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7 Ways to Dodge the Flu This Year

November 16, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

The changing of the seasons might be nice for the plants, but when the weather changes so do the  air born viruses. Getting ready for the cold and flu season can be stressful. While some approach it with a “devil may care” attitude, others are vigilant with getting their flu shots. If you fall somewhere in between, what measures can you take to dodge the flu this year?

  1. Wash, wash, and then wash again. Hand washing is singularly the most important ingredient in preventative measures against contracting the flu virus. Hand washing with soap prevents the spread of contagious germs that would otherwise be passed from your hands to your mouth.
  2. Avoid contaminated door handles. Public washroom are the worst offenders of germ transfer. Many people fail to wash their hands after using the restroom and then they touch the door handles on the way out. After washing your hands always use a piece or paper towel to let yourself out of the bathroom.
  3. Sneezing and coughing should take place in your arm. Never sneeze intro your hand as most germs are either airborne or are transferred through hand contact. Directly placing those germs on your hands from sneezing or cough will only continue to spreed them.
  4. Take your vitamins. Staying up to date on your immunizations and taking the proper supplements will bolster your immune system before the season is upon you.This is an easy way for you to maintain a healthy approach against the flu.
  5. Avoid the sick. If you know there are sick people out and about, stay away from them. Don’t visit with friends until they have a clean bill of health. Visiting can wait until whatever ails them has left eh building.  Stay out of harms way is a good idea. Since no two people get the flu the same way, what may not affected your friend so badly, might just put you out of commission.
  6. Make sure you have plenty of rest. When your fatigued your immune system gets run down making it easier for viruses attack.
  7. Drink your orange juice and eat your broccoli. Getting the proper nutrition ensures your body is armed to fight off any attack viruses. It is important to always maintain a healthy diet, but even more so during cold and flu season.

You  can’t  be promised you’ll never get hit with another cold or suffer another bout of the flu, but you can increase your odds of staying well with these strategies. Sneak these easy disease-fighting habits into your life and stop sickness from taking its toll. Keeping yourself healthy during flu season isn’t hard, and only takes commitment. The alternative is much worse than taking these few steps into your daily routine to remain healthy.

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10 Ways to Know Your Relationship is in Trouble

November 11, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

When a relationship is good, it is great. Nothing feels better than knowing our relationship is solid and on track. This feeling is so satisfying that when issues pop up it can begin to make you aware that perhaps there is trouble in paradise. Is there a difference between a rough patch and trouble? It can definitely depend on what the tell tale signs of trouble are.

  1. You don’t like who you are anymore. Being with someone should make you feel good about yourself. If you notice that through your relationship you start to dislike who your are , or who your becoming it may be an indicator that your relationship is in trouble. Once you start to notice that your becoming a certain way that is undesirable , you should take a step back to realize why.
  2. Looking forward to seeing each other should be on the top of your priority list.  If your finding yourself under excited to see the person your in a relationship with there can be a problem, your realtionship is in trouble. Wanting to see the person your with whatever and wherever the circumstance.
  3. Bragging rights. When your with a person, talking about about them and  their accomplishments should be on your “want to do” list. If your finding yourself ignoring the opportunity to brag about your partner, even in the most insignificant way there can be a problem.
  4. Interesting. Do you find yourself not feeling the “interested factor” anymore. You should  feel that your partner interests you, and what he/she has to say. If you find yourself wishing that you were in another conversation with someone else there is a problem in your relationship.
  5. Quirky or annoying. If you know your partner has quirks you can overlook them if your in a good place. If your finding the quirks to be no longer quirky and more annoying, there can be trouble in your relationship.
  6. Immediate break up syndrome. If every time you fight, your immediate thought is to break up in order to end your fight, your relationship may be in trouble.
  7. If their gone, they are gone. Having that attitude can definitely hurt your relationship. You should want to keep your partner, not be indifferent.
  8. Being together isn’t a “just because” situation. Being with someone out of lack of something better to do can be devastating.  This is a sure recipe for trouble in your relationship.
  9. Not wishing your “trading up” to a more attractive model will mean your happy with your relationship. If your finding yourself often times attracted to other people it could be your not happy with your current partner.
  10. What is love? Being with someone should make you want more. Want to take your relationship to the next level. If you feel that love is not in your midst, or don’t even want it, there may be trouble in your relationship.

Knowing there is trouble in your relationship, takes reading the signs that occur along the way. Listening to your inner self about happiness, needs and wants in a relationship will tell you if in fact your in trouble in your current one.

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Six Tips to Repair Long Distance Relationship Problems

March 22, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Being in a long distance relationship is hard…really hard. I am now married to my long distance guy. 5 short minutes is all it takes to get your long distance lover back and just when you feel like all is lost.

Long distance relationships are a very difficult relationship to be a part of and if you start feeling like issues are developing you may want to get control of them quickly. How do you get your love back when all seems lost? I received the following question:

“My relationship was going well and then it plummeted. It was a long distance relationship but it was going so well and strong for 7 months and then crashed. I would give anything to get her back and I really need some advice. “

This is just one example of countless questions I receive asking advice for basically the same problem. So how do you fix a relationship that has gone bad? Go for the 6-point checklist.

Go visit

If you really would do anything, I suggest you start by going to see your partner and try and work things out. Long distance relationships are hard, but don’t let anybody ever tell you they can’t work out. My girlfriend/wife and I were in a long distance relationship for more than three years, and we’re in one again. It sucks big time, but it’s definitely still worth it. If there really are problems in your relationship, it’s best to discuss it in person.

Phone calls, Skype, webcams, etc. are all great resources that you can use to communicate, but real problems need real people to sort them out. Not people on computer screens or voices on the other side of telephones. This is not to say you can’t work it out over the distance, so don’t just give up yet. It’s just easier in person.

Do some digging

Find out exactly what led to the (possible) breakup. Dig deep. If it’s something one of you said, dig deeper still and find out what led to that being said. I would assume that you are not an inherently bad person, so if you said something bad, there must have been a reason for you to say it. Don’t stop digging once you’ve reached what looks like an answer. Maybe there’s an even deeper level, something that happened a long time ago. And quite possibly, that something was a complete misunderstanding. It’s happened to us a lot, and I don’t think we’re unique in that way.

Be brutally honest

You have to be brutally honest, both with yourself, and with your partner. Your digging will lead to some things you wouldn’t want to know, both about yourself and your partner. You should be prepared for it. This is not the time for mud slinging. This is the time to be a couple. Couples stand together through everything and help each other. You need to admit to the things you find.

Admit your mistakes

Admit those mistakes that you’ve uncovered. Admitting mistakes isn’t saying: “I was brought up this way, I can’t change. . . ” Admitting your mistakes means finding out what you’ve been doing wrong so far and actively doing something about it. This is where your partnership will be instrumental. You have work together with each other to come out better as a team on the other side. But don’t stop at your partner. You should also use the help of friends and family. They may be even more brutally honest with you than your partner.

What are your plans?

Does your partner know that you have long term plans for your relationship? You do have long term plans don’t you? Like maybe getting married eventually? If you’re serious about making this relationship work, I would assume it’s because you feel that there is a possibility of a long term relationship. Maybe if your partner knows that’s the way you really feel you will get renewed energy and a renewed sense of direction in your relationship. Seriously, I’ll never tell you when to break a relationship. Only you can ever tell yourself that. But if you don’t see a long term goal for your relationship, a long distance relationship is not your best option. Long distance relationships are harder work than normal relationships, so you have to have something to work for. In our case, as with many others, it was and is definitely worth it, no matter the distance, and no matter how long we are apart.

Make some sacrifices

You will have to make some sacrifices in your relationship, but weigh it up against the rewards, and eventually it’s no sacrifice at all. As an example, I spent a lot of money during the course of our long distance relationship in order to visit Mari often enough. But I never saw our relationship in terms of a monetary value. What I got in return is something that no amount of money can ever buy. Maybe your sacrifice is something else. Maybe you just need to spend less time doing something else you want to do, and spend more time on the phone with your partner. Or maybe you should take the plunge and look for a job closer to your partner. Even if it may mean that you will have to work for a lower salary.

Never just give up on your relationship without a fight (for the relationship that is, not a fight in the relationship). Every relationship goes through a bit of a rough patch from time to time. Long distance relationships are no different so be prepared to work a little extra hard along the way. If you want to work and so does your partner the outcome will be much better.

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Best Online Relationship Advice

March 22, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

When you are on the hunt for relationship advice you are guaranteed going to encounter many different suggestions which can make it difficult to know where to turn to. This not only can complicate your mind, but make you go with the wrong advice. Over the past few years many more people are turning towards the Internet for relationship advice and seem to be having great results with what they are finding. If you’re someone who has great experience doing this, congratulations.

Perhaps you are in the middle of a difficult relationship right now whether already married or still dating.   People tend to get a lot of advice from many different  sources, solicited or otherwise, some good, others totally useless and downright harmful.   You can actually get the same type of relationship advice online as well.   Some suggestions can really turn a problematic relationship around, or get you out of one that is not working out for you.

On the other hand, there could also be some really bad advice that could even breakup a relationship instead of repairing it. If you have the financial capability, going to marriage counselors or therapist can get you good professional advice, but not necessarily the best results.  It may help you and your partner express yourselves a little more easily, but could also bring up many other issues along the way.

Family and friends can also be good sources of advice since they are privy to your circumstances but their judgment may be tinted with biases.   At times, it would be good to get relationship tips from third parties who do not know you personally because they might be able to provide you with more unprejudiced answers. For this, you can try to go online and get relationship advice where you can talk to someone 24 x 7.

There may be some events that recently happened between you and your partner that could possibly cause a separation and you want to get some advice pronto to avert the possible breakup.   People manning these relationship advice online services are authorities on relationship and have authored a number of articles relevant to your condition.   Some online counselors may perhaps  be even agreeable to assist you. Oftentimes, you have personal questions that you feel are too delicate to discuss with your family and friends.   Going online for advice is a great solution to this since you can remain anonymous.

Divulging personal information or your real identity is not necessary to seek advice online. Unattached individuals who have been wishing to find a partner will discover that finding him/her through the dating advice online is possible.   There are internet sites that also give this service.   A lot of people have successfully found mates through this media.   If you are seriously considering this method to find your special someone, you should use a reputable service provider which carefully screens those wanting to register for membership for possible relationships.

Seeking relationship advice online could be a fresh and effective way of finding answers to your relationship problems. However, you should not treat it as your ultimate source of advice.   All the other suggestions and options presented to you from other sources should be carefully weighed.   But more importantly, listen to your heart deeply because oftentimes, what our minds cannot perceive, our hearts clearly can. You are the only person that knows what’s right for you, so don’t depend on others to make your choice, even if it sounds like the right one.

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Try Out Pre-Packaged Diet Plans at a Great Price

March 16, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Different people disagree about whether Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, or Deliciously Yours are expensive diets are reasonable ones. No matter which group you belong to, you will want to make sure you like any diet before you commit to going on it for even a month. There are inexpensive ways to do this.

One important fact is that Nutrasystem does not require you to sign any contract. You do not have to make a major commitment in the first place. You do not have to promise to stay on their diet until you reach your goal weight or even for a certain number of weeks. That is completely up to you.

What you do have to do is to order the Nutrisystem foods one month at a time. If you could order just a few meals, you could try it out that way. Instead, you have to order a four to five weeks supply. With Jenny Craig, you have to order for a minimum deal, possibly 2 or 3 months at first.

For the first inexpensive method of trying a diet, go ahead and order the minimum amount of food. If you have the option of selecting your own foods, take advantage of that. Choose foods that you think you will like the very best. While you are at it, throw in a few foods that you might have to eat to round out your Atkins at Home, Deliciously Yours, or Nutrisystem diet, even if they do not sound appealing.

When the food arrives, eat the way the diet counselor suggests that you follow the diet. Eat a variety of the foods. Stay at it for about a week, or until you are sure you know whether or not you enjoy the foods. You should be able to tell if the food is for you in that amount of time.

If you decide that you do not want to continue with the diet, Nutrisystem does give you an option. If you notify the company after one week that you wish to send back the rest of the food, you may do so for a full refund of the cost of the weeks’ worth of food you have remaining. Be aware that you must make these arrangements within 30 days of the time you get your order.
With Jenny Craig, you will have to stick with the diet for a couple of months or more. Atkins at Home or Deliciously Yours allows you to change your mind after a short time. Diets that do this make it easy to try them inexpensively.

The other way it is simple to try out the foods, but harder to try out the diet. You can find a friend or relative that has started a Nutrasystem or Jenny Craig diet and then not gone on to finish. If they have not returned their foods in a timely manner, they might be willing to sell you their foods at a discount. They might even give you the foods just to get them out of their pantry.

The problem with this method is that you do not have an official counselor to guide you through getting used to the program. All you have is whatever information you can get from the person who gives you the food. Their facts may be ambiguous or just plain inaccurate. However, if you trust them and know something about the diet, you might be able to try this. At the least, you can sample the foods. Either way, you can figure out whether you want to continue with the Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem diet without spending a lot of money.

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5 Ways to Make your Diet a Success

March 4, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment


It’s no simple task to lose weight. Saying you’re going to start a diet, or eat healthier or get in shape is a far different thing than putting those plans in motion. Its takes an honest commitment and hard work on your part. For most of us with busy schedules, and usually living on a budget, it seems like a daunting task. But, if you’re ready to lose weight in a healthy manner and actually see positive results, then stick to these five really easy to follow tips.

1. Set realistic goals

You’re not going to lose 50 pounds this week, or the next. You can most certainly start losing the weight though. Being honest with yourself about what you want to accomplish and when that can actually be accomplished will help you avoid giving up. You can do this. Just be patient.

2. Choose your method

Have you tried restrictive diets in the past and wound up with more frustration than weight lost? Then don’t do get burned twice. That method isn’t the best for you. Let’s face it, there are as many ways to lose weight as there are cures for hiccups. Do your homework and visit with your doctor. Then decide on the plan that’s right for you.

3. Reward yourself

If you aced an exam or got promoted at work, you’d likely celebrate. So don’t forget to reward the milestones in your weight loss journey. Get a pedicure for that first 10 pounds. Buy a new outfit for that extra 20. Hit the 50 or 100 pound marks? Take a vacation you’ve always wanted. This will keep you from becoming discouraged and help you to keep looking forward.

4. Write it down

Journaling is not a new concept. People have been keeping diaries of their daily lives for hundreds of years. Journaling has also proven to be a great way to help people lose weight. Carry a small notebook with you and make note of everything you eat or drink. This will help you identify calorie counts, times of day, weaknesses and even what you’ve been doing right. You can also use your weight loss journal to outline goals (and rewards!), exercise an more.

5. Keep moving

Don’t believe the hype- you’re not going to lose weight unless you exercise. If you want to lose weight, it has to be a 50/50 partnership of diet and exercise. The E-word is not a popular one, but you’ll realize serious results if you do. It can be as expensive or cheap as you like and it can absolutely be on your terms. Spend 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week engaging in physical exercise. If you’re new to exercise, get your doctor’s OK first. Start out slow and don’t over exert yourself. If you hurt yourself, it’s not going to do you any favors. Find an exercise program that you enjoy. If running turns you off, but you love laps in the pool- then do the laps. You’re more likely to stick to it if you enjoy doing it.

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15 ways to wow your wedding guests

February 20, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Yours won’t be just another cookie-cutter wedding — here are our top ideas to make it a standout celebration.

Allover Lighting
Revolutionize your venue with creative lighting. Project falling leaves or snow to add drama to a boring, beige wall; add a funky geometric pattern or your monogram to the dance floor; or get basic up-lighting for the perimeter of the room to instantly transform the space. Your guests won’t be able to stop staring (in a good way!).

A Decked-Out Entryway
We’re not saying you should spend a gazillion dollars on a 20-foot-tall floral arrangement, but first impressions are important, so take time to think out the entrance to your reception. Add a couple flower arrangements to the escort card table or have your stationer create a stylish seating chart display. A table topped with your engagement photos, your parents’ wedding albums, and any other from-the-family artifacts would make meaningful additions.

A Showstopping Ceremony Exit
If you play it right, your ceremony exit will be one of the most heavily photographed moments of your wedding — so forget the rose petals and birdseed. Jazz up your exit by passing out small bags of colorful confetti, paper airplanes, mini beach balls, or even lavender buds for everyone to toss your way. Even better: Stage your own mini parade by passing out noisemakers and asking your guests to escort you to your getaway car.

Unexpected Wedding Music
Sure, a string quartet is nice, but you’ll blow guests away with a jazz trio or a Spanish guitar player. To get the party going during the cocktail hour, look into hiring a mariachi band, a bluegrass group, or even a barbershop quartet for some seriously memorable melodies.

A Wedding Dress Change
All eyes will be on you, so it’ll be a huge shocker when you go from a classic wedding dress for the ceremony to a shorter, flirtier dress at the reception. Whether it’s a cocktail dress you bought (but couldn’t find an excuse to wear) or a sparkly, white dress that’s just too short for the aisle, have fun with it! If you honestly can’t imagine changing out of your wedding dress, make other changes: Let down your hair, switch your shoes, or add a few new pieces of jewelry.

Cocktails Served Differently
Grab guests’ attention as soon as they arrive at the cocktail hour by having drinks and hors d’oeuvres displayed on colorful trays or even placed along the shelves of a makeshift bookcase-turned-bar. Or, have a fleet of waiters standing at the entrance, drink trays in hand, ready to greet guests at the door. The message will be clear: It’s time to par-tay.

Extra Signage
If it’s an outdoor wedding, create rustic, wooden signs in your wedding colors as pointers for guests (“this way to the cocktail hour” or “wedding this way!”). For a more formal wedding, make beautifully scripted table numbers, monogrammed cocktail napkins, and even bathroom-door labels that read “ladies” and “gents.”

A Photo Booth (Rented or Handmade)
Having a photo booth is a surefire way to capture memories a photographer might miss. For an extra-special touch, outfit your booth with themed props (snorkel gear and an under-the-sea backdrop for a summer wedding, opera masks and monocles for a formal affair, etc.) to get your guests in the mood; then be sure to send them a copy of their photo in your thank-you note.

Wedding Favors With Entertainment Value
Think of your wedding favors as an accessory to your reception. Want a packed dance floor? Distribute kazoos, maracas, or even rally towels for a good time that just won’t quit. Or use wedding favors as a way to up your guests’ comfort level. Set out baskets of comfy flip-flops for guests who love to shut down the dance floor, or cozy wraps to fend off the chill of a seaside wedding.

A (Really) Creative Groom’s Cake
How could your guests not take a picture of that? Find the right cake baker and go nuts with your groom’s cake for a unique photo op. We’ve seen everything from elaborate guitars to football stadiums to armadillos to library book cakes. Other non-cake ideas: a table decked out in donuts, an ice cream bar, or a giant Rice Krispies Treat cake.

A (Surprise) Choreographed Dance
Take a few dance lessons before your wedding, but instead of the standard waltz, kick it up a notch by learning a sultry tango or a high-energy swing routine, and then surprise everyone during your first dance. For an unexpected surprise, get your dad or even your grandpa in on the act. Imagine the looks on your guests’ faces when you and your pops break into a hip-hop routine mid-father-daughter dance. (Bonus points if he can do the worm!)

A Luxe Reception Lounge
Give guests a place to mingle between dance breaks by creating a lounge area at your reception. Fill the space with couches or chairs and plenty of pillows to sink into. It’s the perfect way to keep everyone in on the party even when they’re resting. Really want to wow ‘em? Close off the area with curtains to create a VIP vibe.

Killer Midnight Snacks
Just when everyone thinks the fun is winding down, liven up the party with late-night nibbles that will leave everyone ready for an after-party. Think about it: crinkle French fries, fresh chocolate chip cookies and milk shooters, a fully loaded taco bar, or even a waffle truck!

Decked-out Transportation
Come up with a transportation plan that’ll get guests talking. Maybe your car-obsessed uncle would be willing to play driver for the night in exchange for showing off his ridiculously cool Mustang. Your oversized clunker from high school might actually look pretty cool decked out with streamers and a “just married” sign. Even your bicycles — tied off with fresh flowers — would create a memorable exit.

A Genius Wedding Website
Start the party long before your wedding day with a brilliant wedding website (computer science degree not required). Upload vlogs (aka video blogs) of your bridal party, poll guests on the reception music, add animated elements, or even create a “wedding guest of the week” spotlight column.

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4 Sure Ways to Turn your Myspace & Facebook Into your Own Eharmony

February 20, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Ok, I’ve used the Internet to find a job, to find an apartment, to find the latest hot spot for happy hour’ so why not a lady too?

It’s true, I met my new girl on the Internet. I, like all my friends, am an active member on Facebook and MySpace. Let me tell you, I had no idea how powerful the words, in a relationship, were until I removed them from my profile and replaced them with that lonely little word, ‘single’.

All of a sudden I had new friend requests everyday. Ok, cool. So I checked out their pages to see what they were like.

Who knew that one of these little shoppers would end up being just what I was looking for? According to my friends, I’ve become another statistic. Wow, Jeff, you should be on one of those commercials! Yea, maybe I should. After all, I’m a helluva an actor.

Or maybe I should share some of my tips for those doubtful singles out there tired of meeting people in bars, elevators, lines, at gas pumps. What? That doesn’t happen to you? Happens to me all the time. Right. Read on…

1: Kodak moment or Van Wilder? Check out his Pics!

Are they hugging family or hugging the porcelain god? Are they stripping down or stripping paint in their new apartment? Are they graduating from college or graduating from their 25th tequila shot? Pictures can say a 1,000 words or just one heaving word: NO.

Is this even a person you’d consider staring at during a meal, let alone the next six months? If their not your favorite kind of fish, throw them back before they ask you out for sushi.

2: Get the A/S/L (age/sex/location)

Check out the profile. Will your date’s mom have to specify to bring them home when the streetlights come on or will their nurse have to give you instructions for their oxygen tank? If a younger date or well experienced and aged date is what you’re after, go for it. If not, leave the youngens or the oldies, but goodies to someone else.

What part of town does this special someone live in? Close enough for a cup of coffee, or are we talking plane tickets here? Do you have money for plane tickets? Yeah right.

3: Hobbies or Hobbits

Most people personalize their page with interests. Well, what do you think so far of his or her interests? Does Lord of the Rings fall right after chess club, Dancing with the Stars and mom? KEEP LOOKING! They may be hotticket7492. . . but you aren’t after a hobbit or a mythical witch.

3a: Special Tip for the Fellas: Fellas, if you’re shopping for your next girl on one of these social networks, remove chicks and chugging beers from your interests. That’s why your profile still reads single.

4: Friends don’t let friends add jerks

So check out the friends. Not everyones a Ross, Rachel and Monica. The friends will tell you a lot about who they are. Not just that, but if you and this person hit it off? Their friends could end up your friends and now you can hook up your other single friends.

5: Let’s get this party started

Send a message. If during the first few conversations they don’t make you laugh a little chances are they’ll be even more boring in person. Volleying messages is a great way to get to know someone safely, and if it goes out of bounds or they seem too crazy, you can always call ‘game’ right there!

6: But wait… think about it

Don’t just offer to up right away’ duh! That’s how you have a run in with the crazies and the heebie jeebies. Wait ’til you’ve gotten enough feedback to make a decision you’re happy with! Be careful and selective.

Happy Shopping! Good luck!

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Green Life: Ways to keep your wedding eco-friendly

February 17, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

Not surprisingly, many engaged couples are choosing to go green for their big day, opting for a simple wedding while incorporating eco-friendly choices.

The eco-friendly wedding gown: Pure silk with vintage embroidery, Swarovski crystals and seed beads, in a modified mermaid silhouette. Circle Park Bridal, $749.

“Going green is no longer a trend, but a normal influence in the way weddings are taking place,” says Jim Love, publisher of Premier Bride DFW, who also offers a Web site with green tips (www.pbdallas.com). “As more brides and grooms have become eco-sensitive when planning their wedding and honeymoon, so have the vendors: You just need to ask them.”

Ashley Paz at Vera Green Productions, a local company specializing in creating weddings that are eco-friendly, says: “The biggest green wedding trend that I have seen this season is not just an eco-friendly one, but an economical one. In their decor, couples seem to be incorporating more reused elements such as vintage vases and candle holders.” She adds that vintage items can be used to decorate new homes.

Here are some options for local brides who want to go green.

The gown

Eco-friendly material such as hemp is becoming popular, or how about a vintage or used gown? After the wedding you can donate it to a charitable organization.

Circle Park Bridal in Addison sells dresses that are 100 percent silk for less than $1,000. Brides can order hemp dresses as well. 15402 Addison Road, Suite B; 972-503-9200; www.circleparkbridal.com.

Invitations

Use recycled paper or consider handmade or plantable paper, processed chlorine-free and printed with vegetable or soy-based inks. There is also tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf or organic cotton. Ask your printer to use paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.

You might also consider hiring a calligrapher to address the envelopes, which eliminates printing waste.

Love advises against sending invitations via e-mail under the guise of green: “It’s tacky, but you can use e-mail to send out a save-the-date reminder.”

The Paper Lion in McKinney and Wedding Essentials in Dallas offer eco-friendly invitations and work hard to go paperless for proofs and design.

The Paper Lion, 2310 Virginia Parkway; 972-540-5966; www.thepaperlion.com.

Wedding Essentials, www.weddingessentials online.com

The reception

Use locally grown and organic food for the reception and dinner. Supporting local growers cuts down on costs and travel distances. Place cards made of seeded paper also can be taken home by guests and planted.

Favors

How about giving saplings to the guests that they can take home and plant? Or, consider organic chocolates, attractive bags of organic herbs or a small charitable donation in each guest’s name.

When thinking of gifts for your attendants, go organic: a gift basket of organic beauty products, organic coffees or teas, recycled stationery or even a bottle of organic wine.

Bridal registry

Love says that one thing many couples are doing these days is asking guests to make donations to eco-friendly organizations instead of giving gifts, especially if it is a second marriage.

If you are registering for major appliances, choose Energy Star.

Some sites that specialize in green gifts:

• www.3rliving.com

• www.branchhome.com

• www.vivaterra.com

• www.gaiam.com

Flowers

Choose fair trade or locally grown flowers, and consider having the flowers and other decorations moved from the ceremony to the reception. At the end of the day, donate the flowers to a hospital.

Earth Blooms in Dallas uses recycled packaging and sources locally raised flowers when possible. They’re at 2802 Greenville Ave.; 214-823-6222.

Green wedding consultant

Marianne Richardson of Elegant Weddings by Marianne, a green company in McKinney, says she seeks out vendors who don’t use plastic and who go paperless.

She also asks that they recycle, and buy locally.

“More brides are realizing they can have a beautiful wedding, not spend a ton of money, and give back to the environment,” she says.

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What are some ways to pay for eharmony?

February 8, 2010 By Karen Hiser Leave a Comment

When it comes to actually making that payment for your eHarmony account you will quickly discover that you are going to be required to have either a major credit card or a working paypal acount. These payments will be recurring for each month so ensure that the payment method you select will have the necessary funding to make your monthly payments.

The pricing will vary with each plan that you select. The pricing options include:

  • 1 month: $59.95
  • 3 months: $119.85
  • 6 months: $179.70
  • 12 months: $239.40

If you are considering becoming apart of eHarmony ensure that you select the right timeframe that you’d like to opt into. It will work out to cost less money if you opt into paying for the full year, but this is entirely up to you and what you are willing to pay.

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