SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
SANDIEGOLIVING VOL XXXVI • NO. 6 • ODD NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
Contents 14 - 17 Gorgeous And Unique Handcrafted Art Designed Just For You Consider Window Films–Enjoy That Incredible View Without The Harmful Consequences Get A Goodnight’s Sleep, Every Night
18 Looking For A Fast And Affordable Kitchen Makeover?
20 - 26
30 - 36 A Green Clean Lawn That Doesn’t Require Any Water Sophisticated Pizza Ovens Completely Transform Your Home With Sparkle Magic Illuminator Laser Lights Cleaning And Restoring Your Outdoor Grill Makes Your Barbeque Safer, And Your Food Taste Better Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home
38 Finding The Best Organic Produce Has Never Been Easier!
40 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Consultant
Why Rugs Leave The Home To Be Cleaned How Clean Is Your Carpet And Furniture? Avoid Indoor Air Quality Problems. Clean Your Air Ducts Are Your Drains Ready For The Rain? Clean Them Out, The Right Way Stairs Keeping You Down? Dryer Fires Are the #1 Household Disaster
28 Whimsical Tree Houses
42 A Personal Virtual Assistant That’s Always Ready To Help Introducing ATM’s New Newsletter!
43 - 46 What If Every Day Could Be A Good Hair Day? Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes! Get The Long Beautiful Hair You Have Always Dreamed About Address Stress With Natural Medicine
ON THE COVER Featured on this month's cover is a home in Encinitas that features an innovative synthetic lawn in the front yard. This alternative lawn requires no water, no mowing, no maintenance, and is completely pet friendly. For more information on beautiful synthetic turf for your home, Home Turf can help. You can see their article on page 30 and their ad on page 27, call them at 858-633-0770, or visit them online at www.sdhometurf.com.
SANDIEGOLIVING
PUBLISHER WALLY HICKS III ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER DAVE BAKER MARKETING MANAGER DEBBIE TARNOFF MARKETING SPECIALISTS GLENDA BAYLY, JENNIFER BURKE, DEBORAH MESNA PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVES MARKET LINK SAN DIEGO OFFICE DAVE BAKER 619/296-9305 1081 CAMINO DEL RIO SO. STE. 224 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92108 ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc.
Reach Your Best Buyers
Do you want to use your advertising dollars where they will be most beneficial? Getting your company’s message out to homeowners that are interested in upgrading their home and lifestyle can increase your sales at a very economical price per household. Advertisers can utilize the attractive format of San Diego Living to reach qualified buyers that are interested in the products and services they sell. For more information on how we can help you grow your business, you can call:
Dave Baker (619) 296-9305
P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 FAX (714) 446-6294 (888) 612-7400 • www.affluenttargetmarketing.com
For comments to the publisher: ocpub@keyaccess.com
The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of San Diego Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in San Diego Living is used. San Diego Living is produced bi-monthly by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, Anaheim 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 Target Marketing, Inc. 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
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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homefashion
G
orgeous and
U
nique
HANDCRAFTED ART DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU
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rt is sacred because it speaks to our souls. Individual people are drawn to certain pieces of art for different reasons—the art may remind them of something nostalgic, offer a symbolic message, or simply look appealing. Since all people are unique in this aspect, the art that they choose to have in their home should be just as special. Mass-produced art is not created with the individual in mind; therefore it can be very hard to find that perfect piece without feeling as though you’ve been forced to compromise. Because of this, there is nothing better than the opportunity to have art crafted just for you; a unique, one-of-a-kind piece created to meet your own needs. Russell and Merri Peters are a husband and wife team who have been working together for 30 years to design bold, creative, and fully customizable mixed media art for homeowners, collectors, and anyone seeking exclusive works of art. Focusing on original lamps, vases, and wall art, Russell and Merri utilize a combination of three different medias to create stunning works that simply cannot be duplicated. Their unique process involves decorating the clay when it’s fired using acrylic paint, as opposed to glazes or other common pottery techniques. This provides the artists with almost a limitless spectrum of color choices so they can create any style that suits your home’s décor. With their unique process, you have the option to customize certain aspects so your piece is absolutely perfect. Working with the artists, you can choose carvings, design, texture, and color options depending on your needs. If you want something even more specific, a more thorough customization process is available.
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Lamps are a popular choice for discerning homeowners because not only is a handcrafted lamp hard to come by; it also fulfills a functional aspect. It’s not uncommon for people to spend years searching for that perfect lamp because they tend to lack any sort of artistic touch in mainstream stores. Now, you can have a gorgeous lamp that surpasses all of your expectations. For more information about fully customizable lamps, vases, wall art, and more, you can contact Russell and Merri Peters with Faith Fired Pottery today. Russell and Merri travel the country showcasing their art in shows and galleries where they have won numerous awards. To find out more about your own custom piece, you can call them at 760-518-3402 or 760-749-1245, email merriandruss@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.FaithFiredPottery.com.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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he sunlight may bring warmth and brightness into our days, but it can also cause extreme glare that makes us close our draperies or blinds, cutting off our beautiful views. It can also increase our utility bills trying to keep our homes comfortable. That warm sun is full of UV rays that make your most valued home furnishings, woodwork, shutters, and draperies fade and look dull over time. UV rays also break down materials causing unsightly holes and discolorations. Just because those warm summer months are behind us does not mean your home is safe. The fall and winter sun can cause the rays to enter your windows at a completely different angle, actually reaching further into your home causing more UV damage no matter what the temperature outside. There is a solution! Installing high quality window films throughout your home provides solutions for problems such as faded furnishings, glare, privacy, room discomfort and high-energy costs. The 3M™ Prestige window film series offers homeowners a clear, non-metallic product which blocks 99.9% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, not only protecting your
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furniture, flooring, and fabrics, but also your skin from exposure. If the upcoming holidays have you upgrading your flooring or furniture for entertaining—you want to make sure your investments are protected from the start. Prestige films also block radiant heat, reducing up to 66% of the heat coming in through your windows. The results are immediate and your energy costs will decrease tremendously as the load on your air conditioning is reduced. Window film is one of the most long-term and cost-effective solutions to reducing energy costs. For those rare cold San Diego days, adding film to your windows reduces heat loss through your windows retaining your heat inside as well. If you love your nighttime view, the Night Vision series is worth considering. Offering low reflectivity, even lower than glass, you can enjoy the sparkling lights of the city or beautiful outdoor landscaping at night. These darker films are designed to reject solar heat, up to 71%, while providing significant glare relief. Quality films are available in a wide range of tones and shades from virtually clear to darker. If glare is an issue, window films will
SAN DIEGO LIVING • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
cut that blinding sun and will reduce glare for your computer and television viewing. This enables you to keep your blinds open, enjoying your view. Films can also make it more difficult for the outside world to have visual access into your home, increasing your privacy and protection from criminals. Finally, decorative film is a wonderful way to give your windows a makeover. With thousands of patterns and designs to choose from, decorative window films offer an element of privacy to pantries, bathrooms, shower doors and entry door glass without restricting the light. These films can be custom designed and cut to add uniqueness and creativity to your glass. With endless possibilities, it’s no wonder this trend in window treatments continues to grow at a rapid rate. The professionals at NU-VUE Window Films have been improving San Diego’s windows for almost 30 years. Their services include everything from residential, retail store, and commercial window tinting. They also offer film removal services and free in home consultations. For more information, you can call them at 760-670-3676 or visit www.nuvuewindowfilms.com. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homefashion
Get a Goodnight’s Sleep, Every Night lthough we spend hours every single day on our mattresses, most people never put much thought into what their body is coming in contact with on a regular basis. Which is perfectly understandable, because your bed is probably not something that comes to mind when considering the possible toxins in your environment. The unfortunate truth is that the average mattress contains an uneasy amount of chemicals. Petroleum based polyurethane foam, synthetic materials, polyester fills, and a variety of other threading and fibers have recently been under scrutiny. However the more recent toxin to enter your sleep space is the addition of flame-retardants since 2008 that contain both arsenic and antimony (III) oxide, which both have suspected carcinogenic potential for humans. Your skin is the largest organ on your body. When you are sleeping on your mattress, your body is also sweating and detoxifying on top of these bothersome chemicals. It’s very frightening to imagine what your skin might be absorbing, every single day. With that being said—if you had the chance to choose between a chemical-laden mattress and a natural mattress, which one would you pick?
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Most people don’t even realize that natural mattresses are a viable option. Clean and safe for your family, natural mattresses are affordable, not to mention as comfortable and luxurious as some of the top-of-the-line mattresses on the market. The only aspects you will be compromising are the toxic chemicals. Each natural mattress is handcrafted in Southern California using components from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The ingredients inside each natural mattress include 100% all-natural talalay latex, individual pocketed coil springs, organic cotton, and organic wool—all certified as chemically safe, and absolutely zero toxins. You will never have a more peaceful rest. Scripps Natural Mattress has been selling healthy mattresses since 2001. Along with certified chemically safe mattresses, they also offer organic bedding and pillows. For more information about how natural mattresses can promote your family’s health, you can visit them in Carlsbad Village at 800 Grand Ave. #B11. You can also call 760-720-9111 or visit www.ScrippsNatural.com.
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Quality Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Is the Perfect Solution for You!
Looking For a Fast and Affordable
Kitchen Makeover?
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ost homeowners will agree that the most eye-catching part of your kitchen is its cabinetry. So it would make sense that in order to spruce things up and give your kitchen an updated feel all you need to do is alter the exterior facade of your current cabinets. Most kitchen remodels such as designing and installing brand new cabinets or refacing have proven to be rather expensive and time consuming. Why not skip all of the hassles and make the smart decision to have your cabinetry custom painted? This way you’ll be able to give your kitchen a beautiful new look for much less than you ever imagined. Custom cabinet painting and refinishing allows you to not only incorporate fresh colors and modern trends into your kitchen, but it can also renew
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the sparkling factory-finished look your classic, well-made cabinetry once had. Your cabinets will be thoroughly prepped, cleaned, and painted or stripped, stained, and finished to perfection. Select from a variety of antique glazes or clean white colors to achieve the classic or contemporary look you desire. Once your cabinets are refurbished you can further complement your new kitchen by simply adding a few fashionable hardware accents. You will save thousands of dollars while increasing the value of your home with this effortless but stunning remodel. For further information on custom cabinet painting and refinishing, you can call Palmer Painting at 619-460-3985 or 858-452-4314. You can also visit their website at www.palmerpainting.com. Palmer Painting also offers faux finishes for garage doors, as well as entry door refinishing. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homeinteriors
WHY RUGS LEAVE THE HOME TO BE CLEANED By: Lisa Wagner (NIRC Certified Rug Specialist and author of www.RugChick.com)
Gabbeh wool rug BEFORE proper washing
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any things cause damage to rugs: floods, fires, pets, and moths. But nothing ruins more rugs annually than wall-to-wall carpet cleaning companies. The chemistry, temperature, and techniques for steam cleaning installed synthetic wall-to-wall carpet are the polar opposite of how natural fiber rugs are supposed to be handled. Synthetic carpet is steam cleaned; natural fiber rugs are cold water washed. Most rugs are made of wool and cotton fibers, and should be treated more as fabric than as carpeting. They are to be washed and soaked to gently and thoroughly remove the contaminants, and someone who is skilled with rug fibers, rug dyes, and weaving types from around the world must do this. Here are the biggest reasons why rugs are never to be cleaned in the home. 1.) Dusting Can’t Be Done. Rugs can hold pounds of soil in them before they begin to look dirty. Most wool rugs release between two-and-ten pounds of embedded soil in the dusting process before the wash begins. This absolutely cannot be done in the home, so cleaners who steam clean rugs create an impacted layer of mud in the foundation of these rugs, which leads to a permanent graying of the wool and eventually dry rot in the foundation fibers. 2.) Heat Damages Natural Fibers and Dyes.
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Gabbeh wool rug AFTER proper washing
High heat on natural fibers makes the dyes bleed and breaks wool fibers. You would never wash your wool clothing in hot water and dry it in high heat unless you wanted to ruin it. 3.) Tool Scarring. The metal tools that are safe to use on synthetic plastic fibers are not safe on wool, silk, and cotton rugs. Edges on vacuum tools, and rakes and brushes, can cause permanent pile damage and scarring on rugs. 4.) Heavy Chemical Residue. Fearful of getting the floor under the rug wet, those who clean rugs in the home are not able to rinse out all of the chemicals they put in, and the sticky residue left behind causes damage to the fibers and the dyes. 5.) Mildew and Odors. You cannot run dehumidifiers and high velocity fans in a home. Therefore, most rugs stay damp for too much time, which can lead to musty odors and mildew. 6.) Dirty Fringe. Fringe cannot be cleaned in the home, and usually it’s the fringe that looks the filthiest to begin with. These tassels need to be soaked to get the grime to release. Woven rugs will last several lifetimes if properly cared for. Protect your textile investments by sending them out for a proper wash. Lisa Wagner is a NIRC Certified Rug Specialist and international rug care trainer. Her family company, Blatchford’s Rug Cleaning & Repair, is located at 7848-G Silverton Ave., San Diego 92126. If you have rug questions, you can call 858-223-0222 or visit www.blatchfords.com.
SAN DIEGO LIVING • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
Rugs often have POUNDS of embedded soil that must be dusted out
Dyes ruined by a steam carpet cleaning company
Pile scarring and damage from a steam carpet cleaning company. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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homeinteriors
How Clean Is Your Carpet and Furniture?
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outine cleaning of your carpet and furniture is critical to maintaining both the cleanliness of your home and the quality of your health. As a homeowner, you know the investment you’ve made into your carpet, but did you know that your carpet is the largest air filter in your home? The carpet and furniture in your home easily collects dirt, dust, dust mites and other pollutants on a daily basis. While regular vacuuming is important, the truth is that your carpet routinely needs a deeper cleaning to remove build up that is not so easily seen. Up to 99% of soil in your carpet or furniture is made up of dry dirt particles. The absence of spots or stains does not equate to clean carpet or furniture. We walk on our carpet constantly, and after a long day of work, it’s nice to come home, kick up your feet and relax, or play on the floor with the kids. Knowing that your carpet has been professionally cleaned will allow you to relax and enjoy the investment that
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you’ve made. Most warranties state that carpet needs to be professionally cleaned every 12–18 months in order to maintain the warranty. Having your carpets cleaned once a year ensures that you protect your investment and also your health in your home. When choosing a professional cleaner for you home, it is important that they perform a 12-step cleaning process to ensure that your home is cared for and your carpet and furniture is thoroughly cleaned. For more information, or to schedule an estimate you can email Sarah at sarah@cbcrinc.com or call Christian Brother’s Cleaning & Restoration at 760300-3925. In addition to carpet and upholstery cleaning, Christian Brother’s also provides services for water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation and reconstruction. You can visit their websites at www.christianbrotherscarpet.com and www.waterdamagesd.com.
SAN DIEGO LIVING • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
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homeinteriors Avoid Indoor Air Quality Problems
Clean Your Air Ducts
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ne of the most important systems in your home is your HVAC system. It allows you to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter and provides air circulation and ventilation throughout your home. While this system is largely out of sight and out of mind, it is essential to hire a company to complete air duct cleaning on an annual basis. There are several air duct cleaning benefits that you may not have stopped to consider. However, once your HVAC duct system stops working efficiently, you will very quickly begin to realize just how essential this component is to your comfort, health, and even your safety. Allergies, Asthma and Respiratory Problems. When homeowners don’t routinely complete air duct cleaning through a professional service, individuals in the home with any type of respiratory health issues often pay a very
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big price. This can include more frequent and severe asthma attacks, increased allergic reactions for those that are sensitive to dust, mold and mildew, and increased illness. By cleaning your ductwork annually dust, mold spores, allergens and contaminants that collect in the ducts are efficiently and effectively removed. Energy Efficiency Boost. When a system is clean and free from dust, debris, and build-up, the airflow is going to be more consistent. This will help heat and cool your home quickly, which means a decrease in energy required to keep the temperature just right. Removing Odors. Even in a very clean and well-maintained home, the inside of your ducts collect dirt, contaminants from the air, spores and pollen and even mildew, mold and bacteria. Over time this can also create odors as the organic material collects in your system. Routine air duct cleaning removes all these contaminants, and also removes related odors. This leaves your home smelling clean and fresh while promoting energy efficiency and good respiratory health. For more information, you can call Nick's Dryer Vent Cleaning at 760-533-0783 or visit www.oceansideairductcleaning.com to schedule a cleaning.
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homeinteriors
Are Your Drains Ready for the Rain? !"#$%&'(#)&*+,-&'(#&./0(,&1$2
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rains are often overlooked aspects of the home that can cause serious problems when neglected. It isn’t uncommon for households to have the original plumbing that came with the property. This means that piping in a residence must be preserved to avoid problematic issues. When a drain is backed up, invasive floods can happen in unwanted places of your home, not to mention very expensive sewer damage. This year, Southern California is going to get hit hard with El Niño—which means a lot of rain will fall in an area that hasn’t seen a drastic change in weather for many years. As a result, the rain is bound to cause some damage, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible. One way to do this is to make sure your drains have been properly cleaned out to avoid major damage that leads to expensive plumbing issues down the road. Blockages in sewer lines and drain pipes can occur for a number of other reasons, including hair, grease, paper products, lime scale buildup, or even trees roots that have broken into your system looking for an available water supply. Kitchen drains are a major problem area, accumulating
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large amounts of grease, sludge, and food, while laundry drains experience both clothing lint and detergent built up. If drain cleaning is not performed properly before the rain arrives, you could be facing some serious consequences. It’s crucial that those drains don’t get a simple clearing out. Some traditional methods of drain clearing, such as snaking, are typically effective against only freeing up partial clogs, and may potentially lead to cracks in your pipes that will require the need for additional repairs later on. Hydrojetting is a superior professional service for ridding your pipes of serious clogs, blockages, and the buildup of harmful mineral deposits as well as any other damaging materials. Hydrojetting uses an intense stream of pressurized water from a pressure washer that has 4,000-PSI capabilities, removing virtually any clog within your system without causing damage to the pipes. A pure method of pipe cleaning, you will experience an optimally functioning system for many years to come. Hydrojetting is especially designed for tackling the most stubborn blockages within your piping system. Whether you have slow drainage or continuous clogs that keep reappearing, this professional service is often the ideal solution.
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Hydrojetting removes any risks that come with cleaning an aging piping system because there is less stress added to the pipes. Additionally, invasive tree roots can only be eliminated by attacking the problem at the deepest level, which hydrojetting can successfully do. Once the sludge, grease, and odorous particles have been flushed out with hydrojetting, your drains will continue to function properly and you will be completely prepared for the upcoming rainy season. Additionally, hydrojetting minimizes the risk of future clogs, reduces the chances of cracks in your pipes, as well as reduces the chance of leaks. The professionals at Drain Help know how inconvenient it can be to deal with a clogged drain. Offering proper care, preventative maintenance, and professional services, Drain Help can respond to any issues without delay and offer the most effective services in order to ensure your satisfaction. For more information, you can call them at 844-372-4643 or visit www.DrainHelp.com.
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homeinteriors
Stairs Keeping You Down?
Discover the Convenience of a Custom Home Elevator, Wheelchair Lift or Stairclimber
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our home should be a comfortable environment tailored to your needs, and when your needs change, so should your home. Many disabled and elderly people find that every year getting up those stairs becomes more and more challenging. Some homeowners might even have to relocate their living quarters to the first floor, because they are physically unable to climb the stairs. This is no way to enjoy your home, and thankfully there are ways to remedy this situation. A custom home elevator, wheelchair lift or stairclimber could be the perfect solution, allowing everyone in your family to navigate your home with ease. When you decide that it is the right time to start your home elevator remodeling project, professional contractors will come to your
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home and evaluate your living space. They will discuss all possible locations for your elevator, and options such as size, materials and appearance. Every aspect of your elevator will be completely customized to ensure that your unique wants and needs are accommodated. Not only will the elevator contractors go over every detail of the plans with you, they will also obtain all necessary permits, and make sure every modification done to your home meets applicable building codes and zoning laws. Putting an elevator, wheelchair lift or stairclimber in your home is all about making life easier, and the right contractor
will make sure that the process of installing your elevator is easy as possible too. For more information on custom home elevators, wheelchair lifts, stairclimbers or dumbwaiters, you can contact the RIFE CO., a reliable contractor with over 15 years experience, at 619-300-9645. You can also visit them online at www.therifeco.com
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homeinteriors DRYER FIRES ARE THE #1 HOUSEHOLD DISASTER
Learn How to Prevent Dryer Fires, Save Time and Reduce Your Utility Bill
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ost homeowners are completely unaware that if unmaintained, a clothes dryer can pose a serious threat to their home and family. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, these seemingly harmless appliances cause an estimated 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and $100,000,000 in damages every year. When you learn how dryer fires happen you will understand how crucial regular dryer maintenance is to your safety. The reason most dryer fires happen is lint. Contrary to popular belief, your lint trap doesn’t catch everything, and this highly combustible material builds up inside your dryer with every load. A tiny spark is the only catalyst this hazard needs to become a full on disaster. The good news is that disaster is easily avoidable. Professional appliance technicians recommend having the inside of your dryer cleaned every three years. Most homeowners are shocked to see the amount of lint that is vacuumed out of their appliance and can instantly recognize the value of this service. A properly functioning dryer should only take 30 to 45 minutes to dry a load of clothes. If your appliance is running slower, this is a telltale sign of dirty dryer vent.
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Clogged vents prevent heat from escaping the machine, and keep moisture trapped inside your dryer. This means that an unmaintained dryer is not just dangerous; it is also wasting your time and raising your utility bill! Once cleaned, you will notice an instant improvement in drying time and begin saving money right away. If you are past due for a dryer vent cleaning there is no reason to procrastinate any longer, especially with the numerous benefits this service offers. To schedule your dryer vent cleaning, you can call Nick's Dryer Vent Cleaning and Air Duct Cleaning at (760) 533-0783. Homeowners can be confident in this company’s service because they offer a six-month lint free service guarantee pledge with every cleaning. You can learn about their pledge and services online at www.oceansideairductcleaning.com. Helping families dry their clothes in one cycle.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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kids
TREE HOUSES
That Come with Their Very Own Trees!
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ho says that you need a very large tree in your backyard in order to build a tree house? Now, you can have the addition of a charming, quaint, and enchanting playhouse without having to worry about the actual tree or the construction. Authentic to the core, this unique clubhouse starts with the log of a real, old fallen tree, and is then hollowed out. The charming house that sits atop of the tree is made from old, recycled barn wood. Choose from styles that offer a more traditional look, or make guests walk the plank on creative pirate ship tree houses. You can even design a custom tree house based on your specifications. Standard features include log porch and windows, a ladder with trap door, all wood construction, cedar siding, redwood decking, crooked windows, swayed rooflines, recycled cedar shingles, a rust accent package, painting and staining, and installation hardwood. Tree houses can be shipped anywhere in the country. For more information on The Ultimate Tree Houses, you can call Affluent Products at 888-612-7400, extension 321, or email products@keyaccess.com. Invoke playful emotions in both the young and old with your own fantastic tree house.
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exteriorslandscaping
Clean Lawn
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very homeowner wants to look out the window and see a lush, green lawn. However, because California is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record, it may seem as though that picture perfect lawn is now officially an image of the past. Not only is that water bill going to keep going up, but you most likely want to play your role in regards to water conservation—which means throwing in the towel in regards to your healthy, vibrant grass. And then one day, you are driving home from work when out of nowhere, you are greeted with an unbelievably flawless green lawn in your neighbor’s yard—that beautiful lawn you have been forcing yourself to forget about because you thought it was no longer attainable. This is not a dream—the truth is that synthetic lawns are becoming one of the most popular home improvement products on the market. In the last five years, synthetic turf has progressed to look so realistic, it is preferred to actual grass. The natural look and feel, superior drainage, and long life expectancy make a synthetic lawn the perfect solution for homeowners that are forced to cut back on water usage, have difficulty keeping their landscapes up to expectation, or are simply tired of the time, effort, and costs required to do so. It’s crucial that a professional takes the time to listen to your yard needs in order to discover exactly what applications will work best for your property. Finding the right synthetic turf is a system that involves different components. For example, do you have pets, or will your children be playing on the lawn? Is your synthetic turf going to be in a high-traffic area, or do you want it simply for aesthetic reasons only? Residential landscaping turf comes in a variety of different colors and sizes so you can find the exact look that you desire. If you have pets, there is no better option. Synthetic turf products have been specifically designed for pets and will never stain or discolor. Your pets will also
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stay clean—no more muddy paw prints on the sofa or your clothing. Synthetic lawn is ideal for recreational applications as well, such as putting greens and playgrounds. Imagine walking outside to improve your golf game at any given moment, not to mention beautifully installed synthetic putting greens offer a manicured and flowing design that complements your entire landscape. If you want to upgrade your children’s playground area, specially designed turf products contain an underlying shock pad to help keep your family safe and provide protection against falls, cuts, and abrasions. You can rest assured that your children will be playing on the safest playground grass turf in the neighborhood, not to mention, you can say goodbye to grass stains and allergies. If you are ready to join the smiling faces that never have to worry about watering, fertilizing, and mowing ever again, then Home Turf is ready to help. Artificial grass from Home Turf requires very little maintenance and absolutely no water. From the San Diego Humane Society to UCSD, Home Turf has been the go-to choice for San Diegans since 2008. To learn more about their special HERO financing, or for a free estimate, you can call them at 858-633-0770 or visit www.sdhometurf.com. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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exteriorslandscaping Sophisticated Pizza Ovens—
A MUST-HAVE FOR YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE
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t’s no secret that the outdoor room is a huge focus for many people when the summertime arrives. Fire has always been the center of family life, and an evening spent with loved ones preparing food outdoors or sharing stories under the night sky is a memory to cherish. One fabulous way to take your outdoor living space up a notch is with a stylish pizza oven. Sleek and attractive Fontana pizza ovens are 100% made in Italy by master craftsmen and are known to be some of the most well built ovens on the market. Crafted from cast iron and 3mm stainless steel, and reinforced with Corten steel, each metal is electro-galvanized before powder coating. This provides superb protection against corrosion, making Fontana pizza ovens an ideal choice for the ocean air environment we experience in San Diego. Each oven has been designed to produce uniform cooking, and allows smoke to ventilate when necessary. While an average pizza oven requires two to three hours of preheating time, the smaller Fontana oven is ready to cook in just 15 minutes—the time it takes your dough to rise. The larger Fontana oven is ready to cook in just 45 minutes. Ovens are also fuel efficient, using one-fifth less fuel than most similar sized ovens. You can also prepare bread, roasts, chicken, vegetables, and other meals in your oven. For the ultimate outdoor experience, don’t stop with the pizza oven. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, patio heaters, built-in barbeques, and more can extend the nostalgic feelings of comfort that accompany fire, providing gathering spaces where you can always find warmth, food, and camaraderie.
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Whether you want a fire inside or outside, or both, the professionals at Fireplaces Plus offer a full service hearth store and carry all products related to “friendly” fire in the home. Fireplaces Plus sells and installs five fuel types—wood, gas, bio-fuel, pellet and electric. If you are interested in learning more about fireplaces or Fontana pizza ovens, you can call them at 760-752-7789, or visit them at 1833 Diamond Street in San Marcos.
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exteriorslandscaping Completely Transform Your Home With Sparkle Magic Illuminator Laser Lights
T
he holidays are just around the corner, and with the Christmas season comes a lot of decorating. From a splash of festive color to accentuate your landscape to the Christmas tree, it can be time-consuming to set everything up, and then take it all down again. Not to mention, did you know that lighting for the holidays can account for as much as 25% of a home’s electrical use? Here’s the good news—Sparkle Magic Illuminator lights can provide the decorative lighting you need for any application, whether it’s for the holidays or year-round ambiance, with a laser lighting solution that is simple to use, affordable, and innovative. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, the Sparkle Magic Illuminator requires no professional installation. This means that anyone can set up and conveniently use Sparkle Magic Illuminator lights to cast radiant lighting to just about any surface. Each light can be set up in minutes and can achieve a variety of lighting effects with a simple-to-use adjustable dial. This feature allows a single light to be used for different seasonal occasions and celebrations. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
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Showcase your lawn or garden year round with stunning lighting effects, use Sparkle Magic Illuminator inside your home to evoke a specific mood, or utilize it for holiday parties and other celebrations. Sparkle Magic Illuminator comes in three vibrant colors—Emerald Dust Green, Indigo Twilight Blue, and Crimson Stars Red. Each component of the Sparkle Magic Illuminator has been designed for indoor or outdoor use to tolerate many weather conditions, and it has been crafted from aluminum to provide you with a product that is lightweight, durable, and best of all, portable. If you are ready to take advantage of the array of benefits offered from the Sparkle Magic Illuminator and enjoy extravagant lighting all year long, then Yard Illumination can help. An authorized Sparkle Magic Illuminator distributor, Yard Illumination offers free shipping. You can call Yard Illumination at 866-523-7774, or visit www.SparkleMagicIlluminator.com for easy online ordering.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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exteriorslandscaping
BEFORE
AFTER
Restoring MAKES YOUR BARBEQUE SAFER, AND YOUR FOOD TASTE BETTER ust about everyone loves a good outdoor cookout, especially living in Southern California where the weather usually allows for year-round barbeques with friends and family. However, when it comes to cleaning the barbeque, that’s another story. It’s probably safe to say that most grills out there could use a good scrub down. Deep cleaning your barbeque will not only make it sparkle and shine, this procedure also will improve the taste of your food! This procedure removes fat, carbon deposits, and harmful carcinogens that can be transferred to your food. The deep cleaning also removes grease, which will make your outdoor cooking much safer by greatly reducing the chance of grease fires. On top of all of this, barbeque cleaning also prevent future corrosion, protecting your investment and extending the life of your grill. Now that it’s been established that cleaning your barbeque is a great idea, some homeowners might be asking, “Why not do this myself?” A thorough cleaning can be a messy job, and takes around two-and-a-half to three hours to properly execute. Therefore, a mobile barbeque company that can come to your home and utilize their proprietary cleaning system is a wise choice for any homeowner. Skilled technicians are friendly and knowledgeable about all aspects of your grill. They will arrive on time, secure the area around the grill with tarps and towels to protect your property, and
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then disassemble the grill from top to bottom in order to do a full inspection. They remove all the internal parts, including the cooking grates, heat plates, burners, basting pans, warming rack and hood. Internal parts are taken out to the truck to soak in our dip tank. Professionals will then degrease and sanitize the interior and exterior of the firebox from top to bottom, taking great care to get the finer details. After the body of the grill has been thoroughly cleaned, the hood is also cleaned inside and out, using caution to maintain the integrity of the grain on the stainless steel. During the third stage of this proprietary service, a combination of clean water, degreaser and special power tools are used to refurbish the parts. After the parts have been refurbished, everything is rinsed with water, and the burners are drilled out to make sure gas flow is consistent during cooking. The grill is then reassembled, tested again, and completely polished. For more information on mobile barbeque cleaning, you can contact San Diego BBQ at (858) 605-5777. They operate under the motto “Old grills, new grills, and everything in between,” and their friendly and well-trained staff is there to serve you. San Diego BBQ also sells parts and provides repairs for almost all brands. Common repairs include ignition system overhauls, valve replacement and parts installation. You can see a complete list of their services and prices online at www.sdbbqgrills.com. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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exteriorslandscaping
Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home
T
ermites are among the most destructive pests in the United States, causing property damage to 600,000 homeowners each year. Although you have no choice when the termites move into your home, you have many different choices once you discover them. Twenty years ago homeowners didn’t have many choices, and tent fumigation was the standard extermination method for termites. This outdated method entails moving out of your home for three and a half days while a dangerous amount of toxic gas is pumped into your home. Homeowners who choose tent fumigation are forced to pay for three days worth of lodging, dining and pet boarding, as well as pack or discard all the food and medicine in their home. Not only is tent fumigation incredibly inconvenient, it also leaves a huge footprint on the environment. The chemicals used for fumigation have been identified by the California Air Resources Board as Toxic Air Contaminants, and have a harmful and long-lasting impact on the ozone layer. Fortunately there is an affordable, eco-friendly and effective alternative that won’t displace you from your home. XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus is a revolutionary, scientifically proven product used by IPM companies to control termites. This innovative formula is 95% pure orange oil, a natural termite pesticide made from pressed and distilled orange rinds. With orange oil, you get rid of your termites with the same guaranteed results as fumigation while still enjoying the comforts of home. Trained technicians come to your home and perform a thorough inspection to detect the termite colonies. Using a high-tech optical scope, the technician can determine the extent to the infestation and inject orange oil directly into the infested wood members, killing the termites on contact. The fumes also act as a neurotoxin to the termites, creating a pleasant orange fragrance that humans smell without any effect. A remarkable property of orange oil is its ability to wick
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through wood, traveling through the porous cells in all directions. Therefore, orange oil not only treats the areas into which it was injected, but will soak into surrounding areas providing a superior termite protection. For more information on XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus, or to find a certified Pest Control operator, you can call (866) 870-8485. XT-2000 has been in business since 2004, and they have treated over half a million structures, including homes, apartments, schools, commercial buildings, and more. Orange Oil Plus is 95% pure orange oil— beware of imposter products that contain only trace amounts of orange oil but also contain hazardous petroleum distillates. XT-2000 Orange OIl professionals are certified XT-2000 Orange Oil experts. They go through a required vigorous training program and have annual training updates. Very few pest control products are as vigorously controlled, so when looking for a pest control professional be sure they are a Certified XT-2000 affiliate by visiting their website at www.xt2000.com ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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gogreen
Finding the Best Organic Produce Has Never Been Easier!
W
e all know what it feels like to purchase fresh organic produce at the store, only to feel overwhelmed over the next few days trying to eat all of your vegetables before they go bad. There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you wasted both good food and money, not to mention the extra time that it took to find truly organic produce. Luckily, there is a solution to this quite frustrating issue that offers a variety of incredible benefits for your family. When you have a garden full of your favorite produce right in your very own yard, not only do you gain instant access to the veggies you want when you need them, you also gain a fun and educational experience that everyone can enjoy. Living in beautiful California, our conducive climate allows you to grow just about anything you’d like—popular summer veggies include zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, and corn, while common winter harvests might consist of broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, lettuce and spinach. Depending on your specific needs and outdoor space, professionals will work with you to establish which produce you want to grow and what size garden boxes need to be installed. Full service gardening that is tailored to your needs
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provides you with options such as drip irrigation, garden maintenance and harvesting. If you have any special requests, such as the need for animal-proof fencing, these concerns can also be addressed. Additionally, you can be as involved in your garden maintenance as you want. Tasks such as weeding, watering, fertilizing, harvesting and general care can be customized to fit your schedule and preferences. If you have children that want to learn about gardening and help plant and harvest, professionals can teach you and your family how to maintain your garden. Or, if you’d simply like to sit back and watch the professionals work their magic, that’s an option too. The choice is up to you! If you are ready to feel good about contributing to a healthy planet and a healthier you, then Teca’s Edible Gardens can help. For more information about getting started on your own organic garden, you can call them at 619-995-9005 or email tecasediblegardens@yahoo.com You can also visit them online at www.tecasediblegardens.com
ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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businessfinance
WELLS FARGO
HOME MORTGAGE CONSULTANT
W
hether you envision renovation or remodeling projects large or small, necessary or optional, one thing is for sure—it takes meticulous planning in order to improve your home. When the time comes to plan your project, be sure to factor in the following to ensure that your experience is both smooth and successful. Define the project. A great place to start is by creating a list of things you would like to accomplish. Next, prioritize the list from most important to least important. Keep in mind that your budget might not allow you to complete everything on your list, so it’s crucial to determine your priorities. Create a budget. Calculate how much you can contribute to the project, and then determine how much you may need to borrow. If you obtain financing for your home improvement, it is an additional expense beyond your current monthly mortgage—so be sure that you can comfortably manage the payment.
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Select a contractor. The contractor with the lowest price may not always be the right person for the job, so be sure to balance long-term quality against cost. Choose the contractor who has proven knowledge for your type of project and the appropriate business licenses. Don’t forget to check references and the Better Business Bureau. Decide if it’s worth it. Will your home improvement or repair be worth it in the long run? Some improvements that tend to add value include creating visible curb appeal, such as exterior siding, and adding or improving functional living space, such as a master bedroom suite, home office, or kitchen. A number of factors may determine whether you recover some or all of your expenses, such as how long you remain in your home, the type of improvements you make, and the typical features of homes in your area. Robin L. Mentzer is a Home Mortgage Consultant with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. She can help you with home improvement planning and loans and other financial planning needs. For more information, you can call Robin L. Mentzer at 619-743-1756. Home Mortgage Consultant NMLSR ID 502304.
ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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foryourinformation a
Personal Virtual Assistant That’s Always Ready to Help
hen you are a busy person, you know how hard it can be to find the time to focus on the little details in life. Aspects such as scheduling meetings, paying bills, and booking travel can quickly escape your to-do list when you are constantly worrying about much larger issues. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone who is always available to help you at any given moment? If this sounds all too familiar, then it’s time for you to meet Iris. Iris is the secret weapon of successful people—not just in work, but in life. Part robot and part human, Iris has the personality of a human being and the brain of a high-powered robot in order to help you get things done quickly and efficiently. Plus, Iris is available 24/7 via text message or email. From social media assistance to dinner reservations, Iris is always a text message away. You delegate a task, and Iris is on it. For $35 a week, the Mogul package grants you access to unlimited task requests, 24/7 coverage,
and one-minute response time to all communication. Some sample tasks include business oriented aspects, such as website management, event planning, legal research, financial planning, sales tracking, market watch, data-entry, meeting scheduling, creating reports and documents, staff recruiting, and more. However, Iris can also handle those personal tasks, such as diet tracking, motivational quotes, jokes, dinner reservations, online ordering, deal hunting, travel planning, and wake up calls. No task is too big or small for Iris. If you are ready to streamline your success, maximize your time, and optimize your day, then it’s time for you to hire Iris. For more information about HireIris, you can text 442-500-IRIS or visit www.HireIris.com.
ATM’s new NEWSLETTER! ffluent Target Marketing is excited to announce the launch of our new exclusive newsletter, available this year for our loyal readers. If you currently enjoy reading the articles that appear in our magazines, then you don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn about and become engaged with even more beneficial material that we have hand-selected specifically for you—the homeowner. From safety and security tips, exciting home improvement ideas, environmental solutions, and much more, there is so much incredible information available that extends beyond the printed pages of our magazines. Our goal is to deliver this extra material straight to your inbox for an exceptionally convenient reading experience. Additionally, if you have questions or find yourself in need of further expertise, our newsletter will allow you to go one step further and connect with local companies that specialize in specific markets. Once you have signed up, we will proceed to email you regularly with what’s new and appealing in the industry. Affluent Target Marketing will never share any of your personal information with third parties—our staff simply seeks to provide you with an innovative new way to expand on what our magazines already offer, as well as new ways to connect with local businesses.
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If you are ready to receive vital information for homeowners and additional supplemental reading straight to your inbox, don’t miss this practical chance! Please send your email address to newsletter@affliving.com. You can also call 1-714-446-6280, extension 304 for more details and information about the newsletter. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness
After
Before
f you are a woman who suffers from hair loss and/or hair thinning, you are most likely quite aware of how difficult it can be to find a solution to the problem. Hair thinning and loss are terribly sensitive issues that can have negative effects on anyone’s self esteem. Some common solutions that exist on the market include unappealing remedies that use chemical adhesives, glue, and even hair trimming or shaving. However, when you are already struggling with hair loss, the last thing you want to do is cause damage to the hair that you still have. As a result, the hunt to find the perfect hair solutions can become extremely disheartening. The American Hair Loss Association recently sent an online Buyer Beware alert warning the millions of women suffering from hair loss of common misleading trends and scams. Hard, soft, and other chemical related methods are unfortunately very common in the U.S. market. The hair replacement industry in our country tends to look for such methods, which are more commercial. It’s easy to train new stylists how to implement, and it’s easy and fast to implement on all customers, unlike one tried and true method of superior hair restoration: Raz’s ITHL™ Method. If a solution sounds too good to be true, such as a miracle shampoo that will grow your hair back instantly, it probably is. The ITHL Method, or Integrated Thread Hair Lines, requires top levels of professionalism and experience. This cutting edge, technologically advanced solution is the ideal ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
choice for women who don’t want to wear a wig, are fed up with damaging extensions, or don’t want to resort to invasive scalp surgery or medication in order to get thicker hair. The first step to the boutique approach of Raz International is a consultation with a hair restoration professional so they can learn about you, your lifestyle, and your needs and expectations. This is both cost- and obligationfree. Next, the procedure itself takes place in a relaxing setting with the founder and creator of the ITHL method himself, Amnon Zakay, who is also a client. Here, he will expertly create bridges between your thinning hair with real, 100% human donor hair that matches yours in both density and appearance for a truly natural look. Amnon, a licensed barber in California and a master hair replacement specialist, has over 32 years of worldwide experience in the hair restoration field. Amnon has been helping women and men with hair loss for over 30 years, and is continuously updating and advancing the ITHL process in order to provide the latest beautification techniques to his clients. It requires minimal maintenance, far less than all other typical bonding methods. You can live a completely normal active life with your new hair—swim, style, shower, clean, and sleep as you always have done. For more information, you can contact Amnon Zakay at Raz Hair by calling (760) 444-0488 to schedule a free consultation. In your consultation you will watch an educational video showing the actual method and procedure so you can be fully informed before you make any decisions. You can also find more information and video testimonials on their website at www.razhair.com
After
Raz’s Actual Client
Before NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 • SAN DIEGO LIVING
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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 fulltime 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 dozens of private fitness studios 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 which 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 women—have a fear of “bulking up” like a
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Physician Diane Rand tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.
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
SAN DIEGO LIVING • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
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 SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.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.
In 3 months Justin Brunette dropped 4 inches from his waist and lowered his body fat percentage by 6.4% with effective nutrition and weekly 20-minute training sessions at The Perfect Workout.
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 the method made sense to Joyce, and she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
In 3 months Laura Retana Shelp lost 23.4 pounds and 10 inches off her waist with improved nutrition and two 20-minute training sessions a week at The Perfect Workout. After five months of combining an effective nutrition plan with two 20minute 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 dozens of private studios throughout the United States that specialize in one-on-one personal training with the slow-motion strength training method, including these San Diego County locations: Carlsbad (760) 444-2195, Del Mar (858) 345-3051, La Jolla (858) 210-6200, Rancho Bernardo (858) 434-0300, and Mission Valley (619) 757-1001. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com
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healthbeautyfitness Get The Long
You Have Always Dreamed About
W
hen a woman wants long hair, it can be very disheartening to accept the fact that not all hair grows the same way. For many women, no matter how hard they try, their hair simply doesn’t seem to grow past a certain length. Or, maybe it gets longer, but it also starts to thin out and appear stringy. Hair extensions are an innovative solution that allows women to have the hair they’ve always wanted. However, when considering hair extensions, it’s important to not only understand the product, but to also be familiar with the stylist who will be performing this service and his or her qualifications. Great Lengths® is a selective salon distribution company, meaning that salons and stylists have to meet strict standards to be eligible to attend the three-day certification training. This is the most intensive and effective training for hair extension application available, which has been recognized as the industry’s best in the category. No other company requires or offers the in-depth education that Great Lengths does. This comprehensive education and training prepares carefully selected stylists for optimum service delivery to clients.
A Great Lengths hair extension service can literally transform your hair, your appearance, and even your whole outlook! Many times clients will even become overwhelmed with emotion after seeing their new look. At Hair Lounge and Spa at Cedros, it all starts with a free consultation with Kelly Perez. Kelly will listen to your desires, evaluate your hair for optimum results, and talk about color, volume, length, care, and any questions you may have. Kelly has over 30 years of experience with hair, and was one of the first in the North County area to be certified by Great Lengths. If you are ready to transform your image and your life, you can call Kelly at 858-755-4522, visit www.hairloungeatcedros.com, or email kellyhairlounge@gmail.com.
And Gain A Peaceful Mind and a Healthy Body tress defines the 21st century. For most of us, stress, unfortunately, is an accepted part of our daily life. Our lives are spent stressed out, anxious, and focused on the next item on our to-do list. According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic stress puts your health at risk. Common symptoms of chronic stress related conditions are headaches, hypertension, restlessness, gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea, insomnia, frequent illness, panic attacks, decreased interest in sex, and infertility. Acupuncture, the oldest (over 3,000 years old) and most widely used form of medicine, provides assistance with both the initial symptoms of stress to the deeper conditions due to chronic stress. The activation of acupuncture points releases endorphins, which balance serotonin and other chemicals in the brain to assist with relaxation and relief from anxiety. During the stress response, three major stress hormones are released: adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Studies have shown that acupuncture blocks stress-induced hormones from being released and actually has a protective effect against the stress response. This result allows the body to deal with stressful situations more calmly and effectively. The World Health Organization continues to add to the growing list of varied conditions proven by clinical trials to be successfully treated by acupuncture.
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Many of these conditions are associated with or due to chronic stress. In California, acupuncturists are primary care physicians and can bill for services through health insurance if the patient’s plan covers acupuncture. Science tells us that the effects of stress can be measured. Stress raises blood pressure, encourages blood clots to form, adds fat to our bellies and kills brain cells. The tips of our chromosomes called telomeres are shortened by stress, which decreases cell reproduction and increases the aging process. Stress needs to be addressed today and not when your schedule allows. For more information, you can contact Jackie Bensinger, L.Ac. with Vibrational Healing Arts, serving the San Diego area since 1995, at 858-505-9444 or visit www.vibrationalhealingarts.net. ONLINE AT SANDIEGOLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM