Wellness Newsletter, September, 2007

Here's your...
WELLNESS NEWSLETTER # 14
September, 2007
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This newsletter provides research-based information and tells you about books, e-books, and web sites that can enhance well-being, promote health, and help develop self-care skills. Please share it with colleagues, families, friends, clients, students and whomever you think could benefit.
Scroll down to what interests you…
1. Your wellness message
2. Wellness news:
a. Diet linked to colorectal polyps/colon cancer
b. Food to quell menopause complaints
c. Alzheimer’s linked to stress
d. Aluminum correlated with breast cancer
e. Two or more drinks/day linked with endometrial cancer
f. Calcium alone reduces bone fractures in people over age 503. Books to keep you (and others) well
4. Online living well with menopause support group
5. Inexpensive self-care/wellness e-books for you, family, friends, or clients
6. A new book for nurse educators
7. A new book to help holistic nurses
8. To find archives of past Wellness Newsletter issues.
9. Have a wellness book or event you want others to know about?
10. Book Tour Stop for Floridians
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1. WELLNESS MESSAGE:
I spend all my time improving myself
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2. WELLNESS NEWS
a. Diet linked to colorectal polyps/colon cancer.Researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston examined food-frequency questionnaires for women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and estimated choline content in their diets. Greater amounts of choline, including red meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products, were associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, which can, but do not always, lead to colorectal cancer.
Source: Journal of The National Cancer Institute, August 8, 2007.
Another study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (August 15. 3007) examining the effect of the Western diet (red meat, fatty products such as French fries, refined grains and desserts) on colon cancer patients found that eating this diet may be increasing their chance of disease relapse and early death.
Although other studies have shown the relationship between diet and lifestyle and risk for developing colon cancer, Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH of Dana-Farber said “This is the first large observation study to focus on the role of diet in recurrence of the disease. Our results suggest that people treated for locally advanced colon cancer can actively improve their odds of survival by their dietary choices.”
Participants in this study were enrolled in a large, phase III clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of follow-up (“adjuvant”) chemotherapy, had their tumors surgically removed within the two months prior to enrolling in the study. They reported their dietary intake on specially designed questionnaires at two different time points---during the period they were receiving chemotherapy and six months after the completion of chemotherapy.”
Meyerhard and colleagues identified a prudent dietary patterns including high intakes of fruits and vegetables, poultry, and fish. If you’re eating a Western diet, now’s the time shift toward a more prudent dietary pattern.
Yet another study showed which fruits and vegetables may be especially helpful. Researchers at Ohio State University tested foods of the red, purple and blue color, containing high amounts of anti-cancer anthocyanins. They found these foods to slow the growth of colon cancer cells in rats and in human colon cancer cells. They chose the following foods and tested them based on their extremely deep colors and therefore high anthocyanin content: grapes, radishes, purple corn, purple carrots, chokeberries, and bilberries. Although the researchers didn’t test other red, purple and blue colored vegetables, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries may also be beneficial.
b. Food to quell menopause complaints.
Researchers from the University of Messina in Italy assessed the effects of genistein (a phytoestrogen isoflavone found in soy products) on bone metabolism in 389 postmenopausal women with a bone mineral density (BMD) less than 0.795 grams/centimeter squared at the femoral neck who had no significant other conditions, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The researchers found that BMD significantly increased in the soy participants and decreased in the placebo recipients.
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, June 19, 2007, 839-847.
Menopausal women are at a relatively high risk for memory loss, high blood pressure and diabetes. A decade ago, the standard treatment for these problems was long-term hormone replacement (HRT). Since then, studies have shown that use of HRT is associated with significant effects including heart disease, breast cancer, and more.
Some naturally occurring component of plants (dietary polyphenols) have been shown to have beneficial effects similar to HRT but without the negative effects. Grapes, soy and kudzu are dietary polyphenols tested by physiologist J. Michael Wyss, Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham on memory, blood pressure and pre-diabetes.
The researchers found grape polyphenols enhanced short-term (working memory) and long-term (reference memory), grape seed reduced salt-sensitive high blood pressure, soy-deprived animals increased arterial blood pressure, and kudzu root extract reduced high blood pressure and reduced insulin resistance (a precursor to type 2 diabetes) by 20-50%.
Source: The role of estrogens and polyphenols in hypertension and diabetes, Sex and gender in cardiovascular-renal physiology and pathophysiology, August 9-12, 2007, Austin, TX.
c. Alzheimer’s linked to stress.
High stress and levels lead to increased memory decline. Research appearing in the September 1, 2007 issue of Biological Psychiatry presented evidence that in 91 older, healthy adults (mean age 78.8 years) with high stress who carried the APOE gene, were most likely to show memory impairment. The APOE gene contributes to the risk for memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, those individuals experiencing with high stress and who were positive for APOE showed the greatest memory impairment.
The researchers believe chronic stress may interact with the risk genotype to promote age-related memory impairment. These findings raise the possibility that psycho-social interventions, such as relaxation therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies that teach people how to stay calm when experiencing stressors, may preserve memory function in older adults.
This suggests that all of us, APOE gene or not, could benefit from learning and practicing stress reduction measures.
d. Aluminum correlated with breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the leading cause of death among women aged 35-54. Aluminum is a metalloestrogen, is genotoxic, and has been shown to be carcinogenic. The confirmed presence of aluminum in breast tissue biopsies highlights its potential as a possible factor in the cause of breast cancer.
The major constituent of antiperspirant is aluminum salts, which have long been associated with breast cancer and other human disease. In a study of women who had undergone mastectomies and biopsies, a research team led by Dr. Chris Exley of the Birchall Centre for Inorganic Chmistry and Materials at Keele University in the United Kingdom, measured the aluminum content of breast tissues. They found a high concentration of aluminum near the underarm where the highest density of application of antiperspirant could be assumed. There is evidence from previous studies that the skin is permeable to aluminum when applied as antiperspirant.
Source: News release, Keele University, September 2, 2007.
A preventive measure for all women is to cease using antiperspirants. The human body was meant to sweat as a temperature-reducing measure. A wellness approach seeks to work with natural processes, not stunt them. Evidence is accumulating that trying to artificially stop such a natural body process with aluminum salts could result in breast cancer. Weigh the importance of a wet underarm vs. breast cancer. Which is more important?
Instead of antiperspirants, try various deodorants and find one that works for you. Many people find a mineral salt “rock” beneficial and others find an aloe-based deodorant works. *NOTE: always read ingredient label to make sure it contains no unwanted substances.
e. Two or more drinks/day and endometrial cancerThe findings from a study led by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) will appear in the International Journal of Cancer. This is the first prospective study to report a significant association between 2 or more alcoholic beverages a day and endometrial cancer. This amount of alcohol may double your risk of endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. Veronica Wendy Setiawan, assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC said, “It’s important for women, especially postmenopausal women, to know and understand the consequences of high alcohol consumption. It does not affect just the liver, but alcohol has been associated with breast cancer and now endometrial cancer.”
The researchers drew on data form the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC) an epidemiological study of more than 215,000 people from Los Angeles and Hawaii. They followed 41,574 postmenopausal African-American, Japanese-American, Latina, Native-Hawaiian and White women for 8 years. Data on alcohol intake and endometrial cancer risk factors were obtained from a baseline questionnaire.
This discovery is important,” says Brian Henderson, MD, dean of the school of medicine at USC, “because it suggests that changes to certain lifestyle choices may potentially help alter risk of disease.”
All women should think twice before having that second drink. One glass of wine may be relaxing, but two or more could increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancers. Sparkling grape juice is a nice alternative.
f. Calcium alone reduces bone fractures in people over age 50
Calcium supplemention alone, or in combination with vitamin D supplementation, reduces the risk of fractures in people aged 50 and over by 12% concluded researchers at the University of Western Sydney who conducted a pooled analysis of previous trials (meta-analysis) of 17 studies featuring 62,365 people all aged over 50 years and published their results in the August 25th issue of The Lancet.
When participants took their supplements regularly, there was a 24% fracture risk reduction. Risk reduction improved with calcium doses of over 1200 mg (compared with doses of less than 1200 mg; 20% versus 6% reduction), and with vitamin D doses of 800 IU (international units) or more than with doses less than 800 IU (16% reduction versus 13% reduction). The treatment effect was also greater in elderly individuals who lived in institutions, had a low bodyweight, had a low calcium intake, or were at a higher baseline rate (before study began) than other individuals.
The authors believed those in institutions may have benefited more due to assistance with dosing regimen from nurses who made sure patients took their supplements.
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3. Books to keep you (and others) well
Now for the books that can help you and others get well and stay well…
* Aging Beyond Belief by Wellness Guru, Don Ardell, 2007. If you plan to age, prepare yourself - it's later than you think and the challenge of aging well should be taken seriously. Discover what aspects of aging can't be changed and guide the rest that can. Aging Beyond Belief includes 69 recommendations for a more healthful, enjoyable and meaningful existence at every stage of life, written by the world's most prolific, outrageous, humorous and athletic expert on wellness. The book can be ordered from:http://www.wholeperson.com/x-selfhelp/aging.html#Anchor-Aging-47857 or Don’s web site: http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/index.htm
*Living Well with Anxiety: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You That You Need to Know. This helpful self-care manual provides a mind, body, and spirit wellness approach to anxiety. Contents include how to self-diagnose your anxiety, wellness approaches (nutrition, herbs, environmental changes, exercise, other anxiety-reducing and healing measures), relationships, purpose and spirituality, creating your own anxiety plan and finding and working with the right practitioner. Free sample chapter or a personalized autographed copy at http://home.earthlink.net/~cccwellness/id28.html---or ask your local book store to order LWW Anxiety if you don’t find it on the shelf. You can also find this book at www.harpercollins.com or www.amazon.com
*Encyclopedia of Complementary Health Practice. Includes concepts and issues, economic and practice issues, education issues, legal/legislative/health policy issues, historical perspectives, conditions (from a-z), influential substances, practices and treatments, contributor directory, and resources directory. Available from Springer Publishing Company www.springerpub.com or www.amazon.com
*Garden Therapy Guidelines for Special Needs by Judith Gammonley, ARNPBC, EdD, LCP includes how to use garden therapy with those who are memory impaired, brain injured, or who struggle with developmental or physical challenges for symptoms as widely divergent as wandering, distractibility, poor communication, mood changes, disorientation, fatigue, frustration, aggression, limited social skills, lack of self-confidence, limited mobility, depression, lack of motivation, anxiety, and social withdrawal. For copies, contact Dr. Gammonley at goodgam@aol.com or phone her at (727) 784-2449.
*Group Leadership SkillsNow in its 4th edition, this book focuses on an introduction to group work, basic group concepts and processes, working to achieve group goals, special group problems, beginning/guiding/terminating the group, supervision of group leaders and co-leadership, behavioral approaches for group leaders, recording and analyzing group process, groups for the old adults, working with focal groups, when the organization is the group, and when the community is the group. Available from Springer Publishing Company www.springerpub.com or www.amazon.com
*Health Promotion in Communities: Holistic and Wellness ApproachesFocuses on wellness and holistic concepts to community work and includes a model for health and wellness promotion in communities, health promotion with changing and vulnerable populations, community self-assessment, principles of planning effective community programs, community mobilization and participation, evaluating community health programs, health promotion in rural settings, health promotion on the internet, nutrition and weight management, fitness and flexible movement, typical childhood communicable diseases: promoting community resilience, stress management, smoking cessation, violence prevention, environmental wellness, complementary health care practices, advanced communication skills with individuals and groups, working with groups, working with families, health promotion with African American women, establishing a lay health promotion program in a Hispanic community, diabetes programs in Hawaii, parish nursing, conducting a survey: the example of a youth service organization, violence prevention in schools: a model violence-prevention center, evaluating small community-based health promotion programs: lessons learned from Colorado Health Promotion Initiatives, health promotion in a homeless center. Available from Springer Publishing Company www.springerpub.com or www.amazon.com
*Healthy Holistic Aging: A Blueprint for Success
This book not only provides an easy to follow blueprint for health and holistic aging, but the author is an exceptional role model for his program. Can you live a healthy and independent life to the age of 100? Can you enjoy positive relationships? Can you maintain a healthy environment? Carl Helvie, RN, DrPH says you can and at age 74, he's a perfect example of the right things to do. He has no chronic illnesses and is among the 11% of the age 65-and-overs who take no prescribed medications. The book cites overwhelming scientific evidence that good diet, exercise, adequate sleep, prayer, meditation, positive relationship with others and a clean and safe environment can ensure successful aging. Ask for it at your local bookstore or find it online. Also visit Dr. Helvie’s web site where you can also obtain the book as well as other helpful information. Click on www.HealthyHolisticAging.com
*The American Holistic Nurses’ Association Guide to Common Chronic ConditionsPrimarily for clients, but also serves as a useful guide for nursing and other health care students who want to know about self-care options that complement medical approaches. Focuses on 20 conditions including: AIDS, allergies, Alzheimer’s Disease, arthritis, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, diabetes, digestive problems, fibromyalgia, heart and blood vessel disorders, kidney disease, liver and gallbladder conditions, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, overweight/obesity, pain, Parkinson’s Disease, sleep disorders. Find it at www.amazon.com
*Holistic Nursing Approach to Chronic DiseasesBased on holistic nursing assessments and interventions, this book helps nurses and nursing students use a holistic approach to AIDS/HIV, Allergies/Asthma, Alzheimer’s Disease, Arthritis, Cancer, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Diabetes, Digestive Problems, Fibromyalgia, Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, overweight/obesity, pain, Parkinsons’ Disease, and/or sleep disorders. Available from Springer Publishing Company www.springerpub.com or www.amazon.com
*Holistic Assertiveness Skills for Nurses
Useful for nursing students, practitioners, educators, or leaders who are highly stressed and could benefit from stress reduction and nutritional, physical fitness, touch, and other approaches related to assertiveness, gender issues, anger, time management, criticism, career, and nursing leadership. Readers report they refer to the book often for empowerment and to learn new skills to apply in their work and home settings. Available from Springer Publishing Company www.springerpub.com or www.amazon.com or ask your local bookstore to order it.
*Living Well with Menopause: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You That You Need To Know. A self-care manual to help women learn about using hormones, and what to do if they'd rather not. Table of contents includes: menopause: a natural process, medical treatment, nutrition, herbs, environmental actions, exercise, other stress reduction and healing measures, relationships, finding and working with the right practitioner, and putting it together: your menopause success plan. For a free sample chapter or an autographed copy find this book at http://home.earthlink.net/~cccwellness/id23.html---Or ask your local bookstore to order it for you (if it’s not on the shelf).
4. Don’t Forget about the Menopause Support/Information Group
If you or a friend, colleague, or client could benefit from support and information during menopause, go to www.yahoogroups.com and sign up for the living well with menopause group at www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/livingwellwithmenopause.
Know someone in the throes of menopause or starting to show signs of menopause---sleep problems, irritability, anxiety (or even panic attacks), hot flashes? This may be a helpful group. It’s a new group, but there are some articles and questions/answers already posted. No one need identify themselves and Yahoo keeps their email address a secret. Please share this information with anyone who could benefit---including spouses and partners who may want to learn more about menopause. ____________________________________________________________________
5. Inexpensive e-books for you, family, clients, or colleagues
Available e-books include ADHD, acne, bladder spasms/bladder infections, couple communication, depression relief, great body, headaches, healing veggies, healing with affirmation & imagery, healthy hair, helping with homework, natural diuretics, pain free, parenting, peri-menopausal bleeding, permanent weight loss, pregnancy, success in school, teaching math concepts, thyroid, and whole brain thinking. All are from a wellness, self-care perspective. Give someone you care about a gift of wellness! Inexpensive, but effective. Find them all at www.carolynchambersclark.com (Scroll down the left hand column of the web site to find them.)
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6. New Book for Nurse Educators *Classroom Skills for Nurse Educators. Hot off the press, this new book for nurse educators provides ways to promote interactive learning even in large classes, while teaching asynchronously online and more…also introduces creative ways to use role playing, simulations, simulation games, group methods, peer learning, value clarification, perceptual exercises, journal writing and poetry. Educator vignettes present situations that help integrate theory into practice for varied nurse educators from nursing faculty, clinical nurse leaders, graduate students in nursing education programs to staff development experts. Presents indepth analysis and tips for overcoming the teaching/learning problems that can interfere with the learning process, and even shows how to develop your own learning materials (including simulations and games) in simple but effective ways.
Find the book on the Jones & Bartlett web site by clicking on www.jbpub.com and looking for Classroom Skills for Nurse Educators. Sample chapters and more information available at the web site.
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7. *NEW BOOK FOR HOLISTIC NURSES AHNA/ANA Holistic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice Pages: 135 Cover: Paperback © 2007. The most recent version of the Holistic Nursing Standards, this book is a foundational volume that articulates the essentials of holistic nursing, its activities and accountabilities at all practice levels and settings. It serves as an essential resource for nurses, other care providers, educators, researchers, administrators and those in funding, legal, policy and regulatory activities. To learn more or order, call (800) 278-2462 Ext. 10. To order online today, visit www.ahna.org/public/public.html
________________________________________________________________________8. *ARCHIVES OF THE WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
To read recent past issue of The Wellness Newsletter, click on www.carolynchambersclark.com/id103.html
9. *HAVE A BOOK OR EVENT YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT?
Have you written a book you want others to know about? Contact Book Tour and they’ll put it on their web site along with any speaking engagements you have coming up. Here’s the address: http://booktour.com/signup?referrer=985
If you have a holistic or wellness book or activity/event you want me to put a blurb about in my newsletter, contact me by clicking on my picture at www.carolynchambersclark.com and provide the particulars, or just reply to this email with the info…title, author, year of pub, a short blurb, and where to get the book or the directions to the activity. Just follow the format I’ve used above for the other books, please. That’s Times Roman 12 point. That will make my life a whole lot easier…Thanks in advance.
10. *BOOK TOUR STOPS FOR FLORIDIANS
a. If you (or any of your friends or family) will be anywhere near Englewood, Florida on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 2 p.m. I’ll be doing a menopause book talk and book signing at Richard’s Whole Foods and giving away a free related e-book. Come and visit! Call for reservations and directions: 10-6 pm at (941) 473-0278.
b. If you (or any friends, colleagues, or family) will be anywhere near Sarasota, Florida on Saturday November 3, 2007 between 10 and 10:30 a.m. or 1:00 and 1:30 p.m., I be doing a book talk, giving away a free e-book, and signing my book, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY. For more information, email the Executive Director of the Sarasota Reading Festival about the Wellness Pavilion location at srfdirector@comcast.net.
c. If you (or any of your friends or family) will be anywhere near Englewood, Florida on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 1 p.m. I’ll be doing an anxiety book talk and book signing at Richard’s Whole Foods and giving away a free related e-book. Come and visit! Call for reservations and/or directions: 10-6 p.m. M-Sat (941) 473-0278.
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PLEASE SEND THIS NEWSLETTER ON to friends, family, clients or colleagues who might benefit. My only request is that you send it in its entirety including the Subscribe and Unsubscribe messages below.
In Wellness,
Carolyn Chambers Clark
ARNP, EdD, FAAN, AHN-BC
Editor
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To SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter, send an email with SUBSCRIBE WNL in the subject.
UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
If you don't want to receive this newsletter again, please click on REPLY, then put UNSUBSCRIBE and your e-mail address in the subject box. Stay Well!

We won!

Yes, we won first place in the Fool for Love Contest with our paranormal entry.

Now we wait to see if an agent might want to represent us now that we've won a contest.

This is exciting!

Stay well and enjoy....

Finalist in Writing Contest

Yes, it's been a lot of years since I finaled in a writing contest---then again, I haven't applied for a while either.

Just received notice from the Virginia Romance Writers Fool for Love Contest that our book, If You're Sending Me Back to Earth---At Least Give Me My Stilettos---makes me and my writing partner finalists in the paranormal category.

The best that could happen is the book gets represented by the agent who is reading it. The worst---we get a specific critique on what we can fix to make it perfect. Sounds like a win-win situation.

Amazing how just one little e-mail can wipe out all those rejection letters and make me feel hopeful again.

Hope your day is as fantastic as mine!

Hopefully,

Carolyn

New E-books

Have been working furiously to complete new e-books on topics from helping your kids with homework to permanent weight loss. Of course, I still have my e-books available for adhd, helping your child with math concepts, helping your child with reading, thyroid, acne, great body, bladder spasms/infections, couple communication, depression relief, natural diuretics, pain-free, healing vegetables, healthy hair, perimenopausal bleeding, and pregnancy.

Your can find all of them by clicking on Wellness & Relationships

Also, come visit me at Enhance Your Wellness where you can read the latest issues of my Wellness Newsletter and sign up to receive upcoming issues!

Stay Well,

Carolyn

ADHD News

ADHD Musings...

You'd think I'd know when to stop now that I have two book contracts...but no, I've signed up to be the features writer for Suite 101 on ADD/ADHD. ADHD is a big problem with kids and becoming more so with adults. Are you and/or your child (and it often runs in families---whether it's genetic or learned, we just don't know---) inattentive to others or tasks, hyperactive, impulsive? Go to http://addadhd.suite101.com and find out more about what's causing this situation and what can be done.

As a nurse practitioner, I've worked with a number of people struggling to overcome these behaviors, but they've all learned to cope without taking medication. There are plenty of self-care things that can be done to make life less stressful and more productive. Check in with me at the ADD/ADHD web site and find out.

Oh, and if it's not too much to ask---pass this blog on ADHD around to your friends, colleagues, and family. Millions are suffering from these issues and probably could use a little extra help and support. At Suite 101, there's even an ADD/ADHD forum and a blog for even more info and support.

Stay Well,

Carolyn

LIVING WELL

WHOA! I JUST SIGNED TWO CONTRACTS!

No, you're not seeing double. I just signed two contracts to do two academic books with Jones & Bartlett: CLASSROOM SKILLS FOR NURSE EDUCATORS: EVIDENCE-BASED LEARNING and NURSING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING.

It feels comfortable and less hectic back in the academic saddle. It should, I've been doing this since the 1970s. Do you believe it! More than 30 years! This will make my 21st and 22nd contribution to nonfiction. I think of them as my babies, going out into the world to spread my ideas.

Annie Jennings of anniejenningspr.com, my favorite teleconferencing pr person said yesterday in her superb show on web site pr that she now has two computers on her desk and she's getting twice as much done! She must be because she's featuring at least one fabulous teleconference a week---sometimes two! Check her out.

Anyhoo...guess who now has two computers on her desk. Now if I can only figure out how to clone two more hands on my arms...

Not only that, I'm starting a project to make our days twenty-eight hours long. This, because I'm still writing fiction and trying to get it published, and
just started a videoconferencing grant to teach women how to reduce their anxiety and stress. I've already got two partners in the Women's Resource
Center of Sarasota---a dynamic group of women if I ever saw them, and the Panhandle Rural Health Network. Their Exec Direct. is overworked and
underfunded, but she still found a way to partner with me. Thank you Lisa Lamar, you will be repaid with some sparkling new videoconferencing
equipment when we get funded! Ditto to Janice Zarro and Elaine Taylor at the WRC!

That's it for now. So, stay well...

All Best,

Carolyn

Menopause Italiano

LIVING WELL

Buon Giorno,

Yes, my LIVING WELL WITH MENOPAUSE book is going to be published in Italian!
Scusi, but why are Italians more interested in menopause than say Africans or Germans?
We understand why the French aren't interested---or do we?

Anyway, as soon as my agent works things out with the Italian agent---I wonder what
language they'll speak---it'll be a done deal. Then my advance gets wired to him, he
extracts his percentage---a pretty hefty one since it's a foreign deal---and I get the
rest. Gracie, Italiano.

I can't wait to see how it reads in Italian. I had a group skills book published in
Swedish and German years ago and it was such fun just reading the titles...
How about...Die Krankenschwester als Gruppenleiterin, Theorie un praxis der Gruppenarbeit.

Sounds so authoritarian!

I shan't hold my breath for the money to arrive. My agent tells me these things
take more like months than weeks, but it's a done deal (except for the agent
thing-a-ma-jiggy).

Ciao!

Carolyn

MY MENOPAUSE BOOK

LIVING WELL

My editor at HarperCollins emailed me that LIVING WELL WITH MENOPAUSE: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOESN'T TELL YOU...THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW has gone into its third printing! Yahoo!

Also Edie Galley, my pr friend, told me that www.thepublicityhound.com has great info on pr. Guess what? she's right. If you're promoting anything from a service to a book, rush right over there!

Keep on reading and writing,

Carolyn

By For and About Women Radio Show Interview Plus Promotion Tips

Wow! What a high! I love being interviewed. Just finished being interviewed by Edie Galley, host of byforandaboutwomen.com.

We talked about my anxiety book, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOESN'T TELL YOU THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (HarperCollins, 2006).

She asked me why more and more women are experiencing anxiety today, what are some things women can do, what are some things in LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY your doctor may not tell you, why I wrote the book, who can benefit from this book, how it's different from other books on anxiety, what is a wellness approach to anxiety, and how we can all live well with anxiety.

You can find out the answers to these life-defining questions by going to www.byforandaboutwomen.com

There are lots of other good interviews there, too, and Edie tells me they're going live with my interview, which should be in a few days!

She also gave me some tips about promoting my web site and book I didn't know about before. One of them is PRWeb.com. You can put press releases on the web about services you offer, books, or other products. And it's free! Of course, if you want to go to the head of the line and get gold stars and other such embellishments, you have to pay. I'm trying it without paying and see what affect it has number of visitors to my web sites.

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Best,

Carolyn

BACK FROM THE TRENCHES

LIVING WELL

Having finished my 25-city radio tour and regaining my voice, am happily esconced (I love that word!) with my writing materials and am back writing, revising, and querying---is there anything else to do in this world?

Thanks to everybody who interviewed me---you know who you are! What a delightful group of people, and so informed. Everybody had read my book and asked such intelligent questions. They also mentioned my name, the title of the book, and my web site
(www.carolynchambersclark.com) more times than I could ever thank them for. And---thanks for sharing your anxiety concerns, you wonderful interviewers. I'm sure it helped your listeners who trust you and know you're being straight with them to share info about anxiety---which we all have, by the way, but don't always talk about.

If you missed it, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY was immortalized in BOTTOMLINE/Health for June, 2006. They did such a nice job of talking about and promoting my book. Kudos, guys and gals!

I'll also be doing an interview on women radio next month---more about that later. Edie Galley and I chatted for a long time and we are so
on the same page about health care and various other topics. Can't wait for the interview.

Look for me on MSN/Match.com, too. Maria Ricapito interviewed me about how 40+ single women can reduce their anxiety about dating. Pithy subject---I had a lot to say, so you might want to check it out. Not sure when it will be available, but I'll let you know about that, too, and will link to the interview if that's possible.

Yesterday, I sent out a new nonfiction proprosal to my agent for a book on spirituality. I'll keep you posted on that outcome.

Meanwhile, it's back to fiction! Tally Ho!

That's it for now from Twinkle Town USA.

ON THE RADIO - Reprise

LIVING WELL

I got so wound up in my fiction, that I almost forget to post this!

Here's my schedule for my radio talk tour about my book, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY: WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOESN'T TELL YOU...THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

NOTE: ALL TIMES ARE Eastern Standard Time! (You'll have to add an hour for Minnesota time on the radio, and three hours for Colorado, and so forth.)

Monday, April 17th , 2006

WOCA-AM Ocala/Gainesville FL, The Larry Whitler show, 11:10-l1:35 am

Tuesday, April 18th, 2006

WBBM-FM, Chicago, IL - The Greg Murray show; taped to air a Saturday in May from 5-6 a.m. You'll have to call the station to find out when!

WLW-AM, Cincinnati, OH - The Morning Show with Jim Scott; taped, show airs weekdays 5-9 a.m. Eastern. You may have to call the station to find out the time and day.

WXCE-AM, Minneapolis, MN, The Morning News with Greg Marsten, live l0:20 a.m.-10-30 a.m. To be rescheduled

WJJG-AM, Chicago, IL, That Healthy Talk Show, Dr. Wayne Cichowicz, live, l0:30-11:00 a.m. (switched to Wednesday, April 19th, same time period.)

KUCR-FM, Riverside, CA National Public Radio, Education Today, Dan Angelo, Taped to air Tuesday at 6:30 pm Pacific

Tuesday, April 25th, 2006

WTBQ-AM, NY/NJ regional, Frank Truatt Show live at 7:15 a.m.-7:25 a.m.

WEAA-FAM, Baltimore#20 National Public Radio, Morning Journey with Sandi Mallory, live 7:42-7:50 a.m.

WAMV-AM, Roanoke, VA, morning news with Bob Langstaff, live 8:10 a.m. to 8:20 a.m.

CRN, nationally syndicated out of LA, simultaneous on the Internet, The morning Show with Mike Horn, live at 9:10 - 9:20 a.m., and they'll be giving away a copy of my book!

KTOE-AM, Mankato, MN, The Morning Show with Red Lewis and Don Rivet, live at 9:20 -9:40 a.m.

KCMN-AM, Colorado Springs , Tron Talk with Tron Simpson, Live 9:30-9:40 a.m. They'll be giving away a free copy of my book!

WICO-AM, Salisburgy/Ocean City, MD, Bill Reddish taped. Call the station for when my interview will air.

KUTR-AM, Salt Lake City, UT, Wakin Up with Rebecca and Kurt, live at 11:35-11:45 a.m.
Sunday, April 30th, 2006

WKRC in Cincinnati, live, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006

WACK-AM, Rochester, NY, The Morning Show with Kevin Federico and Dennis Federico, live 8:15-8:30 a.m.

WNTN-AM, Boston, 1550 Today with Paul Roberts, Taped. Call studio for when my interview runs.

KWIX-AM, Columbia Mo, KWIXland This Morning with Stephanie Ross, taped. Call studio for when my interview runs.

KNND-AM, Eugene, OR, Paul Schwartzberg Show, 11:30 a.m. to noon, live

KPQ-AM, Seattle, WA The Two O'Clock Show with Ken Johannessen, live 5:05-5:25 p.m.
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006

WJCC-AM, Duluth, MN, Northland Notebook with Ted Elm, live, l1:00-11:20 a.m.

If you're in any of these areas, be sure to listen to me! If you're not but have family or friends who can listen, tell them. You can also go online to CRN program nationally syndicated out of LA! You can also get an autographed copy of my book by clicking on the link below my picture on the right side of this page.

LIVING WELL

INTEREST IN OUR YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Two agents have now indicated an interest in the full manuscript for another of our young adult novels. This is
so great!

It would be so wonderful to have just one of our novels published, let alone two!

I get excited, and then I have to calm myself down so I
can go back to writing---which is what keeps me grounded and makes me happy.

Publication---that's something else.

Keep on reading and writing.

Stay Well,

Carolyn

SEND COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT

Except for I love you, there may be no sweeter words than "Send Complete Manuscript!" That usually, but not always, means a publisher is very interested in our work.

Yes, there are still some publishers---and some good ones, too---who will talk directly to writers without going through an agent. My husband and I---who write young adult novels together---received those sweet words yesterday.

Even better, we didn't even have to print it out, address it, or pay to mail it. "E-mail it in Word," the message said. Can't get better than that.

With sweaty palms and shaking legs, I went through the manuscript one more time, just to make sure we hadn't missed any typos or written any really silly sentences. Then I punched it up and sent it into cyberspace, along with a couple of thousand angels and a prayer.

As sweet as those three words are, Sending a Contract, might be even sweeter! Stay tuned to see if it's a hit or a miss.

Keep on writing, reading, and living well!

Best,

Carolyn

On the Road

SELLING BOOKS IN ST. PETERSBURG

We had a great---make that a tremendous!---day in St. Petersburg!

Librarians are such nice people and the group from the Church and Synagogue Library Association were especially terrific. Not only did they buy my books in record numbers, but they asked intelligent questions, made super suggestions, and agreed to send in even more orders once they got home!

What surprised me was the librarians were so interested in my mysteries set in St. Petersburg. Now why hadn't I guessed that? What may have sold them were the covers! The Don CeSar, world reknowned resort , that pink beauty, was painted by our daughter Noelle on one, and for the other, she'd painted a parrot, a match book cover from the Single Hearts Club, and a black straw hat---all clues in the mystery. Actually, I had considered bringing a box of my mysteries, but we'd left the house at 7:15 a.m., and I'd forgotten the books. Luckily, I'd made order sheets and quite a few librarians promised to send me orders through the mail.

I also got to see my writing teacher, Charlotte, who was honored by the group for her work as a founder of the Florida-Suncoast Chapter with a beautiful custom-designed monarch butterfly pin. I was so happy to be there and congratulate her and donate a book to her church library. At 80, she's still a live wire, teaching at Eckherd College, teaching writing students, and being librarian for her church library. I plan to follow in her energetic steps and continue writing at least until I'm 90!

Lunch was another adventure! We planned to meet a couple of friends. When we got there, we found the restaurant we love was closed and under renovation. We tried to call our friends, but they had already left home, so we waited for them. They had another restaurant in mind and it had a terrific Chinese buffet, which we gobbled up.

All-in-all, a great adventure!

Keep reading, writing, and adventuring!

Carolyn

LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY -- On the Road Again

Living Well

My husband and I (isn't he great!) will be taking our dog and pony show on the road on Thursday to St. Petersburg, thanks to my ex-writing teacher, Charlotte Andersen. It's great to know people in high places! I'll be presenting to the Florida-Suncoast Chapter of the Church and Synagogue Library Association and they have budgets to buy books! Unlike doing signings at bookstores, where people come in to buy other books, not mine (a real hard sell situation), or even libraries (where people often go there to take out books because they can't afford to buy them), this should be a wonderful place to sell books. Yes, yes, cross your fingers and toes!

Charlotte says LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY is perfect because it delves into the spiritual side of anxiety (as well as the mind/body), which few self-help books do.

She also suggests bringing CAST INTO THE FIRE, an historical novel I wrote about the history of women healers at the time of the Inquisition and Salem Witch Trials. Did you know that wise women...precursors to nurses...were persecuted as witches by the church and doctors? It's all in there.

If you want to read reviews of LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY, go to www.publishersweekly.com
click on book reviews", then click on "reviews" and type in "anxiety" when the next page comes up. The reviewer says "What makes this book stand out isn't the clinically accurate overview of anxiety's causes and effects or the contrast of medical and holistic treatments, but its person-centered, stragic action plans..."

LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY also presents nutritional, herbal, time management skills, how exercise affects anxiety and more...It even helps you create an Anxiety Success Plan.

I wrote the book because millions of people---in fact, all of us---suffer from anxiety to various degrees, and most of us never seek treatment. For millions who suffer from panic attacks, fear of flying, fear of insects, fear of, fear of social or work situations, fear of public speaking, test anxiety (or any other fear), or obsessive-compulsive behaviors, this could be their only aid.

To get an autographed copy of the book, go to http://home.earthlink.net/~cccwellness/id28.html

Stay Well,

Carolyn

Line Dancing

Living Well

Dancing is great exercise. My husband and I went line dancing this week and had great fun! My only regret is the country music---which used to be easy to dance to, is now full of changes in the pace of the song, and sounds more like hard rock to me with a touch of rap. Not my favorite things to dance to. Guess it's a sign of old age---or could it just be music preference? BTW, can rap be classified as music? I thought music had to have music in it. Oh, well---more old age creeping in. I prefer Michael Boulet, Harry Connick, Jr., and the Eagles---not for line dancing, but they're much easier on the ear and brain than the country music the teacher chose to play. I guess when I rule the world, it'll be Michael, Harry and the Eagles!

In the meantimes...Keep reading, writing, and dancing!

And stay well!!!

Carolyn

LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY

Remember the old Donna Summers song, "On The Radio?" I love that song. My husband and I used to disco to that song. It has a permanent place in my heart.

The middle of this month, I'm going to be "On the Radio" myself. My book, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY - WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOESN'T TELL YOU...THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW comes out April 6th and I'll be talking on about 20 radio stations (Jan, My PR person at McCallister Communications tells me) soon after that. HarperCollins, my publisher is doing this nice little thing of paying for Jan to set up my radio dates. We hope it will help with the sales of the book. As soon as I get the schedule, I'll post it here, in case you're in listening distance!

The book focuses on a self-care approach to anxiety. Did you know anxiety is the number one mental health problem for women in the U.S. and number two for men (behind alcohol and drug abuse.) The problem is many of the 30 or so million who suffer from anxiety don't seek help. That's why I wrote, LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY, because many of my clients and students suffer from it too, and I wanted to help.

All of us suffer from varying degrees of anxiety---that uncomfortable feeling in unfamiliar situations. Some common anxiety situations are fear of taking tests or speaking in public, being humiliated or embarrassed, fear of animals (insects, flying, being in high or exposed places, meeting new people, taking an elevator or escalator, eating or drinking in public, using public rest rooms, that something bad will happen), trauma or a life-threatening experience, worry about dirt or germs, inability to throw away unneeded things, inability to control impulses or images, worrying excessively.

THREE SIGNS OF ANXIETY ARE:

* excessive worry
* panic attacks
* discomfort and irritability in social or work situations

SOME SELF-CARE TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY

* change eating and drinking habits
* learn relaxation and coping skills
* exercise away tension and stress
* change the way you think about situations

OTHER TOPICS COVERED IN LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY:

* self-diagnosing your anxiety
* the dangers of psychiatric drugs
* finding relationships, purpose and spiritual approaches that help
* finding a health care practitioner who's right for you
* designing your own Anxiety Success Plan

If you want an autographed copy of the book, click on http://home.earthlink.net/~cccwellness/id28.html

Stay Well,

Carolyn

Second Printings

Living Well

Yes, LIVING WELL WITH MENOPAUSE is going into a second printing! Yahoo!

LIVING WELL WITH ANXIETY comes out next month and it got a great review on
Publisher's Weekly. Check it out at www.publisherweekly.com at reviews and click on anxiety.

While I wait to hear if my agent sells foreign rights to either book at the London Book Fair, I'm back writing fiction with my husband. This time a Young Adult novel.

Hope you're reading and writing.

Best,

Carolyn

Ups and Downs

Living Well

Yes, I'm happy about my mystery, although it was only a bite, not a contract, let alone a sale, but it was something.

Today, I got an e-mail from an editor telling me (about yet another of my manuscripts) she loved my dialogue and characters and the story made her laugh. BUT, chick lit is a VERY crowded market and ghosts are overdone and yada yada. Now what? I even suggested the dead dog go back to earth instead of the protag. Too far out, I was told. Actually, I knew that when I sent it. Frustration does funny things to one's brain.

Now what? I'm getting yet another critique partner to brainstorm with. Let's see, at my age, by the time I'm 95, I may just get a contract with an agent.

Oh, cheer up, will you!

Okay, I don't have cancer, and I have all four limbs, and I have full use of my faculties...sort of...yes, life has been good to me.

And I've been working in my gardens again, putting in tiny papaya plants I grew from seeds I took from a delicious red papaya I ate a couple of months ago. I've also got flowers, kale, spinach, bok choy and marigolds started. I even put down a new layer of pine needles and the gardens---front, back, and sides---look terrific.

So shut up and get back to writing!

Besides, writing and publishing are two different processes. I write because I love to and have to (even if I have to keep reminding myself of this!), not because I'll get rich or famous doing it.

Okay, enough complaining and analyzing--so back to writing. You, too. Or reading, as the case may be.

Carolyn

Am I In Heaven or What?

Hurrah! I finally got an agent interested in a mystery I wrote a couple of years ago. You won't believe how many incarnations this story has gone through. First, it
was written from the viewpoint of a female P.I. When no one wanted it, I made her paraplegic. No dice. Then I changed her into an old nursing professor. Still no bites. Agents and readers kept saying it sounds old-fashioned. No wonder. That's exactly how I pictured my protagonist.

Then I "got it," and changed it to a historical (or is it an historical?) novel set in the 1930s.That fixed it. Sort of. The agent liked the premise and wanted me to tighten the writing and throw out all back story and descriptions and stick to narrative and dialogue and no inner musings. I did that and now she wants to see the whole manuscript. THE WHOLE MANUSCRIPT!

Things can't get sweeter than that.

Now I just have to go through the other 300 pages and tighten it up. That'll only hurt for a little while and then I'll send it off to postofficeville and wait. And pray!

Send me some angels, will you?

I may need them.

Keep reading and writing...

Carolyn