Just as the world looks to Brazil as a nation that knows how to party, Bra-zil looks to Salvador as the city that can out-party even Rio. This corner of the northeastern state of Bahia is party central 365 days a year. Salvador is the oldest city in Brazil and was its capital for more than 200 years. And even 300 years ago it picked up a nickname which translates to Nearly All the Sins.Placing yourself in a choice college can be a numbers game, and if your GPA or tuition veers off, your most frugal and strategic bet might be to transfer.It’s impossible not to notice how the faces in this photo have matured since you last saw the Jonas Brothers — that is, unless you’re one of the rabid fans who have made their previous tours into sell-out smashes.
Paul, a 47-year-old father of three, says he was skeptical about the mats when his wife bought him an Acushakti. “Since I’ve started using my Acushakti, I am a convert. I use the mat every night for about 20 minutes before bed time and afterwards I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
Could nail mats like the Acushakti be the next Snuggies?
It’s possible, according to a top consumer survey.
Each year the Most Memorable New Product Launch highlights what it says are the Top 10 consumer launches of the previous 12 months.
The survey talks to 1,000 American consumers to highlight buying and behavior trends.
In a blog, the survey’s backers ask: “Who knows — Acushakti could be the next kitschy thing to capture consumers’ imaginations. If there’s one thing we know from our annual survey, Americans are increasingly health-conscious and are multitasking mavens. What can be better than watching TV, getting a massage, while looking at your iPhone?”
Nail mats are based on the ancient therapies of acupressure and acupuncture, and they are increasingly popular among those looking to improve spiritual and physical health.
The number of mat brands has exploded since Acushakti launched in the U.S. last year, and now mats have been bought by hundreds of thousands of Americans.
The makers of Acushakti say that its 6,000 plastic spikes stimulate the body’s natural feel-good hormones, including oxytocin and serotonin.
Users report slight physical discomfort at first, which is soon replaced by a feeling of glowing warmth as the body reacts to the pressure of the spikes.
The mats claim to improve sleep, relaxation and meditation, and to soothe chronic pain.
Skeptics say there is no scientific proof that the mats are effective, but the increasing popularity of the mats suggests buyers are convinced. And the mats’ makers go to great pains to point out that they do not claim to cure illness — but the mats do ease symptoms.
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In the July MMMpod, Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.
