Mothers with Cancer

Raising Children, Fighting Cancer, Living Life

http://motherswithcancer.wordpress.com

I came across this site when I was looking to review a website about Mothers with Cancer. I found this site that features 20 mothers with all levels of cancer. If you are dealing with any area of cancer in your life or know someone who is, reach out for support. This site might give you some insights and stories, so you will know you are not alone.

See the description below:

We are twenty mothers with cancer. Each of us has a different cancer type, stage, and/or prognosis. Each of us has children, from babies to teenagers, and each of them has their own unique reaction to the cancer and the ensuing changes in our lives. We are very different, but we agree on one thing: this experience needs to be talked about, to be brought out of the shadows, and the whole family supported when one member is diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer. Our experience may not be your experience. However, it is experience, and we’re here to share one very important message: you are not alone.

We invite you to come along on our journeys, share our stories, and help others who are even more newly diagnosed than you or your family. You are welcome to visit our blog, discussion boards, and the pages on this site and to leave comments or questions. Even if it’s just a couple of encouraging words. Even if it’s just an announcement — “I have cancer,” “My wife has cancer,” or “My mother has cancer.” We’re here for you.

We’re not health care professionals, and we can’t tell you what decisions to make on treatment, but we can tell you our stories about how we coped with cancer and its aftermath, and how we held our families together during this time.
- Twenty Mothers With Cancer

Five Tips to Increase Your Energy Level When You First Become a Mom

By Nina Boski

1. Delegate Most women have a difficult time delegating and usually they are too tired to delegate once they get home. But if you have any energy left. Do that. Give a list to your baby’s father, mother or anyone that has asked to help put. This is not the time to do it all. You need to conserve your energy for you and baby.
2. Don’t go into super power mode. Like you are going to do everything you did before baby arrived. Allow yourself only two extra tasks a day besides the normal tasks for baby. That way, you don’t out too much pressure on yourself.
3. Keep at least one room or area in your home sacred for you. Make it clean and pretty. A place where you can breathe, even if it is just five minutes.
4. Get help if you are too exhausted. If needed ask your mother, baby-daddy or a friend to come over and give you 4-6 hours of time for sleep, getting your nails done or just being quiet without having to give so much.
5. When baby goes to sleep at 8p for example, try going to sleep too. It is better to go to bed early than sleeping in late. Chances are you’ll be up anyway and the cycle will start over again.

Top Five Food Areas to Boost Mom’s Energy Level

By Nina Boski

1. Protein – like Salmon, and other fish. Just watch the mercury content levels.
2. Low fat dairy – like yogurts, milk and cheese (great for breast feeding time).
3. Fruits – like oranges, prunes and blueberry’s are great way to start the day! Also if you are on the run, don’t forget that little pack of raisins. They are great nutrition for you “on the go Mom’s!”
4. Whole wheat breads and cereals. (Unless you are gluten intolerant). Make sure you check the labels for extra additives and sugar added. Many packages say organic or pure when they are not.
5. Water – Make sure you hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Try a little squeeze of fresh lemon or line to jazz up the taste.

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Madonna’s Charity Bash!

See which stars showed up for Madonna’s charity event to raise funds for the poverty stricken nation of Malawi

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4cnsj_madonnas-charity-bash_shortfilms

Casting Out the Demons (Linda Blair)

Kastle Waserman

Mention Linda Blair’s name and people still conjure up the image of the possessed child in the 1973 thriller, The Exorcist. Most would never have thought that the actress’s adult years would be spent working with a different type of horror: animal abuse. But the child star, who also appeared in the feature films Roller Boogie and Sarah T.: Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic, now spends much of her time working with animal rescue and shelter organizations.

In spring 2002, Blair made an appearance at Farm Sanctuary’s “Walk for the Animals.” This nonprofit organization (www.farmsanctuary.org) is working to put an end to cruel animal slaughter practices in the food industry. The walks – and appearances by celebrities such as Blair – help raise awareness of the cause. “At this point in history, the need for a walk on the behalf of farm animals is pretty incredible,” Blair sighs. “I go out there and talk about my work rescuing chickens and turkeys. The ones who are rescued out of battery cages are very friendly and sweet. They’ve been abused, just by living in a cage so small, and some have their beaks cut off. The conditions are just inhumane.” Blair is also being trained by members of Farm Sanctuary to participate in slaughterhouse rescues by personally going into unacceptable farm conditions and taking the animals out.

In addition to her Farm Sanctuary efforts, Blair works with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting the illegal slaughter of marine wildlife. “I want to try to bring international attention to the clubbing of baby seals,” Blair says, adding that she is making plans to personally attend one of Sea Shepherd’s seal rescue campaigns.
Closer to her Southern California home, Blair focuses on her role as president of Pacific Coast Dog Rescue. Here she works to save dogs from “death row” shelters and finds them homes. The 70-dog, no-kill shelter, founded by local resident David Roe, hosts adoption weekends, which can be viewed online at www.pcdogrescue.org.

It’s a busy schedule for a woman whose own home is a bit high-maintenance with a collection of dogs, chickens and her former show horse. “They all wander around and hang out with each other,” she laughs.

Among her housemates is a dog named Sunny, a dark brindle American Staffordshire terrier whom she calls “angel boy” because he followed her home at a time when she really needed some creature comforts. “My mother had just passed away and two of my dogs had died. I was not happy,” Blair says. “And Sunny followed me home one day. Like everyone else, I was scared of this massive dog! But it turned out he rescued my heart. He let me know that God had sent me an angel.” Blair’s other animal companions include Jane, a Siberian husky, and Riley, a pit bull she rescued. “I’ve been working with pit bulls the past couple of years,” she says. “It’s been a completely unique experience. These animals will not stand for any type of abuse. They will lash out. But they’re actually very sweet. The people who have them love them dearly. You have to treat them with love and respect.”

When it comes to her love for animals, Blair says, “I was born this way.” She says that her mother’s teaching of respect for animals also contributed to the development of a nurturing personality. And it’s not just the animals she’s concerned with saving; she cares about human health issues, as well. Part of Blair’s work includes spreading the word on how dietary habits affect people’s health and the environment. She recently self-published her book, Going Vegan (www.linda-blair.com), which contains information on how chemicals affect the food chain, as well as the religious philosophies that oppose man’s consumption of animals.

Blair chose to become a vegetarian after learning about some environmental issues. “I was reading about acid rain, pesticides and how cattle graze and consume these chemicals and how the pesticide runoff goes into the oceans and affects the fish and lobster and shrimp.

I thought, ‘Oh my God!’ and I never touched meat or seafood again.”

But of course, it is her life in front of the camera that she is best known for. While The Exorcist put her in the spotlight many years ago, she admits it took a long time to shake the negative stigma that followed. “I found dealing with The Exorcist to be one of my most difficult journeys. So I had to ask the question, ‘Why was I chosen for this film?’ But years later, people started to see that I went on to other things. The Exorcist gave me a platform, and I’m grateful now that people recognize me and the work I do for animals.”

For now, Blair’s immediate goal is to combine her work with the camera and her mission of animal awareness by making her directorial debut on a film project that deals with animals and health issues. “People need to realize that I put myself in these situations to expose lies and atrocities. I love these animals dearly. There’s nothing I won’t do to help them.”

Kastle Waserman is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles.
© 2003 ASPCA
ASPCA Animal Watch – Spring 2003
For more information, go to www.petfinder.com

Hear from our friends at “Celebrating Green”

Many celebrities are turning green for their children’s birthday’s Great Get your green ideas for children’s birthday parties from the women at Celebrating Green! …
Celebrating an eco-friendly birthday can be loads of fun and cost next to nothing. All it takes is a little thought and planning.

Once you and your child (assuming she’s old enough), have chosen a theme, look at each aspect of the event: decor, food, activities and gifts, and ask yourself the following questions. (We’re talking about children’s birthdays here, but the same principles apply no matter the age of the honoree.)

1. Can I reuse or re-purpose items I already own for decor? Avoid purchasing paper goods like tablecloths, even napkins. If you’re crafty, take a plain white sheet and color in animals, pirates, teacups or whatever matches your theme, or visit a thrift store and see if they have some fabric that could be used. The most practical solution for napkins is washcloths. If you don’t have enough, you can pick up a dozen for less than $10 in many discount stores. These can be used as every day napkins until they totally deteriorate at which time they transform nicely into dust rags.
   For table decorations, check your house, especially your child’s room, assuming it’s her party. Among her toys, we bet you can find enough items related to the party theme to create a unique tablescape. If she’s old enough, she can set it up on her own.
   There’s no need for conventional balloons which, unless disposed of properly, can be a threat to wildlife and also post a choking hazard to children. Instead, make a few pinatas with recycled paper and fill them with some healthy treats or treasures.
2. What can we eat that everyone will enjoy but that’s healthier than the usual birthday fare? Avoid planning a full meal. Much of the food goes to waste as kids are notoriously picky or just too excited to eat. Instead, lay a table with a choice of healthier snacks (depending on children’s ages), like raisins, peanut butter (be sure to ask parents beforehand whether their children are free of allergies), fruit, 100% fruit leathers, or organic “bars.” Instead of juice or soda, put out pitchers of cold filtered water, homemade lemonade, or if it’s a winter birthday, how about making real organic hot chocolate?
   When it comes to the cake, save money and create something healthier by making one yourself. It’s not that difficult or time consuming. If you have a small group, donning chef hats and making the cake can be a fun part of the celebration.
   Another option for do-it-yourself fun is cookie baking and decorating. Individually decorated cookies make great no-waste party favors.
   Be sure to set out a container for composting leftovers.
3. Do we really have to haul the gang to an amusement park, restaurant or skating rink to enjoy a memorable party? The answer is absolutely not! Think about what your kids love doing daily. For instance, one four-year-old we know lives and breathes hide ‘n seek. Why shouldn’t her party involve several variations on the game? Not only can all the partygoers play, but how about hide ‘n seek with some gifts, both for the birthday girl and the guests? Or why not hide and seek for objects instead of people?
   If your child loves animals, call your local 4H club and see if a teenager will bring a rabbit or other animal for the children to learn about and pet.
   We’re betting that no matter what your child enjoys, he’ll love integrating activities based on his passion into the party.
   Neither of ideas the above costs a penny. And remember that when you focus on the child instead of the event, magic can happen.
4. How do we take the focus off gifts? At the same time parents may decry our nation’s emphasis on overconsumption, they equate a great birthday (or Christmas or Halloween for that matter), with giving and receiving lots of stuff. But more people are beginning to believe that children’s birthday parties, especially the gift giving parts, have gotten out of control. Parents and children alike, are starting to look at the whole gift giving idea in a new light. Some parents are asking for gently used or homemade (by the guest, not the parent)items. Others are opting out of asking other children to bring gifts to parties, while keeping family gift giving intact. Many have started donating to charities in the child’s name, or a combination of these ideas. For a terrific list of alternatives, visit www.BirthdaysWithoutPressure.org.

The birthday child isn’t the only one who is showered with gifts, though. At many events, tiny guests return home laden with so many items, you’d think it was their birthday! Downsizing prizes and party favors is not difficult. Every game does not have to have a winner who is rewarded with a trinket. How about making a craft project the centerpiece of the party, with the children taking home what they make? Even better,donate the projects to a children’s hospital.

Birthday parties should be fun for everyone and there is no reason to create waste and shower anyone with carloads of stuff. Instead, aim to create a memorable event that focuses on simple pleasures.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

WorkingMother.com

WorkingMother.com takes a look at four Hollywood women who truly find time to do it all.

Many well known women in Hollywood and television find ways to fit charitable acts into their lives. Our friends at Working Mother gave a shout out to a few who have found ways to give back while working and having young families to care for. Whether it’s as a paid spokesperson or through an act of charity born of experience, each one of these Celebrity Moms puts their heart on the line — as well as their voices — to raise awareness for a cause.

From Sherri Shepherd, the View co-host whose work for the March of Dimes March for Babies campaign stems from the premature birth of her own son, to new mom Alyson Hannigan, who is using her natural comedic abilities to raise awareness for Stand Up 2 Cancer, Working Mother’s list is sure to inspire.

Read the rest of Working Mother’s list of Celebrity Moms Who Give Back.

The Rollercoaster Ride of Trying to Get Pregnant

By Tami Childers

In your early 20’s and 30’s if you are single, you spend so much time trying not to get pregnant. But, when you reach your 40’s and you are at that precipice of either deciding to become a Mom or allowing the dream to flow by, getting pregnant is more like a job or having a root canal over and over again than enjoying the fun of having sex and creating a baby.

In the series “Sex and the City” Charlotte has a difficult time getting pregnant. She tries everything from In Vitro-fertilization to acupuncture. Like Charlotte, I did the same thing, but without any luck thus far.

I have to say that I always thought that I would get pregnant naturally, even in my 40’s. So to be confronted with the reality that this may not be true was a shock to the system (although every OBYGN will give you less
than a 5% chance of getting pregnant in your forties).

There’s pain, frustration, and disappointment when you go month after month without anything happening. You can walk away from the experience feeling drained both physically and financially. I know a couple that mortgaged their house and went through their savings to have a baby. The difficult thing about doing that is you end up spending all your resources on getting pregnant and you don’t even have the baby yet!

A few months ago, after nine months of trying, my doctor pulled me aside and suggested that I look at other ways of having a baby – egg donor or adoption. That’s when I needed to really ask myself some tough questions: Is my need to have my own biological children? Or is my need to become a Mom and build a family?

I realized that before I was ready to move on to that question though, I had to mourn the reality that I will not have my own biological children. I had a dream in my head that little Susie or little Johnny would have my eyes, or personality. So I had to let go of the dream I had since childhood and accept that what I thought would happen naturally, will not be happening in this lifetime. (If you relate to this story, know that you have to give yourself time to mourn. For me it took several months of processing. The important thing is to give yourself time to grieve, and know that it is different for everyone.)

Only after I mourned the loss of this dream was I able to explore the other ways of being a Mom such as egg donor, adoption, foster care, being a Godmother/Aunt and volunteering.

Only you can decide what is best for you. I have decided to opt for egg donor, and for whatever reason if that does not take, we will move on to adoption. I feel that being a Mom and building my family is what is really important. Like Charlotte, I have determination. Like Charlotte, I may end up adopting. But unlike Charlotte, I may not have a child naturally. Even though at the end of this year, I ended up not getting pregnant, I have learned some great life skills – It has made me stronger. The experience made me confront my fears and has allowed me to realize that being a Mom is more important than having a baby naturally.

Baby and the City, By Jeanette Fernandez

The other day my boyfriend asked me why I love Sex and the City so damn much. The question came about when he “caught me” watching reruns of the hugely popular HBO television series on TBS the other night. He really couldn’t believe that I loved the show so much that I was willing to watch the edited reruns years after their first run.

First of all, he’s a guy and clearly doesn’t get it. (How he feels about “Iron Man 2” is the equivalent of how I feel about “Sex and the City 2.”) Second of all, like most of the millions of female viewers of the show and subsequent movies, we can relate to it. Now we may not own high-end fashion or go to fabulous parties every night or even live in a major metropolitan area. No matter. We connect with the characters; what happens to them, how they deal with their issues, personally and professionally. We get their actions and we understand their emotions. An ‘I’ve felt/said/done that’ is a given in any episode with any of the four players.

Lately, I’ve taken to identifying with Miranda – her post child days. It was the episode where she had recently given birth to her son Brady, was getting ready for work in the morning, and looked in the mirror to see a greasy, ratty head of hair staring back at her. She hadn’t had time to wash her hair in what seemed like days and was trying desperately to make something out of nothing. I thought to myself, ‘It can’t be that bad, can it?’ The internal words of someone who had never had a child…until now.

Having had a baby girl a couple of months ago, I now realize that yes, it can be that bad. Showers become a luxury and having the time to wash your hair is like winning the lottery. I called a friend of mine the other day and heard myself say that I hadn’t washed my hair in days. I was definitely having a Miranda Moment.

In the “Sex and the City 2”, Miranda is in the midst of the working mom versus the stay at home mom battle. In the past Miranda has always been about her work. Nothing came before it, not even her romantic relationships. Her career was numero uno and she was hailed for it. It seems now that the constant professional is having second thoughts about her role as a working mom. Once again, an issue I, and I’m sure many more moms, struggle with. Pre-baby, I always told myself that if and when I had a child, I would maintain my career. Be the ultimate working mom. But, I have to admit, like Miranda, am in constant war with myself over it.

It’s not that I don’t want to work. It’s just that all of a sudden, my job doesn’t seem so important anymore – to my utter amazement. But, don’t I want to ‘have it all’? By the way, do men who work and have kids ‘have it all’? Just curious. Anyways, this is where I sit right now. Don’t get me wrong. Many moms don’t have a choice, financially speaking. Not working isn’t an option for most. But, I do get it now. I understand why some of my friends, ones who have run their own very successful businesses, decide to leave it in the past when they have kids. I get the urge to stay home rather than be on a conference call.

It’ll be interesting to see what the ultimate career woman will do in the upcoming flick. Is it time for Miranda to shed her lawyer clothes or is the call of financial and professional stability too strong? Either way, Miranda, I feel your pain.

The Spirituality of Motherhood

The Journey of Surrender, the First Step in Becoming a Mom
By Marie Elena Rigo, Life and LifeBites Coach

The questioning starts well before conception: Will I be able to get pregnant? How long will it take? What if I can’t?

The worry, doubt and fear seem to be ever-present. And the statistics don’t help – especially if you are older. They remind you that after the age of 35, a woman’s chance of getting pregnant significantly decreases and her risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities greatly increases. So, regardless of how spiritual you are, it’s easy to get discouraged early in the process.

This is where the journey of surrender begins.

Most of us don’t know how fertile we are until we try to get pregnant. Ah the irony of spending years avoiding conception and then doing everything we can to facilitate it.

I got married three days after my 39th birthday – making time “of the essence” with regard to having a baby. And, while People Magazine was filled with celebrity moms in their late 30s and early 40s, I was fully aware of the facts and challenges of getting pregnant naturally at that age.

My mom was 40 when she had my younger brother, so I figured this might bode well for me. In addition, I had spent the last decade or so focused on my health on all levels – including emotionally and spiritually. This didn’t prohibit the fear, doubt and worry from showing up, but it did support me in keeping them check.

I was blessed to conceive after only three months of “trying.” We were elated and petrified. The fear, doubt and worry persisted and the journey of surrender intensified. My husband and I meditated every night before bed and said a special prayer for the viability of the pregnancy and the health of the baby. I counted every day and marked every week.

The nausea began around week seven and continued to get worse throughout the first trimester. “Morning sickness” was actually “all-day sickness” and although I was voraciously hungry, and I was repulsed by the look and smell of most foods. I was more tired than I’d ever been in my life and felt uncomfortable from morning until night. Surrender, surrender, I kept reminding myself.

I had always been super active and tried to exercise – even if it was just taking a walk. Many days, it was virtually impossible because of how terrible I felt. The effort to maintain my slender physique was futile, as I gained weight rapidly and my body expanded in all the places I had worked so hard to “sculpt” over the years. Another layer of surrender…

After three and a half months of feeling like I had the flu and just when I thought I couldn’t take one more day, the nausea began to subside. By week 15, I started to recognize myself again. One morning, I actually made breakfast for my husband who was taken aback to even see me in the kitchen.

Each checkup, the doctor tried to see the baby’s gender. We were eager to know, yet the baby had other ideas. Yes, the message to surrender rose again…

The ultrasound during the amnio at 17 weeks was a lengthy one. The baby was moving a lot – making us hopeful we’d learn the sex. Nope. Not a chance. We had to be patient and surrender to the process – that was beyond our control.

Now, I’m nearly 19 weeks and we just found out we are having a boy. One question answered – a million more to go.

There are many definitions of surrender including: to relinquish control, to give up in favor of another, to give over (or resign) oneself to something. As a first-time mom, I think the lesson of surrender is one of utmost importance. The idea of relinquishing the need to control, giving up my “comfort” temporarily in favor of my son’s life and giving over any fear, doubt and worry to God, the Universe or a higher power will support me tremendously throughout my journey of motherhood. And, I know that this journey has only just begun.

“Spiritual Lullabies, Songs to Honor the Child Within”

By Christine Giuliano

“Spiritual Lullabies, Songs to Honor the Child Within” is a compilation of songs written and produced by Christine Giuliano. The album was initially derived from a collection of songs recorded for friends who were expecting newborn babies or were in the process of adopting children. However, Giuliano’s songs touched her listeners so deeply that she was urged to create an entire album and make it public.

Giuliano, who performs lead vocals and is Executive Producer of “Spiritual Lullabies,” attributes her album’s success, in part, to a group of others who signed on to add their unique talents to her project. Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Cameron Stone (Jewel), Michael Parnell (Meredith Brooks), Paul Rudolph (Muppets Tonight) and Donna Delory (Madonna) and Erik Peterson were all part of the magic.

“Self Discovery is not a moment, but a process. Music is a wonderful way to touch your feelings and help you move through life’s journey.”

The CD, available on amazon.com, is the winner of a Parent’s Choice Award and the lyrics have been featured in ELLE magazine’s “Think Tank” series and numerous other periodicals and websites.

Christine believes the album evolved through the magic of angels, the love of friends and the unabashed kindness of good people. Well, maybe a little fairy dust along the way too!

Meet the Squeegees!

Rescuing legions of parents from the torturous children’s music of the past, The Squeegees provide an irresistibly playful musical journey for the entire family. Parents love the positive messages emphasized in their songs, including environmental awareness, animal rescue, and healthy eating, while the duo’s younger fans have a blast singing and dancing along to such tunes as “Apples, Oranges and Peaches”, “Nala the Chihuahua”, “The Elements of the Earth”, “Making Noises”, and “Rules of the Road.” Featuring eco-conscious songs, liberating songs, sweet songs, and mysterious songs all arranged for vocals, acoustic guitar, and a shaker or two, their self-titled, debut EP is available now at www.meetthesqueegees.com or at iTunes. On August 29th, their CD will be available at Target stores, just in time for back to school! All of their music is appropriate for infants, toddlers, and the parents and grandparents who love them.

Samantha Tobey and Pierre De Reeder are the kids-at-heart behind this grass-roots musical venture. As a former “Mommy and Me,” music/movement, and baby sign language teacher, Samantha brings a natural flair and years of experience to her passion for interacting and working with children. Pierre is the bass player for the well known rock band Rilo Kiley and a father himself. There chemistry on stage has brought the SqueeGees experience to a new level. They are joined by Rich “Shaka” Sherwood on the drums. He has been teaching drum lessons to children for years and loves being a SqueeGee.

Listen to some samples of their songs! Feel free to download the full versions of Nala the Chihuahua and The ol’ WWW too, but if you do…make sure you share them with all of your friends!

Apples Oranges and Peaches

Making Noises

Nala the Chihuahua!

The Ol’ WWW

Visit them at their website: www.meetthesqueeges.com

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Energy doesn’t grow old … it just turns ugly

Ugly watermelons could make good Biofuel

By Megan Treacy from Ecogeek.org

New research has come out that indicates watermelon could make a good biofuel additive.  Now, I know you’re immediately cringing because watermelon is a food crop and that spells disaster, but the good news is that no one is proposing that we start taking over arrable land with watermelon patches.

It turns out that 20 percent of every annual watermelon crop is unused because, well, it’s ugly.  Misshapen or bruised fruit doesn’t sell, so farmers leave them in the field and take a loss.  Those extra watermelons could be processed for their juice, which could then be made into biofuel.

What makes these disfigured melons biofuel-worthy?  Watermelon juice contains seven to ten percent directly fermentable sugars or easy ethanol.  While the juice would have to be almost triple concentrated to be the sole feedstock in a biofuel, it would make a great additive to other biofuel blends that need to be supplemented or diluted.  Farmers could process the juice on-site and use it as an alternative fuel or sell it to biofuel-makers and make revenue on what would usually be wasted fruit.

Of course, a feedstock’s potential to make ethanol isn’t everything.  We’ll have to see how watermelon-blended biofuels perform compared to other feedstocks and gasoline to know if harvesting their juice is worthwhile.

MoveOn.org teams with R.E.M. to reform healthcare.

ARTIVIST: a unique word for Advocate Artists.

ARTIVIST: a unique word for Advocate Artists.

“ARTIVIST” is the first international film festival and awards dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children’s Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Rights. Our mission is to strengthen the voice of advocate artists – “Artivists” – while raising public awareness for social global causes.

The 6th Annual Artivist Film Festival

will be held October 8-11, 2009

at the Historic Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Hollywood.

The 2009 Artivist Awards takes place Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

Honoring the Winning Films.

For more information  www.artivist.org

Romance isn’t just for Hollywood…..

From Gwyenth Paltrow to Julia Roberts, it’s not just CELEBRITIES that are getting INSPIRED in turning their homes green, everyday people are getting into the groove too…

So let’s Get Green in the BEDROOM….

Lisa Beres, Co-founder of the GreenNest.com gives us some tips to create a healthy, living space.

In honor of creating a romantic space in the bedroom, let’s get in the mood…Get into a cozy, warm 100% cotton robe and light some soy candles… All available at Greennest.com

Now check out her tips…

Green Nest Tips for the Bedroom

1) De-clutter and Remove Everything that’s Not Bedroom Related

Clutter traps dust and dust can trigger a host of allergies.  If your room is full of books and newspapers or hobby supplies, clean it up and clear it out.  If you keep a computer in the bedroom  — move it!  Ditto for hobby supplies. Computers contain cadmium, lead, flame retardants, epoxy plastics and there is a plethora of inks and glues involved with many hobbies. You want to avoid breathing in these dangerous toxins at night.

2) Remove Carpet or Use Area Rugs

It’s warm underfoot, but rugs can harbor all kinds of nasty things. If you can’t live without carpet in your bedroom get an area rug or have a piece of carpet cut to the size of the room, air it out, and wash and rinse it with water before having it fitted. Chemicals can be found in carpet backing, adhesives and the fibers themselves, as well as stain or water resistant treatments that have been applied to the carpet. Make sure to choose untreated, natural fiber options.

3) Choose an Organic Mattress and Linens

Replace old bedding, especially ‘wrinkle-free’ and other sheets containing synthetic additives like formaldehyde and pesticides, with organic linens. Use organic barrier covers for pillows and mattresses to provide an allergen barrier. Synthetic fabrics release chemicals as your body heats them through the night.  Since your skin is your largest organ, you want to make sure what your sleeping in is safe enough to be absorbed by your body.

4) Check the Room for Mold

Mold can wreak a whole host of health issues from mild allergy-like symptoms to debilitating illness, depending on the level of mold in a building and the sensitivity of the exposed individuals. Mold can grow on a variety of surfaces like drywall and wood as long as there is moisture to feed it. If there’s a leak in a roof, window or plumbing, mold can even grow unseen behind walls and under floors.

5) Air Out Dry Cleaning

An abundance of unhealthy chemicals are used in the dry cleaning process. But you can lesson your exposure. Before you bring your dry cleaned clothes into your bedroom, air them out for 3-to-4 days and choose a green-friendly dry cleaner.

6) Use Battery Clocks Near the Bed

Research has shown that exposure to high magnetic fields while sleeping can cause severe long-term illness. Many electric clocks produce high magnetic fields. Replace your alarm clock with a battery-powered model.

7) Turn Off Circuit Breakers Before Bedtime

Electric fields affect the body’s bio-communication system, keeping you from sleeping soundly. Even with everything unplugged, current still runs through the walls and floors of your bedroom. Turn off the circuit breaker to your bedroom when you turn in at night.

Eliminate or Shield from RF

Radio frequency (RF) signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with the body’s immune system. Turn them off before going to bed.

9) Use Non-Metal Beds and Keep New Furniture Out of the Bedroom for the First Few Months

Metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth’s natural magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep. Use natural materials instead. Furniture can also make a significant contribution to the chemical concoction in bedroom air. By choosing a natural latex organic mattress, you will avoid any metal springs in your mattress.

10) Create Healthy Indoor Air Quality

Since we spend 1/3 of our life in our bedrooms, it is vital to maintain clean and healthy air – in this room in particular.  Make sure to implement a HEPA filter containing a blend of carbon and zeolite like Green Nest’s Healthmate for removal of biological and chemical contaminants.  Don’t forget to change your furnace air filters regularly – every 3 months to be safe.

How healthy is your home? Find out at www.greennest.com/quiz/healthy_home.html.  Get FREE healthy home tips at http://greennest.namasteinteractive.com/sweeps3_holiday/subscribe.htm

Green Hollywood

Being Green: Elmo Goes “Green” to Help the Earth!

Elmo turns green in this all new DVD premiere!

LifeBites has found this wonderful new DVD to feature in  Green Hollywood.

Watch as Elmo and Abby pitch in to help Mr. Earth (actor Paul Rudd in a hilariously large costume) host Sesame Street’s first Earth-a-Thon. Mr. Earth teaches Elmo and Abby how “it can be easy being green” by recycling, re-using, and conserving water and energy. Abby, in her desire to help Elmo be more “green”, accidentally turns him the color green and can’t remember how to change him back! Lots of fun ensues as Abby is eventually able to poof Elmo red again. Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita and Telly join Mr. Earth in pledging to continue to do “green” things to help our planet because Earth Rocks!

Runtime:  45 minutes on 1 DVD

Available April 7, 2009

GreenTips

It’s time to get green in the bedroom….

 

 

Green Nest Tips for The Bedroom

 

 

1) De-clutter and Remove Everything that’s Not Bedroom Related

 

Clutter traps dust and dust can trigger a host of allergies.  If your room is full of books and newspapers or hobby supplies, clean it up and clear it out.  If you keep a computer in the bedroom  – move it!  Ditto for hobby supplies. Computers contain cadmium, lead, flame retardants, epoxy plastics and there is a plethora of inks and glues involved with many hobbies. You want to avoid breathing in these dangerous toxins at night.

 

2) Remove Carpet or Use Area Rugs

 

It’s warm underfoot, but rugs can harbor all kinds of nasty things. If you can’t live without carpet in your bedroom get an area rug or have a piece of carpet cut to the size of the room, air it out, and wash and rinse it with water before having it fitted. Chemicals can be found in carpet backing, adhesives and the fibers themselves, as well as stain or water resistant treatments that have been applied to the carpet. Make sure to choose untreated, natural fiber options.

 

3) Choose an Organic Mattress and Linens

 

Replace old bedding, especially ‘wrinkle-free’ and other sheets containing synthetic additives like formaldehyde and pesticides, with organic linens. Use organic barrier covers for pillows and mattresses to provide an allergen barrier. Synthetic fabrics release chemicals as your body heats them through the night.  Since your skin is your largest organ, you want to make sure what your sleeping in is safe enough to be absorbed by your body.

 

4) Check the Room for Mold

 

Mold can wreak a whole host of health issues from mild allergy-like symptoms to debilitating illness, depending on the level of mold in a building and the sensitivity of the exposed individuals. Mold can grow on a variety of surfaces like drywall and wood as long as there is moisture to feed it. If there’s a leak in a roof, window or plumbing, mold can even grow unseen behind walls and under floors.

 

5) Air Out Dry Cleaning

 

An abundance of unhealthy chemicals are used in the dry cleaning process. But you can lesson your exposure. Before you bring your dry cleaned clothes into your bedroom, air them out for 3-to-4 days and choose a green-friendly dry cleaner.

 

6) Use Battery Clocks Near the Bed

 

Research has shown that exposure to high magnetic fields while sleeping can cause severe long-term illness. Many electric clocks produce high magnetic fields. Replace your alarm clock with a battery-powered model.

 

7) Turn Off Circuit Breakers Before Bedtime

 

Electric fields affect the body’s bio-communication system, keeping you from sleeping soundly. Even with everything unplugged, current still runs through the walls and floors of your bedroom. Turn off the circuit breaker to your bedroom when you turn in at night.

 

Eliminate or Shield from RF

 

Radio frequency (RF) signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with the body’s immune system. Turn them off before going to bed.

 

9) Use Non-Metal Beds and Keep New Furniture Out of the Bedroom for the First Few Months

 

 

Metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth’s natural

magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep. Use natural materials instead. Furniture can also make a significant contribution to the chemical concoction in bedroom air. By choosing a natural latex organic mattress, you will avoid any metal springs in your mattress.

 

10) Create Healthy Indoor Air Quality  

 

Since we spend 1/3 of our life in our bedrooms, it is vital to maintain clean and healthy air – in this room in particular.  Make sure to implement a HEPA filter containing a blend of carbon and zeolite like Green Nest’s Healthmate for removal of biological and chemical contaminants.  Don’t forget to change your furnace air filters regularly – every 3 months to be safe.   

 

How healthy is your home? Find out at www.greennest.com/quiz/healthy_home.html. Get FREE healthy home tips at http://greennest.namasteinteractive.com/sweeps3_holiday/subscribe.htm

Celebrity, Inspired

In “Celebrity, Inspired,” LifeBites features well-known celebrities and their inspirations – a cause, a charity or an organization that is close to their heart.  Find out what stars get involved in to work toward a better world for today, tomorrow and the future.

Patrick Dempsey joins  in the fight against breast cancer. Please enjoy this special message to learn more including something new for 2009 the Dempsey Racing Champions Circle!

The money raised by the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will lead to life-changing awareness, support and research. Be a part of it. Register today. www.avonwalk.org

GreenBites

Hollywood is going GREEN!

Penelope Cruz shares with Nina her thoughts about how we can all find ways to go green.

Creativity & Cancer

As we focus on surviving cancer in our Helping Hand section this month, we thought we would highlight a remarkable woman who transformed her journey with cancer by writing. No doubt getting cancer is painful and brings up a lot of issues, but also it can be quite a journey of self-discovery and creativity. Below is Olive’s story, her battle with cancer as well as her ability to dig deep and open up to her creativity during such a challenging time. May we all be able lucky enough to be know an “Olive” in our lives.

My Life, by Olive Evans

A Life of Creating, Enchantment, Play, and Courage

I was born in England before the start of World War II and I had a twin sister Sylvia. We were Londoners (Cockneys from East Ham) and unfortunately became evacuees when London was threatened with heavy bombing.  When hearing that we were to be evacuated to Wales, our father put his foot down and said “My daughters will not be going to a foreign country” (or words to that effect), so we went to Felixstowe, on the English east coast, which was a big mistake. Our mother took us back to London and, into the worst of the London blitz (bombing.) Our Father was in the Royal Air Force and in North Africa; so the burden of caring for the family needs fell on mother.

At the end of the war, my sister and I continued our education first in high school in Buckinghamshire and then onto London University where we graduated with degrees in elementary education. We both taught in England for seven years in small village schools — children between four to eight years of age, it was a modern equivalent of a one-room schoolhouse.  It was a wonderful experience and I thrived and learned the importance of poetry, mythology and simple play-acting has on young children’s educational development.

Fourteen years later after my father’s refusal to allow us to be evacuated to Wales during the war, I told my parents that I would be marrying a Welshman. My Father put the other foot down and said: “My daughter will absolutely not be marrying a foreigner.”  However, his future son-in-law managed to charm him, as only Welshmen can do, and my father finally decided that the Welsh weren’t such a bad lot after all.

While raising two very young sons, we moved our family from England to Nova Scotia, then to Rochester, New York, where our third son was born.  After four years, we moved to Manhattan Beach, California. As the boys got older and more independent I returned to Cal. State University Dominguez Hills and earned an English Literature degree and obtained a California early childhood teaching credential. Because I love children, I taught for a three years in a school helping children with learning and emotional disabilities.

Up until that point, my life was filled with children and education, but it changed substantially the day I received a telephone call from the Manhattan Beach Recreation Department’s Program Director, asking her to teach a belly dancing class.  I thought, “The lady obviously had the wrong number, for I have absolutely no skill in that area, although I could dance the polka quite well after a drink or two.”  The director, not to be put off, asked, “if I would like to teach a drama class.”  This sounded more interesting, and before I knew what had hit me, I was enchanted with the acting bug and started teaching drama to 8 – 12 year old children.  This expanded into writing plays for the children to perform. I then was acting in plays, writing, directing, teaching and loving every bit of the creative process!

I also managed to become part of a vaudeville revue called “Av’A Banana” and because of my age (slightly middle) and my inability to sing and dance at the same time, I was considered “comedic.”  That probably explains why my solo performance consisted of the old music hall song “Nobody Loves A Fairy When She’s Forty,” a fun, loving song with innuendos of which I was quite unaware until the day the troupe performed at a birthday party for a television producer and his many very handsome young friends.  The performance caused the audience to collapse into riotous laughter. I so love to make people laugh!

I remained a  funny, mischievous aging fairy for two years and then decided it was time to work with children again… this time as a storyteller.  So I became “The Fairytale Godmother” and for the next thirteen years I traveled to schools, churches and birthday parties with my own stories, costumes and sets and turned the stories into plays in which the children could perform.

Then in 1999 my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He dealt with the surgery and subsequent side effects with bravery and humor.  The following year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was double dose of life hitting us square in the face.  I had a bilateral mastectomy, two rounds of chemotherapy, followed by radiation, the usual regimen for this type of cancer.  By then I had retired from storytelling and I was able to concentrate on returning to good health as quickly as possible, and David was very instrumental in doing everything he could to see that I was doing all things possible to get better.

But chemotherapy can be a downer at the best of times, and there were times when I had a hard time trying to stay positive. That was really difficult for me, because I usually see the good in every situation. I am always the optimist.  Because my emotions were getting the best of me, I decided I had to do something to keep my mind off the treatment I was going through.  I knew I needed to write, because I had always found that writing took me to a happy and creative place– a place that even for a brief while could keep me focused on anything other than the pain.  I couldn’t write about how I felt, but I could write about something much more soothing –  the ‘thrift store bears’ I had bought over the years from thrift stores all over the L.A. area.  I had forty-two bears at the time, so I set a goal to write about each bear, and to write poems rather than stories.  I had never written poetry before and it didn’t come easily to me. I just knew I had to write. I needed to be creative and I needed to focus on something other than me.

After getting started, I settled down into a routine, writing each day, going for chemotherapy treatments and visiting the doctor’s office in between.  As my poems began to improve, I would sometimes take the bear and poem to the Wellness Community and would read the poem to my weekly support group, who encouraged me to bring more poems and bears to the meetings.  When I had finally finished my forty-second poem, a friend who was an artist and loved bears- of the teddy variety, Pat Woolley, wanted to paint them. I picked out the best poems, and with encouragement from friends and family, we would self-publish the book. Then another good friend, Jim Furmston, who is a well-known musician and composer, persuaded me to record the poems in his studio, and when that was done, he decided to write music to accompany each bear poem. My husband, who many years ago, had received training in printing, took on the tremendous task of scanning the illustrations on to the computer, organizing the written words with the illustrations and making a PDF file which would be used by a printing company to produce the book.

In August 2004, the books arrived from Taiwan, and shortly afterwards, the CD was available to add to the book.  “The Thrift Store Bears” book and CD were ready for sale.

The bad news in 2004 was my cancer had spread to my bladder and I had to have more aggressive surgery followed by more chemotherapy – Not fun! Once again I had to rally my mind, body, emotions and spirit to get through. This time, I wrote “Adventures with The Thrift Store Bears” as a sequel.

Although these books did not stop my cancer in overtaking my body, the cancer never overtook my creativity and spirit for living.

I consider this time to have been one of the most productive, creative and joyful times of my life.  These books have brought so much happiness to my life, so many new friends, and have made me realize that having cancer was part of the journey I had to take. I also realized that I have a spiritual strength and deepening I never knew I had. With the love and support of friends, loved ones, as well as strangers, who continue to encourage me and bring laughter to my life, I keep, keeping on.   When I am feeling good, I go into schools with a select few of my thrift store bears to read the poems to the children.   I love children, for they are the gift and the magic of life, and they have helped me face some of the most challenging times in my life. Though I am in the midst of my fight with cancer and weekly chemotherapy, I continue to draw positive thoughts and inspiration from my writing and, of course, from my friends The Thrift Store Bears who, like me, are survivors!

***********************************************************************
Olive died November 25, 2007 at home surrounded by her family, friends and of course her “Thrift Store bears.”

In the seven years Olive lived through her journey fighting cancer, she wrote three children’s books, edited a book on theatre acting direction published by the University of the Philippines, edited an autobiography for a well known Welsh poet which became a successful seller.  Olive was honored with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and BMW Local Hero Award for her own personal fight against cancer and her support given to other cancer ‘warriors’ at her support group.

But above all other accomplishments Olive was a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother. She was, in short, a credit to all mothers.

Olive, may you be dancing with the Angels and Fairies in Heaven!

The Book Collection is available at the below link. A great gift for kids, adults and everyone. A portion of the books profits go to the Olive Evans Cancer Foundation.

www.thriftstorebears.com