LOS ANGELESLIVING VOL XXXV • NO. 2 • ODD APRIL/MAY 2014
LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Contents
12 - 20
HOME FASHION
Taking Elegance One Step Further With Automated Window Coverings Give Your Worn-Out Wood The “Wow” Factor Stressless® Living–It’s All About Comfort Getting Organized Introducing Waterford’s® London Collection Protect Your Flooring, Furnishings And Artwork From The Sun Without Changing The View Out
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KITCHEN & BATH
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
From Design To Completion–Create The Kitchen And Bath Of Your Dreams Experience Elegance In The Bathroom
A Truly Satisfying Spa Experience
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GO SOLAR
Solar–Good For The Environment And Your Pocketbook
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EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING
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PET CARE
Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings The Ultimate Pet Feeding Solution
32 - 33
HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS
Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!
With its deeply splayed legs producing dramatic cantilevers, the Astrid Bedroom featured on this month’s cover is an engineering feat that defies expectations and inspires a sense of possibility. A true platform bed, Astrid may be ordered with or without the headboard panels. The collection is crafted in solid walnut and dark chocolate finish on solid maple hardwood, and is made to order with a variety of knob or pull options. For more information about Astrid, and much more, you can call Contemporary Lifestyles at 855-735-2600. Featuring the latest styles in total home design since 1984, you can visit them at 18406 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, or see their website at www.contemporarylifestyles.com. See their ad on page 5.
LOSANGELESLIVING PUBLISHER
WALLY HICKS III
PRODUCTION MANAGERS
DAWN DOWLATSHAHI, DAVID MARCHAND
MARKETING SPECIALISTS BEVERLY EDELSTEIN, DEBORAH MESNA, LISA TURNER MARKETING MANAGER DEBBIE TARNOFF
ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 FAX (714) 446-6294 (888) 612-7400
www.losangeleslivingmagazine.com
For comments to the publisher: wally@keyaccess.com
The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Los Angeles Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Los Angeles Living is used. Los Angeles Living is produced bi-monthly by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, An a heim Hills, California 92817-8507. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos, and text, for advertising and editorial are assumed to be the property of the provider, and Affluent Living Publications can take no responsibility for unintentional copyright infringement. Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. has the right to refuse advertising. CIRCULATION VERIFIED BY U.S. POSTAL RECEIPTS.
homefashion
Taking Elegance One Step Further with
Automated Window Coverings And the Newest Technology
A
utomated shades allow function to meet form by offering homeowners full enjoyment of that million-dollar view and creating beautiful atmosphere by controlling the light that surrounds you. With timers, iDevice applications and other types of innovative home automation technology, you can allow the sun to wake you naturally, protect your view from the sun’s harsh glare and know that your privacy is protected at night. Astronomical time clocks can automatically raise your window coverings 30 minutes before sunrise, lower them 30 minutes after sunset, and even adjust to protect furnishings throughout the day. Experienced automation specialists offer complete project management for automating all types of window coverings. They combine expert product and design knowledge about window treatments such as solar sunscreen shades; Roman shades; draperies and natural shades to provide homeowners with a smooth and beautiful transition into using the latest in automation technology. Automation isn’t just for roller shades anymore. Lutron® shading solutions offers homeowners cutting-edge control with the Sivoia QS™ line of controllable shading products. The silent QS motor accommodates sunscreens, blackout roller shades, custom fabric Roman shades, natural grass shades, wood blinds and track systems for draperies and sheers. Drapery tracks are custom-built to fit your window and available in both straight and curved configurations up to 90 degrees. Drapery systems can also be dual mounted over windows and sliding glass doors for two layers of fabric. For homeowners looking for the most dramatic window presentation, motorized plantation
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shutters add upscale elegance and value to your home. Easy programming and operation using electronic keypads with backlit buttons and custom engraving provide homeowners with immediate control of natural light with a touch of a button. Remote control capability is also available for complete control at your fingertips anywhere in the home. Automation specialists will customize all keypads and remote transmitters to suit your needs and specifications by programming individual and group controls for all window coverings. Automated shades are even capable of integrating with your current home automation system and iPad and/or iPhone. The green choice for the modern-day homeowner, solar powered roller shades are a fashionable and functional solution. With their fully self-sufficient off the grid application, solar powered roller shades take an average window into an energy efficient treatment with no external control. The system harnesses the power of the sun to deliver a green window solution that is forever powered by the planet’s most natural light source, all with a touch of a button! Licensed and insured craftsmen provide the finest quality, factory-trained installation working together with the audio/video technician and lighting designer to ensure seamless integration and control of window treatments with lighting and other electronics. For more information and an in-home consultation from automation experts, you can call Window Collections at 310-773-9792, or visit their showroom and design center located at 11704 Wilshire Blvd., Suite D-212 in Los Angeles. You can also visit them online at www.windowcollections.com. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
Give Your Worn-Out Wood the “Wow” Factor Renewal Made Easy—Change the Color and Give It New Life!
Cabinet Renewal
H
igh style has moved from the runaways of Milan to our own homes. Chic trends and quality craftsmanship are the necessities of a home renovation. Whether a homeowner is preparing to sell, upgrade, or simply fix something that isn’t quite right, options and choices abound with N-Hance® Wood Renewal. While the ‘70s and ‘80s were a great time for many things, most homeowners want those years taken out of their kitchens and off their floors. Browsing local remodeling store aisles, it’s easy to fall in love with the colors and sophistication of today’s cabinets and floors. However, when a homeowner starts to visualize bringing a new look into their home, there is a good chance they will be overwhelmed with the timeframes and budgets. New floors mean a room cannot be used for days and sometimes weeks, while flooring and cabinets are demolished and replaced. Say good-bye to home cooked meals, and hello to eating out. Getting today’s freshest finishes and updated looks can seem out of reach, but there’s a new alternative to the expense, mess, and sheer chaos of ripping out floors and cabinets—let skilled craftsmen renew the floors and cabinets in a matter of days. Homeowners can upgrade to quality finishes that are well-rooted in the new millennium Lightspeed™ is the process of refinishing your hardwood floors or cabinets and curing them with powerful ultraviolet light that is only available from N-Hance. There is no more down time. Your floor is 100% dried and cured before the technicians leave. Bringing life back to your wood dramatically updates your home and minimizes downtime and expenses, instead of having parts of your home ripped up, ripped out, and banished to the landfill. Using time-tested techniques to renew existing wood floors and cabinets, the craftsmen remove wax and dirt build-up that make wood look flat and lifeless. The renewal process thoroughly cleans the surface, restores lost color, repairs damaged areas with less mess, and applies an elegant instant-cured Lightspeed finish. Have you always wanted chocolate cabinets or a rich cherry finish? You can go darker for a more modern look, for up to a third of the cost of replacement. To begin the process, craftsmen will come in, evaluate your home, and provide an estimate for renewal. Often, homeowners who want to put their home on the market want to give it the “wow” factor in a number of days versus weeks, minimizing costs and maximizing convenience for getting their home sold.
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Before
After
Basic Floor Renewal
Before
After
The possibilities are endless for all your tired wood. To rejuvenate your cabinets and give new life to your doors, trim, and floors, you can call the N-Hance Wood Renewal of Los Angeles, serving West Los Angeles, at 310-558-3080 or visit them online at nhance.com/westlosangeles ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
Stressless® Living—It’s All About Comfort
New Options. More Flexibility. Ultimate Comfort!
I
t’s no longer necessary to try to make a huge old recliner look attractive. Now you can have reclining seating comfort for everyone in every body size, in designs that add to your home’s décor. Stressless® designs are simple and stylish. Every detail in a Stressless is there for a reason. In the quest to make the ultimate recliner, they invented technologies such as the Plus™ system, Glide system, and ErgoAdapt™ system that all redefine relaxation. The patented Plus system provides continuous support for your head and lower back. By providing perfect balance and optimum support, your entire body relaxes. When you adjust the Glide Wheel to the desired setting, you can automatically shift to any seating position by simply using your body weight. The easy-to-move ottoman features the built-in Glide system that adjusts to your body movement for ultimate reclining comfort. Stressless recliners and ottomans are easily positioned so that your legs are always comfortably supported. Stressless offers everyone a custom fit—most recliners come in three sizes (S, M, L) and sofas come in two (M, L).
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Stressless® sofas with the new ErgoAdapt™ feature built into the sofa seats and in the long seat
Stressless sofas with the new ErgoAdapt system are the latest in innovative seating comfort. The seats in the ErgoAdapt system tilt automatically when you sit down and provide the perfect degree of comfort and support. When lying down, you will love how the comfortable oversized seats stay completely flat. Intelligent technology for an all-family comfort zone! To select and customize the best Stressless seating options for your home and family, you can call Robert Westley at 714-546-7100, located at 3323 Hyland Ave. Ste D, Costa Mesa, or visit them online at www.RobertWestleyDesigns.com
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APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
Getting Organized
By Kathryn LaBarbera
s space in the family home continues to be a problem, more people are searching for alternatives. The solution is to get organized. Take an inventory of everything you want to store in the space. Determine what you want to keep and get rid of the rest. Once you know what you are going to keep in the space, determine where everything will go. Group similar things together (all shoes or all shirts), and sketch the space to draw a plan. Use all of the available space. Since storage space is hard to come by, it is important to store things neatly and efficiently. Smaller shelves, cubbies, or baskets can make good use of the space where clothes are not hanging in the closet. The last decision you need to make is how you want your organized space to look. Whether you decorate with an art deco flair or are more traditional, it is important to create a space in the look that reflects your style. The hard thing is getting started. Look at your calendar and make a date. If you are having a difficult
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time or just don’t know where to start, call an expert. There are professional organizers and custom closet companies that help people every day. The key is to take the first step. For more information or to schedule a free design consultation, you can call Closet Factory at 800-692-5673 (please mention code 62). Or, you can visit them online at www.closetfactory.com
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homefashion
Introducing Waterford’s® London Collection ounded by William and George Penrose, Waterford® was established in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford in 1783. Waterford crystal chandeliers, lamps and light fixtures represent the finest in home furnishing design and luxury. Each chandelier, lamp and fixture combines the unmatched radiance of Waterford crystal with elegantly shaped shades and brilliant metallic finishes—making Waterford lighting the perfect choice for those who desire sophisticated and luxurious lighting to bring a sparkle to an entrance hall, hallway, dining room, living room, bedroom or office. Waterford’s new London Collection was designed by Jo Sampson, a specialist in the creation of luxury interiors for hotels, restaurants and private homes. Chic and glamorous contemporary designs feature innovative technology and brushed metal finishes. Each piece in the London Collection is illuminated with state-of-the art warm LED lighting.
ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Designed by Jo Sampson
F
With these exquisite pieces, Jo Sampson has recreated the feeling of warmth with interior pieces that become focal points, fusing sleek contemporary design with ambient lighting. Included in the collection are the London wall mirror, wall light, table light and single pendant light. Each piece creates shimmering accents to any home. For more information on the London Collection and other Waterford creations, you can call Lighting Zone, Inc., located at 17354 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, at 310-921-9495, e-mail lightingzoneinc@aol.com, or visit them online at www.DreamOnLighting.com. In addition to an extensive collection of high-quality light fixtures, Lighting Zone also carries mirrors, accessories, and fine art objects to complement and enhance your lighting choices.
APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
Protect Your Flooring, Furnishings and Artwork from the Sun WITHOUT CHANGING THE VIEW OUT
T
he sun’s UV light can ruin your home’s interior in no time, causing fading of your fine furnishings, flooring and artwork. Now there is a way to enjoy the sun while not only maintaining, but actually improving your view outside. Prestige window film by 3M is a superior way to protect your finest assets without changing the look of the glass. Innovative Prestige window film provides you with a crystal clear solution to fading by blocking out 99.9% of the damaging UV rays. The benefits don’t end with fade protection. Prestige film also blocks 97% of the sun’s infrared heat, significantly cooling your home and reducing the demand on air-conditioning. This can reduce cooling costs up to 20% by maximizing energy efficiency. This is no ordinary window film. Prestige outperforms other types of window film including ceramic, metalized and dyed films. Prestige is virtually invisible on the glass, keeping the room light and airy and it has no added reflectivity, so you never have that dark mirror appearance associated with standard window tinting films.
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Some of the best aspects of Prestige: • Works as soon as it is installed • Requires no maintenance and no upkeep • Pays for itself in preservation of your interior and in energy savings • Guaranteed to last a lifetime Campbell Window Film is the authorized 3M installing dealership for Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange Counties. They offer free estimates and consultations along with lifetime warranties. They can provide you with samples of the Prestige window film and explain the installation process, which is clean and quiet, and can be completed usually within one day. Campbell Window Film can assist you with finding your perfect window solution. For more information, you can call them at 800-580-9997 or visit www.campbellfilm.com
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kitchen&bath
From Design to Completion Create the Kitchen and Bath of Your Dreams
T
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • APRIL/MAY 2014
he design of your living spaces is fundamental to creating a fresh and exciting feel in your home. If your kitchen and bathroom are lacking the style and personality you desire, then it’s time to discover a unique and avantgarde solution that challenges traditional design conceptions. Indulge in the latest styles and features from both European and local manufacturers. By visiting just one showroom, you can have the exclusive opportunity to experience numerous designs and layouts of cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and many accessories. Italian designers bring the art of sensuality back into your kitchen while making the space more functional and efficient. If your taste is not towards the contemporary, there are traditional offerings available as well. A full design team will listen and work with you in order to achieve the look and feel that you are seeking. From initial design to completion, professionals will make the process easy with careful planning, scheduling, installation and assistance. Designer Kitchens is an ideal choice for all of your kitchen and bathroom remodeling needs. Offering Italian cabinets from Astra Cucine, UltraCraft euro-style cabinetry that come with an incredible 100-year warranty, Kraftmaid® cabinetry, Caesarstone® quartz countertops, and much more, they have been serving Los Angeles County for over 10 years. Designer Kitchens is fully certified, licensed, bonded and insured General Contractors. For more information and a free consultation, you can call them at 310-474-5120. You can also visit their website at www.designerkitchensla.com or see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/designerkitchensla ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
kitchen&bath
Experience Elegance In the Bathroom Switching to a bidet toilet seat is more than just luxurious—it is also advantageous from a health, environmental, and financial standpoint. Yet if you have been hesitant about adding a bidet to your bathroom because of space restrictions, there is a solution. The award-winning line of Swash bidet toilet seats allows you to enjoy all of the bells and whistles of a bidet, without the demolition. The Swash transforms your existing toilet so that you can conveniently experience the comfort and hygiene of a bidet. Features of the Swash line include a wireless remote control with customiz-
20% OFF your purchase with code AL20LA1
For info or to order products online call 415-315-9000 or go to www.brondell.com
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able preferences, extremely hygienic self-cleaning stainless steel nozzles, power-saving eco mode, warm water wash, warm air dryer, and more. To learn more about the Swash line, or to make a purchase, you can visit Brondell® at www.brondell.com. You can also call them at 415-315-9000 or email info@brondell.com
APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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foryourinformation a
Truly
Satisfying Spa
C
an you imagine how incredible it would be if you were welcomed by a Jacuzzi® hot tub every single night at your own house? You could relax and enjoy your own private hydrotherapy session, or rejuvenate sore muscles and joints after a long day at work (or play). A hot tub is also a great way to spend some family time together, or even beat the chill of a cold day. However, if you have already thought about making this fantasy a reality, then you are probably aware that shopping for a Jacuzzi hot tub can generate many questions. How do you know which model is right for you? What if you have even more questions after you’ve made your purchase? These are all common issues that arise when shopping for the perfect hot tub. As a result, the most crucial component when purchasing your Jacuzzi is finding a reputable authorized dealer that can help throughout the entire process. There is no replacement for experience in all areas of hot tub ownership. It doesn’t
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matter if you are looking for service related information or reasons to purchase—professionals should always be willing to give you the hands on assistance needed. A company that is there to answer your questions and provide professional advice, as well as offer service and products to maintain your spa after the purchase, is an invaluable asset. So—try out that current model hot tub filled with water, and actually learn about the proper parts and supplies necessary to keep a Jacuzzi running at its best. When someone is willing to put in the time to show you how to use that brand new Jacuzzi you just put in your backyard, you can rest assured knowing that relaxation has never felt better. California Cooperage is the oldest retail spa business on the Westside of Los Angeles. Their professionals are committed to taking care of you and your spa. Celebrating over 30 years at the same location, you can call California Cooperage at 310-392-3063, visit 2107 Main Street in Santa Monica, or see their website at www.jacuzzisantamonica.com.
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gogreen
Solar — Good for
the Environment And Your
Pocketbook
oing solar means largely reducing or completely eliminating your power expense, all while personally contributing to making your home, your community and the nation itself more green, sustainable, and self-sufficient. Imagine opening that familiar utility bill next month and seeing it nearly zeroed out. But not only for your next month; for your next year, for your next decade, and for the next 25 years—the amount of time modern solar panels are guaranteed and warrantied to capture clean energy from the sun to light up your home and provide you and your family
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with all the electricity you need. Solar has come a long way over the last few decades. Today, the United States is committed to catching up to and surpassing the other countries of the world that have already enthusiastically and successfully established solar power as the most viable, green and reliable source of energy available and making solar installations more affordable than ever before. Thanks to a generous 30% tax credit and as much as a 35% cash rebate from your local utility company, the net cost of the system is often only a fraction of the overall cost. Most systems will pay for themselves in
two-to-four years worth of utility bill savings, and from there it is simply 20-plus years of money you no longer have to spend each month. For most, that is between $100,000–300,000 in your bank instead of a utility company's coffers. Moore Solar & Green Construction is committed to helping you actualize this opportunity with confidence and competence. In an industry where online quickie quotes, cookie-cutter systems and impersonal service abound, they specialize in one-on-one consultations, free on-site inspections and designing a system tailored very specifically to your home. With decades of hands-on experience and time-tested know-how, they will make it easy, affordable and enjoyable for you to go green and start saving money right now. For more information, you can visit them online at www.mooresolar.com or call 323-221-1260 to schedule a free site inspection!
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The Continental Patio Awning Deployed
Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings
w
hen you invest in a home, you are buying more than just an interior. Think about it—if you didn’t like spending time outside enjoying the view and your beautiful surroundings, then you could have just bought a condominium. There’s a reason why you bought your beautiful home. The real question is: are you using it to its full potential? One of the main issues that might be keeping you and your family from completely utilizing your backyard is the weather. While basking in the sun for a few minutes can be nice, there quickly comes a point when it simply becomes overwhelming. What if you had the luxury to spend time outside whenever you want, whether it’s day or night, and always feel comfortable? Retractable shading systems allow you to finally take control of your backyard. Enhance your outdoor living experience by creating the functional space you have always wanted. One of the best features of innovative motorized awnings is that they don’t change the look of your home. Instead, they can enhance your backyard by adding color, more versatility and creating a new usable space. When an awning is retractable, you can have shade when you need it and sun when you want it. Therefore, depending on the weather and your needs, the control is totally in your hands!
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The Continental Patio Awning Retracted
An awning can be either deployed or retracted. While deployed, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your outdoor surroundings in comfort while being protected from the sun and other natural elements based on the system you choose. Watch the kids play in the pool and enjoy your backyard in the shade without worrying about getting too much sun. Relax by your outdoor fire pit at night and soak in the ambiance of your stunning landscape in the moonlight. When an awning is retracted, it disappears from sight and doesn’t change the look of your exterior décor. Essentially, a retractable shade system helps protect both you and your home at all times. When retracted, you can help protect your investment. Invest in your outdoor living spaces, reclaim your space and start appreciating every aspect that your backyard has to offer. For more information about high-quality awnings and other systems, you can contact Alpha Productions, Inc. at 800-223-0883 or visit them at www.alphaproductions.com. Alpha Productions has been manufacturing their Suntamer® products in the U.S.A. since 1978. They design, manufacture and install all of their own systems. With the majority of their business coming from client referrals, Alpha Productions always strives to provide the best possible customer service experience.
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petcare
t’s hard to leave your pets at home alone when you go to work everyday, and going away for a business trip or vacation is even worse. All pet owners experience that pang of guilt and sadness as soon as they leave the house for an extended period of time—whether you’re gone eight hours for work or a few days vacation. However, along with the separation anxiety comes the golden question that always manages to evolve into a stressful situation—who is going to feed them? You’re tired of asking your friends and neighbors to take on the responsibility of caring for your four-legged friends. You are apprehensive to put them in an overnight boarding facility. And the last time you resorted to leaving a big, overflowing bowl of food out for the taking, things probably didn’t end well. Finally, the time has come where you can truly relax and relax with the peace of mind that your pets are being fed properly in your absence. The solution is PeTreaT’s Petpal™—and it’s more than just an automatic pet feeder. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, PeTreaT’s Petpal™ is a WiFi dispenser, which grants you the ability to actually feed your dog or cat using your smart phone at any time. You can talk to your pets and interact with them so they can feel comforted by your voice. A camera allows you to take a photo or video of your pet if you’re curious about
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what they are up to, or simply just miss seeing them. If you are busy, PeTreaT’s Petpal™ has five programmable feeding times per 24-hour period with a separate programmable volume of food delivered to your pet. You can even receive notifications when your food level is low or empty. Your pet will never go hungry, and you can finally stop worrying while away. Right now, PeTreaT has launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to bring you the finest product on the market. If you would like to support or purchase this groundbreaking innovation, you can visit the PeTreaT website at www.PeTreaT.net. For more information or to purchase the Petpal, you can call Ken Powers at 702-577-3876.
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healthbeautyfitness
Reshape Your Body in 20 Minutes! By John Colman
When Diane Rand reached age 50, she got concerned that her weight was slowly creeping higher and her clothes were feeling too tight. As a practicing physician in San Diego, she knew the diagnosis. “Your muscles atrophy as you age, and this slows down the metabolism,” says Rand. “I knew it would keep getting worse if I didn’t correct it.” The antidote? Effective weight training. But, she’d never lifted weights before. Plus, her full-time job as a physician as well as her family life left little time in her schedule for exercise. Fortunately, Diane read an article about “slow-motion” strength training, a revolutionary new exercise method promising a firmer, stronger, more shapely body from just two 20-minute training sessions per week. Even though the time efficiency and results sounded almost too good to be true, she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout, a local company with 14 private fitness studios in Southern California specializing in this unique approach. Right away she noticed immediate increases in her muscle tone and energy. After several months she’d also dropped one to two clothing sizes and was fitting into clothes that used to be too small. “My trainer pushes me in a safe way, and I walk away feeling great after each session,” says Diane. “This is the wave of the future.”
Lean Muscles—The Key to Reshaping Your Body The Perfect Workout’s trainers encourage clients to build lean muscle tissue which increases the body’s metabolism, burning extra calories even while you’re sleeping. Many people—especially
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Physician Diane Rand firms her body during a 20-minute training session at The Perfect Workout.
women—have a fear of “bulking up” like a bodybuilder if they were to start strength training. In reality, if you’re older than 25, it’s much more likely that too little muscle is the problem rather than too much muscle. In their book Biomarkers: The 10 Keys to Prolonging Vitality, William Evans, Ph.D., and Irwin Rosenberg, M.D., show the research demonstrating that adults who don’t strength train lose an average of a half pound of lean muscle tissue each year starting at age 25. As an example, a typical 55-year-old woman will have 15 pounds less lean muscle (and significantly more fat) than what she had at age 25. Muscle takes up less
space than fat, so this typical 55-year-old woman has arms and thighs that are softer and less firm, wears a larger clothing size, and has a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories each day. Effective strength training changes all of this. It increases your body’s metabolism, causing you to burn more fat and calories all day long. Strength training reshapes and tones your legs and arms. And since muscle takes up 20% less space than fat, adding muscle and losing fat will make your body firmer, smaller, and more shapely. A fit 140-pound person can wear clothes several sizes smaller than an out of shape 140-pound person. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness How Can Slow-Motion Strength Training Work So Quickly? Slow-motion strength training involves brief and demanding workouts to get great results. The basic concept? Lift relatively heavy weights excruciatingly slowly (10 seconds to lift, another 10 seconds to lower) for as many repetitions as you can until you’re unable to move the weights anymore. And when you learn to challenge your muscles as deeply as a skilled trainer can teach, it’s impossible to workout much longer than 20 minutes, even if you try. Dr. Philip Alexander, physician and faculty member at Texas A&M University’s College of Medicine, explains that it’s the intensity of exercise that stimulates greatest changes. “A slower repetition loads the muscles more effectively and efficiently. It’s harder!” exclaims Alexander. “That’s why it stimulates such a great total response from the body.” Dr. Alexander has tracked hundreds of subjects using slow-motion strength training, noting significant improvements in muscular strength, HDL cholesterol profiles, bone density, and glucose tolerance. Other research adds more supporting data. Two separate studies by Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., and one study by Ellington Darden, Ph.D., demonstrate that slow-motion strength training produces 50% to 59% faster improvements than regular weight training. And because the repetitions are harder, each training session must be limited to 20 minutes—making this exercise method quite time efficient.
Joyce Reclaims Her Youthful Figure 54-year-old Joyce Magnuson had always been slim and slender when she was younger. But in her mid 40s, life’s stresses caught up with her and she began gaining weight. “During the next few years, I kept getting heavier, until I was thoroughly broken and disgusted with myself,” says Joyce. Fortunately, she happened to read an article about slow-motion strength training and how it would reshape her body with just two 20-minute training sessions per week. The effectiveness of ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Arlene Esgate tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.
the method made sense to Joyce, and she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout. After five months of combining an effective nutrition plan with two 20 minute training sessions each week, not only had she gotten stronger, she’d lost 43 pounds and dropped from a size 16 to a size 10. She was also able to get completely off the blood pressure medications that she’d previously needed to take. She adds, “The perk is
looking good in the current styles. Even Macy’s keeps me motivated to stay fit!” The Perfect Workout has 20 private studios throughout California that specialize in one-on-one personal training with the slow-motion strength training method, including these Los Angeles area locations: Redondo Beach (310) 697-1238, West LA (310) 500-2005, and Thousand Oaks (805) 413-4880. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com APRIL/MAY 2014 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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