Monday, August 29, 2011

What was your hurricane drink of choice?

Hi Ladies,
Hope you enjoyed my pics of Hurricane Irene.
On Saturday before the storm hit hard I got together with some friends.   I think the hurricane put everyone in the mood to have a drink!  I love red or white sangria with lots of fruit and ice.  Saturday I drank red.  Love eating the fruit after the sangria is gone.  My friends were drinking rum and coke and red wine.


                                                                   
                                                        
When I got back to work today I asked everyone if they had  a hurricane drink.  One of my co-workers had scotch, another had beer.  One of my co-workers had "Firefly" which is a sweet tea vodka.  How she prepared it....                         3/4 cup of lemonade
                                     top it off with the Firefly


                              
She said it is amazing!
Ladies, what did you drink for the hurricane?

HURRICANE IRENE

Good Morning Ladies,
As I write this blog post I am still not home.  I did not sleep at my house the night of the storm.  We were told to evacuate.  Today we went home and were going to sleep home and then down the block a huge tree fell on power lines and we lost our electricity.  We were pretty lucky, though.  Just some water in my garage and now no electric.  No flooding.  So many of my neighbors had flooding and so many had uprooted trees crash into their fences, cars and roofs.  We took pics during the hurricane.  What was your hurricane experience, east coast ladies?


This is usually a street, not a river!

We are looking at the street not the bay



Uprooted tree and sidewalk


A motor boat going down the street




  
 
One of many downed trees

  
A patch of blue




Friday, August 26, 2011

Have a Safe Weekend!

Everyone please stay safe this weekend!  
Some more of my beach pics where I definitely won't be on Sunday!










Blythe Danner

Another lady over 50!
Helping women fight Osteoporosis


Blythe Danner,  and daughter,  Gwyneth Paltrow
                                                            
Hi Ladies,
We all know Blythe Danner  as an award winning actress.  Our children probably don't know who she is the mother of.  Our children only know the name Gwyneth Paltrow.  Well, we grew up knowing Blythe Danner.  She is using her celebrity status for a very good cause.  One that many of us ladies over 50 can relate to.  Ms. Danner like many post menopausal women has osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is the disease that makes our bones very weak and very prone to fracture.  Osteoporosis really has no symptoms until you do get a fracture which can be extremely debilitating in so many ways.
Ms. Danner and Amgen  started "Act 2 Reduce Fractures", which is an educational campaign for women to educate themselves, take action,  and speak to their doctors to learn what they can do to prevent, treat, and reverse osteoporosis.   Osteoporosis is reversible!!!! 
"One in two women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime," said Kathleen Cody, executive director, American Bone Health.  "And many women don't proactively work with their doctors to help manage the disease and understand the factors that may increase their risk for fractures.  Our goal is to encourage women with postmenopausal osteoporosis at increased risk for fractures to take action and speak to their doctors to learn all they can about helping to strengthen their bones."
"What I'm working on with my doctor is a plan that includes exercising, eating right and taking a medicine called Prolia along with calcium and vitamin D," said Danner.  "Every woman is different, and I encourage women to work with their doctors on a plan that is right for them."

Read more about Blythe Danner

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A look back at the sixties





Looking Great Over 50!


Ladies,
Look how good over 50 looks!!!!
(I realize these stars are photo ready,
but I think they probably would look
pretty good without their make-up)
Do you agree?













AND THE MEN.........














                                                          



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Strike A Pose.....I love Isometrics

Hi Ladies,
I think that Isometrics are a great addition to your workout.   I am starting to love it.  You need minimal or no equipment and I feel that it is fairly easy. You can practically do it anywhere, anytime throughout your busy day so if you can't get to do your regular workout Isometrics is the answer.   And it is extremely effective! The reason that it is so effective is that since you are making an isometric contraction you are recruiting so many more muscle fibers than if you were doing a regular repetition.  This might sound a little confusing and believe me I am still learning so much about it but it makes sense.  I will add a link so you can read a more detailed definiton of what an isometric contraction or exercise is.
  You can be sitting at your desk at work and perform an isometric exercise. Just tighten your abdominal muscles and hold.  While you are standing on line at the store contract your butt muscles and hold for ten seconds, release, then tighten again.  (I like to do little pulses when I am contracting  the muscles of the thigh and butt, I find this very effective.)  Lay on your bed and press your heels against each other. Hold for ten seconds, then release, and repeat. (great for inner thighs)
While I was sitting on the beach there was a small hard plastic table in front of me.  I put my feet on either side of the table and pressed against the table.  Great inner thigh exercise.
But remember, you must also do regular resistance exercises so you will be strong at all points in a complete range of motion.



Modified side plank




The Plank, great for abs and back









You can perform this with or without a stability ball

Work your arms and chest
                                                                  
Caution: Never hold your breath when you exercise, especially while doing an isometric contraction.  An isometric contraction can raise your blood pressure.  So people that have high blood pressure should definitely consult their physician before this type of work out or for that matter any type of exercise program.  Do not do Isometric exercises if you have any heart problems.
When you are using free weights, for example to work your biceps, you can do an isometric contraction, but you must perform that contraction at various points throughout the range of motion of a regular repetition.  If you do not perform the isometric contraction at the various points then you will not gain strength throughout the range of motion.  For this exercise then I would do a regular bicep curl.  It would take too long to do an isometric contraction for each point in a range of motion.
I think that isometric exercises are amazing for your lower body and abs!!!!

Click here to read the definition of Isometric Exercise.

Ladies, please leave a comment if you have any questions about working out.  If I can assist in any way please let me know!  Elyse Rose

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Curcumin, The Spice of Life!

Good Morning Ladies,



                                                                        
I have been hearing so much about this spice.  Curcumin, which comes from the curry spice tumeric has been used for thousands of years to fight disease and promote good health.  Curcumin, I have read, can positively affect every organ system in the body.  Curcumin can protect the brain against stroke.  And studies suggest it may help prevent or fight prostate, pancreatic, breast, and colon cancers.  (While anticancer drugs weaken the immune system, Curcumin actually enhances it by acting as an "immunorestorer.")
Individuals who consume a lot of Curcumin are less likely to experience cognitive decline....suggesting that Curcumin could help protect the nervous system against aging and may help prevent the pathological processes of Alzheimer's.
Curcumin has demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities.  According to researchers, it shows promise in the fight against cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis.  It also may protect against cataracts.   It may reverse some of the damage associated with high blood sugar levels.  It may even be an effective treatment for skin diseases such as psoriasis and wounds.



Curry Dish
                      Some ways to use Curcumin

•Add 1/4 teaspoon to a pot of grain while cooking. Best bets: brown rice, Basmati rice, quinoa or millet



•Stir 1/2 to 1 teaspoon into a pot of soup


•Add a dash to your favorite guacamole


•Add a healthy pinch to a container of hummus


•Mix a little into bean spreads for sandwiches


•Stir fry veggies such as broccoli, onion, carrots and sweet peppers, and add a pinch of turmeric along with some ginger, garlic and tamari


•Stir a dash into yogurt


•Make a banana smoothie truly yellow by adding a pinch of turmeric


•Make salad dressing and add a pinch, or add it to your favorite bottled dressing
  
     (these ideas taken from the whole foods blog)




I guess the question is, why are we not using Curcumin?  I have never used it.  I never really knew what is was.  But I am definitely going to start using it!  Curcumin is a miracle spice!!!



Click here to read more about Curcumin.


Click here to learn about foods that contain Curcumin.



Some of this info was taken from "Life Extension"

Monday, August 22, 2011

Paint the town and your toes!

The Essie Summer collection is so pretty!  Try one of these great colors for your next mani-pedi.
What a pretty way to start off the week!

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Hi Ladies,
Friday night I drove into Brooklyn with my boyfriend.  As we were driving the skies turned dark gray and there was a light show.   It was kind of scary.  We were driving through the Rockaways by the water as we watched the storm which was an awesome sight.



My pictures did not come out great but I think you can get an idea of how ominous the sky was.  Anyone who lives in the New York area will agree with me that Thursday and Friday night the storms were crazy!  I guess it must have to do with "Global Warming".  We are having some pretty severe storms.  I usually like when it storms but these were a little too much.


  • A familiar Coney Island Sight!






Friday, August 19, 2011

I'm nowhere near ready for the fall!

I love the summer, love the warm weather and the beautiful flowers all around.  In no way do I want to rush the season.  As I look all around me there are some signs of fall.  In CVS all of the school supplies are on the shelves.  All of the neighborhood children are home from summer camp.  So, I am not going to dwell on the fact that school starts for many in a couple of weeks.  I am going to continue loving the summer days and nights.






Another sign that my precious summer is moving quickly is the fall fashion that is all around.  The fashion industry is famous for rushing the seasons.   As I was browsing around I found, what I think, are some way out there shoe styles.  I'm not endorsing these styles.  I do not think I could even walk in them!  I just wanted to post what some of the designers are showing.  I think a little wild and crazy to say the least!  But who am I to judge?  What do you think?  


Christian Louboutin 


Camilla Skovgaard 


Christian Louboutin

marios-schwab  

Miu Miu 

Sam Edelman 

Sergio Rossi 


Nicholas Kirkwood 

 I really think that these styles are so impractical.  There is only one style that I might consider.  Can you guess which one? (maybe two!)
Ladies, I promise that I will post styles that we would love.  This was kind of just for fun.


             Have a happy summer weekend.  Enjoy the warm breezes!


                                                           

Thursday, August 18, 2011

We Are Family!

This past Sunday I attended my step-daughter's bridal shower.  Her mom hosted it at her country club in New Jersey.  It was absolutely beautiful!  My step-daughter was surrounded by friends and family.
 My step-daughter opened her gifts as her sister, my daughter, assisted in the festivities.  My step-daughter is 31 years old and is getting married in October.  My daughter is 24 years old.  When I met my step-daughter she was three and a half years old.  She was so adorable!  I was nervous to meet her at the time because, of course,  I wanted her to like me.
I was blessed with a daughter when my step-daughter was seven years old.  I was so thrilled that they had each other.  So happy that they were sisters.  They were never half sisters, they were always sisters.  They were typical sisters, just not seven days a week.
My heart broke when I got divorced from their father.  It broke because not only was my daughter's father moving out of the house but I was breaking up two sisters.  What do I do?  Stay in a marriage that is not good  and let my daughter and step-daughter see that or get out?  A torturous decision.  I couldn't stay married.  So not only was my husband leaving, I knew that my step-daughter was not going to sleep over every weekend anymore.  Needless to say this made my daughter and myself extremely sad.  This is a guilt that I always have within me.
I tried in whatever ways I possibly could to keep my two daughters together over the years.  It was not easy.  They saw each other whenever possible.  A positive was that I love my step-daughter's mom (when my daughter was little she thought that her sister's mom was her aunt.)  When their father was around the girls would see each other a little more.  It was never as it was when we were all together.   Then years later my ex-husband and his girlfriend moved to Florida which greatly upset the two girls.
As my two daughters got older on their own they recultivated their sisterhood.  Each year they get closer and closer.  Needless to say it makes me happy.  But more important they have each other.  And I know that that makes them happy.  They have different personalities that sometimes clash.  But through it all they are sisters.  They always have been and they always will be!
Now as my step-daughter enters the next phase of her life as a wife to a wonderful man,  my daughter couldn't be happier.  My daughter made a beautiful speech and presentation to her sister at the shower.  It was a very emotional moment for me as well as for my two daughters.
 There are so many happy things to look forward to!  We are all so excited about the wedding! My daughter looks forward to getting a brother-in-law and cannot wait for her sister to have a baby so she can be an aunt!  That will make me a step-grandmother.  But I hope that I will just be considered a grandmother.
My ex-husband has been in a relationship for the past ten years.  So at the shower was the mother of the bride, the step-mother of the bride, the girlfriend of the father of the bride and the mother of the groom.  That makes four future grandmothers!!!  One big happy family!!!  And we really are!!!!!! (most of the time)



My beautiful Step-daughter at her Bridal Shower
To her right, her mom (1st wife), me (2nd wife), next,  present girlfriend and to my step-daughter's left her future mother-in-law
                                                     

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Norma Kamali.......66 and fabulous!


Hi ladies, 
I know that we all remember Norma Kamali.  Her fashion was the cutting edge.
  I remember how much I loved her styles. We all wanted to own a Norma Kamali
 bathing suit.  We loved her fashions in the seventies.  Among other ventures 
Norma Kamali is designing for Walmart.
Norma Kamali wearing her signature sunglasses

Norma Kamali Retro Swimsuits
                                                                
 Well, Ms. Kamali is back and better than ever.  I guess she never left.  She is just doing some new exciting things!  Norma Kamali has opened a "Wellness Cafe" in Manhattan.  Below she describes it to us...........
"The Wellness Café was established as a place where people can come for alternatives from food to personal care and lifestyle choices that can enhance fitness, health, and beauty. In fashion, we tend to cover our faces with makeup and create an illusion through clothing. One dress can change your night, but when you take it off will you still feel empowered when you look in the mirror? A non-processed food lifestyle with regular exercise and the use of personal-care products that support the immune system can transform your life. Little steps at your own pace can be very rewarding in a short time. Anyone who visits the café is welcome to a cup of green tea with some olive-oil popcorn and to test out some of the products. They can also sign up to be invited to our Wellness events where I personally share information about new products and people who are doing amazing things. Of course, all of this is done through vanity. why not get an acupuncture facelift? The acupuncture that transforms your face is really changing your entire system at the same time. From your liver and kidneys to your blood flow opening up everything to make way for a healthy balanced body and a beautiful glowing face."

"The Wellness Cafe"  is located at 11 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019


I think that I will listen up to what Norma Kamali has to say.   She is 66 and soooo fabulous! 
Watch this video below.  Norma Kamali is talking about the benefits of olive oil.

                                                        
                                                                             







Read more about Norma Kamali 
Visit the "Wellness Cafe" 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

It's a beach, it's a bar, it's a restaurant, it's a club.....it's PoP's

                                                                          

Hi ladies,
Yesterday evening I went to dinner with a fellow LOF (lady over fifty).  We went to PoP's.  This is its first season and it is really nice!  Pop's is located in Island Park, the last turn before the Long Beach Bridge.  Go slow or you will end up on the bridge. 

                                         You would never think that when you get to the end of the street you are going to find this great place!  It is really hidden from the main road.
 You can valet your car.
PoP's is an outdoor eatery.  There is a top on the eating area but you are outdoors.

The food is great,  I love the "Warm Lobster Roll".
                                                                


 PoP's is on the bay.  You can sit on their beach, which has beautiful palm trees,  and watch the boats.  On the weekends they have live music.
There is a bar area but it is so enjoyable to get drinks and sit on the colorful sand chairs on the beach. 



You really feel like you are on vacation surrounded by the beautiful palm trees!



How cute is this make - believe town?