Baby Boomer Women's Blog

Baby Boomer Woman: Barbara Hannah Grufferman

by Anne Holmes on July 20, 2010

Welcome to NABBW member, Barbara Hannah Grufferman, author and former magazine publisher, who not only shares her life with us, but how she became healthy, fit and fearless, a great combination for baby boomer women today.

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself? Raised in Brooklyn and Queens, I’ve been living in Manhattan since graduate school. I was studying Social Anthropology at NYU, but the magazine publishing business beckoned with a good salary, a little glamour and a small expense account. I left graduate school to pursue a different path, and never looked back. I’ve been a publisher of many different magazines, and even started a few. Before I decided to take a hard-earned sabbatical from working (when I was 45), I was the president of an international conference company. I guess you could say I was always in the “communications business” which is what I love to do. Deciding to write The Best of Everything After 50 was a natural progression for me. I wasn’t sure what I needed to do (or not do) after I turned 50 to be healthy, fit and fearless . . . so I did the research, used the programs, and shared everything I learned by writing the book. I’m having a blast!

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc. I was the quintessential workaholic, with no time for serious dating, let alone marriage. But a good friend felt otherwise (luckily), and introduced me to Howard in a very sneaky way one summer day in 1992. By the second date, we were talking about where we would live after we married. The following summer, the mayor of Positano, Italy, officiated at our wedding at the Town Hall on June 28, 1993.

One year to the day, our first daughter was born, at 27 weeks. Sarah weighed 2 lbs., 2 oz., and today she is a gorgeous, smart, healthy young woman who just celebrated her 16^th birthday.

Elizabeth entered the world 3 ½ years later . . . without the drama, but with a head of beautiful strawberry blonde curls.

Last year, we added Gunther the Wonder Dog to our family – a Brittany we rescued through the National Brittany Rescue Network.

Howard and I both have our mothers, we each have a sister, we each have one nephew, one of whom just got married, and they now have a son, Max. Life is good.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s? I was born in 1956, so I was a child in the early 60s, an adolescent in the late 60s, and a teenager in high school, and then college, in the 70s.

Summers in Brooklyn during the 60s were amazing. No one locked their doors. None of us went to camp. We had to rely on our own creativity to stay entertained day in and day out. I don’t even remember adults in our lives during the summer except when they fed us breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Otherwise, we were out, about, biking, putting on plays, breaking open rocks with a hammer, playing stoopball, handball in the park, roller skating (not blading!) with the key hung around her necks.

It’s was just fabulous beyond belief. We were never bored, we barely watched TV (but found time to read — a rule handed down from my mother).

At night, everybody would sit outside on the stoops of the attached houses, gossiping, and watching over us as we continued to play even after it got dark.

Every Tuesday night, my grandparents (with whom my mother, sister and I lived, as my parents were divorced and my father had stayed in Georgia) would take my sister and me on two buses to Coney Island. It was always the same – my grandmother would set up the picnic blanket and lay out the food, while my grandfather would dive into the water, showing off a bit, while my sister and I would tip toe in.

By 9pm, the fireworks started, and by 9:30, we were packing up and heading back to the bus.

We had very little money, but who knew? Such joy. Such unadulterated happiness.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women? I’m compassionate, hard-working, and very entrepreneurial. I wasn’t always fearless . . . but I am now.

What inspires you? I’m inspired by my daughters. Being a mother has been one of the most important, sometimes difficult, always interesting, and never boring things I have ever, and will ever do. Howard and I are raising them to be confident, brave and compassionate, and so far, I think we are succeeding. I’m also greatly inspired by women over 50 who are re-inventing their lives, starting companies, volunteering, engaging in the world in ways that I never thought possible.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife? Looking back and knowing that I have no (or, very few) regrets. I can honestly say that I am more relaxed, confident, fun now and that makes me happy. I’m thrilled with my family and friends, and with my new life as an author and speaker.

But, probably the most pleasurable is connecting with other women over 50 and together, exploring everything it means to have our best lives after 50. It’s a wonderful journey.

Do you have any interesting hobbies? I wouldn’t call running a hobby, per se, but it is something I love, and which I do at least three times a week (with Gunther the Wonder Dog). But, I run slowly and take walk breaks every few minutes. The program I follow was created by Jeff Galloway, and it’s outlined in detail in my book. Some of my best ideas and problem-solving comes to me when I’m running.

I also love to knit. I started out knitting the usual – hats, mittens, scarves, ponchos – but now I’m more interested in “knitting as art.” Much to the chagrin of my family, there are quite a few of my “knitting art” pieces displayed around the house.

And, I’m an avid reader.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite. One of my favorite authors is Joe McGinniss, who is currently holed up in Alaska next door to Sarah Palin’s house, while he is doing research for his next book. Joe is known for his best-sellers such as Blind Faith, but my favorite book of his is “The Miracle of Castel di Sangro” which is about a little soccer team in Italy which goes from the bottom of the barrel in terms of ranking, to the top.

Joe spent a year with the team to see if they could sustain it and do it again. The book combines travel writing about Italy (my favorite place to travel to), a story about achievement against all odds, and an insiders view of how Italian soccer really operates. It’s fascinating and Joe’s writing makes you feel as though you are truly there. I found myself jumping up and down on my bed one day while reading about a particularly exciting match.

Another favorite book, which I pull out and read every ten years, since high school, is Green Darkness by Anya Seton. It has everything I love most about historical fiction – the middle ages, romance, adventure, and terrific writing. Love it.

My favorite movie (I have so many) is probably The Night of the Hunter, with Robert Mitchum. It is a beautifully filmed movie, pitting good against evil (Robert Mitchum’s character is the epitome of evil). I first saw it when I was around 10, and it left such a lasting impression on me. The children in the movie are trying to escape from Robert Mitchum. The adults are so clueless (until they meet Lillian Gish). The children soon realize that they just have to fend for themselves. And they do . . . brilliantly.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go? We only travel together as a family, and usually just the four of us. We love hanging together. Our favorite place to visit is Italy, and if we really want to just do nothing but read, swim and eat . . . we all love the sleepy island of Anguilla for a week or so. We also love exploring New York City with the girls.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate. Absolutely! That’s one of the most important focal points of my book, and what I tend to talk about most when I speak to groups. I believe in the “do/don’t do/listen to your body” approach to good health and well-being.
- Do: take calcium,Vitamin D, multi-vitamin and fish oil every day.
- Do: eat more greens, less processed foods, whole grains instead of white flour and rice.
- Do: move your body every day. Do: get your screening tests (colonoscopy, mammogram, etc.).
- Do: wear sunscreen.
- Don’t: smoke, drink too much, gain too much weight, sit in the sun without sunscreen or for too long.
- Listen to your body for changes and don’t wait to see your doctor if something feels wrong or different.

It’s not that complicated, but I’m amazed at how many women (and men) don’t follow these simple steps.

What do you stress about? I’m like most other women, I’m sure. Some things we all stress about (our children, our husbands’ health, our finances, our own health, the state of the world, terrorist attacks, the BP oil leak, and so on), and some are exclusively mine. And the good news is, I don’t stress out too much.

I’ve learned that there are some things we can control, and if we can control them, then do so. Then, there are others we cannot control, and those you should try not to think about too often.

When you’re stressed, the best thing you can do is exercise or have some good sex.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go? I’m really happy with how I look and feel. In fact, I’ve been told that I look better than ever. I follow the programs I recommend in my book, and my weight is where it should be. I work out, I take good care of my skin, and it’s all working.

Sure, I have lines and crows’ feet around my eyes. I’m in my mid-fifties! And, it’s sometimes very tempting to visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon and say, “Wrinkles begone!” These days, procedures, both invasive and non-invasive, are incredibly easy to get and are safe. But, I’m not there yet and I may never be.

My whole philosophy is this: Don’t try to look younger, because if you do, you’ll be profoundly disappointed. It isn’t possible to look or be 30, or even 40. We’re not! What we SHOULD try to do is look and feel our best at whatever age we are! I’m 53 right now, and I want to feel and look my best at 53. That’s my goal.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how? I decided, at the age of 51, that I wanted to write a book. And I did. I also wanted to think through how I lived my life, and the choices I was making – nutrition, health, fitness, style, hair, makeup; everything. I feel as though I have completely reinvented myself to more closely reflect my life, goals, dreams and age . . . now. It’s all wonderful.

Do you plan to retire? What does that mean, really? My goal is to have good health for as long as possible, which will let me do whatever it is I want to do. That could be anything!

Are you doing anything to GO Green? Yes. Two years ago, we gave up the car we kept in NYC. I walk everywhere, or take the subway or bus. So does my family. We recycle, are conscious about using less electricity and I even use a disinfectant that I make myself, instead of store-bought brands with harsh chemicals. We’re trying!

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife? It was the moment when it dawned on me that I was actually in my 50s. The other decades – the 20s, 30s and 40s, all felt like one seamless decade to me. But, this one – my 50s – clearly was different. My life was filled with change on all levels, and I wanted to make sure I had all the information I needed to live my best life, with health, vitality, energy and style.

This “wow!” moment caused me to think about writing the book, which was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have a new career, have made throngs of new friends and am spending most of my days celebrating women over 50 through my writing and speaking engagements.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them? I’d like to take the idea of The Best of Everything After 50 to a wider audience through television, and am working right now on making that dream a reality. When my book launched, I appeared on the Today Show. It was clear from the response that women around the country really felt connected to my message, and I want to get that message out to as many people as possible, as often as possible. I’d like to also write a few more books, travel to new places, and knit a huge wall hanging of my own design. These are only a few of the dreams I still have knocking around in my head.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world? I believe I’m making a difference in the lives of women over 50 with my book. Also, I volunteer whenever possible, donate money to several causes, and am a founding board member of RXCompassion, (coming soon!) which is dedicated to promoting compassion, specifically in the medical field.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why? My mother, for sure. She raised my sister and me, with the help of my grandparents, as a single parent, and while working as a secretary. When I was 2, my parents divorced, and my father moved back home to Georgia. The next time I saw him I was in my 20s, and it was under difficult circumstances – he was dying of lung cancer. My mother taught me that we should always work hard, be honest, never live beyond our means, read every day, and always be financially independent. She is also a lot of fun.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose. Fearless After 50! You can’t reinvent yourself, or take chances, or try new things . . . unless you are fearless.

Visit Barbara’s website where you can learn more about her fascinating “boomer” journey as a writer, speaker, and advocate for women, and also her book, The Best of Everything After 50.

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Baby Boomer Woman: Toby Devens

by Anne Holmes on July 7, 2010

Meet NABBW member Toby Devens, a former New York editor for Where magazine and now a Baby Boomer turned author. Devens’ first book, Mercy Lord, My Husband’s in the Kitchen and Other Equal Opportunity Conversations with God, was published by Doubleday in hardcover and Avon in soft cover. It received glowing reviews from People magazine, the West Coast Review of Books, the New York Daily News, and many other newspapers. Her work has also appeared in such publications as Reader’s Digest, Family Circle, McCall’s and Parents magazine.

Toby’s latest book, My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet), is a devastatingly funny, poignant, all-too-true novel of the ultimate midlife crisis of three best friends as they enter their menopausal years. Here’s what Toby has to share with our readers:

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself? As soon as I knew how to form letters and string them into words, I began writing my own fairy tales—every last one with a happy ending. That about sums up my philosophy—all’s well that ends well, and every woman’s got a little princess in her. I’m a New York kind of woman, born and raised in Brooklyn, transplanted to Baltimore in my twenties. Worked in public information for corporations, government and finally for a nonprofit international network tissue of tissue transplant banks. That was so fulfilling as the work we did gave sight to the blind, and improved the quality of millions of lives. When downsized, and after the initial shock and sadness, I realized that now I could write the novel that had been brewing in my head for a decade. My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet) was published in 2006 to glowing reviews. And I just completed my new novel. So I’m a big believer in encore moments and second chances.

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc. Life offers so many surprises. Married twice, widowed twice, I married again (some people never learn) and after eleven years with the man, I currently find myself in the middle of a D-I-V-O-R-C-E. However…I got a lovely step family (including super grandkids) in the bargain, learned a lot of lasting lessons, and I have no regrets. However… if I ever even think of taking the vows again, you have my collective permission to shoot me. On a happier note, my dear daughter Amanda presented me with my first bio-grandchild, Elizabeth last November. So its been a bittersweet year, the sweet as always, outlasting the bitter.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s? Most evocative memory is of Brooklyn summer nights when we kids hung out in the streets late into the evening. I lived in an apartment house on a block lined with them. So you could whistle and flocks of friends would fly from the buildings. On those steamy nights, clusters of us preteens improvised do-wop songs on the corner, read movie magazines under street lamps and practiced our flirting with boys…who completely ignored us. It was usually past ten when our mothers called from the windows to herd us upstairs. Days were infinitely long and not programmed. Time to play, time to dream.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women? Tenacity. Resiliency. A decent sense of self. A sold work ethic. A strong desire to support and mentor other women.

What inspires you? Getting up in the morning works for me. With all its trials and tribulations, I believe as the poet Robert Frost did that the world’s “the right place for love, I know none better.” Countering that note, I’m also inspired by being really ticked off. Writing is a cathartic experience. Old boyfriends sometimes appear in my stories fitted out with horns, tail and pitchfork. Writing well is the best revenge. My daughter gave me a t-shirt one Christmas emblazoned with the saying, “Be careful what you say around me, you might appear in my next novel.”

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife? Ah, the grandkids. Seeing my family flourish. And reconnecting with long absent friends. Between Facebook and other Internet resources, people I haven’t seen in years are suddenly surfacing. Reunions online and in person tend to confirm that the ones I liked and loved decades back—believed in and trusted—turned out to be as wonderful as their promise.

Do you have any interesting hobbies? I am learning to play bridge. Have been for more than two years to keep the brain sharp. I am terrible at it, but refuse to give up. Tenacity or plain pig-headedness keeps me bidding away. Reading is a refuge and a reward. I juggle two or three books at a time, switching depending upon mood. Secret indulgence: reality TV featuring chefs and fashion designers.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite. Well, shucks, ma’am, I have to say my favorite book is My Favorite Midlife Crisis (Yet). It was such a joy to write about three single women in their fifties who triumph over all kinds of obstacles and do it with grace, style and wit. Others I love: Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series beginning with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Complex, dense, challenging—worth every 2 a.m. stay-up because you can’t put the book down. Just finished The Help. Wonderful…and it’s a first novel. Movies: The musical “Gigi” is so lushly gorgeous and the songs are fabulous. Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan,” tributes to the city I adore. All of the Kate Hepburn, Spencer Tracy comedies and lest you think I am stuck in another generation, I think the Swedish production of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is brilliant.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go? Well, a good thing about the last husband was that he spoke six languages (English not so well, but he was a whiz at Polish), so he was a handy traveling companion. But I have many single women friends (and a multi-lingual sister and brother in law) who are ready to hop a plane or board a ship at the drop of a passport. One day I’d like to take my daughter and her family to Ireland (she’s a Kennedy). And my great-grandfather was born in Scotland—haven’t been there yet, so that’s on my bucket list.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate. I’m a card carrying hypochondriac though, as the birthday’s pile up, I’m realizing that something’s going to get me, so I what’s the point? Still, I aim to live as long as I can, as young as I can. I work out at Curves three times a week, climb a lot of stairs, meditate when I don’t forget, and I found this incredibly brilliant physician whose theory is that ice cream counts as protein.

What do you stress about? What DON’T I stress about?

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go? No surgery (do you know what they do in a face lift? I’ve seen one. They actually peel down….never mind. Ugh!), no toxins that would take down a horse injected into my forehead, no liposuction. No tucking and trimming. I do fuss a lot with my hair which I make sure retains its natural auburn color, unnaturally. Also, Spanx is a girl’s best friend.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how? I reinvent myself constantly. Life is a series of adventures so when a new one comes along, you just have to suit up.

Do you plan to retire? There is no retirement from writing. It’s not a profession, it’s an obsession. So I guess they’ll have to pry the laptop from under my cold, dead fingers.

Are you doing anything to GO Green? I have a daughter-in-law who’s a certified green advisor and works hard on environmental programs for the city of Baltimore. For my part, I recycle. I drive a Prius. I eat leftovers, which is a kind of recycling, no?

Do you engage in any faith based practices? I used to turn my hands heavenward daily and say, “Take this from me, dear God.” The Buddhist mother of my daughter in law recently told me I needed to be more proactive. So now I say, “I’m giving this to you, dear God. Deal, please.” I belong to a synagogue and attend services Friday evenings, loving the camaraderie and the traditions of the culture–and the rabbi gives terrific baseball-themed sermons somehow connecting the Baltimore Orioles, when they’re on a losing streak, to Job. I also practice active gratitude, knowing that every day is a gift and it’s right and proper to send a thank you note.

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife? My re-blooming in the years after I lost my last job was a biggie. My second husband’s incredible attitude as he let go of the world, taught me to value every moment, extract every laugh and bit of love from life, even on your way out.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them? There is a novel I want to write, will write, set in Brooklyn in 1949, and told in part in the voice of a 12 year old girl—a mystery story with a Holocaust component. I feel a real calling to get this book written and published. On a lighter note, I want to dance at all my grandchildren’s weddings –including the weddings of those who haven’t yet been born. That should get me to my hundredth birthday doing a mean salsa.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world? I serve on various nonprofit boards, and donate to charity, but I think my most meaningful contribution to the greater good comes from my writing. The reader mail that comes into my website www.tobydevens.com is so satisfying. One woman wrote, “I picked up your book while brooding through my current post divorce doldrums and your characters gave me a sense that my life isn’t over by a long shot. Plus you had me laughing out loud.” It doesn’t get better than that. So that’s my kind of mission—spreading the word that the best of everything can began midlife or after. Personally, I try to be a very good friend. I discovered when dealing with the deaths of two husbands–with most of my family 3,000 miles away in California– that friends are incredibly precious. So many were there for me when my life was at its toughest crossroads. I try very hard to be there for them in good times and bad.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why? As an only child, I was truly blessed with wonderfully loving, bright and funny parents. My mother was infinitely patient with her little rebel of a daughter. In his later years, my father never finished a conversation without signing off, “I love you, kiddo.” But although their love was unconditional, they let me know that liking and respecting me were not—those rewards I had to earn. Their values gave me a running start and a lasting foundation.Also, my daughter has been a source of inspiration. Her childhood—losing a father and then a father figure—was not easy, but she not only survived, she prevailed. I’m convinced she’s taught me at least as much as I’ve taught her.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose. “Hang in there, babe.”

To find Toby on the web, and to learn more about her books and upcoming new book, visit her website today.

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Baby Boomer Woman: Tina Turbin

by Anne Holmes on June 24, 2010

Meet NABBW member, Tina Turbin, children’s author (Danny the Dragon), writer, and major activist to increase awareness of Celiac Disease.

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself? I am a mother of three incredible children, a children’s author (Danny the Dragon), writer, humanitarian as well as a major activist towards the cause to increase awareness of Celiac Disease, as I am celiac.

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc. I have been married for 29 years to the same man and father of all three of our children. It’s been work to make it what it is today.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s? My single father was a hippie in the 60’s. I was 7 years old sitting on the back of his “chopper” holding on for dear life, winding through Topanga Canyon on our way to meet Carol Connors (songwriter for the then to-be movie theme song ROCKY, and the Rescuers).

I felt on top of the world wearing my new flashy bell-bottoms, woven leather belt and tie-dyed shirt. He surprised me and took me to the live show, HAIR. Pretty wild for a 7 year old these days but very 60’s for that time.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women? The drive and determination to make a decision, want it and go for it. The desire to have my own “game” and accomplish something of my own and call it my own. I meet so many women with dreams of their own. I love it! For any woman who does not, I encourage this quality wholeheartedly.

What inspires you? Life all around me inspires me constantly.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife? Accomplishing the things I set out to do. Accomplishing them despite any small or larger obstacles.

Do you have any interesting hobbies? Being that I am a children’s author, I am forever examining the world and getting ideas. I love to draw and paint and take painting lessons when I can squeeze them in. I love to hike, swim, and be in the outdoors — and Pilates.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite. I loved the book and movie both, Papillion. As a child it touched my heart in reading about this amazing man overcoming immense obstacles, one after the other-learning all the while. I still love to read about people making things go terrifically “right” in their lives.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go? I do travel, but not enough. I love to travel with my family. My 3 kids are older now and being with them is just alive, exciting and a constant pleasure or full of laughs. I used to travel even more when they were little. Boy that was a circus. Fun, but a real circus.

Currently I travel mostly with my husband. He LOVES to go anywhere and is an easy travel partner. I on the other hand, do not do as well with a constant change of time zones. I wish I did, but I do not. Being that I have Celiac Disease, I can not eat at just any restaurant down the street, so that is a bit of a juggle or more precisely, a hassle.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate. I have a vitamin cabinet that could put any health-food store to shame. No, just kidding, but just about.

My husband and I are both into anti-aging, which essentially to me means doing the actions, and taking the supplements and addressing my life in ways to ensure I will have a high quality and long life. It is a bit of work, and it does not come natural to most women to take care of themselves, and I am one of them. With anti-aging YOU are important and you learn to adjust a few minor and major things in life, and learn that YOU are important.

I have learned to devote a bit of time to myself, my exercise, and be sure to purchase things I need and like too. We work with well educated anti-aging doctors, who read our labs every 6 months. At first it was every 3 months.

It really has helped tremendously, and I do think it is a very smart way to address life. Suzanne Somer’s book, Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones has many references to good doctors in the back of the book, as a side note.

What do you stress about? If I stress at all, it usually is about trying to fit it all in one day. I have to constantly remind myself, “There is a tomorrow Tina.” I used to stress about my kids, their happiness, their schools, and the people they’d befriend. They are all three very grounded now and I am thrilled with the direction they have taken with their lives . I guess all that mom-stress paid off.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go? To be honest, it is. I do not want to look old, or older than I am, if I do not have to. I get a facial now and then, read up on nutrition and products to help my skin- and I really try and stay out of the sun. As a child, I lived in Hawaii, Puerto Rice and Malibu. I was a competitive swimmer all of my life, so out in the sun daily. The sun is damaging and it has long term effects- I am my worst witness.

Had I known what I do now, I’d have been more careful. I am afraid of and do not like the idea of medicines nor being put to sleep (anesthesia), so a face lift is not at all in my “bag of goodies,” for my future.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how? Sort of, and not really. How’s that for contradiction! I am the same person I have been, have the same drive, interest in life and others- and children, of course. The change was knowing that when my kids were older it would be my time to go back to my dreams as an Artist/Author. That is exactly what I did. The only part of this dream I have not envisioned was the incredible support I have now from my kids, close friends and husband. They are my greatest fans.

Do you plan to retire? Never. I see people who retire wither away in relationships, health and purpose in living. My view is that they wake in the morning to nothing when they do not have a “game”. I love what I do too much. I awake excited to work, write and all else I do. The game can be anything- but “have a game” is my motto.

Are you doing anything to GO Green? I dehydrate foods (RAW food methods) and I do what I can to recycle clothing, appliances etc. I wish I had time to do more but I am so head-strong into a few other causes. Time limits me from doing more, unfortunately.

Do you engage in any faith based practices? I do. I feel that I am a spirit and I am blessed to be here now with all these people, races, animals, nature etc. I respect other’s beliefs, as long as it does not harm others. I feel respecting another’s beliefs and religion is important, and can take one very far in understanding as well as broadening ones horizon.

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife? It was always a decision to do this when they kids were older and my time was freed up. I made this exact decision when my first was born. I looked at my newborn and knew I had a responsibility that I hadn’t anticipated, a love stronger than I dreamed and not only this, but I SO loved being a mom. It became my passion for near 28 years, and two more children.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them? I really want to be able to draw and paint what I can imagine. I can visualize the most incredible pictures and scenes. I want to be able to paint these concepts of mine and have it convey the feelings and emotions I desire to share on the canvas. I have a way to go and this is unfinished business of mine.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, and your world? This is a terrific question and I am honored to share this. I have Celiac Disease( gluten intolerance) and it took 7 years to finally get diagnosed properly, after years of probing, mis-diagnosing and troubles physically and hormonally AKA: mentally. Now 7 years is on the low side for most to get diagnosed as the average time in the United States is 11 years!

When I finally sorted this out I dove into the area, started working in the area, and eventually created a terrific website to help others with issues with gluten or with Celiac Disease which is quite popular and active. I work hours each day on this, with gluten-free companies, gluten –free cook book authors, doctors chefs and public. I am on the lines to help raise awareness to the fact this situation is growing and not being diagnosed soon enough in the USA (and other countries).

Coupled with this I write for publications, other group newsletters, interview doctors, nutritionists and share cutting edge research and advice on this site and on numerous radio interviews. I hope to see people off of unnecessary drugs, out of the doctor’s office’s being told incorrect advice- and I want to see people getting properly diagnosed by “properly educated” doctors within a week of any issues one may be having.

As a children’s author and mother I love doing this, and being that I have Celiac Disease, I am passionate about this subject.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why? Many artists, writers, humanitarians, philosophers, men and women of the past and present. I would do myself a disservice to list even a few. Truly there are far too many that have made their mark or are doing so currently.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose. Being a woman is fun! I think we are pretty darn special. These days there is nothing to hold one back, but yourself. Enjoy every minute of life and remember, if you have something that really sparks your interest to get involved in, Just Do It!

To learn more about Tina, visit her website and also check out her helpful site on Celiac Disease.