What every woman should know about Breast Cancer

Over 13,000 Australian women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer every year.

We hear so much about Breast Cancer these days, but how do we know what is fact and what is fiction?

The National Breast Cancer Center have produced a free DVD to give women the facts about risk factors, the types of breast changes to look out for, and also dispels some of the myths and misconceptions about the disease. It addresses women’s most most frequently asked questions about breast cancer.

The video also provides advice to women of all ages about what they can do to find breast cancer early.You can watch the video online or order a copy from National Breast Cancer Centre.

Who wants to be a big loser?

Are you scales screaming at you for help?
In the forums we are putting a call out for all the fatties to join us in the 12 week AFW Biggest loser challenge. Lots of girls have already signed up to be a loser,  to hopefully lose weight and make some healthy life changes.

The challenge starts tomorrow, but it’s not too late to join in the fun. Jump on over to the forums to find out how you can become a loser.

There is also a prize for the lady crowned the biggest loser overall for a little more incentive. So come on, don’t be scared! 2008 is your year to be a big fat loser!

New Hair Treatment Works on Molecular Level While You Sleep

Does your hair look like it’s gone through the deep fryer?
Most people long for the luscious hair and sensuous movement you see in shampoo commercials, but all we get is a hot, frizzy mess.  In this day and age, our hair tends to be damaged, over-processed … FRIED.   It’s been weakened by years of blow drying, straightening, curling, dyeing, and excessive use of styling products that rob hair of its moisture.
For many women, the only option has been to mask the problem by cutting off the damage.  That’s because so many shampoos and other hair care products do little actual good.  It’s a little-known secret that most hair care products contain molecules that are too large to penetrate the areas they need to in order to achieve visible, lasting results. The ingredients, regardless of how advanced they are, simply settle on the surface of the hair and wash off. (Think about polyester, water simply beads up and rolls off).
Well, that all may be about to change thanks to the technology that’s at the core of a new overnight hair treatment called Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque”.  Right now, it’s the hottest thing happening in the hair care industry.

The buzz surrounding Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” has to do with the groundbreaking delivery system called T-SFERE™, which uses nano-technology to deliver ingredients deep into the structural core of the hair (scalp, follicle, and shaft) allowing them to take true effect.  Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” T-SFERE technology allows hair to act like absorbent cotton, soaking up powerful ingredient complexes, and thereby taking on a look that’s noticeably more beautiful.

Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” is easy to use: You simply apply to dry hair before bed, massaging a small amount from root to tip. The formula absorbs instantly—it won’t leave any residue on your pillow! When you wake, simply wash your hair as usual. Your hair will be fuller, softer, shinier, and healthier. With continued use, the results are significant and dramatic.

Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” was just rated as the #1 Overnight Hair Treatment by The Good Housekeeping Institute, scoring best overall in laboratory and consumer performance ratings.  In a 4-week independent clinical study, Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” was shown to:

Help hair retain color by 96 percent
Improve luster and shine by 96 percent
Reduce split ends and breakage by 96 percent
Increase hair hydration by 91 percent
Boost hair volume and body by an unprecedented 96 percent

And, even more remarkably, many women have started reporting that Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” actually accelerates hair growth.

So, if you feel the urge, wave the white flag and give up in your battle against unruly damaged hair, perhaps your knight in shining armor has arrived. Simply apply Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque” then get your beauty rest, and start waking up to the hair of your dreams.

Right now, the Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque is being offered exclusively at HairEnvy.com, at highly discounted introductory rates.  
Click here to take advantage of these special deals, or to learn more about Kronos “Phyx Intensive Hair Repair Masque.

Bank your Baby's Stem Cells - It Could Save its Life

The birth of your child presents a one-time opportunity to help your family by collecting and storing your child's cord blood.  That's because cord blood contains stem cells that could one day save the life of your child or of one of your child's siblings.  Unlike embryonic cell cells, cord blood cells do not involve the destruction of an embryo.

Harvesting stem cells from a baby's umbilical cord blood poses no risk to mother or the child.

Why are stem cells so amazing? Cell Stems are so powerful because they have the amazing ability to transform and grow into other types of cells - such as blood cells or bone cells. The breakthroughs in stem cell research are some of the most important in medical history and represent a real chance to fight diseases long thought untreatable.  The list of diseases that stem cells are capable of fighting continues to grow. Diseases from leukemia, heart and cardiovascular disease to brain and nervous system damage from strokes can be treated and sometimes reversed with the help of stem cells.
Transplant patients also have a much better chance of recovery when they receive stem cells taken from themselves or from a related donor.
Scientists are also very excited about advances in regenerative medicine which allows medicine to repair the body with the patient's own stem cells.  When these advances are realized, children whose parents saved their cord blood will be in a much better position to benefit.

How Collection Works: Months prior to their due date, parents can contact a Cord Blood Bank and the bank will mail them a collection kit. The bank also sends collection instructions to the physician monitoring the pregnancy. After the birth, when the umbilical cord is cut, the blood left in the cord and placenta is drained into a storage bag. This process can also be performed in a c-section birth. A day or so later, the blood is sent via medical courier to the collecting bank and the stem cells are harvested and placed in a deep freeze for permanent storage until needed.

Choosing the Right Bank: Deciding to bank your baby's cord blood is a big decision and requires some research. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a storage facility:
Does the company have their own storage facility, or are they simply a middle man, collecting for another storage company?
Have they had samples used? Surprisingly, many cord blood storage companies have never had a sample taken from their stock. Track record is important.

Is the facility public or private?
Public Banks - cord blood from anonymous donors goes to help unrelated patients
Private/Family Banks - the child whose cord blood is banked may use it for themselves or a close family member (usually a sibling)

Cord Blood banking is a safe, non-invasive way to provide these life-giving cells to your child, your family or those in need.  It is like a powerful health insurance policy for your family.

The Latest and Hottest Nail Polish Designs

For about five bucks, you can transform your look with nail polish! Whether you choose a shocking shade or a quirky design,tips-with-attitude don't require a major commitment. Happy painting!

1. Shatter Finish
Cracked polish is usually bad-except when it's intentional. Try a black shatter-finish topcoat over a pastel polish (thehot combo for spring). It'll separate as it dries for a broken-glass look.
Nail it: Apply two coats of the pastel hue and wait 10 minutes before sweeping on the crackle. "It spreads better over adry surface,' says Beth Fricke, an L.A. manicurist. Try Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Jo'mina ($14, at Sephora) and OPI Black Shatter Nail Lacquer ($8.50, at salons).

2. Electric Shades
The last time you painted your nails neon, your tool of choice was probably a Crayola marker. The grown-up version: high-voltage hues with a matte finish. "Matte makes neon colors more wearable," explains New York City manicurist Deborah Lippmann.

Nail it: Start with a ridge-filling base coat. "Bright, solid colors draw extra attention to ridges," says Lippmann. Next, swipe on two coats of opaque polish in orange or electric pink. Many companies make matte polish, but you can transform any glossy shade with a mattifying topcoat. Try Zoya in Charisma ($8, zoya.com) and Butter London Matte Finish Topcoat ($15, atdepartment stores).

3. Racing Stripes
Unless you're a manicurist, freestyle sketching on your nails often ends up looking sloppy. But a thin racing stripe is stylish and easy—even for amateurs.

Nail it: Apply two coats of base color and allow nails to dry for 10 minutes. If the base is wet, stripes won't look crisp, says New York City manicurist Patricia Yankee. Using a nail-polish pen, paint an off-center line down each nail. Seal with topcoat. Try Essie Nail Polish in Chinchilly ($8, essie.com) and Sally Hansen Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Polish Pen in Black ($8, at Ulta).

4. Ombre
Ombre refers to gradations of the same color, from dark to light. Originally a fashion and then hair-color fad, the latest version for nails diffuses a solid color into a sparkly tone.

Nail it: Pick girlie, ethereal colors– Yankee likes medium pink with soft-pink glitter. Stroke a thick layer of the solid shade from the cuticle to halfway up the nail. Then apply a thick layer of the glitter shade, pulling a bit of the solid one with it toward the tip. Let dry for a few minutes. Next, drag a second, thin coat of the glitter just over the tips. Two layers of topcoat will smooth out the uneven surface and ensure that all the layers dry quickly, says Yankee. Try China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Innocence ($7, sallybeauty.com) and SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Clarity ($10, skinstore.com.)

5. Two-Toned Manicure
French manicures have become so bridal party-unless you marry two unexpected colors.

Nail it: Pair any two shades in similar tones (for example, light tan with dark taupe tips or bright pink with lavender), says Fricke. Use fingernail guides to create the half-moon shapes: Place the stickers on the tips, then brush on two thin coats of your base shade. Let dry for five minutes, peel off the stickers, and paint your tips. Try Orly Half Moon White-Tip Manicure Guides ($4.50, orlybeauty.com) and Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in May and June ($26 each, at department stores).

6. Chunky Glitter
An instance where thin is not in: Fat pieces of glitter trump tiny flecks. "The large pieces will settle into an imperfect pattern on your nails, and that's what makes it modern," says Lippmann.

Nail it: Don't forget base coat–without it, glitter is tough to remove. Layer two coats of the glitter over an opaque shade, and wait a minute between layers of glitter and before brushing on your topcoat. Try Jessica Cosmetics Nail Colour in Showstopper ($7.50, at salons) and Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Happy Birthday ($18, at Nordstrom).

The 5 Nutrients You Need for Energy

Feeling tired? Eat your energy food! These five key nutrients beat fatigue, improve your workout, and fight disease.
Vitamin E

Unless you've been living in a cave for 20 years, you know you need calcium, folate, and vitamin C. But there are a few nutrients you're not so savvy about, according to recent stats, especially if you're dieting. Here, which ones you're most likely lacking, and what to do about it.

Fact: Twenty-eight percent of you don't get enough vitamin E.

Why You Need 15 milligrams a Day: It protects against heart disease and boosts immunity.

Why You're Missing Out: Your diet is too low in fat. Vitamin E is usually found in naturally fat-rich plant foods like oils, nuts, and seeds.

How to Get It: Stock up on a well-fortified cereal like Total cereal; a cup supplies 15mg.

How to Get Brighter, Younger Looking Eyes in Weeks

The face is the first thing that people look at, so it’s little wonder we spend so much time trying to keep our faces looking young.  People often spend a small fortune and a lot of time trying to combat wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and sagging. But, it’s actually the eyes that people notice first.

That’s why under eye bags, dark puffy circles, and crow’s feet around the eyes have such an impact on how young and attractive we appear. It doesn’t matter how great your skin looks if your eyes are screaming, “I’m worn down and exhausted!”

Actually, dark circles are not the result of stress or lack of sleep. They are actually caused by broken capillaries that leak blood close to the skin’s surface. 

And, as you age, your skin becomes progressively thinner and the blood beneath is visible through the skin. It can appear as though someone socked you in the eye or you’ve been up for 24 hours straight!

The fat pads beneath your eyes are a particularly exposed area and, as they thin, the area starts to look sunken. This can give the illusion of a dark circle or shadow.

To make matters worse, these pads can become easily inflamed, causing blood vessels to become more visible. Studies have suggested that low blood flow may also contribute to the appearance of dark circles, and the associated sunken look in the eyes. Another factor is that with greater exposure to the sun, the skin's pigment reacts accordingly, resulting in darker patches.

The muscles and ligaments close to the eye and on either side of the bridge of the nose—an area doctors call the "tear trough"—also weaken over time. With its support structure gone, the skin begins to collapse, causing a kind of indentation or "gutter" effect. When the adjacent area becomes puffy, that "gutter" casts a shadow on skin, making it appear as if there is a dark circle. Dark circles and under eye bags are also extremely difficult to fix through cosmetic surgery. 

Fortunately though, there is a non-surgical solution, and it’s Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream. Formulated specifically to address cosmetic problems around the eye, it’s one of the very few products that offer a solution specifically for aging eyes.

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream smoothes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet while moisturizing and diminishing the appearance of dark under eye circles.

The product contains a powerful ingredient called Grant-X, which relaxes the muscle contractions that lead to wrinkles. It also contains two additional powerful ingredients-- Haloxyl to lighten dark circles, and Dermaxyl to tighten and firm the skin for a lifted, youthful appearance. The result is a wider, brighter, and younger-looking eye contour.

So, just how well does the product work?

We checked out their 6-week clinical study and the results were actually quite impressive:

    90 percent saw that their eyes look younger
    80 percent saw the look of puffiness diminish
    85 percent reported reduction in the appearance of dark circles
    89 percent saw an improvement in crow's feet and wrinkles

Will it work for you?

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream is currently available exclusively online through DermStore.com.  And right now is a great time to try it because they’re offering new customers a 65 percent discount off the regular price along with a free mystery gift AND free 1-3 day shipping.

This limited time offer is too good to pass up, especially for anyone who thought they were stuck for life with dark, unattractive circles around their eyes.  And, when it comes to making an impact on how young you look, it may just be the best thing you can do for your face.

Intelligent Beauty Labs Firming Eye Cream is easy to apply, suitable for all skin types, and guaranteed to work.