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by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

I know I totally agree with Nancy’s Rock Hard Abs Gym Rant, posted here a few days ago. What I read in pregnancy books during both my pregnancies bears out the theories posited there. Women’s bodies are meant to have curves, they are meant to carry more fat, they need more reserves of fat, for the rigors of childbirth and the incredible pressure placed on the body creating and nurturing new life within our own bodies.

When a woman is pregnant she is often described as ‘glowing’; ever wonder why? Continue Reading…

by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

I am just back from a week long holiday in the hills, and the break has, for me been good enough to wax eloquent about the spectacular natural beauty of India in general and its hill stations in particular. Just being able to break away from a daily routine with nothing to do but please myself was wonderful and recharged my batteries to go!

Continue Reading…

by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

I really liked this post that Nancy did a while back about the 39 ways to live a better life in 2008. If of all the 39 I had to pick one that I liked best, I would pick no. 6 : Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007, because by following this faithfully you take care of your physical, mental and spiritual well being!

Putting this into practice can really make a difference in your life. What with work and looking after the kids and home I was really not getting any time to read, or so I thought! So I resolved to take at least some time out for myself everyday and read.

Continue Reading…

by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

I am not a big fan of the term chick lit (though I do enjoy reading books classified as such), but it does describe a genre of books in the market. Ever since the stunning success of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary this segment has become a force to reckon with. One more niche within the Chick-lit segment is the body acceptance books genre.

Ever since I read Nancy’s YOU Can be Sexy at any Size in which she reveals her secrets to feeling beautiful and sexy whatever your size, to which she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that she picked up as a plus size model, I have been keen to find out what are the other books this or similar niche.

Continue Reading…

Every Thursday night we have a creative “girls night” on our property . . .

* This night was awesome! We made “Tamales”… enough to serve an army! We stayed up until 11 hand rollin’ one tamales after another. Sure makes me appreciate those Tamales I’ve quickly checked out and eaten from Trader Joes!

So, the idea is each week ONE person is the teacher. We Continue Reading…

Today, we had a clown come to the property!

Yes!

A big, colorful, happy guy all dressed up in wild clothes to entertain us.

Just “clowning” around with Boswick, made me realize the importance of humor in life.

To laugh a little … or even a lot!

Why take most anything in life so seriously?

Clowns are not just for little kids.

The colors, laughter, smiles, enthusiasm and magic can be experienced by anyone.

From the “disappearing salt shaker” trick to “juggling with colorful scarves” we enjoyed the few hours of his performance to the fullest!

Sometimes as we grow older, the beauty of “make believe” is lost.

As Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Being around a clown sure can lift ones spirits and make a person feel good inside.

At the end of the day he made me a “doggie hugging a flower”balloon . . . how cute is that?

Have you ever seen that movie with Robin Williams “Patch Adams’ . . . a medical doctor who was convinced of the powerful connection between environment, laughter and wellness?

He holds the belief that the health of an individual cannot be separated from the health of the family, community, humor and the world.

Maybe it’s true a little laughter, smiles and being around positive fun energy really does keep our spirits alive.

I’ll leave you with one last quote which comes to mind by Mark Twain:

“Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.”

Boswick the Clown - www.boswick.net, (415) 665-1909, he has a 5-Star DVD for sale too!

Watch Boswick the Clown!

Last night my best friend and me we’re blessed to see Alicia Keys LIVE in concert!

Taking us to this concert was a birthday gift to Jacquelyn (who happens to be the co-author of “You Can Be Sexy at Any Size!” and another Taurus!) during a time I felt her spirits needed to be lifted in a HUGE way!

The night was uplifting, enchanting and invigorating!

To put it simply: This woman is pure beauty.

Watching Alicia on stage unveil the story of her life and the story of life itself was spiritually fulfilling. Her music, her positive words . . . the energy of Alicia Keys was and IS out of this world.

She defines a sexy goddess. So confident, powerful, enchanting, beautiful on the inside and out.When she sang her last song on stage, “No One” we we’re in heaven.

Experiencing the raw, honest emotions and music of Alicia was beyond inspiring.

Did you know the word “Inspiration” translates to mean “in spirit”?

It was clear being inspired by Alicia was being moved by a woman who has surrendered to her higher self allowing her to truly be IN SPIRIT.

For her to be in spirit, she is able to give back to the world in the highest form.

Thank you to a beautiful woman of our time.

Visit http://www.AliciainAfrica.com and get her “As I Am” CD which you can find in any music store or Amazon.com.

by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

I got this idea from Nancy’s earlier post, and I thought I would tell everyone a bit about myself in the same way:

Your favorite thing? Music
Your dream last night? Famous, handsome cricketer fell in love with me
Your dream/goal? To be happy and healthy, always
Your mother? Powerful influence in my life
Your father? Most positive influence in my life
Where do you want to be in 6 years? To be better at whatever I do and continue to be happy.
Where were you last night? In bed early after an enjoyable but tiring picnic with my husband, my girls and other friends.
One of your wish list items? to meet Paul McCartney (I would have said R D Burman if he wasn’t dead)
Where you grew up? Ahmedabad, Baroda, Pune
The last thing you did? Brushed my teeth and had my morning coffee
What are you wearing? Still in my nightie
Your life? Predictably Unpredictable
Your mood? Mostly good, crabby if the girls (aged 4 and one and a half) are acting up
Missing someone? Not right now
Your car? Takes me from point A to B, is small so parks easily
Favorite Store? LootMart (Indian Bargain Store)
Love someone? God Yes! So much it makes my heart squeeze.
Your favorite color? Red.
When is the last time you laughed? Last night when my younger daughter was trying to get around me by making faces
Last time you cried? Few days ago reading a book
You’re feeling? Hot so I’ll just switch on the fan
On your mind? Song on the radio (fav Al Stewart ballad)
Last meal included? Veggies and chapatti
You sometimes find it hard to be? In the presence of Stupidity
Something you have a collection of? Music. Cannot bear to get rid even or my old cassettes!
A smell that cheers you up? Rain after a long dry spell. Heavenly Wet Earth Smell!
A smell that can ruin your mood? Burning. That means I will have to cook something again!
Which section you head for first in a bookstore? The Children’s section these days.
Something you’re craving? Tandoori chicken (very strange at this time of the morning)
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment? For a walk or to the gym with my i pod
Something that amazes you? How amazingly varied people are
You have never… been to Iceland. I want to travel the world!
Your fear? Losing someone important
Like someone? Most people unless they give me a reason to dislike them.

Just got the tickets in the mail today to see Alicia Keys LIVE with my best friend!

I’m SO excited!!

“No One” makes me feel inspired to give all my love to one special person - forever.

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don’t worry ‘cuz
Everythings gonna be alright

People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything’s gonna be alright

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I’m feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights

I don’t worry cause
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything’s gonna be alright

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I’m feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try
Try to divide
Something so real
So till the end of time
I’m telling you there is no one

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I’m feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
Oh oh oh…

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Nance
2. Nancy
3. Apple

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. eyes
2. clear skin
3. strong legs

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Russian Jew
2. Czech
3. German

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. giving birth/being a mother
2. claustrophobic situations
3. the concept of eternity. am i coming back to this again, and again and again…?!

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. make-up
2. money
3. human touch

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. white cotton pants
2. white cotton shirt
3. my heart on my sleeve

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. Alicia Keys
2. Santana
3. Rolling Stones

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. trust, communication & respect (these are all ONE! to survive)
2. physical attraction/attention/touch (same thing!)
3. laughter

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order - can you guess which one is not true?):
1. I would love to go to India
2. I could eat fresh fruit every day of my life
3. I’ve been single since I was 20

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. dark skin, hair and eyes
2. nice strong arms and chest!
3. a beautiful smile

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. creating beautiful things
2. learning about alternative ways of living/thinking
3. healing people (including myself)

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. exactly what i’m doing right now
2. exactly what i’m doing right now
3. exactly what i’m doing right now

THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU’VE CONSIDERED:
1. Spanish Translator
2. Creating Exotic Tours
3. Healer

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Moracco
2. Alaska
3. My Own Backyard

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. see my Dad truly happy
2. share my life with someone i deeply love & respect
3. give away 50% money to prisons

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
1. I rarely leave the house without make-up on
2. I hate yucky bad smells!
3. I love to nurture others

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. I’m a bit aggressive
2. I like my “alone time”
3. I’m LOUD