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On signup you will receive a menopause survival kit worth over $75.00. Take advantage of the free coaching, free events throughout the year and receive gifts along with the Be Fabulous! Emagazine. $250.00 a year or $25.00 a month. To see the full list of benefits and services click here.
to our archive of Be Fabulous!
Sign up for the whole year a nd get a Bonus! CARP Membership and Zoomer Magazine: Advocacy, Benefits & Community. *was previously the Diamond Membership
E-magazine Subscription plus a gift from us delivered direct to your home and get access Magazines. Don’t miss another issue, click here to get your copy Edmonton, Victoria and Calgary have groups designed for baby boomer women focusing on friendship and personal development. Click on the city closest to you to see what we are up to.
Our members say... I just want to thank you for the lovely silk scarf that you sent me for Christmas. To everyone out there who is considering COSMO CLUB (Diamond Membership), it’s worth every penny & more. Sherri I am enjoying the Fab 50 experience because of the ladies I am meeting and the activities I’ve been part of. Also getting into some of the coaching now which looks like a makeover in itself. Jayne 2 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
Reflect your
YOUTH
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Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 3
Creative Director • Dianna Bowes Celebrating the baby boomer women
Editor, Creative Director Dianna Bowes FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@fabulousat50.com www.fabulousat50.com
our story
Thank you to our Contributors: Dianna Bowes, Laurel Vespi, Pam Robertson, Ian Hayward, Joanne Neweduk, Rosalyn Fung, Barbara Lee, Sue Paulson, ..and to all who made this issue possible Photography: Ealanta Photography www.IStock.com www.Dreamstine.com
Mission: To INSPIRE, EDUCATE and EMPOWER the baby boomer woman! Be Fabulous! was designed specifically to be an event magazine to be presented to our guests at the Annual Fabulous@50 Experience and Martini Party. But something magical happened! Dianna Bowes took a look around and realized there was nothing in our community that was discussing the needs of the seasoned woman. Be Fabulous!, much like the Fabulous@50 tradeshows, seminars, the meetup group and the Fabulous@50 on-line membership, filled a gap. Since 2010, Be Fabulous! has spotlighted inspirational women on it’s cover and covered topics that mid-age women want to read about.
On the Cover: Annnie Pool Be Fabulous! is published by Creative On The Move.
Be The articles represent the views and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily the publisher. No material should be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publisher/authors. The contents of Be Fabulous! should not be used as advice of any kind. Please consult the appropriate professionals for any advice. Be Fabulous! does not constitute endorsements of, or assumption for, liability for any claims made in the advertisements and or advertising information.
The vision of creative director, Dianna Bowes, was to publish a magazine that would be written by baby boomer women for baby boomer women. Fabulous@50 and Be Fabulous! is more than a magazine, more than a tradeshow, more than a membership, it is a community! Find out more by going to our website. www.fabulousat50.com
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be social with us! www.fabulousat50.com facebook.com/befabulousmagazine facebook.com/befabulousat50 twitter@Fabat50 pinterest/DiannaBowes
It’s never too late to refresh your mind, body and spirit and you don’t have Audreys Books Top to do it alone. Seller in April
Many Baby Boomer women have spent decades suppressing their own wants and desires, and losing themselves in the expectations and demands of culture, parents, partners, and children, working hard to please and care for almost everyone but themselves. They’ve been misunderstood by marketers, politicians, millenials, most men, and last but not least, themselves.
illness, financial disaster, or the crushing loneliness after the kids have grown and gone, if you are asking yourself, “Now what?” and fearing that it might be too late for you and your dreams, this book is for you.
The time has come for these strong, beautiful, and fabulous women to discover, reveal, and honor their true selves. The time has come for them to re-experience life as they’ve known it, and to celebrate life as it can be.
From Dianna Bowes, visionary foundress of Fabulous@50, The Fabulous @50 Re-Experience is a living, breathing, sweet and sassy guide to remind you that you’re not alone, and it’s not to late for you to thrive.
If you are a Boomer woman in personal crisis--needing to reinvent your life, facing divorce, life-threatening
In these pages, you’ll find a wealth of reassurance, inspiration, companionship, and practical guidance to refresh your mind, body, and spirit.
Upcoming book launches in Edmonton, Red Deer, Victoria, B.C. and Wabamum - Visit our website for dates and locations. Click here Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 5
The 5 Realms of
HOLISTIC
BODY LOVE Whether you are a mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, sister, Godmother, and/or a friend, you are also always in a relationship with yourself. Holistic Body Love is primarily about this relationship with yourself. It’s about being in a healthy relationship with yourself in five important realms of life: mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually & socially. Let’s define these five areas:
1. Mental: This is our self-talk, what it is we say to ourselves about ourselves. Ideally, we want to be engaging in positive self-talk significantly more than negative self-talk. 2. Emotional: This is the way we feel about ourselves, and the ability to regulate one’s own emotions well. The way we think about ourselves leads to how we feel about ourselves.
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Holistic Body Love means to be kind to yourself, to treat yourself with love and respect, to have healthy and flexible boundaries so that you keep out things that do not serve you 3. Physical: This involves our physical body, not in appearance, but rather with the health condition of our body. For example, a strong immune system, organs that function well, a body that’s well nourished with nutrients, a body that has abundant energy to thrive. 4. Spiritual: This area can have multiple meanings. For some, it would be one’s own ability to tune into their intuitive wisdom. For others, it may be their connection with a Higher Power. Essentially, it is the ability to see the bigger picture and connect with sacred aspects of life, so that life has fulfillment through deeper meaning and purpose. 5. Social: We are social creatures at the very core of us, meaning we all need a connection with people to heal. We are influenced every day by relationships and dynamics in our home, work, school, and life environments. I see that having a balance in these five realms can help us feel more present, grounded, and empowered in who we are as an individual, and in the various roles we take on.
What Does It Mean to Have Holistic Body Love? Holistic Body Love means to be kind to yourself, to treat yourself with love and respect, to have healthy and flexible boundaries so that you keep out things that do not serve you (drama anyone?! No thanks!), to feel gratitude for all that you have in your life and to feel enough abundance with what you have right now (rather than feeling deprived or believing that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side). These are just some examples, and there are many more. Ultimately, it’s about being your own best friend. a Rosalyn Fung is a Registered Psychologist & Founder of Holistic Body Love. She is a wellness speaker, consultant, mentor, writer & blogger. Roz specializes in Holistic Nutritional Psychology in which she empowers people in their relationship with food, body image, weight, as well as digestion, fatigue, immunity and mood. Her approach is a combination of eating psychology, positive psychology, mindfulness, neuroscience, family systems and nutritional therapy. Rosalyn offers online Webinars and her Holistic Body Love Food & Body Image Transformation Online Program https:// rosalynfungholisticpsychology.wordpress.com
We LOVE Follow our Fashion for Mature Women board on Pinterest..click here Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 7
Untying the bonds of shame
Have you ever felt there was something happening in your life over which you had no control? Clinical psychologist Gershen Kaufman has described shame as an impotence-making experience because it feels as if there is no way to relieve the matter, no way to restore the balance of things.
Shame is a binding experience, the painful feeling of being exposed, being made vulnerable, uncovered and left unprotected. Shame implies that we were at some time vulnerable to the scorn, disrespect and even hate of another, and no repair followed.
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Shame leads to self-shaming. People who experience shame often reject themselves before others can reject them. Shame brings distance between people and even between parts of one’s self. It’s hard for me to think of anything more binding in our culture today than the painful reality of sexual abuse and the shame that too often results. Childhood Sexual Abuse
I was in second grade when I became a statistic. I became that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual abuse at some time in their life. Most people who experience childhood sexual abuse or who experience sexual assault or rape experience difficulties related to the abuse. They often live in fear of a recurrence which may lead to fear of sexual intercourse and/or intimacy with any partner. They often experience anger. They also often experience guilt, believing they are somehow responsible for what happened to them. Often a person keeps their experience a secret, ashamed and afraid to share this part of their life with others. People who are bound in shame suffer in silence that they cannot break. So we must speak up for them. We need to say out loud and regularly: • You did nothing to deserve this. • There was nothing in this act that any God willed. • You can feel whole, joyful and clean again. Survivors needs us to talk about sexuality in realistic terms that invite them to find grace.
If a survivor is able to break their silence, then they need us to listen. More than easy answers, they need us to listen carefully and not assume that we can easily understand their pain or their grief. We all suffer from a system that exploits and degrades members of the human family. We are in a difficult position: We believe sex is good, but not always, not under any circumstance. We all need to acknowledge the reality and horror of sexualized violence in our society today. Healthier and Safer Society
I don’t share my own story because I want to bring that attention to myself, but because I want to do my part in creating a culture where we are safe talking about our experiences of shame and abuse so that we can get on with living healthy sexual lives. Each of us has a responsibility for creating a healthier and safer society. You can help by monitoring your actions and your own language so that you do not unwittingly contribute to a culture that binds people in shame. If you are a survivor, talk to someone you trust about your experience. Finally, you can make a difference by taking the time to listen to someone who has a story they need to tell. a Barbara Lee is the author of Sacred Sex: Replacing the Marriage Ethic with a Sexual Ethic and Tension in the Tank: Embracing Interfaith Mysticism Without Leaving the Church. An ordained interfaith minister, Barbara has crafted the tools that lead to higher self-esteem, healthier relationships and a deeper respect for the many facets of sexuality. You can read more about Barbara at www.dontdoesntwork.com.
“Survivors needs us to talk about sexuality in realistic terms that invite them to find grace“ Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 9
How to Refresh Your Golf Wardrobe Just like regular fashion - styles, trends, and colours in Golf Apparel change every season as well. Here are a few tips to prevent you from doing an entire purge of the golf section of your closet, and how to make the most your golf apparel budget; 1. Invest in really good bottoms. Take it from a gal with some junk in the trunk, if you pay a little bit more for pieces that are cut well with great fabric, not only will it last you many more seasons, it will fit better and often camouflage figure flaws (Bonus!). 2. Buy basic colors. Since bottoms typically are more expensive than Polos, buy basics like Black, Navy, White, and don’t forget about Grey! These will always carry over from season to season and match into the latest trends. 3. Add in a few new Polos in the current style or colour trend every season. And viola – new golf outfits just by adding a few new pieces. Insider Secret: Each Brand or Designer usually releases 2 or 3 colour stories, launched at different times throughout the golf season. So if you are budget conscious, don’t spend it all at the beginning of the season. There may be colours or styles that you like better mid-season. Then retailers often put the early season collections on sale, so you can get those pieces you left behind at a discount. 4. Buy pieces that can be worn on and off the course. This season’s collections are fantastic for just this! Skorts and polos in great patterns and styles - no one at your office will know you’re wearing a Polo and a Skort.
Even better, my new fave, the Golf Dress! Pair your golf pieces with a sweater or blazer and some great shoes and you’re set for work. Drive to your tee time, switch your shoes and you’re ready to play golf. Buy one outfit for two purposes. aVonita
Jordaan. Founder, MyGolfCloset.com 10 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
Ft. Mc WE HAVE YOUR BACK
This last week in Alberta is one that will go down in history. Over 80,000 people were evacuated from our northern city, Fort McMurray after a wildfire got out of control. Amongst the panic, the fear, the chaos, heros arose. Men like Dave Hill, a pharmacist who stayed behind to ensure his customers got their prescriptions filled. The brave first responders, the people who drove up and down the highway with fuel, water and food for people stranded or in the long lineup of cars trying to get away from the flames. Hundreds of volunteers helping with donations, working long hours, and cars lined up dropping off pillows, baby formula, diapers and toiletries at the EERC. People offering places to stay, free food offered from restaurants and fundraisers everywhere to raise money for the families.
An evacuee from Fort McMurray kisses his cat after they were escorted away from the fires. Members of the ‘Fort Mac Fire — Pet Rescue’ Facebook group say they have received thousands of requests for help in retrieving pets left behind in the evacuation. (MARK BLINCH / REUTERS)
A firefighter works to douse the flames on the outskirts of Fort McMurray. (Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta)
I have lived in Alberta my entire life and have never been prouder. The generosity and compassion from people fills my heart with hope. It is far from over for Ft. McMurray, but my faith in humanity has been restored. Dianna Bowes - Editor of Be Fabulous
Hundreds of volunteers of all ages sort through donations at Hangar 2 at the EIA. Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 11
Mother’s Day Special
Become a Cosmo Club before the end of May and receive a FREE Fab@50 Gratitude Journal click here today
Our unique gift baskets are filled with freshly-baked goods, elegant jams, scrumptious honey pots, and gorgeous gifts from local artisans. Share an exquisite moment by giving a hand-picked basket that will bring joy to your recipient’s day.
Call 780.999.4986 or visit BreadAndButterBasketCo.com Creating exquisite moments... just because.
FABULOUS FASHIONS FOR FABULOUS WOMEN. ALL SIZES (XS-3X).
www.LEMONSANDSTEEL.ca 12 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
What are you grateful for? Practice a life of gratitude with this purse-sized gratitude journal designed by Fabulous@50 founder Dianna Bowes and photos by Fabulous@50 Members. A thoughtful gift for a special friend, your mother, graduation or even for a bridal party. Order your copy today. 22.50 Order your copy today journals@fabulousat50.com
A Year of
GRATITUDE Plus Tips for Fabulous Traveling Dianna Bowes
You can also find us at the Crystal Ranch in Stettler • The Painted Door in Beaumont • Downtown Tixonthesquare Local Artists Shop in Edmonton
COSMO CLUB $ 00
250.
click here for more info www.fabulousat50.com/Membership Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 13
Pure LifeStyleWear is a Casual and Active wear online store for +40 women that still have a youthful outlook. Our sizes range from XS to 3X. “Sleevey Wonders” is one of our featured items. Our Online Boutique can be found popping-up at events throughout the year. Find out more about us on our website.
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www.PureLifeStyleWear.com 14 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
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Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 15
Do You Run a Little Hot? Hot weather in early spring is a powerful reminder of the intensity of the Fire element and the need to stay cool and balanced in the heat of the summer season ahead. Fire is the generator of energy in the body just as the sun is the generator of energy for the earth and while the Fire element has a function and role in everybody, it is particularly characteristic of the Pitta Dosha. Physical role: Transformation and metabolism are the functions of the Fire element in the body. Fire regulates body temperature and it is also responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation. Excess heat in the body leads to inflammations, fevers, diarrhea, acid reflux and heartburn, skin rashes and sore bloodshot eyes. Mental role: The need to consume gives Fire its courage and confidence to move forward and face challenges. With clear thinking the Fire mind is well organised;
Fire people like responsibility and make natural leaders. However, too much heat in the mind leads to seeking dominance, aggression, irritability and confrontation. Emotional role: Fire element gives passion, intensity, motivation and selfreliance. Fire people love social settings, especially around food. Overheated, they can be possessive and jealous with a need for control. Core fear is lack of control and fear of failure or being wrong. Balancing the Pitta Dosha: The most usual cause of imbalance for the Fire element is over-heating on any or all levels. A sure sign of Fire imbalance is a sour taste in the mouth as well as a sour smell to the perspiration. Keeping the body cool and sweetened is also key to helping cool the mind and emotions. If the body is allowed to become heated
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and acidic then this will directly affect the quality of thoughts. Here are a few tips for keeping cool and balanced. ~ Massage with coconut oil and cooling aroma oils such as sandalwood, rose, jasmine and lavender or ELS Pitta essential oil blend. ~ As soon as you feel the onset of irritation, take a walk and cool down, or splash your face and neck with cold water, or practice some soothing yoga breathing. ~ If you find that your focus is only on the negative, make your mind look for the positive; this is especially needed in the area of relationships with people. ~ Allow room for the opinion of others; the speed of a Fire mind can sometimes miss or overlook a valuable point of view.
Some brief guidelines are: ~ Favour the tastes of sweet, bitter and astringent and the qualities of heavy, oily/ moist and cold. Also, avoid pungent, sour and salty tastes, with light, dry and hot qualities. ~ Avoid and reduce fast food, caffeine, hot spicy foods, acidic citrus fruits, sour fruits, salty snacks, nicotine and alcohol. ~ Avoid missing meals and have healthy snacks at hand, especially in the morning when the Fire element is on the increase. ~ Stay hydrated with room temperature drinks such as filtered water, coconut water, apple, pear and pomegranate juice; avoid iced drinks. Drink herbal teas such as peppermint, fennel and ELS Pitta tea. ~ Eat raw foods at the beginning of your meal.
~ Effective delivery is a skill that has to be learned and developed. Seeing the solution to a problem is only half the issue; move into solution and take people with you without dominating.
~ A teaspoon of ghee taken with warm milk in the evening will help to flush the excess fire out of the GI tract.
~ Laughter is the best medicine for balancing the Fire element. If you can laugh at yourself then you will be able to maintain balance.
Unsure of your dosha? A pulse reading is the one sure way to determine your constitution. Consider having a pulse consultation. a
~ Keeping a clean and tidy home and workplace will settle the need for order; clutter and mess will aggravate and inflame. The digestive system is central to the health and wellbeing of everyone, but for those with Fire constitutions, following dietary guidelines for purity and acid reduction is vital.
~ Aloe Vera taken first thing in the morning is very cooling and settling.
Ian Hayward is an author, educator and Ayurvedic pulse reading specialist with over 30 years experience. Ian advises people on how to support their true constitution and how to correct their imbalances. He is offering a 10% discount to Be Fabulous readers on consultations booked before the end of March. Visit www.elementallifesolutions.com for info. 780 249 4428
Ask Ian a Question! Ian will be a regular advisory columnist and you are invited to send your questions to ian@elementallifesolutions.com for inclusion in Be Fabulous. Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 17
A Fancy Food Tribute to
Mom
My mum was the first person to teach me anything about food, just as naturally as she taught me about compassion, empathy, and unconditional love. Mum has always planned parties and gatherings as a time to share food that everyone loves – hence the idea that a get together was a great time so create some inspired eating!
One of the things Mum taught me was to always take a moment to make your food look good before serving it. The idea is that even when you are eating a simple sandwich, if it’s cut nicely and there is maybe a pickle on the plate, that simple lunch looked appealing and appetizing. It looks worthy of being eaten. Mum still likes to have doilies on all her platters, a
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pretty napkin beside her plate, and she gets a kick out of sprinkling paprika on a potato salad. Mother’s Day has always been an ideal day to make things a little fancier than usual, just to add some fun and spoil Mum a little. As kids we tried to make breakfast early enough to give her breakfast in bed, though now that my own kids are grown I do this for myself to enjoy that moment of pampering and indulgence. My favourite weekend breakfasts usually involve sausage, eggs, and fried tomatoes. The tomato adds a perfect bit of zing, looks pretty, and tastes absolutely delicious. I like to cut a good firm tomato into wedges or thick slices so that the outsides can brown in the pan while the inside stays firm. Fried tomato finishes a breakfast brunch beautifully, and they are also delicious as a topper to mac and cheese, or a baked potato. To make these tomatoes fancy, I’ve since learned to add a splash of Maple Balsamic Glaze to the pan just long enough to heat the glaze with the tomato. The glaze is a simple one and you can even cook it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few days. Truly, this is what it means to #EatInspired. Maple Balsamic Glaze 1/2 cup maple syrup 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Heat until it’s reduced to about 1/3 of a cup – this is a small amount and things happen quickly, so don’t walk away from the stove. Once the syrup is reduced properly it should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and then stir in 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard and set aside until you have your other bits ready. This is a great sauce to add to the pan as you finish cooking your fried tomatoes. You can also drizzle it over salad, a nice steak, mushrooms, salmon, pork tenderloin…go ahead and use your imagination! You can even make it into a fancy salad by placing fried tomatoes and some glaze in a crystal glass and then top it off with some spiral cut cucumber to score top marks for your food presentation skills! a To see more pictures and get more of the story, check out www.ladybirdskitchen.com. Dr. Pam Robertson launched The Ladybirds’ Kitchen blog (www.ladybirdskitchen.com) in February, where her goal is to help people get excited about cooking and food! She’s also a best-selling author, speaker, and part-time badass, and a coach with Fabulous@50. You can reach her at 1-780-232-0083 and pam@ LadybirdFiles.com
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 19
{LIFE IS JUST A PHASE}
Passing on Life’s Lessons Like most kids, it took me a while to figure out that my mom was one smart cookie. Inevitably I went through many years thinking I knew way more than my mother would ever possibly know. And of course as time passed I began to realize that I actually knew a fraction of what I thought I did. My mom passed away in 1998. By that time I had realized that she had taught me a lot of valuable lessons throughout her life. Lessons like “What goes around comes around.” This was one of her favourite sayings and it reflected her strong belief in the interconnectedness of the world. Or that the garden teaches you everything you need to know about life – about patience and nurturing, tenacity and growth, living and dying, and the
beauty in everything. But one of the best lessons my mom taught me was that the shortest route is not always the best. “Don’t be in such a hurry to get where you’re going. Sit back and enjoy the ride.” I can still hear my mother saying this to my sister and me as we headed off to visit my grandmother in a neighbouring town. As a teenager, it was incomprehensible to me at the time that anyone would turn what could be a quick jaunt into a ninety minute tour through the countryside. It’s taken many years for me to understand what my mom was trying to teach me. I’d always assumed that her decision to take the back roads was prompted by her dislike for driving on a multi-lane highway.
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“Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said that we are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.”‘ What I know now is that it had more to do with a slower pace and room for conversation, both chit chat and those deeper conversations that somehow seem to always take place in a car. Or time to see the rolling countryside, passing through quaint villages, past farms that likely now no longer exist, having a moment to take in the splendor of the turning leaves, a chance to catch one’s breath in an otherwise hectic day. What my mom taught me is that we are often in such a rush to be where we have to be, to get where we are going, we forget that it is the journey that makes up our lives. In all things that we rush toward, whether they are destinations or goals or your grandmother’s house, we sacrifice the opportunity to see the wonders along the way or the chance for a different path that may lead perhaps somewhere entirely unexpected. Happiness is a Choice
Although my mother died many years ago, I still hear her voice in my head. It got me thinking about what wisdom I might have passed along to my own children. I asked my now grown up daughters what life lessons I have taught them and they each shared a different one with a common theme. My oldest daughter said that she has learned that asking the question “Do you live in a friendly or hostile universe?” is a helpful way to reframe how she is looking at things when they aren’t going the way she expected. I actually borrowed that wisdom from Albert Einstein and passed it along to her.
her is that happiness is a choice. Apparently she continually repeated that to her university roommate when life seemed a little challenging. And on a recent extended trip to South America my youngest daughter acknowledged that sometimes mothers actually do know a thing or two when she posted on Facebook: I hate when my mother is right. The universe sometimes surprises you by hiding some pretty cool stuff within frustrating and inconvenient situations. Like when delayed flights, emergency landings and missed connections turn into the opportunity to meet wonderfully kind people and to catch a ride out of the jungle on a private plane. Spiritual Journey
It seems that the common theme is that how you think about things creates your reality. I definitely do believe that. Thoughts are just thoughts so if the current ones are not helpful or empowering then a shift in thinking is needed. It’s nice to know that is one of the messages I have communicated to my daughters as they travel life’s journey. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said that we are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. When we allow our spirit to guide us, and yes our mothers sometimes, we become more mindful of our human journey and all that this amazing ride has in store for us. a
Laurel Vespi is a certified life coach, author and motivational speaker who helps women live more mindfully no matter what phase of life they are in. Learn more and get resources and inspiration for mindful living at stonecirHer sister said the thing that stands out for clecoaching.com Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 21
{Fabulous@50 Featured Member}
Annie
Pool
Inspiring Women to live a Fabulous Life
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What are you looking forward to doing/creating in this next half of your life? It is my biggest desire to inspire women who are going through major health challenges to believe that they, too, can achieve the impossible. So many people passively give in to their disease, believing that their current health challenge is just the way things are -now that they are beyond 50. I want to hold out the hope to women everywhere that you can achieve the impossible, regardless of your age or how advanced your disease. You can transform your battle with disease into an amazing, life changing, healing adventure - through the power of travel. It’s a message I will be sharing in my upcoming book, “Passport To Life - How I Overcame Incurable Cancer Through the Power of Travel.” The book will be released in June and through my story I will be sharing the powerful tools I used to achieve the impossible. Here is what Lee Gaitan, Best Selling Author of the book “My Pineapples Went to Houston” had to say about the first draft: ”I’m on only page 4 and I’m already riveted! The opening of a book is supposed to pull the reader in—Annie’s opening YANKS you by the collar and you go! wow, so engaging, well-written! I’m dying to know where this is going!” You can receive the first few chapters of my book for free when you sign up with this link: http://www.anniepool. com/#!passport-to-life/j6q6x How has hardship, tragedy, or trauma shaped who you are – what gifts have come of it? I’ve learned how infinitely precious life is. I stared death in the face in 2013 when I was diagnosed with Stage 3.C/4 incurable endometrial cancer. Death no longer scares me - I feel tremendously grateful for the experience. Through cancer, I have climbed the highest heights and have
Annie’s Favorites Favorite Color: Blue Flats or Stilettos: Flats AND Stilettos. I don’t own a single pair of running shoes. Flats for those times when I want to get things done. Stilettos on a night when I’m going from the car to the restaurant and back to the car again. Or when I’m Ballroom or Latin dancing. Martini/Wine: Neither. I had my last drink in August, 2015. I don’t plan on going back Sweet Treat: Anything chocolate. Except bacon covered in chocolate. I have my limits. Vacation Destination: The world. Except for the Arctic Circle. Again, I have my limits. Book: “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell Movie: Under the Tuscan Sun. Charitable Cause: I have many. Currently my favourite cause is Inspire Health. They were so incredibly caring and helpful to me on my cancer journey in 2013.
sunk to the deepest depths. In truth, the experience was like travelling to another country. Unless you have been there, you could never comprehend the things I have experienced. I’ve now come to realize how incredibly strong I am - how truly limitless is my potential. What’s more, I have the deepest appreciation for every little thing in my life. My cancer journey has given me the passport to my LIFE - a life lived abundantly.
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 23
If you were to share one thing that made a difference in your life, what would it be? I’ve experienced huge breakthroughs with travel. Two trips to Italy changed my life.The first one in 2006 ended my marriage. The second was a 6 month trip to Italy and Ireland that opened up the door to my dreams. Prior to these experiences, I hardly ventured beyond the beach or the buffet on a bracelet vacation (ie. on an all inclusive vacation to Mexico). When I ventured on my own on a big ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ journey, the experience helped me to see what I could become. I met amazing people whom I barely knew who reflected back to me what they saw me becoming. They were my inspiration, my cheerleaders and my mentors on the journey to the land of my dreams. Because of those experiences, I now live as though I’m travelling on a big adventure every day. When life knocks you down, what lifts you up? Life doesn’t knock me down anymore like it used to. Now every morning I wake up with a passion and a zest for my life. What’s more, I constantly feed myself a steady diet of inspirational books, movies and motivational talks that always keep me focused in
the right direction. Plus, I always start and finish my day with a meditation. When I travel, I like to find soul stirring places to connect with myself - a white, sandy beach on a moonlit night, a cathedral that leaves me breathless or a quiet stream where I can enjoy listening to the sound of water rippling and hear the birds singing.
Kelly Parson, Independent Representative www.rockingtheboot.ca rockingtheboot@gmail.com www.facebook.com/RockingTheBoot
24 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
THE ROYAL ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION IS PLEASED TO PRESENT...
For more information & to purchase tickets visit www.loisholehospital.com
Saturday June 18, 2016
ti t P r iv sa Yo a t e r e C o nv ur P e l v i c Fl o o r
on
Tickets just $25
o t- S u A N o A bo
On Saturday June 18th join leading experts from the Lois Hole Hospital for Women for a candid conversation about incontinence and pelvic floor health.
Robbins Learning Centre
Ground Floor Level, Lois Hole Hospital for Women - 10240 Kingsway Ave
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 25
New! Introducing VIVACA® An innovative full spectrum botanical liquid supplement to alleviate the symptoms of Menopause Including night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings and fatigue VIVACA® a non-hormonal liquid supplement clinically tested in collaboration with Canadian Naturopathic doctors, microbiologists, organic chemists, herbalists, product formulators and evaluated by menopausal women for effectiveness. VIVACA® comes in 3 delicious natural flavours; Lime, Lavender and Mint. Simply add a single daily dosage of liquid concentrate to 16 ounces of water. Kept in liquid form it improves the body’s absorption rate. It’s so easy! VIVACA® powerful formulation contains four key ‘whole’ botanical extract concentrates: Red Clover, Rhodiola Rosea, Black Cohosh and St. Johns wort VIVACA® meets and, in some cases exceeds, the regulatory safety standards of the FDA & Health Canada, NHPD (Granted an NPN product license) VIVACA® 100% Canadian grown and produced, (safe from heavy metals & pesticides). We know our growers they take the care to select the best plants because they are committed to growing it right for their family as well as yours. You deserve no less! A quality plant = a quality product. VIVACA® available in 6 day and 90 day supplies. Be part of the conversation and learn more Yours truly, Anita Dyrbye Founder
26 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
VIVACA® is the first to offer a comprehensive 90-Day self-help kit for menopause symptoms. Designed with important tools so that you can easily discover more about your body, triggers and how life-style can affect symptoms. The kit* includes: 90 day supply of VIVACA product, a Menopause journal, an electronic hot flush counter, a Menopause book and a re-usable water bottle for your VIVACA. *may be used as a tool to work more effectively along side your healthcare practitioner.
Start today! www.vivaca.net
Create Your Legacy Be a Fabulous@50 Community Director! We’re expanding and are looking for enthusiastic, energetic and well-connected women 40 plus to run Fabulous@50 events in their communities. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run your own business and create your legacy! We know how to do it and want to share it with you! Fabulous provides educational and social connections for the women 40 plus. The ideal candidate is someone who wants to create a business for themselves in a fun and social environment and be part of a global vision. We provide training, a vibrant website, guidance and an opportunity to fulfill your dreams and purpose while creating an income and making a difference. Fabulous@50 was created to Inspire, Educate and Empower the baby boomer woman.
Dianna Bowes Edmonton, AB
Fabulous@50 Vision: To build a vibrant, global community that inspires, educates and empowers Baby Boomer women through compassionate relationships with each other, and with the support of businesses who provide what these women need, want, and love. To continue to expand the Fabulous@50 community with the heart-based leadership of mature women who wish to support and motivate other such women through friendship, connection, and personal development. To awaken, encourage, and celebrate the power and contributions of mature women worldwide.
Joanne Neweduk Calgary, AB
Core Values: • Compassion • Empowerment • Community • Fun • Gratitude
www.fabulousat50.com info@fabulousat50.com
Annie Pool Victoria, B.C.
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 27
What’s UP! Around the World with Fabulous@50 - Prince of Wales Armouries - Edmonton, Celebrating Travel and Diversity Saturday, May 14th, 10:00 am
FAN FEEDBACK
Get Cooking - Fresh Pasta with Dorren Prei & Kathryn Joel Edmonton - Saturday, May 15 For more information click here
What special gift (life lesson) did your mother give you?
Kaleidoscope - Gossamer Treasures - Wabamum, Friday, May 27 & 28 For more info click here Run for Women - Edmonton, Join the Fabulous@50 team Saturday, May 28 To register click here Suit Yourself Afternoon Tea Edmonton, Sunday, May 29 To register click here What the Truck - Edmonton, Saturday, May 28 - Northlands For more info click here The Fabulous@50 Re-Experience Book Signing - Victoria, Thursday, June 9 - Taste - A Place for Coffee Click here for more info Sexuality Workshop Integrity Seminars - Edmonton, June 11 & 12 To register click here Wine and Wildlife The Valley Zoo - July 15th To register click here
Question?
Sharon: Strength, resilience & how to battle through things & be an advocate. Adonica: Never use the word ‘hate’ .. use the word ‘dislike’! Direct quote from my mom. Mary: Treat others as you want to be treated. Beth: Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” Bonnie: Believing in myself ...that I was responsible for my life so go for it! Juanita: The gift of always looking good and taking care of others Janice: You never know what goes on behind closed doors ......and ......You don’t hate anyone. You dislike them intensely Dianna: If everyone was the same, it would be a very strange world. And always have some extra money tucked away. Kelly Anne: Value education. Once you have it no one can take it away from you! Lori: Always keep a dollar in your purse and never take crap from a man. Gail: She taught me to find the best in every situation and always treat people with respect. Joanne: Mothery love, adaptability, resilience and the ability to heal with self determination.
28 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
Edmonton, AB UPCOMING EVENTS Around the World with Fabulous@50. Sat., May 14, 2016 Prince of Wales Armouries • Edmonton Celebrating Travel and Diversity - To become a vendor or buy advance tickets click here. Book Signing • Saturday, May 28 • Wabamum Gossamer Treasures - Wabamum is hosting Kaleidoscope featuring Jani Galarneaus of Edmonton and a book signing by Dianna Bowes Click here for the map Body, Love and Laughter • Monday, May 30 Stop Self Saboraging your weight, eating habits and health and Laugh your way to optimal health To register click here.
www.fabulousat50.com
Dianna Bowes Edmonton Director & Founder EDMONTON BOOK LAUNCH Email Dianna Fabulous@50 founder and author Dianna Bowes with treasured friends Laurel Vespi and Loretta Friedrich celebrate the launch Go to our website of her recently published book called The Fabulous@50 Read my blogs Re-Experience at Audreys books. Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 29
Calgary, AB UPCOMING EVENTS JoJo’s Embracing Fabulous • Radio Show New Episodes available the second and fourth Monday JoJo’s View is all about embracing fabulous in life through celebration, gratitude and generosity! Joanne and her special guests will inspire, educate and empower you with concepts, strategies and engaging conversations, designed to help you find clarity, transform your life, and Embrace Fabulous. Click here to listen. May 14 – Spring Luncheon - It’s time to celebrate Fabulous! For more information click here. June 12 – Wellness and wine workshop!. More Info to come. Click here. Monthly meetup meeting held every second Thursday, join us and have fun! Click here for info
www.fabulousat50.com
Joanne Neweduk Calgary Director Email Joanne Go to our website Fabulous@50 ladies at Creativity, Conversation and Mediation meetup. Click here for more information 30 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
Read my blogs
Victoria, B.C. UPCOMING EVENTS Passport to Life Book Launch Event • Sat., June 11, 2016 “Annie Pool is a Best Selling Author and Fabulous@50 Director whose passion for travel has enabled her to achieve the impossible - overcome incurable cancer in less than 6 months. In 2013 when she was diagnosed with the disease, the crisis would test her physically, emotionally and financially. Annie Pool Victoria Director Email Annie Go to our website Read my blogs
Although she hardly ventured further than a 3 block radius from her home during recovery, she used the power of her imagination to visualize herself traveling to a wonderful far off destination. Within less than 6 months, she was completely cancer FREE. Her upcoming book, “Passport to Life” shares her inspiring story and powerful tools that will enable others like herself transform the battle with cancer into an exciting, healing adventure.” Registration link for Passport to Life Book Launch Event: http://www.anniepool.com/#!passport-to-life/j6q6x www.anniepool.com
www.fabulousat50.com
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 31
Lessons from our Mothers The lessons we learn from our mothers are often not the ones they set out teach us. The most poignant lessons are typically the ones we absorb by watching them live their lives. There’s a difference between learning a skill and learning a lesson. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are different. A skill is a reproducible task; something we learn either in a structured format or informally. Eating, walking, cooking, sewing, driving a car and playing a sport are just some of the numerous skills we must learn to survive. But lessons, they are more like reading between the lines. Lessons are the insights that we gain through experiences, in a multitude of settings, throughout our life. But those most poignant lessons engrained in us from an early age come from our families and, in particular, our mothers. We often don’t even realize that we have these insights until later on in life when we reflect back. Over the past few years many of my friends, including myself have
lost our mothers. May is typically a time when we will take a moment to reflect back over our lives and our experiences with these amazing women. Loving Memories
Every one of us has had a different experience with our mother. Some will look back with fond, loving memories and smiles; some will look back with heavy hearts and sadness. But all of us will have learned lessons that our mothers never set out to teach us. It is up to us now, as adults, to decide how these lessons will continue to impact our lives. We can look back on circumstances that once brought us grief and choose to take from it a lesson that creates strength, compassion, and the courage to take a new route. Mothers come into our lives by way of giving birth, adoption, or simply by taking on the role. A mother’s love for her children is one of the most fiercely strong bonds there is in both the human and animal world.
32 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
Just dare to stand between a mama bear and her cubs. I know that my own mother’s love was that fierce. She was my greatest cheerleader and was proud of everything I did. Her greatest joy was when I, any of my siblings or her grandchildren would accompany her to events, or showed her appreciation. Struggles
Like most women of her era she faced great struggles and yet knew wonderful joys. She was born in 1925, grew up in England and was a teenager during the WWII, living in Manchester through that time. I can only imagine the impact this had on her life. I loved listening to her stories of how she sang in a concert party that helped to entertain the troops. Or when she and her girlfriends would link arms with a Bobby to walk down dark streets trying to find their way home. The streets were darkened of course so that the enemy planes would not know where to drop the bombs. She would have lived in fear throughout her teenage years. It made me sad when she told me a story that she had secretly been sweet on a young man and that, when he died, she found out abruptly because no one knew her secret. My mother was one of six children and she stayed home to care for her ailing parents after all the others had left. Resilience
From her mid teens on, my mother worked in an office. After the war, a young German women was hired on to the firm. I recount her telling me that her boss looked at each of them, asking if they agreed the war was over. They both agreed, so he told them they were now going to be each other’s best friend. And they were. Through my mother’s stories I understood
resilience, compassion, forgiveness. Health Issues
My mother did have many more struggles throughout her life. My parents got divorced when I was in grade six, at a time when families did not get divorced. I know it’s more common now, but at the time it was one of the worst things that could happen to a woman. It was very hard on her and on all of us. It took her quite a long time to recover. She was plagued with illness throughout her life; both physical and, at times, emotionally. When she was in her sixties, one doctor told her she was on borrowed time, considering her multiple health issues. And yet, she lived to be eighty-four years old. Love is a powerful motivator to live and heal. {Lessons.. continued from page 36}
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Lessons
{continued from page 35}
One time, while my mother was in the hospital, she had a serious reaction to a medication that caused her platelets to plummet to dangerously low levels. Levels not truly compatible with life. Platelets are responsible for our blood clotting thus the bottom line is that she was bleeding to death internally. I could see her lips turning purple. She was rushed off to ICU as bags of life-saving blood products poured into her. Somehow she survived. Unbelievably. After she recovered I spoke to her about the experience. She told me as they were wheeling her away to ICU she could see the fear in my eyes even though I had kept a calm exterior. She was determined to live. It was not yet her time to go. I learned from her the power of love, selfdetermination and the ability for our bodies to heal. Through caring for my mother in her latter years I was blessed with the opportunity to share my compassion and patience. It also allowed me an opportunity to learn how to overcome frustration, time restraints, and many other challenges. These are gifts. One of the greatest gifts was learning to have laughter regardless of the situation and the obstacles that stood in the path between where we were and where we wanted to go.
I know deep in my heart that, no matter what obstacles are faced in life, there is always a way around them and that laughter and love are two of the best tools in helping to solve any issues. Cinderella
My mother was born on September 6th and that is the date she eventually chose to leave this world as well. I called her Cinderella as she slipped away just before midnight, with my sister and I at her side sipping tea in her honour. Currently, I am a divorced mother of three amazing young adults. I know that I have set out, determinedly, to teach them skills and lessons for them to live healthy, happy, productive lives. Yet, I don’t know what lessons they will actually learn from me. That can only be determined by them, in time, with the meaning they choose to apply to the love and times we share. a Joanne Neweduk is the Director and Community Leader for Fabulous@50 Calgary. She is the mother of three young adults, an oncology nurse, certified life coach, and facilitator. Joanne has a decade long involvement with volunteerism, event planning, and is currently the president of a humanitarian charity, Medical Mercy Canada. She is enthusiastic with every endeavour she takes on and derives great joy from collaborating with others and seeing wonderful things transpire. joanne@ fabulousat50.com
spa services for improved immunity, tension relief, or feeling more beautiful and confident, we are here for you!
34 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
FEELING DISCONNECTED?? Get connected with Fabulous@50’s On-Line Community Receive a gift of the Be Fabulous! E_Magazine, plus a gift delivered to your home. Join our online Social Groups and stay in the loop of all things Fabulous! No strings, just love...
Click here to go to www.fabulousat50.com/Membership/JoinNow! Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 35
FAB Books!
Midlife Manifesto Jane Mathews
Have you ever looked at your life and wondered “is this it?” At the crucial halfway point, do you wish you had your very own manifesto to reassert your passion and place in the world? Hilarious, insightful, and encouraging, Midlife Manifesto throws the limelight on the untapped potential of midlife women instead of obsessing over the struggles and crises that come with the 40s and 50s. To order your copy.
36 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016
A Hawaiian Holiday Polynesian Dance and Drumming Group will be performing on May 14th at Around the World with Fabulous@50 at Prince of Wales Heritage Armoury.
A tradeshow with a twist of travel and diversity Question: What do a travel fashion show, Polynesian dancers, a stand-up comedian and a First Nations hoop dance have in common? Answer: they are all strutting their stuff on stage at the Around the World with Fabulous@50 event in Edmonton on Saturday, May 14. Travel consultants will give tips and advice on the best deals and on travelling solo. Motivational Humorist Zandra Bell’s alter-ego Shirley Best will deliver a hilarious presentation called Travelling with the Stars: The Intrepid Woman’s Guide to Reality Vacations. The diversity side features authentic food and displays from several cultures and performances by Lakota Tootoosis, a Cree hoop dancer who has danced in Taiwan and throughout North America, and the Hawaiian Holiday Polynesian Dance and Drumming Group. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Gift bags will be given to the first 100 women to attend. Print out the coupon and bring to event on May 14. a
2 for 1
PASS
{Bring to the door on 05/14}
Sat, May 14, 2016 10 am-5 pm Prince of Wales Heritage Armoury 10440 108 Ave NW, Edm, AB
Celebrating baby boomer women • Interactive eMagazine • 37
Click here to purchase tickets or for more information 38 • Be Fabulous! e_Magazine I www.fabulousat50.com I May • 2016