You gave up jumping rope ages ago - mostly because "the bigger they are, the harder they fall" came into play for those of you with two left feet.

Solution: A ropeless jump-rope. Yes, you read right a jump-rope that lacks what many would consider a critical feature: the rope.

Jump ropes have obviously come a long way and they aren't just for recess anymore. They have always provided a simple and effective workout on the go, but now JumpSnap loses the rope, leaving two handles with electronic chips and an LCD screen that estimate calories burned, while providing a timer and audible workout summary. It even makes a snapping sound with each rotation so you don't feel entirely silly - and btw jumping rope isn't for wimps, think boxing regimen. While you might not find Sugar Ray jumping without a rope, you will find him endorsing the benefits of it! Jumping rope (also referred to as rope skipping) is a staple in a boxer’s conditioning program. And, it is the cheapest fat-burning workout around—and the best as it obliterates calories--up to 600 an hour--and rocks your heart rate on par with running, but without the joint-jarring impact. It does wonders for your agility, posture, balance, reflexes and coordination, it blasts your calves, tones your delts and arms, and fires your abs.

Ever since you were born, you’ve been breathing oxygen for free, right? Well the masters of mundane marketing agree that it is time for you to adjust your thinking. Yes, you can breathe air for free; but how lame would that be? Naturally occurring oxygen is just so 10,000 years ago. It’s time for you to begin breathing more pure, more refreshing oxygen.

Yes,the world's most essential element is making a fashionable comeback. This time, in a can.

And Oxygen Plus, a new company, is leading the way by providing 95% pure oxygen-enriched air that is portable, safe, natural and easy to use anywhere, anytime.

My husband (pictured) and I recently tried O+ and felt the immediate effects; but not for long. It won't make you light headed, but it won't make you run faster either. Somewhere in the middle ground between those two extremes lies the benefit gained from the oxygen in Oxygen Plus. In fact, the benefits of a few blasts of O+ may actually be more psychological than genuinely physical, but there's no doubting that several gulps of oxygen certainly feel as if they can cut through the fur and filth of a hangover or the smog in a heavily polluted city. Even without the pollution or the pleasure of a heavy night's antics, I must admit that a distinct feeling of well-being does wash over you.

For those of you who don't drink coffee, this could be your natural alternative to caffeine.

Mothers. So damn needy aren't we?

Of course, now’s not really the time to complain. Rather, it’s the time to fulfill those needs to the best of your ability. And, for those of you keeping track, it's next Sunday. Remember... Mom taught you absolutely everything you know. So this year, give her a gift that proves you’ve finally, after all that back-talk and sass, absorbed her lessons about living healthy and staying fit -- try not to give her another box of chocolates.

1. Hire a trainer or life coach to help mom reach her goals.
2. Pick up a pair of cool sneakers and some new sportswear to look great in. You always feel good in new clothes and are excited to show them off -- whether at the gym or when going for a walk.
3. Treat her feet. Consider getting your mom a foot massage, foot reflexology, or a relaxing pedicure. People pay so little attention to their feet and they are always cramped in shoes.
4. Deal a meal. Whether she's trying to shed weight from a pregnancy or just trying to get rid of her "menopot" -- the abdominal fat around her middle, many moms can use a diet overhaul or at the very least, some weight loss tips. Subscribe her to a light cooking magazine like Cooking Light, Eating Well, or the new magazine Clean Eating.
5. Get her a bike (this is the one I want - the Trek Lime). All forms of regular exercise are of benefit to the body but cycling is especially good for anyone at any age.

P.S. Don't forget to call!

Hundreds of years from now, when history has long forgotten us, people will dig up our artifacts and wonder.

Wonder what all those “Rehab is the new black” T-shirts, “Cheney’s Got a Gun” song lyrics, and Y2K warning memos were about.

Mostly, though, they will marvel at our laptop bags.

Alright, so maybe not, but while most solar-powered gadgets aren’t much bigger than your hand, Voltaic has actually given the world a practical sunlight-harnessing product with its latest computer bag. The Voltiac Generator is the first computer bag that can fully charge your laptop, the “Generator” pumps 14.7 watts into your prized computer; perfect for those of you who, like me, bring their laptops with them on everywhere and on every single adventure (it's perfect when you're in the middle of nowhere).

Who knows? They may just stand the test of time after all. $599.

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Source: [Boing Boing]

Everyone wants a slick set of wheels. A spanky little Beemer. A classic Karmann Ghia. A Vespa.

And then there are those of us who’ll settle for something just as cool, yet slightly more cost-sensitive, like Emporio Armani's Skorpion Quadline Roller-Skates. Ditch the Roller Blades pronto because these are the coolest skates around. Basically,the old school rollerskate is getting a modern upgrade. The skates feature an adjustable footplate that fits virtually any type of footwear and "Quadcoil" springs aid in maneuvering and control.

$425. Simple, yet brilliant.

Via:[Selectism]

Truth is, you've got a problem. No one should check their reflection as often as you do.

Solution: Might I suggest, you take a look at this Skate Board Mirror. The board length mirror, complete with wheels, offers an alternative to traditionally shaped mirrors (for all you urban athletes) and it could be considered art (allowing you to deny to your friends that you needed another mirror to look into). In fact, skate boards have never been cooler, so this mirror has the ability to add some much needed hipness to your bathroom or hallway regardless of how many times you need to check yourself out. $220.

Via: [Complex.com]

So it’s like 1:30 a.m.

And, as usual, your late-night rounds to the fridge have you feeling guilty — with all the midnight snacks you can find. In fact, the last time you sat down after midnight to eat you recreated an entire Thanksgiving dinner with all the left overs.

Know what you need? A lift’n’shake salt & pepper shaker.

Okay. So need is a strong word. But it wouldn't be unwelcome at a moment like this.

While you pile on the salt and pepper, like we all do for left overs... this little guy will remind you what a fat slob you are becoming and to go to the gym; possibly he'll help to curb your appetite.

Just lift and remove the barbell for use.

On the hill, the light can change as quickly as the snow conditions -- and have an equal impact on your ski day. For years, hard core winter warriors have fumbled with interchangeable lens systems, which tend to perform better in theory than practice. Smith Optics aims to change that with its clever new interlock sunglass design ($139). A gentle twist of the arms opens the frame to make lens changes trouble-free.

Remember: If you can't see it, you can't ski it!

Relationship in a tailspin? Workout stuck in a rut? Wondering if you're ever going to be able to climb Mt. Everest?

Sure, patience is a virtue. But what if you need answers now?

This ultra-chic black calf leather Prada case encloses a set of brightly colored and uniquely designed Tarot cards to predict where your journey will take you. Price upon request, available at select Prada boutiques, (888) 977-1900.

At the very least, this little pack of cards is something worth looking forward to …

No matter what else your future holds.

You do your part when it comes to the planet.

Taking ecofriendly taxis. Forgoing the night-light. (How many years of therapy did that take?) And though you may not be ready to ditch the SUV quite yet, hey, at least you’re making an effort.

So next time you drink water, take advice from The Biggest Loser and go green with a Brita Filter and Nalgene 'Filter For Good' water bottle. As you know, the new season of The Biggest Loser has already started and this time people are losing weight in pairs - husbands and wives, best friends, mothers and sons or daughters. Another new thing this season is their ban on bottled water. The Biggest Loser is trying to be more friendly to the planet, and drinking bottled water creates a huge amount of waste. Last year Americans threw out $1 billion worth of plastic.

The good news: You can start reducing waste at home, too. I’ve got three Brita faucet mounts and three reusable Filter For Good bottles that I’m giving away. I’ll randomly pick three of the commenters on this post to receive them - so leave a comment before January 30th and I might pick you.

In the meantime, you can go to the Filter For Good website and do what I did and take a pledge to reduce bottled water waste. And if you don’t win an FFG bottle in my giveaway, you can buy one and the proceeds will go to the Blue Planet Run Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to provide 200 million people with a lifetime’s worth of drinking water by 2027.

Just think: Your new Brita filter and Filter For Good water bottle are sure to spark a conversation. About, say, trading in that SUV for a sleek new hybrid.

You know, for the planet and all.

Related: Bottled Water vs. Tap Water.