Wise Women Blog Gigi

Hello Everyone,

Boy, the weeks just rush by don’t they. I can't believe we are already through the first week of March. Gosh it will be Easter before we know it!

I have had the very pleasant privilege of sifting through Roslyn Motter’s fantastic travelogues from her Indian trip. A brilliant children’s author, she has now turned her hand to travel writing.

Roslyn Motter

Please take some time to enjoy her stories. These events happened just the other day when Roslyn attended her Ayurvedic clinic in Kerala.

Step into Roslyn's shoes as you arrive at the clinic and experience the blow by blow accounts. You really get a birds eye Ayurvedic view of what really goes on and it is really something else let me tell you!

Whilst I laughed (sorry Roslyn) as Roslyn under went her rigorous cleansing and massaging programmes, I was in awe that Roslyn’s mum had the fortitude to stick it out until almost the end. She showed us that even when you are eighty, there’s life in the good woman yet.

Anyhow, we have a couple of stories up for your enjoyment - this is one

My Experience at an Ayurvedic Clinic

You will soon find out how Roslyn dealt with the palm readers and mystics that reeled her into their web and spun their stories. Stay tuned for all the fun and games!

CLEANSING AND MOISTURING FOR THE OLDER FACE

We were asked by Marianne from Salt Lake City what we do to keep our skin under control. A great big Hello to all our Wisewomen in Salt Lake City this week. It's fantastic you are enjoying our Wisewomensworld and participating.

Anyhow, Marianne wanted to know what products we used and how we applied it. Well, I must admit I found this project quite interesting as I looked at all my potions in quite a new light.

It is true that I have chosen products that seem far from being ‘completely’ natural but I feel they do the job, at this point anyway. I have been an Olay girl from way back and now I am right behind Dr Lewin’s brand.

If you want to find out what Lana and I are using on our faces right this very minute, then click here to find out.

We would love to know what products work for you too so please pass on your secrets here: gigi@wisewomensworld.com

MY WEEK

We're excited. Next week Lana and I are off to StarShots in Darlinghurst for another amazing glamour shots experience and we are sure to have a brilliant time. I must say this time I am feeling a little braver and wised up and can't wait so get something really creative.

Don't forget to come back to read our article and see the photos of our fabulous 'day out' coming up soon.

Check out our last photoshoot

87 Not Out

My mother-in-law turned 87 and she looks pretty fantastic for her age I must say. We took her out to lunch and on a shopping jaunt. I was looking for something for her birthday and she said she would buy something for me for mine so we went on a treasure hunt. It was loads of fun but at the end of the time I had an exhausted mother-in-law reduced to the shakes, and a husband, truly bored to sobs. Oh well, the idea was to have fun with his mum and if she can keep up with me then she is still in tip top form. (She did tell me later it took two days to recover though!!!)

Being 87 is truly a magnificent age and to be well and active and independently living is so wonderful.

This week I have spoken to two gentlemen who are actively participating in the work force at the ages of 83 and 84. Even my favourite Professor (well I should say my second favourite Professor as my brother is my favourite one!) is about 83 and is still highly active and contributing immensely within the research field. He is a marvel.

Prof Everitt & Me

These stories fill me with admiration. How lucky we are to know that life can go on….and on….and on…..and it can continue to be worthwhile, rewarding and downright enjoyable.

Don’t let those words ever slip from your life’s journey, ever!!!!

GET THE PRESSURE DOWN!

Who has blood pressure? Many of us are dealing with the problem and it is sometimes hard to know how to manage? Most of us pop the good old blood pressure pill. I have recently changed mine from an Ace Inhibitor to a diuretic.

When I began my new tablet I had not checked my blood pressure for a few weeks until I used my girlfriend’s machine. I was having a lovely time enjoying a leisurely midday lunch and then I was thrown into panic mode. It was 168/105. I drove home completely panic stricken and got an emergency appointment at 5.15 on a Friday afternoon. Anyhow, it was not so bad at the surgery at 145/90 but the Dr was not that happy. So I had to get myself a blood pressure machine and have been taking readings three or four times a day to see where I am at.

It always seems to be high when I go to the Dr as I think I worry heaps about a bad outcome and that seems to make it skyrocket. Does that happen with you too!

As the diuretics clicked in I find I am constantly going to the bathroom. This has it upside as I am constantly able to check my hair and makeup during the day!!! But at night, the three trips to the loo are wearing me down!!!! But my pressure is coming down.

Firstly I made a pledge to exercise almost everyday. I drink bucket loads of water. I have begun taking Olive Leaf Extract again. This among other benefits lowers your blood pressure. I have also started taking the Vital Greens and I tell you, it is all systems go. I am feeling energetic and rather terrific.

I have removed bread from my diet. I am not eating biscuits, cakes and keeping potatoes and rice to a minimum.

And you know, all of these things have my Blood Pressure in what I think satisfactory position of 130’s/80’s.

Write in and let us know what you have done to lower yours. What is your secret weapon against high blood pressure? Have you found the answer?

You can write to me personally at gigi@wisewomensworld.com

Keeping fit and healthy should be the goal of us all, but are we actually doing it!

Are we actually contributing to the good health of our bodies or causing it to feel tired, unmotivated and unhealthy by our unwise choices.

NOW THINK ABOUT THIS.....

Never forget, the body we have is a result of every single choice we make.

GIGI’S BRAGBOOK

I spent a delightful day with Miss C this week and I captured a couple of lovely photos of her in Gigi’s hat!

LANA’S WISE WEEK

Lana is away on a lovely holiday break this week. Lucky her!!!! I hope the weather is being kinder to her this time…..

Click here and find out what she has been up to as she zips from one escapade to the next.

QUOTATION

Now because, we are all inspired to eat well and exercise, here is the next goal:

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.

This makes it hard to plan the day.” E.B. White

Have fun planning your day and have a super week, and don't forget to Smile

Love Gigi

Exercise to Keep Young

Hi Wisewomen

How is everyone!

Did you enjoy Valentines Day? Well done you if you have been able to train your partner into the ‘value’ of expressing love in the way of gifts or romantic escapades.

You all know we don’t do Valentines Day here at my house!

My birthday is so close to Valentines Day, so even if Mr G deemed it a day to celebrate the ‘day of love’, it would simply be merged into birthday celebrations. This year I did play a trick though. Mr G gave me a gift for my birthday that was actually a Valentine’s Day ‘love’ gift. OK I admit I chose it but he’s the giftgiver!!

It is a beautiful silver key pendant, complete with diamonds and I am still trying to work out whether I have the key to Mr G’s heart OR is his key to mine!!!!

Whatever the message, I will wear my ‘valentinish/birthdayish’ gift of love with grandiose pride!!

How did you fair in the Valentine Day stakes!!!! Keep working on it girls, it is never ever too late to work the magic!

DOGS AND CATS

On Friday I visited my friend Dee, whose menagerie keeps changing. She had a horrible time last year when three of her beloved pets passed on, so this year it was all systems go. Two new kittens, Bentley and Georgia, and a beautiful border collie named Spats had thoroughly entertained me during lunch.

Spats - Now how cute is he!!!!

Don’t baby animals just have you hankering for a tiny new one for yourself. They are soooo cute, but oh nooo, don’t let yourself get sucked until you are absolutely sure……absolutely….

Speaking of animals, our semi incontinent Staffy certainly had me in awe one morning. He had managed to empty his entire bladder completely inside up an upturned plastic shopping bag.

I am still wondering if he is the smartest dog in the world or it was a complete fluke of nature. Either way I am more than impressed!!!!

I am a smart dog!

FUND RAISER FUN

Be an Angel

Light up a Life

On Friday night Mr G and I joined friends at a fund raising event for Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The hospital, established by inspirational Australian doctor, Catherine Hamlin, works to change the lives of some of the worlds most destitute women in one of the worlds poorest countries.

Run completely on donations, the hospital treats nearly 3000 women every year suffering obstetric fistula. These young women have suffered obstructed childbirth without medical assistance and having lost their babies, are left with severe internal injuries.

Held in the glorious grounds of a former mental institution given over to the Sydney College of the Arts, we enjoyed a very entertaining evening. Hundreds of paintings were donated to raise money, silent auctions, live music, canapés and lots of liquid under a clear summer night was just what the Dr ordered. Even the resident possum, high on confidence and quick as a flash, enjoyed the evening as much as we did.

FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE CLICK HERE

http://www.fistulatrust.org/

BIRTHDAY BASH

Saturday night Mr G prepared a wonderful dinner for me and my gorgeous daughter in law Sweetie, we share very close birthdays. I felt very spoiled and there is nothing nicer than being surrounded by your loved ones. Thanks everyone for your Birthday Wishes.

SHOPPING FOR SHOES

On Sunday I went shopping with my daughter for shoes and earrings for her upcoming marriage. Shoes were difficult as sandals are hard to come by as we move into autumn so it was a search to find something, rather than a search to find the perfect pair!! And I bought her some very glamorous Swarovski crystal earrings.

ROSLYN MOTTER

Roslyn with her mum who turned 80 on the adventure

What fun I have had reading about Roslyn’s adventures in India. I know you have been enjoying her tales too. Her humor and descriptive language has certainly brought it to life.

I have been to India three times myself and I agree, it is a remarkable and full on country. Many years ago we took our teenaged children and my parents as we worked our way through India, Kashmir, Thailand and Nepal. Mr G and I have also set down in Delhi for short periods of time on route to Nepal and to Lladakh.

If you want find out how millions of people live check to jowl within the intensity of heat and noise and your spirits to take flight, then India is your country. It is colourful, fun and perplexing.

Roslyn has been working feverously away to share her experiences. Keep watching for more updates ……..

Click here to read her latest blog.

LET’S GET FIT

You thought I had forgotten didn’t you! No I haven’t. I really hope you have stayed on your exercise programme.

I know that motivation is hard but we just have to click in and do it. It’s the best way to keep ourselves feeling young and healthy.

As you know, Mr G and I belong to the local gym and I try to attend at least 3 hours a week but I am set to increase this when my injury rights itself. I know, I know, gym’s can end up causing us more grief than we care for, but it shouldn’t stop us in our tracks.

I have lost about half a stone because I have been watching what I eat. Gym just doesn’t do the big weight loss as we age, unless of course you are a gym junkie. There has to be ‘food control’ otherwise we will be just a fit and firm bigger person! But that’s OK too.

How are you going? Have you made the commitment to a healthy and fabulous life? Go on, exercise will do it for you. I was in a makeup/perfume shop the other day and the saleswoman asked me how old I was. She said she was shocked. Good shock that is. She said she thought I was mid forties and I now love that woman to death.

I honestly believe this is because I exercise. It massages your internal organs, it sweats the impurities out of your skin, it tightens up the sags and flab and it gives you zip and zest. Why on earth would you not do it!

Make a pledge that the time is now. No excuses just a commitment to yourself that you want to stay as young as you can….It’s that easy.

OH SO TRUE!!!

One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. Sidney Howard

It’s food ladies…..

LANA’S WISE WEEK

Lana had such a time in the Hunter Valley. Forever descriptive of hilarious situations, you’ll enjoy her ‘birthday’ experience very much.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

GET

Well, since I am all about exercise motivation this week, so why not heed the advice of Arnold H. Glasow.

Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion.

You must set yourself on fire.

As we set about determining our goal, then we must have that little flicker inside already. All we need to do is get that fire blazing. We can do it. We can do anything.

Have fun and see you next time

Happy Happy Happy

Hi There Everyone,

Well a great big Happy Birthday to Lana last week and she certainly heralded in her special day with fanfare. Looking fabulous and obviously ready to get back to partying hard, she had a fine old time.

Isn’t it fantastic to get to our age and just want to have fun? Birthdays are a fantastic time to let down your hair.

If you have a special Big “O” birthday why not have a special Big ‘O’ party. Fancy dress, party games, lots of things starting with “O”, Good luck thinking of things starting with O although ‘Opal Orangutans and oranges' spring to my mind!!!!

I'm getting older - so what!!!!

My birthday is this week, and ‘no’ I am not going to get depressed. Hey, it’s just another day as the clock ticks over. But what a simply fantastic weekend this past weekend was! We had Chinese New Year and Valentines Day all wrapped into one.

I have never really ‘celebrated’ Chinese New Year except maybe meeting friends at a Chinese restaurant. But a friend was telling me that they always celebrate it.

The family descend, food is prepared or brought in, decorations such as lanterns and streamers are hung around the house (all in a red and gold theme mind you). Small red and gold packets are given to the children or unmarrieds and filled with money, hopefully shiny new coins or notes straight from the bank. Getting married in their family has its downside on Chinese New Year, as it is the sign for the red envelopes to halt!

What do you do? Do you head into town and enjoy the celebrations., have a slap up Chinese meal or not take much notice.

Roslyn's Head Splitting Adventure

Roslyn has written in with another look into her world while travelling in India.

What a drama though. After finishing her treatment at the Ayurvedic Clinic she found herself in all sorts of bother when she split her head open and found herself being transported to the local hospital!!!!

You mustn't miss out on this instalment as Roslyn describes all the hospital drama and some of the excitement she experienced while out and about.

Click here

WEDDING UPDATE

My darling daughter has sent me the photo of the wedding dress she selected when she and her friend went out shopping. Yes, it is beautiful and is perfect for the seaside wedding and she will look absolutely gorgeous.

But what about the mother-of the-bride! What in the dickens do I wear? Do I go overboard and wear the thing I might have always dreamed of when the wedding is Church and fancy reception venue. Do I wear a sarong and pretty thongs? Should I play it down or play it up?

Well the news is girls I have selected my look and I am not telling til you see the photo after the ceremony. I will say though that I have been my usual creative self, which will probably terrify my daughter if she reads this!!!!!

HOUSE RENOVATIONS

The cement rendering has been done and what a joy it is to have the face of my house scrubbed up. We had a charming Bosnian man who speaks little English doing the job. The only downside to the whole affair is Mr G came home at lunch time, hit his head on the back of the van door, split his head open and landed on the ground. And he wasn’t even doing the cement rendering for goodness sake!!!

I was at work so he dragged himself off to have his head glued back together and was looking very sorry for himself when I arrived home from work.

Next step is the guttering! Yipppeeee

BRAD AND ANGELINA

What on earth do you make of all of this? They are in love? They are separating. They are suing! Is all of this a plot by the newspapers to get Brad back with Jen? Have they got the power to actually do that!

Jen must be loving this. ‘I want my ex-husband back’ she’s probably thinking!!!!!!! Ordinarily I would say that all of this is newspaper talk and nothing more.

But do you know what! Years ago I almost wrote to Prince Charles and Diana telling them how terrible the newspapers were and we all knew they were deliriously happy. Well I was wrong about that! Was Camilla the leak I wonder. This is the thing that just has me on edge with this newspaper talk though. Do I believe them or not?

You know half the stuff you read in the magazines is written by the staff trying to drum up sales. Do you know what the latest Woman’s magazine had on the cover?

I kid you not! It said:

Brad and Jen in Secret holiday in Portugal.

Flick over the pages darling and find out that the holiday was taken early in their relationship and this was the first time photos had been published! What! Now I don’t know about you but that is definitely manipulation and as a consumer we are being played as fools.

Why not write about what is current. Write about interesting stories? I don’t know about other countries, but here in Australia the same old stories crop up in most of the weekly and monthly magazines all at the same time!!! Aren’t any of them original!

And if there is no ‘purchase buying headline’ they make one up:

“Brad and Jen in secret holiday in Portugal”

Got me that time!!!!

AUSTRALIAN BUSH
FLOWER ESSENCES

Gigi Ian Lana

I have just received a beautiful book to crit. It is written by Ian White,

HAPPY HEALTHY KIDS
From Conception to age 7 with Australian Bush Flower Essences.

So if you have kids or grandchildren and you think that the natural way is the best way for them to gain improvements in their wellbeing and overall health, this book will be just what you are looking for.

Ian explains how to use the book and then how the Australian Bush Flower Essences work. Then the chapters roll on from pregnancy to 7 years old, looking at problems at every stage and suggesting plans to overcome childhood issues. There are many personal stories from users of the essences and suggestions and so much more.

This book is packed and the reader will learn about the essences that are perfect for premature labour, healing scars, baby’s sleep problems, bedwetting, dealing with childhood diseases, coping with starting school, school learning issues and so much more.

The one thing that strikes you about this book is the cover. Honestly it is so fresh and inviting and the three kids on the front look such a picture of health and if they are anything to go by, healthy, happy thriving children are are your fingertips. Learn about these essences and use them to create balance and improvements in your children's or grandchildren's lives.

To buy this book click here

To read our interview with Ian White click here

HAIRIFFIC

I am back on hair again. I have a love/hate relationship with hair. Do you?

One pearl of information I discovered on my research - did you know that Japanese women wash their hair on average twice a day! Well, you know their hair always looks fabulous, but having the time to do twice daily washings staggers me.

My hair is dry and apparently it depends on how much oil my sebaceous glands produce that will make a difference. I am obviously coded not to make much.

Dry hair contains too little moisturiser caused by the sebaceous glands producing too little sebum, harsh sunlight, frequent washing, hairdryers and straighteners, and hair age (that is hair that hasn’t been cut for a while). When this happens your hair can lack shine, feel rough, break and tangle.

So what do you do with all of this straw?

A good dry hair shampoo and conditioner.

Cut down on blow drying.

Avoid bleaching, straightening and perming.

Have a regular hot oil treatments (you can pick them up at the supermarket)

Trim split ends.

Looks like I am ready for a few hours at the hairdresser!

Click here for something about hair

THE ROAD

We recently saw the movie The Road. What a stunning movie in the true sense of the word!

The world decides it has had enough and erupts leaving very few humans alive. The story of the man and his son trying to survive is mesmerising and if Viggo Mortensen doesn’t win an Oscar for his performance I will eat my hat.

The film is a dark tale and appears grim. But the story is a triumph of real survival and potentially a position that you could find yourself. What would you do? Could you remain ‘one of the good guys’ or would you tip over into being evil? Exactly how far would you go to stay alive? This a movie for those who like their movies to be mentally stimulating and gives plenty of scope to talk with friends afterwards.

Five stars from me.

Check out the trailer here....

LANA’S WISE WEEK

Lana is back on track so it seems. Hurray. Her birthday week sounded fabulous as she rushed from one eating extravaganza to another……
All the best for another wonderful year Lana.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

How about viewing your life this way from now on:

“Life is no brief candle for me.

It is a sort of splendid torch

which I have got hold of for the moment

and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible

before handing it on to future generations”

George Bernard Shaw

Lift your game everyone; it’s never to late to turn your candle into a ‘raging torch’.

Until next time,