To quote my fave celeb (bleck!) when talking about how she decided to not let others bother her anymore she says:

“I got a tattoo on my lower back that says ’sticks and stones,’ because they may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Well said Lauren. Lauren is a recent author to a New York Times Bestseller. This speaks worlds of our culture. Jeez.

On another note, the only advice I will follow from Lauren is her trainer’s circuit workout that can be done anywhere (hotel, living room, you get teh picture).

L.C.’s workout: Squats, situps, pushups, couch dips and planks. She does 20 reps of the first 4 moves and then holds the plank for 20 seconds. Do the circuit 6 times and you’ll look like Lauren! Ta Da!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info, Shape!

So, Sabon, a line we’ve always loved has recently gone organic. We can’t wait to test out all the products. One paycheck at a time. They’re not super pricey but they’re def more than your average trip to Duane Reade (but in a good way–you’re really getting quality with Sabon stuff).

Products range from $15 for foot cream to $49 for Organic face serum. Don’t pollute your body. You know our thoughts about organic. The new organic line is paraaben-free, sulfate-free and never tested on animals.

Sincerely excited to sample, xox Smartypanties

After reading Anti-Cancer, which recommends using cosmetics that are Paraben-free we decided, hey, why not? If there is any chance that it causes cancer, why take the risk. Although the FDA maintains that results that parabens cause cancer are inconclusive, we have decided to go organic whenever we can with beauty products (and well, everything else as well).

Click HERE to read the FDA’s statement from 2007 after they did a study re: parabens.

Click HERE to find a big list of cosmetics companies that have committed to go Paraben Free!

Over here at Smartypanties we’re going Paraben free. I mean, didn’t the government say cigarettes weren’t that bad for you not so long ago?

We caught up with Declan Condron, the co-creator and exercise physiologist of PumpOne FitnessBuilder, gives his Top 5 Tips to be- and stay- bikini ready this summer! (Plus, read on for a free iPod or iPhone application for our readers!)

Declan’s Top 5 Tips to Be and Stay Bikini Ready:

1.  Try to do something everyday: no matter how simple it may seem. Declan says that “this does not necessarily mean you have to be at the gym everyday for hours. By making some smart decisions you can add in exercise in short spurts throughout the day, like taking the stairs.”

2. Don’t get caught in the “Spot Reduction” rut: spot reduction does not exist, according to Declan. It refers to the idea that if you do a ton of exercises for a certain body part, it will become beautifully sculpted. This is unfortunately not the case. The best way to lose weight and gain muscle tone is to perform a total body conditioning program and eat a healthy diet.

3. Focus on a small goal: don’t psych yourself out by trying to lose 25 pounds. Concentrate on a smaller number like losing 1 to 2 clothing sizes… “It makes a huge difference!” claims Declan

4. Avoid those tasty summer thirst quenchers: come summer, people break out the blenders and mixes to whip up margaritas and daiquiris. But all that sugar and alcohol can play a very detrimental role in losing weight and gaining muscle. Declan notes that “alcohol is empty calories with no nutritional value. It also can increase fluid retention, which leads to bloating”- the last thing anyone wants when in a bathing suit!

5.  Don’t stick to the same workout: have an “all-round conditioning program that includes strength training, cardio and flexibility training. An ideal plan has three days of strength training, two-three days of cardio, and stretching as often as possible,” states Declan

PumpOne FitnessBuilder is an App for the iPhone and iPod touch available exclusively free for SMARTYPANTIES readers at this link, iTunes App Store,! We haven’t tried it yet, but we’re on our way now!

FitnessBuilder features over 400 complete workouts and a growing collection of over 4,000 exercise images and videos that users can drag and drop to create their own workouts. The benefits of PumpOne workouts include:

• A professional trainer who guides you through complete workouts with video and audio coaching using both male and female exercise demonstrations.
• Each exercise image shows a start and end position that tells you exactly what body-part you are working.
• A variety of already available and downloadable workouts focused on everything from abs and fat burn to yoga and Pilates to office stretches and lower back relief.

PumpOne FitnessBuilder even has a special workout program specifically designed for travelers, vacationers, and stay-cationers alike! It is a program designed for people simply separated from their normal routine, making it a must-have for summertime escapes! More information and a tutorial of FitnessBuilder can be found at PumpOne.com.

So, we’re going to be doing lots more health reports since we’ve really gotten into it since we read Anti-Cancer, which our favorite doctor ever recommended to us. The book tells you how to have a healthier lifestyle and how to be proactive to avoid cancer. More on that later, we’re going to write a review of all the things we’ve learned! For now we’re going to start informing you of health articles we read since we think that every Smartypanties should be proactive about good health. I must preface this though with the fact that I have no health expertise and only personal opinions. I’m not a doctor nor do I have any medical training. All I’ve got is good sense and logic and the knowledge I gain from the many articles and books I read about health. That said, here goes nothing…

So you’ve heard no doubt about the acai berry and all of its wonderful health benefits. Perhaps you’ve even heard it from Oprah who had Dr. Oz on not too long ago to discuss how to “Age Great” or something like that. He also mentioned resveratrol being good. This is found in products like grapes and red wine. Since then there have been numerous products being marketed on the Web and in health food stores claiming to be anti-aging and the like. However, note that neither Oprah nor Dr Oz were endorsing such supplements!

However, as always we’re skeptical. What can we say, it’s the lawyer in us. Recently Consumer Reports blogged that evidence on the health benefits of acai berries is scant. The Better Business Bureau also transmitted similar warnings about Websites using “misleading sales and marketing practices” to promote acai berry products.

While the encouraging test tube and experimental animal research, with purified resveratrol, has yielded some beneficial results, so far that hasn’t been true for humans.

“For now, let’s raise a glass of red wine or grape juice to current skepticism and future enlightenment.”-Anthony Giorgianni

Please visit Consumer Reports for the full article!

Bottom line- don’t be scammed into buying this stuff. As always, we think it’s best to just eat the fruit or drink red wine (in moderation of courseàdo as I say, not as I do!!!!!) but don’t waste your money on supplements for this until there is more concrete evidence.

I went kayaking with my boyfriend and two friends last weekend and it was SO. FREAKING. FUN.

(All of you freezing up North, try not to hate me too much)

We rented kayaks at this little place on Key Biscayne…literally just on the side of the road, they rent tons of watersports equipment everyday.  You’ll see it.  It’s on the right hand side right before huuuuuuuuuge bridge.

It was a measly $20/hour…and a HUGE 2000 kazillion calories burnt/hour. 

OK, so I know that’s not exactly free…but it is a super fun, healthy activity to do in Miami…get off your tush, grab a paddle and go. 

Most people in Miami define a fun afternoon as doing something illegal.

Do something healthy AND legal!!!! 

Sometimes there are people who are just so wonderful and doing such great things out there for others that you want to tell everyone you know.  A friend of a friend of someone I went to college with at University of Michigan deserves a shout out for her courageous efforts!

Lindsay Avner lost her grandmother and great-grandmother, both to breast cancer before she was born. When she was 12 years-old, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Out of gratitude for her mother’s survival Lindsay contacted the Komen Affiliate in Columbus, Ohio to get involved and founded the first ever Race for the Cure® High School Team Challenge in 2000 to raise awareness of the disease and recruit young men and women to participate in the race and cause.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan, Lindsay tested positive for a gene that can carry with it an up to 85% increased risk of breast cancer. Vowing to not let the disease strike her, as it had three generations of women before her, she opted to have a mastectomy, one of the youngest patients to opt for the procedure.  In January 2007, she launched Bright Pink and began hosting fundraisers.

Bright Pink is a unique organization that provides support to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. They arm young women with knowledge, options and a great attitude, and offer companionship and empathy during their journey. They empower them to take control of their breast and ovarian health and in turn, grant them the freedom and peace of mind to live a beautiful and fulfilling life.

Today, Lindsay, 26, lives in Chicago, IL and remains a committed activist and role model to other high risk young women. She has contagious enthusiasm and passion to educate others. She is an inspiration to all of us.

Visit BeBrightPink.org to learn more or to donate!

Lindsay’s Great Grandmother, Lillian (left) and Grandmother, Sandra died of breast cancer a week apart in 1971