Let’s Hear It For YMCA

We all remember these guys ... that is if you were of the age when The Village People were the hottest ticket item and at the top of the music charts.  Regardless, these six flamboyant guys put the acronym YMCA on the map back in the late 70's with their stereotype costume's of what American culture was to them back then.

Disco fever did not last too long, thankfully.  I mean let's face it, if the nonstop dance craze didn't kill you, the smoke filled clubs would have eventually.  There is truly a moral to this story whilst venturing down memory lane, however.  I was saddened to learn that a local "Y" was teetering on the verge of closing due to a decrease in membership and funding.

With huge fitness clubs popping up everywhere we tend to get caught up in the "wow" factor of something bigger and new.  I think it's important though to not loose sight of what every YMCA and YWCA offers to our community and families as a whole. 

These facilities truly unite men, women, children and families of all ages, every faith, every background and income level whether you live in an urban area or small town.  They have been around for 160 years offering programs to strengthen the bond of families, improve upon the health and well-being of all individuals, providing child care, education and leadership, camps and so much more.

Let's not forget these wonderful organizations and the value they bring to all of our communities.  Check them out today and become a member.  To find a facility and/or camp in your area go to http://www.ymca.net

 

Yogurt ~ Yummy or Yuck!

 In the 40's yogurt was considered a sweetened dessert when somebody had this brain storm idea to mix fruit preserves with the bacterial fermentation of milk.  Doesn't sound very appealing when put in that context, does it?

We've come a long way baby since this tasty probiotic came into existence nearly 4,500 years ago.  It truly is amazing that the Turks and Bulgarians have had it as part of their staple diet long before "true science" determined it was suitable for human consumption.

Thankfully something that use to taste like curdled milk is finally yummy and carries real nutritional value that helps boost your immune system, fight the risk of osteoporosis, an awesome substitute for mayonnaise and sour cream in tuna and other salads, may reduce the risk of colon cancer, a good source of protein and can play an important role in maintaining a great diet during every stage of our lives.

 Now our dairy aisles are lined with attractive packages offering nonfat, low fat, light, organic and sugar free versions and; stands and stores across the nation have it squirting like soft ice cream onto wafers and cones promising magical wonders from these active cultures.  However, it's important the purchase you make is truly the right stuff.  To help you identify yogurt that contains live and active cultures, the National Yogurt Association developed the Live & Active Culture Seal.  Look for it on the yogurt products you buy to make sure you're getting the most from your yogurt.

Natural Cures For Sleepless Nights

The recent media blitz regarding bed bugs has you paranoid the little critters are nesting beneath your sheets.  Perhaps you can’t sleep because your mind refuses to shut down about work, your 16 year old just got their learner permit or your early pregnancy test showed positive.

Tossing and turning does not get us very far nor, is it healthy for any of us.  You may drink some warm milk, read a book, down a few cocktails or watch t.v. until your eyes burn enough and you finally doze off with the remote still clutched in your hand.  Those are tricks that might work short term, or maybe not at all. 

You are not the only one whose sleep is being jeopardized.  More than one quarter of Americans are burning the midnight oil right along with you according to the National Sleep Foundation.  Sadly, most individuals who lack sleep regularly also fall victim to weight gain, smoking more, avoiding exercise and eating unhealthy foods.

So what’s a girl to do?  Here are 10 possible remedies that might just help:

1.  Sweets … we love them but you also know what happens when we give our children anything with sugar before bed time … there is no bedtime because they're too wired.  Your body reacts the same way and the sugar in sweets can also disrupt your sleep in the middle of the night because your blood sugar is higher. 

2.  Passion Flower – Nooooo, it’s not what you think.  Passion Flower is one of nature’s true sedatives and offers a wonderful calming effect that will reduce restlessness so you can fall asleep faster.  It also eases abdominal cramps and nausea caused by anxiety or painful menstruation in women.  Don't combine with alcohol, operate machinery, drive until you know how it affects you in the daytime, mix with other sedating herbs/teas or, take more than recommended on the product label or your doctor.

3.  GABA is a supplement available at health stores and will help most people with sleep disorders and anxiety.

4.  Have a partner?  A night time massage with warm oils mixed with chamomile or lavender will be both relaxing and pleasurable for both parties and will reduce the stress hormone in your body called cortisol.

5.  Yoga & Meditation – the benefits are surmountable but most importantly it relieves stress, also reduces cortisol levels and allows for a sound sleep.

6.   Acupuncture can help in achieving a healthy and restful sleep.

7.  Oils such as lavender and chamomile used in aromatherapy actually possess sedative properties that help you fall asleep.  Try taking a nice warm bath with a few drops of oil or shake a few drops onto your pillow case.

8.  Lull yourself to sleep with recorded sounds that will block out neighboring noises.  The sounds will relax you and create that image in your mind.  Recommended sounds would be soft waves crashing along a shoreline or the light pelting of a spring rain in the forest.  Ahhh!  I can see the vision already.

9.  A cup of Chamomile Tea one to two hours before going to bed can reduce anxiety, calm the digestive system, and relieve muscle tension.

10.  Foods that help you sleep are those rich in magnesium like legumes and seeds, dark leafy green vegetables, wheat bran, almonds, cashews and whole grains.

No one wants to look like a Zombie unless they choose to for Halloween.  Give them a try and experience that peaceful and restful nights sleep you need to look and feel your very best.  Nightie night.

Hair Styles For Your Face Shape

Diet & The Yo Yo

For years, the yo-yo has proven itself a bothersome companion we as women can not shake despite all of our efforts.  It is relentless as it teasingly takes pounds away one month and adds the little buggers back on the next.

The yo-yo haunts us all.  Even though we may diligently count calories, follow portion control, cut back on carbs and eat boring rabbit food, the pounds still tend to attract to us like a magnet which, an attraction we all can do without.    

We all receive those advertisements that promise loosing up to 11 pounds in 14 days eating such treats as cream-filled chocolate cake puffs or bacon & cheddar baked potato skins.  Tempting?  Oh yah!  And then, there are those commercials claiming to remove unsightly deposits from the butt, hips and thigh area with a painless and seemingly inexpensive laser treatment.  I won’t be taking them up on that offer any time soon, thank you very much.  

Like the Energizer Bunny, companies continually target women who lack the will power and self-esteem to fight those demons alone.  Women are targeted because sales figures taint us as vain, gullible or weak.  Women falter for soulful reasons because they are beaten down caring for aged parents or a sick loved one, recuperating from a broken heart or contending with domestic violence, dealing with daily stress on the job or being over worked and under paid, PMS speaks for itself and pulled like taffy in all directions tending to a household, husband and children.  That is the truth plain and simple.  We appease ourselves by consuming what’s not good because of the satisfying quick fix it offers.

How do we stop the torture and truly become healthy?  Let’s be honest.  Yes, counting calories, portion control and cutting back carbs will help but, it is a simple eight letter word that will get us there even faster and that is called e x e r c i s e.  It does not matter if you jump rope for 20 minutes; go on a power walk in the morning before your day begins or in the evening after dinner.  It does not matter if you peddle a bicycle around the neighborhood a minimum of three times a week or go for a swim at your local “Y”.  Over time with patience and persistence you will extricate that yo-yo from your lives forever.  Making a commitment to free up just 20 minutes three times a week will go a long way.  You will not only burn off calories and tone your body in the process but, immediately detox the stress from your life which can cause even greater harm in the long run.  So ladies, no excuse … start today and stop the torture by taking back the control in your lives.