Here is a great list from ZenHabits.net – if you don’t subscribe, I would recommend it.  This link compiles some of the best archived articles from the website on getting in shape. They run from Motivation, to Weight Loss, to How to Start (or how to get BACK on the Exercise “Wagon”), etc.

I would strongly suggest clicking on the link above – because that’s what I’m going to be doing for the next little while. I sure need some help in the Motivation/Get Back Started department!

Have you read any of Michael Pollan’s books? The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, or the new In Defense of Food? They’re great, and make you think. This is a quick excerpt from The Omnivore’s Dilemma. This list is deceptively easy, – but one that all nascent Bond Grrls should consider putting into practice:

1. Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.
2. Avoid foods containing ingredients you can’t pronounce.
3. Don’t eat anything that wouldn’t eventually rot.
4. Avoid food products that carry health claims.
5. Shop the peripheries of the supermarket; stay out of the middle.
6. Better yet, buy food somewhere else: the farmer’s market or CSA.
7. Pay more, eat less.
8. Eat a wide diversity of species/foods.
9. If you eat animals, eat animals that eat grass, plankton, or what’s natural for them.
10. Cook and, if you can, Grow some of your own food.
11. Eat meals. Eat them only at tables.
12. Eat deliberately, with other people whenever possible, and always with pleasure.

Amen to that!  Have a great weekend!

If you haven’t seen this story in the New York Times about the architect hired to remodel an apartment in New York City, who turned it into a treasure hunt a la the Da Vinci Code, you gotta read it.  Fantastic!

Here is a link to a slide show of many of the puzzles – be sure to read the descriptions on the right.

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting Monique Lessan, a Private Investigator. She has decades of experience, and was an incredible woman. She has conducted extensive international investigations and her expertise includes Infidelity, Asset Search, Locate People and Businesses, Marriage and Divorce, Surveillance, Due Diligence, and Background Searches for Perspective Spouses. 
 
Monique’s business card lists 25+ reasons to hire a private investigator (and 5 of these reasons are why that private investigator should be a Woman). I thought I would share them with you, just in case you should need Monique’s services! Monique’s particular passion is in child abduction cases (domestic and international). She speaks fluent Farsi, English, French and Spanish – you can check out her business at www.EyeInvestigate.com.

Monique’s agency is comprised of individuals with various levels of expertise; they have conducted some of the highest profile investigations, both foreign and domestic. Each Investigative professional is a proven experts in his or her field. These include International Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Crisis Management, Foreign Counterintelligence, Corporate Espionage, Organized Crime, Art Fraud, Kidnapping, and Crime Scene analysis. One of the high profile investigations included the 9/11 World Trade Center attack.

25 Plus Reasons to Hire a Private Investigator:

1.  Retrieve Bank Accounts

2.  Intercept telephone communications

3.  Conduct surveillance

4.  Perform background checks (this is particular important for businesses!)

5.  Conduct undercover sting operations

6.  Carry out “mystery shopper” or “mystery client” projects

7.  Reconstruct an accident

8.  Conduct an asset search

9.  Investigate identity theft

10. Catch a cheating spouse/infidelity

11. Investigate child custody

12. Conduct a personal injury investigation

13. Carry out a divorce & family law investigation

14. Inspect restaurants and bars

15. Conduct executive protection

16. Perform fraud/embezzlement investigations

17. Investigate sexual harassment cases

18. Perform due diligence of all kinds

19. Locate missing persons

20. Carry out polygraph/lie detector tests

21. Serve subpoenas (remember this if you are suing anyone in CA!)

22. Investigate stalkers/predators – online and offline

23. Perform computer forensics & investigations

24. Perform workplace violence investigations

25. Work on death penalty cases/evidence

26. Check public records in court

Plus, 5 reasons why your Private Investigator should be a woman:

1.  Not easy to detect

2.  Better in undercover operations

3.  More convincing with phone pretexts

4.  Less intimidating

5.  More intuitive

As you can see if you go to Monique’s agency’s website, she is definitely the “real deal.” (I tried about 50 times to load a photo of Monique on this post and it kept hanging… perhaps, some P.I. special magic attached to it so I wasn’t able to? Hmmm!)

I wanted to share this with all of you, in case (Heaven Forbid) you should need these services… and weren’t sure where to turn. Monique is currently working on a couple of death penalty cases, and recently retrieved a child that was abducted from China and taken to the U.S. She’s definitely the real deal – and a Bond Grrrrl!

I found this too funny since I believe I use all of these words. If you’re a man reading this, I’m posting this to warn you about arguments you can avoid if you remember this terminology . . . if you’re a woman reading this, you know you’ve used these words, so I hope it gives you a laugh!

 (1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given “five more minutes” to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm.  This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with “Nothing” usually end in “Fine.”   

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!     

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing.   (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of “Nothing.”)

(6) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.  

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add in a clause here – This is true, unless she says “Thanks a lot” – that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all.    DO NOT say “you’re welcome” … that will bring on a “Whatever”).

(8) Whatever: Is a women’s way of saying  F** K YOU!

(9) Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response refer to # 3.

I have been reading Margo’s Mom Blog for a while – as it states, it’s “life at home in the Midwest.” She’s got a great attitude, and her blog is written in particular for CHICs (Coveted Home-based Independent Caregivers) a/k/a stay-at home moms.

Margo interviewed me after reading my book, and I loved the questions that she asked, especially with respect to the Teens. I’d be very interested if any of you have ideas with respect to what subjects from the book I could aim toward podcasts, etc?

A friend just sent me this link to Gratitude Campaign.org - take a look. The story is that the Founder thought that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say “thank you” quickly and easily when seeing military/veterans (he travelled a lot, so was often in the airport with military in uniform passing by) without even having to approach. It’s not limited to the military. There are lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say “thank you from the bottom of my heart.” The movie (linked above) shows you how to do it simply. 

The amazing and wonderful Collabo-writer Sallie Goetsch-rhymes-with-sketch  at Author-izer.com sent me a link that definitely belongs here:  50 Things You Should Know How To Do from Marc and Angel Hack Life.

This website is wa-a-ay too addictive. I’d definitely suggest adding it to your RSS Feedreader (if you don’t have one or don’t know how to do this, email me and I’ll ‘splain — it’s super easy and you will LOVE it once you get it set up). Archives include:

25 Daily Suggestions to Guide you toward the Good Life;

10 Handy Numbers for your Mobile Phone (particularly notice the FREE 411 through Google);

33 Inspirational Videos from YouTube (including the “Last Lecture,” laughter yoga, the original Hoosiers motivational speech, the Braveheart “Freedom” speech, and wow, wow, wow, SO MUCH MORE!…check this one out about an autistic guy singing the National Anthem at Disability Awareness Day in Fenway Park in Boston if you want that throat swelling/eyes tearing up moment…);

20 Things the Millionaire Next Door does NOT do (fantastic list. I cover this in my book, based on the actual book “The Millionaire Next Door” – but read this and BE HONEST – what stops you from being a millionaire? My biggest issue is #9 – impulse buying – as Erin Doland and I discussed in our podcast, this is the “Shiny! Shiny!” problem. I actually do NOT do this at the mall – it’s always at things like silent auctions for charities. I figure it’s for a good cause . . . but hello, it’s not good for my pocketbook! I just did this yesterday at one of my favorite charities in the world, Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment…just shoot me.)

Check out this site! It’s great!  Thanks again, Sallie!

Have you been downloading our Bond Girl Coaching Cards? Here is a link to the next set in the series. We plan to ultimately have a boxed set of all the cards for sale. But these are free for you to print out (instructions are on the printout). I’m very excited by these! They are my gift to you.

This one contains one of my most favorite things – the “Love Beams” card. This is truly something I do every day, and I LOVE it! Also my amazing publisher has put a downloadable Contract on her website, as indicated on the card – but click here if you’d like to get to it quickly!

Click on the link below, to download the cards.

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download