Thursday, September 09, 2010

Amazing new 8 Week Group Focused on Transforming Women's Relationship with Food

Is your negative body image causing feelings of isolation and helplessness?
Do you have days where your thoughts are consumed by what you ate previously and self-imposed rules about what you should and shouldn't eat at any given time?
Do you hold the belief that if only you were able to get control over what you eat and lose weight, you will finally be happy?
Dr. Michelle Gold and Andrea Mendelsohn, MFT, are licensed clinicians with extensive experience helping women to understand their preoccupation with weight, body-image and food. In this group, we will be exploring the underlying beliefs that have created and perpetuated this battle. They will be examining what drives emotional eating with the goal of transforming our relationship with food. They will be discussing the extraordinary work of Geneen Roth (author of Women, Food and God), who has developed practical principles which can free you from emotional eating.
Throughout this 8 week process, they will discuss how you can possess remarkably good reasons to turn to food when you are not hungry. Their hope is to instill the belief in you that change is possible. With compassion and patience, they will provide a confidential and safe environment for this important work to unfold.
8 Week Session – $320($40 a session)
Wednesdays, September 29-November 17, 2010 from 9:30-10:45 a.m.5023
N. Parkway Calabasas in Calabasas, CA 91302
To register or to receive more information, please contact Andrea Mendelsohn at 818.634.4967 or andreamendelsohn@aol.com

Generation Next Crib for sale - GREAT condition

Capturing the classic appeal of sleigh bed styling, it has a safety-gate front that allows easy access to your baby. The crib converts into a toddler bed and then into a full-size adult bed with the addition of adult rails. Generation Next, the ideal choice for your family, is an entire collection of fine furniture that is designed to last for generations. Color - Chesnut.
5 years old. Bought from Baby Town for $456.99. Asking $225.
• W 54 1/4" x D 37" x H 43"
• Solid wood construction
• 15 year limited lifetime warranty
• Mattress and bedding not included
http://www.babysdream.com/Products/Generationnext/Default.htm
Email jen@jenslist.com for more info!
Actual photos of the crib:


Saturday, September 04, 2010

Truths for Mature Humans

I received this and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with those of you who haven’t already seen it. I don’t know who wrote it or I would give them credit. Enjoy!


1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.
13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.
15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? **** it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.
21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
23. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
24. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
25. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
26. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?
27. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
28. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.
29. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
30. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my *** everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

High Heel in a Haystack

I had the best experience with Robin Wiener, from High Heel in a Haystack and I wanted to share! She came over to help me clean out my closet and purge clothing...that I have not gotten rid of, literally in about 10+ years. Because I was ALWAYS pregnant or JUST post pregnancy for about 8 of those years, my sizes varied drastically and I still had clothing in my closet that were 3 sizes too big! Needless to say, it was a disaster, I could not find anything and truly ended up wearing 2-3 things over and over. Robin made it so that not only is everything in my closest up to date with the current style, but they fit and are easily accessible. I highly recommend her - she is breathe of fresh air and welcome in my house anytime! http://www.highheelinahaystack.com/

BEFORE:


AFTER


Sunday, June 06, 2010

POOL SAFETY

by Dr. JJ Levenstein
The month of May has come and gone, and yet many of you may not have realized it was "National Drowning Prevention Month." As our warm spring and summer months arrive every year, I brace myself for the inevitable news that yet another child or young adult has drowned in this community. Drowning is the second cause of unintentional/accidental child death in the United States -and the number one cause in California! The State of California and www.safekids.org have published terrific public safety information about drownings, and steps we can all take to prevent this tragedy. It is so important, first of all, to dispel myths about how drownings occur. The following are 9 myths of drowning:1. Is drowning really a problem?A. Yes. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4 in California. A residential pool is 14 times more likely to cause a death than an automobile accident.2. Don't more children die in open water (oceans and lakes) than in pools?A. No. 50% of deaths by drowning occur in residential pools.3. Isn't it more important to have a locked gate to keepneighbors out than to have a pool fence?A. No. 65% of the children died in their own pools at home. 46% of the children were last seen safe inside the house just before the drowning. 72% had direct access to the pool once they were outside the house (i.e. no pool fence).4. Isn't it just parental neglect that causes drowning?A. No. According to the U.S. CPSC Drowning Study, conscientious parents who understand the need for supervision were almost always present on the premises.5. Won't swimming lessons protect a child from drowning?A. No. Swimming lessons do not prepare a child for a drowning or a near drowning situation. A young child may be able to learn to float, but may not be able to climb out of a pool. At any age, an unexpected panic may set in with an accidental fall or scare, and a "good swimmer" becomes vulnerable to drowning.6. Isn't constant supervision enough to prevent drowning?A. Although constant supervision is part of prevention, we recommended added "layers" of protection which include a well maintained non-climbable fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate, alarm systems, powered safety pool covers, and self-closing, self-latching doors with automatic sliding door closers (leading out to the pool area). A parent reading a magazine at poolside or peering out a kitchen window can lose up to 30 seconds of reaction time - that time necessary to drown.7. Is there any proof that fences or safety barriers work? Can't a child climb over a fence?A. In studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand, the findings suggest that adequate, four sided pool fencing (at least 5 feet high) reduced drownings by 80%. Studies in Arizona demonstrated a 50% reduction.8. Won't fences detract from the aesthetics of pools?A. There are several kinds of fences to choose from which meet safety requirements and there are also alternatives such as an approved safety cover. Families must always weigh the risk versus benefit of an aesthetic choice prevailing over a safe choice. The answer is obvious to me, and yet countless times I hear of grandparents, in particular, unwilling to give up their beautiful garden view in order to erect a safe pool fence for their grandchildren!9. Do pool owners without young children need to install protective barriers?A. 35% of residential drownings are not at the home of the victim but rather at the home of a friend or immediate family member. So the answer is, YES!Now that I have dispelled those myths for you, how can you be sure that you provide a safe pool environment for your children, family members, visitors and friends?- Never leave a child alone near water to answer the phone, the doorbell, go to the bathroom, attend to another child or attend to household chores, even for a few seconds.- Keep a constant eye on young children playing in or near any body of water, wading pool, public pool, bathtub or lake. At large gatherings, designate an adult to watch children at play, and while in pool. Ideally there should be 1 adult per 2 young children, 1 adult per 3 older kids.- Fence your pool on all four sides with a barrier that is at least 5 feet high. Move lawn chairs, tables and other potential climbing aids away from the fence to help keep children out.- Any gate or door leading to the pool area should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward, with the latch placed on the pool side out of reach.- Install panic alarms on all house doors and windows leading to the pool area, automatic sliding door closers and automatic safety cover over the pool.- Completely remove cover before children are allowed in pool. Drain off water that accumulates on top of the pool cover. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water.- Keep reaching and throwing aids, such as poles and life preservers, on both sides of the pool.- All non-swimmers should always wear approved personal flotation devices when they are near water (no floaties, but actual jackets with a tether between the child's legs)Swimming lessons do not insure safety. About 25% of all young drowning victims have had swimming lessons. A child who falls int water unexpectedly will panic and forget his swimming skills.- It is crucial that you and all of your child's caretakers can swim and know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency. Immediate CPR could prevent death or massive brain damage.- ALWAYS keep a working cell phone or land line near your pool.- Cover pool and Jacuzzi drains with anti-vortex drain covers (about $5-$10 at your local pool supply store). The force of vacuum from a drain can entrap long hair, body parts, swi(from sitting on a drain). 75 children lose their lives each year by being trapped on drains and being unable to surface for air. This is a little known risk, and yet, again, entirely preventable with the use of these drain covers.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Andie Kallinger Photography

Just wanted to share our recent photoshoot with Andie Kallinger. Andie is AMAZING with babies/kids/adults/pets, she gets great shots and is wonderful to work with!
I HIGHLY recommend her!
Call her at 818.679.6769 or email her at andie@photosbyandie.com
You can see more of her work at www.photosbyandie.com

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Whoops - I did it again!

Hello, my name is Jen Levinson and I am a pack rat. I hate to admit it, but clearly, I am since last summer I had my garage cleaned out and managed to fill it again in less than a year. Who saved me? The 1 Day Garage Makeover people! They are seriously AMAZING and worth every penny spent. It is so nice to be able to WALK in my garage...yet alone park in it! Ask yourself - Can you park your car in your garage? Do you find yourself embarrassed to have the garage door up because the garage is such a mess? Do you trip over items every time you walk in the garage? If you find yourself relating to any of the above questions, as clearly I do, I have a solution for you! The team from 1 Day Garage Makeover came over again yesterday. They arrived at 9am, and left 4 hours later. They cleared out the garage and I was outside for a ½ hr. as they were asking me - should they toss, keep or donate. Piles were made and I went back in until 1pm, there was a knock at the door and the garage was SPOTLESS. Jens List members get $25 off. The avg. garage ranges from $300-$500.Estimates are free – 818-451-8530 – I know they are booking fast, so if you are interested, I would call sooner vs. later!
http://www.1daygaragemakeover.com/
Here are the 2nd set(how embarassing)of before and after photos!

Monday, March 08, 2010

WOW...what a day!

If I didn't already know that there were only 24 hours in a day, I really would have thought someone added about 10 extras hours to my Monday.
Today was a big day. I sent over 13,000 people the Jens List newsletter using a new mail server - one equipped with allowing members to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and have everything they would need to access the website at their fingertips.
The program is all new to me. It took me twice as long this morning to do what I have been doing the past 4+ years to get the information out to everyone. Then came the emails from everyone telling me how much they liked...and well...didn't like the new format.
Where on an average day, I receive 300 emails, today was double. I can normally get through them all without panicking, but 2 of the kids were off of school today so even during nap time, there was really no down time!
It's ok...I keep telling myself, as I snack on large marshmallows to cure my feeling of being overwhelmed! Change is hard for most. I am the 1st to admit it is my weakness. Practice makes perfect and practice is what it is going to take to get me used to the new system.
In the meantime, I will move along with being a mommy to the 5 boys, a wife, a friend, the room mom duties, sisterhood board responsibilities, fulfilling the Silent Auction Chair expectations, classroom volunteer, chef, driver, nurse, vet, housekeeper, accountant, therapist, etc. etc. etc.
It's no wonder I feel as if there are 34 hours in my day!

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Change Stinks!

I am a simpleton. Most everything I wear can be washed in the washing machine - after all, with 5 young boys, it is a miracle if I am my shirt remains clean when I walk out of the house in the morning! I don't drive a fancy car, just one that will shelp everyone to and fro. I have one pair of earrings that I never take off and a wedding ring that adorns my left hand. My idea of a night out consists of a good movie and or dinner with the kids at Islands.
Needless to say, I do not need much except family and friends to be happy. I have always thought that I would have done wonderfully living in the 1950's, where technology was not at the forefront and it was simple things in life that were truly important to the rest of the world.
I am a simpleton. So, when Jens List grew from me passing along some neat info to a few select friends, to 13,000 people in the Los Angeles area and beyond, I was convinced, by more than just a few people, that it was time to move past the antiquated email system of providing a newsletter. That said, it took a long time to implement the new format, one in which I completely and entirely am afraid of, but with perseverance will get used to and I am sure, like...somewhere down the road.
Change is hard. No matter what it is you are changing. However, being that technology and I don't seem to be the best of friends, getting acquainted to a new system has been not only time consuming and extraordinarily challenging but frustrating at the same time, as I feel the innocence of what was once built is being taken away.
Life progresses. Business expand. Things move forward. Jens List is one of those examples and while I am sure everything will become second nature as time goes on, right now, please bare with me and practice patience as I master the new art of the Jens List newsletter!
Practice does make perfect. Nobody ever told me how much practice it takes, but I am dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported me over the years. From something that was never supposed to be, Jens List has taught me so much, given me the opportunity to learn and has opened my eyes to a part of the world that I am not sure I never would have known about!