Did you know that women are better at creating the buzz? According to Rick Segal, retail marketing guru, women are more likely to recommend a product or service they like than men - and do so 57% more frequently.

Since I’m very interested in the use of aromatherapy as a natural way to feel better rather than turning to drugs, I found this article exceptionally interesting. It’s about how aromatherapy is getting recognition for its positive impact not just on how it can make us feel, but how it boosts the body’s ability to fight infection and is being used as a tool during treatment for cancer patients. I figure many of us have been touched by cancer, either directly or through a loved one, and this article may give you an idea of how to get relief, be more comfortable, or lift the spirits.

Check it out: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/50591.php

Share how aromatherapy makes you feel better

Everyone knows chocolate and romance go hand in hand, but here’s five reasons why you should indulge in chocolate:

1. Cocoa contains cancer fighting antioxidants in higher amounts than even green tea and red wine
2. Dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure (not white or milk) and help prevent heart disease
3. Dark chocolate decreases bad cholesterol
4. Chocolate can be a mood enhancer or aphrodisiac since it raises serotonin levels and releases endorphins in the brain
5. High in magnesium, chocolate can help alleviate PMS

Tip: the darker the chocolate the better for you since milk reduces the antioxidant properties and is higher in fat

Did you know these scents can raise our body temperature and/or our libido?

• Cinnamon
• Jasmine
• Sandalwood
• Patchouli
• Musk
• Rose
• Ylang-ylang
• Vanilla
• Ginger
• Clove

Look for candles, linen mists, bath products, and massage creams that are made with these essential oils. I think you will find it well worth the effort to incorporate them into play with your partner.

Keep in mind when looking for quality products that it’s best to stick to items made with natural ingredients, pure essential oils, are free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, dyes, formaldehyde and synthetic fragrances.

Tip: products made with pure essential oils tend to be easy to spot since they are proud to boast, as they should be, whereas items that promote the word ‘fragrance’ are generally chemical based.

What’s your favorite aphrodisiac?

If you’re ready to spruce up your home with some wood flooring but want to be environmentally conscious, consider EcoTimber. They offer alternatives that are healthy and sustainable.

Here’s what makes them a better choice:

• Reclaims wood from fallen and dead trees from urban forests or salvaged from old structures that’s headed for the landfill
• Selection of fast growing sustainable bamboo flooring
• Adhesives and finishes certified by GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality, VOC free and no hazardous chemicals
• Offers selection of flooring from Forest Stewardship Council-certified well managed forests
• Certified under the SmartWood Rediscovered Wood Program, a Rainforest Alliance program

You’ll find EcoTimber at 1611 Fourth St., San Rafael, (415-258-8454). Country Oak flooring, $10-$15/sq ft.; bamboo flooring, $5-$7/sq ft.

Aromatherapy isn’t just for women. Did you know that men are naturally drawn to certain scents?

See what reactions these aromas elicit from your guy: ylang-ylang, clove, cinnamon, mandarin, peppermint, black pepper, eucalyptus, rose geranium, cedarwood, and curry.
What was your guy’s favorite?

I have to agree with BuzzBop, MacWorld was disappointing. Other than the extremely thin notebook, there wasn’t much that caught my attention. And about the MacBook Air, sure it’s tiny and light, but as BuzzBop points out, how much durability has been sacrificed? I would expect, given its conveniently transportable size, I would want to take it everywhere…that’d make for an awful lot of abuse, don’t you think? Could it withstand it all?

I tried to question Quickbooks about whether or not they will be introducing a Mac version of Quickbooks Premier…they were unable to tell me much except that they aren’t able to talk about new products being worked on…or not being worked on…thanks for nothing.

What did catch my eye:

1. Vertus Fluid Mask 3, photo imaging software, makes cutting and blending images quick and easy; can be used as a plug-in or stand alone (this would make En Wrapture’s graphic design guru’s work much easier)
2. DataPilot software that allows you to backup and sync contacts, calender, music, photos, etc. between your computer, cell phone (not just for the iPhone), and iPod
3. iVolta Wireless Charging System which allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time on a charger plate without the usual tangled mess of wires
4. Hybrid Solar Charger - soon to be featured on the En Wrapture website as an option for an eco-friendly gift, this is the perfect gadget for travelers and the environmentally conscious and is able to power a GPS, mobile phone, mp3 player, PDA, digital camera, game console, etc. with the adapter tip system cable and USB tip
5. EcoSmart computer gear by Targus - line is priced from $50-130 and includes laptop slipcase, computer bag, messenger bag, and backpack, and are made of 100% recycled polyester, contains no PVC, metal hardware is nickel-free, plastic hardware is recyclable, and a portion of every sale is donated to the Conservation Fund to replant trees in Southern California in areas that have been destroyed by fires

Tip: If you aren’t going to hear the Keynote speaker, skip the first day and avoid the lines and crowds because you can get the skinny online and the following days are much more pleasant and more productive.

Last year was the first time I attended, in search of the newest techno gadgets for En Wrapture’s corporate clients.

And no, I’m not a Mac user, much to my significant other’s chagrin, as it is he who handles the many malfunctions of my PC. My frustrations quickly become his. As we surf side by side, he loves nothing more than to throw the inadequacies of my PC in my face, which occurs often and easily since I am usually bemoaning that I can’t connect to the internet or my wireless printer, have been knocked off, or am crawling at a snail’s pace, all the while he happily surfs uninterruptedly.

So, why am I not a Mac user? I have long been sold on the advantages to owning a Mac by S.O., how I can easily do everything I currently do in Microsoft Office etc. That’s not the problem. The problem is that we use Quickbooks Premier for our bookkeeping. Although Quickbooks has Mac versions of several of their programs such as Pro, Premier is not one of them…otherwise, after the year I’ve had with HP and Microsoft and how the time lost due to problems has wreaked havoc on inputting our financial data and keeping inventory current - we are way behind (and here it is the end of the year – Yikes!) so, I’d be there.

Back to MacWorld…rumors abound regarding what’s in store: MacBook Tablet, next generation iphone…if you want to follow what’s up with Apple check out www.mac-sage.com for a wealth of information.

We all need to be romanced, whether it’s by that someone special or by ourselves. Now, the elegant Avila La Fonda Hotel, a new hotel in Avila Beach featuring spa rooms with a spectacular tub en-suite and a plethora of other amenities, has paired up with En Wrapture to create a romance package that is sure to set the stage for the ultimate couples get-away. When you enter the hotel you will feel like you have stepped into another world with the vibrant upscale Mexican decor and several fountains surrounded by Mexican tile and the artwork of Diego Rivera. The rooms are tastefully decorated with no expense spared. The amenities are both lavish and practical, from the Bose sound system, iHome dock station/alarm clock, big screen tv, cuisinart coffee maker ready to grind the fresh Starbucks coffee beans, to the dual headed showers and towel warmers. This is hospitality at its best.

As a part of the Romance Package there will be a gift waiting in the room with everything necessary to make you feel like a Latin lover: sexy Bossa Nova music, aromatherapy ‘Inspire Romance’ Travel Set (with candle, linen mist/room spray, shower gel/bubble bath to use in those fantastic 2 person tubs, and massage cream), wooden body and foot massage accessories, sponges and bath accessories, and some sexy Cabernet wine truffles…hmmmm, isn’t it time you got away with your special someone?

An interesting idea from the folks at Consumer Reports. It’s called ShopSmart Mobile. Now you can have CR’s expert ratings sent directly to your cell phone.

There has been many a time I’ve found myself at Costco, pondering what seems like a good price on product, wondering how it compares to the product next to it. It seems ShopSmart might have identified a big need for the price/quality-conscious consumer.

I’ve got my hands on their print version for Spring 2007 and it looks pretty good.

Check out the ShopSmart Mobile information here: ShopSmart