BellaSugar

Bellissima! TePe Tongue Detox

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:00 PST

This new Tongue Detox Device from Tepe ($9.18) is all the rage in Europe and l've finally been able to find an online retailer that will ship it to America. When I first read about it, it reminded me a lot of the Breath Rx anti-bacterial tongue spray and tongue scraper, and as I researched it more and more, I came upon a dozen or so tongue devices created to kill bacteria and scrape away the white scummy film that causes bacteria build-up and bad breath.

Who knew this was such a diverse market? Apparently, tongue cleaning devices have been around for centuries. They help control plaque, bad breath and unwanted bacteria that can cause tooth decay and mouth and throat infections.

Tongue Detox stands apart from the crowd for several reasons. Not only is it double-sided, dishwasher safe and coated with mint to help with fresh breath, but it also comes in four bright colors, it is made from recyclable plastic, and has a slim design to help avoid the dreaded gag reflex.

Sounds to me like they've thought of everything. Are you even aware of the smell of your breath? To find out if Tongue Detox is something you should consider, lick the back of your hand, wait a few seconds and then smell your hand. If you sense any kind of an unpleasant odor, chances are you have bad breath.

The How-To Lounge: Freshen your Breath without a Toothbrush

DearSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:00:00 PDT

Sometimes we aren't as prepared as we wish we were. Have you ever spent the night out and forgotten your toothbrush or gone out unexpectedly from work without being able to freshen up? Well I have, and there is nothing worse than facing the public with bad breath so here are some tips to make sure you leave with fresh breath even if you don't have a toothbrush!

Click here to

Be sure to drink a lot of water. Dehydration can give you bad breath so be proactive and stay hydrated
If you just ate, rinse and swirl some bubbly water around in your mouth to get rid of any lingering food particles in your teeth or the back of your tongue
Certain foods actually cleanse your teeth so stick to apples, oranges, celery, cucumber, and lettuce if you won't be able to brush your teeth after a meal. Parsley and mint are great herbal fixes to getting fresh breath, but don't swallow them, just chew
If you have toothpaste, but no brush, use your finger! It's not the best method, but it's better than nothing
Flossing is crucial for fresh breath so even if you don't have your toothbrush with you, floss if possible
Always keep gum or mints in your purse but make sure they are sugar free as the sugar can feed bacteria on your tongue

I hope these tips help the next time you forget your toothbrush and like always, if you have any tips that work for you, please share them below - the more we know about fresh breath, the better!

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Bellissima! Breath RX Daily Tongue Care Kit

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:57:45 PDT

Bad breath happens to be something of a sticking point for me. I know it's terrible, but if I am talking to someone who has it, I can't seem to concentrate at all. From the moment I realize it all I can think of is how to get out of the conversation. It immediately makes me thing of germs and poor hygiene.

I know what you're thinking: relax, girl. Sixty million Americans suffer from bad breath and, really, it can happen to anyone. Bad breath is caused by a buildup of bacteria that gets caught in your tongue.

When I discovered this Daily Tongue Care Kit from Breath RX ($9.99) I thought I had found gold. They should really start passing this stuff out in schools at a young age so that people get into the habit of buying it as commonly as they buy toilet paper, tampons and Q-tips!

The kit includes an anti-bacterial tongue spray and two tongue scrapers. These tongue scrapers are gentle, flexible and have a gag-proof slim structure. The spray kills bacteria on contact and helps combat bad breath. Hallelujah!

Men in Black 3: A Return to (Alien Life) Form

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:00 PDT

I saw the original Men in Black movie so long ago that my memories of the film might as well have been zapped with a neuralyzer (that's the memory-erasing device the guys use in the movie, for those of you who are also having trouble recalling the original). What I did retain is that the film was funny, fresh, and silly and that it didn't hold up very well for the 2002 sequel. With that in mind, I had low expectations for Men in Black 3, but the newest installment is just as much fun as the original, and it actually benefits from the 15-year time lapse.

The script for the film is one of its biggest assets and truly sets Men in Black 3 apart from its predecessors. The aliens are still alive and ickier than ever now that they're in 3D, but the story is more focused on the friendship between J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) and how it has evolved over the years. We learn early on that K has been keeping a secret from J all these years, and the mystery drives a wedge between the partners. Meanwhile, a treacherous alien named Boris the Animal (played to hilarious perfection by Flight of the Conchords's Jemaine Clement) breaks out of maximum-security prison and goes back in time to get revenge on K, who arrested him back in the '60s. The day that K had Boris locked up is the key to K's secret, so J heads on a mission back in time to save K and learn the truth.

To see why Men in Black 3 is so much fun, just

Will Smith hasn't been in a movie since 2008's Seven Pounds, and I didn't realize I missed him until I found myself giggling all the way through Men in Black 3. His shtick is still the same (he's one-liners still consistent of dialogue like "Where did you come from? Planet damn?"), but you can't help but love Agent J as he bumbles through the '60s, desperately trying to sell his story to people who don't recognize him - or believe him. You can tell that Smith feels completely comfortable in the role, and in the signature suit, which still looks perfect on him, as he hasn't aged a day.

Tommy Lee Jones is ever the reliable curmudgeon, but the film mines extra laughs when J travels to the '60s and meets a much younger version of his partner, played by Josh Brolin. Brolin looks enough like Jones to pass for him, but it's really his studied delivery and mannerisms that sell the performance. We also get some insight into how K has evolved over the years (he's always had a penchant for cowboy music, but he also used to be a bit of a dreamer), giving the film an extra layer to the enjoyable banter between J and K.

I'm not usually one to gush about 3D, but the special effects really come to life in Men in Black 3 in a way they never did in the first two movies. Not only do the aliens look creepier than ever, but the cartoonish feel of the film is taken to the next level with the 3D aspect, especially with the time-travel thrill-ride element. Much like with the 3D movies from my youth, I found myself shrinking in my seat just to avoid being too close to the alien goo, blood, breath, and beyond. Combined with the welcome return of Will Smith, you've got yourself a fun, mindless blockbuster.

Photos courtesy of Sony

6 Fun and Frugal Activities to Do With Mom on Mother's Day

Emily Co — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:00 PDT

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday and if you're thinking of spending the day with her but want to do something more intimate and personal, here are a few fun and frugal ideas:

Movie Marathon. Kick back and relax with Mom by indulging in a movie marathon. Pick movies with a mother-daughter theme or her favorite classics. Make some homemade popcorn or mix a few margaritas for the both of you.
Hit the Trails. There's nothing like a walk to clear the mind and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Make plans to take a walk in a park or go to hiking trails nearby. Your mom will definitely appreciate the natural surroundings and the fresh air.
Sporting Activity. Is Mom fond of a game of tennis or a round of golf? If your mom favors a particular sport, try to set it up so both of you can participate in it this weekend.
Re-Create a Favorite Restaurant Meal. Eating in restaurants can be pricey and if you need to give your wallet a break, re-create your mom's favorite restaurant meal instead of taking her to it. She'll appreciate the effort and creativity.
Game Night. Get your whole family together and organize game night on Saturday or Sunday. Play games like Mafia or whatever board game you own at home. Poker is another option as well if your mom enjoys playing it.
Go to the Museum. If Mom enjoys art, science, or history, you can take her to one of the museums in town on Sunday. It's a nice way to spend the day with her and you can get to know each others taste and thoughts on a deeper level as you analyze each exhibit.

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This Mother's Day, Try These Eco-Friendly Floral Arranging Tips

Guest Writer — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:30:46 PDT

When it comes to buying cut flowers, sometimes it's hard to remember that behind those beautiful blooms sometimes lurks something more sinister - namely thousands of miles of shipping and herbicides and pesticides. That's why Deborah Prinzing, the author of the new book The 50 Mile Bouquet, recommends that you buy local and sustainable flowers for those you love (like your Mom this Mother's Day). Keep reading for Deborah's great tips on local and beautiful bouquets, and if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out Deborah's event at Flora Grubb on Mother's Day.

As more florists and designers discover the negatives of that green foam block (also called florist's foam or Oasis), they are returning to some tried-and-true techniques for stabilizing stems in a vase. The problem with the foam is that it is a formaldehyde-based product that does not break down in landfills. Many designers I've interviewed express concern about breathing and/or exposing their skin to the material.

Alternatives to Floral Foam

Vintage and new flower frogs. I started collecting these years ago and they're easy to find at tag sales and vintage flea markets for under $5 or $10. Use and reuse!
Pebbles, glass beads, and marbles.
Excelsior fibers. Also called wood aspen, you can find this packing material through craft stores or wine shops. Insert a tangle of the fibers in your vase and then you can stick stems through the fibers to stabilize. When you're finished with the arrangement , the excelsior fibers can go into the compost pile with other clippings.
Chicken wire.I have a $15 roll of 15 inch by 5 foot-long poultry fencing that I use over and over again. Just use wire clippers to cut off a 12-inch section of the wire so you have an approximate square. Form it into a loose ball to fit the interior dimensions of your container . If the container is shallow, use sticky clay (available in the floral department at Michael's or other craft stores) to anchor the chicken wire in place.
Twigs and branches. I learned this technique from several designers I interviewed for The 50 Mile Bouquet. As a first step. arrange a framework of decorative twigs inside your vase, placing each one at an angle that crosses over the next. This interior matrix is then perfect for inserting other floral branches and foliage - and the twigs become part of the design.

Keep reading for more eco floral design tips!

3 Tips For Germ-Free Travel

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:17:50 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling - and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed.

Stay Hydrated

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 to 20 percent humidity, which can dry out mucous membranes and make people more susceptible to germs. Staying hydrated throughout the trip can prevent nasal passages from being irritated, so load up on water and skip the carbonated beverages and booze. "Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be followed with water or fruit juice to rehydrate because they are diuretics and can cause water loss," advise Ray Fillmore Garman, MD, MPH, and Susan Spengler, MD, both associate professors with the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Sipping on water assists with immune function - and in some cases even helps with jet lag. For longer, international trips pack electrolyte-friendly snacks like GU Energy Chomps, a banana, nuts, or a small bag of fortified cereal to keep drowsiness at bay.

Keep reading for two more healthy travel tips after the break.

Looks of the Week!

FabSugar — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:02:22 PDT

From pretty pastel hues to darker frocks and embellished tops, this week's most stylish Fab Community members showed off a wide spectrum of Spring trends. We loved spotting one cool Marni for H&M interpretation, ladylike pleats, and a couple of striped uniforms worth coveting. Here are our favorites: maxi pleats, I believe in pink, breath of fresh air, sweet 'n' tough, Marni uniform, palazzo pants and nautical stripes, minty love, daytime sparkles, put a smile on your face, and my look. Congrats all!

Fresh New Workout Style

Sponsor — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:00:00 PDT

It's no secret that workout routines can get a little mundane . . . Especially if your exercise gear doesn't get you excited anymore. Luckily, New Balance knows how important it is to bring a breath of fresh air to your sweat sessions, starting with your feet! With the new Superlight Superfresh walking shoe, you'll breathe new life into each step. How? New Balance starts with comfort - your tootsies will love the innovative, cloud-inspired design that keeps you cozy and the REVlite for lightweight cushioning that helps your feet stay fresh and happy. Pumped for your next walking workout? Check out more about the Superlight Superfresh here!

Game of Thrones "The Ghost of Harrenhal": What We're Still Talking About

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:15:27 PDT

There's a major game-changer on this week's Game of Thrones, as the many kings of Westeros continue to prepare for the next battle. Melisandre's recent birth has some major consequences and even Bran becomes part of rallying the troops. Things also take an interesting turn for Arya, and Catelyn makes an unexpected alliance.

Despite one major plot point, this episode isn't my favorite; it seems like we may have hit a bit of a midseason lull, but we're getting set up for a lot of impending action. To recap the moments that did make an impression, just

Did Renly just get killed by the rubber man from American Horror Story? After Ned's death, I know I should be prepared for anything when it comes to this show, but I was still shocked to see Renly Baratheon meet his maker so quickly. I was all ready for a big brother-on-brother showdown between him and Stannis, but Melisandre's creepy black death monster takes on the form of a shadowy man and stabs him within the first few minutes of the episode. Something about the moment just felt sort of anticlimactic to me, but maybe it's because I didn't think I'd have to deal with deadly smoke monsters after Lost ended.
Arya learns the power of three. Arya - I mean Arry - I mean Arya - is in a bit of a pickle right now, what with Tywin Lannister breathing down her neck and asking her hard-hitting questions and all. However, she does fall into a place of power with Jaqen H'ghar, the prisoner whom she rescued a few episodes back. Now that he's back in civilization, he's ready to repay his debt, and to the third power. Arya basically gets to name three people she wants dead and Jaqen promises to make it happen. Her first victim is the "tickler," the local torturer around town. Now the question is: who will she choose next?
Dany gets a decent proposal. Dany's only been in Quarth for a few days, but she's already freshly scrubbed, braided, and back to her khaleesi self. She's ready to move forward with her plans to take the iron throne, too, though we'll have to wait and see at what cost. Xaro Xhoan Daxos wastes no time making her an offer to help her with her goal, if she's willing to marry him. It seems like a legitimate power move to me, though Jorah feels differently about the situation. Is Dany ready to move on from her sun and stars, or will she be unwilling to share the power?
Catelyn and Brienne combine their girl power. Catelyn's been a bit of a wayward sheep this season, doing her best to make peace between the Baratheons, bring her girls home, and keep Robb at bay. She hasn't been able to make much of a difference just yet, and she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time when Renly is attacked. Brienne is also part of the situation, and it doesn't take long before all of Westeros is linking their names with Renly's death. I was happy to see them make an alliance, since these are two of the most loyal and true characters on the show, so it's a bond we can actually believe in. Something tells me it won't be long before Cat may require Brienne's protection.

What'd you think of this week's episode? Are you looking forward to seeing Jon take on some responsibilities as ranger? Who do you think is next on Arya's list?

Photo courtesy of HBO