In a previous article I shared that men are highly visual creatures. When exposed to erotic pictures, their brains are literally more active than the female brain. And while this may explain why  they are drawn to notice another beautiful woman, it does not explain why they seem to instinctively turn their heads to watch as she walks away.

It seems almost as if they have no higher level of control over their behavior. Think about it. Have you ever noticed how this behavior is such an ingrained reflex that they even turn around to see a woman as she drives past? To check out the bumper on her car?

The reason for this bothersome behavior may be found in our ancestral roots. Men have the advantage at long range vision. They outscore women in the ability to laser-beam focus on an object in the distance. Is this perhaps a remnant of their days as hunters?

Meanwhile, back at the cave, the women were busy cooking and caring for children all while keeping an eye out for vicious predators. As a result, women did not develop the amazing laser focus vision to the extent of men.

Rather, we have superior peripheral vision, far greater than men. Thus, we can track an object successfully by simply using our eyes. With this greater understanding, it becomes more apparent a man not only uses his eyes to track, but will turn his neck in order to focus on his feminine prey.

If you are not convinced to give him some leeway based upon this information, perhaps shifting the paradigm will help you to adjust your position. When your man looks at another woman he is noticing the beauty around him. It is actually a complement to you that he finds you worthy of attention as well as other beautiful women. Consider it away to compare and measure your beauty. No matter how the other woman appears, he is choosing to spend his time with you. Realize that he appreciates beauty around him in all forms and has excellent taste.

Think of it in a different scenario. If you were a singer, would you rather your singing be complemented by Simon Cowell or by a tone-deaf man? Would you appreciate the request for seconds at dinner more from a man that had only eaten prison food for twenty years or from Chef Gordon Ramsey? Complements mean more from those who have discerning taste. If your mate is attracted to looking at gorgeous women and he loves to also cast his gaze upon you, it means you too are gorgeous.

A man that observes beauty in the world is giving you praise by appreciating the femininity around him. Even if you do not believe what I have written, know this: Complaining and nagging will never change his behavior. By pointing out his flaws it will only make you appear less attractive than the mysterious woman he chose to follow with his eyes. Don’t forget, you are the woman he has chosen to be with.

So while breaking your gaze to notice another woman may not be the most civilized behavior, it is a sign that your partner appreciates the beauty around you but most importantly the beauty within you.

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their body.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

She had a rash on her bottom and was unable to see it clearly. To track the progression of the rash, she began taking pictures of it with the camera on her phone.  As her physician I noticed it was much easier for her to discuss her anatomy when looking at a picture rather than pointing directly to her body.  This sparked an idea that I have since shared with some of my female patients, and the response has been so incredible I would like to share it with you, my readers, as well.

Take pictures of yourself naked!  Yes, you, by yourself, without your clothes.  As women we often compare ourselves to photographs in a magazine, yet have you ever seen what you look like lying on a bed?  Unless your ceiling has mirrors, probably not.  To ease into taking photographs first use it as a medical tool to document any moles or lesions on your skin. If you do have a suspicious area on your skin make sure to have something of standard measure in the picture.  If you do not have a ruler or tape measure then use something else of standard size like a paper clip, or even your finger in the photo.  This is to document the size of any moles or suspicious lesions that you will want to have examined during your next appointment.

With that exercise complete, begin taking photographs of your other body parts.  The purpose is to see what your body looks like to others, not just the vision in the mirror.  Be creative and take lots of pictures from many different angles. The more light on you the better to enhance your beautiful body.  Ever wonder how your breasts look from the side?  Hold your camera to the side of your body and click away.  Are you curious to see your vagina from your partners perspective?  Take a picture.  If you are feeling squeamish or nervous, that’s completely normal.  However, do you think it odd that your physician and your lover have seen your body in a way that you have not?  Shouldn’t you know your body and your anatomy better than anyone else in the world?

So after your next bath, plan for some personal time and take lots of photos of your body.  Try to be gentle with your self-critiquing.  Also realize that for a magazine portrait, there are people setting up the perfect lighting, make-up and background.  They also can take hundreds of photographs before finally catching the perfect shot.  Do not be timid about exploring your own beauty.  Take dozens of pictures. In the age of digital photography a hundred photos is equal to the cost of one. Not happy with the lighting or the angles you’ve shot? Simply hit delete, reset and reshoot.

Every woman has a beautiful body if she just takes the time to appreciate it.  Your favorite might be a photograph of your hair when you lie down, or how your nipple looks from below.  Be creative.  As you experiment, immediately delete those of a less than desirable quality so you do not focus your attention on shots you dislike.  When you have a few that you believe are beautiful, give yourself time to really look at your miraculous body and appreciate what you look like, from every angle. The purpose of this exercise is not to circulate nude images of yourself, never advisable, but to use your camera as a tool for exploring your unique and precious body.

The next time you see a model in a magazine and you feel less than ideal, remember the pictures of your body.  You are an amazing creature just as you are.  If you ever doubt this truth, just snap a few photos to remind yourself of how truly beautiful you are.

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com.

By now, I have no doubt that you have heard the warnings about over-exposure to the sun and how much you can do to protect yourself by generously slathering on the suntan lotion with an SPF rating of at least 30, 45, or higher. In previous skin care articles we have covered the issue of sun exposure not only as a cancer risk but also as it relates to the damage too much sun does to your skin’s overall health, adding five, ten, or more years to your appearance.

As a matter of health, however, this is a good time of year to recall (or learn for the first time) some interesting facts about skin cancer. These four facts are dramatic and if they don’t get your attention, I’m not sure what will.

Skin Cancer Facts

1. Skin cancer and melanoma account for about 50% of all types of cancers diagnosed combined.
2. Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer, if you follow some simple steps.
3. More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. And that, in and of itself, tells you how preventable most skin cancers are.
4. Every hour in America a person dies from skin cancer.

That puts Swine Flu hysteria in perspective. This simple fact would get more coverage, but the news media gets excited about the “new new” thing. Old news, like how deadly skin cancer can be just doesn’t have the same glamour, never mind the fact that the threat to your life is infinitely greater.

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

1. Melanoma is a very dangerous form of skin cancer. The good news there, if there is any, is that melanoma accounts for 4% of all skin cancer cases diagnosed.
2. Non-melanomas, although serious, are much less life threatening and easier to treat.

Two other amazing facts about skin cancer.

One out of every five Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime with skin cancer. But the risk factor is higher for Caucasians. European-Americans have a one out of three chance of having skin cancer at some time in their lives. This doesn’t mean if you’re risk factor is lower as it is for African-Americans, Asians, and Latinos, that you can ignore the threat because, for these populations, skin cancer can be the most deadly. This could be a lack of vigilance on the part of non-Caucasians when it comes to the dangers of this disease.

But perhaps the most amazing fact of all is this: Just one bad sunburn in childhood doubles the risk factor for melanoma later in life. Protecting children against sun exposure is very important. And remember, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. For you personally, this means if you can remember as a child having one blistering bad sunburn, it’s wise to be extra vigilant when it comes to unprotected sun exposure.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to know the facts and as you prepare for this season’s fun in the sun grab some UV protection. It might be the smartest thing you do all year. Check out the National Skin Cancer Foundation for lots of helpful resource information about this disease and tips on self-examination.

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1. Lubricate with baby oil after your shower.  Most people apply a lotion rather than an oil based product.  To check, read the ingredients on your lotion and most likely the number one ingredient is water.  This does not help to seal in the moisture of your skin. And while you may think you lack the time to apply it daily, it only takes a moment.  Keep a bottle of baby oil in the shower and squirt it on your skin when you finish. Then as your dry off with your towel the oil will cover your body.  (But do be careful as this can make your shower floor very slippery, best to step onto the bath mat first.)

2. Apply almond oil to your hands, feet and scalp.  At night, wash your hands and feet with an exfoliating scrub (or lather your hands and then add a teaspoon of sugar).  The exfoliation will help to remove those dead skin cells from the surface allowing the oil to penetrate better.  Liberally apply the oil to your hands and feet and wear socks and cotton gloves to bed.  The heat will help the oil to soften your skin even more.  If an itchy flaky scalp is a problem, rub the oil into your scalp at night and sleep in a shower cap.  The next morning shampoo out the oil for an itch-free hair day.

3. Throw out your humidifier.  If you have a portable humidifier you should reconsider before continuing its use.  Most are not cleaned properly with bleach every-other day and thus become a breeding ground for mold and spores.  To add moisture to your home, keep a large pot of water on the stove.  Every time you enter the kitchen, turn the water on to boil allowing the vapors to humidify the house.  It is also a wonderful aromatic therapy adding cinnamon sticks or lemon peel or even rosemary for a pleasant fragrance.

4. Drink more water.  As simple as it sounds, drinking more water each day will help your skin to remain fresh, plump and soft.  It is impossible to have well hydrated skin if your body is dehydrated.  If you feel thirsty you are already low on fluids.  Drink up.

5. Burn, baby burn.  Propane that is.  If you have a natural gas fireplace in your home, you are very fortunate.  The fireplace actually creates water vapor adding moisture to your home as opposed to the furnace which dries out the house with its forced air.  (For you budding chemists; C3H8 + 502 ——-  3CO2 + 4H20).

6. Turn down the thermostat.  If your home is heated with a furnace it would be beneficial to turn back the temperature. All that forced heat is drying your skin and body.  Many of my patients report that if dressed warmly they sleep comfortably with the house kept in the low 60s.  Experiment and see what temperature range works best for you.

7. Avoid alcohol.  Alcohol is a diuretic and will encourage your body to lose even more water during the time you need it most.  Drink water or club soda instead to help build your reserves.

8. Limit your shower time.  Although a long hot bath or shower feels fantastic, to avoid dry skin, shorten the time.  Hot water dries the skin and those long hot showers you like on cold winter days are costing you itchy skin just a few hours later.

9. Should you still need a little help to banish that alligator skin, you can up the ante with applying petroleum jelly to your skin after your bath.  Since it is thicker than baby oil it provides a better barrier and thus more relief.  It melts into the skin quite quickly so it is not as messy and difficult as one might think.

10. If all else fails, take a vacation to the tropics and slather on the sun screen. But a far less expensive solution is to give steps one through nine a try!

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com.

Have any of your family, friends or co-workers? Anyone you’ve ever known?

We almost always feel silly about our New Year’s Resolutions soon after we make them, laughing at ourselves for ever imagining we could sustain them.

Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time, by Rick Hanson PhD, offers 52 succinct practices showing how it’s possible to use your mind to change your brain.  The seemingly simple practices may be easy to underestimate, Hanson says, but they will gradually change your brain through what’s called experience-dependent neuroplasticity.

“It’s a two-way street: as your brain changes, your mind changes; and as your mind changes, your brain changes,” Hanson explains.  “This means—remarkably—that what you pay attention to, what you think and feel and want, and how you work with your reactions sculpts your brain in multiple ways.”

According to Hanson, everyone has the capacity to develop a “buddha brain,” supporting the cultivation of virtue, wisdom, mindfulness and other invaluable traits.  You can see mind practices as muscle building for the mind, Hanson suggests.  Any single trip to the gym makes little difference, but over time, making the mental practices a habit will build the “muscle” that is the brain.

Hanson draws on his forty years of spiritual practice, and a dual career as a neuroscientist and Buddhism teacher, to show the value of these practices and then explains how we can perform these brief actions in daily life.  Hanson’s methods for taking in the good with little daily experiences we often look right past encourages readers to cultivate self-compassion in a way that, unfortunately, is rarely taught or practiced in the West.

The 52 practices are divided into five sections: Be Good To Yourself, Enjoy Life, Build Strengths, Engage the World and Be at Peace.  Hanson offers a number of ways to use his book, including taking “a week for each one of the 52 practices,” allowing for “a transformational year of practice.”  Whichever way you decide, he says, the best way to sustain your willingness to practice is to keep the work simple and focus on one thing at a time.

In the “Get More Sleep” practice, Hanson lists the many pitfalls of sleep deprivation and the benefits of getting more sleep.  In busy lives we tend to look past some of the simple truths he points out, like questioning the reasons we don’t get enough sleep—the extra hour of TV or house chores.  The author then outlines many practices which can get us the amount of sleep we need to improve our health and wellbeing.  Many of the practices are little actions we can do to tell the mind it’s time to get some sleep (relaxing your tongue, lips, jaw and eyes; or resting a finger or knuckle against your lip).

“Dream Big Dreams” encourages us to access our inner core by asking “What are the dreams that matter to me most?”  We are guided through a simple mental exercise of imagining ourselves as we were at different life stages, before asking “those individuals,” “What are your dreams?”  This exercise encourages us not to dismiss our dreams as silly or impossible and offers techniques to free us from snap judgments, so we can clearly hear the intentions behind the really big dreams of our past.

Just One Thing teaches us changing the brain is no lightweight activity but is a practice that can transform your life.  Hanson believes ultimately we can’t stop the brain from taking the shape the mind rests upon, but the choice of where to rest the mind is ours.  If it regularly rests on thoughts of worry, self-criticism and anger, we sculpt a very different brain than a mind cultivating traits of relaxation, self-compassion and letting go of clinging.  “You can’t stop the brain from changing,” Hanson says, “The only question is whether you’re getting the changes you want.”

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Austin Harris is a graduate of the San Francisco State University School of Journalism, where he specialized in online multimedia production. He has an active Buddhism-based mindfulness practice and volunteers regularly at Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Woodacre, CA).

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You should begin your preparation today.  Yes, today.  Many of the side effects from alcohol are due to dehydration.  Any beverage with alcohol, from liquor to beer, has a diuretic effect.  Many physicians advise drinking eight ounces of water in between your alcoholic beverages.  This is definitely good advice, but you can start your preparation earlier.  The winter months bring a chronic state of dehydration to most thanks to the dry air and forced heat that dries the air even more.  So today, right now, begin drinking more water.  If you are feeling thirsty, you are already behind on your water intake.  Increasing your amount of daily water will help correct this chronic dehydration and mitigate some of a hangover’s effects.  Many holiday celebrations are impromptu, thus being well hydrated at all times gives you an advantage.  Additionally, it will diminish your appetite to help ward off some of those unwanted holiday cookie pounds.

Also consider adding a daily multivitamin, especially a formulation with emphasis on the B vitamins.  There is some data that indicates B vitamins help to process some of the byproducts of alcohol, tending to make the hangover shorter in duration.  Either way, maximizing your levels of vitamins and minerals can only improve your overall health and energy.

If you do decide to drink alcohol, of course, limit your intake.  For those who are sensitive to the effects the next day, follow the above regimen of alternating water with an alcoholic beverage.  Another good choice is a club soda with a squeeze of lime, it counts as a water and nobody knows you are abstaining from alcohol.  The clear liquors, like vodka and tequila, have been shown to produce less hangover effects than their darker counterparts like bourbon and rum.  The same also applies to white wine instead of red.  Eating before drinking alcohol, and continuing to snack while drinking will also help alleviate some of your hangover symptoms.

When you arrive home, drink two glasses of water before going to bed.  This serves two purposes.  Most importantly, it helps prevent further dehydration.  Secondly, if you need to wake up early, a full badder is more successful than alarm clocks at coaxing you out of your warm, cozy bed.  If you’re stomach is not overly sensitive, taking two aspirin before bed can often stave off a headache the following morning (read the label and use as directed.)

The following morning, start with a little juice and some strong coffee to help stimulate your senses.  There is literature to suggest both toast with honey, as well as cooked eggs, may be of benefit.  However, these are not complete cures, so if the thought of eggs or honey makes you queasy, they are best to avoid.

Continue drinking lots of fluids throughout the day, alternating water with juice.  Making a hot cup of noodle soup will give you a quick dose of sodium, helping to retain more of those fluids you are partaking.  If you still feel poorly, continue the increased fluids and make sure to get lots of rest over the following night.  Take your picture to remind yourself how lousy it feels to over indulge on alcoholic beverages, and maybe this will be the last time you cause yourself to feel this way.

While these tips will help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, they do not alter the amount of alcohol you process.  Thus, it is always better to practice moderation than to pay the consequences the next day.  And always, secure a safe ride home.

Of course the very best way to prevent a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether.  Even though alcohol makes many people feel sleepy, the sleep is actually less restorative and thus they wake up less refreshed. So with all of the shopping, and wrapping, and baking, and traveling, consider how much time a hangover steals from your life.  Time that can never be found.  So while I can give you medical advice to lessen the symptoms, the wise woman will practice prevention.  Stick to club soda, the calorie-free, alcohol-free, alternative.  Only Santa’s elves will know.

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

There is a popular myth in America today that smoking as a health issue is a thing of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. A couple of simple facts:

First, the famous Surgeon General’s report on the dangers of smoking was released in 1964. At that time, 40 percent of the American population smoked. Forty-seven years later that number has been cut in half to 20 percent. But did you know that 16 years ago, in 1995 the number was reduced to 25 percent. In other words there has been a great slowing in the declining rate of smokers.

Second, smoking is still a leading cause of death in America. An incredible 1,200 people per day die of smoke related illness, principally in the form of heart disease and lung cancer deaths, but cigarettes kill in other ways as well. That’s 400,000 people per year.

Can you imagine what the public outcry would be if 1,334 commercial jets, loaded with 300 passengers each, crashed each and every year. Certainly no one would get anywhere near an airplane. But most smokers slip away quietly in the privacy of their home and family lives. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in America and based on the fact that one out of five continues to smoke it is likely to remain so for many years to come.

In truth, most of us are hooked on smoking long before we have the maturity to realize how dangerous a habit we are falling into. The majority of smokers start the habit by age 14 and by age 19, 90% of smokers are solidly hooked on nicotine. The one silver lining in all this is that more effective products are coming out all the time to divert smokers away from this deadly habit and onto a safer substitute.

Probably the most effective solution has been the new line of electronic cigarettes, metal look-alikes that provide nicotine delivery without the harmful tars and gases inherent to tobacco-based products. Dr. Michael Siegel, a tobacco researcher and professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health explains, “Here we have a product (e-cigarettes) that is much safer than regular cigarettes and, by anecdotal evidence, helping literally thousands of smokers to quit smoking. Another major benefit of e-cigarettes is there’s no secondhand smoke. (Smoker exhale harmless steam.) In some ways, this is the product we’ve been looking for all these years.”

Some anti-smoking groups have come out against these new e-cigarettes, but as Siegel explains, “Anti-smoking groups just have trouble saying something good about anything that looks like and acts like a cigarette. And every one of the groups that has come out against e-cigarettes has taken money from or partnered with pharmaceutical companies. If e-cigarettes are successful, they will take over the smoking cessation market from the pharmaceutical companies.”

So if you’re a smoker and you’ve been thinking about quitting for weeks, months, or even years, you owe it to yourself to look for alternatives to this deadly habit. Celebrate the Great American Smokeout Day by learning more about e-cigarettes and other new approaches to kicking this deadly habit once and for all. Everyone who loves you will be so happy that you did.

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Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finding Mr. Right.

His latest book is Fit in 50 Days.

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For two-three days before your next shave. . .

1) Once you are in the shower, apply an anti-acne soap to your groin area.
It is important the soap contain Salicylic acid.  Lather liberally with this soap and allow it to remain on your private area for at least two minutes.  (With all products listed, this is meant for your skin not the mucous membrane area.  In case that is confusing, put the soap only on the outside part that looks like the skin on your legs.)  The salicylic acid helps dissolve the acid mantle and gently break down the plugs in your pores.  After the soap has been on your skin for at least two minutes, rub with a loofah.  The coarseness of the loofah will help to shed some of the dead skin cells and make it less likely nearby pores become inflamed.

2) When you finish your shower, pat the area dry.
NO rubbing.  But do make sure you are completely dry.

3) Consider using an astringent.
If the area is currently inflamed or has a lot of bumps, use a salicylic acid containing astringent for sensitive skin.  Apply lightly to the area with a cotton balls using downward strokes.

4) After the skin has dried apply an oil-free facial moisturizer. 
Again, make sure it stays external.  The longer you can wait to put on panties the better.  If you bathe at night try sleeping without underwear, or wear soft yoga pants.

After following this regimen for two or three days you are ready to shave.  (If you are changing your grooming habits and this is the first time you have shaved some parts, it may be easier if you first use some small grooming scissors to cut the hair first.)  Less hair, down there, is definitely more fashionable these days, but the choice is yours.

1) Begin your shower as above with the acne soap and loofah.

2) When you are thoroughly rinsed, apply a large amount of shaving gel to the area.
And reapply as necessary.

3) Make sure your razor is sharp and take your time.
Note to all women in a hurry – you are not grating parmesan cheese here, please slow down and pay attention.  It is often helpful to pull the skin so it is tight with you other hand to achieve a closer shave.  As you finish shaving, make sure to feel the entire area with your hand to check for any spots you may have missed.  I realize you may be shy about doing this, but it is your body.  It is your only body and there is no shame or guilt in feeling your own body or grooming yourself in a way you like.

4) Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry.

5) When you are dry, apply Hydrocortisone 1% cream to the area. 
Make sure you rub in a downward motion.  Allow the cream to thoroughly dry before you get dressed.  Only use this cream on the days you shave, no more than three times a week.

You did it! You should notice a dramatic improvement after the first shave.  However, it may take two weeks for all of the scarring to improve, but it definitely will.  Notice how soft your skin feels and how great it is to feel you bare flesh against your lingerie.  This feeling of intimate beauty will give you a confidence boost all throughout your day.

Now, off to the shower. . .

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A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

Just today I visited the iStore to purchase for my child the popular iPad application, Angry Birds. A reminder that Jobs created a world that entertained and fired the imaginations of children of all ages.

Steve Jobs created such an elegant system that even computer illiterates, like me, felt like a pro creating presentations and photo albums without the help of a tutorial.  Apple programs have never failed to intuit what I want to do next.  Before becoming an “iFan,” I had to be convinced to purchase my Apple notebook. Then I let it sit unopened for months.  Buyer’s remorse, perhaps.  I understood people said it would be an easy system to learn, but I kept thinking I lacked the time and energy to master a new system.

Jobs contribution to the world of technology was showing us that there was an easier, simpler, more elegant system available. For me, it was sitting literally at my feet, but I refused to open myself to the possibility.  I created excuses about why I did not have the time to learn something new.  But his genius proved me wrong.  He led by example, not solely with his brilliance, but with his wisdom.  At a commencement address in 2005, Steve Jobs inspired graduates with these words:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

As I thought about why I felt so sad at his passing, I read quotes by others calling him a visionary who changed the world.  It seems I am not alone in my mourning as comment pages are punctuated with “iSad” at the news of his death.  It was this sentiment that sparked my own thought:

“iBelieve, iCan”

In the stylings of Steve Jobs, it seems fitting the “i” is the lower case, indicating that as a person, I am less important than those dreams I can bring to fruition.  I am unsure if he would agree, but I think that is the point.

If I am to honor Mr. Jobs, then it is time to stop listening to the “noise of others” and quiet myself so I may listen to the desires of my own inner voice and find the courage to follow the dreams I have.

That is how I will pay my respects to you Mr. Jobs. I will follow your brave example and courageously pursue my own divine path.

iBelieve iCan

Steve, thank you for a life of inspiration!

_______________________________________

A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com

I became a bit of an expert at the artful execution of this potentially messy concoction by having raised two children with a noteworthy assist from the satisfying taste alliance of peanut butter and jelly. And here’s the best part, you can even make healthy versions of this food classic that kids can enjoy and adults can appreciate. Here’s three easy steps to making the PB&J dream sandwich:

First, let’s talk bread. There are about a thousand choices, as you know, and that’s a good thing because your PB&J never needs to be boring. Personally I’ve always liked the sage advice that the “softer the bread, the sooner you’re dead.” In other words, steer clear of heavily processed breads that can double as a pillow for your sweet dreams. Look instead for whole grain breads. They are tasty and high in fiber and that’s a great start to a PB&J masterpiece.

Second, remember that not all peanut butters are created equal. And, truth be told, you can step outside of the box and choose equally healthy almond butter if that’s more to your taste’s satisfaction. Spend an extra buck and get a natural peanut or almond butter.

All natural peanut or almond butter spreads last just as long when placed in the fridge after opening as the heavily processed products and rather than having a list of chemical ingredients that you can’t pronounce, they simply state, “roasted peanuts,” or “roasted almonds.” Both are two of nature’s most perfect foods.

Third, the jelly is the crowning touch! Like breads, you can find a thousand choices of jellies and jams at most grocery stores. So go for the one that doesn’t feature added sugar as its number two ingredient. Again, perhaps a little higher price, but a cheaper choice when it comes time for the annual dental check up.

As an adult, you may find the old PB&J a little too quaint, but you can shake things up with almond butter and strawberry jam on an exotic bread. Suddenly you’re living la vida loca. In a time of tight budgets you can keep your kids happy and healthy, and you as well, with the food that made America great: PB&J!

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Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finding Mr. Right.

His latest book is Fit in 50 Days.

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