Saturday, March 31, 2012

Beauty Questions


Q: I wear glasses. What makeup should I use to enhance my eyes?


A: When you have lenses covering your eyes, you want to intensify their definition. Try a swipe of jet-black liner along the upper lashes, then glide a beige liner along the bottom inner rims to brighten and conceal any redness. A dab of pale, shimmery highlighter on brow bones and inner eye corners gives even more pop. If your frames are a vibrant hue, stick with neutral shadows to avoid a color clash.
Source: London makeup artist Jane Bradley

Friday, March 30, 2012

Don't Look, Just Leap

17 things you've probably never done, but should.

1. Approach and engage a pretty boy/girl in conversation with no prompting from anyone. They might not want to talk.  They might even tell you to go jump off a cliff. Then again, they might not.

2. Be debt-free. Compounding interest is like a sorority girl on Ecstacy. She'll go both ways, but you get a hell of a lot more out of it when she's going your way.

3. Try the sport that you ridicule most. Golfers and skateboarders wouldn't be so smug if they knew how difficult the other guy's favorite activity is.

4. Finish something early.

5. Let someone else brag about the cool thing you did.

6. A mercy flush

7. Disagree with the person you fear most.

8. Read a novel with more than 300 pages, written before 1950, set somewhere other than the United States.

9. Eat brussel sprouts. Pretend a gun is pointed at your temple and you have a choice: Take them orally or another way.

10. You think you're tough, Say exactly what's on your mind when you're at your most vulnerable. We'll see how tough you are.

11. Say "Cool tat" the next time you see intricate tribal are on the small of a woman's back. She knows what you're really saying, but verbal subtleties like this can mean the difference between receiving an amused smile and waking up in the ICU.

12. Embrace the male carpe diem dealth cliche. You will die, friend. Dozens of bungee jumping, skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, boxing, surfing and motorcross outfits are depending on your "holy crap" realization or mortality to make a living. Why wait? Fix your roof when it's sunny.

13. Leave work early for a midweek afternoon ball game. Tell no one. Go alone. Strive to notice the subtleties TV doesn't show. Toss the ticket stub on the way out; you were never there. I guarantee you'll remember this game longer than if you got permission from your wife and went with five buddies.

14. Go a week without quoting anyone. It suddenly becomes harder to have anything to speak about.

15. Pursue a man/woman not because she's hot, but because she's cool.

16. But a stock based on research you did all by yourself, from scratch. Nailing a six-bagger on your own beats Maria Bartiromo's sloppy seconds any trading day.

17. Ask questions first. Save your bullets for later.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Kitchen Confidential Part 5

Gail Simmons - A judge on Bravo's Top Chef is the special projects director at Food & Wine.

Tipping Point - I weight myself twice a year- at the doctor's office. I do have ups and downs of probably five pounds; I judge based on how my clothes fit, and I've been either a size 6 or 8 for at least ten years now. Could I stand to lose five or ten pounds? Sure. But I can't make losing weight my life's work. I've never understood people who can survive on just salad and grilled chicken breast. Food is a great pleasure-it's not the enemy, and it shouldn't be a source of guilt.

The Strategy - I go to restaurants at least five times a week, and I don't finish everything, which is so counter to how I was raised. My mantra is, "There will be another meal." I'm incredibly fortunate to have this job and access to great restaurants, so even if this foie gras or lobster is incredible, I know I will eat lobster again. I also exercise. I live in NYC and walk home from dinner whenever I can. I always say if I lived anywhere else, I'd be ten pounds heavier. I'm also a runner

Weight Maintenance - For snacks, I keep a little dark chocolate and unsulfured dried fruit. The Bananas Flattened from Trader Joe's are like candy. I don't keep processed food or refined flour in my kitchen. If I have pretzels, they're whole grain; if it's pasta, whole wheat. I know it's not going to change my life, but a little fiber is always a good thing. Before shooting Top Chef: Just Desserts, I start each day with kale and cucumber juice and poached eggs over a bowl of wilted spinach. That way, I have protein and vegetables before eating dessert for the rest of the day.

Source: Allure

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Kitchen Confidential Part 4

Ramani Durvasula - Durvasula is a professor of psychology specializing in diet and exercise at California State Univ. Los Angeles and the consulting psychologist on Bravo's Thintervention With Jackie Warner.

Tipping Point - By my late 30's, I was married and had two kids and was up for tenure, and probably eating three to four thousand calories a day. My weight was up to 200 pounds- when you're 5'5'' like me, that is obese. I just wasn't paying attention. My daughter started going to a posh kindergarten, and those other mothers were so unkind to me; it was like high school. So yeah, revenge is what motivated me.

The Strategy - I maintain my weight by eating 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day. Mostly I changed my habits. Bad eating, like any bad habit, is automatic. We talk about this in addiction study all the time-breaking the chain of automatic. I did that with food. I lost 80 pounds in seventeen months.

Weight Maintenance - I got a child lock and kept it on the cabinet that held my kids' snacks. The lock required two hands, and I couldn't open it mindlessly, and it took enough time for me to think why I'm doing this just to get a snack. I still talk to myself aloud int he car when I pass In-N-Out burger:  "Why do you want that?" When my kids are with my ex-husband, I eat alone. Eating alone makes me eat too fast and too much, so I will call a friend to talk to them while I eat. I still eat all the time, as long as it's fruits and vegetables. Those are unlimited, and really, who craves more than two peaches in one sitting? For lunch, I'll have nonfat Greek yogurt, or nonfat cottage cheese mixed with salsa or Indian spices and pickled mango. For snack: grapes, salty seaweed snacks, and I love kale chips. I leave almonds in the car, because in L.A., everything else melts. At least five days a week I do 45 minutes of brisk walking on a treadmill, then fifteen minutes of weights, ten minutes of squats and lunges, and 200 crunches.

Source: Allure

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Kitchen Confidential Part 3

Felicia Stoler - A registered dietician, Stoler is the author of Living Skinny in Fat Genes.

Tipping Point - In my mid-twenties, I went from a size 4 to a size 8. I worked long hours at a law firm and didn't exercise, and also didn't realize that I couldn't eat and drink the way I used to in college. That bridesmaid with the chubby face in the photos at my sister's wedding? That was me. That's when I went to the doctor, worried that my big tummy was caused by an ovarian cyst. I was directed instead to a nutritionist who helped me lose 25 pounds. It's because of her that I studied nutrition instead of going to law school.

The Strategy - I have to practice what I preach. I exercise regularly, I eat a lot of fiber, and I watch my calories. I eat foods I love, but not all the time. The 100 calorie packs of chips and crackers are big in my house. Full-sized bags are too tempting!

Weight Maintenance - There comes a point where you have to start paying attention to what you're eating and how it's going to benefit you. I don't eat lots of fried foods. I don't eat mayonnaise, but I put a little hummus in chicken or tuna salad. Same texture, more protein. Instead of butter, I use Smart Balance, which has plant sterols that block the absorption of cholesterol. I pack almonds in an Altoids tin and keep fruit leathers in my purse. I pay attention to everything I drink. I cut back on alcohol, especially in the summer, because I'm tempted to drink gin and tonics. Over the years, I've fallen in an out of love with running, but now I bike or walk. My family and I almost always go for a half-hour walk after dinner.

Source: Allure

Monday, March 26, 2012

Kitchen Confidential Part 2

Melissa Clark - Clark is a food columnist for The New York Times.


Tipping Point - I was always thin until I got to college. The food at the cafeteria grossed me out, so I ended up eating mostly peanut butter and bacon. I didn't exercise, and I ate too much and drank too much. By the end of my freshman year, I had gained 35 pounds. I was back at my parents' house, looking at myself in the same childhood mirror that I was used to looking skinny in . I asked my mother, who is never critical, how I looked and she said, "You've looked thinner before." That was the very moment I knew I had to do something.

The Strategy - I lost more than 40 pounds over a year or so, mostly by counting calories. My daily goal was 1,200, which I always exceeded. Usually it was more like 1,500. I also started running, which I never wanted to do. My friend told me, "Think of it as 20 minutes a day that will make you happy and thin." That still motivates me.

Weight Maintenance - I've found that what you think is hunger is often just a craving. You can usually wait it out; in 20 minutes or so, it's gone. I only eat when I'm truly hungry, and when I feed the beast exactly what it wants, it turns out I don't need that much (SNOB DIET!!!). Usually, it's toast with peanut butter, tomato or avocado. A lot of cooks end up eating the equivalent of two meals-One as they prep and one at the table. So, when I work, I'm always thinking that 'this is for cooking' and 'this is for eating', so when I sit down, the experience and calories register. Fat is good. A little makes you feel more full. I can't do fat-free dairy, so I have whole milk and a little sugar in my coffee, But that's usually enough for breakfast. I order steamed veggies from Chinese restaurants often, but I never eat them naked. I have to have a drizzle of sesame oil and soy sauce. When I'm not working, I make a point of ordering a salad for dinner, but never the one with the lowest calories. I'll get the blue cheese and bacon. I leave some of that good stuff on the plate, but still get a small taste of it in every bite.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Kitchen Confidential Part 1

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And by "good intentions" I mean an unsalted high-fiber rye bran cracker that flatlines your taste buds and leaves you craving a Snickers. People who actually work with food - those who prepare it, study it or advise their clients not to eat too much of it know that the principles of weight loss and the practice are often two very different things. In this 5 part series are the insights of experts, including a doctor and a food writer on losing/maintaining weight. Not a rye-bran cracker in sight!

Jennifer Warren - Warren is medical director of the Physicians Healthy Weight Center in North Hampton, NH (Search for it on facebook). She is also (You guessed it!) a physician.

Tipping Point - I grew up athletic. I played tennis, taught swimming, rowed crew in college. If I ever felt I needed to lose ten pounds, I exercised more. But in my mid-20s, I gained 65 pounds with my first pregnancy and never fully lost the weight. I put on even more with my second baby. Thirteen years ago, I was skiing with my brother who had lost a leg to cancer and it was his first time out. He turned to me and said "Race ya!" He was off, and within four feet I had fallen; my center of gravity wasn't working the way I was used to. By the time I got up, I couldn't even see him. I remember thinking, Are you kidding me? I am more disabled by my weight than he is by losing a leg.

The Strategy - I'm embarrassed to admit that I tried over-the-counter supplements and fen-phen. They worked, and I lost 30 pounds in about three months, but as a doctor, I knew how dangerous those solutions were. When that weight crept back on, I did Jenny Craig. I would lose and regain the same 30 pounds. I started reading everything I could about nutrition, which led me to what's now known as "Low glycemic index" eating- and I dropped from 200 to 120 in eighteen months.

Weight Maintenance - Because carbs make me put on weight, I always eat them with protein, no matter what. Even if it's just an apple, I'll also try to have a low-fat cheese stick. For breakfast, I have a chocolate protein shake with berries for texture and fiber. For lunch, I might have non fat Greek yogurt and lean chicken or a buffalo burger. At dinner, I have salad and grilled chicken or fish. When my husband and I have dinner out, we don't allow bread or chips on the table. I remind myself that it's just a piece of bread, not the key to happiness. Then we split a salad and a protein entree. I used to love candy, but now I eat Greek yogurt with peanut butter or cocoa-coated almonds mixed in. I have a library of more than 200 workout DVDs, I don't have to leave the house to get a good workout. If I have twenty minutes, I do one. I don't get bored.


My thoughts - This woman is very smart, and makes great choices. As a 24 year old male, It does sound like her whole life is deprivation, though. I don't know anyone that can eat just yogurt and chicken for lunch and wait all the way to seven o'clock to eat a lame salad and chicken breast. Carbs are not the enemy. Refined carbs are the enemy. A whole wheat bun with that chicken won't hurt you, and cutting back too much on carbs will keep you a zombie all day.

Source: Allure

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Health Threats You Can't Ignore!

Usually when you get a nosebleed or a pimple your first instinct is to head to the doctor's office. Most of the time, it's not something to worry about. Sometimes something that seems small is an indication of something bigger going on. These are "third-tier" complaints that just might be trying to warn you about a first-tier problem.

Nosebleed - We usually write off random nosebleeds because we think we know the cause-dry air, aggresive nose blowing, angry ex girlfriends... But out-of-the-blue nosebleeds can also be one of the few outward signs of high blood pressure, a condition that strikes nearly 8 percent of men between the ages of 20 and 34. If you don't have your blood pressure checked anually, your tip-off may come from a nasal gush. The small vessels in the nose have tiny cracks, and the high pressure pushes blood out of them. Make an appintment with your Doc and get yourself checked out. Anything between 120/80 and 139/89 is Pre-Hypertension ( The numbers that come right before high BP is diagnosed ). Anything over 140/90 or higher indicates full-blown high BP and the need for meds.

                   Whatever your score, try to begin every morning with oatmeal topped with flaxseed (Gross, I would stick with fresh blueberries). People who eat foods high in Omega-3 and fiber drop their BP as much as 3 points.

Source: Men's Health

Friday, March 23, 2012

How To Make People Go Away

Here are six typical people that might be complicating your life. Below will be a possible way of making them go away.

Tyrannical Boss - He is complicating your life by insisting you're on call 24/7. Simplify your life by clocking out at 5. Don't forget to give a cheerful "See you tomorrow!" in his direction. Sometimes you need to manage your boss' expectations. Leave the office at the same time every day and limit weekend work. Don't worry about being fired: If you were doing a bad job, you wouldn't have so much to do.

The Chatty Coworker - They are complicating your life by becoming a permanent fixture at your office door, stifling your ability to IM your friends. Simplify your life by boring them to death. Don't engage them. Don't look at them or say anything that might lengthen the conversation. Eventually they will stop coming by.

The Nagging Mother in Law - She complicates your life by giving you unsolicited advice and hideous ties. Simplify your life by befriending the enemy. Most people spend time with their mother in law as part of the couple. It's important to develop your own relationship with her. At the very least, you'll beging to understand her motivations. Maybe she'll become less of such an annoying bitch.

The Pushy Salesman - He complicates your life by trailing you around the store. Simplify your life by wearing gym shorts. In a California State University study, salespeople approached shoppers dressed in work clothes more quickly than those dressed more casually.

The Tragic Friend - He/She complicates your life by complaining incessantly about their pathetic existence. Simplify your life by telling a joke, preferably dirty. It'll stop them long enough for you to change the subject. With luck, eventually you will de-program him/her. If that doesn't work, tell him straight up: "Stop your incessant bitching or I'm going to block you. I have my own problems."

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eat... More Carnival Food!

The calories have been counted for you. Which would you choose?

You can have this...

A large soft pretzel with cheese sauce
610 calories, 15 grams fat






Or you can have this...


A hot dog on a bun with a packet of mustard, a 2-ounce serving of cotton candy and a 12-ounce draft beer 
610 calories, 15 grams fat 


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Get Back In Shape: Lower Body

Days 2 and 4: Lower Body


1 - Barbell front squat
Cross your arms in front of your chest and rest a barbell on the front of your shoulders. Your elbows should be held high, with your upper arms parallel to the floor as you perform the move. Set your feet shoulder-width apart. Push your hips back, and lower your body until your thighs are at least parallel to the floor. Pause and push your body back to the starting position. Stay on your heels and make sure you don't rise onto your toes as you press back up.

2 - Straight-leg deadlift
Grab a barbell with an overhand grip that's just beyond shoulder width, and hold it at arm's length in front of your thighs. Keep your knees slightly bent. With your lower back naturally arched, bend at your hips (not your waist) and lower your torso until it's parallel to the floor. Pause, and then rise back to the starting position. As you lower the bar, keep it as close to your body as possible.

3A - Swiss-ball hip extension and leg curl
Lie on your back with your lower legs on a Swiss ball. Extend your arms to your sides, palms up. Raise your hips so your body is straight from shoulders to knees. Pull your heels in, bringing the ball toward your butt. Pause for one second, and reverse the motion. Lower your hips to the floor and repeat. As you pull your heels in, keep your hips elevated and your torso straight.

3B - Jump Squat
With your feet hip-width apart, squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor, and then jump as high as you can. Allow your knees to bend 45 degrees when you land, and then immediately drop back down into a squat, and then jump again. Perform this move as quickly as possible to build explosive strength and power.

4A - Swissball Plank

Place your forearms on a Swiss ball and raise your chest so your elbows are under your shoulders. Your legs should be extended behind you on the floor, and your body should form a straight line from ankles to head. Pull your shoulder blades back and down and brace your abs. Hold that position for 30 to 60 seconds. That's 1 set. Keeping your upper back flat maximizes the effectiveness and safety of the exercise.

4B - Swissball Jackknife 
Start in pushup position (your hands set slightly wider than and in line with your shoulders), and rest your shins on a Swiss ball. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankles. Roll the Swiss ball toward your chest by raising your hips and slightly rounding your back as you pull the ball forward with your feet. Pause, and then return the ball to the starting position by rolling it backward. Don't allow your hips to sag at any point during the exercise.


Source: Men's Health

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Get Back In Shape: Upper Body

Ok. Time to construct a foundation of fitness on which to build muscle and strength -- and unveil your abs.
If you want to lose your gut, don't think of lifting weights as an option; consider it a requirement. When dieters don't pump iron, 22 percent of their weight loss comes from losing muscle, according to a Penn State study. So if you drop 20 pounds without lifting, almost five of those pounds will be muscle.

Perform these workouts 4 days a week. Do the upper-body and lower-body workouts on consecutive days, rest a day, and repeat. For your first upper-body day, use the low-rep workout. For your first lower-body day, follow the high rep workout. Then switch for your second 2 days of training. That way, every other week you end up performing both high and low reps for your upper and lower body.

Low-Rep Workout
Complete 5 to 8 reps of each exercise resting 60 seconds between sets.
Upper body - Do 2 or 3 sets of each exercise
Lower body - Do 2 or 3 sets of each exercise

High-Rep Workout
Perform 12 to 15 reps in each set. For exercises 1 and 2, rest 60-90 seconds between sets. For 3A,3B,4A, and 4B, rest 30-45 seconds between sets.
Upper body - Do 2 or 3 sets of each exercise
Lower body - Do 2 sets of each exercise

Days 1 and 3: Upper Body

1A - Dumbbell bench press
On a flat bench, lie faceup holding a pair of dumbbells above your chest with your arms straight. Lower the dumbbells to the sides of your chest, and then push them back up to the starting position.



1B - Wide-grip pullup 
Grab the bar with an overhand grip that's about one and a half times shoulder width, and hang at arm's length. Pull yourself up until your upper chest hits the bar. Pause and slowly lower yourself to the starting position.


2A - Dumbbell push press
Stand holding a pair of dumbbells just outside your shoulders, your arms bent and palms facing each other. Bend your knees slightly to dip your body, and then push up with your legs as you press the dumbbells straight over your shoulders. Keep your torso upright throughout. Lower the dumbbells to the starting position, and repeat.


2B - Barbell Row
Grab a barbell with an overhand grip that's just beyond shoulder width, and hold it at arm's length. Lower your torso until it's almost parallel to the floor. Let the bar hang at arm's length. Pull the bar to your upper abs as you squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause, and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position. That's one rep.

Source: Men's Health

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Worst Foods...Ever

Three nutritionists were asked to tell the world which foods a person should never consume. Their opinions:

MaryEllen Camire, PH.D.
 Raw Oysters - They can be contaminated with hepatitis and other nasty viruses.
Sports Drinks - They're a waste of money for most people who are not competitive athletes. The sugar content is high enough to outweigh any benefits they offer.

David Grotto, R.D.
 Pork Rinds - They do give you protein, but so would eating your own skin.
Well-Done Steak - Charred meats have chemical compounds known as HCAs (heterocyclic amines), which have been linked to cancer.


David Katz, M.D. 
 Any Processed Lunchmeat - Such as corned beef, pastrami or bologna. These deli meats are all loaded with saturated fat.
Mayonnaise - It's just a dense delivery system for calories and fat
Pop-Tarts - These toaster pastries are peddled as a quick breakfast but are loaded with sugar and fat.





Sunday, March 18, 2012

Beauty Questions

Q: My cream eye shadow tends to disappear. How can I make it last?


A: Cream shadows give a sexy, dewy look, but they don't usually have the staying life of powders. An eye-shadow primer (Urban Decay and Tarte make great ones) will create a base for creams to adhere to. But if you want to avoid the extra step in your routine, some new shadows have primer built in . Cover Girl's intense Shadow Blast shades offer a subtle sheen. They go on sheer but can also be layered. BareMinerals Prime Time Primer shadows deliver loads of pigment that dry to a powdery finish so they won't flake or crease.

Source: N.Y.C. makeup artist Anthea King

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Peanut Butter

Superpowers - Boosts testosterone, builds muscle, burns fat.

Secret weapons - Protein, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium
Fights against - Obesity, muscle loss, wrinkles, cardiovascular disease
Sidekicks - Cashew and almond butters

You can eat peanut butter the au natural way, like on a sandwich. If you like thai food, you can try using it in a sauce. Microwave two tablespoons of peanut butter until soft, then mix well with 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce and some crushed red pepper flakes. Toss with whole-wheat noodles or use it as a dip for precooked chicken strips. Yum!

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Superhero Diet Pt. 2

Mental Firepower - Batman would be nothing without his incredible wit and detective skills. You can stay sharp as well by getting enough niacin. A study at Chicago's Rush Institute for Health Aging found that people with diets high in niacin had a lower risk of both Alzheimer's and age0related cognitive decline. The study was done on people 65 and over, but lead researcher Martha Morris, Sc.D., says, "Some studies show the niacin is important for DNA synthesis and repair, as well as for normal brain functioning. One could surmise that people of all ages should make srue they eat a diet that includes niacin-rich foods." In the study, the top 20 percent of niacin consumers, who got 20-48mg a day from food, had an 80 percent reduction in Alzheimer's risk.

Look to fish and poultry. Four ounces of chicken breast has 15mg; Four ounces of swordfish has 13mg. Foods also high in tryptophan (The chemical that makes you sleepy from eating all that turkey) can add to your niacin intake. The body uses tryptophan to make niacin when it needs a fresh supply. So even though turkey breast contains only 6 mg of niacin per three ounces, it's another good source.

Invisibility - George Fahey, Ph.D., a professor of animal sciences at University of Illinois, studies pig stomachs for clues to our stomachs. He has established that compounds called oligosaccharides and resistant starches aren't digested completely and so have fewer calories that we think. Our digestive systems are similar enough that gives us the conclusion that if pigs don't digest it, we won't either. Smart dieting is easier than you think. Artichokes, onions, shallots, bananas, and beans have fewer absorbable calories than standard measures show. Beans and peas are particularly high in resistant starches. A conservative estimate is that people extract approximately a third fewer calories from beans than the label says.

Eternal Youth - Superheroes are on call 24/7. No old age or retirement allowed. The secret for humans is to keep your biological age lower than your chronological age. One way to do that is by getting your astaxanthin, the potent carotenoid that gives salmon its orange color. Astaxanthin acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals. Just as oxidation eats away at your car's quarter panels, free radicals age your cells. Astaxanthin is Rust-Oleum for your body. It is showing promise in the fight to slow biological aging, although there are not any studies in humans yet. It may also help fight cancer and atherosclerosis (Hardening of the arteries), and have anti-inflammatory and UV-protective properties.

Dr. Pratt recommends 3 ounces of salmon four days a week. Salmon caught in the wild has up to 80 percent more astaxanthin than the farmed kind. The wild variety should be easy to find now, because its peak season is coming up. You can also try shrimp, crab, and trout. Salmon also includes heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids, which lower your risk of heart disease. Not dying is the ultimate superhero power.

Source: Men's Health

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Superhero Diet Pt. 1

In this two-part entry, foods will be identified that will give you powers beyond those of mortal men. We derive our power from exercise and food... Real food, not that tub of greasy popcorn at the multiplex. A Marvel-ous physique and super health are well within reach; You just have to know what to reach for. Start now, and you'll be ready for this summer's Dark Knight third installment.

X-Ray Vision - Superman squandered his x-rays peering through brick walls instead of Lois Lane's flimsy feminist veneer. To keep your perception sharp, you need two key things: lutein and zeaxanthin, which sound like villains but aren't. Macular tissue-- the clump of photo receptors on each retina--degenerates faster than the rest of your eye, and as it does, you no longer see clearly.

 Researchers at Heinrich Heine University in Germany found that lutein and zeaxanthin help filter blue light, which may wreck macular tissue. People with high levels of these two phytonutrients are at lower risk of both macular degeneration and cataracts. Dr. Steve Pratt, M.D. suggests 12mg a day of the two nutrients combined, or 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked spinach. Cooking spinach concentrates the greens and their powers; to get 12 mg from raw spinach, you'd be munching forever.

Superhuman Strength - You can't build shoulders and biceps like Thor's unless you have a great special-effects department in your basement. But you can make the most of your workouts by eating at the right time. You probably already have the 'guzzle a protein shake immediately after a workout' thing down. And if you don't, start doing it. You have a 60-minute window for maximum protein uptake and glycogen restoration after exercise. The rest of the day, make sure you take in the calories and protein you need for muscle growth. Bulk up on lean meat, nuts, and cheese.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that cutting carbs can change body composition better than cutting fat can. In a 6-week study, normal-weight men who trimmed calories by following an old-school low-carb diet traded 7.4 pounds of fat mass for 2.4 pounds of lean muscle. Lead researcher Jeff Volek, Ph.D., R.D., an assistant professor of kinesiology, attributes the boosted burn to a reduction in insulin levels. "The effects are most pronounced when the diet is only slightly restricted in energy," he says. That means there's no need to be all crazy about cutting carb calories. Just be sensible: Skip the cookies before bedtime, fatty.

Source: Men's Health

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Eat... More Breakfast!

These calories have been counted for you, which would you choose?

You can have this...


Premade Yogurt Parfait
3/4 cup Almond Granola, 8oz. low-fat plain yogurt, 1 cup mixed strawberries and bananas, 2 tbsp of honey.
Total Calories: 809 and 26 g of fat.


Or you can have this...  

Complete Breakfast
8oz. low-fat plain yogurt with 1 cup strawberries and blueberries. One piece french toast with 2 tsp maple syrup, 2 strips of bacon, one cup of coffee and a 5 oz mimosa.

"Healthy granola" can really add on the calories! Always read labels to see what you're really packing on.
Total Calories: 575 and 18 g of fat


.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Beauty Questions


Q: I shave my underarms every day, but it looks like there is still hair on them!

A: Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Murad suggests shaving in the shower so that your skin is hydrated and softened by the heat and moisture. Shave in two directions, both with and against the growth of the hair. Try it.

Q: I have curly, frizzy hair that stays put only with gel and hairspray, but they always flake. What can I use?

A: Try L.A. looks Curl Defining Gel ($3, drugstores). A curly-haired friend gave it a test run and it held off frizz whether used on wet or dry hair.

Q: How do I make my own de-puffing eye mask?

A: Steep three green tea bags in hot water, let cool and remove. Add one egg white, a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of apple juice. Soak two cotton pads in the mixture, wring out, then apply under your eyes. Lay plastic wrap over each, and leave on for five to fifteen minutes. Rinse off and puffs be gone!

Q: Should I bronze the edge of my forehead?

A: Adding color along the hairline pulls together a tanned look and makes blush appear more natural. Try running it down the center of your nose, or on the edges to make a contoured look.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Your Hungry Heart

Research has already shown that skipping breakfast is a sure way to binge at dinner. Now a study from the United Kingdom has revealed another danger: Missing out on your morning meal may raise your LDL (Bad)-Cholesterol levels. Men and women who skipped breakfast for two weeks experienced an increase of almost 2 points in their LDL, compared with no change in those who always ate in the morning. When people blow off breakfast and then overeat later in the day, their bodies can't process the sudden flood of fat. Stack the odds in your favor: Before you hit the door, grab a Baker's Breakfast Cookie (bakersbreakfastcookie.com). These high-fiber snacks taste delicious and are loaded with LDL-lowering oats.

Source: Men's Health

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Sex Bulletin

Don't Scare Her! - Ever wonder why some gyms are 'women only'? Women are much more body-conscious in the gym than men are, according to a study from Canada's Acadia University. Thisry-seix percent of women shortened their workouts if they were the only woman exercising among men, which may indicate that the presence of men heightens a woman's social physique anxiety. Darren Kruisselbrink, Ph.D., says women feel more comfotable when fellow exercisers aren't dressed in formfitting clothes. So ditch the muscle tee- "and don't gawk."

Stud or Slut? - Don't brag about your conquests. In a new study published in the journal Sex Roles, 8,000 people assessed fictional men and women who had varying numbers of sexual partners. Individuals-- regardless of gender--were seen as less intelligent the more sex partners they had, suggesting that a double standard does not exist. People seem to fall back on expected stereotypes when talking in groups, but judge promiscuity harshly for both sexes.

Oral Report - Any sex talk with your children should include the topic of oral sex. Teens think oral sex is less risky and more socially acceptable than other methods and are more likely to engage in it. This is according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. One in five ninth-graders reported having oral sex, and 14 percent said they'd had intercourse.

Source: Men's Health

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Is Facebook Bumming You Out?

Ever scroll through your New Feed, with all those posts from people announcing great news or luxuriating on vacation, and suddenly you feel like your life is...lacking? You're not alone. FB, it turns out, can be a serious downer. But it's ok. If those people were having that much fun on vacation, why would they even bother to pry themselves away to post about it on facebook?

As you know, constantly comparing yourself to others is a recipe for feeling crappy. And although you may do your best to avoid falling into the trap, it's not easy today, thanks to the invention of this little website called Facebook. We're bombarded with news of friends' accomplishments and major milestones every time we sign on, and research shows it's taking a toll on our mental health. A recent Stanford University study found that Facebook causes us to underestimate other people's misery and overestimate their happiness, which in turn makes us feel worse about ourselves.

What's more, experts say that women are most susceptible to these negative effects. We did some more digging to examine the dark side of your favorite way to kill a slow afternoon... and see if there are any tricks for keeping it from messing with your mind. Raise your hand if this scenario sounds familiar: After a hellish day at work or spat with your guy/girl, you log on to Facebook and scroll through your friends'  carefully curated photo albums and peppy status updates-- "Adele concert was sick... So blessed to have the best boyfriend/husband in the world... Just got a puppy!"

Chances are you're comparing your life to theirs, and when you're in a low moment, yours comes up short. They never seem to post their desperate moments, so you assume they don't have any, and you feel isolated and wonder why your life can't be as easy and wonderful as theirs. A separate University of Texas at Austin study found that men use Facebook to share items related to the news or current events, whereas women use it to share personal developments like getting engaged, pregnant, promoted, etc. In an age where we have so many more opportunities than we've ever had before, there is pressure for us to succeed in all areas of our lives.

Seeing your peers excel in an aspect of life where you may be a step behind can make you feel like you don't measure up. It can even cause you to question your own choices. You don't need to deactivate your account to keep your confidence and sanity in check. The trick is to not look at your news feed like a contest. Who has the most friends, 'likes', and the most interesting news about their life. Be ruthless and block anybody that is too braggy who sparks the competitive fire in you. Also, just because someone else got ahead in life does not mean that you won't, either.


Source: Cosmopolitan 

Friday, March 9, 2012

Lose the Last 10 Pounds: Evening

Ok boys and girls. It's time to relax, refuel and wind down.

Dinner - Will consist of protein and fat (Yay!). A couple of hours after your post-workout shake, it's time for your final meal of the day. Lowery will typically have more fat at this meal than at any other. That's because as a fuel, fat appears to be preferable to carbs at this time. The insulin-carbohydrate system isn't working as well late in the day. Plus, his daily dietary variety is increased by including healthy fats, and he's had little of them up until now.

A vegetable stir fry with chicken or steak will hit the spot, along with a green salad, lightly dressed. The protein and fat in the meal, along with the fiber in the veggies will help you feel full until you fall asleep-which will probably be very soon, considering how hard you've worked. Buona Notte



Source: Men's Health

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Lose the Last 10 Pounds: Afternoon

Ok guys! It's time to fuel up, work out, and recover.

Preworkout Meal - This will consist of protein and fast-burning (Simple) carbs. In mid to late afternoon, it's time to put away some fuel before you hit the weight room. Half a turkey-breast sandwich and a banana will do the trick. The turkey's protein gives your muscles some material to work with in the never ending process of repair and rebuilding, and the simple carbs provide easy energy for the coming workout. This combo also raises your insulin levels which opens up blood vessels and allow for a better pump in your working muscles. Not only is a pump a nice reward for all o f your hard work, but it also squeezes nutrients into your muscles to speed recovery and growth

Workout - Now, we move on to a strategic destruction of muscle fibers. It's hard but not impossible to build muscle mass while you're following a strict diet and limiting calories like Lowery. The key is to do as much as you can without compromising your ability to recover in time for the next workout. Lowery suggests splitting up your exercises so you're rarely working upper body and lower body muscles on the same day. Instead, push the targeted muscles to exhaustion, always working from the center of the body, outward. Lowery starts training his chest and back and then moves outward to his shoulders and arms.

To work your upper torso with his system, you'd begin with basic, heavy lifts; 3 or 4 sets of 5 reps of barbell bench presses and dumbbell rows, for example. Next you'd perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps of dumbbell shoulder presses and lat pulldowns. Then you'd finish with 1 or 2 sets of 20 reps of bicep curls and tricep extensions.

Post-Workout Shake - You don't need a lot of protein and carbs following your workout; just a small protein shake or smoothie should work, or even a glass or two of low-fat or non-fat milk. The timing of when you eat fat doesn't matter in the way it does for protein or carbs.


Source: Men's Health

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lose the Last 10 Pounds: Breakfast

Breakfast - Protein and Slow-burning Carbs

Keep breakfast pretty low in fat and stick with slow-acting carbs. The low-fat breakfast is not usually suggested by experts, but it makes sense in this quest for single-digit body fat. Specifically, the hormone insulin is trying to be controlled. Insulin is at its lowest level in the morning but comes on like a beast with the first meal of the day. If you were overeating, that is consuming more calories than you burned, then that surge of insulin could lead to greater fat storage. But in the opposite context, when you're burning more calories that you take in, fat storage in unlikely. That's why an average dieter can eat a moderate amount of insulin-inducing carbs and still lose weight.

Lowery is playing a more complicated game than the rest of us. He wants a rise in insulin to push carbs and protein to his muscles. Carbs, when they're stored as glycogen within the muscles, bring water with them; that helps his muscles fill out and may also help improve their function. But if he adds more than a few grams of fat to the mix, there's a slim chance that the fat would end up back in the fat cells that he's trying to drain by exercising in the morning on an empty stomach. Extra fat may also interfere with his body's ability to metabolize carbs properly. An ideal breakfast might be two whole eggs with four egg whites, for a total of 24g of protein. A carb source, like whole-grain toast, oatmeal or apple completes the meal.

Second breakfast and lunch - Protein and Fiber

For a midmorning snack, Lowery eats oatmeal and berries with a scoop of vanilla protein powder (gross!). Lunch (3 hours later) might be a grilled chicken breast accompanied by a high fiber vegetable (Like broccoli) along with a cup of brown rice, maybe some black beans or small red potatoes. Meals like this require a lot of chewing, which slows your appetite and gives your brain time to send the 'stop eating' signal. The high protein content also can speed your metabolism.


Source: Men's Health

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Lose the Last 10 Pounds: Morning

Consider this plan your graduate seminar in waist management. Keep in mind that nobody eats and exercises this way year-round. This is used as a disciplined approach only when trying to become extremely lean for one specific event. You are encouraged to eat more than just this amount of food on a regular basis to allow for recovery. This plan was given by Lonnie Lowery, a PH.D., R.D. that spends half his time as a competitive bodybuilder and a professor of exercise and nutrition science at Winona State University in Minnesota.

Morning - Kickstart your metabolism, manage your blood sugar, and prepare for a heavier afternoon workload


First thing in the morning - Caffeine and cardio. Nobody wakes up ready to exercise. But morning is prime workout time. You're burning a higher percentage of fat before eating breakfast because your body's supply of available carbohydrate energy is depleted and the hormonal state makes body fat more accessible. And coffee may help squeeze even more from your fat cells. On Lowery's plan, this workout is nothing fancy:

An hour of low to medium intensity walking or jogging after a cup of java. If you try to do more than that, you won't have enough left for your strength workout later in the day. This is the first big derivation from traditional Men's Health advice-- in this case, to eat before exercise. All things being equal, you'll probably train with more intensity if you have something in your stomach, and that leads to better long-term benefits. In this example, Lowery isn't looking for long-term benefits and isn't trying to exercise extensively. The goal is to target stored body fat.

In a 2006 study in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, people who exercised following an overnight fast used more fat for energy, even thought they burned no more total calories than they would have if they'd eaten before their workout. One more point about this morning workout: It's not the main event. This happens later in the day, when you hit the weight room. If you don't have the time for exercise twice in a day, you should choose a highly challenging weight workout over this low-intensity supplement. This exercise session is designed to enhance fat loss, but only in addition to your regular workout.


Source: Men's Health

Monday, March 5, 2012

Why Do Men Do That?!

Q: What the hell does "I want space" mean?
A: It means he wants to be an astronaut. This is a common fantasy among young men. They long for the sense of wonder and adventure. The appeal of food in a tube. The utter and complete loneliness of a tiny room in an empty, endless vacuum where no one can ask anything of them. Perhaps this room contains some video games and some sexy space aliens. The emotional truth about men is that they occasionally wish to return to a time when they had no responsibility for anyone's life or happiness but their own, and could look forward to frolicking in zero gravity while hugging and kissing all the exotic, sexy girls out there waiting to be found.

This time in men's lives lasts from about age 16-25, and the idea that 'we can regain it later' is a fantasy. Let him have his space camp. Like most astronauts' girlfriends, you must hope he will realize man cannot live on food in a tube forever.

Q: Why is it when you don't pay attention to a man, he won't leave you alone. But as soon as you start showing some interest, he doesn't want anything to do with you?
A: When you are not paying attention to a man, you seem confident and mysterious to him. Men like attention, and they like to be liked; thus the greatest mystery in a man's life is: Why aren't you paying attention to me and telling me how awesome I am now? Unfortunately, once you offer a man the attention he craves, his desire to be wanted comes up against the biological force: his revulsion of being required. That is to say, his brain says: Thank you for appreciating me finally. But now that you have the merest hello, it is really important for me to signal to myself and others that I am still available to procreate AT ANY MOMENT WITH ANYONE. This, sadly, is called evolution. Luckily, some men are better at managing their biological impulses and can handle being talked to by a woman graciously and confidently. These are the men you want.

Q: Why do guys act like they don't like you when their friends are around?
A: Again, it's a matter of evolutionary biology. The male imperative is to mate as many times as possible, and he is competing with other males constantly for this privilege. If he reveals to his bros that he is monogamously committed to a single woman, then they will go out and have sex with all the other women, and their bastard children will outnumber his one faithfully parented child, and then his genetic line will die out. It's like asking them to go to the ballet. Eventually, or at least in most cases, men gain the maturity to put these urges behind them. But if you cannot wait for that to happen, simply explain to your boyfriend that you are going to 'mate' with him a lot. It might even work.

Q: Why do my ex boyfriends continue to contact me after they dump me? What do they want?
A: They want to believe that they are still wanted by you, and that even though they may have hurt you, they are still really good people at heart - maybe even awesome people - who did absolutely nothing wrong and with whom you might still have sex. But now that you know what is behind this, you can torture him by having a long, friendly conversation and then saying, "Oh, I thought you were the other Mike/Dave/Joe "

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunscreen Saftey Update


Lately there has been more talk about the importance of SPF and its effects on anti-aging and overall skincare. The FDA has issued new rules to prevent false and confusing claims in the beauty aisle.

- Look for the term "Broad Spectrum" on the bottle, since only products that shield against both types of radiation--UVA (Causes wrinkles and skin cancer) and UVB (Causes burns, too)--can claim it.
- Only sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection and SPF 15 of higher may claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early aging if used as directed--with frequent reapplication.
- Misleading terms like 'waterproof', 'sweatproof', and 'sunblock' are banned altogether. A product that bills itself as 'water-resistant' must specify how long you can stay in the water before it wears off--for either 40 or 80 minutes.

A Hot New Ingredient - TCA - Another powerful exfoliant to make the leap from doctor's office to drugstore. Trichloroacetic acid--familiar from once scary in-office peels, has been remixed for home use. Gloss Skin Retexturizing Cream by SkinLuma is a mixture of TCA, antioxidants and a mild retinoid that claims to boost cell turnover and collagen production while giving a glow. Right now, it only seems to be available by prescription. "This is the first time TCA has been stable and mild enough to be put in a cream. It exfoliates as well as 40 percent glycolic acid, but without irritation", says dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Eat...More McDonald's!

The calories have been counted for you. Which would you choose?


You can have this...

McDonald’s 5-piece Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips (7.7 oz.) with BBQ sauce
710 calories, 40 grams fat



Or you can have this...

Mickey D Meal
6-piece Chicken McNuggets (3.4 oz.) with BBQ sauce, a Caesar salad with low-fat vinaigrette and a baked apple pie
710 calories, 37 grams fat

SO REMEMBER: When you hit fast food, portions are key. Stick with little nuggets, and you’ll get a full meal plus dessert!




Other great choices at Mcdonald's


Premium Grilled Chicken Classic sandwich: (Daily Value)
Calories 350
Total Fat 9g (13%)
Carbohydrates 42g (14%)
Protein 28g

Premium Caesar Grilled Chicken Salad: 
Calories 190
Total Fat 5g (8%)
Carbohydrates  10g (3%)
Protein 27g
Sodium 580mg (24%)

Fruit n' yogurt parfait: 
Calories 160
Total Fat 2g (3%)
Carbohydrates  31g (10%)
Protein 4g
Sodium 85mg (4%)






Source: Mcdonalds.com

Friday, March 2, 2012

Beauty Questions

Q: I've tried to wear false lashes, but they always seem to look goofy and long?
A: The best trick for false lash success is to give them a haircut first. NYC lash professional Luba Todorca suggests cutting each strip in half or thirds with cuticle scissors. You can trim the length following the angle of the strip. Place a piece on the outer edge of your lashes for a flirty look or right over your pupil to draw major attention. Use clear glue and some found it's easiest to put it directly on their lash line with a whittled-down cotton swab. Grab the lash strip with tweezers, and stick it onto the glue. Hold it down for about 30 seconds and help it adhere.

Q: Any makeup tips to help camoflauge the " 11 " forehead wrinkles to make them less noticeable? 
A: Here are some tips from makeup artist Bobbi Brown: First double-moisturize-- Dry skin emphasizes lines. Brown suggests applying a serum or lightweight moisturizer, waiting five minutes that layering a thicker product on top. Try a light-coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer on your forehead, even if you use a heavier one on the rest of your face. Or you can deflect attention by playing up a feature you love. Red lips??

Q: What's the best shade of lipstick and blush for redheads?
A: Almost any shade. Forget the rule that redheads should stick with tones that don't clash with their coloring. Makeup artists George Eisdell, who has worked with Christina Hendricks, offsets fiery hair with a matte bright red lip, like MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo ($15, macccosmetics.com), or a soft creamy pink gloss. On cheeks, Eisdell likes pink beige or terra-cotta tones instead of louder hues.


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Nicotine Fix

Smoking may deplete your body's levels of vitamin E, leaving you more vulnerable to disease. A recent study conducted by Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute determined that the amount of E in smokers' bloodstreams is quickly depleted by the need to clean free radicals out of their lungs and extinguish inflammation throughout their bodies. In one test, a vitamin E marker stayed 10 hours longer in the nonsmokers' blood. Until you're ready for NicoDerm, be sure your daily diet contains at least 15mg of vitamin E by eating an ounce of sunflower seeds or almonds in the morning and afternoon.

Source: Men's Health

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