with "The 21/90 Rule" which says that if you commit to a personal or professional goal for 21 straight days, after three weeks, the pursuit of that goal should have become a habit. Once you’ve established that habit, you continue to do it for another 90 days. If you can keep up something for three weeks and then ninety days, then it should become a permanent lifestyle change.

2. It Doesn't Have To Be New Year's Day

Finally although it is New Year's Eve right now, at the time of writing, I hope people read this throughout the year and take action whatever time of year it is. It doesn't actually matter when you decide to do something. There may be some small psychological power to certain times of the year, such as New Year, the Solstice, your birthday, but this energy may not actually be helpful. It could actually add stress or peer pressure unnecessarily. If you have a good idea for a plan whenever it occurs, just do it, right then, right now.

Just decide and start immediately. Now, today. There is no good reason why any decision to change something or do something different needs to be associated with one day of the year. What if a new idea comes to you on 24th October? - it would plainly be ridiculous to wait another two months to take action. What if it happens on 3rd January? - you haven't really missed the boat - there is a boat every day. The 1st January is just an arbitrary man made construct. As is midnight on the 31st (if you want to put your clocks forward a couple of hours and celebrate early, and grab an early night, no one is stopping you!).

The key word is action. You can read all the online advice and self help books you like but I don't know any that will actually achieve anything without action on your part. You do need to take responsibility and do something. There isn't a magic bullet.

Take a step towards something you'd like to do by taking some immediate action, however small, today, and go from there. You'll be surprised, it could change your life!

If you enjoyed my post and found it useful you can support my blog below. Many thanks, Nicki

Read More

5G Is Coming To A Lampost Near You - Is This A Good Thing?

Are you worried about the possible effects of wi-fi, 5G, and smart meters? Let's be honest, no-one really knows the long term outcome of being exposed to these things. But we do know humans have evolved over millions of years to thrive in nature with good nutrition, water and air yet suddenly, in the last 20 years or so (a blink of an eye in our history) we have become surrounded by artificial electro smog, radiation, EMFs, and dirty electricity.

The Mayor launched a major “listening exercise”, asking the capital’s huge tech sector what it needs to see to make London the world’s “smartest city.” 

London Evening Standard 18 January 2018

Not surprisingly most "official" studies find no link to our well-being and this "progress" yet we are seeing increased physical and emotional sickness especially in young people. Could this have something to do with it? Is the situation going to get worse? Where will we all be in another 20 years? We are actually undergoing one of the biggest experiments in human history and we are the guinea pigs.

It is the ultimate irony that all this stuff is called "smart" - from phones, to meters, motorways, and now entire cities - when it could be the dumbest thing we've ever done.

Some countries have indeed banned wi-fi in schools and in April this year Belgian minister Céline Fremault halted plans for 5G rollout in Brussels on health concerns for this inadequately tested new technology (current safety thresholds relate to heat exposure only and date from 1996):

The people of Brussels are not guinea pigs whose health I can sell at a profit.

But there is no sign of such foresight in the UK, the US, and China, where the short term agendas and profit motives of governments and corporates seem intent on leading us in a race to the bottom with an obsession for super fast "connectivity" and immersive technology.

Library stock photo of hipster cafe couple connecting even faster (pixabay)

Honestly, would you feel completely relaxed about the authorities installing a phone mast at the end of your street or outside your kids' school (with the roll out of 5G this could become a reality) or may you have a lingering doubt this may not be a good thing (and you won't have a choice about it)?

Even the name for the new transmitters sounds like something very scary and sinister out of Dr. Who: CPMRAs, otherwise known as Close Proximity Microwave Radiation Antennas!

As well as lamp-posts, the mini-masts could be installed on any publicly owned structure, from council tower blocks to hospitals, schools and GP surgeries.

London Evening Standard 18 January 2018

And that's not to even mention the security, data and privacy issues. All in an obsession for being at the forefront of technological progress in a modern world where in reality we are actually becoming less and less connected to each other.

How smart is your smartphone?

Unless you can emigrate to a cave in the Outer Hebrides you won't be able to avoid these things any more, but we can take steps to shield ourselves from the potential side effects. If you'd like to learn more about EMFs, radiation and 5g, and the possible steps you can take to mitigate the effects please get in touch.

Further reading:

https://ehtrust.org/take-action/educate-yourself/top-10-facts-about-cell-phones-and-wi-fi-2/

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/minimasts-to-be-installed-on-lampposts-across-capital-to-boost-mobile-coverage-a3747381.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9thLHXuJs8&t=0s&list=PL30Bb9gvO3diY9JAXxXhta6Jgd3XRiJ9r&index=46

Read More

Water For Life - The Magic of Pi "Living" Water

Our Bodies Need Water

Our bodies are around 70% water. We use this water for virtually every bodily function. Water aids digestion and transports nutrients. Water is important to circulation and cleanses wastes and toxins. Water helps to regulate our body temperature and lubricates joints and soft tissues. Water helps activate your body's immune system and is an essential component to aiding your natural healing processes.

Water is not a beverage of choice, but an essential nutrient!

It is thought that water even helps to provide energy for the brain. And yet, we don't drink enough water. Estimates suggest around 75% of us are chronically dehydrated. More than 1 in 3 have a thirst mechanism that is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

Water can not be produced by the body in sufficient amounts and must be supplied from an outside source.

We lose water each day when we go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when we breathe. Loss of water is faster when the weather is hot, when you are physically active, or if you have certain medical conditions such as a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, little or dark urine, strong smelling urine, constipation, low energy, fatigue, sluggishness, headaches, dizziness, stretch marks, confusion and muscle spasms.  In fact many ailments and illnesses are actually signs of dehydration.

Chronic dehydration is a disease producer. Even low levels of dehydration can affect us in many ways:

1% deficiency makes us thirsty
2% deficiency can trigger fuzzy short term memory
5% deficiency causes a fever
8% deficiency causes the glands to stop producing saliva and the skin to turn blue
10% deficiency causes a person to lose the ability to walk
12% deficiency is fatal

How Much Do I Need?

It varies from person to person, climate and conditions. As we age we naturally dehydrate more and many people, if not most, are in a constant state of dehydration.

In my nutritional practice I see clients with as little as 30% water composition*.

General advice is 8 "glasses" per day. More specifically you can use this formula to find the minimum you should have per day on average:

Take your Weight in lbs

Divide by 2 to determine the number of fl. oz

Or divide by 40 to determine the number of pints
Or divide by 70 to determine in litres

For example if you are 10 stone, you are 140 pounds. You need at least 70 fluid ounces or 3 1/2 pints of water or 2 litres per day.

Top Drinking Tip: Drink a pint of water on rising first thing in the morning at least half an hour before breakfast. This is a great way to start your day and get a large proportion of your requirement sorted first thing. 

The Problems With Our Water

People aren't drinking enough water largely because they don't like the taste of it.

Nature constantly recycles our water. Evaporation leaves behind contaminants. The rain joins streams where the water spirals down it's windy path being filtered by sand and energised by the sun and the magnetic field of the earth along the way.  Minerals are then added by the stones it runs over and the final result is nourishing, life-giving water.

Top Drinking Tip: Drink hot or warm (not cold) water. This allows water to pass straight to the colon without having to be warmed up in the stomach first. It is also very refreshing this way and many people find it a good substitute for tea.

However, between population growth, human waste, dumpsites, pesticides, fertiliser and animal waste, along with industrial hydrocarbons, toxic chemicals and acid rain, we have polluted our air and our streams to the point that no one trusts the safety of their water. Our municipal supplies are recycled numerous times through multiple households! Water is pumped through straight pipes (sometimes lead) to our taps or supplied in leaching plastic bottles.

Water at it's natural source is very different after it has been subjected to such unnatural processes and can lose it's natural "living structure" within 72 hours. 

Part of the solution is the chemical treatment of our water supplies in an effort to eliminate some of the contaminants that have accumulated. These chemicals can cause still other contaminants such as chlorine byproducts. Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical which is not good for our gut and hardens our arteries. Not only does it deaden the water stripping it of its natural life giving qualities, it also tastes rank.

With microbiological threats, as well as organic, inorganic and volatile organic chemicals, we have much to be concerned about. 

People are now turning to filtration of their water at the point of consumption. Many such solutions exist. Learning about the pros and cons of each alternative is important to help you find the answer.

Alternative Purification Solutions

Carbon Filters

These filters work by absorption. They capture contaminants by making them adhere to the carbon in the filter. They do a good job improving the taste and odor because they reduce the level of chlorine byproducts. They may even remove or reduce the level of lead and some lighter weight volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Carbon filters however do not remove bacteria, parasites, heavier VOCs, organic chemicals or help with Total Dissolved Solids or heavy metals.

Pitchers
Table top pitcher jugs like Britta use granulated activated carbon to filter out chlorine and make water taste better. The downside is that the filters are extremely basic and leave behind the majority of contaminants. The water they produce is still high in toxicity and usually acidic.

Ceramic Filters

Ceramic filters work in a similar way to carbon filters. They also use the principle of absorption. They have all of the same benefits and problems as carbon filters. They do have one additional benefit in that they may alkalinize acidic water.

Ultraviolet Treatment

With this method of purification, water passes through a chamber that has an ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light disinfects or reduces the amount of bacteria. This expensive process needs to be used with other filtration in order to remove other impurities. Ultraviolet treatment, also does nothing to help the pH level of acidic water.

Reverse Osmosis

With this type of filtration, water is forced through a membrane that removes contaminants from the water. These membranes can remove chlorine byproducts, parasites, some bacteria, industrial chemicals, lead, nitrate and toxic metals. The contaminants are washed away with water. They are not effective at removing lighter weight VOCs. 

Two problems can arise with reverse osmosis. First the slow process wastes precious water. Second, while removing contaminants, reverse osmosis systems tend to remove all of the beneficial minerals from water, leaving it acidic. 

Distillation
Distillation systems boil water and collect the vapours. The process can do a great job of leaving behind heavy metals including arsenic. The boiling process should also kill any bacteria that may be present.

However VOCs are not removed with distillation as these chemicals tend to boil before the water does and are collected in the vapours. As well, alkalinizing minerals are removed, leaving the water acidic.

Ionization
Water ionizers raise the pH of drinking water by using electrolysis to separate the incoming water stream into acidic and alkaline components. However this form of unnatural purification tends to strip the water of it's natural healthy minerals providing an artificial alkaline water.

Bottled Water

Many people turn to bottled water to give them peace of mind. And yet, bottled water is usually nothing more than water from a civic water supply that has been run through one of the filtration systems listed above.

The deficiencies of the filtration method used can be amplified since the water is then stored in plastic bottles which may contain bacteria. Water is best stored in glass. Plastic can transfer odors, flavours or even leach residues into the water stored inside bottles.

The Importance of pH

pH refers to "potential for hydrogen". All fluids have a pH from 0 to 14. Any fluid with a low pH is acidic. Our internal body fluids have a slightly alkaline pH level of 7.35-7.45. Acidity in our body is usually associated with trouble such as inflammation, infection and disease.

It is believed that alkaline water helps to restore balance while also helping to defend your body against illness.

The most common methods of water filtration remove so much of the minerals that are in our water, that the water is left acidic. Virtually all bottled water available on the market today utilizes these filtration methods and therefore is also acidic. Imagine, people are trying to protect themselves from contaminants by purchasing bottled water, and instead create a condition of acidity throughout the body. This can happen as quickly as within two weeks. The buffers in our stomach simply can't keep up!

The pH of your blood should be within the range 7.35-7.45. A level of 7 or less can be fatal.

Increased acidity in our bodies has been associated with a number of health conditions throughout the body. Acidity is associated with infection and disease. On the contrary it is difficult for diseases to develop and thrive in a predominantly alkaline environment. It is critical that we minimise problems with our health by ensuring that the water we drink is as close as possible to our body's natural pH level. 

PiWater

The concept of Pi water was discovered by Japanese researchers more than 40 years ago during research on plant growth cycles. The scientists isolated natural spring water with specifically-charged ion particles (ferric ferrous salt) and referred to it as "living water" from the beneficial effects they perceived it had on plants and animals. They found in later research that this substance had other highly beneficial qualities. Inducing these particles into a high energy state and infusing it through a multi stage filter process creates Pi water.

Natural Spring Water has been filtered by the Earth in ways we do not completely understand which work better than any invented means of purifying water.

Pi water is the closest water to human body water. It possesses high anti-oxidation properties because of it's ability to eliminate free radicals and contains a wide variety of trace minerals essential for the human body. It also provides far infrared energy, and can transfer this energy to other living systems.

Top Drinking Tip: Water should be drunk pure and alone, not with or close to food. If it is combined with food or within other beverages such as juices, or teas and coffees, the body treats it as food and it must pass through the liver before reaching the colon.

Pi water can be created using a special pi filter which also neutralizes the pH of water, making it slightly alkaline and bringing it very close to the pH of body water.

The Effects of Magnets on Water

Water is H2O being two hydrogen atoms attached to one oxygen atom. Because of their tetrahedral structure water molecules have an uneven charge distribution with different charges at each end. Neighbouring water molecules are held together by this uneven charge in a process known as hydrogen bonding and therefore tend to form clusters. Once clustered, water molecules are much harder to absorb at the cellular level.

Applying a high powered magnetic field to water breaks these clusters of molecules into smaller groups. The water is saturated with electron-rich ions to neutralise the free radicals without the application of an unnatural electrical charge. The resulting water becomes "wetter" and is much more absorbable by our bodies.

PiMag Water Products

Nikken has combined the best of western and eastern science in their Pimag® family of water products to give you safe and healthy mineral rich water solutions wherever and whenever you need.

The Nikken Pimag Waterfall is a counter-top tap water filter that has been designed to replicate as closely as possible the natural production of spring water. Feeding your tap water through the top the water slowly falls under gravity through a filter of carbon, silica and sand, over pebbles, and out through a magnetic field before reaching your glass. The system provides superior filtration, reducing more than 30 recognised contaminants, and adds back essential minerals and electrolytes leaving you with an economical supply of Pi / Mag (living and magnetised) water without water wastage or electrical power.

Since we drink a lot of our water away from home Nikken has also introduced a portable Water Bottle incorporating Pi technology.

To assist in bathing there is the Pimag Ultra Shower System certified to reduce chlorine by 90% without adding chemicals to the water. 

Next Steps

Take the first step towards better hydration! Contact me with your questions or arrange a meeting to sample the water (we have representatives all over the country), or come along to one of my regular product demonstrations.

Best wishes
Nicki Edgell


* water composition as measured using a Tanita InnerScan Monitor

Read More

17 Good Reasons to Drink Nikken Water

It is now well known and accepted that the amount of water you consume everyday plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body - experts recommend drinking 8 to 10 glasses (about 2 litres) of water each day to maintain good health.

This has to be pure water. Teas, coffees, carbonated water, fizzy drinks and fruit juices do not count - the body sees any such beverages as food and treats them completely differently to water. Furthermore many are high in caffeine and sugar, are acidic, and are actually dehydrating thus achieving the exact opposite of what you are aiming to do with water.

But not all water is equal so what water should we drink? Is tap water too full of contaminants? Is bottled or mineral water a better alternative? Or should I invest in a home water filtration system, and if so, which type?

Japanese wellness company Nikken's water filter system take its inspiration from the fresh streams of Japan, where the benefits of mineral rich, alkaline spring water have been known for centuries. This is the idea behind the Nikken Pimag® Waterfall which seeks to recreate pure natural spring water in your home at an economical cost. Read on to discover 17 good reasons why we think Nikken water should be your drinking water of choice:

"The healthiest water on the planet." 

Dr. Gary Lindner (youtube) 

1. Nikken Pimag® water is particularly efficient at hydrating you - humans should generally be made up of around 70% water (and more in the brain) but 75% of us are typically dehydrated. Many symptoms of unwellness are the same as the symptoms of dehydration and rather than being fundamentally unwell a person may just be dehydrated.


2. The Nikken water is energised, structured and conditioned by a unique filtering and magnetic system which crucially aids its absorption by the body's cells. This is demonstrated by you not feeling the water sitting heavy in your stomach like you generally do if you drink a glass of regular tap water. This improved absorption also means you will not wee it straight out like you do with normal water.


3. The Nikken water activates your thirst mechanism which is normally suppressed or misinterpreted (often as hunger). The more Nikken water you drink the more you want! This further helps to rehydrate you quickly. Try it!


4. This encouragement to drink more and more water will not only rehydrate you, it will fill you up and satisfy your "hunger" thus being very useful as part of a weight management diet.


5. The water is alkaline with a ph of approx. 8-9 (most bottled, and Britta, water is acidic - less than ph7, and most tap water is ph neutral, around ph7) - acidic diets can contribute towards many health problems such as osteoporosis and diabetes. Alkaline water can help contribute towards better body balance by counteracting the increased acidity of our modern diet. 





Acid to Alkaline - the pH (l to r) respectively of Flavoured Water, Sparkling Water,  Bottled Water, and Nikken Pimag



6. The all-in-one multi-stage filter removes contaminates typically present in tap water - these include heavy metals, pesticides, and chlorine. Two thirds of fluoride is also removed.


7. Most alternative filtration systems take out the good minerals as well as the bad leaving pure, clean, but "dead" water. The Nikken system adds back essential minerals including magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese and sodium.
   
   

   

   A carrot after 5 weeks sitting in respectively Tap, Bottled, and Nikken Pimag, water



8. Many filtration systems waste a lot of water - very bad for the environment and your water bills! The Nikken Pimag Filter uses 100% of your tap water.


9. The Nikken filter is a countertop model - no plumbing is required and the system is quick and easy to use straight out of the box, with a small work surface footprint. It is therefore also relatively portable and can be moved around the kitchen or house or office, or even taken on holiday.

   
   

   The Pimag Waterfall - in the box



10. The Nikken Waterfall is a gravity fed system with good flow rates - much quicker than many alternative brands. The system's 5 litre tank will refill in a matter of minutes.


11. The system has very good filter replacement rates - the filter will last for 900 litres (for a family of 4 using the system for all their drinking and cooking needs this will usually translate to about 3 months).


12. Nikken water is oxygenated and naturally ionised (without artificial electrolysis). The water has antioxidant properties as demonstrated by an improved Oxidation Reduction Potential reading - the ORP - over tap water and bottled water.


13. The Nikken water systems use BPA-free non leaching bio-degradable plastics.


14. At £265 ($327) for the unit and £36 ($39) for replacement filters the Nikken system is one of the cheapest home water filtration solutions on the market. The replacement filters work out at approximately 4p/litre on average, considerably cheaper than buying in bottled water.
    
    
    


15. Nikken water can also be obtained from any tap when you are out and about via the Nikken Pimag Bottle - excellent for travel including airports.


16. The system has been tested and verified by the Water Quality Association of America earning a "Gold Seal Approval".


17. And last and by all means not least the light velvety water tastes great! You will not enjoy tap water after tasting Nikken water. Come to a Nikken demo near you and try some!







The Nikken Bottle, and Waterfall




If you would like to learn more please leave comments or questions below, or visit our site at http://piwaterfilters.com Alternatively you are most welcome to ring me Nicki Edgell on (0044) 7786 405366.

To order Nikken water products direct online please visit https://tiny.cc/piwater for UK and European customers. We can also ship to North and South America.


Nikken water - the easiest way to immediately improve the health of you and your family.

Before you go...


Subscribe to My Newsletter





What Newsletter subscribers may expect: 
Subscribers receive an exclusive seasonal newsletter (sent approximately each quarter) including tips and advice on nutrition and wellness, recipes, and special reader offers. Check out an example here and if you like what you see sign up to receive similar future publications direct to your inbox.





Business Opportunity:
Nikken are looking for new collaborative entrepreneurs! Do you enjoy networking and meeting people interested in self development and health? Do you think you could sell Nikken water filters? If you would like to talk about joining my team please give me a call or visit http://nikkenergy.com for more information.

Read More

Festive Greetings

With the winter solstice and full moon upon us just before Christmas we are at a point of stillness in the cycle of the year.  It doesn't feel like this for many with the last minute preparations for Christmas, but if you can find 5 minutes a day to be still at this time you can bring forward into 2019 what you truly want and that which is for your highest good.

The solstice brings about the return to light and the forecast for the next 3 months through to the Spring equinox. We are entering the peace of the holy nights on Christmas Eve through to the 6th January's epiphany.  It is the most magical time of year.  If we can be still and carry our intentions for next year through these nights we will get our epiphanies.

A great time to birth a new project.

This is a great time to birth a new project.  A reset time.  Do what is congruent to you and for your highest good.  Open your heart during this time focusing on heart centred activities with family and friends.  Be still just 5 minutes a day to sit with your thoughts.

There is no need to wait until New Year to set your resolutions.

Often setting intentions happen around New Year's Resolutions.  But working with the cycle of the year, setting your intentions now and sitting with them through to the 6th January will bring more clarity for the coming year.

Below are some simple steps to help you through this holiday period with less stress and more peace and energy: eat, drink, sleep, dance and be merry!

FOOD: Make sure you have plenty of good protein with every meal.  If you are eating sugary foods, eat a bite or two of protein first to keep your blood sugar more stable.  This will help your mood remain more stable.  Good sources of stress reducing proteins are turkey, eggs and nuts.  Fantastic Xmas lunch foods are just the ticket.  Plenty of sprouts too!  Be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming.  Add warming spices to balance blood sugar like cinnamon and nutmeg.

DRINK: Make hydration a priority. When we are indoors a lot with the heating on, we often overlook hydration.  You will have so much more energy when hydrated.

SLEEP: Make getting quality sleep a priority.  The adage that everything seems better in the morning is very true if you've had enough sleep.  We repair and restore and release stress overnight.  These dark nights we ought to be partying less and sleeping more! Where you can, give yourself permission to have that early night during the holidays.

EXERCISE: Dance in your kitchen while creating wonderful meals.  Get out in the fresh air for long walks in nature.  Connecting with nature is the best way to reduce stress, and energise and boost your immune system.

RELAX and have FUN: Laughter is such a great de-stressor.  Treat yourself to a romantic comedy movie or your favourite comedy show on TV.  Find laughter where you can in social settings too.  Loneliness is the biggest stressor of all. Connection with others is such an important part of being human so say yes to social invitations.  Or if you are on your own, you could volunteer to help others over the holidays.

Wishing you a festive season of peace, health and happiness, of moving forward into 2019 with clarity, energy and excitement for the year ahead.

With best wishes

Nicki

Festive Truffles Recipe

Soak a handful of dates, apricots, almonds overnight. rinse and drain.
Add vanilla essence, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange and lemon peel.
Put in a food mixer or blender and make into a paste.
Add cocoa powder (optional).
Roll into small balls.
Roll in a choice of cocoa powder, ground almond, desiccated coconut.

Stay In Touch

For consultations please email nicki@nutritionandhealing.co.uk

For Nikken orders go to www.nikken.com/eu/nicki or email me on nicki@nutritonandhealing.co.uk

Read More

10 Top Tips for Building a Network

Nikken business training with Ben Woodward and Dave Butler, Brighton, July 2018

Building a team in network marketing comes down to a simple equation: The reason for someone to be involved has to be greater than the inconvenience. It's easy to join, sure, but... it's also easy to get out. If the hassle begins to outweigh the benefit a team member will want to leave. Your job as a leader is to maintain the positive side of the equation, reducing reasons people have for leaving.

1. Define What You Want

People need internal motivation. External motivation is temporary. Do this by setting goals. They don't have to be crystal clear but there needs to be something. If you really think your goal is just money think again. Is the true goal what you can do with the money - a holiday, or the ability to go part time thus increasing your time freedom?

Is your goal really just money, or is it really what you can do with the money?

Goals need to be both results driven and activity driven. For example you should have a goal to sell a water filter for example by the end of the week, but also have a goal to make one phone call a day. By consistently focusing on daily and weekly goals your business will expand organically.

A useful technique in the pursuit of goals is to set 30 or 90 day challenges. This forces you into action even when you aren't feeling it. When working for yourself it is sometimes useful to have this routine you would have in a regular 9 to 5 job.

Take this blog for example. If you start a blog AND commit to writing a post once a week, after a year you'll have one of the best sources of information in your niche on the internet (and google will like you!).

Or how about a 10 year challenge!:

A common reason for people giving up any pursuit is the lack of clearly defined goals.

2. Make a Commitment

Develop a game plan and action plan. Like a Sat Nav in your car you have to know where you are coming from in order to get to your destination. If you don't know your start point you will find it hard to get to your desired end point.

Start right away. Don't get hung up on the detail. Don't wait for perfect conditions otherwise you'll never do it. You can always learn along the way (see tip 3).

3. Make a List of Names

You do need to meet people. Some people won't be interested but they may be "gateways" to other people. Network marketing is a numbers game. The more people you meet the more results you will get.

Learn from your mistakes as you go. Make mistakes by all means, but make new mistakes each time. "Black box thinking" - aeroplanes still tragically crash sometimes but it's a new reason each time...

4. Use the Products - Sell the Products

The first product sold doesn't count. It's the second, and the third that counts and on and on. Looking after your customers and following up enquiries is key in today's internet world. The competition is so intense you have to be the best... the best at everything. 

You could have the best product in the world but that's no longer enough. You have to seek out customers and retain them. If you aren't the best then someone will undercut your prices and improve upon your customer service. If you aren't the best customers can so easily go elsewhere. 

5. Learn to Approach People and Invite People

It does take effort and investment. You have to build relationships over time. But you will end up sponsoring more people. Don't dive in. People will make their own decision.

Take an interest in people and be a good listener. Be attractive.

But bear in mind where your audience is. Fish where the fish are. Contrary to popular belief not everybody can do this so be selective. People should need you more than you need them.

6. Have a Successful Meeting

Be professional. Dress well and maintain an image, but have an inner image too.

Be prepared with an efficient short portable business presentation that explains the business and leaves people wanting more thereby encouraging prospects to step up to the next stage. 

7. Follow Ups

Evidence shows that at any one time 1 in 20 people are looking for an opportunity, and this is a proportion that is likely to increase. But you have to work at it. Human nature is to say "No". You have to work with people and develop them. Ask positive questions such as "What did you like about it?" Many people will require multiple follow ups. A "No" may mean "Not now".  It can take 6 or 7 "Nos" before a "Yes"...

You've got to make "No" your vitamin

Les Brown

8. Check Progress

Check how things are doing. What is working, what isn't? Seek advice from your mentors and colleagues, and other experts.

9. Strive To Improve

Personal development is essential. The human mind is like a garden. It takes work otherwise the weeds will grow. Keep studying and learning.

Learn to take things on that are outside of your comfort zone. Keep practising.

10. Duplicate

Teach these 10 steps to your team and repeat.

The above notes were taken from a presentation made by direct marketing expert Dave Butler. Dave can be contacted via his website here.




Legendary Entrepreneurs Show You How to Start, Launch & Grow a Digital Business...

Read More

Nikken - A Better Way To a Life in Balance

The Compound Effect of Our Choices

Life tends to tick along and pass us by. Many of us have found ourselves on an automatic trajectory of life based on our circumstances, background, education and upbringing and we don't always pay much attention to how we get to where we are. We muddle along and hope for the best.

However for many of us the results (however we choose to define them in terms of success and happiness) don't always work out too well. Statistically many of us are not wealthy or healthy or happy.

So how can we change this on a conscious level?

The small choices we make everyday with consistency create a compounded effect, whether positive or negative. These choices are repeated and build over time and several years down the line we reap the results. So the small things we are doing now may be leading us to illness in the long term - for example we choose to eat something unhealthy or we avoid exercise - these things become habits and before you know it you have a health problem.

By beginning to make just small changes in our choices, behaviour and habits we are more likely to reap significant positive benefits over future months.

The Causes of Stress

Modern life brings with it many conveniences but also many new stresses that were not so present a few decades ago.

The Nikken Philosophy

One of the things we have often been pre-conditioned to believe in is a particular definition of success. This is often seen in terms of wealth or fame. But are these things a lasting source of happiness in themselves?

Nikken defines success and happiness by balance. Balance across five key areas of life referred to as the Five Pillars of Health. These areas are Mind, Family, Society, Body and Finances. It is hard to be truly happy and successful if you have healthy finances without a healthy body, or maybe your healthy finances have come at a cost to your family.

Nikken consultants aim to make a difference in the lives of People, to have a positive impact on the Planet, and in the process to be rewarded with Profit. 

The profit is important as money is one of the most common causes of modern stress. To achieve balance we need a financial solution that works with the other pillars and not contrary to them. We can not address the other aspects of a balanced lifestyle without addressing this key source of stress.

The Financial Pillar of Health

We have also been conditioned in the way we make a living. By far the most common way is to be an employee. The amount of work determines your income so income is linear and restricted by the number of hours in the day. You may be self employed which may be slightly more flexible but your income is similarly restricted and you are still essentially working for someone else. These forms of employment apply to 95% of the population, but note too that these people only own 5% of the wealth. 

On the other hand if you are a business owner or a capital investor your wealth and income is not restricted by the number of active hours you can put in. You can reap the rewards of other people's work. You are in the group that represents only 5% of the population but owns 95% of the wealth.

What we are trying to achieve with network marketing is a move away from trading your time for money towards residual or leveraged earnings where your wealth does not depend directly on your hours of work. This allows you to still earn while on holiday or sleeping! There is no ceiling to your earnings. Everyone can become a CEO and business owner. You collaboratively work with other entrepreneurs who become your business partners. Business success is shared. You can enjoy more freedom to make your own choices about when and where you work and who to work with.

A Part of the Gig Economy

The traditional pattern of working shown on the left hand side of the picture above is beginning to dissapate and there is a new "gig" economy emerging in response to people's needs and choices. 

Loyalty both from the employee and the employer are a thing of the past and employees rarely have a job for life. Their responsibility is to themselves and their families. The new generation of millenials now entering the workforce is less accepting of the status quo and traditional work conditions. Apart from that traditional job roles are becoming more and more scarce.

Although their has been some negative press recently about the gig economy in terms of employee rights and security, it also does offer flexibility, mobility, and interesting opportunities. With the internet anyone can join from anywhere in the world. There are very few barriers to entry and if you are good at what you do you can become successful in the niche you have chosen.

Huge new companies like Uber and Air BnB are at the forefront of the growth of this economy. Yet Uber does not own a single taxi, and Air BnB does not own a single hotel. 

The Nikken Solution

The Nikken business opportunity is a chance to embrace the "gig" economy and add a further leg to your "portfolio career". For an annual cost in the region of £80/year you can join an established health company built on purpose with unlimited potential. You gain access to the Nikken structure and network, training, mentoring, support and an e-commerce website. Nikken takes care of the back end office and warehouse functions like stock and delivery. Best of all, by building and then leading a team, and leveraging their business too, you can de-link your earnings from your time!

What Do We Sell?

The Nikken company is unique in that it offers a whole suite of health products combined together in the concept of a Wellness Home. Many customers will begin their customer journey with a purchase in one area and then progress to other areas once they've had a positive experience. There are also consumable products, which help to maintain a business, such as the nutritionals and the replacement filters for the air machine and water. Customers once registered with you through the website system will return to you for their replacement parts and repeat purchases (especially if you look after them!). The Nikken network marketing model is based on retailing genuine products to genuine customers - a model which has been successful for over 40 years.

The Expansion Model

Each person in the team works towards developing at least 5 wellness homes with customers and teaches 3 new consultants to do the same. In many cases it is the customers who choose to become consultants often after a positive customer experience.

Knowledge and training is passed down the team through a mentoring and coaching system known as the ABC. When you first join you (you are C) will be introduced by a consultant (the B) who will normally put you in contact with their more experienced upline (the A). As you grow your team you will become the B and then eventually you will be leading ABCs for your downline and their new consultants as the A.

The Nikken Support System

As one of the most established teams in the UK with consultants now in the US and South America too we have experience and access to all the coaching and mentoring available in Nikken in order to help you grow your business and crucially to develop personally too. These trainings will include face to face liaison and online webinars and meetings.

As you grow your team you will naturally come across partners who come and go, or those that are more active than others or at different times depending on their circumstances. The structure of the network means that you can have a number of "legs" of your network and can choose to work with anyone you identify as far down the line as you like (unlike some network compensation plans Nikken will reward you for activity down your line up to 6 active levels deep depending on your rank). Sometimes a consultant may not be active themselves but they have provided a gateway to someone else they know who is a future "Diamond" consultant.

Network marketing earnings are not an exact science of course and statistics are often based on averages but many believe it follows the law of threes meaning that if you make a presentation to a 100 people you may find a third are interested (30), a third again may sign up (10) and a third again may make an active run at the business (3). But if one of those 3 is a diamond your presentation will have been worth it!

Rank Advancement

As you build your team you will naturally move up the ranks of the Nikken organisation increasing your earnings potential as you go.

What Can I Earn?

Nikken is a commission only network marketing organisation. The commission system is called the compensation plan and is fundamentally based on basic earnings of 20% commission on your sales. When you have a team and gain a leadership rank you also share commission on the business of the members in your team and your earnings are supplemented by various additional bonuses. 

For further details of potential earnings please see this post >>

Would You Like To Learn More?

I joined Nikken in 2009 and am now one of the UK's business leaders working closely with former Nikken CEO Ben Woodward and fellow Platinum consultant Louise Coe. I now head my own international team based in the SE of England with consultants in the USA and South America.

If the above opportunity sounds of interest to you I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email me at nicki@nikkenergy.com or call me on (0044)7786 405366 to learn more.

To hear more direct from myself and Ben we present an online webinar on the Nikken Business Opportunity every Tuesday lunchtime 12.30 UK time. Please call for details.

Nicki Edgell

Platinum Nikken Consultant

Team Kaizen 2017/18

Read More