Even Coke Introducing Mini Cans To Join 100 Calorie Snack World

Have you noticed we've become a 100 Calorie snack world? It seems like more and more food and drinks are pre-portioned or pre-measured to keep us all on the straight and narrow diet path.

And now Coke is introducing 90 Calorie Mini Cans. A regular can of Coca-Cola contains 140 Calories.

These petite 7.5 oz. Coke cans will appear on store shelves by March. First, the cans will be rolled out in New York City and Washington, D.C. this December. Coca-Cola will also offer these mini soda cans for Fanta Orange, Sprite, Cherry Coca-Cola, and Barq's Root Beer.

Critics would argue that dieters are still loading up on sugar, which has little to offer in the way of nutrition. And others would say this does little to battle obesity problems, by putting bad stuff into smaller portions. But we have to disagree. Downsizing a snack can satisfy a craving and not derail your diet plan.

We applaud soda giant Coke, and all the other clever snack makers like Kraft/Nabisco, who stock shelves with petite or mini '100-Calorie Packs' of Oreos, Chips-Ahoy, and Cheese Nips, etc.

When you get a snack attack, you want to satisfy it. And when the snack is pre-portioned or pre-measured, then you eat what's in the bag or drink what's in the can, and that's it. Your limit is set for you, and if you follow it, the 100 Calorie Packs or drinks are great for the diet watcher.We found this excellent advice from Webmd.com:

"If you focus on the calorie count, it can make it much easier to chose a snack and much easier to stick to your diet, and you can't stray too far if you only allow yourself that 100-calorie limit," says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

And for those of you who would like to make your own mini 100 Calorie snacks, we've found a cool kitchen gadget that accurately and swiftly counts up what's in your snack assortment. It's called the EatSmart Digital Nutrtion Scale: Digital Food and Nutrient Calculator ($74.95, http://www.eatsmartproducts.com/). We found one for $69.95 + Free Shipping at Amazon.com.

According to the EatSmart makers:

" The EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale analyzes the nutritional content of ANY food by portion size. The database stores the nutritional values for approximately 1,000 foods, which have been carefully selected to reflect fresh, whole foods Americans eat".

Keeping our waistlines in check, comes down to portion control. And we think the 100 Calorie snacks and the new 90 Calorie Mini Coke cans are a great skinny idea!

Buy New Pink Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer And Support BCRF

We definitely want one of these in pink, because 50 cents from the sale of each Pink Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer sold in October, will go to BCRF. The Breast Cancer Research Fund. Let's find a cure, everyone, and let's do it in our lifetime!

And you win, too. You get a beautiful smile after each time you brush your teeth, because the Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer by VIOlight, promises you a very clean mouth. So clean, this cute sanitizer is able to destroy 99.9% of germs it comes into contact with.

How, you ask? With its proven germicidal ultraviolet technology. And in these days of H1N1 spreading quickly, and doctors all reminding everyone to wash their hands, and so forth, keeping your toothbrush clean, becomes a priority. It just makes sense. Clean toothbrush=healthy mouth.

The new Pink Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer ($29.95) has dimensions of 5 x 3 x 10 inches. And the egg-shaped ZAPI stores and sanitizes a single toothbrush. It holds a manual toothbrush and electric heads, and is battery-operated. It's easy to use. Just place your toothbrush in the Zapi and let the revolutionary UV technology go to work. There is one button activation & auto shut-off in just 7 minutes.

You can buy a new Pink Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer at VIOlight.com. And at stores like Target and Walgreens.

Don't just leave your toothbrush sitting there in the sink or in a cup. Zap the germs with a new Pink Zapi and help zap out breast cancer.

Super Diet Pill Qnexa Could Get Approval By January

Hopefully, this time around. a super diet weight loss pill that works effectively and without serious side effects.

The pill is called Qnexa, and according to experts like Dr. Mitchel Roslin of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, "The results are impressive."

FDA approval could be coming by early 2010. So let's keep our fingers crossed for Qnexa, which is made by Vivus, Inc.

For many overweight or obese people, it's a daily struggle to eat properly, develop an exercise routine, and keep the weight off year after year. Most folks would choose a diet weight loss pill if given a choice. It's easy...you pop a pill, and hopefully, watch the lbs. disappear quickly.

What Qnexa appears to be very succesful at, is melting away weight steadily. According to researchers, taking Qnexa has resulted in an average weight loss of 30-37 lbs. over the course of a year. And here's another plus: Patients also reported lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The study involved some 3,750 overweight and obese people.

The only side effects that could develop were dry mouth, tingling in the fingers, constipation, and insomnia.

But what is very bizarre about Qnexa, are its ingredients. The diet weight loss pill is actually a combination of the obesity drug phentermine and the eplipsey drug topiramate. As you might recall, the Fen-Phen diet pill swept the nation in the early 1990's, but was soon taken off store shelves because of it dangerous side effects, like pulmonary hypertension and serious heart valve problems.

However, researchers have found, that a blending of phentermine and topiramate work safely and harmoniously together for weight loss.

We will be watching for the proposed debut of Qnexa. Plenty of questions still need to be answered,we are sure. But for the many obese people out there, the super diet weight loss pill would make life a whole lot easier when struggling to melt away the pounds.

Uncover More Beautiful Skin With Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

We first started experimenting with clay facial masks in our college days. Excessively oily skin and pimples were ruining our self-esteem.

We loved the super clean and tight feeling we would uncover, following the removal or rinsing off of the clay masks.

And now we want to talk about the cadillac of all clay masks, the uber in bentonite clay----Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay ($8.95, 1 lb).

This green clay is known around the globe for its superior deep pore cleansing. And even more impressive is Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay's extraction location: from Death Valley, California, where it is sun- dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees.

So, why should women and men apply a bentonite clay facial mask at least a couple of times a month?

It's simple. The ingredients contained in the clay carry a 'negative electron charge.'

Huh?

Let's look at how the folks at Aztec Secret explain their very popular product:

When a spectographic analysis is done on Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, almost every mineral found on Earth is present. Aztec Secret is volcanic Ash from when the Earth was formed It is the foam residue left as the planet cooled The foam residue formed a pure clay vein layered between white sand, near one of the lowest parts of planet Earth.
When a facial or clay poultice is applied to the skin it forms a negative charge. Poisons and toxins stored in the epidermis have a positive charge - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay lifts the pimple and blackheads into the clay bed to cause accelerated healing and nourishment to the skin with over 50 minerals.100% NATURAL.

And why is green clay or bentonite clay one of the best for a radiant complexion? We found this interesting nugget from wellsphere.com.

Green Clay
The most absorbing of the Clays, Green Clay is generally used as a Face Mask for tissue repair, drawing toxins from the skin and to normalise excessive secretions of oil or sweat. Applied as a Face or Body Mask, facial clay masks cleanse, exfoliate, smoothe and soften the skin. Green clay is especially good at drawing toxins out.

We like that Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is very economical. You can make about 15 masks from a 1 lb. tub. You make your own clay masks by mixing a scoop of the clay with equal parts of apple cider vinegar or water. Apply to face. Wait about 15 minutes. And rinse with warm water.

You can buy this clay at Whole Foods, and a number of online stores. And you can, of course, buy it and find recipes, too, at their site, http://www.aztec-secret.com/.

Viva La Viatrozene For Younger Firmer Smoother Skin

Is viatrozene a new weapon in the war on wrinkles?

Let us hope so. Here at Beauty Tip Today, we talk on and on about skin care. No one likes wrinkles, and yes, these pesky lines are a natural part of aging. But if there are ways to reduce wrinkles, firm up skin, and smooth a complexion, well, we are on board.

We like to think we are pretty well-educated on the beauty products out there, including prescription and non-prescription treatments. But alas, we had never heard of viatrozene until a couple of days ago. Apparently, it's fairly new to the U.S. market. That's why.

Exactly what is viatrozene 16%?

We searched and searched everywhere for a quick answer. We found that DS Labs manufactures this wrinkle fighter under the name Viterol A for the face ($36.95). And New York state-based DS Labs claims " a single use of DS Laboratories products immediately confirms that these products have been developed for performance with clinical efficacy."


We finally found a good description of viatrozene from DERMAdoctor:
"Brand new to the U.S. market is DS Laboratories Viterol.A (viatrozene gel) 29% Lotion for Signs of Aging, which has encapsulated nanosomes of Vitamin A, helping expedite delivery into the skin. Containing viatrozene, this product is a clinically proven compound that dramatically reduces the appearance of aging in the orbital eye area."

By the way, DS Labs also makes a special Viterol A for the eye area ($33.95), as explained above.

Viterol A (in gel form) is recommended for women and men over 30. And according to DS Labs' clinical study, after 4 weeks, there were very good results:

"Dr. Michael J, Bornstein, MD, PhD of the Medical Research Consultants of NY agrees that Viterol. A® is a remarkably effective topical lotion available for the treatment of the signs of aging by lifting the skin, removing age spots, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Dr. Bornstein explains "the before and after results are absolutely stunning, there is a visible reduction of wrinkles and more youthful and toned appearance. Viterol. A® has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in reversing the signs of skin aging and is highly recommended as a gradual and continuous treatment".

And there are more compliments about Viterol A:

Bill Lawler, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon with a 26-year history in aesthetics, says the viatrozene 16% gel, "is the most effective topical treatment for fine lines that I have encountered in my practice. There is also a clearly visible improvement in skin smoothness and firmness."

We know, we've all heard promises of youth in a cream, serum, or gel. But at least this wrinkle fighter is reasonably priced. And you can buy Viterol A on many online beauty and health shopping sites.

For more information, visit http://www.dslaboratoriesstore.com/.

Shame On Ralph Lauren For Admitting To Severely Photoshopping Model

First, we want to congratulate legendary designer Ralph Lauren for admitting that his company was responsible for severly distorting a model's figure through photoshopping or retouching in a recent magazine advertisement.

Ralph Lauren has been honest, and wants to put this mini scandal behind him. But, we also say, "Shame on you, Mr. Lauren. You should know better."

The model is Filippa Hamilton. Take a look at the ad. And now take a look at model Cindy Crawford.

Who looks healthier?

We love the classic fashion of Ralph Lauren. But we were taken aback by his company's desire to severely re-touch a fashion print ad, so the model looks emaciated, or close to it. What's the appeal in such an image? Especially when the fashion industry has been hit hard with criticism for the past few years for featuring too, too skinny models.

Let's be frank here, models are very slender. But what is too slender? We believe. it is the Ralph Lauren photo.

We miss the days when the supermodels, like Cindy Crawford, ruled the runways and the body image standards. Cindy Crawford has gone on record several times to say she wore a size 6 and sometimes even a size 8 during her prime modeling years.

Cindy often said that she was much curvier and 'bigger' than her model colleagues. Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington, for example, are size 4s. But at least, these tall women weren't size 2s or size zeros.

What is strange to the recent Ralph Lauren photoshopping scandal, are the true measurements of the model in question, Filippa Hamilton. According to a reliable fashion source, Filippa, actually wears a size 6, like Cindy Crawford.

We found our model stats through Fashion Model Directory. The website has lots and lots of information on models working here in the U.S. for top agencies. Go ahead....look up Cindy Crawford's measurements, and many other famous models.

The stats appear legitimate. Records show lists of each model's recent magazine covers, advertisements, etc.

So there you have it. You decide: Which model looks healthier?

Sexy Smoky Eyes In 4 Simple Steps--New Maybelline ExpertWear

Let's look at the fashionable facts:

Sexy, smoky eyes are bigger than ever this fall and winter, through 2010. Just check out the models on the runways.

But let's also look at another fashionable fact:

Creating a sexy, smoky eye, is not simple to do. Until now. Sure, makeup artists make it look so-ooo easy. A little smudge along here, and a highlight up there, etc.

Thanks to Maybelline's new ExpertWear Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow collection, the guesswork has been eliminated. Instead, you get a pretty 4-shade palette in a simple 4-step plan.

In other words, each eyeshadow shade in the quad is labeled: lid. crease. brow bone. outer corner.

Forgive our pixel, digital disarray here. We wanted to enlarge the Maybelline ad, so you could easily observe which shadows go where. It's similar to painting-by-numbers. Remember that? We did an earlier article last year about Cargo makeup's 4-step eyeshadow palette. It, too, had each shade in the quad labeled for application to each area of the eye.

The Maybelline ad here, shows model Christy Turlington rockin' the new ExpertWear Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow in Charcoal Smokes. And this quad is our favorite. It's really soft and lovely.

The ExpertWear Stylish Smokes come in '56 dazzling colors, 3 sumptuous finishes: matte, shimmer and high-pearl.' Just $4.99, drugstores.

What we also adore about Maybelline makeup is its wonderful website, where you can explore their makeup video-how-tos, FAQs, and makeup studio-virtual makeovers. Just visit http://www.maybelline.com/.