Eat, Pray, Love -- and Shop

About half way through the movie Eat, Pray, Love, my husband said, “Have you noticed all the different outfits she’s had on so far?”

The “she” was Julia Roberts, who appeared in an unlimited supply of caftans, casually wonderful skirts, tops, little dresses, necklaces and more. Not only that, but you, too, can have your own dresses, beads, candles and more by Susie Wong.

As Vanessa Friedman said in a Financial Times column, the movie crew took a surprisingly worldly approach to marketing. “Who knew there was so much ‘stuff’ in spiritualism?”

Rather than taking a minimalist’s spiritual journey, the movie maker (Sony) has actually licensed the Eat, Pray, Love logo to brands of fashions. The ads promote the idea of channeling your wanderlust with pieces that evoke dreams of a far-off place.

Will buying the fashions make you want to book a trip to Bali, or Rome?

But wait, there’s more. The book’s writer is all about NOT buying stuff but rather finding answers within oneself. If you follow author Elizabeth Gilbert’s example, you’ll find yourself in less of a consumer mind, not more. The REAL Gilbert’s efforts were to escape the tyranny of her urban existence, after finding herself unhappily married and suffering a sort of early mid-life crisis.

But marketing now includes US cosmetics manufacturer Fresh with perfumes from the film’s location that promise to “transport you to a specific destination.” You can have the smell of a Tuscan pasta restaurant and so on.  Will that be basil or lemon, ma’am?

A jewelry manufacturer will connect the movie to the self with a line of prayer necklaces, each containing reminders, of course, to “live in love and gratitude” (translation: give me $150 for the beads and I will love you forever”).

Travel? Take an Eat, Pray, Love trip to fulfill all your spiritual desires. Just $20,000!

Can Gilbert’s experience work for me? Probably not.

Think Disney here. I’m all about reality at this age. I knew a long time ago that having a princess costume on doesn’t make me a princess. And my boys only tried flying with a Batman cape on a couple of times before realizing sofa cushions were a good idea.

Me? If I want to look like Julia Roberts in the movie and wear caftans, beach-inspired tops and “little” dresses, I’ll just go to Goodwill and sooner or later something will turn up in that look.

Reality, however, says I can’t really carry off the Julia Roberts look without shedding a few (several? Many?) pounds.

That takes the fun out of the Eat part of the story. And since I can’t afford a trip to India and Bali, well, maybe I’ll just skip the pray and love parts as well. Even the real Elizabeth Gilbert was all about making life easier, not harder.

Women's Health by Decades

“A woman’s life changes at every decade and so does her body,” says Therese Bevers, M.D., medical director of MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center. “And, just as a woman sets personal and work-related milestones, she also should set health goals for every stage of life.”

Here are tips to guide you on your way:

Your 50s: Seek Healthy Hormone Options

Limit the use of hormone therapy. Taking hormones can increase a woman’s chances of developing uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke. Women should talk to their doctor about hormone therapy and ask about healthier options to manage menopausal symptoms.

Your 60s and older: Stay Socially Active

Almost 10 million Americans older than age 65 live alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For many, living alone can lead to loneliness and depression, which can harm a person’s overall health.

Get involved in your community. Bevers encourages women who are retired and lack social interaction to find volunteer opportunities in their communities and get involved. It’ll keep them active, engaged and sociable. Even better: it offers a chance to help others.

Two Home Modifications for Aging in Place

Home really is where the heart is. Upon retirement - when all of their children have moved out of the house - 90 percent of Americans age 60 and older choose to stay right where they are, according to 20 years of data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

And because so many Americans are aging in place, they’re looking for ways to make their homes safe and comfortable for the long term. With just a few modifications, retired couples can make their homes perfect sanctuaries for their golden years. Here are some modification ideas to help you keep your heart right at home:

* If you plan to stay active in your community, you may need to make adjustments to your vehicle so you can safely and easily negotiate the controls from behind the wheel. Car manufacturers are adapting vehicles to accommodate seniors with such options as seats that swivel to face out the door so you can sit down or stand up easily and not have to bend down at an angle to climb into the seat. Other available adapters are dashboards that push back until the driver is in the seat and ready to start the car, buttons to control the radio and temperature on the steering wheel, and sliding cabinets that help a person load items into the trunk - and get them out easier.

* Make your home easily accessible. At least one entrance should be level with the walkway - you may need to build a ramp to accomplish this. Also consider changing the door handles to lever style so if a person is suffering from arthritis, they can still easily open the door. Remote locks and a covered walkway are also a good idea, because you won't have to be standing out in the elements while you attempt to unlock the door with a key. The covering also helps prevent ice from building up along the walkway. Finally, installing a good light at all the entrances will allow you to easily see where you are going and any potential obstacles that might be in your way.

With a few modifications, your house can be a very comfortable and safe haven for many years to come. And since it’s already a place you call “home,” why not enjoy it during your retirement years?

Memory Decline Doesn’t Rely on Just One Method

If you’ve been trying to stave off senior moments with brain-boosting activities, you need to know that new evidence suggests that these specific training regimes are not any better than simple conversations at improving memory in older adults.

Some studies show that healthy older adults, and those with mild cognitive impairment, do remember words better after some memory training. However, seniors with memory training do not improve their memory any more than do seniors who participate in a discussion about art, for instance, instead of drilling with a list of words.

One psychologist suggests that as memory loss and typical slowing down occurs, all kinds of activity are helpful, not just cognitive interventions.

In other words, there’s no need to stop word drills and memory games, but just know that they may not be as effective as you once thought. Have friends in for conversation, play board games with neighbors, participate in discussion groups and stay active in your church or synagogue. The important thing is that you not count on just one thing to keep your mind alert!

Cervical Cancer is a Quiet Cancer

Approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Nearly one-third of these women will not survive this disease.

Generally there are no symptoms associated with earlier stages of cervical cancer. Some of the first signs of more advanced cancer include irregular vaginal bleeding, heavier or longer-lasting menstrual periods and abnormal vaginal discharge. As the cancer progresses, the patient may experience painful urination, fatigue, weight loss, a dull backache or swelling of the legs.

“Early stages of cervical cancer very rarely involve any pain or symptoms,” says Miller. “Even the symptoms a woman may experience from more advanced stages are often thought to be something less serious. It is a very quiet cancer.”

“However, cervical cancer is also highly treatable when found early,” Miller continues. “Depending on the best treatment for the patient, whether radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, early stages can be treated and result in a long survival rate and good quality of life. This is why regular screening to catch it in the earlier stages is so important.”

Cervical Cancer -- Screening Works

Cervical Cancer – Screening Works
Cervical cancer is one of the most common reproductive cancers in females, but women can take steps to greatly reduce their risk of developing it.

“Many cervical cancer cases could be prevented, or at least caught early, if all women received proper screening for this disease,” says Robert Miller, M.D., oncologist at Wellspring Oncology in Pinellas Park, Florida. “Simply visiting your gynecologist once a year can greatly reduce a woman’s risk.”

Though cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, cases have dropped significantly over the past 50 years. This sharp decrease is largely due to the development of better medical screening for women.  Still, this year approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Nearly one-third of these women will not survive this disease.

Am I At Risk?
“Cervical cancer doesn’t discriminate,” says Miller. “All women of all ages are at risk for developing the disease. However, there are certain factors that can increase a woman’s risk.”

The most common cause of cervical cancer is the. This virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact and can infect the cervix. However, for most women, HPV will go away on its own without ever causing cervical cancer. Only a very small number of women infected with HPV will develop cancer of the cervix.

While HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, it is not the only factor that can increase a woman’s risk. Other known risk factors for cervical cancer include:
Smoking
Human papilloma virus, or HPV
Extended use of birth control pills
Giving birth to three or more children
Multiple sexual partners or sexual activity at a young age
HIV or other immune system disorders
Irregular screening history

The best ways to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer is through regular pap tests to screen for precancerous cervical cells and by following-up with your doctor, should the test come back abnormal.

WellSpring Oncology  Doctors Robert Miller, Zucel Solc and Frank Franzese, at

6600 Sixty Sixth Street North

in Pinellas Park, Florida. For more information, contact WellSpring Oncology at (727) 343-0600 or visit them online at http://www.wellspringoncology.org/.

Festival of Chocolate

The Museum of Science and Industry hosted a Festival of Chocolate Jan. 15-17 in Tampa. Lots of chocolate to see, sample, purchase and eat. The beautiful cakes won my heart.