FitSugar

Planned Parenthood Wireless: Powered by Working Assets

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 02:17:03 PST

If you're unhappy with your present cell phone service, and you're thinking of switching, here's an option. Planned Parenthood Wireless through Working Assets.

"Planned Parenthood Wireless is a new choice for your cell phone service. By signing up for this service, you will help preserve reproductive rights, and ensure access to comprehensive family planning and medically accurate sex education for women and families around the world. You'll do something you do every day - talk on your cell phone - and you'll be helping Planned Parenthood as 10% of all monthly charges goes to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, at no extra cost to you."

When you switch to Working Assets, Planned Parenthood will refund any termination fee you might have to pay, up to $175.

Making the choice to switch to Planned Parenthood Wireless is similar to buying Fair Trade chocolate or sweatshop-free clothing. It's a conscious choice to do something that helps to support a cause you believe in.

I know Planned Parenthood is sometimes considered a controversial organization, but if you believe in their mission then this is a great way to support them.

What's the Deal with The 100-Mile Diet?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:55:00 PST

Another day, another diet. Or so it seems, but I actually like the idea of this new so-called diet.

The 100-Mile Diet is a meal plan that encourages you to eat only foods grown, raised or crafted within a 100-mile radius of your home. In a nut shell, even though it is called a diet, the goal is not losing weight, but I can imagine you'll end up eating way healthier because most of us will be missing a lot of highly processed foods (unless the Lay's Potato Chip factory is in your neighborhood). The mission of the diet: Local eating equals global change for a lifestyle that promotes sustainable agriculture where you live, while cutting down on the amount of energy and resources it takes to get food to the table.

I gotta say, this diet is great in theory, but it can get pretty tough and expensive. For example if you live in the Ocean State, I am pretty sure that Rhode Island's cattle market is not so booming, but boy you'll be loving life if you're into lobsters. Or what about the abundance of veggies (or lack of) during the winter in North Dakota? I know it may sound a little crazy but think about it...before highways, airports and the internet, it was a normal way of life. (Though the inequality of women was normal too and I'm not sure I want to go back there, but ah, I digress.)

Interested? Check out the 100 mile diet site to learn more and find what 100 miles means for you.

Fit's Tip: Things to think about -- Vermont maple syrup, Maine lobsters, Iowa corn, Idaho potatoes, California raisins, Wisconsin cheese...Try doing one meal first, then consider the diet.

16 Memorial Day Discounts to Look Out For

Emily Co — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:35:29 PDT

As always, when it's time for a holiday weekend, everyone's looking forward to the extra day off - as well as the sales and discounts. Memorial Day is no different. Although we've given you the lowdown on which products you should keep an eye out for, here are a couple of great sales going on:

Amazon: Up to 60 percent off select women's, men's, and children's clothing.
Macy's: 15 percent off and free shipping with the code MEMDAY.
Pottery Barn: Save up to 60 percent on hundreds of items, such as umbrellas, lanterns, outdoor rugs, and more.
West Elm: Extra 15 percent off sales items with the promo code MEMDAY12.
Nordstrom: Nordstorm's half yearly sale on women's and children's items.
Bloomingdale's: Bloomingdale's Big Brown Sale offers discounts ranging from 20 to 65 percent.
REI: Save up to 30 percent on clothing and outdoor and sports gear.
Ikea: Deduct your restaurant charges when you purchase over $100 worth of home furnishings.
Quiznos: Small Sub, regular fountain drink, and chips combo for $2.99 if you show this coupon.
Tumi: Up to 40 percent off select items.
Sears: Over 300 Memorial Day deals.
JC Penney: Free shipping if you use the promo code JCPSHIP.
Puma: 30 percent discount if you use the code PUMASAVE30. Also, for every $50 spent between now and May 31, you get $25 to spend during the month of June.
Best Buy: 10 to 25 percent off major appliances.
Kohl's: Up to 75 percent off select home items, and if you use the promo code SUMMER20, then you get 20 percent off.
Ralph Lauren: Free shipping with promo code MAYFS12 and 25 percent off select sale items.
Perry Ellis: 40 percent off all online purchases with the code PEMEMORIAL40.

Shop Minted's Amazing Custom Kids' Prints For a Cause!

Kate Stahl — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:02 PDT

Minted has been one of our favorite stops for party invitations and holiday cards for some time, but the company's new collection of limited-edition and customizable kids' art has us really flipping out. Minted sources the prints from artists around the world, and all are available in multiple colorways and sizes. Not only are they totally incredible and affordable (most start at $15 to $20), but also, if buy one before the end of May, then 50 percent of your purchase price will go to support for Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington's advocacy group that promotes global maternal health. Keep clicking to see 10 of our favorite Minted prints, but if they don't inspire you, then there are literally more than a hundred other options to choose from!

5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

Why Everyone (Even 20-Somethings) Should Make a Will

Business Insider — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:15:44 PDT

Getting a will is not just for those who are on the cusp of retiring. People of all ages should consider writing one, says Business Insider. Here's why.

Despite the well-known fact that everyone alive today will kick the bucket at one point or another, nearly 60 percent of Americans admitted in a 2011 poll conducted by online legal service Rocket Lawyer that they didn't have a will.

In fact, one-third said they'd rather do their taxes, get a root canal, or give up sex for a month than lay out their dying wishes in black and white.

All right, let's not get out of hand now.

Making a will these days is easier than ever, and if you've been putting it off simply because it seems daunting, then you could be making a big mistake.

"You do it for your family's [future]," says Rocket Lawyer founder Charley Moore. "[A will] enables you to start thinking about issues like whether you have the right insurance coverage, life insurance, and ways of replacing your lost income."

Whether you're 22 years old and just ran your umpteenth marathon or you're ready to retire, laying out an estate plan should definitely be near the top of your to-do list.

It's one of the three most important documents every adult should have.

Here are the other two, according to Moore:

A living will: Also called an advanced healthcare directive, a living will is where you lay out all the nuts and bolts of your end-of-life care. If you wind up in a coma or unresponsive in the hospital, then a living will can help your family decide how to handle your medical treatment.

Durable power of attorney: Choose an attorney you trust to administer your estate after your death, says Moore. He or she will be objective (unlike family members), and their entire job is to follow your wishes.

Read on for more.

What It Takes to Buy a Home

Kiplinger — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:47 PDT

Do you have what it takes to buy a home? Consider this exhaustive guide from Kiplinger.

Tired of renting? It could be a great time to buy your first home. In many cities, home prices have bottomed, and rents have risen. Mortgage rates are still superlow. In fact, homes haven't been as affordable since 1971. On the downside, in many cities, buyers have fewer homes from which to choose and more competition for the best houses.

In Austin, TX, newlyweds Mark and Ariane Corcoran bought their first home in March. They were renting in a popular downtown neighborhood, where they paid $1,200 a month for a 500-square-foot loft apartment, when they inherited enough money for a down payment. When they began shopping, they expected to buy a classic 1930s Austin bungalow. They found lots of prospects online but drove by most of them. "Agents are really good at taking photos that exclude what they don't want you to see, like the used-car lot out back," says Mark.

They put in an offer on a $225,000, 800-square-foot home. But after the home inspection, they realized that it needed $20,000 to $30,000 in renovations and repairs and that they'd quickly outgrow it. They walked away during the state-mandated rescission period (during which a buyer can back out for any reason and get back any earnest money deposited).

Ariane identified their next prospect within an hour after the listing appeared online. It was a newly built, 1,600-square-foot home with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a yard for the dogs. The builder asked $270,000, the couple offered $260,000, he countered, and they paid $268,000. They put down 20 percent to avoid private mortgage insurance and snagged a 30-year fixed rate of 3.75 percent from a credit union. Their monthly mortgage payment is $1,524.

Before you take the plunge, consider the answers to questions often posed by first-time buyers. Read on for what to ask yourself.

Drinking Coffee, Decaf or Not, Has Health Benefits

Leta Shy — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:51:01 PDT

The benefits and risks of coffee are often debated, but a new study has found that coffee drinkers may be better off sticking to that cup of joe: in fact, having two cups of coffee a day may just help you live longer - even if it's decaf.

The latest coffee study followed 400,000 healthy older men and women and is the largest study to ever look at the benefits and risks of coffee. Of the study group, 42,000 did not drink any coffee, about 15,000 drank more than six cups a day, and the remaining study participants averaged two to three cups. After following the group for almost two decades, researchers found that those who drank coffee lived longer than those who didn't; men who drank two to three cups of coffee were 10 percent less likely to die at any age, and women who drank the same amount were 13 percent less likely to die at any age. The biggest risk reduction was seen in women who drank four to five cups a day.

The findings aren't a reason to force yourself to drink coffee; after all, the benefits are small, and too much caffeine can make you feel wired, anxious, or irritable, and may increase your risk of heart conditions. But the good news is that the study didn't find any differences between drinking decaf and regular coffee, so if you're a coffee fan but hate that wired feeling you get when you drink too much, have a cup of decaf in the afternoon - it just may help you live longer. (And if you don't like coffee, there's always green tea!)

Charlize Theron Breaks From SWATH to Talk Motherhood and Dating in InStyle

Lauren Turner — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:27:35 PDT

Charlize Theron got glamorous for the cover of InStyle's June issue, which hits newsstands this Friday. She's currently in the middle of a whirlwind press tour for Snow White and the Huntsman and hit the red carpet for the film's London premiere yesterday. Charlize told us she's excited to share the movie with fans though in the magazine she touched more on her personal life including dating and her newly adopted son Jackson. Here's more from Charlize Theron in InStyle:

On getting older: "I see my face and my body changing, and they’re all changes I’m OK with. Part of me understands I may not be in front of the camera forever, and maybe not just because of age, but because of me. I wouldn’t have started my own production company if I didn’t feel that way."
On adopting son Jackson: "Motherhood was something I always knew I wanted to experience. What a great opportunity for someone like me who wants to have a family. I can only hope to be 10 percent of the mom mine was to me. She encouraged me to be confident and enjoy life. That’s what I want for my son. So far I’m not surprised by anything about being a mom. It’s all pretty great-but that’s what I expected."
On dating: "I’m always open to a relationship, but I’m not putting those feelers out there now. I’m not unhappy with it, but I’m not like, 'Oh, this is so much better than when I was in a relationship.' I am a relationship girl. That’s kind of just how I’m made."

How to Spray Perfume in Your Hair (Yes, There Are Rules)

Jessica Cruel — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:02:00 PDT

So, you've been spritzing your favorite fragrance on your hair to get a scent that wafts through the air with every hair flip. And while perfume can mask smoke and other unwanted odors, the question remains: Is it safe for your strands? It turns out, there are a couple things you should ask yourself before you turn your body spray into a hair mist.

What's in this? Eau de parfums usually contain a high alcohol content in order to make the scent last - even up to 20 percent. Although alcohol is a necessary evil, when you're searching for a type to spray in strands, look for a brand with lower levels (10 percent or less), recommends celebrity stylist Serge Normant. Also, consider if the perfume contains ingredients that can be good for your hair. Normant, for instance, is set to launch a low-alcohol fragrance for hair and body, Avah, on June 1, and the juice is formulated with hair-nourishing vitamin E, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.

How should I apply it? If you decide to spritz your hair with a fragrance, don't get it too close because it will rewet your hair and saturate it with alcohol. Normant recommends spraying the product in the air instead, and then walking through to get a light mist. Ahh.

Source: Flickr User AMELIA SPEED formerly foxandfeathers