Nourish Organic Body Lotion

There's a new organic lotion that comes in scents appropriate for men.  My little man loves his Nourish Organic body lotion in Lavender Mint.  Spiced Citrus and Lemon Lime would be two other great options.  The tube is great to put in your gym bag or bedside table to help combat wintery dry skin.

I love having body products that are non toxic and smell good, but don't contain unhealthy synthetic fragrance.  Nourish does contain nourishing ingredients like argan oil, maca root, vitamin E, and aloe.  Find it locally at Whole Foods and HERE.

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Dyson's Awesome New Vacuum: DC65

Dyson's got a new vacuum out, the Animal Complete DC65, and I think it's their best one yet.  Of course it's beautiful.  It has a fucsia top and some bright purple accents, paired with a charcoal gray body, it's functional art like everything else Dyson makes.  So they had me at first glance.

Now for the function.  I've tried several of their vacuums, and this is my new favorite, they just keep getting better and better.  They redesigned the airflow and brush bar to be more powerful by 25%, and they've updated cyclone and ball technology, and the new motor is 150% faster.  It comes with three different brushes, a tangle-free turbine tool and--something I really appreciate--they included a bag for all the accessories.  

I notice a difference in quality.  Not that I wasn't already satisfied with previous models, frankly, I didn't think it could get any better short of the vacuum taking the initiative on it's own and vacuuming my house without me.  And don't think that's not on Dyson's mind, I bet they have robot vacuums one of these days, and they will be gorgeous too.

Dyson is so well known for over the top suction that some carpet manufacturors won't warranty your carpet if you use them becuause they can pull out the threads.  I've been using Dyson vacuums for years and have never had this happen, but it does speak to the power of these machines.  They are the only vacuums to be allergy certified, so you don't get that little cloud of dust that sometimes comes out of other vacuums re-polluting the air.

My floors are cork and bamboo, and I have area rugs, so lots of variation.  This vacuum is self-adjusting and rolls over each surface seamlessly.   The DC65 maneuvers with ease and turns on a dime.  The suction wand is great for cob webs and hard to reach dust bunnies and debris.  It's a dream to use, and did I mention how fun it is to use a vacuum with a happy fuscia canister?  Find it HERE.

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FLOR Eco Friendly Carpet Squares

FLOR carpet squares are a great rug and carpet option, especially for families and homes with pets.  The interchangeable tiles come in hundreds of colors, patterns, and variations, and they're made from recycled materials.  The concept is modern, versatile and easy to maintain.  

Since the squares are removable, they're a breeze to clean.  You can just pick up the one that is soiled, rinse it off in the sink, and replace it.  This also makes FLOR super versatile when you want to change the mood of the room.  When you are ready for a change, just swap out a few squares for a different color or design. From bright fuchsia, to bold orange, stripes, organic shapes, all the way down to muted grays and browns, the options are endless. 

FLOR's latest collection is inspired by global design and animal prints.  What a great way to add a pop of color or interest to your room.  Different squares have different textures and FLOR recommends getting samples before deciding on a design.  Choose from tons of fabulous options HERE. 

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The FRESH ENERGY Cookbook

I've been sitting on this for a long time.  Natalia Rose is one of the most enlightened nutritionists/food and healthy lifestyle-thinkers out there and I wanted to do her cookbook, THE FRESH ENERGY COOKBOOK, co-authored with Chef Doris Choi, justice.  I've decided I can't do it justice--it's that good.

It's a brand new year and I know a lot of us are looking for ways to spice up our healthy living repertoire.  Well here you go, an excellent cookbook and resource book that will help you to achieve clean eating and more energy.

I LOVE this book.  It's simple, straighforward, and all the recipes I've tried are delicious.  It's full of glossy photos (a must, I think for any cookbook), uncomplicated recipes, and some good advice on how to optimize your food intake for maximum pleasure and health benefits.  Natalia's approach to health is a common sense, sort of back-to-basics approach that resonates on a deep level.  I've had success with her method and would strongly recommend any of her books, but this, it's a must-have cookbook.  If I could only have one, it would be this. 

The focus is on nutrient dense, easy to digest, colorful yummy real foods.  Absent are grains, faux meat alternatives, and soy.  These recipes are not intimidating and they don't require hours of preparation or hard to find ingredients.  They are creative though, and inspiring, and cause you to look at food in a new way.

The cauliflower pizza crust is yummy, and a great alternative to gluten free crusts.  Salads are hearty and filling, and the 150 recipes will give you plenty to work with.   Fresh juices, salads, entrees, snacks, and desserts offer plenty of options for optimal, life affirming meals.  Find it HERE. 

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Happy 2014

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Best Last Minute Gift for the Beach Bum

Do you have a beach lover on your holiday list?  Who doesn't love the beach, right?  Well here's the perfect last minute gift--Dune Jewelry's Digital Gift Card.   Dune's jewelry is not only beautiful, it's meaningful, even aspirational.  Can't go to Tahiti this year?  Well, you can wear the sand from Tahitian beaches and transport yourself with a glance.  Even better--you've been to Fiji and brought back some sand.  Now you can have your own little time capsule.

The applications for this jewelry are as endless as your imagination.  I'm totally in love with this concept.  Dune Jewelry has the most gorgeous, unique and fabulous gifts for the traveler, the outdoorsy person, and people who appreciate the one-of-a-kind.   For people living in colder climates, how fun is that to have a piece of the beach for comfort all winter?   If your New Year's resolution is to go to Cote d'Azure, how cool would it be to wear the sand until the trip, like a talisman?

Each piece is custom made with your own sand that you send in, or from Dune's sand bank, with sand from all over the world.  It's solid, well made jewelry that feels wonderful in your hand.  It comes packaged beautifully in a box with a small description. 

While I think the presentation would be much better with the actual jewelry, timed just right--it's not too late to give an awesome and meaningful gift.  Get yours HERE. 

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Easy Gift: Smartwool Diamond Hat & Scarf

Smartwool has so many wonderful holiday gift options for all ages.  Even a pair of their colorful socks would make an excellent gift or stocking stuffer, there are so many great things to choose from, and their products scream quality.  I love their stuff especially for outdoorsy types because wool is the ultimate choice for travel and outdoor activity, keeping you comfortable by regulating body temps.

Check out their Diamond Popcorn Scarf and matching Hat.  I am madly in love with the Polar Purple, which is a soothing periwinkle purple-blue.  I don't see it on their site at the moment, but a quick google search shows you where to find it.  It's two-toned and looks great and comes in other colors, even basic black. 

This would be a fabulous set for the person you're not quite sure what to give.  You can find Smartwool online or locally at shops like REI, and food co-ops (it doesn't get easier than picking up a gift while you're grabbing groceries).

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