New Amoena Swimwear has arrived!

Amoena has knocked it out of the park with their new swimwear for Spring 2014!  The colors, the patterns, the shapes, the quality; there's something for every woman in there.  And, they've added a super-functional beach tote to boot.  Quantities are limited so we encourage you to browse now before your size is sold out.  Don't drag your feet on these fantastic swimwear pieces!

TAKE A GANDER!

You'll be planning your first tropical getaway for the year before you know it!

If this doesn't floor you, we don't know what will...

The National Breast Cancer Foundation states the following facts about breast cancer.  We couldn't believe our eyes.  Is there a better time to get involved in raising awareness and funding for breast cancer research?  We think, "No way!"

FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES

• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.

If you're interested in helping, please click here.  

Living with Diabetes: Good Skin Care

     Nearly one third of those living with diabetes will have a skin disorder that is caused or exasperated by their diabetic condition.   Good skin care may not prevent all of these painful skin problems but it can certainly help keep a lot of them at bay.

 Here are some basic pointers on good skin care written by the American Diabetes Association:

• Keep skin clean and dry.  Use talcum powder in areas where skin touches skin, such as armpits and groin.
• Avoid very hot baths and showers.  If your skin is dry, don't use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help.  Afterward, use a standard skin lotion, but don't put lotions between toes.  The extra moisture there can encourage fungus to grow.
• Prevent dry skin.  Scratching dry or itchy skin can open it up and allow infection to set in.  Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather.
• Treat cuts right away.  Wash minor cuts with soap and water. Do not use Mercurochrome antiseptic, alcohol, or iodine to clean skin because they are too harsh.  Only use an antibiotic cream or ointment if your doctor says it's okay.  Cover minor cuts with sterile gauze.  See a doctor right away if you get a major cut, burn, or infection.
• During cold, dry months, keep your home more humid.  Bathe less during this weather, if possible.
• Use mild shampoos.  Do not use feminine hygiene sprays.
• See a dermatologist (skin doctor) about skin problems if you are not able to solve them yourself.
• Take good care of your feet.  Check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well.  Check your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on.

Here are some of our most-recommended products for those living with diabetes:

Borage DiabetiCare Foot Cream

Lantiseptic Therapeutic Cream

Boost Diabetic Glucose Control Nutritional Drink

Eat Yourself Healthy: A Greek Victory

Turns out the Greeks have it going on...nutritionally, that is.

Studies have found that following a Greek diet is best for both your heart and brain.  Researchers in Spain followed two groups of people for six and a half years: those who stuck to a Mediterranean diet and those who stuck to a low-fat diet.  They studied the effects it had on both their brains and heart and found that those on the Mediterranean diet exhibited a decrease in inflammation that can lead to both vascular (circulatory) damage as well as various cognitive impairments including free radical damage.

The Mediterranean diet is high in a variety of anti-inflammatory foods including olive oil, whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish and red wine.

Lesson learned: low-fat diets don't do much more than, well, lower our fat intake.  We want good health and our red wine, too!

5 Surprising Steps to Better Sleep

A good night's sleep is well worth its weight in gold.  However, our busy lives seem to overflow into our nights so that a good night's sleep feels more like an anomaly, a little pleasant surprise, rather than the norm.  Sometimes we think back to our high school days when anything less than 9 hours of sleep was debilitating and now 9 straight hours of sleep seems physically impossible.

So, we thought we'd do a little research on debunking sleep myths and confirming the facts about what can help to facilitate a great night's sleep.  Here are the 5 most surprising ones we found:

1. The Nightcap: Many believe that a drink before bed helps them sleep better.  False!  While alcohol can, in fact, help you fall asleep, it actually leads to disruptive, restless sleep due to its digestive process within your body.

2. Exercise Leads to Better Sleep...But Watch the Clock: Yes, regular exercise does lead to better sleep.  The only caveat is that, because exercise causes the body to remain in a more alert state, it's best to finish your workout 3-4 hours before you plan on hitting the sack.

3. Reduce Your Screen Time: While watching TV or reading on the computer might seem relaxing, it's actually reducing your melatonin levels which can lead to a harder time falling asleep.

4. Napping May Lead to Insomnia: In theory, a nap can be just what your body ordered.  And, when done right, this is true.  For many people, a short 10-15 nap in the early afternoon re-energizes them for the remainder of the day without consequence.  However, for some, an afternoon nap can actually decrease your body's sleep drive at night which can lead to poor sleep.  So, consider holding out on that nap if you're finding that it's affecting your nighttime sleep.

5. Get Out of Bed: Surprisingly, it's suggested that after 30 minutes of awake time during the night, it's best to go ahead and get out of bed.  Studies show that getting up and doing a few things (none of which are stimulating, of course) can lead to a quicker sleep turn around.  Simply reading or listening to relaxing music are some suggestions.  By staying in bed and tossing and turning, you're more likely to have more trouble falling back asleep than if you had simply gotten up in the first place.