Hey ladies .. YES it’ that time again – the weekend!!! Whoo hoo! But before you check out mentally at work and start surfing Bluefly, Gilt and mytheresa.com at 9:01am while you sip your coffee at your desk let’s talk about the “Get Right & Go Bag” every girl should have locked and loaded for the weekend.

Expectant moms aren’t the only ones who should pack a bag and have it ready at the door to grab and go. So should you! At this point you’re probably wondering “what exactly is this “Get Right & Go Bag?”  Well let’s talk about it: Every man and woman regardless if he or she is in a committed monogamous relationship or in the casual dating game should ensure that his or her sexual health is taken care of and never in jeopardy, because you never want to be that person who gets up out of bed while you’re seconds away from “doing it” to go search through your junk drawer or bathroom for a condom (that hopefully hasn’t expired or is half open  🙂

Here are my top recommendations that you should always have in your “Get Right & Go Bag”

“Get Right & Go Bag”

• CondomS .. Yes – MORE THAN ONE
• Lubricant
• Mouthwash
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Breathmints or gum
• $20.00
• A pair of flip-flops
• A multivitamin

The condoms and lubricant are for … well HELLO! The $20 is because you never know, “it” may not be all you expected and you may need to hop a cab for a quick get away. The flip-flops are so you can kick off your shoes and keep comfortable after a long night of dancing or walking in your heels (barefoot walking is never sexy). The gum, mints, toothpaste and toothbrush keep you fresh in case you don’t go home. And the multivitamin will help any hangovers and keep you going well into the next day.

All these items are within your reach to keep you right while you’re on the go; because we know you have a busy life and we want to ensure happy and healthy living is easy and accessible for you. With your “Get Right & Go Bag” you have tools at your fingertips to be happy and healthy, so use them to Live Right At Night tonight and every night.

Wishing you a safe and sexy weekend,

Smooches

Dr. V

 

Hello weekend!!! Thank goodness it’s here again. This week it couldn’t have come fast enough. In this week’s installment of Live Right At Night we will be talking about Eating Right at Night. Specifically, I want to know how many of you have ever come home after the club a little tipsy, or perhaps gotten tipsy at the house and decided around 2 am “dang, I’m hungry, let me cook something.” And then, as soon as you fire up the stove or turn on the oven you fall asleep. Does this sound like a familiar story?

It’s ok, you can admit it, you’re amongst friends here and across the pond.  Did you know that in London alcohol consumption has been blamed for 25% of household fires. The London Fire Brigade reports that over the past 3 years almost 4,500 house fires have been caused by people between the ages of 18-24 who earn more than $100,000 a year. That’s right young professional Brits cook while drunk too. Here in the US 40% of house fires and 36% percent of fire-related injuries are caused by cooking fires.

To save you the drama (and health risks) here are a couple tips to keep your buzz going and your home safe this weekend:

1) Don’t cook while you’re drunk!  End of story.  If you must eat, order take-out.

2) If you are starving and don’t want take out  – use the microwave – sans metal utensils!

3) Get a fire extinguisher for your kitchen – this should be a must in every home or apartment.

4) Make sure you have smoke detectors in every room with FRESH batteries.

On top of all these tips, everyone in your home should know what to do when the smoke alarm goes off so it’s important to have an escape plan just in case you have a fire in your home. Smoke detectors should be checked weekly, and batteries changed every 6 months.  Also make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of all bedrooms. If you do have a house fire remember to touch the door with the back of your hand before opening it. Always stay low to the floor if you need to crawl through smoke, as there is more air closer to the floor. Have a designated meeting place once you get out of the house and make sure to call 911.

So ladies and gents let’s add to the well-known mantra about not drinking and driving a “don’t drink and cook”.  Satisfy your late-night cravings in safer ways with take-out or just use the microwave.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend.

Smooches,

Dr. V

Good evening ladies!

Yes it’s that time of week again – the WEEKEND!! Thank goodness! In this week’s #LiveRightAtNight post I want to remind you to be smart about traveling right in the evening including one of the new dangers posed by texting and walking.  Sure you’ve read a lot about people walking into traffic, off piers (true story) and even into other people while texting and walking, but that isn’t all that can happen when you’re unaware of your surroundings!

A new trend sees thieves snatching smartphones while users are texting or even talking on the phone, and it has now become a nationwide problem. In some cases brazen thieves are holding people up at gunpoint to get their hands on a new phone.  In New York City police report more than 40% of all robberies involve cell phones. Across the country in L.A. police say cell phone thefts have increased almost 30% compared to last year.

Yes ladies snatching your smartphone – which I know has your entire life stored on it from passwords, to emails, and pictures –  is today’s modern day purse snatch.

Here are a couple tips to keep you (and your phone) safe:

1)   Register your cell phone’s serial number with your local police department.

2)   Minimize distraction – don’t text and walk and take your eyes off your surroundings

3)   If someone snatches your phone don’t fight back. You don’t want to get injured    especially if the thief has a weapon.

4)   Don’t keep your phone in your back pocket or in plain sight.

5)   Don’t leave your phone unattended. Anywhere.

6)   Make sure you put a password on your phone to protect your information.

7)   Sign up for a smartphone tracking app if you have not already.

Follow the above rules and also stay on the look out for how the law is intervening! Individual phone carriers and police agencies are launching databases you can enter your phone’s serial number into that will permanently disable your phone if it’s stolen.  The Federal Communication Commission has also agreed to set up a national database to track stolen phones. It’s slated to launch later this year.

This weekend as you’re walking down the street instead of texting your date that you are en route keep those sexy bedroom eyes open to avoid becoming a victim.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend.

Smooches,

Dr. V

It’s Lover’s Day again Ladies!

This year as you savor fine Belgian dark chocolates and smell your long-stem roses with your lover (or let’s admit it, yourself) don’t forget to send some virtual love to the special people who have been by your side through romance and heartbreak: your girlfriends!  Sure Valentine’s Day is a huge commercial holiday for romantic relationships but it’s also a great time to honor those women in your life who have been instrumental in your development into the fabulous woman you see and celebrate in the mirror every day!

Let them know that you love and appreciate them so much that their health and wellness is as much a priority to you as scheduling a regular Girls Night Out!

How can you do that?  Look no further!  Download my Dr. V Valentine’s Day Pledge Cards (or tag your girlfriends in them via my Facebook page) and send them to your mom, sisters, friends – whomever you want to honor and love this holiday!

Unlike champagne, chocolate or diamonds, they don’t cost a thing, won’t add inches to your waist and are hangover free!

So, this year ladies let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day by pledging to support and keep each other healthy!

Wishing you a safe & sexy Valentine’s Day.

Dr. V

Travel Right at Night ….

Happy Friday everyone, the weekend is here again … This week we are focusing on traveling right at night. I want to take a moment to ask what do you do when your smartphone chimes as you’re driving in the car? Do you ignore it or pick it up immediately even while you are cruising on the highway?

Well, did you know that texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to have an accident?? Yes, that’s right 23 times! Your reaction time while driving and using a cell phone even with a hands-free device is the same reaction time as a person with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of .08 percent! That’s astonishing right?

So this weekend as you’re hitting the streets and texting your friends that you are on your way please make sure to text safely! Do it while you aren’t driving. In 2009 almost 500,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving. I know you are going to tell me that you only text while you are stopped at a light right? Sending or receiving a text takes a your eyes off the road for almost 5 seconds. This is the amount of time needed to travel the entire length of a football field at 55mph.

Talking on the phone even using a hands-free device uses about 40% of your brain power that should be focused on the road. Add in singing along to your favorite GaGa or Beyonce song and you are totally distracted. Drivers between the ages of 16-20 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported … wait though .. it’s not just teens who are multi-tasking while driving .. 30-39-year-olds have the highest percentage of cell phone use in fatal crashes!

Texting is more distracting than talking on the phone while you are driving because texting requires you to be involved with your hands, head, and eyes. So please don’t text and drive. Most states have distraction laws in place. Make sure you know the laws in your state. Injuring someone while texting and driving could cost you jail time and a fine.

Have a safe and fabulous weekend

Dr. V

This week Live Right At Night is all about .. Playing Right At Night .. specifically Superbowl Night!

You know the words …sing along ladies: “Are you ready for some football?” Super Bowl weekend is here and New Orleans isn’t the only place people will be partying. The Ravens and 49ers have been prepping for Sunday’s big game and each has a gameplan to help them bring that trophy back to their respective hometowns.  Now let’s talk about your gameplan that’s sure to help you guarantee game night will be fun and safe!

I love Super Bowl Sunday! From the commercials and halftime show, the die-hard fan that shows up in his/her team’s full regalia, and to the chicken wings and dip, I enjoy everything about the day that’s practically a national holiday. I’m sure many of you do as well and will be enjoying it in a couple of days, which is why I’m going to suggest that all you ladies out there have a gameplan of your own so that you get through the evening happy, healthy, and fabulous.  It will also ensure you aren’t playing Monday Morning Quarterback around the water cooler saying “damn, my head hurts, why did I drink so much last night?”

Dr. V’s Superbowl XLVII Gameplan:

Here are a couple winning plays for your playbook:

1)   Travel Safe: If you are going to drink make sure you aren’t driving. Police are on heightened alert this weekend. Why not carpool to your Super Bowl party or arrange an alternate form of transportation. Don’t wait and then pick the least drunk person to drive home at the end of the night. Plan ahead pick a poor soul who promises to NOT drink at all to drive you home or call a taxi or use public transportation.

2)   Pace yourself: The food is going to flow just as freely as the drinks. Did you know that 1.5 billion chicken wings are served during Super Bowl weekend? Reports say there may even be a chicken shortage. However, this doesn’t mean you need to stockpile food on your plate. One chicken wing can have up to 150 calories. And if you are eating out at a sportsbar a chicken wing appetizer loaded with sauce can have up to 1700 calories. YES, that’s right that’s more calories in an appetizer than you should be eating all day. So pick and choose wisely what you want to eat. Bake instead of fry, and nibble on alternative items such as vegetables, Pop Chips, veggie wings and more.  Also, posting up next to the buffet is definitely a “busted play!”

3)   Remember Booze & Soda Pack on the Calories Too: Just because it’s clear doesn’t mean it’s calorie free. Alcohol is an easy way to quickly add calories especially with mixers and juice. Switch out juice or regular soda, which can have up to 300 calories for lower calorie options like Mio or Crystal light – which only have 5 calories or have a calorie free diet soda. You can mix you favorite cocktail with diet tonic or seltzer water, which has 0 calories, or reach for a light beer often around 64 calories.

4)   Be safe if your halftime show starts when the game is over .. wink wink: You met a cutie and connected over which Harbaugh brother is your favorite and BOOM now you are back at this new cutie’s place.  Make sure that whatever you do late at night you do safely. No judgment if you take a condom or two with you to a Super Bowl party, it doesn’t mean you are plotting and planning to make a touchdown that night, it’s sorta like tossing an umbrella in your purse, you have it just in case. 🙂

Have a great Superbowl weekend and go Ravens!

Dr. V