The Martha Stewart Beauty Regimen: Fitness, Skin Care and Diet

For Martha Stewart, the secret is routine.

She is truly beautiful. 

Read the NYTimes article here.

I am the Editor of the 'Embassy of Ideas'. Please visit it here: http://www.pattifridayphotography.blogspot.com

Haiti: The Quake The Needs

I find it extremely hard not to focus on disasters such as the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. Did you know that a floating hospital is heading toward the island? I didn't even know there would be such a thing -how naive can one blogger be? My mind wanders to the Mothers and the babies and the injured and, God help them, the trapped. Can you imagine being under rubble, unable to move, little air, blood, thirsty, tears, pain, fear, missing loved ones, alone, straining vision in blackness? - this post was not to upset you this morning. This post is my selfish need to get off my aching chest the thoughts swirling inside me. I feel helpless as they feel helpless. I want to jump on a plane with my camera and head to Haiti right now. I want to document the event; the human side of this. I want to take photos and give them to the people. I want to take photos of their loved ones, their homes, their hands, their faces, their tears - making the image tiny and placing it in a locket or on a pendant for them to keep. I want, but I can't. The best thing I can do now is spread awareness of the great need in Haiti with facebook, twitter (The Red Cross (@redcross) is also tweeting for support: "You can text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in #haiti.") and my blog. The next thing is money. Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/donatenow , by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111 or at any Red Cross office. Americans click here. The island will need, need, need. Thank God for our online community - the powerful, loving, quick, supporting communication net. It is not life as usual today.

World Diabetes Day

Monument Challenge Expected To Exceed 1000 Mark

Wherever you are or whatever you're doing, just add a little touch of blue in honour of UN World Diabetes Day on November 14th. Perhaps a blue photo on your blog or a new blue header for the day - blue backgrounds - World Diabetes Day buttons and sidebar items! - get virtual candle here. (I've added a few of my blue lovelies to this exquisite tea service I just bought at the Huntsville Salvation Army for $10.) And as you can see, my blog will be blue! Almost 600 million people worldwide have diabetes so I believe this special day of awareness is very important to all of us, don't you?

BIG NEWS:

The total number of monuments that have confirmed participation in this year's World Diabetes Day and agreed to go blue grows by the minute. Recent additions to the list include the Sydney Opera House in Australia and Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Early indications suggest that the global total will exceed 1000. Help us share your World Diabetes Day experience. Whatever you are doing this World Diabetes Day, please make sure that your experience is shared with the global diabetes community.

******Submit high-quality images of your event.******

Wherever you are, from Fiji to Canada, we are ready to post pictures of your event. Please upload your images as quickly as possible. The sooner we receive the images, the sooner we can make them available to the global media and highlight what you are doing to mark the day. If you plan to take pictures of a lighting event, please make sure that you're equipped to get a sharp image in dark conditions. Don't forget to pack your tripod. Before you submit the image, please give it a name that will help us identify what it is and where it was taken. Follow the day minute by minute at http://www.worlddiabetesday.org.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS OF MONUMENTS TO WORLD DIABETES ORG. VIRTUAL MUSEUM (this is too cool !!!!! - go see it now !!!!) WEBSITE and share them with us on your blog!

Things Come In Threes

There have been so many wonderful things in my life. So many. Too many to even list or share with you. But there have been 3 things in my life that were the hardest to live through. One of them was the diagnosis of my tiny, tow-headed 3 year old daughter; Type 1 Diabetes. Just thinking about that moment is enough to send me in a tailspin of sobs. It was God's way of saying, 'Huh. Don't like needles eh?' Well, how about this?' It was the universe's way of shouting, 'What's important? What will you do? When will you make the change?' I cried in the tub for 2 hours straight. I cried for 2 days straight after I gave her the first needle. Bless oranges. They were my target practices. Please join me on Sat. Nov. 14th and post a 'BLUE POST' to commemorate United Nations World Diabetes Day. The Globe is set to go blue for World Diabetes Day! At the time of writing this post, more than 660 monuments - including the Empire State Building, London Eye, Christ the Redeemer, Burj al Arab and the Obelisque in Paris – confirmed they will bathe in blue for World Diabetes Day. Will you create a BLUE POST, or post a BLUE PHOTO with a link to UN World Diabetes Day or will your blog background go BLUE for Nov. 14th? I will hug you until eternity.

YOUR COUNTRY? Click on this 'List of Monuments & Buildings' to be BLUE on Nov. 14th

What Is The Diabetes Symbol?

How Many People In The World Have Diabetes?

Health Care For All (It's The Right Thing To Do)

"If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman." - Margaret Thatcher. Nancy Pelosi clapped her hands as she left the House floor late Saturday night. “That was easy,” the speaker said with a smile.
Congratulations America!

EGYPT: Race for The Cure

Unprecedented Collaboration Helps to Break the Silence in Egypt! As most of you know, my eldest Daughter is living in Cairo. My Egypt Girl is missed every second by moi, but when I wake up and discover a laptop full of photographic updates, it makes me feel closer to her and most proud that she was involved in this historic event. (there are misconceptions and a cultural stigma surrounding breast cancer in Egypt) She and her merry band of do-gooders participated in no doubt the world's most 'exotic' - first ever - Race for the Cure around the pyramids. (Egypt’s breast cancer movement raced forward at the historic Pyramids of Giza.) A mighty gathering of Egyptians and international visitors ran and walked across the Pyramids site to raise awareness about breast cancer during the "1st" Race for the Cure in the Middle East, organized by Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt under the auspices of the First Lady of Egypt, H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak. (My Egypt Girl is the blond with black pants - far right second photo at top) Hugs across the miles my darling. Thank you for being a 'giver' in this world. I love you. xo

Glamour Magazine Plus Size Model Photograph

I do believe that this is very sexy. (enlarge photo - just click) I find them velvety-smooth-cozy-soft looking and alluring. Cuddle girls. Huggable. Lovely. Brave. Honest. Real. Tell me. What do you believe?

"Supermodels Who Aren’t Superthin: Meet the Women Who Proudly Bared it All"

Martha Stewart's Daily Routine

Last night I relaxed and went through a box of magazine tear sheets. (do you ever do that?) A few of the pages revealed to me once more the 'extreme self-care' that Martha Stewart practices. It's no wonder she has the vitality and energy. I mean, just look at the woman!!! If you click on the image to enlarge it, you will see that her hair and skin glow and she looks so 'hot'. She is 68 years young!!! I really like how she has lightened her hair with frosty highlights. Here is a recap of her daily routine. (from Martha Stewart Living)

1. Skin Care: Morning and Night, cleanse, exfoliate, treat, moisturize, protect. She has been very open with her favorites and Yonka is the product she continues to rave about. This online shop is really great for 'quality' skin care - DermStore is your one stop shop for all your skin care and cosmetic needs. - you can purchase Yonka there.

2. Home Gym: aerobics, weights, stretching

3. Walking: daily walks and in particular, she loves hiking. (so does Arianna Huffington..she hikes daily too!)

4. Calendar: daily calendar is kept handy and ready on a clipboard - every day!

5. Water: water infused with fruits, cucumber and bottled

6. Morning Juice: 8 ounces of homemade 'green' 'fruit' juice

7. Hair Care: daily wash, condition, weekly glossing treatment

8. Exercise: pilates, yoga, weights

9. Teeth/Body Skincare: 2-3 times daily electric toothbrush, flossing, salt water rinse and mouthwash, moisturize skin.

10. Relaxation: read books on her Kindle, watch movies Netflex, cappuccino

So tell me. What is your daily 'extreme self-care' routine?

Photo Credit: DayLife/GettyImages

Solitary Vice

Masterbation Late 1800's. I present you this ancient text. It's no wonder we are still having issues today. (The Importance of Resolution 1888 to End Violence Against Women) Here goes...I laughed at the 'pinworms' part. (so much for all of us 'getting off' on hanging vintage medical illustrations and 1st dibs charts in our homes) Girl Power.

"As the reproductive system awakens to activity it naturally attracts the attention of the girl, and an effort should be made to call her thoughts to other themes. As I have said before, the reading of sensational love stories is most detrimental. The descriptions of passionate love scenes arouse in the reader a thrill through her own sexual organism that tends to increase its activity and derange its normal state. Girls often mature into women earlier than they should, because through romances, through jests of associates in regard to beaus and lovers, and through indulgence in sentimental fancies their sexual systems are unduly stimulated and aroused. This stimulation sometimes leads to the formation of an evil habit, known as self-abuse. The stimulation of the sex organs is accompanied with a pleasurable sensation, and this excitement may be created by mechanical means, or even by thought. Many girls who are victims of this most injurious habit are unaware of its dangers, although they instinctively feel that they do not want it known. Others who would not stoop to a mechanical exciting of themselves do so through thoughts, and do not know that they are just as truly guilty of self-abuse as the girl who uses the hand or other mechanical means. The results of self-abuse are most disastrous. It destroys mental power and memory, it blotches the complexion, dulls the eye, takes away the strength, and may even cause insanity. It is a habit most difficult to overcome, and may not only last for years, but in its tendency be transmitted to one's children. If you have from the first thought nobly of yourself, you will have fallen into no such debasing habit. But if, through ignorance, you have acquired it, how shall you overcome it? ....I therefore desire that you shall be wise. Every normal function of the body is attended with a pleasurable sensation. We enjoy eating, seeing, walking. Odors bring sensations which are agreeable, the sense of touch may give pleasure, and as we enjoy these sensations in fact, so we may enjoy them in memory or in imagination. We can recall the beauty of the rose, the perfume of the mignonette, the flavor of the orange, or we can imagine new combinations of these delights. We feel joy or grief through reading vivid descriptions, or we can ourselves create imaginary scenes in which we are actors, who suffer or enjoy. The reproductive system is the seat of great nervous susceptibility, and the excitation of these nerves gives a pleasurable sensation. This excitation may be thought a local mechanical irritation or it may bemental. In little children it may be caused by lack of cleanliness ofthe external organs. An irritation is produced, and an attempt to allay this by rubbing produces an agreeable feeling, which may be repeated until the evil habit of self-abuse is formed. Sometimes constipation, by creating a pelvic congestion, will have the same result. Sometimes clothing which is too small may, by undue pressure on the parts, call the thought of the child to these organs, and in an attempt to remove the pressure by pulling the clothing away the habit may be begun. Sometimes the tiny pin-worms in the rectum may wander into the vagina, and the little girl feel a constant annoyance, which rubbing allays temporarily, but which results in the evil habit of the use of the hands to produce an agreeable sensation." - What a Young Woman Ought to Know, (Sexual Ethics) Mary Wood-Allen - National Superintendent of the Purity Department

The Black Foot (My 2000th Post)

To celebrate/honor my 2000th post, I thought I would talk about my 'black foot'. 'Yuck' you gag (you've seen Adam Sandler's Deeds haven't you?). Well, the black foot I have isn't really black. It's just kinda purply, reddish, mottled, greyish, bruisish, puckered and yes 'yuck' looking. Hence the namesake: The Black Foot. That's the name my family 'lovingly' gave the dreaded leg, ankle, foot. It's my left leg. It's swollen and over sized and when I wear white socks people often ask me if I have a cast on or if I've broken my ankle. Funny eh? (Canadian for 'huh' in American) They, the doctors, claim it is because of my thyroid; graves disease, that was treated twice damn it with radioactive iodine. (that couldn't have been very good for my entire system) The exact medical term is 'Pretibial Myxedema' or 'screw you I can't wear sexy heels' or 'stop scaring the children'. I am warning you. Don't go looking it up 'cause it will gross you out. Just know that this blogger won't let some lumpy, swollen, unsightly left lower leg keep me from blogging another 2000 posts. I just thought it was about time I shared that with you because it bothers me, even though I'm working on 'gorgeousness'. (and now you know why I don't wear dresses, shorts, capris or bathing suits)

Olympia Snowe

Senator Olympia Snowe said, “Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it. But when history calls, history calls.” (I think 'Olympia Snowe' is a great name for a business, don't you?) Good for you Senator. You had the balls (and only a woman wearing icy blue and pearls could have them) to stand up for what is right for the people, despite your party line. Bravo.

Internet Addiction?

"Like other addicts, users experience cravings, urges, withdrawal and tolerance, requiring more and better equipment and software, or more and more hours online, according to Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Dr. Block says people can lose all track of time or neglect "basic drives," like eating or sleeping. Relapse rates are high, he writes, and some people may need psychoactive medications or hospitalization." - Ottawa Citizen. Are you glued to the screen?

ReStart has a 12-step program, similar to those for alcohol or drug addicts, for recovering cyber junkies. "The idea here is teaching people how to be moderate in their behavior and stay oriented to the real world," - Hilarie Cash. The retreat has beds for six patients. A 45-day stay costs $14,500 dollars plus cash for daily expenses such as renting camping gear for wilderness adventures. (China has banned electro-shock therapy as a treatment for Internet addiction, citing uncertainty in the safety and effectiveness of the practice after criticism in the local media.)

Are you an Internet Addict? (take the quiz here)

38+ hours per week online

Denying excessive use

Changing sleep patterns

Eating at the computer

ILMAO = (I laughed my ass off) when I found out there is a 'BLOG' dedicated to internet addiction. Well that's the way to cure 'em.

Ed Hardy Habit: Hand Sanitizer

Oh those designers. Have they no shame? They'll design anything to make money through anything; like H1N1 Pandemic. Now that toilet seat covers, first-aid kits and vomit bags have been upgraded with a splash of style, the Ed Hardy line of designer hand sanitizer comes not a moment too soon. The Los Angeles fashion label's Ed Hardy Habit line clearly targets style-conscious consumers with a variety of sanitizers packaged featuring themes and motifs borrowed from its popular clothing line, which was created by French designer Christian Audigier based on the designs of Don Ed Hardy, also known as "the godfather of modern tattoo." Skulls, tigers and other tattoo-like designs all figure prominently on the 9.2 oz and 2.3 oz bottles in the line, as well as on its foaming version and hand-sanitizer pens. All are alcohol-based, with vitamin E to keep hands feeling soft. All are also manufactured by Habitual Solutions without any animal-derived or animal-tested ingredients; reportedly, they feature a coconut bergamot scent. You see. It's not about health honey, it's about business. Huh. I should have thought of it first. Damn it.

Ellis Island

Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island!!!
A reception center for immigrants for more than 60 years located in New York Harbor, less than .5 miles north of Liberty Island. Ellis Island processed over 12 million people as they entered the United States of America. The island is named for Samuel Ellis, a merchant / farmer who owned it during the late 1700's. The US bought the island in 1808 and began using it as an immigration station in 1892. About 98 percent of those examined at Ellis Island were allowed into the country. The islands use as an immigration station ended in 1924 and the station closed completely in 1954. Eventually, in 1965 the island became a national historic site. The American Immigrant Wall of Honor, created in 1990, stands outside the museum and highlights the names of almost 200,000 immigrants that passed through Ellis Island. Have you had your Ellis Island medical exam lately? WARNING: They'll be using a 'buttonhook' on you? What letters would you be given?

B – Back
C – Conjunctivitis
CT – Trachoma
E – Eyes
F – Face
FT – Feet
G – Goiter
H – Heart
K – Hernia
L – Lameness
N – Neck
P – Physical and Lungs
PG – Pregnancy
S – Senility
SC – Scalp (Favus)
SI – Special Inquiry
X – Suspected Mental defect
X (circled) – Definite signs of Mental defect

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

Go get your check up. (via Simply Blessed Bliss) Get the facts. As a Canadian who has enjoyed 'health care for all' for 50 years, I must encourage you to be open to this reform for the United States. It isn't enough to sit there (as a rich person or even an upper middle class person) in judgement that this plan has failings...no, no, no...you must try to 'see', really 'see' the millions of Americans who are suffering in sickness because they can't afford to go to the Doctor. Statistics show that 95% of American citizens are living with a tight financial budget. That's why health care for all is 'critical' to the 'health of your nation'. 'This isn't about politics. This is about people's lives' - President Obama.