Happiness and inner peace are what most of us look for, but sometimes it just seems elusive, unless of course you are like my mom, who sees everything through ROSE COLORED GLASSES. The opposite of mom would be the wearer of BLUE GLASSES, the stinkin-thinkin practitioner.  Go ahead laugh, but there are those people who immerse themselves in negative thoughts all day long. What do you think about as you drive?, as you sit on the train?, wash the dishes? Do you slip into mind conversations with yourself? Are they filled with frustrations, disappointments, and judgments? Thoughts are things. They…

Below are just a few of the most outward signs: Changes in mood or attitudes  Unusual temper outbursts Changes in sleeping habits Changes in hobbies or other interests Signs of depression; withdrawal Poor grooming Hostility School is up and running again and this is as good a time as any to watch your teenager more closely. Are they doing well in school, are they getting along with friends, and/or taking part in sports or other activities? Let’s review the most often abused drugs by teenagers…keeping in mind that these drugs, i.e., alcohol, tobacco, Over-the-Counter and prescription drugs, …

Kids are overweight.. kids are lazy..kids aren’t getting enough exercise…kids eat the wrong food…blah…blah…blah…blah…blah! “Good Grief,” as Charlie Brown would say. Kids must feel as though they are under a constant microscope. Let’s take a look at some of the changes that brought the youth exercise situation to where it is today…and while we’re looking let’s acknowledge that some of what is happening is a direct result of parents’ fear of injury, bullying, predators and/or their child being "left out" and other times it’s plainly the fear of being sued.  Did you know that trampolines were …

Not one of us wants to get that call…you know the one I’m talking about…the mere thought of it brings fear to the strongest of us! “Mom has suffered a stroke,” or “Dad accidentally overdosed on his medications.” Unfortunately that can come at any time and without much warning.  WHY? Well, let’s start with the number of medications our loved ones are taking and add to it the number of older medications they have stashed away for a ‘rainy day’. According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) seniors represent just over 13 percent of the population, but they consume 40 percent…

Could the FDA be in bed with the food corporations, AKA politicians, just as the pharmaceutical industry is in bed with Washington lobbyists?  Is it true that the FDA and Pharma have been suppressing cures in the name of profits? I would suggest that "YES" could be the likely answer because in the end, like everything that appears to be going on today, it's all about big business. But HURRAY…public awareness is growing! OK, OK I’m not trying to work everyone into a frenzy - but think about this - just about the time the first wave of baby-boomers were graduating from college and/or high …

Have you heard? Good health is a state of mid. The happier you are, the stronger your immunity. Believe me when I say there is always a solution to what ails us but the stress hides its whereabouts. How about you…how big of a part do you think a positive attitude plays in recovery from illness, slights, depression, and hardships? Hmmmm…sounds like a good question to me.  I’ve always been interested in what makes ‘us’ tick and the cause and effect our attitudes have on the recovery process. While I’ve read that a positive attitude, (including feelings such as hope and joy) are important to …

I came upon an article in the NY Times several weeks ago and although I am no stranger to the cruelty of kids to kids (early on in my career I taught school at the Jr High level) I was surprised to read the results of studies relating to overweight girls not attending college.  I’m always saddened by stories that describe the negativity and self esteem issues that follow those that are overweight (especially since the problem is preventable at all levels). Although youth can be and are often ostracized over some of the most basic slights, being overweight can produce high volumes of abuse …

We are definitely on overload when it comes to the the amount of ‘wellness’ information that is available to us. I always tell people that the real challenge is deciphering fact from fiction; not locating the info or even learning more.  I mean have you ever Googled the word "fitness," or "wellness"…"healthy living" or "healthy lifestyles"? The response and websites listed are, well - overwhelming!  If you are new to wellness, no worries. Just recognizing the need for change and bringing yourself to the right frame of mind is the hardest step.  No one decides that an hour of fitness a day or …

Would you exercise daily if someone told you it would help you live longer? Maybe yes…maybe no…maybe maybe. Would I live healthier and longer or justlonger? What is exercise? Why is it so important? Well first let me state that living longer hinges on many things… including diet and lifestyle. Exercise is just a one part of the BIGGER picture. It doesn't matter if you eat well, but then remain a couch potato (lifestyle here)! Look, I'm a HUGE advocate for being active, however, I think you need to find what works for you. Take for instance, the title "BOOT CAMP" …it can either inspire or have…

Children's internet games -- health and obesity.  Sounds like a title that doesn’t compute -- what does one have to do with the other?  Well, darn plenty, it seems.  I’m all for the Internet. I love it and find all sorts of information to relish.    However, I’m also an adult, and hopefully by this time in my life I have formed some good ‘view and spew’ strategies to ignore the obvious hard sell of products.  On the other hand our children and grandchildren are being relentlessly bombarded, and we may not even have realized it.  While reading a recent article in the NY Times I was appalled …

Clearly article after article has been written advocating for this or that…‘take me’ and you’ll feel better in days, ‘lose weight’ miraculously while gorging on ‘fat’ food; strengthen those aging bones with Boniva…Sally Fields’ does (she also gets paid to be their spokesperson).  Suzanne Somers (Three’s Company Fame) takes over 60 vitamins a day…talk about overload!  Whole families are being deceived by the ‘quick fix’.  It doesn’t exist and in our heart of hearts I believe we all know it, which is why so many ‘flip flop’ from product to product…this for that and that for this.  Sleeping aids…

What a week. On Monday I was wearing a winter coat and Thursday the wind was whipping me hither and thither like a twig!  Enough procrastination…must get on with the business of rejuvenating those muscles (or lack thereof) due to the long months of cold, ice and snow.  It has been uplifting to read, in the most recent editions of Easton Patch, all those making strides to shake-down, shake-out and eliminate the cobwebs…“Spring Into Exercise”…OK, OK maybe we all aren’t ready… Is the mere thought of mountain climbing too painful, is long distance running, kayaking and canoeing bringing a chill …

Health and Wellness, Fitness, Obesity, Eating Well, Signs of Aging, Senior Parents, Family Recreation, Diabetes, Organized Sports, Vitamins, Supplements, Anti-Aging…I could go on and on because the list is endless and all of the above topics have value in and of themselves. Most important, however, is the cohesive and collaborative role they must play with each other to keep each of us - young, old, older and oldest… vibrant as those projected birthdays keep arriving. It has recently been written (I am not sure I believe it or want to see it) that persons born today could live to be 115 or …