In a letter to UC campus chancellors, Yudof announced that each of the 10 college campuses throughout the state will be responsible for drafting and executing the smoking ban. While UC campuses currently having on-campus smoking policies, Yudof’s most recent decision is the most far reaching and uniform policy to date. UCSD’s current rules state that individuals may not smoke indoors or within 25 feet of a building.

“As a national leader in healthcare and environmental practices, the University of California is ready to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke by creating a smoke-free environment on all of our campuses,” Yudof wrote.

Each UC college chancellor is now responsible for forming a committee to create a specific policy for their campus that keeps their unique needs in mind, but effectively promotes the ban. Under the requirements for each policy, smoking, unregulated nicotine and smokeless tobacco products will be banned both indoors and outdoors, including parking lots, and private residential spaces. The policy will apply to students, faculty, and staff. The advertisement and sale of tobacco will also be considered a violation of the smoke-free policy.

Creating a smoke-free policy has been a hot topic at UC Campuses for the past several years, and many schools have already enacted partial, if not full, smoking bans. In fact, all UCSD Health Sciences and Medical Center campuses enacted a smoking ban in Fall 2009. In addition, UCSD operates California Smokers’ Helpline, a free service that helps residents quit smoking.

And while smokers may be up in arms over the ban, recent research finds that they are among the minority. In a Spring 2010 survey conducted by the American College Health Association, 67 percent of UCSD students were in favor of smoking regulations. According to Yudof’s letter, the UC system’s smoke-free policy will add them to the list of 586 other smoke-free college campuses throughout the nation. UCSD alone claims more than 29,000 students, and it is the hope of administrators that instituting the smoke-free policy will help all UC campuses stand out as health and environmental leaders.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Scott McLeod

The meat has been used as an additive in their patties and comes from the fatty parts of the cow most likely to harbor pathogens like salmonella and E.coli.  In order to make the meat available for human consumption it must be rinsed in a small amount of ammonia that mixes with the moisture in the meat to form ammonium hydroxide.  The compound makes the trimmings safe to eat.

“Pink slime” was approved by the Department of Agriculture in 2007 in an attempt to protect American meat from an outbreak of E.coli in Europe.  At the time it was also exempt from mandated increased testing for most ground beef based off the reasoning that the ammonia compound would kill any dangerous bacteria. However, the meat did not receive full support from everyone at the U.S.D.A.

Microbiologist Geral Zirnstein said in The Daily Mail, “I do not consider the stuff to be ground beef and I consider allowing it in ground beef to be a form of fraudulent labeling.” Reiterating the same level of disgust “pink slime” was most recently brought into the spotlight by British chef Jamie Oliver.  On an episode of his TV show, Food Revolution, the chef explained to families that the beef would normally go into dog food, but is rinsed in a compound normally found in household cleaners until it is suitable for humans.  Chef Oliver wasn’t the first to put the meat on blast.  The New York Times published an investigation on the product in 2009 in an article called “Safety of Beef Processing Method is Questioned” and the trimmings were a part of the documentary criticizing the food industry, Food Inc, in 2010.

As a result of the probing done by The New York Times and other sources there are reasons to believe that the product is less safe than meat of a higher grade that does not undergo the ammonium hydroxide treatment.  It has also been determined that using the scraps of meat that create “pink slime” only save about three cents per pound of ground beef.

In light of these findings and public disgust it is not surprising that McDonald’s has elected to remove it from the menu.  The company claims that the decision to drop the product did not stem from Jamie Oliver’s show. Reportedly they have stated that they stopped using the product months ago and discussed dropping it as far back as a year ago.

Todd Bacon, the Senior Director of Quality Systems for McDonald’s USA, said in an email that “the decision to discontinue its use was not related to any particular event, but rather a result of our efforts to align our standards for beef around the world.” Regardless of the reasoning McDonald’s regulars should be rejoicing in the fact that they are no longer consuming the highly unappetizing “pink slime” additive.

The study found that approximately 16 percent of adults in the county admitted to downing more than four drinks, four times a month. The recent study even went as far as breaking down tax brackets, finding that 20.2 percent of those earning more than $75,000 admitted to binge drinking while 16.2 percent of those making less than $25,000 went on benders. And yet, while wealthier adults were more prone to binging, those with lower incomes did so 4 times more than their wealthier counterparts. The report also found that most drunk drivers are binge drinkers

“Binge drinking is a serious problem that can contribute to injury and disease,” stated Susan Bower, Director of Alcohol and Drug Services for the County Health and Human Services Agency, in a County press release. “Binge drinking can lead to motor vehicle crashes, violence, alcohol dependence, and suicide.”

What’s more, binge drinking accounts for more than 40,000 of the 80,000 alcohol-related deaths each year in the country, and represents about 75 percent of the more than $200 billion in costs from alcohol abuse, the researchers reported.

Ursula Bauer, director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion says that “”This level of consumption usually leads to impairment and is strongly associated with alcohol-impaired driving, risky sexual behavior and interpersonal violence. “Over time, it can also increase the risk of serious health problems, including cancer, heart disease and liver failure.”

Dr. J.C. Garbutt, a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said eight drinks will produce intoxication and greatly increase the risk for accidents and can contribute to behavioral problems such as loss of emotional control and depression, he said.
“It is important that individuals know that excessive drinking can have both immediate and long-term negative consequences and it is in their interest to moderate their alcohol use.”

Here are Susan’s Healthy Gourmet’s top 12 healthy eating tips for 2012:

JANUARY – Cook pasta with a mixture of half regular and half multi-grain pasta. Little by little, adjust the proportions in the favor of wheat pasta, with the end goal of eliminating the regular pasta; this will make the transition easier and less obvious. Whole grains may lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity, leading to an overall healthier lifestyle.

FEBRUARY – Get the family involved with menu planning by letting them select dishes from a list of healthy recipes each week. When they choose the food and help prepare it, they are more open to eating new (and healthy) dishes.

MARCH – Drink lots of water. Make water the number one beverage in the home. Water has zero calories, zero sugar and is a great replacement for sugary or unhealthy drinks. Eliminate one non-water beverage (with the exception of milk) per grocery visit. This is not only a healthy choice, but also a cost-effective one.

APRIL – Puree fresh vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and bell peppers, and add them to pasta sauces. This increases the health benefits, creates more flavor and adds vegetables to the meal without creating a drastic flavor or texture change.

MAY – Begin adding lean ground turkey to ground beef, aiming for a 50/50 combo. Similar to the pasta, slowly add more turkey until everyone in your family has adjusted.

JUNE – Introduce meatless Mondays. This will help with a household’s budget and waistline. Going vegetarian once a week is a minimal and often unnoticeable change that can make a big impact.

JULY – Add at least two colors, other than brown, to the dinner plate. Teaching children the colors of the rainbow and including those colors on the plate combines healthy education and good eating habits. Children can point out the colors and learn about a meal’s balance, nutrition and diversity at the same time.

AUGUST – Introduce a fruit dessert month as a healthy way to fulfill a sweet tooth.  Make fun fruit kebabs with a yogurt dip or try a yogurt parfait sundae with a small drizzle of chocolate syrup.

SEPTEMBER – Add one vegetable to a favorite meal such as macaroni and cheese. Steaming the vegetable before adding it to the meal makes it tender and enhances the flavor – most cooked vegetables taste better in meals as opposed to raw.

OCTOBER – Stay active and limit television time. It only takes about 30 minutes away from the television to make a difference. Even finding the energy to play with kids will not only keep families physically and mentally active, but also provide for a better night’s sleep, which is vital for growing bodies and weight loss in parents.

NOVEMBER – Institute a “pack your own lunch” month. Buy and prepare healthy snacks and then let everyone choose what they want to eat each day. If only healthy items are in the house, then only healthy items will be consumed.

DECEMBER – To offset holiday indulgences and watch the waistline during this busy time of year, strictly enforce portion control on all food consumed. This can easily be done at home by cooking just enough for each person to have one serving to eliminate the desire to overeat; or for those too busy to cook, subscribe to a healthy meal delivery service such as Susan’s Healthy Gourmet.

Susan’s Healthy Gourmet has been serving San Diego for over 10 years, creating and delivering healthy- customizable meals for homes and offices throughout Southern California.

“Eating right is not only good for the waistline, but also for mental well-being,” said Susan Johnson, founder and CEO of Susan’s Healthy Gourmet. “We have a passion for promoting healthy living in the community and are excited to offer Carissa’s commonsense tips as a great guide for getting – and staying – fit for the New Year.”

A study released yesterday announced findings that women who drink four cups of coffee a day are 20 percent less likely to become depressed than women who rarely drink coffee.

Caffeine is the world’s most widely used stimulant, with approximately 80% consumed in the form of coffee. Americans are no strangers to coffee consumption, with a daily cup of joe (or more) a part of many adult’s morning routine. While we hear about caffeine addictions and dependency, yellowing of the teeth, insomnia, and more, researchers have determined coffee may actually help alleviate depression.

The study focuses only on women, and relies on self-reporting of physician-diagnosed depression, so additional testing is necessary to draw broader conclusions. But for now it appears increasing coffee consumption may reduce depression risk in women. While women who drank 4 cups of coffee saw the greatest risk decrease, women who consumed 2-3 cups also saw a decrease in depression risk.

On the other side of the genetic spectrum, men who are concerned with heart problems may want to consider fatherhood. A recent study by AARP suggests that fathers are a little less likely to die of heart-related problems than men without children. The results of the study do not suggest a direct relationship between fatherhood and heart health. Rather, contributory factors likely play a larger role.

For instance, men who have children are likely more concerned about their overall health and ability to provide for their families. Dads may also have moms around to nag them to exercise. As a result fathers are more inclined to eat better and exercise. In addition, if one subscribes to the “survival of the fittest” theory, men who are unable to father children may be genetically predisposed to additional health risks compared to men able to bear children.

So women, doctor’s orders are to drink up. As for the men, you can look forward to a life of parenthood and lower medical bills. But in the end, let’s all cross our fingers and hope for good health and prosperity for everyone, including the caffeine lovers and haters, and the child-bearing and child-less men.

Photos from Marcelo Alves and mrhayata via Flickr

With the exception of ‘June Gloom,’ where the marine layer sticks to the coast like a cotton shirt sticks to skin on a humid night, San Diego summers are filled with sunny days. And while tourists flock to the beaches in droves when the temperatures hit 90, what about those San Diego residents who want a new way to fight the heat and humidity that’s been around the last few days?

Not everybody is lucky enough to be the Most Interesting Man in the World, for whom both sides of his pillow are cool. Therefore the Entertainer is here with four ways San Diegans can beat the heat in San Diego County.

Quality H2O

Leonardo Da Vinci once called water the “driving force of all nature.” Naturally then, the first step to beat the heat is to ensure your body is properly hydrated. During the summer, soda companies like Pepsi and Coke try to sell consumers a cold, crisp soda on a hot summer afternoon. However, sugary caffeinated beverages can be some of the worst things to drink on a hot day.

As temperatures rise, so do body temperatures. To combat the heat, our bodies turn to coping mechanisms, like sweating, to cool us down. In order to proactively beat the heat, remember to constantly drink water, specifically room temperature water. It may seem like ice-cold water is ideal to cool body temperature but that’s not the case. One of the first symptoms of dehydration, with the exception of a dry mouth, is fatigue. Iced drinks can make our bodies work overtime in the heat.

While water consumption is one way to stay cool, there are other great ways to use water effectively. If you are like many San Diegans and can’t afford air conditioning, try soaking a couple washcloths in ice-cold water and then placing them on the back of the neck, wrists or face. Cooling specific parts of the body can do wonders to bring down overall body temperature.

Just keep swimming

If you did not already know, let me fill you in: the west border of San Diego County is essentially one big beach. If you still aren’t convinced, just visit Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific/Mission/Ocean Beaches or down the coast into the City of San Diego and walk toward the ocean. Eventually you will hit sand and then water.

If you came prepared, then lay down the towel, shed the clothes (but not the swimsuit) and run full-speed into the water. It may seem cold at first, but remember, that’s the point.

San Diego residents are blessed with miles of beaches. Not only do the beaches provide an opportunity to wade in the water and frolic in the waves, they also often feature cooler temperatures than other parts of the county. If you decide the beach is the right choice to beat the heat, remember to lather on the sunscreen and stay hydrated under the sun.

Okay, so going to the beach might not be for everyone. So if you want to avoid the sand, then check out one of the local public swimming pools or visit a local water park. Try the popular Wave House in Mission Beach or Knott’s Soak City USA in Chula Vista.

Get in the zone; the cool zone

You are staying hydrated and you’ve already been to the beach, a pool and a water park. Now, back at home without AC, you once again feel your body temperature rise. You’ve already tried the age-old trick of trying to sustain a cross-breeze through your house or apartment by strategically cracking doors or windows. No matter what you try, you are unable to prevent temperatures from rising. It’s time to think outside the home.

Pick up your phone and call 800-510-2020. More than 115 libraries, recreation centers and other air-conditioned sites have been designated as official San Diego County “Cool Zones,” and this number lists them all.

One of the more popular cool zones in the county is the Mission Valley Library. If you tire of the air-conditioned indoors, check out the second floor patio and let the valley breezes cool you off.

Ice, Ice Baby

Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes ice. Okay you probably already knew that. But, did you know San Diego County has four ice-skating rinks? I didn’t think so. If you are willing to open your freezer and stick your head inside, then you should be willing to leave the house and find someplace that allows people to play on the ice.

Ice Town in the University Town Center mall, the Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Ice Arena in Rolando, Iceoplex Escondido and the Ice Arena in Mira Mesa all offer indoor ice skating – the perfect opportunity to work on your balance, have a good time and stay cool in the process.

In fact, you might even want to bring a jacket or two and maybe some mittens. We might not get much wintry weather around here, but inside those ice rinks it’s winter year-round.

Whether you choose to hydrate, go to the beach, visit a cool zone or hit the rink, there are many ways to stay cool throughout the summer. Feel free to share your secrets to staying cool in the comments section below. You might even learn a new trick.

Photos courtesy anosmia, ashleigh290, moonjazz, and Helga’s Lobster Stew via Flickr.

And did you know it “is estimated that over 90% of all commercially available cosmetics contain ingredients of synthetic origin – ingredients directly linked to serious health risks like cancer, infertility, kidney and liver disease and severe skin issues?” according to “The Shocking Truth about Toxins in Skin Care.”

On our August E&L TV show we helped solve this cosmetic crisis by featuring one of San Diego’s best kept natural beauty secrets, Vasseur Day Spa, located downtown on Banker’s Hill.  From facials and botox to acne treatments and teeth whitening, Vasseur Day Spa offers a full suite of services and is committed to offering the best that nature has to offer combined with cutting-edge scientific discovery.

Vasseur Skincare was recently featured in US Magazine when Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky acknowledged that she uses Vasseur Skincare Day 25 Cream saying, “[It] has pomegranate and smells so good!”

For the past 20 years Vasseur Skincare has been offering signature fresh, professional strength products that have proven to clear many acne-ridden faces and have erased years off others.   And the products are locally made, free of harsh chemical preservatives, stabilizers and parabens at the hand of the Spa and Skincare line founder, Melanie Vasseur, a Nutritional Cosmetic Chemist, Medical Esthetician and local San Diegan.

You can watch the August E&L TV show here:

Together with E&L TV, the San Diego Entertainer Magazine brings you a comprehensive view of what’s going on in America’s finest city and offers expert advice on how to get the most out of life.  We regularly share financial, legal and nutritional tips with our audience including scrumptious recipes and where to attend free local workshops for more information.

“E&L” stands for entertainment and lifestyles and that’s just what we bring you here in San Diego.  Watch E&L TV on the first Sunday of every month on San Diego’s CW Channel 6.

During our August E&L TV episode, Angel Star, our show host, tried various beauty treatments at Vasseur Day Spa, the award-winning skin clinic that offers everything from acne treatments to laser hair removal, botox and spray tanning.  Angel enjoyed a Vasseur facial, massage and airbrush spray tan and was told the story behind this 20-year-young, all-natural and local skincare line.

Melanie Vassuer, the Spa’s Founder and Skincare Chemist, battled with acne since she was a young girl and by the time she was in her mid-20′s she had tried almost everything on the market, prescription and non.  As nothing seemed to offer healing and riddance, Melanie decided to take matters into her own hands and started studying.  She obtained a degree in nutrition and chemistry, and became a licensed esthetician.

Now, over 20 years later, Melanie has indeed created her own skincare line that did effectively heal her skin.  She now shares her findings with thousands of men and women all over the world who have become her devoted clients.

Melanie explains that “we must use something fresh and pure or all natural to look young and vibrant…we use enzymes in all of our products and none of our products have a long shelf life. Your skin is living and our products are too.  We feed the skin what it needs to repair itself and therefore we have great anti-aging results as my clients find fine lines and wrinkles disappearing as well as spots and redness.”

Some of Melanie’s favorite products are her ALA cream, Day 25, Eye Q gel and the Beauty Pillow.

ALA is a light cream that increases skin metabolism, reduces inflammation and redness, fights free radical damage and reduces wrinkles and scarring.  Day 25 was found in Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky’s makeup bag according to a US Magazine article and Day 25 provides sun protection, hydrates the  skin, infuses it with anti-oxidants and contains natural papaya enzymes that fight free radical damage giving it its trademark papaya smell.  The Eye Q is a lightweight eye treatment gel that acts like topical botox by instantly tightening and brightening the eyes and the Beauty Pillow is designed in the shape of an arc, covered in a satin pillowcase and works to protect your face from wrinkles while you sleep while keeping facial tissue away from the pillow.

Vasseur Day Spa also offers facial peels and laser work that allows for a gentle shedding of the top layer of skin to erase wrinkles and fine lines.

Melanie continues to share more about her skincare line:

“Our services combined with our all natural products bring about a total restoration and continued health of the face.  So our services and products are definitely anti-aging in every way and less expensive than getting plastic surgery! And as to why there are not more fresh skin care lines – there are only a few in the world – it’s because fresh skin care is much more difficult to produce and distribute; it is highly labor intensive. Our products are made by hand bi-weekly for quality assurance and more challenging to distribute due to their shorter shelf life – 1 year versus 3 to 5 years. “

And the longer products sit on the shelf, “the more inactive the ingredients become.  Worse, the oils can become rancid and filled with free radicals that actually accelerate the aging process of your skin,” according to “The Shocking Truth about Toxins in Skin Care” article.

At Vasseur Day Spa, every service offered provides a spa day luxury with the added promise of leaving you more refreshed, revived and alive.

Did you know there are actual health benefits to facials, massage and airbrush tanning?

Every day your skin is being exposed to dirt, grime and pollution, which gets lodged deep into your pores. A facial deeply cleans out your pores and leaves you with clean and glowing skin.  A facial once a month is suggested for optimum skin health and glow.

Getting a regular massage doesn’t just make you feel good, it’s actually proven to boost your immune system and reduce your stress hormone production.

Airbrush Tanning helps you get your glow on without the damaging effects of sunbathing.  You can choose your color – from light to dark – and have no trace of orange, seeing immediate results.

If you would like to book an appointment with Vasseur Day Spa, contact them at their website http://www.vasseurdayspa.com/ or call them at (619) 236-9095.

We would love to hearing your feedback and input on how we can continue to cover this fine city we share. Comment below or on our Facebook Page. We’ll see you again next month when we switch to our new time slot at 5pm – Sunday, September 4th.

Want to learn more about the Entertainer’s legacy and the history of E&L TV? Read more.

Why don’t some guys drink girly drinks, and some won’t be caught dead with a carton of yogurt?  And why do girls prefer chocolate and tofu, whereas guys get to order all the red meat and strong brews they want?

Salon’s Riddhi Shah examines the reasons why food gets gendered in her article, “Men Eat Meat, Women Eat Chocolate,” to the extent where certain items are shunned if they aren’t deemed gender appropriate.

Marcia Pelchat, who is a sensory psychologist specializing in food and beverage selection at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, says that women genetically tend to gravitate toward sweeter tastes in the foods they consume, with greater brevity toward bitterness. Hence, the reason why cocktails and alcoholic drinks aimed at women tend be sweet, whereas men, who have an overall penchant for bitterness, prefers stronger drinks.

David Katz of Yale University says that some of our gender-driven eating habits can be drawn from evolution.  Back in a hunter-gatherer society, men viewed meat as a reward and were overall expected to build more muscle mass than women.  This has followed us into the modern times, where the men and women of today have different caloric requirements.

The media has a stronghold in this matter as well.  According to Brian Wansink, director of Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab and the author of “Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think,” people are more likely to eat a food when they associate with it qualities they’d like to see in themselves.  For example, if a man wants to be seen as strong and masculine, he is more likely to eat foods that have strong and masculine connotations.

The advertising sector of the world exacerbates this conformity in foods to the max by marketing certain food groups to a specific group or gender.  Hidden messages seen in products subconsciously examine an aspect of our selves – hence, the popular saying: “you are what you eat.”

Wansink goes on to say that because most Americans have never experienced famine or starvation, the American conscious perpetuates the idea that certain foods gives us certain symbolic qualities and even craft our personal identities.

One of the ways this is being played out in American society is through personal appearance and weight.  For example, women are expected to be beautiful and thin and be more weight conscious, while men are less restricted and are penalized less for more caloric intake.

Yet certain diets and certain ethnic foods go on to debunk this trend.  Foods normally classified as gender specific are given the OK in circles where a diet that incorporates only specific food groups is endorsed.  Diets, like the recent craze imported by French nutrition expert Dr. Pierre Dukan, allow dieters to eat meats but put some limits on other kinds of foods.

Called the French’s version to the Atkins Diet, the Dukan Diet comprises of four stages that encourages speedy weight loss by building protein-stamina by eating only pure protein for at least one day a week.

But, like Shah comments in her Salon post, times are changing, and many people are breaking free from the molds that food stereotypes bolster.  More people are enjoying different foods from all across the culinary spectrum, and even making healthier choices with their food selections.  For some, a balanced diet outweighs a stereotypical idea any day.

Photo Courtesy of Pixmac-com and ryndavis10 via Flickr

The Huffington Post reports that the H041 strain, first discovered in Japan, is resistant to the class of antboiotics, called cephalosporins, which is, until relatively recently, used to treat the STD.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease that if left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility in woman, and can increase a person’s risk for HIV.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseased in the world and is most prevalent in south and southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.  The CDC goes on to report that the number of cases in the United States alone have been estimated at around 700,000 a year.

Experts say that the best way to reduce the risk of even greater resistance developing is to treat gonorrhea with combinations of two or more types of antibiotics at the same time.  This technique, used in the treatment of other diseases like tuberculosis, attempts to make it more difficult for the bacteria to resist the drugs.

Magnus Unemo of the Swedish Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria happened to discover the strain with colleagues from Japan in samples from Kyoto.

He is quoted in Reuters saying that due to the degree of resistance acquired by H041, this suggests that the new strain of gonorrhea could spread around the world within decades.

In hindsight, British scientists did say last year that there was a real risk of gonorrhea becoming a superbug after increasing reports of the H041 drug resistance erupted in Hong Kong, China, Australia, and other parts of Asia.  The term superbug refers to a bacterium that has mutated and become resistant to antibiotics.

Photo Courtesy of US Army Africa via Flickr

Several scientific studies have found evidence that ingesting flax on a daily basis may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.

Flaxmilk is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids known for their heart-healthy benefits.   A daily glass of Flaxmilk is a simple and delicious way to help prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer.  The perfect companion to whole grain cereal or as a dairy-free substitute in recipes, one eight ounce serving of Flaxmilk is only 50 calories and provides as much calcium as cow’s milk with zero cholesterol and zero trans fat.

In addition, Flaxmilk is completely plant-based and enriched with Vitamins A, D, and B12.

A study published in the 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology stated that sources of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids including flaxseed and flaxseed oil had remarkable cardioprotective effects and consumption of these food sources should be increased in the diet to decrease cardiovascular disease risk significantly.

What’s more, according to Eco Chef and cookbook author Bryan Au, “Flaxmilk is not only as good tasting as it is good for you, but is great for making smoothies, desserts, puddings, ice creams, and sauces for those who wish to eat a gluten-free, lactose free,  raw or vegan diet.”

Flaxmilk is made by Flax USA, Inc.,  a company operated by the Stober family, who are fifth generation farmers in North Dakota.  Flax USA was founded in 2001 to market Golden Omega Flax Seed, a non GMO flax seed that is 100% natural and grown on the Stobers’ 1600 acre farm.  To insure the highest quality in making Flaxmilk, only the best flax seed is used.

“I started Flax USA to make it easier and tastier for consumers to add flax to their daily diets and reap the multitude of health benefits,” says Stephanie Stober, president and owner of Flax USA.  “In addition to the full line of omega 3 flax products that we market, including flax seed, flax oil and pet food, we were excited to be the first to produce 100% natural Flaxmilk so that all consumers, adults and children, could enjoy a lactose-free, dairy free, soy-free, gluten-free milk product derived from flax.”

Flaxmilk comes in original and vanilla flavors and is sold in ½ gallon containers at Wal-Mart stores across the country for $2.98.  For more information on Flaxmilk, visit www.flaxusa.com.

With the 4th of July right around the corner, Jillian has come up with some healthy eating tips to help America celebrate its birthday. Though it’s a time for friends and feasts, those that want to maintain their beach body may want to be careful about their Independence Day food selections.

Tip 1: Chose a Leaner Meat
Though beef burgers and hot dogs are traditional, choose a leaner cut of meat such as a tuna steak, chicken or white meat turkey, lean grass fed ground beef or flank steak, even a vegetarian option like a portabello mushroom is a great choice.

Tip 2: Skip the bread
Pick a whole wheat bun or even better – go bun less and wrap a piece of lettuce around your protein.

Tip 3: It’s all about the Veggies
Incorporate veggies into your meal whether its summer salad, extra fun toppings on your burger or a side of grilled vegetable skewers.  Just be sure not to douse your food in dressings or condiments.

Tip 4: Snacking is ok…just pick the right ones
Choose healthier snack options like Popchips over fried potato chips. (Want some of our choices for healthy snacking options? Read more.)

Tip 5: Watch Your Alcohol Consumption
Try to cut out some of the alcohol and drink non sweetened ice teas and water.  If you must drink go with a light white wine, or a vodka soda. Leave out all the sugar laden high calorie mixers like juice or sugar soda’s.

Brisk Iced Tea, of the Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership, will launch a new product this month called “Brisk Green Tea with Mango Dragonfruit.” The debut bottles will feature a “Green Lantern” design by DC Comics artist Kenneth Rocafort, and then will later get a second comics-inspired design.

Another company, XINGtea, is celebrating with TEArivia, a contest that allows consumers to test their knowledge of tea for prizes. To play, simply “like” the company’s Facebook page. Throughout the month, XINGtea will post trivia questions related to tea and choose one winner to win a case of tea. At the end of the month, one person will win a case of XINGtea every week for an entire year.

“It’s widely believed iced tea was made popular at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, so we’ve been enjoying this delicious and healthy beverage for more than a century,” Tom Lebon, one of XINGtea’s founders, said in a statement. “We are excited to celebrate National Iced Tea Month and hope everyone gets into the spirit playing TEArivia with XINGtea.”

But the companies are not the only ones who have a reason to promote the consumption of green tea. A recent study published in the journal “Immunology Letters” specified that the polyphenol EGCG found in green tea provides health benefits, including protection against autoimmune diseases such as cancer, juvenile diabetes and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The EGCG compound stimulates a higher production of regulatory T cells (which help maintain the balance of different cell varieties), thereby reducing the risk of autoimmune disorders.

Green tea also benefits a drinker’s health with its high amount of flavonoids, which create anti-oxidant effects. The flavonoids inhibit free radicals, which form from being exposed to pathogens and contaminants and from aging, and prevent them from corrupting cells.

According to teaguardien.com, green tea also helps reduce bad cholesterol levels and blood lipid levels, therefore lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. And although doctors haven’t been able to confirm it yet, many believe green tea helps prevent certain types of cancers.

These benefits have caused avid drinkers to coin the term “green tea diet,” which simply requires drinking more green tea every day. The diet is not a means of weight loss, but a way to promote health.

Grape Seed Extract is not only a fat burner but also a cancer fighter and immune builder as well.  In an October 2006 study published in the Clinical Cancer Research, researchers found that Grape Seed Extract can attack cancer and the “skin and seeds of grapes are a rich source of proanthocyanidins, a class of antioxidant flavonoids that remove harmful free oxygen radicals from cells,” reported the Biosingularity website.

Reports also suggest the powerful antioxidant can stabilize collagen (keep skin young), aid in antibody response to germs (keep you healthy) and strengthen capillaries (benefit the heart and eyes).

Years back Egyptians and Greek philosophers recognized the healing power of grapes mostly in the form of wine and then the leaves were found to aid inflammation, relieve pain and stop bleeding. Today researchers are finding power in the seeds.

The only caution given was to ask you doctor about appropriate dosage and for pregnant or breastfeeding woman to avoid taking it.

Other fat burning tips mentioned on Monday’s Dr. Oz Show included Apple Pectin, which is said to make the stomach feel full longer (needing only 500 mg, three times per day) and Forskolin (Coleonol), which helps increase lean mass, bone mass and testosterone and mobilizes fat around the cell.

The Zerona Medical Laser was introduced that is said to remove fat by releasing the fat cell contents to be metabolized by the body and Dr. Oz shared Cat Cora’s Flat Belly Salad Recipe that mixes Grapefruit (to decrease appetite), Chili peppers (to burn calories), Pistachios (to block the carbs),  Jicama (to make the diner feel full), Carrots, Cilantro with a homemade Vinaigrette.

Shopping for skincare can be an arduous task, especially when you’re looking for new products to address your skin’s ever-changing issues but Paula Begoun, skincare expert and bestselling author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, has put together her list of the top 10 Ways to Transform Your Skin – Now!

Below are the tips along with product suggestions, including some from her line, Paula’s Choice.

10 Ways to Transform Your Skin Now

1. Exfoliate with BHA or AHAs (Not with a scrub): Without question, everyone can benefit from a well-formulated exfoliant, whether it is an AHA product (alpha hydroxy acid, such as glycolic and lactic acids) or a BHA product (beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid). Healthy skin naturally sheds millions of dead skin cells every day, but sun damage, dry or oily skin, genetics, and other skin disorders can block this process, resulting in clogged pores, blemishes, white bumps, dull or flaky skin, and uneven skin tone.  AHAs and BHAs gently get rid of the built-up dead skin cells, unclog pores, reduce breakouts, rebuild collagen, smooth out wrinkles, and allow dry skin to heal.

• Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir ($29.99 for 1.7 fl. oz.)
• Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid ($24.95 for 1.7 fl. oz)
• Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF 15 ($40 for 2 fl. oz.)
• Paula’s Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid ($18.95 for 4 fl. oz.)

Why shouldn’t you use a scrub? Scrubs deal only with the very top, superficial layer of the skin, so most of the built-up dead skin cells are beyond the reach of a scrub. Even worse, many scrubs contain particles with a rough, coarse, or uneven texture that can damage the skin as it abrades away the surface, causing tiny tears that damage the skin’s barrier, which is not good for any skin type.

2. Eat Right: The amount of research showing that a diet rich in antioxidants can help skin is astounding. Dark berries, fresh salmon, avocadoes, butternut squash, and green tea are just a few of the anti-aging superfoods you should add to your grocery list.    Which foods should you avoid? Sweets and salty foods. Too much sugar (even honey) can lead to collagen deterioration, loss of elasticity, and increased likelihood of wrinkling. A diet overloaded with salt also will take a toll on your skin, resulting in bloating and puffy, tired-looking skin.

3. Wear Sunscreen Every Day:Only 10% of people wear sunscreen on a regular basis and most still get a tan. Many also continue to use tanning beds, which might as well be called wrinkle-beds.

Sun protection is by far the most important tool in preventing skin damage and helping in the anti-aging fight. Nothing else in your skin-care routine matters if you leave out this critical step. Using an antiwrinkle cream and not using sunscreen is like eating broccoli in hopes of reducing the effects of smoking cigarettes.

You must wear sunscreen 365 days a year. Even on cloudy days and even if you’re inside. The sun’s damaging rays do penetrate the clouds and they do come right through the window. Just because you’re inside, doesn’t mean your skin is protected.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and your skin will thank you in the years to come.

• Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 ($26 for 4.2 oz.)
• RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer with SPF 25 & Antioxidants
• Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunblock Mineral Protection, Fragrance Free SPF 30 ($9.95 for 4 oz.)

4. Remove All of Your Makeup (It’s more important than you think) Left on overnight, any amount of makeup can clog pores, prompt skin-damaging irritation, and cause puffy eyes. Start with a gentle, fragrance-free, water-soluble cleanser, and then remove the last traces of eye makeup with a colorant-free, fragrance-free, irritant-free makeup remover.

• Paula’s Choice Gentle Touch Makeup Remover ($12.95 for 4 oz.)
• Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($15 for 3.75 oz.)
• Sonia Kashuk Remove, Eye Makeup Remover ($9.99 for 4 oz.)

5. Don’t Rely on Only One Product: There is no single magic bullet ingredient or product for your skin; it takes more than one product to provide the full range of results. Some products do perform multiple tasks, but—let me repeat—your skin needs more than just one product.

Here is what your skin needs:

• Gentle cleanser
• Toner loaded with antioxidants and skin-healing ingredients
• Sunscreen loaded with antioxidants for daytime
• Moisturizer—in serum, gel, lotion, or cream form—loaded with antioxidants for night
• AHA or BHA exfoliant
• Treatment products for skin discolorations, blemishes, oily skin, or blackheads

6. Don’t Pull at Your Skin: Repeatedly rubbing, tugging, and pulling at your skin stretches the skin’s elastin fibers, causing sagging and drooping. Whether it’s from pulling on your skin to remove waterproof mascara, getting a facial, or rubbing your eyes, you’re helping gravity take a toll on your face. Stopping this now will benefit your skin down the road.

7. Consider a Foundation with Anti-Aging Ingredients: There are some wonderful new foundations on the market with state-of-the-art ingredients (e.g., sunscreen, antioxidants, and cell-communicating and skin-identical ingredients) that really can improve your skin. If you already wear foundation, this is an easy way to get extra benefit without adding another step to your routine. If your foundation contains an effective sunscreen, that’s even better.

• Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 ($24.50)
• Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Radiant Lifting Makeup SPF 15 ($36.50)
• M.A.C. Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation ($29.50)

8. Antioxidants, Antioxidants, and More Antioxidants: Topically applied antioxidants are essential for skin, just like they are for your diet. Given that your skin is your body’s largest organ, it needs many of the same healthy substances the rest of your body needs. Antioxidants prevent some of the free-radical damage that causes skin-destroying inflammation over time. They also help skin heal and produce healthy collagen. What’s not to love about that?   Among the dozens and dozens of brilliant antioxidants for skin, there is no single one that is best for skin. Don’t believe the ads suggesting otherwise. In fact, skin needs a blend of potent, stable antioxidants to really start acting and looking younger, and the more the better.

• Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum ($24.95 for 1 oz.)
• MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel ($45 for 1 oz.)
• Avon for Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 ($18 for 1.7 oz.)

9. Save Up for a Dermatological Treatment: People often decide that dermatological treatments, such as Botox, dermal fillers, lasers, intense pulse light procedures, FRAXEL, or chemical peels, are beyond their budget or that a skin-care product can achieve relatively similar results.    Fact 1. There is nothing in the world of skin-care products that comes close to giving you the results you can get from medical cosmetic corrective procedures.    Fact 2. Following our advice—products we recommend and products we warn you about—may allow you to save enough money over time to afford the procedures mentioned above.    That doesn’t mean that skin-care isn’t important. Without question, your skin will benefit from using well-formulated products on a consistent basis, but your skin still ages. Just remember, skin-care products have limitations, no matter what the ads tell you.

10. Give Up Bad Habits: Don’t underestimate the role your lifestyle plays when it comes to the condition of your skin. You could do everything else right, but if you’re smoking, tanning, or irritating your skin with bad ingredients, your skin will pay. It’s easy to think that you aren’t hurting your skin if the negative impact doesn’t show up immediately, but the cumulative damage adds up—and it isn’t pretty.

Visit Beautypedia for more science-based reviews on thousands of skin-care and makeup products.

A new workout system is hitting San Diego by storm, and is geared for anyone at any fitness level. And by anyone, we mean anyone — whether you need to loose 50 pounds or you’re an Olympic Athlete. In fact, the program was designed by an Olympic athlete.

Three-time Olympian and San Diego resident Flora Hyacinth has developed a new exercise system called Flo Fusion Fitness. Flora has blended her years as a track athlete, fitness enthusiast, chiropractor, and entrepreneur into this great program that will get you toned and ready for the beach in no time.

Flo Fusion Fitness fuses yoga, pilates and resistance training into a powerful workout that has proven to deliver results in weight loss, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, and improved flexibility, balance and endurance.

The fitness system utilized cables for resistance training while performing pilates/yoga inspired moves. A combination of cardio and calistenic exercises combine with the unique strength workout to provide real results. During the testing phase of the program, San Diego resident Melissa Robinson went from a size 7 to a size 3 in three months. Based on our own testing, it works. After trying a short portion of the workout I could feel my legs, abs, and arms burning.

Above each fitness station sits a flat-screen TV with Flora demonstrating the movements for visual instruction, while a personal trainer is hands-on to motivate, coach and correct movements for the ultimate workout experience.

The first Flo Fusion Fitness center will have its grand opening in Mission Valley on Wednesday, April 27 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

The new fitness center provides a unique cobination of services and ammenities to meet anyones needs. Combined with the fitness studio you’ll find an on-site nutritionist, massage therapist and chiropractor. So if you want to get in shape, relax, or get a personalized assessment of your fitness, chiropracic, and health needs, you’ll find what you need in one place.

The grand opening of the first Flo Fusion Fitness center marks the latest advancement infitness and brings together San Diego’s health, fitness and athlete community to share the experience. Following years of research and a hugely successful three-month pilot program comprised of 50-minute sessions three times a week, Dr. Hyacinth has led participants to experience proven results ranging from significant weight loss to the elimination of chronic lower back pain to an increase in tone and strength, as well as improved overall flexibility, balance and endurance.

Flo Fusion Fitness’ grand opening event will the opportunity to witness a physicalfitness contest using the Flo Fusion Fitness exercise system, as well as prizes and giveaway opportunities consisting of free Flo Fusion Fitness trial sessions for massage therapy, chiropractic care, fitness training and more.

Check it out tomorrow or stop in to check it out for yourself.

2555 Camino Del Rio S Ste. 209 San Diego, CA 92108
619.794.2740

Courtesy Photos by Tony Duffy

Dr. Mike discussed how every 17 days, we are constantly changing what we do. “We call it metabolic confusion.” The diet has three cycles, each lasting for 17 days, and a fourth long-term maintenance cycle.

Cycle one, called “Accelerate,” stimulates increasing weight loss and fat burning, and discourages fat storage. “This phase cleanses, hydrates, removes unhealthy carbs, improves unhealthy eating habits, and stimulates fat metabolism,” Moreno says.

Cycle two, called “Activate,” is about resetting your metabolism. This cycle yields about a 5-6 pound weight loss.

Cycle three, called “Achieve,” is a period which is where you re-teach yourself how to carbs and develop healthy eating habits. The final cycle, called “Arrive,” happens when you reach your goal weight. It is a combination of the previous three cycles and allows you to have controlled splurges.

It is recommended to exercise for at least 17 minutes a day for the first two cycles. It the final cycles, you can exercise up to 300 minutes a week for continued weight loss. In the book, which can only be purchased online, Moreno writes, “I think this diet is probably the only diet that is for everybody.” Reports have suggested that Moreno’s diet uses “body confusion” in order to trick the body into speeding up its metabolism.

The 17 day diet is essentially based on a time frame in which the  body can achieve weight loss in a healthy and sustainable way. Dr. Moreno says that the two worst things about diets are boredom and plateau. With this diet, you can still enjoy your life and not be tired of eating the same foods every day. Within each cycle, Moreno offers and suggests a variety of foods to eat and helps you develop your own food plan. The diet encourages clean eating, decreasing sugar intake as well as other unhealthy and processed foods.

Dr. Moreno’s book can be purchased at http://www.the17daydiet.com/.

Dr. Sears, famous for creating the ZONE diet says, “Gaining weight is not due to lack of willpower, but lack of hormonal balance caused by the diet. Likewise the best way to reduce excess fat is to re-balance your hormones.”

So here are Dr. Barry Sears’ 7 best tips for fat loss at the fastest possible rate. (Dr. Sears is the creator of the Zone Diet and one of the leading experts in the field hormonal responses induced by the diet and how they affect inflammation.)

1. Radically reduce your intake of omega-6 fats and replace them with monounsaturated fats. Excess omega-6 fats make a person fat and accelerate chronic diseases by increasing cellular inflammation throughout the body. Omega-6 fatty acids are now the cheapest form of calories and therefore are found in virtually every processed food product.

It is the omega-6 fats that drive cellular inflammation which is the underlying cause of obesity. This means getting rid vegetable oils (corn, soy, sunflower, safflower, etc.) and replace them with oils rich in monousaturated fats (olive oil, slivered almonds and gucacmole). This also means staying away from any processed food.

2. Replace grains and starches with non-starchy vegetables. This will lower the glycemic load of the diet and reduce the levels of insulin that makes a person fat and keeps them fat. Corn and peas are examples of starchy veggies you want to replace with green, leafy veggies.

3. Eat enough low-fat protein (fish, chicken, low-fat dairy products or soy imitation meat products) at each meal.  The size portion should fit in the palm of your hand. This is about 3 oz. of low-fat protein for women and 4 oz. of low-fat protein for men. These types of protein increase the feeling of fullness so you are less likely to snack between meals.

Another visual example: let the low-fat protein occupy about 1/3 of your meal plate and let the other 2/3 of your plate fill up with colorful carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables. Finally add a dash of fat that is low in omega-6 and saturated fats (the best “fat” choices are olive oil, slivered almonds or guacamole).

4. Eat healthy often. Never let more than 5 hours go by without a balanced meal or snack to maintain your hormones levels.

5. Take more omega-3 fatty acids in the form of purified fish oils. These fatty acids will reduce cellular inflammation as well as helping to burn fat faster when you exercise. You will need about 2500 mg. of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) per day.

6. Drink at least two glasses of water before each meal. This reduces calorie intake by about 14%.

7. Get at least of 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day. Less sleep increases insulin levels that increases the accumulation of body fat.

Dr. Barry Sears is the creator of the Zone Diet and the author of The New York Times bestseller, Enter The Zone. He is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response and develops innovative approaches to help treat and reverse silent inflammation, the leading cause behind cardiovascular disease and Type-2 diabetes. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years to the study of lipids. He holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The waiting room is fragrant with fresh lavender perfuming the air. Eastern massage techniques are displayed on mounted screens and Pumpkin Peel pamphlets sit on the center-round table to be read by guests.

After filling out a questionnaire with pertinent medical information and details about your personal skin care regime, an experienced therapist begins your spa treatment. Particularly, Mary, Zenspa’s Lead Therapist, is a pleasure.

After heading to the clean and cozy room where aromatherapy scents invite guests to relax and rest, your treatment begins. I was treated to a wonderful Deep Tissue Massage, a Foot Reflexology treatment and a Customized Facial on my visit.

Vivian smiled when I commented on the nice scent that welcomed me at the front door, simply saying, “aromatherapy.” Aromatherapy uses essential botanical oils like rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint to affect the mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. When you breathe them in, these pleasant scents work on the brain and nervous system and provide a holistic means to whole body relaxation. Zenspa has got this down.

The white robe and slippers offered in the private rooms are lush and cozy. Once comfortable in the maroon lounge chair with my feet soaking in a wooden tub of warm water, Mary re-entered and began the Foot Reflexology treatment.

Mary gently but firmly started the 30-minute foot massage, applying pressure to the soles of my feet with rubbing, kneading and patting techniques to relieve and alleviate pressure, not only in my foot, but also in the corresponding organs connected to the nerves in my foot. It was very relaxing. It is enthralling to know that a foot massage can bring so many benefits.

The bottoms of our feet have corresponding pressure points to each major organ and body part.  By massaging a person’s big toe, for instance, the pituitary gland is activated… and by rubbing the four other toes, the brain, sinuses, eyes and ears are stimulated.  Reflexology foot massage can also help relieve digestive disorders, hormonal imbalance, arthritis and PMS. It is simply amazing.

In addition to the standard reflexology treatment, guests can try adding sea salt, milk or ginger to the foot bath. Sea salt helps detoxify your feet, milk rejuvenates nerve endings and ginger boosts immunity.

After both my feet were “reflexed” I moved onto the massage table. I was very thankful for the massage table’s retractable headrest (for my long neck) and wide enough opening allowing me to breathe.

Mary began a 30-minute Deep Tissue Massage targeting the areas I had specified earlier on the guest paperwork.  Thoughts from the day drifted away with each song played on the sound system. I especially enjoyed the “Chariots of Fire” rendition, suited for the spa atmosphere.  It was very creative.

The Deep Tissue Massage was amazing, but there are so many more options to try. Zenspa offers massages using various techniques like: Swedish: also known as circulatory massage, Shiatsu: a traditional Japanese massage, Zen Hot Stone: the Native American use of heated basalt stones, Acupressure: addressing chronic and acute problems through finger and hand techniques, Thai: a combination of yoga and acupressure, Therapeutic Sports: administered pre- or post-event and after injury, helping to alleviate pain and reduce swelling, Tui Na: unblocks and restores proper blood and energy flow to the meridians and muscles, Pre-Natal: alleviates muscle tension and aches as well as relieving swelling and stress on weight-bearing joints, Reiki: balances and releases blockages on a cellular level, Trigger Point: helps alleviate pain by releasing trigger points within muscle tissue, Lymphatic: boosts the circulation of the lymphatic system, and Cranio Sacral Therapy: concentrates on the shoulders, neck and the scalp, relieving tension headaches, migraines, jetlag and fatigue.

The foot reflexology treatment and massage left me relaxed and put my mind at ease, just in time for the evening.

I was welcomed by Kiana, Zenspa’s new licensed Esthetician who gave me a 30-minute customized facial that was tailored to meet my specific needs. A brief consultation about my skin concerns and how my daily cleansing regime was going, she began the treatment.  The lavender-scented steam that encircled my face during her treatments was wonderful.

Kiana explains that she uses pharmaceutical grade facial treatments on her clients: Epicuren Products (used by Ritz Carlton spas) and Glo Therapeutics (a facial product line filled with natural ingredients). She walked me through every step of the process as she applied the Pumpkin Peel, mulberry mask, Glo treatments and warm towels.

I asked if I needed any extractions done to clear my face of any blemishes she would find under her magnified and lighted mirror and she agreed with me that no facial is complete without getting rid of unwanted “heads” on your head.

After applying the final moisturizer, eye cream and lip gloss for the street, my face literally glo’ing.

Vivian met me at the round table in the front lobby and we talked there for a while. Very relaxed and enjoying the professional treatment and hospitable attention, I could understand why Vivan wants her spa to be known as “the neighborhood spa.”

Vivian explains that she personally gets a massage twice a month, adding, “I am a better person because of it!” Vivian said making massages a part of her personal wellness program has helped her with insomnia.

As we chatted, one woman came out of her treatment looking very comfortable in her jogging suit with her hair a little tousled, simply handing over a certificate coupon as a Zenspa “VIP member.”  Her daughter had given her a package of Zenspa coupons for the holidays.

Vivian so believes in regular massages that she has staffed Zenspa with 8 massage therapists working in her 13-room spa, open 7 days a week until 10:00pm Monday through Saturday.  She has also managed to offer her clientele full body massages at a discount price, all the time.

A new client can receive the $49 rate for the 60-minute massage by pre-buying a book of coupons, like the jogging-suit client had.  Vivian’s program has no signup fees, no monthly or annual obligations, her pre-paid coupons are transferable and they never expire. She even offers a same-day appointment guarantee with walk-ins welcome.

Another older gentleman, hooded in a grey sweatshirt, was leaving the spa and stopped to thank Vivian for his treatment saying, “that was so deep tissue!” Vivian had just brought on a new massage therapist he had worked with that night and he was very pleased.

Vivian wants her guests to know how important having regular massages are for overall health, much like taking vitamins or drinking enough water.

Vivian recommends having massages done once a month.  Having massages done on a regular basis encourages improved blood circulation, pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissue and vital organs, increases joint flexibility, lessens depression and anxiety, promotes tissue regeneration, reduces scar tissue and stretch marks, alleviates lower back pain and improves range of motion, reduces post surgery adhesions and swelling, relieves headaches and migraines, assists with shorter, easier labor for expecting mothers, eases medication dependency, releases endorphins and improves your general mode, enhances immunity by simulating lymphatic flow and helps athletes of any level with pre- and post-exercise conditioning.

As a part of her personal wellness program, Vivian adds to her regime a facial once a month.  She encourages others to do the same – both men and women.

By customer request Vivian opened a facial parlor in December. Kiana combined a few of her key facials into my customized experience but she offers so many other options too.

Kiana offers: Intro Glo Facial, Purifying Acne Facial, Anti-Aging Enzyme Facial, Light Plex – Brightening Facial, Hydrating Facial, Vitamin Facial, Peels (Pumpkin, Lactic or Salicylic) Facial, Sensitive Skin Facial, Gentleman’s Facial, Zen Spa Moments Facial and a Back Facial.  Kiana will even do a facial peel to remove dead skin with unwanted wrinkles and she offers waxing to all parts of the face, head, bikini and the Brazilian.

Coming upon Zenspa’s one year anniversary next month, Vivan wants to thank her 6,500 clients for their 14,000 plus hours of service.  To celebrate she is offering a $10 Valentine’s Day discount on the Couples Package in her signature Couples’ Room. Click on the coupon to print it. Simply bring it to the spa and enjoy the wonderful environment with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.

This Couples Package includes a 60-minute Full Body Massage and 30-minute Reflexology Foot Massage for each person. This special is valid February 10 – 16^th.

Another younger man left Zenspa before I did saying, “this was the best part of all my day.  I will come back tomorrow.”

I think Vivian has found her neighborhood niche in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

For more information, visit www.zenspasandiego.com or call Vivian at 858-251-0088.  You can also book your appointment online.

Next Sunday, January 23 it is estimated that over 10,000 runners will descend on the city, coming from all over the US to run in San Diego’s favorable January climate. The run will take participants either 26.2 or 13.1 miles through the Carlsbad Village, along PCH, by local beaches and lagoons, starting and finishing at the Westfield Plaza Camino Real.

The race starts at 6am for marathoners and 7:30 for 1/2 marathoners. Expect major traffic delays if you’re planning on running, attending, or if you live in the area.

Both spectators and runners will enjoy course entertainment, featuring bands playing every mile.

The race weekend also includes the Health and Fitness Expo and Kids Marathon Mile. The Health and Fitness Expo will feature exciting  vendors, interactive displays, free samples, and bargains on apparel and equipment. Free and open  to  the public, the Expo is also where all marathoners and half marathoners pick up their timing tag, bib number, T-shirt and goodie bag. The Expo will be held on Friday, Jan. 21  (2- 6 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 22  (10 a.m. -5 p.m.) and Sunday, Jan. 23 (7 a.m.-noon) under a big top tent at the Westfield Plaza Camino Real, located at 2525 El Camino Real El Camino Real in Carlsbad.

The Kids Marathon Mile is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, at LEGOLAND®. This event is geared  for children  age 12  and under. This one-mile, noncompetitive, age-staged  run/walk winds through  the LEGOLAND theme park.

The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon works with 19 charities that use the event to raise funds and  awareness through  their association  with  the event.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.carlsbadmarathon.com or call (760) 692-2900

Open the small entrance door and you’ll be swept into a “sanctuary in the city”. The cozy waiting area, dimly lit and silent with rich rust colored walls offers an unmistakable peace. The kind staff greet you and make you feel welcome.

Through the next door your therapist will take you into a warm and inviting reflexology area, then to specialty rooms that are themed to your liking.

Where do you want to be transported during your treatment? Each of the spa’s eight rooms, including two for couples, has a different motif, from Paris and London to New Delhi. No matter where your fantasy destination, one of Karma’s therapy areas will take you there. Their 4,000 square foot facility surely has something you’ll enjoy.

Not only will your surroundings set the stage for ultimate relaxation, but your trained expert holistic therapist will put your mind at ease. The spa boasts an incredible staff, many of whom have been doubly trained in China and the US. China is the birthplace of holistic therapies like massage and reflexology, and the U.S. Accreditation in both eastern and western modalities is unique and highly coveted.

The young entrepreneur Jing Sun and her brother William opened the spa in mid-September and they’re already garnering a loyal following. With an affordable price tag, Sun says the spa not only offers massage and detoxification which are important in maintaining optimal health, but “we’re putting them within reach of the average person.”

An hour-long full body massage begins at $39.99. Spa packages range from $70 to $100 and make the perfect holiday or birthday gift.

In addition to traditional services, the spa also offers prenatal massage, reflexology and ionic body detox, the latter of which involves a foot bath that removes toxins, indicated by the color the water turns. For instance, orange water indicates a release of toxins from the joints and black indicates liver and bladder toxin release.

So what are you waiting for? You absolutely must try this new luxury day spa. Located at 3969 1st Avenue in San Diego, Karma Relaxation Spa is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Call 619.299.9888 to book an appointment. Discounts are available for military, teachers, students and seniors. Visit www.karmamassagespa.com for more information.

San Diegans often don’t have to put away their summer wardrobe and hang up their bikinis until much of the country is seeing snow, so the need for skin protection extends far longer than some may think.

It is also important to remember skin protection into the Fall and Winter because the climate in San Diego can be harsh – hot, cold, humid, dry – we have it all and it can wreak havoc on your skin.

If your summer activities have left you with sunburned scaling skin, if you suffer from dry skin, oily skin, or notice scaring from acne and mosquito bites, there are products available to help.

Take a few moments and pamper yourself with the Entertainer’s beauty tips. It is never too late to turn your skin woes into a clear, beautiful, glowing complexion.

Tip #1: Use a gentle cleanser.  We recommend the Avalon Organics Essential Lift Smoothing Cleanser ($12.95). It uses oceanic minerals to literally pull moisture from deep under the surface and plump minor wrinkles caused by sun damage.  It is also nourishing with leaving a residue. With a clean, fresh scent, you’ll feel refreshed in no time.

Tip #2: Get a clear complexion. Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care is reasonably priced at $21 and uses the power of Salicylic Acid to banish blemishes. This cream is unique because it also helps heal the dark marks left behind by discoloration from acne.

Tip #3: Repair damage with antioxidants. Vichy Aqualia ANTIOX Fresh Serum ($45 at CVS), or similar products on the market use a mixture of antioxidants to repair skin. ANTIOX uses Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Citrus Polyphenols to speed up cell turnover and protect against free-radical damage.  Kept it the fridge, it also is cool and soothing on a hot summer day. Try this tip with any moisturizer!

Tip #4 Hydrate without Shine. Ever notice you’re overly shiny after hydrating? It happens to us all. Try Alba Botanica ACNEdote Oil Control Lotion ($14.95) to keep skin soft. It will moisturize while leaving a matte finish on your skin all day long.

Photo from lukalsntluka via Flickr

Swap out the Ice Cream for some Frozen Yogurt

Most ice creams are high in fats, preservatives, and additives—not exactly the stuff that will have your body jumping for joy. Instead of this gut-busting frozen snack, try another tasty treat: frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt comes in a variety of flavors, from passion fruit  to peanut butter—and it hasn’t got any of the drawbacks that ice cream does. In fact, frozen yogurt helps you meet your daily calcium requirement, and it’s loaded with probiotics, live bacteria that are beneficial for your health. Need a little more convincing? It’s cheaper than ice cream, too, so while you’re slimming down, your wallet will be fattening up.

Potato Chips for Pop Chips

Potato chips are the cardinal sin of all snacking—loaded with sodium, fat, and tons of calories and cholesterol, the classic potato chip is one of the worst things you could choose to munch on—just take a look at all the oil covering your hands after you’ve chowed down on a bag of them and you’ll get the point. But, despite all that, the fact remains: chips just taste good, so what to do? Luckily, a great alternative to the traditionally bad-for-you potato chip is available: PopChips. PopChips aren’t baked or fried, but popped with heat and pressure—meaning that these crunchy flakes are made with a lot less oil and contain a lot less fat than traditional chips: less than half the fat,  in fact. They offer the satisfying crunch of a chip and some great seasoning options including sea salt and vinegar, barbecue, salt and pepper, and original.

Candy with Dark Chocolate

While normal candies are loaded with sugars, fat, calories, and all kinds of additives and preservatives, dark chocolate is good for you when eaten in the right amount. 2 ounces or 50 grams of dark chocolate a day can provide protection against heart disease and high blood pressure, and give you some essential vitamins, like vitamins A, C, and D. And the best part? Eating dark chocolate actually makes you happier—it’s been proven to stimulate the release of endorphins in your body, hormones that lift your mood and give you a little extra pep in your step.

Alternative to Soda: Fruit Smoothies

Soda is chock full of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and tons and tons of calories. So instead of gulping down the fizzy stuff whenever you’re thirsty, try a fruit smoothie instead. Blend one with some fruit and fat-free frozen yogurt and drink up—the fruit will provide you with vitamins and the dairy will fill your stomach and give you energy throughout the day. And best of all? It’s a delicious drink that won’t make you feel guilty. Be careful with calorie content though, you may want to try sparkling water or add some club soda to light juice to get that fizz you crave.

Photos from thebittenword.com, f10n4, bastique, and cantwork via flickr

Chris Cochran was in charge of organizing this event for Stone. 2010 marks the ninth anniversary celebration that Cochran has organized for Stone Brewing. “We have 200 Stone employees that volunteer their time for the event and an additional 300 volunteers.”

For large events like this one, Stone puts their staff through Special Event Training. This training is required by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and provided by the Responsible Hospitality Coalition.

Marian Novak has been training volunteers for events like this since 1995. “The goal of the Special Event training is to reduce underage access and reduce intoxication levels. Special events are a completely different environment than a restaurant or a bar. People are not monitored as closely. People are not as conscious about regulating their alcohol consumption. There’s a lot more freedom.”

Cochran explains how they monitor attendees’ alcohol intake. “Every attendee gets a wrist band with 10 plastic tabs on it that can be torn off. We train our servers to remove those tabs and to check how many tabs each attendee has remaining. We train them to recognize when someone is intoxicated and to stop serving them.”

“You used to be able to order 5 beers at a time,” said Novak. “We reduced that number to 2 and we reduced the cup size as well.”

“We train the volunteers to fill the glass to an appropriate level to avoid over-serving attendees,” said Cochran.

Cochran expects there to be over 7,000 people attending this year’s celebration. “There will be around 3,000 people per session,” he said.

“The volunteers also receive training on how to spot fake I.D’s,” Novak added. “We advise the hosts of the party to use nice, plastic wristbands so that people can’t take them off and just give them to someone else.”

In addition to taking precautions for people while they’re at the event, Stone Brewery took steps to ensure that people are safe when the leave. “The North County Transit District is a great partner for us. They run double cars on the Sprinter line all day on Saturday. And they run later, they run one extra schedule that evening for us. We encourage people to let public transportation be their designated driver,” Cochran noted.

Stone also offered incentives for designated drivers. “We only charge $10 for designated drivers as opposed to the normal $40 tickets,” said Cochran. “We hope that the designated drivers get to enjoy some of the free cheesecake, brownies, onion rings and home-brewed sodas.”

The charities benefited by the Stone Brewing annual party are the Surfrider Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of San Marcos, the Palomar Family YMCA in Escondido and Fight ALD.

This highly contagious disease can affect adults, children and infants. State officials have said 2010 has been a year of a number of new cases. In 2009 there were 143 cases of whooping cough, so far this year there have been 266 cases in the county alone. According to the San Diego Health and Human Services agency 15 infants have been hospitalized, but there have been no fatalities.

The year is a little more than half way over and from the looks of it, if new cases keep emerging the record from 2005 of 371 cases may be bypassed.

Nicknamed the ‘whooping cough’ after the ‘whoop’ sound made before or after a serve cough attack when the person tries to breath. The disease may cause the person rib fractures or difficulty while sleeping due to these cough spells.

“California has declared a statewide whooping cough epidemic,” said Dean Sideliner, M.D., M.S Ed., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “We are seeing increased activity here in San Diego County and its important for parents to be aware of the prevalence of pertussis in our community right now.

Sideliner also stated that occasionally there is a rise in the number of cases seen every five years or so. The increased numbers are cause for alarm. Children are the most susceptible to whooping cough. The majority of new cases were children ages 4 to 12-years-old.

Whooping cough begins in a similar manor to the flu. Symptoms in the beginning include runny nose, fever, mild cough and sneezing. These symptoms may remain fairly normal for the first two weeks, but if they progress violent coughing fits accompanied by vomiting can begin.

There is a vaccine available and health officials strongly encourage adults and children get the vaccine. It is called “Tdap” which will protect the body from Pertussis, Tetanus and diphtheria.

To learn more about whooping cough visit:  www.helppreventwhoppingcough.com