Connecting Women

NEW Changes starting this year!

2022-01-23T21:10:00.001-06:00

I know I have been missing in action for the last several years. A lot has taken place, but I am ready to bring this blog and my Connecting Women Media brand back to life.

New Changes will take place! I am planning to blog on a more consistent basis, do a weekly podcast with guests and update my YouTube Channel. Connecting Women Media is a lifestyle media that looks at empowerment and education. We are here to show you the world through people, resources and ideas.

Connecting Women Media will be connecting you to people, resources and ideas!

Weekly Reads Book Review: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

2018-04-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

click on the photo for more info

(Affiliate links have been used).

A copy of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

by Kelly O'Connor McNees was sent to me by a publisher. This historical fiction is a must read for fans of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women.

When I first started reading the book, I was lost because I needed to refresh on Alcott's famous work Little Women because there are references made in the The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott. So, what did I do? Why re-read Little Women, then read McNees' book. This made sense to me because I was able to see parallels in both books.

McNees does a nice job in imagining an unknown part of Alcott's life having relationships. She bases her writing off of research she has done in trying to understand Alcott's relationships. McNees does bring an interesting point she mentions that Alcott burned letters once she finished reading them. It does make a reader wonder if there was more to Alcott that we may never discover.

A highly recommend read.

Princess Diana/New Smithsonian Specials on 20th Anniversary

2017-08-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

Two new Smithsonian Channel films on Princess Diana are premiering on the 20th anniversary of her passing, Sunday Aug. 27 8 p.m. CST. Narrated by Kate Winslet, "Diana: The Day We Said Goodbye" recounts stories behind the funeral, from the royal florist devastated by Prince Harry's card to "Mummy" to the pallbearers' battle just to stay on their feet.

"Diana and the Paparazzi" details the inside story of Diana's entanglement with the paparazzi, presented through rarely seen footage and testimony from those who protected her and those who photographed her.

DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZIPREMIERES SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 8 PM ET/PT

Just in- below are full screeners for the two new Smithsonian Channel films on Princess Diana, premiering on the 20th anniversary of her passing. Narrated by Kate Winslet, "Diana: The Day We Said Goodbye" recounts stories behind the funeral, from the royal florist devastated by Prince Harry's card to "Mummy" to the pallbearers' battle just to stay on their feet. Several contributors have either never been interviewed or never on-camera. "Diana and the Paparazzi" details the inside story of Diana's entanglement with the paparazzi, presented through rarely seen footage and testimony from those who protected her and those who photographed her. Spokespeople available upon request. All assets below - many thanks, Eddie

DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI (8/27 at 8 PM ET/PT)Full screener (registration required): http://www.sho.com/pr/smithsonian/app/title/diana-and-the-paparazzi
Sneak peek- Viewable link (downloadable file avail): https://appbox.sho.com/squcnmmjo
Photos: https://pressexpress.sho.com/smithsonian-channel/photos

DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE (8/27 at 9 PM ET/PT)Full screener (registration required): http://www.sho.com/pr/smithsonian/app/title/diana-the-day-we-said-goodbye
Sneak peek-Viewable link (downloadable file avail): https://appbox.sho.com/ss4atn
Photos: https://pressexpress.sho.com/smithsonian-channel/photos

DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZIPREMIERES SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 8 PM ET/PTSee sneak peek: https://appbox.sho.com/z5sn7fu

DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYEPREMIERES SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 9PM ET/PT
Sneak Peek: https://appbox.sho.com/zjsl3fgq4

An enigmatic member of the British royal family, Princess Diana captured the hearts of millions worldwide in both her life and her death, and remains just as iconic today. On the 20th anniversary of her passing, Smithsonian Channel will honor the "People's Princess" with an exclusive royal event commemorating the woman at the center of immense public fascination. The two specials detail the life and death of Diana and illustrate how the public's and media's obsession with her not only served as a catalyst for the fatal car crash that took her life, but also played a major role at her funeral and has lasted well after her untimely death. DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI premieres Sunday, August 27 at 8 PM ET/PT, followed by DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE at 9 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

The most photographed woman in the world from 1985 until 1997, Diana suffered from constant hounding from paparazzi, but she also brilliantly used the press limelight to her own advantage, to promote the charitable and humanitarian causes that she cared so passionately about. DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI follows her attempt to strike this balance before, unsuccessfully, trying to retire from public life in an effort to curb the relentless trail of photographers and reporters cataloging her every move. The special features interviews and footage of Dianas personal friends, security and staff as well as the paparazzi that photographed her, including some who were present at the scene of her fatal car crash just seconds after impact. This special brings viewers right up against the lens that Diana was so often photographed through, showing how the incessant chasing by paparazzi forever changed her life and factored into her death.

A televised event viewed by over 2 billion people worldwide, Dianas funeral became the focal point of a nation in grief and provided a stunning tribute to their princess. DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE, narrated by Kate Winslet, recounts the day of her funeral from the experiences of guardsmen, reporters, pallbearers and more as they share the sights and sounds of that day, some speaking publicly about the day for the first time. This special takes viewers on the journey of the cortege from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey through the crowded streets of mourners in London and hears from those who witnessed the procession pass by on that otherwise idyllic September morning. It was the worlds love for Diana that made her funeral one fit for the final goodbye of the Peoples Princess. The special also reveals how one of the funerals signature moments Elton John singing Goodbye Englands Rose almost didnt happen, because officials at Westminster Abbey objected to the lyrics of the original, Candle in the Wind.

Smithsonian Channel will also premiere a four-part series on Sunday, August 13 at 8 PM ET/PT, INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE. The series goes behind-the-scenes in the largest and longest-occupied castle in the world. It is far more than just a castle and a home; for nearly 1,000 years it has been the stage on which some of the biggest names in British history have plotted, planned and executed their most controversial deeds. Windsor has seen countless royal births, deaths and marriages, and has withstood numerous sieges and battles. With gripping dramatic reconstructions, intimate interviews and revealing archive footage, INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE uncovers the truth about Britains most famous family and castle.

DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI was produced by Charles Thompson with executive producer Bernard Clark of TVT Productions Ltd. John Cavanagh, Charles Poe and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE was directed by Leslie Woodhead and produced by Lorraine McKechnie, with executive producer Sue Summers of Finestripe Productions Ltd. Charles Poe and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE was produced by Paul Nelson of Red Planet Pictures (Entertainment) Ltd., with executive producers Philip Clarke and Simon Raikes. Joy Galane serves as executive producer for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel, owned by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME® with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the networks offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, Polar Bear Town, The Weapon Hunter, The Lost Tapes, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Building Star Trek, The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima, MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Interview with Kathy William Chiang: Things You Should Know and Do With Your Data

2017-08-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

Kathy William Chiang VP, Business Insights, at Wunderman Data Management, is a co-author of the new book, Monetizing Your Data: A Guide to Turning Data into Profit-Driving Strategies and Solutions [Wiley]. With the explosion of information available from emails, online searches, text messages, blog posts, and postings on Facebook and YouTube, Chiang has seen a shift in how data is being used across all business sectors and have unique insight and knowledge into the analytics that business leaders should be using to increase their profit.

Read on for what Kathy has to say.

Faten Abdallah (FA): Why is it important for companies to collect data?
Kathy William Chiang (KWC): Data captures the life flow of the business. It is a record of each and every activity that the business conducts. Since practically every key system that a company uses is now computerized, such as CRM, Point of Sale, Production Management, Billing and so on, a digital record of every important activity the company undertakes is available to be collected, stored and studied.

Through collecting and analyzing their data, companies have a window into the health of their business. This is analogous to going to your doctor to have medical tests performed. You may be feeling just fine but when data on vital stats is collected, potential underlying issues are revealed that if addressed early can be prevented from impacting your health.

If companies don’t collect, monitor, and analyze their data, they will end up making decisions based on feelings or prior experience which may not be representative of the market forces they currently face. Without a good understanding of the trends and patterns of their business, managers can find themselves reacting to the noise of the day. Today’s sales are down, yesterday’s were up. How do you know which is more representative of the trend?

FA: What kind of data should companies collect?
KWC: The short answer is all the data they can at the most detail level possible.

This is because you cannot predict what business challenge you will face this week, next month, or next year. Is it a demand issue? Then comparing seasonal patterns of sales by product type is important. Is it a supply issue? Then looking at production output, completed orders, backlog will be key. Is it a product quality issues, then looking at customer complaints to the service center or online comments are critical. When an issue arises, if you don’t have historical context to examine, you will be flying blind when deciding how to react.

Additionally, you want to keep the data as granular as possible, that is data at the level of individual transactions. Summarizing and averaging data causes valuable information to be lost. If one particular plant or supplier is the source of a production issue, this information can be lost if production data from all sources are summed up to save space or reduce the quantity of records.

The dramatic reduction in data storage costs, the increased power of computer technology and the proliferation of cloud based systems are making storing and accessing core business data a financially feasible proposition for companies large and small. These new technologies are leveling the playing field with respect to business analytics for small and medium companies. Competing on Data is no longer just an option for large enterprises.

FA: Often times, it is common to find data stored with no action. What should companies do with collected data?
KWC: Having just said you should keep any and all of your data, the flip side is that you should not simply start funneling all that data to your managers. Being overwhelmed by a flood of data, reports and analytics is a common problem today.

Once companies have made the effort to collect a treasure trove of data, the temptation is to try to use it in daily business but oftentimes astrategy to use it to drive actions and decisions is lacking.
A common mistake companies make is to think they can hire data scientists to mine their data for ‘nuggets’ that will then give them insights on how to improve the business. But as the old adage goes, if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. Managers need to spend time thinking through the actions they need to take and architecting the decision process to make those actions productive and meaningful.

Data is the ‘hard’ quantitative side of the business, but the ‘soft’ qualitative side is equally vital to making smart decisions. Being aware of and actively managing biases and points of view that managers bring to the table when facing a business issue, helps companies to make more objective and thoughtful decisions. Furthermore, historical data of the business can reveal insights about the future only to a point, probability and uncertainty also need to be considered when developing strategies and plans.

FA: What are some tools useful for collecting and implementing data driven information?
KWC: Tools needed to collect, store and analyze data are becoming increasingly affordable and easy to use. A good database to store and structure your data is a must. Add to that a good data visualization tool and you have everything you need to get started. All of these assets are available as on-premise or cloud-based services eliminating the need for large up-front investments.

In business, there is a common expression. If you don’t eat your lunch, someone else will. Competing on data is now a core business process. If you don’t start learning how to deepen your understanding of your customers, their needs and wants, then someone else will come along and serve them better.

Bringing data into your business management and decision processes is a journey. No one starts the process with a perfect understanding about how to go about it and everyone is learning more each day. The important point is to get started.

We talk about the ideas presented here in much more detail in our book, Monetizing Your Data: A Guide to Turning Data into Profit-Driving Strategies and Solutions, available on Amazon.com. You can also go to our website: monetizingyourdata.com for more information and tools to help you start your journey.

Product Review: Beetology--a Healthy and Tasty Drink

2017-08-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

(The company sent me Beetology to review. All of this is my opinion)

It’s a good bet that our ancient ancestors sat down to an infinitely simpler and more nutritious lunch than the tuna sandwiches and chips on our plates today. They used whatever ingredients nature brought their way, “straight up,” with minimal processing if any. And they discovered that certain foods from Earth’s pantry had properties that somehow seemed to make life a little better. I've always wondered when did food get filled with odd sounding names as ingredients?

Today, of course, we know that different foods contain specific cocktails of nutrients associated with almost every aspect of wellness. And while superfoods have been around for ages, the demand for easy, tasty ways to embrace their powers has never been greater. Moreover, sophisticated consumers are interested in ingredients they can pronounce, served as close to farm-to-table as possible. But not everyone has time to grow and prepare a healthy diet from scratch.

I am very picky when it comes to my drinks and food, so when I was sent Beetology, I was curious because who drinks beets for fun? I tried Beetology. I couldn't believe how well it tasted. I even had my husband, son, my mother and my brother try the drink. They were surprised and loved the drink too. You can still taste the beets a little bit, but the other flavors add a unique twist to the drink. My family and I STRONGLY recommend Beetology for being a healthy drink that tastes good!

Beetology are sweet, organic, cold-pressed juices are made from nothing but beets and a handful of other 100% natural, good-for-you ingredients like ginger, veggies, and fruit. I added ice to my drink because I like them cold. If you don't finish your drink, be sure to refrigerate.

Beetology has created a delicious way to drink your beets for optimal health benefits. According to many sources, beets may improve your health in the following ways.

Here are 5 reasons why you should drink Beetology.

1. Lower Your Blood Pressure

Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 4-5 points.

The benefit likely comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

2. Boost Your Stamina

If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beet juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16 percent longer. The benefit is thought to also be related to nitrates turning into nitric oxide, which may reduce the oxygen cost of low-intensity exercise as well as enhance tolerance to high-intensity exercise. My family members and I noticed we had more energy and moved more that day.

3. Fight Inflammation

Beets are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins, and enzymes from environmental stress. It's also known to help fight inflammation, protect internal organs, improve vascular risk factors, enhance performance, and likely help prevent numerous chronic diseases.

4. Anti-Cancer Properties

The powerful phytonutrients that give beets their deep crimson color may help to ward off cancer. Research has shown that beetroot extract reduced multi-organ tumor formations in various animal models when administered in drinking water, for instance, while beetroot extract is also being studied for use in treating human pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers.

5. Rich in Valuable Nutrients and Fiber

Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas). Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

6. Detoxification Support

The betalin pigments in beets support your body's detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body. Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver.

Beets are also “a goldmine of health-boosting nutrients that you may not get anywhere else,” according to Health.com. And while scientists have yet to find the key to eternal youth, they’ve long known that beets contain antioxidants like lycopene, which boosts the production of collagen – associated with firmer, younger-looking skin.

“Beets are the new pomegranate,” said Charles Herzog, Chief Beetologist and VP of New Business Development at Kayco, producer of Beetology beverages. “Chefs, foodies, health-conscious folks, and even athletes have been tapping into the versatile beet in creative new ways.” Even Martha Stewart is getting into the act, he added. “Her latest cookbook has a Chocolate Beet Cake! She says pureed beets made it extra moist and not overly sweet.”

Consumers can feel good about serving Beetology anytime, anywhere. Every grab-and-go bottle of Beetology is 100% non-GMO, U.S.D.A. Certified Organic, and Certified Fair Trade. Each variety is non-soy, non-dairy, and certified kosher, with no preservatives, additives, artificial colors, or flavors.

Beetology is a great way to refuel after a long hike, hard work out or a great yoga class. I love drinking this after I have run my miles for my marathon training.

Delicious, refreshing Beetology comes in five tantalizing blends:

Beet + Lemon + Ginger
Beet + Veggie
Beet + Tropical Fruit
Beet + Berry
Beet + Cherry

Find Beetology in the refrigerated section at health food, specialty, grocery, and kosher food markets. Beetology is produced by Kayco, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of Kosher and Specialty food products. For additional information about all Kayco products visit www.kayco.com.

Interview with Holly Brown: 11 reasons why you may need a social media break

2017-08-12T10:30:00.000-05:00

Holly Brown

Does the thought of taking social media break spark anxiety, or a sense of relief?

Many of us feel inundated by the politics in our feed, or maybe by the images of other people’s seemingly perfect lives. How do you know when you need to take a break? And what should the boundaries be when you return?

According to marriage and family therapist Holly Brown, you know you need a break if you:

quickly feel demoralized and hopeless every time you log in.
slowly feel demoralized and hopeless every time you log in. (Sometimes a viewing session has an insidious effect that lasts long after you’ve turned away.)
are losing large amounts of time and neglecting tasks that you value more. This is a sign that you’re losing track of your priorities and perspective.
wind up feeling bad about yourself, and inadequate compared to others.
feel more judgmental of yourself and others. Unfettered mean thoughts can easily go unchecked when you’re on social media.
are writing nasty things to other people, joining in the dog pile in ways that are unkind and unproductive. Brown is also a psychological suspense novelist whose recent release THIS IS NOT OVER dives deep into how social media and internet culture exacerbates the projections, jealousies, and misperceptions between her two protagonists.
you are jumping on social media more than once an hour, or just have it on all day long.
if the thought of NOT being on social media sites for a day fills you with anxiety and fear.
you’re craving pings all the time, constantly overstimulated or in need of stimulation.
you’re not connecting with people in person.
you go to check one thing and the suddenly, it’s an hour later. But the time spent wasn’t really happy or fulfilling; it was just time. And it led you to crave more input, like you’re always seeking another hit.

http://amzn.to/2wxY33p

Holly Brown, MFT lives with her husband and daughter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she’s a practicing marriage and family therapist, and a psychological suspense novelist whose recent release is THIS IS NOT OVER. Her blog, “Bonding Time”, is featured on Psychcentral.com, a mental health website with 1.5 million visitors per month. For more, visit hollybrownmft.com and hollybrownbooks.com.

I had the honor of interviewing Holly. Enjoy!

Faten Abdallah (FA): Define Social Media. How did it shape our world today?

Holly Brown (HB): Social media is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn...and even when you don't have your own account, the impact is unavoidable. That's because people are witnessing each others' lives (or at least, the curated version of them) and that then shapes the way those people's perspectives. Also, the empathy-numbing and meanness that can pervade social media can extend beyond as well. If we don't adequately consider others' feelings online, we're less likely to continue them in person.

FA: What are some pros and cons of Social Media?

HB: A pro is that people have a forum to efficiently connect with one another. We can share good news and commiserate over bad. We can keep in touch in a time-effective way. We can send each other love, affirmations, and support, and see the latest pictures of our friends and our friends' children across the country. And at its best, it's a place to commune over similarities and explore differences in order to broaden our frames of reference.

At its worst, it's where people are intolerant of differences, and where it can be too easy to dehumanize others since we don't have to see their faces. We can then relate to them accordingly--as if they don't deserve basic human decency and respect. Then there's the way it can effect self-esteem. We may compare ourselves unfavorably to others, or can find ourselves seeking instant gratification and validation rather than gaining those things through our own esteemable acts, and through deeper connections with those who are, ostensibly, closest to us. That means that instead of being with the ones we love, we're paying them half-attention as we check the web. Being mindful and present is what strengthens relationships, and social media can be a distraction from that.

FA: How do you know if you are getting burnout from using Social Media?

HB: You're not having any fun on social media but you just can't stop checking in. You've developed a bad case of FOMO. You might be comparing your life to what you're viewing of other people's lives, and you're losing the awareness that what you're seeing is just what they want you to see. Perhaps you're more involved in your online life than your real one, deciding what to do or not do based on how it would appear to others. You're losing touch with your lived experience because it's all about how you appear, as contrasted with how you feel. You might not even really know how you feel anymore, as distinct from what you're uploading.

You're also burning out if you're frequently seeking jolts of self-esteem from social media--for example, needing to be "liked" often in order to feel okay. If your moods are highly dependent on social media, both positive and negative, you're entering a danger zone.

FA: Is it good or necessary to take a break from Social Media? Explain.

HB: It's not necessary if social media is an enhancing adjunct to your life, and you're able to keep it in its proper place. If it's bleeding into everything else, then a break would be good. And if you're got the signs of burnout I referenced above, then it might be necessary.

FA: What kind of help is available for people who can't stop taking a break from Social Media?

HB: If you can't stop taking a break, then that might mean you want your break to be permanent. And that's okay. I know people who are content in their lives without participating actively in social media.

Now if you need a break but can't enforce it, it's possible you need an accountability partner. This can be your romantic partner or a friend, just someone who's doing it along with you. This works well for other motivational activities, like working out where people are much better at showing up at the gym if they know a friend is waiting for them there.

And if you're not able to get off social media, it might indicate another issue. Maybe you're having trouble engaging deeply in your life and you could use a mindfulness practice. Or perhaps you're combing social media as a way to avoid whatever problem feels too big to tackle. In that case, some therapy could be helpful.

Readers might want to note that

my blog on PsychCentral is : https://blogs.psychcentral.com/bonding-time/
I have a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Alameda: http://hollybrownmft.com/
I have an author website (http://hollybrownbooks.com ) and a Facebook author page (https://www.facebook.com/hollybrownauthor ).

Guest Post: Protein – Brownies? That Are Delicious!

2017-08-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

Sloane Davis

(Check out Sloane's interview here)

My approach to weight loss is based upon flexible dieting. My clients are given macros, which are proteins, fats and carbs, which comprises total calories. They then eat within the budget that is prescribed for their specific body. What makes this plan so effective is that there are no foods that one has to eat and no foods that are off limits. This makes for very sustainable, long term, successful weight loss.

While I can have a brownie, ice cream or cookies, I have learned that those types of calorie dense foods add up very fast. And because I like to eat in volume, I have created many healthy, low calories, low fat versions of these desserts so that I can have the entire tray if I’d like for less calories rather than just one.

One of my favorite recipes is my Protein Brownie. You can add a peanut butter swirl to it, a cream cheese filling, chocolate chips or simply plain as is. Not only do they hit the spot and cure my cravings for sweets, but keep my waistline in check too.

Here is the recipe that has never been shared before, as it’s a new edition to my recipe ebook due out in a few weeks.

Protein Chocolate Brownies

4 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder

½ cup + 2 TBS cocoa powder

½ cup + 2 TBS Pure Pumpkin

2 tsp baking powder

5 ounces % Plain Greek Yogurt

1 cup Sweetener (I used Swerve)

1 cup Water

⅓ cup chocolate chips (I use Lily’s)

Preheat Oven to 350

Mix dry ingredients

Add wet ingredients to form the batter

Pour into 8x8 greased (or sprayed) square pan

Bake 30-35 minutes or until middle is set

Cut when cool

Serving Size: 9 pieces 83 calories 5g carbs 1g fat 13g protein

These are a total crowd pleaser to bring to your next barbecue. Also, try these out on children a great way to serve a snack with a healthy punch!

Interview with Fitness expert Sloane Davis on flexible dieting and healthy lifestyle

2017-08-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

A mother of two, throughout her 30’s and 40's, Sloane Davis starved herself so that the scale read a certain number. Hungry, unhappy and deprived, in her 40’s Sloane decided to end the obsession with food, intense cardio and on transition her mind and body – and did it work! See her profile in PEOPLE.com and RECENT TV http://pancakesandpush-ups.com/.

I had the privilege of interviewing Sloane.

Faten Abdallah (FA): When was your wake up call in getting on the healthy path?
Sloane Davis (SD): My wake up call was when I started to increase calories and saw that I was able to lose weight. I never realized how unhealthy my relationship with food was. I thought that it was ok to live on vegetables and grilled chicken and to feel guilty for having a scoop of ice cream. I am so liberated now that I have found flexible dieting and am able to eat whatever I want and achieve the body I strive for.

FA: What is macros based flexible dieting?
SD: Macros (macronutrients) are proteins, fats and carbs. Each gram of protein and carbs is 4 calories, and each gram of fat is 9 calories. So while we still work off of total calories for weight loss or muscle building, I break it down one step further into macros so that your body is getting the proper nutrition for one’s goal. Flexible dieting is that there are no foods you have to eat and no foods that are off limits. If it fits your macros, you can eat it! It’s a wonderful way to live a healthy lifestyle as we all want what we can't have. So if you take deprivation out of the equation, it results in long term sustainability.

FA: What have your learned about yourself as you became healthier and more fit?
SD: I have learned that I am able to motivate and inspire so many and that is the best feeling in the world! I learned that I am so much stronger than I ever imagined possible and the empowerment that you get from lifting weights is incredible. I learned that if I put my mind to it, I can achieve anything!

FA: What do you want people to know about getting healthy?
SD: That you don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight. That you actually shouldn’t. Weight loss should be slow and steady. Long term consistency will yield the best results. You can never out train a bad diet. Most people think because they workout for an hour a day that they can lose weight. Nutrition is 80% of the equation. I would also encourage women to lift weights instead of spinning their wheels on the cardio machines. Lifting weights will enable you to change your body, whereas cardio will only make you a smaller version of yourself. If you have been on a “diet” for years and doing cardio and not seeing results, it’s time to switch things up.

Visit Sloane's website: www.pancakesandpush-ups.com and you can sign-up for a free 2 week trial period.

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2017-08-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Book Review: Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals by Valerie Baines

2017-08-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

I was sent a copy of this book by a publisher for a book review.

Although I can't draw to save my life, I love art and appreciate it greatly. When I was sent this book, I was in awe of the techniques in the book. I appreciated the artists greatly. What talent and master in the art craft.

Learning your craft by studying masterworks is an age-old practice among artists-including those with a love of botanical art. This is a must have book for those who don't have access to a museum filled with botanical masterworks nearby. This book brings the masterworks to you.

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals* is a must have for those who appreciate art and nature. The book is a draw-in book that shows you how by taking a close look at the details of great floral paintings. Valerie Baines, the author, coaches readers to try the techniques with the help of her suggestions.

Printed on quality uncoated stock and suited for drawing and watercolor, each spread will consist of two working parts. The left-hand page features a close-up for a drawing or painting by a noted artist from the 19th century or earlier. The right-hand page is for drawing, with Baines' brief coaching tips, observations, and a demonstrative sketch.

I would highly recommend this book for artists who loves flowers and plants and those who also appreciate art.

(Affiliate link helps run our site).

Interview with Leslie Gallin, the #GirlBoss Executive Paving the Way for Footwear

2017-08-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

Leslie Gallin, President of Footwear at UBM Fashion, oversees all of UBM Fashion's footwear trade shows, including FN PLATFORM @ MAGIC, which she single handedly launched in 2010.

Leslie started her career at a time when #girlbosses were a rare breed and worked her way to become one of the industry’s most respected leaders. Through FN PLATFORM @ MAGIC, Leslie works with retailers and designers to accommodate the needs of consumers. She doesn’t follow the trends, rather she sets them. Leslie’s dedication and continuous work with brands also includes a nurturing component, in which she helps emerging designers find their place in the massive footwear industry, helping them establish a name for themselves. Some of today’s largest brands grew under Leslie’s guidance.

Faten Abdallah (FA): You’re the President of Footwear at UBM Fashion. What inspired you to get into the fashion/retail world?

Leslie Gallin (LG): I grew up in a time where people dressed. The finer the clothes the impression / perception was the more successful. It also posed the opportunity to travel. I wanted to be around smart , stylish , creative well-traveled folks.

FA: How did you enter the fashion world?

LG: I originally started in the fashion industry running apparel divisions for Geoffrey Beene, Louis Feraud, Escada and ABS. After several years, a friend of mine introduced me to someone who was taking over a “Shoe Trade Show” called WSA and this is where it all began. It was love at first try on and I quickly realized footwear was my passion. The footwear industry has changed tremendously and it’s been really amazing to see the growth of this industry through the years.

FA: What is a typical day in your life as the President of Footwear at UBM Fashion?

LG: Networking, mentoring and strategizing for the next 18-months is my daily routine. Every day is fun. Both sides of the aisle ( as I like to say) which our business services are full of wonderful people who are passionate and they inspire me and the work that we do.

FA: Let's talk about footwear. What are some things people should look for when deciding to purchase new styles?

LG: I always suggest planning for the future, never wait until the last minute to find shoes or an outfit. Have ready to go standards – women and men- Black – Brown – heels or dress shoes. Always have special occasion and casual beach footwear just in case… and of course, have fun… go for something out of your comfort zone- bright color, fabric and or style.

FA: Another show is coming up. Can you tell us about that?

LG: FN PLATFORM will be taking place this coming August 14^th to 16^th in Las Vegas. The show is what I like to call, the “Davos” of the footwear industry. Global leaders in the footwear industry come together twice a year to shape the industry, network and shop for shoes. Our showcase is the pillar of branded footwear and offers men’s, women’s, junior’s and children’s brands from more than 20 countries. Every show is special but this show, we’re offering a truly innovative overall experience that will reach beyond transactional lines to integrate interactive activities that will touch all the senses for a modern and all-encompassing feel all under one roof. We have celebrities such as Blair Underwood coming on-site to launch their collections, several art installations that will offer an interactive, visual experience, educational seminars and networking opportunities and the launch of our Emerging Designer showcase, to nurture and guide six hand-selected promising young designers.

Today’s world , it’s all about the experience. People are interested in the story behind a brand or a store. They want to touch and smell and be moved by the philanthropy of a brand/ retailer.

Visit us at

· http://www.ubmfashion.com/shows/fn-platform

· Follow along on Instagram @FNPLATFORM

Sign up for Survey Sites

2017-08-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Some of my readers have asked me to post some survey sites where they can take surveys between down time...for example waiting at their child's practice or standing in line at the grocery store. Below are some sites that you can create accounts for. Go ahead and click on the photo or link if available, and sign up.

Get paid to review products with Vindale Research.

Register for a MySoapBox account to share your opinion and accumulate points that can be redeemed for prizes and gift cards for stores like Bath & Body Works, CVS, Lowes, Chili's, and more. You must be 18 years old or older.

Take surveys and earn rewards from MySurvey.

Visit: http://bit.ly/2wyBb3Q

Join the PineCone panel and get rewarded for each completed product survey! PineCone Research conducts on-line interviews with consumers from all walks of life to obtain their opinions about new products. To become a panel member, all you need to do is complete the simple form below. This will only take a few minutes of your time. It's easy and fun to see and evaluate new product ideas in the comfort of your own home AND get paid $3 for your time. Each interview usually takes 15-20 minutes of your time. Plus, you are free to leave the panel at any time should you choose to do so. We will occasionally ask some questions about your household in order to match the appropriate questionnaires to you. These questionnaires are brief and usually take 2-5 minutes to complete. These short screeners are uncompensated. Canada 18+.

Why Women Entrepreneurs Need to Raise Girl Entrepreneurs | Julie Gordon-...

2017-08-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

I love the world of entrepreneurship because entrepreneurs tend to be individualistic yet appreciate society as a whole. They show the world their ideas, and they act upon them--not afraid of failing or making mistakes. If they fail, they may cry for two seconds, and then either rework the concept or jump to another concept, and try again. Entrepreneurs are risk takers--mostly likely calculated risk takers. They are passionate about their ideas, their dreams. They are doers. They research and build their concept into a reality.

We need more women to be entrepreneurs.

Even if you don't have daughters, watch this video because you may have nieces, sisters and cousins. By empowering and encouraging girls to think entrepreneurially, they are being taught to be strong, independent and confident in themselves and their identities.

Raise a girl entrepreneur and watch her rise as she becomes a woman.

Interview with Sam Sisakhti on Believe in Yourself Charity

2017-08-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sam Sisakhti is the founder and CEO of UsTrendy. He was named Boston Magazine's Most Promising Innovator, Mass High Tech's Next Generation of Entrepreneur, and Internet Retailer's Top 10 Most Effective Social Media Marketers. UsTrendy is ranked as a top 500 online retailer in the second edition of the Internet Retailer Top 500 along with one of the 5 fastest growing e-tailers. UsTrendy serves as an online fashion marketplace to over 20,000 sellers from 100 countries. Sam was the 2017 Retail TouchPoints Retail Innovator of Year Award Winner. Sam was also listed on the Power 30 under 30 list which is comprised of the 30 most influential people in sports, media, or business.

Sam Sisakhti is Mass Challenge Judge and recently founded a charity called Believe in Yourself (www.believeinyourself.org) which provides underprivileged girls with clothing for school dances and promotes positive body image through a mentoring program.

Sam has been featured in in the Boston Globe, Inc. Magazine, CBS morning News, ABC Channel 5, US News, Boston Herald, Women's Wear Daily, Forbes, Vogue UK, NY Metro, NPR, FOX News, PBS News Hour, CNN.

I had the privilege of interviewing Sam.

Faten Abdallah (FA): Why did you enter the world of fashion?
Sam Sisakhti (SS): I had a 9 to 5 job which I hated. After four days, I quit the job and went to Vegas where I met my friend who was a fashion designer. I started helping him with his business, and then I thought that I should start a business in which I enable fashion designers to sell their clothing through me. www.UsTrendy.com was launched in 2008 and its a global marketplace where fashion designers sell their clothing.

FA: What did you learn about yourself as an entrepreneur in the fashion
world?
SS: I learned that market is always right. A Lot of times we have merchandisers try to decide what the next trend is but consistently we notice that end of day the people always have the loudest voice.

FA; How can girls improve their confidence despite media and societal
expectations?
SS: Your confidence must come from within. You can not look at outside factors either positive or negative for self validation.

FA: Tell us about Believe in Yourself and its mission.
SS: While running UsTrendy, I observed things which led me to launch Believe in Yourself. We have had customers post photos of themselves on social media as part of the UsTrendy interaction with our customers. I noticed cyber bullying going on and also body shaming in the comments sections. I found this to be really distasteful and concerning. This was one of the motivations for me to start Believe in Yourself.

At the same time, I realized the enormous social pressure that many young girls feel to try to be hip and socially cool by wearing clothing that’s seen as stylish. Many girls are unable to afford these fashions and can often feel ashamed and isolated socially. This inspired me to launch Believe in Yourself.

The mission is to promote a positive body image and healthy self esteem among young women at an early age. We want to empower these young girls to feel good about themselves and to take on active social roles within their school communities.

The Believe in Yourself Project goes into community centers, after-school programs, and low-income housing centers to provide designer dresses for underprivileged girls to wear at upcoming school dances. At the same time, we are empowering girls by promoting positive body image through mentoring and speakers.

This Fall, we will roll out our national mentoring programs which will be a weekly mentorship meetings in various cities across country along with online seminars available to all girls through out the country. The mentorship programs and online seminars will be interactive and open table discussions where influential women will mentor and have discussions with the girls about positive body image and anti-cyber bullying.

Visit www.believeinyourself.org for more information.

Lands' End Celebrates 50th Birthday of the Backpack with 50 Percent Off Backpacks and Free Shipping

2017-08-08T10:02:00.001-05:00

Fifty years ago, the modern-day backpack was born, and to commemorate this important milestone, Lands' End is is celebrating the birthday of the backpack on August 8, 2017. The Lands' End 50^th Backpack Birthday will honor the iconic pack with extraordinary offers and advice to help parents and kids discover the best backpacks in time to head back to class.

"Backpacks have greatly evolved in the past 50 years; from a mere zippered nylon bag with straps to carry books in 1967 to today's backpacks offering enhanced features, such as reflective safety trim, water bottle pockets to laptop sleeves, along with personalized style for every student," said Becky Gebhardt, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Lands' End. "At Lands' End, we've been building better backpacks for over 30 years and continue to raise the grade each season. This year, we have a pack sized for every student – from preschool to college bound – with styles made with durable rip-resistant fabrics and stronger seams to accommodate everything from electronics and school supplies to sports gear. We understand that a backpack is a critical purchase for back to school, and today's students need durable packs that will last them the entire school year."

More about Lands' End's 50^th Backpack Birthday Celebration:

50/50 Extraordinary Offers – To celebrate the 50^th Backpack Birthday Lands' End is announcing an EXTRAORDINARY offer – on August 8, 2017, all backpacks (and coordinating lunch boxes) will be 50 percent off with free shipping. Use promo code: BACKPACK50 and pin: 7476 to receive this amazing offer.
Pick Your Pack – There's truly a backpack for everyone in the family. Lands' End offers an assortment of packs to pick from this season including: ClassMate®, Digital ClassMate, TechPack, Critter Backpack, Packable Cinch Sack and the Campus pack collections.
Backpack Personality – Personalizing a backpack is a popular trend. Between icons, initials and monograms, Lands' End has hundreds of options for kids to create a personalized pack. New emojis, based on the popular smartphone characters, add to the fun. There are even glow-in-the-dark options with a dinosaur skeleton, crossbones and star. It's just $6 for an initial, name or icon.
#Backpack50 Twitter Birthday Party – August 8, 2017 – Lands' End is also hosting a 4-hour Twitter #Backpack50 Birthday Party, complete with advice from Lands' End as well as chances to win $100 gift cards and backpacks.
Online Tips – Visit landsend.com/backtoschool to determine which backpack will be an A+ fit. New backpack shopping tool and videos to show "What Fits."
Lands' End #LoveLearning – Education doesn't have to take a vacation this summer. Lands' End together with Steve Spangler Science and Brightly, a website from Penguin Random House, has launched the #LoveLearning campaign. Parents and kids can log on to Landsend.com/LoveLearning weekly from now through August 31, 2017, to discover do-it-yourself science experiments, book recommendations and fun t-shirt designs.

ABOUT LANDS' END, INC.
Lands' End, Inc. (Nasdaq:LE) is a leading multi-channel retailer of clothing, accessories, footwear and home products. We offer products through catalogs, online at www.landsend.com and affiliated specialty and international websites, and through retail locations, primarily at Lands' End Shops at Sears^® and standalone Lands' End Stores. We are a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service and real value, and seek to deliver timeless style for men, women, kids and the home.

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2017-08-08T09:40:00.003-05:00

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Interview with Lynn Colwell in embracing different art mediums

2017-08-07T10:55:00.002-05:00

Lynn Colwell considers herself a Jill of all artistic trades, meaning, she's tried them all. Right now she's enamored of watercolor collage, mixed media and photography. The results of her enthusiastic embrace of these mediums is shared here.

Faten Abdallah(FA): What does art mean to you?

Lynn Colwell (LC): Art is one of those words that cannot be encapsulated in a simple definition. In my view, art can be anything and everything. For instance, just this morning, a friend sent a picture of a blade of grass under an electron microscope. If that incredible picture isn’t art, I don’t know

what is. Whether human made or taken from nature, the unifying element (again, for me personally) is that art helps me experience something, feel…something. Whether art is “great” or “mediocre,” I cannot judge. Whether I understand it is less important than that I react to it in some way, that it makes me think or change. When I go out for a walk, I appreciate grass. But I don’t think about it as art. Yet, when I see a photograph of emerald grass spread like a carpet before the setting sun, or six blades of grass in black and white arranged just so, I do see art.

If I were classically trained, or had attended art school I’m sure I would have a much more sophisticated answer, but there you have it!

FA: What inspired you to be an artist?

LC: I’ve always been an artist although I never called myself one until recently. The reason is that I was one of those kids who was told in school, “You don’t have artistic talent. Choose something else to focus on.” Unfortunately, I believed that teacher and art for me, in the meaning of learning to draw or paint was squelched. But I’ve always been creative and tried many different artistic adventures from sewing to jewelry to scrapbooking and batik. But it wasn’t until a year and a half ago when I signed up for a one-year series of classes called, Lifebook, that I found that I can draw and paint and I feel now able to call myself an artist.

FA: What kinds of work have you done? What was your most favorite? Why?

LC: My favorite is always what I’m doing this moment. While some people might consider me a dilettante (If you are like me and have scrolled through several dozen careers and hobbies, check out the book, Renaissance Soul, and you’ll discover you are normal), and I admit I have a short attention span and have absolutely no desire to be the best at anything (that may be un-American), I love the new and live in the moment. What I did in the past matters not a whit to me. Neither does what I may achieve in the future. What matters is this moment because it’s all I have.

Right now I’m immersed in learning and experimenting painting faces, especially women. I’m excited to wake up each day and jump into a new piece. I rarely know when I begin, where I will end up. Being process oriented, I drift to another sphere when I am working. No music, no other noise, just me and the paper and about a million dollar’s worth of supplies. (I’m exaggerating but not by much.) I was a writer for many years, so combining writing with art is something I’m very much enjoying right now. Sometimes I write the quotes myself and other times, I take others’ words. But in either case, I tend toward the uplifting because that is what keeps me going.

FA: What do you want the world to see when viewing your art?

LC: Such a deep question! Each piece I paint is unique. As I said, I don’t usually plan them in advance, so I am never certain how they will turn out. When a piece really connects with people for any reason, it’s thrilling for me, even though I don’t set out to make that happen. Honestly, I do art for the sake of doing it, because it excites me and the process is so darn much fun. Because I rarely have a goal in mind when I start out, I can never fail. If I’m not particularly pleased with a piece or if it doesn’t “go” on my Facebook page, I abandon it and hope that someone will find it for whom it will have meaning.

FA: You paint individuals and then encourage the buyer to donate to a humanitarian cause. Why?

LC: I greet each day with gratitude and joy. I have been given so much in my life, I want to find as many ways as possible to give back. But I’m no Mother Teresa. I have always tried to find ways to combine my strengths and talents with the urge to give. About half way through last year’s painting classes, I realized I was building up a horde of paintings. Most people in the classes put everything into book at the end of the year. But I don’t need more stuff, even things I’ve made. I want to give, not keep. I started thinking about how I could continue to paint and stop feeling guilty for accumulating all the work. I knew I didn’t want to get into selling it. Way too much work and for what? I’m incredibly fortunate that I don’t need the money right now. It took me about a half hour to come up with the idea to give everything away through my Facebook page in exchange for a donation to a non-profit. This has turned out to be the perfect solution: I get to make as much art as I want; buyers get a piece they want; and non-profits get donations. I pay the costs of envelopes and mailing. I do have an online “shop,” but only because people say they want prints of my work. I add very little to the cost of printing because as I said, I don’t want the hassle of a business. One of the best things about my doing this is that several other artists have followed my lead and are giving away their work in the same way. Love that!

FA: What are some of the organizations people have donated to?

LC: In terms of this project, it is the buyers who donate. Some of the non-profits are: various hospices, organization that places service dogs for veterans, AIDS organizations, programs for the homeless, conservation and sustainability organizations, health organizations like cancer prevention, food banks, schools, organizations that help women, educational orgs, and organizations that help refugees.

FA: Is there a specific cause you would like our readers to be aware of?

LC: Right now, the two where I’m focusing my giving are the International Rescue Committee which does incredible work (including resettlement in the U.S.) with refugees around the world. Secondly, Give Directly, which transfers cash to households in developing countries via mobile phone-linked payment services. It targets extremely low-income households and has proven to be a lifesaving mechanism where there is no middle man/woman between those in need and the giver. The person in need gets to decide the best use of the money. It’s a simple, and in my opinion, brilliant concept and it works.

I’d like to encourage anyone reading this who might like to participate in my venture, to “friend” me on Facebook so you will have the opportunity to join the fun. And if you’re an artist, maybe you’ll try my routine. That would be terrific!

Print Coupons

2017-08-07T09:52:00.000-05:00

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Interview with Founder All That It Seams, Caitlin Childs

2017-08-04T10:38:00.001-05:00

Caitlin Childs started sewing when she was just eight years old. At age fifteen, Caitlin learned to knit. From that point on, she began making all of her own accessories. When she got married, Caitlin took a job as a seamstress and perfected her sewing skills. From that point, she took another job as a boutique manager and learned the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Once Caitlin felt like she had enough skills and knowledge to pursue her dreams, she took the plunge and opened her own business in 2016. Since then, Caitlin have received a celebrity endorsement with each product launch and have been able to partner with multiple animal shelters.

It's my pleasure to introduce Caitlin.

Faten Abdallah (FA): Why did you become an entrepreneur?
Caitlin Childs (CC): I don’t think that becoming an entrepreneur was ever something that I “decided” to do. It was more like a calling for me. I was being drawn to the career that allowed me to showcase my talents and pursue my passions.

FA: What have you learned about yourself as an entrepreneur?
CC: I’m definitely more resilient than I thought I was. Before owning my own business, when problems would arise, I would let them get me down for days at a time. Now, I’ve learned that when faced with a challenge, I just have to put my head down and figure out a way around it.

FA: How do you find the latest fashion classics and trends?
CC: I spend a lot of time on Pinterest. As crazy as it sounds, pinterest is a great resource for the newest upcoming fashion trends.

FA: What makes your clothing business different than other clothing businesses?
CC: Whenever I was working as a boutique manager, I noticed that in the world of women’s fashion accessories, you can either choose between fashionable or functional. It’s nearly impossible to find products that meet both criteria. I wanted to bridge that gap and create accessories that are not only functional for everyday life, but that have their own classic sense of style as well.

FA: You have some partnerships. Please tell us about them.
CC: We have the privilege of partnering with several animal shelters in an attempt to make sure that every shelter animal is provided with the emotional and physical care they deserve. A portion of our proceeds each month are donated to this cause.

We’re very excited to announce our new fall/winter product line launching in October. We will be offering a wide variety of bags and accessories designed specifically for cooler weather.

Our website is www.allthatitseams.com. We can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/allthatitseams) and Instagram (@allthatitseams).

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2017-08-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

Guest Post: Women - Combine Vulnerability & Credibility For a Powerful Marketing Message

2017-08-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Sage Lavine

Ladies: Have you ever felt like you have to hide the very quality that makes you a caring, sensitive individual - your vulnerability - in order to succeed?

If so, you are not alone. Even the most powerful women often believe they can’t express certain emotions and aspects of their personality on the job for fear of being perceived as weak, ineffective or wishy-washy.

Not true. As a CEO and a coach of women entrepreneurs, I can firmly attest that the ability to express vulnerability is a key strength for women. In particular, women seeking to build businesses can leverage this gift to win faithful followers, and attract loyal, paying clients.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2uWpyVl

No one wants to talk candidly about their divorce with someone who has never been through a separation. Nor does anyone want to open their heart about their struggle with obesity with someone who has never despaired over trying to shed excess weight. But when you do have this experience, people seeking your advice and help with similar issues will be touched at a visceral level and inclined, naturally, to open up and to trust you. What better starting point is there for connecting with new prospective clients than trust?

Take my friend and client Susan Peirce Thompson, for example. To say that Susan has been on a painful journey with food would be an understatement. Susan was overweight as a teenager and obese in her 20s. In adolescence, she used drugs like crystal meth and crack cocaine to manage her eating and weight. When she hit bottom on drugs at the age of 20 and got clean and sober, her food addiction exploded in full force. She was diagnosed with binge eating disorder at the age of 23 and spent nearly every spare moment bingeing, recovering from bingeing, or throwing her heart into some new attempt to lose weight.

She spent decades struggling with her weight, swinging from her ideal size 4 to a size 24. When she was lost in that battle with food, little did Susan know that her business journey was beginning, and would culminate in her discovering the secret to losing her own weight. This discovery led Susan to earn a Ph.D. in brain and cognitive sciences, become a tenured psychology professor and ultimately, mentor hundreds of thousands of people around the world to free themselves from food issues. Ultimately, she founded a business that grew to become wildly successful: Bright Line Eating, LLC.

Susan’s struggles and subsequent transformation allowed her to understand what women and men in similar situations would need to heal and to experience transformations themselves, and her decision to share her story -- to be vulnerable -- has drawn clients to her. To date, Susan has helped 15,000-plus people lose weight and keep it off, built a successful company and a tribe reaching 450,000 followers.

But the ability to express vulnerability is only part of the equation. To leverage it, something else must be demonstrated simultaneously:

Credibility.

In Susan’s case, having struggled with the same problems her audience faces and come out on the better side of things enabled her connect with them viscerally. She’s the living proof they are looking for. But she also has authoritative answers to their questions. Her Ph.D. in brain and cognitive science and experience mentoring people one-on-one -- in small numbers at first but growing numbers over time -- lend her the credibility she needs to convert connections into faithful clients.

Hence this formula for success I encourage women entrepreneurs to take to heart:

Credibility + Vulnerability = A Brilliant and Effective Marketing Message

When you combine your vulnerability with your credibility, you become solid in your leadership and create an energetic field around you that invites the right clients to come in, take off their shoes, let down their guard, and stay for a while.

But there’s a potential catch: When sharing about the humanness of your imperfect journey, you may be tempted to let all barriers come tumbling down, to get raw, gritty and lengthy about what you share - whether in your marketing materials, on your website or in conversations. You may then wind up focusing more on your own story than on your prospective clients’ needs. Keep in mind that when you open up about your vulnerability and challenges to your audience with the objective of business development, it’s about them, not about you.

Whether talking about a health crisis you’ve been through or a painful divorce you’ve moved on from, share your challenges with the goal of providing hope, healing, inspiration, and solutions. Once you’ve shared the broad brushstrokes of your story, you can accomplish this by asking your audience what life transition they’ve lived through that’s made them who they are today.

This process takes practice, and you’re not alone in working on it. Moreover, this form of authenticity looks different for every woman entrepreneur. If this article is leaving you wanting more, I devised this entrepreneurial leadership assessment which will help you explore what kind of leadership comes naturally to you, and how you can leverage that to strengthen your chances of marketing brilliance.

Over time, you’ll become skilled at striking the right balance between being open and honest and showcasing credibility. Business growth will follow.

Sage Lavine is the CEO of Women Rocking Business (womenrockingbusiness.com) reaching nearly 100,000 conscious women entrepreneurs around the globe, and author of the book Women Rocking Business. Sage teaches women entrepreneurs to fill their practice and create sustainable wealth through creating a business they love. She has shared the stage with Neale Donald Walsch, Jack Canfield, Janet Atwood, Marcia Wieder, and many more. Sage believes in purposeful entrepreneurship as a way to create world change: Women Rocking Business has raised over half a million dollars for women around the globe, women in the rainforest and in Indonesia, supporting them to build businesses that serve their communities and protect our ecosystems. Sage inspires her students to love themselves and each other so much that we can’t help but all succeed . . . together.

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2017-08-03T09:42:00.000-05:00

Interviewing with Angela Giles Klocke, founder of 1,000 Miles Project

2017-08-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Angela Giles Klocke is the client advocacy director at a pregnancy center where she uses her experience as a teen mom and abuse / sexual assault / domestic violence survivor to help others. Angela has three grown-up children and three grand-children (she is only 42!), and has been remarried to a good man for almost 19 years. She shares her story of her painful past and healing journey at Scars and Tiaras: Alive to Thrive (scarsandtiaras.com). She is a writer, speaker, and photographer.

I had the honor of interviewing Angela.

Faten .Abdallah(FA): What is the 1,000 Miles Project? What inspired you to start it? What occurs in the 1,000 Miles Project?

Angela Giles Klocke (AGK): In late 2013, I was out walking and a song popped into my head. The chorus speaks to walking 500 miles and then 500 more “for you.” That kicked my mind into overdrive. I had been feeling out of ideas for how to raise awareness for domestic violence and abuse, so now the wheels were turning. Within days, I had come up with a plan to walk 1,000 miles in 2014.

I knew that if I was actively doing something in the name of awareness, I’d get to share more about the topic of abuse and violence as a whole. I also needed to continue my own healing in a positive way, with others.

Essentially, I would receive a name of someone who was a victim or survivor, and I would write their name on a card and walk with the card. I would pray as I walked, then share a picture of the name card. The goal was to do this until I reached 1,000 miles. My plan was to finish at the end of 2014, but like healing, the plan took its own time. I ended up finishing in 18 months instead of 12. The project was heavy because of the stories and the weight of each, so I ended up slowing down in order to safely navigate my own emotional trauma.

FA: Who benefited from this project?

AGK: Financially, my local shelter was the aim for anything people wanted to send. I was very clear that money should not come to me at all. I encouraged those who wanted to show financial support to donate to their own shelters, if that was where they felt led to give instead. Shelters across the world always need financial assistance, so it’s a win-win no matter how people donated.

Emotionally, the people I walked for reported how much it meant for me to carry their hard stories. Some shared their secrets with me as the first person to ever know, and I was greatly honored by that. There was permission to feel and deal with pain and shame.

Obviously, I benefitted as well, because my healing continued.

FA: What did you learn from yourself as you completed this project?

AGK: First and foremost, I realized I CAN accomplish big, long term goals. All my life, I’ve had a tendency to bail halfway through a project or challenge. I rarely finish anything. I know this is a piece of the puzzle that is me that comes from my broken past, so this has been a huge shift.

I also learned that despite how far I’ve come, I still have a ways to go with my own healing. I don’t think I’ll ever be completely healed because there’s always something new that hurts or triggers (I’ll never stop wanting my mom to love me as a mother should, for example), but I can keep working to be the best version of me that I can be. And my journey matters to others on their own.

FA: What do you want people to benefit from this project?

AGK: My goal was to raise awareness about abuse and violence. I think I achieved that, even if on small levels. But a bigger more beautiful thing is that I once I started, I realized so many people have pains and secrets and shame, so I hope that as the project continues, more will see that what happened to them was never their fault, and they DO NOT have to live with shame.

FA: Are you working on a new project?

AGK: I am. Aside from the book itself, which talks about the walking and my own story, I am working on interviews with and videos of survivors, as well as more videos to help explain domestic violence to those who just don’t get why victims stay, etc.

But the bigger project I am working on will be a month-long advocacy project, wherein I will wear a tiara for the month of October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) along with a button (photo attached) that says, “Ask Me About My Tiara.” It will be an invitation to start a dialogue, and I will have information to give to people. It will take a bit of courage to do this because A: wearing a tiara is seen as kind of odd (see my memoir sneak peek about this here: http://scarsandtiaras.com/my-story/memoir-sneak-peek/) and B: I am an introvert. But I’m willing to step out and have these hard conversations.

FA: Anything else you would like to add?

AGK: Domestic violence and sexual assault are hard subjects to talk about because they come with shame and blame. Typically, child abuse receives a sympathetic response, whereas DV and sexual assault often carries the unspoken (but often also spoken) question of “What did you do to deserve it?” or “What were you wearing?” or “Why don’t you just leave?” I want people to understand it’s not easy, none of it is, but that blaming and shaming victims leads to more harm, more secrets, and sometimes the cycle continues because fewer victims speak out against their abusers. When abusers get away with their crimes, more and more get hurt. I just want to do my part to educate, to join the conversation, to START a conversation about the hard, ugly things that many don’t want to talk about at all.

For more information, check out Abuse survivor and founder of Scars and Tiaras http://scarsandtiaras.com . Contact: Angela Giles Klocke's website: angelagilesklocke.com or contact her at angelagilesklocke@gmail.com

Interview with the Home Economist Brett Graff

2017-08-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

Brett Graff – a former US government economist and nationally syndicated news columnist – is a family finance expert who helps families maximize their money and their lives.

Her newspaper pieces – called THE HOME ECONOMIST – run first in The Miami Herald and then in over 400 media outlets across the country including the Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The State, The News & Observer, Lexington Herald Leader and more.

Brett’s book, NOT BUYING IT: STOP OVERSPENDING AND START RAISING HAPPIER, HEALTHIER MORE SUCCESSFUL KIDS is an iBook Pick-of-the-Week and has been featured in USA Today, Yahoo! News, The Miami Herald , The Financial Post, Toronto Star, Mind Body Green.com and more. Brett’s appeared on affiliates of every major television network – including ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and FOX – to discuss overspending, how to avoid it, and why our very own brains can trick us into buying ourselves to debt.

Brett also contributes to magazines and has been published and interviewed by publications including Glamour, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Parents and also to websites such as The Mother List and Forbes.com.

As a speaker, Brett has been invited to address employees, clients and parents at organizations including American Express, The Boston Public Library, JP Morgan, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Books & Books at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, Capitol Hill Day School and many more.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Brett.

Faten Abdallah (FA): How can spouses agree when it comes to finances?

Brett Graff (BG): Spouses can agree on finances?? Kidding. They can. But those harmonies tend to go unnoticed – even when involving large sums of money – while even the smallest disagreements become sore, inflamed, and painful. First, ask your partner why, exactly, a particular money move is important. You may learn that he envisions a new 500-foot television screen as a backdrop to replicate the family movie nights from his own childhood or that she wants the exotic vacation plans because international travel is the only time everyone puts down their cell phones. If instead you can’t agree on the value of certain – but smaller - personal purchases (I learned in my own marriage that not everyone sees the value in designer jeans) then use a joint account for expenses such as the mortgage, car, kids and groceries. And open separate accounts -- funded with equal amounts each month — that can support your addiction to designer jeans, technology or ski equipment.

FA: What are some of the biggest money wasters with families?

BG: I can’t say your diamond-covered, hand-blown crystal-shaped farm animal collection is a waste of money (maybe it makes you happier than sending your kids to college.) But know anytime we make a purchase because we’re afraid that not buying it will set our kids back, or because we’re feeling competitive (think: lessons, sneakers, sports equipment, you name it) there’s a big chance we’re wasting our money. Nothing guarantees a kid’s success. Go ahead, ask any private school how it guarantees its students get into Ivy League colleges or stay off drugs. No. You could be spending five figures for results opposite of what you hoped. Spend money only on things you can afford, you want and you will be happy to have owned or experienced — regardless of the future outcome.

FA: How can one save money without feeling overwhelmed?

BG Switch your focus from the sacrifice to the gains. Meaning you’ll push out of your mind that Instagram post with your shiny manicure and play the movie of your retirement home on the lake. Think of how great you’ll feel sending your kids to the schools of their choice or moving in to the new home you are itching to buy.

FA: What motivated you to become the Home Economist?

BG: I was working at a news station when we realized the reports coming from economists didn’t match the experiences of people at home. I began reporting to fill the gap, proving how economic forces affect real people and the psychology behind many of our decisions to spend, save or conduct ourselves at work. We’re not as in control as you might think.

FA: What should families do with the extra money they have in savings?

BG: We’re all supposed to have one year of expenses covered, in case of an emergency. We all need disability insurance. (Did you know the typical 35-year-old woman, weighing 125 pounds and working in an office has a 25 percent chance of becoming disabled?) A Last Will In Testament is critical, as is the naming of guardians and trustees for our kids. And we will need money for retirement and for our kids’ college savings accounts – loans are nice but heavy debt can delay them. So pick one of those and if all the boxes are checked, you should put extra money towards your greatest passion.

FA: When is it ok to spend on entertainment?

BG: Only when you want to invest in your family’s bonding and happiness. Research shows that experiences — such as entertainment — make us happier than retail goods. Experiences are fun when they happen, but the human mind has a way of over time making these experiences even better. Our brains cleanse them – forgetting about the hassles and remembering only the highlights, which get emphasized over and over. If you’re going to spend money, this is the area that gets the most psychological bang for your buck.

My book is amazing! You should buy it right now! Don’t believe me, of course, take it from Emmy-Award Winning sports reporter Andrea Brody, who says I combine “the humor of a stand-up comic with the experience of a highly-respected business reporter.” And let’s totally connect on social media because in addition to posting photos of my kids and my lunches, I’ll tell you when everyday products become dangerous – did you know CarMax was selling us recalled cars and which brands sour cream & onion potato chips were recalled for salmonella? And also some fascinating statistics, such as how many people were murdered at work last year and the difference in pay between men and women truck drivers. @brettgraff (twitter) @brett_graff (Instagram)www.facebook.com/thehomeeconomist

Guest Post: A Life and Family Saved

2017-08-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

BA Austin

Alcoholism is an insidious disease. It is real. It knows no boundaries. It wreaks havoc wherever it goes. It grabs you when you least expect it. It destroys families . . . it destroys lives. . . . I should know—I am an alcoholic.

I come from a family where alcoholism has been rampant on both sides for generations. I saw it take the lives of family members I love, people who were taken much too soon in this life. And then one day it grabbed me. And if it was not for the love of my daughter and son, so wise at young ages, it would have eventually taken me.

Here is a letter I wrote them on June 4, 2012:

Dear Savannah and Steven,

Fifteen years ago this month, at the age of 43, I walked out of the Betty Ford Center, head held high, hopeful about entering “life” a new person, a new mom. Not a single day has passed since that life-altering experience that I have taken my sobriety for granted, that I have not thanked God for you, that I have not thanked Him for another day.

The years leading up to my demise are indelibly marked in my brain, my soul. Nana had passed away in 1990. Your dad and I separated a few months following. You were nine and six years old at the time, two innocent children now products of a broken family. Though I was seemingly carrying on raising you in as healthy and loving way I knew, inside I was drifting, sinking lower and lower into despair, bereft over my mom’s death, shameful of now being “a divorced woman”, and worst of all, the sense of failure as your mom.

As the days and months passed, after you had done your homework and gone to bed, I would reach for a glass of wine to unwind. Over time that one glass became two, three, and ultimately a bottle, or even two. I did whatever it took to deaden my senses, to put myself into a coma-like sleep.

As the years passed, though I tried to hide the glasses, the bottles, you became increasingly aware of my drinking, so much so that out of love, not disgust, you went to my brothers to tell them your mom needed help. That afternoon as I entered your Uncle Will’s house thinking I was coming to a bar-b-q, the silence in the walls spoke loudly. He put his arm around me and brought me into the family room where before me you sat, tears streaming down your faces. Surrounding you were the rest of the family and a pastor, himself a recovering alcoholic. You read a letter to me as to how my alcohol problem had impacted you. I listened intently, heart aching, knowing full well the truth you were speaking.

That very afternoon I walked through the doors of the Betty Ford Center with trepidation, wondering what laid before me for the next thirty days, looking at desperate faces of other men and women, moms and dads, children, wondering what their story was, wondering how they had reached rock-bottom as I had. Though I was in a daze, the one single thing I was sure of was I knew I never wanted to have another drink again, that I would do whatever it took to make that happen. And so my journey began…buried somewhere in my mind was a glimmer of what could be, of hope for a future . . . through adversity would come joy . . . I knew this much. . . .

Through the years I have shared with you how addiction has wreaked havoc on our family from one generation to the next, causing heartache, broken relationships, and often times premature death. Addiction is an insidious disease. It knows no boundaries. I pray that this disease in our family has seen its end.

Today you are adults living solid, healthy lives. Savannah, you are a wonderfully loving wife and mom. Steven, you are a man with a kind, carefree spirit that I so admire. I am so very proud of you both. Without the love you showed me in my darkest hour, I might not be here to write you this letter. I am so blessed to be your mom.

I love you so dearly,

Mom

Today I am still sober, one day at a time, by the grace of God. I do not take my sobriety for granted; I could relapse at any given time. I am eternally grateful for my children’s unconditional love. I enjoy the love of my grandsons and the gifts and talents God has given me.

If you are suffering from addiction, you are not alone! And help is out there! All you need to do is simply ask. Sobriety awaits you! Embrace it!

BA Austin is an independent art history lecturer with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Memphis. She completed in-depth studies in Italy on Florentine Renaissance art. Ms. Austin has worked in the museum and academic fields for thirty years. She lives in southern California near her son, daughter, son-in-law, and three grandsons who are the joys of her life. Visit: www.baaustin.com