Don't Age Gracefully - Fight It!

I remember meeting a woman when I was younger and being shocked that she was as old as she was. However, the friend with me wasn't surprised. She said she could tell by her wrinkles that she wasn't as young as I thought. I still get told, on occasion, that I don't look my age - but it's not as often as I'd like. I talked in a previous post about the wrinkles on my neck, but I've also developed some grooves in my forehead and my dread-of-dreads is that the ones in my dimples will continue to deepen. I once saw an old woman with dimples and they had become caverns -- I don't want that to be me!! I moisturize daily, but if you're wanting something better, (I am!) the Dermajuv Complete Rejuvenation System has been proven in tests, versus a placebo, to reduce wrinkle depth, roughness, wrinkle volume, and line density.

The three step system contains ingredients such as REAL MATRIXYL, which works at the DNA Level to stimulate the very factors in the skin which we lose as we grow old... Collagen and Fibronectin, RENOVAGE to replenish the functions your skin performs, that it has been lacking in, due to mature age, and SESAFLASH to lift wrinkles, right before your very eyes, within 5 minutes! Right now, Dermajuv is offering an Economic Bailout For Your Skin! Use the promo code "bailout" for $5 off.

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Mind Over Waistline

Think buying new workout equipment will help you finally get fit? It may help, but a study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine notes that it may be your mind that ultimately gets you there. While greater access to treadmills upped participants' odds of exercising by 24 percent, those who believed in their ability to succeed increased their chances by 139 percent! How many diets have you been on that you didn't stick to because you gave in due to an emotional breakdown or laziness - a mental weakness? To bolster confidence, commit to the long term, but set specific, short-term, goals and then recognize when you acheive them. Remind yourself of who you are becoming. Encourage yourself to keep going, to keep building this new you!

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Watch The Amazing Dolphin Bubble Rings

I remember visiting the Seaworld in Chicago as a child. I couldn't have been more than five but parts of it are still vividly clear. The dolphins, especially, found a place in my heart. I've since read of their intelligence, how they communicate with one another, how they have saved humans from shark attacks, and how dolphin assisted therapy can help alleviate depression and possibly even help children with disabilities. Today though, I found out a new amazing fact about them. The dolphins at the Dolphin Cove at Seaworld are making dolphin bubbles! By blowing bubbles out of their blow holes at a certain angle, they can form a ring with them. The ring, because it's spherical, doesn't rise like a normal bubble would instead it sinks. The dolphins then play with them, and have taught other dolphins how they too can make the rings. If you have the time and resources, taking your child to Dolphin Cove would be an amazing adventure. In addition to the joyfulness of seeing your child interact with the dolphins, imagine what they will learn from the experience. They will get an education in the habitat of marine life, what their diets consist of, how they play, and more. Even if you can't visit, take three minutes to enjoy the video below with a kid. You'll both enjoy it!

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Winner Of The Ecostore Products

As selected by Random.org, the winner of the Ecostore Cream Cleanser and Lemongrass Soap is commenter #32, which is Rachel. Rachel said, "I would love to try the COCONUT soap. It's one of my favorite scents (and flavors)." I had choosen the Lemongrass Soap for the giveaway -- but I'll see if we can get it changed to the Coconut, just for you! Congratulation, Rachel. I'll be emailing you to get your mailing address. Thanks to everyone who entered! And, if you didn't win, you can still try Ecostore products by purchasing them at your local Meijer's.

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Try The Newest Workout Craze - Kettlebells!

One of the hottest trends to hit the workout world in recent years involves the use of kettlebells. I hadn't even heard of the kettlebell until a few years ago and thought they were a recent invention, but come to find out, kettlebells have been around for years. Over 2000 years ago they may have started out as a cast iron kettle that was filled with sand and used as a strength training tool. Later, they were used for training the Russian military. Today the kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a handle and comes in many sizes. You may have even seen the contestants on the The Biggest Loser use them. But once you purchase them, do you know what to do with them? KettleWorx is a new program based on kettlebell training. It combines cardio, core, and resistance training, and when used for just 20 minutes, 3 times a week, along with the Fat Free in 42 diet, KettleWorx guarantees you'll be amazed at the results you'll see in just six short weeks. There are multiple packages to choose from depending on your needs and fitness level, and the prices range from just $39.95 to the $89.95 package, which includes a kettlebell in your choice of 5, 10, or 20 pounds. Each DVD contains multiple 20 minute kettlebell workouts, so you never get bored and can even target specific key areas. Let Ryan Shanahan, the developer of KettleWorx, become your personal, in-home trainer via DVD. He is the world's leading kettlebell trainer, a foremost expert in kettlebell fitness, and has trained superstars and exclusive private clients and now you can benefit from his knowledge and expertise. Here you can view Ryan, working out with kettlebells on The Early Show to learn more:

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Are Your Household Products Killing You? - Ecostore Review & Contest

We live in a world saturated by toxins. In two of my recent posts I discussed the dangers of chemicals found in health and beauty and lawn & garden products. You may be a little more familiar with the fact that many of the household cleaners that are used on a regular basis are loaded with chemicals, since this is one area that seems to actually have been brought up by the media on occasion. (Click Here to jump down to the contest rules.) First of all, you breathe in the chemicals while using them, but then think about all the things your child touches during the day. If your child is like mine was, everything went from the hand to the mouth. When you clean with those nasty chemicals, those little hands are all over those chemicals. And apparently it makes a difference. Between 1975 and 1998 childhood cancers increased by approximately 21 percent and that's just the beginning. In the past decade ADHD has increased by six times, childhood asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism in schools, rates of autism are rising fast, and rheumatoid arthritis has become the third-most-common chronic childhood disorder. Of course, not all these problems are caused by one single element but environmental factors are known to contribute to them. But you can take action! The most logical place to do this starts in your home and Ecostore USA wants to help! They have designed eco friendly, plant-based, household cleaning products that are as effective as the leading supermarket brands, and I was given the privilege to try a few of them out last week.I recently received their Citrus Spray Cleaner, Cream Cleanser, and a bar of Lemongrass Soap. I was so excited about these because I know the importance of not using too many chemicals in my home, and so I generally use the Clorox brand of 'green' cleaners. However, I had yet to find a product that was natural and would still clean my tub well. When the box arrived the Cleanser was the first thing I opened. I had a rust stain on my kitchen sink (from leaving my iron skillet sitting in it overnight) and wondered if the cleanser would be strong enough, since it's void of nasty chemicals, to get it up. Viola! I didn't even have to rub hard! I then ran up to try it out on my tub. This is not something I normally find to be fun, but I was so excited to try this out I actually enjoyed it! It took all the soap scum off, without a lot of elbow grease, and without the fumes I'm used to! I definitely recommend this product. Next, I tried out the Citrus Spray Cleaner, which is naturally antibacterial - gotta love that! It can be used on virtually any surface so, I used it on my kitchen counters and stove top. It did what it was supposed to, and it has virtually no scent -- a great plus if you are sensitive to smells. Lastly, I used the Lemongrass Soap when I showered that evening. I love the scent! I wanted to eat it! (And without all those nasty chemicals, I guess it wouldn't have been fatal to do so, just not real tasty!) It lathered wonderfully and didn't leave my skin feeling dried out due to the lemongrass, palm and coconut oils that are in it. Overall, I was highly impressed with Ecostore USA's chemical free products. I'm sure you will be too! And the great thing is, they have recently launched at Meijer's! If you are in the mid-west, look for the Ecostore line next time you're there - and if you're not, you can purchase them online at www.ecostoreusa.com. Would you like to try them for free? Ecostore USA has been kind enough to offer one of my lucky readers the chance to do so! One person will win my two favorite products, the Cream Cleanser and the Lemongrass Soap! Here's what you need to do to be in the running: CONTEST DETAILS What you can win:

• (1) 12.7 oz. Cream Cleanser

and

• (1) 2.7 oz. bar Lemongrass Soap

What you need to do to be entered: Visit Ecostore USA and look at the products they offer, then come back here and leave me a comment to let me know which product you would be most likely to purchase. The contest will end on March 19. On Friday, March 20, I will post the winner and I will contact the winner by email, so make sure I can find your email address. If you do not have it on your blogger profile, or the link you leave, put it in your comment. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, at which time I'll get their mailing address. Can you get extra entries? YES!

• Earn 2 extra entries by also blogging about my contest, and linking back to this post, on your blog. (leave the URL of your post in your comment)
• Tweet about my contest for 1 extra entry.
• Stumble or Digg this post for 1 extra entry.
• Follow my blog for 1 extra entry.
• Subscribe to my RSS feed for 1 extra entry.
• Technorati Favorite my blog for 1 extra entry.
• Follow me on Twitter for 1 extra entry. (http://twitter.com/amh615) (New followers only -sorry!)

Be sure to let me know in a separate comment (for each) if you did anything to get extra entries. And be sure to leave your user/profile name in your comment if you are Stumbling, Digging, Technorati Favoriting, Tweeting, or following me on Twitter - I will be checking! :) Thanks for entering and I hope you win! *Sorry, but due to the price of shipping, prize will only be mailed to addresses within the U.S.

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Due To My Error - There Are 2 More Days For The Winners To Respond

I was cleaning out my 246 spam emails and glanced down the list, there seemed to be nothing other than info on where I can get pharmaceuticals without a prescription and how to have better sex. So I clicked 'delete all' and as I watched them all slowly disappear I noticed one with the name of my blog and the words 'Exercise Anywhere' in it. But alas, it was to late, they were gone. I have a feeling that email was from one of my two winners, either Meredith or Diane, and now I feel horribly guilty and can not give the cards to a new winner without first trying to contact them yet again. So, Meredith and Diane, if you emailed me with your address, please do so again. I promise to scan my spam box much more diligently before deleting anything this time! --Let's set the clock again. You have 48 hours.

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Safe & Natural Health and Beauty Products

In a recent post I discussed the dangers of chemical use in our lawn and gardens. This post will focus on the dangers of chemicals in our health and beauty products. It will be followed with a post on the dangers in our household cleaners, along with a contest! Do this, go get some of your commonly used health and beauty products read the ingredients. I grabbed a couple I had on hand and here are a few things I found in them: Oleth-20, Hyroxypropyl Bisisostearamidopropyldimonium,(gotta love that one with 30 letters!) Methyl Gluceth-20, Thyhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol... I could list more, but you get the point. These ingredients came off just two products, one an eye cream, the other a hair product. But does it matter? Can putting chemicals on your skin cause problems? Some doctors say they can, while others say they don't. There really isn't enough evidence to support taking them off the shelves because cosmetics are virtually unregulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA) and companies are free to use almost any ingredient they choose in personal care products. However, the skin is an organ, as such it is only reasonable to conclude that it will absorb the product and it has to go somewhere. Certain chemicals have been linked (though not proven) to birth defects, skin disfigurement, cancer, and other health problems. Here again, wouldn't the responsible thing be to stay away from such products, especially when pregnant? Beaute de Maman is a line of products for pregnant and post partum women designed by Dr. Michele Brown, a board-certified member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the American Medical Association, the Fairfield County Medical Association, Yale Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the Women's Medical Association of Fairfield County. Because Dr. Brown was unhappy with the current products offered on the market, she decided to take matters into her own hands and developed a line of products safe for women to use during pregnancy. Many Hollywood celebrity moms-to-be have been known to use the Beaute de Maman line including Brooke Mueller Sheen, (wife of Charlie Sheen) Jane Allen, (wife of Tim Allen)and The Insider’s celebrity correspondent Victoria Recano. To learn more, or order now, visit www.beautedemaman.com.

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Winners Of The Exercise Anywhere Cards

The Exercise Anywhere contest has ended, but don't worry if you weren't chosen, I will be posting a new contest in the next 24 hours. I will be contacting these two entrants for their mailing addresses: #26 and #1, as chosen by Random.org. Commenter #26 was Meredith who blogs at The Merry Death. Her reason for wanting the cards was, "I would love this because I can't afford the gym right now." Well, now you have no excuse, Meredith! lol! Commenter #1 was Diane - but I have no way of contacting you Diane! Your Blogger profile is private and you didn't leave an email addy. I will give you 48 hours to contact me, (There is a Contact button in the linkbar above, or you can comment on this post.) if I don't hear from you by then, I will have to draw again for a new winner. Congratulations to both Meredith and Diane, and thanks to everyone who entered. Come back and look for a new contest to be posted soon!

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The Chemical Free Lawn & Garden

In the past century thousands of synthetic chemicals have been put to use in America. Many of these chemicals seem to make our lives easier and better. They may kill our weeds, clean our clothes and carpets, unclog our drains, beautify our lawns or kill the nasty insects that we don't want in our homes. But have you ever asked yourself if those chemicals are toxic and what effect they may be having on yourself and your family? This post is, in particular, will be talking about going green in your garden, flower bed, and lawn, while a future one will deal with going green with your household cleaners and bath & body products. What benefits could be derived from using safe, healthy, garden and pest control products? Well, who is eating that food you grow, or walking and playing on that lawn you just fertilized? Children are more easily affected by chemicals than adults, but it's hard to say with a certainty what effects chemicals may have. It depends on the chemical used. Side effects can be as mild as a rash or as serious as cancer. Whatever the effect of the chemical, wouldn't you prefer to not have to worry about it all? Going organic will decrease your families chances of accelerated disease, it can provide mental and physical benefits, it increases the vitamin and mineral content in your soil, and additionally, it helps improve the environment. Safer® brand offers a full line of organic gardening and organic pest control products and contrary to what many assume, organic products work as well, if not better, than chemical-based products. Most are formulated for specific problems, instead of a broad spectrum, and can do their job with no poisons at all -- the Safer® way!

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So You Wanna Be Hot, Hot, Hot?

I hate the cold! I noticed there are quite a few products recently that actually heat up when you apply them. If your tootsies (and other body parts) get as cold as mine do, take off the chill with some of these great finds:

This self-heating salt blend with pure eucalyptus oil and root ginger will enhance circulation, detoxify the system, and warm the skin. A mango and ginger scented sugar scrub that not only exfoliates but also warms your skin. A gel scrub for your face that, while it warms you, will unclog pores and remove excess oil. Here's the one I need! A water-activated warming formula gently exfoliates rough skin around cuticles and buffs nails. And finally, add a little heat in your romance with: Natural warming extracts raise the temperature of touch, made with an extra emollient for superior slip, Citrus Bergamia Oil calms the senses, while Rosewood Oil adds its unique aphrodisiac benefits.

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