‘Twas the night before Christmas
and down here in Boca,
I was sitting at Starbucks,
drinking my mocha.

I know we’re all Jewish,
but was wondering still,
if Santa would come here
and give us a thrill.

On my way home,
no Christmas lights did I see,
on the houses, the windows,
not even the trees.

What a strange feeling.
Not a decoration in sight.
Was it really December
or a warm summer’s night?

I drove past the deli’s,
there were lines out the door.
People were waiting
for kishka and more.

The restaurants were busy,
Christmas dinners not planned.
Never, not here
we’re in Boca Land.

At home all was quiet.
I left out Kosher wine,
In case Santa came to Boca
for the very first time.

Snoozing came easy
to me Christmas Eve.
I wasn’t waiting for presents
to be left under a tree.

I could hope all I want.
I could fuss and then see,
if Santa would make time
for little old me.

Then all of a sudden
he pulled up in his Jag,
with a sack full of presents
each sporting a tag.

Oh Bloomies, oh Saks
a computer and more.
He knows where to shop,
he frequents my stores!

He looked for the lox,
the bagels and jelly.
He came to Boca first
to fill up his belly!

“I have a long night ahead,
I want you to know.
From Boca I leave
for New York and the snow.”

He stayed for a while,
he chatted and ate.
Then he left in a flash
before it got late.

What a great night
I thought with a sigh.
That jolly old Santa
is a really nice guy.

As I cleared off the table
I heard with delight
“Shalom to you all,
and OY, what a night!!”

If you believe everything you read. . . . REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should have known . . . ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost!

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !

Santa Stops in Boca for Bagels and Lox: Why Every Reindeer Had to Be a Girl originally appeared on Rights Radio™ with Dr. Joyce Starr on December 23, 2009.

Is the babble of 2009 at least partly intentional? We barely recover from the news that senators plan to vote on health care bill without reading it — what could that possibly mean for the future of democracy? — when we learn that Florida hospitals plan to deny care to those suffering from late stage cancer and terminal illnesses if the state is hit with an H1N1 pandemic.

But the stock market keeps accelerating and Wall Street brokers are receiving the biggest bonuses in years because we gave them billions of our tax dollars to play with. Companies that received stimulus money — and didn’t pay it back — will be forced to slash their mega-bonuses, but only for the last two months of 2009! (You won’t learn about that minor caveat unless you…watch or read the news.)

Meanwhile, 30 percent of Americans have stopped shopping, small business are slashing both salaries and expenses and Wall Street firms that did not take stimulus money are making out like….well, like bandits.

And the most important issue over the past week is the White House versus Fox News. Talk about distractions and denial of free speech.

I’m joined by my RightsUniversity.com co-founder, Joe Stallard.

How to listen: Click the play button below.

To your health!

Dr. Joyce Starr

Jay Leno Revisited ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’

News Overload Stress Syndrome – How to stay informed when the news makes you sick? originally appeared on Rights Radio™ with Dr. Joyce Starr on October 25, 2009.

Finding a useful, healthy Father’s Day or graduation gift is no easy matter. Gifting relaxation – now that’s a feat. Brookstone makes it easy. Find out how.

How to Listen: Click the play button below for our streaming replay. Tell your friends!

Father's Day Hammock

Luxurious hammocks and voice-activated, self-setting Smart Clocks are great de-stress gifts.

100% Cotton Rope Hammock – Treat Dad to the ultimate backyard retreat, and he’ll still be smiling long after June 21! Brookstone is famous for its high-quality collection of hammocks and complete hammock packages.

Pillowtop Hammock – Brookstone’s most luxurious hammock. Featuring generous, contoured padding that positions dad in a comfortable “zero-gravity” position. Their Pillowtop quilted hammocks combine the softness of your bed with the back-friendly positioning of ergonomic recliners. But unlike a bed or recliner, this weather-resistant beauty lets you relax in the great outdoors!

Quilted-Weave Hammock – Luxurious SoftWeave™ quilted material and unique suspension design make this hammock softer and more luxurious than ordinary hammocks.

Waking Up is Easier to Do

Moshi™ – The Voice Activated Digital Alarm Clock. For time, temp and more.
Simply say “Hello Moshi,” followed by what you want. Moshi responds to 10 basic commands. Commands include “time,” “alarm,” “set time,” “set alarm,” “turn off alarm,” “sleep sound,” “night light” and more. Plus, you can choose from three different alarm sounds and three soothing sleep sound programs.

TimeSmart™ Self-Setting Digital Alarm Clock. This clock is so smart, it sets—and resets—itself! The TimeSmart™ Self-Setting Clock never needs setting—or resetting. Just plug it in and select your time zone. It automatically sets itself to the correct time—and resets after power outages or unplugging (talk about eliminating stress).

Cube Clock Radio for iPod® – Cube Clock Radio lets dads and grads wake up to their music—morning, noon or night. It docks, plays and charges their iPod.

This is just a short list! To learn more about Brookstone’s “awesome” full body massage chairs, click here.

Tune in to my discussion with Heidi Weiss to learn more about gifts that just keep on relaxing.

To loving dads!

Brookstone Health Solutions for Dads & Grads: Stress Reducing Gifts Help Dads & Grads Relax originally appeared on Rights Radio™ with Dr. Joyce Starr on June 3, 2009.

Brookstone De-Stress Solutions

Brookstone offers the overstressed consumer healthy, affordable, drug-free solutions to combat stress and increase concentration at home, office or during travel.

Brookstone products are conceived, designed and tested by Brookstone at their New Hampshire headquarters/Brookstone Laboratory.

How to Listen: Bookmark this page for the instant replay. Tell your friends! The replay is available below. Press the play button.

Known for unique gifts and fascinating gadgets, Brookstone is on the cutting edge of the health revolution.

Brookstone, Inc. is an innovative product development and specialty lifestyle retail company that operates 310 Brookstone Brand stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative healthy lifestyle products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce website at http://www.Brookstone.com.

A Store You Can Enjoy

Brookstone offers smart solutions to everyday problems. Store visitors can enjoy themselves – luxuriating in a premium uHarmony or massage chair, experiencing Brookstone’s iSqueez or uSqueez foot massage solution or relaxing with a Tranquil Moments sound machine.

Brookstone believes there’s always a better way to do things. And they created a world of innovation to prove it.

“Brookstone makes my life, and those I care about most, better through a unique combination of better quality, better design and better product solutions to my every day problems.”

Wellness Category Summary

One of the fastest growing parts of their business is healthy lifestyle and wellness solutions—smart, drug-free ways to help you feel your best. No appointment necessary!

About Brookstone Labs

Brookstone Labs separates the company from the competition. U.S.-based Brookstone Laboratory is the company’s dedicated in-house team, responsible for the concept, design, engineering, development and quality of new products; refining and enhancing existing products; and putting each and every product through its paces to assure the highest level of quality, functionality and performance.

What  Customers are Saying

These reviews really say a great deal about how each customer makes a healthy lifestyle product from Brookstone his/her own—the different uses and reasons for use are unique.

About Tranquil Moments:

Tranquil Moments

The first night we used this sleep system, both of us slept great! What’s best about it is that you can set the timer and it gradually fades out when the time is up, so as not to awaken you with an abrupt stop. I received a sleep mask with this product, and was surprised at how much better I slept with complete darkness.

This sleep-aid is great, because you get a wide choice of sounds. We have one in our bedroom, and our 11-year old has one, too. It really helps him to sleep when he’s had a full day.

Who am I to disagree…with scientific sleep studies? I have bought numerous ‘lull you to sleep’ CDs, none of which give me the fulfillment of rest in the morning as the Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine does.

If you value your sleep, this product is invaluable!

We turn the sound machine on each night. Within 10 minutes, both me and my husband are fast asleep. We both LOVE this product. Very effective and very good quality. No complaints at all, other than I wish I had bought one years ago.

About Travel Tranquil Moments:

Tranquil Travel

I originally bought this product to travel. I like it so much that I use it at home every night. It is so easy to use that my 3 year old son knows how to change the different sounds. I prefer the rain. He loves relax. I like the fact that it is small enough to travel easy and not be so bulky.

This is great if you travel a lot and just need to create a relaxing feeling in a hotel room. It drowns out all the regular “hotel sounds”.

About iSqueez:

Improves circulation. Relieves tense muscles. All of our company loves to come over and use it while they are here.

Great for runners or athletes! As a Runner, I frequently have trouble with tense calves and sore heels. Treatment is the only solution. I hesitated long and hard about the price, but finally the pain brought me to turn to this product. I’m so glad now that I did! It’s like I have my own private massage therapist after each run!

iSqueez…my new best friend. I worked at a hospital where they had these in all the nursing breakrooms. It made a HUGE difference during a 12 hour shift. Just 10 minutes made my feet feel better. I had to buy one for myself and I still use it after a hard day and my husband uses it after jogging. It’s a lifesaver!

…and uSqueez:

A great end to every day! A great way to rejuvenate those “dead legs” from standing all day. Your legs actually feel lighter when you finish. Doesn’t take long and you can use it while reading, conversing, or watching TV.

Do yourself a favor and GET THIS! This massager is incredibly forceful in its kneading action. It may take a while to get used to it or to figure out the best angles to hold your feet at to achieve different types of results on different muscles. I use mine a few times every day and it’s always a tremendous pleasure, no matter which mode I use. It surpasses any other foot massager I’ve ever tried.

Fantastic!!! This was one of the best investments my husband and I have made in a while. We spoiled ourselves for our wedding anniversary and purchased this massager. It is fantastic to come home and go directly to the massager and spend 15 minutes sitting there enjoying and relaxing.

This product changed my life, literally. I have a lot of pain in my legs and feet and I cannot believe the difference in how I feel.

About the uHarmony Massage Chair:

uHarmony

I like my uHarmony chair enough that I bought a second one for my sister and family. I use it several times a day, every day, so it is worth the price to me.

Before having the chair, I needed to go to the chiropractor about every 2 to 3 weeks. Since I have had the chair, I have not been back to the chiropractor. By using the chair at least once and sometimes twice each day, it loosens the muscles up so they do not pull the vertebra out of alignment. Sometimes I get stiff during the night so I climb into the chair a few minutes before I go to work.

Use each evening after a stressful workday for an hour.
Use 1/2 hour before bed, relaxes the muscles enough to put one right to sleep.

We bought this massage chair to help my wife heal from a neck/back injury. She spends up to (and sometimes over) an hour each day in the chair. It has provided her with significant relief from her aches and pains. As an added bonus, I have found the chair quite useful for my often times tight back. My daughter (8) also enjoys the occasional massage. I would recommend this chair for anyone feeling “creaky” or who just wants to feel good.

About the uComfort Massage Chair:

uComfort

I love this chair!!! I have chronic back problems due to a couple of car accidents. It is so nice to have this chair right in my home that I can use any time of the day or night.

Relaxation at its best! Keep it in a easy use area, you will want to be able to use it often. Give the chair its time to do its work, you WILL Greatly appreciate it after it does its magic.

Anytime relaxation at home. My job needs me to sit in front of computer all day long, although I workout quite frequently, 3-5 times a week, my back and shoulder still bothers me now and then. I was so craving for good quality massage so I went on line and finally targeted this one at Brookstone, the price was friendly and its user reviews were appealing. I went to the local store and after 30 minutes try I bought this chair without hesitation. now I can enjoy massage anytime… it’s pretty versatile and easy to operate,the leg/thigh massage is awesome, especially after an intensive workout.

Love my chair. Both my husband and I have severe back problems. While this doesn’t take away the pain, it temporarily relieves it. On the health-care setting it even gives us that “oh it hurts so good” feeling. I tried more expensive chairs and they didn’t go the length of my body the way this one does – from the middle of my head to my ankles.

Concerned about sun damage? Sign up below for notices about our CD on sun protection. This CD could literally save your skin. Don’t wait for a wake-up call from your doctor.

Learn how to protect your homeowner rights here.

Brookstone: Cutting Edge of the Health Revolution. Smart, healthy stress-reduction. originally appeared on Rights Radio™ with Dr. Joyce Starr on May 16, 2009.