The Channel says this all of the time . . .

but maybe you'll believe it more if scientists say it:

The Mantra That Helps You Live Longer
By RealAge

The last thing we all need right now is another doom-and-gloom headline. So try this mantra as an antidote: Good times are coming.

Think it. Believe it. Say it to yourself often -- as often as it takes to put yourself in a more positive frame of mind. Not only could it put more bounce in your step, but research shows it may add miles to your life, too.

Great Expectations: It's all about attitude. And the right one did a lot for the women in a study. Those with the most optimism -- a belief that good things will happen -- enjoyed a 14 percent lower risk of dying from any cause during the study, compared with their most pessimistic peers. And the women who saw the glass as half full were also 30 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Raising Resilience: The study findings don't necessarily prove that a bad attitude shortens life. But cultivating a positive mood certainly can't hurt you. A positive attitude does a bunch of good stuff for your health -- like setting you up to cope with stress in healthier ways (such as meditation instead of drinking). Positive people may also deal with stress better and live longer because they tend to enjoy deeper social bonds than cynical types do.

Posted at http://www.realage.com/tips/the-mantra-that-helps-you-live-longer

Remember the "grapefruit diet"?

Yeah, we all remember that one! And people made fun of it or swore by it. Now, researchers are saying that citrus helps raise your metabolism! From www.realage.com:

The research is early, but a new animal study suggests that naringenin, a compound in grapefruit, could help stop the pounds from piling on.

Citrus Secrets

In the study, researchers found that mice with symptoms of metabolic syndrome gained less weight from a high-fat diet when they were on a naringenin supplement. Not only that, but the rodents' cholesterol and triglyceride levels and insulin sensitivity also improved. More support: Check out this human study that found weight benefits to eating grapefruit.

Okay, now it's official - everything old is new again! (But worth a try!)

I know - baking soda again!

But I love these tips! From TotalBeauty.com:

Four Amazing Uses for Baking Soda

No. 1: As a Clarifying Shampoo: Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda with 1 cup water and use as a final rinse after shampooing.

No. 2: As a Facial Cleanser: Mix 1/2 teaspoon with your favorite cleanser for extra exfoliating (no need to buy a separate scrub!). This is fine for all skin types to do weekly, but dry skin may need to follow up with a rich moisturizer.

No. 3: As a Foot Powder: Sprinkle some baking soda into your workout shoes for stink-free and sweat-free feet. No.

4: As a Teeth Whitener: It has a salty taste but baking soda is a classic tooth cleanser and whitener -- sprinkle on a damp toothbrush and brush as normal.

And it cleans sinks, polishes sink faucets, and cleans stains from dishes, too!

Thank goddess for baking soda! ; )

Vaseline - old fashioned fix!

When I was in my 20's, I used Vaseline to remove eye makeup. Whenever I told a makeup expert (at a spa, in a department store makeover) that I did this, they laughed at me. Not only laughed at me but called others over to laugh at me as well! So I stopped.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago. My eyelids were "crepey" and eyeshadow looked funny on my lids. So I decided what the heck - I'm not 20-something anymore, I don't care what they think. And so I began to use Vaseline to remove makeup every night. Within a week or so, my eyelids were as smooth as they had ever been. And I've been using Vaseline ever since!

A couple of days ago, I was reading a women's magazine. Lo and behold, they had a makeup tip: Use Vaseline to remove your eye makeup and you'll diminish lines around your eyes.

I'm so glad that the world has caught up with me (and my grandmother)! ; )

Blessings!

Eyeshadow application

So, this is fun! Paula Begoun has some videos on uTube showing makeup application. I enjoyed this one on eye shadow. Maybe you don't like playing with makeup like I do but it's still interesting! Click here to watch the video


New ideas are always fun.

Brain foods

Okay, we all know by now that exercising your brain (puzzles, physical exercise) is the way to stay sharp throughout life. And hey - we should all do it. But Dr. Oz (who is everywhere now, courtesy of Oprah) says these foods also help. And if you're like me, it's easier for you to eat your way to brain health than it is to find new puzzles! So here goes:


Blueberries: Compounds in the bright berries may help shield against harmful processes tied to Alzheimer's disease and premature brain aging.

Eggs: This breakfast favorite is loaded with selenium -- a mineral that could help make your brain years younger.

Mustard: What makes mustard so amazing? Turmeric. Getting just 17 milligrams of it a day -- about a teaspoon of mustard -- can help activate genes that control the cleanup of cellular waste in your brain. (Note: I just read elsewhere that turmeric has a compound that starves fat cells - yay!)

Salmon: This pink fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, including the type thought to have the most antiaging effects on the brain. A DHA supplement is another way to get your omega-3s.

Kale: Getting at least three servings a day of dark, leafy greens high in carotenoids and flavonoids can slow mental decline associated with aging.

So play your way to health or eat your way to health - choose whichever you want!

Blessings!

Noetic Science

I'm just finishing Dan Brown's newest book, The Lost Symbol (which, by the way, is much better written than his previous books - while still being, of course, an exciting read) and I now want to go to Washington, DC. (Read the book to find out why!)

As with his previous books, he's introducing everyone to new "real world" information as well as creating a level of fictional excitement. I had never heard of noetic science and it's a fascinating field. If you'd like to learn more about it, google it or go to http://www.noetic.org/index.cfm and get an introduction to it.

If you're prejudiced against the Masons (shame on you!), you may have some trouble with the book since it revolves around the Masons and likes the organization. Hang in there - the Masons are not what you may think!

Blessings.

Beef!

Okay, I know that this is self-serving, but I SO love a good piece of rare beef. (Even typing about it makes me crave a piece!) So I have to share this from an article on "superfoods" from Prevention magazine. You can find the whole list of foods here: http://www.prevention.com/25healthyfoods/index.html

Lean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron there is. (Too-little iron can cause anemia.) Adding as little as 1 ounce of beef per day can make a big difference in the body’s ability to absorb iron from other sources, says Mary J. Kretsch, PhD, a researcher at the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA. Beef also packs plenty of zinc (even minor deficiencies may impair memory) and B vitamins, which help your body turn food into energy.

If you can, splurge on grass-fed. Compared with grain-fed beef, it has twice the concentration of vitamin E, a powerful brain-boosting antioxidant. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Because this type of beef tends to be lower in overall fat, it can be tough—so marinate it, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Apple Cider Vinegar revs your metabolism?

According to a Japanese study, one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day revs your metabolism and therefore aids in weight loss. Hey - apple cider vinegar cuts gall bladder attacks AND revs your metabolism? Sounds like a miracle food to me!

what happened to me?? : )

Well, I'm back! I was ill (gall bladder - my yoga teacher says apple cider vinegar and oil, I've read the blogs and it seems that apple cider vinegar and apple juice really cuts an attack - i sure wish i'd known that) and then had updates to do. (Which, by the way, is really difficult when you're dehydrated - I lost 6 lbs in a day and a half and most of them came back on, darn!) So now I think I've caught up on everything and I'll be posting again. Geez - no time to be ill. And it seems that it's just like when you had kids at home - everyone wants you to keep doing everything!!

So, tips for today: Again, apple juice with some apple cider vinegar helps your gall bladder - and some say add a little olive oil and the stone passes too. Also, remember when I wrote that you shouldn't wash with soap/lotion in the morning, just splash with water? Well, I read that again in Prevention magazine - but use cold water. Supposed to be even better.

I promise - I'll keep writing. Just hang in there with me! ; ) Blessings!

The Power of food

I've written about Doves and blueberries, but all of the food that you eat has the power to uplift and energize you. Every day, you make choices about what you eat - and "good" choices make a big difference in your quality of life. I know that the channel says that there are no "good" or "bad" foods - and I know that's the truth. But it does make a difference when you choose the foods that feel good to you. Science says that a variety of fruits and vegetables (5 - 9 servings) are good for your health. You can choose which fruits and vegetables you eat, depending on your likes and dislikes. And 25 - 35 grams of fiber a day gives you more energy and makes you feel "lighter."

So think about the power of food in your life. Your body will feel lighter, your mind will work better, and your spirit will move into the earth with less effort if you eat consciously rather than simply "putting something in your mouth"!

looking more radiant

I like this - I read it in a magazine yesterday and tried it this morning. Put your (cream) blush on your cheeks before you put on your foundation. Putting your foundation (nothing heavy - it makes you look older) over your cream blush looks more natural. You look like your natural "flush" is showing through. (Which happens when you're younger. Remember when you didn't need blush at all??!)

Try it.

Lipstick test

I read this yesterday, in Women's Health magazine. Haven't tried it yet but hey - sounds good!

Most of us test the color of a new lipstick on the back of our hand before we buy. Better place: The tip of your finger. Evidently, it more closely mirrors the color of your lips. Worth a try and we have ten places to test the color!

Makeup tricks

The following are from an article by Bobbie Brown for Prevention magazine. I use these tricks all of the time (especially #4) and really like them. I can't live without my eyelash curler - it really makes a difference!

1. Don't just dab concealer on dark circles. To really look fresh and well rested, you have to counteract the shadows cast by your eyes. To do so, pat on a yellow-based cover-up one shade lighter than your foundation as close to the lash line as possible, blending right up to the eye socket and on the sides of your nose. --Bobbi Brown

2. Always use a lash curler immediately after getting out of the shower; the warm water makes the fragile hairs pliable so they're easy to curl and less prone to break. --Kimberly Soane, New York City

3. Although brow powder fills in sparse spots and looks natural, the formula isn't long-lasting and tends to smear by lunchtime. The fix? First, sweep on a brow pencil, then stroke on your powder; the pencil's wax base will cause the powder to stick in place. --Tia Hebron, Sandy Springs, GA

4. After applying foundation, rub your palms together for a minute, then press them gently onto your cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. The warmth helps soften the base, making it look like your natural skin as opposed to an obvious layer of makeup. --Sherri Hubner, Snoqualmie, WA

5. A smart way to ensure that you don't overdo your look: Start backward. For instance, after applying your foundation, swipe on your blush and lipstick before your eye makeup. This way your face will appear brighter, so in turn, you end up applying less eye shadow, liner, and mascara for a more natural take. --Ricki Gurtman, Morganville, NJ

Your poor, swollen legs!

We do an easy pose in yoga that is a great everday movement for your legs, especially when you're tired and your legs/feet are swollen. Lie on your back on the floor and get your butt as close to a wall as possible. Then put your legs up the wall (so that your body forms an "L") for a couple of minutes. The fluid will drain from your legs and feet and you will be mentally refreshed. Our yoga teacher swears that her varicose veins disappeared (I know that she doesn't have any now) after doing this every day for a couple of years.

But if you just want to feel (and look) better, this is a great immediate fix whether you want to keep at it every day or not. If you do keep at it, you may find that there are more benefits for you!

I'm back!

So, the benefits of a vacation from "real" life were brought home to me in the past few days. You don't have to go somewhere in order to get out of your regular routine, but it helps! Las Vegas may still be in the United States but if you've ever been there you know that it isn't anything like daily life. It's a fantasy world, full of people who are seeking a change from the everyday world - and full of people playing with their money. And that isn't a "bad" thing - it's fun and you get a different perspective on the uses of money energy. How many times do you play with money?

All of this (eating, playing with your money, getting away from daily routine) is a wondrous way to change your energy. And when I say that, I mean the energy of your body and your spirit. Coming back to "real" life means that your body changes (and recharges) and your belief systems can change as well.

So, I'm back - and I'm new!

Don't worry, be happy!

Remember that song? Yes, it sounds trite but it's true - the less you worry, the more you smile, the better your health and the better you look. It takes an act of will to turn your mind from the stressors of daily life but it's an act of will that's worth it, for your body and your mind. Think about pleasant things (even if it seems unrealistic at the time) and your body will thank you!

Now, I'm off to Las Vegas for a few days; a place where you are supposed to forget your troubles and live in a fantasy!

Boost your metabolism

I love Prevention magazine and Prevention.com - maybe because they agree with my world view! I don't want to summarize this article because all of it is important. But I do want to encourage you to read through to the end. Whether you choose to do strength training (which can be as simple as walking every day - building your thigh and calf muscles - and lifting water bottles, building your arms) or not, the truth is that you lose muscle as you age. And it's muscle that burns calories (AND makes you stronger AND helps your endurance). So please at least peruse the article at this link - and do at least some of the things they suggest. Yes, it helps weight loss but, more importantly, the quality of your life will improve.

Burn more calories while you sleep!

Washing your face

I recently took an online quiz re: face care. Anyone who knows me knows that I love product of any kind - make-up, hair product, body product, face product. I experiment with all of them. So I generally use Cetaphil to wash my face, a scrub (usually St. Ives Apricot Scrub), and a mask once in a while. I also use a mild face wash by L'Occitane (I love their products). The key being MILD facial cleansers.

But the quiz suggested that I shouldn't use any "soap" (cleaning product) on my face in the mornings. Yes, wash your face at night to get rid of make-up and pollution from the day but simply use warm water in the morning and follow with a moisturizer. I thought that I'd give it a try.

It's been 2 weeks and I have to say that my skin is softer and there is less "redness" from irritation. Just using warm water in the morning is quicker, easier, cheaper - and better for my skin.

Why didn't someone tell me this years ago?? :-)

Rosemary?

You know about cortisol, don't you? It's a hormone whose level rises when you're stressed - and it's blamed for the deposit of fat around your middle. (Yes, that's why "mommy" years create a rise in big bellies!) Well, there's a new study out of Japan that suggests that pinching a bit of rosemary (dried or fresh) between your fingers and breathing in the scent lowers your cortisol level - reducing stress. I know that I love running my fingers over a rosemary plant and releasing its scent . . . maybe that's why!

So, lavendar has a run for its money - try rosemary and see how you react!

Your attitude counts!

Sometimes it feels as if you are "stuck" with what you have. But this is never true. Whether it's your health, your body, your spirit, or your life, you can always change what you do or are. It may take some effort and time, but there will be an effect. Even (seemingly) small changes, through time, make a difference. You simply have to keep at it - keep going, keep doing. Change your environment, change your exercise routine, change your diet, change your mindset. Whatever it is, try a change.

Change, itself, can work wonders! It's only when you try nothing that nothing happens.

Keeping the calories in control

A few years ago, I read that menopausal women could only metabolize 575 calories per meal. Anything over that would go to fat. I can't find that information anymore, but current thinking is that 4 - 5 small meals a day (with total caloric intake between 1600 and 1900 per day) is the best for keeping your weight where you want it.

I've been doing that (four 400 calorie meals per day) and I'm seeing my weight drop to a normal range. Several small meals a day do make a difference in me. In addition, I've been building muscle mass (I do this with yoga three times a week but weight lifting will work as well). As we age, we lose muscle mass, slowing our metabolism further. And between the two, I've never felt better. Basically, I'm a size 6 right now but, in time, I want to stabilize at a size 4.

So, eat small meals and work out - it's what we're always told and it's what works. You don't have to starve - just be smart about what and how you eat!

Gettin' with "the times"

So, if you're a woman of "a certain age," you may not know what a bikini or brazilian wax is (Oprah didn't). And you probably haven't had one. You may also clean your hair brushes and combs in a sink with some ammonia (which is what you mother told you to do). But there is an easier and better smelling way to clean your brushes - put a little of your hair shampoo in a sink full of water. It breaks down the hair and oils on your brushes and combs (as well as old product) and it only takes a few minutes.

Want to stay young in attitude/mind? Find new ways of doing things - even the small things!

Beautiful air

You may know that silk (faux) plants are dust collectors - and people with allergies shouldn't have them in their houses. (I'd say that no one should have the "fake" stuff!) Real plants, however (such as philodendrons, spider plants, and ivy) can actually "scrub" the air in your house, getting rid of indoor pollutants. So add several to your decorating scheme - they'll soothe your soul, beautify your surroundings, and help your lungs!

Dove Promises - a "good" addiction

Those of you who know me know that I eat dark chocolate Dove Promises every day. I love them! And I've always said that they're good for you - that they're my "health food." Well, here's my proof, courtesy of Prevention magazine:

"Dove Dark . . . contains cocoapro cocoa, a proprietary, specially processed cocoa with superhigh levels of flavenols - so high that Dove Dark is used in medical research." High levels of flavonoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, according to the same article. They may also lower your blood pressure and protect against plaque buildup in your blood vessels.

So now we all have a medical excuse to eat 1oz of Dove Promise dark chocolate a day. Now that's a reason to celebrate! (And yes, 1oz is small enough that you don't have to get fat eating it!)

Eat your "superfoods"!

One of the "superfoods" is blueberries. Just half a cup to a cup a day can protect against dementia, enhance brain function, reduce cell damage that leads to some cancers, help maintain good vision, give you a better complexion, and more.

Such a small amount of a good tasting food - with such great benefits! The better your body functions and feels, the better you can use your power in the world. Superfoods make you a super Being!

Breathe!

Okay, everyone has to breathe. But most of us breathe shallowly and without awareness. Focusing on your breath and inhaling and exhaling deeply (without making yourself dizzy!) has multiple benefits: you connect with the world around you, increasing your spiritual power; you oxygenate your brain, increasing mental sharpness; you oxygenate your cells, speeding your metabolism and increasing weight loss; and you create a sense of emotional peace and harmony.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to breathe deeply several times a day and the benefits are enormous. So . . . breathe!

Stay healthy!

In people with a history of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer, a diet high in leafy greens was associated with a reduced risk of another round of the disease. Read more about this at: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/9027

Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' . . .

into the past! Did you know that baking soda has more uses than the "usual"? A pinch of baking soda, added to your normal shampoo when you wash your hair, does the same job as "clarifying" shampoo. Use it once a week - it will make your hair shinier and won't interfere with hair color.

Also, try brushing your teeth a couple of times a month with baking soda (made into a paste with a little water). It will whiten your teeth without harming the enamel - cheaper than whitening strips!

Some "old" things are still just as good as they were!

Did you know . . .

That laughter is good for your mental, spiritual, and physical health? Laughing often oxygenates your blood making you look younger, making your skin brighter and clearer, and helping all of your organs to function better. It also links you to others in a positive way.

Laugh loud, laugh often!