The Home Front May/June 2009

May/June 2009 Issue | Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front

Does citrus make you smile?

Turn the page to find out how food can improve your mood.

FOOD by Danielle

Food and Your Mood

We all know you are what you eat. But did you know that what you eat can affect how you feel?

Lean meats promote alertness.

Amino acids in protein enhance the body’s production of neurotransmitters that increase alertness and energy.

Carbs relieve stress.

Carbohydrates increase tryptophan levels in the brain, causing an increase in serotonin and inducing a sense of calm.

Eggs improve concentration.

Choline, a B complex vitamin found in foods like eggs and liver, supports brain function and can improve memory and concentration.

Orange juice counters depression.

Folic acid deficiency causes serotonin levels in the brain to decrease, which can lead to depression. As little as 200 micrograms (found in an 8-ounce glass of orange juice) relieved depression in some clinical studies.

For a festive way to get your folic acid, try this easy, non-alcoholic cocktail for breakfast or brunch:

— Visit Danielle at FaithandFamilyLIVE.com

Sunshine Punch

6 ounces orange juice

1/2 teaspoon grenadine

Club soda

Pour juice and grenadine over lots of ice cubes in a Collins glass. Top off with club soda and garnish with an orange wedge.

ACTYOURAGE by Mary

One of the hottest topics in the fashion world these days is looking young while looking like you aren’t trying. Some guidelines:

Too ‘Young’ and/or Inappropriate

Leggings or “skinny” jeans

Strappy dresses with cleavage and back exposure

Tiny handbags in cheap materials

Tennis shoes or thong sandals for everywhere

Large plastic jewelry

Lipstick or gloss with glitter; purple or orange colors

Big hair, pig tails, or plastic hair bands

Chewed-up nails or nails painted orange, blue, or

green 

Too ‘Old’

Tapered-leg or very high-waisted trousers, especially

“mom” jeans that volumize the rear

Bulky or boxy sweaters and cardigans that widen your look

A mumu or housecoat

A status or designer bag, especially one that is covered with logos

“Show-piece” jewelry outside of special events

Harsh red lipstick, especially a matte; any lipstick that feathers along the lip line

Heavy or overwhelming perfume

Hair colors that are either too dark or too light for a paling complexion

Long acrylic, brightly colored nails

Just Right

Well-fitting trousers or dark-colored jeans in either a full leg or boot-leg cut

Fashionable tops in flattering colors with necklines that don’t reveal too much skin

Summer dresses in refreshing colors that keep you cool

A stylish handbag in proportion to your body and made from a durable material

Modern styles of shoes that are chosen to coordinate with (not match) other accessories

A lipstick in a natural color with a light gloss applied over top

A subtle fragrance from a department store (i.e. a little more of an investment than drug store brands)

A flattering hairstyle in a color that is found in nature

Nails at a manageable length in a subtle color

— Visit Mary at MarySheehanWarren.com

Take Back the Garage

Is your garage exploding with sports equipment, power tools, and plastic bins of unused clothing? There’s no time like spring to reclaim that space for your family’s use and enjoyment. Some tips:

• Store bicycles on wall hooks or hanging from ceiling.

• Use oven cleaner to remove oily floor stains.

• Store balls, helmets, shin pads, baseball mitts, and other sports gear in large crates to keep them contained.

• Group like items together. All car washing items or all gardening gear on a single shelf, for example.

Gussy Up a Guest Room

A few small details added to a guest room can make family and friends feel right at home. Consider these:

• Stock the room with books and new magazines.

• Add a basket of snacks and bottled water.

• Hang at least one small mirror for touching up.

• Display photos of a time spent together in the

past.

• Purchase a set of luxury towels exclusively for

guests’ use. Embrace Towels, a luxurious blend of

silk, modal, and cotton, are a nice choice (assorted styles $5.99-

$23.99 at TheCompanyStore.com).

MONEY

Spending vs. Saving

On average, Americans spend more than they earn, resulting in what money experts call a “negative personal savings rate.” If you are among the millions who tend to spend rather than save, here’s help:

1. Make saving automatic.

Designate a percentage

of each paycheck to be automatically deposited into a savings account and then … forget about it.

2. Keep minimum amounts in checking.

Don’t keep more money in your checking account than you have to. Keep funds in a savings account that earns higher interest and transfer as needed.

3. Take advantage of employee benefits.

Nearly 25% of eligible American workers fail to participate in their employers’ retirement plans.

Barter Basics

Bartering might seem like an old-fashioned notion, but in a modern world of economic uncertainty, it can be a handy way to get the goods and services you want without spending a dime.

Some services you might consider swapping with friends and neighbors instead of paying a professional:

• Lessons (music, art, dance, tutoring)

• Household repairs and improvements

• Babysitting

• Cleaning

• Yard work or gardening

• Sewing and alterations

• Bookkeeping

• Baking

Health

Baby on Board:

Prenatal Exercise by Kate

As I am pregnant for the third time, I realize I’m supposed to feel beautiful carrying this new life within me. But the truth is, seeing my body give way to a softer, fuller form isn’t always easy. I find that exercising — moving a little bit every day despite fatigue or nausea — makes me feel not only healthier but also more comfortable with my new shape.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends healthy pregnant women engage in 30 minutes of

moderate exercise most days of the week. Walking is great exercise, but if you’re looking to mix things up a

bit, consider some other prenatal fitness workouts:

Pilates: No pricey gym classes needed. I use a book — The Pilates Pregnancy: Maintaining

Strength, Flexibility, and Your Figure by Mari Winsor. The pictures and instructions are easy

to follow, and the exercises allow me to safely build strength without lifting heavy weights.

Swimming: A dip in the pool is easy on the joints and allows you to feel weightless. You

can find prenatal water aerobics classes at your local Family Y.

Yoga: Try the Prenatal Yoga With Shiva Rea DVD ($13.99 at Amazon.com). The gentle,

fluid movements and relaxation techniques are a great fit for tired moms-to-be. Just

don’t stretch beyond what’s comfortable — during pregnancy a hormone called

relaxin allows muscles to be more flexible, making you more susceptible to strains.

Low-Impact Aerobics: I regularly break a sweat to Denise Austin’s Fit & Firm

Pregnancy DVD ($8.49 at Amazon.com). The workout gets my heart rate up, and my

preschooler enjoys doing the Cha-Cha-Cha with me. I also like Erin O’Brien’s Prenatal

Fitness Fix ($12.99 at Amazon.com). It offers a more challenging

workout for regular exercisers.

Safety Note: Before beginning any prenatal exercise program,

check with your OB-GYN or midwife.

fitness

How Joan Lost 70 Pounds

Name: Joan Baggs
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Diet program: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free diet
Fitness program: Yoga, cardio, and strength training
Weight loss: 70 pounds and counting

Joan, then.

Joan Baggs, now ...

Joan Baggs began her weight loss journey 15 months ago after her physician suggested she get under 200 pounds to improve her health. Seventy pounds later, Joan isn’t looking back.

“I’m much more self confident now. I never realized how anxious I’d get when I had to take a bus or train because I’d take up more than a whole seat. I feel so much better physically. Spiritually, I’ve found more peace,” says the mom of five and kindergarten teacher.

Joan’s Weight Loss Success Tips

Be kind to yourself. “You can always start over tomorrow if you don’t have a ‘good’ day. I remind my kindergarten students that everyone makes mistakes. I have finally taken my own advice.”

Do it for your own good. Joan attributes her success to the fact that she decided to lose weight for her own well-being and not for anyone else’s. “I realized that I was not going to be healthy unless I made some big changes in my life.”

Try something new. Joan literally added a new twist to her life by starting yoga. “Yoga has helped me to reduce stress and focus on taking care of my body.”

Keep the faith. “I don’t think I could have done this without my faith. God has helped me to be strong when I was weak. I’ve learned to put things in his hands when I couldn’t control them. This has helped me to accept myself more and also to be more tolerant towards other people when they’re struggling.”

— Visit Kate at KateWicker.com

Homework: Share your weight loss success story with Faith & Family. See page 6 for contact information.

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