Striving4Zen

Turn It Off — While this is an incredibly simple thing to do, it can save a huge amount of electricity over the course of a year. Many people have been reluctant to turn off their computer because they believe that it’s bad for the computer or that it will actually use more energy in the long run. Neither one of these myths are true. Computers are designed to handle more on/off cycles than you will possibly use in the life of the machine, and the energy surge required to boot up your computer is equal to about the same amount of energy used to run your computer for 3 minutes. If you simply can’t bear to turn your computer off due to long booting times, put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not using it, or at least turn off the monitor at night. If you’re forgetful, a program called Local Cooling can be set to automatically put your computer in sleep mode, turn it off, or turn off the screen.

Don’t Use Screen Savers — There was a time when screen savers were actually a practical thing, designed to protect the phosphorescent lining of monochrome monitors. Most new monitors are LCD, and if you use a screen saver on an LCD monitor it can actually reduce the lifespan of the monitor. So that slide show of your dog in various costumes may be cute and funny, but it isn’t helping your monitor nor is it helping the environment. Keeping your screen active and moving uses more energy than setting your monitor to go blank or shut down when your computer is not in use. In some cases, screen savers can actually prevent your computer from going into the power saving mode.


Thanks Frugalist!

Labels: computer, save energy, tips

I don't want to paste ALL of them, but here are the ones relative to Goals and Beliefs:

Keep Visual Reminders — Goals, whether saving for a vacation or losing weight, can sometimes seem far off, and you might forget the reason you’re going without to reach that goal. Keep visual reminders around the house to help you remember what it is you’re working towards. When you get the impulse to order those new shoes take a peek at that sunny beach and remember what you’re saving for.
Never Stop Learning — Whether you’re seeking to advance in your career or to simply explore your interests, learning new things can be a wonderful way to keep life interesting. Learning something new doesn’t always that you need to take a formal class. It can be as simple as picking up a newspaper and reading all the stories, not just the ones that interest you. Learning new things can open you up to new possibilities and ideas you hadn’t previously considered, and this practice could expand your outlook on life.
Volunteer — Studies have shown that we live longer and happier lives if we spend time helping others instead of just thinking about ourselves. Take an opportunity to help out in your community. You can volunteer for an after school program or to help clean up a local park. Giving to your community and others around you can help you to make new friends and feel needed and valued.
Stop Worrying — Many people find it difficult to stop worrying, and worrying too much can start to take a toll on activities such as work or time with family and friends - not to mention give you wrinkles. Much of worrying is about problems that aren’t immediately solvable. Take a step back and stop worrying about them for a while - you might find a solution where you least expect it.
Do a Good Deed — Do something nice for someone around you- helping your neighbor carry in groceries or a few simple words of unexpected praise. Doing good for others can help you to feel good about yourself, and makes the people around you happier as well.
Analyze Your Commitments — It’s easy to fall into patterns of doing things simply because they are habit, but that no longer make sense with your present goals and desires. Analyze your weekly schedule and see if there are any things that you simply aren’t getting any joy from anymore or that don’t suit your goals for the future. Cut back or quit doing these activities to leave you more time for things you really want and need to do.
Accept Your Weaknesses — Nobody is perfect. As soon as you learn to accept that there are some things that you just can’t do, you’ll be happier with yourself and better able to focus on all the wonderful things that you can do.
Take the First Step — Making changes in your life can be a scary prospect, even if they are ones you are looking forward to. You’ll never get where you want to be by standing still, so push yourself to take that first step in the direction you want to go.
Be Grateful — So you don’t live in a mansion and drive a fancy sports car. It’s easy to get caught up in lamenting the things that you don’t have. Take a moment to reflect on all the things you do have. You might find that you are richer than you thought. Focus on these things that you can be grateful for each day.
Don’t Take Things Personally — Criticisms aren’t always meant as an attack on you as a person. Learn to take criticism as a learning experience and use it to become better at whatever you are doing. If someone is truly being unkind, just remember that their words probably have more to do with what’s wrong with them, than what is wrong with you.
Always Do Your Best — Putting your best foot forward in everything you do will help you make the most of your time and effort. For example, if you want to lose weight you need to get up off that couch first. Or, if you want to make more money, learn first how to ask for that raise.
Focus on the Good — Bad things happen to everyone at some point in their lives but that doesn’t mean that you have to dwell on them. You will be happier and healthier if you try to concentrate on the things in your life that are positive.
Put Your Money Where Your Goals Are — Sometimes the motivation to start working towards a goal can be as simple as investing money in that goal. Take the initiative to sign up for that language class or join that gym. Once you’ve made the initial investment you won’t want to waste your money and will give yourself the motivation to start working towards your goal.
Find Beauty in the Everyday — Often schedules are so packed and life is so hurried that there is little time to slow down and appreciate the world. Take a moment to reflect on the simple pleasures in your life which you might have otherwise taken for granted.
Mean What You Say — While it may be tempting to say things you don’t mean to placate others or because you are angry try to make everything you say as true as possible. When you are honest and say what you mean, your words will have more value, and others feel that you are worth of their trust.
Don’t Make Assumptions — Our intuitions and first impressions can be a valuable tool but they’re not without flaw. Many people have gotten themselves into pretty embarrassing situations by making assumptions. Take the time to ask questions and delve deeper before you make a judgment.
Find a Cause — Having something that you are truly passionate about can be a great way motivator. Find something that excites or engages you and let it inspire your goals and your life.
Keep Your Perspective — It’s hard to keep perspective when life hits you with an obstacle that seems insurmountable. In reality, few things in life are truly insurmountable. Give yourself time to deal with your problems, but also make sure you look at the bigger picture.
Set Deadlines for Yourself — So you’ve come up with a great plan for your future, but how does it practically fit into your life? Set deadlines for yourself to accomplish certain goals by so that you can keep yourself on track.
Monitor Your Progress — Planning for things far in the future can sometimes be discouraging if you still have a long way to go. So concentrate on how much you’ve accomplished already instead of how much you still have left to go.
Keep Balance in Your Life — Don’t let any one aspect of your life take over. Try to strike a balance between work, home and personal interests.
Keep a Journal — Keep a journal of your accomplishments and even about your troubles. A particularly good ordinary day can be something worth writing about. When you’re feeling bad about life you can look back on these good days as a reminder that things aren’t always horrid.
Take Your Time — Don’t rush into anything that could make your life more difficult down the road. Take your time to make important decisions and don’t let others rush you into situations you’re not comfortable with.

Labels: Holistic Health, life, tips

The warm, earthy and subtly nutty flavor of flaxseeds combined with an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids makes them an increasingly popular addition to the diets of many a health conscious consumer. Whole and ground flaxseeds, as well as flaxseed oil, are available throughout the year.
Flaxseeds are slightly larger than sesame seeds and have a hard shell that is smooth and shiny. Their color ranges from deep amber to reddish brown depending upon whether the flax is of the golden or brown variety. While whole flaxseeds feature a soft crunch, the nutrients in ground seeds are more easily absorbed.
read more.....

Labels: flaxseeds, health food, nutrition, Omega-3s

May 31, 2007 -- JERUSALEM - Shimon Peres said yesterday he will ask parliament to elect him Israel's head of state, taking over a mostly ceremonial role that has been overshadowed by a rape inquiry into the outgoing president.
"I have decided to answer the calls to be a candidate for the presidency," the former prime minister said.
Polls show most Israelis want Peres as president. The vote will take place June 13.

Labels: Israel, President, Shimon Peres

Scientists discovered the importance of alpha-lipoic acid in the 1950s, and recognized it as an antioxidant in 1988. The body needs alpha-lipoic acid to produce energy. It plays a crucial role in the energy-producing structures in cells. The body actually makes enough alpha-lipoic acid for this basic function. Alpha-lipoic acid acts as an antioxidant, however, only when there is an excess of it and it is in the "free" state in the cells. There is little free alpha-lipoic acid circulating in your body, unless you consume supplements or get it injected. Alpha-lipoic acid is a versatile antioxidant—it helps deactivate an unusually wide array of cell-damaging free radicals in many bodily systems.
Claims, purported benefits: Alpha-lipoic acid is said to prevent or treat many age-related diseases, from heart disease, and stroke to diabetes and Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as declines in energy, muscle strength, brain function, and immunity. Alpha-lipoic acid is also being studied for HIV disease and multiple sclerosis.
Bottom line: Though evidence has been accumulating, research on alpha-lipoic acid is still in its early stages. This potent antioxidant may some day be seen as an important supplement. Not enough is known now to recommend alpha-lipoic acid. No one knows what dose should be used for what ailment. If you have diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s and decide to take it, tell your doctor. Though alpha-lipoic acid appears to be safe, the long-term effects of large doses are unknown. If alpha-lipoic acid is as powerful as it seems, there may be a danger in too much of a good thing.

Labels: alpha-lipoic acid, Anti-oxidant, supplements

Vanity Fair Study Delves Into the Cultivated Consumer

Adieu, conspicuous consumption. Meet the new cultivated consumer.
A shift in consumer preferences is one of the premises of a new study that aims to define this increasingly powerful subset of affluent Americans, and to examine its behavior and lifestyle preferences. The study was commissioned by Vanity Fair magazine, which worked with SJR Group, a politically based qualitative research company; consumer trend firm Yankelovich, and Lieberman Research Group to develop the findings.
The study found that 28 percent of American citizens between the ages of 21 and 54, and with a household income of over $100,000, fit into the cultivated consumer category. That translates into 9,199,680 people, with disposable income and eclectic interests, a thirst for exclusive knowledge, a preference for an authentic experience, social responsibility and the need to surround themselves with a network of experts.
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So how does one market to a group that is wary of hype?
The study says, "Make him feel unique; offer personalization; tell them your authentic brand story; call out the details; make them feel smart, make him feel responsible; do well by being good, and tell them about it; be wary of hype; give them a story to tell others, respect their filter."
....read more in WWD

Labels: consumer, marketing, trends, Vanity Fair

Sure, nutritionists say it's healthier to cook meals at home. Obscene portion sizes aside, restaurant meals are laden with calories, saturated fat, MSG, sodium and other dietary evils. But this is New York, where kitchens are outrageously undersized and groceries are outrageously overpriced.
Takeout food, on the other hand, is abundant and much more compatible with fourth-floor walkups. Two registered dieticians have compiled a healthy guide to the city's takeout scene. With "Mindful Menus: The Guilt-Free Guide to Ordering In" in hand, one never has to ponder whether hot-and-sour soup is fattening (it's not!) or how many calories could possibly fit in that order of chicken parm (1,012). Mindful Menus lists the smartest 10 to 15 menu suggestions for some of the most popular takeout and delivery destinations in the city. It also reveals exactly which items are the most offensive at each establishment.
For example: the quesadilla from BurittoVille (38 grams of fat); go for the Vegged Out in Santa Fe instead. Upper East and West Side guides are currently available, with Chelsea and Downtown versions coming soon. Each book includes restaurant phone numbers, so it can serve as a portable replacement for that unruly pile of menus in the kitchen drawer. Now, on those nights when slicing, dicing and steaming just aren't an option, at least you'll smugly swap fried spring rolls for steamed shrimp shumai.As for the 25-calorie fortune cookie? Yes, please.
Available online at foodtrainers.net.
Thanks for the tip UrbanBaby!

Labels: eating out, healthy dining, NYC

Beyond anti-aging, natural products have also significantly driven growth in the makeup sector. More than 40 percent of Mintel's exclusive survey respondents said that they prefer makeup with all-natural ingredients, which clearly supports the growth reported by Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD). According to Mintel GNPD, more than 200 new introductions in this area have debuted in the U.S. this year. More than one fifth of global organic and natural new product makeup launches have come from the U.S. alone.

"As consumers increasingly embrace natural and organic foods in the grocery store, health and beauty items will also mirror this trend," said Fay. "Women are paying closer attention to what they eat, as well as what beauty products they choose. Natural products are associated with the 'good-for-you' movement, and hold major potential for marked growth."

Labels: organic, skincare, trends

Now where to go? - that is the question. I found this great website - Check out Trail.com. Just type in your state or zip code, and they'll list the best hiking trails in that area. Go out for a day hike and be back in time for an evening BBQ.

Labels: exercise, hiking, link

Dr. Mercola explains:
Some three years ago, I warned you about the fruits and vegetables containing the highest amount of pesticides as determined by the Environmental Working Group.
Now their new, updated list is out.
To stay away from pesticides that do great harm to your health, I urge you to download the EWG's complete listings of the best and worst whole foods at their Web site today. Remember that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic.
Pesticides can have many negative influences on health, including neurotoxicity, disruption of the endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women.
That's just part of the reason why you should always be on the lookout for organically grown fruits and vegetables. Where traditional farmers apply chemical fertilizers to the soil to grow their crops, organic farmers feed and build soil with natural fertilizer.
Traditional farmers use insecticides to get rid of insects and disease, while organic farmers use natural methods such as insect predators and barriers for this purpose. Traditional farmers control weed growth by applying synthetic herbicides, but organic farmers use crop rotation, tillage, hand weeding, cover crops and mulches to control weeds.
The result is that organically grown food is not tainted with chemical residues, which can be harmful to humans.
The major problem most people have with organic food is the expense.
However, if you plan wisely, eating organically is actually quite affordable. A diet based on whole organic foods does not have to be cost-prohibitive for the average family or single consumer.
However, I'd like to say that if the choice is between fresh conventional vegetables and wilted organic ones, I would recommend you choose the conventional vegetables; old and wilted vegetables lose many of the vital micronutrients that make them so healthy.
If you do buy conventional vegetables, I certainly recommend that you go with the ones on the "Cleanest 12" list.

Labels: Mercola, organic, pesticides

Wouldn't it be nice to have more confidence when you are faced with the large number of important decisions that come across your desk?
Well, you can if you access the brain in your gut. The gut/brain connection has long been recognized as a tenet of physiology and medicine. Most people do not realize that over 95 percent of one of your most important neurotransmitters, serotonin, is made in your gut, NOT in your brain.
The old saying trust your gut has quite a bit of science behind it. This has been a painful lesson for me, as I tend to be overly analytical and logically seek to find an answer and arrive at a consensus of others. But what I have learned is that the more I "listen" to what my gut is telling me, the better I usually wind up.
This fascinating cover story from the latest Psychology Today confirms my experience and discusses the power of intuition in your life. It describes the delicate balancing act all of us face in making daily decisions. We all use our gut, mind and emotions in combination to make complex decisions.
Everyone has intuition, but many people have trouble trusting what they know, and so instead look outside themselves for permission or validation.
You can learn more about developing and improving your intuitive powers by reviewing some of the great articles written for our Web site by Carol Tuttle. According to Carol, accessing and developing intuition is a natural gift that you can all develop more fully.
If you trust your intuition more, you will find that many answers are already inside you, waiting to be awakened.

Labels: gut, mind-body, psychology

Mickey Drexler truly gets it.

J. Crew is breaking out of its mold. The company is rolling out smaller stores, each with a look, assortment and nameplate customized to fit the tone and tastes of affluent locations and resort towns. "The point on all these stores is that we tailor-make the store to fit the specialness of the communities," Millard "Mickey" Drexler, chairman and chief executive officer of J. Crew Group, told WWD. "We are designing stores to have the same feel as the community, and the way they would want it to feel. It's not a cookie-cutter store."
Read more....

Labels: innovative, J. Crew

May 23, 2007 -- Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn yesterday unveiled moves to help New Yorkers access healthier things to eat - including streamlining applications for food stamps - as part of City Hall's push to improve citizens' quality of life.
Standing in front of a Brooklyn Heights greenmarket near Borough Hall, Bloomberg and Quinn said a new program - funded by a $1 million grant from the federal Department of Agriculture, which manages food stamps - will make it easier for people to apply for the federal-assistance vouchers.
The pair also announced the formation of the city's Partnership for Food and Fitness, which is starting with a$500,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and will focus on helping people adopt healthier eating habits.
Officials also said they're adding the School Meals programs, and other types of food benefits for low-income kids, to the ACCESS NYC online-screening program.

Labels: Bloomberg, health food, NYC

OK, the name sounds weird right -- So what is it? Well, Yogen Früz is an amazingly delish frozen yogurt treat that also contains probiotics, the bacteria that's good for you. You can get low-fat, non-fat or no-sugar-added frozen yogurt and have your choice of fruit blended in and it's really tasty. Yogen Früz has stores all over the world, but none in the U.S. until now. They're finally opening one up over here and guess where? San Francisco! Yipee! I am sure it's going to be a huge hit, which means if you're not lucky enough to live in the city by the bay, I'm sure more will be popping up soon. Check it out online at YogenFruz.com.

Labels: Fro-yo, health food, new product, Probiotics

FROM: MUG
SUBJECT: Makeup awards winners
MESSAGE: A list of the products that were CEW Beauty Awards winners.

Labels: beauty, list, make-up, skincare

Find Bliss - health in the modern age

Lime - healthy living qwith a twist!

Stumble Upon - a link to find more links!

Anti-Inflammatory Foods - eat lots of these

Alternative Health Magazine - a trusted voice

Labels: healthy links

LONDON — Natural skin care is about to get a whole lot sexier. Starting in June, London-based treatment brand Nude plans to offer natural and environmentally friendly products with a healthy dose of luxury.
Created by Bryan Meehan — founder of U.K.-based organic produce retailer Fresh & Wild, which was sold to Whole Foods in 2004 — the line is meant to pack a potent mix of nonchemical ingredients with sumptuous product textures and prestige packaging.
"Why can't natural skin care be as beautiful as nonnatural products in terms of packaging, in terms of perfume, in terms of feel, and have results like cosmeceuticals?" asked Meehan. "Until recently, packaging has been slightly dull and archaic and the products' smells have been predictable."
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A similar strategy was used when concocting product formulas. While certified organic ingredients were used when available, when they weren't, the firm decided to use natural options, such as peptides from milk. The idea was to focus on efficacy, Ghee said. The products were created sans parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil or silicones, as well as other ingredients, which have been singled out as being potentially harmful.
"Sometimes you can put things on the skin that can do more harm than good," said Meehan, adding formulations were concocted to include natural prebiotics and probiotics, said to boost the skin's friendly bacteria, which act as barriers to irritants such as pollution.
Read More....(sub. req'd)

Labels: beauty, organic, skincare, start-up

Yo!Naturals is on the front line in the battle against junk food vending machine, and I wholeheartedly applaud their efforts. In their Yo!Zone and Yo!Thirsty machines you won't find the junk food staples of your youth. Gone are the fluorescent orange cheddar crackers filled with hydrogenated oil laden peanut butter, in their place you will find Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies and Pirate Booty. Instead of candy bars, you can choose from a selection of energy bars, like some of my faves - Luna, Clif and LARABARS. Soda is replaced with organic milk and organic juices. Yippee!!!

Yo!Naturals distribution is growing ever wider and you should be on the look out for their machines in hospitals, hotels, offices and schools - you know large, kind of institutional places. Just the kinds of places where you need a snack and can never find anything healthy to satisfy your hunger.

It's about time, yo!

Labels: business, healthy snacks, new product

Circumvent the armada of commercial cleaners by keeping an ample supply of these eight items, which make up the basic ingredients for nearly every do-it-yourself cleaning recipe.

Baking soda: provides grit for scrubbing and reacts with water, vinegar or lemon by fizzing, which speeds up cleaning times
Borax: disinfects, bleaches and deodorizes; very handy in laundry mixes
Distilled white vinegar: disinfects and breaks up dirt; choose white vinegar over apple cider or red vinegars, as these might stain surfaces
Hydrogen Peroxide: disinfects and bleaches
Lemons: cut grease; bottled lemon juice also works well, although you might need to use bit more to get the same results
Olive oil: picks up dirt and polishes wood; cheaper grades work well
Vegetable based (liquid castile) soap: non-petroleum all-purpose cleaners
Washing soda: stain remover, general cleaner, helps unblock pipes; should be handled with gloves due to its caustic nature. Washing soda is usually found in the laundry aisle of grocery and drug stores.

See More Here

Labels: cleaning, going green, natural therapy, non-toxic

Donna Karan is hosting this AMAZING initiative that aims to "create a working environment where the worlds of conventional and alternative medical practices unite to invent new ways of healing, health and well-being for all of us."

I will be volunteering for this event and hope to throw my passion behind its goals. Let's hope this is a step forward in raising the awareness of Holistic Healing and Wellness rather than sickness and medication.

Labels: Donna Karan, Health, Holistic Health, Urban Zen, yoga

May 17, 2007 -- A combination of yoga, breathing exercises and relaxation may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, a study says.

Researchers in India found that among 72 adults suffering from migraines, patients who were randomly assigned to take part in a yoga-therapy program started having headaches less often and endured less pain with each migraine attack compared with the subjects assigned to a self-care group.

What's more, the pain relief brought considerable improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to the researchers, led by Dr. P.J. John of the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

The complete study findings are reported in the current issue of the journal Headache.

Labels: migraines, natural therapy, yoga

LOVE THIS!

As much choice as there may be in the cereal aisle, nothing beats made-to-order, especially if you can mix and match 70 different ingredients. Which is what Mymuesli offers through its online cereal store.
....
First, they pick a foundation (oats and other grains), then add fruits, nuts and seeds, and finally extras like organic gummi bears and alfalfa.
.....
Customers can name their mix, which is also assigned an ID that's printed on the muesli box. This makes it super easy to reorder a specific mix, or recommend it to friends. Those who aren't feeling creative can order one of the German start-up’s personal favourites, like tropical Copacabana Days, or Alte Freunde, a choc and nuts mix. Mymuesli only uses organic ingredients (which helps explain the hefty price tag), and offers exotic fruits like goji berries and sour cherries to spruce up the most important meal of the day.

Labels: customization, great idea, made-to-order, start-up

Honestly, this is getting so frustrating. I have so many ideas and yet someone else is always the one to do something about it! I discussed this idea with a neighbor about 3 or 4 years ago!!

Flexpetz recently launched in Los Angeles and San Diego, and offers consumers the option of having a dog for just a few hours or days a week. Which is a good solution for people who'd love to have a dog, but are too busy, travel frequently, or live in buildings that don't allow dog ownership.

The dogs come from breed rescue shelters, who take in specific breeds and help pick animals that are well-suited to life as Flexpetz. When they're not spending time with members, the dogs live in a cage-free facility that provides a safe and steady base. The company's founder, Marlena Cervantes, views Flexpetz like an extended family: "When our dogs spend time with their extended family members, they are lavished with love and undivided attention. We feel our this concept allows our dogs more love and attention than single ownership can often provide."

Labels: great idea, opportunity, pets

Stumbled upon this store - Satya - in the West Village and loved everything in it! They have another store in Nolita - haven't gone there yet. Each piece combines symbolism and gemstones to make beautiful delicate jewelry.

Apparently, they have lots of celebs as fans too - Courtney Cox, Susan Sarandon, Scarlett Johansson and Rachel Bilson.

Also, the prices are perfectly reasonable!

Labels: jewelry, NYC, shop, store

LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - Britain supermarket chain ASDA said on Tuesday it was removing all artificial colours and flavours from its own-label food amid growing concern about their impact on childrens' behaviour.
"We know that our customers, particularly those that are mums and dads, are becoming more and more concerned about what's in the food that they buy," ASDA's food trading director Darren Blackhurst said in a statement.
....
There were widespread media reports earlier this month about a study commissioned by Britain's Food Standards Agency which is believed to have linked certain artificial food colours and a preservative to hyperactivity in children.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects about five percent of the population. There has been a long-standing suggestion that artifical food colourings and perservatives are linked to ADHD, the FSA said.
Britain's largest supermarket chain Tesco said it had already removed artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners from its range of kids' foods.
....
Last month supermarket chain J Sainsbury announced it was removing all artificial colourings and flavourings from its range of own-brand soft drinks.
Sainsbury also said it was removing aspartame from its low calorie range and replacing it with rival sweetener sucralose.

When will the US wake up??

Labels: aspartame, diet, food

If you like Japanese Straightening, then you'll love Brazilian Keratin.
Leslie Correa, owner of the exclusive Upper East Side hair studio, Capelli D'Oro Salon & Day Spa, tells us this revolutionary new process is the chemical straightener of tomorrow.
"The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a miracle. It softens, shines and straightens hair in about two hours, and it's not nearly as expensive as Japanese Straightening," Correa says. "The treatment is simply amazing - it eliminates frizz and unwanted curl while giving hair added texture and control."
Unlike other chemical relaxers, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment doesn't use strong chemicals to open the cuticle in order to straighten the hair and "break the bonds" of the hair shaft. Instead, the treatment penetrates the hair repairing internal damage and then coats the hair preventing further damage.
"As a matter of fact, the more damaged your hair is the longer the treatment lasts," Correa adds. "Brazilian Keratin can be done on any type of hair, after coloring, on top of previously relaxed, highlighted and double processed hair and even over an existing Japanese Straightening process! It's a very conditioning, healthy treatment that achieves the same desired effect of silky straight hair."

Labels: beauty, hair, straight, treatment

The promotional arm of the dairy industry has been asked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to curtail the ad campaign since research doesn't support the claim.
It is not much of a surprise that the initial research backing this claim was partially funded by the dairy industry.
The ads suggest that three servings of low fat or skim milk dairy products a day can help people become slim. The “Body by Milk” ad campaign that was aimed at teenagers and featured Carrie Underwood will be curtailed as well.
The FTC will still allow the dairy council to continue asserting that adults and children should not avoid milk and milk products because of concerns that they may lead to weight gain.
So the research found three servings of dairy doesn't make you gain weight, which is a far cry from the claim that it helps you lose weight.

Labels: Dairy, Lies, Myth

"Just as the consumer is reading food product labels and looking at what she eats, she will be more critical of beauty products," said Philippe Gadel, of Jump France, a Parisian communications agency, during his talk, titled "Drawing Inspiration from the Food Industry — The New Way to Innovate."
Gadel said there was a growing synergy between healthy eating and beauty, as exemplified by a brand such as Dr. Perricone, which offers dietary advice with beauty products. "It's a new holistic beauty approach," said Gadel.
Gadel suggested women were becoming disenchanted with products they deemed overly technical or too sophisticated. "They are very critical of the results promised by manufacturers and, above all, from highly scientific formulae, which are hard to understand," he said.

WHAT: Freeze 24-7 Ice Shield
WHY: Remember the shampoo-plus-conditioner craze in the 90’s? The idea was that busy folk need less steps in their beauty regimens. Though our tresses are a lot more high-maintenance than they were back then, our faces need SPF more than ever—and we’re busier than ever, to boot! This first-ever wash-on UVA/UVB protection facial cleanser has the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval, and uses a revolutionary Ice Shield technology to bind sunscreen to the skin while washing away dirt and impurities. The best part? It eschews the greasy shine from traditional sunscreens, further shortening your morning routine.
PRICE: $48
AVAILABILITY: Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, select Bath & Body Works stores, select Victoria Secret Beauty stores, Nordstrom, Fred Segal, http://www.freeze247.com/.

Labels: beauty, new product, sunscreen

Michael Indursky is out to seek the greater good, all in the name of the natural personal care market.

The Burt's Bees executive will announce on Monday at an industry conference his plans to spearhead an effort to regulate the $1.8 billion industry in the U.S. Indursky, who is chief marketing and strategic officer of the $250 million natural personal care company, recently became a member of the Natural Products Association, a Washington, D.C.-based group that serves manufacturers and retailers of natural products.

At the NPA, he will oversee a committee dedicated to the regulation. Indursky admitted that the effort was "very ambitious" and would ultimately affect "all of personal care." So, he is taking baby steps toward a regulation and is first looking to come up with an industry definition of what "natural" is. While that in itself will be a challenge, he knows for sure what natural isn't.

"A natural product should not have parabens, any synthetic preservatives, sulfates, animal products or anything with suspected potential human health risk," Indursky said.

....A walk through a local Duane Reade showed that several brands would be affected if regulation were to cover the personal care industry. Johnson & Johnson's Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 contains laureth-7 and propylparaben. Curel's Natural Healing lotion contains methyparaben. Royale Bee Naturals Healing Hand Cream brand contains lauryl laurate.

- WWD

Labels: natural products, skincare

For many people, knee and back pain keeps them from getting the exercise they need. In many cases, these nagging aches and pains can have a simple and not so obvious cause. Fitness expert Susie Nesselman of BodyTrends.com, an online resource for people looking for information about fitness and fitness products, says most people need look no further than what they're wearing on their feet."Most shoes don't offer adequate support for people as they walk, much less exercise," says Nesslemen, "but it's an easy problem to solve."
Nessleman recommends that people who come to her with these aches and pains invest in a pair of shoes made by Masai Barefoot Technology, or MBT for short.
The shoes were invented by Swiss engineer Karl Müller. During a visit to Korea he made the discovery that walking barefoot over paddy fields alleviated his back and knee pain. When he returned home to Switzerland, Müller began to develop a footwear technology that would make the natural instability of soft ground such as Korean paddy fields accessible to everyone, no matter where they lived. In 1996, after years of research and development, Masai Barefoot Technology was born. MBTs are now available in more than 20 countries around the world, and approximately one million pairs of this revolutionary footwear technology are sold every year.
See more here...

Labels: fitness, MBT, trends

May 9, 2007 -- Spring babies may be less intelligent, startling new research shows.
A study of more than 1.6 million elementary and high school kids between 8 and 15 found those conceived in May through August scored lower on math and language tests than children conceived during other months.
Dr. Paul Winchester of the Indiana University School of Medicine, who presented results this week at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, blamed environmental villains.
Higher levels of pesticides and nitrates can be found in surface water during the summer months, he noted.
"Exposure to pesticides and nitrates can alter the hormonal milieu of the pregnant mother and the developing fetal brain," he said.
"The pesticides we use to control pests in fields and our homes and the nitrates we use to fertilize our crops and even our lawns are at their highest level in summer."
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Labels: environment, pesticides

WWD PARIS — Sephora wants to make people beautiful — from inside out — perhaps signaling a new era in beauty retailing. The perfumery chain, owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, will unveil in France in September a new, in-store beauty concept emphasizing nutritional supplements and drinks. If it works as well as the company hopes, the concept will be rolled out to Sephora doors in other countries.
"Today, we think nutritional complements are indispensable to beauty," Natacha Dzikowski, global brand image director of Sephora, told WWD. Until now, such products were predominantly available in France through pharmacies, supermarkets, hypermarkets and online. Dzikowski explained Sephora has signed a consulting nutritionist to help it concoct veritable beauty regimens, including detox and diet programs. There will also be information given on which nutritional supplements and drinks, plus skin creams, round out the various "menus."
"Women today need this kind of information," she continued. "We will give them a full health regimen."Of course, such regimens will vary from country to country, said Dzikowski. She explained the idea for introducing a nutritional element into Sephora stemmed from market research showing the majority of women today are less concerned about the onset of wrinkles (the target of most facial skin care products) than about how best to achieve general well-being.
Sephora's first so-called "healthy and beauty" bars will stock about 10 brands of nutritional supplements and drinks. So far, the lineup includes Fushi, Dr. Perricone and Dr. Murad, plus the perfumery's own brand — including its 24H Slimming Program.

As hemp steadily makes the transition from hippie health food to antioxidant du jour, two new products stand out for tasting good while also reaping the benefits of the seed.
Rich with Omegas, all 10 essential Amino Acids and other vitamins and nutrients, hemp is a good alternative source of protein and, in the case of Hempmilk, it's a good stand-in for milk.
Available in chocolate, vanilla and original flavors, Hempmilk has none of the overwhelming soy flavor and the resident CH health nut liked the chocolate flavor but said he still prefers the thicker texture of other non-dairy milks. Buy a pint from Hempmilk.
Using hemp to flavor their organic dark chocolate bars, Dagoba mixes in hemp, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and seasons it with Balinese sea salt. The result is a complementary mix of nuts and chocolate livened up by the bite of the salt. Look for it in your local grocery store or get a case ($36) from Dagoba.

Thanks CoolHunting!

SOME gymgoers are tortoises. They prefer to take their sweet time, leisurely pedaling or ambling along on a treadmill. Others are hares, impatiently racing through miles at high intensity.
Each approach offers similar health benefits: lower risk of heart disease, protection against Type 2 diabetes, and weight loss.
But new findings suggest that for at least one workout a week it pays to be both tortoise and hare — alternating short bursts of high-intensity exercise with easy-does-it recovery.
Weight watchers, prediabetics and those who simply want to increase their fitness all stand to gain.
This alternating fast-slow technique, called interval training, is hardly new. For decades, serious athletes have used it to improve performance.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/fashion/03Fitness.html?em&ex=1178337600&en=60f4315ac1ff1a60&ei=5087%0A

May 1, 2007 -- A New Jersey hot-sauce guru claims he's found a ground breaking wrinkle remedy - the same ingredient that puts the scorch in his sauces.
Blair Lazar, who makes the nuclear "Blair's Death Sauces" line, has unveiled a new skin-cream, Biocap, whose key ingredient is capsaicin, the element that makes hot foods hot. And he swears the potent product - inspired by a lab accident - works wonders on sagging skin.
"There's nothing like this on the market," he boasts. "Even Botox doesn't do what this does for skin tone."
Not a novel claim, but a top Manhattan dermatologist, who skeptically gave Biocap a test run at The Post's request, said she was "surprised and impressed" at its effectiveness.
Dr. Laurie Polis, of SoHo Skin & Laser Dermatology, tested it on herself and three others, and says that while one quit when her skin grew irritated, all three others achieved meaningful results.
"I absolutely did see improvement in the texture, tone and clarity of the skin," says Polis. "There was improved hydration and a decrease in wrinkling."
As for why it works, the simple answer is that capsaicin is a vasodilator, increasing blood flow to the skin. This not only offers direct benefits, says Lazar, but allows the other active ingredients to work better.
Lazar, 37, came up with the idea several years ago, after he accidentally took a blast of capsaicin to the face while working in the lab. His face was irritated for days, "but on the third day, I noticed that my crow's feet were gone, and my skin was tight. I was like, huh, this is interesting."
He did some Googling, and found capsaicin had never been used for skin. Still, getting into cosmetics sounded like too big a stretch for the gravel-voiced Jersey Shore native.
"I was like, what am I, Chanel?" he says. "I'm a hot sauce guy."
But he couldn't let the idea go, and began pondering how a known irritant could be turned into a pain-free cream. To that end, he approached a dozen scientists, whose general reaction, he says, was: "That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard."
One cosmetics-industry veteran bit, though, and the two spent more than two years developing the final (pain-free) product. Figuring out the right level of capsaicin was the biggest initial challenge, says Lazar, who made himself the guinea pig.
"We started out at a level we thought would be fine. I walked out of the bathroom with my eyes swollen shut and said, 'I think we have to lower it, guys.'"
Once the formula was patented, Blair - who started Death Sauce out of his apartment with $600 - was determined to market it himself, through a Web site (blairlab.com). Eventually he plans to offer the cream - which runs $54 for a regular tube, $86 for extra-strength - through some retailers.
In the meantime, the longtime "chile-head" is getting used to a different slice of the business world, and he's amused by the unlikely twist in his career.
"Before I wanted to burn your tongue - now I want to cure your wrinkles," he says.

Labels: capsaicin, new product, skincare