Talk Show with Sandy Hill

Visit Sandy's website to hear a one and a half hour interview with me highlighting all areas of wellness and healing. After visiting her home page, click on the show for September 25. If you can get through it, let me know what you think! D.

Free Doesn't Come Cheap

Two days ago, I passed by a beautiful library in a neighboring town and said to myself, "I wonder how many people still use libraries and if it is worth keeping them open?" Before anyone gets angry with me, it was an innocent question. Going to the libarary has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. Books were like an escape for me, so much so that I built my own library in my house. Up until a few years ago, I was still using my local library 4 or 5 times a week, but since becoming proficient at researching through the internet, I stopped going more than once every 4 or 5 months. Also, I began to utilize book stores so I could sit with a cup of tea while listening to soft music playing in the background. I couldn't help but wonder if others were doing the same. And with all the budget concerns, school cut backs, and tax increases we have been subjected to, I was trying to figure out how we could continue to justify the millions it costs to run these buildings if technology was going to possibly render them obsolete. I love books and I couldn't imagine a world without free access to them, but I also couldn't help asking, "In the future, are books and the buildings they are housed in going to exist?"

I should never be surprised when I get an answer to a question I ask, but the timing of this one was incredible. Next morning as I was looking at the previous day's mail, I saw the familiar yellow paper that my own Oyster Bay Public Library's newsletter is printed on. This time I didn't scan it for 5 seconds before I tossed it. Instead, I actually read it, and was I shocked at what was highlighted on the front page.

*Every day 300,000 Americans get job-seeking help at their public library.
*More public libraries provide free wireless access than Starbucks, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.
*Two thirds of Americans have a library card, and for many youngsters it is the first card in their wallet. (I know it was mine!)
*Every day, 14,700 people attend free library computer classes, a retail value of 2.2 million.
*2.8 million times every month, business owners and employees use public library resources to support their small businesses.
*Every day, Americans borrow 2.1 million DVDs from libraries, more than is borrowed from Netflix.
*Every year, Americans visit the library more than we go to the movies and 6 times more than we attend live sporting events.
*US public libraries circulate as many materials every day as FedEx ships packages worldwide.

I don't know about you, but after reading these remarkable stats, I had an even greater respect for my local library. It also made me want to pay it a visit this week. Yes, "free" access doesn't come cheap, but in this case, it seems Americans are getting their monies worth!

Every Woman Matters

Just a quick note to invite everyone to walk with me on May 16th at Jones Beach for the "Every Woman Matters Event" to earn money for the Katz Women's Center being built on the campus of LIJ/Northshore. As a member and volunteer for the CIC (Commerce in Industry Council) that is raising the additional monies (there was already a substantial gift given by the Katz family) needed to erect this incredible Center, I want to ensure you that your support will be helping more than just the hospital network. There isn't any person I can think of that hasn't been effected by an illness or injury, and when we are in crisis, there is most probably a local NorthShore affiliate that we are going to for treatment and care for ourselves or our family members.

Because I am a wellness advocate and believe wholeheartedly in prevention, I am on a mission to ensure that every person or group I work with is given an opportunity to learn what we all can do to maintain good health in all aspects; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But since going through my recent illness, I am more determined than ever to help make this Center a reality. The powers that be at LIJ/Northshore promise it will be a unique and inspiring place where women and their families can learn about and take advantage of all the aspects of healing. Where yoga, guided meditation, acupuncture, herbs, massage, and many forms of complimentary medicine will be conjoined with traditional medicine as methods of treatment.

Never before on LI have we seen a network as large as this take such a complete, body, mind, soul approach to illness. Just imagine being able to opt for acupuncture and aroma therapy instead of a painkiller and having it work just as well! I was told that my healing has been remarkable and my surgeon attributed the quick recovery to a lifestyle filled with yoga, pilates, healthy eating habits, and a positive attitude. (Of course, the great staff at the hospital helped enormously! I was never afraid and was handled with gentle hands every step of the way.) I want to see every patient go through an injury or illness with the same advantages as I had recuperating through mine.

Please join me and all the other supporters, along with KJOY on our first annual walk so we can enlighten, educate, and begin to change the way we view healthcare and the many aspects of self healing. It is time we decided to honor the beautiful bodies we were given. It is time to start a NEW DAY for wellness! D.

Simple things we can do to stay healthy

This year has brought many stress factors to everyone. I don't have to recall them all right? Since times seem more difficult than ever, I want to offer some reminders of what we can do to help ourselves get through it with less stress on the body.

First, we are more prone right now to self medicate our moods with food, particularly simple carbs. This is the worse thing we can do to our bodies, but it is almost a given that we will crave sugar, pasta, bread, and other white stuff now. Instead of reaching for what will make you feel worse, here are a few things I reach for when the going gets tough: instead of a candy bar, try raw coconut and almonds. If you are not diabetic, you can toss in a few Giardelli 60% cocoa morsels. Believe it or not, it tastes like you are eating an Almond Joy! In place of the typical bread or bagel, try ezekiel english muffins (in the freezer section). They make it in cinnamon raisin. Use fresh peanut or almond butter and top it with apple butter (all at Whole Foods) and you will feel full for hours. When ice cream is calling your name, get out your blender and mix a fresh mango with some frozen mango; it makes instant sorbet and believe it or not, mango is incredible for you, has low calories, and no fat.

Need pasta? Try quinoa. It is a seed that mimics a grain but has almost the same amino acid structure as beef! You can make it into a casserole by adding Amy's organic soups (like lentil) or as a side dish with lots of veggies. Sometimes I put in raisins, almonds, sauteed onion and red peppers and it becomes a meal. p.s. Quinoa comes in pasta form as well, spaghetti, elbows, and ditilini.

In the winter, we don't get enough sun. Vitamin D is deficient in almost everyone so try to take it (D 3) and don't worry about overdosing. The recommended daily allowance is too low. Some doctors say to take 5,000 units or more. I have a sun machine in my house that I use all winter long. Expensive, but if you can afford it, it is worth every penny. Go to www.mercola.com and check out their offerings. If not, try a full spectrum light bulb for about $14.00. It does help.

Since our internal clocks are off in the winter, you may be reaching for the coffee a bit too much. Try switching to green and herb tea. They are medicinal so read the labels and find ones that will cure your ailments. Many have stress relieving factors. In fact, I can't even drink chamomile tea on a date because I start to yawn and fall asleep at the dinner table! My favorite brand is Yogi, but just look for any organic brand you might find. They are all good.

Omega III. I know you've heard it before, but are you taking it? Fish oil offers the best, but you need a really good fish oil, not one you buy in Costco. It has to be made from fish that are monitored for mercury and also it needs to come from the right part of the fish. I use Market America brand. www.marketamerica.com/donnamartini is my portal if you want to check it out. And finally, B vitamins for stress work really well. Either liquid or sublingual will get into te system more efficiently.

As far as exercise, anyone who knows me, knows I recommend yoga as the BEST form of stress relieving body work you can do. Walking and dancing are also great. By the way, the last two are free so no one has an excuse not to do it. Also, all of these help you to breathe (taking in more oxygen helps with stress and exercise enduces endorphins.) Lastly, drink plenty of purified water (with the minerals left in) and stay away from highly acidic foods, aspartame, and alcohol if you can. All of these throw off your bodies natural alkaline levels, screw with neural connections and hormones and make it harder to deal with stress factors.

Remember the Law of Attraction: What you think and feel is what you bring in so staying positive right now is key. We can't stay positive however if we are in a negative body! Do the little things and they all add up, I promise, and if you need any help, I am an email away! D.

Identity Tip for Facebook

Call me paranoid, but I just want to put out a quick message to Facebook users and their children about putting birthdates on profiles. If you think about it, there is entirely too much info on there and can easily be retrieved by "friends" of friends and sometimes the general public. I know I'm a kill joy, but identity theft is serious, it's on the rise, and it is almost unavoidable in this tech world we live in. Just trying to keep everyone safe! D.

Every Day is the First Day

We all know the quip, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life", but how many of us remember to use it when we need to? Today I beared the cold to start a new routine of walking with my neighbor. Truthfully, it took my commitment to help her get ready (in shape) for her daughter's wedding in Oct. After all, it's cold outside! I can go downstairs to my warm studio anytime I want and dance, do yoga, or bang on my drums for exercise. But I realized that wasn't enough.

Walking was one of the most satisfying forms of exercise for me most of my adult life. I stopped because of my illness last year and have felt the difference in my body and mental state. Although I continue to do other work outs, I was somehow avoiding walking, wanting (mostly needing) to stay close to home. The realization hit me that I may have actually been afraid to leave the house.

I challenge everyone to go past your level of discomfort to do something you may want to start but are afraid of or too busy to do. If wellness is what you want to bring into your daily routine, then walking is a great way to begin your "new life". It brings you out in the World and challenges your body (lungs, heart, breath) and promotes endurance. And it is easy! Anyone can do it in any shape. It is free. You can start at any time (like right now!) and you don't need any special equipment except a decent pair of sneakers.

When I encourage clients to start walking, I tell them to "just tell yourself you are only going to the end of the block and back. If you have to, walk to the mailbox and turn around, just do something to get yourself started." Invariably, we walk to the mailbox and say, "well I am already out here, I might as well go a little further." Then we go to the end of the street, and we say, "Okay, I feel good, let me do a little more." By "tricking" ourselves into thinking we don't have to go too far, we at least start the process. If we begin by saying, "I am going to start walking two miles a day, three times a week" we may put it off till we believe we will have more time. And guess what? We never start!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. In fact this minute can start a new day. You don't have to wait till next week when your taxes are done, next month after you lose a few pounds, or get through a house project, or whatever reason you can come up with. TODAY, NOW is the best time to start. If you want even more incentive, buy a pedometer (today!) and have a contest with yourself (or a friend or co-worker) and see how many steps/miles you can build up to. It is worth the effort and will lead to more and more energy you can use for all activities. Good luck and let me know how you make out! D.

It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times

If you remember, this is the first line in "Tales of Two Cities". I am so happy to put 2009 behind me. I can honestly say, it was the worst year of my life. At the same time, I have never had so much healing, both emotionally and spiritually. So this is my year of the worst that turned out to be the best. I think I finally understand what Charles Dickens was saying in his profound interpretation of life.

Hopefully everyone can take the lessons out of this year's upheavals. So many of us suffered losses, but I also see many people changing their attitude and turning more to their spiritual side for comfort and consolation instead of laying blame. And believe it or not, those are the ones who are pulling out of the wreckage this "economy" has caused. Now we just have to get everyone to believe in their ability to change what is happening in the future.

We, the people: that is who makes up this great country. If there is something wrong with it, it means we got it there. It didn't just magically happen. And we have to use all the positive energy we can to turn 2010 into a period of growth and healing for everyone.

With our new County Executive coming into office this month, I am personally guaranteeing my participation in helping this Island become healthier. I learned this year (the hard way) that the saying is correct: If you have your health, you do have everything. It was always my mission to get as many small business and schools as I could to install wellness and fitness programs. Now more than ever (and with the help of our new legislators) I am determined to push my way into the doors of as many offices as I can. Since this is a new decade, we should create a new paradigm, a standard that all can follow. One that ensures the future health of our children and ourselves. More on this issue in the months to come, but for now: I pray for all of us to find our way in 2010. Happy and Healthy New Year to Everyone! D.