As we enter our winter hibernation mode, even the trip to the local library seems daunting. So we were happy to discover that we can download e-books from our local library on our e-reader for convenient — and economical — winter reading. Technology has come a long way since we checked out our first book and the librarian stamped the due date on a card. For fellow newcomers to checking out e-books, we’ve provided a handy step-by-step guide.
As a cynical New Yorker, we often don’t set much stock in “how-to” books that promise inspiration, but we plan to start 2012 with two: Jessica Cassity’s Better Each Day: 365 Tips for a Healthier, Happier You (Chronicle, 2011) and Monica Bhide’s In Conversation with Exceptional Women (BookBaby, 2011).
Since the holiday season is a time of giving, many musicians are taking the opportunity to record songs to benefit various organizations and charities. We told you about several charitable music initiatives a few weeks ago, and it’s no surprise to hear that singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan is lending her talents to a good cause this season as well, offering a free download of a new holiday tune in hopes of receiving donations for the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Every December, we find ourselves looking for a few gifts alongside the hordes of last-minute shoppers. So we asked Lindsay Roberts, editor of The Gift Insider, to share her best ideas on thoughtful presents that seem anything but last-minute (even though they are)!
We were inspired and moved by “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at Hollywood’s Shrine Auditorium on Dec. 11, an event that featured stories of the everyday people who strive to make the world a better place.
If you’re anything like us, you probably feel a bit guilty looking at the giant pile of discarded gift wrap or worry about the eco-friendliness of a real tree vs. an artificial one. Here are a few ways we make the holidays a little greener.
When selecting holiday gifts this year, we found that some of the best were those that benefit good causes. Some of our favorites are featured in “A Gift for Giving” in the latest issue of VIVmag, but we wanted to call your attention to a few more worthy picks.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday having come and gone, the holiday shopping season is in full swing. But if you’re like us, it isn’t the gifts that make the season bright, but rather the spirit.
After seeing Black Friday reports of pepper spray, looting and brawls, we weren’t surprised to hear that 87 percent of Americans report stress while holiday shopping. About 55 percent say that driving-related issues, such as navigating traffic and finding parking, are among the top stressors. So we’re happy to report that Ford is offering a Hands-Free Holiday Giveaway, which promises an escape from the stresses of the season. Through Dec. 23, simply submit a foolproof way to escape holiday stress on the contest Facebook page, and you could win an American Express $25 gift card.
We recently had the opportunity to hear integrative physician Andrew Weil, M.D., author of the new book Spontaneous Happiness (Little, Brown and Co., 2011), speak about the toll that the 21st century’s frenetic pace takes on the body and brain. For one thing, overstimulation leads to increased production of the “stress hormone” cortisol, interfering with memory formation and leaving us anxious and upset — feelings that can be amplified by December’s holiday crowds and the pressure to make merry. To reclaim your sense of control over holiday madness, Weil recommends a simple breathing exercise.
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