Last week I wrote about the dangers to our health posed by a government-run healthcare system. In that article, I discussed the cancer survival rates in the current U.S. healthcare system vs. nationalized systems in other nations, and worried about the effects a universal healthcare system would have on our medical care.

I received some emails and comments regarding what readers feel are the pros and cons of such a system. In reading these emails from my own readers, as well as listening to discussion by people during the course of my day working in the medical/healthcare industry, one thing seems to stand out. Many people are using the terms “universal healthcare” and “healthcare reform” synonymously. Let me make it clear that the two can be mutually exclusive and one does not have to equate to the other. 

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Was I the only one, prior to this weekend, who thought pirates only existed in in the 1800s or in movies starring Johnny Depp? I know this is one of those “dumb girl” moments when everyone can say, “where have you been - the pirates have been all over the news for months.”

Well, okay….I think I caught a blurb here or there about pirates this, or pirates that, during the last few months, but I’m so used to distrusting the over-dramatized news stories with invented, yet catchy names and phrases assigned to the subjects in the story, (can anyone say OctoMOM, Sexting, ) that I’ve come to suspect them all as part fiction, and gotten good at tuning them all out.

I guess in the last couple years, I went from being a broadcasting major-news junkie who prided herself on being “up” on all current events, to a cave dwelling, tv-shunning, media-disrespecting, happier person because of it - kind of woman.

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By: Jennifer Bussell

My Valentine’s “date” with myself went off without a hitch for the most part. The first part of the day was hectic, but fun. Chatting over breakfast with close friends was enjoyable.  The casual lunch and birthday celebration with our cousin’s family included memorable “Kodak moments”, and TO DIE FOR chocolate cake.  In the evening, the children collapsed into slumber with smiles on their faces.  While my husband was working, I DID send him that naughty little text…and he returned the sentiments, gratefully. 

So, then it was “me time”. I curled up into bed wearing my little “nightie”, with my journal, my soothing hot tea, and…….my NyQuil. There is something about a congested, sniffling mommy, alone in bed on Valentine’s night that seems so……..unsexy. (But how can I begrudge my children for so lovingly sharing their germs with Mommy right before Valentine’s Day?)

So what is it that I wished to accomplish on this night?  Maybe most women wouldn’t have spent Valentine’s Day alone in bed, trying to find answers to questions that they haven’t yet had the guts to ask. 

Probably. 

Very likely. 

Almost certainly. 

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Over the Valentine’s Day weekend, some friends and I were pondering relationships and wondering just why it is that once a couple enters the zone of “committed, long term relationship”, the best part of dating - the long passionate kisses - seem to be replaced by rushed, innocent, little pecks.

This seems to be a phenomenon that applies to both married and non-married couples. (If this doesn’t apply to you in your current relationship, you’re in a good place, but resist the temptation to gloat, because you may be next.) Why does this happen? I don’t know, but the topic got me thinking that the luckiest girls on Valentine’s Day were not necessarily the ones who had a guy who bought them flowers and heart shaped boxes of chocolate.

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Written By: Jennifer Bussell

I used to love me.  I was athletic all of my life.  I looked good.  I felt good.  I can reflect with pride on a childhood full of field day ribbons, teen years filled with multiple team sports trophies, and cheerleading squad photographs, in which my body was nothing less than rock solid.

My pride extends into early adulthood achievements such as police academy graduation (top of my class in physical fitness!), successful  hiking excursions, waterskiing weekends, and dance floor “marathons”.  Childhood friends still remind me of my athletic physique, and my “sexy” legs.  Despite the “thoroughbred” nickname, I loved those legs.

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One of the reasons Fit After Thirty exists, is to help encourage positive and healthy attitudes in women, about their bodies. A healthy approach to body image starts in the mind.

Whether someone needs to lose weight, gain weight, or just improve health on the inside, she must do it with self-love and a positive attitude. Although a lot of women in America need to lose weight, a great many of women think they need to lose weight, even if they don’t. Some of this body dysmorphia stems from the unrealistic images that bombard women everyday in print media and on television.

Our culture’s fame-obsessed media machine spins women in a vicious cycle like lab rats on a wheel, one day feeding us photos of unattainable airbrushed perfection, and the next, blasting the airwaves with stories of a pop star’s weight gain which amount to nothing more than public ridicule, while purporting to be news. The message is clear: regardless of how beautiful or talented you are, if you look like this, you are accepted; but if you look like that, you are not. 

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With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I’m sure a lot of you have relationships on your mind. So, if you are in one, a new study seems to indicate that you can determine your happiness level and predict whether you’ll be in it 6 months from now, based on your IM messages between you and your significant other.

If you had any doubts that we are in the technical age, I think the fact that a journal called Personal Relationships did a study on IM patterns between lovers, proves it.

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Now that we’re one month into the new year, I thought it would be a great idea for everyone to take inventory of their progress toward their health and fitness New Year’s Resolutions. Some of you may feel like your motivation is waning, and your enthusiasm is wearing off.

So, over the next couple of weeks, I am going to be sharing a few book recommendations with you, that may help get you back on track toward your goals to achieve a new you, or just keep you informed on how best to achieve a healthy lifestyle. 

With Valentine’s Day approaching, let’s think books over chocolate when thinking of what to get your mom, sister, best friend, or even yourself! Okay, maybe a small box of chocolates, because we are women, and I certainly can’t preach what I am not willing to practice! A girl needs some chocolate now and then! (Especially after her team loses the Super Bowl, but I’ll save “Chocolate As An Antidepressant” for another article.)

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Regardless of your political leanings, today is an undeniably exciting day in American history. Whenever the presidency changes hands, it is a moment that commands respect for the ceremonial traditions inherent in the moment; but today, especially, is a reason to take pause because of the historical significance of our country electing its first black President. 

Yesterday was a day for honoring a past leader, Martin Luther King Jr., who stood for change, (and so much more), and in that same spirit of change and inspiration, today is a day for celebrating a new leader who is the embodiment of King’s dream, Barack Obama.

The peaceful manner in which so many Americans gather at the Nation’s Capitol, is awe inspiring. The enthusiasm that has enveloped the country which transcends all partisan beliefs is a beautiful thing! There is something so powerful about the coming together of young, old, rich, poor, famous, not famous, Republican and Democrat, to share in the celebration of an evolving vision for our Nation and the growth of its citizens! I hope the magnitude of this moment is not lost on any of you.

So, in honor of the excitement and change that today represents, choose to be inspired to embrace NEW. A new day. New hope. New love. New excitement. New friends, and a new and better YOU!