The 5 Secrets of Staying Young

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:12:45 -0400

I read an adorable article this morning and it was too sweet not to share. We are all looking for the “Fountain of Youth” right? And not just with how we look. We all want to act and feel young, because in general, it’s a better feeling than your normal tired self. It’s been said that if you want something that someone else has, just study the strategies they utilize, implement them and anything can be yours. So this blogger, Martin Rooney, decided that he would study and spend time around the youngest person he knew, his three year old daughter. After only a half day with her, he learned some valuable lessons that I will pass along to you! Too bad Ponce De Leon wasted his time seeking what was probably in front of him all along.

Secret #1: Get A Full Night Of Sleep
As Mr. Rooney found out, children wake up on their own in the morning. Amazingly, without an alarm clock and on their own terms. As he remarks, “the fact that she properly managed her time by going to bed early, gave her a full night’s rest and had her happy, cheerful and wide awake.”

We’re not always so lucky. As a result of being “too busy”, we’re up working late or wasting time much later than we should be. And as a result, we’re always tired. I know I hardly ever feel refreshed and “cheerful” in the mornings. And if I didn’t have the alarm, I’d never see the early side of 9am.

Secret #2: Eat A Healthy Breakfast
Kids are obviously not nutritionists, but they instinctively know how to fill their bodies with nutrients following the night of fasting. Eating an actual breakfast, not just a cup of coffee on the way out the door, is so important. Not only does it help you stay slim because you are less likely to overeat later in the day, but it helps you be more alert and feel more energized, two very young feelings!

Secret #3: Stay “On Purpose” and Have Fun
Kids have one purpose to their day: Having fun. If it’s not fun, they do everything in their power to go back to being “on purpose” and having fun. Kids also laugh a lot. Like 300 times, a lot. Comparing that to the “too busy” adult that laughs 15, I can see that our purpose is less about having fun than it is to deny fun in order to get the stuff done that is keeping us “too busy.”

Secret #4: Get Daily Exercise
Kids love the be physical. Climbing, sliding, swinging, jumping and running? All fun! Bring some of the fun back into your workouts and you really will stay young inside and out.

Secret #5: Make Sure To Take Rests
Oh naps. Remember those? I took one this weekend and before that, I can’t even remember the last time I indulged like that. But rest is the critical time to recover get stronger from the activities you have performed. We’ve gotten “too busy” to remember that periodic rest is as important as playing hard. For those that think taking some recovery is not important because you believe “you are doing nothing,” imagine instead that you are doing the most important thing. You are coming back stronger to do more.

As we go through daily life, it’s easy to see how we can condition ourselves that it is acceptable to eat poorly, skip exercise, miss sleep and be too serious to laugh. Why do you think that is? The classic answer is that we just get “too busy.” But it’s not acceptable to live an expendable life.

I simply love Mr. Rooney’s final words:

“Perhaps the greatest reminder I can give you is that sleep, exercise, food and laughter are all medicinal. In the right doses these critical elixirs can keep you young, but as soon you begin to develop a deficiency, you will start to get old. The question for each one of us that may be “too busy” is this: Are you making sure you are meeting your daily requirement?”

So there you have it. The elusive Fountain of Youth. Surprised it’s so simple?

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips from Eco Tan’s Eva Pawlus

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:52:44 -0400

It's Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention month and while we love to get ourselves a healthy summer glow, getting skin cancer is not sexy. Instead, we'd rather protect ourselves. Since 1970, the incidence of melanoma among young women has skyrocketed, rising eight-fold, and current estimates predict that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This year alone, melanoma rates in the U.S. are expected to jump: 76,250 new cases will be diagnosed, and that’s 6,020 more than in 2011. That’s some scary stuff, ladies!

We want to kick off this summer right, but still get in our time at the pool, so we asked Eva Pawlus of Eco Tan in Chicago for some advice on how we can protect ourselves (without becoming complete hermits!) Here’s what Eva advises!

1. It’s the summer, and we know we’re going to be lounging by the pool and hitting the beach on our vacay. What are the best sunscreen products we can buy to keep us safe?

I love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist 75 SPF for all-over protection. It’s non-sticky, easy to apply, and won't clog pores.
For your face, I recommend Cetaphil UVA/UVB 50SPF Defense Facial Moisturizer. It’s lightweight enough to wear under makeup everyday and great for sensitive skin just like other Cetaphil products.
If you hate wearing face makeup in the summer, but you want a tiny bit of color MAC prep+ Prime BB Beauty Balm is perfect. It's a tinted primer that will give you a glowy, even look with SPF 35.
When you’re at the beach, use Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock Sray SPF 85. You can spray it directly onto damp skin the second you hop back onto the water—no towel required—and it will absorb.

2. What are some of your do's and don'ts for getting a summer glow while protecting your skin?
First, THERE IS NO SUCH A THING as a safe tan. Any tan is skin damage! :)

But…there is no doubt that the coolest complexion these days is having that “out of the beach” appearance. Like I said, there is no such a thing as healthy UV tan. If you just can't give up on that glow, opt for an alternative: bronzers, self tanners, gels and professional spray tanning work great.

1. Exfoliate: Prepare the skin and remove old dead layers by creating a new summer regimen. Use an exfoliating scrub at least once a week in the shower. Your skin will glow and any faux tanning you do will be more even.

2. Be a Sunscreen Snob: Use a high SPf everyday, even while driving to work. No excuses!

3. Limit Unprotected Sunbathing up to 20 Minutes a Day. The truth is, humans need the sun to get their daily dose of vitamin D. That being said, 10 to 15 minutes in the sun everyday is enough to get your vitamin D, so watch your time. And please, still cover and protect the delicate skin on your face!

4. Pay a visit to good spray tan salon to get your glow: Sunless tanning is becoming the rage of today’s fashion trend. For days between tanning appointments, find the best self tanner for you.

3. We’ve all seen the disastrous “Friends” episode when Ross has some serious issues with the spray tan! It’s not a great look. How can we get a spray tan without looking like a carrot?

1. Make sure to pick a good airbrush salon, not a spray tan machine. That was Ross’s mistake! ;) At Eco Tan we customize the color and adjust it specifically to your skin tone and desired color.

2. Do not attempt to apply spray tan solution on consecutive days. Wait at least four days between applications to keep it looking natural.

3. Have realistic expectations and do not try to go too dark. When you are very pale and want to go to dark, the orange effect will happen.

If you live in or visit Chicago, be sure to stop by and get a tan from Eva and her EcoTan team! Check out her website here and connect with her on Facebook!

Your question

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:22:46 -0400

I am pretty thin (about 103 pounds at just 5'1), but I am still extremely self concious about my weight. I feel like my stomach is too puffy and that I look fat, even though I know I am slightly underweight. I try to deal with this by working out and eating a bit healthier, but I'm starting to wonder if this is more of a self esteem issue than an actual issue with my body. I want to be toned, but I dont want to be grossly toned. I want to be soft looking, but not chubby looking. It almost seems like theres no point where I can feel good about my body, at least not for more than a day or two. What can I do?

Your question

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:54:35 -0400

I work a full time job at a hospital on second shift and I go to college full time during the day. Despite my busy schedule and crazy workload, I am a relatively happy person. But lately, I have been feeling down for no reason! Why am I feeling this way?

I know stress may be a factor, but it's not like I can cut my hours or my school. Neither of those are negotiable parts of my life at this point. Do you have any advice for dealing with my stress, workload, social life, etc.?

6 Ways Candy Can Be Good for You

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:23:35 -0400

Yes, you read that right. Candy. Can be good for you. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. Especially since Cadbury Eggs are popping up everywhere I look! Some candy has been shown to have serious health benefits such as preventing disease and weight gain. There is one small, little catch: As they always say, enjoy in moderation. Read on to discover how you can enjoy sweet treats, sans the guilt!

Choose Daily Dark Chocolate…
A new study backs up the best excuse ever to indulge your PMS craving: People who ate a little chocolate every day were 40 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, according to the study in the European Heart Journal. Pick a piece of dark chocolate the size of a Hershey's Kiss.

…Or Whatever Indulgence You Want.
Fans of fruity candy, rejoice! People who eat confections of any kind have a lower body-mass index and a smaller waist than their candy-skipping pals, researchers at Louisiana State University find. Balancing healthy eating with the occasional treat is key.

Get Gummy
Chewing gum improves alertness, a study from Coventry University reveals. Pop a piece when you’re studying for that final or you need an afternoon pick-me-up.

Have a Ball
The corn in that sticky popcorn ball has fiber and antioxidants. Microwave 1/2 cup honey for 10 seconds and add 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips. Pour over 6 cups popcorn mixed with 1 cup salted peanuts. Stir. Form into balls and chill on wax paper until firm.

Do Dessert
A sweet truth: Enjoying more treats can help you slim. People who ate four low-calorie desserts a week lost 9 pounds more than those who had one weekly splurge, research from the University School of Medicine in Athens shows. Those who felt deprived pigged out, but frequent sweets eaters were satisfied with smaller portions.

Downsize It
People given halved candies ate 60 fewer calories than those offered the same amount of whole ones, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports. Small-sweets eaters considered quantity, not size, and stopped sooner. This works for other treats, too, so slice before snacking.

5 Things That Make You Tired

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:40:42 -0400

Struggling to wake up this morning? Drinking yet another cup of coffee to fight off the 3pm sleepies? While we all are tired now and then, if you feel your fatigue is chronic, here are five energy suckers and what you can do about it.

1. Dehydration
It turns out that even moderate dehydration (which results in the loss of 3 percent of your body weight) can make you feel mentally sluggish and mess with your concentration. The next time you're feeling foggy or lightheaded, don't just assume you're in serious need of some food. Try downing a glass or two of water.

2. Cell Phones
Checking your cell before bed revs up brain activity, making it harder to doze off. Plus, any electronic gadget's artificial blue light can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin. A 2011 poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 20 percent of people ages 19 to 29 are awakened by a call, text, or e-mail at least a few nights a week. Power it down well before bedtime.

3. Medication
Many drugs have veiled energy-sapping side effects. Chief among them are some classes of antidepressants and certain beta-blockers used to prevent migraines or treat high blood pressure. If you start a new med and feel more lethargic than usual, see your doctor for an alternative. (If there isn't one, take your dose right before bed.)

4. Overtraining
While working out zaps the stress hormone cortisol, prolonged sweat sessions—like, for example, regularly running for more than 30 minutes at a steady rate—can actually increase cortisol production...and wear you out. Interval training (bursts of intense activity) combined with strength training (free-weight and body-weight moves) helps keep cortisol in check.

5. Low Iron
The mineral shuttles oxygen around your body and removes waste from your cells. If you're not getting around 18 milligrams a day, your body struggles to function properly and you can feel worn out; low iron levels in your diet can cause iron deficiency anemia. And your monthly cycle doesn’t help…If you feel sluggish, eat more leafy greens or grab a burger. If that doesn’t help, ask your doctor for a simple blood test to see if you should be taking a supplement.

Too Busy to be Healthy? Think Again.

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:40:13 -0400

Trust me, I get it: When you're busy, staying on track with your healthy eating plan and exercise routine is hard. It feels impossible to squeeze in a workout or cook something for dinner after a long day at work, class, running errands, meeting with friends, etc., etc., etc. But before you throw in the towel and think it just can't be done, here are five solutions to help fit a healthy lifestyle into your already packed schedule.

Learn to be a healthy chef
A busy schedule means healthy eating can become a hassle. Cooking meals can take a long time, especially when grocery shopping is involved. But a little bit of prep goes a long way in the kitchen. Start by planning quick weeknight meals at the beginning of the week and then prep as much as you can by washing and prepping fruits and veggies when you get home from the store. Keep your meal plan in sight (I like to put mine up on the fridge) so you always see it and can stick to it!

Know your routine
A 20-minute workout can turn into an hour-long ordeal if you don't know what you're doing. Instead of spending precious minutes searching for your favorite DVD or the link to that workout routine you read about online, keep your workout ideas organized and easily accessible. Collect all your printouts in a binder, give away any DVDs that you don't use so you can easily search your collection, and bookmark your favorite sites for routines.

Prioritize and reorganize
Time for some tough love. Something's gotta give, my friend, and it can't always be your workout. If you find that you always skip the gym for something more pressing, switch your schedule so that you can work out and still have the time to tend to your afterwork obligations. That may mean having to wake up a little bit earlier to fit in a morning workout, or finding a gym that's close to your office for lunchtime sweat sessions.

Make your workout multi-task
Sick of giving up happy hours to hit the gym? Work on your fitness and fit in a dose of socializing by bringing your happy hour to the treadmill (sans drinks of course.) Meet your friends for a dance class, lift weights together, or sweat it out with a cardio session for two. You'll get your workout in and catch up with your friends at the same time.

Schedule a long session
Quick workout sessions are fine, but nothing beats the ability to sweat it out for as long as you'd like without stressing about what you have to do as soon as you leave. If you feel like you're never able to spend enough time on your workout, make it a standing part of your week and write it in your calendar. Whether you get up early on the weekend or block out Thursday nights to exercise, you'll be able to de-stress and enjoy your workout without worrying about all the stuff you “should” be doing instead.

6 Ways to Boost Your Mood – Naturally

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:33:41 -0400

It’s a fact of like that we all get crabby from time to time, but being in a bad mood is definitely the worst. And sometimes there doesn’t even seem to be a reason for it–we just walk around with a case of the blahs. But, with a little knowledge, you can tap into your inner hippie and let Mother Nature help you. Sure, there are the obvious solutions like getting more exercise, more sunshine and more sleep, but there are also some other great ways to lift your spirits naturally. Take a look!

Load Up on Omega-3
Foods like salmon, flaxseed, walnuts and olive oil help to feed your brain cells, improving mood and your overall outlook on your day. As a bonus, these healthy-fat foods also improve memory while keeping you full for hours.

Get a Little Dirty
According to new research, a bacteria found in soil called Mycobacterium can be a natural mood lifter. Apparently the microbes in dirt stimulate the same neurons that Prozac does, making it a very healthy and natural way to feel good. This is just one more great reason to get out in the garden and grow your own organic foods. No garden? Volunteer to clean up your community or start a windowsill garden of your favorite cooking herbs!

Know Which Fruits To Eat
Popping berries after gorging on cheeseburgers and fries probably won’t do the trick. But eating “mood foods” 75% of the time will help you find more energy, think more clearly and drop additional pounds - with a sunnier outlook to boot.

Those "mood foods" include fresh fruits like oranges, which help to pump more oxygen through your body and brain to recharge your system. Blueberries can also help you ditch the blues. This "superfruit" is chock-full of antioxidants that promote positive energy. And tart cherries are a great source of melatonin, which helps promote a restful night's sleep. And we all know what a difference sleep can make on our moods!

Try St. John's Wort
This herb has been studied continuously as a natural mood booster and remedy for depression. Generally, the results have been favorable and St. John’s Wort has consistently outperformed placebos and even held its own against prescription antidepressants.

Wash Your Hands
This sounds a little bizarre, but according to one study, washing your hands can help clear your mind, relieve stress and reduce worry. A clear mind allows more positive thoughts to flow, so wash up.

Eat More Chocolate
Umm, Chocolate? Don't mind if we do! The tryptophan (yes the same one in your Thanksgiving turkey) in this dark delight helps to boost the mood-lifting serotonin in our brain. Researchers found that even the taste, texture, and smell make us happy. I think anyone could have told them that!

Arizona Bill Would Allow Employers To Fire Women Using Birth Control

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:42:03 -0400

It really just won’t go away will it? The controversy over our right to get birth control from our health insurance continues. Except this time it’s not just old men making headlines–it’s a woman. That’s right, Arizona Republican Debbie Lesko says that employers should have the right to look into our sex lives and ask exactly why we use birth control. And if that’s not bad enough, employers could potentially fire a woman using birth control for non-medical reasons.

The state’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-2 this week to endorse a controversial bill that would allow Arizona employers the right to deny health insurance coverage for contraceptives based on religious objections. Yes, we’ve heard this debate before. However, Lesko went so far as to propose that employers should be able to ask their employees for proof of a medical prescription if they take contraceptives for non-reproductive purposes, such as hormone control or acne treatment. In other words, employers should be able to look into their employee’s medical and sexual lives and demand proof that these pills are being used for non-sexual reasons.

Lesko said she believes this is about freedom: “I believe we live in America. We don’t live in the Soviet Union. So, government should not be telling the organizations or mom and pop employers to do something against their moral beliefs.”

Ah, yes, the Soviet Union. The sort of place where a woman might think about getting birth control through an insurance plan to which she contributes premiums without having to show her boss her prescription in order to prove that she wasn't using it to not get pregnant. A hellhole where women don't run the risk of losing their jobs over their sex lives or someone opinions about them. What a horrible, awful place.

True, the government shouldn’t be interfering with our personal lives on many accounts, but neither should our employers. The last thing women want is to have their boss asking nosy questions about their medical and sex life. Even if you really like your boss, that’s just plain creepy.

Nevertheless, Lesko went on to say it’s all about protecting the rights of religious organizations: “My whole legislation is about our First Amendment rights and freedom of religion. All my bill does is that an employer can opt out of the mandate if they have any religious objections.”

OK, well how about protecting our rights to medical privacy? I mean, you can’t even stand too close to someone at the pharmacy for fear you’re going to overhear! What about the rights to practice whatever religious beliefs that someone wants without being penalized by their employer? And what about the rights to providing equal health care coverage to everyone and not deny that to a woman simply because she wants to control what happens to her body? It’s hard to imagine it will ever get passed, isn’t it.

The committee has heard speeches from women about their struggles with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and other conditions requiring them to use birth control. They believe the bill would impose on women’s rights to keep their medical records private, and while you or I wouldn’t necessarily mind sharing our medical records, there are probably 10 women around us who would.

And, as expected, Planned Parenthood agrees. The Arizona chapter’s president, Bryan Howard, said he opposes any bill that goes against the accessibility of women’s health care.

And what’s even worse is the fact that some fear employees could be fired over their use of birth control because Arizona is an at-will state, meaning people can theoretically be fired for anything at any time, as long as it’s not illegal. Great.

Like I said, it’s hard to imagine this bill passing, but it doesn’t make it any less scary or depressing. How do you feel about this controversial bill?

5 Things to Try This Weekend

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:25:11 -0500

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here’s a round up of what we’ll be trying out.

DIY: Neon Necklace
Neon is a huge trend for spring, but adding bright accents to your wardrobe can be pricey. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for a gorgeous designer look on the cheap.

Recipe: Chocolate and Caramel Covered Marshmallows for St. Patrick’s Day
I mean, the name says it all right? Start celebrating a week early and make these delicious and fun treats. Your co-workers will love you on Monday!

Cocktail: Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail
Celebrate the end of citrus season with this refreshing blend of sweet blood orange juice and bubbly champagne. Enjoy a relaxing brunch on Sunday – after losing an hour of sleep you deserve it!

Activity: Anything with Your Man
Research shows one of the secrets of happy couples is taking time to “play” together. Go to the park, watch an old movie on Netflix, run together, or learn something new…whatever you enjoy doing together will help you become closer and stay happy!

Style: Try Booties
Though tricky to wear (we know of a few pairs in our own closets gathering dust!) booties can add a flirty edge to your style and pull a look together. Read some tips here and go out and show ‘em what you got.