Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser

My grandmother died with all her own teeth. My mother will not be so lucky. I figure my odds are about 50/50. Last year, after having my teeth moved back into the places they have occupied since I got my braces off at 15 (who knew they’d move after all those years?), I began to have problems with my gums. Apparently it’s not unusual for this to start to happen after 40, but it’s way different when it happens to you.

The first thing out of my mouth was, “What can I do to fix it?” The answer my friends is the Waterpik.

I hadn’t seen one of these since the early 80s. I didn’t even know they still made them. They do, and I’m here to tell you that you really need to get one.

The newer models are more attractive and compact than I remember. Unfortunately they’re not much quieter. No matter, it’s only about two minutes. Oh, and I wish the reservoir held just a tiny bit more so I could do my entire mouth without having to add more water. But really those are my only two complaints.

Using the Waterpik takes more time than flossing, but I will never go back. My gums have improved dramatically and the only thing that changed was replacing floss with water.

The model I bought was $60 ($45 on Amazon). A small price to pay to keep my own teeth, I’d say.

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Post tags: gum care, oral care, teeth, water flosser, waterpik

A lot.

One could surmise that I have a lot of tension in my life, or possibly that I have horrible posture and my spine is all out of whack causing my neck and back to always be tight and messed up and hurting my head.

Whatever the reason, I get tension headaches – the kind that starts in your shoulders, go up through your neck, and end up right behind your eyebrows.

Obviously, I try to keep ibuprofen on hand.  But I’ve also discovered another more natural – and immediate – solution for my headaches, courtesy of my local Aveda salon.

(Seriously, those people know me by my first name.  They should send me Christmas and birthday presents.)

I love my Aveda Blue Oil.  They call it a “balancing concentrate”, because they are Aveda and airy fairy fancy.  It comes in a small bottle with a roll on dispenser top.  That’s the official name of the dispenser thingie, I’m sure.  Basically, you roll it on wherever you hurt.  I roll it on the back of my neck and on my temples when I get headaches.

Do you remember Icy Hot, or Bengay?  It’s kind of like that, with much less of an old man smell.  It is slightly mentholated, but not overwhelming.  It’s soothing, not stinky.

Aveda describes it as:

“Our stress-relieving blue oil helps dissolve tension and raise energy levels with the balancing aromas of refreshing peppermint and soothing blue camomile. When gently touched to skin, its special rollerball applicator releases the perfect amount of concentrate for on-the-spot, cooling acupressure therapy.”

Rollerball applicator.  Yeah.  That’s what I said.

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Post tags: aromas, aveda, aveda salon, blue oil, camomile, headache cure, peppermint, tension headaches

And pregnant.

I had spent several weeks throwing up and had stopped taking the horse pill sized pre-natal vitamins because I got tired of flushing them down the toilet 30 seconds after I ingested them.  (You come here for the visuals, I know.)  My doctor recommended I take the children’s chewable vitamins and my stomach thanked her profusely for the next 8 months.

Since giving birth and curing myself of constant nausea, I have tried several times over the last 10 years to take grown up multivitamins.

I hate grown up vitamins.

I’ve tried multiple brands, and they all make me instantly queasy.  I’ve taken them on a full stomach, I’ve taken them with milk.  I’ve taken them in the morning, at lunch, and right before bed.  I’ve had them on a plain, I’ve had them on a train.  I do not like grown up vitamins; I do not like them one bit.

So, I went back to Flinstones vitamins.

Recently, a girlfriend of mine told me about a new multivitamin she was taking.  Because this is the kind of interesting discussion that happens in my life now. Apparently, she, too, had been resorting to stealing her kids’ vitamins in order to fight off the upset stomach.  And then she discovered One-A-Day was making vitamins specifically for pussies like us!

Gummie Vitamins for Adults

One-A-Day VitaCraves Gummies is a complete adult multivitamin supplement in gumny bear form.

For some odd reason, you actually take two gummies a day.  Maybe they can’t pack all the nutrients needed for an adult into one little gummy.  I don’t know.  What I do know is that these things taste like fruit snacks and I find myself thinking “did I already take my vitamins today?  Hmm… if I can’t remember for sure, I might as well take them just in case!”

Fortunately, I think it would take more than two doses a day to OD.  (Although, ODing on multivitamin gummy bears would be just my luck.)

I have no idea what the difference is between an adult formula and a vitamin formulated for children.  I assume there is a difference because the vitamin companies tell me that there is.  Also, the numbers on the back of the bottles in my house are different, so that’s almost like scientific proof.  I imagine I would have been just fine if I would have continued on with my Flinstone addiction, but I do like that the fine print on VitaCraves says that it’s formulated for energy and immune support.

My point is this:

If you are a big baby like me and don’t take a daily vitamin because they all make you sick, try these deliciously awesome gummy vitamins for grown ups.

Or eat more vegetables.

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Post tags: adult vitamiins, chewable vitamins, childrens vitamins, flinstone vitamins, gummies, gummy vitamins, multivitamin, nutrients, one-a-day, pre natal vitamins

I usually roll my eyes because, really?  We’re jumping up and down about razor blades?  No.  Not really.

Not that we don’t need razor blades, mind you – but let’s not pretend that OUR LIVES! THEY ARE CHANGED! BY THIS AWESOME RAZOR BLADE!  THAT I HAVE BEEN COVETING!

This is not, by the way, a post about razor blades.

What this is, in fact, is a post about a marketing campaign that made me laugh so hard that I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

Ladies (and gentleman), I give you the latest craze in workout videos…

Strong As Steel from Strong As Steel on Vimeo.

My witty and insightful commentary – after the jump.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA

And also?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHA

Ha.

I don’t know who at GE came up with this idea, but I would like to buy them a drink.  Or two.  And then I want to drag them into my kitchen and make them teach me how to WORKOUT!  USING NOTHING BUT MY STOVE! AND REFRIGERATOR!

And then I’ll buy them another drink and convince them to replace my dishwasher.

Do you know the funniest part of this whole promotion – I mean, besides Alison Sweeney doing fridge curls on camera?

I actually considered for a moment buying the DVD.  Oh, yes, you can buy the DVD.  I mean, I do have a kitchen and a desperate need to firm up…

Yeah, OK.  Back to watching the video and laughing hysterically.

While you can buy the DVD, the point of this whole campaign is to promote GE’s stainless steel appliances.  Starting now (OK, probably earlier than now), you can buy GE Stainless Steel Appliance for the same price of their regular appliances until July 6, 2009 at participating retailers.*

I am not (knock on wood) in the market for new appliances – but if I was, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be all about making it look like I had spent money on fancy, schmancy stainless steel ones without actually having to spend more money.

If you, on the other hand, happen to be in the market for new appliances, you can find out about GE’s stainless steel promotion here.

Now, on to THE PRIZE!

GE is not, unfortunately, letting me giveaway appliances.  And if they were, I would probably rig the contest so my cat won them.  Because I am ethical.

Instead, GE is letting me giveaway a REALLY FANCY YOGA MAT AND CARRIER.

Which is totally just as awesome as a dishwasher in some circles.

HOW TO WIN THE FANCY GE YOGA MAT AND CARRIER:

>>Leave a comment telling me what at-home exercise you do.

>>You must comment with a valid email address because that’s how I’ll notify the winner.

>>Contest (and comments) will be open from now until midnight EDT on Friday June 22 June 26.

>>Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via the email address they used to enter.

>>GE (or someone who works for them) will be responsible for sending out your prize.  Lucky, you.

Ready, set, go**….

*And no one paid me to say that.  Which is so sad, because look at how awesome that sentence was.

**I love how I am creating all of this drama!  And excitement!  And anticipation!  For a yoga mat!

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Post tags: contest, GE, marketing, marketing campaign, new appliances, stainless steel appliances, strong as steel, workout, yoga

Yes, maternity.

No, I’m not – nor have been in the last four years – pregnant.

But these were the only pants I’d found that were comfortable and flattering, probably in part because of the extra support in the belly.  Unfortunately, while I have no shame in wearing maternity clothes for years after I’ve given birth, I’m not willing to walk into a store and buy maternity clothes when I am obviously not pregnant.

But I’ve been tempted.

I’ve started taking a weekly cycling class and they demand you wear pants to class.  I’ve also taken a pilates class and showed up to the gym to use the elliptical routine – and all of those activities require pants as well.  For months I’ve struggled to find workout pants that I loved as much as my solitary pair of maternity capris.

I’m happy to report, my quest for the perfect workout pants is finally over.

The pants I clung to for years were Old Navy maternity yoga capris.  I should have known that Old Navy would offer something similarly comfortable and flattering for non-pregnant women.

I have fallen in love with Old Navy’s fold-over yoga capris.

I have a hard time finding workout clothes that aren’t embarassingly clingy, but Old Navy’s yoga pants are exactly what I’ve been looking for.  The material is sturdy enough to hold in and conceal everything, but still comfortable and breathable.  I have to admit that this surprises me because I don’t usually think of high quality fabric when I think of Old Navy.

I’ve tried on most of Old Navy’s workout pants and the fold-over capri style is by far my favorite.

The wide, fold-over waistband offers me the same comfort and support for my tummy that the maternity version does.  I prefer the styles that have patterns or striping on the fold-over waistband because it really helps to break up my bottom half – which is my lumpiest area.

The capri length is perfect for me because a) I’m short and b) I get hot when I workout.

The best part of these pants is the price.  They’re only $16.50 online or in Old Navy stores.  (I did find a wider selection of colors in my local store than I did online.)

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Post tags: maternity clothes, old navy, old navy maternity, workout, workout clothes, yoga, yoga pants

What?  That is a completely acceptable reason to start thinking about fitness and exercising and stuff.  The first lady has fantastic arms.

My husband has some of those adjustable dumbbells with the plates you have to put on and take off to adjust the weight, and they intimidate the hell out of me.  I am fully aware of how pathetic that sounds, but it’s true.

What I’m looking for is a dumbbell set with multiple weights (so I can increase the weight as I get stronger) or adjustable dumbbells that are easy to use.  I don’t want a huge rack that will take up a lot of space in my house because I just don’t have the room for a full gym in my home.

PowerBlock Classic Adjustable 5 to 45-Pounds per Dumbbell Set

The PowerBlock adjustable dumbbell set is probably exactly what I need.  It’s compact and covers a wide range of weights.  All of the reviews I’ve read on major fitness sites rave about these things.

Unfortunately, it’s $338 and looks confusing as hell.  I am such a fitness novice and prone to boredom that I cannot justify the cost of this dumbbell set – especially since odds are good I wouldn’t be able to figure out how to use them.

Apex Neoprene Dumbbell Set (3-Pair) with Case

This dumbbell set comes in 2, 3 and 5 lb pairs.  Meh.  That’s not a huge amount of variation in the weight, but it’s a decent start. The carrying case would certainly help with my storage issues.  However, this is dumbbell set is $50 – which is more than I’m willing to spend on “meh”.

Reebok Speed Pac 25 Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

This is one pair of dumbbells – but they are adjustable dumbbells.  I don’t know how, but you turn a knob to the weight you want and voila! Different weight! Each dumbbell can be set from 2.5 to 12.5 lbs in increments of 2.5 lbs.  That definitely gives me a wider range than the carrying case set – but still looks like a dumbbell I’m used to.

This set is about $75.

Holy crap, dumbbell sets are expensive.

After looking around extensively at different merchants and manufacturers, it looks like I need to plan to spend at least $50 on a set of dumbbells.  If I’m going to invest in an adjustable dumbbell set, the Reebok Speed Pac seems like the best option for me.  It’s going to give me the widest range of weights in a style I’m comfortable with and take up the least amount of room in my house.

I’m still not sure if I’m ready to take the plunge on a full dumbbell set.

Valeo HW3 3-Pound Neoprene Hand Weights

Maybe I can start off small with a set of 3 lb hand weights for $10.

Or do push ups for free.

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Post tags: adjustable dumbbell set, adjustable dumbbells, fitness, reebok, speed pac, weights

The thing about eating low carb for that long is that it gets boring.

You can only have so many hamburger patties with cheese or chicken salads before you want to stab someone.

Add that to the fact that I refuse to cook more than one meal at dinner time – meaning my family gets one low carb meal a day – and I absolutely have to find ways to be creative with a low carb menu.

George Stella and his “Stella Style” cooking has saved my diet on more than one occassion.

What I like about this cookbook is that it’s not exactly Atkins.  I don’t follow quite as strict a regimine as the Atkins Diet, so it was nice to find a low carb philosophy that was closer to mine.

“Stella Style” is basically about eating low carb – not counting carbs.  You make foods that are naturally low in carbs – especially “bad” carbs found in things like flour and sugar – and don’t worry about how much of it you eat.  It has been an easier way to maintain a low carb lifestyle long term for me.

My mom gave me her copy of this cookbook at Christmas and it has found a permanent home in my cookbook stand.  It’s also starting to fall apart.

Post it notes and binding breaks - the signs of a well loved cookbook

My family is LOVING the recipes in this book.

Some of our favorites are:

*Low Carb Pizza – like, with actual crust.

*Low Carb Cheesecake – which my husband swears is the best cheesecake he’s ever had period.

*Low Carb Soy Bean Chilli – almost everything in chilli is low carb anyway so this was an easy adjustment.

*Low Carb Zuchinni Muffins - can I tell you how much I had been missing muffins?  It’s so awesome to have something to put butter on again!

*Low Carb Tequila Chicken – I’m pretty sure the alcohol burns off in the oven.  I mean – it must, right?

*Low Carb Blueberry Pancakes – now if only I could drown these in syrup, I’d be a happy girl.

*Low Carb Meat Lasagna – lasagna with no noodles?  Yep.  And it’s a family favorite around here.  It’s also a good option when we have guests over.

I have three or four other low carb cookbooks in my kitchen, but this one is by far my favorite.

Get it on Amazon:

George Stella’s Livin’ Low Carb: Family Recipes Stella Style

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Post tags: atkins, atkins diet, bad carbs, books, carb cheesecake, carb lifestyle, cookbook, cooking, george stella, low carb, low carb diet, recipes, zuchinni muffins

I’m convinced that God made me that way.  That’s why I am not one of those people who glistens when they workout.  I sweat.  And get red faced.  And swell.  And my legs itch when I run.

I’m practically allergic to strenuous exercise.

Which makes yoga perfect for me.

What is not perfect for me is a yoga class.  That you take with other people.  In front of mirrors.  In a room that discourages swearing.

If I’m going to fall over trying to stand on one leg, I’d like to be able to do it in the privacy of my own home where only my children can mock me and be scarred by my inevitable cursing.

If you’re trying to ease back into fitness and you’re not quite yoga studio ready, I highly recommend getting into a yoga routine at home.  It won’t feel like you’re doing anything hard and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see results within a couple weeks.

Everything You Need To Do Yoga At Home:

A.M./P.M. Yoga DVD with Rodney Yee

Rodney Yee is a favorite with beginners and experienced yoga.. uh… doers.  Yoga Doers.  Yes, that’s the word.

He’s all talented and stuff.  And he’s not bad to look at.

The AM and PM routines give you a little variety.  And it’s nice to have the option of getting perked up to start your day or unwinding to end it.

But the best part is, even if you have a dart board with Denise Austin’s face on it, I assure you that you can complete these workouts.  Without crying.

Premium Skidless Yoga Mat – (in Purple even)

Yes, you really do need a yoga mat.

This is the one I use and the few times I’ve tried to do yoga without it – well, let’s just say there is a reason it is “skidless”.

I do yoga in my living room on carpet, so I don’t need a super thick mat.  I have the thinnest version in the smallest size.

If you have hardwood floors or tile (or actually plan to go to a class because you are obviously more secure than I am), then you’ll really want to get one of the thicker sizes.  You’ll also want to look at length if you’re a little taller.

Yoga Pants

I am the last person to advocate buying something just because if you can make do with something you already have.

But it is really helpful to have the right clothing when you’re trying to do yoga.

Baggy shorts?  Not helpful.  Baggy sweatpants?  Not good.

You need something that fits close to the body and isn’t going to get in the way when you’re trying to contort your body.  Yoga requires a lot of concentration and ill fitting clothes really will make a big difference in your concentration level.

That being said, my favorite pair of yoga pants is a maternity pair I got from Old Navy 5 years ago.  They’re form fitting without being too tight and they aren’t too long (which is an issue for me) because they’re capri length.

Yoga (or some kind of) Tank Top

I’m assuming most people already own a tank top that will work for yoga.

What you’re looking for is:

• A tank top – or something with fitted arms, which would make me, personally, want to strangle someone.  A t-shirt would bug the crap out of me though.  There’s no way.
• Fitted – even if you’re home alone, if you’re doing down face dog and suddenly your shirt is up around your neck and your boobs are swinging out, that’s distracting.
• Not tooo fitted – you obviously want to be comfortable.  Duh.

If for some bizarre reason you don’t already have a tank top that fits the bill, this one is on sale for $11.99 and is actually flattering enough to wear in public if you do lose your damn mind.

And that’s it!

One of the best things about yoga is that it doesn’t take a lot of fancy equipment to get started.  And once you have the basics, you can reuse them over and over again (I’ve had my yoga mat for about 7 years now).

If you’re looking to lose weight or just get in better shape, I cannot recommend yoga enough.  It is by far the least intimidating form of exercise I’ve found that actually works.

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Post tags: exercise DVD, fitness, health products, rodney yee, women's workout clothes, workout clothing, yoga, yoga DVD

If you’ve ever been to a gym before you know that it is where the female spawn of satan go to make you feel fat. Some people will try to tell you that those women only hang out at the fancy gyms, but they’re lying.  Even the women at the YMCA have the ability to make you feel like stuffed sausage on feet when you first start to work out.

My first day back to the gym, I made a classic rookie mistake.  I dressed like a mom who was just starting to work out again.

I wore capri pants instead of shorts to cover up the cellulite on my pasty white thighs.

I wore a sensible tank top with wide straps to conceal the sports bra that I’m wearing for function instead of fashion.

I put all of my efforts into concealing my body instead of showing it off.  Because, hello?  I just started working out again.  And also?  I’m going to be red faced and sweating like a pig in about .02 seconds.

Unfortunately, my modesty and sensibile thinking just made me feel more self concious about the way I looked the entire time I was there.  The problem was I didn’t get workout clothes that were flattering to my body.  At all.

Yes, some women’s workout clothes are more flattering than others.  And it’s not necesssarily the workout clothing with the most coverage that looks the best.

And before you start to lecture me on how trivial it is to care about what you look like when you workout – well, suck it.  It’s distracting to be thinking about what a turd you look like when you’re trying to concentrate on things like form and breathing and not dying.

Here’s what I learned about women’s workout clothes that work better for my body.

Women’s Workout Clothes Rule 1 – wide straps  and sleevless tops are not your friend.

This is similar to the tank top I wore my first day.  Great coverage, right?

Maybe if I had some definition in my arms.  As it is, the only thing I have going for my upper body at this point is the fact that I have shoulders.  of course, in this top you couldn’t see that.  All you could see was my pudgy little arms plugged into my top.  Instead of emphasizing my shoulders or my chest, the focus was on my very undefined upper arms.

Women’s Workout Clothes Rule 2 – Work what your mama gave ya, even if it’s just a shoulder blade.

This is a much better option for me. It’s not much of a difference, but the straps are small enough that you can see that I actually have joints, not just plug-in limbs.

Women’s Workout Clothes Rule 3 – it’s perfectly OK to cater to the girls.

Even better, a top that shows off my shoulders and the little bit of chest I have. Granted, my boobs aren’t much to get excited about, but any positive attention I can bring to the top of my body takes away from my very pear shaped lower half.

And even little boobs are sexy when it’s done with class.

Women’s Workout Clothes Rule 4 – just say no to pseudo maternity wear.

Um, no.  The only person this looks good on is someone who doesn’t have anything to hide.  And do you know what the benefit of good workout tops is?  Spandex.  Spandex is your friend and will hold your stuff up and in.  This?  This is begging to have your jiggling belly peeking out from beneath your maternity top the first time you bend over too far or lift your hands too high.

Of course, I’m still in the beginning stages of my adventure in women’s workout fashion.  So far I’ve figured out how to flatter the top half of my body, but the bottom half is still screwed.

I’ve tried shorty shorts, mesh basketball shorts, and stretchy capri pants.  None of it’s making me feel less self concious about potential camel toe or butt jiggle.

I don’t suppose there’s another 5′2″ pear out there with some words of wisdom for my lower body, is there?  (I mean, BESIDES more cycling classes.)

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Post tags: feeling self conscious, fitness, health and fitness products, healthy living, women's clothing, women's workout clothes, working out fat, workout clothing