Starstyle®-be The Star You Are!®

Cynthia Brian has only three rules in life: Smile, Have Fun, and Be Wild and Wacky. When you read any of her books in her Be the Star You Are!® series, you’ll find yourself living those three rules. When we smile, we light up not only our own world, but the lives of others, When we smile, we can’t be frowning and our days are more fun. When we smile, we can express our joy, take measured risks, thus embracing our wild and wacky natures. Find out more… Being in lockdown throughout the year has given us the blessed realization that having access to nature is critical to our well-being. Now with the Delta variant, we may want to retreat to a cave. By re-discovering under-utilized garden areas, we will find fresh air and safety in nature. Our outdoor rooms will become our sacred space. There is a symphony playing daily in the garden. Open your door or window to hear the melodic concert of nature. Musicians include the thousands of bees buzzing, hummingbirds bustling, birds singing, frogs croaking, water trick

Besides the financial burden of re-landscaping, maintaining a garden during a drought is essential not only for the aesthetics and beauty a garden provides but for keeping your home cooler and contributing to a fire safety zone. If you let your plants and trees die, your parched landscape could become a fire hazard. Water is essential to life. Water matters. Our health, safety, and homes are being affected by the extreme weather conditions making everyday more challenging. 2020 was the Earth’s second hottest year in over 140 years. How will climate change affect your health, money, and where you want to live. In-person learning starts for many schools around the country this week. What do parents and students need to know to ease the transition from home to school? Are masks mandatory? What will be the new normal?

In the heat of summer, can you keep your garden flowers blooming? By planting specific perennials grown to thrive in heat, you can have a beautiful landscape all summer long. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian shares her personal favorites. How do you stay cool in hot weather? Everyone loves outdoor activities but the summer season brings heat-related illness as well as fatalities. Heat stress is preventable. Have fun in the sun while staying cool and hydrated. Listen at Voice America Network, the Empowerment Channel: Picnics, barbecues, patio parties! All fun summer gatherings that could lead to food poisoning if preparation is taken into account. Food safety is especially important during the hot summer months as food poisoning sends thousands of people to the hospital annually.

With the drought in California, many homeowners are experiencing an invasion of uninvited insects and varmints hungry to eat what’s left of our crops while some are dining on us as main courses. Learn what are the beneficials and the predators. Do you have “junk” in your attic, basement, closets, or garage that could actually be money-making collectibles? Many things that we may think are worthless could bring in thousands. We’ll look at what’s hot for collectors. Since the pandemic hit, people have been pulling up stakes in their home state and moving to areas they believe will be more affordable, safer, or more conducive to their dream lifestyle. In 2021, 23 million people are expected to move to take advantage from the new work opportunities from home. But what are the hidden costs of moving and what should you look for?

During the unrest of 1789, on July 14 a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there, and, when the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers captured the prison and released the seven prisoners held there. The taking of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution. Vive la France! Honeybees reflect the health of the environment. Our agriculture depends on the pollination of honeybees. If bees continue to die, consumers can expect increased food prices and more scarcity. As gardeners, we can do our part to provide habitat and food for all pollinators and beneficial insects, including bees. Summer time and the living is easy! It is never vacation time in a garden and the hot dry weather demands more alertness for intruding pests. Plants are thirsty just like us and need plenty of hydration. And the bugs have arrived! Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian to the summer rescue.

It’s overwhelming to ponder the climate disasters that the world is experiencing including hotter temperatures, rising sea levels, wildfires, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, and more. Our individual behaviors can make a difference if we adjust our habits to help. If you are feeling stressed and anxious, try belly breathing. Taking a deep breath relaxes us as it stimulates the vagus nerve which influences numerous vital organs. Breathe in, breathe out. Take it slow! If you sit ten or more hours per day, your body will be eight years older biologically than someone who gets at least forty minutes of exercise a day. Want to know the best food for energy? Cynthia Brian will give you a boost.

Pandemic fatigue has most people looking forward to taking a trip. People have been saving money to travel and are ready to go. The scammers are also ready to take your money. Find out how to play by the rules, stay safe, and get the vacation you’ve been waiting for. Dr. Rochelle Calvert offers a unique and effective approach to healing trauma that uses nature- and body-based mindfulness practices to promote peace and wholeness with her new book, Healing with Nature. Proving that it is not merely time that heals but what one does during that time, Healing with Nature pioneers a path not just to recovery but lifelong resilience. Were you born with rose-colored glasses? The belief that the future will be better than the past is known as the optimism bias. Kids and adults see the glass as half full. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that optimism may be hardwired by evolution into the human brain.

To battle food insecurity, grow your own groceries. Global food waste is equal to 1/3 of all available food. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian explains how you can save money, waste not, and eat healthy by planting the crops you enjoy. If you are trying to discern if your forgetfulness is normal or something more serious, you may need to see your physician for a cognitive screening. If you need something more, you’ll be directed to a specialist. Multiple tests may be necessary for a conclusion. If you want to build literacy skills in a child, give her a book. The first few months and years of life are critical opportunities to build connections in the brain that will last a lifetime. Reading is about the interaction between the reader and the child. The purpose of reading is to have conversations. Be the Star You Are!® is a literacy, arts, and culture charity that encourages reading from day one.

In continuation of Cynthia Brian’s series on preparing for a wildfire, in this episode she’ll discuss preparing your home to reduce a fire and keep you safe from fire resistive construction, vegetation management, to emergency responder access. Did you know that the origin of Father’s Day occurred because of Mother’s Day? Fathers are critical to a child’s well-being. How do you honor your daddy? It’s Father’s Day on June 20 so it’s time to celebrate the wonderful fathers who light up the world. If you have children, you can’t help but think about what they will be like as adults. When they get to be adults, how do you nurture the relationship? Make sure to praise and listen to your adult children. They still want approval and appreciation just as we all do.

When planning a new garden or adding plants to an existing landscape, it is essential to be reminded that no plant is fire-proof. Everything can and will burn if the temperature is hot enough. Also, even if a plant tag indicates that it is fire-resistant, it must be properly maintained, pruned, irrigated, spaced, and positioned in the correct locations to thrive. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian tells us what to plant for fire retardation. States are opening back up. What is the new normal going to be like? How can you plan for the future with the pandemic still lingering? Exercise caution, get vaccinated, and enjoy the summer. You have been asked to be the executor of an estate. Do you know what the obligations and responsibilities are? It can be daunting, overwhelming, and a lot of work. Make sure you have the tools to do your fiduciary best.

Although everyone has pandemic fatigue, being informed about Covid 19, the effects, and the latest news is critical. In this program, we will talk about what you need to know about kids getting the vaccine, how to protect yourself from Covid cybercrime, the after effects of having the disease on our brains and organs, and, for those who want to continue working from home, how to approach your employer with the question. The economy is opening up yet we still have to be cautious so as not to start another surge. If you haven’t been vaccinated, sign up as soon as possible and get your shot. You will feel so much more secure and safe and you’ll be protecting others as well. Until then, wear your mask and keep your distance.

We can do our part to protect our property as best as possible through firescaping, a landscape design that reduces house and property vulnerability to wildfire. While enhancing the beauty of the property and creating a defensible space, we surround the house with plants that are less likely to ignite. Fires respect no boundaries and fires don’t honor property lines. With enough heat, almost everything burns. If you are looking to travel within the United States this year, look no further than our beautiful National Parks. You will need to plan now and make reservations. Cynthia Brian will give you the info you need. How can we create an oasis of calm in our backyards? Soothing decor, whispering grasses, rustling bamboo, and natural materials will offer the tranquility we crave during this pandemic. Find out how you can easily create a sanctuary of peace and quiet.

Natural disasters know no boundaries. One never knows if a fire, earthquake, flood, mudslide, or other calamity is on the horizon. It’s imperative to be prepared for all emergencies. Cynthia Brian will tell you what to put in an emergency Go Bag for your home and vehicle. If you are a new parent, you may be reflecting on the lessons you learned as a kid. What are instructions that are musts for every child to grow into a responsible, self-sufficient adult? We’ll share our thoughts! Foxtail season is here and these grass plants are dangerous to your pets. The bushy spike at the top of the grass comes off easily and the sharp point can migrate into your animal’s skin.Surgical removal is sometimes necessary. Discover ways to prevent foxtails from hurting your pets.

With the stay-at-home orders this past year and the isolation, most people are looking forward to getting together with their friends and families. If you’ve been vaccinated, the CDC indicates that small outdoor gatherings are relatively safe. Is your garden ready for a small party? Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian, offers a few flower fun hacks that will spruce up your space for very little money. When life gets us down, laughter can lift us up. The Humor Project provides a humor vaccines to ward off the things that bug us, like Covid. Visit https://humorproject.com/ to refill your humor prescription with new doses of humor every day. If you’ve been vaccinated, you were given an official vaccination card that provides your date of vaccination and the type. Should you laminate your card for safe-keeping or is it better to just take a photo and then store your card? Find out! Although food waste is a global issue, according to the USDA, the United States wastes about 40% of its supply annually. With food sho

Filled with amazing stories, step-by-step exercises, and thought-provoking discussions, Lynn McKenzie’s book, Bark, Neigh, Meow shows how animal companions help you transform your life and fulfill your purpose. You'll find greater passion, elevate your spirit, deepen your connection to the unseen realm, and much more. This heartwarming collection of Lynn's personal and client stories, reveals the power of animals to become your partners, teachers, guides, healers, and catalysts. Spring is the time to savor the beauty surrounding you. If you’ve ever been to Giverny in France, you will know that Monet was not exaggerating about his garden being his most beautiful work of art. He was inspired by nature and you can be too. Be an artist and create your masterpiece in your garden. The perfume of the jasmine permeates the morning air, the lilac scents the afternoon sunshine, while the wisteria and mock orange infuse the evening with glorious aromas. It’s going to be a beautiful Mother’s Day If you love to read,

When you want to be healthy and maintain a weight that works for you, drinking green tea and even dark chocolate can help. Learn seven simple tricks that will keep you happy, healthy, trim, and slim. What is quality seed and how can you be sure you are buying seeds that will germinate? Reputable seed companies want life-long customers so they provide seeds for success. Are you ready to leave your comfort zone after more than a year in hibernation? We’ll find ways to reduce stress, walk more, and make smarter purchases.

Earth Day is April 22 and there is so much that we can do to combat climate change. Cynthia Brian provides simple tips that you can implement today to save our planet. More urban households are raising chickens for the fresh eggs. It’s the time of year when baby chicks are available. Cynthia Brian has raised chickens since the age of 8 and was a California champion at exhibitions. She’ll give you some basic tips on how to buy, house, and manage chickens. You’ll love it! Can you imagine how wonderful our relationships would be if we allowed ourselves to bark, wiggle, and wag with people as our pets do when they see us? The Gift of Affection from the book, Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference available at www.StarStyleStore.net.

Spring is the most colorful season of the year with a cornucopia of bulbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees in bloom. It is also the time when Mother Nature shares the ornaments that most gardeners loathe…weeds! As many people work from home personal computers have become essential communication tools. What are the choices for today’s models? What do you look for when getting a new computer? Get the computer you need without the bells and whistles you don’t. Poor ergonomics can cause havoc on your health. As you work from home during the pandemic, do you have the right set-up to work efficiently? Are you taking regular breaks? We’ll look at what you can do to improve your home work station.

Do you love yourself? Most of us are skilled at loving our families, friends, and pets but neglect loving ourselves for who we are. Change emotional self-talk, listen to your gut, and celebrate the beautiful person you are. As more of the world gets vaccinated, people are itching to hit the road and experience other locales. Is it safe? Can you travel internationally? We’ll investigate the latest on the Covid-19 vaccine and travel restrictions. Have you ever received a text from the DMV or your bank and wondered if they are for real or scams? Unless you’ve given permission for companies to text you, the texts you receive may be scammers with bogus offerings attempting to steal your identity or your bank account.

The 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, april 4, 2021 at 9:00 pm ET/6:00pm PT. What are your picks for the best performances, TV shows, movies, and stunts for 2020? Cynthia Brian, nominating committee member and SAG voter, will offer her thoughts on the festivities and give an insider's view of the nominating process. Do you feel your kids are spending too many hours on their phones or laptops? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that screen time be limited. But what is best for your family, especially during a pandemic. Guidelines for figuring it out in this episode of StarStyle® Blossoming fruit trees, poppies adorning hillsides, and daffodils illuminating walking paths… the sirens of the start of spring have sprung. As seedlings pop through the soft soil and new green growth emerges on hedges, trees, and vines, uninvited wildlife visitors tend to hop, fly, scamper, and trot into our landscapes. Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny tr