Thank You Lord & Taylor

I just wanted to thank the wonderful people at Lord & Taylor at Monmouth Mall for taking the time to get me ready for this year's Poinsettia Bash.

Kelli O'Connor, a sales manager in the dresses department, spent a good three hours picking out clothing for me and running back and forth to the dressing room while I tried everything on and got her opinion. She pulled possibilities from gorgeous sequined dresses to rock-and-roll-chic outfits for me to wear on stage. From boots to accessories, undergarments to jackets, Kelli has an eye for creating a great look.

I never thought to use a personal shopper to help me choose an outfit, but it made my shopping experience so much more enjoyable. She even grabbed an umbrella for me before I left in the downpour! I also want to thank Tracy, the store manager, for her input and help in putting my outfit together and making those final decisions as to what I was going to wear, plus checking in every once in a while to make sure I had everything I needed. I really felt welcomed.

Sharon Pasquariello at the Chanel counter did my makeup just like the girls on Lipstick Jungle have theirs done for the show. I felt very glamorous!

And finally, thanks so much to Lindsay McAndrew at the Nars makeup counter. She is incredibly knowledgeable about makeup AND hair, and took the time to style my hair exactly the way I wanted it for the Bash.You girls are awesome! And thanks to Tracy and Lord & Taylor for giving away so many great prizes, from necklaces to designer handbags to designer jeans to Uggs Boots, at our special listener event last Saturday morning, too!

Bobby Flay Comes To Monmouth Mall

After having famed chef Bobby Flay in our studios I finally had a chance to go to Bobby's Burger Palace, which is adjacent to Monmouth Mall (same parking lot) on rt. 35 in Eatontown.What a surprise!

Here's a restaurant that is actually different from anything else out there. First of all the decor is great fun, and I loved sitting at the serpentine-shaped bar. The people-watching is perfect from there!The menu is fabulous: amazing juicy, griddled burgers with toppings from all around the country (and you've gotta taste his 'crunchified' versions with potato chips on top!), griddled cheese sandwiches, salads, sweet potato fries and french fries, Bobby's special mouth-watering sauces and toppings, and the richest shakes you've ever tasted.

What's really cool about BBP is the way the food is served. There's a giant menu on the wall when you walk in, and you place your order with a cashier. You'll then be handed a number card to place on the table after you choose your seat, either at one of the bars or at one of the long, soda-fountain-esque tables. You'll have your whole order after only about ten minutes placed right in front of you by servers who do not work for tips.

If you decide that you'd like that shake or another one of their great bottled sodas, there's a quick re-order line. No need to wait on line or for a server to get to you (although they are very attentive to supplying extra napkins or anything else you might need.)

This is a fun joint for the whole family -- perfect for a quick and deliciously filling meal as you shop or before or after a movie....or just for a fun lunch or dinner with your friends or co-workers. I highly recommend it and will have to go back several times myself just to taste all of the different mouth-watering burgers on the menu!

Thanks, Bobby, for coming to Monmouth County!

Holiday Travel Tips

Holiday Travel Tips from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to help speed your way through airport security:

1. Don't gift-wrap carry-on items. Security officers are required to remove it. Wrapped gifts should be packed in your checked bags.

2. Don't bring remote-controlled toys as carry-on luggage. You can put them in checked bags.

3. Pies (and other food like gingerbread, cookies, etc.) are permitted as carry-on items.

4. Jams and jellies are considered gels and are therefore subject to the 3-1-1 rules if brought as carry-on items. They must be in containers no bigger than 3 ounces, and they must all fit in one 1-quart clear zip-top plastic bag. Otherwise, wrap them carefully to prevent breakage and put them in your checked bags.

5. Every airport with more than one security lane now has a designated 'family lane', but you don't need to be traveling with children to use it. These lanes are open to anyone who doesn't want to be rushed and just wants a few more minutes to remove shoes and coats or deal with other items. Travelers carrying medically necessary liquids of more than 3 ounces should also use the family lanes. And some good news for the future: Checkpoint X-ray machines are being upgraded with advanced technology that can distinguish between liquid explosives and beverages, so they're considering making changes some time next year on the ban on liquids over 3 ounces.

Staying Healthy Through Flu Season

Here are some tips to keep you healthy through cold and flu season, by boosting your immune system:

1. Exercise can help calm the mind and body, plus cardio and strengthening help boost the immune system. Just one bout of vigorous exercise can increase circulation, which means white blood cells are on the move to defend your body.

2. Antiseptic mouthwash, flossing, and brushing can improve not only your dental health but it may help fend off other illnesses. Poor oral hygiene and gum disease have been linked to more seriuous illnesses, including diabetes.

3. A natural antioxidant found in red apples, broccoli and green tea may give an immunity boost under stress.

4. Stop worrying about getting sick. Fear and worry decrease your immunity, so focus on how good you feel and skip thinking about the cold you don't have!

5. Up your vitamin intake. There's a worldwide vitamin D deficiency, and we seem to lack enough vitamin C, too. Get a little sun, drink some milk, and grab some citrus.

6. Mind over body. A positive attitude can increase levels of nitric oxide, which help to balance neurotransmitters, improve immunity, and increase circulation.

7. Meditating can produce significantly more flu-fighting antibodies.

AND THE TWO BEST WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY: Wash your hands and get enough sleep!

TV's Hottest Hunks

#32 Lyle Waggoner at Major Steve Trevor

TV's HOTTEST HUNKS OF ALL TIME Here's the list:



50. Wentworth Miller

49. Alex O'Laughlin

48. Jack Wagner

47. David Boreanaz

46. John Corbett

45. Jon Hamm

44. Luke Perry

43. Paul Michael Glaser

42. Patrick Duffy

41. Mario Lopez

40. Chace Crawford

39. David Duchovny

38. David Hasselhoff

37. James denton

36. Michael Landon

35. Rob Lowe

34. Gary Dourdan

33. Jonathan Rhys Meyers

32. Lyle Waggoner

31. Jimmy Smits

30. Dean Cain

29. Jared Leto

28. Lee Majors

27. Eric Dane

26. Chris Noth

25. Blair Underwood

24. Eddie Cibrian

23. Johnny Depp

22. John Schneider

21. Harry Hamlin

20. Jason Lewis

19. Matthew Fox

18. Jensen Ackles

17. Benjamin Bratt

16. James Garner

15. Ashton Kutcher

14. Erik Estrada

13. Pierce Brosnan

12. Chad Michael Murray

11. Don Johnson

10. Tom Selleck

9. Michael Vartan

8. Mark Harmon

7. Taylor Kitsch

6. John Stamos

5. Tom Welling

4. Taye Diggs

3. Josh Holloway

2. George Clooney

1. Patrick Dempsey

O Tannenbaum

Tips for Keeping Your Real Christmas Tree Safe This Season:

1. Gift Wrapping. While many people are aware that the heat from Christmas tree lights can ignite dry trees, it's also important to remember that the heat can also set gift-wrapping paper on fire.

2. Check for breaks and frays. When unpacking holiday lights, check for breaks, frayed and damaged lights. Don't mess around trying to fix them. Just throw out all damaged strings of lights.

3. Wash the stand. Wash the tree stand with a capful of bleach and a cup of water before inserting the tree. Microorganisms can block the tree's ability to drink the water.

4. Make a fresh 1-inch cut. When you bring home a fresh Christmas tree, make a 1-inch cut at the base of the tree to open up pores clogged by sap, which will allow the tree to drink.

5. Water the tree daily. Most natural trees every day absorb between a quart and a gallon of water. If the tree is not regularly watered, a seal will form and no more water will be absorbed.

6. Keep candles away from the tree.

Cycle For Survival

Memorial Sloan-Kettering is raising money for cancer research with their third annual Cycle For Survival coming up January 25th. Get your friends together at your local gym to spin on a bike and help a great cause. Online registration for indoor team cycling will benefit research on rare forms of cancer that lack the funding to support advances in treatment.

You can register to participate via a secure web site at cycleforsurvival.org These rare cancers include devastating forms like high-grade brain tumors and multiple forms of leukemia. Those wanting to participate in Cycle fo Survival can register satellite teams of any size. Non-cyclists can register as virtual participants to support the cause, or donate to a Cycle for Survival team or participant. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to support advanced research on these cancers. For more information, visit cycleforsurvival.org

Taking Better Holiday Photos

One of my favorite co-workers passed along these tips for taking better holiday photos:



Instead of indoor pictures where there's low light and the pictures turn out overly yellowish, take your photos in the morning or late afternoon outside where the light is most flattering.



To capture holiday lights, shoot in the evening before it gets dark.



Use continuous (or burst) mode to capture the kids opening gifts. That way, you won't miss the candid moments.



Talk to your kids while you photograph them to bring out their personalities.



Take family photos early on in the celebrations. Your guests will look their best and the kids won't be cranky.



And finally, don't spend too much time behind the camera. Take time to enjoy the holiday!

Pass The Cranberries

We know that cranberries have UTI-fighting properties, but they also defend you from cavities and ulcers. A recent issue of Phytomedicine reports that cranberries seem to possess an 'antidocking' mechanism that keeps bacteria at bay.

To make a fun holiday recipe, mix fresh or frozen cranberries with the dried kind, then add chopped apples, oranges, pineapple, cherries, pecans, and a little sugar to taste.

Music=Better Test Scores

According to a new study, children who study music for at least three years score higher on cognitive tests than those who don't. The kids who've had musical training do better on tests of vocabulary and non-verbal reasoning.

This new study just adds to the value of music. Past research has shown music can bring back strong memories, reduce stress, and even boost athletic performance. Study results show kids aged 8 - 11 who had studied either piano or a string instrument had 15% higher vocabulary scores and 11% higher non-verbal reasoning scores.

The longer the child was musically trained, the higher the scores. Experts say music involves grasping patterns, and the non-verbal reasoning task involves grasping patterns. You have to pay attention to the pattern of sounds, and you also have to pay attention to the pattern of the notes when you're looking at music notation

Happy Healthy Thanksgiving

Some tips from health experts on simple ways to make Thanksgiving dinner more healthful:

1. No frying. Roast your turkey instead.
2. Whole Grains. Replace some of the white bread in your stuffing recipe with whole-grain bread.
3. Avoid second helpings.
4. Eat slowly. Savor the meal and your company. The slower you eat, the less you'll eat since your body will be able to tell you that it's full.
5. Avoid the pie....or at least the pie crust. Most pie crusts are made with either lard or shortening. Either way, they're full of fat.

Mariel's Bakes

Mariel is a 15 year old who attends Freehold Boro High School. Ever since she was a little girl she has loved baking. As she got older she also became interested in healthy eating. Now she's created "Mariel's Bakes", baked with love and ingredients that love you back.

She's decided to use her bakes to help raise money for the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. So far she's raised almost $1900! Her goal is to raise a total of $3000 by Christmas. Mariel's Chocolate Lover's Basket is $55Mariel's Holiday Time Basket is $65Mariel's Health, Happiness, and Prosperity Basket is $75 Five dollars from each Mariel's Bakes Gift Basket is being donated to the MCCAC. Her goal is to sell 200 baskets.

To order, please call Mariel 732-972-0325 or emailrgoldenmd@aol.com I, personally, have tasted Mariel's amazing chocolate cake and it is the best I've ever had and can be included in a gift basket. You can also see a picture of her Bakes on the Lou & Liz page at 943thepoint.com.

Good luck, Mariel, and thanks for your involvement in the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. You're setting a great example for students throughout Monmouth County.

Know Your Medicines

The New Jersey Poison Control Center strongly urges you to ask your health care provider or pharmacist questions about your medications to avoid placing yourself or a loved one at risk of developing a complication by not knowing the active ingredients in a particular medicine or the proper way to take it.

Make sure to get the following questions answered before taking any medication:

- The name of the drug and what it's used for, and whether it's the brand name or the generic- How and when to take the medicine and for how long- What foods, drinks, other meds, dietary supplements or activities to avoid
- The common side effects
- If the medicine will work safely with other prescriptions and over-the-counter meds and dietary/herbal supplements that you're currently taking
- If and when you might need a refill
- How the medicine should be stored

You should inform your health care provider of the following:

- The name of all prescription and non-prescription meds and dietary/herbal supplements you are taking
- If you are allergic to any meds
- If you are having any problems with your meds
- If you are or could be pregnent
- If you are breast feeding

Keep the Poison Help Hotline number posted in case of emergency: 1-800-222-1222

Best Places To Raise Children

Business Week has released its list of the best places to raise children. This year, they went state by state. They took towns with at least 50,000 residents and a median family income between $40,000 and $100,000 and then narrowed the number of towns down based on school performance, number of schools, household expenditures, crime rates, air quality, job growth, family income, diversity, and museums, parks, theaters, and other amenities. School performance and safety were weighted the most important, but amenities and affordability were important, too. And since one of the most important factors was affordability, many otherwise great towns didn't make the list because they are too expensive for most people to live there. To see the list, go to businessweek.com

Six Reasons Why Women Cheat,

Six Reasons Why Women Cheat, according to relationship experts:

6. It's payback time. When a woman catches her man cheating, she figures she's got a right to a little indulgence of her own. She may heal her hurt feelings by having an affair with another man.

5. Her ego needs a boost. She can be in a relationship with a perfectly wonderful loving man and still need extra affirmation that she's sexy. Having an affair is an easy way for her to be reminded that she's desirable.

4. The fantasy has fizzled. The romance fades and the woman realizes the guy she married is not the hot fantasy man she fell in love with. Instead he's a mass of irksome habits that are starting to get under her skin.

3. The passion has fizzled. Some women are in pretty good marriages. Things are good, the kids are fine, the husband's okay - but she's bored and needs some excitement. She feels a casual affair may put some zing back in her days.

2. Parallel lives. He wants to shoot pool with his buddies or watch football in his free time; she'd rather go antiquing or watch a romantic movie. When couples start doing things separately, the odds of her connecting with someone else who shares her interests increases.

1. Familiarity has bred indifference. The most common justification for infidelity heard from women who have cheated is that they feel taken for granted. She and her man discuss what the kids did in school, which bills need to be paid, when the car needs an oil change and whether they should paint the house, but they haven't really TALKED in a while about hopes, dreams and ideals - the stuff they spent hours discussing in each others' arms before they had kids, car payments and a mortgage.

Tips for an exceptional, superb, and powerful life

My girlfriends have been passing around a list of tips for an exceptional, superb, and powerful life:
1. Take a 10 - 30 minute walk every day.
2. Sit in silence for at least ten minutes every day.
3. Record your late-night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning, figure out your purpose for the day.
5. Live with energy, enthusiasm, and empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books.
7. Make time to practice yoga or prayer.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 8.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants
11. Dring green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, salmon, broccoli, nuts, and extra dark chocolate!
12. Make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear the clutter from your house, your car, and your desk.
14. Don't waste your energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you can't control.
15. Realize that you are here to learn. Problems can teach you life lessons.
16. Eat a big breakfast and a light dinner.
17. Smile and laugh more.
18. Remember that overall, life is good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it doesn't screw up your present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'.
24. Burn the candles and use the nice bed sheets. Don't save it all for special occasions. Make today special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. When you think something is a disaster, ask yourself how much this will matter in five years.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals. Give it time.
30. However bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family and friends often.
37. Each night before bed be grateful for what you have.
38. Feel blessed and not stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. You only get one, so make the most of it.

Things You Should Keep In Your Car For An Emergency

Things you should keep in your car for an emergency:

A quart of engine oil
Radiator coolant
Weatherproof flashlight
Drinking water
Folding shovel
Fire extinguisher
Flares Reflective warning triangles
A can of air/patch for flats
Jumper cables

And for personal safety and comfort:

A basic first aid kit (bandages, dressings, waterproof tape, latex gloves, antiseptic wipes, wound ointment, cold packs)
EpiPen and antihistamine if you are allergic to bee stings
Mylar blanket
Toilet paper or paper towels
Pre-moistened towelettes or hand sanitizer
A whistle (you can blow longer than you can scream)
Portable radio for emergency bulletins without running down your car's battery
Spare clothes that can get dirty or help keep you warm
Gloves
Sturdy shoes in case you have to walk for help

Five A Day To Feeling Better

According to a think tank, a "five-a-day" program can improve your mental well-being, just like eating fruit and veggies enhances your physical health.

There are five basic things to encourage behavior that will make you feel better about yourself. More than 400 scientists helped compile this report to create the list of things you can do to make yourself happier. The five steps to happiness are:

1. Connect. Develope relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to enrich your life and bring you support.

2. Be active. Sports, hobbies like gardening or dancing, or just a daily walk will make you feel good and maintain mobility and fitness.

3. Be curious. Note the beauty of everyday moments as well as the unusual, and reflect on them to help you appreciate what matters to you.

4. Learn. Fix a bike, learn an instrument, take cooking lessons, etc. The challenge and satisfaction of learning brings fun and confidence.

5. Give. Helping friends and strangers links your happiness to the community and is very rewarding.

The Best Dog For Your Sign

According to some Astrology researchers:

Aries: The American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff) is a confident dog that makes a loyal and devoted companion for Aries. They are very trusting and friendly dogs, and if you assert yourself like a true Aries, they'll be obedient companions.

Taurus: The German shepherd -- intelligent, loyal, obedient, and easy to train. These dogs can be serious, like many Tauruses, but they are known for being great watchdogs, which helps put Taurus' mind at ease.

Gemini: Border Collies are super intelligent and lively, learn fast and are eager to please, which makes them easily adaptable to the Gemini world. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation just like Geminis do.

Cancer: The Labrador retriever is the ideal dog not only for their sweet-natured, loving ways, but also because they are wonderful family pets. Labs are extremely friendly and mild-mannered, with a laid-back attitude; perfect for a family-centric Cancer sign.

Leo: The grand, loyal, and honorable Bullmastiff is Leo's type of dog. This huge dog is sure to turn heads wherever you go, giving Leos the attention they crave. But they're also cheerful, confident, attentive pets-- all characteristics that make any Leo dog owner swell with pride.

Virgo: The noble Weimaraner is perfect for Virgo. They're strong-minded and independent, and have almost boundless energy. Once these dogs know they can depend on you, you can depend on them to reacdh their full potential.

Libra: Affectionate and gentle, the Whippet is a charming dog with a peaceful demeanor. They like to run and play, but they're also happy enjoying the comforts of home. This make them more comfortable with Libra's indecisiveness than other breeds. They love attention and will appreciate your creativity when it comes to finding activities to enjoy together.

Scorpio: As a strong and powerful Scorpio, you probably don't see yourself with a small dog like a Chihuahua, but you may be surprised to find they're a good fit for Scorpios. They are curious and very loyal, demonstrating quite a jealous streak if another pet or person is getting more attention than they are. Just like Scorpio!

Sagittarius: Sagittarius needs a dog who's as happy at home as they are on a road trip, and that's a Golden Retriever. The breed has a great social personality and real passion for life. If Sag is up for doing it, so are they!

Capricorn: Pugs are tenacious and devoted but also have a cheerful way about them, much like the typical Capricorn. These dogs don't need a lot of maintenance and respond well to training.

Aquarius: Aquarius will want to consider the gracious Rhodesian Ridgeback. They're intelligent, which Aquarius can appreciate, and also very independent and willing to follow the road less traveled with Aquarius.

Pisces: Faithful, affectionate, and maybe a tad lazy, the Saint Bernard is a huge dog with a huge heart -- Pisces' perfect pooch! Saint Bernards are typically very calm, patient, and loyal, like Pisces. These dogs need companionship and Pisces is usually willing to accomodate the Saint Bernard's needs.

Manage Your Cravings

These six foods can help make your cravings more manageable and help you eat less:

1. Apples -- High-fiber foods like apples usually need more time to chew, giving your body extra time to recognize that you're no longer hungry. Therefore, you're less likely to overeat.

2. Pine Nuts -- Pine nuts contain the highest amount of protein of any nut or seed. And they contain a poly-unsaturated fat that stimulates two powerful hunger-suppressing hormones, which then signal your brain that you're no longer hungry.

3. Flaxseeds -- Raw flaxseeds are great for controlling appetite. One ounce also provides the added benefit of 8 grams of fiber. The more fiber you eat an any meal or snack, the slower the rise in your blood sugar, helping to keep hunger at bay. You can toss flaxseeds onto salads, throw them into smoothies, or sprinkle them on veggies. They also lower cholesterol and have cancer-preventing properties.

4. Oatmeal -- Real oatmeal is one of the healthiest carbs. It enters your bloodstream slowly and keeps you full for a long time. Eating one bowl a day can reduce cholesterol up to 23%. For breakfast or as a snack, a small bowl makes an excellent hunger reducer. Add a handful of pine nuts or sprinkle on some ground flaxseed for longer-lasting fullness. You can even mix in a little peanut butter.

5. Salad -- If you want to avoid overeating, eat a small salad before a meal. The fiber helps slow the entrance of sugar into your bloodstream, making you feel fuller. Be sure to make it a small salad and avoid using a lot of creamy dressing or adding fattening toppings like croutons and cheese.

6. Soup -- Soup is one of the best things you can eat for appetite control and weight loss. The secret is the combination of high water and low calories. Just make sure to choose broths or vegetable soups, not the creamy ones. People who eat 2 servings of low-cal soup a day usually lose 50% more weight than those who eat the same amount of calories in snack foods.

Recalls

A couple of recalls that you might want to keep an eye on:

Potential salmonella contamination forces the recall of bags of Special Kitty Gormet Blend dry cat food sold at Walmart. It carries expiration dates of Aug. 11th '09 and a product code that starts with 50. The company recommends discarding it and returning the empty bag to the store for a refund.

Sherwoodbrand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins (covered in the shiny gold foil)are being recalled because they may contain melamine.

And a panel of science advisers wants the chemical bisephenol A banned from use in plastic baby bottles for young children.

I just want to thank Dr. Lombardi in Eatontown and his wonderful doctors and staff for their recent contributions to some amazing causes. They've recently donated to events that serve the children of Monmouth County and breast cancer research. Not only that, but they help women (and men, too) feel so much better about themselves. Whether it's breast reconstruction after surgery or a lift like breast augmentation, liposuction, Botox, Juvederm, or any of a number of services, these doctors are awesome!

Algonquin's Family Series

The Algonquin presents a wonderful Family Series that is just an amazing way to introduce your children to all that theatre can be.Here's what's on the agenda.

Sun., Nov. 2: PBS's Mr. Steve. PBS's music teacher performs his award winning songs that blend participation, clever lyrics, and great melodies. Entertaining, interactive, and educational....a parent's dream!

Sat. Dec. 13: Cirque Spherus. Greg Kennedy is a two-time gold medal International Juggling Champion who delights and fascinates with new forms of juggling using light, motion, energy, and gravity. And he's joined in this production by two aerial acrobats performing on trapezes, silks, and spinning hoops that will defy the imagination.

Fri. Jan. 23rd, 2009: The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the beloved book by Margery Williams, this is the story of a plush toy bunny coming to life because of the transforming power of a boy's love. This production offers surprises galore, including larger-than-life puppets and spectacular magic.

Sun., Feb. 8, 2009: Rainbow fish. The loveliest creature in the sea learns the meaning of true friendship when she is asked to share her beautiful scales with others in this shimmering musical.

Sat., April 4, 2009: Seussical, The Musical. Dr. Seuss's best-loved stories collide in this musical caper adapted from the Broadway version especially for young audiences.

Sun., May 31st, 2009: Junie B. Jones: Outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie stars in a musical about new friends, new glasses, and the annual kickball tournament. The Algonquin is on Main Street in Manasquan. Check them out at algonquinarts.org

Holiday Travel

As you start planning your holiday travel, one little piece of information on your ticket can actually help predict the likelihood of a delay-free trip this season - the scheduled arrival time.

In the past five years, 86% of November and December holiday flights that were scheduled to arrive between 7 am and 8 am arrived on time, giving that hour the highest punctuality of any Department of Transportation-measured time slot.

Forbes compiled a list of the best times to fly to avoid delay: Top five morning arrival times to avoid delays:
1. 7 - 8 am
2. 6 - 7 am
3. 8 - 9 am
4. 9 - 10 am
5. 10 - 11 am

If you're not an early-morning person, then try for just after lunchtime. Top five afternoon/evening arrival times to avoid delays:

1. 1 - 2 pm
2. 2 - 3 pm
3. 3 - 4 pm
4. 11 pm - 6 am
5. 4 - 5 pm

Ways To Beat Stress

Here are some ways to beat stress. We can always use a refresher!

1. Start your day right. Try, as hard as you can, to wake up in a good mood. Get a good night's sleep. Have everything prepared for the morning so you're not scrambling around. Wake up and give thanks for all that you have in life. And, very importantly, get some food in your belly before you head off to work, because hunger will make you cranky.

2. Read an inspirational book. A good book might be all you need to escape for a little while and release the tension you've accumulated during the day. It's also uplifting to read other people's stories and struggles. It's another way of feeling that you're not alone while suffering bad days.

3. Daydream. 10 - 20 minute rest breaks are vital. When you're stuck in a mindless routine of work, just sit back and start thinking of happy and funny things. Or get out of your chair and get some fresh air.

4. Call someone you love. When you're exhausted, it's easy to forget that you do it all for your family. So call your significant other or your kids, laugh a little and get back to work with a more positive attitude.

Long Branch Columbus Day Parade

Come join in the fun at the Columbus Day parade in Long Branch this Sunday (October 12) at 1 pm. The parade steps off from the corner of Broadway and Rt. 36 and proceeds up Broadway. The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, one of the sponsors of the parade, specializes in pediatric cancer patients and provides support to the families. Their mission is to provide specialized services, at no charge, to any local family facing the challenges of caring for a child with cancer. Taking part in the parade will be several high school bands including Long Branch, Shore Regional, and Monmouth Regional. There will also be floats, antique cars, and much more. Area businesses are invited to participate in the parade free of charge; a wonderful way to advertise your business while celebrating this special day!

Phone Call From Ellen

If you were to get a phone message from Ellen Degeneres telling you to get checked for breast cancer and live healthier, would you do it? She hopes so. she's produced a personalized phone messages to remind you to get a mammogram. Ellen's mom is a breast cancer survivor. You can sign up for a phone message from Ellen to go to a friend or family member by going to oneaday.com.

Events For The Family

The Monmouth County Park system has some interesting events coming up for the whole family:

The historic Longstreet Farm at Holmdel park on the 12th will hold a blacksmithing demonstration and you can take part in the corn harvest on the 18th and 19th. October 19th is Thompson Park Day in Lincroft.

For the kids, the Monmouth County Park system's Sunday Smilers begin October 19th and continue through February. Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose, Pinocchio and Super Circus Stuff shows will be held in the Tatum Park-Red Hill Activity Center in Middletown.

And Monmouth County Park staffers have scheduled a couple of easy hikes for October. The Three Mountain Ponds Hike on the 11th is five miles through Blairstown. On the 21st there's a three mile hike through Norvin Green State Forest. Get registration details online through the park department web page.

World's Largest Hokey Pokey

On Saturday, November 1st, it's the largest Hokey Pokey ever (hopefully!) at the beach and boardwalk in Belmar at 2pm sharp. (Rain date Sunday, Nov. 2nd)This is an attempt to get in the Guinness Book of World records.

Grab friends, neighbors, and anyone you've ever or never Hokey Pokey'd with and, of course, your kids. The event will raise funds and awareness for the Julianne and Emily Hendrickson Fund for Children. Their mission is to break the cycle of welfare and poverty by using the values taught through outdoor experiences and education. the fund has paired up with Longacre Expeditions to work with at risk teens to build teamwork and leadership skills.

Register in advance or the day of the event.

Lt. Brian Brennan "Stands Alone" Trust.

US Army 1st Lt. Brian Brennan, a 23 year old Howell resident and graduate of Howell high School, was severely injured on May 7th, 2008 from an attack while leading a patrol in Afghanistan.

Brian had been in Afghanistan for only two months when the IED exploded under the Humvee he and four others were traveling in. Brian was one of only two to survive, but he suffered severe injuries. Brian was found in cardiac arrest. He was transferred to a field hospital, where it was found that he had sustained an acute brain injury, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, a ruptured spleen, multiple compound fractures in his arm, and a shattered femur bone. Both of his legs had to be amputated.

The Brennan family has made enormous sacrifices and has dedicated their lives to Brian's recovery. Brian will need lengthy therapy and the Brennan family home must be modified to accommodate Brian. You're invited for a night of fellowship and good food at Mulligan's Restaurant and Grill in Farmingdale on Monday, October 13. 20% of every check will be donated to the Lt. Brian Brennan "Stands Alone" Trust. For more information call 732-642-9234 or 732-938-6641.

Top Ten cholesterol-Fighting Foods

Here are the Top Ten cholesterol-Fighting Foods, according to the experts:

1. Soy. Use it as a replacement for meat and cheese to help your heart by slashing the amount of saturated fat that you eat. Tofu, soy nuts, soy flour, and enriched soymilk are recommended.

2. Beans. Except for your morning wheat bran, no food is more fiber-rich than beans. Eat a cup a day of kidney, navy, pinto, black, chickpea, or butter beans.

3. Salmon. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids which help lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol, raise 'good' HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. Also found in white albacore tuna canned in water, rainbow trout, anchovies, herring, sardines, and mackerel.

4. Avocado. A great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. They pack more of the cholesterol-smashing beta-sitosterol than any other fruit. Eat one a day!

5. Garlic. Lowers cholesterol, prevents blood clots, reduces blood pressure, and protects against infections, and helps stop artery-clogging plaque. Pick up a tub of freshly peeled cloves. Chop up and toss on everything. Aim for 4 cloves a day.

6. Spinach. 1/2 cup a day guards against blindness and heart attacks.

7. Margarines. Two are proven to help lower cholesterol: Take Control and Benecol. The only side effect is reduced beta-carotene absorption. so make sure you eat extra carrots, spinach, sweet red peppers or sweet potatoes.

8. Walnuts, Cashews, and Almonds. They also have vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and phytochemicals linked to heart health. Aim for 2 tablespoons five times a week.

9. Tea. Whether it's iced or hot, delivers a blast of antioxidant compounds. both green and black have higher antioxidants than a serving of fruit or vegetables. Drink at least a cup a day.

10. Chocolate. The dark or bittersweet kind. The flavonoid antioxidants keep blood platelets from sticking together. You can find it in Mars Dove bars.

Flat Belly Foods

Prevention Magazine says there are five flat-belly foods with the power to truly transform your body and lengthen your life. The secret is their magical 'good fats'.

1. Oils: Canola, flaxseed, olive, peanut, pesto sauce, safflower, sesame, soybean, sunflower, or walnut oil.
2. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, Brazil nuts, dry-roasted cashews, chunky natural peanut butter, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and tahini.
3. Avocado
4. Olives: black or green
5. Chocolate! Dark or semisweet! I'd love to say eat as much as you want, but I'm sure they mean in moderation......a serving size is 1/4 cup.

I'd bet you need to exercise and lose some fat to have a flat belly, too, but it sure doesn't hurt to have a reminder about good foods every once in a while.

One suicide is one too many

But there have been an alarming number of teens suicides in the shore area and the community wants to do something about it with two upcoming events. On Sunday, September 28th, from 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm, a presentation will be held by Rev. Dr. William Librizzi, PsyD and the staff of Wellspring Counseling Service to discuss the warning signs of teen suicide and steps that parents and friends can take to help prevent a tragedy. They'll discuss teen depression and practical ways to help at-risk teens at First Baptist Church on South Street in Manasquan.

Also, a Manasquan High School student has announced an October fundraiser inspired by the recent deaths of several area teens. The event will make teens aware of the 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline, a 24 hour toll-free number teens can call to speak anonymously, confidentially, and honestly - without judgment or repercussion - with a trained adult. The fundraiser will be held Sunday, October 12th, from 2 - 6 pm at Sunsets on the Shark river in Neptune. 100% of the money donated will go to 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline, the Andrew Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Timothy Schenke Light of Hope Award. Tickets are available at Surf Taco in Belmar and Manasquan, 3rd Ave. Surf Shop in Spring lake, Mussuttos Market in Wall, Exit 98 on the Belmar Boardwalk, and La Dolce Vida in Belmar. You can also purchase by calling 180 Turning Lives Around at 732-264-9140.

Rowing Marathon

Rowing Marathon will take place on October 5th at 9 am in Avon. It's a 42,000 meter marathon. There's an entry fee of $24 per person with a four person team. All proceeds go toward the Nicholas Leather Heart To Heart Foundation to raise money for families who have a young child suffering from congenital heart defects.

The money will go towards family costs for prescriptions and other items that can't be afforded while they are staying at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Thank You

I just wanted to thank my friend and make-up artist Leigh Ann Borrelli from Vanity 101 cosmetics for her generous donation to help the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center.

For those of you who could use some help getting ready for an event or even for work in the morning or a fun night out, Leigh Ann offers some excellent advise on makeup, fashion, and general helpful hints in a column she writes called "Vanity 101 with Leigh Ann" which can be found on FarRunningFatMan.com. You can even ask Leigh Ann beauty-related questions and she'll answer them in future blogs.

9/11: Seven Years Later

Brookdale Community College invites you to view a moving 9/11 film documentary by our friend, award-winning photographer and videographer Gary Gellman. (click 943thepoint.com and see the videos he made for the Radiothon).

Other local artists joining in the tribute will be Monica Watson, Helen Antholis, Dana Cohoon, Harriet Cook, and Andrea Tarr. You're invited to a Meet The Artist Reception on Thursday, September 11th from 5 - 7 pm. the free exhibit will continue on display on the Lincroft main campus at the BAC (Business Administration Center near parking lot 3) first floor lobby location from September 11 - 29.

Gary's powerful and emotional documentary interviews residents who were in the Twin Towers as it was hit and the first responders who placed their lives in jeopardy during the clean-up effort. Dan Sakowski was in the South Tower when the North Tower was hit. Mark Charles Giles tried to save a man's life on the Mezzanine level as the Towers almost came down on him.

The interviews were recorded at the Mount Mitchell Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands, which is the site of the 9/11 memorial overlooking NYC. Following the tragedy, Veronica Yankowski went to NYC to photograph the aftermath. She was escorted by Port Authority officers to Ground Zero to take pictures of what was left of the World Trade Center where she documented the work of police officers and firefighters working 24 hours a day in search of survivors. She will be exhibiting a collage of photos taken immediately after and during the week following the disaster. Viewing hours will be 8:30am - 5pm. For more information, call 732-224-2746.

YMCA of Western Monmouth County's annual Golf Outing

The Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center offers supervised, supportive activities to as many as 200 children a day in the summer and during the school year. Approximately 25 children a day enjoy the community center after school and on Saturdays. All of the children who visit the center are Freehold Borough residents, and most are between the ages of 8 and 13.
At the Center, girls and boys can participate in a variety of free activities such as the Youth Leaders Club, the Youth & Government Program, as well as obtain homework help and participate in fitness activities. Their participation is made possible through the YCares Financial Assistance Program, which offers scholarships to anyone who wants to join the Y family but does not have the financial resources to do so. Each year the YMCA earmarks funds for the operation of the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center.
Your participation in upcoming events will help to continue to provide these very needed services to these deserving children.
One upcoming event is the YMCA of Western Monmouth County's annual Golf Outing. It takes place Monday, October 6th, at Battleground Country Club. For information, contact Annie Stattel at 732-462-0464, x. 132, or by email: astattel@ymcanj.org
Another upcoming event is "America On The Move Week", where you can improve your health and have some fun at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County on September 20th. Registration begins at 10 am and a one mile fun walk begins at 11:30 am. Call 732-462-0464, x. 154, or go to ymcanj.org

Jackson Day

Saturday, September 6th, Jackson Township will hold it's annual Jackson Day beginning at noon with the Jackson Day Parade. This year's theme is "Support Our Troops". At 1 pm all the vendor and food booths will open, along with games and rides for the kids. The first band will begin playing at 3:30 pm. Great impersonators will be on hand, too, like Bon Jovi, rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, and Madonna.

Trop Rock Festival

The Trop Rock Festival will be held Saturday, September 21st, from 1 - 7 pm at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are available at newhopefoundation.org. Proceeds will benefit New Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Marlboro which provides treatment for alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions.

Potty Training Tips

I just read my umpteenth article on the experts advise for potty training. And it's the usual:

---take your kid shopping for fun underwear
---get your kid a personalized potty chair
---play musical potty chair as a game to get the kid to sit on that chair
---get the kid some new books to read on the bowl
---read your kid a children's book about the bear who finally went to the potty or whatever
---create a routine around potty time
---and the one I keep hearing over and over: set up a sticker chart.

Now......that all sounds lovely, especially if you have the PERFECT CHILD. But I have found that a sticker on a chart does SQUAT (no pun intended) to motivate my precocious little boy to use the toilet. Even poop jokes (which he LOVES) don't help.

So, if you're a mom like me who's in this predicament, I have one word for you:

Bribery.

Yeah, that's right, I'm THAT mom. And I don't care!!! It works!!!

Latchkey Child Safety Tips

Louie Delaware, The Home Safety Guru, has created his Latchkey Child Safety tips. Here are some of them:

1. Remind your child, once they get home, to quickly close and lock the door.
2. Have them call you once they are inside the house to let you know they are safe.
3. If your child comes home to a door that is open, a window that is broken, or a ladder against a wall, tell them to not go in and instead go to a neighbor's home and call you.
4. Instruct them to not answer the phone unless they know who it is. If they do answer it and the person asks for their parent, instruct them to tell them that their parent is home but can't come to the phone.
5. Tell them to never open the door to someone who they are not familiar with. If someone does ring the doorbell or knocks, tell your child to be quiet until the person leaves, or, if they have to, have them talk through the locked door telling the person that their parent is home but can't come to the door.
6. Have a printed list of emergency contacts posted somewhere where your child can easily see it.
7. Make sure your child knows all of the phone numbers where you can be reached.8. Make sure that dangerous items are under lock and key, like alcohol, firearms, and poisons.

Job Hunting Myths

According to staffing firm experts, here are six common job-hunting myths:

Myth #1: You should keep your resume to one page; any longer, and hiring managers won't read it.
TRUTH: Most employers won't throw out your resume because it's too long, especially if it's interesting to read. But most execs polled say it takes just one or two typo's to remove you from consideration for a job opening.

Myth #2: It's pointless to request an interview with a company that isn't hiring.
TRUTH: Many employers will grant you an "informational interview" if you show genuine interest in their company. Although it probably won't result in a job offer, it can help you network and find out about future opportunities with the company.

Myth #3: If you've applied for a position and haven't heard back, it's safe to assume the position has been filled.
TRUTH: It's not uncommon for hiring managers to be so busy that it takes them as long as two months to contact you after posting the ad. Take action to see where you stand. Most executives say you should contact hiring managers after submitting a resume whether by e-mail, a phone call, or personalized letter, within two weeks of submitting a resume.

Myth #4: The most qualified candidates always get the job.
TRUTH: Employers, in addition to taking into consideration education, skills, and experience, also depend on intuition when making a decision. Some of the other things taken into consideration: your ability to get along with the rest of the team and your personality.

Myth #5: There's no room for salary negotiation in today's job market.
TRUTH: Demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply. Researching how much those with similar qualifications are being paid will help you negotiate a reasonable rate.

Myth #6: When times are tough, take the first job offer you get.
TRUTH: An extended job search can put pressure on you to accept any offer that comes your way. But in the end that can cause you more stress than happiness. If you're already in a job you hate, don't go from one bad job to another. Hold out, if you can financially, for a position with maximum appeal.

Congratulations!

A big congratulations to the South Wall 11-year-old All-Star team! They won the State Little League title for their age group, beating Pennsville. They went undefeated throughout the tournament. The boys played with heart and determination. Good wishes from everyone in Wall!

"We HaveTo Talk..."

Lou asked a panel of his male co-worker friends, most of whom are married or in committed relationships, how they think it's best to breach the topic of "Honey, there's something we need to talk about" so that it doesn't sound like the wife/girlfriend is getting ready to yell at him or make him feel 'wrong' about something. Here's what the guys say are good ways to approach "the talk":

5. Make it matter-of-fact instead of dramatic. Don't resort to histrionics or crying or get all serious like "we must sit here with no interruptions, or cry and say "let me finish" if the guy interrupts.

4. Ask the guy's opinion on how the problem can be solved so he doesn't think you already have your mind made up on how this is gonna go down.

3. Start with a positive. Compliment your man on something he did RIGHT or does WELL before getting into a problem you have with the way he is.

2. Establish a reward. Tell your man that if he does THIS for you, you'll give him THAT, or do SUCH AND SUCH for him.

1. Do it in an email or note. Then maybe you'll both have a chance to express yourselves prior to a sit-down conversation, paving the way for a smoother meeting of the minds once you DO have the talk.

My question to you, girlfriends, is what do you think of the mens' ideas? Please feel free to respond at louandliz@943thepoint.com. Do you have your own ideas on the best way to approach a conversation that you're dreading? What's YOUR advice to the men on how it should be handled?

Dial-A-Breakup

Now you can dial your breakup!

A free new phone service called Slydial makes it easier to bypass awkward moments by not actually having to talk to anyone! Slydial lets you connect directly with another person's cell voicemail, bypassing the ringing process that usually results in someone picking up on the other end.

The co-founder of the company says he came up with the idea because everybody has gone through the scenario where they've called someone and just hoped they got voicemail so they didn't have to have a conversation they'd rather not have! Users call (267) SLY-DIAL and are prompted to enter the person's cell number that they want to call.

After playing a short advertisement (unless you pay a subscription fee or 15 cents per call to skip ads) Slydial puts you directly into the voicemail of the person you want to leave a message for but don't want to talk to!

I haven't tried this myself, but I LOVE the idea!!!

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Saturday, September 27 is the 2nd Annual Avon Walkathon for the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation.Bring the whole family. No preregistration required. Music, food, and fun for all!

There's a one mile, three mile, or five mile walk to raise funds for ovarian cancer research. The walk is sponsored by Prime Woman Magazine at the Avon Boardwalk Pavilion. Registration begins at 8 am. For more information, visit primewomanmag.com

Graeme Preston Memorial Soccer Marathon

12- year-old Mia O'Brien is working hard on a very special project for her Girl Scout Silver Award. She is holding the "Graeme Preston Memorial Soccer Marathon" in honor of her former soccer coach's son who died from injuries sustained in a car accident last March.

Freehold Soccer League, the Freehold Township Parks and Rec, and the Battle of Monmouth are all working in conjunction with her project. The marathon is Aug. 23rd from 8am to 8pm at Opatut Park in Freehold Township. Other traveling teams and participants of the marathon include the Freehold Township High School and Feehold Boro High School girls soccer teams, and adult teams are eligible, too.

In addition to the continuous playing of soccr, there will be other fun stuff. All proceeds will benefit the already instated "Graeme Preston Foundation for Life".

Pay-As-You-Drive

An auto insurance company is offering drivers in our state discounts of up to 60% if you install a high-tech monitoring device. The wireless devices will tell Progressive how many miles are driven, and how fast you accelerate and hit the brakes.

Under the pay-as-you-drive concept, good drivers will get discounts and those who speed could face surcharges as high as 9%. New Jersey will be the 5th state to offer this option. The program will begin Aug. 8th. Think you're brave enough to do this if it'll mean saving money? An interesting concept!

New Jersey Afterschool Directory

We now have a new tool to find programs to keep our kids occupied and cared for when they're not in school. The New Jersey Afterschool Directory allows parents to look up programs for children in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. The programs are aimed at watching over children before school, after school, and during the summer. Go to njafterschool.org

Highest Paid Actors

Forbes Magazine is out with a list of the highest paid actors for the year:

Will Smith earned $80 million, the most of any actor. Johnny Depp isn't too far behind with $72 million. "Shrek" co-stars Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers each pulled in $55 million for the year. Leonardo DiCaprio has been working on movies that will be released in the future, earning him $45 million. Bruce Willis, Ben Stiller, Nicolas Cage, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler round out the top ten of Best-Paid Actors.

As for actresses in Hollywood, the latest info shows Reese Witherspoon makes the most, at $20 million a film, followed by Angelina Jolie, then Cameron Diaz and Katherine Heigel.

(Five out of the top paid men in Hollywood are funny guys....and five are the hot ones! Just like in real life for many women, two of the top attributes of being attracted to a guy: they're really cute OR really funny!)

10 Minute Workouts

If you simply can't squeeze in 45 minutes of exercise a day, even though you know you need it, experts say 10-minute workouts can be your best friend!

One study shows that women who do ten-minute bouts of exercise throughout the day lose nearly a third more weight than those who exercise in one 30- to 40-minute chunk three times a week. Other studies show that all it takes is accumulating an hour of walking a week. You can do that!

Multiple short workouts are also more effective at lowering the blood fat that increases your heart attack risk and raising 'good' cholesterol than a continuous 30-minute bout. Some research shows women who squeeze in three 10-minute walks most days of the week lose nearly twice as many inches off their waistlines as those who do single 30-minute sessions.

And experts say men and women who do two 15-minute workouts 4 days a week improve their cardiovascular endurance twice as much as those who work out in a single 30-minute routine 4 days a week. Mini-workouts deliver such powerful results because you're more likely to do them!

The Number One Weight Loss Secret

When all else fails and you can't find that miracle diet, experts say the number one weight loss secret is: be kind to yourself and accept yourself the way you are.

Geneen Roth, the author of "When Food Is Love" says: Instead of threatening yourself and berating yourself and depriving yourself all in the name of dieting, you need to change your behavior.

Believing that you shouldn't be buying and eating the food you really want will actually cause you to eventually binge and regain any weight you have been struggling to lose.

Don't call your efforts hopeless. Don't feel ashamed if you don't look like those size 2 celebrities. Eating can be an emotional reaction to not giving yourself enough love and attention.

Don't think that if you accept and love yourself the way you are that it means you'll always remain overweight. The opposite is true. The self-acceptance will in fact help you to relax and feel the love and attention you've been craving so that you don't have to fill that empty void inside you with food.

You have to learn to trust yourself. Treat yourself to kindness. Declare it 'Be Kind to Me' day, and start treating yourself as if you deserve every good thing. Because, in fact, you do.

One-Minute weight loss secrets

Prevention magazine offers One-Minute weight loss secrets. Here are some of them:

- Combine half of your favorite juice with plain or sparkling water so that you're not consuming as many calories.
- Researchers have discovered that chewing sugar-free gum all day increases your metabolic rate by 20%, which could burn off more than ten pounds a year.
- Any time someone offers you a food treat and you accept, pay a dollar to your kids or your bank account. When you pay for treats, you're more likely to say 'no thanks'.
- Sip green tea before you walk. The caffeine frees fatty acids so that you burn fat more easily. And the antioxidant compounds in green tea increase calorie burn.
- Forget diet shakes. The cut calories are only temporary; you just eat more later.
- Dip your bread in olive oil in place of spreading butter. It's healthier and less calories.
- Sprinkle flax on your cereal. High-fiber, ground flaxseed can help curb your appetite and eliminate calories. Or add it to yogurt.
- Schedule a blood test to see if you have an underactive thyroid, which can slow down your metabolism.
- Low-fat milk fills your stomach and contains carbs so you eat less.
- If you already jog, speed up to a sprint once in a while. The brief intervals allow you to burn more fat and calories without lengthening your workout. Plus, the increased impact actually helps make your bones stronger!
- Before you take a spoonful of ice cream or another dessert, make yourself do ten sit-ups or pushups to put you back in touch with your body and your goals.
- When you really want those fresh-baked goods, take 30 seconds to indulge in the smell, then place a small piece on the tip of your tongue for 30 seconds. Savoring the smell and taste can help you stop at just one cookie.
- Blot the fat. You can dab off about a teaspoon of oil (about 4.5 grams of fat) from two slices of pizza.

And, finally, (we all know this even if we don't do it) DRINK MORE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting Your Doctor To Remember You

It's hard enough getting a doctor's appointment that works with your schedule. Sometimes you have to wait weeks or even months for a slot. And you're sometimes stuck waiting for hours in a lobby for your five minutes of face time with the actual doctor. And even then you have to hope it's your actual doctor and that he or she actually treats you like they KNOW you.

30% of those who responded to a nationwide survey say the person they have chosen to entrust with care for their health and well-being doesn't even remember their first name. Yet 82% agree that a person's doctor should at least REMEMBER them. 95% of respondents say being addressed by their name makes them feel more comfortable and puts them at ease.

Experts say bedside manner is highly important in helping you get the most out of your doctors and that you should search for one that takes the time to adhere to the basics of at least knowing your name before they walk in the room to greet you. Here's some advice they give for helping your doctor remember you:

- Interview your doctor even if you have to pay for an initial meeting.
- schedule a regular checkup so that the doctor sees you at least once a year.
- Ask questions during your appointment instead of just nodding your head and going along with the doctor's quick schedule
- Research your doctor instead of just picking a name out of a phone book.

Removing Temporary Tattoos

My kids love putting tattoos on their arms. The problem for me is, once they start to come off, they look awful. It looks like I don't bathe my kids sometimes because they have an old tattoo. And since they like to shower these days, there's not enough soaking of the arm going on in the bathtub like there used to be.

So I'll take a washcloth and scrub at it and that only irritates their skin. Silly me.....I'm still learning! A listener has sent in what should be an obvious tip on tattoo removal. But I figure that if I didn't know it, maybe some of you didn't either, so here it is:

Rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball.

Duh!

Waiting For The Sequel

We all know how quickly our kids grow up, but this is one particular instance where I wish they'd stay little for just a few years longer.

I mentioned recently that "Toy Story 3" will be out in a couple of years......but now my kids' favorite childhood Disney/Pixar movie is coming out with a sequel. "Cars 2" will feature Lightning McQueen and Mater taking their adventure overseas. The film is set for summer...of 2012!

My boys will be 9 and 11.....think they'll still be interested, perhaps for old time's sake?

Staycation Destination: Jenkinson's Breakwater Beach

If you weren't one of the lucky ones that won tickets to our Listener Appreciation Night at Jenkinson's Breakwater Beach in Seaside, I want to give you a heads-up that this is a wonderful place to spend a day with your family.

I was truly and pleasantly surprised and amazed by this incredible water park just off the boardwalk. It is spectacular and there is something for everyone from your little ones to your teenagers and for the parents, too. It's clean and safe, with plenty of lifeguards on hand. Also, if you combine this with a walk across Ocean Avenue to some of the great kiddie and adult rides on the Seaside boardwalk it makes for a fantastic day and night without having to travel far.

This is a day trip my kids and their friends will get to experience many times and reminds me of what living at the Jersey Shore is all about.

Hersheypark Here We Come

What a great trip to Hershey, PA the boys and I had!

I can't say enough good things about Hershey Lodge. It was absolutely beautiful, family-friendly, and just a great experience. From all the chocolate handed to you to the children's hotel check-in area and Reese's giant chocolate bar walking around shaking kids' hands, to the indoor and outdoor pools and all the activities available, to the coffee/bakery and fabulous restaurants (and even S'mores cookouts!) we really had a great time at the hotel. I loved the chocolate ketchup for dipping my fries!

The room we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous with great amenities. The hotel staff was really friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. The best part to me of staying at that hotel (or Hotel Hershey) is the free, convenient, and quick shuttle service back and forth to Hershey Park.

As for Hershey Park, we needed two days and could've done three: one for the rides, one for the water park (Hershey Boardwalk) and a third for the zoo and entertainment. The kids' favorite part had to be the wave pool....I couldn't get them out of there! The Park was so clean and a really nice, safe, and wonderful place to take children. All in all, I'd highly recommend this road trip (approximately three hours by car) as a great family destination for fun times and great memories!

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees

From the book "Let's Get Real About Money!" by Eric Tyson, here are ways to teach kids that money doesn't grow on trees (especially right now!) :

- Realize that kids learn what they live. When you ring up a load of credit card debt and fail to save anything, that's what your kids come to see as normal.
- De-program your kids. Let them know that it's not a good idea to run up debt just so that it's easy to 'buy now'.
- An allowance is a great teaching tool. Teach them how to earn money and be responsible with saving, investing, and spending it. Experts say a great time to start is in the five-to-seven age range. You can even teach them about mutual funds and picking stocks.
- Reduce their exposure to commercials. Enough said.
- Find entertaining ways to teach good money habits. One recommended book for younger kids is "The Berenstein Bears Get the Gimmies". For late elementary school-aged kids there's the book "Quest for the Pillars of Wealth" by J.J. Pritchard. It's a chapter book that teaches personal finance concepts through an engaging adventure story. You could also get them a subscription to "Zillions", a kids' magazine from the publishers of Consumer Reports.
- Teach them how to shop wisely. Comparison shop and use coupons in front of them.
- And, finally, encourage older kids to get a job. Even if it's a paper route or yard/lawn work.

"Spit Germs"

So here's one I never thought of until this past weekend when I had a birthday party for my boys. Someone brought it to my attention, so I'll pass it along to you as a simple question and let you ponder the implications:

Have you ever stopped to think about how many spit germs are spread out over a birthday cake when the candles are blown out?

Excellence In Customer Service

I want to thank Greg from Shop Rite for going above and beyond when it comes to customer service.

In case you missed us talking about this on the air this week, I had a 'bright idea' yesterday while walking around Shop Rite. The kids were playing in the childcare center there so I had time to leisurely shop, and I saw a sign in the bakery about getting a picture scanned on a birthday cake, and I thought that would be a great idea for my kids' party. Problem is, I had to do it by that day since the party's this weekend and they need a few days' notice.

So, not having my camera on me, I went over to the photo department and asked the guy behind the counter if he could possibly help me do something a little 'unusual'. I asked him if he had a camera on him (he had his cell phone camera) and if he could help me take some Webkinz out of the case and 'pose' them for a portrait. He very graciously spent time with me asking the Webkinz to smile for the camera (ha!) until he got the right shot, then edited it and printed it for me to take over to the bakery to place the cake order in time. How's that for someone going the extra mile for a customer he never met? So, thanks again, Greg! The boys will be thrilled to see their Webkinz on their birthday cake.

SIte For Kids

If you're looking for family entertainment.....anything from indoor playgrounds to where the have your kids' birthday parties....check out gokidsnj.com. You'll find events from all over our state. The website was started by a Jackson electronics engineer when he and his wife became parents and started looking for things to do for kids.

Riding In A Pedicab

I've seen them all over Manhattan in the past few years, but not locally. So the boys and I were thrilled this weekend when we decided to take a long walk at the beach and lake and then realized we were too tired to get where we were going but too tired to make it home in the muggy heat. That's when a 'pedicab' pulled up and we hopped in!

It was a guy on a bike pulling a little shaded carriage for the three of us to ride in and the kids got the biggest kick out of it! I hope this idea catches on, 'cause there are always those times when you can't park close to the beach and you'd give anything not to have to hike two miles with the children! W

hat a great way to get across town, too, especially if you'd like a drink or two during one of those summer celebrations and don't want to drive! Thanks to Kevin and Diving Duck Cab Co. I wasn't stranded with my kids!

Hottest Celebrity Dads

Just in time for Father's Day, here's a list of the Hottest Celebrity Dads, based on both sex appeal and how hands-on they are:

Mark Consuelos
Tobey Maguire
Tom Cruise
Gavin Rossdale
Patrick Dempsey
Seal
Joel Madden
Ben Afflek
Ryan Phillipe
Matt Damon
Will Smith
Johnny Depp
David Beckham
and....number one...Brad Pitt

Cleaning Safety Tips

The New Jersey Poison Information and Education System has issued some cleaning safety tips. Even if you think you know better, there are some interesting ideas on this list, especially the last one.

- Good ventilation is key in getting harsh fumes from cleaning products out of the house. Simply opening a window is not enough to eliminate dangerous fumes or odors. An exhaust fan can help eliminate the fumes and circulate fresh air.

- Read the labels on household cleaning products. DO NOT mix products

- two products combined can produce toxic results and put you in the hospital before you know it.

- Try to clean when kids and pets are NOT present. Keep products locked up and clean up all spills immediately and thoroughly. Common cleaning products that can be poisonous include furniture polish, oven cleaner, and window cleaner.

- Try to use natural cleaners to limit air pollution in your home. Try vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.

- Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure they're working. Change your batteries twice a year.

- Make sure to throw away medicines that are not being used. Check expiration dates frequently on all over-the-counter and prescription medications. Combine expired or leftover medicines with used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or something else bad-tasting to children and animals. Place this in a coffee can with a lid, and discard with your household trash.

Constantine Maroulis Visit

We had a great time having Constantine Maroulis on our morning show. He's even better now than he was on American Idol! His voice is amazing, he looks hotter than ever, and he grew up doing theatre here. He's now back for a limited run in "Jesus Christ Superstar" here in Monmouth County. In fact, check our website for info on how you can hear Constantine's interview and win tickets to see him at the Henderson Theater. If you'd like to get tickets now, go to premiertheatre.com or call 732-774-STAR. The Henderson Theatre is on rt. 520 (Newman Springs Rd.) in Lincroft. (Parkway exit 109, or one turn off rts. 35, 34, 18, or 9! Show dates for "Jesus Christ Superstar" are Fri. and Sat. June 13 & 14, Thurs. - Sun. June 19 - 22, and Thurs. - Sat. June 26 - 28. All performances are at 8 pm, with matinees at 2 pm Sun. the 21st and Sat. the 28th.

premiertheatre.com/

The Next Survivor...

This is a great email sent to me from a listener:

The next Survivor Series will be about six married men dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for 6 weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music, dance, or swim lessons.
There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient stop per child as well, possibly for a bathroom break or even an emergency-room visit.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails and toenails polished and eyebrows groomed, spray tan, wax when necessary, and find time to exercise.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once slow down from their duties.

They must hold down a job, attend PTO meetings and find time at least once a week to spend the afternoon at the park with the kids.

They will need to read a book a night, or more, to the kids and in the morning feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7 a.m.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote the dads off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

The winner gets to play the game over and over again for the next 18 - 25 years eventually earning the right to be called "Mother".

Getting Beach Ready For The Summer

Seems like common sense, but worth repeating.

Here's advice from doctors at Meridian on getting your family 'Beach-Ready' this summer.

-Think about packing these items:- sandals to protect the bottom of your feet- hats, sunglasses, and SPF 15 sunscreen (or higher, even on cloudy days)
- an umbrella or canopy for shade- bottles of water to stay cool and hydrated
- loose-fitting clothing
- a cooler with ice packs to keep cold foods at or below 40 degrees F
- moist towelettes to clean handsTo avoid mishaps:- stay only where there's a lifeguard on duty
- look for warning flags in case it's not safe to swim
- keep little ones no more than an arm's length away
- if you get stuck in a current or riptide, don't try to swim against it, but across it.
- toss perishable food if it has sat out for more than two hours
- teach the kids not to touch crabs, jellyfish, etc.
- keep the beach clean!

Experts also remind you that if you're planning to be on a boat:
- make sure the operator is not drinking alcohol
- check the weather forecast first
- make sure everyone on the boat wears life jackets
- keep a first-aid kit aboard- only boat with an experienced operator
- make sure there's a radio or cell phone to call for help

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Animals In Need Of Better Homes

Here's a fundraiser that will be fun for you AND the kids. It's the "Animals In Need Of Better Homes" bowling event Sunday, June 8th, at Strathmore Lanes on Route 34 in Aberdeen. It runs from 2 - 5 pm. The cost is $15 per person and includes 3 games, a pitcher of soda, and a bucket of popcorn per lane. The proceeds benefit the Monmouth County SPCA. You may even see me there with my boys, who just love to bowl! Let's all do our part to help the helpless animals in need of 'forever homes' who are currently being cared for by the amazing people at the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown. Stop by and see them sometime!

Wrong Window Opens At Brookdale

went to opening night of "Wrong Window" this past Friday at Brookdale Community College's Performing Arts Center and it was even better than my expectations. If you crave a good laugh, you must see this show. In fact, I laughed so hard that I cried. We're talking mascara-running-down-my-face crying.

This show was written by and stars Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore and does not disappoint. Billy is hilarious and so is his "neighbor" Glen Jones. The two of them and their zany physical comedy and funny lines will have you laughing so loud and hard that you'll have trouble catching your breath. Jeff Babey is disgustingly funny, Art Neill is downright creepy in a crazy-funny way. Jane Milmore and Susan Travers reminded me of Lucy and Ethel at their best! Billy and Jane - I don't know how you keep topping yourselves and writing funnier and funnier comedies each spring!

Mark Fleming is a great director, and this show is just tremendous. Oh, and a note to Jennifer Bukovec...I never would've thought that 'playing dead' could be so funny! Wrong Window runs through June 7th, so treat yourself to a night of fun. You can call 732-224-2411 for tickets. And you may see me there because I'll surely be going back again!

Top Ten Tips for affordable family vacations this summer:

Mike Messina of Willow Valley Resort offers the Top Ten Tips for affordable family vacations this summer:

1. Book lodging that offers free meals or allows kids to stay for free.

2. Choose accommodations with extra amenities and free kid-friendly activities.

3. Ask about discounted tickets for local attractions.

4. Contact the local visitors bureau to find out about free community events and activities.

5. Plan an itinerary before arrival to reduce needless travel and expenses.

6. If available, take advantage of free transportation provided by the hotel.

7. Look into cost savings by booking a trip mid-week.

8. Make a checklist when packing to avoid unnecessary purchases at your destination (sun block, over-the-counter medicines, bathing suite, etc.)

9. Stock the hotel room fridge with your own snacks and beverages.

10. Set a budget for gift shop purchases and stick to it.

Wherever you're headed this summer.....have fun and be safe!!!

Bad Reasons To Buy A Home

I just read an interesting article by Liz Pulliam Weston at MSN Money on bad reasons to buy a home. And, on this topic, I happen to agree that you shouldn't be judged on whether or not you own a home.

The article says: "Lots of people feel like they have to follow the American Dream of owning a home, even when it's not something they really want or need and definitely not something they can afford. For some people, renting is cheaper than owning. For some people, it's a choice between renting an affordable place in a great location versus straining to buy a less desirable home in a place requiring a long commute or in a neighborhood you're not crazy about." I happen to agree!

Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore's Comedy

It's that time of year.....when Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore write and star in an original comedy that they present at Brookdale Community College's Performing Arts Center.

If you've seen one of Billy and Jane's comedies, then I'm sure you've already purchased your tickets for this year's show. If you HAVEN'T yet seen one of their shows, I highly recommend that you plan to see this one. Billy and Jane are Hollywood and Broadway writers and actors and their shows are hysterical!!!!!!!!! In fact, the whole cast is always amazing. This is truly a great evening out and you won't be disappointed.

The show opens this Friday, May 23rd, and runs through June 7th. The name of the show is "Wrong Window" and you can call 732-224-2411 for tickets. I'll be there opening night and would love to meet you in the lobby before the show!

Adventure To Health

I was recently at CentraState Hospital in Freehold for their Baby Fair and was shown around the new addition to the hospital....an incredible building called the Barry Tobias Ambulatory Care Center.

It's a giant white building attached to the hospital on Rt. 537 that houses an amazing gym and fitness center, among other things, and something called "Adventure To Health" which is why I'm writing this blog.

Adventure To Health is a way to make health education fun for kids. It's a colorful, hands-on, mini-museum that is so much fun every kid will want to learn about their bodies! They can do things like pick a giant nose, floss giant teeth, and play body video games! Adventure To Health makes for a great Scout or class trip, too!

Learn more at: centrastate.com

Go Paulie Go!

I took the boys to see Speed Racer on Friday and we had a great time. First of all, going to an opening day 5pm show was much less crowded and good for the kids. Secondly, they had some giveaways so the boys got 'pit passes' listing all the cars in the movie. The film itself was adorable....and bright!!!

But the real reason I'm writing this is because I'm so proud of my friend Paulie Litt, who is one of the stars of Speed Racer. He plays Spritle, the little brother who's best friend/pet is a Monkey. And Paulie is amazing in this movie. He gets all the laughs and I can't say enough good things about his acting and natural talent on the big screen.

For those of you unfamiliar with Paulie, he's from right here in Monmouth County and has been on our radio show many times. He's a special human being and an old soul in a young body who's been raised in an amazing family. And this is just the latest on a long resume of wonderful acting jobs that Paulie's entertained us with.

So if you have young boys that love to race their Hot Wheels cars and go to the speedway or slot car races, I'm sure they'll enjoy Speed Racer as much as my six year old did!

Homegrown Solutions

My kids' grandpa has given me two quite interesting suggestions that he's heard about....just thought I'd pass them along:

For bee stings, immediately apply A PENNY to prevent swelling, allergic reaction, and infection. Rumor has it the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. (I'm sure it's still wise to consult a doctor, though!)

To deal with mosquitoes, pour Listerine into a spray bottle and spritz all over: lawn, deck, chairs, tables, swing set, etc.( It might work and is certainly cheaper than bug spray, but I'd beware of spraying directly on your nice wood!)

If you try these ideas before I get a chance to, let me know if they actually work!

Losing Weight In Real Life

Here are some tips from researchers on 'real life' ways to help lose weight:

Do crunches in bed. Give yourself a head-start before your feet even hit the floor by doing 50 crunches to rev your energy and tone your belly. Add a second set at night before you go to sleep.

Dance while you dress. Flip on some music and dance around while you're getting ready for work and cooking breakfast. Just shimmy and shake and bounce a bit. Move those arms and legs, and put yourself in a good mood at the same time.

Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable enough to move around in at work. Then look for ways to get a little bit of walking in throughout the day. Lap the grocery store before you pick up your first item, take a 15-minute midday walk, or take the stairs to use a bathroom on a different floor.

Take a quick walk around the block before opening your front door after work, or try the old standby of parking in the back of the lot to walk further to your building.

Stand up more. You can boost your metabolism simply by spending more time on your feet.

Rather than sit on a bench while your kids play at the park, walk around the playground or push your kids on the swings and have little races where you chase them. Or climb the jungle gyms with them.

Toy Box Garage Sale

A Point listener sent in this great tip for moms with kids who want to try to clear out the toy boxes. She writes:

I had the kids set up a pretend garage sale in the living room. I told them to gather up all kinds of things that they absolutely did not want anymore, and told them they could sell them to me at their garage sale.

I gave them between a penny and 25 cents for each item and ended up with an entire bag filled with toys, stuffed animals, and books that are going to the needy. They were thrilled with the money they got and I'm thrilled because it made a dent in the clutter!

Weekend Fun!

I'll be attending some great events with my kids all weekend, so please feel free to join me and say hello!

I'm hosting the Kid's Breakfast at Freehold Raceway mall Saturday morning from 9 - 11am. We'll be doing Mother's Day crafts and giving away prizes for the kids, along with the free Dunkin' Donuts and free carousel rides. If you can't make this one, we do it the first Saturday of every month.

On Sunday, I'm going to take the kids to Monmouth Mall where professional photographer Gary Gellman from Gellman Images will be taking pictures of the children and providing decorative Mother's Day frames from 11am - 1pm.

Also Sunday, it's the first of the Classic Car Cruises on Arnold Avenue in Pt. Pleasant. My boys love this. And if you can't make this one it's just the first of many.

Add Extra Time To The Day

I received an email about this interesting idea:

Instead of getting up at the same time every morning and hitting the snooze button to try and sleep for ten more minutes,why not set your alarm ten minutes earlier and when it goes off in the morning think to yourself "Good....ten more minutes I can add to my day."

This small difference adds the equivalent of over one and a half work weeks to your year - to be used how you wish. Just imagine what you could do with that extra time. If you push it to 20 minutes a day you've just bought more time than most people get each year for a vacation!

Summer theater is gearing up!

The Monmouth County Park System is holding auditions for The Pajama Game on May 4 and for Seussical June1 and 2 all at the Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center in Middletown. They'll be staged at Thompson Park in Lincroft. Get details at 732-842-4000 or by clicking monmouthcountyparks.com/theatre/theatre_main.asp.

There are also some great spring/summer shows coming up, one of which is currently in rehearsals for Brookdale Community College's theater. I'll tell you more about those soon.

Spring and summer to me are great times to either get involved onstage or backstage in theater, or even to send your kids to a summer theater camp. It's a wonderful way for your kids to learn to express their creativity and learn to work as a team. I grew up doing it and loved every minute of it!

Jenkinson's

Jenkinson's Aquarium in Pt. Beach remains one of my children's favorite outings. Here are some of the reasons you might want to plan a visit soon:

Tomorrow is Rainforest Awareness day, for all ages. See how staffers tend the animals during the May 10th behind-the-scenes tour.

On Mother's Day (May 11th) moms get free admission for each paid child.Science-loving kids can take the Junior Biologist Program on the 17th.

Another thing I love about visiting the aquarium is that your ticket purchase lasts all day, so you can combine it with lunch, walking the boards, going on the rides, and hitting the beach....a full day of fun all in one place!

Eat a banana!!!!!

One medium size banana is only 100 calories and here's what you get for that:

- provides enough energy for a strenuous 45-minute workout

- the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes

- helps you relax and de-stress and improves your mood

- staves off PMS- reduces blood pressure

- increases brain power- a natural laxative

- one of the quickest ways of curing a hangover

- a natural antacid- reduces morning sickness

- the peel can reduce swelling and irritation when rubbed on a mosquito bite

- helps keep you full instead of munching on junk food

- can help with nicotine withdrawal when trying to quit smoking

Watching Mariah

Mariah Carey is all over the tv and tabloids these days and although she has new music out, all the talk is about how great she looks because she lost 20 pounds and went down to a size 2. So I thought back to the last time I really noticed Mariah on tv, and that was New Year's of 2007 when she was ringing it in on Dick Clark's show. And I remember thinking she looked rather heavy to be wearing such skimpy clothing.

Turns out that at the height of her 'fat stage' she weighed a whopping 140 pounds and was a size 8. This is why girls everywhere struggle with looking 'normal' when they think 'normal' is 120, size 2. Heck, 140, size 8 is still bordering on abnormally thin, if you ask me. We have got to stop comparing ourselves to abnormally skinny celebs and then calling ourselves obese in comparison. We should all just strive for loving ourselves the way we are and work toward becoming healthier, stronger, and more confident, without having to be a size 2.

Tapping

I read this in a magazine.....we're going to try it on our morning show and see if it could possibly work!

Hypnotist Paul McKenna says it only takes a few taps to make food cravings disappear. He says by tapping your energy pathways in a specific order, you can reprogram your thought processes to eliminate cravings and stop the emotional signals that tempt you to eat.

First of all, rate your craving. It's got to be pretty high....meaning you really want to eat this particular food.

- Using two fingers, lightly tap under your collarbone about ten times while continuing to think about eating.
- Tap under either eye ten times
- Tap under the collarbone again
- Place your non-tapping hand in front of you and tap on the back of it between the ring finger and the little finger. Continue to tap and think about the food you are craving while you:

- close and open your eyes. Holding your head still, look down to the right, then down to the left.
- Rotate your eyes 360 degrees clockwise and then 360 degrees counterclockwise.
- Hum the first few lines of 'Happy Birthday' out loud
- Count out loud from one to five.
- Hum 'Happy Birthday' again If your craving hasn't gone away, repeat the sequence until it does. Sounds funny, but what the heck! Some of you may have seen Paul McKenna on his show "I Can Make You Thin" on TLC in which he offered numerous ideas for overcoming emotional eating.