Top Ten Tips to Restore Your Energy

We're trying to cope with Back-to-School and late Summer To Do Lists. Here are a list of some suggestions to keep your nerves in check.

1. Giggle - spend some time watching a comedy. Research shows this can cut your tiredness up to 50%. Your body interprets laughter as a form of exercise which improves insulin levels, and helps your brain increase energy levels.

2. Talk to a friend - spend some time catching up with a friend. This helps reduce fatigue which elevates brain stimulation.

3. Drink a glass of water - This helps women regain their "get up - and go" feeling.

4. Peel an Orange - Breathing in this Aroma helps "wake up" the brain, cutting drowsiness by 25%.

5. Wear some sunny colours - This stimulates the nervous system, revives energy and alertness.

6. Take a Green Break - Take a lunchtime stroll down the block, pick up the mail. Just five minutes outdoors can provide you with a burst of energy.

7. Doodle - According to a study in the U.K., doodling instantly revs mental energy by 29%; subjects just drew squares and circles. Hand/Eye coordination stimulates brain's alertness.

8. Enjoy some breeze - As temperature climbs your body's energy level slows down; open a window for about 20 minutes which allows heat lose through your skin allowing energy levels to pick up. We've all tried it at sometime or another i.e. opening the car window, turning on a fan.

9. Wiggle your toes, Stretch your arms and legs, Massage your Ears.

10. Last but not least...Sing - This produces soothing vibrations in the brain which "kick-start" endorphins resulting in relaxed energy in ten minutes.

Summer Eating Plan Goals

Suggestions for Summertime Eating

1. Eat reasonable portions - studies found that crash-dieting before any holidays is unhealthy. Goal is to learn to eat healthy over a long term; yo-yo dieting cycle to lower your metabolism can make fat loss more difficult than ever.

2. Stick to your workout program - Exercise and eating right go hand in hand. Instead of "junk food" that detracts from your performance eat foods that will "fuel" your body. But if you do indulge in occasional treats, your regular workouts will help keep you in check. Remember you're building a workout routine as a "fitness habit" that will last a lifetime.

3. Plan ahead for summer gatherings - When attending Barbecues and summer season parties you may be tempted to enjoy hearty meals and snacks. Eat a healthy protein snack before you go; it will prevent you from "gobbling up" treats out of sheer hunger. It doesn't have to be a problem if you make "fitness-friendly" choices. You can still enjoy the party atmosphere with wise choices such as salads, fruits and whole grains as part of your balanced meal.

4. Don't stress out - studies show that people tend to eat high-calorie comfort foods when under chronic stress. Any holidays can be any stressful reasons to do so. Keep up with your regular exercise routine to help relieve stress and create an upbeat mood. But help yourself to do something relaxing; whether its yoga, meditation or listening to calming music. If you start to feel stressed and tempted to reach for extra high-calorie snacks; take a moment to count to ten while deep breathing and reach for some water.

5. Don't abuse the booze - A glass of wine or spritzer is a nice way to celebrate the season; but too much drinking has all kinds of negative effects; extra calories, lowers your inhibitions(which can lead to over-eating or behaviour), feeling sluggish or worse the next day can prevent you from continuing with your exercise routine.

6. Give yourself a break - If you do overindulge at some point during the season, don't beat yourself up about it. Just as long as you have a consistent fitness plan, you're unlikely to lose the progress you have made. Just keep focused!

Happy Summertime Celebrations!

Summertime Family Activity Reminders and Father's Day

Fun Summer Activities & Father's Day

It hit me just the other day, summer's just around the corner! I've been opening my windows to let the wonderful fresh air and sunshine in! Finally, ladies! we can put our winter coats away and bring out those flip-flops, sandals and summerwear--Oh!Yeah! My family looks forward to going out; whether its just sitting on the porch for a lemonade or watching the garden grow.

We are making plans with the family to head out to the cottage in the Muskokas. We're getting the fishing boat out from winter storage, my brother Joe is tuning up the bikes and our Uncle Tony is our summer hiking leader, who checks out some interesting routes to explore that we vote on at our family meeting. Mom's checking our backpacks to have them ready at a moments notice for those weekend adventures!

And should you become more adventurous--check out the campsites around Ontario; RVing, Tenting, trails and when they open for this season.

Let's not forget all the sports options we can enjoy during the summer. Stanley Cup 2010 won by Chicago Black Hawks!! With World Cup soccer 2010 in South Africa starting shortly with 5 favorite squads participating.

And last but not least, let's not forget our Father, Dad, Papa, Pops or whatever title you've given him. We all celebrated our Mothers and now its Father's turn. By the way-- we've been celebrating our Father's Day for 100 years!

For years, the "Tie" was a popular Father's Day gift..now more than 21 percent of us think of the "Grill" as a Father's Day gift. This is a great reason for family members to get together...so fill up that cooler with Dad's favourite "brew", and grill food, set up that patio furniture his favourite deck chair and tunes.

Let's start the party...Its summertime!

Have a safe and happy summer everyone!

Some Mother's Day Pampering Ideas

Hi Ladies!

Here are some pampering ideas I tried from the latest issue of

Woman's World magazine.

Haven't you ever wanted to pull your hair out before? Well try this.

1. Soothe stress with a mini-massage - gently tug the ends of your hair for a few seconds then rub your scalp in small circles for a minute. According to a British study this helps relieve anxiety by about 25%. This helps boost blood flow and gives you instant energy and focus!

2. Relax with a cup of tea - green tea improves your health. Research shows that its a natural sedative! Research shows that volunteers who drank 3 cups of tea saw their anxiety level drop by 30% thanks to L-theanine which slows brain waves increasing production of a neurotransmitter known as GABA which is linked to contentment. Good excuse for a break from our busy schedules..don't you think? Ahhhh! Enjoy!

3. Unwind with a romantic flick! - Watching any romantic flick be it Titantic, Love Story or Beauty and the Beast - boosts production of progesterone, a calming hormone--that has a relaxing effect that can last for hours after the movie ends! So come on ladies...check into your movie collection and select one of your favourite love stories...you know where the guy gets the girl at the end! Some of mine have been.... Serendipity, That Old Feeling, or What Women Want! Great pick me up movies!

4. Treat yourself to a chocolate facial! - Cocoa has healing antioxidants and has rich moisturizing properties. Great for dry or sensitive skin types. Just melt some dark chocolate with a couple of teaspoons of oatmeal and while its still warm...not hot...apply to cleansed skin. Relax for 10 minutes with some meditating or nature music! Rinse face with facecloth and warm water.

And finally....

Ladies!.. you know you're special so next time you're out shopping treat yourself to a fresh bunch of flowers...roses, carnations or a variety of spring mix from your local florist or grocer's.

Remember....You deserve it!

Happy Mother's Day to All!

Laughter is the best medicine!

Do you remember the last time you had a good laugh? In this day in age, we could all use more laughs. Life moves pretty fast...take a moment out of your day and read the "funnies". Laughter has been known to be contagious. Here are some steps below....try some out!

12 Steps to Becoming a Laughaholic

1. Laugh NOW!

2. Repeat Step One.

3. Keep a "Laughter Journal"..What makes you laugh? Who makes you laugh? and how much do you laugh?

4. Surround yourself with happy people. Make someone laugh everyday.

5. Laugh at yourself often.

6. Make a "survival kit" a clown nose, rubber chicken, arrow through the head gag to start.

7. Get some friends together and play Twister or Charades on a weekly basis.

8. Start a Laughter Club.

9. Watch children laugh and laugh with them.

10. Examine your workplace; are you suppressing your urge to laugh? Post jokes and riddles around your workplace on doors and cubicles.

11. Read funny books, rent comedy movies.

12. Repeat steps 1 through 12.

Did you know that 100 belly laughs is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine? Laugh out loud right now! Keep on going...do you feel better? More energized? Laughter has positive benefits on mental functions. Reduces blood pressure and heart rate. Releases endorphins, which provides natural pain relief. Laughter produces a general sense of well-being. Laughter diffuses stress and brings people together. You don't have to be the life of the party...its about seeing funny not being funny. Its impossible to be angry and laugh at the same time.

Excerpt from Chill Magazine Article " Survival of the Funniest" by Catherine Lawrence

Think yourself Thinner!

Feeling hungry while trying to lose weight? Not to worry its a healthy state of mind. Here are some healthful tips to get you on your way. Plan Ahead!

1. Decide how much weight you want to lose; 5?10?20 lbs? Smaller goals are more effective.

2. Buy a simple notebook and use as a diary to record your mealtime and snack choices.

3. Plan to loose weight slowly 1-2lbs a week, so that your body doesn't go into starvation mode.

4. Don't leave that bowl of candy or nuts on the kitchen counter or your desk.

5. Enjoy that "forbidden" treat in limited quantities and only once in awhile.

6. Be prepared for those "feeling hungry" days; have cut up veggies, water, hot broth a piece of fruit on hand to help curb the hunger "pangs".

7. Don't avoid eating. Plan snacks and balanced meals. Purchase foods ahead of time to help with weight loss plan.

8. Consider how mealtime is prepared; don't bring platters to the table but plate food in kitchen and then bring to table. Find yourself still hungry? select low calorie items such as veggies or salad.

9. Get your rest. Insufficient sleep will interfere with your weight loss plan.

10. Eating out? Check the restaurant's menu before you go so you can make smart choices when there.

11. Consider who you tell about your weight loss plan? certain friends or family members may not support you.

12. Downsize your plate; even select a dessert plate for mealtime. It will feel like your eating more.

Accept that weight loss will not always go smoothly. Came home late one evening? went off track? Or did you skip a meal? Review the situation so you can avoid the scenario next time. An exercise routine is vital to your health. Plan a fitness routine to make it a pleasurable part of your life. Our bodies may fight us; but as we continue on track we will begin to feel more energetic and our bodies will thank us! Check with Doctor before starting any weight loss or fitness Program.

Excerpt from Homemaker Feb/March 2010 Article by Rosie Schwartz

Ladies don't be SAD

These days ladies...many of us have the "blues" or what's clinically referred to as "SAD" Seasonal Affective Disorder - a condition where a person may become fatigued, depressed, have insomnia, irritability, headaches, muscle aches and lack of sex drive. These symptoms tend to occur during the time when the sunlight decreases between October - April. The pituitary gland is regulated by the sun which produces melatonin creating a feeling of well-being. SAD affects four times more women than men. SAD can be worsened with stress and PMS.

Just because the groundhog saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter you don't have follow it! Go ahead and start on that Springtime mood!

Here are some ideas to lift your spirits. They worked for me.

1. Look in your closet and choose to wear that red sweater or brightly colored outfit...it will make you smile and put a 'spring' in your step.

2. Take a lunchtime walk around the block appreciating the surroundings, coming back to the office refreshed ready to attack that pile of paperwork.

3. Sign up for some dance classes- pleasant form of exercise and socializing while learning something new. You might surprise yourself!

4. Cook one heart healthy recipe a week; try womansday.com/heart. I use this website often!

5. Treat yourself to a new hairstyle at the local beauty parlour; you deserve it!

6. Take some time to organize your files for the new year- it took me about 2 days for what I promised myself to do months ago - to clear and prepare a new set of hanging files; recycle, relabel and reorganize! Now I can locate important paperwork much quicker now! Remember to file right away keeping the mess to a minimum.

7. Try a new Art project or craft - I started water colouring; flowers are a great subject- rediscover sketching - it's calming; start off simple to more detailed design! Check out "The watercolour artist's flower handbook" by Patricia Seligman

8. Buy some fresh-cut flowers at your local grocer's and dress up your dinner table.

9. Promise yourself to toss out that old lipstick! Buy and Try a new shade; Reds are the shades now the fashion of the season!

10. Replace that old 'drabby' purse you've been carrying all winter with a new purse- keeping in mind a fresh spring colour and new design. I have 4 different colours and types of purses that I interchange each season; including 3 small evening purses - 2 black, 1 beige with sequins.

Ladies select 1 or 2 of these ideas a week and soon you'll find yourself in a happier mood!

Definition of SAD excerpt from http://www.nsnet.org/idacan/sad.html

(Invisible Disabilities Association of Canada)