A Virtual Wellness Book Club – A Bookish Club

Are you in a book club now? Do you read the book and analyze with friends or show up just ready to have fun and possibly learn something? I’ve been in a number of book clubs throughout the years with different directions.

A Culture Club – No Boy George, just a bunch of fun neighbors sharing our interests together and having fun!

A Wine Club with a Book – Need I say more? Not many conversations about the book, yet still a blast.

Reading Night Out Club – Book reading mandatory. Questions outlined beforehand. Always left informed.

All of the above can be fun and inspirational. Just like picking friends, we have to pick the right book club that fits our wants/needs. I’ve always been more of non-fiction reader and for some reason always wanted a non-fiction book club. So here I am – inviting YOU to join this virtual wellness book club – a BOOK-ish Club.

Dining Out Healthy

I’ve always loved eating out. I have such fond memories devouring meatballs and spaghetti off the children’s menu at east coast diners. As I grew older, my family celebrated honorable report cards, choir concerts, dance recitals and mini-milestones at what I thought were fine-dining establishments: Mandarin Yen or Shakey’s Pizza. Even in high school, after football games, we congregated at Davanni’s, Carbonni’s, Perkins or my all-time favorite, Taco Bell. Whatever happy (often made up) non-traditional holiday we celebrated was at a restaurant. Truth be told, my mom was a fine cook, we just enjoyed the hassle free, family or friend focused meal. My mother also cooked healthy dinners, so dining out included gorging on cheesy pizzas, fried rice dishes and creamy pastas. I know better now that eating out doesn’t mean I have to let go of all inhibitions and start “my diet tomorrow.” While it’s tempting to overdo it, I’ve learned a few tips to keep my diet clean while enjoying a night out for travel, on business or just for fun.

A Smile Experiment for the Holidays

No matter who you are, where you live or what your background is, this time of year tends to be chaotic for everyone. The days are jam packed with work meetings in an effort to get it all in before the holidays; social calendars are filled, often double booked on weekends for both kids and adults; and the shopping trips often create heightened traffic and chaos in our local communities. It’s hard to be zen because everyone is moving in different directions. So many Americans cite the holidays as the most stressful time of year. So, how can we really make this easier on ourselves? Last year, I showcased some of my favorite tips for de-stressing over the holiday season. This year, I want to keep it simple – just smile.

Healthy Veggie Pasta – How to Use a Spiralizer

I was a huge carb eater. I steered clear of Italian restaurants for years because I was afraid I wouldn’t have willpower when a huge, creamy and savory bowl of pasta was delivered to my seat. Now I love little Italian bistros because they often keep in store many fresh veggies and cook with extra virgin olive oil. In fact, one of my favorite local restaurants makes a special dish of sautéed zucchini pasta with veggies in garlic and oil for me.

All-Natural Beauty: DIY Deep Hair Conditioner

I’ve enjoyed playing with make-up and hair since I was a little girl. I still love beauty products, so made an event out of throwing out my old school cosmetics for new clean and green ones. Since I’ve changed my lifestyle to eliminate toxins, I’ve come to appreciate all the many organic and natural products with few ingredients. At first, I scrutinized ingredients myself, then looked to well-credentialed sources like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. This is a fun adventure, but also can be time consuming and pricey. So, I set out to create some of my own. This short video demonstrates how to make a deep hair conditioner using only three ingredients.

All-Natural Beauty: DIY Deep Hair Conditioner

Have you ever created your own beauty products? If so, please share. If not, what is stopping you?