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Top 5 Treadmills for 2017: We Have One for Every Budget and Every Space

January 13, 2017 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

When winters are as tough as this one, trying to get in some exercise can be difficult. Even when you have a gym membership, going out in the snow or ice is not only unpleasant, but it can be downright dangerous.

This is why so many people keep treadmills on hand. Regardless of the weather, you can always exercise right at home.

Of course, getting a treadmill depends on several factors; price, the amount of space you have on hand, and how much you intend to use it.

We are going to take a look at the top treadmills available in 2017 – there is surely one here to suit your needs, space, and budget!

Schwinn 870 Treadmill

This is one of the most expensive treadmills around, but with a name like Schwinn behind it, you know it’s a keeper that should last many, many years. With an average price of $1,000, this treadmill has a powerful 3.0 continuous motor, 26 workout programs, and two monitors, which means you can watch your tablet or read while still keeping an eye on your performance. Nice little features, such as a built in fan, in console speakers, as well as an MP3 input port and USB media charging means you can listen to your jams and never have to worry about battery life.

Gold’s Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill

This machine is considered to be a medium priced treadmill, going for approximately $550. This treadmill has everything you would want, such as an adjustable incline level and foldable design, and, for the money, it has some nice features you don’t expect, such as iPod and MP3 player USB plug in. With a full 18 pre-programmed workouts, you won’t get bored easily.

ProForm ZT4 Treadmill

This is another reasonably priced treadmill that runs about $450. The ProForm ZT4 comes with a nice 2.75 CHP motor that hits a max of 10 MPH. This is a super portable unit that folds up nicely, but still has a 10 percent incline option. If you like to monitor your heart rate, this treadmill features contact grips so you can reach your optimum heart rate zone and burn more calories.

Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill

For those on a tight budget, the Weslo Cadence can’t be beat! Priced at less than $300, this super compact and super space saving design is perfect for those who only intend to use it during bad weather, or for those who are concerned about space. Six pre-programmed workouts, two position incline, and a comfortably cushioned running surface makes this a model most people can’t say no to!

Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill

This is another budget ($350) treadmill that still offers many of the features of higher priced models. Merit Fitness has a 1.5 CHP (2.5 THP) motor that can reach speeds of 10 MPH. Sturdy enough to support 250 lbs, the 3 window LED display will track time, speed, calories, distance run, and more! Folds to a tiny 29W x 26.25H x 56D, and has a lifetime warranty on the frame and 1 year on the motor itself. This treadmill gets 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so you know it’s a good deal for the price.

Special Mention: Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill

This is the treadmill for those who want the absolute best in life, even in a treadmill. Cushion Flex Whisper Deck has been shown to reduce the impact on joints by an amazing 40% (when compared to running on asphalt). Measures a whopping 35W x 58H x 80D, this treadmill features fans, two heart programs, built in MP3 sound system and a lifetime warranty on the frame, motor, and deck. At almost $2 grand, this is the top of the line, but if you can afford it, you will not be disappointed! Amazon is offering 12 months interest free financing right now, so check it out here.

Top 5 Bamboo Sheets of 2017: Super Soft and Super Earth Friendly

January 8, 2017 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

If you haven’t tried bamboo bed sheets, you are really missing out! They are softer than any Egyptian cotton sheets and are very environmentally friendly.

Although you might have heard or read rumors that bamboo fibers are highly processed and no longer retain very much of their natural compounds, so you should think of them as synthetic fabrics, keep in mind that most of this negative publicity comes from the cotton industry, so consider the source!

Bamboo takes far less water to grow than cotton, as well as far fewer chemicals or water to process the fiber. Many like to call bamboo the new “vegan silk” as the fabric feels just as soft as silk, but no silk worms need to die for your bed sheets.

These super soft round fibers need no fabric softeners and will last longest when line dried, or dried on low in your clothes dryer. This also means fewer products to buy and less energy used to keep them clean.

January is typically the month when bedding goes on sale. If you are thinking of taking advantage of these price cuts, take a look at bamboo bed sheets. Once you try them, you will wonder why you ever thought 1300 cotton thread count sheets were “soft”!

Let’s take a look at the top 5 brands of bamboo sheets of 2017.

Royal Hotel King Gray Bamboo Sheet Set

You might be thinking that 300 thread count is simply not enough, but one feel will tell you otherwise! Super comfortable in all temperatures, these feel almost identical to cashmere. A bit pricey, yes, but well worth it! These awesome, top of the line sheets come in a variety of beautiful colors.

Cariloha Crazy Soft Bamboo Sheet Set

Cariloha is one of the best known names when it comes to sheets, and when they say crazy soft, they aren’t kidding! Bamboo fibers naturally repel allergens and odors. Cariloha is so certain that you will love these items that they have a 100 % quality guarantee. Extra deep fitted sheets fit mattresses up to 18 inches in height!

Clara Clark 1800 Series Embossed Bamboo Sheets

These are an extremely popular brand as they are reasonably priced. This doesn’t mean they are cheaply made! These soft bamboo sheets come in a variety of colors and have a beautiful embossed pattern on them that you will simply adore.

Zen Bamboo Hypoallergenic Sheets

If you want to help someone in your family who suffers from allergies to sleep better, these are the sheets for you! Made from a mix of brushed bamboo and microfibers, these super plush sheets are both stain resistant and hypoallergenic. No itching, no scratchiness, just amazingly soft sheets that can stand up to your washer and dryer.

Linenspa Ultra Soft Bamboo Sheets

These incredibly soft sheets are made from 10 percent bamboo, so you know they are going to be soft and silky. Fitted bottom sheets fit mattresses up to 14 inches in height, with an elastic band that goes around the entire bottom sheet, which means a nice, tight fit. Once you try these, you will never, ever go back to plain cotton sheets, no matter how high the thread count.

Keep in mind that bamboo is an eco-friendly source of fabric, so you can feel good about buying them. With its many therapeutic benefits, such as being anti-allergen, antibacterial, and anti-fungal, it’s no wonder why so many people are choosing soft, silky bamboo sheets this year.

Top 10 Detox Teas to Cleanse Your Body After the Holidays

January 4, 2017 by Tammy Robinson 2 Comments

The holidays are officially over, friends. Before you know it, the summer months and bikini season will be here.

Are you ready? If you had one too many BBQ beef sandwiches and beers, it might be time to take a few days to improve your digestive health and kick those ugly toxins and bloating to the curb.

If you took a holiday vacation in a foreign country, then you really want to be sure that you detox! Who knows what you might have picked up, no matter how careful you were!

Take a look at our list of the top 10 detox teas that will cleanse the system and get you ready for this upcoming summer season!

Yogi Rose Hibiscus Tea

If you’ve noticed that your complexion isn’t what it used to be, this is the detox tea for you. Filled with healing green tea, rose, and hibiscus, this tea will remove toxins and leave your skin brighter and clearer than it has been!

Kusmi Tea Detox

This is perfect for just about everyone and it tastes divine! Naturally detoxing green tea with lemongrass and mate, this tea is good hot or iced. It also comes in a cute little reusable tin that you can store in your purse. Buy two and save one to use before the holidays!

Twinings Lemon and Ginger

This is an oldie, but a goodie! Twinings has been serving up tea for almost 300 years, so they know what they are doing. This tea has plenty of detoxing agents with lemon and ginger root, as well as linden and blackberry leaves for extra flavor.

BaeTea

Trendy name, but serious detox power. If you are truly committed to detoxing, this 14 day detox treatment is for you. BaeTea has serious detoxing compounds such as senna leaf and ginger root, along with Guarana for appetite control, Oolong Wu Yi, honey, lemon, and pomegranate for intense, satisfying flavor.

V-Tea T-Tox

This is another popular 14 day detox program which contains tons of super powerful detoxing agents such as nettle leaf, burdock root, dandelion, holy basil, and fenugreek seeds. This same company also sells an evening tea called “Evening Flush” that you can drink before bedtime for super deluxe cleansing. Comes with a cute little tea spoon and strainer!

Hey Girl

This company has 4 different detox teas, depending on your problem. There are teas to energize, help you sleep better, cleanse, and generally feel better. All help to flush toxins from the body and reduce that awful bloat. All of these are jam packed with detoxing herbs such as nettle, milk thistle, senna, burdock root, and dandelion. It’s not as sweet as some of the detox teas here, so if you like your tea on the sweet side, better skip this one.

Magic TeaFit Organic Detox Tea

This tea is made in the USA in small batches, to ensure that you always get top quality tea. Despite the name, this tea does not rely on magic, but on proven detox herbs such as nettle, ginger, cardamom, dandelion and Rooibos. It also has hibiscus and cinnamon to relieve bloating and make your skin glow.

English Tea Shop Detox Me Tea

Nothing is more English than tea, so it’s no wonder that the English Tea Shop has one of the best detox teas around! Contains 20 bags of premium teas, filled with detoxing herbs such as rosemary, spearmint, fenugreek, and more. These teas are completely organic, which means they are also caffeine free.

Total Tea Gentle Detox

If all of this detoxing sounds great, but your digestive system is pretty sensitive, this is the one for you. This detox tea has a natural anti-inflammatory blend which soothes the digestive tract while it removes toxins. This has no artificial colors or preservatives, but it does have plenty of flavor with peppermint, chamomile, and cinnamon.

E-Z Detox Tea

Well, the name alone gives you an idea about this tea! The company claims you will not only detox, but that you can lose 1 pound per day. It has a unique blend of ginger, eucalyptus, ginseng, lemon grass, red raspberry leaf, and tamarind which is said to help stop cravings and hunger pangs for up to 6 hours. If you want to lose weight and detox, this is a good choice. Many people say that this tea was the only one that actually made them lose weight.

As with any supplement, please check with your doctor before you consume a detox tea. Everyone is unique and your doctor is the best source of information regarding these teas and your particular health situation.

Detoxification has been practiced for centuries and used all over the world to improve your health, as well as protect you from future illnesses.

Make it a Dazzling New Year by Adding One Beautiful Thing

December 30, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

The power of crystals and semi-precious gemstones has been used since time immemorial for healing and the restoration of energy. Stones have been heated and cooled from within the core of the earth and are as timeless as the planet itself.

Many believe that crystals and gems contain their own type of energy field. Since each crystal is constantly in motion, they do emit a frequency of their own.

Crystals have been used for healing at least as far back as 4BC. The Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, Greeks, and Sumerians all believed in the power of crystals.

You will find many modern day scientists who say that stones and crystals have no power and that any benefits derived from them is purely the placebo effect.

However, isn’t an effect the same, regardless of how it got there? Whether you were healed by a crystal, the power of your mind, or the power of medicine, the healing still took place.

For a dazzling New Year, for protection in 2017, for healing, for clearing spaces from the negative energy from 2016, or just for plain old beauty, you can’t beat crystals.

Let’s take a quick look at the top 10 most popular crystals you can use for healing and what they mean.

Turquoise

If you aren’t sure where to start or if you are simply looking for a general, all around positive energy vibe, you can’t go wrong with turquoise.

This beautiful blue stone with black running through it eases depression, fear, anxiety, and exhaustion. Turquoise will help improve your meditation and brings balance, as well as positive thoughts to the forefront.

Turquoise is available in many different forms, but we really liked the one we found here.

Amethyst

For those who are in serious need of stress reduction or those going through a life change, such as a divorce, the loss of a loved one, menopause, or insomniacs, amethyst is a very powerful force.

Beautiful, lavender amethyst balances the hormones of the body and not only stimulates the immune system, but increases the metabolism as well. It eases feelings of stress, tension, even headaches! This is the perfect stone for healing feelings of grief, blood related illnesses, and support of healthy lungs.

Don’t forget that amethyst is the birthstone of those born in February. What a beautiful gift this would be!

Blue Topaz

This beautiful sky blue stone balances the 5^th Chakra, which will increase your communication skills, promotes feelings of joy and bring you good fortune. This is the perfect stone for writers, artists, or when you want to convey a heartfelt apology.

Blue Topaz is known for facilitating the thought process and helps you express ideas and complex concepts. For the body, blue topaz is strong enough to fortify the nerves and improve digestion. It has been said that blue topaz, when worn around the neck and throat area, helps to fight eating disorders. You can see a really beautiful necklace and earring set here.

Ruby

Blood red rubies are the symbol of the vitality, of life itself! It encourages self love and passion by allowing the wearer to release destructive emotional patterns. These beautiful stones help to improve our motivation and set new goals for our lives.

On the physical end, rubies are said to cleanse the blood, stimulate the heart, and restore our life force. For the elderly or anyone who is depressed, the gift of a ruby would be a welcome one!

Rubies are the birthstone for July, but what a fantastic Valentine’s day gift this one be!

Amazonite

Sometimes mistaken for Turquoise, this stone has a soothing quality to it that clams both the brain and central nervous system. When someone has suffered trauma or intense fear, this stone can help to heal those emotions and memories. Amazonite has a soft blue color allows an increase in confidence and balances the male/female energies in the body.

For those suffering from problems with osteoporosis, this stone is believed to improve the absorption of minerals, especially calcium. It can also help with poor dental health and the prevention of muscle spasms and cramps.

You can see a really georgeous piece of Amazonite here.

Citrine

Some people call this the “money stone” as it represents absolute power! Its deep orange/gold color gets one centered and allows you to feel the strength and confidence of your own power! Beautiful citrine invites wealth and prosperity into your home. You might see this stone set inside a merchant’s front door or cash register, to invite money to stay for a while!

This is also thought of as the “brain” stone, as it can be a powerful brain stimulator. It increases concentration, clarity of thought, brings relief from nightmares, and some say it enhances psychic powers if one already possesses them.

Whether you prefer a beautifully mounted piece of citrine, like this one, or if you prefer a loose stone to keep in your pocket or purse, like this one, you have nothing to lose by adding one to your life!

Rose Quartz

The pure beauty of rose quartz is enough to win over even the most broken hearted soul. Often referred to as the “love stone”, rose quartz stimulates feelings of love, caring, forgiveness, friendship, and compassion.

Rose Quartz, with its soft pink hues, helps to heal emotional wounds while it stimulates the circulatory system of the body. Some say that this is the stone you want to give to increase fertility, to prevent miscarriages, and help to heal those who were bruised by love.

One of the most beautiful rose quartz crystals we have ever seen is right here on Amazon. On the other hand, one of the most unusual ways we’ve seen this stone used can be seen here.

Crystal Quartz

This classic stone is very powerful and should be worn by anyone who has a high stress job or someone who sits in front of a computer all day. This super clear crystal brings light and energy into our body. It is powerful protection from negative thoughts or environments and amplifies any other stone worn near it.

Crystal quartz neutralizes radiation while keeping the immune system in balance. Placed near the computer monitor, this stone will repel electromagnetic radiation. This is the perfect stone to bring you clarity of thought, harmony, and balance.

If you have never seen a crystal quartz “wand”, check out this beauty here.

Onyx

When speaking of crystals, black is the color of strength and power. If someone you know is going through a difficult or challenging time in their lives, this would be the perfect gift. Onyx calms fears and worries, which allows for better decision making. It’s also been said that it increases good fortune and keeps people more grounded.

Onyx is known for its ability to help with skin problems, such as inflammation or infections. This stone needs regular cleansing, so be sure to leave it in direct sunlight for a few hours or wash it regularly in salt water.

Most people like to wear onyx on a bracelet. This is one of the best we’ve ever seen!

Moonstone

The calming blue color of moonstone is sometimes called the “feminine stone”, as it helps to calm the nerves, charges the feminine energies, and eases feelings of stress. Moonstone is said to help women going through pregnancy or menopause, as it balances the hormones in the body.

This is the stone of choice for women who are pregnant, are breastfeeding, or going through menopause. It can also help those who suffer from severe PMS. Be careful, however, as moonstone has been said to open the mind to powerful forces, which can be overwhelming for those who are very sensitive.

True moonstone can be hard to find, but take a look at this 8 facet moonstone wand!

Keep in mind that crystals have different levels of quality, much like anything else in this life. For example, a perfectly clear quartz crystal will work better than one which is cloudy. No two crystals are exactly alike and many have overlapping qualities. If you find that one crystal is not working well for you, try another that has similar properties. Crystals are as beautiful as they are powerful and they are one of the true treasures of this world.

Happy New Years to you and your family. May 2017 be a great year for everyone!

Top 10 Must Have Items for a Home Gym

December 26, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Whether you are thinking about bikini season or you want to keep your New Year’s resolution, there is no denying that having a home gym rocks.

While it is true that regular gymnasiums can offer things that you can’t find at home, like a personal trainer or a juice bar, but it is also true that you can literally save thousands of dollars by not paying for a membership, annual fees, gas, and wear and tear on your car. Let’s also not forget the joys of waiting for a machine, or being limited to 30 minutes on the treadmill during peak hours. Ugh!

You can make your own home gym by adding just a few simple items. We have tried to create a list that runs the gamut, here. We have included everything from a treadmill ($$$) to a jump rope ($).

One of the best ways to get your home gym up and running is to invest with a friend. If each of you buys some equipment, you can double the items in your gym without spending extra bucks.

Let’s take a look at the best must have items for a home gym.

Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells

No workout routine would be complete without dumbbells, but who wants to store (and buy) all those different weights? Bowflex has the answer with this compact set of dumbbells that go from 5 pounds up to 52.5 pounds! Super space saving design means no weights lying all over the floor.

SPRI Medicine Ball

This old fashioned method of staying in shape has made a comeback in a big way! SPRI puts a new twist on them by adding dual handles, so one can easily access the ball from either side or from any position. Dual handles are much safer as well. You can get a complete strength training workout just by adding a medicine ball to your sit ups, squats, and lunges.

TriggerPoint Foam Roller

OK, so this isn’t so much about getting fit as being comfortable, but foam rollers are still invaluable for a home gym. To relieve the pain of sore, tight muscles, or to fight back against that Charlie horse, foam rollers can’t be beat. This one also comes with an instructional DVD, so you can use it properly.

Iron Gym Pull Up Bar

There is no doubt that pull ups are hard, however, there is also no doubt that this is one of the best ways to improve upper body strength. By putting one of these in your doorway, you can try to do a pull up every time you walk by. Before you know it, you will find pull ups easier and easier! This is an inexpensive piece of equipment that can really help improve physical fitness!

Perfect Fitness Ab Wheel

Oh those abs! Everyone wants those nice, tight, flat ones, but they can be soooo difficult to get. Modern ab wheels, such as this one by Perfect Fitness, have a kinetic engine and an ultra wide wheel base to make using one easier and more effective. The great thing about ab wheels is that you can use one almost anywhere! Try using your ab wheel during commercials.

Stamina Elliptical Trainer

For those of you who don’t have the space or money for the full size elliptical machines, this is the perfect alternative! Reasonably priced, it has almost everything you could want, other than the push/pull motion of the upper body. However, without the rod or bands for balance, you maintain your core by keeping your own balance naturally.

Weslo Cadence Treadmill

While everyone would like a top of the line treadmill, the truth is that you don’t need to pay a lot to get a lot. This minimalist treadmill is fairly narrow, but has everything you need to get in a cardio workout.

King Jump Rope

Chances are that you haven’t picked up a jump rope in years, but if you want a quick and easy way to really get your heart rate up, this is the way to do it. Did you know that just 10 minutes of jumping rope is the same as 30 minutes of running? If you want to get a good cardio workout in a short period of time, this is the answer for you!

Lifecore Air Bike

OK, this one is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. This bike works on air resistance, so the harder you pedal, the harder it is to pedal! Unlike many other stationary bicycles, this one has an upper body workout as well.

HemingWeigh Extra Thick Exercise Mat

Of course, no gym would be complete without an exercise mat. This mat is extra thick to help cushion knees and elbows, while allowing plenty of generous space to do yoga or other exercises.

It’s always tough to get started, but once you decide to get in shape and give your body the gift of exercise, you will never regret it.