We are in to the second week of the year; most having a slow start with all of the problems surrounding us. As we rummage through all of the turmoil we will tend to reach for comfort foods instead of the latest piece of exercise equipment. This will ultimately put us on that emotional rollercoaster; never quite getting a handle on FEELING very well; about being healthy or looking good.

My suggestion is to ease into the New Year without the stress and doing something good for those that have sacrificed a great deal for all of us.

Simple Solutions for Women! (diet & exercise not required) is a book that will allow you to immediately feel better about the way you look while easing into a healthier lifestyle. When you purchase this “how to” helpful book you will take comfort in knowing that all of the proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Not only will you be helping yourself with a lifestyle change but you will also be helping to change the lifestyle of someone in great need. The money that the Wounded Warrior Project receives goes to helping make life a little easier for those severely wounded in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Since women are not the only ones that go up and down the scale needing specific advice on how to look and feel better I will include as a gift to you The Complete Guide to Dressing for Success for Gentlemen looking to make an impression or build a wardrobe when you purchase a copy of Simple Solutions for Women! (diet & exercise not required).

Get started feeling better right now! . . . . and help me to help the Wounded Warrior Project. (Buy: $12.00) (For more information on this donation please visit: www.lindaeastwood.com.

Have a wonderful, happy, healthy New Year!

This is a wonderfully refreshing organic sparkling fermented tea. A beautiful change of pace for those looking to replace chemically laden sodas.

Kombucha Wonder Drink isn’t just some concoction of additives. Their list of ingredients is short, simple, and all natural. The green and oolong teas in Kombucha Wonder Drink are high in antioxidants and the kombucha helps detoxify your body.

I found it to provide an interesting sense of well-being and yet gave me a boost (only without the jitters or nervousness associated with energy drinks.)

The variety of flavors will keep you satisfied! Try it, especially in this hot weather!

Bija Omega truffles are a rich blend of premium organic ingredients and omega 3 & 6 fatty acids. Each package contains a full serving of Udo’s 3•6•9 Oil Blend to provide 8 grams of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids.

When I tell you they taste fabulous I mean it. They are so good that I am almost sorry that I discovered them. After tasting them they will be what I run to when I want something yummy and what an excuse to have that they are actually healthy!

You can look for them in your local health food stores in the refrigerated section or you can order it directly on their website. www.udoerasmus.com

Weight loss vs. beauty? . . . Jennifer Love Hewitt and Queen Latifah

Two fabulous women who are incredible examples of enduring public scrutiny and having enough self esteem to set everyone straight. The absolute nonsense that took place with the images of Jennifer Love Hewitt trying to make her feel awful about being a size 2 because some bozo chose to take pictures that would shock the celebrity followers for his/her own profit! I think that the best revenge would have been to strip that camera person/crew down and have them stand in front of a full length mirror; now what was that saying about “glass houses?” How would they like it? As sure as I’m sitting here their bodies were not a size 2 for starters and that they certainly wouldn’t look like a box of chocolates in their skivvies! Jennifer is beautiful whether she is on a set or soaking wet!

Both women choose to feel beautiful and sexy regardless of what others say or how much they weigh. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is for me to hear that this is going on in Hollywood. With as many followers of the celebrity crowd as there are it is a huge message to convey. Queen Latifah is currently dining on Jenny Craig. Her goal is HEALTH and to communicate the importance of how small lifestyle changes can have positive effects on overall health. She has made up her mind to eat healthy so she avoids the onset of disease, not to please the paparazzi. Ms. Latifah has made it clear that she IS beautiful and sexy regardless of her size. . . . . do I hear an AMEN!?!

Now start the New Year off right, have the right attitude, stand straight and face ’08 with the self confidence and energy that you will need to make it great!

Star Jones is all over the news these days getting ready to launch her new television show. But what is getting even more attention is once again her weight!

Can someone please tell me why we have to hold her to the fire for getting healthy and not broadcasting it to the world? Why is she made to feel badly about maintaining her privacy and dealing with something that wasn’t particularly easy, surgery or no surgery? What business is it of ours? She isn’t a diet guru; she is a lawyer who happens to be on TV. What real obligation does she have to discuss what is very private or personal to her?

I firmly believe that the public’s sense of entitlement has gotten way out of control. With the continual publicity of all the personal details of the lives of the well known we are losing sight of what is really important.
We need to get busy with our own lives, minding our own business.

Star looks fabulous! Those that get cranky about the way she went about it need to know that they too can look terrific with a little effort; there are plenty of ways to lose weight. What is important is that we all address our issues in a personal/private way since each of us is different.

We can’t constantly compare ourselves to those in the media, it’s a BIG mistake. At the same time we need to see that it is possible to accomplish our goals, whether it’s weight, business or personal relationships. We can all learn something from those in the spotlight even if it’s what NOT to do.

Hilary and Ellen had a very interesting conversation that they shared with us. The media creates such pressure not only for us mere mortals but also (and even more so) for the celebrity circuit. Images of perfection are flaunted by the media to the detriment of us all. Not even the so called “perfect looking” are comfortable with the pressure, so how the heck are we supposed to feel good when we don’t have the same help available to us.

The wonderful part of their conversation was their honesty. By their own admissions of how difficult it is to keep up with public great expectations we actually could sit back in our chair and take a deep breath. Somehow there is comfort and relief when we see someone beautiful and they are genuine about their concerns, talking about how difficult it is to be under a magnifying glass 24/7.

Hilary spoke about being scrutinized for gaining a pound or two. To me this is very sad, that someone so young and beautiful, with a great deal of talent would have to feel bad about anything regarding her appearance. Its way too much pressure, its way to shallow and I suggest that we all “curb” it and cut one another a break.

Yesterday, Jacqui Stafford from Shape Magazine was on Neil Cavuto’s business show discussing how the heavy American Idol contestants are not good roll models due to their size.

I’m finding more and more of late that I am throwing things at the TV, especially when I hear something like that. First of all what does weight have to do with it???? If anything American Idol fairly showcases talent that comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. There has never been more universally fair programming giving a cross section of individuals an opportunity to shine. They look terrific and sound terrific. If anything, they set a perfect example about believing in yourself, working hard without having to subscribe to media standards in order to have your dreams come true.

OK, so American Idol gives these kids a break of a lifetime, but they still have to meet the demands to go forward. Why should they be judged so harshly on their size when they are judged very harshly on their talent in front of 30 million people? Should they feel terrible about everything, or should they be proud for doing their best all awhile being human in the process. I doubt very much that kids are sitting back and saying, “so and so is a plus size and is making it on TV, so pass me another bag of chips.”

If anything all of these kids are showing the young people that it’s about you, your talent, how you conduct yourself and your willingness to work hard and anything is possible. It’s very encouraging to those watching to see the possibilities.

OK, after reading this one you will think that I am a Neil Cavuto junkie! I just happen to listen to him while at work when time permits. Today he had another model as a guest; not only does he specialize in reporting on the state of the economy but also manages to keep his finger on the pulse of the modeling world.

Roshumba Williams was his guest promoting her new book on an “IDIOTS GUIDE TO MODELING” and once again diet was a main topic. She professes to stay within a 5 lb. range never having to starve to lose a pound or two. That philosophy is great; it just doesn’t work for everyone. It would be nice if everyone was that disciplined but it just isn’t reality.

What is necessary is helping people, women in particular to not feel the pressure of having to be thin or constantly thinking about a diet. When you live with that hanging over your head, you never feel good about your day. Guilt becomes an overriding emotion along with being miserable because the weight doesn’t come off fast enough.

I say “stop it!” You will see in the photos below that you can have immediate success by making the right selections. The woman photographed wears a size 18; none of the images were retouched. The before and after says it all! Feel free to write with your questions, I’m more than happy to help you.

This past week on Neil Cavuto, Neil talked about Star Jones and her weight loss. I agreed with him that Star was beautiful before the weight loss and furthers my point that the scale shouldn’t dictate your appeal . . . we all need to stop the judgments! When are we going to stop??? What difference does it make whether Star is 200+ lbs or 120 something??? If she started losing weight due to her health and was willing to put forth the effort, more power to her. . . . it isn’t easy to get into shape.

Having said that, I have spent my life helping women to feel good about themselves right away, without the sacrifice of dieting and exercising. It is my feeling that we as a nation are always looking for the “drive thru” variety of fixes. So in keeping with this; if you are able to make an instant change, that is healthy for your mind and spirit, why wouldn’t you?

Once you see an immediate change, you feel the difference which in turn motivates you to start changing other things in your life. We all get a little tired of not “fitting in” and being looked at differently, with the right tools you no longer need to feel this way. It’s like take baby steps with giant feet!

Star Jones looks great . . . it didn’t come easy for her; it’s been well over a year of constant discipline. If you think that she has taken it a little too far, so be it . . . as she settles into her new body it will find its own perfect form and weight. In the mean time she is still Star Jones. . . .smile when you see her and by all means congratulate her on her success!