Viv Says Womens Blog

For Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil (W.W. Norton & Company, 2011) author Tom Mueller talked to numerous experts about the history, cultural significance, growing methods and health benefits of olive oil — plus corruption within the industry itself. Among the politicians, chemists, growers and historians, he notes a magic quality about this food. “Even shady characters who’d grown rich making fake oil by the tanker-load spoke wistfully of their childhood spent at the olive mill, and of the life lessons they learned there,” he notes.

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As part of the traditional New Year’s resolutions, most of us probably have at least two or three must-try new workouts on our to-do list. Whether you’re looking to bust out of a routine or craving a new challenge, we selected the top five fitness trends that will add spice and substance to your regimen in 2012.

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Nobody does a high-class serial drama quite like the British, which is why we were totally hooked on the first season of Downton Abbey last year. Its mix of historical fiction, romance and intrigue earned six Emmys and 5 million weekly viewers, and left us eagerly anticipating season two, which returns to PBS’ Masterpiece Classic on Jan. 8.

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We’re big believers in second chances, so we’re thrilled that some of our favorite Project Runway designers who were eliminated from the show are getting another shot on Project Runway All Stars, premiering on Lifetime tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Mondo Guerra, Austin Scarlett, Rami Kashou, Anthony Williams, Kara Janx and eight other returning favorites will vie for the title and prizes including $100,000 cash, $100,000 in technology and office space, a feature and yearlong guest editorship in Marie Claire, and a showcase boutique at Neiman Marcus stores and online.

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With all the concerns and confusion about how we absorb chemicals through our skin, we’re happy to know about Mandy Aftel’s Aftelier artisan natural perfumes. Aftel hand-blends her fragrances using pure essences that she has selected herself. To start your new year sweetly, we’re giving one lucky winner a chance to win her choice of Aftelier perfume in a French glass pendant!

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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.

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We know several people who have made adopting a vegan diet a New Year’s resolution for 2012. And more people than ever seem to be taking the vegan plunge in light of documentaries such as Forks Over Knives, which examines the health benefits of a vegan diet. To help newcomers to the meat- and dairy-free lifestyle, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit vegan nutrition organization, is offering a 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program, starting Jan. 2.

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Because we often vacation over New Year’s, we’ve found out what many different cultures eat at midnight to bring them luck and prosperity for the coming year. We’ve also noted various customs, starting with our own grandmother, who used a broom to sweep the old year out the front door and onto the lawn. Here are some food and New Year’s customs from around the world, plus an easy recipe.

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Though we tend to associate cider with fall, a recent conversation with apple enthusiast Greg Hall of Virtue Cider reminded us that cider can serve as a hot winter drink as well. Hall, a beer expert and former head brewmaster of Goose Island, expects to launch his brand of hard cider, with the tagline “farm to bottle,” this spring. He shared a recipe for a warm cup of nonalcoholic spiced cider.

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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).

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