Second Screen Solution?

On February 7th, 2012 by Rich

I have been working on a new business project – a mobile app that provides a second-screen solution for people watching television. It has been an incredible 6 months trying to figure out how everything works – the technical specifications and interpreting how the creative works. Without the experience of building melslife, I never would have had the knowledge, understanding, or credibility to even attempt to jump into this new mobile world. melslife was built by several Indian companies and one U.S.-based company, and it took a little over a year to build and another 6 months to perfect. This app prototype took about 6 months to imagine, and another month to design and build. Technology is constantly changing. It felt like some days we were updating our technology – or way of looking at an issue – on a daily basis. Figuring out the user experience was one of the most difficult things to quantify. We combined content with technology to give the user a rich, exclusive, interactive experience. Now we have to raise capital. Within the next 2-3 months, we will know if our work paid off.

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A Little Nashville

On February 4th, 2012 by Melissa

Last year we went to Nashville, TN for my little brother’s high school graduation trip. Though I am constantly daydreaming of where to travel next, I figure that it’s probably a good idea to acknowledge the fabulousness that occurred while traveling last year. And thus, I bring you this post about Nashville—my brother’s most favorite city in the world (yes in the world—personally I would choose Paris or Rome, but by brother has a soft spot for grits and southern charm).

None of the contents of this cute little red basket were vegan, but as a foodie, I can appreciate a good looking piece of cornbread and a melt-in-your-mouth roll. The fam devoured them.

The best part about the south? Being served water in mason jars. BEST idea ever. I think that if water was served this way here, we would all drink more of it. Obvi.

The sign is for corn, yes, but I think we can all appreciate what’s really pictured—a true southern peach. Yum and yum…and more yum.

I love-am obsessed with-can’t live without-jam.

The trip was a good old fashioned southern good time filled with a lot of eating (of course) and some lovely sight seeing. The highlights of the trip are as follows:

1. Eating at The Wild Cow—an amazing vegetarian restaurant where my family enjoyed/devoured some of the best food we have ever had (that is saying a lot, by the way!).

2. Seeing the look of joy on my little brother’s face as he walked around his favorite place.

3. Discovering these amazing little hand-painted bowls with sparrows on them (if you didn’t know, I own a company called Little Sparrow Designs) from this amazing little store called Nest Interiors.

4. Experiencing southern hospitality at its finest—I have never ever seen such happy waiters and waitresses.

5. Getting to hear country music every which way I turned.

Nashville, I will be back!

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Happy New Year from melslife.com!

On January 5th, 2012 by Melissa

Happy New Year to everyone!!

The new year is always a good excuse for a fresh start. It feels good to have a clean slate health-wise and an excuse to eat healthy after truly over-indulging during the holidays.

DON’T do what most people do, though, and start the year off right, only to fall back into the same old same old. The best way to avoid this is to not be too extreme to start. If you have some bad habits, cut down slowly; if you eat too many sweets, first limit the amount you eat and then you can eliminate them completely for longer periods of time.

At melslife we always condone treats–who doesn’t want (or need) a treat from time to time?! The important thing is to get in the rhythm of being able to have treats once in a while and then bouncing back to a healthy diet. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll have no problem eating a cookie for dessert one night and applesauce the next.

The smoothie {pictured above} represents a fresh start. It’s the perfect combination of fresh and healthy to kick off a new year.

I made some resolutions, but I think I will save them for another post. For now, what are YOUR resolutions? SHARE BELOW!!

Until next time!

xo, Mel

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Happy 2012

On January 4th, 2012 by Rich

Happy New Year. melslife is alive and well. This week we are adding dozens of melsReviews for your enjoyment. While I do not spend as much time as I used to on melslife, it is always fun to review the site and marvel at its growth. I love reading some of the emails we receive from around the world, and know – with some confidence – that we have made a difference in someone’s life. Many people make New Year’s Resolutions about their diet. The secret sauce is really quite simple – eat in moderation…as well as balance – avoid fried and processed foods. Your body knows calories in…and calories out. You need to be aware of hidden calories – all foods are not created equal. If you eat too much, you are going to have to exercise, which we recommend anyway. One of my secrets to maintaining my weight is that I consume lots of fiber – it fills me up. I still try to manage eating only 1500 calories per day. Some days I make it; others I don’t. This past holiday season, I indulged in too many chocolate chip cookies, rich foods, and holiday goodies. I was probably lucky to have consumed 4,000 or less calories – I threw caution to the wind, but today, I began my workout regiment and swam an hour and a half nonstop. I will loose those extra, few pounds in no time….hopefully.

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Thank You & Happy Holidays

On December 15th, 2011 by Rich

My business year is up. I always take the last two weeks of the year off. This doesn’t mean that I am finished with business, but rather I do not have office hours. I work wherever I am. I feel liberated this time of the year. My intensity diminishes and I can enjoy everything around me, especially holiday goodies. During the year, I am a creature of habit, and no matter where I am in the world, I am focused – some people call me “intense.” I usually am of “the simple minded purpose mindset,” and rarely get distracted. When the holidays arrive, I know that business rarely gets done, and it’s more of a time for relationship building and renewing old friendships. melslife keeps growing. Within a couple of days, you will find many new melsreviews. I want to thank everyone in the melslife family and wish them a happy holiday – no matter where you are in the world or what they celebrate. We appreciate your hard work and contribution in helping us build one of America’s largest healthy living sites for young people around the globe. Everyday I read emails from our users, and their satisfaction is the gift that keeps on giving. Happy New Year.

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Thanksgiving Hangover?

On November 29th, 2011 by Rich

I ate too much. Yes, the Thanksgiving holiday got the best of me, but everything sure tasted good. After four days of not working out, I hit the pool, and got back to my routine of swimming 1.5 hours a day. Initially – let’s say the first 15 minutes – it was difficult. I was already out of shape, but after awhile, the adrenalin kicked in, and I felt great. I could feel the calories slowly burn off. I usually try to eat only 1500 calories per day, but during this Thanksgiving holiday, I am sure I topped 3500 calories per day. Coffee cake, cookies, and pie add up. Was it worth it? Of course it was. Life is about living in balance, family, and enjoying the moment.

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Healthy Holidays?

On November 8th, 2011 by Rich

The holidays are approaching. This is the time of year most healthy living people go off the reservation and throw caution to the wind. I know that I can be guilty of it too. I love holiday foods, tradition, and ceremony. I like to have lots of meals with friends, and get caught up on their lives. My 1500 calorie (per day) diet gets challenged. I love tasting all of the holiday centric desserts. I even like fruitcake. Don’t forget the Soynog too. Whatever I eat or drink, I try to do it with moderation. A bite here…and a bite there. My problem is that I get lots of desserts – just ask my family or friends – and I take tastes from each of them. Pastries have been my hobby – especially breakfast goodies – for years. This is also the time of the year to reflect, and remember the moments that has made this year special, sad, or even disappointing. Sometimes I learn more from my mistakes than I do from my successes. Even in these tough economical times, find something that you can indulge in, and enjoy the moment. It does not have to be expensive. Celebrate your life, and be grateful for what you have, and not upset with what you don’t have.

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Sometimes I Wish

On October 18th, 2011 by Melissa

Last night as I was dozing off, I was thinking about all of the wishes I might wish in a day. I think I did a post about wishing before because I was reading a book called The Wishing Year and wishing is really such an interesting concept.

Sometimes I wish I could win the lottery so that money wasn’t an issue and I could travel and pay back my grad school loans without having to downgrade my lifestyle. And sometimes, though I buy a lottery ticket, I secretly wish that I don’t win because if I do then people from my past will start coming out of the woodwork to be my friends again…and that would just be awkward.

Sometimes I wish that I had figured out my career path earlier on and taken advantage of all of the opportunities I had at college. But then I realize that I had to do what I did to get where I am now…and now I am happy career-wise.

There are times I wish that I lived abroad, or in New York, and that I ate pizza more and stopped worrying so much when I did (because in my mind, pizza, if eaten too often, could just end up on your thighs). But, of course, after wishing these things, I realize that I am happy where I live and that I can always visit any place abroad, or New York (and I do often)…and that pizza is good, but it tastes better when I don’t eat it all the time.

My most simple wishes are the ones I stick to always, there are my “go tos,”if you will. And they are:
1. That my boyfriend will make me coffee in the morning because somehow mornings are better when he does
2. That everyone I know will be healthy and really happy–not just happy, but really happy
3. That no one will have to worry about money for much longer
4. That the girl I tutor each week who is living in a transitional shelter will know what it’s like to have a home
5. That my brother has a great time in college and takes advantage of every opportunity (since I wish I did)
6. That my friends and I will always remain close–because I am so grateful for them
7. And, that I will always have enough money to buy fresh produce, healthy food, and travel somewhere fabulous once a year

…that’s all : )

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A New Idea?

On October 18th, 2011 by Rich

Sorry, but I have not been blogging lately. Thank you for all of your email. I – and melslife – are okay. I have had a laser focus on a new business that I have been developing in the mobile space that – hopefully – will redefine the television-viewing paradigm. It’s been very exciting and intellectually stimulating. Besides perfecting an idea, there is also lots of technology involved, and I have been learning a whole new business. One of the highest compliments that I have received lately is that a prominent mobile executive told me that I had received my PHd in mobility. Our business plan is now days away from completion, and the real struggle begins to raise gobs of money in this tough economy. What I have learned over the years is that ideas – and more importantly management – matter. While I believe we will have our traditional ups and downs, I do believe we will raise the money, and Richmel will have its second “tech investment.” melslife keeps growing, and everyday I am amazed about the amount of people who know and follow us. While melslife does not make money, it is rewarding to be one of America’s healthy living choices for living a balanced life style. Will melslife ever make money? Eventually. What people do not realize is that the more content that is created on the Web, the less valuable it becomes. Today, Web revenues not made on impressions, but rather search and mCommerce. We could make money, but I do not want to put up ads that I would not want to discuss with my kids – you get the idea.

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Natural Products Show East

On September 29th, 2011 by Rich

The National Products East Show was fun, and we met many nice people and entrepreneurs. We tasted many gluten-free pizzas, cookies and cakes, crackers, and sauces. You will soon be able to read our melsreviews. Gluten-free seemed to be the theme of this year’s show. What always troubles me about shows like this is that there are many people who exhibit their products that are struggling to survive, and the show is their “Hell Mary” pass. Unfortunately, it takes much more than just having a good product. A company needs cash-flow for production, marketing, and distribution. Passion is one thing. Building a business is quite another. Too many of the exhibiters are not creative enough with their products, and produce cloned products. Instead of creating a market, they are now competing in one against more well established brands and well funded companies. Rarely will shows like the Natural Products Show or Fancy Food Show put them on the map.

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