Relief for Japan

Wondering how you can help the victims of the earthquake in 
Japan?  I am offering a promotion through my Stella & Dot 
business.  For each purchase made this week 3/21-3/27, I will 
donate 15% of the purchase price to the Red Cross relief fund.  
Get a gift for Mother's Day and help out while you are at it. 
Contact me through Facebook to make your purchase or go to 
my website.


www.stelladot.com/heatherhedemann

Rita says help bring relief to Japan while looking fabulous

Love, Love, Love

Ever ponder the idea of what actually makes you feel so bonded and close to your girlfriends, your boyfriend or your dog?  That feeling of closeness that is quite intangible?  Oxytocin.  A powerful little hormone that is produced by our hypothalamus that acts as a neurotransmitter in our brain.  Until only recently, we thought this hormone was only useful during labor, helping to facilitate birth and breastfeeding along with materal bonding.  Studies have started to show this hormone is responsible for so. much. more.

When are we finding it to be released?  How about when ISN'T is released?  Hugging, touching and orgasm are all just a few of the ways oxytocin is triggered.  Oxytocin released in the brain upon orgasm helps to facilitate bonding and the quest for a monogamous relationship.  As a woman, we feel bonded to that person almost immediately!  Unfortunately, women produce far more oxytocin than men which leads to the problems we associate with the one night stand.  But wait! We had sex! That must mean he really likes me!   Yet another difference between men and women.

<3 Gap cardigan, Urban Outfitters tank top, Stella & Dot necklace <3 

Not to say men don't benefit from it's effects but a study showed that men with higher levels of oxytocin as compared to men with lower levels often times were obsessive and had more "stalker" potential than the lower counterparts.  On the flip side, autism has been linked in several studies to extremely low blood levels of oxytocin.  Higher levels have been reported in people who claim to be falling in love.


Our ability to trust is linked directly to a balance of oxytocin.  A disease of exceptionally high oxytocin in children has proven to be dangerous as our ability to decide between safe and unsafe is important in tons of our life decisions.


Empathy is increased thus affecting a person's generosity and ability to connect with others and it lowers your blood pressure.  Petting your dog?  You both are releasing oxytocin for a healthy heart.

my pup Rita 

I'm flying down to Orange County on Friday and then to San Fran/Napa on Monday to spend time with my mama and seester.  Give your mom or sister a hug and experience relaxation almost instantly.  Long few weeks ahead of me!  Trying to be superwoman sometimes can get tiring.

my baby sister is here circa '86; me on the left with a huge grin

Fab Finds

Happy Friday ladies and gents!  I do a closet purge every 6 months for the purpose of keeping things uncluttered and simple in my life and this week has been dedicated to this endeavor.  Getting organized is the first step to feeling in control of your life.  Stressing about where you put your keys or where those boots disappeared to can be avoided with having some sort of  organizational system.  There's enough stress in life and the little things are so not worth it.  I also hate hanging on to things that I just do not use knowing that someone else could be finding joy out of it.

Mossimo clogs

As I look through my assortment of tees, dresses, jackets and shoes, I realize that I'm pretty eclectic with my wardrobe.  I laughed at myself as I dumped an Ella Moss black tank top into the donate pile the other day.  I had had it maybe 6 months but it looked like it had taken a serious beating.  It no longer had any stretch and the lace was fraying and falling apart.  I compared it to my basic black tank I'd had from Target for over a year.  My Target tank is still going strong.  Just goes to show that while I love Ella Moss, you cannot always determine how something is going to hold up based solely on it's price.  Learn to be objective with your purchases.

Justfab.com boots

Yes, some things that are cheap ARE cheap.  How they look, how they feel, you know right off the bat that it's going to fall apart in the wash.  And things that are more expensive last longer if they are quality made but not always.  If anyone used to wear Abercrombie, you are familiar with spending $80 on a shirt only to look at the tag and see it was made somewhere in Sri Lanka and it ends up lasting a whole week before falling apart.  Whew! Glad my A&F days are over! With that being said, I realized I've purchased some pretty awesome shoes in my day, some cheap, some not so cheap.  Mind you, I have donated a pair for every new pair I accumulate to ensure there will always be room!  I know everyone appreciates a good bargain and I wanted to showcase this week the fab feet finds I have under my belt.  These shoes were all not only under $40 each, but also don't look or feel cheap on your feet.

Forever 21 boots

Shoedazzle.com platforms

Think Outside the Treadmill

I moved to Seattle a little over a year ago, beach cruiser in tow, after being born and raised in Irvine, California for the entirety of my life. I finally made my way up to the Emerald City at 26 years old with nothing to fear, changing careers from teaching to nursing.  I traded in my FJ Cruiser for a Prius and my platforms for some Merrells.

Jeffrey Campbell wedges, my thriving orchid, Raleigh mountain bike, Malcolm the kitteh

Immediately after moving, I enrolled in an Anatomy and Physiology class.  Over the course of the 2 quarter class, I befriended a boy that has now been my boyfriend for a year this March.  His passion?  Biking!  The bike culture in Seattle quickly became apparent to me and I loved it!  It was not something I was used to as "nobody walks in LA, walking in LA, nobody walks in LA!"  It's caused me to be aware of how unsafe and rude people behind the wheel can be, myself included.  Every time I'm in the car, I have a newfound respect for cyclists I see around me.

My bf wanted me to bike everywhere with him and I quickly realized my beach cruiser was not going to cut it in the long run.  Let me tell you, it is THE workout.  And it's FUN!  There is nothing more enjoyable than taking your bike down to the beach after breaking a good sweat.  It brings back memories of your childhood.  It reduces your carbon footprint.  Ya, ya, ya.  Helmets aren't cool, but neither are spilled brains!  My boyfriend chooses to bike to work every morning at which I admire him greatly for.  There is no excuse to not workout when your mode of transportation provides that built in!

Recently in Brazil, a group of over 100 cyclists that were biking to raise awareness for traffic/bike safety when a man plowed through them, injuring dozens.  He was in his car with his young son and claimed he was using self-defense.  It really brings to light that as a driver, you're behind a deadly weapon and need to respect that cyclists have the same right on the road as you  do.  They are just choosing to use it a different way.

Look into getting a good bike with multiple gears so you can take hills and disc brakes so you know it will stop on a dime.  This will really add dimension to your workout.  Go to a bike store that will offer you a proper fit.  A good seat is the key to comfort.


Don't forget your helmet and maybe some bright colors.  Neon is in right now so you've got it covered.


If you're going to be biking at night, get a small blinking attachable light so you're visible from afar.  Again, spilled brains aren't cool!


Now sit up, take some hills and enjoy the awesome butt you're going to acquire!

Laser Beams and Me

Um ow.  No one told me I was going to cry the first time I got laser hair removal.  Thanks to a lovely Groupon offer, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.  I'm a fairly low maintenance girl and could care less if other ladies decide to rock some body hair but I certainly would love to never have to shave under my arms again.  I convinced myself I'd be contributing fewer razors to landfills in the long run.

Lovely underarm shot; RVCA shirt, 7 for All Mankind shorts; Hawaiian flower barrette 

I was told it's fairly painless by the receptionist at the MedSpa and I believed her as I waited to meet with my aesthetician.  I was brought into the treatment room and we went over some questions about my heritage and typical sun exposure.  I'm of Scottish-Hawaiian, Danish & German descent and informed the technician that while my hair appeared brunette, I actually was born blonde and still have naturally light hair but dye my hair dark.  She lifted up my arm and informed me I was wrong as I had brunette underarm hair.  She told me this was good because blonde hair does not contain melanin, the thing that gives our skin and hair color, and cannot be picked up by the laser. Therefore blonde underarm hair cannot be removed with a laser.  Ok, fantastic.  You learn something new everyday.

Me at age 3, dressed in a Scottish getup from grandma

She has me lay down and put on some Lady Gaga glasses as she gears her laser up.  She puts some lubrication on the end of her device (um, I'm not in the wrong place am I?) and presses it to my underarm.  I hear clicking and beeps as the laser beam (pew pew!) passes short wave lengths of light into my hair follicles.  This quick burst of light damages the hair follicle without damaging the skin surrounding it, thus destroying the hair that grows out of it.  She moves around in a grid like manner and as the laser connects with a hair, I quickly suck the air in around me.  Mother of Pearl! That hurt!  It feels like a rubberband has just connected perfectly with my underarm.  I recover but another sharp, quick pinch is delivered.  And another.  Son of a biscuit eater!  And another.  She keeps going.  

I squish my eyes shut and try to imagine I'm on a tropical island sipping a fruity drink.  Ahhhh! Another snap and my legs jerk up.  Another snap and tears start sliding down my face.  She stops to ask if I'm ok.  I find myself choking up (such a baby!) as I inform her that I just need a second.   Dude! We're only halfway through and I'm not sure I can handle my other side being done.  I start imagining the Kardashian sisters.  How the hell do people do this on their nether regions?  No way!   She informs me she is turning the power down for my other side.  Thank you!  My goodness, my Guinness.

In front of Chinamans Hat, on the island of Oahu; 

American Apparel shorts, Mossimo tank top, Volcom swimsuit, VonZipper sunglasses

She continues on her way around my other underarm and it's slightly less painful on the lower setting and I find it slightly more bearable.   I even manage to not cry. As she finishes, she drops the "no pain, no gain" on me.  All in all, the procedure lasted maybe 5 minutes and while she certainly is correct in some regards,  I wasn't sure if I could go through with it again.  Laser hair removal usually requires about 6-8 sessions to be completely effective.  Your hair grows in cycles and while you may be killing the hair follicles that are currently growing, another cycle starts in 6 weeks, which is when my aesthetician says I should come back.

I get home and look at my underarms.  They resemble baby skin.  I am impressed.  As the weeks go by, I start to forget the pain I endured and as 6 weeks later arrives, I go in for another treatment.  This time she starts on the lower power (thank you my friend!).  Same rubberband snaps as the laser connects with hair follicles but the time between each snap is further inbetween.  She informs me each time I come in, there will be fewer and fewer hair follicles which means less for the laser to do which means less pain.  Hooray!  I survived!  I just finished my 3rd round and it was even less painful than the 2nd time.  I have gone from shaving every day to shaving every couple of weeks.  I'm not convinced that this is the end all of beauty treatments but I can say I'm only knocking it caused I've tried it.  Realize that it is NOT risk free and do your research before letting someone shoot their laser beams at you.

MIA with S&D

Upon starting this blog, I had every intention of making daily updates and taking it to levels of greatness.  But then something happened that kind of changed my life.  Not in the dramatic sense of the saying but in one of those ways that makes it so you can't remember what your life was like before.  Not to say I won't be posting but I wanted to explain my lackthereof. 

Some of you may already know that I have officially launched myself as an independent stylist with Stella & Dot.  It was not something that I ever in a million and one years would have imagined myself doing.  For one, I hate pushing things on people.  For two, well I hate pushing things on people.  It makes me uncomfortable.  It makes me feel annoying.  Not good qualities in my mind to possess.

   

My beloved S&D Cortez Bib Necklace with a Mossimo dress, Gap cardigan, Athleta leggings & J.Crew mittens  

I came upon Stella & Dot when I was at my fundraiser for heart health.  There was a silent auction and one of the items there was the Cortez Bib Necklace.  I had never heard of Stella & Dot but I ended up bidding on the piece and going home with it.  That night,  I started endless research on Stella & Dot as a company and realized that there was opportunity here and it was knocking on my door!  I continued on to wear my Cortez Bib for almost everyday that next week.

My beautiful friend Sari wearing the Camilla Necklace made of bold glass, wood, Czech crystal and dyed white jade paired with the Delicate Drop Earrings 

With my research, I discovered that the founder and CEO of Stella & Dot, Jessica Herrin had attended Stanford Business School where her senior thesis ended up becoming The Wedding Channel which is now known as The Knot, just to explain some of the genius that I believe in on board.  This past year, they went to bring on the former publisher of InStyle Magaine along with Blythe Harris who was the former head of jewelry design at Banana Republic.  In January, Stella & Dot was written up in the Wallstreet Journal as it was invested in for $37 million by Sequoia Capital, the same guys who funded and helped launch the careers of Apple,YouTube, PayPay, LinkedIn, Zappos and Google, just to name a few.  I realized that Stella & Dot was going places and I wanted to be a part of it.

On left: S&D Audry Cluster Necklace paired with the Bridgette Bauble Necklace & Delicate Drop Earrings

On right: Audry Cluster Bracelet, La Coco Pearl Strand Necklace, Anastacia Brooch

Now, many of you may be thinking, how is this any different from Lia Sophia or any other direct sales jewelry out there?  If you have experienced Stella & Dot in the first person, then you know the quality is what sets it apart from the rest of the pack.  For example, our Rio Coin Necklaces and Bracelets all feature gold coins that have each been individually polished by 5 different people.  Why you ask?  To ensure that each coin comes out looking different from the other.  I describe it as boutique style ranging from simple to elaborate, vintage to modern and is affordable at the same time.  You come to find that every piece has a story that inspired its creation.  

Second, Stella & Dot trains their stylists and emphasizes that as a stylist, you should approach your trunk shows as such.  I take great pride in my fashion experience and knowledge and am having a blast being able to utilize and help other women find looks they love.  Not to mention, the jewelry does tricks!  A lot of the pieces can be worn numerous ways so you can get more looks with just one piece.  Our signature La Coco line, named after Coco Chanel and her endless versatility, allows you to use your own creativity and style to create countless looks with pearls, turquoise, gold & silver chains and brooches that can all be worn together or separate for bajillions of unique looks. I've come to realize that jewelry is a really easy way to add style to your life or to update a wardrobe.

On me: Cortez Bib Necklace, Banana Republic dress, Mossimo sweater

On my lovely friend Anne: La Coco Necklace in turqoiuse with the Paradise & Bee Brooch

The Casablanca Bib Necklace looks amazing over a leopard print blouse

But what sealed the deal for me?  When I learned about the Stella & Dot Foundation.  Not only have they created a company that is all about helping women style their own lives, but they decided to take it a step further and create opportunities for the communities around us.  The Foundation Beads, of which 100% of the proceeds (i.e. we don't make a penny off them!) benefits our 3 charities: Girls Inc, Accion USA and BuildOn, all of which enable economic and education empowerment for women and girls.  The sale of our Foundation Beads has already raised over $160,000 and Stella & Dot will be traveling to Nicaragua this summer to build several schools with Build On.  They will be choosing stylists to go along, which if you know me, would be a dream come true.

If you are interested in hosting a trunk show, I would love to show you why I love everything about this company.  I believe that every woman needs to experience Stella & Dot.  Hosting is easy as I do all the work and you reap the benefits.  K.I.S.S. Keep it stylish and simple!  Trunk shows can be thrown anywhere so don't try to convince yourself you don't have enough room.  Studio apartments, parks, offices, on the bus, well you get the idea.  They are 2 hours max.  Get in and get on with your fabulous life.  And as a simple thank you to our hostesses, you receive up to $250 in free jewelry with more at 50% off.  It doesn't get any sweeter than that.  Stay tuned for more updates!  I will giving jewelry away on the regular and would hate for anyone to miss out!  

Come like me on facebook for even more give away opportunities and S&D news at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stella-Dot-with-Heather-Hedemann-Independent-Stylist/141586019239603

Think you have what it takes to become a stylist?  Hit me up and let's talk!  You can work as little or as much as you want while still reaping the benefits and living a normal life.

Independent Stylist ID #119340

www.stelladot.com/heatherhedemann

heatherohedemann@gmail.com

949.873.3061

In case you wanted to know more about the charities we are involved with:

www.girlsinc.org

Girls, Inc develops research-based informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.  Major programs address math and science eductaion, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violent prevention, and sport participation.

www.buildon.org

BuildOn empowers people and transforms lives by partnering our after-school service programs in the U.S. with communities in developing countries to build schools.

www.accionusa.org

Accion USA is a microfinance organization that offers small business owners access to working capital and financial education.

Eggcellent Idea!

Turning 3 at my Carebear birthday party

Every year after my 21st birthday, I've noticed an alarming trend increasing.  The H-A-N-G-O-V-E-R.  I just do not bounce back the way my young mind once did.  If you're like me, you're probably wondering WHY we get hung over.  Well, it's because we've severely dehydrated our bodies by drinking alcohol.  

How does alcohol do that?  It inhibits a great little guy we call Anti-Diuretic Hormone or ADH.  ADH is secreted from our pituitary gland and is responsible for inserting channels into our pee tubes so you can reabsorb water and maintain proper hydration.  If ADH is inhibited, you're gonna pee just about every bit of water on it's way out instead of reabsorbing some because there is nothing there to say, Stop! We need you! Come back aboard!

Turning 23 in Greece with my best friends; 

I just realized how much I've loved on this Guess dress over the years

Lucky for me I a. don't drink excessively anymore and b. Have the power of science on my side.   First and foremost, if you're going to drink, do NOT do it on an empty stomach.  I think we all know by now that skipping meals does not do anything to keep you from losing weight, in fact it usually can have the opposite effect.  Instead, you want to eat something while you drink alcohol that has some kind of good fat in it to help keep your body from absorbing the alcohol right away.  Fat takes up more surface space in the stomach as they emulsify and the alcohol will move more slowly into your blood stream because of this.  Nuts of any sort are a great example as are olive or flax seed oils.  Of course a hamburger will do the job but try a veggie or turkeyburger on wheat with some pepperjack instead.  

Showcasing gifts from my 26th birthday lunch;

O'neil dress, Nordstrom headband, Jewelry as gifts

Is it too late?  Are you waking up hungover and you need immediately relief?  First reach for the water. Your body is terribly dehydrated and you need to recharge.  Mix some ginger in with a class of orange juice.  Ginger has calming properties while Vitamin C has been shown to up your production of enzymes necessary for breaking down alcohol in your system.  But your best bet for some alcohol toxin stomping activity is going to be the incredible, edible egg!  Eggs contain large amounts of cysteine, a substance that cleans up that pesky hangover-causing toxin, acetaldehyde.  But here's the catch.  It's in the yoke (I'm more of an egg white girl myself but I make exceptions) and it needs to be kind of runny (yum) for the properties of the cysteine to not be lost.  

Playing CatchPhrase during my 27th (this year) birthday camping trip to Deception Pass;

North Face pullover, UnderArmor leggings, Vasque running shoes, Elmo hat 

Never Fear! Not getting drunk in the first place will replace the effects of any hangover cure!

Walk Like a Caveman

When we roamed the earth as cavemen and came upon a stressor, the body's reaction was exactly the same as it is today.  Ah! Giant manbearpig is charging towards me!  Your brain identifies something as stressful and immediately the part of your brain called the hypothalamus sends the message to your pituitary gland to give a call to your adrenal glands and says hey! release the cortisol!

Normally, we derive glucose from the food that we eat.  Glucose is the fuel of our cells much like gas is to a car.  In the case of cortisol release, this results in your body generating new glucose from the liver, not from food.  This is to ensure your body has the proper fuel if you do indeed have to fight or flight.  Now, imagine we are now living in modern times. Oh ya, we are.  Awesome!  No manbearpigs to worry about.  Our stressors are much different and typically much more chronic.  But our body's reaction is still the same.  "Oh no, traffic sucks! I've been sitting here for 2 hours and haven't moved!  I'm probably going to be late to work!"  

You are officially stressed and your hypothalamus is stimulating your pituitary gland to say hey! adrenal glands! where's my cortisol?!  Now cortisol results in you have all sorts of glucose circulating in your blood just waiting to be used!  But wait!  You're sitting in a car.  Not moving.  You aren't about to run away from anything because well, you can't.  Traffic is here to stay.  So you reach for a bagel.  And a granola bar.  And then a donut and coffee when you finally get to work.  What does food become when it breaks down in our body?  You got it! Glucose!  

yippee! glucose gives me the energy to do stupid jump shots like this;

Hotel Del Coronado robe, Ugg boots

So now, not only do you have all sorts of glucose from the stress of traffic, but now you've just given your body MORE glucose by eating, than it knows what to do with.  "Stress eating" is something we are all very familiar with.  And since the body can only use so much glucose such as there are only so many seats in a movie theatre, the remaining stays in our blood, looking for arteries to attach to.  You cells don't want me?  I'll just have to find somewhere else to stay!  Do you see where I'm going with this?  Imagine if you are sitting in traffic everyday or you have something else in your life that is a chronic stressor.  Chronic stress forces the body to have to adapt to the continuous amounts of cortisol and excess glucose in our bodies and this is when we see diseases develop affecting every organ and tissue of the body.  

hiking Rattlesnake Ridge with a sexy man

Our body's reaction to stress is directly linked to it believing it is going to either have to fight that manbearpig or flight from it, both of which require expending energy, i.e. glucose!  It is in our DNA that exercise should follow a stressor.  We have all heard it a million and one times that "exercise reduces stress" but I hope after reading WHY, your motivation for hitting the sidewalk is inspired.  You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel!  Not like that you perv!  Get your butt moving!  Action follows intention so let's commit to this day forward to put down the bagel and go take a hike.  Literally.  And if you've heard of the caveman or paleolithic diet, well it seems we don't give them the credit they deserve.  Tried and true never fails.

And after your hike, I hope you come home, get a foot rub from the bf or husbee (don't forget to reciprocate!), take a warm shower while practicing some meditation and then slip on some foot adornments that make you happy!  Cause it's Friday and it's time to boogie!  Now send me those shoe pics to aphiluvaoe@aol.com for next week!

Steven by Steve Madden shoes owned by yours truly

Beauty and the Brain

Veronica and Betty.  Daphne and Velma.  Why does it seem that we've received the message that one can only be pretty OR smart?  You're either the beauty in the friendship or the brains.  Why can't I have style without immediately coming across as shallow?  Or nerdy if I am preaching about why we shouldn't use plastic bags?  Well, I beg to differ!  I have friend upon friend who are the epitome of what a modern day woman should be and yet we are forced to look up to Victoria Secret models.

My sexy is with my tongue, not the cup size that's hanging out of my dress.  I read.  I listen.  I absorb.  I explore.  I question.  I use what's in my head to earn respect.  I push the envelope and I always encourage other women around me to do the same.  Speak up for yourself but still be kind to others around you.  Advocate for the underdog.  Don't let others expectations ruin you.  Instead, show them how beautiful it is to be yourself.  Let people see that woman CAN possess both beauty and brains.  Learn a new hobby.  Teach your brain new tricks.  Don't be afraid to let your sense of humor come out.  Life is far too important to be taken seriously.  Rewire those negative messages.  Make your brain acquire new neuronal synapses as you motivate and remind yourself why you rock!

DPG rockin' the climbing wall at OC Fair

Your brain functions in a pattern everyday because it has strengthened particular neuronal connections that fire automatically after a period of continued use.  Let's say something negative flashes across your mind immediately after looking in the mirror.  It's not that you actually told yourself to think that, it's that you've conditioned your mind to produce that answer every time you look at yourself nekkid.  Reverse that message and you'll find you surprise yourself.  Your brain is the THE most powerful tool you own.

Guess dress, Mossimo cardigan, Forever 21 clasp bracelet

I was listening to NPR the other day (yes, I'm one of those) and they were interviewing a neurologist about the powers of the mind.  They asked him to pinpoint the very part of our brain that did this or that the best.  His answer was that the brain is like a symphony.  You can go to the concert hall and you can listen and you can be awed by the groups of cellists or bassoonists but at the end, every part of that symphony existed as it did because of each instrument that contributed to the greater whole. It all hits you at the same time but in different, equally important ways.

a lovely, larger than average noggin, Salvador Dali painting

HOW TO GIVE YOUR BRAIN SOME LOVE:


1. BRAIN TEASERS, CROSSWORD PUZZLES, SODOKU, FOLLWING CURRENT EVENTS, READING BOOKS, LEARNING A NEW TRADE OR LANGUAGE:
Do something that challenges your normal pattern of thought.  Being uncomfortable is your body's response to not having strong neuronal synapses in that area of the brain.  You are forcing it to make new ones.  Think about all the fun new people you will meet and how interesting you will feel. Oh you're a Master Sommelier? How funny, me too!


2. VOLUNTEER AND TRAVEL:
There is no way we can truly appreciate what we have without seeing what others live without.  Wants and needs can become black and white suddenly.  See how other people live their lives.  It may just humble you a teeny tiny eeny beeny isty bitsy bit.  It's important to know we are all connected somehow to ensure we never feel hopeless.  It's almost impossible to be depressed while helping someone else more in need.

Volunteering on a health trek in Vietnam; Buff headwear

3. GREEN TEA:
It fights free radicals in our body. Drink it!  There is an enzyme in it that they believe fights Alzheimer's.  Just don't do it if you're pregnant as it's properties act in a splicing mechanism to new developing DNA i.e. a fetus (not good!)  But good if you aren't pregnant and wanting to fight cell damage or potentially cancerous cells.  Also avoid it while eating a meal high in iron.  Green tea can inhibit iron absorption and it's best to just keep the two separate to avoid anemia.


4. NUTS, SEEDS, BLUEBERRIES & BROCCOLI:
You're doing well if any of these or all 4 are in your diet.  Act like a rabbit and munch.


5. OMEGA FATTY ACIDS:
 I think I've began drilling it into your head (literally) how important fish oil and and the omega fatty acids that accompany them.  You can also find smaller amounts in flax and chia seeds  Omega fatty acids are high in DHA, a fatty acid that is found in high concentrations in the gray matter of the brain.  It is essential in the transmission of brain signals.

my old kitty, Smee promoting Omega-3s

6. KEEP FAT OFF YOUR BELLY:
The fat around your inner organs is much more metabolically active than other types of fat right under the skin.  It's pumping out toxic substances and is very potent.  Fat in the abdomen is the most dangerous kind and they are linking it more and more to Alzheimer's, in fact 3.6 times greater for people with larger bellies.  Belly fat is in close proximity with major organs and is oozing noxious chemicals, stoking inflammation, constricting blood vessels and triggering other processes that damage brian cells.


Got all that? QUIZ TIME! No, not really. But if you've gleaned anything from my rambling, it is this: Care for your brain and it will care for you for many years to come!

And if you've been loyal enough to make it to the end of this posting, I want your shoes!  No, I don't want to steal them.  I want photos of your favorite pair!  Flats, pumps, platform, wedges, soccer cleats, I want them all!   I will be doing a section once a week on exercise and diet and would love to showcase those lovely tootsies that keep us moving!


Send all photos with your first name to aphiluvaoe@aol.com.

A Happy Heart

Welcome to my adventure!  I am a woman who has played many roles in my life and I am looking to find a place where all of my interests can collide.

 J.Crew Top & Belt, Billabong vest, Nine West boots

We must embrace the secret powers that lie within: knowledge!  Fill your head with brains and you're sure to go far. I hope to take subjects that once seemed dry and help you apply them to your own life while interspersing style.  Creativity is a spice best used daily.

Seeing as February is American Heart Month, I thought it only appropriate to start with that large mass in the left side of your chest.  While it is less than a pound and was at one point believed to be the center of our emotions, our understanding of the heart has developed exponentially.  It is believed to beat roughly around 35 million times a year and about 100,000 a day.  That's a lot of beats that we take for granted!  Every day, around 2,700 people die from heart disease.  It is THE biggest killer of women.

Ok, great you say. But what can I do? Or maybe you believe that will never happen to you.   I went to an auction benefit last weekend in support of heart disease and there was a woman speaker who wasn't older than 25 who had a pacemaker since she was 20 due to a heart defect.  She was pretty inspiring.  Great, you say again, I don't have a heart defect.  Well, let's keep it that way!  Good habits start now!

1. Take Vitamins and Minerals for Your Heart

a. Fish Oil...The benefits of fish oil apply to basically every part of your goddess body

b. Garlic...Mmmmm garlic. What’s not to love?  Ok, besides the stinky breath. While I could do a separate post on the benefits of garlic alone, I will save that for another day.  In regards to your heart, garlic helps improve your circulation, especially to those long legs and arms of yours.  It contains properties for fighting "bad" or LDL cholesterol and keeping it from sticking to your artery walls, i.e. a heart attack!  It basically acts in the same fashion as aspirin, mas o menos.

c. Co Q10…A recent study found lower levels of this mighty guy in patients with heart disease than in those who were disease free. It simply is found in every cell of our bodies. This fact alone should give us a feel for how important it is to our survival and proper health.  It is found in oily fish as well as a good ol’ supplement.

2. Exercise and Destressing!

We all know this one. Get your heart rate up for a minimum of 10 minutes everyday.  I love my Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred.  It’s a 20 minute whole body workout that whips your butt!  Get out and explore your backyard and go hiking.  The adventures you rack up while making your heart stronger go hand in hand.  Investing in a jump rope is also a really easy and quick workout.  Put some free weights under your desk at work to use during downtime. Invest in a punching bag and some gloves and just go to town.  Let your frustrations out because stress is HUGE pain in your heart's butt.  Stress will basically hijack your entire body if you let it.

3. Diet.

Nom, nom, nom. I cannot stress the importance of diet.  Don’t get me wrong.  I am consuming as much sugar as the next girl, but my regular day to day diet consists of things I can pronounce, that grow from the ground or that swim in the sea.  Read your labels. Buy local whenever possible and support community businesses.  Just say no to antibiotics or hormones in food of ANY sort.  It’s messing with our OWN hormones.  And that is yet another subject on it’s own.  Don't forget to add a little red wine in there for good measure.

4.  Stop Smoking!

I admit it.  I have smoked.  I would go out drinking at night and end up with a cigg in my hand so I know how hard of a habit it can be to break.  But it basically causes your arteries, those pipes that take your blood from your heart to the rest of your body, to get nasty and hard, depriving the heart from nourishing itself and eventually leads to heart disease.  Isn't that what we've been trying to avoid this whole post?

Till we meet again!

                  

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