So, I wrote and published a book.
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Small-town journalist, Cricket Hampton, gets caught up in a Detroit underground sex ring when her world collides with a young girl from Honduras.
I’m a writer, not a salesman. Here goes nothing.
After writing and publishing a book, I’m finding the whole process to be quite the out-of-body experience.
First, I’m an introvert and the idea of having to carve out relationships and network with publishers or prospects who might want to read my work is… well, it’s unnatural. I’d rather jump out of my skin and bones and let someone else overtake my body while this is happening. Once this charismatic body-snatcher builds up a sufficient following, then I might consider retaking the steering wheel again.
I’m not a salesman, but I am a lion. I do not have an aggressive bone in my body, except when it comes to protecting my kids, and sparring with bullies who think that…
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So, I wrote and published a book.
Book Publishing, Crime Thriller
Small-town journalist, Cricket Hampton, gets caught up in a Detroit underground sex ring when her world collides with a young girl from Honduras.
I’m a writer, not a salesman. Here goes nothing.
After writing and publishing a book, I’m finding the whole process to be quite the out-of-body experience.
First, I’m an introvert and the idea of having to carve out relationships and network with publishers or prospects who might want to read my work is… well, it’s unnatural. I’d rather jump out of my skin and bones and let someone else overtake my body while this is happening. Once this charismatic body-snatcher builds up a sufficient following, then I might consider retaking the steering wheel again.
I’m not a salesman, but I am a lion. I do not have an aggressive bone in my body, except when it comes to protecting my kids, and sparring with bullies who think that I’m not the contentious type. The bully is usually astounded when I become a lion and attack when cornered. But, I’m not this way when it has to do with a book I’ve written. Even though I’ve written it with more passion than I’ve ever had for anything else on this big, round globe we live on.
And so now that I’ve written a book I’m going to embark on the extremely daunting process of selling, hawking, soliciting, and peddling my goods (something totally out of sync with my shrinking violet, wallflower persona).
Now without further whining and complaining about my social ineptitude, here is my book: Little Girl Wonder. Read a sample page and if it peaks your interest, consider buying it and writing a review, but only if you want to! (passive/aggressive plea for a nice review)
Top 5 Trailblazing Wheelchair Bloggers and Disability Advocates
UncategorizedNavigating the world with a spinal cord injury or severe paralysis can feel like a solitary journey. Thankfully there are passionate advocates on this topic who have made it a mission to open up their blogs — and their hearts — and enlighten those experiencing the same hurdles.
Who Are These Inspiring Hero Bloggers?
They are moms, therapists, disabled veterans, writers, educators, caretakers — you name it. Their lessons are inspiring. Their words are hopeful. Their teachings are insightful. And (because of the way the universe works) these good people have committed to educating the masses about those living — and thriving — within the paralyzed community.
Here are just a few of the many talented and fearless wheelchair warriors within our midst:
Magdalena | WheelChair Blogger Extraordinaire | http://www.prettycripple.com
The Wheelchair Mommy
First, let’s start with Priscilla Hartman Hedlin, better known as: The Wheelchair Mommy. Priscilla was paralyzed in a car accident in 1999. She is a wife and mother to three children. Her blogs are entertaining, heartwarming, and candid. She talks about everything from ‘inappropriate questions people ask her about paralysis’ to her experience during pregnancy with a spinal cord injury. Priscilla’s positive energy is also apparent when she travels to speak to audiences around the country. Her speech is titled, “Changed, but Still the Same: Happiness Spoke’N from the Heart.” The message she delivers centers around her life and happiness after paralysis. You can also find her blogs on Bloglovin.com.
HandiCap This!
Next are two dynamos, Mike Berkson and Tim Wambach, who created a successful organization that helps those living with severe physical disabilities.
Since 2010, Mike (a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy) and Tim have been traveling the country as a two-man stage show called ‘Handicap This!’ Their message is of tolerance and inclusion. Tim first met Mike when he became his aide over 14 years ago. For a brief introduction to these superheroes and what this company is all about, check out their YouTube video.
How do they do all of this? Blogs, podcasts, speaking engagements, WebTV, networking, and work diligently to create alliances with businesses and organizations. This dynamic duo are blazing trails and taking names! Their show is just one part of a larger partnership they have together. They’ve also established the ‘Keep on Keeping on Foundation (KOKO). Founded in 2007, this grassroots organization has worked to lessen the enormous monetary costs of those living with a severe physical disability and to educate and empower others to make a difference.
“I never dwell on my limitations. Instead, I ponder unlimited possibilities.”
– Mike Berkson
Thanks to Mike and Tim, our world is brighter because of their work and passion in teaching others the power and benefit of community service and how to appreciate each other’s differences.
SPINALpedia.com
Josh Basile, Founder of SPINALpedia.com, became a C4–5 quadriplegic after a swimming injury. Operating as a social mentoring network, SPINALpedia.com’s epic vision is to create “… a society where people with paralysis are no longer isolated and can return to being active members of the community. In order to realize that goal, we need to unite our community and find strength in the power of our experiences.”
Registered users can access a free user-generated ‘how-to’ video mentor network and community helping those affected by a spinal cord injury. Users must register first in order to access the website. The website also highlights a spinal cord injury ‘superstar’ in a blog each month on its site. These life stories are riveting, inspiring, and reveal each individual’s personal triumph.
Curb Free with Cory Lee
A clever and information-packed travel blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee gives useful tips and suggestions to persons with disabilities who like to travel. Cory has written and published guides for would-be travelers. For instance, he has described within his blogs how it’s “not enough to simply do research and book a hotel based off what I see online, because the word “accessible” means different things to different people.”
Cory Lee, of http://www.curbsidewithcorylee.com share all his secrets to traveling abroad if you’re a wheelchair user
Cory Lee is a prime example of a wheelchair user who is adding value and hope to the wheelchair community by blogging, publishing eBooks, and putting himself on a platform for those looking to travel without the hassle. If you have any questions, he’s extremely responsive, friendly, and eager to help. Just make sure you get back to him as soon as possible — before he leaves for his next trip… to Finland!
PrettyCripple.com
And then there’s Magdalena. This fashion maven, graphic designer, and lifestyle blogger started Prettycripple.com. She is fun, vivacious, and a true expert at overcoming obstacles.
Her talents in graphic design and having an eye for flair, culture, and all things eclectic are magnified by the fact that she does everything with a seemingly effortless style.
“Waking up every day is a challenge for someone who is wheelchair disabled. But I chose a long time ago to face every day with a smile and a wicked sense of humor.” – Magdalena, Prettycripple.com
Nothing, not even Magdalena’s paralysis, gets in her way of enjoying the art scene, music, artisanal food, great fashion, global politics, and a love for animals. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her readers see her messages and are inspired. Here is just one of her many poetic and insightful blogs. This particular one is about David Bowie: WE CAN BE HEROES — David Bowie Says So | Art and Music.
So, for information on wheelchairs and assistive devices to get around town or across the world, or for good recommendations from experts with the same needs, these bloggers deliver incredible words of wisdom — along with a kick of positivity and a punch of authenticity. They are the heroes that make this world go ‘round.
For more information about wheelchair accessibility tools, or to read our additional blogs on people living with a spinal cord injury, visit our website: http://www.pantsupeasy.com/.
New Beginnings: Fanny Packs and Overalls – How to Sell/Recycle/Purge Your Goodies
UncategorizedNew Beginnings: Fanny Packs and Overalls – How to Sell/Recycle/Purge Your Goodies
When the movers have come and gone and your next task is to start purging the junk and excess in your life… where do you go to sell it or recycle it or just dump it?
Bloom Where You’re Planted – And Other Fine Cliches
UncategorizedBloom Where You’re Planted – And Other Fine Cliches
Are you planning a big move with children? View my latest post on PleasantonWeekly.com for helpful tips!
Move West from the Midwest | Pleasanton vs. Silicon Valley
UncategorizedI’d never stepped foot on Northern California soil before flying out with my husband to look for homes. Here is what I knew about Northern California:
1) It was sunny – a lot.
2) My husband’s job was in a city called, Sunnyvale.
3) The cost of living vastly outweighed where we were currently living (Cleveland, OH) – which didn’t make me feel too ‘sunny.’
4) We were going to be living on the other side of the country – away from my relatives and friends. If it were up to my Italian mother, I might as well be moving to the sun – because that’s how far away I’d be from her.
We scoured areas and communities within the vicinity of Sunnyvale – but to no avail. Nothing peaked our interest. Seriously? I liked a good shag carpet – but not one that still had cigarette ashes mashed into its fibers from the Nixon era. I loved food – but didn’t want to be so close to another house that I could reach over and grab my neighbor’s fries off their plate from my kitchen window. Where would we find a place that wasn’t too urban, but not exactly located in the middle of cow pastures and tumble weeds? Were our expectations raised too high to even believe that we had any options when buying in California? Our criteria was simple, to choose a house that was:
1) Near great schools.
2) Within a thriving and active community.
3) A place that was both a little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll.
4) A place that had a decent commute to Sunnyvale.
Did such a community exist? Would we just end up renting a condo? It was looking bleak. We’d have to expand our search. Pleasanton, we were told, was a great city to look for potential homes and to raise a family.
We found our Pleasanton realtor, a great guy with a humble disposition, who also knew the area better than most, because he was a Pleasanton native. Bill Wells drove us around town, describing each little nook and cranny, each little nuance between ‘that’ neighborhood and ‘this’ neighborhood. For a good idea of the different neighborhoods within Pleasanton, The Gamache Team of realtors have put together a useful Google Maps site that describes each neighborhood in Pleasanton by color-coded districts. Click here for a view. Bill described the rich history of “P-Town” and repeatedly told us how much people LOVED living in this city. I had to believe that there was more to this little town than was meeting my sheltered Midwest girl’s eyes.
I waited for someone to tell me that P-town only looked perfect from the outside, and that there was in fact a seedy underbelly raring to pop out as soon as we signed on the dotted line. I waited for someone to confess that in fact the schools were beefing up their spotless reviews and possibly forcing their students to pretend that they loved being a student at {insert Pleasanton school here}. Every time I spoke with someone about Pleasanton – their eyes would light up and the gushing would begin. I’d try to instead talk about wineries, theatre, music… vacuuming – anything else to get these P-Town-obsessed people to stop their frenzied talk about their hometown. This was too surreal. How could a town be so perfect? They, the locals, were all in on the ploy to get us to move to this wonderfully perfect place, I surmised. This was all one big cover up, I thought, just like the movie, The Stepford Wives – a seemingly perfect society hiding a deep, dark secret. Paranoia was setting in. P-town could not really be as perfect as everyone said it was, could it?
We flew home. I was ready to stay put in Ohio and suffer blistering winters, gray skies year-round, the sinking economy, potholes at every turn, and bad sports teams (kidding!). The quality of living in California was not going to be conducive to our expectations. We landed in a humid-thick thunderstorm and drove home. We slumped our luggage down. What next? Should we stay in Ohio until we could find a place, or rent in California? Our phone rang. It was our friendly realtor, Bill Wells. “We have a house that just came on the market – and I think you’re going to like it.”
I flew out by myself, drove to the hotel, and slept like I hadn’t slept in years. The next day I was to meet with Bill and see the house. Everything was smooth sailing so far. Before we met, I walked around downtown for a little bit. People walking along the sidewalks were still smiling. How could they have known I was going to be visiting again? I walked past the Rose Hotel. John Madden, Pro Football Hall of Famer, I learned was the proud owner of this little gem. I wondered why Mr. Madden would love this quiet town so much. Mr. Madden would not dare live in a town that was hiding a deep, dark secret, would he? My feet kept walking past restaurants, tree-lined streets, people-filled parks and lovingly maintained homes. The locals all smiled and waved everywhere I turned. They were not expecting me to be there – so they didn’t have time to prepare to fool me into thinking this was the perfect town. I tricked them. I came back. But… things never changed. The daily happenings were still the same. Kids playing soccer, swimming, biking, laughing. Adults strolling at a carefree pace. Life was very, very pleasant indeed.
The house our realtor found for us was quite cozy. It settled upon a hill with views of the beautiful mountains. My husband and kids wanted to know what I thought. I stood at the window and looked down into the beautiful little town and smiled. “I love the house. I love it here.” I realized then that my eyes probably took on the same glow as those I’d recently accused of being ‘P-Town obsessed.’ But, these locals were all right. This town had heart. It was indeed perfect in every way. This town was a place we would easily be able to call “home.”
Move From Midwest to West | Pleasanton (ly) Surprised | San Francisco | East Bay
Uncategorized
I’d never stepped foot on Northern California soil before flying out with my husband to look for homes. Here is what I knew about Northern California:
1) It was sunny – a lot.
2) My husband’s job was in a city called, Sunnyvale.
3) The cost of living vastly outweighed where we were currently living (Cleveland, OH) – which didn’t make me feel too ‘sunny.’
4) We were going to be living on the other side of the country – away from my relatives and friends. If it were up to my Italian mother, I might as well be moving to the sun – because that’s how far away I’d be from her.
We scoured areas and communities within the vicinity of Sunnyvale – but to no avail. Nothing peaked our interest. Seriously? I liked a good shag carpet – but not one that still had cigarette ashes mashed into its fibers from the Nixon era. I loved food – but didn’t want to be so close to another house that I could reach over and grab my neighbor’s fries off their plate from my kitchen window. Where would we find a place that wasn’t too urban, but not exactly located in the middle of cow pastures and tumble weeds? Were our expectations raised too high to even believe that we had any options when buying in California? Our criteria was simple, to choose a house that was:
1) Near great schools.
2) Within a thriving and active community.
3) A place that was both a little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll.
4) A place that had a decent commute to Sunnyvale.
Did such a community exist? Would we just end up renting a condo? It was looking bleak. We’d have to expand our search. Pleasanton, we were told, was a great city to look for potential homes and to raise a family.
We found our Pleasanton realtor, a great guy with a humble disposition, who also knew the area better than most, because he was a Pleasanton native. Bill Wells drove us around town, describing each little nook and cranny, each little nuance between ‘that’ neighborhood and ‘this’ neighborhood. For a good idea of the different neighborhoods within Pleasanton, The Gamache Team of realtors have put together a useful Google Maps site that describes each neighborhood in Pleasanton by color-coded districts. Click here for a view. Bill described the rich history of “P-Town” and repeatedly told us how much people LOVED living in this city. I had to believe that there was more to this little town than was meeting my sheltered Midwest girl’s eyes.
I waited for someone to tell me that P-town only looked perfect from the outside, and that there was in fact a seedy underbelly raring to pop out as soon as we signed on the dotted line. I waited for someone to confess that in fact the schools were beefing up their spotless reviews and possibly forcing their students to pretend that they loved being a student at {insert Pleasanton school here}. Every time I spoke with someone about Pleasanton – their eyes would light up and the gushing would begin. I’d try to instead talk about wineries, theatre, music… vacuuming – anything else to get these P-Town-obsessed people to stop their frenzied talk about their hometown. This was too surreal. How could a town be so perfect? They, the locals, were all in on the ploy to get us to move to this wonderfully perfect place, I surmised. This was all one big cover up, I thought, just like the movie, The Stepford Wives – a seemingly perfect society hiding a deep, dark secret. Paranoia was setting in. P-town could not really be as perfect as everyone said it was, could it?
We flew home. I was ready to stay put in Ohio and suffer blistering winters, gray skies year-round, the sinking economy, potholes at every turn, and bad sports teams (kidding!). The quality of living in California was not going to be conducive to our expectations. We landed in a humid-thick thunderstorm and drove home. We slumped our luggage down. What next? Should we stay in Ohio until we could find a place, or rent in California? Our phone rang. It was our friendly realtor, Bill Wells. “We have a house that just came on the market – and I think you’re going to like it.”
I flew out by myself, drove to the hotel, and slept like I hadn’t slept in years. The next day I was to meet with Bill and see the house. Everything was smooth sailing so far. Before we met, I walked around downtown for a little bit. People walking along the sidewalks were still smiling. How could they have known I was going to be visiting again? I walked past the Rose Hotel. John Madden, Pro Football Hall of Famer, I learned was the proud owner of this little gem. I wondered why Mr. Madden would love this quiet town so much. Mr. Madden would not dare live in a town that was hiding a deep, dark secret, would he? My feet kept walking past restaurants, tree-lined streets, people-filled parks and lovingly maintained homes. The locals all smiled and waved everywhere I turned. They were not expecting me to be there – so they didn’t have time to prepare to fool me into thinking this was the perfect town. I tricked them. I came back. But… things never changed. The daily happenings were still the same. Kids playing soccer, swimming, biking, laughing. Adults strolling at a carefree pace. Life was very, very pleasant indeed.
The house our realtor found for us was quite cozy. It settled upon a hill with views of the beautiful mountains. My husband and kids wanted to know what I thought. I stood at the window and looked down into the beautiful little town and smiled. “I love the house. I love it here.” I realized then that my eyes probably took on the same glow as those I’d recently accused of being ‘P-Town obsessed.’ But, these locals were all right. This town had heart. It was indeed perfect in every way. This town was a place we would easily be able to call “home.”
Avoid the Foods that Slow You DOWN… Spruce UP with Super Foods!
Uncategorized
Trying to lose weight by eating all the right foods can sometimes be as exciting as getting your teeth drilled. There are certainly foods that are super for you. But, almost as fast as a kid who pulls off Santa’s fake beard and discovers an imposter posing as the real deal, these foods lose their power of appeal. If you want to pack yourself with mouthfuls of excitement, try adding some ‘zeal’ to your dishes.
First, the following superfood examples provide important nutritional benefits to help you lose weight and put a zip in your step.
Lemons contain citric acid, calcium, vitamin C, magnesium, pectin, limonene and bioflavonoids – all substances which promote immunity and fight infection.
Garlic
Garlic reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.
Pepper
Pepper has plentyof antioxidants. It also has benefits against bacterial growth, particularly in the intestinal tract.
Apples
Apples are high in pectin and fiber so you feel full longer. And, as the saying goes: “An apple a day will keep the doctor away.”
Tomatoes
These fruits are low in calories and high in Vitamin A, C and antioxidants.
Salmon (Wild)
This fish is heavy in omega 3 fatty acids, protein and calcium and also in Vitamin D and B.
Fresh Spinach
This vegetable is high in antioxidants, vitamins A, K, B and C.
Walnuts
Walnuts are high in protein, healthy fat and fiber. Other nuts to try include almonds and hazelnuts.
Broccoli
This vegetable is high in fiber, folate, vitamins A and C and is low in calories.
Blueberries
These berries are full of vitamins and antioxidants.
Zip up your food with all natural spices, oils and citrus. Below are some tips and tricks to use when you want that flavorful punch with your meals – but don’t want the unnatural ingredients along with them.
Light and delightful LEMON
Toss that bottled dressing full of high fructose corn syrup and unsavory additives! A good dressing doesn’t have to come from Kraft or Newman’s Own. For a great tasting salad, sprinkle with a bit of lemon juice, a teaspoon or two of olive oil, and a pinch of salt, pepper and a dash of paprika. This is a cheaper and healthier alternative.
Also, try spritzing lemon juice over steamed, grilled or sautéed green vegetables of any kind such as: broccoli, snap peas, fresh spinach, asparagus, etc. For even sunnier flavor, add lemon zest from the rind of ½ a lemon to your dishes and season with salt and pepper.
Juice up your meat. Lemon juice, when marinated with chicken, steak or other meats, is a better tenderizing alternative.
Give Your Body a Healthful Punch of GARLIC
Garlic is powerful in both aroma and taste. It also is a wonderful seasoning to add nutrition to your dishes. With its unique combination of flavonoids and sulfur-containing nutrients, garlic belongs in your diet on a regular basis. Try to include at least a 1/2 clove in your individual food portion. If you’re preparing a recipe, use at least 1-2 cloves. Use raw chopped or pressed garlic in dishes to take advantage of the benefits derived from garlic. If you cannot tolerate raw garlic, you can add chopped garlic to foods while they are cooking. It is best to add it towards the end of the cooking process to retain the maximum amount of flavor and nutrition.
PEPPER: The Fundamental Spice
Pepper works with just about everything when it comes to seasoning a meal. It’s a good idea to grind your peppercorns in a peppercorn mill. Fresh peppercorns can be purchased at the grocery store, on the internet and at organic food stores. Grinding pepper right before a meal enhances its freshness and taste. Additionally, the outer skin of the peppercorn is said to help speed up metabolism, leading to a higher probability of weight loss. If you’re not the pepper-grinding type, the supermarket shelves are full of ground pepper. Going with a brand name will give you a quality product.
Fortify Your Body with APPLES
Apples. There are over 7000 varieties of these fruits to choose from. Cook apples with cinnamon – delicious. Or, dip apple slices in peanut butter and sprinkle raisins on top and your taste buds will be delighted. Apples have been underestimated. They are a great source of three types of flavonoids – quercetin, cetacetins and proanthocyanidins, all of which have been associated with preventing heart disease. Besides grabbing one and biting into it there are creative ways to get your apple intake. Make yourself an apple smoothie, mixed with nuts and berries and you’ll have a nutrient-rich snack. Add whey protein, and you’ll have yourself a meal!
Load Up with Tasty TOMATOES
Salads, pasta dishes and even meats can look drab – until you add – tomato. Succulent, juicy tomatoes not only taste wonderful, but also offer a range of health benefits. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, plus vitamin A, potassium and fiber. Tomatoes are also high in lycopene, which works with other vitamins and minerals to aid in disease prevention. Research also shows that the combination of nutrients in tomatoes may help prevent cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Tomato can make a drowsy salad alive with vibrant colors and taste. Add different colored tomato to mozzarella, along with basil and a mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt and you’ll be the talk of the party. Roasting tomatoes bring out their hearty sweetness. Try making a chilled soup (or, gazpacho) out of tomatoes. Delicious! Or, take a tomato and slice it into cubes, mix in cilantro, a dash of salt and pepper and lime juice for your tacos. There are millions of things you can do with tomatoes.
Savor the Flavor of SALMON
The Omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon, along with other properties such as vitamin D and selenium, pack a powerful punch of health benefits. There are so many ways to spruce up the flavor of salmon – which is quite flavorful all by itself. Adding ethnic seasonings to salmon is another way to spruce up your meal. Try mixing cumin, coriander and cardamom with yogurt and adding this mixture to cubes of salmon, and you have a typical tandoori dish. Grill salmon with a spritz of lemon. Season this also with ground red pepper and bits of garlic. Add salmon to any salad (Example: spinach, bell pepper, corn, sesame seeds and bean sprouts) and your meal is complete!
Important Note: All of these health benefits are derived from the consumption of wild salmon only. The farmed kind is an entirely different batch of fish.
Fresh and Simple – SPINACH
It’s safe to say that spinach puts the “S” in Superfoods. This vegetable offers twice as much fiber as other greens. It’s the ‘salad’ that fills you up. It’s the gold medal winner in nutrition. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and iron. Its dark, leafy greens possess important phytochemicals, including lutein (which prevents age-related macular degeneration), lipoic acid (which helps antioxidant vitamins C and E regenerate), and also helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Make a spinach salad with your choosing of vegetables. The dressing can be a mixture of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sugar, paprika, minced onions. Or, add spinach when baking salmon and season with salt, pepper and lemon.
Taste the Nut: WALNUTS
Walnuts are a rich source of Omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). They are proven to help with artery function after a high fat meal. In fact, walnuts are considered to be even more important in a Mediterranean-type diet than olive oil when it comes to promoting heart health! Walnuts, also known as the “brain food.” Walnuts, since ancient times, have been revered as a symbol of intellectuality since their kernels actually resemble that of brain! Walnuts are also said to help with sleep. Melatonin has been discovered in walnuts, making them a natural, perfect food for a good night’s rest. Walnuts are also said to promote bone health because of their omega-3 fats, which are said to prevent excessive bone turnover. Walnuts alsoprovide a very rich source of minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron,magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Add crushed walnuts to your salads. Sprinkle walnuts with a pinch of cinnamon or also try spicing them up with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for an extra zip.
Bring it on! BROCCOLI!
“Eat your broccoli,” was what momma always said. And she was right. Broccoli contains a high amount of vitamin C, which aids iron absorption in the body and even eases symptoms of the common cold. Also, the folic acid in broccoli helps maintain normal tissue growth. The potassium contained in broccoli helps with high blood pressure and combats osteoporosis. Broccoli is a high-fiber vegetable and reduces blood cholesterol levels.
Broccoli tastes great by itself, but some additional ways to eat broccoli include: shredding the broccoli stems to make your own broccoli slaw. Add a bit of teriyaki sauce to broccoli after it’s cooked. Broccoli can go into salads, healthy stir-fries, put into casseroles, be added to rice dishes, and can be cooked, steamed, boiled and baked. Do not overcook broccoli, as this will reduce the vital nutrients it contains.
Get Big On… BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are ranked highest of any fruit for its antioxidants (those free-radical-fighting dynamos). Just one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Researchers say blueberries contain a significant amount of phytochemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, animal studies have shown that the polyphenols found in blueberries, anthocyanins, have been shown to increase signaling in brain centers associated with memory as well as improve how the brain gets rid of glucose, all of which may help slow memory decline. And – drum roll please – blueberries are low in calories!
Add blueberries to your cereal, your protein shakes, salads, yogurt and baked goods. But, probably the best way to savor the flavor of these divinely delicious berries is to pop them into your mouth and – one by one – bite down!
Healthy Minds and Green Grass
Parenting, Uncategorized“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln
If happiness is purely a mindset, then a larger percentage of the world should be perpetually joyful, right? Somewhere along the human evolvement chain, the happiness quotient plunged into a sea of grass-is-always-greeners, whiners and groaners. What does it take to change someone’s disposition if they’ve already garnered the mindset of wishing they were always in someone else’s shoes?
Happiness is not about being incessantly bubbly. Contentment and joy are actually achieved when we have confidence in ourselves and our abilities, have healthy relationships with others, have examined our past grievances and mistakes – and have moved on. Happiness is when we have come full circle and challenged ourselves by grasping opportunities that we’ve prepared ourselves to one day meet – and confronting those challenges head on with a sense of purpose.
There are methods of doing away with our apathetic frame of mind, and instead learn how to become a happier, more vibrant person. We can we all achieve this eternal state of sunshine within our own minds. Here are some ideas:
Abandon Idleness/Get Hooked on Life
Maintain an active routine. Progress is in not living a stationary existence. Relative to a bump on a log, inactivity does not serve a purpose and is not useful within our lives. If we’re living constructive and focused lives, then our happiness and feelings of self worth increase twofold. What is your passion? What can you start even if it’s just a hobby? If you are older, what were you good at doing long ago? Find those embers of passion that have long been burning out and stoke them back up into a roaring inferno of activity.
Mental Floss
Removing the pessimism that maintains a tight grip on your mind is the first step towards gaining a brighter, cheerier perspective. This means letting go of anger, past worries and regrets. We need to live in the moment and ditch any misgivings we are still harboring, since we can no longer control what has already taken place; we can only control our reactions and behavior toward impending events in our life.
If you find yourself dipping back into old habits of thinking, refocus your thoughts or make a distraction that will keep your thoughts clear and unencumbered by negativity. Call a friend, make a date with your significant other, read a book, play a crossword puzzle… distractions are a good thing in this case.
Take care of your body and your mind will follow. Healthy bodies lead to strong, astute minds. Working out and exercising induces excess in energy levels.
Cognitive Therapy
We need to recognize our thinking errors that sometimes create weaknesses within our relationships and the way we understand things. Ten faulty thinking errors ( also known as cognitive distortions) are listed below:
- All-or-Nothing Thinking: Do not think in absolute terms: always, never, etc. Failing to recognize that there may be some middle ground.
- Overgeneralization: Taking an isolated case and assuming that all others are the same.
- Mental Filter: Try to look at the positive events in your life instead of concentrating only on the negative episodes.
- Disqualifying the Positive: Treating positive events like they don’t really count.
- Jumping to Conclusions: Wait, step back, and think before assuming the worst about a situation before the evidence is presented.
- Magnification and Minimization: Downplaying positive events while paying an inordinate amount of attention to negative ones.
- Emotional Reasoning: There sometimes is a need to take a step back, rather than allow your emotions to govern what you think about a situation.
- Labeling: It’s not going to help you or anyone else when you apply harsh labels to oneself and others. Refrain from false labeling.
- Personalization: Things are out of your control – and the operative words are “out of your control.” You can’t blame yourself for occurrences that you are powerless to change or stop.
Meditation
Meditation improves sleep, increases awareness and reduces stress. Many Americans are overworked and stretched in every which way. Sometimes, these stresses can effect out health in a variety of
… unless we do something about it. A simple ten or fifteen minute breathing meditation can help you to overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance. There are plenty of online websites and books to teach you how to meditate and gain calmness and serenity.
‘Bee’ Social
As bees are social organisms, so are humans. Our lives are fuller as members of a larger hive, or as cells within the body, or as ants within a colony. We need friends and family for strength, support and love. We need to feel a sense of purpose and that we fit in with our society and that we play a significant role within our communities, and more definitely, within our families and social groupings.
A study conducted by Christopher K., PhD of University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business found that people who are extremely social are happier than people who remain stationary wallflowers.
“We’re not really built to be happy, we’re built to survive,” he says. “It is only in recent human history that survival is no longer a primary concern and the pursuit of happiness becomes more important.” The findings “reinforced our proposition that humans concurrently desire both busyness and a justification for busyness,” the researchers say.
“Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are.” Robert Collier
Write Your Heart Out. Then Write Some More. 