Jane Says

We’ve all heard of psycho therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy… all things that are meant to help you resolve problems. Lately I have been extremely busy with work life, home life and just life in general…seems like there is never a moment to myself. Until today when I thought my stop at the mall was part of the “errands” I had to run but rather was a moment of relaxation. As I stood on the elevator heading inside I felt an unusual sense of calmness, nobody needed me, I was finally alone, there were no pressing issues running thru my mind, I was relaxed and I thought, “Ah, so this is retail therapy.” Retail therapy is defined as shopping with the primary purpose of improving the buyer’s mood or disposition. Often seen in people during periods of depression or transition, it is normally a short-lived habit. Items purchased during periods of retail therapy are sometimes referred to as “comfort buys”. So I bought shoes… shoes I don’t need, but shoes that, for a few minutes, made me feel stress free!  

Leisurely shopping is not something I normally do nor make time for… it’s always a mission, always done under time restraints so this time is was different, it turned into a welcomed treat. 

We talk about living a healthy life; after all, that is what this show and blog is all about. So how can shopping be healthy?  Seems to me it can be more of an addiction but, when I am walking around in a stressed filled daze because I’m worried about when I’ll work out again, what nutritional meal I am going to make, is my mom ok, will I get to bed early, and how will I be recharged for another busy week? I realized that sometimes a unplanned break in the pattern of healthy living is found in the little things.  The reality, it’s the balance of all things in life that allow for optimal healthy living. So today, retail therapy was what I needed to continue living a healthy life.

Original posting for www.livinghealthytv.com.

Many of you send me emails and ask where I am at or what I am doing .  I feel like I owe you…you’ve been patient and concerned.  I feel like I need to spread the word just so you can start sleeping and stop wondering and worrying!

As of April 4th I took over hosting duties for the show “Living Healthy Chicago”. It airs on WGN TV 9 at 11:30am Sunday mornings and re-airs on sister station CLTV on Saturdays at 6a, 10a, 4p, Mondays at 10a and 8p.  The show is all about how to look, live and feel better… I’ve done fitness segments about Bowling, Zumba, Bikram Yoga, Running, SuperSlow Training, Boxing, Hula Hooping, and lifestyle segments about Vitamins, Hobbies, Bikini Fitting and more… Celebrity Chef Art Smith weighed in on his weight loss and dealing wtih Type 2 Diabetes. This is just the start with so much to come. If you have a story suggestion, let me know, I love to hear from my friends!

I have also started working WCIU’s You & Me This Morning.  I am doing restaurant segments in the kitchens with the Chefs learning to cook their favorite recipes and bringing them to you… its fun, informative and I get to eat! Good thing I work on a fitness show too!

Coming this summer I will be hosting the WNBA’s Chicago Sky Basketball games at the Allstate Arena.  I’ll miss the NBA but I am happy to be back on the court with the Sky and having my way with contestants, the fun, the games and my signature role call response, “Hey Jane!” If you get a chance come to a game and have some fun with me!

There are some other things I am continuing to work on so stay tuned… I mean it, really, tune in because its radio either in Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago or all three!  Also, more JEM-Stone t-shirts designs are on the way to a boutique near you!

Thanks for the support and now back to the real “whats on my mind” blogging….cheers! Jane

Just when I think I am living the healthiest life possible I start to get a little sniffle. Of course I chalk it up to allergies, which I don’t have, so naturally it ends up being a full blown head cold; my nose as red as Rudolph and I’m carrying around a box of triple-ply kleenex. It’s then that I realize that maybe I’m not so healthy right now. When we don’t feel good we typically go running to our mommies or mother figures, so I asked my mom…

what to do because “I don’t feel good”… that is after I laid on the couch most of the week looking for a little TLC, feeling miserable and wondering why I didn’t have enough energy to work out. My mother is a 76 year old, retired school nurse so she had a few tips in her bag of tricks. There are a lot of remedies for the common cold but since Mother Knows Best

 Here are My Mom’s Top 10 Common Sense Health Tips for a Head Cold:

1. Wash your hands after you blow your nose and keep your hands away from your face.
2. Blow your nose gently; if you blow your nose too hard then you blow all the mucus back in to your sinuses; and then you’ll really have a problem.
3. Drinks lots of fluids, that’s water and orange juice and avoid pop and coffee.
4. Chicken soup really is good!
5. Cover your sneezes.
6. Rest and check for a fever.
7. Boil water on the stove and breathe in the steam thru your nose and open mouth for at least 5 minutes or as long as you can stand there. Why? Because the virus has a very narrow tolerance for heat.

8. Go to work but DON’T shake hands or give hugs. You can go to work with a cold but not a fever.
9. If you are feeling a little better do a light workout or go for a walk, it might make you feel even little bit better but remember…
10. Listen to your body because your body wants to heal. If you’re tired, rest, if you are hungry, eat. Your body will tell you what it wants.

Since she’s my mom and I’m a wisecracker, I asked her if a shot of whiskey would do the trick and she said she didn’t believe in the “hot toddy” method but most of her family growing up did. Go figure, we’ll use any excuse for a drink and then maybe we just won’t remember having a cold!

Baby’s got back…yes, I said it and I am talking about your gluteus maximus and how much or, how little, there is.  I’ve got no room to talk; my nickname in college was B.O.B. (Big Ole Butt) because the J-Lo look wasn’t popular then.   But now in some gym circles, I am referred to as “high and tight” and I’ll take it.  Really, no matter what we do we are truly never really satisfied with our backside, even men (some of you have told me so).  While I was trying to figure out the latest and greatest rear end shaping moves, I happen to come along an article on how to have the Best Butt Ever…  They’ve got the right moves for the most common bootylicious butt types: 1) Flat Butt, 2) Droopy Butt, 3) Ample Butt.   BUT, if you have a mixture of all three or none, then you’re probably perfect and don’t need to worry about your derriere! So with swim suit season right around the corner and spring break already here it’s time to get serious about your behind.  I’m going to give these moves a try along with my daily exercise and diet and maybe, just maybe I can graduate to B.O.B. (Beautiful Ole Butt).