Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Best Products For Curly Hair



TotalBeauty.com
The Best Products for Curly Hair

In a sea of styling aids, these 13 are tops

Curly-haired ladies, the search is over. According to TotalBeauty.com editors and users, these products successfully tame, soften and sculpt curls to their finest, Botticelli-esque state. Read on to find out which conditioners and styling aids will finally get you to stop calling your hair “kinky,” “frizzy” or (gasp!) “shapeless.”

See products


Guest Posting at MizFit Today! Plus Yogurt Recipe!

I want this outfit. While I’m wishing for things, I’d also like my waist back to wear it with.

To know me in real life is to know one thing about me. No, not my spunky gym craziness (which has sadly diminished since becoming preggo) or my bad dance moves that I will willingly showcase in any public setting or even the fact that I always travel in a pack of wild boys. No, what most people remember about me is my singular ability to ruin any food I come into close contact with. I’m a bad cook. The best part about it though is that I married a man who loves to socialize - as do I - and so we often have people over for dinner. So this “talent” is not one that stays hidden. Generally when I show up to a potluck, the first question people ask is, “Did you make that or buy it?” Domino’s pizza is by far the most popular dish of “mine” so far. To read more about my culinary adventures, check out my guest post over at the inimitable MizFit’s today!!

However, we do not eat out much. One meal a week at most. Which means that despite being really bad at it, I end up doing a lot of cooking. And I prefer to cook from scratch thereby saving on money and preservatives. So I’ve decided to let you in my new favorite cooking pastime: making my own yogurt.

I’ve long had an expensive greek-yogurt-a-day habit. I LOVE the stuff. And I like the whole fat, organic kind - which is not cheap - but I considered it an indulgence and bought it anyhow. All that changed when I read this article about making your own basic foods. The recipe for yogurt was so simple and cost effective that I will summarize it for you here: Pour a quart of milk into a pan. Heat to 180-190 F. Cool to 115-120 F. Stir in 1/4 c of yogurt (either the kind you buy at the store or leftovers from your last batch, doesn’t matter if it is flavored!). Remove the pan from the stove, swaddle it in a kitchen towel and let it sit for 4 hours. Scoop it into a container and refrigerate. Viola - YOGURT! That’s it! You don’t need a yogurt maker! It’s the easiest thing ever! Not even I can screw it up!

And yes, since I know some of you are thinking “But plain yogurt tastes like crap” and I know you won’t believe me when I tell you homemade plain yogurt tastes better than that grocery store junk, you can add stuff to it like jam, fruit or honey. I also use my yogurt to marinate chicken, make masala sauce for Indian dishes, and make savory dips by adding garlic, salt, and seasonings.

I did try all the other recipes listed in the article; it was a baking kind of weekend here. The granola was yummy but kinda time consuming to make and not really healthy. The bagels were delish but a total pain to make. And freezer jam is always a winner - can’t go wrong with freezer jam!

You guys have any easy healthy recipes to give me so I can ruin, I mean, try them? What other things do you make your own of? Dryer sheets? Baby wipes?

PS> For all of you who suggested that I start my own organic veggie garden, I am happy to report that last night we planted the first of our cold-weather veggies! We’ve got brussels sprouts, spinach and peas going on. We’ll add tomatoes, squash, onions and some other things when it’s not butt-freezing cold anymore. Here’s hoping they grow!

Guest Posting at MizFit Today! Plus Yogurt Recipe!

I want this outfit. While I’m wishing for things, I’d also like my waist back to wear it with.

To know me in real life is to know one thing about me. No, not my spunky gym craziness (which has sadly diminished since becoming preggo) or my bad dance moves that I will willingly showcase in any public setting or even the fact that I always travel in a pack of wild boys. No, what most people remember about me is my singular ability to ruin any food I come into close contact with. I’m a bad cook. The best part about it though is that I married a man who loves to socialize - as do I - and so we often have people over for dinner. So this “talent” is not one that stays hidden. Generally when I show up to a potluck, the first question people ask is, “Did you make that or buy it?” Domino’s pizza is by far the most popular dish of “mine” so far. To read more about my culinary adventures, check out my guest post over at the inimitable MizFit’s today!!

However, we do not eat out much. One meal a week at most. Which means that despite being really bad at it, I end up doing a lot of cooking. And I prefer to cook from scratch thereby saving on money and preservatives. So I’ve decided to let you in my new favorite cooking pastime: making my own yogurt.

I’ve long had an expensive greek-yogurt-a-day habit. I LOVE the stuff. And I like the whole fat, organic kind - which is not cheap - but I considered it an indulgence and bought it anyhow. All that changed when I read this article about making your own basic foods. The recipe for yogurt was so simple and cost effective that I will summarize it for you here: Pour a quart of milk into a pan. Heat to 180-190 F. Cool to 115-120 F. Stir in 1/4 c of yogurt (either the kind you buy at the store or leftovers from your last batch, doesn’t matter if it is flavored!). Remove the pan from the stove, swaddle it in a kitchen towel and let it sit for 4 hours. Scoop it into a container and refrigerate. Viola - YOGURT! That’s it! You don’t need a yogurt maker! It’s the easiest thing ever! Not even I can screw it up!

And yes, since I know some of you are thinking “But plain yogurt tastes like crap” and I know you won’t believe me when I tell you homemade plain yogurt tastes better than that grocery store junk, you can add stuff to it like jam, fruit or honey. I also use my yogurt to marinate chicken, make masala sauce for Indian dishes, and make savory dips by adding garlic, salt, and seasonings.

I did try all the other recipes listed in the article; it was a baking kind of weekend here. The granola was yummy but kinda time consuming to make and not really healthy. The bagels were delish but a total pain to make. And freezer jam is always a winner - can’t go wrong with freezer jam!

You guys have any easy healthy recipes to give me so I can ruin, I mean, try them? What other things do you make your own of? Dryer sheets? Baby wipes?

PS> For all of you who suggested that I start my own organic veggie garden, I am happy to report that last night we planted the first of our cold-weather veggies! We’ve got brussels sprouts, spinach and peas going on. We’ll add tomatoes, squash, onions and some other things when it’s not butt-freezing cold anymore. Here’s hoping they grow!

Guest Posting at MizFit Today! Plus Yogurt Recipe!

I want this outfit. While I’m wishing for things, I’d also like my waist back to wear it with.

To know me in real life is to know one thing about me. No, not my spunky gym craziness (which has sadly diminished since becoming preggo) or my bad dance moves that I will willingly showcase in any public setting or even the fact that I always travel in a pack of wild boys. No, what most people remember about me is my singular ability to ruin any food I come into close contact with. I’m a bad cook. The best part about it though is that I married a man who loves to socialize - as do I - and so we often have people over for dinner. So this “talent” is not one that stays hidden. Generally when I show up to a potluck, the first question people ask is, “Did you make that or buy it?” Domino’s pizza is by far the most popular dish of “mine” so far. To read more about my culinary adventures, check out my guest post over at the inimitable MizFit’s today!!

However, we do not eat out much. One meal a week at most. Which means that despite being really bad at it, I end up doing a lot of cooking. And I prefer to cook from scratch thereby saving on money and preservatives. So I’ve decided to let you in my new favorite cooking pastime: making my own yogurt.

I’ve long had an expensive greek-yogurt-a-day habit. I LOVE the stuff. And I like the whole fat, organic kind - which is not cheap - but I considered it an indulgence and bought it anyhow. All that changed when I read this article about making your own basic foods. The recipe for yogurt was so simple and cost effective that I will summarize it for you here: Pour a quart of milk into a pan. Heat to 180-190 F. Cool to 115-120 F. Stir in 1/4 c of yogurt (either the kind you buy at the store or leftovers from your last batch, doesn’t matter if it is flavored!). Remove the pan from the stove, swaddle it in a kitchen towel and let it sit for 4 hours. Scoop it into a container and refrigerate. Viola - YOGURT! That’s it! You don’t need a yogurt maker! It’s the easiest thing ever! Not even I can screw it up!

And yes, since I know some of you are thinking “But plain yogurt tastes like crap” and I know you won’t believe me when I tell you homemade plain yogurt tastes better than that grocery store junk, you can add stuff to it like jam, fruit or honey. I also use my yogurt to marinate chicken, make masala sauce for Indian dishes, and make savory dips by adding garlic, salt, and seasonings.

I did try all the other recipes listed in the article; it was a baking kind of weekend here. The granola was yummy but kinda time consuming to make and not really healthy. The bagels were delish but a total pain to make. And freezer jam is always a winner - can’t go wrong with freezer jam!

You guys have any easy healthy recipes to give me so I can ruin, I mean, try them? What other things do you make your own of? Dryer sheets? Baby wipes?

PS> For all of you who suggested that I start my own organic veggie garden, I am happy to report that last night we planted the first of our cold-weather veggies! We’ve got brussels sprouts, spinach and peas going on. We’ll add tomatoes, squash, onions and some other things when it’s not butt-freezing cold anymore. Here’s hoping they grow!

Guest Posting at MizFit Today! Plus Yogurt Recipe!

I want this outfit. While I’m wishing for things, I’d also like my waist back to wear it with.

To know me in real life is to know one thing about me. No, not my spunky gym craziness (which has sadly diminished since becoming preggo) or my bad dance moves that I will willingly showcase in any public setting or even the fact that I always travel in a pack of wild boys. No, what most people remember about me is my singular ability to ruin any food I come into close contact with. I’m a bad cook. The best part about it though is that I married a man who loves to socialize - as do I - and so we often have people over for dinner. So this “talent” is not one that stays hidden. Generally when I show up to a potluck, the first question people ask is, “Did you make that or buy it?” Domino’s pizza is by far the most popular dish of “mine” so far. To read more about my culinary adventures, check out my guest post over at the inimitable MizFit’s today!!

However, we do not eat out much. One meal a week at most. Which means that despite being really bad at it, I end up doing a lot of cooking. And I prefer to cook from scratch thereby saving on money and preservatives. So I’ve decided to let you in my new favorite cooking pastime: making my own yogurt.

I’ve long had an expensive greek-yogurt-a-day habit. I LOVE the stuff. And I like the whole fat, organic kind - which is not cheap - but I considered it an indulgence and bought it anyhow. All that changed when I read this article about making your own basic foods. The recipe for yogurt was so simple and cost effective that I will summarize it for you here: Pour a quart of milk into a pan. Heat to 180-190 F. Cool to 115-120 F. Stir in 1/4 c of yogurt (either the kind you buy at the store or leftovers from your last batch, doesn’t matter if it is flavored!). Remove the pan from the stove, swaddle it in a kitchen towel and let it sit for 4 hours. Scoop it into a container and refrigerate. Viola - YOGURT! That’s it! You don’t need a yogurt maker! It’s the easiest thing ever! Not even I can screw it up!

And yes, since I know some of you are thinking “But plain yogurt tastes like crap” and I know you won’t believe me when I tell you homemade plain yogurt tastes better than that grocery store junk, you can add stuff to it like jam, fruit or honey. I also use my yogurt to marinate chicken, make masala sauce for Indian dishes, and make savory dips by adding garlic, salt, and seasonings.

I did try all the other recipes listed in the article; it was a baking kind of weekend here. The granola was yummy but kinda time consuming to make and not really healthy. The bagels were delish but a total pain to make. And freezer jam is always a winner - can’t go wrong with freezer jam!

You guys have any easy healthy recipes to give me so I can ruin, I mean, try them? What other things do you make your own of? Dryer sheets? Baby wipes?

PS> For all of you who suggested that I start my own organic veggie garden, I am happy to report that last night we planted the first of our cold-weather veggies! We’ve got brussels sprouts, spinach and peas going on. We’ll add tomatoes, squash, onions and some other things when it’s not butt-freezing cold anymore. Here’s hoping they grow!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

How About Some How-To?

What is it about how-to videos that I enjoy so much? Well, they are fun to create, but more than that they are helpful. And when you get right down to it, I get more joy and satisfaction from helping others than just about anything else. Except maybe making them laugh. Like with this video:

HOW TO…DEAL WITH CHRONIC (SHOULDER) PAIN

Sorry for the scream, hope I didn’t hurt your ears.

I love producing how-to vids so much I have a special place to view them at my video site, informative videos like:

HOW TO…LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL NATURALLY

Now that we have that taken care of, you must be hungry. I’ve produced a bunch of how-to vids about food and nutrition, like this one:

HOW TO…MAKE BABA GHANOUSH

By the way, if you’ve never tried this I highly recommend giving it a nosh.

Too many videos too soon? Getting a bit stressed out? No worries, watch this:

HOW TO…MANAGE STRESS

Hope that helped. If not, maybe this will:

HOW TO…INCREASE YOUR NETWORK OF FRIENDS

Still feeling a bit sluggish? Then try my latest how-to video:

HOW TO…GET MOTIVATED

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Fuchsia Lips Using MAC Magnetique Lipglass and Mineral Liner

Here’s a look using the MAC Magnetique liplass from the Rose Romance collection. I LOVE this lipglass to death. It is not the kind of shade I usually wear, but I believe this is going to be as bright as I can get on most days. It is a great focal point; I love the richness of the hue and the high-watt shine. I usually wear dirty lavender or rose pink, coral or brown on my lips, so hot pink is refreshing for me to use.

I also wore my mineral liner from Meow Mineral Cosmetics in Cat-chy wetlined on the upper lashline using MAC Fix+ Rose. In my opinion, Meow has some of the best mineral liners out there. It goes on rich, smooth, not streaky and the range of colors is amazing.

Eyes:
MAC Butternutty shadestick as base
Aromaleigh shadow in Mallow foiled on the lid using MAC Fix+ Rose
Pop Beauty Brown Eyes Wallet palette shadow on crease
mascara
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil liner in Zero to tightline and on waterline
Meow mineral liner in Cat-chy wetlined on upper lashline using Fix+ Rose

Face:
Monistat gel as primer
MAC Prep + Prime Refined Skin Zone on t-zone
Earthen Glow mineral foundation in YuanYuan
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil concealer
Dayna’s Rested mineral undereye concealer
Aromaleigh ultra resolution finishing powder in Translucent
Aromaleigh Gothic Lolita Rouge blush in Dolly

Lips:
MAC lipliner in Whirl
MAC A Rose Romance lipstick
MAC Magnetique lipglass


Bare Escentuals Mineral Eyeshadow Swatches

I went to the Planet Beauty store in Chino Hills, CA and played with some of the makeup there, particularly that of Bare Escentuals. I have several of their glimmers and glimpses (mineral shadows), but it was the first time I’d swatched several of them at the store. I swatched mostly neutrals that I’d like to get samples or full sizes of, especially the lid colors. I believe the eyeshadows are some of the best, if not the best, products from Bare Escentuals (I know, several Mineral Veil fans would object to this!). These swatches were applied dry with no base, but as you can see in the photos, the hues are rich, vivid, texture is smooth and clean, and the colors are gorgeous.

I have full size jars of Queen Tiffany, Desire, Pure Gold, and Celestine, but I want full jars (or even generous samples) of Bare Skin and Coconut Palm. They are gorgeous! I also have several others like Summer, Morocco, Rio, Amazing Amanda, Radiant Rebecca - basically the classic shades, but I lost track of some of the newer, even the limited edition shades.

Bare Escentuals enthusiasts, which shadows and blushes do you recommend?


Boring Online Personal Training and Awesome Retro Workout Wear

April’s Great Fitness Experiment was testing out the online personal training service from Women’s Health Magazine. I did it for a month. It was lame. But not so bad that it would make an interesting post. Confession time: it’s 10 o’clock at night and I’ve been dreading writing this post all day. And everyone knows that there is no point in dreading something all day that a) you’re not getting paid to do and b) you have no contractual obligation to do. So I’m invoking blogger privilege and giving you the short version of April’s Experiment results.

Does online personal training work? Sure, sorta. It works about as well as tearing workouts & food plans out of a magazine. Which is pretty much what I think Women’s Health did for their program. It was boring. My workout NEVER changed except to add weight or intensity. The food plan was trendy and didn’t allow for reuse of groceries and/or leftovers and that irked me. By the end I got punchy and started inputing all kinds of ridiculousness into their program. It didn’t bat an eyelash when I typed in that I only ate 600 calories and exercised for 8 hours one day. That’s a problem my friends. I cancelled my subscription and didn’t look back. Don’t waste your money.

But besides spotting potentially problematic behavior, there’s another reason why an in-the-flesh trainer would be better than a computer. Behold:

I have a soft spot for anything with vintage fashion and this 1972 ad for “Sear’s Beauty Spa” (yes, Sears, as in the department store) made my whole darn day. They’re exercising while reclining! And getting jiggled! And all while wearing polyester ADULT FOOTIE PAJAMAS! This is why I blog at 10 o’clock at night, folks. I would pay good money to see this kind of personal training in action.

Again invoking blogger privilege, I will now hijack the rest of this post to show you other hilarious examples of vintage workouts and/or workout wear. Why? Because it amuses me in a way that only people who have bought a snuggie off TV can truly understand.

The 30’s brought us this marvelous contraption that I believe is supposed to shake the fat off you - a practice still in vogue forty years later as evidenced by picture above and the fact that my grandma actually wrote about doing this in her journal. Plus - KNICKERS. And swim caps. And collars on swim suits. Love.

Heading back to the 40’s, we get not only awesome beachwear but girl fights! Don’t you love how “scared” the girl in the middle is? I love their not-a-hair-out-of-place rolled coif.

Nothing says fitness competitor like this shot of Marilyn Monroe in the ’50s. Not only is she pressing like 20 whole pounds but she also has her sexyface going on. Don’t forget, all you lady lifters - the tip toes make this a compound exercise! Bonus: high waisted shorts + pointy bra = best lifting outfit evah!

Nothing says “A-Train to Harlem” like this vintage 60’s tracksuit, complete with Jackie Chan tee that probably eBays for $500 now. (Edited to add: apparently I don’t know my 70’s kung-fu stars. As musajen pointed out in the comments, this is Bruce Lee. Who knew??) Actually, now that I think about it, this whole outfit seems to be pretty trendy right now. Or maybe it just never went out of style. Darn men and their practicality! Although the stirrup pants might be just a wee bit over the top. But don’t let that hold you back.

Ah, Olivia Newton John (shout-out to my peeps Jennie, Sunny & Wilson!) - how do I love thee? Only you can work Valentine’s day spandex and a fem-mullet with such class! Plus the posing! I will practice every night in the mirror until I have perfected hamstring stretch/salute to Fame pose.

The 70’s & 80’s were pretty much dominated by one shiny, thong-wearing, how-on-earth-did-they-pee-with-tights-on woman: Jane Fonda. Look at all the awesomeness going on in this picture - belts! suspenders! purple leopard print! mock turtlenecks! halfsie zippers! scrunched matchy-matchy socks! baby dumbbells! And the fizz in this bag of pop rocks? THE HAIR.

This shot from the 80’s demonstrates perfectly all the problems with leggings for men (meggings?). But when said leggings come as part of a suspendered unitard with stirrup bottoms (not to mention the sewn-in shirt)? Bring on the hotness! Please, please, please let someone wear this to my Y someday.

Which brings me to this unfortunate picture. There are no words except that some designer somewhere must have really hated this team.