Supernatural Botanicals

…….Last night I had the amazing opportunity to work with Smart Talk Women to invite the adorable Miss Valerie Bertinelli to Cincinnati. And let me just say, we had so much fun! First, with the obvious….yes, she’s as cute and bubbly in person as she is on screen. She graciously and patiently signed her books and went on to speak about “taking your life back.” This girl is truly in her zone, her sweet spot, if you will. It’s hard to imagine that someone with everything that she has could have gotten lost along the way for so many years, but she did. Well, she’s found her groove and she is loving life. Happiness just oozes from her and it’s so great to see her (or anyone) who is in their sweet spot of life. Here’s what our girl, Barbara Cooper, er, Valerie, had to say:
___________________________________________________________

Without a doubt, the true love of her life is her son, Wolfie (Wolfgang Van Halen.) She delights in speaking about her son and his natural (okay, inherited) passion for music. She said that Wolfie, now 18, has chosen his path in life and that’s certainly music. He tours with his dad, Eddie Van Halen, playing bass.

___________________________________________________________

Valerie on Eddie: They have a great relationship. In fact, she texted him yesterday (on his 55th birthday) to wish him a happy birthday. They have found common ground and both Eddie and Valerie are happy now. Val said when she went to give the “sex” talk with Wolfie, she deferred it to dad, Eddie. She then realized she sent her child to a rockstar for advice on sex! ha!
___________________________________________________________

On the bikini: Val says it was hard for her to believe, too. She weighed 122 pounds in this picture, and worked very, very hard for it. She said she’s about 10 pounds heavier now, but that was a goal, and, wow, did she nail it. She looks amazing. This is a 49 year old woman looking 22! You. Go. Girl.

___________________________________________________________

Valerie on the weight: Emotional eating is what helped Val pack on more than 170 pounds. She said she was so embarrassed everywhere she went. She heard the whispers….”Is that Valerie Bertinelli?  She’s so fat.” Years of being unhappy with herself is what got her to a place of being overweight.
___________________________________________________________

Flash forward: She lost 40 pounds and she’s running the Boston Marathon in April, a few days before she turns 50! Valerie says running is what has transformed her body. Did she like running? NO! But, she adjusted and is learning to love what it does for her body.

___________________________________________________________

Valerie on boyfriend of 5 years, Tom Vitale: Val says Tom fell in love with her when she was 40 pounds heavier (we love him already.) Not only that, but Tom is a University of Cincinnati graduate! Love that! Tom is obviously her pillar. She even brought him on stage at one point, pointed at him and said “this is why sex is great!” They are very sweet together. He brought her a glass of champagne when she and I were talking, and she responded “thank you, baby!”
___________________________________________________________

Jalapeno Poppers: The root of all evil. When Val was at her heaviest, she and Jalapeno poppers were the best of friends. This was her go-to comfort food. She said she’d even put cheddar and sour cream poppers in the oven and mix them around …just to surprise herself with each bite. She hasn’t touched them in three years.
___________________________________________________________

Insight: Valerie on single parenting: “You have to love your kids more than you hate your ex.”
___________________________________________________________

Not only does Valerie write books, she’s an avid reader. Val has been doing book club with her girlfriends for 12 years!
___________________________________________________________

Is Valerie in the tech-loop: You bet! You can find her on Twitter @Wolfiesmom and her blog is ValerieBertinelli.com.