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Tag: healthy

  • My Healthy Makeup Collection

    My Healthy Makeup Collection

    In this post, I am sharing what’s in my makeup case. This is my current makeup collection. They’re my healthy makeup essentials. I talk about why these makeup products are healthy. I have posted each makeup product (22 makeup products) with a photo of the product, a description, and why I like the makeup product. I linked the products so you can shop for them. *This post is not sponsored.

    Beauty/Makeup brands mentioned in this post:

    I have listed each makeup product by category:

    • Face: foundation, concealer, powder

    • Eyes: eyeshadow, eyeliner, brow definer, mascara

    • Lips: natural lip balm

    • Beauty tools: brushes

    What makes makeup products healthy? Most of my makeup products are from Physicians Formula and bareMinerals. I am allergic to a lot of chemicals found in non-natural makeup products… So I know these products are clean because they don’t bother my skin.

    Here is a list of benefits of wearing Physician Formula’s products:

    “Non-irritating, non-greasy, hypoallergenic, dermatologist approved, non-comedogenic”

    They specifically do not use 100 of the known ingredients in beauty products that would bother the skin.

    bareMinerals and their benefits:

    They use natural ingredients, the product is non-irritating, and soothes the skin. The products do not cake or fade, and they are comfortable to wear. People with allergies and skin sensitivities can wear bareMinerals. Minerals like zinc and iron oxide in their makeup are anti-inflammatory.


    I love this makeup case and travel beauty case. I started collecting so much makeup that I couldn’t fit it in my travel makeup case (the makeup bag to the left of my case in the photo.) So I decided to buy this beauty case by Caboodles! I love it. All my makeup is organized, and I have plenty of room for more makeup!

    22 Makeup Products


    Here are 22 makeup products from my makeup collection. I have added a brief description of the product, why it is healthy, and why I like it.

    Click on the name of the product above the description, it is linked to the company and the product in this post.

    Face Makeup


    1. Physicians Formula

    I like to use this product as eyeshadow and blush. I also use it as a highlighter and to contour my face. I love the glistening colors. This is an all-in-one product. You can use it to bronze your face, use it as a blush, and you can use it as an eyeshadow. The color palette is named nude. It is dermatologist-tested! Additionally, you can use a large brush and brush over the entire palette too!

    2. bareMinerals

    This is a great loose powder for your base. It is perfect over your liquid foundation. It keeps the foundation on your face for a lot longer than if you hadn’t used it. Anytime my face is sweaty, this powder covers up the sweat. I like the silkiness of the product, and it makes my face have that silky and polished look. The minerals and ingredients in the product keep your face dry yet moisturized.


    3. Physicians Formula

    I love this blush, and I love all four colors to color my cheeks. You can get a really good contour with these blushes (aka rouges) using certain brushes. I use whichever colors I am in the mood for. This blush completes your face with a full look. The four shades will give you a diamond glow! I love Physicians Formula because it is hypoallergenic makeup.

    4. bareMinerals

    I love this highlighter. It gives you both a dewy look and a sparkling gleam. My mood always gets better when I put on this highlighter. I am actually almost through the entire highlighter. I will need to get a new one. I do believe it is long-lasting. When they say it lasts 8 hours, it does! Their highlighter formula is mineral-based, and a dermatologist has approved their mineral formula.

    5. Crop

    I love wearing this foundation. It is 97% plant-derived (like most of the products listed in this post). I love that the Crop company is making it medicinal—adding hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to the foundation. It covers the skin very well and is light and breathable. This is a perfect foundation. It is Australian-owned. You can order it online, and it is sold in stores worldwide. My skin has definitely improved after wearing it.

    6. Physicians Formula


    Organic tinted moisturizer works like a foundation; it gives full coverage. This product is 100% natural in origin and 70% organic. I have used this product for years. The shade is a little dark for me because they sell it as two shades– mixing light and medium shades together, but I don’t care. I love it so much. It has a midweight to lightweight feel. It has a blend of proteins and antioxidants! Some of the ingredients are kale, carrot, lemon, and quinoa protein. The foundation helps with skin elasticity. I have noticed when I wear it I look younger than when I am not wearing it.

    7. Physicians Formula

    This hypoallergenic concealer has a rich pigment, so it covers acne and skin so well. I use it under my eyes and on any acne or any redness that I have. I love it. It color corrects, so I notice when I wear it, it helps my skin tone. I love the way this product lasts a long time. I always look “instaready” when I use this concealer.



    Eye Makeup




    8. bareMinerals


    I love this multi-palette copper eyeshadow palette. It is great to wear day or night. This powder eyeshadow comes in different finishes—matte, satin, and metallic. It definitely makes me look more attractive. I love the colors and the aesthetics of this palette. It is a very modern color palette and timeless. This product is ophthalmologist tested!


    9. Physicians Formula

    I love the silky and smooth texture of these gel liners. Eyelining eyes always make me feel beautiful, and I feel more inspired when I wear them. For some reason, I have more energy when I wear eyeliner. Especially when I draw winged eyeliner. I love the fact that this product is fragrance-free. I am allergic to most synthetic fragrances. I love the minerals added to this liner, and it is known that mineral makeup is safer to wear. This product is also ophthalmologist and dermatologist-approved!

    10. Kora Organics

    I love this highlighter called Luminizer. It is crystal-infused and made with amethyst crystal powder! I can feel the crystal powder working on my face. The crystal powder has healing properties and cleans and energizes the face and body when you wear it. The colors are ethereal-looking. I couldn’t find the amethyst Luminizer, but they have the rose quartz Luminizer available, and it looks amazing! I usually wear Luminizer on my cheeks and eyes. Kora Organics is certified organic by Ecocert!

    11. Physicians Formula

    I love this product. It is an “instaready” eyeshadow palette. I love neutral shades, so I love camel, metallic browns, whites, and cream eyeshadow colors. It is a multi-finish palette, so you can use one or several of the eyeshadow colors together. You can go really light or go really dark– for example, you can make smoky eyes with this eyeshadow color palette.

    12. Physicians Formula

    This mascara I have used for years. The black color is extra black, and it makes your eyelashes thick. This product is 100% natural in origin and 70% organic! This mascara is waterproof. It has a blend of protein and antioxidants like kale, carrots, and quinoa. It is definitely long-lasting; I always have to wash it off at night because it is still on my lashes at night.

    13. Physicians Formula

    This is another mascara I have used for years. It makes the lashes a bit lighter and thinner when I am in the mood for that kind of lash. I love the way they have added healthy ingredients like their “organic lash boosting complex” and organic olive oil extract. Additional healthy ingredients they have added to the mascara are jojoba, cucumber, aloe, beeswax, and more!

    14. Physicians Formula


    The brow gel by Physicians Formula is another one of the products I have been using for years. I love all of their brow products. They last all day. You have to use makeup remover or facewash to remove the brow gel. It is that long-lasting. It is waterproof and smudge-proof. However, if you mess up, you can easily wipe it off the skin. I love how this product is fragrance-free and paraben-free.

    15. Physicians Formula

    This is a really silky and smooth eye primer. It glides on very easily, and it has an alluring glow. Both the colors, the pink and the cream, are really lovely. After it dries, it is smudge-resistant. It is hypoallergenic and made for sensitive eyes. It is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block pores.

    16. Physicians Formula


    These eyeliners I have used for years. This is a long-lasting eyeliner. I will typically use the black color the most because I love black eyeliner. It is definitely a part of “makeup design” to wear eyeliner. They make my eyes look better too.

    17. Sephora

    I like the way this liner has a felt tip. It really makes you feel like an artist when you are using eyeliner on your eyes with this felt-tipped liner. It is definitely long-lasting. I feel much more sophisticated when I wear eyeliner.

    Lip Makeup



    18. Sky Organics

    I don’t use lipstick because of its taste and lack of moisture. I love these moisturizing tinted lip balms. The texture is silky and smooth with glistening shimmering color. They use healing, healthy ingredients like castor, argan, and coconut oils. Every color I love, and they are long-lasting. I love the way the packs come in four different colors; you can wear whichever one you are in the mood for.

    Makeup Brushes




    19. EcoTools

    I love these natural eyeshadow brushes. I love the handle of them. They are made of bamboo wood. This is a nice brush set. The brushes are so soft against my eyes that it is therapeutic.

    20. EcoTools


    This is the greatest beauty tool I have ever owned. I hated putting on makeup foundation with my fingers or sponges. I love how the sponge is attached to a “wand.” It is so much cleaner and easier to put on my makeup. You can wash it with water and soap and reuse it. The link above has a 6 pack of these foam applicator brushes, but I have used one single foam brush for a while. You just need to make sure you use some hydrogen peroxide to kill any bacteria and germs.

    21. CALA

    I love this brush set. And it is travel-friendly with the travel case. I don’t need to only travel with it, I can put it in my beauty case, and I don’t need to buy a brush case for the brushes, I can just use the travel case. I bought these brushes because of the metallic purple color. These brushes are for the eyes. I have a brush kit for the face, but I did not post it in this post.

    22. Sephora


    I have not even used this brush yet, but I am going to ASAP. It is very thin and angled for the specific lining of the eye.

    Want to read more articles? Check them out here: HIGHLIGHTS

  • Reviving Long-Term Healthy Habits Post Pandemic

    Reviving Long-Term Healthy Habits Post Pandemic

    The pandemic and associated restrictions had a profound effect on people’s daily lives. Alcohol sales skyrocketed, physical activity stopped for most and emotional eating led to weight gain.

    After two years of pandemic life, many are having difficulties returning to a healthy lifestyle. The strategies we used to adapt and cope have cemented into bad habits for many of us. In other words, pandemic habits may be hard to break.

    According to Nielsen, during the first week of stay-at-home restrictions in March 2020, there was a 54 percent increase in national sales of alcohol. This, despite the fact that bars and restaurants were closed. Furthermore, the most recent data from Nielsen show sales of beer, wine and spirits at the start of 2022 remain higher than they were in 2019.

    Changes in exercise have followed a similar pattern. According to scientists at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), data from the smartphone app Argus indicated that one month after stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in the spring of 2020, people took about 27 percent fewer steps a day, on average. That’s 1,432 fewer steps.

    Interestingly, in the U.S., physical activity picked up during spring and summer months (both in 2020 and 2021), when cases declined and there was more daylight, but dropped again with fall and winter surges, including the Omicron surge.

    Finally, there was also evidence of weight gain. According to UCSF researchers, data analyzed from volunteers who reported their weight during the early months of the pandemic gained an average 1.5 pounds per month.

    Many health professionals fear that the combination of the aforementioned might translate into higher rates of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events across the population in the years to come. That remains to be seen but is a real possibility.

    If a healthier post pandemic life is what you want, make every effort to focus on the long-term. New habits and real change are not born overnight. An important component of change is the belief in the ability to implement it. This belief may be lacking for some of us. We may believe we can achieve certain weight goals, but might stop short of that ideal, healthy weight.

    When establishing a post pandemic routine, people often fantasize about desirable outcomes with no plan on how to achieve their goals. People need to not only create a plan to achieve their goals, but also additional plans that will help to fight falling back into old habits. Interestingly, the best plans are often not fully executed because people rely on willpower to stay on track, which can often be problematic. We have all succumbed to moments of weakness. It is only human.

    Create good habits by implementing manageable actions. Build on what’s already working. Make habits appealing and create rewards for actions that lead to measurable accomplishments.

    As previously mentioned, the important thing to remember about restarting an exercise and nutrition routine is that you want to make long-term changes. If losing weight is your ultimate goal, choose healthy habits that will help you accomplish this goal: regular exercise, a nutritious diet and strategically supplementing to fuel your exercise needs. The following are a few recommendations to get you started:

    • Move as much as possible: According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, there is no minimum duration for physical activity. Every minute of activity counts towards your daily total. Regardless of the activity or activities you choose, set a goal of at least 60 minutes per day.

    • Eat your fruits and veggies: According to the USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Dietary Guidelines, adults need to eat anywhere from five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on age, gender, physical activity and overall health. See www.usda.gov for a guide on determining serving sizes of common fruits and vegetables.

    • Take your dietary supplements: For anyone re-starting a training program, it’s important to take the right supplements, including a multivitamin, probiotics, fish oil, antioxidants, a wide range of vegetable, and/or milk proteins and bone support, among others, as part of your training. Supplements will never replace proper nutrition—but they can immensely help your exercise routine! Supplements complement your diet and help cover nutrient gaps, ensuring that your body has what it needs for peak performance. No matter what your training goals are, the right supplements can help improve your health, performance and physique.

    • Drink water: If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance will suffer. This is particularly important during exercise. Dehydration can have a noticeable impact if the body loses as little as 2 percent of its water content. This can lead to increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. Optimal hydration has also been shown to prevent the oxidative stress that occurs during high intensity exercise. If you exercise, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.

    • Choose a healthy, active hobby: Hobbies that keep you physically active are a great way to improve your health. Try activities including hiking, cycling, running, tennis, dancing and team sports.

    • Keep a health log: This can be an app or an old-fashioned journal. Track any relevant details, including exercise, sleep, diet, how you’re feeling and any additional health info you deem as appropriate. A health log provides a better picture of your habits and daily routine. It can give your doctor a better understanding of your health.

    Ultimately, we all have the very best intentions when undertaking positive post pandemic change. The challenge will be establishing a long-term mindset despite the pandemic being in the rear-view mirror. Restarting health routines are about making change from the undesirable habits that were established during the pandemic. That said, we all have to be cognizant and recognize that, sometimes, goals may be too ambitious. That is why designing a plan that takes into account possible setbacks is so vital. After all, you don’t want to be restarting your routine a year from now. Take charge, be disciplined and make your post pandemic routine your best routine yet! VR

    Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc, a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow Mark Becker on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marklbecker/posts/387591877933686#!/energyatlast. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.

    The pandemic and associated restrictions had a profound effect on people’s daily lives. Alcohol sales skyrocketed, physical activity stopped for most and emotional eating led to weight gain.

    After two years of pandemic life, many are having difficulties returning to a healthy lifestyle. The strategies we used to adapt and cope have cemented into bad habits for many of us. In other words, pandemic habits may be hard to break.

    According to Nielsen, during the first week of stay-at-home restrictions in March 2020, there was a 54 percent increase in national sales of alcohol. This, despite the fact that bars and restaurants were closed. Furthermore, the most recent data from Nielsen show sales of beer, wine and spirits at the start of 2022 remain higher than they were in 2019.

    Changes in exercise have followed a similar pattern. According to scientists at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), data from the smartphone app Argus indicated that one month after stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in the spring of 2020, people took about 27 percent fewer steps a day, on average. That’s 1,432 fewer steps.

    SR Carnosyn
    CapsCanada

    Interestingly, in the U.S., physical activity picked up during spring and summer months (both in 2020 and 2021), when cases declined and there was more daylight, but dropped again with fall and winter surges, including the Omicron surge.

    Finally, there was also evidence of weight gain. According to UCSF researchers, data analyzed from volunteers who reported their weight during the early months of the pandemic gained an average 1.5 pounds per month.

    Many health professionals fear that the combination of the aforementioned might translate into higher rates of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events across the population in the years to come. That remains to be seen but is a real possibility.

    If a healthier post pandemic life is what you want, make every effort to focus on the long-term. New habits and real change are not born overnight. An important component of change is the belief in the ability to implement it. This belief may be lacking for some of us. We may believe we can achieve certain weight goals, but might stop short of that ideal, healthy weight.

    When establishing a post pandemic routine, people often fantasize about desirable outcomes with no plan on how to achieve their goals. People need to not only create a plan to achieve their goals, but also additional plans that will help to fight falling back into old habits. Interestingly, the best plans are often not fully executed because people rely on willpower to stay on track, which can often be problematic. We have all succumbed to moments of weakness. It is only human.

    Create good habits by implementing manageable actions. Build on what’s already working. Make habits appealing and create rewards for actions that lead to measurable accomplishments.

    As previously mentioned, the important thing to remember about restarting an exercise and nutrition routine is that you want to make long-term changes. If losing weight is your ultimate goal, choose healthy habits that will help you accomplish this goal: regular exercise, a nutritious diet and strategically supplementing to fuel your exercise needs. The following are a few recommendations to get you started:

    • Move as much as possible: According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, there is no minimum duration for physical activity. Every minute of activity counts towards your daily total. Regardless of the activity or activities you choose, set a goal of at least 60 minutes per day.

    • Eat your fruits and veggies: According to the USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Dietary Guidelines, adults need to eat anywhere from five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on age, gender, physical activity and overall health. See www.usda.gov for a guide on determining serving sizes of common fruits and vegetables.

    • Take your dietary supplements: For anyone re-starting a training program, it’s important to take the right supplements, including a multivitamin, probiotics, fish oil, antioxidants, a wide range of vegetable, and/or milk proteins and bone support, among others, as part of your training. Supplements will never replace proper nutrition—but they can immensely help your exercise routine! Supplements complement your diet and help cover nutrient gaps, ensuring that your body has what it needs for peak performance. No matter what your training goals are, the right supplements can help improve your health, performance and physique.

    • Drink water: If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance will suffer. This is particularly important during exercise. Dehydration can have a noticeable impact if the body loses as little as 2 percent of its water content. This can lead to increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. Optimal hydration has also been shown to prevent the oxidative stress that occurs during high intensity exercise. If you exercise, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.

    • Choose a healthy, active hobby: Hobbies that keep you physically active are a great way to improve your health. Try activities including hiking, cycling, running, tennis, dancing and team sports.

    • Keep a health log: This can be an app or an old-fashioned journal. Track any relevant details, including exercise, sleep, diet, how you’re feeling and any additional health info you deem as appropriate. A health log provides a better picture of your habits and daily routine. It can give your doctor a better understanding of your health.

    Ultimately, we all have the very best intentions when undertaking positive post pandemic change. The challenge will be establishing a long-term mindset despite the pandemic being in the rear-view mirror. Restarting health routines are about making change from the undesirable habits that were established during the pandemic. That said, we all have to be cognizant and recognize that, sometimes, goals may be too ambitious. That is why designing a plan that takes into account possible setbacks is so vital. After all, you don’t want to be restarting your routine a year from now. Take charge, be disciplined and make your post pandemic routine your best routine yet! VR

    Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc, a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow Mark Becker on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marklbecker/posts/387591877933686#!/energyatlast. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.

  • Achieving a Healthy Balance With Ashwagandha

    Achieving a Healthy Balance With Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic herb that has been used for thousands of years for its various health benefits related to mental health, cognitive health and energy. The herb has been steadily gaining popularity today as more consumers look for a solution to their stress and anxiety issues—particularly since the pandemic began. As a result, according to www.marketresearch.com, “In 2019, the United States ashwagandha extract market size was increased to $10.48 million, and it will reach $16.48 million in 2026, growing at a [compound annual growth rate] CAGR of 6.44 [percent] between 2020 and 2026.”

    Proven Benefits of Ashwagandha

    Healthline.com lists health benefits of ashwagandha as helping to reduce stress and anxiety; benefitting athletic performance; reducing symptoms of some mental health conditions; helping to boost testosterone and increase fertility in men; reducing blood sugar levels; reducing inflammation; improving brain function, including memory; and improving sleep.

    Furthermore, according to Beth Lambert, CEO, Herbalist & Alchemist (Washington, NJ), ashwagandha can “normalize endocrine, nervous and immune functions … [and] supports the natural inflammatory response system, helping to prevent muscle wear due to oxidative stress. It is a calming adaptogen.”

    Cheryl Myers, chief of scientific affairs and education at EuroPharma, Inc. (Green Bay, WI), added, “According to a common anxiety measurement scale, [ashwagandha] decreased anxiety scores by 41 percent, reduced related depression scores by 30 percent and reduced cortisol levels in men by 22 percent and in women by 25 percent.” The researchers, according to Myers, found that ashwagandha achieved these results in four different ways: “through the HPA Axis [(ashwagandha may regulate how much cortisol and DHEA we generate in response to stressors)]; by stopping oxidative damage; by reducing inflammation; [and] by working directly with brain chemistry [by influencing GABA and serotonin activity].”

    Furthermore, according to Myers, “Studies have also found that ashwagandha protects the brain cells from injury, preserves coordination and the brain’s processing ability—even when sleep deprived—and increases levels of glutathione, one of the body’s most important natural antioxidants.” Clinical research has also shown that ashwagandha may also slow the decline of memory and mental functions as people get older, as well as improve working memory and reaction time, Myers stated, “including in individuals who are struggling with bipolar disorder, which can take a toll on the ability to focus and concentrate.”

    Myers also mentioned a clinical study that found ashwagandha to restore healthy thyroid activity in eight weeks. “The botanical boosted endurance, increased the lungs’ ability to bring in oxygen to fuel red blood cells, and [increased] the heart’s ability to pump those red blood cells to the muscles in the body.”

    In a world permanently impacted by a stress-inducing pandemic, ashwagandha seems to be a tool for relief.

    Trends/Market Demand

    “There’s been a lot of chatter about ashwagandha given today’s high stress levels,” said Lambert. “Even Saturday Night Live included it in a bit! Because it is rejuvenative for stressed out people, it’s gotten a lot of social media discussion.” Since it has a long history of safe use and is effective for many people, consumers keep coming back to it, she continued. “It really does seem to help when people are depleted, exhausted and stressed. And it’s beneficial for both people and animals.”

    Herbalist & Alchemist has seen an increased demand for ashwagandha, both in formulas and by itself. “Life has been especially difficult for people for several years now, with everyone experiencing high stress levels. We all know stress, in addition to being uncomfortable, undermines normal immune function, which is not what anyone wants during a pandemic,” explained Lambert. “Now that the role adaptogens play in helping the body manage stress has become common knowledge, it makes perfect sense that the best known adaptogen would be in very high demand.”

    COVID-19 impacted Herbalist & Alchemist’s ashwagandha sales significantly, according to Lambert. “Like so many companies, we experienced a surge in demand for immune support products right at the beginning of the pandemic,” she said. “For us, that was quickly followed by a run on stress support formulas, because we are known as having some of the best adaptogenic formulas in the world.”

    Likewise, Myers said that EuroPharma has “noticed an incredible demand in adaptogens across the board, ashwagandha included.” She added, “The fact that people notice a positive difference fairly quickly with ashwagandha—without negative side effects—is what, I think, appeals to consumers. For some people, it’s the perfect adjunct supplement to maximizing their workouts, and to others, it helps them adapt readily to challenging schedules or work assignments during the day so that they can get restorative sleep at night. It’s a truly remarkable herb, so I’m not surprised that it has seen a jump in popularity.”

    The Mustard Seed Natural Market (Watertown, NY), according to Holly Prugar, supplement manager/buyer, sells at least 15 ashwagandha supplements. “Ashwagandha is a staple herbal supplement for our store,” she said. “Customers routinely ask about ashwagandha. [It] has definitely increased in popularity over the past three years.” This is especially due to so many feeling stressed, anxious and sleep deprived. “Adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, support the body’s response to stress (physical, emotional or other types),” she added.

    Ashwagandha Products

    Herbalist & Alchemist, said Lambert, uses ashwagandha “in various formulas, including Calm Adapt, Fit Adapt, Men’s Adapt, Immune Balance Compound and Men’s Midlife Tonic. We even include it as one of the herbs in our Iron Extract because it has a high mineral content.”

    Terry Naturally/EuroPharma, according to Myers, offers Ashwagandha EP35 Extra Strength and Andrographis and Ashwagandha, both launched in 2020, as well as Adaptra, which has been on the market for 10 years. “Our Ashwagandha EP35 Extra Strength uses a unique dairy-free process that concentrates the key compounds, called withanolides, to seven times the level of ordinary extracts,” she explained. The company’s Andrographis and Ashwagandha supplement provides “a combination of two powerful adaptogens with all of the advantages that having both on board can offer.” The ashwagandha used in the supplement is the same EP35 used in the company’s standalone product, and the Andrographis delivers 80 mg of andrographolides per serving.

    “Adaptra combines clinically studied ashwagandha and rhodiola,” said Myers. “As the name implicates, this formula helps a person adapt to stressful conditions rather than feel drained by them. I like Adaptra on the days that I have a full speaking, traveling or educating schedule … because it helps keep me energized and focused without feeling wiry or jumpy,” she explained.

    “Achieving good health is a delicate balance,” noted Prugar. “Ashwagandha can play a key role in achieving that balance.” VR

    Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic herb that has been used for thousands of years for its various health benefits related to mental health, cognitive health and energy. The herb has been steadily gaining popularity today as more consumers look for a solution to their stress and anxiety issues—particularly since the pandemic began. As a result, according to www.marketresearch.com, “In 2019, the United States ashwagandha extract market size was increased to $10.48 million, and it will reach $16.48 million in 2026, growing at a [compound annual growth rate] CAGR of 6.44 [percent] between 2020 and 2026.”

    Proven Benefits of Ashwagandha

    Healthline.com lists health benefits of ashwagandha as helping to reduce stress and anxiety; benefitting athletic performance; reducing symptoms of some mental health conditions; helping to boost testosterone and increase fertility in men; reducing blood sugar levels; reducing inflammation; improving brain function, including memory; and improving sleep.

    Furthermore, according to Beth Lambert, CEO, Herbalist & Alchemist (Washington, NJ), ashwagandha can “normalize endocrine, nervous and immune functions … [and] supports the natural inflammatory response system, helping to prevent muscle wear due to oxidative stress. It is a calming adaptogen.”

    Cheryl Myers, chief of scientific affairs and education at EuroPharma, Inc. (Green Bay, WI), added, “According to a common anxiety measurement scale, [ashwagandha] decreased anxiety scores by 41 percent, reduced related depression scores by 30 percent and reduced cortisol levels in men by 22 percent and in women by 25 percent.” The researchers, according to Myers, found that ashwagandha achieved these results in four different ways: “through the HPA Axis [(ashwagandha may regulate how much cortisol and DHEA we generate in response to stressors)]; by stopping oxidative damage; by reducing inflammation; [and] by working directly with brain chemistry [by influencing GABA and serotonin activity].”

    SR Carnosyn
    CapsCanada

    Furthermore, according to Myers, “Studies have also found that ashwagandha protects the brain cells from injury, preserves coordination and the brain’s processing ability—even when sleep deprived—and increases levels of glutathione, one of the body’s most important natural antioxidants.” Clinical research has also shown that ashwagandha may also slow the decline of memory and mental functions as people get older, as well as improve working memory and reaction time, Myers stated, “including in individuals who are struggling with bipolar disorder, which can take a toll on the ability to focus and concentrate.”

    Myers also mentioned a clinical study that found ashwagandha to restore healthy thyroid activity in eight weeks. “The botanical boosted endurance, increased the lungs’ ability to bring in oxygen to fuel red blood cells, and [increased] the heart’s ability to pump those red blood cells to the muscles in the body.”

    In a world permanently impacted by a stress-inducing pandemic, ashwagandha seems to be a tool for relief.

    Trends/Market Demand

    “There’s been a lot of chatter about ashwagandha given today’s high stress levels,” said Lambert. “Even Saturday Night Live included it in a bit! Because it is rejuvenative for stressed out people, it’s gotten a lot of social media discussion.” Since it has a long history of safe use and is effective for many people, consumers keep coming back to it, she continued. “It really does seem to help when people are depleted, exhausted and stressed. And it’s beneficial for both people and animals.”

    Herbalist & Alchemist has seen an increased demand for ashwagandha, both in formulas and by itself. “Life has been especially difficult for people for several years now, with everyone experiencing high stress levels. We all know stress, in addition to being uncomfortable, undermines normal immune function, which is not what anyone wants during a pandemic,” explained Lambert. “Now that the role adaptogens play in helping the body manage stress has become common knowledge, it makes perfect sense that the best known adaptogen would be in very high demand.”

    COVID-19 impacted Herbalist & Alchemist’s ashwagandha sales significantly, according to Lambert. “Like so many companies, we experienced a surge in demand for immune support products right at the beginning of the pandemic,” she said. “For us, that was quickly followed by a run on stress support formulas, because we are known as having some of the best adaptogenic formulas in the world.”

    Likewise, Myers said that EuroPharma has “noticed an incredible demand in adaptogens across the board, ashwagandha included.” She added, “The fact that people notice a positive difference fairly quickly with ashwagandha—without negative side effects—is what, I think, appeals to consumers. For some people, it’s the perfect adjunct supplement to maximizing their workouts, and to others, it helps them adapt readily to challenging schedules or work assignments during the day so that they can get restorative sleep at night. It’s a truly remarkable herb, so I’m not surprised that it has seen a jump in popularity.”

    The Mustard Seed Natural Market (Watertown, NY), according to Holly Prugar, supplement manager/buyer, sells at least 15 ashwagandha supplements. “Ashwagandha is a staple herbal supplement for our store,” she said. “Customers routinely ask about ashwagandha. [It] has definitely increased in popularity over the past three years.” This is especially due to so many feeling stressed, anxious and sleep deprived. “Adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, support the body’s response to stress (physical, emotional or other types),” she added.

    Ashwagandha Products

    Herbalist & Alchemist, said Lambert, uses ashwagandha “in various formulas, including Calm Adapt, Fit Adapt, Men’s Adapt, Immune Balance Compound and Men’s Midlife Tonic. We even include it as one of the herbs in our Iron Extract because it has a high mineral content.”

    Terry Naturally/EuroPharma, according to Myers, offers Ashwagandha EP35 Extra Strength and Andrographis and Ashwagandha, both launched in 2020, as well as Adaptra, which has been on the market for 10 years. “Our Ashwagandha EP35 Extra Strength uses a unique dairy-free process that concentrates the key compounds, called withanolides, to seven times the level of ordinary extracts,” she explained. The company’s Andrographis and Ashwagandha supplement provides “a combination of two powerful adaptogens with all of the advantages that having both on board can offer.” The ashwagandha used in the supplement is the same EP35 used in the company’s standalone product, and the Andrographis delivers 80 mg of andrographolides per serving.

    “Adaptra combines clinically studied ashwagandha and rhodiola,” said Myers. “As the name implicates, this formula helps a person adapt to stressful conditions rather than feel drained by them. I like Adaptra on the days that I have a full speaking, traveling or educating schedule … because it helps keep me energized and focused without feeling wiry or jumpy,” she explained.

    “Achieving good health is a delicate balance,” noted Prugar. “Ashwagandha can play a key role in achieving that balance.” VR

  • Healthy Fashion Q + A

    Healthy Fashion Q + A

    In this post, I am going to share with you a few things about the healthy fashion industry and a few things about myself in regard to fashion.

    I answer these specific questions:

    • What made you decide to pursue a career in fashion?

    • What are the most important segments of the fashion industry?

    • What do you think are the current and future trends in fashion?

    • What does fashion mean to you?

    • How would you describe your personal style?

    • What hobbies do you have?


    What made you decide to pursue a career in fashion?


    It was the beginning of my young adulthood when I knew I wanted to pursue fashion. That was the age when I knew I was going to work in the fashion industry. Also, growing up in childhood, I always had my favorite pieces of clothing. I wore them every day when I had the chance. I think this was a sign that I have a strong connection with my wardrobe and fashion.

    I was around 16 years old when I decided that I wanted to go to fashion school. I went to fashion school right after I graduated from high school. I checked out many different fashion schools, but I really wanted to live in California, and I loved the idea of moving to a city like San Francisco. I always dreamt of living in California. San Francisco is a fun city.

    I attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco when I was about 18 years old. Prior to that, I was working in fashion retail. I started working in fashion retail when I was around 15 or 16 years old. I worked at Gap and a couple of other retail stores.

    When I first attended the Academy of Art University I was 18 years old; then when I was 20 years old I took a few years off of school and then went back in my early 20s. Unfortunately, I never graduated. I only had 2 semesters left! It’s okay, I can always take courses later, but I might not. I really don’t need to, but taking fashion courses is a lot of fun! There is a lot of stress involved too! I remember having panic and anxiety when I had to take tests.

    After I went to college, I ended up working more and more in fashion retail. Fashion retail is a passion of mine. I worked in fashion styling, visual merchandising, and retail management. I decided to pursue fashion retail, working at several different shops, from small boutiques to large corporate stores, because I have a lot of enthusiasm for fashion retail. Also, it was because I moved and traveled a lot and because it is just who I am. I was able to work at over a dozen different shops (and dozens of other jobs non-fashion related) and learn new things. If I had stayed working at only one shop, I wouldn’t have learned as much about fashion as I know now.

    Fashion retail was a lot of fun. I loved the customers, the clothes, the collections, and the fellow employees. One of my favorite parts was styling the customers and helping them.

    I loved getting dressed up for work. I always tried to look very fashionable, and I think that helped me when I was a stylist and selling clothes. Sometimes I had a lot of clothing in my own closet when I was a stylist; other times I had less, but I always dressed well.

    I first started styling when I was in high school—I learned to style myself. I would remember owning tons of clothing in high school. Clothing allowed me to express myself. I loved to style my outfits and wear different styles of clothes. I loved putting together different outfits. I loved to upcycle my clothes. I would take the arms of a knit sweater, cut the sleeve off, and turn the sleeve into arm warmers or leg warmers. I styled different clothes in a way that created a new look and a new style.



    What are the most important segments of the fashion industry?


    I believe the most important segments and parts of the fashion industry are all parts of the fashion industry. I think that we have to use every single piece of the industry in order for the fashion industry to be successful.

    But, I believe some of the most important parts of the industry in relation to my career and what I do are the textile industry and the fashion design production industry. We need fabrics, and we need fashion designs and fashion patterns. We need textile manufacturers, fashion designers, and patternmakers. Of course, we need apparel industry workers to sew the clothes, too. They should be seen more.

    If we didn’t have textile manufacturers, if we didn’t have pattern makers and designers, we wouldn’t have stylish clothes that we “want” to wear. So, I believe the most important segments of the industry are the textile industry and the fashion design production industry. Yet, I do believe that all parts of the fashion industry, and even indirect parts of the industry, like the beauty industry or the hair and makeup industry, are very important to the fashion industry. There’s no fashion without hair and makeup!


    What do you think are the current and future trends in fashion?

    Some of the current trends that I love are long blazers—officewear blazers worn casually or for work. Cropped cardigans are really cute with camisole tank tops. I love the sweatpants with mid-length cardigan button-down sweaters! Puffed sleeve blouses are definitely trending. Long skirts with cropped tops are trending.

    Current and future trends, I believe, are athleisure, minimalism, urban streetwear, casual wear, and formal wear that is casual. I think we are coming to a point where we want to wear fashion that is comfortable for us. We want to dress comfortably. Also, I believe the future of fashion is luxury fashion. That is affordable luxury wear. Not just luxury wear, which only a few can afford the luxury.

    Luxury wear can be found in all markets in the fashion industry. Whether it is mass, contemporary, ready-to-wear, or haute couture, all of these markets do sell luxury apparel. It is just a matter of finding it. It is a matter of finding the pieces that are considered a luxury.

    To me, the future of fashion is fashionable ergonomic clothing. Casual, stylish clothing. Casual clothing that is dressy. Casual wear that is dressy-looking, that is stylish, that has a taste level that we can all love. The clothing can have any aesthetic— all clothing is included in all style genres. It is a matter of comfort, fashion ergonomics, luxuriousness, and other factors.

    What does fashion mean to you?


    I will quote Coco Chanel’s quote: “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. ” -Coco Chanel

    Fashion is in the air, fashion is what we breathe, fashion is in the streets, and fashion is everything. I think that is why I love fashion so much; it is so much a part of everything. Fashion is so very much connected to who we are and so much connected to our environment.

    Fashion is not just about clothes. Fashion is about anything we are interested in. That’s how I have connected the wellness trend, health, healing, New Age, and the holistic healing arts to fashion. These are all my interests, and they all can connect with the clothing that I wear.

    Fashion means to me all of my interests in association with clothing. Style can be very personal. That is why everyone has their own “personal” style. This is because we are representing our own personal, individual interests.


    How would you describe your personal style?


    I would say my style is very athleisure, very minimal. It is a little bit urban and street. It is also activewear-like. My personal style—if you saw my wardrobe, you would see that 80% of my sweatshirts and sweaters are dyed with pastel-colored dyes. I wear colors like light gray, pastel lime green, pastel orange, and pastel hot pink. I love pastel colors. But, then again, I also like dark colors—black, forest green, dark red, and navy blue. I have several tops and sweaters in darker colors, and most of my leggings are dyed black.

    I love to wear leggings. Leggings are never out of style. They’re a classic, like any other kind of pants; a trouser or bootleg pants.

    I think my personal style will evolve too. I am working on purchasing more novelty tops, more dresses, and more clothes that are a little bit dressier.

    What hobbies do you have?


    Some of my hobbies include listening to music and cooking homemade meals. I have been practicing yoga, specifically yin yoga, recently. I practice the violet flame meditation and pray. I love to visit energy vortexes around Southern California and travel to the West, Mid-West, and Northern California Mid-Coast to visit energy vortexes.

    I love my aromatherapy sessions and lighting candles. I love walking for exercise. I love shopping. Whether it is window shopping or shopping for food and clothes, I love visiting malls and clothing stores. Whether I purchase clothing or not, I like to see the trends, what is selling, and what is in style.

    Want to read more articles? Check them out here: HIGHLIGHTS

  • Healthy Fashion: Clothing As Modern Medicine

    Healthy Fashion: Clothing As Modern Medicine

    Photo: Ksenia Chernaya

    In this article, I will be sharing with you a few insights and the practical fundamentals of practicing fashion for human health.

    What is healthy fashion?


    What is healthy fashion? It is fashion used as a tool and as a healing modality. Healthy fashion awakens the soul and spirit. We can possess more energy, more strength, and more health in general when we choose to wear clothing that is good and healthy for us.

    Healthy fashion is a form of alternative medicine and self-help. Fashion for human health supports the five bodies: energetic, spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental.

    Healthy fashion; clothing as modern medicine is the future of fashion. What makes the concept of healthy fashion unique? It is unique because healthy apparel and healthy accessories are for human health, not just for environmental health. Healthy fashion naturally extends itself to the health of the environment. Sustainable/environmental fashion is a hot topic, and the next step that exceeds it is healthy fashion.

    Fashion as modern medicine is a relatively new concept and an advanced approach to fashion. Yet currently, we are seeing new fashion trends like fashion care, fashion wellness, fashion therapy, and healing fashion. This is because there is a new fashion movement: apparel for health and healing.

    Healthy fashion has existed since fashion came about, yet it really involves creating a new strategy, criteria, standards, and a fashion movement to get fashion to give back to us more than it currently does.

    The Ancients used plant medicine as a form of healing. We can use plant-based fashion as a form of plant medicine because plant-based fabrics are made of plants.

    Fashion for Health is a comprehensive form of health treatment. Healthy fashion is a part of our personal hygiene and a part of natural living. Healthy fashion is defined by two things: fashion that cleanses and fashion that protects. Plant-based fabrics cleanse and protect the body.

    The concept of sustainability is contemporary


    The sustainable fashion movement and other fashion movements are growing. People are becoming more and more eco-minded and eco-conscious. Part of the unsustainable fashion industry lacks the spirit of fashion due to it being unhealthy. Unhealthy fashion is toxic chemicals in fabrics, synthetic fashion, fashion waste, unfair trade and labor, false representations of fashion, and more.

    There are many different healthy fashion practices and healthy fashion movements. One of them is ethical fashion, which is cruelty-free fashion and fair-trade fashion. Ethical fashion creates social equality to balance the planet, which is needed.

    Zero waste fashion concerns fashion companies producing less waste during the manufacturing process, and fashion consumers purchasing less clothing. One example of what some zero-waste fashion companies are doing is on-demand fashion. They do not produce the garment until there is a garment order.

    Upcycled fashion takes post-consumer fashion waste and changes the look of a wasted garment so it can be worn for a longer period of time. Additionally, companies or individuals will use recycled materials to make new fashions.

    A few other fashion movements to mention are slow fashion, secondhand/vintage fashion, circular fashion, and eco fashion. Many fashion businesses have long-term sustainable business models and will incorporate several of these fashion movements listed above into their operations.

    One of the most important fashion movements is the plant-based fashion movement because polyester is made from non-renewable fossil fuels. It may not be a good material to wear, especially because of its lack of breathability.

    We have to support and promote plant-based fashion. Textile manufacturers have to produce a variety of different plant-based textiles because we can’t just produce cotton and linen alone. Plant-based fashion is sustainable fashion because plant-based fabrics and garments can be burned without hurting the environment and can be composted without any toxic fumes permeating the air when it biodegrades.

    Every field and industry uses plant-based solutions. For example, some cars are made out of hemp materials, and some rubber car tires are made from dandelion roots.

    Healthy fashion is a part of the sustainable fashion movement, and I would also say it is its own movement. Healthy fashion caters to the fast-growing sustainability niche within mainstream fashion and within the eco/sustainable fashion market.

    The fashion industry is increasingly concerned with ethical, environmental, and health-conscious clothing. This new concept, fashion for health and healing, is not new, it is ancient, yet currently, it’s niche in the fashion marketplace and not standard commercially. Current mainstream fashion practices and their standards do not rely on or approach this healing fashion subject enough, but it will be a standard in the future.

    When we understand the root of unhealthy fashion and we learn about clothing that supports, heals, and protects the body, this new “healthy fashion” standard will naturally extend itself to the environment, and it will help heal our Earth. The potential for healthy fashion is vast.

    Conscious fashion design and conscious wardrobes


    There is a new awakening happening on the planet Earth, triggering a need for conscious fashion and conscious people. As healthy fashion practitioners, we have a keen sense of culture, humanity, and style, and this creates more consciousness. It is conscious fashion that is representative and effective to support the global evolution of a healthier planet.

    To be a conscious shopper, when we go shopping, we have to think about the garment’s color, the type of material, the style, the details, and the silhouette. We must ensure that the product is something we will actually wear. This helps support a minimal, zen-like wardrobe. If you are a collector, you will still be able to collect clothing; it will just be the clothes that you really want to wear and/or collect.

    Our styles will still evolve, and we will always purchase fresh new pieces, but our clothing will be modern and timeless. This will result in less waste in the industry.

    It doesn’t matter what style of clothing you wear. It doesn’t matter whether you shop mass, contemporary, ready-to-wear, or haute couture. Healthy, conscious fashion is found in all fashion markets and all style genres. Your current wardrobe is already helping you, but it is a matter of being aware of what fashion can do for you.

    Healthy Materials


    It is paramount to own a synthetic-free wardrobe or a predominantly plant-based wardrobe. The healthiest materials to wear are organic and certified fabrics. The healthiest dyes are those dyed with low-impact dyes or those dyed with botanical or herbal dyes. For example, natural dyes like indigo and eucalyptus, marigold, and clay.

    If one is on a budget, I will still recommend purchasing non-organic plant-based fabrics over synthetic fabrics. We want to go synthetic-free and own a predominantly plant-based wardrobe.

    A few healthy alternatives to conventional polyester, nylon, acrylic, and rayon include biobased nylon, lyocell, fabric blends, cotton, hemp, linen, and paper yarn, which doesn’t feel like paper. There are many alternative fabrics to choose from. These are all premium fabrics.

    One of the most innovative kinds of fabric is cosmetic-infused textiles. We can enhance our appearance with cosmetic textiles. Cosmetic textiles, also called cosmetotextiles, mix cosmetics with textiles. Textile manufacturers use microencapsulation. They microencapsulate natural ingredients and herbs like neem oil, aloe, tulsi, caffeine, shea butter, vitamin e, minerals, and more. As you wear them, they are transferred from the fabric to your skin.

    Types of healthy textiles


    Plant-based fabrics like banana, hemp, ramie, and nettle are more breathable, supporting a person’s oxygen needs. They can also relieve stress because we are creating that plant-human connection when we wear them. For example, when we go out into nature, we are releasing stress. When we wear plant-based cellulose fabrics, we are more connected to nature. They recharge our bodies and minds too.

    Healthy Fashion—trends


    A healthy fashion solution is to wear luxury fashion—and it doesn’t have to be expensive to be luxurious. We all deserve to wear luxurious fashion. Some luxurious styles to wear that are comfortable and high-fashion are athleisure, loungewear, and activewear. You can find luxury wear in all style genres, but you have to look for specific garments that are luxurious.

    Healthy fashion is a part of wellness trends and self-care trends. Other current healthy fashion concepts are body care, inclusivity, fashion for emotional wellness, and ergonomic clothing. Ergonomic clothing is clothing that functions and performs.

    Examples of healthy fashion


    These are a few more examples of healthy fashion and healthy fashion accessories: gemstone therapy. Adding precious metals and gemstones to jewelry and accessories. Some crystals to wear are rose quartz, jade, and clear quartz.

    Aromatherapeutic fashion is therapeutic. We can wear mini essential oil diffusers either on accessories like scarves or jewelry like necklaces and bracelets. These diffusers are made out of natural cellulose pads or terra cotta clay. It is healthy to breathe in essential oils, and it makes you feel better.

    Fashion with nature imagery and sacred geometry screen-printed on clothing is a visual healing therapy. Wearing sparkling, glittery textile prints made with crushed crystal powder and minerals like mica and bio-based glitter is therapeutic. There are thousands of different ways to wear healthy fashion. These are just a few fashion concepts that are healthy for the mind, body, and soul.

    It is a part of our self-care, personal growth, and spiritual awakening to connect with our clothing more deeply and in a healthy way. Dressing for spirituality and health is a part of the new spirit of the age. It is a part of living a healthy and spiritual lifestyle. Spiritual healing fashion is spiritually intelligent fashion.

    For more information about the concepts of fashion and health, check out my book, Healthy Fashion: The Deeper Truths. Healthy Fashion offers new and advanced fashion methods for human health, and it reveals the deeper truths of fashion. It will give you a deeper foundation and connection to fashion. A connection that is so deep that it heals the soul.

    Fashion as an intuitive, medical initiative will move humanity into a spiritual awakening as it is a holistic, natural tool honoring all species and the environment. In this way, fashion can be a supernatural force in our lives, instilling a heightened sense of connection to the planet we belong to. It’s an alternative health practice attributed to the modern processes of planetary evolution radiating itself on multidimensional levels.

    Want to read more articles? Check them out here: HIGHLIGHTS

  • How To Lose Body Fat In A Healthy and Sustainable Way

    How To Lose Body Fat In A Healthy and Sustainable Way

    Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-s-legs-4672715/
    Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-s-legs-4672715/

    Every man desires to have a toned, attractive physique. And why not? After all, a toned body enhances the lifestyle and decreases the likelihood of diseases.

    However, losing weight isn’t an overnight thing. It requires patience, dedication, and hard work. Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and lifting heavy weights are some of the ways that will help you lose fat easily.

    But aside from these obvious options, making a few changes in your day-to-day lifestyle can work wonders for your weight loss journey. Remember, no matter how many changes you make in your diet and lifestyle, if you don’t stick to these changes, you won’t be able to achieve desired results.

    However, to help you lose weight healthily and sustainably, we have curated a list of top tried and tested ways to burn body fat easily. So, let’s jump in:

    1. Start Strength Training

    Have you ever thought of losing weight without cardio and dieting? Well, strength training can help you with that. Strength training is a form of exercise which involves muscle contraction against resistance. This exercise is designed to enhance your strength and endurance.

    Strength training has proven to shed your body weight. After all, it involves lifting weights and bodyweight exercises. Not only does it help you lose fat, but also helps to build and maintain muscle mass.

    Thus, if you are looking for a healthy way to lose fat, it’s worth giving strength training a try.

    2. Get Adequate Sleep

    Getting restful sleep can also help you in reducing your body weight. However, it doesn’t mean sleeping all day. Going to bed earlier is one of the best ways to reduce and maintain a healthy weight.

    According to experts, aim to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night. The more you sleep, the better. On the other hand, lack of sleep can contribute to increased appetite and a higher risk of obesity.

    However, to get restful sleep, avoid caffeine intake in the evening, minimize the use of electronic devices, and create a sleeping schedule and stick to it.

    3. Undergo A Therapy

    While it may not sound like a good idea at first, undergoing hormone replacement therapy can work wonders for your weight loss and overall health. As you age, your hormone levels are more likely to decline. This decline in hormone levels can cause several health conditions – and excessive weight gain is no different.

    However, to burn fat safely and effectively, you should try TRT today to balance your hormones. TRT is a testosterone replacement therapy that aims to treat hormonal imbalances in both men and women. The treatment option may vary depending on your symptoms.

    TRT can be done in different forms, such as injections, gels, creams, pills, sprays, implants, etc. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms and suggest the best treatment based on your condition.

    4. Eat More Healthy Food

    While eating healthy food and losing weight may sound impossible, increasing your intake of healthy fats and proteins can help you burn body fat. For example, eating a protein-rich diet can reduce your appetite and increase fat burning. In fact, proteins can lower the risk of obesity and excess body fat.

    Besides eating a protein-rich diet, you can also increase your intake of trans fat. Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, and seeds are some of the nutritious foods that can benefit your overall health in the long run.

    While eating a healthy diet is great, know that it is high in calories. You aim to lose weight, not to store excess fat in your body. Thus, it’s important to moderate your intake.

    5. Drink Better

    Some drinks can satisfy your cravings but can wreak havoc on your overall health. Some flavored drinks contain calories that can result in weight gain. We often consider it as “empty calories” as these drinks don’t offer any nutritional benefits to your body.

    There is nothing wrong with having flavored drinks, but drinking them occasionally can be your best bet. To satisfy your thirst, relying on water and healthy drinks can be a better option. It will help you stay hydrated all day and offer several nutritional benefits.

    6. Do Some HIIT

    HIIT refers to High-Intensity Interval Training, which has proven to cut down your weight and keep your heart rate elevated.

    The workouts in HIIT aim to burn fat, raise your metabolism, and increase your propensity for fat loss.

    Wrapping Up

    In order to lose fat safely and healthily, consider ditching unhealthy foods and supplements. Rather you should make a few changes in your daily routine that will help you lose fat.

    To sum up, follow the tips mentioned above to burn body fat safely and effectively.

    WANT TO SEE MORE? VISIT BEAUTYCONSPIRATOR 

    Beauty Blog

  • Nail Experts Share 10 Secrets To Healthy, Natural Nails

    Nail Experts Share 10 Secrets To Healthy, Natural Nails

    10 Simple and Natural Ways to Keep Your Nails Beautiful

    If you’re someone who makes regular trips to your nail salon, chances are, your nails are in pretty good shape. Most of us take pride in that, seeing as we use our hands to do just about everything, so our nails get a ton of facetime during social interactions. But having nice nails isn’t only a luxury—it’s actually a sign of good health. Good news: there are plenty of ways to boost the health of your nails naturally. We asked nail pros to share their best-kept secrets for keeping your nails beautiful. 

    Meet the Experts

    Rona Falls, a licensed nail technician with Frenchies Modern Nail Care

    Gabrielle Richens, a nail technician and founder of The Rich Skin Club

    La Juana Smith Huebner, a nail and body brand educator with Sparitual

    Queenie Nguyen, nail artist at Nailing Hollywood

    Alena Monson, founder of Whats Up Beauty & Nails

    Our fingernails are skin cells, just like our hair, explains Rona Falls, a licensed nail technician with Frenchies Modern Nail Care. “A nail plate is mostly made of keratin, a protein that our bodies produce naturally. We have nails for protection of our fingers and toes,” she says. “For example, fingernails add a little bit of strength when you are working with your hands, and they function to strengthen our fingers and toes, making scratching easier with that hard plate.”

    As such, taking care of our nails is just as important as looking after our skin and hair. “The structure of the nail can easily become weakened through neglect or a nutrient deficiency, which shows up as slow nail growth, white dots on the nail plate, and weak, flaky, brittle nails that constantly break,” explains Gabrielle Richens, a certified skin therapist, nail technician, beauty nutrition advisor, and founder of The Rich Skin Club.

    “Hangnails or broken skin around the nail edge—especially the cuticle—can lead to more serious damage because it leaves the nail matrix exposed and vulnerable to infection and inflammation.” This, Richens warns, can permanently affect the health and growth of the nails.

    If you’re struggling with nails that crack or split easily, it could be the result of an iron deficiency, which affects some 80 percent of people, per the World Health Organization [source]. Brittle nails could also be the result of other more serious health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or Raynaud syndrome, so it’s a good idea to consult your primary care clinician if you have concerns about your nail health. 

    10 Simple Ways to Keep Your Nails Naturally Beautiful

    No Polish Manicure Supplies

    1. Don’t pick or cut your cuticles.

    As tempting as it may be to pick at your cuticles, La Juana Smith Huebner, nail and body brand educator with Sparitual, warns that doing so could compromise their role in protecting your nail and keeping out bacteria. In fact, even cutting the cuticle should be off-limits.

    “Cutting healthy tissue requires the body to go into healing mode, and it then creates a scab or scar tissue to seal up the broken area. Hence, the cuticles become hard and thick, reinforcing the mindset that the cuticles need to be cut,” she says. “Any hanging tissue should be nipped with a cuticle nipper after the nail and its surrounding tissue have been properly hydrated.” 

    2. Use cuticle oil.

    To maintain beautiful, strong, and healthy nails, cuticle oil is a must, according to Richens. In fact, she recommends using it daily and massaging it into the nailbed.

    “Most plant oils are super high in vitamin E and other nail-loving nutrients,” she says. “This habit will not only strengthen the nails and prevent breakage but massaging the cuticle area stimulates blood flow to the matrix—where all the nail growth magic happens!” 

    3. File your nails instead of trimming with clippers. 

    “Filing is a much gentler way to keep your nails neat and of an equal length,” says Richens. She recommends switching to a glass or crystal nail file, as they have a finer grit, making them less abrasive and easier on natural nails. “Try to file in one direction as sawing back and forth across the free edge can cause damage,” she adds.

    4. Don’t bite your nails.

    This one might sound like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised by how many adults still struggle with this habit. “Stress can cause nail biting as a defense mechanism,” warns Nailing Hollywood nail artist Queenie Nguyen. “Nail biting can cause extreme damage to your nail plate as well as the cuticle around it.” She recommends keeping your nails shorter and getting regular manicures to break this bad habit. 

    5. Eat a nutrient-rich diet.

    You know the importance of eating a healthy diet, but you may not realize how directly it can impact the health of your nails. “The growth of the nail occurs at its base or nail root and is heavily influenced by the blood flow,” explains Huebner. She recommends that your diet be rich in vegetables, fruits, and proteins to ensure that you’re eating the right amount of nutrients. 

    6. Get regular manicures.

    Whether you’re getting regular manicures at the salon or DIYing your manicure at home, Nguyen emphasizes the importance of keeping up with this routine. She does, however, recommend skipping color once in a while.

    “We are so used to wearing nail polish or nail enhancements because they make our nails look so pretty and put together. But it is important to take breaks in between so that the nail surface has time to recover from stains or trauma such as drilling or excessive filing,” she says.

    7. Don’t use your nails as tools.

    Natural nails, no matter how strong, are still quite thin and delicate, notes Richens. “One of the fastest ways to weaken them is to use them as tools—e.g., to pick labels, open cans and packages, or tap buttons and keyboards,” she says. “Treating your nails this way creates tiny splits and tears that lead to breakage.”

    She recommends investing in a pair of rubber gloves for any time you plan on using your hands for heavy work, whether it’s gardening, washing dishes, or opening up mail. 

     

    8. Exfoliate the area around the nails, including the cuticle and skin. 

    Falls recommends keeping an all-natural sugar scrub in your shower and regularly exfoliating the skin around your nails. “Rub and scrub around the skin on each nail as this helps with blood flow and keeps the dry skin away,” she says. “Sugar scrubs are a good scrub to use—they are not as abrasive as salt scrubs.”

    9. Don’t pick your manicure off.

    If you wear polish, do not pick at it, as Alena Monson, founder of Whats Up Beauty & Nails, warns that doing so can cause the top layer of the plate to come off with the polish.

    “If your polish starts chipping, the safest thing is to get a non-acetone polish remover and start over,” she says. “Use a nail file that has a gentle surface, ideally an etched glass nail file, as an abrasive file will split the ends of your plates and allow dirt and oils to get between the layers, making them more fragile and promoting cracking.”

    10. Use 7-free nail polish.

    Believe it or not, some nail polish can contain some pretty harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, for instance. Avoid toxic chemicals by opting for nail polish brands that are 7-free, which means they don’t contain dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and xylene. Some great 7-free brands include butter LONDON, Deborah Lippmann, Pacifica, Smith & Cult, and Veque Ve Vernis.

    6

  • Top 20 Healthy Do-it-yourself Pet Food Recipes Your Canine Will Love

    If you’ve ever spent a lot of time cooking a specific kind of delicacies – corresponding to Italian – you’ll know that many dishes use an analogous pattern. Italian pasta meals, for instance, normally start by making a sauce utilizing olive oil, a tomato base, recent herbs, and garlic. Then, you could fry some meat if the recipe requires it, boil the noodles – you get the picture. The family meal can start within the kitchen as you cook collectively. Family meal preparation is a chance to have fun your cultural heritage by passing down recipes. Help your youngsters find new, seasonal recipes to add to your repertoire and family cookbook. Cooking together and prioritizing well being over the comfort of processed food are nice ways to steer by example and assist your kids purchase into a culture of wellness.

    • Also, when you care concerning the quality of your food and are interested in a sustainable way of living, this is the place for you.
    • Every step from planning, buying and prepping, to cooking and cleanup takes more time and vitality.

    My 5 12 months old pug has always been delicate to lots of food. We call this meal by Damn Delicious the “Old Standard” as a result of it’s made up of components you’ve probably seen in many a do-it-yourself dog meal – brown rice, turkey and veggies. This is also the perfect meal to make in massive batches after which freeze as single servings you can thaw for days and days! Damn Delicious was began by Chungah, a foodie without any formal coaching who turned her ardour into a popular web site and cookbook. She lives in California along with her Corgi Butters, who we expect it’s protected to imagine inspired her foray into pet food recipes.

    About Our Cooking Studio

    You’ll also want plenty of ginger and garlic on-hand, in addition to cilantro, bay leaves, and some other spices and fresh herbs, relying on the recipes you’re cooking. If you approach issues in the proper way, equip your self with the right provides, and have the correct mindset, you can start cooking Indian cuisine at home and get spectacular outcomes. So, you want to make your very own rooster tikka masala, saag paneer, butter chicken, or any of your favorite Indian recipes at home. A handsome tin of olive oil from Spain that has “hints of grassiness, almonds, and butter,” based on chef Jonathan Waxman.

    The outdoors of meals which were roasted, whether or not potatoes or greens or hen or meat, browns nicely due to the high warmth, and the inside should stay most and tender. Sometimes meals are locations on a rock in a roasting pan to allow the recent air to flow into even more evenly. Roasting can also check with foods cooked over reside fire, corresponding to spit-roasting.

    What Are Frequent Culinary Terms?

    It’s not only the proper method to busy your self when you await spring, but you additionally might simply find one or two that Food & Cooking will turn out to be new staples in your pantry. Some meals are extra intimidating than others, however that doesn’t imply you must avoid them!

    Wilmington food truck makes modern-day sandwiches out of 1961 camper – StarNewsOnline.com

    Wilmington food truck makes modern-day sandwiches out of 1961 camper.

    Posted: Sun, 16 May 2021 10:09:43 GMT [source]

    I advocate getting common, low-sodium, and sugar-free. You may additionally choose up a number of various kinds of bread and evaluate their diet data. Look at sodium and sugar content material, together with fiber and nutrients. 74 Cheap and Easy Dinner Recipes – Meal ideas that imply you never have to cook a boring meal again. Start small, cooking just Cooking a couple of times every week to give everyone’s taste buds chance to regulate. If you’re intimidated by the prospect of making ready a home-cooked meal, it’s important to do not neglect that cooking is not an actual science. Creating wholesome meals doesn’t need to involve an enormous funding of effort.

    Good Onerous Boiled Eggs (how Lengthy To Boil)

    Am Sooo shoving any thought against my making a Food blog. Brunch Pro Theme was additionally designed for food blogs, by the makers of Foodie Pro. Like Foodie Pro, Brunch Pro is gorgeous to have a look at and offers a built-in recipe web page Food template. Check out Brunch Pro Theme, obtainable for a one-time payment of $129.95. Your WordPress theme will decide the look and feel of your site, so decide a great one.

    Fill each muffin cup with a number of the meat combination, and pat down the to make it firm. Then add your beef combination to your casserole dish, add your beef broth. Add butter, carrots, corn and tomato paste to your beef and cook for about 5 minutes.

  • 20 Healthy Vacation Tips From Nutritionists And Health Trainers

    A fitter body equals greater metabolism equals healthier weight. The mental health and emotional well being advantages of bodily fitness are a variety of the most essential ones — and infrequently have the most important impact on someone’s quality of life, Jonesco says. Understanding the advantages of bodily health and understanding how lively you have to be may help you maintain good well being and enhance your general quality of life.

    Understand that one day right here and there will not throw you fully off track. In reality, a number of rest days and cheat days will help improve your motivation and provide you with a reward for your whole exhausting work. Living a health lifestyle means that you Healthy have discovered a balance of healthy gasoline, de-stressing methods, and health habits that result in success. Dr. G starts the podcast off with a data bomb, where he merely offers knowledge to one explicit topic.

    How Is Physique Composition Calculated?

    This research has described the types of fitspiration content material that users interact with and offers path for future research into the potential impression of lesser-researched but in style types of content material. Findings indicate that future analysis ought to broaden its scope to suppose about these other types of fitspiration-related content material and their doubtlessly related harms with bigger and more representative samples.

    Healthy and fitness

    Try this hydration calculator to verify your personalized H2O needs. Watch out, as a result of processed meals have multiplenegative unwanted side effects.

    Healthy Growing Older: Fitness And Exercise

    “As a bunch, from pre-program/baseline thus far, they increased their lean, or fats free mass, by 23 kilos and misplaced roughly 33 percent body fats,” Bustillos states. She attributes these optimistic results to the “dedication and industriousness of the members and the superior leadership of the trainers and H2F staff,” and appears forward to seeing the tip outcomes. Leaders throughout the organization are presently conducting trial programs that incorporate H2F to assess the impression it has on ACFT success and the overall wellbeing of Soldiers. Durbin and Bustillos are at present working alongside their staff of specialists at USACIMT to conduct considered one of these 10 week applications that places H2F into motion. The factor about your weight is that it would not let you know what you are made from, just how a lot of you there’s. The name of the game is shedding fats, not muscle, so what happens if fats goes down and weight stays the same or goes up? You shrink in areas that had been stuffed with fat, as a outcome of muscle is more dense than fat.

    Healthy and fitness

    Anyone with a diagnosed medical situation should observe their doctor’s advice on what activity degree is safe for them. If that does not match what this information says to do, do not comply with this guide. The dietary recommendation here is fairly common, however there may be specific medical conditions that call for various fitness diets. Don’t ignore certified medical advice primarily based on something you learn right here. With that being said, most General Practitioners are not specialists on well being and fitness. Consult a nutritionist or exercise/sport scientist for one of the best advice. Whatever your fitness goals, these tips will help you attain them.

    5​30 Minutes Of Exercise Vs 10,000 Steps A Day: Which One Is Better?

    Proper respiration also can improve energy ranges because it permits the right means of transporting oxygen into the cells. Start minimizing sugar by avoiding highly-processed foods and consuming plant-based meals. When you create new targets, you problem yourself Healthy and fitness to do better, leading to an overall enchancment in your performance. When you frequently hit your short-term goals, you would possibly be supplied with extra motivation to keep working in the course of your long-term health goals.

    Healthy and fitness

    For occasion, individuals are less more doubtless to skip workouts or fail to do them accurately, when understanding in a disciplined group, leading to raised efficiency and results. According to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning, using a PT has numerous benefits, as all physical performance indicators are certain to be improved. For instance, for self-trained individuals, chest press power is usually elevated by a mere 19%, whereas a PT-facilitated work-out brings a 42% enhance. Similarly, a PT will result in a 7% increase in aerobic capability, as in comparison with a zero.3% decrease for self-trained individuals.