I’m sitting at my kitchen table devouring three food finds I want to share with Beauty News NYC readers. If you’re counting calories, forget it, because these snacks are so worth it. Don’t feel too guilty because, while decadent, these goodies are healthy, organic, and satisfy a rumbling tummy.

Layer on the yogurt:
My daughter especially likes yogurt, and the fattier and creamier the better. I had searched for full-fat versions at the supermarket, but they’re hard to find – the demand is for low- and fat- free kinds, at least in my neighborhood. Well, we finally found all natural Brown Cow Yogurt and have welcomed it into our bowls and smoothies for the past few months.

Prior to kids, this skinny Mini would not buy full fat yogurt for herself. Now, I want a Brown Cow tub in my refrigerator. The consistency is delectable – so smooth, flavorful, and I’ll fight for the rich cream top. Our favorites are vanilla and maple. We haven’t tried the fruit flavors yet and coffee (for me).

Brown Cow Yogurt has received the American Humane Certified seal – The company raises and handles their cows with care and respect. Yogurts are gluten-free and kosher, have lots of live active cultures, and zero artificial growth hormones. Mom appreciates this.

We get Brown Cow yogurt at Fairway Market. Visit http://www.BrownCowFarm.com to locate a store near you.

Add the granola:
On a recent trip to a local indoor farmer’s market, we sampled and were sold on Tierra Farm Organic Granola.

My little Syd fought for spoonfuls of the granola to shove in her mouth. I thought it best to buy her a 16-oz container to appease her appetite for this nutty fruity mix.

We enjoy the triple berry granola packed with whole rolled oats, Agave syrup, sunflower seeds, cranberries, raisins, and more, plus dried coconut for a surprise flavorful twist. It is an excellent topping for our yogurt and has the right crunchy chewy mouth feel. I’m going to pack these trail mixes in Ziploc snack bags for the family – backpacks for the kiddies and Montblanc briefcases for us – just don’t spill anything!

Tierra Farms is a small, privately owned, certified organic producer and roasting company in Upstate New York.
Visit http://www.tierrafarm.com or email at web@tierrafarm.com to learn more about their products and order online.

And for Mom’s grown-up palette, I’ve found Platte Clove Naturals maple ginger granola. This feels like couture granola because the odd mix is divine: Yummy pecans are sweetened with pure maple syrup from the Catskills Mountains, powdered ginger, a touch of cinnamon, and other natural ingredients, for a surprising sugary-salty flavor explosion in my delighted mouth!

Platte Clove Naturals granola is so tasty and chunky, I’ll eat this on its’ own. Visit http://www.platteclovenaturals.com
to order online or find a market near you.

Celebrate the season with gifts that are beyond ordinary – just like their recipients. Here are some we recommend for the very distinctive men in your life:

Kipling is the brand for everything he’ll need to tote his stuff around, offering a vast selection of high-quality luggage, messenger and tote bags, backpacks and wallets. We recommend the Teagan Medium-Wheeled Trolley (featured above), which is akin to a large duffel bag on wheels, so he can breeze through airports, train stations and lobbies with ease and style. Peruse the selections at http://www.kipling-usa.com.

Onassis, based in Soho and Tokyo, designs well-constructed clothing in a range of styles from casual to dapper, which renders it the perfect holiday clothing source for men. The iconic Onassis woven shirt, Savoy Velvet Blazer, Winfield Officer’s Coat, Weber Hand-knit Lambswool Cardigan Sweater, and Parker Slim Selvage Denim Jeans all take the guesswork out of gifting. If you visit the store in person at 71 Greene Street, you relax in the Onassis Café; otherwise order at http://www.ona-ssis.com.

Many of the newest Casio watches are tough, solar-powered, water resistant, encased in stainless steel and loaded with cool features. The Casio Pathfinder has a triple sensor (Altimeter/Barometer, Thermometer and Digital Compass), as well as world time for 48 cities and sunrise and sunset data for the adventuresome. The Casio ProTrek has a awe-inspiring Tide and Moon Graph/Data feature. Check out the entire lineup to see what works best for your guy at http://www.Casio.com.

Serengeti: The Eternal Beginning by Boyd Norton is a gorgeous, eye-popping book that underscores the need to preserve this ancient swath of earth. Norton’s passion for this part of the world is evident in this book, and he expertly captures the people, history, animals, and ecosystem in his firsthand accounts. Browse the http://www.fulcrum-publishing.com website to purchase, or request it at your favorite bookstore.

The Hanae Mori gift set of cologne and scented balm is sure to please, with a rich oriental scent and the unexpected subtle note of chocolate. Additional notes include lemon, lavender, blackcurrant, moss, vanilla, cedar wood, amber and tonka bean. It was voted one of eHow’s 10 Top Ten Men’s Perfumes, and we heartily agree with their assessment. Find it at http://www.hanaemoriparfums.com and Bloomingdales stores.

The GustBuster is a super-umbrella with patented wind release vents and a flow-through design that can stand up to 55 mph winds. Most city residents are familiar with the post-rainstorm pile of wrecked umbrellas in corner garbage cans, but the GustBuster is something that lasts forever (if it ever breaks, GustBuster will fix it). Billed as The World’s Smartest Umbrella, we also think it’s the World’s Most Practical Gift, and one that will keep giving every time it rains. Order it at http://www.GustBuster.com.

Is he a grandfather, disabled, or an elderly relative? If so, give him the best walking cane imaginable from Omhu! The Omhu Cane is really a walking stick with attitude, inspired by the simple beauty of Scandinavian furniture. With a wood tip, it comes in an array of interesting body colors such as lime green, sky blue, red, purple, black, beige, and grass green. Omhu means “with great care” in Danish, which speak to the quality of its products. Visit http://www.omhu.com.

Weighing in at a light 3 ounces and four inches long, the Icon Link flashlight is compact and ultra-effective, with a high-density LED beam in a low or high setting. This is perfect for stuffing in a stocking, and will last for years. Its sleek design will be appreciated, too. Buy it at http://www.myiconlight.com.

Is he a brainiac with a larger than normal head size? Many men fall into this category! If so, pick up a pair of FatHeadz sunglasses for skiing, driving and skating this winter. Order a few at http://www.FatHeadz.com, and be sure to check out the forthcoming new styles in January 2012.

If he’s handy with tools, the Husky 45-piece Stubby Combo Wrench and Socket Set will delight this holiday. In fact, he can get right to work, and assemble complex gifts on the spot! In this regard, it’s a great gift for everyone. He’ll hang on to this set for many holidays to come. Find it at Home Depot stores, or at http://www.Amazon.com or http://www.HomeDepot.com.

The VMV Hypoallergenics “For All Ye Merry Gentlemen” Kit is ideal for gents with sensitive skin, and for those who travel and need a lightweight grooming set. The kit contains an intensive creamy moisturizer, a lightweight protective lotion with SPF 70, and an anti-bacterial gel that can also serve as a disinfectant for minor wounds and an anti-viral, anti-bacterial force. Perfect for travelers! Find it at http://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com.

Jason Natural Holiday Body Wash gift sets with loofah sponge are generous stocking stuffers and come in a winter flavors Plum and Orange Clove. Gents of all shapes and sizes will appreciate their fresh scent and wholesome ingredients. Find them at Whole Foods stores and http://www.Jason-Natural.com.

Whether it’s books, tools, clothes, luggage, cologne or watch – whatever you give will be most appreciated if it clearly comes from the heart.

Gentlemen, it’s that time of year again: family gatherings, holiday parties at work, get-togethers with friends, and gala charity events loom on the horizon. According to Kelton Research, women find a well-dressed man more attractive than a wealthy one who is less than debonair. So you’ll want to look your best, and these things will certainly help.

Men’s Wearhouse is the one-stop source for everything formally elegant and elegantly casual this holiday. Tuxedoes, top hats, gorgeous suits, casual wear and shoes of all types and sizes can be found at http://www.MensWearhouse.com. If you don a tuxedo and send your photo to the Men’s Wearhouse Facebook contest before November 17th, you could win a sweet $2,500. shopping spree at the store. If you don’t have a tuxedo, now is the perfect time to snare one for the holiday season.

If you want to toss away your glasses for a month or longer, go to http://www.1800AnyLens.com and choose a contact lens to suit your style: colored lenses, long-wear lenses, dailies, weeklies, monthlies, bi-focal lenses, vial and toric lenses. 1800AnyLens carries all major lens brands, and will deliver them straight to your door. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to suddenly be brown, green or blue-eyed, here’s the opportunity, and it couldn’t be more convenient or affordable.

Organic RegiMENS skincare line for men contains no parabens, is all natural, and is suited for all skin types. What’s more is that these products are rife with beneficial ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea, avocado oil, pomegranate and coconut oil. The RegiMENS quartet includes a scrub, ultra smooth shaving cream, oil-free face lotion and clarifying face wash. Enjoy! Fine them at http://www.organicregimens.com

Tuxedo? Check. Colored lenses? Check. Freshly groomed? Check. Now you can welcome the holidays with open arms.

With Halloween a thing of the past and my vampire cloak tucked away for another year (Team Edward FYI), I am woefully facing the onset of the holidays and although it’s a season full of merriness and mirth, it is also laden with pumpkin pie, ginger bread and other dietary pitfalls that are sure to have me asking Santa for trousers with an elastic waistband.

I have utilized my favorite research tool, the Internet, to help me make some wise dietary decisions that will keep me off the “naughty” list and in my favorite jeans for another year.

What I’ve found is not a new idea, but one that looks like it’s been perfected. The meal-delivery system, Freshology (http://freshology.com), has been pleasing customers for quite some time preparing daily meals for the most discriminating diners. From the health conscious, to the expecting or new Mother, to folks looking to drop some weight or people just too busy to make a healthy meal for themselves, Freshology features calorie-controlled, all-natural, gourmet home-delivered meal plans tailored for everyone.

The gourmet food is prepared fresh daily and sent to your door (or wherever you choose to receive your delivery), offering an ever-changing variety of meals that are just as tempting as anything Norman Rockwell’s Family could have served up.

I reached out to the good people at Freshology and told them that I was looking for help over the holiday season. They were kind enough to offer me and all of my friends at Beautynewsla.com a 10% discount until January. Simply enter the promo code BeautyNewsLA upon ordering and the discount will be automatically applied.

I gotta tell you, I was really excited to write this article and share this news with all of you. I hope your season is full of loving family, good friends and delicious food. With Freshology’s help I’m wishing you all a Healthy Holiday and New Year!

Programs the code is good for: Local ““ LA & Orange County is Fresh Dining, Fresh Lite, Fresh Mommy, Lifestyle & Whole Family. Nationwide ““ Getslim Gold & Fresh Mommy national.

I’m on the 10 west, it’s 6:45 and I’m heading home from a long day at the office. The highway is jam packed with other commuters doing the same. I find myself creeping along reading outdated bumper stickers and aimlessly flipping the radio dial from one Lady Ga Ga song to the next.

It’s at that moment I began to fantasize about ditching my car, rising above the gridlock and zooming home faster than a speeding bullet.

Truth be told, I’ve always had a fascination with comic books and often wondered what it would be like to soar the skies like a son of Krypton. Finally I got the chance to find out at IFLY at Universal City Walk in Studio City California. IFLY is an enormous wind tunnel pointing to the heavens, and after donning the proper IFLY attire I was ready to let the wind velocity lift me up and allow me to experience the same sensation of skydiving.

I am not the type of person who would ever board a plane and then at its highest point leap out and race said plane back to Earth. I’m just not. That being said, I would love to fly, and this was my chance. Jason, my IFLY instructor was welcoming and reassuring and his love of his job was intoxicating. I felt exhilarated and still safe. For a brief moment I would join this daredevil in his playground and I was ready to push this experience to the limit. Oh, I’m sure I could just hold my arms and legs out and float on the upward current, but if I was going to do this I wanted to spin, flip and ride like the wind!

I was told to smile. “It looks better in photos.” All I could think of was what an amazing Facebook update I was going to post. After letting the instructors know I was writing an article and interested in getting a quote, Skydiver Steven simply smiled and said, “It’s windy in there.” This relaxed spirit mixed well with their strict attention to safety. The instructors put us through a brief educational video and a well-planned talk that more than prepares you for the experience ahead.

So here’s the deal, it wasn’t exactly the “Superhero Boot-camp” I was hoping for, at least not for a first time flier. This is a sport though and I was sore the next day. Classes are less expensive for repeat fliers and they teach advanced classes for the novice skydiver or die-hard thrill seekers.

I spent the rest of the day telling people what I did and how I couldn’t wait to go back. Who knows? Maybe someday, I might get bitten by a radioactive insect, find a magical talisman, or actually jump out of a plane. I like to think thanks to IFLY I will be a little more prepared for any of these situations.

For more information check out http://www.iflyhollywood.com or take a trip to Universal City Walk and ask the extremely friendly staff.

The Sixth Scent

Palio, the new men’s fragrance by Lorenzo Siena, is translated from Italian as “winner” or “prize”. It is a uniquely different scent, which combines only pure natural fragrances such as sparkling citrus with ivy greens and cool mint leaf. The cologne also includes a touch of iced lavender, jasmine with a hint of sandalwood, and patchouli. $70 for a 3.4 fluid ounce bottle.

Brain Over Braun”¦ And Vice-Versa

The Braun PocketGo electric shaver is an essential travel tool for grooming. Slightly larger than the average cell phone, the PocketGo runs on two “AA” batteries and provides approximately 60 minutes of shaving time. It also features a trimmer to sharpen up sideburns, as well as trim moustaches and beards. Best of all, the PocketGo can be used wet or dry, so if you’re really pressed for time you can use it in the shower. The Braun PocketGo retails for $18.99.

Always Stay In Touch With Your Masculine Side

Old Spice Swagger may not be anyone’s idea of a high-end grooming product, but for those of us who can claim it as our first cologne (starting somewhere in junior high, before we moved on to high school and developed more sophisticated tastes”¦like Brut) it’s hard to argue with the nostalgia factor here. Besides, Old Spice products do their job, no frills, and the current ad campaign for Swagger featuring L.L. Cool J and Brian Urlacher is brilliant. Old Spice Red Zone deodorant, High Endurance body wash, and Old Spice Endurance Body Spray are available at drugstores and discount retailers.

Jayne’s Addiction

Ormonde Jayne has launched Zizan, a new fragrance for men. This is a powerhouse cologne. Expect a deluge of boisterous Sicilian lime, lemon and bergamot and, to smooth the edge somewhat, a brilliantly refined concentration of vetiver. The notes feature lime, lemon, bergamot, clary sage, pink pepper, juniper berry, bay, violet, jasmine, vetiver, cedar, musk and amber.

The scent was created Linda Pilkington, and was inspired by the Latin for vetiver, vetiveria zizanoïdes. It is available in EdP 50ml, for approximately $100.

Taking The Bar Exam

Organixsouth’s new Men’s Shaving & Complexion Bar contains a minimum of 10% certified-organic Neem oil, with shea butter and oakmoss, an herb used for centuries to soothe skin and promote a healthy response to minor inflammation. This new soap is perfect for cleansing or shaving because it’s formulated to gently calm skin that is prone to irritations and support a clear and radiant complexion. A four ounce bar retails for $6.95 at http://www.organixsouth.com.

Whenever people engage in a discussion of the “best” holiday film, a spirited argument is sure to follow. Which is fine. My purpose here is not to compare “It’s A Wonderful Life” or “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” or “A Christmas Story.” All of those films have a loyal following (which they’ve earned) and I have enjoyed every one of them over the years.

However, when it comes to a holiday film that turns a spotlight on how we as a society relate to each other – good and bad, kind and cruel – my choice always comes back to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Here, too, a debate can be made, since there have been several adaptations of Dickens’ novel. But for my money, the two that stand apart are “Scrooge (1971),” starring Albert Finney as the bitter, miserly title character, and “Scrooge (1951),” starring Alistair Sim as the penny-pinching, misanthropic old geezer.

“Scrooge (1971)” is a musical, but remains true to the classic tale. Albert Finney’s portrayal brings a greater insight to Ebenzer’s past than most of the films have offered, as well as a more realistic view of London’s streets during the mid-19th century: the abject poverty, a sense of foreboding and hopelessness, and the depth of the chasm between those that have and those that have not. The film glides smoothly through a very nice ratio of dialogue-to-music, and the last third of the movie provides the viewer with a burgeoning ““ and very satisfactory ““ sense of jubilation.

“A Christmas Carol (1951),” is considered by many film critics to be the best of all the adaptations. Alistair Sim’s pop-eyed visage offers up a very animated version of Scrooge, without going over the top. Indeed, as Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation and ultimate redemption nears, his newfound generosity and kindness ““pouring forth via paroxysms of joy ““ is a sight to behold, even as some of Scrooge’s fellow Londoners believe he is afflicted by insanity rather than an epiphany.

Many families (including my own) have made an annual tradition of watching classics such as “A Christmas Story” and “It’s A Wonderful Life.” If some of those families also choose to watch Dickens’ superb tale this holiday season, they will be richly rewarded with a sense of optimism, and a strong ““ if not lasting ““ belief that deep down people are inherently good. Perhaps the most inspiring line from the film(s) occurs when Scrooge speaks to the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley and says, “You were always a good man of business, Jacob.” To which Marley replies, “Mankind should be our business.”

Sapien, a new organic body care line for men by Surya Brasil, is specially formulated for male skin and hair. The line offers pure essential oils; gluten-free amaranth proteins and mild cleansing agents that are gentle enough for men with sensitive skin without losing any effectiveness.

The six formulas in the line include: A two-in-one shampoo/conditioner combination, which contains acerola and amaranth protein. The shower gel hydrates and cleanses the skin with nourishing fruit extracts such as acerola. The facial scrub exfoliates with green clay and acai grains; and does an excellent job of removing impurities while preventing oily skin. The Sapien shave cream lubricates the skin with rich cupuacu butter and macadamia nut oil. The after-shave cream invigorates with acai, cupuacu and aloe vera plus natural minerals. Finally, the styling gel offers medium hold without synthetic fixatives or PVP

(polyvinylpyrrolidone).

“Concerns about persistent bioaccumulation of toxins in our environment have heightened our awareness about the chemicals we use in our personal care products,” says Clelia Angelon, President and Founder of the Surya Brasil brand, in a press release. “Because of this, we have not included synthetic fragrance, artificial color, GMOs, artificial preservatives, sulfates, phthalates, silicone or petroleum by-products.”

Using ethically harvested plants and fruits from the Amazon, these skin and hair care products contain all the elements necessary to achieve healthy, radiant hair and a glowing complexion in an easy, practical way. The subtle woody aroma is derived from a special blend of essential oils including cedarwood, lemon, bergamot and clove. Products range in price from $11 for the styling gel up to $22 for the shower gel.

Watch Your Language

Juicy Couture’s Dirty English cologne for men is a intoxicating mix of peppered mandarin, blue cypress, black leather, ebony wood, and amber musk. The bottle features a leather cord adorned with charms wrapped around the stopper, which doubles as a bracelet.

While the scent is a bit strong for my taste (I prefer Dunhill or Cool Water), reactions from the fairer sex have been nothing but positive. And who am I to argue with that? One 3.4 fl oz bottle retails for $45.

Pump Up the Volume

Jonathan Antin Serious Volume, Volumizing Shampoo is great for normal or oily hair. Ingredients include rosemary/sage essential water, which gently purifies – and moisturizing sugar foam, which cleans without stripping. Additionally, botanical & UV filters shield hair from damage and color fading.

While avoiding harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate, Antin has created an entire line of shampoos that employ sugar surfactants to gently cleanse the hair. Although these sugar foams do not lather as highly as more chemical ingredients, they work well on thoroughly wet hair. Contains no alcohol, mineral oil, synthetic colors, DEA or MEA, and is 100% Vegan. Retails for $20.

Catching Whitening In a Bottle

Rembrandt’s two-hour whitening system “whitening in a flash.” The results are satisfactory, but the process is a bit tedious. Users apply the two-hour whitening formula to both upper and lower trays (included), wear for 20 minutes, remove for 10 minutes, and repeat this process for two hours. It’s worth it if you have a hot date or a job interview the next morning, but frankly, I prefer the Crest Whitening Strips system, which is less involved and delivers the same results (though not as fast).

The kit features two 3.7 ml Rembrandt Two-Hour White Syringes, and two ComfyTray Rembrandt Mouthguards. Retails for $20 – $25.

Different Strokes

For those looking to improve their game on the links, Cleveland Golf’s VP-5 putter with Dual Axis Alignment system should increase your number of birdies dramatically. Golfers are now able to see when their hands move out of position as well as detect when their eyes are not positioned properly over the ball. These are the two major contributors to pushed and pulled putts. By addressing both of these issues, the VP-5 putter increases impact consistency. The results are true roll and better distance control which leads to more putts made and lower scores.

With the Visual Performance (VP) putter, Cleveland Golf has produced a putter that will aid players by getting them into the correct address position every time. Comes in lengths of 33, 34, and 35 inches. Sells for $129 (available in right-hand only).

Zirh Platinum bills itself as “the most luxurious and superior skincare range available to men.” I concur. Specially developed and carefully constructed, the products are designed specifically with men’s skincare needs in mind. The ingredients, sourced globally, have been selected for their highest quality blends and superior efficacy.

Specialty watermelon extract: acts as a skin protective that contains naturally occurring vitamins and amino acids which penetrate easily and protects the skins DNA. This particular watermelon grows in the Kalahari Desert and exhibits high drought tolerances and produces its own defense system and protects against the breakdown of DNA caused by UV-light and pollution.

Natural moisturizing factor: a proprietary composition of potassium, sodium, magnesium and lactate to help maintain hydration & elasticity in the skin. This blend is especially formulated for men’s skin treatment, stimulating long-lasting moisture retention and enhancing the skins smoothness.

Specialty mushroom extract: reduces pore size and acts as an astringent.

Next generation peptides: multiple peptides/tri-peptides limit muscular contractions (mimicking a Botox-like effect), providing intensive anti-wrinkle care and protects against expression lines and the signs of aging.

A proprietary blend of barley extract and tomato extract that mimics the skins top layer that helps to retain moisture and improve hydration.

The Zirh system is broken down into three steps. Clean, Wash, Correct, Protect and Defend. Clean washes away dirt, oil and acne-causing bacteria. Wash delivers benefits similar to Clean, but is designed for dry or sensitive skin types. Correct replenishes vitamins, moisturizes and softens skin. Protect includes the anti-oxidant powerhouse Pycnogenol, as well as alpha hydroxy acids. Protect is ideal for normal or oily skin. And finally, Defend is a lighter face moisturizer with SPF 15 protection. Defend is ideal for normal, dry or sensitive skin. All products are gentle enough for daily use, and range in price from $17 to $29.