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Thursday, July 14, 2011

In the Spotlight: Activist Lisa Sellman

12:43 AM Hazel 1 comment

Guest Post:

What Can One Person Do?

Activist Reveals How One Act of Community Service Can Spark Thousands More

Don’t tell Lisa Sellman that one person can’t make a difference. She knows better.

Sellman, a community activist and lifelong volunteer, recently learned how one act of kindness can set off a chain reaction that can span the globe.

“It just started out with me asking a regional pet food company for a donation of dog food for Red Lake Rosie’s in Minnesota,” said Sellman, a professional dog trainer and owner of a pet care business. “I called Solid Gold Northland, and one of the marketing managers there advised me that they were trying to increase the number of people who ‘liked’ them on Facebook, and that if I could get 40 new Facebook members to click on their ‘like’ button, they’d give me $200 worth of pet food.”

So Sellman, who currently volunteers for six different community groups, sent a message out to all her Facebook friends inviting them to Solid Gold Northland’s fan page on Facebook. Somehow, the invite made it to the Facebook page of The Patrick Miracle, a page devoted to the story of a two year old pitbull found by a janitor in a dumpster. Their Facebook page has charted over 109,000 “like” clicks from users. When the founders of the page posted Sellman’s invite, Solid Gold Northland received more than 2,000 new fans from all over the world in the course of about 48 hours.

“When I contacted them the next week, they were blown away by how quickly the response took off,” said Sellman, also author of the children’s book The Legend of the Wolves of Gunflint Lake (www.dreamcatcherpress.us), which contains the theme of the value of community service and which she hopes will serve to inspire others. “As a result of the combined outreach, Solid Gold Northland and Chuck and Don’s Pet Food Outlet have committed a donation of $2,000 worth of pet food, and I’ve helped to forge new friends from other countries who all care about the same things I care about. And it all started with a simple posting on Facebook because I wanted to help a local animal shelter. It’s been magical.”

Sellman’s simple act was a drop in the bucket compared to her schedule of volunteer activities. She works as an after school care volunteer at the Minneapolis Indian Center, a special events assistant at the Loft Literary Center, a volunteer marketing director for canine events at the Gunflint Lodge (the real location contained in her children’s book), and a trail staff assistant with Wilderness Inquiry, where she and her husband take disabled children and adults on outdoor adventures throughout the US. They’ve been volunteers with this organization since 1997.

“Although I work hard, I love being able to serve my community.” Sellman said. “The people in all the organizations I’m involved with, all share my values and my world view and they are my friends and my family. The people and the activities fill up my life with fun, joy and a purpose I could never have achieved any other way. It doesn’t mean that I think everyone should take the same path that I have. I know most people don’t have the time. My point is this: it only takes one simple act, one click of a mouse button to start a movement. It happened to me and it can happen to you. All you need to do is give it a shot.”

About Lisa Sellman:

Lisa Sellman, owner and professional dog trainer at Aloha Pet Care & Dog Training, volunteers for half a dozen charitable organizations. She believes that community service is its own reward, a message that resonates throughout her new children’s book The Legend of the Wolves of Gunflint Lake.

Thanks to Lisa Sellman for sharing her story. I found it very inspirational and worthy of passing along!

Let's talk about it: What is the one thing you do to make a difference in your community? 

Get Energy! by Denise Austin Review and Giveaway

3:06 AM Hazel

Product: Get Energy!
Author: Denise Austin

Category: Health and Fitness

Price: $16.99

"With busy schedules, demanding careers, and little time, many of us battle just to stay awake. But energy is something that is in our control, even when time is short. Now fifty years young, fitness guru Denise Austin shows you how to super-charge your life using her innovative lifestyle plan. Eating the right foods at the right time of day, harnessing the power of stretching and breathing to feed your body with energy-enhancing oxygen, and participating in mini workouts all help to increase energy even on your busiest days." --excerpt taken from back cover.

When thinking about gaining energy, most of us probably think in terms of physical energy. Denise Austin address how to gain physical energy, as well as mental energy and emotional energy, in her new book, Get Energy! The book is divided into three sections:

Part one: Energy 101

Part Two: Energy Prescriptions

Part Three: High-Energy Living

In part one, there is a checklist to help you determine what is zapping your energy. You simply check the statements that apply to you. There are five different sections that cover lifestyle habits, state of mind relationships job and personal time and sense of purpose. For an example: Section A, I checked the following:

I skip breakfast most of the time, or have only coffee before noon.
I typically eat only one large meal a day, usually dinner.
I cut back on sleep at night to do housework or meet other personal or job-related obligations
and so forth...

At the end, you simply tally your check marks in each section to see what part of your life is causing you the most energy drain.

In section two, Denise shows some simple stretching that can help you to start your day. Don't worry, these are simple exercises that are meant to get your blood flowing. She emphasizes proper posture, and explains how your diet affects your energy level, as well as the importance of a good night's sleep (my main problem being a chronic night owl). My favorite chapter in this section is Chapter 5: Change Your Outlook, Recharge Your Life. In this chapter, Denise encourages you to laugh!!! She talks about the power of positive thinking and how helping others can give emotional energy! She gives some tips for an "attitude makeover" and plenty of ideas on how to reduce the stressors in your life. She has great insight and when reading this with an open-mind, it is easy to see areas in your life that you can change so that you are not overloading yourself with stress. She gives a formula for a balanced life:

B - Be flexible

A - Accept a less-than-tidy house

L - Learn to manage your time

A - Ask for help

N - NO! (just say it, it's okay)

C - carve out family and "me" time

E - Enjoy life!

In part three, you develop a personal energy plan worksheet. It's purpose is to help you to consider your habits, schedule and gives you the tools to devise a 14 day pep plan. It includes many checklists and words of wisdom to help you through your day with more energy, including a 20 minute workout illustrated with photos of proper technique.

I would not read this book as an exercise book, but more as a tool toward developing an understanding about how you can reduce the stress in your life and make your life easier so that you are more physically, mentally and emotionally able to handle the stressors of life. It is a great little self-help book and you will find that once you start reading it, it is hard to put down. Not all the information will be new to you. Some of it will be common sense, but some of the ideas presented will allow you to think outside the box a little. I would think of it as a feel-good book, because by the time you finish it, it leaves you motivated to make some changes in your life.

How to Connect:

DeniseAustin.com

Denise Austin on Twitter

Denise Austin on Facebook

For iPhone users, download the free iPhone application

Where to Purchase: Amazon.com

One winner will receive a copy of this book for their very own!! Open to U.S. and Canadian Residents aged 18 years or older. No P.O. Boxes. Winners are subject to the one copy per household rule, meaning if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will only receive one copy of the book in the mail. This is per sponsor's request.

Giveaway ends on March 10, 2011, Midnight Central Time.

Ortholite Fusion Insoles Review

8:01 PM Hazel 2 comments

Product: Ortholite Fusion Insoles
Category: Health and Fitness
Price: $19.99

Sometimes, slipping on a new pair of shoes is like slipping your feet into a portable cloud!! Ever get that feeling?! It's usually because a new shoe gives your foot a new insole to rest upon, creating an immediate improvement over your old shoes! Sure, there are after-market insoles that you can put in your shoes, but not all insoles are the same. Not all insoles offer you moisture management, anti-microbial agents, long term cushioning or breath-ability, but the new Ortholite Fushion insoles do just that and so much more! I call them new, but these insoles have been on the market for some time, hiding out in some of your favorite brand shoes such as Reebok, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Timberland, Fila, Prada, Puma and many more. It is simply the first time that these insoles have been available to the general public as a separate entity from your favorite shoe! Now you can make any brand of shoe as comfortable as some of the more popular brands seen on the market!!

My greatest downfall with shoes is that I hate to wear socks. I know...how disgusting right? I agree with you! Trust me, no one wants to be near me when I take my shoes off in the summer time. Yes, it's that bad. I hate throwing away my shoes simply because they get that funky odor to them, so I try to mask it with foot powders. Yep, you guessed it...just makes it smell like smelly feet and powder. I decided to try the Ortho Lite Fushion insoles in one of my most comfortable walking shoes. I tore out that old stinky insole and measured it against the OrthoLite insole. I had ordered a size 8 for myself, and I didn't even have to trim at all. Perfect fit. I was a bit hesitant about wearing the insoles. I've used insoles in the past that have done nothing but make my feet sweat even more, but the OrthoLite insoles use a moisture managment system that helps to keep moisture away from the foot, due to the open cell structure design. Any moisture dries up fast as the airflow through the open cell network is much greater than any insoles I've used in the past. Best of all, even if the Ortholite did cause some sweating, all I have to do is take them out, toss them in the wash, and viola, good as new!! Plus, the EPA/FDA approved anti-microbial formulation helps to fight fungus, bacteria and odor!

My husband ordered a pair for himself as well. He uses big heavy work boots all day long, and his feet are often wet. His old insoles had to be rolled out as they had gotten so thin, it was hard to grab hold. He loves his Ortholite insoles. Not only do they provide him the extra cushioning, but the Ortholite insoles have a spring-back technology that helps them to retain over 95% of their thickness over time, meaning they won't flatten out like his old insoles did!

Overall, we were both very pleased with the Ortholite Fushion Insoles and I will be purchasing several of these to replace the insoles in my daughter's shoes. She is pigeon-toed, like her mother, so she wears down her insoles quickly on one side. My hope is that these will help to keep her shoe from forming so much to the inward turn of her foot, and provide her more support until she is able to train her feet to the proper position. She wears the same size shoe as me, so I feel confident that this will at least make her shoes fit more comfortable.

Important Facts: These insoles are not made to go over existing insoles, but are instead made to replace existing insoles, so be certain that you can remove the insoles for the shoes you intend to use the Ortholite insoles in.

Giving Back: I love companies that give back to the community. For every pair of Fushion Insoles purchased, Ortholite will donate $1 to the Level Field Fund, a grant-giving program that strives to bridge gaps in funding to uniquely talented atheletes.

Where to Buy: Amazon.com

Discount: Save $5.00 on a pair of Fusion insoles when you order from Amazon.com. Simply use the code
"INSOLES$5"

Cool Off Towelettes Review and GIVEAWAY

4:20 PM Hazel 1 comment

Product: Cool Off Personal Cooling Towelette
Category: Health and Fitness
Price: $14.99 for 24 count

Have you ever been outside attempting to enjoy the nice day, but quickly become overheated? Do you participate in physical exercise that often leaves you feeling sweaty and hot? Do you have hot flashes or fainting spells? Then, let me introduce you to a product called Cool Off.

Cool Off is the mastermind of five individuals who wanted a product that could cool them off quickly. They did much research, determining the right blend of ingredients to use and figuring the easiest method for application. What they came up with was a product that contained cooling herbs, botanicals and essential oils. It was not sticky nor smelly and provide instant relief from the heat while delivering a cool blast of energy while at the same time, smoothing and moisturizing your skin. It is derived from the following ingredients:

witch hazel
denatured alcohol
glycerin
aloe vera
arnica
seaweed extracts
chamomile flower extract
lemon peel extract
red clover
st. john's wart extract
oat kernel extract
flaxseed
fennel
wild yam
tea tree oil
black cohosh
white tea leaf
parabens

If you would like more information on how these ingredients work, please visit here. These blend of herbs oils provide relief from the heat at home, work and play! It comes in a convenient disposable single use package.

To use, simply tear packet open, remove towelette and give a quick shack. It unfolds much like a moist towelette from a restaurant would, and the concept is much the same. Simply press the towelette on the back side of your neck, arms, back, knees, etc and hold against the skin until the ingredients take affect. You can blot your forehead and cheeks too if you feel the need, but do not get near your eyes or personal areas, as it cause an uncomfortable burning sensation. Soon after, your skin will have a cool, tingly sensation and you will feel the cooling affect of the ingredients. This cooling affect will last about 30 minutes and then will slowly fade. To reactivate the cooling sensation, just splash your skin with water in the same places you previously blotted the towelette. The cooling affect will then return for a short while.

My experiences: It was my idea to try this product as my husband works outdoors in one of his many jobs and is constantly under the glare of the sun. He used the Cool Off Towelettes and reported back to me that it did indeed cool his skin. He had been working out in the heat of the day (a few months back) and applied Cool Off to the back of his neck and forehead. It worked fast and he did feel that it gave him some relief. However, he did give a word of caution that I feel is important to share. He was sweating as well, and so after he applied the Cool Off to his forehead, the sweat made the Cool Off ingredients travel on his skin, until they were eventually getting into his eyes. So, on really hot sweaty occasions, it might be best to ignore the forehead region. As for me, I use the Cool Off Towelettes when I am at the fitness center. I always start off wearing a work out jacket and pants, but soon after the warm up, I start to feel hot. It is then that I apply the Cool Off. It helps me to feel cool for another thirty minutes at least, and it makes working out more comfortable! I like how it isn't so overbearing, but a gentle tingle, so it doesn't feel like I am on fire! I will be packing these with us this summer for our camping trips and when we participate in outdoor activities.

Where to Buy: Amazon.com, CVS.com

One lucky reader will win a 12-Count box of Cool Off for themselves!!! Simply fill out the form below to be entered. Must be aged 18 years or older and be a U.S. resident to win. Void where prohibited by law.

Giveaway ends on February 25, 2011 at midnight central time

Quick Links:
Cool Off on Facebook
Critique of the Unique on Twitter

Critique of the Unique - Holiday Gift Guide 2010

12:02 AM Hazel

Critique of the Unique would like to welcome you to the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. Here are the sponsors that I will be featuring throughout the months of November and December. Be sure to watch this page as each item will eventually be linked to a review that will provide more information about the product as well information as to where to purchase! Some of the items listed below will also be available in a GIVEAWAY to the readers of this blog!! Not only can you enter to win some of the products below, but each entry will enter you to win the GRAND PRIZE (announcing soon), so be sure to come back and enter each giveaway for extra chances to win!

To enter any of the giveaways listed below, simply click on the title that is linked to the actual review and giveaway form!!!