Guest Post on Skimbaco Lifestyles

It is always an honor to be a guest or featured on someone else's blog and today, I had the honor of guest posting for Katja Presnal, owner of Skimbaco Lifestyles blog: Living Life to the Fullest.

Katja Presnal is one smart women who is a genuine Social Media Maven. If you are on Twitter and you are not following @KatjaPresnal yet, you need to!

It's hard to tell who is genuine right off the cuff when you enter the world of Social Media mingling; however, over time people reveal who they really are through their conversations with you or others. I have found Katja to be consistent and she adds value to my twitter stream!

Katja Presnal is a PR and Social Media Marketing Consultant. She helps companies to market to moms. She is the Owner of www.Skimbacolifestyle.com, If that is not all, Katja is also a mother, wife, and skier who is originally from Finland. She now resides in New York with her family.I want to invite you to visit www.skimbacolifestyles.com and check out all the amazing things this woman does for her community and world!

Also check out my guest blog post Living Life to the Fullest.

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What Are You Giving Up for Lent?

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent season. This is a tradition for some Christian religions when one may give up something dear to them for 40 days that typically begins 7 weeks before Easter - Ash Wednesday (February 25, 2009).

My parents and some of my siblings are practicing Catholics and as a matter of fact, one of my sisters who resides in Connecticut is a Nun. This is a very special season for them. I honor and respect my parents and my sister Huyen who is the NUN; however, my husband and I are non-denominational and attend Life Changers Church in the Chicagoland area. A year ago, our Pastor, Gregroy Dickow launched 40 Days of "Fast From Wrong Thinking". We believe in change occurring from the inside-out. Many times we try to change our outward habits to only go back to them again.

This campaign is about changing from the inside-out and has since grown to over 100,000 people world-wide. Amazing!

We do not practice the traditional Lent Season, nor am I giving up a certain type of food, shopping, or social media, etc. Instead my husband and I are joining Pastor Dickow and 100,000 others world-wide to Fast From Wrong Thinking.

The change that we desire in our lives has to take place from within. Proverbs 23:7, says, "As a man thinks within himself, so is he."

Most people who know me, would ask, "Why do you need to Fast From Wrong Thinking?" I'm known to be a positive person and this is true; however, there is always room for improvement. We must never think that we've arrived. Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall, according to Proverbs 16:18.

Are you sacrificing something dear to you over Lent season? If so, I want to encourage you to choose "Fast From Wrong Thinking!" When you change your thinking, you will change your life! Your life will transform from the inside-out! To learn more about Fast From Wrong Thinking, please visit From the Inside Out for more details!

I will be giving away 2 From the Inside-Out Devotionals.

To Qualify: Register for Fast From Wrong Thinking and comment below to let me know. (that's it)

Please let me know by commenting that you have joined me and 100,000 others on this journey to Fast From Wrong Thinking and changing your life from the inside-out.



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MomFaves: Helping Women to Live Healthier & Happier!

MomFaves helping moms to reduce stress by finding their favorite things on line submitted by other moms...saving, time, energy! Watch video to learn more about MomFaves!


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Facelogic Spa Review & Give-Away -Chicagoland Area

I was invited by owner, Anna Phan of Facelogic Spa at The Arboretum of South Barrington, Illinois to review her spa. I was intrigued by Facelogic Spa’s motto which is: “Pure Pleasure. Pure Luxury. Purely Affordable.”
Quality is absolutely essential for me when it comes to getting any type of spa service. However, what caught my attention was that Facelogic Spa was really “affordable.”

How much is the average facial? After doing some research, according to Spatory.com, the average facial is $75 and can increase into the hundreds. The cost also varies according to the region in which you live in.
I ran a poll asking women on a couple of social networks, “How often do you get a facial?” Within just a few hours, I received 140 responses. Of the responses, the results are as follows: Never: 39%
Only if receive Gift Certificates: 36%
1x/month: 10%
1x/every 3 months: 3%
1x/every 6 months: 6%
1x/a year: 4%
Other: (ei: at home): 2%

From this poll of approximately 145 women, the results revealed that majority of women either have never gotten facials, or they would only get a facial if they received a gift certificate.

This brings me back to Facelogic Spa. I was absolutely amazed at not only the quality of the facial, but the various options based on your skin type that was offered with a price that is “purely affordable!” Cost is a common reason that prevents women from having regular facials.

With Faceologic Spa prices, those of you who responded to only getting a facial if you received a gift certificate (36%) or never have gotten a facial (39%), may want to consider scheduling some"ME TIME" and get pampered!

Getting regular facials is actually one of the secrets to having healthy, youthful skin. Your skin cells renew every 28-30 days; therefore,in order for new skin to come to the surface, it's important to have the old, dead layers of skin on your face is removed. A great way to achieve this is by having regular facials or using a quality skin care product and exfoliate. Getting regular facials will help to promote healthy, youthful, and glowing skin.


Facelogic Spa is expanding across the country offering facials that are pure pleasure, pure luxury, and purely affordable.

Did you know that you can become a member and receive a luxurious facial for $49 a month? I have received manicures and pedicures that cost twice as much! Currently Facelogic at the Abouretum of South Barrington is offering an introductory offer for all first time visitors to enjoy a Signature facial for only $49 (member's price).

My first Facelogic Spa experience was nothing short of heavenly.

I was escorted to private room by an experienced aestheticism, where a zero gravity chair awaits. If you haven’t sat on one, oh my! Zero gravity chairs takes the pressure off of your lower back. Below is the all organic Eminence facial that I chose for my hour of pampering and total bliss:

1) Stone Crop Gel Wash
2) Stone Crop Hydrating Mist
3) AHA C Alpha Hydroxy Acid –fruit pulp treatment (exfoliation)
4) Massage: décolletage, arms, temple
5) Stone Crop Serum
6) Stone Crop Masque
7) Stone Crop Whipped Moisturizer

Facelogic Spa would like to invite you to enjoy a complementary Signature facial at the upscale outdoor mall at The Arboretum of South Barrington, Illinois (NW suburbs)location. If you do not live in the area, please feel free to enter the Give-Away to receive one of Facelogic Spa products online valued at the price of a Signature facial.

To enter the Give-Away, please do the following: You may receive an entry for each of the items you participate in below. Please leave email and your Twitter I.D (if on Twitter) so I can contact you if you are the winner.

1). Comment & tweet (Enter to win a facial at Facelogic Spa-South Barrington, IL)
2) Comment & Subscribe to blog
3. Comment & Subscribe to monthly newsletter
4) Comment, Subscribe to blog, newsletter & tweet

Give-Away deadline: Saturday, February 28th at 10pm CST. Best Wishes!!

*Facelogic Spa Give-Away is restricted to South Barrington, IL location.

Live Healthier & Happier,

Survey: Facials

Please take this quick survey and comment below. You may comment anonymously if you wish. The results from this survey may be used in an upcoming post regarding Facials. Please share this survey with your friends. Thank you!




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Review & Give Away: The Five Love Languages

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, is probably one of the greatest and most important books that I have read on marriage. I believe that if we took the time to understand what our spouse’s love language is, we will not only enhance our marriage, but it may even prevent our marriage from failing.

Do you know what your spouse’s love language is? Does your spouse know what your love language is? New York Times Bestselling book,The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mateby Dr. Gary Chapman is a must read for all couples who desire to have a thriving and successful relationship.

Dr. Chapman reveals how love is communicated through five different language and it’s important to discover which one of the love languages you and your spouse speak.

The five love languages are: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

If your spouse’s love language is Quality Time, but you have failed to give that to him or her, but instead focused on Acts of Service, then you are speaking the wrong love language! Knowing one another's love language may be the secret restoring a failing marriage or just the key you need to enhance your relationship.

Enter to win The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.

All you have to do is comment below with your email address so I can contact you or your Twitter ID if you are on Twitter. Best Wishes!

Related Article: Love is a Battlefield

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Love is a Battlefield

"Life is a quest and love a quarrel" (Edna St. Vincent Millay). How true this can be! Love is a battlefield that can be visualized as fighting, war, or conflict; it's a danger zone that is sometimes difficult to avoid. Often times, a relationship turns from a comfort zone to a war zone where conflict and fighting seem to persist, and a ceasefire is nowhere in sight. In a war when a ceasefire is called, opponents will either prepare to negotiate or enter a truce.
Perhaps you are in a relationship where a ceasefire needs to be called. This could be a relationship that you have with a spouse, a significant other, a relative, a child, an in-law, or perhaps a friend. You may just be in a war zone and not a love zone.

Although love is a short sweet four letter word, it comes with great perplexity. Love can bring one into a state of euphoria or inexpressible emotion but, for many it can bring confusion. Love is a fundamental part of our lives and relationships. It is believed that a vital human need is to be loved. A true revelation of what "love" really means will cause you to avoid the battlefield.

First, understand that love is not a feeling as many have come to believe. Love is a choice, a decision, and is unconditionally given regardless of how you feel. You are not always going to feel like loving that person in your life, whether it is your husband, your child, or a relative. They may do or say something that has really hurt you, and you might find it hard to feel love towards them.

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, Dr. Gary Chapman says,

"Child psychologists affirm that every child has certain basic emotional needs that must be met if he is to be emotionally stable. Among those emotional needs, none is more basic than the need for love and affection, the need to sense that he or she belongs and is wanted. With an adequate supply of affection, the child will likely develop into a responsible adult. Without love, he or she will be emotionally retarded....inside every child is an emotional tank waiting to be filled with love. Much of misbehavior in children is motivated by the cravings of an empty "love tank."

If children are not getting love at home, they will look for it in all the wrong places. The love tank that children have is no different than the love tank that adults have. It needs to be filled and follows the child right into adulthood relationships, thereby providing an opening for a new battleground to deal with.

For some couples, it is much easier to end the relationship than to work through the fires. For some friendships, it is simpler to avoid one another and let a cold war begin than to work out the differences. This is most popular amongst couples. Dr. Laura Berman, PhD, says that couples must "fight to love, not to win and that their relationship is not a battleground but a safe haven."

Make love a choice. Walk in love and not in a battle. Don't allow your relationships to be a battlefield, but a sanctuary, a place of refuge. A place where love never fails!

"Love is a choice you make from moment to moment." ~ Barbara De Angelis



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Are You Cooking With the Right Fats?

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Klean Kanteen Water Bottle Review & Give Away

Healthy Beauty Secrets is passionate about helping you to live healthier by sharing and promoting products that are safe for you and your family I have connected with a great company, BuyGreen to give away a Klean Kanteen stainless steel reusable water bottle. In addition to several products on their website, this one is one of the finest Eco-friendly products among many others that they carry.


I am excited to own a Pink Klean Kanteen water bottle. I love that it's slender enough to fit in my purse and I am very excited for one of my readers to receive a Klean Kanteen water bottle!
BuyGreen is an earth-friendly company that is dedicated to bringing you products that are healthy and safe for your family and the environment.

The Klean Kanteen bottles are stainless steel and will not leach chemicals or toxins into your water. It is a safe alternative to plastic and the lined metal container is high-quality, sturdy, lightweight, reusable and recyclable. The Klean Kanteen is slim and fits most cup bottle holders. The caps are changeable. If you are interested in a sippy cap for your toddler, make sure to check out the sippy caps.

Enter to win the 18 oz. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel and Eco-Friendly bottle (color of winner’s choice).

Please comment below with the following: Each item that you participate in will allow you additional entries.

1. Comment and Subscribe to my blog either by RSS or email upper right column. Be sure to leave your email address and (twitter ID if you are on twitter) = (1 entry)

2. Comment and tweet & follow blog: See right column to follow = (2 entries)

3. Comment and Subscribe , tweet, & follow blog =(3 entries)

Best Wishes! This Give Away will end on Saturday February 7th.

Read Plastic Bottles & Health Risks

Anti-Aging Secrets 101 & More

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Plastic Bottles & Health Risks Consumers Should Know

Plastic bottles have been known to pose health concerns. According to several health reports, plastic bottles can leach a chemical called BPA Bisphenol A)into the water that you are drinking. This chemical when given to rats in large doses causes several types of cancers and health risks ranging from imitating a women's hormone estrogen to infertility and others. You can read some of the links that I have provided to learn more.

The CDC performed a study and revealed that a little over 92% of Americans over the age of six has this BPA chemical in their bodies. This is quite alarming! The body becomes toxic when it is burden with chemicals. We are already exposed to several other toxins as I have shared in previous posts.

How can we avoid chemicals and toxins? The truth is that we really can not avoid it 100%; however, we can do everything we know to do in our power to reduce chemicals and toxins from entering into our bodies and home by making better health choices.

How do you know if your plastic bottles have this chemical? There is a little triangle under the bottle with numbers inside. The number 7 shows that BPA exists and therefore is likely to be leaching into the water that you are drinking. The number 3 and 6 may show that there are related chemicals and may be a health concern. The FDA has been asked by some members of the congress to prohibit the use of this plastic; however, I there has not been a response to this request.

I have said it over and over again, we must be proactive and not reactive when it comes to our health. Why wait for the FDA announce a health threat? You can take measures to live healthier taking charge of your own health.

There are several companies such as BuyGreen who are providing families with safer options to using plastic bottles. I found Buy Green through Twitter and saw that one of the products they carry is the Klean Kanteen water bottles, which are stainless steel and will not leach chemicals or toxins into your water. It is a safe alternative to plastic and the lined metal container is high-quality, sturdy, lightweight, reusable and recyclable. The Klean Kanteen is slender and fits most cup bottle holders.

Healthy Beauty Secrets is giving away a Klean Kanteen water bottle. Please visit the Klean Kanteen Review & Give Away post and Enter to win an 18 oz. water bottle (color of your).

Live Healthier & Happier,