Within 24-hours of one another, top-ranked pro-golfer Annika Sorenstam and #1-ranked tennis pro Justine Henin announced their retirementthis week.

Many news outlets painted a picture of surprise and speculation what are the reasons these women are quitting at the top of their game? Are they unwell? Are they pregnant? Are they afraid of losing? Do they have something to hide?

Now, I dont know their sports very well. And dont know what the average shelf-life is for professional athletes. But its perhaps this distance that gives me a different perspective one that doesnt question why theyve called it quits, but understands why it would be natural for them to do so.

We live in a day where its not longer presumed well be in the same job, or even with the same company for the duration of our careers. So why are athletes held to different standards? And why is it so surprising when they do decide to hang it up as professional players?

Headlines that scream out about these women retiring seems like a bit of overkill. As Henin said in a news conference,

This is the end of a child’s dream. I feel like I already lived three lives. I gave the sport all I could and took everything it could give me. I take this decision without the least bit of regrets. It is my life as a woman that starts now.”

And good for her! Whats admirable about these two women is not that they walked away from huge potential earnings (Henin won $5 million in prize money alone last year.) Its not that they could have done more to beef up their positions in sports history books. Its that in the face of all of that, in the face of all their training and influence of outside forces (coaches, sponsors, the leagues they help drive revenue for) they knew themselves and they knew what they wanted. And its that kind of ego-less self-possession that makes a true hero and role model worthy of little girls (and others) admiration.

That is also in part, why it seems so bizarre to sensationalize the fact that theyre retiring from their respective sports. Last time I checked, there were plenty of other jobs in the golf, tennis and professional sports industries. Its just these women are quitting their jobs — something worker-bees do every day in every industry.

It remains to be seen how Henin and Sorenstam will stay connected (or not) to the sports theyve dedicated so much time, passion, and energy to over the last years. Maybe theyll become commentators, maybe theyll open sports camps, maybe theyll take up flower arranging. The point is, it doesnt matter.

Yes its sad to lose true competitors, true athletes and true professionals. But its an awesome sight to see women knowing what they want in life, and, as in their previous years in sport, truly committing to giving it all theyve got. That prize in and of itself, is more than any tournament championship can offer.

Technorati Tags: Justine Henin, Annika Sorenstam, tennis, grand slam, US Open, retirement, pro golf, female golfers, sports icons, #1 ranked, GlamFit

Photo Credits: A. Messerschmidt / Wireimage.com, Cynthia Lum / WireImage.com

Recruiting celebrities to promote a worthy cause is not a novel idea. Rock stars, in particular, have come together with far reaching effect — playing off of the universal appeal of music that transcends different countries, and languages and its quality to connect emotionally with people.

You might remembera little diddy from 1984called Do They Know It’s Christmas? That was the brainchild of producer Bob Geldorf. The idea? Amass an all-star ensemble of the most popular music icons, and record a single to raise relief (in this case) for famine-ridden Ethiopia.Featured stars included Sting, Bono and SimonLe Bon of Duran Duran in addition to figures whose musical tastes and genres were as widespread as their style and fashion sense.

The following year, USA for Africa — the collaboration of Harry Belafonte and Ken Kragen — coralled another A-list team including We Are The World including headliners Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and possibly the entire Jackson clan, amongst others.

Now, more than 20 years later, musical talent is still singing the blues for those who can’t speak for themselves. After all, children are still starving in the world, orphans still have no parents, and innocents suffer.

But instead of amassing the ensemblesof the’80s, individual bands are donating their time to give voice to issues like autism and human trafficking. And whether they’re inspired to do so for PR, to make a political stand, or because they’re personally touched by an issue and want to give back, this new kind of “Cure-anthropy” is great to see.

Last year, Five for Fighting lent their “What Kind of World Would You Want” to support Autism Cares. The track served as the backdrop for a touching personal story about one little girl interlaced with powerful stats about the disease itself. Every time it was played, a small donation plinked into the bucket.

And just this week, a simiar video was released to raise awareness of human trafficking. This video tells a story of contrasts asit follows two boys through a typcial day –one wakes in his comfy home, eats, goes to school, plays, plays some more while the other wakes in the streets, and goes straight to work in a shoe factory sweatshop. The band and song that serves a more than appropriate backdrop? Radiohead’s “All I Need.”

So take a look. Take a listen. Regardless of your feelings on these various causes, don’t you have 5 minutes to help someone in need? You might just find you enjoyed a new song. You might just appreciate the artistic efforts of these new public service music videos. And you just might learn something you didn’t know — something that helps you put your life and priorities into perspective.

Sometimes it really does pay to go back to basics. Think back to a hot summers day when you were a kid. Its 3 oclock, youre starting to fade a little, and then you hear it the trillingtiiiing-ting of the Good Humor truck.

Sure we loved popsicles because of their sugary sweetness. (And were willing to sprint the length of a block to catch up to the ice cream man). But we also loved them for the refreshing boost they gave us and temporary break from the heat.

Well, heres a little secret: you can still enjoy a great popsicle but you can make them healthy from home. Popsicle moulds now come in plenty of shapes and sizes — from your basic rectangular pop, to rocketships and more. Search for them online, at Target or Supermarkets where Tupperware and other plastic storage containers are sold.

If juicy goodness is what youre craving, pour a serving of juice into the mould and freeze and voila! A frozen single-serving treat with perfect portion control. Want a healthier alternative tocurb a chocolate craving? Try making skim chocolate milk (or spike it with a touch of coffee) and freeze. Want a little more substance to snack on? Make a yogurt smoothie (including fresh fruit), pour, freeze, and enjoy.

Just remember, good as they are, don’t keep this sweet secret to yourself. Go ahead and buy a couple of trays so you can make favorites for everyone in your family. Now with these pops in such close proximity, the only thing left to do is figure out a way to get off the sofa and sprinting the length of your block — like you did as kid.

Technorati Tags: healthy snacks, summer treat, ice cream, popsicles, smoothie, Good Humor Truck

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / Ashok Rodrigues

A new report in the journal, Pediatrics supports a common sense thought children in car seats are safest when strapped to the middle section of the rear seat. In fact, theyre nearly 50% safer than when strapped into either side.The study analyzed car accidents from more than 8 years and found that while the majority of kids 3 and under were strapped into the right-back position, children riding in the middle sustained the fewest injuries.

But what to do if youve got more than one passenger in the back? Positioning a child safety seat in the middle of the effectively cuts the remaining room for other kids, the dog etc. Not to mention the fact that getting your child properly secured in the middle is a bit trickier.

The study did not have answers to those questions. But there are a number of resources you can check including American Academy of Pediatrics Car Safety Seat Guide, and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. And when in doubt, ask your pediatcian for a healthy resource.

Technorati Tags: car seat, American Academy of Pediatrics, car safety, toddler safety, infant safety, GlamFit

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / Ernesto Solla Domnguez

Save the Children, a US-based humanitarian group has released findings of a new study about moms just in time for Mothers Day.

The organizations 2008 State of the Worlds Mothers Report ranks the well-being of mothers and children in more than 100 countries. The survey assesses countries based on healthcare afforded to moms and their children, as well as educational opportunities and economic well-being. Not-surprisingly, the report found many of the worst places to be a mom were war-ravaged, impoverished countries like Angola, Sierra Leone, Yemen and Chad. That said, here are the surprising Top Ten places to be called, Mum, Mutter or Moder:

Didnt see the US in this list? All the more reason to make sure that last-second bouquet is on time to show your Mom it was all worth it.

Technorati Tags: best moms, Mother’s day, Sweden, GlamFit, quality of life, Save the Children