Quips and Tips for Healthy Women

As we are now on the eve of 2008, many of us look back at where we’ve been and where we’re going. We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting a different outcome.  So if you resolve to re-commit to any unfulfilled goal (lose 10 pounds, quit smoking, find a new job, etc.), I have some suggestions for taking the struggle out of the process.  

“One cannot be content to creep when one has the urge to soar.” - Helen Keller

(For more info about this guest author, click on her book cover: You Turn: Changing Direction in Midlife. Dr. Nancy Irwin is a psychotherapist, speaker, and author).

These tips for an organic lifestyle are from Debbie Wiener, interior designer and author of Slob Proof! Real-Life Design Solutions - and they’ll help make your home healthy.

“If you suffer from seasonal mood disorders including stress, anxiety or depression, bring full spectrum light fixtures and light bulbs into your home,” says Wiener.

And below she explains how easy it is! For more info about her book, click on Slob Proof!  Read on to learn how to lessen the effects of seasonal effective disorder and stress….

This widow lost her husband after a six year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Here are her coping tips for grieving spouses, plus a few extra tips for healthy mourning.

“If you suppress grief too much, it can well redouble,” said Moliere.

Instead of avoiding your feelings of loss, consider George Eliot’s wise words on mourning:

“She was no longer wrestling with the grief, but could sit down with it as a lasting companion and make it a sharer in her thoughts.”

Accepting - and maybe even embracing - loss may be one of the healthiest ways to cope with death. For more information on coping with a loved one’s death, click on the book Widowed Too Soon: A Young Widow’s Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Spiritual Transformation by Laura Hirsch. And, read on to learn how Kathleen Airdrie coped with the death of her husband.

These romantic Christmas gifts for him or her will fan the flames of passion and show how much you care (which will reduce holiday stress!). And, this quotation from actress Judy Garland shows you how important it is to show your love: 

“In the silence of night I have often wished for just a few words of love from one man,” said Garland, “Rather than the applause of thousands of people.” 

A cute way to say “I love you” is via the image on the right. It’s a “his and hers” pillowcase from BoldLoft, who carries an assortment of romantic Christmas gifts for him and her, as well as lovely anniversary presents. Click the image for more info - it’s a cute way to say “I love you” at Christmas!

And, here are more romantic Christmas gift ideas for him or her…

In researching the top diets in America, I’ve learned that the Mediterranean Diet is easily the diet most favored by nutritionists, dieticians, and researchers. But, I’ve also discovered that there’s actually a Miami Mediterranean Diet - which is slightly different than the Mediterranean Diet.

So, I did a Q & A with cardiologist Dr Michael Ozner, author of The Miami Mediterranean Diet, to discover the differences between the two diets. Before we go there, check out what he says about fitness and Americans:

“Americans have a skewed vision of fitness,” says Dr Ozner. “They think they have to join expensive gyms, sign up for classes, or take precious hours out of their already jam-packed schedules to lose weight. Once again, misinformation has gotten in the way of motivation and good sense.”

Simply changing the way you think about fitness and weight loss can increase your motivation and healthy habits. Here, Dr Ozner describes three effective ways to lose weight. Plus he answers all my questions about the Miami Mediterranean Diet - including whether he and his family takes his own advice! For more info about his diet, click on the book cover of The Miami Mediterranean Diet.  And, read on for our Q & A…