Become a Dementia Champion and a T-shirt/Wristband GIVEAWAY - (CLOSED)



National President Ita Buttrose

 Did you know there are currently 267,000 Australians with dementia and 1.2 million people who care for them in some way?

In 2012 that will increase to almost 280,000 people with dementia and 1,600 new cases each week. Alzeihmer's Australia is urging the government to create a Dementia Action Plan to address the dementia epidemic set to hit Australia.

I have had a family member affected by Dementia and I know how important it is to have support, to help the affected person and their family.

We definitely need more awareness and support systems in place to tackle the issues that we face, as the number of dementia cases increase.

Here is a video on Dementia and what it means:

I have signed up as a Dementia Champion to show my support in helping fight Alzeihmers. If you want to become a Dementia Champion just sign up here http://www.campaign.fightdementia.org.au/

Me with my t-shirt and wristband

A great way of showing support is by wearing a Fight Alzheimer's t shirt and wristband. I love mine and have some to giveaway to anyone that is also passionate about supporting a great cause. If your interested, there is also a petition that you can sign HERE 

******************************************GIVEAWAY*******(CLOSED)

I have EIGHT Fight Alzheimer's T-shirts and wristband packs to giveaway.

For your chance to win, let me know what charities/causes you are passionate about supporting? in the comments below.


Terms and conditions ( please read!):
1. Open to Australian residents only.
2. Be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect
3. This giveaway finishes 21st of January 2012 at 10pm. (AEST)
4. Please ensure that I can email you, if you are the winner. (Leave your email in the comment or have it linked to your profile)
5. PR for Alzheimer's will be sending out the prizes.

****Optional entries.........( let me know in the coments below if you have done an extra entry)

For one extra entry, 'Like' my facebook page DanniiBeauty

For a second extra entry, sign up as a dementia champion HERE

Thanks to everyone who entered!
The winners are:


Smilie girl
Yvette @ Delightfully Tacky
Pam
Melissa
Amanda
Melanie Kuziemko
Darya
Anonymous - Nikola. E

Stay tuned for more great giveaways soon!

Why should I take vitamins?

I always try to eat a healthy well balanced diet (although I am not a vegetables person!), but that is not always possible. Sometimes just being too busy and not having enough time means I don't always get a healthy balanced diet everyday. So I have always taken vitamins for years now, to ensure that I am not deficient in anything.

My essentials that I take daily are a multivitamin and fish oil supplements. Depending on what else is going on with my body I will look at other supplements, for example if I feel I am tired all the time and have no energy I will take a Vitamin B supplement.

Blackmores is a brand that I trust and use for many of my vitamins. I usually buy my vitamins from supermarkets or priceline and wait for the sales to stock up on what I need.

I always take a multivitamin everyday to ensure that I have the daily vitamins and minerals I need for the day. The Blackmores Women's Vitality Multi is great as it has vitamins that are tailored for womens needs. I also buy the Blackmores Men's Performance Multi for my husband and he likes it too.

Recently I have been using the Women's De-Stress which I like as it helps to support the nervous system particularly in times of stress. Who isn't stressed these days?! So it's great to give your body extra support when dealing with exhaustion and stress.

A few weeks ago I woke up with a sore throat and knew I was starting to get a cold. So I started that day to use the Cold and Flu Day/Night I took one tablet three times during the day and one at night. These work instantly by the end of the first day I could feel my body trying to fight off the cold. After a few days I felt better and never got a cold. Excellent result!

These are what I have used recently and would recommend.

I am currently trialling the Blackmores Nails Hair and Skin tablets - will let you know once I've reached the twelve week mark my results, so far they are great.

When deciding on whether you need to take vitamins or supplements, everyone is different and have different needs. I do a lot of research when deciding what my body needs and what would work best for me. Always consult with your doctor if you are unsure .

Blackmores have a great online website with over 300,000 members, lots of great information and access to a naturopath that you can contact.

Do you take vitamins? Are there any vitamins that you would recommend that work for you?

Listerine Zero mouthwash review

Have you ever tried a mouthwash that left a strong burning feeling in your mouth? I have and never used one again. However when I saw that Listerine brought out the Listerine Zero mouthwash I was keen to try it.

Listerine Zero is a mouthwash that doesn't contain alcohol and is less intense than other mouthwashes. It is exactly what I want out of a mouthwash.

Listerine says: New Listerine Zero Mouthwash The Less Intense, Zero Alcohol formula cleans deep to kill millions of bad breath germs for a cleaner, fresher mouth! Less intense Clean Mint flavour and unique alcohol-free formula. No other alcohol-free mouthwash has been proven more effective at killing bad breath germs. Contains signature 4 Essential Oils found in LISTERINE Antiseptic for bad breath protection.


This is now my favourite mouthwash. I use this after brushing my teeth. I use the cap to pour the mouthwash into and then place it in my mouth to swish around for thirty seconds.

As soon as you taste the Listerine Zero you can tell that it is milder than other mouthwashes, has a cool minty flavour and feels refreshing and clean for my mouth. It definitely makes a difference to my teeth leaving them feeling clean.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone that can't stand stronger mouthwashes. Using a mouthwash is a great step to looking after your teeth.

Listerine Zero comes in three different sizes 250 ml, 500ml and 1L available in supermarkets.

Do you use a mouthwash?

How to avoid getting a cold in winter? Blackmores Giveaway- (CLOSED)

Winter is my favourite season, love to rug up in my scarves, boots and beanies to keep warm. I enjoy sitting in front of the heater sipping on my hot chocolate......mmmmm nice and warm.

But one thing I don't like is getting a cold or flu. I think you would all agree that no one wants to get sick - but it does happen. In our household its usually a ripple effect, the kids get a cold, then I catch it off them, then hubby and it's gone around the whole family.

I have always been diligent about taking my Blackmores Womens Vitality multivitamin everyday along with a few other vitamins that I need to take for my wellbeing.

But this winter no matter how much I tried, I got the cold. I drank a whole packet of Camomile tea with honey and lemon and I went through two packets of Soother lozenges to help get over my cold.

In winter I do try to enhance my immune system by:

1. Keeping warm - always dress warmly when going outside
2. Drink warm water/drinks - to keep my body warm
3. Wash hands - especially before eating
4. Disinfectant spray - for around the house to keep those germs away

However this winter, I needed something more to enhance my immune system. Something like Blackmores Cold & Flu Day Night or Blackmores ImmunoDefence would be excellent to help keep a cold away.

So I have started taking the Blackmores ImmunoDefence straight away to support my immune system to help keep colds and flu away. I already feel stronger physically, so hopefully no more colds for me this winter!

********************GIVEAWAY**********************

I have ONE Blackmores pack valued at over $60 to giveaway to one lovely reader.

The pack contains one packet of Blackmores Cold and Flu Day Night and one packet of Blackmores ImmunoDefence along with some markers and masks.
For your chance to win this pack, leave me a comment below and tell me do you do anything to prevent a cold/flu?


Terms and conditions:

Open to Australian residents only.

Be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect

This giveaway finishes 22nd of August 2011 at 10pm. (aest)

Please ensure that I can contact you by email, if you are the winner.

****Optional.........( let me know in the coments below if you have done an extra entry)

•For an extra entry, 'Like' my facebook page DanniiBeauty

•For another extra entry, tweet this on twitter - I entered @DanniiBeauty Blackmores giveaway, you should too! http://bit.ly/p6f2XS #giveaways #win #winter

Thanks to everyone that entered this giveaway! The winner is:


Melanie


Stay tuned for more great giveaways coming soon!

How to look after your teeth?

Whats the first thing you notice when someone smiles? Their teeth! We all know we need to brush our teeth regularly and look after them. I have always been conscious of my teeth especially as I had to wear braces for four years when I was a teenager. I like using whitening toothpastes to help keep my teeth whiter.

Interestingly enough Oral B surveyed over a thousand Australians and asked them to compare two photos of the same woman – one showing clean, healthy-looking teeth, and the other with yellow, stained teeth.

They were then asked to make assumptions on the age and salary of the woman based on each photo.
More than half of those surveyed assumed that the woman with the whiter smile was under 30 years old and earning more than the woman with discoloured, plaque-stained teeth, who was perceived as being older than 30 years old and earning less in salary. Interesting!

I got the opportunity to ask Dentist Stephen Blatchford a few questions:

How do we look after our teeth?

Brush for two minutes, twice a day and remember to floss! A common mistake is when people think they have a great dental routine, but are only brushing for 30 seconds. It’s really important to ensure you brush thoroughly, gently and for two minutes. Using a power toothbrush such as the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide, which comes with a wireless display that provides feedback while you brush, will help improve brushing habits. To reduce bacteria and bad breath, use a mouth rinse such as the Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care Rinse. Other tips include, eating well and avoiding (or limiting) foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay, erosion and discolouring. Also make sure you drink plenty of water.

Can certain foods affect the teeth?

Foods that cause erosion, decay and discolouration are those high in sugars and acid such as fruit juice, wine, carbonated spirits, drinks, tea, and coffee. Refined food and drink with added sugars such as cakes, biscuits, sweets and soft drinks will contribute to plaque build-up and should be consumed in moderation. Citrus fruits like grapefruits and lemons have a high acid content and should also be limited or avoided as they may lead to erosion. Limiting or avoiding these foods and drinks will assist in ensuring that a healthy smile is maintained.

Braces can stain teeth. What’s the best way to maintain teeth after braces?

A proper brushing technique will assist in removing plaque and stain build-up. Using the Triumph toothbrush with a Pro-Bright brush head is recommended as it has a special polishing cup, designed to remove surface stains. It’s important to continue to brush twice a day, floss and rinse. If you feel that your teeth are still stained, a thorough clean by a dentist may be required. Your dentist can also recommend tooth whitening procedures.

How often do we need to visit our dentist?
It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least twice a year. Regular visits are important as they allow dentists to detect problems when they are smaller and easier to fix, and will also allow them to give you advice on preventing any future problems that may arise. It is also important to make sure you are taking good care of your teeth and gums in the mean time by brushing twice a day, flossing and using a mouth rinse to minimise any problems between dental visits.

Have you tried any whitening products to help keep your teeth white?

Kids love Bega Stringers cheese

Who loves cheese? I have always loved cheese even as a kid I would eat any cheese. However its a different story with my seven year old. He doesn't like cheese, he says "its too cheesy".  Um thats what cheese is suppose to taste like! It is so hard to reason with a seven year old so when Bega contacted me to ask if I wanted to review the Bega Stringers, I was happy to give it a go. Anything to get my seven year old to eat cheese.

Bega stringers are made from all natural mozzarella cheese. Sounds yummy, here is the pack that was sent to us.

So what did my seven year old think? "These are cool mum and taste yummy" He really likes them, the swiss were his favourite. My one year old, loves that she can hold it in her hand and eat it by herself. Its a great and easy snack for a toddler to have.

There are three flavours original, swiss and cheddar cheese. As they are made with natural mozarella cheese they have 37% less fat. They are the top selling kid's cheese snack range in Australia and were launched ten years ago. An excellent source of calcium for growing kids.

Secretly I love these too. They are so handy and a great snack for adults too. I really like the cheddar flavour. Shhh don't tell the kids!

Do you like cheese? Do your children like cheese?

LR Aloe Vera Extra Freshness Tooth Gel review

Do you want a gorgeous clean smile?  I think everyone does! I have tried lots of different toothpastes to get my teeth sparkling clean.

I was recently sent the Aloe Vera Extra Freshness Tooth Gel by LR Collection.

I found this very interesting that this toothpaste contains 43% Aloe Vera Gel a great ingredient, which comes in a 100ml tube.

The Aloe Vera in this tooth gel is used to thoroughly cleanse and soothe the teeth, protecting enamel.

The Echinacea extract helps guard against gum disease. This tooth gel is particularly suitable for sensitive teeth and gums as it is gentler on the teeth and gum than most toothpastes.

The packaging is simple and easy to use. The product itself is a green colour  - much like the picture on the package - and the smell is a great minty fresh. The gel lathers up really well in the mouth, which I like because it really feels like you are cleaning your teeth well. It feels comfortable and pleasant to use. It leaves your teeth feeling smooth and very clean with a minty fresh breath.

Overall a great product that I will continue to use and recommend. You can purchase the LR Aloe Vera Extra Freshness Tooth Gel online at LR Collection .

You can also 'Like' the LR company on facebook here and here to keep up dated on their great products.

Do you have a favourite toothpaste you like to use?

Take care of your heart

Are you looking after your heart?

Our heart is what keeps us going, so keeping it healthy and strong is of utmost importance. Take care of your heart so you can enjoy the fantastic opportunities life has to offer YOU!

Sunraysia believes that everybody deserves to feel great. The Sunraysia Beetroot & Apple juice is made from a special blend of 72% Australian beetroots and 28% Australian apples with no added sugar and no preservatives.

To help keep Australian hearts happy, Sunraysia are giving away 10,000 bottles of Sunraysia Beetroot & Apple juice. Watch this gorgeous video now



http://www.sunraysia.com/ - This offer is available to Australian residents only and will end 6th of April 2011 or until the 10,000 bottles run out. For full term and conditions please click HERE

Six ways to getting gorgeous skin!

This is me and my skin on a good day, no breakouts!

The one most important beauty tip is to look after your skin. Here are some steps in your beauty routine that we must do in order to maintain healthy and good looking skin.

1. Drink water - we all know it, water is important for our general health and the best to maintain elasticity and good health for our skin.

2. Cleanse - find a cleanser that works well with your skin and cleanse at least every night. (This is the cleanser I use at the moment) Be sure to remove all your makeup before going to bed.

3. Exfoliate - at least one to two times a week. This removes the dead skin cells giving you brighter and smoother skin. (This is the scrub I use at the moment)

4. Apply Sunscreen - Sun damage is the number one cause for wrinkles. It is so important to use a sunscreen from the youngest of age, even when its not summer, anytime throughout the year the sun can damage your skin. I always use a moisturiser that has SPF 30+ in it, that way I am using a moisturiser and sunscreen.

5. Night moisturiser - Night time is when your skin is rebuilding and regenerating itself. Your skin needs moisture, so a good moisturising night cream will definitely help. Try applying it before 10pm because between 10pm and 2am is when the skin is doing the most work. True fact!

6. Change your pillowcase often - I have personally found that this helps prevent or reduce breakouts. (Read more about it here) Try it and see if it works for you.

Are there any tips or products that have been great for your skin?

How my morning beauty routine is done?

 

Looking after your skin is the most important beauty advice you will hear. Your skin needs constant attention in order for it to look and feel great. I have no problem with looking after my skin in the evening, its the mornings that always seem to be the hardest for me. Trying to get breakfast ready and two young children ready, is plenty to keep me busy and neglect my skin.

But it only takes a few extra minutes to look after your skin. This is what I find works best for me:

• I rinse my face with warm water.
• Cleanse my face. (I'm using a Dove cleanser at the moment)
• Rinse off with cold water.
• Apply my moisturiser and let it absorb for about five minutes. (I'm using Neutrogena health defence day moisturiser at the moment)
• Apply primer and let it absorb for about five minutes too ( using a primer is optional) ( I use the face of australis face primer at the moment)
• Now my face is ready for makeup.

The key is to let the products you use to absorb into the skin for a few minutes. There are days where I dont have time to cleanse in the morning, so I usually use makeup wipes to give my face a quick clean and then apply my makeup.

Once you get in the habit of a quick routine, your skin will love you for it!

Do you cleanse your face every morning?  

Dinner is a breeze - with a slow cooker!

I have never been a good cook. Its one of those things that I wish I could do well, but no matter how much I try I just can't cook. Its either too salty, or not cooked long enough, or not spicy enough and the list goes on.

For the last few months, I have been debating at whether I should buy a slow cooker. Lots of people love them because they are easy to use and the food is really nice when cooked in a slow cooker. I did my research and could only find positive feedback on the slow cookers. So it definitely sounds worth it.

So I went out on the weekend and bought my very first slow cooker.

I have cooked a few dishes in it now and they are perfect. The preparation to get all the ingredients ready takes me about tweny minutes, I then place them all in the slow cooker and its cooks on low for 8 hours.

I absolutely love it. It saves me lots of time, and the food is always perfect. I have tried Beef Stroganoff, Herb and Garlic Lamb Shanks and Chicken with mushrooms. All great meals. My husband and children love the meals too which is fantastic. The slow cooker is definitely a great investment.

Do you like cooking? What do you like to cook?

Shocking! Puberty and lavender?

Do you remember when you got your first bra? Certainly not when you were five, right?

Well, read this:
"Hayley... started developing breasts when she was five. A year later... she had her first period. She was dealing with monthly mood swings, stomach cramp, migraines and spots at the same time as learning to read and write. Every month she missed three or four days of school..." 

And what is more, "evidence suggests that Hayley's experience could soon be commonplace."

Before you dismiss all this as nonsense, know that these are quotes from an article I read in Intelligent Life, a magazine from The Economist - which, in case you don't know it, is a very reputable source of information and analyses on world affairs.

Hayley still seems to be an extreme case but they have been conducting studies and "the results... showed that over 15 years the age of breast development in Denmark had dropped a year, from 10.8 years in 1991 to 9.8 years in 2006." Also in China, a study reported the lowest-ever average age for breast development (9.2 years). And boys' voices are breaking earlier - studies in Denmark, the Netherlands and Italy have all come to similar results. 

What are the implications?
- "Children who go into early puberty are prematurely sexualised and too immature to deal with the implications. They are more vulnerable to sexual abuse, inappropriate sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy."
- "Adolescents who go through puberty earlier are involved in more risk-taking behaviour, such as taking drugs, binge drinking and breaking the law."
- For women, there could be health problems: an increased "risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and of developing cardiovascular problems."

Why is this happening? Nobody knows for sure. They've looked into obesity, chemicals, absentee fathers ("a girl who lives apart from her father tends to get her period earlier") and now also hormones: "Children are extremely sensitive to hormones before puberty because they are producing so little that small amounts can make a difference." 

What has lavender got to do this any of this? Well, here is another shocking revelation:

"In 2007 a study in the New England Journal of Medicine described how three young boys began growing breasts after using products containing lavender and tea-tree oils. In one case a mother used a healing balm containing lavender oil on her four-year-old son; in another a ten-year-old boy used hair gel containing lavender and tea-tree oil; in the final example a seven-year-old was using lavender soap. Lavender and tea-tree were found to cause hormonal disruptions by mimicking oestrogen."

This article freaked me out. What are your thoughts on this?

1, 2 (Intelligent Life print), 3 

How well are you sleeping?

It's been raining a lot lately, which is a bummer because it's too cold and wet for my spring clothes and open-toe sandals. But the one good thing it's done is wash away the pollen that was giving me such a hard time.

Just to show you how much health damage - including lack of sleep - the pretty flowers and trees were doing, I thought I would share my graphs from the Sleep Cycle app on the iPhone. I'm still fascinated with the app and use it every night - just out of curiosity, really. Three graphs from the worst week are in the column on the left. And on the right I've included the 'after' graphs.

And here's what I had to do. I went to see my doctor, who prescribed me some drugs and a nasal spray that cost a whopping EUR 60 / GBP 51 / USD 76! For a tiny 6ml bottle! Absurd. (but who's the fool? Me, for buying it?!)

Spring cleaning also helped. My cleaner happened to bring someone (to be her substitute whilst on holiday) and I got both of them to stay for four hours. That's eight hour's worth of cleaning! I felt so much better afterwards :-) And the substitute (who has come again on her own since) does a better job - she doesn't just clean, she also tidies up. Hmm I feel bad about getting rid of the usual cleaner and employing someone she introduced but...? I'm still thinking about it. Should I do it?

And those nose plugs... I tried some one weekend when I had a terribly runny nose and I quickly discovered that they can't replace tissues. But they weren't as uncomfortable (or visible!) as I'd imagined them to be.

One other thing I'd started taking were homeopathic tablets but I kept on forgetting (three times a day is such a hassle) so I've now given up. I'm not sure they do anything, anyway... Do you believe in homeopathy?

Relax on 8820 spikes?!

When you first come across this curious thing, you're likely to touch it with your fingers or hand. Ouch!

But the yantra mat promises better sleep, more energy, stress and pain relief. Sold!

Anything, I thought, that will improve blood circulation and reduce backaches. Even if it means lying down on 8,820 spikes!

Apparently this is based on the ancient healing art of acupressure and improves blood flow by stimulating various parts of the body.

After 10-20 minutes of lying on the mat, I have a pretty pattern of 'holes' in my back. But it feels great. Since starting this, my chronic shoulder-arm-back pains have almost completely disappeared. I have had these pains for YEARS! And I have never been able to get rid of them.

Sometimes I even fall asleep on this thing!

It's not just for the back, though. I roll the mat with the spikes on the outside and prop my legs on it. I sit on it. I even stand on it. I also put my head on it to massage the scalp. 

I have become so dependent on this - I use it every day! - that I was happy to read that it travels well, too. All you have to do is take out the foam mat and just pack the spiky cover in your suitcase.

Do be careful when handling the mat. If you accidentally brush your hand or foot against the spikes, you'll get nasty scratches and some bleeding even! (excuse: "It was my cat.")

A very similar mat was featured in the May issue of Tatler:

It's worth trying out! Let me know how you get on. 

Travel-friendly massage ball

It's such a pain when flights gets delayed. But once in a while it can be an opportunity in disguise. I was walking around the airport shops, bored, when suddenly I spotted one of these little reflexology balls. It's simply a ball with spikes, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Unlike a lot of other massage props I've tried, this one is relatively hard and doesn't give way too much when you press on it. So the massage is effective, if you want it to be.

I liked it so much that I rushed back to get some more before my flight - another back-up for me and one for my mother.

Do you have any favourite massage products?

When pills aren't enough

The anti-allergy tablets that I've been taking don't seem to be helping.

I had so much trouble breathing last night that I thought I was going to die in my sleep. (I can't die yet! I want my car first!)

A blocked nose forced me to breathe through my mouth but that didn't go too well, either. I felt like I was being strangled. My throat was so tight that I was quite desperate for something like an inhaler.

Now for the multiple choice question.
a. Is the pollen count just extremely and horribly high this year? or
b. Do I blame it on my cleaning lady for not getting rid of the house dust properly? or
c. Are bored and deranged spirits trying to tell me something?

Spring would be my favourite season, if...

... if it weren't for hay fever. I get it badly and it is really the worst time of the year for me.

The sneezing itself, even if I manage about seven in a row each time, is not so bad. But itchy eyes are uncomfortable. Usually, I never ever rub my eyes because of all the make-up I wear but I just had to make an exception the other day. Yes, I had to take off my make-up in the middle of the day so I could rub until my eyes were red and swollen. Attractive. First thing I did the next morning was to run to the chemist and plead for anything that would help.

The problem with the nose - either completely blocked or totally runny - is also annoying. Thank goodness for tissues (what did they do before tissues were invented? wash handkerchiefs each and every time - in dirty, smelly water, no less?) but the skin on my nose has just had it, with all the blowing I've been doing.

Wait... maybe I won't have to use tissues anymore?

I've been given something very curious. I've never seen or heard of these things (from Japan) - stoppers that you put up your nose to (1) catch the nasty stuff coming out and to (2) prevent pollen and dust from coming in.

I'm not sure what to make of these. It must be uncomfortable, having them up your nose all day. Has anyone tried them?