D The Sunshine Vitamin Basking In Good Headlines

We know some people who pop tons of vitamins, and others who don't take a single supplement. But getting your "D" on, could be a very smart thing for both women and men.

There's been plenty of good buzz about the sunshine vitamin, D, in the headlines for several months now. And lots of benefits, so we hear---keeps breast cancer away, boosts bone strength, protects against multiple sclerosis, and even wards off the flu.

The best place to receive your dosage of vitamin D, is to soak up the sun's rays. But the experts say that most of us are still sun-deprived, especially in the fall through winter months. In addition, many of us are afraid of too much sun these days, because of possibly developing skin cancer.

And did you know that just by applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 8, alone, is enough to scare away vitamin D's production. And if you slap on an SPF of 50, the vitamin's production is stopped entirely.


So how do you get your "D" on, then?!

You can try eating D-rich foods, like salmon, tuna, sardines, eggs, cereal, and milk.

But doctors say that still doesn't give you enough of the D. You should also take a supplement.

As of this writing, doctors recommend a safe level---between 1,000 and 2,000 I.U.'s of D3 a day, for adults.

Foot Docs Say These UGGS Aren't Made For Walking

UGGS.
Just about everyone we know walks around in a pair. But considering the weather is warming up, isn't it time to take off the UGGS boots already?

Some foot doctors are warning women to stay away from UGGS altogether, or to limit their time in them.

Let's be honest. We know women who love wearing their UGGS all year round. These boots are so-oooo comfy. Even the knock-off pairs.

But podiatrists like Edward Chairman of Philadelphia, says these UGGS aren't made for walking all the time. Apparently, the boots are not good for the arches of your feet. That's what the foot doc told http://www.nbclosangeles.com/.

"After a few hours, they start feeling tired, their feet are tired, they're aching and they don't know why. The reason it's aching is because there is zero support in the arch area," says Dr. Chairman.

UGGS Australia finds the report a bit ridiculous and stated, that the company has been in business for some 30 years now, and has never once received a complaint about arch support or comfort.

So what's an UGGS lover to do??

"I think they're wonderful. You should wear them, but wear orthotics in them," Dr. Chairman says.

You can buy a pair of orthotics at your local drugstore. These are actually shoe inserts that help align the foot the proper way.

Or you can just ignore the podiatric buzz, and keep on walking around in your oh-so-comfy UGGS.

New NeoStrata PDS Cream Like Pedicure In A Jar

Tired of walking around with your Hobbit feet?

The cold, dry winter air has left us for spring, and now our sorry feet are paying the price.

If you recall the great writing of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, then you remember the feet of these kind-hearted creatures:

"(Hobbits)wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leather soles and grow thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads” (The Hobbit pg. 12).

The smart skin care folks at NeoStrata have developed a very effective cream to soften all your tough, dry skin areas: heels, elbows, and knees.

Let's get rid of Hobbit feet!

NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream ($30, 3.4 oz). It only takes about 3 weeks to smooth away the thick, leathery heels many people develop. The formula contains 20% Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Pro-Vitamin E , and Maltobionic Acid.

Say good-bye to scaling and flaking, and very rough, thickened skin.

NeoStrata PDS Cream is like a pedicure in a jar. And we trust the NeoStrata name. The company is very well-respected, and the products are created by dermatologists.

The NeoStrata brand features a wide variety of skin care treatments containing the most advanced hydroxy acid technology. And yet the products work beautifully without the harsh stinging that generally comes with such formulations.

NeoStrata beauty products are available through physicians and through select online retailers. For more information, visit: http://www.neostrata.com/.

How To Get Fab First Lady Arms With Strength Training

Ladies, it can be done! You can get fab First Lady arms like Michelle Obama's.

If you are young and in your 20s or 30s, the toned triceps and biceps are much easier to achieve. But as we get older, well, you have to work much harder to get rid of the "dingle-dangle," as we like to call it.

Look at our First Lady, Michelle Obama. She's in her late 40s, and her well-toned arms have been a hot topic for weeks now.

So, how do you get fab First Lady arms???

With a healthy diet, of course, a little cardio, and most importantly, some religious strength-training.

Many women hit the gym, but are afraid to pick up the dumbbells. They're scared of developing massive football shoulders and huge arms. So women work out and work out on the elliptical machines, for instance, and then become frustrated because their arms lack definition.

You need some small weights. We like 3-5 lb. baby dumbbells. You can achieve some decent definition with free weights and a routine. You must keep up with a work out program, or you won't see the toned arms. And don't worry, you won't develop gigantic muscles.

First Lady Michelle Obama has said she exercises in 90-minute workouts three times a week with a personal trainer. She told People magazine that during an average day in the White House, she and the president get up at 5:30 a.m. and usually work out and have breakfast.

We found a great article at CNN's website about toning arms:

"It's unclear what kind of exercises Obama does to maintain her buff arms, but it appears to be both back and arm workouts, said Michele Vourliotis, author of "Amazing Arms: Get Toned Triceps, Beautiful Biceps, and Sexy Shoulders in Just Minutes a Day."
"She may be working out on machine, dumbbells, bands or using her body weight," Vourliotis said. Pick the option that seems most suitable to you, she advised.

For beginners, Vourliotis recommends getting a suitable set of dumbbells (five pounds or more) and doing 12 to 15 of each exercise -- bicep curls, tricep kickbacks to exercise the back of the arm, shoulder and lateral raises. Visit the American Council on Exercises library for detailed instructions on these arm exercises.

Read the CNN article here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/26/toning.obama.arms/

Canned Tuna Still Heathy Yummy Way To Lose Weight

Tuna fish in a can. It's really a dieter's dream.

You're getting a lot of good from a 5 oz. can of tuna packed in water:

Low in calories--only about 120, 4 oz.
Naturally high in protein
Naturally 98% fat free
Yummy, filling meal
Full of excellent Omega-3s
Healthy for your heart

And if you were hesitant about buying canned fish like tuna or salmon, worry no more. We did a little research and found the facts at www.ecollo.com. The website has made our job easy. Check out their results, and lose weight the healthy way:

"Here is a quick guide to some of the more common canned fish you’ll find in your local grocery store:

Tuna is considered a good source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and other important minerals and nutrients but because of increased mercury levels recommendations suggest less than 3 meals a month. White tuna packed in water holds the highest levels of Omega-3’s and Albacore tuna caught in the US and Canada are your Eco best because their catching techniques yield almost no bycatch. (other sea creatures)

Salmon is a much better choice over tuna if you like the taste. It’s got similar health benefits without the risks of other contaminants. Also, canned Pink or Sockeye salmon is caught in Alaska with environmentally friendly gear.

Mussels & Oysters. These beauties have tons of Omega-3 fatty acids and low contaminants plus they’re farmed using hanging ropes which doesn’t affect local habitats at all. If you’ve never had smoked oysters or mussels you’re missing out. Grab yourself some of your favorite crackers and cheese plus a little seafood sauce and you’ve got a great little appetizer. (Cracker, cheese, mussel or oyster, seafood sauce on top YUM)

That’s the basics but check out the Environmental Defense Fund’s site to see the ratings of any ocean fish you may be interested in. They include an Eco rating plus nutritional guide and recipes."

Schick Quattro And Your Shrinking Bush For $10.99

Okay. We are going to talk about your bikini line, ladies.

We didn't even want to go there, but the clever and dopey folks at Schick Quattro, have thrown the ball in our court, so here we go......

We were half asleep on the couch last night, barely watching a program on VH-1. Suddenly an ad came on, showing various women going through their day, and curiously, bushes and shrubbery around them, shrinking and shrinking.

So that's the commercial everyone's been buzzing about?! Duh!!! We get it. It's time to, er, Mow the lawn," as one of the Schick Quattro for Women ads have been coyly referring to.

If you're still in a hairy fog about this, let us explain further. The ads are supposed to be a smart way of telling women out there, that Shick Quattro has a special, new razor for trimming your pubic hair. Yeah. That's right. The advertising agency thought that 'shrinking bushes' might be a great clue, since it isn't easy talking about a woman's hair down there over the public airways.

Well, we're not sure about the ad and the analogies, but, the product has gotten lots of buzz, so from a marketing standpoint, the advertising company has surely done its job.

Let's take a look at Schick Quattro for Women Trim Style Razor & Bikini Trimmer. It sells for $10.99 at your local drugstore. In the package, you receive:

1 blade
1 battery
1 razor
1 holder

There are 3 adjustments you can make to the trimmer, depending on hair length desired in the bikini line area.

As one woman quipped, "If this razor comes with a vibrator, they'll be flying off store shelves!"

Hey, we didn't say it.

Wear Nude Neutral Makeup For Glam When Time Is Short

Let's be honest. Some women love makeup, but claim they don't have time to get glam. Time is short.

But there are quick ways to fake your makeup know-how when time is of the essence.

And beloved professional makeup artist Bobbi Brown shows you just what to do. And we're talking a stripped-down classic look. Think nude, neutral.

All you need is one beautiful lipstick. Yeah, that's it, ladies.

Bobbi Brown's makeup is featured in the April 2009 issue of Glamour magazine.

"This creamy, semi-matte lipstick gives lips instant polish with rich, full coverage. Wear Bobbi Brown Lip Color alone or pair with Lip Liner and Lip Gloss - depending on your desired effect.View Bobbi's Lips How-To Video. "

The shade Bobbi Brown suggests is Brown. Her particular brown is described as a "medium pink brown." A nude, or a neutral.

"One swipe makes you look done," Bobbi Brown explains. "I created this to look like your lips, only better."

Meantime, let us go one step further. And this is still being very minimal in the makeup department.

Nude nail polishes are very hot this spring. You don't need to sport long talons, either. The upkeep is low-maintenance. Just keep your nails short and neat. And apply a pretty nude-colored cocoa. Your hands will look longer and slimmer. It's a classic, elegant look.

Here are a couple to try:

1. Creative Nail Design's (CND) Cocoa nail enamel ($6). This particular shade was hot on the catwalk of popular designers like Nina Ricci.

2. Essie's Eternal Optimist ($9 ). A sexy fleshy-toned creme nail shade. Another hot hue for the Spring of 2009.