21st century cure or money making scheme?

Aromatherapy, using scented oils to alter a person's mind, mood, health or cognitive function, is a concept that began in Europe in the early 1900's.  Its since become an alternative form of medicine and is now wildly popular in the holistic medicine community.

21 Drops is a new company that has taken a so-called modern approach to the old school form of healing. The company offers 21 scented oils to ease a wide range of modern world symptoms such as PMS, overindulgence (fancy term for the unbearable hangover), distraction, cravings, and friskiness.  

Image from Wmagazine

To cure your situation at hand, you can use the oils one of two ways: you can open up the vial and take a deep breath or apply the oil directly to the skin. When inhaled, the aromatic molecules from the oil are then said to travel through your nasal cavity to the limbic system in your brain. When applied to the skin, the oils are said to dissolve into your bloodstream and then taken to your limbic system. The limbic system is the part of your brain which influences your endocrine and autonomic nervous systems.  The aromatic molecules from the oils are supposed to ease whatever symptoms your facing.

Photo from RealSimple

The 7.5 ml vial of oil does have a slightly hefty price tag of $28. But, compared to the price of some prescription alternatives, this could be a much less expensive attempt at relief.

If none of the 21 pre-blended oils seem to match your personal illness or issue, you always have the opportunity to create your own blend for the small (liar!) price of $415. Anyone have that type of pocket change to spend on oils? I sure as heck don't!


21 Drop's line of help for the modern gal certainly is intriguing, but I'm just not sure if I'm completely sold on their effects yet.


Tell me what you think: are essential oils a great alternative treatment of troublesome health issues or are they a waste of your hard earned cash? And if they are beneficial, are you willing to dish out that kind of dough for treatment?

Can you handle it?

Do you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in your day? I'm guessing we've all felt that way at one time or another. That's how things for me have been lately. I know I've mentioned it before whew, its been a madhouse. 

Image from FitSugar

For those of you who share my busy day routine, checking out SELF magazine's Healthy Lunch Tips article may be helpful! This article give some guidelines for the best midday meals to help you prepare for afternoon adventures. Most women don't eat proper, filling meals and they wind up hungry a couple hours later. (No good!) Eating a substantial and nutritious meal can help fight off that pesky hungry stomach. You can check out there tips here.

With swim suit season (and spring break!!!!! :D ) sneaking up on us fast, I've noticed the gyms packed with girls getting their bikini bodies ready. Though I'm a huge gym enthusiast (group fitness especially), at home workouts can be a huge time saver. Especially those that target specific trouble areas. Widely hated 'Love Handles' seem to top the list of hardest to fix spots. While cardio is the best way to rid your body of extra midsection cushioning, toning specific muscles can always help. FitSugar's how to video gives us a couple variations of side plank to help reduce that unwanted padding. (double yay!!)



Check this video out to see if you can handle the moves that get rid of those pesky handles!

Workout rut? Fashion Fix :)

Image from FitSugar

Have you all ever hit a point in your workout/health goals where you are either bored with your routine or not seeing any results? I bet you have because I have! Sometimes you just feel like there is only so much you can do to make things different or to push yourself. FitSugar posted an article today (no surprise there haha) called "10 Fitness Tips to Help You Work Smarter and Get Results." It's got some really good ideas and ways to keep yourself going while changing up your routine enough to see results.

Sometimes we think we have to push ourselves harder and harder to see changes, but surprisingly you may need to slow down to see some results. Read through the tips to see how you may be overworking yourself or learn how to mix up your daily routines to get the results your looking for. You can check out the tips here!

You all know how much I love finding other fitness sites or blogs online. Somehow I stumbled across this site and it's pretty much amazing. MizzFit is blog about fitness (duh!) and fashion! What an amazing mix :) MizzFit follows all the latest trends in the workout world: classes, routines, products, gyms, events, services, wellness tips and of course, the latest in couture exercise style. The site is based out of New York, but works to promote fitness worldwide. 

Image from MizzFit

Ladies, if you love to workout with style, this site for you! Just read MizzFit's Manifesto:

Women who work out, fell sexy and radiate confidence.

Who embrace their inner jock and fashionista as one.

Who are proud to sweat and accessorize (a lot).

Who are determined, consistent and open-minded.

Who crave new challenges and know how to have fun.

Who love their bodies in and out of their workout clothes.

Who push hard, cheer loud and never give up on a dream.

Who inspire us to feel great and cherish who we are.

Here's to you for inspiring mizzFIT.com!

If this manifesto is calling to your inner workout wonder woman, check this site out here.  I know sometimes I load you all up with sites, but when I find something I love, I just have to share it with you! Even if I may not need, use or enjoy everything I find on a site, when something good comes along, it makes it worth checking the sites daily :)

Exhausted but ready for the week!

I never truly realized how exhausted I could become.

After a full day of class on Thursday, I drove 5 hours down to Atlanta, enjoyed a very late dinner with my group, woke up early Friday for the PRSSA Real World Atlanta Convention (which was amazing), gathered my things and drove back to Tennessee. I finally reentered my room after midnight on Friday. After my head hit the pillow, I wasn't awake until around 1 Saturday afternoon. Since then I have spent my weekend in a sleepy haze. Shew. Hard work can really wipe you out. Now it's back to my very detailed scheduled routine. :) And I'm surprisingly excited for it!

The Real World Atlanta Conference was amazing. I thought I knew a lot about PR and communication before I attended, and I was wrong! I discovered jobs that, even though I knew they existed, I never really thought about them and saw them as something I could do. Community events and tourism here I come! I think I have finally found a job that I would LOVE to do. :)

Image from Mizzfit

As I'm sure you all can guess, I did not visit the hotel fitness center as I planned. I seriously believe that they should consider long distance driving as exercise.  :D  It wears you out! I also think that walking trough downtown Atlanta in high heeled shoes is an excelled little workout. My calves were killing me by the end of the day.

Onto the exercise info you are all looking for! Has anyone ever heard of barre3? This latest workout craze combines Pilates, yoga, and ballet to create long, lean muscles. It's hugely popular among celebrities right now. (Madonna is one of the biggest fans of this fitness routine.)  The circuits work your entire body and are great for focusing on toning.

Vital Juice posted an article about the routine and included a video for an at home barre3 workout. This video shows a routine that can be done anywhere, at anytime. For a more intense workout, all you have you have to do is repeat the routine a couple times. You can check out the video here.

I'll be trying the video later today, and if anyone else tries it, let me know what you think!!