Picture yourself around March next year.  Spring has arrived, but the weather hasn’t and you need to shake off your winter chills and kick off the season properly for a couple weeks.  The first thought might be to head south.  Go way, south.  Maybe the southern hemisphere.  A cruise through the exotic Amazon perhaps.

Book your one-way ticket to Rio, that is, Rio de Janeiro.  Before you begin on yor journey, stretch out your flight legs and warm up on the beach, head to the best spa for some last-minute south-American vacation maintenance, or go shopping.  To kick off the excursion, book your Samba Nightclub Experience with your package aboard the luxurious Crystal Serenity.  Before I get into some of the details of the trip, lets get settled in first, into your Crystal Penthouse suite with a private veranda.  Complete with a private dining area, living room, complimentary choice of wine and spirits, Internet, private butler service…  Do I need to go on?  All yours, on a cruise to the Amazon (how exciting!) for two weeks, at a price of $44,385.

Depending on your adventure side, there is plenty to see and do throughout the two weeks as you travel from Rio to Key West.  If you are a nature buff with a hankering for some off-roading or more into history, local flare and architecture, there will be a little bit of everything to keep all types entertained.

While on one of the stops along Rio, take in the views along the four hour excursion via an open-top (you can enjoy air-conditioning back in your suite) Jeep through the Tijuca Forest and botanical gardens.

You will be taken from the peir, pass Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon and the district of Jardim Botanico en route to the gardens.  They were originally started in 1808 by order of King Dom Joao VI to be created as a peaceful area for locals to enjoy with respect to nature.  Take a stroll through the gardens and experience the local floral up close before you get back in and head to the mountains of Rio into Tijuca National Park just within the city limits.  There will be many spectacular views along the way with a stop off at the Taunay Waterfalls and Chinese Lookout Point.  Be sure to have your camera, but please leave the Hawaiian shirt at home.

If the call of nature, well, doesn’t call to you, then take the guided walk through the picturesque streets and historical area of downtown Rio.  Just a 20 minute walk from the pier, you will be guided to the São Bento Monastery, founded in 1590, but the construction of the church did not begin until 1617.  Then off to Candelaria church which only took several hundred of years to build, you can continue the tour along Baroque and Renaissance inspired architecture.

You will continue along to coffee shops, were you can get a recharged and savor the local brew before you continue along more beautiful historic streets and return to the ship.

The days continue, to Salvador da Bahia, Alter do Chão, Parintins, Manaus, Devil’s Island (Iles du Salut)of French Guiana, to Barbados and Key West.  There are plenty more adventures to be had from island exploring to piranha fishing!  How many people do you know have traveled in luxury to the Amazon?  Mosquito repellent not included.

We are about month into fall.  Have you already noticed your jeans getting a little snugger?  Maybe a slight hint of a muffin top?  Feeling a little sluggish?  It is not uncommon, that just like many wild animals we have a tendency to slow down and relax more during colder months.  We put on the winter pounds for a little extra insulation and we forget about it until next spring when every advertisement on television is promoting a get-fit-quick-fix to have the bikini body by summer.  When does that actually work, I mean to our ideal wishes?  Often never, because we’ve procrastinated starting our workout program all winter and now we’re in a comfortable rut.  Don’t want to get out of bed to travel to the gym ’cause it is too cold?  Maybe you already have a home gym, but just need a different workout routine to get motivated.  Here are a couple updates for your home gym to keep those winter pounds away.  Don’t burn them off later!

Chances are many of you have already been to an indoor cycling or spin class.  Maybe you loved it, and you want to do it more often, but you can’t stand the cheeriness of the instructor, or maybe you can’t make the hours they have scheduled.  Get a spin bike for your home gym.  It is the closest thing you can get to an outdoor ride, just minus the traffic and those perilous rocky trails.  There is no impact on your body, you can maintain or increase your muscle tone and get a great aerobic workout.  They range in price, but there are a few details you need to have before selecting one.  The flywheel should have a minimum weight of 40 pounds.  It will give you a smoother spin, and the bike can withstand more miles.  Get one with a belt and not a chain, this will give you a much quieter workout.  Make sure the handle bars can be adjusted from front to back and in height.  This is not only great so you and a partner can fit it as needed, but somedays depending on how you advance, or even if you are having back issues… they can be adjusted for comfort or a more challenging, core-focused position.

ProForm Tour de France (TDF) Indoor Cycle  $1,500

Unlike any other indoor bike on the market, it can be paired with iFit Live technology.  It has been available for some time now for elipticals and treadmills and is a great way to get your ‘indoor’ workout ‘outdoors’.  By using Google Maps it simulates real terrain in live feed along with courses and will adjust the trainer to the course you select to include outdoor conditions (not snow, don’t worry) like wind resistance. 

Schwinn A.C. Sport, $1,400

This might be comparable to the bikes you have seen in the indoor spinning classes at your gym.  Heavy duty, and able to withstand mileage and everyday use.  A great bike if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.  If you need a little entertainment, or motivation for your workout, there are plenty of spin-instructing videos you can find online to play on your DVD.

If you are looking to get a new treadmill, this was rated the best for 2012 and is the same machine used in The Biggest Loser.

NordicTrack Elite 9500 Pro, $1,900

Complete with every function and feature you’ll need it has even stood up against many professional treadmills.  It has been awarded in the Top Ten Reviews Gold Award and includes a web browser, iFit Live and a programs to vary your training with Jillian Michaels.

We’ve covered aerobic fitness, but sometimes it is good to mix it up a little with strength training.

Bowflex Blaze Home Gym, $800

The home gym allows you to do more than 60 weight exercises to keep everything in shape and build strength for your aerobic workouts.

The awards have been handed out and the list finalized.  We haven’t even reached Halloween, but the sexiest shoes of 2012 have been dubbed.  Will you add them to your wardrobe to strut them in 2013?  Or will you hold out and make your very own sexiest list for your shoe wardrobe?

Footwear News and Saks Fifth Avenue hosted the sexy shoes contest public online voting was held from September 27th through October 11th.  Gee, I feel a little left out.  Guess I have been paying more attention to that other election going on in 2012.  Oh well, there is always next year.  I think Ann might be a little too conservative for these, but Michelle could totally rock ‘em.  Oh, and for your’s and my own benefit, rather, enjoyment, I added a few of my own to the list.  I couldn’t resist.

In first place.  The Christian Louboutin red-studded patent leather pump!  Slip on these sure to make men drop their jaws.  What better way to draw attention to your gams?  $1195

The runner-ups.

These are the new Pretty Woman over-the-kneeboots of 2012.  More studs to flash and flaunt, by B. Brian Atwood.  $850

Get these for your fall date wardrobe.  The Stuart Weitzman burgundy pump with stilleto heel.  Sure to put any mugger in pain if they decide to mess with you the day you wear these.  $365

From Jimmy Choo, check these silver sequin and black suede sandals.  Great with that little cocktail dress to ring in the new year.  $995

Now, the I-Couldn’t-Help-Myself List.  I felt bad, these might have not made the official list, but they made mine.  What do you think?

In case you want a little more than shimmer from the Jimmy Choo sequin shoes, how about Swarovski crystal?  These could be dubbed the godess shoes of 2012.  $2095

Valentino should have made the list with this sexy little lacey.  They are sure to sexify your legs and ankles as well.  $ 695

For the sexy little country girl look, by Miu Miu, the Gingham Tafetta slingbacks have a 4 1/2 inch heel with a blue and white gingham taffetta and bow detail.  Have these on back up for a lunch date or a picnic in Central Park.  $520

I saved my favorite for last.  The Dsquared2 kerchief sandal.  The patent red leather, with a kerchief to to tie it all off!!  Love!  Who cares about the price!?  You need this in your collection.

The topic comes up each holiday season.  What wines pair well with Turkey?  Glazed Ham?  Mom’s pies? Well, at least in my household.  When it comes to turkey, most people might stick with the old stand-by, Chardonnay.  For ham, maybe a red, even just a simple blend.  As for pies, I am sure most of you just have espresso or a cup of brewed coffee.  As always I am here to expand your wine horizons, your options and even take you out of your comfort zone.  It is officially mid-October and Thanksgiving is only just over a month away.  Time to start planning.

Turkey dinner. We have stuffing, cranberry sauce, maybe some of that green-bean-dried-onion-creamy-casserole thing.  In any case, no matter your traditional side dishes, the star of the show is the turkey.  Yes, it is a white meat, and automatically, many will reach for a white wine, but turkey has a flavor all its own, gamey, earthy and hearty. There are a handful of white wines which pair well with turkey, but you could also try light-bodied, fruity reds.

Whites

2008 E. Guigal La Doriane Viognier, $100

A luxurious cuvée from Condrieu.  The suculent and powerful perfumes of honeysuckle, apricot and toasted nuts is very welcoming.  The full-body and creamy texture is long on the finish with more flavors of stonefruit and toasted nuts.  You will sure love this with the star of your dinner, Mr. Turkey.

 
2011 Hugel Gewürztraminer, $30

Please don’t judge this by its price.  As with most wines from the region of Alsace, they are very affordable, but oh so delicious!  This is a great wine everyone will enjoy at your dinner party, from the wine connosieur to the not-so-connosieur.  And you won’t feel guilty sharing it with those who know slightly less about wine.

The price does not match the love which went into crafting this wine.  The grapes are whole bunch pressed and only in small amounts, then by gravity, the juice is sent to temperature controlled vats, slowly fermentd at around 18 to 24°C, and then filtered on later in spring just lightly.  They want to make sure the purity of the fruit is not lost from fermentation to bottle.

It is a lovely wine with perfumy floral notes with hings of spiced fruits, mango, passion fruit, lychee, cardamom, saffron….

2009 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann Grand Cru Riesling, $104

A very interesting wine and not a sweet Riesling you might expect.  It is ripe on the fruit, no doubt, but the acidity keeps everything fresh and citrusy.

2006 Château de Beaucastel Vieilles Vignes Rhône-style White Blend (Châteauneuf-du-Pape), $182

If you are looking for something a little unique and interesting to serve with dinner, this is it.  The wine is an all-Roussanne cuvée.  The feminine side of a Rhone-styled wine, with curves and fullness.  The tropical notes are mouth-watering with a long spicy finish with a slight minerality.  A great conversation wine, which is sure to open up and show more complexity as the night goes on.

Reds

2003 E. Guigal Ex Voto Syrah (Hermitage), $450

If you want to step away from the white wines, or even have a variety for Thanksgiving or Christmas, this wine will be another conversation starter after you finish the last white.  It is spicy, fruity, yet of soft dark cherries and earthy with minerals.  A little higher in alcohol at 15.5%, but the wine balances out and will pair nicely not only with turkey or even baked ham, but with all the fixin’s as well.

2004 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Syrah (Hermitage), $202

Raspberries and cream follow with a smokey meatiness and pepper.  It may sound like a big wine, but it is gentle and the tannins are perfectly soft and seducing.  Be choosy who you pour this for.

2000 Domaine Romanée Conti La Tache Pinot Noir (Burgundy), $400

A beautiful Christmas wine.  ou might be able to skip the gift-giving all together if you are pouring this.  It is complex as might be expected from a 2000.  The fruits resemble cherry and raspberries with hints of mature strawberries.  The tannins are just ripe and soft and the wine finishes with more; rose, leather, warm vanilla bread pudding.  Gorgeous!

Desserts?  Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten.  You will have to revisit next week for that list.  Until then!

It is not uncommon for most of us to put on a couple or even few extra pounds over the winter months.  Part of this is due to genetics which have a tendency to store more fat as colder months approach.  This occurs in most species and not just humans as a survival method to protect us against the cold.  The extra fuel can be used later on in the winter when traditionally food stocks were lower.  And though most of us in 2012 are not living on the land or in a cave during the winter months, there is not much you can do about gaining two to five extra pounds.   Even if you are eating healthy, most people do not stay as active as they would be during the warmer seasons, which can also be a factor.  Our bodies even naturally crave heavier, fattier foods.  Blame it on our relatives, the cave men.

While trying to control or minimize weight gain, the key factor is consuming anything within moderation.  An occasional guilty craving is normal and very acceptable.  However, the remainder of the time we should all be conscious of what calories and more importantly what type of calories we put into our bodies.  This is your winter pantry ingredient replacement list.  Replacing and using alternative ingredients doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite cold-weather comfort foods, just improving them.  Stay warm!

One of the common ingredients in many of our diets, no matter what time of year, are carbohydrates.  Most of us think any carbohydrate is bad.  It is not true.  There are two different types of carbohydrates; long and short chain.  Short chain carbohydrates are going to raise your blood glucose level.  These are the types of carbohydrates we consume give us a boost of energy as a result, only followed by an crash. You know the after lunch food hangover.  Foods which contain wheat, sugar, corn syrup and even glutenous types of rice have short chain carbohydrates.  Honey, though still a better substitute than white sugar, is still sugar.   Glutenous products; bread, pasta, crackers, and most of our common snack or junk foods contain short chain carbs.

Long chain carbohydrates will not give us an energy high followed by a crash.  These forms will sustain our energy and even keep hunger at bay.  Try a simple experiment yourself over the next two days.  Day one, have a breakfast of toast, even whole-grain wheat with maybe a little butter and your favorite preserves.  If you are having breakfast around 6 to 7am, chances are, you are hungry around 9am or before, well before lunch time.  On day two, have a breakfast of a gluten free granola with milk or any milk-substitute you may use.  I would bet you probably have slightly more energy and pick-up (with or without the cup of coffee), for more than just 2-3 hours following breakfast.

Now comes the chore of finding the long chain carbohydrates to switch up your daily routine.  They are not as difficult to find as you think.  Try these:

For a great pasta substitute, try this.  Ancient Harvest and Eden Organic each have quality, gluten-free products which utilize quinoa and other grains for pasta.  Use them along with your favorite meat sauce or even canneloni or lasagna dish.

Sweeteners.  Most of you already use or are familiar with sugar substitutes.  However, not only have most proved to be unhealthy for us with long-term studies showing links to cancer, heart disease and other degenerative illnesses, but they typically do not have a desirable taste or aftertaste.  Sometimes the key is not cutting out the calories, but changing their form.  If you are coffee drinker, try Stevia, or my favorite, Agave nectar.  Have a sweet tooth in the morning to add a little sugar to your cereal?  Try Agave.  You will instantly be a convert.  This might possibly be the only natural sweetener or sugar substitute which does not raise blood glucose levels.  There are a handful of brands, but the best one is from the blue agave plant.

Nut butters.  The two most hunger satisfying foods are going to be proteins and fiber.  Nuts and products containing them have both.  Almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans and others contain anywhere from four to nine grams of protein and one to six grams of fiber for only half cup.  Substitute butter or jellies and jams which can contain a large amount of sugar for nut butters.  Not only do they contain vital and satisfying protein and fiber, but also essential minerals like potassium and calcium and energy boosting B vitamins and many other anti-oxidants.

While we are on the subject of fiber and protein, lets talk grains.  I already mentioned about how perhaps a bowl of granola in the morning might sustain your energy.  Substituting your sides of starch during lunches and dinners is easier than you think.  Get rid of, or at least set aside the starchy items in your pantry for the winter.  Try instead, brown rice or barley (delicious even mixed together) instead of white, glutenous rices.  Sushi rice, arborio and white rices all contain significant amounts of short chain carbs.  Try quinoa as a whole grain to make a delicious, toasty pilaf.  Quinoa is truly a magical food and a complete protein.  It contains the amino acid, lysine, not typically found in whole grains, is packed full of B vitamins, and in only 1 cup of cooked Quinoa, there are 8 grams of protein.

Other proteins.  Legumes and beans.  For your favorite winter soup recipes, try lentils, black beans, garbanzo beans, cannellini…  The possibilities are truly endless, and don’t just stop with soups.  Instead of potatoes or pasta, try beans instead, packed both with protein and fiber.  They can be made into a healthy spread, mixed with toasted nuts and extra virgin olive oil.  Mix two or three different kinds together and make a great side with roasted bells, wilted spinach or arugula and fresh herbs.

Snack foods.  Substitute with nuts, fruits (citrus fruits not only contain calorie-burning ability, but much needed Vitamin C for the cold months), gluten free crackers, sugar free dried fruits… Even certain cheeses like parmesan-regiano, feta, ricotta and cottage cheese are healthier options than alternatives to have with the above pasta substitutes or snacks.  They contain more calcium than other cheeses and are lower in fat.  Just because you are eating healthier doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the good stuff.

These are mere suggestions.  What you ultimately choose to create a healthier diet or lifestyle is up to you.  The general rule, however, regardless of diet or eating, is again, all in moderation, and staying active.

Vacations are not always about relaxation, sunning, eating some of the best local foods or sipping on your favorite cocktails, to be followed by more of the above listed the following five days.  At times, the perfect getaway is best combined with a touch of adventure in an exotic location.

Amazingperu.com are specialists in adventure among the some of the highest most beautiful and historical mountainscapes in the world.

The Itinerary for Luxury Tour 1, Peru

Day one, you will arrive in Lima.  Reception of the best five star Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel will take you from the airport in their executive car.  A complimentary massage is offered to its guests before dinner.

Day 2.  Following breakfast, you will be taken on a city tour of Lima from the cathedral to the main square and the Catacombs of San Francisco.

After breakfast, a city tour of Lima including a guided visit to the cathedral, the main square and the San Francisco Catacombs. Lunch at the International Rosa Nautica, for a taste of Peru, five-star style.  Afterwards, walk off your lunch and stroll around and get a taste of history at a museum.  In the evening have dinner at the highly recommended restaurant Astrid and Gaston.  The is the height of Peruvian Gastronomy.

On day three, your adventure begins with a flight to the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco.  You will then be whisked away to the five-star Monasterio Hotel, that was once the ancient residence for the vicery of Spain.  Have lunch which afterwards will be followed by a guided tour to the Qoricancha temple, the Sacsahuaman Incan fortress overlooking Cuzco, then off to Qenko and Puka Pukara.  Return to your hotel to relax for dinner and a traditional folkloric show.

For Day four, put on your hiking shoes for a full-day excursion to the sacred valley of the Incas in Urubamba followed by a trip to the historic market town of Pisac.  The historic adventure continues to the only town not defeated by the Spanish, Ollantaytambo.

Day 5.  You cannot visit Peru without a tour to Machu Picchu.

Day 6, wake up to a sunrise over Machu Picchu at the Sanctuary Lodge.  It will be a sunrise you will never forget. Return to Cuzco via a scenic trip aboard the luxurious Hiram Bingham train where you will have dinner and cocktails before you arrive back at the Monasterio Hotel.

Day 7.  Travel to the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, aboard the trans-altiplano Inca express where you will transfer aboard to the Andean Explorer of Peru for lunch while taking in all the lakeside views.  For the evening, you will be privately transferred to the next 5-star Libertadores Hotel, situated on the beautiful shore.

After breakfast on day 8 (man, time is flying), take a private boat tour to the islands of Uros and Taquile on Lake Titicaca.  Members of the self-sustaining island will happily welcome you and share their ancient customs and traditions.  Take in more of the uniquely spectacular views on the island of Taquile while having lunch before your return to the hotel for another spectacular evening lakeside view for dinner.

There are only a couple days left, so squeeze in another sunrise wake up in Peru before you travel to Juliaca to see the Silluastani Funeral Towers.  They date back to the pre-Inca times are just a trace of some of the most ancient cultures found in this nook of the world.  The days excursion will follow with a flight returning to Lima with, yes, another private transfer back to the Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel.  If all the adventure, not to mention altitude has you weary, spend some time in the health spa for re-energizing treatments.

The adventure comes to an end with an shopping opportunity in Lima before your transfer to the airport for home.

In case that doesn’t do it for you when it comes to adventure, there are other tours which include class III and IV rapid trips down Urubamba River, accommodated treks to Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu, kayaking on Lake Titicaca…

Have you received your Halloween party invitation yet?  Maybe it is sitting on your kitchen counter as a reminder that you have to get a costume, or at least start thinking of one.  Halloween is that one great holiday, the preface for the others soon to follow.  But forget about those for now.  It is time to have some fun.  What man doesn’t dream about playing a superhero?  Don’t be ashamed, you all have at one point, even if it has been since you were ten.  Women, too want to have a little fun.  Here are some ideas in case you haven’t thought of anything.  a

I think many of us have forgotten that Halloween is meant to be a little on the edge of scary when it comes to costumes.  If you are looking for a little scream appeal, for about $2,000 you can transform into a vampire.  However, if you are looking for the sex appeal of Robert Pattison in Twilight, look elsewhere.

If you want to be Batman, don’t resort for the largest of kids’ sizes in superhero getups at the local seasonal costume shop.  For $1,000, you can dress like the genuine dark knight himself, chiseled muscles and all.

For the Star Wars fanatics, you can dress up like Chewbacca for only $450, just slightly less than what the original cost.  Native Wookiee sound not included, you’ll have to practice.

Some people’s superhero fantasies are not always out of comic books, but from history.  Dress up like Attila the Hun, the most feared enemy of the Roman Empire for two decades.  $1,500

Ladies!  Enter the room in this amazing, sexy and powerful costume.  The Moulin Rouge Ringmaster.  Crack your whip and see if you can get the Chewbacca on his knees.  $2,400

How about dressing as a sexy playmate?  For $4,000, you can dress like one of the originals.  Maybe get your beau to be Hugh.

For wine enthusiasts and collectors, it might be a dream to build a custom cellar. However, it can be more than a dream and even more than simply a functional room to store your wine. Like your living room, entertainment rooms and kitchen, you could also make the wine cellar a gathering place. Wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed. As food is the focal point in the kitchen for guests to gather and be entertained while it is made, wine too, can become a focal point.

Before you set out on building your custom cellar, there are a few things you should consider.

1.  When considering the size of one’s cellar, a design for growth and expansion might be a key point to consider. Are you striving for a specific bottle number? If you are a collector who likes to purchase magnums or larger formats, some extra space may need to be considered.

2.  Do you have prized and rare bottles?  You might want to keep those under lock and key in another part separate from the wine cellar or within.  Not only will this keep your precious bottles safe and secure, but it also is a great way to keep those out who know nothing about wine from snatching just any bottle for a casual sipper–or say from yourself in perhaps an off colour moment, maybe after you have already enjoyed a bottle or two.  C’mon, we’ve all been there.  <big grins>

3.  Are the overall aesthetics in the cellar important? Do you want custom-crafted shelving to place a nice frame around your wine, meeting both design and functional needs?

4.  Maybe you would like a refrigeration system to keep the whites and sparklings on hand and ready when you want them.

5.  If you plan on making the wine cellar another gathering space in your home, perhaps consider an area for dining and relaxing.

6.  For wine, cigar and spirit enthusiasts, how about a separate room off the wine cellar, for puffing on your favorite Cuban and aged scotch? Of course the wine cellar would need to be carefully sealed or protected from cigar smoke so as not to taint the corks.

7.  If you will be using the space for entertainment, think about having a special area designed, much like a bar, to hold your wine-pouring tools, decanters, crystal.  Maybe even have a set up for a dining table.  For any of these considerations in the entertainment realm of your cellar, consider low-lighting, as bright lights can be harmful to the wines.

8.  For large collections, it might be a great idea to keep track of your stock via the use of a coding system.  Much like a POS system for retail stores, with the right assistance, this could easily be installed.  Have a professional come in who is educated on the aging of your wines.  Much like antique dealers know about the value of an object just by glance or a name on the bottom of an old china plate, so should the wine professional about your labels.  However, even at times, there is still need for a little research.

For the coded stock system, say you have a case of wine that is about to fall from its peak for ultimate enjoyment and into the last couple years or months of aging.  It might be a good idea to program a reminder for these wines to be flagged in your system.  This way, no wine is lost or forgotten, something which could easily be done with large collections.

8.  And perhaps it is last on the list, but this doesn’t mean it is the least important.  A top of the line humidity and temperature control is a must, and no one should skimp in this area.  This is the best security you can have for your collection.  It ensures all your bottles’ corks and the wine inside will remain in the best of conditions.

Ultimately, your wine cellar, even if in a portion of the collection there are investment pieces, is meant to be something of pleasure and enjoyment, and for many years, even generations.  The design and functionality should represent this.  Salud!

Colder weather is approaching and we all know what the cold, and most-often times, dry air can do to our skin.  Sometimes it has nothing to do with spoiling or treating yourself, but just getting what you need.  This season, pile up these products in your anti-winter skin arsenal.

The Leakey Collection Pure Marula Oil, $78

The Tsonga people of South Africa and other countries such as Namibia have used this oil for generations, both for skin care and in their food.  Rather than cleaning themselves, the women utilized the oil instead as a cleanser and body lotion, and also for their babies as a massage oil.  This magical oil has more rich omega 9 acids and antioxidants than grape seed oil.  Perfect for the winter months when the weather can wreak havoc on one’s skin, increasing wrinkles or making them more profound, along with other damage.  This oil will make your skin more firm and increase the “bounce” we once had in our youth.  It is suitable for any skin type.

But before I move on to the next, you must know, the Marula oil is so effective,  it aided breast cancer patients in the resolution of their erythema and edema while undergoing chemo treatments.  The best cures really are born in nature.

Jao Goe All Over Body Oil, $30

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, $54

Another great body treatment, the Clarins Tonic Oil is used to improve the elasticity of skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.  Lightweight and silky smooth, made from 100% plant extracts.

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil, $30

If you do not care for the “oiliness” of body oils, the Kiehl’s Argan Dry Oil is your potion.  It is made with oil extracted from the kernels of apricots, extra-virgin olive oil, along with others from avocados and sesame seeds.  It contains a very high content of vitamin E, oleic, linoleic and other fatty acids.  It will soften your skin and improve the skin creating a more even tone and clarity, without that oily-feel.  A fair-trade product.

Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser, $22

Along with your moisturizers and maintenance creams, it is also important to switch up your soaps and cleansers.  It is advised that during the colder months–even though it is hard to resist long-hot ones–you take tepid, shorter showers and use gentler cleansers..   A hot shower will only strip your skin of much needed natural oils needed for the cooler weather.  As for another cleaning regimen, this is an eye-make up remover and cleanser for sensitive skin, or skin which has become sensitive, as it does in winter.  The formula is developed with a minute amount of ingredients in mind.  It will leave your skin clean, yet comfortable, is free of paraben, color, and perfumes.

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, $36

After you cleanse, apply a moisture-rich hydrator.  Clinique has developed this oil-free cream gel that will instantly rehydrate and plump your skin.  It is good for twenty-four hours after application, blocking irritants found in our environment out.

Fresh Crème Ancienne Eye Cream, $95

Don’t step out the door with the morning puffy eyes and dark circles.  This specially formulated eye cream with Meadowfoam seed and Seabuckthorn oil will diminish all of the unwanted signs of aging, including puffiness and circles.  These special oils contain fatty acids and omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 which make it fast absorbing, protect and restore your skin.  The other key ingredient, sugar apple seed extract will reduce those little corner wrinkles and creases.  The rose water, will calm and sooth.  Make this your daily, even nightly under eye treatment.

The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ, $24

There is nothing worse, than the feeling of dry, cracking lips in the cold.  Start off with a lip scrub, created by Sara Happ.  By applying and exfoliating your lips with the scrub, it will rid your lips of any flaky and dry skin, making them soft, supple and of course, kissable.  Comes in flavors of vanilla bean, red velvet (cake), blood orange and green apple!

Rodan+Fields Anti-Age Lip Renewing Serum, $53

After you’ve done the scrub, protect the new, healthy layer of skin with this serum from Rodan & Fields.  It will bring back a rosy, youthful tone to your kisser with antioxidant-rich and peptide contained in each capsule.  It will maintain and erase time on your lips in helping them to retain their texture and natural moisture.  60 capsules.

Kaplan MD Lip 20 Balm, $35

What is the best night for a movie night?  Usually a dark and dreary evening with nothing in the forecast but miserable, chilly rain.  Movie night.  But why head out in such weather when you can just head to the movies in your own home.  If you are thinking about updating your home theater entertainment to resemble an actual night at the movies and not so much like a living room and a large television, here’s a possible option.

For $6 million

Music producer, Jeremy Kipnis has been awarded the prestigious title for owning the most expensive home movie theater system.  So where and how did he drop so much cash?  Here are the details.

The Silver Screen.

A laboratory-grade Stewart Snowmatte.

Projector.

Sony ultra-high-resolution digital projector, 4,096 x 2,160

Suround sound.

The guy is a music producer, don’t think he skimped on this.  8 tower speakers.  30 amplifiers.  16 subwoofers. 10 tweeters.

This is, the “Kipnis’ Outer Limits Theater”.  The audio system has 8.8 channels and delivers a frequency response of 10Hz to 100kHz.

You cannot expect to operate all of this on an average home power source.  In order to maintain all of the systems, Kipnis has installed a 13,800 volt step-down transformer system.

And just in case you want to throw this project in your budget for next year, here are some specs:

Speakers MuRata ES103A Super Tweeters (10) Snell THX Music & Cinema Reference LCR-2800 Center-Channel Speakers (3) Snell 1800 THX Music & Cinema Reference Subwoofers (16) Snell THX Music & Cinema Reference Towers (8)

Surround Processing and Decoding Theta Digital Generation VIII 32-bit 8x Oversampling Dual Processors (13)

Video Sony SRX-S110 Professional Video Projector Stewart 18-by-10-foot Snowmatte 1.0 Gain Laboratory-Grade Motion Picture Screen

Players Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Player Sony PlayStation 3 Gaming Console Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD Player JVC HMDH-5U D-VHS Recorder Hard drive that holds 72 hours of HDTV Mark Levinson N° 51 DVD/CD Media Player Pioneer HLD-X0 Hi-Vision HDTV MUSE Laserdisc Player

Amps McIntosh MC-2102 Amplifiers (30) Crown Macro Reference Gold Amplifiers (3) Mark Levinson N° 33h Amplifiers (2)