Glam in the New Year...but remember to....

Glam it up!

Destiny says, "Glam in the New Year!" 

Workout!

Jacquie says, "Remember to workout first."  

Journal!

Sharon says, "Make sure you journal; otherwise, believe me, by next year you'll forget what you did on this New Year's Eve."

The GLITS Gals wish you the best year ever in 2014!  It's all about LOVE, friendship, faith, and forgiveness.  Embrace God and He will give you the desires of your heart.

See you next year!

www.sharonleaf.com
www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Christmas Glam Time!

GLITS Gals ~ December 2013
Christmas time at the Riverbank Zoo, Columbia, SC

It's Christmas!

We may run, walk, skate, drive, or fly,

but let us never lose sight of 

the Reason for the season,

or miss a chance to see a snowflake on the way.

Sharon:   Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  And the busiest.  In the hustle and bustle of the days ahead, lets not forget the Reason for the Season.  Jesus!  Christmas carols fill the sound waves on the radio and in our local churches.  And of course there's the shopping for family and our special friends.  Take your time shopping.  Choose wisely.  Gifts don't have to have money written all over them.  Let your presents come from your heart.  Jacquie already gave me a little Christmas bag full of little goodies ... a small candle with ice skates, peppermints, dark-chocolat candy bar, peppermint lotion... all yummies she knew I'd savor.  So thoughtful.

Me and Jacquie's mom-in-law playing in the snow
at Riverbank Zoo
December 2013

A few tips for the Christmas season from the GLITS Gals:

Jacquie:  Park a few spaces farther when you go to the busy shopping malls.  Enjoy walking those stores!  Go ahead and eat your favorite holiday food -- just remember to drink your morning smoothie and to drink extra water.

Destiny:  Go ahead!  Add a splash of red to your lips, cheeks, and wardrobe.  And don't forget the glitzy red nail polish.  

Sharon:  Any readers on your Christmas List?  Order a signed copy of my novel, Lady and the Sea, (also available on www.amazon.com and e-books) on my website:  www.sharonleaf.com

The GLITS Gals wish you a very Merry Christmas

and oceans of blessings for the New Year!  

Unto us a child is born

A Savior

Christ the Lord!

Have a GLITS-ee Thanksgiving!

Eat well.  Love well.

Smiles bring sunshine to any gloomy autumn day

We're thankful for the great outdoors!

The GLITS (Girls-Living-In-The-South) Gals want to wish you a happy, thankful Thanksgiving!

As we spend time with family, remember:  Don't judge.   Love. Sprinkled with laughter and lots of glitz!  

Enjoy your feast with family and friends, then go for a nice afternoon walk.  Remember to journal your memories because I guarantee that you won't remember them five years from now ... or even a year from now.  

May God's blessings fill your Thanksgiving holiday!

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com
www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Sharon: 'Get your Autumn Glam on!'

Flying over the Cascade Mountains
October 2013

Summer's over.  Autumn is here.  And with that, our surrounding colors change, from the leaves on the trees to the colors in your wardrobe; from your home decor to the color of your lipsticks.  Our colors turn from summer cool to autumn warm, so look for those burnt oranges, deep chocolates, and flaming reds (Destiny found hers) for your wardrobe, make-up and home decor.

Destiny is busy helping Jacquie
get her GLAM on!

"Open those eyes real big, Mom," Destiny instructs.

A few Autumn TiPs:  

   Pick out what you're going to wear the night before; this will save time when you're dashing around with coffee in hand.

   Make sure you start the day with a healthy smoothy (in one of Jacquie's previous blogs).
 
   Brighten your smile with a burnt orange lipstick.  Oh yeah, don't forget to brush those pearly-whites.  I can apply my make-up in five minutes, so there's no excuse not to add some GLAM to your pretty little face.  The hair?  Well, that's another story, and since I don't like fussing with my hair, I take every short-cut possible.

   Take time to go for a brisk early morning walk, or a leisurely evening stroll.  As the days grow colder and darker, exercising is essential.  Choose something you love to do...well, perhaps like is a better word (the GLITS gals love to zumba once a week together at the local dance studio)

I found my Autumn blouse!

Now, wasn't that fun and easy?  Now, go out and knock em' dead!   Be joyful.  Our joy comes from the Lord, so spend time with Him.  Acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Go in peace.
  The presence of the Lord be with you
on  your way.

Judges 18:6 NKJV

  www.sharonleaf.com

Sharon: One Direction or another...

Girls just wanna have fun!
(at One Direction summer movie 2013)

Summer's winding down and a touch of autumn is in the air.  The 3-Generation GLITS Gals are getting into an autumn groove so please have patience.  We'll be bringing you nutrition tips, Diva advise, and encouragement to dream those dreams!

Destiny on the cover of a
So-Cal magazine (2009)

SaSuBe Classes all summer long
(don't let Destiny & Jacquie know that I took this photo!)

www.sharonleaf.com
www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Announcement: Gone for the Summer!

Destiny's sun-shiny summer look!

Fun on Lake Murray with Jacquie & Sharon

Gone for the Summer!  

Here's wishing you happy sun-shiny days

and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Happy Father's Day!

Jacquie's 'Daddy Robby'

Daddy and me
 2012

It's Your Special Day!  Enjoy!

To our grandfathers, to our brothers,

to our dads, to all others

who make our lives easier, funnier, and wiser.

To our uncles, to our boy-pals, 

Happy Father's Day from the 3-Generation GLITS Gals.

Destiny & her Dad at her high school graduation
2009

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com
www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Sharon says, "Summer's here! Get down with your bad self!"

Keeping cool in Belize

Summer's here so if we want to stay cool we must shed some of our clothes. Yay!  And perhaps a few pounds.  Bummer.  I've been trying to shed some pounds for months now, with not much success.  I lose ten, gain six.  Lose two, gain one.  So today I made a decision.  Whether I lose or not, I am going to join our Golden Hills Country Club so I can have access to that gorgeous swimming pool.  My plan: to drive our golf cart down the lane, park it, and lounge by the the cool blue sparkling waters all summer long.  In the mornings, at midday, or at twilight.  And while I'm there, I'm going to float on my back, dog paddle, and perhaps swim a few laps.  I refuse to allow these extra pounds keep me from enjoying my sun-filled southern sultry summer days.  

I've already joined my daughter and granddaughter for a night out dancing at the club (a one-hour weekly www.SaSuBe.com dance class.)  All I can say is WOW, what a work-out!  I'm sure that I'm making my Aunt Eunice proud.  Since entering my mid-sixties, I've learned that no matter how much, or how little, we do for our health, the important thing is to keep moving.  Do I hear a big Amen?  Okay, a little one will do.

How about you?  What can you do this summer to get down with your bad self ?  Perhaps walk the dog an extra block?  Park the car a little farther from the Piggly Wiggly Market?  Don't shut me down now ... you know I'm right.  Okay, I can hear someone saying,  'So why don't you walk to the pool instead of drive your cute little golf cart?'  Bummer, again.

Remember, whatever you do, be creative--have fun with it and add a smile to that pretty face--you always look better when you're smiling!

I wish you smooth summer days and may oceans of creativity flood your soul.

Popcorn always looks cool!

Why hasn't anyone asked me to go clubbing?

www.sharonleaf.com

A few tips for Mother's Day from the GLITS Gals

Mother's Day flowers from son, Shawn 2009

The GLITS gals have a few tips for Mother's Day...

Destiny:  Give a 'goody bag' of lotion, cleansing cream, make-up, whatever you think your mom would enjoy.  You can spend a lot, or if you're on a budget like me, take a trip to your local drug store (CVS, Long's).  Give mom something that she would never buy for herself that will bring out the diva in her!

Jacquie:  How about a gift card for a massage?  Whether an hour, or even 30 minutes, your mother will feel like a new woman!

Sharon:  If your mother is a reader, may I suggest LADY and the SEA, a novel based on my true story.  You can purchase my book through Amazon.com, E-books, or go to my website at www.sharonleaf.com.  After reading, look out!  Your mom will be ready to take on the next adventure that comes her way.

Now, after applying her diva make-up and having a soothing massage, good ol' mom will look and feel like a million dollars when she curls up with her new book!

Whatever you can afford, big or small, make sure you give your mother a big hug, or if she lives far away, a phone call will do just fine.  But let's remember ... the most important gift of all is love.

GLITS Gals enjoying an afternoon on Lake Murray

We wish you health and blessings for
 MOTHER'S DAY!!

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

www.sharonleaf.com

Destiny says, A little blush here, a little eye shadow there ...

Before ...

After!

As my Aunt Eunice says, 

"Make-up covers up a multitude of sins."

It doesn't take much to add a little glamour to your life.  I always like to use my Grama Leaf as an example because she needs all the help she can get ... kidding.  Actually, she enjoys getting glamorized, and Grampa Leaf has no complaints either.

So here we go ... after applying a light foundation, brush on a pink blush on your cheeks to add some life to your face.  Then with the finger of your choice, rub on a white frosted shadow just below your eyebrows and around the outer eye ... both eyes.  And there you are!  

Doesn't life feel more glamorous?  And thanks to you, you will add a splash of glamour to those around you.

Show a little Diva in your life and have a beautified day!

www.maccosmetics.com

Jacquie asks, "Are YOU getting enough sleep?"

Are you getting enough sleep?

I know getting enough sleep is sometimes hard to come by.  Some of us get so wound up it is hard to fall asleep, or because we are busy all day the moment we start to settle down our mind goes racing a mile a minute.  Some of us have the ill fortune of sleeping with someone who snores, or others have children who love to wake up in the middle of the night and climb into bed with you.

In my case, I have a sweet six-month-old Labrador Retriever who feels the need to scratch on our bedroom door around 3am every night to let him out to go potty, which at times turns into a play fest.

At any rate, sleep is a vitally important thing to help us live healthier lives.

Sleep: A Powerful Painkiller

Getting a good night's sleep not only makes you more alert, it also reduces your sensitivity to pain. A study that examined the effects of a good night's sleep said that when participants slept an additional 1.8 hours a night or at least 8-9 hours a night their sensitivity to pain was reduced more than if they had 60mg of codeine, a powerful narcotic painkiller. Additional sleep (or just getting enough of it) can greatly help those with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions.

So take a warm bath, drink some chamomile tea, and get to bed early tonight. Sweet dreams.

 Health and blessings!

Lotto & Ricky Bobby: getting healthy while they sleep!

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Spring break

Stay tuned!  We shall return, just taking a short Spring break!

"Natural Allergy Remedy Tips" from Jacquie

Jacquie's Garden

Spring is in the air, and so is the pollen which so many people are allergic to! Allergies are no fun, they make our nose run, eyes water and itchy, and can cause sinus infections. Here are a few tips, tricks and natural remedies for this allergy season.

1) Hold one massive spring cleaning session, then stick to a regular cleaning schedule based on what works for you and how bad your symptoms are.

2) Use a vacuum cleaner once a week that has a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or a double -filter bag.

3) As part as your regular cleaning schedule, use a damp rag and a mold cleaning cleaner to wipe down wood or metal surfaces that accumulate dust.

4) Regularly wash all linens in hot water.

5) Clear out all dust collecting clutter! Not only is spring cleaning a perfect way to organize your space but your nose will thank you as well!

6) Keep windows and doors closed to keep pollen and mold outside. Also take off your shoes before coming in the house.

Natural Remedies to Try
Local Honey: Right before you go to bed, consume 1 teaspoon of honey mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, or try chewing a piece of honeycomb from a local bee farm or farmer's market.

Neti Pots: Flush sinuses and keep them clear with this small teapot-shaped vessel. Pick one up at your local health foods store or Whole Foods; opt for the ceramic one.  Be sure to always use distilled, sterilized, or previously boiled water.

Bee pollen: the natural supplement produced by bees, available at health food stores, has been known to improve symptoms. Try to start taking before allergy season is in full swing to build up a tolerance before maintaining a daily intake.

I personally take a natural supplement called Sinutol (we sell it at our Wellness Center) It works great at keeping your sinus lubricated with essential oils like eucalyptus . Many of our patients have seen a decrease in their sinus and allergy problems.

Also, breathing through your nose helps; it is  your body's built-in air filter before the air you are breathing hits your lungs. Breathing through your mouth sends the air straight down to your lungs with no filtering out some of the junk in the air.

So try some of these tips and go outside and enjoy the Spring!

Health and blessings!

Jacquie's garden

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Jacquie declares, "Even dogs love smoothies!"

My sweet Labs, Ricky Bobbie (yellow 5 mos.) and Lotto (chocolate 5 years), wait patiently every morning for their share of the Spring Smoothie. They love it! They are the healthiest dogs in town! 

FRUITS + VEGGIES = HAPPINESS

People who eat the most fruits and veggies are the happiest, according to a British study. Experts at the University of Warwick reviewed 80,000 people and found that mental health rose with the number of servings of fruits & veggies they ate every day.

People who ate seven daily servings - the current recommendation is five- were the happiest. The type of fruits & veggies eaten did not seem to be a factor.

So if you are like me, to sit and actually eat 7 servings of fruits and veggies a day is almost impossible. But when I put it all in my Bledtec and blend it up I can easily drink my smoothie and feel amazing and energized after because I have just given my body exactly what it needs! And any other fruits and veggies I eat during the day is just an added bonus!

Foods and there Nutritional Value

Chia Seeds: are very nutritious, best known as a super rich source of protein and provides superior nutrition for the brain functioning. Do you want to increase your brain power and body strength with one of the most powerful foods imaginable? Chia seeds impart power and energy to you. Chia seeds are mild tasting, easily digestible and very versatile.

Hemp Seeds: are the best known as a nutritionally complete food containing all nine amino acids and heavy minerals, which help build strong hair, nails, skin, muscles and connective tissue. Containing over 36 percent protein makes them almost the highest protein source available!

The reason I chose these two seeds is to introduce you to the Protein Powder I mix in my Smoothie every morning. It is by LifeTime and it called Life's Basics Plant Protein Mix. It has Pea, Hemp, Rice and Chia Seeds. It is one of the cleanest and easiest to digest protein powder available. But best of all is that it tastes WONDERFUL! Companies send me samples all the time of their products, wanting me to sell them.  If I don't like them, I can't sell them.  Oh, by the way, they use NO added: yeast, corn, soy, gluten, wheat, milk, egg, whey or any artificial flavors or preservatives. It is also safe for diabetics because it is low on the Glycemic Index (only 3 grams of sugar)  You can pick it up at your local health food store or we sell it at our Wellness Center for $25.00. If you have picky eaters or drinkers, in this case the protein powder added to the smoothie usually wins them over.

LifeTime Plant Protein Mix
(available at Life Wellness Center, Lexington, SC)

Until next time, keep drinking!  Smoothies, that is.

Health and blessings!

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Destiny says, "Color your Spring!"

"Ship Ahoy!" week-end at Mac Cosmetics
I love my job (recognize my Mom?)

To celebrate Spring, how about adding some color to brighten some of these cloudy days that we're still having?  I suggest a classy coral lipstick and some glitzy green eye shadow.  

Keep your make-up simple on those work days and when you're car-pooling the kids around town, but when the week-end comes, splash it up with color and lots of smiles.

Until next time, show a little diva in your life.  You'll like the results.

www.maccosmetics.com

Jacquie says, "Ahhh, Spring Smoothies!"

Ahhh, it's the first day of spring. Spring is the season where color comes into play! Flowers bloom, leaves on the tree's return, and the weather starts to warm up and we are ready to head outside. It is also the season where we have a larger selection of fresh fruits and veggies at the local Farmers market and in the grocery store.

Here are just a few nutritional values of the fruits and veggies you may put in your smoothie;

1) Apple-  An APPLE a day really does keep the doctor away! Apples are loaded with quercetin, a flavonoid, wich helps prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. Quercetin also aids in allergy related problems such as asthma, sneezing and congestion. I see more and more people coming into our Wellness Center with allergies and I tell them to start eating some apples, and it really helps!

2) Arugula- Other than it's fun name, it is best known for it's high sulphur content which makes it an excellent skin purifier. Rich in vitamin C and potassium, it is considered to be an aphrodisiac, hmmm I think I will be doubling up on this in the future! It also contains phytochemicals such as carotenes and chlorophyll, which make it an excellent source of antioxidants.

3) Beets- beets are my new best friend! They are best known as an amazing liver cleanser. They have been found to improve performance in athletes, most likely because of an abundance of nitrites. The high content of iron in beets regenerates and reactivates the red blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body, and the copper content in beets help make the iron more available to the body. Our liver has many functions, but one of the most important one is Detoxification. All of the waste removal takes place in the liver, it removes bacteria and helps keep our blood clean. So eat lots of fresh beets!

I will add more to the list on the next blog.

Now for some logistics, what kind of blender should you have to make the most nutrient dense smoothies? I have a Blendtec and it is amazing and I highly recommend it. It breaks down the food and extracts the nutrients so well and makes it much easier for your body to digest. It also makes fresh juice, soups, sauces and many other yummy things, it is also BPA-free. it easily replaces other appliances you may use. It is not cheap, they start at $454.00. I have had mine for over 5 years and I use it almost everyday!

There is also the Vitamix which is great. It starts at $564.00.

I bought my Mom a NutriBullet and it works great also. David Wolfe the inventor of NutriBullet is a very educated man in nutrition. This one is nice because it is reasonably priced at $119 and they allow you to make 6 easy payments of $19.99!

I would not recommend a cheap blender, you will need to replace it often if you use it a lot, and it does not break down the food like the above blenders.

There's my Blendtec all ready to go. In 30 seconds I have a beautiful Spring Smoothie ready to drink!

Health and blessings!

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

The GLITS Gals Dancing at the Club

Destiny's high school graduation 2009

My granddaughter invited her Mom and me to go dancing with her at the club tonight.  I didn't know what I was in for, but I accepted because I love hanging with my girls.  

Now, before you start throwing the first stones of judgement, let me clarify.  We went to a Zumba class at a huge fitness club across town.  Not just a one-hour class, but a two-hour class.  Of course I just had to show my girls that I still had it in me, so I danced the night away with only one water break.  I probably won't be able to crawl out of bed tomorrow, much less do the chores around the house that I had planned.  But know what?  I'm feeling so good tonight!  Lesson learned: There's nothing like keeping our bodies in motion, no matter what our age.  Move at your own pace, but keep on keepin' on.  Remember, the family that moves together, will always groove together.

Now I must turn the computer off and go get a good night's sleep.  

May you have many moving nights and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Jacquie says, "Spring Ahead Your Health!"

My daughter, Destiny, keeps me 'beautified'!

As we Spring Ahead this weekend, what a perfect time to Spring Forward with your health! I will talk a lot about Green Smoothies (although at times they may be different colors depending on the fruits & vegetables you use) because I believe they are such a great foundation to good health and a simple step to adding fruits and veggies to your diet.

Why start your day with a green smoothie? Your digestive system is working hard all day digesting all the food you eat, which consumes a lot of energy.  When you wake up in the morning you have a fresh start. You have not put any new food in your body since the evening before, so starting out with fruits veggies, which are clean.  Whole and energizing foods is a smart food choice. Since your blender has broken down all the nutrients into liquid form it is even easier and takes less energy  for your body to digest and distribute the nutrition leaving you feeling more energized! 

This is what was in my Spring Forward Smoothie this morning:
Kale
Collard Greens
Parsley
Cilantro
Beets
Blue Berries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Ginger Root
Banana

Sometimes I have more fruits & veggies; other times I have less,  depending on what is in season & what is in my fridge. By the way, it tastes amazing!

Can anyone guess what color it was? Red?  Yes, you are right. Beets are dominating with their red color.

Until next time, I wish you health and blessings!


www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Jacquie talks ... to the Natural Woman in You

Mom's healthy glow since she's started her morning 'smoothie'

Lets begin March Madness with a positive attitude.  Many of us work outside the home.  Our schedules are packed with family activities that can take a lot of energy, so the best way to begin each morning is with a healthy smoothie.  It took Mom months to begin this practice, but once I gave her the NutriBullet for Christmas, she realized how fast and easy it was.

I'll be talking about smoothies in my next blog, so stay tuned.

I'm here to answer questions from exercise to healthy eating, from breaking bad habits to creating good ones.

Tip:  Looking for a natural sleep-inducer? 

Eat a handful of Raw walnuts before bed to boost fiber, essential oils, & tryptophan.  

May March give you Mild days and Mellow nights.

Health and Blessings!

www.lifewellnesscentersc.com

Welcome to 3-Generation GLITS* Gals

Doesn't every almost-famous author needs her own make-up artist?

Welcome to our casual GLITS* blog.  I hope you'll join us as we pop in a few times a week to share some easy steps to becoming the woman who God created you to be.  

*Girls-Living-In-The-South

www.sharonleaf.com