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Woman
It Was My Time to Take Control of My Health & Finances
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Woman San Diego
Dear Readers,
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Change is sometimes a hard word to embrace. However, for San Diego Woman, we are thrilled with the changes that we are about to undergo. After nine years, we are ready to grow and become a bigger and better publication. 2017 will mark our 10th anniversary. At this point we decided that we needed to examine who we are and who we want to be, not only for ourselves, but also (more importantly) for our readers. We have been diligently working with an extraordinary strategic planner, who has allowed us to see some of our untapped potential and to find areas that we feel we can do better than any other media source in San Diego. Our readers are women of varying ages and many of these women are in a position to reinvent themselves. They have gone through many stages in life. They have dated, gotten married, had children, watched them grow and become less dependent on them. They have either returned to previous careers or have decided to reinvent themselves. They have decided that an interest that may have only previously been a love of theirs, could now become a life’s work, and they have spent time researching how to go about doing this. Often the process involved change‌lots of change. It is, with this in mind, that we are announcing our Chameleon Awards. We have designed and will be presenting an annual award to a San Diego Woman, in several different categories, who has done just that. She has changed her life, started a new career, reinvented herself, and helped herself or possibly her community. The awards will be presented in several categories and we will be announcing the opening of nominations of candidates in the next few months. In addition, we have expanded our Advisory Board to include some top professionals in all areas in San Diego. We will be introducing them in our upcoming issue in 2017, so stay tuned for more news and updates about these and other changes coming shortly. Though some things will change, one thing will not and that is the inspiring stories about the great women of our town. This is our Health, Wellness and Beauty Issue. You will not want to miss the information you will acquire by reading this issue. So sit back relax and enjoy. We wish you all a very Happy and Healthy Holiday and Prosperous New Year! Sincerely,
Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Inside Every Issue Letter from the Editor ………………………………………………………………………..Page 4 Letters to the Editor ………………………………………………………………………….Page 8 Bitchin & Moaning …………………………………………………………………………...Page 13 Poetry Corner ………………………………………………………………………………...Page 18 Fabulous Finds ………………………………………………………………………………Page 28 He Said, She Said …………………………………………………………………………...Page 32 Transitions with Carol LeBeau ……………………………………………………………...Page 36 Book Review: Being Equal Doesn’t Mean Being the Same ……………………….........Page 40 Book Review: Suddenly Single After 50 …………………………………………………...Page 40 What I Really Want Is… …………………………………………………………………….Page 45 The SDW PINK PAGES ……………………………………………………………………..Page 47
San Diego
Physio-Synergi a Therapy ..…………………………………………………………………Page 10 Holiday Care Packages for the Homeless ………………………………………………...Page 10 Casa Chiquita …………………………………………………………………………………Page 12 Got Tight Shoulders and Neck Muscles? ………………………………………………….Page 15 Nisha Bunke—Making Your Legs Beautiful Again ……………………………………......Page 16 The Year of the Fire Rooster ………………………………………………………………..Page 18 Women of Distinction ………………………………………………………………………...Page 19 Sheri Malvestuto ……………………………………………………………………………...Page 20 Baywatch Babe Creates Luxury Farms™…………………………………………………..Page 22 Anna Doxie—An Education in Aromatherapy …………………………………………......Page 24 The Importance of Color in our Life ………………………………………………………...Page 25 Holland America ………………………………………………………………………………Page 25 Water—One of Nature’s Secrets ……………………………………………………………Page 26 Adieu/Don’t Go ………………………………………………………………………………..Page 27 A Letter From Dr. Tess Mauricio …………………………………………………………….Page 31 The Fur Ball …………………………………………………………………………………...Page 32 When You’re Italian …………………………………………………………………………..Page 33 A Four-letter Word ……………………………………………………………………………Page 34 Honesty in Beauty ……………………………………………………………………………Page 35 Hannah Martine and Susan G. Komen …………………………………………………….Page 37 Her Middle Name Should be Never Give Up ……………………………………………. Page 37 Better Habits For Better Health ……………………………………………………………..Page 39 Minnie Mouse Unveiled ………………………………………………………………………Page 42 Power Styles for All Ages …………………………………………………………………….Page 43 Reiki’s Beginnings …………………………………………………………………………….Page 43 Running Outrageously! ………………………………………………………………………Page 44 Restaurant Review: Curry and More ……………………………………………………….Page 46 Restaurant Review: Pickle’s Café & Deli …………………………………………………..Page 46
Woman
Inside This Issue
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief editor@sdwomanmagazine.com
6 Sonali Soni
Creative Director
creativedirector@sdwomanmagazine.com
11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128 888 275 7125 858 735 5301 www.sdwomanmagazine.com
Graphics/Magazine Layout: Sonali Soni www.sonalidesignstudio.com
San Diego
Judith A. Habert
Woman
Behind the Pages
Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Sonali Soni Creative Director
Robert Tussey Copy Editing
Jaime V. Habert Entertainment Editor
Dawn Nicoli Photographer
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W R I T E R S
Carol LeBeau
Carol LeBeau spent close to 30 years as a beloved fixture on San Diego News. Today she is enjoying her retirement, as well as a second career as an in demand speaker at functions throughout San Diego. In addition to her many speaking engagements, Carol is a columnist for San Diego Woman speaking about life after her news career.
Sharon Hightower
Sharon Hightower is a native of California, and has lived in Chicago and Guadalajara, MX. She earned an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from CSULA some 20 years ago, but recently completed her MBA at Point Loma. A busy woman with 9 grandchildren, she combines teaching with her love of writing.
Robyn Betts Deeba Van Overberghe Daughter of an artist, Deeba grew up with the influence of art all around her. Deeba has dedicated the last 14 years to refining her artistic talents and abilities in Fine and Decorative Arts and Illustration. She has illustrated books here in San Diego, painted murals as far away as Indonesia and flown to places like Wyoming and Hawaii for Decorative Painting.
Maggie Ramos Maggie is an artist who began writing poetry, painting and taking photos in her early teens. Maggie bonds some of her pieces together; text that reflects into a poem, with a moment she captured in a frame. Ramos finds her inspirations in Spanish and English. She has also previously published "Vague Vivid Memories", a collection of photos of self-experiences. Her art paintings have been published in the Tidepools Journal from Mira Costa College, where she currently attends.
Robyn earned her BA in Art from SDSU, but due to chronic illness, she chose to be a stay-athome mom. Her “career path” changed when family members struggled with illness and she was introduced to natural health. She now has 24 years’ experience as a practitioner/instructor in natural health and is compassionate about sharing her knowledge. She would also like to raise public awareness of abuse, mental illness, and suicide through her writing.
Gerald Neff
With more than 40 years living and working in South America in the agriculture and forestry business, topped off with 25 years in the U.S. Embassy and Peace Corps. His writing experience includes local publications and years of U.S. Embassy reports; so sit back and enjoy the ride. Gerald Neff can be contacted at 760 796 4877
Debbie Storms
Sondra Jane Smith
Janice Carter-Booth
Teresa Hawker
Debbie has enjoyed many careers from accountant to air traffic controller. She believes life is an adventure to be lived to its fullest. Growing up in New Jersey, she learned life skills to help her practice that credo. Her passion for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She is now focusing on writing about her travels and interviewing entertainers, which is a great combo!
Sondra Jane Smith is the founder of Maximum Impact Writing, a different kind of freelance writing company whose focus is on writing for the maximum amount of impact with the minimum number of words. Sondra is a lawyer with a passion for the environment, community affairs and the performing arts, particularly classical music. She lives in Southwest Escondido overlooking Lake Hodges with her beloved husband Bob.
Carol
Carol is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist; a Reiki Master/Teacher; she is certified in a myriad of alternative modalities including Color and Sound therapy, Chakra therapy, Reflexology, Cranial and Lomi lomi massage and developed her own hands on healing method called Tender Loving Touch which she taught to doctors, nurses and other health care providers as part of the CEU programs in northern California before she moved to southern California earlier this year. Carol is a published author, a retired teacher and entrepreneur.
Janice Carter-Booth is a massage therapist who loves spending time with any amount of her 15 grandchildren. Her favorite activities are swimming and writing.
Teresa retired after a thirty year career in the “high tech” industry in San Diego, CA. During her career, she traveled to numerous places, both nationally and internationally. Today, six years into retirement, she loves the occasional road trip, its many stops along the way. Teresa enjoys sharing her adventures and curiosities about life as a freelance writer in this, her “third act”.
P H OTO G R A P H E R
Woman San Diego
Malena Preston Melana Preston is a freelance writer, editor and non-profit consultant with a background in Marketing and Project Management. She has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and has spent much of the last 15 years doing humanitarian and disaster relief work around the world. Her personal mission is to connect needs with resources locally and globally in a variety of capacities. She can be contacted at melanapreston@gmail.com.
Dawn Nicoli
For over 20 years Dawn has owned and operated Nicoli Productions, an environmental portrait studio, run out of her two acre property in Escondido. Starting a new chapter of her life, when serenity has become so important, Dawn spends her time in her palapa tree house with her dog, Karma, exploring the world of writing.
San Diego
Robert has been a published writer for over thirty years and has been providing editing services for the past twenty-five. As a musician, he has written scores of songs. His life has revolved around his music and writing, often melding the two into articles and interviews.
Woman
Robert Tussey
Letters Editor to the
I work out everyday with her on my computer, so I was so excited when I saw her on the cover of my favorite magazine. Thanks San Diego Woman for your cover picture and story on my favorite fitness professional. Tracy Anderson is my all-time favorite trainer, she helped me get my body back after having my second child. She really knows how to make exercise fun. Lindsay from San Diego I really liked the article, What I Really Want. I think it should be an ongoing column. I learned so many great tips. I hope to hear more from this writer in the future. Mary from Poway Whenever I read your stories in your “Women of Distinction” section I get so inspired, and I feel so proud to be a woman. The story about Robin “Nadirah” Bray and her brave struggle against Cancer helped me gain strength when I got diagnosed with Cancer a few weeks ago. Her story gave me hope. Hope is so important when you hear the word Cancer. Thanks for sharing important stories like this one. Colleen from Point Loma You are so right about News Anchors. I thought it was just me suddenly noticing how short and tight their dresses have become. I agree, news used to be serious business, now it looks like fluff. Lower the skirt hems and raise the necklines so viewers pay attention to what is being said instead of what is being worn. Anne Marie from Oceanside The 8 Kinds of Friends article was very informative. I think I have 6 of the types mentioned. I guess I have to search out the other two. So interesting. Julie from Mira Mesa The reviews were great. I have some insight into new products to try and maybe some great Christmas gifts too. Lee from Scripps Ranch I have a store in San Marcos and I would love to carry your magazines. How do I go about doing that? Lauren from San Marcos
Editor’s Note: If you have a business of any kind and would like to be a distribution spot for San Diego Woman just call us at 888 275 7125 or email editor@sdwomanmagazine.com
Woman San Diego
Advertise in San Diego Woman Because It's The Right Thing to Do!
8 With 91% of all purchasing decisions made by women, why not go right to the source? Advertise in San Diego Woman. Contact us today at 888 275 7125 11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128 email:editor@sdwomanmagazine.com
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Physio-Synergi a Therapy by Meridith Llewelin The Healthy Body Mechanics
By Janice Carter-Booth
Photo Courtesy of Meridith Llewelin
Meridith is a woman who wears many hats, her biggest most passionate one being that of a true healer. What is Physio-Synergi? Meridith (who developed this therapy) gave me this definition: “It works the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to align them so they function in a proper manner. This therapy consists of Range of motion, pressure point, and energy work. It helps alleviate pain, improve posture, increase circulation, and reduces stress.” She's had her own practice since 1986 and her patients include those dealing with everyday stress, to those coming back from exercise or accidental injuries. She works with some professional athletes helping them get back on the field. Meridith attended Cal State Los Angeles from 1962- 66. She then obtained a degree in Physical Education & Rehabilitation from the University Without Walls at UCSD. She has been a Yoga teacher since 1967, and has students ranging from their mid 20's to the youngsters in their mid 90's! From 1975-85 she worked in track & field at our very own Palomar College. Then on to the Track and Field Olympic Development Committee from 1980 to 1982, helping them with flexibility and rehabilitation. Just this year one of her nieces, who is trying out for the Olympics, needed her healing hands and traveled from Oregon to get just that. In 2010, Meridith, put on another hat and wrote a wonderful book to teach the average person how to take care of their bodies with easy stretches & exercises for any age group. It's called the “Body Owner’s Manual”. It is the guide for caring for the 21st Century body. Meridith is the oldest of 5 Children. At the young age of 12, she took charge of the house and her 4 siblings, when her Mom went to work. She still, to this day, is the family member they all run to - even nieces and nephews - for loving care, mentoring and shelter in all types of weather. Her door is always open to family and friends. Besides the maternal and healing touch, she is a wonderful Chef and a party planner including weddings. She never does anything half-measure and always works with a flare of elegance and only perfection will suffice! You can find her Physio-Synergi office, in Vista. If you would like to make an appointment or want more information, contact Meridith at 760 727 7406. You can go to her web site at: www.physio-synergi.com.
Holiday Care Packages for the Homeless By Melana Preston
As the San Diego winter almost-chill sets in, we huddle happily behind our heaters and, fireplaces…huh…in San Diego? Yes, some of us are that cold. Or we just love the cozy nostalgia of a warm, crackling fire in a fireplace, donned with stockings and holiday décor. We head out to brave the crazy crowds and holiday traffic and pass that disheveled person on the corner with a sign that reads “Anything helps, God bless.” We want to stop, but giving money seems perhaps impersonal or irresponsible. A moment of panic ensues while stopped at the light, the person standing on the median next to our window. “Uh, what do I do? Do I make eye contact? I only have a $20 on me, uhh...” We awkwardly deliberate while waiting for the light to change. “Oh, its green, I guess I have to go.” We drive away and for a few blocks think, “should I go back? I don’t really have time. Is it safe?” A lingering sense of guilt mixed with compassion and responsibility follows us a few more blocks until our cell phone distracts us with a text alert. A few years back I started leaving snack-pack sized almonds and trail mix in my car along with bottles of water to keep me fed while on-the-go. Approaching a stoplight one day, I noticed a man in need holding a sign asking for help. I only had a few seconds before the light would change, so I rolled down the window and handed off a bottle of water and a package of almonds. I told the man “I know it’s not much but I hope it helps.” The man nodded and returned a heartfelt “thank you so much, I appreciate the gesture” in appreciation. I approached another light a few days later and handed off a bottle of water and trail mix to a different weather-worn individual holding a sign and said the same thing. Instead, the person responded with a look of disgust and remarked “you can’t spare some change?” Ouch. “Well, I guess that’s a good way to determine who might use a monetary gift irresponsibly. And, either way he still needs water, food and a little warmth” I concluded. The reality is that sometimes giving is just simply that. Giving. With no expectations of the outcome or how it’s received or returned. Giving. Simply because it’s the right thing to do in that moment.
While we do have a human responsibility to give and care for our fellow humankind in need, the question remains for many of us, especially as women, how do we give in safe, responsible and appropriate ways? Since then, I’ve started purchasing inexpensive fleece throw blankets and stashing them in my car, somewhere within reach while driving. I leave one or two up front and the others in the trunk to replenish when necessary. An avid traveler and humanitarian for many years, often living out of a backpack in remote places with limited resources, I’ve discovered that a few small items go a long way. For instance, heavy duty garbage bags and ziplock bags to keep my belongings dry and organized (always a commodity), and fleece blankets to keep my body heat in. As a person of faith, a few verses of hope, or notes of encouragement from friends along the way, give an extra boost to keep me going on challenging days. This year, I decided to get organized. No more stuff rolling around in disarray on the floor of my car. I compiled everything into ziplock bags with a few extras. You can keep these packages in your car and have them ready to give at your discretion and you don't have to break the bank either. Here's the breakdown (all items from Walmart with approximate prices): Gallon Ziplock bags, $4; Contractor-strength Heavy Duty Garbage Liners, $8; Trail Mix, $4; Flashlight/Headlamp (includes batteries), $1; Hand-warmers, $0.75; Bottled Water, $4; Fleece Blanket, $2.50. Handwritten note of prayer and encouragement, hopefully priceless? (For everything else, there’s Mastercard.) You can add items like socks and Subway gift cards if you get the inspiration. These care packages aren’t likely to turn someone’s life around, but may help keep them a little more warm and dry for a night. Life on the streets is rough, cold and lonely. Keeping these care packages in your car provide a safe and responsible way to offer an ounce of hope and encouragement to a person in need.
Casa Chiquita By Sharon Hightower
I don’t know where the heat of our passion came from. Normally, I’m a sensible reasonably sane individual, but this came over me like a tidal wave and pushed my borders way beyond their normal lines. As she continue to speak, it was hard for me to listen. How many of us have had these “close encounters,” I wondered? And, even now, after she’s been gone so long, I feel the need to protect her even while knowing how much she’d wanted to share her story. She continued… There were rules for God’s sakes and I followed them. Yes, I was a child of the 60s, but frankly, I thought the Berkeley gang a bit mad. After all, you can’t fight city hall. Besides, what did I know about Vietnam? Was it any worse than Korea? Still, I’d been married to a cop for goodness sakes. And he had rules. I know now that he hadn’t followed them, but I had. You don’t drink and drive. You don’t go out without a slip on. You don’t spit in the wind. What, then, in God’s name was I thinking? How did I get involved in a relationship that still haunts me 20 years later? And I can only imagine where it might have gone, where I might be if the rules weren’t so clear or if I’d understood his culture at all. I grew up in Lily White Lakewood next to the only Mexican family in town. And they were a salvation for my mother whose deep dark skin caused whispers wherever we went. It kept her out of the PTA. I think it caused her much pain, but with Polly next door and their mutual fondness for cervezas along with their mutual belief in the Catholic tenant of the rhythm method and the resulting number of babies, they found in each other a soul mate. And I grew up thinking I knew the Mexican culture as well as any white chick. But nothing prepared me for the intensity of his stare. I could feel it across the room like some 20th century laser beam. Why won’t he stop looking at me? I’d been teaching for nearly 10 years and in the ESL classroom and was surrounded by young studs vying for attention – mine, theirs, and a bevy of young women. And I had been – while not oblivious – impervious to this. I knew my place. I knew the rules. And I’ll be damned if I was going to risk my career for the attention of a young buck. I’m sure he was way too young for me, but he wasn’t a child. Like many of his contemporaries, he was older than his chronological age. Many by virtue of their circumstances have had to grow up far too fast. But he wasn’t old enough to realize that he should have explained things to me. I was the naïve one. Only later – when it was too late – did I realize that the new apartment he was so eager to show, even though it wasn’t even furnished yet, only much later did I realize it was supposed to be ours. He had left the comfort and safety of his roommates and ventured out on his own to provide this for me: The Casa Chiquita – the little house where one kept his mistress and second family, a common enough occurrence in Mexico and the U.S. especially among Mexican immigrant men who had left their wives and families behind. He was preening like the proverbial rooster as he showed off the sparkling kitchen and the spacious living room. He marched upstairs and proudly opened the door to the bedroom – our bedroom. If only I had known. Would I have behaved any differently? I was a single mom, but my mothering days were over and so I had recently put my celibacy behind me. I hadn’t entertained even the idea of dating while my children were still young, but one has needs and the kids were grown now and had children of their own now. Besides, everyone wants to be loved and cherished. And I knew he
would be good at both. And he was so eager. It was a whirlwind romance that really began on Halloween, but was wrapped up and tossed aside like last year’s Christmas tree by the time the New Year rolled around. I guess his wife wasn’t as stupid as me and rather quickly put two and two together. He was leaving his comfy almost bachelor life style for a new apartment. It didn’t add up. She quickly realized what he was up to and decided to come to the U.S. for a visit. Thus it was that he had to tell me about her - lying there next to me. “I’m married. I have two kids.” It hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t know why. I don’t know what I was expecting. Surely I hadn’t thought he’d marry me. I mean the age difference, the cultural difference, the differences too numerous to mention. What was I thinking? (Rueful laugh) That’s right. I wasn’t thinking. I was just feeling. And for that precious short time, it was marvelous. Wonderful. Damn close to perfect. I loved him. How stupid is that?
Bitchin & Moaning
Holiday Shopping
By Judith A. Habert We are at that time of year when presents are on everyone’s mind and words like Black Friday, Bogo, and 70% off come into play. Since most of us women have lived through a Black Friday, (some more than once) we know that it is truly an event especially made for women. Those of us who have attempted to bring our significant other with us to experience the joy and exaltation of this revered event, have quickly realized that it has turned out to be a Disaster with a capital D. Men, for some reason, just don’t understand the joy women get at standing in long lines for hours on end in the very early hours of the morning to be one of the first shoppers into a store to get an item for 50% off. So what if we have to camp out at 3 a.m. with thermoses of hot coffee and a tent like structure protecting us from the elements. Hell, we are in San Diego, what is the worst that can happen, it might drizzle. Being a former New Yorker, I scoff at this. Hell, I did my Christmas shopping at an outdoor flea market at Roosevelt Racetrack on December 15th with the temperature at 12 degrees and 3 layers of clothes, boots, hat and scarf, hot chocolate in one hand the other gloved and shoved in a pocket so it might be nimble enough to be able to reach in my wallet to pull out crisp (actually slightly frozen) bills to pay for my purchases. We only ended our shopping trip when we could no longer feel both feet. The wimps in the group gave up when only one hand or one foot lost feeling, but not me or my mom, we were pros, and we would risk a limb for a good deal. As would most true bargain shoppers. So, I really don’t want to solely pick on men for the lack of excitement and adventure when it comes to the holiday shopping experience. But after having survived the Cabbage Patch Doll fiasco and the Talking Big Bird debacle of the late 1980’s, I honestly feel like I deserve some extra street cred. How many of you out there can honestly say they lived through these historic shopping horrors? I personally believe that some of my current moments of PTSD can be directly traced back to these events. I actually had a cabbage patch doll stolen out of my shopping cart while I turned away to select another gift for my 5-year-old daughter, and ended up having to go black market to buy a replacement. My transaction was just short of meeting in a dark alley and dealing with a man in a trench coat to purchase the “gray market” cabbage “kid,” it was such a sleazy encounter. It actually made me feel as if I needed a shower after exchanging the cash for my coveted prize, which made my daughter scream with joy on Christmas morning. The Talking Big Bird was an event that still gives me the shakes when I talk about, so I won’t elaborate. But let’s just say it involved a 6 hour car ride to pay 3x what the store was selling the item for, if they had any available, and the woman I dealt with wore dark sunglasses and was missing her three front teeth. Yes, Christmas shopping in New York was rough, so I wanted to hear no complaints about long lines when my significant other joined me to shop. So what if you had to elbow a few frail looking women to get the 50% off designer handbag. Hell, I was kind to the woman in the wheelchair. But it truly wasn’t any of this that he complained about. It was the long lines at the cash register, and the crowds. Did he actually think that after the stores were hyping this day and the amazing sales it promised, that we were going to be the only ones that took the bait and set out at 3 am to shop? Well, I keep insisting that he stay home and I attack the stores on my own, but he insists, so thanks to the greedy retail industry I have managed to solve my problem. Here is my solution and it really is very simple: I am Italian, and therefore no one blinks an eye when I put together my Thanksgiving dinner menu. This year it consisted of the following: • Antipasto (four types of cold cuts, four cheeses, two types of olives, marinated mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, and marinated red peppers in oil), bread sticks, Italian bread with butter and garlic bread. • King Crab and Corn Chowder (Thank you Costco)
• Extra Large shrimp prepared Scampi Style with Linguine Pasta (6 lbs. of shrimp for 6 people) • Turkey and two types of gravy • Stuffing • Sweet Potatoes (with Melted Marshmallows and brown sugar) • Green Bean Casserole • Steamed Fresh Vegetables • Mashed Potatoes • Cranberry Sauce • Dessert consisted of a Cherry Pie, Apple Crumb Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Cheese Cake. Do you get the picture yet? After the men all devoured this meal, the women carefully chose the lightest items on the menu and when the men passed out on the couch, we gathered our bags, put on our sneakers and hit all of the Thanksgiving day Pre-Black Friday sales. We got all the bargains, got back home, and hid them in the garage before any of the men woke up. At which point we sat with them and planned out our method of attack for Black Friday shopping with our significant others. It worked like a charm, and when our men begged us to go home after only 3 hours of shopping on Black Friday, we were able to guilt them into taking us out for a nice lunch, since they made us cut short one of our favorite events of the year. Problem Solved!
For all your Holiday Wine Needs Gift Certificates (with Free Wooden Cork Topper)
The Diva Wine & Chocolate Gift Set
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Zen Relaxation Gift Set
Malbec & Malbec Jam Gift Set
Got Tight Shoulders and Neck Muscles? By Robyn Betts,
Certified Touch for Health Instructor and Practitioner Licensed Brain Gym® Instructor H.H.P with American Association of Drugless Practitioners
A demonstration for the skeptics: • Sit up straight, but relaxed, in a chair and turn your head as far as you can to one side without causing any undue pain or injury to yourself. • Notice where your muscles are tight and where there is any pain. • Now turn your head to the other side and notice any tightness or pain on that side. • For an additional demonstration, you can also stand with your feet shoulder width apart looking forward. • Turn your head and whole body to one side and notice any tightness or pain anywhere. • Now turn to the other side and notice any tightness or pain in that direction. To do the exercise: • With your thumbs and index fingers you will be giving the outer edges of your ears a firm but gentle massage. • Start at the top of your ears where it meets your face and gently pull back on the outer edges of your ears to unroll them, massaging them in the process. • Slowly work your way around and down each ear to the earlobes. • Do this whole process 3 to 5 times. • Now follow the demonstration process outlined above once again. Now notice . . . • You might notice how stiff your ears were at first. As you did the exercise, did they begin to feel suppler? • You may also notice that your ears got hot as you did the exercise. This is normal and the heat will go away after a while. • Do you now notice a further range of motion, less stiffness and if you had any pain – less pain? • Do you feel more relaxed?
Other benefits that have been found using “Auricular Energy” or “The Thinking Cap:” • improving speech and language • improving active listening • tuning out distractions • a better range of hearing • ability to focus more easily • improved breathing and energy • relaxed jaw and facial muscles • increased voice resonance • and improved ability to speak in public, sing, and play a musical instrument. I welcome you to add this quick and simple, but effective exercise to your daily routine for greater health and wellness. For more information visit: www.braingym.org www.touchforhealth.us
References: Touch for Heath Manual 1 Brain Gym® Teacher’s Edition Appalachian Acupuncture Website
San Diego
Energy Kinesiology is a fairly new science in the field of natural health. Its roots go back to a Chiropractor named George Goodheart D.C. In 1964, Dr. Goodheart had a patient that he was unable to help with “normal” chiropractic therapies. Dr. Goodheart was familiar with kinesiology – the study of the mechanics of body movement - so he tried palpating (feeling) the muscles related to his patient’s condition. Unknowingly and by “accident” he fixed his patient’s problem. Dr. Goodheart tried his new findings on other patients, sometimes with success and other times not. He was familiar with research that was done in the 1930’s and 40’s by Osteopathic doctors that had gotten positive results. He was also familiar with 6,000 year old Chinese medicine. He decided to try some of their techniques on his difficult patients and, again, achieved success. With that, Applied Kinesiology was born. He started teaching and collaborating with other chiropractors, doctors, and psychologists. One of those chiropractors, John Thie, D.C., saw a need and had a vision to teach his patients (and lay people all over the world) some of the simple techniques that Dr. Goodheart and their colleagues had found. In 1973, Dr. Thie decided to write a book, called “Touch for Health” and began teaching. His vision was to enable everyone to have tools to help themselves be healthier. In 1971, Dr. Paul Dennison, an educator and founder of several learning centers in Los Angeles, saw how well some of the Touch for Health techniques worked to enable students to learn more easily. By 1979, he and his wife, Gail, incorporated some of the techniques as well as many other techniques from other healing modalities and made fun user-friendly techniques for children and educators that could be used in school settings. They called their system Brain Gym®: Since that time all three systems have grown and are now being used worldwide to improve both health and education.
Why it works: Note the picture below: In reflexology, the location of the points that correspond to body parts found on the ear resembles an upside down fetus. In acupuncture, the ear is known to have 400 acupuncture points that are related to every mental and physical function of the body including our emotions. By stimulating these areas/points you positively affect all the related systems of the body.
Woman
Try this quick and easy energy exercise from 2 systems of Energy Kinesiology – known as “Auricular Energy” in Touch for Health, and “The Thinking Cap” in Brain Gym.®
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Nisha Bunke-Making Your Legs Beautiful Again By Judith A. Habert If someone told you that you could transform your legs, which are currently plagued with spider and varicose veins, into the once beautiful legs of your youth, would you believe them? Many women were amazed when they found out that this is now possible. We all know that there have been medical advances, which in some cases, appear to be just short of miracles. We are living longer; diseases that were often viewed as death sentences are now considered curable. What I have discovered, over my many years is that most of us rarely know much about an illness or its cure, unless we are stricken with the illness, or happen to be a medical professional. Perhaps, some illnesses that never touch us, don’t seem important enough to take the time to research or learn about. Varicose and Spider Veins may fall into this category. How simple is it now to remove these unsightly markings from what used to be beautiful legs? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that you could completely get rid of varicose veins without ever having to undergo any surgical procedure. I have had the pleasure of meeting an incredible physician who has dedicated her life to this field and in speaking to her I have learned so much about a disease that a large number of Americans, the majority of which are women, suffer with at one time or another during their lifetime. Dr. Nisha Bunke is the first physician in the United States to complete the fellowship training supported by the American College of Phlebology in the field of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. As Dr. Bunke explains, “The first step when you realize that you have varicose or spider veins which need attention, is to come in for a consultation and we will perform a venous ultrasound. This is necessary before doing any treatment. If you go to a physician who starts off with treatment options, without first performing this ultrasound, you should immediately walk out of the office. You cannot treat this condition without first knowing what is the cause. So, the ultrasound is a necessary first step. For severe varicose and spider veins it may take several visits, but most vein problems are eliminated in approximately 3-5 visits. No medicine other than a numbing agent is used to perform this procedure. Once numb, endovenous ablation is performed which is an image-guided, minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency to cauterize (burn) and close the varicose veins. You can walk out of the treatment and go back to work if you like. You will be asked to do no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise following the procedure, but after 2 weeks of you can go back to normal activity. Generally, the procedure will include a heat treatment and a couple sclerotherapy sessions” The veins treated will never come back, but if you have a predisposition for vein problems you may have a problem with other veins. “Varicose and Spider Veins can be hereditary but they can skip a generation, so just because your mom has them doesn’t mean you will have them, but if there is a history of them somewhere in your family line you may very well end up with them.” Heredity isn’t the only reason for this condition; obesity, jobs with a prolonged time standing and pregnancy, are some of the other causes of Varicose and Spider veins. Being a bit of a sceptic when I hear of new treatments I spent some time with Dr. Bunke, and she shared some before and after photos with me. I was astounded at the results, and decided that since as they say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ I thought I would show you some of her amazing work. I’m sure you will feel the same once you’ve taken a look at these images.
Photo by Dawn Nicoli
Care, and having written a book that is held up as a top resource in her field would be enough for anyone, but not for Dr. Bunke. She is always looking for ways to make the procedures easier for her patients so she has created a healing cream “Recova,” that is being used not only by her patients, but by other surgeons to help decrease their patient’s bruising and to make the healing process more comfortable. On top of all of this, she is a wife to her wonderful husband Mike, and a mom with two beautiful children Ava and Aaron. How does she manage to do all of this? As someone recently reminded me, if you want something done, ask the busiest woman in the room. Dr. Nisha Bunke is definitely that, and so much more. To learn more about her book, or to pre-order a copy, visit her site www.AreWeJustBeingVein.com.
San Diego
Woman
I was so impressed that the more we spoke of her work and the amazing strides that had been made in this field, the more interest I gained in spreading the word to our readers. Since learning about this, I have had numerous conversations with readers, friends and family and found out that this is one of the best kept secrets around. Women and men are actually suffering with the symptoms of varicose veins which in some cases cause severe pain, because they are too frightened of the old vein stripping procedures to go to a doctor for help. Many individuals have no idea that a new and much better treatment exists. Over the past few months I have been engulfed in the study of venous disease and issues that affect a large number of our population. Why, you might ask? Although Dr. Nisha Bunke co-authored a 600-page book entitled “The Vein Book,” with her favorite teacher and mentor Dr. John J. Bergan, she realized the need to inform the non-medical community about the changes in her field. “The Vein Book” was an extraordinary medical masterpiece explaining every possible study and treatment for venous conditions. “Working on the book was an amazing experience. I co-edited it with the late John Bergan. It is over 600 pages, and it is an extensive study of all disorders of the veins and venous diseases. The book includes insight from some of the most well-known and respected vascular surgeons in the world.” As we discussed the procedures in more depth it soon became evident that what was needed at this point was a publication that would explain in laymen’s terms what actually caused these conditions, how to help relieve the pain, when to seek treatment, how to do so, and to basically let the rest of the world know how easy the solution could be to those unsightly and often extremely painful vein issues. What would make it even better is if we could do it in a somewhat humorous manner, so the reading and enlightenment on this issue would, in itself, be enjoyable. We are proud and happy to say that within the next few months Dr. Nisha Bunke and I will be releasing her new book entitled "Are We Just Being Vein?" The Users Guide to Beautiful Legs. You would think that being a top physician in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, running her own practice, La Jolla Vein
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Poetry Corner
THE YEAR OF THE
FIRE ROOSTER
My Soul and Mind Live Disconnected By Maggie Ramos
My soul wanders around As my spirit follows along around a house I used to call home. Nowadays I don't recognize it as my own place My mind more often than not tells me it's time to go. I don't know where my steps would lead this body of mine. A body that wanders around in my own home and around the world without remembering who I am nor what is next to do. My soul is disconnected from my mind. I follow my spirit by the intuition hidden in my deep trust. Often my face expresses joy, although others around me are not ever certain if happiness is what I feel. I think I might have had children, and now I don't know them anymore. My soul connects me to their spirits although I may not understand why? Nor from where? I keep myself young, my joints are very active. they allow me to exercise back and forth anxiously, I walk and pace all day. If you ever intend to stop me or slow me down, I just might react with aggression whether If I wanted to or not. My soul is kind, always has been But I just don't know that anymore. ©
Maggie Ramos
By Gerald M. Neff
After twelve months of the Year of the Monkey, and all that it entailed for 2016, the Wooden Monkey burns out on the 28th of January 2017. And from these ashes, like the ancient legend of rebirth, there is born a shining new Phoenix Bird. This bird is the Fire Rooster for the Chinese New Year of 2017. These Roosters in general like to show off. They are flamboyant and very colorful with outgoing personalities and a friendly way about them. They are enthusiastic and quite communicative. Roosters are very entertaining, never quiet but at the same time sensitive, but seldom show it. They are gutsy and must be at the center of attention: Roosters know more than they let on and don't wish to appear too clever, but at times play the part of the buffoon when they don't need to, but this is just another way of getting attention. In the Asian communities of Latin American, Roosters enjoy the fame of being pushy, big money talkers and are often ten-dollar millionaires but they need friends and investors for their big projects. They can be quite alluring but at the same time also very clever. Love for the Rooster is serious business. They conduct all love affairs on their own terms, and should their partners oblige, they are rewarded with lavish gifts and expensive entertaining; but its all about the Rooster not the courted females. Although Roosters are dramatic and exciting lovers and have endless sexual energies, they have very little imagination and expect their mates to be true; but Roosters themselves are not completely faithful. Roosters adore children and family life, and give them considerable attention while still working hard themselves, a unique skill. They love a challenge and often enter into occupations for which they seem unsuited - but slog away until the challenge is conquered. They have an infinite capacity for hard work, which makes them very popular with their employers, but inside it is all about the Rooster himself. This makes Roosters ideal for military officers, public relations, public affairs, academic actors or police officers. Fire adds more heat to the Rooster's already passionate and daring personalities. They are even bolder in both their dress and manner. They have presence and they are not swayed much by other's opinions and can often obtain high public positions in life. This Year of the Monkey is particularly interesting as the male candidate for our nation's highest office is a Dog of Fire, and his lady opponent is a Swine of Fire. Elections will take place during the present Year of the Monkey but the actual power and governing will begin in the Year of our Fire Rooster, a very volatile situation, indeed. This is definitely not boring, hopefully double fires can create success or the opposite would be chaos. The future of Fire with Fire is upon us in the Year of the Fire Rooster 2017. The old Chinese saying “ May you live in interesting times ”but“may they be good times”. As my friend the old Chinese sage says again “Be very careful of what you wish for, you might just get it ”. A big Fiery Cock-a-doodle-do and Good Luck to all
Women of Distinction
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was a British philosopher and feminist who is best known for her book – A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792) which was one of the earliest expositions of the equality of women and men. Back in the 1700’s this was a very unusual theory for a woman to express. Mary Wollstonecraft grew up in a difficult family situation. Her father was often violent and prone to drunken moods. Mary spent much time looking after her sisters and mothers. When Mary got tired of domestic life, she decided to take a job as a lady’s companion to a woman with whom she did not get along. At about the same time, she became acquainted with Fanny Blood, who played an important role in widening Mary’s horizons and ideas. The two became very close and when Fanny Blood’s unexpectedly died in 1785 Mary was in shock. Mary moved on to a job as a governess where she found that she had a talent for teaching, but took a dislike to the lady of the house. To Mary, she was the antithesis of an ideal women. She saw a woman with no real independence who seemed to only be concerned with superficial matters such as her appearances and pleasing men. This relationship led her to develop her thoughts for the concept of a good wife. “To be a good mother — a woman must have sense, and that independence of mind which few women possess who are taught to depend entirely on their husbands. Meek wives are, in general, foolish mothers; wanting their children to love them best, and take their part, in secret, against the father, who is held up as a scarecrow. “ – Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) This experience turned into her desire to become a writer; Mary returned to London where she became acquainted with luminaries such as Thomas Paine, William Godwin and Joseph Johnson. In London, she became more aware of new strains in political and philosophical ideas; the late eighteenth century was an era of change. The old ‘divine rights’ of kings was being replaced with greater faith in human reason and liberty; this sea change in attitudes best exemplified by the French revolution.
San Diego
A Groundbreaking Woman of Distinction
Woman
By Judith A. Habert
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S heri Malvestuto
Sailing Away to Life On The Other Side
As many of us know, it is not unusual for women to spend much of their lives dedicated to those around them. We care for our husbands, or significant others, we have children and then we care for them. As we grow older our parents age and just when our kids are getting more independent, we are called upon to care for our parents. Then there are the grandkids and of course our kids need the help so we are called upon to care for them and then our husbands or significant others end up with some illnesses as most of the time women out live men, so we are called upon to take care of them. Throughout this entire process one person is often left out, us. So when I hear a story about a woman who is actually about to step outside the path of caregiver and finally get a chance to enjoy her life it is definitely something to celebrate. Sheri Malvestuto is the ultimate caregiver. Not only in her personal life, but in her professional life as well. She and her husband Bob lived a storybook life, living in different exotic places that his job as a VP with Hewlett-Packard took him. Places like Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It was after they lived in Italy for a year and a half and were returning home that Bob turned to Sheri and said “You know I can’t remember the name of the project I’m working on.” Sheri soothed Bob by telling him that he was stressed and had too much on his mind. Slowly Bob’s condition deteriorated and they soon received the tragic news that Bob was suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia at the young age of only 56. Slowly their life changed. Bob couldn’t work and they had to move to a smaller place. They lived off of their savings until there was nothing more to live on. Sheri’s dad saw how much care and love she put into her newfound job of caring for Bob and when she and her dad tried to think of a way to bring in money to support them, they turned to what was most natural to Sheri: Sheri was a caregiver, so they looked into and eventually bought a Visiting Angels Franchise. Sheri, the ultimate caregiver to her husband, would soon become a premier caregiver to all of her clients in San Diego. The year was 2010 and Bob’s life was coming to an end, but the assistance of Sheri’s “angels” helped make it a bit of an easier time for her. They were there to assist her. The strength of her mom and dad saw her through this tough period in her life. About a year later Sheri had another great loss in her life, her dad. “We were really close, and his loss was hard. He helped me start the business and came into the office every day for quite some time. He stopped coming in and said ‘Sheri, you’ve got this’ and a few days later he was gone. I had the job 4 years, we started it on September 22 and he decided that was the day he would die. So he did. My dad had been a pilot and he always said that all pilots say that when they die they fly west because the sun never sets so it is believed they will keep circling the globe and will forever remain in flight. When he was passing, he was actually calling out his flight checks. His entire family was around him, and I knew what he
Photos Courtesy of Sheri Malvestuto
was doing, with tears in my eyes I answered his checklist seeing the smile on his face and knowing he would be flying west. It was a very peaceful passing, and he died on September 22 exactly 4 years to the day that he helped me open my business.” Mom was left behind and Sheri cared for her while growing her new business, a business that helped her through her losses. Of course, it could never take the place of her beloved husband and father, but helping other families to provide the care to their loved ones was a way she could hold on to her own memories. She worked tirelessly and the business prospered. Those around her were a bit concerned that she didn’t have balance in her life, and suggested that she get back to what she loved to do, dance. She and Bob had always enjoyed dancing, but now she was a bit hesitant to go it solo. She and Bob had been introduced to Wheelchair Dancing towards the end, when Bob was confined to a wheelchair and that experience had forever changed Sheri. She watched the faces of those who hadn’t previously been able to walk suddenly floating across the dance floor. From that moment forward she knew that this was something in which she needed to be involved. This was a great charitable endeavor, but friends still felt Sheri needed to do something for herself, and they convinced her to go out dancing with friends and do something just for her. So with the help of some of her Angels, who would stay with Mom, she was able to go out and dance again. A little bit of the former Sheri started to emerge and she felt a bit more alive than she had for a long time. She realized that even to take care of those around her to her best ability, she had to take care of herself as well. That light that was finally rekindled in her grew brighter each week, over time, as she went about her life working and taking care of mom and going out dancing whenever she could find the time. It was Jan 15 2011 at the Marriott la Jolla, a night that Sheri would never forget. She hadn’t really felt like going out dancing that night, but a friend had convinced her to go and she will be forever grateful for her friend’s insistence. This was the night she met him. His name was Joe Torres and as Sheri said “It was love at first sight and could he dance!” He caught her attention across the dance floor. This was one of the regular places she went out to dance and she knew most of the crowd that showed up there, so when Joe showed up she knew he was new. He was living in Cleveland and came to visit friends in San Diego. He had lived here, raised his kids here but had moved to Cleveland. Now, after getting divorced, was considering moving back to San Diego. Joe had been dancing since the age of 8 and had owned his own dance studio in San Diego called “Salsa Caliente.” They danced together that night and have been dancing together ever since.
details and all the many emotions that emerge when we are met with a change in lifestyle. Then Joe’s dream of moving back to his homeland of Puerto Rico was brought up. Joe and Sheri had been back to Puerto Rico several times to visit his family and they absolutely loved it there. But, could they do it? Sheri’s mom was adamant many times in her life that Sheri should take life’s opportunities and travel and do what she wanted to do. She had been held back, caring for her mother-in-law for 14 years in a place her family hated and she had made Sheri swear that she would never do that because of her. Sheri had a sister who had been wanting to care for mom. Joe’s mother was missing her daughter and wanted to be with her.
San Diego
Woman
Sheri told Joe about wheelchair dancing and when he moved back here he became actively involved, working with The San Diego Wheelchair Dancing Organization as their dance instructor. This is a cause that they are as passionate about as they are about each other. They love what they do, which I have witnessed firsthand having attended several Wheelchair Dancing events for the Magazine. If you truly want to be amazed attend one of these performances. Since Sheri has been busy running Visiting Angels and caring for her mom and Joe has been busy with Wheelchair Dancers, they decided that they needed to move Joe’s mom out here so she could be cared for in a manner that they felt was best, so shortly after Joe relocated to San Diego, he brought mom out to live here and she moved in with
21 them so the two moms could be together and have the care of Visiting Angels. “It was so cute watching the two of them. Joe’s mom and my mom had a bit of a language barrier, but they still managed to understand each other and they got a long great.” The hectic lifestyle continued and Sheri felt that there was something missing for the elderly community for which her Angels cared. So, she decided she wanted to build an Angel home, where grown children could bring their aging parents to stay for the day while they went to work and they wouldn’t have to worry about leaving them home alone. Once again the caregiver in Sheri came out and I couldn’t help but wonder where her energy came from and of course her desire to be in a profession that required so much caring and love. “My mom taught me very early that anytime you start to feel bad for yourself… help someone else. This is a very true statement. I have followed her belief all of my life.” Even in the middle of the worst moments when her husband was suffering with Alzheimer’s Sheri managed to find time to bring her dog to Children’s Hospital to help cheer up sick children. “I learned to live in the moment, because for some of these children, that was all they had.” Years have passed and their schedules have been as busy as ever, Joe and Sheri love what they are doing and are a dedicated couple. Out of the blue, came an offer to Sheri to buy her business, and suddenly they were faced with a question. Do they continue on as they have, working crazy hours, seeing each other when they could find the time, or was this a chance for something new, something better? It took much soul searching and contemplation. Then came the talks of
So, once those decisions were made and the moms were happily settled in their new surroundings, there was no reason for them not to make this wonderful move. Why would they not do this? They packed up what they could, gave away what they could not fit, and they were off to paradise. Although Sheri and Joe will be missed by all of us in San Diego and all the lives they touched and continue to touch every day, no one can help but smile and be so very happy for them. Sheri lights up when she talks about their little corner of paradise, some land that they bought and are having a house built on. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful there. The people are so happy, and even when they are waiting on lines they are not complaining. They just stand in line and start dancing. What more could we want?” As Sheri and Joe share pictures of the construction site and the glorious view from their new home of beautiful blue waters and lots of swaying palm trees, Sheri adds, “We are calling this period of our life LOTOS, Life on the other side” From San Diego Woman and all of our staff, and every woman who has thought about packing up and relocating to a tropical island, thank you for showing us that dreams do come true! We wish you every bit of happiness. But most important of all… Keep on Dancing!
BAYWATCH BABE
CREATES LUXURY FARMS™ Melissa Scott Clark is best known as a “Baywatch” cast member. And her husband Roger Clark, a former world ranked professional volleyball player and 4-time NCAA champion at UCLA, are both residents of Del Mar. However, since she traded in her bright red bathing suit (it still hangs in her closet) for elegant business casual, she is now the co-owner of one of the first retail and coffee ‘concept' stores in San Diego, known as Luxury Farms™, with locations at 928 Fort Stockton Drive, Mission Hills, and 918 Orange Avenue, Coronado, first opened its doors in August 2014. This European-inspired Retail and Coffee Concept Store invites
Photo Courtesy of Melissa Scott Clark
introduced me to longtime friend and colleague [Champion-Cain]; after discovering we had similar interests in business, one thing led to another and we decided to open our own retail store around the corner from The Patio Restaurant on Goldfinch Mission Hills. We wanted to launch a different kind of retail store and create a concept to let our guests explore more personal experiences with the designers and brands we would bring to San Diego. We decided our store would host an array of personalized events with ‘friend-like’ experiences, and an array of in-store enhancements would be among the innovative ideas we identified as key differentiators that would drive us”, said Scott Clark. “This new retail store would house not only unique brands and one-of-a-kind items for the kitchen and home, it would host a variety of our own gourmet food products such as our flavored balsamic and incredible extra virgin olive oils," said Scott Clark. “My work has taken me to interesting places worldwide, resulting in my collecting many beautiful things. I wanted to share those with our community hoping someday I could show San Diegans products they have never seen before,” Scott Clark explained.
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“As we filled the shelves, we knew we were on to something special and the concept just revealed itself to us over a short period of time”, said Scott Clark. “The first location in Mission Hills was quickly and warmly accepted by local residents, which accelerated our plans for a second store”, she added.
guests to step into Luxury Farms™ and experience a gallery-like setting and never ending assortments of unique lifestyle products such as cookware and kitchen gadgets, home décor (both vintage and new), a beautiful gourmet pantry, custom gift baskets, wine, cheese and charcuterie galore. “I have always loved being creative, whether through acting or manufacturing consumer products,” she said. However, Scott Clark said her creativity soared when she met her eventual, inspirational minded business partner and hospitality Guru, Gina Champion-Cain, and the idea for “Luxury Farms ™” was born. “Upon relocating to San Diego to get married, my husband
Shortly after opening the original store, the ladies celebrated the opening of their second location in Coronado, CA. Similar to the first store, the second location also proved to be incredibly popular with the local residents. “I’ve actually had ladies come up and hug and thank me for bringing them our gourmet cheeses, fresh organic juice, and kitchenware that they don’t have to leave the Island for; we couldn’t be happier there”, said Scott Clark. For those who can’t visit one of our brick and mortar locations, check out www.luxuryfarms.com. Our e-shop features unique products, lifestyle tips, recipes, and special events, as well as a blog about my travels. “Unlike many e-commerce sites, our e-shop is meant to recreate the in-store experience we’ve worked so hard to cultivate, on-line." said Scott Clark.
“We’ve listened to our community and responded to their consistent requests, thus we are creating a more expansive and discriminating array of home décor items. We’re receiving requests from many guests to assist in their interior design projects and curate larger and highly unique furnishings and accessories. Therefore we’re bringing containers of goods from abroad on guest’s behalf. Our most recent container from my trip to France and Denmark is not even port-side yet and is almost completely pre-sold,” shared Scott Clark.
“I am so excited to share we have just formed a private labeling agreement with Bella Cucina Artful Food, to carry a wide variety of their remarkable new products as: “Luxury Farms by Bella Cucina” said an excited Scott Clark. “Our gift-baskets have quickly become extremely popular and a must have for any gifting opportunity. We started with our own loyal guests and quickly expanded to companies and organizations such as Sotheby’s and Neiman Marcus, for all their corporate gifting needs. With our unique selection of items and incredible wrapping services, we are able to create any type of personalized gift and throw the unique and sometimes one-of-a-kind baskets in for free! We have already begun our holiday preparations and the orders for gift baskets are brisk, as the word spreads about this highly personalized method of saying thank you and happy holidays." “In the spirit of creativity, we have just launched “Presents for Pooch”, to deliver the ultimate gift-basket for your four-legged friend; stocking a wide variety of pet items from exclusive brands such as "Harry Barker" and "Murchison Hume." Luxury Farms™ is committed to always being pet friendly and has conducted a number of special events in our communities exclusively involving pets, supervised by a warm staff of pet lovers”, said Scott Clark. “Although the store’s selection of unique products helped put Luxury Farms™ on the map”, Scott Clark mentioned, “there were additional keys to our success that have propelled our brand into what it is today: A concept with accepted potential, a partner who brings energy and passion to a product, and a team of women with a dedication for complete customer service”. “Together, we are better understanding the challenges we encounter in growing a young business, so we always operate as a team, continually supporting and sharing with each other ways we can improve our concept and strive to better serve the guests we so highly treasure.” Shared Scott Clark. Luxury Farms™ is located at 928 Fort Stockton Drive in Mission Hills. Hours are: Monday through Sunday, 7:30am - 7pm. Luxury Farms™ is also located at 918 Orange Avenue in Coronado. Hours are: Monday through Sunday7:30am - 7pm.
Get Real Life Fit With Real Life People Having Real Fun
LJ Eastmead Owner, Infinitely Fit email: lj@infinitely-fit.com cell: 858.754.7556 website: www.infinitely-fit.com facebook: /InfinitelyFitSD twitter: @InfinitelyFitSD
San Diego
Luxury Farms™ was recently selected exclusively to introduce the number one French cookware line, Cristel Cookware to the U.S. Cristel is manufactured in the oldest cookware factory in the south of France and features magnificent top-tier cookware with patented technology and a wide variety of shapes and sizes, all with beautiful, removable, and colorful handles. Additionally, S’well Bottles in a large variety of colors, may also be purchased in- store. "The problem is keeping these in stock." shared Scott Clark.
Be inspired. Be transformed
Woman
“Luxury Farms’™ coffee element is extraordinary. Our beans are hand roasted in San Diego by Swell Coffee Roasters. We combine the best ingredients such as organic milk and award-winning cookie butter syrup, to bring some of the best gourmet lattes around, aimed specifically for guests who are tired of the same old chain coffee retailers who mass produce coffee and forget about offering that special experience that coffee lovers (so) crave. Lavender Latte anyone?” offers Scott Clark.
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Anna Doxie
An Education in Aromatherapy
When you meet some women you instantly know that they are going to be a success in no matter what they set out to do. Anna Doxie is one of these women. I met Anna when she was the first cover girl of our newly re-launched magazine back in 2008. She was set to be the cover girl of the old magazine, where my duties were only that of Editor-in-Chief, when the (then) current publisher pulled the plug on our magazine; I knew I had to revive it. We already had the beautiful images of Anna in the can. Ironically, she was close to delivering her youngest child, extremely pregnant and touting her wine business - an unlikely product for a woman about to give birth. Thanks to some skillfully placed wine bottles and beautiful kitchen accoutrements, we were able to hide her belly and the photos were spectacular. Close to ten years later her baby isn’t a baby anymore. She has her stunning shape back, is as gorgeous as ever, and has just embarked on an amazing new undertaking. “I really wanted a to gain a solid foundation, as well as a balanced evidenced based perspective in the field of aromatherapy”. I was no longer satisfied with basic knowledge about essential oils. I wanted to know exactly how and why these natural remedies worked so effectively. This led to pursuing aromatherapy as a profession. My education encompassed many years of advanced courses that covered the chemistry and therapeutics of essential oils for clinical settings, along with courses in organic cosmetic formulation. This required travel across the US, France and the UK. Now as a registered aromatherapist & Organic Cosmetic Formulator, she currently, serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy, both as Director Coordinator and Director of the Southern California Region. (www.NAHA.org) Anna's passion for sharing quality aromatherapy education, and desire to create an accessible, mentor-based aromatherapy education, led to the founding of the Institute of Holistic Phyto-Aromatherapy. This may be a mouthful. However, “I chose this name because I felt it was important to differentiate the importance of exactly what we are teaching here at the institute. Authentic, plant based aromatherapy, a branch of herbalism.” This is important because, There are many misconceptions about aromatherapy. The sea of misinformation is readily available. While the truth about authentic aromatherapy must be diligently sought out. There is a difference between scent and aroma. People often confuse true aromatherapy products/treatments, with synthetically fragranced bath and body products and perfumes, of which there is no shortage. Nor contain any therapeutic value. These often trigger allergic reactions, headaches, and rashes. Contributing to various chronic illnesses, and cancers, from the complex cocktail of synthetic fragrances and chemicals. Clearly, synthetic fragrance and chemicals harm, while authentic, holistic aromatherapy, supports the body so that it can heal. Aromatherapy’s basis, for its success, stems from the chemistry of these volatile essences. The plants chemistry produces a variety of therapeutic actions, supporting the body during the healing process. While synthetic fragrance and chemical cocktails produce side effects. Therefore they cannot replace or be compared to the quality of pure therapeutic healing, received from true essential oil essences.
client both physically and mentally. Involving the client in the management of their care. to support not only any symptoms that you may be experiencing. Keeping in mind your personal preferences and dislikes. We then carefully design a blend or a total protocol if needed. That will support and effectively alleviate the issues at hand. The selected essential oil blend will be complementary to one another chemically and aromatically. Insuring client compliance. A professional Aromatherapist, is trained in a diverse range of blending techniques to create effective synergistic blends. Enough emphasis cannot be placed on the value of safety when making a blend. Seek the advice that only a professional can offer. The Institute of Holistic Phyto-Aromatherapy is the first to offer a live streaming and an in-person, professional 240-hour, evidenced based certification course. The course curriculum has been approved by national education organization, NAHA. The Institute is the only school of its kind to offer strategic teaching partners in the form of an Advisory Board of distinguished teachers from around the world. The 5 Advisory Board members consist of 2 M.D.’s, 2 ND’s (Naturopathic Doctors) as well as a Biologist who is also a Plant Physiologist & Cosmetic Chemist. The ability to learn from Anna’s experience as well as the opportunity to learn directly from the advisory board, in real time is a huge value that cannot be matched. A huge part of our students success, is the fact that the school is able to offer not only cutting edge, evidenced based education. But also offers, active support, mentoring and accountability that you receive as a student throughout your learning journey. This is something that can’t be accomplished with traditional online programs. As we have come to realize over the years, San Diego Women are amazing in what they are able to accomplish, often with great odds against them. Anna is no exception. She was able to accomplish all of this while raising six children, and running their family business while her husband was on a long-term project working in Afghanistan. If you would like trusted information on aromathrerapy or to take a free live-streaming class at The Institute of Holistic Phyto-Aromatherapy visit the school at https://authenticaromatherapyeducation.com It could very well be the first step to a new profession.
Aromatherapy is beneficial for psychological healing, physical healing, and other medicinal purposes. The volatile essences in aromatic plants can contain hundreds of individual chemical constituents. It is the synergistic combination of these components that gives essential oils their distinct aromas AND their ability to act therapeutically. Although the term “Aromatherapy” was not used until the 20th Century, the use of plant aromatics is as old as civilization itself. In ancient times, plant aromatics were used in rituals, as incense for purification, for behavior modification, and as meditation aids. As well as a variety of herbs and spices used included as a means of flavoring and preserving food. Also for perfumery,personal care, overall well being, and of course for medicinal purposes. Working with a Professional Aromatherapist, is very different from what you may have experienced with an essential oil sales person or distributor. We begin with a detailed client intake. Taking the time to carefully identify the client's reason for concern, and diligently investigating to find the root cause. Not just the symptoms. We consider how the concern affects the
By Judith A. Habert
Photos Courtesy of Anna Doxie
Consider this if you will; God made man - and the world was black and white. Then he made woman, and painted her with color. For most of us the first conscious decision we make every day is what to wear. What dress, pants, blouse, shirt, even underwear will adorn our svelte torsos. Please don’t tell me you have nothing but white cotton undies in that drawer. If that is the case, then you need to read this entire article. If you look at a rain drop you most likely would say it is colorless, you would be wrong. If you held up that tiny little rain drop you would see a spectrum of colors glistening through. Everything, whether you can see it or not has color - and aren’t you glad it does. Think of how dull life would be without color, unless of course you are talking about an old movie or photograph. Most of us don’t realize how color affects our everyday lives, which leads me back to choosing our wardrobe for the day. For the sake of time and space please let’s agree you’ve already done all the stuff you are supposed to do and it is time to get dressed. You’re rushed because you pushed the snooze button too many times. Your husband can’t find his socks even though they are right there in the same drawer where they always are. The kids wanted pancakes for breakfast. You grab the first thing your hand lands on, put it on, do the hair and make-up and you’re out the door. I can tell you are thinking, ‘so why is this different than any other day’? It probably isn’t, but after you read this article I hope you will reconsider what you grab tomorrow. Every color has a corresponding affect on our mood and how we react. For instance, blue is a cool color, it has soothing qualities, it represents communication and helps bleeding. Red makes you feel strong, sexy, alive, and can help heal cancer. Yellow is bright and makes you alert, clears your head and helps treat dermatitis. You may have noticed I also put a healing effect that colors have on the body in the previous paragraph. Color is used in various forms to heal
Holland America
San Diego Woman Magazine received a special invitation to spend a day touring and enjoying the ms Westerdam, which was going to be in port in San Diego this past October. We were treated to a tour of the ship, a fabulous lunch and a chance to sit in on the new setting for TV show America’s Test Kitchen. Best of all we were informed that Holland America would now be sailing out of San Diego to the Mexican Riviera. Holland America Line is strengthening its presence in Mexico for the 2016-17 season by increasing the number of departures and returning a larger Vista-class ship to the region. From October 2016 through February 2017, the 1,916-guest ms Westerdam will sail a series of 13 seven-day cruises roundtrip from San Diego, California, including two special holiday departures in December “We’re looking forward to the 2016-17 Mexico cruise season, and with increased sailings and a larger ship we’ll have the opportunity to show more of our guests what makes Mexico such a vibrant destination,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Mexico has it all, and with convenient roundtrip San Diego cruises, we know that these itineraries are going to attract a lot of cruisers looking for a unique warm-weather vacation.” At San Diego Woman, we too are looking forward to this wonderful new way to vacation. With no hassle at all you can drive down to the pier, park your car and set sail for a week of beautiful weather and s pecial memories. If you love cruising, or if you never have and have always wanted to give it a try, check out the Westerdam, for a vacation you will never forget
San Diego
By Carol Heath
different diseases or illnesses and it is also used very effectively in many ways to help release tension and stress. Color has been used in healing from ancient times, as far back as Atlantis. Some healers have their clients visualize the color while others have their clients wear the color, or eat the color food; some use a combination. Because every color has its own vibration, only a trained color therapist should attempt to use color for healing purposes. The next time you visit someone in the hospital, notice what color the halls and rooms are painted: Those colors were selected for their healing qualities both mentally and physically. Another place color is used effectively is restaurants. Fast food places usually have red in there somewhere. Why? They want you to hurry up and eat and get out so the next victims can come in and eat. However, your favorite, somewhat expensive, restaurant is most likely painted with shades of green and maroon. Green to make you feel harmonious and good about spending those extra few dollars. Maroon, a mixture of red and blue, because the blue wants you to relax and communicate and the red is excited about the fact that you are in this restaurant and not at the greasy spoon down the block. There is a whole science about color; big and small companies actually hire consultants to see what colors they should paint the walls to ensure the most productive environment possible. Notice cars are mainly 3 colors, white, black and red. These are the colors that appeal to most car buyers. White, the absence of color, represents purity and gives us permission to buy that expensive car. Black, the combination of all color, is protective and gives the illusion of strength.* And then there’s red, let’s go fast and get there because you have no time to waste. So, I’ll close with just a few hints. If you have a meeting with the boss or a job interview – wear blue. If you go on that first date and you really like this guy – wear something red, not necessarily a whole dress, but something. If you want to impress your friends – wear green. And finally, if you feel you need a little protection – wear black. Hey, at least you’ll look thinner. *There are 2 schools of thought about black and white being colors or combinations of color. I used the more common explanation.
Woman
The Importance of Color in our Life
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Water – One of Nature’s Most Important Health and Beauty Secrets By Robyn Betts, Certified Touch for Health Instructor and Practitioner Licensed Brain Gym® Instructor H.H.P with American Association of Drugless Practitioners
Dr. Batmanghelidj (Bat-man-ge-lij), a medical doctor born in Tehran in 1931, has been a key person in supporting this idea. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution broke out and Dr. Batmanghelidj was imprisoned in Evin Prison as a political prisoner and was soon to be executed. The guards realized he was useful as a resident doctor, so they held off his execution. One night a prisoner was brought to him with severe peptic ulcer pain. Dr. Batmanghelij having no medication to offer, prescribed 2 glasses of water. Within 8 minutes, the prisoner’s pain was gone. He instructed the prisoner to drink two glasses of water every three hours. The prisoner was pain free the remaining 4 months he was in prison. Dr. Batmanghelidj began to do research on the healing effects of water in Evin Prison, a perfect “stress laboratory,” over the next 25 months. At his trial he presented his research to the judge as his final defense and his life was spared, so that he could continue his research. During his prison stay, he discovered water could prevent, relieve, and cure many painful degenerative diseases. You are probably thinking: “Water – really – it’s too simple?” Here is why . . .
San Diego
Woman
• Picture your body as tiny streams running every which way throughout your entire body. These streams make up 70% of your body. • They carry blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the cells and take waste away from the cells. • Neurotransmitters and hormones are just some of the chemicals that act like telephone and internet lines carrying messages to and from all parts of the body – in water. • Your kidneys are constantly filtering and recycling the blood and water in your body. They are sophisticated trash collectors processing about 50 gallons of blood daily.
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When your body has enough water, your body streams are full of life and energy, rushing here and there; the waste disposal department (lymphatic system) is not on strike; the telephone and internet lines are all up and working at full speed; and the water reconstitution plant is not over worked. When there is not enough water, much like a drought, your body will send out a “drought alert,” a regulatory system comprised of histamines and other chemicals that start rationing water to your vital organs to keep you alive. This causes many streams to become partially dried up and slow; the waste disposal workers are sluggish; communication becomes slow; and the water reconstitution plant is working overtime to try to keep up. Since the streams are dried up it is harder to carry the waste away. Picture trying to wash dirty dishes in a sink half-filled with dirty water and then having to eat off those dishes. This sounds disgusting to most of us. How can we then think we can be healthy when our insides are being bathed in dirty water? Things to be aware of or consider: • Now don’t go nuts and overdo. That can create another problem called hyponatremia, which is rare, but it can be life threatening. Listen to your body. If you have dark yellow urine, then you are probably not drinking enough. Your urine should be clear or pale yellow. • On the flip side, in our culture we drink way too much coffee, tea, sodas, sport drinks, and juice in place of water. The first problem is our body
processes these as foods, not as liquids, defeating the purpose. Many of these drinks contain high amounts of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners, flavor, and dyes. Some of these are even diuretics (pulling water from your body). • It you don’t like plain water, try adding one slice of fruit (lemon, lime, orange, cucumber, or apple) to it for flavor or a tiny amount of Himalayan pink salt for added minerals. • Dr. Batmanghelidj says that a dry mouth is the last indication of dehydration. As we age, our thirst mechanism tends to work less efficiently, so older adults should keep this in mind. • Dr. Batmanghelidj also feels that many diseases are a warning sign of dehydration. When dehydration occurs, the “drought alert” system works overtime releasing histamines, which create inflammation, pain, and disease as a warning. These symptoms should not be covered up by medication, but used as another indication for dehydration. Morning sickness is a sign that mother and fetus are dehydrated. • To calculate how much water you need, divide your weight by 2 and that is how much water you need in ounces per day. Add more water in times of stress or when working out. • The best source of water is reverse osmosis (R/O) with added minerals, or spring water delivered to your home. Stay away from: • Bottled water for two reasons: 1. An independent test performed by the Environmental Working Group showed that bottle water had 38 contaminants in it, including disinfection byproducts (DBPs), caffeine, Tylenol, nitrate, industrial chemicals, arsenic and bacteria. 2. The bottle itself contains chemicals like BPA, which mimic hormones (the body’s communicators). They have been linked to health problems such as learning and behavioral problems, altered immune system function, reproductive organ issues, diabetes and obesity. • Unfiltered tap water especially if it contains fluoride. Scientists from the EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory have classified fluoride as a "chemical having substantial evidence of developmental neurotoxicity” and there are many other studies being done to show the dangers of fluoride. • Distilled water. Short term use is okay as a detoxifier, but over time it can pull crucial minerals from your body and create an acidic state, where disease can take hold. Lastly, Dr. Batmanghelidj’s research has uncovered the secret of water, but it is not the only factor in excellent health. Diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation, and a strategy for good emotional health are also crucial for excellent health. Sources: Dr. Batmanghelidj “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water.” Brain Gym® Instructor’s Manual Carla Hannaford “Smart Moves” Biography of Dr. Batmanghelidj - Health Gift of God internet site Mercola internet site
After (almost) ten years with San Diego Woman Magazine I will be leaving the Copy Editor post. It feels like an old movie ending where I stand up from my desk, put on my hat, and with a jacket over my shoulder I say, “g’night my friend.” The film fades to black as I exit the front door and disappear into the fog: Funny how emotions draw the dramatic flair out in me. As with each parting in our lives there is the bittersweet and the feeling of ‘what now.’ Yet I know it’s the right thing to do. Those of you, who have read my articles and the He Said She Said column, know that I am a musician and a writer/editor and retired. These are the things that define me and I have left one of them at the doorstep for far too long: My music. I have been a singer/songwriter since I was thirteen and first performed professionally at sixteen. And once music is in your blood…it never leaves. In so many of the great articles I have edited here the word ‘passion’ stands out as the meme for success and beginnings. It’s never too late for (new) beginnings and now it is my turn. I have never believed age should be a barricade to my dreams, or anyone’s dreams. Editing San Diego Woman Magazine has truly been a once in a lifetime experience and I have loved every minute of it. What I have learned (confirmed) is the power women possess in character and resilience. The power of inner strength and conviction. The power of belief. Of turning adversity into advantage. So many of these stories have been inspirational to me in that I have been forced to look into myself and check my sense of these strengths. That view has not always been what I had hoped it would be. But, things can change. My life has been gifted with many strong and determined women: Women whose character demanded attention and respect. Judith Habert is one of the best. I have watched, from the beginning of this magazine, the struggles in her personal and professional life in bringing San Diego Woman Magazine to you, her peers and friends. More than inspiration, it has been (also) a chance to look back at myself to take inventory of what I could be doing better and where I should probably be at this stage in my life. My hat is off to this great lady. I will continue to write He Said She Said with Judith. This has been such an exciting way to poke fun at men and women, hopefully, in a way that entertained and gave some of you one of those, “Geez, that sounds familiar” moments. Judith and I have so much fun, tinged with a bit of ‘what’s he/she going to say now.’ What a privilege it has been and I look forward to this duel each issue.
By Judith Habert
There are no words to express how very much I will miss having Bob Tussey looking over my shoulder, and making me look like a much better writer than I am. Matter of fact, I am in a state of sheer panic, if I were to be honest. As Bob can tell you all, and for many of you who know me personally will attest, it is hard to shut me up once I start talking. Well, it is no different when I am writing. If not for Bob and his excellent editing skills our 52-page publication might end up being 152 pages. It is Bob, whom I have relied on for almost ten years, to edit my writing down and to correct my grammar and punctuation. For anyone out there who thinks writers are great at these elements of writing, let me tell you, most of us are not. We may know how to express ourselves in words, but if not for our Copyeditors much of our writing would never see the light of day. The truth is, over the past ten years Bob has been way more to me than my Copyeditor. He has been my inspiration, my adversary (in He Said, She Said), my sounding board, but most importantly he has been a great friend and someone I respect and appreciate dearly. I consider Bob and his wife Lori, who puts up with many late nights, that I have kept him up working on our magazine (Thanks so much Lori!) to be friends that I will forever cherish. I am thankful that he will still be challenging me in our He Said, She Said Column each month, as our readers have expressed how much they love hearing both sides of the story in our Battle of the Sexes! Despite my sadness at losing the best Copyeditor ever, I can’t help but be so happy and excited for him. He is an amazing musician and songwriter, and the fact that he is now able to dedicate his time and energy to doing something he loves so much, fills me with so much joy. Plus, I can’t wait to hear his new songs and hopefully be invited to his upcoming performances. You will know I am there Bob, I will be the lady in the first row cheering louder than anyone else. We all love you at San Diego Woman and wish you tons of happiness! Keep that music playing.
San Diego
By Robert Tussey
Don’t Go!!!
Woman
Adieu
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Woman San Diego
Fabulous Finds BlissLights
Pizza pan and Cutter
Light up your world, or at least your home with this great new product. I had the pleasure of trying BlissLights Motion Firefly Laser Projector. What a pleasure it was to use Blisslights to decorate this year instead of the usual house lighting fiasco of bulbs that wouldn’t light or strands getting tangled. As advertised these lights transform your home and garden with thousands of breathtaking moving pin points. These lights are wonderful to add a festive glow for the holidays, but they are not limited to that alone. They make the perfect year round decoration to make your backyard stand out since they are weather resistant and energy efficient and can transform a normal backyard into a glistening oasis. For more information visit their website at https://blisslights. com/
What better person to test out the T-fal AirBake Pizza Pan and T-fal Ingenio Pizza Cutter than an Italian from New York? Having had some of the best pizza around in both New York and Italy, I have to say the pizza I made with my favorite recipe and these great pizza tools came out better than it ever had before. The T-fal Ingenio Pizza Cutter is extremely durable and is made of heat-resistant Tritan that seamlessly slices through pizza without damaging the pan. The Tritan also prevents the cheese from sticking to the cutter and the detachable wheel makes for a worry-free clean-up / Amazon, Kohls.com Want to whip up the perfect pizza without burning the crust? The T-fal AirBake Pizza Pan allows users to create perfectly baked pizza 15% faster. AirBake uses a clever double-layer technology to provide an overall enhanced baking performance ... meaning better browning, no burning, and decreased bake times!
ciao! baby The Portable High Chair
Secur Solar Power Bank
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I only wish that when my children were small such a wonderful product existed as this incredible new portable highchair. Created for families on the go with small children, ciao! baby is a time saving, transportable highchair created for babies up to toddlers 3 years old. This user-friendly, no-fuss, freestanding chair with its proprietary flexible seat and tray requires no assembly. With a cup holder built-in and a clear vinyl tray cover, it easily wipes clean and the chair unfolds easily, locks into place and folds up in seconds when parents and their tots are ready to go. Ciao! Baby provides an added sense of calm knowing your baby is dining on his own highchair wherever you take him to eat. Ciao! Baby is perfect for picnics, travel, tailgating, camping and everything in between! Tested and approved to meet ASTM high chair. For more information visit them at www.theportablehighchair.com
Not sure what to get your rugged outdoorsy significant other for Christmas? A way to hit every sweet spot and become the best girlfriend/wife is to get him a mulit-use gadget that brings out his inner kid. Secur Products SP-3000 is an ultra-high efficiency solar cell phone charger, built-in LED flashlight and room light, has a lithium battery, and a carabiner & stand. Let’s face it what man doesn’t like gadgets, especially one that will keep his cell phone on. What makes this even better is that no batteries are necessary. The Secur Products SP-3000 is powered by the sun, so he can bring it camping, fishing or for long walks on the beach. Find more information at http://securproducts.com/
Frownies Aroma Therapy Cellulite Cream
We all hate those horrid little pockets of fat known as cellulite. Frownies knows how much we hate it too so they have shared with us their wonderful Aroma Therapy Cellulite Cream. For four generations, Frownies has been run by a family of women committed to ageless beauty since 1889. Understanding that injections and surgery aren’t the answer, Frownies are highly nourishing, luxurious skin treatments of potent, all-natural anti-aging antioxidants that effectively address the physical causes of lines, wrinkles and cellulite. This amazing super-cream combines 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, with natural caffeine and plankton making it a perfect beauty regimen to smooth out cellulite and bring back the confidence we used to possess. San Diego Woman Magazine’s staff are not the only ones who enjoy using Frownies. Frownies are a Hollywood favorite used by classic beauties like Olivia de Havilland and hot trendy new stars like Rashida Jones. Other celebrity fans include Missy Pyle, Rene Russo, and the always beautiful and ageless Raquel Welch. Hey, if it is good enough for Raquel Welch then look out San Diego, we will be rocking those hot new bikinis next season showing off amazing results.
San Diego
Anyone with sleep issues will tell you that they will try anything to just get a good night’s sleep. Being a sufferer myself, I was thrilled to hear about Active Edge™ Sleep Shirts. A good night's sleep is essential for overall wellness and maintaining a good quality of life. Active Edge™ is the first technology capable of infusing and embedding a recipe of electromagnetic frequencies into fabrics and other materials. Developed here in America, Active Edge™ products are geared to help improve sleep, and more specifically, REM restorative sleep. In their clinical trials participants wearing Active Edge™ products treated with their technology of electromagnetic frequencies reported a significant improvement in sleep quality. This is defined as the ability to fall asleep faster and sleep longer. There was also a significant decrease in soreness, stiffness and pain from the back and neck. Study participants also reported that improved quality of sleep led to improvements in their quality of life due to an increase in alertness. If you are looking to get a great night’s sleep, wear Active Edge™ products to bed. If it could help me, who barely could sleep a few hours at a time, I am sure it will help give you that restful sleep you desire.
Woman
Active Edge sleep shirt
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Renpure Hair Products
My hair never looked or smelled as good as it has since I started using Renpure Hair Products. My favorite is the Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner. Besides the radiance of my hair, the healthy glow and tropical smell sweeps you away. Renpure is dedicated to creating unique formulas that use natural ingredients and extracts sourced from around the world. Whether it’s a dry, frizzy mane or dull, lifeless locks, they have a unique solution to help reverse hair damage and bring back that beautiful glow. Their Originals Coconut Cream series hydrates parched hair, helping get its natural oils and nutrients back in balance. The Coconut Rinses away impurities while adding weightless moisture with their Advanced Bamboo Coconut Water. All of Renpure’s products are free of sulfates, parabens, harsh salts, dyes, and gluten for quality that can be seen and felt with every wash. For more information about Renpure, visit www.renpure.com
Key Socks
Have you ever had a pair of boots that look great but are just not comfortable. You know that if only you could put a pair of socks on that would help make your boots more comfortable. Socks however will show and ruin the look of those sexy new boots. That was until this great new invention, Key Socks. From plushy velvet to leather moto over-the-ankle booties, the new 2016 styles are coming in hot. When you trade in your basic black or brown boot to upgrade to a killer ankle bootie with a little extra flair and spunk, don’t forget to grab the socks to rock with your arsenal of booties. KEYSOCKS are the first knee high keyhole cut out non-visible sock that wears perfect with Fall ankle boots. Not only does the sock make it fit like Cinderella, it also prevents blisters and adds a little cushion to your step. For more information visit their site at http://www.keysocks.com/
DR. TESS OFFERS A WOMAN’S TOUCH, ARTISTRY, AND HEALING INSIDE AND OUT Turning Back The Clock And Pioneering Women’s Health Treatment(s) For Over 12 Years! “I love sharing Dr. Tess’ Time Machine Procedure (TMP) with all my friends and many of them went straight to meet Dr. Tess and have their own TMP treatments also! The Time Machine Procedure causes the skin to naturally rejuvenate itself to a younger looking state, without surgery and minimal downtime. What’s not to love?”
-Marla Maples TV Personality, health advocate, humanitarian, Dancing With The Stars 2016 Actual patient and NOT a paid endorser!
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Marla Maples
By America’s Favorite Dermatologist The Time Machine Procedure™ by Dr. Tess Tickle Lipo O-Shot Botox Fillers Acne / Acne Scars Anti-Aging Body Sculpting Medical Dermatology FREE CONSULTATIONS! Visit our website for videos, testimonials, and to learn about our world-famous Time Machine Procedure™, Tickle Lipo, and O-Shot women’s health treatment for urinary incontinence and women’s intimate wellness. O-Shot personally performed by Dr. Tess.
TOLL FREE 1(800) 7MBeauty Beverly Hills
San Diego
Dr. Tess
DR. TESS MAURICIO
MD, Stanford University Summa Cum Laude, UCSD Past President, San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery Renowned Author, Speaker, Media Personality You’ve Seen Dr. Tess on: The Dr. Oz Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Fox News, America’s Next Top Model, The Talk on CBS, San Diego Living, KTLA, Breakfast Toronto, TFC, The Dr. Tess Show, ...and more!
www.mbeautyclinic.com National City
Glendale / Los Angeles
A Letter From Dr. Tess Mauricio
I'm Dr. Tess Mauricio, graduate of Stanford University Medical School, Founder of M Beauty by Dr Tess clinics. I usually talk to you about beauty, but today, I'd like to talk to you about something more serious, embarrassing, depressing, and life changing that affected my cousin when she visited me from Canada... with urinary incontinence. Studies show that starting from the age of 18 years old, 50%-75% of women suffer from some type of urinary incontinence. The 2 main causes of this embarrassing problem are childbirth and menopause. My cousin was only 44 years old but she kept going to the bathroom at least every 30 minutes, and she didn't want to go anywhere even though she was on vacation. I knew that something was wrong. She finally told me that a couple of years after she had her second child via normal vaginal delivery, she started having problems controlling her bladder. She would always bring extra underwear because she was afraid that she would wet herself. What's worse is that she didn't want to tell anyone because she was so embarrassed and thought that there was no treatment for it. She did not even realize this is not normal. She thought this was just part of normal aging. Luckily, she was visiting our San Diego clinic on the day she told me about her urinary problem and I told her she should try the O Shot. She was a little nervous about the procedure, but I told her that it doesn't really hurt and it is very safe because it uses her own platelet rich plasma to regenerate tissues to help rebuild the area so she can have better control of her urine. There is no downside to doing the procedure but there are lots of potential benefits that I have seen with my O Shot patients. She finally agreed and I performed the O shot on her that same day. She was very surprised at how quick and comfortable the procedure was. We still were able to go shopping after her treatment. But the best part of the story was that in just couple of days after performing the O Shot, she was much better. She was able to control her urine better and we even drove to my Beverly Hills clinic, which was over 2 hour drive from San Diego, without her having to go to the bathroom. She could not believe how much better she was and how much more relaxed she felt not having to constantly think about going to the bathroom. Before she went back home to Canada, she gave me a big hug and said, "I didn't want to tell you how depressed and embarrassed I was because of this problem but I'm so happy that I told you. Thank you so much Tess, you have changed my life and made me so happy!" My hope is that I can help other women like my cousin who are silently suffering. I want to help women from feeling depressed and embarrassed about urinary incontinence and I want everyone to know that there is hope. In fact, since my cousin's visit, I have introduced game changing technologies and treatments for incontinence and women's intimate health. VConfidence and VTimeMachineProcedure combines the OShot with the CO2RE Intima laser treatment to optimize the results for patients.
San Diego
Fur Ball
Woman
As one of the few female doctors to offer this procedure, please let me have the opportunity to help you. Although the O Shot is a safe treatment, you should only trust an expert to perform this procedure. At MBeauty, I personally perform the O Shot, VConfidence and VTimeMachineProcedure so you can be confident that your procedure will be done properly and safely. Please contact us at one of our MBeauty clinics to discuss your options and other benefits that will improve your quality of life and happiness. I hope to see you soon. -Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD
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San Diego Pet lovers gather every year for the annual fund raiser, that brings the greatest amount of help to the San Diego Humane Society. The support helps the Humane Society care for the many homeless and injured animals around the county. In it’s 30th year, this year’s Fur Ball was as grand as ever with Barbara Lee Edwards as the emcee, and a host of beautiful furry attendees decked out in some of their finest party attire. Well-dressed pets and pet parents enjoyed a night of fine dining, raffles, auctions and dancing under the stars while helping to support the programs and services of the San Diego Humane Society. Get in on the fun early next year before the event gets sold out. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
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He Said, She
Said
Photos by Lisa K. Miller
We have all realized that obviously men and women don't always see things exactly the same way. So, even though, we are a Woman's Magazine, we only thought it fair that we allow men to have a chance to share their opinions. Hence, He Said, She Said was born. Should you have a topic that you would like us to debate, email our editor at editor@sdwomanmagazine.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
She Said... What a Great Gift! Let me start off by saying, I personally don’t really care much about gifts. I am not all that crazy over what I am given for Christmas, my Birthday, Anniversary or Valentine’s day. However, over the years I have sat through lunches, dinners and other events and have listened to many of my female friends and relatives talk about the horrors of receiving gifts from their husbands, boyfriends or significant others. Some of you reading this might come away thinking, women are so superficial and they only think about the present and they only want expensive gifts, but truly for most of us this isn’t the case. The complaints I have heard are rarely that the diamond wasn’t big enough or the purse wasn’t a designer brand, they dealt more with the fact that the present was a symbol of a somewhat bigger problem. They felt that their significant other didn’t listen to them or, in some cases, wondered if they knew them at all. One of my friends always plans a few trips to the mall a couple of weeks before Christmas with her husband, at which point she will go to certain racks and pull clothing off, hold it up to her and say, “Honey, isn’t this beautiful. I would love this sweater and it would look really good with the black slacks I just bought and look they have it in a medium, which you know is my size. Oh and if you buy it before next Friday it is 30% off.” She tells me he responds in the most positive manner. Agrees it looks great with her eyes and that it would indeed look great with those new slacks and seems impressed with the available discount. She will do this with 6 or 7 items on each of these trips and after 20 years of marriage she whines to me, “Not even once has he ever surprised me with one of the items I pointed out to him. Does he not get it?” I smile and say, “Okay Linda, after 20 years, why don’t you just say, ‘Bill this would be a nice Christmas present if you are looking for something to buy me,’ She simply gives me the evil eye and with a sigh of exasperation, says “That’s not the point. After all these years, can’t he pay attention and surprise me by getting me what I ask. He has to know by now what I want!” Another friend complained that for every event for 10 years of marriage her husband gave her the same brand designer handbag. Which was a nice gift, by no means a cheap gift, but unfortunately she happened to have a very strong dislike for this particular designer’s handbags. After one anniversary she told me, “You would think after 7 years of never seeing me use one of the bags, that he would get the hint.” I asked why she didn’t say something to him about it. She said, he is so excited each year when he picks out these very expensive handbags, that she couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings by telling him to stop already. One of my closest friends admitted that her husband had great taste in clothes and she loved everything he got her. The only problem was that they had been together close to 25 years and when he first started his practice of buying her a beautiful outfit for each special event she had been a size 6. But after 4 kids and the ravages of menopause, she was now a size 12, so she always had to find out where the gift came from so she could run back to the store and buy it in the right size. However frustrating this was, the last thing she wanted to tell him was that she took a bigger size, because as she said, “ If he didn’t notice it, who was she to tell him?” Many of my friends have not held back their frustrations with their husbands, and have found ways to ensure that they get the gifts they want for holidays. Some buy the gifts themselves, or go with their significant other to make the purchase. Others will take photos of what they want, and text it to their husbands with the store name, address, and price to be sure there is no room for error. Why must women go to such extent to get the presents they want. Is it that men don’t pay that close attention when women point out what they want, or is it that women aren’t communicating correctly? Probably a little of both, but honestly we want to be surprised. Picking out our own gifts only stem from years of bad gifts. So, to all the men out there, pay more attention. Listen to your partner about what they like and don’t like. I know it seems like idle chatter sometimes, but if you actually listen, and don’t just “aha” us, you may learn a lot more about us, and we won’t have to go to such drastic lengths to be able to go into work the day after Christmas, or our birthday, and with happiness and pride on our face say “Look what my wonderful husband bought me.” Oh and by the way, household appliances are not gifts for your wife or significant other. Usually a good rule of thumb is if all else fails, buy something that sparkles.
He Said... A Gift? For Who? Let me start out by saying that I know there are men out there who are truly clueless about gift giving. And no matter what you say or do, (short of taking them to a place, showing them the exact item you want, putting it in their hands and marching them up to the register) they will never get it right. Fair enough? But you need to understand that there are easily as many women who are just as clueless. Home Depot gift cards? Yes. Kohls? Nope. Okay? Now, that being said, I doubt there are a quantifiable number of women who don’t like gifts. I have never met one in my 65 years so it seems anomalous. As to the issue of men not listening or caring – nice try but no chocolate. We may seem not to listen but we hear you. Like your friend who takes her husband to the mall three or four times in the weeks before Christmas and shows him seven items each time so he ‘will get it right,’ can you say overload? You have just told him he is going to fail twenty-eight different ways because no matter which one he purchases it will not be the right one. She’s saying that ‘after all these years why doesn’t he listen?’ Think about that for a minute. See, you’ve answered your own question. After all, it’s always the man’s fault he doesn’t get it right and you have no idea why he can’t simply divine exactly what it is you really want. Give us a break. Everybody in the world today is busy. Both have jobs. Both are taking care of the kids (yes ladies, more men than ever are intensely involved with their children) and we all could use a break. Oh, BTW, most of the men I know do at least half of the cooking and cleaning and laundry and… Today women are the entrepreneurs, captains of industry, leaders in their fields of endeavor, strong and infinitely more qualified than their male counterparts, so why is this even an issue? Why do we play the age-old game of denigrating males about gifts and going to work the next day managing thousands of people or starting amazing business? Time to give up this ghost. If there is one gift in particular you want, TELL HIM: Even the men who are great gift givers will like this. We’re more pragmatic than we get credit for. It would be nice for that old romantic “his gift was so thoughtful – I love it so much” to happen to all of you, but reality is – it’s not gonna happen unless you step up and communicate real time. Most of my male friends are true romantics. They plot and plan and try to keep secret their wonderful night they had planned, gift included. Only to be told, and I quote, “This was beautiful but I would have been happy at home with pizza,” unquote. Set up the pins and knock em down. This happens more than you think. Yup, he works full time, as do you, yet found the time between that and soccer practice and dance lessons and dentist visits to try to give you a great night and you pull the carpet out at the first opportunity. Come on ladies, it’s a no win for us guys. So we listen, weigh which failure will cause the least animosity, and go there. The lady with the husband who buys designer bags she doesn’t like, whew, where is the problem here? Tell him! Let him know gently that this is not the best gift – and why. He’ll get it. Because the longer you accept these gifts without telling him, the longer he thinks he’s a good guy with a happy wife who loves his gifts. Look, men are simple creatures and they like their life to be that way too. Most of us enjoy giving gifts and seeing the smile on your face. We love our women, deeply, and truly want you to think we’re good guys and great husbands/partners. But Christmas is less than two months from Valentines Day, which is close to Easter and then comes your birthday and the anniversary we met, and the first date and the date we asked you to marry us, and the birth of our children and on and on. We are constantly looking for the right gift for the occasion: Had a woman tell me once, after giving her long stem red roses (this was before Lori) “I like Tulips.” And we have to field a multitude of questions like – does this make my bottom look big, and, well, you get the picture. We are always on guard. Women don’t realize what we have to do and think about all the time. We love you! Please get over these things that have haunted us since we crawled out of the primordial soup.
When You’re Italian By Carol Heath
Woman
his work; the exhibitors agreed. Those elephants were displayed on the China cabinet and represented my Papa, my Nonie, my 3 aunts and my 3 uncles. The smells from my Nonie’s kitchen were always familiar and always made me feel safe. Nonie had several strokes which left her paralyzed on the right side of her body. Most people would just give up and sit in a chair, but not my Nonie, she always made the sauce at Sunday dinner. By the time we arrived for dinner, the sauce had been made and she was holding court sitting in her special chair in the front room. Everyone that walked in the door went to my Nonie first and gave her a kiss and a hug. She had a wooden cane hanging on her special chair and as a kid you feared that wooden stick with a curved end. Nothing went unnoticed by my Nonie and she would use that cane to grab you in whatever part of your body she managed to snag. She would reel you in and say “Ragazza cattiva”; she spoke very little English, but she got her point across. You were a bad girl and she would say in her very broken English, “You hurta Nonie when you acta like that”. She always had a tear in her eye when she gave you the guilt trip; but I guess that it always worked.
San Diego
The smells were not the only thing that came out of my Nonie’s kitchen. While Nonie held court in her special chair, my aunts and some of my uncles were cooking their contribution to the Sunday dinner. Aunt Teti was cooking eggplant, Aunt Nana was cooking zucchini, my mother was always responsible for dessert, but she was in the kitchen talking Italian sometimes and English part of the time. Uncle Dodo was making fresh pasta and Uncle Benny was helping him. My sister Bobbie was the first grandchild to be born. So when she couldn’t say my aunts and uncles given names, Matilda became Teti, Adrianna became Nana, Armando became Dodo, just to name a few, as example of where the unusual names came from. All the kids, 25 of us, sat around the table and ate first; then we were shipped off to the movies. Uncle Joe always drove us in his Chrysler with the jump seats. Those jump seats were always a bone of contention as we all wanted to sit in them. The grown-ups had dinner and always waited for us to return from the movies before they had dessert. That was the ‘familia’ time. Papa would sit at the head of the table drinking his homemade wine and often asked one of his grandchildren “Hey you, whatsa your name and have you been a good girl or good boy.” Everyone would always laugh at our responses - and the room got louder. I recently moved back to southern California and drove by the house on Louisiana Street, which had a smaller house in the back. I remember the little house as my mother, sister and I lived there after my parents were divorced. I remember the big house the most. It looks different from the outside, but I remember every room and wondered who lived there now. I took solace in knowing that whoever lives there now can’t cook as well and probably speaks in a normal 40 dB tones.
When you’re Italian you learn two words almost before you can walk, family and food – and not necessarily in that order. Italians usually speak at about a 90 dB level, which for most people is screaming. We’re not screaming, we are just passionate. In my family, every Sunday would be dinner at Nonie’s house. Nonie, for those people who aren’t fortunate enough to be Italian is grandma. My Nonie’s house was always full of aromas of food, family talking, and the China cabinet in the entrance. During the World’s Fair in San Francisco, my grandfather (or Papa) built several exhibits. One of the exhibitors talked my Papa into taking that China cabinet as payment for his work. Papa knew how to negotiate; he learned this living in the Italian section of New York after he was released from Ellis Island. So he looked around the booth and noticed an array of black ebony elephants with real ivory tusks. He told the exhibitor that he would take 8 elephants in graduated sizes and the China cabinet as payment in full for
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A Four-letter Word I know how everyone feels about four letter words, but those around me are generally even more appalled when one of those forbidden four letter words come out of my mouth. I actually can’t help it though. It doesn’t matter where I am. It could be at a business lunch, at a work meeting, it has even happened at a funeral. Everyone is so annoyed by me when I use this four-letter word, yet I can’t help it. I wasn’t always this way. Matter of fact I can pinpoint the exact day it happened, when suddenly I started uttering this word. It was November 26, 2010, over 6 years ago. That is when this four letter word entered my vocabulary and has been with me ever since.
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Those around me say I have changed. They are probably right. To some degree there is nothing I can do about that. In other ways, I try to control it and pretend like it is pre November 26, 2010. Sometimes I accomplish it, but often I don’t. The hardest thing for me is the looks I get. The frustrated and aggravated looks I get when I utter that word. I don’t really understand the looks or the attitude. As if I am the one who did something wrong. Hell, I’ve heard others use worse four letter words - absent the looks. There have been times I have controlled myself. I haven’t used the four-letter word. I just kept my mouth shut and nodded my head in the affirmative. Pretended that there was no reason for me to utter that four-letter word or any other word for that matter, but I always feared that this nod of acceptance would one day get me in trouble. So, in the end I had to utter that word again.
By Judith A. Habert
I never actually viewed it as a bad word, or a word that would be troublesome to others. It isn’t a rude word or one that attacks any specific group of people, or offends anyone under normal circumstances. However, over the last 6 years, my utterance of this word has seemed to incite a heightened sense of tension and frustration around me. It is my turn to speak out and explain and I believe I am not only speaking for myself. I want to tell everyone why I continue to use this word and why those around me may just have to learn to deal with it. See, 6 years ago I went deaf in my left ear. It was immediately replaced by an extremely loud case of tinnitus which has not stopped for the last 6 years. Not one moment of quiet in my head now for 6 years. So when you talk to me and I can’t hear you I can’t help but utter that four letter word “What?” I get it, in the beginning it was okay and people seemed to understand and graciously repeated what they had said to me. Now after 6 years of constantly asking those same people ‘What’ when I can’t hear what they are telling or asking me, I get the rolling eyes, the never minds and those that grudgingly repeat what they had asked. More times than not they just say forget it and I feel as if I am no longer important enough to merit the repeating of the words earlier uttered to me. I suddenly understand how it feels to grow older. How it feels to be cast aside. How it feels to no longer be relevant. An inconvenience is what you feel like you have become. This is how it feels to be disabled. This is not a major disability in the great list of possible disabilities, and yet it gives me a small glimpse into the reality of those who struggle with disabilities. I can no longer sit in a restaurant and hear what is being said by those I dine with, since the background noise and/or music makes it that much harder to hear what is being said by my guest. When a street vendor or homeless person says something to me as I pass by, they utter words of disgust asking me if I think I am better than they are because I don’t respond to their pleas for help. How do I explain that they were standing on the wrong side of me and I am deaf in that ear? I don’t. So, they think I am unsympathetic to their plight. When standing across from a colleague, client or friend at a cocktail party or networking event and they tell a funny story, if I fail to laugh, they get insulted. How do I tell them I wasn’t being rude I just didn’t hear what they said? When I present a speech or teach a group and someone calls out a question how do I stop from appearing foolish as I swing my head from side to side unable to tell the direction from which the voice has come, since having only one ear that works does not allow you the ability to distinguish from where the noise has come. What about when your husband whispers words of love in your ear, do you say ‘"what?" or ask him to repeat it because he said them into your bad ear, hardly adds to the romantic moment. So what am I getting at? Some four-letter words are necessary, and tolerance on the part of those more fortunate who are healthy, and without disabilities, should be practiced. Those who are deaf, even partially, have no way of letting those around them know their condition. So before you lose your temper with the driver in front of you who isn’t responding quickly to your honking horn, or judge someone as uncaring because they didn’t respond to your plea for assistance, keep an open mind. It might not be that they are not listening to your needs; it just might be that they can’t hear you and remember, "what?" is really not a bad word.
Honesty in Beauty
By Deeba Van Overberghe
Wait. How would you define that beautiful moment? Would it have been a tall dark and handsome, or a pregnant mother with her toddlers, or maybe a gorgeous model with the light shining off the carefully place tints of color in her hair? I guess it would really depend on what you define as beautiful, wouldn’t it? What is beauty? Much like art, it is subjective. It’s a personal
As I did research for this article, I was impressed with all of the blogs and vlogs “out there” that cover the wide range of ideas and opportunities that beauty evokes. The youth of today really have a grip on their bodies and what they accept and define and redefine as beautiful. And, the music industry supports this shift and change. Ethnicity has now been included in our society’s definition of what is beautiful. Thank Gawd! Because I grew up in the sixties and seventies when beauty was defined by models who had bleached blond hair and looked as if they suffered from rickets. For me, I would have to say what best defines beauty is honesty. That unedited moment that one is privileged to witness where there is pure honesty. For instance when a child looks up at their parents with absolute love and adoration in their eyes, or the gentle nudge
Diego WSan oman
Sitting in Café Cute on the corner of blah blah & blah blah blah, she was sipping her coffee while waiting for her boyfriend to show up. Late as usual, she thought. The bell atop the door jingled and she looked up, hopeful that he was perhaps changing his bad habit, when she was struck by the most beautiful moment. Walking through the door was . . . errr!
experience. What one person thinks is beautiful another does not and so it goes. We try to put labels on it such as Coco Channel or Gucci. We even try to bottle it and sell it to those less fortunate than others who do not have that esthetic quality that may be popular today but not tomorrow. And yet, I’ve seen some people who lack said esthetics look beautiful and some incredibly beautiful people look , well, ugly. Why is that? You can do all the right things to be a size two Barbie Doll with loads of makeup, but if you don’t have intrinsic beauty all your actions will be for nothing. Audrey Hepburn once said, “Make-up can only make you look pretty on the outside but it doesn't help if you’re ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the make-up.”
of a parent’s hand in the middle of their back encouraging them to move forward. This to me is a moment of beauty.
By definition, beauty stirs the senses or the mind. I feel it is essential for both the beautiful and the witness to share and appreciate the experience. It doesn’t come in a bottle or a dress. Can we think about this for a second? It comes from deep within us all, the act or the moment that someone or something is evoking and another is witnessing. Beauty has to be experienced in order for it to be defined and that it is witnessed before it can truly be appreciated. This idea calls for the person witnessing the beauty to incorporate and then translate what they are seeing or experiencing. So now beauty is being experienced beyond its self and is dependent upon another’s perspective to be further defined and it’s this interpretation that can be a little tricky. Depending on who the witness is and how they want to experience that beauty.
What I would like to support and invite you to support is that we define beauty by our honest and truthful way of being. We realize that true beauty, comes from within where honesty meets up with intentions and sets the pace for beautiful moments to be experienced. Look into the nooks and crannies of life and find the beauty that exists there. I invite us all to find that space within ourselves that is fully accepting of who and what we are and that we celebrate and recognize it in others. No more competition set by standards designed by the few who wish to attain whatever they want through tactics that are less than honorable. We define our own beauty. We experience beauty by that definition. Not the media, not power hungry megalomaniacs. We the teachers of love and life, we define the standards of beauty. We should stand firm on this. Find beauty in all the unusual places and begin to celebrate it together.
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I remember when I was a young girl, my father would carve wood by hand, using a planer…seeing the repetition of that beautiful old tool moving down the plank of wood, the smell of the shavings as they became detached. The sound. The rhythmic movement and the beauty of creativity transitioning from my father’s eye to the piece of wood, as if he could already see what it would become. That to me was a moment in beauty I was privileged to witness. It was as if all was forgotten except the act itself…as if we got out of the way as the beauty in that moment unfurled.
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Transitions
with
Carol LeBeau
Holiday eating tips…. Whew!
Phase One of the holiday eating frenzy is over! I’m happy to report, I made it through the Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry Jello- mold, pumpkin pie and my personal favorite--whipped cream--relatively unscathed. By the end of the weekend the scale revealed an increase of just under a pound! I don’t know about you, but that’s a major victory for me! Most of the year, I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to my diet and exercise routine. But like millions of Americans, the annual more than month-long holiday eat-a-thon leaves me feeling bloated and bummed. At least I’m not alone. According to a recent Weight Watchers report, Americans gain, on average, between seven and ten pounds between Thanksgiving and the start of the New Year. Well, NOT THIS YEAR! No way! I refuse to start 2017 feeling flabby and frustrated as I try to squeeze into my favorite jeans. This year I’m going to fight back! Want to join me? Here are a few healthy eating tips that helped me through the first round of the holiday food fight. Give ‘em a try. Then let me know whether they help YOU down the home stretch. 1. Exercise. I know. Tell me something you don’t know. But this tired old advice really works. Fact is, if you don’t move enough to burn the calories you take in, YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT. So make the decision to just do it! Use some of that extra time off work, or as a break from lengthy family gatherings to squeeze in a workout or brisk walk. Block out time on your calendar the way you would a doctor appointment, church event or holiday party. Exercise a little during the holidays and you won’t have to start all over in January. 2. Review your cooking methods. There are so many ways to prepare food more healthfully. Instead of frying, grill your food. If you’re roasting, use low-calorie spray oil. (every little bit helps!) Try steaming your veggies to retain nutrients and flavor. Use lower-fat ingredients whenever possible. Most won’t even notice the change! 3. Eat regularly! This one really works! If you’re going to a big
party or dinner…DO NOT starve yourself all day in anticipation. You’ll arrive feeling ravenous and end up eating everything in sight. Instead, graze on healthy snacks throughout the day and you’ll be less likely to overindulge. 4. Plan ahead. If you’ve got some big-eating events planned over the holidays, how about scheduling some healthy-eating days in advance. This really works for me. It doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” With a little pre-planning, you really can manage your diet. 5. Be wary of sugary foods. Rich, sugary foods actually make us crave more rich, sugary foods. Sounds like a cruel joke, but it’s true. I’ve been there--bloated and nauseous from overindulging-promising myself to never eat again! Two hours later I’m back in the kitchen picking at leftovers. Don’t get the cycle going in the first place and you’ll have fewer cravings. 6. Stock up on healthy snacks. When holiday food-shopping, toss some healthy stuff into your cart. Munching on things such as raw veggies, low-fat yogurt, hummus and pita bread can keep you from rummaging around in the rum balls. 7. Speaking of alcohol… Don’t forget. Alcohol is fattening too! That innocent-looking glass of sparkling wine or bottle of craft beer has hidden calories--lots of them. Try low-calorie beers and wines...or trick yourself, like I do! Pour sparkling water into a wine glass and it can seem just as festive as the real deal! 8. Be assertive. This is important: Don’t feel as though you have to say yes to every offer of food and drink. If you’re not hungry, just say so. You’re in charge of what goes into your body! 9. Along the same lines… Leave what you don’t want. Or better yet…start out with less and you can always add more. You are not obliged to “clean your plate.” When you feel full…stop eating. Simple. 10. Have fun! Focus on the activities, traditions and relationships that “feed” you emotionally and spiritually and you’ll be less likely to focus on the food! God Bless you…and Happy Holidays!
Hannah Martine…
Susan G. Komen San Diego’s Honorary Survivor of the Year When you hear the words “You have Stage 4 Breast Cancer,” it is easy to understand the gripping fear that you feel. But when you are not even 30 years old, one can only imagine the disbelief and terror. These are the words that were told to Hannah Martine, who was named the 2016 Susan G. Komen San Diego Honorary Survivor of the Year. The year was 2015 and Hannah had just started a job at Oster and Associates, as a Public Relations Specialist when she received the frightening diagnosis. “I was just settling into my role at Oster and Associates and focusing on building my career when I was diagnosed,” said Hannah. “I didn’t know how my new bosses would react, so when I shared the news with the management team, I was beyond thankful when they were supportive and committed to helping me through treatment.” When Hannah was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer (metastatic breast cancer) she was scared and had many questions. Her first instinct was to contact Susan G. Komen San Diego to receive resources as well as the emotional support she so desperately needed. The organization not only provided emotional support, they also gave her financial aid throughout her treatment, which helped her immensely as a young, single professional living on a budget with no family in town. Komen San Diego is the County’s largest funder of free breast cancer services and support and is the only organization providing qualified women the free services they need for every step of the breast cancer journey. Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain). Although metastatic breast cancer cannot be cured, it does not mean that it can’t be treated. Nearly half of Susan G. Komen’s funding for 2015 was invested in metastatic research bringing metastatic research to $147 million in 377 grants since the founding of the organization; the most of any organization outside of the U.S. government. “The research Komen is working on in the metastatic field is vital for me, as I will most likely always have to be in treatment of some kind, and when the next drug stops working I am relying on the advancements of research to discover the next best option,” said Martine. “As a Stage IV young survivor, my life is extended by advancements in research.” In September 2015, Hannah began a tough treatment plan which included chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation and more. Her bosses at Oster worked around her treatment schedule, providing flexible work hours and the flexibility to work from home, if she needed. Co-workers joined Hannah in walking the 2015 Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure and visited her while she was in the hospital. They brought her meals while she recovered and sent thoughtful gifts, cards and more. From the moment of her diagnosis Hannah’s life would forever change. Much of her time was spent at doctor’s offices. She was also faced with a postoperative staff infection. She even had to face issues of reproduction; since she found out that the Cancer treatment might affect her ability to conceive she had to get her eggs frozen to make sure she could have children. Through all of this Hannah has worked to find the good in a bad situation. She has taken it upon herself to become an advocate to help dispel certain breast cancer myths such as: • A lump does not have to feel like a lump. • 29 is not too young to have breast cancer.
• You do not need to have family history of breast cancer to get it. •Stage IV breast cancer is not a death sentence. As a Stage IV survivor, she will never be considered cancer free, but Hannah is now in remission, healthy and back to full energy both at work and in her other hobbies and daily activities. Hannah and her friends at Oster just participated in their second Race for the Cure on November 6th 2016. Through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, medications and routine check-ups, she hopes to stay in remission indefinitely. Hannah celebrated her 30th birthday on June 17 of this year: A poignant milestone for anyone, made even more special as she finished her final round of radiation just six days after. How did she mark the occasion? By doing something special, something she has always wanted to do - a picnic by the ocean. At the party, she and a close group of friends along with her Mom and sister, toasted to a stunning San Diego sunset, celebrating Hannah, her strength, courage, determination and love of life. “I’m in remission, but the fight isn’t over, said Hannah. “It’s never over. As a Stage IV survivor, I am not cancer free. There’s no return to my “old life.” Living with advanced cancer means living with continued monitoring, managing daily medication and its side effects, and battling the constant fear of wondering if the cancer will return.” On November 6, Hannah and more than 15,000 San Diegans joined together to participate in the 2016 Race for the Cure. Participating in the Race helps Komen San Diego provide free services for every step of the breast cancer journey: • Diagnostic mammograms, biopsies, MRI’s, ultrasounds and more for qualified women who have nowhere to turn when breast cancer strikes. • Temporary financial aid – including rent, mortgage, prescription drug payments and more. • Meal delivery for a woman and her entire family. • Intensive patient navigation – complete with emotional support for all. • The world’s largest investment of breast cancer research – next to the U.S. government. Since 1982, Susan G. Komen has invested more than $889 million in over 2,400 grants for breast cancer research. Currently in San Diego there is more than $2 million in five active grants at work to find the cure! • Wherever there’s a gap – Komen San Diego fills it. • For more information about Susan G. Komen San Diego or to make a donation, please visit: www.komensandiego.org. ABOUT THE RACE FOR THE CURE The Komen Race for the Cure is a unique 5K and 1 mile race designed and implemented to promote positive awareness, education and early detection of breast cancer. It has proved to be an enormously effective way to reach many women and men with the message that breast cancer does not have to be fatal if regular mammograms and breast self-exams become routine. As well as being a road race for runners, the Komen Race for the Cure is an emotionally charged event attracting many first timers and recreational runners. It is an opportunity for thousands of women, men and their families, running or walking, to share a message of hope and inspiration with their communities.
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Her Middle Name Should be Never Give Up By Janice Carter-Booth (Alexis's Grandma)
Published Author International Artist ©StudioDeeba “Portrait of a Mermaid”
Where the pen meets the brush Fine Art Illustration Slogans TradeMarks Branding Ghost Writing
©StudioDeeba “Buster”
Call Today 760.720.3322
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San Diego Writer’s Annex 574 E. Mission Road Suite I San Marcos, California 92069 If you always dreamed of being a writer, or are currently a writer, this is the place for you. We have how-to-books, special topic reports, writing materials, gifts for writers, a research center, workshops, disussion groups, one-on-one coaching with professional writers and editors, book doctors, ghostwriters, seminars, and a friendly community especially for writers. So if you are a writer, or know someone who is, stop by San Diego Writer’s Annex To find out more visit us at: www.sandiegowritingacademy.com email: Judy@sandiegowritingacademy.com
Phone: 888 275 7125
Photo Courtesy of Janice Carter-Booth
Chargers Challenger Team Top L-R: Bella, Kiera, Assist. Coach Alexis, Abby, Assist. Coach Miriah, Coach Nichole, Miriah, Haley, Malia, Tedi, Kayla, Bottom Row: Katie, Meli
She is 24 and so much more! Her name is Alexis Booth and she was born with a disease that has not been detected in any other person as of yet. Born premature and so very tiny, but somehow with a resilient spirit that she still holds to this day, she has managed to live more than three times the doctor’s prediction of 7 years. By the age of 2 she’d had 9 operations, all-relating to a cyst that seeps into her spine causing pressure on the spinal cord. Somehow with a very strong will to live, and her family always going the extra mile to help her reach her goals, she has blossomed into a beautiful young women. Even though she resides in a wheelchair and, of her four limbs, she only has a right hand and arm that work properly; never the less she makes things happen in a big way: For now her two big goals are studying forensic anthropology at Palomar College, and remaining a cheerleader. Her mother, Nichole, who always treated her as a child who could do anything she set her mind to, kept her going in many different activities. Such as when she was in Jr High and would help in a special education classroom working with younger students. Her favorite activity started when she was about 9 years old. It was Cheerleading with Pop Warner. When she first started she didn't have an electric wheel chair, so Mom had to push her through all the maneuvers. At 16, she was at the age she could not stay in regular Pop Warner but they luckily found the Challenger Cheer leading group. They were in desperate need of a coach, so Mom volunteered, as head coach and Alexis and a good friend, Miriah, stepped in to be assistant coaches. Our very own Chargers have become their sponsors this year. There are 16 girls and young ladies, that range from 5yrs. and up, with a variety of disabilities. They are also the only Challenger team in San Diego. The girls cheer for the Challenger football team made of boys and girls. They are truly an inspiration to watch.
Better Habits For Better Health By: Master Joseph Suyat Angeles (Duhigg). Here is where you must apply your newfound knowledge of habits to your life. Be observant of your routines and replace actions with more productive behaviors in order to reduce your stress. For example, if you want to improve your daily exercise to increase your overall health, every time you start your exercise routine, add an extra set every week and reward yourself with a drama free tv show or cup of wine. This routine when repeated over a long period of time eventually becomes a habit wherein every time your start your routine, you no longer need to worry about initiating improvement because your habit does it for you. You not only can improve existing habits, but you can create them to fit your lifestyle. For instance if you want to learn a new language to prepare yourself for a future vacation, you must first choose a cue. For example, before going to bed, take an online lesson on the language of your choice. Eventually you no longer need to think about taking the lesson because the new habit will take over the responsibility of initiating that routine. The amount of variations you can do with this habit loop mean it can be used in every aspect of your life. It's upon you to decide what kind of routines will best improve your overall mental health and lessen stress. You must determine whether a habit will change your life for the better or worse. Just like humans, our habits are unique to us because no one has the same perspective of life and happiness. Improve your health, wellness, and beauty by gaining mindfulness of your habits; you won't regret it.
San Diego
Woman
The greatest lesson that I've learned through Martial Arts is my knowledge of how habits work. My understanding comes from almost 14 years of educating myself on the art of Tae Kwon Do. I've witnessed hundreds of students I've nurtured and trained with become highly achieved and healthy human beings. However, It isn't simply our habit of exercise that makes us healthy. Understanding how to create and improve our general habits can largely contribute to improving overall health. You may be thinking to yourself, why should I be aware of my habits? The simple truth is that our habits govern a majority of our daily routines. These habits dictate whether you'll get up when your alarm first goes off or if you'll hit the snooze button. Our brains cannot automatically filter habits that have a good or bad impact on our lives (Duhigg). Being able to distinguish the benefits of your habits can greatly increase your overall health and prosperity in life. It is important to recognize the effects our habits have on our general health, including its correlation to stress. It's common knowledge that large amounts of stress on the human body can greatly increase health risk. This is explained by the American Psychological Association that stress is a natural reaction developed by our ancient ancestors as a way to protect them from danger. When faced with danger our bodies automatically flood with hormones to boost energy to prepare us to address the problem. During modern times our fight and flight response has evolved to intervene with the current state of responsibilities: grocery shopping, deadlines, bills and childcare. The APA also mentions that multiple studies have shown that our bodily response may trigger heart attacks, arrhythmias and even sudden death (www.apa.org). You must remember that our habits have the ability to reduce the amount of stress we endure each day. Our daily routines which may include preparing your kids for school or doing the laundry can go by in a flash, without much notice. Within those situations your stress levels are low and it feels like you're just going through the motions. These instances illustrate a truth about habits which are best explained by Charles Duhigg in his book The Power of Habit, a New York Times bestseller. We may never remember where or how our habits form, but once they're created they influence how we act - often without notice (Duhigg). The cause is the ability of our brains to create habits from 3 separate aspects; a cue followed by a routine and ending in a reward. This habit loop explained by Duhigg reduces our stress in our daily lives because we no longer are responsible for creating a solution to address a certain problem. Our brains automatically have hundreds or even thousands of habits in order to deal with the various responsibilities we have every day. Here's a personal example of a habit reducing a stressful event like defending yourself from an attacker. The common response to a physical threat from an attacker may trigger a fight or flight esponse. However years of training in the Martial Arts have allowed me to stay calm while faced with an attacker because the force of habit diffused the majority of the stress. The attacker lunged at me with his fist, but since I programmed myself to respond to such an attack, my body automatically could block, dodge or strike. The cue is represented by the punch, the routine consists of the parries and attacks, and the reward is the end of the dangerous event. It is in this type of situation that the force of habit can protect a person's life. Habits aren't permanent and by learning to observe the cues and rewards, we can change the routines to better improve our lives
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Anthony Hong Tae Kwon Do 12265 Scripps Poway Parkway #106, Poway, CA 92064 Ahtkd.net (858)547-0080
Master Joseph Suyat Angeles has been training Martial Arts for over half of his own lifetime, an astonishing 14 consecutive years. As a native of San Diego he prides himself in trying to improve his immediate community by influencing his students to be productive and positive human beings. He believes that if we want to create a better community we must all take responsibility in improving ourselves and inspiring others to do the same. Master Joseph went to SDSU earning a bachelors degree in Psychology, taking classes that emphasized upon: Learning, Child Development and Behavior. He utilizes what he has learned at SDSU to help him better train and teach his students, allowing them to realize their true potential. He believes the pursuit of self-actualization, the realization of one's talents and potential is the key to success and happiness. With over 10 years of teaching experience he has seen the effectiveness of Martial Arts on the human condition. For he believes we must train ourselves mentally and physically to sustain the amount of stress we must endure in our lifetime. And if we are able to condition ourselves to sustain great stress physically and mentally we are then able to pursue our life goals much easier.
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Book Review
Being Equal Doesn’t Mean Being The Same
Why Behaving Like a Girl Can Change Your Life and Grow Your Business
By Joanna L. Krotz
I have read dozens of business books over the years and this was by far the best one to date. It touched upon some very interesting concepts regarding age old beliefs about women business owners and how women compete in male work environments. Joanna makes the point that instead of trying to compete in a male centric business environment of corporate America, where women are in a constant struggle for “pay and parity within rigid corporate precincts when the lines keep wavering, the goalposts keep moving and the battle is never won?” A point she clearly makes for women to use the very specific talents that they possess to move forward in their own environment, start their own business and control their own destiny. This book is extremely uplifting, containing stories of women’s successes in the business arena and promoting the fact that women can change the world and their lot in life by striking out on their own in a male environment without losing those very unique qualities that make them female. Often the concept of starting your own business will surface after motherhood occurs and the need for flexibility becomes a major issue. Women want to set their own hours so they can be there for all of the special events and milestones of their children’s lives. Before very long they realize how good they are at running the show and new successful female run businesses emerge. If you are struggling with your career path, or feel as if you are constantly fighting an uphill battle in a male dominated business world, you need to read Being Equal Doesn’t Mean Being the Same. I read it and it totally changed my outlook on women in business. In addition Chapter 15 at the end of the book provides listings of some amazing resources for women. Just about everything you need to start and run your own business is listed in this chapter, digital tools for running your business, training and mentoring, Women’s Business Certifying Groups, and Female friendly funding…just to name a few. As a working woman, you need to read this book. It will open your eyes and get you moving in the right direction. You can’t help but be motivated after reading Joanna’s book. Don’t waste any more time trying to fight your way up the ranks. Purchase a copy today and move forward with that business idea you have been thinking about. Joanna's book is available on Amazon.com
Suddenly Single After 50: The Girlfriends' Guide to Navigating Loss, Restoring Hope, and Rebuilding Your Life by Barbara Ballinger and Margaret Crane https://lifelessonsat50plus.com/
So many women experience the same life changing situations as the authors of this wonderful new book. Suddenly Single After 50 talks about some very real issues, in a very frank yet humorous manner. It allows all of us women who have been through either the death of a spouse or the divorce, stand tall again and realize that there is life on the other side. It might be different, and yes it might be alone, but life goes on and if we approach life from the right perspective, we can go on too, healed and ready to handle what life has to offer. In Suddenly Single After 50 long-time friends Barbara Ballinger and Margaret Crane write candidly about their experiences and offer an inspiring guide to living a full life when you’re suddenly on your own. These friends were actually faced with the same outcome due to very different circumstances. Plus both had aging parents to care for in the midst of their own pain. The divorce was a drawn out event which took 4 years for Barbara, and Margaret’s husband passed away after battling cancer for five years. This book goes into not only the feelings encounter surrounding the loss, but all of the details of suddenly being in charge of running your life alone, doing things that you never did before, at a time in life when you should be thinking about milestone anniversaries and future grandchildren. In addition, they enter into the world of dating again, after being with the same men since graduating college. If you find yourself in a similar situation, or know someone else who is, you must buy this book for them. It will be the best gift you could possible give them. Suddenly Single After 50 is available through Amazon.com
NAWBO San Diego and Corporate Alliance present the first annual
Relationship Accelerator
A NAWBO San Diego event powered by the content of Corporate Alliance designed especially for women-business owners in San Diego County, Orange County and the Inland Empire
SPECIAL DISCOUNT available through December 31 – Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off NAWBO/Corporate Alliance/WBEC West Members - $139 Non-Members - $179 Corporate Alliance (CA) is an amazingly powerful experience for savvy business leaders looking to take their companies to the next level. You definitely get out, what you put in. I highly recommend CA to all of my colleagues who are serious about growing their organizations and taking their management skills to the next level. -Angela Hill, Incitrio
Take a SNEAK PEEK at our program agenda! 10:00am Goal Setting Session
2:45pm Critical Actions
3:45pm Learn Serve Grow
Registration is available at http://www.nawbo.org/san-diego
San Diego
I really love the welcoming spirit of NAWBO San Diego. It is obvious NAWBO members are intelligent, interesting, and motivated. With Mindy at the helm, NAWBO members can expect a fresh perspective and enthusiasm which serves the organization well. -Leslie Reilly, San Diego State University
Woman
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Cape Rey Carlsbad, A Hilton Resort 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
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Minnie Mouse Unveiled By Gerald M. Neff
Just where did this attractive lady mouse come from. and what are her true beginnings plus her real life story in verbal terms, including a brief fact finding tour. For the answer to this and more I contacted an old Vietnam war-buddy who got me an unlisted cellphone number for one Minerva Mouse. Here are the results of my interview, once on the phone and in contact with promises of a proper story provided and endorsed by her, and my word of it being published in a key centerfold of the “The San Diego Woman’s Magazine”, I was on. Minnie or Minerva as she was known then, was born one of six mice to a farm couple who lived along the river bank, and due to extreme poverty and lack of substance for the family, it was decided that Minerva, her uncle Morty and two cousins Millie and Melody should seek greener pastures elsewhere. All four were sneaked on board a river boat one dark night in 1928 with the help of the boat's pilot one steamboat Willie, a pleasant but rough around the edges cigar puffing river pilot mouse. Topped off with his greasy blue engineer's cap, he appealed to Minerva right away. Willie was taken likewise by this sassy young mouse girl. The river craft’s only mission was to pick up and transport a certain Mister Walter Disney. Mr. Disney was struck by the sincerity and honest character of his fellow travelers and invited them to accompany him to Buena Vista, California, and seek their fortunes along with him. Unfortunately this was overheard by a certain Black Pete the boat captain, who followed them to their destination and would continue to appear numerous times over the next seventy years as the arch villain, and all around bad guy, always interested in upsetting the harmony of our agreeable young mouse, and friends. Walt as he was then known and now the godfather of the mice had a cartoon studio in Hollywood. He invited our band of travelers to work with him for what he hoped was a promising future. The first work of cinema or cartoon for our little friends -where Minerva as Minnie and Steam Boat Willy were the stars- was “Plane Crazy” quickly followed by a replay of the first river encounter called “Steam Boat Willie” complete with Black Pete. Then, on the heels of these two cartoon successes Willie became Micky along with Minnie star in “Galloping Gauchos” and involved the whole gang including Pluto -the group's happy dog- and of course Pete as the villain. With the success of these three cartoons under his belt Walt now did a complete redesign of Minnie, her flower pot hat was replaced by her Hallmark Polka Dottie Bow and colored patched knickers, and of course her now ever-present “Yoo-Whoo” . Walt patterned her on the then popular flapper girls. She was not as extreme as Betty Boop but was more family orientated and wholesome, complete with her trade mark black stockings ending in her ever-present ridiculous pumps. These pumps were copied down to the size by her lifelong friend Daisy Duck. She was the constant companion of a very fussy and bad tempered duck by the name of Donald. Donald Duck was to be a challenge for the next sixty years as his roving eye would take in anything feminine and it did not even need to have feathers. But, that is another story for later on. As Walt's success grew with his now famous movie-shorts or cartoons, so did the family and animal characters. After the first hits, Mickey seemed to pay more attention to Goofy, Donald and company with only Clarabelle Cow as Minnie's faithful companion. The thirties and forties were filled with many parts accompanying Mickey and the gang, but few leading roles for our favorite lady mouse. She was always fashionable but not out in front as much as she would have liked. She was faithful to Mickey although they were never married. Walt would explain that they were legally married in-love to those who often asked this pointed question. Mickey, after constantly winning Minnie's heart and rescuing her from Black Pete, he and Walt gave Minnie her just rewards, finally, in the 80's her own night club complete with bar and restaurant called “The House of Mouse”. Micky may have owned the club, but Minnie proved to be a strong manager with her now driving feminist points of view. She continued as always in the Disney theme parks “Disneyland” in Buena Vista and “Disney World” in Orlando Florida, but, she wanted more. So, once again Walt gave in to her feminine desires and she actually got her own program on “Totally Minnie”, a TV musical special. Besides coaching
her doubles at the theme parks and appearing in their 72 re-run cartoons she expressed a desire to me that she is bored and tired of the fantasy castle and now not so magical rides and displays; Minnie dreams for more. She wants to visit the neighboring property and its new distinct atmosphere accompanied by its present owner whom she met online. In spite of her 88 years she is once again the attractive and alluring flapper of yesteryear after her recent surgery and botox treatments; dressed in her new polka dotty bow and now unpatched knickers she is saying good bye to fat pump shoes and hello to five inch stiletto Jimmy Choos. Now, She feels ready for a new adventure. “Why settled for a cigar smoking mouse on a smelly old boat when you have the opportunity to fly on a jet broomstick piloted by a glamorous young British lad with the name of Harry Potter?” She said. For further exciting adventures of Minnie, check your local TV guide. Yoo-Whoo !!!
We Now Carry Plus Size Special Occasion Dresses
Make an Appointment to visit our Brand New Bigger and Better location at 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 202, Escondido, CA 92025
Over the years, these power hairstyles haven’t lost any of their charm, charisma, and appeal. The following are some of the best power hairstyles you can get, regardless of your age. Among the most iconic that powerful women still wear today are the bob and the pixie cut. The Bob
This is also one of the best low maintenance hairstyles ever and with the hectic schedules maintained by working women, this is really convenient. Whether it’s layered, long or short, the bob is a classic and many powerful women sport different variations of this cut. Made famous by many iconic stars, the bob is associated with strong independent women for centuries now. Oprah Winfrey is a name, recognized on a global level and she sported a layered bob in some of the more iconic years of her TV career. It not only made the bob extremely popular, it became known as Oprah’s bob in many places. Anna Wintour, the editor in chief of Vogue magazine, US, is known for sporting a clean, sharp bob that goes well with her personality. Pixie Cut
A hair cut that is quite uncommon and exceedingly bold; the pixie cut hit the limelight with Halle Berry, when she went from having shoulder length hair to sporting a tiny pixie cut that accentuated her features. Ellen Degeneres is another powerful woman and an influential celebrity who sports a pixie cut as well. The cut while extremely short, lays emphasis feminine features of the women while also making them look masculine. It is believed that this makes them look like they are more competent and up to the challenge of running their jobs, like their male co-workers. Should You Go Shorter? Most power styles are meant for short hair. This is largely owing to the fact that when a woman’s hair is balanced, holding the right amount of masculinity and the right amount of femininity, she is looked upon as more competent, intelligent and confident as compared to girls with longer hairstyles. Whether you go short or not, when you’re opting for a power hairstyle, you will end up taking a huge change with your hair, one that will make a large impact on your career so always make sure to research your options. Check out Valente Hair for more styles for busy empowered women. Check out Valente Hair on the website at http://www.valentehair. com/ for more styles for busy empowered women.
Reiki’s Beginnings By Carol Heath Reiki is a laying of hands on the body in various positions to heal. It is recognized as the most used form of hands on healing in the world. Although the traditional Reiki story begins with the mid 1800’s, it actually originated in far more ancient times: Back as far as 620 BC with the birth of Gautama Siddhartha in India. We can find in Egypt’s Book of the Dead, pictures depicting this practice dating back to 1400 B.C. The most traditional story, which is related in most books, is that of Mikao Usui. Although there seems to be some disputed facts concerning Usui’s affiliation with certain schools, his story of Reiki is seldom challenged. The story most likely has been exaggerated through the years, but it is still based on fact and folklore – you decide. Mikao Usui, a Christian minister and principal of the University of Kyoto, Japan, was asked by his students if he could show them the method used by Jesus to heal his flock. Usui began to ponder this question, which led to a 10-year quest for the answer. He learned that this healing art was not known in his homeland. After more investigation, he learned from some Buddhist monks, that the ancient spiritual healing method could only be attained through the Path of Enlightenment. He studied the Sanskrit writings and learned nothing of the healing art. Usui returned home and lived in a Zen monastery, where he spent years studying the Sanskrit writing about this healing art. Usui finally discovered a simple formula for contacting a higher power. After conferring with the Abbott of the monastery, Usui made the decision to follow the instructions he discovered in the formula. Usui trudged up the holy mountain of Koriyama, where he fasted, meditated and followed the directions of the formula for 21 days. He constructed a pile of 21 stones and with the passing of each day he discarded a stone to mark that day. At the end of the 20th day, Usui had no idea how to activate the energy to heal. Just before dawn on the 21st day he arose to a standing position and wondered what he should do next when he noticed a very bright light coming towards him. He continued to look at the light and realized that this light had consciousness, because it was communicating with him. He knew instinctively that if he was to receive the healing power of the light, he would have to allow this light to hit him. He was told that this light was so powerful that if he allowed it to hit him it may kill him. Usui was given the opportunity to risk death and receive the power or live and remain as he was. He decided the risk of dying was the final step in his long quest to find the answer he sought. The light struck Usui in the third eye and he was knocked unconscious. During his black out he left his physical body and saw beautiful bubbles filled with many colors and symbols. He began to study these symbols and with each symbol he studied, he received an attunement to his body. And with these attunements Usui was initiated into the physic rediscovery of the ancient form of healing. Usui left Mt. Koriyama with the knowledge that all ancient healers had before him. While journeying down the mountain he experienced four miracles, known as the ‘Four Miracles of Reiki.’ First, he stubbed his toe and instinctively grasped it with his hands, which became hot and he healed his own toe. Secondly, he came to a house which was occupied by pilgrims. He requested a full meal, and although he had not eaten in 21 days, he ate the entire meal with no discomfort. Thirdly, the kind woman who fed him, held her hand to her face, and when Usui asked her why she told him she had a tooth ache. Usui placed his hands on her face and her pain was gone. And the fourth and final miracle, when he returned to the monastery Usui found the Abbott in bed suffering from arthritis; Usui healed the monk with his hands. Usui named this gift Reiki, which means universal life force energy. It should be noted there are some serious flaws in the story I just related. When researched there were no records found of Usui ever teaching at Doshisha University, and it is I doubtful he was a Christian. There is also some confusion as to how he learned to read Sanskrit, as it is an ancient form of communication and not readily used at the time of Usui’s quest. Whether you found Usui’s story believable or not, Reiki is practiced by millions of people all over the world; I’m a believer and a Reiki Master/Teacher.
San Diego
The best part about a haircut is that it can be used as an extension of your personality. It has been a major way for many people to express themselves, whether they’re trying to showcase their mood, their status or their persona. Whether it’s kept long or short, a power hairstyle is one that simply elevates you in accordance with your career and your goals. Some of the most influential women in the world feature power hairstyles that have become synonymous with their names.
Woman
Power Styles for All Ages
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Running Outrageously! By Teresa Hawker
Some of my fondest memories were times spent with my friend Annalee, sharing early morning runs. And I mean early! Setting the alarm clock to wake me at 0'dark-thirty so we could meet at a pre-determined time was not easy. It made so much difference to set a wake-up time when I was meeting up with her. It's interesting, when I know someone is counting on me to be there (even at such an early hour) I am pushed, perhaps even inspired, not to let them down. The alarm clock sounds off and I am up in an instant. Too long under the warm covers I will surely drop off to sleep... and be late. My running gear and shoes are ready, laid out the night before. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee seeps up from the kitchen. I read once that drinking a cup of coffee before morning runs opens the body’s tiny capillaries and blood vessels. A side benefit is having more stamina and endurance on the run, or so I like to believe. We meet at an Ocean Beach parking lot while it’s still dark with dawn just peeking through the eastern horizon. The paved boardwalk stretches for miles and miles, hugging the Pacific shoreline. The smell of the salty sea air clears our foggy brains. Lungs fill and we are off. The pounding surf slaps the shoreline giving a natural beat as we stride step by step to its rhythmic patterns. We set our course - five miles today. A petite lady in her 60s, with blond hair and all of 110 pounds, Annalee always dressed to the nines - even in her running garb. Covered in layers of shirts and jackets, her neck wrapped with a woolen scarf, long slender legs covered in black leggings, and feet fitted in bright green/blue Adidas, my friend looked the seasoned marathoner. Yes, Annalee dressed in high style for any occasion. In contrast, my wardrobe was basic latex running shorts, a loose tee shirt and jacket. As the miles were run the jackets and scarves were removed and tied around her tiny waist.
lofty goal (a stretch for me). While we ran, we talked about challenges going on in our lives, taking turns as “talker” and “listener”, giving encouragement and support to the other. Soon we were at the rest area. We turned around and continued running to the rhythm of our words and the soft Pacific’s surf backdrop. Endorphins swirling madly lifted us to higher energy and longer strides. We flew along faster than ever realizing our seemingly wild and free gazelle trek created boundless pure drive with no limits in what we could achieve. No distance too far for us! We laughed at the vision of gazelles knowing our bodies were not intended for this. Alas, though we were sore for days, we would always remember the adventurous journey on that day. I will be forever grateful to have known this lady, my running partner, mentor, teacher and so much more. Annalee left this world eight years ago and I still miss her. She taught me so much about life. She lived within the words of this quote often: “Live your life outrageously! It's the only place that's not crowded!” She lived a life of significance. While she was in the hospital I hadn’t been by for a few days. Attempting to apologize for my absence, she smiled and said softly, “Well honey, everybody has to be somewhere.” This statement has stuck with me. It’s a reminder for me to notice the moment, where I am and what I’m doing. Our friendship over 25 years was a gift. Through her example of living life to the fullest and in the moment, I try each day to live in the moment with intention, and appreciation of life and, sometimes yes, even outrageously!
The beauty of the seagulls flying overhead seemed like they were joining us on our trek. Some dove down close to the water to snatch a bit of breakfast. Nature displays its purest tranquility in early dawn before beaches begin to fill with sunbathers and tourists. We ran for the enjoyment and gratitude of each other's company. Though a challenge many mornings just getting out the door, once a mile or so into the run that was all forgotten! We ran and talked about things going on in our lives. Many mornings I monopolized our conversations. Annalee just listened and then, without judgment or advice, replied with a simple “Hmmm”. Sharing the heavy problems of the moment somehow magically lightened the day ahead. One specific Saturday morning in early spring comes to mind. We had begun the run around 6AM along the Boardwalk. Annalee was training for an upcoming marathon so we set a goal this morning for a longer run, eight miles. Distance was easy to track with quarter mile markers painted along the path. We knew going south to the last rest area was close to the halfway mark. We ran with heightened enthusiasm and intention by setting this Photo Courtesy of Teresa Hawker
WHAT I REALLY WANT IS... By Debbie Storms
This is a great time of year to take an inventory of my belongings to make room for the bargains I find. The gift cards I received this past holiday season for places I don't frequent is a great way to get some cash for the things I really want. Here are a few sites to visit that will give you cash for those cards. GiftCardGranny.com, GiftCardRescue.com and CardPool.com. They buy your unwanted gift cards at a discount and sell them at a discount. The newly purchased cards are generally good for up to 180 days. Let's go shopping! San Diego offers great shopping opportunities. There are four outlet malls offering over 200 stores within a fifty-minute radius. That will surly keep you busy when you are on a major shopping spree. To receive updates about sales and specials join the VIP lounge on premiumoutlets.com. The Premium Outlet Stores offer 25% to 65% off everyday retail prices. Stop by the Information Center especially if you plan on doing a lot of shopping and pick up your VIP coupon brochure, which offers discounts for select stores. It is free with an AAA membership card otherwise it costs $5. Have no fear when you are on a road trip, traveling on business or just out of town take a peak at outletbound.com and you will find 200 outlet stores and malls at your fingertips. And speaking of traveling, a perfect time to hit the outlets is when you are ready to go on vacation. Travel professionals have stated that taking a cruise is an economical way to travel. Comparing the average nightly stay on certain cruises can be less than staying at a Motel 6. The cruise line industry has been making upgrades to the dining and entertainment for cruisers. It is a competitive industry and that makes it great for finding a great deal for your vacation. One of the many benefits of living in Southern California is that we have cruise line ports within driving distance. The San Diego and Los Angeles area ports have year round sailings. Driving offers flexibility versus arranging airline flights to fly to your departing port. Last minute cruises offer great discounts on sailings. Each cruise line has their own web-site offering deals and specials such as on board credits to spend while sailing. Cruisecritics.com is a good resource to find deals or use as a price gauge while you are shopping for your vacation. An informed consumer will get the best deals. The web site offers pricing for what ever cruise your heart desires and also offers reviews. Wherever you choose to purchase your vacation this will be a tool to let you know if you are spending too much. Vacationstogo.com is another good source. If your travels are taking you to another state or country to board your cruise and you are booking your airline flight with the cruise, or independently checking the airline prices for participating airlines using farecompare.com, will narrow down the airlines offering the best prices for the route you are flying. It offers pricing, stops and schedules by each airline servicing your destination and saves travelers a lot of time. It links
If you’re looking for more sunshine and need some time in the tropics May is the best month to sail south to the Caribbean. Since most cruise lines operate year round keep in mind the discounts from August to October are during hurricane season: If you are dreaming of tropical breezes and pristine beaches in paradise sail over to Hawaii in March, April and May. The prices drop during these months. Some fares are as much as 70% lower than the most popular time to cruise to Hawaii; Fourth of July and Christmas holiday season. The Mediterranean off-peak cruise season is May or November. The opportunity to find an amazing fare to sail the Mediterranean is available. Don't count this trip out until you have done your research. The deals are amazing and difficult to pass up. We went on a cruise treasure hunt a few years ago and found a fare for a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that was too good to be true so we decided to empty out one of our frequent flier miles accounts and had an amazing vacation. I have been on a cruise for rest and relaxation and I have been on a cruise that was action packed. Cruising is like being happy, it is up to you. Most important? What I really want is... Let me know what deals you have in mind. dstorms88@gmail.com
San Diego
Cambridge dictionary defines 'treasure hunt' as a game in which the players are given a series of clue-pieces of information to direct them to a hidden 'what' prize. I like to think of my prize as a new pair of shoes; the where to be determined after a bit of research and the when I like to believe can happen when my heart desires.
you to other travel sites and helps cut out a few steps that save you time and money. Booking your flight a day or two before your cruise departs is recommended in case you hit a hiccup or two during your travels, and, allows you to visit a location you have already paid airfare for. I like to think of it as a bonus! Timing is everything: A quick look at the best times to book a cruise to help you figure out how to get the best value for your cruise. For those of you looking to cool off and head to Alaska and take in the spectacular scenery the cruise season is from May to September, with peak cruising in July and August. The best prices will be found in early May or September. The short season and high demand make it a little bit of a challenge to get a big discount so look for the specials that the cruise lines are offering for land excursions, free gratuities and on board credits. Gratuities are added to your account based on a set daily rate and remember to get your fare including taxes and fees on all cruises.
Woman
We all work hard for our money to the extent there are songs written about it. How would you feel if you could make your money work for you on your shopping sprees? Get a real bang for your buck! Saving while spending can happen. It all starts with knowing what, where and when your treasure hunt begins.
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Curry and More – a Restaurant Review By Gerald M. Neff
From the outside, the smoked windows do not give any hint of the fine food and ambiance waiting for you inside. A large lighted sign over the restaurant doorway announces “Curry and More”. Upon opening the door an abundance of exotic but pleasant odors descends upon your sense of smell. May it be the cardamom, clove, turmeric or even the more familiar coriander or onion with meats. It is a fitting flavorful welcome of deliciousness for what is to come. You are met at the door by a maître de who asks where would you like to sit, or if it is crowded tells you what is available for your dinning pleasure. Once you and your guests are seated the maître de sends a waitperson with menus and water, or if you wish tea, coffee or something stronger. The menu accurately describes a vast number of typical and not so typical Indian dishes and their respective prices are quite reasonable from eight to fifteen dollars for the noon meal, or a slightly higher twelve to twenty two dollars for the evening meal. Noon service is quite busy as it is popular with the local business community. The noon menu is an all-encompassing affair with main plates such as Tandoori chicken or curries, and includes salad, pita bread and other small side dishes (and even a small delicious lentil soup). The evening meal is slightly different with a more 'a la carte' menu; main course is sixteen to twenty two dollars with choice of sides, and bread being extra -five different types of bread including whole wheat. The interior decoration is sparse but tastefully done in contemporary oil paintings with various Indian scenes (local women with earthen ware jugs at the well) are bright but well-done modern art pieces. The bistro seats approximately 40 to 45 people with tables and chairs arranged all along the outer walls and a scattering of tables in the center. To the right, and taking up almost the entire rear of the restaurant, is a large glass encased kitchen where you can watch three cooks with the variety of fired woks and open fire grills for the constant frying and sautéing of dishes for the eagerly awaiting clientele. Besides the fine styles of known and unknown Indian dishes there is included a spice chart for both connoisseurs and novice palates alike: From a mild no spice to a seven point very high hot and spicy. A must try for the Indian food fans and a nice choice for those not so familiar with these types of Indian dishes. The pleasant gentleman, Sahil Malhotra, who owns and operates the restaurant attends to your every need. This is the best food of its genre my wife and I have had in the North County San Diego area. A definite must try is the restaurant Curry and More. This delicious spot is located in the Grand Mall of San Marcos on 113 South Las Posas Rd., and reservations at (760) 736-4540.
Review of Pickle’s Café & Deli By Sondra Jane Smith
Who doesn’t love “Homemade Food Away From Home” at a reasonable price? And who doesn’t love it even more when it’s served at a woman-owned establishment? So the next time you are looking for a casual and inexpensive breakfast or lunch in central Carlsbad, skip Starbucks and Subway and stop by Pickle’s Café and Deli. As its name suggests, both California health food nuts and New York deli fans will feel at home at Pickle’s and find something to love. Owned and operated by local businesswoman Ann Boghosian, Pickle’s offers an amazing variety of fresh and delicious menu items in the $6-8 price range (including sales tax). One of my favorites is the hearty Duke Wrap with hummus, avocado, sunflower seeds, garbanzo beans, cucumbers and red peppers in a flour tortilla for $5.57. Another crowd-pleaser is the ample Citrus Chicken Gourmet Salad with grilled chicken breast, iceberg lettuce, mixed greens, avocado, feta cheese, green onions, dried cranberries, pecans and green apple for $6.99. In addition to daily specials, Pickle’s offers a well-stocked salad bar, made-from-scratch soups, and sandwiches featuring a wide array of fresh meats and cheeses. For a New York deli-style sandwich, try the Queens Melt with turkey, roast beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, coleslaw, mustard and dressing on toasted sourdough for $5.99. Or try the Reuben, or the Philly Roast Beef for the same price: All of the Fancy Choice Hot Sandwiches are good - some are crazy good. As a Californian might say: “Insanely delicious, man!” Like the food, the dining experience at Pickle’s is the best of both worlds. The flooring has a classic black-and-white chequered design reminiscent of a New York deli. You order and pay at the cashier counter in the back and pick up your food from the deli counter in the front. As in a typical California café, there is a well-lit, air-conditioned dining area decorated with colorful posters of fruits and vegetables as well as a small patio. Truly emblematic is the beautiful hand-painted mural of hot-air balloons floating over a farmer’s fields framed by – what else? – Giant pickles! Pickle’s is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served until 10:30 a.m. It’s located at 5670 El Camino Real in the Carlsbad Gateway Center, just north of Faraday Avenue on the east side of El Camino Real. Look for the orange umbrellas. Although there is plenty of free parking (but no public restrooms), many customers walk over from nearby office buildings and check their phones with the free Wi-Fi. You can see the menu at www.picklescafe.com/menu then call (760) 431-1333 to order ahead or place an order for pick-up. With over 40 wholesome and well-priced menu items to choose from, you could eat at Pickle’s every day for a month, not get bored and not go broke. As a New Yorker might say: “You gotta love that!”
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Victoria Bennett is an Independent College Admissions Advisor located in North San Diego County. She helps students organize for the college application process by creating lists of appropriate schools, brainstorming for and editing essays, consulting on extra-curricular activities, testing and courses, navigating the different applications and being available during the entire application process to answer questions and concerns. For more information visit Victoria’s site at www.bennettcollegecounseling.com. She can be reached via email at victoria.bennett8006@ gmail.com or by phone at 619 993 1613
Artist
JoAnn Dutton is a broad spectrum artist... specializing in the construction/fabrication of habitats for life in captivity. This translates to building museum quality simulated rock, trees, vines and other organic features indigenous to a specific species' environment in a zoological setting. After nearly 20 years in the industry, her work can be seen in zoos, natural history museums, aquariums and amusement parks all over the country. JoAnn worked with Universal Studios in the hands on construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood.Visit her site at www.uniquelydutton.com for more information. JoAnn can be contacted by Phone at 310 924-0025
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Attorney
Lauren Hanna
Lauren Hanna is an athlete, attorney, and entrepreneur and has worked in brand building and licensing prior to starting her own trademark licensing firm in 1998. Hanna's Company represents and builds brands (e.g. Jack Daniel’s) by developing and implementing strategies for brand extension via trademark licensing. Lauren is also a sponsored triathlete and races for HERevolution Women’s Triathlon Team, participates in many cycling events, and is an avid skier. Lauren shares her passion for fitness and health through her second business as an independent distributor for Lifevantage, Corp., a health and wellness company. For more information visit www.mylifevantage. com/laurenhanna#products. You can also contact Lauren by email at lauren@hannacompany.com or by phone at 858.442.6776
Certified Life Coach
Vanessa Lurie Vanessa Lurie is the mother of three amazing sons, wife of one incredible husband, and Certified Life Coach. Through individual and group coaching, she helps women who are in their 40's, 50's and 60's transition into their future with ease and self-care. She will lovingly help you achieve your goals, overcome obstacles, step into your power and get what you want out of this next exciting (yes it will be!) phase of your life. Contact Vanessa via email at vanessa@ vanessalurie.com or by phone at 858.395.8278
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Cathy Geddes
Marcie Laws
Concierge
Marcie Laws is a San Diego native that owns a boutique-style Senior care and personal assistant company, Mirabella Care. As a single mother to an active toddler, and someone that has been involved in Senior and end-of-life care for more than 15 years, she understands the importance of providing quality, reliable, and affordable services to families that are "sandwiched" between raising their children and caring for their elderly parents. Services range from meal preparation to laundry, errands, hands-on Senior Care, and home organization. Marcie loves to hike, cook, and spend time at the beach with her son, Evan. Marcie graduated from Ramona High School and then obtained a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Miami University in Ohio. Visit her site at www.mirabellacare.com or contact her via phone at 858.208.3678 or by email at marcie@mirabellacare.com Member WEG
Dental Implant Consultant
Real Estate Agent Dr. Penny Michelle Abrams Is a clinical psychologist (Psy Lic 20753) in La Jolla (UTC), providing individual and couple counseling as well as personal, professional and corporate coaching and high conflict mediation. (sixtyminutesofclarity.com sixtyminutesofclarity@gmail.com)
Cathy Geddes is a Dental Implant Educator and Consultant. Her goal is to develop new elationships, build wealth and collaborate to support others in their business endeavors. Cathy Geddes, CDA, is a credentialed Certified Dental Assistant graduating from George Brown College, Toronto, Canada. With 30 years of experience in the dental profession she now lectures, sharing her passion to educate those involved in the advancing world of implant dentistry. In 2013 Cathy started her own consulting business called Geddes Solutions. While working with many dental professionals in her career, Cathy saw a need to educate the dental team on how to answer patients’ questions on implants with confidence. For information on Cathy’s Dental consulting firm or Vacation Rentals contact her via email at cathygeddes1@gmail.com Member WEG
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Jaime V. Habert
Dr. Penny Michelle Abrams Clinical Psychologist
San Diego
Admission College Counselor
JoAnn Dutton
Victoria Bennet
Woman
Jaime is your key to home ownership. After helping her mother find a home, Jaime fell in love with the field. The ability to make life-long relationships with people while providing a superior service was the catalyst to creating her business. Jaime’s background is varied. From her early days as an Animal Caretaker, to her most recent position as Entertainment Editor for San Diego Woman Magazine, Jaime’s skill set is as diverse as her clientele. Assisting everyone from first-time homebuyers to established investors, Jaime’s outstanding customer service remains the same. Contact her via phone (858) 829-7891 or e-mail at jaimehabert@rocketmail.com
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Carol Haitin English as a Second Language Instructor
Carol Haitin is a specialist of TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). Carol has conducted numerous teacher training workshops and developed curriculum for non-English speakers at various universities and community colleges UC Berkeley, Holy Names University, English Language Institute, La Catolica University, Washington Educational Research Associates, Pasadena City College, to name a few. Most recently she was the coordinator of a federallyfunded program to assist amnesty applicants meet educational goals while serving as an adjunct faculty member of Pasadena City College. For more information visit her site at www.efexinstitute. com. Carol can be reached via email at efex. institute@gmail.com. Or by phone at 858.342.9423
Laurie Itkin Financial Advisor
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Home Staging & Redesigning
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Sophia Segal Sophia Segal, is a professionally trained and certified designer, and the brains and talent behind Creative Home Styles. Creative Home Styles is an HSR Certified Professional Home Staging and Interior Redesign company serving San Diego and surrounding areas. Her personal style is exquisite and eclectic and she delights in the many popular genres of home and commercial space designs. Whether you are selling your home and need someone to update it and increase its appeal for prospective home buyers, or perhaps just want a change of atmosphere, give Sophia a call at 858.500.6298 or email her at sophia@creativehomestyles.com. For additional information visit www.creativehomestyles.com
Laurie Itkin founded The Options Lady to educate and empower women and couples to take control of their finances, overcome their fears of investing, and grow the money they work so hard to earn. She is also a financial advisor and money manager at Coastwise Capital Group. Laurie is the author of the Amazon best seller Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment. Laurie graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1990 with a B.S. in economics and a concentration in finance. For more information visit www.theoptionslady.com. You can contact Laurie by email at laurie@theoptionslady.com or by phone at 858 220 4736
Interior Design
Doro Pirino Dorothée Pirino is an allied member of ASID (American Society of Interior Design), she has over 15 years of experience in interior architecture and design. Working with homeowners and developers on new constructions and remodels, Dorothée approaches her work with a client-centric mindset. She listens to her clients to design unique interior spaces that are esthetical, functional and tailored to their needs. She likes to create design solutions that enhance her clients’ lifestyle and sense of well being in their homes. Originally from Belgium, Dorothée is greatly influenced by European design and architecture. To obtain more information email Dorothée at doropirino@gmail. com or contact her by phone at 619.980.6185
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Adrienne Blumberg
Lauren Essex Marketing Strategy
In her 20+ years as a marketing quarterback with Fortune 500 and early stage companies, Lauren has run multi-national brands as large as $150M in sales, launched new businesses generating over $75M in sales, and helped take an early stage company public. Her customer-centric approach enables companies large and small to understand their target, build brands and launch go-to-market strategies that have impact in the market. Lauren’s expertise spans technology, consumer products/services, and healthcare - with a particular emphasis on marketing to women. To learn more about getting your brand to market, contact: lauren@tomarketconsulting.com or visit Linkedin/LaurenJEssex.
Marriage & Family Therapist
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Dr. Mary Anne Fuchs
Medical Spa Owner
Dr. Mary Anne Fuchs is the owner-director of Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic, a full-service medical spa, Through artistic application of the latest non-surgical techniques and technologies, she focuses on achieving “natural" facial sculpting and skin rejuvenation for her clients. A graduate from UC Santa Barbara (Summa Cum Laude) in 1988, Dr. Fuchs received her MD degree at UC Irvine, followed by specialty training at UCLA and UCSD in Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. Fuchs founded the Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic in 2009, and has brought together a small team of talented, highly-trained clinicians and staff. Del Mar Aesthetic Clinic has been designated a ‘Black Diamond’ provider (top 1% in the country) by Allergan, makers of Botox® and Juvéderm®, two years in a row. For more information visit Dr Fuchs’ site at www.delmaraesthetic.com. You can contact her at drfuchs@delmaraesthetic.com or by phone at 858 259 4772 Member WEG
Adrienne Blumberg is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who has been working with children, teens, adults and families for over 25 years. She counsel children, families, individual women and men in addition to couples on all issues impacting one’s healthy and productive life-style. Adrienne is a member of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT) in addition to a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. (CAMFT) Adrienne is also a Registered Play Therapist and proudly holds a membership in the Association of Play Therapy. For more information visit her site at www.adrienneblumbergtherapy. com. She can be reached via email at ablumberg6@gmail.com or by phone at 858.349.1422.
Personal Trainer
Linda Kennedy Linda Kennedy, CSCS, SNC, FMS has been in the fitness industry since 1993 as a fitness expert, public speaker and published author. A former competitive athlete, professional dancer and winning figure competitor, she has appeared on Fox 6 News and been featured in local newspapers for her LEANPower!® Exercise and Nutrition System. She has helped countless clients not only cease using cholesterol and blood pressure medications, detect breast cancer and other diseases, and re-established hormonal balance, but lose over 900 pounds, 350 inches and still going today.
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Kristi Neal
Risé Edney
Corporate Sales
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Anna Doxie
Aromatherapist
LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care
Anna Doxie is a Mother to 6 beautiful children. A Registered Aromatherapist, Educator and Organic Cosmetic Formulator. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for NAHA as Director Coordinator and Director of the Southern California Region (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy). Anna's passion for sharing quality, authentic aromatherapy education, as well as her desire to create an accessible, mentor-based aromatherapy education, led to the founding of the Institute of Holistic Phyto-Aromatherapy. The Institute offers an in person and live-streaming, 240hour program to certify professional Aromatherapist. Find more information at www.AuthenticAromatherapy Education.com or call 1-800-909-6985. Email: Info@AuthenticAromatherapyEducation.com Find the Institute on Facebook @ https://www.facebook. com/aromacourses/.
La Vita Compounding Pharmacy La Vita Compounding Pharmacy’s promise is to help people live better, longer by personalizing medications made with care, quality and safety. Utilizing advanced genomic and laboratory technology in collaboration with its physicians allows La Vita to stay on the leading edge of patient care. Patent-pending formulations are exclusively offered at La Vita. Proud to be among the 1% of US pharmacies that hold PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) for both sterile and non-sterile compounding. Only SD pharmacy providing exclusive access to insurance coverage of compounded medications through the UCM network (United Compounding Management) allowing personalized medicine to be within reach.
Compounding Pharmacy
Tamara Badkerhanian-Ganev
Jill Mendlin
LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care is the leader in their field, due to their quality of care and expertise in end of life care. LightBridge is nurse-owned and staffed by qualified hospice professionals, who share their unique vision of supporting patients and families to move through the last stages of life with grace, strength, dignity and hope. Their hospice team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care counselors, hospice aides, and volunteers. Among their many recognitions for outstanding care, LightBridge has received The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Excellence. They offer programs unique to hospice care including a specialized Veterans program, one for Dementia, The Jewish Ohr Ami Program, Heart to Heart Cardiac Program and Palliative Care. For more information contact LightBridge by Phone: 858.458.2992 or by Email at contact@LightBridgeHospice.com or visit their website: www.lightbridgehospice.com
BSE Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning womanowned, full service and multi-disciplinary Mechanical/ Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) and Energy Engineering (EE) firm with a key focus on energy efficiency and sustainable projects in local, state and federal government sectors. BSE Engineering’s core statement of value is “Designing Your Sustainable Future”. The firm is a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) by the State of California Department of General Services and a Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) certified by the City of San Diego. BSE engineering has successfully completed over 3500 projects with over 1000 being Prime Contracts with various local, state and federal governmental agencies. The firm’s mechanical Principal-in-Charge is Tamara Badkerhanian-Ganev AScT, LEED AP. www.BSEengineering.com (858) 279-2000
Mechanical Engineer
Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Kristine Reese
LotusRain Naturopathic Clinic, Inc. At LotusRain we offer Naturopathic Primary Care in a positive, light-filled space. Additional services include IV Therapy, Integrative Oncology, HBOT, and Infrared Sauna. Join us in your pursuit of optimal health by contacting our office via e-mail at dr@drkristinereese.com, via phone at 619-239-LIFE (5433), or visiting us online at www.lotusrainclinic.com. We are located at 5210 Balboa Avenue, Suite F, San Diego, CA 92117. Optimize your care, your health, your life!
Risé Edney, former corporate sales person, current volunteer extraordinaire, and major people person. She currently assists her husband in his Business Succession and Estate Planning practice as Brokerage Director with Mass Mutual and as owner of Estate Resource Group, a firm of professionals involved in all aspects of tax planning for successful business owners, their key employees, and their families. Rise is also an Ambassador for the San Diego County Fair and works with the fairgrounds throughout the year. She has embedded herself in the community. Rise is considered a center of influence and an excellent referral source who delights in creating partnerships for either business purposes or just helping someone find that “perfect deal”. "mailto:raedney@prodigy. net"raedney@prodigy.net or reach her by phone at 858.361.8236 Member WEG
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Marialyn Sardo MD, FACS
The Center for Beauty in La Jolla provides an elite cosmetic experience, from your initial consultation to post-surgical care. If you are considering any cosmetic procedure, Dr. Sardo should be top of your list. With more than 20 years of cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery experience, you can be certain your results will be extraordinary. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Sardo brings an artistic hand and a woman’s sensitivity to her refined technical skills. Whether you are considering breast enhancement, reduction or lift, tummy tuck, or are ready for your mommy makeover, Contact The Center for Beauty toll free now for more information and a free consultation at 866-Dr Sardo
San Diego
Kristi is a sales representative with Title365. Title insurance provides home buyers and lenders with vital protection against losses from certain title issues including forgery, fraud, and liens – problems that might limit a homeowner’s use and enjoyment of their property. She works with home buyers/sellers, realtors and lenders. Kristi specializes in business planning and marketing solutions with agents of all levels and skill sets, assisting clients achieve results in their business development efforts. She proudly represents Title365, offering the very best products and services in the business. She is personally dedicated to providing superior customer service and support to the people she works with, help them achieve their goals and ultimately increase their business. For more information email Kristi at "mailto:kristi.neal@title365.com"kristi.neal@title365.com or Mobile: 858.752.1115 | Office: 619.564.5600
Woman
Title Insurance Sales Executive
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San Diego Woman Magazine’s
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Race Director
Real Estate Agent
Kate Wilsey
Katie Wilsey is the founder and race director of the Carmel Valley 5K and owner of Wind at your Back, LLC, a company that puts on races aimed at giving runners a fun and unique experience. The races also have a charitable component, as Katie has formed the Wind at Your Back Foundation, which gives to local schools and other great causes. An avid runner herself, Katie frequently runs marathons and other distance events. For more information or to get in contact with Katie, please visit www.carmelvalley5k.com. Contact Katie at carmelvalley5k@gmail.com or by phone at 858-761-8799 Member WEG
Julie Otto
Julie Otto is Unique. She has grown up surrounded by success. Her family has been in the real Estate business for nearly 40 years, and that environment sets her apart. Her Father is Oakland Raider All Pro member. Julie and her Mother were Relocation Consultants from St.Louis invited to assist the Franchise Move for the Rams in 1995. Julie has excelled assisting clients in the renovation aspect of real estate and also has been a Lender since 2003. Her clients often comment that Julie is Resourceful, Intuitive and Caring. You too will agree. Julie E Otto CA BRE #01481228 Keller Williams Realty 12780 High Bluff Drive Ste.130 San Diego, CA 92130 858-688-6260 julie@julieotto. com www.julieotto.com
Real Estate Agent
Restaurants and Cafes
Karen Wilson
Senior Dating Service
Karen Wilson was a director of sales for Great Expectations dating service in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego from 1992 to 2007, where she successfully matched hundreds of clients into long-term relationships and marriages. She is currently launching a new matchmaking service in San Diego exclusively for Seniors over the age of fifty, who are seeking long-term relationships. Karen was formerly a music and art teacher for over ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she received her Master's degree in music and fine arts at U.C. Berkeley. Originally born in New York City, Karen attended the High School of Music and Art in Lincoln Center and received a scholarship to the San Francisco Art Institute. For more information contact Karen at Member WEG kswilson2001@yahoo.com.
Melissa Cizauskas Melissa has enjoyed a varied and successful career in the Real Estate Industry. She is currently with Keller Williams Realty-Carmel Valley/Del Mar office. Melissa currently enjoys using her decades of real estate experience in finding homes for buyers and selling homes for her sellers. Melissa is able to provide her valued clients with the very best representation possible to meet your needs. For more information visit her site at www.melissarockssd. com. Contact Melissa via email at melissarockssd@gmail.com or phone at 858.353.6985 Member WEG
Grand Tea Room Full service tea room and gift shop. We serve a traditional afternoon tea menu with tea sandwiches, scones, savories, desserts and fresh fruit and an extended menu of soups and salads and a la carte items. Please visit our website at www.thegrandtearoom.com for pictures of the tea room and our full menu. Please visit our gift shop for a nice selection of beautiful gifts 145 W. Grand Avenue Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 233-9500 louisam@thegrandtearoom.com
Lisa Perlmutter
Independent Business Owner
Lisa Perlmutter is an Independent Business Owner for the well-known and respected Skincare line Rodan + Fields®. Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, the creators of Proactiv,® launched Rodan + Fields to extend their vision of bringing dermatology based skincare solutions to everyone. With Rodan + Fields, looking good and feeling confident has never been easier and it's all possible without a trip to the dermatologist's office. For more information contact Lisa by email at lgperlmutter@gmail.com or by phone at 858.442.1666. Visit www.lperlmutter.myrandf. com for additional information. facebook.com/Skincare Concierge Member WEG
Dr. Tess Mauricio
Geriatric Care Manager
Colleen Van Horn Geriatric Care Managers who are RN's and Companion Caregivers that specialize in assisting older people maintain their independence with coordination of care at home. www.innovativehc.com 557 E. Alvarado St. Fallbrook, CA 92028 United States (760) 731-1334 colleenvanhorn@sbcglobal.net
Dermatologist
You can contact Dr Tess TOLL FREE at 1(800) 7MBeauty or on the web at www.mbeautyclinic.com
Dr Tess Mauricio, is a Board Certified Dermatologist, graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The University of California San Diego. She is the founder of M Beauty by Dr Tess with multiple clinics in California. She is the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr Tess is a published author of California Total Beauty, renowned speaker. She is a favorite medical expert on TV with regular network appearances on the Rachael Ray show, Fox News, CBS' The Doctors, America’s Next Top Model, The Talk and The Dr Oz Show among many local TV show. She produced and stars inThe Dr Tess Show which can be viewed in North America and soon globally.
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Windermere Homes & Estates
16783 Bernardo Center Dr. San Diego, CA 92128 Ph:619-871-9333 fax: 858-676-1935 http://www.NancyCanfield.com/ CA BRE License # 0138667 Chosen by San Diego Magazine 2010-16 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent "Best in Client Satisfaction!"
Certified Professional Life Coach
Erica Marasco
Erica Marasco is a Certified Professional Life Coach and Entrepreneur. As a wife, hands on mother of two, and certified reiki healer. In her practice she helps people break free of what’s holding them back in life, and put them on a path to success. Her signature system helps create an individual strategy for every client. Having a thriving, happy, balanced and successful life is everyone’s right, and is possible for everybody. Erica will be your biggest advocate and support system! Contact Erica atErica Marasco (C.L.C) Life and wellbeing coachwww.ericamarasco.com 619-778-5757- cell erica@ericamarasco.com
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(NANP). In her training she studied anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, nutrition and disease, naturopathic toxicology, blood chemistry, saliva testing, herbology, homeopathy, tissue and cellular detoxification, biology of cancer, endocrinology, contemporary ethics in health care, regulatory and accrediting agencies in health care, and medical terminology. Board Certifications: American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and American Alternative Medical Association (AAMA). Knowing with first-hand knowledge that solid Straight Nutritional support and counsel can make ALL the difference in your health. Debi Foli has worked in the drugless, natural health and whole food industries since 1991, and is a home-birthing mother of three. She created and launched her practice, Straight Nutrition, in 2002. https://www.facebook.com/StraightNutrition https://twitter. com/StrghtNutrition http://straightnutrition.com/
Designer/Artist
Sonali Soni Sonali DesignStudio At SD Studio we design logos, brochure design, business identity kits, murals, paintings and layout and design of simple and complex written materials. As the designer of San Diego Woman Magazine, Sonali meets the challenge each issue to come up with fresh, new and exciting layouts. For more information email her at sonali@sonalisoni.com or 858 354-5365. No job is too big or small. Give her a call and know your project is in good hands.
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San Diego Woman Magazine Networking Group
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San Diego
Real Estate Agent
Debi Foli RND, CNC Straight Nutrition Registered Debi Foli is a Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC), a diplomat member in good standing of the American Association of Naturopathic/ Nutritional Consultants, a Registered Naturopathic Diplomat Certified Nutritional (RND) and a Traditional Naturopath (NP). She is a professional member in good standing of the American Nutrition Association Consultant (ANA) and the National Association of Nutritional Professionals
Woman
Nancy Canfield, Realtor
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