Change Your Style In No Time Flat With A New Pair Of Glasses

If you've been watching American Idol you may have noticed that Danny Gokey's look changes a lot. No, it's not his hair, or piercings or even his clothes that cause the transformation, it's his eyeglasses. He seems to have a different color and style for every day of the week. I love how, in just a few seconds time, glasses can entirely change your style, but with most glasses costing a few hundred dollars, I can't afford to buy as many pairs as I would like... Well, that was until I found out about Zenni Optical. The New York Times recently mentioned Zenni Optical pointing out that they sell frames at a fraction of what the average frame would run. Look at the cute pair I've picked out! At only $8 - including the lenses - not only am I going to get me new glasses but I'm going to order a pair for my husband and son too! We all have poor vision and our insurance will only cover either contacts or glasses, not both. But this year that doesn't matter, we'll get both! Insurance will pay for the contacts and we'll get the glasses through Zenni! There are so many choices I'm thinking I may even get a few pairs to change when my mood does, at these prices, you'll want to do the same!

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Are You Obese Because You Sit Near The Buffet, Or Vise Versa?

A study published in the journal Obesity found that people's dining behaviors reflect their weight. Looking at diners at a Chinese buffet, researchers found that heavier people sat an average of 16 feet closer, and were more likely to forgo chopsticks, than thinner patrons. Additionally, the study found that normal weight people were 22% more likely to sit at a booth than those who were overweight, and 71% of normal weight consumers were found to browse the buffet before eating, whereas only 33% of the overweight did so. So, does this mean if you are mindful of where you sit and the utensils you use and think before you dive in, you'll automatically be skinny? No, but thinking and acting like a thin person can change your eating behaviors. Something to keep in mind next time you head to the local China Gardens Restaurant.

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Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement The Fountain Of Youth?

Does getting older mean that you are destined to hot flashes, sleeping problems, weight gain, decreased sexual drive, fatigue,and wrinkles? Even though most of us consider these conditions to be no more than symptoms of old age, there are natural ways to treat them. Dr. Kalitenko's Anti-Aging Holistic and Integrative clinic prides itself on helping women, and men, look and feel 10 years younger! After running a series of tests, Dr. Kalitenko can determine if your symptoms are linked to a hormone deficiency. He then fixes these problems by restoring your hormone levels through bioidentical hormone replacement. Bioidentical hormones are chemically modified hormones made from plants - horse estrogens and progestins are avoided because our body does not know how to get rid of them. By taking hormones with the same chemical structure as your own hormones, they can then be metabolized properly. Once you feel younger, he can also help you look younger with a procedure called Threadlift. Threadlift is a non-surgical alternative to a face lift that costs a fraction of the price. It's safe, looks natural, leaves no visible scars, and the recovery time is just 24 hours! Dr. Kalitenko knows his treatments work because he used them on his own body! He thought his hormone levels might be the cause of his heart problems, so he replaced them and found success. And now he wants to help your aging symptoms too. If you're in the New York area schedule your appointment to find out if you're a candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement.

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Exercise Anywhere - Product Review and Giveaway!

Last night on The Biggest Loser, all but two of the teams were locked out of the gym for a week. At the weigh-in the team that lost the least weight was one of the teams that was allowed in the gym. How did the other teams manage to lose so much? They worked out outside. They were taught that a gym just isn't necessary for exercise, that you can exercise anywhere. Along that same line, I received a set of Nuru's Exercise Anywhere knowledge cards this week to review. How many times have you been out of town, or in a hurry, and would like a good workout, but just don't know what to do? With this set of 30 cards, focusing on six major body parts, you'll no longer have that excuse! The cards were a little smaller than I had imagined, (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") but once I put them on the included ring, I thought their size was great because you could actually attach them to your key ring and they really wouldn't get in your way. They are about the size of a wallet photo, made of a durable, waterproof, ultra-thin stock. The first couple of cards explain the principles of strength training, recommendations on how to develop a good, healthy, routine, how to stay motivated and there's a glossary with a few of the terms used consistently throughout the deck. I wanted to be fair in my review, so this afternoon, in lieu of my normal workout DVDs, I decided to put on a CD of workout tunes and use the cards as my guide. I worked out my back, biceps, and chest, and even threw in a few squat thrusts (instructions are on the cards) to get my heart rate up. Did it work? Well, my arms are quivering right now! I'm not used to chin ups, and didn't know I could do them at home until Exercise Anywhere suggested I do them on a sturdy (sturdy being a keyword here) table. Wow! I'm going to incorporate those into my weekly routine! For my chest I did push ups, decline push ups and triceps push ups. For my back I did reverse flys, (I used my 5-pound weights for these, but as the cards suggests, you could easily substitute whatever you have handy such as water bottles or canned goods.) back extensions, and bird dogs. And for my biceps I did chin ups, as mentioned previously, and I did towel dumbbell curls. All-in-all I felt I got a very good workout for those body parts. I don't think an advanced weight lifter would find any value in the cards, but if you are a beginner or intermediate these exercises will definitely get you in shape. And if you travel, or are on the go a lot, they would be the perfect tool to help you get in shape on the road. My only suggestion to improve the cards would be to make tabs that stick out on the sides of the them so it would be easier to find the exercises for a specific body part. I'm going to use the post-it flags on mine to help me mark the different sections. In addition to the Exercise cards, Nuru also makes cards to help you with Understanding Your Car, Emergency First Aid, 30 Drills & Tips to help you improve your Golf Game, and Personal Finance. Contest Now that you know all about Nuru's Exercise Anywhere cards, would you like to win a deck? They were nice enough to send me 2 extra decks so I'll be giving away one deck to two separate winners! To enter: Just leave me a comment telling me why you would like a set of the Exercise Anywhere cards. (Please be sure there is a way to contact you. I.E. leave your email address if you don't have a Blogger profile or it's not on your OpenID site.) Additional entries can also be gained by doing any of the following, just leave a separate comment for each along with the URL or ID:

• Blogging about my contest on your blog.
• Tweeting about the contest.
• Stumbling this post.

Contest ends March 3, 2009, at 11:59 PM and is open to U.S. Residents only. Winner will be drawn by Random.org and announced on Wednesday, March 4.

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Watches Do More Than Tell Time

Watches might be thought of as necessary, but through the years they've also become a status symbol. The James Bond movies always focused on his watches... of course they were either loaded with detonators or communication devices. Originally he wore a Rolex, but as the sequels continued he was also shown in Seiko watches and Omegas. If you're looking to purchase a watch for yourself, or as a gift, BlueDial.com offers hundreds of different styles and brands. Though you may not be able to save yourself with it, you can get anything from a stylish watch with diamonds to a sporty, chronograph watch here -- they have 672 Seikos for men alone! In addition to their deep discounts, Blue Dial also offers free shipping and a three-year warranty on all their Seiko watches. So not only will you look fashionable and be on time, you'll save money - which means you'll also look smart!

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Are You Watching The Doctors?

I have to admit, I love The Doctors! (Of course, Dr. Stork's looks have NOTHING to do with it! lol!) I Tivo it and watch it while making dinner every night. Because I love health topics, this show is right up my alley. Take for instance, today's topic, habits. The Doctors discussed five common, but bad, habits and ways to conquer them. Is your habit bad gas? Well, maybe the Subtle Butt is what you need! Subtle Butt is a charcoal fabric you stick inside your underwear, which absorbs the smell of flatulence. “It detoxifies certain chemicals... But you still get the sound." If you're someone who slouches, (I could use improvement in this area!) The Doctors recommended that you do some simple exercises to improve your posture. Additionally they showed a product called an iPosture that vibrates to remind you when you slouch for more than 60 seconds to straighten up. Other habits they talked about were, how to cut back on carbs, how to get more sleep, and how to get your kids to brush their teeth. If The Doctors is on in your area, be sure to tune in... you just might learn something that will benefit your health!

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Depression And The Elderly - A Natural Approach To A Cure

Years ago, I went through a period in my life that I later realized was depression. Fortunately, it was either seasonal or hormonal, or possibly even because my thyroid levels were aflutter, whatever the reason, it only lasted about three months. But, now that I know what depression feels like, I would never allow it to continue again for more than a few weeks before getting help. Depression is hard enough when you have supportive, loving, family and friends to help you along, but for many of the elderly that is one reason they may begin to spiral into a depressive state. The loss of a spouse or medical problems can lead to depression. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, of the 35 million Americans age 65 and older, about 2 million suffer from full-blown depression. Another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of the illness. Just because so many elderly suffer from depression, that does not make it normal, and untreated it poses serious risks. In his new book, Conquering Depression in the Golden Years - Innovative Strategy to Fight Depression: Sensory Activities, Attention and Memory Training, Valentin Bragin, M.D., Ph.D, explores the symptoms of depression, how it affects not only the brain, but also the body; and how simple changes in lifestyle can fight depression and stress. Grounded in cutting-edge science, Conquering Depression in the Golden Years, offers a natural approach to conquering depression. It's an extremely important tool for both the elderly and those that care for them to read. Don't suffer in silence!

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Gardasil, Do The Benefits Outweigh The Risks?

A friend asked me if I'd heard the latest reports about Gardasil. I hadn't at the time, but it wasn't hard to find out what she was talking about. Groups, including the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, (VAERS) are calling for an investigation into the recommendation that all young women and girls get the Gardasil vaccine. Gardasil is a vaccine that was was licensed in 2006 for the effective prevention of Human papillomavirus. (HPV) HPV infections cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women world-wide. My friend was particularly worried because she has a 19-year-old niece that hasn't had the vaccine yet, and now she's concerned, and wonders if the benefits outweigh the risks. Allegedly, there have been 29 deaths that have been caused by the vaccine, 23 reports of blood clots, 16 reports of stroke, and 544 reports of seizures. Of course, no vaccine is risk-free, but Gardasil accounted for about 20 percent of all reactions reported to VAERS in 2007-2008 according to Barbara Loe Fisher, co- founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center. Most reported reactions were not considered serious, but it still leads one to wonder if the safety of the vaccine was studied well enough before it was mass-marketed. As for Merck, they claim that Gardasil is practically side effect free, and both Merck and the FDA say they will continue to review the data and that Gardasil remains safe and effective, and its benefits outweigh the risks. However, telling that to Emily Tarsell, whose daughter, Chris, died 21 days after getting her third dose of Gardasil vaccine, doesn't bring much comfort. Sources: New concerns about Mercks' Gardasil safety NVIC Vaccine Risk Report Reveals More Serious Reaction Reports After Gardasil Gardasil: More Adverse Reactions and Scandals

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Thinking About Getting Cash For Your Gold?

With the economy the way it is, are you trying to scrap up a few extra pennies anywhere you can? Many people have decided that selling anything extra they have around the house is a good way to make some money and that includes trading in their gold for cash. If you watched the Superbowl Sunday night, you probably saw the Cash 4 Gold commercial featuring Ed McMahon and MC Hammer trading in everything from MC's gold pants to Ed's gold hip replacement. It was, actually, one of the funnier commercials of the evening. (Visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=WRVzF9dBl7c, if you missed it.) But is this really a good time to get rid of Grandma's gold broach for a few dollars? Maybe. Gold is still trading at nearly $900 an ounce, which is very high, but be cautioned that the market is very unpredictable right now. Many in the business say they can't predict where the prices will go next, they just keep jumping around. That said, the price could triple or it could decline in the next few weeks. But,if you need money right away, my recommendation is to see what kind of deal you are offered at several places, including Cash 4 Gold, America's #1 buyer of precious metals direct from the general public.

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To Stretch Or Not To Stretch

Years ago we were told that we should always stretch before working out, then not long ago we were told that pre-workout stretching can induce strains rather than prevent them. Now there is new research that suggests that stretching, before working out, may not be as dangerous as previously thought. According to Eric Ryan, a University of Oklahoma exercise physiologist, the often-cited research against stretching looked at 30-minute sessions. So instead, he studied the effect of a more realistic two to eight minute calf stretch on recreational athletes. The result was an improved range of motion. So, now what should we do? His recommendation is to warm up with a five-minute jog and a short stretch before your full-on session and then stretch for at least two minutes afterward for long-term strength, flexibility, and endurance. Source: Marie Claire, February 2009

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Weight Loss Progress Thwarted By Ice Storm & Illness

Well, the ice storm set me back a little in my weight loss goals. Today I weighed in at 151.4, which is only two tenths of a pound lost. I'm slightly surprised that I didn't gain. Not being able to cook healthy meals, I ate quite a bit of junk, and additionally I was sick for three days. Two of which I ran a fever on. One of those days I just felt miserable, and I was in the dark, so I ate Raisinettes and Cheezits for dinner. Bad, bad, bad! I'm getting back on track though. I was able to do my Pilates workout yesterday and I'm able to cook in the electric skillet and my toaster oven, so no more fast food! And, it's supposed to get up to 50 degrees this weekend (YAY!) so I'll be able to get out and take a walk or ride my bike! How are your fitness/weight loss goals progressing?

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Do You Wonder If Diet Pills Could Be The Answer To Your Weight Loss?

A couple of weeks ago, I happened to be looking for a vitamin B-12 supplement and I turned around and there was an entire row devoted to weight loss products. My first thought was, "Wow! What a market. Apparently weight loss products are in very high demand." Do you too, wonder if diet pills would work for you? Because I've never tried them, I am not in a position to recommend a diet pill. However, if you happen to be one of the thousands of people that are interested in learning more about what they could do for you, Bestdietpills-1.com, offers diet pill reviews to help you in your search. They list many of the most popular brands to help you find diet pills that work. Only if it's important to your health that your lose weight quickly, and you cannot spare the time on a comprehensive weight loss regimen, (which is the best way to lose weight.) should you give diet pills a try. But if you do, do your research to find the product that will fit best into your lifestyle. By looking at multiple products, such as Hoodia, Alli, Acai Berry Select, and Proactol you will be sure to find the Best Diet Pills available online.

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