Coffee Good - No Coffee Bad

I expect to use the phrase "since living in Boulder" quite a bit in the Dr. Ewww section of The Oprah Project.  I'm not sure exactly what it is about this town but they love them some alternative ways of healing.  Now I'm not passing judgement, instead I'm giving applause to those who make it a point to understand the whys and why nots of what they're told by the medical community and I wish everyone would take the extra time to explore ALL the choices they have when it comes to their health care. 

 So, "since living in Boulder" it has been brought to my attention that I drink unusually large amounts of coffee ... black coffee.  Well I don't see the problem. My coffee tolerance is a badge of honor that I've earned through many long hours spent in the film business and I choose to flaunt it as a sign of experience.  But since it's been suggested that I should add reducing my coffee intake to my list of resolutions I decided to do some research on the subject and when Starbucks reads what I have found they might just give me a lifetime supply!

1. Coffee is good for athletic stamina: A-HA!  Korean researchers in Seoul have discovered that the equivalent of drinking one tall Starbucks coffee will enable athletes to ride stationary bikes longer then those who passed. Caffeine baby!

 2. Coffee aids in pain relief: A-HA!  Many reports, including one in the Archives of Internal Medicine, have shown that adding about 65 milligrams of caffeine to aspirin or ibuprofen increases pain relief by around 40 percent. Caffeine blocks pain perception, has pain-relieving action, and elevates mood, which also helps minimize pain. Next time you have a headache, wash down your choice of pills with coffee (or tea) for more relief.

3.  Coffee leads to safe driving: A-HA!  Accidents due to falling asleep behind the wheel pose a larger threat then drunk driving. If you must continue then a sure bet is to STOP driving, DRINK one or two cups of coffee (containing in total about 150 mg of caffeine) and take a short nap or SLEEP for about 15 minutes. 

4. Some people have met their future husbands while drinking coffee: A-AH!  I haven't found the research to back this up but I'm pretty sure it happens all the time.

 If this topic is interesting to you then you should do some additional research via the web... or at your local coffee shop if you're looking into point #4.  I found a ton of information about the pros and cons of coffee and will be ready the next time it's suggested that I back off... NO, YOU BACK OFF!

The holidays are over so it's time to start planning Christmas!

Today's show was going to focus on my coffee date with Wedding Planner, Heather Clark, and how to avoid turning into a "Britch"… The rednecks have taken over the word "Bridezilla" so I've decided to come up with a new term that's even more fun to say.  This is going to be a fun series with tons of great advice but I've opted to put it off for a day to explore a topic that has been on my mind all morning... Christmas '08.

I know, this is the time when we're supposed to focus on a New Year, and a new us. All the talk shows tell us to revaluate our priorities and plan to adopt new ways of living to bring about bigger returns in work, love and joy... but my father sent a note saying that Chris and I had given him the one gift he truly wanted this past Christmas and it made me think of another list I should be making... my holiday shopping list for next year.

Think about it, now is a great time to figure out what your friends and family really liked during the holidays. Take a moment to watch what they do with the gifts they received... is your sister actually wearing her new animal print scarf or is it still in the tissue? Is your best friend enjoying the 10 pound box of chocolate or did it mysteriously disappear.  What about the "experience gifts" the office chipped in to buy for the receptionist?  Is she going on and on about skydiving with the first company listed on a Google search for "cheap skydiving, hot guys"? 

If you shop like me, you do your best to find gifts they will love but ultimately end up buying things you'd like for them to love. I know, I know, the true gift is in the giving, but don’t you get miffed when you open a something that’s the total opposite of your style and taste?  You don’t want to hate their gesture but let’s face it, there are some gifts that make you wish they had just forked over the cash.  And what about the holiday gatherings? I beg my mom to host and cook the holiday dinner because I know she does it better then anyone else but deep down I also know that she's done her fair share of feeding the masses and would love nothing more then to be a guest in someone else's home.  Note to self: Mom’s gift ‘08 - nominate my sister to cook.  Note to self #2: I hate growing up!

I think now is a great time for us to evaluate the pros and cons of our '07 quest to spread holiday cheer. While you're at it, be sure to think about yourself and any changes you'd make to the holidays if you had to them over again.  The BEST gift I've  ever given myself was swearing never again to travel on Christmas day. So make your list and then flip your calendar open to December '08 and jot all these notes down so when next year comes you’ll know exactly what to do be a holiday rock star!

As for the gift Chris and I gave my father - for years my father has asked all of his kids to do for others who are less fortunate instead of spending money on Christmas gifts.  On and off through the last few years my sisters and I have granted my father’s wish but I’m sorry to say that more often then not we opt for the Bill Cosby sweater.  Well this year Chris and I honored my parents by making a donation that will pay for a young girl's education in an underdeveloped world and they loved it more then anything else...  now that's a gift!

 If you're interested in our gift, it was through Save The Children


 

I'm going to be a DJ!!!

My resolution to volunteer is now a reality -  I'm going to be reading the "Colorado High Plains News" every Monday for the Audio Information Network of Colorado.  The broadcast is for the sight impaired to keep up with their community events.  I get to read the community calendar, obituaries (as long as the services haven't already taken place), local news, and school lunch menus for all the Eastern Colorado.  I love it!  You can catch the audio stream via the website. I think it's going to be on Monday's at 3:30 pm... it's pre-recorded so don't try to call in and ask me to clarify the pasta option on the 6th grade menu!  I have jury duty next Monday so listen for me starting the 21st of January... unless I end up on one of the freaky Boulder murder trials.  These people!

Resolution # 3 - Read a book each month

Here it is, my book for the January Blues.  "Somebody is going to die if Lilly Beth doesn't catch that bouquet. The Official Southern Ladies' Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding". By Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays. 

This one was sent to me by my mother... I have a dear friend who is a wedding planner in Boulder Colorado.  Her weddings are amazing but I come from the South and as a result it's hard for my relations to believe anyone west of the Mississippi has what it takes to "design" the perfect wedding.  Inside the jacket of the book mom wrote: "Dearest Spice, Another reference book for your collection. I know they need your help and guidance in Colorado!". 

I've done a full "how did I pick this dandy" in the Book Club section so click over there and let me know your thoughts.  -S

Resolutions '08 - How very Oprah of me!

In the past I made it a very loud point to never make resolutions.  I thought they were silly and selfish and acted as fluffy conversation to be used to one up rivals while trying to pick up men:

Paris - "I'm going to do power yoga twice a week to look like Madonna circa '82... but without the bad roots."

Lindsay - " I'm going to invent a new cocktail and every time someone orders it $2 will go to my charity - Fashion For Teens"

Nicole - "I'm going to have my baby in Africa so it will be African and it will be like I'm helping those people every day".

 Ok, maybe this is a bit harsh but let's be real, so few people keep the unselfish big ones for more then a month... I'm talking about the "I'm going to be a Big Brother for a little kid" or the"I'm going to visit grandma every week" ones.  When people announce these fantastic plans and then fall down on the job it really bothers me.  And what about the excuses? Here's a good tip,  if you ever want to put a stop to someone's long drawn out saga about why they had to cancel the dream of improving humanity just tell them "Oh you don't have to explain anything to me, I totally understand (the word "understand" is critical in this exchange) and to be honest, I never expected you to really see it through (pause) but don't think I put money on it or anything, I was still keeping the faith that you would do the right thing".  This will always be followed by two beats of sputtering and then a very long silence as the person tries to think of a new subject.

It boils down to this, I think you should do what you say you're going to do - no exceptions.  At work, in relationships, to total strangers - your word represents your character so you damn straight better give it the value of gold and let people know you expect the same from them and their promises. In the South you can still get shot for not keeping your word and I'll tell you another thing, nothing feels worse then when a little old Southern lady won't trust you to hold the door for her... I've seen it, she'll tell you to move out of the way and then call "The reliable grandson" to come help.   So as you can see, when I think of making resolutions they have to be something I really want to do or else I'll be miserable until the task is complete.   By the way, when Oprah loses faith in people she doesn't have them on her show... speaking of Paris Hilton.

So having typed all that you can imagine my convictions when it comes to making a couple of "big ones" for myself.  I thought long and hard about these resolutions, some came to me out of the blue and others have been nagging at me for a long time but after examining them I can see how they will work together to make me a better Spice and to help me stay aware of my community. 

 1. S's Book Club - I will read a book each month and discuss it with others.

2. S is going Green - I will use reusable grocery bags.

3. S Gives Back - I will pick an organization to volunteer with throughout the year

4. Mind and Body - I will finish two sprint triatholons by the fall

5. Self Control - One meal a day will be a salad.

I'm looking forward to learning about these new directions and what will be involved in blending them into my daily life.  I'm planning to do a resolution journal so please read along and offer any tips or encouragement for keeping my goals fun and interesting.  Send in your own resolutions and we can work on them as a team!

S