The Secret Class

Jazzing Up A Staple Wardrobe Item - The Classic White Shirt - Tips From Dawn Del Russo

2011-09-27T19:05:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I stumbled across some of Dawn Del Russo's youtube videos. She is a lifestyle and fashion expert who is a frequent video blogger giving lots of GREAT advice to her fans for free. As I am starting a new job next week I really liked this video but all of her videos are really good. There are over 500 of them on Youtube so check her out for some fashion tips and inspiration.

Here is her Facebook page if you want to stay on top of what she is doing.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Del-Russo/56430210824

Another great radio clip on how to shop on a budget:

My New Amazing Skin Care Regime - Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser, Dermalogica Multi Active Toner, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Block

2011-09-27T13:22:00.002+01:00

Product Review for September - Dermalogica Skin Care Products - Gets 10/10 stars **********

I am sure everyone has heard about the Dermologica skin care range by now. It has gotten so popular now that all types of retail outlets are stocking it, not just health and beauty spas anymore. I had been meaning to check it out for several years after hearing a friend of mine raving about it but I never got around to it. I found a really good Irish website selling the products at a reduced rate last month so I decided to give it a try. (www.millies.ie)

I was not happy with the BDR range I had invested in last March at all. The cleanser left my face feeling greasy and the moisturizer never felt very nice going on. They did not sell a toner either as they had told me it was not necessary. Since I switched over from Yonka to the BDR range I noticed my skin had become dull and more prone to the occasional spot. So with the BDR cleanser nearly gone I figured it was about time I tried giving Dermalogica a try.

I chose the Dermal Clay Cleanser as it provides a deep cleansing to oily skin which is something I suffer with. What a great soap! As it is going on it feels so smooth and cold like a clay mask. As you start to lather it on your skin a refreshing tingling sensation starts as a result of the menthol in the product. It leaves your skin feeling really clean and revitalized.

The next step in my new regime is to spray the Multi Active Toner all over my face and neck. I love the fact that it is in a spray bottle. I cant count how many times I have bought toners to go with a new cleanser and moisturizer and forgot to use it or didn't make the time. This is probably because I never use to see any real benefit to them. However I enjoy spraying this toner on my face because I start to feel a tingling sensation right away which just makes me picture my pores just tightening up and any excess oil just getting zapped! Since I have started using this my skin is so much smoother and clearer and my pores have been reduced in size. This toner is also supposed to help get the skin ready to absorb more moisture when you apply your moisturizer. I promise it really is a great product and will not just sit on your bathroom shelf somewhere.

The final step then is to apply the Oil Free Matte Block moisturizer. This has an SPF 20 to help protect against sun damage like freckles and wrinkles. It definitely does what it says on the tin - maintain an all day matte finish! It also contains green tea to help calm inflammation caused by breakouts. It has a nice texture and smell and goes on light enough but still feels nourishing to the skin.

I have given this product range a 10 out of 10 because my skin looks amazing since I started to use it. I saw a difference after 1 week. I also received a free exfoliant kit but I have not used that yet.

I also bought an exfoliating face brush from Dermalogica. This unfortunately was a waste of money and was a bit on the expensive side. I do not like it at all. I thought it would have more of an exfoliating effect but it does not. I dont think I will ever use it again so it was a total waste of money.

Instead I recommend you use Loofah Face Pads. I still use them with my cleanser and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Your skin feels so smooth and your makeup looks so much better. You can pick these up in most chemists or pharmacies but I just found a link for a really cheap offer - 12 for £2.99. Usually you only get 3 for that price! http://www.superfooduk.com/loofah-facial-pads-12-pieces-645-p.asp

So if you are in the market now to try something new I highly suggest you try Dermologica, especially if you have oily skin and are prone to the odd breakout. If not keep it in mind for the future. I actually look forward to my skin care regime now and I think Dermalogica and I have a long future together!

Have You Heard About The Next Big Thing In Skin Care and Makeup? BB Cream Loved by the Asian Market!

2011-03-28T21:00:00.001+01:00

BB Cream, also known as, Blemish Balm Cream, is a pore-refining cream that regulates sebum secretion while creating a flawless and matte complexion without feeling greasy. It is huge in Asia right now and it is only a matter of time before it hits the Western market with a bang because it is a truly amazing beauty product.

I describe it to people as basically a combination between foundation and blemish cream. It feels like a tinted moisturiser going on your skin but it gives the coverage of a foundation. It leaves your skin feeling moisturised and smooth with a glowing complexion and pores greatly reduced in size. I use it as my day time foundation now and my skin has never looked better. It can also be used a base for foundation if you have more severe break outs that need extra coverage. The best part is that it is also healing the skin while it acts as a foundation giving coverage. This product would get 6 out of 5 star ratings from me, it really is amazing.

Wikipedia has this to say about BB cream:

Originally formulated in Germany, it was initially used by dermatologists to help laser surgery patients protect, soothe and refine highly sensitive skin while providing light coverage for post-laser scars, acne and other blemishes.

In recent years BB cream has gained a huge following for its skin-regenerating properties and is now also widely used in Asia to provide natural-looking skin coverage. Korean celebrities and cosmetic companies were the first to discover BB cream, and its popularity has now spread from Korea to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South East Asia.

BB creams come in a variety of different formulations. Some are said to have skin whitening or brightening properties, others are anti-acne, some are anti-wrinkle, some are intended to even out skin tone, and yet others to lighten blemish scars. BB creams are sometimes used like a primer under foundation, and if tinted can replace foundation.

The Main Benefits:

* Provides a natural glowing "no makeup" look

* Provides as much coverage as a foundation yet does not clog your pores or leave you with that sticky heavy feeling.

* Works pretty much like a tinted moisturizer and a primer

* Conceals and gets rid of all types of pigmentation, discoloration, acne and other blemishes

* Has that power to soften, smoothen and refine skin

* Encourages skin regeneration to create and maintain youthful skin

* Contains UV Protection for healthy skin (SPF levels differ for each brand/product)

* Anti-wrinkle and skin-lightening benefits (available for some variants)

*Alleviates under eye circles

Personally I have only tried Skin Food Brand of BB cream because I am a huge fan of Skin Food products. Below is a link to the product I have been using. Depending on your complexion you may want to opt for a darker shade. It is also very reasonably priced compared to some of the more up market foundations. Other well known brands are BRTC, Skin 79, Missha, Etude and The Face Shop.

This is an absolute must try this season, trust me you wont regret it :)

Salon Microdermabrasion v At Home Microdermabrasion

2011-03-28T20:06:00.000+01:00

Several of my close friends have asked me lately what I have been doing with my skin because it looks so much healthier. So I decided to write a series of articles on my new skin care regime I implemented this month that is working a charm for me! The first part of the regime began with salon microdermabrasion.

For several years now I have been dying to try microdermabrasion in the beauty salon as I had heard so many good things about it. Its known to clear out your pores, reduce fine lines and get the circulation going in your skin to give off a radiant glow. Well this month I finally got a treatment done in a salon in Dublin that used the crystal method.

After the first treatment my skin looked and felt amazing. However this only lasted for 3 or 4 days. When I got the second treatment done a couple weeks later, my skin did not look or feel any better at all. I decided to try the at home kit I had been given as christmas gift and it worked wonders on my skin. My skin was softer, smoother and more radiant. It cleaned out all of my pores and made my makeup go on so smoothly. Between the exfoliation brush and scrub and the buffer this is a truly fantastic product and so affordable. The moisturiser that comes with it is also really nice and smells gorgeous.

Based on this I would recommend anyone who is considering this procedure to try using the at home kit first. It is only a fraction of the cost and more effective. Plus you can do it in the comfort of your own home whenever you want. Try doing this to your skin once or twice a week for best results.

The Von Berg microdermabrasion set can be found with this link to amazon!

Eckhart Tolle on Falling in Love

2011-03-24T16:28:00.002+00:00

A Review of "Inspired Destiny" By Dr. John Demartini

2011-03-15T02:18:00.000+00:00

The main premise of this book is that everyone deserves to live a life they feel truly satisfied and inspired by. If they take the time to do some inner searching they can make this happen. The author, who talks about his own adversity in life, had to overcome many challenges in finding his satisfying path. He was born in braces, suffered from dyslexia, dropped out of high school and nearly died of a drug overdose when homeless as a teenager. One day he met a spiritual expert who helped him realize his life vision through a meditation exercise. Despite the fact that he had no high school education his vision was so strong he went on to battle his dyslexia and get a high school equivalent test, go to college and eventually become a doctor and philosopher who holds the Guinness book of records for holding the most seminars in one year. Not only does this stand as an inspiration for the reader it is a great story to use when explaining how people can overcome great challenges to fulfill their life’s purpose.

The key to finding your purpose in life is to identify what your top values are. Only when you are setting goals in congruence to these values will you be truly satisfied and inspired. When you are setting goals that are not in line with your values you are living in a fantasy and as a result you are going to be unhappy within yourself. For example, if you had a goal to be financially wealthy but you did not actually value wealth, chances are you will never become wealthy. However you will be unhappy with your economic status and may become depressed and resentful. “Buried in your heart is a powerful knowing, telling you what you’d love to dedicate your life to”. The problem with this is that there are 7 fears in life that hold us back. 1. Spiritual 2. Mental 3. Failure 4. Financial 5. Family 6. Social 7. Physically. Everything you value and want more of is already in your life in some form. Once you begin to recognize this and have gratitude you can begin to transform it into the form you desire. For example people who are longing for romance will remain lonely if they cant find love in being alone, i.e being content with the love they have for themselves. By examining what you surround yourself with, how you spend your money, how you spend your time, what you talk about internally and with others etc you begin to see patterns of what is most important to you in its current form. Once you recognize this you can turn this into the form you want by removing any of the 7 fears that are holding you back. This puts you on the path to an inspired destiny.

Part one of the book “Values, Purpose & Destiny” provides some very powerful tools and concepts to allow the reader to explore what is truly important to them. This allows them to figure out what they truly want to dedicate their lives to and make money while doing it. Part two “Life Skills” provides more powerful tools to help you identify and overcome the major obstacles that are standing in your way from living your life’s purpose. It identifies ways to remove emotional barriers that can stand in our way like guilt and fear of failure amongst others. Part three “Life Insights” gives us the reader great insight on how to live a meaningful life by holding a true vision about your future, by being a better leader, in managing your time and understanding the ripple effect.

This book is truly stimulating and has many new ideas and tools for a person to use in order to help themselves or someone they know find authentic happiness and their life purpose. This would be especially useful for someone who is lost or unfulfilled and looking for more out of life. It is also a great read for a coach because it helps reinforce the point that not only does everyone deserve to live an inspired life, everyone has the ability. As a coach it is our job to believe in, support and inspire our clients to follow their dreams and I felt that this book was a great addition in my ability to do just that. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in living an inspired life or anyone who works in the field of personal development. Its easy to read and it is full of value and new insights. Another great piece of work by Dr. Demartini.

Free Life/Business Coaching Session with A Master Coach!

2011-03-15T00:38:00.002+00:00

"Who exactly seeks out a coach? Winners who want even more out of life." -

Chicago Tribune

Are you living a truly satisfying and inspired life?

Are you truly happy in your career?

Do you live a healthy and balanced lifestyle?

Are you setting and achieving all your goals on your own to ensure success?

If you answered no to any of these questions you should consider getting a coach. A coach does for your life what a personal trainer does for your health and fitness. You would not build a house without laying down the foundation first, right? Well then you should also do the same when it comes to your life. Life Coaching gives you that solid foundation to build a successful and joyful life upon.

Here are some of the areas a coach can help you with:

>Finding Your Purpose In Life

>Finding a Satisfying Career

>Improved Sales

>Better Work/Life Balance

>Improved Time Management

>Goal Setting & Accomplishment

>Dealing with Change In A Positive Way

>Imporved Health & Energy

>Better Relationships/Dating

>Confidence Building & Public Speaking

I have 2 openings left for a free hour long coaching session with a Master Coach from JTS Advisors. Great opportunity for anyone who has an area of their life that they are not totally happy with and want to get some help improving. You would be surprised the value a coach can give you in an hour! Please email me at coachingtoempower@gmail.com if you are interested in availing of this offer. This will be done on a first come first serve basis as I only have two slots.

WARNING: Do You Know What Passion Really Means?

2011-03-14T12:43:00.000+00:00

Outside of the realms of a romantic relationship, I have also heard many people use the word "Passion" or "Passionate" to refer to how they felt about a particular topic, cause or career choice. I assumed, like many others, that this word had a solely positive connotations. I thought it meant someone had strong feelings about something or were very interested or committed to whatever they were referring to.

However, this weekend I had the most amazing opportunity to spend a whole day with Dr. John Demartini in a seminar on Wealth & Spirituality in Dublin. Dr. Demartini is most famous these days for his work on "The Secret" but he has been studying human development and philosophy for 38 years and sharing his wealth of knowledge with the world by traveling around and teaching through seminars, writing books and appearing in the media. He is a truly inspiring, knowledgable and caring man and I could not recommend going to see him highly enough if you ever get the chance.

One of the many things I learned this weekend is to be very careful in the way I use the word passion when referring to my career as coach. I used to say I am passionate about coaching or personal development but little did I know that this word has a hidden meaning. He says that passion is another word for suffering and being addicted to something, this is definitely not the meaning I was trying to portray! I got home and changed any social media profiles using the word passion and I have pretty much erased this word out of my mind now. When I looked up the word it is defined as a strong emotion however its synonyms can include: infatuation, mania, obsession, agony, anger, distress, fury, rage and resentment, amongst others. I don't think people generally mean to elude these type's of meanings when they say "I am passionate about...." They would be much better off to say 'I am committed to....' or 'I value....' so they are not giving any impression of suffering or obsession. In fact it may even be a good idea to stop using this word when speaking about romantic relationships too as I don't think any of us want to be speaking about suffering or obsession in that context either - well at least I don't!

Go out and spread the word about the true meaning of this tricky word!!

I will be posting up more about what I learned from Dr. Demartini in future written and video blogs so please stay tuned, this lesson was not even a chip off the iceberg!

Some Tips on Setting Balanced Goals for 2011

2011-01-10T12:35:00.001+00:00

Since it is the time of year again when people are making new year resolutions and setting goals for the year ahead I thought I could share some tips on setting goals that really work for me. Before I get into that I wanted to remind you of the difference between a goal and a wish. Many people wish they had the job or body of their dreams. When they take this wish and start to make a plan as to how they are going to make it happen and set real time lines to achieve that goal and all the milestones leading up to it then it becomes a real and obtainable goal.

Most people are striving to live a more balanced life. This is not an easy endeavor for many of us. One way that we can do this is by examining all of the important areas of our lives when we are setting goals for our year ahead. This way we can make sure we are focusing on all aspects of our lives instead of just one or two! In coaching we use the following 8 headings when we are looking at how satisfied a client is with their lives:

Health
Money
Career
Environment (Work/Home)
Friends/Family
Significant Other/Support
Fun & Recreation
Personal Growth

So for 2011 it would be very beneficial if you could take 20 minutes out of your busy lives and have a think about how satisfied you are about each of these areas. Feel free to change these headings or add to them as you see fit. Once you have figured out how you satisfied you are then figure out what steps you can take to be even more satisfied. Then write out all your goals under each heading that you will achieve by the end of this year. Obviously there will be more work to do in certain areas but it is important not to work so hard in one area that we forget about others. For example, there is no point working so hard on your career that your health and recreation suffers.

Here are a few suggestions to make this even more powerful:

1. Remember if you actually take the time to write down your goals, you will be 80 times more likely to achieve them. When I started to write my yearly, monthly and weekly goals down in 2008, I started to see some real results like never before.

2. Put this written list of goals for all the areas of your life somewhere you can see it on a regular basis. So instead of just writing it in journal and sticking it in a drawer that you will not look at very often, go ahead and tape it onto a closet door or something you look at all the time. This will keep it fresh in your mind.

3. Make sure you cross things off the list as you reach your goals. The sense of achievement is greatly increased when you do this and your motivation to achieve the rest of your goals will be even higher.

4. Set yourself really easy goals as well as some harder ones. So for instance if you want to loose 50 lbs, then also make a smaller goal of joining the gym or buying an exercise tape.
5. Set yourself a rough date as to when you would like to achieve each goal throughout the year.

I wish you all the best on the year ahead. Start the year as you mean to go on!

Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!) | Video on TED.com

2011-01-05T21:15:00.000+00:00

A great inspirational video to get this decade off to the right start!

Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!) | Video on TED.com

A Free Audio Book On The Law Of Attraction

2010-12-09T21:00:00.000+00:00

I just came across a site that has a free version of the audio book "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting" which was recommended to me by my mentor as a great book on the law of attraction.

Enjoy everyone!!!

http://www.archive.org/details/ExcuseMeYourLifeIsWaiting

Lessons From The Great Jim Rohn

2010-12-09T15:01:00.002+00:00

Jim Rohn is one of the most well known personal development authors and public speakers. He mentored Tony Robbins and also influenced Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield (Author of Chicken Soup for The Soul). While I had heard about his work for a while I only got the opportunity to start listening to some of his audiotapes tonight and I am quite impressed. Here are some of my favorite parts so far.....

1. Financial Planning: The poor spend what they have and invest what is left. The rich invest what they have and spend what is left. It’s not the amount of money you have but what you plan to do with it that counts! It is vitally important to have a financial plan for your future to ensure you are comfortable. Jim suggests something called the 70,10,10,10 rule. For every $1 that comes into your hand that is earned or gifted to you, only spend .70 cents of that. Then spend .10 cents for charity, .10 cents to invest in your own business or savings (active capital) and .10 cents that you let someone else use to make money off it (passive capital - i.e stocks, shares, investments into other businesses that you are not involved with). If you are in really bad shape then don't spend any more than .97cents of every $1 and use the same formula as above. Over time this will guarantee financial independence for anyone. Don't forget the reason to make a living is to make a fortune. Have an "investment account" not a "savings account" because if you start picturing yourself making money from what you put aside you might actually do it!

2. Personal Development: Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people. Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around. Investing in your own self development is the best gift you can give your kids, your parents, your friends, your partner, your employer etc. The better person you are the more you have to offer other people in your life. Chances are if the parents are ok, then the kids are ok. Put your mask on first! Just like they instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first on a airplane, you should do the same in life.

3. Time Management: How much money does your TV cost? No its not $400-500 or whatever you paid for it. Really it has cost you all the money you could have made as a result of watching it. So if you could have invested that time in learning a new skill, developing your self so you can do better in your current career etc.... It may cost the average person $40,000 a year. It is also easy to be online and off-track. So much valuable time is spent wasted surfing the Internet and not getting anything valuable done!

4. Goal Setting: if you don't have a list of goals for your life, you will tend to have a very low bank balance. We are primarily affected by our environment (physical, social, political etc..), Events, Knowledge, results, dreams. Make sure the future is pulling you forward and not the past pulling you back. Dreams and goals can become magnets and the stronger the goal, the higher the purpose the more powerful the objective, the stronger the magnet that pulls you in that direction. It will help you get through the dark times.

This is just a brief summary of my favorite bits but if you want to listen to the whole thing yourself, here is the audio, which I highly recommend. What a great Christmas present to yourself or someone else that loves personal development!

Cheap Christmas Gift Idea

2010-12-07T23:04:00.000+00:00

Seeing as it is that time of year again and most of us either have a little less money this year or don't want to spend as much, I thought it would be good to do a quick blog on a cheap gift idea I had recently.

I recently had dinner at a friends house is really an exceptional host! She is always making her guests feel so comfortable and spoiling them for choice with different foods. Well the last time I was at her house she made me some chocolate fondue sauce with Marshmellows and strawberries to dip it in. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect desert to finish off the dinner. I always thought you needed a fancy machine to make fondue but all she has was a simple one heated by a candle. I since bought one for myself and thought - what a great gift that would be for anyone, and it is so affordable!!! You should be able to get one for around $10 or less like this one on Amazon.

Come Check Out My New Blog On Cats!

2010-12-02T02:18:00.000+00:00

If you are an animal lover then you will get plenty of cute photos and stories here to cheer you up! Also you will find great advice topics like nutrition, grooming, breeding, showing, training as well as the cheapest deals around for your cat!
http://guardianangelcats.blogspot.com/

Are You Successful In Life?

2010-11-09T01:37:00.002+00:00

Would you describe your life as successful? Take some time to consider why. According to the Oxford Dictionary success is defined as the following: 

1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose 

2. The attainment of fame, wealth, or social status

Unfortunately there are many people that will use the latter definition to determine how successful their lives are. When people use external factors such as fame, wealth or social status they have no control over how satisfied they are with their success and ultimately their lives. As the recent economic downturn has shown many of us, our jobs, homes, cars and other status symbols are never a secure reality. They can be taken away when we least expect it. So if we base our level of success and happiness on having these status symbols, we leave ourselves open to feeling like a failure in life. This can lead to severe depression and seep into other areas of our life like our health and relationships with other people.  

Another thing to consider is something called negative success. This may sound impossible at first but think about it for a second. Have you ever met someone who had a great career but other areas of their live were not so wonderful. Think of the successful businessman that works so many hours a week that his marriage is breaking down, his kids are strangers and his health is beginning to suffer. He may have success in his career and lots of material possessions but deep down he is not happy due to the problems in the other areas of his life. That is what I mean by negative success. 

If you begin to use the first definition when evaluating whether your life is successful one thing becomes obvious - you need to figure out your life purpose or aim? Many people will never actually try to figure this out and so it is no surprise that they may never feel successful. 

Here is a list of suggestions I have come up with to help people live a successful and happy life.

1. Put a lot of thought into how you define success.

2. Set SMART goals for yourself write them down and continue to monitor them until you have achieved them.

3. Every night before you go to bed pick three things that happened during the day that you are thankful for

4. Distinguish what you need, want and wish for in life and work on achieving or maintaining these things.

5. Be aware of your values and make sure you align your lifestyle, relationships and career with them.

6. Find your calling in life, whatever that may be.

7. Commit yourself to becoming a life long learner

8. Don’t base your future on your past

9. Seek first to understand, Then to be understood. - Stephen Covey

10. Never spend more time on things that don’t matter than on the things that do.

11. Don’t let fear hold you back from achieving your dreams.

12. Begin to look for a positive aspect in every negative situation you are faced with - you will be surprised!

13. People are driven by two things pain and pleasure. Don’t live life being beaten with a stick - go for the carrot instead! By this I mean don’t be motivated to do things in order to avoid pain, do things in order to gain pleasure. (Tony Robbins)

14. Focus more on your strengths than your weaknesses.

15. Make work/life balance a major priority in your life.

16. Write a mission statement for your life and try to stick to it! Make sure you adapt it fit your values as you continue to grow.

17. Be Mindful as often as possible. By being present in the moment so you can truly relax and recharge your batteries! Try yoga or owning a pet to increase your mindfulness. Even when you concentrate on your own breathing for a few minutes you give your body a break.

18. Be careful of the self limiting beliefs you may have developed over your life - many of them are totally ridiculous and can hold you back from achieving greatness.

19. Learn from your mistakes don't dwell on them.

20. Remember that while we get older we may become less physically beautiful but we have the opportunity to become so much better looking on the inside.

21. If you want something then visualize it and the universe will send it to you.

22. Make sure you view money as a positive not a negative factor in your life. Never say “I cant afford it”, say “How can I afford it?” (Robert Kiyosaki)

23. Don’t let your level of success be determined by other people.

24.Write down a list of all of your good qualities and keep adding to it as you go through life.

25. Go to a life coach so you can receive the awareness, direction, confidence and inspiration you will need to achieve success. In the same way that you would seek professional advice for other things in your life (Doctor, Accountant, Lawyer, Mechanic etc...) you should also give the same level of commitment to making sure your life is a success with a coach.

Do You Want To Quit Smoking For Good This Time?

2010-10-18T14:09:00.008+01:00

I have been off cigarettes for two months now and it has been so easy. I had tried so many times in the past using different methods and nothing worked until now.

There are various reasons that people want to quit smoking but the most popular ones I have come across are:

1. They are too expensive
2. They can cause cancer and other health problems
3. They make your teeth yellow
4. They make you and your house/car smell bad
5. They give you wrinkles
6. They make it harder to stay fit and exercise

With that in mind, kicking the habit has been something I have been trying to do for the last few years. I always said that I would give them up when I reached 25. With my 28th birthday nearly in sight I was beginning to loose all hope that I would ever be able to achieve this. Then I found out about the Smokestik two weeks ago when my friend sent me this clip:

I had heard of electronic cigarettes before but I never really knew how they worked. Once I saw this video I thought the product was definitely worth a try. Here is how the company describes the product :

A SmokeStik Electronic Cigarette is a revolutionary device that resembles a traditional cigarette and fully recreates the smoking experience, including "a smoke like vapor", without tobacco, tar, and over 400+ chemicals that are found to cause cancer in a traditional cigarette. SmokeStik Electronic Cigarettes are one alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, that for the first time, allows the smoker to go through all the motions. SmokeStiks do not have carbon monoxide, tar, or any other known cancer-causing chemicals found in traditional cigarettes, cigars, or smoke. A SmokeStik Electronic Cigarette is essentially litter-less in that it is free of ashes and stubs. Unlike traditional cigarettes, the SmokeStik has no open flame, and is cool to the touch, greatly reducing potential bodily injury, and property damage. What you are "smoking" is a mist or vapor. This vapor is created as liquid nicotine, propylene glycol, and food grade flavorings, are vaporized by a tiny component called the atomizer.

The mouthpiece contains a replaceable cartridge/cartomizer filled with liquid. The main substances contained in the liquid are nicotine, propylene glycol, and optional flavors. When you take a drag on the SmokeStik, the air flow is detected by a tiny sensor. A microprocessor then activates the atomizer which injects tiny droplets of the liquid into the flowing air and vaporizes the nicotine. This vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation, similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco or real smoke is actually involved in its operation. The tip of the SmokeStik glows ( red, white, purple ), when inhaled, depending on the kit you choose. A high-density Lithium Ion battery powers the device and will last all day on a normal charge. Your starter kit will include two batteries so that you may use one while your second battery is recharging.

Now there are several brands of electronic cigarettes that I could have chosen but after some research I decided to try the Smokestik for the following reasons:

It is the only brand manufactured in the USA - meaning the quality control is better than other companies.
After going through a number of product reviews it seems that Smokestik has the most water vapor smoke so it is the closest to smoking a real cigarette.
The price was very competitive compared to some of the brands being sold in my local pharmacies.
A lot of celebrities in America are using it including Mr. Dicaprio which is usually a good sign of the products quality.

I was so happy when it finally arrived that Thursday. It took me a while to get used to it as it is a lot heavier to hold then a normal cigarette and it tastes different. You also need to take a real good drag off it in order to get a good amount of smoke. After using it for a couple of hours I had no urge whatsoever to smoke a real cigarette. In fact the smell of them was making me feel ill all of a sudden. I cant explain how wonderful it felt to know that I did not want to smoke cigarettes any more. Even on a nights out there was no urge to smoke a real cigarette unless my battery died! Note To Self: Never go out unless fully charged, ha!

The reasons I love my Smokestik are:

I can confidently say I have had my last cigarette because I don't even want them anymore!
I dont have to carry around a lighter.
I can smoke anywhere I want so I don't have to go outside anymore.
No more dirty ash trays and cigarette butts.
Less threat of any potential fire hazards from smoking.
I will save money because one cartomiser is so much cheaper than a pack of cigarettes (more than half price depending on how you order them).
I dont smell like a smoker anymore.
My teeth wont get yellow from smoking.
My health will improve
I can still enjoy the experience of smoking with my friends when I am out without feeling guilty.

I can keep going here but I think you get the point. I am not saying this will work for everyone, I can only speak from my own experience. However if you are desperate to quit smoking for any of the reasons I listed above then I think it is definitely worth a try. It may take some getting used to but in the end I think this could really work for most people. The beauty of this product is that you still get to have the hand to mouth action and inhale and exhale a smoking sensation.

If you do decide to buy one I suggest you also order a starter pack like I did. The pack included two batteries (with both charged you could smoke away on them for a whole weekend), three cartomisers of different nicotine strenghths and flavours, a USB charger, a home charger and a cute little case. There are a variety of different styles to choose from but I picked the Royale because I thought it was pretty!

Here is the website where you can order one: http://www.smokestik.com/ use the voucher code class10 to avail of your 10% discount and get the starter kit for 89.95 plus shipping and handling.

Its been two months and I have not bought one pack of cigarettes so I have saved myself 136 euros so it has more than payed for itself! There is also a 30 day money back guarantee and a life time warranty on these products. The customer service team is also very helpful.

Vitamix - The Best Health & Wellness Product I have Ever Seen!

2010-08-20T20:48:00.002+01:00

I have to say I am pretty blown away with the Vita-Mix blender since I stumbled across it a few days ago. It is on the top of my list of things I want to buy. As soon as I have it, I will write a full informative product review for others who are considering whether or not to buy it. I am so excited about it though that I wanted to share it with you now!

So what is so great about the Vitamix?

Research shows that phytonutrients and antioxidants in whole foods can significantly reduce damage to the cells by free radicals. The hard part is getting these essential chemicals into a digestible form as they’re locked inside skin, pulp and seeds. The Vitamix® machine ruptures the cell walls of fresh, whole foods to deliver the full benefit of nutrients. A recent study by the Health Research and Studies Centre showed that tomatoes processed in the Vitamix® machine delivered over three times more lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) than tomatoes prepared in a juicer or eaten whole. This can help prevent people from wasting up to 70% of their food. People on a liquid diet can get this product re-imbursed by their health insurance as it is seen as a medical device. Cancer centres all over the world use this because it gives people 98 percent of the nutritional value and antioxidants of raw fruits and vegetables compared to the average 25% you get from chewing with your teeth.

Well I love anything that can help me lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce the amount of money I spend on food and health supplements so when I saw this I was very intrigued. I think this will cut down on my food bills, as I will waste less food and spend less on processed things that are ready made. I can also make ‘must go’ soups – a great way to use up everything that ‘must go’ in my fridge. Even last night’s leftovers! I also think it will help me to eat healthier by getting more antioxidants from the raw food into my diet, especially the soups. I also like it because I can make a lot of my own recipes for low fat alternatives that I cant find in the shop or that are very expensive.

There are over 65 uses for the Vita-Mix but I have listed below my favourites:

1 & 2 The Most Nutritious Juice & Smoothies - Unlike a juicer or a regular blender - which can get rid of as much as 70% of the nutritional benefit (and money spent) - there is almost no waste from a Vitamix® machine. For example, an apple’s seeds and skin provide a high percentage of the fruit’s nutritional benefit. So does the green stems of strawberries, white part of an orange, middle of a pineapple, seeds of a grape etc...The Vitamix® machine is the only kitchen appliance that breaks down the cell walls to provide the full benefit of nutrients in a whole food juice. If you add Flaxseeds or Cacao nibs it will also turn these into digestible powders.

3. Hot Soup From Raw Vegetables - leaving you with all the nutritional and antioxidant value of raw veggies in minutes.

4. All Natural Ice Cream With No Preservatives - You can even make tasty green ice cream with spinach in it that tastes great but still gives you great nutritional value. You can also make regular full fat types of delicious chocolate, vanilla, banana etc...when you want to indulge. Freeze left overs in the fridge for later. Vegans can also make dairy free ice cream easily.

5. Gorgeous All Natural Sorbets Made From Your Favourite Fruits.

6. Scrambled Eggs - simply made in 1 minute, nice and fluffy, no burning, easy to clean up.

7. Blend Your Coffee Beans Into Powder

8. Hot Fondue Sauces - Cheese & chocolate

9. Ground Beef or Turkey From Whole Pieces of Meat So You Know What You Are Eating

10, 11, 12. Restaurant Quality Frozen Cocktails, Frappucinos and Snow Cones.

13. Salsa, Guacomole, Hummus & Other Dips

14. Homemade Tomato Sauce With 3 Times More Nutritional Value

15 & 16. Dressings for Salads & Fruit Syrups for Ice cream and Pancakes

17. Whip up Fresh Cream For Deserts

18. Turn Sugar into Powder

19. Make Fresh Pesto Sauce & Mayonaise (low fat options)

20, 21, 22. Breadcrumbs, Coleslaw, Batter for Cakes, Brownies, Pancakes etc.

23. It Crushes Ice

24. Chops Vegetables Like a Food Processor

25. Peanut Butter

One of my favourite parts about this product is that you can turn it on self clean with a little fairy liquid. Compared to most blenders this is a dream come true. With a seperate attachment you can also make dough for cakes and bread.

There are a range of models that all have similar functions at a range of price points all available on Amazon. They are expensive but I think this product will pay for itself after a couple of months when you feel healthier and you waste a lot less food.

All of the reviews I have read on this are great. I think this is the best video I have seen on it but the quality isnt great!

The Magic of Tomatoes!

2010-07-24T18:11:00.004+01:00

Do you know the part of the tomato with the stem that you always slice off and throw out? Well what if I told you that instead of wasting that part you could use it as an exfoliator for your face? Follow these steps:

1. Cut off a slice of the tomato with the stem still attached.  

2. Pour out some white granulated sugar on a small plate. 

3. Now hold on to the stem of the tomato slice and dip it into the sugar. 

4. Rub this tomato slice all over your face in a circular motion.

5.  Re-dip the tomato slice into the sugar as needed. 

6. Leave the juice of the tomato on your skin for 5-10 minutes and then wash with lukewarm water.

Your skin will feel lovely and soft after this treatment as it scrubs away all the dead skin. I usually do this before my egg facial once a week (You will find a separate blog on this in the hair and beauty section). This is also a great way to exfoliate when you are away from home if you forgot to pack your facial exfoliator.

The use of tomatoes for skin care is ideal because of their cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which is great for acne and brightening dull skin. Tomatoes also contain vitamin A, which is needed for building healthy skin. Their naturally acidic properties help balance the skin and get rid of excessive oil.

Tomatoes are also fabulous for our skin because they contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which fights the signs of ageing. Lycopene is a great antioxidant for the skin because it provides protection from environmental damage. It helps cells grow and reproduce, thus improving the skins texture. Improving cellular functions is also essential to keeping the skin looking young. Lycopene strengthens the skin by enhancing its ability to produce collagen and reducing the DNA damage that leads to wrinkles.

Considering how good tomatoes are for our skin, it is no surprise then that so many new skin care products have tomatoes in them!

Burt's Bees does one of my favourite facial soaps called Garden Tomato Complexion Soap for people with normal to oily skin. I really like it because it is 96.80 percent natural so it doesnt contain any of the harmful chemicals that so many beauty products do. It contains a vegetable soap base, fragrance, tomato powder and aloe barbadensis. Not only does the Garden Tomato Soap combat sagging skin and unbalanced pH conditions, it smells absolutely wonderful.

If you are looking for a great moisturizer made with tomatoes then try another one of my favourite products. Yes To Tomatoes Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion balances and hydrates normal to oily skin. It is made from 99.6% natural ingredients including organic tomatoes, watermelon, chamomile and Dead Sea minerals. It smells lovely and it is just the perfect consistency for my skin. It goes on nice and thick but still feels really light. I highly recommend this product to anyone who likes natural products at a great price.

The Egg Facial

2010-07-24T15:59:00.007+01:00

One of the best and cheapest facials you can give yourself is the egg facial. It may sound gross but it really works! Not only does it dry out the oils from your skin, it is also a natural whitening product. It helps to reduce scarring and sun damage.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Break the egg, splitting the yoke from the whites in two different bowls.

2. Beat the whites until they are nice and foamy.

3. Cover your face in a layer of the whites.

4. When your face feels tight then wash it off with luke warm water and pat dry.

5. Take the yoke and spread a thin layer over your face. This is a great moisturizer for your face.

6. Again when this gets tight wash it off with luke warm water and pat dry.

Try to do this at least once a week and it will improve your skin significantly. It is especially good if you have a sudden break out, as it will help it clear up a lot faster.

The Power of Visualization - My Experiment

2010-07-23T16:13:00.004+01:00

One of my most strongly held beliefs is that if you can visualize something, then you can make it happen. Ever since I was a little, I remember determining whether something would happen on whether I could see it play out in my mind. For example, when I was 10, my family was supposed to go on a trip to Florida. For some reason I just couldn't picture it happening as I had with other vacations. In the end, I ended up getting sick and not going with them.

I did not realize as a child that what I was actually dealing with was the Law of Universal Attraction. It was not until I was an adult and I read the book "The Secret" that I realized how my thoughts become things. The Law of Universal Attraction states that:“like attracts like”. This law suggests that you should think of yourself as a living magnet because you get what you think about whether you want to or not. Thoughts have a frequency and send out a magnetic signal that is drawing the parallel back to you. I will go into this topic more deeply in future blogs but if you want to find out more about the book The Secret and the law of universal attraction here is a great video that I watch all the time:

So if your thoughts can create your life then we should all get really good at visualizing what we want. When I say visualize, I mean close your eyes and imagine yourself in whatever situation you are trying to bring into your life. Whether it is securing a new job, finding your soul mate, moving to a new location, or being at your ideal body weight. Whatever it is that you want, you need to vividly picture it in your mind. The key is to visualize what you want all of the time.

Personally I like to spend five minutes painting a picture in my mind of what I want every night before I fall asleep. As an added bonus this usually puts me in a really good mood. In the past I attracted my soul mate into my life with this technique. I also found a new career with this technique.

I want to do a bit of an experiment with this. So I am selecting my next visualization project to be one material thing so it will be easy to show that this works. So I am going to start visualizing that I will own a silver Nissan Qashqai by the beginning of 2011. I will keep you updated as to when I buy this car. Wish me luck!

The Mascara That Will Change Your Life

2010-07-23T15:00:00.003+01:00

I have to admit one of my best features is probably my eyelashes. Whenever I am out people always say to me, "Do you have false eyelashes on?" I am lucky because I do have very long eyelashes and I have never had to use fake ones yet. To be quite frank, I don't think I would be a big fan of the whole glueing process anyways.

Although my lashes are very long, I also have a secret weapon. About 6 years ago I stumbled across an amazing mascara made by Christian Dior called the Diorshow. I have to say ever since I have found this mascara I have been getting these questions about whether I have false eyelashes on. For someone who already has long eyelashes this product will make them so long and full that people will be convinced you have false eyelashes on. For those people who have average length eyelashes, you will look like you have naturally very long eyelashes.

I have always told people about this product because I love it so much. I can honestly say that about 15 people I told when out and bought it and have been using it ever since. One of my friends who was a big fan of false eyelashes has even stopped wearing them because of Diorshow Mascara. She thanked me so much for telling her about this because she said it "changed her life!"

Depending on whether or not you buy designer makeup this product may seem a little expensive as prices can range from €19.99 - €38.99 ($24.99 - $39.99) depending on where you are looking. The lowest prices I have seen were in the duty free at the airport and highest prices were at regular department stores. After a quick internet search the best price I could see for this product was on Amazon.

I will try to get some before and after photos up ASAP!

I Can't Live Without My Waterpik!

2010-07-23T01:39:00.008+01:00

I can honestly say that one of the best products I have purchased in the last few years has been my Waterpik! When I go away for a couple of days and I don't have it, I absolutely long for it.

I have always been a fan of flossing daily but it was leaving my gums very sore and lets face it, it just doesn't get your mouth as clean as it should be. With flossing and brushing alone I could still feel a bit of grime along the gums and it was impossible to get the very back teeth clean. Plus my wisdom teeth are impacted (they came up sideways). Because my mouth is too small to have them removed, I have to live with them. Keeping them clean was a real challenge before I found the Waterpik.

Unhappy with my oral hygiene, I went researching online one day for an alternative. I came across the oral irrigator. As an alternative to flossing with string, the oral irrigator shoots water between your teeth. Dental water jets provide a unique combination of water pressure and pulsation at the level clinically proven to reduce gingivitis and enhance gum health. The product is similar to the water jet in the dentist's office.

As you can imagine flossing with string only scrapes the surfaces between your teeth so it still leaves a lot of residue. Whereas, the Waterpik, cleans these surfaces and washes away any debris. The best part is that it gets below the gum line unlike any other dental product. It prevents the build up of tartar extremely well. It also whitens your teeth and kills bad breathe. It does not hurt your gums so you can use it as much as you desire! It is also the best remedy for getting rid of that horrible feeling in your mouth when you wake up the next morning after having a few alcoholic drinks. You can fill it up with mouthwash and warm water for an extra burst of freshness.

I bought the Waterpik Cordless Dental Water Jet WP-450 from Amazon for about €35 as this was the best value from what I could see online and offline. I am very happy with this model. It came with an orthodontic tip, a standard jet tip, a Pik Pocket tip and a tongue cleaner. My boyfriend and I have our own tips so it is great if you will be sharing it with someone else. Refill tips are also available to buy online when needed. The tip rotates 360 degrees to reach all areas of the mouth and the jet has a dual pressure control system, for sensitive gums and deep cleaning. The only complaint I would have is that it only stays charged for a couple of uses. When it doesn’t work in the morning because it is uncharged I get very upset that I have to wait til that night to feel that wonderful clean sensation it gives me.

I would definitely rate this product 10 out of 10, it really is amazing! I just don't know how the Waterpik is not as popular as the common toothbrush yet? This also makes for a great gift.

The Shocking Truth About Your Shampoo

2010-07-22T23:34:00.010+01:00

I recently found out that most shampoos contain terrible chemicals that leave your hair dried out and stripped. It is no wonder then that my hair seems dried out all the time. I just couldn’t figure out why my hair was in such bad condition despite the fact that I try not to straighten it or blow dry it too often. I never looked at whether the shampoo I was using could be the cause of the problem until now.

Aside from the cosmetic reasons to avoid these ingredients there are real health concerns too. When you put something on your skin, it gets absorbed into your bloodstream and sends toxic substances to the liver to clean them out. The liver then tries to get rid of it them through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. Chances of cancer of the bladder, cancer of the bowel and cancer of the lung are then highly increased. Even if something says that it is natural, you should still check the label because even if only 10% of the ingredients are natural they can see use that on the labeling.

Have a look at the ingredients if you are using some of the more common brands like Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders, Sunsilk, Pantene etc., or even some of the more expensive brands like Redkin, Charles Worthington, Bed Head et. Check the back of your shampoo bottles and try to avoid the following ingredients:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Found in 95% of shampoos this is one of the worse ingredients- SLS is also commonly found in detergents used for cleaning garage floors and engines. This chemical is known to damage hair follicles and make the hair fall out. It has been linked to eye damage, intestinal damage, breathing problems, skin spots and cysts. One of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is that it mimics the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer.

2. Propylene Glycol (Alcohol) – A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. This has been proven to inhibit cells growth. It is also found in wrinkle creams and should be avoided as it actually causes the skin to age as new cells cant grow to replace the old ones.

3. Dioxin - This is one of the major chemicals in Agent Orange and is thought to be responsible for all kinds of disease reported by those that came into contact with the chemical.

4. Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and Ethyl Paraben (These have been linked to cancer)

So What is The Alternative?

Buy good organic shampoos that don’t contain these ingredients. Do your research and find out what each ingredient means before you use it on your body. One store bought brand that is very good is Organix. The coconut milk range is my favorite.

An even better option is to make your own! Here is a great recipe for a homemade shampoo that is amazing on your hair and easy on the wallet! It may cost a bit for the initial stock but in the long run it will save you money and give you healthy shiny hair!

Get an empty 8oz bottle with a dispenser and mix the following:
1. Dr. Bronner Peppermint Castille Soap (1/4 cup)

2. 100% Aloe Vera Gel (1/4 Cup)

3. 1 Tsp of Jojoba Oil

4. 1 Tsp of Vegetable
Glycerin

5. Few drops of Tea Tree Oil

6. Few drops of any essential oil to scent this - I love lavender!

The Homedics Shiatsu Massaging Cushion

2010-07-22T23:20:00.000+01:00

I recently purchased the Homedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion from Amazon. I have to say, while I do not totally regret buying the product, I certainly would not recommend it to anyone! It only provides a mediocre massage for your back. My main complaint with this product is that the neck massager does not touch my neck. You would really need to have the neck width of a professional football or rugby player to get any benefit from this added feature.

I still enjoy the product but it is definitely not worth the price tag.

Preventing Kidney Infections Forever!

2010-07-22T02:38:00.000+01:00

Two years ago I suffered from kidney infections at least once a month. I spent so much money on the doctor and antibiotics but they just kept coming back. Then I went to my local food store and asked them was there any herbal remedies for this ailment. The lady asked me if I had tried cranberry tablets. I said yes they never really did me any good. She explained that the majority of the pills on the market are really ineffective. What you have to look out for is the strength or the Mg. The best pills to buy are 10,000mg +. Anything below that is really a waste of time and money.

She recommended the Kordel's High Strength brand. 30 capsules cost me around €8.50 and lasted me nearly six months. Any time I felt like I might be getting a kidney infection (you know the signs girls!) I would just take 2-3 of these pills and low and behold the infection never came. Two years on and I haven't had a kidney infection since.

So if you suffer from these, as most women do unfortunately, then give these a try. I promise you won't be disappointed.