How to Find the Perfect Shoes!

Find the perfect pair of shoes, effortlessly with your personal shoe shoppers at Shoe Dazzle!  If you don't like your selections, you can request new selections and you never have to buy if you don't want to.  My sister is one of those women who is always rockin' a pair of fabulouse shoes with every outfit and she is the one who turned me on to Shoe Dazzle.

Get a Free a Beachbody Workout DVD!!!!

Would you like to get a free Beachbody DVD?  Well, I am currently hosting a giveaway in which the winner will recieve a free copy of Power Half Hour with Tony Horton!


For a chance to win this great giveaway, come on over and enter to win HERE!

Cosmetics are More than Skin Deep

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by: Heidi Fagley, citizen journalist

 ...Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It has the distinction of being the first line of defense for our immune system. And since what we place on our skin is absorbed into our blood stream, doesn't it make sense that what we use topically could be affecting our health?

Cosmetics are big business. Numerous products for men, women, children, and even babies have us spending millions of dollars every year. Yet what exactly are we paying for?

The fact is that less than 20% of the chemicals in products we slather and spray on our bodies have been assessed for safety by the industry's safety panel. Since 1938, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned only eight from the nearly 12,000 ingredients used in cosmetics, while our neighboring European nations have banned over 1,100....

Read Full Article Here.

That's why I love Tropical Traditions!  I just received my order of face cream and am so happy to be using it again!!!!  For the kids...it's Burts Bee's body wash and shampoo, and for my hair..well...I need to find something better than what I have right now.  I've tried a natural shampoo and conditioner before that was supposed to be free of any chemicals...but it made my hair really dry and unmanageable.  I need an extra moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.  Around the house I currently use Theives, by Young Living and I've tried their toothpaste as well and my mouth always feels SO clean after using it, cleaner than with any other toothpaste.   

Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set Review

Don't ya just love genetics? They can be nice but it seems like often we inherit some not so nice genetic traits. I inherited "lovely" skin from my Dad's side of the family...one key identifying feature being large pores. Over time, I've learned that the only way to prevent your pores from getting bigger is by cleaning them out REALLY good. If you don't clean your pores really well, the dirt and oil builds up and stretches the pores, causing your pores to continue to get bigger and bigger. I found one product that I LOVE that really helps get my skin super clean and helps refine pores. It's the Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set. It's a 2-step process that starts with the exfoliator that uses the same professional grade exfoliating crystals used by dermatologists. You have to be careful not to rub it into your skin too vigorously because it is pretty rough and could irritate your skin. After washing off the pore refining exfoliator, you apply the "Replenish" serum. This serum contains vitamins, antioxidants and anti-irritants and sets the smooth, refined skin you achieved after using Refine (the exfoliator).

I have really loved this product, but I do think it is a little pricey. However, as I near the end of my bottle and looking for a bargain (without becoming a Mary Kay Consultant just to get products at a 50% discount) I found that there are consultants on Amazon, selling Mary Kay Products at a discount. I got my microdermabrasion kit because a Mary Kay consultant had a drawing at our Gym and I won it. Normally I wouldn't have spent $55 on something like that, however I have found it to really help soften my skin, clean out my pores and give me overall nicer, brighter more supple looking skin.

Now, if you don't have $30-$55 to spend on a microdermabrasion kit like the one by Mary Kay, I have also learned a number of ways to shrink your pores, including much cheaper alternatives that you can concoct at home with ingredients from the kitchen to help clean and tighten pores.

I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub (can be used daily) to keep my skin (and pores) squeaky clean. After using the face scrub, follow up with a pore minimizing toner like witch hazel or Homemade Skin Toner, followed by your favorite moisturizing cream.

The apricot scrub doesn't do as good a job refining as the Mary Kay Refine exfoliator, but if you want to be frugal, it's a MUCH cheaper alternative.

You could also make your own exfoliating scrub with sugar and olive oil, but when making it for your face, opt for brown sugar over granulated because it is less course and be careful not to scrub vigorously as the sugar can be rather abrasive.

How to Make Sugar Scrub

How to Make Skin Toner

How to Make Rose Water Skin Toner

Drinking Lemon Water

So yesterday I mentioned that I have started drinking a glass of water with half a lemon squeezed in and I thought I'd elaborate a bit more on that! First off, I only drink water purified by Reverse Osmosis (Culligan water refill at the grocery store works!) because the chlorine and flouride in tap water should be avoided if you have thyroid problems (I have Hashimotos). It also tastes better! I also place a strainer over my glass to catch the seeds when I squeeze the lemon.

Some of the benefits of lemon water are:

1. Good for stomach
   

   Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2. Excellent for Skin Care
   

   Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3. Aids in Dental Care
   

   Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

4. Cures Throat Infections
   

   Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5. Good for Weight Loss
   

   One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6. Controls High Blood Pressure
   

   Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
   

   Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8. Good for treating Rheumatism
   

   Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9. Reduces Fever
   

   Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

10. Acts as a blood purifier
    

    The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

Read more: http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/top-10-health-benefits-of-lemon-water-1422542#ixzz0uzdlZYfp

I don't think I could ever have the discipline to do the popular master cleanse detox, but drinking a bit of lemon water everyday is a SUPER easy alternative! It's not ever something I have to force down, it's very refreshing, like lemonade without the sicky sweet flavor. Although lemons are acidic, they are very alkalizing in your body.

Start your engine everyday by drinking a glass of room temperature, lukewarm to warm, lemon water first thing every morning! This is a tip from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's important to start your day with water everyday because of the time lapse inbetween going to bed and arising. Water hydrates your body naturally. Caffeine found in coffee, dehydrates your body. *

To get the most juice out of your lemons, have them at room temperature, then roll them around on the counter to soften them up to help the juices release when you squeeze it into your water. If you don't have lemons on hand or want something handy for when you are on the go, try NTrue Lemon! It's a small packet of dehydrated real lemon juice.

Quick Fixes! Sliming the Waistline Fast!

Since having my second baby almost 4 months ago (already!!!) I have had a slower recovery than I had expected. I was hoping to whip myself back into shape ASAP and blog about it more motivation (to keep me accountable) BUT it hasn't really gone that way. The Pubis Symphisis Seperation (the feeling of having an axe thrown into your pubic bone) did not go away right away. Just this last week I finally gave the gym a try which felt AMAZING to work out again, just doing a basic interval workout on the elliptical. 5 minutes into my first workout, I had a HUGE smile on my face. I was in the Cardio Cinema at Golds Gym, watching a CHICKFLICK (I never get to pick those at home) and no whining or crying was to be heard...and I just felt this amazing sense of freedom and enjoyment as I began to break out into a sweat...I started to really feel alive and excited. Having Pubis Symphisis is awful, I couldn't even walk to check the mail, if I needed groceries but couldn't find a close parking spot, I would just leave and do without. At night when I had to go wee-wee while pregnant, I would have to hold onto the bed and then the walls because I felt like I could't support my own weight and it was SO painful. So being able to sweat on the elliptical felt truly amazing after being basically disabled for months.

SO, between having the baby and now, I've just had to cheat a little to slim down my midsection quickly. After the baby was born, I wore a $10 Waist Trimmers to help support my midsection and pull things back together. I really felt like it helped shrink my uterus down faster than when I had my first child because of the compression. At first I was totally skeptical about Post Pregnancy Belly Wraps But after asking around a lot, I decided it was worth a shot.

Wearing a Post Pregnancy Belly Wraps / Waist Trimmers not only helped push things back into place faster, slimming my waistline a lot faster, it gave my back some added support which felt so great and I didn't feel so self-conscious about my deflating water balloon-like post baby pooch, because it gave me a waist that I didn't really have!

Now that I'm past the stage of needing to wear a waist belt, I am onto following some of my handy tips in my eHow article How to Slim Your Waist Without Losing Weight in Other Areas.


Step 3 in the article suggests using Spanx or Lipo in a Box to Slim the Waist Fast. I recently went to Target and bought an awesome cami that does the job of sucking things in and smoothing me out really well! It's called Suddenly Skinney and was only around $16. I love that is is longer than most slimmers so you don't end up with a cut off bulge around your hips...and it also doesn't cut in around your arms and make any back fat stick out either...it's just awesome.

And I'm not going to try any cleanses while breastfeeding, but I have started drinking a full glass of water with half a lemon squeezed into it first thing every morning, then waiting about 30 minutes before eating.

Anyways...so those are my cheats for now...wearing a waist trimmer, and now the Suddenly Skinney cami for a quick fix. I'll keep you posted about how the workouts and getting back in shape are going. I only worked out 3 times last week and was already starting to have some pain come back which is super annoying, I just need it to be gone so I can do Turbo Jam or Power 90...I haven't decided which to do first! Probably Turbo Jam though...I LOVE Chalene!

Celebrity Arms!

I remember growing up when I used to go to church with my parents, the women all went to what they call "relief society"...and from that is where I learned the term "relief society arms" which is when the moms and other women there pick up the arms and have that underarm jiggle. This video has a great move to target that! I know there are other terms for it, so whatever you call that saggy underarm jiggle, prevent it with some of these awesome arm toning moves!

Get the Best Legs in Hollywood!

Found this little gem today! Can't wait to try these out!

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

Well I was bummed recently when I needed to get a foil and a trim. The foil came out but the chick cut 6 inches off my hair when I just wanted a trim...I've been sour ever since! I can't wait to try some of these tips that include helping hair grow faster and stronger as well as the natural highlights, then maybe I can avoid paying so much to get some highlights and then end up losing my length. The worst part is, with my thyroid condition, my hair grows REALLY slow. Check out these beauty secrets, I'm printing them out so I always have them on hand!!!

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

By Amanda Greene

When it comes to beauty routines, the grass is always greener. Japanese women have it made with their long, glossy hair and Greek women’s olive-toned complexions are always luminous. But how do they do it? Put down your passport—you won’t need to go anywhere to find out. We got insider beauty information from experts on how women across the globe stay gorgeous. Read on to find out their secrets, and learn how you can recreate them at home.

Australia

Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis says yarrow extract is used by Australian Aboriginal women to prevent stretch marks, thanks to its moisturizing and hydrating properties. “Yarrow root is also an anti-inflammatory, which soothes the skin.” Calm your complexion with his Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer , which contains the extract as a key ingredient.

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They create a paste by mashing up a handful of the fruit and adding 2 tablespoons of white flour. They then apply the mask to their face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. “It wakes up the appearance of tired and fatigued skin to give you an amazing glow,” says Shalini Vadhera, author of Passport to Beauty

Dominican Republic

“If you ever meet a Dominican woman, look at her nails––chances are they’re super-strong,” says Vadhera. What’s their secret? Women in the Dominican Republic swear by garlic to keep their nails tough as…well, nails. They chop up fresh garlic, add it to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it stew for 7 to 10 days. “There will be an initial smell, so if you want to ward off vampires this is a great way to do it,” jokes Vadhera. “But the scent goes away. Garlic has so many strengthening properties and is naturally antibacterial as well.”

Egypt

According to Vadhera, Cleopatra’s beauty secret was taking milk baths to soften her skin and remove dead cells. To try the treatment at home, Vadhera recommends adding 2 cups of powdered milk to your bath. “It will make your skin look absolutely gorgeous and feel so smooth, silky and soft.”

France

“The French woman sticks to a scrupulous and preventive skin and body care routine,” says Shannon Gallogly, lead aesthetician for French beauty brands Decleor and Carita. “This means she has weekly facials, regular massages and religiously takes her makeup off each night.” Gallogly’s recipe for an at-home facial without the price tag of a spa version: Mash up cherries and pomegranate seeds and apply as a mask to the skin for about 6 minutes. “This mask will help brighten skin with natural enzymes while firming at the same time.” Remove the mixture with a warm towel to help boost circulation.

Greece

“Greek women are blessed with Mediterranean skin, which is light in color but has enough melanin to shield and absorb harmful UV rays,” says New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, who is half Greek. But even if you aren’t genetically blessed, you can still take a cue from the women of Greece. “There are other factors that contribute to their glowing complexion: They eat a Mediterranean diet high in fish, which provides skin-rejuvenating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants and vitamins. They also believe their intake of olive oil contributes to their great skin." So, start reaching for the olive oil instead of butter for better skin.

Israel

Cygalle Dias, owner of New York City’s Cygalle Healing Spa, was born in Israel and believes in the healing powers of sea salt. “When you swim in the Dead Sea, all of the salt helps your body rid itself of toxins, and it has also been known to help cure skin diseases.” To get the detoxifying benefits of sea salt at home, Dias shares her spa’s Lavender Sea Salt Scrub recipe: Mix together ¼ cup sea salt, 1 pinch seaweed powder, ½ cup massage oil and 10 to 15 drops lavender oil. Apply to skin to gently exfoliate.

Italy

How do Italian women maintain their glossy locks? According to Fabio Scalia, Italian hairstylist and owner of Fabio Scalia salon in Brooklyn, New York, the answer is right in your kitchen. Italian women keep their hair shiny by combining yogurt and olive oil and using the mixture as a conditioner. “The protein in the yogurt gently nourishes and conditions.” To whip up the rich treatment at home, Scalia recommends mixing 1 cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then apply the mixture to washed hair, let it sit for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Japan

Titi Branch, the half-Japanese cofounder of Miss Jessie’s hair care line, credits seaweed for Japanese women’s long, silky hair. Nori is a rich source of the trace mineral iodine, which is essential for healthy hair growth. (According to Branch, the iodine added to table salt isn’t the right kind to nourish your hair because your body doesn’t easily absorb it.) Seaweed is also a rich source of other mane-strengthening minerals—including iron, zinc, selenium and copper. “Japanese women either eat nori seaweed or boil it and apply it to dry hair as a nourishing paste.” Head to your local Asian grocer or health food store to pick up sheets of nori. “It’s traditionally used to wrap sushi, but you can use it like a tortilla to wrap up veggies with a dash of soy sauce, or crumble the sheets and sprinkle them on a salad, rice or stir-fry,” advises Branch.

Spain

Spanish women bring out natural, subtle highlights in their hair by rinsing it with cranberry juice, says Vadhera. Try mixing ¼ cup pure juice (not cocktail blends) with ¼ cup water and doing a final rinse with it in the shower. “If you’re going to be in the sun, the cranberry juice brings out the rich hues in your hair,” she says. “It works amazingly on brunettes, but if you’re blonde you’ll want to use lemon juice instead to avoid ending up with pink hair.”

Sweden

Swedish women attribute their glowing, healthy skin to their diet of antioxidant-packed fresh berries and grilled fish, says Petra Strand, Swedish makeup artist and creator of makeup line Pixi, now available at Target. Give yourself a hit of antioxidants by trying Strand’s at-home treatment: Boil mineral water with a green tea or white tea bag, let the tea infuse the water and then freeze it into ice cubes to use instead of a toner. “Saunas are also a big part of Swedish culture,” says Strand. “The dry, clean heat rids your body of toxins.” To get the effect of a sauna at home, Strand says to take a handful of rock salt and add a dash of olive oil and about 10 drops of pure eucalyptus oil. Rub it all over your body and rinse with a blast of cold water.

All photos by Shutterstock.

Sip Your Way to a Flat Belly

I got really excited when I saw this article on Yahoo News yesterday! I LOVE smoothies...if you do..you'll love step 3! I'm heading to the store tonight to stock up on a variety of frozen fruits and some greek yogurt for all my smoothie making!
I'm 9 weeks postpartum and it's time for me to start TRYING to lose those last 6 pounds! The rest all just fell off on it's own within the first 6 weeks (I think breastfeeding helped a lot). So I've got 5-6 pounds to go...ideally, I should probably lose at least 15 though. According to step 3, using smoothies, I can lose 10 of those pounds right there!

Sip Your Way to a Flat Belly

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Eat This, Not That

by David Zinczenko

There is a potion that magically strips away pounds from your body, improves your overall health, lengthens your life, makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, and keeps you lean forever. Even better, you can have as much of this magic weight-loss potion as you want, for free, and start stripping away pounds—perhaps even several dozen pounds this year alone—without exercise, without dieting, without visiting the set of Nip/Tuck.

What is this magical elixir? It’s water.

Really? Really. You don't even need to mix in that fancy fat-burning stuff from the vitamin store. In fact, the less you supplement your food and beverage intake, the more weight you’ll lose (and the more money you’ll save). Keep reading this five-point plan from the new book Drink This, Not That! and begin your no diet weight-loss goals today. You'll sip your way to a flat belly in record time--and keep it well beyond summer.

Step 1: Swear Off the Soda and Iced Tea
(Annual Weight Loss: 18 Pounds!)

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured where most of our calories come from. Researchers broke up America’s food intake into 143 different categories and discovered, to their horror, that the category making up the largest percentage of our calorie intake—7.1 percent, to be exact—was not a food at all. It was soda. (Vegetables, on the other hand, accounted for only 6.5 percent of our intake. Chicken and fish together only added up to 5.7 percent.) To put that into perspective, if you ate an average of 2,500 calories a day, and you cut 7 percent of your calories, you’d automatically drop down to 2,325, a difference that would save you 1.5 pounds per month. You could be 9 pounds lighter in 6 months by going cold-turkey today! Another thing to remember: You're far better off eating your vitamins than drinking them. Here are 40 foods with scientifically proven superpowers.

Step 2: Drink 8 Cups of Water Every Day
(Annual Weight Loss: 26 Pounds!)

Yes, the magic elixir really does have amazing powers. In one study, a group of 173 overweight women were put through diet and nutrition training using mainstream diet programs. Researchers then followed them for 10 months, with dietary and body composition being recorded up to 12 months after the classes. All women in the program lost weight, but those drinking more water lost more weight. Drinking more than 1 liter of water per day (nearly 4½ cups) was associated with an extra 5.07 pounds lost in 12 months.

And researchers from the University of Utah found that people who drink the most water have higher metabolisms. In a study, subjects drank 4, 8, or 12 cups of water each day. Those who drank at least 8 cups reported better concentration and higher energy levels, and tests showed that they were burning more calories than the 4-cups-a-day group.

Of course, if you're looking to lose weight, diet is only half the equation. For the other half, check out our list of the 100 best fitness tips ever written. Your best beach body awaits!

Step 3: Enjoy One, Two, or Even Three Yogurt-Based Smoothies a Day
(Annual Weight Loss: 10 Pounds!)

I love the sound of a cranking blender. But a combination of ice, dairy, and fruit does more than just make a teeth-rattling cacophony in your kitchen. It also helps strip pounds from your body.

There are three simple reasons why: Smoothies take little time to make (so you can quash your hunger pangs quickly), they’re packed with nutrition (especially if you start with Greek yogurt and add berries, whey protein, and some flax), and their thickness takes up a lot of space in your stomach, crowding out the Doritos. In fact, researchers at Purdue University found that people stayed fuller longer when they drank thick drinks than when they drank thin ones, and a study at Penn State found that people who drank yogurt shakes that had been blended until they doubled in volume ate 96 fewer calories a day than those consuming thinner drinks.

And speaking of deceptively unhealthy foods, check our must-know roundup of 30 “Health” Foods That Aren’t. You'll be shocked to learn how smoothies, salads and veggie wraps--among other seemingly healthful fare--might be sabotaging your weight-loss goals thanks to deceptive marketing practices.

Step 4: Avoid Juice Drinks
(Annual Weight Loss: 19 Pounds!)

Imagine a world in which we called products what they really were: Hungry Man Dinners would be called Lonely Man Dinners. ESPN would be called the Fat Nerds Yap about Jocks Channel. And SunnyD would be called Obesi-D because there’s nothing sunny about a drink marketed to kids that looks and tastes like juice, but is 95 percent water and corn syrup.

While even 100 percent juice has its problems, juice drinks and their ilk are the worse offenders. One 16-ounce bottle of SunnyD Smooth packs a whopping 180 straight-up empty calories and 40 grams of sugar. If you drink one a day, cut it out. You’ll lose 19 pounds in a year!

And SunnyD is just the beginning. See the worst beverages in the supermarket for a complete list of jaw-dropping drinks--and their healthier alternatives.

Step 5: Drink Coffee, Not Coffee Drinks
(Annual Weight Loss: 18 Pounds!)

Researchers studied coffee habits in New York and found that two-thirds of Starbucks’ customers opted for blended coffee drinks over regular brewed coffee or tea. The average caloric impact of the blended drinks was 239 calories. The regular coffee or tea, by comparison, was only 63 calories after factoring in added cream and sugar. So even if you like your coffee sweet and light, you can strip away 176 calories every day, just by making this one swap.

Now, budding mathematicians among you may notice that all this adds up to a whopping 91 pounds lost in a single year. This is not good news if you weigh 125. (However, travel just got a lot cheaper because now you can mail yourself all over the world.) Fact is, unless you're currently engaging in all of the bad habits above, you probably don't have 91 pounds to lose.

But this five-point plan illustrates how extraordinarily easy it is to shed extra weight—a lot of weight—just by watching what we drink. And that, my friends, is something worth raising a glass to.

And while I'm on the subject, here are 10 more simple weight loss secrets. Read them now and start melting pounds by tonight.

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FOLLOW DAVE ZINCZENKO ON TWITTER and get FREE live-better secrets every day!

Baby Bump Fitness Review and Giveaway

I just came across this program by a fellow Canadian who is the creator of Baby Bump Fitness. The focus is for soon-to-be moms and new moms. Jacqueline provides safe, quick & effective fitness solutions that really work, including workouts, rehab exercises and nutrition tips.

Recently, Jacqueline published two new E-books for sale on her site. They are Pregnancy Fitness Program and Busy Moms Fitness Program. Each E-book sells for $29.99, but three lucky winners will have a chance to win the E-book of their choice. Here is a summary of each E-book in more detail:

Jacqueline takes moms through those first post-pregnancy weeks to really focusing on getting that pre-pregnancy body back. The six-week program provides slow and steady pacing that is essential to proper progression and injury prevention. Similar to the Pregnancy workout, excellent step-by-step instructions and photos are provided. This is a great workout for travel as well. It’s super easy to just print a copy for your purse or suitcase and your workouts will always be on hand.

I'm hoping to win free copies of these ebooks to kick start my fitness and build my strength in those first few weeks post-pregnancy. You can enter to win too!

WIN FREE E-BOOKS! – To enter for a chance to win your choice of Baby Bump Pregnancy Fitness System or Baby Bump Busy Moms Fitness Program.

Visit Coach Jen at Personal Fit Coach for her review and details on how to WIN.

Hairstyles to Flatter your Face Shape

The Thread, Does Your Hairstyle Flatter Your Face Shape? @ Yahoo! Video

Superfoods for Incredible Hair

By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief -

Iron
Iron helps bolster hair growth. Find it in meat, shellfish, fortified grains and leafy greens.

Protein
Protein is the building block of every strand, but it can be high in fat. To keep your saturated fat intake low, opt for lean cuts of meat, mix light meat with dark, or choose seafood.

Biotin, B6 and B12
Biotin, B6 and B12 promote new growth within the follicles. Good sources include whole-grain breads, oatmeal, skim milk, lowfat cheese, eggs, salmon, nuts and nut butters.

Zinc
Zinc strengthens natural oils that coat the hair shaft, creating shine. Feast on meat, nuts, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and yogurt.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps promote cell renewal in the scalp. Get your fill in the form of brightly colored fruits and veggies. Strawberries and kiwis are surprising super sources, as are raspberries, mangoes, oranges and red bell peppers.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also a hair helper; look for it in apples, apricots and sweet potatoes.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants found in herbs, dark chocolate and fresh berries promote a healthy scalp by sparking cell turnover.

Want easy ways to weave these superfoods into your diet? Follow this sample menu by Lona Sandon, R.D., a spokeswoman in Dallas for the American Dietetic Association.

Breakfast:
Make your first meal rich in biotin and protein, hair’s primary components.
• Option 1: Whole-grain tortilla [BIOTIN] with 1 slice lowfat cheese [BIOTIN]; 2 scrambled eggs [BIOTIN]; 3 slices mango
• Option 2: 1 cup oatmeal [BIOTIN] with skim milk [BIOTIN] and a small handful of walnuts [BIOTIN] and dried apricots; 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch:
Munch on foods containing growth-promoting iron midday.
• Option 1: 3 oz roast beef [IRON] or turkey [IRON] on whole-wheat toast [IRON] with 1 slice lowfat cheese and 1/2 avocado (instead of mayo)
• Option 2: 3 oz grilled chicken breast; small baked sweet potato; salad of 4 cups romaine [IRON], 1/2 cup each red bell pepper and chickpeas; 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice to taste

Snack:
Antioxidant-rich bites between meals make for a healthy scalp.
• Option 1: 1/2 cup unsalted edamame [ANTIOXIDANTS] sprinkled with chili powder
• Option 2: 1 oz dark chocolate [ANTIOXIDANTS]; 1/2 cup raspberries [ANTIOXIDANTS AND BIOTIN]

Dinner:
Protein for your final meal boosts hair and your energy levels.
• Option 1: 2 1/2 cups veggie chili consisting of 1/2 cup each red kidney beans [PROTEIN], carrots, potato, peas [PROTEIN] and tomatoes
• Option 2: 6 oz grilled wild salmon [PROTEIN AND BIOTIN] or steak [PROTEIN]; a salad of 4 cups spinach, 1/2 cup orange slices, 1 oz goat cheese, a handful each of pumpkin seeds and raisins; 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon juice to taste

Cutesy name: Beach Hippie, 17 Hairstyles That Take Less Than 10 Minutes

Cutesy name: Beach Hippie, 17 Hairstyles That Take Less Than 10 Minutes

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