By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Guest Blogger

Although many women think high heels make them look glamorous, wearing heels can lead to foot problems.

Wearing heels changes the way women walk. It puts the center of gravity on the ball of the foot.

High heels – and tight shoes – can cause or worsen bunions, corns, and hammertoes. Foot pain, including significant pain in the ball of the foot, is common. Lower back, knee, and ankle pain also may be a problem. The higher the heel, the worse the problems.

Your chances of falling also are increased if you wear high heels.

If you must wear heels, alternate wearing them with flat shoes. You can also try calf-stretching exercises daily. Shoe padding also may help because the front part of shoe soles are often thin.

You’re less likely to have foot problems if you wear a lower heel, two inches or under.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends no more than three hours in three-inch heels.

Look for shoes that are comfortable when you buy them. You need to be able to wiggle your toes. Shoes also should have strong sole that flexes at the ball of your foot. Look for wide toes, more cushioning, and more arch support.

Make sure that you’re wearing the right size shoe. Shoe size can change as you get older because the feet may spread and lengthen.

More companies are now making more walker friendly, fashionable shoes. Among them are Naturalizer, Ecco, Aerosole, Cole Hahn, and Taryn Rose.

See these references for more information:

“High-Heeled Shoes – Bad for the Body” – About.com

“In the Relentless Pursuit of Fashion, the Feet Pay the Price” – The New York Times

“On Your Feet” – Washingtonpost.com

“Tips to Avoid Foot Pain From High Heels” – WebMD

“Proper Footwear Can Reduce Foot Problems” – American Podiatric Medical Association

“Winter Is Tough on Feet” – U.S. News and World Report

“Footwear” – American Podiatric Medical Association

“Footwear Guide” – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

“If the Shoe Fits, Wear It” – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Popularity: 19% [?]

by Judith Auslander, MA, CLC
Wise Heart Coaching

Happy 2009!

Another year with new goals, “This year I am going to do…”  With great resolution we set out toward this bright new future. And then slowly (or maybe more rapidly) we start to lose sight of our goal. How long does it take before it (they) starts to dwindle away? Is it 6 months or more like 6 weeks, or maybe even 6 days? As humans we like to set goals – this is a good thing. The problem starts when we only touch on these goals and then slowly, slowly, slowly we start to let the goal drift away until it is only a memory or something we “wanted” to do but never quite made it to the end. Is this something to be upset about? No – it is part of being human. We need goals. Without them, we wouldn’t even get up in the morning – what would be the reason?  However, it is when we set goals that we really, really want to accomplish and then we don’t meet them year after year that life can lose some of its meaning, its satisfaction and we start to feel as if it is “too late!”  “I should have done _____.”

First suggestion, don’t “should” on yourself. 

My second suggestion, start doing whatever it is (was) that you wanted to do. Too late?  Hmm…, I am not sure that one is ever really “too late.”  I have to look at a friend of mine as part of my inspiration on this.  She is one who never says she is too old or it is too late. She is going to be 60 this year and is starting a second master’s degree. She is not wealthy, and has to watch her spending carefully. Yes, she is concerned about tomorrow – but not concerned enough to let her stop living the life she wants. Who is this person?  She could be you just as easily as she could be me.  Can you see yourself doing something like going back to school – or maybe starting school for the first time?  How about starting a new job or a business?  What’s stopping you from achieving your dreams? 

Are you setting goals that you aren’t meeting?  Coaching can help you remember those lost values and goals, and then coaching can help you start achieving those dreams.  Dreams are only that unless you start making them real. What would it be like to get your dreams off of Someday Island and onto the Road to Success!

How do you go about making your goals come true? You can start by reading my book which is based on my very successful class on goal setting.  Please go to my website and download a free excerpt of my book or download the entire book for only $9.95.  This is a workbook which will have you reaching your dreams in no time. Yes, it will take work – but oh the fun of reaching that goal!!!!

PS. Please be sure to read below about a wonderful way to recycle your holiday cards.

Wise Heart Coaching truly wishes you a most wonderful and authentic 2009! 

- Judith Auslander, Wise Heart Coaching

 Holiday Greeting Card Recycing Tip

What do you do with all those beautiful holiday cards you received?  Some people save them, but most go into recycling.  Here is a great idea!

• Send your used cards to St. Jude’s Ranch, which serves to help heal and care for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Kids at the ranch earn money by designing new cards out of old ones. Send to:

St Jude’s Card Recycling
100 St. Jude Street
P.O. Box 60100
Boulder City, NV 89006
http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

Popularity: 13% [?]

Our present society and culture is so focused on coming up with answers, there is hardly any emphasis on asking good questions. May be there should be a course on coming up with good questions at school. But the importance and impact of asking the right questions can be the difference between success and failure.

Judge of a man by his questions, rather than by his answers
- Voltaire

Popularity: 24% [?]

by Judith Auslander, MA, CLC

Wise Heart Coaching

It’s the “Holidays” again, which can either bring joy or a feeling of too-much-to-do-with-too-little-time.  So, here are some tips to help make the holidays a little more stress free for you.  Remember to check out my important life saving tip and gift giving ideas at the bottom.

Tip One

De-clutter your life at least once a week for maybe about one hour.  Get rid of the things that are lying around not being used.  Go through the mass of papers that seem to multiply. Donate old clothing.   Let go of stuff!

Tip Two

Realize that everything you bring into your life requires care and feeding. Think of this when you contemplate buying something new for yourself or someone else. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this? “Does he or she really need this?”  If you don’t get an absolute yes or no, then let it rest a couple of days.  If you still believe the item is necessary then by all means, purchase the item. But remember, if it is gone, you must be ready to say, “Oh well, that’s just the way it was suppose to be.”

Tip Three

Practice appreciation.  Tell someone 3 things you appreciate about him/her; tell the clerk at the post office and the grocery store that you appreciate them. They will probably thank you with a smile, which will brighten your day as well. Think in an appreciative voice, talk in an appreciative voice, be in appreciation.

Tip Four

With times being what they are, this would be a great time to give gifts that are more intangible. Some ideas might be: a gift certificate for an overnight trip, 3 hours of gardening, or time spent doing something the recipient would enjoy. This will keep the stress out of shopping for just the right gift. It will also relieve the stress of the mall-shopping madhouse. Remember, it is not the cost of the gift, but the thought behind it.  The value is in the thoughtfulness, love, and care put into it. See below for some gift making ideas.

Tip Five

Before you start eating those big holiday meals, begin it with appreciation of where the food came from.  Before overeating, pay attention to that moment when your body has had exactly enough. This avoids the bellyache and guilt of eating too much. Chew slowly appreciating the flavors. Put your fork down between each bite to avoid stuffing your mouth. Thank the chef (even if it is you) for the time it took to prepare the meal.

Tip Six

Go through your checkbook and your credit card bills. Bring your accounts up to date. Be more conscious of what you use, consume, spend. Contribute money to things you believe in and truly care about.

Tip Seven

Change your talk to that of sufficiency. See yourself as having enough. Talk as if you have enough. Shift any conversation from scarcity to sufficiency.  Remember there is plenty of everything love, money, possessions, anything and everything you need or desire. Appreciate what you have and if you want more, ask spirit for it.  Ask, Believe, and allow yourself to Receive.

Tip Eight

Above all, enjoy the holidays.  They are a time of family, friends, and appreciation. If you live alone, find a place where you can volunteer your time or invite others who do not have family to your home to celebrate. Be in a place of abundance and gratitude.

Shalom (blessings),

Judith Auslander, Wise Heart Coaching

Important Tip!

Protect yourself and your family by ICING your cell phone.

Add ICE (In Case of Emergency) to your cell phone.  Emergency crews know to look at cell phones for ICE numbers.

Gift Making Ideas:

• Gift Coupon Book that you made yourself.  Include things like Foot Massage, Manicure, Babysitting, Shopping Date, Homemade Dinner of choice, etc.
• It’s your Day – give the gift of a special day.
• Take an old puzzle and decoupage it with old photos, memorabilia, collage items, etc. You could then carefully cut the pieces apart and make a whole new puzzle which relates to the person.
• An alternative to the idea above was recently sent to me. Have everyone in the family take a puzzle piece or pieces and decorate it with love or appreciation or something important to him or her about the family then put the puzzle back together and you have a permanent family reminder of what the family means to each member.
• There are lots of great websites for gift making ideas you don’t have to be a professional or even artistic to find something that you can do.

I would love to hear from you.  Please send me a note letting me know what you thought of these ideas.  Also, please feel free to forward it to friends and loved ones – or invite them to sign up for my free newsletter at Wise Hearth Coaching 

In appreciation,

Judith

Popularity: 20% [?]

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide
Guest Blogger

Life’s a struggle these days for boomer consumers as they seek to survive in these bleak economic times.

What can you do to avoid the worst kinds of problems that can happen in consumer transactions as well as downright scams?

The Top 10 Consumer Complaints List for 2007 released recently by the National Association of Attorneys General gives an indication of what to look out for as you go about your daily consumer purchasing and activities.

This national list of consumer complaints is compiled from reports provided by offices of the attorneys general and is tallied by NAAG’s Consumer Protection Project.

The results are as follows:

1. Debt collection
2. Auto sales
3. Home repair/construction
4. Telecommunications/slamming/cramming
5. Automotive (general)
6. Telemarketing/Do Not Call
7. Financial/investments
8. Retail sales
9. Internet goods and services
10. Contests/sweepstakes/prize promotion

I’ve added a link on each type of complaint that offers information on how to avoid the problem.

In addition, the Consumer Federation of America offers these seven ways that consumers can protect themselves from top complaints.

1. Check the track record. Before you buy, check the complaint records of unfamiliar companies. Consult your state or local consumer agency, the Better Business Bureau, and online complaint forums.
2. Hire licensed professionals. When you’re hiring professionals such as home improvement contractors, ask your state or local consumer protection agency if they must be licensed or registered and how you can check to confirm that they are.
3. Pay the safest way. Pay with a credit card when you buy goods or services that will be delivered later so you’ll be able to exercise your right to dispute the charges if you don’t get what you were promised.
4. Don’t pay in full upfront. Pay only a small deposit, if requested, for home improvement or other services, never the full amount upfront.
5. Recognize the danger signs of fraud.  Watch out for any request to wire money; scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; promises that you can borrow, win or make money easily as long as you pay a fee in advance; or any situation in which someone wants to give you a check or money order and asks you to send money somewhere in return.
6. Get all promises in writing. Verbal agreements are hard to prove. Carefully read contracts or finance agreements and make sure you understand them before you sign.
7. Get financial advice from legitimate sources. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, consult your local nonprofit consumer credit counseling service. Your state or local consumer agency may be able to help you find other legitimate sources of assistance.

Remember, it’s important to your financial and psychological health to be an informed, aware boomer consumer.

Popularity: 15% [?]