Supernatural Botanicals

   My friend Debba is a girl about town.  She’s in the know of everything, from networking, social media, blogging, pod casting, fashion, business, all things Cincinnati, and of course, the founder/creator of Girlfriendology and Cincinnati Women Bloggers.   Girlfriendology is a great website that celebrates friendships of girlfriends.  Debba just went to LA and hung out with Brooke Burke, selected by Frito Lay to help launch A Woman’s World.  Check out her home page for pictures and details.  You’ll love Girlfriendology.  There’s something for everyone there.  

Great meeting yesterday with New Media Cincinnati. There are a handful of social media rockstars here in Cincinnati, and I’m standing next to one of them here.  This is Daniel Johnson, Jr., or, as I call him, DJJ, and he founded New Media Cincinnati.  Visit his site here.

What is New Media Cincinnati?  It’s an informal meet up for people in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton areas involved with or who have an interest in new media (podcasting, video podcasting, blogging, micro-blogging, social networking, etc.)

If you are in our area, I highly suggest attending the next meeting if you are interested in networking with highly skilled, well-connected people in the industry.

  Affectionately dubbed the “babe table” these ladies are a lot more than eye candy.   Check them out to see why:

Helena Bouchez:  www.helenabcommunications.

Candace Silvasy:  SpaConsultant, www.ArtoftheSpa.com

Amybeth Hale:  www.ResearchGoddess.com

Robin Feltner, Founder/CEO Supernatural Botanicals www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com

Debba Haupert:  www.Girlfriendology.com

Carmen M. Hubbard:  Writer, The Catholic Telegraph

  Follow me on Twitter today!  Supernatural10.  Venture into a 2.0 mindset, get connected, start networking, and be productive.

Nie Nie is back!  Today, Stephanie wrote her first blog post AC (after crash.)  She and Mr. Nielson together, once again….it’s a beautiful thing.  I’m thrilled that Miss Stephanie is blogging again.  Good to have you back, sister!  So glad you felt our prayers.   Visit NieNie’s site and show her some love, please.  If anyone needs it right now, it’s Miss Steph.    xoxo

 Also, visit her sister, Courtney’s, blog, http://blog.cjanerun.com/#null  .  Great family. 

  It’s time for Bloggy Giveaways again!  We’ve had so many requests for another giveaway.  Here’s your chance to experience our new Body Butter.  Our body butters are formulated with all natural ingredients, such as Cocoa butter,  beeswax, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, aloe, and pure essential oils with amazing scents!  Super beneficial to dry skin.

Prize:  Supernatural Botanicals will choose 15 winners to receive a Body Butter in their choice of scent.

How to win:  Visit Supernatural Botanicals, www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com, and browse our new line of Body Butters.   Come back to this blog and leave a comment about your favorite Body Butter, or any Supernatural Botanical product, (see comment section at the end of this post.)   You’ll find a link back to this blog from our website.  We will choose 15 random winners to receive one of our all new, all natural Body Butters of your choice.

Contest Details:  The contest will run from October 27 – November 1st, 12:00 p.m. EST.  Winners will be chosen at random.  15 winners will be selected amongst all comments to receive one of our new Body Butters.  Winners will receive an email from Supernatural Botanicals for winner notification.

Don’t forget to visit Bloggy Giveaways, http://www.donttryit.com/bloggy_giveaways/2008/10/bloggy-giveaw-1.html    for other great giveaways all week.

   Don’t you absolutely hate when you miss someones birthday or anniversary?  I found a really cool tool that helps you never forget an important date.  Birthday Alarm will send you several emails the week before and the week of the birthday you need to remember.   It’s a great way to (A) always remember your loved ones and (B) always seem fabulous!   And who doesn’t want to be fabulous?  Go to www.BirthdayAlarm.com, program in your family and friends’ birthday’s, and you’ll never miss an important date again.   

   Hate those little creases on your forehead?  So do I!  You can eat a healthy diet and take care of your skin, but you can’t avoid those little forehead creases.  Fortunately, there are lots of options. 

You can see your dermatologist for a shot of Juvederm, which is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration.  This is similar to Botox, and seems to be the new buzz in dermatologist’s offices everywhere. 

But if you’re not a fan of needles, you can try a facial cream that contains hyaluronic acid.  Same ingredient, less pain, less expense, less fuss. 

My friends at Skin By Perfection (www.SkinByPerfection.com) sent me some of their amazing products and, WOW, does it work.  I literally noticed a difference in the appearance of my skin by the fourth use.   They offer a Day Cream,  a Night Cream, Eye Serum, and a lip balm that is simply sensational. 

   Their spokesman, Jeffrey Fetzer, is a leading Hollywood makeup artist in television and film who has worked with clients such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sally Fields, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Faye Dunaway, Grace Jones, Julia Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Toni Collette, Cybill Shepherd, Cher, Joan Collins, Heather Locklear, Madonna, Jennifer Garner, Nicollette Sheridan, Sophia Loren, Kate Capshaw, Bonnie Hunt, Billy Joel, John Travolta, James Woods, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Josh Duhamel, Burt Reyonlds, Sting, etc.  

In short, Jeffrey knows what he’s talking about.  He’s worked with clients that demand the best.  And in this case, the proof is in the pudding…or, er, face cream.  IT WORKS! 

My skin is looking as taut as a 3rd grader’s.  Check out their products at www.SkinByPerfection.com and discover this magic in a bottle yourself.   I only recommend products that work and this is not an exception.  This really works.   You’ll notice immediate results. 

I didn’t want a dog, for the record.  I feel a little guilty about saying this, but I really wasn’t that into pets.  A dog, to me, felt like just an extra responsibility, an extra mouth to feed.  Another dependent that I’d have to find care for when I went on vacation or business trips.   A dog seemed like something that was sure to mean bad times ahead for my carpet. 

But I thought it was important to have a dog, if for anything, for the kids.  I did my due diligence and found the right pedigree, a Bichon Frise.  That is, in theory, they are supposed to be a “perfect” breed…not necessarily in practice.    A $500.00 piece of perfect fluff, right?  Well, I can’t say that I found perfection in her….we’ve had our carpets cleaned more than once and she’s embarrassed me plenty by stealing my lingerie and bringing them out just in time for the UPS guy or a neighbor to see.  Ginger prefers lingerie to shoes, she’s a total girly-girl.  

At the end of the day, I can now say, without a doubt, that I’m a pet person.  I love this $500.00 piece of fluff so much.  I’ve completely spoiled her rotten.  She sits under my chair all day anticipating my every move.  She’s thrilled to see me when she wakes in the morning.  She’s thrilled to see me anytime.  Where can you find dedication like that elsewhere?  My little Ginger has changed my mind and my heart about pets.  They can certainly make you happier than you ever thought they could.  Doing Pilates wouldn’t be the same without her rubbing noses with me while I’m in downward facing dog position. 

 I’ve been converted.  I’m a dog person.  I grill chicken breasts for her, for the love of God.  I really do love her.  Just look at her little face…who could say no to that little girl?  I’m such a dog person now that I’ve been eyeing the neighbor’s Old English Sheep Dog.   (Picture Ginger magnified x 10.)   I think she needs a sister!

Six.  I have six subscriptions to different magazines.  I also borrow at least 25 others per month from the library.  I’m really into periodicals because I love the constant surge of information.  I’m the kind who likes to know at least a little bit about everything that comes my way.  Beyond that, magazine advertising keeps you current on what’s hot.   Here are a few of my favorites. 

   Prevention magazine.  It was years ago I found an article in this magazine about Jorge Cruise’s exercise program.  It kick started my fitness into high gear, and I’ve never been the same.  In theory, this magazine is responsible for the size of my jeans today.  Thank you!!!   Great articles on health, fitness, diet, and overall well-being. 

   Shape magazine.  Whether you workout or not, Shape magazine will get your mind going in the right direction.  Excellent health and fitness articles, trend-tracking, girly-slant.  Great stuff. 

   Self magazine.  I really love the random facts throughout this magazine.  Every issue has a section of “did you know” type of facts.  Very interesting.  Very motivating.  Much like Shape, but different features.  Both are equally great, in my opinion. 

   Domino magazine.  This magazine is sensory overload, a design-lovers dream.  Fantastic design ideas from interior to jewelry to clothing to beauty.  Retro-cool.  Excellent articles.  Girly-girl stamp of approval.

   Real Simple magazine.  Real Simple is about making life easier.  It’s like Martha, simplified.  Ways to make your life easier and more beautiful.  Fun how-to sections, great party ideas, current ads. 

This post is certainly off topic as it doesn’t pertain skincare or beauty, however it’s a story that deserves to be heard.  

While thumbing through Twitter feeds yesterday, I came across a post from the Today Show, something about blogging.  So I followed the link and found it wasn’t about blogging, but about a girl who blogged….who is now laying in the hospital, burned over 85% of her body.  Her husband, Christian, who bears the same name as my first born son, was burned over 35% of his body. 

Horrified, yet intrigued, I went to Stephanie’s blog, aka Nie Nie, the Nie Nie Dialogues.  What I found was this amazing woman who chronicled her life every couple days.  You can see straight away Nie’s love and devotion to her family, her husband, and to God.  Such a young woman, yet so centered, so intently centered on what’s important in life. 

Christian and Stephanie Nielson, along with Christian’s flight instructor, Doug Kinneard, was involved in a plane crash on August 16, 2008.  The flight instructor was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Stephanie and Christian badly burned.  Both still remain in critical condition to this day, some three weeks later.  Doctors say both have a long road to recovery ahead of them. 

After reading their story, I felt paralyzed with sadness for their situation.  Going through page after page of Nie’s blog entries, it’s clear to see how amazing she and Christian are, and what a good job they were doing raising their family.  Their love for each other, so obvious.  Their devotion to God and family, so very obvious.

I tried to continue on with my day, yet somehow this sadness haunted me.  I was in my workshop yesterday making lip balms, usually a time I’m completely in my element.  Yet Nie and Christian kept drifting in and out of my mind.  Before I knew it, I was sobbing, almost uncontrollably, for this young couple.  The sadness consumed me. 

The Irishman had taken me out to dinner last night, and in explaining this story to him, my eyes started to well with tears once again…..in the restaurant.  Last night, I woke up at 2:00 a.m., then 3:20 a.m, then 4:15 a.m, and finally got up at 5:30 a.m., the thoughts of Nie and Christian weighing heavily on my heart and mind.   

Christian woke briefly recently and said he could “feel the prayers.”  The fact that Nie and Christian survived is a miracle within itself.  Visit Nie’s blog, http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/, now being operated by her sisters, to learn about this amazing love story.  It truly affected me deeply, as I’m sure it will you as well. 

On the site, you can donate to their mountain of medical bills.  The couple also have four young children. 

My hopes and prayers are with Stephanie and Christian Nielson, along with their children and extended family.  The unthinkable has happened and to that, we can make no rhyme nor reason.  All we can do is pray, of which I have done personally, many times since learning of their story.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  They so desperately need it right now. 

Love to you, Nie and Mr. Nielson. 

I want to tell you about one of the most amazing people I’ve ever encountered!   Her name is Michelle Berger, aka Buff Mother.  Michelle has revolutionized female fitness.  Her program is very unique, in fact, I’ve never seen anything like it. 

It’s called Hormonal Timing Training.  Here’s how it works:

Hormonal Timing will harness the power of your natural hormones to create dramatic changes in your body and mind.

Hormonal Timing Diet will show you what to eat and when to eat it.  Success revolves around your monthly cycle.  Timing is critical!

The Hormonal Timing Exercise philosophy will teach you when, how, and why to exercise according to your cycle.  Believe it or not, there are cretain times during your cycle when the most effective thing to do is rest.  This results in massive momentum which is the key to experiencing radical physical changes.

It’s time to raise your expectations of what you think is possible.  The past doesn’t matter.  Hormonal Timing will give you the power to create your best body ever, but it’s up to you to make it happen.   

That’s the nutshell of Buff Mother’s program.  Michelle is a mother of four, including a set of twins, yet she has one of the most amazing bodies you have ever seen.  At www.BuffMother.com, there is a community of women from all different parts of the county.  We gather in a place on the site called the Rally Room.  This, by far, is the most amazing group of women you have ever met. 

Michelle encourages us to encourage each other.  It’s a place where negativity is not allowed.  It’s for women only.  It’s a place where we can feel okay about opening up about body image, goals, fears, etc.  Never have I met a group so supportive as my friends on Buff Mother, my Buff Sisters, as I like to call them. 

And this isn’t the same thing you’ve seen over and over.  Michelle is educated and she takes fitness very seriously.  Can you imagine, a workout routine that revolves around your monthly cycle?  A breakdown of each individual day in the month, telling you when to rest, when to work hard, what’s happening inside of your body on that day, and even the days that your libido is in full-on mode!  

After reading her book, I was simply amazed.  After all, I’ve been working out for years.  There’s nothing I haven’t heard.  I’ve heard it all…or so I thought.  Honest to goodness, with each page I would read, I would say, yes!  exactly!  epiphany!   It makes so much sense.  And I’d rather workout smart than hard.  There are times  your body shouldn’t be pushing itself.  There are times when you should push.  Michelle will help you figure those times out.  It’s really simply an amazing fitness plan based on a woman’s body.  It’s absolute genius.  I think you’ll agree. 

Recently, a group of local friends started a club called Cincinnati Losers, Losing Weight in Cincinnati.  http://cincinnatilosers.blogspot.com/   These women, far from losers, are intelligent, vibrant women, all with one goal….to become lean, strong, and healthy.  They are so courageous and determined, that they started a blog to hold themselves accountable to their health.  I want to help them through their struggle as much as possible, and I’m happy to share with them the golden ticket…. www.BuffMother.com. 

It’s a revolutionary way to not only get fit and look gorgeous, but also a way to be accountable for your life and create a legacy for yourself.  Check out my Buff Sister’s site, at www.BuffMother.com.  You’ll be absolutely amazed.  You truly have never seen anything like this before. 

   Michelle Berger, Buff Mother!