Moms’ The Word

May 11th, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly.  Mother’s Day is this weekend!  It is officially ok to plant those flowers and welcome springtime and summer!  It is also the time to recognize and appreciate all the moms in our lives. Much is written about the important role of moms. All are true and on point no question. Being a mom is a BIG JOB. It takes “leadership” to carry out all the important roles and responsibility of a mom in today’s busy world!

For that very reason I thought this was a fantastic time to kick off a series of feature articles about “Leadership Charisma”. What is Leadership Charisma really? Our feature article begins to answer this very question with one of the top leadership charisma characteristics – A Belief In People. As you read it replace the word people, team, and staff with MOM. After all, one of the most important gifts we receive from our Moms is a belief in ourselves!

In This and That, something to consider if you are looking to improve your overall health and energy and the truth about “pink slime”.

CoolMomsOnly sends our best to all moms. Thank you for all the wonderful things you do!  Celebrate your special day. You deserve it!

Thank you supporting CoolMomsOnly! Make it a great day.

Cheers, Nancy

Favorite Quote

A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things right ~ V. Borge

The Power of a Belief in People

Series One; Leadership Charisma Series, Dan Weber Peak Pathways

A critical factor in driving a leader’s charisma is the extent to which they believe that the people who work for them are capable of great things.  Charismatic leaders always let their people know that they KNOW that each one of them is capable of great things – they let each of them know that they can see the greatness in them.

A leader’s expectations of their people have an enormous impact upon their performance.  All modern research says that one of the critical factors shaping how people perform in real life is very directly and strongly affected by the expectations that their leaders have of them – if you set and communicate high expectations for each of your people they will generally raise their performance to meet these expectations. 

People will tend to stretch themselves to meet the expectations that a respected leader has of them.  This is why Dale Carnegie suggested that you could get the best from people by ‘Giving them a high reputation to live up to’.

This brief quotation from Leadership Charisma says it perfectly – “develop positive expectations of your people and everything you do or say, consciously and subconsciously, will reflect those expectations: raising the self-esteem of each and every one of them, and in turn their expectations of themselves – which is also critically important.”

This is because the research also shows that people’s expectations of themselves and their opinions of their own capabilities are amongst the greatest predictors of their actual performance.

When a leader cultivates a genuine belief in the ability of all of his or her people to achieve at a much higher level than they do now, or even at a higher level than they previously believed they could, then he or she automatically raises those people’s views of themselves – their self-esteem soars and this triggers higher performance than was previously possible.

As they begin to perform at a higher level, then their expectations of themselves are raised even more, driving their performance even higher again.

Bottom line: if you have positive expectations of all of your people then, consciously and unconsciously, you will continually transmit those expectations and support your people in raising their performance and self-esteem. 

A leader who makes his or her people feel that they are capable of much more than anyone else has ever made them feel is irresistibly charismatic – and drives the engagement that results in the productivity and organizational success that only charismatic leaders enjoy.

This and That

To Your Health - Whether you have a few inches you can “pinch” on your belly , you’re shooting for that extra-lean body percentage or you simply want to achieve optimal health, this  product  will help busy moms, athletes, body builders and your next door neighbor all reach the same results: a healthy,  energy enriched body. Check out the website www.nancyroot.isagenix.com .  Contact me if you’d like more information about these amazing products!

The Truth About “Pink Slime” (lean finely textured beef)-  I must admit I fell into the media frenzy set off by a food “blogger”  who launched an online petition to have such substance banned from the federal school lunch program.  Like many millions of people out there, I decided I would only eat hamburger that I had purchased myself and was assured it contained none of these products. I was convinced this was bad stuff!

In the spirit of setting the record straight, a recent article about this topic in Bloomberg Businessweek (April 22, 2012) caught my attention. Turns out, the substance included scraps left over’s after meat was cut into steaks and roasts. These scraps were spinned to remove the fat, frozen and ultimately mixed into meat to make it leaner. The expert’s opinion this product is no more or less safe than other parts of the hamburger. The debate over the safety of this product was not brought on my any “safety” related concern as this product had never been tied to any official health related investigation.

Right or wrong, the safety of this product was determined through social media and the polls of public opinion. Many may feel this is a tragedy and others may feel this is the way the world works.  I share no opinions in this regard. While the information shared in this article may or may not change my personal opinion relative to what hamburger I will consume, I am saddened by the loss of jobs and industry which occurred as a result.

Check out result of a recent taste test on hamburger with and without the LFTB (lean finely textured beef) http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/Putting-pink-slime-to-the-test/-/9674510/12692898/-/93gcyiz/-/index.html#.T6geJedjgCw.email

Category : Blog &Family &Favorite Quotes &Featured &Health & Fitness

A Top Pick

May 9th, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Have you ever forgotten to water a favorite house plant for a few days and noticed it begin to wither?

Plants need attention, warmth and pruning.

Believe it or not, your body is no different!

It needs constant attention, pruning and sometimes replanting.

WHERE ARE YOU in relation to your health?

Maintaining good health can be confusing. There is so much written about what to do, what not to do. It can be overwhelming!

Without good nutrition and healthy life habits however, our bodies become drained of energy and worn down by the daily stressors of life.

Our bodies need continuous attention. Without it, we become a moving target for many chronic illnesses, early signs of aging, and inability to enjoy life to its fullest.

In today’s issue of CoolMomsOnly, I give you the “easy button” that will jump start you nutritional plan! The answer to make sure, no matter how busy you are, your body gets the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals to keep it humming! When it comes to your health you are either IN or you are OUT! Living in the middle is just not fair to your body!

I hope you decide you are ALL IN!

Cheers, Nancy

Favorite Quote

There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There’s no such thing as life in-between. – Pat Riley

Get The Nutrients of $550 worth of Food In 2 Daily Packets

We get it. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is challenging. Consuming all of the daily nutrients your body needs at the same time, on the other hand: nearly impossible.

That’s why it’s important to turn to a multivitamin that has everything you need to support your heart, joint, brain, immune and cellular health. Enter Ageless Essentials™ Daily Pack with Product B™.

Ageless Essentials with Product B combines all of the key nutrients your body needs on a daily basis, so you can rest assured that you’re getting exactly what you need to lead a healthy, energized and youthful life.

In fact, did you know that if you were tried to eat the same amount of food it takes to match the nutrients found in your two daily A.M. and P.M. packets of Ageless Essentials with Product B, you’d spend about $550? And that’s just one day’s worth! On the other hand, taking your two packets of Ageless Essentials with Product B is only $4.60 a day.

Check out what you’d have to eat every day to equal all the nutrients found in your daily, convenient packets (this is $550 worth of food!):

250 glasses of red wine (Resveratrol)
10 pounds lean beef (CoEnzyme Q10, Vitamin B12)
34 dried apricots (Vitamin A)
11 organic oranges (Vitamin C)
45 raw oysters (Vitamin D3)
33 ounces pistachios (Vitamin B1)
1 cup organic peanut butter (Vitamin B3)
13 cups wheat bran (Vitamin B6)
22 ½ raw avocados (Vitamin B5)
7 spears asparagus (Vitamin K2)
10 cups raw organic spinach (Folic acid)
22 organic mangos (Magnesium)
20 free range eggs (Biotin)
9 ounces shrimp (Selenium)
2 ½ cups sun dried tomatoes (Copper)

Want to learn more about Ageless Essentials with Product B and what it can do for your health? Take the first step and go to www.nancyroot.isagenix.com .  There are some awesome educational movies that will put you on the path to improving your health and personal wellbeing.

Want to get started on Ageless Essentials, simply fill in your contact information at www.nancyroot@isagenix.com to kick off your new beginning!

This and That

Don’t Skimp on the Shut Eye - Recent studies have linked inadequate amounts of sleep to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Face the Facts About Sugar – Sugar and sweets actually damages the skins collagen and can accelerate the onset of wrinkles. Bummer! What to do if you simply cannot give them up? Eat slowly (it will reduce the glycation stress, a condition that damages skin) and choose low-glycemic desserts. Prevention April 2012

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness

Beat the Clock…Surprising Advice

April 2nd, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Welcome to This Week’s Issue of CoolMomsOnly!

Are you aware your body wears out in the same way that metal rusts—through oxidation!  I was horrified when I read this…I know we all age but “rust” really?  Come to find out it is all tied to that term we hear so much about “free radicals” and the buzz around “anti-oxidants”. Today’s feature article  compliments of Melaleuca explains the “free radical theory” in terms you can understand and gives you some tips on steps you can take to minimize the damage. A must read!

I can tell you it got my attention. While I believe I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, as we speak I am taking action to eliminate all known environmental toxins from our home that I can! Come to find out it really does matter!

If that is not enough to convince you, This and That includes some interesting stuff to know that can keep you healthy, happy, and wise! Check it out…

Make it a great day…To Your Health!

Nancy

Favorite Quotes

Being a mom….

Is like being the President.

We’re honored with the greatest job in the world.

We have a trusted circle of advisors.

We’re held accountable, for better or worse.

And our job is never done!

~Lori Hall Armstrong, President Mommy Blogger, WorkingMother.com

CATCH-22 & FREE RADICALS WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU…

Reference Melaleuca July 2011

According to the free radical theory of aging, your body wears out in the same way that metal rusts—through oxidation. That is why the medical world has been abuzz, in recent years, about substances known as “anti-oxidants.”

Moreover, says the theory, the culprits behind the scene—the ones who set the oxidation process off in the first place—thereby helping skin to wrinkle, cancers to be spawned, and maybe even Alzheimer’s disease to form: these are called “free radicals.”

Enter the catch-22: Even though these mysterious little rogues may cause a landslide of internal harm…if there were no free radicals being generated at all in your body, you would be dead.

What we know (or think we know)

The atomic theory says that all matter is composed of atoms—and atoms are composed of a nucleus that is orbited by electrons. Normally all is well, and the atoms go sailing along trouble-free…but sometimes they lose or gain an electron and are thrown off balance. When that happens they become atomic thieves; they have become free radicals. From that point on, their main objective is to regain their balance.

Free radicals become stable by stealing an electron from another atom, thereby setting off a chain reaction of losing and stealing that can be incredibly destructive at the cellular level. This is the essence of the free radical theory. The degree of damage done depends upon the duration of the chain and the types of atoms affected.

If an electron is stolen from a molecule that is part of a piece of glucose dissolved in your bloodstream, for instance, there may be no real damage at all. If the stolen electron makes up a section of your skin, it will cause you to age a little more. But if the electron is part of a molecule that makes up the DNA of a cell, it could cause the cell to mutate…perhaps increasing the risk of cancer, Parkinson’s, or other serious disease.

The scary part is that this free radical raid on your body is unpredictable. It’s like dropping golf balls from an airplane: one ball falling to earth will probably land without harming anyone. Open the bays of a cargo plane full of golf balls, though, and the chances of serious damage raining down from the sky becomes much more likely.

Probability alone, then, tells us that a primary means of limiting the damage that free radicals inflict upon your body is to reduce the number of free radicals in your body.

What can limit free radicals?

Consider the primary sources of free radicals. There is no consensus and no universal maxim in play here, but this list cites ten generally recognized events that are believed to increase free radicals:

• Exposure to sunlight (an everyday form of radiation)
• Exposure to X-rays from medical procedures
• Environmental pollution
• Food preservatives and pesticides
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Eating fried foods
• Stress
• Breathing
• Metabolism

Some of these free radical producers are matters of choice, but many of the sources are not only difficult to avoid, they are necessary.

Consider metabolism, for instance—the conversion of food into energy. Your body must consume food in order to live, but like the exhaust fumes that occur when you fire up your car engine, free radicals are the necessary result of your body’s fueling process.

Nature’s own remedy

Nature, of course, has supplied us with the perfect guardian against free radical proliferation: antioxidants. Certain vitamins and minerals serve like traffic police to interrupt the free radical chain reaction, thereby helping maintain an internal balance between the necessary and the harmful.

The catch here is that antioxidants sacrifice themselves in the process. When an antioxidant is robbed of an electron, it ceases to be an antioxidant. It has stopped the production of free radicals, but it can only stop one chain. As soon as another free radical goes on the prowl for an electron, another antioxidant has to be called into action.

This means that the amount of antioxidants in your body is constantly being used up. Since the production of free radicals does not cease, you must maintain a sufficient supply of antioxidants to keep the free radicals from taking over.

What is the solution?

Your body is designed to absorb the nutrients that contain antioxidants from the plants you eat. Plants get their nutrients from the soil, but you probably don’t eat much soil… and, even if you did, your system can’t directly access the precious antioxidants there.

The problem is that most of us don’t get a sufficient amount of plant-based foods… a problem that is compounded by the worldwide depletion of fertile soil. When the soil loses nutrients…you lose nutrients.

For many years now, humans have turned to vitamin and mineral supplements to maintain health. But therein is another dilemma: The supplements you take may not be doing their job. They may even be making the situation worse.
What is wrong with most supplements?
Most manufacturers of nutritional supplements source their minerals directly from the soil or from other nonplant sources. But these minerals are not absorbable by humans. In order for absorption to occur, a substance has to be in solution. That is why there is a substantial amount of acid in the stomach…but absorption does not happen in the stomach. Absorption happens in the small intestine.
The smart approach
Research shows that the form of minerals used by most vitamin and mineral companies (gluconates, sulfates, oxides, and fumarates) crystallize shortly after arriving in the small intestine. Remember, though: In their crystallized forms, your body cannot absorb these minerals.
Worse than that, when minerals crystallize they throw off an explosion of free radicals…thereby increasing your level of free radicals rather than diminishing them. When it comes to nutrition, science…not an attractive label on the bottle…is the most important factor to consider. It’s not a good deal if it doesn’t work.
Considering the evidence, it appears the best approach to protecting your body from free radicals is two-fold:

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
• Use sun screen to protect your skin.
• Avoid pesticides and preservatives.
• Eat more plant-derived foods and fewer fried foods.
• Help curb environmental pollution.
• Deal with excessive stress in your life—prayer, meditation, and exercise are essential for that.

Next, deliberately eat foods that are rich in antioxidants— whole grains, soy, black and green teas, tomatoes, broccoli, berries, garlic, and spinach are all rich sources.

And if you want to be sure that you are truly getting the antioxidants you need, then supplement your diet with the best vitamin and mineral supplements you can find. Seek highest quality, rather than simply the lowest price.

Aim for balance: Eat smart, be smart, and choose the wellness path. You are needed in this world. Do your best to look out for your number one asset: You.

Melaleuca products offer great toxin free options to cleaning agents commonly used in the home. Contact me at nancy@coolmomsonly.com if you are interested in learning more about steps you can take to limit exposure to toxic agents.

Protect you and your family….begin today!

This and That

Dangerously Dirty….

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a key ingredient in all bacterial including Staphylococcus and E coli. The presence of this ingredient pretty much raises the “unsanitary flag”! Any surfaces with ATP readings above 300 should be considered highly suspect. Research reveals these surfaces among those highly suspect of high ATP readings and ones that can make you sick: sidewalk mail box handles, gas pumps, escalator rails, ATM keyboards, cross walk buttons, vending machine buttons, and parking meters. Of note….wash your hands or use waterless hand sanitizers after touching these surfaces! (Prevention March 2012)

Toxins Hiding In Your Home…..

As noted, toxins in the home present many dangers. Check out this site…..it’s a must read for anyone you care about.  I also downloaded the list from the site and have attached it. http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/household/carcinogens_home.htm.

Early Risers….Are You Among Them?

I was amazed to learn more than 38% of working moms fit in exercise before office hours begin. Unbelievable…..give those dedicated souls a hand! That means up and at the gym by 5:30 AM if there is time for a shower and getting the kids off to school.  My prime workout time has always been between 5 and 7 PM. I have tried the early bird work out times. While I wish I could get my body moving this early in the AM physical activity before 8:30 AM is just not for me!

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness

Eat Your Way to Healthy…Really?

February 20th, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Less is better (food that is) when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. That has been my mantra over the years. Would you be shocked if I told you this is a “partial” truth? All “less” is not created equal on the food chain when it comes to health, nutrition, weight management, and slowing the effects of aging.  Today’s issue fills you in on the key “pillar” of any solid nutritional plan!

Included in This and That three simple strategies to a healthier you in 2012. I love simple! Interested in some simple things you can do to put a few bucks back in your pocket and contribute to the protection of your environment? Check it out!

And finally, a call to action…..put it under lock and key….save a life…..! Some interesting statistics that may surprise you.

I hope you enjoy this issue of CoolMomsOnly.  A special thank you to all who have shared your feedback with me. I love hearing from you! Thank you for supporting the CoolMomsOnly network.

Like” us on Facebook http://ow.ly/7lRvH

You can also join us on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/CoolMomsOnly

Share with friends! Make it a great day.

Cheers, Nancy

Favorite Quotes

“A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: ‘Duh.’” ~Conan O’Brien

The Power of Protein

Did you know that how much protein you get and when you get it is vital for keeping and building lean body mass while slowing down the aging process?

New research shows that eating protein at the right times, particularly at breakfast, is primary for sparking protein synthesis and maintaining or gaining lean body mass. Combined with calorie control, it is also needed to avoid obesity and accelerated aging. Plus, the effect of protein on muscle synthesis, satiety and fat burning can depend largely on the protein’s quality.

Aging is associated with an increasing body fat mass while simultaneously losing lean muscle tissue. This progressive process is characterized by 3 to 8 percent reduction in lean muscle mass each decade after age 30 and can be more than 50 percent loss of tissue in those over 80 years of age. The change to gains of more fat and loss of lean mass impact shealth in a way that leads to frailty, loss of strength, and decline in function and ability to care for oneself. The loss of muscle mass with age, called sarcopenia, is estimated to lead to socioeconomic and health care spending costs exceeding $18.5 million. Most people don’t know they are losing muscle. It often goes undetected by the medical field because fat gain masks the sarcopenia.

However, the muscle loss, like osteoporosis, reduces quality of life and increases risk of disease and mortality. Building and maintaining muscle is the most effective way to stave off the negative impact of sarcopenia and resulting risk of chronic disease.

The leading factors of observed sarcopenia are insufficient protein intake along with the lack of regular exercise. Maximizing muscle protein synthesis while watching total caloric intake in a dietary plan amounts to between 25 and 30 grams of high-quality protein per meal.

This is contrary to the current RDA, which is woefully inadequate! The RDA does little to promote optimal health in the elderly. Surprisingly, 15 to 41 percent of adults have dietary protein intakes below the current RDAs, which further suggest a need to push for higher intakes of protein.

Clearly, maximal protein synthesis happens with adequate protein distribution throughout the day, starting with 25 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast. This is probably the single most effective way to help people to stay healthier within their lifetimes!

Giving people a beverage with quality protein such as from whey, which is rich in branched-chain amino acids, alone will trigger protein synthesis in muscles with or without exercise.

The beauty of protein is that intake affects short-term and long-term mechanisms for body weight, beyond just muscle mass anabolism.

Resource : Isagenix November 2011: References: Hochstenbach-Waelen et al. AJCN 2009. Heaney RP. AJCN 2001. Janssen et al. J Am Geriatr Soc2004.

This and That

Eating For Fitness – Simple Solutions

A key component of any total fitness plan is exercise or some form of daily physical activity. I get that. It is the “how to eat” and the “what to eat” part that tends to trip me up.  I like simple….I do well with simple…..I found something simple!

It is all based on Three Principles!

Principle One – Protein is King! I think we have already covered the importance of protein in our feature article.  A 4-month study followed 24 women on their fitness plan; one group ate 9 oz of high-quality protein each day; the other 5 oz of protein and twice as many carbohydrate-rich foods. Both consumed the same total calories. The higher protein group lost 21.5% of their body fat compared with 15% of the second group. (University Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign).

Principles Two – Good Fats are Fabulous! Yes, that is what I said. Healthy fats are in fact good for you. Not only are they good for your heart and overall health, they are important for weight loss.  The long and short of it, dietary fat triggers gene activity in the liver, which jump starts your metabolism. That said, it must be “good fat.” This includes things like olive oil, avocado, nuts, olives, fish, and fat containing vegetables.

Principle Three – Portion Control! Not fun, but the truth. We Americans have been trained to eat all that on our plate. The problem, more often than not, there is just too much put on our plate. A great guideline I found that is easy to remember and does not include scales….Your palm is about equal to 3 oz serving of meat, your fist a good half cup, your thumb equal to 1 oz, and the tip of your thumb about 1 teaspoon. Picture your plate on palm of meat; one fist of pasta; a thumb of cheese, and a teaspoon of oil!  

Master these three principles and be on your way to a healthier you!

Looking for additional information on Total Health, Longevity and Youthful Aging?

Drop me an email nancy@coolmomsonly.com

I have some great resources I am so excited about!

Cherish Our Earth

Don’t let the “recycling” word overwhelm you.  Making small changes in routines is all it takes. Simple things done by everyone quickly add up to huge environmental benefits.  Some trouble-free things you can do to contribute to the longevity of our earth and the personal health of you and your family!

• Stop throwing it all away! Opt for reusable containers to store food instead of plastic wrap. If you have to use plastic wrap, try wax paper instead. Use towels or rags instead of paper towels. White paper towels and coffee filter are not white naturally! They’re bleached using chemicals. Try to buy unbleached coffee filters if you can!
• Educate yourself! Call your local electric and water utilities. Find out from them what steps you can take to conserve!
• Use latex paint. Oil based paint is not only toxic; the by-products of manufacturing it are nasty pollutants!
• Don’t top off the gas tank! When you fill up with gas, don’t pull out the gas nozzle to “top off” the tanks as this lets gas vapors into the atmosphere and creates smog!
• Recycle aluminum. Aluminum cans, aluminum foil, pie plates, frozen food trays, window frames and siding can be recycled!
• Recycle newspapers, glass containers. Did you know glass produced from recycled glass instead of raw materials reduces related air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%?
• Carpool whenever you can…walk or ride a bike even better! It makes a difference.
• Snip six-pack rings apart when you discard them.
• Stop the junk mail – write to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, and 6 East 43^rd Street, New York, NY 10017.
• Turn off the water tap when you are not using it. A running facet puts 3-5 gallons of water down the drain every minute it’s on! Wow…guess I better turn off that water while I am brushing my teeth! J
• Keep your car tuned up…a well tuned care used 9% less gasoline. It will put money in your pocket as well! A no brainer.

Under Lock and Key

Did you realize there has been a 22% increase in the number of accidental poisonings from prescription drugs in children under the age of 6? A scary statistic!  With over 55% of adults now take at least one prescription medication, this trend in spreading in homes just like yours!

Parents, grandparents, babysitters…..keep meds out of the reach of children in a locked cabinet! This is not only for the protection of young children in your home. A side note….another growing trend among teenagers is mixing prescription medications for “pill parties.”  A very dangerous game our youth are par taking in! Keeping all medications under lock and key just may save the life of a loved one. This is serious business!

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness

Because You’re Worth It

February 13th, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Happy Valentine’s Day this week! A great time of the year to “share the love” with friends, family, and significant others in your life!

Today’s issue of CoolMomsOnly is all about “heart” …. That is “Your Heart” and “Your Health”. Our feature article was given to me by a family member. I just had to share! Unfortunately I am not able to give credit to author as she is unidentified – her story, Understanding the Female Heart Attach, is a must read and a  must share piece!

Included in This and That…. A great article written by a good friend of mine, Dr. Stephanie Vondrak ….TMJ and The Stress Connection as published in HER Magazine!  Looking for the low down on the essential vitamin everyone is talking about, we got it here! And finally, skin saving secrets, decoding skin care buzz words!   We are all about your health in today’s issue!

I hope you enjoy this issue of CoolMomsOnly – “Like” us on Facebook http://ow.ly/7lRvH

You can also join us on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/CoolMomsOnly

Share with friends! Make it a great day.

Cheers, Nancy

Favorite Quotes

“A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” ~ Unknown

“I came upon a doctor who appeared in quite poor health. I said, ‘There’s nothing that I can do for you that you can’t do for yourself.’ He said, ‘Oh yes you can. Just hold my hand. I think that would help.’  So I sat with him a while then I asked him how he felt. He said, ‘I think I’m cured.”’ ~ Conor Oberst

Understanding the Female Heart Attack

Author Unknown

I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and send it on!

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I’ve ever read. 

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack. You know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman’s experience with a heart attack.

‘I had a heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion; NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat

in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, ‘A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.

A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you’ve been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you’ve

swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn’t have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation–the only trouble was that I hadn’t taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.

After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing

up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR).

This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. ‘AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening — we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven’t we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I’m having a heart attack!

I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn’t be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else… but, on the other hand, if I don’t, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.

I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics… I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn’t feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to

un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don’t remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their

ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions

(probably something like ‘Have you taken any medications?’) but I couldn’t make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer,

and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.

I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire

station and St Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints. Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned firsthand.

1 . Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men’s symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn’t know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they’ll feel better in the morning when they wake up… which doesn’t happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is

unpleasantly happening that you’ve not felt before. It is better to have a ‘false alarm’ visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2.   Note that I said   ‘Call the Paramedics.’ And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER – you are a hazard to others on the road.

Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what’s happening with you instead of the road.

Do NOT call your doctor — he doesn’t know where you live and if it’s at night you won’t reach him anyway, and if it’s daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics.

He doesn’t carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr will be notified later.

3.   Don’t assume it couldn’t be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it’s unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we’ll save   at least one life.

*Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) about whom you care.* For more information about the warning signs contact the American Heart Association www.heart.org

Get Heart Healthy

Set Your Health Goals for 2012

Consider Kick Starting with the 100 Day Challenge!

The 100 Day Challenge -Take the 7-Day TEST DRIVE

What do you have to lose?

http://www.goalsguy.com/Affiliate/tgg.php?id=1036161

This and That

TMJ and Stress….A True Connection

Contributed by: Dr Stephanie Vondrak

The tendency to overachieve i.e. to multitask seems to be the American way.  Work commitments, kid’s activities, housework…the list of tension triggering obligations go on and on.  So, waking up with headaches, stiff shoulders, and/or sore facial muscles is to be expected, right?

To better illustrate daily stresses, picture a “quick” trip to Target.  In my life, it goes something like this… My red faced blue eyed daughter (age 3) crying hysterical.  She wants out of the grocery cart, shoeless, certain she is missing a great adventure.  I turn the corner, my smiling brown eyed boy (age 5) “helping mommy shop” flings a jar of red raspberry preserves (his favorite) through the air towards the cart.  Naturally, I catch the preserves midair, move swiftly down the aisle and answer my cell phone all at the same time. I am focused, concentrating on my mental list of supplies one for the office and one for home.  P.S.  Did I mention we have been to Target’s potty twice?

According to NIDCR (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability (after chronic low back pain), affecting approximately 5 to 12% of the population. Common TMJD symptoms include:  headaches, shoulder aches, sore facial muscles, popping/clicking in the jaw joints, ear pain, ringing in the ears, restricted jaw opening, and interrupted sleep patterns.

The cause of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is most likely clenching and grinding of teeth (bruxism) during times of stress and/or when sleeping.  To relieve painful symptoms and balance occlusal stress, patients undergo a treatment known as splint therapy.  Splint therapy is like physical therapy for your jaw.  Splint therapy utilizes a custom appliance (splint) allowing muscles to relax and the jaw to regain a comfortable and stable joint position.  With stability in the joints, muscles relax and pain subsides.

Please understand that splint therapy is a useful tool but not the complete answer to a pain free oral system.  Lessening stress with exercise, diet and positive thinking are helpful strategies as well.  Life is too short to experience chronic discomfort and pain.  So take a deep breath, a long walk, a good laugh at your little ones and remember controlling TMJD is all about balance and taking the pressure off.

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak is a private practice dentist – visit her website at www.drvondrak.com for great information about the services she provides and her clinical philosophy!

To Your Health -The Essential Vitamin

Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin” is one of the most crucial nutrients for a healthy life.  Besides protection from colds, flu, diabetes, cancer and other ailments, Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption.

While many of us focus on taking a supplement, the ideal way to optimize Vitamin D levels is not by taking a pill but rather allowing your body to do what is was designed to do: create Vitamin D from appropriate sun exposure.

Notice the word “appropriate.”  According to Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Vitamin D specialist, when your skin is exposed to the sun, it synthesizes not only Vitamin D3 , but also Vitamin D3 sulfate.  Your sulfur levels are intricately related to your cholesterol levels and play an important role in preventing heart disease.  Getting regular sun exposure has greater benefits than just raising your Vitamin D levels. 

Here’s what happens:  the sulfated Vitamin D formed in your skin in response to sun exposure is water soluble, unlike Vitamin D supplements.  The water soluble form can travel freely in your blood stream, whereas the unsulfated form needs LDL (“bad” cholesterol) as a vehicle of transport.  Therefore, the unsulfated Vitamin D may not provide all the same benefits as the sulfated form, because it cannot be converted to Vitamin D sulfate.

What’s the moral of story?

Get outside!  Take 15 minutes to soak up natural Vitamin D, even in the winter.

Compliments of Smith & Esch Fitness, one of the CoolMomsOnly panel experts!

What’s The Buzz?

Confused by all the buzzwords used to convince you that one skin care product is better than another?

Wondering what exactly you should be looking for in a skin care product?

Consider taking the high road and opt for simplicity ….i.e. less is better!  Some key terms you should look for when you make your next skin care purchase!

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness

Betwix and Between

January 23rd, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

In today’s issue I introduce you to the “Sandwich Generation” a termed coined to describe the middle aged generation (40 to 60) who are caring for elderly parents and dependent children.

According to Caring.com, there are 65.7 million people in this group. Women make up approximately 66% of them. Their average age is 48 and they spend on average 20 hours a week in care giving responsibilities. Interestingly enough, 60% of caregivers also work full-time!

The growth of this group has its roots in many demographic treads. Among them the aging baby boomers. Those over 65 are expected to double by 2030 to 70 million. The issues inherent in the Sandwich Generation are facing almost 25% of American families. They surround medical, financial, legal, and emotional issues. No question adding complexity to family and parenting issues of today and the future. I have several friends who are members of this club! Trust me, it is real. It is a trend worthy of our attention, compassion, and support!

Included in The Coaches Corner, deliciously empowering advice ….Learn to speak Martian and start getting what you really need! A natural boost to your self-confidence and a sure fire path to improving work life balance!

Check out This and That for some cute nuggets of advice from Mom. Did you know January is National Blood Donor Month? Not crazy about being a donor….discover other ways you and your family can participate and support your local blood drive. We also share some of definitions of a CoolMom….your words!

I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Forward this issue to a friend and encourage them to join the CoolMomsOnly Network by opting in at http://www.coolmomsonly.com

Like us on Facebook at http://ow.ly/7lRvH and share with us your definition of a CoolMoms (nancy@coolmomsonly.com)

Cheers! Nancy

Favorite Quote

“Make each day useful and cheerful, and prove that you know the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be happy, elders will be without regret, and life will be a beautiful success.”
~Louisa May Alcott

Understanding the Sandwich Generation

Provided by: The Olson’s Center for Women’s Health

It’s becoming a common scenario. A competent employee is exhausted and distracted. Two weeks ago, her 82-year-old father was found wondering miles from home. She is also concerned about her adolescent daughter. Since her grandfather started acting strangely, her 13-year-old has been skipping school and hanging out with kids who seem to be “trouble”. In the past 10 days, this usually reliable employee has missed four afternoons of work while she checked out adult day care centers for her father and visited her daughter’s school to talk about the girl’s absences.

This employee is a typical member of the “Sandwich Generation,” working adults, often in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, who are caught between the demands of caring for aging adults and raising their children. The ranks of the Sandwich Generation are growing. More than two-thirds of women with children under the age of 18 years are in the workforce. As much as one-third of the U.S. workforce bears care giving responsibilities for older relatives with about half those relatives located more than 100 miles away from their adult children.

Working adults with conflicting care giving demands live in every state in the nation and work in just about every imaginable occupation. Members of the Sandwich Generation share many of these concerns:

• the need for information and referrals to child care providers and elder care services
• a need for alternative work options that allow them to work outside the traditional 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday week
• strained relationship with elderly parents caused by caretaking responsibilities
• concerns about leaving young children with caregivers
• a need to learn better parenting and communication skills
• stressed relationships with spouses
• health problems caused by stress and burnout
• the need to incorporate exercise and relaxation into their lives

In order to remain productive members of the workforce, members of the Sandwich Generation and other working parents need practical help balancing their work and family obligations. Organizations that recognize this need now offer services to help employees, including referrals to child and elder care providers, crisis management services, workshops, family-friendly policies and information on other community resources.

Some organizations also offer support groups and alternative work options, such as part-time job-sharing, compressed workweek and flextime, which allow employees to adjust their work schedules to accommodate family and care giving responsibilities.

These services are often provided through an organization’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or the human resources department. Employees facing difficulties related to care giving should discuss their problems with their EAP personnel and determine what resources are available. EAP professionals can also meet with managers to teach sensitivity and problem-solving solutions for work and family conflicts.

Together, employees and employers can deal with the delicate balance of work and family responsibilities.

The Coachers Corner

Steps to Speaking Martian

No matter what your stage in life, newly married, married with babies, married with toddler, teens, or tweens, divorced with kids, divorced and remarried with a blended family, OR any of the above AND possibly a member of the Sandwich Generation. Life gets crazy!

In the midst of life’s craziness taking the time to actually communicate and let those around you know what you need sometimes feels like it just takes too much time….after all, shouldn’t they just know what we need?

I have to tell you, I tried this stagey along the way. I felt my husband really should know exactly what needed to be done, what I needed, and how he could help. After all, he could read my mind couldn’t he? NOT!

Hats off to Dr. John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars & Women Are From Venus – He brilliantly points out that, men and women do not always speak the same language. No surprise there for most of us!

A must read if you have not had the opportunity.

So what is the secret to speaking the same language…to your spouse, significant other, or anyone for that matter……? It really is much simpler than you might think!

Here are 4 simple steps to get you warmed up and on the right path!

Steps One – Identify Exactly What it is You Need. Not too difficult.

Step Two – Identify Exactly What You Want. What is it you want them to do, to say, to help with etc.

Step Three – No Venetian Speak. Now that you have identified your needs, it is natural for you to express these needs in your language – you know what I am talking about…..

• I wish….
• We never…. (anymore)
• Why can’t you ….
• I wouldn’t mind if …..someone……
• Why can’t we…..
• What about……..
• Do you think you might…..?
• Don’t you think you could……..
• Never mind……
• Would be nice if……

You get the idea….AVOID THIS TEMPATION!

Step Four – Translate your needs into Martian!

The problem with your language is men can’t hear any of this – it is simple too blurred.

So you must translate what your needs are into Martian – his language.

So here you go…..

Fill in the blank(s) and go for it!

I want _______________________________________!

Yes, you must do this without any feelings of guilt. Just come out with it. No beating around the bush! Be clear, be short, and be simple!

That is pretty much it. Trust me, he will thank you for it and you will be WOWED by the improved communication and the boost to your personal self-confidence!

PS This same process works well at home, at the office, or dealing with friends and family! Good Luck

This and That

Some of my Mother’s Simple Rules

Perhaps there is someone in your life who has provided much needed advice to you over the years. Funny how those nuggets of knowledge (serious and/or humorous) stick with us forever. They have a way of just popping into our heads out of nowhere!

I was reminded of many funny nuggets of knowledge as I read this little piece – My Mother’s Simple

Rules compliments of Real Simple2011, Ana Marie Cox.

1. The legs are the last thing to go.

2. When you’re sad, don’t fight it – accessorize it.

3. Knowing how to roast red peppers will impress more people than you’d think.

4. It’s ok to read at the table.

5. But it’s never OK to watch TV at the table.

6. You can always substitute while wine for vermouth in a martini.

7. Everything tastes better when served by candlelight.

8. If nothing matches, no matter. That’s just another reason for candlelight.

9. Do not try to order in French at a French restaurant unless you are French.

10. Unexpected gifts are the most appreciated.

11. At work, find the people who can fix things – the copier, mistakes in your expense report- and then be very, very nice to them.

12. There are five things that will always make you happy if you have them in your home: flowers, a lovely place to eat a meal, a chilled bottle of white wine, Goldfish crackers, and a pet.

13. If you must leave a party and you don’t have a good e excuse, spill something on yourself.

14. The proper way to end a conversation is “I’m sorry to let you go.”

Made me chuckle! What are some of your favorite rules?

Great Resources:

Preparing for this issue I had the opportunity to do some research on The Sandwich Generation. I was truly amazed at the number of adults between the ages of 40 and 60 who are raising children and caring for elderly parents. Such trends warrant increased awareness among community and social networks as well as business and corporate organizations.

If you would like to learn more, these are some great resources to get check out.

General Information www.sandwichgeneration.com

Independent Living Assessment and Resources Independent Living TestCan your aging loved ones still live alone? Free online assessment. www.Lifelinesys.com/Elderly_Assessment

The Sandwich Generation, Caring for Herbie by Julie Winokur & Ed Kashi www.mediastorm.com/publication/the-sandwich-generation – 11 min film

National Blood Donor Month

Did you know January is National Blood Donor Month?

It is not too late to help mark this month! Some ideas: Donate blood and encourage others to do the same; Talk to your kids about the ways that donating blood helps others; Bake goodies for your local blood drive, the donors need to eat after they give blood; Head to a nearby blood drive and have your kids thank the donors as they enter and excite; Buy a blood donor t-shirt or make a donation to the Red Cross. Check out www.redcross.com for donation locations in your area.

Shared Words – What is a CoolMom?

“A cool mom is someone who takes the time to listen and understand her children and then gives them advice without judging them.” -Rachel L.

“A cool mom is someone is always there for their family, someone their kids can count on and speak freely to.” – Chris M.

“A cool mom is a mother who understands you have awkward moments and can laugh with you.” – Sarah W.

Make it a great day!

Email me at nancy@coolmomsonly.com and share with us your definition of a CoolMom!

Like us on Facebook at http://ow.ly/7lRvH

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness &Individual Coaching &Professional

Smart Choices Bringing in 2012

January 2nd, 2012 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Happy 2012! What better way to kick off the New Year than committing to maintain good health! Small changes can reap very big benefits. Today’s feature article provides a great cheat sheet of guidelines for maintaining good health complements of the Olson Center for Women’s Health. The down and dirty basics you should know on how to be healthy! Print this and keep in handy for reference and/or share.

Included in The Coaches Corner, the best words of advice that have stood the test of time. Great words of wisdom for maintaining happiness, managing stress, and achieving a positive work life balance. Worthy of sharing and committing to in 2012. Included in This and That, the low down on the true health & relaxation benefits of a “cat nap”. Those who have this mastered are way ahead! Ever hear of national oatmeal month? Well January is it! Find out how you can participate.

I hope you enjoy today’s issue, the first of 2012! Looking forward to building the CoolMomsOnly network in the coming year. We are dedicated to bringing you fabulous content and resources you can put to work for you!

Like us on Facebook at http://ow.ly/7lRvH and share our link www.coolmomsonly.com with a friend!

Cheers, Nancy

Favorite Quote

“It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts”~ Adlai Stevenson

Guidelines for Maintaining Good Health

UNMC Olson Center for Women’s Health

In a family, women are usually the caregivers. They schedule the children’s appointments and their doctors and dentists, and remind their spouse when it is time for their annual exams. In the case of aging parents, women commonly have the added responsibility of ensuring that their parents make it to their doctor appointments and follow-up care/medications are obtained. If the women is currently working or has significant responsibilities at home, she may feel as though she is constantly taking care of other people’s health concerns.

So what about you? In this article we provide you with an outline of recommended tests to assist you with taking care of YOUR health. These are only guidelines for women who are currently experiencing no symptoms. If you notice any changes in your health, you will need to consult your health care provider to determine if more frequent screening is recommended.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Nation Cholesterol Education Program (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH), and National Osteoporosis Foundation

The Coachers Corner

Precious Trinkets of Advice That Have Stood The Test of Time

Ever have one of those déjà vue moments when some random piece of advice you may have gotten from your mom, grandmother, or significant person in your life comes flashing past you. Crazy how that happens….

Believe it or not, some of these most cherished and valuable pieces of advice are what get us through some pretty tough times in life. Some of my favorites that have stood the test of time…..

• Keep bad news to yourself. No one wants to hear from a chronic complainer.
• Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. They’ll wash clean.
• Keep criticism private. If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.
• You can if you think you can. Positive thinking is the key!
• Life isn’t always fair.
• Bloom wherever you are planted. There is opportunity lurking everywhere!
• Look past looks: When it comes to men do not marry for looks, looks fade over the years, and it’s the personality you are left with!
• Never be too proud to ask for help when you need it.
• Listen to your head. Don’t let anyone tell you what is best for you.
• Don’t play the jealous card: if Susie-Q didn’t get whatever honor, talent, boyfriend, or job that you wanted, you weren’t going to get it anyway.
• Attitude is everything. Make tuff decisions and do things you don’t lie but do it with a great attitude.
• You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
• Laughter is the best medicine. Cherish special moments and find humor in every situation.
• There is nothing you can’t do.
• Life is about give and take.
• Can’t seem to get over the guilt of tossing out leftovers….wrap them up and put them in the frig within easy view and then throw them out the next day!
• Live in the present; don’t wish your life away!
• Whom, not who!
• Love learning and treat everyone with warmth and respect.
• If you think you are fat today, just wait until next year. Next year at this time you will look back and wish you were the weight you are now! I love this one….how true!
• Be yourself…you are one of a kind!
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is too short.
• Even though your chances may be remote, never give up hope. Someone has to win the lottery. Why couldn’t it be you? Imagine it and it can happen.
• The best way to end an argument is with a smile and a kind word.
• Tough love works!
• Have a vision and plot your path to get there.
• Manage your time wisely; it is your most precious gift in life.
• Respect others and their opinions. Even if they do not agree with yours.
• Actions speak louder than words.
• Half of what you do in life you do so that later you won’t regret not having done it.

Share with CoolMomsOnly some of your favorites!

This and That

The Value of a “Cat Nap”

The good news…cat naps have real value! Evidence shows people who nap enjoy better mental health and mental efficiency and the quality of their nighttime sleep tends to be better. Since I am not a “cat nap” person I found this bit of information most interesting. My naps tend to extend beyond an hour for maximum beauty restJ Problem is, not a lot of time for these kind of naps in my day! Oh well….

The bad news….while North American culture does not leave much free time for even a “cat nap” most other cultures embrace the healthy habit of stealing a “cat nap” every now and again.

So why not buck the system and start the New Year off with a healthy habit….

• Accept napping as a positive thing; give it a try at least on the weekends.
• Don’t fight your body’s cry for short naps…give in!
• Naps in cars (as long as you are not the driver), trains, cabs, airplanes all count!
• Taking a short break in your day and resting in some piece & quiet can refresh your body and mind. It is all good!

Start small and see what happens! I plan to give it a go.

National “Oat Meal” Month

For real, January is national Oatmeal Month! Did you have your oatmeal today?

Looking for ways to celebrate National Oatmeal Month? Some suggestions brought to you by ehow.com

1. Keep the oatmeal handy. Mix oatmeal into homemade meatballs and meatloaf to help meat hold its shape better during cooking. Make a unique pie crust by using oatmeal for half the flour. Add oatmeal to thicken chili. Stir oatmeal into muffins, pancakes and breads for nutty flavor and healthy fiber.

2. Cleanse skin with an oatmeal scrub. Homemade or store bought, an oatmeal scrub is a natural way to get rid of dead skin cells and exfoliate hands and face. The oatmeal relieves itchy skin and protects against dryness.

3. Pamper your dog with oatmeal shampoo. Oatmeal reduces inflammation and itchy skin. Allergic dogs often bite at their paws and rip out fur to attack inflamed skin. Use the oatmeal pet shampoo as directed to ease itching from allergies, hot spots, irritated skin and insect bites.

4. Make oatmeal clay for rainy day child play. Mix 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water. Children can mold and form the knobby clay into shapes. Use a blender to grind oatmeal into powder for smoother clay. Make colored clay by adding food coloring to the water. For another day of play, let the artworks dry. The hardened oatmeal clay can then be decorated with non-toxic paint. This oatmeal clay is fun but not edible.

5. Treat poison oak or other rashes with an oatmeal paste. An old home remedy advises soaking oatmeal in water to make a paste. If a smooth paste is needed, blender the oatmeal into powder before adding water. Put the oatmeal paste liberally on the rash and leave it for up to 20 minutes. Folklore says as the oatmeal dries, it absorbs the oils that make the poison itch and spread. Peal off the paste and wash the affected area gently.

6. Pack an oatmeal poultice for day trips. Put a couple tablespoons dry oatmeal in an old clean sock for the travel kit. When rash strikes or insects bite, soak the oatmeal sock in water. Apply as a cooling pack to ease the bites on children and pets. Repeat as needed. A wise camper also packs oatmeal cookies for the people and oatmeal treats for the dogs. Take a well-earned cookie break and celebrate National Oatmeal Month.

Cheers, Nancy

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness

Unleash Your Courage in 2012

December 26th, 2011 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Every year about this time my husband gets out his trusty yellow legal pad filled with goals he set for himself. Like clockwork, he reviews his progress over the last 12 months.  He has been doing this for over 25 years. He has stacks of yellow legal pads to prove it!

I love watching him review the list and proudly celebrating all the things he hoped to do that he actually got done! Unlike completing the annual tax return, for my husband, reviewing his end of year goal list is an exciting time in our household.  He has found a process that works for him and he sticks to it like religion!

I mention this because for years he has encouraged me to do the same. Those who know me well may be shocked to learn, in spite of my type a personality, I do not go through such a formalized process.  For so many years my goal was simply to get through the hour, the day, the week, the month, and the year. You know the drill! While it has always worked well for me, I am considering rethinking this strategy.

In The Coaches Corner discover some great suggestions to creating your personal roadmap for 2012. A great way to help you start your own personal yellow legal pad! Included in This and That, some thoughts on how to make those New Year’s resolutions stick and the number one health and nutrition rule you must commit to in 2012.

Parting comments….New Year’s resolutions, I believe, are just as much about reflecting on past as they are about planning for the future.  Such reflections, successes and/or setbacks, are what help us to formulate our plans for the future.

For the parents among us, sharing such reflections with our children, no matter their age, can have lasting impressions. Our feature article is about just that. Dr. Horowitz, Owner of Family Centered Parenting provides great insights into the up side and down side of holding yourself out to be the perfect role model for your kids.  Tips for parents and how you can share such reflections with children that are certain to have lasting effects on their learning and the adults they become.

I hope you enjoy today’s’ issue!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and prosperous 2012 ….

Cheers, Nancy

Like us on Facebook at http://ow.ly/7lRvH And forward this to a friend and invite them to subscribe to the CoolMomsOnly network at www.coolmomsonly.com

Favorite Quote

“Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is called “experience.” ~ Denis Waitley

Does talking about the mistakes I make and have made in my life weaken me as an authority figure to my children?

Written by: Dr. Richard C. Horowitz, Family Center Parenting

This question speaks to the core issue of modeling.  That is acting in a manner we wish our children to act.  On one hand, as role models for children, parents want to present themselves as being pretty terrific people.  When children look up to us it meets our needs for love and belonging.  When children are obedient and follow parental advice the adult’s need for power is met.  We associate these interactions with highly positive words like respect and admiration.

However, sometimes being on a pedestal can be a precarious place.  We might want to mask our frailties in order to preserve our image of perfection.  The fear that our children might lose respect for us if we admit weakness can lead to a loss of ourselves and a model that our children just might perceive as unattainable.  A child who feels s/he can never equal his/her perfect parent loses self-esteem and will often give up trying.  This is the downside of being the perfect role model.  This is especially true for younger children who tend to aggrandize the power of adults in general and their parents in particular.

Adolescents by the very nature of this stage of development are far more prone to question the capabilities and judgment of parents.  Parents with adolescents who are dealing with the “hot topics” are especially vulnerable to questions about what they did when they were teenagers.  As long as it isn’t overdone, most parents find that their children enjoy hearing stories about what it was like when they grew up.  Consequently, our children want to know how we handled the challenges of personal freedom, partying and dating.

The challenge is to respond in a way that is authentic and validates the concern of the child without giving them the message that since their parents pushed the envelope and wound up alright, they too can indulge in these behaviors.  Below are some suggested ways to respond.  However, remember that the parental response should be sincere and be the product of some adult reflection about our true beliefs and values on these topics.  Teenagers have a good sense of what is “real” to them and if we sound too perfect or preachy they will shut us off.

• What I did and the mistakes that I made should not be an excuse for your decision making.
• The legal consequences for some of the behaviors I indulged in were not as severe as they are today.  (especially true for possession of controlled substances)
• A lot more is known today about the physical harm done to our bodies due to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.    
• The consequences of unprotected sexual activity can be deadly.
• If I knew then what I know now I would have behaved differently.
• The price I paid for my excesses were ……………………….
• What we really must focus on is how to get your needs for freedom and fun met with few negative consequences.

The other side of the coin is the parent who constantly gives voice to his/her own shortcomings.  Either through blaming others and/or themselves for things not working out as planned they model a victim or helpless role.   This extreme can create a sense of anxiety in a child.  The message they receive from the helpless parent is that the world is a scary place with little ability to control what is happening in life.

The middle ground is what we should be striving for.  Our children need, for their sense of well being, to experience their parents as sufficiently masterful to create a safe place for them.  Young children, as mentioned, will naturally view their parents as powerful figures so we really don’t have to stretch the issue with excessive self-praise.  However, children do need to develop resiliency – the ability to bounce back from adversity.   We learn how to be resilient through modeling and experience.   Parents who acknowledge an error or problem then take responsibility for its solution are demonstrating resilience to their children.  They have not attempted to hold the impossible standard of perfection as an indicator of self-worth but have modeled the reality that things do go wrong and mistakes happen.  The key is not indulging in self-pity and, after acknowledging the fact that something has gone wrong, acting in a way to make things better.

A related issue is how we deal with our mistakes when it specifically regards an action we took with our children.

An illustration might be useful.

Martha came home from work at her usual 6:00 p.m. time only to find that her 12 year-old-son Ron was not at home.  There is a standing rule in the family that if Ron is playing at a friend’s house after school he is to be home by 6:00.   Martha is annoyed and starting to get a bit worried about Ron.  At 6:30 she starts calling Ron’s friends.  On the fourth call she reaches his friend Wayne’s mother.  She says that Ron is with Wayne and they are working on something in the garage and she will go get him.  Martha is really angry now that her fear has subsided.  She tells Ron to get home immediately and that she will deal with him when he arrives at home.  When Ron comes in, Martha immediately tells him that the rules in the house, which he agreed to, required him to be home at 6:00.  She is quite direct and tells him, “Go to your room until dinner.  After dinner we will process what went on.”  Ron protests, “You are unfair, I didn’t do anything wrong.”  Martha replies, “Get to your room; you are on Shut Down until after dinner.”  Ron is obviously furious but complies.   After a rather unpleasant dinner, Martha says she is ready to talk. Ron tells his mother that two days ago he had told her about working on the school project with Wayne until 7:00.  He reminds her that she was talking on the phone and he came into the room and said excuse me and asked permission to go to Wayne’s the day after tomorrow to finish a science project.  He said that she nodded her approval.  Martha listens and does remember the incident.  She was on the telephone talking to her sister about a relationship issue and was quite absorbed in the conversation.  She vaguely remembers Ron saying something about a science project but she thought he said that he had to call Wayne to discuss it.   Martha now has a choice.  She can stonewall her son with comments like. “See what happens when you interrupt me when I am on the telephone” or she can admit that she misunderstood him and ask for his suggestions on how this type of situation can be avoided in the future. 

Certainly the admission that an error was made and that she is sorry that she assumed that he had broken a rule instead of first asking for an explanation will serve several purposes.  First, Martha models for her son that people make honest mistakes and when they realize it, they will take responsibility for correcting them.  Second, the dialogue between Martha and Ron is now problem solving oriented, involves Ron in decision-making, and shows how feedback can be used to make improve a family practice or system.  Martha’s admission and willingness to communicate is a good example of putting Family Centered Parenting into practice.

The Coachers Corner

Create Your Personal Roadmap for 2012

This time of year brings about much talk about New Year’s resolutions. If you are in the majority, setting personal goals may very well be top of mind about now.  Everything from creating healthy life habits including diet, fitness along with personal, financial, and professional goals are fair game!  Step one in the process of course is taking the time to reflect and identify your goals. Step two becomes execution of the plan!

I generally make it past step 1 and come up with some pretty great things I want to accomplish. Granted, I may not write them down but they are floating around in my brain! I am working on the writing it down part!

Creating the goals feels like the easy part. Achieving them seems to be more challenging for most of us. I included.  Interruptions of daily life have a way of taking over. Before we know it, another year has gone by and we are back to reviewing our goals wondering where all the time went! Don’t we all wish time could stand still just long enough for us to get caught up?

So what is the best plan to get from point A to point B? A roadmap, MapQuest, or GPS they all work well for any road trip. Why not treat your journey to achieving your new year’s resolution(s) like a road trip?

Outline the steps that must be completed to get you there just like you would chart your trip route. Identification of the actions to take, set a target date for each, and hold yourself accountable. Start with a blank yellow legal pad!

Give it try this year and see how productive your 2012 can be!

This and That

Follow Your Roadmap, Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

Some simple tips that may help you reach the end of 2012 having fully accomplished all your New Year resolution(s):

Be clear about your goal. Don’t take on an unreasonable number of goals. Remind yourself, Rome was not built in a day!

Breakdown big goals into to smaller benchmark goals – remember “baby steps” can go a long way!

Keep your goals visible …tape to your mirror, include in your daily/weekly to do list. Out of site out of mind so make sure they are in front of you all year long.

Review your progress regularly. Revise and regroup if need be.

Progress is not by happenstance…..it takes your active engagement and focus to make the things you want happen! Plan the work and work the plan. You can do it!

Number One Weight/Nutrition Rule for 2012

Depending upon who you listen to, advice on health and nutrition can be all over the board. There does however seem to be one single consistent piece of advice I hear from all the experts….Eat Breakfast every day! A study conducted by the National Weight Control Registry found that a majority of people who have lost weight and/or maintained a consistent health weight eat breakfast. It is key to proper nutrition and steady metabolism. If you change nothing else in your diet or health habits in 2012 commit to eating breakfast each and every day!

Cheers, Nancy

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness &Individual Coaching

Everyday Miracles…Believe In Them Baby

December 22nd, 2011 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

This time of year is an exciting time for kids and adults alike. The magic of the holidays and Santa dropping down the chimney for a visit have the imaginations of the little ones in high gear! It is a beautiful thing to watch.

I have to say, traditions in our house around Santa have not changed for 26 years. We leave out milk and cookies and Santa leaves a pretty long letter for our kids when he leaves. This letter is promptly read out load Christmas morning with much enthusiasm shared by all!  Santa’s letter is full of recognition of past years accomplishments and encouragement of future goals and endeavors yet to come. I remind you my children on 22 and 24 years old.

Yes we believe in tradition. For our family this tradition is about making everyday miracles happen, the power of believing in something, the energy behind “thinking big”, and the magic of imagination. The Santa who has visited our house for over 25 years has been a pretty important guy!  

While I can’t remember at what exact moment in time that our kids figured out there may not be a real Santa, within the four walls of our home Santa is real!   He helps us remember that everyday miracles happen and the importance of dreaming big!

As a parent, or role model, you may be faced with making the distinction between what is make believe and what is real for a young child. The real dilemma as I see it is helping them to understand this without damaging their imagination, creativity, and drive.  Today’s feature article written by Andy Brown is about just that. I so connected with this story.

When it comes down to it, it is all about how we teach our children to train their mind to see what their eyes alone cannot – to celebrate the gift of life and experience miracles every day! Andy Brown is and an inspirational author and creativity coach working to help people envision their future and inspire them to fulfill their potential. His philosophy…. everything is about family, education, love, and respect – and the act of giving back.

I hope you enjoy today’s issue! Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season!

God Bless, Nancy

Favorite Quote

“Do something you love and work ceases to be work and becomes play.”

“Inspiration creates desire and desire creates energy to do the things we want” ~Andy Brown

The Trouble Parents Will Go To

By: Andy Brown

We did everything possible to make our children believe in Santa. The details had to be flawless: the fireplace screen left open; half-eaten cookies and an empty milk glass. Still, there were challenges. When kids at school teased our oldest, we countered that Santa was pure magic and only his truest believers could see him. (Tell me, what child doesn’t want to believe in magic?) Other holidays got equal treatment; like elaborate letters from Essie the Easter Bunny. Every day events were just as theatrical: overwrought readings of children’s books; wild applause when they lost a tooth – and even more fanfare when they proudly showed us the tooth fairy’s gift; strawberry shortcake and baked goods from scratch to celebrate, well, just about anything.

Then, on her twelfth birthday, before starting junior high, we sat our oldest down, away from the other children, and told her the truth. We said we didn’t want her to be branded a baby in her new school, a label she might never outgrow. First she cried; then we cried. It’s one of my fondest memories.

Today, my daughter is a loving, savvy, happy adult. She’s talking about starting her own family now and carrying on our traditions (though there’s a hint of discord from her husband on whose family makes the best strawberry shortcake).

Raising great kids is a lot easier than you think. Based on the principle that simplifying our lives can add unexpected richness, here is a shortlist of powerful parenting tips:

• Make your children feel lovable and good. (Read these words carefully and practice it often)
• Pay attention to them and really listen – and remember what they said
• Nurture their fertile imaginations. A little fantasy increases their ability to ask “What if?”; it also softens the edges of reality
• Teach them to celebrate the differences in themselves and others. Follow the new paradigm: One Race, The Human Race.  Think flavors of ice cream
• Spend more time with them. Tell stories about your own life; it will transfer the essence of who you are, and they will carry it forward. It’s a kind of immortality
• Read out loud to young children. Choose quality books and learn to ham it up.
• Cultivate original thought by unplugging from white noise.
• Celebrate small successes – it leads to bigger successes.
• Teach them to do something they love and work will become play.
• Teach them it’s possible to program their reality and create a more satisfying life for themselves. What you believe to be true is your reality.
• Learn to harness the power of your words and language. Words have energy of creation. (God used words to create the world, after all.)
• Include more art. It’s the key to creating a better world.
• Eliminate things you don’t use.
• Learn to listen to the voice of your dreams.

It’s no mystery that the building blocks of self-esteem grow out of our daily interactions. We get only one chance to be a child, and one chance to be a good parent to that child.

So remember this: Because our children will carry our voices with them forever…

Make it your best voice.

Andy Brown is an inspirational author and futurist. For more on the author and his remarkable new book about raising the next generation of creative leaders, go to www.TheBestShowInTownEbook.com.

This and That

Ways to Avoid Those Unwanted Holiday Pounds 

The Holiday Season is upon us. Besides the gathering of family and friends and the exchanging of presents, this usually means the addition of some unwanted pounds. These pounds will be a setback in your game. To avoid this here are some suggestions to navigate your way through the holidays. 

Avoid Gluten containing foods. Gluten has been known to cause: celiac disease, arthritis, diabetes, anemia, migraines, depression, MS, eczema, and a whole host of autoimmune diseases. Gluten is a protein found in anything containing wheat, barley or rye. Or as I like to call them the fun grains, because for the most part this is what beer, pastries, bread, cake and whiskey are made of.  

As if you need another reason to avoid gluten, it is known to cause inflammation in the body. Gluten up regulates a protein called botulin, which will increase the permeability of the walls of the digestive tract. This causes bloating and faulty trunk (core) mechanics.

But have no fear this doesn’t necessarily mean you will not be able to eat any desert or drink any alcohol (not that it would hurt you). You will just need to avoid gluten containing ones. It is pretty easy to find gluten free foods at the grocery store. Here are some of my favorites: http://udisglutenfree.com/joy UDIS makes bread, bagels, pizza crust, muffins, and cookies. Surprisingly they taste just as good as wheat products; the pizza crust is my favorite. AD Hoc is a brand that can be found at William Sonoma and they make the best chocolate brownies that I have had. Check it out at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/ad-hoc-gluten-free-brownie-mix/.

Limit your alcohol…the best is none. Drinking is the fastest way to age. This is because alcohol will shut down the production of growth hormone and it will spike your insulin. This will basically make you fat and tired. To make this not as big of disaster I recommend drinking red wine, tequila or vodka. None of these alcohols contain wheat, barley, or rye and will not be quite as disruptive on your abdominal wall. 

Now just because you are eating gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t gain weight, it just means you will improve your odds of not causing excessive inflammation in the body. To avoid putting on unwanted pounds here is a list of rules to follow for the holidays.

1. Avoid alcohol (if this doesn’t happen try and keep it to 1 gluten free drink and at least 2 hours before bed time.)

2. Always put protein and vegetables on your plate first. 

3. Avoid starches and sugars

4. Don’t snack. Snacking over the holidays can lead to an excessive amount of calories that will sneak on the pounds.

5. Don’t treat your holiday meal as it is going to be your last! Avoid going up for seconds. I promise you will survive. 

6. Drink plenty of water. Many times when we are hungry, we are really just thirsty. Try drinking half your body weight in ounces of water.

7. Finally Avoid Gluten.

Bill Esch is the founder of Smith and Esch Fitness, United States Weightlifting sports performance specialist, and a C.H.E.K Golf biomechanics coach.

Category : Blog &Family &Featured &Health & Fitness

Boost Your Holiday Bliss

December 19th, 2011 // 6:00 am @ nancyroot

Welcome to CoolMomsOnly

Seems like everyone is in full swing making final preparations and plans for the holidays. While this is a wonderful time of the year, it is easy to overlook just how stressed our bodies can become getting ready for it all. Finding ways to manage that extra tension is key. 

A personal Ah Hah Moment for me…..Massage!

Having been told massage has wonderful health benefit, several months ago I signed up for a massage program. I earned a free massage per month at a reduced rate. Sounded like a great plan. After all, this is massage stuff is supposed to be good for me.

Well to get the real benefits of massage, first you have to schedule an appointment. Secondly, you have to show up and be willing to lie still for the duration of the appointment. No surprise, I had several unused free massages racked up. Feeling the tension of the holidays and some minor aches & strains, I decided to give this massage thing a try. After all, I had freebies accumulated!

Massage was a lifesaver for me! In today’s issue our panel experts from the Olson Center for Women gives us the low down on the many benefits of massage therapy. A great time of year to be thinking of this for yourself.  Add a gift certificate for a massage to your Christmas list! It is not too late.

Included in This and That 7 tips to goof proof your health during the holidays and all year long. Simple things you can do to stay happy and healthy.  Have you started thinking about 2012 and your new year’s resolution(s)? It is not too early. Some thoughts on resolutions that just may make all the difference in 2012! Check it out.

I hope you enjoy today’s issue!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday. May your home be filled with the joy of family and friends this joyous holiday season!

Cheers, Nancy

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Favorite Quote

“Happiness is good health &

A bad memory” ~ Ingrid Bergman

Massage Therapy and You!

Have you ever had a massage? Have you thought about giving it a try? Massage Therapy performed by trained and licensed massage therapists has a lengthy list of benefits for your health and well-being.

What is massage therapy?

Massage Therapy’s main purpose is to loosen the tension that collects in your muscle tissue due to stress, injury, repetitive movements and postural issues. The licensed therapist uses a variety of techniques to manipulate and knead the muscles, pushing the toxic build up out and flushing the muscle tissue with freshly oxygenated blood. Releasing the tension and increasing the circulation in this way not only feels wonderful, it has extra health benefits as well.

Benefits

Massage therapy relieves tension headaches and helps drain sinus congestion. Many people report that they

Sleep better after having a massage. Massage can help facilitate the re-mobilization of joints, muscles and limbs after injury or surgery. It also reduces the pain level for patients with fibromyalgia and helps chemotherapy patients feel better. In a study performed at the Touch Research Institute, “high blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy.”1 Many similar studies have found that massage therapy had the same positive effects on a range of conditions from low back pain to asthma, autism, anxiety, and ADHD.

Different Types

There are many different types of massage therapy treatments. The most common massage therapy is Swedish massage, which is used for relaxation and release of tension. Deep Tissue Massage uses very deep pressure, can help to relieve tension and release trigger points in the muscles. The heated stones in a Hot Stone Massage are very soothing to the muscles, especially during the cold winter months. There are special techniques in a Prenatal Massage that can help relieve some of the discomforts of pregnancy, such as low-back and sciatic pain. Shiatsu Massage uses the acupressure points to help increase the flow of energy throughout the body. Many other kinds of massage therapy are also available. Massages can be performed on a table or in a chair or seat. For a seated or chair massage you sit upright on a special chair. You can lean forward on the face cradle, relax and get off your feet for 5, 10 or 15 minutes. The licensed massage therapist massages your neck, shoulders and back through your clothing with specially designed techniques to loosen up the muscle tension and increase circulation. It’s a great way to take a break and return to work and other daily activities feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Mental health therapy Contributed by Janice VonHeim, LMT and Kiera Nagle, LMT

Olson Center for Women’s Health

This and That

7 Easy Tips – Goof-Proof Your Health All Season Long

Did you get your flu shot?  The jury is still out for some whether the flu shot will protect them from the virus.  Whether you receive the shot or not there are a few natural safeguards you can implement to protect yourself and your family.

• ·         6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, One of the main ways to support your immune. Your body needs that amount to repair itself and prepare itself for the next day. 
• ·         Eating well is another vital component to fighting off a virus.  Avoid processed food which is high in refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated oils, they stress the immune system.  Load your diet with plenty of organic vegetables first then fill in with complex carbohydrates such as organic fruits and grains such as quinoa, barley, oatmeal and brown rice.  This will build your body’s defense with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 
• ·         Garlic lovers, indulge!  Garlic has been nicknamed “Russian penicillin due to its anit-viral, anit-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. 
• ·         Water shuttles toxins out of the body so drink more than 6-8 glasses.  
• ·         Soak up the sun, take 15 minutes and soak up natural vitamin D.  Supplementing the recommended amount is a good idea as well but nothing is a potent as Mother Nature. 
• ·         Taking vitamin C daily provides a natural antihistamine and can block the effect of inflammatory produced by the body.  Peppermint tea will help clear your head.
• ·         Green tea is another potent immune booster.  And, yes, decaffeinated green tea.  Try replacing a cup of coffee with a cup of green tea and a fresh lemon slice.
• ·         Last, find ways to deal with stress.  Did you know that stress has been called “the silent killer?”  When you are stressed, every part of your body feels the effects and becomes vulnerable to colds, flu’s and disease.  Controlling your stress will help you find a balanced state of health and well-being.  Each day find a window of opportunity to relax. 
• ·         Oh and don’t forget to say your ABCs when you wash your hands! Have a non-stressful holiday season and New Year!

Contributed by Bill Esch, Smith & Esch Fitness Center

Out with the Old, In with the New

It is not too early to begin thinking about the New Year and your new year’s resolutions…. 2012 is just around the corner! Every year I tell myself I am going to sit down and really think about what my new year’s resolution(s) will be and then stick to them.  Problem is the New Year always comes before I am ready with my resolution(s)!

Why not begin thinking today. Consider sticking with the basics….ones that will maximize your health and personal happiness! Some great ones to consider getting you’re going….

Set Your “Turn-Off” Alarm – Remember you are not the energizer bunny. Your batteries will eventually run out if you run on full power 24-7. Set a specific time every night when you are done. Done with work, done with home chores, done with family obligations. Just done! Use this time to chill out and recharge your batteries.

Set a “No Technology” Time Zone at Home -  Agree on a specific time in the evening in which there is no more cell phone, texting, email, internet, or related technology which connects you to work. If on-call, limit your time to the absolute minimum. You need your time away!

Take a Lunch Every Day, Away from your desk – Eating at your desk is not a lunch. Taking a few steps away from your desk each day clears your mind, allows you to eat healthier, and all around just makes good sense.

Ink Time Into Your Schedule for You – Schedule personal time for you. Put it in “ink”. Pencil gets changed and you are easily robbed of personal time. Consider a massage!

Make Nutrition a Priority – Staying healthy starts with good nutrition. Start small if necessary. Any change that results in better nutrition is wonderful. Consider committing 2012 a no fast food zone!

Make Time for Exercise – Any type of physical activity counts. Pick something you love. Start small and commit to doing it with regularity.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No” – I have talked about the “no” word in many issues. The truth is, you will not take control of your life until you can learn to say “no”. Chances are you are not superwomen. You cannot do everything all the time. Focus on what fits with your professional and personal priorities. If something does not fit with those immediate priorities then table it.

Enjoy What You Do – Look for opportunities to have fun. At work connect with people you like. Organize activities outside the office setting. Get involved in your organization. If you aren’t happy doing what you do, then begin your search to find something that will inspire and challenge you. Life is too short!

If you can do them all awesome! If this seems like too much to bite off pick one or two you think will really help propel you into 2012 with a healthy and happy stride!

Cheers, Nancy

Category : Blog &Featured &Health & Fitness