What You Should Buy Organic February 4, 2010

There are not many things in life that I am an advocate of.  I normally don’t have a big opinion about much.  Just ask my friends?!!  However, I must say I am starting to become a real advocate of eating organic and natural, unprocessed foods.  However, I can’t afford to buy everything I need in this form.  Maybe that’s you too.  Maybe you really like the idea of organic, natural foods, but can’t find the extra money in your budget to buy ALL organic.  Well, I came across this great article that included 17 of some the most contaminated foods.  Most of the contamination from pesticides can be found in these foods. The next time you make your shopping list for the grocery store, keep these foods in mind:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Kale
• Leafy Green
• Grapes
• Carrots
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Meat
• Milk
• Coffee

Looks like I have some work to do and you may too…What items do you buy organic?

Beautiful|IQ.  Live Smart. Be Beautiful.

Source: The Best Foods to Buy in the Organic Aisle, The Daily Green Staff

Christie Scott Has the Key January 30, 2010

Some food for thought…

Christie Scott is one of my most inspirational friends.  Watch her latest video at: http://ow.ly/10O6M

What do you think about what she has to say? What will you do with that information?  Starting today will you make a change to start LIVING as your AUTHENTIC self? What are you passionate about? Leave me your thoughts.

Beautiful|IQ.  Live Smart.  Be Beautiful.

Dry-Cleaning and Your Health January 30, 2010

A normal practice of yours can actually be a potentially dangerous one-dry-cleaning.  One of the most widely used chemicals in dry-cleaning has been linked to spontaneous abortion, infertility and is a suspected carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).  Perchloroethylene (PCE, or “perc”) dissolves grease and oil from clothes without damaging them.  However, the effect on your body may surprise you.   Newly dry-cleaned clothes placed in a closet may result in PCE levels 100 times what the government considers safe.  Even adjoining rooms may be highly contaminated as well.  Think of the long-term effect this exposure may be having on your family and the environment.  Scary right? Aside from reducing your trips to the dry-cleaners, how can you reduce your exposure to this deadly chemical? Here are a few tips:

• If your local cleaner offers safer methods, try PCE-free (“perc-free”) cleaning methods such as CO2 or wet cleaning.
• If dry-cleaned clothes have a strong odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried.  If they still have a strong odor on the next visits, try a different dry-cleaner.
• If you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, then avoid picking up from the dry-cleaner.  If at all possible, have someone else do it for you.
• If you must use dry-cleaning, keep your car well ventilated on the way home.
• Remove the plastic bags and air out your dry-cleaning in the garage or outdoors before placing them indoors.
• To reduce your need for dry-cleaning, hang up clothes after you’ve worn them, and air them out before placing them back in the closet.  Simply steam your clothes, if you need to spiff them up.

Now what will YOU do with this information? Where you already aware of the harmful effects of dry-cleaning?

Beautiful|IQ. Live Smart. Be Beautiful.

Source: Get Ready to Get Pregnant, Michael C. Lu, MD, MPH, p.195-196.

Resources to Plan A Great Vacation January 29, 2010

Here are some of the resources I use when planning a trip.

This site was the cheapest I found for the hotel, flight, and all fees for my recent trip: www.expedia.com

Site for booking flights, hotels, and more: www.orbitz.com

Another site for all your booking needs: www.travelocity.com

To research the best user- rated hotels, restaurants, and stuff to do check with: www.tripadvisor.com

To research the area you’re visiting: www.travel.yahoo.com

Interested in vacation rentals, then visit this site: www.vrbo.com

What sites do you visit to help plan your vacations?

Keep Beautiful|IQ updated on what’s hot!

Follow Me on Twitter January 29, 2010

If you already have a Twitter account, then you know what do.  If you need to setup a new account, visit www.twitter.com.  You’ll love it!

Here is my page:

http://twitter.com/crystalholliday

A Trip To Celebrate January 29, 2010

My husband and I just booked a trip to beautiful San Francisco for our fourth anniversary!  We are so excited!  I was so enthused I decided to start blogging again!  Guess that goes to show you how boring my life has been.  It took a trip to revitalize my writing.  We are scheduled to leave on February 24, and our anniversary is the next day.  This will be husband’s first time flying, so that will make the trip more interesting.  And as for me, I LOVE to fly.  Some days I actually wish I could be a flight attendant and just fly for a living.  However, I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s probably the experience of flying that I like so much.  The big airports, the nice shops, the wide array of people going to their destinations,  the rush of taking off and landing, and I’ll go ahead and stop there.  But you get the point.  There’s so much to be excited about.  And I haven’t even begun to plan out each day in San Francisco.  So, gotta get started on that!  The hard work is now out of the way…where are we going to go this year?, how much is it going to cost?,  we did that last year, how long are we going to stay?, etc.  Can’t imagine how kids would complicate the planning.  Anyways, we’re going back to Cali., Cali., Cali.

Anyone else been to San Francisco recently?  Anything I should know when planning a trip there?  Give me the details!

Beautiful|IQ from me to you!

Alleviate Dental Stress Naturally February 24, 2009

 
For over a month now, my husband has been obsessed with getting some dental work done.  At work, at home, everywhere we go, he talks to people about getting this simple root canal procedure done. Based on the amount of people that had the procedure, we came to the conclusion that this would be simple after all.   Nonetheless, he received mixed reviews as to what to expect, so as a preventive he talked to the dentist about getting something to ease his nerves.  This past Friday, he went in at 8:30 AM to have his long awaited root canal.  The procedure was completed with no problems.  The dentist gave me all the instructions, since my husband was “under the influence.”  The only thing that really got my agitated was that he was drugged up all weekend.  The drugs that were prescribed prolonged his ability to perform normal activities.  However, I think it helped to alleviate some temporary anxiety associated with the whole matter.  My whole point in sharing this is because I am all into living smart.  Living smart doesn’t have to involve pumping ourselves with harmful drugs, unless absolutely necessary.  So, how can you alleviate the anxiety associated with going to the dentist?  Read on to find some homeopathic remedies to try before your next dental visit.  

• Calendula: This remedy can help the body overcome inflammation, infection, and abscess. It can be taken internally in potentized form, or used as an herbal tincture. Applied to injured gums and areas around the teeth, the tincture can help reduce the chance of infection, and help the tissues heal after being cut or bruised.  
• Chamomilla: This remedy is often helpful when a person is hypersensitive to pain and the aftermath of dental work seems intolerable.Chamomilla sometimes works when pain medications have little or no effect, by helping the person’s nerve response become more balanced.  
• Hypericum: This remedy is known for its soothing effect when nerves or nerve-filled body areas are injured. Shooting, jabbing pains are often felt. Hypericum is very useful after oral surgery, especially root canals.  
• Gelsemium: This remedy can help to ease the apprehension and anxiety that often precede a visit to the dentist. The person may tremble and feel weak from dread, develop a headache (in the back of the head and the muscles of the neck), or feel mentally dull and lethargic.

What natural remedies do you find helpful?

 

Beautiful|IQ.  Live Smart.  Be Beautiful.

It’s Official!!! February 17, 2009

I have always known that I constantly must have something on my lips.  It’s like my pet-peeve.  I have never been able to get with lipstick.  However, I am the type of girl who loves lip gloss.  Recently, I was waiting at my hair salon and I realized for the first time ever that I have a serious problem.  Searching my purse for something to beautify my lips, it dawned on me…I’m a lip gloss junkie! I had 8 lip gloss/chapstick options floating throughout my purse.  EIGHT! One Carmex EZ-ON Applicator, two Yes To Carrots Lip Butter, one Classic Chapstick, one MAC Lipglass, one Covergirl Wetslicks, one Mary Kay Signature lip gloss, and one MAC Lacquer in Sheena.  The MAC brand is by far my favorite, because it provides me with the most color and shone, without the whole lipstick drama.  However, I normally seal my lipglass or lacquer with a swipe or two of Lip Butter by Yes To Carrots.  It gives me the right amount moisture .  So, please tell me I am not the only one with this issue.  Does anyone else have the same passion to constantly have gloss smoothed onto their lips?  Check your purse to see how many options you have floating around.  Leave your comments and let me know what you find.

Your lip gloss junkie … Crystal.

Beautiful|IQ.  Live Smart.  Be Beautiful.

5 Easy Ways To Update Your Look February 6, 2009

Every now and then, we all get stuck in a rut.  You know what I mean…nothing you put on seems to look good!  Why not try these easy updates to start feeling and looking fresh again?

Accessorize

Add jewelry, pearls and beads to any outfit.  Not only are they really in style but these accessories add the perfect little accent to your outfit. A cute over-sized bracelet or ring would also compliment your clothing creation.  This is something I love to do.

Look Smart With Sweaters, Vests, Jackets

A nice vest or sweater would add variety and a sophisticated, mature look to your outfit. You can always make a t-shirt look good with a cute jacket or hoodie.

Add Color

You can add a lot of pop to that old black dress or that little white tunic by wearing outrageously colored shoes. When you where neutral colors you can always make yourself stand out with a unique colored pair of shoes.

Put It Up!!!

There is always some sort of sophistication to you when you wear your hair up. Sure your hair is pretty down, but you can do a lot more with your hair up. Up-Dos also tend to beautify your look.

Top it Off!!

The weather is perfect to add a cute winter accessory to your outfit. A long scarf wrapped around in your own unique way or a cute little winter hat will do just fine.

Special Thanks to Jasmin Morehead

Beautiful|IQ.  Live Smart.  Be Beautiful.

10 Ways To Personalize Your Space January 29, 2009

• 
• Frame every piece of art that you own differently.
• Purchase unique throws to place on you sofa and chairs.
• Beautify your sofa with a dozen small pillows in different patterns.
• To personalize your console space, use table lamps that don’t match.
• To “jazz up” your bathroom, have your sheets and towels monogrammed.
• Show off your family pictures by hanging them on the main wall.
• Paint your prominent wall a contrasting color.
• Cover your pet’s dog bed in a toile print.
• Paint an old piece of furniture to bring it back to life.
• Place your favorite flowers throughout your house for others to enjoy.

Beautiful|IQ. Live Smart. Be Beautiful.