Your Relaxation Rx- Mind/Body Alternatives to Common Problems

"It is amazing how much crisper the general experience of life becomes

when your body is given a chance to develop a little strength"

-Frank Duff

Life can be rough. 
It can bring about a lot of different ailments.
So many people are stressed out, overworked/underpaid, tired, and achy.

It's easiest to take some medication to help with your ailments, but I believe it's better to get to the source of the problem to try and fix it instead of just masking it.

Here are some tips for some alternative methods to a few common health problems from Self Magazine:

Stressed Out? Why You May Be Feeling Frantic These Days...

"Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency."

-Natalie Goldberg

Do you feel like you never have enough time?
Do you  have a crazy To-Do List that just keeps getting longer and longer?
Do you pass out from exhaustion frequently... and in public places? (haha.. ok.. maybe that's just me...)
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you probably have a lot of stress in your life and should read on.
If you answered yes to these questions but don't feel stressed about it... please share your secret!


I recently read an article in an old issue of Cosmopolitan magazine that I totally connected with.
It seems like everyone is running around with too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Maybe this article will help you with a few tips to feel less stressed.
Maybe you'll realize you're not the only one who feels a lot of pressure and is always tired.
Maybe you'll be too busy to read this.....

Whatever the case may be, here is an interesting article on stress and a few ways to cope with it.

Are UV Nail Dryers Safe?

I don't usually get my nails done in a salon (I'm more of a D-I-Y type of girl), but when I do, I've always been a little paranoid about using the UV Nail Dryers.
I typically try to avoid using them because you never really know how much damage can actually be done.
Also, I would never use a tanning bed for my body (use a self-tanner!), so why would I use one on my hands?

I recently read an article in the March 2011 issue of Allure magazine on this topic.

10 Reasons To Exercise

We all know that exercise is good for you and can be beneficial in many ways.
Here's a quick and condensed list of reasons that will hopefully motivate you to get off your butt and work it out!

These are tips from Oprah's trainer Bob Greene in Oprah Magazine's January 2011 issue.

The only exercise some people get is 

jumping to conclusions, 

running down their friends, 

side-stepping responsibility, 

and pushing their luck!

Thou Shalt Obey The 10 Commandments of Anti-Aging... OR ELSE!

"Say what you will about the ten commandments,

you must always come back to the pleasant fact that there are only ten of them"

-H.L. Mencken

There are certain things you know you should do, but don't end up doing.
Well... Here I am to help refresh your memory on the little beauty facts that you know you should follow, but probably don't on a regular basis.

Just as I'm pretty good at keeping mooooost of the real Ten Commandments (#3 is probably the one I break the most..... I can curse like a sailor....)  I DO keep most of the following beauty commandments.
Of course it's hard to follow the rules all the time... but the more consistent you are, the easier it'll be!

Here are the 10 Beauty Commandments of Anti-Aging according to an online Allure magazine article:

10 Thoughts On Whole Living

I have tons of things hanging on the walls in my apt.
In my bedroom, I have Posters and Pictures, Vision/Inspiration Boards, Calendars, and too many dry erase boards to count (ok, 7 that I can see around me).
Right by my door, I have an ooooooold article (June 2005) from Body and Soul Magazine.

Winter Essentials

OMG.  This winter weather is unbearable!?!?! Old Man Winter~ You're killing me!!!

Now, I'm the type of girl that carries jackets and sweaters around in the summer, but this is ridiculous!
We've had too many snowstorms on the East Coast (and there's still a lot of winter left!), the wind and cold air is brutal, and everyone is sick!

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change the weather for the better right now  (although I definitely think we've contributed in making it worse~ GLOBAL WARMING!!!)
However, there are things we can do to stay warm, stay healthy, look and feel better!

Here are my tips on surviving this horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad winter!

*~*~* These are all older posts, but it's the same advice I'd give now and it may be new to you!  *~*~*

*~ Glorious Grapefruit ~*

There is a very limited variety of fruits I eat on a regular basis....
I basically only eat fruits that you can just wash and eat.
(I can't cut fruit... idk why it's so difficult.... I've tried learning... but alas one cannot be good at everything....right?)

One of my favorite fruits is Grapefruit.

Happy National Grapefruit Month!!! (yes~ apparently it exists....)

My mom always used to cut me grapefruit with a sprinkle of sugar on it: I'd eat it with my little fruit shaped beveled spoons~ Delicious!
Now that I'm older, I usually eat grapefruit by peeling it, opening the clear skin, and eating it slice by slice. (It can be a little messy, but I like it).

However you may eat it, Grapefruit is a delicious, healthy, ball of sweet and sour goodness!
Here is an article about this fabulous fruit from Bergen Health and Life :

You can find the fruit in three main varieties, categorized by the color of their flesh:
White, Pink/Red, and Star Ruby/Rio Red

Beauty Resolutions For 2011

Ahhh... A New Year.  A New Start.  A New Beginning.
For most people, January 1 is a time of renewal and the start of a "clean slate".
An excuse to get rid of bad habits and a time to start good ones.

Here are some of the top 10 Beauty Habits I hope you will follow.
Yes, they're obvious.... but if you actually put in the effort, I know you will see results.

Shoo Flu, Don't Bother Me: Fighting Off A Cold

The cold weather is here on the East Coast and it seems that everyone is sick or fighting off a cold.

I've also been fighting a cold, but luckily, I've been putting up a good fight and have yet to be sick.

I used to be sick CONSTANTLY when I was a teacher: I never seemed to get the "teacher immunity" even though I was a germ-o-phobe who constantly washed my hands and taught for 4-5 years.

In the 3 years since I haven't been a Pre-School teacher, I rarely get sick (Maybe 1-3 times a year).

Here are my tips and tricks to prevent and fight a cold:

The Power of Pilates

Last summer, I lived in bikinis.
This summer, I've been hiding under the largest shirts and jackets I can find.
After months of struggling with what to wear to hide my muffin top (and not the typical mini muffin... I'm talking the ginormous "Otis Spunkenmeyer" muffin tops!),
I was on a mission to get in shape.

Eat Your Way To Healthier Hair

(This is from an article in Metro New York)

Healthy Hair SOS

Forget the miracle shampoos that claim to fix any problems you have with your hair- a better diet is the cheapest and most efficient way to tame your tresses

The quality of the hair on your head depends on the circulation to hair roots and the amount of nutrients present in your body to feed your hair.  Nutritionist Michelle Kingston tells us the top five hair problems- and how to treat them.

*Sniff Sniff*: Help for Allergies, Colds, and a Stuffy Nose

A few years ago, I remember I heard about a Netti Pot.  Here's a crazy video showing what the Netti Pot looks like.

Now I liked the idea of cleaning my sinuses, but the video was just too weird for me to want to stick a teapot up my nose!

I started using the Nasal Saline Spray because it was easier to use, quick, and really seemed to make a difference in preventing colds.
I also like it because it's a natural way of preventing sickness/allergies ~  (I AM a Modern Hippie)

Self Workout in the Park

I love Health Events.
Now that the sun is starting to shine.. it's time to hit up Central Park for Self Magazine's Workout in the Park!

Self's Workout In the Park takes place in NYC this Saturday 5/8 from 11-3 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Rain or Shine... It's on~*
(There's also Chicago's Workout In the Park on 5/15)

Tickets are $20, but you get a year's subscription to Self Magazine, a bag filled with goodies, and up to a 4 hour workout!  What a deal!
As a bonus, 50% of proceeds go to help the Susan G. Komen Foundation and CancerandCareers.org

Click Here to check out the Schedule of classes available
I'm excited for the Yoga and Meditation classes!   

Celebrity Yoga Trainer Mandy Ingber (whose client includes Jennifer Anniston, will be there teaching Yogalosophy (a workout combining yoga poses with toning exercises)

Click Here to watch a video from the WB about the event.
The fabulous Asian woman is my cousin... God Bless her for doing that embarrassing workout on t.v. for all of NYC to see.... I hate dance classes in a gym setting~ I feel awkward just watching them... but that's just me....

Hope you can make it out!

* No Bags larger than a backpack and No Pets Allowed!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Cleanliness is Fabulousness

Those of you that know me know I love to clean. Ironic because I am one of the messiest people you may meet.  I actually have a friend that will call me when she watches shows like "Hoarders" and other specials of people that are out of control ("Irene, I just saw this show and I thought of you.  You have to watch it so you don't become like them!")


Anyway, I may be messy... but I am NOT dirty.  I guess in everything, I like to make something better than it is (Hello.. MAKEOVER)  When I'm finished cleaning, I feel accomplished.  I like to see a sparkling sink that had been filthy 20 minutes ago.  Mold, Dust, Mildew BEGONE!  I especially love cleaning my guy friends' apartments~ they really are so much dirtier than girls.... which is why I have a greater sense of accomplishment when I'm finished.

There have been many a dirty bathrooms and kitchens I have cleaned in my life time.  I believe that over the years, I have come up with a good arsenal of cleaning products to get your house in spic and span order.  Here is my list:

1. Oreck Vacuum- I bought one a few years ago for hundreds of dollars... but it's sooo worth it.  I bought one of the XL ones that comes with a 10 year warranty.  If you break it, they'll fix it.  It's light. It gets the job done. It's great. They come in all different price ranges... and they're awesome. I think it's worth the investment to buy a good vacuum.

2. Scotch-Brite Dobie Cleaning Pad- This is my FAVORITE cleaning tool.  It is a yellow sponge encased in white mesh plastic netting.  It is FABULOUS at getting rid of stuck on items (Although make sure you soak your dirty dishes first!). It scours without scratching!  You know that gross moldy/watery mess thats left when you lift up your cup by the bathroom sink? GONE!  They come in sets of 2 or 3, are cheap, and last for a VERY long time.  BUY THESE SPONGES!

3. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser-  This stuff is amazing.  You don't use it on everything, but it gets rid of all kinds of nastiness that you never thought would disappear.  It really is magic!  I especially like to use this on chrome fixtures (sinks, shower) and it does a really good job of getting the yuckiness off the glass shower doors.  They don't last as long as I would like (although I use the original... I'm sure the newer ones are better), but you only need these for problem areas so they can last long.

4.  Disinfecting Wipes- I use both the Clorox (Fresh Scent) and Lysol (Spring Waterfall Scent)  They are the best.  Dirty toilet seat? Swipe.  Spilled Chicken liquids (YUCK)? Wipe. Broken Bright Blue Eyeshadow all over your bathroom floor?  It cleans it ALL!  I buy them by the bulk since you get a better deal and you'll always be able to use these.  I especially recommend these if you have children.  You need to disinfect, but you don't want to be spraying around chemicals everywhere....  As a former pre-school teacher... these babies are excellent germ killers

5.  Purex Laundry Detergent- I have been using Purex for years.  It's cheap, has great scents, and gets the job done.  Sometimes I mix it up with Tide and I usually put in some Borax or Oxy Clean... but it's my laundry staple.  And I only put in half a capful

***TIP*** Recently... I found that I had 2 hideously huge brown stains on the sleeve of my WHITE VERSACE coat!!! AGHHHHH!!!!  I washed it... it didn't go away.  I bleached it.... still there.  I tried soaking it in my dad's denture cleanser STAIN AWAY (so sad he has false teeth....) and OMG! It's not gone... but it's a hell of a lot lighter!!! Now it's only2 small beige stains   =)  Now I wouldn't recommend this to everyone because I don't want to be blamed for ruined clothing... but if you have something that is beyond repair and you've got nothing to lose... try it.

6. Club Soda- I'd HEARD about this tip for getting spills out since forever, but I don't drink Club Soda so I never got to experience the magic that is Club Soda until recently.  I am visiting little baby Mason with Susan.  Moona is cooking spaghetti with red meat sauce. I place the plate on the table.  Susan (WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING MASON!) suddenly screams out "OH MY GOD!"   I turn around to see a huge plate of red spaghetti all over Moona's light gray carpet.  I kind of had a mini panic/heart attack inside but tried to hide it.  "DO YOU HAVE CLUB SODA?!?!" I scream in desperation.  I have never been so intent on getting a stain out.  After pouring 3 cans of club soda... Amazingly... there is no stain to be seen.  A cleaning Miracle!

7.  Net Cleaner- Ancient Korean Secret. We Asians come up with lots of nifty things.. this has to be one of the best.  Instead of cleaning with a gross bacteria magnet that is the sponge, many koreans use a medium sized netting that is soooo much better than a sponge.  It is more sanitary (since it dries faster), You don't need a lot of dishwashing liquid to make lots of bubbles, and it lasts a long time.  I stock up on these when I go to the Korean supermarket.  If you can find these at an Asian grocery store around you, I highly suggest you pick one up.  Oh... and most Asians don't use their dishwashers as more than a drying rack~ we do it by hand.  Confuses the heck out of my American friends.. but you should try it.  Do you know how much water is wasted in the dishwasher?!?!


So.... I hope I have introduced you to some new products that will make your house spic and span. And if not... Oh well... just tell yourself this:

"If the shelves are dusty and the pots don't shine, it's because I have better things to do with my time"

Teeth and my love of Dental Floss

"The World Always Looks Brighter From Behind a Smile"


So after over 1.5 years of not going to the dentist, I finally found time in my busy schedule to go to my old dentist in NYC. I hadn't been to him in 9 years, but he's still as awesome as I remember. He's kind, patient (even when I flinch at every move he makes), and he makes things as comfortable for me as possible (Even handing me an ELLE magazine to calm down when he went to check out my X-Rays).


So I was EXTREMELY nervous that I had at least 5 cavities and a few root canals (Yes, This has happened to me before... Probably the only teeth that haven't been worked on are my front teeth) After months of passing out on my couch and having to brush my teeth at 6 in the morning when I woke up (Gross... I know... but I was exhausted!), eating tons of candy all the time, and feeling spasms of pain over the course of the year... I was soooo nervous of what the outcome would be.

I was ECSTATIC to find out that not only were my teeth in pretty good condition, but I had NO cavities! Now that may be a normal thing for you, but this has happened maybe 2 or 3 times before in my life. I ALWAYS have something wrong with my teeth.... And it drives me nuts because I normally (sans the past few months) brush my teeth with extreme care and floss everywhere.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Now how did I have this horrible dental lifestyle and come out with no cavities you ask? DENTAL FLOSS! I floss religiously. It drives my friends nuts. They always yell at me because I'll floss anywhere. It seems to annoy them the most when I do it in the car ~ "OH MY GOD, IRENE! That's so disgusting!!!! Do you HAVE to do that now?!?!" My response to them. "YES" =D

I never used to be a religious flosser, but I picked it up at some point in college. I think it was because I have extremely tiny teeth and when things get stuck in there, toothpicks don't get them out. I floss after every meal, when my teeth feel grimy, or when I eat some sticky candy (although I usually try to brush since floss doesn't always get all the candy out).

Once you floss, you never go back. It seriously becomes an addiction... but a good one! You're teeth are cleaner, you feel refreshed, and you're (apparently) preventing cavities from forming! And if you get the minty kind, you'll get fresher breath (Say No to Bad Breath!)

I like to use ORAL B Essential Floss because it's thin so it doesn't get caught between your teeth, its packaging is small and convenient (so you can carry it wherever you go), and it's cheaper than most dental flosses. If you look in my beauty closet, you'll probably find 3-4 new flosses lying around... and I DO go through all of them.


My advice to you... Floss. It takes less than a minute, and it'll be so much better for you! And you only get two sets of teeth (Your first set are already gone...)

Oh yeah... I'd been using the Crest Spin Brush and apparently it may have led to my receding gums (oh well.. better than a receding hairline, no?) Because it goes in a circular motion, it can be too tough on the gums. My dentist said a mechanical toothbrush isn't necessary, but if you do use one, to use the SONICARE because it vibrates.

If you use a manual, use a soft brush. Medium and Hard Bristles can be too tough on the gums. I told him I'm going back to my favorite toothbrushes from Korea~ the CLIO. If you can find these babies in an Asian supermarket, I highly suggest you buy them. They're AWESOME!


So... go to your dentist every 6 months, brush and floss daily, and stay away from hard brushes! And most importantly.... SMILE!!!!! =D





"Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles." -George Eliot

Yoga and Pilates

Beauty is not just about having a great haircut, wearing a hot outfit, or having flawless makeup. I truly believe that beauty does emanate from within. The way one looks is a big part of beauty... but there are so many other aspects of being beautiful. Now, I can go into a whole thesis on this topic, but I will spare you. Instead, I will say that an enormous part of beauty is your self-image.
How healthy you are can also have a huge impact on how you feel about yourself.

I never used to exercise~ in fact... I hated it. When people told me they worked out, I would say, "Oh.. you're one of those people..." But as we get older and metabolisms slow down... you can't eat Wendy's cheeseburgers at 1 in the morning and still expect to be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning with a flat stomach (oh... how I miss those days)!

I actually started doing yoga about 3 years ago. It eventually led me to venture outside the world of "anti-exercise". I LOVE yoga. Those that know me know that I am an extremely high-strung person with a lot of energy. And when bad things happens... I can get extremely stressed out and am a mess. Yoga is one of the very few things that keeps me calm and relaxed.

There were many benefits of Yoga that I experienced, but here are my top 3:

1. A Calm and Relaxed state of mind- After doing a lot of bendy moves, there's nothing as calming as relaxation pose. Basically, you lie flat on your back with your arms to your side and legs open. Even if you don't do yoga, this is a great thing to do at the end of a hard day. Even a minute or two makes a huge difference

2. Healthier lifestyle- Not only did I feel physically better, I also wanted to live better~ quit smoking, eat healthier foods, exercise more. Yoga makes you feel better both mentally and physically

3. Better Body- I have been pretty skinny for most of my life and I fluctuate in weight a lot... but one part of my body that I HATED were my calves. I had skinny chicken legs... but big calves... so my legs basically looked like a drumstick! After doing yoga for a few months, I noticed that my legs were a LOT slimmer and I actually started wearing shorts and skirts!

Now I actually started doing yoga with DVDs because I didn't want to embarrass myself in a class. These are a few really great DVDs for all different uses. I have two favorite instructors that I absolutely love ~ Sara Ivanhoe and Ellen Barrett. They have many DVDs and have been featured in countless magazines and shows as experts in their field.

Sara Ivanhoe is great because she's very calming, encouraging, and doesn't push you. She's a perfect yoga instructor who's not boring, or too demanding. She's JUUUSSST right. And you WILL get a great workout without even knowing it (Pop some Advil the next morning.. you'll be fine) If you're in the California area and can take a class with her... RUN to the yoga studio!

Ellen Barrett is just as great as Sara. She does more Pilates workouts mixed with Yoga. She's good if you want to get more of a cardio workout. She has great energy and really keeps you motivated. I was lucky enough to take a class with her and she is so awesome. If you live in Connecticut, go to her classes!

These are my favorite DVDs from them:

Crunch- The Perfect Yoga Workout: The Joy of Yoga and Fat-Burning Yoga

This was the first DVD I used so it holds a special place in my heart.

* It has two workouts in one~ I actually find the Fat-Burning Yoga workout to be easier for me... but it may be because I started off with that one. I do the Joy of Yoga when I feel like I want a little tougher workout

* They are both around 45 minutes of workout. Sometimes I like to just do 20 minutes and I still feel a burn the next day. I actually only did 20-30 minutes the first month and then eventually I found that I could do the whole DVD without having a heart attack!

* This workout is great for beginners and more practiced Yogis alike.

Sara Ivanhoe's Yoga Body Makeover Series

* This is a series of 20 minute Yoga workouts for all different areas. I love these cause you can get a good workout in only 20 minutes, or do a lot of them if you're buff Yogi!

* They are in the flow style, so you're never holding a pose too long. It's not too difficult, but it definitely pushes you and you can go at your own pace

* You can choose what problem area to work on- legs, arms, stomach, etc.

* The scenery is really nice~ She does Yoga on grass with trees and ocean in the background

Crunch Burn and Firm Pilates

* This is the DVD to use if you really want to get toned and get a good cardio workout. I still can't do the whole DVD, but even 20 minutes of this baby 2 or more times a week makes a big difference! I usually finish around the time the Pilates Mat Section starts and I skip over some of the hard stuff
* The lady Erin in the back is so cute! Very smiley~ Follow her for the easy version
* I like to do about 10-20 minutes of this ('cause it totally kicks my butt) and then do a quick Yoga DVD so I get both cardio and stretching~
* This isn't easy (and it's harder than you'll think) so start out slow and work your way up. A few weeks of this and you're body will be SMOKING.... or at least better than it was before! ;)

Crunch SuperSlimdown: Pilates Yoga Blend

This is my favorite Ellen Barrett DVD. It's a good mix of Yoga and Pilates moves. It's very free flowing, but not too difficult. There's one or two moves that I feel really stupid doing... but you're doing it at home so who cares!

*This one is for all levels~ Beginners can stop at whatever point and work their way up. People more advanced can always get deeper into the stretches
*This DVD is good for people who may think Yoga is too slow or doesn't like holding stretches for a long time. You're moving from one position to the next at a little bit of a quicker pace. Great for people who have no attention span like me!
*My favorite exercise is the Willow because I feel like it gets everything stretched out at once




So... I hope you are able to check out these 2 amazing women. They will help you get healthier, happier, motivate you, and hopefully help you to exercise on a regular basis. These women changed my life. I hope they change yours too! Namaste~* (The Light Within Me Honors the Light Within You)