I started a post a while back of the "100 Women I admire Most" because sometimes I think it's important to take the time to really connect with or at least identify the people in your life who are important to you, and have made an impact on your life.
If you'd like to see the original post, you can find it here: 100 Women I Admire Most
Then a little later, I created the second post. And you can find it here:
Women's Health and Fitness-For Women of that "Certain" Age: More of the 100 Women I Admire Most
What about you? Who are the 100 Women You Admire Most? (If 100 is too many, then tell us about just one woman who has made a difference in your life). Tell us who she is, and how she made a difference.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
What are the Benefits of Stretching Before Exercising?
If you've ever bought an exercise tape or DVD, or started a new exercise program at your local gym, or have taken a yoga, dance or aerobics class, chances are you've been told that you should always stretch your muscles before beginning.
And you should be. Stretching - or warming up your muscles helps to prevent injuries, and promotes better results from the physical activities you'll be doing.
Most people even admit that they know that stretching is important, even if they don’t understand exactly. (And according to recent studies, almost 45% of people who say they exercise regularly, also admitted that they DON'T always stretch first!) Understanding what happens during stretching will help you to understand why you need to do it.
The Science Behind Stretching
According to Yahoo Fitness, flexibility is one of the key components of a balanced fitness program. Without flexibility training (stretching), you are missing an important part of overall health. Flexibility prevents injury, increases your range of motion, promotes relaxation, improves performance and posture, reduces stress and keeps your body feeling loose and agile.
When you stretch your muscles, you lengthen some of the muscle fibers, while others remain at rest, which puts a little force or resistance on the collagen fibers inside the connective tissues - it's this force that causes any damaged or misaligned fibers to realign themselves along the same lines as the tension - and actually helps to repair and rehabilitate damaged tissues. (That's why range of motion exercises and resistance exercises used in physical therapy can actually help you to recover from an injury. The reason that you should be stretching your muscles before you begin exercising is because when your body is at rest the muscles are at rest - or "cold." The longer the muscles are at rest, the tighter and shorter they are. Stretching first lengthens your muscles, gets them "warmed up" which prevents injury and increases your full range of motion and flexibility.
So repeat after me..."I will stretch first, I will stretch first..."
And you should be. Stretching - or warming up your muscles helps to prevent injuries, and promotes better results from the physical activities you'll be doing.
Most people even admit that they know that stretching is important, even if they don’t understand exactly. (And according to recent studies, almost 45% of people who say they exercise regularly, also admitted that they DON'T always stretch first!) Understanding what happens during stretching will help you to understand why you need to do it.
The Science Behind Stretching
According to Yahoo Fitness, flexibility is one of the key components of a balanced fitness program. Without flexibility training (stretching), you are missing an important part of overall health. Flexibility prevents injury, increases your range of motion, promotes relaxation, improves performance and posture, reduces stress and keeps your body feeling loose and agile.
When you stretch your muscles, you lengthen some of the muscle fibers, while others remain at rest, which puts a little force or resistance on the collagen fibers inside the connective tissues - it's this force that causes any damaged or misaligned fibers to realign themselves along the same lines as the tension - and actually helps to repair and rehabilitate damaged tissues. (That's why range of motion exercises and resistance exercises used in physical therapy can actually help you to recover from an injury. The reason that you should be stretching your muscles before you begin exercising is because when your body is at rest the muscles are at rest - or "cold." The longer the muscles are at rest, the tighter and shorter they are. Stretching first lengthens your muscles, gets them "warmed up" which prevents injury and increases your full range of motion and flexibility.
So repeat after me..."I will stretch first, I will stretch first..."
Lunch at Le Caleche Restaurant with a friend
Yesterday I got to have lunch with a friend of mine who had taken an impromptu trip over from the U.K. Alain and I decided to take her to La Caleche - one of our favorite French Restaurants here in Toulon.
I've blogged about this restaurant before - the food is fabulous and the prices can't be beat! (More about the restaurant in another post.)
While we were talking and catching up on each other's families and what we've been doing, we started talking about life at this stage of our lives. Marjelaine is a few years older than I am, and although she is technically retired, she works as a home care nurse in the U.K. both to keep her skills up-to-date, but also to give herself something to do during the day.
As she says, she does a little gardening, sweeps the floors, does the dishes - but after that, what is there to do?
She also enjoys traveling, and comes to France frequently, as both her sister and one of her sons lives here.
She also has been experiencing the "what am I going to do next" phase in her life, and for her, there are still as many questions as there are answers. We connected when I told her how I was feeling too - the impatience with wasting time on people and activities that I don't enjoy, the general unsettledness and feelings of loss and a sort of fear that I've been experiencing, now that my kids are growing up. (I told her that over the last few months, I've started thinking for the first time about life without my kids being the major focus, and she nodded her head sagely - her boys are all adults, and it was incredibly comforting to be able to talk to someone who understood exactly what I was feeling and going through and had been through it too.) Her advice was to just take it one day at a time, and enjoy figuring out what I want to do, and what I like.
"It will come" she said. I think she's right.
I've blogged about this restaurant before - the food is fabulous and the prices can't be beat! (More about the restaurant in another post.)
While we were talking and catching up on each other's families and what we've been doing, we started talking about life at this stage of our lives. Marjelaine is a few years older than I am, and although she is technically retired, she works as a home care nurse in the U.K. both to keep her skills up-to-date, but also to give herself something to do during the day.
As she says, she does a little gardening, sweeps the floors, does the dishes - but after that, what is there to do?
She also enjoys traveling, and comes to France frequently, as both her sister and one of her sons lives here.
She also has been experiencing the "what am I going to do next" phase in her life, and for her, there are still as many questions as there are answers. We connected when I told her how I was feeling too - the impatience with wasting time on people and activities that I don't enjoy, the general unsettledness and feelings of loss and a sort of fear that I've been experiencing, now that my kids are growing up. (I told her that over the last few months, I've started thinking for the first time about life without my kids being the major focus, and she nodded her head sagely - her boys are all adults, and it was incredibly comforting to be able to talk to someone who understood exactly what I was feeling and going through and had been through it too.) Her advice was to just take it one day at a time, and enjoy figuring out what I want to do, and what I like.
"It will come" she said. I think she's right.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
What are the Benefits of Resistance Training?
You don't have to be an Olympic Athlete, or trying out for Mrs. America, or even have arthritis to benefit from resistance training. Almost all of us can benefit from using resistance training for these reasons:
1. Increase Bone Mineral Density
Bones are constantly remodeling, meaning the tissues break down at the same time they build up. The peak of remodeling takes place during puberty. However, as a person ages, there may be problems with the bone mineral density as the remodeling may not be as active anymore. This is especially a problem to those of us who are of that "certain age."
Bone mineral density is usually supported by the hormones. To address the problem of not having enough hormones to maintain the bone mineral density, physical activity is the next best option. Resistance training is one physical activity that can address this.
2. Increase Strength
Strong bones and strong muscles will be developed as you undergo the resistance training program.
3. Increase the Range of Activities
When your body is strong enough to carry some considerable weight, then definitely you will also be capable of doing more strenuous activities. You are less likely to be lazy and you can live a more active lifestyle.
4. Reduce the Body Fat
Pitting the weights on your muscle will definitely give it the body the exercise it needs and get rid of the undesirable fats. Thus expect the tone of the body to improve. Even more, expect the body to look better, to be leaner.
5. Improve general health and fitness
For women of that certain age, undergoing a resistance training program will help improve their health and decrease the risks brought about by aging. It will help you to remain independent longer, and decrease your dependence on other people to help you do even simple things. And by building a stronger body, you also decrease your risk of injuries, and illness.
6. Improve Heart Condition
Regularly doing resistance training can result to a lowered heart rate and lowered blood pressure, especially after exercise. The risk of heart diseases is reduced to a considerable extent.
Remember though, it's important that when you start doing a resistance training program that you do it properly. And you're only going to see the benefits if you stick with it on a consistent basis.
The key here is to simply take your time. Do things one step at a time and do them correctly. As your body condition improves, then move on to more challenging tasks. If you're interested in starting a resistance training program - or any other type of exercise program, and you'd like an online exercise buddy, drop me a note! I think having someone else to hold you to your commitments is one of the best ways to succeed at any type of diet or exercise program!
1. Increase Bone Mineral Density
Bones are constantly remodeling, meaning the tissues break down at the same time they build up. The peak of remodeling takes place during puberty. However, as a person ages, there may be problems with the bone mineral density as the remodeling may not be as active anymore. This is especially a problem to those of us who are of that "certain age."
Bone mineral density is usually supported by the hormones. To address the problem of not having enough hormones to maintain the bone mineral density, physical activity is the next best option. Resistance training is one physical activity that can address this.
2. Increase Strength
Strong bones and strong muscles will be developed as you undergo the resistance training program.
3. Increase the Range of Activities
When your body is strong enough to carry some considerable weight, then definitely you will also be capable of doing more strenuous activities. You are less likely to be lazy and you can live a more active lifestyle.
4. Reduce the Body Fat
Pitting the weights on your muscle will definitely give it the body the exercise it needs and get rid of the undesirable fats. Thus expect the tone of the body to improve. Even more, expect the body to look better, to be leaner.
5. Improve general health and fitness
For women of that certain age, undergoing a resistance training program will help improve their health and decrease the risks brought about by aging. It will help you to remain independent longer, and decrease your dependence on other people to help you do even simple things. And by building a stronger body, you also decrease your risk of injuries, and illness.
6. Improve Heart Condition
Regularly doing resistance training can result to a lowered heart rate and lowered blood pressure, especially after exercise. The risk of heart diseases is reduced to a considerable extent.
Remember though, it's important that when you start doing a resistance training program that you do it properly. And you're only going to see the benefits if you stick with it on a consistent basis.
The key here is to simply take your time. Do things one step at a time and do them correctly. As your body condition improves, then move on to more challenging tasks. If you're interested in starting a resistance training program - or any other type of exercise program, and you'd like an online exercise buddy, drop me a note! I think having someone else to hold you to your commitments is one of the best ways to succeed at any type of diet or exercise program!
How Does Resistance Training Work?
According to my research, the best resistance training program for someone with arthritis is going to include the use of dumbbells, elastic cords, and exercises that use my own body weight to tone, strengthen and build muscle strength.
The way it works is like this: When I'm using any equipment, or going through a series of exercises, my muscles will be pitted against the weight - and supposedly, over time, my body's cells adapt to the weight and the result is called hypertrophy - or the enlarging and increasing action of nerve cells to help contract the muscles. (That sounds a little complicated, and I'll explain it in more detail in another post, so stay tuned!)
Now of course before I start my resistance training, I'll consult with my doctor first - and so should you - especially if you have any medical conditions, or haven't been exercising or moving regularly. Also, according to my research, it's very important to learn to do the exercises properly - doing them the wrong way can actually hurt more than it will help and can cause damage to the muscles and tendons. So I'm going to talk to my doctor about going to a physical therapist, to learn which exercises are right for me, and how to do them properly. Something else I learned is that it's important to do warm up exercises first, to help get your body ready for the resistance training,.
Resistance training can also be done without resorting to exercise equipment. Doing push-ups is one good example of a resistance exercise that uses the body's own weight rather than any machines. For me, because of the arthritis in my wrists and shoulders, I don't think I can do push-ups, but there is another way to do them that I discovered I can do.
You use your kitchen counter. Stand about 6 inches (or whatever is comfortable for you) away from the counter. Put your hands about shoulder-width apart and lean your body in towards the counter - when it gets tough, or you're almost touching the counter, stop and hold for a count of 10, and then move back to your original position. Do this for 3 sets of 10 exercises each.
Here's a different way of doing this same exercise that my friend Rene swears works for turkey arms - you know, that little bit of skin that keeps wobbling when you wave to someone - even after you've stopped? (Ugh!)
Stand next to your kitchen counter, but this time facing away from it. Put your hands hip-width apart and slowly lower yourself down - as if you were going to sit down. Go down as low as you can, and hold for a count of 10 - or five, if it's too hard to do 10. Start with three sets of 5 and work your way up to three sets of 10 and do them twice a day. And you can wave good-bye to turkey arms!
The way it works is like this: When I'm using any equipment, or going through a series of exercises, my muscles will be pitted against the weight - and supposedly, over time, my body's cells adapt to the weight and the result is called hypertrophy - or the enlarging and increasing action of nerve cells to help contract the muscles. (That sounds a little complicated, and I'll explain it in more detail in another post, so stay tuned!)
Now of course before I start my resistance training, I'll consult with my doctor first - and so should you - especially if you have any medical conditions, or haven't been exercising or moving regularly. Also, according to my research, it's very important to learn to do the exercises properly - doing them the wrong way can actually hurt more than it will help and can cause damage to the muscles and tendons. So I'm going to talk to my doctor about going to a physical therapist, to learn which exercises are right for me, and how to do them properly. Something else I learned is that it's important to do warm up exercises first, to help get your body ready for the resistance training,.
Resistance training can also be done without resorting to exercise equipment. Doing push-ups is one good example of a resistance exercise that uses the body's own weight rather than any machines. For me, because of the arthritis in my wrists and shoulders, I don't think I can do push-ups, but there is another way to do them that I discovered I can do.
You use your kitchen counter. Stand about 6 inches (or whatever is comfortable for you) away from the counter. Put your hands about shoulder-width apart and lean your body in towards the counter - when it gets tough, or you're almost touching the counter, stop and hold for a count of 10, and then move back to your original position. Do this for 3 sets of 10 exercises each.
Here's a different way of doing this same exercise that my friend Rene swears works for turkey arms - you know, that little bit of skin that keeps wobbling when you wave to someone - even after you've stopped? (Ugh!)
Stand next to your kitchen counter, but this time facing away from it. Put your hands hip-width apart and slowly lower yourself down - as if you were going to sit down. Go down as low as you can, and hold for a count of 10 - or five, if it's too hard to do 10. Start with three sets of 5 and work your way up to three sets of 10 and do them twice a day. And you can wave good-bye to turkey arms!
What is Resistance Training?
Resistance training is something I'm starting to research as a way of fighting arthritis. I know that resistance training is a method used by doctors and physical therapists to help sports stars that have been injured as well as athletes who want to increase body strength and physical fitness and stamina.
My biggest question is, "Does resistance training help control pain and stiffness of arthritis?" I mean, I'm not looking to get buff, and I certainly am past the age where I'm going to enter any bathing suit competitions! (Although I wouldn't mind looking great when I'm laying on the beach at Cannes, Nice or St. Tropez working on my tan!)
The type of resistance training that I'm most interested in will involve activities that use my own body weight to work out my muscles. It's important to me that I learn how to do resistance training (also called strength training and weight training) the right way - I don't want to end up hurting myself, or making things worse.
You might think that resistance training makes your body grow bigger muscles. But according to my research, this is actually not true. Resistance training is about increasing your body's strength, not its size.
One of the things I like best about starting a resistance training program is that it can be done by people of all levels of physical fitness, and it doesn't require a lot of expensive or bulky equipment, and it can be done in the privacy of my home! (I hate going to the gym and working out next to thin, gorgeous women who look like they've just stepped out the pages of Vogue and never break a sweat, no matter what they're doing.)
The goal of resistance training is to build and tone the muscles, giving the body a better look, and making it stronger and more flexible. (Right now I say whoo hoo! to flexibility, you know?)
My biggest question is, "Does resistance training help control pain and stiffness of arthritis?" I mean, I'm not looking to get buff, and I certainly am past the age where I'm going to enter any bathing suit competitions! (Although I wouldn't mind looking great when I'm laying on the beach at Cannes, Nice or St. Tropez working on my tan!)
The type of resistance training that I'm most interested in will involve activities that use my own body weight to work out my muscles. It's important to me that I learn how to do resistance training (also called strength training and weight training) the right way - I don't want to end up hurting myself, or making things worse.
You might think that resistance training makes your body grow bigger muscles. But according to my research, this is actually not true. Resistance training is about increasing your body's strength, not its size.
One of the things I like best about starting a resistance training program is that it can be done by people of all levels of physical fitness, and it doesn't require a lot of expensive or bulky equipment, and it can be done in the privacy of my home! (I hate going to the gym and working out next to thin, gorgeous women who look like they've just stepped out the pages of Vogue and never break a sweat, no matter what they're doing.)
The goal of resistance training is to build and tone the muscles, giving the body a better look, and making it stronger and more flexible. (Right now I say whoo hoo! to flexibility, you know?)
Monday, May 21, 2007
Plane Stiff and Sore...Tales of a Traveler with Arthritis
Okay, I admit, I denied the stiffness and pain in my joints for longer than I should have. I kept thinking that I was too young to feel so "old." And then two summers ago, I had an accident and fell, cracking the cartilage in my right knee and straining the left one.
Because the pain wouldn't let up, I finally went to the doctor and they ordered x-rays. I even went through a painful treatment - three shots, given directly into my knee, to help replenish the fluids that had been lost after the accident. But the end result was the same - I have arthritis, made worse by the accident.
Over the last several months, it has gotten worse, and has moved to my wrists, my fingers, my shoulders, even my hips. I do stretching exercises every morning, and take a new drug called Celebrex - which for me works wonders!
But we have been doing a lot of traveling the last few months - London, Vienna and Salzburg and something I discovered is that I get "plane stiff and sore" after sitting on an airplane, even for a few hours. (Or while riding in the car - we took a three hour drive up to the French Alps recently, and I could barely stand, let alone walk, when I first got out of the car!) Does that happen to you too?
Of course, I have always heard that one of the best things you can do is to get up and walk in the aisles as much as possible - but I always prefer a window seat, and if your flight is only an hour or so, it seems as if the stewardesses are in the aisles most of the time, serving drinks and those stingy little packets of nuts or biscuits they serve these days. And I hate having to climb over people to get out. I would rather just sit.
Well, the good news is, there are some simple exercises that you can do to help keep your muscles loose and limber while you are traveling. (These were developed by Marilyn Moffat, PhD who is a professor of physical therapy at New York University - for the American Arthritis Foundation).
1. Heel raises. While sitting with your feet flat on the floor, "step up" onto your toes, and raise your heels several inches off the floor. Hold for 10 seconds. Raise and lower 10 times.
2. Ankle circles. Raise one leg slightly off the ground and rotate in a clockwise direction 15 times. Then rotate in a counter-clockwise direction 15 times. Repeat with other leg. (I found this one difficult to do on the plane, although I could do it if I stretched my leg out underneath the seat in front of me, and kept my heel on the floor, I could do it.)
3. Stretches. If possible, do this one standing. Reach both arms straight up and gently stretch your muscles for 10 to 15 seconds, then bend to each side and do the same. (Obviously this one will get you some strange looks from your seating companions if you are in a plane, but again, you can do them with a little moderation.) To do this one while seated, try stretching one arm at a time straight up - as if you're trying to adjust the air conditioning jets. Then you can do some simple arm flexes - as if you're using weights, and finally, circle your wrists (the same way you did with your ankles.)
4. Waist twists. This one is fairly simple - with your left hand, grip your right armrest, and twist your body as far to the right as possible. Hold for five to 10 seconds - and repeat 5 to 10 times. Then grip your left armrest with your right hand and repeat.
5. Curl downs. Pull your chin and stomach in and hold them as you curl slowly towards the floor, letting your arms hang loosely down to your sides. (Again, this one doesn't work for me on a plane - there's not enough room to curl forward. So I improvise by sucking my stomach in and holding for a count of 10. I do this one 10 times. Then I tighten my buns and do the same thing. You can also do your Kegel exercises on the plane, and no one will be the wiser!)
6. Leg lifts. While sitting, slowly lift your left leg two to three inches off the floor and hold for a count of 10, then lower it back down and raise your right leg. Repeat each leg lift 10 to 15 times.
7. Leg stretches. Stretch your legs out in front of you as far as possible, and stretch your musles - point your toes and hold for a count of 10, then arch your foot and point your toes towards you and hold for a count of 10. Repeat 5 times.
And there you have it - simple exercises you can do while sitting in a plane or a car that will help to keep you from getting too stiff while you're traveling! If you've got any other exercises you do, please feel free to share them here!
Because the pain wouldn't let up, I finally went to the doctor and they ordered x-rays. I even went through a painful treatment - three shots, given directly into my knee, to help replenish the fluids that had been lost after the accident. But the end result was the same - I have arthritis, made worse by the accident.
Over the last several months, it has gotten worse, and has moved to my wrists, my fingers, my shoulders, even my hips. I do stretching exercises every morning, and take a new drug called Celebrex - which for me works wonders!
But we have been doing a lot of traveling the last few months - London, Vienna and Salzburg and something I discovered is that I get "plane stiff and sore" after sitting on an airplane, even for a few hours. (Or while riding in the car - we took a three hour drive up to the French Alps recently, and I could barely stand, let alone walk, when I first got out of the car!) Does that happen to you too?
Of course, I have always heard that one of the best things you can do is to get up and walk in the aisles as much as possible - but I always prefer a window seat, and if your flight is only an hour or so, it seems as if the stewardesses are in the aisles most of the time, serving drinks and those stingy little packets of nuts or biscuits they serve these days. And I hate having to climb over people to get out. I would rather just sit.
Well, the good news is, there are some simple exercises that you can do to help keep your muscles loose and limber while you are traveling. (These were developed by Marilyn Moffat, PhD who is a professor of physical therapy at New York University - for the American Arthritis Foundation).
1. Heel raises. While sitting with your feet flat on the floor, "step up" onto your toes, and raise your heels several inches off the floor. Hold for 10 seconds. Raise and lower 10 times.
2. Ankle circles. Raise one leg slightly off the ground and rotate in a clockwise direction 15 times. Then rotate in a counter-clockwise direction 15 times. Repeat with other leg. (I found this one difficult to do on the plane, although I could do it if I stretched my leg out underneath the seat in front of me, and kept my heel on the floor, I could do it.)
3. Stretches. If possible, do this one standing. Reach both arms straight up and gently stretch your muscles for 10 to 15 seconds, then bend to each side and do the same. (Obviously this one will get you some strange looks from your seating companions if you are in a plane, but again, you can do them with a little moderation.) To do this one while seated, try stretching one arm at a time straight up - as if you're trying to adjust the air conditioning jets. Then you can do some simple arm flexes - as if you're using weights, and finally, circle your wrists (the same way you did with your ankles.)
4. Waist twists. This one is fairly simple - with your left hand, grip your right armrest, and twist your body as far to the right as possible. Hold for five to 10 seconds - and repeat 5 to 10 times. Then grip your left armrest with your right hand and repeat.
5. Curl downs. Pull your chin and stomach in and hold them as you curl slowly towards the floor, letting your arms hang loosely down to your sides. (Again, this one doesn't work for me on a plane - there's not enough room to curl forward. So I improvise by sucking my stomach in and holding for a count of 10. I do this one 10 times. Then I tighten my buns and do the same thing. You can also do your Kegel exercises on the plane, and no one will be the wiser!)
6. Leg lifts. While sitting, slowly lift your left leg two to three inches off the floor and hold for a count of 10, then lower it back down and raise your right leg. Repeat each leg lift 10 to 15 times.
7. Leg stretches. Stretch your legs out in front of you as far as possible, and stretch your musles - point your toes and hold for a count of 10, then arch your foot and point your toes towards you and hold for a count of 10. Repeat 5 times.
And there you have it - simple exercises you can do while sitting in a plane or a car that will help to keep you from getting too stiff while you're traveling! If you've got any other exercises you do, please feel free to share them here!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Christine Manavella - author, artist and advocate
Christine Manavella is a friend of mine. She's a wonderful artist (she designs jewelry), an artist - with two published books and a third in progress, and a tireless advocate for the handicapped. She's also beautiful, funny and a dedicated teacher. (Can I be her when I grow up?) She's sitting at the table with her in-laws and her daughter Anne.
More of the 100 Women I Admire Most
6. Christine Manavilla - mother, artist, author and a woman who suffers from M.S. Christine is one of the women I admire most because she is beautiful, strong, talented and chooses to live her life on her own terms, even in the midst of having to deal with the many problems associated with M.S. In addition to being a teacher, she designs her own jewelry (very beautiful), has had two books published - and is working on a third - and is a tireless advocate for the handicapped. She's also got a wonderful sense of humor, is a great mom and a good friend. Here is a link to Amazon.fr where you can get her books: http://www.amazon.fr/Vivre-Malgr%C3%A9-Tout-Manavella-Christine/dp/2878676661
7. Denise Mafi - Denise has been my friend for a really long time - longer, we realized the other day, than either of us wanted to remember! Denise is an advocate for low-income mothers, and is an amazing organizer. She wrote the book (literally) on doing freezer cooking and pinching a penny until it cries uncle. As the mother of four growing kids, she knows all the secrets to feeding a family delicious, nutritious food on a budget. Due to her husband's work, she spends most of her time raising her kids alone, and I've always said that she is the only married single mother I know. Faced with a growing series of health problems, she nonetheless manages to homeschool her kids, stay active in her community and maintain a positive and upbeat outlook on life.
8. Katharine Hepburn - She was an actress whose work I enjoyed very much, but I also admired her gutsy independence, sharp wit and sense of humor.
7. Denise Mafi - Denise has been my friend for a really long time - longer, we realized the other day, than either of us wanted to remember! Denise is an advocate for low-income mothers, and is an amazing organizer. She wrote the book (literally) on doing freezer cooking and pinching a penny until it cries uncle. As the mother of four growing kids, she knows all the secrets to feeding a family delicious, nutritious food on a budget. Due to her husband's work, she spends most of her time raising her kids alone, and I've always said that she is the only married single mother I know. Faced with a growing series of health problems, she nonetheless manages to homeschool her kids, stay active in her community and maintain a positive and upbeat outlook on life.
8. Katharine Hepburn - She was an actress whose work I enjoyed very much, but I also admired her gutsy independence, sharp wit and sense of humor.
Vallauris Market
Look at all the lovely tomatoes. Most people know that tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable. According to research, tomatoes are one of the only dietary sources of an anti-oxidant called "lycopene", which has been proven to help reduce the risk of several different types of cancer, including prostate, stomach, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, and cervical. According to many natureopaths, tomatoes may also help reduce circulation problems and help keep blood clots from forming in the bloodstream - much the way aspirin and blood thinning medications do.
Tomatoes are also an excellent source of, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, folic acid and other B vitamins, iron and fiber.
Something that's interesting is that lycopene is more readily absorbed into your body when you eat cooked and processed tomatoes, instead of raw.
Tomatoes are also an excellent source of, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, folic acid and other B vitamins, iron and fiber.
Something that's interesting is that lycopene is more readily absorbed into your body when you eat cooked and processed tomatoes, instead of raw.
Vallauris Open-Air Market
Look at all these yummy vegetables! Fruits were on the other side, but I love the colors, and I love being able to buy fresh produce whenever I want. This is actually the market at Vallauris on the French Riviera. It's a nice little village with a fabulous Picasso museum, and lots of narrow little streets that go up and down the hills that the town is built on. The walking is great exercise and there are so many things to see that it makes all the climbing a pleasure!
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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Do You Look As Young As You Feel?
There are days that looking through the latest women's magazines make me laugh - there are all those pictures of young, beautiful women who are only God knows how old - touting face creams with wrinkle reducers in them, or make up that is guaranteed to give you younger-looking skin within weeks.
And even if they do show older models - Christie Brinkley or Kirstie Alley or Jane Seymour, I wonder how much airbrushing is done to remove the perfections?
Sure, I hate noticing new wrinkles, and sometimes to go back to the days when I had no pores, my eyes didn't look like they were permanently packed to go on vacation, and parts of me didn't creak as much as my bedsprings when I get out of bed in the mornings.
On the other hand, I've lived a full and interesting life (and plan to keep doing so for as long as possible), and I like to think that my face reflects that. I don't think I'd want to have the plastic face of a Barbie doll staring back at me, when I look in the mirror. On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with playing to your strengths, and doing the best you can with what you've got.
I need some more moisturizer, so this morning I'm looking at the magazine ads to see what's available, what new advances have been made - and at what creams promise that younger, more vibrant looking skin...
And even if they do show older models - Christie Brinkley or Kirstie Alley or Jane Seymour, I wonder how much airbrushing is done to remove the perfections?
Sure, I hate noticing new wrinkles, and sometimes to go back to the days when I had no pores, my eyes didn't look like they were permanently packed to go on vacation, and parts of me didn't creak as much as my bedsprings when I get out of bed in the mornings.
On the other hand, I've lived a full and interesting life (and plan to keep doing so for as long as possible), and I like to think that my face reflects that. I don't think I'd want to have the plastic face of a Barbie doll staring back at me, when I look in the mirror. On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with playing to your strengths, and doing the best you can with what you've got.
I need some more moisturizer, so this morning I'm looking at the magazine ads to see what's available, what new advances have been made - and at what creams promise that younger, more vibrant looking skin...
My baby turns 18 today
This is a strange day - I'm both very happy, and really sad. My baby - well, my oldest baby - turns 18 years old today.
I got up early to wish him Happy Birthday and to give him his presents - all chosen by him, as my taste in clothing doesn't run to the right mix of "goth and emo" styles! (He quit letting me pick out his clothes two years ago, when my taste was officially no longer cool.)
As I've been watching him walk around the house in his new white pants, his white shirt and T-shirt and his black belts (yes two - one with spikes on it), and his black suspenders with the white grinning skull faces), I see two of him. There's a smaller, shorter, just as sweet version of himself imprinted over the man he is today.
So many memories...of me being dead tired, coming out of my office where I'd just been on the phone with a very difficult client, and him using the remainder of his mashed potatoes and chocolate gravy to have "painted" me a picture on the refrigerator...of him holding tightly to my hand as I took him to kindergarten for the first time...of him going through a stage, when he learned to undress himself, when he took one shoe off and threw it out the window while we were driving. (It ended up that he spent most of that summer going barefoot.) And then there was the time that he stripped naked in front of a neighbor's house, to play in their irrigation water...
In the 18 years that it's been my honor and privilege to be his mother, he's brought me happiness, joy and a contentment that I didn't know that I was looking for, until they laid him in my arms for the first day.
It's interesting to me that I haven't had a hard time with a birthday since I turned 25. I've enjoyed every year since then. But today, although it's certainly not a bad day, I'm having a little trouble with this one...
I got up early to wish him Happy Birthday and to give him his presents - all chosen by him, as my taste in clothing doesn't run to the right mix of "goth and emo" styles! (He quit letting me pick out his clothes two years ago, when my taste was officially no longer cool.)
As I've been watching him walk around the house in his new white pants, his white shirt and T-shirt and his black belts (yes two - one with spikes on it), and his black suspenders with the white grinning skull faces), I see two of him. There's a smaller, shorter, just as sweet version of himself imprinted over the man he is today.
So many memories...of me being dead tired, coming out of my office where I'd just been on the phone with a very difficult client, and him using the remainder of his mashed potatoes and chocolate gravy to have "painted" me a picture on the refrigerator...of him holding tightly to my hand as I took him to kindergarten for the first time...of him going through a stage, when he learned to undress himself, when he took one shoe off and threw it out the window while we were driving. (It ended up that he spent most of that summer going barefoot.) And then there was the time that he stripped naked in front of a neighbor's house, to play in their irrigation water...
In the 18 years that it's been my honor and privilege to be his mother, he's brought me happiness, joy and a contentment that I didn't know that I was looking for, until they laid him in my arms for the first day.
It's interesting to me that I haven't had a hard time with a birthday since I turned 25. I've enjoyed every year since then. But today, although it's certainly not a bad day, I'm having a little trouble with this one...
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