Health & Beauty

This is where you'll find recent articles from our Beauty, Health, Men’s Fashion, Pregnancy, and Parenting sites at The Fun Times Guide. If it affects your health, your looks, your personal style, or your personal spirit... we're talking about it here! Real people are sharing their personal reviews and experiences with popular health & beauty products (even surgical procedures), clothing & grooming tips for men & women, and clever ideas for new parents and babies.

5 Ways Taking Improv Comedy Classes Helped Me With Stress, Relationships, And PTSD (Yes, Really!)

Yes, I have something in common with some very famous SNL comedians. I took an improv comedy class – just like they did at the beginning of their careers. Trust me, if I can do it so can you. Here is my personal experience taking an improv comedy class, how it taught me that laughter really is the best therapy, and some of the specific health benefits I continue to enjoy long after I graduated from my first improv class. Here’s what it’s like…

How Can You DIE From The Flu? Here’s How… What You Need To Know About The Flu Virus And Flu Shot

It’s not just people with compromised immune systems that are dying from the flu. See all of the ways the flu can kill an otherwise healthy person. Thinking of getting a flu shot? Here’s what you need to know — who should & shouldn’t get it, popular flu shot myths, flu shot side effects, and where to get cheap (or free) flu shots!

How To Make Homemade Baby Food Quickly & Easily: 10 Helpful Tips For Making Baby Food At Home Yourself

See how homemade baby food compares to store-bought baby food, the advantages of making baby food yourself, how you’ll save money making homemade baby food at home, how to puree/store/freeze/thaw baby food, and how to make your own healthy baby food recipes quickly & easily. Plus 10 tips
to ensure that your homemade baby food is safe, healthy… and tasty!

The Easiest & Best Way To Remove A Tick From Your Body Or Your Dog’s Body (…Even Very Tiny Ticks!)

Do you know the best way to remove a tick? I do. I do it all the time. I’ve removed DOZENS of ticks from myself, my husband, and my dogs! I’ll show you — from my own experience using tweezers and videos from others showing easy ways to remove ticks without tweezers. Do you know which ticks carry Lyme Disease? I’ll tell you — so you’ll know which ones to look for where you live and exactly what they look like.

My Laparoscopy Surgery To Treat Endometriosis & Remove Ovarian Cysts …And Why I Chose The Optional Endometrial Ablation

Ladies: Have you got endometriosis… and/or cysts on your ovaries? If so there’s probably a laparoscopy in your future! I’m here to tell you endometriosis surgery is not that bad. I had severe endometriosis and 2 large ovarian cysts removed laparoscopically Here’s how it went for me…

Mens Fashion Gifts: 10 Great Gifts For Men With A Sense Of Style

Whether you’re looking for a gift for your boyfriend, your husband or some other friend or family member, I’ve got 10 stylish ideas that would make great gifts for men! I’d be thrilled to receive any ONE of them! I’ll help you step outside of your comfort zone a bit to find something that plays to the guy’s own personality and sense of style.

8 Ways To Determine Your Baby’s Position In The Womb Right Now

As your pregnancy progresses, it becomes easier to determine the different baby positions your little one is enjoying inside the womb. Here are the most common signs that indicate your baby’s fetal position at any given moment. Yes, you can look for these yourself to determine your baby’s position right now!

This Garlic & Honey Cold Remedy Is How My Family Avoids Getting Sick, Naturally

My husband and I rarely get sick with the common cold or flu. We attribute that to the fact that we use the following garlic and honey cold remedy any time we start to feel under the weather. (And no, we do not get the flu shots.) Do you know about the health benefits of garlic? Garlic is a natural antibiotic and a smart alternative that kills only the bad bacteria while preserving the good bacteria in your body. This garlic & honey cold remedy is great because it works as an immune defense home remedy strengthening your body from within!

Should You Have A 3D Mammogram? I Did & Here’s What I Learned About 3D Breast Imaging

I recently went for a diagnostic 3D mammogram following a traditional 2D mammogram. Here’s what I learned about who should consider having 3D breast imaging done, and how health care providers and insurance are involved.

Baby & Mom Review The Zany Zoo Activity Cube – A Large Wooden Activity Cube For Toddlers

My 8 month old isn’t interested in baby toys much anymore. So in an effort to keep him engaged and entertained, I decided to give the Zany Zoo Activity Cube a try. Here’s everything I love about this large wooden activity cube, and the 1 thing I don’t. See why I think it’s a great gift for a 1-year-old.

How We Found Out That I Have Lyme Disease …From A Tick Bite

I had no idea I was suffering from the early signs of Lyme Disease – until I got the official Lyme Disease diagnosis. Here’s how I found out I had Lyme Disease, what I’ve learned about how to treat Lyme Disease, and what it’s like living with Lyme Disease in Tennessee.

My Review Of The Moby Wrap Classic: First Impressions Of This Babywearing Wrap + Pros And Cons Of The Moby Baby Wrap

Babywearing wraps are the best! I would rather wear my baby than carry him. Here’s my review of the Moby Wrap Classic — what I love about it (…and a few things I don’t), plus how to wrap the Moby Classic for 4 different babywearing carry positions.

I’ve Finally Found The Best Dry Skin Lotion! My Review Of 9 Dry Skin Moisturizers For Extremely Dry Skin

I have extremely dry skin that needs a lot more moisturizing than most people’s skin. I’ve been on the hunt for the best body lotion for dry skin for ages. Well, I’m happy to say I’ve found it! Here’s my review of 9 moisturizers for very dry skin — 2 that I already had on hand and 7 new ones. Plus, 2 bath & body washes for dry skin.

How To Naturally Detox Your Body Yourself – Feel Great, Less Bloat, Get Healthy Inside & Out

A full body detox doesn’t mean you spend a week in the bathroom with an ‘occupied’ tag on the door. Here are 6 simple things that give your body a natural detox. You can self detox and do a natural body cleanse without drinking only water or participating in fad detox diets.

What It’s Like To Live With Low Blood Pressure – Simple DIY Low Blood Pressure Treatment Ideas + Facts You Need To Know

Think you might have low blood pressure? The most common symptoms of low blood pressure are lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting — usually when you’re going from a lying down or sitting position to a standing position. I have low blood pressure. Here are 5 things that initially surprised me about low blood pressure, plus some low blood pressure treatment ideas for you to try.

Our Experience Using Permethrin Spray To Prevent Tick Bites (And Mosquito Bites) …Instead Of Using DEET

What is the best tick repellent for humans, you ask? Well, have you heard of Permethrin spray? When it comes to repelling ticks, avoiding Lyme Disease, and buying tick repellents… we recently learned a little secret from the U.S. Military. It’s called Permethrin! If it’s good enough for the Department of Defense, then it’s good enough for us. Here’s why we use Permethrin anytime we go in the woods now. By the way, it repels both ticks AND mosquitoes… far better than DEET-based products do.

Best Baby Shower Gifts: A First Time Mom’s Favorite Baby Gifts Under $50

A friend asked me for a list of the best baby shower gifts under $50 for her expecting friend. Here are 20 or so baby gifts that I actually received as a new mom, and I use each one of them! I feel these are not only useful, but thoughtful — because every time I use the item, I think of the person who gifted it to us.

Baltic Amber Teething Necklace Review: My Baby’s Got 5 Teeth & Has Never Had A Fever Since Wearing A Baltic Teething Necklace

Many parents swear by the Baltic Amber teething necklace. As a first time mom, not knowing what to expect, it appears the Baltic Amber necklace is working because he teethes with very little fussing AND he has never once had a fever! Here’s how a Baltic teething necklace works, plus some things you should know before trying an Amber necklace with your baby.

Bumbo Baby Seat Review: See How The Bumbo Multi Seat Grows With Your Baby And Serves Many Purposes!

As a new mom, I look for baby items to serve multiple uses. That’s why I love the Bumbo Multi Seat. Not only can it be used as a floor seat and a high chair, but it can also be used on other flat surfaces — like the dining room table while I’m working there! The Bumbo baby seat easily converts from a floor seat to a booster seat — maximizing its use for as long as baby will fit in it! Here’s my detailed review, plus a video so you can ‘see’ what I’m talking about.

Ergobaby 360 Review: See Why My Baby And I Love The Ergobaby 4-Position 360 Carrier

Thanks to the Ergobaby 4 position 360 carrier that I received as a baby shower gift, I am able to be somewhat productive with a needy and heavy baby by my side. There are 4 different ways to carry baby, and the Ergo 360 carrier has lots of unique features!

Got Gephyrophobia? Some Helpful Tips From A Former Phobic For Getting Over Your Fear Of Bridges

Scared of crossing bridges — either in a car or on foot? You may have Gephyrophobia. I had a similar fear and overcame it on my own without professional help. See how I did it… maybe these same tips will help you get over your bridge phobia too!! These are very simple things you can do to gradually minimize your fear of bridges.

What A Sleep Study Is Like: Things I Wish I Knew Before My Sleep Test

Have sleep problems? Me too. I recently spent the night at a Sleep Center to participate in a sleep study to see if I might have obstructive sleep apnea. Here’s what my sleep test was like (with sleep study pictures), plus some of my best tips to help you prepare for your own sleep study test. See what I wish I’d known before staying in a sleep study room and being attached to all of those sleep study wires!

Fitbit Flex Review: Pros & Cons Of The Fitbit Fitness Tracker Wristband And App

Thinking of getting a Fitbit activity tracker? I got one! Here’s my Fitbit Flex review including all of the Fitbit benefits and advantages as I see them, tips for using the Fitbit wristband, and how to use the Fitbit Flex tracker without a phone.

What’s In Your Diaper Bag? Here’s What’s In My Diaper Tote For A 7-Month-Old Baby

What’s in your baby’s diaper tote? I believe these 20 or so items are a well rounded assortment of baby items that make the most sense to take with you wherever baby goes — while keeping it minimal. See what I keep inside my Skip Hop Grand Central Diaper Bag…

How To Stop Stuttering: 4 Proven Tips From A Former Stutterer

Want to know how to stop stammering and how to cure stuttering once and for all? I stuttered until I was 22 years old. After about 1 year of trying different things, I finally learned how to stop stuttering forever. Take it from this former stutterer, there are some rather simple techniques to stop stuttering — all it takes is consistency and patience. Here’s what worked for me.