Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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Can Exercise Cause Headaches?
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Can Exercise Cause Headaches?

Do you experience frequent headaches, even migraines, during a workout? If so, you are not alone. According to research from the National Headache Foundation, approximately 45 million people in US suffer from chronic headaches and migraines, and 70% of those feel pain when exercising. Fitness magazine ran an article in their March volume about the link between exercise and headaches, and some of the triggers I read about surprised me. Keep reading to see all the triggers and how you can prevent the pain.
Trigger: Improper Breathing. While doing intense activity, it is not smart to hold your breath. This will rapidly increase blood pressure, being a cause for a sudden headache. You need to remember to keep breathing throughout any exercise, especially those with high intensity such as sprinting.
Trigger: Sudden Sprinting. This can also include not warming up before a workout. Going from sitting to all out running or another form of cardio can be detrimental to the body. Making sure to warm up and fully stretch before working out to help your body adjust to the increased blood flow.
Trigger: Your Food Choices. If I know I am going to be doing an intense workout, I will try to eat a banana before heading off to the gym. But I learned that if you are prone to having migraines, this can actually be worse for you. Amino acids found in soy, citrus fruits, bananas, yogurt, and nuts can bring on the headaches. Fitness suggests drinking a protein shake or munching on whole crackers about 30 minutes before your workout.
Trigger: Dehydration. Too little water in the body can ‘lower pressure inside the arteries that supply blood to the lining around the brain,’ so aim to drink about 8 ounces of water an hour before your workout. Also, if you exercise for 30 minutes, it is wise to take a break and drink another 8 ounces to ward off any pain.
Trigger: Poor Posture. Fitness reports that 75% of tension headaches stem from muscle strain in the neck, because of poor posture during common exercises such as crunches. The suggestion to help get over bad posture? Yoga. Research has shown that after 3 months of yoga, the frequency and intensity of migraines can be greatly reduced. I know yoga is one of my favorite activities, because even after a workout I feel my posture has improved and I have more awareness of my body.

Practice these moves if you often get exercise headaches while working out, and check out Fitness Magazine for more healthy fitness tips!

March 19, 2010
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Dr. Phil a Grandfather
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Dr. Phil a Grandfather

Dr. Phil is now a grandpa. The talk show host and author is now grandfather to Avery Elizabeth McGraw, born on Thursday night to son Jay and his wife Erica. People.com reports the baby girl weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz., and measuring 21 inches long. This is the first child for the couple.

March 19, 2010
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The Nanny by Melissa Nathan
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The Nanny by Melissa Nathan

Jo Green knows she needs something more. 23 years old and still living with her parents, turning down three marriage proposals from her perfectly okay boyfriend, and living day to day with mundane tasks. When Jo finds an ad in the paper for a live-in nanny position in the big city of London, she eagerly accepts an interview with the Fitzgerald’s. After securing a position and waving good-bye to her old life, Jo begins to settle into her new adventure, not expecting what will come next.
The Fitzgerald’s lead a posh life, with Vanessa the hard working corporate mother and Dick the playful dad running a record store, his hobby. They have a Brady Bunch between them, with three children from their marriage added with two from Dick’s previous marriage- which includes 25 year old Josh. After Jo commissions Josh out of work, the eldest son moves into the family home- and is practically sharing a bedroom with Jo. Jo tries to ignore the feelings of attraction for Josh, especially when boyfriend Shaun makes the trip to visit her, but the feelings are dismissed when Jo finds out he is helping his father hide an affair from Vanessa. The dysfunctional family lifestyle ensues, and soon enough Jo finds herself enjoying her day to hectic day responsibilities within the tizzy Fitzgerald home.
The Nanny, written by the late Melissa Nathan, is a fun tale of a girl trying to find her way. The story of Jo Green trying to make something of herself is entertaining to read, and the Fitzgerald family adds much needed humor in all the right places. The air of mystery surrounding the affair keeps readers interested throughout the way, and the romance between Jo and Josh is undecided until the very end. A light but endearing read.

March 19, 2010
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Jesse James Releases Statement on Affair Allegations
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Jesse James Releases Statement on Affair Allegations

So far, I haven’t posted anything on the Jesse James/Sandra Bullock infidelity rumors, because there wasn’t anything clear to report in my eyes. Today though, Jesse James managed to confuse me even more with this statement he released to People.com:
“The vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded. Beyond that, I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment. There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me. It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way. This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
So I am still wondering: was he unfaithful? He is saying that the allegations are untrue, but he is taking the blame for poor judgment? I sure want to know what the hell happened, because Sandra and Jesse were quickly becoming one of my favorite Hollywood couples.

March 18, 2010
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Kevin Costner Expecting 7th Child
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Kevin Costner Expecting 7th Child

Baby number 7 is on its way for Kevin Costner and wife Christine Baumgartner Costner. A rep for the couple confirms to People.com that they are expecting in June. The newest addition will join brother Hayes Logan, 13 months, and Cayden Wyatt, 2 ½ – his sons with Christine – as well as Liam, 13, Joe, 22, Lily, 23, and Annie, 25, his children from previous relationships.

March 17, 2010
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Amy Poehler and Will Arnett Prepare For Baby # 2
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Amy Poehler and Will Arnett Prepare For Baby # 2

People.com confirms that comedienne Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett are expecting their second child. The due date has not yet been released, but this baby will join brother Archie, 16 months.

March 17, 2010
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Danica McKellar of Wonder Years Expecting First Child
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Danica McKellar of Wonder Years Expecting First Child

Danica McKellar is expecting her first child with husband of one year, Mike Verta. People.com reports the Wonder Years actress, 35, is expecting in the fall. McKellar is also planning to release her third tome, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, in August.

March 17, 2010
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Chick Lit Author Shanna Swendson
Chick Lit Authors

Chick Lit Author Shanna Swendson

Shanna Swendson always wanted to write. From the time she was a little girl, Swendson was constantly making up characters and adventures that were based of movies, TV shows, or other books. She went on to study journalism at the University of Texas, and secured a degree in broadcast news. After beginning work in public relations, Swendson decided it was time to get serious about writing novels. She joined local writing organizations and registered for her first writing conference. Now, Shanna Swendson is a successful novelist, and creator of the popular magical series Enchanted Inc. Some of her titles include: Enchanted Inc., Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress, and Don’t Hex with Texas.

March 17, 2010
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Straighten Up: Effects of Poor Posture
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Straighten Up: Effects of Poor Posture

Good posture. I will admit, this is not something I often think about. I found myself slouching in my chair, hunched over my computer multiple times a day. But improving your posture can have positive long term effects on your health, and it is important that people are aware of what poor posture can do to your body.
I wad doing yoga a few days ago, which is a great exercise for posture. I can feel my spine lengthening, my neck long, and my back straight. Once I complete a yoga workout, I find myself more focused on the way I am sitting and standing. I sit up taller at the table, I throw my shoulders back while walking, I feel good about myself. But then a few days later I’m back to my hunchback ways. So how can we improve our posture?
If you weren’t already aware, poor posture can do a lot more than make you look like an undignified Miley Cyrus at the Oscars. According to an article on Shape.com, it can also cause continual neck and back pain, frequent migraines, arthritic symptoms, and fatigue. Shape recommends checking your self out in a mirror. You should be able to draw an imaginary straight line from your earlobe to your hip to your knee and the center of your ankle. If you are sitting, put your feet flat on the floor, push your butt back to the end of the chair so your back is completely supported and your weight’s equally distributed on both hips, then push your shoulders back to take the strain off of your neck muscles.
Being aware of your posture will not only make you look better, but also feel better. I recommend practicing yoga, which forces you to sit straight and focus on your posture. Try thinking of these tips when you are sitting at the table or at your desk. The pain that you won’t feel from being hunched will just be another reward. And be sure to check out Shape.com for other posture improving tips.

March 16, 2010
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