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Archive for the ‘Wellness’ Category

Angelina Jolie: A Woman OFF The Fence

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

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I just sat in my kitchen reading Angelina Jolie’s article published today in the New York Times disclosing her recent preventative double mastectomy. Not in a long time have I read such an eloquent, heartfelt and touching article.

If you have not read the piece, here it is.

To the critics who claim she was too radical to remove both her breasts, to the critics who say that she should have kept it quiet, and to the critics who claim an unfairness for having the money to do the surgery (it’s thousands of dollars in the USA): I say you couldn’t be more wrong.

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The Good Fight

Monday, May 6th, 2013

It’s been a very sad weekend. One of my closest friends buried her 49 year old sister yesterday… three young children, a husband, and a shitload to live for. From what you may ask? Cancer, of course.

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So after another life is lost to cancer, today I want to spotlight someone who is fighting the good fight. Someone who is very much ALIVE, brave, and calls herself a FUTURE CANCER SURVIVOR. Her name is Virginia Champoux-Sokoloff, and our kids went to pre-school together. If you are a loyal reader, you might also remember her amazing post on WomenOnTheFence called 10 Lessons From 10 Years in Business: A Mompreneur’s Tale. Let me say, you MUST read this post.

When I bumped into Virginia last week at the grocery store, I was blown away. Blown away, because while the tears streamed down MY face as she kept me abreast of her situation (no pun intended, Virginia is kicking stage-3 breast cancer in the ass), what was impossible to miss was HER strength. Her matter-of-fact, direct tone. No hiding. No bullshit. Just stating the facts as they are, and committing herself to the best possible attitude, and recovery. Recovery recovery recovery. In that moment as I hugged her, as I felt my body melt with weakness, I felt her palpable strength. It was a strength I cannot describe.

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Blue Monday: Today Considered ‘The Most Depressing Day of the Year’ and 10 Tips Out of a Rut

Monday, January 21st, 2013

“Christmas is over, you’ve put on weight, it’s cold out, it’s dark out, your credit card bills are in, you’re not going to get another day off until March, and you’re tired.

You might even be depressed.

If so, you are not alone, especially not today. For today, according to one measure, is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year.” (Montreal Gazette)

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The New Research on Stress and 6 Tips To Reduce It

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Welcome to December! DECEMBER. I can’t even believe I am writing this word. 2013 is almost upon us. When did THAT happen?!

For many, December is a stressful time of year. The approach of the holidays signals time spent with family, which for many is wonderful, and for others, a nightmare. Christmastime is also a time of increased spending, which in itself can cause great anxiety and stress.

But here is what the latest research is saying:

While the widespread perception has always been that stress induces a vast array of health problems — everything from anxiety to fatigue – researchers from Penn State University say that it’s actually the way people react to potentially stressful situations that determines whether they will suffer adverse health effects in the future.

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Warning Signs of Burnout and How To Avoid It – Erica Diamond on Canada AM

Monday, November 12th, 2012

I just returned from my morning segment on Canada’s national morning show, Canada AM. In 2001 I was close to burnout, and today I shared the warning signs of burnout, and how to avoid it. Many people are walking around burned out, and don’t even know it. I hope that you will LISTEN to your body, and RESPOND promptly.

To view the segment click on this link: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/work-life-balance-key-to-beating-job-burnout-experts-1.1036410

Or to watch on YouTube, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S5XwG8Kwqw&feature=share&list=UULqdySZd9Era8HYsGEb6JCg

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Motivation Monday: Off The Fence

Monday, October 8th, 2012

This renders me speechless, teary-eyed, and with the feeling that I can accomplish ANYTHING that I set my mind to.

I don’t think there could be any more appropriate video for Canadian Thanksgiving today than this one. Talk about being thankful and grateful for your shot at life. Talk about getting unstuck and off the fence.

These 3 minutes are worthy of your time.

What do you think?

Happy Thanksigiving my fellow Canadians and Happy Columbus Day my friends south of the border. What are YOU thankful for?

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Fighting The Odds: The Launch Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Friday, October 5th, 2012

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I see no more fitting story than this one to kick off breast cancer prevention and awareness on WomenOnTheFence.com. Leah’s story is raw, candid and emotional. Leah is a friend of mine.

 

By Guest Blogger Leah Mitelman

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