RIDGEWOOD, N.J., Feb. 13, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Winter winds take a toll on everyone's skin, hair and even health. But there are ways to beat the bad weather's effects. Sometimes it's as easy as eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep. And sometimes we need a little help from the experts.

Dianne deWitt has some great tips for staying healthy and beautiful this winter. She has smart ideas ranging from how to combat chapped lips to how to make sure you don't catch that cold going around the office.

For example, Dianne points out that it's not just the winter winds that take a toll on our bodies. The sun can wreak havoc on our skin as well. UVA radiation is the principal cause of wrinkling and skin cancer, and it's important to realize that it can even penetrate glass.

O2 bars set French officials sniffing

PARIS - AS oxygen bars begin to pop up across France, health authorities are beginning to question the merits or otherwise of sniffing O2.

Supposed to improve health and well-being, oxygen bars date back to the late 1990s, spreading from Canada to California and to Britain and Japan, in nightclubs, health clubs, airports or even trade fairs.

But Paris' first oxygen bar opened only last week.

Flagged as 'a revolutionary anti-fatigue, anti-stress and anti-depression concept,' the city's maiden O2 bar is housed in an up-market beauty institute owned by no less than the wife of top French publicist and political 'kingmaker' Jacques Seguela.

Mr Seguela has been very much in the news recently for bringing together President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni around a dinner table, a coup that comes almost three decades after helping propel leftwing leader Francois Mitterrand to the country's highest public office.

O2 BARS SET FRENCH OFFICIALS SNIFFING

PARIS, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) - As oxygen bars begin to pop up across France, health authorities are beginning to question the merits or otherwise of sniffing O2.
Supposed to improve health and well-being, oxygen bars date back to the late 1990s, spreading from Canada to California and to Britain and Japan, in nightclubs, health clubs, airports or even trade fairs.
But Paris' first oxygen bar opened only last week.
Flagged as "a revolutionary anti-fatigue, anti-stress and anti-depression concept", the city's maiden O2 bar is housed in an up-market beauty institute owned by no less than the wife of top French publicist and political "kingmaker" Jacques Seguela.
Seguela has been very much in the news recently for bringing together President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni around a dinner table, a coup that comes almost three decades after helping propel leftwing leader Francois Mitterrand to the country's highest public office.

Fundraiser for nature-based kids program will feature noted musician

Kids and Creeks, a Chico nonprofit that works with schools to promote science education and watershed health, is hosting a fundraiser tonight at the El Rey Theatre.

The event is sold out, due in part by an appearance from singer-songwriter Brett Dennen, who was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "10 Artists To Watch" in its November issue.

Kids and Creeks, which says it has provided more than 10,000 hours of community service and hosted field trips for more than 7,000 kids from 60 elementary school classes, ties its efforts into educational curriculum.

"Working with some of the standard base curriculum (schools) have to meet, we bring elementary-aged students into the field," Kids and Creeks President Mark Lynch said Friday. "We meet the requirements of the state standards for teaching by doing it experientially.

Health: Valentine's Facial

In the latest health alert there is the ultimate beauty treatment designed just for ladies.Flowers, rubies, and chocolate, imagine all those luscious Valentine's Day treats are wrapped up together. Not in a gift box but a facial. "I wanted to eat it off my face," said Melanie DiPiero, who tried the facial. She recently had a baby and decided to try the Valentine facial in hopes of rejuvenating her tired skin. It starts with a cream that contains tiny beads of crushed rubies to exfoliate and remove dry, dull, lifeless skin. The next step is the chocolate. "We like the consistency to be very similar to cake batter," said Karen Fox, owner of Ageless Skin Solutions in Marlton. The chocolate, made from a specialized cocoa powder, contains anti-oxidants, enzymes and caffeine. "Its de-puffing the skin so you're getting that tightening effect," said Karen.

New take on 'George slept here'

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Every Christmas, crowds watch the historical reenactment of George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware. The Houdon Bust at Mount Vernon re-creates Washington in 3-D based on forensic research. Now the first US president makes his on-screen debut as a buff teenager played by New York actor Adam Thompson in a docudrama of his trip to the Caribbean island of Barbados, a trip that historians say not only changed Washington but also saved his life.

The year was 1751 when a ship sailed into Bridgetown Harbor with George, 19, and his half-brother Lawrence, 33, aboard. The ship's name, Success, was propitious, for while the island's balmy climate did not improve Lawrence's health as the Washingtons had hoped - he died a year later of tuberculosis - the six-week sojourn helped George's career.

Tips for being frugal and fabulous

Buying all the best brands? Not so frugal. Picking through your neighbor's trash? Not so fabulous.

It's all in the packaging -- Refill fancy-brand soap dispensers with generic liquid soap, says Jeanne-Marie Hudson, 36, a marketing director for a publishing company.

Hawaii's values, traditions can inspire a nation

When I set out to achieve universal health care as first lady back in 1993, I knew I needed to learn from Hawaii's pioneering example. So I traveled to your state and met with health care professionals and community leaders to discuss how Hawaii's approach to health care could be a model for America. I was greatly impressed by what I saw.

I was impressed by your passionate belief that health care is not a luxury -- but a fundamental right. I was impressed by this state's proud progressive tradition and firm commitment to caring for all its citizens. And I was impressed by Hawaii's rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty.

But I know Hawaii also faces unique challenges -- from education to energy to the economy. And the people of Hawaii deserve a president who won't just talk about solutions to those problems -- but will actually deliver.

Workouts that cut gym time in half

Maintaining one's health and beauty is a real time consuming process. Sure, we'd all love to cram in 10 hours of cardio, strength training and yoga a week, but to do so is daunting when you're also trying to hold down a full time job.

"With our busy schedules, it's hard to find the time to consistently stick to a workout routine," acknowledges Crunch trainer Felix Deleon. To make our lives a little easier, Deleon has designed a workout that combines exercises, one that he believes, "will cut your workout time in half."

1. Lunge with lateral raise