My 7 reasons why

There are so many bloggers out there, so why am I starting mine?  Well, there are a few reasons.

First, as a mom, I think this  is a great way for me to record all of the fun (and challenging) times spent in the kitchen with my son Ayden.  I hope to look back at these posts and smile with each memory.

Secondly, as a Ambassador of Jamie Oliver’s food revolution, I have a personal goal to help inspire parents to interact and include their children in the kitchen and to enjoy good old fashion family meals (with no cell phones, tablets, etc.). There is much to learn and share within our community.  I’m a believer that “food is thy medicine” and intend to dive right into learning all I can learn and sharing with others who are willing to learn for and with their family.

Third, this project requires dedication and planning on my part. We both learn with each new discovery and I get to see things through his eyes which is amazing.  We flip through books, research on the computer (ah how we love google), shop for ingredients at ethnic and specialty stores, and of course the experience of the entire cooking process.

Fourth, is the teaching. I’m teaching him about each ingredient as we go. He’s learning simple concepts like “if it grows together is goes together”.  We talk about how things grow in trees, on bushes, or in the ground. When we cook ethnic food we talk the country and traditions. He learns through sensory play, and we smell and taste EVERYTHING (a must).  We count, use our colors and he’s learning about fractions…wish someone would have taught me this way.  The kitchen is an amazing classroom, don’t you think?

Fifth, we’re in it for the food.  This takes us out of a boring routine of eating the same quick fix meals and go to favorites. It develops an enthusiastic “let’s try that” attitude.

Sixth, creativity. Chefs might call this plating or food styling.  I love beautiful food and I want my son to appreciate the time, effort, and pride that goes into each meal.

Seventh, tradition. I hope this is passed down to his children.

Is that Sinatra? Turn it up!

“The dance is one of the many human experiences which cannot be suppressed. Dancing has existed at all times, and among all peoples and races. The dance is a form of expression given to man just as speech, philosophy, painting or music.”

For those of you following my blogs, you know that I have a “to learn” list which was published in my blog titled “Just admit it, you don’t know everything”.

Dancing Foxtrot at a competitive level is on the list.  So, after a nice talk with Jorge Morales last night at Taverna Plaka, I’m ready to get started with ballroom again.  We start this Wednesday!

I feel inspired and anxious to dance Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Shore with the signature style of Ginger Rogers.

As quoted by Ginger herself,  “The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first”.  So today, I’m studying footage of todays best known ballroom dancers (thank goodness for YouTube).  I want to understand the competitive side of ballroom dancing.  As I view the dancers, I will be studying details such as:

• Footwork
• Rise & Fall
• Contra-Body Movement
• Sway
• Continuity

Follow me, and read all about my new adventure on the dance floor as I accept this new challenge.

Are you aware?

Most of us can probably admit that the feeling of being in control is an empowering feeling, right?

But the word “control”  has many different meanings to different people and different situations.  So, let’s get on the same page.  We’re talking about self defense and for the sake of this blog, I’m using the definition of control below:

con·trol noun /kənˈtrōl/ The power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events.

Self defense is not a physiological aid to build self esteem or personal empowerment, and it’s certainly not you answer to physically controlling another person.  In my option, self defense is about being aware so that you can avoid conflict.  Let’s be honest, if a situation has gotten to the point where it is becoming physically violent, then it has gotten way out of hand.

I’m quite skilled at boxing and kick-boxing.  I’ve taken martial arts; I have experience in defensive handgun and rifle tactics and conflict resolution.  It’s all fantastic knowledge.  It’s also knowledge that can get me killed.  Would I fight for my life? Absolutely!   But only after all else has failed.  I am fast, strong, and well skilled, but I’m also smart enough to know that I cannot go toe-to-toe with an attacker.

I educate myself on self defense tactics and conflict resolution and I encourage women to take self defense courses for one reason.  AWARENESS.  Learn the skills to get away.  If you can get away, you can save your life.

You’re best defense is to look at your lifestyle, figure out what kind of threats you are most likely to face, and implement strategies that reduce the chances of them happening.

I watch women coming in and out of the clubs late at night who are oblivious to their surroundings.  I’m asking you to be aware.  Know how to react and be in charge of your own safety.  What do I mean?  Your 4 inch stilettos are gorgeous! Can you run in them?   You didn’t want to pay for valet, so you parked three lots away in a dark, unattended lot.  Is it worth the risk?  You’re walking and texting.  A man has been following you.  Your distracted with your phone  that have not even noticed.  Put down your iphone and pay attention!

Don’t be the next easy target.  Be aware. Be safe.

“The power to influence or direct people’s behavior” comes from your own personal awareness.  Control the situation before it happens.  Here are some tips:

•  Awareness: Your first line of defense. Most women think of kicks to the groin when they hear the term “self defense.” However, true self defense begins long before physical contact.  Be awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker’s likely strategies. The attacker’s primary strategy is to use the element of surprise. Criminals choose targets that appear to be unaware of what is going on around them.  Don’t give them that advantage!
• Use your sixth sense. “Gut instinct.”  Your intuition is a powerful subconscious insight into situations and people. All of us, especially women, have this gift.  Pay attention to it.  Avoid a person or a situation which does not “feel” safe.  You’re probably right.
• Self-defense training. It is important to evaluate the goals and practical usefulness of a women’s self defense program before signing up. The self defense program should include simulated assaults, with a fully padded instructor.  They should drill you on realistic attack scenarios and allow you to practice what you’ve learned.  I love the program offered by Reaction Cycle Concepts.  Tell them Jen sent you.   www.reactioncycle.com
• Escape:  Do whatever it takes to escape.   An attacker demands that you go with him– in a car, alley, or building and it seems like you should obey.  NO!  Never leave with anyone.  You are  more likely to be killed, raped or seriously injured if you go with the predator. Run away, yell for help–do whatever you can to attract attention.  
• Your right to fight. Unfortunately, no matter how diligently we practice awareness and avoidance techniques, we may find ourselves in a physical confrontation. Defend yourself.  Use the element of surprise to your advantage–strike quickly and with the purpose of getting away.  You may only get one chance.  Use your your survival skills  and do what it takes to escape.
• Home invasions: A crime on the rise. The primary way to prevent a home invasion is simply to never, ever open your door unless you either are certain you know who’s on the other side.

Smooth as silk skin

With all of this summer heat, it’s easy to dry out your skin.  Your skin could use a little tender loving care.  Today’s “to learn” lesson should help smooth things out.

Today I am blogging about one of the many “spa treatments” that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home.  Follow me; today you will learn how to get sexy, “smooth as silk skin”.

Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of Egypt had many secrets to her beauty and famed allure. One of her beauty treatments that is still being used today is the honey & milk bath. The bath is known to leave the skin feeling like pure silk.   I’d love for my skin to feel like pure silk, wouldn’t you?  Yes,  of course you would!  So read on.

Cleopatra’s bath has been used for centuries as one of women’s favorite beauty rituals.  Today, I will take a long soak in the famous bath as a learning experience and as my own well deserved indulgence.  I will let you know the results at the end of this blog, but first, I am going to tell you what I’ve discovered in my research.

Why it works:

• Milk, contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate your skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid, which helps to deeply cleanse the layers of your skin.
• Honey is a humectant, which means it will attract moisture and help retain it.  Since it is composed of sugars such as glucose and fructose it is another star player as an alpha hydroxy acid (further exfoliating your skin). Honey also nourishes and heals the skin with its natural minerals and vitamins. Plus, it’s an anti-irritant and an anti-bacterial that kills some viruses, bacteria, and fungus.

The effect it has on your skin:  Basically, it means bathing in milk and honey results in sexy, soft skin that feels silky to touch.

My personal results:  The results were fantastic!  After soaking for 30 minutes in the milk & honey bath (bath #1), I can honestly say that my skin really feels like soft luxurious silk.  Not only does my skin feel silky, it also looks more radiant, healthy, and hydrated.

I am sharing my bath recipes below.  These are of my versions of the royal honey & milk bath.  History lessons report that Cleopatra filled her elegant bath tub with camel milk to maintain her notoriously supple skin.  Since camel milk is not available, I use cow’s milk in my recipes .  I  also added Jojoba oil and almond oil to give my skin a little extra help.  The nourishing benefits should encourage my skin to stay healthy.  This will further promote the appearance of youthful skin.  Here’s why I chose to add Jojoba oil and almond oil:

• I added the Jojoba oil because it’s known as the best affinity to human skin and it is a superior skin moisturizer that helps restore elasticity and smoothness. In my opinion, it’s a good choice for promoting youthful skin and a clear complexion.
• I’ve added almond oil because it is an excellent moisturizer.  It nourishes and softens the skin which helps keep skin smooth to the touch.  Remember, “Smooth as silk skin” is what I want.  I was further convinced to use almond oil when I read that almond oil is similar in composition to the oil baby’s excrete to keep their skin and hair healthy.  This composition is beneficial to protecting and conditioning your skin (no matter what age you are).

The first bath recipe is my favorite, which uses fresh milk.  Maybe it’s a chef thing, but I always prefer fresh (even when it comes to beauty).  The second option is perfect to make ahead and keep stored in your bathroom in a glass jar so you have it ready to spoil yourself after a long day.  It also makes a nice gift for a special friend.

BATH #1    Freshly Made Honey & Milk Bath

This recipe makes enough for one bath.

3          cups                 whole milk
½         cup                  powdered Milk
½         cup                  Raw Honey
2          teaspoons     organic Jojoba Oil (optional)
1          teaspoon       almond oil (optional)

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Pour the mixture into your warm bath. Soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.  This will introduce these beneficial ingredients to your skin and allow you skin to absorb the moisture it needs while exfoliating unwanted dead, dry skin.   I like to turn on my favorite music and soak for 30 minutes for soft and silky skin.

 

BATH #2     Honey & Powdered  Milk Bath

Combine the ingredients below in a large bowl and then transfer the mixture to a decorative jar to keep in your bathroom.  You can simply scoop out a few cups of it and dissolve in your warm bath anytime you want to spoil yourself with a relaxing royal skin softening treatment.

½         cup                  raw honey
3          cups                 powdered milk
2          teaspoons     organic Jojoba Oil (optional)
1          teaspoon        almond oil (optional)

It’s so cheesy!

Buongiorno! (bwohn-johr-noh) Good morning!

I’ve served myself a large cup of coffee (from my French Press, of course) in preparation for today’s lesson.  Here I go, conquering one thing off my “to learn” list.  Learning lesson number one, “How to make homemade mozzarella cheese”.  I’m part Sicilian;  I feel it’s my natural birth right to know how to make creamy, fresh mozzarella.  Still, it sounds slightly intimidating, right?

Nonetheless, optimistic thoughts fill my head as I begin my research.   With coffee in hand, I go to the computer and start searching.

With simplicity, Google leads me to a ton of “cheesy” information.  So far, the cheese making process does not look that difficult.  All of the kitchen equipment needed is basic items that anyone would have at home.  As for the grocery list, 6 ingredients:  milk, rennet, citric acid, lipase powder (optional), water, and salt.  Surprisingly, I do not have the citric acid or the rennet tablets in my well stocked pantry.  Looks like I’ll have to make a trip to the store to get the missing items before I begin.   If you want to follow along with me and learn the cheese making process you can purchase rennet tablets & citric acid online, or if you live in Atlanta visit Atlanta Wine & Beer making Supplies on Roswell Road.

My trip to the supply store was a success with the help of Rick Adams who was kind enough to help me fine my missing ingredients (and a few other things I just had to have).

After a short drive home, I am back in the kitchen and ready to claim my Sicilian pride of cheese making.  I found several different recipes.  Some recipes are with lipase powder (for a stronger flavor), some without.   Today, I am making a quick 30-minute Mozzarella and I have decided to make it without lipase powder for my first attempt at cheese making.  I have provided the recipe below if you want to give it a try.

The process was easy.  I have to admit, I had a lot of fun too.  It was almost like a little science project.  Really, the entire process was very simple and in its own way, therapeutic.   Also, I’m happy to report that it really did only take 30-minutes to have about a one pound of fresh mozzarella.  The result was wonderfully creamy and smooth and I will definitely make it again.  However, next time I will add ¼ lapase powder for more flavor.

Yes, I’m thrilled with the results and for a successful day of learning something new.  The experience has built my courage to try  making other cheeses.  I’ll be marking Mozzarella off my “to learn” list, but adding a few more cheese making challenges to the ever growing list of learning.

I think that my 30-minute mozzarella cheese would be great with crusty bread and a glass of wine.  So, I’m going to say goodbye for now.  I’m pouring  two glasses of red wine and sitting down to enjoy this freshly made mozzarella with my anxiously waiting husband.

Ciao! (chou) Good-bye!

Homemade 30-minute Mozzarella Cheese:

1 ½ level teaspoon citric acid, dissolved in ½ cup cool water

1 gallon pasteurized whole milk

¼ teaspoon lipase powder (optional)

¼ teaspoon liquid rennet (or ¼ rennet tablet) diluted in ¼ cup cool, unchlorinated water

1 teaspoon cheese salt (optional)

• Use a non-reactive pot.  I am using enamel coated.
• Temperatures are important.  I’m using a digital candy/oil thermometer.

STEP 1 – While stirring the milk at 55° F add the citric acid solution and mix thoroughly.     If you want to use the lipase powder, add it now.   Note:  Do not use ultra pasteurized milk.

STEP 2 – Heat the milk to 90° F, stirring constantly. Remove the pot from the heat and slowly stir in the diluted rennet.  Use an up and down motion for 30 seconds.  Cover the pot and let the mixture rest for 5-10 minutes.

STEP 3 – Check the curd. It should look like custard with a clear separation between the curd and the whey. If the curd is too soft or the whey is to milky let the mixture rest for a few minutes more.  Cut the curd with a sharp knife that reaches all the way to the bottom of your pot.

STEP 4 – Place the pot back on the stove and heat the curds and whey to 105° F, gently moving the curds around with your spoon. Remove from heat and continue to stir slowly for 2 to 5 minutes.  The longer you stir, the firmer the cheese will be in the end results.

STEP 5 – Scoop out the curds with a slotted spoon or strainer and put in a 2-quart microwavable bowl.  Press the curds gently with your hands, pouring off as much of the whey as possible.  Reserve the whey.

STEP 6 – Microwave the curds on high for 1 minute. Drain the excess whey and gently fold the cheese over and over (as in kneading bread).  This distributes the heat evenly throughout the cheese.

Just admit it, you don’t know everything

Just admit it, you don’t know everything (and neither do I). Follow my journey as I learn new things everyday.

Life is no fun when it becomes a routine.  So, I am keeping things interesting by learning something new every day.  Some things on my “to learn list” are outrageous and some are basic skills that I’ve always wanted to learn, while others are ambitious challenges.

Follow me on this journey, learn with me, and give yourself something new to talk about.

If you have suggestions of things to add to my never-ending “to learn” list, please send me your ideas.   This is what I have so far (in no particular order):

• How to play the guitar
• Arial Silks
• How to tie a tie
• Fencing
• Speak Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, and Czech
• How to make jewelry
• Capoeira
• Digital photography with our new DSL camera
• How to do a Chinese split — this one might take me a while…ouch!
• Structural integration
  
• Acupuncture  
• How to create the dance proof up-do
  
• How to dance hip hop (without my Latin hip motion)
• How to hit a soccer ball off my head without getting an instant headache (this one is to impress my step son)
• How to dance Flamenco
• How to re-track the shoulder joint
• learn how to sample wines like a professional
• palm reading
• How to make a piñata
• sign language
• How to build a fire with no matches – They didn’t teach this in the girl scouts
• cupping therapy
• How to publish a book
• Thai massage
• Lean to dance the Waltz, Foxtrot at a competitive level
• International Latin Ballroom:  Rhumba, Paso Doble, Cha-Cha-Cha, Bolero
• Advanced culinary skills
• How to make homemade organic beauty products
• How to make organic massage lotion
• Learn about Chinese herbs
• Learn about chakras
• Learn how to make birria (as good as it is in Guadalajara)
• How to make homemade beer
• How to get dual citizenship in Italy
• How to make homemade wine
• Teach women’s self defense — please read my blog “are you aware?”
• how to make brie, gorgonzola, feta, queso fresco, and blue cheese

IN THE WORKS

• Speak Italian — self study 1 hour per day — started 7/15/11
  
• Mandarin — scheduled weekly lesson (and lunch) with Faye — started on 8/8/16/11
  
• Dance Ballroom (waltz, foxtrot) at a competitive level — started training on 8/24/11

COMPLETED

• 8/17/11  homemade mozzarella cheese  — Read my blog:   It’s so cheesy!

Getting it done! My productivity tips.

People ask me all the time how I accomplish so much on a day to day basis: business operations and marketing for two businesses, attending rehearsals as a professional dancer, event planner, celebrity massage therapist, team captain of Salsambo Dance Company, choreographer, taking time to learn new skills, and still making time to be a dedicated wife & dog mommy.   It’s a never-ending joke amongst my friends who frequently call me Wonder Woman, the Atlanta “it” girl, Super Wife…well, you get it, the nick names go on and on.

Honestly, I’ve been this way as long as I can remember.  My “I can take on the world” attitude is part of who I am.  I believe that I’d simply go crazy otherwise.  I will admit that this trait is probably one of my best qualities (and one of my worst).  I cannot sit still.  Really, I have to constantly me moving, doing something productive, or learning something new.  This is an inherited trait that I blame (and thank) my mother for.  I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredibly successful people who have further enhanced my thoughts and habits of how to be as productive as possible.

Here are a few of my tips for getting things done.

1. Plan:  Take a “at a glance” look at your day before you get started with anything. This gives you a chance set your priorities.
2. Eliminate:  Part of being productive is weeding out things that waste your time.  Get more done by eliminating unnecessary things. When you have a task in front of you, ask yourself: do I need to do this? If the answer is no then eliminate it from your “to do” list.
3. Ditch Multitasking:  I pride myself on being a phenomenal multitasker, however I have found that constantly multitasking is tiring, and switching from one activity to another without focusing on one task is not always this most productive way to get things accomplished quickly. So, ditch multitasking and do one thing at a time.   A “touch it once” approach works best for me.  When you come across a new task, conquer and destroy.  You know as well as I do, things stacked in a pile rarely get taken care of quickly.
4. Organization:  I use google calendar for everything.  I’ve used it to structure my day, my clients, and to schedule in some “me time”.
5. Learn:The internet has empowered us with information at our fingertips.  If you need to learn something.  Google it.  Improve your searching skills which will help save you time and energy.  Helpful Google Search Features
6. Be Realistic: Get into the habit of setting challenging but realistic targets.

Start by taking some of these simple steps and you’ll see that you will achieve more and more with less and less effort.  Improving your personal productivity is an ongoing process but when you begin to experience the results you’ll be able to stay more balanced.  In turn, you’ll have an energizing effect on others while accomplishing more than you ever thought possible.

Cooking Well

It’s the smell of hand-made tortillas filling the street, the intoxicating smell of jalapeños roasting on the comal, and the seductive smoke and spice mystically coming from a homemade grill while the family gathers and gossips with Michelada’s in hand.  Food cooked well….well, it’s an experience like no other.  Where better to experience it than Mexico?  There, one finds an amazing wealth of knowledge passed down from generation to generation.  Everyone has their job in the kitchen and I eagerly volunteer to learn and experience what living in Mexico is all about.

It is Saturday morning and I have been awakened by the obnoxious rooster outside my window.  Secretly, I hope that he is part of tonight’s dinner menu!   In the kitchen, there is no sign of real coffee. No Starbucks breakfast blend, no Italian dark roast, just Nescafé and the clink-clink sound of spoons stirring instant brew in individual coffee mugs.

Weary eyed, I can easily see that everyone is preparing something to sell.  It’s a shared effort by some of the hardest working and most loving people I know; my husband’s family. Coming into this traditional Mexican household, I’m viewed as an American woman not expected to work hard; and certainly not expected to know my way around the kitchen.

To their surprise, I volunteered to prepare the chickens for the rotisserie, 80 chickens to be exact.  I inquired about every ingredient.  I tasted everything and better yet I learned what cooking well is all about.

It’s the grandma who stands on her feet all day dictating where, what and how everything needs to be prepared. It’s the aunts and uncles who are hard working, honest individuals who open up their homes to sell pollo, tamales, tacos, carne asada and antojitos to support their families.  It’s the teenager who starts preparing menudo while studying for her final exams, and the eight year old girl who prepares salsa far superior to any I’ve ever tasted in any of the top restaurants back home.  I’ve learned that cooking well has nothing to do with purchasing organic food or using ingredients from specialty markets; but rather it’s a family that works together, laughs together, and eats together in utter enjoyment after a hard days work.  It’s cooking well because taste matters, because it’s survival and earning a living, because tradition is not taken for granted, and because there is competition on every corner.  It’s because cooking well it is a way of life. This learned talent is passed down from generation to generation of hard workers making a living and caring for their families.

I’m a changed woman who holds these friends, family, and some complete strangers in my heart forever. It’s the Piceno family in Guadalajara, the toothless man that cooks birria in the barrio and the old lady who taught me the secrets of making homemade tortillas. These individuals have opened my eyes to the culinary world and given me knowledge I would never have learned from an elite cooking school.  Now,  I am the woman who cooks well through the knowledge gained from others.

Injury Prevention For Dancers

Massage is an easy way to de-stress tired muscles and bring back normal functionality to the body. As a Professional Dancer and licensed Massage Therapist, I’m not talking about “normal” as it applies to the general population.  A sense of normal for your average dancer is completely different when it comes to range of motion, flexibility, body awareness, and muscle control.

Often dancers have specific muscle imbalances because they perform repetitive movements with their lower body. These movements require a high level of dynamic control.  An example in Salsa Dancers is “cross body lead with a turn”, where you are working the legs, glutes, hips, abdominals & pelvis.  All of which are put under strain.  Not to mention your arms are required to hold the appropriate tension (for good lead and follow) while you hold your neck and head floating perfectly in a lengthened position.

If you are dancing socially or in class three times or more per week you should be incorporating massage into your weekly routine to help speed your recovery period and help with injury prevention.   With my massage clients, I  incorporate stretches in the massage session.  This winning combination of massage and flexibility encourages healthy soft muscle tissue, range of motion, and supports injury prevention.

There are many styles of massage.  I find that deep tissue massage is incredibly effective in dancers. It is also my preferred method of self treatment massage for my own injury prevention.

Don’t let the words “deep tissue” scare you.  It doesn’t mean there is pain involved. It’s like stretching.  At times there is a little discomfort, however the results of improved movement, flexibility and strength are well worth it.

Injury prevention should be the main focus for dancers no matter what type of massage service is chosen.    Don’t wait until you are injured.  Listen to your body and take care of your muscles.

Taking a little time out of your schedule for a weekly massage now is much better than taking months off dancing due to a strained hamstring or overuse injury.

For questions or to schedule a session visit www.jenpiceno.com

The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and not to be relied upon on its own. Always consult your doctor before embarking on any treatment for pain or healing or accepting any advice with regard to your health care.

Health Benefits of Dancing

As a dance instructor, I have found that dancing is one of life’s simple pleasures.  It is an art that can really brighten people’s lives. It breaks the normal day-to-day routine and makes people feel more alive.  Studies show that there are health benefits too.   Dancing aids in emotional and mental levels, burns calories, and encourages better range of motion.

Usually when someone decides to start a new exercise regiment they rarely consider the level of fun or enjoyment it includes.  It makes sense that we should consider “enjoyment” as a part of our exercise program.  If you enjoy doing something,   the results will be far more effective and you are  likely to continue with the program.

People have fun when they dance.  Notice a person while they are dancing and you will see them smiling and laughing.   This is because it allows you to to be free and enjoy life.  There is no age barrier in dancing.  A person of any age can enjoy the art of dance while building a more healthy lifestyle in the process.

Benefits of Dance:

• strengthens the lung and heart
• strengthens  muscles
• minimizes the chances of osteoporosis because it makes bones stronger
• increases  flexibility, agility and coordination
• enhances physical confidence
• burn calories & aids in weight loss
• enhances overall well being
•  builds better self-esteem and confidence

There are many forms of dancing.  Every dance form has it’s own beneficial to creating a more healthy lifestyle.  Now, all you have do is choose which style is best for you.

Visit www.salsambo.com for upcoming dance lessons in the metro Atlanta area.

The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and not to be relied upon on its own. Always consult your doctor before embarking on any treatment for pain or healing or accepting any advice with regard to your health care.