Body odor can be a cause for concern for people, and those around them. If you’ve tried natural deodorants in the past with limited success, times have changed – for the better.If you want to use a natural deodorant that prevents odor, consider a natural-based deodorant. There ...read more
While you might be familiar with the fantastic flavor of apricots, did you know they belong to the same family of plants as the garden rose? Or that dreaming of apricots is said to be good luck? They taste great, they’re in season, and they offer a variety of delicious health ...read more
Ballet Bodies is a fitness studio in L.A. that happens to be a little different than most fitness centers. Ballet Bodies was founded by a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, and at the studio, trainers take from – and improve on – the basic fundamentals of Pilates. The ...read more
Seasonal fruit and vegetable favorites are here (or will be soon!). There’s nothing better than eating the fresh, seasonal foods you miss during the long, cold winter months. Take advantage of seasonal produce while the getting is good! Not only are they good for you and full of ...read more
Think of all the picnics or barbecues you’ve attended where you’ve been dying for seconds of the potato salad. But wait! How much fat and calories are included with all that mayo? Instead, make a picnic-worthy potato salad that doesn’t call for mayonnaise in the ingredients at ...read more
The warm weather is finally here and so are some favorite warm-weather holidays including Cinco de Mayo! Try a few of OA’s favorite recipes to get the celebration started.In Mexico, the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces back in 1862 ...read more
Green is the new black at this time of year! Fresh, sweet, spring peas top our list for one of the best vegetables you can get your hands on. Peas are low in calories and pack a protein punch, but that's not even the best things about them. They're sweet, crunchy, and make a ...read more
Traditional holiday desserts can be something to look forward to all year. But once in a while, it’s fun to switch things up! Save the chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and marshmallow candies for later. These Easter desserts are egg-ceptional, so much so that you are likely to start ...read more
Spring is here, and salads are about to make their big debut. If you’re looking for something to toss into your salad aside from the standard fruit, rice or cheese, consider a few superfood garnishes that range from everyday foods to those that are just a bit more exotic. They’ll ...read more
What is one of the best things about spring? The fresh veggies that make their way onto the scene!During the early part of spring when the weather begins to turn, so do our eating habits. That means biting into some fresh, pretty pink radishes! Whether you’re growing them ...read more
There’s a little debate about how much water a person should drink each day – you’ve probably come across different recommendations yourself. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of water is the general recommended amount for a ...read more
No one has to tell you that fresh is best, right? That holds true for homemade salad dressings, too. Make your own dressings at home. You’ll save money when you saunter by the bottles on the shelves unscathed, and you’ll also know exactly what goes into your topping of choice.Not ...read more
Whether you're trying to cut back on spending or don't happen to live close to a gym, there are many things you can do to workout at home or in your neighborhood that don't require memberships, machines or even group classes. While many of these suggestions are simply common ...read more
Whether you choose to flip it on the stovetop or bake it in the oven, one thing is certain of frittatas – they’re delicious and the perfect choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Super-versatile, you can add just about anything to a frittata that strikes your fancy. From fresh ...read more
You don’t always need special tools and gadgets to help contain your drawers! They can help, but so can a few basic steps. Think of organizing your drawers (sort of) the same way you would as hosting guests: plan, clean, and work with the space you have available!Tip 1 - Take ...read more
Mardi Gras, sometimes referred to as Fat Tuesday, marks the last day of celebrations before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. And this year, it falls on February 21. Regardless of your religiously-held beliefs, feel free to let the good times roll this year. (Any excuse, ...read more
For whatever reason, are you looking for some sweet satisfaction? Look no further. When the time for dessert rolls around on Valentine’s Day (or any day!), make it one (just one) of the highlights of your evening. You provide the sweetie (or not), OA will provide the ...read more
When you put “green and fuzzy” and “food” in the same sentence, you might get the idea that something in your kitchen is past its prime. Think again! Winter is high time for the green and fuzzy kiwi – a delicious, nutritious and festive little fruit!Getting to Know KiwiWondering ...read more
People around the country are prepping for Super Bowl parties, and whether you’ll watch for the game or the commercials, you’ll likely have lots of food options close at hand. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest food day in the ...read more
I like to think that I know what I should (and shouldn’t) be eating for good heart health, but a reminder every now and then certainly doesn’t hurt! February is American Heart Month – the perfect time to jog our memories about heart-healthy eating habits, or to learn more about ...read more
Are your pantry shelves lined to the edge and piled high with items you’ll never use? Maybe you have some unhealthy things lurking about, too. Your pantry doesn’t have to look like you’re ready to feed the neighborhood in case of an emergency. A well-stocked pantry loaded with ...read more
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity into the upcoming year and to eliminate negativity from the past year. It welcomes spring from the winter, and is a time filled with celebration. That, of course, includes ...read more
We all know that we should eat our fruits and vegetables, and plenty of them. Are you one of the many who finds it a bit, let’s say, impossible to get them all in? Juicing can help!You’ve heard it a million times (and you probably say it a million times too), “Eat your vegetables ...read more
Just because a food seems healthy doesn’t mean it is. Peer into a bowl of cereal. What might seem like a healthy, good-for-you breakfast may not be what you’re sitting down to eat.You might find some extra items lurking in your cereal bowl that you hadn’t anticipated: extra ...read more
You never know when you’ll be in an emergency-snack-needed situation. Okay, sometimes you know it’s coming (the two o’clock hour at work...), but what happens when you’re on an all-day errands extravaganza or you miss the bus at the end of the day and have a wait ahead of you? ...read more
Whether you’re like an Iron Chef in the kitchen or could use a few more hours in a Home Economics class, there are some kitchen utensils that are invaluable.The more time you spend in the kitchen, the more you come to rely on certain utensils. Sometimes you can make due (like ...read more
Pomegranates are gorgeous as well as delicious! They’re used in fresh table displays for their rustic beauty, in drinks for their bright color and sweet/tart taste, and in salads for added crunch, color and flavor. But, do pomegranates remain a mystery to you?Don’t Pass Up ...read more
What’s everyone’s favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner? Most likely a lot of side dish action.. and while you've no doubt got a whole lot going on in terms of planning the creative-yet-traditional menu for your elaborate tablescape, one thing you may want to give a another ...read more
Let’s face it: Brussels sprouts are not your typical go-to veggie. Maybe you had a bad Brussels experience as a kid (think mushy and stinky). Maybe you think of them as a Thanksgiving side dish only. Whatever your reasons, it’s time to bid farewell to sub-par Brussels sprouts. ...read more
Most of us have been to a diner or a “greasy spoon” cafe more than once in our lives. You probably even have a few good stories that go along with those experiences. Maybe you were driving across country with a friend and stopped in at a small town diner. Could be the town where ...read more
No matter how good they taste, eating the same foods over and over can get tiring, not to mention that a healthy, balanced diet demands variation. Do you pack the same ol' lunches for work or cook up the same time-saving meals for dinner? Besides the utter bore of it all, food is ...read more
(image: stevendepolo)Sometimes it’s hard to resist those crunchy, crispy, zesty, flavor-packed chips. Well, resist no more… that is if you make these delicious baked veggie chips! They’re colorful, good for you, and have the crunchiness you crave along with tasty seasonings.From ...read more
As it cools down, you may start to spend a little more time indoors... a great time to get crafty we say! A little imagination and a bit of time - and not much else - are all you need to bring out your inner designer. It's not difficult to get creative on the cheap, and you'll ...read more
You may feel that when it comes to makeup brushes, you arrive at a proverbial double-edged sword. Your options are either brushes made from animal hair or those made from synthetic fibers. Support animal cruelty or the unnatural? Well, we don't often do this, but we're cheering ...read more
Football, food and the fall mean it’s tailgate season all around the country! Don’t get tackled by the less-than-healthy standard fare served at most festivities. Host a healthier tailgate that will give your friends and family something to really cheer about.Whether your team is ...read more
Can you believe it’s already October? Seriously. At OA that means one glorious thing (at least): It’s time to break out the blankets along with your soup and stew recipes to get you through the chilly seasons. Ready to add a new soup or stew to your “favorites” list? Check out ...read more
As fall arrives, one thing comes to mind: Soup, and lots of it to keep us warm through the year's colder months! And, what do you do when you find yourself with a recipe that calls for vegetable stock? Head to the grocery store for the sodium-heavy, stock mix-in-a-container ...read more
An apple (recipe) a day keeps the tastebuds at play! Whether you pick them yourself from an orchard or buy a bunch from the market, apples are in season. The crispness of biting into an apple seems to pair well with fall weather, so this is a great time to try out a few ...read more
Fall is the perfect time of year to sit down to a rustic Italian meal. With a chill in the air, Italian cuisine makes for the ultimate in comfort food. Hearty, warm, delicious and filling, there are many dishes to choose from when that Italian craving strikes.Many in Italy shop ...read more
Now that the eco-friendly school supplies have been purchased and the carpool or bus routes have been mapped out, it’s time to think about the healthy and undeniably satisfying school lunches you’ll want to pack in your kids’ lunch boxes!When the bell rings for lunch break and ...read more
It’s that time of year when eggplants start to invade the psyche from all corners of the farmers market. Low in calories and fat (unless you fry them – they’ll easily absorb oil and ruin your low-calorie plans) and high in taste, eggplants are used in a range of recipes from ...read more
Leftovers can be a lifesaver when you're short on time, but when you’re cooking for one or two people and eating the same thing four meals later, it might be time to contain yourself! Cooking for one or two people doesn’t have to be difficult, but you may need to change your ...read more
Phoenix in the summer: Hot and humid with evening storms and a chance of a haboob (major dust storms for those who haven't heard). One thing is certain of Phoenix summers; it takes a little motivation and imagination to get out on a scorching hot, humid day. And thanks to a local ...read more
Do you remember your school days in Home Economics class? My favorite part of class was the cooking component and not so much the sewing sessions, but I’d be willing to give it another go in order to make some great kitchen accessories. You?Whether you have seamstress-like ...read more
The fun-filled days of summer are almost over and kids and parents everywhere are thinking about the school days ahead. Make sure your lesson plans are ready before the first bell rings to help ensure your kids head back to school with awesome, safe and eco-friendly supplies. As ...read more
If you thought the only salt you could get your hands on came from a tin-spouted, cylindrical cardboard container, think again! You're in for a savory treat as we shake things up a bit and take a look at the wide variety of salts available to season your foods. The salt options ...read more
As you know, not all ingredients are created equal. The smoothie shops can lure you in with their goodies that pose as "healthy" or "good for you." After all, most have fruit and sometimes supplements in them, right? True, but many may also have hidden sugars, fats and even ...read more
It's happened to me. I caught the bug. Several of my friends have, too. Once you're been infected, you're never the same. It usually strikes the first time you get a stamp in your passport. Life as you know it is never the same. It goes by many names but I call it, simply, the ...read more
Finally, the workweek is over! It's Friday night and you're out with a group of gal pals. After a few cocktails you're ready to eat. As you look over the menu you think, "Not many (fill in the blank) vegetarian/vegan/organic options." So you ask the waiter for an easy menu ...read more