A Toast to Say Good-bye to 56!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

A toast to say good-bye to a great age, 56!

Today is my last day of age 56; tomorrow I will be 57. I’ve always been a person who looked forward to aging, not against it.

I’m always a person who lives by love and trust, not hope and fear.

My 56th year was a beautiful one. The summer of 2019 was a great one. And I had some kick-ass memories, like promoting at trade shows during autumn, performing my poetry live (something I haven’t done since the 1990s — and thanks to Toastmasters, I memorized all my words). The Covid pandemic hit USA in March of 2020, but that didn’t break my spirit. Loved ones stayed safe, and my business Pear Tree was thriving — and continues to thrive. Dennis and I loved the lock-down, and for the very first time we’ve created together and made a music video, my singing debut, which we’ve shared with many friends. AND during this time, the second edition of my fiction book “Love Cats” came out! I also gave some incredible ZOOM classes which were very well-received.

The saddest thing that happened this year, or any year for that matter, was losing one of my best friends, Vinnie Bordogna. It was one of my biggest losses ever. And I’ve yet to move on, and doubt I ever will.

For my 57th birthday, I asked the Universe for two special wishes–one of them came true already! (Stay tuned, you will know in September). Good-bye to age 56, it was one of my favorite years! (So thanks to everyone who said, last year, “Best Birthday Ever.” — you blessed me for an entire year!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is available for blogging, ghost writing, writing. She is also available for book signings and motivational speaking engagements. In addition to Love Cats, she is the author of the following books :

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats

Visit Maryanne’s You Tube Channel here: Be YOUnique

My Response to “Appalled Graphic Designer”

Recently, an “appalled graphic designer” changed the cover of Girls’ Life to her liking. Apparently, the original cover wasn’t empowering to young women. You can read the article here: https://womenyoushouldknow.net/appalled-graphic-designer-shows-girls-life-magazine-what-their-cover-should-look-like/

My response is something not many women want to hear, but it’s a reality that isn’t talked about much.

I came from a broken home. My mother worked two jobs to support two girls. I went to a prep high school and did excellent freshman year, but because we lacked the funds, I had to transfer to a public school, which I hated.

Bottom line, I graduated by the skin of my teeth and went straight to work, without college. Nevertheless I got opportunities and became what I wanted to be — a writer!

The first magazine I worked at, I KNOW I was hired because of my looks (back then, I am now in my 50s and just mediocre). And I am fine with that because back then I had nothing else to go on. Prior to that I was a waitress, drinking on the way to work, because I lost my dear grandmother who helped raise me and I felt devastated. I felt hopeless day in and day out. Not every woman is born an Einstein; and not every woman has opportunities. Some of us work very hard at it and if being cute and stylish gives some of us an edge, why not? At the time it might be all we know.

Don’t hate beautiful women, you don’t know their story!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is available for blogging, ghost writing, writing. She is also available for book signings and motivational speaking engagements. In addition to Love Cats, she is the author of the following books :

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: Love Cats

Turning My Back on Age 55

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Today is my last day of age 55.

It’s been an incredible year. My fourth book was published and I wrote a fifth (which will be published later this year). I’ve helped two other people write their books, while I tried to help even more who have given up on the process. Yet I never give up.

It’s been another year of growth, spiritually and creatively. I joined Toastmasters to become a better speaker. I not only won a spot to present a workshop, “Be Your Own Hero,” but I’ve won “Best Speaker,” “Best Evaluator,” and “Best Table Topics.” I’ve continued to present speaking engagements in libraries.

I also started an anti-bullying You Tube channel. And blogging, lots of it for major companies and small businesses.

I’ve loved hard; and I’ve lost hard. Last summer my husband and I took in a beautiful feral cat, Bennie, who chose us to live with during the final months of his short three years. We gave him a happy last few months, then he was put down due to brain cancer. We’ve also lost some friends who died way too young. As well as some high profiles like Shakti Gawain, who has been inspiring me since I found her book in the late 1980s, “Creative Visualization.”

As always, it’s been a year of much fun. Friends, concerts, trips, and lots of laughter. And yet, another cat we adopted back in April–Sammy, with the full name, Samuel Keane Clemens.

I end the year in good health, for which I never take for granted. Young people still tell me, “You look so young” when I share my real age, for which I am always proud of. Many do not make it to 55, so I am so grateful for each day on this planet, and thank the energy we call God or the Universe.

It’s a great life and I’ve manifested it; being in harmony with the universe. Being myself. Being YOUnique. God bless everyone who is a part of my own little world.

Bring on year number 56! I am ready!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is available for blogging, ghost writing, writing, and motivational speaking engagements. She is the author of the following books :

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: Ten Ways to Become Your Own Hero” will be available October 2019. To pre-order, go here: https://kicamprojects.com/shop/be-extraordinary/

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Want-Be-Like-You/dp/1726273261

UjENA Swimwear, Now and Then

Age 52

Several months ago I won a $100 gift certificate from UjENA: https://m.ujena.com/

I don’t know how this company slipped off my radar over the years, because their swimsuits are truly the best! I should know, I’ve been buying them since I was in my early 20s. And now, just 11 days short of 53-years-old, I’m still a fan!

The suit is comfortable, classy, and age-appropriate. Today at the beach my husband couldn’t keep his eyes off me. He kept saying, “That’s a great suit!”

You too can be the belle of the beach with UjENA! You deserve it! ❤

And now for a little retro action, here I am in 1986, age 22, wearing my UjENA suimsuit!

Age 22

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the author of “Love Cats” available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Cats-Maryanne-Christiano-Mistretta/dp/1681020513

Almost Spring in New Jersey

Happy “Almost” Spring!

This winter was an unusually mild one for New Jersey, with only one snowstorm.

Now I’m a gal who loves all the seasons, so I love living in New Jersey, but I must say I favor the clothes you get to wear in the spring, summer, and autumn. It’s just so liberating to not be wearing hats, scarves, and boots, though they are cute for a season.

So, spring is almost here, and so comes all the simple pleasures that spring brings: more work because people get motivated, more luncheons with the girls because people want to get out and enjoy life, car shows, bike rides, using the bird feeder again, looking for four leaf clovers, opening the windows, and so on.

Is it spring yet in your area? What do you favor about the spring?

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the author of “Love Cats” — available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback versions: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1681020513

Get White Teeth Naturally, at Any Age

Age 52

A few days ago I updated my Facebook profile page with this photograph I took over the weekend. A couple friends complimented my white teeth, so I thought I’d share my secret.

Earlier this year I started a practice called “oil pulling.” You take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for 20 minutes. That seemed a bit “much” for me, so I changed the rules a bit. I use less than a teaspoon of coconut oil and swish for 10 to 15 minutes instead of the full 20.

The benefits of doing this is to get rid of bacteria in your mouth, whiten teeth, prevent gum disease, and even prevent heart disease! Just Google “oil pulling” and see for yourself.

Note, I always brush my teeth afterwards. Some people say that you don’t have to, but I do.

Now, to up the anti, I started putting a drop of Thieves Young Living Oil into the coconut oil. This is what gives my smile that “just polished” look. Even after a meal my teeth still look and feel fresh.

This is a much better option than getting your teeth chemically whitened. It’s healthier and cheaper!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the former editor of NJ Health & Fitness and “Here’s to Your Health” columnist which appeared in The Patch. She now gives lectures about health at various libraries and assisted living facilities. She’s also a Young Living Oil distributor and will come to your home for a free demo.

Contact: maryannechristiano@gmail.com

Running with the Winners

My Ed Hardy sneakers, not for running!

For several days I’ve been meaning to write a blog about exercise. What better day than National Running Day?! Here’s an article I wrote several years ago on the benefits of running: http://patch.com/new-jersey/verona/running-with-the-winners

Maybe some can be inspired by the article, though I must share I’m not a runner myself. I stopped doing high impact exercising in 2010 after interviewing Oleda Baker who said that jogging, running and jumping could hurt the joints. Read the full article here: https://maryannemistretta.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/oleda-baker-article-i-wrote-for-the-patch-in-2010/

Whether you’re all for running or prefer other types of exercise, the thing is make sure you are exercising with passion and not disgust. If you’re working out and hating it the whole time, you won’t lose any weight. Why? Because stress turns to sugar.

It’s better to exercise when you’re happy about it. Not when you’re in the mind frame of “Oh, I gotta do this.” A clever suggestion is to break up a work-out into two mini work-outs instead of having one long one where you’re watching the clock. I’ve noticed that when I do this and also take breaks where I don’t exercise for a day or two (and do something else like meditating instead) that’s when my metabolism kicks in and I can eat a lot more and stay at my goal weight (and sometimes surprisingly be under my goal weight!)

Over the past weekend I ate a lot of stuff I normally don’t — chips, hummus, and a seafood dish with creamy lobster sauce and long grain rice. Yet the scale was my best friend — every day I was at my goal weight. I mentioned that to my husband and he reminded me, “Because you’re not stressed.”

As a side note, I eat about 80 percent paleo.

Fit over 50!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is an award-winning journalist, author and public speaker. She is available for the presentation “Paleo for Beginners” which includes a healthy dish.

And for seniors, “Here’s to Your Health and the Benefits of Walking.”

For more information, pricing and availability, contact Maryanne at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com