Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 20 janvier 2016
Sore Neck? Here's How to Feel Better Instantly
Whether you slept in a funky position or have been staring tensely at your computer for hours on end, a crick in the neck is not only annoying, it can cause headaches and upper back pain. After a long, hot shower to loosen the muscles, try a few of these stretches for a little relief.
The Lower-Body Exercise to Lift Your Butt and Tone Your Thighs
This move is tough, but let me tell you, it is so worth the sweat and struggle. A set of surrenders strengthens your legs, tones your butt, and works your core. It also keeps your heart rate up as you go from kneeling to standing over and over again. You guys! Changing levels takes a lot of effort.
Before attempting this move, find some padding for your knees. I like to fold my yoga mat in half to double the cushion.
- Stand with your hands behind your head with your elbows wide, and bring your right knee gently to the ground.
- Bring your left knee down so you are kneeling. Keep your chest up and squeeze your glutes to keep yourself stable.
- Lift your right foot up and place it in front of you. Bring the left foot forward to stand up, pressing through your right heel.
- This completes one rep. Start the next by bringing your left knee to the floor.
- Do two to three sets of 12 reps each.
6 Reasons Lucy Hale Is the Most Relatable Beauty Icon Ever
When it comes to beauty, we're obviously obsessed. Must-try haircuts? Know 'em. Crisp cat eye? Mastered it. But putting all that knowledge into practice - as in, leaving the house looking like an Instagram model ready for her close-up - isn't always possible. Sometimes, we skip that perfect cat eye, throw our hair into a bun, and call it a day. Turns out, Pretty Litle Liars star Lucy Hale totally gets it.
The celebrity ambassador for Blowpro chatted with us during a brand event at Lord & Taylor, and our conversation felt like we were talking with an old friend. From reminiscing about throwback beauty trends to the fact that she sometimes just air-dries her hair, every answer was so freakin' real that we're now, admittedly, superfans.
Read on for all the reasons Lucy Hale should be your latest beauty icon, then check out her new and improved style from season six of PLL.
The Best Recipes That Start With a Can of Crescent Dough
Refrigerated crescent dough, so flaky and buttery, tastes like childhood when baked up into croissant rolls, but more and more people are incorporating the dough into recipes. From strawberry cinnamon rolls to pizza roll-ups, one of these crescent roll recipes will inspire you to pop open a can.
8 Skin Care Tips to Know Before You Hit the Slopes
While many may opt for a tropical getaway during Winter months, snow bunnies are busy booking ski trips with their buddies. There's lots to look forward to - brisk mountain air, shredding through the slaloms, and sipping on cocoa with a cutie in the chalet. But before you get excited about packing your favorite cold-weather accessories, focus on adjusting your beauty routine.
Winter - and specifically, skiing conditions - submit your skin to a crop of concerns you've likely never thought of, like awkward sunburns, frostbite, and extreme dehydration. We consulted Dr. Darrell S. Rigel from Schweiger Dermatology Group, who offered complexion solutions so you can hit the slopes with glowing (not ruddy!) skin.
- Bring a stronger sunscreen. Did you know that the closer you get to the mountain's summit, the more UV you're exposed to? "You get six to eight percent extra UV intensity per every thousand feet, so it's important to use an SPF of at least 50," says Dr. Rigel.
- Pack your products carefully. This is the reason we never stash our favorite beauty items in our checked luggage: high altitude can cause packaging to pop open. Make sure all lids and caps are screwed on extratight to avoid making a mess in your kit.
- Ask your hotel for a humidifier. The central heating in your room has a drying effect on your skin. Using a humidifier will add moisture back into the air (and your complexion).
- Apply Vaseline onto exposed skin to protect against frostbite. Before taking advantage of the fresh powder, slick on some petroleum jelly. According to Dr. Rigel, Vaseline acts as an insulator, meaning it will keep your body heat trapped behind the balm instead of seeping out through your skin, leaving it at risk.
- Protect your neck (and chin). After smoothing on your sunscreen, add an extra layer to this area of your body. The sunlight bouncing off the snowy slopes increases your UV exposure by 40 percent! Wrap yourself up in a scarf for extra sun protection.
- Avoid hot showers. While you may be chilly after a long day outdoors, go for a quick, warm shower instead of a luxuriously steamy one. Scalding water strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving you parched.
- Cut back on alcohol. A hot toddy at the chalet sounds great, but limit yourself to just one. Alcohol is extremely dehydrating, especially at high altitutdes. Try to minimize alcohol consumption in high altitude, as alcohol dehydrates you.
- Don't forget to drink water! No matter how many times you've heard this, it's worth repeating: consuming plenty of H2O will hydrate your complexion from the inside out.
23 Low-Carb Snacks For Any Craving
Going low carb can help many people shed a few pounds if done right. Try it yourself with these low-carb snacks; easy to make, many of these are also high in good-for-you nutrients like antioxidants, protein, and fiber.
45 Free Beauty Apps You Need to Download Now
These days we do everything on the phone - find dates, read books, shop for clothes - but you have been truly missing out if you haven't downloaded these beauty apps. You can get your next blowout delivered before happy hour, find a local nail artist to bedazzle your manicure, or schedule when it's time to reapply sunscreen with a few simple taps. Browse our favorite mobile beauty tools, and don't forget to download our POPSUGAR app for free!
Build Muscle, Burn Calories: Do-Anywhere Cardio-and-Strength Combo
There are no excuses for skipping this 20-minute workout; it requires no equipment, so no matter where you are, you can fit in a sweat session. Quick and effective, today's workout in our Better-Body Challenge mixes classic cardio moves with bodyweight strength-training exercises to burn calories and build muscle. Print the workout, learn the moves below, and then get at it.
High Knees
- Run in place while lifting your knees high to the level of your waist. Engage your abs as the knee comes up.
- Pump your arms to warm up your upper body.
Lunge Skip
- Come into a lunge with your right leg back. Swing your right leg forward to hop up on your left foot, and land softly back in a lunge.
- Repeat for 30 seconds, then switch sides.
Lateral Bunny Hop
- Make small jumps side to side as if you are jumping over an invisible line.
- Keep your legs as close together as possible, and swing your arms to help you jump.
Pilates Scissors
- Lie on your back, and lift your upper body off the floor so your shoulder blades hover.
- Lift your right leg off the floor, and bring your left leg to 90 degrees, gently holding the left shin. Keep your upper body lifted as you switch or scissor your legs.
Jumping Jacks
- Jump your legs out as you bring your hands overhead, then jump back to standing.
- Add in some cross jacks to work your inner thighs. Open your arms out to the sides as you jump your legs wide. Cross your feet as you jump your legs together while crossing your arms in front of your chest.
Frogger
- Begin in a plank position. Jump your feet to the outside of your hands, coming into a deep squat and keeping your hands on the floor.
- Jump your feet back to plank.
Lateral Bounding
- Start in a shallow squat with your weight on your right foot, and leap sideways as far as you can go to the left, landing on your left foot and bringing the right foot to the left. Immediately reverse directions and jump to the right.
- Continue jumping side to side.
Push-Up and Rotate
- From a plank position, perform a push-up. At the top of the push-up, rotate to the left coming into a side plank, reaching the right arm to the ceiling.
- Return to the plank position, do another push-up, and rotate into side plank on the right.
Box Toe Touches
- Using a box, step, book, or stool, lightly tap your left toes to the box, then jump to switch feet, bringing the right toes up.
- Continue alternating feet. No box? No worries. Hop from foot to foot, aiming toes at an imaginary step.
Triceps Dips
- Place your hands on a step or floor with fingers facing you. Lift your pelvis off the ground.
- Bend and straighten your elbows to work the backs of your arms.
The Number 1 Bad Habit You Need to Break If You Want to Lose Weight
Kimberly Snyder might just be the queen of detox. Not only does she have practically all of Hollywood sipping on her Glowing Green Smoothie, but she also just released a new book, The Beauty Detox Power ($19), to address the more emotional aspects of what it means to detox. In fact, she believes in how your emotional state helps or hinders weight loss so much that she wants you to stop a habit that's common among many women. If you do, you'll see weight-loss results even faster, Kimberly promises.
RELATED: 18 Science-Backed Ways to Lose More Weight
Your new mission? Stop with the negative talk if you want to lose weight. It may sound like it won't be effective, but Kimberly's reason for wanting you to stop body shaming yourself in order to see the pounds drop actually has scientific heft. "Most people don't even realize what they're saying to themselves, and most people only think that the only factors that affect their weight are what they're eating and how they're working out," Kimberly said. In fact, studies have shown that your thoughts matter when it comes to your waistline. Kimberly points to a Harvard study that followed 84 cleaning women; half were told that their physically demanding jobs met the requirements for exercise as set by the Surgeon General, while the other half weren't given any information about their activity level and calorie burn. After a month, researchers found that the group of women who were told that what they were doing was good for them lost body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI - even though they hadn't changed anything about their actual physical habits or altered their diets at all. The other group, on the other hand, didn't lose any weight. "Your thoughts are nutrition in the way that food is," Kimberly explained about the study results. "Your mind really has a big part in shaping your body. If you keep saying to yourself, 'It's so hard for me to lose weight, I'm just going to gain it back,'" then you aren't setting yourself up for success.
RELATED: Why You Should Be Eating Oatmeal If You Want to Lose Weight
Kimberly's advice to stop with the "I'm fat" talk can be easier said than done, especially in a world of constant online judgment and photoshopped images of the "ideal" woman. Even Kimberly herself admits that she used to participate in casual body bashing when with friends. But knowing that thoughts can affect actual change should help you nix the habit, she says. "It's just a shift in listening to what you're saying," she advised. "Stop saying negative things about your body, whether it's out loud or in your head. It's the first important thing" if you want to lose weight.
5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Running
When I first got into running, I experienced everything from painful blisters to chafing to unsupported bosoms - no wonder I hated it. I wish someone had sat me down and told me these basic tips and tricks to help smooth my transition from nonrunner to runner. If you're just starting out on your own journey pounding the pavement or treadmill belt, here are things you should know about running.
It Gets Easier
As with most things, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. To strengthen your muscles, acclimate your heart and lungs, and increase your endurance, run at least three times a week. Start off with a doable distance such as two miles. Once that distance feels good, gradually increase your mileage. The key is to move at a comfortable pace for a reasonable amount of time. If you do too much too soon, you could end up with an injury or a deep hatred for the sport.
You Don't Have to Wear Two Sports Bras
If you're well-endowed, running can be painful. I wore two sports bras for the longest time because I couldn't find one that prevented the uncomfortable bounce. A cheap cotton sports bra from Target just won't do. You might have to spend $50 or more, but it's worth it when you only have to wear one bra you trust.
Don't Skimp on Gear
For my first run, I picked up a $25 pair of sneaks and a pack of cheap cotton socks and wondered why I had screaming blisters. You don't need a ton of gear, but what you do need, you shouldn't skimp on. Spring for a trusty pair of well-fitting sneaks ($60-$120), a good pair of wicking socks ($10-$15), a super supportive sports bra ($30-$70), a seamless tank to prevent chafing ($20-$40), and a lightweight pair of running shorts to avoid wedgies ($20-$40). Technical gear specifically designed for running makes a huge difference and could make or break your new running career.
There Are Apps to Chart Your Run
I often drove running routes in my car to figure out mileage until my hubby introduced me to the wonderful world of iPhone running apps. The GPS not only keeps track of your distance, but it'll also chart your workout time, pace, calories burned, and elevation and give you a map of your run. Being able to track your workout might motivate you to keep going so you can beat your personal records.
Running Outside Is Harder Than the Treadmill
My power was out one morning - meaning no treadmill time for me - so I decided to run outside instead. It was so much harder! The real hills, the uneven terrain, the wind, the sun, the heat - it all makes running tougher than it already is. But I'll tell you, once I started running outside, I saw a huge improvement in my strength and endurance. I even lost the five extra pounds I could never quite shake, and my muscle definition was noticeable to others ("Damn, look at your calves!"). I know people are in love with their treadmills, but I wish someone suggested I run outside because the difficulty made me a better runner.
5 Ways to Stretch Your Calves (a Must For Runners and Heel-Wearers!)
The calves are one of the most overused and overlooked muscles in the body, and if you wear heels, run regularly, or both, stretching your calves is a must, since tight, shortened calves can lead to injury. These five calf stretches can be done almost anywhere, so click through to learn how to do them and then add these stretches to your daily routine!
Couple Cuts Off Several Feet of Hair, Look Like Completely New People
We all know someone who could use a bit of a style update, but the friends of Tim and Wendy White found it necessary to stage an intervention. The duo referred to themselves as "the rock and roll couple" due to their extremely lengthy locks (and the fact that Tim was a bass guitarist).
The Whites appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2003, where they confessed that they hadn't gotten haircuts for decades - Wendy's enormous, matronly bun had been growing since 1992, while her husband hadn't touched his strands since 1985. Oprah and her team gave them two major makeovers. The incredible transformation that follows will make you cry. Sure, they look like completely different people, but the Whites' love for one another is what really got our tears flowing.
After the two see each other, they can't stop hugging and kissing. Their new looks seem to have reignited their passion. Unfortunately, this love story has a sad ending. Tim passed away in 2008 after a massive heart attack at the young age of 48. Wendy has since grown out her hair again and joined her husband's band. While she is devastated by her loss, she is glad that the world got to see how much they loved each other. "I wish everybody could express the way they feel about the ones they love like that." Prepare for your midweek cry!
Color Melting Is the New Technique That Will Make Any Dye Job Look Natural
More so than ever before, we find ourselves doing double takes when passing women with incredible hair color on the street (or asking for details about their salon). It's not entirely due to the advent of unicorn hues, either - there's a new technique that makes dye look more natural than ever before, especially ombré color.
If you've ever taken your dark hair to a blond ombré, you know there's usually a stark line of demarcation that comes from bleaching. Sure, adding dye on top will soften that line, and methods like balayage will make it even softer, but it still didn't look completely natural - until color melting. "Melting is a technique that blends the highlights with the base color of the hair so you don't have any harsh lines," George Papanikolas, Matrix StyleLink stylist, explained to BuzzFeed.
Instead of creating that ombré look with normal highlights, melting uses an assortment of hues close in tone to create a blurring (or melting) effect. This makes any hair color appear as if it grew naturally out of your scalp . . . but only you and your stylist know the truth. Read on to see more examples of this technique.
Can't Kick Your Sinus Infection? This Can Help
Don't let your guard down - cold season is still in full effect. The combination of Winter's dry air, a turned-up thermostat, and closed windows can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. The best way to combat dry air and reduce your susceptibility to infection is to invest in a humidifier. If you've suffered through too many colds, it might be time to see what all the hype is about.
Related: Soothe That Sinus Pain: Apple Cider Vinegar Brew
1. Relieve sinusitis: When the air is too dry, sinuses don't drain and function properly. According to many ENT experts, adding humidity to the air is generally good for sinus health - especially if you're regularly suffering from congestion and sinusitis.
2. Heal faster: Whether it be a cold, asthma, or allergies, a humidifier keeps your nasal passages lubricated, which helps speed up the healing process when you're under the weather. For people with bad allergies, there are humidifiers that are specially designed to purify the air as well.
3. No more nosebleeds: Another reason keeping your nasal passages moist and lubricated is essential is to prevent nosebleeds. If you're regularly experiencing nosebleeds due to your dry climate, it's worth a try. Many people have found that it makes a huge difference.
4. Alleviate snoring: The moisture from a humidifier keeps the throat from drying out and relieves the intensity of that annoying snoring sound. If you or your partner is a snorer, the added bonus is that (at least) one of you will be sleeping more soundly.
5. Support beautiful skin: Soothe dry skin by sleeping with a humidifier on through the night. In the morning, you'll notice not only that your face looks more supple but also that your hands and lips don't feel dry and dehydrated.
Before you go out and purchase one, learn about the differences between warm- and cool-mist humidifiers.
- Additional reporting by Heather Dale
Yes, Even Short-Haired Girls Can Rock a Waterfall Braid
If you're growing out your fringe or sporting shorter strands, achieving Pinterest-perfect braids can be a struggle, as plaits made from a cropped coif tend to unravel faster. And if you have blunt styles and layers, you know they make intricate fishtail, caged, and waterfall braids even more challenging. But there is good news! Short-haired ladies can achieve a trendy braid, too - just take it sideways across your head (where all the length is!) by creating a faux headband.
This quick tutorial from Cute Girls Hairstyles demonstrates how to master the perfect waterfall crown braid. It's a lot easier than it looks. Seriously: the only thing you need to know is how to weave a three-strand braid.
By creating loops, performing slight pulls, and using the pancaking technique, the front of your hair will be transformed from your usually styled mane into a braided hair accessory. The best part about the style is that once you master the technique, creating it becomes a breeze. This makes it a perfect way to change up your daily look (and to keep your strands out of your face). Practice in front of a mirror as you watch along!
12 Dumbbell Exercises For Strong, Chiseled Arms
When you want to isolate specific muscle groups in the arms, using dumbbells is truly effective - get ready to feel the burn! Depending on your strength, grab at least two size weights ranging from five to 15 pounds so you can switch up the appropriate size dumbbells for each move.
The Stella McCartney-Approved 4-Step Plan to Bringing Postholiday Skin Back to Life
Stella McCartney presented her Autumn 2016 collection in LA just last week, and if we had to sum up the vibe of the night in one word, it would be youthful. Before the stars - Gwyneth! Johnny! Mary J! - arrived at Hollywood's historic Amoeba Music record store, we went backstage with skin care brand Sunday Riley to see how they achieved the models' effervescent, megabright skin.
Considering that many of us have spent the last few months hibernating in the dry, artificial heat of our homes and offices, all while indulging in a holiday diet that consists primarily of booze and sugar cookies, "fresh" and "plump" might not be the first words that come to mind when we see our faces in the mirror. But, it turns out, the glowing visages we saw at Stella are within reach. They weren't the work of a crazy arsenal of products or hours spent at the sink. Instead, the dewy, healthy faces were achieved with five products over the course of about 10 minutes.
"It's all about that really natural, glowing, refreshed skin," Sunday Riley Account Executive Ryan Nelson told us. "When you're cleansed, hydrated, and exfoliated properly, your foundation is just going to glide on so much easier, and when it doesn't have anything blocking it from your skin, it won't fall off as easily." The secret weapon backstage was Sunday Riley's yet-to-be-released Tidal moisturizer, a blue, faintly herbal-smelling cream that goes on rich but disappears just as quickly as 2015 did. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait to stock our medicine cabinet with our own jar until March 4, when it hits shelves.
In the meantime, though, Nelson gave us a four-step regimen that basically works like CPR on skin that's flatlined after a tough Winter. While we can't promise that a modeling agency will sign you after following it, you'll at least look and feel revived.
4 Detox Ingredients You Need to Add to Your H2O
When you're trying to get your health back on track, there are many ways to detox your way to feeling better. The best way to flush out toxins, however, is simple: lots and lots of water. But you don't have to drink it plain; you can add a little flavor as well with these delicious (and detoxifying) additions. Add all of these to a large pitcher or bottle full of ice and water and drink throughout the next day for an effective way to detox! It helps to let these pieces soak overnight in your fridge to let the flavors meld.
Related: A Ginger Smoothie Full of Detox Power
- Lemon: Lemon water makes for a powerful detox drink; lemon juice helps to cleanse and alkalize the body. Add one thinly sliced lemon to a large pitcher, or squeeze fresh lemon juice into your glass.
- Mint: Mint adds a touch of sweetness without the sugar to your water, and it also helps settle your stomach and aids in digestion as well.
- Cucumber: Cucumber water isn't just for spas. Adding a few slices of cucumber to your water makes for excellent rehydration, and cucumber also contains anti-inflammatory properties.
- Ginger: The spicy root helps cleanse out your system, aids in digestion, and settles your stomach. A little goes a long way, so start with a few thin slices or grate a tiny piece into your water and taste before adding more as necessary.
Related: 10 Natural Ways to Help Detoxify the Body
To make one serving of detox water, add three to five slices of cucumber, half a lemon, and a few sprigs of mint leaves to 24 ounces of ice-cold water. You can also add sliced peeled ginger (about a one-inch piece of ginger root, or to taste) for a spicy kick.
14 Coffin Nail Art Designs That Speak to Your Soul
If you scroll through Kylie Jenner's Instagram feed, you'll notice she not only has serious contouring skills, but also a love for impressive manicures. It's not difficult to tell the difference between her and her siblings' nails - Kylie always goes all out. And time and time again we see her coming back to one shape, the coffin nail. This style falls right in between a basic french mani and the stiletto design, which makes it practical yet cool enough to rock at a party. Though Halloween may be over, the eerily named coffin nails here will be your go-to style all season long.
How to Pack a Perfect Mason Jar Salad
Who says you can't start resolutions before the year is over? We've compiled a list of 51 foodie resolutions to check off, including this helpful tip.
Packing a to-go salad in a mason jar seems like a great idea - it's an easy way to transport a vibrant, veggie-heavy meal without worries of dressing leaking into your bag - but if improperly assembled, it may end up underdressed, soggy, or less than fresh. Don't let that happen to you! Instead, follow this step-by-step guide, excerpted from Julia Mirabella's Mason Jar Salads and More: 50 Layered Lunches to Grab and Go ($12, originally $17).
Reprinted from Mason Jar Salads and More by Julia Mirabella. Copyright (c) 2014 by Julia Mirabella. Published by Ulysses Press.
12 Pink Lipsticks That Every Woman Should Own
So, you've already found your perfect red lipstick . . . and have bought several backup tubes, in addition to deeper crimson shades and vampy burgundies. But have you found the best pink pout hue yet? As many reds as there are out there, it seems that the options for pink are far more varying (and confusing), making it challenging to pick your ideal color. You can buy a lip product in mauve-rose tints to neon fuchsias and every tone in between!
Thankfully, one Reddit user related so strongly to this plight that she compiled a lipstick spreadsheet of fellow Redditors' favorite hues, pink included. In anticipation of Valentine's Day, we've combed through the colors and picked our favorites, then we scoured the review sections on Sephora, Ulta, and more beauty retailers to grab quotes from the products' biggest fans - you! Read on to shop the best shades.
The Weight-Loss Strategy That Will Change Your Relationship With Food
While keeping calories in check is necessary, being healthy is built on more than numbers. In order to lose weight and keep it off, eating clean can be the key to your continued success. Instead of feeling like you're on a "forever" diet, committing to the clean-eating lifestyle can help you achieve the results you're after and feel more energized than you could have imagined. Here's how to do it.
Stop With Processed Food
One of the easiest ways to get started is to replace processed grub with natural, minimally processed ingredients. Not only are these options more nutritious, but their flavors are also more satisfying. The occasional indulgence is absolutely necessary, but cleaning up your daily diet is one of the best moves you can make to ensure consistent weight loss. Opt for natural whole foods with ingredients you can pronounce!
Eat More Produce
If you're not sure how to snack, always pick up some produce; fresh fruit and veggies will fill you up in a healthy way, and the fiber will keep you fuller, longer. Just like we've got to retrain our taste buds to stop with the salt and sugar, you'll find that your body will beg for produce once you start eating it consistently. These are the cravings we welcome with open arms.
Skip the Added Sugars
If your taste buds have been overloaded by sugar in the past, it's high time to clean things up. Natural sugar from fruit is what you're looking for on a clean-eating plan; the white sugar that goes into baked goods or your supersweet coffee beverage is not. And even if you're not a dessert junkie, you might be shocked at some of the everyday foods like bread and yogurt that pile on the sugar! Start being fastidious about reading labels and skipping added sugars whenever possible.
Learn to Look For Salt
Learning to relish the natural flavors of what you're eating can be a big adjustment if you're taking on a clean-eating plan - and salt is one of the ingredients that manages to sneak its way into strange foods like cottage cheese, bread, and cereal. As you start to exile processed or prepackaged foods from your life, you won't have to be as concerned about high-sodium products, but continue to keep your table-salt sprinkles to a minimum to beat bloat and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more.
Cut Back on Caffeine
One cup of high-quality coffee is approved on most clean-eating plans - the Paleo diet has its own strange butter brew you can try if you're inclined - but it's important to keep caffeinated beverages to a minimum. Too much coffee can mess with your energy and anxiety levels and undo all the hard work you're putting in with your healthy food choices. If you must, sub in your second cup for green tea to stay on course.
Back Off the Booze
Alcohol is full of empty calories and tons of sugar, which can mess with all the hard work you put in with meal planning. Keep the booze to a minimum, and opt for an all-natural mocktail or a healthy nightcap when the mood strikes.
Go Whole Grain
Refined grains are one of those sneaky products that always find a way into a grocery cart. It's integral to look for real whole-grain products. Advertisers simply saying that a loaf of bread is multigrain or organic doesn't make it a clean food since many of these items are composed of refined flour. Real whole grains will aid in healthy digestion while cutting back on belly bloat.
Seriously . . . Read the Label
The nutritional info on labels is some of the best defense against culprits that hinder clean-eating success. A low-calorie number is always great to see, but knowing to look for crazy amounts of sodium, trans or saturated fat, or ingredients you simply can't pronounce will help you make the shift toward healthier choices - and understand why you're doing so!
Be sure to check out our 2-Week Clean-Eating Plan for everything you need, from shopping lists to recipes, to keep it clean for 14 days.
10 Popular Coffee Drinks You Can Totally Make at Home
Whether your coffee drink of choice is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ice Blended, a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, or a Philz Mint Mojito, we've got great news for you. These drinks and more popular coffee concoctions can easily be made at home, provided you have a bit of know-how and a solid recipe to follow. Keep reading for exactly that, plus homemade versions of a variety of other coffee-based drinks.
Find Free Fitness Classes Near You in Seconds
Was "getting in shape" one of your New Year's resolutions? If so, chances are you've already located your local gyms or boutique studios. However, many of these places can cost you a pretty penny, especially if you're into designer names like SoulCycle or Equinox.
Although it's nice to indulge in a luxury fitness class every so often, you can easily hit the gym without hitting your credit card, and we just so happen to have a little life hack for you - enter Eventbrite. We knew about the concerts and sporting events on offer, but with a quick city search, we discovered acrobatic yoga, Bollywood dance, and rowing classes in our neighborhood . . . all for the low, low price of $0. Give it a go: enter your city or zip, and filter by "Sports & Fitness" (under Category) and "Free" (under Price) in the left-hand menu. Added bonus: you don't have to be in a major metropolitan area - from yoga in Norcross, GA, to Zumba in Linden, NJ, there's something for everyone.
Pro tip: read the fine print and make sure it's free . . . we spotted a couple posts that may have been incorrectly tagged, but don't fret, there are a bevy of free options near you!
53 Crowd-Pleasing - In Other Words, Cheesy - Appetizers
The secret to choosing a crowd-pleasing party spread is simple: don't skimp on the cheese. While this doesn't apply to vegan partygoers, pretty much everyone else is bound to crowd around anything loaded up with plenty of salty, gooey cheese. We've rounded up 53 options, so you'll have plenty of recipes to choose from when planning your next get-together.
Articles
