Blog Posts by SheSpeaks

Purchasing recycled products for our home décor can work to enhance the hominess of a space and make us feel better about our carbon footprint.

A recent SheSpeaks poll found that almost 40 percent of us have already gone green when it comes decorating to our homes with professionally designed reused materials and close to 55 percent of our members are ready to learn more about what's available on the market.

The trend of going green and using recycled products inside the home is only becoming more popular as time goes on. Senior designer of Aidan Design architecture firm, Nadia Subarun, recently spoke with the Washington Post's Express about the growing trend of adding green materials in the home. Subarun says, "I think it's due to greater social awareness. People are much more conscious of the choices they make. I think that everybody feels that they have, in their own small way, a power to influence or to affect by their choices."

Patty Kim, National Geographic's Green

Every once in a while you hear a story of a family facing unthinkable hardships. This is definitely the case for new parents Nathan, a 38 year old artist, and Elisa Bond, a 36 year old real estate agent, who were both diagnosed with late stage cancers within the same week.

The NY Daily News recently told their story while describing how friends and family have really come through to make things a little easier for the Bonds.

Just a few months ago, Nathan Bond was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer with a 60 percent chance of surviving 5 years or more. While the couple was still in shock from Nathan's diagnosis, Elisa received the results that cancer had spread throughout her body after finding a lump in her breast. Elisa was told her odds of survival is just 16 percent for 5 years.

The couple care for their 18 month old daughter while undergoing treatments for their cancers. Elisa explains, "I wanted to grow old with my husband and care for our daughter. Now I'm just

Princess Diana will always be remembered as a graceful young woman who captured the attention of all, but one magazine has given us all a glimpse of the Princess as we've never seen her before. We've all heard of magazines doctoring photos to make celebrities look younger, but in Princess Diana's case Newsweek has transformed her into a 50-year-old woman.

The magazine's cover depicts a doctored photograph of the late princess, showing how she might have looked today, out on the town with new daughter-in-law Kate Middleton.

A recent report from People discusses whether the story, which hits newsstands this Friday, is in good taste or not. Newsweek editor-in-chief, Tina Brown, writes the corresponding story which predicts what type of life Princess Diana would have now had she not passed 14 years ago. Brown thinks Diana would now be living in New York City, regularly using Botox to keep her youthful appearance, and would have a large Twitter following.

Author Monica Ali is

Look no further, with help from our members we'll have your must-have summer list ready in no time.

Confessions of a Shopaholic - If you're into chic lit and fashion, Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic should go right at the top of your list. The great thing about this book is that it is the first in a series of five books so the end is just the beginning.

Breaking Dawn - Twilight fans (you know who you are) will want to pick up Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, which is the fourth installment in this series. You will not be disappointed as you follow Bella through the twists and turns of this vampire love story.

Water For Elephants - It'a almost unanimous, Sara Gruen's Water For Elephants, is one of those engaging books you just can't put down. A period piece set in the magical world of the circus, you will truly be swept away. And just think, after you've read and enjoyed this book you can see the movie.

Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenger's Time

Pleasure: The Best Nutrient of All by Esther Blum, SheSpeaks.com

Spring is always the busiest in my practice. Not only is bathing suit season six weeks away, but my clients are also ready for inner renewal. New foods are in season, the days are longer, and we're shedding our winter layers for lighter, more breathable fabrics. To put your best foot forward this season (and the rest of the year, too), challenge yourself to incorporate at least two of these guidelines. Making small strides each day will build good habits to give you big rewards over time!

1. Increase your exercise

   If you know you'll be knocking back some extra wine (4 oz = 160 cals) at a party, make sure you balance out the scales with a long walk, jog, bike ride, rollerblading session, or a swim beforehand. For every mile of activity, you burn about 100 calories. So an hour of moderate activity can burn 600 calories! Not too shabby.

   Remember that just because you exercise, you do not

Sometimes it's the only thing on the menu for elementary school kids in Huntington, West Virginia, where more than 1 in 3 children are obese. The kids don't seem to mind--and the ladies serving up the processed pizza think it's a satisfactory slice of nutrition--but renowned chef Jamie Oliver is determined to change their thinking---and their menu.

A French Fry is Not a Vegetable

In his new ABC series "Jamie Oliver: Food Revolution," the plucky British chef takes on the eating habits of the small town of Huntington, rated the unhealthiest city in America. The series, which premiers March 26 th , offers a sobering glimpse into the nutritional know-how of Huntington's children: when Oliver holds up a tomato to a classroom of 2 nd graders, they have no idea what it is. All they really know about food comes in the form of nuggets and patties, bagged snacks and flavored, sugared milk. This is hardly surprising when we learn that the school cooks consider a French fry a

Kids, especially younger ones, will eat mostly what's available to them at home. That's why it's important to control the supply lines. Afterall, the foods that you serve for meals and have on hand for snacks can help set kids up for a lifetime of healthy eating.

Here are some delicious, easy-to-follow, kid-friendly tips to promote healthy eating habits.

Stock Up On Healthy Foods

-Workfruits and vegetables into the daily routine, aiming for the goal of at least five servings a day. Try to serve fruit or vegetables at every meal.
-Make it easy for kids to choose healthy snacks by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat plain yogurt, all-natural peanut butter and celery, whole-grain crackers and cheese or homemade trail mix.
-Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber.

Find The Lingerie That Makes You Feel Sexy

In daylight, spanx are a girl's best friend. But when you slip off that pencil skirt and turn in for the evening, you'll want something comfortable and alluring - that means lingerie that plays to your assets, and hides the less-than-perfect. You don't have to wait to lose weight or tone up to look and feel great in lingerie. We've got some suggestions for your body type below.

Even Out A Pear Shape

To camouflage a larger bottom half, we love short robes and A-line chemises; a robe's playful silhouette flows over hips and thighs, but you can keep the hemline well above the knee for a flirty feel.

When shopping for sexy chemises, look for designs that have a seam just below the bust, and that flow out - don't cling - from there. They'll glide over your bottom, but will highlight your shoulders and decollate beautifully.