B well – B fearless

WITH your FASHION choices and life in general. If the shoe fits it will make you feel better. Follow:

Designer Michael Kors’s Fashion Principles

Kors with Project runway panel Heidi Klum, Jennifer Hudson & Nina Garcia. — Kors with **Project Runway** panel Heidi Klum, Jennifer Hudson & Nina Garcia.

“Now that everyone looks like she’s 30, it’s not easy to define rules for how women should dress at different ages,” says Kors. Kors breaks down the elements of style:

Hemlines: “Supershort skirts should be left to the young or the tennis court. As you age, it’s more important to consider balance: If you’re showing your legs, show less on top.”

Cleavage: “It’s great to show off your best points, but still – leave a bit to the imagination.”

Prints: “I don’t think you can tell a woman who feels like a million dollars when she puts on a bold, graphic print that she should stop wearing it just because she’s hit a certain age. Wear what makes you feel beautiful.”

Color: “The colors that suited you when you were 30 will still suit you when you’re 70. Your skin tone and hair and eye color are the real question, not your age.”

Fit: “Your clothes should look as if they were made just for you. Forget the size tags and get to a tailor. If you wear skinny jeans and you’re fit, stay true to your style. And no matter your age, skip the pieces that make you fidget, whether it’s a shoe you can’t walk in or a hemline you have to keep pulling down.”

Jewelry: “This is the best way to shake up your look at any age. If you feel less comfortable showing skin, bold jewelry and strong accessories are great ways to play the fashion game. Be fearless!”

Trends: “Avoid anything that doesn’t feel relevant to your style, but always evolve, or you’ll look stuck in the past.”

As told to Danielle Pergament for Allure Magazine.

FUN

B well – don’t be D-prived

The D-lemma: Are you getting enough?

Even though the nutrient is available in supermarket staples and via sun exposure, many of us don’t get enough.

Technically it’s a vitamin, but it behaves more like a hormone, in that the body can create a certain form of vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. And yet, according to nutrition researcher Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, an estimated one in three Americans of European descent suffers from a deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin D is vital to bone health and may also support immune function and prevent certain cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and even the common cold.

So if it’s found in readily available foods, and a mere 5 to 10 minutes a day of sun exposure generate enough Vitamin D for most people, what exactly accounts for such widespread deficiency? Willett blames a whole host of factors: Over the centuries, people have migrated away from the equator and are exposed to less sunshine; industrialization has pushed many occupations indoors; and then there’s that aggravating habit, he jokes, of “putting on clothes, which blocks the sun light.” More recently, of course, we’ve been slathering ourselves with sunscreen.

And since the blood test that pinpoints vitamin D levels is expensive and not routinely given, many people have no idea their levels are low. Symptoms that might prompt your physician to order the test: lethargy, muscle aches and pains, clumsiness and frequent falls, and bone fractures from small stresses.

How much do we need?

Adding to the confusion is the debate over the recommended daily allowance. In 2010 the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D for adults was 600 IUs – but according to clinical trial results published in 2012 in the New England Journal of Medicine, 800 IUs a day improve protection against broken bones by 30 percent. D helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus – critical bone builders – which is reason alone to err on the side of more IUs. Willett recommends most adults get 2000 IUs daily. Don’t worry about taking too much – it takes several hundred thousand IUs to reach toxic levels.

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

Ways to get more Vitamin D

One simple solution – take a supplement.

The Sun for 5-10 minutes/day – 3000 IU

1 Cup of Vitamin D fortified Orange Juice – 137 IU

3 ounces of cooked Sockeye Salmon – 447 IU

1 Large Egg Yolk – 41 IU
2 Sardines canned in oil – 46 IU

1 cup of vitamin D fortified milk – 120 IU

Typical Multivitamin – 400 IU

Whether you hate the sun or love it, you can and should get enough Vitamin D.

Taken from “How-To-Handbook” in Health section of “Living” by Sally Schultheiss

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

B well – B relaxed

The health benefits of massage therapy

Sure, it can help you relax. But massage therapy can do much more than that. Here are six healthy reasons to book an appointment.

1) IT COUNTERACTS ALL THAT SITTING YOU DO:

“Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress,” says Aaron Tanason, registered massage therapist, kinesiologist and owner at Paleolife Massage Therapy in Toronto. “More often than not [that stress] tends to manifest in the shoulders and neck.” Desk workers, beware. More advanced forms of postural stress “show up as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteals caused by prolonged periods of sitting.”

Luckily, massage can counteract the imbalance caused from sitting, which means you can keep your desk job – as long as you schedule a regular massage.

2) IT EASES MUSCLE PAIN:

Got sore muscles? Massage therapy can help. “Massage increases and improves circulation, in much the same way rubbing your elbow when you knock it on a table helps to relieve the pain,” says Tanason. A 2011 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that massage therapy is as effective as other methods of treatment for chronic back pain.

3) IT SOOTHES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION:

“Human touch, in a context that is safe, friendly and professional, can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing,” says Tanason. Women diagnosed with breast cancer who received massage therapy three times a week reported being less depressed and less angry, according to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.

And, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that patients who were depressed and anxious were much more relaxed and happy, and had reduced stress levels after massage.

4) IT IMPROVES SLEEP:

Not only can massage encourage a restful sleep—it also helps those who can’t otherwise comfortably rest. “Massage promotes relaxation and sleep in those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy,” says Lisa Marie de Miranda, registered massage therapist and kinesiologist at Paleolife Massage Therapy.

Also, if you’re a new parent, you’ll be happy to know it can help infants sleep more, cry less and be less stressed, according to research from the University of Warwick.

5) IT BOOSTS IMMUNITY:

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that massage boosts patients’ white blood cell count (which plays a large role in defending the body from disease). It also “improves immune function for individuals with HIV,” says de Miranda.

6) IT RELIEVES HEADACHES:

Next time a headache hits, try booking a last-minute massage. “Massage decreases frequency and severity of tension headaches,” says de Miranda.

Research from Granada University in Spain found that a single session of massage therapy has an immediate effect on perceived pain in patients with chronic tension headaches.

By Katharine Watts for besthealthmag.ca.

Also – **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

B well – Tea Tips for good health

I’m more of a coffee drinker first thing in the morning but by late afternoon a hot cup of earl grey is nice & uplifting. That was before I discovered the recipes below to switch things up a bit and realized the health benefits to boot.

The antioxidant compounds found in tea have been shown to reduce risk of breast cancer and heart disease and may help with weight management. When you mix your brew with other beneficial ingredients, you’ll boost its power to tackle health complaints from high blood pressure to an upset stomach. Sweet!

Make these cool brews for a summer twist. Lose the sugar and stir in these extras instead + reap the health benefits while doing so.

SUGAR BUSTER = Black tea + Cinnamon A 2012 study found that countries where people consumed the most black tea had the lowest rates of type 2 diabetes. Antioxidants in the tea leaves may enhance insulin activity. Adding cinnamon can make a good thing even better. According to research in Diabetes Care, consuming just one-third of a teaspoon of cinnamon a day can reduce levels of glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. Brew: Pour 8 ounces boiling water over 2 black tea bags and 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 tsp. powdered). Steep for 4 minutes, let cool. Transfer to an ice filled glass, top with 2 ounces club soda.

IMMUNITY BOOSTER = Green tea + Cranberry Juice Antioxidants called catechins, which have antiviral properties, are more plentiful in green tea than in black. Adding Vitamin C – which is abundant in Cranberry Juice – can increase absorption of the tea’s catechins. Brew: Steep 2 green tea bags in 8 ounces of hot water for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice and agave syrup to taste. Pour over ice.

TENSION TAMER = Chamomile tea + Orange Flavonoids in this calming brew may enhance the activity of relaxing neurotransmitters in the brain. In fact, research suggests that drinking five cups of chamomile tea a day may even help treat anxiety disorders. Team it with Orange: research has found that simply smelling a sweet orange can lower anxiety in moments of stress. Brew: crush 2 strips of orange zest, 1 tsp. dried lemon verbena leaves, 4 mint leaves, and 1 sprig rosemary together in a bowl. Add 3 chamomile tea bags and pour 12 ounces of boiling water over the mixture. Steep 5 minutes. Strain and let cool. Pour over ice and finish with a splash of sparkling water.

STOMACH SOOTHER = Peppermint tea + Ginger The menthol in peppermint can ease gastro-intestinal distress by relaxing the muscles of your digestive tract, while plant phenols in ginger can help speed up the movement of food through your system. Brew: Pour 8 ounces boiling water over 2 peppermint tea bags and 3 slices fresh ginger, smashed. Steep 5 minutes. Let cool. Strain, stir in honey to taste and pour over ice.

PRESSURE RELIEVER = Hibiscus tea + Coconut Water Mildly hypertensive people who drank 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily for six weeks lowered their blood pressure as significantly as they would have by taking some hypertensive meds, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition. Add coconut water for its potassium – the mineral helps keep blood pressure stable by reducing the negative effects of salt. Brew: Steep 2 hibiscus tea bags in 8 ounces hot unsweetened coconut water for 5 minutes. Let cool. Stir in 2 ounces sparkling water and pour over ice.

I’m feeling good already!

Taken from “Feeling Good” in O Magazine. By Jessica Girdwain.

Health + LifeStyle, THINKAboutit

B well – while living it up

Finally….my kind of advice!

Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous: A Nutritionist’s Guide to Living well While Living It Up

From *Esther Blum, an expert nutritionist at Dr. Perricone’s flagship Manhattan store, comes the breakthrough news that, yes, you can eat and drink what you love and still look and feel gorgeous. Esther reveals the secrets to beautiful skin, a fantastic figure, and peace of mind all while living the good life.

It’s about knowing how to make the right choices: Which cocktails cause the least damage, is a Merlot better than a Margarita? What natural supplements combat out-of-control hormones? With a troubleshooting section on treating specific ailments, delicious recipes, and fast fixes, Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous makes it possible to have that piece of cake and eat it, too. Sounds good to me.

*Esther Blum is a Registered Dietitian and Holistic Nutritionist practicing in Connecticut

On a similar note:

**Don’t Miss: Brad King discusses the FIT, FUN and FABULOUS Lifestyle with Kathy Hartford, author of “Fit, Fun and Fabulous at Any Age” (along with its companion journal and cookbook) on “Transforming Health” at VoiceAmerica.com

Here’s the Link: http://www.livinggorgeous.com/

I love these new age lifestyle programs!

FUN

B well – the Hair scare!

What good is a size 2 body if your hair ends up looking like hell?

photo credit below

I recently read an article about a nameless 42 year-old publicist from San Francisco who ended up losing a significant amount of hair due to extreme dieting. Seems sometimes we just can’t win. This girls goal was to lose 15 pounds in the first month, then re-evaluate how much more she’d need to drop after that – all with the assistance of a nutritionist.

Her calorie intake was just 750 a day, consisting of a protein shake for breakfast, soup and a shake for lunch, then salad, steamed veggies and 6 ounces of protein (like a piece of grilled chicken the size of a bar of soap) for dinner. She was still famished but wasn’t about to argue with the results – and lost every pound. The follow up visit with the nutritionist consisted of being told to set her target weight even lower and stay on the plan.

The trouble started four months later. The clothes were looser but her nice shoulder-length hair was much sparser. At first just a bit in the shower (which can be common) but in a matter of weeks she was dropping tons of hair – she has fine hair to begin with. She began to inspect her brushes after each stroke to see how many strands were tangled up in the bristles and had to disguise the hair sparseness by pulling it up into a bun or back in a ponytail as you could really see the difference when it was worn down.

The nutritionist would not entertain the idea that the diet had anything to do with it. She on the other hand, was not so sure. She eventually ditched the diet and started eating more sensibly, incorporating larger amounts of protein *(particularly red meat) into her meals. After a few months the shedding stopped, hair started to get back to normal and finally she’s at a healthy (but not supermodel thin) weight. *Whole grains, nuts and tofu/tempeh for vegetarians.

The Diagnosis:

Humans evolved from a feast-or-famine lifestyle: we cycled through periods when we had plenty of food to gobble up and periods when we had little to eat. Genetically, our bodies have a long memory, and in some ways they still react as if we’re living in prehistoric times. So if your body senses that you’re heading towards famine (hello, crash diet!), it diverts energy away from functions that are less essential, like growing hair or strong nails. If you start to undergo dramatic shedding, see your doctor for a blood workup; sometimes the problem could be the result of a chronic health condition, like hypo-or hyperthyroidism. Eating a healthy diet that includes all the food groups can help, as does popping a daily multivitamin, just to be sure you’re getting the nutrients that your hair needs. – Melissa Pilang, dermatologist, Clevelend Clinic.

Photo from: http://www.besthairlossproductsreviews.com/why-women-lose-their-hair/

NOTE **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link:

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

B well – B active: little healthful tidbits that go a long way.

You will find that both your mood and your energy improve when you work out.

This advice feels as repetitive as the fifteenth bicep curl, but the fact remains: Exercise is, hands down, the best anti-ager.

Everyone has a different strength capacity & choice of what works for them. Ideally the best strategy for me is a combo of running, yoga & weight training. When done properly (which is not always the case) it’s a winning combination. A lot of times I don’t really get around to using actual weights as I should so sometimes I’ll run with little wrist weights and hope that the running and some yoga moves are enough weight bearing exercise. Do what you can – no excuses. Also try not to beat yourself up when you can’t bust a move like the yoga instructor – pigeon anyone? It’s best not to stress. Read on…

John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (Little, Brown), explains how a little sweat can rewire your brain.

A fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to aggression to menopause to Alzheimer’s. Some questions:

How does aerobic exercise help the brain: “It improves your brain’s ability to form new neural connections. It promotes blood flow to the brain, creating a rich environment for brain cells to grow and withstand stress. It also appears to trigger the growth of new brain cells.”

Which exercise is best: “Look for activities that get your heart rate up to the point where you’re sweating but also provide coordination challenges. Activities like tennis, Zumba, kickboxing, or spinning all force you to plan your next move, which makes your brain work harder than if you were just doing a rote movement.”

How can I tell if it’s working? “You should notice an improvement in your overall feeling of well being. If you don’t, then you’re probably doing too much – more than 90 minutes a day – or too little. When people start an exercise program, they often overdo it, which not only increases risk of injury and burnout but also can impact brain function. Once you work out, you should find that your mood and energy improve for the rest of the day.”

Fill in the blank – I work out because……………………….

“I work out because I feel stronger and healthier and it makes me look better”

Also, **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

B Well – B Brainy

Brain Waves – the purpose to keeping brain function strong.

The brain…one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body, made up of more than 100 billion nerves that communicate in trillions of connections called synapses.

When people start to experience forgetfulness (what did you just say?), free radicals (those little suckers) may be the cause. Neurologist David Perlmutter, the author of “Power Up Your” Brain (Hay House) says this is the case. These by-products of processes as basic and vital as breathing hurt the structure of cells. “When your brain cells become damaged, your brain kills them off. Nobody can afford the results,” says Perlmutter.

“Certain foods can help by triggering the brain to make antioxidants, which protect healthy cells from harm,” and at levels far greater than you can achieve with supplements,” he says. Add green tea, omega-3 fatty acids, broccoli, tumeric, and garlic to your diet, and exercise regularly, Perlmutter suggests.

PLUS:

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

Health + LifeStyle

B Well – with Alcohol

Booze. How much is too much?

It seems that sticking with Tequila is the trick!

This posting came about after reading an entertaining article called “A life well lived includes the luxury of a perfectly poured cocktail” by Christine Lennon. Of course it attracted my attention. I like to live well.

Lennon quit her daily drinking (although never stating it was a problem) when she was pregnant with twins. But then when they got a bit older & she knew they were asleep she transformed from mommy into mixologist. How better a way to handle twins or kids in general I thought. Lennon says…

“I love a Dark & Stormy in the summer, a crisp white wine after the beach, a glass of Tempranillo when there’s a steak on the grill and, as the holidays approach, a good whiskey on the rocks. I rarely drink in daylight, unless the occasion calls for it, or it’s summer, or it’s someone’s birthday (and hey, isn’t it always someone’s birthday?). I only have one, most of the time, unless I’m out, or in with company, or it’s Christmas, or I just had an ass-kicking kind of day. I’m not going to sugar coat it: A single drink before dinner, while I’m making dinner, or after dinner makes me a happier person. And frankly, a reposado tequila on the rocks with lime makes me a superhero. I’m not an alcoholic. I’ve seen that up close, and I know that what I’m doing bears little resemblance. But that doesn’t keep me from wondering if I’m drifting into some kind of undefined, gray area of casual dependency. Even my delightfully childless friends who don’t have to face a five-year-old at 6 A.M. are beginning to question if drinking is the best idea: Is it compromising their performance at work, their future as a size 6, the youth of their skin? What are the long-term effects of this indulgence?

“It’s hard to say with any certainty how much is too much, because each individual metabolizes alcohol differently,” says New York internist Frank Lipman, a specialist in integrative medicine. Depending on which research you read, moderate drinking may lower cholesterol levels, sink blood pressure, lower your risk of stroke, and increase bone density post-menopause.

For women, moderate means up to one drink per day; low-risk drinking, meaning the person imbibing is less likely to develop alcohol dependency, can be categorized by no more than three drinks in one day, and no more than seven in one week. The bad news: Studies show that regular drinking is linked to breast cancer because alcohol can tinker, unfavourably, with estrogen levels (with the exceptiion of tequila). Alcohol can also inhibit your absorption of nutrients. One study suggests that heavy drinking rewires brain circuitry, making people more sensitive to stress.

So are there ways to drink healthily and well? Hopefully rumors still circulate about an active ingredient in milk thistle, though proof remains elusive. “We know that it supports liver function, and the liver metabolizes alcohol. So it couldn’t hurt,” says Lipman, who also advises drinking water in between cocktails and eating beforehand. “And, anecdotally, I’ve found that evening primrose oil capsules help, both to coat the stomach and to soothe the liver.”

Finally this from Lennon: “In defense of my drinking, it’s my last remaining vice, or at least my last remaining regular vice, or my last remaining regular vice suitable for print. For the moment, I don’t see any reason to stop. I have a lot to celebrate, a lot of people who want to celebrate with me, and the number of a reliable car programmed into my phone. And if my bones are denser when I’m a sassy old lady as a result of all this celebrating, I’ll drink to that.”

I want to be a SKINNY girl! — I want to be a SKINNY girl – for several different reasons!

Also…

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

B Well – other intriguing uses for Herbs & Spices.

Did you know…..

Ancient Romans hung Anise plants near their pillows to prevent bad dreams?

Pinning a Bay Leaf to your pillow on the eve of St. Valentine’s Day lets you see your future spouse in a dream. This according to Elizabethan lore.

Clove oil is a natural pain killer, used for centuries. In 17^th century Britain, cloves were literally worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately times have changed.

In the Middle Ages, Cumin was believed to keep lovers (and chickens!) from wandering. **That’s why you should always use cumin in cooking.

Drinking Dill water removes a witch’s spell. So happy to finally get that ~~bitch~~ witch off my back.

Studies have shown that Fenugreek can increase milk production in nursing mothers by up to 900%.

We all know that Ginger helps to cure a sore throat but ginger is also extremely effective for curing nausea.

Cleopatra wore Lavender perfume while seducing Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. In the 19^th century it was used to cure vipor bites and swooning fits.

Hippocrates used Oregano as an antiseptic. Ancient Greeks crowned brides and grooms with sprigs of oregano to banish sadness.

Tarragon was believed to cure snake bites.

In the middle ages, Thyme was believed to bring courage to the bearer. Too bad the Lion from Wizard of Oz didn’t know about that.

Tumeric can be used to deter ants in the garden. I suppose this can also be used in the house but only if you don’t mind your wood floor or carpets dyed a bright yellow.

It’s nice to know about these other ancient purposes but I’ll stick to using them mostly for cooking.

But does anyone know where I can get an Anise plant?

Also,

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.