It’s another year and another chance for everyone to show their support for women and heart disease. An illness which affects thousands of women from 40 to 60 every year. During these years it is especially crucial when a woman’s risk of heart disease starts to rise.

The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease. It is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Heath, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Red Dress was introduced by the NHLBI in 2002 and is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness.

The Today Shows Natalie Morales in a designer dress by Tracy Reese

This year the tradition continues with the stage set and the red carpet ready for a fabulous fashion event showcasing America’s top designers and their one-of-a-kind red dresses. For the first time ever a selection of the designer dresses seen on the runway will be auctioned online in February through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back. These are just a few of the beautiful dresses you can win through the end of February.

Grey’s Anatomy star Sarah Ramirez seen here in a gown designed by Angel Sanchez

Of course Bobbi Brown of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and her team of artists did the makeup as they do every year and everyone looked beautiful. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and will be used to continue raising awareness for women’s heart health and research.

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone and to keeping your heart healthy and always happy:-)

xx,

B

image credits: NHLBI & Clothes Off Our Back

It’s a new year, and what better time to make a few changes, and be open to a new and improved you! Sometimes the simplest tips or suggestions can make the biggest difference in someone’s life.  Not in any particular order but all good to know.

My first, which some of you may not like, is tossing your diet books and just eating a little healthier. Eating lots of multicolored foods that were recently alive like vegetables or fruits is a good start. So good for you, with many long term benefits.

Love your teeth? If so then you’ll want to rinse your mouth out after drinking a soda. This will help wash the enamel-eroding acids off your teeth.  If you don’t floss, try using an electric toothbrush to get into the hard to reach crannies and fight gum disease.

I love olive oil, I really do, but since I am obsessed with making sure I get enough fatty acids in my diet I also use canola oil as often as I can. Canola oil has less saturated fat and a lot more omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to do everything from lift your mood to help fight heart disease.

Eat less salt… That’s a tough one for me. I usually sneak into the kitchen when my boyfriend isn’t looking and add more. You may think oh please what’s a little salt going to do, but did you know that many women over the age of 45 have high blood pressure, and a lot is due to high sodium in their diet. Can’t have that:-)

Having trouble sleeping? It may be that TV you have on, or the reading light that’s disrupting your sleeping cycle. Keeping things dark will keep your melatonin production happy and make for a better nights sleep.

Try a yoga class and make a new friend. Hot yoga, or as it’s called in the yogi world, Bikram is my favorite and addicting too. If you can’t handle the heat, Hatha yoga is excellent as well. In just a few weeks you will begin to notice your body getting toned and your skin looking fabulous.

Need a quick work out? Take the steps instead of the elevator or escalator. Any activity helps your heart and waistline, and who doesn’t want that:)

Always take time for yourself. Sometimes we put our own needs last forgetting that even the littlest things like sneaking away and reading a book, taking a long hot bath, or just listening to a great song can set the tone for your day and make all the difference in how you feel.

Be good to your skin. Just putting on a bit of moisturizer can take your skin from dull to dazzling. Try a shimmer creme instead of foundation and tap over your cheekbones for a beautiful sheen. One of my favorite looks when I have only seconds to do my face.

And my last tip for staying healthy in 2009…love yourself! I mean really love yourself. Wake up in the morning, get in front of that mirror and say “good morning beautiful!” It may feel funny at first, but It’s a great way to start your day, and your mind and body will thank you.

Hugs,

Beth

This year bloggers from around b5media’s Lifestyles, Health and Wellness channels are giving readers a special surprise. They’ve created a virtual mall to help ease the anxiety of shopping for those on your Christmas list who may be a little more difficult to buy for.

Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover - but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience - but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea - but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge - allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift - let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them - Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year - check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family - down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails - check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

For the baker on your list - Marye from Baking Delights shares some of her personal favorites for her baking adventures in the kitchen. At a time when flavors, colors, aromas and tastes are at their peak, finding the perfect gift can be a bit of a challenge.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites - A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From everyone at Lifestyles - Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Image credit: Stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: holiday gift guide,shopping guide,unique gift ideas,b5media,lifestyles channel,health and wellness,christmas gifts,black friday shopping,cyber monday

What is your Real Age? From stress and environmental factors, our age may not seem to be what it is. Have you ever calculated your Real Age?

I will be 41 years old in just about a month - remember when I just turned 40? But according to my Real Age test over on RealAge.com, I am actually 38.9 years old. Pretty good.

The test took me about ten minutes and the site even gave me a little recommended plan, such as exercise more, incorporate more soy into my diet, etc.

Go take the test to see what your Real Age is.

After I finished writing the post below about Peri-Menopause Symptoms, I decided to click on over to amazon.com to see what books they had on the subject. I ordered three of them:

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About: Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life from Thirty to Fifty by John R. Lee, Jesse Hanley, and Virginia Hopkins.

The Pause: Positive Approaches to Premenopause and Menopause by Lonnie Barbach

Medical Management of Menopause and Premenopause by Winifred Berg Cutler and C.R. Garcia.

I will report back my thoughts and/or findings on the books as soon as I finish them. If you have a favorite book on the subject, please share it in the comments.

Today is the Great American Smokeout. What does that mean? Stop Smoking.

Really, you know smoking is bad for your health. I know it is addictive, as I used to smoke. Luckily, quitting was easy for me. I don’t know why, but after smoking for over three years, I was trying to get pregnant and knew I had to quit. And I did.

The American Cancer Society is the official host of this annual event, and they are a great resource for educating yourself in how to stop smoking. Your doctor is a great resource too. I urge you to make an appointment with your Doctor and talk to them about quitting smoking if you feel that you cannot quit smoking on your own.

Please, give it up. For one day. At least today. Then one day at a time, until you give it up for a lifetime.

And on the totally vanity side of smoking, you may think it looks cool, but just look at those wrinkles around your mouth, and know that they are simply not attractive.

There are certain days of the week, or maybe month, that I really feel like a powder nap would immensely help me get through the day. I found an article that speaks to me and how I totally feel about power naps.

The article is written by Dr. Maoshing Ni from his Secrets to Longevity, which is a health blog from Yahoo!.

Power Up with a Power Nap
A long-time tradition in Latin countries, a siesta is a great way to jumpstart the second half of your day. Famous nap enthusiasts have included some of the best minds in history, such as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and Thomas Edison.

What they knew was that a midday snooze - while seeming to be an unproductive use of time - could actually increase their effectiveness. Some of the reviving benefits of naps include enhanced cognitive function, better reaction time, more patience, stress relief, and better overall health.

So how long should your power nap be? It differs from person to person, but on average, a brief nap to revive the brain should be between 15 and 30 minutes. Sleeping for any longer will get you into deeper stages of sleep, from which it is difficult to awaken. (If you are napping to compensate for significant sleep loss, you would of course want to take a longer nap, and research has much to say about the restorative benefits of lengthy naps.)

You can read more of his article by visiting his blog.

Take a guess at what I am about to do right now? It is almost 3:00 in the afternoon and my energy levels are falling. Power Nap here I come!

Tune into Oprah today, as she will be having her resident Doctor Oz on the show.

Today, Dr. Oz will follow up to a recent episode where he will tackle the subject of aging, once again. The official title of the show is Dr. Oz on Aging: How to Turn Back Time Part 2. I will be watching and can not wait to see what he claims his miracle “green drink” is.

Tune back in here to Aging Fabulous tomorrow, where I will recap the show and let you all know about this “green drink” with more from the show.

Yesterday, I talked about how important mammograms are in women’s overall health care. Today, I need to mention the importance of monthly breast self-exams.

While you really don’t need anything special to do your monthly breast self-exam, there are some products and kits that will help you. One such kit is this one from Liv. It is the Liv Breast Self-Exam Kit.

Product Description:
Liv, the revolutionary kit for every woman, provides ease and effectiveness for your monthly breast self-exam. Presented in a velvet storage bag, the FDA-cleared, doctor-recommended kit features a reusable, touch-enhancing Liv exam aid to help you recognize changes quickly and easily. The aid reduces friction between your fingers and skin to provide greater sensitivity. Kit also includes a user journal, guidelines and postcard.

This kit is conveniently available at Amazon.com for $22.95

I am sure that we have all been affected by breast cancer in some way. Whether it is yourself, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter or friend, we have felt it. The fear, the anguish, the sadness, and for a good many of us, the joy. The joy of conquering this heartbreaking disease.

Conquering breast cancer is something to celebrate, and I am so thankful that more and more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. And without having a full month dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness and even the year-long pink product and pink ribbon campaigns, we might not be celebrating this as much.

I hope you will join me and support Breast Cancer Awareness month by purchasing a pink product. I will be bringing you beauty suggestions all throughout the month, and hope you find something you like!