Breath Slim Weight Loss

Posted on by
Reply

Fun Find-  Now here is a product that I need to devote more time to.  My efforts to lose the last of my baby weight from my third child are going well.  I’ve been running three times a week for a month now.  However, the addition of the Breath Slim device to this month’s weight loss regime should be interesting.

What is Breath Slim?

Breath Slim is a technology for weight loss.  By using breathing techniques with the device you are supposed to lose weight and gain energy.  More energy to work out and gain strength!

Breath Slim technology is based on direct action on fatty tissue using just the inner workings of your respiratory system. Breath slim technology allows you to use the energy released as a result of burning fatty tissue, increasing the activity of the whole body. Breath slim technology is based on changing of breathing pattern. As a result, the amount of oxygen getting from the inhaled air into blood vessels increases drastically. This leads to complete fat burning.

 

Breath Slim is supposed to suppress your appetite and improve metabolism, recharge your nervous system and immune system too.  Now the premise seems possible since yoga and pilates use breathing techniques to restore you and help you become and stay fit.  So I am willing to test this product out.  My issue with it right now is just finding the time.  The time to watch the DVD and sit down each day for 20 minutes and breathe into a tube.

I’ll let you know how it all works out.

Breathe Slim is available online at the BreathSlim website.

 

White Sands Gel-Us

Posted on by
Reply

Gel-Us by White Sands is a gel that provides shine and hydration while improving the texture of your hair and adding volume to it.  I tested it out for a few weeks and here is what I found.

What Worked:  My fine hair does not hold volume as well as I would like.  Any product that promises it I want to try out instantly.  I used Gel-Us right after my shower and styled my hair as normal.  I have medium length hair and used a dime-sized amount.  As my hair dried I immediately noticed how much thicker the texture was while not being sticky or hard to run my fingers through.  It stayed that way all day.  My style held longer and I had no frizz too. I actually laughed out loud with glee when I realized this half-way through the day.  I was incredibly happy.  My hair had more shine each time I used Gel-Us and it washed out easily.  There was no heavy scent either. Always a plus!

What Didn’t Work:  I can’t use this product all the time because after a few days of use it just doesn’t create the volume I want or like.  If I use it a few times a week it works but that is it.  My hair remains shinier each time I use it regardless of how many times I use it and it still eliminates frizz.

I’m not in love with the name.  Why do we have to create beauty and hair care products that sound catty? It doesn’t make me want to buy the product. I get the play on words but I become annoyed when I see names like this for products.

I would purchase White Sands Gel-Us again.  It’s a 7.5 ounce bottle that will last so the $15 price tag doesn’t hurt so much.  I think it works well and when I use it a few times a week it really performs.  On a different hair type and texture it probably works even better.

MPR Rating:  Three Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR’s only.

 

 

 

 

Gel-Us allows 100% of the entire product to work synergistically in styling and conditioning to provide hydration and shine unlike any gel out there. With hair now in a perfect moisture balance after using Gel-Us, each cuticle layer is closed to eliminate frizz, improve texture, repel moisture and provide volume.

 

Parents: How to Choose the Best Tutoring Company

Posted on by
Reply

By Miriam Holt, Parliament Tutors

You’ve decided it’s time to find a tutor to get through your course or help you pass an exam, so you turn to your favorite search engine, and within seconds you’re drowning in listings from tutoring agencies and independent tutors, all vying for your attention.  How do you navigate through the thicket?

Any good tutor would tell you that to tackle a big task, break it into smaller steps.  So let’s take this task step by step.  First, let’s get to know who we’re dealing with, from top to bottom.

On top of the pyramid are the large companies with popular publications to their name and offices around the country.  They offer group classes and private lessons, and their teachers are carefully trained and given scripts to follow when they teach.  Their most affordable services aren’t the most desirable, and their most desirable services aren’t the most affordable.

Also near the top are other national companies with slightly less name recognition, but which offer similar services.  Be careful: some of these companies tend to strongly encourage students to sign up for many, many hours of instruction in their learning centers–more hours than they need, some reviewers say–and these hours can get pricey for the parents.  But if the time and money are available, the students will almost certainly benefit.  These companies seem to be expert at marketing, but it can be difficult to predict whether they’ll be best for you.

Next come smaller companies which cater to more specialized markets, usually defined by either a particular subject or a smaller geographical area.  They can be harder to find, but it’s worth the effort to search for them, because if they happen to cater to your needs, chances are they are well prepared to help you–they might know better the peculiarities of your school district’s math program, for example, or they might already have a relationship with your school’s counselors.

On the ground level are the individual tutors who work hard to do it all, both tutoring and publicizing.  They usually offer the best prices for individual tutoring, and many of them are wonderful, but some of them are not the kind of people you want to have in your homes, and it can be daunting to try to find out, on your own, which tutors provide reputable teaching services and which ones need a tutor themselves.

Now that we know who we’re dealing with, think about what’s important to you.  Are you looking for a tutor who can teach a certain amount of material in a certain amount of time?  Are you looking for a tutor with certain credentials, or a certain minimum amount of experience, or perhaps a certain type of personality?  Think about your ideal tutoring experience, and jot down some notes about the elements you envision.  Assemble a list of questions, in order of importance to you, to ask prospective tutors.  Some examples:

1. Is your schedule flexible? 2. Can you meet me in a location of my choosing? 3. Can you provide materials such as practice drills for the subject you’ll be teaching? 4. What’s your teaching pace?  Are your lessons usually energetic and stimulating, or do you focus on being reassuring and patient? 5. Do you have experience teaching people who have my learning style? 6. How much do you charge?  Can I afford your services, or if not, will you give me a discount?

Remember: even if you’re working through a tutoring service, it’s important to speak directly to your tutor to discuss the items most important to you before scheduling a lesson.

Good luck and happy studying!

 

Thank you to our guest blogger- Miriam Holt.  Holt is a San Francisco Tutor with Parliament.  She specializes in SAT Prep Tutoring.

Renaissance Hotel- Times Square, New York

Posted on by
Reply

Last month H and I had the chance to head up to NYC and take in a show and be on one.  Having never been to New York City proper H wanted to stay right smack in the middle of Times Square.  We booked a night at the Renaissance Times Square (a Marriott property) and here is the rundown.

A small, dark wood-paneled lobby awaits you.  The staff is immediately attentive and very helpful everywhere you turn. There are two sets of elevators which might get a bit crowded during peak hours of check-in and check-out times.

What I Loved:  Our room had a king-sized bed and was more than ample in size.  It was quite big for city standards and contained a good-size closet, flat screen television, desk and divan with a small table that could be placed over the divan.  Great for snacks or working on the couch.  The desk also had many outlets and charging areas.  The bathroom had ample counter space, speakers so you could hear the television while in there and a beautiful mosaic tiled shower with a bench.  When you turned off the main bathroom lights and left the shower light on the tiles glowed and shimmered in a really beautiful way that made you just want to hang out in the stall and relax.  The bed, the linens and the pillows were adequate and very comfortable.

What I Missed:  While the room was nicely decorated and the staff attentive while we stayed at the hotel we did find that for such a nice place the room lacked bathrobes.  Robes would be a very welcome addition to the room.  When room service arrived in the morning they forgot our drinks but returned quickly.  Again, a bathrobe as would have been good as I just showered and not dressed yet.

We enjoyed our stay at the Time Square Renaissance hotel.  I would recommend it to anyone that wants to stay in the heart of Time Square.  The hotel bar is all glass and very warm and inviting.  It has a tasty array of snacks and drinks that will tide you over until a post-show meal and is a perfect vantage point for looking out over the square and all that is happening in it.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only.  I stayed here on business.  Opinions are MPR’s only. 

 

 

Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo

Posted on by
Reply

I love dry shampoo. I’m a person with fine hair that gets oily at the roots by the end of the day. I love that I can spray in a dry shampoo and look a little bit better at the gym or on early morning errands. Not all dry shampoos are made up of the same ingredients and not all of them work that well. Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo ($2.87-3.49) has luckily made the cut.

The Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo is different from Suave’s other dry shampoo with its mineral clay base. This one is set to compete with salon brands (like Bumble & Bumble) and is infused with Keralock Technology that enables hair to be smooth and manageable as well as fresh.

I used it a few times last week and like most dry shampoos you shake it and spray it 8-10 inches from your hair. I concentrated on my roots and immediately noticed the fine spray. A cloud of white powder DID NOT envelop me! A pleasant, non-powdery or overly perfumed scent surrounded me and then dissipated. I waited a few moments and there were no clumps of white-ish hair. I combed my hair easily and that was it. It was done and this dry shampoo worked. The oil was absorbed and my hair had a smooth, non-greasy, fresh finish. In fact, I think it worked just as well or better than Bumble & Bumble. The volume increased in my hair and as always it extends the life of a blowout.  Perfect!

I highly recommend checking the Sauve Professionals Keratin Infused Dry Shampoo out. It is affordable, works well on all hair colors and smells great too! There is a whole line of Keratin Infused products,including a 30 Day Smoothing kit, coming out this January and February. I think they are worth a test drive if you ask me.

MPR Rating: Four Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR’s only.

Low Maintenance Looks

Posted on by
Reply

As a very busy mother of three kids under the age of five I am always looking for ways AND products that help me streamline my morning routine.  The Mummy Chronicles has a great post this week about how to Look Awake! and a list of products that assist in this sometimes difficult task.

I need to take my own advice this week. Cold temps, winds and a lack of sleep and exercise have me looking like an old dishrag.

Open Call for Guest Bloggers

Posted on by
Reply

WANTED:  Guest bloggers who want to share ideas, tips, tricks and advice on products and all things beauty, fashion, travel, cars and green living.  You want to talk about your obsession with lip gloss? Go ahead!  Love the new models rolling out of Detroit?  Tell me about and share with MPR’s readers. 

I’m looking for bloggers who want to submit a post or two and reach a new audience.  Email me at veamason AT gmail DOT com.

Noodles & Company

Posted on by
Reply

The tag line for Noodles & Company is “Noodles, Salads & Sandwiches from around the world.”  The restaurant serves up a variety of comforting food that ranges from healthy, leaner fare to the indulgent with its mac ‘n cheese dishes. Each dish is around $7.  I was invited to test out their grown-up macaroni & cheese at my nearest location and here is what I found.

I have been to a Noodles & Company before and had always stuck to the same food genre- Thai.  I love it, it’s simple with complex flavors and can be a bit healthier than a bowl full of macaroni and cheese or other pasta dishes.  I feel like if the place is called Noodles & Company then that is what I am going to have when I eat there.

This time I brought a friend and we tried the Chili Mac and the Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger.  My first thought was that it sounded a lot like a boxed one dish meal.  However, each dish is topped with a large amount of fresh vegetables like tomatoes, green onions and more.  The green onions adds zip and is the best part of both dishes, I think.  The crispy bacon on the Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger is perfect too.  Both dishes are pure comfort food.  They are substantial in flavor and fill you up.  Great for a cold or rainy day and for sharing.  The Chili Mac is loaded with red chili meatballs that are crumbled over the cheesy pasta that is al dente and not mushy and overdone.  The kick in this dish is spot on and the combination of cheddar-jack cheese and green onions kept me coming back for more forkfuls.

I don’t normally think of going to Noodles & Company when I am out because my closest location is not in a path I typically travel but I think after trying more of the menu I will head over there now for a nice change.  The kids loved the place and the staff was friendly each time I have gone.  It’s casual and a good place to grab a bite, catch up with a friend and take the kids. They also have a nice variety of Vegan and Gluten-Free options.

MPR Rating:  Three Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Meals were given by Noodles & Company for review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR’s own.

2012 Mistubishi Eclipse Review

Posted on by
Reply
Recently I rented a car. When I got to the rental desk I asked for something, anything that wasn’t a Hyundai.  For as much play Hyundai has gotten in the last year I have not been converted.  When it comes to fleet cars they have been shown no love.  The woman assured me that she had reserved something fun, sleek and sporty for me.  I would love it.  She almost squealed.  I breathed in deeply, knowing I’m hard to please when it comes to vehicles and took the keys. 
When I got to the garage I let out a laugh.  There amidst a host of empty spots was a black 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse.  Shiny and with less than 500 miles on it.  I circled it and chuckled.  I placed my luggage into the trunk and slunk inside.  The engine roared to life with an audible growl and I was off. 

Starting at just under $20k the 2012 Eclipse has a 162 horsepower and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD. It gets 28-mpg and has six standard air bags. There is a rather sleek looking black-out roof and black grille. I did rather like the 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels too. The car has a nice look to it but I did not find it fun to drive. The loud, gruff sound of the engine sounds one way outside the car. It sounds cool, tough and like it wants to challenge you. Inside it actually makes a tinkering noise that is a tad alarming. The seats are low which is to be expected but they are not comfortable and neither is the ride. I drove all over the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut in this car and felt almost every bump and pothole along the way. I nicknamed the Eclipse the “teeth-banger” while I had it.

The 2012 Eclipse has dual exhaust outlets with polished exhaust tips, ice-blue LED illumination on the instruments and controls and a chrome rear spoiler. It’s all looks and noise but not a lot of substance. I’m hoping that the 2013 has a bit more of the latter while keeping up appearances as well.

MPR Rating:  Two Stars (out of five).

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post. Opinions are MPR’s only.