Tune into Yourself to Turn-off and
Bliss-out |
| Never before have so many women sought succor in spas, relief in
massage, or solace in a monthly pedicure. Since the 1970s, bookstores
burst with tomes by everyone from living Buddhas to business mavens
on how to achieve happiness. And yet so many are still chronically
stressed and dissatisfied. |
| A great massage by a gifted healer can work wonders. It can soothe
tired muscles and ease a stressed mind. But if you don’t have
the ability to ease your own mind or lift your own spirit, the beneficial
effects will soon disappear. Or, so I have found. |
| Life can be trying and challenges great and small can leave us drained.
To look outward for comfort and renewal seems to be the only solution
offered these days. Darlings, not only is it costly, but I’m
not sure that it works. |
| It sounds so simple and yet I meet so many women who don’t
seem to know how to lift their own spirits. It’s never too late
to learn how to tune into yourself, turn off, and bliss out. Learn
how as early as you can; it’s a great gift for yourself –
or your daughter. |
| It’s sad to think of all the compulsive shopping, eating,
and other unhealthful behavior that might have been avoided if the
victim had known how to find true comfort from within. |
How much simpler and more delightful it is to cultivate a list of
favourite books to turn to when your thoughts are troubled or an evening’s
plans falls flat -- rather than plow through a quart of Hagen Dazs
or an online catalogue.
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Given the popularity of spas, I can only wonder why more women don’t
keep their favourite lotions at the bedside and their most luxe oils
by the bath. Why not make time for a soak by scented candlelight?
Set aside 10 delicious minutes to rub yourself head to toe with really
good cream. Darlings, daily pampering will do you more good than a
monthly visit to any spa, I assure you. But why choose, if you don’t
have to? Do both.
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www.amazon.com
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| Just the sound of my friends’ voices can restore my spirit.
I love to chat. It doesn’t much matter about what, if it is
with a dear one. I feel the cares of the day melt away and a warm
feeling steals over me as I sink into the gentle sound of my lovely
friends’ cultivated voices. According to Dr. Louann Brizendine
M.D., author of The Female Brain, this is why teenage girls talk on
the phone so much. They actually get a chemical high from it. |
| Just the sound of my friends’ voices can restore my spirit.
I love to chat. It doesn’t much matter about what, if it is
with a dear one. I feel the cares of the day melt away and a warm
feeling steals over me as I sink into the gentle sound of my lovely
friends’ cultivated voices. According to Dr. Louann
Brizendine M.D., author of The Female Brain,
this is why teenage girls talk on the phone so much. They actually
get a chemical high from it. |
Sometimes I just like to cook. It relaxes me. But, if I am really
low or drained, the best thing is to lie in very hot, scented tub
of water. For me hot water is valium and scent is a good stiff drink.
I confess I am a sensual creature. Are you? Indulge and find out,
sensual stimulations are good for your mind, body, and soul.
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www.karinpacione.com
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| I have friends who find comfort in their pets. It’s a classic.
It’s funny; three of my friends have bought dogs for their children.
The same friends all have new four-legged best friends who seem to
lift their spirits on cue. Another friend loses herself most of the
year wind surfing off Cape Cod. |
| Favourite books and music are something everyone should think about
and have at the ready. Keep a small stack of old favourites and new
things you want to read and listen to nearby. Having them close at
hand makes all the difference. Share with friends. I neglected to
get new books for a few moths. It was depressing and I didn't even
realize it. I was too busy. Shame on me. |
| I know women who find solace in music and others in closet cleaning.
What they all have in common is the ability to pull back from life’s
cares and renew themselves. Maybe they are not as peaceful as Buddhist
monks, but they are not endlessly chasing serenity around the corner
either. |
| None of this comes naturally. It's cultivated and valuable -- not
unlike a sound stock portfolio or a great kitchen garden. Is it worth
it? I think so darlings. We need to nourish body and soul to give
to others. Life is short, let’s make it sweet, but as always
make up your own mind. Now I am going to run a hot tub full of Chanel. |
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| I often lie down to lift my spirit. |
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| Dr. Michael Weinberg is a highly-regarded
surgeon, with impeccable credentials. In practice since 1996, he is
currently an active member of staff of the Trillium Health Centre
at both the Mississauga and Etobicoke locations in Toronto, and the
Meaford General Hospital. He is currently the chief of plastic surgery
at the Trillium Health Centre. Dr. Weinberg has agreed to give DolceDolce
readers the straight facts on liposuction. He discusses the safety
of the procedure, and what it can and cannot do. |
| Dr. Weinberg also tells readers what look for and look out for when
shopping for any cosmetic procedure in this exclusive interview. |
| DD: What is tumescent liposuction and how is different
than regular liposuction? |
Dr. W.: Tumescent lipo has become regular liposuction.
Tumescent refers to is the infiltration of a significant volume of
fluid in to the patient during the procedure. This large volume of
fluid makes removing the fat easier, helps with pain control, and
helps diminish bleeding. Tumescing the area makes it much easier and
much safer, as there is much less blood loss.
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Dr.Micheal Weinberg
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| DD: How risky is liposuction, especially tumescent
liposuction? |
| Dr.W.: Liposuction done by the right plastic surgeon
in an accredited facility should be extremely safe. Please note the
conditions required for a safe procedure. The death rate should be
about 1 in 50,000. |
| DD: How long is the recovery period? |
| Dr.W.: The back to work time for the procedure
done under local anesthetic should be 1-3 days depending on the patient
and the extent of the liposuction. This is usually 3-7 days if done
under a general anesthetic. |
| DD: Are there any special precautions needed during
recovery? |
| Dr. W.: Yes. Don’t exercise too much until
the doctor says alright. Keep the wounds nice and clean. |
| DD: How much fat can a doctor remove with liposuction?
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| Dr.W.: Liposuction is a shaping procedure not a
weight loss procedure. The maximum that should be done as an outpatient
is 5 liters or about 11 pounds. In my opinion is that is the maximum
that should ever be removed. |
| DD: Is there anyone who is not a good candidate
and why? |
| Dr.W.: Yes: anyone who is looking for weight loss
instead of shaping, who is too heavy, unhealthy, or has unrealistic
expectations is not a candidate. |
| DD: What is lipodissolve and messothearpy? Are
they effective? Are they safe? |
| Dr.W.: These techniques refer to the injection
of a chemical into the fat to dissolve it. This can be done alone
or in combination with some type of laser, actually a radiofrequency
device. We have no good data on the effectiveness of either procedures
And, in the case of messothearpy we are not too sure of what substances
are being injected. |
| DD: Periodically we hear of tragedies involving
cosmetic procedures. Recently a young woman in Toronto died as a result
of liposuction. According to U.S. statistics and most experts in the
hands of a qualified surgeon it is a relatively safe procedure. Can
you please tell our readers the best way to find a doctor who is qualified?
Many people are still embarrassed to ask. What are we looking for
in Canada and the US when looking for a surgeon? |
| Dr.W.: The best way to test the qualifications
of your doctor in Canada is to make sure what their Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeon of Canada qualifications are. If they are
a family physician then the patient can easily find out. Cosmetic
Surgeon is a useless and misleading term. In my opinion you should
only be able to call yourself a surgeon if you have done a surgical
residency and have Royal College certification in that area. Patients
should be very careful about the marketing of physicians. Don’t
believe everything you read. In the U.S. make sure that the surgeon
is board certified. |
| For more about Dr. Michael Weinberg call 905 273 3045 or www.ontarioplasticsurgeon.com |
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| Not registered yet to receive DolceDolce’s
free weekly email newsletter? Help us grow; sign-up
today, and forward
to your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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Celebrate the Changing Seasons at
the Hotel Indigo |
Hotel Indigo is known for its changing
seasonal décor. Now they have a new way to celebrate with their
Seasonal Wine Program. The hotel chain
has teamed with popular vineyards known for quality wine such as Robert
Mondavi of California, Ruffino of Italy, and Kim
Crawford of New Zealand, as well as many other notable
names in the industry to bring guests a new wine tasting opportunity.
Each program will be an adventure in new wine and food pairings as
well an actual flight tasting of several new wines. All wines offered
will be available locally within weeks after their introduction at
Indigo. The winter 2007 program is called Old
World/New Discovery, reflecting one of the hottest topics
among wine lovers today. What a great way to socialize, celebrate,
and discover! To locate a Hotel Indigo near
you go to www.ichotelsgroup.com
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Picture based on Le Grand Odalisque
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I was swept away by the sumptuous painting used in the ads for new
Keri lotion, Le Grande Odalisque by Ingres.
Then I was equally impressed by the line of Keri Renewal
Skincare. Could this be related to the Keri
Lotion in hospitals in the white and blue bottles? Say
it isn't so. These products smell divine and feel expensive! They
are fabulous at only $15.99 a tube for the latest in highly-advanced
skin care. The Stretch Mark Minimizer does
as much as anything can and leaves skin buttery. The rest of line
especially the Dry Skin Serum is to die
for. Try it. You will feel as pampered as the queen of a harem. Now
where is my fan?
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Put a Gloss on Your Holiday Look with
Kiehl’s |
If you want to look chic and pretty this party season than make
sure you have a berry-bright mouth. The quickest way to do it right
is with a colour-dense gloss. Try these little tubes from Kiehl’s.
They pack all the shimmer, colour, and moisture you’ll need
to be pout-perfect. Small enough to tuck away in all your bags. Get
two and never be pouted-out this festive season.
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Need a Little Perk |
If you tend to droop even in your favourite bra or if you need a
bit more ompff in certain tops, try bra-lief.
This cleaver clip can pull bra straps into line, lift your line a
little bit, and do all sorts of nifty tricks. It’s a funny gadget
that works for small and big busted girls alike. I have not used it,
but those who have rave! Go to www.thebraclip.com
see if this is the little perk you’ve been looking for.
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| First Meeting of SavvyNetworking.biz Toronto October
07 |
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| Looking to network with business savvy women? Check out the newest
group in Toronto: www.savvynetworking.biz
|
DolceDolce wants to know if you have a unique group for women of
achievement. Send us your story and photos to domore@dolcedolce.com.
Let’s encourage and celebrate feminine excellence.
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Photography by: Natalie Chiu
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Lust and Caution
in the Kitchen |
| After watching Ang Lee's brilliant, if
flawed, new film Lust and Caution on an
unseasonably cool Atlanta night, I was seized with a craving for hot,
steaming dumpling soup. Luckily we have an excellent oriental market
and bowls of delicious dumpling soup is minutes away if you keep the
fixings handy. |
| To make this hot, tasty treat, infuse boxed stock with aromatic
fresh ginger and herbs. My Chinese doctor says ginger helps to cure
or keep colds at bay, so eat this often. Try this easy recipe once
and I know you will lust for it without caution all winter long. I
do. |
| Box of good quality organic chicken stock |
| Fresh ginger root |
| Cilantro (optional) |
| Green Onions |
| Frozen Chinese dumplings any type, sometimes called pot stickers,
frozen wontons are also good. |
| Grate about a 1-2 inches of fresh ginger into your stock. Heat to
boiling. Add several dumplings per person to the stock depending on
the size of the dumplings and the appetites of the people. Cover with
more stock. Cover pot and bring to boil, reduce and simmer a few minutes.
Top with cilantro and green onion. |
| I like to eat this with a little Chinese black vinegar, as do my
many of my Chinese friends. My husband prefers a bit of soy or nothing
at all. Please yourself. This can be made with all veggie stock and
dumplings if you have veggie family members and it tastes just as
good. If you are super hungry, add some good quality sliced frozen
veggies to make a meal. My advice is keep it simple, just broccoli
or green beans or you will ruin it. This is faster than the fastest
fast food place. It tastes wonderful, hot and savory. |
| So darlings, as we pass one of my favourite months, Happy Hallowe’en,
and Blessed Be Darling, as the witches say. I love all Hallow’s
Eve when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. I think it is good
to be reminded that our time here is short and fleeting. |
| As I leave you this week I ask you to please get your flu shot,
unless you are allergic or your doctor says no for some reason. They
are a good thing for all of us. Make an appointment; if the inoculation
is not available where you are, it will be soon. The flu this year
is predicted to be really nasty and the shot covers lots of strains!
If your doctor plays hard to get, there are great clinics at pharmacies
in the U.S. and Canada. I just got a flu shot at a grocery store.
No waiting! Also, little kids – even babies -- should get the
shots now. I got them as a toddler. Go! |
| I wish you all a week of high spirits, hot soup, and all treats
– no tricks! Please sign-up
if you haven’t already – DolceDolce is
free! And forward
us to all of your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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| Gracey Hitchcock |
| Editor |
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