Fifty: The 2nd Half Century Awaits!

Over 55? Beauty Tips for YOU!

2017-02-24T22:11:00.001-05:00

BEAUTY TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 55

(Check out my website Bethcohen.arbonne.com)

1. Use cream-based, not powder-based cosmetics on your face. Powder adds texture to skin that already has developed texture.

2. A good rule of thumb for lipstick is to find a tone that matches the inner lip or gums.

3. Women older than 50 tend to lose definition in their eyebrows. Just go with that. Don’t recreate the brows you had in your 20s.

4. This is a hard one, but do not wear any eye shadow at all (and especially no contour eye shadow in the crease because it gives the appearance of deepening the crease). A little bit of mascara is OK. I use the eye primer for a hint of color.

5. Tinted moisturizers don’t work. If you’re going to use a foundation to even out skin tone, find one that gives coverage but doesn’t add texture. Be willing to spend money on a foundation and take your time to experiment and find the exact right shade. Matching your skin tone exactly is critical.

Another Day!

2017-02-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

Take the good with the bad kind of day today. Let's start with the hashtags...#boyscouthusband #Pfeifferboys #lovemyfamily

Baked rigatoni was perfect! Packed up all the other parts to our dinner with our kids. So far ok. Right? It's a pretty drive up to Reiglesville on a beautiful day.

Remember the snow? On a dirt road it makes for mud. Neither one of us remember which is the street to turn off of Rt 212 but, yay!, found it! Then Larry says, "Is that the driveway?" I take that as to turn there. Uh oh! This only leads to the horse stable, no connection to Mike's place. I turn the car around and attempt to surmount the mud at the end. Several tries but our sedan is not an ATV! All 4 wheels caked in mud! Husband now named Mr WRONG, tries. I call and tell Donna our predicament. Mike & Jake trek down to assist. I go pet the very nice horse. More good! With Mike at the wheel, his dad directs him over the drier weeds and out. Jake and I make our way to the lower drive. More mud! I step in a divot and I hear and feel that mud sucking my foot down. At least the ground was soft when I fell. Grandson Jake helped me up. My shoes and socks are soaked. I'm embarrassed I fell.

BUT! Dinner was great! Had a wonderful afternoon and evening with the kids and grandkids. Heard about cyber school, college plans and amazed at how much better my 16 year old granddaughter is better with makeup than I am! So proud of them all. Love them to bits. We laughed, I teared up a couple times, had fun!

Journey into Abstinence: Step One

2017-02-08T18:01:00.001-05:00

Step One of Overeaters Anonymous (adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous)

We admitted we were powerless over food - that our lives had become unmanageable.

***trigger alert***

This step, personally, is the most important. I cannot eat just one cookie. Or just one piece of chocolate. Or one donut. My self-control gene is lacking! Sometimes I'm a binger: continuing to eat when physically I'm full. I'm an emotional eater: sad or happy, depressed or excited, stressed, you name it. I'm also a "yo-yo" dieter where I follow it faithfully, lose the weight then put it back on and then some. Overall I've probably lost about 1,000 pounds! As a baby or toddler, the extra fat was cute. Now as an adult, it is not pretty and also dangerous.

Looking at all of my eating habits over the years, I've loved food. It's necessary to survive. I was surviving for three adults the way I was imbibing. One night, 12 days ago, I had made chili. Served it over rice. I tried being healthy using ground chicken, not beef. I ate two portions. Didn't need to. But that night I was uncomfortable. Couldn't sit on the sofa, not even reclining. I drank some seltzer, I don't recall why. Not five minutes later, I was throwing up. This was not the first time. I sat down and and my grandmother's picture was right there. It was that moment a switch flipped. This may sound silly, you may scoff, but I felt her calming presence. I had to do something.

I talked to my husband, Larry. I told him, I cannot do this anymore. No more sweets, cakes, candy, cookies. I can't handle it. I need to admit it to myself. I was out of control. Then I realized I was living Step One: I admitted I was powerless over food. The next day, I went to my first OA meeting and found the group very accepting.

I've got a sponsor. We've talked extensively. I send her my meal plan for the day. I measure my food. I have felt so good these past 12 days! It's a momentum that may reach its top all at once or be in peaks and valleys. No matter what, I'll work on my life.

One meal at a time.

One day at a time.

Journey Into Abstinence: My Food History

2017-02-07T15:56:00.001-05:00

My earliest memories of overeating was as a kid, 6 or 7. Both my mom and her mother, my MomMom were wonderful cooks. I was introduced to all kinds of foods. Thanks to them, I developed a broad palate. Always told to finish what was on my plate. So to make them happy I did.

As a pre-teen, we took walks down to the Grove. I would spend allowance money on candy. I loved chocolate and thought it was a great thing to buy it myself. At some point, I felt a guilt over buying it and would hide it. I know sneaking food started then.

In senior high, I was given money for lunch each week. I could buy whatever I wanted. Then there were the fundraisers. Booster club sold the paddle pops, soft pretzels. The school store had cookies and candy. I ate them on the walk home. Sweets and chocolate were huge triggers. When MomMom died when I was 15 I spent that summer of '75 gorging on anything and everything. Everyone was so upset around me. I kept to myself sneaking food up to my room.

Probably my worst initial binges, always hidden from view, were in college. I was unhappy about my extra weight even though I was told how pretty I was. I think I was jealous of my younger brother who was so skinny my parents prayed he would eat.

I digress. I would buy whole pizzas and eat them in my room or my car. Then quickly break down the box and toss it. I'd buy hoagies, corned beef specials, Chinese food. Never eaten in the kitchen but upstairs in secret. After college I stopped eating those things because I was working in my parents' store and with them almost 24/7. But I managed to bring in chocolate. I put the empty wrappers in my dresser drawer or between the mattress and box spring. My mom discovered them and we had a tearful and heated discussion/argument.

In 1977, mom discovered liquid protein diet. She lost 95 pounds in 9 months. She eventually put it all back on, predominantly after my dad was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3 in '85. Shortly after that I was invited to an OA meeting by our Cantor's wife. She was my sponsor but I only did the easy things like a meal plan. Never did the 12 steps.

Fast forward to '89 and my dad passed away. I always had a problem with IBS but it got worse at that time. I wasn't eating much either. No candy, no bad foods. Everything I ate went right through. I lost 50 pounds in 3 months. My mom insisted I go to the doctor. I did, they diagnosed my with Crohn's disease. I was on a strict diet with the threat of hospitalization if I didn't stick to it. I was so very ill. I avoided a perforated colon by a whisker. I was scared!

In that time frame, I met my first husband. I was still following the doctor's food plan with small additions. In 6 months we were engaged and then married. I kept most of the weight off I think because I was afraid to gain any, that he would leave me. We bought a house, had a baby and divorced in 6 years. I moved back home with my mom with Eric.

I was unhappy with my life. I was unsettled. I went back to sneak eating. I was, after all, in my old bedroom! I fell back to bad habits. I tried WW, Jenny Craig and shakes from Arbonne. I took off weight and put most back on. Nothing I would call significant.

Right now, even though we are struggling financially, I'm in love with Larry. Nothing like my ex.

This time around with OA I feel so different. I can stay away from chocolate even with it being in the house. Right now there is no candy here either. If Eric brings it in, it stays in his room. My blood sugars are so improved! In a few weeks I'll get new blood tests done.

My Journey into Abstinence and OA

2017-02-05T22:26:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to say I went last Saturday morning, 2/28/2017, to my first meeting of Overeaters Anonymous in over 25 years! Wonderful group! I'm making a list of my triggers in food. I'm going one meal at a time then work up to one day at a time. I'm definitely good with Step One! I've admitted to myself and one other person that I'm powerless over food.

I've dabbled with blogging, never really kept a journal. So I'm blowing my anonymity. Perhaps one person will read this and seek help as well. Food is a horrible addiction. Getting rid of the sugar dependency will be a struggle. I need this. I need to get my diabetes under control.

Thanks for listening.

Remember

2016-07-26T23:30:00.001-04:00

"Life is a lark at Willow Grove Park". I remember it well. In the early part of the 1900's, my grandmother told me she and family and friends rode the trolley up from South Philly to hear John Philip Sousa play. That's what it's original purpose was; to encourage users of the new suburban trolley lines put in by PTC (before it became SEPTA).

My parents rode the same trolley up from West Oak Lane in the late 40's and well into the 50's for dates. And how many companies must have had their annual outings there.

As a kid, I remember riding down Easton Road past the "The Alps" to get a glimpse of people in the cars on the amusement ride. I thought they were so brave! We would go a couple times in the Summer as a treat with visits to Dorney Park in Allentown as well.

By that time, the Hankin family had owned for many years and built Willow Grove Lanes, the world's largest bowling alley as well as the shopping area across the street.

Let me see. We had Horn and Hardardts, Snellenberg's, Murphy's 5 & 10, Penn Fruit and what fun the shopping was! It was a treat to go to the automat at H & H and get to put the change in like a big kid.

So now it's all changed. You can see some of the nostalgia in Willow Grove Mall like the old carousel horses and such. Kids and adults too are glued to their phones looking for pocket monsters, not even interacting with other humans. Makes me sad. 😢

I'm determined to try and create some great memories for my family. Stick to some annual events and hope traditions get carried on. So off to the Hatboro Moonlight Memories this weekend! BBQ nights at our kids' houses. Visits to the Naval Air Base to see the restored planes and helicopters. And just being together. Without the "smart" phones. Just simple, human contact. 👪👩❤️👩👨👨👧👧👨❤️💋👨👩👩👧👦

http://umha.com/pages/willowgrovepark.html This link takes you to the Upper Moreland Historical Society website and the history of the Park.

Breast Practices? Hello Facebook, Listen Up!

2015-04-17T18:08:00.001-04:00

I carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation. I am, as well as millions of others worldwide, genetically predisposed to have breast and/or ovarian cancer. Additionally, both men and women have a higher risk of pancreatic and colon cancers and melanoma. 2007 I was one of probably 1000's of women globally who underwent mastectomies to save their lives. Before Rita, before Angelina, before anyone thought much of Facebook as a support system.

Up until now, there were forums through very few organizations that we could express ourselves. Thank goodness for FORCE, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (facingourrisk.org). There, we could express our concerns, our joys, our anxieties. Even at their website, there were precious few examples of these surgeries to view. I found consolation and hope there. But what about real life photos in real time where it could be discussed?

Enter Facebook and the ability to have closed, private groups. Plus the policy that allowed photos of breastfeeding AND mastectomies. In case you didn't know, even though the one group that has over 4,500 members in their closed, private status, there are pictures that get reported as inappropriate.

BRCA Sisterhood was created to be a safe haven to express ourselves and get help during these tragic times. How do we do we accomplish this without putting our own photos out there? In 2007, I wish I had that ability to take a photo and ask other BRCA mutants, "What is that?!" For some reason, even after been presented with rules and guidelines of the group, some photos are reported, by our own group members! The result is that the Facebook and Group member is prevented from posting at all.

Now you tell me, Facebook police, how will that member be able to take solace being placed in "jail" so to speak. You have just dashed any spark of light from this woman who was reaching out. Facebook has just denied its own policies because it's being run by robots. Where is the human interaction that is required to review these images?

I'm saddened and dismayed that Facebook has been so reduced to a jumble of 1's and 0's like any other computer program. In these cases, I think there MUST be human intercession.

We need more people to write about this problem. Protest! Shout out! Have my blog post and others go viral!

Thank you! 💐

Facing Your Fears

2015-04-14T10:51:00.001-04:00

There are all kinds of fears. Fear of loss. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Whether it's with Life, Loved Ones or your J.O.B.

Let's touch on the fear of success.

This one is a tough one to deal with because it doesn't

manifest itself clearly in your mind like the fear of failure.

Fear of failure you can see, touch, and feel.

Fear of success just lurks on you, hidden below your

subconcious.

What's the best way to overcome the fear of success?

Just go. Move.Take action. Forget that fear even exists.

Get your daily habits and actions in line with your

goals and dreams...

And your mind won't have time to manifest fear because you're in a constant state of action, results, and getting closer and closer to your goals.

Sound good? Great!

Now get off your duff and go take action right now.

Then do it again tomorrow.

And again the next day.

And again.

I think you have the idea. I believe in you and your

power to do anything you put your mind to do.

So now all you have to do is go out and grab it.

I can't wait to see you do it.

Angelina Jolie, BRCA and Saving Lives

2015-03-25T11:36:00.001-04:00

Angelina Jolie did an amazing thing...she took control of her life. She made the decision to live. Like thousands and thousands of women, she has joined the ranks of the Survivors and Previvors to empower themselves by using the knowledge of their BRCA mutation status and today's surgical technology.

Unlike my father who passed away from breast cancer, I took those life saving steps as well. He passed the genetic mutation to me. I tested in 1996 and was found positive for carrying it. That means I have approximately 85-90% lifetime risk of breast cancer and 50% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer.

Whether you applaud Jolie's actions or berate her for them, it is essential for the BRCA population to know their options and to reach the millions out there who still need to know. I had the same surgeries in 2002 and 2007. The latter's pathology showed DCIS stage 0, the beginnings of breast cancer.

I paraphrase my friend Olga Guzman Flores's aunt who put it succinctly, "If you knew the plane you were taking had a 50% risk of crashing would you still board?".

The following YouTube videos feature Olga singing at a JoiningFORCEs Annual Conference, my friend Anne Parker, the inspiration for the film "Decoding Annie Parker", who speaks about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and the third, another friend, film maker Joanna Rudnick and a clip of her documentary, "In the Family".

Please watch, educate yourself and others and #ShareandSaveaLife.

http://youtu.be/IJ4V8g1EteA

http://youtu.be/pE7q7nBPIOE

http://youtu.be/ioJo1EaMmTc

DIY: Flip Flop Wreath

2015-03-21T09:12:00.001-04:00

Ok, first day of Spring 2015 will go down in our memories as Mother Nature celebrating "Opposite Day"! But the day after is going up a above 50 so it won't last.

Got me thinking of how to chase these blues away and I came across a great project to do once the flip flops become available in the dollar stores. Can't call them thongs like we used to or it could confuse today's generation. Their front door might be sponsored by Victoria Secret!

Have fun with it! So many variations in color and theme. You can even fashion a patriotic one for each Summer Holiday!

Nothing says Welcome Summer like flip-flops!

Gather:

7-8 Colorful pairs of Flip Flips – check the dollar store, use varied sizes too!
Silk flowers
Hot Glue
Plain Wreath
Decorative flat beads/stones

Practice with your layout before you glue anything on. Once you have everything where you want it THEN start gluing. Hang on your front door!

pic via pinterest

Let's Cook! Key Lime Cake

2015-03-20T19:53:00.001-04:00

I've always loved the atmosphere about the Keys, that string of islands cutting between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. A different atmosphere, a world unto itself and a place to kick back. No wonder Hemingway took to Key West specifically.

Key West has the Cuban flair mixed with America. Being the Southernmost point, 90 miles from Cuba, it enjoys a singularly fabulous reputation. It feels like the Caribbean but you are still in the U.S.

The Hemingway House, brimming over with the polydactyl cats the island is known for. I understand there is a 6 year wait to adopt one of the 6 toed kitties. The tours are led by docents who know everything about Papa Hemingway.

The Aquarium houses local sea creatures and a sanctuary for the wounded. I remember the blind pelican who just wanders everywhere, mostly in circles!

And how about the buried treasures from shipwrecks over the years. The air conditioned exhibit is so welcoming.

Take a stroll down to Mallory Square at sundown and join everyone toasting the sun's settling down for the day. Or go down to Duval Street for the art and fun. Most of all, enjoy the unique culinary delights like a lobster rueben or conch chowder or fritters while sitting on the deck at the juncture of the two bodies of water. Yes, there's Sloppy Joe's with its touristy kitsch but there are other great places on this tiny island.

One of the favorite sweets here is Key Lime Pie. My best friend's son loves ANYTHING with that zesty flavor! In Paul's honor, I am posting this recipe for Key Lime Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese frosting that I found online. Yummy!

Look for lines about golf ball sized. They are the best. They are not always the pale green color but sometimes all shades up to a beautiful yellow color.

Key Lime Pound Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

4 sticks butter, that’s 1 pound, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 cup evaporated milk, (I always keep a good number of those small, 5 ounce cans in my pantry.)
4 teaspoons key lime zest, minced
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 300°. Cover inside of 10 inch tube pan with non-stick spray. My pan is 10 1/2″ and it’s just fine. Set aside.
Using a stand-up mixer or electric hand-held, beat the butter well until light in color and fluffy. Add the sugar and again beat well for at least 5 minutes. I use a stand up mixer and beat the mixture 10-15 minutes. I don’t like a “grainy” cake.
One at a time add the eggs and beat only until the yellow disappears.
Now mixing by hand, gradually flour to the butter-egg mixture alternating with the key lime juice and milk. Begin and end with flour. Beat well but just enough to incorporate all ingredients. You don’t want a tough pound cake!
Pour evenly into the tube pan and tap pan on the counter to loosen any air bubbles.
Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
Cool on a cooling rack for 15-20 minutes in the pan then transfer from pan to cooling rack and allow to cool another hour or until completely cool.

The cake is far better the following day or 2 days later.

Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3-4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice
2-3 teaspoons key lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using a hand mixer beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until well mixed.
Add confectioner’s sugar and beat well until completely smooth and fluffy.
Add key lime juice, zest and vanilla and mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
Ice cake.

This makes quite a bit of icing. After icing the entire pound cake I fill the middle hole with the excess icing. When the cake is served icing can be taken from the middle and dolloped along the side the slice of cake.

Journey into Abstinence : Protein Shakes & Healthy Snacks

2015-03-16T21:25:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to present these great shakes to my blog followers!

Are your kids starving when they come home from school?

Do they need some pre-practice or post-game nutrition?

Do they need a healthy pick-me-up?

Do they grab sugary cereals when they wake up in the morning?

Better yet, are you looking for an easy way to get more healthy proteins into them (without adding on the sugar or unhealthy calories)?

Why give them processed, unhealthy snacks?

I definitely have something for you!

You need to try Arbonne's excellent protein powder!

It tastes great, mixes easily, comes in vanilla or chocolate and provides 20 g of protein per serving!

Arbonne Essentials are plant- powered nutrition! (Pea protein)

This stuff will support your health and is vegan and gluten-free certified!

Our protein is good for your whole family and good for you!

Ask me how you can earn amazing discounts on our excellent products.

I love the way Arbonne looks on me!

Email me, ArbonneBeth59@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter, @ArbonneBeth

Hugs everyone!

Beth 💋

Let's Cook! Fruit Skewers

2015-03-16T21:18:00.001-04:00

Great tasting fruit can be had any time if year now. We are coming in to the best time of year for it!

Saw this recipe on All Recipes and wanted to share it for those easy and healthy desserts or snacks. They look pretty and fun to eat.

Have FUN! And remember to sprinkle a little lemon juice on the bananas and apples so they don't turn brown as fast.

Hugs,

Beth 💋

Going Green, #1

2015-03-15T14:43:00.001-04:00

🎶 Momma said, Momma said... 🎶

There are times we just don't eat the way we should. Meals get skipped. We imbibe in the "wrong" foods. Vacation foods got the better of us. There was a party and the cake looked so good. You hate eating anything green. You dislike foods that are good for you.

All excuses. All can be valid. None help your digestion or well-being. So what do you do? There's always doing that "juicing thing". But you need to get an expensive machine and that's not always in the cards. Macrobiotic diet can help and that takes real discipline. Or try Going Green with Arbonne!

http://youtu.be/uxWSaJ4RZrk

Mom always said to eat your veggies. Greens Balance makes this easy with its spectrum of proprietary color blends of whole fruit and vegetable powders — delivering antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber you need to have a more balanced, healthier diet every day. Mom would be so happy. | Key Ingredients: Arbonne proprietary fruit and vegetable blends of greens, reds, blues and yellows | 30 servings/30-day supply.

Http://BethCohen.arbonne.com

Skin-Conditioned: Why You Need It

2015-03-15T13:47:00.001-04:00

Winter is basically over. The cold, the road salts splashed up and wear and tear is horrid. So you take your car, which is valuable, to the car wash, get the body buffed and waxed and ready for the punishing sunshine (hoping it reappears!). So that takes care of your baby, your precious possession.

What about the largest organ of your body? The covering of your closed end system that holds it all together for you? The harsh cold and icy air of Winter can do some damage to your outer layers! Realistically, how many of us ladies religiously shave our legs that are covered by boots, tights or leggings? Now is the time for shorter skirts, platform peep-toe wedges and, thankfully, no stockings or pantyhose! What is it we find? Dry, flaky skin, devoid of moisture. Yearning for a drink of healthy nutrients.

So here's the thing. I have never liked glopping on a ounces upon ounces of moisturizer. I feel like a slippery eel. Not a good thing. Even my arms feel dry to the touch.

Now is the time to nourish your thirsty skin with lots of nutrients. Arbonne Intelligence Genius Booster Serum for Body , $68, is packed with anti-ageing and hydrating ingredients with omega-3, 6, 7 and 9 fatty acids. Great for getting your limbs super radiant! Use it alone or with our Shea Butter Body Lotion.

Contact me to get product at up to 80% off.

ArbonneBeth59@gmail.com

Website: http://BethCohen.arbonne.com

Let's Cook! Bawdy Boston Baked Beans

2015-03-15T13:42:00.001-04:00

Ever wonder why Boston baked beans are called “Boston” baked beans? It’s the molasses. Boston has been tied to molasses since colonial days, when the city was a trade center for rum from the Caribbean. Molasses is used for rum production and is a by-product of sugar refining and was easily available to the colonists. And then there’s the Boston Molasses Disaster of 1919, when a huge tank of molasses exploded and sent a sea of the gooey stuff flooding the streets of the North End. I lived in the North End of Boston in the early 80s and at the time you could still pick up a faint scent of molasses on a hot summer day.
Now to the baked beans. Boston baked beans are by definition, slowly cooked. According to Shirley Corriher in CookWise (great book, btw), either sugar or calcium will make beans hard, even after long hours of cooking. Molasses contains both sugar and calcium, which is why adding molasses to a pot of beans will enable you to cook the beans for what seems like forever, without the beans getting mushy. But it also means that if you cook the beans in molasses to get that wonderful flavor, you have to cook them a good long time.
Although traditionally cooked in an oven, Boston baked beans lend themselves perfectly to slow cookers, which is the method we prefer here.

Cook time: 8 hours
Yield: Serves 5-6 as a main dish

1 pound (2 to 2 1/4 cups) dry white beans such as Navy beans or Great Northern beans (can also use kidney beans)
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup brown sugar
3-4 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups hot water
1/2 pound salt pork (can sub bacon), cut into 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, (1 1/2 cups) chopped

Method

1 Place beans in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water. Soak overnight and drain. Alternatively, bring a pot with the beans covered with 2 inches of water to a boil, remove from heat and let soak for a hour, then drain.

2 Mix the molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and ground cloves with 3 cups of hot water.

3 Line the bottom of a slow-cooker (or a Dutch oven if you are cooking in the oven) with half of the salt pork (pick the fattiest pieces). Layer over with half of the drained beans. Add all of the onions in a layer, then top with another layer of beans and the remaining salt pork. Pour the molasses water mixture over the beans to just cover the beans.

4 Cover and cook in a slow-cooker on the low setting for 8 hours (or in a 250°F oven), until the beans are tender. Check the water level a few hours in, and if the beans need more water, add some. Add additional salt to taste if needed. Note that fresher beans will cook faster than older beans. Your beans may be ready in less than 8 hours, or they may take longer. Best the next day.

Let's Cook!

2014-05-26T00:46:00.001-04:00

I have always been interested in cooking! My great-grandfather emigrated from Russia at the turn of the century. He was a baker in the city of Kiev. He brought his craft across Europe along with his wife and five children, landing in Philadelphia, PA. They settled and after several years he helped to form the Baker's Union.

Most of my great Aunts were good cooks. My grandmother, the second oldest daughter, was not only a wonderful cook but also a fabulous baker. My mom learned from her and so did I. My fondest memories were sitting at the table, reading the recipe out loud and helping with each step!

A lot of recipes were never written down, just passed along from mother to daughter. In our family households, there was an empty yarhtzeit (commemoration of a death) glass used as a measuring cup. Yes ma'am! It was usually 8 ounces and you eyed the amount. Close enough! This leads to the way my mom and most notably, my grandmother, cooked. To this day use a bissel (little bit) of this and that. Whether Chili or chicken Soup I still shetteryne . (To cook without a recipe. Add a little of this,

a little of that, a little of something else, without measuring.)

The only times I had a recipe become a flop, is when ingredients were left off of the list.

Well, I will try out some new recipes, take photos and hope for a good review!

Next blog: Bawdy Baked Beans (crockpot)

0ver 50? Dieting is Different!

2014-01-04T15:20:00.001-05:00

If you’re someone who’s beyond the age of 50 who is looking to lose some body fat, you might start to wonder if there should be a difference in the approach you use versus the approach of someone who is younger.
After all, your body is different now than when you were in your twenties, so it only stands to reason that you may need to use a different type of diet.
So what differences should someone over 50 take note of? What alternations will best help you see success?
Let’s go over the main things that you should know so that you can get right on track to progress.

Alterations To Your Calorie Intake
The very first thing that you will likely want to do is use a slightly lower calorie intake at this point in your life. Now, there is the common saying that the metabolism naturally slows with age. While this is true, it’s not for the reason many people believe.
The primary reason why your metabolism will decrease as you get older is because you’re losing lean muscle tissue. If you’re someone who has been active for the last 20 years, then you likely don’t need to use a reduced calorie intake as you will have more lean muscle tissue.
If you haven’t been exercising though, then a slightly lower calorie diet is in order. Try starting at around 10 or 11 calories per pound of body weight.
At this point in your life you may not be quite as physically active overall either as you were when you were younger, so that will also factor into your total daily calorie burn.
Accounting For Nutritional Deficiencies
Another adjustment that you should make is accounting for nutritional deficiencies. Those who are older will want to really make sure that they are taking in enough calcium, iron, and B vitamins.
This will help ensure that they maintain strong bones and high energy levels. In addition to that, make sure that you’re taking in a very high quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables daily on whatever diet you choose as these will help to protect against some of the common diseases that can develop as the years go on.
Adding Extra Protein
Finally, the last thing that you should adjust on your diet protocol is your protein intake. Many older individuals are not getting enough protein total, so it’s important that you bump up your intake.
Additionally, since you aren’t quite as active as you were when you were younger, having more protein in the diet will help to further safeguard against lean muscle tissue loss, so will help to keep your metabolism higher long term.
Remember to add plenty of low fat dairy sources of protein in particular such as Greek yogurt, skim milk, and low-fat cottage cheese as these are both high in protein and high in calcium, so will really help you along your way.
So there you have everything that you need to know about dieting past 50. While the general approach should still be quite similar, making these few additional changes would be well worth your while.

I can help! Arbonne has fabulous products to get you started and I will help with support and info! Contact me for more information and we will track our progress together. The three sets above are already discounted and I can show you how to get even more discounts.

www.contactbeth.myarbonne.com

215-659-5325

Email: arbonnebeth59@gmail.com

Home Office | Episode 2

2013-02-14T18:38:00.001-05:00

See how to Pamper yourself and be stress-free! Arbonne helps!
Send me an email, ContactBeth@myarbonne.com and I will assist you get what is needed.

Hugs!
Beth

13 Facts that Men with Hereditary Cancer Risk Should Know

2012-12-19T13:12:00.001-05:00

My father developed breast cancer in 1984 and passed away in 1989. It was discovered in 1996 after genetic testing, including his frozen tissue samples, that the BRCA2 genetic mutation existed in our family. It was passed down through our paternal side. Please read the following to protect yourselves!

13 Facts that Men with Hereditary Cancer Risk Should Know

We would like to call attention to an often forgotten group: men who have a BRCA mutation or a family history of hereditary cancer. Although men don’t get ovarian cancer and their risk for breast cancer is very low, we are learning more and more about how hereditary cancer risk affects them.

FORCE responded to the United States Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) preliminary guidelines that recommended against prostate cancer screening for all men. Based on emerging research, we encouraged the panel to revise the text to state that the guidelines did not apply to men with BRCA mutations. The USPSTF incorporated our suggestion into its final guidelines. Accomplishments like these remind us how important FORCE’s advocacy work is. Men with BRCA mutations are important cancer stakeholders. Our goal is to assure that they have a voice advocating for their concerns when government cancer policies are developed.

In keeping with our 13 Things theme and in honor of high-risk men, here are 13 facts men need to know about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Men with BRCA mutations have increased risk for breast and prostate cancer, and like women with mutations, their risk for pancreatic cancer and melanoma is also elevated. Men with BRCA2 mutations have greater risk than men with BRCA1 mutations.
Although men with BRCA mutations have a greater cancer risk than men in the general population, their risk for cancer is lower than most women with a mutation.
Because preliminary research suggests that hereditary prostate cancer tends to be a more aggressive form of the disease, the USPSTF advises that screening guidelines developed for men in the general population should not be applied to men with mutations.
BRCA mutations have been found in people of every ethnicity, but not with the same frequency. About 1 in every 300 to 500 people carry a BRCA mutation. About 1 in 40 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a mutation.
Breast screening recommendations for men with a mutation include regular breast self exams and twice yearly clinical exams by a medical professional beginning at age 35. A baseline mammogram is recommended at age 40 and annual mammograms thereafter are advised, depending on the baseline results.
Men with mutations or hereditary cancer in the family should discuss with their doctor the benefits, limitations, and risks of prostate screening using PSA and digital-rectal exam beginning at age 40.
The international IMPACT study is looking at the benefit of PSA screening in men with and without BRCA mutations. Full results from this research will be available in 2020.
BRCA mutations can be passed down equally from either parent to sons or daughters.
When both parents have a BRCA2 mutation, their children may inherit a rare and deadly disease known as Fanconi Anemia. This is more common in people of Jewish descent. Couples concerned about this possibility should consult with a genetics expert.
Couples who are concerned about passing a mutation to their children may want to speak with a fertility expert about in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis that screens embryos for BRCA mutations.
Early research on PARP inhibitors for treatment of prostate cancer has been promising. Currently, some open PARP inhibitor studies are enrolling men with advanced prostate cancer.
Coverage for BRCA testing in men can vary depending on their insurance plan. A genetic counselor can help men determine if their insurance will cover testing.
Men who are concerned that the cancer in their family may be hereditary should consult with a genetics expert before pursuing genetic testing. FORCE can provide information on locating genetics specialists. Genetics consultations are typically covered by insurance.

If you are a man with a BRCA mutation or hereditary cancer in your family, please complete our survey for high-risk men, read about our advocacy efforts on behalf of the men in our community, visit our expert-reviewed information section for men, and join our mailing list to stay updated on new information, research, and programs specific to men with BRCA mutations. Please consider participating in this telephone focus group research study for high risk men.

FORCE helped unite and organize the female hereditary cancer previvor and survivor populations to advocate for more resources; we need to do the same for the men in our community. If you have high-risk men in your life, please let them know about these resources. Please help us raise awareness, spread the word, and save lives by sharing this blog, and printing and sharing our “13 Things Men Need to Know” flier.

Tell Congress No Cutbacks on Cancer Funding!

2012-12-18T21:37:00.001-05:00

Tell Congress to Stop Cuts to Breast and Ovarian Cancer Programs!

This week, lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the White House are negotiating a possible deal on federal spending cuts and tax increases scheduled to go into effect on January 2, 2013. If they fail to reach an agreement, across-the-board spending cuts will devastate federal funding for cancer research and early detection. These automatic cuts, called sequestration, will lead to decreases for discretionary programs—including almost $16.6 billion in healthcare related costs such as Medicare, research funding, education and public health programs. We must act to prevent funding cuts for these essential programs. Help us tell Congress that across-the-board cuts will decimate cancer programs and have minimal impact on the federal deficit.

Join FORCE, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Komen for the Cure and others in taking action. Share your story and tell your elected officials that cuts to breast and ovarian cancer funding will have an adverse impact on the nation’s ability to make progress in conquering these deadly diseases...

https://secure.info-komen.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1123

http://capwiz.com/ovarian/issues/alert/?alertid=62174271&PROCESS=Take+Action

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE

2012-12-18T13:57:00.001-05:00

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE:

'via Blog this'

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Posted on December 12, 2012

This blog is a call to action! Please read on, and then post, blog, tweet, retweet, and share about this issue so that we can assure that hereditary cancer research continues!

The call for more research is a constant theme for all diseases including cancer, and sometimes it’s easy to get frustrated by the slow pace of progress. The multistep process from discovery to FDA approval is often long and doesn’t always end in success. But research is necessary to assure that new treatments work as well or better than current standard-of-care. For this to happen, studies must recruit enough people to prove that the agents work. This is particularly critical for research that focuses on a small specific population like people with a BRCA mutation.

PARP inhibitor research is a prime example. I first heard about PARP inhibitors at the 2005 ASCO annual meeting. In her plenary address on advances in hereditary cancer, Dr. Barbara Weber from the University of Pennsylvania mentioned targeted agents (PARP inhibitors) that were designed to exploit weaknesses of cancer cells in people with BRCA mutations. This was exciting news! I was hopeful that this could be the beginning of personalized therapy for people in our community. From that moment on, I vowed to do whatever it took to learn about, share with our community, and promote the studies to determine whether these drugs worked.

Early small clinical trials of PARP inhibitors were promising, but delays and road-blocks affected development of larger research studies. Some of the roadblocks had to do with study design; others involved dosing or side effects as researchers determined the most effective combinations of PARP inhibitors with other anticancer agents. Despite these issues, enthusiasm continues for the potential of these drugs in people with BRCA mutations. Yet, eight years later, there are still no FDA-approved PARP inhibitors and people are still dying of hereditary cancers!

FORCE has continued to advocate for further research on PARP inhibitors, petitioning scientists, the FDA, and pharmaceutical companies to address the road-blocks and challenges and to facilitate the research and find answers for hereditary cancer. After eight long years, our pleas and efforts have been rewarded. Several PARP inhibitor studies are now recruiting, including a large, Phase II study on PARP inhibitors for women with BRCA-associated advanced breast cancer. Our participation in this research is critical. Unless enough people participate, these studies will not continue. If enrollment falls short, the next time scientists have an idea for treating or preventing hereditary cancer, they may decide that the BRCA community is too difficult to research, and fewer studies will be designed for us. That would be tragic considering how many members of our community develop and succumb to cancer.

This is where the rubber meets the road!

We have worked long and tirelessly to advocate for this research. Now that we have it, we cannot afford to turn a deaf ear. At this moment, the fate of hereditary cancer treatment research rests with each of us. Although most of the current studies are open only to women with advanced cancer, even if that doesn’t describe you, perhaps you know someone who fits that description. If PARP inhibitors work for advanced hereditary cancer, the next step will be tests to see if they also work for earlier cancers.

Here is what you can do to help:

Get involved. Consider enrolling in a study if you are eligible, and share information about PARP inhibitor research with everyone that you know. Post it prominently on your social media pages, share it with your online or in-person support group, discuss it with your local media, and write or blog about why hereditary cancer research is important. Please remember to share your efforts with us. Email us, post on FB or the FORCE message boards about ways you have spread the word about this important research.
Stay tuned to FORCE to learn of new available studies. We will be updating this page in the upcoming weeks with new featured studies so check back often.
Support FORCE with a donation to help us continue our important work to advocate and recruit for research specific to hereditary cancer

We must participate in and promote hereditary cancer clinical trials and other studies if we and future generations are to realize more effective treatment and prevention for hereditary cancers.

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE

2012-12-12T20:57:00.001-05:00

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE:

'via Blog this'

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Posted on December 12, 2012

This blog is a call to action! Please read on, and then post, blog, tweet, retweet, and share about this issue so that we can assure that hereditary cancer research continues!

This is where the rubber meets the road!

Here is what you can do to help:

Get involved. Consider enrolling in a study if you are eligible, and share information about PARP inhibitor research with everyone that you know. Post it prominently on your social media pages, share it with your online or in-person support group, discuss it with your local media, and write or blog about why hereditary cancer research is important. Please remember to share your efforts with us. Email us, post on FB or the FORCE message boards about ways you have spread the word about this important research.
Stay tuned to FORCE to learn of new available studies. We will be updating this page in the upcoming weeks with new featured studies so check back often.
Support FORCE with a donation to help us continue our important work to advocate and recruit for research specific to hereditary cancer

We must participate in and promote hereditary cancer clinical trials and other studies if we and future generations are to realize more effective treatment and prevention for hereditary cancers.

HBOC Week 2012: A Call to Arms | Thoughts from FORCE

2012-09-23T14:28:00.001-04:00

HBOC Week 2012: A Call to Arms | Thoughts from FORCE:

'via Blog this'

Here is the entire blog post! I am indebted to FORCE and its members for being there with love, information and support throughout my journey as a Previvor and my mastectomies and other surgeries. I am here today because of my genetic and hereditary predisposition not in spite of it!

HBOC Week 2012: A Call to Arms

Posted on September 23, 2012

As we begin HBOC Week and approach Previvor Day 2012, I am again reminded of how far we have come and how far we still have to go in the fight against hereditary cancer. The growth of our organization, message boards, mailing lists, and Facebook and Twitterpages tells the story: more people than ever are aware of hereditary cancer risk and are turning to FORCE for information, support, and resources. This is all good news, but at a recent meeting at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Director of the Office of Public Health Genomics, Dr. Muin Khoury, emphasized that most people who are at inherited high risk for cancer are unaware of their status. Recognizing that identification of people with BRCA and Lynch Syndrome mutations and offering medical intervention on their behalf can save lives, the CDC is now working on an initiative to integrate genomic education and awareness into the states’ Departments of Health.

These programs are sorely needed. On a daily basis through our programs we hear from people who are unaware of their high cancer risk or their options to manage it. The tales we hear illustrate how much work is yet to be done. We hear of high-risk women who are denied breast cancer screening and told that they are too young to have mammograms or that they do not need MRIs, survivors who are not aware of their high risk for future cancers, and people who meet expert guidelines for genetics evaluation but are not referred for genetic counseling. Media reports on screening guidelines often omit the fact that recommendations for people of average risk are not adequate for those who fall in the high-risk range. Some vocal individuals and groups malign genetic evaluation and risk management as unimportant or overtreatment. And stories like the one recently published on BloombergBusinessweek.com show how patients pay the price when health care providers who lack training in genetics misinterpret test results.

But despite these setbacks we have had a lot of wins. Earlier this year a generous gift from Mindy and Jon Gray created the Basser Research Center for BRCA1 and BRCA2 at the University of Pennsylvania. It is the first comprehensive center dedicated solely to the pursuit of research and provision of care relevant to BRCA1 and BRCA2. The United States Preventive Services Task Force incorporated information about BRCA into their recommendations for ovarian and prostate cancer screening. The CDC’s Actions to Save Lives Now, a workshop on incorporating genomics into public health, focused on bringing the public lifesaving education and awareness, and that’s a great step forward. In a few weeks we will host our 7^th annual Joining FORCEs Against Hereditary Cancer Conferencewith record-breaking attendance and participation.

HBOC Week/Previvor Day logo

As today marks the start of the third National HBOC Awareness Week and next Wednesday is Previvor Day, our goal is to attract more attention than ever. Let’s focus on the positive, and use this opportunity to save lives through education. We know that risk assessment and intervention can improve survival for high-risk individuals. But people cannot take action if they are unaware of their risk. It is up to us to raise the profile of HBOC until every person has access to the tools, information, and health care experts to assess their risk, and every high-risk person has the eduation, support, and resources they need to make informed decisions about their risk.

Been There, Miss That

2012-03-19T21:06:00.000-04:00

I recently received an email with photos of places I have been and are now long gone. I miss going to places like that when I was younger. Those were the good old days for certain. How many of you out there from the local Philadelphia area remember these!

American Bandstand

Original Philadelphia Civic Center

Diving Horse at Steel Pier

Dorney Park

Horn and Hardardt Automat

Hawaiian Cottage (interior)

Hawaiian Cottage (exterior)

Ideal Clothing Store

Latin Casino, Cherry Hill, NJ

Lucy the Elephant, Atlantic City, NJ

Mike Douglas and Frank Rizzo

Olga's Diner, NJ

Swan Boat at Willow Grove Park

Schmidt's Brewery

Steel Pier

Tacony Drive-In

Zipperheads on South Street

Fifty: The 2nd Half Century Awaits!

Over 55? Beauty Tips for YOU!

Another Day!

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Journey Into Abstinence: My Food History

My Journey into Abstinence and OA

Remember

Breast Practices? Hello Facebook, Listen Up!

Facing Your Fears

Angelina Jolie, BRCA and Saving Lives

DIY: Flip Flop Wreath

Let's Cook! Key Lime Cake

Journey into Abstinence : Protein Shakes & Healthy Snacks

Let's Cook! Fruit Skewers

Going Green, #1

Skin-Conditioned: Why You Need It

Let's Cook! Bawdy Boston Baked Beans

Method

Let's Cook!

0ver 50? Dieting is Different!

Home Office | Episode 2

13 Facts that Men with Hereditary Cancer Risk Should Know

Tell Congress No Cutbacks on Cancer Funding!

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Cancer: Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Thoughts from FORCE

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HBOC Week 2012: A Call to Arms | Thoughts from FORCE

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Been There, Miss That