Saturday, February 27, 2016

Saturday Study & Learn: HOW TO DAIL BACK STRESS

Every Saturday I try to feature something that we can all learn: And since I have felt a bit stressed at times, this article from Barry Eisen – Motivational Speaker, Hypnotist, Trainer and Coach – is spot on…Read for yourself. 

STRESS: Dial It Back! 
by Barry Eisen 

Stress is a huge influencer in most of our lives. Stress does not come from the world around us; it's our perception (our reality) of what's going on... our personal attachment and reactions. Stress can come from eating poorly, over promising, our reaction to traffic, noise, pollution, toxic relationships, disappointments, pain, fears, poor sleep, multi-tasking, etc.

The short list of not dealing with stress properly can be misplaced hostilities, strokes, poor sleep patterns, lack of focus, heart attack, diabetes, mood changes, sexual dysfunctions, erratic business performance, panic attacks, depression, memory loss, anger, etc. It's not pretty.

We are, in many regards, "too close to the trees to see the forest." But in slowing down to recognize and deal with things as they are, not as we justify them to be (everyone has a compelling back story as reasoning for self destructive behavior), positive change can make us physically healthier and mentally sharper.

7 STRESS MANAGEMENT IDEAS 


#1 Learn and use meditation or self-hypnosis regularly. Studies worldwide show fewer cases of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and memory loss for those who practice meditation and/or self-hypnosis. Meditation and S-Hyp. promote better sleep patterns. During quality sleep (REM) toxins (residual proteins and tags) are flushed from the brain cells. Toxic build up in the brain, over a period of time, is like rust developing on a neglected garden tool left outside in the rain. Take care of your brain and it will take care of you.

I prefer self-hypnosis because, aside from the health benefits of better sleep and energy, the advantages of using this state of mind to change habits and attitudes and improve performance and memory... is so valuable.

LEARN TO SLEEP WELL
  1.  Darken the bedroom as best you can and keep the room temperature on the cool side. 
  2.  Don't nap during the day. 
  3.  Stop eating, drinking and exercise 2 hours before bedtime. 
  4.  Use the bedroom for sleep and sex not as an office or a place to accumulate and use all your digital devices. 
  5.  Create a bedtime routine (reading is preferable to TV). 
  6.  Put together a to-do list and prioritize it just before going to sleep. 
  7. Go to bed the same time each night. There are always exceptions to the rule, but heading in the direction that will well serve you allows your brain to anticipate creating and duplicating a good sleep cycle
#2 De-clutter your life. Organize the mess that may exist in your car, in your home, in your office and create filing systems that work so your mind can experience that the "tail is not wagging the dog." Your mind likes and appreciates, "neat!" Delegate responsibilities when you can. Dial back on negative relationships. Spend less time with the draining, negative, sarcastic life wasters around you. Being around supportive, well speaking, energetic, doers will keep you younger and healthier longer. Good food is good for the body; good mental stimulation is good for the brain.

#3 Find reasons to laugh. Outwardly. Holding a laugh back is repressive, letting it out produces an immediate endorphin rush.

#4 Exercise. Weights, aerobics, Pilates, yoga, stretching on a regular basis produce more endorphins and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Schedule the time and perhaps engage a workout buddy or personal trainer if you find it hard to maintain consistency. You know this is important--just do it!

#5 Eat well. Be conscious of what you choose to put into your body. Eating clean allows for better absorption and healthier more responsive muscular, respiratory, circulatory and lymphatic systems, producing less cancer causing free radicals. Weight loss and body health is 20% exercise, 80% nutrition and 100% mindset. What's good for the body is good for the brain. Let go of the old clichés and reasons you've used to justify doing what's easy, not doing what's right.

#6 Schedule to and show up for your appointments early. Feeling like you're constantly running behind puts extra pressure on mind and body. It doesn't have to be that way. Slow down and do more...comfortably. Manage your time or it will manage you.
Slow down once in a while and do a little check up from the neck up.

#7 Periodically throughout the day take a minute to do nothing but concentrate on taking deep slow breaths. Close your eyes, lower your shoulders, relax. Be MINDFUL of what you're doing and feeling.

There are, obviously, many more great ideas that can make a positive difference. Find and create small rituals or systems that work for you.

Thanks for reading. Please do pass this on.

Make it a great day!

Barry Eisen
For more information visit: http://barryeisen.com

Friday, February 26, 2016

Filmmakers World Festival: Linda Kruse WINS 5 Top Awards including BEST Directing, Documentary & Editing!

The 2016 Filmmakers World Festival: 

Congratulates LINDA KRUSE and KRUSING AMERICA!


DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS:
Krusing America (United States) directed by Linda Kruse
  • BEST International Documentary (Linda Kruse)
  • BEST Directing (Linda Kruse)
  • BEST Editing (Julie Antepli)

PLATINUM AWARD WINNERS:

Krusing America (USA) directed by Linda Kruse
  • BEST Cinematography (Tom Geagan) 
  • BEST Story (Linda Kruse)

ABOUT

Filmmakers World Festival is an established festival which has successfully held several international festivals. We are looking for excellent produced films and documentary with distinctive voices. We accept shorts, feature documentaries and films of all genres. We encourage independent filmmakers, travelers, adventurers, and anyone with passion for film-making to join us in making your film get the recognition it deserves.


Filmmaker World Festival is the sister festival of World Film Awards, in which LINDA KRUSE and KRUSING AMERICA won BEST DIRECTOR in a Documentary.

To see a list of all the 2016 Winners visit: 
http://www.filmmakersworldfest.com/winners.htm

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Travel Tuesday: 25 BEST Places to Visit in 2016!


Lonely Planet and Afar Media selected the very best places to travel in 2016. (Lonely Planet released its book Best In Travel 2016 and Afar magazine released its “Where To Go In 2016” issue, also available online.)

Some of these places are celebrating big anniversaries, some are in the midst of a resurgence, and some have landmarks that are nearing extinction — but all of them have something special going on right now. Here are the top 25 places you must travel in 2016. Choose one, or choose them all — whatever you do, happy adventuring!

Monday, February 22, 2016

OFFICIAL SELECTION at Filmmakers WorldFest 2016!

Dear Winner,

We are proud to inform you that you and your documentary, KRUSING AMERICA is now in the final round at Filmmakers World Festival (FWF) 2016.  It have also
 been selected to screen at the festival in Jakarta, Indonesia next month. 

The screening schedules, discussions, workshops and master class will be announced on the winners page in our website on March 3, 2016. Best Film will be announced during the award ceremony and Platinum, Gold and Award of Merit Winners will be announced before March 3 on our website winner's page.

Congratulation and thank you for participating in this years competition.

Regards,
Filmmakers Worldfest


Again Congratulations LINDA KRUSE and KRUSING AMERICA!
You have been selected in 5 additional categories:



  1. International Documentary
  2. Best Director
  3. Best Story
  4. Best Editing
  5. Best Cinematography




ABOUT

Filmmakers Worldfest is the sister festival of World Film Awards, an established festival which has successfully held several international festivals. We are looking for excellent produced films and documentary with distinctive voices. We accept shorts, feature documentaries and films of all genres. We encourage independent filmmakers, travelers, adventurers, and anyone with passion for film-making to join us in making your film get the recognition it deserves.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Official Selection KRUSING AMERICA BEST TV SERIES at FINOW FILM FESTIVAL in Berlin, Germany this weekend!

Congratulations!
KRUSING AMERICA, Your project has been selected to be included in the Festival!

The Festival takes place this February 19-21, 2016 in
Eberswalde Deutschland near Berlin, Germany

Welcome to the Finow International Film Festival!

All the Best and Cheers,
Finow Film Festival Team

ABOUT

The primary objective of the Finow International Film & Script Festival is to provide a platform for talented independent producers, directors and writers from around the world to increase their distribution possibilities and production quality.



We are looking for new names, new ideas, new content which can be equal to our new World's changes.
The FFSF offers 11 film categories, 9 screenplay categories and 5 crew ones to widen the possibilities of our submitters.

International and European film distributors, TV and web channels and film production companies are interested in new names and products presented by the Festival.



For more Event details visit: http://www.finowfilmfestival.com

Saturday Study & Learn: The Science of CHICKEN SOUP!

To keep with my winter cold theme…I thought this information might be useful from the NY Times.  Seems Mom might be right about Chicken Soup!

The Science of Chicken Soup


My doctor recently told me to treat colds, chicken soup may be a better choice than over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.

Andrew Scrivani for NY Times
Now, with government experts questioning the safety and effectiveness of cold medications for kids, the best option for parents this cold and flu season may be home remedies like chicken soup. As it turns out, a handful of scientific studies show that chicken soup really could have medicinal value.

The most widely cited of these studies, published in the medical journal Chest by Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He conducted laboratory tests to determine why chicken soup might help colds, beginning with his wife’s homemade recipe, handed down by her Lithuanian grandmother. Using blood samples from volunteers, he showed that the soup inhibited the movement of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell that defends against infection. Dr. Rennard theorizes that by inhibiting the migration of these infection-fighting cells in the body, chicken soup essentially helps reduce upper respiratory cold symptoms.

The researchers couldn’t identify the exact ingredient or ingredients in the soup that made it effective against colds but say it may be the combination of vegetables and chicken that work together. The tested soup contained chicken, onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery stems, parsley, salt and pepper. The full recipe, as well as the scientific article, are available on the university’s Chicken Soup Web site. The researchers also compared commercial soups and found many of them also had a similar inhibitory effect.

Another study by Mount Sinai researchers in Miami also suggests that chicken soup has more than just a placebo effect. They looked at how chicken soup affected air flow and mucus in the noses of 15 volunteers who drank cold water, hot water or chicken soup. In general, the hot fluids helped increase the movement of nasal mucus, but chicken soup did a better job than the hot water, according to the 1978 report, also published in Chest. Chicken soup also improves the function of protective cilia, the tiny hairlike projections in the nose that prevent contagions from entering the body, according to a 1998 Coping With Allergies and Asthma report.

None of the research is conclusive, and it’s not known whether the changes measured in the laboratory really have a meaningful effect on people with cold symptoms. However, at the very least, chicken soup with vegetables contains lots of healthy nutrients, increases hydration and tastes good, too.

Read the full article from TARA PARKER-POPE 

Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday Foodie: What to do when you're sick with a cold? Make ALL DAY CHICKEN SOUP from Scratch!

I've been home sick with a cold for days and getting cabin fever….not to mention my older neighbor is sick as well. So yesterday I decided to make something that would be fun to do, make me and my neighbors feel better and make my house smell amazing! I feel better already...

All- Day Chicken Soup from scratch!

Ingredients

Photo by: Linda Kruse
  • 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken
  • 3 stalks celery with leaves, chopped
  • 1 pound baby carrots
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 3 cubes chicken bouillon, crumbled
  • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth more as needed
  • 1 pinch dried thyme
  • 1 pinch dried parsley
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (8 ounce) package any kind of pasta noodles

Directions

Place chicken in a large pot and cover with water. Place celery leaves in pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and place in a bowl until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, strain the cooking liquid, discard the celery tops and place the cooking liquid in a large pot. Place celery, carrots, onion, bouillon, soup mix and chicken broth in the pot and let simmer. Season with thyme, poultry seasoning, basil, peppercorns, bay leaves and parsley.

Bone chicken and cut up meat into bite-size pieces. Return meat to pot. Cook until vegetables are tender and flavors are well blended, up to 90 minutes.

Stir pasta into pot and cook 10 to 15 minutes more, until noodles are al dente.

Serve hot.
Tomorrow I will share: The Science of Chicken Soup. 
Mom might have been right after all….

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Travel Tuesday: Some of the BEST American Road Trips!











While filming KRUSING AMERICA, we traveled thru 37 different US States in 18 months 
and if there is one thing I learned: America is a BIG Country! 

If you're planning a road trip – it will take time, research and a few helpful websites. 
Click the link below to find some of the BEST AMERICAN ROAD TRIPS:

Monday, February 15, 2016

Media Monday: LINDA KRUSE & KRUSING AMERICA Finalist in Short Documentary Category at THE TASTE AWARDS!



Above are a few highlights from the seventh annual TASTE AWARDS ceremony at the historic Castro Theatre in downtown San Francisco, CA. 





The TASTE AWARDS are the premier awards show celebrating the year's best in Food, Fashion, Travel and Lifestyle programs on Television, Film, Online, Apps, and Radio.

The Annual Awards include appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms including the Food Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, Esquire Network, Spike TV, Vimeo, iHeart Radio, Vice, Bio / FYI Channel, Dreamworks and more.

Visit http://www.thetasteawards.com
Twitter: @TasteAwards #tasteawards7
#Lindakruse #KrusingAmerica #Awards #Finalist 

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Have your Cake and Eat it, too! Dark Chocolate Soufflé + 13 More of the Best Chocolate Cake Recipes!

Lighter chocolate cake recipes chock full of delicious and decadent flavor so you can indulge your sweet tooth—guilt free. My favorite one listed below. Click the link at the bottom to see all 14 recipes.

Dark Chocolate Soufflé Cake


Ingredients

Cooking spray 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 
3/4 cup water 
1 tablespoon instant espresso or 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules 
2/3 cup Dutch process or unsweetened cocoa 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 
2 tablespoons Kahlúa (coffee-flavored liqueur) 
large egg yolks 
1/3 cup sifted cake flour (such as Swan's Down) 
large egg whites (at room temperature) 
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 
1/3 cup granulated sugar 
1 tablespoon powdered sugar 
1/4 cup raspberries (optional) 
Chocolate curls (optional) 

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300°.
Coat bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, water, and espresso in a large saucepan; stir well and bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add cocoa, salt, and chocolates, stirring with a whisk until chocolate melts. Stir in Kahlúa and egg yolks. Stir in flour; cool to room temperature. Set aside.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed of a mixer until foamy. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold one-fourth of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; repeat procedure with remaining egg white mixture, one-fourth at a time. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake at 300° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely on wire rack. Remove sides from pan; sift powdered sugar over cake. Garnish with raspberries and chocolate curls, if desired.
Note: A substitution of 1/4 cup all-purpose flour may be used in place of 1/3 cup cake flour.

SEE ALL 14 Chocolate Recipes from COOKING LIGHT at:

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Linda Kruse & KRUSING AMERICA TASTE Awards Finalist!





CONGRATULATIONS LINDA KRUSE -

KRUSING AMERICA has been named a Nominee Finalist of the TASTE AWARDS.


Viewers voted online last December for the Viewers Choice Award Winner. WINNERS will be announced tonight at the seventh annual TASTE AWARDS in San Francisco. 

The TASTE AWARDS are the premier awards show celebrating the year's best in Food, Fashion, Travel and Lifestyle programs on Television, Film, Online, Apps, and Radio.

The Annual Awards include appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms including  the Food Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, Esquire Network, Spike TV, Vimeo, iHeart Radio, Vice, Bio / FYI Channel, Dreamworks and more.    

Visit http://www.thetasteawards.com
Twitter: @TasteAwards #tasteawards7

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

SHE SHEDS – Womens answer to a Man Cave!


It’s been said that sheds are the answer to men’s ailments. But why should men have all the sheds?  very woman deserves a shed of her own — somewhere to retreat for some solitude, to create or grow, to write or paint, or just to enjoy the view.

By now, you’ve undoubtedly seen the Shedquarters (for work) and the Pub Shed (for play)…



… but this tops them both, and it goes by the name “She Shed’.
#1 Ahh, serenity. Oh how I’ve missed you. You can almost hear the birds chirping, no?

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

TRAVEL TUESDAY: Cheapest Cities in Europe to Fly into...

As the creator of KRUSING AMERICA - I have traveled all over America producing and directing that family travel series but my earlier years as an Army Brat was spent stationed with my family in different parts of Germany, summers in my hometown of Aorivola, Italy and college in England so I grew up on trains traveling through Europe. However, today most families can only travel if they can find discounted rates therefore I try to devote my #TravelTuesday blog posts to helping people find the easiest and cheapest way to see the world.

There’s no denying that a trip to Europe is a right of passage for any and all travellers. But there’s also no denying that a trip to Europe is expensive, especially when you try to ‘see it all’ in one trip. But it can be done. Whether you’re coming from nearby America where the price of a return ticket is cheaper than a one-way flight for Australians, or whether you’re venturing to the other side of the world from down and under and eager to learn how to save a tonne of cash – here are…

The Cheapest Cities in Europe to Fly Into (top 14)


List provided by World of Wanderlust.

Monday, February 8, 2016

LINDA KRUSE Nominated for BEST DIRECTOR plus more categories at Filmmakers World Festival (FWF) 2016!


Congratulations LINDA KRUSE and KRUSING AMERICA!

Your documentary has made it to the final round of Filmmakers World Festival (FWF) 2016.

You have been selected in 5 additional categories:


  1. International Documentary
  2. Best Director
  3. Best Story
  4. Best Editing
  5. Best Cinematography




ABOUT

Filmmakers World Festival is the sister festival of World Film Awards, an established festival which has successfully held several international festivals. We are looking for excellent produced films and documentary with distinctive voices. We accept shorts, feature documentaries and films of all genres. We encourage independent filmmakers, travelers, adventurers, and anyone with passion for film-making to join us in making your film get the recognition it deserves.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

AMERICAN FILM AWARDS gives KRUSING AMERICA an HONORABLE MENTION for Best TV Episode Category


Congratulations KRUSING AMERICA on your selection to the American Film Award Honorable Mention list of filmmakers.

While your show did not win the specific category our judges found your work to stand out amongst the other submissions and felt obligated to recognize it.

The American Film Award is greatly honored that you shared your work with us and look forward to seeing what else you have in store. 

Best of luck with the film and feel free to keep us in the loop with the continued success of the film!

Thank you very much,
The American Film Award

For complete list of Winners and Honorable Mentions: 
The American Film Award

The American Film Awards, an international Screenwriting and Film competition by filmmakers for filmmakers. Film is an international medium that has its roots in the American inventors and entrepreneurs. This spirit is felt in every script, frame, and pixel of film produced around the world.

The American Film Awards are a recognition of what it means to have that motivating force pushing through the screen. It is much more than a trophy, it is a message that the spirit of film is alive.



Follow or mention on Twitter: @AmFilmAward