In the last few months I have become more open, and I have redoubled my efforts to be healthy on all levels. I am now seeing   my extra weight as more of a holistic issue – believeing that perhaps Eastern philosophies that every ill in the body is caused by and energetic or emotional issue- I have explored some other approaches to losing added pounds that I gained since I had my daughter….or should I say, this new weight loss approach fell into my lap. That’s probably more accurate.

Several months ago, I came to know one of my clients. She is glamorous and exotic. A pint sized ball of energy who’s always dressed in cute body hugging dresses and chic jackets.  She has the body of a buxom Barbie doll, a long, thick mane of gorgeous black hair and  a quick, hearty laugh that implores you to join in the fun. Usually traveling with a small entourage consisting of her charming husband Johhny (a one time pro body builder and actor now  a talented personal trainer) and an interesting friend or two- it is impossible to imagine this woman ever alone. She found out we were neighbors- she being in the posh Westlake Village and I in Thousand Oaks. She invited me to come in and see her spiritual retreat and spa. I was happy to oblige, I’m always up to a social call…

So I arrived at the gates of the exclusive North Ranch Estates in Westlake Village. Sprawling mansions layed out on an expansive golf course…as soon as I entered my cell phone stopped working and I felt like I was in another world. I pulled up to the gate of the Christie home, the Spiritual Retreat, and parked my car, and rang the door bell. Johhny greeted me, along with Simba- Dawn’s adorable dog…and I started to see what I was dealing with…Dawn Christie was NO JOKE and this woman was larger than life in every way. The resident “singing” chef, stepped over to ask me if I wanted anything to drink. Cappucino please!. Haha. She presented me with the most delicious cappuccino I have had in a very long while.

Dawn Christie greeted me with open arms and a warm hug. She is full of love and graciousness. With Christmas songs playing throughout the palatial home (complete with unique Egyptian themed architecture in the livingroom and bathroom, a sprawling multi-level back yard with pool and cabana), Dawn led me from room to room, showing me the dance room with  mirrored wall sand poles where she teaches private clients various styles of dance, kick boxing- all depending on the individual needs of the client as part of her retreat offerings. I am led into the Spiritual room where she does spiritual readings and biofeedback. Then she leads me into the esthetician room, where she has her LPG (body contouring machine for weight loss treatments), boom blast equiptment (for high heat body wrap treamtments, also for weight loss), a non-surgical face-lift machine and shelves and shelves of amazing organic, pure Parisian body products that are used in the treatments.

Dawn then shows me the ethereal, all white guest room where clients stay while enjoying a spiritual retreat of 1, 3, 7 days or more. She tells me of some of the more notable celebrities who she’s worked with, and some of the fascinating client stories…relationships healed, financial successes and personal growth that she’s helped bring about. Dawn next shows me the enormous bathroom where she does spiritual baths and aromatherapy bubble bath. I am breathless and amazed. Totally floored by the peaceful opulence that resides in this space. Wow. It feels like heaven on earth. She then asks me to shake my hands and put my hands in hers. She looks at me and tells me that she can see that I really want to be in a loving relationship, and she sees how she can do that. Wow. Yes, she is RIGHT with that…and the rest of the day is amazing. She asks me if I’d like to start doing some treatments that day to get a taste of what she does at the Dawn Christie’s Spiritual Retreat. I discuss payment arrangements, and we get started!

She does the LPG on me, and I can see that this equipment is top of the line, and she’s very skilled at what she does. I become excited by the idea that I am going to work with her to clear away the emotional, physical and spiritual garbage and emerge as a new girl for 2010. Over the course of 6 more weeks, I get to know Dawn Christie and . They are a wonderful cast  of characters.

I notice within days of the first series of treatments I am glowing, feel as though I am walking on clouds. Other people are noticing too. Strangers stare at me in a new way, seemingly drawn to a new aura that I am attaining. I am feeling emotionally “softer” and more open. Truly happy and peaceful.  I stop being untruthful about anything, not even white lies. And I am seeing that I look thinner!

I do the Boom Blast, LPG, non-surgical facelift and spiritual baths every day. I spend time with Dawn at the retreat. I enjoy the amazing fish, vegetables, chicken and scrumptious desserts the Mia serves up at the retreat. I am pampered with delicious drinks, my senses are engaged with the smells and tastes that are true simple joys. I drink Sunrider Cali tea, as Dawn is a Sunrider distributor,  and feel nourished from the inside out. Nurtured in soul and body.  I feel truly “mothered” by Dawm in the best sense of the word.  My cravings for bad foods begin to disappear as my inner peace and personal esteem grow. I start to feel peace and love in all areas of my life. I start cooking more. I feel motivated to go to the gym because I want to take care of myself, and show myself love. I clean my house and car more often. I start to take better care of myself…and it’s effortless. And it’s Dawn Christie. And I keep  on losing weight, and feeling better and more healthy spiritually than I ever have. Amazing. Nothing short of a miracle.

During one of my baths I have the joy of reading the manuscript for Dawn’s first book. She talks about discovering her gift, working with clients and healing people, and then she channels universal truths and words of wisdom to better help the reader understand the the true purpose of life, how to live it and how to live it in love. This is going to be a groundbreaking book that will make Dawn Christie a household name.

Dawn only claims to be a faithful messenger. The way she works is that she can see how we come into this life, what is going on, and what the true desires of our heart are. Her gift is to help her clients achieve those goals by very specific direction and using her healing energy to cleanse and fortify out sometimes sick and depleted souls and help lift us up and give us direction. I am so blessed to be working with someone who is not only helping me lose weight, but also healing my mind, body and soul at the same time.

If you want to change your life and make 2010 the best year ever, talk to Dawn Christie. She’s the woman to do it!

www.DawnChristie.net

Ohhh, yes, I am 15 lbs lighter than the last post I placed on this blog, but I have GAINED so much more. Most definitley gained so very much more!  Thank you Dawn. I love you!

And check out this teaser that was done for a reality show…we’re still looking for interested networks!!

http://www.dawnchristie.net/media.html

At the Allure Shoot

The extra poundage is nowhere to be seen on Fergie’s gorgoeus bikini cover shot, and the singer credits working out with her hot husband’s trainer for getting her super-toned body back. In her interview for its May issue of Allure, Fergie said,”If I don’t do sit-ups, my stomach sticks out. Legs are easy for me. That’s my lucky spot.”

Well, it’s a little reassuring to know that taut tummy doesn’t come without hard work. Do you have one area that you can count on to look good without much effort, like Fergie and her stems? And gifted gams they are….

Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett

I am super psyched to see that Kristen Stewart is playing Joan Jett in the new movie, The Runaways, a coming of age flick depicting the band of same name.

 Dakota Fanning is slated to play Cherie Curie. This promises to be a real bag of fun.

The film features the raucus group of 16 year old girls that comprised the original band.

The Runaways was Joan Jett’s first band, and featured singer Lita Ford, played by Alessandra Toressani. Hits like Cherry Bomb made this band an iconic punk band of the 70′s.

The movie will definitley rock. As will the music. I have been a fan for over a decade. Yay! Film is scheduled to release in 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDn6V7ZLhE

Looking chiseled, as usual

Sandra Bullock, always charmingl-y candid and real, reveals her reasons and methods for staying in shape, and gives us insight to what her cheat day looks like.  Always one to be honest, it sounds like, just like everyone else, there is no magic pill or secret weight loss miracle. Being extremely active with lots of cardio and weight training, and a super clean diet is the key to her amazing figure, even in her 40′s!

Highlights of the interview:

I read once you have a “cheat day” once a week when you eat whatever you want. Do you still follow that rule?

How do you stay in shape?

What do you tell a girl who feels ugly because she’s not blond or doesn’t have a thin nose

“Welcome to my broken nose! [Her sister accidentally broke it while lifting a garage door when they were younger.] …I was rejected in school because I didn’t look like the big-breasted, beautiful girls. I was awkward and sad. My mother always said, “Be original!” but I didn’t understand until I changed to be like everyone else. Once I fit in, I was like, What have I done? I realized that my friends before were much cooler, with a great sense of humor and a way of looking at the world that was more fun. But if I hadn’t gone through that, I wouldn’t have been driven to make my oddities cool. It’s what made me have a sense of humor and thick skin. It’s like in All About Steve—I’m making fun of everything people have judged me for and put it into one character.”

“People ask, “How do actresses do it?” Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film. I do Pilates, kickboxing, weight training. When I’m in Austin, I run or ride a bike. If I can work out every day, I will. But there are times when I won’t do anything for two weeks, and I’m, like, you know what? I talk enough to burn calories.”

“I start Friday night and I end Saturday night. But it is not so regimented. I’ll make lists of what I want to eat this week or next week. I was in the store Marfa and they had this dark chocolate with bacon in it so I’ve gotta try that! I eat really well because I can afford to. Like last night I had brown rice and black beans and some steamed vegetables so today I’m going to have all kinds of good stuff! I love sweets, like Viennese pastry, raw cookie dough, or a nice bowl of Lucky Charms with milk that I eat in bed watching SNL. That’s heaven right there!”

 

Slim and Sporty Sandra

Once again, refreshing to know that even girls like Sandy break down and scarf cookie dough every once in a while. Just so long as it’s once a week, and in reasonable moderation. I am looking forward to my cheat day already. Haha

Dara Bohemian Shoes by Frye

Case in point, these seriously sexy, stylish and up to the minute chunky high heeled sandals. There are so many other cute selections, too, you will flip out. They’re seriously fun. The website takes forever to load the images, but I think it’s worth it.

 Another case in point, this super cute, flirty and uber-flattering dress, Balloon by Industrial.

It’s a pretty shade of blue/grey that makes it work for any season, and the lines are both sassy and sweet. This is definitley something I would wear to a fun Hollywood party. Check out the site yourself and find you favorites at the Edge of Urge http://www.edgeofurge.com/boutique/main.php

Check out the sale selections for up to 50% off regular prices.

Happy Frock Hunting!!!

Well defined brows were the rage on runway for Spring '10 DKNY

We don’t want to beat this issue to death, but ladies, it’s time to face it…the full brow is back and not going anywhere!

It was a frequently seen make-up trend in the Spring 2010 shows. This is a model in the DKNY show featuring a beautiful, face framing brow line that is full, arched and well manicured.

For a real brow boost, try Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum for $36 at Sephora (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P173000) and grow in a full set of brows. Shape and keep them in place with Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel ($12) http://www.billiondollarbrows.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=43

Leave a comment for a chance to win a brow boost, brow gel and brow powder gift bag from Billion Dollar Brows.

Brow Babe Kit

http://www.billiondollarbrows.com/index.php

http://www.ideeli.com/invite/conniea is featuring a gorgoeous gang of oggle worthy sun specs that will make you wish you could wear your sunglasses at night. Coveted styles at  up to 73% off makes this sale no joke!!

http://www.ideeli.com/invite/conniea

Click on that link to snap up a pair or two, and be in bargain bliss!!

In St. Tropez with Hubby

Eva Longoria is a total fox, and based on her pics, we can see she works hard to stay in tip top shape for us all to behold. Does she have to work for that body? The answer is YES!

Eva is more knowledgeable than your average celeb when it comes to fitness: The 31-year-old is a former aerobics instructor and has a degree in kinesiology from Texas A & M University-Kingsville. These days she gets her expert moves, as well as her motivation, from Los Angeles trainer Patrick Murphy, with whom she works out for one hour, three times a week. “Sometimes Pat literally has to drag me out of bed,” she says. As a mother of a 3 year old, I know exactly how she feels!

Get some of his expert moves off this website where several mini-workouts are featured.

http://www.exercisetv.tv/trainer.aspx?id=820427897

Eva warms up for 10 minutes on the bike or the treadmill and then focuses on strength training. “Each session we do between 25 and 30 total-body exercises–lunges with torso twists and one-legged squats with clean and press, for example–with 30- to 45-second rests in between,” says Patrick, who uses tools , which test endurance while increasing strength and balance. Eva says she’s seen the most results focusing her efforts behind her: “With all the lunges, squats and leg presses I’ve done in the last two months, I think I’ve gained an inch of muscle in my butt.”

THE  DIET

To keep her energy up after the gym, Eva has a hearty, protein-packed breakfast. “I love egg whites,” she says. “My mom made them for me when I was little.” Raised on a ranch in Corpus Christi, Texas, Eva learned early to love fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy cooking, including Tex-Mex specialties like tacos and tortilla soup. “When I don’t have time to cook, I still squeeze fresh lemon on cucumber slices,” she says. “It’s a Mexican delicacy.”

Eating right is made easy on the Desperate Housewives set, Eva says, because the cast and crew prefer fruit, salads and meals made with lean proteins and whole grains.

But the actress does keep it real–and yes! she indulges. “Chocolate-chip cookies are my weakness, and I eat pizza often–sometimes twice a week,” Eva says. “I know my body craves what it needs, and sometimes it needs pizza!” I am pretty sure she eats very healthy and in moderation most of the time.

TOTAL RELAXATION

On her rare days off, Eva recharges by sleeping late, flipping through paperbacks on the private balcony off her bedroom–Candace Bushnell’s Lipstick Jungle is a recent favorite–or catching an early movie. “When I really want to reward myself, I get a relaxing massage,” she says. Her favorite way to spend her weekend is with her boyfriend, 6-foot-2-inch San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker–either snuggling under a blanket while watching a basketball game or de-stressing together in Eva’s home spa.

Things Eva loves:

Borba Skin Balance Aqua-Less Crystalline packets ($28 for 14 packets; borba.net) “I drink this when I’m on set.”

Bebe Sport workout gear ($69; bebe.com) “They have really sexy cuts–I actually look forward to putting this on!”

Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt (69 cents; at grocery stores nationwide) “This fuels my early-morning gym session.”

Nike Zoom Percept ($100; nikewomen.com) “I have a high arch, and these give me great support.”

ON EVA’S PLAYLIST NOW

“I love happy music–especially anything ’80s.”

* Madonna, Like a Virgin

* The Cars, Heartbeat City

* Prince, Purple Rain

* Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual

* Air Supply, Lost in Love

GET RESULTS WITH THIS

“Standing on a balance tool forces Eva to stabilize her core–and use muscles she normally wouldn’t–in every move we do,” says trainer Patrick Murphy. “If she does squats with one of these under each foot, her obliques and lower back work to keep her balanced.”

VersaDisc ($20; power-systems.com) “Doing lunges on this has changed the look of my abs–without crunches!”

Britney wraps up final leg of her US tour for Circus with a Bahamas vacation

Britney looks fantastic now for her Circus tour, after a few years of struggling to get her life in order and body back into shape after the birth of her sons. I, for one, am really proud of her. Life can be messy, and living in the spotlight only makes that mess very public, so my heart goes out the her. I hope her new healthy body is a reflection of other healthy changes that we all end up needing to make as women and mothers and adults….anyhoo…enough of that. Here’s the lowdown…

We hear that Britney shells out a total of nearlt $23,000 a month to get her body back in shape. She pays $4,ooo for a private dance choreographer, $8,000 to work with elite celebrity trainer James Van Daff who also trains the Pussycat Dolls.  She thens shells out another whoping $10,ooo for diet supplements and a nutritionist. A source says “She changed the way she eats. Portion control and fresh food” are what she is focusing on.

Reportedly, Britney limits herself to about 1400 calories a day, eating steamed fish as frequently as possible and swaping water for Red bull. Once a week she has cheat days to satisfy cravings she may be having during the week.