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Treating Your Skin the Right Way

March 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

When you’re ready to whip up a healthy meal, you’ve got to have the right ingredients.  Well, the same thing can be said for skin care.  If you’re going to have great and healthy skin, you’ve got to know the ingredients.  At the very least, it’s important to know what to look for, when deciding what the best ingredients are.  And so, The Balancing Act ® is happy to be joined by skin care experts Jason Toms and Lisa Savage – both of Hollywood-based InfiniteAloe® skin care.

The Balancing Act: Hello. It’s great to see you.

Jason Toms: Thank you so much, for having us.

The Balancing Act: Thank you, for being here.  So, let’s talk about Hollywood and about healthy, vibrant, skin.  In Hollywood, beauty is front and center.  When it comes to skin care in Hollywood, what are the beautiful people in Tinseltown looking for?  What are they doing?

Jason Toms: The people in Tinseltown are looking for what you’re looking for; and that is a formulation for skin care that works.  They are looking for formulations that are, basically, heavy and made from natural ingredients.  With no added toxic chemicals and things that are formulated with a really comprehensive delivery system.

The Balancing Act: You know?  Here’s the thing.  When I’m reading ingredient labels, if I can’t pronounce it, I’m wondering if it’s something that I should be putting on my skin.  How do we know what’s good and what’s not so good, guys?

Lisa Savage: That’s definitely where we need to educate ourselves, because it is.  It’s very confusing, especially with so many new products coming on the market every single day.  You definitely want to be careful of products that have heavy chemicals as the first ingredients.  You want to be careful of too much fragrance, because those are irritants for the skin.  And, you definitely want to stay away from anything that clogs your pores, because that’s shown to advance aging.  And, we don’t need any help with that, do we?

The Balancing Act: Girl, please.  That’s already happening at home; so we don’t need any more help with that one.

Lisa Savage: (Laugh) No, we don’t!

The Balancing Act: So, I want to talk a little bit about what I know is a really important ingredient to both of you; and that’s aloe vera.  I notice aloe vera in a lot of skin care products.  What I didn’t know (and, you educated me on this, Jason) there are over 300 different varieties of aloe vera.

Jason Toms: Absolutely.

The Balancing Act: How do I know which one is best for me?

Jason Toms: Luckily, scientists have figured it out.  The number one aloe vera, out of over 300 varieties, is Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller.

The Balancing Act: What’s so great about this?

Jason Toms: Well, it’s been scientifically proven to heal the skin up to 10 times faster than normal.

The Balancing Act: Wow!

Jason Toms: Yeah.  So, if you get a cut, bruise, burn, or abrasion – that can actually help with the healing process.  Obviously, your body heals itself.  And there are different beneficial qualities to aloe vera such as it is anti-fungal, antiviral, it’s antibacterial, and it’s an analgesic – which relieves pain.  Also, it’s really good for arthritis.

The Balancing Act: So, in general, what should we be looking for in terms of ingredients; and I guess more specifically, is there anything that we should avoid?

Lisa Savage: Well, yes.  From my research that I’ve done, there are certain chemicals you want to avoid that are, actually, harmful to the body.  Such as parabens, propylene glycol, petroleum, mineral oil.  Those are going to irritate your skin.  Plus, not to mention, it’s found that whatever we put on our skin can be found in almost every organ in our body.

The Balancing Act: EEEEEK!

Lisa Savage: So, it’s imperative that we put healthy, natural ingredients on our body.

The Balancing Act: I think you’re right.  Jason, I want to ask you this question: As women age, do you think they need to be paying more or less attention to the kinds of skin care products they use?

Jason Toms: Well, absolutely.  You do need to pay attention; and to be honest, the earlier, the better.  You don’t want to use things when you’re young that you’re going to regret later; but with the right ingredients, you know, it’s never too late.  Your skin changes as you age, too.  So, you kind of want to switch your skin care regimen to suit where you are in, in life.

The Balancing Act: That’s great insight.

Jason Toms: With the strongest aloe vera out there, the Barbadensis Miller, you can care for your skin today in preparation for your skin care tomorrow.  Take our InfiniteAloe products, for example.  They contain tons of oils, vitamins, and antioxidants.  We created a light and non-greasy formula that just soaks into your skin.  Men love the product, children love the product, and you can use it to shave with.

The Balancing Act: So, it’s a multi-use product.  I think is great for our audience, because we’re trying to balance it all.

Jason Toms: We’re all about convenience!

The Balancing Act: Thank you again for being here and for this great information.

Jason Toms: We were happy to be here.

The Balancing Act: For more skin care information, visit the skin care experts over at infinitealoe.com.

The Balancing Act ® produces shows that offer a fresh approach to current topics and give a new spin on morning television. The Balancing Act is the first production company to earn the WomenCertified® Seal. If you would like to learn more about The Balancing Act visit thebalancingact.com.

 

 

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David Slone Talks about His Fascination with Root Beer

March 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
David Slone

David Slone

Today we talk with David Slone, Sales Manager and Used Car Manager of Weld County Garage. David Slone has a rather interesting hobby: collecting root beer.

Q: David, when did your fascination with root beer begin?

David Slone: Well, I guess it was about twelve years back when I got a package from one of my vendors. Inside were samples of Henry Weinhard’s® Root Beer.

Q: What made Weinhard’s® so special for you?

David Slone: It was such a great combination of yeast, sassafras, vanilla, licorice, black cherry and other flavors, all together.

Q: A complex combination.

David Slone: Yes, very much so, but they all work together on the tongue.

Q: I guess you could say that you were hooked?

David Slone: (laughs) Yeah, I was hooked. I had to start trying to find as many root beers as I could!

Q: Tell us more about the history of root beer.

David Slone: Sure, I’d be happy to. Root beer really goes back to Colonial times, when they referred to it as “small beer.”

Q: Was small beer alcoholic?

David Slone: Sometimes, yes, sometimes, no. It would include whatever ingredients they could find, really.

Q: I had no idea it went back so far.

David Slone: Well, you have to figure beer goes back about as far as cultivated grain does, and small beer would follow.

Q: Ingredients like what?

David Slone: Early recipes might include sarsaparilla, juniper, dandelion root, burdock, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, molasses and more.

Q: Fascinating! Who had the first commercially-available root beer, though?

David Slone: Commercially-bottled root beer started in the 1870s with Charles Hires. Hires was a Philadelphia pharmacist who fell in love with a herbal tea recipe.

Q: What did Charles Hires do then?

David Slone: He started putting ingredients together to develop a beverage derived from the tea. His drink used over 25 herbs, berries and roots, and made its debut at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial.

Q: Hires’ Root Beer has been around as long as I can remember. What other brands date back for years?

David Slone: Well, I found out that A&W® Root Beer had its debut back in 1919. A&W® was a partnership of Roy Allen and Frank Wright. Today, the brand is part of the Dr Pepper Snapple® group.

Q: Well, let’s get a little closer to what it is that makes root beer so appealing for you and others.

David Slone: No question, it’s the combinations of ingredients. There are so many recipes and varieties out there.

Q: What’s your current favorite?

David Slone: It’s hard to pick out a favorite root beer, there are so many good ones, but recently I got a case of Goose Island® delivered to my place of business.

Q: What was that like?

David Slone: Oh, I loved it! Had a nice spearmint sort of aftertaste.

Q: Isn’t there a Root-Beer-of-the-Month Club?

David Slone: Yes! It’s for real aficionados!

Q: What does membership in the club get you?

David Slone: You can find out more about root beer lore, regional root beers from around the country.

Q: Wow, what else?

David Slone: Well, you can even have sampler packs or sixes of the Root Beer of the Month delivered to your house.

Q: Thanks so much for taking some time with us today.

David Slone: Sure, and I hope you know a little more about root beer now!

David Slone is Sales Manager and Used Car Manager at Weld County Garage.

 

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Start off Your Spring Cleaning the Right Way with Designing Spaces

March 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Designing Spaces

Designing Spaces

When you think of housecleaning, one tool comes to mind – the vacuum cleaner.  Is your vacuum really doing the job?  As part of our “Spring Cleaning Tips from the Pros”, Designing Spaces takes a closer look at vacuum bags and filters.  Joining us is HomeCare Industries, to show us the importance of changing our vacuum bags and filters and also that not all bags are the same. 

Designing Spaces: Before we get started, I have to ask you, how often do we change our bags on our vacuums?

HomeCare Industries: It’s very important to change both your vacuum bags and your filters.  Your vacuum bag should be changed at least every six weeks; or when the dirt inside the bag reaches that fill line and your filters should be changed at least every six months.  Now when your filters and bags become overused, they easily become clogged with dirt and with dust – which results in poor air quality.  But, it also reduces the suction power of your machine and puts a strain on it as well.

Designing Spaces: You brought some bags for us to see today, right?

HomeCare Industries: That’s what we did, absolutely.  We brought our new HomeCare scented MicroLined® vacuum bags; and our filters as well.

Designing Spaces: Scented vacuum bags?  I’ve never heard of that.

HomeCare Industries: Our HomeCare scented bags use HEPA media and they also have an odor controlled Micro-Liner.  The first step that you need to do is take the scent tab and you peel it off and that releases the scent.

Designing Spaces: Oh, I can smell that already.  That’s a great smell.

HomeCare Industries: And then you want to place it in your vacuum.  This is our HomeCare scented vacuum filter.  The scent is created from little scent beads inside the filter itself; and as you’re vacuuming, it brings the scent out into the room.

Designing Spaces: I see.

HomeCare Industries: The HomeCare bag, which is a two-ply microlined bag, adds an extra layer of filtration which captures one hundred percent of dust mites, allergens, rag weed and other household debris.  Here, we have two bags that have been used; and they look pretty similar. (Holds up two bags.)

Designing Spaces: They do.

HomeCare Industries: Both dirty, one actually is a single-ply and one is the double-ply.

Designing Spaces: Which one is which?

HomeCare Industries: Can you guess?

Designing Spaces: I can’t guess.

HomeCare Industries: I know, they look the same.

Designing Spaces: Okay, which one’s the one-ply, which one’s the two?

HomeCare Industries: (Holding up one of the bags.) This is the one-ply; and, as you can see, the dirt is actually captured inside the bag.  Then you go here to the two ply.

Designing Spaces: Ok, let’s see.

HomeCare Industries: (Holds up second bag.)  Again, it looks like it’s captured inside the bag.  But, then when you pull the MicroLiner off, you actually see that it’s clean.  So, the dirt is actually staying inside the bag,  Now, the HomeCare’s MicroLined bag also gives you significantly better filtration – up to three times better filtration.

Designing Spaces: Whoa.

HomeCare Industries: (Proceeds to start up the vacuum, to demonstrate.)  Smells good, right?

Designing Spaces: It smells so clean and fresh.  You can really smell that.

HomeCare Industries: That’s the odor eliminator and liner and scent patch at work.   When you stop smelling that scent, it’s a great indicator that you need to change either your bag or your filter.

Designing Spaces: So, where can our viewers learn more?

HomeCare Industries: You can go to homecareind.com.

Designing Spaces: Well, we gave you wonderful ideas for spring cleaning.  But, if you missed any of them, be sure to check out our website at designingspaces.tv.  Lots of useful information there, be sure to check it out.  Happy spring cleaning!

 

Entering its 10th year, Designing Spaces endures as one of America’s favorite home-improvement shows.  The program inspires viewers on decorating ideas, DIY projects and step-by-step improvements to help make every space count.  The show, Designing Spaces, provides solutions to help you enjoy the space you live, work and play in.  Designing Spaces airs at 7:30 am (ET/PT) on Lifetime.

 

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Tips from Casa Sandoval – Staying Healthy in the Golden Years

March 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Casa Sandoval

Casa Sandoval

Casa Sandoval on the Benefits of Senior Exercise

Casa Sandoval finds that, for many senior adults, exercise is a distant memory. Casa Sandoval maintains that many seniors haven’t been active in years due to conditions like arthritis or limited mobility. Because of those limitations, they may simply give up on living an active lifestyle. However, it is important for us to understand that exercise is perhaps no more beneficial at any point in life than it is during our golden years.

Many physical struggles that people associate with old age, like going up and down stairs or carrying a heavy load of groceries, aren’t due to old age at all. Instead, Casa Sandoval says those difficulties are simply due to people being out of shape due to inactivity. Being a “couch potato” is never healthy, but it’s even worse for senior adults, as their bodies are much more likely to begin breaking down over a period of inactivity.

Casa Sandoval says that seniors should start out with a physical checkup to make sure they are healthy enough to exercise. Then they should move on to mild, low-impact exercises like simply walking around the block once a day. Gradually, they can incorporate more high-impact exercises like weightlifting and jogging. For many seniors, Casa Sandoval says that an active lifestyle seems like something they will never have until they actually try it.

Casa Sandoval believes there are many benefits beyond simply having a more fit body. In fact, seniors who exercise regularly also have increased mental sharpness, a longer life expectancy, and a higher quality of life than those who don’t.

Casa Sandoval on Eating a Balanced and “Hearty” Diet

Everyone, including Casa Sandoval, knows how important heart health is, but what many people don’t know is how much control they have over it. Casa Sandoval says that while exercise is vital for heart health, it’s often what goes in the kitchen instead of the gym that makes the most difference.

People who are overweight often have more risk factors than those who are normal weight, but even people with “healthy” BMIs may have unhealthy hearts due to their diets. Casa Sandoval recommends adults learn to control their portion sizes for all meals and avoid overeating. Even if the occasional binge doesn’t show up on the scale, it can still wreak havoc on the entire body—including the heart.

It’s also important to eat smarter, says Casa Sandoval. Avoid red meats and foods with heavy amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol, like fried foods. Instead, eat lean meat that’s grilled or baked and increase intake of vegetables and fruits. These are packed with nutrients and are often low in calories but high in fiber—meaning people feel full quicker.

Another tip often overlooked is to reduce sodium intake. Casa Sandoval says many people neglect to consider this but a diet high in sodium can cause a number of health problems. Many fast food restaurants and even sit-down restaurants have meals that are loaded with sodium and salt and a diet high in salt can lead to high blood pressure and potential heart problems down the road.

Finally, Casa Sandoval recommends planning food schedules in advance to avoid impulsive decisions, but to also allow an occasional treat. Without something to look forward to, you may be more likely to give up on the diet altogether.

A full-service retirement community in the heart of Alameda County, California, Casa Sandoval offers more than 200 studio sized to two bedroom apartments and five levels of care. With many amenities to choose from, including complementary cable service to residents, Casa Sandoval promotes an active and healthy lifestyle for its residents. Amenities at Casa Sandoval include a game room, arts and crafts, library with complementary computer access, and a theater room. Casa Sandoval also offers a billiards lounge, an ice cream parlor, exercise facility, laundry service, weekly housekeeping and covered parking–all within a gated community. With meals prepared by an executive chef, the dining room at Casa Sandoval is a popular meeting spot for residents.

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The Balancing Act Lifetime Interviews Athene Annuity & Life Assurance

March 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Balancing Act Lifetime

The Balancing Act Lifetime

As part of the Family Health Series on The Balancing Act Lifetime, we’re going to explore new areas of interest – Your financial health.  Are you saving money?  Are you financially ready for retirement?  It is the single biggest challenge facing Americans right now; and to get as pointed in the right direction, we’re pleased to be joined this morning by Chris Grady, Executive Vice President at Athene Annuity & Life Assurance. 

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Hey Chris, good morning to you.

Chris Grady: Hi there. How are you?

The Balancing Act Lifetime: I’m good.  So, let’s start off by acknowledging that subject we’re going to discuss can be uncomfortable or confusing for some.  But, I think we should just delve into this. In these tough times, it is hard for a lot of people to save.  Especially for retirement.  What do you suggest, for people who would like to prepare themselves?

Chris Grady: Yes, retirement is critical; because many people are going to spend more time retired than working.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: That’s a great point.

Chris Grady: If you don’t prepare and get ready for retirement, that amount of gap that you’re going to have when you do retire, is going to be a big problem.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Such a great point.

Chris Grady: One way to handle retirement is to treat it like you were going to budget for a car.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Ok.

Chris Grady: Let’s say you were going to save for your retirement.  Pretend that you’re trying to buy a car; and instead, put aside $200 per month.  Just save your money like it’s a budget.  Another great key is to think about retirement is to treat it as not just an accumulation of money; but, rather, how much money you’re going to need to pay your bills.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: I think those are great points.  Here’s another thought that I’d like your input on:  More Americans, are living longer than ever before; therefore, we can assume that one may be alive longer in retirement, than ever before.   What are the methods that people typically use for saving?

Most people say to themselves, “Oh, I have Social Security” and then “I might have a little retirement plan at work”.  Well, if you think about Social Security for the average American, Social Security will only replace 20 to 25 percent of your earned income.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: That’s it?

Chris Grady: That’s it.  And then you have your retirement and that might replace 5 or 10 percent.  So, the person that’s making $50,000 a year from their employer plan or from the government plan, you might only get half of that.  And if I asked anybody how would you like a 50 percent cut in pay?  And continue to live, it’s not easy.  So we think that filling that gap is critical.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: So let me ask you this, then.  How do we know if we are saving enough money to retire the way we want, to kind of live at the same lifestyle we did when we were working?

Chris Grady: Everybody’s needs, goals, and wants are different.  So, this is what’s critical.  You have to evaluate what’s really a “need”.  For example, your mortgage payment or your health care bill.  And then determine what your “wants” are.  Do you want to pay for your grandchild’s college?  Or do you want to donate money to charity.  So you’ve got to add the 2 up.  You’ve got to figure out how much that is going to be a month and then you’ve got to prepare for having a solution that’s going to provide that income.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: I want to get into the tax issue, here, right now; because, how does that affect the way people are preparing and saving for retirement?

Chris Grady: Many people save for retirement with what I would call “incorrect products”.  In other words, the government has already created incentives for annuities and they actually give benefits to annuities and 401k tax benefits.  And these products are designed for retirement solutions.  Many other products are more designed for “Oh, I’ll pay for college with that money.”  Or, “I’ll pay for a new house or a vacation with that money.”  That’s not what the retirement money is for.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Ok.  So let me ask you this, then.  What is the biggest tip you would give to people who are tuning in, if you had to summarize everything into just one?

Chris Grady: Take control of your retirement.  That’s what i would say.  Evaluate it and treat it like it’s an important bill.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: And would you also say the earlier the better?

Chris Grady: The earlier the better.  It’s never too early to start.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Never too late either – huh?

Chris Grady: And it’s never too late.  So the key is there are solutions for everybody, regardless of where you are in the life cycle.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Well, great information.  It was great to meet you.

Chris Grady: Oh great to meet you.

The Balancing Act Lifetime: Such great information on how we can make smart decisions for our retirement and our finances.  And to learn more about retirement income planning go to atheneannuity.com and be sure to click into the consumer education section as well, a lot of great information there.

Now in its fifth year, The Balancing Act Lifetime endures in enabling women, in all aspects of their lives. The aim at The Balancing Act Lifetime is simple – It strives to benefit today’s contemporary woman “balance it all”, by bringing them outstanding resolutions to everyday issues.  Viewers can watch America’s foremost morning show The Balancing Act Lifetime weekday mornings on Lifetime television at 7 am (ET/PT).

 

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Job Hunting Tips for Recent College Graduates

March 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

After walking across the stage and picking up a hard-earned college diploma, most recent graduates immediately set their sights on the next goal: finding a job. But with the effects of the recession still being felt across the country, and steep competition from their peers, many freshly-minted graduates are finding it more and more difficult to get their foot in the door. It’s a tough job market right now, but with a little ingenuity and preparation, young job seekers can get a leg up on the competition.

The first thing recent graduates should do is perfect their resume. Many college campuses offer resume writing services for free, where an experienced career advisor can help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the resume and help restructure and rewrite it in a way that’s more appealing to employers. Resumes that are unclear, unfocused, or simply cluttered may quickly end up in the trash can.

Another important tip is to only apply for jobs for which the job seeker is truly qualified for. It’s tempting to spam resumes out to any halfway relevant job opening—especially when frustration, or even worse, desperation kick in—but it’s important to keep the search narrow. By sticking to jobs directly in their career fields or that relate to their education, recent graduates have a much higher chance of landing that all important first interview.

Next, graduates should treat each relevant job opening they find as if it’s the only job they’re applying to. That means they should do their homework, research the company, and retool their resume to be as close of a fit to the job requirements as possible. Call attention to tasks in previous jobs and achievements during school that are line with what the company wants rather than what looks best on the resume. Many resumes are “read” by computers that are simply searching for keywords, and if those keywords aren’t detected, the resumes get deleted before they’re ever seen by human eyes.

Finally, job seekers should be persistent and consider interning for a low or even no wage. Many employers are risk averse and may be hesitant to hire someone without experience. Internships—even unpaid ones—are often the key to landing that all-important first job. By showing work ethic and building experience and a portfolio, internships are often the difference between who gets the job and who doesn’t.

Filed Under: Professionals

Interview with Hormone expert, Marla Ahlgrimm: HRT Discontinuation

March 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Marla Ahlgrimm

Marla Ahlgrimm

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most commonly prescribed hormone treatments in the United States. Recently, concerns whether HRT creates other health risks have arisen. In this recent interview with A Gathering of Experts, pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, advised women to gather as much information about HRT as they can, and consider the personal benefits and risks.

A Gathering of Experts: Thank you for joining us today, Marla Ahlgrimm.

Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s my pleasure. Thank you for inviting me.

A Gathering of Experts: Can you explain what HRT is and what is it for?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) describes hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone that are taken daily to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, but also to protect against health risks such as osteoporosis.

A Gathering of Experts: How is HRT taken?

Marla Ahlgrimm: HRT is available as oral tablets, capsules or transdermal skin patches and creams.

A Gathering of Experts: Can the way a woman takes HRT make a difference in whether she continues to take the medication?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes. Swallowing a pill every day can have a surprisingly negative impact on women. The same can be true of an estrogen patch. For some women this type of medication can be a “constant reminder of menopause.”

A Gathering of Experts: In your experience, Marla Ahlgrimm, how quickly does the body adjust to HRT?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Symptoms may ebb and flow for three to six months whenever any new HRT medication is initiated. Sometimes HRT will improve hot flashes initially, followed by a period where they increase during the second or third week of treatment. By the fourth week, the body will adjust and the women will feel much better.

A Gathering of Experts: Are any tests required before HRT is started?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes. A general medical checkup is recommended to determine any risk factors.  A routine exam should include a check of blood pressure, pelvis, breasts, and abdomen.

A Gathering of Experts: Why do some women discontinue HRT?

Marla Ahlgrimm: In many cases it’s because they have not been given adequate information about what medication they are taking, why they are taking it, and what to expect. For example, HRT can cause breast tenderness and a woman may associate that tenderness with cancer and stop taking the medication. The treatment fails to meet the patients’ expectations and they may simply stop.

A Gathering of Experts: How can a woman achieve a successful HRT?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women as well as providers need to realize that there is no “one-size-fits-all” HRT regimen. Arriving at the right medication, dosage, and delivery form sometimes takes some adjustment. It is important that women keep in close touch with their providers to discuss what they are experiencing with HRT.

A Gathering of Experts: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, today. You have been very informative.

Marla Ahlgrimm: The pleasure is all mine. Thank you.

According to pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, the steps toward arriving at an HRT regimen that is well-tolerated, achieves the desired outcomes, and that a woman feels comfortable taking are not different from the steps taken to initiate any form of drug therapy. Concludes Marla Ahlgrimm, “What works best is an alliance between health care providers and patients, not a hierarchy where one tells the other what to do.”

Marla Ahlgrimm is the founder of Women’s Health America, Inc., an organization that provides individualized hormonal medications and helpful health information. As a published co-author and columnist, Marla Ahlgrimm directs her main focus on natural hormone therapy. Marla Ahlgrimm has received numerous awards and is recognized as Distinguished Alumni by her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. To contact Marla Ahlgrimm, visit marlaahlgrimm.com.

 

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Weight Loss Secrets Revealed in BrandStar Entertainment Interview

March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
BrandStar Entertainment

BrandStar Entertainment

Weight Loss. It’s a topic and concern women take seriously, and why not? We want to look and feel our very best, right ladies? But where do you turn when the battle to lose extra pounds and inches becomes a losing one? BrandStar Entertainment ® spoke with a guest who knows a four-hundred year old weight loss secret she wants to share with us. Her name is Julia Lundstrom, CEO of Okuma Nutritionals.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: Good morning.

Julia Lundstrom: Good morning.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: It’s nice to have you here.

Julia Lundstrom: Thank you for having me.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: Ok, whenever I hear the word, “secret”, I’m all ears. Our ladies out there all want to know – what is the secret to slim down?

Julia Lundstrom: Very, very appealing, always, these secrets.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: Yes.

Julia Lundstrom: This one actually has been around for probably more than four hundred years and a billion people know it, just not here in the United States. It is tea. Tea is a weight loss secret and they drink it in China. They’ve been drinking it for thousands of years; but recently, we have discovered that tea actually can help you lose weight.

BrandStar Entertainment ®:  When I go to the market, there are just so many teas to choose from. Which is the best one for you – you know – that consistently help you lose weight and burn fat?

Julia Lundstrom: Actually, there are only three real types of tea. Most people don’t know this. All the other teas that you see out there are herbs or they’re a spin-off of these three types of teas. You have your black teas, your green teas and what most people have never heard of in this country – “Oolong” or “Wu-long” tea. Wu-long is the tea that is specific for weight loss.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: We hear a lot of the health benefits when it comes to green tea. Wu-long: Is it better for burning fat and losing inches?

Julia Lundstrom: It absolutely is. Because we only have three main types of tea, they all come from one tea leaf. That one tea leaf is fermented in different ways. You have black tea, which is fully fermented. The second, green tea, is non-fermented. Oolong is a semi-fermented tea. That fermentation process brings out a couple different compounds that help raise your metabolism and help you lose weight.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: A lot of my friends tell me I have problems with my metabolism – that I can’t get it going.

Julia Lundstrom: That’s what Oolong tea does. It raises your metabolism, up to 12 percent higher in twenty four hours. Think how many calories you’ll burn, raising your metabolism that much.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: A lot of women suffer from “Yo-Yo dieting”. They lose weight and then they gain some back. They keep going up and down that roller coaster. Does Wu-long help stop that ride?

Julia Lundstrom: There is no such thing as a magic pill; we don’t claim that this is a magic pill. What we do encourage people is that this is a great addition to any diet and exercise program. If you’re on a program where you’re going to lose a few pounds, this will help accelerate that loss. Don’t forget, it did take a long time to put those pounds on. It will take a long time to take them off. This is such a great benefit, not only for the weight loss, but for a variety of antioxidant effects. Wu-long helps your skin look better as well as strengthening your teeth.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: While we continue to talk, I’m going to pour us both a cup of tea, since you brought the tea bags with you. Is there a time that you suggest our viewers for having the tea? Is it better to having in the morning or at night?

Julia Lundstrom: The English drink tea in the afternoons, but we suggest taking the tea fifteen minutes before breakfast and lunch. What that will do is help satiate your appetite. It will fill you up and boost your metabolism at the same time. By the time you actually eat, that food is going to go through your system faster.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: You know, everyone in this country drinks coffee. Does coffee actually speed up your metabolism?

Julia Lundstrom: Absolutely. Caffeine will speed up your metabolism, but the problem with caffeine is you get that instant jolt and soon after, you crash. Like I said, only one cup of Oolong can actually boost your metabolism all the way through a twenty-four hour period of time. If you think about it: who really drinks just a black cup of coffee? Do you put sugar in your coffee?

BrandStar Entertainment ®: You have no idea! I put cream, sugar and everything else in my coffee.

Julia Lundstrom: Exactly. So, some of those coffee drinks can contain up to six hundred calories. That should be a third of your calorie intake in a day. So, we encourage and challenge viewers at home to take a look at their coffee intake.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: What do you suggest doing, instead?

Julia Lundstrom: We encourage everyone to swap out their coffee for our Oolong tea for at least thirty days. If you accept the challenge, tell us how you feel and how much weight you’ve lost. We want you to really get on board with this because we are going to give twenty percent off to everyone who orders today.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: Did you hear that? Viewers at home can use the promo code provided and save twenty percent off of the entire order. And if you’re not a tea drinker and are not crazy about tea, in general, Julia has great little capsules that’ll do the same thing. Can you tell our viewers about it?

Julia Lundstrom: Sure. We have taken our tea and created a concentrated capsule form. There are no additives; nothing but tea. You will actually get almost four hundred percent more of the compound to lose weight. It’s a very convenience way to get your dose of Oolong. If you don’t like tea or you are on the go, the capsules are a great alternative to have on hand.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: I would love to try them as well. Can I?

Julia Lundstrom: Absolutely.

BrandStar Entertainment ®: We appreciate it, Julia. If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of Wu-Long Tea for better health, including slimming down and shaping up, visit wulongforlife.com.

BrandStar Entertainment ® produces shows that offer a fresh approach to current topics and give a new spin on morning television. BrandStar Entertainment ® is the first production company to earn the WomenCertified® Seal. If you would like to learn more about BrandStar Entertainment ®, visit brandstartv.com.

 

Filed Under: Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

JustFab Answers Your Questions

March 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
JustFab

JustFab

Lifestyle fashion brand and online styling service JustFab understands its members. We know that you want a fun, personalized shopping experience that offers the latest from celebrity style icons, runway looks and designer must-haves. Realizing that it’s difficult to always get away to shop, spend time comparing prices, or stay up on the latest trends, the CEOs behind the brand began to see a need. Don Ressler and Adam Goldenberg wanted to offer professional fashion advice and styling tips too. With that, they created JustFab.

Q: Who are the masterminds behind JustFab?

JustFab: Entrepreneurial team Don Ressler and Adam Goldenberg are the creators of the online retail subscription boutique JustFab. Their goal is to provide the highest quality product at the best price, all while creating a fun new way to shop!

Q: Why should I become a member of JustFab?

JustFab: The stylists at JustFab help you create a personal fashion profile and give members access to style boards that feature models with complete looks. Each month, members see shoes, handbags, and accessories perfectly matched to them. Consultants show you how to wear each item in our collection, and if you don’t see anything you like you may request more selections or skip a month.

Q: How many JustFab members are there? Are you a large company?

JustFab: JustFab is currently over 10 million members strong and growing! We saw $100 million-plus in sales in 2012.

Q: The JustFab.com website mentions a TV show starring Kimora Lee Simmons. What’s it about?

JustFab: Kimora: House of Fab is a docu-series that follows the day-to-day adventures of our President and Creative Director Kimora Lee Simmons and the JustFab team. Whereas most reality shows focus on a celebrity’s personal life, this show lets viewers hang out behind the scenes in JustFab’s fast-paced offices.

Q: I hear JustFab customers hold viewing parties while they watch the show?

JustFab: Yes! Members are gathering together, then tuning into the Style Network on Wednesday nights at 9/8 central. Viewers can chat with the JustFab staff on Twitter using #HouseofFab or join in the fun on Facebook. Sometimes JustFab offers contests to win free merchandise!

Q: How can members get in touch with Kimora Lee Simmons and the other cast members?

JustFab: Viewers of the TV show can follow Kimora Lee Simmons and the cast members by following their blogs at StyleNetwork.com.

 

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“I really love having the opportunity to shop for high quality items at such great prices! Thanks JustFab!” – Kailyn, JustFab VIP Member

“I love JustFab.com! They have the best shoes for an awesome price and they are all the same price. This makes buying and picking the right shoe so easy that I can’t believe it! I have bought boots, heels and jeans from JustFab and am very satisfied with everything! Thank you for making me look cute every day!” Becky, JustFab VIP Member

 

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: , ,

Report on Americans and Poor Health

March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s been in the news for some time now that Americans’ state of health has been declining in recent decades, to the point where it’s now referred to by many as a national health crisis. In fact, the United States now ranks 17th in 32 developed nations, with a life expectancy of 75 (Japan tops the list at 79.1 years). What are the factors leading up to this disturbing news? How did we get into this predicament?

Obesity still remains a real problem. Take a trip to the mall or the store, and you’ll most likely see more really big people than you did ten years ago. Why is that? It ties in to lifestyle and lack of exercise, of course. When people drive to work, get out and walk into the office, get back in the car and get fast food for lunch, then drive home again and stay sedentary until time for bed, they’re going to put on weight. But there’s more to it than just a sedentary lifestyle.

Corn and flour are cheap, and foods that are heavy in refined flour or corn products tend to be cheap…and the carbohydrates in those foods aren’t easily processed, so the body tends to convert them to fat. There’s a direct correlation between cheap processed foods and the number of obese poor people in America – and the low cost of corn, high fructose corn syrup and flour all ties in to agricultural subsidies that help keep those prices depressed. Obesity, of course, is a major contributor to orthopedic problems, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer and numerous other ailments.

Some trends have started to turn in the other direction. Fewer people smoke, more people are getting at least some exercise, fewer people drink heavily, and more people are starting to become engaged and conscious of their own health. More Americans are getting tested for HIV, and more are staying current on their vaccines (including seasonal flu shots). 48.4% report regular aerobic exercise, the highest number ever recorded. Still, many adults avoid seeking health care due to the cost and their lack of insurance, and trends still seem to point to poor dietary choices as one of the biggest obstacles to good health in Americans. Hopefully as behaviors improve, America can turn the corner soon.

 

Filed Under: Health and Beauty
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