If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, I’m sure you’ve found that I am a no-holds-barred, “tell it like it is” type of person. When I like something, I tell you, and when I don’t, let’s just say, sorry for them. When I received the news that I was chosen to review the products from the Neutrogena Naturals line, I was really excited. For one, I don’t like to put a lot of chemicals either on or in my body. I don’t even take pain meds on a regular basis. So a product that wears its “natural” stance on its sleeve definitely peaks my interest.

When the products came in, I was so excited because the package contained much more than I had anticipated, including a wonderful Yoga Fan and a loofa sponge. This was in addition to all the great products from Neutrongena Naturals; it was a virtual eco-friendly bonanza! I could hardly contain myself, so much stuff that I love and love to use, I couldn’t wait to get started.

But let’s get to the products. What’s so funny is I had just run out of make-up remover and facial cleanser, so these came right on time. They must have known because included were the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser, Purifying Pore Scrub and the Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover. I used all of them at different times, depending on my needs. A good facial scrub in the morning is great for waking up my senses. I love the fresh and light citrus-type scent that they have and they all worked great, without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.

The Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover took off my makeup without drying out my skin or leaving an oily residue, like some removers do. I have extremely oily skin, so it’s kind of hard to find one to work the way it should, but this one sure does.

The other product that I am totally in love with is the Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer. Since my skin is so oily, I have to be careful about the moisturizers that I use because they can exacerbate the problem, but this moisturizer left my skin feeling soft and not at all greasy to the touch. My husband used it and said that he liked how it made his skin feel too. He has the opposite problem from me, his skin tends to dry out easily, so he really appreciates a good moisturizer.

All-in-all, I am really pleased with the Neutrogena Naturals line and impressed by the company’s level of commitment to preserving our natural resources in their “going green” efforts.

If you’re looking for a product that really cleanses like it says it will and cares about the environment, check out Neutrogena Naturals.

Let me know your experience with Neutrogena Naturals.

NEUTROGENA® Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer is a daily lotion that replenishes essential skin nutrients while providing continuous moisture throughout the day for healthier, younger-looking skin.  It contains no harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes or phthalates.

NEUTROGENA® Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream replenishes essential skin nutrients and is fortified with vitamins B, C, E and anti-oxidant omega bionutrients. This nourishing cream is clinically proven to boost skin’s defense against dullness and roughness, leaving it  naturally radiant, healthier and younger looking today and in the future.  It contains no harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes or phthalates.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Neutrogena via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neutrogena.

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I thought you would say YES!

Well, stop eyeing those cannonball-like versions of a metal purse and start using them. The proper name is kettlebells and they pack a wallop in the gym compared to regular dumbbells. Researchers found that people who performed a 20-minute kettlebell workout burned almost 300 calories. Plus, you’ll burn more fat longer and later, as your muscles repair themselves.

The Kettlebells Workout Pack is a great gift for Mom to help her get in shape on her special day.

Kettlebells aren’t just for guys, check out this workout.

Here’s a step-by-step kettlebell workout for you from Women’s Health

The Kettlebells Workout Pack is a great gift for Mom to help her get in shape on her special day.

What’s included in the Kettlebells Workout Pack

• Premium Kettlebells Now includes 5lb. & 8lb. weights. Cast iron bell is encased in vinyl to help reduce noise and prevent damage to floors. Smooth, solid steel handle for comfortable grip. Handle size varies from 1″ to 13/8″ depending on the size and weight of the kettlebell.
• Kettlebell Basics – DVD Learn how to perform basic kettlebell exercises safely and effectively with both single and double kettlebell drills. Lisa Shaffer. 2006, 38 min. 1 lb.
• Kettlebell Training Poster2009 gear awards Top Gear of the year award winner! Great results, less intimidation! Like a traditional kettlebell, the k™rª Kettleball is an excellent tool for strengthening the core. Constructed of pliable materials, the k™rª Kettleball is an attractive, user friendly alternative to cast iron kettlebells in group exercise classes and personal training sessions. These unique, nonscuffing kettleballs are uniformly sized for consistent technique development and feature a 11/4″ durable, molded polypropylene handle for a solid grip and smooth rotation. Highly visible weight label and color-coded handle. Fits standard kettlebell racks.

Get your Kettlebells Workout Pack now, makes a great Mother’s Day Gift

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For years weight loss experts have said that if you want to lose weight, you need to cut down on your sugar intake. Most people can relate to that and react by buying less cupcakes, brownies and other sweets, but that isn’t where the problem lies. It’s the drinks that are sabotaging your weight loss plan.

The Evidence

It’s all about the soft drink. The term “soft drink” covers a lot of ground. It refers to any beverage with added sugar or other sweetener. This includes soda, fruit punch, all the “ades” including lemonade, sweetened drinks and sports and energy drinks.

Soda makers produce about 10.4 billion gallons of sugary pop each year. That’s enough for each American to have one 12-ounce can every day for 365 days (1 year).

Looking at the numbers, an average can of sugar-sweetened soda has about 150 calories, most of the calories are from sugar. That’s equivalent to 10 teaspoons of soda per day, every day for one year. Put away that much sugar and you’re likely to gain about 15 pounds!

Are Diet Drinks any Better?

OK, so you switch to diet drinks, problem solved…right? Hold on, not so fast. A recent study from the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that drinking diet sodas may help you shed a couple pounds, but may lead to heart attack or stroke.

The study followed 2,564 NYC adults 69 years or older for 10 years. During that time 591 men and women had a heart attack, stroke or died of cardiovascular causes. Daily consumption of diet soda was linked to having a 44 percent higher chance of heart attack or stroke.

Since there still needs to be more research on diet soda and long term affects, I suggest you take this information as a caution.

Weight Gain?

In other studies, researchers found that switching to diet or artificially sweetened drinks can reduce your overall caloric intake and promote weight loss. But, they also found another troubling side affect. Artificial sweeteners mix up the body’s and brain’s signals of what it needs to do when it tastes something sweet. Usually when your body tastes something sweet, it thinks “sugar” and sugar means energy. Your brain responds to sweetness with signals to eat more, then slow down and stop. But with artificial sweeteners comes low or no calories. This confuses your brain and it doesn’t know how to tell your body to react.

In a Purdue University study of rats, the rats that were fed food sweetened with saccharin, took in more calories and gained weight. But this doesn’t happen to everyone and it has yet to be proven that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain in humans. However, it does give you something to think about.

Alternative to Diet Drinks

Let’s face it, you have to take in less sugar in order to lose weight, and since drinking beverages is a big part of your diet, you have to be cautious of the calories you drink also. Diet drinks are ok, as a substitute for sugary drinks, but don’t bet the farm on them, they come with their own set of problems. So here are some low-cal and calorie-free options for you to incorporate into your diet that you can feel really good about.

Provided by the Harvard School of Public Health

1. Infused water (spa water)

You can find fancy flavored waters in the grocery store, including some that are free of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Spas also serve water that has been flavored with herbs, fruits, even vegetables. But you can easily make your own naturally-infused spa water at home. Try adding any of the following to a cold glass or pitcher of water:

• Sliced citrus fruits or zest (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit)
• Crushed fresh mint or other herbs
• Peeled, sliced fresh ginger or sliced cucumber

2. Tea

Black or green, caffeinated or decaf, leaf or herbal, hot or cold, tea is an excellent choice for a calorie free beverage. Adding a teaspoon of sugar or honey only adds about 15 calories to the cup. Some teas taste sweet to the palate even without adding any sugar: Try Japanese roasted barley tea (Mugi Cha), fruit-flavored herbal teas (mango, blueberry), or teas that feature cinnamon, vanilla, or other “sweet” spices. Black and green teas are also rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other biologically active substances that may be good for health.

3. Coffee

Coffee is calorie free, as long as you don’t load it up with cream and sugar. Take a pass on the coffeehouse confections that are topped with whipped cream and drizzled with sugar syrup, since those can have upwards of 300 to 400 calories per extra-large cup. If you want to add one teaspoon of sugar to a plain cup of coffee, that’s no problem.

4. Sparkling water with a splash of juice 

Sparkling juices that are sold ready-made are often heavy on the juice, and may have almost as many calories as sugary soda pop. Instead, make your own sparkling juice at home with 12 ounces of sparkling water and just an ounce or two of juice. For a flavor twist, add sliced citrus or fresh herbs.

5. Fresh fruit coolers

Store-bought or cafe smoothies are marketed as “health” foods, but they are often loaded with sugar and high in calories—some have upwards of 300 calories in a 12 ounce serving. Try making a refreshing fresh fruit cooler instead. There’s no added sugar, and just a small amount of fruit, so this drink is only about 18 calories for each 12-ounce glass.

• 1/2 cup of ice
• 3/4 cup of sugar-free sparkling water
• 1/3 cup of melon or berries
• Chopped mint leaves or citrus slices (optional)

Place ice, sparkling water, and fruit in a blender. Blend until slushy, pour into a glass and garnish with mint or citrus slices. Serves 1.

6. Low-sodium broth or miso

There’s no rule that says we must satisfy our thirst with something sweet. Low-sodium broth can give your body the fluid it needs, and can be a savory and satisfying alternative to a sweet drink. The healthiest choice: Look for a broth that has less than 200 milligrams of sodium per serving. Miso, the Japanese fermented soybean paste, can be quite salty, so look for lower-sodium varieties and use it sparingly.

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Little Time, Big Reward
It doesn’t take much time to prep a meal or several meals for that fact, it just takes concentration and some dedicated effort. Once you get in the habit of prepping, you won’t be able to do without it. What you end up with is less stress about food and more items marked off your “to do” list.

Prep Steps for Success
Here are the steps that you will need to put in place to become a prepping master.

1. Decide what you are going to eat
Start with the next week or 7 days and choose what you’ll eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day. If your family is small, one meal can double as dinner and lunch. You’ll also need to decide on snacks. If you leave them out, you’ll be making trips to the nearest vending machine to satisfy that “hunger monster.”

2. Create your list
Now that you have the meals down, you’ll need to create your shopping list for the ingredients. Use coupons to help you keep down the cost and score even bigger savings. Also include the stores you’ll visit and what you will purchase from each store.

3. Mark the date to shop
Choose a day, date and time to shop for the food on your list. Leave the kids at home or give them their own list of specific items to pick up.

4. Cook ahead
Once you’re home, choose which parts of each meal can be cooked ahead of time. The meats can usually be prepared way in advance and then warmed up when ready to eat. The most important thing is to plan how much time each meal will take to fully complete, then you can break down the different parts accordingly. You don’t want to plan to have a crockpot meal that takes 2-3 hours to start cooking when you get home at 6:00pm.

5. Pack and go
Each morning you’ll wake up happy to know that at least food won’t be a stressor for you. Simply go to the kitchen, choose your meals and go.

Now wasn’t that simple, easy and productive? The only thing better is to do it again for the next 7 days and the next. After about 3 weeks, it’ll get easier and become more a way of life than a task.

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Good afternoon fellow fitness followers!

This is Carol Dunlop of Optimum Body Sculpting bringing you this Friday Afternoon Fit Minute. These fitness tidbits will help you focus on fitness and put your wellness back in your hands so that you ARE the boss.

In today’s Fit Minute we’re talking about: 5 Ways to Eat Better Today

A recent study showed that most people don’t follow the healthy advice they know that they should adhere to. Somehow life always gets in the way.

The solution:  By making just a few changes in your daily life, you can be headed towards the healthier lifestyle you were meant to live. Follow these simple suggestions for living healthier and get started today.

1. Shop for Colors: The next time you’re in the grocery store, make sure you pick up a couple of different colored vegetables. The various colors not only look good, they also provide needed nutrients. So go ahead, have a rainbow in your plate.
2. Keep a Food Journal: You won’t know how you’re doing with eating better unless you track it. Keep a journal so that you know when you’re on track and when you can use a little boost. You can do it!
3. Cut Back on Salt:  You need salt and sodium in your diet, but most people get way too much. Too much sodium intake can lead to bloating and can cause health problems like high blood pressure. When you are shopping be sure to read the labels and check the sodium levels. Choose low salt or no salt added seasonings. Better yet, allow herbs and spices to season your food; this will let the true flavor of the food come right out. One more trick, take the salt off the table, you’ll be less tempted to add more salt if it’s out of sight.
4. Cook Once, Eat Twice: Cook enough food so that you can eat leftovers for lunch. The best part about that is the great meal you cooked the night before can be enjoyed all over again the next day. And, you’ll save money by not having to buy lunch.
5. Count to 3: Make your last meal at least 3 hours before bedtime. This way your tummy will be empty when you go to sleep. This allows your body to concentrate on fat burning and rebuilding tissue all while you dose, instead of trying to digest all that food you just ate.

Do you have questions about how to live the Fit Life? Join me each Tuesday and Thursday on Fit4Life Radio at 1:00pm EST and get answers, tips and real solutions. Log on to www.optimumbodysculpting.com and click on the Fit4Lfe Radio banner at the bottom of the page. Each week we’ll talk about how you can be more fit next week.

That’s it for today; remember you can eat better today and tomorrow, so get started right now. See you next time with another Fit Minute.

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I have created a whole post’s worth of tips and information to help you do just that. So what are you waiting for, get your plate in shape!

Learn How to Cut Back on Salt from this video:

Use the posts below to help you help the whole family to eat better

• The Color Guide to Budget- and Flat-Tummy-friendly Grocery Shopping
• No Heart Attacks Here, Healthy Hearts Only
• Cook using fresh herbs

Have some fun while you learn about food and nutrition with Nutrition Sudoku, Word Searches and other healthy nutrition games

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