Women’s Independent Press

Along with proper nutrition, air and water, restorative sleep is essential to health and wellbeing. Without a good night’s sleep, we function below our capacity to handle the demands of life, with varying consequences.

The effects of prolonged sleep deprivation cannot be underestimated, and leads to premature aging, hormone imbalances, an increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. According to Mark Mahowald, a professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, any amount of sleep deprivation reduces mental performance, and “one complete night of sleep deprivation is as impairing in simulated driving tests as a legally intoxicating blood-alcohol level.”

Can you harness the power of Feng Shui to improve your sleep? The answer is a resounding “yes”. If you’re tired of not getting your zzz’s, Feng Shui expert Yvonne Phillips can tell you how simple adjustments to your bedroom will make a major difference. With over 20 years of experience in the ancient art of Feng Shui and the author of “Feng Shui ABC: Project for a Weekend”, Yvonne understands how the energy or “chi” that flows around us impacts the quality of our wellbeing. If energy is blocked in our environment, this imbalance and disharmony will inevitably lead to discomfort, irritability, and prevent restful sleep.

This ancient Chinese practice is increasingly in demand here in the west for all areas of life, and Yvonne offers practical Feng Shui tips that anyone can immediately apply to their bedrooms to promote deep sleep that is so needed.

Q. How can “good” or “bad” Feng Shui affect my sleep?
A. The relationship between your environment and sleep quality is closely linked. Feng Shui is about working with energy, and the intentional clearing and arrangement of objects to allow the healthy flow of positive energy, and the dissipation of the negative. For better sleep, it focuses on purposefully working with the proper energy flow in your bedroom, which although invisible to the naked eye, directly impacts your own energy field, the quality of your sleep and overall health.

Q. What are the items in a bedroom that disrupt sleep the most?
A. Any electrical appliance or tech gadget that emits electromagnetic fields (EMFs), such as a plugged-in or wireless device. I recommend moving your alarm clock as far away from your bed as possible, if not out of the room entirely, along with removing your cell phone, computer, electric blanket, and TV. Studies show that EMFs impact the cells in your body, and deplete normal melatonin levels, with low melatonin being a major factor in poor sleep and other health problems. Excessive exposure to EMFs can disrupt normal circadian rhythms, and simply clearing out these devices from your bedroom may be the most important factor to achieve proper sleep.

Q. Once I remove EMFs, then what?
A. The next step would be to clear out any clutter and excess furniture and items which not only gather dust, but block the flow of positive chi. A bedroom filled with clutter causes energy to stagnant and creates a busy and distracting environment. Be sure to clear items from under the bed, the corners and the closet. Healthy energy flow does not follow the motto, “out of sight, out of mind”, and useless clutter piled up anywhere will throw off the energy of the entire room. Achieving a clear “Zen” space is ideal for peaceful sleep.

After the clutter and dust is cleared, consider the lighting in your bedroom. Are your window coverings keeping it dark enough at night? Melatonin production, which is essential to sleep, naturally rises in the dark and is affected by your exposure to light. To ensure proper melatonin levels which make you sleepy, block out any outside light and keep the room as dark as possible.

Q. Does the color of my bedroom matter for getting better sleep?
A. Absolutely; the proper use of color is a major factor in Feng Shui, and will dramatically impact the energy of your room and your ability to sleep. Avoid painting your bedroom red or bright orange, as it is too energizing a color to allow adequate rest. Instead, opt for soothing pastel colors such as green or blue which promotes healing and calmness, or soft cream or beige.

Q. Do you have any advice about my bedroom furniture?
A. Keep the space around your bed clear, with no objects or furniture with sharp corners jutting in. To best support your personal energy, position your bed so you can see the door while in bed, but far enough away so you’re not in alignment with it. Solid headboards made from wood are good Feng Shui, to support the chi around the head, and have a bed with a mattress raised off the floor to allow the flow of chi.

If possible, avoid sleeping under heavy ceiling beams or a slanted roof, which press down on the energy in the room. Remove any sad or depressing art or busy pictures with a lot of people, pulling on your attention. The aim is to keep the energy of the room as clear and relaxing as possible.

Q. Any final thoughts on how to sleep better?
A. Along with cool, fresh air, aromatherapy diffusers are a wonderful Feng Shui tool for improved air quality and clearer breathing, such as eucalyptus, pine or tea tree oil. Soft lighting such as salt lamps is also recommended. Keep all the doors closed at night, including the bedroom door, closet, and the en-suite bathroom door.

Your bedroom should be treated as your sanctuary where you are at your most vulnerable while recharging your energies. Feng Shui for better sleep is about balance, and creating a calm and peaceful bedroom without distraction, while also promoting a good circulation of chi.

Yvonne is certified with Feng Shui Institute International and has trained with world famous Feng Shui Master Lillian Too. As owner of Creative Color & Design, she incorporates Feng Shui principles into both residences and businesses, from small businesses to large corporations. Please visit http://www.fengshuiabc1.com

  or email yvonnephillips1@aol.com for more information.

Julie Ann Monzi lives in Gettysburg, PA, with her husband, 3 almost-grown children, and 5 cats. She enjoys reading, hiking the Gettysburg Battlefield, and watching British mysteries. Julie’s work has appeared in magazines that include “Harpstring Magazine”, “Liguorian”, and “Evangel”. Need a place to de-stress? Check out her blog at www.5minutereflections.blogspot.com

From an early age, I learned the value of women, specifically older women. Mom took me along on her weekly visits to Ruth’s, the hair dresser in our neighborhood. I practically grew up there—as a baby the grandmothers passed me around as my mom got a wash and set.
When I grew older, I loved to sit on the little foot stools and listen to the women talk. I couldn’t wait for the day when it would be my turn to stick my head under the dryer like they did. As I rode my bicycle around the neighborhood, it seemed strange to see these women sitting on their porches or working in their gardens. They looked so different without their curlers and plastic robes.
In elementary school, my relationship with these ladies changed. Not seeing them weekly with my mother, I got to spend time with them on my own.
Mrs. Snyder lived next door. I loved going to her house with the lace doilies on the armrests and the ticking grandfather clock. It smelled of Mrs. Snyder’s own sweet scent and fresh baked bread. We’d sit at her dining room table and look at old pictures while she’d tell me stories of her childhood. It fascinated me to see pictures of my hometown looking so old and different in black and white. I wish I could remember her stories now.
In the spring, a row of lovely hyacinths, purple and pink, grew in Mrs. Snyder’s back yard. One morning she pulled a pair of scissors from her apron pocket and carefully cut a bouquet for me to take home. I gripped the flowers tightly and presented them to my mom. Afterward while I was playing, I took a sniff of my hand. It smelled overwhelmingly of Mrs. Snyder’s personal fragrance from where she handled the flowers. I refused to wash my hand all day.
Another woman from our neighborhood was Mrs. Vrotney. She’d known me, like the others, since I was a baby, but I related to her better when I became an adult. Mrs. Vrotney attended a make-up demonstration I conducted at my mother’s house. As a wanna-be saleswoman of cleansers and eye shadow, I asked the group, “You wouldn’t wash your hair with soap, would you?”
Mrs. Vrotney laughed and said, “Yes, I do it all the time.”
Trying not to get flustered, I tried again. “Well, you wouldn’t brush your teeth with soap, would you?”
Everyone chuckled.
Later in private, as Mrs. Vrotney bought the cleanser and foundation, she said, “You know, when I was little, I did brush my teeth with soap, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to mess you up.”
I was grateful.
Several years later I married and eventually had children of my own. When I was pregnant a third time, tests showed my baby might have Downs Syndrome. Mrs. Vrotney became my prayer champion. She sent me prayer cards and even a hand written prayer that she prayed daily. Thank God, my son was born healthy.
Mrs. Vrotney told me in her later years that she didn’t know why God kept her around, but she figured it was because even though she couldn’t do much, she could still pray.
When my children grew older, I volunteered at the local nursing home. I met several lovely women, two who hold a special place in my heart.
I met Aunt Ethel, as she asked to be called, as I was leaving the building one afternoon. She was sitting in her wheelchair out in the sunshine. I sat down beside her, and we talked. She told me about her son with Downs Syndrome who passed away when he was almost 20 years old. She talked about grief and dealing with what life brings.
“You can’t fight life,” she told me. Those words rang true for me as I had been struggling against my own life and the changes time had wrought.
The second woman from the nursing home that I carry in my heart is Sylvia. She would scoot down the hall in her wheelchair, using her feet to propel herself. Whenever she’d see me, she’d smile and throw her arms open for a hug.
When I visited her room, she’d show me her angel collection—pillows, statues, and pictures—and give me Tootsie Rolls to take home to my children. Her positive outlook amazed me.
Once she handed me a piece of paper that she’d torn it out of the nursing home newsletter. “This made me think of you,” she said.
It contained a quote by an anonymous writer: “Some people come into our lives and go quickly. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never ever the same.”
I was touched beyond words. Sylvia warmed my heart at every visit. I never imagined she felt the same.
These lovely ladies are gone now, but they have truly left their footprints on my heart. And the profound lessons they taught me have become a part of me: take time to really be with someone, pray through all life’s situations, know when to keep your opinions to yourself, flow with life instead of against it, and let others know how you feel about them.
These important messages we could all hear if we would just take time to listen to the wisdom of the women in our lives.

Habits For Health Rejuvenation
Dr Kathleen Hartford Author Fit, Fun and Fabulous At Any Age

1. Be certain to adequately hydrate your body. Just as you cleanse the outside of your body you must also clean the inside. To ensure you are getting adequate amounts of water calculate 2/3rds of your body weight in ounces or .66 X your weight. Not everybody can reach this goal overnight however make it your target number and you will be rewarded with increased energy, vitality and health! Be certain to utilize filtered water, our tap water is filled with pollutants from industrial chemicals to pharmaceutical drugs which our purification facilities cannot remove.

2. Healthy eating in a restaurant can sometimes be a challenge, to ensure the healthiest meal follow these guidelines:
• Order a double order of vegetables or salad rather than the potatoes, pasta or bread that is offered.
• If having a soup stick to clear broth soups and avoid the hidden fats of cream based soups
• If having a large salad either bring a light dressing from home or have the dressing on the side. Simply dip each bite lightly into the dressing and you will be amazed how little you actually consume. Lemon squeezed onto a salad is often times enough flavoring to substitute as a dressing
• If out for Chinese opt for the vegetable stir-fries, when adding a protein turkey, chicken or seafood is your best choice.

3. Be aware of subtle weight gain around your mid section for both yourself and your children. This could be an indicator that you and your children are experiencing accelerated aging due to metabolic syndrome.

People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States; an estimated 80 million Americans have it. This syndrome is characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors that occur in a person. They include:
• Abdominal obesity (fat tissue in and around the abdomen)
• High blood fats, high triglycerides and high LDL cholesterol
• Low HDL cholesterol
• Elevated blood pressure

To ensure that you and your loved ones do not fall prey to this health destroying syndrome be certain to avoid simple sugars and processed carbohydrates. Follow this guidelines for a healthy plate; have your protein portion be the size of the palm of your hand and allow the rest of your plate to be filled with vegetables and low glycemic complex carbohydrates.

Rather than having sugar laden sweets after dinner enjoy a warm cup of caffeine free tea or a small serving of fruit or nuts, in fact dates combined with pecans are wonderful and quickly filling. They taste just like pecan pie without the calories and excess sugar!

4. Regular Exercise is the true fountain of youth. It is the one activity that will positively affect ALL of the Biomarkers Of Aging. Biomarkers of aging are measurements that indicate how quickly your body is aging of the cellular level. As we age typically lose 6.2 pounds of muscle each decade this rate of loss accelerates after the age of 45. We also lose about 30 percent of our muscle cells between the ages of 20 and 70. The loss of both muscle cells and muscle mass adversely affects so many areas of our health, including:
• Decreased blood sugar tolerance
• Declining metabolism
• Increased body fat
• Reduced aerobic capacity
• Loss of bone mineral density
Sounds like a bit of a bummer, right? Well only if you are a committed
couch potato. Studies prove that with the right exercise, individuals in their sixth, seventh, eighth and even ninth decade of life can expect improvements in strength and muscle cell size comparable to younger people doing the same amount of exercise. For women, this is especially good news in the area of osteoporosis (Bone Health is assessed in Biomarker 10). This is why so much emphasis is given to physical activity and strength training when we are committed to reversing the accelerated aging process!

5. Consider utilizing a Medical Food and specific formulations of targeted nutrients:
Imagine new generations of Medical foods that are scientifically-based for the management of specific health conditions associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic fatigue syndrome, and more.

These medical foods along with an anti-inflammatory diet were shown in clinical studies to reduce Total Cholesterol by 16%, triglycerides by 45%, increase good cholesterol by 6%, improved fasting insulin by 25%. It lowered body fat by an average of 15 pounds and supported a 5 pound increase in lean muscle mass. And best of all there were NO side effects except, of course, a measurable increase in health!

Consider starting your day with one of these medical foods as your breakfast. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s a great start toward rejuvenating your health! For more information on Medical foods visit www.drkathleenhartford.com

http://www.womensenews.org/story/business/110711/women-assets-demand-inclusive-company-boards

www.womensenews.org

Women are scarce on the corporate boards of leading companies; just 15 percent. As shareholders and networkers we can apply financial and social pressure to change that.

Women may be only 15 percent of corporate boards on Fortune 500 companies, despite what we’ve known for a long time: Women make 85 percent of the purchasing decisions about the products and services offered by those companies.

Journalist Amaya Gorostiaga, in an article in Business for Social Responsibility, writes that women control $20 trillion globally in annual consumer spending, a number that could hit $28 trillion in five years.

Facts like that rumbled into the annual meeting of the Women’s Funding Network earlier this year and electrified the global alliance of 166 non-profits that invest in women and girls.

It led us to consider a key question: Why not apply a gender lens to for-profit investing? Why not leverage our shares of stock to advocate for more women on boards?

Hundreds of women who lead women’s organizations and foundations were in the room. Many have personal assets and own stocks, which means they have an ownership stake in the companies that can be used as a tool for advocacy.

They also have information: In 2004 the Securities and Exchange Commission began requiring publicly traded companies to disclose in their proxy statements details about the director recruitment process.

Jacki Zehner, a former partner at Goldman Sachs, and Joe Keefe, president and CEO of Pax World Funds, led the discussion, which focused on bottom-line reasons to invest in companies that include women on their boards.

By the end, Zehner and Keefe urged shareholders to vote no on all-male corporate board slates.

“We can withhold support for all-male director slates, or instruct whoever is voting our proxies to withhold such support,” Zehner said. “If enough investors ask this of their investment advisers–or their retirement plan administrators at work, or their mutual fund managers–then we can begin to make a difference. In fact, if we each wrote a letter to the companies, and enclosed it with our proxy ballot, letting them know why we are saying ‘no’ to their board slates, the companies we own would begin to get the picture.”