Choosing L.A. as a jet-set destination was easy – finding the perfect hotel was not. Of course, the perfect hotel should be a place you look forward to going back to at the end of a long day of shopping, dining, sight-seeing (or whatever else you spent the day doing) – offering a big, comfortable bed lined with crisp, clean sheets of a ridiculously high thread count and lots of plush pillows. But the perfect hotel should also be a place you would be totally content never leaving.

Enter Andaz ... Read More »]]> Where: Andaz West Hollywood Hotel, 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Choosing L.A. as a jet-set destination was easy – finding the perfect hotel was not. Of course, the perfect hotel should be a place you look forward to going back to at the end of a long day of shopping, dining, sight-seeing (or whatever else you spent the day doing) – offering a big, comfortable bed lined with crisp, clean sheets of a ridiculously high thread count and lots of plush pillows. But the perfect hotel should also be a place you would be totally content never leaving.

Enter Andaz West Hollywood – conveniently located on the hip Sunset Strip in the heart of West Hollywood for the jet-set crowd. Andaz, an uber-trendy, yet chill hotel invites you to experience it rather than just visit. In keeping with that philosophy, when you stay at Andaz West Hollywood, you are encouraged to explore and share the local culture while enjoying the Andaz service which caters to your individual needs. In fact, the word “Andaz” means “personal style” in Hindi, and that’s exactly what you get – from the minute you arrive right up until the second you (sadly) leave.

Naturally, there was a lot of hype last year about the opening of Andaz West Hollywood. The hotel – the first high-rise hotel on the Sunset Strip – originally opened in the 1960’s as Gene Autrey’s Hotel Continental and was taken over by Hyatt in the 70’s. It quickly became a hot-spot for rock stars (including certain members of Led Zeppelin, The Who and the Rolling Stones) and was often referred to as “The Riot House” or “Riot Hyatt” on account of the wild events that often transpired there. After undergoing a complete renovation, the hotel re-opened as Andaz West Hollywood in January 2009.

The first thing you’ll notice when you check-in to Andaz West Hollywood is that you don’t actually “check-in”.

Instead, you are warmly greeted by your Andaz Host (who is also your bell attendant and concierge) who offers you a complimentary glass of wine while you take your seat on an over-sized leather couch in the “lobby” (which more closely resembles the stylish apartment one of your hip jet-set friends might own). Just a few minutes later, you are checked-in right from the couch on your Host’s laptop!

Once you have finished your glass of wine, your Host (with your luggage in tow) will show you to your room, pointing out all the details of your contemporary new digs and providing recommendations for the best insider places to eat, drink, shop and otherwise indulge yourself. Your Host will let you know that all snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in the room are complimentary – a pretty amazing deal. You’ll also may be happy to hear that your room is equipped with free wi-fi.

Besides all of these great perks, the second you enter your room you will immediately notice the clean, modern design element, and the spectacular views of either the Hollywood Hills on one side (standard rooms) or the Sunset Strip and downtown L.A. on the other side (available for a $50 upgrade). We were lucky enough to get a room on a high floor facing the Sunset Strip and downtown L.A. If you can, request the same when you visit and you will not be disappointed. While the view at night is pretty incredible, the day-time view is amazing too – it almost feels as though you are floating in the clouds as the world passes you by down below.

And speaking of floating, you must (at least for a short while) leave your room and head to Andaz West Holyywood’s swimming pool- the highest roof-top pool in L.A. There are lounge chairs where you can soak up that good California sunshine, or covered cabanas so you can escape it and enjoy lunch.

The best part of the pool area is the views of the Hollywood Hills. This is why you jet set to L.A. folks!

Of course, if you feel the need to burn off calories and work towards having a celebrity body while in the land of celebs, Andaz West Hollywood has a great gym with all of the amenities you need from elliptical machines and treadmills to free weights.

And hitting the gym is probably a good idea because you will definitely want to check out RH – the hotel’s amazing restaurant featuring the cuisine of Southwest France with a California twist. Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault (who worked under Alain Ducasse and received a Michelin Award for a restaurant he ran in Spain) creates masterpieces in the kitchen along with his culinary team. RH should not be missed, and I’ll have lots more to say about RH tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Bottom Line: Andaz West Hollywood is one of my favorite hotels in L.A. for its style, location, and incredible restaurant. But, what really makes Andaz West Hollywood shine is the hotel staff who finds your “Andaz” (personal style), anticipates your every need and delivers anything and everything your little heart desires!

Rates start at $225 a night. Andaz properties can also be found in London, New York City and San Diego.

Written By: Lori McNally of Chic Galleria Magazine

Antidepressants have been associated with weight gain since they were first used about 50 years ago. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) relieved depression but left patients considerably heavier as a consequence of treatment. One in particular, amitryptyline, was associated with uncontrollable sugar cravings. When Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Blockers (SSRIs) were introduced as the new generation of antidepressants, it was hoped that weight gain would not be a problem. Unfortunately this expectation has not been ... Read More »]]> By Judith J. Wurtman, PhD,
Co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs — Nature’s Own Appetite Suppressant — to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain

Antidepressants have been associated with weight gain since they were first used about 50 years ago. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) relieved depression but left patients considerably heavier as a consequence of treatment. One in particular, amitryptyline, was associated with uncontrollable sugar cravings. When Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Blockers (SSRIs) were introduced as the new generation of antidepressants, it was hoped that weight gain would not be a problem. Unfortunately this expectation has not been realized. Clinician were optimistic about Prozac, the first of the SSRIs, as patients lost weight during the early months of treatment. Prozac was viewed not only as an effective mood regulator but a potential weight-loss drug as well. It was tested in a national study and although weight loss did occur early in the study, weight gain followed. By the end of the study, patients on the drug weighed the same as they had before starting the program.

The potential to cause weight gain is not limited to Prozac; at this point there is no effective antidepressant that does not have the potential to cause weight gain. Moreover, drugs used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may leave the patient with l00 or more unwanted pounds.

There is still no explanation of how the drugs interfere with appetite and weight regulation. Some animal studies focusing on drugs like Zyprexa that cause substantial weight gain suggest that the drug interferes with other brain chemicals such as histamine or a sub-group of serotonin-containing cells, thereby promoting hunger. But so far no one understands how drugs like Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro or Prozac are able to limit or prevent control over food intake.

Several years ago, I was asked to set up and run a weight management center at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric facility associated with Harvard Medical School. Our clients were drawn from the surrounding communities but what many had in common was weight gain during treatment with psychotropic drugs; some took two or three medications. What was striking about their problem is that almost all had been thin before starting on their medications. Before getting sick, these men and women never had emotional issues with food. They ate healthily, had never been on diet, and tended to enjoy exercise. All were startled by the change in their eating habits and, of course, in their bodies. Weight gain ranged between 15 and 40 pounds for those on antidepressants and between 75 and 125 pounds for those on mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotic drugs. What they all had in common was the inability to turn off their urge to eat, regardless of how much food they were consuming.

Since then, as now, no one really knew how to deal with this type of weight gain we decided to try an approach that had worked with typical obese clients. We knew from our research and previous clinical experience that increasing serotonin synthesis increased satiety. The SSRIs that theoretically should have activated this serotoninergic function was doing just the opposite, i.e. causing the patients to feel a chronic need to eat.

All carbohydrates with the exception of fructose (fruit sugar) will lead to an increase in serotonin synthesis if the carbohydrate is consumed without protein. The process involves the uptake into the brain of the amino acid tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin. Insulin release after carbohydrate digestion removes from the circulation other amino acids that compete with tryptophan for brain uptake. Tryptophan enters the brain easily and is quickly converted into serotonin. Protein consumption, even if eaten along with carbohydrates, floods the circulation with these competitor amino acids and tryptophan, the scarcest amino acid in protein, does not get into the brain.

Thus the diet we developed to increase serotonin synthesis consisted of scheduled consumption of easily digested carbohydrates during the day and in the evening. Clients were given a carbohydrate-containing beverage previously developed at an MIT research study to drink late in the morning, late in the afternoon and if needed about two hours before bedtime. The drink contained a mixture of fast and slowly digesting carbohydrates and no fat or protein. Clients were also given a list of carbohydrate snack foods that could substitute for the drink. In addition we gave the clients a nutrient-rich, reduced calorie food plan to follow. They were also encouraged to resume the exercise some of them had abandoned after gaining weight.

The satiating effects of the increased serotonin synthesis were felt within an hour or so of consuming the carbohydrate drink. Our clients told us that the nagging need to eat went away. They had no trouble following the reduced-calorie food plan because they were not hungry. And they lost weight, despite continuing on the medications that had caused their weight gain.

This approach to reversing antidepressant weight gain, now detailed in The Serotonin Power Diet, is simple and effective. For maximum efficacy, it should be put in place at the start of treatment so that weight gain can be prevented. However, because consuming carbohydrates is such an integral part of the plan, those whose medications have caused them to develop obesity-associated diabetes cannot use it without supervision by a dietician.

One interesting benefit of this approach to weight loss is that many of our clients reported simply feeling better. They told us they felt calmer, less anxious, slept better and were more relaxed. The opposite was also reported by some of our clients who had been told to avoid eating carbohydrates by their physicians in order to lose weight. Many reported a worsening of their mood and one told us that she contemplated suicide after being taken off carbohydrates.

It is hoped that soon there will be a new class of drugs to regulate mood disorders without causing the distress of weight gain. But in the meanwhile, the best solution to this weight gain is to take advantage of serotonin’s ability to turn off the appetite by simply eating therapeutic amounts of carbohydrates.

© 2010 Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs — Nature’s Own Appetite Suppressant — to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain

Judith J. Wurtman, Ph.D

Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs — Nature’s Own Appetite Suppressant — to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain, has discovered the connection between carbohydrate craving, serotonin, and emotional well-being in her MIT clinical studies. She received her PhD from George Washington University, is the founder of a Harvard University hospital weight-loss facility and counsels private weight management clients. She has written five books, including The Serotonin Solution, and more than 40 peer-reviewed articles for professional publications. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida.

For more information, please visit www.SerotoninPowerDiet.com.
Photo Credit © Batemcr | Dreamstime.com

By Ariane de Bonvoisin

Everyone is born with a will to survive, get better, and be happier–I call this the Change Muscle. It helps you accept the reality of your situation and find your center again. Every time you are faced with a change and move through it, you are activating that muscle. And once you flex it, it’s strengthened for life–you can never lose all that you have gained from experience. Next time you’re faced with transition, remember that your Change Muscle will ... Read More »]]> Life’s transitions are ultimately positive, even if they don’t always feel it. Here’s how to navigate them gracefully.

By Ariane de Bonvoisin

Everyone is born with a will to survive, get better, and be happier–I call this the Change Muscle. It helps you accept the reality of your situation and find your center again. Every time you are faced with a change and move through it, you are activating that muscle. And once you flex it, it’s strengthened for life–you can never lose all that you have gained from experience. Next time you’re faced with transition, remember that your Change Muscle will give you the strength to get through it.

Accept Change

When change happens, you often look longingly back to what used to be. You don’t like where the river of life seems to be taking you, so you cling to the rocks or row vigorously upstream–that’s what makes change tough! Accept change by taking in your new circumstances without fighting, arguing, explaining, or asking “What if?” It may be difficult at first, but you will soon see that life will lead you through this change and into a place of greater happiness and peace.

Go in the direction that life is taking you. If it’s a divorce, accept it; if it’s a health diagnosis, accept it–only then can you focus on re-aligning yourself with a plan and an optimistic view that focuses on the future, not the past.

Take Action

People who are good at change stop talking and take positive action. Whether life has thrown you a change or you want to make a shift, get a journal and start writing down your feelings. Then make a plan that feels right and is realistic and hopeful. Next, start moving physically. Getting some form of exercise is an absolute must when going through change–don’t forget the S.E.E.D of all change. (Sleep, Eat Well, Exercise, and Drink Water).

Doing something for someone else–helping a neighbor, calling a lonely friend, spending extra time with your child–will also help to keep you moving forward during change. You can also try something brand new–a new route home, a new class at the gym, a new restaurant, to get things flowing. During transitions it’s also helpful to create a “wall of change” with images of what you want to shift and work towards.

Photo Credit: Laura Vogt Photography

Unfortunately, our general society is fear-based one.  The news tells us the economy’s bad, so we hang on to jobs that make us miserable.  The fear of being alone causes us to dwell in toxic relationships.  We stop eating Oreos because we’re told they may kill us.

As a result, we’re afraid to take leaps of ... Read More »]]> There’s a certain calm one experiences when one knows she has made the right decision.  Even she struggled in order to make that decision, peace comes when the decision is right.  Peace remains even if there are elements of uncertainty about the outcome of that decision.

Unfortunately, our general society is fear-based one.  The news tells us the economy’s bad, so we hang on to jobs that make us miserable.  The fear of being alone causes us to dwell in toxic relationships.  We stop eating Oreos because we’re told they may kill us.

As a result, we’re afraid to take leaps of faith.  Having faith in a greater power (God?  The Universe?  I don’t know, but I do know something’s out there and it’s a lot bigger and better than any of us) only leads us to those leaps of faith and will allow us welcome change when it occurs.

So how do we get to that point of faith when struggling with decisions?  It starts with simply allowing ourselves to ‘be’.  Sitting in silence (prayer or meditation – we all have our own thing) is a starting point.  Doing a bit of homework helps, too (after all, the aforementioned greater power shouldn’t be expected to do everything for us.  I think that power appreciates it when we take some initiative).

We must possess a clear vision of what we truly want out of life.  We create our own universe.  By accepting that where we are in life right now is a result of our past thoughts and actions, we thus empower ourselves to make changes that will ultimately lead to happiness and success.

We must come to know our true selves, our true passions, and allow that power to lead us toward living as we’re truly meant to live – blissfully and without fear.

By living consciously and with awareness, fears tend to disappear, and we can make decisions and make changes that will only allow us to thrive peacefully and positively…and to enjoy the occasional Oreo.

Beth Newman is an Image Consultant and Life Coach based out of Houston, TX.  For more information about her, please visit her website at www.newmanimage.info

Photo Credit: Laura Vogt Photography