Monthly Archives: July 2015

Make These 5 Diet Moves Now or You’ll Regret It in 20 Years

I know I’ve heard it, and I’m pretty sure you have, too. “Eat healthy,” we are warned, so that we can live long, happy, productive lives.

Sure, it sounds good, but anyone who has tried to improve their diet knows that it is hard to do. We are surrounded by unhealthy food, and it can be difficult to know what is and is not actually going to improve our health, since different people make different claims and all swear that science is on their side. So what can you do?

There are a few small changes that you could make to your diet today that are likely to help you reap rewards in the years to come. Most of these aren’t too hard to do, once you realize they are important. While they won’t change your diet completely, they’re a great place to start if you want to eat with your health in mind.

1. Reduce Sugar Intake

Unless you already monitor your sugar intake, you probably eat more of it than you think you do. Why? Because it’s in everything from ketchup to soy sauce.

Eating less sugar can have all sorts of good benefits for your body over time. It will lower your blood pressure and your bad cholesterol, keep your brain sharp, lower your risk of fatty liver disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, and improve your immune function. These are only a few of the ways sugar can affect your body. While you may not be at risk of something like diabetes right now, if you continue to eat so much sugar, you might be in 20 years.

To start the process of cutting back, track your sugar intake for a few days or a week. Learn where the sugar in your diet comes from, then choose to cut one of those things out. If you keep replacing sugary foods with other options, you will slowly reduce the amount of sugar you eat.

2. Drink Green Tea

I know, I know — everyone and their mother says to drink green tea, these days. Apparently, there’s a good reason for that. Green tea, when consumed in conjunction with a regular fitness regimen, apparently aids in fat burning and weight loss. In 20 years, you will weigh a lot less if you start drinking green tea now than you will if you don’t. Even if you don’t need to lose weight, the tea clearly helps your body function better and may protect you from some age-related weight gain.

My problem with green tea is that it tastes like grass. Fortunately, they now make it in all sorts of flavors. In fact, if you like a particular flavor of regular tea, you can probably find that same flavor of green tea. It also comes refrigerated and infused with fruit essence, if you prefer an iced version.

3. Leave Food on Your Plate

Overeating is a big deal, and it’s way more common than it should be. It’s one thing to eat a lot on Thanksgiving and your birthday, but entirely another to lose touch with your body’s satiety signals and overeat all the time. Leaving a bite or two of food on your plate can help you learn to listen to your body again, because you won’t be relying on an empty plate to tell you you’re done.

4. Get Healthy Fats

As it turns out, healthy fats don’t make you gain weight, nor do they lead to higher chances of any disease. In fact, some people find it a bit easier to lose weight, over time, when they are sure to include healthy fats in their diet. Fats also help you feel less hungry, so you can consume less food overall and still feel satisfied.

The key, when it comes to fats, hinges on which types you eat. Most of all, be sure to avoid trans fats. After that, limit your saturated fats but do not feel like you need to avoid them entirely. Beyond that, you can consume healthy fats as they fit into your diet and as you desire them. Eat a lot of nuts and avocados, and you should feel full and maintain your weight over time.

5. Eat More Yogurt

Yogurt seems to help people maintain their weight as they get older. In an analysis of the diets of over 120,000 people, those who lost weight and maintained that loss, or maintained a healthy weight, seemed to eat a good amount of yogurt. No one is quite sure how all the pieces fit together here. Yogurt has live bacterial cultures, which may help the gut function better and so help the body find a healthy weight and stay there.

It’s important to find a yogurt that does not have a high sugar content. Many people find that they like to eat plain yogurt with a spoonful of honey or jam mixed in. It’s likely an acquired taste, but one worth figuring out if it will keep your body healthy and strong for years into the future.

The 5 Best Facial Moisturizers

Dermatologists recommend using a daily facial moisturizer as part of your daily skincare routine. It can hydrate your skin today, while protecting it for more beautiful skin tomorrow. Facial moisturizer can be used on its own or together with serum, toner, acne treatments, makeup, and any other products you use on a daily basis.

What Is Facial Moisturizer?

Facial moisturizer can soften the skin and form a barrier to protect your skin from environmental damage. It can enhance your skin’s natural moisturizing capabilities, providing you with the softest, smoothest skin possible. There are unique options available for each different skin type and some moisturizers can even address specific skin conditions.

Once you have found the right facial moisturizer, make sure to apply it twice daily after cleansing, on both your face and neck, as the neck is the first area of the body to show signs of aging. It is also important to choose a moisturizer with UV protection, or apply a sunscreen on top to further protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Top 5 Facial Moisturizers

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion AM

CeraVe is a trusted brand, developed with dermatologists, and as Amazon’s #1 new release in facial moisturizing lotions, the CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion AM, SPF 30contains sunscreen to provide broad-spectrum daily protection against sun’s damaging UV aging and burning rays. The daily-use, non-comedogenic moisturizer helps to protect and restore the skin, keeping it younger and healthier looking. It helps repair damaged skin with ingredients not commonly found in typical moisturizers. The ceramide rich formula contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to reduce redness and repair and restore the skin.

The light and silky lotion uses patented multi-vesicular emulsion (MVE) technology to release the potent ingredients over time, allowing them to penetrate deep into the skin to maintain a healthy skin barrier. With SPF 30 to help protect your skin, you won’t need to worry about applying sunscreen over this. It is fragrance-free, making it ideal for both women and men of all skin types, from normal to dry, including acne-prone skin.

It is also ideal for all ages, including mature skin, and was even a top pick by the American Grandparents Association. It is one of the top facial moisturizers according to ConsumerSearch and is also an Allure pick for the best moisturizers under $20. In fact, it is so highly rated with professionals, beauty gurus, and users alike that both the AM and PM creams made our list for the best facial moisturizers.

Currently $9.35 on Amazon

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer

As Amazon’s #1 best seller in facial tinted moisturizers, theAveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer, SPF 15 has a fast-absorbing formula that leaves skin soft and smooth. Gentle enough for sensitive skin and daily use, this oil-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic moisturizer won’t clog pores and is clinically proven to improve skin tone and texture and reduce skin discoloration in as little as four weeks. With clinically proven total soy complex and natural light diffusers, this daily moisturizer immediately reflects light to leave you with a nice glow, by highlighting the skin’s natural radiance.

The soy proteins work to reduce blotchiness and discoloration, while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect against the damaging effects of sun. The Aveeno Positively Radiant collection contains a range of products designed to help reveal your most radiant skin. This daily moisturizer can easily be combined with other products from the line. Recommended by dermatologists for over 60 years, AVEENO uses select natural ingredients because of their advanced benefits and ability to deliver visible results.

Currently $11.01 on Amazon

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM is a daily use, non-comedogenic, facial moisturizer that can help to protect the skin all night, keeping it younger and healthier looking. The ceramide-rich formula contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and provides essential ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin to moisturize and nourish skin throughout the night while locking in moisture. It helps repair damaged skin using ingredients not commonly found in other moisturizers.

Its patented multivesicular emulsion (MVE) technology allows the ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin to hydrate and nourish, releasing the essential ingredients over time. It is fragrance-free, making it ideal for both women and men of all skin types, from normal to dry, including acne-prone skin. CeraVe is a trusted brand, developed with dermatologists, and CeraVe is so highly rated with professionals, beauty gurus, and users alike that both the AM and PM creams made our list for the best facial moisturizers. It is also one of the top facial moisturizers according to ConsumerSearch.

Currently $7.28 on Amazon

St. Ives Facial Moisturizer, Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin

As one of Amazon’s #1 most popular facial moisturizers, St. Ives Facial Moisturizer, Timeless Skin is made with collagen and elastin proteins and enriched with natural proteins, glycerin, and safflower oil. It is formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as seven days of regular use. St. Ives formulas use effective, natural ingredients for visibly softer, smoother, younger looking skin.

The creamy moisturizer uses all-natural moisturizers to combat dryness and improve elasticity, while hydrating and protecting your skin. The hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, non-irritating lotion is safe and gentle on all skin types and can be used daily to hydrate, tone, and firm the skin, while naturally preventing the signs of aging. A little goes a long way, so the affordable 10 oz container should last you a long time.

Currently $4.79 on Amazon

Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme

Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme is thick, creamy, and extremely nourishing. It has a gentle, non-irritating formula, which reduces wrinkles and other signs of aging, while firming and moisturizing the skin. It is ideal for dry, sensitive skin and can reduce the look of wrinkles and the early signs of aging without irritating the skin. It helps to replenish Q10, a naturally occurring enzyme that defends against skin aging and is vital to healthy skin. Together with Vitamin E and Beta-Carotene, it also forms a powerful antioxidant complex to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals.

This fragrance-free, alcohol-free, non-irritating lotion won’t clog pores and can be used everyday, on its own or under makeup. The Q10 creme has outstanding customer reviews online and promises visible results within five weeks. It is also ideal for all ages, including mature skin, and was even a top pick from the American Grandparents Association. Eucerin is a trusted brand and the various products topped a range of online reviews and independent review sites, including the Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion, SPF 30, which is an Allure “Best of Beauty” Award Winner.

The 5 Best Yoga Blocksc

Whether you’re a beginner or have been practicing yoga your whole life, every yogi needs a good yoga block. A yoga block is ideal for standing positions because it helps bring the floor up to you. Once you have found the right yoga block, you can explore new poses, get into deeper postures, and achieve a stronger body - all with fewer injuries.

To get the most from your yoga block, you’ll want to find something that fits your price range, is lightweight, is made of high quality materials, has a nonslip surface or texture, and is durable enough to last you for years to come.

What Are Yoga Blocks?

Yoga blocks are foam, cork, wood, or bamboo blocks that can make you feel more comfortable in each yoga pose. They can help support your practice by helping you achieve the proper alignment, balance, and support necessary to execute complicated yoga moves. They can also help improve form and flexibility, so you can stretch further than you ever have before.

Yoga blocks are also ideal for beginners who don’t have the flexibility to complete complicated moves yet, as it can help you modify moves to your level of flexibility. The block can be placed under the bottom, legs, feet, hands, or between your arms and legs, depending on the pose.

Top 5 Yoga Blocks

Gaiam Yoga Block

Gaiam is one of the most popular makers of yoga accessories, and the Gaiam Yoga Blockdoes not disappoint. These Gaiam Yoga Blocks are one of Amazon’s best sellers in yoga blocks. This yoga block provides balance to help with your alignment, increase strength, and help you achieve deeper poses.

Made from durable, supportive foam and a nonslip surface, the lightweight block is large enough to sit on comfortably. It can be spot cleaned with mild detergent and air dried. It is available in a range of colors and designs to suit your personal preferences.

Currently $10.99 on Amazon

Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option that can keep up with your yoga practice, then the Hugger Mugger Cork Yoga Block is the one for you. Hugger Mugger is a popular yoga block manufacturer, and this yoga block does not disappoint. Constructed of fast-growing, renewable cork, it is stable, long lasting, and heavyweight for added stability.

The natural fiber and texture help provide extra grip and traction, while the rounded edges create a comfortable surface. They can even absorb sweat, so there aren’t many disadvantages to a cork yoga block. Weighing only 1 pound more than foam blocks, the cork yoga block is still very lightweight and perfect for backbends and standing and sitting poses. Along with being the top rated yoga block on Amazon, it was also chosen as the best cork yoga block by Yogauthority.

Currently $17.95 on Amazon

Shandali Recycled Foam Yoga Block

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly solution, then the Shandali Recycled Foam Yoga Blockis right for you. Made from certified recycled EVA foam, this lightweight block is made of top quality materials and should last you a lifetime. The dense, durable block is higher than 95% of other yoga blocks on the market and has rounded edges for better safety, support, and comfort. Along with being one of the top rated yoga blocks on Amazon, it is also backed by a lifetime guarantee for your peace of mind.

Currently $14.99 on Amazon

ProSource Yoga Block

The ProSource Yoga Blocks are premium quality, lightweight blocks made of durable foam and a solid core. They have a non-stick surface and are soft, scratch-proof, and can be used on any surface. These studio quality yoga blocks are large enough for you to comfortably sit on. They come in a set of two, so you can stack them or keep one at home and take one to the studio. They can improve your yoga practice and provide a quick, effective remedy for back and hip issues.

Along with being the bestselling yoga blocks and one of the top rated yoga blocks on Amazon, they are also some of the best sellers on the market.

Currently $12.99 on Amazon

Gaiam Be Inspired Yoga Block

Gaiam is one of the most popular makers of yoga accessories and have a number of highly reviewed items, and the Gaiam Be Inspired Yoga Block doesn’t disappoint. It features the high quality materials and performance you’ve come to expect from Gaiam.

What makes this one unique is the addition of inspirational words and quotes, which can help improve your practice and inspire you. The functional, inspirational yoga block is made from durable, supportive foam and is large enough to sit on comfortably. You can easily spot clean this with a mild detergent and air dry.

The 5 Best Mascaras

Mascara can instantly make your eyelashes appear thicker, longer, curlier, darker, and more voluminous. Some mascaras can even condition your lashes in the process. You can choose from different colored mascaras, waterproof versions, all-natural versions, and other variations to find the perfect mascara for your look. It can take some time to find the perfect one for you, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the best mascaras to get you started.

What Is Mascara?

Mascara is a cosmetic item that can enhance the eyes by improving the appearance of the eyelashes. It is an essential part of any makeup kit and will complete your eye makeup. Mascara can be found in liquid, cream, or cake form. Each mascara has a different formula and wand, so the results will differ depending on which one you choose. Mascara should be replaced every 90 days, so you have plenty of time to experiment and find the right mascara for you. For the best results, take note of the following:

  • If your mascara starts to dry up, add 4-5 eye drops into the bottle, close it, and shake it up. Your mascara will be refreshed and performing like new again.
  • Don’t share your mascara with other people and make sure to wash it off at the end of the day so you never have itchy or irritated eyes.
  • Apply several layers of mascara and begin by wiggling the brush close to the roots of the eyelashes and then, drag the wand throughout the length of the lashes.

Top 5 Mascaras

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is America’s favorite and most popular mascara for a reason. The affordable drugstore find has maintained its reputation as the best mascara since the ‘70s. It conditions as it thickens and lengthens lashes with a buildable, clump-free formula that won’t smudge off.

The lash-doubling, clump-free formula will volumize your lashes to give you noticeable results with every coat. The easy-to-handle narrow wand and lash-building brush can help you apply it perfectly (even if you’re a beginner). It is easy to apply and can last all day. The hypoallergenic pick is contact-lens safe and can be removed easily with eye makeup remover. It is an Allure Best of Beauty: Hall of Fame winner and was selected as one of the best mascaras by Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. The Great Lash waterproof mascara is also a Good Housekeeping pick and the Great Lash clear mascara is also an award-winner that can serve as an affordable lash primer and brow gel.

Currently $3.79 on Amazon

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara

There is nothing quite like Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara. The wand’s patent-pending hook design is inspired by the design of hair rollers, so the wand’s tiny hooks will grip, curl, and lift lashes as you pull the wand through. The Hook ’N’ Roll brush has longer hooks for the top lashes and shorter hooks for the bottom lashes. Your lashes will be thicker, curled, and darker after each coat of the super-curling and lifting mascara.

The waxes in the formula will also keep your lashes perfectly in place all day. In fact, the instant curve-setting formula is designed to hold for 12 hours without streaking, while still being easy to remove. Your eyes will instantly seem more awake and open, and many reviewers found that they were able to replace their standard mascaras and eyelash curler with the revolutionary Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara. Each coat of mascara will also condition your lashes with ingredients like provitamin B5 and serine.

RealSimple voted this the best curling mascara because the tiny hooks can create a similar effect to using an eyelash curler and PopSugar named this one of their “Must Have” items. This mascara is the most expensive option on our list, but many makeup artists and beauty mavens agree that this truly is the best mascara out there, even for ultra-straight, stubby lashes. Benefit Cosmetics also makes the wildly popular They’re Real! and BADgal Lash mascaras, so if the Roller Lash Mascara doesn’t work for you, you may want to try one of their other award-winning mascaras. You can also try the deluxe mini version of the mascara before you invest in the full-size.

Currently $31.19 on Amazon

L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara can give you the look of salon lash extensions, from home. The magic in this two-in-one mascara is the two-step process. You first apply the white basecoat, which is infused with Ceramide-R and D-Panthenol to strengthen, nourish, and protect your lashes. That layer is immediately followed by the ultra-lengthening mascara, which extends lashes by up to 80% by forming a lash-extending “tube” over each lash. It won’t take you any longer to apply this double extend mascara than it would to apply several coats of a standard mascara.

The long-wearing, smudge-proof mascara will last all day, with no smearing, running, clumping, or flaking, but is still easy to remove with water. In fact, it has been shown to last through 12+ hour shifts and can even last overnight without smudging. You also won’t need to worry about “raccoon eyes” with this drugstore favorite. Make sure to apply enough black mascara to cover the layer of white underneath, unless you’re going for a white snowflake effect. The mascara is suitable for people with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The Insider’s Choice Beauty Winner is also backed by outstanding online reviews. In fact, many people with stick-straight lashes found that this mascara gave them the volume, length, and thickness that other mascaras simply could not achieve.

Currently $8.21 on Amazon

Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum’ Express Washable Mascara

If you ever watch beauty tutorials online, then you’ve likely seen the Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum’ Express Washable Mascara a few times. Many beauty bloggers, makeup artists, and beauty mavens swear by this mascara because it can instantly create up to nine times the volume, thanks to the large mega brush and volume-plumping, collagen formula. It can help you create noticeable volume and thicker, clump-free lashes by focusing on each lash one by one. You can easily layer this for added drama that will last all day. It is contact-lens safe and can be easily removed with soap and water. It was chosen as one of the best mascaras by Elle because it is ideal for all lashes, even stick-straight lashes that don’t usually want to curl.

Currently $5.73 on Amazon

CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara

The CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara will instantly create noticeable volume for fuller, thicker lashes. The mascara can produce up to 100% more volume thanks to the biggest brush ever from CoverGirl. It separates each lash for optimal volume and fullness. The patent-pending, no clump brush also has a flat end, so you won’t have to worry about mascara building up on the end.

The patented volume-boosting formula is smudge and smear-proof and will last all day, but is also very easy to remove with soap and water. It is hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The affordable drugstore favorite was selected as one of the best mascaras by Elle because it will plump up your lashes better than anything else. There is also a waterproof version available, if you need a good option for your wedding day.