BATH SALTS

• 1 cup rock salt to sea salt
• 1 cup Epsom salt (buy by the pharmacy section of your store)
• Food coloring (a few drops will do)
• 20 drops of fragrance

Mix together. Use 1/4 cup in bath and enjoy!

5 Surefire Ways To Cheer Yourself Up

In this busy life, we often have days that are not so great. There are times when our mood is not only in us, it shows on us. At those times, the "real" you seems to be on a hiatus. If you feel that way, then its time that you took matters into your own hands. You need to cheer up! That's right, you need to cheer YOURSELF up!

It is possible to feel uplifted and inspired again. Here are a few ways that you can be your own personal cheerleader:

1. Pick up a funny book or a magazine. Instead of going for the serious romance novel or that new autobiography, go for the silly or a book that makes light of daily life. Reading a book that doesn't have a lot of heaviness or deep meanings will help you to leave some of your own pressing thoughts off for a while. It will also help you to see things in a different perspective. You will need that to start feeling better.
2. Spend some time working on your outer self. Visit the salon and get a manicure in a funky color, try a sparkly lip gloss, or buy a flittering silk scarf that gives you can play with through the day trying out the different ways that you can wear it.
3. Put together a pick me up basket for yourself. Add in your favorites and save it for a day when you need a little spark.
4. Go on a personal adventure. Take a different route or even take a ride to another town with a shopping district. Make sure to have directions home though.
5. Get some rest. When you rest your mind, you can get the peace that you need to feel better.

So, try one or all of these great ideas to get you on the road to feeling great. That will make for a healthier, more fun you, which will make you want to be more cheerful everyday. Go ahead and enjoy the new, happy you!

The Need For Speed: 5 Ways To Increase Your Metabolism

At some point, we may all feel the tugging of age on our coat tails. We may not get that “I can run a mile a minute” feeling when we wake up. Our bodies may actually start to tell us things that we simply do not want to hear or see. That’s when there is a need for speed…speeding up your metabolism that is.

There are many benefits associated with increasing your metabolism to an optimal level. First off, you will feel better as you will have more energy. You may also start to lose weight because your body will be able to burn more calories faster. Plus, you will look better because the fat in your body will start to be replaced with lean muscle. So, it may feel almost imperative for you to do something to make your metabolism work faster for you.

You can increase your metabolic rates by…

1. Increasing your protein intake. Your body burns off about 25% of the calories that you take in by eating a diet rich of low fat and lean protein. Lean cuts of meat and dairy products are great protein boosters.
2. Drinking green tea. The properties in green tea are known for speeding up the body’s metabolic rate. Make green tea a part of your daily fluids by using it to replace some of the higher caloric drinks.
3. Doing something. Get busy with some type of exercise activity. Weight training alone will not do the job. You need to do something aerobic like riding a bike or walking, as well as weight and strength training. The two are a perfect combination for making your metabolism faster.
4. Using mustard. Weird, but true, adding mustard to your diet does increase your metabolism. Mustard is a great replacement for more fatty foods and it has many healthful properties that can make it a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.
5. Eating! Say farewell to those big bulky meals. You can rejuvenate your metabolism by eating several small, healthy meals through the day. This can increase the rate that the body burns off calories. The traditional three “square” meals a day is a thing of the past. Learn how to eat lighter and with more nutritional savvy.

Speeding up your metabolism will make you feel and look great! So, eat, drink, and get busy!

5 Ways to Sneak In a Workday Workout

With each passing year, comes new physical challenges for a woman. Your body is ever-changing and, for many, with your metabolism slowing down with age, you may start to feel sluggish and a bit uncomfortable with yourself. That’s when you know that you need to make some changes in your lifestyle, diet, and routine.

One way to face these things head on is to sneak in a few extra minutes of exercise, and what better place to steal those moments than on the job. If you work in an office, you could be in a perfect position to grab some valuable workout time while being even more productive in your occupation. Here are a few ways to get the workout in at work:

1. Park farther away. This is a classic way of adding more aerobic exercise in that it will require you to do more walking to and from.
2. Practice leg lifts. If you sit for a large portion of your day, you could actually get in a great leg workout right at your desk. Simply place both feet securely on the floor. Slowly lift each one leg up until it is parallel with the floor. Hold it, then lower it slowly. Then, repeat this movement with the other leg. Overtime, you will be able to increase the number of repetitions that you are able to do.
3. Stretch! Whether you sit or stand, you can take time to stretch your arms. Lift one arm up over your head, bend the arm reaching for your back, hold, and release. Repeat on the other arm. This will allow you get better circulation going in these areas.
4. Lift Something! Arm Curls are a great addition to a workday workout. You can add arm curls into your office workout by using something as basic as a stapler or paperweight. Only use items that can comfortably fit into the palm of your hand and that will be able to be balanced when executing the arm curl movements. All that you have to do is grab the object and bend your hand in toward your shoulder. Repeat on both arms and increase repetitions as you become more comfortable with doing the exercise. This will strengthen your arms and help with shaping them.
5. Take the stairs. Arrive to work a little earlier than normal and take the stairs. This is a perfect aerobic exercise that will also work your leg muscles.

Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Adding a little bit of exercise into each facet of your life can make you feel and look better. So, go ahead and “work”out!

15 Extra Minutes for Yourself Works Magic

We can all use a little more time in our day. The older that we get, the more responsibilities that we seem to inherit, making our personal time a virtual hostage to the rigors of our daily lives. Traditionally, women have worn many hats, such as the mom hat, the wife hat, the daughter hat, and the all encompassing “maid hat”. Most moms have alternated between that and the “magic hat”, which is the hat that we wear when we pick up after the others in our households, but for some reason, they think that things just became clean “magically”.

If any of this sounds like your life, then you are a candidate for the 15-minute day addition. Whether mother, daughter, or wife, you will appreciate the difference that having an additional 15 minutes of “me time” will make in your daily life. Try these tips for squeezing out an additional 15 minutes from your day just for you.

1. Put the kids to bed 15 minutes earlier. This will not only be good for you, the additional sleep can really benefit them and make your morning routine a bit easier because the kids will feel more well rested.
2. Make your dinner in advance for a couple of days at a time. This will reduce the prep time that daily meals usually require.
3. Don’t socialize so much at work While we would never tell you not to be amiable and professional, the fact remains that by eliminating so much “water cooler talk”, you could be more productive in your job. This could mean less work to take home just by knowing when to cut off the conversation.
4. Always have your clothes prepared the night before. This gives you a few more minutes to sleep or relax before heading out and you will not feel so rushed.
5. Multitask By doubling up or adding one extra choir to your routine a few days a week. This will free up time when you need it most.
6. Just say, “NO”. Set limits on your time for extra and/or unnecessary activities. While some may not be extremely pleased with you at first, they will appreciate you much better when you make the decision to participate later.

Even though, as a woman, you have many roles that you play in life, the reality is that you are only one person. Do your best not to take yourself for granted. You deserve a respite from time to time. Though it’s only 15 minutes, that time that you take to relax, unwind, and clear your mind can feel like an eternity.

High End Style on a Shoe String Budget

Women love nice things. Whether it's shoes or the latest hand bag, we want stylish clothing and accessories that make us look and feel great. However, we don't always want to pay an arm-and-a-leg for them. With so many financial obligations that we carry in our lives, as well as our familial responsibilities and duties, we often let our own desire to be "up with it", to go by the wayside. Well, we can change that. There are ways to get those cool, fashion forward finds without breaking your family's piggy bank.

1. Shop the clearance section in the more upscale stores. Sometimes, there may be markdowns as high as 75% off the original retail price. So, a $100 blouse would only cost you $25.
2. Find closeout stores in your area, such as Ross, TJ MAXX or Marshall’s. These stores will have an abundance of designer brand items for a fraction of the suggested price. But, you should be sure to check the item for imperfections, as some of them have been discounted because they did not make the quality assurance cut during the manufacturing process.
3. Ask for a discount on less than perfect items. Retail store managers want to move their merchandise. If you find something that you like, but it has some type of flaw or defect, ask the manager if they will consider giving you a discount off of the ticketed price. It is not odd for some to take off up to 50%.
4. Shop the thrift and consignment stores. People are constantly changing and updating their wardrobes. What may be "out" for one person could be the height of fashion for another. The prices and the selection at stores that sell used clothing may surprise you. Today's upscale and trendy consignment shops are not the dusty mothball hole-in-the-wall stores from yesteryear. They actually have tons of cool stuff.
5. Use coupons. Don't be embarrassed to pull out a coupon for an item that you really can't live without. You will be tickle pink by the saving. Think of each coupon as dollars that someone is giving you for free. Why turn away free money?

You are on your way to a closet full of hip, contemporary, and funky clothes. So, shop wise. Look for the deal and grab them up quick. You'll be glad you did. Just think of all of those great things you will be able to buy with the pennies that you save!

Pamper Yourself On a Budget

If you are like many women, your needs often are last, or next to last on your list of priorities. Soccer practice, dinner with the in-laws, or that big work assignment will often take precedent over our own wants. Unfortunately, your life may not allow for extravagant day spas or mountainside retreats. Yet, you need to get a respite from time to time also. So, how can you get the rest and relaxation without the big expense? Here are a few tips for squeezing in some “me” time on a budget.

1. Take a bath using inexpensive bath salts and shower gels. (Watch our Bath Salts show segment to learn how to make your own) You can find beautiful scents at your local pharmacy or retailer that don’t cost a lot of money. If you want more expensive products without too much more cost, try your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Ross close out stores for great deals.
2. Eat a piece of exceptional chocolate. You may not be able to afford a whole box of Godiva chocolates, but if you have a Godiva store or chocoletier near you, you can buy just one piece for about a $1. It will definitely be worth every penny!
3. Soak your feet while you listen to your favorite music. The effect that a warm footbath has on the body is very therapeutic. While your feet rest in the warm sudsy water, you may feel a lot of tension leaving your body. The cost for this is nominal, simply use a little bubble bath and basin of warm water.
4. Give yourself a hand massage. This is often taken for granted. While it is better when someone massages you, you can actually have a calming experience by massaging your own hands. You will need to have a warm, moist towel or washcloth to relax them first. Then, using oil or lotion, massage them gently. You will be surprised how great this will feel.

All of these inexpensive little indulgences can help you to feel a lot better, both inside and out. The reality is that you always need to take some time for yourself, to regroup and refocus. So, retrain your mind. When you feel good, your family will feel good. You deserve as much attention as you give to everybody else! Pampering yourself will present a happier, better looking you, from head to toe!

Tips for Younger Looking Hands

Your hands say a lot about you. For some, they say that they have worked many manual jobs, as evidenced by their roughness, often appearing calloused and with stubby nails. For others, your hands are a “tell all” sign to your age. That’s right. Regardless of how beautifully young your face and neck appear, when people see your hands, they know more about you than you realize.

Hands are almost always exposed to the most harsh weather, sun, rain, wind, and snow. They are on the battlefield against the elements when you are taking time put up your umbrella or unlock your car door. Your hands are busy. Between the rigors of household chores and whatever they may face in your daily occupation, your hands are constantly being worked.

Some signs that your hands are aging are sun spots, veins that appear to “pop out”, and of course, wrinkly, dry skin. Try these tips to minimize the effects of aging on the hands:

• Use a hydrating moisturizer throughout the day. Some people make the mistake of using lotion only a few times a day. However, you constantly wash your hands when going to the bathroom. This can leave the skin dry. Make a habit of using lotion every time that you wash your hands to keep them moist through the day.
• Rubber or plastic gloves are a god send. Use them whenever you are cleaning or your hands have to be submerged. This will protect them from harsh solvents that can increase dryness and aging.
• Make sure to use sun block on your hands. This is the first defense against the sun’s rays. This can dramatically reduce the exposure of your skin to the harmful ultraviolet rays that can also cause skin cancer. Using sunscreen is a definite must.
• Try some of the more medicinal methods such as microdermabrasion or at home hand rejuvenating kits. These methods are a bit more costly, but the results may be significant.

However you decide to fight the battle of the aging hands, you will find solace in knowing that you are doing something to make you feel better about yourself. That’s definitely worth taking matters into your own hands.