Resilientista magazine spring 2018 issue by Resilientista

Resilientista

ISSUE 5

SPRING 2018

Stepping into the Next Chapter of Life

10 Tips

to Freshen Up

Your Bedroom

Recharge Your Mind with Meditation

Navigating Change Go Natural

in the Boudoir

Vegan Condoms

Emotional Decluttering

Spring Clean Your Mind

LIFESTYLE | WELLNESS | FASHION | BEAUTY | INSPIRATION

SPRING 2018 19

Spring Forward Resilientista, Are you as excited about the beginning of SPRING as I am? There is something inspiring about the rain that accompanies the milder temperatures, as it washes away all the debris and griminess left behind from winter; yet also nourishes the new growth that has been taking place below the earth's surface. Spring is a transitional season, a reminder that just like the leaves we saw fall and the flowers wilting in autumn; given the time to recharge, they come back stronger, more purposeful and beautiful than the version they once were. This is true for us as well lovelies. When life takes us on detours, along roads we could have never imagined we would travel - it can deplete us with fear, hurt, and anger. It is up to us to create spring in our own life. When the life we ordered is discontinued without notice, it is up to us if we wither away, ceasing to exist or take the time to dig deep, to root ourselves, to recharge mind, body, and spirit - allowing ourselves time to heal, to grow, to blossom, and emerge a better version than we thought possible. Those who know me personally and regular readers of the blogs/social media, know that 2017 was a very long autumn - but I learned, only in letting go like the leaves on a tree, could I survive the winter that was to come. It was not easy - I had to really dig deeper than I've ever had; to be honest and raw with myself like I've never been; to ask for help; to allow others to pull me up when I had no strength; to embrace new things; new people and most of all to have faith that the universe had a better plan for me than I could have ever imagined! So, yes I'm excited for spring 2018, not only for the fact that there is more day light, sunshine and warmer temperatures in the days, but that I'm in my spring season of life! Our contributors are sharing amazing tips in this issue to help you navigate your own spring season of life. Navigating Change in 3 easy steps (pg24); Sowing Your Seeds (pg29); How to Realize Your Goals (pg30); Happiness is a Choice (pg28) - these are just a few of the amazing transitional articles you will find in this issue I would also like to share with you that there are some amazing transitions happening with Resilientista and I can't wait to share them with you. Stay up to date with all the excitement subscribe to Resilientista Musings. Until next time, Take Care of YOU!

Celia M.

Michelle Montoro Lifestyle Blogger

Michelle is a stay-at-home mother of two, an Army wife, a passionate scholar, and a lover of words with a driving desire to help others in the pursuit of becoming the best possible versions of themselves. With a background that includes coaching, mental health counseling, philosophy, English, and law, she strives to reach people by sharing her personal stories of struggles and successes.

Meet the Resilientista Contributors

shelbeeontheedge.com

FB: @shelbeeontheedge

Michelle Peña Self-Love and Relationship Coach

Michelle is the founder of LivTru Coaching, where she helps women unlearn the stories that hold them back, from fully embracing themselves and their lives.She teaches women how to cultivate selflove, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. Certified in Positive Psychology and Coaching, Michelle works with her clients to help them better cope with stress, heal emotional pain, gain clarity, let go of fear, develop a healthy self-image and find greater peace. livtru.ca

INSTA: @livtruwithmichellepena

Susan Sommers Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur Susan Sommers co-authored Power Source for Women: Proven Fitness Strategies, Tools, and Stories for Women 45+ in 2010 and Love Your Body…Embrace Your Life! in 2016. She also has been featured on television and radio shows and in fitness and women’s magazines, including LIVESTRONGFOUNDATION blog, the Globe and Mail newspaper, Canadian Running magazine, Active Adult Magazine, Rogers Daytime Toronto, and impowerage.com. powersourceforwomen.com

INSTA: @fitseventy

Debra Jones Author, Speaker, Reiki Master

Debra Jones is a speaker, author, healer and teacher. Passionate about being a catalyst for change, harmony and peace, she’s excited when she sees the light shine where there was once only darkness. Helping you navigate and ‘master’ your major life changes, she empowers and reconnects you to your authentic self, where you can access your own higher wisdom. She sees herself as a bridge to help you get from where you are, to where you want to be. DebraJones.ca

FB: @DebraJonesNaturalHealing

RESILIENTISTA.COM | SPRING 2018

Sandy O'Shea Sex and Hormone Nutritionist

Steppingstoneswellnessinc.com

INSTA: @sswellnessinc

Jennifer Cobb Reiki Master, Medium, Reflexologist

Jennifer Cobb is a Reiki Master & Teacher, Reflexology Practitioner and Medium who is passionate about helping others to find ways to heal themselves~ body, mind and soul. As a busy mom she understands the struggle to find time to put yourself first. As a healthcare provider, and as an awakened soul she urges you to see just how much more alive you will feel when you do put yourself as a priority, even if only for an hour at a time! JenniferCobb.ca

INSTA: @JenniferCobbHealing

Maggie Chilton Sleep and Hormone Specialist

Maggie Chilton is a sleep and hormone specialist. As a Holistic Nutritionist and Mentor she helps pre & peri menopausal women relieve their anxiety, lose weight and sleep better. Maggie is passionate about helping women embrace change and celebrate their life.

maggiechilton.com

INSTA: @maggiechilton_rhn

Julie Baumlisberger Reiki Master Practitioner & Teacher

Julie Baumlisberger is a doTERRA Essential Oils Educator, a Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher. She believes passionately in supporting mind, body and spirit through a holistic approach and at her home-based healing room offers: Reiki, Aromatouch sessions, and Indian Head Massage. Julie offers classes and workshops regularly, in addition to personal wellness consults. juliebaumlisberger.com

FB @ReikiFarmGirl

Guest Contributors

Ann Powell Founder Home Healing Hues homehealinghues.com

Carol E. Wyer Author, Huffington Post Blogger carolwyer.co.uk RESILIENTISTA.COM | SPRING 2018

Jennifer Emilson Recipe Developer, Cook, Baker thelemonapron.com

Meet the Resilientista Contributors

Sandy O’Shea is a certified holistic nutritionist with a focus on sexual wellness through hormone balancing and nutrition. Sandy is on a mission to motivate and inspire women to attain greater health and well being, through both online programs and individualized in-person programs. Passionate about helping women improve their sex lives through nutrition, Sandy’s consulting practice is located in Ajax, Ontario. Consultations are also available world wide via Skype.

SPRING 2018

Inside

Cover

17Going Natural

in the Boudoir

Recharging your mind

Freshen Up Your Bedroom

In Every Issue 02 04 33 34 36 42 43

Editor's Note Meet the Resilientista Contributor Team Editor's Self Care Must Haves Open Up & Inspire Angel Messages Connect with the Guest Contributors Connect with Contributor Team

Lifestyle Beauty & Fashion

08 09 12

Rainy Day Essentials Spring Skin Care Dry Skin Brushing

16 15

Wellness

Home & Garden Freshen Up Your Bedroom Weights & Measurements

17 18 19 21 22 34

Foods For Your Spring Market List Helping the Body's Detoxification System Recognizing the Dangers of Spring Mania Spring Activities to Get You Moving Recharging Your Mind - are you doing it? Natural in the Boudoir - Vegan Condoms

SPRING 2018

Inside 24

Navigating Change in 3 easy steps

This Season WHY NOT ...

Emotional Decluttering

Features

34 38

Plant an Herb Garden See the Cherry Blossoms Take a Road Trip Declutter Your Closet Make a Walk Part of Your Daily Rituals Start a Weekly Pot Luck

Food & Drink You are Never Too Old to Reach for the Stars!

38 39 40 41

Turkish Çilbir Moroccan Ice Tea Rice and Vegetable Melody Stuffed Squid and Rice

Turkish Çilbir

Inspiration & Self Care 26 28 29 30 31 33 34 36

Navigating Changes in Your Life Happiness is a Choice Spring, a Time for Sowing Seeds Spring Fever & How to Realize Your Goals Emotional Decluttering Editor's Self Care Must Haves Open Up & Inspire - you are never too old Angel Messages

Cover: photo - G. Costa GC Creations

LIFESTYLE: BEAUTY & FASHION | SPRING 2018

Hat: Sometimes there is just enough drizzle to to frizz your hair, a hat will help keep your hair dry.

.Whether you drive about town or use public transportation, this spring don't let rainy days leave you feeling all damp and soggy ~ with a few essentials you will stay dry and looking chic!

Gloves and Scarf: I don't know about you - but my hands can get pretty cold - I like to keep a pair of gloves in my tote just in case and a scarf can help keep the dampness from settling in. I've been thankful on many occasions to have had a scarf in my tote when unexpected rain happens.

Rain Coat: From trench coats to parkas you can keep dry and looking fabulous whether going to work, dinner out or just running errands. The Rain Boot: Don't take a chance stepping in a puddle and having to walk around with wet feet. With so many styles to choose from, rain boots can really be a way to have fun, add a little punch to your outfit and let your personality shine.

Tote or Cross Body bag: When the rain hits juggling your hand bag and umbrella can resemble a circus act - especially if wind is involved. I like to keep my hands free and find a tote/or cross body bag perfect! also I can use the extra room to carry some shoes to change into if needed.

Umbrella: Just like rain boots use an umbrella to show off your personality! One of my favourite umbrella is the Pasotti ... it is hand crafted and comes in so many styles and in both classic and folding size. - it is worth the investment!

Waterproof Mascara: Wind and rain are not a good combination, to keep raccoon eyes away - I turn to water proof mascara when I know I will be dashing about throughout the day. 8

LIFESTYLE: BEAUTY & FASHION | SPRING 2018 19

Hydration is Key!

Spring Skin care With warm temperatures slowly making their way into our spring days, most of us have been busy cleaning out our flower beds; throwing open windows as we clean our homes and clean them some more from the hibernation and accumulation of things during winter.

A rich moisturizer may have been great for protecting your skin from the harshness of outside cold and indoor dryness from our home heating systems during the winter months, but with the warmer weather it may feel quite heavy and greasy.This is the time to switch to a lighter moisturizer, not only will it feel better on your face, it will help lessen clogged pores. It is also important to pay attention to sun protection. From your skin to your hair - the hot sun can make them as crisp as bacon. Hydration is key during the hot months of summer that are just around the corner. Drinking lots of water during the warm months is one of the best and simplest things we can do for our skin. Plain water can be a little boring, keeping a pitcher in the fridge infused with lemons; strawberries; cucumbers or combinations of fruits - will look more interesting and inviting.

LIFESTYLE: BEAUTY & FASHION | SPRING 2018

LIFESTYLE: BEAUTY & FASHION | WINTER 2018

LIFESTYLE: BEAUTY & FASHION | SPRING 2018 19

Dry Skin Brushing ... To glow or not to glow, to peel or not to peel By Vesna Rosales

When most people hear or see the word DETOX, images of Cleanses and foods which help the body's filtration system start to emerge in their mind's eye. But internal detoxing is only part of the process to ridding the toxins from one's system. Not many people think of skin when they hear the word detox, yet skin is the largest organ of absorption and elimination. The skin is responsible for 1/4 of the body's daily detoxification process. It is estimated that about 1 lb of waste and dead skin cells are eliminated from the body each day via skin. One of the best ways to help in the detoxification process is with daily dry skin brushing for about 5 minutes. I first started using the dry skin brushing technique shortly after my accident. Since I was not very active this was a great way to stimulate blood and help with circulation. Dry skin brushing stimulates sweat glands and increases blood circulation to underlying organs and tissues a vital part of an intestinal cleansing program. Starting with the feet (be sure to brush both sides of the feet and legs) working your way up the body. Make sure to always brush towards the heart and over the breast. Brush the stomach in a gentle clockwise circular motion - this follows the natural flow of your intestine. Raise each arm in turn, brushing from the hand to the arm pit (both sides of arms). Lastly brush from the buttocks up the back to the neck ( a long handled skin brush makes this area much easier to do). Some Fabulous Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing Shed Dead Skin Cells ~ which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal. Stimulates Lymph Canals ~ greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body by encouraging the body to discharge metabolic wastes. Increases Circulation ~ by increasing the flow of blood it helps tighten the skin, which also reduces the appearance of cellulite. Helps Distribute Fat Deposits ~ this distribution helps improved muscle tone

Stimulates the upper layers of the skin, improving the body's natural detox function.

Rejuvenates the Nervous System ~ the brushing helps stimulate nerve endings in the skin. Keeps Pores Clear ~ by eliminating clogged pores your skin is able to better absorb nutrients. And also helps to prevent skin irritations (acne/breakouts). 12

In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move. ~ Henry Rollins

LIFESTYLE: HOME & GARDEN | SPRING 2018

LIFESTYLE: HOME & GARDEN | SPRING 2018 19

Weights & Measurements By: Jennifer Emilson Oven Temperature Conversion

Do you ever look up a recipe, only to find it all in metric, or for my European friends, in Fahrenheit? Or do the grams vs oz still drive you crazy? Some recipes offer all the alternatives. Others don't. Some baking is written out all in weight measurements (actually the better way- you are guaranteed to be using exactly the amounts that the recipe developer called for if you weigh it all out) but you don't have a scale? Well, first things first- I recommend that you get a scale! They come in all sorts of sizes and even show both metric and imperial measurements. And they come in all price points. So worth it, really!

275 F= 140 C= gas mark 1 300 F= 150 C= gas mark 2 325 F= 150 C= gas mark 3 350 F= 180 C= gas mark 4 375 F= 190 C= gas mark 5 400 F= 200 C= gas mark 6 425 F= 220 C= gas mark 7 450 F=230 C= gas mark 8 Liquid Measurement Equivalents 1 cup=1/2 pint=8 fl oz= 236.5 ml 2 cups=1 pint=16 fl oz=473 ml 4 cups=1 quart=32 fl oz=946 ml 4 qts=1 gallon=128 fl oz=3.784 litre

Here in Canada, we switched from Imperial to Metric when I was in Grade 7. Too late. My brain had been seared with Imperial numbers that I could not shake. I can still only picture an inch, a foot or a yard. If you tell me something is 11cm long, my eyes glaze over. Even when I was sewing, I would still measure out my fabrics in yards- metres drive me nuts!! The only thing I've even come close to accepting is the weather. If you tell me it's 75F or 23C I get it. But the minute a recipe calls for 15 grams of anything, I'm lost and have to pull out google to search for the imperial equivalent. Was I stubborn in Grade 7? Probably. And now I'm paying for it, all these years later.

Dry Measurement Equivalents 3 tsp=1 tbs=1/2 oz=14.2 gram 2 tbsp=1/8 cup=1 oz=28.35 gram 4 tbsp=1/4 cup=2 oz=56.7 grams 8 tbsp=1/2 cup=4 oz=113.4 grams 12 tbsp=3/4 cup=6 oz=170 grams 16 tbsp=1 cup=8 oz=1/2 lb=226.8 grams Food Equivalents and Substitutions Butter or shortening 1 lb=2 cups 1 stick= 1/2 cup= 8 tbsp Cheese 4 oz= 1 cup shredded Cream Cheese 3 oz pkg=6 tbsp; 8 oz pkg= 1 cup Lemon, medium= 2-3 tbsp juiced Orange, medium= 1/3-1/2 cup Marshmallow 1 large= 10 miniature; 11 large or 110 small= 1 cup

So for all of you other Metric/Imperial conversion dropouts, I've created a quick cheat sheet, I've got you covered here. All your Weight and Measurement conversions in one handy post!

"do the grams vs oz still drive you crazy? Some recipes offer all the alternatives. Others don't." 15

LIFESTYLE: HOME & GARDEN | SPRING 2018

10 Tips to

freshen up your bedroom By: Ann Powell

1. Begin by cleansing your bedroom so you can get rid of negative energy using: Smudging, sage spray and sea salt are some examples. This is good to do if you got in an argument in the room, are moving in, loss etc. 2. By decluttering your bedroom this is the first step to creating your sanctuary so you can have a good night sleep. Remember less is more. The best thing to do is to sort through everything and make 3 piles the: Yes, No and Maybe piles. If you still have lots in the Yes pile go back and check what you would like to keep just for the bedroom. 3. Now to start the decorating process. Find something that inspires you to get the room started; whether a comforter, art, throw or other accessories. 4. Look at the existing bedroom furniture. Do you want to replace any pieces or to keep the costs down is the furniture in good enough shape to paint. Do you have enough space in the room to have a chair so you can have a sitting area to relax and read? 5. Having a comfortable mattress to sleep on is also important in order to get a good night’s rest. 6. Consider your flooring. Do you want to keep the existing flooring or change it? If you have hardwood floors adding an area rug will add warmth and texture to the space.

7. It’s important to also look at lighting. Do you have a ceiling light, if yes, do you want to replace it with a chandelier, to create ambiance in the space? If no ceiling light and you just have lamps, consider the best way to get the most light in the room. 8. Window treatments are an important factor in a bedroom. Blinds and drapery not only finish off the space, they provide a room darkening option which is essential for good sleep. 9. Consider the wall colour. The best colours for bedrooms are: blues (softer shades) are relaxing and serene; purples (lavender and lilac) are restful and soothing; greens (warmer shades) are calming and peaceful;, neutral colours of gray, white beige, ivory and taupe are all good colours for a bedroom. 10. Now we paint, replace the flooring, add the rug, bring in the big furniture, window coverings then finish it off by adding the accessories. My client who had migraines wanted a gray room with no colour. I couldn’t understand that because she always wears colour but she said when she has a headache she is in bed for a few days at a time and wouldn’t notice the colour. My theory was but "what about all the times that you are feeling good" adding a pop of colour will freshen up the space and make it more relaxing. Because we chose a neutral colour gray for the walls and she already had the bedding I went shopping and found a throw with multiple colours which is loved and from there we went shopping for pillows, pictures and accessories. She painted her existing furniture. 16

WELLNESS | SPRING 2018 19

Fresh Produce to add to Your Spring Market List! Asparagus Beets Cabbage Carrots Cucumber Lettuce Mushrooms Onions Parsnips Peppers Potatoes Radishes Rutabaga Spinach Sprouts Squash Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Strawberries Rhubarb Apricots Green Onions Basil Arugula Chives Garlic Scapes Sorrel Dill Parsley Cilantro Chervil source: www.greenbeltfresh.ca/news/springontario-season-fruits-vegetables

WELLNESS: SPRING 2018

Giving the body's detoxification system a little help...

By: Maggie Chilton

When we think of Spring time we think of rebirth, detoxing, dusting off the winter and opening up our homes, wardrobes and bodies to receive the warmth of the sun. We want to shake off the winter months, emerge from our cocoons and stretch out our wings.

liver each and every day. If we notice we are becoming angry, that we are becoming impatient, resentful, rude or stubborn, this is a sign the liver is in disharmony. By consuming bitter and sour foods we can quickly remove any liver stagnation left over from winter.

Spring is a time of getting back outside, if you enjoyed walking in the fall, it’s time to get out and stretch your legs again. Walking is a low impact form of movement that everyone can do. Like to walk alone? You can also listen to a podcast, audio book or call up a friend and chat while you walk. Walking for upwards of an hour a day has great health benefits, plus its free and can be sociable or solitary depending on what you like. Spring is more yang, masculine, expansive, reflecting the active nature of spring. Spring is the season to look after the liver and gall bladder. “In spring, we naturally eat less, or even fast, to cleanse the body of the fats and heavy foods of winter” Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford, Spring foods tend to be light. We see young shoots popping up and new growth is all around. Eating foods that are the opposite of what we have been eating in the winter months is recommended, eating fresh micro greens with each meal will help support the expansiveness of spring. Raw and sprouted foods can be emphasized in the spring time providing your digestion is working well, if not, add in a plant based digestive enzyme to help digest raw foods. Herbs and spices to be used in spring time range from rosemary, bay leaf to fennel and basil. These herbs provide pungent smells to stimulate the senses at this time of year. As I mentioned previously, the liver is emphasized in spring time. The liver is a wood element organ and as such is susceptible to congestion and fatty liver. During the spring time, we want to take care of the 18

Adding lemon or lime to your morning water, adding apple cider vinegar to cooking or having a dressing of organic balsamic vinegar with a good quality olive oil are good ways to remove any excess from the liver. Spring is also the perfect time to try intermittent fasting if you haven’t yet tried it (health care supervision is recommended if this is your first time trying this). By allowing our bodies to rest during meals, and even going for a 14-16 hour fast (usually overnight) can lead to a nice flow of insulin and therefore prevent insulin resistance, something we see a lot of in peri and post menopause. By fasting we give balance to our bodies, we balance out our eating times and our fasting times to get a natural rhythm within our bodies so it can actually use up the stores of fat we have likely gained over the winter months. By allowing 5-6 hours between meals we allow our bodies to dig into the deep fat stores and reduce that belly fat that seems to be so stubborn after the age of 40.

Get outside, smell the spring air, get your walking shoes on again and give your liver some love.

WELLNESS: SPRING 2018 19

Recognizing the Dangers of Spring Mania By: Michelle Montoro Did you know that approximately 51 million people worldwide suffer from Bipolar Disorder? With a population that large, surely almost everyone knows someone with a Bipolar diagnosis. If you do not suffer personally, it could be a co-worker, a relative, a friend, or even your spouse. Living with Bipolar Disorder, whether you suffer from it yourself or someone close to you does, presents a unique set of challenges with the changing of the seasons.

As a person cycles from a deep depression into a dramatic state of mania, they begin to feel invincible. Their energy levels increase, there is a significant rise in their daily productivity, and they require less sleep. All of these seemingly positive symptoms contribute to elevating an already elevated mood. There is a major misconception that mania is a good thing because it can feel really quite amazing especially in contrast to the deep Winter depression from which you just emerged. And to an observer, all they see is a very happy person where a depressed one once stood. However, there are many dangers involved in manic episodes.

Many people, even those not afflicted with an official diagnosis of mental illness, are familiar with seasonal affective disorder, a change in mood that occurs during the Winter months when the hours of daylight are significantly reduced. The amount of Vitamin D absorbed by our bodies during longer hours of daylight has a proven impact on our moods. When the amount of Vitamin D is drastically reduced due to less sun exposure, it is not uncommon for feelings of depression to sneak up on us. Oftentimes, adding Vitamin D supplements to our diets during the Winter can be all it takes to ease the symptoms of Winter blues. Once Springtime arrives, the symptoms of depression quickly disappear. However, for people with Bipolar Disorder, the Winter blues are more severe than that. The lack of sunshine, the shorter hours of daylight, the inability to get outside and experience the benefits of fresh air and exercise take a major toll on the Bipolar brain creating an environment that is perfect for fostering a deep depressive state. For a person with a simple case of Winter blues, the arrival of Spring and longer hours of daylight is all it takes to ease the depressed mood that set in during the Winter months. But for a person with Bipolar Disorder, the effects of Spring bring a much more drastic change, one that can actually become quite dangerous.

WELLNESS: SPRING 2018

A little known fact about mania and Bipolar Disorder is that more suicide attempts occur during a manic episode than during a depressive state. When a person is feeling so energized, they can often get on such a high that it becomes difficult to come back down to a steady state. Sleep deprivation can often occur which begins to lead to anxiety and physical exhaustion. And when the body needs rest that the mind won’t permit, this often leads to thoughts of suicide as the only means to come down from that high. Suicide attempts occur and are often successful because a person in a manic state is much more willing and ready to take action than a depressed person.

Resilientista Social Lounge

10 Symptoms Indicating a Manic Episode

Resilientista Social Lounge is a virtual community where women from around the globe come together to share stories, struggles and AHA moments.

*It is important for both the Bipolar patient as well as their loved ones to be able to recognize when mania is occurring.

It's a place where women can find inspiration for taking better care of themselves, and be inspired to create a beautiful life. Kick off your heels, pour yourself a beverage of your choice, curl up on the sofa, open your technical device and join the party!! Get mixing & mingling!

1. Dramatically increased energy levels. 2. Higher levels of motivation. 3. Increased productivity. 4. Feelings of elation and extreme happiness all of the time. 5. Requiring much less sleep than normal. 6. Requiring much less food than normal. 7. Speech becomes very fast and often scattered. 8. Thoughts become erratic and uncontrollable. 9. Behaviors become careless and often reckless. 10. Irritability sets in which will ultimately cycle back around to depression.

Why Join... Are you in need of inspiration and motivation to take better care of yourself? looking to connect with women who are dealing with the changes that come as we step into our next life chapter, or have gone through creating their new life chapter ... join our private Facebook group! ~ Connect with other women who are passionate about supporting each other ~ Open and loving support ~ Inspiration to practice self care & love ~ Support and accountability to achieving your goals ~ Share the highs & lows of life after 40, 50 and beyond ~ Get support on nutrition, fitness & personal development ~ Celebrate YOU! and inspire others

5 Tips for Managing Mania 1. Learn to recognize the triggers and symptoms and avoid them if possible. These are unique to each individual. 2. If taking psychotropic medications, continue taking them as prescribed. It is too common for a person to discontinue medications because they are feeling great. 3. Maintain a regular sleep schedule ensuring that the body is getting a sufficient amount of rest. 4. Practice a regular exercise regimen, eat a balanced diet, and stick to a routine. 5. Have an action plan in place and a support network available in the event that the manic episodes get out of control.

We're all on this journey let's travel it together!

Click to Join

If you or a loved one is in crisis, please contact your local crisis center or emergency room immediately.

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” ~ Diane Mariechild 20

WELLNESS: FITNESS | SPRING 2018 19

Spring Activities to get

you moving ...

Ride a Bike See Cheery Blossoms Get in the Garden Visit a Farmers Market Feel the Sun on Your Face Dance in the Spring Rain Go For a Walk Play on the Swings Visit the Zoo Play Date ( are just for children) Take the Furbabies to the Park Wash Your Windows Explore your city on foot - take a camera

WELLNESS: SPRING 2018

Are you Recharging your mind? 5. Open or Closed ~ Whether you keep your eyes open or closed is up to you. I find that lowering my eyes and softening my gaze works well for me when closing my eyes produces a lot of thoughts. What is important is that you do what is comfortable for you - like me you may alternate between open and closed eyes.

It's interesting how we take better care of our computers and technical devices than we do our most important computer - our mind. After all it is with our mind that the rest of our body functions, so why not give it a little TLC? Here are some tips that I found worked for me and I hope they will inspire you to take a few minutes in your day to Work Out Your Mind.

6. All that chatter ~ Yes, thoughts will pop into your head DON'T panic, this will happen. Acknowledge the thought then release it and return your focus back to your breath.

7 Tips for Recharging Your Mind

7. Make meditation part of your Lifestyle ~ like anything that is good for you it needs to become part of your regular life. If you are finding that you are always putting it off - try scheduling it in your calendar ... once you start seeing and feeling the benefits it will become second nature. And most important until you get to doing it regularly don't be hard on yourself for not meditating start again fresh tomorrow.

1. Commit ~ to 5-10 minutes each day to meditate. By making it part of your everyday schedule will help you stick with it. In the beginning I found it helpful to sit in the same spot at the same time each day. I actually started during my afternoon tea time as I sat in my comfy chair (spine straight and head to the sky, feet flat on the floor). 2. The Right Time ~ when you are not rushed. Sunrise and sunset when nature transitions between day and night are my choice now, but any time of day that works for you is good. If I'm not using a guided meditation I set my Smart phone on vibrate and set 10-25 (depending on how long I am meditating at that time) this way I'm not worried about the time and I'm gently notified when I have meditated for my desired time. 3. Environment ~ Where you meditate does not matter what you need is a quiet, peaceful area where you will not be interrupted. 4. Posture ~ it is a common myth that you must sit in a lotus position (cross legged on floor). What is important is that your spine is upright, your head up (imagine the top of your head touching the sky) and you are in a comfortable position. When I first started making meditation part of my day I would sometimes lay on the floor on my back (after my cup of tea or in the morning) and sometimes sitting in my bed with pillows behind my back to help keep my back straight. Sitting in a chair with feet flat on the floor and back straight works for many people too. 22

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WELLNESS | SPRING 2018 19

GOING NATURAL IN THE BOUDOIR Vegan condoms for men and women

By: Sandy O' Shea Back in the day, it was the man’s responsibility to get “protection” when it came to sexual encounters. Women weren’t actually proactive about it; that was the man’s job. Then birth control pills came along and put a woman’s sexuality square on her own shoulders. Unfortunately there are a LOT of problems with the birth control pill. Hormonal imbalances, adverse reactions and don’t forget about needing protection against STI’s. So what’s a woman to do? Take matters into her own hands and make sure she has condoms on hand. There are two types of condoms; one for men and one for women. Both of them provide protection against STI’s and pregnancy. The healthiest version of condoms is actually vegan. I will explain in a minute. Male condoms Most conventional latex condoms for men are processed using milk casein (not great for anyone with a milk allergy) while some actually use lamb intestines (eewww). Many are also made with spermicidal lubricant containing nonoxynol-9, which can cause irritation to the vulva, vagina and penis as well as cause vaginal epithelial disruption. Spermicides offer no better protection against pregnancy and should no longer be promoted according to the World Health Organization researchers. Spermicides can also cause vaginal tearing which increases risk of yeast infection. Many condoms also contain glycerine, which the body treats as sugar and since yeast feeds on sugar, you can see why this is not advisable.

Top brands for male vegan condoms are as follows: Glyde Condoms (www.glydeamerica.com ). They are fair trade and certified vegan. They are glycerine free, paraben free and talc free. They are made from a proprietary blend of premium natural latex and thistle extract, thereby eliminating casein. The plant based formula and double washing process eliminates typical latex smell. They even come in some interesting flavours such as licorice. They also carry a line of latex free (natural rubber) condoms. Sir Richard’s Condom Company (www.sirrichards.com ). The entire line is not only vegan but for every condom you buy, they donate a condom to a developing country. Their condoms are made using all natural latex, free of parabens, glycerine, spermicide and petrochemicals. Durex (www.durex.com) vegan options are Avanti Ultima, Fetherlite Ultra and Delux. The remainder of their line contains milk containing latex.

Many conventional condoms also contain parabens which act like estrogen and increases the risk of breast cancer and hormone disruption and imbalances.

Female Condoms You can insert the female condom up to eight hours before your sexual encounter, so there’s no need to ask a partner to put on a condom in the heat of the moment. Being proactive about your own condom use ensures that there’s protection. Female condoms are made of non-latex nitrile (synthetic rubber), which makes them safe for anyone with a latex allergy and warms up with your body temperature. But what if you get caught in a “spur of the moment” situation? You can put in a female condom in a fun way to set the mood. Rubbing the inner ring around your vulva and clitoris during the insertion process can add some extra arousal. How do you actually insert the condom? You can stand up, lie down, squat or sit. It may take a little getting used to, but once you figure out the best way to insert one, you’ll be off to the races! So how does a female condom work you might ask? During vaginal sex, the female condom’s outer ring rubs against the clitoris while the inner ring stimulates the head of the penis. The female condom is extremely wide and pre-lubricated, which some guys say feels better. The female condom is safe to use with both water- and siliconebased lubes. In addition to vaginal sex, you can use the female condom during anal sex as a great option for STI prevention. Some people recommend removing the inner ring before insertion. Both water- and silicone-based lubes are safe to use with it! Lubricants As a last note, don’t forget about lube. I would recommend a lubricant that is water based, paraben free and pH balanced. Whether you choose to use a female condom or a traditional condom on the man, I recommend that you use the healthiest version you can. Choose one that is paraben, glycerine, chemical and spermicide free. Your vagina will thank you.

INSPIRATION & SELF CARE | SPRING 2018

3 Self-Loving Ways to Move Through Change By Michelle Peña Change. Scary for most and welcoming for some. We all go through transitions of change whether we prefer the security of similarity or thrive on the feeling of excitement when things are shifting. Although change can bring a lot of unknowns, the wonderful thing about change is it provides opportunities for personal growth and it shows us what we are truly made of. When you see change as something good happening in your life, you look forward to it and will welcome the change with open arms. You then move through change easily and effortlessly. It’s safe to say you are in flow with your life and oh it’s a wonderful place to be! But, when change is not wanted, not welcomed or not seen as something good, you can begin to fight against it. The Why’s may pop up… “Why now?”, “Why is this happening?”, “Why me?”, “Why didn’t I see this coming?” You can become defensive, angry, scared and stay in a constant mind game trying to figure out how to get out of this; trying to get the “right” answers to undo what is happening. Logically, you know change is inevitable but when it’s a change that’s upsetting and emotionally charged, it doesn’t feel so great and you just want to feel good again. So, here are 3 self-loving ways to respond to change when it all just becomes too overwhelming. 1. The Power of Yet It can be easy to stay in a fixed mindset when we encounter change in our lives. Meaning our thoughts are limiting, judgmental and not supportive. That internal voice can sound something like... “I don’t know what to do” “I’m not prepared for this” or

“I don’t have it in me to make this change” This causes doubt, worry and a lot of added stress. Solution: Insert the Power of Yet. It’s a simple and very powerful technique. When you hear that internal voice saying “I don’t know what to do” Add Yet “I don’t know what to do…yet” Or Internal voice: “I’m not prepared for this” Add Yet “I’m not prepared for this…yet” Or Internal voice: “I don’t have it in me to make this change” Add Yet “I don’t have it in me to make this change…yet” This technique encourages a growth mindset by engaging the mind to seek solutions, see possibilities and find new options. For example, “I don’t know what to do” is very final with no room for options and can feel very restricting versus “I don’t know what to do… yet” creates space for asking more questions, for learning more and encourages curiosity. Which leads me to my next point. 2. Get Curious! Ask questions that will support you moving forward such as “what can I learn?”, “What are my strengths and how can I use them?”, “ what course of action can I take to improve just 5%” or even making a self-supporting statement like “I’m not sure I can do it now, but I can learn to with time, effort and persistence” Getting curious propels forward movement, helps to embrace the challenge(s), and encourages learning from experiences.

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3. Stop Ruminating Feeding into inner chatter that is self-defeating or that creates stories and scenarios around “what if’s” is a formula to keep you stuck and in self-judgement mode. Rumination can lead to narrowing your perspective on your ability to move through this change, blaming others for what is going on, keep you in constant doubt and second guessing yourself or causing you to take things out of proportion by magnifying the changes happening not seeing them in their true perspective. This causes added stress, pain, worry and/or frustration which you don’t need to carry. It doesn’t have to be this way. START BY TAKING DEEP BREATHS Focusing on your breath (or known as mindful breathing) will immediately interrupt your thought process and help you stay in the present moment. It will start to calm the fight or flight system in your body that prepares you for danger in your environment and immediately activate the part of your body that calms, heals and soothes you. Mindful breathing will help you to work through unpleasant feelings rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. It gives you an anchor for your awareness that you can return to when you find yourself carried away by a stressful thought.

These 3 simple tools, when practiced, will help you reduced the stress and fear that change can bring. Try them out and see the difference it will make in your life!

INSPIRATION & SELF CARE | SPRING 2018

“Happiness is a choice. Success is a choice. Live life on your own terms. Define what success means to you – don’t let a social or cultural narrative define it.” Simone Denny, vocalist By: Susan Sommers I love the above quote by Simone Denny. It illustrates how we get to choose our best life. I believe that there are a few easy ways for anyone to achieve her own version of the best life. Everyone defines happiness differently. Whether happiness is time spent on a beach, becoming a CEO, running a marathon, or raising children – the definition of happiness changes from woman to woman. We all strive to live “our best life”, but how do we know what’s best? Well, the reality is that your best life is whatever you decide it will be.. Set goals Studies have shown that people who set clear goals are more likely to achieve what they’ve set out to do. Goal setting is a great way to tap into your motivation every day and to feel good about your fitness and your body - once you achieve these goals. First, understand your motivation for setting goals. Start a Journal and take time to write down the reasons why you are embarking on this journey. Then, record your goals! Remember to include different types of goals, from mental health to cardio, strength, flexibility, nutrition, and balance. Create a variety of goals to ensure that you will have a healthy, wellrounded lifestyle. It’s also important to set S.M.A.R.T. goals! • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Realistic • Time-related In order to set yourself up for success, consider the S.M.A.R.T goal-setting rule. Goals that are too broad, too big, or too far away won’t set you up for success. An example of a good goal would be to go to the gym twice a week for 3 months” or to meditate for 10 minutes every morning for 30 days. Remember, you can always re-evaluate goals once you’ve achieved them. Finally, set both small goals and big ones, such as working out for 20 minutes a night to signing up for a half-Marathon in 2018. Small goals will help you get to the bigger goals!

Create new habits In order to live your best life, it’s good to think about your habits – good and bad – and to consider ways to create new ones. Committing to a healthy life of fitness and spirituality depends on setting realistic goals and habits. As you slowly form new habits, they will become even more ingrained in your life for the long term. To do so, take a good look at all of your current routines– from your morning routines, to weekends, travel, and time spent at work or with family. Then, consider which habits interfere with your goals. Perhaps sleeping in on the weekend is preventing you from finding time to meditate or work out. Or it could be that rushing home and eating quickly is preventing you from taking the time to prepare and cook a healthier meal. As you evaluate your current habits, look for ways to replace them with new ones. Create daily rituals that will help you to sustain these positive new habits, such as drinking water, setting aside time to pause and take deep breaths, saying positive affirmations, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator – you get the picture! There are many small things you can do to enrich your life. Make sure to monitor which habits are working and how you are feeling, so you can adjust them and track your progress. Live a healthy lifestyle Before I discovered my love for walking and slow jogging, I realized there was a void in my life. I knew that I wanted to be more active and to have a healthy life, but I simply wasn’t living it. The vitality that comes from eating well, being active, and loving your body in whatever way you choose is on going. As you look at the activities that will inspire you and find ways to learn more about them, you will be motivated to put a healthy lifestyle on the top of the list. Taking care of your body and loving yourself from the inside out are the foundations for living YOUR best life. When you find this deep love for yourself, you can build on it and discover ways to nurture everything else in your life.

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Spring, A Time for Sowing Seeds By: Julie Baumlisberger

I am a farm girl, and was raised with an awareness of our seasons' cycles. Summer was a time of growth, autumn a time of harvest. Winter meant resting and planning. And spring...ah, spring! A time for new beginnings, of fresh opportunities. A time to spark those winter dreams and plans into life! Today, our family has a very large organic vegetable garden, and at this time of the year, I am poring over new seed catalogues. I get so excited about trying new varieties of tomatoes or squashes (yes, I'm a heirloom seed geek!) I have been growing food from seed for over 50 years, and have years of experience. I know how to nurture the young seedlings, how to protect them from insects and disease. I know when the proper time to harvest them is, and how to make the most of the food, by preparing meals for my family or preserves. But there is still that excitement of the “unknown” when I try a new seed variety. Will it grow well in our garden or greenhouse? Will it present challenges? Will we like it??? The very same applies to sowing seeds of new ideas and projects. This past winter, I took the opportunity to go within, to check back on my successes and failures of the previous year. Did I accomplish what I wanted to? Why or why not? And with that introspective pondering, I then thought about how I would like to move forward in 2018. I actually had a few “aha!” moments.... First of all, to have room for new projects, I needed to release a few things. Spending time doing the same thing over and over again, if it didn't achieve results, was pointless. Time to let those activities go. Another realization was that I had several distractions, albeit selfcreated. From time spent on social media to watching too many shows online, I was spending far too much of my precious time on activities that were not serving me in any positive way. Gone are the game apps from my phone and I am more disciplined about the time I spend online. A wonderful thing then happened. 29

New opportunities suddenly presented themselves, like “magic”, almost daily! I received two offers for speaking engagements, an awesome weekend of teaching Reiki and the opportunity to launch a brand new venture next month. You see, the Universe does not like a vaccuum. When you houseclean and dump “stuff”, it fills up the void with awesomeness! And just as with a seed, these new projects need to be nurtured. I need to follow up on them, to prepare for my classes, to make the most of these wonderful opportunities. I will continue to turn a blind eye to distractions and to focus on my goals. Thankfully, I have some tools to assist me. My essential oils are a big help with staying motivated, focused and passionate, especially if I start to doubt in myself. Reiki helps me remain grounded, to be grateful for all that is happening, and to remind myself that all is possible. Have you spent some time reflecting on your goals and plans for 2018? It's still not too late! Write down a list of your accomplishments from 2017. Think about what it took to achieve them. Are you ready to develop them further, or is it time to start something new? Next think about the things you spent a lot of time doing that really didn't achieve anything. Let them go. Do some inner housecleaning and kick any junk to the curb. Make room for the magic. Plant those seeds and then watch them grow. And don't forget to water and weed, as needed. Those tender germs of ideas and dreams may be fragile at the start and need your attention. Happy Planting!

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Spring Fever & How to REALize Your Goals! 3. Establish Goal-Related Tasks Write a list of everything you think you need to do to reach your goal. Whatever you do, don’t get disheartened if this list is long, or seems impossible. One step ahead is always all you need. 4. Prioritize Goals and Tasks Make 3 lists: Identify the tasks you can easily complete, tasks where more research is needed and the tasks that appear unachievable right now. 5. Create Assignments and Timelines Break down these lists into a working plan. Here’s an EASY, FREE online planning tool that can help you get your thoughts out of your head and onto a fun to use, easily changeable, mind map. TRELLO

By: Debra Jones Spring fe·ver noun: spring fever 1. a feeling of restlessness and excitement felt at the beginning of spring. Signs of spring awaken the soul as the dormancy of winter moves aside to reveal possibilities. In this article I will show you ways to bring down your Spring Fever and channel your focus towards a year of accomplishment. Perhaps you already have plans for what you want to accomplish this year. Perhaps you have only an idea of what you DON’T want for yourself – what you want to leave behind. Or, perhaps you haven’t dared to dream yet. NOW is the time to set your course - to decide on what you want to accomplish and plan a way to make it REAL.

7 STEPS TO REALIZING YOUR GOALS

6. Establish Evaluation Methods How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? What would that look like? How would that feel? What markers can you set that will show you you’re on your way to success? 7. Identify Alternative Courses of Action A plan is an intention, not a rule book. The best plans are continually revised and re-evaluated according to current conditions and situations. Being flexible, allowing space for course-correction is essential and can help alleviate unnecessary stress. Spend some time thinking of alternative directions now, so that if necessary, you will know what you can do to keep the plan moving towards the goal. Remain open to the possibility that the Universe may have an even better plan for you than you can imagine for yourself. By taking these 7 steps, you are perfectly poised to manifest your goals. Planning is essential but so is remaining open to allow the Universe to bring you things that may be beyond your wildest dreams!

1. Establish your Goals What is important to you? What would bring you more joy? What does your heart say? What do you dream for yourself? What is needed to make the world a better place? Why do you want what you want? If you know why you are doing it, then it’s easier to know what you’re working towards. 2. Identify Resources What/who will help you reach your goal? List the people who could help. Who has the knowledge you need? Who will support you? Who will share your vision? If these people aren’t in place yet, ‘intend’ that you will meet them. What tools are available to you? What tools do you still need? 30

Set your goals in motion with your plan, but set aside your expectations of HOW it will come to you. Your plan is like placing your order in a restaurant - ask for what you want but allow the chef (or in this case, the Universe) to whip up something even more than what your taste buds were expecting.

“You can’t hit a target you can’t see, and you can’t see a target you don’t have.” Zig Ziglar

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Emotional D e c l u t t e r i n g ... Whether we admit it (to others and/or our self) we all have emotional clutter and the longer we hold on to it the more difficult it is to move forward and live the life we want. What emotional clutter is tucked away in the closets, drawers, cupboards of your mind? What feelings have you been hiding in these inner storage spaces, denying they exist or putting off dealing with until you "have more time"? If not dealt with, just like physical clutter, the hurts of the past will pile up overwhelming us, and morph into their own messy, ugly, suffocating (emotional) clutter. What creates emotional clutter? - Past experiences that resulted in negative emotions - Beliefs that you may have been raised with, but no longer apply to who you are today - Inability to set boundaries both for yourself and when it comes to how others treat you Emotional Clutter is all the negative emotions and old beliefs that no longer apply to the person you are today. Left unresolved emotional clutter acts as an invisible anchor keeping you from moving forward. If you want more happiness, success, satisfying relationships (including with self), to live your authentic self - then you need to release all that emotional clutter. As women we have become artists at masking our hurt, pain , fear, disappointments. We walk around with smiles to cover up the emptiness we feel, we become quite creative at hiding what is really going on on the inside. As the emotional clutter piles up your view for living the life you want becomes obstructed, like fog keeping you from seeing the resources and options you have around you. Of course your inner cupboards, drawers and closets did not become cluttered over night - and releasing these emotions is going to take work, time and patience.

But once you start dealing with and releasing the emotions you are holding on to they will leave you feeling much lighter.

9 Tips for releasing Emotional Clutter: 1. Seek the help of a professional, as you begin to process your emotions you may find the help of your family doctor, psychologist to be beneficial. 2. If your emotional clutter is due to someone else's actions (or lack of action) speak to them about how their behaviour made you feel. They may not realize the impact their words, actions had. 3. Forgive the person(s) who hurt you. Remember forgiveness is not saying you accept their actions but it releases you from carrying around the anger, pain. 4. Forgive yourself for any part you may have had in your hurt, allowing another to hurt you. Remember you are human, what is important is that you set boundaries for yourself and how others treat you going forward. 5. Speak to a friend you trust to listen without judgement as you go through the process of dealing with the pile-up of emotions you have been holding on to. 6. Journal - writing your feelings out is very therapeutic, by putting them to paper you are releasing the emotions. 7. Energy Healing - Reiki, Chakra balancing, crystal healing, are all amazing techniques to help release the stagnant flow of energy from the emotional clutter within you. 8. Self Care, making time to nurture yourself is important physically, spiritually and emotionally. Schedule ME time in your day, get a massage, mani/pedi, get regular check ups, eat healthy but also indulge now and then, connect with nature. 9. Include Yoga or meditation in your daily/weekly self care plan.

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Emotional Clutter can also cross over to physical clutter - here are

5 tips to deal with emotional related clutter: 1. Are you holding on to stuff because they remind you of happier times? Things from childhood, your first marriage, ex-boyfriend, a deceased loved one: - record these memories in a gratitude journal - take a photo of the object or keep a smaller keepsake 2. Are you acquiring material things to fill a void? Is retail therapy your coping mechanism: - go through things you have not or no longer use and ask yourself: why you purchased it, do you really need it, why are you storing it? - donate to charity or someone who is need 3. Are you keeping things because you spent a lot of money on them? Things still have tags on them,feeling guilty for overspending: - consign them at a local shop, or sell them on E-bay, Craigslist - donate to charity or someone in need 4. Are you afraid to let go of things? Thinking you will need it one day, are you afraid of not having enough - so you have resorted to stock piling; afraid you will forget a memory: - if you haven't use it in the past year, chances are slim you will in the near future - donate to someone in need. And remember if you end up needing it in the future - there will be a better (....fill in the blank...) available. - take a digital photo or video to keep as a memory - remind yourself that you are enough in your life, things are well - just that "things" - remind yourself by clearing out things that no longer serve you, you are making space for the things you want to come into your life. 5. Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the "stuff", memories and just don't have enough energy emotionally and physically to deal with it? - enlist the help of a friend, family member or professional organizer - take one step at a time, start with a drawer, a shelf , a closet, a cupboard - remind your self the life you want to live needs room, and if things from your past are taking up all the space. Your hopes, dreams for the future have no space to come into. Releasing emotional (and emotionally related stuff) clutter is not something that will magically disappear overnight, its an on going process. The more you practice releasing it the easier it will become to recognize when something is emotionally affecting you and the quicker you will release it going forward. 32

INSPIRATION & SELF CARE | SPRING 2018

Editor's Self Care Must Haves Extend the life of your blow outs with dry shampoo. I have been reaching for Klorane after discovering it on a trip to Vegas at Walgreens, a few years ago. Since it became available in Canada - I get it at my local Shopper's.

Dry Sha mpoo

Spring may be in the air, but gloomy , rainy days are still around. I add a touch of colour to my living and writing spaces with fresh cut flowers from the local flower markets. This lovely bunch for $9.99 made 3 beautiful arrangements

Serums Serums are made up of smaller molecules which can penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. This makes them a great tool for targeting specific skincare concerns, like wrinkles. I have used various serums over the years - budget friendly and luxurious one's - but these little darlings from Jouviance, have been rocking my skin care routine for the past few weeks, and I'm honestly blown away by what I'm noticing. Discovered them on a trip to my local Shopper's. 33

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OPEN UP & INSPIRE | SPRING 2018

You are never too old to Reach for the Stars!

Submitted By: Carol E. Wyer

Standing at the window of his empty bedroom, waving goodbye to my only son as he drove off in his car laden with every possession he owned, including a teddy bear from his childhood, I felt my life was over. My role as supporter, mother, and guardian – the very role I’d played and that had absorbed me for 25 years – was officially defunct. Yes, he’d drop by, but I was no longer needed in the same way.

I followed up the book with a sequel and was ready to self-publish it when a lesser known publishing company offered me a contract. I took it and set to work on a non-fiction book – a spin-off from the novels – entitled How Not to Murder Your Grumpy. People loved the book with its anecdotes and suggestions for ways to keep a grumpy (male or female) entertained. I was invited onto radio shows worldwide to talk about ‘Irritable Male Syndrome’ and grumpy men and women, so it was only natural I wrote its sister book, Grumpy Old Menopause with the aim of educating through humour. Laughter is the most powerful of weapons in our armoury against life’s trials and tribulations.

That was my light-bulb moment and instead of moping about the house, I turned his old room into an office and began writing my first novel – a comedy about a woman – Amanda Wilson – who was facing 50 with all the complications that involved, whose son had left home, and whose newly retired grumpy old man was driving her crazy. As if that weren’t bad enough, she had a party-loving mother who was dancing the night away in Cyprus, and having way more fun than her. That is, until she discovers blogging and an old ex-boyfriend who wants to spice up her life.

If there was a defining moment when my career took off it was when I was invited onto BBC Breakfast television to talk about this book and suddenly was in huge demand by the media. It’s not my favourite book. It’s just a light-hearted read but it gave me kudos and when it won The People’s Book Prize Award in 2015, I felt very proud. It also set me on a new trajectory: stand up comedy, and I toured the U.K. with my comic routine, Smile While You Still Have Teeth,

Was Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines modelled on my own life? Yes, pretty much! Certainly many of the daft activities she tries to cajole her hubby Phil into taking up and the hilarious exploits that unfold.

After a setback with one of my publishers who had to shut their door, I fell on my feet and was picked up by Delancey Press who took on my entire back catalogue and at the same time, I was contracted by Bookouture, an amazing publishing house, who loved my comedy Life Swap which to date, is one of my favourite books. In 2017, I felt ready to try my hand at writing psychological thrillers. Human nature has always fascinated me and I’ve had a penchant for thrillers since I was very young, having been brought up on a diet of Agatha Christie and Dennis Wheatley novels.

Before I wrote the book, I had no idea what blogging was and had to educate myself by setting up a blog. Surprisingly, it, like Amanda’s blog, took off – big time, and it was how I met Celia and many other blogging friends who supported me and visited my blog Facing 50 With Humour. The blogging community took me to their collective huge heart, and when I released the book, we held a phenomenal virtual party at my blog that took me six whole months to set up but resulted in Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines selling so many copies it charted and I suddenly found myself capitulated to my five minutes of fame when I was featured in a national woman’s magazine.

I had an emotional year in which I raced between visiting my dying mother – the inspiration for Amanda’s mother in those early novels – and writing Little Girl Lost. My mum was so positive about the book and told me it would be the making of me. I, however, wasn’t so sure. I was known for humour and comedy not writing about the dark side of human frailty. After eight months of battling cancer, I lost my mum fifteen minutes after I submitted the script to my editor. 34

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"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." ~ Harriet Tubman Little Girl Lost came out in January 2017 and shot to #2 in the Amazon Kindle charts. It sold in its thousands. The audiobook became Audible #9 bestseller. Success followed success, and I was contracted for another six thrillers. The book sold into foreign countries and, to date, the entire series has sold over 250K copies. I’m not going to say this journey has been easy, because it hasn’t. It’s required boundless energy and a resolve I didn’t realise I possessed. I’ve had knockbacks, rejections, slumps and days when I’ve been utterly exhausted from working, but I’ve also had more than my fair share of luck and friendships that have sustained me throughout. I guess the point I’m making, is you’re never too old to reach for the stars.Bio You can do anything if you set your mind to it. It will take tenacity and commitment, but you’ll get there. If I can – anyone can. Go for it!

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AngelMessages By: Jennifer Cobb

As we move into spring it is a time for not only Mother Earth to blossom, but you as well. This is the perfect time to bring to life, All those ideas and passions that have been lying dormant during the hibernation time of winter. The Angels say that you are ready to step into your ideas and plans. You have awakened with the rising temperatures and melting snow. You are feeling well motivated and eager to begin a new adventure in your life. The feeling of the mountains being behind you now, and noting the signs all around you, pointing you to the fact that the timing seems right. The Angels do caution you however, to look deeply at all aspects and details of the situation, before making a final decision. They want to applaud your excitement and drive, yet they want to encourage you to move forward knowing that you do have all of the information to make an educated decision first. This can simply be to assure yourself that you have in fact done your due diligence before moving forward. Spend the necessary time to ensure that you will not second guess your decision. If after looking more closely at the situation you still have questions, the Angels want you to know that they will help align the right people onto your path to make it happen soon. All you need do, is ask for their help. 36

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FOOD & DRINK | SPRING 2018

Turkish Çilbir Submitted by: Jennifer Emilson

This is just one of the best breakfasts going. But don't stop at breakfast. Have it for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Prepare the herbs. Chop 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of fresh mint per person. Set aside.

Have it for dessert if you so desire. It combines everything I adore: eggs, savoury yogurt, harissa, butter and toast. Does it get any better?!

Prepare your eggs. You could serve this with sunny side up or any fried egg. But it is classically served with poached eggs. Bring a medium sauce pan of water to a boil, Reduce to a medium to medium low (just hot enough to keep some bubbles going- you don't want it too gentle a simmer. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare your eggs. You'll want two per person. I happen to have two small strainers, so I crack both eggs into individual strainers set over teacup. Let the excess whites drain off. When the water is ready, gently take one strainer and tip the egg into the water. Fold the whites over the egg and let cook. Add the other egg and do the same. Don't overcrowd the pot if cooking for more than two people. Let the eggs poach for about 3 minutes, till the whites are set, but the eggs will still be runny. Remove gently with a slotted spoon and turn gently into a paper towel lined plate.

It's Turkish in origin. There's something so wonderful about the contrast of the cool tangy yogurt against the creaminess of the eggs and the heat of the butter. And all those herbs! I've added a Moroccan twist, using Harissa paste to spice up the heated butter that gets drizzled over the eggs and yogurt. It really is a party in your mouth. This is a dish you do have to do a tad of prep work for. But it's so easy. Everything stated below is for one person. Easy to adjust if you are feeding two or more. Prepare the yogurt. The night before you could already get your yogurt made up. It's really easy. About 1/2 cup of yogurt per person. Add to it a good tablespoon of chopped fresh dill, finely one minced garlic clove, kosher salt, and a good large pinch of cracked pepper. Stir to combine and then let it rest to meld the flavours. Remove the yogurt from the fridge a good ten minutes before you want to serve it Prepare the butter. About 1-2 tablespoons per person. Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of harissa paste (I use Entube) and a pinch of cumin powder. Bring to a simmer in a small sauce pan and stir to combine. Let simmer till heated through. Set on warm.

Assembly. Place the yogurt onto a plate and spread out. Add the eggs onto the yogurt. Drizzle the warm butter over everything. Add the fresh herbs. A side of crunchy baguette or sourdough toast is perfect to sop up all the runny yolk! It turns into a beautiful mess, but the flavours are just stupendous together. To make this even more special, a good finishing pepper like red peppercorns from DRØM Pepper is the perfect touch. :) For a switch up, spread the yogurt directly onto your toasted bread, and then add the eggs and harissa butter on top. Makes for a fabulous tartine! Now tell me, isn't this a dream?!! 38

FOOD & DRINK | SPRING 2018 19

Moroccan Ice Tea

Originally shared on the High Heeled Life blog in 2012 39

FOOD & DRINK | SPRING 2018 19

Rice & Vegetable Melody ... Ingredients: 1 red pepper 1 orange pepper 1 small to medium size egg plant 1 small to medium size zucchini 1 tsp garlic powder, tumeric, paprika pinch or two of sea salt 1 tsp freshly ground pepper 2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 Cup Basamti rice* 1 1/2 Cup of chicken stock (you can use water) 1 Tbsp of butter * or your rice of choice and cook according to package directions

Create the Magic: Chop egg plant, zucchini, red and orange peppers. Pour water (or chicken broth) into a medium size sauce pan, add Basamti rice and butter stir to mix and place on high to medium heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat cover with tight fitting lid and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Picture While rice is cooking, in a large skillet heat 1 Tsp of olive oil, add chopped vegetables and reduce heat to medium - top vegetables with garlic powder, tumeric, paprika, sea salt and freshly ground pepper; stir to coat all vegetables. Add additional 2 Tbsp of olive oil throughout the sautéing process 10-15 minutes or until tender. Serves 2-3 as a main meal or 4 -5 as a side dish. 40

FOOD & DRINK | SPRING 2018 19

Stuffed Squid and Rice ... Ingredients: 1-large red pepper 2 shallots 1 large portobello mushroom cap 1 cup frozen peas 2 cups cooked rice (basmati) or your rice of choice. 5 fresh or previously frozen squid tubes (thawed) Olive oil, thyme, ground pepper, sea salt, basil, oregano, 1/2 jar tomato sauce (I used homemade sauce) basil for garnish

Create the Magic: Cut portbello mushroom cap and red pepper into cubes; chop shallots; heat olive oil over medium heat; add vegetables to skillet, stir to coat with olive oil and add spices. Cook stirring frequently, over medium heat, until vegetables are softened add rice and peas to skillet and stir frequently until warmed up remove skillet from stove - and set aside. Cover the bottom of baking dish with tomato sauce. Use tooth pick to seal one end of squid and using a tea spoon, scoop mixture into squid. be sure to fill loosely as squid tubes will shrink. Layer squid in single layer in baking dish and top with additional tomato sauce. NOTE: Reserve extra rice for side serving. Keep warm - can be lightly reheated in skillet on low or place in oven covered with foil when spooning squid with tomato sauce. Bake in pre-heated 350 °F oven for 40-50 minutes. Spoon sauce over squid half way through baking. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Serves 2 serve with baguette and glass of bubbly 41

CONNECT WITH RESILIENTISTA GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Ann Powell Founder, Home Healing Hues Ann Powell is the founder, visionary and guiding spirit behind Home Healing Hues, an interior design company that creates healing spaces to enhance the mental, physical and spiritual health of a rapidly growing clientele. Home Healing Hues was inspired while on the journey with her best friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided to enrich people’s lives that are going through life transformations with colour, beauty and healing.

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Jennifer Emilson Recipe Developer, Cook, Baker Hi, I’m Jennifer, and I live in Toronto with my hubby and two crazy Cornish Rex cats. My parents both grew up in large European families, where everything was made by scratch and loving hands. They taught us well. My sister and I have spent our adulthoods involved in the food industry in various ways. Today I’m sharing the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Just the way we eat, making the most of in season and local produce that surrounds us here in Ontario.

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Carol E. Wyer Author and Blogger Carol E Wyer is a humorous blogger and award-winning author. Currently writing a series of novels and articles that take a humorous look at getting older, Carol also writes articles discussing age-related subjects such as ‘Irritable Male Syndrome - or - How to deal with your Grumpy’ for magazines and websites.

www.carolwyer.co.uk

Twitter: @carolewyer

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