November 20, 2009
Move over, green tea. Recent studies indicate that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, colon cancer, and diabetes compared to non-drinkers, and they’re also less apt to die from heart disease. To be sure, coffee isn’t for everyone: It can cause insomnia, anxiety, and irregular heartbeat in some people, and too much caffeine during pregnancy can increase miscarriage risk. Plus, specialty coffee drinks (like Starbucks Frappuccinos) can be high in calories. But if coffee’s your drink of choice, let’s look at the many ways that coffee can boost your health. 1. Avoid Alzheimer’s A 2009 study found that... Read: Ten Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee
November 20, 2009
It seems like every time I look at a magazine, there’s some new research on the best way to eat to lose weight, be healthier, and look my best. I guess three squares just don’t cut it anymore; today, the trend is more toward eating small meals throughout the day or grazing, eating only when you’re hungry, without restricting yourself to mealtimes. Forget the days when dieting meant you could hardly eat at all—now the approach is to be eating almost constantly, in hopes that it will fuel metabolism and stave off hunger cravings. Is this really a healthy way... Read: Grazing: A Better Way to Eat?
November 20, 2009
It’s no secret that we’re a society of tough-love advocates. Simply turn on the TV, and any self-help series has at least one critical, blunt caregiver or role model trying to motivate participants wanting to change for the better. Each week, we can watch Dr. Phil, The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels, Simon Cowell, and countless others offer no-nonsense opinions and advice that often incite anger, frustration, and crying jags before they inspire change. Even kids aren’t spared from this harsh treatment. Talk shows like Maury Povich are especially keen on sending troubled youth to boot camp, where so-called drill... Read: Has Tough-Love Therapy Gone Too Far?
November 20, 2009
Excruciating, painful, even up to a point that you would think it is sheer torture. That’s how it was to be on the operating table during the Middle Ages. Back in the days when painkillers and anesthetics were non-existent, how do “doctors” remove an appendix or remove an aching tooth? And what is it that exactly occurred during this period in human history? Basically, the Middle Ages in European history lasted for about one thousand years, starting from the fall of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century—up to the start of the Early Modern Period in the 16th... Read: The Five Biggest Medical Concerns of the Middle Ages
November 20, 2009
Just like women, men can woo with their extra skills. Dudes can do things that’ll make any woman weak in the knees, even out of the bedroom. So gents, if you want our attention, here are some ways you can make your spare time sexy. 1. Volunteer Fireman/Military Reserves: So noble, so sexy. Come and get us in the uniform. 2. Photographer/Artist/Filmmaker: You chase beauty and us. That’s so flattering that you can get a chick naked just by saying it’s for “art.” 3. Dance Machine: If you’re the second coming of ’70s John Travolta, well then, you’re going to... Read: Nineteen Hobbies That’ll Make Any Man Sexier
November 20, 2009
I remember saying that I’d never be like my mom. I was going to be cool and fun and have real conversations with my kids. I was going to always be fair and impartial. I was going to explain why to my children. Then, I had children and I can remember the exact moment when I turned into my very own mother. One summer afternoon my then four year old son began playing baseball in the den. Before I could grab the bat and rescue the breakables, I was surrounded by shards of glass from the broken sliding glass door.... Read: The Moment I Became My Mom
November 20, 2009
This is a beautiful fall salad that I make for Thanksgiving dinner. I will admit, the salad doesn’t get as much play as the other side dishes. But I happen to love a green salad amongst all the richness. Don’t get me wrong, I love richness too, but a little somethin’ to cut the grease is always good. Cranberry Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts 1/2 cup apricot nectar 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/3 cup canola oil 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoon sugar 1/2 cups chopped walnuts 12 cups fancy mixed salad greens 3 ripe medium... Read: Fresh and Fruity Thanksgiving Salad
November 20, 2009
The leaves are changing and the temperature is dropping—you know what that means. Flu season. Chances are if you haven’t had swine flu this year, also known as H1N1, you probably know someone who has. This particular brand of flu has caused a bit of pandemonium for everyone from conspiracy theorists to elementary school parents. And for good reason; this is not your average flu. From 2005 until February of 2009, there were only twelve documented cases of swine flu. Currently, reports show that the rogue flu strain is considered widespread in all but nine states. Before you stop eating... Read: Ten Things You Should Know About Swine Flu
November 20, 2009
I was standing in Starbucks recently, looking forward to my peppermint mocha when I noticed this young woman standing next to me. She had flawless skin, the sort of smooth chestnut hair I’ve always craved, and was dressed in a trim wool suit with a silk orange scarf tied expertly around her neck. She was elegance personified … and very tall. To my surprise, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Standing next to her, I felt like a displaced hobbit, slightly sweaty and not nearly as well put together. At that very moment I wanted so badly to... Read: Four-Foot-Ten … Wishing I Was Six Feet Tall
November 20, 2009
I love my husband Alex with my whole heart. He’s a wonderful person. If Alex were a woman, I’d go lesbian for him. He’s the best, most moral, and kind person I have ever known. He is very hardworking and very successful in his career. His co-workers like him. I don’t see how anyone in their right mind wouldn’t like Alex. He’s smart and funny and good looking too. Alex is in Germany for work until the end of the month. He’s been gone almost three weeks now. Today is the first day off he’s had since arriving in Germany.... Read: Why I May Divorce My Husband
November 20, 2009
Last Sunday, my husband and I visited the local Unitarian church that feeds us so well. Jim and I sat near the front. The day’s leader took her place, lit the candles, and led the prayers that are prayed each Sunday—prayers of peace and of thankfulness for the freedom we’ve been given. I held Jim’s hand as I listened to a rare litany that captured my heart, that came across as a basic Jesus teaching. I sat forward not wanting to miss one word … Litany of Restoration If, recognizing the interdependence of all life, we strive to build community, the... Read: Thanksgiving
November 20, 2009
I’m not feeling alone If I tell myself that and believe it, it’s true Although my heart hurts and I am scared I won’t let it bring me down into the depths of despair I shall put my trust in he who I can’t see And I will believe that he will be all I need him to be No limitations, no barriers to what will be done No more lack, no more sickness, I won’t run Even if you don’t believe, it won’t stop me from walking that path My path is my own, my burden to carry, but he shall... Read: Not Alone
November 20, 2009
Ingredients: Heirloom tomatoes Fresh basil leaves Extra virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper Directions: Slice tomatoes 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. In the center of the plate stack one slice of tomato and top with fresh basil, repeat two or three times. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Read: Tomato and Basil Salad
November 20, 2009
Ingredients: Two butternut squash Olive oil Salt and pepper One medium onion 1/4 fresh sage leaves Nutmeg Vegetable or chicken stock Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the tops and bottoms off of the butternut squash and peel skin off. Scoop out seeds and cut into medium dice chunks. Spread out on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 30–45 minutes or until fork tender. Meanwhile thinly slice an onion and rough chop fresh sage leaves, sauté in olive oil until translucent. Remove from pan. In a blender add some stock with butternut squash, sage and... Read: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
November 20, 2009
Niagara Falls bustles with a unique high-spiritedness during the winter. It hosts Canada’s largest light festival—The Winter Festival of Lights. Every winter, from the beginning of November until the first week of January, The Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, a beautifully decorated five-kilometer route along the Niagara Parkway, adjacent to Niagara Falls, is spectacularly lit with two million lights. The illuminations include the popular Enchantment of Disney animated lighting displays, featuring many of your favorite Disney characters, and the world’s largest illuminated Canadian-American Flag. There is no admission fee to view the illuminations but donations are gratefully accepted. The Winter Festival... Read: The Winter Festivities at Niagara Falls
November 20, 2009
Honey is a natural born dancer. She has rhythm and she has soul. She’s about seventy pounds and she knows how to shake every ounce for maximum performance. For an old dog, she’s got moves! I sing to her at least once a day. Honey loves the sound of my off-key voice. Her favorite songs are, “Crazy Daisy, Crazy Daisy, Oh my Darlin’ Crazy Girl,” (sung, of course, to the tune of “Oh My Darlin’ Clementine”). She grins at me and starts her happy feet going along with her tail which is going round and round like a lasso. My... Read: Crazy Daisy (Tails From the Hood)
November 20, 2009
My first car was a 1967 powder blue Triumph Spitfire with a white convertible top. It cost all of $2,500 new. I bought it when I graduated from high school. I put $500 down and paid about $72 each month. Gas was about a quarter a gallon and the thing ran on air. It was fun, fast, sexy, and definitely cool. I felt like major hot stuff zooming around town at the wheel, especially after I’d spent my high school years driving my mom’s 1958 Rambler Ambassador station wagon. It was humiliating. You could polish that puppy till it blinded... Read: Cruisin’ with the Top Down
November 19, 2009
Ever have the feeling that you just want to get up and go? On such a whim, I found myself in a foreign country where English wasn’t the first, or even second language, and I was all alone. I was on a packed public bus in Vietnam trying to find my hostel and doing my best to communicate with the bus driver who did not speak a lick of English. I got off the bus feeling helpless and tried to make sense of my surroundings. A cry of “Lady, you lost?” made me turn around and face a Vietnamese guy... Read: How to Travel as a Solo Female
November 19, 2009
St. Maarten is undeniably one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Surely at least ten of your friends would fly out there to see you get hitched, right? Well, if they do, and they each book a room for a minimum of seven nights, you can get married—and a lot more—for free. Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts is offering to set couples up with: A wedding coordinator Wedding cake Corsage and boutonniere Official Marriage License 10 percent off select spa services at Sonesta Maho’s Good Life Spa Corsage for bride and boutonniere for the groom Room upgrade Complimentary reception... Read: Get Married in St. Maarten for Free ... Kind Of
November 19, 2009
Thanksgiving dinner is a grazer’s dream but a challenge in terms of figuring out what wine to serve. Plus, from Mom’s marshmallow topped sweet potatoes, to Grandma’s stuffing to Dad’s turkey it’s loaded with tradition. If you’re tasked with bringing the wine, these factors can make it somewhat intimidating. The right Thanksgiving wines will work well with a wide array of flavors and textures but won’t overwhelm the dishes. It also pays to seek out wines that aren’t too tannic or too high in alcohol. The wine selection can become a tradition as well. Bring the next vintage of the same wines each... Read: Grateful for Good Wine on Thanksgiving