Category: December 2009

Get Out and Play in Washington’s Winter Wonderland

Summer isn’t the only season for outdoor fun. Winter brings cooler temperatures, glistening snow, and plenty of opportunities for play.

If you love winter sports and pastimes, Washington State offers your family a huge playground for downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing and more. No matter if you are a young first-timer or a seasoned adventurer, the mountains, rolling hills and valleys found in Washington bring a breathtaking beauty to any winter outdoor sport.

For example, if skiing and snowboarding in Washington are on your to-do list this season, check out Crystal Mountain in Mount Rainier National Park where not only can you experience shushing through half a dozen basins, but also enjoy beautiful views of the mountain up close. Each year, snowboarders flock to Mount Baker, with an average annual snowfall of 647 inches, to experience terrain in one of the areas many call the birthplace of the sport. A short drive from the Canadian border or downtown Seattle, Mount Baker is an active volcano, standing 10,778 feet, offering spectacular scenery and hundreds of acres to discover. Want adventure right outside the city? Head over to Snoqualmie Pass, one hour east of Seattle, which not only gives skiers and snowboarders of all levels excellent runs at Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area, but also provides access to tubing hills and cross country ski and snowshoe trails as well.

Snowmobile fans can find about 80 lots within Washington State Parks to park a car, unload the snowmobiles and head out on more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails. Echo Valley Sno-Park in the west central part of the state near Chelan, and Lake Easton Sno-Park, located on Highway 90, southeast of Seattle, are just two of the popular sites to hit the snowmobile trails.

If ice skating is the winter sport that interests you, Spokane is hosting the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January–where the U.S. Figure Skating team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be named–just in time for the opening ceremonies on February 12, 2010.

Washington is just a short drive across the border from many of the Winter Olympic sport locations, making it easy for you to plan your outdoor fun around a quick trip to catch some of the Olympic action.

You say winter sports aren’t your thing? Don’t forget that the Puget Sound area often enjoys a snow-less winter, and cities such as Seattle and Tacoma offer a variety of indoor cultural experiences, including symphony, ballet, opera, live theater and Broadway road shows, to name a few. For a relaxed adventure outside the bustling city streets, hop a ferry to the San Juan Islands and enjoy some winter island time with hiking, kayaking, shopping, or just cozy fireplace-sitting.

Once you have your winter fun trip planned, don’t forget these Washington travel tips:

* Washington’s climate is mild, but the mountains can be much colder. Average temperatures for the winter months range from near freezing to around 40 degrees in western Washington, with below-freezing temperatures in the mountains; so remember to pack extra waterproof clothes in case your trip includes mountain adventures.

* Plan ahead for the equipment you need. If you anticipate renting everything, contact a rental place near where you’re staying or heading out for some fun before your trip to reserve exactly what you need. Visit www.experiencewa.com to find links for locations of recreation businesses and sites including rentals. If you’re bringing your equipment, make sure you plan around airline baggage requirements or space in your vehicle to get everyone to Washington comfortably.

* Don’t forget the sunblock. Yes, even in winter, the sun’s rays reflecting off snow can cause a painful burn.

* Pack a camera to capture everyone carving the slopes or flying down a snow tubing hill.

“Wishful Drinking”- Carrie Fisher and “Hamlet” – Jude Law

The tragedy of human foibles gone too far is the centerpiece of this work that has taken up brief residence on Broadway. Tens of thousands have flocked to the theater this fall to witness the well known personal catastrophe that this famous film performer portrays on stage eight times a week. It is a familiar story, one of betrayal within the family, one where the protagonist is lost, devastated and searching for a way out of the madness of her existence. This is a story worthy of Shakespeare’s quill.

You might have guessed by now that the tragic stage character and performer being referenced here is, of course, Carrie Fisher and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) in “Wishful Drinking” at The Roundabout Theatre Company’s Studio 54 Theater through January 17. What were you expecting? “Hamlet” and British heartthrob Jude Law? In fact, both performers have graced the Broadway stage this fall in a continuation of last spring’s prevalent Broadway down-economy formula of film and television stars in limited run shows. (Mr. Law appears through December 6 at the Broadhurst Theatre.) The economy’s woes have been Broadway goers’ good fortune as Ms. Fisher and Mr. Law, in very different ways, have added considerable richness to an eclectic fall on the Great White Way. Their performances do have some valuable characteristics in common that we will get to later.

In a young New York theater season that has already included the familiar, original, in your face “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Race,” “Fela!” and something subtitled “The Vibrator Play,” the two productions, “Hamlet” and “Wishful Drinking,” add welcome gravitas, and unexpectedly in the case of Ms. Fisher, poignant, touching, and hilarious elements to the theater scene.

In the first few minutes of “Wishful Drinking” one realizes that the evening will not be a typically quaint and conventional theatrical biography of tightly produced self-serving scenes. Instead the audience is treated to Ms. Fischer’s recent experience of waking up next to a friend who was no longer, literally dead in the night . . . and away we go on a ride equal to any of Hans Solo’s in the Millennium Falcon. Ms. Fischer, indelibly Princess Leia for those of us who experienced the Star Wars phenomenon, created and stars in her story of infamous parents, skyrocketing fame, and the hell of addiction. The show’s style might be described as delightfully engaging gallows humor presented in a tell-all fusion of Oprah, Jerry Springer, and psychotherapy gone very wrong. The low brow, celebrity confessional opening did have this reviewer cringing in anticipation of a very long night; however, Ms. Fisher’s self-effacing infectious humor, unbelievable story, and the adept direction of Tony Taccone soon had me laughing out loud . . . between gasps of disbelief. The show’s casual tone is wonderfully enhanced by the fact that our heroine greets us barefoot in her jammies on a set that is a charming living room amalgamation of Star Wars memorabilia. From a family tree photo chart guide (“Hollywood Inbreeding 101”) that ends with Ms. Fisher’s daughter dating Elizabeth Taylor’s grandson (the same Elizabeth Taylor for whom her father left her mother) to tumultuous on again off again with Paul Simon, the Star Wars saga, and the dark purgatory of addiction and mental illness. Carrie Fisher commits the ultimate celebrity confessional. Instead of being turned off by what could easily have played as self-absorbed sympathy seeking, we are wowed by her as she makes us feel like a friend chatting on the couch. Is Ms. Fisher a celebrity in need of attention? Of course she is, but she has such a welcoming, side splitting way of letting us into her train wreck of a life that we forget the narcissism and celebrate the survivor that Carrie Fisher has become.

Seen in the context of Ms. Fisher’s turbulent life and self-engineered exit from hell, “Hamlet” could easily be seen as a wimp of sorts. Luckily, the dark prince of Denmark’s latest appearance on Broadway comes in the form of Jude Law, who gives a physical and viscerally stirring performance in the role. While his performance has been met with some considerable criticism in the New York press, it is an interpretation that holds true for many who perhaps don’t remember every actor’s “Hamlet” since Olivier and are not capable of reciting every line of Shakespeare’s most known play. The rest of the cast from this Donmar Warehouse Production acquits itself quite well with standout performances by Ron Cook as Polonius and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who manages the tricky tightrope of creating an Ophelia who is at once feminine and innocent, yet never weak or pitiful in her madness.

Getting back to Mr. Law’s “Hamlet,” it will not be mistaken for the most nuanced or introspective interpretation ever done; but it does succeed where many others have failed, and in a way that the Bard himself just may have approved of. Mr. Law’s Hamlet is accessible—yes, the dreaded “A” word. It is no mystery that Shakespeare’s prose and iambic pentameter can be a problem for some audiences. Mr. Law’s take on “Hamlet” allows the Shakespeare uninitiated in, the moderately knowledgeable to enjoy, and hopefully many of the experts to appreciate. This after all follows Shakespeare himself in creating for a wide range of audience in order to pay the bills. Which brings us back to the connection with Ms. Fisher’s “Wishful Drinking” and a long running debate about Broadway. Does an accessible and popular production automatically preclude it from being of the highest theatrical caliber? Since we can’t ask the Bard, I recommend that you get to the Broadhurst and Studio 54 Theaters before “Hamlet” and “Wishful Drinking” close, and decide for yourself.

GiveCard – The Gift That Gives Back

Gift cards will be the most requested gift this year, with nearly 55 percent of consumers reporting they would like to receive a gift card this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Each year, 70 percent of consumers purchase a gift card as a holiday gift and for the fifth year in a row, gift cards are expected to lead holiday purchases.

The main reasons shoppers purchase gift cards, according to a study by Deloitte, are

1. They allow recipients to select their own gift.

2. Gift cards are easier and faster to buy than traditional gifts.

However, nearly one quarter of respondents stated they would be less likely to buy gift cards because they feel gift cards are impersonal.

Offering the convenience of a gift card, but a more personal gift, the GiveCard is the first and only gift card that allocates $5 from every card for a donation to a charity of the recipient’s choice. Recipients have the choice of thousands of organizations that they can donate to. The sender has the option to personalize the delivery of the card through online capabilities on GiveCard.com. The rest of the money left on the card is for spending like cash, everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. It’s like two personal gifts in one.

The idea for including a donation within a gift card came while founder Clayton “Nick” Nicholas was stationed overseas in the military. His mom liked to receive gift cards, but he always wanted to send her something more personal, which was often difficult with limited options and the distance separating them. A more meaningful, personal gift card that benefited a cause she believed in solved the problem–and an idea was born.

On average, if just one percent of gift cards given were GiveCards, an additional $50 million would be donated to charity. That’s the power of microgiving: small contributions adding up to a big impact. With the struggles charities have seen during this turbulent economy, these donations are providing a vital impact. Recipients can choose from thousands of national and local 501(c) registered charities like the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Humane Society.

By giving a GiveCard, one generates a small donation and joins the growing community of microgivers who realize that when a large number of people make small individual contributions, they can make a big difference. But microgiving is not just monetary; it’s the small acts of kindness and charity made by people around the world every day. Join the microgiving movement on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GiveDay. To learn more about microgiving and GiveCard, visit www.GiveCard.com.

How to Pick the Perfect Book and Give the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season

Every year at this time you start thinking about the great holiday dilemma. What do you buy the person on your list who has everything? Well, no one really has everything, but some people may be hard to shop for because no gift seems personal or general enough. Books are the perfect balance between personalized and universal, fun and intelligent. Your gift recipient doesn’t even have to be a book lover to love the book you give, as long as you put some thought into selecting just the right one.

Kelly Petersen Wong, bibliophile and founder of FictionDB.com, an online database of more than 200,000 works of fiction, offers a few tips for finding just the right book:

* Go with what you know – “If you know the recipient likes a certain author, check to see if that writer has published under a pen name that your loved one might not be familiar with,” Wong suggests. “Your gift recipient might enjoy a slightly different flavor of fiction from a favorite author.” You can search by author name and find not only a list of titles, but a list of pseudonyms and titles written under each pen name. For example, popular romance novelist Linda Howard is actually the pseudonym of writer Linda Howington.

* Get the latest – Your recipient might already have a few works by a favorite author, but not the latest thing that writer has produced. “Many people wait for a new book to come out in paperback, so if you buy the newest hardcover edition you’ll probably be surprising them with something they want, but wouldn’t buy for themselves,” Wong says.

* Venture in a known genre – Your intended giftee doesn’t have to be a book fan in order for you to find something he or she would like. Does he live for Monday Night Football? Check out a list of authors who write about the sport. Or, search by genre. Is she a home design fanatic? Find a mystery featuring an interior decorator.

* Use online tools – You could spend hours in a bookstore shopping. “And if you’re like me, that’s not a bad thing,” Wong jokes. “But most of us have limited time to devote to holiday shopping, so online buying makes more sense.” Look for websites that give you the greatest flexibility to search for just the right book, without the need to sift through the sales clutter of big book sites.

Sites like fictionb.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com offer free access to more than 50,000 author book lists and 200,000 unique titles. Series lists, synopses and pseudonym information are all presented in a simple, easy-to-use format. You can search by author book lists, series, sequels, synopses, and pseudonyms. Buying is as easy as clicking on the link “buy” next to each title listing.

Spirit of the Season: Generous Gifts That Give Back

The holidays are a season of generosity and giving; so what better time of year to give wisely with gifts that are easy on the earth, respectful to the global community, and even charitable? You can make a difference in the world this holiday season if you keep your social conscience in mind and shop for gifts with a purpose.

Community Trade and Charming

Buy products that help some of the neediest communities in the world. Community trade benefits more than 25,000 people in more than 20 countries. The Body Shop is offering three limited edition Bath/ Body selections (Merry Cranberry, Nutmeg, Vanilla and Black Velvet Apricot) that feature community trade ingredients. For example, a gorgeous fragrance gift like Love, Etc. from The Body Shop is the first perfume to use alcohol made from community trade organic sugar cane. A luxurious combination of feminine jasmine with notes of vanilla and sandalwood, it’s a gift that definitely gives back.

Sumptuous and Sustainable

Look for products that contain sustainable and organic ingredients. These eco-friendly gifts are plentiful in every category, and such social responsibility doesn’t need to break the bank. For example, beautiful eco-chic gift bags and boxes from The Body Shop can be filled with your own selection of festive purchases and are made of recyclable materials. What makes it even better is that for each bag sold, a donation is made to the Somaly Mam Foundation to help young girls.

Decked and Delicious

Give gifts that will be appreciated and gone in just a few bites. Edible goodies like breads, cookies, dried fruits, and nuts made with organic and local ingredients are sure to delight. Package them in beautiful reusable tins and jars.

Gifts That Give Back

Look for products that give back, such as the Soft Hands Kind Heart hand cream from The Body Shop. The lush moisturizer, with angelica extract and community trade olive oil, is kind to hands, but is also symbolic of a kind heart as each purchase supports the “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People” campaign with ECPAT-USA (a global organization working to combat child exploitation). Take a stand with your gifts and raise awareness this holiday season.

Holiday Hot

This season’s hottest makeup trends are also affordable and appreciated stocking stuffers . . . or a small and well-deserved personal indulgence. Strong, smoky eyes in colors of lilac, silver, warm plum, and chocolate and flushed cheeks in sheer peach and golden pink are essential to the season’s sexy, sultry style. International makeup artist Chase Aston suggests adding a subtle hint of shimmery body powder to sparkle like the crisp night sky.

“Dip a blusher brush into the pot; then lightly smile and dust over the apple of the cheeks, along the cheek bones, onto the nape of the neck, shoulders and décolletage for a barely-there shimmering highlight with a hint of color,” says Aston. He recommends products featuring community trade and organic ingredients to enhance your natural beauty.

Seasonal Sharing

Now is the most wonderful time of the year to clean out your closets of clothing and accessories you haven’t used in more than a year and donate them to charity. You’ll make room for this year’s holiday bounty and your donation may be someone else’s holiday treasure.

For more information on gifts that give back, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

The Benefits of Virtual Counseling

Some people feel so debilitated by their struggles that they can’t bear to say them out loud, and some people’s problems feel so vague that they are worried about being able to vocalize them on the spot. Virtual counseling can assist you with all of these problems.

Virtual counseling can take place over the phone or over e-mail. With the increasingly digital world, however, we are finding more and more people who are available to help through online tools. There are many reasons why this is beneficial. It takes the pressure off having to describe your struggles within a set time limit. It is more convenient because you can write down your issues from the comfort of your own home. Many people feel more comfortable writing about problems rather than speaking about them, especially ones that they feel might be embarrassing or “unnatural”–though this isn’t usually the case, of course. Writing allows you more time to really discuss the problems you are encountering in your day-to-day life, and it also allows your counselor more time to really delve into what you are saying, and find you the resources and advice that are going to best assist you.

When hiring a virtual counselor for your psychotherapy treatment needs, make sure to hire someone who has lots of experience, and make sure to validate their credentials. There are a lot of people out there who could try to take advantage of your struggles, so be proactive. Get the virtual counselor on the phone at least once, and check for references of other people who have used them. Once you are comfortable that he/she is qualified, feel free to start working every day to get your “down” moods back up!

By David Boudreau

E Kala Mai I Au (Forgive Me if I Have Harmed You in Any Way)

Christmas is a time of year when I remember all the things I’ve done wrong and all that has been done wrong to me. Certainly I’ve gotten angry, but often I’ve fallen into sadness over missed connections and missed opportunities. I’ve thought about friends but haven’t called them. The ones with whom I’ve had a falling out, I’ve been tempted on several occasions to pick up the phone, and like a child say, “I love you. I don’t even remember what happened yesterday.” I often think of my father in that way. What would change if we had reached out to our loved ones before they’d passed and said, “All is forgiven; please forgive me.” As it happens, I reached out to my dad, and he reached out to me before he died.

Over ten years ago, before my father died, we let each other know we loved each other and that we forgave each other for everything that separated us during my childhood. While growing up, I often experienced my father’s anger, and he would often see mine. We were of the perfect storm; add the fact that I would rebel at his attempt to control me, and the weather report would show a potential hurricane in sunny Cerritos, California, where I grew up. We were two air signs, he Aquarius and I Libra, doing verbal battle and kicking up clouds in every direction.

I realize now that my father struggled with his own demons, and I often ended up in his crosshairs. I struggled to understand what it was that made him so angry with me. I thought I needed to be silent and invisible, but what he was struggling with had little to do with me. I was simply a mirror reflecting his soul, and he saw in me his own image.

My mother would often tell me how so much alike we were. Maybe he’d seen it, too, and wasn’t so much angry with me but with himself. I never figured that out, but what I did discover was that in spite of all the noise, beneath the storm was a calm center of deep love. I will always cherish the conversations we had before his death that made me see my dad through loving eyes. When I said to him, “I’m sorry, please forgive me for how I’ve hurt you,” he replied, “Please forgive me, for how I’ve hurt you.”

There is a traditional practice in Hawaii called Ho’oponopono which means to put things right. Families would have a conference together and set their relationships right through prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, mutual restitution, and forgiveness. This ancient practice of Ho’oponopono has preceded Christianity in the Hawaiian culture and continues to be practical today. As families and communities both look for a means of resolving their problems, they consider the practice one of the soundest methods to restore and maintain good relationships inside and out of the family that any society has ever devised.

I discovered Ho’oponopono when I attended a meditation group conducted by Daryl Frazier (Hunaguy.com), a healer and motivational speaker who uses Hawaiian methods of healing in his practice. He teaches that we are all connected to everyone we know by aka chords and that these chords must be cut to restore inner and outer harmony. In the process of cutting these chords, we say, “Please forgive me if I have harmed you. I forgive you for any harm you have done to me.” I found the meditation to be very powerful and thought of my dad and others whose chords I needed to cut so I could get on to the work of forgiveness. Once past hurts are resolved in this way, greater peace and harmony can be achieved. Once this has been accomplished, we can now honestly say, “Aloha Ka Kou,” which means I greet all of us with my breath.

Hua Hui Ho (until we meet again) in that sunny plain on the other side of the horizon, Dad and all who’ve passed, “Aloha Ka Kou.”

My Favorite Secret Shopping Spots Exposed

If I had the means to shop at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Kitson, and Bloomingdale’s for nearly all of my purchases, I’m not going to lie—I probably would. There are such amazing designer collections sold at these stores that I would be honored to wear some of their pieces. But these places are above my means.

I am a fashion writer who enjoys the finer things in life all for a fabulous deal! So where do I go for my shopping needs? My secret shopping spot that allows me to stretch my dollar and buy my classic as well as trendy winter coats for mere change is . . . the Goodwill! Please note that this store is not hidden from the public; it just takes someone with an open mind and a level head to be able to walk into the Goodwill and have some fun shopping.

The last time my boyfriend and I decided to stop by and check out what’s new, I purchased two Forever 21 jackets: a cotton black blazer and a mauve and cream tweed coat for $10 total. There was a 2 for $10 special, and I was all over it! I was amazed with the brands I could find just sitting there waiting for a home. These two jackets are now two of my faves. I even wore the black blazer on television when I appeared as a fashion consultant for the morning show, “Southern California Living”; and I wore my tweed jacket to work the other day, which was ultra-comfy and ultra-editor chic.

And it was that very day that Steve and I shopped at the Goodwill that I realized how underground this retail outlet is. I witnessed two grown women aggressively arguing over a blouse that cost less than five bucks. One woman had her kids in the car waiting, and the other had her daughter standing right next to her. Not only did it seem funny seeing two grown-ups do the whole “But it was mine!” and “No, I saw it first!” I just couldn’t shake the thought that they were probably fighting over a $2 shirt. That seemed, at the time, childish and uncalled for.

NOW, looking back to a month ago, I realize that these women weren’t crazy. Not at all. They were bargain shoppers who both know a great deal when they see it. And how dare someone else get their paws on what they see as theirs! I get it now. That $2 item may have only been, yes, just two bucks, but the quality may have been out of this world. I understand. I’m right with ya, ladies.

By Elana Pruitt

Purchase a Present for Your Pooch This Holiday Season!

Those of us who have a pet will understand just how much a part of our family these adorable little creatures are. Our pets comfort us when we’re down, and are always happy to see us no matter what. Well . . . maybe not all pets. Cats can take you or leave you. Horses require a lot of maintenance, and I’ll save birds, reptiles, and those from the rat family for another occasion. But dogs? You gotta love em’! This gift guide was designed to offer a selection of items that will make you and your pooch happy.

Ralph Lauren for Dogs http://www.ralphlauren.com

Got a tiny pup? Ralph Lauren has great little outfits for your little pooch at reasonable prices. If you buy during the holidays, you’re sure to find great deals ranging from $60 to $500.

Reversible Sporty Puffer Vest – $87.50 (normal price $125)

USA Sporting Shawl Fleece – $52.50 (normal price $75)

Alligator Lock Collar – $224.00 (normal price $495)

Doggie Bags for Toy Dogs

Diana by Creature Couture – $189.99

http://www.thedoggiebagboutique.com/inc/sdetail/548

A fashionable carrier from Creature Couture, this bag is stylish, fun, and modern with its sleek lines and smooth pleather and available in

sophisticated black and white.  Capacity is up to 8lbs.

The Ruff Ruff Couture® Coco Bow® Carrier features quilted pleather with patent handles and bows, 2 outside pockets, inside zipper pocket, removable plush pad, interior leash, doubled sided mesh panels, and bottom metal studs to protect your bag.

Funny Fur Price:  $140.00

http://www.funnyfur.com/coco-bow-carrier.aspx

PETote Metro Pet Carrier

The Metro bag by PETote has the distinctive designer handbag look and features Italian leather trim, gold plated hardware, and high end fabrics. Perfect for the poshpooch!

Starting at $360.00

http://www.funnyfur.com/petote-metro-pet-carrier.aspx

Dog Beds

With so many choices for doggie beds, it can be confusing to decide. But if you are a discerning pet owner with chic taste, just any pet bed won’t do. Below is a selection of designer pet beds that will complement just about any interior decor.

1.      Nikki Dog Bed – Raised Wood Base with Metal Legs – $259 for small, $329.00 for medium, and $439.00 for medium

http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/nikki-dog-bed.html

2.      The Persian Kilim Napper Dog Bed was inspired by centuries old patterns and hand woven by skilled artisans. The Kilim cover of this unique dog bed is hand spun from vegetable-dyed wool backedby durable cotton duck.

·        36″L x 36″W x 5″H

·        Filled with cotton ticking for lasting comfort and support

·        Imported

The Persian Kilim Napper Dog Bed adds style to any room and of course, a comfortable spot to lounge.

$169.00 http://www.fetchdog.com/pet-supplies/dog-beds/dog-pillows/persian-kilim-napper/H10047

3.      Canine Chaise gives any room a redefined feel.
Spoil your dog with the supreme comfort of the Canine Chaise Lounge. This modern piece of pet furniture has a solid double foam base, and you can choose to attach the carved sloping arm to either side of the chaise. The accent pillows provide a luxurious touch to this exemplary crafted design.

· Available in Small, Medium and Large

· Top cushion removes for easy cleaning

· All covers are machine washable

· Accent pillows are included

· Upholstery grade foam increases longevity

The style and taste this dog bed will add to your home cannot be measured. Purchase a truly wonderful piece of designer furniture. $209.95

http://www.pet-super-store.com/html/Canine-Chaise-Lounge-Right.html

Doggie Toys

If you have a handbag obsessed hound the Chewy Vuitton Plush Squeak Toy Handbag

is perfect for an afternoon of shopping on 5th Ave. This is a product of HDD notaffiliated
with any designer.

Price $10.00 http://www.hautedogboutique.com

ZISC

This great flying fetch toy is made from a pliable material that is extremely tough, but gentle on your dogs mouth. It also is a very fast flyer. It comes in 3 great vivid colors. Dimensions: 8.5″ Your dog will love it! $14.97

http://www.blingblingpuppy.com/zisc-pr-209.html

Berber Fleece Bone Toy for Big Dogs – 22″

An oversized fleece berber bone for the big dogs to chew, toss and tug on.

Features:

  • Made of ultra-thick, durable fleece
  • Doubled stitched to endure hours of pawing, pulling, tugging, chewing, andbiting.
  • Only the best, longest-lasting squeaker noisemakers are sewn inside
  • Size:  22″ – Almost 2 feet long!

$14.99

Top 9 Fitness Gifts Under $150

1.      Motorola S9-HD

a.      There is nothing more motivating to exercise than good music. Get rid of those pesky cables for your favorite exercise enthusiast with these high quality sleek motivational headphones. High recommendation rating.

b.      Product Description –

The wireless music experience has been enhanced with an upgraded version of the award-winning MOTOROKR S9, the Motorola S9-HD. Freedom to exercise, move around and commute without wires to tangle or hold you back, is now enhanced with high-definition audio and ear buds that reduce background noise and improve comfort. The S9-HD is the benchmark of wireless music powered by Bluetooth wireless technology. The unique behind-the-head design creates a secure and stable fit–even in active conditions–plus easy to use controls for track selection, volume, play/pause and send/end that allow you to manage music and calls from the headphones.

c.      Where Can I get It? www.motorola.com

d.      How Much? $53-$120

2.      Denise Austin Power Belt Walking System

a.      Have a walking enthusiast ready for more of a challenge? This great gift willtake his/her walk to the next level.

b.      Product Description –

Walking is one of the most popular, convenient, and inexpensive ways to get and stay fit. Bottom line, it is safe and a fun way to get a great workout for your lower body. What about your upper body? Your lower body is doing all the work and receiving all the benefits from a healthy stroll, but your arms and shoulders do nothing. Hand weights are a popular addition to fitness walking, but they can cause strain on the arm, shoulder, and back muscles. They are also an inconvenience. What do you do with hand weights if, in the middle of your walk, you get tired? Do you plan on taking the weights with you when traveling? The solution is the Denise Austin Powerbelt walking system. It’s an effective, safe, and easy to use product developed for and inspired by walking for fitness. Easy to Use – Out of the box and on to your walking routine. * Effective – Burns up to 70% more calories than walking alone. * Versatile – Use it for walking, jogging, aerobics, and much more. * Safety – Smooth and safe resistance compared to hand weights. You already devote the time to walk. The result? A smaller waistline and strong, toned arms and shoulders.

c.      Where Can I Get it?    www.walkerswarehouse.com or www.amazon.com

d.      How Much? $54.95 – $85

3.      Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine

a.      Tired of undeveloped upper body? Rowing machines are high calorie burningcardio machines combined with fantastic resistance training for a toned upper body.

b.      Product Description –

Do you have limited workout space but plenty of motivation? Turn to the Stamina Body Trac Glider rowing machine, which offers a compact footprint of only 23.5 inches wide by 46 inches long, but offers the same terrific workout performance as machines twice its size. The Body Trac Glider is outfitted with a tough steel frame and an aluminum center beam that’s designed to withstand years of use. More significantly, the machine’s ball-bearing roller system and adjustable cylinder resistance arms mimic the smooth motion of rowing on the water. And because rowing is widely recognized as one of the best all-around activities for cardiovascular fitness and strength, the Body Trac Glider makes an ideal workout accessory for anyone who wants to get in tip-top shape. Rowing provides an efficient, effective, low-impact workout that utilizes all the major muscle groups, including the back, legs, arms, abdominals, and buttocks. It is also one of the best exercises for building a strong back, as well as one of the most effective low-impact aerobic exercises for increasing your metabolism. As a result, you can efficiently burn calories and fat without impacting your joints. In addition, the rower includes a multifunction fitness monitor that tracks your workout time, stroke count, and calories burned during your workout, along with the total strokes you’ve accumulated since owning the machine. The monitor displays each data point for six seconds before rotating to the next.

c.      Where Can I Get It?    www.amazon.com

d.      How Much?    $149.00

4.      INSANITY (TM) Work Out System

a.      It is time for the next sweat fest video to melt the pounds away. What I love about this DVD series is the nonstop intensity that is so vital to getting in the best shape of your life, well worth the price.

b.      Product Description –

INSANITY (TM) is the most challenging cardio program ever put on DVD. Your personal trainer Shaun T will push you past your limits with 10 workout discs packed with plyometric drills on top of intervals of strength, power, resistance, and core training. No equipment or weights needed. You don’t have to be in extreme shape to do it. As long as you’re ready to dig deep, Shaun will help you get insane results in just 60 days.

c.      Where Can I Get It? http://www.beachbody.com

d.      How Much?    3 payments of  $39.95

5.      Stamina InStride Pro Electronic Stepper

a.      Lots of cardio packed into one small package, an ideal gift for the cardio enthusiast who just can’t find the room for large equipment.

b.      Product Description –

A great workout companion for smaller homes as well as the office, the Stamina InStride Pro Electronic Stepper helps you get a cardio workout when taking a break at work or watching TV. Weighing just 20 pounds, the InStride Pro is small enough to toss into a workout bag, and it has a small footprint of just 12 x 16 inches. Resistance is provided by two hydraulic cylinders for smooth steps that work your calves, thighs, and buttocks as well as your core, while the aerobic aspect of the stepper helps you burn calories and fat. The battery-operated multifunctional fitness monitor times each workout and counts the number of steps, so you stay motivated and on track to reach your fitness goals. Two rubber resistance tubes connect to the stepper to add an upper body workout to your cardio routine. Detach the tubes from the InStride Stepper to tone and sculpt your legs, arms, chest, and back.

c.      Where Can I Get It? www.amazon.com

d.      How Much?    $60.00

6.      Balance Disc

a.      Product Description –

The Fit Disc can withstand up to 350 lbs. It promotes core stability and has many of the same benefits of a gym ball while performing lower back and abdominal exercises. Can be used in most chairs to support and challenge the spinal muscles while enhancing posture; for children with hyperactive nervous systems–enhances calmness and concentration. Can be used on the floor for exercises to improve balance and increase strength. Inflatable with a standard ball needle and pump.

·      Promotes core stability and withstands up to 350 lbs

·      Experience many of the same benefits of a gym ball while performing lower back and abdominal exercise

·      Inflatable with a standard ball needle and pump

b.      Where Can I Get It? Any sports store, Target, or www.amazon.com

c.      How Much? $15.99 – $25.99

7.      Perfect Pullup Complete System

a.      Pull Ups are a powerful exercise for fast upper body definition, but bad form can really hinder your workout. I love this product for keeping your form in line and making it so convenient at the same time.

b.      Product Description – Complete upper body workout, which includes the Deluxe Ab Straps! These Ab Straps allow you to do off-the-floor leg lifts and crunches the way the Pros do it.

Unique Rotating Handles
· Engages more muscles
· Reduces Joint Strain

Adjustable Swing Arms
· 3 Exercise Positions
· US Navy SEAL Inspired Workouts
· Makes Pullups Easy for Beginners

Complete Upper Body Machine
Get more from your workouts without having to leave the house.
Adjustable swing arms add new exercises like Australian Pullups and Standing Rows never before possible from a single pullup bar.
· Fits any door frame from 27″ – 36″ wide
· Easy installation in all standard door frames
· Easily removed from door frame
· Door can be closed while product is installed
· Handles and bar can support user weights up to 300 lbs*

c.      Where Can I Get It?    www.perfectonline.com

d.      How Much? $19.95 – $ 59.90

8.      Ironman Gravity 1000 Inversion Table

a.      Working out hard is great for us all but can sometimes leave our back hurting if done improperly. An inversion table allows your spine to naturally decompress without the constant chiropractic bill. A must have for all those workout warriors.

b.      Product Description – Reduce back stress by relieving pressure on vertebrae discs and ligaments. Fitness product is the perfect core and training device to reduce fatigue and stress. Exercise promotes blood circulation to relieve stiff muscles. Built with durable tubular steel frame with scratch resistant powder-coated finish. Supports up to 300 pounds and a user height up to 6 feet 6 inches. Extra long safety handles provide easy return to upright position. Vinyl safety covers are added for safety. Nylon backrest provides durability and comfort. Ergonomically molded ankle holders provide comfort and security. Easily folds for storage. Inverts up to 90-degrees Height adjustable up to 6 feet 6 inches

c.      Where Do I Get It?     www.overstock.com

d.      How Much?    $147.99

9.      Bodylastics Home Gym System

a.      Hands down the best resistance cord system I have seen (ordered my set as soon as I saw them). With a good resistance cord set you can recreate any large gym machine workout without the bulky expensive machine.

b.      Product Description –

Well, the statement above is not really true. This product is so versatile that the actual number of exercises is only limited by your imagination and creativity. However, to get you started, we start you off with the most effective exercises used for decades, to build the world’s best bodies.  All Bodylastics Home gym systems can create over 140 of the greatest exercises from the best equipped health clubs and gyms. We’re not talking about makeshift exercises that kind of do the same thing as the $20,000 machines; we are talking about the same exact exercises.

c.      Where Do I Get It? www.bodylastics.com

How Much?    $45.95 – $104.95