I don’t like the clichéd candy hearts, teddy bears that say “I love you,” cards with over-used poems, and anything else that is just plain corny and associated with V Day. There is one thing I do agree with, spending time with someone special on this day – minus the Hallmark cards. Because, despite being single and bitter about Valentine’s, I still find it sweet to do something slightly romantic on this day.

Last year, I had my very first “real” Valentine, and I absolutely did not want to leave the house – I hate crowds, dressing-up, and over-priced restaurant menus. As an alternative, I made dinner for my “V,” and we hung out, watched movies, and drank wine. And instead of flowers, candy, and/or a card, he bought me flowers and herbs for my garden, which I thought was much more economical than a teddy bear that would sit on my dresser to collect dust. Even though that was my only Valentine’s Day spent attached, it has so far been my favorite!

As I am single this year, I asked my sister to be my Valentine, and she of course, said yes! So, we are going to a movie, and pigging out! Which I think will be just as special as my Valentine’s before.

Single or attached, Valentine’s Day is always something I try to make fun without the clichés it often associates with. I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day, or to some, “Single’s Awareness Day!”

Photo Credit: Verbumlogos

What are we to do? Aside from undergoing a cosmetic procedure – liposuction or tummy tuck surgery – there are many diets that we could try, including the “Five Bite Diet” that Dre and Jana are currently doing, but there are also other ways to lose the weight: diet pills. Or as some companies like to call them “dietary supplements.”

I’ll admit that in an attempt to drop a few pounds the easy way I did try a couple of different brands some years back. However, I failed to do as the bottle stated, which was to eat a sensible diet, exercise, and take the pills as supplements.

Many diets pills claim to help us lose weight quickly and easily, but they don’t bother to reveal all the negative side effects that they also bring along. Saying that we should consult with a physician prior to taking them is hardly enough warning that they may not be safe for us to use.

These supplements can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, anxiety or nervousness, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even death if not monitored correctly. Are the risks worth the possibility of losing a few pounds?

Living in Southern California requires a beach ready bod and I’m determined to get into shape. Instead of trying to cheat with diet pills, I’ve started eating healthier and I’m working on incorporating more activities…soon. In the last month, I’ve already dropped eight pounds!

What do you do to get in shape for the beach? I’d love to get some fun ideas!

Photo Credit: Sheep Chronicles

I have struggled with weight loss for years, trying just about any thing there is out there without having to consider any plastic surgery procedures.  My friend Jana told me about a weight loss book she had been reading and suggested I read it; so I did.

The book is called “Why Weight Around” by Dr. Alwin C. Lewis. In the book, Dr. Lewis stresses that a portion controlled diet is the most effective strategy to losing weight.  He developed a two part weight loss program called “The Slimming Station.”

The first part is to read the book, which explains what the diet is and how it works.  The second part is to work one-on-one with a Slimming Station Coach; this helps maximize your success and maintain your goals. After both reading the book, Jana and I decided to try it.

Here is a quick overview of what we do (which we dubbed the “Five Bite Diet”):

-    Skip breakfast
-    Eat only twice a day, Lunch and Dinner. NO SNACKING!!
-    Each meal only consists of five bites each. (Bites not bigger than a bite size Snickers)
-    One bite of the day must be a good source of protein, such as chicken or steak
-    Take a multi-vitamin daily.
-    All drinks are to be low to zero calorie.

Even though this explanation seems pretty straight forward, I highly recommend reading the book or going to Dr. Lewis’s website before starting this diet.

Jana and I have had great success with this diet plan; though we haven’t completed step two of the program yet, we would love to in the future. We both lost 30lbs. by our sixth and seventh weeks.  I’ve never seen results this quickly.

Thanks, Jana, for introducing me to it, we’re doing great!

Photo Credit: Jana and Dre

Next I was given what I call the “No-No List” which basically said no hardcore cardio exercise – no running, no excessive use of stairs; the list went on and on. Being that I was never what you would consider a “gym enthusiast,” I didn’t really have a problem with the rules at the time, but quickly found out that just about every type of exercise that I was actually interested in was considered a No-No for me. This left me with a problem: How in the world was I supposed to keep myself from getting massively overweight if I was tired all the time and couldn’t do any real cardio?

Last year I started looking into exercise alternatives and I have to say, almost everything I have found has been fun and fulfilling for me. From Yoga and Pilates to scheduled walking and low speed bicycle rides, I found that there were tons of options out there for someone with limited exercise capability like me. Recently, I have really gotten into using my Wii Fit. It offers Yoga, which stretches my body and helps me to stay limber. It also provides strength training to build muscle and work off fat without getting my heart rate going. There are even a few really fun games like hoola hooping that helps to tighten up my abs and backside!

With all of the modern technology out there (and a little help from my handy-dandy wrist monitor), I am able to exercise and strengthen my body and heart, all the while keeping my actual heart rate at a reasonable level for my safety. Now, with summer on its way, I really need to get to work on improving my body and staying as healthy as can be!

Do you have any alternative exercises that you like to do? Do you know someone with a health condition who has had to be creative in order to maintain a lifestyle that includes regular exercise? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Photo Credit: Healthy Heart

However, I have to admit that working with some pretty fashionable and makeup savvy ladies has definitely helped! Beauty Chat’s resident fashion guru, Elana, has offered some great tips to wear things that I’m normally afraid of. For example, the bright red tank I donned on my night out to celebrate was something I may have passed up a couple of years ago.

And my makeup? Well, I have Dre, our very own beauty junkie, to thank for my newly found love of color. Seeing her wear some fabulous shades herself, and being a major makeup lover myself, I’ve been trying out some new things and loving the results! I loved it so much that I even took Audrey, a fellow “Beauty Chatter,” to our local Bobbi Brown counter for a little makeover.

So what about that inner beauty I’m always talking about? Well, I’ve got my awesome family and wonderful guy to thank for that. Then there are all my friends who always have something encouraging to say, a girl can’t live without her gals! Having people that believe in you and support you definitely helps create a more positive attitude. Being confident in myself in all I do shows on the outside too.

How does everyone else feel about hitting milestone birthday? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Photo Credit: My camera

It has been proven several times over that those who exercise regularly tend to live longer, but why? I think we need to examine the effects of lack of exercise and what it does to the body. I know I am experiencing these symptoms myself: increase in weight, fatigue, loss of flexibility, increase in laziness, inability to do simple tasks, decrease in self-esteem, knee pain, lack of mobility, increase in risk of injuries, and depression.

In essence, lack of exercise is a probable cause of the never-ending “tired” look we all have developed some time in our lives. You all know what I’m talking about- dark circles under the eyes, paleness in the face, and bloodshot eyes; in other words, you aren’t alert and living to your full potential.

If you have been slacking in the physical activity department, it’s not too late for you. It is time for you to get back on track to looking and feeling gorgeous again!

So, what is the answer to rehabilitating the body post lack-of-exercise syndrome? Get back into it. Even though it may be difficult getting back into a regular exercise routine, you may notice a change in your body after just a couple weeks of regular physical activity.

You can have a healthy diet, yet your body still needs some type of physical activity. Why? We are boosting the working demands of the muscles when we exercise. When our bodies are doing physical movement the muscles are working like electrical motors; they take in a source of energy and store it for later use. The stored energy is used throughout your day, which is why most experts suggest exercising at the start of your day. Also, exercising increases blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs; your blood vessels will widen and deliver more oxygen to your muscles, thus carrying away waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Your body then releases endorphins, a natural painkiller to low self-esteem. When you exercise, your body actually starts to do its job. Amazing, huh?

Since your body is finally working, exercise promotes these positive aspects:

• Reduction in health risks such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
• Safeguarding of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and chronic muscle pain.
• Maintenance of weight; with a healthy diet and exercise plan you can lose weight. Fad diets are tempting, but you usually gain back the weight you lost. Exercise, plus healthy eating habits, helps you actually keep it off.
• Activates your immune system warding off viral illnesses.
• Strengthens your heart, improving blood flow to the rest of your body.
• Boosts your mood and promotes relaxation; helping to ward off depression symptoms
• And need I say more? Exercise is good!

We all know that a regular exercise program is good for us, but people often ignore its importance. Even a person who never smokes or drinks and has a healthy diet still needs to break a good sweat every once and a while. 

So, if you want to look and feel your best, it is time to get out and get your muscles moving. No matter your lifestyle, even if you say you are too busy to exercise, it is always possible to fit physical activity into your everyday lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Women’s Diet and Fitness and Glamour

L’Oreal has taken false lashes and put them in a bottle, which requires only two simple steps to apply:

• First, apply the nourishing base coat.  No need to let it dry!
• Second apply the lash extending top coat.  That’s it!

I have received so many compliments on how long and full my lashes look…bonus!

It does not get smudgy or flake off; even tears can’t phase this stuff.  When it comes to remove your makeup, you don’t even have to use soap. The warm shower water takes it off easily, without leaving those black circles under your eyes. 

Go to your local beauty supply store and give it a try.  Let us know what you think.

Photo Credit: Ulta.com

The most logical synopsis for this phenomenon has a lot to do with the pressure of the holidays; family get-togethers, increase in routine stress, unsolved family issues that erupt during family celebrations, and economic problems.  There can be so many reasons behind the mystery of winter time blues, yet most of the feelings you have during the winter were always there, just increased by holiday stress.

Even though the holiday season may be coming to a close, it’s not too late to find a spellbinding relief to this overbearing stress.

The best advice to pull off smiles going into 2009 is to make your New Year’s Resolution to fight these blues to have a jollier New Year.

Here are some tips to follow to help turn that frown upside down:

*Change up the scenery: Break your normal routine; add some spice into your life by signing up for a yoga class, start a book club, or visit old friends.

*Resist the temptation to be isolated: Everyone loves alone time, but try not to go completely M.I.A. (I have a tendency to do that). When you are feeling down, don’t just sit around and mope; it will only increase your disheartened feelings. Get out of that house!

*Avoid over-indulgence: I know it may be hard to say no to that second or third serving during this time of year and I don’t know about you, but there is something about the cold that turns me into a glutton; do your best to resist the temptation of food and especially alcohol.

*Do good to feel good: Get out and participate in charity programs. It is proven that doing good for others makes a person feel a whole lot better.

*Pamper yourself: Money may be tight around this time of year, but there are plenty of at-home activities you can do. Plan a pedicure night with your girlfriends.

Winter blues can be easy to battle, just keep yourself busy and eventually those feelings should pass.

Photo Credit: PJ Retreat and I Got Flowers

This is something I’ve only recently learned and it only took me about 10 years to figure it out!

My “problem” has always been my pin straight hair. At one point I hated my straight hair so much that I even got a perm. However, because my hair was so long, it was hard to manage and didn’t look the way I thought it would.

No matter how much hairspray I use or how long I let the curling iron sizzle on my hair, the ringlets fall out in less than two hours. Which is about how long it took me to curl them…a very frustrating experience.

Not wanting to spend so much time on my hair one morning, I decided to use the flat iron instead and just go with a sleek look. Imagine how surprised I was when all day I kept getting compliments! Everyone asked what was different, was it my makeup? Nope, I just decided to finally give in to my super straight strands.

Now that I know what works I feel a little more confident with my entire look. So now I wonder why everyone is always trying to change? Natural curls are gorgeous, yet every woman I know spends a lot of time and money on straightening them out. 

Instead of changing it, embrace it…own it. Your natural beauty is much more attractive.

How about everyone else? Have you ever tried something new that just didn’t work out?

 Photo Credit: news.com.au and Jaen-Paul LaBrada

A contact wearer for over 10 years, I have grown accustomed to inserting the lenses each morning so that I can carry out a basic function that many take for granted — seeing! Okay, I can see without contacts, I just can’t see what I’m seeing. Haha, you with me?

For many years now, I have been a faithful ACUVUE customer. It’s the only brand I’ve trusted my eyes to. I love that their contacts have a little “123” inscribed on each lens. This prevents me from inserting my contacts inside out, a potentially painful action if you haven’t experienced it.

During the last month, I have had the pleasure of trying out the 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST contacts. I have always had the two week wear type, so I was thrilled to test the daily lenses. There is no fuss with contact cases and solution, and I don’t have to worry if my eyes become irritated, I can simply take out the pair of contacts and throw them away.
 
I have super-sensitive, dry eyes. So sensitive, in fact, that I only recently found a one step solution that I can use. I used to have to go through extensive disinfecting steps each night or my eyes stung too badly when I tried putting in my contacts the next morning.

That being said, I have had some slight difficulties with the 1∙DAY lenses. My eyes become a bit dry and I do require eye drops a few times during wear. However, it is definitely worth the mild trouble. The convenience that these contacts provide is amazing! I really enjoy being able to dispose of them as I please, instead of trying to keep them in good shape for two weeks.

Now, I no longer have to worry about buying solution, lenses that rip, or toughing through a day wearing contacts that sometimes “act up,” because it’s not time to dispose of them — all inevitable with any brand of contacts.

I am without a doubt a fan of 1∙DAY ACUVUE MOIST. I’m sure that if you try them out you’ll be, too.

Photo credits: ACUVUE