Rose of Sharon Jewelry

I returned to Weight Watchers after many years and pounds and am glad to report the new Points Plus system works! I’ve lost over 22 lbs in the past 8 weeks!

Mom joined me 2 weeks ago and lost 1.8 lbs the first week. We eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks – including dessert every night. The program is easy to follow and I’m loving the iPhone app along with the online tracking system.  It makes it so easy to keep track of whatever I want to eat even when we dine out!

I’ll be checking in regularly to share the power of changing to a healthy and satisfying diet!

To learn more, visit the Weight Watchers site today! You don’t need to be a member to find great, healthy recipes and learn how to improve your diet.

Today is the first post in a series devoting to educating women (and men, too) on strokes. What you don’t know (or ignore) can kill you!

As readers know, my Mom (Betty of Rose of Sharon Jewelry) suffered a stroke in the wee hours of January 3rd. Thankfully she was aware enough to call a neighbor for help or this story might have a much different ending. As of today, she is getting CAT scans and a neurological check-up in preparation to be released from a care facility. She’ll be able to return home with the assistance of my brothers, niece, church members and her beloved “second family" – Bret and Theresa Anderson and their extended family.

Overall her health has returned to about 90% (happy dance here) but she has lasting conditions which require extended recovery and continued medical supervision. Her blood sugar has been erratic during this stressful event and she has memory and mental agility issues.

The plan is for her to come to our Sparks, NV home to recuperate! We are excited and think that the stimulus of working on Rose of Sharon Jewelry, exercising with me and keeping up with her great grandsons will be really good for her.

What is a stroke?

A simple explanation is that a block clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks within your brain. It is a kind of “brain attack” that cuts off blood flow to a portion of your brain.

This disruption in blood flow causes the brain to swell and cells to die.

Depending upon which part of your brain is damaged, the results can affect speech, movement, memory or even death.

Here are a 10 facts to get your attention and keep reading this series.

Stroke Facts

1. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
2. Strokes are the #1 cause of long-term disability.
3. Every 40 seconds someone suffers a stroke.
4. High blood pressure is the most important (but not the only) risk factor for strokes.
5. Strokes can strike at any age. One fourth of all strokes strike people under 65!
6. Stroke symptoms are different for women than men.
7. More women (about 55,000 per year) have strokes than men.
8. African Americans are almost twice as likely to have a stroke.
9. Strokes cost (directly and indirectly) over $73.7 billion annually.
10. Acting fast can make all the difference in recovery and long-term prognosis.

• Monday’s post will cover the different types of strokes.

Want to learn more now? Check out the American Stroke Association.

The mind is a powerful tool in dealing with breast cancer. Today’s post shares ways to strengthen your mind and spirit to travel thru cancer successfully.

Betty (Mom) is a 20-year cancer survivor and Arden (hubby) has been free of lung cancer for over 25 years. Today, I’ll share a 5 tips that helped them travel successfully through cancer.

Believe in Life

The common belief that “they were not going to die” was prominent in their minds. Mom believed God didn’t want her yet and Arden felt this wasn’t how he was going to die. This focus on life instead of death can be a tough one (and may be fleeting from day to day) but it sets your mind on the right path.

Calm for Life

Multiple studies have shown that meditation has powerful benefits on our physical and emotional health. When you are dealing with a life-threatening illness, your emotions are in charge. With a body on high alert, its natural ability to heal itself is compromised.

Being able to calm your inner dialogue, lower your blood pressure, relax your muscles and keep your immune system working efficiently is extremely important when you are dealing with any type of cancer.

You can learn to mediate from a book (there are plenty available) but the best and fastest way to learn is through a class, audio book or video. Many gyms and health spas around the country offer meditation classes. You can also locate a class or tutor through a Buddhist monastery or temple.

I listen regularly to the Buddhist monk, Pema Chodron. Her voice is calming and her approach is excellent for beginners.

Walk for Life

Some of us find it difficult to silently mediate in a sitting position – walking meditation is a perfect solution (plus you have the added benefit of a mild exercise).  You’ll find easy to follow instructions on various web sites such as YogaTeacher.com and this YouTube video of the well-known monk Thich Nhat Hanh from True Sounds Video.

Google “walking meditation” along with your city and you’ll find classes, groups and churches which teach and sponsor walking meditation events.

Read for Life

Mom spent time reading the Bible for confidence and comfort. Arden discovered a book which he has given away repeatedly over the years that I’m recommending today.

The Cancer Conqueror by Greg Anderson was Arden’s bible during his cancer battle. There are multiple editions available through Amazon resellers and this book is  worth seeking out. In fact, Arden keeps an extra copy in his bookshelf to give to someone facing the words – it’s cancer.

Share for Life

Family and friends are important part of your support system; however, they are also personally dealing with your cancer. When the diagnosis is breast cancer, seek out a support group who can listen, share and give you advice without “owning” your problem.

Many women have found deep and personal connections through cancer support groups. During your physical and/or emotional weak points, you’ll have a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on and another person to listen with you as your doctor’s discuss treatments and prognosis.

Please share this post with anyone you know who is dealing with the Big C. Whether they are the patient, family member or friend, these 5 bits of advice can work wonders.

Promote breast cancer awareness on your Facebook status.

Quick – can you explain a personal or career goal to me right now? Here’s 5 tips to help you achieve your goals and explore new ones.

Goals are more than dreams. They are guideposts along life’s journey. If your goal is to win the lottery or become a NBA Superstar – perhaps you aren’t grasping the actual purpose of having a goal. Sure you could spend all your money on quick picks or shoot hoops until dark every night – but winning the lottery is still an uncontrollable long-shot and unless you’re an athletic teen with scouting potential – well you are just fooling yourself!

Step #1 – Start with your biggest dream and define it. Create a dream journal where you explore all the aspects of how it would feel to reach this ultimate goal, why you want it and what are the requirements needed to achieve it. This will help you learn your goal’s potential and is how you’ll recognize the success steps along the way. As the cliché goes, it’s the journey not the destination.

Step #2 – Feel it, taste it, smell it, visualize it – this is your passion. Passion is what will keep you on the path when it seems lonely and long. Without passion, why bother? If you don’t have passion in your heart and gut – rethink your goal and redirect your efforts.

Step #3 -  Why do you want it – what does it give you? Wealth, fame, satisfaction, happiness, spiritual peace, personal challenges? The WHY is actually a reality check. Sometimes it’s the emotions surrounding the goal that are what we are seeking and not the perceived goal itself. Not all dreams are realistic and attainable but the emotions associated with the dream can be. Look for the “feeling” reasons to assess your goal’s viability.

Step #4 -  Review and create a priority list of the requirements necessary to reach your goal. Break these down into small tasks (think under 30 minutes).

Rank the tasks by Must Do, Helpful and Long-term.  You should plan on completing 10 Must Do’s to every 4 Helpful and 1 Long-term. Keep an eye on the ratio so you don’t get bogged down in non-critical tasks. It’s easy to get lost in the “well-at-least-I’m-doing-something” non-critical tasks instead of taking real action. Don’t let FEAR sidetrack you!

If you need to get a Master’s Degree, don’t write down Master’s Degree! Break it down into tasks such as obtaining your college transcripts, scheduling a meeting with a college advisor, researching loan programs, applying for a grant or visiting a campus.

Step # 5 – Set firm deadlines for your Must Do tasks. Be realistic about how much time you’ll have to hike towards the pinnacle (goal). Missing a deadline isn’t the end of the world but as with any investment it’s small regular actions that are the foundation of great rewards. Deadlines are a promise to yourself and you deserve to feel the sense of accomplishment (success) that reaching each deadline gives you.

I’d love to have you share your goals with us here. A public announcement (just like a pledge of love through marriage) is a powerful step in being successful.

Addicted to shopping? Paying only with credit cards? Want true wealth? Today’s Wealthy Wednesday blog post asks Do I Really Need to Buy That?

The upside to the recession is an opportunity to rethink our spending habits. American’s are shopping addicts – our economy is actually based upon overspending. But it has left us all vulnerable to economic factors beyond our control. The result is we’ve got a lot of stuff but not a lot of satisfaction.

Buy – buy – buy! Did you know that the average American sees more than 7,212,400 messages to buy during our life?

Overspending is often used to fill a “hole” in our lives. But the results aren’t just detrimental to our bank account – they also hurt everyone around us. As Americans, we consume a greater percentage of world resources than any other group.

Do I Really Need to Buy That?

The Millionaire Next Door books revealed that people with financial wealth typically answer that question with a firm NO!

Green proponents also know that living “without” isn’t living a life of austerity – it’s a life where you are fully in balance with the world.

If you feel uneasy about your buying habits, you should take a close look at why you spend and how you spend your money. Decide why you want to make a change and take the challenge – stop buying anything that isn’t about a life necessity for 30-days. It takes 28 days to break a habit, so take the challenge today.

Buying habits are hard to break as they come from a place within where we keep our childhood memories, our image of ourselves, fears, confidence levels and are part of how we soothe ourselves in a busy, hectic and often impersonal world.

I found some great questions on the Mother Nature Network to help keep your buying in tune with your true desires!

Create a little list to keep in your purse, wallet or Smartphone and review it whenever you find yourself staring at a storefront display. I’ve added some personal tips and tricks to each question.

1. Is this purchase something I need? Need is subjective but be honest – do you really need that new eye shadow?
2. Do I already own something that will serve the same purpose? Don’t get caught in the latest-and-greatest trap. Ads are there to make you feel like you are missing out if you don’t buy the newest version when you already own the last two.
3. Can I borrow one instead of buying new? Tools and equipment are obvious things to borrow. I’ve even known of neighbors who pooled together to buy and share. Also, you’d be surprised at what you can rent. You can even rent designer handbags! The link in the question takes you to another great article.
4. Can I make something that will serve the same purpose? DIY is more than saving money – it’s also a way to learn new things, share experiences with family and friends and discover hidden talents.
5. Can I buy a used one? Craig’s List is filled with items for sale, Thrift, pawn and consignment shops offer everything from old romance novels to designer dresses.
6. Would someone be willing to split the cost and share this with me? This works best with items that are used for short spurts or are “used” once per person (like books).
7. Can I buy or commission one made locally? As a handmade jewelry artist, I love this one as it brings value to everyone. Buying handmade is still buying but the impact your dollar is directed were it can make a difference in a life.
8. Can I buy one that was made with environmentally responsible materials? Researching before buying has never been easier thanks to the Web. Take time to learn before you may a purchase. There is even an iPhone app for that – Good Guide.
9. Can I buy one that serves more than one purpose? Which makes more fiscal sense buying an apple corer or a great paring knife?
10. Can I get something human powered instead of gas or electric? For example, the best mower for a lush lawn is a push mower. Plus you get some exercise. Being powered doesn’t necessarily make it a better piece of equipment.
11. Can I compost or recycle it when I’m done with it? Unless your a hoarder, eventually you be “done” with an item, thinking ahead can mean you aren’t creating any more trash.
12. What is the impact on the environment of the full life cycle of it? Hubby works for a manufacturer of PVC decking materials. The life cycle is decades upon decades longer than that of treated wood commonly used. You not only save on wood, you also eliminate all the chemicals used to treat, clean and maintain a wood deck. This minimal impact over a long life cycle makes the decking quality as a certified green product.
13. Does the manufacture, sale or disposal of it damage the environment? This can be a tough one to determine like the paper vs..... plastic controversy at the grocery store. Is organic product trucked hundreds of miles better than local grown non-organic fruit? Corn-based ethanol fuel sounds like a great idea but did you know it takes a gallon of oil-based fuel to make it? What did you gain?

It is still buyer beware when it comes to determining green products. Remember there are no official recognized (legal or voluntary) consensus of what is a Green Product. Don't assume because a product has a “green” logo or say so in ads – that it actually is Green.

Today’s Wealthy Wednesday post features the 5 books which I pull off the shelf first to help me express myself – and none has Webster in the title!

Pictures are great but it’s the words that close a sale, convince a disbeliever, inspire an action and share a thought. As a professional writer, daily blogger and Rose of Sharon Jewelry marketer, I’m always looking for the right word.

Dictionaries are great (especially the online versions which are much more forgiving of spelling errors). But frankly, the definitions are pretty boring and don’t make for great sales copy. A Thesaurus can help but the synonyms aren’t always something one would naturally use in conversation. So what do I do?

When all else fails and you don’t have just the right word for it – check out these great books!

Better than Webster’s

The first book off the shelf is always the Flip Dictionary. As the cover says, “For when you know what you want to say but can’t think of the word”.  This isn’t just for us 55+ writers! My copy (purchased in 2002) has gotten a lot of use.

Words Do Sell

The next book I discovered in a San Jose bookstore on Lincoln Avenue was Words that Sell. This small book has been the inspiration for product names, catalog copy and sales letters. This is a must own if you write any product descriptions.

I found Phrases that Sell in 2001 on Amazon.

I was thrilled when I found More Words that Sell in Amazon in 2004.

Learn from the Master

If you don’t have a marketing background, invest in copywriting guru, Robert Bly’s tome, The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells. (I do and I still use this book to inspire me!)

As a professional writer, I consider these books as investments in my career and a valuable part of my reference library. I would suggest that if you regularly write anything more than a tweet or Facebook post that you spend the $15 immediately on the Flip Dictionary. It’s a very easy-to-use book (your kids will find it much friendlier than a traditional dictionary, too).

As my Flip Dictionary says: There’s more than one way to say Good-bye – Adios – Aloha – Adieu – Farewell – Sayonara – Aloha.

If you pay your bills with your SmartPhone, you need to read today’s Wealthy Wednesday blog post. Learn about the pitfalls to this time saver.

Most of us have been paying bills electronically – via automatic payments and web sites – for some time so why not make your payments from your iPhone? The biggest reason is your financial safety!

It seems Federal Laws protecting you from identity theft, fraud, abuse, misuse and errors haven’t caught up with the mobile age. No law specifically establishes consumer protection and liability rules for these mobile phone transactions.

When using a credit card, your bank is required to limit your risks to $50. When using a debit card, your risk limit jumps to $500. Some banks have implemented “zero liability” offerings as part of their marketing campaigns but Consumer Reports advises there are plenty of loopholes to get caught in.

I learned in researching this blog post that prepaid cards (mostly used by people with poor credit or by parents with teens) have almost no consumer protections!

When making mobile banking transactions, any of the above regulations may apply depending upon where the funds come from, where the funds go and basically how your bank interprets existing regulations.

“Consumers should not be expected to figure out what protections apply to each competing new payments venture,” said Consumer Union staff attorney Michelle Jun. “Regardless of the technology or business organization involved, the same high level of consumer protections should be guaranteed by law and contract for any payment service. Now that mobile payment ventures are emerging in the U.S., it’s time to harmonize and extend consumer protections for all payment services.”

Consumers: Beware When Using Mobile Banking

Until the laws catch up with technology, you must be proactive in protecting yourself when using mobile banking. In the end, it’s always the consumer who must make an informed decision. The links below provide you with more information on mobile banking pros and cons.

• The Defend Your Dollars organization offers excellent advice for consumers interested in using mobile banking services.
• You can also read more at Mobile Payment Systems Leave Consumers at Risk
• Mobile Banking Risks from Identitytheft.com