Photography: Are You a Photo Buff, Too? Join my Photo Corner

Most of the time I post items related to health, wellness and personal empowerment, and, of course, lately about my upcoming book, Beyond Sugar Shock.
But we all need a break sometime.
Although I have to work today, I decided to take time out to share with you about one of my big loves — photography.
In fact, I’m about to get a new camera. (Excited!)
These days, taking my camera and shooting cool shots gives me a much bigger high than sugar ever did.
So here’s a photo I took on a fun day of cavorting around California with a friend. (My feet are on the left!)
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How does this photo make you feel?
What do you think of when you see it?
Share this with your friends, and post your thoughts on my Facebook fan page.

Sugar Shock Readers: What Would You Like in My Next Book?

Amazon Sug Sh 51RDZ7DBVAL._SL110_ Attention, readers of my first book, Sugar Shock.
Please give your feedback!
I’m now wrapping up my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet, which will be released next year by Hay House, which brings you empowering self help, inspirational and transformational books, products and events. (Here’s the original announcement, and yes, the title of my book may be changing.)
Please, dear readers of Sugar Shock, as I’m rewriting and editing The Sugar Shock Diet, please tell me what you’d like to see included.
What would make your life easier and sweeter?
We’re eager to get your feedback now!
So what would you want included in my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet? Tell us now here, on this Sugar Shock Blog, and on the Facebook Smart Habits Fan Page.

Sugar Shock Blog Turns 5 Today! How Shall We Celebrate?

Today is the Sugar Shock Blog’s five-year anniversary! Wow!
I may have missed this birthday, but I had to look it up, because today, someone requested more information about me and what I do.
As long-time fans may know — and newer visitors can discover — this Sugar Shock Blog began dedicated to providing health and wellness information, with a focus on providing tips to quit sugar, updates about sugar research and ifnormation about artificial sweeteners, etc. Now its mission and goal has expanded greatly. Over time, we’ve enlarged our focus to help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.
My intention here is to give you content that:
Helps you improve your health and activate your wellness
Shows or tells you how to become personally empowered
Helps you lead a better life, or, as I like to say, Get a Life that Rocks™
Gives you info so you can master social networking and realize your dreams
Tells you about inspiring guests, who will appear or have entertained and educated you on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio. These gurus — many of whom have written bestselling books, have a revolutionary product or are appearing in exciting movies or TV shows, etc. — can help you a lot! In fact, there’s nothing like hearing people’s voices to help you. (By the way, Gab with the Gurus turns 3 next week — actually it’s 4 years (because the show began as the Stop Sugar Shock Radio Show.) Stay tuned for an exciting week of shows, which, as usual, you can listen to live or later.
Educates you about cutting edge studies related to sugar, nutrition and more
Helps you improve your relationships
Lets you catch up with me and connect with me
Updates you about my free teleseminars and my Sugar Freedom Now program.
And so much more
For those of you who are new here, let tell you about myself. I’m:
A trained-journalist-turned blogger.
Author of the book, Sugar Shock (from Berkley Books, part of the Penguin Group).
Author of the upcoming book, The Sugar Shock Diet (from Hay House), which I just finished writing. (I’m taking it easy a little before we go into major editing mode shortly.)
A certified life coach (who studied at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching or iPEC), and certified health coach (who trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition or IIN).
Host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, which is how I bring to you many experts from a variety of fields, including health, wellness, personal empowerment, social networking, relationships, dating, fitness, forgiveness, celebrities, etc. Some of my guests have included Dr. Mehmet Oz, Montel Williams, Lisa Rinna, Suzanne Somers, Chris Brogan, Mari Smith, Marianne Williamson, Gretchen Rubin and many more.
People refer to me as a “Sugar Shrew No More,” a Sugar Freedom Coach or Freedom Coach, Sugar Liberator or Smart Habits Girl (which is my handle on Twitter).
So how do you think we should celebrate the Sugar Shock Blog’s five-year anniversary? Please share your ideas here.

Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Discover the Joy

Often, I’m asked where I went to school to study health and wellness.
As a grad of the student of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), it’s my pleasure to spread the word about this amazing school, which has a fabulous mission.
The school seeks to play a crucial role in improving health and happiness, and through that process, create a ripple effect that transforms the world.
Because of getting so many questions about IIN from would-be students, I even created a post here on the Sugar Shock Blog to answer them.
But yesterday, I was honored to be joined by IIN staffer Sharon Stevens, who was kind Sharon Stevens210 enough to answer your questions about this school.
She appeared in one of the final programs of Sweeter Holiday Summit, which featured 35+ experts in health, wellness, personal empowerment, the Law of Attraction, abundance and more. (It was an awesome program — I urge you to check it out and take advantage of the Super Sale.)
* Anyhow, Sharon kindly answered a bunch of questions about the school to help those of you who may be interested in attending. For instance, she told you:
* What is a health coach?
* Who are some the leading instructors at the school? (Hint: Big names in health and wellness.)
* Where Health Coaches work.
* How attending the school can be a life-changing experience.
* What you can expect to learn at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
* About some graduates of the school, who’ve gone on to make major contributions.
* How the program is delivered.
* How you can take advantage of a special offer if you enroll this week. (You’ll receive a special Self Care gift bag.)
* How you can find out more about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Email admissions@integrativenutrition.com or call now with questions or to enroll:
US callers: (877) 730-5444
International callers: +1 (212) 730-5433
Listen to our program now.

Radio Show Marks 3-Year Anniversary

I’m now celebrating three years as a radio host.
First, my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show is now celebrating two years of serving you, thanks to Blog Talk Radio. (I just realized this while sending information to a reporter, who’s writing an article about the show.)
Last Saturday marked three years to the day (July 10, 2007) when I first began as a radio show host.
Originally, my show began as the “Stop Sugar Shock Radio Show.” My first guest was the inspiring, personable low-carb blogger Jimmy Moore.
Listen to my first show now.
Then, after one year of interviewing experts, in June 2008, I renamed it as the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show to more accurately reflect the fact that I interview experts and bestselling authors in a variety of fields — not just health and wellness.
For instance, on the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show — which you can subscribe to on iTunes — I chat with nationally acclaimed, motivating, articulate experts, authors and celebrities in the field of health, wellness, personal empowerment, Law of Attraction, weight loss, fitness, relationships, social networking, book writing and marketing, productivity, self-help, movies, etc.
As you already know (I hope), my show is now called the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show — you can reach there easily — just go to http://www.gabwiththegurus.com.
My guests have included Montel Williams, Suzanne Somers, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Marilu Henner, “FlyLady” Marla Cilley, Dr. Nancy Appleton, Dr. Pat Allen, Michael Port, Marci Shimoff, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, Jack LaLanne, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Dr. JJ Virgin, Arielle Ford, Dr. Diana Kirschner and many more fascinating guests.
You can listen live most Wednesdays at 2 pm Eastern or catch archived shows at any time. However, this summer, I’m hosting a number of other shows (on other days).
For instance, today, Thursday, at 2 pm, you’ll get the scoop on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show on how you can delay aging when I interview Robert Kane Pappas, director of the new film, To Age Or Not To Age, and Dr. Leonard Guarente.
And next week, July 19 to July 23, I’m holding a Gratitude Week on Gab with the Gurus. Stay tuned for details.
Also, remember that my show is picked up on iTunes — just go here to download it — http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gab-gurus-with-connie-bennett/id290617732

Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Listen to Yesterday’s Program

Did you catch the fun teleseminar/webinar I did yesterday with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition?
In the teleseminar/webinar — which you can listen to now — I gave tips to reduce sugar and chatted about my invaluable IIN experience.
Plus, Uri, the head of admissions, told you about the amazing curriculum offered.
Bummed that you missed it? No problem.
You can still listen today, tomorrow or at your convenience. Pretty cool that technology allows you to do this?
Just sign up here now for yesterday’s teleseminar/webinar, then plop in your email address and you’ll be on your way to having access to the recording and to the graphics.
Learn more about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition by reading yesterday’s Sugar Shock Blog post.
Just go here to get links to all kinds of fascinating tidbits and to get answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.
Listen now (or later, whenever you can) to yesterday’s informative teles