August/September 2015 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
me time
TM
J O U RNA L
Your Place to Explore, Discover, and Reconnect to a Better Life™
Pamukkale means
“cotton castle” in Turkish.
It is a natural site in
southwest Turkey
containing hot springs
and terraces of carbonate
Glaucus Atlanticus
A small blue sea slug
to 1.2 in. in size. Float
upside down. The upp
surface is actually the
minerals
Flying Fish live in all the oceans and there are
approximately 64
The wonders of the world are all around – and IN us!
species. They are
able to leap out of
the water and glide
to escape predators using their long,
wing-like fins.
Open your eyes and mind again to the unique riches we rarely pause to marvel at in our busy lives. Here are six. How many more can you discover?
The Wave Arizona
Your Atoms
formation in the Paria
7,000,000,000,000,
An eroded sandstone
Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness of AZ
created by the erosion of water and wind.
1 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
An adult is made up o
000,000,000,000,00
(7 octillion) atoms. Th
“only” 300,000,000, (300 billion) stars in
our galaxy
Uniquely YOU!
up
ts
per
e foot.
DNA
The complete
“instruction book” or genome that makes you
uniquely you,
contains about 3
billion nitrogen
bases and 20,000 genes on 23 pairs of chromosomes.
f
00
here are
“You are unique, just like everybody else,” my mom
used to say.
It’s an amusing and true statement. We are a one-of-a-kind, limited edition model. Think about that for a moment…. No one ever has been, or ever will be, exactly like you. Your perspective and experiences are exclusively yours. Even identical twins don’t live identical lives. It’s a wonder we get along as well as we do! Understand that you have a unique interpretation of life. Accept and find pleasure in who you are. I hope you can also allow others the same leeway. You’ll be happier that way. You and I are neither perfect nor defective…we are uniquely human. The Quakers have a saying: Everyone holds a piece of the truth. I like that. It says that every person is unique and necessary – like a miniscule piece of the massive puzzle called life. May you honor all the experiences that make up who you are, while striving to become the best version of yourself. The world needs you – perfectly imperfect (unique) – YOU!
Diane
000
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
2
We’re Listening! Here’s What You Said About Our Premiere Issue:
“The whole feeling is soft and feminine, but the message is strong. I'm not a big magazine fan, but I can hardly wait to read this one.” – Jean B.
“Well done, Diane, Linda, and Michele! A beautiful first issue.” – Diane T.
”Wow -- this is wonderful. Still reading... there is a lot of great stuff.” – Glenda I.
“Congratulations. It’s a tremendous achievement! Victoria K. First Issue–Kudos? Letter fromtous? “Congratulations Linda you and your
talented friends! Great info and the pictures/ graphics are terrific. Even though I may not be your target demographic let me say: both thumbs up!” – David G.
“This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Did you get some "Me Time" to check it out today? There's a ton of juicy insights and inspiration in there! And did I mention that it's B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L? Well done, ladies! – Amanda J.
“Wow! Just got my premiere issue ... and I love it!! This is my first magazine subscription in over 10 years. Love the online format, beautiful presentation, and inspiring and educational articles. Thank you!! – Elaine B.
Wow Michele the more I look at this the more I realize what work and heart went into this. Bravo. – Linda M. We want to hear from you too! Have a comment or idea for MeTime? Email us at Editor@MeTimeJournal.com 3 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
Table of Contents 1
5
Unique
Meet This Issue’s Contributors
7
Story Telling…Perceptions of the Soul
15
Let’s Go Glamping!
11
MeTime Journal Interview / Linda Meyers: Unique Traveler
19
Motivation to Exercise
21
How Lavender Can Make Your Life Better
20
Carb Lovers Rejoice!
24 Fun & Food at Your Farmer’s Market
me time
25
Get Centered
27
How to Dress for Your Body Type – It’s a Balancing Act!
31
33
35 37
38
TM
J O U RNA L
The Unique Benefits of 4 of the Most Popular Social Media Platforms
Eliminate These Words From Your Vocabulary...or Else!
Confessions of a Recovering Cheesaholic / Take Your Tastebuds on a Trip!
A Natural Approach to Bone Health
Ask Michele
39 Did You Know
40 Dealing With Dilemmas 41
A Unique Life
42 MeTime Spotlight 49 In Our Next Issue
Swami’s Beach | Encinitas, CA Photo by Linda Carlberg
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
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Lisa Balthaser Owner
Fleur de Lisa Solutions www.FleurdeLisaSolutions.com
What does “me time” mean to you?
“I make a point to schedule some ‘me time’ into my weeks. One thing that is really important to me is scheduling in my Zumba classes, 3-5 times per week. It keeps me active and it is so much fun! I also love spending my days with my dog, Rembrandt, who always put a smile on my face. On weekends I enjoy going to museums and cultural events, hiking, festivals, dining out and day trips. While I enjoy having a full schedule, sometimes I just like to kick back with a good book to relax, expand my knowledge, or get lost in another place. Life is good!”
Misty Necol Duckworth
Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, AFPA
Leslie Wilmott
Founder Image & Wardrobe Consultant
Lifestyle 360o www.Lifestyle360Degrees.com
Smart Women On The Go www.SmartWomenOnTheGo.com
What does “me time” mean to you?
What does “me time” mean to you?
“There is no set time for me to have ‘me time.’ I will stop anywhere I am to check-in with my heart. It usually happens when I become consciously aware of how I’m feeling. At that point, I know it is time to slow down and reconnect with myself to avoid getting caught up in the drama of the chaotic world we live in. Let’s just say, I am my own best friend.”
“‘Me time’ is the time I take to focus on myself and my goals. I think about what inspires me, what drives me, what enriches me, and what will make me happier and healthier. It’s a time for me to learn, develop, expand and therefore, thrive. It is also quiet time to sit and read a book, relax in a bubble bath, or take myself to the movies and escape from daily demands.”
Are You a Writer, Speaker, Professional, Artist, or Photographer Interested in Contributing to MeTime Journal? We’d like to hear from you! Send your contact information and a brief introduction to:
Editor@MeTimeJournal.com
5 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
me time
TM
J O U RNA L
August/September Volume 1 | Issue 2 Co-Founding Publisher Michele Broad, NP-C Co-Founding Publisher | Creative Director Linda Carlberg Managing Editor Diane L. Donohue TO SUBSCRIBE:
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MeTime Journal is published bi-monthly. Content copyright
©2015 by MeTime Journal. No part of this magazine may be
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This magazine is dedicated in memory of Judy Carlberg, R.N. who miraculously helped make MeTime Journal possible.
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
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Feature Story
Story Telling … Perceptions of the Soul by Diane L. Donohue
The common practice of telling stories is an everyday event. Children are filled with school yard tales and we, as women, love to share our daily lives with intricate detail. We report the events of our day – factual information – and try not to burden the listener with dribble as we did in grade school. We often formulate opinions and weave them into the facts and then, basically, we’re done...
But that is not a story. We don’t seem to take the time to reflect on unique stories that have meaning, real depth to both the teller and the listener. Like our love of fast food, our stories have taken on the same qualities… fast, full of fat and often cold and tasteless.
How often do you hear stories that inspire, delve into feelings and reveal truths about ourselves and our lives? There is so much “story” in each of us but we have lost or maybe, never honed the art of telling a story.
I Can’t Hear You...
Maybe it’s because we are overwhelmed with facts and figures, of 24 hour news bytes that run a constant loop of human events. We are inundated by the overstimulated world, the abundance of information and are left with emotions and no place to put them. Onto the next story!
The commentators (more actor than journalist) get to delve deeper into their own perceptions, but they purposely fish out anything nasty, ugly and emotive
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for us to feast on. We have become a ravenous lot of purveyors. We lie in wait, trusting the loud, offensive and most opinionated, to chew and digest the facts, only to regurgitate them, like a mother bird feeding her babies.
We may believe that our own simple stories can’t compete with the jaw dropping events we witness all day. Yet I think there is fabulous in those simple stories.
I commented to a woman who had just finished telling me about her life as the eldest of 13 orphaned children that, “I think I shall never need to read another novel again.” People all around us are filled with interesting stories, perceptions from the heart, maybe even more than from the memory. I felt sad at that moment, that when someone dies, a fascinating novel is extinguished.
The Art of Storytelling
The reporting we do of the day’s events are often bland, tidbit minutia that distract us from the real story – the need for connection.
The slow art of story, takes work. Work on the teller to knit interest, and time for the listener to hear. How do we slow down enough to hear our own hearts speak? How do we get in touch with what matters so we can share that with the listener. First, we need to believe it is worthwhile. We must understand that story is what connects the past to the future. Every person, every country and every relationship has a story.
Second, we need to understand that the most meaningful story won’t come until months, years or even decades later. It is in the past, the hindsight that makes the best stories. We may suddenly find something amusing in an event that was absolutely dreadful, just a few months prior. That is the transformative power of story.
Why Telling Matters
Courage and Connection. Our story is our lives and when we tell it or write it, it becomes part of the soul of the listener. Our stories are personal and it takes courage to share them. Stories connect us to each other; bring empathy, shared visions and common mishaps to life. Story lets others know where we’ve been and where we’d like to go. We see further. Grow bigger. When we share our stories they allow us to be more objective, philosophical, and even more mature in our depictions. When we trust the listener, we can admit our less than perfect actions and take pride in our ability to see another side of ourselves. Our stories are often therapeutic. Some of our stories give rise to new roads and possibilities. Reflection allows us to collect insights and discover how to integrate our beliefs with life’s realities.
Stories widen us, open us to another dimension. We cannot be everywhere, cannot experience everything, but we can see more of the universe through another’s story. How cool is it that we are the only species that can learn from a secondary experience of another?
Why Write?
Writing melds the spiritual with the physical. The power of the story is formed when we write it. Writing makes it last … often it will outlive us. Writing makes us vulnerable, open to criticism, known. It’s in black and white and we can’t take it back.
Blogs, video and journals are everywhere; people obviously want to be known. And yet, story writing can be more insightful, more colorful than factual reporting or blogging.
That’s why we love movies, especially “true” ones. The screenwriter takes liberties with the story. Because he/she knows that the story needs to open our hearts, suspending us from what we believe reality should or could be.
How to tell a Story
1. Tell it slowly. Tell it as if you were formulating each word. Keep talking but pause often. Talk without judgment of your voice or fear of the listener’s criticism. Don’t listen to your head speak. Let go of your opinions for this moment and meld into your experience. Let your opinion float on the outside, so as not to house your story in a box of rules of what should or shouldn’t be said. Let your heart speak and leave your arguments out of the story. Change the tempo, the cadence of the way you speak. Use your words to color. Make up phrases and place emotions and feelings at the forefront.
2. Pay attention. What interests you, really? Think about the way some things, some people make you feel. Think on good things. They open you up to more depth.
3. Reduce the minutia, the small talk about the weather or who said what. We can starve without deep connection so begin a diet of good quality conversation which sparks good stories. Listening to another’s tale may literally change your life. You may never forget the lesson of the story. This quote has hung in my home for years... "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt
4. Ask good questions. Ask everyone. In my experience, people love to talk. When I ask interesting, open-ended questions, they blossom. With strangers, I love to ask personal, gritty, pokey questions. Sometimes the question being asked is better than the answer and the person is appreciative of the opportunity to explore.
I’m walking about 3 long blocks to my car after a 5k. Exhausted but bored, I turn to the woman keeping pace with me and begin chit chatting about the event. After a sentence or two, I get to it. I ask her for her truth as she
(Continued on following page
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(Story Telling ... Perceptions of the Soul continued from previous page)
sees it. Reports in the news about football players who abused their wives/girlfriends, I say, “Can I ask you your opinion? You don’t have to answer, but I’m curious and you’ll never see me again … promise. As a young black woman how you feel about this situation? She was taken aback but eventually confessed about her own mother’s violent past and what she wants for her daughter. As we stopped at her car, I let her tell me what was on her heart and listened like she was a famous celebrity. She smiled and hugged me tightly before we parted. I could tell you a really good story about her.
Read Good Stories
They have more to teach you than many of your school books. His-story is filled with stories so good, we wish they didn’t end. Autobiographies are often stories that make your heart reel, make your senses feel. The lessons are amazing. Emotions are the watercolor of stories. They flow and float on the paper changing the tone of a story. They can easily obscure an event, and soften the most difficult story. Don’t be afraid to cry or react to the facts of your own story. Your reaction, your interpretation is a treasured part of your story.
Heard this?
The interesting thing about stories is that we never grow tired of hearing them. It doesn’t really matter where or when the story takes place. It could be 100 years ago in Thailand and somehow we can relate. We have heard something like it before and yet, it is the familiar that makes it significant and lures us in.
Dirty Laundry Here’s a challenge.
Be brave and tell a most despicable story of yourself. Which stories do you hold close to your heart hoping no one will ever find out? Are there any stories you’d rather not share? Think on those to open you up to the richest layers of your heart. It is in the flaws and failures that we are most authentic because we have to look at the other side of who we were.
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Without stating regret, what did you do that went wrong? What did you learn? Do not discount these stories; they are an important part of who you are today. Each country has a story they’d rather not tell. Story is about being human, faults and all. It is the imperfect that creates our best stories. Boy meets girl – boy gets girl, does not make a good story.
So, tell your bad girl, dumb girl story. We are a collective bunch of liars when we omit facts that we’d rather not share. We expect perfection from others when we know it doesn’t exist in ourselves. How refreshing it would be if political candidates admitted their dark stories. How much more authentic and trustworthy they would be.
Do not be afraid to admit a past story to a trusted friend or confidant. Or better yet, when you run into a stranger … let it out. Practice telling your story to them. Might be fun and very therapeutic! And I promise not to tell a soul!
Getting Started
Here are a few resources to get you started in writing and publishing your story: • LuLu.com • Blurb.com • CreateSpace.com • WeBook.com
Or if you’re like me, record your own personal story or that of someone you care about. I have several sessions of my mom and mother-in-law telling me of their past – Priceless!
Tell me, show me, take me where you’ve been. Drag me down or lift me up .. make my head aspin. Wake me, push me, make me laugh or weep. Story always leaves me something more to keep. We may not see your triumphs or your daily strife But your story gives a voice, a witness to your life. – Diane L. Donohue
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interview Linda Meyers: Unique Traveler All my life I have wanted to travel
the world, but haven’t. Either it
was the right time but not enough
money or there was money but no
time. Nine years ago I met a
wonderful and unique woman,
Linda Meyers. We met through a
mutual friend and she has since
become one of my best friends.
Through these past nine years I
have lived vicariously through her
and her love of travel. Linda and
her husband Tim have traveled to
many places. Hearing her tell the
stories always puts a flicker of
hope and excitement in my heart.
I sat down with her for this issue of
MeTime Journal to share her
reflections about the many unique
places she has visited. I know her story will inspire you to want to
travel more too. – MB
How I met my husband, Tim, is a unique story because we met walking across the United States during The Great Peace March. 3,700 miles and 8-1/2 months on the road! Our story is: we met in Utah, danced in Nebraska, went to a movie in Illinois, had dinner in Ohio and have been together ever since! We both had traveled extensively before we met and have continued to lean on our hiking sticks in 40+ countries and 6 continents around the world. MTJ: That is a unique story. A lot of women want to travel but don't make the time for it, what would you tell them?
LM: I would encourage anyone who wants to travel to stop for a moment and realize that whether it is time and/or money that is stopping you from travel or anything you want to do in life, that there are exciting solutions that can provide both. You can have both and I am an example of that.
MeTime Journal: Did you always want to be a world traveler? Tell us how it all started. You met your husband Tim on your travels, right?
Linda Myers: Growing up, my Mother traveled the world in her mind and heart while listening to radio talk shows. She influenced my knowledge of the world, but it wasn’t until my first big road trip that I got the travel bug. Two girlfriends and I– in our early 20s—hit the road in a VW Beetle and crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada with no time schedule and no particular place to go. 11,000 miles to be free. It was a deliriously fun time.
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by Michele Broad
MTJ: Great to hear that. Tell us about your most memorable trip and why? LM: The most memorable and impactful is my walk across the U.S. We are a great country with generous, good people. This could be a story by itself so I’ll give you my top 6 out of the 40+ countries I have been to: Antarctica, Kenya/Lamu, the Galapagos Islands, Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago and my walk across the Ukraine. The Camino de Santiago is a 500-mile journey I did a couple of years ago with Tim and our grandson. What an experience to meet people from all around the world heading to the same place, yet having different destinations in their hearts! Each of these trips brought me to tears at one point or another because of the magnitude of the natural beauty, cultural richness, the eyes of a child, the generosity of people we met and the anguish of poverty. Travel inspires you to help.
For example, when we returned from Kenya, our family did some fundraising and we built a school in the Maasai Mara. We can all do something large or small; it all matters.
As far as what can be memorable, I do remember a time in Bolivia in 1980, when we were asked to get off the bus by armed soldiers and, as we waited, truckloads of people were being brought in from neighboring villages. The women were dressed in beautiful multicolored skirts and blouses and various regional hats. There had been a coup. We lined the streets and as I stood to take a picture of the new President, my friend pulled me down and pointed at the rooftop where a line of soldiers had their guns drawn and pointed down at us. The President laid flowers at the base of a Virgin Mary statue as the TV station’s cameras rolled…. MTJ: Wow, memorable is right. Were there other unique moments that you have had during your travels?
LM: There are many moments, of course! One is the time Tim and I drove with two friends from San Diego to San Ignacio Bay in Baja California. Every year gray whales migrate more than 10,000 miles from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to the coastal lagoons of
the southern Baja peninsula to birth and nurture their calves. We were the only ones on the washboard road leading to the bay and were met by a man and his son who took us out on a small panga to the middle of the lagoon. We were the only ones on the water and after a short while, a baby whale and her mother came right up to us and we were able to touch. Their skin is surprisingly soft. In that moment, I felt the connection between all of us on the planet. I know that may sound strange, but that is the only way I can describe it. It was a magnificent feeling!
Another moment was when Tim and I were kayaking in Antarctica, a place we highly recommend you visit. Can you imagine being in a kayak on a sparkling blue sea, surrounded by ice and snow sculpted hills and having penguins diving in and out of the water around you? It was exhilarating and magical! Like a dream! I imagined what Sir Ernest Shackelton, a polar explorer, must have experienced during his time too. MTJ: Exciting, even to hear about it. So, what's the best part of the next place that you are planning to travel?
LM: I’m excited about walking 180 miles of the coast of Wales. I’m looking forward to connecting with the people in that country and appreciating the movement of my feet across another part of our beautiful planet.
MTJ: Sounds terrific. Linda, I know you have a very successful business. How do you blend your extensive love of travel into a hectic work schedule?
LM: It is by choice and design. We all have our priorities and traveling is important to me and that is why it happened even in the earliest years of developing my business. For many years now, because of our business model, I no longer have what you would call a “hectic” schedule but rather an exciting schedule that allows me to live a fun, fulfilling life. I wake up grateful and I go to sleep grateful. I even set a phone alert to remind me to be grateful during the day! Though I am constantly giving gratitude, it reminds me for that particular moment to say thanks for something. MTJ: Ok, we're curious...who do you admire?
LM: There are many people I admire starting with my Mother who shared her love of people, nature, art, music and travel with me and my Father, whose passion was running marathons, which he did through his 70s. He was my coach and taught me the important lesson of setting short-term goals to get to my destination. I’ll be forever grateful to them. My brilliant husband, Tim, who can pull an idea out of his mind that is so thought-provoking that I have to pause and consider it. I want to mention Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman President of Liberia, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 with Leyman Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman, is a phenomenal woman of courage and peace. The Prize was awarded for their non-violent struggle for the (Continued on the following page)
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(Linda Myers: Unique Traveler continued from previous page)
safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peacebuilding work. There is a gripping documentary called “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” about what she faced, including death, to make her country safe for its families. MTJ: That sounds intriguing. How do you want to be remembered? What impact do you want to leave on the world?
LM: That I believe in you and what you aspire to achieve. The work I have been doing for 20+ years has helped 1,000s of people improve their health and finances. When we affect the quality of life for a family, that is incredibly purposeful work.
people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
if I died after it ended, I would be happy. Now I know, of course, there is much more I can do to bring positive change to the world.
LM: How long is this article? My spiritual beliefs, Tim, our family, friends, college roommates, work mates, strangers, teachers, and mentors. I think we all have people who have interrupted the current stories in our head for the better.
LM: Well the bath beckons and there’s an excellent magazine called MeTime Journal! Thank you, Michele, for the honor of being part of this issue. Right now, I’m looking out from my patio at the mountains and big sky of Santa Fe listening to a thunderstorm, feeling the cool breeze and breathing in the clear, damp air. It is appreciating moments like this that I love.
MTJ: I love that. What or who has inspired you, changed your life or influenced your thinking?
Walking across the country had a huge impact on my life. It was so fulfilling I told my 35-year-old self
MTJ: We need a quote, a favorite motto or mission statement?
LM: Well, my personal mission for the past 25 years is to “Spread the message of health and peace throughout the world.” My favorite quote is from Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
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MTJ: Well said. And, last but not least...what's your favorite way to spend your personal MeTime?
“Gratitude is a magic wand. It turns everything into ... enough.”
Diane L. Donohue
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If you’re not familiar with the expression, glamping is the term for “glamorous camping.” Vintage glamping is “glamorous camping in an old trailer.”
I
grew up “regular” camping with my family. We camped in tents, fold-out tent trailers and trailers. There was nothing glamorous about it – and we had a ball! Those days are some of the best memories of my childhood. Even the time our tent rolled down the hill when we stepped out of it in a gale-force rainstorm. That night we slept in the station wagon. I’ve always been nostalgic about those days and long to go camping again. When I learned about VintageCamper Trailers.com, thanks to a friend who is restoring a vintage trailer with her husband, the dream came alive again. Now I imagine someday pulling a little trailer around the country and getting back to nature. To slow down and enjoy the simple things in life like a good book, a swim in the lake and afterwards, a campfire. You may be surprised to know that there are not only many vintage camper fans and events, but many groups of women “glampers”. A quick online search for “glamping” will connect you with many of them.
Let’s Go Glamping!
by Linda Carlberg and Paul Lacitinola
You can create your own glamping experience with just a little planning. Bring the makings for a gourmet meal along and fill a vintage Coleman cooler with fresh fruit, sparkling water, and gourmet chocolate bars. Why not be comfortable when you camp? When you are vintage glamping, you can enjoy your own pillow, blankets and comforter instead of a sleeping bag. You can have a gourmet dinner and a blazing fire; it’s a great way to camp! For many people, the perceived hardships of camping are a turnoff and their first camping trip is also their last. With many of the restored vintage trailers fully equipped with a microwave, AC and flat screen TVs, it’s hardly roughing it! Most RV parks and campgrounds offer more lavish amenities today than trailer parks of the past. These days you may find a hot tub, spa, and exercise room in addition to the usual swimming pool. Some parks even have their own restaurant, snack bar, and ice-cream shop.
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The vintage camper trailer experience can be enjoyed in a $500 Aristocrat trailer or a fully restored 1948 Westcraft trolley-top that can run over $50k. All are welcome and each can be equipped with amenities that will make your vintage glamping experience memorable. Glamping – it ain’t your grandma’s camping! (Continued on the following page)
This 195 8 Mallard looks jus like the o t ne my pa rents had !
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About Paul Lacitinola and Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine I have always had a love for classic cars and the mid-century lifestyle. That led me to buying an old trailer when I saw one sitting in our neighbor’s yard in 2006. At that time, my wife Caroline and I thought it would be a cheap way to take our two kids (under two at that time) camping. Little did I know when I towed it home, that a 1962 DeVille camper trailer would change our lives. When we took our “new” old trailer camping, it drew a lot of attention from others. It didn’t take me long to realize that my classic trailer had a retro style all of its own. When I tell others that I am a Vintage Camper Trailer Collector, their reply is usually, “Oh, you mean like an Airstream?” Among the dozens of trailers I have owned over the past 8 or so years, I have never owned an Airstream. Airstreams are the “big silver ones”. They do come in smaller versions and those are typically the most coveted. Vintage camper trailer styles are as varied as those who collect them. There were literally dozens of different brands that were produced from the 1940s through the 1960s. Some of the more popular trailers are the Shasta (the ones with the wings), Spartans, Boles Aero, Aristocrat, Aljo, Silver Streak, Kenskill, Kencrafts, and of course, Airstreams. We are excited to be a part of the movement and while we didn’t start it; we do feel we are doing our part to keep it fun. Our appreciation for mid-century American goes beyond the trailers to the preservation of all transportation and travel memorabilia including bicycles, camping gear and clothing. We don’t want our kids to forget America’s past and this is our small way of preserving a piece of it. If you love vintage camper trailers you are welcome to join the fun. Visit our website to join our FREE Vintage Camper Trailerites Email updates and visit our Facebook page to join up with like-minded vintage travel nuts! VintageCamperTrailers.com
All photos provided courtesy of Vintage Camper Trailer Magazine
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
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Motivation to Exercise by Misty Necol Duckworth
As a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer, I am often asked various health and fitness questions. Some of them are very specific such as “how do I get rid of my excess stomach weight?” or “what do I need to eat to lose weight?” Others are broader in nature. Recently, I was approached by a lady who had been watching me train in the gym. This lady was once very active. She went on to explain how she loved boot camps and running. A devastating car accident forced her to quit all physical activities. The good news is she has recovered from the accident and is now ready to become active again.
She proceeded to ask me if I was a trainer and I politely told her yes. With a very humble look on her face, she asked me the million dollar question… ”How do I get motivated again?” The question seemed so simple. However, as I pondered this question I realized there was no magic answer I could give her. Motivation ultimately comes from within.
the most. Don’t get me wrong. It is truly a blessing to have someone pushing you. But, what do you do when that person is not there? I encouraged her to sit down and have a straight-forward conversation with herself. This meant she needed to listen to her heart and not let her mind do all the talking. Once you have your marching orders from your heart…GO FOR IT!
Find creative ways that speak to YOU as an individual Make a promise to not to let your heart down Make a realistic checklist with a timeline Find a partner who will remind you of those goals
Music is my motivator. If I hear the right kind of music, I feel like I can conquer the world and the possibilities are endless. However, hearing the right music does nothing if I have not spent that “me time” with my heart. The only way you can truly hear what the heart is saying is to have a one on one with it. Motivation flows out of that.
For me, the best motivation comes from me being my own cheerleader; my own best friend. It is self-love that motivates us
Misty Necol Duckworth (left) is a certified
fitness instructor, personal trainer and
fitness model with over 10 years of group
fitness and personal training experience.
www.Lifestyle360Degrees.com
19 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
Carb Lovers Rejoice! A new cooking trick could cut the calories of rice and pasta Sri Lankan scientists have found that a new cooking trick could cut calories of rice and other starchy carbs compared to conventional cooking. Just like slow cooking a potato in the oven vs. fast in the microwave changes the starch level. A microwaved potato yields more starch and boy can you taste the difference!
Rice cooked this way had 10 to 12% fewer calories. Sudhair James, Researcher, presented these findings at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society recently. He is optimistic that using this method on traditional heirloom varieties, particularly some varieties of red rice—could result in greater calorie reduction (up to 50%).
So here are the intricate and very complicated steps they used to lower the carb level of rice:
Why? James explains that the oil enters the starch granules during cooking, changing its architecture so that it becomes resistant to the action of digestive enzymes. It increases the amount of resistant starch (RS), an indigestible form of carbohydrate that your small intestine can't break down and convert to glucose. This means that fewer calories ultimately get absorbed into the body. "The cooling is essential because amylose, the soluble part of the starch, leaves the granules during gelatinization," explains James. "Cooling for 12 hours will lead to formation of
1. Cook rice normally but add a teaspoon of healthy oil like coconut or olive to the cooking water for every ½ cup of uncooked rice (use 1 cup of water per ½ cup of uncooked rice). Simmer for 25-40 minutes. 2. Drain and let it cool overnight in the fridge for 12 hours. Reheat and eat.
That’s it!
hydrogen bonds between the amylose molecules outside the rice grains which also turn it into a resistant starch." Reheating the rice does not affect the RS levels. Better yet, this method may also work for other starchy foods like pasta, beans, cereals such as oatmeal, and even potatoes. A similar study showed that cooking, cooling, and then reheating these foods significantly increases Resistant Starch levels. RS is good for cutting calories and has been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, better gut function and digestion, greater feelings of fullness, and increased fat burn. Maybe that’s why my Italian grandmother made her pasta dishes the day before and always added olive oil to the water. Brilliant woman! – Diane L. Donohue
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
20
How Lavender Can Make Your Life Better by Michele Broad
From the moment we stepped off the bus, we could smell the blooming, aromatic fields of lavender. The different shades of purple dancing in the breeze provided the background for a beautiful, picturesque scene.
The Annual Lavender Festival in Cherry Valley, CA is a wonderful way to celebrate this most useful, healing herb. Diane, Linda and I took a little MeTime trip to enjoy the day and relax. From its use in the kitchen to numerous aromatherapy applications, it is no wonder lavender is so popular. Not to mention, of course, that it smells absolutely divine.
Aromatherapy lovers everywhere swear by its many healing qualities. The best part is that live and dried lavender plants, lavender essential oils, and other forms of this magnificent plant are readily available.
You might be surprised by the number of uses for lavender and that its essential oil is highly concentrated. It takes up to 16 lbs. of lavender blossoms to distill just one ounce of oil. Luckily, you only need a small amount for the desired effect. Lavender has many medicinal properties and here are just a few of its many uses.
21 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
Headache Relief
Lavender aromatherapy is one of the top recommended non-pharmaceutical treatments for headaches, even migraines. You can simply add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a relaxing hot bath, or you can dilute it in a carrier oil (like almond or jojoba oil) and massage a few drops into your temples.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
Many swear that there’s nothing better to aid with relaxation and stress relief than lavender. Just the scent alone is quite relaxing and can reduce stress. Added to massage oils, bath products, or candles and your stress seems to just melt away.
The MeTime team at the Annual Lavender Festival in Cherry Valley, CA. Yes, we are a treehugging, animal loving bunch of chicks!
Mood Enhancement
Simply smelling the sweet floral scent of lavender can help with an unpleasant mood or irritability. Keep a handkerchief with a couple of drops of oil added to sniff whenever you may be having a bad day. (Continued on the following page)
Lavender Festival | Cherry Valley, CA Photos by Linda Carlberg
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
22
(How Lavender Can Make Your Life Better continued from previous page)
Antiseptic
Lavender is used in many natural healing products because it is a natural antiseptic. You can find many of these products in health food stores or online.
Circulation
Lavender is also said to be great for circulation. This makes lavender massage oils more effective for all sorts of common ailments.
Muscle Pain Relief
Speaking of common ailments that could use the right touch, a massage with lavender massage oils can help relieve muscle pain and cramps.
Anti-inflammatory
Another reason you may find lavender in many over-thecounter natural health products, medicines, and teas is because it has anti-inflammatory properties as well. This is one reason why it is so useful for pain relief.
Skin Care
Most forms of lavender tend to be very mild and compatible for most skin types. Lavender is great for
home-made skin care products. The relaxing scent and anti-inflammatory properties make it great for lotions and more.
Cooking and Baking
With all of these medicinal properties, you might be surprised to know that you can cook with lavender. You can add fresh or dried lavender to many recipes, especially for baking breads and cookies. It also makes a delicious and healthy tea.
Air Freshener
If there is one thing that everyone knows about lavender, is that it has a very recognizable scent that most people enjoy. Simply having a few vases of dried lavender or even fresh living lavender plants, can act as a pleasing air freshener. Since lavender is so popular many companies substitute a lesser quality plant form in their products, so make sure to purchase a true organic lavender oil product.
These are only a handful of the many useful ways that lavender can make your life better. The uses for this almost magical plant are seemingly endless.
You Deserve a Little MeTime...
me time
TM
J O U RNA L
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Fun & Food at Your
Farmer’s Market
by Diane L. Donohue
At MeTime Journal we passionately believe in healthy food as a staple for a good life. We love fresh, local and organic food. Michele grows some of her own, using the hydroponic Tower Garden by Juice Plus+ method and I have raised garden beds. I’ve also had veggies and herbs in containers which can be an easy way to get a few delicious crops without much space and effort. So we want to “plant the seed” of shopping at your local farmer’s market if you don’t already. We encourage you to check them out and share your thoughts with us. I look forward to spending MeTime at our local Farmer’s Market - especially with my friend Dana. It’s a blast! There’s also a whole lot more than local and organic food at Farmers Markets. There’s often healthier prepared foods, essential oils, and handmade chemical free cosmetics. Plus who doesn’t need a lawn ornament, not to mention a cool dream catcher? ; ) The best directory to find a Farmers Market near you is:
LocalHarvest.org MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
24
Fairmount Park | Riverside, CA Photo by Linda Carlberg
I think that I shall never see A poem as lovely as a tree... A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray... Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. Excerpted from “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer, 1913
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
26
How to Dress for Your Body Type – It’s a Balancing Act! By Leslie Willmott
Do you wish you were thinner or taller?
Can’t seem to shrink your middle with dieting?
Do you think you have a better face than figure?
Knowing and embracing your body shape and type is the first step to finding clothes that fit and flatter.
Using the power of illusion is the second. Few women
have a perfectly proportioned body, but clothing and accessories can help create the illusion of one.
The principles are not complicated: emphasize your best
features and de-emphasize the not-so-good ones.
Your Body Type & Your Fashion Goal Fashion’s ideal female figure is evenly
proportioned with hips just slightly narrower than
shoulders so garments fall
freely over the hips. Most of us, however, are not evenly
proportioned so our fashion goals are simple balancing acts. I use the following
definitions and guidelines with my clients:
Triangle: Your hips are wider
Inverted Triangle: Your
Round (or Oval): Your waist
volume to your shoulders and
hips. Goal: Accentuate your
or hips. Goal: Elongate your
your hips.
shoulders and upper body.
Rectangle: Your hips and
Hourglass: Your hips and
waistline is not well defined.
waistline is defined. Goal: You
illusion of a waistline.
but without going overboard.
than your shoulders. Goal: Add
upper body and minimize
shoulders are balanced but
Goal: Create curves and the
shoulders are wider than your lower body and soften your
area is wider than your shoulder torso and create the illusion of a waist.
The clothing that fits you best
shoulders are balanced and
has a silhouette similar to your
want to show off your curves
any of the silhouettes but
27 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
own. Each body type can wear some will be more flattering than others.
How to Create the Illusion of “Ideal” When evaluating a garment or
4. Jewelry also calls attention
ask yourself: What are my best
rests. Use it to balance your
to the part of the body where it
accessory, look in the mirror and
proportions and call attention to
assets? Does this show them off?
your assets:
Does it take the eye away from those body areas I don’t want
• Bold earrings draw attention to
to emphasize?
your face; if they relate to your
eye color the effect is stronger in
Here are nine easy styling tips
keeping the onlooker’s focus.
to help you choose what to wear to balance your body shape,
• A bold pin, placed wide on the
create desired illusions, and look
shoulder, diverts attention away
your best:
from your hips.
• A long chain necklace or strand
1. Shoulder Shapes are the best tool for making most women
of beads worn with a solid color
strengthening the shoulder to
center of your body and visually
top brings attention to the
appear better proportioned by
elongates your torso.
balance every wider area below – hips, thighs, tummy or bust. Even the subtlest lift does
wonders! I love removable foam
shapes that fit over your natural shoulder and cling to the fabric
inside your garment. You can add
Shoulder shapes, a bold decorative buckle, a “column” of color, and hosiery toned in with skirt and bootie – all chosen to balance and visually slenderize her figure. (Photo from Looking Good…Everyday)
them to any unstructured jacket,
3. Scarves can be tied in a variety
can’t find them locally, you
Wear the scarf near your face to
shirt, blouse or sweater. If you can order them online at www.shoulderpads.com.
2. Belts are minor investments
that reap major results. A bold
decorative buckle draws attention
to the center of the body, giving
the illusion of a smaller waistline.
There’s an even greater effect
when the belt is worn under an
open jacket. Wider belts can
give the illusion of a waistline
curve. Another technique is
to wear a loose belt, such as a
chain belt, off center and at a
downward angle.
of ways to create focal points. draw attention up and away
from figure challenges. Drawing attention upward on your body
also creates a taller, trimmer
appearance. Tie a scarf around
your waist to highlight a narrow
waistline or to give the illusion of
a waistline curve.
Invest in scarves you love in your
most flattering colors. If you
follow current scarf tying trends,
your scarves will never go out of
style. Download the free Hermès
Silk Knots app and you’ll learn
several ways to tie one on!
Earrings and scarf draw attention upward.
(Photo from Looking Good…Everyday)
5. Color: The clever use of color can go a long way:
• A “column” of the same color
worn under an open jacket of a
different color is an ideal way to (Continued on following page)
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
28
(How to Dress for Your Body Type Continued from previous page)
look taller while also camouflaging a fuller waistline (see full-
length model on previous page). • Dark colors distract the eye,
while light or bright ones draw
attention. Choose your tops and bottoms accordingly.
• Wear medium and darker
colors with brighter accents near the face to create a focal point.
Find out which colors lighten up your face, bring out the color of
your eyes, and flatter your hair – then wear them…all the time!
6. Pants: skinny, straight
or boot-cut? If your top half is bigger than your bottom
(Inverted Triangle), thinner legs
will accentuate the fuller top and create an unbalanced look.
Choose a slight flare in a boot-
cut pant to balance the width of
your shoulders. Because straight
legs or slightly flared pants
de-emphasize wide hips, they are
the best choice if your bottom is
bigger than your top (Triangle) (see photo below left).
7. Skirts: short, long, fitted or flared? A longer-than-wide proportion is always more
slenderizing. The most flattering hem lengths are at the
indentations and narrowing parts of the leg, both above and below the knee.
8. Jacket: short or long, shaped
The "draped" style: Many
women who are fuller through
the middle or bottom make the mistake of wearing draped tops
and cardigans, some of which
have long side “tails.” Draping
yourself in loose fabrics won’t
hide you. Just the opposite – they
make you appear even larger.
A draped cardigan looks best
when the hip and shoulders are
balanced, either naturally or with the insertion of shoulder shapes.
9. Hosiery: You look instantly
taller and trimmer when you
or not? Short, slightly shaped
match the color tone of your
(Hourglass and Triangle) and can
(see full-length model on
for others (taking a Rectangle to
really long-legged woman who
front jacket or blazer creates
shoes worn with a light colored
slenderizing a fuller midsection
well proportioned.
below the hip offers great
Use these guidelines for
jackets flatter curved bodies
create the illusion of a waistline
an Hourglass). A longer buttona long vertical line, visually
(Round/Oval). A jacket that hits
hosiery to your shoe and hem
previous page). It’s only the
can carry off dark hose and
skirt or dress and still look
coverage but is most flattering
shopping, either in a store or in
(Rectangle).
way to looking your best! For an
on taller and straighter bodies
your closet, and you’ll be on your in-depth look on dressing for
Adding
your body type, I recommend
shapes to
Solutions for Real Women by
shoulder
this draped cardigan
from Chico's
Looking Good…Everyday: Style Nancy Nix-Rice (Palmer/Pletsch).
can help
balance
fuller hips.
Talbot's straight leg pants
29 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
Leslie Willmott is an Image & Wardrobe Consultant and the Founder of Smart Women On The Go. Leslie teaches women wardrobe strategies to enhance their style, influence the image they project, and highlight their personal best. (www.smartwomenonthego.com)
Where will you take your MeTime today?
Mailbu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards | Malibu, CA Photo by Linda Carlberg
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
30
The Unique Benefits of 4 of the Most Popular Social Media Platforms by Lisa Balthaser
Facebook No matter what your business, you really should have a Facebook Business Page. Even if you are not super active on Facebook, this is the platform that is most utilized today. There are over 1.44 billion active monthly users. This is an enormous number of people, so every business needs some sort of presence on Facebook. One post per day on a business account is enough to keep your page in your fan’s news feed. One of the most unique and useful tools that Facebook offers is their powerful targeting. Whether you target your posts or your paid ads, there is nothing out there that can match Facebook targeting. Users are constantly “liking” pages and following people they love. All of this information is used by Facebook to help marketers target their exact audience. For this reason, Facebook is a valuable asset to business owners to target the exact audience they want to reach! Twitter Twitter is a totally different animal than Facebook and more fast-paced. Some of the unique features that can help business owners on Twitter are Lists, Hashtags, Trends, Twitter Chats, and Twitter Cards. One thing that makes Twitter unique is that you can send the same Tweet multiple times in a day and reach a totally different audience. This is the one platform where it is better to Tweet more often in order to be seen in the feed. I would highly recommend using Twitter Lists to keep your newsfeed manageable. Place people within lists describing them and then you can just view the feed in the list in order to engage with folks in that particular list. This is a great way to build relationships and get to know people better on Twitter.
31 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
If you use Twitter, you do not want to Tweet without at least one Hashtag. Hashtags allow others to find you, so choose Hashtags wisely. The most popular Hashtags will not necessarily help others find you if there are too many folks already using them. Try to use a combination of popular Hashtags and unique Hashtags. There are programs you can use, such as Hashtagify, to research Hashtags. Also, if you are running a campaign, designate a Hashtag for that specific campaign, offer or promo. This will allow you to track it better. Promote it using the new Hashtag! Trends and Twitter Chats allow you to connect with people based on a shared interest. Use this feature to grow your followers by interacting with others. Trends is also a great place to find Twitter Chats.Twitter Chats are live events where people communicate at a specified time using a common Hashtag. This is a great way to get to know others and for others to get to know you. Twitter Cards are a unique feature ofTwitter and are underutilized by business owners. Create Twitter Cards to drive folks to your offers, website, or even other social media platforms. Twitter Cards make it faster and easier to Tweet relevant information over and over to drive traffic to your offers. Instagram Instagram is unique in that there is only one place followers can click a live link your profile bio! Make sure you include your website link there. Since Instagram relies heavily on visual content, you want to make sure you use high quality photos and provide value to attract more followers. One huge misconception is that Instagram is not conducive to service businesses. That is far from true! There are many service type businesses that are highly successful on Instagram.
Today almost everyone has their smart phones readily available so this makes it easy to integrate Instagram into your social media strategy. While Instagram is not necessarily for everyone, it certainly stands as one of the most engaged social media platforms right now. This makes it attractive to business owners who are not seeing engagement on other social media platforms. Pinterest Pinterest is another visual platform that is underutilized by many business owners. If you don't think your business is right for Pinterest, consider these facts: as of April 1, 2015 there are 72.8 million Pinterest users pinning 1.5 trillion pins annually! The life of a pin is over three months, whereas on many other social platforms the life of a post is anywhere from 1-3 hours, or maybe 24-48 hours for excellent content. This is phenomenal! If you have a blog, sell products, services or help people in any way, you can utilize Pinterest for your business. Since Pinterest is visual, and re-pins are very dependent on visual content, make sure you’re using high quality and interesting photos for your pins. You can link the pins to your blog, to a landing page or any place you want people to learn about you or your business. Periscope (Bonus) Periscope is a live-streaming app that allows you to engage in real-time with fans. Periscope is owned by Twitter, and it is best to have a Twitter account so you can better interact with people you meet on Periscope. Right now, only about 2% of Twitter users are on Periscope, so get in there while you can still stand out! You can use this platform to connect with fans, gain new followers,
give your customers a behind-the-scenes view of your business and a glimpse of your personal life, if you choose. Fans actually want to know who you really are. Periscope can be used as a platform to do live training, where you can actually answer questions in real-time. If you like engaging on a personal level and have the time to stream regularly, this may be the right platform for you. I am excited by the possibilities of Periscope. In this ever-changing land of social media, keeping up with the latest and hottest trends can make or break a business. Periscope and another app called Meerkat are two of the hottest trends right now with features that make them stand out as totally unique in the social media industry. One Final Word Lastly, I would like to point out that you do not have to be on all platforms. It is best to choose one or two and do them well. Have a solid presence and hone your social media skills to cultivate your tribe. If you are on too many social platforms, chances are some of them will fall by the wayside. That will create inactive accounts linking to your business and people may view that negatively. Choose the platforms where your customers are. Choose the ones that you get the most engaged fans that you will be able to convert. Being everywhere will get you nowhere, if you don't have the time to cultivate the seeds that are sewn. Be smart about social media and focus where you can make the most impact.
Lisa Balthaser is the owner of FleurdeLisaSolutions.com Specializing in Social Media Marketing Services, Lisa is an expert educator, presenter and writer, passionate about helping business owners manage their online brand and reputation using social media and blogging.
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
32
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Eliminate These Words From Your Vocabulary...or Else! by Diane L. Donohue
Can you think of a few words that we all use that seem to create negative feelings in both the listener and the speaker? Not cuss words, silly. Nope, not the word No. No is a stop sign and while we don’t always like it, sometimes we need to stop the conversation. Try again. If we could virtually eliminate these few words, much of our daily conversations would go better, flow better and create less arguments. Hard to believe, right?
mother” (requesting). Don’t is very similar and feels pretty cruddy too.
Science says words change your brain (according to A. Newberg and M. Walberg) by impacting your neural connections. Some words create highways; others are like a dam, plugging up the free flow of ideas and solutions. Years ago I heard someone in say, “Don’t ‘should’ on yourself.” And that’s kinda what it feels like. Yuckky!
Hear The Difference?
Give up? It’s the ubiquitous word should and her cousins, must, have to and don’t. If you find you have conflict in your conversations, remove these from your speech and they will improve—dramatically.
What’s The Diff?
It’s the difference between a rule and a request. The most productive conversations focus on requests not rules.
Should ... is a like a hammer. A hard-hitting, friction causing, tool that promotes feelings of anxiety, fear, obligation, blame and guilt. Heavy stuff, huh? Its cousins are must and have to. Use these sparingly, if ever. Reserve these for very critical things.
Shouldn’t ... is the really negative sister to should. The other nasty sister is don’t. If you want kids to disobey, tell them they shouldn’t do something (or say don’t). “You shouldn’t talk like that, I’m your mother” (reprimanding).
How about telling them what you want them to do? “You could talk politely to me. I am your
33 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
Requests allow the conversation to flow.
Could ... is like a cloud. Filled with possibility and empowerment. It’s the cousin to can. Would like to ... is a piece of chocolate. Filled with desire and sweet dreams. It’s the cousin to want. Would like to is even better sounding than want because want seems more demanding and desperate, while would like to envisions deeper desire.
e
We should call your mother this weekend to say hello (demand)
e
We could call your mother this weekend to say hello (suggesting)
e e
I should exercise regularly (demand) I would like to exercise regularly (desire)
More Rules- More Rule Breakers.
A friend of mine said that I don’t like rules. Well, that’s not completely accurate. I like rules that are based on facts and have clearly positive outcomes. It’s when personal observations are laden with should, must, and have to that it makes me question the speaker’s intent. Shoulds seems to say, “this is an absolute, non-negotiable demand.” It takes on an urgency that is not appropriate for most things in life. When everything is urgent and important, well… someone is over-reacting! Shoulds are controlling and drastically reduce creative thinking. And when we replace should/ must and have to with could and would the other person often feels included and respected.
Feel The Difference?
See if you can “feel” difference in cooperation as you read these sentences. Which one allows for respect and promotes the desire to cooperate?
e
You should call the client first thing tomorrow morning.
e
You have to call the client first thing tomorrow morning.
e
You could call the client first thing tomorrow morning. Ok?
e e e
You should help your dad today. You have to help your dad today. You could help your dad today. He needs you.
Creates Cooperation
Sometimes people believe that using should or must in their request will make it better because the other person will understand its importance and it will prevent poor outcomes. Sorry, but that is not true. If there is a conflict it will remain no matter how you state it. Using a respectful would you/could you gives the person respect and promotes the desire to accommodate, if possible. Try it, You May Like It
You may not realize that you’re a big “should-er.” So become aware of how often you should on yourself and others. Remember that when we don’t do everything we should, it makes us feel like…. should. Try to eliminate these and watch how cooperation grows in all your relationships. You really should try it… if you would like to, of course! ; ))
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
34
CONFESSION S
By Linda Carlberg
OF A RECOVE RING CHEES A HO
LIC / File 2
Take Your Tastebuds on a Trip! What kind of “eater” are you? I’m not talking
about gaining or losing weight because you eat/ don’t eat too late at night, when you are
emotional or bored. I’m talking about your eating “preferences.”
I once heard that every person has about 20
foods they happily eat over and over again. This was certainly true for a friend of mine – and
probably still is! Her main go-to foods were based on “red sauce” (Italian marinara and Mexican
enchilada sauce/salsa), red licorice, seared ahi
tuna and artichokes. Yes, I teased her about it.
Although I have my favorites (did you notice the word “Cheesaholic” in the title?), I’m quite
adventurous when it comes to food. I like to try different cuisines from around the world (Thai, Indian, Moroccan, Mediterranean...), different spices, and cooking methods. I’m particularly interested in big-flavored condiments and vegetarian dishes.
I wasn’t always this way. Growing up in the
Midwest, the trusty kitchen companion of my
Mom, my Grandmas, and those of my friends’
Moms and Grandmas, was the church cookbook.
The exception was the holidays when we made all
the traditional family recipes which, in our case,
meant the cuisine of Sweden – where big flavor
meant herring.
In 1965, many Moms would whip together quite a
meal with staples like a pound of hamburger, a
can of cream of mushroom soup, noodles, a bag
of frozen mixed vegetables and a Jello “salad.”
35 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
From these roots grew my search for FLAVOR!
I eventually learned that there were more spices
than salt, pepper and allspice. I turned the corner to a whole new world and kept on going. If your style of eating is more safe and
predictable, rather than curious and open to
trying new things, you don’t know what you’re
missing! Maybe the rest of your life could use a little spicing up too?
It’s in trying new things that we choose to grow and learn. In a way, food is an example of the
deeper connection we all share. We all have to eat to live. The difference is the ingredients. When
we try another culture’s recipes, we can taste
what they have tasted and their Moms have been making for perhaps thousands of years. I think
the simple “peasant” foods can be some of the most delicious. They are made of fresh, locally available ingredients and cooked with love. So, today, I encourage you to try tasting something new. Instead of going to an
“American” restaurant, how about one with food from another culture you’ve never tried before?
Pizza with different toppings doesn’t count. Pick up something at the grocery store that you’ve never tried before, like a mango or a veggie
burger or what has become a permanent part of
my “Top 20 Foods”: fat free, plain Greek yogurt.
The Miracle of Greek Yogurt: A Love Story It’s true. I love 0% fat, organic, plain Greek
yogurt and I’m not ashamed to say it. Why is
it a miracle? Because I can combine it with an
unlimited amount of flavors and spices and it’s a MUCH healthier choice than sour cream,
mayonnaise, sugary and artificially flavored/ colored yogurts and more.
If you’ve never eaten plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
before, here are some EASY ways to give it a try: The Secret to World Peace
OK I exaggerated, but it could be. One of my absolute favorites:
Stir together 4 Tablespoons of nonfat, plain Greek
fat-heavy creamy salad dressings and sauces by stirring it together and adding a little milk
or water if desired. Add back more flavor with
onion or garlic powder or other spices you prefer. Even vinegar.
It’s Tatertastic! Substitute nonfat plain Greek
yogurt for sour cream on a baked potato.
Perfect Parfaits: A friend recently told me that the word “parfait” means “perfect” in French.
Make a perfect parfait with a few tablespoons of nonfat Greek yogurt and your favorite fresh (organic if you possibly can), seasonal fruit. Add chopped nuts, seeds, or granola and a
drizzle of honey. Wow, could it be easier or more delicious to make a MUCH healthier choice than eating a pint of artery-clogging ice cream? No! It couldn’t! Try it!
yogurt with 1 Tablespoon of mayonnaise (it makes it a little creamier and reduces a bit of the
tanginess if you aren’t used to the flavor of
Greek yogurt – yet!). This can be used as a savory base for many healthier dips and spreads for
sandwiches, wraps and burgers. You can also stir it into cooked pasta with veggies and a little chicken or tuna if you prefer.
Here are just a few tasty variations I make and you
can too. Just add the amount you prefer:
• Dijon mustard (and a little honey if you’d like)
I hope you’ll take your tastebuds on an
• Chopped onion, garlic or cucumber
with the many unique foods and recipes of other
• Hot sauce (I like Frank’s Red Hot Original) (or all three!)
• Barbecue sauce
• Dried spices and spice mixes
• Salsa
• Pesto
Healthier Salad Dressings: You can use nonfat
plain Greek yogurt to “thin down” high calorie and
adventure around the world by experimenting
cultures. Also, explore new and healthier ways to eat the flavors and foods you love. There’s a deliciously different world waiting for you!
Have a healthy idea or recipe you’d like us to share? Email it to Editor@MeTimeJournal.com
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
36
A Natural Approach to Bone Health Women have very busy lives. We work, take care of
our families, volunteer and do a myriad of other things. And while we are always concerned about the health of our families, we often put our own health care on the back burner. Regardless of how busy our lives are, women need to take a more proactive approach to their health care, including maintaining healthy bones.
Osteoporosis is a serious health problem that can be prevented or even reversed. A natural approach combined with good nutrition and lifestyle changes can actually strengthen bone.
Osteoporosis, which is a disease of mineral loss from bone, is caused by several factors which include: lack of dietary minerals, hormone imbalance, over-acidity and vitamin deficiencies.
Bone health plays a major role in our body’s health at all ages. Bone is the repository for nutrients and minerals needed for the blood. If blood calcium levels drop to a critically low level, calcium is then drawn from bone. It’s necessary for women to have healthy bones so their blood can maintain a healthy balance.
Bones are continually changing. Old bones break down while new bone is being generated. Young people make new bones faster than they break down old bone so their bone mass increases. This growth rate normally peaks around age 30. As we grow older, the body starts to lose more mass than it builds.
Factors that affect bone health:
• Physical activity helps maintain strong bones. Less physically active people have an increased risk for osteoporosis.
• Gender, age and body size play a role in bone health. Women have less bone tissue than our male counterparts. Bodies that are older, extremely thin or small framed have a higher risk of poor bone health. • Your race or family history plays a role. White and Asian descent are at greater risk. Those with a parent or sibling with osteoporosis also have an increased risk.
37 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
by Michele Broad, NP-C
• Too much thyroid hormone causes bone loss. Bone loss increases during menopause as estrogen levels drop.
• TSH Levels. There is also some evidence that people with low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels may lose bone at a faster rate than those with normal TSH levels, even when the blood thyroxine measurement is within the normal range.
• Hormone balance, especially estrogen, and the acidity-alkaline balance in your body are other factors important in bone loss, growth and remodeling. • Eating disorders, tobacco and alcohol use also affect bones and can increase risk of bone disease.
So how do we combat bone loss?
There are a few things we can do to prevent, or at least slow, bone loss: • Consume Calcium. Good sources of calcium, other than dairy products, are: almonds, canned salmon, broccoli, sardines and organic tofu. You can also take calcium supplements. The best calcium supplement is calcium citrate and it should be taken in divided doses of 600mg twice a day (the recommended dietary allowance is 1,000-1500 milligrams daily, but ask your doctor). • Get some Magnesium. Magnesium is needed for bone structure and strength, but it also protects bone density and cardiovascular health by directing calcium toward bone and away from blood and tissues where it could cause hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. Magnesium-rich foods include beans, seeds, nuts, fish, spinach and broccoli. Supplement with magnesium citrate, its most absorbable form.
• Take a High Quality Mineral supplement. Trace minerals are also important for promoting bone growth, but they are needed in lesser amounts compared to calcium and magnesium. These trace minerals include silicon, strontium, vanadium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and boron. Natural silica improves bone health by enhancing the utilization of calcium and vitamin D in your body, which helps to maintain a balance between bone resorption and formation, the two key processes of bone remodeling. Strontium and vanadium help to support normal bone formation, strength and mineralization, and decrease the risk of bone fractures. Boron also reduces the risk of fractures because it helps harden bone. Boron also promotes bone growth, protects vitamin D levels and contributes to calcium absorption.
• Vitamin C, D and K. In addition to minerals, adequate protein and vitamins C, D and K are required to heal bone fractures or to promote healthy bone growth. In general, minerals and protein serve as the building blocks for bone growth, whereas vitamins are the catalysts for biochemical reactions that are needed to regulate the process.
• Sunshine during summer months stimulates your skin to produce vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption and bone growth. Get plenty of vitamin D. It’s necessary to absorb calcium. The RDA for adults is 600 international units a day. Vitamin D can be found in tuna or sardines, egg yolks and vitamin fortified milk. Sunlight is the most natural source of contributing to our body’s production of vitamin D. Get your vitamin D blood level checked and if it is low (less than 30) take supplements. I recommend levels above 100. • Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption to no more than one to two drinks per day, if at all.
• Get active. Do some sort of physical weight-bearing activity every day. Walking, jogging, climbing stairs and tennis are good choices for building strong bones. • Eat a well-balanced diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein making sure you include good fats.
In today’s world of pill popping, why not try a more natural approach first? Even if the factors seem stacked against us, we shouldn’t let them get us down. By changing our lifestyle through a healthy diet, making time for exercise, and taking the proper supplements we can increase our ability to prevent or reverse bone loss. You CAN do it!
ask michele with Michele Broad, NP-C
: Dear Michele wit h uble I’m having trno. C an you my digest io e hel pful of fer me som so lut ions? aren S. C Good question Caren. Your digestive system is a lot more complex and important than we give it credit for. It is more than just about the food we eat and how we eliminate. Poor digestion can affect your body in many negative ways, such as causing you to have decreased energy levels and not allowing you to absorb nutrients properly. You may not know that over 70% of your immune system resides in your digestive tract. This makes having a healthy digestive tract key to overall health. Healthy digestion is associated with lowering total body inflammation, which is the cause for most diseases. Here are 6 easy habits to help you support your digestive health:* 1. Chew your food thoroughly. Chewing your food allows your saliva to break down the food for smoother, faster digestion. Avoid overwhelming your digestive system by eating smaller, more frequent meals. (Continued on following page)
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
38
(Ask Michele Continued from previous page)
2. Learn to handle stress. When you’re stressed, the body’s fight-or-flight reaction begins and your digestion slows down. When you’re stressed, your body shuts down blood flow to your gut, which affects your digestive muscles. In today’s 24/7 frantic world we all need to learn to slow down. 3. Get regular exercise. When you exercise, it helps to maintain bowel regularity which in turn aids your intestines. Exercise also has the added benefit of reducing stress in the body. 4. Take quality supplements. We all need a good digestive enzyme, probiotic, and a good whole food supplement. Contact me for my personal recommendations for these products.
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5. Stay hydrated. Drinking water supports bowel regularity and aids in digestion. Read my article on hydration here: http://wellwomennetwork.com/ womens-health/thewaterfactor/ 6. Last but not least, eat more fiber. Eat a diet high in fruits and veggies while avoiding processed foods, sugars, and highly refined carbs. Gluten in wheat, rye and barley can also affect your digestion negatively. My dietary recommendations for fiber are 25-35 grams a day. If you would like your health question answered, please email Michele at: contactus@metimejournal.com
Green Tea Can Help You Ward Off Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Forms of Dementia Studies are showing that the protective compounds in green tea remain active even after digestion. Why should you care? Because the digestive process makes them even more potent against hydrogen peroxide and the protein beta amyloid that are known to play major roles in the development of Alzheimer's disease. So, drink up! Michele Broad, NP-C
*This information in not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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39 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
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Dealing With Dilemmas
Dear�Diane, I’m�constantly�putting�off�little�tasks. Why�do�I�put�off�doing�small�things�that would�only�take�a�few�minutes?�All�I�have to�do�is�file�a�few�papers,�clean�up�my emails,�pay�that�bill�or�send�a�thank�you note,�but�I�don’t.�I�feel�overwhelmed sometimes.�Help! Veronica�M.
Dearest Veronica, You are human and we all procrastinate at times, but obviously this is bothering you. The little tasks are attention “suckers” and we think, “I don’t have time now.” The habit of putting off little things helps distract us from dealing with bigger unpleasant issues in life: wanting to change jobs, health, relationships or finances. How do I have time to deal with big things when I have so much to do? And then, how do I have time for little tasks when I have more important issues to deal with? It’s a vicious cycle and nothing much gets done! Here are my 6 steps to get you moving in the right direction.
1) RECOGNIZE your cycle; we all have different approaches to handling tasks. Ask yourself why you think you procrastinate. Do you have too much stuff around which makes the tasks harder to do? (See #5 for help).
2) WANTS Examine what you really want. You could be using little tasks to distract yourself from doing something you want that is difficult. We procrastinate for a reason. Are you tired, overwhelmed, disgusted, lonely? Getting clarity will help push you through it. Be kind to yourself. Not easy on yourself by saying, I’m tired, I think I’ll watch TV. Being kind is understanding your motives. Do not get upset, it will only demotivate you.
with Diane L. Donohue
3) LIST Make a list of all the little things you want to do; things that would take 10-15 minutes. Paying a bill. Filing papers. Writing a thank-you note, etc. 4) VOW to do one per day. Just one. You’re setting a new habit. Trust me on this. You can work up to more, but for now, commit to one. Small steps work best!
5) ONE HOUR For big jobs, break them down. I call it, “One and Done.” How much can I get done in one hour? Even though it could take 5 hours, right now, I’ve got one. That’s it! 6) REWARD Give yourself a non-food reward. For me, I will call my friend. She is the reward. Pick one that works for you (a bath, a magazine – hint, MeTime). Why? Because we work for positive feelings and when we associate things we don’t like to do with a “reward,” even small, we are more motivated to do them. It’s why most of the world goes to work … money is the reward. It gets us moving! THE SCIENCE OF REWARD: In one experiment some people were asked to notice how much more energetic they felt after exercise. Those that noticed stuck with exercising more than those whose goal was to just lose weight. The reward was positive and immediate, even though small. They did feel better and that motivated them to continue. Rewarding yourself for something necessary but unpleasant can make a big difference in how well you stick to your goals. Try it, and I believe you will stop procrastinating on these little tasks. Money-back guarantee! :)
If you have a dilemma that you’d like help with, email it to ddthehappiest@verizon.net Names are changed to protect your privacy. Include Dealing with Dilemmas in the subject line. DISCLAIMER The information and recommendations provided are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your healthcare provider with regard to this information. PERSONAL DISCLAIMER The information I provide is based on my personal and professional experience and 35 years of study in psychology, communication, health and nutrition. You are encouraged to consult with your healthcare provider with regard to this information.
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
40
"I don't eat junk food
and I don't think junk
thoughts." Peace Pilgrim
A Unique Life
by Diane L. Donohue
A favorite quote and the story behind it: I began seriously collecting quotes that resonated with me in the early 80s. This one rang deep into my heart from an amazingly inspirational woman who, at about the age of 60, began walking for "peace." I read about her in a magazine and followed her journey through letters and articles people wrote about her - no websites then. She is still an inspiration today because in her own small way, she touched the lives of thousands. If you’ve never heard of Peace Pilgrim, you can learn more on her website PeacePilgrim.com: “From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only ‘Peace Pilgrim’ walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to ‘remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.’ In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world.”
41 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
ADVERTISING SECTION
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J O U RNA L
Spotlight MeTime Spotlight
is a resource guide for products and services we think you’ll
want to know more about. In addition to an ad (yes these are businesses with
something to sell!), you’ll find a mini interview and more personal information about the owner or team behind the products on the left page.
Have a product or service you’d like to tell the world about (yours or someone else’s)? Let us know! Send an email to contactus@metimejournal.com
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
42
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Spotlight
Lisa Marie Platske Upside Thinking | UpsideThinking.com
1
Tell us something we need to know to better understand your product or service.
Leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. If you are not the leader of your business or career and ultimately your life, you cannot fully live out the mission that you were uniquely called to fulfill in this world. The secret to unlocking that influence is to master the art of connection and positioning. Thousands of women from all over the globe have been coached by or trained with me resulting in doubling their income, getting 6-figure opportunities, and spending more time with the people they love.
2
Who or what inspired you to begin your venture?
I’m an “accidental” entrepreneur. The event that inspired me to own my own business was getting married. I wanted to engage in meaningful work that would allow me to make a difference in the world while living my values of Freedom, Fun, and Flexibility to increase time for Family, Friends, and my Faith. I never had any idea what I would be embarking on when I made that decision. What a wild ride it’s been!
43 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
3
Is there an interesting fact about your product or service you’d like to share?
Positioning is not the same as visibility. You can be incredibly visible but if you aren’t positioned for profit, you’ll continue to come up short in attracting the right opportunities, influence and income.
4
Do you have a favorite quote, motto, or Mission Statement you’d like to share?
The world is made for those who stand out, not those who fit in. I’ve witnessed many incredibly talented and brilliant women fail to claim their greatness for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the world and the people who need their gifts then miss out.
5
If there were one lesson you’ve learned along the way to pass on to other women, what would it be?
You are the one you have been waiting for... and you are perfect in all of your imperfections.
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Spotlight
Renee Cabourne
Money Savvy Woman | MoneySavvyWoman.com
1
Tell us something we need to know to better understand your product or service.
Financial advice is in many cases unaffordable for those who don’t have investible assets, and along with it, financial literacy. Money Savvy Woman was created to give every person the opportunity to get the advice they need to get them on the path towards financial independence.
2
Who or what inspired you to begin your venture?
I’d been in business for over a decade and realized that many of my clients suffered from financial illiteracy and poor mindsets around their money. Many couldn’t talk about money without fear, anger, or anxiety. Once I started teaching at a community college, these patterns were magnified in my students. It was clear, students wanted a faster way to learn and get advice than spending a full semester in a class room. They were seeking advice and answers, but believed they couldn’t afford it. I knew I had to find a better way for them to get the advice they needed.
3
Is there an interesting fact about your product or service you’d like to share?
I work with clients face-to-face or over the phone and internet, whatever works best for them. Additionally, I teach clients how to talk about money and manage it so they become debt-free and investing in their goals and future.
45 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
4
Do you have a favorite quote, motto, or Mission Statement you’d like to share?
“If you want something you’ve never had, then you must do something you’ve never done.” Why? Because so often my clients come in expecting that I can deliver success on a silver platter. It takes a commitment to doing things differently to get the results they want. Once they get a taste of success based on their new actions, they believe they CAN …can do it themselves, can reach their goals—both big and small, and can have the lifestyle of their own design.
5
If there were one lesson you’ve learned along the way to pass on to other women, what would it be?
Only YOU can make your dreams come true— no one can do it for you. Personal responsibility and integrity are what matters most.
YOU CAN DO IT!
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
42
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Amanda Johnson True To Intention | TrueToIntention.com
1
Tell us something we need to know to better understand your product or service.
I believe the inspiration to write a book is, more often than not, a Divine Invitation to step into the next expression of one’s life purpose. Our coaching process nurtures the development of the Message and the MessagePreneur. The goal is to never crank out a book – it’s to uncover, nurture, and launch a book, a brand, and a life that are true to the client’s highest, truest intention.
2
Who or what inspired you to begin your venture?
My life completely changed the day someone asked me, “What value do you have to give to the world NOW?” I saw the book, the bestseller status, and the people I would work with and immediately transformed from a depressed, scared young woman to an inspired co-creator of my life. I stepped into the Magic of knowing what I am here to do and share, and began the journey of healing and serving that has made my life unrecognizable. My favorite moments in my work are the ones where I see this happen for my clients.
3
Is there an interesting fact about your product or service you’d like to share?
Because we are working with people’s often very raw-and-fragile stories and hearts, we work with only a few people at a time in a quiet, safe, and sacred space.
47 MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
4
Do you have a favorite quote, motto, or Mission Statement you’d like to share?
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein ~ I used to hang my hat on “Be the Change You Want to See” by Mahatma Ghandi because what we’re really up to over here is helping people to more clearly see and more powerfully share and own and live their message. But this quote has been talking to me lately because the deeper I go with clients, the more I stand in wonder at the Divine Orchestration of their stories and journeys back to LOVE. Even the Upside-Down – the uncertainty + the journey of healing old stories – is full of Miracles when we look for them.
5
If there were one lesson you’ve learned along the way to pass on to other women, what would it be?
You wouldn’t have the desire if you didn’t also have the means in and around you. Write and rewrite and polish your own script for your book, your brand, and your life.
MeTime Journal™ | August/September 2015
00
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Holiday Issue COMING OCTOBER 15, 2015
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Enjoy the rest of your summer me time and we’ll see you in October! MeTimeJournal.com