More companies are incentivizing their employees to live a healthy lifestyle with programs like www.heartmath.com, and they are doing so for a few different reasons. The main reason is that healthy employees are much more likely to be productive during work hours. When you are getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and exercise, you will be more likely to come to work every day and have the energy, stamina, and brainpower to get the job done. Healthier employees also mean lower costs for healthcare across the board.

One of the biggest things to address in the workplace is stress. When people are struggling to meet deadlines, are not getting along with co-workers, or have more responsibility than they are qualified to handle, it can cause stress that inevitably turns into illness in some form. Fortunately, there are programs designed to help employees learn the essential skills required to handle stress and find joy in their work. When people have the capacity to feel good about their efforts and receive positive feedback, it will naturally encourage them to do better.

It seems like most fairy tales are aimed for a female audience, but I have to admit I do like watching Once Upon A Time and reading Grimm's Fairy Tales, so when I saw the cover of Doon, I thought I would give it a try. Plus, it has a Scottish setting and I have ancestors from Scotland.

In Doon, Veronica jumps at a chance to get away from her complicated life when her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland. This isn't a two week vacation, it is for a few months.

Before going on vacation, Veronica had been seeing a strange blond boy, whom magically appeared almost everywhere she went. She thought traveling to Scotland would get her away from whoever he is, but she was wrong. The boy had followed her. Or maybe he is leading her somewhere.

While in Alloway, Veronica and Mackenna stumble upon a set of rings and a mysterious letter that was left behind by Mackenna's aunt. This all leads them to the fairy tale land of Doon; full of princes, enchantments and mystery, but just around the corner lies unthinkable danger.

Flowers in the Attic
The Dollanganger Family Series
By V.C. Andrews
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1476775852
Pages: 400

Review:

It’s hard to believe the guilty pleasure novel Flowers in the Attic is over 34-years-old! I wasn't even born back in 1979 when Flowers in the Attic written by newcomer V.C. Andrews was published. The book about four siblings being locked up in a bedroom and attic for over three years was a huge success, but there was major controversy involving the incest theme involving a teenage brother and sister. The book has been banned from libraries and schools because of this, though over time some have put the book back on the shelves, it is still banded in some locations.

The book is told from the point-of-view of Catherine Leigh "Cathy" Dollanganger and centers on the there and half years when her siblings, Chris and twins Cory and Carrie, are hidden away in the vast Foxworth mansion. After their father died in a car accident, their mother, Corrine, drags them to live in her parent's house, where they are locked in a bedroom by their wicked Grandmother.

Their mother had been disinherited years ago when she married their father Christopher, and now the only way to get back in her father's grace is if she never had any children with her husband, so the Dollanganger children must be  away in a bedroom, which has access to the attic, until their grandfather dies.

During the first year their mother visits them on a daily basis, but as she starts to establish herself back into society, she distance herself from her children. Meanwhile, Chris and Cathy become less like brother and sister to the twins and more like farther and mother, as they take care of them and continue their schooling (well as much as they can). They’re fearful of their Grandmother, whom will give them severe punishment what she considers sinning. Being locked away has put stress on the twins and they are physically becoming ill. As for Chris and Cathy, they are starting to have intimate feelings for each other, despite the fact they are brother and sister.

Runner Runner
Director: Brad Furman
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton, Ben Affleck
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: January 7, 2013
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00GICP86A
Running Time: 91minutes
Rating: R

Review:

Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray last week (January 7, 2013) was the gambling-thriller Runner Runner from director Brad Furman and stars Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck (Yep, the future Bruce Wayne/Batman). Special features include House of Cards - The Inside Story of Online Poker (Exclusive to Blu-ray) and deleted scenes.

I've never been a fan of Justin Timberlake's music or film roles, but he won me over in the underrated Clint Eastwood's vehicle Trouble with the Curve. I have always thought Ben Affleck's acting has been extremely wooden or just god-awful at times, so my expectations for Runner Runner were quite low.

Somewhat based on a real-life professional poker player, Nat Arem, Justin Timberlake plays a Princeton grad student, Richie Furst, who has been paying his college tuition by referring students to a online poker site, in which he receives a fee. He once had a wonderful  career on Wall Street, but things happen and now his only source of income is through his gambling scheme that is until the Dean learns of his activities and tells him to shutdown his operation or get kicked out of school.

With no other choice, Richie closes his business, but takes all his earnings and enters an online poker game, in the hope of winning the rest of his college tuition. Despite his poker experience, Richie loses everything!

Christmas is officially over (well, until December 2014), so you would think you would have time to relax, but there is another holiday around the corner - Valentine's Day. For some people the day of love is just a scheme created by the card companies, while others celebrate the day in honor of Saint Valentine.

Whatever is the reason you celebrate Valentine's Day, it is not that easy to find the perfect gift for your loved one, especially for men, who are mostly likely to do their shopping at the last minute. Sure, you can go the safe route and buy some roses, candy or cheap jewelry, but your wife, girlfriend or partner, may not feel like you put your best effort into picking out the gift. If only you could read minds it could be a lot easier, but wait, there is something you could do.

There is a new website called PickURGift that can help you buy the perfect present for someone. It's just like writing your wish list, except it is reverse. You're are picking out gifts you think your loved one will like, then you send an email to that person, they will pick out what they would like to have. This is a simple way to give the perfect gift.

Power Rangers Megaforce: The Mysterious Robo Knight
Studio: LionsGate/ Saban Brands
Release Date: January 14th, 2013
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00G6IOZ2E
Running Time: 92 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

The Power Rangers franchise is kicking off its 21st first year with the DVD release Power Rangers Megaforce: The Mysterious Robo Knight, containing four exciting adventures. As an added bonus there is a Mega Bloks Micro Red Ranger Figure (toy for kids 5+) with each DVD.

Power Rangers Megaforce debuted last February on Nickelodeon, introducing new and old fans to a new generation of Power Rangers - Troy Burrows (Red Ranger), Noah Carver (Blue Ranger), Emma Goodall (Pink Ranger), Gia Moran (Yellow Ranger) and Jake Holling (Black Ranger). The five Angel Grove teenagers are summoned by Earth's supernatural guardian Gosei (sent to Earth by Zordon) and his robot assistant Tensou to become the Megaforce Rangers. Their mission is to stop the Warstar aliens from attacking Earth, but they can't stop the forces of evil by themselves, as they must make an alliance with the mysterious Robo Knight.

From left to right: The Blue Ranger ("Noah," left) and the Red Ranger ("Troy," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's POWER RANGERS MEGAFORCE: THE MYSTERIOUS ROBO KNIGHT.

The four episodes on the single-disc are: