I have this dilemma all the time.  I am always on the lookout for a comfortable pair of walking shoes that are not sneakers.  Something a little bit dressier than sneakers but flat and comfortable for running around with my kids.  Well, 2 great pairs of casual, comfortable shoes have landed on my feet.  The first pair is  Jackie by Ahnu made with Nappa leather .

The Jackie is Ahnu’s celebration of today’s woman and the many roles she plays as a true “Jackie of All Trades.” This low profile slip-on is an effortless choice that compliments every woman’s unique sense of style with all day, go anywhere comfort so she can focus on the things she loves most.

• Designed for:
• All-day walking comfort
• Easy to wear and easy to pack
• On-the-go lifestyle

These shoes are beautifully crafted with such detail to design.  The Jackie is so comfortable and roomy at the front.  These shoes have given me no trouble at all breaking them in.  Comfortable from the get go. I have received so many compliments about these shoes.  They look great with my jean capri’s.  Also another huge bonus is that they come in so many funky colors. My only complaint with these shoes is that when worn without socks, your feet have a hard time breathing so my feet got very sweaty.

The second pair is also new on the market and that is the truWALKzero by Rockport.    These shoes are claiming to be the lightest and most flexible shoes on the market today.  And that they are. 

We think you’re looking at the greatest breakthrough in shoe technology since the invention of laces. A system that started by taking a good look at the human foot and ended with a shoe that creates the perfect stride. We call it truWALK and only Rockport’s got it.

• Full Grain Leather that is durable and easy to clean
• Rubber sole provides a durable grip
• Padded collar and tongue for comfort
• EVA provides lightweight shock absorption to reduce foot and leg fatigue

These shoes are super comfortable, very unique, light and very flexible.  Once again, these shoes gave me no trouble breaking in, comfy from the get go.  My only complaint about these shoes is that because of the way the soles are designed, little rocks frequently got caught in the soles. 

BONUS: Check out the stunt that was created in New York City to promote the Rockport shoes on our Facebook Page.  A random winner will receive a Yoga Gift Pack if they tell us in the comments on how you think this clever stunt was created.

Reviews on GirlGetStrong.com reflect the personal opinion of the writer, whether it is good, bad or ugly. We tell it like it is.  No compensation was accepted by me or GGS Media Corporation for this review. These products were sent to us for review.

Just as her sister Kim Kardashian loses 6 pounds in 7 days, Khloe Kardashian has reportedly lost 20 pounds in 20 days.

Khloe poses on the cover of Life & Style with the caption “How I Got Thin Fast!”

According to RadarOnline, the reality star has been training with her husband, NBA star Lamar Odom, as he gets in his best shape to hopefully get traded from the Dallas Mavericks at the end of the season.  She was training 4-5 hours per day with her husband and than doing additional stair climbing on her own.

The Khloe & Lamar and Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, who is 5’ 10”, has also been eating healthy thanks to a personal chef.

“She eats mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, with small amounts of lean proteins like fish and chicken,” Robbie Davis, the couple’s trainer, told the magazine, The Gloss reports. ”She trains like an athlete when she’s with us, even doing weight training. We also run the canyons surrounding their house. Plus she does pilates and stair-running on her own.”

Meanwhile, the couple has just cleared up many rumors that they’re ending their E! reality show. They say instead of the show getting canceled, as reported, they’re taking a break for the summer to focus on other things.

What do you think of this story?  I think this type of weight loss is too drastic.  Its one thing if you are a professional athlete but for the rest of us, this type of training is just not realistic nor, in my opinion, healthy.

A balanced life creates contentment and satisfaction in professional and personal areas. Obtaining balance is an ongoing process that continually evolves as your professional life and home life develop. When your life is unbalanced, an unmanageable schedule and a conflicted home life may ensue. Prevent overwhelming feelings and conflict by implementing basic work-life balance tips.

Read even more tips at LiveStrong.com

Mother’s Day is this Sunday.

What are you going to do for Mother’s Day this year?  We always have brunch and it is such a treat.  I found some great links to help you make or buy some great gifts for your mom (Aunt, Grandma, Friend, heck just about any female you have in your life).

75 Things to Make for your Mom - Tip Junkie – Love this site and this link, such great ideas

Favorite Finds for Mother’s -Some of my Favorite Finds –  very unique ideas

15 Gifts for Under $25 for your mom - Averie Cooks – great ideas if your mom loves to cook/ bake

Gifts For The Garden Mom - Mom Fuse

Fitness Gift Guide for the Sporty Mom- Huffington Post

Our Last Year’s Fitness Gift Guide for mom 

Completely You: Appearance

By Sally Wadyka for Completely You

You’re conscientious about your health, so of course you try to avoid obvious bad habits — like pimple-popping — and do everything right. But sometimes you can do your skin and pearly whites more harm than good, without even knowing it. Here, five things that sound like good skin and oral health practices — and why they really aren’t.

Bad Habit No. 1: You wash your face every morning and evening.

For people with oily (or even combination) skin, twice-daily washing is probably the best approach. But if you have dry skin, that may be too much. Dry types should wash with a gentle cleanser in the evening and just splash the face with water in the morning. And even oily skin types need to be careful. “Over-washing can remove too much oil, leading to a paradoxical response from your body to overproduce oil,” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital. “And that can actually lead to breakouts.”

Bad Habit No. 2: You stick to the same skin care regimen.

It’s a good idea to be consistent with your skin care. But you also have to be ready to adapt. “In areas where winter weather is dry and cold, you may need to switch to products that are gentler,” recommends Zeichner. Swap out your foaming cleanser or soap for a hydrating cream cleanser, and upgrade from a light lotion to a thicker moisturizer.

Bad Habit No. 3: You only moisturize when your skin feels dry.

Moisturizers do more than just hydrate. They also help repair your skin’s barrier so that it doesn’t get as easily irritated by cold, heat, and lack of humidity, so all skin types can benefit from a daily dose of the right cream or lotion. Look for an oil-free formula if you have oily skin, or a heavier one that contains petrolatum if you have dry skin. Of course, everyone can benefit from a moisturizer that contains at least SPF 30, even in winter.

Bad Habit No. 4: You assume more is better.

“Sometimes combinations of products complement each other. But often layering on too many lotions, serums and creams just causes irritation,” says Zeichner. His advice: Check the ingredient labels on your products and don’t combine those that contain retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, vitamin C or benzoyl peroxide.

Bad Habit No. 5: You brush your teeth just twice (or once!) a day.

Yes, you need to brush every morning and every night. But if you routinely drink liquids that can easily stain your teeth (like coffee and red wine), it’s a good idea to brush quickly afterwards. If that’s not convenient, dentists recommend at least swishing some water around in your mouth so that staining liquids don’t have a chance to take hold.

Recognize these bad habits? Talk about it below or connect with us @Completely_You

Sally Wadyka is a freelance writer and editor
who specializes in health and lifestyle topics. A former staff writer and
editor at such magazines as Mademoiselle, Women’s Sports &
Fitness, Vogue and
Glamour, her work has
appeared in The New York Times, Prevention, Martha Stewart Living
and Real