Low Calorie Yogurt Popsicles

Nutritional life coach, Carrie Cameron Fistel taught me how to make delicious low calorie yogurt popsicles.  The recipe is easy, low in calories, high in protein and a fun activity for the kids!

Change Up Your Workouts!

How cute does Kate Hudson look Paddle Boarding?    Got this photo from  Celebrity Diet Doctor online.

I hear it all the time...  I'm too tired to workout.  There's no time in the day.  I never thought these words would be coming out of my mouth, but it's true!  The thought of heading to the gym and getting on the elliptical machine when it's beautiful outside and I have a huge "to do" list just doesn't do it for me.  So I'm all about fitting in workouts throughout the week that are fun and efficient.  Ideally, you have no idea you're burning calories.  If you're a mom like me, tap in to your own inner child and chase those kids around the house.  Run in the sand, swim, jump...  Go outside for a long walk with a friend.  That's my favorite, you get to catch up on her life while breaking a sweat.  Or try something new.  Today I went paddle boarding in Malibu with a friend.  Let's just say I'm addicted!  The water was beautiful, pelicans were dive bombing, fish were swimming, we were laughing, and I got a tan...  All while working out my core and tush.  I can't think of a better way to spend nearly two hours.  Stop dreading your workouts and try something new!

Amber's Voice

You can find inspiration everywhere, even at a topless show!  I first met Amber when I went to the opening of Fantasy.  It's a topless review in Las Vegas where beautiful women get on stage and perform different fantasies, in a tasteful, sexy and fun way.  These women can dance, and they have amazing bodies so yes I'll admit it, I'm a little jealous!  I met Amber again in a television hosting class we were both taking with Marki Costello.  We were talking one day and she opened up about how she constantly felt judged for following her heart and pursuing her passion for dance.  Thanks for inspiring us Amber!

Follow Your Heart and You Can Never Go Wrong

By Amber Strauser

What frustrates me, is society encourages children to play sports or participate in the arts all the way from childhood to high school, but when senior year is over, society only supports the student to go to college so "you can get a real job."  First of all, in the dictionary job reads "a specific task done as part of the routine of one's occupation or for an agreed price."  Whether it is filing in an office, searing fish at the five star restaurant or dancing in a topless show...  It's a job!  I dance in a choreographed topless show in Vegas and I love it!  Sure people judge me, but really they are judging me because they are inflicted and frustrated at themselves for suppressing their own reflection that they see in me.  I am a woman.  I am a sensual being.  And I embrace this truth, and hopefully inspire others or at the very least entertain them.  When I am performing onstage in Vegas, it's as if I am living one of the many characters within me; I really like this character.  It is tough performing the same show night after night so you have to keep it alive within yourself otherwise you will look dead even though you are marking movement.   I love the freedom of expression that dance and acting allow.  I like that I get to share my gift with the world.  I love that in my line of work, I take others out of his/her everyday lifestyle and bring them into my artistic world.  I am proud of myself for believing that I could and have made my dreams my reality! Follow your heart and you can never go wrong.  As long as you are living truthfully from within, you will be rich in happiness.  Remember, you have to do something in life, so it might as well be something you love; it is a choice!

Let Go of the Baggage

Are you carrying around a ton of baggage?  Do you feel your throat tighten, your voice start to crackle and panic erode your body when you start talking about it?  Imagine the toll of all that weight.  It's called baggage for a reason.  Let's face it, do you really need it?  It's time to do it...  Either confront someone who's the source of your pain, or let it go.  In the end, that baggage will take years off your life.  Scared to confront your past or feel like you've tried to and it hasn't worked?  Do you think the other person is even giving it a second thought?  If you're looking for someone to tell you it's okay to finally move on and let go, I'm giving you permission.

Would you rather jump off that cliff or throw your junk off the cliff?  Find some rocks and write words on them, symbolic of what you need to shed from your life.  Recite each word aloud and throw that baggage away.  Here's another idea.  Write down everything that bothers you about yourself, others.  Purge all the baggage on one piece of paper.  When you're done, look it over and recite each and every item out loud.  Let the universe know that you're finally done and ready to move on.  The spoken word is powerful!  When you're done, shred the paper or burn it.  (Be careful not to burn down the house, that would be bad...)  You should feel instantly lighter.  If those negative thoughts creep back into your mind again, acknowledge them, meditate on their release and move forward towards a renewed self.

A World of Difference

My heart melted when Robin Raina of the Robin Raina Foundation posted these photos on Facebook.  On my recent visit to Delhi, Inda I visited the Bawana slums.  The trip was so moving that I gathered children's clothing and toys and sent them to Raina for his recent visit.  It's so easy to help.  Find a charity or a cause that you believe in and get involved, send money, clothing or donate your time.  Giving just a little, can make a world of difference.  If you're interested in learning more about the Robin Raina Foundation, check out a video I created called "Hope in the Slums".

Green Smoothie

I drink this smoothie every morning for breakfast.  My kids love it too!  You'll be amazed by how good it tastes, and makes you feel.  If it's your first time drinking a green smoothie, the kale is a little bitter so start with just spinach.

Green Smoothie Recipe

1 Bag Spinach

1 Small Bunch Kale

1 Frozen Banana

1 Teaspoon Flax Seeds

1 Cup Frozen Broccoli 

Almond Milk 

Throw everything into the VitaMix blender and Cheers!

Julie's and Kim's Voices

I volunteer for the American Heart Association 2020 Task Force which consists of a wonderful group of women on a mission to bring awareness to the disease.  So when one of the volunteers sent me Julie's email, I was expecting a heart related story.  Instead, I was immediately struck by Julie's touching words.  Her son suffers from mental illness and the diagnosis was devastating.  Her best friend, Kim Carnes, sang one of my favorite songs of the 80s, "Bette Davis Eyes".  The singer/ songwriter also wrote a song for Chris.  This story of friendship and motherhood will touch your heart.  I'm inspired by Julie and Kim.

Photo of Julie and her son Chris taken July 31, 2011

A Mother's Story of Mental Illness

By Julie Chandler

When my son, Christopher was growing up, he was the happiest, sweetest and most fun loving child I could have ever hoped for.  He was easy, funny and there was no indication of what was to happen when he turned 21.  Within a 3 month period, Chris changed from a normal, responsible person to a frightened, unhappy and different one.  He was diagnosed at UCLA as having a mental illness.  Naturally, as his Mother I was devastated.  Of all the things I worried about that could happen to a growing young man, this was absolutely the last thing I could have imagined or expected.

One of my dearest life long friends is singer- songwriter Kim Carnes.  We shared many happy times together sharing dinners, celebrations and vacations.  Kim knew Chris when he was just 3 years old and watched him grow up!  She spent endless hours listening while I expressed my fears and sadness.  I remember well, telling her that I expected to never ever smile or laugh again.  

Being the sensitive and creative person she is, she was inspired to write a song about Chris.  She even incorporated some of his poetry into the song, recorded it and put it on her album.  The song is called "Where is the Boy (Chris Song)". 

Over the years, Chris has been up and down with his illness.  I became involved with a wonderful group called NAMI (National Alliance of Mentally Ill).  I would strongly urge anyone who has a loved one suffering from a mental illness to contact them.  They saved both me and my son with their enormous support, information and guidance.  1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental illness in their lifetime.  That is quite a statistic and you never know how or when it will manifest itself.

I have often said that my son has "lost his life" and my expectations for him have been lowered to just hoping that he will stay alive and find some joy and richness in his everyday life.  I have learned I can laugh again in life and so can he.  In fact, just 2 days ago, when I played the song for him he broke into a small laugh, remembering how touched we were when Kim had us listen to it for the first time.  Click here and press play to hear "Where is the Boy (Chris Song)".

(June 16, 2010 - Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images North America) 

Inspiring "Where is the Boy"

By Kim Carnes

I first met Chris when he was three years old.  He was a beautiful, precious child.  Chris is the son of one of my closest friends, Julie, so I watched him as he was growing up turning into a smart, funny, confident young man.  One day, all that changed.  The Chris we knew disappeared.  One day, after Chris had been staying at UCLA, Julie called and described what it was like to pick up a very scared, confused boy...  That phone call is fresh in my mind today, and caused me to go to my piano, and write "Where is The Boy (Chris's Song)".  I imagined what he must have felt.  Out into the world after his stay in the hospital, and remembered some of Chris's own words, describing how he was feeling.  These writings of Chris's were discovered by his Mom during his first hospital stay.  No one ever knew what a gifted writer and artist Chris was.  He never showed his work to anyone.  Julie shared them with me, and I knew his voice had to be heard.  The song, "Where is the Boy (Chris's Song)" poured out of me in one sitting at the piano.  "He's yours he's mine, another child of the times, we've gotta help him through."  Click here and press play to hear "Where is the Boy (Chris Song)".