St. Petersburg's Most Relaxing Coffee Shop: Wings Bookstore Promotes a Meditative and Productive Coffee Break

St. Petersburg has changed a lot over the past 6 years. Growing up here- 4th Street was merely a place where my parents would drag us for shopping at Gateway Mall or breakfast at Kissin' Cousins after church services on Sunday. Never did we have amazing coffee shops and restaurants like Outback an Tiajuana Flats or even a Lifestyles gym.

As I'm getting reacquainted with our lovely and what I considered sleepy St. Petersburg community; I'm discovering some great little nooks, networking groups and places that promote solice, peace and embody the holisitc spirit I now choose to embrace.

Yesterday I ran out for an errand and had heard a lot about the First Unity Campus bookstore and coffee shop. I stopped in and was supremely impressed by the atmosphere of this combo bookstore and coffee shop. The two clerks were extremely helpful and friendly and their store is not overly crowded but had a wide selection of various spiritual, mystical and enlightening books, dvds and jewelery.

What really appealed most to me was the cozy coffee corner of this store. It had at least 6 tables and a big cushy couch. The color scheme and relaxing music created an atmosphere to aparently inspired students, afternoon knitting circles and individuals to come in for an hour or more of peace.

I can see myself utilizing this relaxing shop as a way to escape during the day to study or work in a very serene and peaceful environment. It isn't busy and bustling as your typical starbucks, but offers a chance for a peaceful reading of the newpaper or reflection on how great St. Pete really is today!

Top 5 Spots to Roller Blade in Tampa Bay

Roller Blading is a great, fun way to exercise while enjoying really great, tropical Florida scenery. Having just moved back home after living up in cold New England- I decided to scope out the best top 5 spots to roller blade in the area to get just the right mix of blading and fun scenery.

1. Pinellas Trail- longest trail in Pinellas County
2. Fort Desoto - breathtaking views of the water, sunshine skyway and you can even glimpse a manatee or two.
3. Skyway Trail
4. Old Gandy Bridge (Friendship Trail Bridge)
5. Upper Tampa Bay Trail

These top 5 roller blading destinations are spacious, expansive and have amazing scenery along the way. If you are looking for a long trail or a short trail- the Tampa Bay area has everything that you need.

If you choose to travel to Fort Desoto; the North Beach was rated #1 (number one) beach in America in 2005. The trail goes along the edge of the beach and sand dunes; the fort and beaches are an ode to the old Florida beaches; untouched by concrete and development.

In my research I also found a really great group that gathers each Sunday morning for various Roller Blading excursions around the bay. The Sunday Bladers group is an energetic group that takes rollerblading seriously!

The choices are many; but always remember to wear your safety gear when roller blading.

How to Repel and Avoid Mosquito Bites Using Natural Remedies

Accompanied with the heat and humidity of summer are pesky, itchy and annoying mosquito bites. Mosquitoes bite because they are attracted to CO2 and lactic acid. If you are a living, breathing mammal, you are a walking target.

I dread the mosquito months and have since I was a child growing up in Florida. I'm plagued by my body's reaction to these small bites that turn into large almost welt-like, itchy raised bumps on my legs and arms. There have been seasons where running out to get the paper in the morning or taking out the trash has inflicted a handful of bites.

Modern technology has created great inventions like the mosquito magnet and the bug zapper but most communities or individuals in the south have not invested in these bug repellents. Apart from putting on topical insect repellent products laced with unhealthy chemicals like DEET that can cause brain toxicity; there are a few alternative options that have yielded positive results in my battle to protect my extremities from mosquito bites.

Over the years, I have asked myself: what products repel insect bites like mosquitoes? I've invested in products like skin-so-soft and OFF mosquito sprays but have always wanted to find a more natural alternative and solution to these bug bites.

Diet can play a very pivital role in making oneself less attractive to the mosquitoes. Diets high in garlic (and garlic tablets) and B complex can actually change the extremely faint scent of an individual; thus making onself less attractive to a hungry mosquito. Garlic literally does repel the vampires. Other herbs that are also important in repelling mosquitoes are: citronella, cedar, verbena, geranium, lavender, pine, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, thyme, allspice, and peppermint.

Vitamin B1 has a unique ability to create an obnoxious scent that stops mosquitoes in their tracks. Ingested orally each day, an individual can take 15mgs of B1 for every 30 pounds of body weight.

It is indeed possible to combat mosquitoes naturally and still enjoy the summer months.

Get Fit Without Workouts: Live Longer with 15 easy, gym-free workouts in Florida

The gym: a dreaded, unpleasant experience for many. For many women, the gym is a scary place full of bizarre contraptions we call work out machines and big buff men grunting and sweating something fierce. If you are like me; you'll try to avoid the gym as much as possible but still desire to stay trim and expose your heart to a good cardiovascular workout.

With great fall weather coming our way; we have many chances to enjoy the pleasures and fun events fall brings. Outdoor activities like backpacking, hiking, rock climbing and biking are great ways to enjoy the changing of the seasons, view the fall foliage and burn off some calories.

If you are a busy parent; your children keep you busy and very active. Lifting your children up stairs, playing tag with them at a park and pushing them on swings or playing catch are fun ways to interact with your kids and burn a few calories as well. With our technology driven world, it is essential that parents show their children fun and interactive ways to stay fit. Plus, your big bonus is that you are creating fond memories for them to have for their entire lives.

Often, a lot of Floridians will travel north during the Fall months; either for viewing the changing of the leaves in the New England or Mid-Atlantic states or for the fall holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving. We have a chance to wear warmer clothing and enjoy the crisper fall air. Additionally, we can enjoy apple picking, pumpkin patch picking and the carving of the pumkpins and even the task of picking out that special Christmas tree on a mountainside in North Carolina. All these holiday events add additional exercise to your weekly routines and help burn calories.

Taking a brisk walk on Clearwater or St. Pete beach or along a sidewalk like Bayshore is rejuvenating and allows your mind to relax and appreciate our beautiful surroundings. Rollerblading along the old Gandy Bridge or kayaking at Ft. Desoto may even allow you to see a few dolphins or manatee.

When it comes to fitness and staying young: making your fitness and workout routines fun, enjoyable and easy are key. You are more inclined to keep with this type of fitness program. Plus, you live longer and get to enjoy friends, family and nature...what could be better than that?

Osteoporosis and Sun Exposure: How getting out in the sun for 10 minutes can help cut the risks of Osteoperosis

Living in Florida there is certainly not a shortage of sun rays. However, there is a significant amount of lotions and facial products containing sun screen that restrict the harmful UVA and UVB rays from our skin. 99% of the time this is a good thing; however it also can restrict our exposure to an essential vitamin, vitamin D. Sunscreens with SPF of 8 or higher actually block the UV rays that produce Vitamin D.

As women and men age; the risk factors for osteoporosis increase as we lose muscle mass and subsequently bone density. It is very important that we utilize the sun to help us minimize the risk of bone loss for at least 10-15 minutes at least 2-3 times a week to the face, back, hands or arms without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D.

An initial exposure to sunlight (10 -15 minutes) allows adequate time for Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin. For individuals over the age of 70 require almost double the exposure since their daily need of vitamin D.

Foods rich in Vitamin D, like fatty fish, egg yolks and milk are essential dietary items yet sun exposure is the most efficient way for your body to produce Vitamin D.

Depending on the geographical latitude, season, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen use all affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis. There have been studies that have shown greater incidences of osteoporosis above the mason dixon line. Luckily, all us Floridians have to do is step outside and enjoy the natural sunlight to strengthen our bones.