Avoiding the “Freshman Fifteen” – How to Stay Healthy, Even at College!
We all know how difficult it is to stay healthy, especially with all of the fast food options and take out items that plague our day-to-day existence here in the U.S. It’s even harder for college students! As a student, it’s is likely your first time away from home, so now you are making your own choices about food without a nagging mom (or dad) around to help steer you in the right direction. Not only that, but campuses are filled with unhealthy options and usually students are on a budget (think lots of Ramen noodles and McDonalds). The below tips from Kimberly Snyder, author of The Beauty Detox Solution, should help you stay on track.
- Head for the salad bar. Plant foods – living foods – provide vital nutrition and enzymes. While salad bars often have some bad choices intermingled with the good, you’ll do well to pile your plate high with fresh, colorful veggies. If the dining hall has a blender available, you can even grab some greens and fruit and make yourself a GGS from salad bar ingredients. If you’re eating salad, make a quick lemon and vinegar dressing, and avoid processed meats (ham/bacon), dairy-based dressings (ranch, blue cheese, thousand island), cheese, and croutons. You can also mash part of an avocado throughout your salad, which is a whole food rather than using oil for a bit more denseness. You can top your salad with a veggie burger if that’s available, or some avocado or cooked veggies like sweet potatoes.
- Opt for oats. Skip pre-made cold cereal for breakfast. Instead, start with a piece of fruit followed by sugar-free oatmeal. Skip the instant oatmeal if that’s the only option available.
- Get a dorm fridge and a blender. If you’re living in the dorms, there’s no need to be completely at the mercy of unhealthy snacks. You can stock your dorm fridge with fresh produce, almond milk, gluten-free bread, and raw nuts. If you’ve got a blender, then you can start your day with a GGS. You can also make my filling Power Protein Smoothie with items that you can easily stock in your room.
- Avoid dairy. I’ve made no secret of the fact that dairy is really bad for you. Skip food products with dairy ingredients such as milk, cheese, and butter. Your skin will look so much better also.
- Minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol is okay in moderation, but avoid mixing it with sugary mixers or drinking a ton of beer (no keg stands!). Instead, have an occasional glass of red or white wine or stick to simple drinks like vodka and soda water.
- Skip the soda and energy drinks. Soda is full of acidifying chemicals, as well as sugar and/or toxic artificial sweeteners. Avoid those diet soda fountains also!! There’s not a single good thing I can say about soda, which is generally everywhere on college campuses. Instead, get a good water filter and a reusable non-plastic or non-leachable plastic water bottle to carry with you.
- Minimize animal protein. Make an effort to eliminate meats altogether, or to only include it in your meals a few times per week. When you do eat animal proteins, opt for eggs or lean poultry. College campuses are most likely not going to have grass-fed, local animals- they are most probably sourcing from factory farms, where the animals are injected with steroids and hormones that become part of what you consume.
- Find healthy entrees. Typically, cafeterias have vegetarian choices that include whole grains and veggies. Whenever possible, choose these for an entrée, and eat it after you’ve had a big salad. You can make requests too, and possibly band together with your buds to lobby to your school counsel for more vegetarian entrees!
- Keep healthy snacks on hand. It’s easy to give into temptation when you are busy or stressed out. Keep healthy snacks such as fruit, veggies, gluten-free crackers, and raw nuts on hand so that you don’t head to the candy machine during a marathon study session.
- Minimize caffeine intake. It may seem like the only way to make it through finals week is with a ton of caffeine, but caffeine can leave you jittery and strung out, and mess with your adrenals. If you need a little additional energy, up your intake of complex carbohydrates such as seeds or whole grains, and get some exercise.
What do you think of Kimberly’s tips? What do you do to avoid weight gain (either from college, or just from the changing of the seasons)?
Is your bag a fake? How to spot a knockoff!
As a frequent luxury purse window-shopper and not-so-frequent luxury purse splurger, I am always interested in learning tips on how to authenticate bags. I mean, I’d hate to buy a bag for big bucks and then find out it’s a *gasp* knock off. The horror!
So, what is a savvy shopper to do? I recently received the below tips from Cassandra Connors, founder of Shop Bella Bag, that will help any designer purse novice spot the significant markings of a real bag vs. a knockoff. These points are key if you are shopping for pre-owned handbags or getting a purse from anywhere other than the official company store.
Taking from her 13-Point Authenticity Inspection, Cassandra Connors provides some helpful tips on what to look for when authenticating a bag.
- Counting stitches. While tedious and somewhat frustrating, counting stitches can really be a deal breaking when it comes to authenticating a bag. Keep in mind that the real deals often have a much more complex stitching design that most knock-offs.
- Examine interior and exterior logo stamp. While knock-off logos might look like the real deal at a glance, a thorough examination is necessary to find the minor detail differences between the real logo and the knock-off logo.
- Trace serial numbers. Serial numbers almost always seal the deal in authenticating a bag. The serial number assigns a specific number to one designer piece that involves the history of the bag. A knock-off serial number will not show up in a designer database as it was most likely made up.
- Test hardware magnetism. This has a lot to do with the materials there are generally used with a specific brand. When the material used of the real deal is known, it’s easy to compare the differences.
- Inspect zipper heads. Each brand uses a different zipper brand, and almost always uses the industrial ones. Also, zipper head designs are almost always altered, and because the zipper is such a small details, it can sometimes be hard to catch.
I will definitely keep these tips in mind the next time I’m in the market for a new luxury purse!
Beautify your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
One of the most underrated aspects of self-beautification revolves around keeping your teeth white and healthy. People talk all the time about more outward aspects and traits of beauty – for example, there seems to be no end to discussions on makeup, and hairstyles, and other things of that nature. But, even the most beautiful face can be tarnished by unhealthy, damaged, or unattractive teeth. After all, there is no point being beautiful if you can’t proudly flash your smile! Yet it is not easy for some people to maintain pretty smiles and strong teeth. So, here are a few cosmetic dentistry procedures – some of which are mentioned and detailed on TopDentists.com – that can help with some common problems.
- One of the most common problems people have with their teeth simply comes down to whiteness. Keeping your teeth white is not as simple as brushing regularly… it can also have a lot to do with what you eat and drink, as well as other habits. For example, smokers often have permanently stained teeth as a result of the substances they keep in mouths. If you struggle with yellow or stained teeth, you may look into cosmetically applied veneers (made of porcelain) which both cover up your stained teeth with a white layer and protect you against future staining (to some extent).
- Some people also find that their smiles are affected by chipped or cracked teeth. This is a simple accident that can happen to anyone, at any time, but it does not need to be a permanent disfigurement by any means. Dental bonding is a simple procedure whereby a cosmetic dentist applies resin that essentially bonds and becomes an extension of your natural tooth. This can fill gaps between teeth, cover up stains, and restore chipped or decayed areas.
- For teeth that are more drastically cracked, or decaying visibly, cosmetic dentists can apply crowns, which essentially act as artificial, protective covers for unhealthy teeth. These crowns will make your teeth more attractive, and will also keep them protected from further decay or damage. Generally, this is something that people only consider in more drastic cases, however. For the most part, filling a cavity or applying dental bonding can fix most of the problems that crowns could also address. However, when dental bonding, fillings, etc. won’t do the job, this is definitely something to consider to keep your mouth healthy and strong.
Budget Beauty – How to Save on Beauty Essentials by Andrea Woroch
When it comes to shaving our budgets, most ladies put beauty products in the “need” category. A study commissioned by Mintel validates this assumption, reporting consumers spent $2.32 billion on shampoo and $1.71 billion on conditioner in 2010 alone.
So what’s the best way to save on essentials without resorting to dollar-store cosmetics? Check out these nine tips from Andrea Woroch, a nationally recognized consumers-savings expert, that keep both your beauty and your budget intact.
1. Hair Products
Consider extending the life of your shampoo (and hair color) by using dry shampoo or baby powder in between washes. When using shampoo and conditioner, check out these great tips and best bargain buys from DailyFinance.com.
2. Hand Soap
Foam hand soap is all the rage these days, and one of the easier beauty products to DIY. Refer to EHow.com’s recipe for specific instructions, but ultimately all you need is a lot of water, a bit of soap and a few drops of essential oil.
3. Makeup Brushes
In addition to extending the life on pricey makeup applicators, regularly cleaning your brushes is just the sanitary thing to do. And if you really need replacements, consider a tip given to me by a MAC Cosmetics artist; buy art brushes at craft stores for a fraction of the price!
4. Foundation
Whether you’re a liquid, powder or mineral foundation girl, you can use less of this beauty staple by applying a base before application. The Magic Perfecting Base by L’Oreal is a favorite among top fashion magazines, and is available for less than $12 from Walmart and Target.
5. Fragrance
Let’s be honest — designer fragrances are among the most expensive beauty purchases, with $80 buying less than 6 ounces of product. If you can’t part with your signature Chanel scent, buy gift cards at a discounted rate for retailers selling your fragrance and enjoy immediate savings.
6. Body Lotion
Moisturizing is a must for anyone who wants to avoid the shar pei-look at 50, but lotion gets pricey when you see the words “illuminating,” “firming” or “age-defying” on the label. Unless you have a serious skin issue, consistent use of most drugstore moisturizers is sufficient.
7. Hair Color
Prolong your color-treated hair between salon visits using household ingredients. Brunettes can use a strong pot of cooled coffee and blonds can use a lemon juice-water mixture. Apply the treatment after shampooing, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse, condition and style as usual.
8. Hair Accessories
Today’s trendy hair accessories can be homemade for a fraction of salon and department store prices. Channel your inner domestic goddess and create one-of-a-kind hair candy with beads, feathers and artificial flowers found in craft stores.
9. Less is More
There’s no need to wear your entire cosmetics collection every day of the week. Consider giving your wallet a break by opting for the basics during mellow workdays or lazy weekends. For tips on how to pull off the “au natural” look, refer to Real Simple’s step-by-step instructions.
SELF Exclusive Makeup Survey Results & Best Beauty Tips
It is no secret that ladies love their beautifiers, but what you may not have known is now much. Women are purchasing a lot more makeup then they even realize. As a beauty editor and cosmetics junkie, I can definitely attest to this! In this exclusive SELF survey, 2,000 readers revealed their makeup addictions and blunders—the truth about what they are spending, using and more. Check out the below information from the October issue of SELF magazine:
General:
- 1 in 3 women admitted they would rather gain 10 pounds they could never lose before giving up makeup.
- 91% of women splurged on new makeup last month
- 52% own more than 20 makeup products (not including skin and hair products)—and 25% own between 10 and 20
- 58% up their makeup routine when you’ve got a hot date
- More than half surveyed touch up makeup once a day.
- 40% put on between 5-10 makeup products every day. And only 4% don’t wear makeup at all.
- Over 35% of women are motivated to buy a new makeup product because they saw it in a magazine story, tear the page out and buy it
- 91% expect makeup to multitask as much as you do
- When looking for a “double duty” makeup product, 40% say sunscreen is the second aspect that’s most important
What they wear the most:
- 78% use mascara every day
- 66% say foundation is a daily makeup must
- 57% brush on bronzer without fail
- 54% say lipstick or gloss is a necessity
- 59% have 5 to 10 lip colors in your makeup bag right now
Where they shop:
- 48% prefer to shop at specialty stores.
- 41% buy makeup at drugstores
Bad Habits:
- 56% have gone months without replacing their mascara
- 55% admit to going to sleep with makeup on
- 53% never remember to wash makeup brushes
Why They Wear It:
- 31% reach for makeup to feel sexy.
- 27% say it makes you look professional.
- 24% wear it to show off confidence.
- 11% use makeup to get a mood boost.
What they want to work on:
- 82% admitted they need to go back to beauty school
- The three tricks they want to master: Applying liquid liner straight; layering eye shadows; choosing the right foundation
What do you think about these stats? Do you agree or disagree with these points? Let me know in the comments!
To see more tips and tricks from SELF Magazine, click here.
Plus-size Fashion Tips from the Stars of TLC’s Big Sexy
Check out the below fashion tips for fabulous plus sized women, courtesy of TLC’s new show, Big Sexy!
1. Do not avoid tailored, woven fabrics: A lot of plus-size women avoid woven fabric because it has little to no stretch; however, clothing like pencil skirts and tailored jackets make plus-size women look amazing. The tailored look can make you look thinner, more toned and professional. With the sharper lines and better structure, people will take you more seriously. Knitted clothing (which has a lot of stretch) tends to look a bit too casual for most settings. – Audrey Curry, makeup artist and aspiring fashion designer
2. Shoulder pads look awesome on curvy women: Many women generally stay away from shoulder pads, but plus-size women with larger hips should embrace the strong shoulder look. Naturally, a woman’s shoulders should be a little wider than their hips. Shoulder pads, which come in all shapes and sizes, can make a large woman look more proportional and thinner. It’s best to experiment! Shoulder pads can be easily added to existing clothing, such as a blazer or a shirt dress. – Audrey Curry, makeup artist and aspiring fashion designer
3. Deodorant and baby oil are your friends: If you want to avoid the crazy chub-rub between your legs, roll on deodorant or dab baby oil on your inner thighs. You’ll no longer have to wear biker shorts under your dresses! Keep travel sizes in your purse. It does tend to wear off throughout the day. – Tiffany Bank, plus-size model
4. Only wear what makes you happy: If you feel happy, you look happy. Want to wear hot pink lipstick or patent red leather heels? Go for it. Fashion is all about you and how you want to express yourself. I enjoy wearing crazy nail polish because I love colors and colors make me feel good! – Tiffany Bank, plus-size model
5. Do not try to hide your body under big, shapeless clothing: This approach never works. Even with all the material, we still know that you are plus-size. Now you just look frumpy! Instead, wear clothes that define the best parts of your body. Defining your waist with a belt, for example, can accentuate your curves. – Leslie Medlik, fashion stylist
6. Do not follow traditional plus-size fashion rules: A lot of plus-size fashion tips are outdated. Liberate yourself. Follow a few trends that you like and will keep your look current. If you like stripes, go for it. You can wear anything with confidence. Confidence is the key to having great style! – Leslie Medlik, fashion stylist
7. Do not be afraid of stores that don’t typically sell plus sizes: A lot of plus-size women shy away from mainstream stores, in fear that they will not carry clothes in their size. How do you know unless you go in and try? I am a huge fan of Anthrolopologie and can easily pull off a large dress made out of knit or jersey. I can also fit into their XL and L tops. Fit is more important than what the size says. Try everything on before you make the purchase. – Nikki Gomez, plus-size model
8. …but remember to support plus-size designers!: Most plus-size lines are created by plus-size women for plus-size women. These designers understand the issues we have with clothing, and they know that we want to look our best at any size. You have to dress the body you have now. If you embrace your curves and feel good about yourself, you will work even harder to achieve your personal body goals (or just realize how beautiful and sexy you already are!). Plus-size designer brand clothing is not only made for your body, but it also tends to be made better and last longer. – Nikki Gomez, plus-size model
9. The right undergarments are essential: Underwear are essential to dressing and significantly affect the overall look. It is extremely important to have on a great-fitting bra and beautiful panties. What is worn underneath will play a huge difference in the way you feel on the outside. – Heather Roach, wardrobe stylist and bra/bikini designer
10. Wear your clothes and do not let them wear you: Stand up tall and put your shoulders back. Good posture and confidence is everything. Be proud of who you are and respect yourself. Love your voluptuous curves and know your best features. – Heather Roach, wardrobe stylist and bra/bikini designer
Have you caught an episode of Big Sexy? What are your thoughts on these tips? Let me know!
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