When the Customer Is Wrong: Airlines courtesy of Yahoo!Finance
It's one of the oldest adages of the retail world: "The customer is always right."
Of course, very often the customer is wrong. Every day customers behave in ways that make the lives of waiters, cashiers, customer service reps and other retail workers miserable. And in many cases, these customers don't even realize how annoying they're being.
To rectify this, we've decided to talk to the people on the other side of the desk, with the hope of educating consumers on what sort of behavior makes life difficult for the people serving them. In the first part of the series we spoke to people in the restaurant industry, and in part two we asked hotel workers how to be a responsible guest. We turn now to the airline industry, where we asked flight attendants and customer service representatives for tips on keeping the skies friendly.
Get Off the Phone
This is a common complaint in most retail industries, but it bears repeating here: It's rude to talk on the phone while interacting with the person behind the counter. And when you're at the airport checking your bags, it slows things down for everyone, says Mary Ann DeVita Goddard, a former customer service representative for Continental Airlines.
"Passengers would walk up, stand in front of you, continue their conversation, and expect you to know where they were going and how many bags they were checking," she recounts.
Respect the people behind the counter enough to put your phone away when you're speaking with them. And if not for their sake, do it for the people behind you who are delayed by your chatty ways.
We Don't Want Your Germs
If there's one thing worse than seeing a passenger approach with a phone glued to his ear, it's seeing a passenger approach with a ticket in his mouth.
"When they had to show their ID, they would walk up with it in their mouth," recalls Goddard, who worked at both baggage check and at the gate. "It was the same with the boarding pass. And they would expect you to take it."
We've all been there -- you've got your hands full with bags, and you want easy access for your ID or boarding pass, so you wind up holding it in your mouth. But handing someone a ticket that was just in your mouth is extremely gross. Put it in your pocket.
The Tray Table Is Not a Changing Table
Speaking of gross, please note that the tray tables are for eating, not for changing diapers.
"There are passengers that are traveling with babies who don't realize the airplane has changing tables in the lavatory, so they'll try to change babies on the seat or tray," says Bobby Laurie, a flight attendant who blogs about his experiences on the Inflight Team blog network. "People will eat off that table, and it's not cleaned after every flight."
We repeat: The tray tables are not cleaned after every flight, and even if they were, changing a diaper on a surface that someone is going to eat off is not OK. Be considerate of future passengers, and don't put the flight attendants in the position of having to stop you mid-diaper change.
Speaking of Babies ...
There are few air travel topics more controversial than babies and small children on planes, and if it's a headache for passengers, it's a safe bet that it's a major headache for the flight attendants who have to deal with both the crying babies and the passengers complaining about said babies.
Laurie acknowledges that there are no good solutions to the problem, short of RyanAir's (probably fake) plan to offer child-free flights. He does recommend bringing ear plugs if you don't have noise-canceling headphones, and suggests that passengers traveling with babies bring a supply of earplugs for surrounding passengers.
Most importantly, he says to recognize that flight attendants aren't babysitters.
"Some people just pass their babies off to you when they go to the bathroom, but we're not here for that," he says. "[And] realize that airlines don't have stuff to keep kids occupied, so come prepared with games and books."
Everyone Has to Be Somewhere
When flights are delayed or overbooked, the customer service representative manning the gate can quickly become the most put-upon person in the terminal. And that's especially true if there aren't enough passengers willing to be voluntarily bumped from the flight, which means that someone with a ticket isn't getting on.
"Some people come up and bang on the counter and scream and yell," recounts Goddard, who says she always had a lot of sympathy in these situations. "If I thought I was going on vacation and I got bumped, I would be disappointed, too."
Still, she urges travelers to understand that shouting your way onto the plane means someone else gets bumped instead -- someone who could have an even greater need for getting to their destination on time.
"Everyone has to be somewhere, but some people really need to be somewhere, like if they're visiting a sick family member or going to a funeral," she says.
Situations like these aren't fun for anyone, and passengers have a right to feel aggrieved. But screaming will only make someone else's day worse, and if you have a pressing need to depart on time, your best bet is to politely state your case.
Take Your Seat ...
Not all seats are created equally, and if you're on a flight that isn't sold out you might be inclined to stake out better real estate -- say, a seat that's further from the lavatory or that has more leg room. But wait until the plane is in the air and the seatbelt light is off to go searching for greener pastures, because the plane can't take off until you're seated.
"There is tremendous pressure on gate agents and flight attendants to get flights out on time," says Erik, a flight attendant for a major airline who asked that we didn't use his full name. "We have to answer for it later if the flight is late, so someone wandering around the plane looking for that first-class experience that they didn't pay for when everyone else is ready to go ... is obnoxious."
Listen to the Flight Attendants
Sure, the flight attendant said to stow your carry-on bag under the seat in front of you. But as long as it's out of the way, it doesn't matter where you put it, right?
"Let's say you abort the takeoff and come to a screeching halt on the runway, or skid off the edge of the runway and come to an abrupt stop -- the bags are going to move forward," explains Erik. "No one is going to want another persons' or their own carry-on bag sticking out and blocking their egress in a smoke-filled cabin."
In other words, it's for your own safety. The same holds true for putting your tray up ("Nothing like getting snagged on a tray table while trying to escape from a burning airplane," he says) and turning off your cell phone. That last one has plenty of dissidents, who argue that a single phone can't interfere with the plane's communications. But phones can also serve as a distraction during take-off and landing, when accidents are most likely.
Overhead Etiquette
"The overhead bin is shared space, and each bin should fit three people's luggage in it," says Erik. "But sometimes that one passenger will put their jacket, briefcase, and roll-aboard suitcase in there. What about the other two people in that row?"
Hogging the overhead bins is not only inconsiderate to your fellow fliers, it also makes things tough for the flight attendants, who get blamed by the other passengers when they can't find room for their own luggage.
And when it comes to actually loading your luggage, don't just set your bag down and expect the flight attendant to do it for you. Laurie says that workplace safety regulations dictate that flight attendants are only supposed to help you guide the bag into the compartment -- not lift it for you.
"Passengers will pack their carry-on to the point where they can't even lift it, then expect us to lift it for them," says Laurie. "Technically we're not supposed to lift it unless you're disabled or elderly."
Please don't be that passenger!!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
NBA Playoffs
With the NBA Playoffs well under way, I am so excited that MY Chicago Bulls will be advancing to the next series, after winning a tough fight against the Indiance Pacers.
As much as I love the Bulls, I am even more excited about the Miami Heat facing the Boston Celtics. If you love basketball as much as I do, this is going to be an amazing series! The big guys are going to have to bring their A-Game. There will be a lot of superstar power in this series, and the outcome will come down to teamwork.
Be sure to follow nba.com for game times and results.
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Prayers go out!!!
Dozens of tornadoes kill 201 in 6 Southern states
Click on the link below to check out some raw footage of one of the several hundred tornadoes that swept through 6 southern states.
On behalf of the Pumps, Purses & Positivity family our hearts and prayers go out to all those that have been affected by these devastating tornadoes.
Click Here
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
Weight & The Workplace
Article By: The Weight Watchers Research Department
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that there is a definite connection between weight and work.
Many worksite environments have become more sedentary over the years and this has an effect on weight. For example, one study found that the more time employees spent at their desks, the greater their odds of being overweight.1 The number of hours worked also doesn't help. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that men and women who worked the most overtime also boosted their odds of gaining weight.2
Burden of Excess Pounds at Work
While the worksite environment can contribute to weight gain, excess weight itself has a negative financial impact in the workplace. Companies spend up to 52% more on obese employees in annual healthcare costs than they do on employees at a healthy weight.3 A large part of these costs are due to the way the excess weight worsens other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. These costs come from a variety of sources, including physician visits, prescription drugs and outpatient and inpatient hospital charges..
Excess weight also has a negative effect on productivity while on the job. Heavier workers experience more disability and have more health-related absences than thinner workers, resulting in lost income. For example, one study found that heavy workers were more than twice as likely to report high level absenteeism (more than one sick day per month) than workers at a healthy weight.4 It's not simply about absenteeism, however. Excess weight is also linked to "presenteeism," -- that is, time spent on the job but performing at less than full capacity due to stress, injury or illness. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that obese workers lost substantially more productive time than workers at a healthy weight. Surprisingly, two-thirds of the lost time was explained by presenteeism, while the remaining one-third was from health-related absences.5
Small Changes = Big Improvements
The good news is that weight loss can reduce medical costs and improve job productivity and performance. Weight losses of 5-10 percent of initial body weight or the prevention of weight gain can translate into substantial health and economic benefits.6 According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) task force, worksite weight management programs that include diet, exercise, support and behavior skills are the recommended strategy to prevent or control overweight and obesity in the workplace.7 And there is proof that these programs work. For example, implementing a worksite lifestyle-based weight-loss program has been shown to result in a reduction in risk factors for heart disease that is sustained for at least one year. The health outcomes for those with other conditions, including diabetes, can also be significantly improved using this approach.8 Fortunately, many employers have started to provide these types of weight-loss programs in the workplace.
Bottom Line: Losing a small amount of weight will not only improve health, but will also lower medical costs and have a beneficial impact on job productivity and performance. If offered, worksite weight management programs, including those offered by Weight Watchers, are an excellent choice.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
FOOTNOTES
1 Mummery WK, Schofield GM, Steele R, Eakin EG, Brown WJ. Occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity in Australian workers. Am J Prev Med. 2005 Aug;29(2):91-7.
2 Lallukka T, et al. Psychosocial working conditions and weight gain among employees. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Aug;29(8):909-15.
3 Burton WN, et al. The Economic Costs Associated with Body Mass Index in a Workplace. J Occup Environ Med. 1998 Sept;40(9):786-792.
4 Tucker LA, Friedman GM. Obesity and absenteeism: an epidemiologic study of 10,825 employed adults. Am J Health Promot. 1998 Jan-Feb;12(3):202-7.
5 Ricci JA & Chee E. Lost Productive Time Associated with Excess Weight in the U.S. Workforce. J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Dec;47:1227-1234.
6 Oster G, et al. Lifetime health and economic benefits of weight loss among obese persons. Am J Public Health. 1999 Oct;89(10):1536-42.
7 Katz DL, et al. Public health strategies for preventing and controlling overweight and obesity in school and worksite settings: a report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005 Oct 7;54(RR-10):1-12.
8 Eddy DM, et al. Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of strategies for managing people at high risk for diabetes. Ann Intern Med. 2005. Aug 16;143(4);251-264.
Science Center
Article By: The Weight Watchers Research Department
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that there is a definite connection between weight and work.
Many worksite environments have become more sedentary over the years and this has an effect on weight. For example, one study found that the more time employees spent at their desks, the greater their odds of being overweight.1 The number of hours worked also doesn't help. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that men and women who worked the most overtime also boosted their odds of gaining weight.2
Burden of Excess Pounds at Work
While the worksite environment can contribute to weight gain, excess weight itself has a negative financial impact in the workplace. Companies spend up to 52% more on obese employees in annual healthcare costs than they do on employees at a healthy weight.3 A large part of these costs are due to the way the excess weight worsens other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. These costs come from a variety of sources, including physician visits, prescription drugs and outpatient and inpatient hospital charges..
Excess weight also has a negative effect on productivity while on the job. Heavier workers experience more disability and have more health-related absences than thinner workers, resulting in lost income. For example, one study found that heavy workers were more than twice as likely to report high level absenteeism (more than one sick day per month) than workers at a healthy weight.4 It's not simply about absenteeism, however. Excess weight is also linked to "presenteeism," -- that is, time spent on the job but performing at less than full capacity due to stress, injury or illness. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that obese workers lost substantially more productive time than workers at a healthy weight. Surprisingly, two-thirds of the lost time was explained by presenteeism, while the remaining one-third was from health-related absences.5
Small Changes = Big Improvements
The good news is that weight loss can reduce medical costs and improve job productivity and performance. Weight losses of 5-10 percent of initial body weight or the prevention of weight gain can translate into substantial health and economic benefits.6 According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) task force, worksite weight management programs that include diet, exercise, support and behavior skills are the recommended strategy to prevent or control overweight and obesity in the workplace.7 And there is proof that these programs work. For example, implementing a worksite lifestyle-based weight-loss program has been shown to result in a reduction in risk factors for heart disease that is sustained for at least one year. The health outcomes for those with other conditions, including diabetes, can also be significantly improved using this approach.8 Fortunately, many employers have started to provide these types of weight-loss programs in the workplace.
Bottom Line: Losing a small amount of weight will not only improve health, but will also lower medical costs and have a beneficial impact on job productivity and performance. If offered, worksite weight management programs, including those offered by Weight Watchers, are an excellent choice.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
FOOTNOTES
1 Mummery WK, Schofield GM, Steele R, Eakin EG, Brown WJ. Occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity in Australian workers. Am J Prev Med. 2005 Aug;29(2):91-7.
2 Lallukka T, et al. Psychosocial working conditions and weight gain among employees. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Aug;29(8):909-15.
3 Burton WN, et al. The Economic Costs Associated with Body Mass Index in a Workplace. J Occup Environ Med. 1998 Sept;40(9):786-792.
4 Tucker LA, Friedman GM. Obesity and absenteeism: an epidemiologic study of 10,825 employed adults. Am J Health Promot. 1998 Jan-Feb;12(3):202-7.
5 Ricci JA & Chee E. Lost Productive Time Associated with Excess Weight in the U.S. Workforce. J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Dec;47:1227-1234.
6 Oster G, et al. Lifetime health and economic benefits of weight loss among obese persons. Am J Public Health. 1999 Oct;89(10):1536-42.
7 Katz DL, et al. Public health strategies for preventing and controlling overweight and obesity in school and worksite settings: a report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005 Oct 7;54(RR-10):1-12.
8 Eddy DM, et al. Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of strategies for managing people at high risk for diabetes. Ann Intern Med. 2005. Aug 16;143(4);251-264.
Science Center
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tornado hits St. Louis Airport
This is just amazing! Thankfully there were no lives lost in this tornado last week. Video courtesy of Youtube.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, April 25, 2011
Bike the Drive
Happy Monday!
I am back from my glorious 12 day vacation of sunshine, heat and great food. Unfortunately, I came back to dreary, rainy and cold Chicago weather. But, I know what I signed up for and it's great to be home.
One bright spot for this rainy April is the upcoming Bike the Drive, http://bikethedrive.org/signup . It is bike riding at its best along a car-free Lakeshore drive. That's right, no cars on lakeshore drive, from north to south (about 30 miles)
If you always wanted to see Lakeshore drive, ride along the lakefront, but didn't want the congestion, now is the time to joins thousands of Chicagoans, as well as, tourists for a great scenic ride along Lakeshore drive. You know you've seen the bike-riders, walkers, baby carriages and skaters on the lakefront and thought you've always wanted to do those things, but it just looks too congested. Well now is your time to ride on Lakeshore drive, without cars, baby carriages, skaters, etc. This year my husband and I will riding along with my sister, brother-in-law and other couples for an enjoyable day of stress-free, sightseeing, exercise and a kids-free day. Hopefully, there will be lots of sunshine and good weather.
So, come out and enjoy Lakeshore drive, get some exercise and help the bikes take over the drive.
Please let me know if you are going to ride.
Peace and love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
I am back from my glorious 12 day vacation of sunshine, heat and great food. Unfortunately, I came back to dreary, rainy and cold Chicago weather. But, I know what I signed up for and it's great to be home.
One bright spot for this rainy April is the upcoming Bike the Drive, http://bikethedrive.org/signup . It is bike riding at its best along a car-free Lakeshore drive. That's right, no cars on lakeshore drive, from north to south (about 30 miles)
If you always wanted to see Lakeshore drive, ride along the lakefront, but didn't want the congestion, now is the time to joins thousands of Chicagoans, as well as, tourists for a great scenic ride along Lakeshore drive. You know you've seen the bike-riders, walkers, baby carriages and skaters on the lakefront and thought you've always wanted to do those things, but it just looks too congested. Well now is your time to ride on Lakeshore drive, without cars, baby carriages, skaters, etc. This year my husband and I will riding along with my sister, brother-in-law and other couples for an enjoyable day of stress-free, sightseeing, exercise and a kids-free day. Hopefully, there will be lots of sunshine and good weather.
So, come out and enjoy Lakeshore drive, get some exercise and help the bikes take over the drive.
Please let me know if you are going to ride.
Peace and love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Women: Stay Healthy at 50+
Checklists for Your Health
courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Daily Steps to Health
•Be tobacco free. For tips on how to quit, go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/path/tobacco.htm or visit http://www.smokefree.gov.
•Be physically active. If you are not already physically active, start small and work up to 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are just a few examples of moderate physical activity.
•Eat a healthy diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.
•Stay at a healthy weight. Balance the calories you take in from food and drink with the calories you burn off by your activities. Check with your doctor if you start to gain or lose weight.
•If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Have no more than one drink a day. A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Checklists for Your Health
courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Daily Steps to Health
•Be tobacco free. For tips on how to quit, go to: http://www.ahrq.gov/path/tobacco.htm or visit http://www.smokefree.gov.
•Be physically active. If you are not already physically active, start small and work up to 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are just a few examples of moderate physical activity.
•Eat a healthy diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.
•Stay at a healthy weight. Balance the calories you take in from food and drink with the calories you burn off by your activities. Check with your doctor if you start to gain or lose weight.
•If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Have no more than one drink a day. A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It's Official!!
As I blogged about before, I’ve joined the Kingdom Running Club (KRC) and will be participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2011.
So for the past few months, we’ve met once a week to receive mind renewal teachings, gear and nutrition and other information. It’s been interesting, getting used to getting up early, by 7:30am, and applying the information. I’d looked over the schedule and had been thinking that I had plenty of time to mentally prepare for actually running. I mean, the schedule clearly indicated “Running on lakefront – April 30th”. Well imagine my surprise when I received the weekly KRC email on Wednesday March 23rd, which indicated that we were to arrive at 6:30am and be prepared to run around the mall where we meet on Saturday March 26th!. “Be ready to what?!” Aw man! I showed up slightly late but ready. After a stretch, we were off! I actually ran for a block or so, and then began to power walk. After a few minutes I ran again. And I went back and forth until I completed my one time around which was the equivalent of 1.2 miles. It was great AND awful! My thighs were sore for two days! But you know what, it’s all good, its official I’m on my way! Wooooo Hooooo!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
The Bosu Ball!!
Okay, I have been trying so many different workouts just so that I can stay excited and can continue to shock my body. I talked about the TRX which I still love but my new favorite is the bosu ball. It's the half moon looking ball that really looks harmless, but it packs quite a punch!!
My gym recently added Bosu Boot Camp to it's list of classes and I tried it for the first time on Monday night. MAN, talk about a workout!! The bosu literally kicked my butt and I'm still pretty sore and it's been two days!
If you are already going to a gym check to see if they have a bosu class, if not check into purchasing the bosu. You will get at least one DVD with the bosu ball and it is actually cheaper than most gym memberships! You will get a core workout that you won't believe and you can also count on getting quite a cardio workout as well.
Remember keep trying new things and find something that you really like...this way you will probably have a better chance at sticking with it!!
Courtesy of diet.com and Youtube the video below shares some typically bosu exercises.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Okay, I have been trying so many different workouts just so that I can stay excited and can continue to shock my body. I talked about the TRX which I still love but my new favorite is the bosu ball. It's the half moon looking ball that really looks harmless, but it packs quite a punch!!
My gym recently added Bosu Boot Camp to it's list of classes and I tried it for the first time on Monday night. MAN, talk about a workout!! The bosu literally kicked my butt and I'm still pretty sore and it's been two days!
If you are already going to a gym check to see if they have a bosu class, if not check into purchasing the bosu. You will get at least one DVD with the bosu ball and it is actually cheaper than most gym memberships! You will get a core workout that you won't believe and you can also count on getting quite a cardio workout as well.
Remember keep trying new things and find something that you really like...this way you will probably have a better chance at sticking with it!!
Courtesy of diet.com and Youtube the video below shares some typically bosu exercises.
Here's to your health!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Kitten Heels Sorta' Recommends.....
A recent book club assignment has led me to the wildly popular book, THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. A few ladies in the book club already read the book and liked it. I’m about half-way through the book and I must say that I’m torn. I really don’t enjoy books written in Southern dialect. Usually because there are inconsistencies, as some words will be spelled as they’re pronounced, while others aren’t, for example spelling going as goin’, while not spelling the as ‘da. I believe that I really don’t need the dialect written out. While reading I find that if a character is Southern or Midwestern or foreign I naturally hear their voice in the dialect. I pretty much like the story overall, but am annoyed by the dialect and the treatment and injustices that some of the characters face. I like it enough to continue. Here’s the synopsis:
Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.
Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.
Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.
Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.
Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.
You know a book is popular when at least two things happen, 1 – a movie is in the works and 2 – a lawsuit has been filed. The movie is set to come out in August 2011. There’s a pretty good line-up of stars so I might check it out. The lawsuit was filed by the author’s brother’s actual maid. Her name and some of her life experiences are similar to of one of the characters. I read an article that implied that perhaps the lawsuit had to do with family dynamics also. The outcome should be interesting.
I’m going to finish the book mostly out of curiosity. I do want to see how the characters end up. Like some of the reviewers on Amazon, I won’t be reading it over and over, one time will do. I sorta recommend it because it is so popular and provocative. You too should check it out……..maybe :).
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, April 18, 2011
Relationship Restoration
or
Happy Monday!!! I guess I do lots of thinking about life in general. My mind is always searching and thinking about all aspects of life. Most recently I have been thinking about life after the age of 35. When you are in your twenties everything seems possible as if you can conquer the world. I think that when you get into your thirties you start to become very realistic about life and the people in yours.
You start to see that some people and circumstances need and should become obsolete. You start to see that not everyone and everything was meant to be in your life for a lifetime. In reflecting on all these things I began to think how you can restore those things that should have remained a constant in your life. The things that I think about include but are not limited to like God, family, real friends, real loves and real people. So many times over the years people have crossed my path that I feel have been genuine human beings that truly have my best interest at heart. At the same time, just as many I have come across that meant nothing to me except to provide self-gratification for themselves. Now what can I do to regenerate those good relationships while discarding the bad?
1. Take care of me and my needs. Anyone that has your best interests at heart care about your needs more than their own.
2. Love me more. No one loves me more than me. If anyone seems to, be careful because there could be potential for a dangerous situation.
3. Treat others the way I would like them to treat me. Don’t seek out companionship because it is convenient. No one wants to be a just because you had nothing better to do fix.
4. Let others know that you appreciate them. I try and do it as often as I can.
5. I must be open to nontraditional circumstances. You could find the ultimate relationship in the most uncommon setting.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Happy Monday!!! I guess I do lots of thinking about life in general. My mind is always searching and thinking about all aspects of life. Most recently I have been thinking about life after the age of 35. When you are in your twenties everything seems possible as if you can conquer the world. I think that when you get into your thirties you start to become very realistic about life and the people in yours.
You start to see that some people and circumstances need and should become obsolete. You start to see that not everyone and everything was meant to be in your life for a lifetime. In reflecting on all these things I began to think how you can restore those things that should have remained a constant in your life. The things that I think about include but are not limited to like God, family, real friends, real loves and real people. So many times over the years people have crossed my path that I feel have been genuine human beings that truly have my best interest at heart. At the same time, just as many I have come across that meant nothing to me except to provide self-gratification for themselves. Now what can I do to regenerate those good relationships while discarding the bad?
1. Take care of me and my needs. Anyone that has your best interests at heart care about your needs more than their own.
2. Love me more. No one loves me more than me. If anyone seems to, be careful because there could be potential for a dangerous situation.
3. Treat others the way I would like them to treat me. Don’t seek out companionship because it is convenient. No one wants to be a just because you had nothing better to do fix.
4. Let others know that you appreciate them. I try and do it as often as I can.
5. I must be open to nontraditional circumstances. You could find the ultimate relationship in the most uncommon setting.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Commander!
Kelly Rowland's Commander is the first song in my latest weight lifting routine. I never really got into the song before but now it pumps me up as I'm pushing the weights so I thought I share just in case you haven't heard it before. Enjoy....courtesy of YouTube.
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, April 16, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
12 Foods With Super-Healing Powers
Nikki Jong, Caring.com contributing editor courtesy of Yahoo!Health
As part of a healthy diet, whole foods play a significant role in helping our bodies function at their best. There are hundreds of extremely nutritious whole foods, but the dozen on this list do more than contribute healthy nutrients -- they help you heal. In fact, every food on this list boasts multiple healing effects, from fighting cancer to reducing cholesterol, guarding against heart disease, and more. Eat these super-healing picks and start feeling pretty super yourself.
Kiwifruit
This tiny, nutrient-dense fruit packs an amazing amount of vitamin C (double the amount found in oranges), has more fiber than apples, and beats bananas as a high-potassium food. The unique blend of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals found in kiwifruit helps protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and respiratory disease. Kiwifruit's natural blood-thinning properties work without the side effects of aspirin and support vascular health by reducing the formation of spontaneous blood clots, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that kiwifruit not only reduces oxidative stress and damage to DNA but also prompts damaged cells to repair themselves.
Kiwifruit is often prescribed as part of a dietary regimen to battle cancer and heart disease, and in Chinese medicine it's used to accelerate the healing of wounds and sores.
How much: Aim to eat one to two kiwifruit a day while they're in season, for the best taste and nutrition. California-grown kiwifruit are in season from October through May, and New Zealand kiwifruit are available between April and November.
Tips:
•Kiwifruit contains enzymes that activate once you cut the fruit, causing the flesh to tenderize. So if you're making a fruit salad, cut the kiwifruit last.
•The riper the kiwifruit, the greater the antioxidant power, so let them ripen before you dig in.
Cherries
Cherries boast a laundry list of healing powers. For starters, they pack a powerful nutritional punch for a relatively low calorie count. They're also packed with substances that help fight inflammation and cancer. As if that weren't enough, in lab studies, quercetin and ellagic acid, two compounds contained in cherries, have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and even cause cancer cells to commit suicide -- without damaging healthy cells. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Anthocyanin, another compound in cherries, is credited with lowering the uric acid levels in the blood, thereby reducing a common cause of gout. Researchers believe anthocyanins may also reduce your risk of colon cancer. Further, these compounds work like a natural form of ibuprofen, reducing inflammation and curbing pain. Regular consumption may help lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
In Chinese medicine, cherries are routinely used as a remedy for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism (as well as anemia, due to their high iron content). Plus they're delicious.
How much: Aim for a daily serving while they're in season locally. And keep a bag of frozen cherries in your freezer the rest of the year; frozen cherries retain 100 percent of their nutritional value and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal.
Tip:
•Buy organic or wash thoroughly, since conventionally grown cherries can be high in pesticides.
Guavas
Guavas are a small tropical fruit that can be round, oval, or pear-shaped. They're not all that common, so they might be hard to find, depending on where you live. But if you can track them down, it's more than worth it. Guavas contain more of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, and nearly 20 percent more than tomatoes. Our bodies can't process much of the lycopene in tomatoes until they're cooked; the processing helps break down tough cell walls. However, guavas' cell structure allows the antioxidant to be absorbed whether the fruit is raw or cooked, and the whole fruit offers the nutrition without the added sodium of processed tomato products.
Lycopene protects our healthy cells from free radicals that can cause all kinds of damage, including blocked arteries, joint degeneration, nervous system problems, and even cancer. Lycopene consumption is associated with significantly lower rates of prostate cancer; in addition, men with prostate tumors who consumed lycopene supplements showed significant improvements, such as smaller tumors and decreased malignancy. Lycopene has also been found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, and research suggests that this antioxidant may also help protect against coronary heart disease.
This strange-looking little fruit is also packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Serving for serving, guava offers more than 60 percent more potassium than a banana, which can help protect against heart disease and stroke. In fact, the nutrients found in guavas have been shown to lower LDL and boost HDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides, and lower blood pressure.
How much: Aim to eat fresh guavas as often as you can when you can find them in stores. They're not commonly available in the freezer section; and most guava juices are processed and sweetened, so they don't provide the same superior nutrition that the whole, fresh fruit does. One to two guavas a day is a good goal.
Tip:
•Opt for the red-fleshed variety if you can; both are loaded with antioxidants, but the red type has more than the white-fleshed apple guava.
Beans
Beans are a miracle food. They lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and insulin production, promote digestive health, and protect against cancer. If you think of fiber, protein, and antioxidants and immediately think whole grains, meat, and fruit, think again -- beans offer all three in a single package.
An assortment of phytochemicals found in beans has been shown to protect cells from cancerous activity by inhibiting cancer cells from reproducing, slowing tumor growth. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that women who consumed beans at least twice a week were 24 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, and multiple studies have tied beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers.
Beans deliver a whopping amount of antioxidants, which help prevent and fight oxidative damage. In fact, the USDA's ranking of foods by antioxidant capacity places three varieties of beans (red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans) in the top four -- and that's among all food groups. Beans are a great source of dietary fiber, protein, and iron. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan; foods with high amounts of tryptophan can help regulate your appetite, aid in sleep, and improve your mood. Many are also rich in folate, which plays a significant role in heart health. And depending on the type of bean you choose, you'll also get decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B1 and B2, and vitamin K. Soybeans are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In Chinese medicine, various types of beans have been used to treat alcoholism, food poisoning, edema (particularly in the legs), high blood pressure, diarrhea, laryngitis, kidney stones, rheumatism, and dozens of other conditions.
How much: Aim for a minimum of two servings of beans per week.
Tip:
Adzuki and mung beans are among the most easily digested; pinto, kidney, navy, garbanzo, lima, and black beans are more difficult to digest.
Watercress
Not only is watercress extremely nutritious, it's about as close as you can get to a calorie-free food. Calorie for calorie, it provides four times the calcium of 2 percent milk. Ounce for ounce, it offers as much vitamin C as an orange and more iron than spinach. It's packed with vitamin A and has lots of vitamin K, along with multiple antioxidant carotenoids and protective phytochemicals.
The nutrients in watercress protect against cancer and macular degeneration, help build the immune system, and support bone health. The iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your body's tissues for energy. The phytochemicals in watercress battle cancer in three ways: killing cancer cells, blocking carcinogens, and protecting healthy cells from carcinogens. They've also been shown to help prevent lung and esophageal cancer and can help lower your risk for other cancers.
In Chinese medicine, watercress is thought to help reduce tumors, improve night vision, and stimulate bile production (improving digestion and settling intestinal gas). It's used as a remedy for jaundice, urinary difficulty, sore throat, mumps, and bad breath.
How much: Eat watercress daily if you can. In some regions, it's more widely available during the spring and summer, when it's cultivated outdoors. But since it can also be grown hydroponically in greenhouses, you can find it year-round in many grocery stores and at your local farmer's market.
Tip:
•You can cook it, but watercress is better for you when you eat it raw. Tuck it into a sandwich in place of lettuce.
•Toss it with your favorite vegetables and eat it in a salad.
•Watercress is great in pesto -- just replace the basil with watercress -- and soups.
•Use watercress as a wonderfully detoxifying ingredient in a juice or smoothie.
Spinach
You already knew spinach was good for you, but did you know just how good? Spinach protects against eye disease and vision loss; it's good for brain function; it guards against colon, prostate, and breast cancers; it protects against heart disease, stroke, and dementia; it lowers blood pressure; it's anti-inflammatory; and it's great for bone health. Spinach has an amazing array of nutrients, including high amounts of vitamin K, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and iron.
A carotenoid found in spinach not only kills prostate cancer cells, it also prevents them from multiplying. Folate promotes vascular health by lowering homocysteine, an amino acid that, at high levels, raises the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Folate has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers and to help stop uncontrolled cell growth, one of the primary characteristics of all cancers. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in spinach protect against colon cancer in addition to fighting inflammation, making them key components of brain health, particularly in older adults.
Spinach is loaded with vitamin K (one cup of cooked spinach provides 1,111 percent of the recommended daily amount!), which builds strong bones by helping calcium adhere to the bone. Spinach is also rich in lutein, which protects against age-related macular degeneration, and it may help prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol buildup.
How much: Fresh spinach should be a daily staple in your diet. It's available in practically every grocery store, no matter where you live, it's easy to find year-round, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more nutritionally sound, versatile green. So do yourself a healthy favor and aim for a few ounces -- raw, sauteed, or lightly steamed, every day.
Tips:
•Add a handful of fresh spinach to your next fruit smoothie. It'll change the color but not the taste.
•Conventionally grown spinach is susceptible to pesticide residue; stick to organic.
Onions
Onions get a bad rap for their effect on breath, but that's not the only part of the body where they pack a wallop. Onions contain potent cancer-fighting enzymes; onion consumption has been shown to help lower the risk of prostate and esophageal cancers and has also been linked to reduced mortality from coronary heart disease. Research suggests that they may help protect against stomach cancer. Onions contain sulfides that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as a peptide that may help prevent bone loss by inhibiting the loss of calcium and other bone minerals.
Onions have super antioxidant power. They contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine that reduces airway inflammation and helps relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Onions also boast high levels of vitamin C, which, along with the quercetin, battles cold and flu symptoms. Onions' anti-inflammatory properties help fight the pain and swelling associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. Onions are also extremely rich in sulfur and they have antibiotic and antiviral properties, making them excellent for people who consume a diet high in protein, fat, or sugar, as they help cleanse the arteries and impede the growth of viruses, yeasts, and other disease-causing agents, which can build up in an imbalanced diet.
How much: For all the health benefits onions provide, it would be ideal to eat one a day. However, if that's not doable for you, add a few onions to your weekly grocery list and try to eat a little bit every day. All varieties are extremely good for you, but shallots and yellow onions lead the pack in antioxidant activity. Raw onions provide the best nutrition, but they're still great for you when they're lightly cooked. And cooking meat at high temperatures (such as on a grill) with onions can help reduce or counteract carcinogens produced by the meat.
Tip:
•Onions should be stored at room temperature, but if they bother your eyes when you cut them, try refrigerating them for an hour beforehand.
Carrots
Carrots are a great source of the potent antioxidants known as carotenoids. Diets high in carotenoids have been tied to a decreased risk in postmenopausal breast cancer as well as cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus. Conversely, diets low in carotenoids have been associated with chronic disease, including heart disease and various cancers. Research suggests that just one carrot per day could reduce your risk of lung cancer by half. Carrots may also reduce your risk of kidney and ovarian cancers. In addition to fighting cancer, the nutrients in carrots inhibit cardiovascular disease, stimulate the immune system, promote colon health, and support ear and eye health.
Carrots contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin C, and an incredible amount of vitamin A. The alpha-carotene in carrots has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth. Carrots also contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which work together to promote eye health and prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. In Chinese medicine, carrots are used to treat rheumatism, kidney stones, tumors, indigestion, diarrhea, night blindness, ear infections, earaches, deafness, skin lesions, urinary tract infections, coughs, and constipation.
How much: Eat a serving of carrots each day if you can, and enjoy them year-round. Carrots are good for you whether they're raw or lightly cooked; cooking helps break down the tough fiber, making some of the nutrients more easily absorbed. For the best nutrition, go for whole carrots that are firm and fresh-looking. Precut baby carrots are made from whole carrots and, although they're convenient, they tend to lose important nutrients during processing.
Tips:
•Remove carrot tops before storing them in the fridge, as the tops drain moisture from the roots and will cause the carrots to wilt.
•Buy organic; conventionally grown carrots frequently show high pesticide residues.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a powerhouse source of vitamins K and C. Just one cup supplies 91 percent of the recommended daily amount for vitamin K, 50 percent of vitamin C, good amounts of fiber, and decent scores of manganese, vitamin B6, folate, and more -- and it'll only cost you about 33 calories. Calorie for calorie, cabbage offers 11 percent more vitamin C than oranges.
Cabbage contains high levels of antioxidant sulforaphanes that not only fight free radicals before they damage DNA but also stimulate enzymes that detoxify carcinogens in the body. Researchers believe this one-two approach may contribute to the apparent ability of cruciferous vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer more effectively than any other plant food group. Numerous studies point to a strong association between diets high in cruciferous vegetables and a low incidence of lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancers.
Cabbage builds strong bones, dampens allergic reactions, reduces inflammation, and promotes gastrointestinal health. Cabbage is routinely juiced as a natural remedy for healing peptic ulcers due to its high glutamine content. It also provides significant cardiovascular benefit by preventing plaque formation in the blood vessels. In Chinese medicine, cabbage is used to treat constipation, the common cold, whooping cough, depression and irritability, and stomach ulcers. When eaten and used as a poultice, as a dual treatment, cabbage is helpful for healing bedsores, varicose veins, and arthritis.
How much: The more cabbage you can include in your diet, the better. A study of Polish women found that those who ate at least four servings of cabbage per week as adolescents were 72 percent less likely to develop breast cancer later in life than their peers who consumed only one weekly serving or less.
Tips:
•Try raw sauerkraut. It has all the health properties of cabbage, plus some potent probiotics, which are excellent for digestive health.
•Use the whole cabbage; the outer leaves contain a third more calcium than the inner leaves.
•Both are nutritional stars, but red cabbages are far superior to the white variety, with about seven times more vitamin C and more than four times the polyphenols, which protect cells from oxidative stress and cancer.
Broccoli
You'll find it difficult to locate another single food source with as much naturally occurring health-promoting properties as broccoli. A single cup of steamed broccoli provides more than 200 percent of the RDA for vitamin C (more than oranges), nearly as much of vitamin K, and about half of the daily allowance for vitamin A, along with plentiful folate, fiber, sulfur, iron, B vitamins, and a whole host of other important nutrients. Calorie for calorie, broccoli contains about twice the amount of protein as steak -- and a lot more protective phytonutrients.
Broccoli's phytochemicals fight cancer by neutralizing carcinogens and accelerating their elimination from the body, in addition to inhibiting tumors caused by chemical carcinogens. Studies show evidence that these substances help prevent lung and esophageal cancers and may play a role in lowering the risk of other cancers, including gastrointestinal cancer.
Phytonutrients called indoles found in broccoli help protect against prostate, gastric, skin, breast, and cervical cancers. Some research suggests that indoles also protect the structure of DNA and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Extensive studies have linked broccoli to a 20 percent reduction in heart disease risk. In Chinese medicine, broccoli is used to treat eye inflammation.
How much: If you can eat a little broccoli every day, your body will thank you for it. If you can't swing it, aim for eating it as regularly as possible. Like many other vegetables, broccoli provides fantastic nutrition both in its raw form and when it's properly cooked. Cooking reduces some of broccoli's anticancer components, but lightly steaming it will preserve most of the nutrients. Broccoli is available fresh year-round in most areas, but if you can't find it where you live, frozen broccoli is a good substitute.
Tip:
•Steaming or cooking broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of the antioxidant sulforaphane.
Kale
Kale is highly nutritious, has powerful antioxidant properties, and is anti-inflammatory. One cup of cooked kale contains an astounding 1,328 percent of the RDA for vitamin K, 192 percent of the RDA for vitamin A, and 89 percent of the RDA for vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium and iron.
Kale is in the same plant family as broccoli and cabbage, and, like its cruciferous cousins, it contains high levels of the cancer-fighting compound sulforaphane, which guards against prostate, gastric, skin, and breast cancers by boosting the body's detoxification enzymes and fighting free radicals in the body. The indoles in kale have been shown to protect against breast, cervical, and colon cancers. The vitamin K in kale promotes blood clotting, protects the heart, and helps build strong bones by anchoring calcium to the bone. It also has more antioxidant power than spinach, protecting against free-radical damage. Kale is extra rich in beta-carotene (containing seven times as much as does broccoli), lutein, and zeaxanthin (ten times the amount in broccoli). In Chinese medicine, kale is used to help ease lung congestion.
How much: Like cabbage, the more kale you can eat, the better. A daily serving is ideal. Eat it as much as you can, as long as you can find it fresh at your local grocery or farmer's market. In some areas, it's available all year; in others, it only makes an appearance during summer and fall.
Tips:
•Kale's growing season extends nearly year-round; the only time it's out of season is summer, when plenty of other leafy greens are abundant.
•Steam or sauté kale on its own, or add it to soups and stews. Cooking helps tenderize the leaves.
•Kale is also a great addition when it's blended in fruit smoothies or juiced with other vegetables.
Dandelion
The same pesky weed known for ruining lawns has a long history of being used as a healing herb in cultures around the globe. One cup of raw dandelion greens provides 535 percent of the RDA of vitamin K and 112 percent of the RDA for vitamin A. Dandelion greens are also a good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and potassium. Among all foods, it's one of the richest sources of vitamin A; among all green vegetables, it's one of the best sources of beta-carotene.
Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat hepatitis, kidney, and liver disorders such as kidney stones, jaundice, and cirrhosis. It's routinely prescribed as a natural treatment for hepatitis C, anemia, and liver detoxification (poor liver function has been linked to numerous conditions, from indigestion and hepatitis to irritability and depression). As a natural diuretic, dandelion supports the entire digestive system and increases urine output, helping flush toxins and excess salt from the kidneys. The naturally occurring potassium in dandelions helps prevent the loss of potassium that can occur with pharmaceutical diuretics.
Dandelion promotes digestive health by stimulating bile production, resulting in a gentle laxative effect. Inulin, a naturally occurring soluble fiber in dandelion, further aids digestion by feeding the healthy probiotic bacteria in the intestines; it also increases calcium absorption and has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels, therefore being useful in treating diabetes. Both the dandelion leaves and root are used to treat heartburn and indigestion. The pectin in dandelion relieves constipation and, in combination with vitamin C, reduces cholesterol. Dandelion is excellent for reducing edema, bloating, and water retention; it can also help reduce high blood pressure. On top of all that, dandelion contains multiple antidiarrheal and antibacterial properties.
In Chinese medicine, dandelion is used in combination with other herbs to treat hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The sap from the stem and root is a topical remedy for warts. Imagine -- all this from a lowly weed!
How much: How much dandelion to incorporate into your diet boils down to two factors: availability and personal preference. Dandelion greens are considered a specialty item in some areas and therefore can be difficult to find. They also have a pungent taste, and people tend to love or hate the flavor. If you can find fresh dandelion greens and you enjoy the taste, make them a regular part of your diet.
Tip:
•Use the root in soups or sauté it on its own.
•If the raw leaves are too bitter for you, try them lightly steamed or sautéed.
To your health!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Nikki Jong, Caring.com contributing editor courtesy of Yahoo!Health
As part of a healthy diet, whole foods play a significant role in helping our bodies function at their best. There are hundreds of extremely nutritious whole foods, but the dozen on this list do more than contribute healthy nutrients -- they help you heal. In fact, every food on this list boasts multiple healing effects, from fighting cancer to reducing cholesterol, guarding against heart disease, and more. Eat these super-healing picks and start feeling pretty super yourself.
Kiwifruit
This tiny, nutrient-dense fruit packs an amazing amount of vitamin C (double the amount found in oranges), has more fiber than apples, and beats bananas as a high-potassium food. The unique blend of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals found in kiwifruit helps protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and respiratory disease. Kiwifruit's natural blood-thinning properties work without the side effects of aspirin and support vascular health by reducing the formation of spontaneous blood clots, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that kiwifruit not only reduces oxidative stress and damage to DNA but also prompts damaged cells to repair themselves.
Kiwifruit is often prescribed as part of a dietary regimen to battle cancer and heart disease, and in Chinese medicine it's used to accelerate the healing of wounds and sores.
How much: Aim to eat one to two kiwifruit a day while they're in season, for the best taste and nutrition. California-grown kiwifruit are in season from October through May, and New Zealand kiwifruit are available between April and November.
Tips:
•Kiwifruit contains enzymes that activate once you cut the fruit, causing the flesh to tenderize. So if you're making a fruit salad, cut the kiwifruit last.
•The riper the kiwifruit, the greater the antioxidant power, so let them ripen before you dig in.
Cherries
Cherries boast a laundry list of healing powers. For starters, they pack a powerful nutritional punch for a relatively low calorie count. They're also packed with substances that help fight inflammation and cancer. As if that weren't enough, in lab studies, quercetin and ellagic acid, two compounds contained in cherries, have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and even cause cancer cells to commit suicide -- without damaging healthy cells. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Anthocyanin, another compound in cherries, is credited with lowering the uric acid levels in the blood, thereby reducing a common cause of gout. Researchers believe anthocyanins may also reduce your risk of colon cancer. Further, these compounds work like a natural form of ibuprofen, reducing inflammation and curbing pain. Regular consumption may help lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
In Chinese medicine, cherries are routinely used as a remedy for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism (as well as anemia, due to their high iron content). Plus they're delicious.
How much: Aim for a daily serving while they're in season locally. And keep a bag of frozen cherries in your freezer the rest of the year; frozen cherries retain 100 percent of their nutritional value and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal.
Tip:
•Buy organic or wash thoroughly, since conventionally grown cherries can be high in pesticides.
Guavas
Guavas are a small tropical fruit that can be round, oval, or pear-shaped. They're not all that common, so they might be hard to find, depending on where you live. But if you can track them down, it's more than worth it. Guavas contain more of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, and nearly 20 percent more than tomatoes. Our bodies can't process much of the lycopene in tomatoes until they're cooked; the processing helps break down tough cell walls. However, guavas' cell structure allows the antioxidant to be absorbed whether the fruit is raw or cooked, and the whole fruit offers the nutrition without the added sodium of processed tomato products.
Lycopene protects our healthy cells from free radicals that can cause all kinds of damage, including blocked arteries, joint degeneration, nervous system problems, and even cancer. Lycopene consumption is associated with significantly lower rates of prostate cancer; in addition, men with prostate tumors who consumed lycopene supplements showed significant improvements, such as smaller tumors and decreased malignancy. Lycopene has also been found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, and research suggests that this antioxidant may also help protect against coronary heart disease.
This strange-looking little fruit is also packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Serving for serving, guava offers more than 60 percent more potassium than a banana, which can help protect against heart disease and stroke. In fact, the nutrients found in guavas have been shown to lower LDL and boost HDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides, and lower blood pressure.
How much: Aim to eat fresh guavas as often as you can when you can find them in stores. They're not commonly available in the freezer section; and most guava juices are processed and sweetened, so they don't provide the same superior nutrition that the whole, fresh fruit does. One to two guavas a day is a good goal.
Tip:
•Opt for the red-fleshed variety if you can; both are loaded with antioxidants, but the red type has more than the white-fleshed apple guava.
Beans
Beans are a miracle food. They lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and insulin production, promote digestive health, and protect against cancer. If you think of fiber, protein, and antioxidants and immediately think whole grains, meat, and fruit, think again -- beans offer all three in a single package.
An assortment of phytochemicals found in beans has been shown to protect cells from cancerous activity by inhibiting cancer cells from reproducing, slowing tumor growth. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that women who consumed beans at least twice a week were 24 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, and multiple studies have tied beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers.
Beans deliver a whopping amount of antioxidants, which help prevent and fight oxidative damage. In fact, the USDA's ranking of foods by antioxidant capacity places three varieties of beans (red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans) in the top four -- and that's among all food groups. Beans are a great source of dietary fiber, protein, and iron. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan; foods with high amounts of tryptophan can help regulate your appetite, aid in sleep, and improve your mood. Many are also rich in folate, which plays a significant role in heart health. And depending on the type of bean you choose, you'll also get decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B1 and B2, and vitamin K. Soybeans are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In Chinese medicine, various types of beans have been used to treat alcoholism, food poisoning, edema (particularly in the legs), high blood pressure, diarrhea, laryngitis, kidney stones, rheumatism, and dozens of other conditions.
How much: Aim for a minimum of two servings of beans per week.
Tip:
Adzuki and mung beans are among the most easily digested; pinto, kidney, navy, garbanzo, lima, and black beans are more difficult to digest.
Watercress
Not only is watercress extremely nutritious, it's about as close as you can get to a calorie-free food. Calorie for calorie, it provides four times the calcium of 2 percent milk. Ounce for ounce, it offers as much vitamin C as an orange and more iron than spinach. It's packed with vitamin A and has lots of vitamin K, along with multiple antioxidant carotenoids and protective phytochemicals.
The nutrients in watercress protect against cancer and macular degeneration, help build the immune system, and support bone health. The iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your body's tissues for energy. The phytochemicals in watercress battle cancer in three ways: killing cancer cells, blocking carcinogens, and protecting healthy cells from carcinogens. They've also been shown to help prevent lung and esophageal cancer and can help lower your risk for other cancers.
In Chinese medicine, watercress is thought to help reduce tumors, improve night vision, and stimulate bile production (improving digestion and settling intestinal gas). It's used as a remedy for jaundice, urinary difficulty, sore throat, mumps, and bad breath.
How much: Eat watercress daily if you can. In some regions, it's more widely available during the spring and summer, when it's cultivated outdoors. But since it can also be grown hydroponically in greenhouses, you can find it year-round in many grocery stores and at your local farmer's market.
Tip:
•You can cook it, but watercress is better for you when you eat it raw. Tuck it into a sandwich in place of lettuce.
•Toss it with your favorite vegetables and eat it in a salad.
•Watercress is great in pesto -- just replace the basil with watercress -- and soups.
•Use watercress as a wonderfully detoxifying ingredient in a juice or smoothie.
Spinach
You already knew spinach was good for you, but did you know just how good? Spinach protects against eye disease and vision loss; it's good for brain function; it guards against colon, prostate, and breast cancers; it protects against heart disease, stroke, and dementia; it lowers blood pressure; it's anti-inflammatory; and it's great for bone health. Spinach has an amazing array of nutrients, including high amounts of vitamin K, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and iron.
A carotenoid found in spinach not only kills prostate cancer cells, it also prevents them from multiplying. Folate promotes vascular health by lowering homocysteine, an amino acid that, at high levels, raises the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Folate has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers and to help stop uncontrolled cell growth, one of the primary characteristics of all cancers. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in spinach protect against colon cancer in addition to fighting inflammation, making them key components of brain health, particularly in older adults.
Spinach is loaded with vitamin K (one cup of cooked spinach provides 1,111 percent of the recommended daily amount!), which builds strong bones by helping calcium adhere to the bone. Spinach is also rich in lutein, which protects against age-related macular degeneration, and it may help prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol buildup.
How much: Fresh spinach should be a daily staple in your diet. It's available in practically every grocery store, no matter where you live, it's easy to find year-round, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more nutritionally sound, versatile green. So do yourself a healthy favor and aim for a few ounces -- raw, sauteed, or lightly steamed, every day.
Tips:
•Add a handful of fresh spinach to your next fruit smoothie. It'll change the color but not the taste.
•Conventionally grown spinach is susceptible to pesticide residue; stick to organic.
Onions
Onions get a bad rap for their effect on breath, but that's not the only part of the body where they pack a wallop. Onions contain potent cancer-fighting enzymes; onion consumption has been shown to help lower the risk of prostate and esophageal cancers and has also been linked to reduced mortality from coronary heart disease. Research suggests that they may help protect against stomach cancer. Onions contain sulfides that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as a peptide that may help prevent bone loss by inhibiting the loss of calcium and other bone minerals.
Onions have super antioxidant power. They contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine that reduces airway inflammation and helps relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Onions also boast high levels of vitamin C, which, along with the quercetin, battles cold and flu symptoms. Onions' anti-inflammatory properties help fight the pain and swelling associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. Onions are also extremely rich in sulfur and they have antibiotic and antiviral properties, making them excellent for people who consume a diet high in protein, fat, or sugar, as they help cleanse the arteries and impede the growth of viruses, yeasts, and other disease-causing agents, which can build up in an imbalanced diet.
How much: For all the health benefits onions provide, it would be ideal to eat one a day. However, if that's not doable for you, add a few onions to your weekly grocery list and try to eat a little bit every day. All varieties are extremely good for you, but shallots and yellow onions lead the pack in antioxidant activity. Raw onions provide the best nutrition, but they're still great for you when they're lightly cooked. And cooking meat at high temperatures (such as on a grill) with onions can help reduce or counteract carcinogens produced by the meat.
Tip:
•Onions should be stored at room temperature, but if they bother your eyes when you cut them, try refrigerating them for an hour beforehand.
Carrots
Carrots are a great source of the potent antioxidants known as carotenoids. Diets high in carotenoids have been tied to a decreased risk in postmenopausal breast cancer as well as cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus. Conversely, diets low in carotenoids have been associated with chronic disease, including heart disease and various cancers. Research suggests that just one carrot per day could reduce your risk of lung cancer by half. Carrots may also reduce your risk of kidney and ovarian cancers. In addition to fighting cancer, the nutrients in carrots inhibit cardiovascular disease, stimulate the immune system, promote colon health, and support ear and eye health.
Carrots contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin C, and an incredible amount of vitamin A. The alpha-carotene in carrots has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth. Carrots also contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which work together to promote eye health and prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. In Chinese medicine, carrots are used to treat rheumatism, kidney stones, tumors, indigestion, diarrhea, night blindness, ear infections, earaches, deafness, skin lesions, urinary tract infections, coughs, and constipation.
How much: Eat a serving of carrots each day if you can, and enjoy them year-round. Carrots are good for you whether they're raw or lightly cooked; cooking helps break down the tough fiber, making some of the nutrients more easily absorbed. For the best nutrition, go for whole carrots that are firm and fresh-looking. Precut baby carrots are made from whole carrots and, although they're convenient, they tend to lose important nutrients during processing.
Tips:
•Remove carrot tops before storing them in the fridge, as the tops drain moisture from the roots and will cause the carrots to wilt.
•Buy organic; conventionally grown carrots frequently show high pesticide residues.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a powerhouse source of vitamins K and C. Just one cup supplies 91 percent of the recommended daily amount for vitamin K, 50 percent of vitamin C, good amounts of fiber, and decent scores of manganese, vitamin B6, folate, and more -- and it'll only cost you about 33 calories. Calorie for calorie, cabbage offers 11 percent more vitamin C than oranges.
Cabbage contains high levels of antioxidant sulforaphanes that not only fight free radicals before they damage DNA but also stimulate enzymes that detoxify carcinogens in the body. Researchers believe this one-two approach may contribute to the apparent ability of cruciferous vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer more effectively than any other plant food group. Numerous studies point to a strong association between diets high in cruciferous vegetables and a low incidence of lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancers.
Cabbage builds strong bones, dampens allergic reactions, reduces inflammation, and promotes gastrointestinal health. Cabbage is routinely juiced as a natural remedy for healing peptic ulcers due to its high glutamine content. It also provides significant cardiovascular benefit by preventing plaque formation in the blood vessels. In Chinese medicine, cabbage is used to treat constipation, the common cold, whooping cough, depression and irritability, and stomach ulcers. When eaten and used as a poultice, as a dual treatment, cabbage is helpful for healing bedsores, varicose veins, and arthritis.
How much: The more cabbage you can include in your diet, the better. A study of Polish women found that those who ate at least four servings of cabbage per week as adolescents were 72 percent less likely to develop breast cancer later in life than their peers who consumed only one weekly serving or less.
Tips:
•Try raw sauerkraut. It has all the health properties of cabbage, plus some potent probiotics, which are excellent for digestive health.
•Use the whole cabbage; the outer leaves contain a third more calcium than the inner leaves.
•Both are nutritional stars, but red cabbages are far superior to the white variety, with about seven times more vitamin C and more than four times the polyphenols, which protect cells from oxidative stress and cancer.
Broccoli
You'll find it difficult to locate another single food source with as much naturally occurring health-promoting properties as broccoli. A single cup of steamed broccoli provides more than 200 percent of the RDA for vitamin C (more than oranges), nearly as much of vitamin K, and about half of the daily allowance for vitamin A, along with plentiful folate, fiber, sulfur, iron, B vitamins, and a whole host of other important nutrients. Calorie for calorie, broccoli contains about twice the amount of protein as steak -- and a lot more protective phytonutrients.
Broccoli's phytochemicals fight cancer by neutralizing carcinogens and accelerating their elimination from the body, in addition to inhibiting tumors caused by chemical carcinogens. Studies show evidence that these substances help prevent lung and esophageal cancers and may play a role in lowering the risk of other cancers, including gastrointestinal cancer.
Phytonutrients called indoles found in broccoli help protect against prostate, gastric, skin, breast, and cervical cancers. Some research suggests that indoles also protect the structure of DNA and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Extensive studies have linked broccoli to a 20 percent reduction in heart disease risk. In Chinese medicine, broccoli is used to treat eye inflammation.
How much: If you can eat a little broccoli every day, your body will thank you for it. If you can't swing it, aim for eating it as regularly as possible. Like many other vegetables, broccoli provides fantastic nutrition both in its raw form and when it's properly cooked. Cooking reduces some of broccoli's anticancer components, but lightly steaming it will preserve most of the nutrients. Broccoli is available fresh year-round in most areas, but if you can't find it where you live, frozen broccoli is a good substitute.
Tip:
•Steaming or cooking broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of the antioxidant sulforaphane.
Kale
Kale is highly nutritious, has powerful antioxidant properties, and is anti-inflammatory. One cup of cooked kale contains an astounding 1,328 percent of the RDA for vitamin K, 192 percent of the RDA for vitamin A, and 89 percent of the RDA for vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium and iron.
Kale is in the same plant family as broccoli and cabbage, and, like its cruciferous cousins, it contains high levels of the cancer-fighting compound sulforaphane, which guards against prostate, gastric, skin, and breast cancers by boosting the body's detoxification enzymes and fighting free radicals in the body. The indoles in kale have been shown to protect against breast, cervical, and colon cancers. The vitamin K in kale promotes blood clotting, protects the heart, and helps build strong bones by anchoring calcium to the bone. It also has more antioxidant power than spinach, protecting against free-radical damage. Kale is extra rich in beta-carotene (containing seven times as much as does broccoli), lutein, and zeaxanthin (ten times the amount in broccoli). In Chinese medicine, kale is used to help ease lung congestion.
How much: Like cabbage, the more kale you can eat, the better. A daily serving is ideal. Eat it as much as you can, as long as you can find it fresh at your local grocery or farmer's market. In some areas, it's available all year; in others, it only makes an appearance during summer and fall.
Tips:
•Kale's growing season extends nearly year-round; the only time it's out of season is summer, when plenty of other leafy greens are abundant.
•Steam or sauté kale on its own, or add it to soups and stews. Cooking helps tenderize the leaves.
•Kale is also a great addition when it's blended in fruit smoothies or juiced with other vegetables.
Dandelion
The same pesky weed known for ruining lawns has a long history of being used as a healing herb in cultures around the globe. One cup of raw dandelion greens provides 535 percent of the RDA of vitamin K and 112 percent of the RDA for vitamin A. Dandelion greens are also a good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and potassium. Among all foods, it's one of the richest sources of vitamin A; among all green vegetables, it's one of the best sources of beta-carotene.
Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat hepatitis, kidney, and liver disorders such as kidney stones, jaundice, and cirrhosis. It's routinely prescribed as a natural treatment for hepatitis C, anemia, and liver detoxification (poor liver function has been linked to numerous conditions, from indigestion and hepatitis to irritability and depression). As a natural diuretic, dandelion supports the entire digestive system and increases urine output, helping flush toxins and excess salt from the kidneys. The naturally occurring potassium in dandelions helps prevent the loss of potassium that can occur with pharmaceutical diuretics.
Dandelion promotes digestive health by stimulating bile production, resulting in a gentle laxative effect. Inulin, a naturally occurring soluble fiber in dandelion, further aids digestion by feeding the healthy probiotic bacteria in the intestines; it also increases calcium absorption and has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels, therefore being useful in treating diabetes. Both the dandelion leaves and root are used to treat heartburn and indigestion. The pectin in dandelion relieves constipation and, in combination with vitamin C, reduces cholesterol. Dandelion is excellent for reducing edema, bloating, and water retention; it can also help reduce high blood pressure. On top of all that, dandelion contains multiple antidiarrheal and antibacterial properties.
In Chinese medicine, dandelion is used in combination with other herbs to treat hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The sap from the stem and root is a topical remedy for warts. Imagine -- all this from a lowly weed!
How much: How much dandelion to incorporate into your diet boils down to two factors: availability and personal preference. Dandelion greens are considered a specialty item in some areas and therefore can be difficult to find. They also have a pungent taste, and people tend to love or hate the flavor. If you can find fresh dandelion greens and you enjoy the taste, make them a regular part of your diet.
Tip:
•Use the root in soups or sauté it on its own.
•If the raw leaves are too bitter for you, try them lightly steamed or sautéed.
To your health!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cherish Each Moment
Anyone that knows me well, is aware of the fact that my mother is my BEST friend. Actually, my entire family is very close knit. As I have recently made a decision to relocate to Texas, my mother has fallen ill once again. A decision that was once filled with joy and anticipation has now been showered with doubt.
I feel so amazingly blessed to have such a great family. However, my husband and I are ready for our move. I have been channeling my doubt by spending as much time as possible with my family. No longer do I run from the camera, but rather welcome the opportunity to capture a memory. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, but the present is something that I will cherish!
I encourage you all to cherish each moment that you have to spend with your parents, children, siblings and girlfriends. Each moment, even the uncomfortable ones, will be the very memories that will make us smile down the line.
Here's to a great weekend full of moments to be cherished!
Clutch,
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Pain at the pump!
How have gas prices impacted you? Are you driving less? Are you entertaining more at home? Are you eating out less?
Post your comments.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
Do you remember Dr. Ian Smith? He is famous for the reality series Celebrity Fit Club, the book Four Day Diet and Fat Smash Diet then probably what he is most famous for....the 50 million pound challenge.
Well he has a new book that's available now. I haven't read it yet but thought I share Dr. Smith's thoughts about EAT: The Effortless Weight Loss Solution
Dear Challenger,
I wanted to personally tell you about my new book that's being released on April 12, 2011. It's called EAT: The Effortless Weight Loss Solution. I know that many of you are doing well in the Challenge and I want to commend you for that. I also know that sometimes you need a boost to get going again. I think you'll find my new book the boost you're looking for. It's the "no-diet" diet that offers a flexible, easy-to-follow, inexpensive plan for eating well to not only lose weight but to lower your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol level, and lower your blood sugar.
Many have asked me for a plan that is not a rigid diet. Well, EAT is just that plan. Those who have been on it have lost up to 15 pounds in just one month by making these very simple changes that are suggested in the book. No more obsessing over counting calories, no more eliminating entire food groups, no more trying to measure everything when you go out to eat. There's an entire chapter that teaches you about appropriate portions and how to visually tell what's right and what's not without measuring. You can still enjoy the foods that you like, but now you will be able to enjoy them in a healthier way that won't cause weight gain.
I had a lot of fun writing this book and compiling easy but informative charts that tell you great, useful information such as the "10 best weight loss fruits," the "best sources of protein" the "best foods for antioxidants." All of the work is done for you, so all you have to do is read these very short chapters and start implementing the changes.
If you get EAT: The Effortless Weight Loss Solution and have any questions about the plan, please feel free to e-mail me at eatyourbest@gmail.com. I know that losing weight isn't easy, but it really can be quite effortless if you make some of the changes that you'll find spelled out so simply in the book. Getting healthy should not require a lot of money or a lot of sacrifice. It's all about making smart decisions and having balance. Talk to you soon.
To Your Health,
Dr. Ian -
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hobo's Poem of the Day
The Empowered Woman
by Sonny Carroll
The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world
with a sense of confidence and grace.
Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom.
Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation
and the life she leads is of her own creation.
She now understands what it means to live and let live.
How much to ask for herself and how much to give.
She has a strong, yet generous heart
and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.
Like the mythical Phoenix,
she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,
unfettered by the things that once that posed such resistance.
Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly.
She hears the wind rustling through the trees;
beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly.
She feels the softness of her hands
and muses at the strength that they possess.
Her needs and desires she has learned to express.
She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life,
overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.
And the one thing she never understood,
she now knows to be true,
it all begins and ends with you.
Hobo Bag,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
by Sonny Carroll
The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world
with a sense of confidence and grace.
Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom.
Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation
and the life she leads is of her own creation.
She now understands what it means to live and let live.
How much to ask for herself and how much to give.
She has a strong, yet generous heart
and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.
Like the mythical Phoenix,
she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,
unfettered by the things that once that posed such resistance.
Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly.
She hears the wind rustling through the trees;
beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly.
She feels the softness of her hands
and muses at the strength that they possess.
Her needs and desires she has learned to express.
She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life,
overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.
And the one thing she never understood,
she now knows to be true,
it all begins and ends with you.
Hobo Bag,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, April 11, 2011
Spring is Here.....
I ran across this poem yesterday when we had 83 degree weather and a simply glorious day. This really summed up a great day and we literally played all day instead of doing work I needed to do to get ready for vacation. Also, I participated in a very beautiful wedding that officially kicked off spring for me. So, please enjoy this very sweet poem by Richard Le Gallienne that sums up what we should all be doing.
I Meant To Do My Work Today
I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand--
So what could I do but laugh and go?
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
I Meant To Do My Work Today
I meant to do my work today,
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land,
Tossing the grasses to and fro,
And a rainbow held out its shining hand--
So what could I do but laugh and go?
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Typically I don't really get into advise on how to meet, catch or hold onto a guy....but the following blog post I think is worth sharing. I see so many women that seem to think that they are not complete unless they have a guy and I think we sell ourselves short in the process!!
11 Things Every Girl Should Hold Out For.
by Shallon Lester, Single-ish, Glamour Magazine
Since I’m in between relationships at the moment, I’ve had some time to think about what I want and don’t want in a future partner. It helps, too, that I’ve had ample opportunity to observe all of my friends and their relationships. So I made a list of some must-haves we single ladies should be looking for. Well, not just looking for, but holding out for. Here’s what is non-negotiable:
1. A guy who can make you laugh. Some things in life are not funny. Can he make you at least chuckle when the chips are down?
2. A guy who will laugh at your jokes and “get” you. He might not understand you perfectly on the first date, but if you think you’re funny at all, I hope he gets that and appreciates it about you. Otherwise, you could be Kathy Griffin and you’ll still be laughing alone your whole life. Well, she's single. But I mean, if Kathy Griffin were—whatever!
3. A guy who will attend your lame “things.” Adult dance recital, Mom’s birthday party? Find the guy who will go to something boring even though he will get nothing out of it—but he'll go for you.
4. A guy who will do nothing with you. And I mean Nothing. If you’re feeling low-energy, anti-social, or blah, can he sit and do nothing with you or does he always leave you on the couch and go party with the guys? And could you two entertain each other on a deserted island or while stuck in traffic?
5. A guy who will give you a thoughtful gift or card. Not every time, obviously, but I would hope this dude would have his moments of showing you he has thought about you.
6. A guy who will say he loves you. I do not care about his made-up theory that love is just a social construct or what have you. Hold out for someone who can and will say it. Also, he shouldn’t say it just because you want him to; he should say it because it feels good to say it.
7. A guy you respect. Does he have a good head on his shoulders? Does he generally like his job? Is he proud of himself? Let’s hope so, ‘cause if you think he’s a lazy idiot, you’ll end up resenting him.
I asked some of my friends what they held out for, and this is what they told me….
8. A guy you have good chemistry with. He doesn’t have to be Jude Law, but you should be attracted enough so that every time you have an argument, you will be motivated (by your underlying desire for him!) to work it out.
9. A guy who agrees with you about travel. If you have wanderlust and he never wants to leave his hometown, don’t compromise by staying with him long-term and staying home. It’s fine to be a homebody, but if you're interested in exploring, find a guy with the travel bug. Otherwise, you’ll look back one day when you’re too old, tired, or broke and you'll wish you had seen the world.
10. A guy with similar family goals. Don’t compromise on whether or not you’ll have kids. If you want them, find a guy who does. Me, I don’t get serious with guys who say “maybe” they want kids. I want someone who feels as sure as I do—and I can't talk anyone in or out of anything.
And finally, the best one—of course, comes from my wise friend Melissa:
11. “Wait for someone who sees you the way you want to be seen. He thinks you’re smart, funny, beautiful and powerful—always. Even on days when you can’t believe any of that about yourself.”
That’s a good one! Can’t wait for that.
What are you holding out for?
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, April 9, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Email Breach: 8 Ways to Protect Yourself by Jane Bryant Quinn courtesy of 
Opt out of marketing data bases! Do it now! And don't give out any personal information in response to an email, even if it appears to come from your bank or favorite store.
Another major hacker attack last week exposed the names and emails of millions of consumers to cyber criminals — and you might be on the list. As a practical matter, you can't get out of all of the massive data banks that hold your personal data. Even the names of people who opted out might be retained. But you can do your best to minimize your risk.
The latest breach occurred at a company called Epsilon, a division of Alliance Data Systems Corp. Epsilon holds the names, email addresses, marital status, credit data, and other personal information of 235 million people. It mines the names for personal shopping habits, interests, life changes such as marriage or moving, and credit capacity, and sends out targeted marketing pitches. If you get a 30 percent discount offer from Target, to take just one example, it probably came from Epsilon. The company broadcasts 40 billion email messages annually, to consumers it considers most likely to buy.
So much of your personal data is swirling around the world that you cannot fully protect yourself. But here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:
1. Get out of marketing data bases. They all allow you to opt out, if you can find them. For example, you can block your name from being used by any of Epsilon's clients, including catalog marketers and retailers. One big problem: The database company might retain your name and just block it from being used. If a thief hacks in, he gets the blocked names, too.
The Privacy Rights Clearing House lists 135 data brokers who are selling your name to all comers, and tells you whether or not they have opt-out policies. If they do, you have to go to the brokers' websites and suppress your name yourself. I checked some of the sites and the opt-out screens are hard to find. One likely place is the broker's Privacy Policy, usually shown in small print at the bottom of the page.
2. Opt out, or unsubscribe, from every commercial email list you're on. "They're required to give you that option," says Greg Aaron, director of domain security for Afilias, an Internet infrastructure company. If you opt out at the source, your name should be removed from the large, pooled data bases.
3. Stop most direct mail. The Direct Mail Association provides a website, letting you opt out of various types of promotional mail from its members: credit offers, catalogs, magazine offers, requests for donations, and others. That should stop mail from national companies you haven't done business with before. Your opt-out lasts for five years. After than you have to sign up again.
The DMA opt-out won't stop mail from non-members, such as local businesses, charities, or mail from a company where you've shopped. You will have to contact those mailers directly and in writing (phone calls don't work). Be sure to tell them you don't want your name shared with other companies, such as Epsilon, for marketing purposes.
4. Stop your bank from sharing your name. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you can tell your bank not to give your name to any of its affiliates for marketing purposes, as well as to outside marketing firms. You have to give notice in writing, citing your rights under FCRA. Ask for a written acknowledgment that you've been taken off the list. These opt-outs, too, might last for just five years.
5. Stop sharing personal information on your Facebook, LinkedIn, or MySpace pages with the general public. Or, share only what you wouldn't mind seeing in a database, and leave off banking identifiers such as your mother's name. Social networks can be mined, using your email address.
6. Stop phone calls from telemarketers, by signing up with the National Do Not Call registry. When the registry began, you could stop these calls for only a limited number of years. Since 2008, however, you've been able to block them permanently.
7. Opt out of credit card offers. You can stop receiving them by signing up with the OptOutPreScreen, run by the consumer credit reporting industry.
8. Don't be fooled. Never open an email telling you that you've won something, or that you have an unclaimed package, or that there's a problem with your tax return or bank account. Just by opening it, you might introduce malware into your machine, which searches for passwords to financial accounts. If your bank or credit card company apparently sends you an email, asking you to make corrections in your account, delete. It's a cheat. Or call the institution to see if it's legit, before entering any information. With the Epsilon break-in, you might get phony phishing messages from familiar retailers, too. For more tips, check the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and APWG, an industry organization that fights online fraud.
To read the complete article please click here
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Opt out of marketing data bases! Do it now! And don't give out any personal information in response to an email, even if it appears to come from your bank or favorite store.
Another major hacker attack last week exposed the names and emails of millions of consumers to cyber criminals — and you might be on the list. As a practical matter, you can't get out of all of the massive data banks that hold your personal data. Even the names of people who opted out might be retained. But you can do your best to minimize your risk.
The latest breach occurred at a company called Epsilon, a division of Alliance Data Systems Corp. Epsilon holds the names, email addresses, marital status, credit data, and other personal information of 235 million people. It mines the names for personal shopping habits, interests, life changes such as marriage or moving, and credit capacity, and sends out targeted marketing pitches. If you get a 30 percent discount offer from Target, to take just one example, it probably came from Epsilon. The company broadcasts 40 billion email messages annually, to consumers it considers most likely to buy.
So much of your personal data is swirling around the world that you cannot fully protect yourself. But here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:
1. Get out of marketing data bases. They all allow you to opt out, if you can find them. For example, you can block your name from being used by any of Epsilon's clients, including catalog marketers and retailers. One big problem: The database company might retain your name and just block it from being used. If a thief hacks in, he gets the blocked names, too.
The Privacy Rights Clearing House lists 135 data brokers who are selling your name to all comers, and tells you whether or not they have opt-out policies. If they do, you have to go to the brokers' websites and suppress your name yourself. I checked some of the sites and the opt-out screens are hard to find. One likely place is the broker's Privacy Policy, usually shown in small print at the bottom of the page.
2. Opt out, or unsubscribe, from every commercial email list you're on. "They're required to give you that option," says Greg Aaron, director of domain security for Afilias, an Internet infrastructure company. If you opt out at the source, your name should be removed from the large, pooled data bases.
3. Stop most direct mail. The Direct Mail Association provides a website, letting you opt out of various types of promotional mail from its members: credit offers, catalogs, magazine offers, requests for donations, and others. That should stop mail from national companies you haven't done business with before. Your opt-out lasts for five years. After than you have to sign up again.
The DMA opt-out won't stop mail from non-members, such as local businesses, charities, or mail from a company where you've shopped. You will have to contact those mailers directly and in writing (phone calls don't work). Be sure to tell them you don't want your name shared with other companies, such as Epsilon, for marketing purposes.
4. Stop your bank from sharing your name. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you can tell your bank not to give your name to any of its affiliates for marketing purposes, as well as to outside marketing firms. You have to give notice in writing, citing your rights under FCRA. Ask for a written acknowledgment that you've been taken off the list. These opt-outs, too, might last for just five years.
5. Stop sharing personal information on your Facebook, LinkedIn, or MySpace pages with the general public. Or, share only what you wouldn't mind seeing in a database, and leave off banking identifiers such as your mother's name. Social networks can be mined, using your email address.
6. Stop phone calls from telemarketers, by signing up with the National Do Not Call registry. When the registry began, you could stop these calls for only a limited number of years. Since 2008, however, you've been able to block them permanently.
7. Opt out of credit card offers. You can stop receiving them by signing up with the OptOutPreScreen, run by the consumer credit reporting industry.
8. Don't be fooled. Never open an email telling you that you've won something, or that you have an unclaimed package, or that there's a problem with your tax return or bank account. Just by opening it, you might introduce malware into your machine, which searches for passwords to financial accounts. If your bank or credit card company apparently sends you an email, asking you to make corrections in your account, delete. It's a cheat. Or call the institution to see if it's legit, before entering any information. With the Epsilon break-in, you might get phony phishing messages from familiar retailers, too. For more tips, check the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and APWG, an industry organization that fights online fraud.
To read the complete article please click here
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, April 8, 2011
Chicago's Weekend Forecast
Come on warm weather! I'll take rain, as long as it's not freezing. Have a great weekend in Chicagoland and elsewhere!
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Pushed Out of Fear
Until recently, I did not like driving on the highway at night. Honestly, I feared it. My heart would actually palpate as I drove along, unsure of what was around the bends and curves. Because of this fear, I would go out of my way to make sure that when I had to hit the highway, especially alone, it was during daylight hours. Well now, I‘m over it because I had to drive on the highway in non-daylight hours, not once, not twice, but four times within a week. Now, I can say, I’m ok with it. If given a choice, I probably wouldn’t choose it, but I no longer fear it.
This breakthrough came about as I traveled to the south for a family matter related to a health challenge. I left Chicago with plenty of time to reach my destination with daylight to spare. About 380 miles into a 594 mile trip, I stopped for a gas and restroom break and when I came out found a flat. Not just any old flat but what looked like a half inch tear on the sidewall. I won’t even go into what it took to get back on the road (thank God for grace and angels!), but by the time I was ready to hit the road again …..it was dark! I was not happy! I just sucked it up, prayed and rolled in by 10:00pm.
I was so happy that I made it. I was thinking how great it was that I wouldn’t have to drive in the dark again. Praise God! Ha! After spending a couple of days at the hospital with family, I ended up driving 75 miles from the hospital to my grandmother’s….in the dark! I then work up early the next morning and headed back to the hospital…in the dark. Finally, due to an unexpected late start and unplanned stops, I drove the last few hours of the trip back to Chicago…in the dark. By this fourth time, I was like whatever.
I’m so over it now, but know that I was pushed out of this fear. I had no choice but to press forward. I felt the fear, prayed, and did it anyway. I know I was not alone I had a car full. There was God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and angels all along for the ride! Now when it comes to driving on the highway at night, I can confidently say, No Fear Here!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
10 Tips for Keeping Your Workout Schedule
Article By: Sally Bevan courtesy of Weight Watchers .com
Excuse-proof your workout by scheduling in fitness.
Isn't it funny that the moment you decide to exercise, something always gets in the way? Mom stops by. That report is suddenly urgent. The dog ate your running shoes. Maybe it's time to organize your exercise?
Make life easy for yourself
Plan a regimen that fits your lifestyle. If you work irregular hours, for example, don't sign up for classes that start at the same time each week. Instead, choose activities that can be easily slotted into your day:
Walk the kids to school or run errands on foot during your lunch hour.
Draw up a weekly timetable
To help you organize your time properly, draw up a weekly timetable of planned exercise and activities. This will also help you see how much activity you're getting. Try to do something for at least 20 or 30 minutes each day, even if it's just yard work or going on a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
Attach exercise to a treat
Give yourself a reward for scheduling in fitness. Buy flowers once a week for completing all of the workouts you scheduled. You can also attach exercise to an enjoyable event, such as playing with your kids in the park or catching up with a friend on a walk.
Get everyone else on board
Make sure your family and friends know when and where you plan to exercise. This way you shouldn't get any unwelcome interruptions. If you need someone to watch the kids while you exercise, make sure you arrange this well in advance; don't rely on last-minute favors.
Anticipate motivational dips
Everyone struggles with motivation from time to time, preparing for these feelings can go a long way to combating them. For instance, if you sometimes struggle to go to your aerobics class, get a friend to call you to make sure you're not still sitting on the sofa.
Avoid danger zones Many things can distract even the most hardened of exercisers: your favorite TV show, the lure of a night on the town with friends, or a neighbor popping in for an impromptu chat. Learn to recognize your particular "danger zones" and take steps to negotiate your way around them.
Buy figure-flattering workout clothing
You don't want to look like a sack of potatoes when you're exercising. Spend a little money on well-designed, flattering and supportive gym clothes; you'll be more motivated to work out.
Have a specially designated drawer for fitness gear
When you're in hurry, the last thing you want is to be hunting around for your gym socks. Keep all your exercise clothes in a special drawer so you can find them quickly.
Leave your gym bag by the door Leaving your gym bag by the door serves two purposes: you always know where it is; and it serves as a gentle reminder that an exercise session might be due.
Put your gym clothes straight into the wash
And last but not least, when you get back from the gym or pool, put your dirty clothes straight in the washer. Nothing is guaranteed to put you off exercising more than having to rummage around in the laundry basket for the least-funky pair of gym socks!
Get your workout on!!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Article By: Sally Bevan courtesy of Weight Watchers .com
Excuse-proof your workout by scheduling in fitness.
Isn't it funny that the moment you decide to exercise, something always gets in the way? Mom stops by. That report is suddenly urgent. The dog ate your running shoes. Maybe it's time to organize your exercise?
Make life easy for yourself
Plan a regimen that fits your lifestyle. If you work irregular hours, for example, don't sign up for classes that start at the same time each week. Instead, choose activities that can be easily slotted into your day:
Walk the kids to school or run errands on foot during your lunch hour.
Draw up a weekly timetable
To help you organize your time properly, draw up a weekly timetable of planned exercise and activities. This will also help you see how much activity you're getting. Try to do something for at least 20 or 30 minutes each day, even if it's just yard work or going on a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
Attach exercise to a treat
Give yourself a reward for scheduling in fitness. Buy flowers once a week for completing all of the workouts you scheduled. You can also attach exercise to an enjoyable event, such as playing with your kids in the park or catching up with a friend on a walk.
Get everyone else on board
Make sure your family and friends know when and where you plan to exercise. This way you shouldn't get any unwelcome interruptions. If you need someone to watch the kids while you exercise, make sure you arrange this well in advance; don't rely on last-minute favors.
Anticipate motivational dips
Everyone struggles with motivation from time to time, preparing for these feelings can go a long way to combating them. For instance, if you sometimes struggle to go to your aerobics class, get a friend to call you to make sure you're not still sitting on the sofa.
Avoid danger zones Many things can distract even the most hardened of exercisers: your favorite TV show, the lure of a night on the town with friends, or a neighbor popping in for an impromptu chat. Learn to recognize your particular "danger zones" and take steps to negotiate your way around them.
Buy figure-flattering workout clothing
You don't want to look like a sack of potatoes when you're exercising. Spend a little money on well-designed, flattering and supportive gym clothes; you'll be more motivated to work out.
Have a specially designated drawer for fitness gear
When you're in hurry, the last thing you want is to be hunting around for your gym socks. Keep all your exercise clothes in a special drawer so you can find them quickly.
Leave your gym bag by the door Leaving your gym bag by the door serves two purposes: you always know where it is; and it serves as a gentle reminder that an exercise session might be due.
Put your gym clothes straight into the wash
And last but not least, when you get back from the gym or pool, put your dirty clothes straight in the washer. Nothing is guaranteed to put you off exercising more than having to rummage around in the laundry basket for the least-funky pair of gym socks!
Get your workout on!!!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Kitten Heels Recommends....
Although I’ve eased up some on my budgeting, i.e. eating out occasionally versus never, I still enjoy finding ways to save! A couple of years ago, a friend sent me a link for online coupons. The website is www.couponmom.com. Many may have heard of this site since the Coupon Mom, Stephanie Nelson, has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Today and others. Ms. Nelson has also two books, THE COUPON MOM’S GUIDE TO CUTTING YOURGROCERY BILLS IN HALF and GREATEST SECRETS OF THE COUPON MOM. I’ve not read the book, but am familiar with the website. To start saving, simply sign up with an email address (I use a free “junky” email address that I set up on yahoo.com), pick a password (pick something super simple that you’ll remember), your first name, select your state, and answer one question, and you’ll receive emails with loads of savings. Millions have taken advantage of the savings and best of all it’s free!
According to the site you can cut your grocery bill in half. Since I only shop for one, I’ve not experienced that level of savings, but I’m sure that if shopping for a family the savings would be huge. It really is great because there are online deals, grocery coupons, drug store deals, and even links to Groupon, Living Social and Restaurant.com. Another nice feature is the tutorials on couponing.
I enjoy finding bargains and saving money. I search through the coupons at least once or twice a month and usually always find a coupon that will save me anywhere from .50 up to $2 on items.
This site is not only informative, but also a one-stop shop for savings. Check it out!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, April 4, 2011
O.M.G. she is turning 16
Happy Monday Everyone,
I will choose today to seek support from everyone reading this. My one and only is turning 16 in a month. While I am excited for her and myself, a part of me is starting to feel sad. Her and I have been together since the day she entered the world and now she is slowly becoming a woman in front of my eyes.
I am in the process of planning a really nice celebration for her and it is so funny to watch her organize things like a woman would. She has been giving her input on decor, venue, theme, clothing and so on. It is like watching myself in a two way mirror.
Reality kind of hit me the other day as she talks to her friends on the phone. I watch her now becoming aware of her appearance when she leaves home from her hair to her clothing. She will be driving soon, starting to date and even working.
I always thought because of the bond and time we share together this would be easy but it is not. My baby is no longer a baby and I pray that I have given her enough to get her through this hard world. In a couple of years she will be off to college and starting the rest of her life. I am sure she knows but I will just put it out there. To my Princess I love you and wish you everything you dream of. Mommie will always be here for you.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
I will choose today to seek support from everyone reading this. My one and only is turning 16 in a month. While I am excited for her and myself, a part of me is starting to feel sad. Her and I have been together since the day she entered the world and now she is slowly becoming a woman in front of my eyes.
I am in the process of planning a really nice celebration for her and it is so funny to watch her organize things like a woman would. She has been giving her input on decor, venue, theme, clothing and so on. It is like watching myself in a two way mirror.
Reality kind of hit me the other day as she talks to her friends on the phone. I watch her now becoming aware of her appearance when she leaves home from her hair to her clothing. She will be driving soon, starting to date and even working.
I always thought because of the bond and time we share together this would be easy but it is not. My baby is no longer a baby and I pray that I have given her enough to get her through this hard world. In a couple of years she will be off to college and starting the rest of her life. I am sure she knows but I will just put it out there. To my Princess I love you and wish you everything you dream of. Mommie will always be here for you.
Much Love
Chanel
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Another birthday come and gone
Another year older.....but am I really wiser? There's a part of me that says definitely but then there are a few things that I know I should have in place at my age and I don't.
Soooo....what does that mean? Well for me it means that I have to make a list and I need to make a few copies of it and place them strategically around my home so that I can't run anymore. My bathroom mirror for sure!! I also need to put some realistic time frames around each task. Then finally I have to start doing my research to seek out the right places and people to contact to get these items checked off my list.
Here is what I need to have complete before the year is out:
1. Prepare a living Will
2. Get Life Insurance apart from my job
3. Check in with a financial planner to see if I'm on the right track for retirement
If you haven't done any of the above and your older than 30, it's time!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Soooo....what does that mean? Well for me it means that I have to make a list and I need to make a few copies of it and place them strategically around my home so that I can't run anymore. My bathroom mirror for sure!! I also need to put some realistic time frames around each task. Then finally I have to start doing my research to seek out the right places and people to contact to get these items checked off my list.
Here is what I need to have complete before the year is out:
1. Prepare a living Will
2. Get Life Insurance apart from my job
3. Check in with a financial planner to see if I'm on the right track for retirement
If you haven't done any of the above and your older than 30, it's time!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, April 2, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Tomorrow's Hottest Careers courtesy of Yahoo!Education by Chris Kyle
Wondering what tomorrow's in-demand careers will be? While it's safe to scratch newspaper editor and mail carrier off the list, you might be surprised at the old standbys that still make the cut.
Check out our full list of hot careers of the future:
Sales Representative
Mobile App Developer
Project Manager
Construction Manager
Elementary School Teacher
Keep reading for info on how you can start preparing for one of these hot careers.
Career #1 - Sales Representative
An accelerating economy is creating a need for more sales professionals. In fact, according to a 2010 Manpower survey, sales representatives are the second-hardest job to fill in America.
Mark Thomas, co-founder and chief sales officer of SayHired, a company that phone screens job candidates for employers, sees a similar demand for sales reps. "As companies are ramping up, talented sales people are getting offers with good base salaries and commission packages," Thomas says.
Training: To prepare for a career in sales, pick a major like communications or marketing . In addition to gaining key communication skills, you'll learn how sales decisions can impact a business's bottom line.
Average Pay: $81,370
Career #2 - Mobile App Developer
According to a 2011 survey by IHS iSuppli, an internet research company, mobile applications will enjoy an 81.5 percent surge in total revenue over the next 12 months. More revenue means more opportunities for mobile app developers.
Elance, an online employment hub, reports a similarly strong and growing demand for freelance mobile app developers. Its Online Employment Report, also released in 2011, found that the tech industry's spending in this area has grown 11 percent over the past quarter.
Training: If you want to train for a career in mobile apps, you'll need to get up-to-speed on computer applications and technologies by studying a subject like computer science, programming and software, or IT and information systems.
Average Pay: $83,647
Career #3 - Project Manager
As the economy reinvents itself yet again, project managers are fast becoming the new normal as American companies look to hire managers to oversee the building and designing of new projects.
"One of the fastest growing areas is project management," said recruiter Andrew Gadomski, founder of Aspen Search Advisors. "It's not just about doing the work. It's about managing the entire process."
Training: The skills you learn in business school are directly applicable to working as a project manager. Start by getting a bachelor's degree in an area like business administration. Job experience counts for a lot but in certain cases employers will be looking for candidates with a master of business administration as well.
Average Pay: $83,400
Career #4 - Construction Manager
In 2009, Laurence Shatkin, author of "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America," pointed to green technology as one of six industries that can help rebuild the country.
Looking at income, job growth, and job openings, Shatkin identified construction manager as the number one green technology job. Fast-forward to 2011, when the number of new homes under construction jumped 15 percent in January, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. That puts us on pace for 596,000 new homes this year.
Training: Along with work experience, getting a bachelor's degree is an important step to becoming a construction manager, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, though sometimes an associate's degree is enough. It's best to study construction science, construction management, or civil engineering.
Average Pay: $76,230
Career #5 - Elementary School Teacher
An always increasing population means that more teachers are needed to instruct America's youth.
With 597,000 job openings expected between 2008 and 2018, elementary school teachers will see more job growth than any other career that requires a bachelor's degree, according to the College Board.
Training: You'll need a bachelor's degree, plus certification, to teach elementary school. Requirements vary by state, though private schools require only a bachelor's to get started.
Average Pay: $53,150
*All average earning potential data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor using May 2009 salary numbers, except for project manager and mobile app developer, which comes from Glassdoor.com using February 2011 data. Green technology construction manager salary comes from Laurence Shatkin's "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wondering what tomorrow's in-demand careers will be? While it's safe to scratch newspaper editor and mail carrier off the list, you might be surprised at the old standbys that still make the cut.
Check out our full list of hot careers of the future:
Sales Representative
Mobile App Developer
Project Manager
Construction Manager
Elementary School Teacher
Keep reading for info on how you can start preparing for one of these hot careers.
Career #1 - Sales Representative
An accelerating economy is creating a need for more sales professionals. In fact, according to a 2010 Manpower survey, sales representatives are the second-hardest job to fill in America.
Mark Thomas, co-founder and chief sales officer of SayHired, a company that phone screens job candidates for employers, sees a similar demand for sales reps. "As companies are ramping up, talented sales people are getting offers with good base salaries and commission packages," Thomas says.
Training: To prepare for a career in sales, pick a major like communications or marketing . In addition to gaining key communication skills, you'll learn how sales decisions can impact a business's bottom line.
Average Pay: $81,370
Career #2 - Mobile App Developer
According to a 2011 survey by IHS iSuppli, an internet research company, mobile applications will enjoy an 81.5 percent surge in total revenue over the next 12 months. More revenue means more opportunities for mobile app developers.
Elance, an online employment hub, reports a similarly strong and growing demand for freelance mobile app developers. Its Online Employment Report, also released in 2011, found that the tech industry's spending in this area has grown 11 percent over the past quarter.
Training: If you want to train for a career in mobile apps, you'll need to get up-to-speed on computer applications and technologies by studying a subject like computer science, programming and software, or IT and information systems.
Average Pay: $83,647
Career #3 - Project Manager
As the economy reinvents itself yet again, project managers are fast becoming the new normal as American companies look to hire managers to oversee the building and designing of new projects.
"One of the fastest growing areas is project management," said recruiter Andrew Gadomski, founder of Aspen Search Advisors. "It's not just about doing the work. It's about managing the entire process."
Training: The skills you learn in business school are directly applicable to working as a project manager. Start by getting a bachelor's degree in an area like business administration. Job experience counts for a lot but in certain cases employers will be looking for candidates with a master of business administration as well.
Average Pay: $83,400
Career #4 - Construction Manager
In 2009, Laurence Shatkin, author of "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America," pointed to green technology as one of six industries that can help rebuild the country.
Looking at income, job growth, and job openings, Shatkin identified construction manager as the number one green technology job. Fast-forward to 2011, when the number of new homes under construction jumped 15 percent in January, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. That puts us on pace for 596,000 new homes this year.
Training: Along with work experience, getting a bachelor's degree is an important step to becoming a construction manager, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, though sometimes an associate's degree is enough. It's best to study construction science, construction management, or civil engineering.
Average Pay: $76,230
Career #5 - Elementary School Teacher
An always increasing population means that more teachers are needed to instruct America's youth.
With 597,000 job openings expected between 2008 and 2018, elementary school teachers will see more job growth than any other career that requires a bachelor's degree, according to the College Board.
Training: You'll need a bachelor's degree, plus certification, to teach elementary school. Requirements vary by state, though private schools require only a bachelor's to get started.
Average Pay: $53,150
*All average earning potential data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor using May 2009 salary numbers, except for project manager and mobile app developer, which comes from Glassdoor.com using February 2011 data. Green technology construction manager salary comes from Laurence Shatkin's "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America."
Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, April 1, 2011
Welcome to Texas
It's official, Clutch is moving to Texas! We will be relocating to either the Dallas or Houston area. That is still in the air at this time.
I must admit that I am dealing with many mixed emotions; excitement, fear and anxiety. To help ease those feelings, I am reaching out to the PPP community for advice. Where are great areas to live within either Dallas or Houston? How's the nightlife? Of course, the shopping?
Any advice that you can offer on those areas would be greatly appeciated!
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Talk. Real Life. Real Women.
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