back: Sarah B, Cat, Jill, Dawn Marie, Sue; middle: Christine, Lupe, Lisa, Pamela, Sarah J; front: Cindy

Inspiring thoughts, ideas and information provided by women business owners.

The purpose of Keystone Women's Circle is to unite, support and promote women business owners. A keystone is the stone in an arch that binds all others in place. In a circle of stones, every stone is a keystone. We believe that together we can create a foundation, not of brick and mortar, but of relationships and mutual support, enabling all of us to prosper.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Shoes

I recently read  that it takes about 1000 years for the average pair of shoes to decompose in a landfill. That is not a typo - 1000 YEARS!  I had just bought a new pair of cute brown boots and took them back after I read it.  Not only did that save me forty buckeroos, I felt a bit better about all of the shoes I have that will be here long after my grandchildrens grandchildrens grandchildrens children are born.  It was one tiny step on my part. I love to shop for shoes but I have never thought about the impact on the earth.  I will from now on!!


Lisa Fahey

Monday, November 15, 2010

Mark your calendars!

Two events happening in Belle Plaine this Friday, November 19th;


Wine Tasting and Silent Auction, 7pm at Emma Krumbees General Store.  This fundraiser is to benefit Belle Plaine Dollars for Scholars. 


Ladies Night Out 5-9pm at Its Just Me Salon, 102 West Main St.   They'll have desserts, wine, great deals, and drawings all night, along with 14 other vendors from the area!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wow. The post proceeding this one is truely an eye opener for me!  Sarah that was so beautifully written.  I did not grow up in a hunting family, we fed the deer in our backyard in Bloomington along the river valley and would run to the window when one was spotted to watch them.  I don't think my dad owned a gun and if he did, I never saw it.  I wouldn't say I am against hunting, to say that would get me into intense conversations that I do not wish to participate in.  I don't want to see it, I don't like to hear the shots fired and wonder if there is an animal out there suffering, I don't want to hear hunting stories, and I certianly do not want to eat it!  But Sarah's blog shed a new light on the subject for me.  And for a 14 year old to be learning the lesson she is teaching is absolutly heart warming.  I teared up reading the message, and not because I felt bad for the deer (which is typically my reaction) but because there are people out there with wonderful values and morals in a world that most of the time does not make sense to me at all.  YOU are a gift Sarah, not only to your family but to ALL of the lives you are touching.

Lisa Fahey

Monday, November 8, 2010

Gifts from nature

Must of you born and raised Minnesotans know what time of year it is right? 
DEER HUNTING SEASON. 
Now I was raised with a father that was an avid deer hunter.  It was a big deal to go deer hunting.  When I was young I was a tom boy and really enjoyed hunting with my father.  I think a lot of it was that I really enjoyed being outside witnessing nature at its best.  It has been a long time since I hunted with my father.  As an adult, my feelings about deer hunting are mixed.  I do feel there is a need to help control the deer population but the killing of an animal is tough for me. 

I now have a 14 year old boy who is interested in hunting.  He went this year with his step-dad.  Part of me really wants to support him.  I feel that I learned a lot about nature when I was hunting and I want him to experience it for himself and make his own decision about it.

This year my boy was in a deer stand by himself.  Granted my husband was within eye site of him but as a mother I had mixed feelings about this too.  Is he mature enough to make decisions safely?  Is he ready to make the decision to end a life? 

Well, he got a doe.  As he was telling me the story of how the event unfolded I was proud of him.  He made the conscious effort to be safe and to make sure he got a clean shot before he harvested her.  She was a beautiful girl.  As I admired her, thoughts came to mind about gratitude.  About being thankful for the gift she gave to us.  Her life.  I want my son to appreciate nature and the gifts they bring us.  I told him he should thank her spirit for her sacrifice. 

Hoping that my words did not fall on deaf ears, I turned to walk away.  From the corner of my eye I saw him patting her on her chest.  I knew right then and there that a major lesson was taught.  To not think that we are entitled to what we want.  To think that we can just take when we need.  But to ask, receive and be thankful for our gifts especially those gifts from nature.

Sarah Jaeger, Mystic Journey

Friday, November 5, 2010

How Can Massage Help My Health and Well-Being?
Generally, people use massage for either general relaxation and well-being, or to address a specific complaint, such as pain or limited range of motion. Research suggests massage therapy may contribute to both goals.
Some of the general benefits of massage therapy may include:
Physical relaxation
Improved circulation, which nourishes cells and improves waste elimination
Relief for tight muscles (knots) and other aches and pains
Release of nerve compression (carpel tunnel, sciatica)
Greater flexibility and range of motion
Enhanced energy and vitality
Some clinical styles may help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears

What specific conditions can massage therapy help?
Massage therapy may help the body in many ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased nerve compression, increased joint space, and range of motion. This may lead to reduced pain and improved function.
Massage therapy may also improve circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products. These circulatory effects of massage may have great value in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or edema (an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues).
Massage therapy is also thought to induce a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boosts the immune system; and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.

To find out more visit: Taking Charge of Your Health
 http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/massage-therapy/how-can-massage-help-my-health-and-well-being

Have a great weekend! Pamela Healing Essence Massage

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Boutique this Saturday!

Belle Plaine's annual Stop and Shop Boutique will be held this Saturday from 10am to 2pm.  Stop be the Vet's Club Downtown for great shopping from local artisians.  Crafts, jewlery, baked goods and much more will be in abundance just in time to start your holiday shopping.  And Bonus!  Free coffee and cookies will be served!






Hope to see you there!


The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.  ~e.e. cummings

Wishing you a wonderful laughter filled day!
Lisa Fahey
www.speikercompany.com

 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Not just for men!

This is for all you ladies out there....  

I want to talk about weight training.  Its not just for men anymore.  So many women are afraid to do resistance training cause they're afraid of "bulking up".  Well let me put your fears to rest.  The reason men are able to "bulk up"  is because they have higher levels of testosterone.  Women don't have enough to allow us to build extreme amounts of muscle.  For women, weight training can only enhance our femininity.  There are many benefits for women to start weight training,  just a few of them are:

  • If your trying to lose weight, one of the best ways to increase your metabolism is to increase muscle. Muscle burns 3 times as many calories as fat.  The less muscle you have the less calories you'll burn.
  • Being on a resistance program while losing weight tells the body to lose the fat but keep the muscle.
  • As women age we lose muscle mass more rapidly than men.  Weight training can help offset this.
  • A Harvard study found that 10 weeks of strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms more successfully than standard counseling did.  Women who strength train commonly report feeling more confident and capable as a result of strength training.
  • Osteoporosis affects 1.2 million women because of depleting levels of estrogen which protects bone.  Weight lifting Increases bone mineral density and strengthens the muscles cushioning the  bones.

So ladies, "Man up" or should I say "Woman up" and get out there and start lifting weights.  You'll feel better both physically and mentally.

Sarah Bran de Leon
www.calmwatershypnosis.com