http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php Copyright 2008, GoToGabby GoToGabby en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080907-204454 www.lauramercier.com), ‘Rouge Hydrabase’ from Chanel in ‘Simply Pink’ and ‘Fantastic Plum’ (www.chanel.com). I also really love Stila’s ‘Rock the Vote Red’ (www.stilacosmetics.com) as well as Poppy King’s collection the ‘Lipstick Queen’ (www.lipstickqueen.com) which consists of the perfect range of classic shades in four finishes from the shiniest ‘Shine’ lip-gloss – ‘Red Sinner’ and ‘Wine Sinner’ are my favorite shades - to the perfect matte finish of the ‘Oxymoron’ collection. Matte in itself is a slightly new trend and Poppy’s texture is just the right amount of matte. Lastly, for a softer look with perhaps less intense color I love the sheerness of Stila’s ‘Cherry Crush’ lip and cheek stain – it’s the perfect softer option for the season and it is also the perfect shade of blush to complement all of the season’s bright lip shades.

For eyes I think a clean and slightly elongated line of liquid liner on the top lash line of a totally bare eyelid looks extremely chic and updated when paired with intense vibrant lip-color. For the most sleek and sophisticated look try Vincent Longo’s ‘Vibrant Eye’ waterproof eyeliner in black (www.vincentlongo.com). For a slightly softer look I always reach for Stila’s ‘Smudge Pot’ cream eyeliner (www.stilacosmetics.com). If liquid or cream eyeliner doesn’t suit your needs - no need to worry because with vibrant lip-color being the overall statement the eyes should really otherwise be quite minimal. A light sweep of any neutral shade you wear is all you need – think of pale flesh tones or even a light taupe or dove grey. Summer’s metallic shades like bronze, pewter or silver can be easily updated for fall by adding something dark as in pencil or shadow - close to and around the lash line to softly contrast and punctuate the eyes. Remember that the lip color is the statement so too strong of an eye can be a little too much of a look! Stila recently launched a selection of matte eye shadows in the most essential dark shades that are also talc free. Rich coffee browns and dark charcoal or even a deep indigo blue shadow will make anything metallic from silver to bronze or copper look freshly updated for the season.

Lastly, we cannot forget about lashes! I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love mascara and I am always searching for great new mascaras to work with. My current favorites are ‘Exceptionnel de Chanel’ by Chanel (www.chanel.com). The amazing formula curls and adds intense volume and is available in some beautiful and subtle shades complementing your eye color as well as the minimal eye make-up for the season. For the most extreme lashes my other new favorite mascara is Diorshow’s ‘Blackout’ (www.dior.com). This formula creates extreme volume and is the most intense deep black that really makes a bold statement.

I hope my tips for this season’s beauty trends have been inspiring and I would very much love to hear from you. Please leave your comments and questions.


Enjoy!

Geoffrey Rodriguez
(www.grbeauty.com)
]]> Makeup http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080907-204454 GoToGabby Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:44:54 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080907-204454 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080907-203136

After being married for over ten years, and having a few daughters one thing keeps becoming more and more clear. I have to make myself happy. What makes me say this? I have one of the most high energy, wonderful, and painfully honest husbands. Every so often we just talk about life things and human nature situations and it always leaves me knowing I can only control myself.

Men, women, children, sex, aging, testosterone, cohabitation etc. There are so many layers to living with someone, and creating a happy home that it really has to begin with the individual. I sometimes feel like married women are walking around as the years go by waiting for some shoe to drop. No wonder, if you look around you as couples have been together for a time, and then add the layer of children you can see they begin to drift apart. The Mom/wife gets rooted in intense responsibility , and can at times resent the mans continued ability to stay spontaneous. He wants to be in the middle of the family, but has a hard time finding his place. Not to mention the that he does in fact want to have the freedom to come and go as he is so inspired. The woman understands her duty to her family, and will often times just embrace it with grace. However, then the man feels like all she does is Mom stuff and forgets about him and their relationship. Meanwhile, she would love to be alone with him or have unplanned sex, but that doesn't seem to match i nto reality. If she bailed her job as Mom her husband would be mortified and wouldn't respect her anyway.

Is it the chicken or the egg? When do things start to unravel? Does the man stray because he isn't getting enough love and sex at home? Or is the women shutting down because she feels left behind and trapped by all the domestic duty? Seems like one of the most common themes in marriage. Believe me I don't know of any real solution, except that I can keep myself healthy and happy. I am trying my best to make sure everyone in my home is getting what they need, but that also includes my needs.

When Laird comes home at the end of the day, and I have had a full day he doesn't see a sour and bitter person. Granted he may see a tired person, but I'm not a hag waiting to pounce on him when he walks through the door. I try to be complimentary of him, and find a way to keep the fresh girl within me alive. I'll be honest the greatest aid in this has been staying very physically active, and finding creative projects to be involved with. Keeping perspective is easier to achieve when you feel good. A man I know told me woman are more interesting because they suffer more. At the end of the day if you want to go the whole family route, and don't want to neuter your husband then guess what, their is so much more of a complicated load on the woman. We all make choices, and as long20as their is communication, honesty, respect, friendship, and love, I'll take the gamble of being in a relationship. I'm not going to live waiting for something to go down. I'll just take things as they come and in the interim try to be a good person, friend, wife, and Mom. Ladies, you have to take care of yourselves. I understand giving up so much to make a lot of other things happen, but not at the expense of your body.


Gabby]]> Gabbys Blogs http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080907-203136 GoToGabby Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:31:36 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080907-203136 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080905-134928

By Rebekah Winquest

It is an age old understanding among mothers especially that the future health of their children is dependent upon what we as parents provide them from the time they are born. Unfortunately, this basic principle is often forgotten in the busy and increasingly artificial lifestyles that are commonplace in most circles. There are some that say, that which is free has no value, but that statement runs empty when we talk of the love we have for our children. Love is free, and is by far the most valuable gift we as parents provide our kids from the first breath. Love for our children is encased in the care we give them, and there is no more important aspect of that care than what we feed them. I believe that if you want to provide the best care for your child, than you would want to raise them on a more natural diet that is by design a more organic approach.

The first choice a mother has to make is regarding milk—breast or formula. The next phase in a baby’s life is introducing solids, which can be a bit confusing and controversial. What is most interesting here is that your baby actually already has the answers for you. Babies are after all born with an innate ability to know what their bodies need and don’t need. If they do eat something they perceive as foreign and unnatural, they will spit it up and most likely refuse it the next time.

Many children who contract diseases are malnourished on some level. Malnourished need not be always defined as starved. Quantity and quality are mutually exclusive. A child that is obese can still be malnourished because they are consuming foods with no nutritional value. Therefore, their bodies are lacking in vital nutrients. Poor nutrition lowers children’s resistance to all kinds of diseases. It is at this young stage that malnutrition has the most severe effects; especially related to protein, iron, iodine and vitamin A deficiency.

What we can do as parents is to be smart and informed with our food selections. Ideally you would stick to as natural as possible – the less processed the better. Jarred/boxed baby food is convenient, but I challenge myself to make homemade baby food the majority of the time. Feeding your baby a variety of organic, fresh and seasonal foods is the best option and your baby will appreciate it. Any time I try to feed my son jarred foods or boxed cereals that I define as alternative, he doesn’t seem to like the food as much compared to the fresh and natural course.

I’m not advising you to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals for your baby on a daily bases. I usually make enough of each item to last 2-3 days. Another great tip I learned from another mom is to make large batches of each fruit or vegetable at a time; keep out enough for a few days and then label and freeze the rest. Next time you want to serve your baby that particular food, simply take out a portion, let it defrost in the fridge, and you are ready to serve.

Below are helpful tips I have put together for babies 6 months and older…

CEREALS:
There are two different ways to make whole grain cereal. If your baby does not have any teeth and needs to have a pureed cereal, here is what you do: Select from a variety of nutritious grains such as millet, amaranth, quinoa, barley, oat or rice. In a high power blender grind the grain as fine as possible. In a sauce pan, add about ¼ cup of the grain to just over ½ cup water (about a 1:2 ratio). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until done.
*Make sure to stir constantly or else the grain will clump. In a bowl mix the cereal with breast milk or water if needed for thinning. Also try mixing in pureed raw peaches, mashed bananas, and a drop of raw cold-pressed coconut oil. Try different combination's of choice, depending on what they like, such as applesauce, pureed apricots, pears or mango.

FRUITS:
Try fruits that are in season. Most fruits are best when raw, unless they are really fibrous such as apples. It is difficult to puree apples completely unless precooked. Make sure and first peal any fruits that you use. Good ones to start with are peaches, apples in the form of applesauce, pears, bananas, avocado, apricots and mangos.
• Simply peal the fruit, cut it into pieces, and place in your food processor or you can use a baby mill grinder.
• Puree until smooth – add water if necessary.

VEGETABLES:
Veggies are always best when in season. Babies have a hard time digesting raw veggies, so it is always best to cook them first. Some great veggies to start your baby off with include, sweet potatoes, squash, yams, green beans, peas, zucchini and carrots. I like to mix one of the orange or yellow veggies (squash, sweet potatoes, yams or carrots) with a green veggie. It makes it a bit more palatable. However, some babies like peas or green beans by themselves, try and see what happens.

PROTEIN:
Once your baby is closer to one year, you could introduce animal protein such as chicken, fish, goat cheese, and legumes. Legumes such as lentils, white beans, adzuki and black beans should only be given if they are first soaked in water for 18-24 hours before cooking. The soaking process allows pre-digestion to begin, breaks down the enzyme inhibitors in the bean, and increases the absorbability of the protein and nutrients. Thus preventing gas, bloating or any difficulty with digestion

LIQUIDS:
After 6 months it is recommended to start offering your baby fluids besides breast milk or formula. Rather than give my son juice, which is full of sugar, I like to offer him plain water, a little bit of diluted goat milk, or a few ounces of Young Coconut water (not to be confused with coconut milk). The coconut water is great on their tummies and aids in digestion. It is refreshing for them while not too filling. I buy a couple of the Young Coconuts from the health food store weekly, chop it open, drain out the water, and use over 2-3 days. You can also freeze the coconut water and use at a later time.

FATS:
Breast milk and formula have all the fat needed for an infant. However, as your baby starts nursing less and eating more solids, gradually they will need some fat to be added to their solid regime. One of the best fats is avocado – great pureed with banana, applesauce, sweet potatoes, or by itself. Plain goat yogurt is also an easily digested fat/protein/calcium. My son absolutely loves pureed peaches with unsweetened goat yogurt. Sometimes I add a couple drops of agave or stevia. It is also great as a kefir type drink. Combine part goat yogurt with water, breast milk or coconut water and shake well.

MORE TIPS:
- I don’t recommend adding salt to any of your baby’s food. Since a baby’s kidneys can’t handle a large amount of sodium, it is best to eliminate. Plus, you don’t want your baby to grow into a salt-addict!
- Try not to sweeten any foods as much as possible. Even with plain goat yogurt, first let them taste it plain before adding anything sweet to it. If you are going to use any sweetener, it is best to stick to agave, maple syrup, barley malt, rice syrup or stevia, making sure to avoid honey until after one year.
- Try rotating foods every 3-4 days to insure that your baby is getting a varied diet.
- Wait 3 to 4 days before introducing a new food.
- Don’t force feed your baby, they know what they need.
- Always buy organic whenever possible
]]> For Moms http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080905-134928 GoToGabby Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:49:28 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080905-134928 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080905-110023

There are hundreds of positive things you can do to help alleviate or banish stress. Here are some of our current favorites:

1. Own your stress.
Sometimes we stress about our stress. Seriously! If, like most, you’re a sensitive and thoughtful person trying to make the best choices in your life, you may have to guard against the all-too-easy habit of judging yourself and beating yourself up over the negative feelings that come with stress. I find that the judgment of a stressful situation or emotion is often more upsetting than the original issue. This can create a spiral of negativity. If you’re stressed, own it! You are allowed to experience all your feelings, including the stressful, negative ones. Accept them and find a way to channel them in a positive direction, such as outcome-based thinking. This is where you say “I don’t like this situation. I feel awful. What do I want it to be like instead? How do I want to feel instead?” rather than “I don’t like this situation. I feel awful! It’s hopeless!”. At the risk of taking us all back to the 1970s, be your own best friend; be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to have your feelings. And if that’s hard for you to do, no problem: I give you permission!

2. Set priorities.
Sometimes we just don’t set priorities, so everything develops a sense of urgency and this creates an enormous wall of stress. It can be paralyzing. Set priorities every single day. Write down your 3 most important things that must get done. Make a separate list of all the other things you’d like to address. Just concentrate on those 3, and if you get more done, wonderful! But get into the habit of viewing your day as a hierarchy of priorities.

3. Play the hypothetical game.
This is also about prioritizing. Play Aaron’s hypothetical game - only with a bit of a serious twist. Everything can feel important and urgent, but few things really are. Ask yourself what would really need to be dealt with if your car broke down, or you woke up with a cold, or your office was shut down for the day. This can help you put things in perspective.

4. Simplify.
Mark talks about this quite a bit. Stop putting so much on your plate! It’s easy to say “yes” and difficult to say “no”, but in the long run, doing less will benefit everyone in your life far more. Do less better, rather than more barely. You don’t have to be in God’s business.

5. Omega-3’s.
Another Sisson favorite, and something we all follow ’round these parts. For me personally, eating more fat and supplementing with Mark’s Vital Omegas has helped me to banish my migraines, manage my health, and simply feel more alert. I actually take a double-dose of the Vitals almost daily. If you haven’t read about how I went from flabby and sick to sleek and healthy, check out my story.

6. Basic indulgence.
You may not have the time or resources for a vacation or weekend at the spa. You may not be able to take time off from work right now. So find a way to indulge your senses via one of your daily routines. For example, spend a little extra cash on shampoos, conditioners and bath oils that smell wonderful and make you feel great. Or start your morning off with a simple ritual like a delicious cup of tea or five minutes of meditation. Another small indulgence that makes a difference is to dab your temples with an essential herbal oil you enjoy. These are easy ways to make “basics” more luxurious.

7. Exercise.
We can’t emphasize the power of exercise for your health and stress management enough. Exercise releases hormones that reduce stress, balance your mood, and help you handle everything from injuries to aches to germs to forgetfulness. Your body has a built-in system for stress management, and it’s called movement. Get that blood pumping several times a week!


Marksdailyapple.com]]> Healing / Meditation http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080905-110023 GoToGabby Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:00:23 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080905-110023 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080904-132547

By Tanya Kazeminy Mackay
Co-Founder, Mama Mio skincare for supermamas

Us girls of a certain age seem to take a whole lot of time to keep looking our best. You know what I mean? It seems each year I add 10 minutes more each morning and each evening to get the heck out of the bathroom. And 15 minutes to get my head out of the closet. And 30 minutes longer at the gym. With all these add on's I am running out of time! How is a girl (can't bring myself to say woman - sounds far more grown up than my 40 years) to fit it all in? Multi-tasking is the key!

I need multi- turbo speed functionality from each of the steps in my day time routine if I am going to squeeze in hot breakfast for the kids before the school run, make it to work vaguely on time, fit in my jeans without laying on the floor and yanking, and, at the end of it all, get to bed before my husband is snoring. Here are the little secrets I have discovered for the time challenged girl of a certain age!

Bathroom routine AM:

1. I skip washing my face in the morning and substitute a facial exfoliant 3 times a week in the shower. My face is clean and I have gotten the exfoliating squished in. I know how important exfoliating is to healthy skin so it has become crucial to my routine. It keeps my skin tone even, my skin soft, with improved hydration and reduction in blemishes. Our Body Buff http://www.mamamio1.com/finals/bodybuff.html is my favorite - but Biotherm also does a good one.

2. Body Moisture - I have become fanatical about using a body oil - it is a million times quicker than using a cream and makes my skin a million times happier (yes , a million times, really I have had this tested by scientists). Step out of the shower and dry the front half of your body (thus speeding up on drying time) and then apply a generous handful of body oil to legs, bum, arms and shoulders. Spend generous 2 minutes brushing teeth (unmissable step) and it will have soaked in soft, sheeny and ready to get dressed. I use O-mega Body Oil http://www.mamamio1.com/finals/omegabodyoil.html...but lots of people love Neutrogena body oil.

3. Facial Moisture - I have been using our bust cream from my forehead to below my boobs. Weird but it really works - I use it on my face on my neck and down my chest to below my boobs. Super quick and I cover off everything that is important to me in 3 pumps of Boob Tube http://www.mamamio1.com/finals/boobtube.html. People keep asking me what I use on my face so it must be working!

4. Getting Dressed - I actually lay my clothes out the night before. I lay out my kids and then I lay out mine. Saves any of us having to think in the bleary hours of dawn (ok so it's 7 am but that is early enough).

Fitness - this is really important to me. It is the difference between me feeling happy and me feeling grumpy and chubby.... so I have to find a way to squeeze it in pretty much daily. I need my fitness routine to carry me somewhere I was going already. For example - I jog the kids to school. They hop on their bikes I hop in my runners and off we go - 12 minutes there. Sweaty hugs and kisses (not so nice, but you gotta make compromises) 12 minutes back. Quick shower and off to work. OR (if bikini season is coming up this is an AND) Ride my bike to work. 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back is a nice way to get in a work out getting to work.

Bathroom PM:

1. Make sure Facial cleanser takes off eye make-up (who wants to take the time for 2 steps when you are yawning like a hippo). Apply using facial massage techniques (extra thorough cleanse, stimulates circulation, relaxes tense muscles and feels very nice) rinse with warm water.

2. Brush teeth (2 minutes again) then rinse with cold water - splashing face at the same time (cold water further stimulates circulation, ensures no cleanser residue, closes pores and 'shocks' the skin surface into glowing health). Dry face, apply facial oil - be very careful with these if you pick the right one your skin will glow with thanks - wrong one and you will look young like a teenager (and not in a good way!) I love, love, love our O-mega Body Oil http://www.mamamio1.com/finals/omegabodyoil.html or almost equally Elemis skin bliss capsules - stagger into bed.

I am sure you have some great thoughts as well - care to share? What are your times saving suggestions? Honestly any speedy help would be appreciated! tanya@mamamio.com

]]> Skincare http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080904-132547 GoToGabby Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:25:47 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080904-132547 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080903-195906

Water is vital for good health and a long life. Although you can live for days without food, your survival depends on drinking water. Each and every cell needs water to perform its essential functions. Read on to learn how water factors into your health and longevity plans.

Benefits of a good "drinking habit"
• Stay hydrated. On these hot summer days, your body needs to replenish itself with water more than ever. When you become dehydrated, you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and give you a feeling of fatigue.
• Regulate body temperature. For work-out fans, drinking water reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. And water reduces body temperature, making the exercise process safer and more effective.
• Skin health. Water hydrates and irrigates impurities from the skin, keeping it healthy and glowing.
• Nutrient absorption. Water transports essential nutrients, minerals, vitamins, proteins and sugars for assimilation.
• Aids in weight loss. If you haven't been drinking enough water, your body has developed a pattern of storing water-which equals extra unwanted pounds. Drink more water to teach your body that it no longer needs to store water. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant.
• Flushes wastes and toxins. Water helps us flush our system of the chemicals and toxins that we encounter every day in our modern world: car exhaust, dyed clothing, synthetic, formaldehyde-packed carpets - when you add up the toxins, it becomes dizzying! Your body will process and eliminate some of these hordes of chemicals that enter it. The rest are stored in the liver, lungs, kidneys, fat cells, intestines, blood stream, and skin. Without enough fluids to flush out your system, these accumulated toxins in your body will slow down your organ function, causing premature aging and resulting in chronic illness.
You should be drinking at least 60 ounces of water - about 8 glasses - a day.
To develop a good water-drinking habit, get two large, rigid thermos bottles with a 20-ounce capacity and fill them with water. Take one along with you during the day to drink at work, and drink the other one at home.

Water: You Are What You Drink
Everything that goes down the drain from our lawns, our agricultural fields, or anywhere else in our environment inevitably ends up in our drinking water. The president of the Environmental Working Group, Ken Cook, states that "approximately 45 million Americans in thousands of communities drink water that is polluted with fecal matter, parasites, disease-causing microbes, and pesticides at levels that violate Safe Drinking Water Act standards."

And a recent report showed that pharmaceutical drugs are showing up in tap water across the nation. People taking pharmaceutical drugs pass them through their bodies and into the sewage plants, which remove the usual pollutants - but not drug chemicals from waster water, and some ends up in your drinking water. Even a small amount of drug chemicals and pollutants taken in by your body continuously over a long period of time can trigger genetic changes, cause allergies, or even lead to cancer.

Of the many filtration processes that remove contaminants, the kinds that use activated charcoal is recognized by the EPA as the best available technology for filtering out volatile organic compound (VOCs) and other dangerous chemicals. The most convenient and affordable way to have safe, healthy water for you and your family is to use an in-home water filtration system. To learn about a high-performance filtration system that I recommend, click here.

Health in a Bottle?
Bottled water has gained tremendous popularity, as word about the hazards of tap water is getting out. However, many bottled waters were found to be simply processed water using distillation, reverse osmosis, de-ionization or filtration. So, is bottled water safer than tap water? Tests have discovered that some bottled waters contained more chlorine by-products than surface and ground waters. And the pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals that are found in household tap water are appearing in bottled water with alarming frequency.

The Natural Resources Defense Council report on the subject concluded that, "there is no assurance that bottled water is any safer than tap water." Throw into that mix that plastic containers contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which leach into your water. Skip the plastic bottles for storing. Instead store in glass bottles, and for water-on-the-go, get a reusable thermos.

I hope you will take these tips and keep yourself well watered. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

-Dr. Mao

Health.yahoo.com
]]> Health http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080903-195906 GoToGabby Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:59:06 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080903-195906 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080903-114646

I have to laugh because my boss (or the woman who is in control of my site) has asked me to bring in to the mix the fact that I have a "public job”. Here we go: I have a home gym, access to the best trainers in the world, I have help with my children, and yes my husband has a "public job" as well. OK having said all of this, I can totally relate to being time crunched, over stressed, sick of making breakfast and packing lunches for kids, questions that I don't have answers too, figuring out how to sneak away for 4 minutes with my husband, dealing with trying to stay who I am, looking in the mirror and realizing time is moving, making a house a home, and all while trying to make my skin dewy, and figure out what I want to do with the next 60 years of my life. Oh, and did I say anything about the art of cohabitation? Another time. So you may see me and think I can't relate, but I want to drive home the single most important inspiration for this site. It's to try and take all my fancy access and to be able to give it to who ever it will make sense for. I don't know much, but I do know that being healthy and having a healthy lifestyle is important, and can make everything else just a little easier. If I can be helpful or introduce you to someone who can be helpful, that is something worth getting up in the morning for, and a quest that I see as the next chapter in my life. We will all get older, that is the inevitable, but, what I want to do is to figure out how to do it gracefully and as slowly as possible. I want to live a life of the highest quality for as long as I walk the earth. Besides my family and my friends I am passionate about the fact that MY HEALTH IS MY GREATEST ASSET. If I were an evangelist then I would serve that way but I’m not! I was a jock who now writes and gibber jabbers on TV, so this is my way of giving, and getting in the game.
My Train 360 Fitness System is a way to try and give you a tool to help you move, with very little equipment, or time, or space, or money. Just in case you were wondering what are we doing and why, that's it! Trying to figure out incremental ways in which to make all of us healthier is my goal. Believe me I understand what it’s like to try and lose weight and achieve goals; it takes tons of time and work before seeing results. Am I going to give up? No way. My head is down and I'm focused on my goals. Goals that I chip away at day after day, even when I don't see a result. I will see all of you in the race, and step by step we will make it to the finish line, together. Just keep believing and take a few deep breathes now and again.

Best, Gabby
]]> Gabbys Blogs http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080903-114646 GoToGabby Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:46:46 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080903-114646 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080902-204518

Pregnant women should steer clear of stressful events, as high stress levels could have an adverse effect on their unborn babies. According to a study, pregnant women who witnessed the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 passed on biological signs of stress to their babies.

Researchers examined 38 women who were pregnant while at or near the World Trade Center when it was attacked. The women were asked what stage of their pregnancy they were at on 9/11 and were assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); saliva tests were administered on the mothers and their babies when the infants were 1 year old. Results revealed:
• Women who developed PTSD had lower levels of cortisol--which helps the body to raise blood sugar levels and blood pressure in response to stress--than to those who did not.
• Babies whose mothers had PTSD also had lower levels of cortisol, compared to those born to mothers who did not develop the disorder.
• Hormonal changes were most evident in mothers carrying their babies during their last trimester when 9/11 occurred.

Thus, the effect of stress on the babies depended on the stage of pregnancy the mother was at when she experienced the stressful event.

And, according to one researcher, the transmission of trauma has often been linked to the way mothers communicate those experiences to their children. But because babies were tested when they were 1 year old, researchers believe this transfer of trauma could be accredited to such factors as early parent-child bonding, shared genetic susceptibility and even the presence of cortisol in the womb.

Researchers plan on following the babies involved in the study as they grow up to see if those with lower cortisol levels go on to develop psychological disorders when they are older.

Most people understand the extensive and devastating effects stress has on our health, but few fully appreciate the impact it can have on the unborn.

There are many people reading this who are suffering from health problems related to severe emotional trauma that occurred to their mother during the nine months they were being carried in her womb. Unless this is addressed, it is unlikely the person will ever truly regain their health or achieve optimal wellness.

My intention in sharing this is not to create additional stress for you, as there are tools that can remarkably repair this electrical and energetic short-circuiting in your body, and I list some of them below.

Rather than waiting for a potentially toxic miracle pill to erase unpleasant memories that may be the cause of your stress, or using one of the many dangerous options available to simply dull your sense of reality, consider these equally effective, safe and healthy alternatives for adapting to stress in your life:
• Learn how to use the Emotional Freedom Technique, the proven energy psychology tool I use daily in my practice, as a means of adapting to your stress.
• Limit your family's exposure to media outlets.
• Use prayer or journaling--both of which are deeply therapeutic forms of emotional release--as a means of letting go of your daily troubles.
• Work on building a positive outlook to buffer the effect of stress in your life.
• Laugh as often as possible.

Mercola.com
]]> Pregnancy http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080902-204518 GoToGabby Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:45:18 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080902-204518 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080902-194934
If you’re a patient of Dr. David Sabgir’s, you might find yourself doing just that. Every Saturday at 8:30 a.m., rain or shine, Dr. Sabgir heads out on a walk at Highbanks Metropolitan Park in Lewis Center, Ohio, with 175 to 200 patients, neighbors, friends and family members.

Three years ago, after unsuccessfully admonishing his patients to lose weight, Dr. Sabgir had a flash of insight. Why not walk with his patients every Saturday morning? During the walk, patients, along with their family and friends, would have the opportunity to talk with medical professionals to learn how to take care of their health. By becoming more active, patients could alter the course of anticipated heart disease and improve the quality of their lives.

The project quickly became a family affair. Dr. Sabgir’s wife, Kristin, began bringing lower-calorie fare to the walks to demonstrate healthy snacks. Alexandria (age 9) and Charlie (age 7) joined the walks. Dr. Sabgir’s father telephones weekly reminders to participants without access to e-mail. Other volunteers who joined the effort include nurses who provide free blood-pressure checks, an exercise physiologist who leads and closes the program with appropriate stretches and sponsors who provide free pedometers. Healthy recipes, samples of the recipes and nutritional weight-loss tips are provided each week. Participants can also receive a free one-hour counseling session with a registered dietician.

Dr. Sabgir, a board-certified cardiologist, practices with clinical cardiology specialists at McConnell Heart Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital. Through these organized weekly walks, Dr. Sabgir has found a way to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, sizes, shapes, physical conditions, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Dr. Sabgir considers the diversity of the walking group to be its strength. He says, “The diversity of the group is most apparent when you see a young mother pushing her newborn in a stroller alongside a couple in their 90s. Both obese walkers and endurance athletes share in the benefit of education and exercise.”

With Ohio’s obesity rate approaching 27 percent, Dr. Sabgir has a big job. His state ranks 17th among the 50 states. Moreover, the numbers on the scales of Ohio citizens—and of the rest of the nation—are heading up. Even more worrisome is the fact that interventions—whether undertaken by medical personnel, private companies or government entities—have yet to reverse the trend. Dr. Sabgir’s has designed his volunteer efforts to do just that by creating a greater awareness and commitment to health among residents in his community.

Besides making new friends and having fun, patients learn the medical benefits of walking. Exercise helps patients feel less tired, decreases stress, aids in weight loss and weight control, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improves circulation.

If you’d like to learn more about the Walk with a Doc program, you can sign up for Dr. David Sabgir’s newsletter, e-mail Dr. Sabgir at contact@walkwithadoc.org or call 614.273.8030.

Dubbed “An Apostle for Fitness” by the Wall Street Journal, Carole Carson is the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction, which chronicles her own 62-pound weight loss and the inspirational Nevada County Meltdown. Visit www.fromfat2fit.com for more information.




Friends getting started.



Dr. Sabgir talking with walkers.



Getting started.



Walking and talking with friends.



]]> Health http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080902-194934 GoToGabby Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:49:34 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=09&entry=entry080902-194934 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080830-203731

Nothing says exhaustion and strain like dark circles under your eyes. The problem is, you may be getting plenty of sleep every night and still wake up with puffy raccoon eyes. Now what? Read on to find out why you get under-eye circles and how to reduce their appearance or get rid of them altogether.

Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles are often a heredity trait. The skin around our eyes is the most delicate and thinnest skin in the body. Dark circles under the eyes are blood vessels that can be seen through the skin, producing the bluish tint.

Allergies are another common cause of dark circles. When you rub and scratch your itchy eyes, it irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing puffiness and discoloration. If allergies are the root of your problem, simply treat them or avoid what you're allergic to. If your dark circles or puffiness are constant, you may have an undetected food allergy or an allergy to a chemical in your surroundings. Consult an allergist to determine what you may be allergic to.

Chinese medicine considers dark circles as a sign of weakness in the kidney network. Kidney weakness is due to exhaustion and overstrain coupled with lack of rest and relaxation. Since the kidney network in Chinese medicine governs the hormonal system, it affects the pigment melanin. It is said that unhealthy and depleted kidneys produce pigment deposit under the skin around the eyes and other parts of the face.

Many cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often thought to be due to vitamin K deficiency or a lack of antioxidants in the diet.

It is also believed that lack of the mineral iron can cause dark circles. An iron deficiency may point to anemia, which is a potentially serious medical condition that requires treatment. If you believe you may have anemia, see your family doctor to schedule blood work.

Dark circles occur more frequently and are more noticeable with age, because as we get older, our skin loses collagen and becomes thinner and more translucent.

Under-eye Remedies
Reduce the puffiness and lighten your circles with these all-natural solutions.

1. For starters, be sure you are getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

2. What you eat counts! Eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and make sure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals. Be sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, spinach, and other leafy greens. Eat at least 2 cups of organic fresh spinach everyday. Additionally, eat a handful of raw almonds (unsalted and unroasted) between meals. Avoid salty foods, as salt causes the body to retain water, which equals bloating and puffiness that is particularly noticeable under the eye.

3. Asian pear is a juicy and crunchy fruit that has long been prized by Chinese herbalists as a way to lighten under-eye circles. Asian (or Fuji) pears are packed with copper and vitamin C, antioxidant nutrients that help protect you from cellular damage caused by free radicals. When free radicals damage enough skin cells, signs of aging begin to appear. Copper is an essential component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that attacks these harmful agents when they enter the body via air pollution and other toxins.

4. Treat your skin while you sleep. Just before bed, lightly wet a washcloth with cold water and place over your eyes as you sleep. By morning, you should see an improvement.

5. Apply cucumber slices or cool tea bags to your eyes. Cucumber slices are famous for their ability to reduce puffiness, and the tannin in tea bags has been found to reduce swelling and discoloration. Lie down, close your eyes, and place fresh cucumber slices or cool, damp caffeinated tea bags over your eyes for about ten minutes every day.

6. Gently apply almond oil under your eye every morning and evening until you see improvement.

7. New skin-care technology has become available through years of intensive research; it is now possible to find creams and other products that can help you combat under-eye circles. A product I suggest is an all-natural anti-aging eye cream that lightens dark circles under the eye. For more information, click here.

8. Avoid smoking, as it causes vascular problems that not only threaten your health, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent under the skin.

Treating your skin will help, but there may also be an underlying cause. Imbalances in your life show up on your face and skin. You may consider seeing a doctor of Oriental Medicine to uncover the root imbalance and improve your overall health.

I hope you will take these tips and put your best face forward. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

-Dr. Mao

Health.yahoo.com]]> Skincare http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080830-203731 GoToGabby Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:37:31 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080830-203731 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080829-052731

Lose Weight Even If You’re Busy

And who isn’t busy? We’ve been talking quite a bit so far this week about how fast-paced and hectic our lifestyles are (especially in April, it seems). The idea of losing weight typically generates rather glamorous images: personal trainers, hours in the gym on complicated equipment, expensive groceries and making a veritable career out of cooking dinner.

Statistically, we’re both the busiest and fattest bunch of people on earth, so it’s not hard to see why the thought of weight loss carries such impossibly glamorous, time-sucking connotations. Fortunately, our idea of what’s required is not really accurate - whether you want to lose ten pounds or fifty. Of course, diet pills and exercise gadgets you see on infomercials don’t work - it’s not quite that easy. But losing weight is surprisingly simple if you apply a few tips consistently.

Here are ten of my favorite ways to get started today:


10. No More Frivolous Bread
What’s the harm of one roll at dinner, right? A lot more than you think. Bread baskets are ubiquitous, and they’re also worthless. Make it a habit to avoid these freebie wasteful calories, period. After a few weeks you will notice a difference. It’s too easy!

9. Don’t Eat Until You’re Stuffed
This seems obvious, but many of us are guilty of over-eating. I was surprised to learn recently that liver disease is an alarming new problem (truly an epidemic), but not because of excessive alcohol consumption. It’s because of excessive food consumption! It’s really true that restaurant portions are two to three times more than you need - and that’s standard. Here’s how to deal: eat until that point where your stomach is no longer growling, but you could still eat a bit more. From now on, simply stop when you get to that point. It only takes one or two times to realize how incredible this feels. The busiest person can eat less.

8. Get It To Go
I’m not talking about take-out. Anytime you dine out, get half the meal into a doggy bag before you even start. You don’t have to cook all your meals to lose weight; just eat less when you are out. Hey, you’ll save cash, too!

7. Don’t Drink Calories
Many of us consume several hundred empty, sugary calories daily without realizing it - lattes, sodas, “energy” drinks, sports drinks, smoothies and so on. Unless these drinks are replacing a meal or supplementing a really small meal, don’t drink them. I like to have frequent protein and fiber smoothies, but they typically replace a meal, or I make sure to get in a really intense workout session.
What to do: stick with water and the occasional glass of wine or a light beer. Make calorie-rich drinks a treat, because they really are more like dessert and should be viewed as such. That daily latte is packing on as much as half a pound a week. It’s easy to see why people can gain ten or fifteen pounds a year without knowing why - these little treats have a terrible cumulative affect on your waistline (and health). Busy and need a lift? Grab a water bottle to go instead of a mocha. Realize that most of these drinks are really just glorified milkshakes.

6. Realize Why You Need to Lose Weight
Most of us get caught up in the vanity of weight loss - we just want to look good! There’s nothing wrong with that. But remember that being overweight is behind most of the major causes of death in this country - and nearly all of them are preventable! This isn’t about having the perfect abs or being a size 4. Even a ten-pound weight loss can add years of good health to your life. Time it takes to realize this: you just did!

5. Snack, Part A
We have become a culture of constant eaters. We’re always snacking - bars, chips, bags of treats, candy, cheese, it never ends. We often eat more than the serving size when we snack (who ever eats only seven chips?). The danger of this is that you can consume hundreds of excess calories without really realizing it - or feeling satisfied. Learn to slow down and enjoy meals, and think about the calories you’re putting into your mouth. Simply practice being aware of everything you eat. This doesn’t take up your time, and it makes a big difference in how much you eat

4. Snack, Part B
When you snack, snack on fruit or veggies. Your body will soon grow to crave them instead of the other unhealthy treats. Humans become easily habituated to any substance - make this work for you, not against you. Busy folks have no excuse: pre-washed, chopped veggies are available in most grocery stores, and you can always get the kids to take on the chore of tossing rinsed veggies into baggies for a week’s worth of snacks all ready to grab and go.

3. Lunch Dilemmas
Many of us eat too much or chow on unhealthy lunches because we’re in a rush or just can’t get away from the desk. Two easy, quick fixes for even the busiest souls:
- If you eat home-made lunches, you don’t have to keep buying and consuming the same old pre-made junk. Buy and consume bagged salads instead. There is almost always one variety of bagged lettuce on sale. Keep a bottle of balsamic vinegar at work, and you’re good to go. This doesn’t take any more time than microwaving a pre-made meal high in carbohydrates, fat and chemicals, and you’ll save thousands of calories (translation: a couple of pounds) a week.
- If you and the gang dine out for lunch, just start ordering salads instead of sandwiches and pastas. Lay off the croutons and fattening dressings, and you’re well on your way to losing weight in just a few weeks. Salads shouldn’t be a once-in-a-while healthy notion. Greens of some sort should be a daily habit. They are what we are meant to eat.

2. Frozen Vegetables Are Your Friends
Too tired to whip up a healthy, nutritious dinner? We all are. Fortunately, healthy dinners really don’t take very long. In fact, heating up a huge bag of vegetables and drenching them in olive oil and tasty spices takes less time than waiting for the pizza to arrive. Get into the habit of eating veggies for dinner at least 3 or 4 days a week, and watch the pounds run. in. terror.
I eat pretty light dinners, but if you need more protein in your evening meal, bake up a big bag of frozen chicken breasts once a week so they’re ready to slice and toss into the vegetables. Or add some low-sodium canned beans or sprinkle on some feta cheese if you’d prefer not to eat meat. Now seriously, did that take any time at all?

1. Bottom Line
For people on the go, the bottom line for weight loss comes down to reducing portions. Avoid the empty calorie traps - pre-made meals, coffee drinks, snacks. These are the bane of any busy person’s existence. Avoiding them doesn’t mean you must alternatively slave over freshly-made meals or spend hours at the gym every week - simply avoid the empty calorie traps.
And recognize that convenience and speed apply equally to vegetables and low-calorie foods like salads, too. So make the better choice.

Marksdailyapple.com
]]> Weightloss http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080829-052731 GoToGabby Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:27:31 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080829-052731 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080829-052411


I realized something about training that is so important. Have some fun!! What a concept. I go day after day doing my "workout routine" or better yet "regimen" mindlessly grinding through it. Today, I had a pool workout where a friend of mine showed me a ton of incredibly difficult drills inspired by water polo training and I struggled. However, more importantly than the training was challenging AND I tried something new and had some fun. I was doing egg beaters in the pool like a wet kid trying to stay afloat. Of course the majority of my training will have a scheduled routine type feel to it, but I really believe that once in a while we just have to go do something completely different and have some fun flopping around. I get so caught up in being a serious and responsible adult that I don't allow myself the joy of child like play. I'm not sure where I got this idea from, but I really want to spend the rest of my life undoing my stiff Mom and wife role just a little. Maybe in the end it's about finding the JOY in everything you do (when it's possible). After all we all know how boring serious is, and if you can get the work done and still put the fun into it, why not?

Gabby
]]> Gabbys Blogs http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080829-052411 GoToGabby Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:24:11 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080829-052411 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080827-142759

By Tammy Gold

As summer draws to a close, parents everywhere can be heard letting out a sigh of relief as they begin to pack up their children and send them back to school. However, this transition is not always as smooth as many parents would hope and new anxieties and worries often rear their heads. Founder of Gold Parent Coaching, Tammy Gold offers these tips to ensure that your back to school experience is calm and stress-free:

1. Create a transition back to school. Make your children aware of the start of the new school year. For example “yes we can stay out late tonight, but next week we are going to start going to bed earlier to get ready for school.” Regardless of age – speak to all children about the summer winding down and the school year beginning and the changes that will take place in schedule, activities, etc.

2. Allow your children to express any concerns or fears they may have about the upcoming school year. Talk to them about the teachers they are having, the classes they will be taking and the people with whom they will be in class. Allow them the opportunity to express what they are excited about and things about which they are nervous.

3. Look out for physical signs of distress such as headaches, stomachs, fatigue, etc. These symptoms could be a physical manifestation of their anxiety about the return to school. If they are displaying these signs or symptoms check them check out medically and also speak to them about what is really going on at school. Try to find a way to work through the anxiety together.

4. Check in often regarding after school activities, homework, school groups, etc. Make sure they are able to keep up with the new time commitments of school combined with sports programs and school programs. If there is a great deal of activities during the week, then perhaps some can be taken away during the weekend. Check with each child individually to see what he or she can manage in regards to keeping up with school and activities.

5. Use the transition back to school to as a way to strengthen the family. Shop for school supplies together using a budget set by parents and child. If the discussion of “I need what everyone else has” comes up use it as a way to educate your child on what your family values are and the difference between “needs” and “wants.” If age appropriate bring up the discussion of peer pressure, drinking and drugs. Establish rules together as a family that will be in place before school starts. Take an active interest in school and support your child during the transition. This will create a strong foundation for their education.

Gold Parent Coaching wishes you best of luck with the new school year.

Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching and also her website www.goldparentcoaching.com
]]> Family http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080827-142759 GoToGabby Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:27:59 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080827-142759 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080827-114003

By Sara Ell

Lace
Lace has made a comeback for fall with sexy dresses and tops from Derek Lam, Dolce and Gabbana and Proenza Schouler. Valentino has the best black bag with leather studded handles.

Flats
Flats were always considered casual but now thanks to France's first lady Carla Bruni and trend setters like Kate Moss they are now on the red carpet and all over the runways. Jimmy Choo and Chanel have the best for the season or check out Aldo for fashionable copies.

Denim Trousers
A new chic version of denim is the trouser. These trousers are great with tailored jackets or feminine blouses for day or evening. Citizens of Humanity have a great fit and J Brand has great colors and classic black.

Classic Trench Coats
The trench coat never goes out of style and looks great over dresses or with jeans and a great scarf. Celine and Gucci have the perfect cut with a great selection in fabrics and lengths. Also look for JCrew's 30th Anniversary trench for $225.

Menswear
Menswear inspired looks are big for fall. Sharp jackets and tailored shirts with tight fitted pants were seen on the runways for fall. Dress it up with big chunky jewellery or a great clutch bag. Lanvin has the best jewellery for the season at reasonable prices to enhance any look.
]]> Fashion http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080827-114003 GoToGabby Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:40:03 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080827-114003 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080826-124719

By Tim Adams

Wow!

Talk about impressive. Seventeen races in nine days...Culminating in eight Gold Medals (five of which were individual Gold’s), seven World Records, while the non-world record Gold was still an Olympic Record. He now holds the record for the most Gold Medals won by a single person. Impressive indeed.

Mark Spitz described this feat as “Epic.” He should know his record of 7 gold medals in one Olympics stood for 36 years!

8 Gold Medals in one Olympics…It is a record that may never be broken!

How was this possible? In my opinion, there are three key ingredients to his success. To help understand how this was possible, lets break down his achievements by looking first at his genetics , his preparation, and then at his mental capacity.

For the most part, everyone competing for a medal at the Olympics is a “genetic freak.” And I use this term in the most endearing manner.

You see, just as in professional athletics these individuals are predisposed to be where they are. It is because of their genetic make up that they have excelled in their respected sport. Michael Phelps has some unusual physical attributes that help facilitate his ability to perform in the water.

Michael stands 6’4” and yet his torso is the size of a man who is 6’7” and his lower body is more like a man who stands 6’0”. This may be a factor attributing to his remarkable turns and low drag in the water.

His arms span 6’7” and his hands are the size of dinner plates. Each contributing to his ability to propel himself effortlessly in the water.

He not only does he have double jointed knees he has a size 14 foot but his ankle joints are hypermobile which enable him to whip his legs and feet as if he were wearing fins.

Now I am in no way taking anything away from him or his accomplishments…But make no mistake…Your parents play a major role in your athletic potential.

And you must realize it goes well beyond his genetics.

Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman demands perfection. He is a very calculating and analytical coach…ideal for the planning required in an Olympic cycle.

He created a specific plan to take advantage of every day leading up to these Olympics. Not one day off! That requires a tremendous amount of planning and integration of various modalities and exercise stimulus coupled with specific restoration and recovery to ensure positive adaptations.

Positive adaptations come through carefully planned and manipulated and consistently followed programs. And yet, the greatest gift Michael Phelps has is his mental capacity.

At the age of eleven he began to dream of Olympic medals. Very early in his life he became very clear on what he was gifted at and what he loved to do.

Although he was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age we can see that Michael Phelps has an extraordinary ability to focus his attention on the task at hand. Like a laser beam he has an unrelenting ability to stay single-minded and approach each endeavor as if nothing else matters…

…Except touching the wall first! He is a fierce competitor…He hates to lose! And he puts that energy into action daily by continuously preparing his body and mind for greater challenges.

He truly is a peak performer! Not only can we learn from his daily routines but if we apply these tools into our lives our performance will improve as well! If you would like to learn more about the tools you can use to take your game to the next level you can visit my site at www.makingbestbetter.com.

Until next time, remember, Success is not by chance…It’s by choice!
Tim
]]> Motivation / Awareness http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080826-124719 GoToGabby Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:47:19 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080826-124719 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080826-123246

By Beth Vincent
http://www.ohmamabar.com/



It is back to school time and the kids (as well as mom) may be feeling nervous and excited about the upcoming changes. The anticipation of new challenges and routines require you to be in top shape to help everyone shift gears from lazy summer days to the often more hectic fall and winter months ahead. In order to insure a successful transition to the new school year here are some tips to boost your energy level and mood!

1) Organize, Plan and Practice

The kids” heading” back to school means new clothes, new shoes, school supplies, haircuts, different schedules and usually an earlier bedtime. In order to get all “the stuff” and make all the changes in everyone’s routines with little angst it is important to plan ahead, get organized and practice some parts of the new routine.

First, make a list of the clothes and school supplies each child needs. This means going through old stuff, checking school memos about what they need to bring (i.e. a smock, notebooks, book reports, etc) and figuring out when to get everything done. Be sure to leave enough time for yourself and your children to shop, read and get organized prior to the first day of school.

With enough planning you will feel in control of the transition rather than overwhelmed. Once you see what needs to be purchased, you can figure out how long it will take and how much money will be spent. As you plan your calendar and budget you will be in control of the transition process which leads to greater sense of calm surrounding the back to school process than if you were to rush around at the last minute to grab what you “think” everyone needs and need to do. Your kids, in turn should follow your lead which gets the year off to a good, happy and calm start.

One often overlooked point to remember is the earlier bedtime once school begins. We all know how important a good night’s sleep is to everyone’s mood. With that in mind I suggest you implement the new bedtime and wake-up time the week before school begins. Even if you can’t get everyone to sleep and out of bed exactly according to the school year schedule, progress toward this goal will help keep up everyone’s energy and mood during back to school time.

2) Eat Well

We've heard it before, but that is because it is critical to preserving your energy and feeling great - maintain a healthy diet. This means a diet rich in with fruits, vegetables and protein. Be sure to eat every 3-4 hours and do not skip meals, especially breakfast. Study after study reveals that individuals who eat breakfast are in a better mood and have more energy than those who skip what should be the first meal of the day. In addition, if you eat first thing in the morning you are less likely to overeat later in the day which can lead to extra weight to drag you down.

Another key factor in keeping up energy levels is to eat a high amount of whole grains and limit sugary foods. According to New York University Nutritionist Samantha Heller, " When you're eating a sweet food, you get a spike in blood sugar, which gives you an initial burst of energy...but that is followed by a rapid drop in blood sugar which in turn can leave you feeling very wiped out...But, if you a lot of whole grains which provide a slow and steady release of fuel, your energy will be consistent and balanced, so by day's end you feel less tired."'

An often overlooked drain one energy is low magnesium. According to experts, even a slight magnesium deficiency can zap your energy. Women should ingest approximately 300 milligrams of magnesium. Good sources of magnesium include fish, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews and whole grains.

3) Stay Hydrated

Sure, you always remember to sippy cups and water bottles for the kids, but are you diligent about your own hydration? In order to keep up your energy level it is critical to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. Our bodies are made up of about 75% water. Accordingly, our brains are three quarters water. Even a slight deficiency can drain energy which means both your muscles and brain functioning suffer. On the other hand if you are well hydrated you can think clearly and act fast.

4) Remember to Exercise

When you are busy with the back-to-school shopping, helping the kids with end of summer reading and final book reports finding time and motivation to fit in your exercise can be a challenge, but it is critical. Daily exercise of some kind will do wonders to maintain your energy, reduce fatigue and preserve a positive outlook. A study at the University of Georgia has shown that regular, low-intensity exercise can increase energy levels by 20% and decrease fatigue by 65% in sedentary people

Even when you are feeling like a nap might be in order, research shows that exercise will serve you better. Something as simple as a brisk 10-minute walk will boost your energy and mood. During exercise your brain releases chemicals including endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine that work together to make you alert and happy.

5) Manage Stress

Stress is a daily part of everyone’s life, particularly mom’s. “Stress is the result of anxiety, and anxiety uses up a whole lot of our energy, “states Sports psychologist Paul Baard, PhD. When daily stress accumulates it drains energy and can damper your mood. While I recommend everyone fits in some kind of exercise on a daily basis, integrating additional stress reducers into your day is important. Talking to a friend, listening to music, mediation, reading a book or keeping a daily journal are other effective tension reducers. Certain methods work better for some people than others. They key is finding the activity or activities that work best for you and your lifestyle.


]]> Family http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080826-123246 GoToGabby Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:32:46 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080826-123246 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080825-152327

O.K., we acknowledge the title is a bit over the top, but didn’t it get your attention? No, stress alone won’t pack on the pounds, but there’s still truth to it. We thought we’d dig up some of the dirt on stress – fat and otherwise.
The fact is we think stress gets short shrift when it comes to the realm of health and wellness. As you know, we spend a lot of time talking about how our eating and exercising impacts our biochemistry. Stress absolutely, positively plays into this same picture. A great diet and diligent exercise routine are never wasted effort, but chronic high stress can put a serious damper on the benefits you should be getting from your healthy endeavors.
Let’s examine stress as saboteur. First off, we all know that a moderate amount of stress is good – natural even. (Grok didn’t live in Pleasantville after all.) In the face of danger, the physiological “fight or flight” stress response was crucial to our favorite caveman’s self-preservation. Ah, the flooding of adrenaline (a.k.a. epinephrine) and norepinephrine, the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, the emergency shut off of the immune system. We notice the sweating, muscle tension and the heightened sense of smell and hearing, the sudden increase in heart rate (getting uncomfortable yet?). All these helped our ur-selves either attack that Sabertooth tiger or run like heck—to get away from the snarling beast. Flip to modern day when the “predator” is more likely a passive-aggressive co-worker, catty neighbor, daily traffic jam, or looming pile of bills in the corner, and suddenly the fight or flight instinct isn’t as relevant or particularly helpful. (But there’s always the “vacation from your problems” ala What About Bob?…)
Stress today is more often a chronic low-grade condition than the powerful punch complete with cathartic end. (Maybe that’s why we love adventure-thriller movies so much?) That low level of stress day after day acts as insidious antagonist, aforementioned saboteur. That adrenal action described earlier? The constant release of cortisol, our star of the hormonal show, eventually causes major functions in the body to shut down or operate at only a subpar level – immune function, digestion, endocrine function, etc. Do you get sick more often when you’re under a lot of stress? We thought so. Wonder why so many people have digestive issues in this country (besides the prevalence of obesity)? Ever heard of adrenal exhaustion? Stress is nearly always a – if not the – major factor. Oh, and the list goes on and on. A chronically high level of cortisol and other stress hormones impacts the brain, compromising memory function (Where are those stupid car keys?!) as well as the balance of dopamine and serotonin instrumental for psychological well-being.
Yeah, yeah, you might say. What about the fat connection? The bottom line is this: research has demonstrated that stress can contribute to the build-up of body fat as a result of stress’s effect on hormonal secretion and its physiological consequences. Let us explain. Cortisol sets off an increased rush of glucose from your tissues (including breaking down muscle tissue to make glucose). Yikes! Remember, the body thinks something major is going down. In response to the rise in glucose comes the rise in insulin. You know the drill. Do this again and again, day after day, and what do you have? Insulin resistance eventually.
In the meantime, the cortisol is signaling the body to store fat. (The body thinks it will need it after all.) Specifically, the body directs fat storage in the abdomen, around the organs, where there are more receptors for cortisol and a greater supply of blood.
A lot of research has been done on this in the last few years highlighting the contribution of stress to abdominal fat in particular.
And don’t think that you’re off the hook if you happen to be thin. A study out of Yale University looked at how thin women developed abdominal fat in connection with stress. Individual response to stress, not just “body shape” plays a significant role. Women in the study who reacted more severely to the study’s assigned stressors had more abdominal fat. The trend encouraged the researchers to suggest that in women’s case “it is possible that stress may influence body shape more than for men.”
So, where are the gentlemen in all this? The Yale researchers believe the same stress “relationships likely apply to men” but that it works within men’s tendency to accumulate fat around the abdomen anyway as opposed to around the hips, as many women do.
Ultimately, excess stress and associated cortisol levels can undo all of us, but we all have plenty of options to control the impact. As the researchers note, “smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise all contribute to greater abdominal fat.” Add to these other lifestyle factors like diet, sleep (duration and quality) as well as stress processing, and you’ve got plenty to work with.
For instance, research published last year in Nature Medicine highlighted the coinciding impact of a “high fat, high sugar” diet (always a bad idea) with stress on the release of a neurotransmitter, neuropeptide Y, which “increases fat cell proliferation and vasularization.” The researchers found “increased secretion of neuropeptide Y” when stress was coupled with the high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. And so we’re back to where we started. Stress, by itself, does not make a person fat. Chronic stress, together with poor diet and lifestyle, will come back to Our suggestions? Choose a lifestyle that supports hormonal balance. Eat a low carb, high anti-oxidant diet, exercise according to the Primal Blueprint model (overtraining actually raises cortisol dramatically), and get plenty of sleep. Take omega-3 supplements to help counteract the inflammation damage related to stress. But as for the stress itself? Find stress relief practices that work for you. Experts particularly recommend spending time in a quiet natural setting. (What better way to unhook from the modern world?) Experiment with meditation options - however simple - whether prayer, guided imagery, or TM. (Check out our past posts on stress and stress relief.) Finally, as a complement to these efforts, consider a cortisol balancing supplement to help you get a leg up.bite you in the butt – or belly, we should say.

Marksdailyapple.com

]]> Health http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080825-152327 GoToGabby Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:23:27 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080825-152327 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080824-151013

By Carole Carson

One potato, two potato, three potato, four.
Kids won’t live as long as their parents did before.

This light hearted chant conveys a serious message: today’s children may be the first generation to suffer more health problems and live shorter lives than their parents will. This statement suggests a shocking reversal of a historic trend toward longer and healthier lives resulting from improvements in healthcare and hygiene.

In July, the American Academy of Pediatrics sounded the alarm when it encouraged pediatricians to treat overweight, at-risk children—as young as eight—with drugs for high cholesterol. High blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes and the threat of heart attacks are just a few of the medical complications that worry pediatricians and parents. These chronic and potentially life-threatening conditions—formerly found exclusively in adults and seniors—are a by-product of another startling statistic: one out of three children is overweight or obese.

September is national Healthy Aging Month, and the traditional focus of this health promotion has been on adults 50 years or older. But in light of the downward trend in longevity, the concept of healthy aging needs to be applied to everyone—even children.

Whether we’re teachers, friends, parents or relatives, we can help children get FIT and preserve their option to age healthfully. Here are three FIT tips:

F: Feed your children home-cooked meals that include vegetables and fruit. (Children typically consume twice as many calories eating a meal out than eating at home.) Fix family favorites but reduce calories—for example, replace oil or butter in baked goods with applesauce. Feature and serve food your family enjoys (such as smoothies made with fresh fruit and yogurt) that won’t pack on pounds. Fill your cupboard and refrigerator with healthy “fast foods” (for example, bananas, apples, hard-boiled eggs, whole-wheat bread, raisins and carrots) that kids can grab and eat on the run. Find games to play either indoors (Wii Fit or another exergame) or outdoors that will get your family moving.

I: Inquire about the calories and content of restaurant and processed foods and check specifically for fat, trans fat and sodium. (The majority of items served to children in fast-food chains contain twice the calories, fat and trans fat that a child needs for one meal, and some items may exceed the day’s allotment.) Involve yourself in parents’ groups promoting healthy school lunch programs. Initiate family rituals that include a nightly family dinner during which the television and cell phones are turned off. Introduce concepts about portion size and caloric content. Invite your children to help you cook.

T: Teach children about nutrition. For example, discuss the importance of drinking milk (instead of a sugared soft drink) to build strong bones and eating fresh fruits and vegetables to provide needed vitamins, fiber and nutrients. Track your family’s screen time (video, television and computer) and set a limit on use. Take time to participate in fun physical activities with your kids and show them by example that exercise is important.

Raising children is a daunting yet fun-filled challenge. Whether we’re a parent, relative, teacher or physician, we have one goal: to develop children into fit, productive adults. To assure this happy outcome, all of us must adopt a healthy lifestyle. We’re never too old—or too young—to focus on fitness.

Five potato, six potato, seven potato, eight.
We need to help kids change before it is too late.


Carole Carson, Author
From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction
530 478-5709
530 687-6301 EFax
carolecarson1@earthlink.net
www.fromfat2fit.com

Author of From Fat to Fit
fromfat2fit.com


]]> Kids Health/Education http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080824-151013 GoToGabby Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:10:13 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080824-151013 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080822-092753

I was thinking today as I was having a "groundhog day" moment, how incredibly uninspired I can feel some times. Then I always manage to do the self talk thing where I do inventory of all of the things I am grateful for (my kids, my health, their health, great husband, wonderful job etc.). That normally makes me feel ashamed enough to snap out of it. Isn't feeling blah part of the human condition? I believe it really is, but I think it can get exaggerated by our civilized world. Sit in traffic, answer phone calls and e-mails, do laundry, pack school lunches, punch a clock, and hold our breathe for the weekend. Granted a certain amount of monotony and routine is essential for living, but do we have to be completely non creative in order to "responsible" individuals? I was thinking of all the ways I could take a more creative approach to living, and I realized maybe I could start to make changes in a few subtle ways. For example every morning I get up, take a shower, go in my kitchen and make the kids their food and check emails. What if I got up a few minutes earlier and did something with my kids (morning breathe and all)? Take a walk, play outside for a few moments or even just read a book. At the end of the day instead of having dinner and then watching a bit of TV what if I guided my family on a tiny adventure one night of the week? Sit outside and look at the stars, have the kids put on a play from one of their favorite stories, or grab a sitter and surprise your partner with a picnic dinner alone. Hey, the same goes for working out. BORING if it's always the same old same old, gotta switch it up now and again. Go for a hike, take the stairs, jump in the ocean, lake or pool, take a class with a friend or jump on a bike with one of your children. Don't get stuck in a rut and don't be afraid to try something new. I am becoming increasingly aware of how short life is, and that it is not made up of a few BIG moments, but a day in day out collage of small experiences. Adding a little color to your rainbow takes some effort, but it's so well worth it.
]]> Gabbys Blogs http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080822-092753 GoToGabby Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:27:53 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080822-092753 http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080821-063740

I’m squished into a tiny bathroom stall at our health club with my two precocious daughters when the older one spots something irresistible.

“Mom, can I have it, please?” five-year-old Sophie begs, pulling the beautiful-to-her, faintly aromatic piece of waxy artwork from its wall-mounted sleeve and making a delightful discovery in the process. “There are lots of them! Sash, you want one?” she offers kindly, handing a duplicate to her three-year-old sister. “They’re bags! We can put all of our makeup and lip gloss and stuff in ‘em!” It is at this point she discovers that the rose motif is a multi-sensory experience.

“Sasha! Smell it!” she screams with glee. “It smells like perfume!”

“Can we have them mommy, can we? Can we? Please?” they plead in unison.

“Sure, okay,” I mutter, stuffing them into my gym bag. Well they are complimentary. “I’ll give them to you when we get in the car,” I add, not about to broadcast my children’s obvious fascination with feminine hygiene paraphernalia.

“But mom!” Sophie says suddenly. “What if someone has to puke?” This from the kid who’s stolen every air-sickness bag from every seat pocket in her vicinity on every flight she’s ever been on, with nary a second thought for any subsequently queasy passengers.

“They can puke in the toilet,” I tell her, shuffling them out of the stall. (Of course I don’t explain what it really is. The kid’s five. She’s got enough to worry about.)

“I’m going to make mine into a puppet,” Sasha announces in the car.

“I’m going to bring mine to school for show-and-tell!” Sophie one-ups her.

Note to self: Stop overspending on birthdays and holidays. Who needs a Wii when you’ve got a barf bag filled with Sweet & Low packets, a handful of straws and a half dozen sporks? Maybe we’ll get to take that vacation next year after all.

Jenna McCarthy is the author of the upcoming book The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties. When she’s not off on an indulgent romantic getaway, she can be found online at www.jennamccarthy.com.


]]> For Moms http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/index.php?entry=entry080821-063740 GoToGabby Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:37:40 GMT http://www.gotogabby.com/blogs/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080821-063740