Backed by cutting edge research, Dr. Brill explains:

* Why the Mediterranean diet is the gold standard of heart-healthy eating * How “good carbs” such as oatmeal and popcorn lower bad cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and control ... Read More »]]>

If you’re one of the 13 million Americans who have survived a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart disease, Dr. Janet Bond Brill offers a delicious and foolproof plan that can lower your risk of a second heart attack by up to 70 percent. Inspired by the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, the Prevent a Second Heart Attack Plan is based on satisfaction, rather than deprivation.

Backed by cutting edge research, Dr. Brill explains:

* Why the Mediterranean diet is the gold standard of heart-healthy eating
* How “good carbs” such as oatmeal and popcorn lower bad cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and control your weight
* The science behind eating fish for heart health
* Why having a glass of red wine with dinner is great for your heart- – and which wines are the best choices
* The easiest, most delicious daily habit that will cut your heart attack risk

Packed with every tool you need to eat your way to better heart health–including daily checklists, a complete two-week eating plan, and dozens of mouthwatering recipes to suit every meal, taste, and budget–Prevent a Second Heart Attack provides you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to live long and enjoy the good life, the heart healthy way.

Chic Galleria is giving away a copy of Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease (ARV $15.00) to one (1) lucky person. To enter, just leave a comment on this article letting us know if you or someone you know would love to receive this book. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments and announced here on March 31, 2011.

For extra chances to win:

1. Follow @DrJanetBrill on Twitter.

2. Like Dr. Janet Brill  on Facebook.

3. Post the giveaway on your Facebook profile page tagging @Chic Galleria and @Dr. Janet Brill.

4. Send out a tweet: I entered to win Prevent a 2nd Heart Attack from @DrJanetBrill on @ChicGalleria http://bit.ly/cYr8Gq

5. Follow @ChicGalleria on Twitter.

6. Like Chic Galleria on Facebook.

Please leave a comment of each additional entry.

Congratulations to our winner Tracy Schultz!

“Girlfriends 2.0 sold more copies in the first month alone than the vast majority of first time authors ... Read More »]]>

Chic Galleria contributor and my very dear friend, Cindy W. Morrison is hitting New York City next week for the national launch of her book, “Girlfriends 2.0.” Morrison will be making the rounds of talk shows and doing interviews in addition to a launch party sponsored by TheImproper.com, New York City’s cutting edge arts, entertainment and lifestyle Web magazine, and Yorkshire Publishing. Yorkshire picked up Morrison’s book after sales of the initially self-published title took off.

“Girlfriends 2.0 sold more copies in the first month alone than the vast majority of first time authors ever sell,” said Morrison, who has researched author and book sales to keep track of her progress. The book’s message of reinvention and rebooting struck a chord during the past year of recession and cutbacks, and it continues to draw praise and interest as the economy begins to rebound and people explore new possibilities.

“It’s about learning how to surround yourself with the people who will be there to support, encourage, caution or protect you when you need them, and how to recognize those who won’t and what to do about them so you can not just survive, but thrive,” Morrison said.

Morrison is in the midst of the national tour for Spark & Hustle business conferences for women as one of the featured speakers, but will work the national launch of her book in the Big Apple into the tour and won’t miss any scheduled speaking dates. “When I began my journalism career 20 years ago, I wanted what every young TV reporter wants… to be an anchor in New York City. I’m not arriving as an anchor, but as an entrepreneur and author, and that’s definitely more satisfying,” Morrison said.  Socialvention, Morrison’s program for using social media to brand, market and connect, is receiving national exposure through the Spark and Hustle series of business conferences.  Morrison is a member of the National Speakers Bureau and speaks nationally on social media, reinvention, business collaboration and other topics.

“Whether you’re trying to save money, start a career or build a business, “Girlfriends 2.0″ is savvy –sassy– and an inspiration.”–Elisabeth Leamy, Consumer Correspondent ABC News

Read more about Cindy at http://sparkandhustle.com, http://cindywmorrison.com and http://theimproper.com.

You can find articles written by Cindy on Chic Galleria here:

How I Survived a Very Public Layoff

The Best Makeup Tips EVER

How to Catch the Attention of TV Stations With Social Media

Do You Really Ask For What You Want?

Haters = Control Alt Delete

Why You Need Girlfriends With a Capital ‘G’

Hunting the Elusive Snipe Called The Confident Woman

Dump the Wanna-Bes

You can follow Cindy on Twitter at @CindyWMorrison and find her on Facebook.

Beth B. Anderson is the creator and CEO of Chic Galleria Publications, LLC and Editor-in-Chief of Chic Galleria magazine.

Each year, roughly 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack — and most of them survive. But research shows that just one year after their diagnosis, the vast majority fail to adhere to the dietary changes that could prevent a second heart attack. After losing her father to his second heart attack and fearing that her husband would suffer the same fate after his first, Dr. Janet Bond Brill was inspired to write Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease (Three Rivers Press, $15.00, February 1, 2011). Packed with every tool someone needs — ... Read More »]]>

Each year, roughly 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack — and most of them survive. But research shows that just one year after their diagnosis, the vast majority fail to adhere to the dietary changes that could prevent a second heart attack. After losing her father to his second heart attack and fearing that her husband would suffer the same fate after his first, Dr. Janet Bond Brill was inspired to write Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease (Three Rivers Press, $15.00, February 1, 2011). Packed with every tool someone needs — including daily checklists, nutrition information, a complete two-week eating plan, and dozens of mouth-watering recipes to suit every meal, taste, and budget — the delicious and foolproof program ensures that heart attack survivors and their loved ones will be satisfied, rather than deprived, as they eat their way to better heart health.

Q: Why did you write the book Prevent a Second Heart Attack?

A: I saw a need among heart attack survivors that was not being filled. Currently, more than 13 million Americans have either survived a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart disease. As a registered dietitian specializing in cardiovascular disease prevention, I have found that heart attack survivors simply are not following a lifestyle plan that would help them to prevent a second attack. What many of these “survivors” need to know is that a healthy lifestyle and carefully following doctor’s orders can prevent another heart attack. The problem is that many of these individuals find the “cardiac diet” too restrictive or complicated, and some receive no lifestyle counseling. What’s more, if the heart attack survivor decides to go it alone and purchase a self-help book, he or she may reach for one of the best-selling heart disease reversal books that promote a punishing, “extreme” fringe diet. Most of these books feature Spartan, vegan-style eating plans that are simply too difficult to follow and frankly are just not livable. Why should heart attack survivors be punished further with the burden of tasteless, low-fat plans when there is a better way? My book gives these people good news – - that they can prevent new plaque buildup and even reverse or stabilize dangerous, vulnerable plaque in their coronary arteries with a delightfully palatable lifestyle strategy where they can still enjoy the good things in life.

Q: But what exactly are the best lifestyle changes – - alongside drugs – - for preventing a second heart attack and even reversing heart disease?

A: That is the very question this book answers. A tremendous amount of scientific research has investigated the application of various diet and exercise plans in preventing further coronary events. I have found that the bulk of the scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the notion that post–heart attack patients should be advised to eat a Mediterranean-style diet, be physically active at least thirty minutes a day, and not smoke. In fact, the famed Lyon Heart Study that tested a Cretan Mediterranean diet in cardiac patients reported a phenomenal reduction of recurrence rate of 70 percent compared to the control diet (a typical low-fat Western-style diet). Thus, the bulk of the scientific research is crystal clear: a Mediterranean style of eating combined with physical activity is the optimal lifestyle plan for preventing a second heart attack and is far superior to the low-fat vegetarian diet regimens typically prescribed to heart patients in the fat-phobic ’90s (and that continue to line bookstore shelves today). I propose that a Mediterranean-style diet, as outlined in Prevent a Second Heart Attack and backed by powerful evidence, can be even more effective than the eating plans currently recommended by many cardiologists – - simply because it tastes good and makes life more enjoyable. Following vegan-style plans can also reverse heart disease but only if adhered to – - an extremely difficult chore for most Americans.

Q: Did you have a personal reason for writing this book?

A: All the men I love have either died of heart disease or are currently living with the disease. My father had his first heart attack at age forty-five and died from his second attack several years later. He was never given any lifestyle advice that could have helped him prevent or reverse his disease. My father-in-law, Harry, had his first heart attack at forty-eight years old and had his second bypass operation two years ago at age seventy-eight. He has tried many of the low-fat vegetarian diets over the years but has found them too difficult to adhere to on a consistent basis. My husband, Sam, had his first heart attack two years ago at age fifty-one. So I wrote this book with the hope that Sam, Harry, and the 13 million other American heart attack survivors will follow the advice set forth in these pages: a livable lifestyle that will show them the way to a long, happy, and healthy life by teaching them how to prevent that second lethal attack and even reverse the actual disease process.

Q: Hindsight is 20/20, but is there anything you would have suggested your husband, Sam, do to prevent his first heart attack?

A: Looking back, I would say I underestimated the power of three risk factors to promote a heart attack: severe emotional duress, family history, and a low HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Fearful that he would follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps (his grandfather died of a heart attack at age thirty-five), Sam underwent an invasive medical test (an angiogram) at age forty-five to reassure him that he was free of his family scourge. The results came back negative for any trace of cardiovascular disease. His blood values were excellent except for a low HDL value of 32 (under 40 mg/dL is considered a risk factor). He didn’t smoke, had normal blood pressure, and was not overweight. He continued under the care of his cardiologist – - and had passed his exercise stress tests with flying colors. Then came the economic tsunami that hit the Florida real estate market (my husband is a general contractor) . . . combined with the stress of his father’s second bypass operation . . . and he had a heart attack on July 31, 2009 – - and thankfully survived with minor heart muscle damage. So obviously, looking back, he should have been taking much more aggressive preventive measures given his family history – - such as medications, HDL-boosting lifestyle measures, and practicing more stress management techniques.

Q: Is heart disease really reversible?

A: Yes. Studies published in leading medical journals have shown that following a lifestyle similar to the one outlined in my book – - and combined with physician-prescribed medications – - can stabilize and even reverse vulnerable plaque.

Q: Can I eat red meat?

A: The Prevent a Second Heart Attack plan consists of removing the plaque- building foods (red meat, cream, butter, eggs, and cheese) that cause blood vessel damage and replacing them with delicious anti-inflammatory foods that facilitate the body’s natural healing processes to reverse existing heart disease and restore quality of life. To combat the confusion issue, the Prevent a Second Heart Attack Plan offers powerful lifesaving advice, translating the complex clinical findings into a simple, easy-to-follow set of guidelines, “The Eight Dietary Commandments”: (1) no more butter and cream, to be replaced by extra virgin olive oil; (2) no day without greens and other vegetables; (3) no day without figs or other fruit; (4 & 5) no meat (beef, lamb, pork), and replaced by fish and legumes; (6) no day without walnuts and flaxseeds; (7) no day without whole grains and cereals; (8) and moderate alcohol consumption, mainly in the form of red wine, recommended at dinner. (Plus a bonus food – - deep, dark, sinfully rich chocolate!)

Q: What is the best exercise for my heart?

A: The scientific consensus is that walking is the best exercise prescription for fighting off heart disease. How much, how often, and how fast (plus a discussion of the latest scientific research on exercise for heart disease) is detailed in the chapter on exercise. The best medicine for healing the arteries and reversing heart disease is moderate exercise, and the best exercise for you is the one you will do on a daily basis!

Q: What makes your plan so different and easier to follow than some of the other heart disease reversal plans on the market?

A: Many of the best-selling plans advise avoiding fish; any and all kinds of oil; avocado; nuts; seeds, and chocolate–delightfully tasty foods–all advocated in my plan.

Q: Can I really begin to heal my arteries in just 8 weeks?

A: Clinical research has shown a significant reduction in the rate of secondary events in post-heart attack subjects switching to a Mediterranean-style diet–in as little as 6 weeks.

Q: What about protein–where do I get my protein from?

A: The Prevent a Second heart Attack plan urges you to become a “vegaquarium.” By getting your protein from the earth and the sea, you will also be fueling your body with numerous additional nutrients that fortify your daily heart disease defense system–artery healing components not found in a Western-style diet high in animal protein.

Q: Can I drink coffee and tea?

A: The Prevent a Second heart Attack plan is a plant-based diet. Both coffee and tea are made from plants–and plants contain plaque-fighting phytonutrients. So yes, you can have coffee and tea.

Q: What about supplements?

A: Not all supplements are created equally when it comes to treating and reversing plaque buildup. Three stand out among the crowd and should be in every heart attack survivor’s medicine chest: Niacin; Vitamin D3; Fish oil.

Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, author of Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease, is a diet, nutrition, and fitness expert who has appeared on national television. She is the author of Cholesterol Down: 10 Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol In 4 Weeks Without Prescription Drugs, and specializes in cardiovascular disease prevention. Dr. Brill lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.

For more information please visit http://preventasecondheartattack.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

By Lisa Hoefinger

My mixed breed shelter dog, Bo, has a very unique talent. He’s a writer and now a published author.  Bo’s accomplished what no other dog has, to have the first non-fiction memoir nationally published under his name.

The story begins back in 1993 shortly after my husband and got married.  It was our first Christmas together as a married couple and I was very excited about the upcoming holiday. To kick things off we went and bought a beautiful tree, but on the day we were going to decorate it fate stepped ... Read More »]]>

By Lisa Hoefinger

My mixed breed shelter dog, Bo, has a very unique talent. He’s a writer and now a published author.  Bo’s accomplished what no other dog has, to have the first non-fiction memoir nationally published under his name.

The story begins back in 1993 shortly after my husband and got married.  It was our first Christmas together as a married couple and I was very excited about the upcoming holiday. To kick things off we went and bought a beautiful tree, but on the day we were going to decorate it fate stepped in and our lives would be forever changed.

My husband, Horst, decided it was more important to go watch a football game than stay home and decorate the tree.  Let’s just say it was very chilly at our house when he got back. A few days later I called him at work and he heard barking in the background. Yes, I was at our local shelter. His decision set into motion a ‘revenge’ adoption, a mischievous four-legged dog was about to become a new family member. We had no idea what we were in for.

In 2006 Bo was fourteen, in what we called ‘bonus time.’    Horst decided to write a book about all the crazy adventures we’ve had over the years and give it to me as a Christmas present. His goal was to give me something I could cherish long after Bo was gone. He decided to do something a little different and wrote it through the dog’s eyes.  When I received my gift it was a complete surprise. He most certainly made up for his bad judgment 14 years prior.

The book was different than any other dog memoir I had ever read, it was 100% funny.  After reading it I thought dog lovers everywhere could relate to the hilarious stories and I decided to find Bo a literary agent. In the summer of 2007 I found an agent and the following summer he put paw to paper on a contract with Kensington Books.

What started out as a little Christmas gift for me became a published book in October 2009. BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of  A Rebel Doggie Blogger is available at bookstores everywhere.

Now readers can join Bo on his adventures, and while doing so, hopefully it will bring back happy memories of life with their dog. If you read Bo’s book I guarantee the only tears shed will be tears of laughter.

As Bo say’s, “What you’re getting is one hundred percent, genuine Mr. Bo Hoefinger and family. The characters in this book, the stories, and the thoughts are all real. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent.

So take pleasure in the world as I have seen it, experienced it and lived it.

Welcome to my mind and my story…”

Bo continues to write, in between naps, of course. His mom, Lisa, also enjoys writing and does so freelance. They both work together to spread the word about dog adoption and are big rescue advocates. Bo donates 10% of his proceeds from the book to help homeless dogs. His goal is for every dog to have a copy of his book and a forever home to read it in. He would like to become pet ambassador for shelter dogs because who better to bark about adoption than a former rescue?  Find Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger on Amazon.