The Chocolate Craving

I love chocolate. I eat chocolate every day, often multiple times a day, in one form or another.

This is how much I love chocolate: A week or so ago during my lunch break at work, I was enjoying a milk chocolate bar packed with nuts and dried fruit. In my chocolate daze, I accidentally dropped just one square of my chocolate bar on the floor. The really, really, really dirty floor. Albeit briefly, I very seriously considered eating that small square of chocolate anyway. I almost did it. The only reason I didn't? "Now, you didn't eat the cracker or the carrot you dropped on the floor the other day, so you probably don't need to eat the chocolate you dropped either," I had to tell myself. And so, mournfully, I put the chocolate square in the trash, grateful at least, that I still had a square left. (I don't want to think about what I might have done had that lost square been the last square...)

While I would be absolutely lying to you if I said I always replace my chocolate bars, chocolate brownies, and chocolate fudge sundaes with healthier alternatives, I do diligently keep healthier alternatives on-hand. Some of my current favorites are Belvita Bars in Chocolate, Special K Pastry Bars in Chocolatey Caramel, and Who Nu? Nutrition Cookies. Chocolate milk is another good way to satisfy a chocolate craving. Below, the benefits of each treat are discussed.

Chocolate Belvita Bars

Chocolate Belvita Breakfast Bars can usually be found in your grocer's cookie/cracker/snack isle. They provide 19 grams of whole grain per serving, almost 40% of your daily recommended intake, which is 48 grams.

 
While Belvita breakfast bars come in several flavors, chocolate is by far my favorite. Each individually wrapped packet contains four crispy, chocolatey biscuits. They make a satisfying treat not only for their delicious taste and hearty texture, but also for their nutritional value. Each pack (if I'm not mistaken) provides 19 grams of whole grain. Experts recommend 48 grams of whole grain per day, so one package of Belvita cookies provides almost 40% of your recommended intake. As you can see in the image below, which depicts the ingredients list, the very first ingredient in these biscuits is whole grain wheat.

Whole grain wheat is the first ingredient in chocolatey, delicious Belvita breakfast bars.

With three grams of fiber and four grams of protein per four-biscuit serving, chocolate Belvita cookies offer some nutritional benefits that can make you feel good about getting your chocolate fix.

In addition to its being a good source of whole grain, Belvita cookies also provide three grams of fiber per serving, along with four grams of protein. Clearly, this is a cookie you can feel pretty good about, as cookies go.

Chocolatey Caramel Special K Bars

While Special K Pastry Crisps have been around for a while, the chocolatey caramel flavor is a new addition to the list of flavor options available.

In general, I am a stick-to-the-list kind of grocery shopper, but when I saw these delicious looking bars on the shelf, they were just two tempting. Impulsively, I deviated from my list and bought a box. Boy am I glad I did! These things are delicious. Like the Belvita biscuits, these crispy delights come in lots of flavors, but so far, chocolatey caramel takes the cake in my book. The outer layer of these treats is a light, crispy chocolate, inside of which is a thin layer of gooey caramel. They are the next best thing to a candy bar, with nutritional facts that are a lot less guilt-inducing.

Ingredients list for Special K Pastry Crisps in Chcolatey Caramel flavor

At just 100 calories and boasting only 2.5 grams of fat, Special K Pastry Crisps in Chocolate Caramel flavor are a safe alternative to candy bars.

One of the best traits this treat offers is it's low calorie count. One package contains two thin crisps, which add up to just 100 calories--much lower than your typical full-size candy bar. One thing to beware of, though, is that 25% of the calories in this treat are from fat (25 of the 100). To be honest, I don't really worry about that. It's tasty, and still not as bad for me as a candy bar.

Who Nu? Cookies

Talk about a great alternative to Oreos or Chips Ahoy! Who Nu? makes multiple varieties of nutrition cookies. I have tried the chewy chocolate chip variety and the chocolate variety, which is similar to an Oreo cookie. You can find the other varieties here: http://www.whonucookies.com/Nutrition.aspx.

The chocolate variety offers only six grams of fat per three-cookie serving, while providing three grams of fiber, 30% of your recommended daily value of calcium, 25% of your recommended daily value for Vitamin C, and 10% or more of several other necessary vitamins and minerals. To view the nutrition information for the chocolate variety, go here: http://www.whonucookies.com/Chocolate.aspx.

With one less gram of fat, the chewy chocolate chip variety offers the same amount of fiver, calcium, and Vitamin C. Find the nutrition information here: http://www.whonucookies.com/Chewy.aspx.

Chocolate Milk

Many fitness experts laud chocolate milk for its value as an after-workout drink.  It is obviously an excellent source of protein and calcium, and is also very filling. Not to mention, it has an uncanny ability to help satisfy a chocolate craving. You can mix your own, or purchase chocolate milk at the store. NesQuik is one brand that does not contain any high fructose corn syrup.

 

Beauty and the Beach

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and I imagine many of us spent the unofficial start of Summer at beaches around the world. Running off that assumption, I figured now would be an appropriate time to focus on some of the beauty benefits provided by the beach.

Birds at the water's edge in Jax Beach, Florida

Sun
1. Let's begin with the most obvious: A tan. Who doesn't look just a little more alive with a nice, healthy suntan? Watch out for tanning oils, though; don't fry yourself. A hot, red sunburn doesn't look appealing on anyone, so wear sunscreen. Lately, it seems I've been hearing SPF 30 or above is best, though once you reach 50, nothing higher really makes a difference. You'll still get a tan, it will just take a little longer, and you'll forgo that whole terribly uncomfortable, very unattractive sunburn.
2. The sun is a natural source of Vitamin D--but be careful; it also naturally depletes your Vitamin E.
3. For years, one of my beloved college roommates refused to believe that I never had (still never have) dyed my hair or had it highlighted. She simply could not believe that the blond highlights in my dark blond hair were natural--but they were, with the help of a little sun and lemon juice. Lemon juice is a less expensive, more natural alternative to dyes or professional highlights. Simply get your hair wet, towel dry, and apply lemon juice, using a squirt bottle or a spray bottle, whichever you prefer. Then, lay back and let the sun do the rest. Bonus: The juice grows rather stick as it dries in your hair, and leaves it with a scrunchy, beach-hair look. Caution: If you get back in the water after applying lemon juice, be careful not to let it run into your eyes. It stings quite potently.

The view looking towards Coquina Beach from Body Island Light House, the Outer Banks, North Carolina

 Sand
1. Walking on sand naturally exfoliates the skin on your feet. Anyone up for a long walk on the beach? ;-)
2. Running on sand strengthens the muscles in your ankles and feet. If you have never run on sand before, start with the moist sand near the water's edge, which is more hard-packed and stable, and wear shoes. As you become more adept at running on the sand, you can start to go barefoot and spend more of your run on the looser sand further from the water's edge.
3. Walking or running on sand works different muscle groups than does walking or running on pavement or concrete, and works those muscle groups in new ways.

A calm day on the water where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay on the Northern Neck of Virginia

Salt Water
1. Some people claim that swimming in salt water has helped to clear up their acne.
2. Some proponents of natural healing believe salt water has general healing effects, particularly on skin infections and skin disorders. 

Fast Fitness Tip: To speed up your metabolism (and avoid bloating while in your bikini), eat five to six small meals every three hours or so, as opposed to three large meals. Doing so staves off hunger while keeping your metabolism constantly at work.

Tennis Ball Massage

When we got married, my husband and I verbally agreed not to have a TV in the bedroom.

That didn't happen, much to my chagrin.

It prompted some harmless (albeit frustrating) arguments in the early part of our marriage, particularly during hockey and football season, when my husband's deepest desire seems to be to fall asleep to the soothing sound of sports announcers' lulling voices . My deepest desire is to fall asleep to, well, quiet.

And then, we came up with this great compromise. So great, in fact, I'm actually lamenting the approaching end of hockey season.

The compromise is this: My husband gets to watch his sports in bed if and only if he rubs my back until A) he turns the TV off, or B) I fall asleep, whichever comes first. (If I fall asleep and wake up to find the TV still on, he has to resume the back rub.)

With the end of hockey season approaching, and a lull in sports on TV in my household looming (at least until football starts), I am in danger of experiencing a serious lack of back rubs.

I have, however, discovered a substitute that, while not nearly as relaxing as a real back rub, will suffice until some channel or other starts airing pre-season football.

I call it The Tennis Ball Massage. Not only is it an effective way to work out some nagging kinks in your back, but it also provides something of a  lower-body workout, as it engages your legs and a bit of your core.

All you need is a tennis ball and a wall.

1. Start by leaning against the wall, placing the tennis ball between your back and the wall, on one or the other side of your spine.

2. Slowly bend your legs, allowing the tennis ball to roll up/down your spine. As you bend your legs, be careful not to allow your knees to pass your toes.

3. Continue for as long as desired and repeat as often as you like.

For a short demo, view the brief video below.

Fast Fitness Tip: If you like to walk for exercise, recreation, or relaxation, and are looking for a way to kick it up a notch, try walking backwards for short intervals during your stroll. Make sure to choose a safe, even surface--and preferably an area of low-traffic. Choose part of your route you know well, so you aren't likely to trip over any unfamiliar roots, stones, cracks in the sidewalk--whatever. Walking backwards actually activates different muscle groups in your legs than does walking forwards, so switching it up during your regular walk can add some variety and work different muscles in different ways.

Delicious and Nutritious: A Refreshing Combinaiton

I have discovered yet another wonderful, guilt-free treat to share with you: Liberte Greek Yogurt in lemon. (Bonus: Last week, it was on sale at my local Kroger: 10 for $10. Unfortunately, I only bought one in case I didn't like it...But I wish I had bought ten. Or twenty.)

What's so good about it?

It's Delicious...

1. It tastes delectable. This yogurt offers a very refreshing, lemony taste great for spring and summer. It's sweet, but not too sweet (I can't stand overly-sweet yogurt). The flavor is the perfect pairing of lemon tartness and light sweetness. To be honest, you could probably eat this as a dessert and feel like your sweet tooth is satisfied.

2. The texture is perfect. The yogurt is fairly light in texture, and is full of tiny pieces of actual lemon, giving it a texture similar to that of orange juice with pulp in it (though, obviously, not as fluid). I chew yogurt regardless of its texture (I also chew pudding, jell-o, and ice cream...), but I especially like yogurt that actually requires just a little bit of chewing, and because the tiny lemon pieces give this yogurt some substance, I feel justified in my chewing.

...And Nutritious

1. It's fat-free.

2. It provides 11 grams of protein.

3. It provides 10% of your recommended daily intake for calcium.

4. It boasts just 140 calories (none of which are from fat; see #1).

Below, you can view the packaging, including the nutrition facts and ingredients list. Below that, find a Fast Fitness Tip related to meal times.

Liberte Greek Yogurt in lemon offers a refreshing flavor and a light, creamy texture featuring small bits of actual lemon.

Fat-free and 140 calories, Liberte Greek Yogurt in lemon is a guilt-free treat that eats like a dessert but offers the benefits of protein (11g) and calcium (10%).

Fast Fitness Tip: Don't eat too fast. Many of us eat so quickly, that our brains and stomachs do not even have enough time to realize we are full. To help yourself eat more slowly--and thus give your body time to realize when it has had enough--try reading during meal times. If that is not an option, try making sure to consciously put your fork (or spoon) down after every bite or two, forcing yourself to take a small break between bites. In addition, sitting up straight at the dinner table can help you feel when you are full.

Fast and Fancy Up-do

In my first post to this blog, I hailed the time-saving power of dry shampoo. In this post, I'll show you how to accomplish a super-speedy, yet elegant up-do. Below, you can view pictures of the finished product. Under that, you can find a video that both shows and explains the fast, easy process--and don't forget to check out the Fast Fitness Tip, which addresses your hair, the swimming pool, and how to avoid damage.

View from front and slightly above

View from side

View from back

View from straight on, with remaining hair left down

Fast Fitness Tip: The unofficial start of summer is this weekend, and outdoor pools across the country will be opening up. Swimming laps is one of the most efficient forms of exercise. It is easy on your joints and back (low-impact), works most major muscle groups (your upper body and lower body are engaged), and is an excellent form of cardio. If you plan to get some exercise swimming laps this season, don't forget to think about your tresses. The chlorine and other chemicals used to keep pools sanitary can wreak havoc on your hair. To help minimize the amount of chlorine and other chemicals your hair absorbs, get it completely wet in cold water before you get in the pool. There are two benefits this will have for your hair. First, because your hair is already saturated, it won't be able to absorb as much chlorinated pool water. Second, because cold water closes the hair cuticle, less pool water can saturate and damage your hair.

Shades of Spring: Seventeen-Minute Makeup and Hair

As the weather warms (albeit slowly this year, it seems) and the school year winds down (only three more Mondays to go, but who's counting?), I find myself having fun experimenting with various springy shades of makeup--particularly eye makeup.

Below is today's experiment for you to try on your own, a combination of purples, greens, silvers, and grays. The whole process--hair and makeup--took a mere seventeen minutes. You can see different angles of the hairstyle, as well as a step-by-step guide (and maybe even a video if I get high-tech) in an upcoming post, which will be called "Fast and Fancy Up-Do."

Eyes
1. Coat the eyelid from lash line to eyebrow in Mary Kay Creme Eyeshadow in Pale Blush. This cream eyeshadow can stand on its own, but is also an excellent primer for mineral eyeshadow.
2. Coat the entire eyelid from lash line to eyebrow with Mary Kay Mineral Eyeshadow in Moonstone.
3. Using a brush applicator to achieve a more subtle effect, apply Mary Kay Mineral Eyeshadow in Sweet Plum. (This color can appear very dark if applied with a regular sponge applicator.)
4. Apply the green shade of the Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40) to the brow bone, just below the eyebrow, on the outer edge of the eye.
5. Apply the same green eyeshadow shade mentioned in Step 4 to the bottom lash line, in place of eyeliner.
6. Apply Mary Kay Mineral Eyeshadow in Silver Satin to the outside crease of the eyelid, under the brow bone. Draw eyeshadow out about as far as you plan to draw your eyeliner out.
7. To top eyelid only and using the thin side of the applicator, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin at the innermost edge of your iris using the thin side of the brush, and draw a thin line as far beyond the lash line as you are comfortable, gradually sloping upward with your brush stroke.
8. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in black to upper and lower lashes.

Face
1.  After applying moisturizer and sunscreen (I used Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Mary Kay Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35), apply Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream.
2. Set with Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in classic beige (115).
*Colors should be customized to work with your skin tone.

Lips
1. Apply your favorite chapstick. 

Fast Fitness Tip:  Think you're too busy to exercise today? Did you know that as few as ten minutes can make a difference? Even if your schedule is jam-packed, finding just ten minutes to do some cardio today can make a big difference. In fact, a quick ten-minute brisk walk, jog, or run can help immensely. Just get up ten minutes earlier and take a quick jaunt. Or, if getting up early isn't your thing, use ten minutes of your lunch break (before your meal would probably be best, to avoid an upset stomach). You probably won't even break a serious sweat before heading back to work, but you will have helped jump-start your metabolism and gotten your heart pumping.

Five Mascara Tips

There are many instances of unfairness in the world. One of them is the fact that it seems that, if anyone, men are always blessed with the long, thick eyelashes that women covet--ironically, to attract the men...

Due to our desire for long, luxurious, thick lashes, many of us use mascara. Here are three tips for application--and one tip for removal--to make your eye makeup routine easier, safer, and more effective.

1. Swivel, don't pump. Many of us have this terrible tendency to pump our mascara wand up and down in the mascara tube. I guess we think we coat the mascara wand with more mascara that way, but truth is, we don't. What we are doing, is pumping our mascara tube full of more air, which can allow bacteria to grow in our makeup, which we then apply to our eyes (you see where I'm heading with this). Instead of pumping your mascara wand up and down in your mascara tube, simply swivel it around in circles on the inside of the tube. This motion allows the wand to collect mascara from the insides of the tube, without adding unnecessary air to your mascara.

2. More Volume If your goal is to add volume to your lashes, move your mascara wand from side to side as you apply mascara to your lashes. Begin at the eyelid, and as you pull the brush to your lash-ends, gently move it from side to side in small sideways movements.

3.  Longer Lashes If your goal is to lengthen your lashes, simply pull the brush straight through your lashes, from eyelid to lash-end, angling your wand slightly upward. To add a slight curl to the ends of your lashes, use the brush to hold the lash-ends tilted slightly upward for a second or two before brushing all the way through. Alternatively, you can slowly close your eye while allowing the lashes to move over the mascara wand, stopping to keep your eye open just wide enough for the lashes to be held at an upward angle by the wand for several seconds. (This is not the same as the rapid blink discussed in Tip #4 below.)


4. Don't blink. I, personally, don't recommend "blinking" mascara onto your lashes. By "blinking," I mean holding the mascara wand still, just slightly in front of your eyes, while you (rather quickly) blink, swiping the wand with your lashes. I don't find this method effective. You get very little mascara onto your lashes for the effort, and, if you blink too "far," you end up with black smudges on your face where you still-wet lashes grazed your skin.

5. Easy Eye Makeup Removal (It's Not a Myth!) Before I was introduced to Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, there were days (lots of days) when I didn't wear eye makeup simply because I hated taking it off at the end of the night. All that has changed. Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover makes taking off your mascara (or eyeliner, or eye shadow, or whatever) very quick and easy. Simply shake it, and then apply a small amount to a cotton ball or wash cloth. Hold the cotton ball or wash cloth to your (closed) eye for several seconds, and then gently wipe away the makeup. Another effective option is Pond's Cold Cream, which I generally use after washing my face, whereas the Mary Kay product should be used prior to washing your face.

A Sweet and Sinless Summertime Treat

Summertime is almost upon us, and it will soon be time for refreshing treats like ice cream, gelato, frozen custard (one of my personal favorites), malts, shakes, and sundaes (fudge brownie sundaes are my weakness). In addition to being refreshing and delicious, however, these treats are also cause for guilt for far too many of us. Think: "This will go straight to my hips," etc.

It doesn't have to be this way, though. There are lots of sweet, refreshing treats we can enjoy, guilt-free. Frozen yogurt is a pretty obvious one (though I admit that I shamelessly load mine up with brownie pieces, hot fudge, and marshmallow topping; my Sweet Frog cup always costs close to $7, and it's not because I've overdone it with the frozen yogurt...). Here, however, I want to share with you a recent discovery: Edy's Outshine Fruit Bars.

These delectable frozen treats were first brought to my attention in a recent issue of Runner's World in an article featuring guiltless snacks. I wasn't totally convinced; I have tried similar fruit bars in the past and felt like I was sucking down cold, watered-down flavored ice (at best). Not even up to part with an sno cone. The texture was weak and icy--just not satisfying as a snack, much less a treat. However, at 80 calories, I figured I'd give a box I try.

Awesome decision.

I purchased the pineapple flavor and I highly recommend it. The texture is thick and almost chewy, with small pieces of real fruit embedded in the bar. The flavor is rich--not watered-down. Pictured below is the packaging, including nutrition information and ingredients.

Runner's World got it right. Not only are Outshine Bars guilt-free, but they're delicious, and that combination is not always easy to find.

Fast Fitness Tip:Because your body burns calories at an accelerated rate for up to two hours after you work out, plan meals to occur within two hours of your workout.

Edy's Outshine Bars are a delicious alternative to other (perhaps more guilty-pleasure-esque) summertime treats. The texture is thick, the flavor is rich and real, and at just 80 calories, the caloric intake is minimal and this not too guilt-inducing if you worry about that sort of thing. You might also notice that sugar doesn't appear until third in the ingredients list--behind water (and hydration is a good thing) and pineapple juice. Right after sugar in the ingredients list? Real, actual pineapple--and you will enjoy chewing on the delectable little bits of fruit as you munch this sweet treat.

Washing Your Face: What You Didn't Know You Didn't Know

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I recently started working as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. So far, I have held four facials and a party. I have been absolutely amazed at what I have learned about skincare basics--there is so much I didn't know I didn't know--and at what I have been able to teach other women about very basic beauty and everyday skincare.

Here are a few pointers for washing your face in the most effective way possible. You may already know some of these tricks, but I'm pretty sure at least one or two of them will be new to you. The good news is, they are all fast, quick fixes to the routine you probably already have.

1) Use warm water, which helps to open your pores. If you are washing your face in the shower, save the task until the end, right before you get out. The longer you expose your skin to the warm water and steam, the more open your pores will become--and the more receptive they will be to your cleanser.

2) Wash your hands before you wash your face. This seems like a no-brainer, but washing your face with dirty hands only means that the dirt and grime from your hands can (and probably will) be transferred onto your face.

3) Use your fingertips to gently massage your cleanser into your skin with small, circular motions.

4) Be sure those small, circular motions mentioned in Tip #3 above move upward on your skin, not downward. There are two reasons for this advice. First, your pores are angled slightly downward--like mini-blinds that are just slightly closed, so to more effectively expose them to the cleanser, you want to push them open by pushing up (using an upward circular motion instead of downward). Second--and this sounds ridiculous and a little far-fetched until you think about the millions of times you will wash and rub your face during your lifetime, it helps defy gravity just a little, thus helping to slow the appearance of wrinkles.

5) If you have extremely dry or sensitive skin, you may want to try washing your face once a day as opposed to twice a day. If you opt for once-a-day washing, wash in the evening before you go to bed instead of in the morning. During the course of the day, dust, perspiration, makeup (if you wear it), grime, and pollutants can accumulate on your skin. Washing in the evening--just before bed--helps wash this all away. As you sleep at night, you are exposed to far less "dirt" for a much shorter time than as you go about your daily activities.

6) When you dry your face, do not rub or wipe--pat. Patting your face dry helps reduce tugging on the skin, which can cause wrinkles. In addition, patting your face dry helps remove any remaining dirt that might be clinging to your skin. Think of the towel as a magnet for the water droplets and any leftover grime--touch it gently to your face and lift the water and dirt away.

Fast Fitness Tip: In light of Tip #6 directly above, do the same when you are removing sweat from your face as you work out. Whether you are using a towel, paper towel, T-shirt sleeve (whatever)--pat, don't wipe or rub. When you sweat, your pores open and can not only release but also "accept" grime. Wiping or rubbing sweat from your face can move grime from one set of pores, to another, whereas patting simply lifts the sweat and dirt away.

Sweet-Scented Dandy

Recently, I was sitting in a restaurant with my husband. Our table was not in view of any windows (at least not any whose shades were open), and we were quite far from the door.

"It's raining," I said.

"No, it's not. How can you tell?" he asked.

"I can smell it."

He scoffed at me a little, but got up and walked over to the door. "That's amazing," he said as he came back. "It's raining. How did you know?"

"I told you," I said. "I can smell it." And I could--from inside the building, away from the door, and in addition to the smells of all the food around us. I knew it was raining because rain has that certain rainy smell.

I have an uncannily strong sense of smell. When I am out running or walking my dogs, I can tell when someone (at least if they're smoking) is within a few blocks of us by the smell of cigarette smoke in the vicinity. If my husband has had even one beer while sitting out on the deck with the neighbor, I know when I get home because I can smell it--even if it has been hours since he drank it.

My keen sense of smell has made me particularly sensitive not only to the way others smell (a little weird, I know--but it's true), but also to the way I smell (which is less weird--because we all like to smell nice).

Below are some easy and helpful tips to keep you smelling fresh and sweet.

Clothes
There is an easy and inexpensive way to help your clothes keep that just-washed scent. Simply purchase a box of inexpensive dryer sheets, and, when you fold your laundry, place several of the dryer sheets in your dresser drawer. You can even go so far as to place a fresh dryer sheet between every item of clothing in your dresser drawer. When you travel, you can do the same thing--just put dryer sheets in your luggage.

*Travel note: If you fly and cannot bring your perfume along due to the size of its container (and you do not have a travel size), you can lightly spray some items of your clothing with your perfume before you fold them into your luggage. 

Sheets and Towels
As with your clothes, you can place dryer sheets between all your towels and sheets when you place them in your linen closet. If you have a guest bed that is only sometimes used, you can insert one or two dryer sheets between the bottom sheet and the top sheet. You can also put a dryer sheet inside the pillow cases.

Hair and Body
Instead of spraying perfume onto articles of your clothing (though this is a good tip for traveling--see above), spray it directly onto your skin. Body heat activates the scent.

If you want your hair to smell extra wonderful, you can spray perfume or body spray onto your brush and brush it through your hair. This also helps to minimize the smell of cigarette smoke in your hair if you have been out somewhere where you were exposed to second-hand smoke.

Fast Fitness Tip: Plan your weekly workouts in advance and write them on your calendar or planner. Research shows that we are far more likely to complete tasks we write down than those we do not.