Must-Haves

Gadget of the Week: SodaStream Beverage Maker

Pellegrino, seltzer, diet cola...American families consume over 2,000 cans of carbonated goodness each year. But, in addition to the waste from the throwaways such consumption yields, it's also a whole lot of empty sugar and calories.

So, we were thrilled to discover the SodaStream - an at-home soda maker that turns plain tap water into pretty much any carbonated beverage...in seconds.

You start with regular water in SodaStream's reusable liter bottles and then carbonate it in the compact unit for about 15 seconds. The result? Deliciously fizzy water that you can drink plain or flavor with over a dozen syrups including diet cola, lemon-lime, root beer and cran-raspberry. Younger kids will love mixing the flavors to create their own unique drinks while you'll like that SodaStream’s drink mixes are HFCS-free and contain 2/3 less carbs, calories and sugar than store-bought soda.

The best part: if SodaStream machines (which don't use electricity, either!) are used to make just half of the soda or seltzer the average family drinks in a year, they'd reduce their use of throwaway single-serve beverage containers by 1,000 every year.

SodaStream Soda Makers - start at $79.99 at SodaClubUSA.com

Beauty Find: See the Light

Our tired eyes love, love, love Jane Iredale's new Active Light under-eye concealer. The pen-style applicator allows for easy, accurate application of the mineral-infused formula that covers and hydrates at the same time.

Packed with vitamin K to lighten dark circles, buckwheat wax to fight puffiness, and cucumber extract to tighten skin, our eyes have never looked better.

$25 at JaneIredaleDirect.com

Hop Aboard the iTrain

Wish you could afford a personal trainer? Check out iTrain.com for affordable (less than $10 for 5 sessions!), downloadable MP3 workouts led by renowned Hollywood trainers. Choose workouts ranging from strength, cardio and endurance that you can do either at home or at the gym. Celeb moms on the iTrain include Courteney Cox, who downloads trainer Grace Lazenby's workouts when she's on the road.

We love the iClimb or iCycle workouts that push you to your limits while on an elliptical machine or bike. Next on our list to try? iSwim with five-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin.

iTrain Workouts - start at $9.99 for 5 full sessions at iTrain.com

Gadget of the Week: Ergorapido Cordless Vacuum

Like most households, we have a bulky vacuum and a handheld unit for quick pick-ups. I never really gave it much thought until I came across Electrolux's Ergorapido 2-in-1 vacuum. Combining effective clean-up power with space-saving good looks, the Ergorapido is a cordless, bagless vacuum with a built-in handheld that releases with the press of a button for hard to reach spaces.

Despite the power it packs, the rechargable unit weighs about five pounds and the charging stand includes space to store accessories.

Good looking, powerful and no strings attached? Sounds like the perfect relationship!

Electrolux Ergorapido Cordless Vacuum - $99 at Target

Swing Out, Mama!

We all know that regular strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise are important to maintain for a healthy lifestyle, but who has the time to get on the treadmill, hit the weight room and go to Yoga?

The Kettlebell routine - the latest "it" workout that's taking over Hollywood, is an old-school Russian technique that incorporates the benefits of strength training, muscle conditioning and aerobic exercise, all in one workout.

Hot Modern Mom Mariska Hargitay credits kettlebells for getting her back into shape after her pregnancy. Three moves, 30 minutes, three times a week is all you need to get your body burning. The moves have you swing and lift the weighted "bell" and focus on the trouble zones that all moms target -- abs, thighs and bootie. 

Best of all, you can do it at home, on your own time.

10 lb. Kettlebell + Workout DVD - $29.99 at GoFit.net

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