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Manolo is Pet of the Week!

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Manolo, June 25 Pet of the Week

Manolo is a 20- (yes, 20) pound neutered male Siamese cat, about 5 years old. His family had to relinquish him to the shelter because they lost their home. This is too common a tragedy for both humans and animals. If you can at least make it better for Manolo (and maybe provide enough exercise to shed what may not be muscle and bone), come meet him on the shelter side of the Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A494777.

 

(The usual suspects contributed to this rescue)

 

 

Credit: Companion Animal Village.

 

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Stand Up & PROTECT Your Skin This Summer with Cabana Life

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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Summer is officially here and so it the Summer weather! As I am  getting older, I am much more concerned about protecting my skin from harmful rays. I am also more concerned about Skin Cancer.  But, I love the beach! I love boogie boarding and being outdoors. I am quite excited about Cabana Life and for more than one reason!

Cabana Life combines fashion with sun safe function by offering 50+ UV protection in its entire beach chic collection. I received a sample Rashguard to facilitate this post. I like how comfortable it is, how it protects me out in the sun and how stylish it is! It’s a real Must-Have for the Summer months! I love that it has 50+ UV protection. It’s my must-have for my days of boogie boarding. The Rashguard is also available at SU2C’s webstore, with 100% net proceeds benefiting SU2C.

Now, for the other reason, I am a big fan of Cabana Life! 

Cabana Life, the leader in stylish sun protection, launched the Stand Up & PROTECT campaign to benefit Stand Up To Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which funds innovative cancer research. It debuted in May 2015, in conjunction with Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Cabana Life unveiled their limited edition rashguards styled for women, men and kids. The rashguards magnify the message of PROTECTing your skin in the sun, as skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States.* 100% of net proceeds from PROTECT rashguard sales will benefit Stand Up To Cancer.**

Founded by Melissa Marks Papock, a skin cancer survivor, the collection offers a variety of fashion forward beach-essentials including swimsuits, rashguards, hats, cover-ups, tunics, shirts and pants for women, men and kids. Cabana Life’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of the sun while providing sun protective clothing as a stylish wardrobe staple for women, men and kids. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Stand Up To Cancer on our PROTECT collection and campaign this summer, and hope that together, we can inspire more people to dress responsibly while being active and enjoying the outdoors,” explains Papock.

 

These limited edition rashguards made their debut on cabanalife.com on May 1st and will retail year-round from $25-$48, with 100% of net proceeds benefiting Stand Up To Cancer. Now, how cool is that?!

More info:

About Stand Up To Cancer

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

 

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Roberstson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, and Ellen Ziffren. The late co-founder Laura Ziskin executive produced the Sept. 5, 2008, and Sept. 10, 2010 Stand Up To Cancer roadblock fundraising telecasts. All current CFA members were producers of the 2012 and 2014 telecasts, with Lisa Paulsen and Pam Williams serving as executive producers in 2014. SU2C was formally launched on May 27, 2008. Sung Poblete, Ph.D., R.N., has served as SU2C’s president and CEO since 2011.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.standup2cancer.org

 

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

**Cabana Life will donate to SU2C a minimum of 50% of the sales price from each SU2C-branded rashguard sold with a minimum guaranteed donation of $8,000.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample. No other compensation was received. Photo Credit/Press info: Cabana Life.

 

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

11 WAYS TO LOOK YOUNGER IN 30 DAYS OR LESS

June 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

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Getting older is inevitable.   But looking older doesn’t have to come with the territory.   Here are 11 simply beautiful ways to up your youth quotient in 30 days or less, courtesy of SmileSimplicity.

 

  1. Re-do your do: Tip # 1 – loosen up. Perfect, symmetrical curls and waves and tight updos read “uptight” and severe.  Go for a softer, messier look.   As for color, nothing ages faster than a single solid hue, whether platinum blonde or raven black.  Add dimension with highlights or lowlights, especially around the face to make skin glow.

 

  1. Fill in the lines: Ask your dermatologist about Botox or laugh line fillers like Restylane and Juvederm. They last for a few months and are great for a special occasion.

 

  1. Fill in the FINE lines: Consider a “smile lift” otherwise known as porcelain veneers. Not only can this magic transformation correct chips, cracks and imperfections and brighten teeth, they can also help plump out some of the fine lines of the upper lip.   Don’t like needles?   Don’t get them!   SmileSimplicity is a new generation pain-free porcelain veneer that does not require any drilling away of sensitive tooth structure and thus no anesthesia.
  1. Instant refresher: Consider a light peel to even out skin tone and smooth out fine lines
  1. Out out brown spots: When you don’t have time to wait for a skin brightening cream (which works gradually after consistent use) to do its job, consider a laster treatment to remove skin discolorations. Hint:  you can have them on your hands too.

 

  1. And speaking of hands – exfoliate and moisturize for an instantly younger look.

 

  1. Stand up straight. Your mother always told you to, and now you wish you had listened.  (Remember, we naturally lose height as we age, so why make it even worse by slouching?)   Poor posture can be a result of weak core muscles, so try adding a few planks into your daily exercise regimen.   Start at 15 seconds and gradually add to your time.

 

  1. Be flexible… it makes you feel and look younger. Try yoga or barre classes to stretch out tight muscles.

 

  1. Tooth whitening.. Today, there are more tooth whitening options than ever to consider, from whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses to gel trays and strips to in-office professional treatments. While more costly, in-office procedures usually produce the fastest, most dramatic and long-lasting results.

 

  1. Framing your face. Thinning brows are a sure sign of age.   Don’t forget to fill them in with a soft pencil, or use a stencil.

 

  1. It’s not all about the face. The skin on the neck and décolletage is super thin and shows age more quickly than elsewhere. Try a moisture treatment that is specifically formulated to build collagen.

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post.  Credit: SmileSimplicity. *Before and After photos are posted above.

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

EGGY YOLK And The Dirty Rotten Dozen by Joe Nipote

June 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

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unnamed (3)  RICK DEES is an icon in Southern California.  JOE NIPOTE, one of the favorite comic actors has starred in some of tv’s biggest franchises — “Caspar”  to the “Suite Life on Deck” to the Joe at LAT Book Fest with Eggy Yolk.jpghit show “Viper.”  Together, they have to come up with the most creative children’s book this year, EGGY YOLK and the Dirty Rotten Dozen (Dees Publishing, ISBN 978-0-9855417-6-7).  It’s become such a sensation, there’s talk of an animated series!

I received a copy of this book and found it quite entertaining! Children will enjoy  Sheriff Eggy as he uses his quick wit, self-reliance and raw courage to outsmart the rotten eggs. it is filled with humor and will the good guys outsmart the bad guys? What does it take for Sheriff Eggy to succeed? You have to read to find out! I highly recommend!  I could easily imagine this as a series.

You can buy the book at: http://www.eggyyolk.com/

 

 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. I did receive a copy of the book to facilitate this post.

 

 

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Prepare Your Kids for Summer Burglary Season

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Nearly 2 million home burglaries are reported in the United States each year, and the majority of these burglaries occur in the summer months. The scariest part of this statistic for parents is the summertime rise in home break-ins typically correlates with when their children are home without an adult.

 

A recent U.S. Census Bureau report illustrated that 7 million of the nation’s 38 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are left home alone on a regular basis. And in married-couple families with children, 60% of both parents work, confirming that summer is when children are most likely to be home alone while school is on break.

 

The Force Training Institute (FTI) provides protection and safety training for some of the nation’s most important assets and largest companies. The safety and security experts at FTI have created the following tips parents can use to teach their children how to respond if a break-in occurs when they are home alone this summer.

 

Role Play and Discuss: One of the most important things parents can do to prepare a child to learn the proper way to respond to a break-in is to practice. Just like schools have fire and other emergency drills, households should do the same. Parents should talk to their children about the proper way to respond to a break-in, and then conduct a scenario with the child while providing direction and support.. The scenario does not need to be frightening as it is meant to build the child’s confidence and decision-making.

 

Retreat: The first thing children should be taught about a break-in is to move the opposite direction of an intruder. Even if a child is older, he or she does not know what the intruder’s intent is or if the person has a weapon.

Grab Communications: Whether it is a portable home phone, a cell phone, or a tablet, kids should also be concentrating on grabbing a means of communication to call for help as they are getting away from the intruder and moving to another part of the home.

 

Barricade: Once they have moved away from the location the break-in occurred at, children should find a secure place to barricade themselves into. This could be a bedroom, bathroom or closet. Any room that has only one door that can be locked and barricaded with a chair or other piece of furniture is suitable.

 

Try to be Invisible: Hiding under a bed, inside a coat in the back of a closet, in a dirty laundry hamper, or under blankets and pillows on a messy bed are all good options for camouflage. Teach kids to be as small, hidden and quiet as possible.

 

Call for Help: If possible during the break-in situation, teach children to first send a text message for help to parents, family members or a trusted neighbor or family friend asking for help and for the person to call 911 to come to your home. Make sure your child knows to turn the volume off on a phone or tablet so device noises do not give away a hiding place. If it is not possible to send a text for help, teach kids to call 911 and whisper they need help, tell the operator a break-in is happening, they are home alone, and their address.

 

Use Basic Self-Defense: In the event an intruder tries to physically harm a child during a break-in, parents should prepare their children to know basic self-defense skills that could save their lives. If an intruder is trying to cause harm or kidnap a child, he or she should know to scream as loud as possible, try to hit the intruder in the groin, eyes or nose, to not be afraid to bite, and to never stop moving, kicking and squirming to try and get away.

Credit:  J. Hart, Force Training Institute.

Filed Under: Announcements

IVOREEZ is fun and creative!

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

The days of beginning musicians having to spend endless hours practicing and learning musical theory will be a thing of the past after the introduction of Ivoreez. The method is simple; just match the color of the lyrics to the color on the keyboard.  No learning. No practice time. Just play your favorite hits instantly!

 

 

Jenny Rodriguez, a businesswoman, teacher, mother, wife of a retired Navy office and business owner has developed a new educational tool to help your child learn to play the piano or keyboard. Ivoreez is a new and fun way to entertain your kids!

I received a free sample and love how fun and simple this is to use. My son liked that no practice is necessary. A Great way to learn music and have fun during the Summer!  I was amazed at how simple it is to learn this way. I took piano lessons as a young child and it was not this much fun!

More About Jennifer Rodriguez

Jennifer Rodriguez is the founder/CEO of Ivoreez. She is the wife of a Navy veteran and mother of 7 children, she is a music teacher, and has been a professional vocalist and pianist for 20+ years. Jennifer currently works as a director for a church in San Diego, California. She made the following statement about Ivoreez, “My mission is to promote the benefits and joy of playing the piano with a method that is fun, easy to use, and brings instant gratification: Playing by reading song LYRICS….not notes.” To learn more about Ivoreez, visit them online at their website,http://ivoreez.com/, or get an early start by checking out the Ivoreez kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/205798846/ivoreez-play-the-piano-just-by-reading-lyrics.

Find out more at  www.ivoreez.com.

 

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this feature.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Whole Foods Market “Ready for Action” Week

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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The sun’s out for summer – that means more adventures like hiking, biking and outdoor yoga! Whole Foods Market celebrates the return of summer with the first-ever “Ready for Action” Week from June 24 to 30 highlighting active living. Stores nationwide will host events centered on physical activity, nutrition supplements and superfoods.

For those looking to kick off summer with all the proper supplies, Whole Foods Market is offering a “Ready for Action” bag in stores Saturday, June 27th for $12. Bags include summer essentials for outdoor adventures, like arnica gel, sunscreen, aloe vera, protein powder and deodorant.

 

Shoppers will be able to stock up and save 25 percent on protein powders from June 26 to 28!

So, don’t forget to check out your local Whole Foods Market!

 

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. Credit: Whole Foods Market.

Filed Under: Announcements

Give Your Dog a Squeeze – No Pills or Powders to Mix San Francisco Based GOGO Pet Foods Introduces FetchFuel™

June 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

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It’s hard enough getting nutrition into kids these days but what about the family dog? San Francisco based GOGO Pet Foods introduces FetchFuel, a tasty squeeze-on sauce packed with a daily dose of Glucosamine, Omega 3 and over twenty high quality vitamins and minerals to support joints and mobility, healthy coat and overall health for dogs of all ages and sizes.

Glucosamine is commonly recommended by veterinarians to support mobility in dogs. FetchFuel is the easiest way to give Glucosamine and Omega 3 to dogs. Simply squeeze FetchFuel directly on dog food. No pills, chews or powders to mix. No longer worry that your dog is missing out on important nutrition to support optimal health. The squeeze also makes it easy for young children to participate in the daily care of the family dog.

 

GOGO Pet Foods formulated FetchFuel with the highest quality ingredients, including Cargill’s USA Regenasure® Glucosamine. Each squeeze is packed with 600mg of Glucosamine, over 250mg of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids and over 20 high quality vitamins and minerals that support the overall health and wellness of dogs.

“As pet lovers we strive to keep our pets active, healthy, and looking fantastic! Getting your dog to swallow a pill is stressful and mixing powders can be messy, so we set out to develop Squeezable Nutrition,” says President Andrew Morrison. “We worked for the past two years to bring high quality, healthy ingredients and tasty flavor together – and we made it squeezable.”

I received a free sample for review purposes. But since I have a young puppy, I didn’t want to try this one out on him. I had a friend try it out on her 2 year old dog instead. She was impressed with the product and loves that there is no pill involved. Her dog hates pills and it can be a real ordeal when she has to give him one. 

FetchFuel is produced in Northern California and is available for purchase at select independent pet retailers, as well as online at FetchFuel.com and Amazon.com.

Don’t forget to check them out at at www.FetchFuel.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample for review purposes. 

Filed Under: Pet Corner
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