Take a look in each of our Gift Categories listed below to find gifts that pair your budget with their personality, abilities, passions or hobbies.   It’s the path to the perfect gift! 

Hint:  Keep an eye out for bargain stocking stuffers.

Find fun and unique gifts in Gifts $50 to $100,  Gifts $100 and Up, Gifts for Teens, Electronic Gift Ideas, Baby Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him and Gifts for Kids. 

Best Gifts by Price

Gift Ideas Under $50

Handybar 3 in 1 Car Aid - Consider this gift for those who may have difficulty getting in and out of their car.  The Handybar allows the user to move from a seated position to a standing position with a fraction of the difficulty and strain.  Also includes a side window breaker and a seat belt cutter when immediate escape is necessary.  Give this to someone you love to let them know how much you care.

Folding Shopping Cart - The perfect gift for the shoppers, students, garage sale fans and anyone who has to ‘tote’ things.  Great for laundry, groceries, books – whatever!  Folds easily for quick storage.  Hooks onto most retail shopping carts.  

See all Shopping Carts & Totes

See all Daily Living Aids

Spacells Facial Sponges - A revolutionary facial sponge that cleans, removes make-up, exfoliates and massages at the same time.  An easy gift for all of the ladies in your life. 

See all Supracor Products and Spa and Relaxation gift ideas.

Tek Pal – Large Button TV Remote Control- The perfect gift for tv watchers over the age of 40.  Seriously.  They’re awesome (don’t ask me how I know this).  See also the Hy-Tek Big Button Universal Remote Control and the Hy-Tek Big Button Universal Remote Control.

See all Low Vision Aids

See all Electronic Gift Ideas

Lex Loop – Lex Loops Exercise Band - Great for beginners or the extremely fit, you can’t go wrong giving the Lex Loops as a gift.  These soft, padded ankle cuffs promote cardio-free strength training and flexibility.  Other all-around favorite fitness gifts are the Pedal Exerciser Stationary Bike and the ProStretch.

See all Exercise Bands – Tubes

See all Exercise / Fitness Products for hundreds of gift ideas.

To see nearly 400 gift ideas, shop our entire Gift Ideas Category for more Gifts Under $50.  If you’re looking for something specific, simply type what  you are seeking into the search box at the top of each page, and off you go.  Order today!

We appreciate your business.  Have a GREAT and ‘mindful’ day.

-Val

New Weight Loss Products

Sunny Indoor Cycling Bike - How nice would it be to have your own indoor bicycle?  Pedal away the pounds with this fully loaded workout machine.  Fully adjustable seat and handlebars. 26 lb flywheel. Magnetic resistance guarantees smooth and quiet workout .

Magnetic Elliptical Trainer – This deluxe elliptical trainer is the ultimate value in home gym equipment with high-quality features such as large anti-slip platforms, a hand pulse monitoring system and high quality magnetic resistance with 8 levels of workout.   You’ll even get an elliptical training monitor to monitor your heartbeat and keep tabs on your time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, IPM and body fat!

See all Sunny Fitness Products

Designer Whey – The Biggest Loser Protein Powder - As used by Al Vincent on “The Biggest Loser”.  Packed with vital B Vitamins and Protein, this powder will keep you feeling satisfied and away from fatty snacks.

Optygen HP - This revolutionary formula is the result of human clinical trials and the latest scientific research on increasing endurance and performance. New features include Beta-Alanine as well the most potent Rhodiola available.

Get in shape on the disc!  It’s all the rage at gyms across the country.  Choose from the Fun Disc, Fit Disc, Trim Disc and Sport Disc and you’ll increase your balance, flexibility and core strength in no time.   If you play sports, disc workouts can make a huge improvement in your performance.   

Inversion Table - After a stressful day or to relieve sore muscles and back pain, nothing works like an inversion table.  Supports up to 300lbs. 

Let us help you build an affordable home gym.  Shop all Home Fitness Equipment for more ideas.  And for all your dietary supplements and weight loss/weight gain products, see our Dietary Products Category.  Have a healthy day!  And, as always, thanks for your business.

Respirator masks are very difficult to find because the April 2009 threat of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus caused the US supply of masks to sell out in just a few days.  Due to the current preparation for what is now refered to as Novel Influenza A or Novel H1N1, we believe that these masks will sell out quickly. 

Also available for sale are hospital-grade disinfectants for clinical and household use.  See our Swine Flu Protection Products and our Cold/Flu Season Medical Supplies to order online.

Who Needs Facemasks and/or N95 Respirators?

Dated August 5, 2009, here are the CDC Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use for Home, Community, and Occupational Settings for Non-Ill Persons to Prevent Infection with Novel H1N1.

If Novel H1N1 is in your Community:

• In unavoidable crowded settings, if you are at increased risk of severe illness from influenza (high risk persons) you should consider a facemask or respirator.

• If you work in a non-healthcare environment a facemask/respirator is not recommended but could be considered under certain circumstances for both non-high risk persons and high-risk persons.

Home

• If you are a caregiver to someone in your home with a flu-like illness, use a facemask or respirator.

Health Care Workers

• If your occupation is in health care and you are caring for people with known, probable or suspected novel H1N1 or influenza-like illness, and you are in the non-high risk category, you should still wear a respirator mask. 

• If you are in the high-risk category, you should consider temporary reassignment or wear a respirator mask.

Source: Table 1.  

Here are the CDC Interim Recommendations For Facemask Use For Persons Ill With Confirmed, Probable, Or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) To Prevent Transmission Of Novel H1N1

Facemask preferred, if available and tolerable, or tissue to cover cough/sneeze if you are in these settings:

• Home Sharing Commmon Space with Others
• Health Care Settings (When Outside of Patient’s Room)
• Non-Healthcare Setting
• Breastfeeding

See Table 2

We hope you stay healthy through this flu season.  Let us know if there is anything we can get for you.

Thank you for being an AllegroMedical.com customer.  We appreciate your business.

Allegro’s broad range of antimicrobial germ killers lets you order the same products used in hospitals and other health care facilities – for use in your own home, vehicle, office, school or social gathering places.  We suggest you order these hospital grade disinfectants and sanitizers today, as demand is expected to be high.

Why stock up on antimicrobials?  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the H1N1 virus is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people.  Droplets from a cough or sneeze move through the air and can transmit the flu to people close by.  Sometimes people may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. 

How to Protect Your Health

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue.  Throw it in the trash afterwards… please.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze or cough.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.  Have kids?  Order Sani-Hands for Kids.  It’s an antimicrobial alcohol gel hand wipes that kill 99.99% of germs while removing bacteria and soil.  See All Hand Sanitizers.

• How do you know if your employees or kids are washing their hands properly?  Teach them with the Glo-Germ Handwashing Learning Kit.

• To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces clean (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.  Allegro has many Surface Disinfectants to choose from,  including disinfectant towelettes, spray cleaners, sanitizing sprays, wipes, home care kits and foggers.

• BE PREPARED in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over the counter medicines, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, tissues and other related Cold/Flu Items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while sick and contagious.  

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs spread this way. 

• Avoid contact with sick people.

• If you’re sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours AFTER your fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. 

See All Cold/Flu Season Products including diagnostic aids, pain relief, personal protection items and more.

See All Swine Flu Category Products including gloves, hand sanitizers, masks and surface disinfectants.

Stay current with CDC recommendations at the 2009 H1N1 Flu Website.

Do what you can to avoid getting sick.  Order today!

Don’t Jack the Back, Mac

What kid wants to be walking around with a messed up spine when they’re ten? As a parent, you’ll have one less thing to worry about if you get them an Airpack Ergonomic Back-Saving Backpack.  These things are amazing. They’re cool, trendy, ergonomic AND healthy. Plus they have compartments, zippers, hidey holes, bells and whistles galore.

Airpacks backpacks patented design redistributes weight from the shoulders to the hips and lower back, thereby lightening the effective weight of the pack by 50%. Stress on the body is reduced by a whopping 80% because the design promotes a more upright standing position. Airpacks come in small, medium, large and mesh and are sized to fit by height (or torso length). Great for students of all ages and yes, that means adult students too.

Even if you’ve already invested in a backpack, you may consider swapping it out for one with back saving technology. Did I mention that it makes you stand up straight? The bonuses never end.

Stop Missin’ the Bus, Gus

(school morning dialog without the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock):
Time to wake up! Sweetie, get up… Get up, please. C’mon now, up, up, up. You’re going to be late for school…. (5 minutes later) Don’t make me come in there. Get…up…NOW.

(school morning dialog WITH the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock):
Well, aren’t you on the ball today! Holy moley, you’re dressed already. What a great kid. (smiles, whistling, high fives ensue)

Having a hard time waking them up? Fear not. Blast ‘em out of bed with a Sonic Bomb alarm clock. There’s even a Sonic Boom Sweetheart Alarm Clock to wake your sleeping beauty.

Really, they’re not as scary as they sound and we sell a ton of them so they must work. Allegro Medical product manager Mike Benge wakes up to the Sonic Bomb every morning.  He says, “It’s like a freight train coming at me. Lights are flashing, the bed is shaking, and the sound is like nothing you’ve ever heard.”

You can set these clocks to do all kinds of things – loud or not so much. I have the Portable Vibrating Travel Alarm that gently vibrates my pillow so I don’t wake up all freaked out. Ahhhhh. No noise – but I could add noise if I wanted.  And for all you do, Soccer Mom, you deserve a nice gradual awakening with the Sunrise Alarm Clock.  

Hate running to catch the bus?  How about chasing your alarm clock instead?  This one jumps from the nightstand and runs away.  Seriously!  It’s called the Chrome Clocky Mobile Alarm Clock.  Makes a great gift.

See all Sonic Alert products

See all Alarm Clocks

Quit Wettin’ the Bed, Fred

The start of a new school year is stressful for everyone, but even more so for families with bed wetters. Besides the lack of sleep and overall frustration you’re ALL feeling, your child is also likely dealing with significant emotional and social issues associated with bed wetting.

If you are tired of the stress (and mess), you should try the Nite Train’r Bedwetting Alarm as a training tool.

The Nite Train’r is a device that sets off an alarm to awaken the child when just a drop or two of urine hits the sensor pad, worn in the child’s undergarments. There’s a Nite Train’r for Males and a Nite Train’r for Females.

Crissy, an Allegro customer from Fullerton, CA says, “Our six year old son never had dry nights, even as a preschooler. He is a very sound sleeper, but after two nights he began waking up to the alarm…he has had three dry nights during the third week of use.”

Don’t wait until you’re at the end of your rope. Hopefully the Nite Train’r is the answer you’ve been looking for, and you can remove bedwetting from the list of stressors in the morning rush to school.

See all bedwetting products.

No more Starvin’, Marvin

It’s no secret that kids don’t always eat right. At least when they are home, you can do a better job of monitoring it. Once they’re off to school it’s anyone’s bet. If you know, or suspect, or have been told that little Suzy is not getting enough calories, there is a simple answer. Supplement their meals with balanced shakes, juice drinks or puddings. We have a complete selection of Child Nutrition products – our most popular being Pediasure, Nutren Junior, Resource Just for Kids and Boost Pudding.

These products cover picky eaters, skinny kids, special needs, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, reduced appetite, super-active, low-weight, chronic illnesses, short-term illnesses, mal-nutrition – pretty much everything. There’s no reason for you to worry every day about Junior getting enough to eat. Kids love this stuff.

 Be Ready, Mama Betty

School time means toting kids around. Sometimes toting other people’s kids around. Even if you’re not driving with kids, we all need to pay attention to this. Are you prepared for an emergency? Here is a checklist of things you need in your car in case you’re stranded or in an accident:

Don’t dilly dally. Order now. It’s easy.  I hope you never, ever have to use this emergency stuff, but it pays to be ready. And believe me, when you need a rescue blanket or a side window breaker, you’re not only glad you have it, but it could save your life.

Don’t Sneeze Up the Goo, Drew

Preparing for the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus – or just flu season in general?  Check our Swine Flu Category for available products (several are still back-ordered from the last break-out).  Meantime, make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizers to squirt on those little germy fingers, and surface disinfectants for your counters, bannisters, keyboards, etc.

Have a nice day. Be safe. Eat your greens. And thanks for being an Allegro Medical customer. We appreciate your business.

If you’re the dad, and you find something you want on here, print out copies and casually leave them where they will be found by the gift-giver.  I suggest using a highlighter to avoid any confusion.

Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Every Dad

  Pro Angler Kayak Seat Back- Dad will GONE FISHIN’ with this comfy Skwoosh kayak seat cushion, designed by pro angler Dominick Greco.   Not a kayaker? Keep daddy’s tushy happy with other Skwoosh Cushions designed for hunting, canoes and fitness equipment. 

See all Outdoor Gear

See all Cushions

  Spa-N-A-Box Portable Whirlpool Spa - Get dad his own spa!  He can put it indoors or outdoors on the patio or in the basement, fill it up with water, plug it in and RELAX.  He’ll be forever grateful.

 See all Portable Spas and Accessories

  Pro Indoor Cycling Bike - Pops with a penchant for fitness will love this new super sturdy, fully adjustable, very affordable bike.  Or, here’s a fun one.  How about a PCGamersBike?  Pedal and play PC games at the same time.  If cycling’s not his thing, how about a home eliptical trainer? 

See all Exercise & Fitness Gear including balance boards, the Perfect Pushup and hand exercisers.

 UV Razor Sanitizer & Storage Case – It’s the slickest, newest way to store your razor.  Just stick your padre’s razor in there, close the door and it zaps away germs and bacteria.   No more worry about nasty bathroom germs getting into nicks and scrapes. 

Go all the way in the germ department and get him a toothbrush sanitizer or a dental spa too.

See all Personal Sanitizers

 Zephyr Travel Hearing Aid Dryer - If you have a travel pop with a hearing aid, this is the perfect gift.  Compact for taking on the road, but big on performance.  Dad will travel with a nice dry, odor free hearing aid.  Ahhhhh….  Shuts off automatically after 8 hours. 

See all Dry and Store Hearing Aid Products

See all Heaing Impairment Products including the Secret Sound Amplifier

 Hy-Tek Big Button Universal Remote – Guys love this thing.  They all do, really.  We sell a ton of them.  A big button television remote is especially nice for anyone over 40.  It’s an ‘over-40 eyesight thing’… don’t ask me how I know this.

See all Low Vision Products

 Easi-Grip Add-On Handles(pk of 2)- Great for gardening pops, or should I say gardening poppies? Ha!  These easi-trip handles latch onto your gardening tools and transforms it into an ergonomic tool.   He’ll get more done and won’t be as sore.  That means more flowers and green beans for YOU.

See all Gardening & Yard Equipment

Oregon Wireless BBQ Thermometer- Your backyard grillmaster will know when the meat is done from up to 100 feet away with this wireless doo dad.  He can be all cool, hanging with his guests and he’ll seem to secretly know just when it’s time to tend the grill.  Everyone will think he can multi-task!  Wow.

 Wheeleez Folding Beach Cart (girl not included) – Wheeleez makes transporting anything on the beach easier.  There are even transporters for canoes and kayaks.  If picnics on the beach are in Dad’s future, save him the hassle of dragging the coolers through the sand with this handy cart. 

See all Wheeleez Products

 Folding Shopping Cart- Does Daddy ‘O serve as a pack mule at the famer’s market, or when hauling things to and from the car?  Get him a Winnie Wagon!  He’ll only have to make one trip.  Keep it in the trunk.

See all Shopping Carts

 Bionic Golf Glove – Shaw-wing! Make his golf game the best it can be.  These special golf gloves will give him a better grip, superior club control and a better overall game.  Besides, we sell them like crazy.  See also the Power Swing Trainer Golf Gym and the Superfeet Black Insoles for Golf Shoes.  Get all three and he’ll be unstoppable.

 InStep Quick N’ EZ Bike Trailer / Stroller – New Dads will love this.  And so will junior.   Oh, and mom too, ’cause she’ll have the house to herself for a while…  See also the Safari Single Jogging Stroller.

See all Bike Trailers

See all Baby Strollers and Joggers

I could go on, but you’re probably either bored or off ordering something by now.  If you ‘re still with me and you need more ideas, we have more than 100 items in our Gifts for Men and Fathers area. 

Order today and we’ll ship it right to the house.  Easy!

Happy, happy Father’s Day to all you Dad’s, grandpas, uncles, step’s and near-dads.  We hope you have a GREAT DAY.

Whether you have general insomnia, hot flashes, a snoring problem or a medical condition that’s keeping you awake, Allegro has something for you.  We even have products to help babies sleep better… so mommies and daddies can get a better night’s rest too.

Better Sleep Products

  The Snore Wizard – Without a doubt one of the most popular products at AllegroMedical.com.   Warning: It competely stops the snoring for some people and doesn’t work for others.  If a snorer is making you crazy, it’s probably worth the $60 bucks to find out, considering the high cost of surgery or worse yet, divorce…

 Baby Sleeps Safe - And mom will too, with this special two-piece infant sleep system developed by childcare experts. 

 Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock w/Bed Shaker – Are you a clock watcher, afraid you won’t hear the alarm?  Fear not, my sleepy friend, the Sonic Bomb will make SURE you’re awake with noise, flashing lights and bed shakers.  You can control all three, if it’s too much.  GREAT for heavy sleepers, college students and teenagers.

 Foam Eggcrate Mattress Overlay – another super popular AllegroMedical.com product.  This cushy overlay will save you $100’s off a pillow top mattress and will improve your circulation, reduce pressure sores and provide a cool, dry comfortable night’s sleep.  Great for sofa sleepers too!  Read Bed Check for Better Sleep for more better bed ideas.

 Eye Pillow with ergoBeads – like I always say, everything is better with cream cheese, bacon and…ergoBeads!

 Mother’s Choice Sleep Positioner – Awwww.  Don’t you just want to tickle those little feet?  This positioner will hold your baby comforably on their side or back in the crib, as recommended by the American Board of Pediatrics.

 Sunrise Alarm Clock -  This is just such a sweet product.  Imagine waking up to a slowly illuminated room, a simulated sunrise, instead being jarred awake by a screaming alarm.

 Double DreamSack - Perfect for couples who travel. This full silk pouch protects you from germs, harsh detergents and the general ick of hotel bedding. 

 Silk Travel Pillow Cases – Well, won’t you just be the smartest one on the plane when you slip one of these beautiful silk pillow cases onto your airline pillow!   Also get the Silk Pocket Pillowcase (fits standard pillows) to take with you on a cruise, visiting relatives, hotels or camping.  Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

 Chillow Pillow Cooling Sensation Memory Foam Pillow – You have to try this if you sleep a little hot.  Seriously.  I have two of them.  They really work.  Takes a few days to get started, but after that… amazing!

See All Chillow Cooling Products

 Rest Mate Bed Wedges - Box of 2 - Supports your upper body, prevents you from shifting and provides total comfort while you’re on your back or side. 

 Hugg-A-Pillow Bed Pillow – Cuddle up with this unique pillow designed to support your head, neck, shoulders and upper chest.  Available in standard or allergy free. 

 Stress-Ease Support Pillow – Ease the stress on your back and neck with this total cervical support pillow. And sleep like a baby, too.  Or, how about a pillow for butterflies?  Not really, check this out – Softeze Butterfly Pillow.

 Dreamsie Sleeper & Sleep Cap – Mde from 100% certified organic cotton knit, your little one will be safe and sound in this loose bedding alternative.  The full length zipper makes nightime diaper changes a snap.  Fits infants up to 6 months.

 Sweet Relief Duo – Personal Soothing & Cooling Set – Designed by women for women, these two pillows will cover your hot spots while you’re trying to sleep.  Grab a nightfull of zzzzz’s, while this fluid filled duo whisks heat away from your body and head.   Another great Mother’s Day gift!

See all these and more in Allegro’s Shop by Condition: Insomnia area.  Wishing you restful nights and sweet dreams forever. 

-v

Psssst… as always, thanks for being an AllegroMedical.com customer.  We appreciate your business.  Don’t forget about us when you need medical supplies!

He laughed and reminded me that not long ago that statement would sound like ‘a whole lotta gibberish’, (and probably still does to most people).  Regardless, Allegro has jumped on the social networking bandwagon and we now have pages and accounts with Facebook and Twitter.

AllegroMedical.com on Facebook

If you have a Facebook account, click here to find AllegroMedical.com and then click on the link to “become a fan” (top right portion of the page).  It onlyl takes a second and it doesn’t obligate you to anything.  We’re trying to see how many fans we can get!   

It’s kindof a cute page with pictures of our events/parties, our employees, the dogs of Allegro, etc.  I’ll be adding more as time goes by.  You can also see our blogs, special offers/promotions and neat stuff like that.   Feel free to add fan photos, fan videos, write on our wall and leave reviews.  We’d love to see your smiling face.  Yeah!! 

Allegro Medical on Twitter

If you follow me, I’ll follow you!  Same for Allegro Medical.  I have a personal Twitter account where you can follow me, Valerie Paxton and/or you can follow Allegro Medical.  

I’m still not sure about where social networking will take us, but hey, we’re all in this together, right?  Maybe we can all get to know each other a little better.

See you soon!

-v

1.  Break ‘em down; and

2.  Make a plan. 

Here’s an example:  Let’s say you resolve to be a better athlete, have a better body, or “get stronger” this year.  Those alone are not resolutions that will bear fruit.  Besides being too vague, they are “results” rather than “actions”.  So, let’s break it down and make a plan.

Improving the strength of your “core” – your abdomen and back – will make you stronger and more toned (and make those back problems disappear).  Breaking it down even further, if you improve your balance, you’ll strengthen your core and add speed and agility to the equation.  So, improving your balance = strengthening your core = having a better, more toned, athletically superior body.  See?  Now you just need to get a plan.  Read up on balance, check out some balance products.  Get them.  Set aside some time everyday to use them.  Believe me, you’ll know when you are improving.  You’ll stop falling off the dang balance trainer when you try to stand on it.  Before you know it, you’re stronger, you’ve maybe lost some weight, you’re faster and you feel better.  If you play sports, you’ll notice a distinct edge over your opponents when it comes to flexibility, agility and speed.

Moving on.  Here are some other examples of resolutions that work:

• Lose Weight.  If you want the end game to be weight loss, then think about what is causing you to keep the weight on.  Break it down and get a plan.  Drink a lot of soda pop?  Cut it out and replace it with a flavored, unsweetened water.  Can’t control your portions?  Go on a plan that measures them for you – Jenny Craig or NutriSystem for example.  Can’t stop eating sugar?  Go without any carbs/sugar for 48 hours and your cravings will be pretty much gone.  Then follow a low sugar plan.  Research, prepare, plan and do.  And one more thing about weight loss…  go slow.  Lose the first 2 lbs. and go from there.  Don’t say “I need to lose 20 lbs, or 50 lbs., or even 10″.  Say, “I need to lose 2″… and then 2 more, and then 5 more, etc. 

• Get in Shape.  Many of you will go out and buy a gym membership in the next couple weeks, thinking that is going to make you get in shape.  Not so.  Think about who you are and where you are and how you like to spend your time.  If there’s a good chance that you won’t get to the gym because of proximity or time constraints, then you’re already doomed.  Start simple instead.  My gym closed a few years ago and I decided to just work out the old fashioned way at home.  I got some hand weights (I use them while watching TV) and some Therabands, a Fitball, some Yoga, Cardio and Pilates gear, along some good walking and hiking shoes and now I can do my routines without worrying about getting to the gym.  There are all kinds of exercise/fitness products to use at home.  You can even put together your own home gym.  The thing is, you have to have a plan.  I do a quick 15 minute Yoga routine morning and night and I always take a walk.  That is the very least every day.  Other than that, I like to do the Pilates mat routines on the weekends along with hiking (or cardio if it’s too cold out).   Get a friend or significant other to walk with you.  Todd is a great inspiration to me.  He pushes me to hike and bike, and I push him to stretch and meditate.  What a team.

• Get a Life.  If you’re watching too much TV, not expanding your mind or learning, or maybe you’re not socializing enough then you probably should get a life.  Break it down.  What do you love?  What do you watch on TV?  These will give you hints as to how you can get a life.  If you love to travel then you should plan a trip, learn a language, take classes to prepare for an adventure (SCUBA certification, sailing, trekking).  If you love the cooking channel then get your bottom to a cooking class, or take a course online and be a gourmet chef at home.  Anything you enjoy thinking about or dreaming of can become part of your world.  Want to join a rock band?  Get a Wii!  Then besides playing the guitar you can fish, drive race cars, play tennis, improve your memory, work out… a million things.  Do you love pets?  Become a foster parent to your favorite breed or volunteer at an aminal shelter.  Love kids?  Become a scout leader, a Big Brother or Big Sister, read to kids at the library, rock babies at a local nursery.  Want to learn to sew?  Check out local classes and get going.  Just do it.  It’s addictive.  I’ve taken classes on caligraphy, stamp making,  SCUBA, painting, scrapbooking, sewing, Spanish, Italian, Yoga and more.   This year we’re going to take sailing lessons.  In Phoenix there are classes and groups for absoultely every interest.  If your town doesn’t have a group that you’d like to belong to…start one!

What ever it is that you resolve to do this year, you can do it!!  Did you know that spending only an hour per day on something, anything, will make you an “expert” within 2 years?  Think what you can get done in just one year.

I hope you have an excellent New Year.  Thanks, as always, for being an Allegro customer. 

If you have a resolution to share, along with a breakdown and a plan, please leave a comment!   Good luck.

-v

We realize it’s been a tough year for a lot of people.  Let’s all take a moment today to reflect on the good things - the things we can be thankful for even if times are rough.  Whether it is having a warm place to sleep or plenty of food, a loving family or good health, it’s not hard to think of something to be grateful for. 

At Allegro we count our loyal customers at the top of our many blessings.  2008 was our best year yet, and we have you to thank.  You mean more to us than you could ever know. 

We’re also grateful for the support and dedication of our employees who work so hard every day to make Allegro great.  Their passion for helping people is reflected in everything they do.     

Next year we’ll be taking everyone’s hard work to the next level.  You’ll see more and different products on the site, new brands, exciting promotions and increased functionality in our processes and efficiencies.  There’s much more in store. 

In the meantime it would mean a lot to us if you continue to recommend Allegro to your friends and family, and as always, remember to check Allegro first for your medical supplies, fitness equipment, dietary supplements, maternity products…  well, let’s just say that you should check here for just about everything.  I’m always finding things on the site that I didn’t even know we carried!

I’ll end with a hearty Merry Christmas!! And THANKS again for your business.  Now, before I go all boo hoo on you, get out of here and go buy something at AllegroMedical.com.  Go’on, git. 

-v