May 1, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

A ‘Gift of Bliss’ for Mother’s Day

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Mother’s Day is Just One Week Away!

Stuck for ideas for mom? Want something unique?

Gift your mother a session of blissful relaxation – Reiki and Hypnosis Gift Certificates Are Available.

Both Reiki and Hypnosis Sessions offer a deep relaxation. Comments heard from clients after their session –

~ “I never felt so relaxed before.”

~ “I feel restored.”

~ “I felt like I was enveloped in a warm blanket.”

~ “The hypnosis session felt like a massage of the mind.”

~ “Wow.”

Deep relaxation can offer a variety of health benefits –

Relief of tension (emotional and physical)
Increased sense of calm and inner peace
Improved blood flow
Improved comfort
Improved energy
Improved sleep

After her session, mom will be sporting a smile and a ‘pink glow’ that comes from relaxation.

Cupcake gift for Mother’s Day

To order a gift certificate email: info@dreamtimewellness.com or call – 978-283-4258.

FOB – Mention GMG and Receive 20% Special Discount for Mother’s Day Gift Certificates.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Moms, however you celebrate your special day, be sure to remember to ‘gift yourself’ a gift of self-care.

Best in health, Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated.

April 29, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Community Reiki Share for a Cause – LungForce for Lung Health

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Next Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. May 3rd. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of monthly proceeds donated to charitable fund-raising, local and abroad. This month’s Reiki Share proceeds to help benefit LungForce.org.

Social Ambassador for Lung Force. Last year, upon hearing about the growing rate of lung cancer diagnosis in young women who have never smoked, I became a Social Ambassador for Lung Force to help educate and increase awareness.

Here are the Facts –

Lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women in the United States.
Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told she has lung cancer.
The lung cancer death rate in women has more than doubled over the past 35 years.
Anyone can get lung cancer.

Cheryl’s Healing Journey – Through LungForce Day 2015, I connected with a young woman in Pennsylvania.

Married with two young children Cheryl had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer October 2015. When I met Cheryl in November, she expressed wanting “to give up,” discouraged by the diagnosis and harsh chemotherapy treatments. The hospital where she receives treatment offers Integrative Therapies (acupuncture, massage, reiki, etc.) Her medical condition prevented her from having acupuncture or massage, and no one had mentioned reiki. I was able to connect Cheryl with Reiki, which is offered free at the cancer center where she receives treatment. The financial strain of cancer treatment can be devastating. Many hospitals now offer Integrative Therapies in Cancer Centers, free to patients. Our November Community Reiki Share provided needed money to Cheryl and her family. We continue to offer emotional support. Cheryl found her strength and has continued her treatments. Months later, she continues to achieve lifetime milestones. Most recently, Cheryl celebrated her son Daniel’s 1st Birthday.

Cheryl and her family express their “thanks for donations, prayer and healing energy.”

LungForce.org works to advance lung health—a life free of lung disease—for everyone who suffers from asthma, COPD and other lung diseases, or has someone in their life who does.

How You Can Help Support Lung Force –

Attend our Community Reiki Share May 3rd.
Make a Donation to Lung Force.
Join me to Walk – LungForce Walk Boston. Thursday. May 12. 5 – 8 pm. Boston Commons.

Monthly ‘Community Reiki Shares’ are offered ‘First Tuesdays.’ Held at the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea. An affordable way to enjoy a Reiki Session while supporting charitable organizations. Contact us if you have a charitable organization or fundraiser and would like to partner with us.

Reiki Ryoho- a Japanese Healing Method/Art – Schedule: 5:30 pm – Meditation, Japanese mawashi (circle) and Komyo open reiju (attunement.) Pre-register for a session of Reiki between 6 and 8 pm.

Attend part or the entire evening. Enjoy the sense of peace, comfort and calm Reiki provides.

Healthy snacks and tea are available. You don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to join in. Those attending often comment on “how welcomed” and “relaxed” they feel, and how much they “enjoy the peace” of the evening. Some express “relief of pain” and “improved comfort.”

Where – Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Place) in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Every 1st Tuesday of the Month.

Register in Advance – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258. Walk-ins accommodated as we are able. Wheelchair accessible. Convenient, free parking.

As one woman says, “I always leave (the Reiki Share) feeling relaxed, and happy.

~ Join us and experience a relaxing, peaceful evening. ~ Karen

Offering Reiki therapy in hospitals responds to patients’ physical and emotional needs. (1) More study is needed, but in preliminary studies ‘there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety.” (2)

Reiki sessions are intended as adjunctive, supportive care and are not meant to be used ‘in place of” conventional medical care. If you are having medical issues, do not delay treatment. An accurate diagnosis is important for ‘best care’ and ‘best outcomes.’ for For safe, collaborative care, report the use of all complementary therapies, herbs and supplements to physician. Some complementary therapies, supplements, herbal and over-the-counter products may negatively interfere with your care; discuss use of these with your doctor.

For more information and a list of resources –

Continue reading →

April 13, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Support the Wellness Warriors Paddling Team and Enter a Raffle for Red Sox vs. Yankees Tickets

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Donate to Wellness Warriors and Enter a Raffle to Win Sox vs. Yankees Tickets.

Only 5 days left! For a donation of $10.00 or more, you may be the next lucky winner!

Rowing for a Cause – Wellness Warriors (Cancer Survivor Paddling Team in Boston.) I first met this amazing group of cancer survivors at the Friends of Mels Foundation Annual Conference – The Art of Living; Life Beyond Cancer. For more information about the Wellness Warriors Dragon Boat Team – http://www.wellnesswarriorsboston.org. #dragonboat.

Wellness Warriors is Massachusetts’ first dragon boat team for cancer survivors and caregivers. Their mission is to provide new opportunities for cancer survivors and caregivers to heal – physically and emotionally – by being active participants in their own recovery and part of a mutually empowering dragon boat team. In addition, they are working to raise awareness within the metropolitan Boston survivor and medical professional community of the benefits of paddling for cancer recovery, wellness and a healthy lifestyle. They accomplish this through education, outreach and by being an inspirational presence of strong and confident cancer survivors. Join them for a paddle on the Charles River!

Wouldn’t it be great to have the Wellness Warrior and their dragon boat at the Blackburn Challenge?! This year’s Blackburn Challenge will be held July 16th.

You can meet these and other Cancer Survivor Support Groups at the 6th Annual http://friendsofmel.org Conference, The Art of Living. Live Beyond Cancer. At the Quincy Marriott. November 12th. www.friendsofmel.org. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and attend interesting workshops and lectures. Dreamtime Wellness™ will be there once again to offer brief sessions of Reiki for ‘Rest and Renewal.’

Go Sox! Go Survivors! ~ Karen

April 3, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Reiki Training for Animal Lovers

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Reiki 1st Degree/Shoden Training – Saturday and Sunday. April 9 and 10.*

Learn 1st Degree/Beginner Reiki with a focus on self-Reiki for relaxation and self-care.

Contact us for details – info@dreamtimewellness.com. 978-283-4258. Whether for self-care or professional Reiki practice, start your journey here with thorough, supportive classes. Additional practice opportunity and mentoring offered.

Note: *This 2-day class will help you get started with reiki for self-care, family and pets. Additional self-study, required reading and supervised practicums for certificate of completion.

The attendees of this Reiki Training have each expressed a deep love of animals and there will be additional focus on ‘Animal Reiki’ for this class. Animals respond to Reiki with signs of relaxation, helpful for optimal wellbeing and peak performance.

‘What is Reiki?’ – Reiki (ray-kee) is a hands-on (or non-touch for those that prefer) healing method/art that originated in Japan in 1922. During a session, recipients are fully clothed and can lie down or sit for their sessions. Preliminary search indicates that a session of Reiki can promote relaxation and potentially decrease stress, increase calm, and improve comfort. More information on Reiki and other integrative therapies can be found at the National Center Complementary and Integrative Health (www.nccih.gov.) Not to take the place of conventional medicine, Reiki is offered in hospitals and other healthcare settings as supportive care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, pain management, and before and after surgery.

~ Try it, and feel for yourself what Reiki is about.~

For more information about Reiki or to schedule a session or training – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258.

From Critical Care Nurse to Hypnotherapist Reiki Teacher/Provider – After many years in critical care nursing, I began working in the field of interactive medicine, with a focus on wellness and prevention. I have been offering Reiki in healthcare and hospitals since 1999 and have coordinated and started Reiki programs at hospitals and cancer centers including North Shore Medical Center, Mass General Hospital (Danvers and Boston) and Tufts Medical Center, and been involved in Reiki research. Private Reiki sessions – offered in Danvers (Lahey Outpatient Center/Pain Management,) Peabody (North Shore Medical Dental Center,) in homes, hospitals and hospice settings. Group Reiki Sessions – offered in Danvers and Manchester-by-the-Sea as a more affordable option. Dreamtime Wellness™ – Supportive, adjunctive, collaborative care with Reiki and Hypnosis.

*Free Introduction to Reiki Lectures –

April 6th at Common Crow Natural Market. Gloucester MA
May 19th at Hathorne Hill. Danvers MA

*Ask about continuing education opportunities for case managers, nurses and social workers.

Best in health, Karen

April 2, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Free Lecture on Reiki Ryoho: Japanese Healing Art/Method at Common Crow Natural Market

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Wondering ‘What is Reiki?’ – Reiki (ray-kee) is a hands-on (or non-touch for those that prefer) healing method/art that originated in Japan in 1922. During a session, recipients are fully clothed and can lie down or sit for their sessions. Preliminary search indicates that a session of Reiki can promote relaxation and potentially decrease stress, increase calm, and improve comfort. More information on Reiki and other integrative therapies can be found at the National Center Complementary and Integrative Health (www.nccih.gov.) Not to take the place of conventional medicine, Reiki is offered in hospitals and other healthcare settings, as supportive care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, pain management, and before and after surgery. Want to learn more?

Attend a Free Lecture this Wednesday, April 6th at the Common Crow Natural Market –

*Introduction to Reiki Ryoho; Japanese Healing Method/Art. Wednesday. April 6th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Common Crow Natural Market. 200 Eastern Avenue. Gloucester. Call (978) 283-1665 to reserve a seat.

Interactive, fun and information lecture discussing the use of Reiki in healthcare and current research.

(*Ask about continuing education contact hours for nurses, case managers and social workers.)

Make Wednesday a one-stop evening – Shop for delicious, sustainable organic food. Enjoy healthy prepared food for dinner. Attend this FREE Wellness Lecture and Demonstration.

Interested in Reiki Training?

Reiki 1st Degree/Shoden Training – April 9 and 10. Learn 1st Degree/Beginner Reiki with a focus on self-Reiki for relaxation and self-care.

For more information about Reiki or to schedule a session or training – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258.

Best in health, Karen

April 1, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Reiki for a Cause – Cape Ann Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Reiki for a Cause – Community Reiki Shares are held ‘first Tuesdays.’ Each month, a charity is selected to receive a portion of the proceeds (net proceeds up to 100%.) Charities that have been selected through the years have included those on Cape Ann (Cape Ann Animal Aid, Wellspring, SeniorCare Inc. Open Door,) the North Shore (Beverly Bootstraps, Reid’s Ride,) individuals and families in need, and charitable causes abroad.

This month’s designee is Cape Ann Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary. Help us help Jodi Swenson secure funding for her wildlife rescue operation. She recently rescued a crow with burns, then sent it to Tufts Wildlife rescue for further rehabilitation. This crow is doing well!

www.CAWinc.org rescued this injured crow

Jodi’s Mission: Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc. is dedicated to rescuing and providing the necessary rehabilitative care to all injured, orphaned or otherwise impaired wildlife during their confinement and adjustment period with Cape Ann Wildlife to ensure their survival upon release back into their natural environment.

Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc. formerly Cape Ann Wild Bird Rescue has been rescuing and rehabilitating many various species of birds in Gloucester, Massachusetts since 2005.

Jodi Swenson who is the Head of Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc. is State and Federally Permitted to do so and specializes in Songbirds, but has raised orphans of many species including mammals like groundhogs, squirrels to rare oceanic birds like common murre’s and dovkies.

Wildlife Rescue and Reiki make a good pairing. Animals respond to reiki too, by exhibiting a relaxation response; helpful for balance and healing.

To Advance Register for the monthly Community Reiki Share – Call 978-283-4258 or Email – info@dreamtimewellness.com.

If you have or know of a local charity that would like to partner with our Community Reiki Shares for a cause, contact us.

Monthly Community Reiki Tuesday. APRIL 5th – Stop by for a Session of Reiki and help fund charitable causes, or stop by to donate to local causes that interest you. Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Point) 5:15 – 8:15 pm. Advance Register – info@dreamtimewellness or call 978-283-4258.

What is Reiki – Reiki (ray-kee) is a hands-on (or non-touch for those that prefer) Japanese healing method/art. During a session, recipients are fully clothed and can lie down or sit for their sessions. Preliminary search indicates that a session of Reiki can promote relaxation and potentially decrease stress, increase calm, and improve comfort. More information on Reiki and other integrative therapies can be found at the National Center Complementary and Integrative Health (www.nccih.gov.) Not to take the place of conventional medicine, Reiki is offered in hospitals and other healthcare settings, as supportive care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, pain management, and before and after surgery.

INTERESTING SERENDIPITY- Free Reiki Lecture at the Common Crow.

Introduction to Reiki – Free Lecture on Reiki Ryoho, a Japanese Healing Method/Art.

Wednesday. April 6th. 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Common Crow Natural Market. Pond St. Gloucester. Call (978) 283-1665 to reserve a seat.

(*Ask about continuing education contact hours for nurses, case managers and social workers.)

Reiki 1st Degree/Shoden Training – April 9 and 10. Learn 1st Degree/Beginner Reiki with a focus on self-Reiki for relaxation and self-care.

Contact me for more information or to schedule a session or training. ‘Introduction to Reiki’ lectures are available, offering continuing education (ceu’s) for nurses, social workers and case managers.

Best in health, Karen

February 29, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Reiki for a Cause: Family Promise North Shore Boston and More

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Reiki for a Cause – Community Reiki Shares are held ‘first Tuesdays. Each month, a charity is selected to receive a portion of the proceeds (net proceeds up to 100%.) Charities that have been selected through the years have included those on Cape Ann (Cape Ann Animal Aid, Wellspring, SeniorCare Inc. Open Door,) the North Shore (Beverly Bootstraps, Reid’s Ride,) individuals and families in need, and charitable causes abroad.

This month’s designee is Family Promise North Shore Boston. Hear what our Reiki Colleague, Carol B had to say about Family Promise –

“Family Promise North Shore Boston is a nonprofit interfaith hospitality network that provides temporary shelter, meals, hospitality, and case management for families experiencing homelessness on the North Shore.

Family Promise North Shore Boston began serving homeless families in May of 2013. They bring together existing community resources and volunteers in order to further their mission of housing families, keeping families together, and helping them get back on their feet. There currently are thirteen local churches who for 4 weeks each year open their doors and provide a place to stay, food and warm hospitality.

In addition to the dedicated staff who work with families around locating affordable housing, finding jobs, budgeting resources, and parenting skills, there are about 50 volunteers each week who stay overnight with the guests, play with the children, and open their hearts in support of these families.

Each person truly makes difference and the giving and receiving from the heart goes both ways.” ~ Carol B. of Family Promise North Shore Boston

~ To Give is to Receive. ~

To Advance Register for the monthly Community Reiki Share – Call 978-283-4258 or Email – info@dreamtimewellness.com.

If you have or know of a local charity that would like to partner with our Community Reiki Shares for a cause, contact us.

Tuesday. March 1st – Stop by for a Session of Reiki and help fund charitable causes, or stop by to donate to local causes that interest you.

Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. 5:15 – 8:15 pm.

Best in health, Karen

February 27, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Community Reiki Share March 1st – Supporting Family Promise North Shore Boston

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Monthly Community Reiki Share ‘First Tuesday’ Every Month.

Next Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. March 1st. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of monthly proceeds donated to charitable fund-raising, local and abroad. In 2015 we contributed to Open Door, Wellspring, SeniorCare Inc, Mother of Grace Club, Reid’s Ride, Cheryl’s Healing Journey, and a group helping to feed, clothe and educate children in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, to name a few.

Contact us if you have a charitable organization or fundraiser and would like to partner with us. Those organizations we partner with are welcome to attend as our guests.

This month’s Reiki Share proceeds to help benefit Family Promise of the North Shore – a local non-profit charity helping homeless families build new lives.

Come early and join us in celebrating the coming of Spring – only 20 days away!

Spring at Enoshima

Attend part or the entire evening. Enjoy the sense of peace, comfort and calm Reiki provides.

Where – Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Place) in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Every 1st Tuesday of the Month.

Register in Advance – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258. Walk-ins accommodated as we are able. Wheelchair accessible. Convenient, free parking.

Continue reading →

February 20, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

Shokuiku: a Japanese Blueprint for Conscious, Healthy Eating

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Some risks for cancer are out of your control (E.g. age and genetics.) Research shows that you can control other risk factors such as healthy eating and regular exercise to help lower the risk of cancer.

Recommendations for prevention includes –

Maintain a healthy weight.
Engage in physical activity at least 30 minutes every day. (Check with your doctor before beginning if you have not been exercising.)
Avoid sugary drinks and food.
Eat a plant-based diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.)
Limit red meat (beef, pork, lamb.)
Avoid processed foods and limit salt.
Limit alcohol. (No more than 2 drinks per day for men, 1 for women.)
Avoid all tobacco products!

Teach Your Children Healthy Eating; Tips From Japan – What is learned at a young age is more likely to become lifetime habits, bad or good. The Japanese government requires that all children receive education in healthy eating. Shokuiku means “eating education.” Dr. Yukio Hattori, who coined the term more than a decade ago calls it a blueprint for conscious eating.

Shokuiku is taught in every Japanese public school, starting in kindergarten. Students learn to:

Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
Use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Avoid buying foods from convenience stores.
Choose a traditional Japanese meal over fast food.

Traditional Japanese Meal. Traditional Japanese meal is based on rice, along with soup and other side dishes. The side dishes often consist of pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Fish is common in the traditional Japanese cuisine.

Expressing Gratitude Before and After Your Meal. In Japan, gratitude is expressed before and after every meals similar to saying grace or ‘bon appetit’ in the West. Itadakumasu is spoken before meals and means “I humbly receive (this food/meal).” It is used to show gratitude for the food and everything that went into the meal, all the way from farm to table. After the meal, Gochisōsama is spoken and means “thanks for the food.” Gochisō literally means “feast,” so the translation is something like “It was a feast.” Often these words of gratitude are spoken while having palms pressed together, head slightly bowed in ‘gasshō.‘

Beautiful copper Buddha statue at a shrine near Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

‘Gasshō.’ Buddha statue at a shrine near Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.

Teach your children well, and enjoy your healthy meal with gratitude, and be well. ~ Karen

Sources and More Information –

American Cancer Research Institute
American Cancer Society
American Society of Clinical Oncology

February 8, 2016 by Karen Pischke BSN, RN

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

February is National Cancer Prevention Month.

Prevention, Screening, Early Detection and Treatment SAVES LIVES!

Risk Factors You Can Control to Minimize Your Risks – Healthy eating, healthy weight, regular exercising, avoid or minimize alcohol intake, avoid over-exposure to sun, stopping smoking, decreasing stress are some of the ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and help prevent cancer.

Ask your doctor about risk factors, screening and prevention.

‘Sometimes it Takes a Village’ – a professional, experienced referral network and support system is available to assist you with your goals of prevention and optimal health. Contact me for information.

Dreamtime Wellness™ offers education and tools that empower and assist you with stress relief and maintaining healthy lifestyles. Take Back Your Life and Your Health. You’ll Be Glad You Did.