The human body has evolved to be a lean, mean, athletic machine, and we are  suited to being strong, fit, and consuming whole foods like grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish and lean meats. While I am not against the occasional bubble gum, cheesecake, or potato chips for me and the kids, we do insist on healthy food for mealtimes, and we choose organic as often as possible.

Here are seven items  on my "watchlist" when I read labels on packaged food-- if I see these in the list, I put the item aside and choose a different option. 

If you're a mom, mentor, or involved in the classroom, you know the importance of maintaining a decent, respectful, positive, safe, and supportive environment for all students. Bullying can happen to children, teens, and young adults who do not get along well with others, who are "less popular", or who have few to no friends in the school. Also at risk for being bullied are youths with depression or anxiety, and those who have low self esteem. Those especially at risk are LGBT and questioning youth: in one study by Laura Sessions Stepp, "four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don't know one supportive adult at school."

I am always a proponent of upgrading your lifestyle in as many ways as possible. I believe that for the sake of mental health, sanity, and security, we each deserve to follow our intuition, treat ourselves well, and look after our own best interests. If we focus on continuous improvement and do this naturally every day, with the mindset of being grateful and expressing deep respect for the gift of life, we can incrementally  change our living situation.

1) Respectful, loving, patient, and harmonious family relations

2) Abundant food, clear water, clean air, good soil, and a veggie & fruit garden

3) Bills that are paid in full

4) The ability to do good work for causes that I care about

5) Close friends and associates to share life with: changemakers, believers, dreamers, doers, darers

6) Prosperity - the horn of plenty, the cup that runneth over, the support of the Universe always

7) Health and physical, mental, & spiritual wellness

8) Joy and happiness in being alive

9) Peace on our planet

10) Enjoyment every day - enjoying what I do, enjoying where I live, enjoying family and friends, being grateful to be alive

Disappearing for a weekend away with the girls isn’t just for college kids anymore:  an increasing number of women over the age of twenty-five are seeking quick getaways from their partners and kids to spend time with just their girlfriends for a few days of adventure and relaxation.  Your mini-vaycay doesn’t have to chain you to the same restaurant or bar or even the same town that you usually frequent.  Anymore, a weekend away means some traveling!  Here are the top five best places to spend some quality time with just the girls: