This week marks the official start of fall.  It has felt more like summer lately, but we can be sure that the crisp, cool air is on the way.  For many of us, fall is a season that we look forward to with anticipation.  Who doesn’t love the changing colors of leaves and kicking your feet through them as you take a leisurely walk on a beautiful afternoon?

Fall also brings to mind delicious, juicy apples.  We’ve all heard the old saying about an apple a day…but what IS it about apples that are so good for you?

Here’s the skinny on why apples are a perfect snack: Apples have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight.  The disease-fighting profile of apples provides a multitude of health benefits, including a potential decreased risk of cancer and heart disease.  Several studies suggest apples may provide a “whole body” health benefit. So crunch away!

Mmmm–we also love to enjoy apples in baked goods.  Looking for a new recipe to try this season? Click here for a yummy Harvest Apple Cake recipe.

We are fortunate to have an abundance of fun places in the area to visit for apple picking and a whole lot more! Make it a point to venture out to a new spot this season.  Use the list below of some of the popular apple orchards in the metro area to find a new adventure.  And don’t forget your camera!

Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Bakery

6428 Manning Ave.
PO Box 295
Stillwater, MN 55082
Washington County
Phone: (651) 439-3127
Open: August through December; 9am to 6pm
Directions: MN 36 (60th St. No.) and Manning in Stillwater.
Description: Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Bakery is an Upper Midwest favorite destination. Here, you can experience a fresh world of fun that encompasses the rich past and represents the best of the present. all within a few miles of the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Our Infamous Minnesota Honeycrisp Apples are available on line and at the farm. We are Minnesota’s largest supplier of the Honeycrisp apple.

Apple Jack Orchards

4875 37th St SE
Delano, MN 55328
Wright County
Phone: (763) 972-6673
Open: Mid June-December. Call for berry hours. Apples season: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sundays Noon – 6:00pm.
Directions: Located one mile south of Hwy 55 on Cty Rd 32 just west of Rockford.
Description: Pick your own or picked strawberries, raspberries, apples, tomatoes and pumpkins. Large applemarket, cafe, bakery,giftshop and on the Crow River open daily Aug – Dec. Wagon rides daily Labor Day til Halloween. Weekend activities: Corn Maze, music, cow train and apple cannon and more. Company picnics. Fresh Christmas trees. Certified by the Food Alliance.

Applecrest Orchards

7306 24th Ave North
Hugo, MN 55038
Washington County
Phone: (651) 426-7388
Directions: Located between Hugo and Centerville; 1/4 mile east of 35E and Cty Rd 14 (Exit #123).
Open: September – December; Evenings and Weekends
Description: On farm sale of quality apples, pears, and pumpkins at very reasonable prices. Close to St. Paul and easy to find. Welcome!

Applewood Orchard

22702 Hamburg Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044
Dakota County
Phone: (952) 985-5425
Directions: Located 1/4 mile west of Cedar Ave. on 225th St. W.
Description: Come picking at Applewood Orchard. Welcome to the newest apple orchard in Dakota county! Pick 12 varieties of apples on dwarf trees. We have Haralson and Honeycrisp of course! We also hope to have ready a crop of delicious fall raspberries. Come and enjoy a hayride in the orchard, a maze or two for kids of all ages and new this year scarecrow making by appointment.  We do offer school, senior center and professional group tours.

Deer Lake Orchard

1903 10th St SW (Cty Rd 108)
Buffalo, MN 55313
Wright County
Phone: (763) 682-6159
Directions: From Buffalo take Hwy 25 S to Cty Rd 12 – 2 1/2 miles to Cty Rd.
Open: August through October; Daily 10am – 6pm
Description: Good times & great apples! 26 varieties of apples & fresh cider, pumpkins, squash, ornamental corn, homemade apple pies, jams, jellies, gifts & crafts. Visit the orchard during “Apple Fest” weekends in Sept & Oct. Live entertainment, wagon rides through our scenic orchard and into Groggins Woods, pony rides, caramel apple sundaes, grilled bratwurst & apple turnovers. Call for schedule of events, group tours by prearrangement.

Homestead Orchard

Maple Plain, MN
Hennepin County
Phone: (763) 479-3186
Directions: Located 23 miles west of Minneapolis. Take 394 (Hwy 12) & watch for sign 3 miles west of Maple Plain, then 2 miles south on county road 92.
Open: ; call for hours
Description: Pre-scheduled orchard tours. Largest orchard in Hennepin County. Pick your own apples & pre-picked apples and our own cider.

Pine Tree Apple Orchard

450 Apple Orchard Road
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Ramsey County
Phone: (651) 429-6577
Directions: Located northeast of White Bear Lake, north on Hwy 61, E on Hwy 96, north on Apple Orchard Road.
Open: June-February; Seasonal hours, call ahead
Description: Picturesque orchard setting offering a variety of apples (Aug-Feb), homemade apple bakery/dessert products, caramel apples, fresh cider, apple gifts, gift baskets, jams & jellies. For family outings-wagon ride, PYO pumpkins in Oct, entertainment. Call for schedule. Tours Aug-Oct are educational and fun, reservations needed. PYO & ready picked strawberries in June.

It is hard to believe that we’re back to this time of year again! Many of you are out there braving the busy stores doing back to school shopping for your kids.  It can be a stressful time of year.  When the first day of school finally arrives and you can catch your breath, come on in for a relaxing massage to rejuvenate yourself! We’ll be waiting for you! Here are some ideas of ways to ease the burden on your pocket book this fall:

Shop at Bargain and Dollar Stores
Your local dollar or discount store is a great place to save money on back-to-school supplies. Name-brand versions of supplies like pencils, rulers, highlighters, scissors, erasers, folders, and notebooks may be discounted to around $1 at dollar stores. You may not find everything you need, but it’s worth a shot to see what they have in stock.

Check Out Yard Sales and Thrift Stores
If you like to bargain, then yard sales and thrift stores are your one-stop deal spots. Binders, notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school accessories can be purchased at unheard-of prices. Many times yard sales have unused items, but if your finds have some wear and tear, a little creativity and family craft-time can bring them back to life. You can also find quality vintage accents for a dorm room, if your teen is heading off to college. Couches, nightstands, lamps, desks, and other furniture and accessories are heavily discounted there.

Use Loose-Leaf Paper
A common mistake when the school year ends is throwing away spiral notebooks — blank pages and all. Instead, use binders with loose-leaf paper. That way you use only the paper you need and can save the rest for next year. If spiral notebooks are necessary, purchase notebooks with perforated pages that rip out cleanly, so blank pages can be reused as loose-leaf.

Buy a Reusable Lunch Box
Instead of packing your child’s lunch in a new brown bag every day, pack it in a fun, reusable lunch bag that reflects her personality.

Shop Online
Save money on school supplies and back-to-school clothes by shopping online. Office supply companies may offer better prices online than in their stores. Be sure to look for inexpensive delivery options, to keep the overall price down. This way, you save time, gas, and money.

Have Kids Chip In
It’s amazing how much your child does not need when it comes to spending his own money. By having kids chip in on their school supplies and especially school clothes, you can save money while teaching your child a lesson in money management. Kids may even feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they contributed their own money.

Stock Up for Next Year
Every school season follows the same routine: School supplies are bought, kids go back to school, and then the stores put everything on sale. Retail stores tend to discount school supplies even more after the “buying season” is over. By thinking ahead and taking advantage of markdowns this year, you’re sure to save money for next year.

Get Creative
Most schools suggest that books be covered with a protective layer to keep them newer longer. Instead of spending money on fancy book covers, get creative with what you have at home. Extra wallpaper, old wrapping paper, newspaper, and brown-paper bags make great book covers at little or no cost. A plain cover also provides a blank canvas for kids to express themselves creatively. Forgo expensive, novelty pencil and lunch boxes, supply boxes, and binders, for plain, less expensive versions. Then let your kids dress them up with stickers, decals, and paints.

Here are some helpful links for you on everything back to school:

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/bts_main.htm

http://www.schoolfamily.com/

http://www.foodfit.com/cooking/archive/foodfamily_july16.asp

http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html

Buffalo Plaid: A familiar apparel is making its way back into mainstream status, which is none other buffalo plaid. This warm, woodsy print has become one the most sought after items for the fall season. Most people often associate plaid with hunters and the outdoors. That makes it impossible to be fashionable, right? Think again. This fall/winter season will be infused with lumberjack-inspired fashions–look for it!

Leather Look: Leather this fall/winter can take the form of pretty much any item of clothing. If you can name it, the odds are that someone’s sent it down the runway in leather. Pants, skirts, shorts, coats, capes, vests; they’re all there.

Summer is still in full force but walking the aisles of any local department store quickly reminds us that fall is just around the corner! Back-to-school shopping has begun and college students are beginning to pack up their belongings for their return to college.A new season of fashion is approaching and we’re keeping you on top of the trends.  Here are a few to watch for to kick off Fall 2009:

One shouldered tops and dresses: Asymmetric shoulder lines have made a huge return in 2009. Your favorite stores were full of single-shouldered dresses, tops and bikinis this summer and this style is sticking around for the fall.  Showing off one shoulder can be subtly sexy and interesting on the eye, and the possibilities for how to wear it are numerous.

Over-the-knee/Thigh high boots: Over-the-knee boots are the must-have item for Fall 2009, but those daring enough will find the tops of their boots creeping up even higher with thigh-high boots also making it mainstream. From elegant suedes to darkly futuristic leathers, the options are many and various. Genuine leather is your best bet, of which you’re safest investment choice is classic matte black or brown. If you want a more unique color leather, your other big choices for 2009/2010 are olive greens, greys or cream/neutral tones. Suede, the other big choice for this trend, is very popular be it in black, brown, grey, maroon or pretty much any other color variation.

Capes, Capelets and Cloaks: It’s been quite some time since the cape has been a major fashion staple. In Fall 2009/Winter 2010 the cape, in it’s various forms, will make it to major trend status as many big names of the fashion design world create their own unique revivals. Capes and cloaks have existed, in one variety or another, through much of our known human history. From early Medieval mantles, to 16th century decorative shawls; from military officers capes and 1940s fur stoles, to the fringed ponchos of the 1960s. But since the humble poncho had its hippie revival, the cape in its more sophisticated forms has seen nothing of a major comeback on the streets – that is, until now. The cape is back on the agenda as one of the major 2009/2010 fashion trends.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Fall 2009 Fashion Trends!

If the summer sun is leaving your hair dry and brittle – or just a little dull – you may be inclined to try one of these little recipes.  Mix them up right in the comfort of your own home and then sit back and let them work their magic.  You’ll be left with more luxurious locks!

 Get soft and shiny hair naturally

Mash one peeled avocado and mix it with coconut milk. Apply this on hair and rub well. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it out. Shampoo if required.

 Shiny Hair with a fresh feeling

Avoid this one if your hair is really damaged or dry.  Add 1 tsp. lemon juice, 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water. Apply this after shampooing. Leave it for ten minutes then rinse it out.  

 **HOT OIL TREATMENTS**

 Homemade Hot oil treatment #1 Olive oil

This is a treat for dry hair. Warm olive oil and apply on the hair and scalp. Massage it in and leave on the scalp for 15 minutes and then shampoo well.

 Homemade Hot oil treatment #2 Olive oil & honey

3 tsp. of olive oil and 1 tsp. of honey. Mix well and apply on scalp; wait 15 minutes and shampoo well.

 Homemade Hot oil treatment #3

Beat together 1 egg, 1 tsp. vinegar and 2 tsp. coconut oil. Massage into the scalp. Comb evenly through hair and leave for 15 minutes before washing.

 Homemade Hot oil treatment #4

Mix 2 tsp. of coconut oil with 1 tsp. of lime juice and massage into the scalp and rinse. 

 Why do these ingredients work?

 Raw Apple-Cider Vinegar: Adding a little bit of raw apple-cider vinegar to the deep-conditioning hair treatment provides an astringent effect; it works by tightening the cuticle, giving tresses shine and silkiness. In addition, it helps to ensure that the ingredients blend well.

Coconut oil: It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.

Egg yolks: These contain large amounts of lecithin and supply valuable conditioners that don’t weigh down the hair. The scalp, too, can benefit from the lecithin, as it is very nourishing for the skin.

 Olive oil: A wonderful ingredient for conditioning and nourishing normal hair.

Avocado: Use these for hydrating benefits and proteins.

Nothing says summer like food fresh off the grill! We’ve collected some tips for you to get the most out of your grilling this summer! Enjoy!

1. At BLT Burger in Las Vegas, chef Laurent Tourondel brushes burgers with butter while they’re on the grill. The natural sugars caramelize, making the meat extra-delicious.

2. Chef Nate Appleman of A16 and SPQR restaurants in San Francisco swears by coating vegetables with a mayonnaise-based marinade; it creates a beautifully blistered crust when grilled.

3. When grilling a meal, chef Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie and Bar Annie in Houston threads ingredients for sauces onto skewers to cook alongside the meat. While the meat rests he purees the sauce ingredients in a blender.

4. Jerk chicken gets its aroma from being grilled over wood from pimento trees, the source of allspice. Chef Jose Garces of Philadelphia’s Amada mimics jerk by soaking allspice in water, then throwing the berries onto hot coals.

5. Chef Robert Del Grande swears by his grandmother’s trick: “I saw her do this when I was a kid. She would tie fresh herbs to a brush and baste chicken on the grill with it. Some things just stick in your mind.”

6. Chef Emeril Lagasse honors simplicity in his new book, Emeril at the Grill: “I keep lemons, limes and oranges on hand for spritzing over simply grilled meat, seafood and vegetables. Then I drizzle on olive oil.”

7. To keep fillets intact, chef Anita Lo of Annisa in New York City wraps them in briny grape leaves—a tasty combination.

8. Even on a clean grill, lean foods may stick when placed directly on the rack. Reduce sticking by oiling your hot grill rack with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel: hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

9. Food safety is a top priority, so keep these simple rules from the USDA in mind: avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards, utensils and platters for raw and cooked foods; refrigerate foods while marinating; and never baste with the marinating liquid. (Make extra marinade just for basting or boil your marinating liquid first.)

Do you have a favorite recipe for the grill? We’d love to see it!

Since our weather is finally beginning to feel more like summer, we wanted to spotlight something related to an activity that Minnesotans do mainly in the summer: SWIMMING! It is finally time to grab your beach towel, sunblock and flip-flops and hit the beach!

If last year’s suit isn’t cutting it, keep these tips in mind when you are shopping for a new swimsuit:

1. Elongate a petite frame with a one-piece suit that has thin vertical stripes. Lend short legs length with a suit cut high on the hip.

2. Use blocks of color to divert attention from wide hips or a belly bulge. Wear one-piece suits with a dark-colored, solid lower half and a lighter-colored or printed bodice.

3. Give a square or boyish figure the appearance of a waist with a one-piece or tankini (a bikini with a top shaped like a tank top) that has a darker color from the crotch to the middle ribs and a lighter color over the chest. Consider a skort – a combination short and skirt to conceal and divert attention away from a too-round bottom.

4. Minimize a full chest with a dark, monochromatic bodice that has a high or square-cut neck. Make sure the suit offers ample support to resist drooping or sagging, and choose a wider-cut bottom to balance your overall look.

5. If you have toned legs and beautiful shoulders, flaunt them in a string bikini or cutout one-piece swimsuit.

6. Choose suits with at least 15 percent spandex to minimize flabby areas.

One of the hottest trends this summer for suits is the stylish one-shoulder number. Taking the lead from the current trend in one-shoulder toga-style dresses and asymmetrical necklines, this year’s single-shoulder swimsuits are sophisticated and beautiful. The diagonal line narrows across the upper body for a flattering look.  Plus one shoulder will be without tan lines that way!

Don’t forget to slather on sunblock while you are out there enjoying the sun and sand! Stop into Belladerm to stock your beach bag–we have amazing products to guard your skin from harmful rays! Enjoy your summer and whatever swimsuit you decide to wear, just make sure it is one you feel comfortable and confident in, and you can’t go wrong!

With summer just around the corner, you probably have home/garden maintenance on your mind, as well as your to-do list!  We’ve included some tips to help you out and keep you on track. Summer’s heat and dry weather can be tough on your home.  A little home maintenance can go a long way to keep your house in good repair.  Follow this checklist to stay on top of your home maintenance during the summer.

Outside
There are many home maintenance projects that you can do in the summer to keep the exterior of your home and your yard looking great. 

• Trim back any trees or shrubs that have grown too close to the house. This not only prevents damage from tree limbs but helps with safety, too, by eliminating any blind spots.
• Make sure no water pools or collects anywhere in your yard.  Stagnant water is a breeding area for mosquitoes.  There will be enough mosquitoes about during the summer without providing them a place to multiply.
• Maintain your deck or patio.  Thoroughly clean and scrub your deck or patio and apply a deck sealer the next day. You will need sunny, dry weather for this home maintenance task.
• Wash the exterior of your house using a garden hose.  A pressure washer can actually cause damage unless used by a professional.  An attachment on your water hose should be sufficient.  You can even buy an attachment that allows you to add a mild detergent to aid in washing your siding.
• Repair any cracks in the driveway or sidewalk with a concrete caulk for small cracks or a concrete patch for larger ones.
• Take care of your swimming pool.  Have it ready for the season and maintain it throughout the summer.

Inside
Don’t neglect the inside of your home. Here are some summer home maintenance projects.

• Service your air conditioner.  If you have not done so already, have the biannual service done by a professional.  Also, change out all of your air filters.
• Check the windows and doors.  The weather stripping may need some maintenance.  Cold air can escape through any cracks here.  Caulk around the doors and windows as needed as part of your home maintenance.
• Thoroughly clean the dryer lint.  Clean the lint trap as well as the exterior vent cap.  It needs to be clear to allow air to not be trapped.  It can actually result in carbon monoxide backing up into your house.
• Clean the icemaker.  You are going to need a lot of ice-cold drinks with the summer heat, so make sure that your icemaker is up to the task.
• Before you go on vacation, check your home’s security.  This is an important part of home maintenance that involves the interior as well as the exterior of your home.  You want your yard well-lit and your home easy to see. (With the trees and shrubs trimmed, it should be.)  Make sure all the locks work well on the windows and doors.  Test your alarm system.  Cancel the paper and mail or have a neighbor pick them up for you when you travel.  Leave a few lights on or better yet, have them on a timer.

A few hours of home maintenance can help improve the condition of your home and head off any potential problems.  A little preventative maintenance can save you lots of money in pricey repairs.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms!

Our wish for you is a day full of relaxation and pampering that is spent with the ones you hold dear.

Are you still doing some last-minute shopping for your mom? A gift card from Belladerm is a perfect way to show Mom she is appreciated! She will be delighted to schedule a time to come in for a beauty treatment or to purchase a much-needed product.  She may be excited to try Latisse, our new lash product.  We are offering a special 10% off discount for the month of May! Every woman would love fuller, longer, darker lashes! Treat mom to a gift that will make her feel more beautiful than she already is.  We’ve even made it easy for you to purchase a gift card online! Click here to learn more.

You may have seen this before, but it is so funny that we wanted to share it with you for Mother’s Day.  We applaud the hard work and dedication of moms everywhere! Have a special day!

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR MOMS

Position:
Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy

Job Description:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

Responsibilities:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility For Advancement & Promotion:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages And Compensation:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and then wish you could only do more.

Benefits:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.