Gardening in Stilettos
 
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Choose You is a movement created by the American Cancer Society that encourages women to put their own health first in the fight against cancer. The movement challenges women to make healthier choices, and supports them in their commitment to eat right, get active, quit smoking and get regular health checks.

The Choose You Movement shines a light on a hidden issue: that while one in three American women will get cancer in her lifetime, about 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented if more emphasis were placed on early detection and healthier lifestyles including maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise and avoiding tobacco.

In the constant struggle between family, work and self, we know how difficult it is to focus on oneself. To help change this, American Cancer Society has developed the Choose You Commitment. Powered by stickK, this online program provides tools and support to enable women to commit to and achieve their personal health and wellness goals. Research shows that individuals who receive support in making positive choices are up to 5 times more likely to maintain healthy habits. The Choose You Commitment provides this support.

By making a Choose You Commitment today, you are helping to change the focus and make personal health a priority — and helping in the fight against cancer.
 
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 April is National Humor Month

National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by best-selling humorist Larry Wilde, Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor. It is designed to heighten public awareness on how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one's life.

The idea of laughing and the use of humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is growing. Scientific research now indicates that the curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.

So……………SMILE EVERYONE!!

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As we settle into a new year, a new decade, a new day, what is it that it will take to be a new you. Laura Neft posed these questions on her site at the beginning of last year and I think that they are just as valuable now as they were then.

I'm sure we all aspire to be or do something different than we have in our past. I'm resolutions, vision boards, goals, etc have been thought about a lot over the last 30-45 days. Even if you have done these things or something similiar, make note of these questions and when you have some quiet time ponder on them.

1. How is where you are in life today different from where you were last January?

2. How are you different today, internally, thatn you were a year ago?

3. Of all you've eperienced in the past year, what are most proud of?

4. What did you shy away from in 2009 that you wish you'd gone for?

5. What did you learn about yourself last year?

6. Who impacted your life the most this past year?

7. What are the most important lessons you learned in 2009 that you want to be conscious of in 2010?

8. What are you being called to next in your personal growth?

9. If you could create three things in your life the coming year, what would they be?

10. What parts of yourself will you need to call upon to create those three things with wild success in 2010?


 
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Our lives can be filled with laughter and joy, but as demands on our time increase and unrealistic expectations begin to build, they often become anxiety ridden. Here are a few simple things you can do to deal with stress.

1. Welcome Your Day With Gratitude 
    When you awake to a new day before you let your mind slip into all
    the daily task, be still. Lay still for a few moments, take a few deep  
    breaths- in in through your nose and out through your mouth- welcome
    the gift of another day of life into your body. Place your hand over
    your heart and feel the rhythm, embrance that moment of being, hear
    your unique rhythm, connect to your spirit and energy- center yourself.
    When you place your feet to the floor and take your first steps of the
    say "Thank You". Be thankful for another day.

2. Love Your Body
    Before you leave your bedroom in the morning, do some stretches,  
    yoga, or calisthenics. Get your body active and maintain your basic 
    movements by keeping them strong and limber. Give your body the 
    a little love before starting your day. 

3. Laugh and Be A Kid Again
    Get outside to play with the kids. Play a game of tag. Ride your bike.
    Hola hoop. Just step outside open your arms and spin around, catch the 
    wind. Laugh- laughing is a great tension reliever, it reduces stress and 
    makes you feel better all around.

4. Listen to Music
    Keep a  play list on your ipod, your phone, MP3, or whatever device
    you use of some uptempo music that makes you feel good. Music is 
    good for the soul.

5. Peace & Quiet
    Take time for yourself. Our jobs and spending time with friends/family
    are a part of life, but it's also important to have atleast five minutes 
    to yourself to relax throughout the day.  Incorporate these moments in 
    your daily activity. Prayer and meditation are great practices for peace
    and quiet time. Also, if stressful moments creep in during your day
    do deep breathing exercises to realign yourself.

Bonus item and my personal favorite:
    
Sex/Sexercise
    Releasing of endorphins is a great way of feeling fabulous inside and
    out.

 
Today is the 3rd day of Kwanzaa
The Purpose of Kwanzaa

According to the official website, Kwanzaa, which is celebrated each year between December 26 and January 1, was established to reinforce basic principles in African culture.  The principles include and emphasis on family and a respect for community culture. Recently the scope of Kwanzaa has expanded to include people of all backgrounds who feel these principles are important.

Kwanzaa invites participants to meditate on and interpret its values in ways that are relevant to our individual and collective goals. It is my belief that these principles should be applied to our lives throughout the year.

The Seven Principles

  1. Umoja - stands for Unity
  2. Kujichagulia - stands for Self-Determination
  3. Ujima - stands for Collective Work and Responsibility
  4. Ujamaa - stands for Cooperative Economics
  5. Nia - stands for Purpose
  6. Kuumba - stands for Creativity
  7. Imani - stands for Faith

 
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Today is the Celebration of Winter Solstice Traditions – Monday, December 21, 2009 marks the Winter Solstice traditions, and this is the announcement of the official start of the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice is also known as Yule.

Winter solstice falls every year around Dec. 21. It is because of the earth’s axial tilt, which is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. At this time of the year, the sun is closer to the horizon, thus giving out least amount of daylight therefore shortening the day and lengthening the night.

But there is a bright side to it. Starting Tuesday, the days will start getting longer, leading to summer solstice, which in 2010 will fall on June 21. At that time, the day will be the longest with the daytime lasting for about 15 hours compared to 9 hours on Monday.

Our ancestors lived in a world where everyone believed in mystery and magic. Every year, they gathered together to celebrate the seemingly miraculous return of the light after the longest night of the year and that’s how Winter Solstice festivals were born. To this day, people all over the world celebrate Winter Solstice as a time of rebirth, a new beginning and a chance to marvel at the power of transition from darkness into light.

Source: Winter Solstice 2009: Today is the Celebration of Winter Solstice Traditions | Daily World Buzz http://www.dailyworldbuzz.com/winter-solstice-2009-today-is-the-celebration-of-winter-solstice-traditions/7748/#ixzz0aM2u6tTD
Via: Daily World Buzz

Every day we are given is a reason to celebrate and each season teaches us somthing new. So for the first time this year I will be participating in a Winter Solstice Celebration at the Lakeview Mansion.

"Candelight Winter Solstice Ceremony"
(releasing the old...making room for the new)