Top Ten Beauty Foods

When we think about beauty products, our minds instantly visualize a cosmetics counter, or our favorite night cream, lipstick, or makeup. Generally, we don’t think much about how food can affect our beauty, both inside and out. The statement, ‘we are what we eat’ is true. Fill your body with fatty foods and your body jiggles. Fill it with healthy foods, and it will tone up and trim down. Your skin will reap the rewards of eating good food and drinking lots of water.

Here are the top ten beauty foods:

1. Organic Eggs- Also known as Mother Nature’s perfect food, because egos contain complete protein, which is needed for building and repair of muscle tissue.

2. Broccoli- cabbage, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are other examples. All of these vegetables have been linked to preventing breast cancer, prostate, uterus, and cervical cancers.

3. Berries- all berries provide antioxidant protection from free radicals and are low in glycemic value. For anti aging properties, blueberries are the best, plus they actually help neurons in the brain communicate with each other more effectively, resulting in better memory.

4. Salmon - (wild) One of the best sources for the omega-3 fatty acids, which are helpful to the brain, heart, memory, circulation, and blood sugar control.

5. Nuts- preferably raw. These are great sources for protein, fatty acids, and fiber. They can lower cholesterol. Almonds are particularly know for this. Walnuts contain the highest amount of omega fats of any nuts and aid in brain function.

6. Spinach- one of the best sources of calcium, folic acid, vitamins C & K, and the mineral iron.

7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - is a natural anti-inflammatory. It is associated with lowering your risk for heart disease, stroke, breast and lung cancer, and some forms of dementia. Weight Watchers suggests daily consumption of olive oil.

8. Kale- antioxidant and cancer fighting plant, aiding in protection against breast, cervical, and colon cancers.

9. Fish Oil- supposedly pefect for our skin, because of it’s ant-inflammatory properties. It’s great for cardiovascular function, brain, inflammation and redness in the eyes, and supports healthy joints.

10. Vitamin/Mineral Supplements -  a complete multiple mineral/vitamin supplement. No matter how hard we may try, we can’t get sufficient nutrition from food alone. We need the support of a good supplement, taken daily.

My advice is to load up on these healthy foods, exercise, sleep, and take your vitamins, for a healthy mind and body.

Eggstra, Eggstra, Read All About It

Eggs are the perfect food!  Who knew!  These poor little oval wonders have gotten so much rotten press that we have all but eliminated them from our dietary intake.  Talk about discrimination!  The whites have been whipped into shape, while the yellows were trashed, because they have been blamed with rising cholesterol.

The truth is, eggs are a great source of complete protein.  They are rich in Vitamins E and A, plus they contain choline, a nutrient that is vital to the nervous system.  Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, and a professor at Harvard Medical School said, “No research has ever shown that people who eat more eggs have more heart attacks than people who eat few eggs.”  Dietary cholesterol, like the kind found in eggs, has NO impact on serum cholesterol.  It is advised, however, to avoid scrambling eggs, as scrambling oxidizes the cholesterol and can lead to an increased risk of atheriosclerosis.

I have cracked the case against eggs!  What it all boils down to, is that the preparation of them that gave them the reputation of being bad for us.  So if you refuse to eat eggs, because you have been fed a bunch of hooey grain, then you are just plain chicken!  Eggercise your right to whole foods and buy some farm fresh eggs today.

If I have been somewhat of a ham on this subject, it’s because the news is too eggciting not to ap..pouch you with it.  I help bring home the bacon at our house, so I intend to shell out for some eggs, to go with my yogurt and fruit, for a healthy breakfast.  Now, that’s Grade A!

Menopause Mama Takes On Daughters

“Mama, I’ve broken out in some kind of weird rash.  I have welts all over my stomach and back.”  Beth said, with a bit of panic in her voice.  We were leaving the following night for a trip to Cape Cod and Boston.  It was going to be our first girl trip, my three daughters and myself.  Many, okay maybe most, of our family vacations became memorable because of one weird thing after another happening, and I didn’t want this to turn out to be another one of those trips.  “Go to the doctor!” I replied, with emphasis on, “You might be contagious!”  The doctor didn’t know what it was and just put her on steroids to clear it up.  Poor thing was miserable! 

 

Off we go to the airport.  Our flight was to leave at 8:00 PM with a connection in Charlotte at 10:00.  We boarded the plane and had barely fastened our seat belts when the pilot told us to get off and go back into the terminal until further notice.  Charlotte had grounded all flights, due to thunderstorms.

 

All four of us began to have flashbacks of previous ill-begotten trips.  The outlook for this one was not looking particularly sunny.  However, we did get to fly out at 9:30.  Arriving in Charlotte at 10:00 pm, the flight attendant told us that our plane was at the gate, but wasn’t holding for anyone.  We took off in a dead heat run.  You would have been proud of this old lady for coming in second, only to the youngest daughter, and only because I was wearing flip flops!  I would NOT be outrun or outdone.  We sprinted across the finish line about 15 minutes later as, of course, the gate was on the opposite side of the airport from which we arrived.  People were staring at us.  I suppose it had something to do with the fact that they hadn’t started boarding our plane yet.

 

We filed onto the plane.  Maria, Beth, and Abby were in front of me.  As we approached our seats, I spotted two nice looking young men sitting next to my empty seat.  I’m really not a pushy mom.  I don’t know what came over me, but I pushed Abby into the empty seat and said “Here Abby, you sit here and I’ll sit over here with Maria and Beth.”  Abby glared at me in astonishment as her size 2 butt hit the seat.  Her sisters dissolved in laughter.  “Hey Abby, do you need any gum or mints?” teased Beth.  “Hey Abby, do need a belt extender?”  Maria chimed in.  I huddled in my window seat and tried to hide from Abby’s fiery darts, shooting directly from her big, brown eyes.  Things were already beginning to improve.

 

The flight was nice.  Upon our arrival in Hartford, we loaded our luggage onto the shuttle bus to Avis rental cars.  By this time, it was 1:15 am.  The lady at Avis couldn’t find a reservation for us.  As I glanced down at the confirmation page, I noticed that it said “Alamo”.  Talk about embarrassing!  Now I have the eyes of all three of my daughters glaring at me in total disgust, and the other passengers nodding in understanding as they notice my blonde hair. “Now what?” they asked in unison.  “We can call for a car to take you to Alamo, said the Avis person.”  I guess they do try harder.

 

Loading and unloading our luggage again, we arrive at the Alamo place, only to discover it was closed.  All was not lost.  There was a self-check in kiosk there.  “No reservation found.” My eyes stared in disbelief at the computer screen.  I tried again, only to get the same reply.  If you’ve ever had your kids roll their eyes at you and groan, you know exactly how I felt at that moment.

 

The National Car Rental guy was friendly.  He said he could pull up my reservation and would fix us right up.  And so he did.  At about 2:30 we arrived at our hotel a half mile away.

 

Up early, we drove to Plymouth, Massachusetts.  It was a beautiful day, and we had a lovely meal overlooking the harbor where Mayflower II is docked.  After eating lunch, the girls walked over to get a closer look at the Mayflower, while I sat on the bench.  I had pulled a hamstring muscle during my sprint in the Charlotte airport.  I made my way over a little later.  “Plymouth Rock is closed.” They moped.  “It’s closed?  How can a rock be closed?” I inquired, as my jaw hit the sidewalk.  “See the sign?” they pointed.  “It’s closed for reconstruction.”   I didn’t understand.  “How can a rock be under construction?”  Maria explained, “The rock isn’t under construction, just the structure surrounding it.”  “I spent 100,000 frequent flier miles and Plymouth Rock is closed!”  I moaned, at which point, I pulled out my pin and paper and decided it was time to start documenting the trip.

 

We got back in the car and made our way to the Cape.  We stopped at a little market.  I don’t remember why, but I clearly recall that we sat there watching Beth walk out of the market and straight into a hanging petunia basket.  It was a classic moment.  The cashier was laughing and so were we. 

 

We decided to make the most of all the incidences and enjoy the trip despite the fight over the temperature of the hotel room.  It might have been a little bit cold when I awoke to see Beth had a coat on and her head covered with a towel.  I got to sleep by the air conditioner from there on to the end.  I didn’t want to hear even one more time, “Mama’s having a hot flash.”  I don’t wish for my children to have to get old, but I hope I’m around to laugh at them when they hit mid-life.  I have a personal fan all ready for each of them.

 

The day in Boston was fun.  We walked, and walked, and walked.  We walked the Freedom Trail, and other parts of that beautiful city.  But for the horrid winters, we could live there.  We fell in love with it’s beauty, quaintness, history, farmer’s market, Qunicy, Market, and the friendly people. We didn’t want to leave.  I wasn’t through shopping yet, but I gave up for the good of the group.  The three MUCH YOUNGER daughters were too tired to continue.  We hopped the subway out of the city and back to Cambridge where we had parked.  I was proud that I was still in good enough shape to keep up with my children and to have some energy left.  “Mama, aren’t you exhausted?”  Beth asked that night.  “No, I’m feeling pretty good.  I’m sad to have to leave, there’s so much more to see and do.”

 

My point in telling this story is that had I not been keeping myself in good physical condition, I would not have been able to walk a block much less six or seven miles.  It’s important that as we age, we must keep active so that we don’t become immobile and lose independence.  I want to go on a girl trip every year with my girls, and I want to be able to keep up with, them, maybe even outrun them again next year.

 

Besides, we have to take a trip one time that goes smoothly.  We would probably go into shock, and I wouldn’t have anything to write about.

 

I hope you have enjoyed a laugh or two and that it will conjure up your own memories.

Most of all, stay fit to enjoy life.

A Chance To Promote Your Product

If you’re a professional woman with a book or product, give us an opportunity to purchase from you on Friday, June 20. This is the day we are celebrating who we are as women—as women who are on the move and making a difference! June 20 is the 2nd annual celebration of Baby Boomer Diva Day. Showcase your product for 15 minutes for the very low price of $10. A few vendor slots still left. Also, there will be plenty of prize giveaways with special guest speaker, Heidi Richards, who will discuss how blogging can turn into $$$ for your business or product. It’s going to be the most fun you’ve had online in a LONG time. 10am-3pm To get more information or to sign up now: keybusinesspartners @verizon. net

The Solution To Inflated Fuel Costs

Everybody’s talking about it.  The cost of fuel is rising daily.  These inflated prices are effecting every area of our jeopardized economy, from our grocery bill to the cost of a single flower.  Something has to be done, so go the murmurings and complainings.

The solution is quite simple.  Let’s take other means of transportation.  What are you talking about, you might ask.  I was thinking about the two-wheeled vehicles, called bicycles.  Not only would it be much cheaper than operating an automobile, but health care costs would be dramatically reduced. 

Imagine America getting healthy and fit!  Bicycles don’t emit toxins into our air.  We would all lose our excess fat, and all of this getting healthy would reduce the need for visits to the doctor.  Heart disease, diabetes, and morbid obesity might become issues of the past.  Our interstate highways and roads would last longer, allowing us to stretch our tax dollars. 

I was always curious about what it was like to live back in the horse and buggy days.  I think this is a brilliant solution.  So what if it would take longer to get where we are going.  We are trying to get there too fast as it is.  We are all so stressed out from the pressures of our fast paced lives, that we can’t relax and live. 

And, Lord help us all that we might have to walk a mile or two!  Walking.  Now, that’s a thought….a fleeting one, but a thought. 

There are lots of solutions to the rising fuel costs.  It’s a big supply and demand thingy.  Don’t demand and the supply will build up and there will be no choice but for it to become cheaper.  Just don’t buy it!  Take to the roads, but not in our vehicles.  Alternative means of transportation could be our life saver, in more ways than one.

And the wheels keep turning.

New Breast Cancer Detection Tool

 

This month marks the first Global Breast Cancer Early Detection Month.  This month is the compliment to the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Early detection month is spearheaded by the Know Now Foundation, of Scottsdale, Arizona.  http://www.knownowfoundation.org.

 

Two of my sisters and sister-in-law have had breast cancer, so I am diligent about self-examination and my annual mammogram.  I was listening to a radio broadcast about it last night and the expert said that 70% of all breast cancer patients have no family history of breast cancer.  Lifestyle is more of a contributing factor to getting the disease.  High fat diets, physical inactivity, among other things, are contributing factors to the development of the disease.  It is the second leading cause of death among women, second only to heart disease.

 

 

 

It is common knowledge that early detection is the key to survival.  While self-examination and mammograms are good preventive medicine, there is a new tool available for early detection.  Plexus Pink manufactures a self-examination kit.  What is different about this kit is the piece of material used as a barrier between your fingers and your breast.  This piece of fabric allows one to glide over the surface and feel something as small as a grain of salt.  Without the friction of the fingers against skin, it is more likely to be able to feel something out of the ordinary. 

 

This kit is saving lives! A video explaining how it works can be seen at http://www.justexaminethem.com , or http://www.plexuspink.com.   The kit sells for $35.00 and is good for one year of use.  This is very inexpensive compared to a visit to the doctor’s office, or the cost of a prescription, and a whole lot less expensive and more convenient than chemo and radiation treatments.

 

There is a TV commercial that talks about a shot to prevent Ovarian Cancer.  It says “I want to be one less.”  With either ovarian or breast cancer, I want to be one less, don’t you?

 

Order your kit today.  It could be the best thing you ever do for yourself.   Stay current with you self-exams and your mammograms.  Be one less.

I’ll Be A Guest On Live Radio Wednesday

I will be a guest on this Internet Radio show tomorrow night, Wed. the 30th, at 7:00 P.M. EST.   I know many of you have Wednesday night obligations, so it will also be available in the show archives to listen to at your leisure, or while you are surfing the Net. To listen to the broadcast, log on to http://wms.artistfirst.fastserv.com/artistfirst I will be discussing: What Archer Fitness Consultants, Inc. is and fitness tips. Pamela’s Event Design - How to plan a successful event and/or wedding Homespun Highlights Tales from a Preacher’s Kid  - my book in progress Women In Business This show is heard in 120 countries, so I am excited about it! As always, your support is appreciated. Pam

Baby Boomer’s Spring Break Report

I’m back from the First Annual Baby Boomer Girlfriend’s Retreat, in Daytona Beach, Florida.  I’m back, but I’m still in the lofties, floating around in my memories of one of the best weekends of my life.

I spent three days with the most inspiring, successful, gutsy, beautiful, graceful, brilliant, funny, and ageless women I have ever met in my life!  After corresponding by e-mail for months, we finally got to meet face to face.  It was an instant connection with each and every one of us.  These women are indeed my sisters.

The Baby Boomer Diva Nation was spearheaded by Beverly Mahone of BAM Enterprises.  She had the inspiration and calling to form a Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame (http://www.boomerdivanation.com) about a year ago.  This group is comprised of women who are overcomers and successful business women.  Made up of authors, actors, event designers, florists, journalists, radio and tv personalities, web designers, nutritionists, cooks, and various other occupations, this dynamic group of ladies have formed the Baby Boomer Diva Nation.

Our first retreat was filled with entertainment and surprises.  Actor Bern Nadette Stanis, Thelma from the TV sitcom Good Times (http://www.thelmaofgoodtimes.com), was a guest speaker, as was Jo Kelly.  Jo is a background actress and the widow of actor Jack Kelly, of Maverick fame. http://www.jkelly4extras.com

Just tell me where you could go to have fun with a bunch of girlfriends, dine on fine food, tape a one-hour TV Town Hall Meeting with a distinguished panel of experts on women’s issues, have a pajama party complete with a D.J., listen to the likes of recording artists Silky Waters (http://www.silkywaters.com) and Jennifer Evans (http://www.cdbaby.com), laugh your head off at comedian Brian Green, and hear the best sermon…preached by a woman (Rev. Ora Stearns Smith) that you ever heard, http://www.orainternational.com, all for $200, meals included?  You could even take a Zumba class!

I invite all you Baby Boomer women to start saving for next year’s retreat, because it is a lifechanging experience!  Check out Beverly Mahones web site at http://www.enjoyyourmenopause to learn more about the group, read other accounts of the retreat,  and to join us as we move and shake the world, one diva at a time.

 

 

 

Check out my Slide Show!

Zumba Rhumba

I’ve hung up my Hula Hoop, temporarily, to test another fitness phenomenon.  This craze is sweeping the world, not just the U.S.!  It’s called Zumba.  Now, Zumba isn’t all that new.  It was introduced to the fitness industry by it’s creator, Beto Perez, more than a decade ago.  However, it only recently took the group fitness classes by storm.

Zumba is different!  The typical aerobic/group fitness class consists of a warm-up, a continuous, steady state, aerobic segment, toning, and cool-down flexibility.  Zumba is a collection of dances, implemented in a group exercise environment.  The dances include salsa, samba, reggaeton, calypso, and many other latin-inspired dances.  It can also include a country style dance, cuban, hip-hop, bellydance, a gamut of styles.

The movements are introduced to the class, then the dance is put together.  There are brief breaks between songs, so it isn’t a continuous movement class.  It does burn calories and it is so much fun!

I’ve been teaching group exercise classes for nearly two decades.  I’ve taught just about everything there is to be taught.  Zumba has me revved and renewed.  I can’t wait to start teaching this class!  I signed up for the certification, purchased my cargo pants and dance shoes, and I’m raring to ignite the enthusiasm in participants for this hip-shaking, mambo movin’ workout.  My first opportunity will come on April 18th, at the first annual Baby Boomer Girlfriend’s Retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida.

I’m so pumped to get the party started with this blazing hot workout.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  I just hope I don’t throw out this old back with all that hip gyrating.  On the flip side, it just might be worth it.   The idea of partying my way to health and fitness is quite appealing.

Yes, I believe I’ll have some salsa with my chips!