Last night I was burning the midnight oil on a pretty important deadline for an exciting new client. My brain was sort of muddy (late…drunk…fun previous night) and I might have ingested something like four cups of super-strong coffee over a few-hour stretch.

That night, I had visited my parents, and made the mistake of plugging iZac into a questionable outlet in my brother’s lair. All of the sudden, a spark emitted, and a surge of electricity went through my arm.

So, perhaps it was the super dose of caffeine. Maybe it was that I was randomly electrocuted. Or it could have been that I was tricked into eating red meat a few days earlier…but late that night, as I typed away, I had a curious series of chest pains.

Now, as I am a pretty healthy girl in her (late) mid-twenties, I’m relatively certain I am not yet at death’s door or at risk for a massive heart attack. In fact, some may argue that it’s just my body reminding me that supreme anxiety is so not a wise or fruitful way of getting through life with poise and health in tact.

But it did get me revved up.

Ironically, that afternoon on the subway, I had read a just-released article forwarded to me from the Journal of Clinical Hypertension that concluded that an increase in potassium coupled with a decrease in sodium may be the most important dietary choice, after weight loss, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

While this is most certainly not my problem (I just had engaged in my post-drinking banana and multi-vitamin the night before!), most Americans consume about half the recommended daily amount of potassium and double the recommended amount of sodium, (OK, that I AM guilty of - sigh…seaweed…) putting them at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes.

Yay.

So, what to do if you are looking for the easiest, least effort way of not having a massive stroke as you nestle on your satin sheets in your sexy PJs? Promise® SuperShots® contains a good source of potassium per serving, are low in sodium, and are fat and cholesterol free. These shots are a totally easy way to increase daily intake of potassium in your diet. (Minimal effort = maximum results = happy Aly). This is important because diets that containing foods that are a good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure - which are risk factors for pesky problems like cardiovascular disease and stroke.

It is a bright, new day, and I am not yet dead. Perhaps it is time, alas, to try this stuff and give my body a shot. (har har) First, though, I think I shall celebrate being alive with a nice lychee sake cocktail. (Hey, you only live once!)

In some sort of bizarre cosmic joke, apparently I can only digest chocolate.

I’m staying at my parents’ house this weekend, pet-sitting their flock of four-legged creatures. Perhaps it’s the heat or general fatigue, but mid-morning a terrible fit of overheated headachey nausea overtook me. No food is appetizing or wants to go down…except…it seems…chocolate. As in brownies.

So, apparently I have the get-fat-virus. Is anyone else familiar with it? It’s the one where grilled chicken and veggies makes you feel sick but a chunk of fudgilicious baked globs of sugar doesn’t.

Sigh. I think I will *walk* home tomorrow.

It appears I may have the “task” of going to South Beach in a few weeks on a media junket. (Cue those violins!)

As previously all I have known of this region of Florida is the diet that was borne out of people wanting to look like the glorious bodies that dwell there, I’m somewhat concerned with looking my sexiest when I do go.

A new bikini is on its way (more on that soon…it’s related to my upcoming polka-dot feature), body grooming is underway (see below), and now I must turn my attention to keeping my tender flesh as unabused by the sun as possible.

(A tall order when you are as fair as me.)

Truth be told, I have an entire case of lotions and sundries of various degrees of exclusivity to draw from, but the beauty editrix in me loves new stuff to try. And so, when I received an email from CVS/pharmacy (yes, CVS!) listing all the cool products they had to pamper our skin for summer, I couldn’t help but think this was some sort of quantum timing.

(And we know how strongly I feel about paying attention to those quantum messages…)

Whether you want a sunless summer glow, or to protect your skin while in the sun, these guys seem to have you covered - and at a price that leaves plenty of room for margaritas. (Which is how I’m planning to spend *all* of my South Beach jaunt.)

I can’t help but love brilliantly placed timing, and CVS/pharmacy seems to want to create even more love - they are going to share their beauty-pampering bounty with the lot of you, and are giving away two gift baskets, each including the following:

CVS/pharmacy Dry Oil Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 10

CVS/pharmacy Fast Cover Continuous Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50

CVS/pharmacy Fine Mist Sunless Tanning Spray

CVS/pharmacy Cooling Mist Sunblock SPF 45

CVS/pharmacy Oil Absorbing Sheets

CVS/pharmacy Essential Glow Daily Moisturizer

CVS/pharmacy Aloe Cool & Fresh Light Moisturizing Lotion

CVS/pharmacy Lip Balm SPF 30 Sport

CVS/pharmacy Lip Balm SPF 30 Tropical Fruit

To have your chance to win one of these gift baskets, please share three things you have learned this week on Alytude - and one bit of advice you wish to give me after reading it! (You know I need it…) Deadline May 15.

When you are on a first (or any early) date with a guy, if you are a girl, you just may be feeling self-conscious about what you are eating. But relax! Check these tips I found in an Village article on dieting while dating.

Dieting on a Date

Sure, he’s cute alright, but is a night out with him worth the diet detour? Don’t worry; you can find love and still lose those love handles by following a few, simple guidelines:

1. Relax. By exercising and eating healthy 80-90% of the time, you’ve earned a little room to splurge. It’s all about balance.

2. Don’t starve yourself before the big date—you’ll do more harm than good.

3. When it comes to ordering dinner, look for a good balance between protein, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates.

4. Mind the booze. Don’t let being anxious over Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome make you forget about your slim and trim summer wardrobe!

One of my buds often has a facebook status message that says “I’m on tilt!” - which for the longest time I credited to him as originating, until I saw it on a random east village bumper sticker.

The illusion gone, today while cleaning my new abode, I discovered I am *literally* on tilt!

My apartment is garden-level on the first floor of a brownstone, facing front - and I guess the design created a little bit of a forward angle! You don’t notice in most parts…but if you make the decision to perch upon the window seat and gaze out for a visitor you are awaiting - you realize you are on an angle - even when sober! It’s pretty trippy, but oddly cool.

Cleaning is going fabulously - and I definitely did enough to work up a sweat…except no sweating occurred! A day of carrying, and lifting, and scrubbing, and spraying - and I still smelled shower-fresh from top to pink-rimmed toe.

Did I mention I was wearing my Certain Dri?

Certain Dri has been a leading antiperspirant since before I was even born and is recommended by thousands of dermatologists. Their roll-on is formulated with 12 percent aluminum chloride - that’s the same active ingredient in prescription-strength antiperspirants, but in a gentler, non-alcohol formula, which is now available in a new solid application as well. Both Certain Dri Antiperspirant products are clinically tested and dermatologist-recommended as the most effective solution for occasional, excessive perspiration due to stress, heat, sports - or moving into your very first apartment!

For those concerned about the toes inside their strappy pink sandals, there’s also a new product out there that I’m thinking is a great idea - Certain Dri Feet Moisture Control Pads, which you can put on before bed, and will help control foot moisture. These are designed to be used with Certain Dri Feet Microsponge Powder as a daily supplemental product for added protection against moisture and odor.

Whether it’s exercise or a big move, we all want to avoid sweating (and smelling), and I want to pass on my good fortune. So, ten winners will win a set of Certain Dri Feet Microsponge Powder and Certain Dri Feet Moisture Control Pads for their feet, and 10 readers will also win a set of the underarm antiperspirant products (Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant Roll-On and Certain Dri AM Underarm Refresher).

To win, tell me some of the stuff that makes you work up a sweat…and some of the stickiest situations it’s put you in! Deadline June 15.

It’s amazing how health-conscious men can be!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352278,00.html 

Today, my horoscope reads:

That big, dopey smile on your face is hard to get rid of, so you’d better hope you don’t have any serious meetings or discussions on the agenda today! Somehow, your good energy just keeps leaking out.

This is especially humorous considering how I spent my Friday.

A few weeks ago, I received an invite to visit SanaVita holistic health center. SanaVita’s mission is based on the understanding that health, energy, and environment are inextricably linked. One of their premiere treatments is an energy healing session - being that certain people, jobs, and apartment hunts have had my energy going through a ringer of late, I figured this was the best feature for me to check out.

The belief system at SanaVita centers on our environment => our energy => our physical health. And thus, the reverse is true: Our energy and physical health can create a whole new environment. In theory. And thus is where the energy healing treatment comes in. According to the SanaVita web site, Quantum healing has a host of benefits, from fixing sleep patterns, to restoring our relationship to our personal power, to re-channeling our energy into more constructive paths. My goal was a little less intimidating: I hoped to step away from my overstressed environment for a block of time, and restore just a little bit of peace. Sort of like a mental massage!

My session started with a brief sit-down conversation. I met with Alexander, and we sat on the floor amid comfy pillows and talked about what had brought us both there. He was the owner, his reason for being there was clear. Mine was less noble. “Um, to write a story?” I then confessed that while it was a matter of journalism and responsibility, my energy patterns were pretty amiss, and could use all the help it could get. He asked if I was familiar with the notions of quantum healing, meditations, chakras, and holistic health. I revealed how little I knew. “Well, I did get a Deepak Chopra book for my birthday!” I actually thought this would give me street cred. He suppressed a laugh.

It was my turn though to suppress a laugh as we began to meditate. We both closed our eyes, and I did my deep breathing (which involved pumping of my diaphragm…which, too, I was doing wrong!), when I suddenly heard him chanting “Ommmmmmm!” “Ommmmm!” and tapping me with a large feather. It sort of tickled. I’m not sure it was supposed to.

As Alexander continued with his tapping and me, my breathing, he began to read my energy. “I can see you are a scared mouse on the outside…but within, a dragon.” I confess, this part made me think of fortune cookies. As he furthered though, I realized he had a pretty fair perception of me, and was grudgingly impressed. Just as I was getting into learning about my inner dragon, though, it was time for the next phase. This initial portion was about setting the energetic space before beginning the healing work. To do so, we finished up with me stating my intention for being there. I realized at this point, I needed to say something more meaningful than a blog entry. He may be hurt. “To add good, positive energy and become more energetic and creative.” He liked this! We proceeded.

I next positioned myself on a bed, where I closed my eyes and was covered in crystals as Alexander placed me in a meditative trance-like state. Sort of like being hypnotized, I remained awake, and yet was in a sort of waking dream. Accompanied by soothing music, I listened to Alexander’s voice as he guided me through discovering my own energy language. To be honest, I never really felt trance-i-fied, but it sort of reminded me of those ten minutes of deep breathing at the end of yoga class. Alexander asked me how I felt. I answered honestly: “Relaxed, weightless.”

I suddenly felt his hands at my feet. “I am holding your feet because you are so light, you were floating off the table!”

Um, ok. Thanks!

I guess he was secure my floatation period was over, and he moves away, but continues to read my progress.

“Your energy is spiraling. You must nourish that!”

Woa. I find myself suddenly listening a little closer!

At the end of the session, Alexander leaves me to rest on the bed for a while. I think I may have fallen asleep, until my cell phone chirps in my bag, awaking me (my energy cleansing was making me run late to happy hour), and thus my oceanic dip into the recesses of my consciousness came to an end. I rose from the table feeling, still, oddly lighter, and vibrant…I was a dragon with spiraling energy!

Definitely something to drink to.

Check out SanaVita for yourself!

My BFF has a grand plan to get a posse of a half-dozen or so of our closest friends together to recreate the entire cast of Gilligan’s Island this Halloween as a “group costume”. It’s a tall order, and it takes a lot of logistics (and involves the subtle needling and convincing of some key cast members), but should it happen, it will be amazing.

The goal though, should it all come to be, is for her to be Ginger, and me, Mary Ann. This is exciting, but a challenge.

In short, we both need a little bit of work (and toning) to make our costumes a reality.

Last night though, we attended an event that Weight Watchers hosted for beauty editors, focusing on the Weight Watchers ideal of living vs. dieting. I’m a big champion of this - a few years ago I lost a great deal of weight on the South Beach Diet, which also operates under the plan of integrating sensible eating into our lifestyle, rather than following rigid rules of no carbs/no fat/no sugar/no fun, what-have-you.

Weight Watchers, based on a points system (and now a dual core/flex plan), allows you to eat pretty much anything you wish as long as you stay within your points value. Want pizza? Fine, just compensate with smarter choices the rest of the week. It’s not really about dieting so much as learning the art of moderation, good choices, and healthy living. (For instance, at the party, we ate tuna tartar, lobster wraps, steamed chicken dumplings, and several other indulgent yet healthy finger foods. We even learned about the bartender assistant on the Weight Watchers web site, which allows you to learn the points value of your favorite drinks - and compare them with other, smarter, options. (Let it just be said, tonight at happy hour, we will be more conservative with those lychee martinis.) So, in a way, you don’t even have to be on a diet, or looking to lose weigh, to do Weight Watchers, it’s all about being a smarter/healthier you! Hopefully, with Mary Ann legs…

How fascinating that I receive the below horoscope in my inbox, just as I’m reading up on a new wellness center in the city that has a quantum energy healing treatment!

You need to take it easy for now, because your energy is moving at a slower pace than the rest of the world. That could make you grumpy, but the good news is that you’re working out some subconscious issues. 

I think the universe is mandating I plan a visit immediately. Will report back!

Guys make passes at girls in glasses…

It’s true! The sexiest guys I know appreciate specs appeal, and actually find it to be a big turn-on. Some reasons girls in glasses are hot:

1 - The gift-wrapping concept: Boys like to unwrap things. Ever notice how you get extra lovin’ when you wear tops that need to be unlaced or de-wrapped? The more complicated your clothing, the more they want to get under it. Removing glasses is another level of unwrapping, and seeing ‘another side of you’ in private. This turns them on!

2 - You are smart: Perhaps it is a stereotype, but who cares. I wear reading glasses, and I choose to perpetuate it. Glasses make us appear smarter, whether you are like me, wearing rose-pink rimmed frames, or more traditional choices. Still, it works!

3 - Speaking of frames, they accent you, same way that a great manicure or blowout does. Believe it or not, men notice these details, even if we choose not to give them credit!

Truth is, if you need glasses, it’s probably not to get in some dude’s pants. (And if it is, you actually may have a problem.) Multi-tasking never hurts, though!

Of course, much as with hair cuts (or boyfriends), choosing the right pair of glasses for your face is the most important aspect of all. There’s plenty of fish…er…frames…in the sea. So, shopping around and finding your most complementing look may seem daunting, but it IS doable!

Coastal Contacts (www.coastalcontacts.com) is the world’s fastest-growing vision care supplier and is already #1 in most of its markets, selling a range of everything from contacts to glasses to much in between. They also sell some of the hottest designer looks and styles (without sticker-shock!). I love a bunch of the styles on this site, and the ease of ordering…especially when it’s *free!* The company has generously offered to award five pairs of glasses to our readers - whatever style you choose from B.Lange, Kam Dhillon, Ltede or Joseph Marc lines - customized to your prescription! (Any specs-wearer knows how insanely valuable this prize package is!)

To have your chance at winning…tell me the most terrible thing you’ve ever done to your eyes - whether cosmetic (um…if you…say….dropped liquid eyeliner directly on your eye ball)….or scary accidental (Contact get stuck? I saw that happen once!) Even if you are a victim of medical meanness…make it funny and share your story! Deadline March 25.

PS: We are not sexist! Men are welcome to enter. And, we actually think dudes have pretty damn high specs appeal as well!