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Ballroom Dance Your Cares Away

November 29, 2011 By

Once the leftovers from the turkey are gone, two significant thoughts always take root in my mind:  ”How am I going to un-do the caloric downfall that I just experienced” and “What am I going to get those hard to shop for people for Christmas?”  Fortunately this year, answers for both those questions can be found in Ballroom dancing.

Dancing with the Stars elevated ballroom dancing into pop culture, and many people secretly and not-so-secretly want to express their inner dancer.  Ballroom dancing lessons are a wonderful gift to give yourself or your friends and family.   Most dance studios offer classes from beginner to professional, and it can be a wonderful way to shake up a boring fitness routine.

Ballroom dancing is a fantastic workout, a fact that almost all of the stars who were recruited for DWTS talk about in interviews.  If you are looking to shed the Thanksgiving pounds and get in shape for a slinky New Years Eve dress, why not try it!  What a great reason to really hit the town – show off your great shape AND your new dance moves!

If you live in the metro Boston area, check out Balera School of Ballroom Dance.  This dance studio is one of the best places to learn everything from waltzes to the Hustle, and while you’re there, you may even see some of the professionals from DWTS.  Rumor has it that Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovsky are regulars there between tapings.

You can check out their website for more information, or just google Ballroom Dancing to find a list of great dance studios in your area.

 

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Health & Fitness, Holiday Features, Weight Loss Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ward Off Winter Colds with Primavera’s Eucalyptus Cold Therapy Wellness Line

November 17, 2011 By

You already know that Primavera Natural Skin Care works wonders on your skin; now, you can help keep the winter “blahs” away with their Eucalyptus Cold Therapy Wellness Line, too!

 

 

First, turn to their Eucalyptus Balm for effective relief of upper respiratory issues. A soothing blend of organic eucalyptus, thyme and lavender essential oils combine to promote relaxation and well being, and can be used on the back, chest or around the nose to soothe respiratory distress. ($21)

 

 

 

 

For portable cold relief, don’t forget to stash Primavera’s Eucalyptus Roll On in your handbag for quick relief of your symptoms in a travel-friendly size that’s great for busy men and women everywhere. ($17)

 

 

 

 

 

To soothe stuffy heads and noses before bedtime, spritz a  little of Primavera’s Eucalyptus Cold Therapy Pillow Mist on your pillow before you fall asleep. This mist will not only relieve your symptoms, but help create a warming, calm atmosphere for restful relaxation all night long. ($15)

 

 

 

 

 

Envelope yourself in the comfort of their Eucalyptus Bath Oil for a soothing way to relieve cold symptoms while purifying the air around you. This cold therapy vapor soak will help relieve stuffy noses while creating a calming atmosphere for a nice, relaxing soak. ($26)

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking for a multipurpose way to relieve the winter blues, look no farther than Primavera’s Eucalyptus Cold Therapy Blend. This essential oil can be used in a diffuser or as a vapor inhalant to soothe common cold symptoms and promote a feeling of relaxation. ($15)

 

 

 

 

All of the products in Primavera’s Cold Therapy line are available for purchase at PrimaveraLife.com.

 

Filed Under: Organic or Eco-Friendly, Skin Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

New Solutions for Picky Eaters (and Frustrated Mothers…)

November 3, 2011 By

Available at Amazon.com for $10.98, Kindle version $9.00

If you have a picky eater at home and love the “No-Cry Solutions” book series, you will be thrilled with Elizabeth Pantley’s new book The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution.    Half of surveyed parents say that their child doesn’t eat enough vegetables, 70% admit that their child eats too much junk food, and most parents feel that their child doesn’t eat a well-balanced diet.  A clear majority of families have at least one picky eater in the house!

If this sounds like you, you have to read Elizabeth’s new book.   Full of great tips and tricks to encourage more balanced eating, the suggestions in The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution can make a lasting difference in your child’s physical health – and your mental health!

 

This book isn’t just for the toddler set.  My 17 year-old daughter will only eat organic, vegetarian foods and my 12 year old son only likes the junk food.  Elizabeth’s book has some ideas that have allowed us (well, honestly my son and me!)  to find a happy medium so that shopping and meal prep is a more enjoyable experience.

Author Elizabeth Pantley

So if you’re tired of nagging about good nutrition and frustrated that you feel like you’re falling short, I recommend that you read Elizabeth Pantley’s new book for some great advice.    You can also sign up to receive a free set of parenting articles at no charge by sending a request to elizabeth@pantley.com.

Filed Under: Food & Snacks, Health & Fitness, Home Life, Parenting, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , ,

Trick-or-Treat for Healthy Teeth

November 1, 2011 By

Image courtesy of RealSimple.com

If Halloween is all about the candy (come on, admit it..), then the day after Halloween is usually all about fighting the bulge that results from raiding your kids’ trick-or-treat bags.  But one important thing that gets lost in the shuffle is dental health.  What happens to your teeth when they are blasted with sugar in unnatural quantities?

“Trick-or-Treating is fun, but that much sugar can be scary for your teeth…” says Dr. Pankaj Singh, founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates.  Here are his five tooth friendly tips for enjoying your Halloween treats:

 

1.  Choose candy that melts quickly and can be eaten easily.

2.  Drink a glassof water after eating candy to wash away the sugar and neutralize the acid.

3.  Avoid grazing on candy;  it increases the time sugars are in contact with tooth enamel.

4.  Have a treat with or after a meal, followed by a thorough tooth-brushing.

5.  Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth and sugar.  If not removed by brushing or swishing with water, sugar from any source can increase the likelihood of cavities.

Practicing good oral hygiene now and encouraging your children to do the same can make a big difference once the candy stash has disappeared.  Now if only it were that easy to take care of the extra calories!

Image courtesy of dmd4kids.com


Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Personal Care, Recommended Tagged With: , , , , ,

Eco-Friendly Beauty Buys for $25 or Less

October 21, 2011 By

There are a lot of companies working to make more natural, organic and eco-friendly beauty products. Unfortunately, a lot of these products can be pricey. Thankfully, all of these eco-friendly beauty buys are $25 or less so you can afford to look good and feel good, too.

100% Pure Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream

Made with 100% organic vitamins and moisturizers, this luxurious body cream from 100 Percent Pure hydrates, softens and makes skin healthy and glowing. Plus, it’s all natural, gluten free and vegetarian. This cream also contains powerful anti-aging antioxidants to help you retain a youthful glow, while the combination of fruit oils, cocoa and avocado butters keeps skin supple and smooth.

($15, Ulta)

 

Korres Lip Butter

One of my favorite lip balm splurges, Korres Lip Butter keeps lips hydrated and “kissably soft.” Formulated with a variety of natural oils, extracts, shea butter and rice wax, these potent lip balms keep lips conditioned, soft and amazingly smooth. The lip butters are available in 7 “flavors,” – mango, guava, jasmine, quince, plum, pomegranate and wild rose and impart a light hint of color to lips

($12, Sephora)

 

Tarte MultiplEYE Natural Lash Enhancing Waterproof Mascara

While I don’t ordinarily pay big bucks for mascara, I like the concept of Tarte’s multiplEYE natural lash enhancing mascara. This mascara has been clinically proven to increase lash volume by 638% while lengthening lashes, as well, and is formulated with their proprietary HydroPlant peptide and natural botanical nutrients to nourish and stimulate lashes. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and formulated without icky, irritating chemicals.

($24, Beauty.com)

Afterglow Organic Mineral Blush

I like the look and feel of mineral blush, but most of the brands I’ve tried contain bismuth oxychloride, which can be irritating. Afterglow’s mineral blush contains no bismuth, and is also free of parabens, nanos, gluten and talc. Plus, these mineral blushes are available in 8 skin-flattering shades, so you’re almost guaranteed to find one that suits your skin tone. The best part? They are formulated with 100% natural ingredients!

($23, AfterGlowCosmetics.com)

 

Peacekeeper Natural Nail Polish

If you’re into natural beauty from head to toe, Peacekeeper Natural Nail Polish is for you! Available in several stunning shades, this polish is dye-free, non-toxic and, with the exception of one shade, 100% vegan. Plus, the company doesn’t test on animals – ever. While their nail polish rocks, I really love how upfront and honest they are with their product ingredients. They admit they still use copolymers in their polishes (described as a “moderate” safety risk by the Environmental Working Group) and have complete product info right there for you to see. Awesome!

($8, BewellStaywell.com)

Are you into eco-friendly, organic and/or natural beauty? If so, share some of your favorite brands in the comments section – we’d love to hear from you!

 

Filed Under: Beauty, Makeup, Organic or Eco-Friendly Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gilt City Members: Get $40 Worth of Method Products for $25!

September 28, 2011 By

Attention all Gilt City members! Starting today, Gilt City members can log onto Soap.com to purchase $40 of method products for just $25. You read that right, ladies – all of your favorite method brand detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets are part of this special promotion.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the method brand, you should know that Method’s detergent bottles are filled with a plant-based, ultra concentrated formula that is both eco-friendly and comparable to some of the top brands on the market today. Additionally, the e-tailer Soap.com offers method’s complete collection of every fragrance available. Plus, your order will ship in one to two days so you can begin using your products A.S.A.P.

What are you waiting for? Get your $40 worth of Method detergent, fabric softener and/or dryer sheets today for the unbelievable price of $25. Make sure to come back to this post and tell us what you were able to snag!

Filed Under: Home Life, Organic or Eco-Friendly Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Dirty Bombshell Raises Awareness of Thyroid Cancer

September 22, 2011 By

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.  In 2010, there were nearly 45,000 new cases of thyroid disease in the United States, resulting in 1,700 deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. Thyroid cancer, which occurs more often in women, has a 97 percent, five-year survival rate. Thyroid Cancer Survivor Lorna Brunelle says “My goal is to raise awareness for what is now the fastest rising cancer in women in the United States.”

On December 15, 2004, Lorna J. Brunelle, professional performer and acting and vocal coach, was forced to face not only cancer, but the one cancer that could put an end to her career if she survived. She, a singer, was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. On February 2nd, 2005, she had a complete thyroidectomy at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. 

Author Lorna Brunelle (image courtesy of dirtybombshell.net)

When Brunelle became ill with thyroid cancer the iodine treatment, one little purple pill, made her radioactive and began to fight the cancer cells her thyroidectomy surgery left behind. In her book, Dirty Bomb Shell, From Thyroid Cancer Back to Fabulous -http://www.dirtybombshell.net/ Brunelle lends wit, charm and humor to her learning to swallow the fact that to become well she must first become a human “dirty bombshell” without alienating family and friends, or losing herself. She is now appearing in a new reality TV series, Wicked Fit on STYLE network airing Oct 23, 2011. www.mystyle.com/mystyle/b7714_wicked_fit_coming_style.html
As a means of coping Lorna began writing daily journal entries from the time she was diagnosed to help mark the progress of her recovery. After two years of writing, the excerpts became her book: DIRTY BOMBSHELL – From Thyroid Cancer Back to Fabulous! 

Dirty Bombshell $19.99 at Amazon.com

The book Lorna needed to survive this life-changing event didn’t exist, so when she got well she wrote it to spare others the loss of spirit and relationships. A top coach for young women in the Miss America Organization, Brunelle’s crowning achievement to this story is that she is now a participant on a new reality TV series.  Her triumphant story sheds light on a cancer most Americans are in the dark about. This story of faith, forgiveness, strength, hope, courage, tolerance, and self-discovery will change the way readers tackle hardship, leaving them with the power to survive and thrive.

You can purchase Dirty Bombshell at Amazon.com

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