Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Virtual Gastric Band Procedure is Here in the U.S!

No one likes to talk about weight loss – it’s such a depressing topic. When fad diets, pills, gyms and exercise machines fail, people often consider surgery as a last resort. Unitl now they had two just choices: gastric bypass or the more minimally invasive gastric band surgery.

But hope is on the horizon with a third choice –- the Virtual Gastric Band, via hypnosis. There is no surgery, no recovery time, no scarring, and no negative side effects like with real surgery. Following trials in England with 95% success rates, the new Virtual Gastric Band procedure is here in the U.S., and is being offered in Westchester County, NY for the very first time!


Consulting Hypnotist Sara Oppenheim-Somerville is introducing this amazing new program here and she’ll be offering her first group session at Le Petite Spa in January. Sara has undergone intensive training with Sheila Granger, who first developed the innovative, non-invasive program that received the endorsement of Britain’s National Health Service.


Using the power of hypnosis, background sounds of a hospital operating room, and the scents associated with a hospital, Sara virtually “shrinks” her client’s stomach to the size of a golf ball. The entire “procedure” is safe and painless, and the client experiences it all from a comfortable chair.


In simple terms, the client is hypnotized into believing that the Gastric Band surgery has been performed on him or her.

There are just four simple requirements that someone needs to qualify for this virtual procedure:

 One hour of your time, once a week, for four consecutive weeks

 Listening to a short CD once or twice a day, for 28 days

 Easy to follow rules

 A desire to achieve the shape and size that you never thought possible.

For more information on this program and the group session at Le Petite Spa, please contact Sara Oppenheim-Somerville at (914) 862-2354.



Monday, November 8, 2010

FLY RIGHT WITH WINGS OF NATURE!

Ok… story of my life… I’m forever trying to lose weight and always looking for snacks that are both healthy and delicious. So far, this has been no easy task. Sure, you can rely on standard healthy snacks like fruits and veggies, but sometimes you just want something else, and in my case, it’s usually not the healthiest choice.


Now, with Wings of Nature organic nutrition bars, there is hope on the horizon. I’ve tried a lot of so-called “nutrition bars” that are nothing more than candy bars in disguise, once you analyze the ingredients. But with just eight natural ingredients, Wings of Nature bars have no hidden, unpronounceable items.

They have no refined sugar and are gluten free, cholesterol free and trans fat free. They’re also low in sodium and use agave syrup and organic brown rice sweeteners . And all of the ingredients are grown without artificial pesticides or chemicals. Here’s the best part: they’re actually delicious and are available in three yummy flavors: Almond Raisin, Cranberry Crunch (my favorite) or Coffee Espresso.

Almond Raisin – The rich flavor of Almond and Raisin comes from the mixture of organic nuts, seeds and dried fruits.


Cranberry – The rich flavor of Cranberry Nut comes from the mixture of real organic coffee beans, nuts and raisins.


Espresso – The rich flavor of Espresso and Cocoa comes from the mixture of real organic coffee beans, nuts and raisins.


So, go ahead and enjoy a snack without feeling guilty! For more information, visit http://www.freshharvestproducts.com/.



Thursday, August 26, 2010

Here, Here for Organic Beer!



For those of you who love a cold, refreshing brew but want to maintain your organic lifestyle, Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew is here!

The #1 selling organic beer in Britain, Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew features all organic ingredients including malt, hops and honey imported from Argentina.

In fact, the Nutrition Business Journal reports sales of organic beers are becoming more and more popular here in the U.S., rising some 21% in 2008.

You can quench your thirst with Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew in Britain’s traditional 16.9 oz pint bottles, or on draught in selected locations.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Why Go Organic?

I guess I really should have posted this blog earlier, but at any rate, it's better late than never.

So, what's the deal with organic products? Very simply, organic farmers grow fruits and vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals raised on organic feed with no antibiotics, growth hormones or animal byproducts. These animals also have access to fresh air and exercise.

So, who calls the shots on what is labeled organic? The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the National Organic Program, which regulates how these foods are grown, handled and processed. There are some smaller farms that practice organic farming but don't go through the government certification process because of the expense.

Many times, organic fruits and vegetables may look less "perfect" and even smaller than their regular grocery-store counterparts because there are no additives or preservatives.

According to the Environmental Working Group, produce with the highest amount of pesticides are apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears and strawberries.

Produce with the lowest amounts of pesticides include asparagus, avacado, broccoli, cabbage, corn, eggplant, kiwi, mango, onion, papaya, peas, pineapple, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and watermelon.

Hopefully, this simple explanation will help you to make healthier decisions on buying foods.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Chocoholics - Now There's a Healthy Way to Indulge!


I fully admit --I am a chocoholic! So, when I heard about “Wei of Chocolate” offering yummy morsels that are just 30 calories a piece, and 2 grams of carbs, I just had to share!

Based in Phoenix, “Wei of Chocolate,” creates organic, vegan, fair trade-certified dark chocolates that are “chock full” of organic herbs, spices and flower essences that balance the body and mind. “Wei” refers to the Chinese character “wei” (pronounced “way”) meaning transformative action.

After traveling the world and learning several methods of meditation,”Wei of Chocolate” CEO and chocolatier Lisa Reinhardt says she’s discovered that chocolate is the perfect vehicle to introduce meditation! Hey, count me in for that!

Lisa says when people taste the “Wei,” they “drop all extraneous thought and find themselves nowhere else but fully in the present moment.”

Finally, there’s a guilt-free “way” of indulging in delicacies and getting health benefits as well. Cacao is known for its amazing anti-inflammatory properties and is also credited for being a heart-healthy snack by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

“Wei of Chocolate” comes in five delicious flavors:

Daily Gratitude Organic dark chocolate, 65% dark chocolate flavored with chai spices like cardamom, cloves and cinnamon.

Daily Love Organic dark chocolate, 74% cacao dark chocolate with a chili finish that’s perfect as a natural afternoon pick-me-up.

Café Wei dark chocolate, 68% cacao dark chocolate with Italian espresso.

Pure Joy dark chocolate, 70% dark chocolate with organic essential oils that awaken clarity and wisdom.

Wei Dark. 70% cacao dark chocolate with a special blend of 21 Lotus essences to bring more joy, peace and balance.

Check them out at wei@weiofchocolate.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Clothes Swapping – Saves $$$ and the Planet!


Being an only child, I never had the chance to swap clothes with an older sister, but now, thanks to Bigwardrobe.com, I’ll get that chance! The British website Bigwardrobe.com, the world’s largest closet and No. 1 clothes swapping website, has recently launched in North America with a U.S. office.

Just log on and take your pick of a huge mix of labels, like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Miss Sixty, and so much more. Now, you can look like a million bucks without even spending a dime!

Just add your items to Bigwardrobe.com, and you’ll start getting offers from other members to swap unwanted clothes, bags, shoes and accessories for others. Or you can sell the items or use a combination of the two.

The average US consumer is said to have about $300 worth of unused clothing sitting in his or her wardrobe.

Created just two years ago, Bigwardrobe.com now has some 35,000 members more than 80,000 listed items, and 300 swap offers a day!

Here’s how it works: You can join for free with limits, or you can pay just $18 for an annual subscription and take advantage of all the extra features. And it’s not just for women – men and kids can also find a new home for their unwanted clothing.
And of course, by recycling your clothes, shoes, accessories, you can do your part in helping safeguard the environment.

Happy shopping!

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Lo-Fat, Lo-Carb Sandwich Solution



I don’t know about you, but I just get so tired of doing the salad thing for lunch every day. After a while, I start craving a nice, big juicy sandwich, but then I worry about all those carbs.

While, now I’m in luck because Tumaro’s has come up with a yummy line of tortilla wraps that have zero trans fats, no cholesterol, low carbs, low sodium and are 94 % fat free! These babies are made from whole wheat flower and offer a huge selection of flavors like multi-grain, green onion, garden vegetable, salsa and more – 18 in all!

Plus, did you know that Tumaro’s created the industry’s first flavored tortillas? Practically all of its products are made from 89% organic ingredients and some every carry the American Heart Association’s heart-check mark. And the price is right too – just $3.19 for a package of six in a re-sealable zip-lock bag. Not only will you save carbs and fat, but you’ll save some money as well!

Check their website at www.tumaros.com for some delicious recipes! Happy lunching!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Cooking in a Crappy Little Kitchen!


Now there are apparently no more excuses for not cooking -- even if your kitchen is miniscule and not so nice, i.e. "crappy."

Once of the newest cookbooks, "Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens" takes on the myths about gourmet cooking and demonstrates how to make fun and delicious meals despite the lack of counter space and high-tech, expensive appliances, and gadgets. "Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens" gives some practical hints and tips that help make the most of any "crappy little kitchen."

Hmmmm,, I'll have to come up with a much better excuse now!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

It's a Bike.. It's a Stroller.. What the Heck IS it?


Look... over there on the ground... it's a bike.. it's a stroller, it's...both??

Yep.. it's true. Taga takes carpooling to the next level. You and up to two kids can ride to town, and in under 20 seconds toggle from bike mode to stroller mode without leaving any parts behind. Going far? Taga easily folds so that you can take it on the bus or train. Talk about eco-friendly!

Check it out at www.tagabikes.com

Wednesday, May 19, 2010


What Makes Soy Candles Better?

Why go with soy than the traditional paraffin wax? For starters, take a look at the black smoke coming from a candle's flame, or the build up on a glass votive. Paraffin wax emits toxins that can be as toxic as outdoor pollution and second-hand smoke! Ugh! In fact, according to the Health House Project in conjunction with the American Lung Association, candles ranked among the most unrecognized causes of indoor air pollution.

Now there’s a healthier way of enjoying the ambience and aroma from candles. M. Carlesimo candles, based in Los Angeles, offers hand-poured candles that combine 100% all natural soy wax with yummy fragrances, like “Milk & Honey,” “White Sangria” and “Heaven.”

M. Carlesimo candles also use 100% organic cotton wicks that are both lead and zinc free. The package features frosted white recycled glass and a box that includes recycled paper and soy-based ink, all, made in the USA.

So, all you have to do is just light them up, sit back and relax without the worry! More info at www.mcarlesimo.com.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Re-Usable Produce Bags are Here!


Looking for a reusable bag for all those fruits & veggies from the local farmers market? ChicoBag, a company known for its reusable bags manufactured from recycled water bottles, is introducing the Produce Stand Collection, a new line of reusable bags made to hold fruits, vegetables, grains and bulk foods. This first-of-its-kind reusable produce bag set is manufactured with hemp and recycled content and is designed to prolong the life of fruits and vegetables.

The new Produce Stand Collection from ChicoBag includes three reusable bags designed to optimize freshness. The Hemp-Cotton blend bag keeps leafy greens, grains and green beans fresh. The Mesh rePETe works well with apples, oranges and potatoes and the rePETe keeps squash, broccoli and carrots looking their best.

All of the bags stuff down into a small apple pouch so they can be easily tossed into a purse or glove box or clipped onto anything.

Check them out at: www.chicobag.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

Welcome, Farmer Jane!


Move over Farmer John.. here comes Farmer Jane!

Farmer Jane, a new book by Temra Costa, profiles 30 women thriving in the sustainable food industry, describing their agriculture and business models and illustrating the amazing changes they are making in how we connect with food.

This book celebrates all women, from the first lady, to mother's making meals, who vote for sustainability every time they shop, eat, farm, and advocate change.

It may even inspire you to do the same! Check out all the details at www.farmerjane.org.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A "B & B" That Means Bus and Breakfast!


For those of you who love to travel by bus, how about actually staying in one overnight?

Well, travelers to Israel may now stay in one of the most distinctive and "green-friendly" guestrooms in the world, the individually crafted "zimmerbus." Unbelievable but true, they're constructed from retired buses!

Zimmerbusses are located in the little village of Ezuz, situated on a hilltop, overlooking the beautiful open desert spaces of the Negev. Zimmerbusses are covered with adobe and feature palm-leaf roofing, providing environmentally-friendly housing accommodations to tourists in Israel. Inside, they're completely refurbished and look as cozy as any B & B.

So what are you waiting for? All aboard that magic bus!
http://www.exodia.co.il/

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Kudos to Better World Books!

Congratulations to Better World Books, an online book retailer that recently won the WasteWise Gold Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Better World Books collects and sells new and used books online, then donates a portion of each sale to help literacy initiatives worldwide. Books that cannot be re-sold or re-used are recycled. To date, the company has successfully diverted more than 32 million books from landfills! In the process, it has also raised $7.6 million in funding for literacy and education initiatives worldwide through the sale of those books.

Every book purchased on BetterWorldBooks.com funds a global literacy through its non-profit literacy partners, including the National Center for Family Literacy, Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, and Invisible Children. The company benefits nearly 100 additional non-profit organizations every year.

Way to go, Better World Books!

Monday, April 26, 2010

The First 100% Recyclable Wiper Blade Makes it Debut!

According to www.Earth-policy.org, some 14 million cars were scrapped last year, leaving some 28 million rubber wiper blades bound for a landfill somewhere. Until now, there was no choice about what to do with them, but thanks to Jamak Fabrication, we now have the Tripledge GREEN Wiper Blade - the first ever 100% fully recyclable wiper blade.

Jamark bills the new blade as a high-quality, durable, silicone blade produced so that all components can be recycled. By creating a unique technology that can re-polymerize the silicone blade 100% back into a raw polymer product, Jamark is helping to reduce the trash.

Plus, the Tripledge GREEN Wiper Blade's packaging is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. You can recycle their packaging and the metal frame from their wiper blades in your own at-home recycling bins. The silicone can then be returned to Jamak to be reclaimed and made into new automotive parts.

The Tripledge GREEN Blade is designed to last the lifetime of your car and even longer, and comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

For more information on the Tripledge GREEN Blade and other Jamak wiper blade products, please visit www.TheWiperStore.com

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day!



Here’s a quick look at some “Earth Day” happenings:

GoodShop.com, offering everything from groceries to school supplies offers shoppers the opportunity (without spending anything extra) to donate money to the “green” nonprofit of their choice! GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall that donates up to 30% of every purchase at more than 1,400 outlets.

Plus, the site lists hundreds of coupons and deals including free shipping offers, percentages off, buy-one-get-one deals, and money back on future orders.

Meanwhile, LIV GRN,(www.livgrn.com) is introducing a new, eco-friendly clothing line, merging style and comfort with earth sustaining materials (see above). The looks are carefree, with an edge of sophistication. LIV GRN also donates 10% of its profits to GLOBAL GREEN, (www.globalgreen.org).

Want to save some trees? Check out www.cocodot.com for the hottest new eco-chic entertaining solutions. Cocodot lets you save time, money and energy without comprising style. Choose from a gallery of over 6,000 exclusive images shot by famed fashion and lifestyle photographer Amy Neunsinger. Cocodot’s invites may even inspire you to host your next dinner party.!

In honor of Earth Day, you can create a FREE Cocodot invitation by entering cocoEarth2010 at checkout, now through May 15th . Your free party invite can be created, personalized and delivered to an unlimited amount of guests within minutes.

And speaking of FREE, if you happen to be in New York City today, Burt’s Bees will be giving out natural smoothies at Central Park, from 9 to 11 am, and at a “Bike Blender” station in Times Square from 11:30 am to 2 pm today. You’ll see Burt look-alikes taking to the streets, handing out samples and urging people to be as eco-friendly as Burt.

Burt’s Bees has been offering earth-friendly, natural personal care products for 25 years. For more information, visit www.findyourburt.com.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Can't Find My Drink!


Don’t you just hate it when you’re at an event and are constantly picking up the wrong drink? I usually spend the rest of the time worrying about what germs I’ve picked up when I picked up someone else’s glass!

We’ve all seen those little wine glass markers that fit around the bottom of the glass – but what if you’re not drinking wine? Enter Drinkmarx, a new customizable drink marker for identifying your bottle, cup or can. They can easily transfer from one size drink to another, reducing the waste and spread of germs.

Drinkmarx are available in an array of colors and styles, so you can quickly ID your beverage, and be sure you’re not quaffing down something that doesn’t belong to you!

The cost is $9.95 for a package of 4 Drinkmarx: espresso, green, pink and blue, plus 120 decals to personalize.

Drinkmarx is also contributing a portion of all its net proceeds to fight hunger nationally/internationally through World Vision in addition to helping provide clean water through Tap Project.

For more information, visit www.DrinkMarx.com.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010


Organic Wine, Anyone?

We have organic fruits, vegetables, skin care products, hair care and everything in between, so why not organic wines? Congrats to HALL Wines, the Sonoma County, California vineyard and winery, for receiving an Organic Certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), one of the nation’s oldest and largest organic certification and trade associations in North America. This comes on the heels of HALL St. Helena’s Gold LEED® Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council in July 2009.

HALL Wines uses no chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Instead, it creates a habitat for natural predators, and plants cover crops to help build healthy matter in the soil. The HALL Team also spends a huge amount of time in the vineyards, monitoring water stress, vine health, vine balance and grape maturity to guarantee that the grapes are nurtured to reach their highest potential.

And if you think it’s easy to earn an organic farming certification process – think again. It can take up to three years! Each of HALL’s six estates located throughout Napa and Alexander Valleys follow the strict guidelines set forth by the CCOF. To date in 2010, 355 acres owned by HALL’s have been certified organic. The last of the estate vineyards, known as the Hardester Ranch with 145 planted acres, will receive its organic certification on August 18, 2010.

Kudos to Kathryn and Craig Hall, owners of HALL Wines, for making it their long-term mission to become a leader in earth-friendly California winegrowing. HALL St. Helena is the first Gold LEED® Certified Winery in the State of California, and maintains one acre of solar panels on its roof and uses 100% recycled water throughout its processes. All of HALL estate vineyards are enrolled in the Napa Green program, the wine industry’s most comprehensive “best practices” in land-use and wine production focusing on building environmentally sound, sustainable practices.

The CCOF, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies more than 2,160 organic operations in 34 states and three foreign countries and serves over 350 supporting members - consumers, suppliers, businesses and individuals - interested in supporting its work.

For more on HALL wines, visit http://www.hallwines.com.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Call for Entries for The Earth Awards 2010

Have a great idea for more sustainable living? Well, the Earth Awards is inviting design submissions from all corners of the globe in six categories: Built Environment, Fashion, Products, Systems, Future and Social Justice. Ideas, great or small, realized or prototypes, will be considered but they have to distinguish themselves in six criteria: Achievable, Scalable, Measurable, Useful, Original and Ecological.

Put your thinking caps on because the grand prizewinner will receive $50,000 and category winners will get $10,000 each!

This year The Earth Awards’ Ceremony moves from New York City to London, where the Selection Committee will judge a shortlist of six finalists. This world-class exhibition will showcase the 2010 winning submissions, as well as past years winners. Along with the exhibition, the Financial Times will hold a Sustainable Business Conference and gala dinner inviting CEOs, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to match innovation with investment, fulfilling The Earth Awards’ commitment to bringing winning innovations closer to market.

For more info visit: www.theearthawards.org

Submission deadline - May 10th 2010

Selection Committee Review: May 17th – July 23rd 2010

Awards Gala in London: September 16th 2010

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Say Good Bye to More Plastics!


Are we slowly drowning in a sea of plastic? Some reports indicate that almost 90 percent of ocean debris is plastic!

Here’s some more frightening statistics -- Every year, there are almost 30 million tons of non-recycled plastics manufactured, requiring more than 1.5 million barrels of oil for production. Of this amount, less than 2 million tons of plastic are recovered for recycling. Add to that the fact that every hour, Americans throw away 2.7 million plastic bottles!

Rainbow Light® Nutritional Systems, based in Santa Cruz, California, is one company that isn’t taking this lightly. In fact, it recently converted its entire bottled vitamin line to sustainable EcoGuard™ bottles – a move that could keep an estimated 6million plastic vitamin bottles out of landfills every year! These new bottles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic, and are 100 percent recyclable.

Thanks, Rainbow Light for helping to rescue us from a plastic takeover! By the way, Rainbow Light multivitamins are the only certified organic multivitamins that are Allergen SafeGuard™ screened to be free of gluten, milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, nuts wheat and soy.

Rainbow Light® Nutritional Systems,is best known as the manufacturer of the No. 1 selling natural Just Once® multivitamin line, featuring Women’s One™, Men’s One™ and Prenatal One™. Last year, Rainbow Light expanded into the pet nutrition category with its new line of all-natural pet supplements, GreenDog Naturals™. Rainbow Light –making a difference for people, pets and planet.


For more info, visit

http://www.rainbowlight.com/CategoriesCompany.aspx?Category=370164b5-c16f-4856-996f-2ae9ea64162e.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

From Trash....To Treasure!


Who says playing around in the trash doesn’t pay? In fact, picking through the recycling bin could even land you a TV gig!

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April, PBS KIDS GO!'s Design Squad is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th at PBSKIDSGO.org/designsquad/contest.

Kids across the country aged 5 to 19 are being challenged to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series.

The rules are simple. The invention should fit within one of the three categories: move things or people (Mobility), protect the environment (Environmental), or be used for indoor or outdoor play (Play). The invention should be made of at least two repurposed materials (fabric, paper, plastic, small electronics, wheels, clamps, springs, batteries, hardware, wood, bike parts, string, rubber bands, cardboard, kitchen gadgets, etc.) Kids will be given online tools to sketch out their ideas or upload a photo. (They don't need to actually build their invention in order to enter.)

Last year's winner, Max Wallack, 13, invented the "Home Dome"--a temporary shelter for homeless people and disaster victims.

Produced by WGBH in Boston, Design Squad is a reality competition show launched in 2007 and aimed at kids and people of all ages who enjoy “how to” television. WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer--the single largest source of prime-time and children's programming for PBS and pbs.org, one of the most trafficked dot-org websites in the world.

Friday, March 26, 2010















Congratulations! You're the Proud Parent of an Olive Tree!

You may have heard of the benefits of olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is a natural juice that preserves the taste, aroma and vitamins of the olive. It’s chock full of antioxidants and various studies indicate it can protect again heart disease by controlling the LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels, while raising the HDL or “good” levels.

Now, the Texas Hill Country Olive Company is taking olive oil to the next level by letting customers adopt their own olive tree! Patrons who adopt an olive tree for a year can reap the rewards from their own tree -- like organically grown extra virgin olive oil, and the option to receive their olive oil bottles with custom labels. The company cultivates and mills olives, then bottles the olive oil on-site at their family run artisanal olive orchard. They also offer three specialty blends: Terra Verde, Master Miller’s Blend and Sola Stella.

In addition to the pure taste and healthy benefits, just think how impressed your family and friends will be when they see your name right there on the label!

Olives have been around for a very long time. They actually date back to 8,000 years ago when they were growing in Spain, and were commercially cultivated more than 5,000 years ago in Syria. From there olive farming spread across Greece, Rome, and the entire Mediterranean region.

Years later, Spanish missionaries introduced olives to the new world; planting trees in Mexico, California, and South America. Today Spain and Italy lead the world in olive production. The first successful olive tree plantings in Texas took place in the 1930's.

For more information on the Texas Hill Country Olive Company visit: www.texashillcountryoliveco.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Will Frozen Yogurt Replace the "Coffee Break?"


I have to admit, I'm a lover of frozen yogurt, specially since my stomach has become intolerent of ice cream. So, my fellow yogurt lovers, Yogen früz, the world’s leading frozen yogurt firm, has some exciting news about this low-fat, tasty and healthy alternative.

Tommorrow, Yogen Früz plans to launch its latest NÜmixes flavor, Chai Latté, at Yogen Früz stores across North America. Yogen Früz’s Chai Latté is blended with low-fat or non-fat frozen yogurt offering a healthy alternative to your everyday coffee-break.

Yogen Früz’s proprietary blending process allows customers the opportunity to choose from an array of fresh fruits to create a personalized frozen yogurt treat. In addition, Yogen Früz’s NÜmixes program offers a fun spin on original flavors including: Chocolate Almond, Key Lime Pie, Piña Colada, and introducing the newest flavor Chai Latté.

Yogen Früz is offered in low-fat, non-fat and no-sugar-added frozen yogurt, which can be custom blended with a large assortment of fresh fruit and/or sweet crunchy toppings in a cup or blended into a nutritious fat-free, ice-free dairy or non-dairy smoothie. Yogen Früz adds one billion viable probiotic cultures to each serving of healthy yogurt. Probiotics have been shown to help with healthy digestion, immune system support, better mineral absorption and assist with lactose intolerance.

More info is available at www.yogenfruz.com. Happy and healthy eating!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

What's the Big Deal About Green Tea?

Well, besides the fact that it's very tasty, green tea is full of powerful antioxidants, called catechins, that search for free radicals (aka renegade molecules) that can damage DNA.

Unlike black tea, green tea undergoes very little processing. Its leaves are dried and then steamed, not fermented. As a result, its catechins are more cencentrated. Green tea also has lower amounts of caffeine.

Green tea has been around for more than 4,000 years. The Chinese have been using it to treat everything from common headaches to more serious infections.

According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder cancer. They recommend drinking a cup of green tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. Just let it steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins, then enjoy!

Monday, February 15, 2010

A Blogging Novice

Well, now that I have Facebooked and Tweeted, I have decided to take the next technological step and begin blogging. While I have read many blogs on many different subjects, I'm still learning the ropes in creating my own blog, so please bear with me as I tackle this next challenge.

A quick background -- I have been a reporter and writer for the past 25 years (a dead giveaway that I'm quite far from a "20-something".) I have worked in corporate America, for various radio stations, newspapers, and with an advertising/public relations firm. I have lived in New York since the early 1980's, emigrating from the Philadelphia suburbs.

Four years ago, I had what some may call my "mid-life crisis." After dealing with the mad world of advertising for many years, I decided to make a huge career change and delve, head-first, into the spa business. In fact, it was a client of mine, the Cranwell Spa in Lenox, MA, that first provided me with the insight that working in a spa would enlighten my life.

So, following a year of decision-making, I left my comfortable full-time position as an account manager, and went back to school for the next six months to become an esthetician. Never along the way did I question my decision, and after successfully passing the New York State Board Examinations, I began work at a local spa.

It was after only a few months working as an esthetician that I finally began to question my decision. Well, it was more like, "What the Hell were you thinking -- you're making no money here!" Soon, I was back to work at my former job a few days a week, and "spa-ing" on the other days. At last, a workable solution -- the freelance writing work enabled me to pay my mortgage and eat, and the spa work was my comfort.

Over the next four years, I bounced around at various spas, but eventually found myself irritated at the way things were done. Why did they use that product line? Why weren't they advertising more? Why did I have to do waxing? (Which I discovered that I absolutely HATE!)

I did finally discover a wonderful destination spa, where I liked the products and did not have to do any waxing. My trade-off was that I like doing body treatments -- scrubs, wraps and the vichy shower. Many estheticians didn't like that, so I was off the hook for waxing as long as I didn't' mind getting soaked in the vichy shower room.

All the while, though, I yearned to start my own little spa ... I had even chosen the name.. Le Petite Spa. Last summer, with the economy sagging, I got my wish. The spa where I had been working closed and its owner moved to Arizona. Now was my chance,and so I took it and Le Petite Spa was born!

My initial thought was to offer organic products that had a wonderful aroma, but not too overpowering, and that were not ridiculously expensive. After going though tons of product line samples I received at the Spa Show in New York City last year, I chose the Yum organic skin care. Yum has an amazing line of products for all skin types and customers love it.

With advice from the New York School of Esthetics, I purchased equipment and supplies to start my little, petite spa. I'm sharing office spa with a cosmetic dental surgeon and while it's just one little room now, I'm hoping to have my own little storefront within the next few years.

Getting started in business has been a real eye-opener. While I relied on my advertising and public relations skills for brochures, ads, and promotions, I've found that there are so many things I had to and am still learning. To keep a positive cash flow, I'm continuing to work as a writer.

Well, that's enough about my history. Going forward, we'll discuss lots of exciting things that are happening in the organic world. Thanks for listening!


Mary