And the winner is...

Our giveaway winner is... Dr.Ann Becker. We hope you enjoy your Gathered hat and surprise gift. Thanks for reading our blog and commenting!

Positive Pranking

As today is Halloween and a day that is subject to pranks as well as trick or treating, here is a great idea for "positive pranking". Enjoy the video.

You May Be Too Young For This

If you are not middle-aged you probably don't need to read this. I'm writing this for all the women who like me are going through perimenopause or menopause. (That's a big word for "why are all these things happening to me now?") Ah yes, changes...changes...

I never knew quite what to expect since my mother didn't ever talk about her experiences. I knew from reading women's magazines and hearing other women talk that my body would be changing. But I kept thinking that was all in the distant future. Well, that time has come!

Since early summer I have been having hot flashes and night sweats. Sweater on, sweater off. Air-condtioning used to bug me if it was too cold, not now. What I really hate are the night sweats. I wake up many times during the night and throw back the covers just to find that a few minutes later I'm chilled so I cover up again. (You can imagine how fun this is for my hubby. His sleep is interrupted too.) Not to mention being irritable during the day because I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep.

What to do, what to do? I started doing a little research and also talked to my daughter who is a chiropractor. I asked her about taking Black Cohosh. She told me to try that and also to drink 4 oz. of soy milk before bedtime. I am also having her do acupuncture on me once a week. There are also essential oils that help. Geranium, Fennel and Clary Sage can all help balance our systems. Peppermint can help with the hot flashes.

I can't tell you what a difference this has made. I can't remember the last time I had a hot flash. I've been able to sleep at night without having the window wide open! My outlook on life has become way more positive. I'm not crazy about the taste of soy milk but I'll gladly drink it if it makes a difference!

I read that 15% of women make it through "the change" with no symptoms. (lucky them!) For others mild symptoms can start as early as 40 and persist for years. (I'm hoping my good results last.) I also read that 70% of women have hot flashes so I know I'm not suffering alone.

I'm glad that the natural remedies I've tried are working for me. Another supplement that has seen good results is chasteberry (vitex). One study found that the women who took a supplement containing vitex saw a 69% decrease in night sweats. (I don't have any personal experience with this.)

The good news is that symptions typically subside within three years of our last period. Emotional highs and lows should take on a more even keel then. Many postmenopausal women report that the brain fog lifts and they have back their mental clarity. This is all good but my next question is...how do we keep the weight around the middle off?

Wordless Wednesday

Longing for those lazy summer days already!

Free Picaboo Book-Hurry!

I love photo books. They capture a moment, a memory, a time. With little ones growing like WEEDS, these photoboooks are truly priceless. You’ve got until Monday (tomorrow) to download, make, and order your Free 8.5″ x 11″ Photo book from Picaboo. In other words,…HURRY!!

Free 8X10 Collage at Walgreen's

Get a FREE 8x10 collage print at Walgreens when you enter code "8X10TREAT" at checkout. Choose "in-store" pick-up and you'll also receive free shipping! Take some photos of your kids or grandkids (or yourself!) in their costumes and get a cute collage made. Or gather some photos to make a nice Christmas present. Just hurry - this is only good until Sat 10/23. Click HERE.

Tips and Tricks

I am not much of a cook. Working fulltime doesn't leave much desire or time to produce gourmet meals during the week. However, I occasionally read cooking/baking blogs to get new recipes (which usually get filed in a drawer, sigh) and drool over pictures of scrumptious looking food. (think Pioneer Woman.)

There is a blog called Kitchen Belleicious that I just found. It's not only fun reading recipes and looking at pictures on her blog but Jessica has a great "tips and tricks" page on her blog. If you need help in the kitchen like me, head on over there. You'll find tips like this one "When cooking any kind of strawberry dessert, add a splash of aged balsamic vinegar to the recipe to enhance the flavor of the strawberries." Get ready to bookmark a ton!

Wordless Wednesday

Some of the roses my sweet hubby gave me today for our 37th anniversary.

Gathered From The Garden Giveaway

Feeling Lucky? We are giving away some Gathered From The Garden hats and tote bags. Just leave a comment on one of our posts with your email (so we can notify the winners.) Each comment you leave gives you one more chance to win. Plus every winner will also receive one of Gathered’s products as a special treat! Contest ends Oct. 27.

Help for Problem Skin

Nearly 85% of people will experience some form of acne during their lifetimes. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin disorders in the United States, affecting 40–50 million Americans at one time. Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is not just a problem for teenagers; it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). On the positive side, those few individuals who have acne into their 40s may well grow out of it.

Some common misconceptions:
*Acne can simply be washed away. Over-washing will further irritate the skin.
*Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and dairy products in aggravating acne, these findings are far from established. **see Dr. Mockros’ advice…
*Pimples should be squeezed. Picking and squeezing pustules will only make acne worse because picking can spread acne-causing bacteria and squeezing can result in pushing infected material deeper into the skin.


Help for acne:
*Washing once or twice a day with a mild cleansing bar or liquid will keep the skin clean and minimize sensitivity and irritation. Gathered From The Garden's Love My Face Wash can be formulated for oily or problem skin.


* Use a gentle astringent/toner to wipe away oil. Gathered’s Facial Toner is very mild.

* Don't be afraid to hide blemishes with flesh-tinted cover-ups or even foundation, as long as it is water based or oil-free.

*Steaming and "deep-cleaning" pores is useful, both alone and in addition to medical treatment, especially for people with "whiteheads" or "blackheads."

* *Here is some good advice from Dr. Lacie Mockros (Minser Chiropractic Clinic): “When treating acne you need to look at two places, the skin itself--keeping the skin free of bacteria, and treating the gut. Most often we talk about diet and cleaning that up. We discuss avoiding certain triggers such as chocolate, refined grains, foods that can cause sensitivities (eggs, soy, peanut, milk and potato). To also work on cleaning up the gut we would recommend the good bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus). Starting an Omega-3 FA is also very beneficial to help the skin heal and reduce inflammation. It is said in Eastern Medicine that the skin reflects the gut, if your insides are full of junk your skin will be too!” Thanks, Dr. Mockros!

You can find Gathered From the Garden products here.

10 Super Easy Halloween Treats

You've got to have some treats to go along with the cool deocr ideas from our last post. If you're like me, you love to look at the spooktacular decoration ideas but don't always have the time to pull it all together. I'm pretty sure I could make some of these though. (I really love those strawberries!) What do you think?

Halloween Party Ideas

I found these awesome Halloween party ideas here. Meg Baisden's photography is beautiful and the ideas so original ! Check out all the fun for some more great ideas with her party.

You May Be Too Young For This

If you are not middle-aged you probably don't need to read this. I'm writing this for all the women who like me are going through perimenopause or menopause. (That's a big word for "why are all these things happening to me now?") Ah yes, changes...changes...

I never knew quite what to expect since my mother didn't ever talk about her experiences. I knew from reading women's magazines and hearing other women talk that my body would be changing. But I kept thinking that was all in the distant future. Well, that time has come!

Since early summer I have been having hot flashes and night sweats. Sweater on, sweater off. Air-condtioning used to bug me if it was too cold, not now. What I really hate are the night sweats. I wake up many times during the night and throw back the covers just to find that a few minutes later I'm chilled so I cover up again. (You can imagine how fun this is for my hubby. His sleep is interrupted too.) Not to mention being irritable during the day because I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep.

What to do, what to do? I started doing a little research and also talked to my daughter who is a chiropractor. I asked her about taking Black Cohosh. She told me to try that and also to drink 4 oz. of soy milk before bedtime. I am also having her do acupuncture on me once a week. There are also essential oils that help. Geranium, Fennel and Clary Sage can all help balance our systems. Peppermint can help with the hot flashes.

I can't tell you what a difference this has made. I can't remember the last time I had a hot flash. I've been able to sleep at night without having the window wide open! My outlook on life has become way more positive. I'm not crazy about the taste of soy milk but I'll gladly drink it if it makes a difference!

I read that 15% of women make it through "the change" with no symptoms. (lucky them!) For others mild symptoms can start as early as 40 and persist for years. (I'm hoping my good results last.) I also read that 70% of women have hot flashes so I know I'm not suffering alone.

I'm glad that the natural remedies I've tried are working for me. Another supplement that has seen good results is chasteberry (vitex). One study found that the women who took a supplement containing vitex saw a 69% decrease in night sweats. (I don't have any personal experience with this.)

The good news is that symptions typically subside within three years of our last period. Emotional highs and lows should take on a more even keel then. Many postmenopausal women report that the brain fog lifts and they have back their mental clarity. This is all good but my next question is...how do we keep the weight around the middle off?

Do You Know the Secrets of Aging Well?

Here are 11 wise and simple tips for feeling your healthy best, no matter what your age!

Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Yourself, by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Books, 1999).

1. Do you get enough sleep? Getting plenty of quality, sound sleep allows your body to rest, recharge, repair, and replenish so you’ll be rarin’ to go the next day.
2. Are you inspired by life? Picking up a new hobby, finding a new challenge, or reading more will stimulate your brain.
3. Are you a “people person?” When we reach out and try to help someone every day, we feel more engaged with life.
4. Do you pace yourself? Racing though life can be stressful and aging. When we slow down and become more mindful of our activities, we enjoy them more.
5. Do you have a pet? Studies show that pet owners live healthier, happier, less stressful lives.
6. Do you hydrate? Dry skin ages prematurely, so using a good moisturizing lotion is always a good idea. So is drinking 8 glasses of water every day! (I just can't drink that much. I do eat lots of fruits and veggies--they contain water.)
7. Do you protect your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun? Although studies show that we need 10 minutes of unprotected sun every day, more than that (even with sunscreen) can be damaging. Remember: sunscreen is your friend!
8. Do you eat fresh, whole foods? Real, unprocessed food is what our bodies need. Junky empty calories may satisfy a temporary craving, but the whole stuff is what keeps us feeling and looking our best. (Cut out the sugar, soda and salt.)
9. Do you exercise daily? Keep moving to keep joints flexible, heart healthy, skin glowing, and energy-levels high. (10,000 steps everyday--start small, work your way up--set a goal.)
10. Do you have a positive attitude? This is probably the single most important determining factor for living a long and happy life. Pollyanna was right: think positive!
11. Have you simplified your life? Knowing what really matters and putting your time and energy there is a great help for living fully. It’s not the material things that bring true happiness, it’s friends, family, good food, pets, and time spent doing things you most enjoy.

What's on your list of things you most enjoy? (time with grandkids and dark chocolate!)

Wordless Wednesday

It doesn't get much better than this.

Scarf Tying Tutorial

I love the look of scarves but am never quite sure how to wear them. I love this tutorial on scarf tying.

Not That Cottage-Cheese Look!

One of the most common complaints we women have about our appearance is (you guessed it) cellulite!

It's estimated that 85% of women over age 20 have some degree of cellulite and the other 15% think they do. Cellulite occurs mainly in post-adolescent women for a biological reason: to ensure enough fat calories are available for pregnancy and lactation. Though cellulite can pop up any time, it is true that cellulite does seem to appear out of nowhere and get worse with age. That's because our tissues change. Those strands of connective tissue thicken with age, and our skin gets thinner, making cellulite more noticeable. There is no real "cure" for this condition and there is no way to prevent it. We can only try to reduce or minimize its appearance. (And as luck would have it, cellulite is rarely found in men. )

Creams, lotions, and gels may be able to firm the skin and improve the overall look of cellulite but no topical application can offer a long-term or lasting solution. There are other treatments available but some (like liposuction) are expensive and can’t guarantee that the cellulite won’t return. Laser treatments are still fairly new and have not been proven to have consistent results. As for those cellulite shorts, they don’t work either.

So what can you do to manage and minimize your cellulite? Here's a quick list of some things you can do that will help:

*Daily exfoliation can help to stimulate circulation. Use a body scrub made from sea salt, sugar or a combination of both. Rosemary essential oil stimulates circulation and blood flow while Grapefruit, Lemon and Juniper Berry can assist with detoxification of the tissue. (You can add drops of these oils to your sea salt or sugar mixture along with a carrier oil.)
*Another way to exfoliate is to dry brush daily, preferably before bathing or showering. This simple technique stimulates blood and lymph flow, removes dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth. (Skin brushing is also inexpensive. You can get a good quality body brush for much less than $10.)
*Drink plenty of water to help keep your cells hydrated and regularly flush out toxins from your body. This will improve the overall appearance of your skin and help improve your energy level too.
*Eat a balanced diet high in fiber, protein healthy fats (Omega 3s found in nuts, flaxseeds, and fish oils). Eliminate trans-fats and processed sugars. Eat lots of fruits and leafy greens. Avoid junk food, diet soda and processed foods.
*You knowthis one by now…give up those cigarettes and limit alcohol.
*Exercise regularly. Exercising helps promote your body's fat-burning mechanisms, increases circulation and blood flow, and lymphatic drainage.
*Get a regular massage. Massage has many health and therapeutic benefits including enhanced lymph drainage, improved blood flow, and increased detoxification. Consider an aromatherapy massage using some of the essential oils like the ones listed above. Talk to a medical professional or professional massage therapist about this option before you try it. While this may work in the short-term, cellulite will return without significant changes in your diet and lifestyle.
*Unprotected exposure to UV rays will actually promote visibility of cellulite. Topical sunless-tanning products or bronzers can be a safe alternative.

These seem to be realistic and healthy ways to get rid of your cellulite. Give them a try and see if they work for you.