On Mondays we share our ideas to help you kick-start your week!

Have you noticed a shift in the air recently? The sun is peeking out, flowers are starting to blossom, and birds are chirping merrily. I even saw a jackrabbit yesterday! Nature is waking up from its long winter hibernation, and spring is definitely here!

This week, we encourage you to join in the spirit of the season and to relish all that it brings. I cannot think of a better way to enjoy nature than to surround yourself in it. Get outside – take a long walk, a good hike, or simply sit in nature for a while. Take a deep breath and soak up the glory of everything around you: the warmth of the sun, the fresh feel of the air, the smell of the flowers and the trees. Notice the rebirth of all of Mother Nature’s beautiful creatures.

As you take in the season, take note of the thoughts and feelings that arise in you, as well. In the spirit of renewal, ask yourself how you would like your own life to grow. Are there are any changes you would like to make? Any steps you would like to take toward improving your life? Is there anything you would like to begin or, perhaps, to renew?

What better time for a new beginning than in the spring? Follow in Mother Nature’s footsteps – now is the time for a fresh start!

~Kristen

Related Articles:
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Ways To Celebrate Spring While at Work

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TGiF! Enjoy one of our top picks in today’s Friday Faves…

Tired of the same old exercise routine? If you find yourself stuck in the rut of a workout that’s getting a little dull and isn’t giving results, then keep on reading. After two long years of working out on the treadmill (and, literally, not getting anywhere fast), I found a fabulous way to get lean, toned, and feel absolutely gorgeous – all in the comfort of my own home! And you can too!

The New York City Ballet Workout (on DVD) was designed by Peter Martins (New York City Ballet’s Master in Chief) along with a group of dancers, fitness trainers, and a physiotherapist, to create a workout program that is fun, different, and effective. It begins with an introduction by Sarah Jessica Parker (a timelessly gorgeous gal with one of NYC’s sexiest bod’s), who explains the benefits of the program and her own personal experience with it (yes, she uses it!).

Unlike many exercise routines these days (weight lifting, butt-blasting, cycling, etc.) that tend to bulk muscles up, or “shorten” them, this workout does the exact opposite – this workout is all about elongating your limbs. Longer muscles give you a slimmer look and more graceful movement. This style of workout is particularly great for women who want to be fit and toned, yet do not want the look of a body-builder. (Anyone with me on this?!).

The sixty-minute workout is set to elegant classical music and it incorporates the daily regime of professional ballerinas, such as: use of the bar, strengthening and stretching exercises, and cardio fitness. It will help you tone your abs and thighs, contour your waist and buttocks, and achieve the poise of a dancer, improving your overall posture and the way you carry yourself.

This alternative to the typical gym routine will actually have you looking forward to each and every workout. In addition, you can do this routine on your own time and whenever you want. You’ll enjoy yourself so much, you’ll look great before you know it!

~Jennifer Rosen

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At Home Alternative Fitness Methods 
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Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Workout, Strengthening, Fit, Toned, Alternative, Cardio, Exercise, Sarah Jessica Parker, New York, New York City Ballet, Sexiest

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On Thursdays we take you to “the well”; your source for inspiration and how-to’s.

Mothers these days have complex roles. They have to balance jobs, bills, errands, their homes, friends, and family… all, of course, in addition to taking care of their own well-being. Taking on all of this can lead to an overwhelming sense of stress and sometimes, even sheer chaos. Staying sane with such a hectic life is a daily struggle.

If you’re a mother who sometimes finds herself on overload, you know that the last thing you want to do is translate your problems to your children. So whether you’re going through a big, life change or just trying to get through a rough day, we’d like to share our top tips for helping all you stressed-out moms stay happy and sane:

1. Take a walk

Getting out in the open air is a great way to take the edge off. Even if you can only mange to walk around the block for ten minutes, do it! The change of scenery will help clear and refresh your mind.

2. Call a friend

Need someone to talk to? Pick up the phone and call a friend. When left to your own thoughts, it’s easy to spin the same things around over and over. A heart-to-heart with a good friend can help put things in perspective and will even put a smile on your face.

3. Pamper yourself

After a hard day, when you’re feeling mentally or emotionally beaten down, it’s OK to take a long bubble bath or relish a chocolate chip cookie. Meditation, massage (even if it’s a quick shoulder rub that you give yourself), breathing exercises, or having 15 minutes of “alone time” can do wonders for your happiness and your peace of mind.

4. Don’t stress about dinner

When you feel like you’re just about to collapse at the end of the day and the thought of cooking a full-on meal seems like the straw that broke the camel’s back, be easy on yourself. It’s easy to whip up a meal that’s delicious and nutritious. Spaghetti, grilled cheese, salads, and leftovers are all quick and easy choices. There are tons of simple, healthy meals that can come together in under 20 minutes.

5. Have some fun!

It’s hard to be stressed and worried when you’re busy having a good time. And a great way to forget about stress is to play with your children. Do something fun that you both enjoy and get into their world. It’s okay to give your problems on hold. And, who knows, maybe your problems will even disappear!

Next time you find yourself on overload, take a break with one of these tips. You’ll be ready to tackle anything!

~Jennifer Rosen

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Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Parenting, Stress, Relationships, Communication, Mother, Time

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Wellness on Wednesday is all about the natural you!

Spring is here, and with it’s arrival comes warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the one thing I dread most… my springtime allergies! I have had allergies for as long as I can remember and my symptoms wreak havoc on my body and my mood. They regularly consist of itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, bloating, gas, and, to top it all off, a flare-up of asthma and eczema. If you have allergies, you know that they can be a complete springtime mood-buster.

In the spring, everyone wants to be outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine, and allergy sufferers should not have to forfeit this joy. If you have allergies but refuse to let them get the best of you (as you should!) there are some things you can do. Even though you can’t control environmental factors such as mold, pollen, flowers, grass, and dust, there are some factors that you can control to prevent those dreadful allergy symptoms.

One of the simplest changes you can make is to your diet. The foods you eat play an important role in your body functioning and how you adapt to your environment. By adding or eliminating certain foods to your diet you can change how your body functions and adapts. With a little experimenting, you can learn a lot about how dietary changes can help alleviate your allergies.

Here are some natural nutritional solutions to reduce your allergy flare-ups:

- Eliminate Dairy – dairy causes a production of mucus in the nasal and throat membranes that can result in a sore throat, hoarseness, bronchitis, and ear infections. Try substituting soy milk, oat milk, rice milk, coconut milk, and hemp milk.

- Increase Your Omega-3s – omega-3 oils and fatty acids are natural inflammatory agents that can reduce inflammatory diseases such as asthma and migraine headaches. They can also help treat a variety of skin disorders. Try adding foods like fish, nuts, flaxseed, and hemp seed oil to your diet.

- Eat Red Fruits and Berries – red fruits and berries are rich in antioxidants that support cardiovascular and respiratory health. They inhibit inflammation which is an underlying factor in allergies and contain an ingredient that helps alleviate pain. Try raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, pomegranate, blueberries, and blackberries to name a few.

- Add Cayenne Pepper – high in vitamins, calcium, and potassium, this pepper aids in healing the digestive system, rebuilding the tissues in the stomach and intestines, and eliminating bloating or gas. Cayenne can be added to almost any savory foods and it gives an extra kick too!

It is important to remember that all foods can be an allergen. Certain foods may affect certain body systems, primarily the gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory and skin.

This year, get your allergies under control naturally. Enjoy your days outdoors and eat the foods that keep your body healthy and happy!

-Michele Diaz

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Top 5 Super Foods for Optimal Health

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Natural, Spring, Breathing, Allergies, Skin, Nasal Passages, Berries, Dairy, Omega-3

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Check out this week’s picks for our editorial faves:

Couture in the City: Dvb Jeans by David and Victoria Beckham
Okay so its official – I am giving up chocolate. And chips. And the occasional glass of wine I so soooo love. Actually I may as well give up eating all together if I am going to be able to indulge the latest love of my life. Yes, I have fallen again for the impossible, the gorgeous, the have to have latest buy that just happens to come in a size zero and is designed to make a size 4 look like a candidate for Jenny Craig.

Moms Buzz: 10 Commandments of Pregnancy Exercise
For those busy moms who are expecting their first baby, second or other #, and love to and can exercise, here are 10 handful tenets worth warding.

Shrimpton Couture Contest
Win $100 by sending in your suggestions!

Stiletto Jungle: Is Dreaming Tommy Hilfiger Delicious?
Three real-world women review the newest fragrance from Tommy Hilfiger.

Australia’s Amazing Remedy
A Must-Have for Your Medicine Cabinet - Discover the Wonders of Tea Tree Oil

Tot Snob Contest - Travel Horror Stories
Tot Snob wants to hear your worst travel horror story for a chance to win the CARES seat belt.

Win a $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Certificate from stylenotes
Register for a chance to win a $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Certificate from stylenotes starting on Tuesday, March 25th at 10am. Montgomery Ward offers an array of products ranging from home decor, furniture and bedding to fitness, pet care, jewelry,and apparel.

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