The One Product That Fights All Blemishes

This past weekend I headed up to Saratoga, NY—a sleepy country town that also happens to have awesome food, great shopping and a really fun horse-racing scene (don't worry, I saved my money for the boutiques). I loaded up on SPF and enjoyed some quality time outside including a BBQ on Saturday that went well into the night.

By Dawn Davis

Unfortunately, while hanging out enjoying nature, I realized I was being attacked by nature: mosquitoes, ugh. I don't know why no one else had a problem, but they were feasting on only me. Even though I'd packed about 300 beauty products, there was no bug spray to be found, and all of the drugstores had been closed for hours (which really made me appreciate the 24-hour everything we have in NYC). I swatted as best I could, but in the morning it was clear that the bugs had won the battle.

Related: 4 Reasons You're Getting Chapped Lips 

Then, the search for anti-itch lotion began: I dug around in my cosmetics bag, and just as I was about to give up, came across this cute, pink roll-on stick—not exactly hydrocortisone cream, but a surprisingly good alternative. I've been obsessed with the the Sampar Prodigal Pen for years—if you dab it on a zit in the early stages, it will kill it right then and there—and it's also a great multitasker. I vaguely remembered learning that it works on bug bites, so I rolled the cool, tingly essential oils all over my splotchy legs. By the time I got in the car to head back to the city, not only had my bites stopped itching, they'd almost disappeared! It also works on razor burn and ingrown hairs...the list goes on. I just ordered another one to keep in my desk at work.

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Benefits of Whey Protein for a Healthy Body

Researchers keep on uncovering the beneficial effects brought about by whey protein on our health. For a long time now people keeps on using whey for a healthy body. People starting from children up to professional athletes may be benefited of whey proteins quality supplement.

Whey protein, which is a byproduct of the cheese produced from the milk of cow already found the way to a mainstream plan for nutrition to a person who seeks healthy body. Modern technology constantly improves in providing a high quality whey protein, which is easily combined and placed in a person's day to day diet.

Benefit wise, whey protein is nutritious and healthy product for people. Below are some significant benefits of whey:

1. Management of weight – obesity reached an outbreak already because of the occurrence of low food nutrients, high calorie and fats. The whey protein, it's an excellent origin of low calorie, carbohydrate, fats, glycemic index, in a high quality of protein. Replacing your food, this might include a hamburger for lunch with a shake having whey protein then watch your body reduce some weight.

2. Management of sugar – diabetes becomes the main concern of health alongside obesity. There are so many diabetics, now causing so many problems in the medical area. Assisting the stabilization of a diabetic's blood sugar is whey protein; it slows down carbohydrate absorption, and includes glucose to our blood streams. Having a stable level of blood sugar is crucial most especially for diabetic patients.

3. Managing pregnancy – both a fetus as well as infant needs protein to develop their vital organs. With this in mind, the lactating or pregnant mom might take into consideration to incorporate whey protein to their day to day diet.

4. Management of snacks – eating snacks becomes a big problem to stay fit and lean when we crave so much and never feel satisfied. Thus, the body releases some hormones, suppressing our appetite. There are 2 hormones which are stirred up by the portion of the whey protein. It might have great benefits during the day and most especially during nighttime when we eat snacks including street foods.

5. Management of the cardiovascular system – a leading cause of death nowadays is related to heart problems. Research shows that the whey protein assist in fighting hypertension and lowering our cholesterol. The usage of whey protein maybe helpful in lowering risks of heart related diseases.

6. Management of cancer – the specialists study had shown that the whey protein restricts tumor growth in a cancer patient. In a certain study developed, it demonstrated that a woman having higher levels of cysteine, present in whey protein, had 56% decreases in terms of risks in breast cancer.

7. Management of stress – Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, has lots of negative effects to our body. There is a lowering of cortisol production through the help of whey protein and the increase in serotonin, which is a hormone to produce calming effect.

The beneficial effects given by whey protein will likely be yours if you incorporate whey supplements into your daily diet.

 

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Fashion that makes us sad: clothing that looks like pajamas

Resort 2012 collections showcased pajama-like outfits. Photos courtesy of Celine and Louis Vuitton (via FabSugar)

We've seen plenty of women wear pajamas to the supermarket, but leave it to the fashion industry to makedesigner clothing that looks like pajamas. FabSugar is reporting that several designers included traditional matching PJ sets in their 2012 resort collections. Pictured on the left is Celine's pinstripe pair, while the photo on the right is a more complete sleepwear ensemble from Louis Vuitton.

We're confused. We can get behind the menswear trend, and maybe even a pajama-inspired top. But what is the purpose of a full pajama outfit—to confuse people? To be edgy? Who would want to wear what looks like a pair of pajamas out on the town? Well, so far we can name a few people.

Designer Rachel Roy wears pajamas on the red carpet. Photo by Getty Images

The first is Ryan Gosling. He wore a blue silk pajama top on the red carpet in Cannes back in May.

But on August 8 we saw the most literal interpretation yet.  Designer and Michelle Obama favorite, Rachel Roy, attended the movie premiere of "One Day" and hit the red carpet in pajamas. She said she bought them from a store in the Hamptons, and she paired them with a Celine bag, clearly taking inspiration from the Celine Resort collection. She also wore some sparkly Manolo Blahnik heels.

Stilettos and pajamas?! We hope this trend doesn't have legs. Literally.

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Benefits of Cycling for a Healthy Fit Body

Lots of people find excessive weight gain a big problem, they have difficulty handling it, and there are times they thought that it's impossible to reduce. They will try solutions like jogging in the morning but they find it burdensome because it needs early waking time. Then comes gym options, but with high pricing fees and the deadline to meet if you have work everyday, they give up.

Another option will be on cycling, it can be outdoor or indoor. Buy yourself an excellent bike as investment; you can use it during weekends. You can also purchase a stationary type of bike for your family too, as an exercise tool and have fun with them.

This is a very excellent type of exercising; it improves your aerobic as well as endurance capacity. Tones down several groups of muscle like thighs and calves, and it strengthens your back. You'll be able to burn fats between 200 – 750 calories, but still dependent to your intensity, if you do one hour of cycling.

For people who have joint or overweight problems, its difficult for them to have a weight bearing type of exercise, this type of exercise is an excellent alternative.

The Benefits of Cycling:

Cycling in a regular manner will give healthy benefits to many organs or systems of our body:

1. The circulatory and cardiovascular system – our heart is beating fast in order to pump blood in our body quickly, to supply oxygen to our muscles, it allows them to work properly. Our heart is pumping about 4 liters of blood in one minute, at rest. Our heart is also a muscle, if you exercise like cycling; our heart gets stronger and bigger like our biceps. A person who is taking part in a regular exercise activity can lower their risk of getting cardiovascular diseases than those people who do not exercise.

2. Our blood pressure – having a regular exercise or cycling activity do prevent people to have a higher BP or blood pressure. If you keep on getting higher BP, cycling will be able to lower it.

3. Cholesterol buildup prevention – with regular exercise, you'll be able to improve the levels of the good cholesterol or High Density Lipoprotein in blood.

4. Our Brain – those who keeps on exercising in a regular manner tends to get low fats and good lipids profile. They've got less heart diseases and lesser risk of having stroke.

5. Our joints and muscles – daily exercises improve our muscle strengths, balance and coordination. Lessening the falls when you're older, aiding joints mobility and its lubrication. Endurance of our muscles and results of tones in the working muscles including thighs and calves becomes prominent. An improvement in posture. It also helps the sufferers of arthritis, lessens pains and swelling in the joints, and increases flexibility.

6. The Skin – our skin is one the major body organs, also for excretion just like the urine in the urinary system. During cycling, the blood flow in our skin increase, removing our body's heat and removes the waste through sweating.

 

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7 Ways Out of Hair Hell

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Fight Frizz Like a Pro

"Frizz happens when the cuticle layer (the outer layer) of the hair opens, moisture gets inside, and the hair swells up," says celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, who counts Lea Michele and Emmy Rossum as clients. "It's made worse when your strands are pushed against each other, due to weather, tool damage, or even rubbing wet hair with a towel." Prevent a frizzy mane during warmer months, and cut back on your flatiron and blow-dryer use to every other day, or every third day.

Photo by: Jane Smith Brand X Pictures

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Benefits of Green Tea Extract

Studies have already shown the positive impact green tea extracts may have on cognitive health, but another component of green tea called L-theanine, an amino acid, is believed to function as a relaxant, helping to reduce stress and improve sleep quality at an effective dose (between 100-200 mg/day). The benefits that a combination of green tea extracts and L-theanine may provide for improving mental health is the subject of numerous research studies. Such studies continue to spur a booming market growth for green tea extracts. Since a health-benefiting dose of L-theanine cannot be obtained from drinking freshly brewed tea green, business owners like you can tap into the market for cognitive health supplements by manufacturing well-formulated green tea supplements with the help of an experienced supplement manufacturer.

Green Tea Benefits
The benefits of green tea range from its potential role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer?s Disease, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, improving oral health to its thermogenic properties that make it an effective weight loss ingredient. Green tea is also known to help the body regulate healthy glucose levels. Green tea extracts are popularly used in topical applications to protect the skin from UVA and UVB. Studies also show that green tea is anti-viral and anti-bacterial and thus may help strengthen the immune system.

All types of teas originate from one plant called camellia sinensis. The difference in each?black, white, oolong or green tea?is due to their processing. Because green tea is steamed rather than fermented it has high antioxidant potency and is of particular interest to health-conscious consumers. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the major antioxidant component of green tea associated with imparting green tea?s distinct health benefits. Other polyphenols include epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin. About 30 to 40 percent of water-extractable polyphenols are found in green tea, while black tea contains only 3 to 10 percent.

A Growing Market for Green Tea Products
The fact that more Americans are incorporating green tea into their lifestyles is reflected in data figures recorded from 2005 to 2008, which show an increase in new green tea product launches, according to Packaged Foods. Sales of green tea products rose 32 percent from 2005 to 2009 reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2 percent. Due to the economic downturn, new product launches recorded a 14 percent decline in 2009 but since then there has been resurgence as the economy grows more stable and consumer interest continues to widen.

There is growing consumer interest in green tea products amongst the untapped 76 million baby boomers (representing 28 percent of the population) target market. According to Frost & Sullivan, the market for green tea extracts, was valued at $44 million in 2008, and is expected to grow 13 percent subsequently over the next seven years.

Popular Green Tea Products for Manufacturing
The most popular green tea products include an assortment of green tea beverages. With corporate giants like Coca-cola, PepsiCo and Nestle involved in the production of ready-to-drink (RTD) green tea beverages, the image of green tea as a functional ingredient imparting multiple health benefits will become more solidified, thus driving the overall market growth for green tea products.

Green tea provides a value-added feature to any beverage product, an important factor to consider as more people are purchasing beverages based on their nutritive profile and potential benefits for health. In an online poll of 2,600 adults conducted by Packaged Facts in February 2009, 80 percent of those polled indicated they purchased beverage products based on their nutritional benefits. Poll results showed green tea as one of the top 3 beverage choices, after orange juice and cranberry juice. Other RTD green tea beverages include hybrid tea products such as sparkling water, energy drinks and superfruit juices. According to Packaged Facts, pomegranate, acai, blueberry, cranberry and goji are the more popular choices in the superfruit-tea category.

Green tea can be sold as fresh or dried tea leaves (loose or packaged tea bags), as herbal teas or tisanes. Popular infusions include chamomile and lavender (both are relaxants), echinea (immune booster), ginger and peppermint (both are digestive aids) and roobios (a sedative, anti-allergen and digestive aid).

Green tea pills or green tea liquids contain a more concentrated form of green tea than any other product on the market. These offer condensed green tea nutrition in a more convenient form. Liquid concentrates are popular and provide a convenient way for consumers to use green tea in diverse ways. Green tea concentrates can be added to water, any fruit drink or recipe.

Green tea is anti-microbial and studies indicate it may support oral health.13 Mints and gums are popular delivery forms for maximizing this green tea function.

Beauty products. Because green tea offers protection against photo-aging, it is a popular ingredient in topical applications. Green tea is found in shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, and creams.

 

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11 Ways to Sleep Better Treat Yourself Better in Bed

The recent research has shown that most people do not get a good night sleep. Due to lack of a good-quality sleep, you will be feeling tired all day long. This will in turn lead to other hazards like road accidents, poor working due to lack of concentration, sickness and lack of attractive looks due to lack of adequate sleep.

In order to feel good and looking jovial, its always advisable that you get yourself enough sleep. Sleeping is not just getting into bed and closing your eyes for several hours but it is about quality sleep. You should always ensure that you get about seven to nine hour sleep. There are tips to quality sleep and they include;

1. Ensure that you have a favorable sleeping surrounding: For you to get the rest that you want, your room should have the atmosphere that is favorable. A good bedroom should be dark enough and have quality ventilations. Always ensure that there is enough air and warmth in your bedroom. Make sure the blankets are not too few nether should they be too many.

2. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco: Before going to bed avoid tea, coffee sodas and chocolates as they tend to keep your mind stimulated. You should not take a drink before you go bed as this will be depressing. Though alcohol is able to give you a heavy sleep, the effects are not pleasing at all. Smoking should also be avoided before bed time as it is known to a stimulant. When you smoke before bed time, be assured that you will wake up in the middle of the night.

3. Exercise regularly: Always ensure that you have spirited exercise in the evening. This helps because you will feel tired while going to bed

4. Have a bedtime schedule: A bedtime schedule will ensure that you go to bed at the required time and avoid early rising. But again avoid over sleeping even on weekends.

5. Keep bed a place for sleep: Your bed should be a place to sleep and not relaxing as this might trigger sleep at the wrong hour. Therefore, avoid doing your chores from the bed and watching the television while resting on the bed.

6. Take a glass of warm milk: Milk before bed is known to relax the mind thus is good for your body before sleep.

7. Have a relaxation: Relaxation could be in terms of a warm bath or massage.

8. Have routines: These routines may entail reading, brushing teeth and turning on the fun.

9. Don't nap during the day: This will reduce the hours that you are supposed to sleep, at night.

10. Don't eat before sleeping: Don't take heavy meals before bedtime as they will interfere with your sleep. A lot of heat will be generated thus bringing about discomforts.

11. Medication:Avoid taking sleeping pills as you will get used to them thus you wont be able to sleep without them.

 

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The Best Foods To Fight a Summer Cold

It might seem like an oxymoron, but summer colds are actually fairly common. In fact, depending on the virus floating around they may actually make you feel worse than a winter one! Here, we break down the best foods to munch to help prevent and get over your seasonal bug.

Vegetarian Chili

A spicy veggie chili made with onions, garlic, kidney beans, and tomato paste not only warms up a cold-afflicted body, it may also have medicinal properties! Onions and garlic have antiviral effects, beans have good-for-the-immune-system B vitamins, and the spices can actually help clear sinuses! Related: 10 Ways to Add More Veggies to Your Diet

Recommended serving size: 1 cup canned vegetarian chili

Calories: 160

Clementines

Despite all the controversy surrounding vitamin C's effect on colds, recent research shows that while this powerhouse antioxidant can't prevent them, it can help cut down on the duration and severity of colds. Clementines are a great source of vitamin C -- two fulfill 100 percent of your RDA. What's more, clementines are easy to pack and eat (no sticky fingers, since their skins peel off effortlessly). Related: Healthy Eating Planner: 31 Days of Superfoods

Recommended serving size: 2 clementines

Calories: 138

Half a Roast Beef Sandwich

Another mineral that can help stop a cold: Zinc. It plays a big role in immune system functioning and has been shown to stop the growth of microorganisms in the body, including some bacteria and viruses (and a virus is what causes colds). Both roast beef and whole grain bread are great sources of zinc; put them together, and you've got a powerful cold-fighting snack. Related: Pantry Raid: 11 Healthy Food Swaps

Recommended serving size: 2 ounces lean roast beef on 1 slice whole wheat bread

Calories: about 210

Chicken Soup

Believe it or not, your grandmother was right: Chicken soup is the perfect snack when you've got a cold! Not only is the warm broth comforting and soothing (essential when you're feeling run down and uncomfortable), research at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha showed that chicken soup helps control the production and spread of inflammation and congestion-causing neutrophils (white blood cells). A cup of this soup gives you the perfect "dose." Related: Healthy Spring and Summer Soups

Recommended serving size: 1 cup

Calories: about 190

Tuna Salad

Packed with glutamine, an amino acid that helps step up your immune system's efficiency, tuna is a great pick when you're sick. Research at the University of Oxford showed that athletes who ingested glutamine after workouts were less likely to get an upper respiratory infection than those who didn't; for regular folk, glutamine could have the same beneficial effects. Mix your tuna with a tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise and serve it on 6 whole-grain crackers for a healthy mini-meal. Related: 7 Fresh Salad Recipes

Recommended serving size: 1 6-ounce can of tuna packed in water with 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise and 6 whole-grain crackers

Calories: 290

Ginger Tea with Gingersnaps

Ginger helps relieve congestion and has a soothing, spicy taste. To make a throat-calming, congestion-busting tea, steep chopped raw ginger in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Make your teatime a little sweeter by adding a teaspoon of honey to the brew and two crunchy gingersnap cookies on the side. Related: Low-Calorie Drink Recipes

Recommended serving size: 1 cup of tea with 1 teaspoon honey and 2 gingersnaps

Calories: about 85

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Cereal Diet What is it

What is a Cereal Diet?

 

I bet many people would automatically think of the cereal diets as replacing two meals a day with the Special K cereal. This all began with the Special K challenge initiated by the Kellogg's Cereal Company. The Special K challenge claims that people who consume a bowl of their cereal for breakfast and one other meal can possibly lose up to six pounds in just two weeks. There have been many studies performed on this cereal diet and results showed that some people do drop a slight amount of weight because by substituting lower calorie cereal for higher calorie foods, their calorie intake is reduced. Not everyone loses weight in this diet though and some studies hint that with this Special K diet, the average weight loss is only about a pound to four pounds in a period of two weeks.

Weight Loss Alternative

Inspired by the success of the Special K cereal diet, other cereal makers have also suggested using their cereals as a weight loss alternative. Companies like Kashi present high-fiber, low calorie cereals and others simply just suggest eating any bowl of cereal. Creators of these diets suggest consuming a bowl of cereal as snack at daytime or nighttime before going to bed when your cravings hit. Accessory foods like cereal bars or nutritional replacement drinks have been manufactured by companies in addition to eating cereals.

There is little to be said for losing few amounts of weight via diets of these types, but they do need adherence to it. There are also things that need to be paid attention like portion size, because a lot of standard kitchen bowls are much bigger than serving sizes. Dieters who have succeeded in on a cereal diet have changed the way they eat their other meals by reducing portion size. These diets can only be effective if you reduce your calorie intake.

Caution

Cereals, like the Special K, that are mass-produced are highly criticized. Sure they have nutritional value but they also contain high amounts of fructose corn syrup. The extra calories you get from added sugars would be better consumed if you add fruit to cereals that are not pre-sweetened. Making your own healthy cereals instead of buying prepackaged ones is recommended.

People might switch to cereal diets in an attempt to "detoxify" themselves. But cereal diets are most likely to bore people and deprive them of adequate nutrition. In conclusion, cereal diets are not good for long-term use.

Does Kelloggs Diet Program work?Would a Calorie Shifting Diet Work For Me?Uncovering the Truth on Low Calorie Diet PlansEgg Diet – The Simplest Healthy Way to Weight LossLose The Most Pounds in 3 Days with 3 Day Diet Plan

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The world’s most expensive flip-flops

These flip-flops cost $18,000. Photo courtesy of chipkos.com

Forget Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks, and Christian Louboutins. We've found some fancy footwear that makes those designer heels look like chump change. These Chipkos sandals (pictured on the right) cost a whopping $18,000!

These flip-flops are not covered in diamonds or crafted from exotic alligator skin, but they are unique. Each pair is hand painted by Los Angeles artist David Palmer in an abstract, Jackson-Pollock type style. The Chipkos emblem is also made out of solid 18 carat eco-friendly gold by Readers Fine Jewelers in Santa Monica. But the $18,000 doesn't just buy you a pair of non-waterproof flip-flops. The proceeds will help protect 100,000 square feet of endangered rainforest in Costa Rica. While we certainly appreciate fashion items for a good cause, we'd probably rather just donate money to the World Wildlife Foundation or another cause to help save important habitats.

If you are interested in some fancy flip-flops and making a donation, Chipkos has a more affordable option. They have a site-wide Stand for Square Feet program, and any pair you buy will help protect 100 square feet of an endangered rainforest. The regular flip-flops range from $42 to $58—still expensive for beach footwear, but the donation may make them worth the price. If you're interested, buy a pair here.

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