March 2008

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is getting ready to begin a new TV series in which he brings home cooking back where it belongs — in the home. And, he’s starting in Rotherham, which is where he “faced serious opposition to his school dinners campaign from mothers who passed junk food to their children through the school railings.” Were you aware of this controversy? I wasn’t, so let me fill you in:

Oliver has campaigned for more nutritious school dinners for some time now, using his fame (and a TV show) to influence the British government into making changes. He was met with some serious opposition, partly in the form of Julie Critchlow, who has a child in high school, and who says, “No matter how healthy it is, if kids don’t like it they’re not going to eat it.” She and another mother actually went to the school and sold junky fast food options to the kids through the fence so they wouldn’t be forced to eat anything that was actually good for them. Keep in mind, students at this school are also allowed to brown bag or go home for lunch. She was also angry that Oliver was teaching her kids to be more picky about their food.

Anyway, now that Oliver has won the healthy school lunch battle in Britain, he intends to send his message home, teaching people how “to cook simple but delicious food, from scratch.” He’s hoping that folks will realize it can be “quick, cheap, and easy — as well as rewarding,” and families will be ready to toss their take-out in the trash. Oliver realizes that folks are busy and they’re on tight budgets, but part of the problem is that not everyone has really learned to cook. He hopes that by showing people how to go back to basics, they’ll appreciate what they’re putting on the table and begin to live healthier lives.

Thanks, Jamie, for encouraging people all over the world to live healthier lives.

Photo courtesy of starpulse.com

Get more game ideas from PreschoolRock.com. Here is a fruit and vegetable color guide to get you started:

Red: Strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, tomato sauce, watermelon

Orange: Sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, orange juice, mangoes, cantaloupe, peaches, pumpkin and other orange squash

Yellow:Pineapples, yellow peppers, lemons, yellow grapefruit

Green: Spinach and leafy greens, beans, peas, broccoli, asparagus, green peppers, avocado

Blue and Purple: Blueberries, blackberries, dark beans, purple grapes, eggplant

White: Don’t forget white! Think bananas, potatoes, onions, white beans, apples and cauliflower.

The kids won’t be the only ones having fun… this is an imaginative way for all of us to include more nutrients in our diet. The pigments that make fruits and vegetables so colorful are actually phytochemicals that contain vital nutrients, says  James A. Joseph in The Colour Code.

A recent review of his book summarizes the benefits of the colors: lycopene, the red in tomatoes, is linked to lower rates of cancer and heart disease; lutein, which gives spinach its dark-green tint, helps fight certain types of eye disease; anthocyanins, contained in blueberries and other dark-purple and red fruit, aids memory and improves other cognitive problems of ageing, and there are immune-boosters found in white root vegetables like in garlic and onions. (Of course, don’t tell the kids all that!)

Turn some of your favorites into “rainbow recipes”, like fish (colorful fish fillets), veggie stew (ratatouille), or dessert.

And last but not least, don’t miss the song, I Can Eat a Rainbow. It’s a kick! 

More Dr. Pat…

Country superstar Carrie Underwood is ready to knock life-threatening diseases like cancer out of the park. Well, she’s ready to knock some softballs over the fence, anyway, and it’s for a good cause.

Underwood is taking part in the 8th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge, which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 4th. The game will feature two celebrity-packed teams competing to raise funds for City of Hope, “an innovative biomedial, research, treatment, and education institute dedicated to prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening illness.”

So far, in addition to Underwood, country legend Vince Gill has made the team, and they’ll be joined by Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Danielle Peck, James Otto, and Jake Owen. If you’re interested in watching some celebrity softball for a good cause, head to Ticketmaster. Tickets start at just $18, so really, you can’t go wrong!

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

George Clooney and Renee Zellweger are busy promoting their newest film, Leatherheads. It’s a period piece about football and romance (at least, as far as I can tell from the previews), set back in the 1920′s (you know, the days before everybody and their mother drove cars everywhere, and when smog wasn’t even a “thing” yet).

To go along with the period theme, Clooney and Zellweger opted to take a promotional whistle-stop train tour. Dressed in period clothing (and looking fabulous, of course), the actors got “all aboard” in Maysville, Kentucky (near Gorgeous George‘s hometown) and have plans to hit premieres in Salisbury, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina.

The pair also made a stop in Duluth, Minnesota, where the movie is set (but wasn’t filmed). They “arrived” by train, but something tells me they didn’t take the train all the way from Duluth to Maysville. I doubt they’ll actually be traveling by train to all their locations in the South, either.

Even though I know their real point is to be authentic to the period, I can’t help but love the fact that they’re arriving by a mass transportation system. Trains might not be the romantic traveler’s choice as it was in days gone by, but it’s still certainly functional, and in many cases a more eco-friendly alternative. Perhaps seeing Clooney and Zellweger will inspire some travelers this summer to hop aboard their local locomotive.

Photo courtesy of USA Today/Jim Mone, AP

By now, unfortunately, we’re used to tales of Britney Spears and her clothing, but normally it’s nothing we really want to hear. The singer is making news again, but this time for a good cause.

Britney recently guest starred on the show How I Met Your Mother — a move that garnered a lot of attention (not that Britney does anything these days that doesn’t cause a media frenzy). The world was ready to see the erstwhile pop star take a positive step in her life. Not only did she play her part on the show and receive glowing praise from her co-stars, who said she was “professional” and “funny,” but she put six pieces of clothing she wore on the set up for auction following Monday night’s airing.

Proceeds from the sale of the items will go to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group based out of New York City. If your interested in placing a bid (or just curious to see what’s there), you can check out the auction here, but hurry — the auction ends March 31!

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

Jeremy Piven is trying to convince as many people as possible to join him on the dark side. No, he’s not starring as Darth Vader’s pushy agent in Star Wars: Who’s the Bigger Star Now? — he’s raising awareness of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour will occur on March 29 from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m., during which time you’re asked to turn off your lights. The first Earth Hour occurred last year in Sydney, Australia, and this year it’s going worldwide. The World Wildlife Fund is behind this global movement, encouraging businesses, restaurants, and individuals to turn their lights off for one hour and to use that hour to replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones.

Currently, cities including Denver, Honolulu, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Copenhagen, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Brisbane, and Sydney have all pledged to participate. Chicago is the U.S. flagship city this year, and Toronto the flagship city for Canada.

Speaking of Toronto, there’s some star power there joining Piven in his support of Earth Hour — Nellie Furtado will perform a free, acoustic concert there during Earth Hour. If you’re in the area, check it out! Just make sure to turn all your lights off before you leave.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

Yes, it is good to eat fish! Fish is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, making it one of the healthiest foods around.

Kids can eat fish up to once a week, as long as you choose fish that has the lowest risk of contamination. The best choices also consider the health of the fish population, so don’t miss Seafood Watch by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Here is recipe for healthy fish that strikes gold on several counts. It is easy, assembles quickly and adapts to the fresh vegetables you have on hand. It is also fast, only 10 to 12 minutes in the microwave. It will be another family favorite…even those who are “so-so” about fish will appreciate the delicate flavor of the whitefish.

Colorful Fish Fillets

(Substitute any combination of veggies: sliced mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, yellow or red peppers, leeks)

Arrange the fish fillets in a single layer in a greased microwave-safe dish. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, sprinkle with onion, green pepper, and tomato. Dot with butter. Cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap, venting one corner to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high 6 to 8 minutes, then check the fish for doneness. Thicker fillets will require more time, but check every 2 minutes to avoid overcooking. The fish is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Let stand covered 2 to 3 minutes before serving. Serves 3.

I like to start the rice before preparing the fish, so while the fish cooks I’ll have just enough time to make a quick salad. Dinner is served in less than 30 minutes…move over, Rachael Ray!

Here is more by Dr. Pat…

by The Nancys

33.  You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
34.  You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she is pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
35.  There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.
36.  The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above average drivers.
37.  A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
38.  Your friends love you anyway.
39.  Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new.
40.  Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic

Have a wonderful weekend!

The hottest trend in Hollywood (other than having a baby, of course) is going green for the baby’s nursery, as evidenced by Halle Berry. Berry spent $60,000 going green in her three nurseries for new daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry. It’s been reported that everything she ordered was to be made with cotton free from all pesticides and that she’s “obsessed with organic.”

It’s not only the Oscar-winning actress getting on board the eco train — remember Punky Brewster? Well, Soleil Moon Frye, who played the pint-sized fashion icon, recently gave birth to her second daughter, Jagger Joseph Blue Goldberg. Big sister, Poet Sienna Rose, has been talking to the belly and getting excited about her little sister, and it’s no wonder she’s excited about babies — Frye opened an organic baby boutique a few months ago.

Her store, The Little Seed, has a little bit of everything from clothing and toys to laundry and feeding items. And it’s not the only resource for celebrity moms looking to go the green route. Lots of parents, like Trista and Ryan Sutter (from The Bachelor) and E!‘s Chelsea Handler have sought the help of GreenNest.com, which insists that everyone, regardless of budget, can make simple changes for a healthier home.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

by The Nancys

25.  It ain’t the jeans that make your butt look fat.
26.  If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved — and never will achieve — its full potential, that word would be “meetings.”
27.  There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”
28.  People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
29.  You should not confuse your career with your life.
30.  Nobody cares if you can not dance well. Just get up and dance.
31.  Never lick a steak knife.
32.  The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

Tomorrow:  Facts of Life 33 – 40!

Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, is set to host the second ever Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education.

This fundraiser was last held in October, 2006, and raised over $2.6 million for schools and educational programs for autistic children and adults. This year’s event will be shown live on Comedy Central and will be simulcast on ComedyCentral.com. It will be held on April 13 at New York’s Beacon Theater. Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster.

Oh, and in case you’re thinking about attending, there’s more to see than Jon Stewart — Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, Sarah Silverman, and Amy Poehler are all scheduled to perform stand-up routines. You can also expect to see Matthew Broderick, Kevin James, Jonah Hill, Rosie O’Donnell, and Susie Essman there.

The benefit was organized in part by Robert Smigel — you might remember his most famous character (although I hope for your sake that you don’t), Triump the Insult Comic Dog, who will also be in attendance. Smigel‘s son, Daniel, is autistic.

Photo courtesy of jon.happyjoyfun.net

 by The Nancys

17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you have kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

Tomorrow: Facts of Life 25 – 32!

The charitable twosome is surrounded by young girls who are ready to get dirty with them … to break ground for Brad Pitt‘s Make It Right NOLA campaign.

Bill Clinton joined Pitt along with about 600 students from all over the world to formally break ground on Make It Right. The campaign will develop 150 eco-friendly, sustainable homes in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, which was one of the hardest hit areas in Hurricane Katrina.

Former President Clinton was on hand as one of the initial supporters of the project. He and former President Bush got on board with Make It Right early on and helped with fundraising throughout.

Pitt made a point to tell the crowd and media that, while his project was important and the groundbreaking was exciting, “our project is one small part of addressing a much larger need. Thousands of people still need help in order to return home.”

Clinton echoed Pitt‘s sentiments, saying, “The way to really get New Orleans all the way back and all the way back in a hurry is to rebuild in the right way and make it a long-term, five- to six-year commitment, to create a much higher base level of jobs through this whole energy efficiency endeavor.”

They make a great point, but the operative words here are “in a hurry.” Thousands of people have been displaced for almost three years, and we’re just now breaking ground on Pitt‘s project. Imagine if Make It Right didn’t have his star power behind it — would we have just forgotten about that whole area? I guarantee the residents of New Orleans haven’t forgotten.

Donations are still needed in order to truly Make It Right. If you’d like to contribute, go to the website.

Photo courtesy of ecorazzi.com

 by The Nancys

9.    For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10.  If you do not look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11.  Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12.  A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13.  Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14.  Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15.  No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16.  A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Tomorrow: Facts of Life 17 – 24!

By Sarah Skarda 

It is so important to groom and shape your brows. The way your brows look will affect the overall image of your eyes and face. Not to mention, your brows are the external expressions of your individual personality and tell stories on their own.

One fact to remember is that your brows are “sisters not twins.” You may be able to get your brows to look pretty darn close to identical but not totally and that’s okay. This is what makes people so unique and beautiful in their way. As a make-up artist, I have come to believe that flaws and slight imperfections give each one of us our distinctly different beauty.

First, clean and shape your brows. If you are not comfortable tweezing your own brows, your local beauty shop can do it for you. Remember, a thicker brow will tend to make you look younger. Shaping your brow creates an outline, which you can fill in with color. Cleaning up under your brow will open up the eye dramatically. Comfort tip: after your brows are shaped they may be red and a bit sore so fold up and place an Ultimate Cleansing Cloth by Noodle & Boo on your brow bone to cool and soothe the skin.

Next, find a color match for your brow and make sure you are comfortable with the color. I prefer to use a powder brow color vs. a creamy brow pencil. Powder lasts longer and doesn’t smear as easy. Also, I like using the small angle brush that is needed when applying a powder brow color because I can manipulate the movements easier, placement is more precise and the brush produces a truly natural look. It is more difficult to do these techniques with a pencil.

When you place the color, start in the heavier bottom side of your brow, which is closest to your nose. Place color first by gently laying the brush flat on your skin and tap in the natural direction following your brow, then swipe to blend so you won’t be left with dark blotchy spots of color. I prefer to have the color fade lighter as it reaches upward towards the forehead area, again for a natural look. Add color slowly until you reach the intensity desired. If you add too much color, simply take a clean brow brush and brush out excess color. This is another reason to use powder; it’s more forgiving than a pencil if you add too much color.

Lastly, set your brow with a brow gel to keep the hair in place. There is a large brow gel collection to choose from in the cosmetic market today, just inquire about a brow gel with your favorite cosmetic line.

Happiness is having natural brows which define your unique look!

You might know his as McDreamy, but a lot of folks are now calling him a dream come true. Patrick Dempsey, star of Grey’s Anatomy, has opened The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at the Central Maine Medical Center.

Dempsey understands all too well how difficult it is for a family to receive a cancer diagnosis — his mother has had continuous battles with ovarian cancer, which is what put the idea for the Center in Dempsey‘s mind. He realized that for families who try to do the research, all the information can be overwhelming yet insufficient, so he decided to create “a place where people can go for all this type of information and help. Knowledge is power.”

The Central Maine Medical Center is the hospital that treated his mother and sent her cancer into remission, so Dempsey made a great decision in choosing to put his money and fame to work in that location. His sister will run the Center, but the actor plans to do his part as well by lending a hand with the education campaign on how to prevent and treat cancer.

I know — as if you didn’t already have a huge crush on him.

Photo courtesy of tv.yahoo.com

by The Nancys

1.  Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2.  Don’t worry about what people think. They do not do it very often.
3.  Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4.  Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5.  If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you have never tried before.
6.  My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7.  Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8.  It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Tomorrow: Facts of Life 9 – 16! 

The refreshing taste of citrus is so nice in the water served at your favorite restaurant…or is it?

Recent reports of a study in the Journal of Environmental Health have revealed that the lemon slice or wedge served with the water in restaurants is contaminated with disease-causing bacteria about 70% of the time. This doesn’t mean people get sick that often, but I don’t find that very reassuring.

The study found that servers usually do not use gloves or tongs when adding a lemon slice or wedge to the glass, causing contamination when hands are dirty. This is not only unsanitary, but violates the health code in many regions.

Must we forego even that little slice of luxury when eating out? The risk seems to be low, but now the whole idea seems quite unappealing.

I guess it just comes down to personal choice. For me it’s going to be…
“Water please, no lemon.“

More Dr. Pat…

Oscar winning actress and South Africa native Charlize Theron headed home to see how mobile health units have helped students there.

She was recently interviewed by Vogue where she was called an “unrepented pleasure-seeker” because of her belief in living life to the fullest. Well, Theron finds joy in a variety of ways, and one of those ways is through helping children. She is working with Oprah‘s Angel Network to improve the lives of people in her homeland.

Theron is focusing on KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where HIV treatment and education is unavailable or costs too much, causing the village to have the highest rate of HIV infection in South Africa. Things like sex, rape, and HIV are taboo topics in this area, so even though many students have lost both parents to AIDS, and over half the women in the village will contract HIV during their lifetimes, nobody understands it.

Oprah‘s Angel Network and Theron have developed a program called Mpilonhle, which means “a good life,” and which brings free mobile HIV education to the schools. It gives students a safe place to ask questions, talk about the taboo topics, and learn about prevention and treatment.

During her visit, Theron visited the mobile units, shared her story of growing up on a South African farm, and gave out goodie-bags of school supplies. But the star’s work doesn’t end there — she is auctioning off a gown that Narciso Rodriguez designed for her for her first trip to the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 to raise funds for the Entertainment Industry Foundation benefiting the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The auction is just about over, but you can still donate to Theron‘s charity or to Oprah‘s Angel Network and make a difference.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

 by The Nancys

Myth 6: “It” has to be Perfect
Perfection in everything we do is an admirable but unrealistic goal. It becomes so focused on getting every detail right that we lose sight of the bigger picture and lose all the joy in the effort.

A perfect party, for example, is about friends enjoying each others’ company. If you focus on the fun, rather than worrying that someone might realize that there is a speck or two of dust, you’ll be much more relaxed and a better hostess. Strive for doing the best you can, not perfection.

Myth 7: Good Women Put Themselves Last
One of the values many of us were taught is that we put the needs of other before our own. The problem is, that when we put our own needs last, we do not take the time we need to recharge ourselves, which makes us less able to do for others.

Being happy, fulfilled and energetic enables us to be there for others in our lives. Do not waste time feeling guilty about taking time just for you. It will make you, and those around you, much happier.

Myth 8: All Activities Require a Companion
So many women miss out on things they would love to do, because they do not have someone to join them so they stay home, rather than going alone. While some activities may be more enjoyable when shared, there is a lot to be said for enjoying things on your own.

Do not miss out on something you want to do, just because you do not have a friend available to go with you. Enjoy what you love, with or without a companion.

Myth 9: Getting Lost is Bad
Getting lost is a very stressful experience for most of us. We are determined to reach our goal and any deviation makes us fume. Getting lost, though, can lead to great adventures and new experiences.

Rather than fuming when you lose your way, enjoy the scenery. Rather than giving in to frustration, look at it as an opportunity to visit somewhere you have never been. And remember the old saying: “We don’t know where we’re going, but we’re making good time!”

Myth 10: Women Have to Work Harder than Men
For years, women believed they had to work longer hours than their male counterparts thinking that coming in early, staying late and taking on extra work would further their careers. Rather than working more, try working smarter. Do not hesitate to take on high profile projects and look for opportunities to remind those in positions of authority of what you have accomplished. It is not bragging, its just good PR.

“happiness is an adorable grandson and belly laughs”

submitted by Anita Ehmsen – Lisbon, Iowa

Designer (and godsend — she’s the inventor of the wrap dress) Diane von Furstenberg has launched a campaign in honor of International Women’s Day (which took place on March 8 — sorry I missed it). She has partnered with Vital Voices Global Partnership for “Women Can,” which aims to inspire female leaders in developing countries.

DVF has pledged to donate ten percent of this week’s sales in her stores and on her website to Vital Voices, but that’s not all.

Through April 19, she is also running the Women You Love contest. She wants you to share your love by submitting “an inspirational story about a fabulous, strong, intelligent woman who has nurtured or inspired you.” Think about it — who has mentored you, encouraged you, and helped you become the amazing person you are today?

Send in her picture and a detailed story about how she’s impacted your life, or write a blog about it (again, with pictures). The winner will receive a trip for two to NYC for a $5000 shopping spree at Diane von Furstenberg‘s flagship NYC store as well as two tickets to DVF‘s Spring 2009 fashion show.

Although, if you have someone special enough to submit, haven’t you won a jackpot already? Go ahead, celebrate the fabulous women in your life, now and all year round. Let us know here at Chatterbox, too — who has inspired you?

Photo courtesy of style.com

 by The Nancys

Myth 1: Busy Women Don’t Have Time for Spontaneity
Most of us are ruled by calendars. It is rare to have a few hours, let alone a whole day, that is not booked solid. Who has time for spontaneous fun, we have got work to do and errands to run. We are scheduled and stressed to the max.

Not making time for spontaneity, though, can suck much of the joy out of your life. Carve out an hour on your calendar for spontaneity. When the time comes, get the family and do something just for fun. Whether it is something you love or something you have never tried before, laugh and enjoy the time. Some of the best times are the ones that are not planned.

Myth 2: Mom is Responsible for the House
Dad’s are responsible for working and mom’s are responsible for raising the kids and taking care of the house. That was true in 1950. In this century, most mom’s are working outside the home and yet still feel responsible for the cleaning, cooking, laundry and other chores required to keep a home running.

Have a family meeting and outline what chores need to be done. Agree on chore assignments and the fact that everyone who lives in the home is responsible for maintaining it. Then, let everyone share the load. Could you make your son’s bed more neatly than your 5 year old? Sure, but does it really matter? He’s learning responsibility and it is one less job for you. Relax.

Myth 3: If You’re Smiling Too Much, You Must Not Understand the Situation
When the going gets tough, the tough…don’t smile. The reality, though, is that when things are really tough, that is when we need laughter the most. Humor is remarkably effective at reducing stress and helping to keep things in perspective.

When comforting a friend who has been dealt a serious blow, do not focus on the problem, but talk about positive things. Use gentle humor to lighten the mood. Do the same for yourself when you are the one with problems. The sun really will come up tomorrow. No matter what the problem, you will cope better with a smile.

Myth 4: Thin Equals Happy
Many of us assume that thin equals healthy and happy. Many of us waste a lot of time and create a considerable stress in trying to attain the perfect size. The problem is that the perfect size that nature dictates may not match the perfect size displayed in magazine ads. Rather than stressing over the fact that you are not a size two, focus your efforts on maintaining your health and loving your body, whatever size it is.

Myth 5: If We Really Try, We Can Have It All
Some women believe they have it all, with marriage, children, perfect home and career. The one thing missing is the time to enjoy it. But they are spread so thin they do not have time to enjoy their lives.

Perhaps a smaller home and less focus on career can allow more time to enjoy what you are working for. It is a difficult balancing act, but can be managed, if you are clear on priorities and stick to focusing on what is most important.

Tomorrow: Part 2!

John Legend is hosting an online auction along with Golden State Warrior Stephen Jackson to benefit the Show Me Campaign.

The auction, taking place on ebay from March 10 until March 17, will award the winner a VIP package for two including the following items:

• Two lower level NBA tickets
• Post game meet and greet and photo op with the two hosts at a VIP reception
• A special JumboTron thank you message
• A tour of the locker room and other behind the scenes cool stuff
• Music sheet autographed by John Legend
• Photo autographed by Stephen Jackson
• Two night stay a San Francisco’s W Hotel
• Round-trip ground transportation from the hotel to the game
• Two airline gift cards worth $500 each

Legend decided to launch the Show Me Campaign when he returned from Ghana last year. The Campaign aims to alleviate economic and spiritual poverty by helping to develop sustainable solutions at every level, starting with family. Working with Millennium Promise, the Show Me Campaign uses agricultural, health, and educational supports to alleviate poverty in villages.

To see how you can get involved in Legend‘s Show Me Campaign, visit the website and consider making a contribution.

Photo courtesy of legendphotos.net

By Sarah Skarda 

How you apply your make-up is just as important as the colors you choose to wear. Therefore, it is important to invest in quality make-up brushes that last for a long time and give you the look you want.

I love the professional make-up brushes by M•A•C. Their brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules. There are 5 staple brushes to own and are really easy to use.  They will have your make-up looking fabulous once you get the techniques down.

#129 Powder/Blush Brush: $34
All-purpose for blush or face powder. This brush is particularly good for a bronzer, blush or mineral powder application. The fibers are soft and form a full, rounded shape. To apply use light sweeping motions and add color gradually to the intensity that is desired.

#150 Powder/Bronzer Brush: $42
Full and dense for dusting loose or pressed powder on face or body. Also fun to use for applying bronzer or mineral powder for a lighter application than brush #129. Remember with the tighter binding and fuller, larger brushes there will be a softer application of color.

#266 Angle Brush: $19
For creating sharp, precise lines. This brush has fibers which are carefully arranged to form a perfect angle. This brush is wonderful for applying a powder eyeliner for a less dramatic look than pencil or cream liner or use it to apply color to your brows. I love powder liner because with my oily skin it won’t smear. Lightly place color from the end of the angle onto the lash line and add to the intensity desired. Be careful not to press to hard or you will get a thicker line.

#249 Large Shader Brush: $27
For applying and/or blending eye shadow. Paddle shaped, with a flat rounded tip. Synthetic: its soft fibres provides pro-quality pick-up and distribution of powder, liquid or cream products. This brush is great for applying concealer or cream shadows that are so popular now.

#224 Tapered Blending Brush: $28
For controlled eye shadow application. This brush has soft fibers which taper to form a medium size dome shape. This brush is for applying and blending with a soft touch (the harder you press the stronger the color) in a back and forth windshield wiper motion in the crease or a small circular motion across the eyelid to blend in shadow, especially great for dark colors in the crease.

BRUSH CARE: It is really important that you wash your brushes. Ideally once a week, but if your busy like me, I wash them once per month. Use a mild shampoo to wash your brushes, I like to use the Extra Gentle Shampoo by Noodle and Boo because it has a low surfactant system and it is conditioning (great for sable and synthetic hair brushes). It is also nice to have the mild and delightful scent around your face.

DIRECTIONS: Put a small amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand and wash brushes in a circular, back and forth motion to get the color out. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water, squeeze excess water out and lay flat to dry on a clean towel. It is so imperative make-up brushes lay flat because if you put them upright to dry the water will move downward into the wooden handle and loosen the binding which will loosen the hair causing the hair to shed on your face during application. Enjoy your investment and have fun applying make-up everyday!

Reese Witherspoon is certainly deserving of her good girl image. As the face of Avon, she has recently introduced Avon’s first global charity product — the Women’s Empowerment Bracelet.

Witherspoon made the announcement at the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) press conference. She is the Global Ambassador of the Avon Foundation.

The bracelet, Witherspoon says, “is designed to save and improve women’s lives worldwide. It’s a symbol of unity that represents a future without limitations for all women. It represents everything I love about this company.”

You can purchase a bracelet of your own at the Avon website for just $3.00. And yes, the decimal is in the correct place there. The Avon Empowerment Fund receives 100% of the net proceeds to continue its work toward ending violence against women. Not only should you purchase one for your self, but for your all your girlfriends, too!

Photo courtesy of avon.com

Love those bananas! Bananas are one of the most nutritious fruits you and your kids can eat. They are loaded with potassium, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, and even calcium and magnesium. I like them firm, so when they get soft and over-ripe, I just put them in the freezer as is, peel and all. They stay perfectly packaged until I pull them out to make this extra hearty, kid-friendly banana bread.

What’s so special about this recipe, besides being delicious? This banana bread is a good choice for toddlers because it uses less sugar, has heart-healthy canola oil and applesauce instead of butter, and raisins instead of nuts. It also makes a nutritionally balanced snack for kids when paired with cream cheese. Yum!

This is a double recipe, so your family will appreciate your effort twice as much. I like to use mini loaf pans; the extra loaves are easy to wrap and store in the freezer…but freeze them quickly before they disappear!

Dr. Pat’s Banana Bread

1 cup canola oil (or use ½ cup oil and ½ cup applesauce)
1 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
5 or 6 ripe bananas (about 2 ½ cups mashed)
4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup raisins

Wisk oil and sugar together. Add eggs and banana pulp and mix well. Add sifted dry ingredients, then milk and vanilla. Stir in raisins.

Pour into greased and floured pans (or use Pam for Baking). Bake at 350 degrees F approximately 1 hour for two 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans. For mini loaf pans, shorten the baking time to 45 minutes (or less). (In my convection oven the mini loaf pans take only about 30 minutes, so be careful not to overbake.) Cool, then wrap and store overnight before cutting or freezing. (This is important, because the raisins plump up and the bread really is more moist and flavorful the second day).

When comparing my banana bread recipe to other quick breads (ah yes, the buttery recipes…), I found another recipe that intrigued me, kumquat bread.

It looked wonderful, especially since I have a kumquat tree in my yard (yes, I live in California). I never have figured out what to do with kumquats, so I am eager to try it! I’ll keep you posted…

Happiness is…picking fruit from your own back yard.

Okay, I know I normally write about really big time celebrities, but I think the Fug Girls count because A) they are pretty well known in and of themselves now (Have you ever visited Go Fug Yourself? You need to! After you finish reading this! It’s a great site dishing the dirt on horrible celebrity fashion.), and B) they write about A-listers, so I think those two things together add up to work for Chatterbox.

Plus, they’re stumping for something really great — the Dewey Donation System. The Dewey Donation System works to “help books find libraries,” and that’s not all. Through donations of books and money, they “helped a library system rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, sent a village of children back to school after a Tsunami, helped restock shelves after wildfires ravaged San Diego’s public library system, and brought library assistance to the attention of communities and government.”

Why is this such a big deal? Well, you’re reading this now. Imagine having a childhood where books are not easily available. Imagine never having read The Babysitters Club, or Green Eggs and Ham, or The Berenstain Bears as a kid. Think about your kids not being able to get their mitts on Harry Potter or Amelia Bedelia. Devastating, right?

You can help put a book in a child’s hands, but you have to do it soon. The 2008 book drive ends March 12, BUT if you make a donation TODAY (March 7), you will be eligible to win a copy of The Fug Girls‘ new book (pictured above, right). Find out more about making a donation here, and be sure to leave a comment at Chatterbox letting everyone know what you gave. If you’re unable to donate, you can still leave a comment telling us your favorite children’s book!

Picture of book courtesy of gofugyourself.com. Picture of Dewey courtesy of deweydonationsystem.com

Who says PETA gets all the fun (and naked, kind-hearted celebrities)?

Nicollette Sheridan and fiance Michael Bolton have posed in a steamy picture featuring a classic London Fog trench coat (and a nude Sheridan wrapped up in it) to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for kids.

The Hole in the Wall Gang is an organization founded by Paul Newman for kids facing life threatening diseases like cancer. The camp allows these kids to have an outdoor experience they otherwise might have missed. And, more importantly, it gives them a chance to feel like kids and accomplish things that, beforehand, they might have thought were impossible. (And here I thought that posing nude for a children’s charity was impossible!)

As for Sheridan and Bolton, they have been engaged since 2006, but have yet to take the walk down the aisle. There are rumors that Bolton‘s three daughters from his first marriage aren’t exactly Desperate Housewives fans, which has caused some familial tension. Perhaps after this act of kindness for the children (offbeat as it may be) will smooth things over.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

 by The Nancys

# 6 Laugh!
You may not equate belly laughs with relaxation, but laughing reduces stress and makes you feel more relaxed. Find your commute raising your blood pressure? Put in a CD of your favorite comic.

Had a tough day at work and now the kids are cranky? Put in a funny movie you all can enjoy, like Shrek or Finding Nemo.

# 7 Do What You Love
It’s easy to get so caught up in day-to-day activities and responsibilities that we forget to do what we love. We put our dreams on hold , assuming that someday we’ll spend all our time doing what we love. Don’t wait, start incorporating the things you love in your daily activities.

Love music but don’t have time to practice? Make time! Perhaps you can form a family band, with the less musically inclined contributing with a tambourine. It may not be Carnegie Hall, but it will be fun and relaxing.

# 8 Breathe
Well, duh, we breathe everyday. To relax, though, be conscious of your breathing. Conscious breathing can be one of the fastest ways to relax, and it’s something you can do anywhere. Stuck in the world’s longest grocery line? Instead of fuming, breathe in through your nose for five seconds. Hold it for five seconds. Let it out through your mouth for five seconds.

Conscious breathing will distract you from an annoying situation and make you feel more relaxed.

# 9 Take a Thirty Second Vacation
A fast way to feel relaxed is to take a quick vacation. Visualize your favorite vacation spot. Love the beach? Close your eyes and visualize the scene. Focus on the details and different senses. The feel the warm, gritty sand on your feet. The sound of the waves hitting the shore. The smell of the salty air and sun lotion. The feeling of relaxation and well-being.

Take a deep breath and come back to reality. As you return, bring that feeling of relaxation with you, knowing you can return to that vacation spot anytime you’d like.

# 10 Celebrate and Appreciate
Studies have shown that people who keep a gratitude journal are generally happier. Whether you keep a journal or just spend a few minutes each day focusing on the positives in your life, you’ll feel happier and more relaxed.

The old advice to count your blessings really is a valuable tool to help you relax, feel less stressed and more contented.

“happiness is your child’s first christmas”

submitted by Matt & Amanda McDaniel – Mason, Tennessee

Drew Barrymore has made a personal donation of one million dollars to the World Food Programme. She has worked with the charity since 2005 and became an Ambassador Against Hunger last year.

Barrymore doesn’t sit back and write checks, though — she’s taken two trips to Africa to see the work accomplished by the World Food Programme, and says, “I have seen with my own eyes what a difference a simple cup of nutritious porridge can make in a child’s life. It helps them learn, stay healthy and sets them on track for a bright future.”

The 33-year-old Charlie’s Angel made the announcement on Oprah‘s show, with boyfriend Justin Long in the audience and BFF Cameron Diaz making a telephone appearance. Long gushed about Barrymore, calling her “the most compassionate person” he’s ever met, and Diaz got all choked up about Barrymore‘s generous donation.

The World Food Programme has a goal — they want to feed 10 million hungry school children in Africa by Thanksgiving. You can help by visiting their website and making a donation (even if it isn’t a million dollars).

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

by The Nancys

# 1 Build in “Do Not Disturb” Time
For thirty minutes each day, schedule time for no electronic interruptions. Don’t answer the telephone and don’t check or send email. For some of us “Crackberry” addicts, that can seem unimaginable, but you’ll find that even thirty minutes of uninterrupted time will enable you to accomplish more and feel less stressed.If you have little ones at home, try exchanging baby-sitting duties with a neighbor so that you can have thirty minutes to focus, without interruptions.

# 2 Be Here Now
Most busy women multi-task. Cleaning house while on the telephone and coaching the kids’ homework while preparing dinner. Try, instead, to be fully present while you do a single task. “Being here now,” fully aware of what you’re doing in the moment will quiet your mind and leave you more relaxed.

For example, while you’re chopping vegetables, allow your mind to drift. This brief mental vacation will recharge your batteries so that when you do work with the kids on their homework, you’ll feel less stressed and both you and the children will enjoy it more.

# 3 Manage Your “To Do” List
Each morning start your day by reviewing your “to do” list. Prioritize into “must do,” “nice to do” and “whenever I get to it.” If your “must dos” are more than you can manage in one day, consider alternatives. Can someone else take it on, or at least assist? Does it really have to be done today?

If an item has been languishing on your “when I get to it” list, take it off. Seeing it every day is just a reminder that will induce guilt and stress. When you’re really ready to do it, add it to the list and then just do it!

# 4 Re-examine Your Expectations
From the time we’re young, we’re programmed to do and be the best. Admirable, but very difficult to achieve. Yes, you want to be the best wife, best mother, best friend, best employee, best daughter, best housekeeper and the list goes on. Just for today, decide which aspect of your life needs the most attention and place your focus there.

Also, reexamine your “best of” list. Perhaps you shouldn’t attempt to be the “best housekeeper” and “best cook” while you have three kids under the age of five. For now, focus on being the best mom. Gourmet cooking and art on the walls that doesn’t involve crayons can come later.

# 5 Get Moving
Knowing you need to exercise more and not doing it doesn’t solve the problem and just increases your stress level. Instead, look at what you are doing and congratulate yourself. Holding a toddler on one hip while schlepping grocery bags? That counts as exercise!

Next, look for additional ways to add more calorie burning activities to your routine. Parking further away from your destination, ignoring elevators and taking the stairs, and going outside to play games instead of staying in are all ways to incorporate exercise in your day, while you reduce your stress level.

Tomorrow: Part 2!

Scarlett Johansson is available for a date, on eBay! No, really — check it out!

The Other Boleyn Girl babe is auctioning off a date with herself online to raise money for Oxfam. Last time I checked the bidding was nearing $12,000.00. The winner will receive, in addition to the chance to spend quality time with ScarJo and be the envy of pretty much every other man on earth, a chauffeured limo and presumably Johannson‘s arm as he will be escorting her to the premiere of her movie this June, He’s Just Not That Into You. At the end of the night, he’ll go home with a handwritten note from the actress.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Oxfam, which is “a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.” They work with the poor and the powerful to obtain a sense of global citizenship, and some of their current campaigns include Make Trade Fair, Control Arms, Health and Education for All, and Climate Change.

If you’d like to make a donation or see how you can help, check out Oxfam’s website or put in a bid for a date with Scarlett — either way, you’re helping a good cause!

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

Do you find that your daily showers produce dry, tight, itchy skin? You can do less and get great results. Use soap only on select areas of the body to avoid dryness. Unless you have really oily skin, because you are a teenager or have a job that exposes you to oils and gases, you do not need soap to get yourself clean. Pure water does the job. However, you do need to use soap on your face, under your arms, and in the groin area. As you get older, the use of soap on the rest of your body can unnecessarily dry your skin. The Sugar Mama Honey Bar is a favorite in our household. You can be a Sugar Daddy and love it too! Its high moisture formula does not leave skin dry and itchy. Unlike most soap on the market, its pH balance is complimentary to skin leaving it in a perfectly healthy condition. Yes, it works nicely as a face soap too! Follow with the Lovely Body Lotion (apply when skin is still damp) for an extra treat!

Top chef Mario Batali has brought together a number of famous food enthusiasts to create The Celebrity Italian Table Cookbook to benefit homeless charities. Several celebrities, like Marisa Tomei and Natalie Portman took part in the project, offering up recipes for some tasty Italian treats.

Fans can visit the website (www.celebrityitaliantable.com) and download recipes they find interesting. One dollar from each purchase will go toward homeless charities.

In case you’re concerned that, even though you loved Debra Messing in Will & Grace, you might not like her cooking, fear not — the celebrities gave their favorite pasta dishes to Batali, and then he recreated them and developed a special menu to accompany the dish. Party planner extraordinaire David Tutera then masterminded a fabulous table settings to compliment the meal, and let me just tell you — the pictures alone are worth the purchase, whether you actually cook the meal or not.

Curious (and hungry) yet? Click here to preview the book. And remember, by purchasing a recipe to feed your family, you help a person in need.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

When I was in college I worked part-time at Nordstrom as a salesperson. It was a great job. Nordstrom’s sales team is on commission and it is possible to make quite a bit of money, especially for a college student. Every pay-period Nordstrom would list department sales by salesperson and their sales per hour. Clearly the more clothes you sold, the more money you would make. While I only worked three days a week I consistently placed as one of the top sales producers in my department. I attribute this to one, very simple thing; I refused to say that something looked good on one of my customers, if it didn’t. Over the years it was my regulars who drove up my sales numbers, not my salesmanship.

EveryBODY has assets and everyBODY can look good. It doesn’t matter if you are big or little, short or tall, you can look good and feel good.

TWO TIPS:

1. Wear the right size (not too tight).
2. Dress for your body shape.

There you have it!

I found a really great little tool on iVillage for body shapes.  Click here, to see what they say about your shape.

Just for fun, check out how body shapes and weights have changed over the years, click here.

Happiness is feeling good with the body you have right now . . .