May 19, 2012

Cybill Shepherd: Singing The Menopause Blues

“The Menopause Blues” is a catchy and hilarious song written and sung by Cybill Shepherd.  Cybill was one of the first to bring personal lamentations about menopause to the airwaves in her television sitcom “Cybill” during the mid 1990s.

To take women’s issues one step further, Cybill used music to come out loud and proud about menopause.

After Cybill began speaking publicly about menopause, floods of normal and herbal formulas packaged from all over the world became available to remedy symptoms of menopause.  Like for so many other women, doctor subscribed estrogen was not the only prescription for navigating menopause.  Cybill Shepherd started substituting with natural approach to help remedy hot flashes. The standardized red cover extract, a phytoestrogen-rich plant extract, helped her manage the mood swings, decreased libido and memory loss. Phytoestrogen content may 
even help support healthy bone density and circulation.

There are a lot of natural different approaches to forage your individual pathway through menopause.  Black cohosh, natural progesterone, calcium, vitamin E and D, and more from nature’s pharmacy can offer safer choices than your doctor ever could. Most self-care menopause treatments provide the best results due to education, knowledge and trial and error.

In the end, Cybill’s sense of humor and laughter – even in song – has gotten her through the tough times hormonal times. Today, with so many natural options available, the fifties, sixes and beyond can open up whole new passages leading to stages of life.

“It is not easy, but it is also 
another exciting stage. It can be explored. You can learn from it.”~ Cybill Shepherd

 

Joan Rivers – Facing Osteoporosis with Humor

Joan Rivers is quoted joking about osteoporosis, “My bones click so much that dolphins try to pick up on me.” However, osteoporosis is no laughing matter! But, leave it to celebrity Joan Rivers to make light — and make progress — with the disease.

At the light age of 64, Joan went in for a complete work up and results of a bone density test revealed she could fall down the stairs, not because she would trip but, because her bones might break.  Osteoporosis hadn’t shown any signs or symptoms, yet it was stalking Joan’s life waiting for an opportunity to make a wisecrack of its own: snap, crackle, pop!

The Queen of comedy has some surprising one-liners in response to the nosebleed section of osteoporosis that has tried to “boo” her off stage:

  • Walk everywhere
  • Choose the stairs over the elevator
  • Exercise 3x/week with weights
  • Take nutritional supplements

This regime has served to not only strengthen Joan River’s bones, but strengthen her stage presence.  Joan became an Ambassador for the National Osteoporosis Foundation and champions reversing the symptoms of osteoporosis.

Known for her love of jewelry, and wearing a myriad of beads and bangle bracelets on her arms, Joan says osteoporosis prevention can help women “avoid having a walker become of one of their ‘must-have’ accessories.” She suggests, “A few extra laps while shopping and have a latte decaf rather than plain coffee” to ensure women get their daily dose of exercise, calcium and vitamin D.

Diet is an important part of osteoporosis prevention. Calcium-rich foods supplemented with vitamin D include yogurt, cheese, milk, sardines with bones and green, leafy vegetables.

Joan Rivers humorously points out that while people look beautiful on the outside they should be paying more attention to keeping their bones strong. After all, beauty is bone deep!

Let the last laugh be on osteoporosis!

 

 

 

 

Bed Bugs Love Celebrities, Too!

Flickr by casspixx

Not only are beds, luggage and clothes susceptible to bed bugs, now there is evidence of cars being infested. From the ditches if World War II to the heights of Manhattan penthouses, bed bugs have found a home in the limousine of celebrity Howard Stern. Beg bug sniffing dogs were utilized to sweep Stern’s limousine, which were also found in his office.

Howard Stern stated that “Supposedly we’re 100 percent bed bug-free. The only place in New York City that probably is 100 percent bed bug-free … [But] I’m scratching every minute.”

No one is immune from bed bugs, not even the famous. Bed bugs are indifferent, bastardly and prey on the poor and the wealthy. Stephanie Seymour, Renee Zellweger and a host of other celebrities have also come in contact with the little bed bug suckers – or biters, for that matter!

Celebrities, in particular are susceptible to bed bugs, after traveling a lot and staying in various hotels, and they might just pick up bed bugs somewhere and bring them home. It’s not just the hotels that put celebrities at risk. Their tendency to buy multiple properties and perpetual-motion lifestyles also increase bed-bug risk.

The only advantage a celebrity might have in conquering bed bugs is that instead of cleaning everything, they just replace everything!

Jenny McCarthy Life’s Mission: Autism Awareness

One of the most well-known celebrity autism advocates is Jenny McCarthy. Her personal story of her son Evan’s descent into autism (at 2 ½ years of age) and ultimate recovery has served thousands of moms and dads around the country.  Even with a bombastic personality and outspoken character, she is dead serious about educating parents to take charge of their kids’ health.  She even serves on the Board of Director’s of Generation Rescue, an international movement for researching causes and treatments for autism, which she founded.

Jenny McCarthy has authored a New York Best-Selling book, “Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism,” detailing what she has gone through with her son’s diagnosis, and what has worked for her and her son.

One thing that has done wonders for McCarthy’s son was a serious change in diet. She started a gluten free/casein free diet, strict dairy free diet, as well as a no sugar diet with her son and saw almost immediate changes for the better. She also put her son on medication to eliminate the candida in his body and that has also had positive changes.

Jenny also has 2 other best-seling books on autism:

For Jenny McCarthy, autism is a condition that must not only be combated with treatment but also with education. Jenny stresses that parents not feel guilty about their child’s diagnosis, and she also advises them to trust their instincts. Her story of “diagnosis, hope, faith, and recovery– a journey many thousands of parents now face.”

Many celebrity parents of children with autism spectrum disorders are doing a great deal for the autism community through their books, fundraising, foundations and good works.

But, how do you feel about speculations that certain celebrities, such as Bill Gates (who reportedly shows several personality traits typical of those with Asperger’s syndrome) or Andy Warhol (because of his distinctive art and sometimes odd behavior and relationships), or even Albert Eisntein (because he was considered a loner and obsessively repeated sentences), “could be autistic?”

How about statements that famous figures in history – Mozart and the like – “were probably autistic?”

It’s always nice to have a celebrity in your corner.  As more adults – and children – are diagnosed with forms of autism, probably more big name celebs will join the ranks of the truly diagnosed.

But, what’s your feeling about the claims of celebrities within the autism community?  Is it a good way to raise the profile of high functioning autism?  Or is it exploitative?  Share your thoughts!

 

Michael James Hastings: Fibromyalgia Activist

You may know him as the Navy “Captain Mike” from the popular series “The West Wing,” but Michael James Hastings creates more popularity by being a spokesman for fibromyalgia.

As an energetic twenty-something, Hastings was athletic, dedicated to his workouts and career as a school teacher.  However, around 30 years of age, his energy started to drop and his muscles after workouts made it hard to stand or even walk because they were so tight.  After many doctor visits, large sums of money out the door and record number of tests, Hasting was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM).

Early treatment included thyroid medication, which immediately helped in loosening the tight muscles, now even tense without any workout.

Supplements of various forms became the standard part of Michael James HastingsFM program to help restore systems back to their natural balance.  With the assistant of Dr. Teitelbaum’s book, From Fatigue to Fantastic, these supplements are recommended:

  • NADH, glutathione
  • L-carnitine
  • Acetyl l-carnitine
  • Revitalizing sleep formula
  • Daily infusion powder
  • Calcium d-glucarate
  • IODORAL, which is a high iodine and potassium supplement

Forced to retire from his teaching position, Hastings moved to LA to pursue an acting career.  However, there was still the need to pace himself and not push the limits too far.  Staying healthy and maintaining energy is a priority, so he’s learned not to over-extend himself and learned to say no to some projects and activities, releasing any guilt about not over doing it.

One of the strongest forces to keep him functioning, thriving and strong has been Hastings spiritual commitment to living and healing.  His faith in God and the support of his spiritual network, as well as family and friends, have helped him with those dark days and FM complications.  Prayer with dedicated neighbors saw improved health and open doors for work, including his West Wing career as Captain Mike.

For more information about vitamin supplements and how to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia, as well as chronic pain, Michael James Hastings has a website dedicated to bringing awareness on how to live and thrive with fibromyalgia, including faith stories, chiropractor help, how to have a fibro friendly kitchen, bedroom and much, much more!

www.captainhastings.com

Helen Mirren And The Sexy Art Of Aging

Revealing Age Defying Secrets To Staying Young And Sexy

Helen Mirren is a beautiful Oscar winner that looks better than many 45 year olds.  Unfortunately, today, with the excessive emphasis that is placed by society on youth, many women over 40 are beginning to feel unsexy – and with that often comes a tremendous feeling of insecurity.

But, the truth is there are plenty of sex appeal role models for them to aspire to: women like Dame Helen are by no means in the minority for looking sexy and stunning. Older women are more beautiful, more driven, more powerful and more prominent than ever before.

They all have one thing in common, however: they have taken care of themselves all their lives – and by this I mean eating a reasonably healthy diet, exercising moderately, and not allowing themselves to become overweight.

From the look of her face and her body, Helen Mirren has taken jolly good care of herself and her diet, and it shows. So, all hail Queen Helen. After all, there is nothing like a Dame.

She credits “vitamins, a healthy diet and exercise” for her incredible good looks, although she emphasizes that the desire to do certain activities is her impetus to exercise, not vanity.

But, her advice is the timeless kind that we should all follow anyway:

“Although I come and go about exercise. I do do it, but, honestly, it’s not particularly a beauty thing, it’s just that as one gets older, one has to keep up one’s energy levels, and if you want to do that, you can’t stop exercising.”

Older women are also looking after themselves. Studies consistently show that regular physical activity, a healthy diet, a positive attitude and maintenance of relationships and social engagements lead to a better old age.

Helen Mirren is a strong proponent of keeping a youthful attitude and sex appeal.  Here are Helen’s top 5 sexy shape-up secrets to keep fit:

  1. Bikini Body Diet. Always be on a diet, but don’t be afraid to enjoy the occasional hamburger or glass of champagne. Balance the excess out of your body!
  2. Way Fun. Wii Exercise. The 65-year-old actress can currently be seen jogging and practicing yoga moves in TV ads for Nintendo’s Wii Fit, which allows users to workout at home, but admits she nearly snubbed the offer because she doesn’t consider herself an exercise expert.
  3. Sleep for Beauty. The 64-year-old actress sleeps as much as it’s possible avoiding the parties and restaurants when working hard.
    “I sleep. When I’m working really hard, I don’t party. I don’t go to the bar after work. I don’t go out to restaurants. I just go to bed. If I’m on a film, I even try to catch some sleep in my trailer at lunchtime. I really try to sleep as much as possible. It’s very important and, as you get older, it becomes more so.”
  4. Be yourself. “Her sensuality comes from her honesty,” says Mirren’s husband Taylor Hackford. “She’s not hiding behind makeup or a baby-doll hairdo.  She’s the real thing.”
  5. Youth In Vitamin Tablets. Helen Mirren has admitted her love for Swiss apple stem cell products, know to reverse skin aging, increase the lifespan of human cells and delay the onset of wrinkles!

So, there you have it: No magical herbal remedies or wheat grass smoothies, just sensible, wholly unexciting and healthy advice. The prospect of looking a little more like sexy Dame Mirren at her age, or any age, is enormous incentive.

On her famous sex appeal Helen Mirren said, “I don’t think women do lose their sex appeal it just shifts, it is some indefinable thing that has to do with appreciation of life, appreciation of wisdom, there should be a special word for it.”

Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner, the heartthrob for many teenage girls made famous by the “Twilight” series, has confessed to constantly bouncing his knees.  An unconscious force keeps him from forcing his restless legs to stop moving all of the time.  The severity would even rock a car while driving!  That, my friends, is called Restless Leg Syndrome!

Whether Taylor Lautner recognizes this or not, the repetitive and uncontrollable urge to bounce your legs can be categorizes as RLS.  Thankfully, it appears his work does not suffer from this condition, nor does it interfere with his ability to date or distract from the likes of Taylor Swift!  If you can’t sit still, and not a result of nervous energy, then you can safely bet it might be early onset of restless leg syndrome.

Even for the cover of the “New Moon” Twilight edition, fans hoped to catch a glimpse of Lautner’s leg.  Would his “twitch” be evident or set in a stationary position?  It is hard to tell.  Taylor Lautner’s legs are covered by another character or mystified by forest smog.  Now, if we could all hide our flaws behind someone else – RLS, or not!

President Richard Nixon & Shingles

Although shingles can affect any age group, it’s more prevalent and more painful in older people. Former President Richard M. Nixon was just shy of his 72nd birthday when he became subject to the horrific pain of shingles.

In children and young adults, shingles usually runs a mild and quick course, and the average sufferer will recover without any therapy or extensive treatment. In older people, however, the pain may be excruciating, the itching may be intense, and the blisters may become crusted and infected.

Complications include chronic debilitating nerve pain that can last months to years. If you are immunocompromised, shingles can be life threatening. Another potential complication is if you get shingles involving the eye, you can develop scarring and blindness.

In older people, stress is what usually triggers a shingles attack.  President Nixon was completing his book, “No More Vietnams” when he was diagnosed with shingles, with extreme fatigue as one of its symptoms.

The former President’s physician indicated that Nixon had one of the worst cases of shingles he had ever seen and was in “an awful lot of pain.”

The disease, resulting in painful blisters and sores, affected Nixon’s upper back and shoulders.

Richard Nixon wasn’t the only former President to catch this viral disease? Herbert Hoover caught Shingles in 1947 while working with the Truman Commission.

President Nixon’s condition improved in the comfort of his own home with available ambulatory care, later to return to his New York office to work. Not known to complain, the pain was crazy but President Nixon made full recovery from shingles.

Rita Hayworth: Creative Arts and Imagination Through The End

Rita Hayworth is remembered for who was onscreen – laughing, dancing, tantalizing, tossing red hair and the siren of the ages. However, Alzheimer’s disease turned actress Rita Hayworth anxious, aggressive, and confused robbing this ravishing woman of her mind and eventually, her life.

Hayworth suffered from the anxiety, aggression and agitation common to Alzheimer’s, but as the disease progressed she found something that soothed her mood and gave her a focus — painting, a hobby she took up late, and with gusto.

As her mind disintegrated, she worked away at an easel in her apartment, producing beautiful, detailed likenesses of flowers. It brought her peace of mind and helped her to relax.

International Alzheimer’s experts agree that creative activities engage areas of the brain that are not damaged by the disease and reawaken a sense of personality, identity and dignity. Through the expression of art, many will find a different perception and understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Famous painter Norman Rockwell also suffered from Alzheimer’s. It’s been said that Rockwell’s paintings help jog the memory and play a part in memory activities, allowing patients to recall emotional memories. His late paintings are therapeutic for the elderly and dementia sufferers.

Rita Hayworth found refuge in painting as an individual as a form of Alzheimer’s disease treatment. I Remember Better When I Paint is a documentary film about the positive impact of art and other creative therapies on people with Alzheimer’s disease from Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Hayworth’s daughter, who is now president of Alzheimer’s Disease International.

“I Remember Better When I Paint is a 2009 feature length international documentary film about the positive impact of art and other creative therapies in people with Alzheimer’s disease, such as Rita Hayworth, and how these approaches can change the way the disease is viewed by society. The film examines the way creative arts bypass the limitations of dementia disorders such as Alzheimer’s and shows how patients’ still-vibrant imaginations are strengthened through therapeutic art.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Remember_Better_When_I_Paint)

People still have imagination intact all the way to the very, very end of their progressive disease.”
~ Judy Holstein, Director of CJE SeniorLife in Chicago

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Gluten-Free Discovery Out Back

Very few would recommend going on a “survival” diet plan to gain strength, but for Elizabeth Hasselbeck, a literal “Survivor” diet menu brought her body back to health.  While filming the hit series “Survivor” in the Australian Outback, Hasselbeck lived off the land – and lived without indigestion, stomach pain and cramps, diarrhea, bloating, chronic fatigue and anemia.  The key to gaining her strength was avoiding wheat.  Now, Elizabeth Hasselbeck is the well-known co-host of ABC’s “The View,” author of “The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide,” mother of 3 and Celiac disease awareness ambassador.

Here’s an excerpt from her book:

“I noticed that the moment I ate a starchy food, all the symptoms returned, and with even more fury than before. I went on the Internet to research what this reaction might mean, and soon after thought I had discovered the cause: Wheat! Out it went from my diet.”

Contestant For Success

She finally discovered that it was gluten, the binding protein in grains like wheat, barley, rye, contaminated oats, and numerous other products. It’s also a food additive found in everything from condiments to medications.

Instead of gathering nutrients from gluten, the body sends a signal to the immune system to attack, harming the small intestine in the process. The best way to avoid an attack is to change your diet and avoid certain foods.

Hasselbeck said it’s made all the difference in her life. She also discovered the going gluten-free can help with weight loss and increased energy. Not only can removing gluten from one’s diet help those with Celiac disease, but it has been proven to help people with diabetes and arthritis. And all it takes is a little willpower!