It’s the Holiday season, and you are probably looking forward to family, fun times and lots of activity. All that stress and strain can take a toll on the body, so it’s great to do what we can to keep our immune and digestive systems healthy. One of the best ways I’ve found is to make sure to get enough fiber in our diets.

What is fiber? Fiber is a non-digestible part of plant foods such as vegetables, legumes, grains and fruits that can help support a healthy diet. The enzymes in the digestive system can’t break this part of food down, so that it really helps clean out your system as it travels through.

The Harvard School of Public Health says getting enough fiber can help lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, diverticulitis and constipation.  They also say that most adult women should aim for over 20 grams a day, men for over 30 grams.

I’ve been buying whole grain breads and granola bars and trying to keep the peels on fruits and veggies when possible. I need to keep reminding myself to add more beans, though Mexican food nights are great times for that as well as lentil soups.

I’m always looking for ways to ensure that I get enough fiber in my diet.  I make sure to eat oatmeal and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits.  I make apple cobblers which include both oats and apples for a good amount of fiber.  Cinnamon is tasty and healthy on the cobbler. There is also a delicious barley soup which I make which I feel has a lot of good fiber with the barley and veggies I put in it.  It’s great for cold winter nights and tastes even better the second and third day. My Dad actually taught me to make this. It was one of his favorites.

I often serve whole-grain crackers instead of white crackers to add delicious fiber when people are over. In addition, both cranberries and pumpkin have a good deal of fiber and are delicious holiday foods.

Fiber helps you stay healthy, keeps your system running smoothly. I know that myself and my family seem in better moods when we are feeling healthy which makes for a happy Holiday season.  Less crankiness!

Foods such as Coach’s Oats will help you stay healthy as you go through the holidays and your busy life!
I often add raspberries and blueberries to the oats to help boost the fiber quotient.

Coach’s Oats on Facebook
Coach’s Oats website
Coach’s Oats on Twitter

Fun Fact: Hippocrates (4th century B.C.), considered by many the father of medicine, first championed the health benefits of wheat with the bran, which is fiber, to help keep the large intestine healthy.

“I wrote this blog post while
participating in the Bookieboo and Coach’s Oats Fiber blogging program, making me eligible to win a $50 American Express gift card and free product. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” 

Norah Jones “Featuring” is a true smorgasbord for the senses. I’ve been a fan of Norah Jones’ cool voice and jazzy pop stylings and was thrilled to see so many great collaborations of hers over the past decade with many of her favorite artists.

These collabs are so diverse that it truly makes for an exciting and fascinating album. I love the differing genres and the interpretations. I especially like the cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Court and Spark” with the brilliant Herbie Hancock, which is moody and jazzy.

There is everything from rock (Foo Fighters, Ryan Adams) to hip-hop (Q-Tip, OutKast_ to country (Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson) to jazz (Herbie Hancock).

“It’s so exciting and flattering and fun when I get asked to sing with somebody that I admire,” Norah has said. “It takes you a little bit out of your comfort zone…kind of like being a little kid and having a playdate.”

Check out this incredible track list:

“Love Me,” The Little Willies
“Virginia Moon,” The Foo Fighters feat. Norah Jones
“Turn Them,” Sean Bones feat. Norah Jones
“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Willie Nelson feat. Norah Jones
“Bull Rider,” Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
“Ruler Of My Heart,” Dirty Dozen Brass Band feat. Norah Jones
“The Best Part,” El Madmo
“Take Off Your Cool,” OutKast feat. Norah Jones
“Life Is Better,” Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones
“Soon The New Day,” Talib Kweli feat. Norah Jones
“Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John,” Belle and Sebastian feat. Norah Jones
“Here We Go Again,” Ray Charles feat. Norah Jones
“Loretta,” Norah Jones feat. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
“Dear John,” Ryan Adams feat. Norah Jones
“Creepin’ In,” Norah Jones feat. Dolly Parton
“Court & Spark,” Herbie Hancock feat. Norah Jones
“More Than This,” Charlie Hunter feat. Norah Jones
“Blue Bayou,” Norah Jones feat. M. Ward

There are none I don’t like and some I love! I love “Turn Them” with Sean Bones and its reggae feel. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is such a classic with Willie Nelson. It’s such a great fit like a comfortable pair of worn-in-jeans. “Here We Go Again” with Ray Charles is playful and gorgeous. It surprised me that Norah was so natural with hip hop. She shines with Q-tip in “Life is Better” and with Talib Kewll.

This cd really has something for everyone. It’s like a favorite mixtape and is great for driving or just lazing on a Sunday afternoon. “Featuring” shows off Norah’s talent and charm, her versatility and her smoothness. It’s eclectic, funky and fun.

So check it out on iTunes or Amazon !

Norah’s website

Norah on Facebook

Disclosure: One2One Network sent me a copy of this album so I could review it and I will be entered to win a giftcard for posting. I was not compensated any further and the opinions here are solely mine.

Thank you all so much for participating! Random.org has picked number 18.

Kathleen said… 18 I follow you on twitter (via @Sparklezstars)

Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com

Kathleen, congratulations on winning the Carmex giveaway. I’ll be contacting you soon.

I feel honored to be part of the Carmex Blog Squad. I’ve used their products for years and love them. I also find the company to be extremely friendly and they really seem to care about us, the consumers. Old-fashioned quality with up-to-date innovation. Perfect!

The other day I got a wonderful package and inside found an adorable black travel bag filled to the brim with Carmex products. I felt like a kid at Christmas. And the good news is that they are offering the same kit to my readers, so please enter and best of luck to all!

The total value of the kit is $52.32 and includes: One large tube of Carmex Healing Lotion, one large tube of Carmex Healing Cream along with Carmex Moisture Plus sticks and a flavored collection of their core products in tube, stick and jar form!

The featured products for this first review are the NEW Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream. These sell for $5.99 each and can be found at  Walgreen’s, walgreens.com and drugstore.com.

I love hand and body lotions, love to have moisturized soft skin, especially when the weather is cold or dry. My hands tend to get dry from work, painting, cooking, gardening, do-it-yourself projects, so this package was definitely a blessing. I think I’ve tried just about every cream or lotion I could get my “hands” on and I can say honestly that this is one of the best. I have some really dry areas, even a calloused area on my index finger. I decided to use that as an experiment. I applied the Carmex healing cream to it every night before I went to bed and I can honestly say that no other cream smoothed or soothed my skin like this one. I also moisturized my arms, legs, elbows, knees and hands with very good results. My skin felt healthier overall.

The healing lotion has rich healing ingredients including Aloe and Vitamin E to nourish and moisturize. It’s non-greasy and daily use will help protect your skin. The healing cream can be used for your driest skin and has 9 healing ingredients to help repair rough or cracked areas.

Both formulas are great for arms, legs, elbows, knees, and hands. The lotion is a bit thinner and the cream is for those who like a thicker formula, but I really enjoy both of them. I tend to use the cream before I go to bed. Both formulas absorb really easily and left my skin feeling soft and healed.  The scent is reminiscent of Carmex lip balm which I really like, and, to me, it has a cooling and warm smell combined. I really like it as I find it a light and soothing pleasant scent.

HOW TO ENTER:

1) MANDATORY ENTRY – Check out the Carmex Website and let me know which product you’d most like to try or what your favorite Carmex product is.


EXTRA ENTRIES:


2) Follow my blog via Google connect (if you are already a follower just leave that in a comment)
3) Follow me on Twitter @MissingLynxx (leave a comment)
4)  Follow Carmex on Twitter (leave a comment w/twitter name)
5) Like Carmex on Facebook (leave a comment w/ FB name)
6) Post about and link to this giveaway on your blog (5 entries) (leave one for each)
7) Tweet about this giveaway (1x per day) . You can write your own or use this one:


Enter to win a fab  @CarmexLipBalm kit from @MissingLynxx blog ($50+value) with new products  http://bit.ly/aF4OkR – stay soft and smooth! 


RULES:  Open to US residents only. This giveaway will end on Monday, November 15, 2010 at 9PM PST.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you via your blogger profile or via email. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be contacted. They will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  


BEST OF LUCK EVERYONE!!!


Disclosure: I received a Carmex travel kit from Carmex in order to write this review but the opinions herein are completely my own.

“KT Tunstall has had a recurring dream since she was a child. She sees a tiger in her garden and goes outside to stroke it. She returns indoors and is seized by the fear that she could have been killed. Over the years, it has occurred to her that the reason the tiger responds so passively is that she herself is disguised as a tiger. That she is wearing a tiger suit.” from KT’s website

 “Tiger Suit” is KT Tunstall’s third album and I love its moods and textures. Bold and self-assured, KT takes us on an adventure combining dance music and organic rhythms into a genre she calls “nature techno”.

Recorded in the legendary Berlin Hansa studios, where the amazing David Bowie and U2 did stellar work, “Tiger Suit” is lively yet introspective, with a mixture of dance, rootsy acoustic pop, rock and blues.

 I’ve loved KT since I first heard “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. With her raspy whiskey-laced vocals, she seemed real and genuine. Like it’s the music that truly matters. And, from what I’ve read about her, this is true. She’s an amazing singer/songwriter.

“Uummannaq”  is interesting with its tribal cries and snake rattles. “Push That Knot Away” (video below) has a bluesy feel and is about facing your fears straight on. “Golden Frames” has a sultry vibe while “Lost” has an airy elegance. “Glamour Puss” struts with an uptempo swagger.

“Come on, Get in” is rollicking and most reminds me of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. But, I also like the catchy “Fade Like a Shadow” with its memorable melody.

But, by far, the song that captivates me most is “(Still A) Weirdo” with its gorgeous acoustic guitar line and ephemeral beauty. It’s personal yet extremely relatable.

Each time I listen to this album, I love it a bit more. KT has done an amazing job leaping and bounding in her “Tiger Suit”.

KT will be on tour this Fall (10-31-12/1), so check her out in person if you get the chance!

You can find “Tiger Suit” on Amazon. 

And check KT out on  Twitter and  Facebook .

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free copy of this CD for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received but by participating, I will be eligible for a gift card drawing. The post reflects my personal opinion.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I wanted to go to the Oracle of Delphi but Random.org was closer. The number it gave me was #4 which was:

lifeonprint said… 4

I follow you on Twitter: @lifeonprint ______________________________________________________________  So, congratulations to lifeonprint. You have won a One eskimO cd and t-shirt which will be sent to you soon! I will notify you via email and twitter to get your mailing address. Thanks again everyone who participated! 

The One2One Network was very kind in sending me a copy of One eskimO’s self-titled debut cd and even kinder in that they are going to send one of my readers not only a copy of this very “cool” cd but also a stylin’ One eskimO t-shirt.

When I received the cd, I was excited to listen, because previously I had only heard “Kandi” and seen One eskimO on the Ellen show in March. I loved the song which was really catchy and remained in my head after the performance (but not in that “get it out now” kind of way).

“Kandi” is still one of my favorite songs on the album. I love how the band used an old Patsy Cline song – “He called me baby”, which was redone by Candi Staton and added their original twist.
“Kandi” was also recently featured in the tv show, Bones, “The Beginning in the End”, the final episode of season 5.

One eskimO are a four piece indie rock group from London, England consisting of Kristian Leontiou (vocals), Adam Falkner (drums), Pete Rinaldi (guitar), and Jamie Sefton (bass and horns).  I find it interesting that Leontiou was marketed toward the pop scene and had a top 10 hit in the UK when he decided to break away so that he could remain true to his own voice and vision for his music.

In an interview with the Guardian Newspaper, he said:

“I wanted to create a sound of my own: magical, ambient, filmic, acoustic,
beautiful and meaningful. I wanted to write about how I felt about life,
love, losses and failures, highs and lows, even heartbreaks.
But also about how amazing human life is and how mind-blowing our very existence is.”

I feel that in this album, One eskimO has done just that.

The album is floaty, dreamy, taking you on a journey. Imagine lazing on a raft on a cool river on a hot summer’s day. In fact, another of my favorite songs “Astronauts” speaks about this ephemeral quality:

“You float like a baby, looking for safety somewhere on mars, but if I’m mistaken your body’s in England, but your head’s in the stars“

I really love the haunting ethereal quality to this album and there isn’t a song I don’t like, which is rare, though some I love more than others.  I find it to be beautiful in its simplicity yet there are layers to be discovered upon further listening. I love “Simple Day” which brings to mind The Beatles and I find its backup vocals intriguing.

In fact, I could say that One eskimO at times sound like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, or Damien Rice with a hint of Snow Patrol or REM. I could say that the lead singer has gorgeous vocals with a hint of a Rod Stewart rasp, but, in fact, One eskimO really has their own unique vibe and sound.

And, it’s a vibe that grows on me as I listen to it in the car or chilling on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a vibe that would appeal to many different ages as my nephews liked the cd as much as I did and “borrowed” it for quite a while.

I love that it’s not emo or moody like a lot of indie alternative albums whose themes include meditations on love and life. I love that it is actually upbeat while still being meaningful and reflective.
In fact, another favorite song, “Amazing” says it best: when it speaks about feeling renewed and ultimately loving life:

“I have no skin and I feel everything. It’s amazing“.

So, check out the quirky sultry lyrics and melodies. You just may find One eskimO a cool addition to your playlist. Check them out at most major music retailers including iTunes and Amazon .

And, if you want to check them out live, One eskimO is on tour May/June/July supporting Michael Franti in addition to festivals and headlining shows. 
 
Tour Schedule

For more coolness, also check out the  One eskimO website .

You can also get a free download of one of my faves “Astronauts” via Twitter here .

GIVEAWAY RULES:


First of all, you must be a U.S. resident. For a mandatory entry, please leave me a comment with some of your favorite
music.


The giveaway will end Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be notified Monday, May 31 via Twitter or email, so please do leave me an email that you check. If the winner doesn’t respond w/in 72 hours, a new winner will be picked. Winner receives a One eskimO cd + a One eskimO t-shirt (pictured above). Winner will be chosen via random.org.

If you would like ADDITIONAL ENTRIES to increase your chances, you can do any or all of the following and please leave me a separate comment for each. Each will count as an additional entry.


1. Follow @oneeskimo on Twitter.
2. Follow me, @missinglynxx , on Twitter
3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, or, if you are already a follower, tell me in a      comment.
4. “Like”  One eskimO on Facebook
5. Tweet about the giveaway or use this one and leave the link or your twitter username  i.e. – ” Win a  chill @oneeskimo CD and stylin’ t-shirt at @missinglynxx blog http://bit.ly/aFTU1J #giveaway”

Disclosure: I was provided this cd to review by the One2One Network as well as the prizes for the winners, however, the opinions herein are my own.