ne of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin, is running a FABULOUS contest through SheKnows.com. She is giving away a few of her favorite things- including a Blackberry and a pair of designer shoes! Check out the contest and enter here!
Awhile back, I wrote about how I had purchased one of the newest fitness craze accessories- a kettlebell. After I bought one, I was kind of at a loss of what to do next. It wasn’t regular weights, so I wasn’t sure if the basic moves I use with my dumbbells was going to cut it. I got a friendly email this morning from Fitness magazine that featured a kettlebell workout – perfect! It shows effective moves you can do with one kettlebell, and even has a video you can watch of the exercises. If you have a kettlebell or plan on purchasing one, I would definitely recommend checking the full article out.
In My Mailbox: Week of May 9th With the busy Mothers Day Weekend, I didn’t have much time to scope out books, but only receiving one this week didn’t bother me at all because it is the latest from my favorite author! Title: Heart of the Matter Author: Emily Giffin Received: From SheKnows book club for review Synopsis: Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother's warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life. Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie--a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance--and even to some degree, friendships--believing that it is always safer not to expect too much. Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined. In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.
Nikki Lanier is in desperate need for a job, and her lone degree in linguistics is not helping her case any. When she gets an offer from Mrs. M, head of Carrie Mae Foundations (think Mary Kay or Avon) she gingerly agrees to learn about all things makeup. She quickly finds out that not only does Carrie Mae specialize in foundation and mascara, but they are also secret agents out to protect women around the world. Nikki soon finds herself attending target practice, learning which guns are used in which situations, and how to fight enemies with acid nail polish and flash grenade compacts. After Nikki successfully completes her training test, Mrs. M sends her on to her first mission- to Taiwan. Nikki, along with veteran agent Valerie, are to rescue Lawan Chinnawat, director of a woman’s clinic and a leader in protesting the sex trades that dominate Asia. Along the way, Nikki befriends a handsome stranger who she thinks may be a government agent in on the kidnapping, and learns of a traitor within the company, almost losing her own life because of it. Bulletproof Mascara, the hilarious spy novel from Bethany Maines, will keep readers laughing throughout as innocent Nikki goes from her awkward unemployment stage to confident secret agent, figuring out missions. Nikki’s character is immediately likeable, someone who is a little unsure about themselves but willing to take on a new challenge. The plot line is fun and engaging, with the mystery not being revealed until the very end. I was a little skeptical at first when I read the synopsis, because cosmetics gals working as secret agents didn’t sound very believable, but Maines definitely makes it work. Bulletproof goes on my favorites list, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out! The book even has its own website, www.bulletproofmascara.com, and there is plenty of fun to be found there. A must read for chick lit fans that enjoy a little mystery and suspense in their books.
I have read many tips on what to eat and drink before and after an aerobic workout, and now Fitness.com has provided a plan for runners. If your run will take you less than an hour, there is no need for a snack before you slip those shoes on, but if you plan on pounding pavement for a longer period of time, eat a combo of protein and carbs about an hour before you go (Fitness suggest toast with peanut butter and a banana). While running, you should drink 6-8 ounces for every 15 minutes to stay hydrated. And after you have finished, you will want to eat within 30 minutes after stopping. Fitness suggest mostly carbs for your after workout snack, but also mix in some proteins. To see the full article from Fitness magazine and to get more healthy tips, click here.
NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor has been charged with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute in the third degree. Taylor, 51, reportedly had sex with a 16-year-old girl and paid her $300, according to People.com. The Dancing With the Stars former contestant was arrested Thursday morning at a New York hotel on suspicion of raping a teen. Taylor has since been released after posting a $75,000 bond.
Carol Snow wasn’t so sure she could cut it as a novelist. Though she knew she wanted to write fiction, she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and a master’s in teaching from Boston College. After deciding to take a leap, she first wrote nonfiction articles and essays before finishing a novel, securing an agent, and landing a publishing contract. She now has 4 books for adults published: Been There, Done That, Getting Warmer, Here Today, Gone to Maui, and Just Like Me, Only Better. While Carol Snow grew up in Madison, New Jersey and has lived in a variety of other states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Utah, and Arizona are just some) she now resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
Seasonal allergies are something I have suffered from throughout my childhood and into my adult life. Each year I am hoping that went spring rolls around the sneezing will have stopped, but no such luck yet. While taking over the counter medicines and even getting a shot can help calm my allergies, Fitness magazine added a few more tips to help get people get through the allergy season. Those ideas include: Eating Spicy Foods. The spices can increase blood flow, which will help bring oxygen to the nasal passages, causing the mucus to thin and be eliminated. Drink Water. Drinking plenty of H20 will help clear the airways by hydrating mucous membranes, also helping to thin and drain mucus. Eating Foods with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Foods such as fish, almonds and flax seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and ease respiratory symptoms. To read the full article, including body and mind tips, head over to Fitness.com .
Shawn Johnson will compete again- in the 2012 Olympic Games. The gold medalist gymnast from West Des Moines, Iowa confirmed on Tuesday that she will continue training to compete in London, United Kingdom starting July 27th.
