Tape it up:
Ace bandages are so a few years ago. The newest pain relief support is called KT Tape, which is the first and only Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape available in convenient pre-cut strips. The tape is a high performance elastic athletic tape used for treating muscle and joint injuries. By lifting the skin and relieving pressure on pain transmitters, KT Tape provides muscle-pain relief and support without restricting motion. The product is so unique because it’s for anyone, athletes of all sports and levels and is the perfect item to keep in your backpack or gym bag for that unwelcomed injury or pain. I found KT Tape very effective for a recent foot injury from running. I applied it on the inner left side of my right foot where I recently strained some ligaments and found that the tape was easy to apply and took all the pressure off of that sensitive spot during my run. The tape worked much better than an ace bandage I had recently been using and since it promotes healing, I was not worried about the possibility of reinjury.

KT Tape comes with 20 precut strips attached to a 16’ roll which is enough tape for 10-20 applications and can last anywhere from 40-60 days depending on usage. You can wear KT Tape in the shower or pool and with fun colors like blue, pink, red and green, you might not want to take it off. KT Tape’s Web site is a great resource for video instructions and tips to apply the tape. Visit http://www.kttape.com to learn more and to find a retailer near you. In NYC, KT Tape is available at Sports Authority and Paragon Sports.

Flip for comfort:
After a workout sometimes I just want to rip my sneakers off and let my feet breathe. Whether you can agree or not, something we could all use this summer is a sandal that is both fashionable and comfortable. OKA b.’s Malia flip flops are just that, they are sandals that can be worn with a multitude of outfits, whether they are your post-wedding shoes, commute to work in shoes or like me, post-workout shoes, you really can’t go wrong. The sandal, as with all OKA b. sandals is 100% recyclable, waterproof, made in the USA and priced under $40.

OKA b. began with two basic styles, a slide and a thong, designed to feel like a spa shoe by integrating the principles of reflexology and ergonomics. Today the line has expanded to include dozens of styles and colors adorned with natural seashell, gemstones and ribbon, without compromising on comfort. Massage beads pamper the foot and promote good posture. OKA b.s are also made using a single piece of proprietary Microplast® material and are antimicrobial, waterproof and washable. My personal favorite, the Malia, comes in fun metallic colors, has cute crystals and will definitely be your new summer staple.

Visit http://www.shoesthatloveyou.com to learn more about the unique company and to buy yourself a pair of OKA b.’s today.

With a plethora of high-quality, male-oriented skincare products on the market now, there’s no reason for men not to take great care of their skin, and reap the glowing results. Here’s a quartet of amazing brands that cater to the best of men:

The Decleor Paris Men Skincare line is rife with the finest ingredients to maintain healthy skin. Men can start with the exfoliating Clean Skin Scrub to refine and exfoliate skin, then follow with 100% pure, preservative-free Aromessence Triple Action Shave Perfector serum with eucalyptus and clove essential oils for a clean shave. Smooth Shave foam for sensitive skin and Express Shave gel-to-foam are other shaving options for faster cell renewal. Top the skincare regime off with moisturizers and skin protectors such as Skin Energizer with essential oils (which smells fantastic), Soothing After Shave for sensitive skin with no preservatives, and Eye Contour Energiser to soften fine lines. Gird yourself for battle against aging lines with these anti-aging weapons, and your skin will know sweet victory. Find them at http://www.decleor.com and fine department stores.

Ole Henriksen is another man-friendly brand, with products that work for all skin types. Sheer Transformation is a creamy, oil-free satin froth infused with vitamin C, sweet pea and licorice root to repair and hydrate. On The Go Cleanser is a regenerating, vitamin-c enriched balm, and the Walnut Complexion Scrub brightens, deep-cleans and deeply exfoliates skin. The Ole Henriksen Men’s Kit is perfect for travel, and includes the uber-effective Natural Hair Wash. This is highly recommended for when called to covert spy duty on a moment’s notice – you’ll need to look polished. Visit http://www.olehenriksen.com and choose your favorites.

Now that Mother Nature is letting up and starting to show us some of that LA weather she’s famous for, let’s get outside! The brand is fitness is your friend and under that umbrella lies Recess, Detention and personal training. What are these, you ask? Alternatives, I say. If you’ve tried kickboxing, rock climbing and spinning you, like me, might be in the market for something new. Why not go back to where it all began… the playground?

At first glance, a hula-hoop, tug of war rope and a rousing game of duck duck goose did not seem challenging enough to achieve my fitness goals. But, one intense game of Blob Tag and you’ll be like me, looking for the nearest park bench to catch your breath and prepare yourself for the rest of the class. Recess was designed to bring a sense of play and fun back into your workout routine. Detention, on the other hand, was created because sometimes you need a “Stern Principal” to help whip you into shape. Stephen Divenere is the mastermind and lead trainer of fitness is your friend. He designed this to get people out of the gym, into the great outdoors and experience what it’s like to revisit childhood.

Tracy Anderson has become a bit of a phenomenon in the last two years. We at BNLA have been following her closely because everyone she trains, from celebrities to us mortals, looks phenomenal.

I personally was thrilled at the chance to attend Tracy’s master class at her Studio City location. I got a first-hand experience of the “method” she has developed.  Her approach is to go after your small accessory muscles and work to tighten them with high repetition specialized sculpting exercises. She believes that building the structure by pulling and lengthening the muscle is the key to building our infrastructure.

Muscles get pulled in tight to the bone and skin smoothes out, which explains why everyone doing her workout looks graceful and conditioned. Tracy insists that we combine dance aerobics cardio with training. She feels that the dance aerobics burns the right amount of calories, but makes a powerful mind- body connection.

That fresh, crisp scent of autumn is in the air. But as the mercury drops and the days get shorter, the risk of catching a cold or flu increases.

The key to staying healthy as the season changes is prevention. Check out the below all-natural ways to strengthen your immune system and prepare it for the cold and flu season ahead.

The ABC’s of Vitamins

Vitamins B and C, as well as minerals such as Zinc and selenium are important for helping our body deal with stress, fight free radicals and maintain a healthy immune system. Taking a daily multi-vitamin can help ensure we are receiving adequate levels of these important vitamins and minerals, especially for those of us who are super-busy and unable to get our daily recommended intake from the food we’re eating.

(fish oil pills may look eerie, but the benefits are ten-fold!)

Not So Fishy Fish Oil

Fish oil is another fantastic fall formula. The Omega 3’s in fish oil help our bodies reduce inflammation, flush toxins and maintain immune balance – all things that have a positive impact on our health. A brand we recommend is Nordic Naturals. Not only does their fish oil taste great, but the company also tests their oil for purity to ensure there are no heavy metals or toxins in any of its products.

Tea Temptations

If you find yourself under the covers because you’re under the weather, it is important to stay hydrated. Drinking lots of fluids such as water and herbal teas makes the thin mucous secretions easier to get rid of. According to recent research, tea has the ability to boost and strengthen the immune system as well as prevent cell damage, both of which improve the body’s ability to fight disease and infection.

A great tea choice when feeling sick is Organic Ginger tea; which helps cleanse the body and minimize the severity of a cold. Ginger helps to increase perspiration, which in turn helps to reduce the temperature of a fever. Plus, herbal teas do not contain caffeine, so the water from this drink is beneficial to the body as well.

All Washed Up

Health Professionals recommend preventing the common cold through regular hand washing. When a family member is sick, everyone in the house should be washing their hands even more than usual. For those times when soap and water is out of reach, a bottle of hand sanitizer can do the trick.