Our family pet cockatiel, Phineas, passed away a couple of weeks ago. It was sad and unexpected, yet I find comfort in knowing that he is soaring with the big birds in the sky now.

During the last two weeks however, I found that I kept hearing about death. First it was my bird, then I heard (and watched) the horrific news coming from Iran about the death of Neda Agha-Soltan. A few days later I heard about Michael Jackson’s and then Farah Fawcett’s passing. I felt sad and grief stricken with all the news. What was going on here?!?

Then I started to feel nostalgic and thought of “life.” Read the rest of this entry »

Lately my life has been about snacking. I like to think of it as eating my 6 square meals a day. It’s fun, because I get to eat. However, it can also be tiring - thinking of portions and what to eat that’s healthy, or at least not bad for me.

Actually many studies have shown that eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day is better for you. The body is better able to metabolize food and use the energy more efficiently when “fed” throughout the day. Also, hunger is less likely to set in and we prevent the binging that might happen during the conventional mealtimes of breakfast, lunch and dinner when our bodies are “starving” for food. Read the rest of this entry »

With all the media coverage of the H1N1 Swine Flu, it is certainly hard to ignore and not have the news have some kind of effect. Normally I do not scare easily, but the sense of urgency in these stories is very apparent.

Despite the danger of this potential epidemic, the fact is we can not control it.
What we CAN do, however is to control our own behavior, get educated and stay healthy.

Our immune system is absolutely amazing. The human body is naturally equipped to deal with all kinds of sickness, injury and trauma - the flu is no different. On a daily basis people come into contact with thousands of germs and bacteria a day, usually with no significant consequence. However, when our immune systems are compromised, our bodies are more susceptible to the bacteria in the environment, and we get sick.

Maintain health and strengthen the body’s natural immune system and you’re less likely to fall ill.

These may not be new ideas to you, but if you don’t want to get sick, right now is the time to practice keeping your immune system strong and implementing healthy habits in your life. Start with the simple things and build over time. Here are some tips to start:

Drink lots of water - staying hydrated helps to flush out the toxins in your body.
Reduce junk food - additives and preservatives can reduce the nutrients in foods.
Increase whole foods - contain more nutrients which positively effects the immune system.
Get plenty of rest - the body needs to recharge. It has been shown that the body produces immune enhancing substances during sleep.
Reduce stress - meditation and relaxation can enhance immunity.

Make Happiness and Health Yours!
Susan

The current economy adds an element of stress that can affect our state of mind and our attitude, which can, in turn, disrupt our own health and well being.

It’s ironic really. When we’re busy and overwhelmed with our job and work, we wish we had more time to ourselves for the things we want in life. For some, the economy has opened up time - and plenty of it. But instead of moving forward with what we want to do, urgency drives us toward what we feel we should be doing. Read the rest of this entry »

This clip has been floating around the internet this last week and it might have made it’s way into your inbox. If for some reason you have not had the pleasure of viewing it, I would highly recommend it. Just when you feel down and out, this video will no doubt uplift you. This short view of Susan Boyle on “Britain’s Got Talent” makes me feel great, is inspirational, touching and really brings tears of joy to my eyes. Watch and you’ll see why. (Click on the link and/or copy and paste the URL into your browser. You won’t be sorry.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU

Dream Big and Make Happiness Yours!
Susan

In a recent business blog post, I talked about using your team for support in getting ideas, gaining a different perspective and creating more options (Three tips to get through the recession). This strategy is not just for business.

At home, solicit the feedback and suggestions from family members. Call everyone together and discuss the current economic situation as well as the current financial status of YOUR family. Read the rest of this entry »

The old adage, “You are what you eat” has much more meaning behind it than just the notion that good health comes from eating good food. It also effects your state of mind and overall wellness. It effects your whole Being.

Last week I shared some super produce items (see “Confessions of a Foodie“). Not only do they benefit your physical health, but you get a lot of “bang for your buck” with each food, mentally. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables provides more balanced and sustained energy, which reduces the risk of mood swings due to spikes and crashes in energy levels. Also, studies have indicated that diets more rich in junk food are linked to higher memory loss, slower thinking and are associated with the onset of ADHD in children and Alzheimer’s in adults. Read the rest of this entry »

I always like a good deal.

The same is true when I shop around for nutrient rich food. I am a “foodie” and a label reader. When I look at labels, I assess the value by looking at two main things: the nutritional data and the ingredients. This works great for me. I feel good about what I’m putting into my body and how much I’m spending doing it.

Then there’s produce. NO LABELS!

So, in the last few years I’ve been on this kick (call it the “food geek” in me) where I look up the nutritional values of foods. Not only do I get the most bang out of these foods Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes clearing clutter is not just about picking things up and putting them away, it’s about WHERE do things belong?

I used to live in a flat in San Francisco and parking spots were prized possessions. They probably still are! Having a car without a parking spot was such a hassle, that sometimes it would actually determine whether I went out or not - seriously! It influenced my social life. NOT having a parking spot took up time (sometimes driving around for up to an hour to find a parking spot), money (I received my share of parking tickets from not moving it on time), and tested my sanity (talk about parking rage - no explanation needed here!)

Clutter can also influence time, sanity and social life. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you live in an environment full of clutter and want it to change?

Clutter is a battlefield! Or at least it can look and act like one. Clutter can create a set of challenges that affect not only your physical environment, but also your mental well being. Instead of the trenches and the potential landmines blowing up, clutter creates a physical state of turmoil where there are constant obstacles. Have you ever tripped over a toy or spent hours looking for your car keys amidst the mess? And mentally, it creates a state of panic and unrest. Although it may not be quite as life-threatening as a real war zone, clutter creates a different kind of discord - with yourself and the “things” in your life. There is a constant struggle with the idea of what is important, what do you need to keep, what are you willing to throw out?

Who’s the boss? You or the “things” in your life? Read the rest of this entry »