BPA stands for bis-phenol A and is a chemical compound that has been used to make certain plastics and resins for the last 25 years or so. It’s purpose is to make polycarbonate plastic. Which is used for containers and coatings such as the lining of metal food containers, water bottles, pizza boxes and food take-out containers.

BPAs are found in everything from car bumpers to baby bottles to tomato sauce to cash-register receipts. The chemical is also found in life-saving lightweight medical equipment and security panels. It’s even used to make eyeglasses lenses and toys. BPAs are so prevalent in our society that the CDC reported in 2007 that the chemical was detected in the urine in 93% of the population over 6 years of age in this country. And was linked to a host of health problems.

One of the many items that I snagged to review on my day at GreenFest NY was the Hydros Water Bottle. I’ve been in the market for a filtering water bottle for a little while, so I was happily surprised when I came across the Hydros Table at the event and was able to snag it for $20.

Every now and then, I like to switch up my beauty routine, just so my skin doesn’t build up an immunity of sorts to what I’m doing. So, although my Homemade Morning Routine and My Nighttime Skin Reggie were working ok, I decided to change things up a bit.
I tried out some less than stellar makeup recently, and the ingredients made me break out a bit. After that, I noticed that the black soap I normally use seemed to be irritating my already enflamed skin. Time to find a more gentle cleanser.

After searching the web, I came across the Yes to Blueberries line. (First carrots, then cucumbers, now blueberries. Who knew?) Apparently blueberries are natural anti-oxidants, which are good for someone with skin in my…um…age range. ahem

One chilly Saturday morning, I got it in my head that I wanted to have scones for breakfast with tea. However, I really didn’t feel like walking down to the corner café, and paying $5 for a scone the size of my head. (The fact the whole endeavor would require a level of dressing, coat-wearing and shoe-finding that I had no interest in performing didn’t help either). So I did what I usually do. I hopped on the web until I found a recipe that matched the ingredients in my fridge. After a bit of futzing, I altered something I found and came up with this. Enjoy!

One of my New Year’s Resolutions (like half the country) is to shed a few pounds. But another New Year’s Resolution is to stick to a budget! A third New Year’s resolution is to keep things simple. That’s means I’m not going to pay for a gym membership that I will barely use, I will take exercise seriously, but I’m not spending half the day doing it. What I have been doing lately is a combo of

I was in a hurry the other morning and lamented the fact that I really wanted a smoothie for breakfast. I also hadn’t gotten much sleep and I really needed some coffee, and then this happened…

Don’t let the holidays make you crazy, broke or gain 30 pounds. That’s just putting more pressure on those New Year’s Resolutions you never keep. Here’s 12 ways to stay sane this holiday season with out breaking the bank, (or your cousin’s arm).

1. Shop online – There’s absolutely no reason to stand online for hours on end and fight the holiday crowds anymore. Not when just about everything we own can be ordered online. So save yourself the headache and cybershop this season. You easily find coupons for kinds of items at sites like Retail Me Not, Coupon Cabin, Current Codes, DealCatcher
2. Regift – Got a gift from someone already that doesn’t suit you but would be perfect for a co-worker? Regift! The only time this is not a good idea, when the original giver is present when you make the exchange.
3. Gift Cards – Have and uncle that needs everything but wants nothing? Yep. Time for a gift car. Some of the most generic to choose from are at Amazon. Check out Savvy Amazon Gift Cardsfor simple, last-minute gift giving.

When the temperature drops, I tend tend to drink less water, (because I’m cold!) and my skin suffers. So I’ve gone back to my weekly facial routine, and it’s really helped a lot. My favorite part of the pampering ritual is the mask. It always leaves my face feeling so refreshed, even Sexy noticed a difference! Below are three of my favorites:

I’m always looking for recipes that can make enough to last more than one day, something vegan for Sexy, or can be eaten over more than one meal. This is all three! I adapted this from a recipe I found on allrecipes. This corn bread isn’t dessert sweet, but it’s definitely not bland either. Now, some purists might say that corn bread should never be sweet.

I disagree.

But, for those of you who subscribe to that point of view, feel free to decrease the sugar in this recipe.

This is a great weeknight dish to make and is simpler than you think! It’s basically a rice and bean dish served in bell peppers. The whole thing takes little over an hour to make, and only 35 minutes if you’re using pre-cooked rice!