What will you learn by participating in Laura’s Jump Start Program?

Each week, you’ll learn specific information that not only involves what  you are supposed to eat, drink and do, but you’ll also  receive “drill down” information regarding important reasons as to why you need to eat a certain way  to not only stay slim and healthy for the rest of your life but also to obtain and maintain optimal health! If you need a Jump Start, this is the program for you!

Complete the contact form HERE for more information!

Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt on Flickr

I want you to fall in love. With you. And with the parts of your body you wish you could change. It turns out that if you accept and love what Mother Nature has given you, you’ll be a lot healthier! And if you don’t like what you’ve got, then it may compromise your health. (More on this in a bit.)

Here’s a question for you: What certain “part” makes you unhappy? Your feet? Your legs? Your chest? Your lips? You know, genetics have a way of passing on features for generations, and, really, it’s best if you think of them as part of your history. Something to be loved, not hated. Case in point. Butts run in my family. I am talking booties that are just always there and always will be, no matter what we do. Instead of being tall, lithe and super-”modelesque,” genetics has gifted me with more athletic build. And my daughters, now 20 and 23, have ended up with similar physiques. Ever since Victoria and Tarah were small, it’s been tremendously important to me that they not grow up hating their bodies. So not only have I always told them how beautiful they are, no matter what phase they’re going through, I’ve also dropped in that they probably will end up having “Mama’s” derriere, which isn’t a bad thing. Just more to love. As the girls went through puberty, sure enough, the curves made their debut. Statements like, “You’ve got the butt, girls!” or, “Your curves mean you are becoming a woman” were common. To this day, I have never heard either one of them say they hated their posteriors. Mission accomplished. Or was it? “I don’t like my thighs” or “I wish I was tall” have popped up.

Did you know that 95 percent of women do not have the body type represented in the media? It’s no wonder that many of us feel we are not measuring up to what is deemed “beautiful.” In our culture, where super-thin models and actresses grace covers of magazines, movie screens and televisions everywhere, it is hard to escape. As a result, the pressure to look a certain way may not only affect the way you think and feel about your body, but it can ultimately make you sick. In a study conducted at Columbia University of more than 170,000 U.S. adults, a correlation was found between how one perceives her own body weight and how healthy or unhealthy she is. And this is an interesting fact researchers discovered: Since being overweight is less accepted among whites, these women were more likely to have negative body perceptions than Hispanics and African Americans. Researchers also looked at how many “unhealthy days” each woman had. Take guess who had more sick days. Read more here.

Being healthy and fit is important, yet the fact remains that maintaining a positive and accepting attitude regarding the bod that you have plays a huge factor in the quality of your life. Do you need a body image attitude adjustment? Here are a few tips to help you along the path of self-acceptance.

Identify the body parts you love. Your nose? Your skin? Your eyes? Your cute feet? Feel that love. Keep it in mind as you go through your day, especially if you start beating yourself up about not having the perfect tummy.
Love the beautiful you. Do you have any idea how beautiful you truly are? The real you? The person inside? If you begin to work on self-love and self-acceptance, you will eventually feel a great sense of relief and a decrease in pressure to look a certain way. Take a look around. How many models are walking around in real life? Many people live fulfilling lives even if they don’t ever achieve what they feel is that “perfect” physique. It just takes a change of heart to start loving your beauty.
Work with what you’ve got. Working out will help you love your body. To help bring balance to your body, you can target areas with specific exercises. If you have a pear shaped body, perform exercises that make your upper body stronger. Are you considered an apple shape? Do exercises that help tone your mid-section. Granted, you need to set realistic expectations regarding the results you desire. Do poochy tummies run in your family? Accept your middle then. Take belly dancing classes, where an ample tummy is revered and considered sensual. Learn to love your belly instead of loathe it.
Admire and respect others. Look for the beauty in others. The sparkle in their eyes, their vivacious spirits, the lovely color of their skin, their powerful muscles. Try looking for the positive and beauty in other people around you. Try to see “who” they really are. Once you begin to appreciate, admire and respect the imperfections in others, then it may become easier to accept you — warts and all.
Be positive and say, “I Love You!” A positive attitude goes a long way, especially regarding your health. Loving all that you are, especially the parts you cannot change, is essential for living a fulfilling, happy life. So dump the negativity and embrace the brilliant, fabulous person that you are, inside and out. I must say, there is nothing more beautiful than a person who glows with a spirit filled with love and joy.

Original article written for AOL’s Thatsfit.com by Laura Lewis. See it here.

You’re an addict. You really are. As members of the human race, we naturally aspire to be happy, joyful, excited, buzzed, elated and “out-of-this-world-blissed out!” We love our “feel good” brain chemicals.Who wouldn’t really? Whether we realize it or not, we all strive to attain just the right balance of dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, growth hormone, essential fats, insulin and other naturally occuring “bio”chemicals in our bodies. Fitness lovers, myself included, love the high that comes along with a great workout, right? I know I do. At the end of a particularly stressful day the “pre-workout” Laura looks very different before doing forty-five minutes of cardio and thirty minutes of free weights. I am all smiles … and naturally high.

The hunger to feel good has a flip side. Hence addiction is a huge problem for many in our society. I should know. My genetic heritage is laden with those who have struggled with alcoholism and prescription drug abuse. My Grandpa Len died from it. He was such a great guy too and I adored him. It’s too bad he died at age 57. I still miss him to this day.

Want to get high naturally? Here are 6 ways to do just that.

1. Workout. Move. Do something that involves physical activity. I enjoy fitness walks with my gigantic Golden Retriever, Tucker. He makes me smile too. And I adore the gym and try to get there at least three to four times per week. What can you do?

2. Gossip. I had no idea but it’s true. Gossiping, according to researchers, is much like grooming among primates and helps humans bond. And elevates endorphins too. I am not a fan of “mean gossip” and recommend to be kind when you do gossip.

3. Eat Chocolate. Why? If you are a chocolate lover you have a hunch. When you eat chocolate the simple consumption of the luscious, rich treat causes the release of phenylethylamine in the brain: the very same chemical that is released when you fall in love.

4. Get Stuck … With Acupuncture Needles. If you haven’t tried it, you should. I love it. My acupuncturist in Dallas, Iva Peck, has been treating me for years. I must say, the endorphin high is simply lovely. Researchers have proven acupuncture treatments significantly improve moods.

5. Have Sex. Post orgasm natural pain killers are released. No wonder you feel “oh so good” afterward.

6. Laugh, giggle, chortle or gufaw. And do it a lot. I love to laugh, smile and make others laugh. Have you laughed lately? If not, rent a funny flick. Call a friend that makes you laugh. Listen to a stand-up comic that makes you laugh. Laughing is one of the easiest ways to elevate your mood.

Original article by written by Laura Lewis for AOL’s ThatsFit.com is located here.

photo by Eric Johansson

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If you having been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully, are tired all the time, and just feel lousy over-all, you may be suffering from hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone, is incredibly common. And although it is not typically tested on routine check-ups, it should be. Millions of people are living with an undiagnosed thyroid condition. If you take anti-depressants, but have not had your thyroid checked, call your doctor today and get it checked. Hypothyroidism, or an under-performing thyroid, results in symptoms very similar to depression.

The main role of thyroid hormone is to manage the body’s metabolism. Therefore people with hypothyroidism suffer from all forms of maladies associated with a slow metabolism. If you can answer yes to any of the statements below, you need to have your thyroid checked.

I often feel depressed
I often feel mentally sluggish
I often feel confused
I have a poor memory
I often feel fatigue
I have a low sex drive
I have brittle hair
I have dry skin
I am often puffy around the eyes
I often have cold hands and feet
I sleep more than eight hours a night
I am susceptible to colds and infections

If you suffer from hypothyroidism and depression, I would love to hear how you have successfully overcome this daily life challenge. Let me know about natural remedies you may subscribe to.

Original Article Written for AOL’s ThatsFit.com. You can view it by clicking here.

Do celebs benefit from dancing in ways other than just having a good time at some of the coolest clubs around? As a person who loves to dance, yet one who is also interested in how positive thoughts and feelings can impact our lives, I have pondered if celebrities who frequent the nocturnal world of dance clubs may use it as a means to not only stay fit, but to also stay in a positive frame of mind.

Now why would I want to ponder that idea? Because I am a firm believer, along with many others like Bob Proctor, John Assar, Louise Hay and even Joel Osteen, that being in a positive frame of mind can affect what you attract into your life. I cannot help but believe that dancing and movement in general makes you feel happy, and can help you to not only burn calories but also help you attract positive people, circumstances and opportunities into your life.

Now, I may be biased. I danced all my life, beginning with classes when I was seven years of age. My dance teacher, Jackie Longchamps, had a studio in her basement in upstate New York. Let me tell you, it was the most fantastic awakening I have ever had. When I learned how to isolate my ribs from my hips and groove to popular music, I fell in love with dancing. Being a “fit chick” already, dance added a new dimension to my world of movement and my level of fitness. And the mental rush it gave me honestly is indescribable. And it still does to this day.

Recently, I went dancing with some great friends to celebrate a birthday, and I can tell you I did not stop dancing for almost three hours. Stopping a few times to drink water and a trip to the ladies room were my only breaks. I left feeling euphoric, alive and, well, positive! When I am in a good mood, it just feels as if the world is my oyster. I feel I can accomplish anything. Is this a secret to success? I guess some would say I am fairly accomplished — I’ve written books, I have a television show on the Veria Television network, and I recently worked with Montel Williams on a few new TV shows. I feel when I am in a “good” space, I attract great opportunities. And dancing and moving in general, especially if I am listening to great music, ramps up my mood dramatically.

Research shows those aged 75 and older who dance are less likely to experience dementia than their non-dancing counterparts. Also, did you know scientists have identified actual genetics related to dancing? Two genes in particular were identified to be prevalent in “creative dancers.” And those with dancer genetics are more social and passionate people, with researchers linking this propensity to a higher likelihood to survival in primitive humans. They speculate those who could “dance,” if you will, were better communicators and probably better at procreating too! And the most interesting fact? “Creative dancers” had higher levels of the two brain chemicals serotonin and vasopressin. Higher levels of serotonin in the brain can correlate to being in a happier state. Vasopression is related to being more aggressive. Both are correlated to increased sexual activity. You can read more about that study here.

We know dancing can help you burn fat. Look at the celebrities who start out on Dancing with the Stars a bit more fluffy in the beginning, and then, before our eyes, tone and shape up as the weeks go by.  There is no doubt dancing six hours a day can get one in great shape, especially if combined with a healthy diet.

To sum it up, dancing can put you in a better mood, help you to be smarter, slimmer and more fit, and can even help you become more confident sexually. Do you think it can actually help you to attract good things into your life? What are your thoughts?

And to give you a bit of inspiration to get your groove on as well as the urge to laugh out loud, check out this video called “The Evolution of Dance.”

Original article written by Laura Lewis for AOL’s Thatsfit.com. To view click here.

Her infectious smile, contagious energy, keen intellect and passion for facilitating positive change in people’s lives illustrates the fact that Laura Lewis is a memorable “media-genic” force to be reckoned within the realm of life enhancement categories.

Founder of the Crazy Beautiful ™  Lifestyle brand platform, Laura, for over twenty years, has been uniquely directing individuals all over the world to not only take control of health and lifestyle issues, but also generate lasting positive change within their entire lives. With a firm belief in creating a healthy foundation from which one may create an optimal life, Laura’s gift of combining education, motivation and inspiration is pervasive in all of her endeavors. A national spokesperson, television host, eminent writer and motivational/inspirational speaker, Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of North Texas.

Known for her uncanny ability to create profound inspiration, Laura became a popular guest expert and successful motivational speaker through overcoming great personal struggles of loss and challenges and then sharing her uplifting, moving and often humorous stories of rebuilding her personal and professional life. In the midst of a media tour for her first book 52 Ways to Live a Long and Healthy Life, Laura experienced the sudden death of her husband “Bob,” the loving father of her girls Tarah and Victoria, who were only three and six years of age at the time. Laura decided to turn her personal life lessons into victories for herself and others. She desires to help others build the same resiliency and positive energy that it takes to make necessary changes, no matter how large or small. Laura is a firm believer that challenges can be turned into strengths. And that you can create the life you have always dreamed of, no matter what obstacles appear in your path. Laura’s passion is about touching people’s lives, giving them hope and making them laugh–and reminding her audiences that they deserve nothing but the very best in all aspects of their lives. Laura believes everyone deserves to know that they have the freedom, the choice to “step into” living their own Crazy Beautiful lives–to “do” life differently!

Laura Lewis is the host of the healthy living television series, Empty Nesters currently broadcast on the Veria TV Network seen on Verizon FIOS and Dish Network. The show also airs on Vision TV’s Brand New ONE Channel in Canada. Laura is the featured healthy living expert on the national beauty and wellness television series, Simply Beautiful (season 2) also of the Veria TV Network. An award-winning executive producer and host of the national television series Net Talk Interactive (2001), host and producer of several talk radio platforms including Body Talk as well as Body Mind and Beauty, Laura has also been a popular guest on numerous television and radio shows. She has appeared on media venues including: Living Well with Montel Williams, The TV Food Network; The Discovery Channel; The Healthy Living Channel; Fox & Friends, Fox 8 WJW in Cleveland; NBC’s WBAL in Baltimore; the Los Angeles’ CW station KTLA; Sacramento & Co on ABC News 10, Belo; WB, The Talk Radio Network, Success Talk Radio, the Talk America Network and hundreds of radio and television shows across the nation.

A strong background in fitness, Laura is an active member of the American Council on Exercise and was one of the first ACE certified fitness instructors in the United States. After traveling coast to coast attending trainings with many of the top names in the fitness arena including Karen Voight, Molly Fox, Ken Alan and Denise Austin as well as taking classes with the former Olympic trainer Radu  and instructors with The Alvin Alley American Dance School and the Martha Graham School in New York City, Laura created her unique style of dance and fitness workouts which became  known to be the “toughest” in Dallas, Texas according to the Dallas Morning News and  BELO television network. This ultimately led her to conducting highly successful workshops geared towards her peers in the industry, most notably through conferences for the International Dance Exercise Association.

In her media career, Laura innovated and hosted the successful radio program Body Talk. Parlaying her experience as a trusted international Fitness Consultant and Director to national health spas and clubs, she designed the Body, Mind, and Beauty program, which made the subject of spiritual and physical fitness matter to thousands.

A single Mom of three children, ages 23, 19 and 13, Laura is an advocate for better nutrition and daily physical fitness as a requirement for children who attend schools K through 12.  Laura resides in sunny Los Angeles, California.

By Laura Lewis

There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.
~Federico Fellini

Living unconsciously, sleepwalking through life is something that we have all done on occasion. And who can blame us? The daily grind can push anyone to the point of being disconnected and distracted.  Our modern day lives entail awakening to buzzing alarms, rushing to get out the door to drop the kids off, or racing off to work, or both. Life is comprised of getting there, getting the job done, returning home, going through the nightly routine and then getting up and doing it all over again. Sadly living, day in and day out, disconnected from life.

Yet, living each day in a more conscious fashion, living in the power of now as Eckart Tolle presents in his book of the same name, is indeed one of the most brilliant things you can do for yourself in order to improve the quality of your life. I have put my own personal twist on the concept and call it getting in touch with the magnificent moments of your life. I am not talking about the highest of the highs of winning $10 million dollars, although that would be nice. I am referring to the most simplistic concept of being in the moment—yet acknowledging its magnificence. Doing so may give you a fabulous rush or even just a small reminder as to what life is all about, the reason for living.

Experiencing your own magnificent moments can begin immediately. At this very moment, as you read this, tune in to the feeling of where you are. Standing or sitting, feel your body and all that it is experiencing. Are you cold? Hot? What is the position of your legs, arms, head and neck? What is your breathing like? Take a nice deep breath in through your nose then exhale slowly. Now, what is around you? What do you smell at this very moment? What can you hear? Taking in all stimuli with your powers of sensory perception, your senses, tuned in and turned on. Take complete notice of the moment. Interesting isn’t it? The sensation of being awake in the moment can help you bring everything into perspective.

The experience of tuning in to the now has such wonderful potential to be extraordinary, even magnificent. Here are a few suggestions for creating your own Magnificent Moments

• Your Top Ten. Make a list of ten things that you love to do. The key question to ask here is “What is it that I do where I lose myself in the experience, where I lose track of time?” Then make a point to do one of them every day.
• Snap to Strategy. Buy an egg timer and set it to go off every hour. When it does, take a moment or two and tune in to the moment. Making sure to take a few deep breaths in order to anchor you in that moment in time.
• Tweet without Twitter. Find a park bench, sit down and watch the birds. Or feed the ducks. Watch how they flit or move about and interact. Enjoy the experience.
• Feel the Vibe. Sit down at your desk, in your car or in a chair at home. Turn on an uplifting piece of music, close your eyes and lose yourself in the music and how it makes you feel.
• Shake that Booty. When was the last time you danced? Either go to a club or make your living room your dance floor. Put on some fabulous music and move to it, being aware of each step, each sweep of your arm or swing of your hips.
• Fidotherapy. Spend time with your pet or visit someone else who has a pet and connect with the animal. Stroke their fur. Look into their eyes. Listen to a cat purr. Or play fetch with a furry canine. Animals can bring so much joy into our lives and have also been known to have a healing effect upon those that are ill. For example, they have been known to calm down Alzheimer’s patients who are agitated.

What is my favorite thing to do that brings me into the moment? Dancing. Anywhere. In my car. In the grocery store. In my kitchen. Moving to music brings me great joy and directly into the middle of my most fabulous moments indeed.

Written for my blog on the Veria HD Television Website. Click here to see original post.

Nutmeg. You would have never thought that nature could produce such a powerful, passionate, mood elevating little spice, but it did! But first…you need some background! Pay attention if want to add a little “spice” to your love life!
As the quintessential holiday spice, it is no surprise that nutmeg is derived from a deliciously aromatic evergreen tree. This evergreen tree has yummy smelling leaves with tiny yellow flowers and apricot -sized fruits that split to reveal the sweet, spicy nutmeg seed and its aromatic companion, aril, which is the red, lacy coating.

The outer part of the fruit is fermented and used to create a brandy-type drink. The nutmeg and mace flavor sweet and savory dishes, popular throughout the world. Like the many other holiday spices, nutmeg has a variety of healing properties. Need help sleeping? Nutmeg is beneficial as a sleep aid, calms anxiety and muscles spasms. It can eliminate nausea (unless taken in high doses in which case it can cause nausea). Nutmeg can reduce diarrhea and ease indigestion. Are your joints stiff? Nutmeg has been noted as an anti-inflammatory for joint pain and gout and can also lower blood pressure. And this holiday spice enhances male fertility, as well as enhances–umm, how shall we say this–the organ associated with male fertility! Nutmeg can improve concentration (I am sipping a nutmeg, cinnamon, honey and steamed soy beverage as I type and am not remotely distracted by my kitty who keeps running across my keyboard!). Lastly, nutmeg is a wonderfully delicious spice that assists in lowering cholesterol. You MUST be careful not to overdo ingesting nutmeg though. **See below the recipe for specific guidelines of how little you really need and if you get too much, well, it’s simply not a good thing.

The essential nutmeg oil is used to aid in overcoming addictions, guilt and depression, which can make it a great spice for those who often suffer from the holiday blues.
Umm, can you say wow?! How about whipping up a batch of nutmeg cookies this season? I’m not exactly Betty Crocker however I am highly motivated to prepare these little gems!

These nutmeg cookies are a perfect recipe for enhancing the holiday cheer!

.5 cup butter, softened
one and one-third cup sugar, divided
two large eggs
.5 cup sour cream
one teaspoon vanilla
two and three-fourths cup flour
one and one-half teaspoons baking powder
one-fourth teaspoon baking soda
one-fourth teaspoon salt
one teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, divided

Beat the butter at medium speed in an electric mixer until creamy, Gradually add one cup of sugar and beat well. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla and beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and three-fourths teaspoon nutmeg and stir well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and continue beating until well blended. Cover the dough and chill at least three hours.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine one-third cup sugar and one-fourth teaspoon nutmeg and stir well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place two inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Grease the bottom of a glass and dip the glass in the sugar mixture and then press each ball flat. Bake for eight minutes or until edges are slightly brown. Remove cookies to wire cooling rack.

Per cookie: fats, 2 grams (34% of calories); calories, 58; cholesterol, 12 milligrams; carbohydrate, 9 grams; fiber, 0 grams; protein, 1 gram; sodium, 44 milligrams

As mentioned in my previous blogs this week, highly concentrated forms of nutmeg, such as essential oils, should only be used under the direction of a certified aromatherapist or naturopathic physician. Please note that taking too much nutmeg (one to three nuts or less) can cause side effects such as hallucinations, swelling and shock.

Original article written by Laura Lewis for AOL’s Thatsfit.com. Read the original article here.

Did you know … For thousands of years ginger has been valued for its medicinal properties. Ginger is perhaps best known for its ability to assist the digestive system. Ginger contains both gingerols and shogoals, which are both substances that may help to calm stomach acid and tone muscles of the digestive tract. The thermoregulatory properties in ginger help regulate metabolism. Ginger may also assist in weight loss as it can boost the body in burning calories.

Ginger has potent flavor and is great for turning up the heat in your body while also adding a little spice to your food. Ginger can be taken medicinally to aid in the following discomforts:

• Soothes nausea, motion sickness and other stomach upset

• Relieves morning sickness

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Eliminates intestinal gas

• Relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract

• Antioxidant properties

• Relieves dizziness

• Boosts the immune system

• Protects against bacteria and fungi

• Encourages bile flow

• Provides energy boost

• Aids in digestion and constipation

• Considered to be an aphrodisiac

• Promotes cardiovascular health

Cloves are another well known and widely appreciated “holiday” spice. Cloves have a potent but sweet and spicy, aromatic flavor. Cloves have been appreciated throughout Eastern cultures for over 2,000 years. Cloves are a great natural source for soothing tooth and gum pain, but are also used for the following medicinal purposes.

• Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties

• Relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis

• Relief from muscle pains from injuries or arthritis and rheumatism

• Eliminates intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria

• May encourage creativity and mental focus

• Excellent anti-inflammatory to treat bee stings

Both ginger and cloves are highly potent and should only be used as an essential oil under the direction of a certified aromatherapist or naturopathic physician.

Apricot & Ginger Fromage Blanc Recipe
Source: Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrant Herbal

Substitute Ginger Mint in place of Ginger-root for a refreshing and more subtle flavor.

What you need …

6 ripe apricots
Several sprigs of one of the following: peppermint, lemon balm, sweet cicely
1 cup fromage blanc
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot or ginger mint
unrefined sugar to taste

Bring enough water to boil to cover the apricots together with a handful of your chosen herbs. Poach the apricots in simmering water for three to four minutes or until tender. Drain, let cool and skin the fruit, and then halve and pit. Discard the herbs.

Put the apricots in the food processor with the fromage blanc, ginger and sugar to taste. Snip in a few more sprigs of the herb and blend. Serve chilled.

Original article written by Laura Lewis for AOL Thatsfit.com. Read original article here.