Aug 26 2008

Avoiding MCI

Published by Pat Mullaly under Keeping Fit

Just read an article in the latest Good Housekeeping of all things… about MCI… Mild Cognitive Impairment!!! Apparently, we are all prone to get it… forgetting keys, forgetting appointments, forgetting names…. happens to all of us… more to some than others.

The interesting thing… men are more likely to get it as they age. Which is not surprising. All the middle aged men I know are constantly forgetting something, or relying on the women in their lives to remember!

So what to do? According to research, highlighted in the article - exercise on a regular basis really cuts back on the likelihood that MCI will kick in as you age.

So get out there people. Run, walk, kick ass… attack that memory loss potential straight on…. I think that’s the core of the message… or, um… am i forgetting something???

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Aug 25 2008

Taking Time Off

Published by Pat Mullaly under travel

We all need time off.

Time on, actually—when you can pause and reflect on life, what really matters, read those books that have been piling up next to your bed… practice that golf game one more round, write letters to friends… See something new.

Our lives are too crushed and crowded as it is… perhaps the best Time Off is the time unscheduled. Without agenda.

Interesting… being a Bostonian at heart, I carry the burden of puritan guilt passed on to me by those first intrepid settlers in Plymouth, Mass. Relaxation is the playground of the devil, and taking time off—away from the chores and responsibilities of life is asking for trouble. So I compromise. I take the time off… but schedule a variety of worthwhile tasks to accomplish. Whether it is places to visit, or books to read, I make a list and promise myself that I will check each event off as it is achieved. Even my time off is tightly wound.

I think I need a vacation from my time off... either that or move to Los Angeles where the days are long and sunny, and things just get done in their own time. Sounds quite lovely, actually….

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Jul 28 2008

The Wellness Triangle - 3 Steps to Staying Healthy

Published by Pat Mullaly under Keeping Fit

Registered Dietician And Author Gives Advice On Staying Healthy

Author: Kevin Gianni
This interview is an excerpt from Kevin Gianni’s The Healthiest Year of Your Life. In this excerpt, Jill Fleming shares on listening to your body and staying healthy.

The Healthiest Year of Your Life with Jill Fleming, a registered dietician and author of Thin People Don’t Clean Their Plates.

Kevin: Jill I want to thank you so much for being on this call, as we’ve just heard you have this incredible line up of talents and things that you’ve done, so why don’t you just start?

Jill: Okay. Thanks, Kevin. Thanks for having me on today. My story starts back when I was 16 years old and I had food allergies and I started reading labels and just became very fascinated with nutrition. Everything I would pick up I would did, you know, this was in your food and just became very aware of what I was putting in to my body. So I went on to study dietetics and got two degrees in nutrition and during the time that I was studying I gained 40 pounds.

I realized that it wasn’t just knowing what you should do, but also applying that information to your life, so as soon as I finished college and started teaching weight loss classes which I knew was the area I wanted to focus on, I started to lose my weight almost instantly. As I was teaching people how to do it and how to fit the healthy choices into their lives I was doing it as well. During college I had a lot of stress and there were too many other things going on to focus on what I should have been doing for my health.

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Jul 24 2008

Finding Your Passion

Published by Pat Mullaly under Current News

Author: Michael A. Verdicchio

It is not uncommon to hear statements like, “I am doing what I love and I have never been happier!” Or, “If your job is doing what you love you’ll never work another day in your life!” You even hear, “I am living my passion and making more money than I ever have!”

I read that a recent study showed that over 65% of the people polled have no idea what their life’s passion is! And yet, we hear it all the time that we should live our passion. Why then does it seem so hard to define it?

Passion is what moves you; it is what excites you; it is what stimulates you to action. Passion is all about what is going on internally, not externally. And so, finding your passion is to find what it is that really moves you.

Sometimes being so busy trying to get everything done that needs to be done is draining. We never take the time to just sit down and get quiet. Instead, when we do get a little break, we escape by “vegging” out in front of the tube. And then, the next day, we get up and start another busy day, still not sure what our real passion is.

Take some time every day to just get quiet. In fact, develop a habit of making time every day to shut everything out. Use that time to pray and to think about your life.

Next, carry some paper and a pen with you and jot down things that inspire you and excite you. It might be a simple sentence you hear in conversation, a billboard that you see, a news story or even a commercial. Make a note of each thing.

After a week or two, take some time to look over the things that you have written down. Ask yourself why those things inspire you, why they excite you and why they move you. Then, ask yourself what you would really love to do if money was no concern.

Most people are doing what they do because they have to. It is the only job they think they can get. It is the only work that they know. It is the best paying job they think that they can get. How many people do you know who love their job?

And yet, we hear all the time that people are living their dreams, doing what they love, living their passion, and making more money than they ever thought possible. So, it must be possible!

What would you do if money was not a concern to you? Examine the inspiring things that you wrote down. Find three that appeal to you the most. Honestly ask yourself why those things really appeal to you.

Now, focus on one of the three ideas. Take a little time to dream and envision how it might come to fruition. For example, if you have always wanted to paint, then picture in your mind what the total fulfillment for you would be concerning painting. What kind of painting? What style of painting? Write down anything related to your idea that might interest you.

You may be tempted to say, “This is never going to happen.” If you can dismiss thoughts like that and still have an excitement about dreaming and seeing yourself doing what you desire to do, then you will lock into one of your passions!

Finding your passion is finding that which satisfies and fulfills your life. When you wake up each morning and think about it, that is what ignites your day! Passion is what makes you feel alive!

The next step is to start taking action. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine stayed with us for few months, and one day, on the patio, he started to paint. He continues to do it in his spare time, and loves it. It is one of his passions.

Even though our friend still works at a job, I have no doubt that some day he will be earning a lot of money from his art. He currently has made some great contacts; he has dozens of pieces. In fact, a number of them are now on display, and his work is beginning to sell.

Once you identify one of your passions, you can begin to live it. Even with limited time, you can still begin to unfold your dream and vision. It really has nothing to do with how much money you make, because the money you earn is simply a by-product, not a motive.

Living your passion ignites that which satisfies and fulfills your life. You will wake up each morning feeling alive because you get to do what you love! You can find your passion and live your dreams.

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About the Author: Michael A. Verdicchio offers a free 71 page eBook, entitled, “Keys To Enriching Your Life Now!” at He has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER. Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous projects and productions over the years, including Mike’s Pep Talks.

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Jul 15 2008

Decluttering for a New Way of Life

Published by Pat Mullaly under Today

Author: Marjorie Salad

I have discovered that learning to deal with clutter is a big part of the recovery process. Managing clutter is just another part of getting your life in order. Many of us deal with more than on thing in our lives that are out of control and we learn to tackle these things one day at a time and one task at a time. But we all know that it is not always that easy.

When it comes to clutter, many times it is the symptom of something else that is going on in our lives. Often it has become so overwhelming we do not know where to begin to correct the problem. Here are a few simple tips for getting started-remember to take it easy. Take it one room at a time and one corner at a time, if necessary.

Sort-put like things together so that you can begin the organization process. Put all your clothes together, all your papers in one place…well you get the idea.

Purge-If you have not used it in the past 6 months, chances are you don’t need it. We live in a society of excess. We like our possessions and some of us have not learned to part with material things that are holding us back. Be aggressive when it comes to purging. You will soon learn to appreciate your space as much as you do your possessions.

Assign a home-one of the biggest problems with clutter is the things do not have a permanent home. Assign a place for the things you are keeping. As long as your things are in their assigned places, you should not have things lying around. All it takes is a few things out of place and the next thing you know you are dealing with major clutter again.

Containerize-purchase the necessary storage devices to keep your possessions organized. Many storage items today are decorative and serve a dual purpose. You can purchase items that can be used as a table or seating that also have storage capabilities.

Maintenance-this part is very important. Take 10-15 minutes each day to maintain your main living area. This daily maintenance will keep your from having to ever be overwhelmed with clutter again.

Clutter can hold you back. It will affect other areas of our lives. It is essential that you get to the root of why you cannot part with things in order to move forward with your life.

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About the Author: When you begin the process of decluttering it is not easy to know where to begin, but fortunately there is help available. Find out how you can declutter in one day.De

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Jul 14 2008

How To Make A Girl Fall In Love With You

Published by Pat Mullaly under Current News

Author: Vlad Karl

Let’s get started. Getting a girl of your dreams is much like getting the car of your dream. But unlike a car which you can always bargain for, there is nothing like a 20 percent discount in courting the girl of your dreams, she’s so sweet a thing to be discounted, you dearly are in love with her and your feelings for her can only be communicated not by the words of the mouth, but by the words of the heart. Getting the girl actually depends on how big your heart is - faint heart, never won fair lady.

The first dating idea for any man is to make a good impression. In your doing so, you don’t have to talk, dress or do the common things that all the Toms do to get a decent girl’s attention. Be unique, that’s all you need. Be a man of his own style. Dress decently - indecency can make one be mistaken for arrogance; watch your language - obscene language gives the impression of immaturity, being uncultured and cheap; be a man of good habits - don’t drink or smoke like any other loser.

How to make her fall in love with you? Take your time. Add some romance to your dating style. When in College I had a crush on the most beautiful lady in our first year lot. Though all senior guys were out to get that girl, I managed to divert her attention from the other guys. I wrote her three letters without disclosing my identity and slid into her room secretly; all I said was ‘Yours Secret Admirer.’ The first letter contained the meaning of her name, this I got by playing around with the initials of her name to make meaning. The second was a funny message that could only be read backwards and it was all about her physique and her smartness. In the third letter I told the girl to be ready to receive a rose flower from her admirer, but only if she could be kind enough to phone him using a number that I had included in the letter. The girl did phone me that very night, and her first words to me were, “Hallo Secret Admirer.” So, the story of our love affair came to be. Later she told me that was so creative of me, no one had approached her in that manner. I made her fall in love with me and made a date in the romantic manner.

Befriending and understanding the girl you are out to get is the next important thing. This is what I also did. You have to understand that as a lady, she loves to be loved, adores to be adored and needs to be needed. This will move you closer to the girl and you’ll get to know what she’s into, what she likes and dislikes, and what her style is. Love is built upon friendship and it always leaves individuals better off having known each other should they break up. I and my College steady were to break some time later but to date, we are the best of buddies. Be sure that bringing out the selflessness friend in you will make her create room for you in her heart.

A shoulder to lean on and some good friend that she can always turn to is all that a lady wants. Please don’t hesitate to be helpful and supportive. Be that friend who rekindles her zeal of hardworking and restoring hope back into her life when she looses hope. This above all other things will make you her daily vitamin simply because you bring out the best in her in terms of personality and character. In you, she’ll have found that friend whom she can open up to, share with and advice each other on the rights and wrongs, the dos and don’ts of life. Don’t forget to always be there to celebrate the good times, and to lend an ear when the girl needs you to listen as a friend.

Make the girl feel special; because she’s someone’s friend - your friend, and let her know that she too has touched your life in a unique way like no one else could. Compliment her for her company and for being there when you needed her, when you felt sad and all alone. Show appreciations for the comfort the girl offers you and for making you smile.

In your day to day talks, share your dreams, your world, and every aspect of your life with your girl. Always dream with her, build with her, and always cheer her on and encourage her. Tell your girl how you always think about her even when you try not to think about her. Let the girl know that she’s your first thing in the morning and the last thing when you go to bed at night.

Her knowing that you were thinking of her when you slipped beneath the softness of your blanket and gave in to the bliss of sweet dreams, will make her go ‘my my’ and her heart will sing your name all the year round.

You have to be creative and constructive to keep girl’s interest in you so full of life. I remember one time I told my girlfriend to be to imagine we are both deaf and dump. We then sat opposite each other on the table and started sharing our feelings for each other using eyes and hand signs. It turned out to be some fun. There was also this time that we were in the library and we decided we are not going to speak to each other verbal, so I wrote a love note on a paper and passed it across the table to her, she replied and on and on we carried on our love on paper conversation till we almost exhausted a whole rim of paper. At sometime, I noticed that some guys sited with us on the table were enjoying our ordeal than their studies. Such are the things that made the girl embrace my world. I remember her suggesting that we play deaf and dump two years after we broke up, can you imagine that?

Never fail to phone her, even when she least expects it. I once called some girl that I was interested in at four o’clock in the morning. When inquiring of what I was doing up so early, I told her I was in thirteenth heaven, where people think of their loved ones when they can’t sleep. Wow! First thing early the next morning, she was at my door with a king-sized hug for me. No matter how many dates you take her, don’t make any elbow - exceeding moves after any date, just drop her home and with a friendly handshake, wish her good night. Don’t kiss her when she expects you to. Your respect as a gentleman will be earned on how patient you are with her when it comes to such matters as kissing her and accessing her inner graces.

The writing is on the wall that you want her, but you can’t have her just yet. Increase your demand. Try to show her that men are also hard to get at times. Make her realize that when she feels a little dizzy, a little tired, a little sad, a little sick, a lot bored and very much cold, she’s actually missing vitamin you. By this time, she’ll be so much into you and since love is truthful and is characterized by open and honest communication, honestly promise her your everlasting devotion, loyalty, respect, and your unconditional love for a lifetime. Prove to her that you’ll always be there for her, to listen and to hold her hand, and that you’ll always do your best to make her happy, and feel loved.

Remember, patience is the key to her heart; be like that gardener watching a fruit as it hangs on the tree, day after day admiring it, but, exercising tremendous self-discipline, neither feeling the fruit, nor pinching it, nor testing it to see if it is ready. And then, one day he holds out his hand and the fruit simply drops into it, ripe, warm and eager to be eaten.

The patience and self-control which you practice will make you more attractive and charming. This will qualify you as her daily vitamin and win you that heart hers.

I wish you to meet the girl of your dreams ASAP, make her fall in love with you, and make her feel the happiest girl in the world!

About the Author: A writer Vlad Karl maintains a dating, friendship and love relationship columns.

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Jul 07 2008

Swimmer Wows Us All

Published by Pat Mullaly under Keeping Fit

At 41, a lot of us midlifers are hanging up our sports togs… We know we shouldn’t. That we don’t have to. But the aches and pains that are an occasional reminder that we aren’t kids anymore, keep our sneakers on the floor of the closet.

Not so with Dara Torres. This woman is defying all expectations by swimming to a place on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swim Team! Her fifth time to be on such a team. It’s astonishing what passion in one’s life can achieve.

She knows this achievement is special. “In some ways, I’m like all the other swimmers here, because I still feel the passion for what I do,” Torres said. “In some ways I’m like none of them, because I’ve lived their lives twice.”

There are some critics who claim it’s just not possible for a 41 year old to achieve these outstanding results. They suspect drugs are somehow involved. Torres doesn’t shy away from the confrontation.
“I said, ‘Look, I want to be an open book,’ ” Torres said. “DNA test me. Blood test me. Urine test me. Whatever you want to do. Just test me because I want people to know that I am doing this right.”

And in response to the doping test she has undergone: “It’s a pain,” she said. “It’s a real pain. But I asked for this and I want to prove that I’m clean, so to me it’s worth it.”

Her husband added his two cents to the discussion: “It’s a sad world when I can’t watch the trials with my 6-year-old daughter without the commentators addressing the drug issue,” he said. “And while we all want to have a stamp of cleanliness, at the end of day, the only thing you can trust is that our athletes are being held to the highest standards available today.”

Torres added, “When I first started, people said I was an inspiration,” she said. “But I think it’s been a complete 180 turn. I have so many people coming up to me now and telling me about their stories and what’s changed in their lives and I feel like I’m getting inspiration from other people.

“Age is just a number. I have great people around me and I’m able to recover and, at my age, it’s all about recovery.”

“Unfortunately, there have been athletes in the past who’ve sat there and looked everyone in the eyes and said, ‘I have not taken drugs,’ and now they’re either in jail or being indicted,” Torres said. “You are now guilty until proven innocent.”

I say let us take her at her word and support this truly remarkable athlete. An inspiration to all us midlifers.

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Jul 05 2008

Your Sign Holds the Key to Romance!

Published by Pat Mullaly under Current News

Author: Cherie Stirewalt reveals secrets for you to find your perfect astrology match. Check out her website to find more info on your compatible astrology signs.

It may be a cliché when a guy asks “What’s your sign?” But it may hold the key to your happily ever after. If you know a guy’s sign before you date him, you might have a clue whether or not you will get along through astrology love compatibility.

What signs are compatible?

You have probably heard of your sun sign, right? People are born under 12 different sun signs. Those born into a common sun sign share several basic physical and personality features in common.

12 sun sign birth periods

  • Aries: March 20th - April 20th
  • Taurus: April 20th - May 21st
  • Gemini: May 21st - June 21st
  • Cancer: June 21st - July 22nd
  • Leo: July 22nd - August 23rd
  • Virgo: August 23rd - September 23rd
  • Libra: September 23rd - October 23rd
  • Scorpio: October 23rd - November 22nd
  • Sagittarius: November 22nd - December 21s
  • Capricorn: December 21st - January 20th
  • Aquarius: Janaury 20th - February 19th
  • Pisces: February 19th - March 20th

If you are interested in finding Mr. Right, determine which sign is most likely to be compatible with your own. By finding the sign that complements your own, you are more likely to get along.

How do you figure out the sign that may complement your own?

To start, you ascertain which natural element your sign belongs. Not only are there twelve signs in the zodiac, but these are also divided into four other groups that contain three signs a piece. The four groups are known as the elements of nature, Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

If your sign belongs to the Fire element it is called a Fire sign. The Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Most fire signs are known to be enthusiastic and active people.

Those signs belonging to the Earth element and are known as Earth signs. If you are an Earth sign, you would be a Taurus, a Virgo, or a Capricorn. Most Earth signs are known to be stable and practical.

If your sign is an Air element, it would be known as an Air sign. The Air signs include Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. If you are an air sign, more than likely you are a communicator and extremely intellectual.

The last three signs are known to be Water signs and belong to the Water element. The Water signs include Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs are more emotional and intuitive than the other three elements.

So when considering a potential Mr. Right’s sign, you need to find a sign whose birth sign is of the element that complements your own. Only then can you be sure to achieve true astrology love compatibility.

For example, if you are an Aries, you would be a Fire sign. You should really pursue a relationship with an Air sign like a Gemini or Libra. If you think about it, fire, in nature, needs oxygen, or air, to burn. In turn, what do you do to warm the air? You build a fire!

Think about the elements of nature again. A Fire sign does not work as well with an Earth or Water sign. If you throw Earth (or dirt) on a fire, it snuffs out the fire. Likewise, when you throw water on a fire, it puts out the fire.

Other elements that blend well together are Earth and Water signs. Earth signs need water to grow and flourish.

Now, astrological compatibility is much more complicated than this article spells out. These are truly basic rules of thumb. To find Mr. Right through astrology, you need to have an entire astrology compatibility chart ran on you both. So, instead of asking what’s your sign, ask what’s your birthday, birth time and birth city. This will give you the ability to compare your charts and be on your way to astrology love compatibility.

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Jul 03 2008

Can Keeping A Food Log Help You Lose Weight???

Published by Pat Mullaly under Keeping Fit

kathy ekdahl

Author: Kathy Ekdahl, CSCS, ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Personal Best Personal Training

Research has proven time and time again that keeping a food log increases weight loss success by 60-70%. Unless you know your successes, your pitfalls, your weaknesses, or just plain old bad habits- it’s hard to change them. Seeing your food detailed throughout the day gives you a great picture of what you need to work on, right? Then why do so many people balk at keeping logs

Unfortunately, one of the biggest issues my clients have in keeping logs is finding the time to do them. Yes, I know, excuses, excuses. But some may be valid- as keeping a detailed food log takes time and planning, and doing a log for weeks on end can be challenging. So, in an effort to find easier ways for my clients to be successful in journaling, and to offset excuses, excuses, I sometimes will ask the client to tailor the log to their specific issues.

Initially, I always ask them to do whole day, detailed logs for three days to one week to assess the problems. Then, once problems are identified, we tailor the logs more specifically. For example, if day time eating has been shown to be healthy, but night time is problematic, I will ask my clients to do a food log just from 4pm on. This is so much more doable- and lessens the likelihood of finding an excuse not to do it. Or, if unconscious snacking is a problem, but meals are not, I ask the client to write down every snack they eat that is not during a meal. This simplifies and amplifies things, as seeing just the problematic eating really hits home.

If you are having problems keeping food logs, try this, and see if it eliminates your excuses!

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Jun 22 2008

Capture the Past for the Future…

Published by Pat Mullaly under Relationships

I have an aunt who has lived a very long and wonderful life. She is 91 years young. Unfortunately, she recently suffered what they believe is a combination stroke and heart attack and is now in hospice care. They don’t believe she will be with us much longer.

She is one of a passing generation… those who were born during the depression of the 1930’s and World War II. She was married to an army career officer and traveled all over the world during the 50’s and 60’s. Such adventures. A few years ago we (the younger generation) were smart enough to record her thoughts on her early years: the history of the family that she knew, what kind of world she lived in. We drove her crazy asking so many questions. Her answers are invaluable to us now.

If you are in the fortunate position to still have members of your family who lived a generation back, try to capture their past, either in video or audio recordings. It’s worth the time for once they have passed, those memories will be gone forever.

Just a thought.

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