More Fun Exercise - It May Be Possible to Have Fun While Exercising

A while back I asked some members of Twitter Moms to comment on what they thought were fun ways to get exercise. Based on many of their responses, I wrote the article Fun Exercise-Is it Possible to Have Fun While Exercising?

Since then, I've found some other new and unique exercises that just might be fun also. Have you ever heard of any of these?

Aerial Fitness - Learn aerial tricks that trapeze artists perform by swinging from trapezes, ropes and fabric suspended from the ceiling. The moves are a lot like Pilates because you use your own body weight as resistance. Aerial fitness is supposed to strengthen your entire body and core, and improve flexibility in shoulders, legs and back. Not sure I am going to run out and try this, but if you're interested go here for more info.

Aqua Zumba- Zumba is an aerobic fitness program that combines body sculpting movements with dance steps derived from Cumbia, Merengue, Salsa, Reggaeton, Hip Hop, Mambo, Rumba and so on. The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms.The creator of Zumba teamed up with an aqua aerobics expert to create an underwater version. Aqua Zumba is a low impact exercise that is supposed to condition arms, hips and legs using water resistance. I would like to try just plain Zumba first, but if you're interested, go here for more information.

Bodycombat-While Tae Bo is the combination of martial arts, boxing, and dance, bodycombat is a mixed bag of martial arts - karate, tae kwan do, kung fu, kickboxing, muay thai, and tai chi. Bodycombat is like being in your own ultimate fighting challenge as you move through a fast series of punches, kicks, and moves. Bodycombat is supposed to improve cardiovascular fitness and coordination, while strengthening your arms, legs and core. I would try a Bodycombat class, for beginners. If you're interested, go here for more info.



Kangoo- Bounce your way through an aerobics class like a kangaroo! Kangoo requires that you strap on a pair of spring-loaded boot (mfrs. claim that the boots reduce impact on the joints up to 80 percent.) Kangoo is supposed to give you a cardio workout and strengthen your legs. While participating gyms provide the boots, you can buy your own pair (starting at $179) and start doing kangoo at home. This actually looks like fun, if you're interested, go here for more info.

New York City Ballet- Do the same stretches and strength-building exercises used by professional ballet dancers. Moves are performed to classical and other styles of music. Classes are designed to suit any experience level. Some classes are taught by professional dancers and choreographers. New York City Ballet is supposed to tone the legs and abs, improve flexibility, posture and cardiovascular fitness. I know this is probably the best way to tone up but....y-a-w-n..too boring....if you're interested, Go here for more info.

Parkour- Ever imagine what it would be like to move around like Spiderman or your favorite superhero? Parkour teaches you the most efficient ways to jump, run, roll, vault, balance and climb over and around benches, stairs, and other obstacles found in the city parks and streets. The moves are credited to French soldiers practicing ways to escape enemies, and now they get your heart pumping. Parkour is supposed to build strength and agility as well as improve cardio fitness. I would have tried this one about twenty years ago. If you're interested Go here for more info.



RealRyder- Turn this "stationary" bike's handlebars left and right and the frame responds by titling from side to side, mimicking the motion of a real ride. Work harder to maintain balance during climbs, sprints and turns. The RealRyder is supposed to boost cardiovascular fitness and tone upper body, core and legs. Adding this feature to a stationary bike seems like it would make riding slightly more exciting if not actually fun. I would try it. If you're interested, go here for more info.



Punk Rope- Jump-rope drills, relay races and conditioning move with names like "shark tag" make Punk Rope a fun exercise class with a grown-up edge. The soundtrack is a combo of ska, psychobilly, country, surf rock, samba and of course, punk. Punk Rope is supposed to improve cardio fitness, coordination, agility, balance and strength. Not sure I could keep up but, I would try it! If you're interested, go here for more info.



At the rate these exercises are evolving, you are sure to find something that is fun-for-you. I'm just wondering what they will come up with next?

Free Online Tools for Bloggers

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is this saying - why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free? This little saying is easily applicable to online tools. If your searching for online tools to improve your blog or website, put your wallet away, make sure you plug in that four letter word “free” in the search box, sit back and enjoy your “free milk”.

Free Email Marketing Software

When I worked with Jane at Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, I helped her to set up her email marketing software. She used 1shoppingcart.com and then made the switch to Benchmark.com. Both email marketing software programs charge a monthly fee for use. I assumed all of this type of software would require a monthly fee. When I did a search for “free email marketing,” I was pleasantly surprised to find mailchimp and email marketing pro, each are free email marketing software solutions.

Email Marketing Pro

“Email Marketing Professional 2.0 is free email marketing software that allows you to create and send promotional emails in seconds. Seconds after installing, you will be able to send promotional ads, newsletters, coupons, and more. This powerful software has all the features of the top commercial email marketing software on the market today.”

Mailchimp offers a free service that allows you to store up to 500 subscribers, send up to 3,000 emails per month. There are no contracts or credit cards required.

Free Wordpress Templates

I’ve been toying with the idea of changing over from Blogger to Wordpress for months now. According to everyone in the blogging world, this is something that I must do for several reasons. Why pay for a template if you or I can find a versatile template for free? Check out these sites for free Wordpress templates.

Wordpressthemesbase.com

Top Wordpress Themes

Freethemelayouts.com

Free Photo Images

While the selection of images may not be as impressive as istockphoto.com, you may find just the image for your blog post or article at any of these free photo/image sites…did I mention that many images are absolutely free? I tested the sites myself. There is no sign-up required. Just navigate to the images and download!

freephotosbanks

stockvault free

openphoto free

turbophoto

freedigitalphotos.net

Freedigitalphotos.net requires acknowledgment of photographer.

Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Keep in mind free images are considered public domain. There are other images on these sites that are not free.

Free Tools for Improving your Writing Skills

I never claimed to be a genius when it comes to writing. I rely on my spell and grammar checker and still question whether or not I need a comma there, or not :)

The article by Vitaly Friedman - 50 Free Resources that will improve your writing skills -contains great free resources like the Grammar Girl - on her blog you will find quick and dirty little tips for better writing. Wordweb is a one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows.

Free Virtual Notes

Now that every service/industry is going paperless, why shouldn’t I? Instead of having the clutter of post-notes and papers all over my desk, now I can have small virtual sticky notes neatly placed in my upper right corner to keep me organized and on task. Well organized anyway…To get your free desktop notes, check out Inbox.com.

Be the first to comment on your favorite online tools.

Weighted Hula Hoops for Weight Loss

Just when I thought I was on a roll with my exercise routine, I found out that three hours on the treadmill and about an hour of weight training (per week) just isn't enough to shed the pounds! According to Lindsey Tanner's article "Daily Hour of Exercise Needed to Stay Thin", new research indicates, "At least an hour of moderate activity a day is needed for older women at a healthy weight who aren't dieting. For those who are already overweight -- and that's most American women -- even more exercise is called for to avoid gaining weight without eating less, the study results suggest."

When I saw the weighted Hula Hoops, for weight loss, I thought this might be a fun way to add additional exercise to my workouts. Check out this one weighted set available on Amazon. One reviewer indicates losing 5 lbs. in a week by just adding 10 minutes of hooping a night.





There is just one problem. I don't know how to Hula Hoop! I was under the impression that it is an ability that super thin and perky people are just born with. Maybe if I study videos like this one, I could learn to "feel the hoop".



The good news is that weighted hula hoops (about 3 -5 lbs.)may be easier to twirl than a regular hula hoop because of greater resistance. Peter McCall, a spokesperson with the American Council on Exercise says, "The bigger and heavier the hoop, the easier it is to keep the hoop going - and the more likely you'll be able to hoop for longer periods of time."

Apparently, the size of the hoop matters! McCall says that the hoop should reach somewhere between your waist and your chest when it is resting vertically on the ground. Any type of Hula Hooping can be an aerobic activity - especially if you're able to hoop for 10 minutes. (Let's try 10 seconds first!)

If she can do it......




Check out my other post on fun forms of exercise.

Can you hula hoop? What you think of hula hooping for exercise?

Home Organization - How to Clean Up the Bathroom Clutter

Take moment to assess your bathroom. Are your counter tops covered with toothpaste tubes, bottles of hair products, and various containers? Is your linen closet door ajar, because it is stuffed to overflowing with linens and bath towels? No problem! There are inexpensive storage solutions that can effectively tackle the clutter.



My bathroom, having limited space, used to look like that, but I sorted through those eighteen bottles of shampoo, the hair products, mouth rinses on the counter, the cleaning products crammed in the cabinet, and the towels falling out of the linen closet. I got rid of what I didn’t need and discovered some solutions for organizing the necessities.

Tub Storage Solutions

Shower Curtains with Pockets - Shower curtains with pockets are a great solution for storing my kids’ tub toys. While mesh bags are a storage option, I didn’t really like them, because I was the only one that would put the toys back in them!

I tried a plastic bin. The tub toys were piled in a bin that sat on the bottom of the tub in everyone’s way. While they were contained, I didn’t find this to be an ideal storage solution.

I thought the shower curtain with pockets looked like a great solution. Once I had the shower curtain hung, I took the toys that were keepers and put them in the lower pockets, where my youngest could reach them easily. The routine of putting the toys back in their pockets is a way of getting organized that he is happy to help with!

No more looking at or stepping on tub toy clutter. The toys aren’t visible, because this curtain acts as the liner and it is hidden by a decorative outer curtain. The pockets can be used to store anything like shampoos, razors, and soaps, not just tub toys!



Shower Caddies - Using the right shower caddy can make a big difference in the appearance of your bathtub. In the past, I tried those cheap caddies with the suction cups, but they never stayed in place. This can be maddening!

Fortunately, the shower caddy engineers came up with a great solution: the shower caddy floor to ceiling unit. The tension rod shower caddy organizes our entire family's bath and shower products neatly in the corner of the tub.

The adjustable tension rod fits floor to ceiling or tub rim to ceiling. The four baskets with convenient drain holes hold a lot of necessities, but not water.

While we certainly don’t need eighteen bottles of shampoo, we do have different needs: tear free shampoo for the kids, the overpriced salon shampoo for Mom, and the dandruff shampoo for Dad (ha). These are all neatly organized in the shower caddy, which in our bath extends from tub rim to ceiling.

The unit is very sturdy, easily staying in place, even when storing those heavy value size shampoos and conditioners. It is now easier to clean the bathtub without all those bottles of shampoo lining the sides!

Extra Linen Storage Solution

Storage Cylinder - When the kids were younger, they needed constant supervision while in the tub, so we put a chair in the bathroom to sit and watch them. Now that the kids are older, they are capable of independent bath-time, and the chair, seldom used, was simply taking up space.

The storage cylinder was the perfect solution for us because we have the room for it, it still doubles as a seat, and it allows for extra storage. We have several of our bath towels neatly stacked inside.

Now, my five-year-old can grab his own towel, and the linen cabinet door now closes the way it should! Now that's home organization in a snap!



Cabinet and Drawer Storage Solutions

Drawer Dividers - I’ll admit that my vanity makeup drawer was a disheveled jumble of foundations, eye shadows, eyeliners and eyelash curlers. You name it, it was in there… somewhere. This was not ideal. If anyone visiting peeked in there, I would have been mortified!

Thank goodness for drawer dividers. Drawer dividers are an inexpensive way to maintain order within your makeup drawer. You could even use a silverware tray to neaten things up, if it had enough dividers for your needs.

Simply go through your makeup drawer and determine if you will ever use the product again. If you haven’t applied that indigo eye shadow since the 90ies, do the right thing and just let it go! Sort and organize the items that you use on a daily basis neatly in their designated locations. No more searching for your eyeliner. Think of the time you’ll save in the morning!

Spice Racks – Spice racks are not just for spices. The right sized spice rack can be placed in your drawer and be a great storage solution for items like nail polish and makeup as well.

Magnetic strip placed inside of a Drawer –To store my small metal items, I installed a magnetic strip to the inside of my drawer. It is actually a magnetic knife bar. Your small metal items like nail clippers, files, and tweezers will always be there when you look for them. Make sure the kids know that the nail clippers are located here, they may be more inclined to put them away in this “cool storage place” when they are finished using them.

Specialty Pull Out Drawer Units - Before my organizational efforts began, if you asked me what was under my bathroom sink, only four or five items would come to mind. The rest of the stuff was several years old and utterly forgettable. I learned this is a good guideline for what you should pitch: those items that are so old you didn’t even realize that you had them.

After sorting and pitching, I determined I have two categories of items that made sense to store here: cleaning products and hair products.

Pull out drawer units are manufactured in various widths and heights, so finding one to fit your cabinet is easy. I used a two-tier unit on the left and a single pull out for the wastebasket on the right. For the two-tier unit, I stored hair products (that I do actually use) on the top shelf and cleaning products below. This system has worked wonderfully. In the process, I moved many of those hair products that were on the counters into their new spot, eliminating the counter clutter.



Counter Storage Solution

Acrylic Vanity Organizers – The various sized acrylic organizers are perfect for organizing those items that I use daily, and that I really need to have handy on the counter top. While my stuff is visible, it is organized in its pretty container! No clutter here!

There are many great options available for storing your bathroom necessities, and these are just a few ideas that have really helped me to tackle the bathroom clutter. Now onto the next room!

Amazon carries all of these great storage and organization solutions. Here are some quick links to the items featured in this article:



This post is based on my opinion and my experience using these products. I received no compensation for posting this article, however, I do maintain affiliate status with Amazon.com.

How to Make a Photo Collage Using Adobe® Photoshop®

Is your spouse or sibling celebrating a special 40th or 50th birthday this year? Or are your parents celebrating a special anniversary? If you are searching for an original gift idea that’s unique, memorable, and amusing, a photo collage is the perfect gift for that special someone who already has everything.

For my husband’s 40th birthday, I decided to create a collage of pictures taken throughout our years together. I added some comical captions, laid it all out Adobe®Photoshop® and had it printed and matted at a custom frame shop. I displayed it at his party. While the guests had a chance to enjoy the picture, they took a moment to sign the mat. After the party, I had the picture custom framed, and it hangs in our bedroom. He was very surprised and he absolutely loved it. Here is how I did it:

Collect Your Photos

My husband ironically happens to be the photographer in the family. He has saved digital photographs on our computer since the year 2000. These are saved in folders by date. How fortunate for me! I was able to find some great shots of him wearing his many “hats”.

There are many ways to save and transfer photos these days. You could email them to your source, save them to a SanDisk (memory stick) or save them to a CD. I saved mine to a memory stick and saved them onto my desktop. I did locate some photos that were of the ancient 35mm variety, and I scanned these into files in my desktop pc.

Develop a Theme

This is where the fun comes in. Hopefully you can easily create a theme from your photographs. For instance, there are many photographs taken over the years of my Dad sleeping! (This could be the theme of the collage I could make for his 70th birthday.) In my husband’s case, he has many interests and hobbies (toys) and that’s where my idea of his wearing his many hats became my theme.

Create Some Captions

Here’s another opportunity for you to show off your talent and get yourself published (so to speak). I created a word file of some captions that I added to my husband’s photographs. I will share with you some of the better ones. He ran the Boston Marathon several times, and I have a photo of him running, the caption reads: “Runner: You ran many marathons and then you met me, I taught you the art of being sedentary.” Here’s another: “Mechanic: You fix many vehicles, you look so cute, With grease on your face in your tan monkey suit.” Okay, to know him is to love him, but you get the idea. You may decide not to add any text, and to simply let the picture tell the story.

Design it in Adobe®Photoshop®

I designed my collage in Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop is the industry standard image editing program. Perhaps Photoshop is already included in your tool chest of graphics applications, if not, you can easily purchase and learn the program. There are free Photoshop Tutorials all over the Internet. Refer to sketchpad.net for some excellent tutorials that will get you started.

One of Photoshop’s most powerful features is its use of layers. Each layer in a Photoshop document is a separate image, which can be edited apart from any other layer.

My first layer is a photograph of my husband’s pride and joy, his 97’ GMC one ton dually diesel transporting his Kubota compact tractor. (It’s all about the toys right?) I added a nice manly brown border around this photograph. This background layer fills the entire picture. I created a new layer and added the title “Grant’s 40th. Next, I created a new layer and dropped in the first small photograph. I continued to add all the pictures, creating new layers each time. Because these are all separate layers, I could edit each photograph, without affecting my background, easily. Once I placed the pictures in the right locations, exposing enough of the background photograph, I started to add my captions. Each caption, also has it’s own layer. For interest, I formatted some text in black and some text in white. For a few of the photos, I added a white halo effect to the outer edges. Check out this site for some very cool Photoshop Special Effects Tutorials.

Once I was happy with my picture, I saved my file as a “tif” file, so all of the information was saved, and the image was not compressed. I transferred this file onto my memory stick.

Print and Mat Your Finished Product

I found a local frame shop called Custom Frame Works. The frame shop has an Epson 9800 wide format printer, which prints up to 44” wide. I wanted a good size picture for our wall, and printing my 20” x 24” photo, from my tif file, was no problem. It cost me $50.00. I was very happy with the excellent, crisp quality of the photo. After consulting with the owner on the right mat and frame, my image was matted. I was ready for the party!



Display Your Matted Photo for your Guests to Sign

I displayed the matted photo on a large dining room table for all of the guests to sign. Make sure to have some good quality ink pens on hand for people to sign with. He now has some great nuggets of wisdom on aging like: “Life begins at 40.” And “40 is good.” Well, if nothing else, as he ages, the signatures can help him recall who was at his party.

Frame It

I returned to Custom Frame Works and had my signed photo collage framed. The cost of the mat and framing was about $150. The cost will vary based on your picture size, and your mat and frame selections.

With a little creativity, anyone with some basic PC and Photoshop skills can design a nice (original)photo collage. Your special gift will be remembered for years to come!

Free Online Scheduling Tool - VolunteerSpot Helps Coordinate Classroom Volunteers

The traditional volunteer coordination methods in my sons’ school are notes in backpacks, individual emails and phone calls. I received all of them this year and like me, I am sure the teachers find these old methods time consuming and frustrating.

I nearly opted out of volunteering due to the miscommunication of the PTA and the teachers. Fliers came home from the PTA seeking classroom volunteers and teachers had sign-up sheets in the classroom. Since I had already signed up with the PTA, I didn’t sign up on the classroom sign-up sheets. Weeks had gone by without any communication and I wondered if the PTA and the teachers were on the same page. My son’s teacher followed up with an email and I did finally help out in my son’s classroom. But I wonder, how much time was wasted due to the lack of communication and organization?

If my son’s teacher and the PTA were using a free online scheduling tool like VolunteerSpot.com, it would have simplified communication, saved time and made it easy for everyone to sign up and volunteer. VounteersSpot is a free Web-based organization tool that coordinates volunteering at school and in the community. VolunteerSpot can be used to coordinate groups for school events like PTA/PTO activities, food and toy drives, carnivals, book fairs and parent teacher conferences.

Volunteerspot is simple to use, you register and launch a sign up calendar and teachers/PTA can invite parents to sign up with an email or a button on the class web page. They can easily email out the link and/or create a widget for posting somewhere appropriate, like the PTA website. Everyone will access to the same information. Parents sign up on the calendar selecting dates and times according to their schedules.

VolunteerSpot was Founded by Karen Bantuveris, a management consultant and mom. As a PTA member and Girl Scout leader, Karen found that traditional volunteer coordination methods were time consuming, frustrating and caused good people to drop out or simply not bother.


Volunteerspot’s Giving Tree Giveaway

To promote holiday volunteering, the Arbor Day Foundation and VolunteerSpot are offering a Giving Tree Giveaway. If you plan any school or community holiday service activity on VolunteerSpot, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in your name in a fire-damaged national forest. To get a tree planted, register a new free account at volunteerspot.com and plan a holiday service activity. Just add the word “TREE” where they ask you what type of group you organize, and be sure to invite at least four volunteers.

Visit VolunteerSpot’s website to learn more about their free volunteer scheduling tools and the Giving Tree Giveaway.

A New Christmas Tradition - The Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture

My family and I spent Black Friday in a furniture store- which sounds silly doesn’t it? Let me explain. Jordan’s Furniture in Avon, MA, is now the proud host of the Enchanted Village, “a true New England tradition.” While most people were out shopping, we hiked to Avon, to see the Enchanted Village, the Laser Lite Show and the 4-D MOM (Motion Odyssey Movie Ride) The Polar Express all showing at .....ummm.....a furniture store.

History

The Enchanted Village of St. Nicholas is the original holiday exhibit created in 1958 that was once displayed at Jordan Marsh. The Jordan Marsh Company commissioned a Bavarian toy maker to create 28 fully decorated holiday scenes with 250 “magically” animated figures.

Jordan Marsh displayed the Enchanted Village in its Downtown Crossing store throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. The display became an integral part of New England’s seasonal celebrations. In 1972, Jordan Marsh closed the display, ending the traditional trip to the village.

The village was reopened at Jordan Marsh in 1990 for eight years, until 1998 when the village was sold to the City of Boston for a City Hall Plaza display. Eventually it was the lack of funding that forced the auction of the Enchanted Village in 2009.


The Enchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture

Jordan’s Furniture purchased the surviving pieces of the village and restored the collection. The village is now on permanent display at Jordan's in Avon, MA and is open (free-of-charge) for all to see during the holiday season.

The “old” Enchanted Village still has that magical Christmas charm. The scenes came to life with moving adults, children and even toys. A bakery, a general store, and a cozy view of a mom reading to her kids by the fire, were just a few of the many displays. My kids enjoyed the bursts of “snow” that would come down (every five minutes or so). We all felt the Christmas spirit as we enjoyed our walk through the Enchanted Village.











Lite Show

The Laser Imagination Theater Experience or Lite show was worth the forty-five minute wait. With the help of experts in laser technology, Jordan’s Furniture developed a “one-of-a-kind arrangement of high-powered, solid state lasers and Hollywood-style special effects,” set to a musical tribute of Christmas songs.

The colorful lasers, shot from each side of the theater and projected onto the ceiling and wall, were in perfect sync with each song’s tempo. The result was a pretty amazing show.


Eliot Tatelman

If you are from New England, you have probably seen the TV ads for Jordan’s Furniture. Eliot Tatelman is the “famous” white-haired, pony-tailed owner seen in the commercials. He was all over the place that day! We saw him at the Enchanted Village, and there he was, greeting us as we walked into the Lite Show Theater. Even though no one else seemed to be awe struck at the sight of Eliot like we were, I still thought it was great to see him- like a thank you for choosing to spend our time at Jordan’s Furniture on Black Friday.



MOM - The Polar Express
THE MOTION ODYSSEY MOVIE (MOM) RIDE is the four dimensional movie that “engages all of the senses.” Each MOM rider gets a pair of 3-D glasses and is seated in a theater seat that actually moves. The movie is actually a condensed 20 minute version of some of the most exciting scenes.
There is one scene where a herd of caribou are blocking the train tracks. The lead caribou snorts in protest and we felt a mist in the air, as if being sprayed with caribou snot. My kids roared with laughter, they really got a kick out of that.
At one point the train is out of control, shooting down the steep track at high speed…I admit I screeched like a little girl! I wanted more, but the movie ended (much too soon) with the little boy hearing the ring of his sleigh bell (yeah!) and Santa taking off at midnight.

Before the mad Christmas rush that seems to happen earlier and earlier each year, it was nice to leave the shopping lists behind and to get a dose of the Christmas spirit at Jordan's Furniture. My kids are at that tender age where they still believe, which makes Christmas so much fun not only for them but for us too!

Top Picks for Small Kitchen Appliances – Electric Grill and Slow Cooker

For quick weeknight meals, other than my microwave, the small kitchen appliances that I use most often are my indoor electric grill and my slow cooker. I love the functionality of each, but I am ready for some new and improved replacements.

My current model GRP-99 Foreman Grill™ has removable plates that are great for a quick clean-up. However, I fight with the release tabs to get the top plate to lock in securely. I have nearly burned myself, because the top plate has fallen out on occasion upon opening the grill. I looked into other electric grills to see what is available. Company and consumer research and reviews indicate that Cuisinart secures the top pick for small kitchen appliances in the category of electric grills.

To continue to the full article - click here!

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit http://www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Sesame Oil for Weight Loss

Sesame oil is an oil that is pressed from the sesame seed that is primarily used for dietary consumption. Studies indicate that sesame oil may have several health benefits like lowering blood pressure and lowering blood sugar. The antioxidants in the sesame oil are found to benefit the skin. When applied topically, sesame oil calms burns and controls dry scalp. Sesame oil is used in India as a healing oil and it is also used in manufacturing some cosmetics. Although the health effects of sesame oil are a relatively new field of research, recent studies indicate that sesame oil may be useful for weight loss.

To continue to the full article - click here!

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit http://www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Fun Exercise- Is it Possible to Have Fun While Exercising?

Do you associate the “F word” with exercise? By F Word I mean F-U-N, of course! For me, getting up at 5:30 am and dragging myself out to the treadmill for an hour, three days a week is not my idea of F-U-N. However, I continue to do it as the health benefits outweigh the punishment.

I know somewhere out there; someone is exercising and having fun doing it. I wanted to know just what some of my online acquaintances considered fun forms of exercise and so I asked them, “What form of F-U-N exercise gives you the most benefit?”
The first response I received recommended that I “tilt the treadmill more.” -Not my idea of adding fun to exercise, but okay, noted. Here are the other suggestions that I received for types of fun exercise:

To continue to the article click here.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

The Truth About Th-121 Diet Pill for Weight Loss

When I heard the first radio advertisement for Th-121 as an anti-aging supplement that promised weight loss with no side effects, I admit I was interested. The product sounded wonderful! Take only two pills a day, with no anxiety or jittery side-effects, and drop that last twenty (or thirty) pounds. Maybe this Th-121 was finally the secret to weight loss that the whole world was waiting for!

Th-121 is a weight loss supplement that is a registered trademark of Chamonix, a company that manufactures anti-aging skin care and weight loss products. The Chamonix website is called Better Skin Today.
Better known for their skin care products, Chamonix claims to offer several key advantages over other skin care brands:

• Chamonix does not use mineral oil, petroleum by-products, pharmaceutical preservatives, coloring agents or other harmful ingredients, and they never test on animals.
• Chamonix uses only pure, natural ingredients, including a variety of potent antioxidants.
• The Chamonix anti-aging skin care products are developed by a pharmacist, and are clinically proven to work.

Like the Chamonix anti-aging skin care products, which are formulated on the basis that antioxidants are the key to preventing premature aging, the Chamonix line of anti-aging weight control products (like Th-121) are formulated on this same premise.

To continue to the article click here.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Help for Selling Your House - Tax Credit Deadline Causing Home Buyer Frenzy

Are you selling your house? Were you thinking of taking it off the market for the winter? You should wait until November 30th. Why? According to Massachusetts real estate agents, first time home buyers are anxious to take advantage of an $8,000 tax credit scheduled to expire next month. (November 2009). Under the gun, many first time home buyers are actually creating bidding wars on lower-priced homes!


We aren’t holding our breath for a bidding war on our lower-priced Massachusetts home (on the market since May) but we have decided to keep it listed until mid November because of this tax credit. The tax credit incentive is a faint light of hope at the end of what has been an extremely dark housing market tunnel. This may be just enough of a boost for selling your house too.


Click here to read the full article.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

How to Find Coupons and How Using Coupons Will Save Money

With the current economic downturn, you may have decided that it is time to start using coupons. If you are the “Average Jill” like me, you have dabbled in the art of coupon clipping in the past, but that’s all; you’ve cut a coupon here and a coupon there. Maybe you even bought one of those plastic coupon sorters with the best of intensions on using it, but never did. (Okay, I did start using mine.)
If you are looking at your monthly budget and wondering, where can I save some money? Using grocery coupons in conjunction with in-store sales is a pretty painless way to start saving some serious money. It takes very little of your time.

Click here to read on.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Reading Advice for the Parents of Elementary School Kids

Are you a parent of an elementary school child looking for reading advice? Is your child reading below grade level and does reading practice leaves you both frustrated and you searching for answers?

Your child is not alone. Did you know that:

• 44 percent of American 4th grade students cannot read fluently, even when they read grade-level stories aloud under supportive testing conditions. (ref. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Pinnell et al., 1995)


• 50 percent of American adults are unable to read an eighth grade level book (ref. Illiterate America, Jonathan Kozol)


• According to the Journal of American Medical Association, 46% of American adults cannot understand the label on their prescription medicine.


• In a class of 20 students, few if any teachers can find even 5 minutes of time in a day to devote to reading with each student. (ref. The National Center for Education Statistics, NCES Fast Facts, Family Reading)
  

If the teachers can’t devote the time to read with your child, it is imperative that YOU take charge! Here are tips for reading activities that you can do and reading resources that are available to you. With your knowledge of these and willingness to participate in the process, you child will read beyond grade level (and love reading) in no time.
Click here to read on.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit http://www.kristimaloney.com/ for more information.

The Story of Michael Jackson's Tragic Death

Did you see Dateline last night? If not, guess what the topic was? The death of Michael Jackson. No surprise there. The incessant coverage of the death of a celebrity is (ironically) the life blood of the media. But I can't help but watch the coverage, like everyone else. Sadly, this is a story that contains tragedy upon tragedy.

When I heard the news, a week or two ago, that his private doctor, Conrad Murray, in addition to other doctors, are now suspects in the King of Pop’s death, I admit I was (of course) even more intrigued! Could someone have actually murdered him?

Dateline painted quite a different picture of Michael Jackson. The fact is, Jackson was given anesthesia for numerous medical procedures over the years and had a long history of prescription drug use. He gave himself up to his strong habit of narcotic drug use, which is the definition of an addict. This has led me to conclude that the only one responsible for the death of Michael Jackson, was the man in the mirror, himself.

According to Dateline, Dr. Murry administered what is most likely the anesthetic drug Propofol, brand name Diprivan, as a sleep aide for Jackson, which in turn caused his cardiac arrest and death. As it turns out, Dr. Murray couldn't legally prescribe even a strong cough medicine for Jackson in California, and he couldn't go to the pharmacy to get drugs for him, either. As a result, criminal cases could be pursued against Dr. Murray, if violations of federal drug laws are found to have caused his death.

Dr. Murray gave up his practice for “the chance of a lifetime” to become Michael Jackson’s personal physician, earning $150,000 per month. Now Dr. Murray stands to lose his home to foreclosure. Only in America can you be earning $150,000 per month one week caring for the most famous pop idol in the world, and the next, you are a tight lipped, suspect for murder, without a career. He is certainly guilty of avarice and comes across as nothing more than a drug dealer. He will be remembered as the last of a long line of staff who couldn’t say no to Michael Jackson. Another disastrous end.

Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse whose specialty includes nutritional counseling, said that she repeatedly rejected Michael’s demands for the drug, Diprivan. He complained to her about his insomnia and begged her for the Diprivan. It was almost comical when she described his sleeping environment: bright light, loud music, TV blaring Donald Duck cartoons(naturally). Oh, and he enjoyed large quantities of caffeinated diet sodas. A rational person would at least make an attempt to change some of these foolish behaviors in an effort to get some sleep, but not Michael Jackson. To say his behavior was irrational is an understatement. This wasn’t a guy who needed a little sleep, this was an addict who needed his Diprivan. Diprivan is a very addictive drug, that not only immediately knocks one out, it gives one a feel-good-euphoric effect. Cherilyn Lee is the lone hero in this story. She appears to be the only one who did the right thing by saying no to Michael Jackson.

Matt Fiddes, an English karate instructor who worked as a senior bodyguard during Jackson’s travels in Britain for a decade, said the pop idol abused prescription medications, and took so much that it could be difficult to wake him for engagements. Another bodyguard appearing last night on Dateline described carrying Michael Jackson back to his hotel room from meetings, on many occasions, because he was so doped up.

I don’t need to see, hear or read anymore stories to understand that he was a severe addict and a slave to the prescription drugs. He asked for the drugs and if his doctor didn't get them, he simply got a new Dr. that would get them. It is not "normal" to obtain drugs by using the names of your staff to get your prescriptions.

Surely he was aware that he was playing Russian Roulette with his life. He even admitted to his stage wife, Lisa Presley, many years ago, that he would die of an overdose like her father Elvis did. It seems he predetermined his own fate, tragically. May his troubled soul rest in peace, at last.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Consumer Reports Buying Strategies for Appliances

Are you in the market for a new dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, or refrigerator? Before you buy, check out Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2009 to make an informed decision.

Consumer Reports magazine specializes in brand name comparisons of automobiles and household products. The magazine also gives informed and impartial advice on a wide variety of topics like health, nutrition, personal finance and travel. Consumer reports buys all of the products that it tests and accepts no free samples. They do not allow any company to use their information or ratings for commercial purposes.

In addition to their product ratings and reviews, Consumer Reports has other noteworthy buying strategies for household appliances:

1. Time your cooking appliance purchase for September or October, when retailers put the previous year's model on sale.
2. Time your refrigerator purchase around May for this same reason.
3. Check for sales after the winter holidays.
4. Look for rebates, coupons, and related discounts in the store and online.
5. Prior to making your purchase, sign up on a store's web site to receive e-mails with coupons, rebates, free shipping, and VIP sales with discounts on selected products.
6. Combine special offers from the store and manufacturer whenever possible.

Based on the Consumer Reports Best Buy, I purchased my LG Bottom Freezer, Energy Star rated refrigerator from Sears in June. I contacted my electric company to inquire about a rebate for Energy Star Rated appliances. They offered a $50 rebate on the new refrigerator, as well as rebates on other household appliances. I did not know this! I filled out the forms, attached my receipt and within two weeks I had a check for $50. For Energy Star Rated Appliances, look for manufacturer's rebates and make sure to inquire with your electric company for additional rebate savings! Find the best products with CR and save money in the process.

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.

Sunscreen Skincare - The Paula Begoun, “Cosmetic Cop” Reviews

Now that summer is here, it’s time to stock up on the sunscreen! But not all sunscreens are alike. With all the different brands, formulations and SPF’s ranging from 8 to over 100, what the heck do you choose? Check out what expert Paula Begoun recommends for sunscreen products!

If you’re not familiar with Paula Begoun, she is the creator of Paula’s Choice skin care and cosmetics products. She has more than 25 years of experience in the beauty industry, and has performed in-depth research and study of skin and cosmetic ingredients. She is the author and publisher of seven best-selling books on the beauty industry, including Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me 7th edition, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal, The Beauty Bible 2nd Edition, and Don’t Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me. Paula’s books have sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide. She is a nationally-recognized consumer expert for the cosmetics industry. She has made appearances on Oprah, CNN, The Today Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, The View, and Primetime.

Paula’s website, http://www.cosmeticscop.com/, isn’t just a sales tool for her product line. She has carefully and expertly evaluated products from cosmetic and skin care companies from Almay to Zapzyt. She has her own product rating system, ranging from a checkmark and smiley face, for those products she identifies as a “Paula’s Pick” (a product that exceeds expectations and goes beyond the criteria for a product in its category) to the frowning faces, which reflect a product that is truly bad for the skin from almost every angle, including price, dated formulations, performance, application and texture, as well as potential for irritation, skin reactions and breakouts.

Paula’s Criterion

Paula’s determination of each individual product’s rating is based on a specific benchmark established for each product category, in the case of sunscreen, it’s the importance of UVA-protecting ingredients in a formulation. In addition she asks these questions:

• Given the ingredient list, can the product do what it promises?


• How does the product differ from other products?


• If a special ingredient is showcased, how much is actually in the product, and is there independent research verifying the claim?


• How far fetched are the product’s claims?


• Are there similar or identical formulations available that cost less?
  
  Paula’s Picks
  
  The following sunscreens are Paula’s Picks. These are the cream-of-the-crop, they exceed expectations and go beyond the criteria of other sunscreens.
  
  Avon – Moisture Therapy Mineral Sunscreen Cream with SPF 28, sold for $9.99/3.4 ounces. She rates this sunscreen’s mineral-based formula as an outstanding option for normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin that is sensitive or struggling with rosacea. This sunscreen contains iron oxides, a type of pigment added to offset the potential white cast that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can have on your skin. This sunscreen earned the Paula’s pick rating, in part, because it is fragrance-free and tailored for sensitive skin.
  
  
  Neutrogena – Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30, sold for $9.99/4 ounces. According to Paula, this sunscreen is appropriately named and honestly describes what a well-formulated sunscreen does for your skin. This avobenzone sunscreen is fragrance-free and certainly has the UVA range covered. The formula also includes several antioxidants. Without greasiness, it’s a texture that someone with normal to very oily skin will love. It is suitable for use under makeup. Paula notes that Neutrogena is “touting this and their other sunscreens with Helioplex as a breakthrough, when, in fact, (according to her research) isn’t anything new under the sun.” What really counts is that this sunscreen is a well formulated, broad spectrum sunscreen that should make the list when shopping for a water-resistant SPF 30 sunscreen.
  
  Paula’s Other Recommendations
  
  These sunscreens are not her “picks”, however they are in the category of great products that are highly recommended because of their performance or impressive formulary characteristics.
  
  Coppertone – Oil Free Quick Cover Lotion Spray SPF 30, sold for $9.99/6 ounces. This sunscreen includes avobenzone for sufficient UVA protection. She calls it a good, spray-on sunscreen lotion for normal to oily skin. She notes that this sunscreen is water resistant, but not waterproof and requires reapplication after prolonged immersion in water or perspiring.
  
  Coppertone - Water Babies Lotion SPF 50, sold for $10.99/8 ounce. The Water Babies Lotion is a good, basic, in-part avobenzone sunscreen that is water-resistant, and not waterproof, as claimed. It must be reapplied after prolonged swimming or perspiring. Despite it being a recommended sunscreen, she notes that this formula is not a gentle, non-irritating formula as claimed. The active ingredients have the potential to sting or cause other types of sensitizing reaction’s to anyone’s skin, regardless of age.
  She indicates that a mineral based sunscreen whose only active ingredients are titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are distinctly preferred for use on babies.
  
  Banana Boat – Sport Performance Dri-Blok Continuous Spray SPF 30, sold for $9.99/6 ounces. She calls this sunscreen formula “very good, and in-part avobenzone sunscreen for active people with normal to oily skin. The film forming agent ensures water- and sweat-resistance, however, as with all sunscreens, this needs to be reapplied after excessive perspiration or water immersion. This spray-on sunscreen does not contain alcohol, which is very drying to the skin.
  
  My Picks
  
  When its not raining in New England, I use the Neutrogena – Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30. This product is readily available online and in stores like CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. I only use the product on my face, as its slightly more expensive and is suitable for application under make-up. I like the convenience of a spray, so for my family I opt for the Banana Boat – Sport Performance Dri-Blok Continuous Spray SPF 30. This sunscreen has a very good formula for active people and unlike other spray-on formulas, doesn’t contain alcohol. Have a happy, burn-free summer!

Kristi is a Freelance Writer specializing in online marketing communications. She writes press releases, web articles, media kits, brochures, web content and more. Please visit www.kristimaloney.com for more information.