Sweaty Bands — Fashion

Don't let the time change ruin your running routine! Now that Daylight Saving Time is about to kick in, running after sunset is likely unavoidable. With the right preparation and focus, you may even learn to enjoy the darkness.
Protect yourself and follow these 10 tips:
1. Choose the best lit route.
2. Stick to routes you know well but vary up your routine. Potential attackers notice consistency so don’t make yourself an easy target by always running the same route at the same time.
3. Wearing a headlamp will help light the way in the dark.
4. Clip on a flashing or strobe light of some sort. Green and yellow are the most visible colors.
5. Load up on reflective gear. There are so many options now. A reflective vest can be layered on top of anything. Also, check out our Reflective Runner Sweaty Bands!
6. Run with a group. There are so many running groups that meet several times a week and hit the road. We love seeing that camaraderie— and the mass of reflective gear and flashing lights is hard to miss! Plus there is always safety in numbers!
7. Ditch the headphones.
8. Always carry your phone with you and some sort of identification. A Road ID shoe tag is a great option.
9. Always run against traffic. It is easier to avoid cars if you can see them coming at you. And it's easier for them to spot you!
10. Follow your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right head in the other direction.
Night or early morning runs in the crisp air can be very invigorating. Don’t let the darkness push you away from your goals. Your consistency and dedication will be unwavering if you are well prepared!

At Sweaty Bands, we use many different mediums to create our designs—
everything from markers to watercolor paints. Have you ever wondered how a simple sketch on paper becomes a beautiful, finished design? My name is Jordan Stevens, the Design Director here at Sweaty Bands, and I’m going to walk you through it!

Step One: Studio Days
After we have had an initial inspiration meeting, we take a couple of days to close our doors and play. We listen to music as we paint, draw and try out new techniques. We have created bands with nail polish, ink and milk, fingerpainting, colored pencils, pen, markers, paint, watercolors, tissue paper and of course, the good old computer. You name it—we’ve probably tried it… and if not, we want to! Step Two: Scan and Trim
Once we have a room covered in beautiful art, we begin picking what will look best on a band and we start scanning the art straight into the computer. Sometimes, for example in the case of the milk and ink, we have to photograph it to bring it into the computer. Once it’s in the computer, we use Adobe Photoshop tools to cut out the pieces that we like. Step Three: Play with Color
Once we have the content in the computer and trimmed to what we would like to work with, we can start altering the color. We can change the color completely or make it really bright and vibrant. We can make it black and white, scale it up or down, multiply it a bunch of times, rotate it, flip it and reverse it (Yes, a Missy Elliott reference—see aren’t you glad you read the blog?). Step Four: Finalize and Sample
Finally, we have art that we are super excited about and we cannot wait to see a sample of it on a Sweaty Band. We create our final print files in Adobe Illustrator and send them off to the printer. Three business days later, we receive printed artwork on what we call “top ribbon” (the part of the band that has the printed design on it). We lay them flat on the table, hold them in our hair, try them in different hair colors and ultimately pick which ones will become Sweaty Bands! Have a great idea for a Sweaty Band? Work directly with our design team to create a custom band of your own! We will send you a couple design mock-ups with your exact vision and help you narrow it down until it’s perfect. Sweaty Bands make perfect Christmas gifts… hint hint (It's never too early!). Shop the new bands pictured above here. Stay Creative (& Sweaty),
Jordan

[caption id="attachment_1341" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Pumpkin Seeds 5 Ways: Classic for Pumpkin and Squash,
as seen on Food Network[/caption]
Have you ever roasted pumpkin seeds? If not, you are in for a tasty treat! Throw them on a salad or eat them as a snack; they are soooo good! Here are some ideas to get you going or add anything that sounds good to you! DIRECTIONS: Seed the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Using a spoon, scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl. Clean the seeds: Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don't blot with paper towels; the seeds will stick. Dry them: Spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out. Add spices: Toss the seeds with olive oil, salt and your choice of spices (see below). Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes. - Sweet Toss with cinnamon and sugar (do not use salt in step 4). - Indian Toss with garam masala; mix with currants after roasting. - Spanish Toss with smoked paprika; mix with slivered almonds after roasting. - Italian Toss with grated parmesan and dried oregano. - Barbecue Toss with brown sugar, chipotle chile powder and ground cumin. Read more at Food Network

October is SIDS Awareness Month! We think it is important to raise awareness on this topic, and encourage you to educate yourself as well. SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is the sudden unexplained death of a previously healthy infant. 90% of the time, SIDS occurs in babies less than 6 months old, and usually during sleep. A diagnosis of SIDS is given once the death remains unexplained even after a thorough autopsy and detailed investigation. While there is no one “cause” of SIDS, some risk factors have been identified: 1. Preterm birth or low birth weight
2. Being born to a mother under the age of 20
3. Having a lot of siblings, especially close in age
4. Babies who have suffered an apparent life-threatening event (stopped breathing,turned pale, blue, and limp and required resuscitation)
5. American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Non-Hispanic blacks
6. Being a boy
As a preventative measure, it is recommended to follow the A, B, Cs of Safe Sleep:
Your baby should be Alone on their Back in a Crib. Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_sids-keeping-your-baby-safe-during-sleep_419.bc Please watch the video below of Kat and John Clifford’s brave and tragic story about losing their daughter, Kylie Xiu, to SIDS – and the tangible hope they ultimately brought others through their experience.

Have you jumped on the coconut oil trend? It is basically the 8th wonder of the world and you should be using it in the bathroom and the kitchen. I seriously DID NOT EVEN recognize the smooth sensation of my own skin to the touch! Did you know: CO has been used for hundreds of years to take care of the body inside and out CO helps memory and cognitive function CO aids in weight loss CO increases energy CO by speeding up the metabolism CO reduces constipation CO is a wonderful alternative to cooking oil. CO boosts the immune system CO helps with emotional balance CO Makes the skin look and feel healthy and beautiful and who doesn’t want that??? Let’s make this super easy recipe for Coffee Body Scrub that will leave you feeling silky smooth and possibly even a little caffeinated!! Added bonus, the caffeine will dehydrate those pesky little cellulite dimples making your skin temporarily tighter and firmer. SCORE!! You can make a little or a lot. Either way the recipe is the same. 1 part coconut oil 1 part coffee grounds If you want to make a single use size I would just mix the coconut in a small disposable cup. If you want more for another day use any size container that has a good seal. Hop in the shower and scrub away with the water OFF. When you are finished turn on the water to reveal smoother skin. You can thank me now! Xx, Donna