The winners of copies of A LONG, HARD RIDE by Alison Kent are MINDY and JANE! Congratulations, ladies! Please contact me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your mailing information by Tuesday evening.
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest - I urge you all to go get a copy of A LONG, HARD RIDE. Alison couldn't write a bad book if she tried and I know you'll love it!
Don't miss the Karen Kelley giveaway below!
Have a terrific weekend,
Laurie
Friday, February 27, 2009
New and upcoming from Karen Kelley - yes, there's a giveaway!
I recently read the January '09 release from Karen Kelley, MY FAVORITE PHANTOM. I can't tell you the last time I've had so much fun reading a book! Karen's wonderful sense of humor can't help but spill over into her writing, but never at the expense of her characters who are always intelligent and sensually passionate, making for an enjoyable reading experience every single time! Here's a little info about MY FAVORITE PHANTOM, a brief review, and some info about Karen's June '09 release, HOW TO SEDUCE A TEXAN.
A blurb for MY FAVORITE PHANTOM:
When Professor Peyton Cache bought a big, gloomy, romantic Victorian house, he should have expected a ghost.
Kaci Melton needs to hide out for a while, and where better to disappear than a haunted house on one of her dad's ghost-hunting jobs?
Two problems: the professor is a tasty young guy with piecing blue eyes, six-pack abs, and a penchant for talking dirty. And the ghost scares the panties off her. Actually, given the professor, maybe that's not a problem...
And here's the link to a fun excerpt and ordering information.
My review:
Kaci Melton's father is a ghost hunter, but because he is hiding out from a loan shark, she has taken his most recent job. The only drawback is that Kaci is terrified of ghosts and Professor Peyton Cache has a very active one that he wants gone. When Peyton's resident ghost makes an appearance on the first night of Kaci's investigation and she scurries into his bed for safety, things immediately heat up between them. Trouble is, Peyton isn't the only one who finds Kaci adorable, and soon his ghost takes a fancy to her as well. Between the irresistible, dirty talking Peyton, his pesky, determined ghost, and a loan shark who is getting too close for comfort, Kaci is confused and more than a little harried.
Peyton is vying for a sizable grant and his opposition is a co-worker who is a scheming phony who criticizes Peyton's every move - with a fake British accent nonetheless. The obstacles in Peyton's way are beginning to loom rather large. He realizes Kaci's fears, the ghost amps up his activity out of an attraction to her, and he's very concerned about the dinner he's hosting for the grant committee. He doubts he can endear himself to his guests with a ghost in the house who has a penchant for tossing his underwear across the room. On top of all of that are the feelings that he's quickly developing for Kaci. Interestingly enough, those feelings are quickly taking precedence over everything else that is going on in his life.
If you're looking for a lighthearted read that doesn't skimp on sensuality, I highly recommend MY FAVORITE PHANTOM. Karen Kelley never disappoints, always giving readers quality romance that's fun without being ridiculous or silly.
And take a look at Karen's next release, available in June, 2009! Woo Doggies, does it ever look good!
Reporter Nikki “The Barracuda” Scott will sink her teeth into anything. So when her editor sends her to get the lowdown on bad boy football star Cal Braxton, Nikki’s game to rough it on his family ranch. She just isn’t prepared for exactly how rough. Still, the nasty outhouse, noisy animals, and resident ghost won’t put Nikki off...especially once she sets eyes (and hands, and mouth) on her subject. If there’s a juicy story here, Nikki intends to devour it…
So, the lady thinks she’s gonna get the scoop on him? Cal’s had his fill of scheming females—hell, his conniving ex-fiancee is the very reason he’s hiding out. Then again, if all journalists were as hot as Nikki, he might consider being more open with the press. Too bad she won’t be around for long. If the chores and “rustic” conditions don’t frighten Nikki off, her haunted accommodations surely will. Tough it turns out Nikki doesn't scare easily. Now Cal’s the one who’s scared—of falling hard...
And here's the link to a great excerpt and ordering information.
Now for the giveaway. I'm giving away my (autographed) arc of MY FAVORITE PHANTOM to one lucky reader. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment with at least three things you see at Karen's website - maybe an excerpt you love, a cover you think is super sexy, etc. - and come on everyone, please take the time to go check it out and don't simply copy someone else's response! I'll draw the winning name on Thursday, March 5th.
Thanks to Karen for allowing me to read and review this for you - my apologies for being so terribly late. Huge thanks to everyone for checking out Karen's books - you won't be disappointed in any of her work, I promise!
Laurie
Thursday, February 26, 2009
THINK THIN THURSDAY - Office exercises
How many of you sit at a desk all day like I do? It's easy to get tense and stiff when you have to sit in the same spot for long periods of time. Following are some great ideas to loosen up while burning a few calories. I'll admit that there are a good deal of these that just aren't doable for me at work, but the stretches just plain feel good and will relieve your back/neck tension. These suggestions came from WebMD and I hope you'll find at least a couple of them helpful! Here goes~
While you shouldn't give up on your home or gym exercise routine, you can certainly supplement it with exercises done at your desk (and, on those extra-long workdays, it's much better than doing nothing.) Here are a few aerobic tricks to try during your next break between tasks:
Glance at the wall clock and rip off a minute's worth of jumping jacks. If you're a beginner, try the low-impact version (raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side while keeping your right foot on the floor; alternate sides)
Do a football-like drill of running in place for 60 seconds. Get those knees up! (Beginners, march in place.)
Simulate jumping rope for a minute: Hop on alternate feet, or on both feet at once. An easier version is to simulate the arm motion of turning a rope, while alternately tapping the toes of each leg in front.
While seated, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds, then rapidly tap your feet on the floor, football-drill style, for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
If you can step into a vacant office or conference room, shadow box for a minute or two. Or just walk around the room as fast as you can.
Or do walk-lunges in your office or a vacant room. (You could also amuse your co-workers by doing these in the hall; remember Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks" comedy routine?). Set your PDA to beep you into action.
No conference room? Take to the stairs -- two at a time if you need a harder workout! Do this 5-7 times a day. Want Something Less Breathless?
Some strength-building suggestions:
Do one-legged squats (hold onto a wall or table for support) while waiting for a web page to load, the copier to spit our your reports, or faxes to slither out.
Stand with one leg straight and try to kick your buttocks with the other.
Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds; then lower your foot (stop short of the floor) and hold for several seconds. Switch; do each leg 15 times.
To work your chest and shoulders, place both hands on your chair arms and slowly lift your bottom off the chair. Lower yourself back down but stop short of the seat, hold for a few seconds. Do 15 times.
To stretch your back and strengthen your biceps, place your hands on the desk and hang on. Slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you're looking at the floor. Then slowly pull yourself back in. Again, 15 of these.
Desk pushups can be a good strengthener. (First, make sure your desk is solid enough to support your weight.) Standing, put your hands on the desk. Walk backward, then do push-ups against the desk. Repeat 15 times.
Reach for the Sky
Stretching exercises are a natural for the desk-bound, to ease stress and keep your muscles from clenching up. Here are a few suggestions:
Sitting tall in your chair, stretch both arms over your head and reach for the sky. After 10 seconds, extend the right hand higher, then the left.
Let your head loll over so that your right ear nearly touches your right shoulder. Using your hand, press your head a little lower (gently, now). Hold for 10 seconds. Relax, and then repeat on the other side.
Try this yoga posture to relieve tension: Sit facing forward, then turn your head to the left and your torso to the right, and hold a few seconds. Repeat 15 times, alternating sides.
Sitting up straight, try to touch your shoulder blades together. Hold, and then relax.
You get to put your feet up for this one! To ease the hamstrings and lower back, push your chair away from your desk and put your right heel up on the desk. Sit up straight, and bend forward just until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your leg. Flex your foot for a few seconds, and then point it. Bend forward a little farther, flex your foot again, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
Let me know if you're able to work any of these into your daily routine, ok? I've been doing some of the less drastic, stretching exercises and they feel great!
Laurie
While you shouldn't give up on your home or gym exercise routine, you can certainly supplement it with exercises done at your desk (and, on those extra-long workdays, it's much better than doing nothing.) Here are a few aerobic tricks to try during your next break between tasks:
Glance at the wall clock and rip off a minute's worth of jumping jacks. If you're a beginner, try the low-impact version (raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side while keeping your right foot on the floor; alternate sides)
Do a football-like drill of running in place for 60 seconds. Get those knees up! (Beginners, march in place.)
Simulate jumping rope for a minute: Hop on alternate feet, or on both feet at once. An easier version is to simulate the arm motion of turning a rope, while alternately tapping the toes of each leg in front.
While seated, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds, then rapidly tap your feet on the floor, football-drill style, for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
If you can step into a vacant office or conference room, shadow box for a minute or two. Or just walk around the room as fast as you can.
Or do walk-lunges in your office or a vacant room. (You could also amuse your co-workers by doing these in the hall; remember Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks" comedy routine?). Set your PDA to beep you into action.
No conference room? Take to the stairs -- two at a time if you need a harder workout! Do this 5-7 times a day. Want Something Less Breathless?
Some strength-building suggestions:
Do one-legged squats (hold onto a wall or table for support) while waiting for a web page to load, the copier to spit our your reports, or faxes to slither out.
Stand with one leg straight and try to kick your buttocks with the other.
Sitting in your chair, lift one leg off the seat, extend it out straight, hold for 2 seconds; then lower your foot (stop short of the floor) and hold for several seconds. Switch; do each leg 15 times.
To work your chest and shoulders, place both hands on your chair arms and slowly lift your bottom off the chair. Lower yourself back down but stop short of the seat, hold for a few seconds. Do 15 times.
To stretch your back and strengthen your biceps, place your hands on the desk and hang on. Slowly push your chair back until your head is between your arms and you're looking at the floor. Then slowly pull yourself back in. Again, 15 of these.
Desk pushups can be a good strengthener. (First, make sure your desk is solid enough to support your weight.) Standing, put your hands on the desk. Walk backward, then do push-ups against the desk. Repeat 15 times.
Reach for the Sky
Stretching exercises are a natural for the desk-bound, to ease stress and keep your muscles from clenching up. Here are a few suggestions:
Sitting tall in your chair, stretch both arms over your head and reach for the sky. After 10 seconds, extend the right hand higher, then the left.
Let your head loll over so that your right ear nearly touches your right shoulder. Using your hand, press your head a little lower (gently, now). Hold for 10 seconds. Relax, and then repeat on the other side.
Try this yoga posture to relieve tension: Sit facing forward, then turn your head to the left and your torso to the right, and hold a few seconds. Repeat 15 times, alternating sides.
Sitting up straight, try to touch your shoulder blades together. Hold, and then relax.
You get to put your feet up for this one! To ease the hamstrings and lower back, push your chair away from your desk and put your right heel up on the desk. Sit up straight, and bend forward just until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your leg. Flex your foot for a few seconds, and then point it. Bend forward a little farther, flex your foot again, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
Let me know if you're able to work any of these into your daily routine, ok? I've been doing some of the less drastic, stretching exercises and they feel great!
Laurie
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Going to see Gaelic Storm!
Any Gaelic Storm fans out there?? We never miss them when they come to the Dublin Irish Festival every summer (this pic was taken a couple of years ago). We practically jumped up and down to find that they were coming to Columbus tomorrow night and got our tickets immediately! So around 8 pm tomorrow, picture me with a beer, clapping, toe-tapping and singing along with one of the best Irish bands around!
I'll have two more contests going up in the next few days, and will be announcing the winners of the Alison Kent giveaway on Friday evening, so be sure and stop back!!
In the meantime - Erin Go Bragh!
Laurie
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A LONG, HARD RIDE - coming soon from Alison Kent - there's a giveaway!
I adore Alison Kent's work and I’ll be the first to admit that I could probably be drawn into a dishwasher repair guide if she wrote it. Early March will bring the next in a long line of Blazes by Alison and I was fortunate enough to get an early copy (Thank you, Alison!). This is an excellent book with smart, fun-loving characters, long-standing southern tradition, witty dialogue and steamy sex. No details on the steamy sex except to say that Alison has written some of the most satisfying shower scenes ever (THE SWEETEST TABOO, anyone?), and this one doesn’t disappoint!
Here’s a blurb:
Cardin Worth is ready to tune up her engine—with Trey, her former crush! However, he’s a Davis—one of her car-racing family’s bitter rivals. But she might be able to create peace, and also get some sizzling sex on the side…
… if Trey pretends to be her fiancé, that is!
Having a little fun on those steamy Southern nights seems like a great idea. Just to patch up the feud, of course. Then Trey’ll be leaving town again—this time for good.
But Cardin s not sure she can relinquish the superheated sex… Because Trey s the most talented, uh, mechanic to ever look under her hood!
From 0–60: Going from “Hello” to “How was it?” doesn’t have to take long!
And a link to a great excerpt!
My review:
Here’s a blurb:
Cardin Worth is ready to tune up her engine—with Trey, her former crush! However, he’s a Davis—one of her car-racing family’s bitter rivals. But she might be able to create peace, and also get some sizzling sex on the side…
… if Trey pretends to be her fiancé, that is!
Having a little fun on those steamy Southern nights seems like a great idea. Just to patch up the feud, of course. Then Trey’ll be leaving town again—this time for good.
But Cardin s not sure she can relinquish the superheated sex… Because Trey s the most talented, uh, mechanic to ever look under her hood!
From 0–60: Going from “Hello” to “How was it?” doesn’t have to take long!
And a link to a great excerpt!
My review:
Rolling into the small town of Dahlia, Tennessee as crew chief for the Corley Motors team at the Farron Fuel Spring Nationals, and subsequently winning, is as natural as breathing for Trey “Whip” Davis. Seeing Cardin Worth leaves him breathless. Whip and Cardin went to high school together, him being a couple of years older, but they never dated; never really even shared a conversation. What they did share was an undeniable, unspoken heat of the most basic kind. They both felt it but Whip left town before they could do anything about it.
Whip has personal business to attend to in Dahlia as well. After his father’s death six months ago, he's decided it’s time to clean out and sell his father’s home and he stays behind when the race team pulls out. When Cardin approaches him indicating that they need to talk, with a subtle promise of more than just talk, he’s unable to resist.
Cardin has her own issues to get straight - namely getting her recently separated parents back together. Their conflict is causing everyone distress, but they both refuse to budge. Cardin understands that their problems run deep and with their stubbornness it won’t be an easy fix, but she has a plan. She’s hopeful that Whip will buy into the fake engagement she’s hashed out, never doubting that the two of them will be convincing, given the emotions they’ve shared for so long.
It doesn’t take long for Whip and Cardin to feel comfortably at ease with the engagement ploy and they quickly realize that those early sparks, although never before acted upon, were simply a promise of things to come. But long-held traditions and grudges are slow to die and family secrets soon threaten to shatter the love that these two have just begun to discover.
I truly think this may be the best Blaze I’ve read to date. You might be thinking the false engagement premise has been done before and you find the notion silly or immature. I guarantee that Alison has done it right and you won’t be disappointed. The reactions to and the results of it are key to the story and it works, plain and simple. The racing lingo is understandable and not over-used, and the southern style and mannerisms of the characters is honest and accurate.
To help celebrate Alison’s book, I’ve decided to do a giveaway for two copies of A LONG, HARD RIDE. I’ll be drawing names prior to the book’s release so as to not interrupt those ever-important early sales, but obviously the winners won't get their books until I’m able to get my hands on them. If you’re interested – and who wouldn’t be, right? – just leave a comment here. You can talk about the usual things, favorite book, character, cover, etc. or chat about something fun on Alison's website or blog. Send a friend who mentions you and I’ll throw your name in an extra time. I’ll draw two names on Friday, February 27th – be sure and check back to see if you won because I won’t track you down!
If you want to pre-order so Amazon will send your copy on release day, pop over here for a copy. Thanks for stopping and thank you again, Alison, for allowing me to read and review A LONG, HARD RIDE for you!
Whip has personal business to attend to in Dahlia as well. After his father’s death six months ago, he's decided it’s time to clean out and sell his father’s home and he stays behind when the race team pulls out. When Cardin approaches him indicating that they need to talk, with a subtle promise of more than just talk, he’s unable to resist.
Cardin has her own issues to get straight - namely getting her recently separated parents back together. Their conflict is causing everyone distress, but they both refuse to budge. Cardin understands that their problems run deep and with their stubbornness it won’t be an easy fix, but she has a plan. She’s hopeful that Whip will buy into the fake engagement she’s hashed out, never doubting that the two of them will be convincing, given the emotions they’ve shared for so long.
It doesn’t take long for Whip and Cardin to feel comfortably at ease with the engagement ploy and they quickly realize that those early sparks, although never before acted upon, were simply a promise of things to come. But long-held traditions and grudges are slow to die and family secrets soon threaten to shatter the love that these two have just begun to discover.
I truly think this may be the best Blaze I’ve read to date. You might be thinking the false engagement premise has been done before and you find the notion silly or immature. I guarantee that Alison has done it right and you won’t be disappointed. The reactions to and the results of it are key to the story and it works, plain and simple. The racing lingo is understandable and not over-used, and the southern style and mannerisms of the characters is honest and accurate.
To help celebrate Alison’s book, I’ve decided to do a giveaway for two copies of A LONG, HARD RIDE. I’ll be drawing names prior to the book’s release so as to not interrupt those ever-important early sales, but obviously the winners won't get their books until I’m able to get my hands on them. If you’re interested – and who wouldn’t be, right? – just leave a comment here. You can talk about the usual things, favorite book, character, cover, etc. or chat about something fun on Alison's website or blog. Send a friend who mentions you and I’ll throw your name in an extra time. I’ll draw two names on Friday, February 27th – be sure and check back to see if you won because I won’t track you down!
If you want to pre-order so Amazon will send your copy on release day, pop over here for a copy. Thanks for stopping and thank you again, Alison, for allowing me to read and review A LONG, HARD RIDE for you!
Laurie
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Intelligent Humor
A little something to lift spirits and give you a chuckle!
2008 Winners of the Washington Post's annual Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteo%#$osis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all thesereally bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it'slike, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. And the winners are:
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly , adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n.. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men .
Hope you're all having a great week so far!
Laurie
2008 Winners of the Washington Post's annual Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteo%#$osis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all thesereally bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it'slike, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. And the winners are:
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly , adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n.. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men .
Hope you're all having a great week so far!
Laurie
Monday, February 16, 2009
Beating the winter blues
For those of us who live in cold weather states, the winter seems to drag on and on. Spring can't come soon enough. Typically by the time February rolls around I'm good and tired of the snow and the cold, gray days that seem to drag on forever. The occasional sunny day is enough to lift my spirits but I know several people, including my mother, who become a little depressed when almost every day seems to start and finish on a gray note. If you or someone you know is one of those people, here are some tips to beat the winter blues, courtesy of Ladies Home Journal.
EXERCISE
Physical activity boosts serotonin levels, which helps lift depression. Head outside for a brisk walk, take a yoga class, or work out on a stair machine.
GET MORE LIGHT
Natural and artificial kinds are both beneficial, so open the shades every morning and turn on more lamps during the day.
Natural and artificial kinds are both beneficial, so open the shades every morning and turn on more lamps during the day.
BE SOCIAL
It's easier to hibernate when it's cold, but getting together with friends and family is a huge mood lifter and more important now than ever.
It's easier to hibernate when it's cold, but getting together with friends and family is a huge mood lifter and more important now than ever.
EAT WHOLE GRAINS
Substitute whole grains for refined carbs -- whole grains take longer to digest, which combats weight gain and helps you avoid blood-sugar spikes.
Substitute whole grains for refined carbs -- whole grains take longer to digest, which combats weight gain and helps you avoid blood-sugar spikes.
If these don't help, consult your doctor to make sure you don't have a physical problem, such as low thyroid function. You could very well have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and light therapy might be recommended.
I hope everyone has a great week,
Laurie
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
WELCOME! Absolute XPress authors!
Ok, you've had an opportunity to read bios, blurbs an excerpts below - let's start the day off with questions for the authors, Friday the 13th superstitions, Valentine's Day plans, or anything else you want to chat about. I'm at work today, so I might be a wee bit scarce, but I'm looking forward to catching up as I can!
Thanks to AXP for being here today - welcome!!
Laurie
Thanks to AXP for being here today - welcome!!
Laurie
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I'm at Romancing the Blog today!!
I'm today's columnist at Romancing the Blog! I hope you'll stop by - let me know what you think!
Laurie
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