That's Fit

I know that people who don't have pets or who aren't big animal lovers can't understand how those of us with furry friends can possibly think of dogs and cats and friends, family members and even children. I suppose these people think it's ridiculous to shell out perfectly good money on specialty treats for pets. To an extent I can see where they're coming from -- fancy clothing for cats and dogs is a bit extreme in my opinion -- but I will happily spend hard-earned cash on fun stuff for my dog.

I know that I'm not the only one. Most major, dog-friendly cities (Vancouver being the first that comes to my mind) have got fancy dog salons and boutiques in pretty much every trendy neighborhood. While I usually stick with funny squeaky toys and the occasional cute new collar, other dog owners out there will open their wallets for specialized grooming products, accessories, clothing, bedding and more.

I'm a Yankee Candle junkie. Every time a coupon arrives in the mail, I head right out and redeem it. Burning scented candles is one of my favorite feel-good practices. A little aroma therapy is just what I need to warm my spirits.

Today I bought three news flavors -- black cherry, peach, and vanilla cupcake. The cupcake one -- which smells exactly like its intended scent -- is what inspired me to write this post because it hit me as potentially odd that I grabbed this mouth-watering candle when I don't consume sweets (headaches and a desire to eat healthy drove me away from them). And then I realized: Smelling vanilla cupcakes is enough. I don't need to eat them. I guess it could have gone the other way -- my candle could have sent me right to the bakery for the real deal -- but it didn't. And as I sit here right now, cupcake aromas swirling around me, I am completely satisfied.

If scents alone do the trick for your sweet cravings, check out Yankee Candle and all this delicious fragrances this company has to offer.

Care to be happier, healthier, and fitter than ever before? How about accomplishing these three feats in 15-minute bursts of time? The editors of SELF magazine say it's possible if we simply find the right mindset. Here's how.

First, you must learn to love your mornings. Forget saving "me-time" for evenings. Take this time when you're alert enough to savor it. I know, you're thinking that you're anything but alert in the morning -- but consider how tired you are at the end of day, how likely you are to zone out in front of the TV and mindlessly surf the Internet, how unlikely you are to really pamper yourself. Got you convinced mornings are best? OK, now take advantage of the first moments of your day. Take just 10 minutes and stretch, read a chapter in a new book, or sip a cup of hot tea in complete silence.

Second, allot four minutes to nurturing your inner optimist -- it'll make you healthier and happier than your down-in-the-dumps peers. Find the benefit in all situations by solving your problems instead of blaming yourself, realizing what you learned from a difficult time, and keeping low points in perspective. A tough moment is, after all, just one tough moment.

Finally, one minute is all it takes to pump a little spunk into the air. I like the scent of candles -- cinnamon is my favorite -- and I burn one almost all the time when I'm at home. But citrus scents are happiness helpers, say the SELF folks. Try lemon and tangerine essential oils. When a slump hits, spray a little sunshine into your world and breathe deeply.

Millions of homes have air fresheners -- mine included, until I started looking into the issue further. Sure, they make your home smell pretty, but how much do you know about air fresheners?

If your answer is 'no much', I suggest you educate yourself by checking out this slideshow from our friends over at AOL Body. The down-low: Most air fresheners contain chemicals called phthalates (pronounced thal-ates), which have been linked to birth defects and hormonal imbalances. And citrus and pine scents usually contain terpenes, which are not toxic on their own but can produce toxic compounds when they interact with other elements.

This is scary stuff, but stuff you need to know. So go on, educate yourself. And in the meantime, freshen your house with natural scents like fresh air, fresh flowers and fresh baking.

My ideal workout scenario is as follows: Get out of bed, exercise, shower, fix myself up, and be done for the day. There's something about accomplishing my fitness feats first thing that helps power me through the day. Sometimes things work out this way although on most days, my morning routine has me coaxing little ones out of bed, into clothes, to the breakfast table, to the toothbrushes, and into the car for the ritual school drop-off. By the time I get to my treadmill or to the streets outside, I've been up for hours. Not ideal. But that's the way my life goes.

Regardless of when I work out, there's one thing standard about my routine -- the feel-good sense I get when all is said and done. And the scents that surround me when I'm clean and ready to take on the day.

Yesterday, I picked up this yummy peppermint body stuff at Bath & Body Works. I got one bottle of a body wash -- which just so happens to double as a shampoo which doubles as a bubble bath -- and I got one bottle of body lotion. Twisted Peppermint, this product line is called. And I'll tell you: It's sure to put a bounce in your step.

According to holisticonline.com, aromatherapy means "treatment using scents." It's a holistic way of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender, and yes, peppermint. Aromatherapy is used to relieve pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue, and invigorate the entire body. Aromas can affect the mood, knock out fatigue, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.

My new aroma is certainly working on my brain. It's simply invigorating. Stop by a Bath & Body Works near you and ask for a sample. You'll see what I mean.

Air fresheners are big business these days -- in my grocery store almost a half of an aisle is devoted to all the different styles and scents of air fresheners and air sanitizers. But how healthy are they?

Last week the National Resources Defense council released a study that shows that most air fresheners (12 out of the 14 they tested) contain controversial chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates have been linked to health issues such as cancer, developmental abnormalities, and fertility. And although the U.S. doesn't regulate phthalates some other countries do, which is a little disconcerting.

Even if there isn't any "proof" that phthalates are dangerous, I for one will be making an effort to use one of those 2 brands that tested negative for them: Febreze Air Effects Air Refresher and Renuzit Subtle Effects.

I'm not a huge fan of mint anything, really, so the fact that I'm not at all excited about a sports bra scented like peppermint is no surprise. But what do you think? FitSugar has a poll going on the topic, based on the new Reebock Pulse Scented Short Bra Top which "releases the refreshing scent of peppermint" when you workout. It seems like more people like it than don't (48% cool, 38% not cool, so far), but I'm not convinced. I keep thinking that it doesn't keep you from sweating so what does 'sweaty peppermint' smell like? That could be downright nauseating.

Life is too short not to be fully "tuned in." The Daily Turn On! is designed to wake up your senses, all six of them: smell, taste, touch, hearing, sight and intuition! Everyday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will awaken your mind, your body and your life!

Did you know ... Your sense of smell can directly impact your physical, mental and emotional well being. As a matter of fact, smell is one of the most important senses. Smell travels directly to the limbic system, the most primal area of the brain. This area is where emotions, memory and behavior are controlled. Smell influences mood, memory, emotions, choice of mate, the immune system, as well as the endocrine system.

What we sniff truly empowers or weakens our mental, emotional and physical state. A bit of lavender will calm the savage beast. Jasmine will calm and perhaps get you "in the mood" for romance. And the essential oil of lemon has been known to increase accuracy in data entry by up to 54%! The good news? Any scent will turn more of your brain on! Even while you are sleeping!

Turn On your senses ... Wake up to a fit life!

I once had a friend who liked that "new car smell" so much he actually found an air freshener scented like it and put it in his old beater car. He loved it. But have you ever thought about why new cars smell the way they do? And they usually smell that way for weeks, if not months to a year or more (depending on how many fast food meals and to-go coffees you spill!). Unfortunately, it's due to chemicals used during the manufacturing process like bromine, chlorine, and even lead that give off harmful fumes for up to 3 years.

Suggestions for limiting your exposure include avoiding sunny parking spots whenever you can, using a screen on the windshield when you park, and then letting the car air out before you get in. Click here for a listing of the 10 worst cars tested, and the 10 best.

Just thought I'd share one of the cutest things that happen in my house. My husband has confiscated and is now in posession of my deodorant. Of course, he may get even with me for telling you this, but he uses my Lady Speed Stick and it works well. In fact, the reason he uses it is due to the men's deodorant creating a weird chemical reaction with his body. The 'guy stuff' would leave odd stains on his shirts and create funky odors.

What makes it all so great is that he's this big perfectly muscular and athletic guy who is a police officer. He's totally all the manly guy things in the world, but his armpits smell like strawberries and I think it's adorable. More importantly, the deodorant works and that's how this is all relevant to you. I buy the Lady Speed Stick clear drying deodorant in strawberry and it's awesome.

I spend all day in the gym and after he runs seven miles and lifts weights (then showers), Rob spends all day in a bullet proof vest. From what I've been told we don't smell half bad. The clear drying stuff is terrific because I wear a ton of tank tops and the last thing I'd want is yucky white stains on my shirts. Lady Speed Stick seem to cost less than the other deodorants on the shelf and it also comes in Cool Coconut, Berry Blossum and Pink Crush. The scents are fun, so give em a try. You can smell fruity instead of smelly too.

We now have news out on another small device for diagnosis health issues: this one uses sniffing to detect health problems varying from Alzheimers to a deviated septum.

The idea is that the sense of smell is one of the most delicate of senses and may act as a sort of "canary in the mine" to give early warnings of impending or already existing issues. By measuring how deeply a person sniffs when smelling a scent or odor experts can determine if their sense of smell is impaired or not, and then find out why if it is.

I hope I'm not asked to take this test anytime soon because the smells they use include ripe cheese mixed with rancid meat, burning mixed with skunk scent, and then (a sigh of relief for participants) bananas.