Last month, my wife, Anne Doe, took me to Las Vegas because she had to go for a business convention. Needless to say, she writes for an guide to casinos and I hate gambling. But then, she likes it and this supports us too, so I went along without any hassle. At first I was depressed, but then as I asked around and looked around, I ended up having more fun in Las Vegas than I would have thought. And no. I did not enter a single casino while I was there.

Entertainment
One of the greatest things about Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City but especially Las Vegas is the number of shows that are available. You can get to watch top class comedians like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Tim Allen and even the likes of Bill Cosby and Chris Rock. If you are into music you can watch female singers like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Beyonc?, male performers like Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Snoopy Dog and bands like Oasis and Bon Jovi. I could go on and on but the list is endless. If you are into magic you can watch magicians like David Copperfield do their thing meters from you. Whatever you like, you can find it here from Western music to oldies to Jazz, Rock, Heavy Mettle to Trance. All you have to do is look at the itenary offered during your visit.

Food
Chinese to Japanese to Korean to Jewish and even Vegetarian and proper meat eating establishments await your every delight in Vegas. Do not opt for the cheap and oily fried dishes served for free while you play. Stop a while and take in the delightful scenery and smells of East Asian or European dishes. What is wondrous is that you get to see man’s ability to mix. A real melting pot if I may say so myself.

But is that all what casino cities like Las Vegas are about? Do you have to remain in the city to really and truly enjoy your stay?

No.

Here are some of the better attractions you must see on your visit to Vegas

Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon
Book yourself a seat on any of the many sightseeing tours available and go and watch the architectural marvel that is Hoover Dam built over the Grand canyon which is also a grand sight to see by itself. Black Canyon is another must see as is Lake Mead which is so beautiful just because it is a body of water all surrounded by desert-like nature.

Colorado River
While looking at the Dam and Canyon is from above, to see the true beauty of the river, you have to go down. The Colorado river is excellent for river-rafting and water sports, but you do not have to take part if it is not your thing. Instead just sit back and enjoy another of nature’s marvels.

Bonnie Springs
Who can not resist going to one of the old towns like those in the Western gun slinging movies? Your destination needs to be Old Nevada. There you can delight in an old western town right in the middle of Red Rock Canyon. They host western shootouts too so come prepared, partner!

Conclusion
I could go on and on about other attractions like the theme park in Circus Circus, the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and Mt. Charleston but I think you get the picture. In Las Vegas and hate gambling? Do not despair. Just go out and have some clean un-gambling fun.

The holiday season is undoubtedly a time for rejoicing. Unfortunately, the average adult does a little too much celebrating during this time of year, which leads to extra baggage when the New Year rings in. Festivities that include indulging in extra helpings, snacking on seasonal treats, and little to no workout time all contribute to the increase in dieters in January.
So, this holiday season buck the trends and avoid the Seasonal Seven the average weight most of us will gain between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Thats one trend you dont want to participate in!

Even though this time of year may bring upon additional stresses and challenges, there are ways to find balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Though at times it may seem impossible to bypass the season’s traditional foods, there are many ways to partake in the fun without increasing your pant size. The festivities dont have to be eliminated or avoided. You can have a fabulous time while also maintaining your weight and your fitness regimen.

Moderation is the word of the season. Its the secret to achieving a fun but also healthy holiday time. With a moderate approach both to what you eat or dont eat and how much exercise you do or dont do, you can avoid packing on weight AND also partake in all the fun of this time of year. So this season, get a head start on the New Year instead of starting January with extra pounds to lose.

Here are some tips to help you during those hectic holiday weeks

Create a plan ahead of time. Before the holidays sneak up on you, create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily routine. Evaluate your holiday schedule and then determine how much time you will realistically have available to devote to working out.
If you work in an office setting be prepared for the deluge of guilty treats your co-workers and other business associates will graciously want to share. Stash your own healthy snacks in your desk so you wont be tempted to overindulge when your grumbling stomach demands a 300 snack time.
Dont put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If you cant exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Dont use the excuse that since you dont have time for your full workout you just wont workout at all. Instead accept your limited availability and simply reduce the frequency andor duration of your exercise. Its much better to cut your fitness time in half than to completely eliminate it.
When attending a holiday function, try to eat ahead of time to lessen your hunger. If the party is in the evening, eat breakfast, lunch and a snack before hand just as you would on any other day. Since you have eaten meals earlier in the day, youll be less tempted to go overboard and eat everything in sight. However, if you instead starve all day long attempting to save up all your calories for the party, you will be so famished by the time it begins that it will be difficult not to overeat.
Schedule your workouts. Mark them on the calendar and set-aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any other appointment or event you have marked on your calendar.
At holiday dinners, skip the gravy, dressings, and high-calorie condiments.
On days that you really lack motivation or simply do not have time for your complete exercise routine, commit to do just 10 minutes of exercise. Youll probably end up doing more than that once you get started. Even if you only end up completing 10 minutes, that is still a lot better than zero minutes.
When at a party, scout out healthy food options rather than doing a grab and run on all the unhealthy selections. For example, vegetable sticks without dip, fruit pieces, plain chicken pieces, etc. Then move on to some of the less healthy but yummy offerings. You will be less likely to overindulge on these foods if you have already filled-up on some of the healthier items. Yet, you will not feel deprived or unsatisfied.
Exercise at home. Youll be more inclined to follow-through on your exercise commitment if you dont have to drive somewhere to do your workout. Plus, you wont waste any time on driving, parking, the locker room or waiting to use equipment. Working out at home requires very little equipment it even can be equipment-free and is quite inexpensive.
Avoid wasting calories on alcoholic beverages. The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and youve drunk the equivalent calories of an entire meal. If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely. For example, instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with sparkling water or with a diet soda. This will help cut your calories in half.
When running errands or shopping, be sure to pack some healthy snacks to have on-hand. Then after you work-up a big appetite, you wont be tempted to grab something at the mall food court or the fast food restaurant on the way home.
Dont linger at the buffet or in the kitchen. If you loiter in close proximity to all the guilty temptations, youll struggle to keep from unconsciously shoveling food into your mouth.
Focus on socializing. Remember one of the great things about the holidays is spending time with friends and family. During get-togethers spend the majority of time sharing conversation instead of sharing desserts.

Hopefully these tips will help you find a balance between staying fit and also enjoying the fun of the season. Remember, moderation is the key. Have a great holiday season!

These days we all want to enjoy the healthy glow that comes with a beautiful tan, but with more and more evidence coming to light with regards to the dangers of the suns rays we have to be increasingly careful about jetting off on vacation and roasting in the midday sun in order to try and get some color. Exposing your delicate skin in hot weather can result in a multitude of problems, but luckily you can now enjoy a golden glow without having to put up with the risks thanks to the availability of a range of tanning products for the face and body. From high quality tanning lotions to facial tanner products and tanning crme, you can enjoy a wide range of sunless tanning products so you dont even have to endure the expense of a holiday in order to look as though you have a beautiful, natural tan. People use all sorts of tanning products these days, from tanning beds to spray on lotions. You can get products that can be easily used in your own home as well as sunless tanning services at a salon.

Avoid the dangers of the sun with these products

There are many dangers that come with exposing your skin to the sunlight. Some of the well known potential dangers of basking in the sun include

Sunburn
Prematurely aging skin
Skin cancer
Blotching

Of course, some of these conditions are more serious than others, but even the mildest of these problems can cause massive discomfort depending on the level of burning and exposure. If you spend all day in the sun trying to achieve that tan you may find yourself walking away with peeling, red skin or worse instead of a golden tan. However, with tanning lotions and other sunless products you can look forward to a great, natural looking tan without the expense or health problems of having to jet off to somewhere hot and sunny to get than tan.

The fast and easy way to a great tan

With good quality tanning lotions you can rest assured that you will enjoy natural looking, even results. You can let others think that you have enjoyed a holiday in some far flung destination without ever having to leave your home and the great thing is that you can achieve these results quickly and easily so if you have a special occasion and you want to add some color to your skin then there is no easier way than with todays great range of tanning products. Many of these items can be used without any fuss in the privacy of your own home, and because they are simple and fast to apply you can get the bronzed look you are after in next to no time. Many lotions and sprays offer long lasting results too, so you wont have to keep re-applying on a regular basis in order to keep that golden glow going.

Sunless tanning is the only safe way to achieve the perfect tan you want. They can be used year round or just for a holiday or vacation. You can achieve a beautiful artificial tan at home or visit a salon or spa for a session in a sunless tanning booth. A benefit of self tanning is that it can be done at any time and in any weather.

Sunless Tanning at Home

Some people cringe when they hear self tanning. They are usually thinking about the earliest self tanners, which were notorious for the ugly orange color they produced. Products have improved dramatically over the years. Self tanner products come in a variety of forms including lotion, crme and spray. You can find them in stores or on the internet wherever tanning bed lotions are sold.

Preparing your skin is very important before using a sunless tanning lotion. Shower and exfoliate the skin before using any product. This removes dead skin cells and prepares your skin to accept the tanning product. Good exfoliation results in better absorption, more even color and a tan that lasts longer.

Applying the product evenly is very important. Tinted lotions help you see where you have applied the lotion and help ensure even coverage. Wear plastic gloves during application to help prevent the hands from staining. Apply the product to the rough and dry areas of your body last. This includes the elbows, knees and ankles.

The best lotions contain an active ingredient called DHA. The DHA reacts with your skin cells to change the color. It can take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to see the full effect of the product. The tan will last between five and seven days. To maintain the color, apply the lotion every three to five days.

Sunless Tanning in a Booth

Sunless tanning booths are popping up in day spas, beauty salons, tanning salons and health clubs across the country. As people become aware of the dangers of UV exposure, the popularity of booths increases. A few minutes in the booth, and you can have the color that it would take days in the sun to achieve.

Booth tanning is done in two ways. The first is a shower booth with nozzles on every side that spray your body with the solution. You get into the booth naked with a shower cap on your head and eye protection. The nozzles spray you down with the tanning solution. Bronzers in the spray give you some instant color. The full effect of the tan will be seen in a few hours. In some cases, you will need to rub the solution into your skin. Its important to blend it evenly for the best color.

The other method used is airbrush. A technician uses a hand held airbrush device to apply the solution. Since the mist is much finer than a spray and a technician is applying it, the color is perfect and even. You just wait about five minutes for the mist to soak in before getting dressed. Wear very loose clothing to the salon, as tight clothing can rub off some of the color.

Most people enter the booth naked for no tan lines. If you are shy being nude with a technician, you can wear a bathing suit. Choose an old bathing suit for the booth. The solution will stain the bathing suit.