Body & Mind

 

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Book Giveaway: Willow | February 18, 2010

In the past nine months since my novel Willow was released in hardcover (and, much to my amazement, gone into six printings) I have had the incredible good fortune to be interviewed a number of times. In each and every interview, whether I am speaking with a teen book blogger or a radio host, I am always asked the same two questions. “What inspired you to write a book about cutting?” And “Are you, or have you ever been a cutter?” And my answers are always the same.

“But I didn’t write a book about cutting!” I protest.  And indeed, to … Read More »


 

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Book Giveaway: DO IT OR AGE QUICKLY | February 18, 2010

8 Tips to Improve Your Diet

by JB Berns, author of DO IT OR AGE QUICKLY: 60-Second Practices to Live Better, Stronger, and Longer

These simple rules will help shed excess weight, aid digestion, and improve nutrient absorption:

When you wake up, have a glass of warm water with half of a lemon. Lemons are great detoxifiers, rich in vitamin C (so they boost your immune system), aid in digestion, and benefit the gastrointestinal tract. It’s a great way to start the day!

No … Read More »


 

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Does Cold Weather Make You Store Body Fat? | February 17, 2010

By Tom Venuto, Author of The Body Fat Solution: Five Principles for Burning Fat, Building Lean Muscle, Ending Emotional Eating, and Maintaining Your Perfect Weight

Do you get fatter in the cold weather? It’s a good question right now, and the answer is yes!

First there’s the psychological explanation: in warm climates, people are wearing less clothes and enjoying the outdoors and people want to look good when they’re exposing more flesh! In the cold, you’re covered up, so there’s less self-consciousness and no public accountability. Therefore, most people tend to stay on a diet more diligently and train harder … Read More »


 

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Do You Have a Middle Ground? | February 15, 2010

By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD, Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple’s Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

Attitude survey:

On a scale of one to five where five means you agree strongly and one means you strongly disagree.

1. Before I speak with my partner I think about whether it is a good time to deal with the issue I want to bring up.

2. Couples need to resolve stressful topics efficiently. Coming back to the same topic repeatedly indicates a poor relationship.

3. We have a number of shared interests and activities.

4. If I need to … Read More »


 

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Phuong Le
 
 
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Happy Chinese New Year with Slimming Fortune Cookies! | February 15, 2010

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! To celebrate, I created a delicious tea infused fortune cookie recipe! The best part, besides all the powerful antioxidants, is the slimming affect of the tea! Oolong has been shown to help shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism and blocking the fattening effect of carbohydrates. Fortune cookies aren’t just for “fortunes” either! Write a love note or a day brightener as a “fortune.”  Watch the other person’s expression when they see their personalized message. It’s fun and it tastes so much better than the store bought cookies. Plus it’s quick and easy.

Ingredients:

2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon … Read More »


 

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Carrie & Theresa
 
 
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Has Disney Tainted a Girl’s Real World Perspective of a Happy Ending? | February 12, 2010

When I read Carrie’s article on Disney/Pixar movies and the great messages that they often carried with them I couldn’t have agreed more.  I have always been a BIG fan of Disney!  I was born not far from Disneyland and from our backyard in Anaheim I remember early childhood memories of watching the fireworks every night.  I have such fond memories of princesses and Prince Charming, fairy godmothers and far away castles and happy endings that I am deathly afraid I may have transformed them into my real life.

Though I know that these movies often carry a great moral story … Read More »


 

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Phuong Le
 
 
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Tropical Fruit Salad with Moroccan Mint Green Tea Dressing | February 11, 2010

Benefits of Mint

* Mint is also said and in many cases proven to:

* Relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome by relaxing the muscles in and around the intestine.
* Act as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body against the formation of cancerous cells.
* Inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungus.
* Ease and unblock the breathing and respiratory passages and airways.
* Relieves the symptoms of colds and flu.
* Mint can help with nasal allergies.
* It can relieve congestion, head colds and headaches.
* Act as a mild sedative and has calming properties.
* Relieve minor aches and … Read More »


 

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Intentionality and Food | February 10, 2010

By Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D., Author of The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones: A Holistic Approach

“Made with love” is an ingredient I have often seen on home-made packaged cookies and other home-made foods in health food stores. It always seems like a sweet and nice thing to say, but without real meaning, a friendly, new-agey kind of sentiment. Turns out it’s quite real, and measurable.

Let me set the context for this column for you. At this time, I am the president of a small non-profit organization called Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (FIONS). The organization it sprang … Read More »


 

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Stephanie Churma
 
 
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The Single Girl Freak-out | February 9, 2010

There comes a time once a year, that makes many cringe. Some will come down with pseudo serious nausea, irrational thinking, unintentional bon bon eating, and lest we forget the waterworks. This time of year can be detrimental to our psyche, and without proper care we could end up spending an entire 24 hours utterly miserable.

Ten points and one golden star to the lucky reader to guess what day I am referring to.

Raise your hand if Valentine’s Day is not your idea of a good time. I would like to say that for those readers who are in happy, loving … Read More »


 

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LOVE WINS Releasing Romantic Illusions | February 9, 2010

By Gabrielle Bernstein, author of ADD MORE ~ing TO YOUR LIFE: A HIP GUIDE TO HAPPINESS.

For the majority of my life, navigating romantic relationships was like trying to reverse the Titanic. My past romances were filled with tons of mini dramas and fearful illusions. I exuded fear and grasped unto relationships for my dear life. This behavior was very unattractive. I thought I’d never “figure it out.” I often wondered why some of my girlfriends had such an easy time in relationships while many of us were left in the dark struggling to make sense of it all.

Then one afternoon, … Read More »


 

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Jennifer Taylor
 

Resolute Worrier Project Part II | February 8, 2010

Since last week I think I’ve worried less. Really. Or at least I’ve thought more about worrying and what it isn’t doing for me. I ask my husband if I seem a bit less angst-ridden than normal. His response is a noncommittal “maybe.” To me that’s progress because he’s usually the one who is much more cognizant of my worrying than I am. Why is that?

So I feel ready to tackle this week’s assignment – worrying before a doctor’s appointment. I don’t mean right before. From the moment I schedule an annual exam, check up, or physical, I think about … Read More »


 

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8 Tips for Renewing Your Relationship This Valentine’s Day | February 8, 2010

By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD, Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple’s Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

How many ways do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Pick at least three qualities about your partner that you love. Gift each one of these with something special. For example, give her a CD by her favorite recording artist in celebration of whatever you consider to be her (or his) most appealing facial feature. Choose a clothing accessory that includes the color that you think best flatters your partner and celebrate the way they look in that … Read More »


 

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Carrie & Theresa
 
 
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Chronicling Weight Loss Stumbles and Goals | February 4, 2010

Not many know that I at one time was almost 400 pounds.  WOW…even now that number seems far too high and I lived it!  I can’t really say everything that got me to that point, nor do I even know really what it was that sparked the fire in me to lose nearly 200 of those pounds.  I remember going to a doctor visit and the first thing the doc said to me was “you know you have a weight problem, right?”  “REALLY? I NEVER knew!  Tell me doc, exactly how many years of medical school did it take you … Read More »


 

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Phuong Le
 
 
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Ginger-Lemon Cookies with Soothing Sleepy Time Tonic | February 3, 2010

I just learned so many interesting health benefits about honey and cinnamon! Did you know….

* The daily intake of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Researchers have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts and its use strengthens the white blood corpuscles.
* Ancient cultures used Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder for longevity. 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water are boiled to make this tea. The prescribed amount is to drink 1/4 cup, 3 times a … Read More »


 

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Christie Ressel
 
 
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Squash Office Gossip | February 2, 2010

It’s no secret that our places of employment can be not only a place of enjoyment, but one that can also inevitably lead to stress as well. As business individuals, we’re all constantly striving for our best, while competing with others that are also doing the same. Not only this, but most of us have deadlines to meet, and clients to interact – all of which are expected to be done with a smile and outstanding service.

But no matter how distinguished many business individuals claim themselves to be – there are so many businesses that succumb to the unfortunate mishaps … Read More »