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November 18th, 2009
Woke up the other morning to find a wild turkey standing on my deck and I watched with amazement because I couldn’t help but notice his jiggling neck every time he moved his tiny little head. After my becoming one with nature moment was over I ran to the bathroom mirror to closely examine the evidence. There it was! The beginning of my very own waddle.
Now that Thanksgiving Day is approaching, I will not only be grateful for my loved ones, health, happiness, food on my plate and material possessions I will also be thankful for the turkey. For without the turkey I, and countless others wouldn’t be so concerned with the stigma of the waddle better known as “turkey neck”.
Back when I went to beauty school and through years of numerous department store cosmetic training we were all told “the neck is the first thing to age because the head is the heaviest part of the body and it is the head that holds up the neck”. If this were truly the case why is it my knees are still somewhat visible?
While working the cosmetic counters it was my job to sell ridiculously over priced lotions, serums, tonics and cremes. I could never understand why one needed to have an extra special potion for the neck in addition to the stockpile of jars ready to be purchased. I was just doing what I was getting paid to do in the glamorous cosmetic world. “Selling hope in a jar”, a term coined by Charles Revson.
The truth is we can smooth the appearance of the skin on our necks and plump up fine lines and wrinkles with topical prescription meds and cosmeceuticals but how do we get rid of the darn sagging flap? I spoke with board certified plastic surgeon William N. Georgis, M.D. and asked him why we get turkey neck. He explained to me “it’s not just our skin that sags as we get older but also the muscles that are attached to our cheekbones, jaw and neck. As time goes by these muscles along with skin and fat begin to relax” creating that waddle. How can we prevent our necks from aging? Are those new neck exerciser machines on drug store shelves worth the investment? He said there really isn’t anything we can do to prevent hereditary turkey neck but we can “restore our necks to look like teenagers again with a rhytidectomy (facelift)”. So let us be thankful for all we have even for the little extra under our chins. By the way…do you think I will be able to find an extra large piggy bank on Black Friday?
November 18th, 2009
This time of year people start thinking about being “thankful.” They force themselves to think of one thing every day, and for some (at least what I read on Facebook), it can be a struggle.
With all things, by making it a habit, it becomes so much easier. Thankfulness can flow from you every day if you pay attention to it. I write about this topic all the time. Keep a joy journal, a gratitude journal, a “hey something went my way today” journal. And because I am so easy on you, if grabbing a cheap spiral notebook and a pen is too much work at first, make the list in your head every night before bed.
Think of three things that you can be thankful for at the end of each day. The guy with the overloaded grocery cart let me and my gallon of milk go ahead of him in the checkout line. I got my VISA bill and it was not as much as I was expecting. My sons put their laundry away without me telling them five hundred times.
This is not an exercise for the month of the November. It’s for the rest of your life. Start small and you will be amazed at your thankfulness fitness level a few months from now. You will be able to fill lots of cheap notebooks and maybe even want to upgrade into an elegant bedside journal with a cover that makes you smile. And that is one more thing to be thankful for, so go ahead and put it on your list. When your thankfulness health improves, your overall health improves. Try it and see for yourself.
November 2nd, 2009
You may chew gum to freshen your breath or maybe you just enjoy the taste, but did you know there are health benefits from chewing gum? It is well known that chewing sugar-free gum after eating can help clean your teeth. Emerging research shows that other benefits of chewing include stress relief; better focus, alertness, and concentration; and weight management.
In Wrigley-sponsored research, gum chewers report feeling more calm and relaxed in dealing with everyday stress when they chewed gum. Research also found the act of chewing can increase blood flow to the brain by 25 to 40 percent, which may help improve the ability to learn, retain, and retrieve information. In teens, chewing sugar-free gum has been linked to better academic performance in school.
Research has found that the simple act of chewing gum can help to control appetite, reduce snack cravings, and reduce calorie intake. One study found that chewing sugar-free gum reduced afternoon snack intake by 40 calories and reduced sweet snack intake by 60 calories. It was also found to significantly reduce afternoon drowsiness. Although a piece of sugar-free gum contains 5 calories, the act of chewing gum can burn about 11 calories per hour.
Piece of gum, anyone?
October 14th, 2009
Numerous online cosmetic newsletters bombard my email inbox everyday. Most of the info they’re pushing is repetitive so I just hit delete yet this one really caught my eye. “Don’t wear blue eye shadow!” Hmm…wasn’t this the law of the 90’s? Back then while selling at the cosmetic counter we cosmetic cops were ingrained with teaching women how to do their makeup in a more “natural” way. Brown, beige, boring, blah!
Makeup is supposed to be an expression of ourselves. Humans have adorned themselves from the beginning of time. I, for one happen to like blue eye shadow. There, I said it! In fact, I wear it everyday because it looks good with brown eyes. The trick is you don’t really notice it too much. That’s the whole point. You’re not supposed to see the makeup. This is what natural is all about.
Makeup is supposed to be fun. It can create or change our moods. In fact, according to Cosmeticdesign.com, scientific researchers in Japan recently did a study revealing exactly what goes through a women’s mind when she applies make-up. Using brain scanning equipment, scientists discovered that women experience a wave of euphoria and optimism as they prepare for their make-up routine. The work is important to cosmetic manufacturers because it helps explain the exact reasons why women wear make-up and how it makes them feel better about themselves.
Why women wear makeup? Do we really need science to answer this for us? Maybe because it’s fun and we like the way we look? Every morning I dread having to prepare for my makeup routine but I do experience happiness and relief once its painted on my face. I don’t really care how it makes me feel better. It just does. So I will continue facing the day with my blue eye shadow. Pink eye shadow is banned from my makeup bag unless I want my eyes to look swollen and never in a million years will you catch me wearing orange lipstick unless I want my teeth to look yellow. There ought to be a law but who am I to judge someone else’s art of self expression? What’s really important is that you like the way you look.
October 8th, 2009
Update on the Golden Shoe Challenge…the YMCA team logged over 22,000 minutes of purposeful activity the week of September 21 – 26 and won the challenge! YEAH TEAM! The Park District team did a fine job at just around 18,000 minutes logged that week – so congratulations to them as well. The purpose of the Golden Shoe Challenge was to generate awareness about how easy it is to include purposeful activity into an average lifestyle. Mission accomplished as about 200 people logged activities that included gardening, golfing, a daily walk around the block before dinner, active playground play with young children, rollerblading, bowling, and cycling. And the bottom line was FUN! Yep, it’s that simple. Have fun with an activity or play with someone you like and you’re engaging in purposeful activity. For more ideas and suggestions go to www.americaonthemove.org. You’ll find a wealth of information.
October 6th, 2009
The Evolution of Dresses, Pink and Brett Favre
The evolution of dresses, Brett Favre and the acceptance of the color pink even for men simply amazes me! My very first job was at Marshall Fields. I was required, as were all females, to wear a dress every day – slacks were prohibited! My manager stated he could never envision that changing. While I am only 47, that statement was made in the early 1980’s, 2 decades ago.
The evolution in 2 decades is amazing. From the shopping mall that I knew as a child is now a church, and obviously to all of the new electronics from the wireless keyboards on to the internet to iPods to tiny Star Trek-like flip phones and I haven’t even mentioned Skype and YouTube!
I remember the days when breast cancer had no survivors. I still recall one of my first co-workers, a beautiful and talent young lady, Pam Kant, who lost her life to breast cancer. I look at all the changes in the world today – in my adult life of 2 decades and marvel the most at the medical technology and the ability to save lives. Friends, relatives and co-workers struggling with cancer now have a fighting chance! This is a wonderful evolution!
I also remember the days when pink was taboo for men. I am thrilled to see the support especially among men and including the ultimate “he-men” – the foot ball players wearing pink in support of cancer.
I never thought a church would replace a shopping center, I never thought ladies could wear slacks at Marshall Fields, of course, I never thought Marshall Field’s would become Macy’s, I never thought men would accept pink – let alone see pink on the football field in the NFL! And like many I never thought I would see Favre play for the Vikings against the Packers. And play he did – at age 40!
Life is wonderful when we come together to support cancer research. Life is wonderful when a 40-year-old can play to that standard of excellence we saw last night. Now life would only be perfect if we learned forgiveness and recognized Favre as a football player, a man who loves the game, a man who believes in competition. And a man who is brave enough to appear in a commercial where he is undecided. A man who can wear pink, a man who can laugh at himself – this is a great world!
September 30th, 2009
As we approach flu season and the return of H1N1 (swine) flu, we need to take all possible precautions to prevent the spread of flu viruses. As a dietitian, I have encountered misinformation and concern about whether it is safe to buy and eat pork. So I recently participated in a seminar on this topic to gather the most up-to-date information.
Bottom line is that you cannot get H1N1 from handling or eating pork. That’s because H1N1 is a respiratory illness, not a foodborne illness, so it can only be spread by inhaling the virus from coughs or sneezes or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. In fact, there is no evidence that any flu virus can be transmitted by handling or eating food. The H1N1 virus stays in the respiratory tract and does not pass into muscle (meat) or blood.
Some of the confusion about H1N1 and eating pork comes from recommendations stating that “it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked pork and pork products.” This does not mean that you can get H1N1 from raw pork. Food safety is always a concern with handling (or eating) any raw meat, so this recommendation must be made to cover all food safety bases. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F is recommended to kill any illness-causing bacteria. Read more about why pork is safe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the two most important steps you can take to protect you and your family from the H1N1 flu are to wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
September 30th, 2009
Where is Serenity?
An outstanding world renowned consultant (www.jameseckblad.com) spoke this weekend about where he finds his serenity. The example he gave was a beautiful lithograph of a small child’s park in the middle of Central Park set inside one of the largest cities in the world – New York City. This simple child’s park with its teeter totter and one family enjoying the serenity of God’s creation was a place of refuge both in his office and in his mind. He shared with us that it was this Central Park scene that gave him courage and resilience to continue in a chaotic and very aggressive field of a trial attorneys. He attributed his outstanding success to the calmness that he found in that very painting that he shared with us. When other attorneys marveled at his trial attorney successes, he confided to us, his success was built upon an unflappable focus derived from the symbolism and serenity provided by that piece of artwork.
His talk began a mental journey for me. Where is serenity?
Artwork and movies have long been a source of serenity for me. As a supporter and board member of the Women’s’ Art Board of the Rockford Art Museum, I urge you to take advantage of this great local museum. The upcoming fundraiser on October 21, 2009 is a luncheon with Barbara Rinella who I am told is spectacular. This is not the first book which Barbara Rinella has literally brought to life. The last presentation I am told was about Marie Antoinette. This time the character she brings to life is from the book The Commoner which is about the current Empress of Japan. The cost is $40 here in Rockford. Other locations are charging $60 so you can see this is a great buy. 11:15 am is the social hour, 12:00 the program will begin at Giovanni’s. The Art Museum is an amazing collection that is always changing. Look at the website for many upcoming free events. http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org/
What do I love about art? To me, much like the movies, art transcends me spiritually; it takes me to a better place. For me, like that former trial attorney now consultant, serenity is found in art and many different visuals. Some visuals are movies; some visuals for me are moments taken from a movie.
My Grandfather taught me over and over again “To get my education, they can never take it away from you”. Of course, Grandfather was absolutely correct and I diligently spent decades learning and acquiring professional certifications and degrees. But artwork and the movies are also something that stays with us, becomes interwoven into the very being we become.
Many years ago some young girls who would visit me and my famous and sometimes infamous Golden Retrievers came to my new home in another suburb in Chicago. One of their first comments was that I brought a specific painting with me. It was a painting of a room with a black piano. I thought their comment was so funny. I wouldn’t leave my beloved pets behind no more than I would leave a painting behind let alone the special memories that painting represented. It was a simple small painting that reminded me of a movie perhaps you too have seen this movie – An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant. The painting is reminiscent to me of the room where Cary Grant visited with his Grandmother. It was a memorable scene that I wanted to retain forever. Many years later, I found a painting in Lake Geneva, WI that reminded me of that room where Cary Grant visited with his Grandmother. Of course, this is the painting the girls loved and were so pleasantly surprised that I brought with me.
All of us need a piece of serenity to take with us. Visit your local art museum this month. Find your special place, engrave that place upon your mind and take that special piece of artwork, that special memory you have with you into life’s turbulent pathways.
Where is serenity?
It is a moment frozen in time when a special someone says that they love you.
It is a walk in the beautiful sunshine of Fall.
It is in the painting reminiscent of special moments, great emotions, and fond memories.
It is great pieces of art that move our spirit, transcends our mind, allows us to connect fully and freely, unfettered by the world around us.
My goal is to increase your understanding of fitness, make it simple and fun and increase your quality of life. If you found this helpful and motivational, please share with your friends. Feel free to publish it on your blog or website (please don’t forget to mention the original source wwww.HealthyRockford.com). Kelly@AmericanSonProducts.com
September 25th, 2009
Why do we eat? Responses may vary and include: hunger, fuel for energy, nourishment or enjoyment Many of us lose sight of the primary reason to eat which is for nourishment & energy . Greens play an important role and many of us do not get enough greens into our diet, particularly leafy greens. Green leafy vegetables are important for a number of reasons. They are a great source of chlorophyll which helps you become healthier, have better skin and often times is thought to detoxify the blood. Green leafy vegetables have the highest percent of minerals per calorie than any other class of food and has the lowest amount of calories. There are a number of ways to incorporate more greens into your diet. Green juices, green smoothies, green leafy salads, green salad dressings.
Fresh is best for nutritional value and for taste. Nutritional value decreases as time lapses. If making your own, using a juicer that operates at low speeds and temperatures is also ideal for keeping essential nutrients & enzymes. Adding lemon or half an apple is often times a great way to enjoy your green juice even more. Try kale, parsley, cucumber, celery & carrot.
Green smoothies are fast & easy to make using a blender. Try starting with 60% fruit & 40% greens. Using a mango, banana and a handful of spinach is a tasty & hearty smoothie and is beautifully green. The more greens you include in your smoothie the better, so keep increasing those greens to your smoothie to your desired taste. Try it, many are surprised how delicious & satisfying it is, simply a bonus to beiing good for you.
The possibilities of a salad are endless. Vary your greens in a salad. Use spinach, romaine, arugula, mixed greens. Iceburg lettuce has very little nutritional value and any other leafy green is ideal. If you get bored with salads, change up your toppings and keep it to 2-3 toppings per salad for daily, weekly or monthly variety. Try marinating the greens such as kale or collards. This is a great alternative to cooking or sautéing them and also makes them tender and delicious.
September 23rd, 2009
I just wrote my weekly newspaper column about an apple tree. No, I’m not a descendant of Johnny Appleseed, and I do not eat an apple day to keep the doctor away. Although I am a big fan of apple orchards this time of year, the apple tree of my ardor was a small lone tree in my backyard when I was a kid.
That tree had a seat in it, a flat section of fat branch that was my favorite reading spot and place to hide away from the world. This was not a tall majestic tree and climbing it required merely scrambling up into the low spread of branches.
It was my thinking place, my day dreaming place, my wondering-what-the-world-has-in-store-for-me place. Somewhere along the way, I decided it was not cool to sit in an apple tree. How wrong I was.
We all need an apple tree. A little place that provides shelter, shade and security is good for you, no matter how old you are.
Now my apple tree is usually just my bed. When I need a break from the pressures of the world, I retreat to my comfy bed all by my lonesome. Sometimes I light a candle and listen to music. Sometimes I just breathe. And yeah, sometimes I fall asleep.
We need to take time to be with our thoughts, to daydream, to wonder what the world still has in store for us. If you take ten minutes a day to be with your mind, to let the tangled thoughts unwind, and to actively tell the bad thoughts to take a hike, you let in room for a little more peace in your daily grind.
Ten minutes of mind time, thirty minutes of body time (exercise in whatever way moves you), will give you a more balanced spirit. Mind, body, spirit are interconnected. We usually seem to neglect one of the three.
It doesn’t take much out of you, but puts so much calm into you. Carving out ten minutes a day to simply chill is worth the effort. Find your own version of the apple tree and enjoy a piece of peace.
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