Mineral Make-Up In the Bag

As BeansTalk readers know by now, we adore mineral makeup and don't use anything else.

One of our favorite brands, Larenim, has a new cosmetic bag ($24.99) and the company's founder Kristen Corcoran has some tips for you:

Silver Belles, Larenim's limited edition holiday Eye Colour, is icy silver and sparkly. This Eye Colour is equally striking worn as an eye shadow or applied with a drop of water as a dramatic eyeliner. Stock up because when it’s gone, it’s gone! Code #12424 $8.95 SRP

Cosmos lends a multi-colored twinkle to a matte charcoal base. $8.95 SRP

Idol is a gleaming gold Cleopatra herself would indulge in! $8.95 SRP

Don’t forget your tools! The latest entry in the vegan brush collection is Smudge Brush which is soft, dense and perfect for creating that sensuous and dramatic smoky eye! $12.95 SRP

Bonus Beauty Tips from Larenim’s creator, Kirsten Corcoran

Winter can be a great time to showcase a different kind of beauty than what you usually display during sunnier months. For example, one can wear deeper colors that may otherwise come off as harsh if worn in the spring or summer months. The holidays are a great time for shimmers on both the face and body. That said, while winter can be a great time to make a more dramatic beauty statement, one must also be careful to adjust their beauty regime somewhat to accommodate for some of potential pitfalls this season has in store for us.

For example, apply some bronzer as either an allover color wash or just to the high points of your face, such as your cheeks and temples, when your facial color has become washed out due to a faded tan. Also add a bit to your neck and décolleté to maintain a natural appearance.

Smoke your eyes with a charcoal or plum shade of eyeliner, but remember to go easy on your lip color as to not appear harsh. Gently sweep some glitter on your eyes or face to add a sparkly sexy quality for nighttime occasions. You can even dust some on your hair after priming with a squirt of hairspray, to add a touch of glamour. I have even seen women in their 70s do this and found that it looks so subtly gorgeous; it puts a twinkle in one’s eyes! In both cases, make sure you use the appropriate brushes and a gentle hand to achieve a sultry, feminine look, as opposed to overdone!

Winter air tends to be harsh and dry, so remember to change your skincare regime somewhat to keep your skin looking it’s best, as well as, the makeup sitting on top of it. If your skin is dry, use a milder cleanser and an exfoliant to keep the flakes away and mist over your makeup with a facial freshener throughout the day. Also if your skin is oily and dry at the same time, use the same regime but touch up during the day with Mineral Silk to control oily shine. By using the mineral finishing products, I have found that my skin will stay shine free while not experiencing the dryness associated with talc based touch up powders.

www.larenim.com

Django Reinhardt - King Of Jazz Guitar

Discover his music, melody and sheer skill in this unique tribute to the king of jazz guitar.

Django Reinhardt's music still looms as the standard to be attained some 50 years after his death. The Gypsy guitarist who played with only two fingers of his left hand, was Europe’s first jazz superstar. He's the unschooled genius who created his own musical and compositional style and became a legend. Discover his music, his melodic abilities and his skill at achieving simultaneously technical precision and deeply meaningful tonal nuances in this unique tribute to the king of jazz guitar.

Track Listing/Features:

• Mystery Paris
• Musette Folie
• Presentation Stomp
• Tiger Rag
• I Saw Stars
• Confessin' Solitude
• Charleston
• In A Sentimental Mood
• Honeysuckle Rose
• Limehouse Blues Swing 39
• Dwe Gitari
• Twelvth Year
• Solo Fight
• Lisa
• Lovers Melody
• Nuages
• How High Is The Moon
• Swing 6
• Improvisation No 2
• The Shiek Of Arabia
• When Day Is Done

Other Info:
Label:	MVD VISUAL
Genre:	Jazz
Running Time:	90 mins

http://mvdb2b.com $19.95 Available 30 October 2007

BeansTalk Gets Organized....

In our home closet! We needed hangers and during a regular jaunt to visit the "dress for less" shop we came across these hangers called "Vertical Fit" (don't bother looking them up; we've done that for you and they're no where on the internet)...but the main design element (and you can find similar styles) is that they are "ultra slim non-slip velvet flocking hangers." They pretty much look exactly like the ones in the photo above, only ours are different colors (and we assume ours are a discontinued color).

We couldn't believe the difference these have made in our closet and now we're determined to change each and ever hanger in the closet to these. The best element for us (yes, yes, we have lots and lots of clothes, already hung by length and color) is how slim the hangers are, and create some extra room in the closet and prevent the proverbial "smooshing" of clothes.

For a long time, we assumed that the best hangers were the super heavy duty, thick plastic ones -- perhaps in the long run these will ultimately last longer (we doubt the flocking will make it past a decade) -- but right now, they accent our closet beautifully and hold our clothes, both jackets and sundresses with equal aplomb.

Bed, Bath and Beyond sells a version, as does, apparently, Target. Just a do a search for ultra slim hangers and go from there. As we often say, you'll be glad you did.

An Aussie-phile steps out in LA

BeansTalk readers will recall that we are big fans of the Warmbat line of sheepskin boots. (See BeansTalk archive September 11, 2007) Who isn’t? Although traditionally the cowboy boot is a trademark USA look, we have noticed that the sheepskin boot is so ubiquitous these days that it threatens to dethrone the cowboy boot as the classic American closet staple. Warmbat boots really have exploded onto the American scene accordingly.

Still, in Los Angeles, many of us have a hard time justifying wearing our sheepskin boots on days when the mercury rises above 80. (most days.) What is the Aussie-phile to do?

BeansTalk recently had the opportunity to try a pair of rugged and versatile street shoes from Warmbat’s Southern Cross division of footwear. These are superbly constructed nubuck shoes that really exude Aussie style and flair, and represent a very refreshing departure from the mary-janes, flats, and stilettos that dominate the footwear catwalks this season. Just to ensure that there is no mistaking the Aussie design, Warmbat’s trademark wombat logo is emblazoned on the side. G’Day, mate! Or should we say.. dinky di!

In LA, we feel this style really sets one apart from the crowd. We paired them up with boyfriend cut jeans, and a few layered jumpers (sweaters), and received many inquiries about our shoe selection. When the weather cools down, we are quite sure that this "three season" shoe will provide the warmth and comfort that have become Warmbat’s trademark as well. We would describe the fit as roomy, almost unisex, perfect for thick, textured socks.

From their website:
New from Warmbat, Our Southern Cross range offers superior grip with Warmbat's patented sole technology. The bold, casual range blends comfort and performance with functional style

"Warmbat is the Original Australian" says Australian born Paul Barclay, Founder of Warmbat Australia. "Our brand is one of the oldest in the sheepskin boot industry. Our commitment to Comfort, Quality, Fashionable Designs and Innovative Technology has made Warmbat a dominant leader in the Industry".

We approach the design of every Warmbat sheepskin boot and footwear “feet first,” because while fashion is imperative in our footwear, comfort is critical. Any other apparel item can make concessions to style, but in shoes, if the fit isn’t right your feet will know it. We know it, too, and we live by it. A comfortable, cozy fit is the first priority of every pair of Warmbat sheepskin boots, slippers and other footwear styles in the range.

Makahla Ross, the official Warmbat Australia Model (pictured above… she is a Midwestern country girl!) was featured recently on MTV's season finale of "My Super Sweet Sixteen.” BeansTalk caught the episode and wants to trade our ride with hers. She is a cute dancer too!

For more information or to order Warmbats, check out the website: http://www.warmbat.com/

Southern Cross Riley
Superior Comfort
Soft, Luxurious Sheep Leather Lining
Patented Traction System
Dri-Lex Moisture absorption system
Nubuck Leather Finish
Memory Foam cushioned footbed

Retail price: $110.00

Sneak Preview

BeansTalk always wants our readers to be in-the-know first when it comes to style. Word on the street has it that you can ditch your Skechers and old Jack Purcells. The shoe that all the celebrities will be wearing with their skinny jeans is from the super new Superga line. The buzz about this line is really good, and they haven’t even hit stores in the US yet.

We got to take a "sneak preview", if you will, of the Torino Canvas Collection as they were being gifted to Emmy nominees recently. The basic womens sneak comes in white, black, pink, red, ecru, camel, dusty rose, acid green and orange, and will range in cost from about $80.00 to $300.00 depending upon print and fabric. Look for the mens and womens line to hit stores like Fred Segal, Steve Alan, LaChaussure, and Jildor in December. The children’s line will follow in March.

Fur Facts

Peta need not get in any kind of uproar. We’re talking human fur. Hair Removal. Being a fairly un-furry person, I wasn’t plagued in high school with unwanted hair. I was actually completely bald until I was 2, and yes, my father would tape ribbons on my head. You see, we were not a very pretty baby and everyone assumed (despite the dress) that we were a boy.

Despite the fact that personal fur issues were not at the forefront of our problems, we’ve recently developed an interested in such things. Since we shave our legs three times a year (ever few months) and have friends who must do it daily, we realize that this is a pretty universal issue.

Old school – shaving. We still do this on our legs and underarms, in the aforementioned thrice yearly. It’s easy and lo-tech. Dangers? Cutting yourself. We still have quite a scar. Ask us about it and we’ll show you.

Nair: and other “home-removal” products. We know nothing of this personally, but have heard that a problem was it was stinky. A lot of movies use it as a joke by putting it in shampoo bottles of the character they hate or are punking.

Waxxing: By now, everyone knows that Britney Spears does it. One universal thing we’ve heard: it hurts. And it doesn’t last all that long. Plus it’s a lot of exposure (for bikini waxes) at fairly regular intervals.

Laser Hair Removal: We have first-hand knowledge of this and highly, highly recommend it. We also highly recommend the anesthetic cream be applied a good 20 to 30 mins. Prior. Rub it in, then frost it like you’re a cake then wrap up in heavy-duty (restaurant grade) Saran Wrap and it will be a total breeze. Each treatment lasts no more than 10 mins. And the results are fantastic.

We can highly recommend Dr. Tattoff in Beverly Hills, who we see for treatments. It’s an exceptionally clean office with friendly staff and real-honest-to-goodness R.Ns performing the procedure. They use the Palomar StarLux IPL Permanent Hair Removal

Info? www.drtattoff.com/ They have offices in Beverly Hills, Irvine and Encino and plan an opening soon in Las Vegas. The website gives you pricing, procedures anything else you might want to try.

There’s a very comprehensive website, hairfacts.com that chronicles everything, from chemicals to Flashlamp to electrolysis, and also sites any products recalled by the FDA or those which have had lawsuits or complaints brought upon them. For methods, this should probably tell you all: //www.hairfacts.com/methods.html

FYI

From Dr. Tattoff’s site:

We add this because we have actual first-hand knowledge of this procedure (this, and shaving, of course).

Is IPL hair removal permanent? Yes, hair follicles that have absorbed the energy of the light and have been destroyed (usually 80%) will never grow hair again. Some hair growth may appear after 5-7 treatments but it will be thinner, lighter in color and grow at a much slower rate than before. Since your hair grows in intervals of 3 cycles, we recommend waiting 5-6 weeks in between treatments until your desired result is achieved. Our goal is to target hair growth in the Anagen phase where hair growth is active and contains the most melanin.

* Emits intense pulses of light that are absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle disabling the hair to grow
* 2 treatment heads (R and Rs) to better target different skin types
* 5-7 treatments 4-6 weeks a part
* No hair removal other than shaving 6 weeks prior to treatment
* No sun exposure or self tanning 3-4 weeks prior
* Ideal candidate is light skin with dark hair but able to treat all skin types
* Hair grows in 3 cycles and best to target hair in the active growing stage (anagen). Usually 80% of hair is able to be treated (everyone has dormant or sleeping hairs)
* Treatment time: 1 – 60 minutes depending on body area and coarseness of the hair

Hot Doc

BeansTalk recently had the pleasure of meeting celebrity dentist, Dr. Catrise Austin. Dedicated to changing lives with a smile, Dr. Catrise Austin is a cosmetic and general dentist who is "Creating Hollywood Smiles in the Heart of Manhattan.”

In a field traditionally dominated by men, this young female dentist is breaking all gender and racial boundaries by establishing her own ground with innovative operations and a unique business strategy. The savvy entrepreneur is the architect of VIP Smiles, a modern dental practice that boasts an impressive loyal following, including some of the warmest smiles in the entertainment industry: America’s Next Top Model Eva Pigford, The Apprentice’s diva Omarosa, R & B singer Toni Braxton, South Park's "Chef" and music legend Isaac Hayes, Broadway's "Bridge and Tunnel" sensation play write Sara Jones, and Grammy Award winning rappers Missy Elliot and Common have all placed their teeth in her capable hands. In addition, "The Discovery Health Channel", “The Queen Latifah Show” and “The Ricki Lake Show” have all called on her services. She's been a guest expert on radio programs across the nation speaking about the importance of dental health, and frequently makes public speaking appearances to spread her message. In March 2007, Dr. Austin became a spokesperson for Aquafresh promoting their latest teeth whitening product-Aquafresh White Trays to help consumers learn how they can have a brighter smile. Throughout the entertainment industry as well as communities across the nation, Dr. Austin is truly cultivating a reputation as a designer of great smiles.

BeansTalk couldn't resist the opportunity to pass along some common cosmetic dentistry questions to the fine doc:

Many of us are trying to turn the clock back with whitening systems. Do you have any favorite home-use products?

I am a big fan of the new Aquafresh White Trays that hit the market this year! They are an improvement on some of the other popular over the counter teeth whitening systems that are on the market. It's a seven day whitening kit with 7 packs of trays that you use only once a day for 30-45 minutes. That's it! The shape of the trays are similar to the bleaching trays that dentists make for patients in their office. They are easy to use too. The gel is already loaded in the trays. The trays are soft and flexible such that when you insert them, you can just mold them to the shape of your teeth for a "custom fit." I usually recommend using them in the morning just before getting in the shower. By the time you are showered and dressed, you're done for the day! However, you can choose the best time a day to fit your lifestyle.

I also recommend the Sonicare brand of electric toothbrushes to reduce/eliminate enamel stains that accumulate from various habits such as coffee/tea drinking, smoking, and dark/staining foods. This tool is excellent for keeping your teeth free of plaque and tartar which also tend to make the teeth look yellow or brown.

Should coffee and soda drinkers resign themselves to stained teeth? What tips can you give our readers to help us enjoy our beverages and enjoy a bright smile?
Good news....I'm a believer that you can still have a little fun in life by drinking coffee, tea, and soda and still enjoy a bright smile! They key is to minimize how much of those beverages make direct contact with your teeth. For example, try drinking the iced versions of your favorite caffeinated drinks (iced coffee or iced tea) with a straw. Using a straw helps the beverage bypass the teeth and help keep them as bright as possible.

For those of you who do not enjoy the iced beverages, then I recommend keeping a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste handy to brush your teeth as soon as possible after consuming those beverages to keep your teeth stain free and clean. A baking soda formula toothpaste such as Arm & Hammer or Mentadent is great to use as an abrasive to minimize stains.


Our readers have shared stories with us about tooth sensitivity after whitening treatments. What does this side effect indicate? Is it permanent?
Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect from teeth whitening. The reason is because the active ingredient (peroxide) actually permeates through the pores of the outer enamel layer of the tooth which is naturally white to reach the inner layer of the tooth called dentin which is naturally yellow. So when you look in the mirror and see yellow teeth, what you are really seeing is the inner yellow color shining through the outer white enamel. Now the inner yellow layer (the dentin layer) is also where the nerve of the tooth is located. So when you are whitening your teeth, the pores are opened and the gel is working to lighten the portion of the tooth where the nerve is located. From my experience, the response to whitening is very unpredictable but in general I always prepare my patients by warning them that if their teeth are sensitive normally, then they can expect that they may experience a little sensitivity during the whitening process. If they do not have sensitive teeth generally, they should respond well to whitening.

A tip that I usually share with patients that are concerned with sensitivity is to try using a sensitive formula toothpaste such as Sensodyne or a fluoride mouthwash such ACT just about 2 weeks prior to starting their whitening treatment. What this does is start to condition the tooth for whitening by desensitizing the teeth in advanced so that they have a more comfortable whitening experience.

Teeth sensitivity is not a permanent sensation. It generally takes 24-48 hours for the pores to close after completing the teeth whitening procedure. Unless there are other dental problems present such as cavities or gum disease, all tooth sensitivity should resolve within that 24-48 hour time frame.

Have you ever encountered a client who was "addicted" to whitening?
I think that one of my famous clients who is a popular villain from "The Apprentice" has signs of being addicted to teeth whitening. Every few months, I get a call begging for teeth whitening! I only give in once every year however and recommend the use of take home/over the counter whitening treatments between in office treatments. Most whitening results will last an average of 6-18 months before needing a repeat. Next time a get an early request for teeth whitening I am going to turn that patient in to Whitening Anonymous!

Thanks, Dr. Austin! We'll catch you the next time we are in Manhattan.

Check out her website at: http://www.vipsmiles.com/

or call: 866-377-3123

If only these beautiful Kennedy brides had Dr. Kaplan's Tips! (See story below)

Bridal Beauty Tips

Ona Spa and Dr. Kaplan on The Bridal Guide to Beauty

Dr. Kaplan

1. Botox on palms and underarms will prevent sweaty handshakes and sweat stains on the dress.

2. Micro-laser peel – better, faster, and less painful than a chemical peel, the micro-laser peel precisely and evenly removes the top layers of the skin, revealing new skin that is smooth and has even skin tone. Removes any light freckles and lessens fine lines and wrinkles. Gives a natural glow to the face. Should be done at least 2 weeks before the big day.

3. Botox to forehead, frown lines, crow's feet to minimize the appearance of wrinkles (and preventing you from deepening the ones you have). Can also be injected to the top corners of the eyebrow to give upper eyelids a slight lift. Even to the neck, to lessen heavy lines. Also, Botox can be injected into the jaw line, for people who have very muscular/angular jaw lines and favor a more oval shaped face. Botox can also be injected in the calves, for people who feel they have overly muscular or uneven calves.

4. Injectable fillers, such as Radiesse (made of calcium and lasts 8 months to a year), Juvederm and Restylane (hyaluronic acid fillers which last up to 3-6 months) can be used to:
a) Fix any asymmetry of the lips. Can also be used to give a fuller pout.
b) Soften nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the corner of your nose to your mouth)
c) "non-surgical nose job" for people who have a slight bump in their nose bridge, a filler can fill in the valley between the forehead and this bump. This enhances a person's profile with absolutely zero down time.
d) enhance cheekbones
e) plump really deep furrows and lines in the forehead, which no amount of Botox can erase
f) for deep acne scars or "pits" in the skin, fillers can be used to plump these crevices so they are virtually invisible
g) inject into the balls of the feet, to help 'pad' the feet when wearing high heels

5. Laser
a) remove red blood vessels along the corners of the nose (instant results, and zero down time)
b) remove spider veins that may appear on the back of legs, thighs, and upper arms
c) for people who plan a month in advance, consider a deep laser resurfacing, which is much, much deeper than a micro-laser peel but does an amazing job of basically removing a thick layer of skin to virtually erase excess, wrinkly skin under the eyes, all age spots, freckles, fine lines, etc. Your skin will be scabbed and red for at least 2 weeks, and then red and raw for about 2 more weeks after that (which can be covered up with make-up if necessary), so unless you have a month downtime to spare, this procedure is not recommended.
d) Lasers to tighten skin, minimize pore size, and remove any skin redness



Ona Spa's Bridal Guide to Beauty

6 weeks before the big day:

Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus - These new facial dermal fillers provide long lasting correction with unexpected smoothness. As with similar fillers, the hyaluronic acid (HA) in Juvederm products temporarilly corrects facial wrinkles and folds. Juvederm contains the highest concentration of "HA" found in the market for the most natural look. $550-$600

2 weeks before the big day:

Ona Ultimate Environ Peel– Ona is proud to offer the sophisticated environ custom medical grade peel which involves the use of specially designed acid gels on the skin to promote the production of collagen and elastin and bring back the luster and brightness of healthier skin. Lines are minimized and the skin is tightened. Ona ultimate peel is suitable for all skin types, including acne skin. $225


1 week before the big day:

Ona Slim Cyro-Thermie Slimming Treatment - This treatment is comprised of a 5-step cellulite reduction therapy designed to reshape, tone and firm your thighs, tummy, hips and arms, as well as virtually eliminate the appearance of cellulite. Created by one of the most advanced labratories in France, the treatment unlocks fatty deposits, facilitates fat-burning, shrinks adiposites and accelerates the elimination of cellular wastes.Serie of 6 performed over one week. ($750)

1 day before the big day:

Ona Nirvana - This treatment is exclusive to Ona Spa. The three hour session is the ultimate in relaxation and therapeutic massage. Using a combination of Trigger Point Therapy, Deep Tissue, Swedish, ona Reflex, and Abdominal Massage, there is enough time to release every tension, anxiety, and stress. This luxurious indulgence will have you walking on Cloud 9. $300.

Ona Tan - An organic customized airbrushed tan, odorless, never orange, quick-drying, non sticky with an even golden long-lasting coverage. By contouring your hips and thighs with extra bronzer they can create an optical illusion that will make you look 10 pounds thinner! $65.

The big day:

Classic manicure and pedicure


Images Photography by Syrie Kovitz
www.syriekovitz.com
Painting Gage Opdenbrouw

Angelina Jolie as Matt Damon's bride in The Good Shepherd. Just because.

Farewell Israel
Bush, Iran and The Revolt of Islam

Available on DVD November 20, 2007 Through MVD

Farenheit 911 and Control Room presented only a fraction of the real picture in the Middle East. Now, a new political documentary, Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran and The Revolt of Islam, reveals the full story of Israel and The West’s misunderstanding of Islam – and the coming tragic consequences of misunderstanding!

The confrontation between Islam and the Jews began in the Prophet Muhammad’s time and continues to this day. Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran and The Revolt of Islam is an historic journey, from the birth of Islam, through it’s 1,200 year reign over the civilized world, to the last 300 years of Islamic decline, overtaken and dominated by the West — then humiliated by a Jewish state. Islam’s historic trials with Jews, and its relationship with conquered non-believers, help illustrate the Islamic world view – all through the eyes of Muslims.

In this groundbreaking film, the total rejection of Israel by Muslim states since it’s inception in 1948 comes to light as a religious duty for Believers. The Islamic roots of Anwar Sadat’s 1977 Camp David Accords with Israel are exposed as “The Diplomatic Strategy Against Israel,” by which Egypt sought to defeat Israel through diplomacy, rather than establish “Western Peace”. Israel’s misunderstanding of Islamic goals and values are highlighted by its enthusiasm for Yasser Arafat and the 1993 Oslo Accords. Next, President George Bush’s tragic misunderstanding of 9/11 as a “War Against Freedom,” in which the United States played into the hands of Al-Qaeda and the Islamist cause by advocating democratic reform across the Middle East, is revealed. Finally, the Iranian strategic agenda for acquiring weapons of mass destruction to eliminate Israel comes clearly into focus.

Today, at the direction of Iran, Islamists are preparing for a fateful coming war for Islam - and Israel is the number one target and obstacle in the path of Islamic revival. Only with the return of Jews to their historic status as “Dhimmi” or “Tributaries,” tolerated and protected within Islamic society, can Islamic revival succeed - resulting in “Islamic Peace”, in the Middle East.

Farewell Israel: Bush, Iran and The Revolt of Islam reaches the unavoidable conclusion that Western and Israeli misunderstanding of Islam is leading to a coming war - which will have devastating consequences for the West, and worst of all for Israel - Farewell Israel!

Original Music Score::
Full length original music score performed by Highway 61 Revisited with Bob Dylan’s former band members Scarlet Rivera, Rob Stoner, and Bruce Langhorne.
Narration by: Lance Lewman (PBS NOVA, National Geographic Channel "TABOO")
Running Time: 145 Minutes

Film website and trailer: www.farewellisrael.com

Celebs Turn Out For Children’s Hospital Charity

Patients’ moms received makeup makeovers, hair styling, manicures, and massages while they interacted with celebrity moms such as Cindy Crawford, Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Dern, Bridgette Wilson Sampras, Ming Wen, Jenifer Lewis, Lisa Rinna, Deana Carter and Samantha Mathis.

The event started with a panel discussion by Dr. Mark Krieger of Childrens Hospital’s Neurological Surgical Unit, Terri Apanasewicz of P3 Beauty, Moira Forbes of ForbesLife Executive Women and celebrity moms Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Dern who spoke on behalf of the hospital.

P3 Beauty and ForbesLife Executive Women provided a day for the dedicated moms of Childrens Hospital patients to be pampered, to relax and rejuvenate. This event highlighted the importance of balance and self care, especially amid great personal challenges.

Increase awareness that Childrens Hospital Los Angeles treats children from all
social, financial and ethnic backgrounds. Each year, the nonprofit hospital admits more than 11,000 children – 50 percent under the age of 4. Childrens Hospital has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century; it is acknowledged around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health, treatment and research.

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation.

As a family-centered care institution that is committed to treating the whole child/patient and the family, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is proud to honor the moms who love completely and give endlessly to their sick children as well as their entire families.

The event occurred Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, ForbesLife Penthouse and was sponsored by P3 Beauty, ForbesLife Executive Woman, Amazing Cosmetics. Photos Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Dern; Terri Apanasewicz of P3 Beauty and Cindy Crawford

Sniffle, Snort, Snort: Be and Stay Healthy!

This weekend, we (the BeansTalk ME) were visited by (among many others) our faux grandchildren, ages 3, 18 months and four months – all of whom were sniffle-ly, cough-y and warm-y. Yes, our internal alarm rang loudly. We love a good cuddle so we risked illness. Our day-job co-workers have also been coughing and sick. We were worried we were destined to get sick.

This got us thinking about preventing colds. We had a very good run once and went about five years without getting sick. Then we started working at People Magazine and it went south. It was the start of – at least – an annual illness. When we get sick it’s usually in the late fall/winter and we get a cough that lasts weeks.

Anyway, we immediately fell into a family-wide regime: after we made sure we had foot in our stomachs, we took zinc. That’s pretty much been our reliable fail safe. It’s staved off many potential ailments (colds/coughs), especially coupled with extra sleep and water.

But what do the experts say? From what we can tell, taking action as soon as you’ve been exposed or show first signs. Whether you take an aggressive dose of Vitamin C (in the form of pills or powder-in-water) or ingest echinea or rely on Airborne, taking it early is key.

From the Mayo Clinic:

Mayo Clinic infectious disease specialist James Steckelberg, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers:

Answer: Some people swear by Airborne, a popular herbal cold remedy that's sold over-the-counter in many drugstores. But there's no conclusive evidence that this product or any of its ingredients prevent colds or shorten their duration.

Airborne cold remedy claims to boost your immune system — which supposedly helps you fight off cold germs — with a blend of herbs and vitamins, including magnesium, zinc, selenium, forsythia, echinacea, manganese and vitamins A, C and E. Only three of these ingredients have been studied as possible cold treatments with mixed results:

* Echinacea. A National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine study released in 2005 found that echinacea did little to prevent or shorten colds. But testing herbs is difficult, and scientists say more research is necessary.
* Vitamin C. Although vitamin C doesn't appear to prevent colds in most people, taking large doses — up to 5,000 milligrams — at the beginning of a cold may reduce the severity of symptoms. Lower doses — 200 to 300 milligrams — may shorten a cold's duration. Just what constitutes an optimum dose isn't clear, but amounts in excess of 2,000 milligrams a day may cause nausea and diarrhea.
* Zinc. Most studies indicate that zinc reduces the duration of cold symptoms but doesn't prevent colds. However many of the zinc studies — both those that find the mineral beneficial and those that do not — have been flawed.

As is often the case with many nutritional supplements, there is just not enough quality research available to make a decision regarding any actual benefits of Airborne. Also, since Airborne is considered a nutritional supplement, it is subject to relatively limited oversight from the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor before starting any new nutritional supplement.

From MD Junction
The winter months are coming and colds and sniffles are threatening again. Each year, at the time of season change more people become sick and the ailments become harder and it takes longer to get over them. Medicine today looks at this issue as a general problem that is not just the result of more bacterial and viruses in the air, but the result of a bad lifestyle.

These viral or bacterial attacks are a sign of body weakness and an unbalanced immune system. They attack us when we are at our lowest and in winter we all tend to be a bit weaker due to the cold. People who have an unbalanced immune system lack the tools to identify viruses and their body cannot fight them off. People with healthy life styles tend to contract less disease. Changing your lifestyle may be difficult, but improving it by following a few useful tips will help you get through the winter a healthier person.

Eating and sleeping well, reducing stress and workload will help strengthen out bodies and help them fight of viruses and bacteria that cause illness. Nutrition that is supplemented with natural food additives and vitamins can help us strengthen out immune system by giving it the materials it needs to balance itself. There are many multi-vitamin formulas found in the market today. One must make sure to take these tablets always with food, since our body needs certain materials to help absorb the vitamins. Food helps supply these materials. Always read the instructions on the package carefully before consuming any additives or vitamins.
Multi vitamins are good for healthy maintenance, but when the first winter sniffles occur, we might need a more specific treatment.
Here is a short list of the best knows additives and "home medicines" known that can help.

Vitamin C is a great cleanser and also fights anti aging. It is a powerful additive that fights germs and viruses and helps prevent contracting colds. Vitamin C is not only found in Oranges. Kiwi and Guava entail 3 times more vitamin C than in Oranges.
In Lemons the vitamin C is supplemented by high acidic environment and lemon juice serves as a great sterilizer.

Another natural sterilizer and germ killer is Garlic. A garlic clove swallowed whole is one of the best forms of "natural tablets" that can be found.
Swallowing the cloves whole helps reduce the bad smell usually associated with eating garlic. Garlic can also be found in tablets that insure it is only released when in the stomach, thus preventing the smell entirely.

Gurgling Warm water that contains salt or baking powder (Sodium bicarbonate) can help against a sore throat, because the ions released from these materials in the water create a basic atmosphere that kills germs and viruses.

Shitkar is a fungus that has been proven to assist our body in building our immune system. One can give it even to little children (kids tend to contract illnesses often all your round) and it can be found in natural product markets and pharmacies. A research conducted by Dr. Yamamora from the University of South Carolina proves that Shitkar can help reduce illness symptoms within 36 hours and it prevents the reoccurrence of breathing problems, sinusitis and other respiratory problems related to cold, flue and other winter illnesses. The Shitkar fungus contains a unique combination of Amino Acids and Polysachrids that are the building blocks of the human immune system. Regular use of Shitkar is like a natural vaccine.
When winter illness symptoms like headaches, tiredness, leaky nose and sore throat occur, it is advised to increase Shitkar intake to two tablets per day. One tablet per day is maintenance.

Taking tablets of natural flora such as Bio acidophilus and eating bacteria found in bio- yogurt are highly recommended when one needs to take antibiotics to fight off an illness. Since the antibiotic kills everything, it also kills out antibodies and the good germs that live in the body. These natural "good germs" help our immune system fight off viruses and fungal infections. When we take antibiotics we eliminate them, so they need to be re-supplied to the body for better health.

Tablets and additives are not the only things to be considered when we create out winter health routine. One must be aware that our winter eating habits and activity is different form the summer months. The cold makes us feel hungry and we tend to stay more at home and eat. Winter dishes are also fattier and digesting warm food takes less energy. Thus we tend to store fat in winter and the extra weight is an unpleasant surprise in the spring months, when we try on out old swimming suit. Eating breakfast is very important to help balance insulin levels that were lowered during the nights sleep and cause the feeling of hunger. Eating warm food that contains more vegetables (soups) and less fat will help regulate our calorie take in. Eating at regular intervals and small meals will help prevent the feeling of hunger during the day. Eating only when one is hungry reduces the amount we eat but required a lot of attention to ones bodily signals and discipline. Start each meal with a glass of water, it fills you up and you eat less. Do not nauch!

Keeping a healthy lifestyle and a strong body also includes sport. Do not be prevented from being active because of the cold or the rain. There are many indoor facilities available and one must find the suitable activity for each season. Staying active will also help us prevent gaining weight, as we tend to eat more and move less in the cold months. The best tip is to find an activity that can also be performed while we watch TV - the most common winter pastime - like Aerobics or a treadmill. A balanced lifestyle leads to a balanced immune system that is equipped to get us through the winter with as little trouble as possible.