Go, go, go. I run from my desk to errands to meetings. Next thing you know, the day's done and I have only minutes before book club, Bunco or date night with Bob (still a thrill after 30+ years of marriage!). If I'm not careful, my fine, thin hair can look as frazzled as I sometimes feel.
I'm not complaining. I'm thankful for every last, naturally limp strand. After losing my locks to the Big C, it has taken two and one-half long years of hoping and praying to reach my former shoulder length. It's funny how our crowning glory defines us but FINNALLY that's me looking back in the mirror.
Besides, with patience and a little help from the right products, you can pump up even my puny tresses. How can you get style that lasts from desk to dinner?
Do Some Good
For years, I washed my hair every day. No more. Being mid-50's means everything, including my hair, is really d-r-y so I lather up only every other morning with volumizing products like Cureology's new Courage shampoo and conditioner.
Now, here's a Boomerlicious twosome that does some real good. Both the shampoo and conditioner are gentle so they protect those highlights my stylist George worked so hard to achieve. They use natural ingredients (no harsh chemicals) to help hair look thicker. Ginseng Extract and Vitamin B5 amp up hair's volume, body and bounce. Alfalfa heals and strengthens so you don't have to worry so much about breakage. Apricot, Chamomile Extract and Orange Flower increase the shine factor without adding oil.
But that's just the start. A ton of other healthy components combine to fight aging, help sooth your scalp and encourage hair growth while cleaning and conditioning. Even better, part of each purchase goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to provide funding for FREE mammograms, education and research. You know a breast cancer survivor like me loves that!
Courage Shampoo $28.50 (10.3 ounces); Conditioner $32.50 (10.3 ounces) at salons and Folica.com
Bring on the Body Builders
Since my mane has absolutely no memory, layering body builders is essential to holding a style. So before drying, I prep with at least one lightweight solution to add movement and body while givin
g my roots a much-needed lift, such as:
John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse and Root Booster - Another bargain from John Frieda, this duo lifts, builds fullness and conditions. The rich Thickening Mousse delivers overall volume that's a surprising match for humid weather. The spray Root Booster does its job while guarding against heat damage. Plus, it's alcohol-free so it won't rob your hair of moisture. Together, they're a real friend to fine locks. Mousse (7.5 ounces) and Root Booster (6.77 ounces) are $6.50/each at 
food, drug and mass retailers.
Unite Boosta Spray - A must-try for salon-quality results, this smart spritz is a choice my stylist George would approve. Spraying it from roots to ends gives me fantastic fullness, locks in my blonde highlights, protects against high heat and cuts blow drying time. Nice! Plus, it delivers healthy sheen and doesn't contain sulfates, parabens or gluten. $26.25 (8 ounces) at specialty salons and Unitehair.com Go for a Spin
For blow drying, I like Conair's Infiniti Pro. This handy brush-plus-blow-dryer combo helps me imitate George's work; his blowouts always give me the illusion of more hair. The two-inch brush adds body as you dry. You simply push a button to spin your hair around the brush in stylist fashion, increasing volume and reducing drying time. It's so easy I may never go back to a regular blow dryer. However, you have to take care to work on small sections of hair no wider than the brush. Any locks that fall off the end of the unit can get tangled when it rotates.
Designed for all hair types, this clever tool has two heat settings plus a cool blast. It uses ceramic technology to safely dry and promote healthy hair. And it releases highly concentrated ions to reduce frizz and improve shine. $59.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond and BedBathandBeyond.com
Save Your Work
With locks that love to fall flat, I've gotta have insurance to keep that I-just-did-my-hair look. 
That's why I'm crazy for setting sprays like these that spell secure style without feeling stiff or sticky:
John Frieda Sheer Blonde Crystal Clear Hairspray - Delivers staying power without a trace of stiffness so you can shape any hair type from thick to baby fine like mine. Designed for those on the fair side, it keeps blonde hair bright by drying clear and glossy. It also includes a UV filter. $6 (8.5 ounces) at food, drug and mass retailers
Learn Some Tricks
Although skipping a day between shampoos is the healthiest plan, the second m
orning sometimes calls a fresh approach. That's when tricks like these can come in handy:
Use a dry shampoo. Great any time you need a quick pick-me-up, Unite 7Seconds works in, you guessed it, seven seconds. One spritz of this fine clay formula removes excess oil, increases volume and refreshes hair without using water or leaving any sign of powder. $28.75 (7 ounces) at specialty salons and Unitehair.com
Roll with it. Want waves? Use a one-inch iron to create curls and wrap each one around a Velcro roller. Leave the rollers in about five minutes while the curls cool. There's no better way to renew your bounce.
Switch sides. I usually part my hair on the right but changing sides can really perk up your roots per my hair-texture twin Becky Elder. Friends like me often think she's just come from the salon when she uses this quick fix.
Opt for a pretty pony. It's a simple, chic option that works everywhere from the grocery story to r
ed carpet events. Just be sure to pull it up with your hands (a brush can destroy volume), align it with the top of your ears and secure it with a friendly elastic band. I like Goody's Ouchless bands because they resist stretching out (4.99 for a ball of 47 at Walmart, Target, Walgreens and CVS).
Then smooth flyaways with hairspray. Unite GO365's a ponytail favorite because turning the nozzle lets you adjust the strength from soft to medium to strong hold ($31 for 10 ounces at Unitehair.com).
We'd like to shout out a big "Thank You" to the all the brands in this post who provided free samples for review and testing.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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