Sounder slumber: Blogging about your feelings can bring on relaxation, which helps usher in sleep.
Improved immunity: Expressive writing may encourage growth of white blood cells, which fight off infection.
A hardy heart: Writing about emotional topics may lower blood pressure and heart rate, keeping your ticker in better shape. Write from the heart! And no need to go public- a Web diary that's for your eyes only can still do you good.
It's all in the light: Overhead lighting create glare (it's also unflattering, which is bad for your self esteem!), so use desk lighting, or rely on natural sunlight whenever possible.
Skip "free" foods: Let's face it, nothing's free- that includes unhealthy meeting snacks or the bowl of M&Ms on the receptionist's desk. Instead, follow bring your own guilt free snacks, like nuts or berries.
Staying healthy is a full-time job. Follow these tips to make your office work for you.
Ergonomics: Avoid pinched nerves and carpal tunnel syndrome by keeping your seat, keyboard and screen well positioned.
Work color into your office: “Cool” colors like lavender and blue may help reduce stress levels.
Picture it: Keep an image of a loved one, celebrated moment or favorite place visible to serve as an instant mood booster when low moments strike.
Stay tuned for more tips on sprucing up your work digs.
Remember: every cloud has a silver lining. It's hard to feel fortunate when something is happening that's unfortunate. Instead of dwelling, tell yourself, "Yes, this is bad but at least I ___" and fill in something you're still happy about.
According to Dr. Robert Emmons, author of THANKS!: How The New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, mastering the art of appreciation can make things start to look up…way up.AIM for the moon: Use this acronym as your shortcut to a grateful place:
Awareness - focus on something good you normally take for granted.
Interpretation - imagine how a specific "burden" might actually be a blessing instead.
Memory - remember people before you who have helped make your life easier.
Stay tuned for more tips on mastering the art of appreciation.
For decades, many state governments held a ban on cultivating black currants due to concerns that the plant could spread a destructive tree fungus. Today, growing these tangy berries is once again legal in most of the country. With more vitamin c than oranges and antioxidant levels that rival those of blueberries, this nutrition hero delivers healthy doses of potassium, vitamin B6, and soluble fiber.Look for fresh berries at the farmers' markets in late summer, or frozen berries year-round. You can also pick up black currant juice, soda or preserves to get your daily dose.
If you're looking for an effective way to combat the effects of hormonal aging, look no further than Murad Resurgence. The entire Murad skincare and acne treatment line is packed full of only the highest quality ingredients to leave your skin feel touchable soft and visibly radiant.
The women of
Tipping Point
Especially if you're getting more than one service, divvying up the tip can be a challenge, which is why many spa owners are happy to take over for you.
Just tell the owner what percentage you want to tip, and they'll add it on to your bill and distribute it to everyone for you. Your therapist will most likely be with a new client by the time you're ready to leave, so it wouldn't be possible to hand her a tip in person anyway.
The standard is usually 18%, 20% if you were particularly impressed with the service. It doesn't hurt to ask whether the gratuity is included, though. Some spas include it in the price of the treatment.
The Chatterbox
Quite possibly the most bewildering of all bewildering spa moments, how to quiet the chatterbox and get a little peace with your spa treatment can be tougher than ever. If an aesthetician is giving you an earful about her family, her friends, her thoughts on global warming, take the most direct route. Say, "Actually, it's been a hectic day and I was really looking forward to just being quiet during the treatment". And just for the record, any aesthetician worth their salt should ask you if you want to talk or not during your treatment.
When you go in for your facial or some body treatments, you'll likely encounter some form of product pitch, so be prepared.
After your service, if you don't want to purchase anything, ask the aesthetician to write down the products she's recommended and let her know you'll think it over. Once you say you're not interested right now, she shouldn't say another word. If they push it, you should consider telling the spa manager.
It's hard to feel completely liberated from stress if you're facing a set of new dilemmas, like whether you're overdressed for your massage or under tipping your therapist. Sidestep these little land mines so that nothing sabotages your spa experience.
Take it all off (or don't)
For massages and body treatments, ideally you disrobe completely (that means underwear too). Know that you'll never be completely exposed; spa therapists are well-trained in the art of draping, so they'll uncover only the areas that they're working on. If you’re still uncomfortable, try a Thai massage or shiatsu, for which you wear your own loose-fitting clothing.
And don't be afraid to ask for a same sex therapist when you make the appointment if that makes you feel more at ease.
For a facial, take off your bra, (or at least the lower straps) before you slip into a robe so it doesn’t interfere with the neck and shoulder massage.
There are hundreds of varieties of this tiny fruit, but their nutrients remain largely the same. Compared to other fruits, the fig contains copious amounts of iron, potassium, and magnesium. It has nearly two grams of fiber per bite-sized fruit, and a half-cup serving contains as many milligrams of calcium as an equal amount of milk.
Abandon the forgettable blandness of the dried fig, and opt only for the fresh variety. The downside: fresh figs appear on early summer for a few short weeks, and later in the season of a longer, but still all too brief, spell.
3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking eats into productivity and you'll feel motivated when you cross something off of your list.
4. Take a break from the same old routine- go to a different lunch spot, explore a new store, or spend an hour sitting at the park. Change does a body good.
5. Pack something essential for the office- citrus essential oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit) help energize, so keep a mist or candle handy.
Labor Day’s come and gone, leaving most of us stuck behind a desk all day. Incorporate these 5 tips into your routine to boost your energy level.
1. Wake muscles with a stretch to increase blood circulation and improve balance and posture. An extra tip: Repeat this every hour or so throughout the workday to stay energized.
2. Go hot and cold- in the shower. Turn water as cold as you can stand it, then back to warm. Repeat 2-3 times.
I'm a sushi fan, but the calories can add up. A piece of sashimi is generally low in calories, but when you start adding tempura and mayo to your rolls you are entering unhealthy, as well as high calorie territory. A piece of tuna sashimi contains about 35 calories and a spicy tuna roll contains about 290 calories.
Green TeaWhile green tea is loaded with good-for-you antioxidants, most green tea beverages are loaded with sugar. This Sobe green tea 20oz bottle contains 240 calories and 61 grams of the white stuff. And, it’s two and a half servings; most people down the entire bottle in one sitting. Make your own cup of green tea instead to avoid the extra calories.
Taking a fiber supplement isn't necessary to get adequate amounts every day, add these foods to your shopping list to bulk up your fiber intake: Beets, artichokes, corn, broccoli, green beans, apples, berries, mango, beans, lentils, barley and brown rice.
Start with your mattress. They're often made with synthetic rubbers and fillers that pollute both you and the environment. Look for a model that uses natural fibers, such as soy-based organic foams or natural rubbers.
If you’ve been searching for a way to control your acne with little success, try the latest line of spa-quality skincare products from Murad Acne. They offer a variety of options for cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliating gels and SPF products to help control your acne and give you confidence in yourself and for your life.
6. Pay more for wholesome ingredients and take comfort knowing you’ll eat less of them.
7. Try to eat a wide variety of different species.
8. Eat food from animals that eat grass; corn isn’t natural food for beef or anything else.
9. Cook, and if possible, grow some of your own food.
10. Eat whole meals at tables, with other people when possible, and enjoy it!
1. Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.
2. Always avoid foods containing ingredients you can’t pronounce.
3. Be suspicious of food products that make health claims.
4. Shop the perimeters of the supermarket (fresh foods and dairy only); the inside tends to be the stuff in boxes that isn’t so good for you.
5. Don’t eat anything that wouldn’t eventually rot.
4. Renting gives you flexibility
Buying a home is a big commitment, if you need to move for any reason- say, for work- your property would need to appreciate at least 10% for you to recover your sales costs. That typically takes about five years. Renting allows you the freedom and mobility you need to find the right job before you tie yourself into a massive home investment.
With the house market crashing, more owners are converting their properties into rentals or providing sweet incentives to lure prospective tenants. Many owners are offering as many as three free months of rent to attract renters. And, modern apartments offer amenities that may be unaffordable in a new home.
2. Tax deductions are overstated
Conventional wisdom claims that you save money when buying a home because mortgage interest is tax deductible. But one study points out that more than half of homeowners don't receive a break because, even with mortgage interest and property taxes, their total deductions do not exceed the standard federal tax deduction ($10,900 for couples and $5,450 for singles).
1. It can save you money.
According to popular myth, renters are just throwing money away. But when you buy a home, you're stuck with closing feeds, mortgage interest, property taxes, private homeowners' insurance and maintenance. All return nothing on your investment. You're better off banking your money or putting it into the stock market. A recent study indicates that stocks provided investors with nearly 4.6% higher average returns in the past 45 years than real estate.
Feel stuck in a renters rut and dreaming of buying your own home? With the recent mortgage crisis, that might not be the right choice for you after all. Many people don’t realize the countless unforeseen costs of owning their own home. So stop stressing and stay tuned for four great reasons to stick to renting.
They're chockfull of almost all of the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of great-for-you antioxidants. Besides, nothing is more refreshing than a ripe and juicy mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pair.
A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran or flax seed, but more versatile, it clears out toxins and cholesterol. Stir it into juice to help cleanse the colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.
There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent leafy vegetable helps activate both of them. Not a fan of cabbage straight up? Try chopping it up and throwing it in soup. Or, opt for coleslaw next time you hit a backyard barbeque.
7. Sesame Seeds
Who knew these little seeds could pack such power? They're credited with protecting liver cells from alcohol and other damaging chemicals.
For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple in Asian cuisine.
6. Broccoli Sprouts
Similar to bean sprouts, you can find them at your health food store. They pack 20-50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme -stimulating activity into each bite than the larger, grown-up versions of the vegetable.
The best way to treat your skin right? Cleanse gently.
Use warm water, and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers remove oils from the skin that are essential for keeping it hydrated. What can happen to dry skin? Skin irritation, acne, and a rough texture are all things you want to avoid. Murad Acne offers a few great options for gentle face cleansers to treat your skin well and keep irritation at bay.
5. Green Tea
We all know by now that this is the drink of Gods, but why's it good for detoxing?
Rich in antioxidants, green tea is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. And bonus: it contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.
Not only does garlic taste great, but it's great for you! My grandma used to pop one whole garlic clove a day. While I wouldn’t recommend that extreme, grandma knew what she was doing. Garlic has been linked to heart-health and activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.
Add it to everything- salads, sauces, spreads.
3. Watercress
Throw a handful of these peppery little greens into salads, soups and sandwiches. Watercress has a diuretic effect that helps to move things through your system. It’s also rich in minerals like iron, calcium and folic acid, and vitamins A and C. Some even believe this leafy green has cancer-preventing properties.
2. LemonsAn essential part of a detox diet is keeping the fluids flowing and washing out the toxins. While water is great, fresh lemonade is even better. It's loaded with vitamin C, known as the detox vitamin, which helps to convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away. The bottom line: start squeezing!
1. Green Leafy Vegetables
Foods like spinach, watercress and kale are all great for flushing out the system. Their chlorophyll helps to flush out environmental toxins like heavy metals and pesticides, and they protect the liver. Eat them raw, thrown them in a broth, or blend up a juice or smoothie with fruit for a yummy and healthful alternative to sugar-filled juices or soda.
With summer swinging into gear, there's no better time to give your body a healthy, fresh start. The following posts will give you the best foods to do these three things:
1. Give you lots of super healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in the nutrients.
2. Fiber, fiber, fiber to keep you GI tract fit.
Research in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed people who ate large amounts of fruit performed the best over 10 years in verbal fluency, logical reasoning and visual memory tests. Researchers say it's the antioxidants in fruit that keeps your mind operating at its best.
Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake (32 oz)
2,310 calories
266 g sugar
108 g fat (64 g saturated)
The Numbers:
73: The number of ingredients in this milkshake.
66: Teaspoons of sugar.
11: The number of Heath Bars you would eat to equal the calories found in this milkshake.
240: The number of minutes on the treadmill you’d have to spend burning it off.
Pina Colada
625 calories
75 g sugars
The sickly-sweet pineapple juice and fat-riddled coconut milk combine to make the Pina Colada a first-rate summer offender. If you're jonesin' for a cocktail try a lime daiquiri or a mojito and save as much as 400 calories per drink.
