I am a strong believer that every encounter or meeting of someone new, is God's way of sending you a message. The belief that there is something to be gained from the interaction keeps my mind open to possiblility. In my mind, my village is full. I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. The majority are happy, healthy and relatively drama free. In reality, I really don't have time to add anyone else into the fold, as I don't have time to spend with all the people I really want to spend time with. Also, my husband thinks I have too much on plate and that I might leave myself too thin. As long as it doesn't interfere with Thursday "date night", I believe I can handle most things and participate in most things.
So for the last two years, I have worked with someone and we had been cordial, the cursory nod and hello in the hallways. HOwever, since last fall when our company moved to Itasca, we have been riding the train together to and from work. In that time, we have gotten to know each other pretty well. We talk about a multitude of things from kids to politics to weight gain/loss, etc. Yesterday, we lumbered over to Title 9 sports store for women for a Sports Bra Fit Test. We met an amazing woman named June, who helped us with our bras and I think a little more. As usual, I had done research, knew which bra I wanted to test and tried it on and bought it within 15 minutes of entering the shop (I'll save it for another blog, the best sports bra).
My co-worker however, needed a little more help with the girls and self confidence. By the time we saw her in a new every day bra, the transformation was amazing. Not only were her "girls" up and looked amazing. We put her in a form fitting, coral-colored t-shirt that took 15 pounds off her her frame and lightened up her face and complexion. Just visualize an over sized man's plaid shirt in lime green, with unshapely brown pants. She had been wearing over, over sized shirts, baggy pants to work and for everyday dog walks. Who knew she looked this amazing. Everyone in the store was speechless and urged her to try on more clothes and to become more comfortable with her shape. That set off a discussion on body issues, abs, jiggly thighs and arms. It is incredible how women open up to each other and are willing to share their experiences. I love the power of Women!
The real issue was "body image". For so long, she was unaware of how to dress her body and she thought she since couldn't find a bra to harness her "girls", she thought it would be okay to just wear over sized clothes. Remember, on Monday, I came to grips with my fat during Piloxing class and vowed to work harder. No matter, what my shape, I do dress my body and am really good at hiding a multitude of sins with great clothers. But most importantly, I became real friends with a co-worker, gained a new friend in June, and learned that we all have body issues, no matter what our size, color, dna, etc. and that these brief encounters with women trying to find a good bra, taught me a lot.
June did more than fit us bras. She was a 65 year old Caucasian woman that imparted knowledge, wisdom and kindness along with her expertise and a hug. We will be friends for a long time. So, I learned something new, gained some new friends and got a new sports bra for running. Not bad for a Wednesday.
Enjoy your day and learn something new or meet someone new to learn a lesson. Peace and
Love, Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
Top 10 Weight Loss Myths By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Guide
Weight loss myths seem to always be around, whether they're on the Web, sent through e-mail or in the latest celebrity magazine. Believing these ideas can cause you more harm than good. Read on to find out the answers behind some of the most popular myths about weight loss.
1. If I drastically cut calories, I'll lose weight faster.When you take your caloric intake down too low, you are actually sending your body into "starvation mode." Your body wants to maintain your weight when it "thinks" you are starving; therefore, your metabolism will actually slow down and you may not lose weight.
2. The stricter the diet, the better it will work.The stricter a diet is -- such as completely eliminating entire food groups or eating just one food -- the less effective it will be in the end. You'll get tired of the allowed food and when you feel really deprived, you're likely to call it quits altogether.
3. I should get rid of my favorite less-than-healthful foods.By treating yourself to your old favorites now and again, you'll stay motivated and you'll be less likely to give in to a binge. (Just make sure you get back on track after your treat.) Moderation is the key to successful, long-term weight loss.
4. Eating late at night will cause me to gain weight.All things considered, it doesn't really matter when you eat, only how many calories you eat and burn in a day. Whether you're eating in the morning or at midnight, your body turns any extra calories into fat over the course of time. In fact, eating a light snack -- like cheese and crackers -- before bed may help you sleep better.
5. I shouldn't eat between meals.On the contrary, eating a small, healthful snack between meals will help keep your blood sugar stable and your metabolism going strong. You'll also avoid getting too hungry so you don't overeat at your next meal.
6. Fat is bad.Everybody needs to include some fat in their diet. Fat makes dishes more satisfying and palatable. Some fats are even good for you, like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found predominantly in fish and shellfish, and monounsaturated fat like that in olive oil.
7. Skipping meals will help me lose weight.On the contrary, skipping meals may actually cause you to gain weight! Your metabolism plummets and you get overly-hungry when go too long without eating. Plus, you may not be reaching your daily calorie requirements which will backfire on you (Remember, eating too few calories can cause weight loss to stall). That's why eating the meal we skip most, breakfast, can actually help us lose weight.
8. Dairy is a "don't" on healthy diets.With non- and low-fat varieties of most dairy products on the market, working dairy into your diet is a definite "do." Women in particular need the calcium dairy products provide, not to mention the fact that research has shown eating enough calcium can actually give our weight loss efforts a boost.
9. It all boils down to willpower.Yes, willpower may be a factor when it comes to how we respond to cravings, but a lot more factors can impact our weight, including genetics, culture, home environment, activity level and health issues. The good news is eating a healthy diet and exercising can help you overcome these influences.
10. Drinking a lot of water can help me lose weight.Drinking water in and of itself will not lead to weight loss. Of course, water is key to a healthy lifestyle and drinking enough has many benefits, but when people lose weight due to drinking water, it's most likely because they're substituting it for high-calorie juices and sodas.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Weight loss myths seem to always be around, whether they're on the Web, sent through e-mail or in the latest celebrity magazine. Believing these ideas can cause you more harm than good. Read on to find out the answers behind some of the most popular myths about weight loss.
1. If I drastically cut calories, I'll lose weight faster.When you take your caloric intake down too low, you are actually sending your body into "starvation mode." Your body wants to maintain your weight when it "thinks" you are starving; therefore, your metabolism will actually slow down and you may not lose weight.
2. The stricter the diet, the better it will work.The stricter a diet is -- such as completely eliminating entire food groups or eating just one food -- the less effective it will be in the end. You'll get tired of the allowed food and when you feel really deprived, you're likely to call it quits altogether.
3. I should get rid of my favorite less-than-healthful foods.By treating yourself to your old favorites now and again, you'll stay motivated and you'll be less likely to give in to a binge. (Just make sure you get back on track after your treat.) Moderation is the key to successful, long-term weight loss.
4. Eating late at night will cause me to gain weight.All things considered, it doesn't really matter when you eat, only how many calories you eat and burn in a day. Whether you're eating in the morning or at midnight, your body turns any extra calories into fat over the course of time. In fact, eating a light snack -- like cheese and crackers -- before bed may help you sleep better.
5. I shouldn't eat between meals.On the contrary, eating a small, healthful snack between meals will help keep your blood sugar stable and your metabolism going strong. You'll also avoid getting too hungry so you don't overeat at your next meal.
6. Fat is bad.Everybody needs to include some fat in their diet. Fat makes dishes more satisfying and palatable. Some fats are even good for you, like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found predominantly in fish and shellfish, and monounsaturated fat like that in olive oil.
7. Skipping meals will help me lose weight.On the contrary, skipping meals may actually cause you to gain weight! Your metabolism plummets and you get overly-hungry when go too long without eating. Plus, you may not be reaching your daily calorie requirements which will backfire on you (Remember, eating too few calories can cause weight loss to stall). That's why eating the meal we skip most, breakfast, can actually help us lose weight.
8. Dairy is a "don't" on healthy diets.With non- and low-fat varieties of most dairy products on the market, working dairy into your diet is a definite "do." Women in particular need the calcium dairy products provide, not to mention the fact that research has shown eating enough calcium can actually give our weight loss efforts a boost.
9. It all boils down to willpower.Yes, willpower may be a factor when it comes to how we respond to cravings, but a lot more factors can impact our weight, including genetics, culture, home environment, activity level and health issues. The good news is eating a healthy diet and exercising can help you overcome these influences.
10. Drinking a lot of water can help me lose weight.Drinking water in and of itself will not lead to weight loss. Of course, water is key to a healthy lifestyle and drinking enough has many benefits, but when people lose weight due to drinking water, it's most likely because they're substituting it for high-calorie juices and sodas.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hobo's Poem of the Day
A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure our friendship as a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace.
And makes the whole world we live in a better and happier place.
(By, Jean Kyler McManus)
Hobo Bag,
Real life, Real talk Real Women
A friend is someone we treasure our friendship as a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace.
And makes the whole world we live in a better and happier place.
(By, Jean Kyler McManus)
Hobo Bag,
Real life, Real talk Real Women
Monday, March 28, 2011
Coming to Grips with My Fat
This past Saturday I took a Piloxing class (pilates combined with Boxing). It was an amazing class except for the full-length mirrors. We all know that clothing hides a multitude of sins and I am no exception in thinking my clothes look great and I look great in them.
Now, I wasn't thinking I was back to 112 pounds, but I was thinking that for my age, I look pretty good. Unfortunately, after staring in those darn mirrors for 45 minutes, I could no longer hide that my fat was on display, my boobs were jiggly and my arms were not at taut as I believed. I have worked hard to get rid of the muffin top, tone up my arms. abs and strengthen my chest. But alas, like everyone, I believe I reached a plateau and became comfortable with my results thus far. This was a rude awakening and shock to see all my stuff on display and moving.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do shower and bathe everyday, but it is not the same, as I don't have a 360 degree mirror at home and don't exactly notice all my stuff moving as I am walking, especially under my towel and then subsequent clothing. Where is Fitness or Health magazine when you need them. I need someone to help further tone up what I have worked hard for. Stacey and Clinton or What Not to Wear are great, clothing is the great equalizer for body issues, but I really want my body issues to go away and not rely on my clothes to cover them up.
So, of course after laughing, crying and talking with my sister for an hour, I realize I am going to have to push myself even further to achieve my goals by my May birthday. Yes, I am a little anal retentive, so I will be in boot camp mode for the next two months. Lucky me!!!!
Wish me luck and if you know of any ways to help, please send me some tips. If you happen to know Stacey and Clinton or anyone at Health or Fitness magazine, send them my way. I would like a makeover.......
Peace and love, Sandals, Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Now, I wasn't thinking I was back to 112 pounds, but I was thinking that for my age, I look pretty good. Unfortunately, after staring in those darn mirrors for 45 minutes, I could no longer hide that my fat was on display, my boobs were jiggly and my arms were not at taut as I believed. I have worked hard to get rid of the muffin top, tone up my arms. abs and strengthen my chest. But alas, like everyone, I believe I reached a plateau and became comfortable with my results thus far. This was a rude awakening and shock to see all my stuff on display and moving.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do shower and bathe everyday, but it is not the same, as I don't have a 360 degree mirror at home and don't exactly notice all my stuff moving as I am walking, especially under my towel and then subsequent clothing. Where is Fitness or Health magazine when you need them. I need someone to help further tone up what I have worked hard for. Stacey and Clinton or What Not to Wear are great, clothing is the great equalizer for body issues, but I really want my body issues to go away and not rely on my clothes to cover them up.
So, of course after laughing, crying and talking with my sister for an hour, I realize I am going to have to push myself even further to achieve my goals by my May birthday. Yes, I am a little anal retentive, so I will be in boot camp mode for the next two months. Lucky me!!!!
Wish me luck and if you know of any ways to help, please send me some tips. If you happen to know Stacey and Clinton or anyone at Health or Fitness magazine, send them my way. I would like a makeover.......
Peace and love, Sandals, Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Ready for a new career?
Quick Start Careers That Pay
Start getting paid fast with these hot jobs you can train for in 1-2 years. By Jennifer Berry courtesy of Yahoo! Education
Are you feeling stuck in a job you hate? Floundering in a job search that isn't going anywhere? Don't despair: a quick training program could provide the jolt you need to find the right career. There is no time like the present to explore your options for going back to school.
With many schools offering rolling admissions and even online instruction, it's never been easier to get started. With the right training, you could be prepared for a new career in just one to two years. That's a small investment in time that could reap big rewards over the length of your career. Check out these six solid careers - and learn how you can train for them.
Career #1 - Human Resources Assistant
For a stable, rewarding career that you can train for quickly, consider a career in human resources. As a human resources assistant, you'll be responsible for maintaining important information about your organization's employees - like their earnings, health and life insurance plans, and tax withholdings.
Quick training: You can earn your associate's degree in human resources in two years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can earn a certificate in human resources in just one year.
Good pay: The average annual salary for human resources assistants is $37,840. The top ten percent average at $53,160 a year.
Career #2 - Paralegal
Intrigued by the law? Train for an in-demand career as a paralegal in less than a year. The U.S. Department of Labor expects paralegal jobs to grow 28 percent from 2008 to 2018. As a paralegal, you may prepare arguments, obtain affidavits, and help lawyers prepare for cases.
Quick training: Do you already have a bachelor's degree? If so, you might be able to earn a certificate in paralegal studies in just a few months. If not, consider earning your associate's degree in two years.
Good pay: Paralegals have an average annual salary of $50,080. The highest ten percent earn more than $75,000.
Career #3 - Medical Assistant The U.S. Department of Labor lists health care as one of the fastest-growing industries in our country. Take part in this boom by training to become a medical assistant in two years or less. As a medical assistant, you'll handle office tasks, take patient medical histories...you might even perform basic laboratory tests.
Quick training: You can earn a certificate or diploma in about one year. Another quick training option is an associate's degree in medical assisting, which you can complete in about two years. Even in quick training programs, you'll build a variety of skills to help you in your new career, including transcription and insurance processing.
Good pay: Medical assistants have an average annual salary of $29,450. The top ten percent have an average annual salary of $39,970.
Career #4 - Bookkeeper Join the 2.1 million bookkeepers who are working today with a quick accounting training program. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 10 percent jump in opportunities through 2018. As a bookkeeper, you'll handle financial records like taxes, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll.
Quick training: Prepare to step into this field by earning an associate's degree in just two years. You'll study subjects like accounting and familiarize yourself with the latest computer software that the job requires.
Good pay: Bookkeepers, who work in every industry imaginable, have an average annual salary of $34,750. The top ten percent can make more than $50,450 a year.
Career #5 - Dental Assistant
Want to get hired as a dental assistant? Well, what are you waiting for? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs for dental assistants are expected to grow 36 percent through 2018. As a dental assistant, you'll make appointments, sterilize equipment, and help dentists during procedures.
Quick training: You can earn a certificate in dental assisting in just one year, or an associate's degree in two years. Many training programs focus on a dental assistant's daily duties, including how to interact with patients and how to help keep the dental office running smoothly.
Good pay: Dental assistants have an average annual salary of $34,000. The top ten percent can average at more than $47,070 a year.
Career #6 - Registered Nurse
If you feel the calling to become a registered nurse, you can train for this rewarding profession in two years or less. It's a smart career move too...the U.S. Department of Labor expects job opportunities to soar 22 percent through 2018. As a nurse, you'll work with patients, run diagnostic tests, and administer medications.
Quick training: Earn an associate's degree or certificate in nursing in just two to three years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can enroll in an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to earn your degree in just 12-18 months.
Good pay: Registered nurses have an average annual salary of $66,530. The top ten percent average at $93,700 a year.
*Salary info comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Start getting paid fast with these hot jobs you can train for in 1-2 years. By Jennifer Berry courtesy of Yahoo! Education
Are you feeling stuck in a job you hate? Floundering in a job search that isn't going anywhere? Don't despair: a quick training program could provide the jolt you need to find the right career. There is no time like the present to explore your options for going back to school.
With many schools offering rolling admissions and even online instruction, it's never been easier to get started. With the right training, you could be prepared for a new career in just one to two years. That's a small investment in time that could reap big rewards over the length of your career. Check out these six solid careers - and learn how you can train for them.
Career #1 - Human Resources Assistant
For a stable, rewarding career that you can train for quickly, consider a career in human resources. As a human resources assistant, you'll be responsible for maintaining important information about your organization's employees - like their earnings, health and life insurance plans, and tax withholdings.
Quick training: You can earn your associate's degree in human resources in two years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can earn a certificate in human resources in just one year.
Good pay: The average annual salary for human resources assistants is $37,840. The top ten percent average at $53,160 a year.
Career #2 - Paralegal
Intrigued by the law? Train for an in-demand career as a paralegal in less than a year. The U.S. Department of Labor expects paralegal jobs to grow 28 percent from 2008 to 2018. As a paralegal, you may prepare arguments, obtain affidavits, and help lawyers prepare for cases.
Quick training: Do you already have a bachelor's degree? If so, you might be able to earn a certificate in paralegal studies in just a few months. If not, consider earning your associate's degree in two years.
Good pay: Paralegals have an average annual salary of $50,080. The highest ten percent earn more than $75,000.
Career #3 - Medical Assistant The U.S. Department of Labor lists health care as one of the fastest-growing industries in our country. Take part in this boom by training to become a medical assistant in two years or less. As a medical assistant, you'll handle office tasks, take patient medical histories...you might even perform basic laboratory tests.
Quick training: You can earn a certificate or diploma in about one year. Another quick training option is an associate's degree in medical assisting, which you can complete in about two years. Even in quick training programs, you'll build a variety of skills to help you in your new career, including transcription and insurance processing.
Good pay: Medical assistants have an average annual salary of $29,450. The top ten percent have an average annual salary of $39,970.
Career #4 - Bookkeeper Join the 2.1 million bookkeepers who are working today with a quick accounting training program. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 10 percent jump in opportunities through 2018. As a bookkeeper, you'll handle financial records like taxes, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll.
Quick training: Prepare to step into this field by earning an associate's degree in just two years. You'll study subjects like accounting and familiarize yourself with the latest computer software that the job requires.
Good pay: Bookkeepers, who work in every industry imaginable, have an average annual salary of $34,750. The top ten percent can make more than $50,450 a year.
Career #5 - Dental Assistant
Want to get hired as a dental assistant? Well, what are you waiting for? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs for dental assistants are expected to grow 36 percent through 2018. As a dental assistant, you'll make appointments, sterilize equipment, and help dentists during procedures.
Quick training: You can earn a certificate in dental assisting in just one year, or an associate's degree in two years. Many training programs focus on a dental assistant's daily duties, including how to interact with patients and how to help keep the dental office running smoothly.
Good pay: Dental assistants have an average annual salary of $34,000. The top ten percent can average at more than $47,070 a year.
Career #6 - Registered Nurse
If you feel the calling to become a registered nurse, you can train for this rewarding profession in two years or less. It's a smart career move too...the U.S. Department of Labor expects job opportunities to soar 22 percent through 2018. As a nurse, you'll work with patients, run diagnostic tests, and administer medications.
Quick training: Earn an associate's degree or certificate in nursing in just two to three years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can enroll in an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to earn your degree in just 12-18 months.
Good pay: Registered nurses have an average annual salary of $66,530. The top ten percent average at $93,700 a year.
*Salary info comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, March 27, 2011
It's Ravinia Time Again!!!
Well this is a sure sign of Spring when Ravinia tickets go on sale!!! For those of you who live in the Chicagoland area I can't rave enough about this awesome venue. This summer is sure to please with artists like Jennifer Hudson, Maroon 5, Hall & Oates, Carrie Underwood and the list goes on. Click here to see the complete line-up. Tickets go on sale 4/27, and trust me they will sell out quickly! Here is a link to the Ravinia website for more information. Please believe me when I say it's worth it, get a bunch of friends or have a date night under the stars!!! Ravinia Stiletto, Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, March 26, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Are your kids planning on working this summer? According to the following article the job market for summer employment will be a little better this year; but you better start applying now!
More summer jobs - and they'll pay better by Jessica Dickler, staff writer courtesy of CNNMoney.com
After suffering through several years of dismal summer job markets, not only will there be more hourly positions this year, but they will pay better.
More than half of hiring managers, or 55%, said they plan to hire seasonal workers this summer, according to the survey released Thursday from hourly job site SnagAJob.com. That's the highest percentage since SnagAJob started the survey four years ago.
Ten percent of hiring managers said they will be hiring more seasonal staff than last summer, up from 6% in 2010.
Those who score summer jobs will be paid better, too. Hiring managers said they plan to dole out $10.90 an hour, on average, a 7% increase over last summer's $10.20.
"A number of indicators show that this season should be better than the past several years, including more hiring managers making hires and a greater number of those folks indicating that they will bring on more employees than the previous season," Shawn Boyer, CEO of SnagAJob, said in a statement.
But, job seekers need to start their searches immediately.
According to the SnagAJob report, 43% of hiring managers with available jobs expect to complete their summer seasonal hiring by April, mostly with returning workers.
"We know that employers are already starting to consider summer employment and if a college student hasn't found a job by mid-May they are probably not going to," said Rebecca Rogers-Tijerino, a senior vice president for temp staffing firm Adecco.
Hiring managers told SnagAJob that 65% of the staff will likely be workers returning from last summer, and 35% will be new employees.
Competition for those jobs will remain fierce, however. To get a leg up, hiring managers said that a positive attitude was the most important attribute in a job candidate, followed by the ability to work within a schedule and previous experience.
The survey also asked firms to share some of their best advice. Among the comments: "communicate what you can contribute to the job," "Do your own research on the prospective employer" and "remove piercings/hide tattoos."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
More summer jobs - and they'll pay better by Jessica Dickler, staff writer courtesy of CNNMoney.com
After suffering through several years of dismal summer job markets, not only will there be more hourly positions this year, but they will pay better.
More than half of hiring managers, or 55%, said they plan to hire seasonal workers this summer, according to the survey released Thursday from hourly job site SnagAJob.com. That's the highest percentage since SnagAJob started the survey four years ago.
Ten percent of hiring managers said they will be hiring more seasonal staff than last summer, up from 6% in 2010.
Those who score summer jobs will be paid better, too. Hiring managers said they plan to dole out $10.90 an hour, on average, a 7% increase over last summer's $10.20.
"A number of indicators show that this season should be better than the past several years, including more hiring managers making hires and a greater number of those folks indicating that they will bring on more employees than the previous season," Shawn Boyer, CEO of SnagAJob, said in a statement.
But, job seekers need to start their searches immediately.
According to the SnagAJob report, 43% of hiring managers with available jobs expect to complete their summer seasonal hiring by April, mostly with returning workers.
"We know that employers are already starting to consider summer employment and if a college student hasn't found a job by mid-May they are probably not going to," said Rebecca Rogers-Tijerino, a senior vice president for temp staffing firm Adecco.
Hiring managers told SnagAJob that 65% of the staff will likely be workers returning from last summer, and 35% will be new employees.
Competition for those jobs will remain fierce, however. To get a leg up, hiring managers said that a positive attitude was the most important attribute in a job candidate, followed by the ability to work within a schedule and previous experience.
The survey also asked firms to share some of their best advice. Among the comments: "communicate what you can contribute to the job," "Do your own research on the prospective employer" and "remove piercings/hide tattoos."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, March 25, 2011
These Old Bones
With each birthday comes a new discovery about my body. You would think that after 34 years, I would have it down. Not quite! I wake up each morning with a new ache or pain, nothing serious, just different.
When I was a child, I would often hear my grandmother say, "these old bones are not like they used to be". I never really understood what she meant at the time, but now it is crystal clear! I spend quite a bit of time focusing on weight and internal cleansing, but have yet to dedicate attention to my bones. Seems silly since when you think about it, bones are extremely important and abundant in our bodies, why wouldn't they have more focus?
This weekend, I plan to spend time focusing on how to improve and maintain bone health. Also, researching what vitamins and nutrients are important for their well being.
Please read the article below and feel free to share any advice that you may have on bone health. These old bones have got to last a bit longer!
When I was a child, I would often hear my grandmother say, "these old bones are not like they used to be". I never really understood what she meant at the time, but now it is crystal clear! I spend quite a bit of time focusing on weight and internal cleansing, but have yet to dedicate attention to my bones. Seems silly since when you think about it, bones are extremely important and abundant in our bodies, why wouldn't they have more focus?
This weekend, I plan to spend time focusing on how to improve and maintain bone health. Also, researching what vitamins and nutrients are important for their well being.
Please read the article below and feel free to share any advice that you may have on bone health. These old bones have got to last a bit longer!
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hollywood Icon Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
Oscar winning actress Elizabeth Taylor died yesterday at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital. She was 79. Article from ABC News/Entertainment
"She was surrounded by her children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," Taylor's publicist, Sally Morrison, said in a statement.
In the same statement, Michael Howard Wilding, 58, memorialized his mother:
"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," he said. "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
"She was surrounded by her children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," Taylor's publicist, Sally Morrison, said in a statement.
In the same statement, Michael Howard Wilding, 58, memorialized his mother:
"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," he said. "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Fabulous Tea
On just about every corner there is a Starbuck's touting their coffee's. While they now sell tea, iced tea, chai tea, etc, I happen to be an avid tea drinker and love a freshly brewed tea without sugars (fake or real).
For the last several weeks, my tea education has come full circle and I have been introduced to some amazing teas. First off, I attended a Silent Auction for my nephew's 8th grade fundraising. To my surprise, I bidded and won a Herbal Tea and Book Basket. The basket was loaded with 12 different boxes/varieties of teas from Stash Tea http://www.stashtea.com/. My favorite was a Mojito Mint Green Tea (it was like my favorite drink without the alcohol and it gave me a buzz). It was so refreshing and the aroma just carried me away to a calm and zen place. The other teas were a myriad of flavors like something out of a rain forest: goji berry, acai berry, coconut/mango, chai, chocolate mint. Each flavor was full bodied and able to stand on it's own without honey, sugar, agave nectar, etc. A little drop of fresh lime or lemon juice enhanced the natural flavors.
Tea is nothing without a scone, biscuit, toast, cookie or just something to go along with it. At last weekend's Farmland Exposition at the UIC Forum, I was introduced to all kinds of organic fruits, vegetables, soaps, etc. Nothing caught my tastebuds like Rare Bird Preserves www.rarebirdpreserves.com, Passionfruit Curd preserves. This was heaven on a English muffin cracker and magnificent in my plain greek yogurt. I will definitely get my full serving of calcium per day from now on.
Whether you are an avid coffee drinker, there is plenty of reason to try some flavorful tea.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
For the last several weeks, my tea education has come full circle and I have been introduced to some amazing teas. First off, I attended a Silent Auction for my nephew's 8th grade fundraising. To my surprise, I bidded and won a Herbal Tea and Book Basket. The basket was loaded with 12 different boxes/varieties of teas from Stash Tea http://www.stashtea.com/. My favorite was a Mojito Mint Green Tea (it was like my favorite drink without the alcohol and it gave me a buzz). It was so refreshing and the aroma just carried me away to a calm and zen place. The other teas were a myriad of flavors like something out of a rain forest: goji berry, acai berry, coconut/mango, chai, chocolate mint. Each flavor was full bodied and able to stand on it's own without honey, sugar, agave nectar, etc. A little drop of fresh lime or lemon juice enhanced the natural flavors.
Tea is nothing without a scone, biscuit, toast, cookie or just something to go along with it. At last weekend's Farmland Exposition at the UIC Forum, I was introduced to all kinds of organic fruits, vegetables, soaps, etc. Nothing caught my tastebuds like Rare Bird Preserves www.rarebirdpreserves.com, Passionfruit Curd preserves. This was heaven on a English muffin cracker and magnificent in my plain greek yogurt. I will definitely get my full serving of calcium per day from now on.
Whether you are an avid coffee drinker, there is plenty of reason to try some flavorful tea.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
Dancing for Fitness by Rachel Sturtz, Prevention courtesy of Yahoo! Health
Dance is hot!
More than 24 million people tune in weekly to shows like Dancing with the Stars. Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance workout, attracts 10 million-plus participants weekly. Last year, even Congress got into the act, officially recognizing July 31 as National Dance Day.
All the attention isn't surprising when you consider that a good beat can get just about everyone tapping their feet or swinging their hips. Moving to the music subtracts stress and adds joy. You're not counting reps or watching the clock. You're out meeting people; it's entertainment.
But dance is also a total-body workout that has all the benefits of a long run or a session on the elliptical—and then some. In a 1-hour class, you can burn as many as 400 calories. Do that 3 times a week and you could drop nearly 20 pounds in a year without dieting. You'll also tone nearly every muscle in your body, improve balance, and boost brainpower.
You've seen what dance can do—some DWTS contestants have lost more than 40 pounds, all while having a great time. You can do it too, even if you have two left feet or achy joints. Most adult beginner classes are gentler than ones for traditional types of exercise. You just need to find the right dance style for you, says Deborah Vogel, dancer and director of the dance education Web site The Body Series.
Click here to see the entire article and suggested dance styles that will help you drop those unwanted pounds.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Dance is hot!
More than 24 million people tune in weekly to shows like Dancing with the Stars. Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance workout, attracts 10 million-plus participants weekly. Last year, even Congress got into the act, officially recognizing July 31 as National Dance Day.
All the attention isn't surprising when you consider that a good beat can get just about everyone tapping their feet or swinging their hips. Moving to the music subtracts stress and adds joy. You're not counting reps or watching the clock. You're out meeting people; it's entertainment.
But dance is also a total-body workout that has all the benefits of a long run or a session on the elliptical—and then some. In a 1-hour class, you can burn as many as 400 calories. Do that 3 times a week and you could drop nearly 20 pounds in a year without dieting. You'll also tone nearly every muscle in your body, improve balance, and boost brainpower.
You've seen what dance can do—some DWTS contestants have lost more than 40 pounds, all while having a great time. You can do it too, even if you have two left feet or achy joints. Most adult beginner classes are gentler than ones for traditional types of exercise. You just need to find the right dance style for you, says Deborah Vogel, dancer and director of the dance education Web site The Body Series.
Click here to see the entire article and suggested dance styles that will help you drop those unwanted pounds.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Before You Choose The College......
College selection can be stressful; below are five tips courtesy of Yahoo! Finance and the Wall Street Journal that you may find helpful.
As college acceptance letters start to roll in, parents will soon have a better idea of their children's educational options for the years ahead.
But before students select a college and head off to school, financial advisers say there are a few things many families need to consider about how to handle the costs, get the most for their money and protect themselves against unexpected developments.
Below, five advisers share their words of advice for parents and their college-bound children.
1. THE ADVICE: Encourage your child to select a career first, and then a school.
THE REASON
Many parents and children approach college as a time to sort things out, to delve into a lot of areas and see which ones the child finds most inspiring. Greg Gilbert, an Atlanta-based financial adviser, sees it differently.
College, he says, is preparation for a career. But children often first think about what school they want to attend and then determine what career they will pursue. That can result in wasted time and money.
Thinking first about career options "helps children focus their college experience instead of hopping around from school to school," says Mr. Gilbert. It also may help cut down on costly extra classes in college and reduce or eliminate the need to retrain in the future, he says.
Of course, many high-school students have no idea what kind of work they want to do after college. Mr. Gilbert recommends that clients have their children work with a professional career counselor who can walk them through career options.
In addition, he recommends that children shadow or at least visit with their parents' friends or other professionals in their field of interest and try to get volunteer or paid experience in the given field as early as possible.
"The key is not just saying 'Oh, I want to do this,' but instead, really actively vetting out the [career] idea to see if it's the right choice," he says.
2. THE ADVICE: Don't promise your child you'll pay the entire tuition.
THE REASON
It isn't that you don't intend to do it when you say it. But, warns Bob Goldman, a Sausalito, Calif., financial planner, "when the time comes, the parents may not be able to pay it." Being realistic, he says, will help the student make better-informed decisions.
The promise has become even more difficult for some of his clients to live up to after they have lost their jobs or suffered some other financial setback, he says. "The parents may now have to wrestle with [the choice between] paying for college or saving for retirement, and that makes for infinite pressure and pain on both sides," he says.
Mr. Goldman recommends skipping the promise, no matter how well-meaning and heartfelt, and instead have an honest talk with the child about the financial realities of the situation. He suggests parents might say, "I can pay X amount. If you want to go to a more expensive school, you'll have to borrow the money."
3. THE ADVICE : When deciding between an in-state public university on the one hand and a private university or out-of-state public university on the other, make your child responsible for at least some of the costs of choosing the more expensive option.
THE REASON
This takes away the "blank check" mentality when students weigh their education options, says John Gugle, a certified financial planner based in Charlotte, N.C. He also believes students are more likely to value their education when they bear some responsibility for the financial impact of their decision.
He recommends parents say the following to their children: "If you choose to go to the in-state public university, then we will pay all four years. However, if you choose to go to the private or out-of-state public university, then we will pay for three years and you will be responsible for one year."
Also, if the child goes to school beyond four years, the child should have to fund that additional cost, Mr. Gugle says.
This makes the child think "long and hard" about what they can afford, he says. Many of his clients have taken his advice, he says, and it has helped defuse a "thorny" decision-making process.
"Unfortunately money issues will often influence the college choice," Mr. Gugle says. "Parents and children need a way to balance the costs with the future benefits."
4. THE ADVICE: Make a deal with your child: Underperform and you're out.
THE REASON
"The whole concept is to promote responsibility and help the children understand this is a very important financial endeavor," says Donald Duncan, a certified financial planner based in Downers Grove, Ill.
Going to college should be considered the child's first real job, says Mr. Duncan, and job success should be defined by the child's GPA.
"If their GPA isn't satisfactory, they get fired from the job," he says. That means finding a less expensive option, perhaps a different college or a trade school.
If the parents are footing the bill, they should agree with the student on a certain minimum GPA before the child starts college. If the child is going away and the parents anticipate an extended adjustment period, the agreement might allow a certain amount of time for the student to make the grade. But the parents need to enforce the agreement if the child doesn't live up to the bargain, Mr. Duncan says.
In that case, a good community college may be a better value for the parents until the child is mature enough to realize the financial burden of a college education on the parents and is dedicated enough to make the cost worthwhile.
5. THE ADVICE: Help children protect their health and finances from uncertainty and risk.
THE REASON
Once a child turns 18, parents no longer have the legal authority to access the child's medical records or make health or financial decisions for the child, says Laura Mattia, a Fair Lawn, N.J., certified financial planner.
That loss of control over a child's care "is a hard thing for a parent to hear," she says, but families need to create a "game plan" to address the unexpected.
It should include three documents—a health-care directive, a HIPAA release and power of attorney—which together allow parents to access a child's medical records and make decisions on the child's health care and finances if necessary.
Ms. Mattia gave this advice to a client whose child was going to study in London for a semester. The client initially was shaken by the realization that she could no longer make crucial decisions on her daughter's behalf without taking legal action, Ms. Mattia says.
But it prompted a conversation between mother and daughter that brought into the open the anxiety they were both feeling about being so far apart and introduced the daughter to the importance of financial and estate planning. It also prompted the mother to take another look at her own estate plan.
"It was an empowering discussion for both the mother and daughter," Ms. Mattia says.
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk & Real Women
Monday, March 21, 2011
Peace
The more that I continue to examine myself the more that I realize that I am no different than anyone else. I have been reading Iyanla Vanzant's most recent book. It is very different than her previous one but just as insightful. It is called Peace from Broken Pieces.
I have found it to be extremely interesting. I am always interested when people go through very life altering experiences and see past their drama to be a help and encouragement to someone else. Her life has been something of trials. I know her story is not unique but still interesting. It is hard to imagine her as the woman we see today even though she suffers herself from them same insecurities that most women face.
I don't want to give to much of the book away but she battles incest, death of a child, abuse, step parenting and more. You name it and she has encountered it. If you are looking for some soul searching and self examining reading, pick up this book. She tells it from a personal perspective.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, March 20, 2011
And still more miracles......
Woman, grandson found at earthquake-wrecked home By TOMOKO A. HOSAKA, courtesy of 
TOKYO – An 80-year-old woman and her teenage grandson were rescued Sunday in northeastern Japan when the youth was able to pull himself out of their flattened two-story house nine days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Jin Abe, 16, was seen calling out for help from the roof of the collapsed home in the hard-hit city of Ishinomaki, according to the Miyagi Prefectural Police. Like other homes in northeastern Japan, they had lost electricity and telephone service in the March 11 earthquake.
He led them inside to his 80-year-old grandmother, Sumi Abe. Both were conscious but weak, and had survived on the food they had in their refrigerator, said Shizuo Kawamura of the Ishinomaki police department.
The woman could not get out of the house because she has trouble walking, and the teenager, who was suffering from a low body temperature, had been unable until Sunday to pull himself from the wreckage, Kawamura told The Associated Press by telephone.
They were found by local police who realized they couldn't get the woman out of the collapsed house and had to call other rescuers, he said.
National broadcaster NHK showed video of the stunned but coherent woman being placed on a stretcher. She was able to give her name and told rescuers she had been in the house since it collapsed in the quake.
When asked if she was hurt, she said no.
************************************************************
This has been such a devastating situation that I am moved every time I find a story that doesn't have a sad ending!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
TOKYO – An 80-year-old woman and her teenage grandson were rescued Sunday in northeastern Japan when the youth was able to pull himself out of their flattened two-story house nine days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Jin Abe, 16, was seen calling out for help from the roof of the collapsed home in the hard-hit city of Ishinomaki, according to the Miyagi Prefectural Police. Like other homes in northeastern Japan, they had lost electricity and telephone service in the March 11 earthquake.
He led them inside to his 80-year-old grandmother, Sumi Abe. Both were conscious but weak, and had survived on the food they had in their refrigerator, said Shizuo Kawamura of the Ishinomaki police department.
The woman could not get out of the house because she has trouble walking, and the teenager, who was suffering from a low body temperature, had been unable until Sunday to pull himself from the wreckage, Kawamura told The Associated Press by telephone.
They were found by local police who realized they couldn't get the woman out of the collapsed house and had to call other rescuers, he said.
National broadcaster NHK showed video of the stunned but coherent woman being placed on a stretcher. She was able to give her name and told rescuers she had been in the house since it collapsed in the quake.
When asked if she was hurt, she said no.
************************************************************
This has been such a devastating situation that I am moved every time I find a story that doesn't have a sad ending!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, March 19, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Spring Cleaning Tips courtesy of Tips.Net
Spring cleaning provides the best opportunity to rid your home of clutter and debris gathered throughout previous months. Before actually getting down to cleaning, first remove clutter from each room of the house. Begin by organizing the things that you don't need into four categories:
Spring cleaning provides the best opportunity to rid your home of clutter and debris gathered throughout previous months. Before actually getting down to cleaning, first remove clutter from each room of the house. Begin by organizing the things that you don't need into four categories:
- Things to put away; items in this category and things that simply need to be put in their proper place. Items such as toys, documents needing to be filed, DVDs, CDs, books, et cetera.
- Things to sell or give away; include items that you've not used in a long time. A good rule of thumb is, if you've not used it in over a year, then it's time to get rid of it.
- Things to put into the trash; include items that you will never use again, that are beyond repair and not able to be donated or sold.
- Things to store away; these are items that you cannot rationalize throwing away, selling, or giving away because you do use them perhaps yearly or every other year, and they would be expensive to replace.
Place four large boxes in a prominent place of your house, labeled PUT AWAY, SELL/GIVE AWAY, TRASH, and STORE, and ask family members to go through the rooms of the house, disbursing clutter into one the four boxes according to its classification.
Once you've cleared the clutter, you can get down to the business of cleaning. Organize your cleaning by using a fresh piece of paper for each room of your house, with the name of the room clearly marked at the top of the page, and then list everything that needs to be done to the room by way of cleaning. For instance, you page titled LIVING ROOM might include these tasks:
- Dust furniture.
- Swiffer walls and ceiling.
- Vacuum carpeting.
- Take down drapes and curtains and wash and dry them.
- Wash windows.
- Dust lamp shades.
- Vacuum couch and chairs.
If you've a large family, you could assign a room to each person, allowing the youngest children to simply clean a bathroom basin or toilet. If you've a small apartment and live alone, it's still best to make a checklist for each room and complete the list over several days.
Make sure that you have enough cleaning supplies on hand for your spring cleaning. It's a bad idea to schedule your cleaning, and find that you have to dash to the store for supplies, and possibly lose your helpers while you're gone!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, March 18, 2011
The French Atkins Diet
There's a new "version" of the once popular Atkins Diet spreading throughout France. Take a read and share your thoughts.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/dukan-diet-french-atkins_n_837609.html?ref=email_share
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/dukan-diet-french-atkins_n_837609.html?ref=email_share
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Unnecessary Panic Attack.......
With the occurrence of the Tsunami in Japan, I have heard lots of TV and radio shows talking about these are signs for the end of days. This is causing a multitude of people to have panic attacks and is spreading unnecessary fear among people all of the world. This morning I heard about American people stocking up on pills that prevent thyroid cancer in the event they get exposed to radiation from Japan. If you can sift through all the noise on TV, radio and the Internet and really discern what the experts are saying, people would know that Japan has enough problems with possible nuclear meltdowns. They don't need a global meltdown based on fear and panic.
Yes, these are signs, but we don't know to what, as of yet. Yes, lots of things have happened. Tsunami's are becoming more prevalent in our lifetime, but remember they have been around a long time. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes are also, nothing new. As a human race, we have adapted to each tragedy whether man made or nature made. Instead of spreading fear and panic, we should be figuring out how to help the people that have been affected and possibly change our warning systems, infrastructure for the next occurrence. It is important to really help people to understand what it means to go now, instead of gathering things. You can replace things, and you will always have memories, however, at this point, we do not have the capability to replace life, except through birth.
The images coming out of Japan are heartbreaking and devastating. As a global community, we can be a part of the solution in helping them instead of adding to their anguish and misery.
I am praying for the people in Japan and around the world that have been impacted by this tragedy. This profoundly affects the people in Japan and their loved ones, and coworkers around the world.
Peace and love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
We live i Lots of predictions have come and gone. Remember the famous Y2K panic attack.
Yes, these are signs, but we don't know to what, as of yet. Yes, lots of things have happened. Tsunami's are becoming more prevalent in our lifetime, but remember they have been around a long time. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes are also, nothing new. As a human race, we have adapted to each tragedy whether man made or nature made. Instead of spreading fear and panic, we should be figuring out how to help the people that have been affected and possibly change our warning systems, infrastructure for the next occurrence. It is important to really help people to understand what it means to go now, instead of gathering things. You can replace things, and you will always have memories, however, at this point, we do not have the capability to replace life, except through birth.
The images coming out of Japan are heartbreaking and devastating. As a global community, we can be a part of the solution in helping them instead of adding to their anguish and misery.
I am praying for the people in Japan and around the world that have been impacted by this tragedy. This profoundly affects the people in Japan and their loved ones, and coworkers around the world.
Peace and love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
We live i Lots of predictions have come and gone. Remember the famous Y2K panic attack.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Miracles in the midst of chaos!
Miracles in Japan: Four-Month Old Baby, 70-Year Old Woman Found Alive
By WILLIAM LEE ADAMS courtesy of 
****************************************************************
Amid the silent corpses a baby cried out - and Japan met its tiniest miracle.
On March 14 soldiers from the Japanese Defense Force were going door-to-door, pulling bodies from homes flattened by the earthquake and tsunami in Ishinomaki City, a coastal town northeast of Senda. More accustomed to the crunching of rubble and the sloshing of mud than to the sound of life, they dismissed the baby's cry as a mistake. Until they heard it again.
*****************************************************************
They made their way to the pile of debris, and carefully removed fragments of wood and slate, shattered glass and rock. And then they saw her: a four-month old baby girl in a pink woolen bear suit.
The tidal wave literally swept the unnamed girl away from her parents' arms when it hit their home on March 11. Since then her parents - both of whom survived the disaster - have taken refuge in their wrecked house, and worried that their little girl was dead. Soldiers managed to reunite the baby with her overjoyed father shortly after the rescue.
"Her discovery has put a new energy into the search," a civil defense official told a local news crew. "We will listen, look and dig with even more diligence after this." Ahead of the baby's rescue, officials reported finding at least 2,000 bodies washed up on the shoreline of Miyagi prefecture. How the child survived drowning - or being crushed by fallen trees and houses - remains a mystery.
In a nation short on good news, other rescues have buoyed morale, too. In Iwate prefecture, northeastern Japan, the devastating tidal wave swept away an elderly woman along with her entire house - but it couldn't extinguish her will to live.
Rescuers found the 70-year-old alive inside her home on March 15, four days after the black tidal wave wiped out much of the region. Osaka fire department spokesman Yuko Kotani told the Associated Press the woman is now receiving treatment in a local hospital. She is conscious but suffering from hypothermia.
*********************************************************
Elsewhere, 60-year old Hiromitsu Shinkawa survived two days at sea by clinging on to his floating rooftop. He was discovered 10 miles off the Japanese coastline. "Several helicopters and ships passed but none of them noticed me," he said after his March 13 rescue. "I thought that was going to be the last day of my life."
**********************************************************
Please continue to pray for Japan!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Hobos Poem of the Day
Always Remember
(Anonymous)
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day
Hobo Bag,
real talk, real life, real women
(Anonymous)
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day
Hobo Bag,
real talk, real life, real women
Monday, March 14, 2011
Food and Exercise Diary
There are a lot of tools out there to help with weight loss. If you have a smartphone, there is an app for walking, talking, running, biking, and logging food. As you can imagine, I have tried a few to no avail. Also, there is the old fashioned keeping an Excel spreadsheet, writing on post-ts or keeping a food diary and then an exercise diary.
For me, I have found the tool that works for me is old-fashioned writing it down and seeing it everyday. At first, I tried to keep an Excel spreadsheet, then I got a food and exercise DVD for the computer, thinking I would log in everyday. Well, I work on the computer all day long and the last think I wanted to do was long onto my computer at home, at night.
Although, I follow Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean" diet, her logs were separate books for food and exercise and taking up too much room in my work bag, not to mention were expensive. So, now I have a no name Diet and Exercise Diary that I found at Border's for $3.99. It combines the best of both worlds in one book and I can even take it to the gym to record all my strength training.
It really keeps me honest in that I feel compelled to write down the jelly beans I shared with my daughter in the car after church. Also, I won't give in to potato chip cravings if I know that it is going in the diary. The diary fits nice and snug in my bag and I can see at a glance how I am staying on track. Even if I go off track, I can see trends, as well as, adjustments for diet busting occasions throughout the week.
Planning and writing all my meals down in advance has kept me on track. Let's face it, weight loss after 40 can be a real struggle. One has to be very mindful of eating in moderation and getting plenty or exercise.
That is not to say that I don't have cheesecake or peach cobbler, but it is to say that I can't have it every day, every week nor the entire cake or pan. It is just it takes longer to lose and is oftentimes just a quick fix for something else. So, really think about eating before actually doing it. Are you hungry? Do you have to have the entire bag of chips? Can you be satisfied with an apple? Are you thirsty? Can you walk around the block to take your mind off of eating? This type of mindful thinking will help you overcome temptations and get you to your weight loss goal.
If you have any tips to share or if you have an easier way to track food and exercise, let us know.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
For me, I have found the tool that works for me is old-fashioned writing it down and seeing it everyday. At first, I tried to keep an Excel spreadsheet, then I got a food and exercise DVD for the computer, thinking I would log in everyday. Well, I work on the computer all day long and the last think I wanted to do was long onto my computer at home, at night.
Although, I follow Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean" diet, her logs were separate books for food and exercise and taking up too much room in my work bag, not to mention were expensive. So, now I have a no name Diet and Exercise Diary that I found at Border's for $3.99. It combines the best of both worlds in one book and I can even take it to the gym to record all my strength training.
It really keeps me honest in that I feel compelled to write down the jelly beans I shared with my daughter in the car after church. Also, I won't give in to potato chip cravings if I know that it is going in the diary. The diary fits nice and snug in my bag and I can see at a glance how I am staying on track. Even if I go off track, I can see trends, as well as, adjustments for diet busting occasions throughout the week.
Planning and writing all my meals down in advance has kept me on track. Let's face it, weight loss after 40 can be a real struggle. One has to be very mindful of eating in moderation and getting plenty or exercise.
That is not to say that I don't have cheesecake or peach cobbler, but it is to say that I can't have it every day, every week nor the entire cake or pan. It is just it takes longer to lose and is oftentimes just a quick fix for something else. So, really think about eating before actually doing it. Are you hungry? Do you have to have the entire bag of chips? Can you be satisfied with an apple? Are you thirsty? Can you walk around the block to take your mind off of eating? This type of mindful thinking will help you overcome temptations and get you to your weight loss goal.
If you have any tips to share or if you have an easier way to track food and exercise, let us know.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, March 13, 2011
It's almost spring!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, March 12, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Trying to find the lowest gas prices in your town? Well the below link to GasBuddy.com will allow you to do just that. There's also and app for your phone that you can download!
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, March 11, 2011
Keep praying for those in Japan!
Hundreds killed in tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake
My son is stationed in Japan and thankfully although he felt the 8.9 earthquake he is okay. Unfortunately though that's not the story for many others and as we all know the death toll will rise. Let's keep Japan in our prayers!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
My son is stationed in Japan and thankfully although he felt the 8.9 earthquake he is okay. Unfortunately though that's not the story for many others and as we all know the death toll will rise. Let's keep Japan in our prayers!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, March 10, 2011
When Spring is here.......
In the next few weeks, spring will arrive, moving us one step closer to warmer weather, we hope. For Chicagoans, spring is a little tricky in that we don't know if it is spring or a prolonged winter with periods of warmth. Fortunately, we are all starting to think about what we are going to do when spring is here. I am so looking forward to vacation and riding my bike...
Whatever the case may be, being healthy and fit is at the top of my list. We must hold steadfast to our resolutions to get fit. When spring is here, I hope to have lost my last ten pounds, along with continuing to motivate the group at work into shedding their excess pounds. They are doing very well, considering they were a whiny, complaining bunch. Now, they are able to do cardio three days a week and weights two days a week. They are starting to see progress and I keep telling them that spring is around the corner.
Trust me, I know how hard it is to get off the couch when you get home or pop in that exercise DVD. However, now is the time to dig deep. Most people that signed up for health club memberships in January and were religiously going, are no where to be found. Don't let this be you. Your goal is just around the corner and you are almost there. Think how good you will look when you achieve your goal.....in the Spring.
So, continue down that path with me, force yourself off the couch, into the health club and continue to eat healthy to give yourself the benefit of good health and fitness.
See you in the Spring....
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Whatever the case may be, being healthy and fit is at the top of my list. We must hold steadfast to our resolutions to get fit. When spring is here, I hope to have lost my last ten pounds, along with continuing to motivate the group at work into shedding their excess pounds. They are doing very well, considering they were a whiny, complaining bunch. Now, they are able to do cardio three days a week and weights two days a week. They are starting to see progress and I keep telling them that spring is around the corner.
Trust me, I know how hard it is to get off the couch when you get home or pop in that exercise DVD. However, now is the time to dig deep. Most people that signed up for health club memberships in January and were religiously going, are no where to be found. Don't let this be you. Your goal is just around the corner and you are almost there. Think how good you will look when you achieve your goal.....in the Spring.
So, continue down that path with me, force yourself off the couch, into the health club and continue to eat healthy to give yourself the benefit of good health and fitness.
See you in the Spring....
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
Have you tried Yoga and felt like there's no way I can do this? If you answered yes then maybe you will like Pilates. I do okay with Yoga but I am not very flexible so taking the class sometimes kills my motivation so I gave Pilates a try because let's face it, as we get older we need to work on flexibility and core strength like it or not!!
My experience has been a great one! I actually really like Pilates and although you don't leave the gym dripping in sweat your body knows it has just been worked over!! I suggest trying a freebie at a gym with certified instructors, that way if you are not doing the moves correctly they can help you. There are always online coupons and such to try exercise classes for free particularly for those locations that specialize in the activity.
Here's a little more information courtesy of Nemours:
What Is Pilates?
Pilates (pronounced: puh-lah-teez) improves mental and physical well-being, increases flexibility, and strengthens muscles through controlled movements done as mat exercises or with equipment to tone and strengthen the body.
In addition, pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's "core" or "powerhouse" (torso). People who do pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health.
Joseph H. Pilates, the founder of the pilates exercise method, was born in Germany. As a child he was frail, living with asthma in addition to other childhood conditions. To build his body and grow stronger, he took up several different sports, eventually becoming an accomplished athlete.
As a nurse in Great Britain during World War I, he designed exercise methods and equipment for immobilized patients and soldiers. In addition to his equipment, Pilates developed a series of mat exercises that focus on the torso. He based these on various exercise methods from around the world, among them the mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts.
Joseph Pilates believed that our physical and mental health are intertwined. He designed his exercise program around principles that support this philosophy, including concentration, precision, control, breathing, and flowing movements.
There are two ways to exercise in pilates:
Today, most people focus on the mat exercises, which require only a floor mat and training. These exercises are designed so that your body uses its own weight as resistance.
The other method uses a variety of machines to tone and strengthen the body, again using the principle of resistance.
Getting Started
The great thing about pilates is that just about everyone — from couch potatoes to fitness buffs — can do it. Because pilates has gained lots of attention recently, lots of classes are available.
Many fitness centers and YMCAs offer pilates classes, mostly in mat work. Some pilates instructors also offer private classes that can be purchased class by class or in blocks of classes; these may combine mat work with machine work. If your health club makes pilates machines available to members, make sure there's a qualified pilates instructor on duty to teach and supervise you during the exercises.
The fact that pilates is hot and classes are springing up everywhere does have a downside, though: inadequate instruction. As with any form of exercise, it is possible to injure yourself if you have a health condition or don't know exactly how to do the moves. Some gyms send their personal trainers to weekend-long courses and then claim they're qualified to teach pilates (they're not!), and this can lead to injury.
So look for an instructor who is certified by a group that has a rigorous training program. These instructors have completed several hundred hours of training just in pilates and know the different ways to modify the exercises so new students don't get hurt.
The pilates mat program follows a set sequence, with exercises following on from one another in a natural progression, just as Joseph Pilates designed them. Beginners start with basic exercises and build up to include additional exercises and more advanced positioning.
Keep these tips in mind so that you can get the most out of your pilates workout.
Stay focused. Pilates is designed to combine your breathing rhythm with your body movements. Qualified instructors teach ways to keep your breathing working in conjunction with the exercises. You will also be taught to concentrate on your muscles and what you are doing. The goal of pilates is to unite your mind and body, which relieves stress and anxiety.
Be comfortable. Wear comfortable clothes (as you would for yoga — shorts or tights and a T-shirt or tank top are good choices), and keep in mind that pilates is usually done without shoes. If you start feeling uncomfortable, strained, or experience pain, you should stop.
Let it flow. When you perform your exercises, avoid quick, jerky movements. Every movement should be slow, but still strong and flexible. Joseph Pilates worked with dancers and designed his movements to flow like a dance.
Don't leave out the heart. The nice thing about pilates is you don't have to break a sweat if you don't want to — but you can also work the exercises quickly (bearing in mind fluidity, of course!) to get your heart rate going. Or, because pilates is primarily about strength and flexibility, pair your pilates workout with a form of aerobic exercise like swimming or brisk walking.
Before you begin any type of exercise program, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a health problem.
My experience has been a great one! I actually really like Pilates and although you don't leave the gym dripping in sweat your body knows it has just been worked over!! I suggest trying a freebie at a gym with certified instructors, that way if you are not doing the moves correctly they can help you. There are always online coupons and such to try exercise classes for free particularly for those locations that specialize in the activity.
Here's a little more information courtesy of Nemours:
What Is Pilates?
Pilates (pronounced: puh-lah-teez) improves mental and physical well-being, increases flexibility, and strengthens muscles through controlled movements done as mat exercises or with equipment to tone and strengthen the body.
In addition, pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's "core" or "powerhouse" (torso). People who do pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health.
Joseph H. Pilates, the founder of the pilates exercise method, was born in Germany. As a child he was frail, living with asthma in addition to other childhood conditions. To build his body and grow stronger, he took up several different sports, eventually becoming an accomplished athlete.
As a nurse in Great Britain during World War I, he designed exercise methods and equipment for immobilized patients and soldiers. In addition to his equipment, Pilates developed a series of mat exercises that focus on the torso. He based these on various exercise methods from around the world, among them the mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts.
Joseph Pilates believed that our physical and mental health are intertwined. He designed his exercise program around principles that support this philosophy, including concentration, precision, control, breathing, and flowing movements.
There are two ways to exercise in pilates:
Today, most people focus on the mat exercises, which require only a floor mat and training. These exercises are designed so that your body uses its own weight as resistance.
The other method uses a variety of machines to tone and strengthen the body, again using the principle of resistance.
Getting Started
The great thing about pilates is that just about everyone — from couch potatoes to fitness buffs — can do it. Because pilates has gained lots of attention recently, lots of classes are available.
Many fitness centers and YMCAs offer pilates classes, mostly in mat work. Some pilates instructors also offer private classes that can be purchased class by class or in blocks of classes; these may combine mat work with machine work. If your health club makes pilates machines available to members, make sure there's a qualified pilates instructor on duty to teach and supervise you during the exercises.
The fact that pilates is hot and classes are springing up everywhere does have a downside, though: inadequate instruction. As with any form of exercise, it is possible to injure yourself if you have a health condition or don't know exactly how to do the moves. Some gyms send their personal trainers to weekend-long courses and then claim they're qualified to teach pilates (they're not!), and this can lead to injury.
So look for an instructor who is certified by a group that has a rigorous training program. These instructors have completed several hundred hours of training just in pilates and know the different ways to modify the exercises so new students don't get hurt.
The pilates mat program follows a set sequence, with exercises following on from one another in a natural progression, just as Joseph Pilates designed them. Beginners start with basic exercises and build up to include additional exercises and more advanced positioning.
Keep these tips in mind so that you can get the most out of your pilates workout.
Stay focused. Pilates is designed to combine your breathing rhythm with your body movements. Qualified instructors teach ways to keep your breathing working in conjunction with the exercises. You will also be taught to concentrate on your muscles and what you are doing. The goal of pilates is to unite your mind and body, which relieves stress and anxiety.
Be comfortable. Wear comfortable clothes (as you would for yoga — shorts or tights and a T-shirt or tank top are good choices), and keep in mind that pilates is usually done without shoes. If you start feeling uncomfortable, strained, or experience pain, you should stop.
Let it flow. When you perform your exercises, avoid quick, jerky movements. Every movement should be slow, but still strong and flexible. Joseph Pilates worked with dancers and designed his movements to flow like a dance.
Don't leave out the heart. The nice thing about pilates is you don't have to break a sweat if you don't want to — but you can also work the exercises quickly (bearing in mind fluidity, of course!) to get your heart rate going. Or, because pilates is primarily about strength and flexibility, pair your pilates workout with a form of aerobic exercise like swimming or brisk walking.
Before you begin any type of exercise program, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a health problem.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sad but awesome story!
I don't know how many of you heard or read about the high school basketball player. Wes Leonard, that died of a heart attack shortly after hitting the game winning shot, but after reading that story my heart went out to all of his family and friends. I want to share the story because it let me know that even in tragedy there is good and human nature really does prevail.
****************************************************************************
The game winning shot put Fennville High School in the playoffs and their first playoff game would have been held at Lawrence High School because Lawrence had home field advantage. Lawrence High agreed to give up their home field advantage so that the game could be held at a larger venue closer to Fennville High so that more family and friends could come to honor Wes. Hats off to the Lawrence High School basketball team because that was a huge gesture of sportsmanship!!
*****************************************************************************
It sounds cliche to call two teams in an elimination playoff game "winners," but it's even harder to label the team which finished on the short end of Monday night's touching game between Fennville (Mich.) High and Lawrence (Mich.) High anything less than that.
Days after star basketball player and beloved student Wes Leonard died of a heart attack immediately following a high school game, Fennville returned to the court to play its first 2010 playoff game against Lawrence, a team which had passed on its own home court advantage to move the game to a larger, neutral site closer to Fennville.
Eventually, Fennville emerged victorious despite playing without its irreplaceable star in a tight, 65-54 game. Amidst hugs and tears from both sets of players, the Blackhawks continued an unbeaten streak that was once pushed on by Wes Leonard, but now continues as an ongoing memorial to his legacy at the school.
Fittingly, reminders of Leonard were everywhere. Both teams wore warm up shirts that read "Never Forgotten" on the front and had Leonard's name and number on the back. There were dedicated signs all around the interior of the basketball arena at fittingly named Hope College, with large swaths of Fennville's black and orange school colors throughout the crowd.
When Fennville's team took to the court, it do so arm-in-arm, with players entering the arena in groups of three. They were led by Mitchell Leonard, Wes' younger brother, who is currently an eighth grader at Fennville middle school, who is pictured in the white t-shirt above.
The Blackhawks entered to a thunderous standing ovation, a reception from fans who bought the entire allotment of 3,300 tickets within an hour of their release earlier on Monday. The town of Fennville has a population of just 1,400, yet it sold 2,000 tickets to the game in an hour. A second rapturous reception greeted the entrance of Leonard's parents, who soaked it all in while hugging and crying, surrounded by some 100 other members of the extended Leonard clan.
And then, after a moment of silence, Fennville's starters took to the court for the opening tip off, fittingly down one man. With Leonard irreplaceable, the team began the game with four men.
While Fennville may have prevailed, both teams could take something from the game, and the painful but touching circumstances that led up to it. From Lawrence's readiness to move the site of the game to help Fennville fans travel to and attend it, to a combined dinner with both teams attended by former NBA star Bo Kimble, who lost his friend and collegiate teammate Hank Gathers in similar fashion 21 years ago, the entire event made it impossible not to focus on something besides the game on the court.
For once, that's exactly how everyone involved wanted it, too. 
Story is courtesy of rivalsHIGH from Yahoo!Sports. To read the complete story click here.
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, March 7, 2011
MARDI GRAS
Tomorrow will be Fat Tuesday. In many places it is celebrated by feasting on many types of wonderful treats. I would like to provide some background information on the actually meaning of Fat Tuesday.
Courtesy of American Catholic.org
Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, for example, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday, with battalions of street sweepers pushing the crowds out of the French Quarter towards home.
What is less known about Maddi Gr as is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. (Ordinary time, in the Christian calendar, refers to the normal "ordering" of time outside of the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons. There is a fine Scripture From Scratch article on that topic if you want to learn more.)
Carnival comes from the Latin words Carney vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in Prue-Christian traditions based on the seasons. Some believe the festival represented the few days added to the lunar calendar to make it coincide with the solar calendar; since these days were outside the calendar, rules and customs were not obeyed. Others see it as a late-winter celebration designed to welcome the coming spring. As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Pulmonary Embolism - Who's at Risk?
Day in Health courtesy of Yahoo! Health
by Lisa Collier Cool
Serena Williams is recuperating at home under medical supervision from a health scare she described as “extremely hard, scary and disappointing” in a statement issued March 2. The tennis ace and 13-time Grand Slam champion underwent emergency treatment for a hematoma brought on by a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). Here’s a guide to this dangerous and surprisingly common condition—I’ve had it twice.
What causes pulmonary embolism and how serious is it? Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot lodges in the lungs, a potentially life-threatening situation. Typically the clot forms in blood vessels in the leg, pelvis, arms or heart. If the clot comes from the arms or legs, it’s described as deep venous thrombosis. The clot then floats through the bloodstream to the lungs, passing through vessels until it gets stuck in one of them, obstructing blood flow like a clogged pipe. According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 200,000 Americans suffer pulmonary embolism (PE) each year, and nearly one-third of them die.
Who is at risk? PE can strike at any age, but certain factors magnify the threat, including travel. Sitting for prolonged periods in a car or airplane slows blood flow in the legs, upping risk for clot formation. This may have been a culprit in Williams’ case since she reportedly developed the pulmonary embolism soon after a flight from New York to Los Angeles. Other risk factors include immobilization after a broken bone, stroke or other illnesses that leaves the person confined to bed, obesity, heart disease, cancer, smoking and injury or trauma to the legs. Recent surgery is another risk factor, which played a role in my own pulmonary embolism, and may been an issue for Williams, who had recently undergone treatment for a foot injury. PE is more likely during pregnancy or in women who take birth control pills or use estrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms, particularly if they smoke or are overweight.
What symptoms does pulmonary embolism cause? Warning signs vary but among the more common are chest pain (particularly if it starts suddenly and intensifies during a deep breath), coughing up blood, unexplained shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, and anxiety or a sense of dread. These symptoms warrant an immediate call to 911 or trip to the hospital since PE is a potentially life-threatening emergency.
What’s the treatment? People with PE typically receive oxygen, often through tubing inserted into the nostrils or a mask. In severe cases, a ventilator may be required. Blood-thinning medications, such as Lovenax or Coumadin, are often administered by IV. For patients who are critically ill or have large clots, doctors may turn to clot-buster drugs (thrombolytics) or perform surgical procedures, such as removing the clot via a thin tube snaked through the blood vessels to the lungs. If someone suffers PE more than once, as occurred in my case, doctors may advise blood tests to check for clotting disorders.
What can I do to prevent PE? On long flights, get up and walk around the cabin every hour. Also avoid crossing your legs for extended periods. During car trips, stop and stretch your legs at least every two hours with a short walk to help prevent clot formation. Before surgery, discuss blood clot prevention steps with your doctor. Depending on your risk, you may be treated with blood thinners before or after the operation. You may also be asked to wear compression stockings or be treated in the hospital with air-inflated cuffs that automatically massage your legs every few minutes, helping push blood through the vessels. For most people, one of the best ways to prevent clots after an operation is to resume physical activity, such as walking, as soon as possible after surgery.
******************************************************************************
Thankfully Serena is recovering!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
by Lisa Collier Cool
Serena Williams is recuperating at home under medical supervision from a health scare she described as “extremely hard, scary and disappointing” in a statement issued March 2. The tennis ace and 13-time Grand Slam champion underwent emergency treatment for a hematoma brought on by a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). Here’s a guide to this dangerous and surprisingly common condition—I’ve had it twice.
What causes pulmonary embolism and how serious is it? Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot lodges in the lungs, a potentially life-threatening situation. Typically the clot forms in blood vessels in the leg, pelvis, arms or heart. If the clot comes from the arms or legs, it’s described as deep venous thrombosis. The clot then floats through the bloodstream to the lungs, passing through vessels until it gets stuck in one of them, obstructing blood flow like a clogged pipe. According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 200,000 Americans suffer pulmonary embolism (PE) each year, and nearly one-third of them die.
Who is at risk? PE can strike at any age, but certain factors magnify the threat, including travel. Sitting for prolonged periods in a car or airplane slows blood flow in the legs, upping risk for clot formation. This may have been a culprit in Williams’ case since she reportedly developed the pulmonary embolism soon after a flight from New York to Los Angeles. Other risk factors include immobilization after a broken bone, stroke or other illnesses that leaves the person confined to bed, obesity, heart disease, cancer, smoking and injury or trauma to the legs. Recent surgery is another risk factor, which played a role in my own pulmonary embolism, and may been an issue for Williams, who had recently undergone treatment for a foot injury. PE is more likely during pregnancy or in women who take birth control pills or use estrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms, particularly if they smoke or are overweight.
What symptoms does pulmonary embolism cause? Warning signs vary but among the more common are chest pain (particularly if it starts suddenly and intensifies during a deep breath), coughing up blood, unexplained shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, and anxiety or a sense of dread. These symptoms warrant an immediate call to 911 or trip to the hospital since PE is a potentially life-threatening emergency.
What’s the treatment? People with PE typically receive oxygen, often through tubing inserted into the nostrils or a mask. In severe cases, a ventilator may be required. Blood-thinning medications, such as Lovenax or Coumadin, are often administered by IV. For patients who are critically ill or have large clots, doctors may turn to clot-buster drugs (thrombolytics) or perform surgical procedures, such as removing the clot via a thin tube snaked through the blood vessels to the lungs. If someone suffers PE more than once, as occurred in my case, doctors may advise blood tests to check for clotting disorders.
What can I do to prevent PE? On long flights, get up and walk around the cabin every hour. Also avoid crossing your legs for extended periods. During car trips, stop and stretch your legs at least every two hours with a short walk to help prevent clot formation. Before surgery, discuss blood clot prevention steps with your doctor. Depending on your risk, you may be treated with blood thinners before or after the operation. You may also be asked to wear compression stockings or be treated in the hospital with air-inflated cuffs that automatically massage your legs every few minutes, helping push blood through the vessels. For most people, one of the best ways to prevent clots after an operation is to resume physical activity, such as walking, as soon as possible after surgery.
******************************************************************************
Thankfully Serena is recovering!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Now that's amazing!
Artist uses 1,300 punching bags to depict Muhammad Ali
By Chris Chase
Muhammad Ali always said he was the prettiest thing that ever lived. He has a point. It does take a certain beauty to make 1,300 punching bags, five miles of stainless steel and two miles of aluminum tubing look like a work of art. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a talented sculptor rendering those materials.
California artist Michael Kalish will unveil his Ali art installation, "reALIze," later this month in Los Angeles. The project, which depicts the three-time heavyweight champ by using speed bags, stands two stories high, fills up 15,00 cubic feet and includes five miles of stainless steel, two miles of aluminum tubing and 1,300 of Ali's favorite practice targets. Kalish told the Los Angeles Times that it took three months to design the sculpture and five months to build it.
Ali's wife, Yolanda, approached Kalish three years ago after seeing his work with license plate art. He created a piece for the family which eventually led to this sculpture.
The final product will show for two weeks at Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles. From there, Kalish hopes to take it to other venues. Admission is free to the public, but visitors won't be able to interact with the piece due to its intricate design.
From most angles, the structure looks like a jumble of boxing bags and twisted metal.
It's only when viewed from the proper vantage point that the structure becomes a two-dimensional portrait of the former heavyweight champion.
The official unveiling of the exhibit is scheduled for March 25.
By Chris Chase
Muhammad Ali always said he was the prettiest thing that ever lived. He has a point. It does take a certain beauty to make 1,300 punching bags, five miles of stainless steel and two miles of aluminum tubing look like a work of art. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a talented sculptor rendering those materials.
California artist Michael Kalish will unveil his Ali art installation, "reALIze," later this month in Los Angeles. The project, which depicts the three-time heavyweight champ by using speed bags, stands two stories high, fills up 15,00 cubic feet and includes five miles of stainless steel, two miles of aluminum tubing and 1,300 of Ali's favorite practice targets. Kalish told the Los Angeles Times that it took three months to design the sculpture and five months to build it.
Ali's wife, Yolanda, approached Kalish three years ago after seeing his work with license plate art. He created a piece for the family which eventually led to this sculpture.
The final product will show for two weeks at Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles. From there, Kalish hopes to take it to other venues. Admission is free to the public, but visitors won't be able to interact with the piece due to its intricate design.
From most angles, the structure looks like a jumble of boxing bags and twisted metal.
It's only when viewed from the proper vantage point that the structure becomes a two-dimensional portrait of the former heavyweight champion.
The official unveiling of the exhibit is scheduled for March 25.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, March 4, 2011
The most typical face on the planet
I saw this very interesting article and video courtesy of National Geographic Magazine that I wanted to share. Check it out and let me know what you think!
National Geographic Magazine released a video clip, below, showing the most "typical" human face on the planet as part of its series on the human race called "Population 7 billion."
The researchers conclude that a male, 28-year-old Han Chinese man is the most typical person on the planet. There are 9 million of them. Don't get used to the results, however. Within 20 years, the most typical person will reside in India.
You can check out the video below:
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
National Geographic Magazine released a video clip, below, showing the most "typical" human face on the planet as part of its series on the human race called "Population 7 billion."
The researchers conclude that a male, 28-year-old Han Chinese man is the most typical person on the planet. There are 9 million of them. Don't get used to the results, however. Within 20 years, the most typical person will reside in India.
You can check out the video below:
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, March 3, 2011
American Cancer Society - Walk and Roll -May 15, 2011
In my continued quest to be healthy, I usually participate in several walkathons each year. Normally the are the result of just wanting to have fun and get some good exercise.
Last year, I particpated in the American Cancer Society's Walk and Roll because a good friend of mine, Cynthia Reed Cruse died in 2009 at a young age of a very rare form of cancer. Her daughter asked me to walk with the team she and Cynthia started before she died, Cancer Fighters For Life.
I was very moved and honored to walk with this team in honor of my friend,and for the first time after her death. However, I didn't do my fair share of fundraising nor understand that every penny counts in eradicating or finding cures for these rare forms cancer. We know about breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, but I had never heard of Cynthia's cancer, Leiomyosarcoma Cancer. As usual, I got busy with life, work, etc and never got around to sending out my share of the fundraising emails. I just figured I didn't need another t-shirt and I would make a donation and be done.
After seeing a breakdown of what and where the money goes, I was saddened to learn that lesser known cancers get less that 5% or research dollars. The majority cancers like breast, prostate, colon lung, etc. have someone or some organziation to champion them. Cynthia's cancer has the American Cancer Society and while she fought bravely and valiantly for 3 years, I intend to fight for her and other rare forms of cancer for the rest of my life.
So, this year the walk is on my birthday weekend and I have gotten my twin sister and our daughters to do the 15K bike ride (9 miles) as a girls weekend. I have chosen the Birthday Club level of fundrasing and hope to make up for last year. We will bike in honor of Cynthia and dedicate our efforts to all the rare forms of cancers that no one has heard about.
For more information or to particpate, visit the American Cancer Society at
http://main.acsevents.org/.
If you or someone you know will be participating on May 15th, stop by the Cancer Fighters For Life Tent and say hello.
Peace and Love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Last year, I particpated in the American Cancer Society's Walk and Roll because a good friend of mine, Cynthia Reed Cruse died in 2009 at a young age of a very rare form of cancer. Her daughter asked me to walk with the team she and Cynthia started before she died, Cancer Fighters For Life.
I was very moved and honored to walk with this team in honor of my friend,and for the first time after her death. However, I didn't do my fair share of fundraising nor understand that every penny counts in eradicating or finding cures for these rare forms cancer. We know about breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, but I had never heard of Cynthia's cancer, Leiomyosarcoma Cancer. As usual, I got busy with life, work, etc and never got around to sending out my share of the fundraising emails. I just figured I didn't need another t-shirt and I would make a donation and be done.
After seeing a breakdown of what and where the money goes, I was saddened to learn that lesser known cancers get less that 5% or research dollars. The majority cancers like breast, prostate, colon lung, etc. have someone or some organziation to champion them. Cynthia's cancer has the American Cancer Society and while she fought bravely and valiantly for 3 years, I intend to fight for her and other rare forms of cancer for the rest of my life.
So, this year the walk is on my birthday weekend and I have gotten my twin sister and our daughters to do the 15K bike ride (9 miles) as a girls weekend. I have chosen the Birthday Club level of fundrasing and hope to make up for last year. We will bike in honor of Cynthia and dedicate our efforts to all the rare forms of cancers that no one has heard about.
For more information or to particpate, visit the American Cancer Society at
http://main.acsevents.org/.
If you or someone you know will be participating on May 15th, stop by the Cancer Fighters For Life Tent and say hello.
Peace and Love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota has started a campagin called "do"and people from all over Minnesota are moving more, eating better and getting healthier. Their stories will amaze you, warm your heart, and inspire you to make the changes to change your life.
So what is do? First it's a registered trade mark of 
and according to the website, http://www.do-groove.com/, it's based on a simple idea. By grooving your body each day, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other illnesses.
and according to the website, http://www.do-groove.com/, it's based on a simple idea. By grooving your body each day, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other illnesses.As you click through the website you get to see and hear stories from people just like you and me about how they made really small changes to their everyday routine; how they changed their journey.
There are suggestions on how to "do-groove" at work and at home. Weight loss tips, challenges and much more. Check out the website, just because you don't live in Minnesota doesn't mean that you can't "do" too!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Courtesy of CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention)Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. If everyone aged 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
Get the Facts
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States.
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.
Reducing Your Risk
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. However, many people who are at risk for the disease are not being screened according to national guidelines.
It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely. In most cases, colorectal cancer develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.
Some studies show that increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may decrease the risk for colorectal cancer. Evidence is less clear about other ways to prevent colorectal cancer.
Currently, there is no consensus on the role of diet in preventing colorectal cancer, but medical experts recommend a diet low in animal fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes.
In addition, researchers are examining the role of certain medications and supplements, including aspirin, calcium, vitamin D, and selenium, in preventing colorectal cancer. While these supplements may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, the most effective way to reduce your risk is by having regular colorectal cancer screening tests beginning at age 50.
When Should You Begin to Get Screened?
You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if:
- You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or
- You have inflammatory bowel disease.
If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer for all people until they reach 75 years old and for some people when they are older than 75. If you are in this age group, ask your doctor if you should be screened.
What Are the Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer?
Several tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer. Some are used alone; others are used in combination with each other. Talk with your doctor about which test or tests are best for you. These screening tests are recommended by the USPSTF:
- Colonoscopy (every 10 years).
- High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (every year).
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years).
In addition to these tests, some groups also recommend the double contrast barium enema as a screening test (every 5 years). Other tests are being evaluated and may be recommended by the USPSTF for use in colorectal cancer screening in the future, including CT colonography (also known as “virtual colonoscopy”) and stool DNA testing.
For more information please click here.
Stay healthy, get checked!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
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