The body is always striving for health and it attempts to achieve that by continuously cleansing itself of waste material.  Your body will work on its own to help you heal and be healthy even if you do little to help the process along. Unfamiliar to most weight–loss diets being touted today is toxicity control. Yet, toxicity is the primary cause of excess weight, particularly in people who have problems losing weight and keeping it off.

Toxins are produced in the body from the byproducts of foods that are not properly digested.  This is increased with the ingestion of processed and chemically altered foods.  We are not biologically adapted to deal with these forms of “food”. The more toxic waste that builds up in your system the more this translates to excess weight.

Imagine working in a large corporation where your job is to shred 20 boxes of written paper a day. Now let’s say you don’t have enough energy or enough time or both and all you can shred is 15 boxes. The next day that means you will have 20 boxes plus the 5 from the day before. If you still only shred 15, you will now have 10 extra boxes. By the second Monday of your job after your delivery of 20 boxes, you will have a total of 50 boxes to shred and capable of only shredding 15. These will have to be stored somewhere until they can be shredded, but where? If you have a weight problem this is precisely the predicament your body has to deal with. If you build more toxic waste everyday than is eliminated from your body, then it is going to be stored somewhere. Your body will tend to store the waste in your thighs, buttocks, around the mid section, upper arms, under your chin.

Three reasons why we are unable to keep weight off or lose weight are poor digestion, poor elimination/constipation and a sluggish liver. Food cravings and hunger are closely related to digestive problems. Enzymes help us digest our food. They boost our energy, boost metabolism, detoxify and aid in weight loss. You can get enzymes by eating more raw fruits and vegetables, drinking water with lemon, making a tea with apple cider vinegar or taking a supplemental enzyme formula. If you are overweight, diabetic, under stress, have bowel or digestive issues, drink coffee or sodas, eat white sugar, candy, cakes, or eat mostly cooked and processed foods you will want to take enzymes.

The colon or large intestine is the end portion of the human digestive tract where waste is eliminated.  Our intestines function as our bodies own waste disposal system. Any breakdown in the intestine’s natural cleansing process is accompanied by risks of poor food assimilation and toxicity build up.

To lose weight, cleanse and detoxify, it is paramount to support the avenues of elimination. You will want to increase the amount of fiber you consume to 25-35 grams/day. Most Americans get about 7-10 grams/day. You will want to do this slowly so as to decrease gas production and avoid further constipation. The best way to increase your fiber is to increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes. Eat foods like lentils, steamed broccoli, cabbage and whole grain rice. You can also take flaxseed or psyllium seed or the one I recommend, Whole Food Fiber from Standard Process.

Lastly, a sluggish liver fails to remove poisons and metabolic waste products. When the liver functions well, the whole body functions better. When the liver is congested, back–up systems are required which add extra burden or stress to other organs. Health is a dynamic process; “making do” is the same as losing ground. Do you look and feel healthy right now? Look around. Do the people around you look healthy, vibrant and full of energy? Most of us don’t know what healthy feels like. We ignore common ailments, put off that workout, completely overlook ourselves and underestimate our need for sleep.

Ask yourself is this the best version of you? Reexamine your relationship with food, your lifestyle and your health. Chose a diet rich in whole foods, eliminate sugar and processed foods, increase your fiber intake, support your liver and take digestive enzymes. True health is achieved by taking care of the inside. For more information call Dr. Lo of the Nutritional Healing Center of Crofton at (410) 721-3338.

Laugh it up in your book group with these three very discussable titles.

The Cursing Mommy’s Book of Days by Ian Frazier

Reading The Cursing Mommy’s Book of Days by Ian Frazier, after reading his empirical On the Rez about the impoverished denizens of today’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, is as shocking and exhilarating as, well, watching Daniel Day Lewis play a foppish prig in Room With A View and then a sexy frontiersman in Last of the Mohicans. You can’t believe it’s the same guy.

The Cursing Mommy is a foul-mouthed, middle-American, stay-at-home mom who probably could wear her depression, disappointment, sputtering fury, and resignation on an Under Armor t-shirt, venting with other mommies at the corner Starbucks. Instead, she saves it for the pages of her Book of Days—a therapeutic attempt (at best) to come to terms with a husband beset by toe fungus, a son cheerfully heading toward juvenile incarceration (before high school), a near-fatal attack by angry hummingbirds, a snow penis in the front yard that simply won’t melt and a “serious” alcohol-deficiency.

When a crisis caves in on Frazier’s irreverent mommy, she loses it—big time—berating, as we often do in the throes of rage, those who deserve it least—like Dick Cheney, George Bush, and John Boehner. Very funny, indeed.

The Receptionist by Janet Groth

Mad Men aficionados will enjoy this kiss-and-tell memoir that conjures up a wide-eyed ingénue’s coming-of-age at the venerable New Yorker Magazine from the late fifties to the mid-seventies.

It was the glory days of publishing, and as the eighteenth-floor receptionist, Groth got to know all the stars: E.B White (the shy introverted creator of Charlotte’s Webb who gave Groth her big break away from the mundane typists’ pool), Hunter Thompson, Rachel Carson, Norman Mailer, J. D. Salinger, Woody Allen…the list goes on.

From house sitting in the Village for Calvin and Alice Trillin to love affairs, betrayals, and a Tuscan adventure, Groth’s tale is veneer-thin, self-indulgent, and less substantial than a continental breakfast at the Plaza. But who cares?

Delectably nostalgic, it made me want to go out and buy a vintage cashmere sweater.

Out of Warranty by Haywood Smith

In Out of Warranty by Haywood Smith, genetically-imperfect Southern widow of a certain age, Cassie Jones, has had an epiphany—and it isn’t about getting involved with another of Mama’s “fix-ups.”

When she learns she has a deadly and complicated allergy to household mold and no more medical insurance to her name, romance goes out the window. Cassie’s Mr. Right (if she ever finds him) better have way more than Obamacare to help her. Enter Jack: a one-legged hoarder and steadfast curmudgeon with COPD, or as Cassie soon realizes, a slob with cats and great medical coverage. When Jack makes her an offer that includes cohabitation, Cassie can’t believe her luck.

Life, death, and good humor conspire in this surprisingly sweet tale about two boomers facing love a second time.

When refreshing your home, don’t forget to give a little love and care to the outdoors, too. A little attention in the spring can make life a lot easier (and more beautiful) for you as summer and autumn approach.

Below are some ideas for relatively easy and inexpensive ways to bring spring to your home this year.

The Great Indoors

Cleaning/Care

The pleasure of a good spring cleaning usually comes after all the work is done, but it’s one that can last for months. Consider tackling first those once-a-year kind of jobs, like steam cleaning rugs, waxing your wooden furniture, or cleaning windows, including the screens and frames.

Take this time to also reorganize your house. This can mean switching out winter blankets and clothes and donating unwanted, gently-used items. Throw out expired medicines, cleaning products, and make-up. Or invest in some new organizers, from wicker baskets to storage chests to new closet systems from a place like Collen Brothers Services.

Inexpensive Redecorating

Invigorate the look of your home by redecorating with inexpensive changes like purchasing new throw pillows or putting a slip cover on an old couch to give it a new look and new color. A company like Rockville Interiors in Montgomery County can even make custom slipcovers for harder-to-fit sofas. Consider bright pops of color or spring-like pastels for these changes, and come fall and winter, if you’re tired of them, switch them out with your old pillows and upholstery.

New wall hangings are a great way to change your home’s overall look. You don’t even have to get new prints or paintings—refreshing the frame and adding matting can update and sophisticate your look. You can buy frames from big box stores like Target or Michael’s, or go to a professional framer like Maria’s Picture Place and Custom Framing in Annapolis. Think beyond paintings or photographs, too. Add shelves or sconces, or hang up your fancy china or tin or wooden tiles as artwork.

Easy Renovations

The word “renovation” can sound both scary and expensive, but small touches here and there can make a world of difference to the rooms of your home. Kitchen and bathroom renovations can add the most value to your home, but that doesn’t mean you have to go ripping out the counters and installing granite tops. Small, cosmetic changes can improve the look and value of your home greatly.

Consider updating your kitchen or bathroom with new backsplashes. Backsplashes can cover up dingy old walls or replace outdated tiles. Many hardware stores even carry adhesive backsplashes that are easy to apply. Available in tile, glass, or even metal, backsplashes only cost a couple of dollars per square foot at home improvement stores.

Fresh paint can also refresh the look of your home. Whether you decide to paint all or one of your rooms, a new layer of paint can transform your house with as little as a bucket of paint and a brush. Paint can be found at big box home supply stores or at specialty stores like McCormick Paints in Frederick, Maryland.

If you’re ready to tackle a bigger project, consider updating lighting or plumbing fixtures. New fixtures can not only beautify your home, it can improve your energy and water efficiency. Go to a place like Atlantic Bath & Brass in Rockville for both choice and expertise.

And if you’re considering going even bigger in terms of renovation, a great place to find interesting and inexpensive renovation supplies—from wooden planks to dresser knobs to whole kitchen sets—is Community Forklift in Edmonston or Second Chance Warehouse in Baltimore.

The Great Outdoors

Cleaning/Care

Outdoor cleaning may feel difficult and tedious, but doing this work once a year can save you potential trouble down the road. To spring clean your outdoors, start by cleaning out gutters. Backed-up gutters can result in water damage to your house if left unattended.

Stain and waterproof wooden decks and fences. A protective coat can increase the longevity by preventing rot and water damage, while beautifying your existing woodwork. While you’re at it, replace any gaps from rot or damage in your fences, and keep pests out.

Clean up dead plant materials in flower beds and in your lawn. By removing debris and dead material, you’ll promote healthy growth by getting rid of materials that can suffocate flowers and other plants.

Painting your house can refresh your home’s overall look in a significant way, but it can also be a lot of work. Instead, why not just give it a good clean? Over the winter grime can build up on stone, wood, and aluminum siding. Clean off the exterior of your house by renting a power washer from Home Depot or from ABC Equipment Rentals with locations in Catonsville, Towson, and Columbia, to spray off dirt and gunk.

Inexpensive Decorating

Flowers and plants will add life and color to your garden, and flower pots, planters, and trellises can add texture, while also being functional. Plant nurseries like Sun Nurseries in Woodbine, River Hill in Clarksville, Benhke in Beltsville and Potomac and Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville and Severna Park are great places for all your gardening needs.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a do-it-yourself job, though. Highly-trained and experienced professionals can help you with everything from decluttering your home to landscaping your grounds to washing your windows.

Check out these local Maryland businesses and their services.

Landscaping

Outdoor Architects

www.outdoorarchitects.com/

9175 Guilford Rd #201  Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 245-7417

All About Landscaping

17624 Sequoia Dr
Ste 101
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 330-4207

Interior Design

L’image Design Studio

www.limagedesignstudio.com/

15313 Leondina Dr  Glenwood, MD 21738
(410) 489-0678

Madella’s Decorating

www.madelladecor.com/

2828 Dana Ct  Ellicott City, MD 21042
(443) 270-6090

Organization and Cleaning

American Shine Cleaning

http://www.american-shine.com

Serving Columbia and surrounding area
(301) 922-6913

Clutterbusters

http://www.clutterbusters.com

Rockville, MD 20847

(866) 258-8837

Here are some anti-aging strategies that you can help you recover the feeling of youthfulness.

Diet and Nutrition

The feeling of youthfulness starts from within, so diet is essential if you are pursuing an anti-aging strategy.

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: Dr. Weiss says that a nutritious diet will not only help you look better and feel better, but your blood pressure will be lower and your mind will be clearer. Avoid processed foods and eat fresh vegetables and lean meats.
• Avoid a high-sugar diet: A 2007 study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that sugar triggers a process called glycation, which can damage collagen in the skin—an essential substance that keeps skin elastic and supple.
• Put protein on your plate: Protein is an essential building block in collagen. By keeping protein in your diet, your body will replace collagen as it breaks down, keeping your skin firm and preventing the formation of wrinkles and lines.
• Exercise: Maintaining bone and muscle strength can help keep you active and strong well into your twilight years. Exercise will help you maintain stamina, balance, and bone density.

Vitamins and Antioxidants

Jennifer Palmer, owner of Nourishing Journey in Columbia, Maryland, says that nutrient-dense diets are very important for feeling youthful and well. “It is vital because it helps you to release stress and enable every cell in the body to function at its best.”

• Eat “red” and “green” vegetables: Foods like carrots, tomatoes, and spinach are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which can help to combat cellular damage that can age your skin.
• Eat fish: Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is good for skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. If you can’t get 8-12 ounces of fish into your diet each week, you can supplement it with fish oil pills.
• Get your vitamin C: Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that combats cell damage that can affect the structure of your skin. Look to get about 75 mg a day of Vitamin C through fruits and vegetables such as citrus, kale, or berries, or through supplements.

Skincare

“As women, we tend to feel better when we look better,” says Wendy Williams, owner of Wendy’s Face Place in Fulton, Maryland. We show our age in our skin, through fine lines, wrinkles, and spots, so it’s important to take measures to protect it from wear and damage.

• Avoid the sun (and tanning beds, too!): Sun exposure can cause premature wrinkles and leathery skin. Even in the winter, wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking is a leading cause of premature wrinkles and can also cause “smoker’s face,” where skin becomes dull, gray, and wrinkled.
• Explore skin treatments: In addition to keeping your body and your skin well hydrated through drinking water and at-home skincare, there are in-office treatments that can help women with dull skin, or skin problems such as hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Women, as they reach menopause, begin to see a decline in levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to a decrease in energy and stamina, as well as symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.

• Pros and Cons: While there are risk concerns, such as an increase in incidence of blood clots and breast cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, “the absolute risk of taking hormone therapy is quite low,” possibly low enough depending on your risk factors.
• Benefits: Women who use hormone therapy in the short term can benefit by gaining protection against osteoporosis, colorectal cancer, and heart disease.

Brain Health

Maintaining your mental health is also important in any anti-aging strategy. Rest, learning and reducing stress are important strategies for keeping your brain, and your spirit, young.

• Relax: “Stress hormones, constant toxin exposure, lack of nutrition and emotional unrest can wreak havoc on the body,” says Jennifer Palmer. “I have had many clients improve all areas of their lives on a wellness journey where they release physical, emotional and,” she adds, “mental toxins.”
• Brain exercises: Are brains naturally being to slow down at the age of 30. Keep your brain active and young by challenging itself with thinking activities, and you don’t have to learn calculus to make this happen. Try learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, or teaching yourself how to brew your own beer.
• Sleep: A 2010 study done at Harvard University showed that healthy nights of sleep helps you to reactive and reorganize things you have recently learned. Sleep also has the added benefit of allowing your body to rest, which lets not only your brain, but your body to rest to look and feel younger.

Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures

Once you are feeling younger, you will want to show off your youthfulness on the outside too! If you don’t want to go under the knife, there are a number of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures you can try to help you look younger, many of them taking less than one hour.

• Skin therapy: Dr. Carol Baltazar, M.D., medical director of Longevity Medical Spa in Columbia, Maryland, recommends nonsurgical medical procedures for anyone who is looking for a solution to achieve a rejuvenated and youthful look. Some procedures include Botox, microdermabrasion, and liquid facelifts. She says, “Anyone tired of looking tired can have a brow lift, cheek lift, or jowl lift with minimal to no downtime.”

Permanent makeup: Permanent makeup can help give the appearance of thicker lashes and redder lips, which can be effective in the appearance of facial rejuvenation.

Celebrate the charm and character of an event that has aged to perfection. Wine in the Woods is the largest wine festival in Maryland and voted Best Festival in Howard County for four years. Sample from your souvenir glass wines from thirty-five (35) Maryland wineries and buy your favorite bottles to take home. Purchase food from an abundance of high-quality, distinctive restaurants and caterers; sharpen your palate by attending wine education seminars; purchase exceptional works of art and specialty crafts; and revel in continuous live entertainment from twelve bands on two stages. The Saturday taster’s ticket includes lawn admission to an evening concert featuring “The Band Perry” at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Tickets are first-come, first-served and limited by capacity. Check our website for concert details.

More than 400 volunteers are needed for both days of Wine in the Woods! Wine in the Woods Volunteers must sign up for a 4-hour shift on Saturday or a 3.5-hour shift on Sunday and in turn receive one event ticket (redeemable either day, $35 value) and a t-shirt. Sign up at www.wineinthewoods.com.

Not only can you sample wine from the finest vineyards in Maryland, you can also enjoy live musical entertainment, strolling performers and purchase products from our invitation-only craft show.

The live entertainment schedule this year:

Saturday, May 18

Sunday, May 19

Wine in the Woods offers a Designated Driver Program. The Designated Driver wristband provides an alternative for Non-Tasters who wish to enjoy wonderful entertainment, crafts and food at Wine in the Woods. Your Non-Tasters admission entitles you to up to four complimentary beverages at our Designated Driver Booth. Please present your wristband to the volunteers at our booth, any time during your visit and enjoy a beverage on us! The Designated Driver Tents are sponsored by Herb Gordon Subaru.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased online (www.wineinthewoods.com) or in-person at four locations.

The following is a list of sites that sell tickets:

• Recreation and Parks:
  7120 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, 8 AM-4:30 PM
• Gary J Arthur Community Center at Glenwood:
  2400 Route 97, Cooksville,8 AM-4:30 PM
• North Laurel Community Center:
  9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, 8 AM-4:30 PM
• Robinson Nature Center:
  6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, W-Sa 9 AM-5 PM and Su Noon – 5 PM

Once purchased, the tickets are non-refundable. This event is held rain or shine.

Visit www.wineinthewoods.com for details.

Saturday, May 18

11 AM-6 PM

Wine Taster / $35 advance purchase; $40 at gate, Sa

Designated Driver & Youth/ $25, Sa

Sunday, May 19

11 AM-5 PM

Wine Taster / $30 advance purchase; $35 at gate, Su

Designated Driver & Youth / $20

The same principle applies in the resale of homes. Keep it clean, concise, clutter free and visually engaging.  An important element to remember is that you are selling square footage, so “thin it out” allow the buyer to have space to move and envision the placement of their own furniture and accessories.

Cleaning and de-cluttering is the single one action step that will produce the most positive impact and the greatest return on the bottom line.  This task is also the least expensive. Rent the storage unit. Spend the time cleaning your space out and when in doubt throw it out.  Many clients I’ve worked with have told me after completing this process they love their home again and they are not sure they want to sell it.  When we live with our clutter everyday we don’t notice it as much until we dig in and get started.

The next most important thing is to lighten and brighten. Presenting a clean fresh pallet allows the buyer to imagine colors they would use.  It may sound too simple but adding a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color can make a world of difference and is the safest way to present your home to the market.  Also, up the wattage on all your light bulbs and replace the harsh energy efficient bulbs, just for the short time you will be on the market. “Light & Bright” sells homes”.

As you know, you can only make one “first impression”, and the buyer forms that in the first 30 seconds.  What will the buyer see when they drive up to your house for the first time? Is it inviting? Are the bushes trimmed, flowers planted, door painted….and how about that door mat and those house numbers? “Curb appeal is for real.”

You’ve seen the principle of visual engagement practiced in the decorated models.  Why do you think builders go to the expense to decorate them in the manner they are?  It is proven that the buyer is enticed into buying a home that is visually pleasing.  The same principle applies with a resale home. Realize that this is the same home buyer with the same home buyer mentality. “Buyers buy what they see.”

All the little details add up to a bigger bottom line for you.  Spend the time on the front end preparation to realize the most money on the back end.  You may decide you don’t want to sell after all!

Please call me for a list of the most important staging practices and expected return percentages on each of their investment.

Compliments of Colleen Sinclair Prosser, Attorney

Not long ago, wives were “silent partners” when it came to estate planning. Husbands were the ones in charge of long-term planning and major financial decisions. In fact, estate planning attorneys often advised wealthy men to leave their assets in trust for their wives, so that a trustee other than their wife could manage and preserve the family fortune. It was assumed that a widow would not have the skill or the experience necessary to responsibly manage the money she inherited from her husband.

The role women play in a family’s financial affairs has changed dramatically since those times. There are three times as many women in the workforce as there were 50 years ago, and the average woman’s earning power has increased dramatically. This means that women have taken on a more active role in managing their families’ finances and in making important long-term planning decisions.

At the same time, women tend to live longer than men do, and the average woman still earns less over the course of her lifetime than the average man. This means that the estate planning stakes are higher for women. Still, too many women remain silent when it comes to estate planning for themselves and their families. Here are five things every woman needs to know about the importance of estate planning.

1. If you have young children, you need a Will. It is hard for a mother to imagine not being there for her children as they grow up. But here’s an even scarier prospect: having no input into who raises your children in the event of your death.

The only way to communicate your wishes concerning guardianship of your children is with a Will. If you die without a Will that designates a guardian for your kids, a judge will make this monumental decision without any input from you. Without your guidance, the guardian your children end up with may or may not be the person you would have chosen.

2. A Financial Power of Attorney can keep you and your family out of court. Another essential estate planning tool for women is a Durable Financial Power of Attorney. You use this document to designate someone you trust to manage your finances in case you become disabled. You need a power of attorney and, if you’re married, so does your husband. If you become disabled without this important document, your family members could find themselves spending time and money filing a petition in Probate court simply to be able to pay the bills, refinance the house, or access your financial accounts. This is especially important if the wife generates the primary income in the home.

3. A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. This estate planning tool is similar to a Financial Power of Attorney, except that it lets you designate an agent to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to make these decisions for yourself. The medical power of attorney gives the agent the authority to make medical decisions for the disabled person. But, you also need a HIPAA Authorization which designates who can have access to your protected confidential medical information. You need both of these, and so does your husband. Without these documents, doctors might be unwilling – or unable- even to talk to a spouse about a patient’s medical condition or treatment options if the patient is critically ill or otherwise disabled.

4. A Revocable Living Trust can help you avoid probate. Probate is the court-supervised process for distributing a person’s assets after he or she dies. This process is necessary if you die leaving behind property solely in your name. Many people believe that having a Will allows you to avoid probate, but this is not true. A will simply replaces the state’s default of “intestacy” with your preferred recipients.

The Revocable Living Trust is a popular estate planning tool for avoiding probate. You set up the trust while you’re alive, and it holds title to your assets, allowing you to retain control over your property during your lifetime. When you die, the trust still exists and still holds title to your assets. Because the trust does not die, there’s no need for probate. Instead, a trustee you’ve appointed follows your instructions for distributing the assets held by the trust. The trust can continue after your death. It can provide distribution to your husband and children while protecting your children and assets from any remarriage by your husband.

5. You Should Keep an Eye on Your Beneficiary Designations. If you have retirement accounts or life insurance policies that allow you to designate a beneficiary, it’s important to periodically review your beneficiary designations. The beneficiary designations determine who inherits these assets, even if your Will says otherwise. Your estate planning attorney can help you make sure your beneficiary designations work with the rest of your estate plan to meet your goals for your loved ones.

When it comes to estate planning, women have a variety of concerns to juggle: children with special needs, aging parents, estate and income taxes, and protection from creditors and divorce are just a few issues you may need to face. It is important that both spouses are involved in the estate planning process from the beginning. Your estate planning attorney can help you craft a plan that takes care of you and your loved ones – allowing you and your family to reap the rewards of smart planning now and for years to come.

About Our Law Firm

SinclairProsser Law, LLC is devoted exclusively to estate planning. We are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and offer guidance and advice to our clients in every area of estate planning. We offer comprehensive and personalized estate planning consultations. For more information or attend an upcoming seminar, please contact us at (410)573-4818 or (301)970-8080 or visit us online at  www.sinclairprosserlaw.com

specific tips on how to spruce up a room, if you choose to do-it-yourself.

1. Give your windows something new to wear. Ready-to-hang window treatments are

easy to install and yield dramatic results, transforming a ho-hum dining room or living

room. Or start smaller. Maybe all it takes for a fresh look is a new curtain rod.

2. Place flowers with a flourish for an instant breath of fresh air in any room. Or, if

you prefer, potted ferns, wreaths, and potpourri can also make a statement. The focal

point of the display doesn’t have to be only the greenery—give thought to the vase as

well.

3. A simple area rug can dramatically change the feel of a room. Dress up with an

Oriental rug, or lighten up a dark room with a white or cream-colored rug.

4. Warm up your family room with a fireplace. Don’t have a fireplace? No problem. A faux fireplace will work just as well, adding ambiance or romance to unexpected places. You can buy a complete “fireplace unit” from specialized retailers and build your own mantle adding an eye-catching array of candlesticks.

5. Brighten up with new lighting. If you’ve had your eye on an antique lamp or fun

lampshade, why resist the urge any longer? A new lamp will make you feel you’re in a

brand-new room. You can install strip lighting above cabinets. Also consider redirecting

your existing lighting to highlight particular features of your room.

6. One word: Paint. Granted, “paint it” is the most common suggestion you’ll hear to

update a room. But it remains good advice. Don’t feel bound to one shade of Sherwin-

Williams, either—get creative and paint your walls and floors with borders, vines, even

faux rugs.

7. Install decorative display shelves. You’ll solve storage and decorating issues at the

same time. If you collect shells, matchbooks, or family photos, don’t hide them away.

Give each their own space to shine, and give your room a new vibe in the process.

8. Fabricate a new look. When was the last time you let loose with new fabrics or

changed up colors and textures? Pick fabrics you love, then use your new finds as

tablecloths, runners, pillows or even upholstery. Fresh fabrics can unite a room and take a

low-key look up a notch.

9. Organize a room around a theme. This works best in rooms where you don’t have to

be quite so serious, such as kids’ rooms and bathrooms. Turn your bathroom into a

miniature tropical escape with bright, festive colors, or give your family’s little princess

her own “castle.”

10. Break out the hammer and ruler: Frame photos. Hang artwork. Transform bare

walls. Keep in mind the style of frame can matter as much as what it displays, too.

11. Add a striking accent piece, such as a Japanese-inspired decorative screen.

Whether made of wood, paper, or bamboo, folding screens are unusual, versatile, and add

a touch of Zen to any environment.

12. Update your hardware. A stylish new door knob or new drawer and cabinet pulls

will give a room a new feel.

13. Top it all off with trim. You may not think your room is missing anything, but when

you add wainscoting and crown molding, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

14. Open up a room. It’s an old trick, but it works every time: hang up a large mirror,

and watch a small room open up.

15. Looking for that finishing touch? Change your light switch plate. Move a piece of

furniture from one room to another. The difference from such small details can be

dramatic.

Always know that we are here for you, we do a free one hour consultation, if you

choose to seek professional guidance from our interior design firm. We simply love

‘Creating an Image’!

Simply said, hormones are chemical messengers that are created in one part of the body and sent elsewhere to produce an effect. Without hormones, we could not live, could not function, and could not reproduce. Examples of hormones include testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, growth hormone, and many others (like insulin!)

As we age our hormone levels tend to decline. However, another way of viewing this relationship is that as our hormone levels decline, the aging process is accelerated. Bio-identical hormone replacement is an approach where the natural hormonal status of a man or woman is optimized to allow for health and well being in the safest possible way.

This is done by using hormones that are chemically and molecularly identical to the hormones that are already in the human body. It is important to draw this distinction because many of the hormones that have been studied and that (legitimately) aroused concern about the safety of hormone therapy have been hormones that are synthetic and do not necessarily belong in the human body and do not promote optimal health.

While there are not as many studies done on bio-identical hormone therapy as with the synthetic hormones (due to the enormous cost of medical studies that will only be done when the pharmaceutical companies can make huge profits out of synthetic medications) it makes intuitive sense that the hormones that belong in the human body are the ones we were born with!  And there are studies that do demonstrate the safety and benefits of bio-identical hormone therapy.

So, what are the uses and benefits of BHRT? While some women do very well in menopause with just a few symptoms, many others have a very difficult time with it and some are nearly incapacitated. Treating the symptoms of menopause with safe and effective doses of estrogen, progesterone, and in some testosterone, can make a very big difference in how a woman navigates menopause. As well, judicious use of hormones can improve heart health, cognitive function, and bone health.

Men who suffer low testosterone levels are at a higher risk of dying from many causes than are men with normal levels of testosterone. As well, low testosterone can cause fatigue, loss of muscle mass, low libido, elevated cholesterol and can play a role in the development of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. By replacing this hormone to an optimal level a man can experience heightened vitality and well-being, often in a very surprising way.

The choice to utilize the option of hormone therapy is an individual one and should be reviewed with a physician that is experience and that you trust. For those who do make this choice, the results are often very gratifying.

While winter was a time to conserve energy and reduce activity, spring is a time of regeneration and a renewal of spirit.

The Five Elements refer to wood, fire, earth, metal, water in Eastern philosophy. The principle of the Five Elements (Known as the Wu Hsung in Chinese medicine) describes the flow of Qi and the balance of yin and yang.

According to this principle, all change – in the universe and in the body – occurs in five distinct stages. Each of these stages is associated with a particular time of year, a specific element in nature, and a pair of organs in the body. Change links together the season of the year, aspects of nature, and your body’s organs and bodily processes. A practitioner of Chinese medicine uses this principle to diagnose and treat health problems, linking specific foods, herbs, and acupuncture points to the restoration of yin-yang and Qi.

Spring: Spring is the ideal time for cleaning and rejuvenation – for overall health and well-being. As Spring is represented by the wood element and includes the liver and its complementary organ, the gallbladder, these two organs are usually the primary targets for springtime cleaning and health. According to the philosophy of Chinese Medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly.

SO FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH THIS SPRING, MOVE YOUR QI!

STRETCH: The liver controls the tendons. According to Chinese medicine, the liver stores the blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in time of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Begin doing a gentle stretching routine in the morning. Try Yoga or Tai Qi.

EYE EXERCISES: The liver opens to the eyes and is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer screen for long periods of times and do simple eye exercises.

EAT GREEN: Green is the color of the liver and springtime. Eating young plants – fresh, leafy greens and sprouts can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of Qi.

TASTE SOUR: Foods and drinks with a sour taste are said to stimulate the liver’s Qi. Put slices of lemon in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for salad dressing. Garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.

DO MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITES: Outside air helps liver Qi flow. If you are feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver Qi. Take a nice walk, hike or try golf.

ENJOY MILK THISTLE TEA: Milk thistle protects the liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, and even heavy metals such as mercury.

GET AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT: Acupuncture can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are associated with liver Qi disharmony.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year can serve to strengthen the inner organ system and correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems. Call today to see how acupuncture can help you to stay healthy this Spring.