The Health & Wellness Christmas Show

Left, Maryann Castello of “The Health & Wellness Show”; Right, Maryanne Mistretta

It was super exciting to return to The Health & Wellness Show as a guest a few evenings ago. While I was the featured author, there were also two chiropractors. This event was fun and inspirational. We also sang some Christmas songs.

You can view the whole show here on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U3OIu7as40

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is a prolific author and motivational speaker. Contact her at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com

Her latest book, “I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Want-Be-Like-You/dp/1726273261

 

Why Valentine’s Day is More Than a Hallmark Holiday

Here’s a little something I wrote four years ago when I was still single but living with my future husband:

Why Valentine’s Day is More Than a Hallmark Holiday

By Mary Anne Christiano, February 13, 2010

Tomorrow will be the day a lot of people fear, according to my friends and from what I’ve been reading in the media.

Guys fear they will not live up to the expectations of their wives because everything is so expensive.

Single ladies feel left out if they are not paired up like Noah’s Ark.

People are throwing anti-Valentine’s Day parties.

It’s really sad that “Valentine’s Day” has become a dirty word just like “Christmas” has (“Christmas” is replaced with “Holiday” or else you are politically incorrect).

Me, I’ve always enjoyed it, whether I was in love or not.

Perhaps it’s my upbeat nature, but the first Valentine’s Day I remember could have been a real disaster.

I was still in grade school and decided to send a Valentine’s Day card to every kid in the class, both boys and girls. The girls liked the cards, but boys still considered us yucky and all my pretty little cards were made into paper airplanes by the boys. I did not let that discourage me from enjoying Valentine’s Day, as I knew I had candy waiting for me at home from my Grandma.

One of my favorite Valentine’s Days, I was a teenager and I didn’t have a boyfriend. Johnny Thunders was playing at the Peppermint Lounge in NYC. I still remember that ad in the Village Voice, “It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without Johnny Thunders.” It wasn’t Christmas without him either, as he was always playing somewhere in 1980. And so I started my tradition of non-traditional Valentine’s Days. While most young girls liked getting gold jewelry and flowers from their boyfriends, I never had a problem getting records. My Valentine’s Days were always ultra cool and to this day, I’ve kept the tradition.

Four years ago, I hooked up with my love Dennis in the month of November and we were in love from the get go. By the time Valentine’s Day came along, there was nothing more he could do to prove how much he loved me because I just knew his true feelings from day one.

So I came up with a clever idea. Let’s not make Valentine’s Day about us, let’s make it about other people.

We spent our first Valentine’s Day together at a Gay Right’s Rally for Gay Marriages.

Here we are, a straight couple, supporting couples that did not have the same rights as we did.

We held hands, tightly, as we listened. I smiled gently, at anyone who looked my way, hoping that my positive energy would make someone’s day and my support would mean something.

The magic of doing something for other people in an unselfish way, to me, is what Valentine’s Day is all about.

Thank You For the Service You Do For Our Country!

Army truck (found via Google search)

Last night in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I participated in some community volunteer service at a local church.

It’s amazing when you have a bunch of people together all the good you can do, and how fast you can do it! There were several stations set up for all sorts of things that could be done. In two hours, I went to two different stations.

At the first station I helped create packages of food for families. At the second station people were writing letters to those in service and coloring/drawing pictures for them. It was interesting because it made you take a minute to think about things you never think of, like what is the first color stripe of our flag?

I challenged myself and colored a picture of a soldier in an army truck, with the heading, “Thank You for the Service You Do for Our Country.”  I decided to go with several colors to create a camouflage colored truck. Everyone liked my picture and even a little girl pointed out to her father, “Look at the camouflage!”

Love is like a chain reaction. People of all ages, all colors/races, creating together, helping together in order to feed people, to brighten someone’s day. The energy was just so grand. Other tables were sewing pillow cases. There is just so much you can do, in one short evening that went by so fast!

I was sitting next to a lovely woman named Barbara who was writing a letter and was impressed by her artistic printing. My printing is like chicken scratch, I can barely read my own writing and I told her so, adding that it’s probably because of all the years on typing on a computer, I’m just not used to printing on paper anymore.

She said she avoids computers. As a retired nurse, she has no use for them. I was so impressed by this. Just as impressed as I was when I read that Stevie Nicks doesn’t have a cell phone.

A very cool lady, indeed! We had several great conversations. Had I not volunteered, I would have never met her!

After the community service, there was a worship service commemorating Martin Luther King Jr., which was held at Cranford United Methodist Church, Cranford. The church I’ve been going to that I love so much is Calvary Lutheran Church, also in Cranford. The service was sponsored by the Cranford Interfaith Human Relations Committee and the Cranford Clergy Council, so we had our Pastor Carol speak, as well as a priest and a rabbi.

The service was electrifying!

The music director of the church, Joseph Legaspi, sang a traditional spiritual song “Deep River.” He baritone voice was extremely powerful.

At the end of the night Barbara asked for my card to keep in touch and we walked out together. I made another friend and I feel terrific! I got in the car, turned on the radio and a very happy song by The Archies came on, “Sugar, Sugar.”

LIFE IS GOOD!

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Between last year and this year, it was my second memorable Martin Luther King Day in a row!

Martin Luther King Day is becoming another favorite holiday!

SPREAD THE LOVE!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Martin Luther King Day is a very important day to give back to the community, and the more you give, the more you receive.

Last year I had a very special Martin Luther King Day. I had the opportunity to cover the MLK Youth Awards for the Paterson Press: http://thealternativepress.com/articles/mlk-youth-awards-seeds-of-love-blossom-in-paters

It was truly an honor to be amongst such bright, positive kids.

I’ll be doing some volunteer community service at a local church this evening (and hopefully the anticipated snow won’t put a damper on this!)

It’s such a blessing that I think I found a church that I can finally call home. I am ecstatic!

Have a beautiful day!

 

Gearing Up for 2013!

I loved 2012 in so many ways. I accomplished a major goal of mine which was to be more expressive and confident in myself, including myself in more conversations and not feeling embarrassed if I was center of attention, because I deserve it!

For 2013, I continue to work on that because it’s really a hard one for me. I’m too afraid to let loose because of fear of rejection and/or fear of coming across as egotistical — and that is definitely not me, as I’ve been told I am “too humble” by those closest to me.

I need to remember what they taught you in school — JUST BE YOURSELF! Whether it’s being funny or philosophical or standing up for something I believe in, I have every right just as everyone else does!

If someone doesn’t like who I am, or is annoyed by me, that is their issue not mine (because we know so many people are annoying themselves, so who are they to say!)

I always hated when people referred to Anna Nicole Smith as a “bimbo” because she once said something very profound: “If you don’t like me, I’ll like you anyway.” Now THAT is the spirit! To be able to like everyone, even if they don’t like you — you’ve mastered something very special in your life. And I truly believe I am there!

And speaking of special, early in 2013, I’ll be interviewing one of my favorite fellow bloggers, Rohan Healy http://rohan7things.wordpress.com/about/

Rohan wrote this amazing book, “The 7 Things That Made Me Genuinely & Irreversibly Happy: and how they can do the same for you.”

His recent blog entry, “7 Things You Can Do To Make Your 2013 Better than 2012!” is very inspiring: http://rohan7things.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/7-things-you-can-do-to-make-your-2013-better-than-2012/

To illustrate that these things really work, I will comment on each one of his seven points!

1. Stop Spending Time with the Wrong People. It was very important for me to let go of a few people this year. I’ve blogged about that a few times. People can be the greatest in the world, but doesn’t mean they are right for you. When a friendship feels like “work” — whether it’s one person always trying to call the other and get together, or you’re always worrying about how the luncheon will turn out (will it be fun or will it drain you?), then it’s time to take a break or move on. Believe me, when you let go of the wrong people, you will definitely grow closer to the right ones. Or new rights ones will appear!

2. Create Reasonable Goals and Stick to Them. Running my own business is very hard, but knowing my limitations and when to let go of a client that is no longer serving my highest interest really helped keep my career on track. Just like having “wrong” friendships, you can have wrong clients too. There is no law that says you have to keep every client. If something isn’t working, you’ll know it.

3. Affirmations and Holistic Healing. I know this first hand. I have a saying, “I don’t do doctors.” I’ve had one too many miracles in my life healed by positive thinking, meditations and believing in ME — not them! I am 49. My blood work is excellent. My bone mass is excellent. And I am only a few pounds more than I weighed in high school. And I have no gray hair. The color of my hair is all natural, I haven’t dyed it since 2010!  I am doing something right!

4. Practice Self Discipline. Self discipline is very important to me. Except for when I’m on vacations, I get up every morning and have a moment of silence where I light a candle. I also exercise every morning. Whether it’s a half hour or just five minutes of stretching, this, to me, is what keeps me focused and ready to start the day!

5. Try Abundance Consciousness. When you believe you deserve something, you get it! Whether it’s love, money, health … it’s all yours! The gifts from the universe are ours for the taking. It’s just so bizarre, sometimes I’ll find an extra $100 bill lying around when I really needed money. Other times there will be more money in my checking account than I thought there was. Mind you, this always happens when I’m in a positive frame of mind, not a doubting one!

6. Learn to Love and Accept Yourself. This one is easy for me because I have so much love to give, whatever is left over is for me! Each year I try to be the best I can and I’m always happy with how far I’ve come.

7. Read Some Old Philosophy. I love philosophy. My favorite of all time is Gurdjieff. Also, I’d like to add to this — read the stuff that is positive, period. Don’t bother reading “train wreck” blogs or Twitter pages. If something makes you cringe reading it, best to pass it by and move on to something that makes you feel high and happy.

Thanks to Rohan for all his wisdom and inspiration!

NOW, on to the celebration!

I’ve always believed that it was important to have a good New Year’s Eve. It would set the tone for the upcoming year. And best of all, that New Year’s kiss — which is right up there with the wedding kiss!

Tomorrow night I’ll just be having dinner with my love, then we’ll spend some time for family. And I will be waiting for the stroke of midnight to get an amazing kiss from the love of my life!

WISHING ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My all your dreams come true in 2013!

First Christmas Without Fawn

Fawnie, RIP: 1995 to 2012

Earlier this year my mother’s beloved dog Fawnie died in her arms.

My mother got Fawnie as a puppy in 1995 to keep her mind occupied the year my beloved Grandmother passed away.

Fawn, turned out to be the best dog I’ve ever known. Now mind you, I’ve had many wonderful dogs over the years and can tell so many stories about them. Taffy, the toy poodle who, as a child, I always “accidentally on purpose” let outside because I knew when she came back, a few months later she’d give birth to a litter of puppies. Misty, the beautiful German Shepherd who was so good with children that she let me touch her eyeballs when I was a little girl. (Her eyes were so beautiful, big auburn marbles that I couldn’t help but touch). And then there was Cher, my pocket-sized poodle who jumped high in the air whenever my great grandmother said, “Bye-Byes!” which meant she’d get to go outside.

And just like all the other pets, Fawn was super amazing. She was a little lover. She was always happy to see people, jumping up and down. She loved to play with my cat, Derick (Derick was bigger than Fawn who was a mere six pounds). Fawn hated walking on a tiled floor and preferred rugs, so whenever she went into the kitchen to eat, she’d do this cute little back-step as she returned to the dining room rug — as if that would get her off the cold floor faster.

But the cutest thing of all was one day when she was over, my husband had Bruce Springsteen playing. Fawn was on the couch and “Old Dan Tucker” came on. Fawn jumped off the couch and started moving her front paws, tapping left to right — in perfect time with the music!

She was a little doll, just absolutely precious. Knowing Fawn made me a Chihuahua fan, whereas before, I never really thought much about them — just that they made a lot of noise. But Fawn wasn’t yappy like that. She was just this perfect little thing. People who weren’t necessary dog lovers or Chihuahua lovers always took a liking to Fawn.

Now we will all have our first Christmas without this precious little pet (who exchanged gifts with my cats). After Fawn died my mother got two new puppy Chihuahuas, Oliver and Ally. I met them over Thanksgiving. They are cute and funny.

When I see my Mom this Christmas Eve, I will try not to bring up Fawn, as I do not want to upset her. I will have a blast seeing my Mom, sister, nephew and the new puppies. It will be a beautiful, fun day. And Fawn will be close to my heart  — close to all of our hearts.

The best way I can deal with death is something my beloved Grandmother once said: “You have to make way for the new generation.” And there are many new puppies (and other pets) out there just waiting to be adopted and to have your love! No two pets are alike, but they all share ONE thing in common — their ability to love unconditionally!

In memory of Fawn, do me a big favor today and hug your pets for me!

Tell them: “This is a Christmas hug from Maryanne!” 🙂

The Christmas Pig

My all time favorite book (knocking “Letters from the Earth” by Mark Twain out of a long-standing first place in my humble opinion) is THE CHRISTMAS PIG, a fable by Kinky Friedman.

It’s an enchanting tear-jerker that can teach all of us a little something about love and kindness and acceptance of all people.

It’s an off-beat Christian novel that will make you laugh and cry (and cry and cry).

It’s a beautiful tale about the friendship of a young artist named Benjamin and a very special pig named Valerie.

I highly recommend it!

The book has 23 chapters. So every December, I pull the book from my shelf and read one chapter each evening of December, leading up to Christmas Eve.

It’s a keeper and I was able to score an autographed copy. But someday I hope to meet Kinky Friedman and get him to re-autograph it for me!

Rudolph the Raw Food Reindeer

“I’m cute, she said I’m cute!”

Here’s a little parody I wrote back in 2004 when I was following the raw food diet, ENJOY!

Rudolph the Raw Food Reindeer

You know Atkins and South Beach and Vegan and Phen-Phen
Bally’s, Ephedra and Yoga and Gold’s Gym

But do you recall?
The most healthiest lifestyle of all?

Rudolph the raw food reindeer
Never ever cooked his food
And if you ever saw him
You would even say “He glows.”

All of the SAD eating reindeer
Used to laugh and be skeptics
They never saw Raw Rudolph
Eat at any fast food place

Then one sunny Christmas day
Mother Nature came to say,
“Rudolph with your food so ripe,
Won’t you sow my garden tonite?!”

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee,
“You were right all along Raw Rudolph,
This lifestyle really is for me!”

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta, copyright 2004

 

An Afternoon in Sommerville

One of my favorite places to go with my husband on a Sunday afternoon is New Jersey’s historic town of Somerville. Check out  the official website: http://www.somervillenj.org/

Yesterday was a perfect winter day. Cold, but sunny. The kind of day you could run around all over the place, from store to store and feel the cool wind on your face. Delightful.

Somerville is gorgeous, much more scenic and prettier than shopping in a mall. There is one area where they recently closed off the street and made it all about shopping. No chain stores, just all unique mom and pop places — with great service.

There are quite a few antique shops, shops for rock ‘n’ roll clothing, comic book stores, etc.

My score for the day was an official vintage Christmas dress! I will show photos of me wearing it after Christmas Day, but until then I want it to be a surprise!

The story behind my vintage Christmas dress is that it was brought into an antique shop, along with another dress. Both dresses were hand made and worn by two ladies who are now in their 90s!

The dress, a size 4 or 6,  fit beautifully — maybe a tad too big, which is perfect for Christmas eating. Ha!

I am beyond ecstatic! The shop owner and my husband both said I looked “adorable.”

While my husband would like to see me wearing my Steve Madden black dressy flats with the dress, I think I’ll opt for my new winter boots instead, to punk it up a bit.

My husband found a few vintage holiday decorations, like an old Santa that lights up, similar to this one:

And we also found a talking baby Rudolph, with a nose that lights up and he says, “Mama” “Papa” and “Santa.”

My husband wanted to buy it for me, but trust me, we already have enough Rudolph in the house!

As the day came to an end, we were happy to come home and snuggle with our kitties.

That is what winter is all about, short days with a helluva lot of fun squeezed in!

Thanksgiving Photo Share

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

My nephew, Matthew, age 11 (isn’t he the cutest?)

My beautiful sister, Kim and her dog Ally Marie Paige

At my brother-in-law Anthony’s home. Left to right: Father in-law Pop, Little Anthony, Jonathan, my husband Dennis (with black shirt), brother-in-law, Joe and Eileen

L-R: Drea, Jonathan, Kate, Kate’s mom Sandra, Pop, Sue, my brother-in-law, Joe and me

Me, the day after 🙂

Note: With SO MANY people and so much commotion, it was hard to take photos of everyone. So I just opted for the photos that were the best of the lot (without blur, too dark, eyes closed, etc.) So a special shout out to the ones not in the pictures: Mom, her other dog Oliver, Uncle, Kathy, Lisa and her girls, Brooke and Crystal, Lisa’s dad John, and my brother-in-law, Anthony. 

I love all of you, thanks for making it so special!