There’s nothing more essential to proper nutrition than staying hydrated, and thanks to a shifting trend away from sugary drinks, bottled water is set to overtake soda as the most consumed beverage in the U.S. But as great as drinking bottled water is for you, the same can’t be said for the environment, with bottled water creating a litany of waste that ends up in landfills. The solution? Use your own bottles, and make your own bottled water.

And while on the surface this seems like a simple solution, finding the perfect bottle is significantly harder than you might imagine. Plastic bottles, aluminum bottles, glass bottles, and so on.

The search for the perfect bottle is a quest I’ve been on for quite some time, because I have to have a bottle with me at all times. For me, the simple truth is that if water’s not readily available, I won’t go out of my way to drink it, usually because I’m too busy and simply forget. While I could turn to vending machines and grab a bottle of water, I can’t stand the taste of the plastic bottles or the chemicals many plastic bottles contain.

The bkr Bottle – THE BEAUTY ESSENTIAL THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU HYDRATE FOREVER.

Up until recently my go-to bottles of choice were the conventional large plastic sports bottles, but the biggest problem is that over time they all seemed to absorb flavors from the dishwasher or different drinks I used them for. Then a few months ago I was introduced to a bottle brand that completely eliminated the negatives I experienced with plastic bottles, which in-turn has drastically increased my daily H2O intake. The brand, bkr (pronounced “beaker”), is a sleek and stylish water bottle that combines perfectly molded crystal clear soda-lime glass with soft and beautifully colored silicone for easy holding. The silicone helps create the most grippable, tactile bottle I’ve ever held, but the bottle’s glass construction ensures no flavors are absorbed and no strange tastes or chemicals will ever leach into your water,

The bkr bottle was created a few years ago by two fashion forward, intelligent friends, Kate Cutler and Tal Winter. Sick of drinking from cheap disposable bottles, they created a bottle that they would want to drink from, something beautiful, something you wanted to carry with you, something that would ensure that you were never dehydrated again. And from that the bkr bottle was born. Now available in three sizes, the smallest bkr is a 250 ml bottle that can easily slip into your handbag for hands free carrying, the medium size is 500 ml (my choice for everyday carrying), and the 1 liter bkr is perfect for the gym when you need a little extra fluid to get you through your workout without needing to refill.

While you may not be familiar with the name bkr, there is no question you’ve seen it in pictures, whether being carried by the top fitness trainers in the country, your favorite celebrity or heading down the catwalk. The bkr bottle has become the “must have” health beauty essential for those whose jobs it is to be beautiful, and it has the functionality to match.

No matter what your lifestyle, whether you’re drinking water for its beauty benefits or for your health, I’ve yet to find a bottle that’s better to drink form than the bkr Bottle. For a look at the latest collections available, visit their website at www.mybkr.com. Don’t wait, their collections are often limited editions and sell out quickly.

The bkr Bottle – THE BEAUTY ESSENTIAL THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU HYDRATE FOREVER.

While many think of juicing as the latest health and diet craze, the truth is, juicing has been around for over a millenia.  Used by the Ancient Greeks as a love potion, referenced in the Dead Sea Scrolls as a way to gain profound strength, and even through the 1500’s when Florida orange juice was made by Spanish explorers in St. Augustine.  The idea of fresh juice began to go away when pasturization of oranges and a national rail system in 1910 made it possible to store juice for long periods of time and ship when needed.  And while our country has become dependent on what seems like the convenience of pre-packaged juice, we’ve lost nearly all the benefits that fresh juice gives us.  Essentially, we’ve replaced flavorful, nutrient rich juice with enriched, colored sugar water.

So now that you’ve made it through my rant, what are we supposed to do about it?  The answer seems obvious, buy fruit and juice it, but there are several obstacles in the way:  time, space, efficiency and cost.

I’d heard the benefits of juicing for years, but for me the biggest deterrent from juicing was the amount of time and effort I thought I would have to put into it. Finally, after dragging my feet long enough, I decided to research the current state of juicers, and thus began my juicing journey.  I set out to find a juicer that made juice quickly and didn’t need an engineering degree to take apart and clean. A task that should have been simple but proved far harder than I’d imagined.  I tried four juicers in total, all of which were different brands and had different extraction styles, but for me, there was only one that met all of my requirements in terms of ease-of-use, space, efficiency and cost.  The juicer that exceeded all expectations was the Hurom Premium Slow Juicer and Smoothie Maker.

Juice that’s gently squeezed, not chopped by high speed rotating blades, results in purer juice and better nutrition. Hurom’s Slow Squeezing Technology preserves more nutrients, more minerals, more enzymes and more flavor.

Don’t let the Slow Juicer title fool you – it has nothing to do with the speed at which you can extract your juice.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  In a head to head juicing match, the Hurom Juicer produced the most juice in the shortest amount of time in addition to extracting the most juice and the least amount of waste from a set amount of fruits and vegetables.  So how quick is it?  I’ve been juicing for the past few weeks, and it’s become a routine that takes under five minutes to complete.  This includes juicing pulp-free apple and spinach juice for both of my children (ages 4 and 2) and making a juice blend for my pregnant wife and I (generally containing carrots, kale, spinach, apples or any other leftover fruit or vegetable that needs to be used up).  This five minutes includes washing and slicing the apples, peeling and cutting the carrots in half, and adding either a batch of spinach or kale.  From there I simply drop it into the top of the Hurom (a job usually undertaken by my kids), and then empty the contents of the juicing container into cups and it’s ready to serve.  To clean the Hurom I pour water into the top to extract any additional pulp which helps eliminate making a mess in the sink, and then remove the completely self-contained juicing assembly and rinse.  I’ve never had to scrub or soak the Hurom to clean it, all it ever really needs is a quick rinse.

As I briefly touched on above, the Hurom Premium Slow Juicer and Smoothie Maker is extremely efficient, outdoing all the juicers I tested when given the same amount of fruits and vegetables.  And in terms of simplicity, it took the least amount of energy and effort to do so. There is no need to press the fruits and vegetables down in between handfuls, it just sucks it down and it’s ready for more.  But it’s not just the amount of juice it outputs that’s higher than other juicers, it’s also the amount of vitamins and nutrients found in the juice that outdoes all other juicers as well.  Because of Hurom’s slow juicing method, fruits and vegetable are crushed and pressed, minimizing temperature increases that have been proven to damage live enzymes and reduce nutrient and vitamin content in juice.   As for comparing its nutritional value to store bought juice – even the ones you think are healthy – there’s really no comparison, as the benefits of fresh juice vastly outweigh anything offered in a store.

Control how the amount of pulp in your juice with the Pulp Control Lever, mix ingredients inside the juicer bowl and clean up easily with the Juice Cap. Using the included Fine and Coarse strainers, it’s now possible to juice anything from bananas and avocados to kale, wheatgrass, even nuts and soybeans.

Another thing I love about the Hurom is its size.  Space was a major issue in selecting a juicer, because I wanted to make juicing a part of my family’s everyday life.  As such, we wanted a juicer that could sit on the counter without taking up much space, as opposed to one we had to pack away after each use.  Again, the Hurom Juicer fit the bill perfectly, as its minimal footprint and compact design allows it to sit on the counter and easily slide under the upper cabinet.

So bottom line, is juicing for everyone?  Unequivocally yes. For me, it’s given me a tremendous energy boost in the morning; I feel healthier; and I’ve even lost weight.  For my pregnant wife, she’s in love with the juicer, and the fact that I make the juice for her.  This is my wife’s third pregnancy, and she too has noted significantly increased energy from juicing, which has translated into her being able to stay active and feel even better.  Add to that the vitamins and nutrition she’s getting from juicing and the subsequent health benefits for the baby, and the Hurom is really ideal for anyone expecting.

Takes up minimal counter space sizing up at only 6.6″ x 9.3″ x 15.7″.

What do my kids think of the juicer?  They absolutely love it.  Because there are no sharp parts to cut themselves on, they love loading fresh fruits and veggies into the Hurom and watching the juice come out.  And as I parent, I love it as well, as it’s pretty much impossible to get a 2 or 4 year old to consume any conventional dark leafy greens.  And you can choose no pulp which makes it perfect for their sippy cups which would otherwise clog with pulpy juice.  Other favorite juices my kids love include orange juice (sometimes mixed with pitted cherries or pineapple) and smoothies made from banana, avocado, mixed frozen berries and almond milk.

My advice:  if you’re interested in juicing, don’t run out and buy any juicer you can find, because honestly, if it wasn’t for the Hurom’s ease-of-use and efficiency, I wouldn’t use it nearly as much as I do now.  Make a point of buying the Hurom.  It’s simple to use, it leaves little waste behind, and is in my opinion it’s one of the best and easiest ways to instantly increase the health of your family.

With Christmas approaching ever so quickly, the time to start finding the always elusive “perfect Christmas gift” is once again upon us.  To help offer a bit of guidance, over the next month we’re going to be bringing you some ideas to help guide you in your journey, hopefully making your shopping season a little easier.

Kicking things off, we’ve got a look at one of the ultimate indulgences in home skincare:  La Prairie.  I was first introduced to La Prairie during a spa treatment I had at the Four Seasons, and after being immediately enamored with the brand I knew that it would be the perfect gift for my incredibly gorgeous wife.  Needless to say, it was love at first touch, and since her first experience with La Prairie, it’s become a staple in her skin regimen.  Rather than tell you what she thinks about it from a third person perspective, however, I thought it’d be better to let her tell you firsthand how much she loves it.

So without further ado, my beautiful wife.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift ($500)

When my husband first gave me La Prairie, I was a bit skeptical to say the least.  I’ve tried dozens of creams, lotions, gels, etc., and none of them left me with the results I was looking for.  Many of the more expensive products felt great at first, but as the day went on, they quickly absorbed into my skin, leaving my face as dry as before I put it on.  As for the less expensive ones, they tended to be more watery, sitting on top of my skin and doing absolutely nothing to enrich my skin.  The Skin Caviar Liquid Lift was the first La Prairie product I tried, and halfway through first day all I can say is that I was utterly astonished at the results.  Not only could I see a difference in my skin, I could feel a difference.  The skin around my neck felt noticeably tighter, while overall, my skin just felt rejuvenated.  And while the price tag may seem high, it’s important to note that a little goes a long way, unlike most lifting creams.  A few drops a day is all I use to keep my skin feeling glorious.

Here’s more info from La Prairie:

Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, an age defying serum joins the iconic Skin Caviar Collection.  One drop helps to lift, firm and provide a long-lasting tensing effect to skin.  Reflecting the heritage of our Skin Caviar Beads, the very essence of lifting, this modern day next generation formula contains scientific advancements that create this lifting phenomenon.  Past damage recedes as existing cells are rejuvenated, and new ones are super-charged, nourished and protected.  Skin appears lifted and taut.  Skin Caviar Liquid Lift epitomizes science and luxury the true nature of the Skin Caviar Collection.

• Lifts and Firms the skin structure
• Protects and Restores epidermal stem cell function
• Prevents the appearance and deepening of lines and wrinkles
• Hydrates, Nourishes, Protects

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream ($410)

After falling in love with my husband’s choice of the Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, the next La Prairie product I purchased was the Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, a rich moisturizer that I use in combination with the Skin Caviar Liquid Lift.  I bought my jar in early spring and I have used it regularly since.  When I first tried the Luxe Cream the weather was relatively cool, and it absorbed perfectly into my skin, leaving a layer of moisture without being greasy.  I was skeptical how it would perform in the summer months in the higher humidity, but to my surprise, it kept my skin moist and glowing without wearing off from sweat.  Now that we’re almost in winter, I still adore my Luxe Cream.  Whereas normally winter means my skin would be dry and unhappy, it’s instead moist and lifted, which makes me ecstatic.  And as with the Liquid Lift, a little Skin Caviar Luxe Cream goes a long way, unlike many other moisturizers I’ve used where I would go through a jar every couple of months.

Here’s more info from La Prairie:

This richly textured cream is not only the ultimate in luxurious pampering; it provides the utmost concentration, utmost hydration and firming action ever achieved in a La Prairie cosmetic moisturizer. It dramatically improves your skin’s elasticity and tone.  Protein-rich Caviar Extract helps nourish and energize your skin, resulting in refined texture and a silken smoothness.   From the moment of application, your complexion will look radiantly alive and feel notably softer and firmer.

• Drenches the skin with intensive moisture and nourishment
• Delivers concentrated firming agents to help stimulate collagen production
• Reinforces the skin’s vitality and enhances its natural anti-fatigue factor
• Smoothes and retexturizes skin’s surface with targeted Alpha Hydroxy Acid exfoliation

La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Serum ($470)

When I was younger, I spent quite a bit of time soaking up the sun, as like most, I enjoyed the bronzed look that it gave me.  Unfortunately, however, the bronzed look from my youth has resulted  in dark spots now that I’m a little older.  I learned how to cover the spots with makeup and was resigned to the fact that the spots were an unavoidable side effect of my earlier youth.  That’s when I tried La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Serum.  This product, in addition to my other La Prairie skincare products, has decreased my sun spots to the point that they are nearly invisible.  Gone is my daily regime of applying makeup to cover these areas, replaced with the self-confidence in knowing my skin looks great without it..  As I like to tell my friends, it’s not just a serum, it’s a confidence booster.

Here’s more info from La Prairie:

Dark spots and uneven coloring can give your skin an aged look beyond its years.  This potent anti-pigmentation serum interrupts the cycle that creates age spots, stopping discoloration before it begins.  As existing spots fade, the skin takes on a new brightness.  The benefits don’t stop with illumination.  Firmness, hydration and anti-oxidant protection are increased leading to softer, smoother, more even-toned skin.  This lightweight fluid may be added under any moisturizer to help prevent future discoloration and keep your skin looking its flawless best.

• Promotes even skin tone by decreasing transfer of dark pigment
• Lifts and firms with Golden Caviar Extraxcts and anti-aging peptides
• Reduces wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions
• Delays aging signs with powerful anti-oxidants including Tomato Fruit Extract, Larch Tree Extract and White Tea Complex

La Prairie Cellular Platinum Cream Rare ($1,050, 50ml.)

My latest and greatest indulgence from La Prairie is the Cellular Platinum Cream Rare, or as it should be referred to, heaven for your face.  It’s simply the most amazing cream I’ve ever put on my face.  As part of my daily regime, I’ve started putting the Platinum Cream on every night before bed, and even without a long night’s sleep, I wake up looking refreshed without the need for anything more than a little mascara.  The best part is that my skin looks as good as it feels, to the point that even my family and friends have even noticed.  My skin in impossibly soft and well-hydrated, firm, and never oily.  It’s just perfect.  I used to wonder how celebrities aged so well, and now that I’ve tried La Prairie, I can tell you it all starts with your skincare.  My skin has never looked or felt so good.

If you’re considering that new handbag or pair of shoes, do yourself a favor:  indulge in La Prairie instead.  Your skin is your most important accessory – it’s the one thing that you wear every day – so don’t neglect it.  At the end of the day, there’s no other accessory that will have you feeling better about yourself.

Here’s more info on Cellular Platinum Cream from La Prairie:

Do you appreciate all that is pure and rare? If you are searching for the most luxurious, the most skin-transforming anti-aging treatment product, this splendid cream is for you.  It recharges the skin’s electrical balance, which improves its absorption of beneficial nutrients.  Designed to enhance your skin’s natural beauty, preserve its texture and tone, and restore its radiant glow, this cream represents the most exciting advance in skincare in this decade.  The absolute pinnacle of science and luxury!

• Guards cellular DNA and helps to prevent damage that can result in accelerated skin aging
• Balances the skin to improve hydration, protection and receptivity to nutrients
• Climate-activated moisture release enhances the skin’s suppleness, elasticity, tone and plumps wrinkles
• Transforms the skin, giving it an ageless soft splendor

You can learn more about any of the products I’ve mentioned at the La Prairie website, along with ordering information for each.