The Inner Piece - Valerie Driscoll

07/15/2023

10/18/2022

Today, while on another gig, I was asked if I was a teacher, to which I replied "no", because I never consider myself a real teacher. I sometimes forget that I do actually teach things! This lovely woman recognized my voice,(nasal, south Jersey twang, if you have never heard it), from having taken my mindfulness class! She said that she uses it every day and that the practice has made her a better person! Holy cow! She had followed me down the hall to tell me this! WOW!
It makes me a better person, too. Imperfectly better, but better.
I have not been on FB for ages and ages, but I need to give a shameless plug for Cape May Tech's wonderful evening school programs, of which I am teaching two 4-week sessions: Better Brain and Intro to Mindfulness.
Better Brain is lots of new science and habit-change designed to keep your aging brain thinking sharp and clear into your 90's
Intro to Mindfulness is also lots of science and experiential practice into the amazing brain-training.
It is a last-minute invite, as they are starting tomorrow night, but just in case you have an interest, here is the link:
We would love to have you!
https://capemaytech.cr3.rschooltoday.com/.../subcateg.../123

03/02/2022

If you have done coaching or classes with me, you know how much I love and use the work of .jud, Judson Brewer. It is powerful habit change work anchored in mindfulness. BOOM!

One of the revelations of my own practice was how much anxiety and fear I held in my body and the constant state survival mode I lived in. This has been my work space over the last year.

I purchased these cards because I tend to do well with small bites of things, and I am committing to one card every morning. It is a steady, mindful progression of unwinding the anxiety loop, which is a habit of the mind, believe it or not.

It also reminds me that knowing something and practicing it can often be two different modes of operation, to be kind to myself on this journey, and that change is fun when I look at it as an adventure rather than ticking off my list of shortcomings that must be changed.

I have more workI want to do with Dr. Jud, but for now, this is enough.

What little bite can you take today?

02/08/2022

Without a precise and accurate definition, we may never find a cure.

01/30/2022

As the Western Diet has swept across the globe, so has autoimmune disease. It’s now a global crisis. A likely culprit is the changes to the microbiome and immune system brought on in part by the lack of fiber. https://bit.ly/3f61lSK

01/14/2022

Ginger Gut Flush for Digestion
The ginger gut flush is a combination of 3 key ingredients that work together to break down toxins in your gut. These ingredients increase the digestive fire, or agni, in your gut. This improves digestion and makes you more efficient at breaking down toxins that accumulate in the gut — you can feel the increased heat in your gut within seconds.

All you need is fresh lemon juice, fresh ginger and sea salt:
- Squeeze 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice into a cup, jar or pitcher
- Cut up a k**b of fresh ginger into thin, 1-inch strips
- Add ½ teaspoon of sea salt (preferably Himalayan sea salt) then stir

Eat 1-2 pieces of the soaked fresh ginger before or during each meal. You can make enough at the beginning of the week to last you 7 days. Keep the gut flush refrigerated. The best way to really detox your gut is to take this with each meal, but if you want to start slowly just take it before dinner. If you begin to notice you have too much heat (i.e. feel hot, irritated, short-tempered, or get a rash) then reduce the amount you are taking by 50% — or just take it with dinner.

01/04/2022

What is one thing you can do this year to keep your brain healthy for a lifetime

It could be this thing...Better Brain online

This Better Brain thing is:
fun
informative
supportive
interesting
colorful, including food, format and possibly language
timely
science-y, but in a cool way
starting in two weeks!

If you would like not only all the latest on brain science and research, but easy and sustainable strategies to incorporate what you are learning into your life, this could be YOUR thing. More information and registration info @ innerpiececoach.com

01/04/2022

Diet remains a crucial and under-appreciated contributor to brain health. A new study may help change that, as it shows those who eat a “healthy” diet have larger brain volumes and more gray matter. Even better results could be expected by eschewing grains, which can cause leaky gut, inflammation, and elevated glycemic markers. https://bit.ly/3Fy8HKx

01/30/2021

What relationship do you want to change from fearful to fearless by February's end?
Money, food, love, body image, health, family, education, career? Let's face it, we all got something, so let' do it: let's literally face it together. Whether small or large, here is your chance.
This month-long program was quickly birthed as Judy and I were swapping stories about all the s**t we have already faced in our lives and how it has made us stronger, more powerful, wiser, and deeply invested in sharing what we have learned from experience. Doesn't mean it didn't suck, but we consciously chose to be made better by each struggle.
We are ready for more fearless facing, because with each effort, we become more resilient and unstoppable.
We also know that momentum and success come from community and collective wisdom.
Why not bring your fear and your wisdom to this community?
Joining us is your first step towards fearless

01/21/2021

Could it be you shouting from the mountaintop next year?

Hey, Sharie Hiller, what a difference a year makes!

There is so much we cannot control this year, but one thing you can still completely be in charge of is your relationship to a healthy lifestyle: what you eat, how you move, how your thoughts help or hinder you, and how you rest and restore.

People who have known all the struggles I have had with food and weight ask me how I keep myself at a healthy and happy weight. I won't lie...it has been a long process of discovery, especially for someone who has a hard time sticking to any. damned. thing. But I cracked the code, and it has also led to a happier and healthier life in general. Nothing has helped more in my long battle with depression than the wellness choices I make every single day. Sometimes those choices include broccoli, and sometimes ice cream, but I get to choose; the ice cream does not choose me. And now it is a cinch to do.

This is why Sharie and I developed the online Once to Wellness course, because we have been there and done a whole-lotta that, and we know how to make it easier for you to do the same.

No special food, no points, no guilt, no shame, no yo-yo, no deprivation. We use education, skill-building and the magic of coaching to guide you to a relationship with food, movement, sleep and stress that will last you a lifetime.

We are starting a new session very soon, so check it out at our link, and come join us! You will not regret it!

01/11/2021

As a gift of gratitude, or perhaps as a peace offering to 2021, I am doing a no-charge, 35ish minute mindfulness mini-class and meditation at 6pmET on Thursday nights in January. This is happening through the generosity of the lovely Judy Heany and Balance Pilates and Yoga. Learn a bit, or perhaps a bit more about mindfulness, and sit with others who are looking for a little more piece of mind. It is interactive on Zoom, so also a place to share or ask about your practice if you care to.
Here is the link to sign up. It will may ask you for payment, just one of those wonky tech things, but the payment will be zero. If you have any problems, just let me know.
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass?studioid=4596&tg=&vt=&lvl=&stype=&view=&trn=0&page=&catid=&prodid=&date=1%2f11%2f2021&classid=0&prodGroupId=&sSU=&optForwardingLink=&qParam=&justloggedin=&nLgIn=&pMode=0&loc=1
Also enjoy this inspirational photo from Spirit Catcher Photography

12/17/2020

If anyone is looking for a way to healthful way kick off the new year for you or yourself, here is your chance! A collection of Health Coaches created this amazing digital cookbook of uncomplicated recipes. I know these ladies--they enjoy eating well and joyfully, but also in a way that uses food as a way to heal rather than harm our health.

Now is the Best Time to Step into the Kitchen to Make Meals, Simply Made Well. Has your life become more about take out and less about the kitchen?

12/17/2020

Dr. Bredesen addresses his critics in a recent blog post

12/17/2020

innerpiececoach.com
How would you like to finish the NEXT new year by having developed real, sustainable skills toward a healthier body and mind? What could the relationship to your wellness be like a year from now?

If you want it to be a great one, we can help you get there.

Sharie Hiller and I are happy to announce we will be starting a new cohort of our 12-week course, Once to Wellness on Thursday, January 21st, at 7pm(with a daytime cohort if sufficient interest). In this foundational course, we combine the best in mindful habit-change strategies with resources to help you get started on a fun and interesting journey toward wellness. So many programs give you the 'what' to do, but never address the 'how'. We do, with the added bonus of live virtual group and individual coaching.

This program gives you everything you need.

If you would like to meet us and find out more about our Once to Wellness program, we invite you to join one of our information sessions:
Saturday, December 19th @ 3 pm
Tuesday, January 5th @ 7pm
Thursday, January 14th @ 7pm

You can use the link below to join us.

Happy Holidays and a Healthy new year!

Join Zoom Meeting
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12/16/2020

DECEMBER FEATURED TOPIC MINDFULLY MANAGE THE HOLIDAYS One thing we know for sure about this holiday season is that it will be a different experience than the one you are used to, but can therein lie opportunities to make this year deeper, distinctive or even delightful instead of disappointing? Join...