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My husband and I just returned from our “try to make it until spring” trip.  I wanted to give you some tips I’ve finally mastered as far as traveling in these new times.   When I was young, I would throw a few things in a bag, and buy what you forgot when you got there!  I would always over pack and end up lugging around things that I never used.  Not any more.  Not only do most airlines charge to check a bag, yes you read that right, even one bag, packing efficiently is more important than ever.  In addition they weigh your bag now and will charge you a fee if it is overweight.  Plan out your outfits for your trip.  Keep in mind that if you are going to a warm destination you will probably spend most of your time in a bathing suit and cover-up.  I always think I’m going to change for every meal from my suit to a cute sun dress…guess what?  It very rarely happens.  So instead invest in some cute cover-ups!  They look great at resorts. I also used to bring my good jewelry.  No more!  I found that the inexpensive things that you can find at Kohl’s or even the dollar stores work great.  They can be trendy and colorful and look great on vacation.  Ditch the flip-flops.  No one under 25 can rock a pair.  They offer no support and are not easy or safe to walk around in un-chartered territory.  Instead invest in a couple of pairs of sturdy, low-heeled sandals.  They can go from pool to restaurant and make your legs and you look better.  I wear sneakers to the airport and they double as my work out shoes.  It’s important to do something for a workout, even on vacation.  In fact, especially on vacation!  Chances are you are going to eat and drink more.  The last thing you want is to come home from vacation and find that you’ve gained weight.  I’m not suggesting you spend your vaca in the resort gym.  What I like to do is walk around the area in the morning for my work-out.  It’s a great way to see the sights and help you decide what you’d like to explore during the day.  Let’s talk about your carry-on.  Now that some of us have medication that we take daily don’t forget to put those in your carry-on.  Nothing is more aggravating then having to figure out how to get your prescriptions forwarded to another place, especially if you are traveling out of the country.  Another great tip…invest in some over the counter medicines for UTI’s.  Why?  Because if you are a hot tub lover like me, coupled with wet bathing suits and maybe some added frisky vacation behavior the possibilities of getting a UTI increase.  The last thing you want to do is spend your valuable vacation time sitting in a walk-in to get meds!  Another great tip is to put all your travel information in a folder that you keep in your carry-on.  Include an envelope for receipts.  It keeps everything in one place and easy to access if necessary.  I also hav e a copy of my passport in my checked luggage.  I have traveled with someone who’s pocketbook was stolen when we arrived at the airport and she spend the first day of vacation getting a new passport.  Having a copy makes the process easier and faster!  Last but not least, if at all possible, shut off your phone.  During our last trip we didn’t have phone service.  I didn’t realize with my new carrier that I needed to request it ahead of time.  You know what?  It was actually great not having to worry about it!  Most of all, have fun and be thankful that you have your health and the ability to travel!

Winter is a wonderful time of year. It allows you to catch up on indoor projects, kills bugs and refreshes our soil and water table. There is nothing like the beauty of that first snow. There is no dust in the atmosphere when it snows, and the air is pristine and healthy.   Unfortunately, there are some downsides. There is less sunlight and we don’t spend as much time outside. Thanks to all our modern inventions (like electricity), it’s really easy to become disconnected from our natural rhythms. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, this can lead to all sorts of health problems, including SAD, insomnia, overeating, and depression.  Winter  brings colds, sinus infections and the flu.  Here are some tips to help with your spirits and health as we begin 2019.

As you count down the days until spring, take this time to make a conscious effort to get your home environment back in tune with nature.  Set up your spaces to take advantage of natural light—say working by a window during the day—and make sure to turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime.

Other things that you can do to keep your spirits and health up is to incorporate Aromatherapy in your day to day living. Aromatherapy is a healing therapy using aromatic essential oils to improve the health of your body mind and spirit.  What is an essential oil?   Oils that are derived from raw plant material such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots, seeds and the peel.  In most case distillation is the process used to extract the oils.

Aromatherapy can enhance both your physical and emotional health.  Incorporating it into your life is really quite simple.  You can diffuse it into the air, mix it with a carrier oil or apply it directly to your skin.  You can also add a few drops in your bath water or in a spray bottle with some water and use it as an air freshener or linen spray.

Here are a few essential oils and their benefits:

Citrus oils have long been known to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Simply put, SAD is your bodies’ response to not having enough natural sunlight.  For some people it can be so severe that they use light therapy to help.   Citrus oils such as orange, grapefruit and lemon have been shown to brighten your spirits.  Why do you think there is lemon in household cleaners?  We should all be happy little cleaners!  In Japan they diffuse lemon in the air ducts of factories to make workers happy and work faster.

Peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oils are great for any respiratory problems. Combined or used alone

Last but not least let’s talk about stress.  Being inside with our loved ones isn’t always easy! Lavender works great to relax your central nervous system.  A few drops applied directly to the temples, spritzed on your pillows before bedtime or even added to your favorite tea will do the trick. I hope this information helps make your winter of 2019 fantastic!

I run workshops on Aromatherapy, making your own body butters and scrubs and vision Boards.  If you’d like to be on my email list kindly send me your email at SixtiesAndSexy@gmail.com, just put add me to your list in the title!

I find that it’s not as easy to work-out in the winter.  I have a gym membership but the thought of going out in the cold to go sweat somewhere and then getting back in a cold car….well just plain BRRRRRRR!  It’s good to have several choices.  Today I’m going to bundle up myself and my puppy, Lucas, and head over to my “Walk and Talk”, at our local park in RI, Rocky Point.  It’s a 2 mile walk along the water.  I’m hoping the beautiful sunshine will make me feel great and of course there is the view!  Other things that I do is look for workouts on You Tube.  You can find anything from yoga, weights, H.I.T.T workouts and more.  Even doing something for 15 or 20 minutes is beneficial.   Moving in anyway is good for your soul and your heart!  Give it a try!

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Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

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This was my fear as I was in my mid-50’s.  I noticed a few pounds creeping up on me.  I’ve never been really over weight so this was just that pudge fat…you know, the pounds that make your jeans tight and causes you to have love handles.  I would go on a “diet” and lose the 4-6 lbs only to see it return!  I tried everything…Weight Watchers, South Beach, cabbage soup, you name it I tried it.  they all worked, while I was doing them but as soon as I went back to life the weight would come back.  What I learned is I had to unlearn everything I thought to be true about weight and weight gain.  I had to quite focusing on the scale and start focusing on nutrition.  It took a while but finally I got it!  Did you know that it’s 80% nutrition and 20% exercise? It’s so hard to undo years of diet, deprivation thinking.  Now I work out less and eat more!  Message me if you’d like more information on the nutrition plan that I use!