Games: Your Best Tool to Fight the Math Epidemic

Posted on June 25, 2012 by admin

Did you know that almost 4 in 10 American adults say that they hated math in school? Or that recent studies show that as a general trend, 15-year-olds in the US have less skill in math than their counterparts in Europe and Asia? Also, trends show that most kids start out fairly strong in math is elementary school, but that their interest and skill lessen as they get into high school. Unfortunately, it’s a fact that America is facing a math epidemic; students just don’t seem to care.

While you can’t solve the whole nation’s problem, why not target the problem within your own family? Making sure your kids have strong math skills will help them get ahead when it comes to their professional careers and life in general. And it’s easier than you think – games can be an effective and easy way to motivate your children. It’s also something you can do together as a family!

At this point, you may be wondering what sort of games to be playing. Luckily, that’s easy – most experts are careful to remind us that mathematical ideas that seem simple to adults are quite fascinating to young children. For instance, kids are often pretty surprised to find that a cup of water in a tall, skinny glass is the same amount as a cup of water in a short, stout glass, even though they look different. Basically, this means that any activity that allows children to get a sense of numbers (how they look, how big they are, and where they apply to the real world) are great.

For older children, more specialized games may be helpful. Computer games that are centered around mathematics- especially those that can incorporate what your kid is learning in school- are wonderful. Check out Brainetics, another great game for older children, and one that you can play, too!

April is National Mathematics Awareness month, meaning it’s the ideal time for you and your kids to start sharpening up your math skills… so get going!

 

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The Power of Feng Shui

Posted on June 19, 2012 by admin

Do you feel stressed out, cloudy, or as if you’re in a rut? While most people blame the weather or their lifestyles, sometimes your living space is to blame! If you need a change of scenery or think the arrangement of your home really is influencing your mood, Feng Shui can help! Here are a few tips that you can try out.

Balance

Feng Shui can be translated as, to follow “the way of wind and water.” It is a metaphor for the importance of maintaining balance, the main creed of the art of Feng Shui. If you have too much wind, you have a hurricane; too much water, a flood… just as these things must work in harmony to create a landscape, so should the things with which you fill your home. Whether it’s whitespace on a wall, or color distribution in a room, the right balance makes all the difference.

Decorations

Take a look around your house – Feng Shui sees every decoration, from pictures and photographs, to knickknacks and figurines, as anchoring you to a memory. If something doesn’t give you positive feedback, you should toss it, and replace it with something else. When choosing an object to decorate your home, ask yourself these questions: “Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I love it? Does it make me happy? Does it evoke a positive memory?”

Clutter

Get organized – this seems obvious, but that’s because it’s true! According to Feng Shui, you’ll benefit exponentially from a clutter-free environment, meaning that the time you spend cleaning up will be an actual investment in your future – when you live in an environment that nurtures you, you’ll feel energized, more productive, and empowered to make positive changes in your life. Clutter inhibits this by making the most basic, daily task a source of irritation and anxiety. Invest in some nifty storage containers and file folders to store away the things that you don’t need directly around you.

Nature

Natural items are a source of harmony and balance in the home. Just think – if only artificial items surround you, there is no way you are maintaining the balance of water and air. Bringing nature into your home (within reason) has been shown to affect your mood. In fact, studies on hospital patients have shown that those with plants in their rooms, or views of natural scenes such as trees and oceans, recovered faster than those with cityscapes and without plants. Take this knowledge with you into your home… fill it with plants and fresh flowers, and try to keep your windows open as often as possible.

 

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Product Feature: Brainetics

Posted on June 12, 2012 by admin

With summer on its way, are you wondering how you’ll keep you children from experiencing the ‘vacation brain drain,’ or the idleness that often accompanies time off from school? Well, Brainetics is the perfect solution, and will last well past summer vacation to enrich both your and your child’s mind.

 

Brainetics is a state-of-the-art math and memory program that trains your brain to not only recognize and store target information, but also to ignore unnecessary information. This leads to the most efficient brain function possible, giving your child benefits that will not only reach into their math comprehension, but also into every subject they learn. Best of all, Brainetics can be enjoyed by the whole family, making it an investment in the both the brain function of your family, and the familial bonds that grow out of spending quality time together.

 

Brainetics works for three powerful reasons: One, it teaches the basic, yet vital skills that make a world of difference in your learning, and retention of information (skills such as focus, concentration, problem solving, thinking outside the box, organization, memory, etc). Secondly, Brainetics trains two parts of the brain to work together simultaneously yet independently, meaning that your brain will process information in the most efficient way possible. Finally, Brainetics is fun, making the experience less school-like, and more like a game! This will only encourage your children to work harder, and do well.

 

So, if you’re looking for the perfect way to keep your kid (and your family!) entertained this summer, look no further than Brainetics – not only will your kids have fun, but they will also gain valuable skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. Order today – your kids, and your brain, will thank you!

 

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Beauty Mistake or New Trend?

Posted on June 7, 2012 by admin

So, we all know there are a few fashion ‘crimes’ that no one should commit – most of these have been around for a long time – however, a few classic crimes have recently made it into the mainstream fashion world, and might need to be rethought. See if you can guess which of these crimes are being redeemed, and which are still forbidden.

 

Ripped Tights

Your grandmother’s worst nightmare, right? Believe it or not, ripped tights are in this season, and have made their way into many of the spring/summer shows. Next time you get a run in yur black tights, don’t toss them! Unless you want to go extra grungy, pair your ripped tights with a sleek, solid colored skirt, top and blazer, or simple hot pants or shorts and a shirt with very little pattern – treat the tights like a pattern in themselves, and keep the rest simple. Make sure they’re flat to the skin, meaning there is no material that is so ripped that it’s hanging off your leg.

Verdit: Trend! (If done correctly)

Intense Tanning

Going super, super dark has always been out of fashion, and guess what? That hasn’t changed. Too-dark tans, even if they’re fake, remind people of skin cancer and make you look insecure… many girls use tanning because they think it slims them out (which generally, it does), but too much just makes you look scary. A little color is great, if achieved in the right way – with sunless tanning to keep you skin healthy.

Verdit: Beauty mistake

Mixing Metals

If you’re like me, your mother always told you to either wear silver, or wear gold, but not both together. These days, however, that has changed – in fact, people are piling on the bangles and rings, and in all different colors. The best way to wear mixed metals is to let one dominate the look at about 75%, meaning that about a quarter of the mix is the other metal. This keeps it from looking too matchy, and more bohemian.

Verdit: Trend!

Super Long Hair

Long hair is sexy, but super long hair can leave you looking like a crazy cat-lady… this fashion taboo is not going anywhere. Long hair is not just looked down upon because it’s long, but also because it has a tendency to get dry and scraggly at the ends, making you look unkempt no matter what you’re wearing. Extensions can in part solve this problem, but just remember – your hair should never be so long that you can sit on it… bra-strap length is usually the best.

Verdit: Beauty no-no!

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Jump Start Healthy Eating

Posted on May 25, 2012 by admin

If you want to improve your health, like eating better or exercising, do NOT think of it as a “diet” or a “quick fix.” This is a lifestyle change. You need to start incorporating new routines into your everyday life, permanently. This can seem very daunting at first, but the best way to approach your new, healthy lifestyle is with baby steps. Here are some easy ways to include healthy habits in your life today:

Swap soda for water

Soda is evil. It is full of sugar and chemicals and will sabotage any health plan. If you are a heavy soda drinker, as soon as you swap those sugary drinks for water, you will start to see improvements with weight loss and mood!

Start moving

Ideally, you should do 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise every week and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week for your health and wellbeing. If you’re not used to exercising, start with walking! Take a brisk walk around the neighborhood on your lunch break and after dinner. Invite a friend and catch up while walking around a lake. Other super easy ways to incorporate exercise: always take the stairs and park farther away from your destination.

Farmer's Markets are a great way to eat fresh and local fruit and vegetables!

Eat fruits and vegetables

Whenever you feel the urge to eat something sugary or bad for your health, grab a piece of fruit instead. Fruit can satisfy your sweet tooth and it includes essential vitamins and minerals. A fun and delicious way to eat more fruit and vegetables is to start juicing! You can make countless different fresh juices in the comfort of your own home.

Be smart about snacking

Snacking is important: it keeps your energy up and prevents you for overeating at meals. But, your snacks should be nutritious and well proportioned. It should be a light meal that supplies nutrients to the body. Great snacks include some cheese and an apple, yogurt or whole wheat toast with peanut butter. Another great way to incorporate whole grains and vegetables in your diet is with Gardenbar. These organic chewy bars are made with vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts and are a square meal on-the-go!

Try supplements

If you are really feeling frustrated and like you’re not seeing results, try adding a supplement to your health plan. VERY IMPORTANT: You must continue to eat well and exercise. Do not think that a supplement will cure all your problems. We like the Vitaloss Turbo Weight Reducer Supplement, which almost tripes weight loss with 92% fat loss, decreases appetite and speeds up your metabolism.

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Tips for a Fresher Face

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

As we age, the textures on our face change, like our skin, eye area and lips. So why shouldn’t our makeup routine change as well? There are a few key changes that pros recommend for maintaining a younger, fresher looking face as you age.

For your face, you should avoid the temptation to slather your face in foundation. In fact, a wet sponge, such as a beauty blender, is a much better way to apply foundation as it thins the foundation, and gives you the least coverage necessary. That way, you avoid looking cakey or too evenly colored. If your next step would be to apply powder, STOP. Powder, if the wrong kind or not applied with a very light hand, can emphasize everything about your face that you don’t want to bring attention to. If you absolutely must have some powder, apply it in sunlight so you can see exactly how it’ll look, and use a very light, translucent powder.

For your eyes, use an eye shadow base first and foremost to keep your shadow from creasing. Don’t be afraid of a little shimmer in your shadow to bring light to your face, but stay away from glitter, as this will look inappropriate on an older woman.  Avoid liquid eyeliners, as these are less forgiving when it comes to eyelid crepe-ing and creasing. Instead, choose a pencil or a gel that will give you more control, and fill in your lash-line more easily.  An eyelash curler should become your new best friend, as aging can flatten lashes, and make even the best mascara ineffective.

As for your lips, keep them moisturized to avoid rough, patchy lip color. Lighter colors are usually a safer bet, as dark colors tend to draw attention to thinning lips, and feather easily. If you really want to go dark, beware of feathering – try a dark tint topped with lip-gloss, instead.

Don’t forget to wash your face every night! Our faces are the most exposed parts of our body and absorb pollutants and UV rays everyday. On top of that, we apply foundation, powder, mascara, eye shadow and more. You must wash your face before going to sleep or all that oil and makeup will clog pores and cause blackheads and pimples while you sleep. Removing your makeup will keep your skin healthy, clear and radiant. And, with the Comodynes Makeup Remover Towelettes, it has never been easier. In just one single swipe, you cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin!

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Product Feature: Jay Kordich Power Juicer

Posted on April 2, 2012 by admin

Juicing is one of the most popular health trends. It allows you to meet your daily fruit and vegetable intake goals easily and in a delicious, nutritious way. Because cooking your fruits and vegetables can rob them of some of the micronutrients and other beneficial components, juicing has become the solution for many people who want to keep their micronutrients without having to chomp down on a ton of raw vegetables. Juicing will give you all the benefits of vegetables- such as lower cholesterol, weight loss, cancer and stroke prevention, artery health, and an improved quality of life- right in the comfort of your own home.

Ready to get started with juicing? Your first move will be to invest in a good juicer – that’s where the Jay Kordich Deluxe 2-in-1 Juicer and Blender comes in! The extra large feed chute will be able to handle large pieces of fruits and vegetables, cutting down on prep time for your juices. All the detachable parts are dishwasher safe, making clean up easy and minimal. With seek exterior made of stainless steel and sleek black plastic, this juicer is not only attractive, but also highly functional.

The stainless micromesh filter allows for high efficiency extraction, allowing you to get the most out of your produce. With two speeds, the motor power can be adjusted based on the food item, more efficiently maintaining the life of the motor. This juicer even comes with an instruction booklet and a few recipes to get you started!

With a one-year replacemeny warranty on juicer and parts, you can’t go wrong in ordering a Jay Kordich juicer. Get started with your juicing today!

 

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Beauty Tips You Haven’t Thought Of

Posted on March 26, 2012 by admin

Sometimes you need a suggestion from an outside source to give you a fresh perspective on your beauty routine – here are a few tips that you probably haven’t thought of before.

Best Looks

If you have a Facebook page, chances are you’ve got a ton of tagged photos… why not use these to help you pinpoint your favorite looks? If you love the way you look in a certain picture, you can make the effort to rock that look more often – if you hate a certain look, avoid at all costs. Pictures may not always be the best way to judge your appearance, but they can help you decide which looks make you feel great.

Sanitize Your Cell

Think about all the elements that your skin is exposed to on a daily basis, then think about those elements accumulating on your phone… ick! You wash your face in the morning and the night, so why not your phone? Twice daily may be a little much, but in order to prevent the bacteria on your phone from getting on your face, invest in some phone cleaner (for touch screens), or use a little rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab (for other types of phones).

Try A Trend

Red lips, deep purple eyelids, glittery nails… once in a while, you just have to try something new. Otherwise, how will you know what suits you? If you’re a little shy, try wearing the looks around the house until you gain enough confidence to rock them outside. Go crazy!

Ditch Your Vices

Don’t overindulge in alcohol, and don’t smoke. JUST DON’T. Binge drinking dehydrates your skin and smoking leads to wrinkles and dull skin. Cutting back on alcohol and not smoking are two of the best things you can do to fight aging skin.

 

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Tips and Tricks: Healthy Eating

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin

Most of us are constantly on the search for ways to keep our families and

Dinner can be fun AND nutritious!

ourselves healthy. Sometimes it can be hard to sneak in the fruits and vegetables that give us the nutrients we need, especially when snack foods are so appealing. Here are some tips and tricks for making sure that you’re getting your weekly-recommended amount of fruits and veggies.

Make it Fun

Use fruits and vegetables to turn lunchtime into craft time – cut cucumbers, carrots, peppers and other vegetables into fun shapes and use bread as the canvas. You can make fun faces or other pictures on top of lunchmeat and cheese, and then have your kids eat them when they’re done. You can do the same with fruits: watermelon stars could be fun or use bananas to make a fun face on top of cereal. Pizzas are also a fantastic way to get the family involved in dinner preparation. Just make sure your kids know that when it comes to playing with your food, there’s a time and a place!

Update Your Rotation

Many of us have a few dishes that are our standbys for nightly meals, but what about mixing it up, and adding a few fruits and vegetables into the mix? Go beyond side dishes – try introducing spinach into your favorite lasagna or broccoli into your spaghetti sauce. Stews, casseroles, spaghetti sauces and chili are virtually fail-safe when it comes to adding vegetables, so try to incorporate things like green peppers, zucchini, celery, carrots and onions. Try to replace some of the unhealthy things – like meat and cheese – with these additions. Don’t just confine this method to dinner – omelets are great for piling on the vegetables, as are sandwiches. Fruits are always great in salads and cereals.

Start with Salad

Begin your dinners with a large salad and take time eating it as a family. People who eat large salads before their meals often end up eating less carbohydrates and fats during their main course, as they get fuller faster. Granted, not all of us have time for this, so another option is to set out a veggie or fruit platter before dinner, for your family to snack on while the food is being prepared… you might even avoid the obnoxious, “Mom, when’s dinner ready?” routine!

 

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Best Bathroom Accessories

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin

Want to add a little pizzazz to your bathroom without breaking the bank? Here are some ideas to dress up your countertops.

Tray

A tray or wide-lipped bowl is a great way to help stay organized, as well as adding a little accent color to your bathroom counter. This is a place that you can put your watch, rings, hair ties and other accessories, so you remember to put them back on once you’re out of the shower. Another idea is to fill the bowl with decorative soaps, rocks, or potpourri.

Shaving Stand

Tired of you or you husband’s razor cluttering your countertop? Try a razor stand! You can get them with and without lathering brushes, adding a fun, old-Hollywood vibe to your shaving accessories. You can even get wooden handles for your guy’s favorite blades, making his shaving experience especially elegant. These make great gifts!

Glass Containers

Have a ton of toiletry products? Use them to decorate your counters! Get some pretty glass or plastic containers to fill with your bath oils, salts, body washes, and other products, so they can always be within reach without looking like clutter.

Colored Wash Tub

Need a way to organize you washcloths or other items? An old-fashioned looking, small colored wash tub is a great way to combine function and fashion. Use it to organize your countertops; you can even fill it with cotton balls and Q-tips.

Have fun with your bathroom! Personalize it and add some color.

Plants and Flowers

Try adding a houseplant to your countertop –they’ll give a spa-like quality to your bathroom, as they’re proven to be calming and help relieve stress. Choose a plant that won’t get too big, as you don’t want it taking over your countertop! Also, you’ll get to choose a cute pot to hold your plant, giving you another opportunity to add a little color.

 

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