Consumer Reports Checks Out Lip Plumpers

This is direct from Consumer Reports November, 2007.  If you're running out to buy a lip plumper read this first.  You might change your mind.

Claim Check.  Do lip plumpers have pucker power?

The claim:  Some products say they deliver "an at-home answer to lip-enhancing injections"; make lips look up to 30 percent plumper; or produce "wickedly plump lips" or "perfectly plumped lips" or.... Well, you get the idea:  At least a small part of the user's anatomy will look like Angelina Jolie.  It's not always clear what ingredients are supposed to cause plumping.  A couple of the products cite spheres of collagen.

Breast Cancer & Alcohol -Should We Stop Drinking?

I'm tired of saying "here we go again" - another day another study.  This time it's about drinking and breast cancer. According to research by Kaiser Permante drinking significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer, and even moderate drinking can make women more vulnerable to the disease.

The study of more than 70,000 Kaiser patients, results of which were presented Wednesday, showed that women who drank three or more alcoholic beverages a day increased their risk of breast cancer by 30 percent.

Women who drank one or two a day increased their risk by 10 percent.

Oprah Gets Into 237 Reasons to Have Sex

I'm feeling very happy today.  On August 5th, I did a blog on the 237 Reasons To Have Sex and now Oprah, did a whole show about it. One of the guests on the show was Dr. Pepper Schwartz.  Dr. Schwartz is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle and is a relationship expert who is no stranger to daytime television.  Everytime I see her she has a smile from ear to ear.  Now I know why.

On Oprah today she shared with the bi-zillion viewers that at age 62, she is having the best sex of her life.  She is divorced after being married for over 20 years and is now exploring and expanding her sexual universe.  Here's something else she shared.  During a lull in her dating schedule, she calls upon her "friend with benefits". For those of you not familiar with that term, I'll explain.  A friend with benefits is a special friend that you not only go to the movies with, but also share a bed with when the urge hits.  There are no ties or expectations.  Both of you are satisifed with the very special friendship you share.  This makes it very easy to engage in the benefits without any of the emotional turmoil.  It's -- I love ya with no strings attached.

Stress or a Strawberry - You Decide

If stress is left to spiral out of control, it can impact most every part of your life.

So, as you're fretting about tomorrow mornings meeting at work, or the bills that need to be paid, you may also find that your related irritability has caused an unnesssary argument with your spouse. That argument leads to a guilt attack that is not only exhausting and frustrating but leaves you nursing one giant headache.

Such are the pernicious influences of stress. In fact, a full 75 percent to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are thought to be for stress-related problems.

Menopause: Can We Stop It From Happening?

Today's blog post is longer than usual.  That's because it contains a lot of interesting information and I think it's something all women should read.  I want to thank Beth Rosenshein for her article in "The Townsend Letter".  I have extracted what I believe to be the highlights from that article.  This is worthwhile reading for all of us.

Menopause might be natural, but it's still organ failure.  Ovarian failure is what creates menopause. Beth Rosenshein author of "Preventing Menopause" believes any organ failure results in ill health. The entire body suffers from the loss of the ovarian hormones and the deficiency is called "hypogonadism."

The ill effects of hypogonadism, particularly over a long period of time, are well-documented and are not gender specific. It's known as the condition where your sex hormones are at lower than normal levels.

Jeans & Bras - Zafu Finds You A Perfect Fit

Oprah has done more than one show about this - how women all over the country are walking around with the wrong size bras and jeans.  We already knew this, because we are those women. And, I don't have to tell you when our boobs and butts are sagging, no matter what we have on, we look dumpy and frumpy.  We need to change this sad state of affairs right away. But how? 

I am one of the few women on the planet who hate to go shopping.  I don't mind looking, it's the trying on that really get me discouraged.  That search for the perfect fit can become very stressful and very confusing.  But, now through the power of the internet there just might be a solution to take away some of the angst from our shopping horrors.

Menopause - The Comedy Act

I received this from a friend yesterday and wanted you to read it too.  It should be good for a laugh or two and who couldn't use that?  

I've seen two shows lately that went on and on about how mid-life is a great time for women.  Just last week Oprah had a whole program on how great menopause will be...Puhleeeeeeeeze!.  I've had a few thoughts of my own and would like to share them with you.  Whether you are pushing 40, 50, 60 (or maybe just pushing your luck), you'll probably relate.

"Real Cougar Club" - A Special Invitation For You

I would love you to join me as a member of  The "Real Cougar" Club. To read what it means to be a "Real Cougar Woman" click here. Being a member will give you access to a private community where we can all reach out and touch each other's lives in a constructive and loving way.  Here are some of the many ways we can support each other:

1. career advice - changing jobs or starting your own business
2. networking opportunities
3. gaining financial security 
4. mending unraveling relationships or moving on
5. reconnecting to your sexual being
6. sharing beauty tips
7. menopause - understanding all your choices

Next week you can read all about all the cool perks being a member of The "Real Cougar" Club will entitle you to. In the meantime, you can pre-register now, just by emailing me. Simply click here. The first fifty gals to do this will receive a special gift from me.   All you need to do is pick a user name a password and provide me  with your email address.  I will then let you know when we're up and running.  It will be very soon.  "Real Cougars" move at lightening speed.  Oh, one last thing. Your contact information will be kept very private, you have my word on that.

It's my belief that women have to stick together, especially as we face 50 and beyond.  Our identity becomes increasing important and we have to stay connected to what is most nourishing to our spirit. Each one of us has something very special to offer.  It is my hope, that our community will consolidate all of this knowledge for the benefit of its members. 

I can only make this happen with your help.  So please join me by deciding to become a "Real Cougar" today.

Thank you so much.

Jane Alexander Rocks in "Tell Me You Love Me"

Here's new news or is it? 44 percent of women over age 35 say that they have avoided, made an excuse or stopped having sex because of physical discomfort. Over 35??? The age of women in sexless relationships seems to be getting insanely low, don't you think? I believe this has far more to do with emotional problems than physical ones. The physical issues that accompany perimenopause or menopause can be remedied a lot quicker than whatever destructive behaviour is keeping you at arms length in the bedroom.

Anna Wintour - The Latest Real Cougar?

Could it be?  Anna Wintour and Roger Federer romantically involved?  He's 27, and Anna the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue, is admitting to 57.

While intently watching Roger play, tennis that is, she shouted his name as "her favorite and then implied no others were worthy of consideration". And a day after he won his third consecutive US Open title, Roger found himself sitting next to Anna at Oscar de la Renta's fashion show. Coincidence, I don't think so.