After the holidays Part 2

In my last blog I talked about desserts after the holidays and what you can do to not over-indulge.  In this blog I want to discuss what happens when you host a holiday meal and what you do with the left-overs.

• You are hosting the holiday meal.  You have ten coming to dinner.  You plan and prepare the meal for 15 because you never know if you forgot to invite someone, if someone asks if they can bring someone or the uninvited guest drops by.  
• So what's the problem?  The problem is leftovers!  Now some leftovers are good because you don't have to cook BUT what happens is this...what is the easiest thing for guests to bring to dinner.....some type of dessert.  I know, divide and send home with everyone.  This is easier said than done....people are stuffed and the thought of taking food home with them...well it's not very likely unless you have a college student living on their own....they will take ANYTHING.

We have OVER baked, OVER cooked and now are 5-10 pounds OVER the weight you were on November 15th.

What can we do to stop all the left-overs being "left" at our house?  Here are a few suggestions that I hope you find useful:

1. Ask all of your guests to bring two take home containers.  (Plan on them not doing this so go to your local discount store and buy the throw away container so you are prepared).  When the meal is done take enough of the left overs for your family to have for one meal and have all of your guests fill their containers with what is left.
2. Buy the good divided plates and have your guests build plates of food.  Place them in boxes and take down to your local shelter or food kitchen and hand out.
3. You can build the plates and take to your local Veterans Association.
4. Do you have a neighbor that has a hard time getting around?  Buy containers that are divided and can be microwaved or placed in the oven.  Take your neighbor plates of food.  If you have a lot of food left over place the leftovers in individual FREEZER bags (I would suggest using the bags that the air can be removed) and take to the elderly lady/man across the street.

This is the same concept as with the left over desserts.....you don't have to eat it all...you don't have to waste it by throwing it away....you can share with those who are less fortunate than you.

picture compliments of bigstock

Remember the holidays are about caring...why not add sharing to that list.  So much food goes to waste this time of year....why not share it with others who may not have enjoyed the holiday meal.  If you do share with your neighbor....think about next year inviting them over for dinner and sending the leftovers home with them.  If each of us cared about our neighbor...we would all have someone looking out and caring for us.

If you have any other suggestions PLEASE share them here.

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Leftover goodies: After the Holidays

What is a person supposed to do after the holidays?  You gain 20 lbs from Thanksgiving through the New Year just because of the holidays....now it's after the holidays and what are you supposed to do.  




I am writing this blog on this subject because as I write, two days AFTER Christmas, I have a plate of leftover desserts sitting next to my computer that I am "snacking" on and thinking to myself, "I can't wait until 2013!"  Then I remember a conversation I had with a man at the office today where we discussed the fact that we cannot wait until the holidays are over so we can get back to "normal."  We then laughed and said since New Years Day is on Tuesday this year we were going to wait until the following Monday to get back on track....but until then all is fair!  

picture compliments of 123RF

I mean if you are going to eat one cookie, why not eat two.  If you had two cookies yesterday than why not two cookies today plus a piece of pie and, okay, I've already destroyed any chance of not gaining weight so I'm going to live it up....until next year. 

Here's the problem as I see it:

• I know that during the holidays everyone loves to bake.  Let's be honest; it's cold outside so turning the oven on gives your home that "cozy" feeling so we bake.
• When we bake we think, "ahhhh I should bake my neighbor's cousins friend who tossed my newspaper up on my porch ten months ago a batch of cookies.  I can't bake them cookies without baking my neighbor and their cousin cookies.  While I'm at it I'll bake my pastor, my doctor, my dentist, my newspaper delivery boy, my postal person, my vet...the list goes on and on and on.
• Now everyone who bakes KNOWS there is always one or two batches that just aren't "good enough" to give out so they are eaten.....by you.
• Now let's take the pastor for example; let's say he has 500 people in his congregation; 1/3 are men (very little chance of them baking cookies for their pastor), 1/3 are children (we are going to use a small number from this group) and 1/3 are women.  We have 2/3 of 500 (330 people) who could bake cookies.  Let's take that number and divide in half now we have 165 people.  Just to be safe let's divide that in half again:  82 people.  Let's assume that 82 people bake and give their pastor one dozen cookies....that is 984 cookies.  Now this may seem extreme but I wanted to get the point across....it is a wonderful gesture to bake sweets for those we love.
• Now imagine being one of those "loved" people that others want to bake for you.

picture compliments of 123RF

Don't get me wrong.....I love when people bake homemade goodies for me.  I have friends, family and clients who all do this and everything is absolutely wonderful and to be honest when I receive "a few" cookies I am a bit disappointed because I won't have enough for later.  When I receive a dozen cookies I wonder how long it will take me to finish them.  


I live my life in moderation...except for a few weeks out of the year.  I know I am going to need to change this so I have thought of a few suggestions:  I am not going to not enjoy my goodies, I'm just not going to enjoy them ALL so I am going to take 25-50% of them (depending on how many there are) for myself and my family. 

• I am not going to buy "snacks" to eat before the holiday dinner...I'm going to share my goodies with my family.
• I am going to take some of my goodies to parties that I attend.
• I am going to put my goodies in baggies and go down to my local food kitchen and them out to the homeless.
• I am going to put my goodies on a plate and take to my local Veterans Association.
• I am going to put my goodies on a plate and take to an organization, I support, that has volunteers and share with them.

compliments of 123RF

This way I get to enjoy the goodies that were given to me, not over-indulge on them and share with the community in which I live in and support.

If you have any other suggestions PLEASE share them here.

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Just want to add:  123RF has some of the best images you can find!!!

A Smoky Mountain Sleighride

A Smoky Mountain Sleighride

By Ron Evans

When it's Christmas in the Smokies

And we've had a winter's blow

And everything for miles around

Is covered deep in snow.

When we've finished all our shopping

And trimmed the perfect tree,

And find that obligations

Leave some time for you and me;

Then the silver moon beams beckon

And their brightness lights our way,

And there seems no better place to be

Than riding in a sleigh.

So many times on cold winter nights

We glide the forest trails,

'Mid sound of muffled hoofbeats

And song of harness bells.

We pause upon the old stone bridge

Above the river's glare,

Where hardy skaters pivouette

Despite the frigid air.

And then atop a high hill crest

We stop to rest the mare,

While Heaven's diamond studded stars

Reflect upon your hair.

Such moments last forever

They defy eternity,

For time is held immobilized

By Christmas memory.

Reluctantly we turn for home

And give the nag her head,

She whisks us briskly through the night

We'll soon be home in bed.

And there we'll dream of sculpted drifts

Piled high by winter's blow,

And lovers in a magic sleigh

That skims across the snow..

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Correct body alignment: Woman lifting weights

Lifting weights is a great benefit to women when done properly.  When lifting weights you need to pay attention to many different aspects to receive the results wanted without injury.

We talked about a few things earlier: Breathing, timing, using your body guide and knowing what you want out of lifting weights.  

If you missed that blog you can read that HERE.

Shoulders and knees are susceptible to injuries for women when lifting free weights.  Here are a few key thoughts to remember when lifting weights.

Lower Body:
When you do any weight lifting that requires you to squat down; i.e. squats never let your knees pass your toes.  


Start out with a good stance......feet, at a minimum, shoulder width apart (athletic stance). Remember to breath and count.  If it takes you to the count of three to come up than you need to slow down to the count of six.







If you are new to squats I suggest using the squat machine as this will allow you to learn the correct body stance while under the safety of the bar.  It also keeps the bar high enough that there isn't any strain on your back getting prepared for the squat.










No matter what you "see" in the gym never do a "full" squat where your body comes all the way down as this cannot be done without your knees passing your toes.




Upper Body:
I want to stress that upper body alignment is important when doing squats also.  When placing your hands on the bar keep them above your elbows (or one fist out).  

I gave the example of the bench press in the earlier blog so I'm going to use free weight shoulder press as an example here.  Sit on the end of the bench with feet forward and out to give yourself good balance.  Start with weights close to your body to lift up to the correct position; keep elbows in and slide weights up.  


Keep elbows horizontal with your shoulder and press up and together.  Remember to count and breath out as you press up.  Lowering the weights breath in and double the time it took to lift up.  Never let your elbows go lower than your shoulders.

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Women on Weights: getting started

Okay ladies you want to lift weights?  I'm not talking about the machines....I'm talking free weights?




My background is a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology which is, in a short definition, the study of human movement with an emphasis in sports medicine.  I was a personal trainer and never really understood the difference between women and men in regards to lifting weights.  I took a course and became certified in women on weights and I have to say what I learned was a shock to me.

Here's the truth:  Most women cannot lift weights the same as a man.  We have always known that women are built differently than a man.  Lifting weights is no different and I'm not just talking about the amount of weight each can lift.

Let's talk basics first:  

Breathing:  You need to exhale during the hardest part of the lift.  Take the bench press which is great for the pectoral muscles which span from just under your collar bone through the top six ribs.  When you lift up you will breath exhale.  When you lower the bar back to you will inhale.  

Timing:  The body has small muscle fibers and large muscle fibers.  The large muscle fibers give you the strength and the small muscle fibers give you the "control."  Imagine standing on one foot...strength wise it is simple but you start to shake which is what makes you topple over. The shaking is from your small muscle fibers not being strong.  Take the bench press:  Lifting the bar up is the large muscle fibers; holding it there without "wobbling" is the small muscle fibers working.  If you are going to make the commitment to lift weights you may as well get the most benefits from it.  Here's where the timing comes in:  When you lift up count to yourself.  When you lower the bar back to you double the number.  If it took you to the count of four to lift the bar....lower the bar back to your chest to the count of eight.  This will strengthen the small muscle fibers.  

Use your body as a guide:  What this means is women.....use your body to determine where you finish your lift.  Let's use the bench press again.  Here is where us women differ from men as if we do not have our body in the correct position we have a greater chance of hurting ourselves.  Place the bar directly over your chest...just above the nipples (or where they should be for us older ladies).  Grasp the bar with your hands right above your shoulders.....now slide your hands one fist out from this position.  Lift up.  If this strains your shoulders than place your hands out further.  When you lower the bar to your chest (remember to double the number you counted going up) stop when your elbows are parallel with your shoulders...do not drop your elbows below your shoulders.  When women drop their elbows below their shoulders you have a greater risk of tearing your shoulder.

Know what your end goal is:  Do you want to build muscle or do you want to build strength?  Knowing what your end goal is will determine how much weight you will use.  You can do both but what is your MAIN purpose?  If you want to build muscle....you will lift more weight with shorter reps.  (I highly recommend you do not start with this...build strength and small muscle fibers first.)  If you want to build strength use lighter weight with more reps.  
Example:

• Build Muscle:  You will use the amount of weight that allows you to lift five times.  You will do this three times, resting in between.
• Build Strength:  You will use lighter weight that will allow you to lift 10-20 times.  You will repeat this three times, resting in between.

Never start a new program without discussing it with your Doctor.  Pay attention to your BODY and remember....men don't understand how it is different from us.  If a man wants to help you...great but listen to your body more than the man...unless he's telling you to workout and your body is telling you to hit McDonald's.

Stay tuned for more tips on women lifting weights.

If you have a story about this please share it.

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Let's talk exercise and gym memberships

Exercise.....I've written before about the best exercise that you can do is the one you will do.

First we need some motivation so click HERE and come back and read while listening.

Let's look at exercising at a gym and picking the RIGHT gym for YOU!

The truth is not all gyms are created equal but only because of you not because of the gym.  There are many gyms, or "places to work out" that work perfect for those who choose them.  If you are looking at joining a gym do your homework because there is nothing worse than getting the workout bug, signing a year contract and not enjoying the facility, right?


There are the small "hard core" gyms (like the one in Rocky) that are better suited for certain people.  I would say men tend to go there more often than women.  This is a great environment for those who are training and do not need assistance.





There are organizations such as the YMCA that offers a more "friendly" environment, day care while you are working out, swimming, aerobics, machines and free weights.  If you have children this is often the best choice for you as there is more activities for the entire family for your monthly fee.



There are gyms that offer machines, classes and free weights that are adult only gyms.  (Usually 16+).  These gyms are great for those adults who need to get away from children or don't want to exercise with them running around.  Most of these do not offer swimming as the facilities are usually too small to accommodate a swimming pool.  Some of these facilities are open 24 hours a day so this is an excellent choice for those who work odd shifts want to work out at 3:00 am.  


There are gyms, such as LOA (Lady of America, fitness for women) that only cater to women.  These gyms are great for the ladies who are self conscious or the one's who prefer to work out versus find a date.   



Here's the thing about choosing a gym to become a member:  Try it out first.  If the gym you are interested in does not allow a few free visits.....move on.  There is a reason why.  If you are allowed three free visits go twice at the time you plan on using the facility.  This will give you an idea of how busy it is during the time you need to use the gym.  

ASK questions.  If you don't know...find someone who does.  If someone there can't answer your questions....move on.  I feel that it is important that at all times there is someone at the gym who knows what the gym is about.  You don't want to sign a contract and find out later that you cannot get any help when you need it.  One very annoying aspect of gyms is this:  You workout at 7:00 PM, because that is best for your schedule, and you have a question about a machine and there is no staff at the gym to answer your questions.  

If you are new to working out...or if you worked out years ago make sure the gym has a personal trainer on site.  This will probably cost extra but learning the correct way to exercise is better than it costing you in other ways; such as injury or quitting.

Before starting any exercise program please consult your Doctor.

None of the pictures of gyms belong to me.  Courtesy of the individual gym and the internet :)

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Trouble sleeping ladies?

There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep. Okay maybe there is one thing that is worse...having to be productive the next day. 





One my most "favorite" part of not sleeping are the well-meaning comments (I say well-meaning comments sarcastically:   

• You look tired.  
• Are you sleeping?  
• You look horrible.

I wrote previously on stress, depression and caffeine.  Today I am going to talk about one reason women may have trouble sleeping. After-all we want those comments to be "YOU LOOK WONDERFUL" right?

Ladies (and the men who love them) I hope this helps you get a good nights sleep:

Hormones:  Yes guys...it's the wonderful hormones but if you think you have it bad...try living with them.....okay I guess you do "live" with them.

A woman's hormones change all the time. Menstruating, pregnant or menopause and yes these hormones mess with the brain chemicals that help you sleep not to mention the pain and/or discomfort that comes along with these situations.

Let's look at menstruating first:  CRAMPS!  These are the most uncomfortable and often most painful things a woman can experience next to child birth.  (It's a good thing that children are a joy...at least until the teenage years because what women go through is not joyful).  I was involved in a car accident and my Doctor told me to stay ahead of the pain...take the pain medication on a regular basis. The same thing goes for cramps; stay ahead of the pain.  Ibuprofen or aspirin before you go to sleep can sometimes ease the pain enough to get a good nights' sleep.  If this does not work....SEE YOU DOCTOR because there are ways to ease your cramps.

Pregnancy:  Remember when you first got married and you adjusted to sleeping with someone and sharing a bed.  Try sharing a bed with another person inside you.  Not to mention the pregnancy hormones that go along with it.  If pregnancy is keeping you awake at night talk to your Doctor.

normalbreathing.com

Menopause or pre-menopause:  Talk about hormones!  Hot Flashes!  Anxiety!  Night Sweats!  If you have experienced this you understand.  If you haven't yet it is one roller coaster ride that you just want to get off.  First I'm going to tell you to talk to your Doctor as there are some medications out there that will ease these symptoms.  If you are one of those who prefer the non-medication approach here are some tips:

• Eat healthy
• Alcohol is NOT your friend
• Spicy food is not your friend
• Exercise
• Wear loose clothing when sleeping 
• Keep the temperature down when you sleep (mid to low 60's)
• Small fan facing your head

Remember sleep is a great way to stay healthy!  If you are having trouble sleeping look into why and talk to your Doctor about correcting it.  Lack of sleep can have some severe consequences for both you and others you may cross paths with.  The dangers of lack of sleep are not only the "bad mood" you are in but it affects your driving which affects others.

If you have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you!

Sweet Dreams!

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Why can't you sleep?

Why does a person, who is tired all day, go to bed and can't sleep?




According to WebMD there are six reasons why a person can't sleep at night and we will address three today:  

Stress:  Okay, so who isn't stressed?  According to WebMD and a study that was conducted in 2009 by the American Psychological Association three in four American Adults are stressed.  Stress comes in many different forms; good and bad.  Worry will keep you awake.  I often tell people that the emotional work is much harder on a person than the physical.  The mind will keep working after the body has had enough.  This is what happens when we are stressed and try to sleep; our minds are thinking about the situation(s) and trying to resolve it. 

 "No one sleeps well with worries," says Joyce Walsleban, RN, PhD, associate professor of medicine at NYU's School of Medicine. "They are too alerting. They will either keep you up or wake you up later on."

"Stress hormones shoulder some of the blame. When you're stressed out, your adrenal glands release hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which keep you amped up and struggling to snooze." (WebMD)

Depression:  According to WebMD Insomnia and depression go together; determining which one causes the other may be difficult.  Research suggests that people with insomnia have ten times the risk of developing depression vs. those who sleep well. 

"And people who are depressed commonly struggle with insomnia, showing symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling rested. The brain chemical serotonin, which affects mood, emotion, sleep, and appetite, according to Walsleban, is one likely reason the two conditions travel in tandem.

Ironically, Avidan warns, a common class of medication used to treat depression -- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- sometimes causes sleep disorders, such as periodic limb movement disorder, which causes your legs to jerk while you sleep, or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, in which people act out their dreams, punching, kicking, or jumping from bed while still asleep. Talk with your doctor about all possible medication side effects."

Caffeine:  Who knew caffeine could stay in your system for up to 14 hours?  According to WebMD it can take eight to 14 hours for your body to rid of one-half of the caffeine you consume throughout the day.  Keep track of what you eat and drink throughout the day as you would be surprised how much of what we eat and drink have caffeine.  

"A latte with two shots of espresso contains about 150 milligrams of caffeine. If you have that at 5 p.m., by the time you wake up at 7 in the morning, the level of caffeine in the body is still about 75 milligrams. One Red Bull contains 80 milligrams of caffeine, Avidan explains.
If you can't sleep, say no to joe until sleep problems are under control, Avidan advises. If insomnia isn't a major problem, but you mysteriously can't sleep some nights, cut off your coffee or tea intake after breakfast. "Once you go beyond 10 a.m., it can be a problem," Avidan says about ingesting caffeine. Yet, most people become sleepy around 3 p.m. and use caffeine for a midday pick-me-up. That's a mistake, he says.
And don't forget that coffee and tea aren't the only things loaded with caffeine. "Chocolate is notorious for causing sleep problems and people don't recognize it," Avidan says. "People also have the notion that soda must have a dark color to be caffeinated. That's a myth."

We know that sleep keeps us healthy.  We know that without sleep we are a danger to ourselves and others.  If you are having trouble sleeping and find yourself tired go see your Doctor!  You may not think it's a problem but it is.  Not sleeping doesn't only just affect you and your family, it affects everyone who may cross your path.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there may be as many as 100,000 crashes from driver fatigue each year, with an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 people injured, causing $12.5 billion economic losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness. (Car Accidents)

I have discovered a simple "fix" for my "tired during the day and can't sleep at night":  Vitamin B12 shots. I've tried the supplements and because of the breakdown that happens with digesting them they never worked.  Vitamin B12 shots have given me energy during the day and a good night sleep.

If you are in Southern Colorado and would like to try a Vitamin B12 shot you can get your first one for only $10.00 at Premier Back Rehabilitation Center.  Talk to them about your sleeping disorder.

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Preventing Holiday stress and depression

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

I do not own this nor did I write this.  This information comes directly from the Mayo Clinic.

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Getting Healthy a New Years Resolution

You have to love those New Years Resolutions.  We start off the new year with such great intentions.  We are determined to complete those resolutions.  

According to proactive change 40-45% of people make New Years resolutions but what makes those who quit different from those who don't?

Here's my opinion of what happens and why some succeed and some fail.

First we have to look at your emotional state of mind going into the New Years Resolution. Are you a "half empty" or a "half full" kind of person?

1. If you look at the world at half empty you are more likely to fail at keeping your New Years resolution.  Negative out is negative in.  
2. Is your New Years resolution attainable?  If you have been a smoker for 10+ years and you decide to quit cold turkey without any help statistics show that chances are you will light up within 10 days.
3. Is your New Years to much?  Let's say your New Years resolution is to be more organized.  You clean you office, you get your strategy in place and you are ready.  Does your new plan make you work "more" than you had to when you were disorganized?  Let's be honest.....sometimes it's easier to play "catch up" than it is to stay organized.  If this is you make your New Years resolutions in small steps.  Plan on making one change each week or month to a more organized life.  Doing this will take a large resolution and break it down into smaller steps with the same end goal.

So your New Years Resolution is to live healthier.  So many make this their resolution and so few follow through with it.  If this is your resolution this year here are a few steps to help you succeed in keeping it.

1. Get help!  Go to your Doctor before making any major changes on exercise or eating habits.
2. Don't "change" overnight!  As with the organization resolution make small changes throughout the year.  (Talk this over with your Doctor).  Example would be: 

• January: eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise one time a week. 
• February:  Add one more day a week to exercising and cut 500 bad calories out of your diet.
• March:   If you are a soda drinker decide this month you will replace one soda per day with a glass of water and add one more day a week of exercise.

Just make a small, attainable, change each month and by the end of the year you will discover you are living healthier, happier and it wasn't difficult.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do and remember to make small attainable changes and you will succeed!


This year for Christmas if you want to give her the gift of energy Premier Back Rehabilitation Center has gift certificates for Vitamin B12 shots!

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What a woman really wants

So the book Men are from Mars Women are from Venus sold flew off the bookshelves when it came out....of course women purchased it hoping to understand the man in their life and hoping the man in their life would read it to understand them.



I can honestly say I did not read the book because I don't think you need to "read" about understanding the opposite sex you just need to watch!

Today we will talk about women and their "subtle" ways of telling you what they want but first we need to explore the complex world of a woman.

Women work ALL the time.  You may not see them doing it...in fact you may see the nap on the couch and ask yourself, "why am I the only one who is picking up dog poop?"  Trust me...she is working because most women do not relax.  Even when they sleep they do not relax.  I cannot speak for all women because that is just crazy....the "x" chromosome is not equal in all women.  

I can say this when women are 

• doing the dishes they are thinking about what else needs to be done.  
• doing the laundry they are thinking about what to make for dinner.  
• at their jobs they are thinking of what needs to be picked up at the store on the way home.
• home they are scheduling their time between soccer practice and PTA.  
•  sleeping they are thinking (dreaming) about everything that needs to be done the next day.

Women's minds just do not stop because the world does not stop.  Let me see if I can explain this so men out there can understand....women work on all cylinders.  

So what does a woman want?  This too is also simple.  They want

• appreciation for what they do (even if you don't quite see it or understand it)
• thank you on occasion.  You know your clothes you dump on the floor do not end up washed, pressed and hanging in your closet on their own.
• a break now and then.  Take her (and the kids or get a babysitter) out to dinner.  There is no better relief than to not have to decide what to cook, then prepare dinner and then clean it up.
• help doing some of the little things.  Unloading the dishwasher is a great thing to do to help the woman in your life.  Just make sure to put the dishes away where they are supposed to go because nothing is worse than when you need a vegetable peeler and you can't find it.

And here's the big one:  They want (need) more time and more energy. One of my favorite lines in a television show is from Desperate Housewives when Tom tells a tired Lynette he will take the kids to the park so she can have a break.  That would have been perfect if Tom hadn't followed up with "go soak in the tub or take a nap" because Lynette reminded him of all the laundry, bills to pay and other chores that she will be "relaxing" doing.  

It never ends and although women may blame their man for the endless things that have to be done but it is in a woman's DNA to keep going.  She will not ask for help because she doesn't want to burden you.  

If you really want to understand what the woman in your life wants....WATCH!!  You will find many things you can help with if you watch.  

Don't forget to:

• Thank her occasionally for everything she does (even if you don't see her do it)
• Appreciate your clean clothes hanging in the closet
• Take a few things off her plate and put it on yours occasionally

Here's a big one that will score big points:

When you see her washing dishes, cooking dinner, doing laundry or any of the other million things that women do.....go up behind her and give her a hug.  Women know that you are "thanking" them for doing what they are doing.  Women know you are appreciating what they do.  

Want the spunky woman, fun loving lady, easy going wife back?  You thought I was going to tell you how to do this didn't you.....well the truth is she is gone.  That woman didn't have all the responsibilities this woman has.  That woman didn't juggle the kids, career, the house, the bills, the shopping, the scheduling, the holiday planning, you, etc.  That woman had time and energy to be spunky, fun loving and easy going.

What you can do is ease the burden.  What you can do is appreciate and show it.  What you can do is be understanding that everything she does is for you, you and the kids and for your family.  

That's it....in a nutshell.  Stay tuned for what a man really wants.








This year for Christmas if you want to give her the gift of energy Premier Back Rehabilitation Center has gift certificates for Vitamin B12 shots!

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What can you do, at home, to reduce your pain

Pain that is caused by stress, arthritis and/or inflammation is a constant problem.  What if I told you that, along with your Doctor's suggestion, you can help eliminate this pain by what you eat?

According to Dr. Hector L. Lopez Jr. MD: You are what you eat so why not eat what will aid you in pain management.

• Flaxseed Oil: Instantly reduces pain related to inflammatory conditions and weak joints. The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are the best for people with arthritis or other inflammatory disorders. These fatty acids encourage the production of body chemicals that help control inflammation — in the joints, bloodstream, and tissues.
• Red Grapes: This fruit contains vast amounts of resveratrol, a powerful compound that blocks the enzymes that contribute to tissue degeneration. Grapes are particularly good for the spine as lab experiments found resveratrol protected against cartilage damage that causes back pain.
• Turmeric: This popular Indian spice normally found in curries and tasty dishes around the world provides a non-toxic compound called “cur cumin,” which has been proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties. It appears to work by preventing a protein associated with increased inflammation, from being activated in the joint.
• Ginger: It is widely known ginger helps fight against stomach problems, but it is also a powerful painkiller. Almost two-thirds of patients with chronic knee pain reported less soreness upon standing after taking a ginger extract, according to a six-week study from the University of Miami. New research also suggests ginger may also help reduce post-workout pain.
• Papaya: Papain, a protein-digesting enzyme, combined with antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E present in Papaya, helps to reduce inflammation, and improves digestion.
• Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries help slow wear and tear of your joints. The antioxidant Vitamin C present in them keeps free radicals – cell-damaging molecules produced by inflammation – from wreaking havoc.

This information was taken directly from:  Modern Health

Okay so we know what we can eat but how can we incorporate this into our daily diet?  If you click on the item it will take you to a link that will give you suggestions on how you can incorporate this into your daily diet.  Red Grapes, Papaya and Berries are best if eaten in their natural state but I am going to share my favorite smoothie recipe with you:

In a blender combine:

• 1/4 of the blender pour Orange or Pomegranate Juice (You can try different kinds but these are my favorites)
• 2-3 Bananas
• Peeled and seeded red grapes (I usually just use a stem per blender; about 20 grapes)
• One papaya peeled and seeded
• Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and Strawberries.  (I use fresh if the season allows otherwise I use the frozen Great Value Berry Medley bag and use 1/2 the bag per blender)
• Vanilla yogurt.  I add this last and put what I need to get the consistency that I like.

This recipe makes about 4 glasses and can be stored in the fridge.  I always "reblend" each day.

You can always add Flax seed to this mixture to get the added benefits.  Just remember Flax seed needs to be refrigerated once you open it.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

If you have any recipes you would like to share using any of the above items please do.  

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