April 23, 2021

How to Futureproof Your “Work from Home” Career with Ingrid Bayer

by Lisa Gal

In the past, the stigma surrounding work from home jobs was that they weren’t legitimate. You must be selling magazines or making sales calls, but that is not the case anymore. Work from home jobs are the new normal, even more so now since the pandemic. But what types of jobs are there? Of course, you have people that work for themselves selling things on Etsy or eBay, and there are always jobs like working for Amazon or booking travel for cruise lines like Princess, but what about a career? A company that you create for yourself? Author of Futureproof your Career, Ingrid Bayer, has the solution. She moved out of traditional employment, became her own boss, and quickly created a successful home-based business as a Virtual Assistant and she’s never looked back. In her book Futureproof your Career Ingrid gives you everything you need to know to build a successful and profitable virtual assistant business. We are thrilled to include this book in our 2021 “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees honoring Oscar weekend.

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April 23, 2021

Provisions: The Rewards of Regenerative Organic

by Lisa Gal

We’ve all heard of Patagonia and its coveted clothing line, but have you heard of their new endeavor Patagonia Provisions? Why food you ask? “People need a new jacket every five or ten years, but they eat three times a day. If we really want to protect our planet, it starts with food,” said Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. He discovered that through regenerative organic farming practices large crops are yielded while building healthier soil, which can draw down and store more greenhouse gases. One of Patagonia Provisions signature products is their breadfruit crackers. Like rice and potatoes, breadfruit is gluten-free, expanding the options for people who don’t eat gluten.

Also, breadfruit has distinct dietary benefits that other staple starches don’t have. And it can be milled into a versatile, gluten-free flour. Breadfruit trees are absurdly productive, yielding up to 800 pounds of nutritious food per tree, every year, for 50 years or more making this a great alternative to flour. Another product in the Regenerative Organic line is the Chile Mango solar dried fruit. For a limited time they are giving one free pack of Regenerative Organic Chile Mango with every order, no purchase minimum. Ends 4/30/21. We are excited to include both of these products in our 2021 “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees Oscar weekend.

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April 23, 2021

From Tiger Scout to Tiger Mushroom Farms

by Lisa Gal

With one glance you can tell that “I can’t” is not a part of Te’Lario Watkins II vocabulary. What started as a Tiger Scout project at age 7 has now turned into a business at age 10. Yes, I said 10. The skills he learned growing basil and cat grass in scouts he carried with him when starting his mushroom farm. What began with a mushroom growing kit has turned into not only a business for this family but a movement. With winter approaching Te’Lario and his parents discovered they could grow mushrooms in the basement since their Ohio winters would not allow his usual outdoor garden. But when they discovered they were producing more than they could eat, the decision was made to start selling them at Farmer’s Markets and Tiger Mushroom Farms was born. Te’Lario is not only an entrepreneur but a speaker, author of Te’Lario’s Amazing Mushroom Farm, food activist, and Global Child Prodigy. His passions include The Garden Club Project (a non-profit to help end hunger and encourage kids to eat healthier) and speaking to kids to help inspire them to dream big. His outgoing disposition is infectious and we are thrilled to have his Shitake & Onion Soup Seasoning Blend included in our “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees honoring Oscar weekend. We hope you will check out his story.

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April 23, 2021

Get to the Truth of Your Beauty

by Lisa Gal

Sometimes I think we are our own worst critics. But in order to F.L.Y., you must First Love Yourself. In Beautiful Unique Faces, Australian author Anita East shares her proven formula for becoming happier and more beautiful in your own skin. With the societal push for perfection, sometimes medical enhancement options leave the patient looking frozen or “over-filled.” Anita shares insights on how to enhance your own natural beauty and if you still decide to seek cosmetic assistance, she is there to help you from going too far. You might be wondering what makes her qualified to give this advice or why would someone even follow it? For starters, Anita East has performed more than 18,000 treatments on people worldwide. A resident writer for The Cosmetic Surgery Magazine, Anita is often called upon to present at meetings on Cosmetic Medicine throughout Australia and internationally. She is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in skin and cosmetic medicine and holds a BSc, MA, and MSN. (Oh, and did we mention she has her own Medispa?) We are thrilled to include her book Beautiful Unique Faces in our “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees honoring Oscar weekend.

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April 23, 2021

How to make your home-run business glamorous and fun

work at home business woman

If you think of the word business, maybe you think of something dull, monochrome, and just plain boring. There sometimes seems to be very little enjoyment in business, and all we ever hear about are money-hungry tycoons or entrepreneurs who constantly put up-and-coming rivals down for their own pleasure after telling them to reach for their dreams. 

There are many ways that your own business could be fun and glamorous if that’s where your target audience is, and they can really help your business become a cut above the monotonous rest. With that in mind, here is how you can make your home business glamorous and fun to suit your target audience and stand out to customers. 

Have a professional photo shoot to make a connection with your audience

Everyone wants to know that who they are emailing about issues with products is a real human being. Having professional photos taken of you and your team can help build a strong connection between you and your customers. If they see that people of their age and gender mainly run the business, they are more likely to purchase from you. Looking at Chicago corporate photography, you can find just what you need to build that initial trust with your clients. 

WORK WITH FUN & EXCITING BRANDS THAT YOU LOVE

You quickly learn that it doesn’t have to be you versus the world. If you are a blogger, influencer, or affiliate marketer, working with brands you love is vital. Aside from making your days more enjoyable, your authentic passion for the products will shine through. Using platforms like the MaryKayInTouch site for independent beauty consultants can work wonders. If nothing else, it allows you to leverage success from another company’s products while also building your reputation through association with a great brand.

Alternatively, if you manage a store or eCommerce site, it’s important to stock quality items from great brands. Even if you operate a small service-based business, partnerships with other fun companies may open the door to a plethora of exciting opportunities.

Take your time when it comes to your business’s social media and blogging

Social media can make your business feel more personable. It can help you keep in contact with your loyal customers, make announcements, and build a brand identity. You can share interests, events and share promotional content. This can be an excellent way to add some glamour and fun to your business, as you can have some fun with posts and videos about your team and your products and create a safe and light-hearted atmosphere to separate you from the herd. 

Keep your tone friendly but still highly professional

Keeping your emails and blog posts light-hearted and friendly but with a professional approach can be a great way to get customers to trust your business. This can help you build bonds with already established and loyal customers and can make your business feel like a safe space. 

If you own an eCommerce business, package things by hand with little thank you notes

This makes your customer’s purchases feel personal and appreciated. By hand wrapping and putting a handwritten thank you note in the parcel, it can really help make the whole ‘unboxing’ experience so much more enjoyable and fun, which can entice customers to buy again. 

Also, if a customer’s friend comments on the product, your customer can respond with ‘it even came with a little thank you note’, which makes you more memorable. This one thing can be a great way to increase your publicity and a good advertising technique without putting in too much effort. 

This makes your business fun and memorable at the same time, which are utterly invaluable to a home-run small business.

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April 23, 2021

Spinal surgeon on 7 suprising causes of back pain

 

www.nynjspine.com

 Most of us know the usual culprits of back pain; stress, excess body weight, improper lifting technique, and poor posture. While these are the typical causes, unexpected issues can be causing all that agony. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non organic – meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573870/). We spoke to Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo,  NYC area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon to discuss the surprising factors that could be causing your back pain.

  1. Smoking

Smoking increases brain activity that makes people less resilient when it comes to responding to back pain. Smoking also causes premature aging of discs by decreasing blood supply to the discs in the back, thus leading to pain in the lower back.

  1. The incorrect mattress

Old mattresses start to form dips from years of use. The dips in the mattress cause the spine to curve, leading to constant stiffness or pain. A mattress that is too firm can cause strain on pressure points in the knees, hip, shoulders, and back, which can cause backaches. If the mattress is too soft, your spine is not supported well enough, and the spine can fall out of alignment.

  1. Your purse or wallet

Structural imbalances in the spinal column can occur when you sit on your wallet. This can happen because one side of your body is higher than the other, and an excess amount of physical stress is placed on the lower spine. This can lead to lower back pain and numbness. Carrying a heavy purse or bag on one shoulder can also cause a neck and spinal tilt that can lead to backaches. Remove your wallet from your back pocket when you are sitting down, and regularly switch your purse from one shoulder to another.

  1. Your wardrobe

There are unexpected items in your wardrobe that could be causing your back pain. Skinny jeans, heavy bags, strapless bras, high heels, and backless shoes are all clothing items that may be influencing your pain. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in these clothes to promote optimal wellness.

  1. Dehydration

When you are dehydrated, the spinal discs lose water, and your spine is in distress. When this happens, the spine takes on the full shock of your movements, which can lead to pain. Avoid drinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

  1. Your cell phone

Constantly hunching your neck over to look down at your phone compresses and tightens the muscles and tendons in the front structure of your neck. This creates imbalance and results in reduced mobility, shoulder and neck pain, a curvature formation at the upper back, and even headaches.

  1. Incorrect ergonomic work set up

Many people have been working from home due to the pandemic. Working from home has led to slouching and hunching in front of our handheld laptops or work from home setups. Slouching can lead to neck and shoulder pain, back problems, and stiff hips. Make sure to sit all the way back in a computer chair and keep your thighs horizontal to your knees at hip level.

About the Doctor

Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.

Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project. In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed the company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine-safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360

CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com

Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.

 

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April 23, 2021

There are secrets in the wild country they call midlife.

by Lisa Gal

There comes a point in the middle of a women’s life when her children have grown and moved out of the house and she wonders what impact she will have in her later years. Unbecoming by best-selling author and writing mentor, Joanne Fedler, is a story that is raw, honest, and entirely relatable. It follows the character “Jo” as she travels with five women into the Australian bush provoking conversations and confidences that stray into the shadowlands of motherhood, the mysteries of midlife, the future of monogamy, and Mother Earth. Unbecoming is a funny, heartbreaking, and provocative homage to the midlife unraveling as women on the brink of elderhood speak honestly about their lives and wonder what the hell to do with vaginas that are not ready to be put out to pasture just yet. We are thrilled to be including them in our 2021 “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees honoring Oscar weekend. (You’re gonna wanna buy a few extra copies of this book to give to your friends that are also celebrating the midlife turning point.)

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April 22, 2021

Designed with the intention to empower you on your journey.

by Lisa Gal

Driven by her passion for helping others, the founder and CEO of Satya Jewelry, Satya Scainetti, began a 30-year spiritual journey that awakened a deep reverence for cross-cultural and spiritual traditions. As she enriched her understanding of these sacred practices, Satya’s true calling was revealed: To create jewelry imbued with meaning that benefits those in need of inspiration, healing, and empowerment.  In partnership with the Satya Foundation, Scainetti has given over $1 million dollars toward education, opportunities, and support to children, all over the world empowering them through social and economic initiatives. We are thrilled to include her Keeper of Positivity Necklace in our 2021 “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags. This 18k gold plate gold necklace is anchored with a stunning evil eye pendant—a symbol of intuition and protection—that gleams with blue topaz, the stone of wisdom, and communication and will be direct gifted to the nominees honoring Oscar weekend.

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April 22, 2021

It’s Time You Thought About What You Use to Disinfect.

by Lisa Gal

Phresh Health is a Public Health Service in Canada that was created out of need. When the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic struck Phresh Health stepped up to the plate. They safely eliminate the viruses that prevent people-to-people connections and are the ONLY company that supplies the 100% plant-based, disinfectant guaranteed to kill COVID-19 and other pathogens in under 1 minute. Approved by Health Canada this “Phresh” smelling formula is ready to use with no mixing required. Although hospital-grade, since it is 100% planet-based, it is safe for people, pets, and food. We are excited to bring this information to our “Covid-style” Hollywood Swag Bags being direct gifted to nominees honoring Oscar weekend!

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April 22, 2021

Do You Know How to Know?

by Lisa Gal

The Power of Knowing is a self-help book by author K.P. Weaver from The Alchemy of Life Magic Collection. This second book in the series will help you rediscover your natural ability to KNOW! Karen is an advanced Law of Attraction practitioner who teaches people how to attract anything they want into their lives. Through the art of manifestation, she has created a highly successful publishing business, financial freedom, and a life she loves. We all have access to this incredible life-changing inner power – harness it with love and it will serve your best interests. In The Power of Knowing, you will be inspired to take back control of your destiny, because you have had the power to know all along, you need only learn how to reconnect with it. Are you ready to do what it takes to be the difference in YOUR world? There is no better time than right now to embrace The Power of Knowing!

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