Water Ski Technology Unleashed

Innovative Leashes Make Dog Walking Easy for Pet Owners Young and Old

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 50% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese. One of the best ways to prevent your dog from becoming a scary statistic is to take him on invigorating daily walks. To make walks and runs more enjoyable for both dogs and their owners, now there's the EzyDog Walking System. These unique leashes, handles and harnesses were invented by EzyDog, a company focused on combining the best in sports technology with pet accessories.

EzyDog leashes focus specifically on grip and leash control. Thanks to their shock absorbing technology and advanced ergonomic design, these leashes are making dog walking easier for a wide range of pet owners - from athletic skateboarders to elderly arthritis sufferers. So I was excited to test a sample leash for my dog, who pulls. I have tried to teach her to "heel", but I'm just not consistent!

EzyDog offers a variety of innovative products engineered with both dogs and owners in mind, including:

The Pyramid Pull System Handle (basically a cut-down water ski handle) eliminates pinching and distributes the dog's weight across the hand for maximum control.

EzyDog Shock Absorbing Leashes feature comfort grip and durable polypropylene twine boasting a tested 1,500 lb. break strength - the same components used in competition water skiing.

A commercial-grade shock cord is used to soften the blow of the occasional jerk or lunge, while maintaining firm control. A reflective strand spanning the entire length of the leash is incorporated for nighttime safety.

So how did our official tester do on the EzyDog leash? The owner is happy! Skyy can no longer pull 6 feet in front of me when we are walking. The control I was able to have over her with the handle grip was spot on (pun intended).

These leashes are available in three different shock absorbing levels, depending on the dog's size and ferocity of pull. All models have separate extension options for extending the leash to different lengths or for walking two dogs on one leash without tangling. These models include:

EzyDog shock absorbing leashes are available in Blue, Red, Black, Chocolate, Green Camouflage, Pink Camouflage and Arctic Camouflage. The leashes retail from $17.00 to $26.00. Matching harnesses are also available from $20.00 to $29.00.

EzyDog also offers canine backpacks and life vests for dogs that love adventure. For more information or to learn where to purchase EzyDog products, please call 1-877-339-9364 (877-3EzyDog) or visit www.ezydog.com.

The Original Small Personal Item Belt is Perfect for Everyone on the Gift List

This holiday season as we are all focused on cash conservation, SPIbelt is offering a complete line of unique gifts suitable to any budget. Looking for the perfect gift for the practical individual who enjoys being hands free, recreational athletes, fitness enthusiasts, travelers, and children alike but all under $20? Look no further than the SPIbelt, the original Small Personal Item Belt that keeps all personal belongings close at hand including a cell phone, Ipod, cash, keys, and identification. SPIbelt promises to delight even the hard to please and that special someone this holiday season at the right price.

I was intrigued when I learned about SPIbelt and was excited to receive a sample. I am a fitness enthusiast, and this looked like a great way to carry my keys, iPod and cell phone when I go running. When I take my dog the juggling act gets even harder, as I have not only cell phone, iPod and keys to carry, but a leash and doggie waste bag in my hands as well. The SPIbelt has made it easy to take everything but the kitchen sink with me when I exercise. To top it off, it doesn't hinder my movement or otherwise get in the way.

This year shoppers are looking for even more ways to save money, but also give a practical gift that will be used. Each of SPIbelt’s unique gift items combine quality and design to produce a functional accessory for any leisurely activity. With so many items under $20 to choose from, including the Original SPIbelt ($19.95), SPIband for men ($19.95), Kid’s SPIbelts ($14.95) and the new SPIbelt Water Bottle ($19.95), no one will be left off the gift list this year. Having already been featured on “The Today Show” and “The Rachael Ray Show”, as well as in Better Homes and Gardens and Cosmopolitan, SPIbelt has also been chosen by MSNBC as a “Great Gift Under $20”.

Holiday gift givers and recreational athletes who would like to learn more about SPIbelt and its budget-friendly product line can do so at www.spibelt.com.

About SPIbrand

Kim Overton founded SPIbrand as the parent company for her collection of innovative fitness, travel, fashion and medical supply accessories. Fueled by her personal struggles with her daily run and not having anywhere to put her keys, Kim concluded, “There has got to be a better way!” Thus, the Small Person Item Belt (SPIbelt™) was born. Today, the company’s product lineup includes the SPIbelt™, the SPIband™ and both the Love Your Legs™ and the Love Your Core™ DVDs, with many new concepts in the works. For more information on SPIbrand and its products, please visit www.spibrand.com.

Unwrap a new gift set this winter

Pre-season football and kids going back to school reminds me that Fall is just around the corner, with Winter not far behind. While the 95 degree temperatures of Summer won't be missed, I don't look forward to the freezing temperatures that Winter brings.

That's why I was intrigued when I heard about these Foot and Hand Warmers Gift Sets. These warmers not only provide relief from aches and pains, but are lightly fragranced wtih aromatherapy--including eucalyptus to revitalize, clove to comfort and cinnamon to calm. Perfect for the holiday season, these gift sets will soothe and provide comfort for hands and feet, cold or hot! A portion of the proceeds will go towards breast cancer research.

Drink water, not sugar

I love water. I drink it all day while I sit at my desk working. When I get home I often switch to decaf tea sweetened with Stevia. I try to avoid all artificial sweeteners, but it's hard sometimes. So I was interested when Hint offered me a sample of their flavored water.

Hint, whose mantra is Drink Water, Not Sugar® is the brainchild of Kara Goldin, a San Francisco mother of four who was seeking a refreshing, unsweetened and no calorie beverage to give her family. Her simple solution – Hint Essence Water. Launched in 2005, she developed Hint in response to the growing wall of sugary juices and sodas. HINT is at the heart of a healthy lifestyle™, and is available in 13 delicious flavors including the newest flavors, Hibiscus Vanilla, Watermelon, Honeydew Hibiscus and Blackberry, as well as Mango-Grapefruit, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime, Peppermint, Pear, Tropical Punch, Cucumber and Strawberry Kiwi. Each 16 ounce bottle is $1.79 and can be found in fine grocery stores and retailers all over the United States. www.drinkhint.com.

Sound good? It tastes even better.

Get your omega-3s and feed your body

I keep reading about the benefits of flax in just about every magazine I pick up these days. So when Flax USA sent me a sample of their Flax Sprinkles I was more than willing to give it a try.

Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Highly concentrated in fiber, lignan and other vitamins and minerals, Flax Seed is suggested to help reduce cholesterol, fight cancer and control blood glucose levels.

Flax Sprinkles, freshly-milled flax seed in a convenient shaker style container, can be used several ways - on cereal, in pasta, on salads, in smoothies, or even in baking.

FLAX USA, a family-owned business, using a Real Cold Milled™ process, which means fresh, easy to use and longer shelf-stable flax. Visit their Web site at www.flaxusa.com to learn about the benefits of adding flax to your diet, as well as recipes and suggestions for use.

Father's Day shutterbug gift idea

Is your dad click-happy? Does he love using his digital camera to snap pictures every chance he gets?

Since dad can take as many pictures as he wants with his digital camera, what can he do with them once he is done? Are all of his photos stuck on the memory stick or computer? Help dad show off his photos by getting him the Unibind Photobook Creator. Dad can create his own coffee table book of photos of little league games, family vacations and more. Simply print the pictures onto ANY paper, place the pages into a Unibind hardbound book cover and place them in the Photobook Creator. Ninety seconds later the Photobook Creator gives dad a beautiful hardback book, right from the comfort of home or office.

The Photobook Creator is perfect for scrapbookers, photographers, small business owners, or anyone who wants the ability to bind and preserve digital images in an attractive, durable way. Photobooks come in a range of sizes, colors and finishes to complement any application. Visit www.myphotobookcreator.com for more information and to find a retailer near you.

Get a closer shave and feel fabulous for less

I have been using two-blade razors for 20 years. So when I heard about the BIC Soleil Bella razor Bzz Agent campaign, I was interested. I signed up for the campaign and waited for my welcome kit to arrive. Like most women, I hate to shave my legs. But now that I have the BIC Soleil Bella razor, it isn't such a chore! With four blades and a pivoting head, it delivers on its promise to deliver a closer, smoother shave. What's more, rinsing the razor is a cinch. It allows water to pass through both sides so you can spend less time rinsing, which means less time shaving! The BIC Soleil Bella razor is available at most food, drug and mass retailers. Visit feelthesoleil.com to learn more about the BIC Soleil Razor, and visit www.bzzagent.com to learn how to become a Bzz Agent.