October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I just wanted to remind everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women everywhere should pledge to be faithful in doing self-exams and getting mammograms on the schedule recommended by your health care practitioner.

There are many ways to support breast cancer research and treatment which will save the lives of women worldwide. You can volunteer for a breast cancer walk event near you. Details are readily available from the American Cancer Society.

Another way to support the fight against breast cancer is to buy products displaying the pink ribbon. These products range from cosmetics to food products ( I even bought a can of tuna with a pink ribbon on it). If you want to know how much of your purchase goes towards research, you can usually contact the manufacturer for that information.

Feeling Stressed? Mow the Lawn

Can mowing your lawn make you feel more relaxed?

Well, you won't have to worry about neighbors who complain about your unkempt lawn but there's more to it than that.

I had a friend once who swore by Herbal Essence shampoo and on several occasions had men asking to sniff her hair. I had doubted the pull of the outdoor scent but it seems that there's scientific evidence to back up her claims.

Australian scientists have found that a chemical released by cut grass has a calming effect on the brain and may even boost memory.

Dr. Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist at the University of Queensland, said the aroma regulates the part of the brain known as the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are responsible for the flight or fight response; and the endocrine system, which controls the release of stress hormones.

Now if you don't have a lawn or don't want to do yard work in order to relieve everyday stress, you're in luck . The researchers have now bottled the relaxing aroma of freshly- mown grassw into a stress-relieving perfume named Serenascent. The scent is said to have the 'pleasant aroma of a freshly-cut lawn or a walk through a lush forest'.

We'll let you know when it's available in stores.

Read More Here

Coffee Staves off Alzheimer's Disease

I love coffee and nothing makes me happier than just one more good reason to enjoy a hot cup of this amazingly aromatic brew every morning. And scientists have just given us such a reason.

Seems that coffee may actually decrease your chances of getting Alzheimer's. They found in studies on laboratory animals that reverses the build-up of a beta-amyloid protein in the brains of experimental mice. This beta-amyloid protein is the one that clumps together inside brain cells and keeps them from working properly, causing memory loss and the loss of cognitive faculties in Alzheimer's patients.

The recommendation is for three strong, black cups of coffee per day. I consume at least that much. Coffee is particularly helpful in increasing alertness and cognition in the elderly, even if they don't have Alzheimer's.

Well, I am off to brew another pot of miracle java. Make sure you take your coffee today, too.

What to look for in a Hair Straightener

It had to happen eventually. My faithful hair straightener finally bit the dust. It's had hours of use by both me and my teen daughter and it just couldn't take it anymore. We all know how well teens care for appliances. Well, it had been dropped a fair number of times, the plastic was cracked and taped back together but it still heated day after day so I didn't see the need to replace it.

Well, I finally did have to replace it. After a week of muggy weather, frizzies and just plain bad hair days, I couldn't take it anymore and I bought a new hair straightener and am I glad I did.

I got a reasonably priced ($27.99) device from Remington that has 30 heat settings as opposed to the 20 on the old one. Plus it will even work on damp or wet hair, taking it to dry, straight and smooth in one step.

I now realize too, just how much nicer it is to have the ceramic plates as opposed to the metal ones. Much smoother and my hair doesn't get caught in the appliance quite so much so I assume there will be less breakage and damage. The instructions say that the tourmaline in the plates have an ionic effect and will smooth out frizzies better. It does seem to do a great job, but it's still damp and drizzly outside so it's hard to tell yet.

If you're looking for a good hair straightener at a low price, I can say we are pleased with this one. In any case, I would definitely recommend you get one with the ceramic plates because I do notice a big difference in those and how my hair looks when I am done.

The most important part of any straightener is the ability to control the temperature, the ceramic plates and minimizing damage to your hair. You can get them in every price range from drugstore prices to expensive salon appliances. Just make sure that it has the features that protect your hair while giving you the smooth, sleek look you want.

It's a Blu World Contest

I love to bring you news of great contests and this contest is one of the best I have seen. BluFrog actually gives you your choice of 5 fabulous prizes if you're a winner in their It's a Blu World contest, and trust me, there's something here for everyone.

If you're an inveterate gamer, choose the BLUGAMER Ultimate Gaming Package with an Xbox 360 Elite System, Rock Band 2 Bundle and the complete Call of Duty: World at War. It's a gamer's dream.

For NASCAR fans there's a chance to have the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Orlando Florida if you choose the BluStreak prize. Stock car racing thrills on a speedway with your own pit crew to help out.

As if that's not cool enough, there's even more. You could fly to Aspen for the 14th annual Winter X Games with the Xtreme Blue Games prize. If you prefer the city to the mountains, maybe you'd rather try to win a New Year's Even in New York.

I can't think of any prize I would rather win than the trip to Chicago for the Lollapalooza music festival. Great bands and artists from every music genre perform at Grant Park in this world famous music jam with over 120 acts. And while I'm there, you can bet I'm going to find some Chicago deep dish pizza.

Here's the best part - it's so easy to enter. All you need to do is to tweet Blufrog and tell them which great prize you want to win and you've entered! So, what are you waiting for? Get over to Blufrog and check out this great contest and get your entry in.

Summer Hair Care - Sun Damage

It isn't just your skin that can suffer from the drying effects of the sun during the summer months. Warm weather brings us outdoors more often, and to different places like the pool or the beach. If you want to keep your hair looking smooth and silky all summer, a few essentials are necessary.

Number one: condition, condition, condition. Use a conditioning and moisturizing shampoo, an after-shampoo conditioner and do at least one deep conditioning or hot oil treatment per week. Another great idea is a spray-on leave-in conditioner that will give your hair an extra layer of protection against harsh pool chemicals and drying sun.

There's been some question of UV damage to hair and you can find hair products that contain sunscreen. There's no harm at all in using a product like this and it may help lessen sun damage to your hair.

Another great idea for protection from sun damage is to wear a hat. Hats can be the accessory that really makes an outfit sing, so find one that suits your style and personality and keep it all under your hat.