Cover Reveal - Ruby's Letters!!

Even though this isn't my debut novel, I've never done a cover reveal before. I hope you're as excited as I am! I love this cover. I've been dying to share it with you! So here it is:

Isn't it beautiful? My cover designer, Greg Simanson did an amazing job!

 Ruby's Letters is a contemporary romance set in Brooklyn Heights, NY. It's got ghosts and suspense just in time for Halloween!

Look for Ruby's Letters October 23rd!

Come back for upcoming posts which will include:

• The prologue to Ruby's Letters
• 10 things you didn't know about Ruby's Letters
• Details about my upcoming small town, contemporary romance series "Love and Laugh on Long Island"
• And, of course, new posts about leading a low-carb lifestyle!

Until next time, my friends, eat healthy and happy reading!

~Maggie

Why I go Coo-Coo for Coconut Oil

In my last post I mentioned I came across the documentary Fat Head because of my interest in coconut oil. I actually found out about coconut oil because of my intense research on Candida (or yeast) and how it can cause problems with our health.  But I had no idea exactly how good this product is. You can learn about all the other wonderful benefits here.

I can't and won't say all the claims they make on the above website are true, because I haven't researched every single one. However, I can tell you what I know to be true for me. Some claims seem a little far-fetched to me, but, for the most part, coconut oil is considered to be one of the best and healthiest fats we can eat.

Since I've made a habit of adding coconut oil to my diet, whether by cooking with it, applying it topically or straight up eating it (yeah, I know, I thought it was gross too) I've noticed a lot of improvements in my overall health. I eat 1 tbs of coconut oil and wash it down with my morning coffee. It took some getting use to, but now I don't even think about it. I take another tablespoon with my evening coffee, but many people chose 3 or 4 tablespoons a day.

Here are some of my expereinces:

Skin -- my rosacea cleared up (full disclosure--that picture isn't me). Now, I can't claim that's strictly from the coconut oil, nor does any

website. All I can say for sure is, since I added it to my diet, my condition is all but gone. Also, I've read in many places that CO is good for dry skin. I've had a patch of dry skin on my wrist for years. I've applied CO to it, but to be honest, it didn't really see much of a difference. It does work as a nice moisturizer on my face though. Use very sparingly as it can get oily if you use too much.

Hair -- I have very long hair (this picture--also not me:) I've used a smidgen of CO rubbed
between my palms and applied it very lightly to my dry hair and it feels awesome. I haven't tried any hair products with CO yet, but I plan to. Have dry scalp? Massage a small amount of CO onto your scalp about a half hour before showering until it clears up. 

Weight loss -- I can't say if this has helped me lose more weight or not, but I can say it helps bring my daily intake of fat percentage up for the day (I'll address this in my next post) and I've lost weight. so come to your own conclusion.

Digestion -- CO has helped tremendously with the acid reflux I used to suffer. Now, sure, you could say, "but, Maggie, isn't it possible the acid reflux is gone because you're eating right?" Yup, but even when I'm not eating right, the acid reflux hasn't come back.

Overall feeling -- CO gives me energy. Of course, that also comes from eating right, but if I want a boost, I eat a tablespoon and I'm good to go.

These are just a few benefits from CO. Please remember, not all coconut oils are alike. You can't just pick up any ole jar at your nearby grocery store. My favorite is Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. In my opinion, it tastes the best and seems to be the most highly regarded.  But be forewarned, that comes with a price. Nature's Way is another good brand.  You may be able to find other, less expensive brands, but make sure they're cold-pressed, virgin CO.

If you have any questions, just leave them in the comments' section and I'll do my best to answer them.

Until next time, my friends, eat healthy and happy writing!

~Maggie

Low-Carb, High Fat are Not Naughty Words

I'm a romance writer, and as a published author that means book signings, public appearances and getting my picture taken--a lot! And I hate getting my picture taken.

One of the reasons-- I'm not photogenic. Seriously, I'm not. I'm a fairly attractive woman, some might even say pretty (thanks, Mom!) but the camera hates me. It always has, no matter what my dress size is. That photo here? Took me over 30 tries to get a halfway decent picture of me that actually looked like me.

Another reason I hate having my picture taken--I'm fat. Yup, I said it. I'm fat. No, this is not a new revelation, although I've found some people think if they say something about it, it might 'enlighten' me into losing weight. Like they told me something I didn't know and I'm going to take their words to heart and immediately jump on the treadmill.

Newsflash--that rarely happens. There are a lot of other myths surrounding fat people, but I won't get into that now. I'm not here to whine. I made my own bed, so now I have to sleep in it.

Here's my story:

Ever since an accident when I was 19 that laid me up for months, I've had a weight problem. In between having five children, I was up and down the scale so much, I nicknamed mine the seesaw. But about 6 years ago, that seesaw sank right into the ground and stayed that way. I was at my highest weight ever. I was miserable, my back hurt all the time, my joints ached constantly, I had moderate rosacea and I always felt sick. And the worst--a form of acid reflux that had bile rise into my throat while I slept. I would wake up gasping for air.  It burned, it was painful and more often than not, I inhaled the bile and burned my trachea. It would take about an hour of coughing and chugging down milk for the unpleasantness to stop enough so I could sleep.

Eventually, I joined Jenny Craig.

I'm sure it's no shock to anyone that the Jenny Craig system can be expensive, but I wasn't going to put a price tag on my health. I could afford it, so I was going to do it. The food was pretty damn good, even if they didn't have a lot to choose from for me. That's not their fault, I'm very picky about my food--and I don't like peppers. It seemed everything had peppers in it.

Anyway, the food was good, the desserts were yummy, and except for the time between lunch and dinner, I was never really hungry. My counselor was compassionate and very knowledgeable. I lost a LOT of weight and my back stopped hurting. My joints still ached and the energy I was expecting didn't show up, but I looked better even though I had a ways to go.

The problem? I was sick all the time. Constant fatigue, to the point I couldn't make it through the day without a nap (as a writer, this didn't shock anyone) I couldn't go through a week without getting either a sinus headache or migraine, sometimes both at the same time. Ever have that?I have. It sucks.  It got to the point where my kids were shocked to see me at my laptop in the afternoon since I would usually be in bed and only reappeared in time to make dinner. But at least I was doing well on Jenny Craig.

Then the recession hit.

As the wife of a business owner, a contracting business no less, the recession hit us hard. Money got tight and suddenly, I couldn't afford Jenny Craig anymore. I was on my own.

So what does an overweight person do when no longer on a food plan? Go back to old habits, of course. Within half-a-year, I'd gained back 15 lbs. I tried eating healthy by many doctors', nutritionists' and even our own government's standards. Low fat, high carb. Lean meats, lots of grains, and the least amount of fat you can achieve.

Fast forward 6 months, I was still sick, and only about 5 lbs lighter because I couldn't stick to any diet. At least with Jenny Craig I had accountability. Having a personal counselor was great and facing that scale with her right next to me kept me on the straight and narrow.

On a side note, it was at this time I was doing research on coconut oil and all it's fabulous benefits, but I'll save that for another post. I bring it up now because it was my interest in coconut oil that prompted my oldest son to direct me to a documentary called Fat Head. He'd seen it listed on Netflix's "watch instantly" queue and thought I'd be interested because they mention coconut oil.

So I watched it. And the movie changed my life.

I won't go into all the details now, but I will say it lead me toward low-carb, medium-protein, high-fat eating. Not exactly cheap, but still cheaper than Jenny Craig. I signed up on the Atkins website, read the forums and dove right in.

The first few days were fine. Eating like this definitely keeps you satisfied. But after about a week, I suffered from what's commonly known as "Atkins Flu." My head felt like it might explode, I was nauseous and my joints were screaming. But I carried on, having read about this on the forums and even expected it to happen. There are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms--like drink lots and lots of water and sip beef broth.

Then I woke up after about 3 days and I felt fantastic! All of a sudden I could get through the day without feeling so tired I had to sleep. No more headaches that lasted for days. No more joint pain. I was doing housework that I'd normally ask my kids to help me with. And best of all, no more acid reflex! I could sleep through the night. All this with still a ton of weight to lose--okay, I don't weigh a ton, it's a metaphor, so hush.

In western medicine, there is no cure for rosacea, and mine was disappearing! However, that could be from the coconut oil I've incorporated into my diet.

So for years I was doing everything "right." Trying to lose weight, listening to the so-called "experts" and the whole time I was making my health worse. Now, I eat eggs, bacon, fatty meats, butter--all good things that have been vilified by the medical community.  This is not a no-carb diet, but a selective carb diet. You don't need a lot for "brain food" as the experts lead you to believe. You get brain food from healthy fats, but even so, the small amount of carbs you do need can be obtained through eating vegetables. Avocado, for instance, is an excellent choice for both fat and carbs.

I still struggle, but I've begun to think of this as a lifestyle and not a diet. It's not about the weight loss anymore, although that is important, but feeling good and being healthy. When I eat right, I feel great, when I don't, the headaches, especially, come back with a vengeance, as does the acid reflex. Not fun.

If you're interested, I strongly suggest watching the documentary Fat Head.  The narrator and star, Tom Naughton, explains everything so much better than I could and he's funny! Personally, I could've done without the beginning commentary against the movie Super Size Me, but I understand why he chose to add it. You could probably find the movie on YouTube, but, since Tom does a blog (linked above), research and spreads the word all for free, I chose to buy his DVD to support the great work he's doing. I watch it whenever I need a kick back into eating right.

So that's my story. join me on occasion as I continue my journey on writing a best-selling romance novel, researching healthy nutrition and maintaining the low-carb lifestyle.

Until next time, my friends, eat healthy and happy writing!

~Maggie

Reality Right Now-One Mother's Perspective

The tragedy in Newtown, CT has stopped the hearts of so many and has sent our country into mourning. Most can't fathom what the parents of those lost are going through right now. There will come a day, when life has moved on and they discover there is no going back to normal but learn to live with a new normal.

But that's not their reality right now.
 
They will laugh again. 
The day will come when they get through the day without crying.
There will come a day when they can say their child's name and smile.
They will be able to look at pictures/videos and remember without tears.
But the holidays, their birthdays and the day they passed will never be the same.

So what is their reality right now?

I an a writer who has felt this pain and still I have no words to describe it.

Breathing is a chore.

The idea of eating makes you nauseous.

They pray for sleep, search it out, if for no other reason than to escape their reality.

Movement is painful. Just lifting a limb takes effort.

Even if they are surrounded by loved ones, they might feel very alone. Many loved their child, but no one knows the loss like the mother and father.

The desire to wake up from this nightmare is so strong, there may be mornings when, for a few precious seconds, they believe it was just a nightmare.

Guilt. No matter how irrational.

They will have loved ones come to them and say kind, yet meaningless words. I don't mean this to sound harsh. When we see our loved ones suffering, we want to do or say anything to take some of the pain away.

Don't. You can't, so don't try.

Don't say they have to be strong for their other children.  The parent is mourning for the child they lost. Let them mourn. You want to help? Hug their other children. Comfort them. Because Mommy and Daddy might not be able to.

It doesn't matter if this is God's will.  Don't try to rationalize.

Saying the child is with Jesus (or whatever their personal belief) does not help. One day it might. All that matters right now, is that child is not with them.

Do not say they can always have more children. Yes, it's been said. And NO it does not help. You can never, ever replace a child. EVER.

You want to know what to say?  

"I'm sorry."

Cry with them. Hug them, And say you're sorry. That's it.

Don't ever forget the child they lost. If they had 3 children before the tragic event, don't say they have 2 children now.

Some grieving parents want to be left alone. Some want to be surrounded by people who loved their child. Whatever their choice, respect it.

Everyone grieves differently. Do not assume you know. Even I, who have been through this, can't tell you how everyone will react.

Don't put a time limit on their grief. Yes, people do this. It's been fourteen years since I lost Brandon and when people ask,
"How long did it take to move on?"
my answer always is,
"Any day now."

And it doesn't matter the child's age, or how he or she passed. Whether it be in a tragedy like the one on Friday, an accident or a long battle with illness, nothing eases the pain but time.

But that's not their reality right now.

All I can do is pray that these parents find the comfort I eventually did. I cry for them. Feel physical pain in my heart. I can't look at the pictures of the children lost being posted on Facebook. I just can't. And I know many of you feel the same way.

"So Mommy and Daddy, don't cry and wipe away that tear, for remember I'll be spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year"

Round Two

I'm working on round two of my edits. Things are moving along nicely, much easier than I thought. Now I'm so focused on promotion and 'getting my name out there' I hope it doesn't interfere with my writing.

In the Beginning....

It's been ages since I lasted posted on this blog. Up until now, I didn't have much to say. Now, I'm happy to announce I sold my first book to The Wild Rose Press. More details to follow as they become available.

Thursday Thirteen

I've only recently heard about this phenomena through the other blog I participate in, The Otherworld Diner so I decided to give it a shot on my own.

Thirteen ways to go mildly insane (I know, because I made this trip years ago)

1) Having an old dog that does new tricks: Dutch is a German short-haired pointer that I rescued about 10 years ago. Throughout the years Dutch has been a companion, an annoyance and comic relief. Now, at 12, Dutch has learned a new trick; climbing up on my furniture and . . . well . . . who needs to get up and run outside to go to the bathroom? Every night I have to put dining room chairs, guitars and empty hampers on every piece of furniture he can climb on just so I don't have to shampoo my furniture the next morning.

2) Having one of your kids go on vacation: I know, most mothers say I'm insane, but I can't help it. I love my kids and I miss them terribly when they're not here.

3) Having the aforementioned child come home from vacation: Within moments after the hugs, the kisses and the "I'm so glad you're home's!" the other kids remember that they have unfinished arguing to do and the make it all up in the first 24 hours.

4)Having a husband who thinks everything can and should be made into a joke: And worse yet, they're the same old tired jokes that I've heard over the last 20 years! I swear if I say "tongs" and he says "you're welcome" one more time....!!!!

5) You have a child who acts just like his dad: Need I say more?

6) Your worrisome father-in-law lives in your basement apartment: Let's just say, he doesn't call or knock first before he comes up :)

7)Having a nineteen-year-old who thinks it's funny to moon people: I have my brother, Hugh, to thank for that.

8) Having a five-year-old who thinks his brother mooning people is funny and isn't afraid to show it: I just can't wait for kindergarten to start! Oh, joy.

9)The circle game: Do any of you know what this is? If you don't, allow me to explain. Basically you make a circle with your index finger and thumb, hold it below your chest and then try to get people to look at it. But the other people, knowing that you play this insipid game, are too clever to look at you outright, so you need to learn new and clever ways to catch them. i.e. taking a picture of your finger-circle and sending it to your victim as a text message. Yes, that's right. And you'll never guess who plays it all the !@#$ time!

10)You no longer color your hair 'to be different': I remember when I colored my hair just for a change. Now, if I don't color my hair, people think I'm my husband's mother. I'm 40, she's 79! And yet, when I color my hair, people say I barely look like I'm out of my 20's....go figure.

11) Having a younger brother who thinks it's funny to rub his thumbs over the lenses of your glasses: Yes, Heath, I'm talking about you. And people wonder why I wear contacts.

12) Having a child who's a vidiot (video-idiot): It's so delightful when you ask your video game crazed child a question and the answer always, somehow, refers back to Nintendo.

13) Your Italian greyhound, Santa's Little Helper, (yes, that's his name) thinks the only place to lay down in your house is on you: We rescued Santa's Little Helper about 2 years ago. My sister-in-law works for a pet shop and they couldn't sell him because he has a deformed front right leg. He's a loving dog, but no matter what I do, whenever I sit down to write, or read, or watch T.V. Santa feels the need to be right up under my chin. Ever try to type on a laptop with a dog's torso resting on your chest? It's not easy. He's a weird dog anyway, but that's for another time.

Well, I hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. A special thanks to DD Mills for the fine example of Thursday Thirteen she has posted on her blog. Now back to work on my new WIP (work in progress)