Heatwave: You’ve Got to Cool It Now…

The heat. The heat. I’m melting.

Welcome to the Heat Dome. What is a heat dome? It’s some meteorological term. But frankly I don’t care. Just make it go away.

We are in Day Three (it’s like a hostage crisis) with heat indexes over 100 degrees, and maybe Texans and Floridians can handle this. But us Midwesterners are about to lose it.

Since I’m holed up in my air-conditioned office, I thought I would provide a community service and list some of my favorite summer survival gear.

There’s a little something for everyone.

Hit the Beach, with frozen Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, grapes (all better frozen IMHO), and some icy cold beverages, toted in these totally cute insulated bags from Ban.do priced at $32-$34.

Need something a little bigger for your crew? Maybe everyone can chip in on this little piece of paradise, a cooler with a cool breeze. YASSSSSSS, please. The Icybreez cooler from Wayfair.

After work last night, I emerged from our sublimely temperature-controlled office, into a blast furnace. The temperature inside my car, which had been baking in the sun all day, was up to a toasty 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Lovely. If I’d planned ahead, I might have thought of one of those old-school reflective shades that roll across your windshield. Instead, I sat down on my black leather seats, and scalded the backs of my thighs. In any event, a hand-held mini-fan, powered by AAA batteries or a USB Cable, really would have come in handy.  They’re available for about $12.00 from Rakuten.

When I got home, I wasn’t the only one who was feeling the heat. The puppies were feeling it, too. Hopefully, I don’t need to tell anyone how important it is to make sure your pets have access to plenty of fresh water, and that they shouldn’t be left outside for more than 15 minutes, or alone in a car, even with the windows open, at all in this weather. There are several ways to keep your dog cool, with a cooling vest, from Dr.s Smith & Foster or a Pet Cooling Mat for just $19.99 at Target.

I also found some fabulous coolers for infants and toddlers, Meeno Babies “Cool Mee” Car Seat and Stroller liners with a 3-ply mesh that keeps baby comfy and safe from the heat. At Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Finally, any time the heat index or real temperature climbs above 100 degrees, it’s no laughing matter. Here are some tips from the Red Cross to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe, when you have to be outdoors.

As for me…I’ll be the one cannon-balling into pool, in 5…4…3…2…

 

 

Smart Perks blogger Melanie Bisson is old enough to have LOVED the song Cool It Now, by the The New Edition back in the day. For you youngsters, that’s a boy band featuring Bobby Brown from the 80s.

 

 

Which Wearable Works Best for You?

Fitbits, FuelBands, Jawbones: We’ve all heard of them, but do you really know how to use them? Or even what they are?

All of the above are just a few examples of different types of wearables, or technology pieces that serve a variety of functions, ranging from monitoring heart rate to playing music. In this case, these are all activity trackers, which are watches that track, well, your activity.

This can be useful for monitoring how many calories you burn, steps you take, and  what your heart rate is. They are especially useful if you’re trying to get in better shape, because you get information on your progress right there on your wrist! You can even wear some of them to sleep and wake up with a little report on what your night was like – how often you were restless, when you were in deep sleep, when exactly you woke up.

Basically, activity trackers are simply a great way to give you feedback on your own body.  Sounds good, right? If you need some help deciding which of the main fitness wearables is best for you, have no fear: here is a roundup of the top performers and why they might be the watch for you!

Fitbit:

Probably the most popular of the activity trackers, there are 8 different models to choose from in a range of prices and functions.

Actually, their website has a test you can take to see which one matches your needs most. I have the Charge HR, which is primarily different from some of the others because it monitors your heart rate (hence the HR part), and I absolutely love it.

While I don’t always remember to charge it and sometimes forget to put it on in the morning, whenever I do wear it I love looking at the data. With just a quick push of a button, I’m reminded that I’ve only taken 2,000 steps today – a full 8,000 under the recommended 10,000 to take a day. When I’m exercising, it’s a great motivator to be able to look down and see how many calories you’re burning.

Though some spring for the pricey Fitbit Blaze ($250), for people on a tighter budget, the Charge is just as good and definitely less costly. Plus, it now comes in pink – a great gift for Mother’s Day.

Price: $59.95 – $249.95

Tip: This applies to all activity trackers, not just the Fitbit, but the prices vary significantly from store to store. Definitely shop around before purchasing one!

FuelBand:

This sleek device, just like a Fitbit, is worn on your wrist and tracks your activity. How it differs: Whereas the Fitbit is great for even the most sedentary of people, the Nike+ FuelBand really kicks it up a notch.

First you determine your daily goal for what you want to accomplish that day, and then the FuelBand tracks your progress – whether it’s running, playing basketball, or walking – and changes colors from red to green throughout the day, giving you an idea of what your progress has been.

From what I’ve heard from people who have them, one of the biggest draws to the FuelBand is this very visual reminder of your activity levels. Because of the way the Nike+ Fuel app is set up, every day seems like a competition with yourself – but in the most positive way possible! Just note that you will need a smartphone in order to most effectively use a Fuelband, as it works in tandem with an app.

Price: $149.99

Jawbone:

The fitness tracker Jawbone Up has 4 different options, of which the most acclaimed is the Jawbone UP2. Though it first came out awhile ago, this activity wearable is still very popular.

Why? Because at just under $100, it’s cheaper than some of the others on the market, but without losing any of the quality. It tracks both sleep and steps, as well as monitoring calories burned. It’s also unobtrusive and easy to use; it doesn’t have any buttons or a screen, so you switch between active or sleep mode with just a tap.

Although it doesn’t monitor heart rate, one advantage it does have is a “smart” alarm. This can be set before you go to bed so that the Jawbone UP2 wakes you up during a lighter stage of your rest in the morning, which is helpful for waking up feeling refreshed rather than restless.

Like with all of these fitness trackers, it’s unfortunately not waterproof, but it is considered water resistant: a definite plus for those of us (I’m not pointing fingers!) who may sweat a lot.

Price: $49.99 – $199.99

There are plenty of other options out there on the market, but these are the basics of the major three activity trackers. If you’re interested in others, this article is a really useful tool to help you decide.

Whichever one you choose, know that you’re one step closer to reaching your 10,000 step goal. And if you need any advice on how to take all of those steps, hope this helps!

Blogger Katie U., a SmartPerks employee, all too often forgets to charge her Charge HR. Don’t let it happen to you!

 

 

New Year, New You

Who, me? Blogger Katie agrees with Calvin! © Bill Waterson

Come mid-December, we start wrapping up the previous year and looking forward to the upcoming one. During this holiday season, as we sit around with friends and family, recounting the trials and tribulations of 2015 – we end up eating cheese plates and cheesecake, drinking beer and wine and soda, maybe capping the long nights with a cigar and heading to bed way past our bedtimes. But while this type of over-indulgence is what the holidays are about, the New Year is always about the New You!

Cupcakes and champagne – I’m about that life!

That is, until it’s February and you realized you didn’t even keep your New Year’s resolutions for a month. And you wouldn’t be alone. According to Franklin Covey, a time management firm, 30% of New Year’s resolutions are broken by the end of January. The thing is though that when you start to backslide, you think, “Well, I already got off on the wrong foot, might as well try again…later!” and get discouraged, and give up.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can successfully set and keep – and even exceed! – your New Year’s resolutions if you keep three things in mind.

• Set Realistic Goals
• Think Short-Term, Dream Long-Term
• Plan It Out

All too often we think of our resolutions as make or break it. Trying to commit to huge changes like, “I’m going to write a book in 2016!” when you haven’t so much as written a paragraph in 2015, sets yourself up for failure. Instead, we outline the three most common New Year’s resolutions and small ways you can make big changes, leading to a happier, healthier you!

1. Lose Weight

Ah, the most common resolution we make. Who doesn’t want to lose a few? Actually, according to some estimates, between 30% and 40% of us vow to shed some lbs annually. If your plan is to incorporate more veggies in your diet or hit the gym more, this might just work. But science says setting a goal to lose 30 pounds is most likely not going to work. Why? For the same reason that agreeing with your aunt you’ll meet her coworker’s friends’ daughter’s boyfriend for coffee in three months: you’re making vague, faraway promises you can’t (or won’t) keep.

The best way to lose weight is to make small lifestyle changes that can lead to you losing those 30 pounds. For example, set the goal of determining your ideal daily caloric intake and then logging your calories each day with a site like http://www.caloriecount.com/. At the same time, start a workout routine that’s appropriate for your lifestyle and level of current fitness; again, it’s all about moderation! Throwing yourself into a new rigorous workout is a good way to throw out your back.

Are you a person that’s worried they’ll judge you at the gym, and you’re just not cut out for running miles and miles outside in the snowy January weather? All the more power to you if you can, but if that’s just not you, check out SmartPerks’ solution: The Total Gym machine. It offers complex workouts, utilizing all of your muscles that need to firm up, but without putting too much strain on your body. I know a huge factor that keeps me from working out as often as I should is the struggle to drag myself to the gym, so getting a full-body exercise in my own home is a huge plus. If it’s good enough for Christie Brinkley, it’s definitely good enough for me.

Losing weight is a commendably healthy goal to set for 2016, so we don’t want you to let yourself down. Just go slow!

2. Eat This, Not That

Similar to the losing weight resolution, but not fully, because you can be at a totally fine weight, but still eat too much chips and guac or French fries. Most of us could stand to eat better, even if we think we’re really on top of our diet. And while the SmartPerks office is a great place to work, there is one downside: the abundance of snacks. Between the homemade toffee, apple pie bars, caramel popcorn, and bowls of Hershey’s kisses, it’s a sweet tooth-owner’s dream. Tasty though these treats might be, they’re certainly not good for my thighs.

How could anyone say no to a handful of these?

So, one of my personal 2016 resolutions is to cut back on the daytime snacks. When my blood sugar levels are dipping around 10:30 am and 3 pm, I need to turn to something wholesome like a piece of fruit or dried soybeans, not those delicious, mouthwatering, scrumptious apple bars… dang it, Mary!

Of course, it might be obvious to cut down on the sodas and sweets, but often our biggest issue is our main meals themselves. Oversized, low on fiber, or high in sugar, we might be able to fool ourselves into thinking our veggie burrito is healthy, but we’re not fooling the scale. Even something like salad dressing can be a shockingly caloric addition to an otherwise healthy salad. For example, Newman’s Own Family Recipe Italian, a vinaigrette-style dressing, is loaded with unhealthy ingredients – two tablespoons is 130 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 320 milligrams of sodium. Certainly not a good option with which to top your greens. Something I do to cut down on calories but not on flavor is I make my own dressing.

Katie’s Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing:

This dressing is excellent on kale salads, roasted vegetables, or any kitchen sink salad. This makes ¾ cup, and after using you can keep in a Mason jar or Tupperware in the fridge.

 

• 1 small shallot, diced small
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup cider vinegar – I often use closer to ½ cup to thin out the dressing
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or any citrus – grapefruit works great!)
• Pinch each of salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine ingredients in mini Mason jar, and shake until your preferred consistently! Store in tightly closed jar for up to two weeks. Upon use, shake jar to re-emulsify ingredients.

Two tablespoons of this dressing equated to 14 calories, .5 grams of fat, and 214 milligrams of sodium, without losing out on any flavor.

Another way of managing your eating habits? Subscribing to a food delivery service like Blue Apron or Home Chef (Pro Tip: Use the SmartPerks promo code “SP30FREE” to receive $30 off your first order.) The best thing about weekly meal kits is they’re chef-curated so they’re probably more inventive than anything you whip up. You can also pick and choose which weeks you want based on the meal plans listed online. Also, since they’re specifically portioned, you know exactly what nutritional value (including calorie content!) your meals have.

On top of that, they are usually very balanced, representative of the good parts of the food pyramid, so you know you’re getting your veggies, too. For example, one of the available meals for Home Chef is “Winter Quinoa and Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese, Candied Walnuts, and Apricots.” Now, doesn’t that sound healthy and yummy?

Home Chef’s winter salad

If your New Year’s Resolution is to eat healthier in 2016, know that you can do it, it just takes some planning, self-control and motivation. And for your coworkers to not bring in treats.

3. Break the Habit

Whether it’s smoking cigarettes, biting your nails, being perennially late, or procrastinating on the job or elsewhere, make 2016 the year to break the bad habit.

 

 

We’ve all got something we do that we shouldn’t, right? If your resolution is to finally learn some healthier habits, we encourage you to get to it! Though some are worse for you than others, anything that negatively impacts your life should be stopped. For example, I’m a nail-biter, guilty as charged. Whenever I’m nervous, bored or tired, I gnaw on my nails like there’s no tomorrow. So far, nothing has helped…though I hold out for next year! I’ve heard no-bite nail polishes can really help, but I’m not so optimistic about me actually taking the time to paint my nails.

Another issue I face – like an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans – is sleeping problems. Sometimes, even after getting 7 hours of seemingly restful sleep, I’ll wake up groggy and exhausted. There are plenty of tips out there for getting a better night’s rest, including avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine (go figure), consistent sleep scheduling (“catching up on sleep” on the weekends is a big no-no), and regular exercising (perhaps a New Year’s resolution double-whammy!).

In addition, setting up your bedroom as a sleep sanctuary can help get you in a relaxed mindset. Just recently, I bought some black-out curtains for my bedroom windows to keep out light and a new cozy throw blanket to stay warm during winter. I also light lavender candles in my room about an hour before bed for aromatherapy. I have found that buying a new set of really soft sheets, a fun duvet, or a great pillow help to make your bed the most inviting place for you to unwind from a long day and catch some z’s.

How cozy does this look? From MessageNote’s Pinterest

To help you in The Pursuit of Sleep, check out SmartPerks’ deal for My Pillow, a machine-washable, always-cool foam pillow that cradles your neck and head, helping to guarantee a sound night of sleep. Use promo code “smart2” for 50% off your first order! Saving money and sleeping better? Say no more!

Whatever your New Year’s resolution is, whether it’s specific or vague, big or small, a lifestyle change or a daily tweak, SmartPerks wishes you the best of luck in accomplishing your goals for the new year. And as we head into 2016, don’t forget to enjoy the remaining days of 2015!

Blogger Katie U., a Smart Perks employee, bit her nails the whole time she was writing this blog post. 

Top 5 Self Tanners for Under $30 from the Former Sun Goddess (who finally saw the light!)

Hooray, summer is almost here! I love everything about this season… the celebrations, baseball, hiking, biking, flip-flops, but mostly the warm sunshine.

Back in the day you’d find me catching rays on the beach or in my backyard for hours at a time. I’d douse myself with baby oil (sometimes laced with iodine) and hold an album cover wrapped in foil under my face to reflect the sun… I was determined to look like those bronzed beauties in the Coppertone ads! I worshipped the sun. My brother even called me the “Sun Goddess” (knowing him it wasn’t meant to be a compliment).

My grandmother would always expound on the dangers of sun tanning ― “stay out of the sun, it’s bad for you!” She was a nurse so I guess she would know. But did I listen? Of course not, I was a teenager!

Magda from There’s Something About Mary, 1998. 20th Century Fox.

My quest for the perfect beach-worthy tan followed me into my 20s, 30s and early 40s. By my mid-40s, the effects of all that sun exposure started to show up on my face and hands in the form of wrinkles and big ugly freckles. Yikes! I decided then it was time to heed my grandma’s advice before I turned into that Magda character in There’s Something About Mary!

I began reading about UV rays damaging your skin and it really started to sink in. Never mind the wrinkles and freckles; it’s skin cancer you really need to worry about! After that I started looking for safer ways to attain that golden sun-kissed hue.

Going to a tanning salon wasn’t an option (apparently artificial rays are just as bad), so I did some research on self tanners and decided to try one. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. After a few applications, my skin tone changed from milky white to soft caramel. What a relief! Now I can look like I spent my summer at the beach instead of inside a cave, without putting myself at more risk for skin cancer!

Obviously some brands are better than others, but suffice it to say today’s self tanners are notches above the old formulas that turned your skin neon orange, like you just crawled out of a giant bag of Cheetos! I found out the hard way you need to follow directions to a tee and make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your skin a few days before you apply the tanner. Otherwise, you’ll end up with unsightly streaks or blotches – not an easy fix, believe me! Click here for step-by-step tips on applying self tanner.

Here’s a rundown of some popular self tanners you can get for less than $30:

Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer – average cost around $9.00
I love this product because it goes on smoothly, dries quickly and works gradually, allowing you to build up a subtle, natural-looking tan in about three days. You can get it in a lotion, foam or pump (I’ve only tried the lotion) and it comes in fair to medium and medium to tan. Some have SPF 20 UVA/UVB protection and there’s also a firming solution that helps diminish the appearance of cellulite ― I’m all for that! Available at drug stores, discount stores, and Walmart.com.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Salon Airbrush Self Tanning Mist – average cost around $11.00
This product distributes a fine mist where you want color and can even hit hard-to-reach areas like your back. And because you don’t have to rub it in with your hands, no orangey palms (a telltale sign your tan is fake!). I just tried this one a few days ago and it seems to be working. I like that it dries fast too! L’Oreal offers several kinds of self-tanning products. Click here to see the full line.

Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Self-Tanning Tinted Spray – average cost $15.00
According to reviews I’ve read, the results are instant and the tinted mist lets you see where you’re spraying for a more even, all-over color. It also has shimmering flecks so you end up with a “golden glow, just like a super model!”

Banana Boat Sunless Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion – average cost $9
This oil-free lotion is enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E and has self-adjusting color so you can go from a soft honey to a rich bronze. Good for all skin tones. Available at discount stores, drugstore.com and Amazon.com.

Fake Bake Flawless Self Tanning Liquid – average cost $26
This one costs more than the other brands, but apparently it’s worth every penny. It comes with a professional mitt that allows you to glide on the liquid with even strokes for an instant, streak-free tan. There’s also a dual function cosmetic bronzer that shows you where the liquid goes, for easy, flawless application. It’s fast drying and long-lasting too.

I recommend testing a few different self tanners to find one you like. Click here for more about self tanners and choosing one that’s right for your skin tone.

One last thing… some sunlight is good for you (vitamin D and all that). Just make sure you use sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors, even if it’s cloudy. Better yet, find a self tanner with sunscreen.

Okay, now you’re golden…time to brave the swimsuit!

– Catherine B, a Smart Perks employee, enjoys her work, but is looking forward to retiring so she can write whatever (and whenever) she wants at home in her pajamas.

Get Up, Get Out & Do Something

According to Cher, “If fitness came in a bottle, everyone would have a great body.”

Ain’t that the truth?!?

I don’t know about you, but for me exercise is one of those things I dread doing even though I know it’s good for me. It takes discipline, commitment and hard work.

Trying to fit some kind of exercise into my hectic schedule is no simple task either. Between working 5 days a week, running a household and other obligations, it’s difficult to find the time.

Sure, I could get up at the crack of down and walk around the block or hit the treadmill for 30 minutes, but then I’d have to drag myself out of bed at 5:00 a.m.! I’m already sleep-deprived as it is, so that’s not an option.

As for evenings… after spending 8 hours at the office and a long commute home, I just want to chill in front of the TV with a glass of wine.

Believe me, I’ve come up with every excuse in the book NOT to exercise – “too busy,” “too tired,” and, of course, “there’s always tomorrow.” I know… lame, lame, lame!

But, then I had an epiphany. Actually, I took a good look in the mirror and noticed I had a few too many rolls around the middle ― let’s just say I’m starting to resemble the Michelin Man. Ugh! My final wake-up call came when I had trouble squeezing into my fail-safe “big girl” jeans.

I decided then and there it was time to end my slothful ways and make exercise a part of my daily life.

My plan is to walk for 30-35 minutes over my lunch hour or after dinner at least 5 days a week and eventually work up to 45-60 minutes every day except Sunday (that’s my day off).  I’m also going to incorporate strength training into my exercise routine, 2-3 days a week.

Maybe I’ll even start biking or take up yoga. Exercise has to be fun for me, or I’m not going to do it.

When I feel the urge to throw in the towel, I’ll just remind myself it’ll be worth all the effort once I’m able to fit into my skinny jeans and wear sleeveless tops without looking like a bat in flight. An even better incentive… active people are healthier and live longer than the typical couch spud!

Staying motivated is going to be my biggest challenge, so I did some research and compiled a list of ideas to help me lead a more active life.

If you’re having trouble finding the time or the desire to exercise, maybe these tips will inspire you too.

• Make exercise a priority. Think of it as something you do on a regular basis, like brushing your teeth, so it becomes a habit instead of just a once-and-awhile, “when I feel like it” kind of thing.
• Ease into it. If you’ve been inactive for a while, start with 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise. Try walking around the block or on a treadmill. If you’re short on time, break it up into two 15 minute sessions. Work up to 40-60 minutes of exercise at least 5-6 times a week. Even though you may feel a little tired at first, chances are once those endorphins kick in you’ll want to keep going!
• Count your steps to keep you on track. Get a Fit Bit activity tracker or a regular pedometer to record how many steps you’re taking each day. They add up quickly. Park farther from the door at work or the mall. Take the stairs, instead of the elevator. Every bit counts, and gets your heart pumping.
• Mix it up and find different ways to be active – take Pilates, yoga or spinning classes, swim, jump rope, dance, bike, hike, play sports outside or games on your Wii, or workout with exercise DVDs… anything to get off the couch and get moving. To relieve boredom and keep the momentum going, try exercising to upbeat tunes. I finally got an MP3 player and headphones so I can play my favorite rock music while I walk. If you make exercising fun, you’ll be more inclined to stick with it.
• Get an exercise buddy. Ask a friend, neighbor or family member to join you on your morning or evening walk, play tennis or racquet ball, take a fitness class or hit the gym together. You can support and encourage each other as you work out, plus it makes you more accountable if you’re doing it with someone else. In other words, if one of you tries to skip your workout the other will guilt you into doing it!
• Come up with an incentive to stay on track. Sign up for a charity walk or run, strive to get into shape for a special event like a wedding or class reunion, or a tropical vacation. (I have a friend who wants to slim down for a cruise next winter so she has pictures of bikini-clad models on her refrigerator for inspiration.) Or, maybe you just want to improve your overall health. Whatever the reason, having a specific goal in mind will help you stay focused.
• Be realistic. Let’s face it, you’re not going to lose that muffin top or those thunder thighs overnight. It’s going to take dedication, discipline, sweat and time (and patience!) to reach your fitness goals. The main thing is not to give up!

No more excuses now! Keep the Nike slogan ingrained in your brain… just do it!

– Catherine B. enjoys her work, but is looking forward to retiring so she can write whatever (and whenever) she wants at home in her pajamas.