Weiss Report Blog

In this age of enlightenment, how come we still call them women’s dress shoes?

Sure, most of the time we wear our women’s dress shoes with a dress, but more often than not we also wear them with our tailored trousers, business suits and jeans. But we don’t call them “tailored trousers shoes” do we?

And how come we’re still wearing those four-inch stiletto heels, when we know how hard it is to stay out of the cracks in the pavement, even in our flats?

Don’t you think we might have learned a lesson by now? The. . . damn. . . things. . . hurt. And they also damage our spine, calf muscles, cause bunions and other equally gross malformations of our feet.

But if Sex and the City taught us anything about the ways of the world in the 21st century, it was that Carrie looked smashing in her Manolo’s as she ran, yes, ran, down Park Avenue to meet whichever gorgeous hunk she was schtupping at the time. The moral of the story being “Yes girls, your designer dress shoes will always get you your man!”

So here are my not-so-serious tips on how to have a wardrobe full of fabulous women’s dress shoes:

Make the shoe salesperson your “new best friend”. He or she is going to be part of a very, very special relationship - you and your new dress shoes.

Forget comfort when you’ve got class! Look at those things! Don’t you just have to have them? Regardless of the fact that they feel like you’ve got metal clamps on your toes? Anyway, you can always sit down somewhere after an hour or so, well, can’t you?

Remember cost does not equal comfort when shopping for designer dress shoes. If they cost two months’ salary, they’re worth every bit of the pain.

When trying on your dress shoes, check how you look from every angle - sitting, standing, lying face down or up — yes, you’ll need to know how you look when you’re flat on your back after falling off your 4 inch spikes.

Far be it from me to postulate on learning nothing from our forefathers (oops, I mean mothers!), but as long as Mr Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo, and assorted other grand masters of shoe design keep making designer women’s dress shoes (there’s that phrase again) that are simply to-die-for, well, bunions be damned, I’ll die for them!

Olivia Morrow is a freelance journalist and author and is the Editor of Savvy Women Magazine, an online lifestyle magazine for women who want to KNOW…the latest fashion news, women’s health issues, beauty, movie and book reviews, travel and lots more. Visit Olivia’s website at www.savvy-women-magazine.com.

Healthy Living Through The Ages! Like a good friend, a good
attitude towards fitness and nutrition doesn’t abandon us as we
age. It matures right along with us, evolving as our lives
change.

That means we don’t have to give up the activities or the foods
we love based on the number of birthdays we’ve celebrated.

“Research suggests that half the drop in function assumed to be
linked to aging is now thought to be related to inactivity,”
says Elizabeth Ready, an exercise physiologist and associate
dean of education and recreation at the University of Manitoba
in Winnipeg. So healthy, active women can continue to pursue
challenging physical activity even into old age. Still, a
certain amount of common sense is in order. What was demanding
and fulfilling in our 20s, for example may be too time-consuming
in our 30s and 40s, too extreme in our 50s and just downright
foolish in our 60s. Our nutritional needs also evolve as we age,
says Rosie Schwartz, a registered dietician/nutritionist in
Toronto. “What is considered a healthy diet for a 25- year-old
woman in her peak reproductive years will be different than that
of a 60-year-old at increased risk of osteoporosis and heart
disease.” And women of all ages need to ensure that they’re
getting enough of the female-friendly nutrients — calcium,
folate, iron and zinc — that are essential for maintaining a
woman’s health throughout her life. Read on to discover how
tweaking your fitness and nutritional goals can keep you looking
good and feeling great at any age! Health Concerns: This is the
time to establish healthy lifestyle habits that will help
prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other diseases
later in life, says “Dr. Miriam Kaufman, a specialist in
adolescent health at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Proper nutrition, exercise and sleep are also the first steps in
managing stress and anxiety. This is a time of life, too, when
mental health can be at risk — major depression, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia and substance-abuse disorders have their
onset at this age. Kaufman recommends that even the healthiest
young person visit a family doctor once a year. Fitness Goals:
Our bodies are in peak form in our 20s, so now is the time to
expand aerobic capacity and sample some new sports. Since you’re
less likely to have financial constraints, children and a
mortgage in your 20s, you may want to indulge in active
vacations and invest in good-quality sports equipment. Suggested
Activities: Team sports or rugged individual pursuits such as
rock climbing and mountain biking, as well as high-impact
activities such as jogging and aerobics, will help build strong
bones for the future. Nutritional Goals: No matter how energetic
you are, late nights and skipped meals can take their toll and
nutritional shortfalls each up with you, says Schwartz. Make
sure you’re getting enough iron - 18 milligrams per day — since
too little can lead to iron deficiency anemia, the most common
nutritional deficiency in Canadian women. As well, health
experts recommend that all women of child-bearing age take 0.4
milligrams of folic acid (folate) daily at least three months
before conception to help reduce the chances of birth defects
such as spina bifida. Studies have shown that folate may also
help reduce the risk of heart disease and cervical cancer.
Maintaining a healthy weight also safeguards your ability to
conceive, since being too heavy or too thin interferes with
ovulation. And a health weight ha a major impact on your health
later in life, helping to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis,
diabetes and high blood pressure. Healthy Living Through The
Ages in the 30s! Health Concerns: After the age of 35, your body
begins to exhibit the first stage of aging, says Helen Perrault,
an exercise physiologist and chair of McGill University physical
education department in Montreal. Bone mass has reached it’s
peak, and endurance and muscle mass are starting to decline.
Muscle loos in sedentary individuals can be as much as half a
pound a year. Loss of muscle mass causes the body to burn fewer
calories daily, which can slow down metabolism by as much as two
percent per decade, says Perrault. That, combined with lack of
exercise, child-bearing and a busy work schedule, can have a
nasty effect on weight. With women trying to juggle family and
workaday demands, high levels of anxiety and stress are also a
concern during this decade. Fitness Goals: Motherhood and
fitness can be uneasy partners, according to a 1999 study at the
University of Minnesota in Minneapolis which found that physical
activity dropped 14 percent after women had children. With time
at a premium, traditional exercise programs may be too difficult
to follow, says Robin Mech, a fitness co-ordinator at the MacMab
Street YWCA in Hamilton. Mech recommends trying two 15-minute
workouts instead of one 30-minute workout. “You’ll keep your
fitness level up, and it’ll be easier to fit them into your
schedule,” she says. Mech also recommends being flexible and
what kind of exercise you pursue. For example, take the stairs
every chance you get and do bicep curls with the milk/grocery
bag while waiting in line at the grocery store. Suggested
Activities: Try activities such as jogging, walking or cycling,
which can be performed close to home and involve a minimum of
scheduling. Bicycle, walk or in-line skate when you’re doing
local errands or visiting friends in the neighborhood. It may be
easier to try to exercise as a family, cycling or hiking
together, than to search for those elusive 30 minutes of private
time. Nutrition Goals: These are the time-crunch years, says
Schwartz, and healthy meals can fall by the wayside as work
deadlines and kids’after-school schedules get in the way.
However, taking the time to eat properly can help counteract the
effects of stress.

That means getting enough zinc and B vitamins to bolster your
over-challenged immune system. Schwartz recommends choosing
whole-grain foods over refined one, and incorporating lots of
legumes such as kidney beans and chickpeas into your diet. And
don’t forget to feed your bones with calcium-rich foods. Studies
have shown that calcium may also help ease some of the symptoms
of premenstrual syndrome, help control blood pressure and
protect against colon cancer. Women age 19 to 50 should consume
1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. If you rely on a supplement
to meet your calcium needs, choose one with Vitamin D and
Magnesium. These nutrients work in tandem with calcium to
protect optimal bone health. Vitamin D, for example, increases
calcium absorption by as much as 30 to 80 percent. Read more in
the next newsletter will be centered on “Healthy Living Through
the Ages for in your 40s and 50s.” =====================
FREEBIES ===================== Health Concerns at The Adolescent
Years! http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu exts/guide oc oc07.html Eat
For Your Future! Take time out to enjoy healthy food, and we
don’t mean half-eaten burgers. Your body will thank you for it
later
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/agestage/yngadult/articles/0,127
09,181170_183133,00.html Free public health book online!
http://www.ahealthyme.com/article/bellhowell/102538415 Be Breast
Aware! Breast cancer isthe most common cancer among women. But
checking yourself out once a month will help you recognize
what’s normal and what isn’t.
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/agestage/yngadult/articles/0,127
09,181170_183107,00.html Cool Test Quiz from Nutrition to
Illnesses! http://www.ahealthyme.com opic/quizarchive What Your
Period Says About Your Health at 20, 30, 40!
http://magazines.ivillage.com/redbook/dh/health/articles/0,12840,
284480_289153-2,00.html What You Need To Know In Your 20s!
http://www.healthnet.com/healthy_woman/attention_women/20s/07_you
r20s.asp What You Need To Know In Your 30s!
http://www.healthnet.com/healthy_woman/attention_women/30s/08_you
r30s.asp National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(6/2002)!
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/databriefs/dietary.pdf

Susan Rutter Instructor/Nutritionist Healthy YOUbbies “We Are
What We EAT” http://www.geocities.com/healthyoubbies/ email:
healthy.youbbies@3web.net

Two French celebrities can be credited (or blamed) with the transformation from pale to tan. In the 1920s, as fashions were freeing women from confining clothes, thanks in part to designer Coco Chanel, she inadvertently gave the fashion world another new trend: while cruising from Paris to Cannes, she obtained a suntan, probably by accident. Soon, fashionable women everywhere threw away years of tradition to be tanned.

Tanning, dermatologists have found, makes the skin give off endorphins. These opioid compounds make a person feel good. They are the reason endurance runners report “runner’s high.” Could there really be such a thing as tanner’s high?

Various reports suggest that frequent tanning may be a type of substance. Researches says the idea came from skin cancer patients who couldn’t stop tanning!

Addictive Tanning Can be Dangerous!
It is well known that tanning can be addictive. Exposure to tanning salon rays increases the damage caused by sunlight. This occurs because ultraviolet light actually thins the skin, making it less able to heal.

Unprotected exposure to utltraviolet rays also results in premature skin aging. A tan is damaged skin that is more likely to wrinkle and sag than skin that hasn’t been tanned. Over time, you may notice certain undesirable changes in the way your skin looks and heals. According to some skin specialists, skin that has a dry, wrinkled, leathery appearance early in middle age is a result of UV exposure that occurred in youth.

Tanning Safely!
How do you tan safely? Self tan with a Sunless Tanning Lotion! You get great golden tan without the dangers of Sun burns or cancer!

Recent research shows, furthermore, that while DHA provides only minimal SPF protection against the sun’s shorter-wave, UVB rays, higher DHA concentrations that turn the skin darker may provide extra protection against the sun’s longer-wave, UVA rays, which, like UVB, are linked to premature skin aging and skin cancer.

But you can’t assume you’re adequately UV-protected just because your skin turns darker. At best, the DHA in self-tanning lotions offers protection equivalent to an SPF of only 2 to 4. The Skin Cancer Foundation maintains that SPFs of 15 or higher are required for adequate protection. So even if a product has a high concentration of DHA, it must also contain an SPF 15+ sunscreen if you want to be properly protected. And remember, even if the lotion contains such a sunscreen, the protection lasts only a couple of hours, not for the duration of the color change.

So the Best way is to self tan with a sunless tanning product! Find out more about Self Tanning!

Self-tanning products, also called ‘’sunless” tanning lotions, contain dihydroxyacetone. Find out about Self Tanning at SelfTanning.ewhy.info

Shaving pubic hair is a practice that has been adapted among many cultures. Pubic shaving is considered a necessity by some in order to keep good hygiene. In other cultures, genital shaving is also considered a way to attract the opposite sex. Considering the best method and what to prevent when shaving your pubic hair will help you to have the best results for keeping good hygiene and remaining attractive towards your partner.

There are a variety of tools that can be used in order to shave pubic hair. The first way is to use a hand held shaver. If you decide to use this, you will need to make sure that you shave your pubic hair every few days, because of how close it gets to the skin. You can also consider a straight razor, safety razor, or electric razor. All of these are considered safe and effective when shaving pubic hair. It is known that the best way to shave the penis area is to use an electric razor, as this will provide more control and prevent cuts. There are also shavers made with special razors for shaving the genital area.

Pubic shaving can be done in a variety of areas to help with a cleaner look. The pubic mound, penis and scrotum are the three main areas that are focused on. When shaving the pubic mound, you will want to make sure that you are shaving in the same direction that the pubic hairs are growing. If you don’t, it will cause irritation. Shaving the penis also has this same rule that applies to it. It is also known that pulling the penis upwards will help with a better and closer shave. When you are shaving the scrotum, you will want to make sure that you first stretch and flatten the skin. One of the important things to remember is that all three of these areas is sensitive, meaning you should not apply too much pressure when shaving.

Before you begin shaving any of these areas, you will want to trim down longer hairs. This will make the process easier and will allow you to get a closer cut to the skin. You will also want to make sure that your pubic hair is wet or has a shaving lubricant on it. This relaxes the skin as well as softens the hair, making it easier to shave. In places such as the scrotum, you will need to use a mirror in order to make sure that you are shaving all of the pubic hair. After you have shaved, make sure to get all of the loose hairs off and rinse off the lubricant or lotion from your genitals in order to prevent irritation. Following this process will help to avoid complications when shaving pubic hair.

While genital shaving with these razors are known to be safe, some will also cause side effects. One of the problems that may happen with pubic shaving is irritation from the skin, known as razor bumps. These will usually disappear after a couple of days and only cause slight irritation. Another problem that may occur is hair getting locked underneath the skin area. This, as well, will cause irritation, but should move back to normal placement after a couple of days. These will usually be prevented if you are shaving the same way that your pubic hair is growing. If you are beginning pubic shaving, you can expect that the hair will become itchy and irritable when it begins to grow back. However, the longer you shave, the less this will happen.

When shaving the penis and pubic hair area, there are also certain precautions that you will want to take. Making sure that the razor is not dull will help to reduce problems with things such as razor bumps and cuts. Even with a sharper razor, make sure that you are careful around the penis area. One of the things that you will want to prevent after shaving is applying certain types of lotions and creams. Because of the sensitivity of the genital area, this can cause irritation. While you should use a lubricant to help during shaving, this should also be looked into to make sure that you won’t have any side effects from skin irritation later.

Making sure that you shave with the right tools and follow the best procedure will prevent irritation, as well as other problems when shaving the genital area. Pubic shaving can then become a favored way to remain attractive towards your partner as well as help with hygiene.

Moms are some of the busiest people on the planet. From working
a 9-5 job to getting the kids off the school or from attending
soccer games to chaperoning a slumber party, a mom’s feet never
seem to stay still. Some moms are responsible for taking care of
their aging parents as well.

With this almost frantic pace, increased stress levels can be a
natural result. Stress can impact many areas of life such as
work, family, and other relationships. Stress can cause one to
experience irritability, impatience, and distractibility. For
busy moms, stress management is a necessity. Here are eight tips
to assist in living a more stress free life.

1. Determine, no matter what, to create time for self. For some
busy moms, maybe it’s a soothing bubble bath at the end of the
day. For others, it could be a quick trip to the local Nail
Salon. The activity really doesn’t matter as long as busy moms
take some time for themselves.

2. Listen to calm, soothing music on the way to work, while at
work, and while going to sleep. Music has a way of calming and
soothing the mind body.

3. Practice deep abdominal breathing periodically throughout the
day. Breath in deeply through the nose pulling the belly button
toward the spine, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly
release. Busy moms will be pleasantly surprised at how this
simple technique can result in a more relaxed body and mind.
This can be done in any environment.

4. Take time to exercise. Exercise helps to increase
self-esteem, decrease depression, increase concentration and
energy, and gives one a greater sense of control over stress.
Hitting the local gym is not always necessary. Taking a
15-minute walk around the neighborhood, taking walks on lunch
breaks, taking the steps instead of an elevator, and parking
farther away when shopping are examples of how busy moms can
squeeze in exercise during the day.

5. Eat Healthy. There are foods that promote calmness and foods
that increase stress levels. Busy moms can ask themselves if
they are eating too much sugar and caffeine, and if they are
getting enough protein. They can also evaluate if they are
eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and staying away
from refined and processed foods. Healthy eating is very
important for any busy mom. Taking a look at diets and making
the necessary changes can result in increased optimal health.

6. Call a friend. For any busy mom, it is always important in
life to have at least one relationship where they can just vent
and know that a listening ear and unconditional acceptance will
be given.

7. Practice Thinking Calmly. Everyone has a favorite place that
is peaceful, soothing, and calm. When stress levels increase,
busy moms can take a mental break and visualize that special
place. They can take note of the sights, sounds, and smells. It
is important to continue to do this until relaxation is felt.
Busy moms will notice that the stress they are experiencing will
be less and more manageable.

8. Have a sense of humor. We all are familiar with the saying,
“Laughter is the best medicine.” This is so true. Be willing to
laugh at personal mistakes. Watch a funny movie. Share a joke
with a friend. In other words, lighten up. It will make such a
difference.

Stress will continue to occur throughout your day. After all
you’re a mom it is to be expected. It is up to you how much your
stress can affect you. The right methods can help you manage
stress so effectively that everyday can become easier. Although,
its up to you to take the first step.