I am very excited to announce that the Sara Jane Brain Foundation announced details yesterday for the 15-city "American PABI Heroes Tour" set for May 2009. The American PABI Heroes Tour will begin on May 3rd at Tufts University in Boston and end on May 17th at the University of Washington in Seattle. The tour will recognize musical artists around the country who have helped or are interested in helping families of children/young adults with pediatric acquired brain injury.

This will be an incredible way to honor the “PABI heroes” while also raising awareness of PABI and money for families who are dealing with PABI. In each of the 15 cities, one finalist will be selected from the 10-20 semifinalists who will be performing in each city to come to New York City on June 5th (Sarah Jane’s birthday) for the Grand Finale where they will be competing live to be crowned The American PABI Hero.

In each city, there will be a Judging Committee from the world of politics, entertainment, business and academia. The tour will also raise money in each city with all the net proceeds being split between the national pool and the winning artists and their PABI family.

For more information on the American PABI Heroes Tour and for the official entry form, visit the website online here.

If you grew up with parents who rewarded your behavior with food, say a cookie, then it’s likely that you struggle with food as an adult.  When we’re given food as a reward, or when it’s used to make us feel better, we start associating food as something that heals.  Unfortunately when food is used as a reward, we can become emotionally dependent on it and as result put on unwanted weight.  So the trick is to start journaling to figure out how often you’re craving food for relief or reward (vs. really needing it because you’re hungry).  Once you see how often you’re craving food for relief or reward, start replacing the reward with something that won’t put on pounds.  Try calling a girlfriend, go for a walk, get a pedicure, and or read a good book. 

I am very pleased and honored to announce that I will be presenting a plenary address at MTBI 2009 – An International Conference on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. This will be the first International multidisciplinary conference on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia August 12th – August 15th, 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

The MTBI Conference Program will be structured around 6 core themes: Sports Concussions, Diagnosis and Treatment, Rehabilitation, Combat Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Litigation, and I will focus my presentation on MTBI and the law.You can access additional information online here.

One of the most challenging things about losing the pregnancy weight is the results won’t happen over night.  If you’re losing weight the right way, meaning you’re addressing emotional eating, you’re chosing healthy foods and you’re exercising consistently, the weight will come off it just takes a little while.  You just need to be patient, and be kind to yourself!  Have a reward in place after a few weeks of consistency, such as a massage or pedicure.  Rewards will keep you on track.

One of the biggest obstacles we encounter when we want to lose weight is the sight, smell, and taste of delicious food.  When food tastes good, it’s hard to stop eating it, even when you’re full.  The problem is when we don’t stop eating when we’re full we’re consuming extra calories that our bodies don’t need and this results on putting on body fat/ weight.  One trick to curbtail overeating is to step away from the table, have a glass of water and ask yourself, “Am I REALLY hungry, or am I just eating because it tastes good?”  Literally stepping away from the table will give your mind an opportunity to assess whether you really need or want to take another bite.  For more related info visit: http://fitbysara.com/resourcearticles.php and sign up for my “free mommy tummy report” from my homepage: http://www.fitbysara.com and you’ll receive weekly e-fit by sara fit tips!