Health and Beauty

My friend, Debbie, sent some photos she had stored in her camera of my 2010 24 hour charity run. One picture absolutely touched my heart. She captured a very important moment that made me think about how I am still here on earth.About eleven years ago at a doctor's appointment, I was told that I had a very slim chance of having children...EVER. I was in the throes of Bulimia after dealing with Anorexia before that. I had punished my body inside and out and had not even thought of the repercussions that could eventually reveal themselves. At age nineteen, it was the last thing on my mind anyway, so I continued to silently and slowly kill myself.At age twenty-one, I was still Bulimic and trying to find "balance" in life. "Balance" came in the form of a protective and sweet college guy named David Flores. Always moving around or running, or staying busy enough to keep my mind from imploding by adding calories in and out, he taught me that it was okay to just slloooooowwww dooowwwwnnnn. I... More

February 11 Sharing Healthy Experiences for Girls and their Parents Cave Creek Unified School District and the Soroptimists of Saguaro Foothills are presenting the S.H.E. (Sharing Healthy Experiences) event Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sonoran Trails Middle School.   Girls in grades 5 through 8 will experience high-energy break-out sessions with experts in the fields of communication, body image, self-esteem, nutrition, law enforcement and fitness. They will enjoy a day of music, dancing, food and hands-on interactive sessions.   Parents will participate in discussions related to teen development, appropriate prevention and intervention techniques; including risky behaviors, self-destructive behavior, internet safety and surviving the “come here, go away” phase of being a parent of a girl this age.   Last year, over 99 girls and 79 moms attended. Accommodations are limited to 100 girls and unlimited moms/guardians! The girls will also receive some great “take... More

  The First Annual AZ Goddess Conference will be held October 29-30, 2011 at the Peaceful Spirit Enrichment Center, 49014 N. 24th Ave., New River, AZ, 85087. This event offers women 2 power packed days of inspiring workshops, labyrinth walks, festivities, and nutritious food all in the beautiful Sonoran desert. The AZ Goddess Conference is designed to help women reconnect, re-energize and reflect.   Detailed information and registration forms can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/AZGoddessConference2011... More

I'm a pretty upbeat person, but every now and then I have a day when I step in the proverbial turd of life and can't seem to get it off my shoe. Today was one of those days. It was just one thing after another. It was one of those days when I just wanted to lay down in my bed on my decorative pillows with my comforter pulled up high (I'd have to turn the air way down for that). I also wanted someone to bring me endless bowls of Raisin Bran and maybe some really nice tea on the good china, with little packets of Splenda and a fancy stirring spoon.   Nobody did that, though, so I went to Fry's in my dumpy clothes and bought triple chocolate cookies, and I ate exactly two and a half of them while I sat on the couch with my best friend watching Biggest Loser. I think that's the best way to enjoy that show.   I know tomorrow will be better and blah blah blah, but some days are just stinkers. I know misery loves company, so if you're feeling like you're having a day when you just don't... More

This year marks the 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS.   I rewrote that first sentence over and over, trying to describe the impact AIDS has had on the world in just a few words. It's impossible.   AIDS has torn apart families. It has provoked fear and prejudice against innocent people. It has ripped mothers from their babies and left widows scared and ashamed. It has affected national economies, devastating work forces and stealing precious resources. Soldiers infected with AIDS have become walking weapons of war, brutally raping as many women as possible so that they will die a slow, tortured death.   When I first visited an AIDS clinic in Accra, Ghana, I knew that it was a good opportunity to do my part to help with the fight against AIDS. I knew, through Compassionate Journeys, I wanted to spread awareness and bring medical and other volunteers to help. My efforts alone, though, will never be enough. We need to keep sharing awareness and a message of acceptance in order to... More

If you clicked on the link that brought you to this page, you most likely fall into one of the following categories:   1. You think, "Vegans are Sexy? Whatever!  They are nothing but skin and bone and can be found hugging trees and protesting in the name of animal rights! I have to see what kind of controversy this weirdo Steezy Vegan writer is going to conjure up!"   2. You wonder, "What the heck is a Vegan?!"   3. You are a sexy Vegan yourself and want to check out some new recipes!     I'm Robyn Flores.  My daughter came up with "Steezy Vegan" which, I know, sounds like "sleazy" or "squeezy" or even "sneezy".  But, she insists that it stands for "Stylish and Easy".  Logic of a nine year old...brilliant.   By definition, a Vegan is a person who does not eat or use animal products or by-products.  If you are anything like my father, a native PROUD Texas good-ol-boy, you would retort, "I didn't hunt my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables," or "If we were meant... More

March 26th  United Blood Drive Anthem Arizona Back to Health Chiropractic, 42104 N. Venture Dr. A-102, has teamed up with United Blood services to host a community blood drive. The event will be held between the hours of 10:00AM and 2:00PM on March 26th. Those interested in participating are asked to please email or call in advance to schedule a donation time.   623.551.6677 info@myanthemchiro.com... More

Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #7 March 10 @ 9:00AM– 11:30AM (Meet at the Go John Trailhead) Do you have a goal to get in shape for 2011? Join the Ranger as she helps you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. Take part in a slow build-up to a final hike on March 18th, which will be on the six-mile Go John Trail! Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. The hike is four..five miles/moderate.  ... More

Reach Your Goal Fitness Series #5 February 24 @ 9:00AM – 11:00AM (Meet at the Slate Trailhead) Do you have a goal to get in shape for 2011? Join the Ranger as she helps you reach that goal with this weekly fitness hike. Take part in a slow build-up to a final hike on March 18th, which will be on the six-mile Go John Trail! Make sure you have good hiking shoes and always bring plenty of water. The hike is three..five miles/moderate.... More

Top Reasons You (and I) Should be Doing Yoga Writer Amanda Christmann Larson Photographer Brenna Orozco   Many of us are looking for a little relief today—relief from physical pain, relief from stress, relief from yo-yo dieting and those darned shrinking pants sizes. But even bigger than all of that, we are looking for ways to connect with that inner voice, soul, true self, self-potential, or whatever we want to call it, which is inside each and every one of us. The problem is, though, that we're often so busy working, running errands, and taking care of others that, when we do have time to settle down for a little “me” time, the only thing we want to do is plop down on the couch and let the television entertain us.   There may be a better way. Many people are finding that doing yoga even just once or twice a week is making a big difference in a lot of small ways. Here are the top reasons:   It's for Everybody. Contrary to some modern stereotypes, yoga really is for everyone.... More

When I first saw Robert (not his real name), my mind was not sure how to react. He was covered in deep, red sores, made all the more predominant by his dark, black skin. He was clearly in a lot of pain, but he tried to act hospitable, bringing chairs over for my friend and I, his guests, to sit in.   He had been sick for about two years, but the sores, he said, had been there for only a month or two. The worst, he said, were on his back. He turned around and removed the shirt that was draped over his shoulders. I have a very strong tolerance for the sight of blood, but I still feel queasy to this day, thinking about the large, gaping holes in his flesh that he showed us that day.   He was painfully thin. His skin hung loosely from his arm bones, but seemed to have shrunken around his eyes and cheeks. His son, who was one of the students in a class I was teaching, shared the same wide smile, but Robert's was filled with pain and sadness. I saw the pain in the eyes of his five... More

By Stephanie Maher Palenque   Temperatures are soaring – the summer is here, which means that many of us are looking for respite from the unforgiving sun of the Southwest. If you are less of a “get up and go” girl (see our article on Flagstaff getaways) and more of a “go with the flow” girl, you may enjoy taking advantage of one of the few “perks” that comes with the summer time in Arizona – summer spa deals. Summertime is the right time to take advantage of all of the spa and resort deals for locals. Let’s face it, the snowbirds have flown, even many year-round Arizonans have “gotten out of Dodge” and the resorts are hungry. This is your time to swoop in for the kill ...so to speak. According to Lisa Kasanicky, expert spa-goer and queen bee of the web site, AZ Spa Girls (www.azspagirls.com), there is a right way to plan a saavy spa trip, and keep your eye on your pocketbook as well. “It’s important to check out online deals, and book as far in advance as... More

Writer Paula Theotocatos   Yes, we know. It's dry heat. Nevertheless, while the three-digit heat in Arizona may not make you sweat as it would in high-humidity places like Florida, it does sometimes feel like you're sticking your head in an oven. Of course, we Arizonans know how to beat the heat as we move from our air-conditioned houses to our air-conditioned cars to our shimmering backyard or community pools.   We can also head for cooler climes up in the north country to places like Flagstaff and Payson for long weekends. Or, if you want to stay closer to home and have a more luxurious and cool escape, why not try one of the hotel resorts and spas in the area that offer terrific specials in the summer. After all the snowbirds have flown the coop after the season, it's time for us natives to experience some self-indulgent pampering at our local resorts and cool off at the same time. Here are some suggestions:   Carefree Resort & Villas   For just $79.00 per resort room,... More

Writer Stephanie Maher Palenque     Over the years your bodies become like walking autobiographies telling friends and strangers alike of the minor and major stresses in your life. Marilyn Ferguson   What in the world could be better than relaxing, outstretched on a massage table, in a room with filtered, natural light, soft music, with completely dedicated hands that are roaming your body, sensing every pressure point that needs attention? The answer is simple …absolutely nothing. Celebrities seem to know this, and they value the experience of an artful massage. Who hasn't heard the stories about the endless stream of high profile figures who have visited the Valley in search of pampering?   We're lucky to live in a resort area that is bursting at the seams with the best spas in the country. Spas in the Valley regularly top the lists of the best spas in the nation. So what has been your excuse for not checking them out?   I call it “Disneyworld Syndrome” you live next door... More

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going . Jim Ryun, congressman and former field and track star.   Like many people at the beginning of a new year, Brack Jaskey of Hot Realty in Anthem made a resolution to lose weight, but unlike the majority who give up too soon, he stuck to his guns. He started his new health program with Kathi Horn, a personal trainer in Anthem, on Jan 1 and by May 8 th he had gone from 293 pounds to 236 pounds. As an incentive and a way to give back to the community, he raised money in a walkathon for We Care In Anthem by asking for donations per pound lost, not by mile walked. He raised about $400 to $500. What a great idea!   "It has been an incredible experience. When I didn't have the energy or flexibility to get down on the floor and play with my five-year-old, I knew I needed to change something. I also had chronic pain in my ankles, knees and back from playing football years ago. Since I've lost all that weight, I have no more... More