26 Ways to Wellness - #10

BUY ORGANIC...SOMETIMES
Some fruits and vegetables are naturally more resistant to chemicals. To get the most for your organic buck, splurge on organic peaches, strawberries, bell peppers, celery and lettuce.

26 Ways to Wellness - #9

CALM YOUR MIND
Zen meditators have a higher tolerance for pain and experience less discomfort in clinical tests. One form of meditation involves focusing specifically on the breath - a tactic that puts the mind at ease during times of anxiety and can help make a difficult situation more manageable.

26 Ways to Wellness - #8

BREATHE EASILY
Humming a catchy tune not only makes you happier, it might also be your ticket to clearer sinuses. New research states that humming for an hour every evening with a few short sessions throughout the day releases endogenous nasal nitric oxide that can clear chronic rhino-sinustis (an infection of the sinuses that causes chronic congestion).

26 Ways to Wellness - #7

FIND YOUR CENTRE
Feeling a little out of whack? A hormone imbalance can cause a variety of physical difficulties from trouble sleeping to depression and anxiety. Seek a holistic approach.

26 Ways to Wellness - #6

BE A LIFELONG LEARNER
Stimulating activities show a positive impact on the brain's ability to change. Take a cooking class, pick up an instrument or learn a new language - you never know, you might just find your niche.

26 Ways to Wellness - #5

BE A ROLE MODEL
Studies have proven that mentors who spend just a few hours a week with a child can improve that child's performance in school, build self-esteem, and reduce the risk of drug abuse. Make a difference and be a positive force in someone's life.

26 Ways to Wellness - #4

RELAX
Tensing your muscles and then releasing them can help alleviate stress. Tighten a single muscle for five seconds then release it for 30 seconds. Work from toes to head relaxing each muscle in your body, and remember to take deep, relaxing breaths. Need an even better way to relax? Spend a day at the spa.

26 Ways to Wellness - #3

TOSS THE TYLENOL
If you suffer from frequent headaches, your over-the-counter medication may be to blame. Taking painkillers such as Excedrin or Tylenol more than just twice a week can lead to a condition know as "analgesic rebound headache." Ditch the drugs and see if your pain improves. If you still can't shake the ache, visit a specialist.

Clear2Go

For all my friends who like to fill-up landfills with obscene numbers of plastic water bottles, check this out:


Clear2Go

26 Ways to Wellness - #2

LAUGH OUT LOUD
Not only can you boost your immune system with laughter, but a recent study suggests it also reduces the likelihood of a heart attack by 40%.

26 Ways to Wellness - #1

In less than one month, I'm going to post a new tip, every day, on simple ways to achieve wellness. Now, I can't credit myself with these great ideas. I found them in the April issue of Central Coast Magazine and wanted to share with you.

Tip #1
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
Get your daily dose of vitamin D and re-energize by exercising outdoors. Studies have shown that exercising in nature exposes the body to negative ions (natural energy boosters that enhance mood and promote quality of sleep).

Happy 100th Blog Post to Me!

Nothing to report today, other than Happy 100th Blog Post to Me! More to come this week :) Keep reading and keep commenting!

Does FAN = Frustrated and Nervous?

I know you always have to stick by your team in the good and the bad (kind of like marriage), but I can't help but think that at this time in the season, FAN isn't short for Fanatic. It's an acronym for Frustrated and Nervous. I sure hope our team can rally soon. I'm sure Adenhart's death has cast a heavy fog over all the players, not to mention a broken-up pitching staff and many key players on the DL. C'mon Angels!

National Volunteer Week

Don't forget that April 19 - 25 is National Volunteer Week! This year's theme is "Celebrating People in Action."

There are so many organizations in need of a helping hand, especially in today's economic climate. Since most of us are pinching pennies ourselves, it's sometimes tough to donate monetarily. So, donate your time! It's just as valuable!

For a list of organizations in your area, visit volunteermatch.org or volunteercenter.org.

Help put a smile on someone else's face next week. There's a lot going on with Wednesday's Earth Day celebration.

I'll be volunteering my time at CSUF's Comm Week on Tuesday, April 21, and the Laguna Niguel Business & Community Expo on Saturday, April 25.

Massage Envy

OK, so I know I raved about my favorite massage joint, Burke Williams in a previous post. Trust me, BW won't be forgotten and is still my #1 indulgence. However, seeing as how this wonderful economy has pinched all of our pocketbooks (who still says pocketbooks?? - ha ha), I still was yearning for some unwind time.

So, I decided to look into this chain of smaller massage shops that I keep seeing pop up in local strip malls - Massage Envy.

Well, let me tell you! For $39, I was able to indulge in an hour and one-half massage. Now, these places don't have all the luxuries like Burke Williams does (spas, sauna, showers, etc.). It's simply for massages (some locations will soon offer facials, too). But, for $39, who can complain?

Of course, this $39 offer is a one-time deal for first-time visitors, but the great deals didn't stop there.

For $59/month, you can join Massage Envy's membership program, which entitles you to one one-hour massage/month (rolls over to next month if you don't use it). If you like to go more regularly, each additional massage is $39 and upgrades are only $18! This membership basically entitles you to discounted rates that are 25-50% off published prices.

So, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to unwind on a budget, checkout a Massage Envy near you. Just do me a favor...tell them I referred you!! It'll benefit us both :)

FindToto.com

For all you animal lovers out there, LISTEN UP! The other night, Lee and I had a message on our answering machine from a company called FindToto.com. They were notifying us of a neighbor who lost their pet in our area and provided us with contact information for the owner if we located the lost animal. It was so unique and was quite the improvement on the good 'ol days of posting signs on lamp posts! How clever!

For as little as $95, you can utilize FindToto.com's services to notify up to 500 neighbors via phone. For most of us, that $95 is well-spent on finding our furry children if ever lost.

From my personal experience, I would've paid for this service when our cat escaped out of our two-story window a few years ago. We were lucky enough to find her on our own, thanks to a wonderful neighbor who helped lend a hand to the search. However, if we're ever unfortunate enough to be in this situation again, we'll definitely be calling on FindToto.com to help bring our pets home. Pass this along to all pet lovers!

P.S. The company has over a 75% success rate when searches are started within the first hour of the pet's disappearance.

Dana Point Relay for Life

On May 2 & 3, Lee and I are participating in a very special event - the Dana Point Relay for Life. We recently became involved with Relay, because a wonderful friend of ours, Holly Lapick, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at 30-years-old. Holly is half-way through her chemo treatments, and although it obviously wears on her emotionally and physically, she's always in great spirits every time we see her. Not to mention that she really knows how to stylishly rock her creative head scarves! She looks as beautiful as ever and we're all looking forward to the day when she's kicked cancer's ass.

In support of Holly, please join us as a Crazy Sexy Cancer walk team member on May 2 & 3 at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point. If you can't participate, please help us raise money for our team by donating here.

Because, according to Holly (as taken from Obama)...Yes, We Can-Cer-Vive!

Photo: Sarah Peterson (Holly's best friend & my best friend at work), Me, Holly Lapick

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart

Real Simple Pleasures

Every month, I eagerly await my new issue of Real Simple Magazine. I fell in love with this pub from its inception and I read every one cover to cover. From the inspiring quotes to the delicious (and easy) recipes to the handy household tips, this is one simple pleasure that always brightens my day.

Keep 'em coming, Real Simple, despite the rapid decline of advertisers!

AHHHH....

Despite today's pressures to make ends meet, there's one indulgence I simply can't give up...massages. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not talking about once-a-week or even monthly rubdowns. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to treat myself to an every other month massage at Burke Williams. Yes, there are less expensive places to get a massage, but I really think you get your money's worth at Burke Williams. Not only do you have the benefit of a relaxing massage, but you can spend an entire afternoon letting your worries melt away in the sauna, steam room and mist room, or simply enjoy some uninterrupted peace in the quiet room. Some people run or go to a therapist to unwind. I go to a different kind of therapist to chill out...a Burke Williams massage therapist. AHHHHH...

Hooray for Opening Day!

At last, my five-month baseball hibernation is over. Lee and I can get back to what's right in this world (at least to us)...Angels baseball! In some regard, my Angels addiction was treated in mid January, when my Mom took us on the Angels fan cruise to Ensenada. However, I still found myself staring at the walls, because there was no baseball on TV. At least with the new MLB Network, I was able to get an occasional fix of pre-season game highlights, so I didn't fall into a complete state of depression.

"Experts" predict the Angels to win their division again this year, but not by the runaway 100-win record they did last season. Since the Athletics have beefed up their staff, the race for the West should be closer than ever. Angels are expected to finish with at least 84 wins with the Athletics in close second (I hope this is true, so my friend, Nathan, "shows me the money." Otherwise, I'll have to pay up.). This week's homestand should be a good indication of how our respective clubs' seasons will go.

The Angels have more wins this year in preseason than any other club, and have been touted as having the deepest roster in baseball. I really hope this is true, because if we can't make it to the World Series with 100 wins, I'm not sure where 84 wins is going to put us.

But don't worry...I always have hope. More surprising things have happened!

GO HALOS!

Fantasy Floral Designs

It's been close to 4-1/2 years since Lee and I were married, but it feels like it was yesterday. Aside from marrying my love, some of my favorite memories from the day were our flower bouquets, table arrangements and cake decoration.

I recently ran across the new-and-improved website of Fantasy Floral Designs and I'm still amazed at how gorgeous Amanda Heer's work is. Her eye for floral design is unparalled and I'm looking forward to the day when I can refer her to another bride or use her services for another one of life's events (birthday, baby showers, etc.).

Business As Usual

Don't miss the 2009 Laguna Niguel Chamber Business and Community Expo on Saturday, April 25, from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Expo's website.

I'm the sole member of the PR committee for the Expo, so help me look good (ha ha) by spreading the word and attending!

Thirsty for Moore

With my recent attraction to all-things vampire...well, not all things - basically Twilight and True Blood, my friend turned me onto the books of Christopher Moore. Not all are vampire-related, but the ones I've enjoyed the most are. I've just drained "Bloodsucking Fiends" and now moving onto my next victim, "You Suck." Moore's satire isn't for everyone, and definitely not for the faint of heart when it comes to explicit material. Of course, my corrupt and sarcastic mind thrives off of his humor, which always leaves me thirsty for Moore. Can't wait to sink my teeth into the latest novel, Fool (not vampire related, however).

Also a favorite - A Dirty Job

You're Looney

If you're over the age of 12, please stop showing me your love of Tweety Bird, Betty Boop, Yosemite Sam, the Tasmanian Devil, Tinkerbell, Snoopy, Goofy, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. Whether it's your car, your clothing or your tattoos, leave the cartoons to the kids, OK? You're "Looney." That's "Knott" the "Walt" thing to do, once you hit puberty. Enough said.

P.S. If you have a nickname like Tweety or Snoopy, you're probably in a gang and I don't want to know why you have that moniker.

This Is No April Fools Joke

Yes, it is April 1. No, this isn't a joke. In case you've been living under a rock, effective today, the CA sales tax rate has increased 1%. Thanks, Arnold. You should've stuck to your day job. Wait, you weren't good at that either.

For more information on the sales tax hike, click here.