BEAD-Away the pounds:
Lightspirit, SC

I do all kinds of art- beads, dolls, collage with hand dyed paper and more.

I wanted to see how many beads I could put in a necklace and still stand up. I am sure I burn a few calories wearing it. It weighs about a pound. The waterfall of strands cascade down my back and serve as a counter weight.

Food for the Soul
by Alicia Dewar, Brooklyn, NY

Emotion always has its roots in the unconscious and manifests itself in the body. ~Irene Claremont de Castille

"You are what you eat." How many times have we all heard this line? Well, if you answered "too many times to mention," then you're not alone.

The equation is simple: healthy diet = healthy body, but while this popular saying bears a whole "lotta" truth, there's a much deeper issue. For most of us, what or how we eat is based on how we're doing emotionally. Some of us tend to binge when we're sad, angry, disappointed, or just plain stressed out - can you say "comfort food?" On the opposite end of the scale there are those of us who can't eat a bite when experiencing these same emotions, hey, different strokes for different folks. Either way, the results are the same: unhealthy diet = unhealthy body.

So next time you reach for that second helping of mom's homemade apple pie, or that second slice of chocolate mousse cake - STOP, breathe, and think about why you're really doing it. Face your emotions head on, and find healthier ways to deal with them, be it through exercise, meditation, or talking to your best friend. You'll find that you're not only more in touch with your feelings, but feeling your best.

Emotional well being = healthier diet = healthier body = happier you.

My spirit has a wounded wing.
Wounded, not broken.
Healing and strength come every day
Sent by the sky, demanding my presence.
So my soul can soar again.

Jessica Anne, Hilton Head, SC