NH American red cross, click for link

text "HAITI" to 90999 and a $10 charge will be applied to your phone

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my heart goes out to those in need

Put them in their place. I like to do assigned seating, and it's important to give thought to the arrangement beforehand to sort out what combination is going to be most fun and comfortable for everyone. Seat people with similar interests together, and remember that if someone is timid they'll probably enjoy themselves more next to a person who's more outgoing. As host, your guests' enjoyment is your first priority, so if you can help them by initiating a conversation topic, you should!

Buy wisely. When shopping for a dining table, consider how you like to entertain. A round table is ideal for smaller parties, since the shape is conducive to all guests talking freely. This is harder with a rectangular table, which can accommodate more people, but those seated on opposite ends can't hear each other. Seating plans are more crucial here than with a round table, where everyone is bunched together. With chairs, the bottom line is to get something comfortable. It's definitely a personal preference.

Look at the big picture. It's nice to have special dinnerware for company. Dishes should coordinate, but don't worry about matching exactly—it's fine to use different plates for a salad course, entrée, and dessert. Keep in mind how the food you're serving is going to appear on your plate. I like simple china myself, or at least one with a white center, which flatters anything that goes on it. With a highly decorated plate, it's best to stick with pared down foods, like mixed greens or freshly cut corn.

Get in a group mentality. A big centerpiece feels passé. You used to see enormous bouquets everywhere, but that can make it really hard for guests to mingle. I think scattering really small clusters of flowers or even bowls of fruit around a table is easier, just as attractive, and even less expensive. Almost any kind of shrubbery snipped from your backyard could work with some creativity. Steer clear of flowers with a strong scent—some guests might dislike it, and you don't want it to interfere with the food.

Go easy. Fancy food isn't what makes a party special; it can even make people uncomfortable. I prefer a more informal menu, and find the simplest dishes are often the ones everyone likes the most. It's less about what you're serving than how you're serving it. Food should be easy to eat. If you've cooked rice, for example, it shouldn't be too sticky or lumpy. Tough or overly chewy meat is never good, and neither are really oversize cuts. With steaks, make sure your knives are sharp enough. If you're passing dishes around a table, avoid heavy, unwieldy platters and bowls, and make sure all the right utensils are in place for people to serve themselves. If you're doing the serving, pay attention to the amount you're putting on each guest's plate - find a balance between enough and overwhelming.

Have some sensitivity. It's important to know guests' likes and dislikes. Be careful about the length of your cocktail hour. Not everyone wants to sit around drinking for hours before they eat. Make sure you have non-alcoholic beverage options that are flavorful and look good to serve before and with dinner—one of my favorites is an Arnold Palmer. Nowadays people have so many different diets and allergies. Though as a host it's good to ask, as a guest it's also your responsibility to find a discrete way to disclose any special needs beforehand so that no one is uncomfortable when the meal arrives.

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so after about a two year hiatus from heels, i stumbled upon a pair of knee high black suede boots, and i'm back. just when i thought i'd never feel that burning pain and the urge to take my shoes off in the middle of the sidewalk, the memory is no longer a distant one. well fortunately, ms. winfrey just so happened to air a show on monday to possibly save my little life, or feet. dr. emily splichal is a podiatrist and exercise specialist who teaches catwalk confidence, or more commonly known as, how to walk in high heels. i was happy to hear that pilates principles are the foundation this "walk" is built on. take a peek and quit walking like a goof out there.

*and a little rehab for your feet after a long day: grab a couple golf balls and roll your foot with pressure massaging your plantar fascia. it hurts so good....

the human eye can distinguish about 10 million different colors? -wikipedia

color that's good to eat, rainbow carrots!

the lululemon manifesto

• Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.
• A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.
• Do one thing a day that scares you.
• Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.
• Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.
• Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.
• Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.
• That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.
• Stress is related to 99% of all illness.
• Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.
• The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!
• Friends are more important than money.
• Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.
• Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.
• Don’t trust that an old age pension will be sufficient.
• Visualize your eventual demise. It can have an amazing effect on how you live for the moment.
• The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.
• Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water, Vancouver will do nicely.
• Observe a plant before and after watering and relate these benefits to your body and brain.
• Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.
• Dance, sing, floss and travel.
• Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them.
• Successful people replace the words “wish”, “should” and “try” with “I will”.
• Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment.
• Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life.
• lululemon athletica creates components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress-free, we believe the world will become a much better place.
• Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.
• SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin.
• Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of it.

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i came across this post card while training to become a STOTT Pilates instructor a few years ago. if you have never heard of lululemon, i hope you find some inspiration in their manifesto, as i did. they also have the best yoga inspired clothing line that makes you look and ultimately feel good.

lululemon.com