About Health: June 2014

Monday, June 30, 2014

This Woman Just Ran an 800-Meter Race While 34-Weeks Pregnant

This Woman Just Ran an 800-Meter Race While 34-Weeks Pregnant

Consider us impressed.

Exercising during pregnancy can be a healthy ritual for you and your growing baby—and one woman just took that to a whole other level: Olympic track star Alysia Montano ran 800 meters (which is similar in distance to a half-mile) in the U.S. track and field championships last Thursday and finished just 35 seconds shy of her personal record—while 34 weeks pregnant. Pretty amazing.

After completing her race to a standing ovation, Montano said in a post-run interview posted on LetsRun.com's YouTube channel that her midwife and doctors encouraged her to keep up her training throughout her pregnancy because she was already a professional runner. She says she learned that maintaining a workout routine during these nine months can be healthy for mom and baby.

"This is what it looks like to be a professional athlete as a woman and still continuing on in your career [while starting a family]," said Montano in the interview. "I wanted to celebrate where I'm at, celebrate: oh my gosh, I made it 34 weeks and I've been able to stay fit and healthy and have an uncomplicated pregnancy." This shows just how amazing the female body is, she says.

Exercising during pregnancy can be a great way to build key muscles used during labor and boost your baby's brain development, too. But of course, it's important to talk to your doctor before jumping into any kind of physical routine. For more information on working out with a bun in the oven, check out workout plans for your first, second, and third trimesters.

Read This If You've Been Considering Taking on a New Fitness Goal

Read This If You've Been Considering Taking on a New Fitness Goal

A big lesson in going for it from #MotivationMonday

Are you planning to try your first-ever Pilates class? Do you want to give weight-lifting a shot? Maybe you want to sign up for your first 10-K. Whatever your fitness goal, we dare you to take the first step toward it this very week. (Today is even better!)

Why do you have to do it right away, you ask? Take it from #MotivationMonday:

OK, got your game face on? Nice! Now go ahead and sweat with these Instagrammers, who know where it’s at:

9 Signs He'll Be an Amazing Dad

9 Signs He'll Be an Amazing Dad

So he's a solid boyfriend, but will he make a super father? Here's how to know.

So you're with a guy who loves kids and says he wants them? Obviously, those are good places to start. But what about the slightly subtler signals that he's up to the parenting challenge? We break them down:

He's Intuitive
If you've ever heard the phrase, "You look tired—can I make you dinner/give you a massage/do the laundry?" come out of his mouth, that's a sign he's attentive and takes initiative, which are biggies when it comes to kids. "Children need attention constantly," says Jane Greer, Ph.D., New York-based relationship expert and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. "There's the hands-on taking care of children in terms of what routinely has to be done—and then there's the whole other layer of tuning into where they're at and what their mood is and what else they might need that you didn't anticipate or plan for. That level of awareness is really significant."

He's Affectionate
Does he hold your hand and stroke your hair? Clearly love your pet? "That shows a lovingness and caring," says Greer. Plus, it shows his ability to connect on an emotional level to maintain that bond, which is crucial for parents, says Greer.

MORE: 17 Small Gestures That Say "I Love You"

He Can Handle Stress
Does he shut down or disappear when things (work, the relationship, family stuff, etc.) get sticky? No good. You want a partner who talks through stressors with you, says relationship therapist Rachel Sussman, LCSW, author of The Breakup Bible. Because, fact: Kids are super, duper stressful. You want to have them with someone who can manage the pressure.

He Shares His Food
Seriously. See, a good father is someone who's generous, not stingy, says Greer. So if you're out to dinner and he doesn't even pretend to offer you a taste, then reaches over and grabs something off your plate, that's probably not a good sign. "That tells you that they're looking out for themselves and they're more concerned with taking care of themselves than sharing and reciprocating with you," says Greer.

He's in Touch with His Emotions
If he's comfortable telling you how he feels about you or talking about the future, that's good, says Sussman. "Then that person usually, when they make the decision to be a parent, they'll take it seriously. They'll be able to be up front with you and tell you how they feel if they're upset about something, if they're happy about something."

He's Down to Shop, Cook, and Clean
You want to co-parent with someone who's "a true partner in all senses of the word," says Sussman. If he's not willing to pitch in now, that could mean trouble down the road.

MORE: Why Sharing Chores Really Matters in a Relationship

He Makes Sacrifices for You
Maybe he blows off guys' night to take care of you when you're sick or he works overtime so he can take off for your friend's wedding. These unselfish acts show that he's flexible and responsive, says Greer, and those are both things you want in a partner and a parent.

He's Reliable
If he says he's going to do something, he needs to actually do it…on a regular basis…without constantly being reminded, says Greer. It's clear why this is important: You can't raise a kid with someone you don't trust to take care of things.

The Two of You Have a Great Relationship
"Assess your own relationship and make sure it's really solid and really in a good place," says Sussman. "You've got to have the relationship first, because having kids will put a stress on you." All good on the coupledom front? "If you're really in love, if you have good communication, if you really respect each other, if there's a really solid friendship, if you have a lot of fun together, and you both want to have children," she says, "chances are it's going to work out really nicely."

MORE: The 10 Hottest Dads on Instagram

How to Banish Stress in 25 Minutes

How to Banish Stress in 25 Minutes

A simple mind trick for those crazy-insane days

If your way of dealing with stress involves ranting to coworkers or face-planting in a bag of chips, we've got a simpler, healthier idea for you: Spend less than half an hour practicing mindful meditation. A new study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology is the first to show the positive effects of this increasingly popular type of meditation. It's a more focused, in-the-present way to meditate that's about inhaling and exhaling slowly so you can sense your muscles relax and feel tension being swept from your brain.

MORE: The 10 Stages of Trying to Meditate for the First Time

For the study, researchers divided 66 college students into two groups. One group practiced mindful meditation 25 minutes per day for three days. The other group underwent a type of cognitive training for three days. All participants were subject to a stress challenge test and had measurements taken of biological and psychological stress markers. The findings: Study authors discovered lower levels of self-reported psychological stress in the group that practiced mindful meditation; these subjects also appeared to be better at coping with stress compared to the second group. In the study, the researchers wrote that being mindful may have made the subjects more engaged and active, which buffered their perceptions of stress.

MORE: Where to Meditate for Mindfulness

It's an intriguing yet preliminary study that needs deeper follow-up, the researchers say. But it offers some evidence that mindful meditation isn't just a passing trend—it might be a genius and easy way to get a handle on things when you feel overwhelmed and frazzled. Not sure where to start? Follow these simple tips to be master at meditation.

MORE: How to Be More Mindful

How Going Vegan Triggered this Instagram Star's Orthorexia

How Going Vegan Triggered this Instagram Star's Orthorexia

Jordan Younger built a successful brand and a devoted following upon being "The Blonde Vegan," until an eating disorder forced her to reevaluate where wellness and true passion lie.

After lifelong struggles with stomach troubles and migraines, Jordan Younger found relief in a fully vegan diet, relishing the physical benefits—including applauded weight loss—as well as the community that embraced her newfound fervor for veganism. Within a matter of months, Younger, adopting the The Blonde Vegan moniker, was one of Instagram's rising health and diet stars, amassing tens of thousands of followers seemingly overnight.

Recognizing her ability to inspire and guide others in the vegan persuasion, Younger soon left grad school to pursue growing the TBV brand full time, including crafting The Blonde Vegan Cleanse Program and working with a designer to create the TBV Apparel line (how can you not love comfy shirts that espouse Oh Kale Yes! and ask, Is Vodka Vegan?)

But just as The Blonde Vegan brand was exploding, passion tipped toward obsession; Younger was developing a complicated and frightening disorder, triggered by the very lifestyle that had brought her such joy, camaraderie and success. On June 23, 2014, nearly a year to the day that she created The Blonde Vegan account, Younger announced on her blog that she was transitioning away from veganism and other such labels—a jarring, yet inspiringly honest and brave move.

Women's Health interviewed Younger about her decision to go vegan, how her eating disorder developed, and how she's learning to live a healthier, more balanced life. Read her honest and thoughtful answers here:

Why did you first decide to make the move to veganism?
I decided to make the move to a plant-based diet because I felt incredible after a 5-day cleanse that I did in January 2013 that consisted of green juices, fruits, veggies and nuts. My lifelong stomach problems and migraines disappeared, I lost weight, and felt full of energy. I saw how quickly those results took place and figured they would only intensify after several months and years of veganism.

You started The Blonde Vegan Instagram account in June 2013—when did you realize that people were really excited about your posts and recipes, enough to build an entire health brand around?
I started The Blonde Vegan Instagram account and blog for fun, as a place to share my plant-based creations and my newfound passion for cooking. I started it for friends and family to follow, and I figured I would get a few followers who were interested in veganism, but I had no idea what the scope would be. One night in July 2013, I got 4,000 Instagram followers overnight after a big vegan account shared my account. That was the first time I had an inkling that I had something going that people were very interested in and excited about. Within 6 months, I made the decision to leave graduate school to pursue the brand full time. At that point, I worked with a designer to create the apparel line, and I continued to lead The Blonde Vegan Cleanse Program the first week of each month. I also enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to get my health coaching certification, because coaching people toward the healthiest version of themselves had become my greatest passion of all.

BUT, I had also become obsessed with eating entirely "clean." I was living for that high that comes with cleansing your body. The high lasted for many months, but eventually my body started giving me signals that it needed more—and I ignored them.

Orthorexia, an unhealthy, extreme obsession with eating healthy food, can be tricky to spot, even for the person experiencing it. What was the event or catalyst that made you fully aware that there was a real problem?
I had known in the back of my mind for a while that I had developed many fears surrounding food, and it was clear to me that I was becoming more and more limited in what I was comfortable eating. I even joked about it with my close friends, calling certain foods, like eggs, "fear foods," because I had stayed away from them for so long. It was easy to hide behind the shield of veganism when I was at a restaurant with friends or even when I was grocery shopping for myself. Anything that wasn't completely clean—oil-free, sugar-free, gluten-free and plant-based—I dismissed because it wasn't within the dietary label I had given myself.

There were two events that shed light on the situation and made me realize that I had developed a serious problem. My best friend visited me in New York and we went to get breakfast before spending the day in Central Park. We went to a juice bar near my apartment because we both knew it was one of the only places I would be able to find something to eat. I knew which juice I wanted, a green juice with no fruit in it, and when we got there, they were out of that particular juice. Even though there were several other green juices, smoothies and raw food options to choose from, I felt completely panicked by the thought of eating or drinking something I hadn't "planned." Instead of choosing another juice and going with the flow, I insisted that we walk a mile out of our way to the juice bar's other location to get the juice I wanted. My body was already starving from days of restriction and crying out to me that walking a mile without any sustenance would be a bad idea, but I did it anyway. I was determined, and being unable to shake that feeling scared me.

The second event was when I actually came to terms with the fact that I had an eating disorder. I was out to dinner with a close friend of mine in the city who also runs a health blog. That night, she confided in me that she was in recovery from an eating disorder, and she described all of her symptoms and food habits to me. While she spoke, I started to get a lump in my throat because I knew that everything she was discussing was dangerously similar to what I had been going through. The moment I opened up and told her that I could relate, it was like I had released a floodgate.

We talked about it for hours, and I had never felt so relieved and so terrified about something at the same time. I called my mom afterward, and when I finally blurted it all out, she was so relieved because she had been noticing my habits around food worsening for months. I couldn't believe it.

In the past few months, I've come to realize that I was pretty much the only person in my life who was blind to the fact that I had a problem.

Had you ever struggled with disordered eating habits or thoughts in the past?
Yes, although I didn't realize that until I started working with my eating disorder therapist and nutritionist. Through the recovery process I have come to learn that specific parts of my personality are very much susceptible to eating disorder patterns. I am a very "all or nothing" type of person. I have been in the restrict-overeat cycle for years, but veganism took my restriction to a whole new level. Learning about all different types of veganism went from a passion to an obsession pretty quickly, which is when it took a turn for the unhealthy.

What do you think will be the key to moving past this setback with orthorexia?
One thing that will help a lot is learning to let go of the restrictions. While veganism is an amazing lifestyle for so many people, it accidentally helped me fine-tune my restrictive habits, creating a whole list of "bad" and "off-limit" foods in my mind. Now I am trying to reorganize my thoughts toward food, seeing nothing as entirely off-limits but rather as healthy, indulgent, something that should be eaten in moderation, etc. Even just reintroducing eggs, fish and organic chicken has made the hugest difference in my mindset. I am also on a strict meal plan that will restore my blood sugar levels and my hormones that had gotten all out of whack from my restrictive habits (and my psychotically long juice cleanses). Following a plan has been tremendously helpful so far. Learning to just be, and not obsess about food in every way shape and form, will be extremely helpful as well.

How difficult was your decision to move away from strict veganism (especially since you've built a successful brand around the lifestyle)?
It was incredibly difficult. My body started showing signs that it wasn't satisfied by a fully vegan diet almost a year ago, and it took me up until a month ago to come to terms with the fact that changes needed to be made. I tried everything under the sun to make changes to my vegan diet to make it work for me like it did in the beginning, including trying every cleanse and variation of plant-based dieting that I came across. I ended up losing my period for several months and also injuring my ankle running on the treadmill, which are two things that had never happened to me before. Both of those things opened my eyes to the fact that I had vitamin deficiencies. I tried a small piece of wild salmon in an effort to get more vitamin b12 into my body, and when I got my period two days later, I knew I needed to quit the denial and start making some changes.

Obviously, with nearly 70,000 Instagram followers of @theblondevegan, you were bound to have some angry fans in the wake of your big news. What are the craziest things people have said to you?
Oh, absolutely. I have gotten death threats from hardcore vegans via Facebook, email and Instagram. People have been telling me that I was never actually vegan, and some people have said that now they don't even believe that I am blond! Some people think I should discount TBV Apparel and that I was "cashing in" on the vegan movement for attention. One woman told me, "I'm sorry reality doesn't work for you," and I have definitely gotten my fair share of "animal killer" comments. The craziest thing to me is how some people value the life of an animal above human health. I was having health problems, and serious psychological issues. Eating some organic farm fresh eggs for breakfast isn't the equivalent of supporting factory farming.

How have you dealt with the haters? Yoga? Ice cream (just kidding!)?
I have taken super long walks through the city every day to breathe and get away from the Internet for a while. I was so shaken up the first few days after I broke the news I didn't even make it to yoga, which is so out of the norm for me! I finally made it to a yoga class three days after announcing the news, and I felt immediately calmer, balanced and centered. But the main thing has been lots and lots of amazing support from friends, family and blog readers. I have gotten some incredible emails and phone calls from people I hadn't spoken to in years. If nothing else, this event has reminded me that I am surrounded by incredible people.

OK, let's focus on the good stuff! You've mentioned that the positive support has far outweighed the extremists and nasty comments. Has any one message particularly inspired you or validated your decision?
Yes! There have been a couple messages that have actually brought me to tears. Hearing from young girls who have been in similar positions and were afraid to step out of the vegan label and/or come to terms with their eating disorders until they read the post has been by far the most rewarding aspect of sharing my story. A couple readers told me that they had to stop reading my blog a few months ago because it triggered eating disorder thoughts within them...and that scared the crap out of me!

Juice cleanses are obviously a hugely popular trend, and you've mentioned that you actually became addicted to them. Do you think you'll still do cleanses in the future? Or are they a thing of the past for you?
That's a good question. In the first few weeks of my recovery process, I decided I was going to do a weeklong cleanse that was half liquid and half solid raw vegan food. I knew I was resorting back to old habits to try to control the disorder I felt in my life through my food...but I did it anyway. I got through about three days of the cleanse before realizing I was feeling extremely deprived—it was doing me much more damage than it was good. So I made the decision to stop the cleanse midway through, which I was very proud of. If I ever do a juice cleanse again, I'd better have a good reason and also do it for just one day instead of 10! I definitely appreciate the benefits of cleansing, but I'm not sure it's the smartest choice for my personality.

Now that you're getting the hang of scrambling eggs again, are there any foods you realized you missed?
Salmon and over-easy eggs! And organic free-range chicken. Oh my god, it's so satisfying. All of those things taste like heaven to me now. And it's hilarious, because two months ago, if you would have asked me if I was ever going to eat those things again I would have laughed in your face. I was planning on raising my future children as vegans. I have really done a 180.

Most important, how are you feeling? What else is next for you, your brand (The Blonde Veggie, for now) and TBV apparel?
I am feeling so much better. Psychologically, it's amazing to be able to let go of the intense restriction and allow myself to breathe. I am moving back to Los Angeles next week, where I will be closer to my apparel designer, my web designer, and my app designer, so there are some fun things in store for the near future. We are coming out with a bunch of new T-shirt designs and a line of cotton "Oh Kale Yes!" bags. I will be deciding on a permanent name within the next few weeks, and we are going to do some rebranding from there. I also want to write a book about my experiences with all of this once I'm a little further along in my recovery. And soon I will be able to start health coaching.

I am excited and hopeful for what's to come. Despite the backlash, I am so happy to have been honest and to shared my truth, because I am so ready to start promoting what I really believe in—listening to your body! #nolabels

Eating disorders can be deadly. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, seek help immediately. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website for resources and support, news, and information about how to get involved.

More like this from Women's Health:
The Scary Rise in Adult Eating Disorders
"Holiday Treats Used to Give Me Panic Attacks"
5 New Eating Disorders You Need to Know About

Are You Working Out as Hard as You Think?

Are You Working Out as Hard as You Think?

A recent study says you could be slacking without even knowing it.

Research has shown that we're not so great at judging the amount of calories in food. And now a recent study finds that we're not so spectacular at guessing how hard we're pushing ourselves during a workout either.

Researchers from York University in Canada asked 129 people to work out by walking/jogging at a light, moderate, or vigorous rate (in a random order). While the participants exercised on the treadmill, the researchers tracked their heart rates and compared them with how fast the participants' hearts should actually be pumping for their respective levels of exertion. And while the people studied were fairly good at aiming for a light workout, most didn't do so well at identifying the speed at which they needed to be moving to reach the heart rate of a moderate or vigorous workout. Womp.

It's unclear why we're not nailing our workouts as well as we could be, but study co-author Jennifer Kuk, Ph.D., a professor of health and fitness at York University, says public health campaigns meant to fight obesity and encourage people to get active often emphasize that physical activity is easier than you think. That might make people believe they don't need to work hard to get the health benefits of exercise, she says.

MORE: Which Workout Burns The Most Calories After It's Over?

So how can you tell if you're sweating it out to the best of your abilities? We rounded up a few techniques you can use to make sure you're getting the most out of a workout:

Track Your Heart Rate
One of the best ways to reliably tell how hard you're working during cardio or strength training is by using your heart rate, says Michelle Lovitt, a celebrity trainer and Asics America conditioning coach. For a moderate workout, she says to try to reach between 60 and 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. An intermediate workout should fall between 70 and 80 percent, and vigorous workouts should get your heart pumping to at least 85 percent of your max rate. To find out if you're hitting these numbers, Lovitt says you can use a little bit of math: To find your max heart rate, take your age times .67 and subtract that from 220. From there, you can find out what percentage of your max heart rate you're actually reaching and if you need to crank up the intensity. If you have trouble taking your own pulse, Lovitt suggests using the heart rate monitor on the cardio machine you're using or, better yet, investing in a heart rate monitor, which she says is the most precise way to figure out how hard you're working.

MORE: Q&A: How Accurate Are Cardio Machines' Calorie Burn Displays?

Try the Talk Test
Another accurate way to measure if you're working as hard as you should be is the talk test, says Rachel Cosgrove, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, author of Drop Two Sizes, and creator of the Women's Health Spartacus 4.0 Workout in the Women's Health Personal Trainer subscription tool. If you can talk in sentences or sing a song during a cardio or strength-training workout, then you're ready to push harder, says Cosgrove, who usually uses this test with clients when she doesn't have a heart rate monitor on hand. If you ca n only say one to two words at a time (or the only thing you can get out is "erghh"), then you're right on track.

Think About How Hard You're Working Mentally
Brett Hoebel, celebrity trainer, nutrition expert on The Biggest Loser season 11, and creator of the "20 Minute Body," says one of his go-to tests is what he calls the "chatter test": when a voice in your head tells you it's time to stop during a tough gym session. When it's silent, he says, you might not be pushing yourself quite hard enough. If your mind is saying, "Ugh, this is really hard. Can we stop now?" then you pass—it should feel like you have to fight mentally to finish the workout.

Check How You Feel Post-Workout
If you're wondering how you did after a sweat session, assess how your body feels, says Lovitt. Feel like you could run some errands or clean your house? You probably did more of a moderate workout, which burns body fat and saves your muscle glycogen for other activities. If you're really tired and craving a bagel or other carbs, you probably had a vigorous workout. This is because a more intense workout burns your body's stored sugar and body fat, she says.

Though it's great to keep pushing yourself through tough workouts, Hoebel says you should never feel unbalanced, dizzy, or have your form break down. That's the point when you've worked out too hard. If you feel these symptoms, listen to what your body needs, whether that means slowing down and sipping some water, or calling it quits for the day.

MORE: How Your Height Should Affect Your Workout

16 Farm-to-Bottle Beauty Products You'll Love

16 Farm-to-Bottle Beauty Products You'll Love

Whether you add farm-fresh produce to your diet or load up on beauty products made with them, you'll be doing your looks a big favor.

You know that the foods you put in your mouth have a big impact on how you look. But the foods you put on your skin—in the form of certain products containing them—can also help make for a better complexion. Here are six of my favorite things to eat to improve your looks—along with beauty products made from each ingredient that will help you see even better results.

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Leafy Greens
Romaine, spinach, and kale help protect and repair skin from the outside in.

Courtesy of Eminence Organics

Eminence Organics Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum ($110, us.eminenceorganics.com) is a fast-absorbing cocktail for your skin that includes kale, spinach, broccoli sprouts, stabilized vitamin C from lemons and grapefruit, vitamin E from avocado, and botanically extracted hyaluronic acid. It's designed to deliver the optimal antioxidants to smooth, sooth, and repair skin—not to mention counter sun damage.

Courtesy of ilike

ilike Spinach and Horsetail Exfoliator ($48, dermstore.com) gently softens and removes dead skin cells while charging the skin with vitamins and bioflavonoid antioxidants.

Courtesy of The Body Deli

The Body Deli Sprouted Mineral Greens Body Wash ($22, thebodydeli.com) and Lotion ($28, thebodydeli.com) are superfoods for your skin. Formulated with greens like dandelion and kale to detox and reboot your skin, this farm-to-bottle duo is as pure and fresh as it gets. The lotion is loaded with ultra-hydrating and nourishing cold-pressed organic oils to deeply quench skin—without feeling greasy. The sulfate-free body wash foams up gently to cleanse, purify, and condition skin without leaving it dry.

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Berries
Summer is the season when berries are bountiful, and the benefits for your body—including massive amounts of pigment-rich antioxidants and vitamins—can help renew and repair your skin.

Courtesy of The Body Deli

The Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Cleanser ($38, thebodydeli.com) harnesses the malic acid, citric acid, and natural alpha-hydroxy acids in raw organic blueberries to gently resurface skin, tighten pores, increase circulation, and diminish hyper-pigmentation from sun exposure.

Courtesy of Eminence Organics

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum ($48, us.eminenceorganics.com) replenishes and rehydrates skin, protecting against free radical damage and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Strawberry balances and brightens skin, vitamin C-rich rhubarb counters fine lines, and hyaluronic acid extracted from the marshmallow plant hydrates skin deeply, holding moisture where it's needed most.

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Make a DIY Strawberry and Apricot Oil Skin Polish; in a food processor or blender, mix together 1/3 cup diced strawberries (about three strawberries), one tablespoon lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups organic sugar, and two tablespoons apricot oil. Blend until smooth. While in the shower, rub the mixture on your body in a circular motion. Rinse well.

MORE: DIY: At-Home Skin-Care Treatments That Work

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Olive Oil
Healthy oils are a key component of any diet—and skin-care regimen. While scores of exotic oils are deemed exemplary for the skin, don't overlook olive oil as a tried-and-true beautifier that cleanses, moisturizes, and renews your skin.

Courtesy of Bariani Olive Oil

Bariani Face and Body Cream ($13, barianoliveoil.com) is made with Bariani Olive Oil, one of the finest cold-pressed olive oils in the country, to nourish, moisturize, and soften skin. This luxe cream will make your skin supple and velvety without breaking the bank.

Courtesy of 80 Acres

80 Acres Olive Oil Lip Balm ($7, mcevoyranch.com) contains California-grown certified organic olive oil for a silky-smooth balm that leaves lips super-moisturized (and yummy-tasting, too).

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Tomato
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a potent protector against free radical damage, particularly from sun exposure. Vitamins C and A in tomatoes brighten your complexion, and its astringent qualities help to balance skin, reduce excess oil, and minimize pores.

DeVita Italian Tomato Leaf Mud Masque

DeVita Italian Tomato Leaf Mud Masque ($25, devitaskincare.com) cleans your pores and increases circulation to cleanse and detoxify skin. Formulated with pure tomato lycopene complex, three types of clay, and aloe vera to balance and hydrate skin, this mask will leave your skin clear, clean, and firm.

Courtesy of Yes To

Yes to Tomatoes 3-Step Acne System ($20, yestocarrots.com) delivers a trio of antioxidant-rich tomato-based products to clear and balance oily and acne-prone skin without over-drying or irritating. Start with the Daily Pore Scrub, which is gentle enough to use every day to combat breakout and blackheads. Then apply with the lightweight Daily Repair Treatment, and treat blemishes on the spot with the Rollerball Spot Stick.

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Apricots
These delicate, fragrant summer fruits are full of potent antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamins A, C, and E, which have as many benefits for your skin (particularly sensitive, mature, and dry skin) as for the body.

Courtesy of John Masters Organics

John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Crème ($28, johnmasters.com) is a light yet powerful formula designed to hydrate and protect skin, reduce wrinkles, and promote cell turnover.

Courtesy of Eminence Organics

Eminence Organics Apricot Whip Moisturizer ($56, eminenceorganics.com) is a hydrating and revitalizing cream that's rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Plus, it smells good enough to eat!

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Honey
Filled with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, honey provides a full spectrum of nutrients for the skin. Honey also contains potent antioxidants to guard the body and skin against oxidative and environmental damage—and it's a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into the skin and retains it in the layers where it's needed most for long-lasting hydration.

Courtesy of Farmaesthetics

Farmaesthetics Midnight Honey Bath & Body Oil ($39, farmaesthetics.com) is a luscious formula made from the purest ingredients to plump and tone your face and moisturize and condition your entire body.

Courtesy of Honey Girl

Honey Girl Face & Eye Cream ($31, honeygirlorganics.com) is a luxurious moisturizer made with raw Pupukea honey, royal jelly, and propolis sourced from holistically managed hives. It softens, moisturizes, and repairs skin with ingredients so clean, you can practically spread them on toast.

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For a super-simple DIY Honey Mask to hydrate and condition your skin, spread a thin layer of high-quality honey on your face when it's clean and dry. Let stand for five minutes, and rinse well.

The One Veggie With Actual Detoxing Power

The One Veggie With Actual Detoxing Power

Salad and green smoothie junkies, are you listening?

Ever since the detox diet trend hit big, nutritionists have generally given the thumbs-down to the idea that certain foods can rid your body of harmful chemicals (ah, that’s what your liver is for). But a new study demonstrates that one green veggie really might have legitimate detoxing cred: broccoli sprouts. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that these little green buds helped excrete air pollutants at an accelerated rate.

Researchers writing in Cancer Prevention Research focused on about 300 study subjects living in a Chinese city with a high air pollution rate. One group was given a daily drink made with freeze-dried broccoli sprout powder, while the other group consumed a daily placebo beverage sans sprouts. After 12 weeks, the researchers tested the urine and blood of the study subjects. Their findings: the pollutant excretion level among the sprout drinkers was substantially higher than that of the placebo group. The detox rate of one cancer-causing pollutant, benzene, shot up 61 percent, while the rate for another carcinogen, acrolein, increased 23 percent.

What’s so special about broccoli sprouts? In the study, researchers wrote that a compound found in these veggies and other cruciferous greens, called glucoraphanin, has previously been shown to have anti-cancer properties in animal studies—suggesting that this compound might have something to do with the study results. Though much more research needs to be done before broccoli sprouts or similar veggies are proven to remove pollutants from the body, it can’t hurt to pick some of these up in the produce aisle and add them to a salad or blend them into your next green smoothie. Start with these healthy smoothie recipes here.

More like this from Women's Health:
The RIGHT Way to Choose a Watermelon
5 Healthy Veggie Chips to Snack on This Summer
The One Thing You Should Eat When You Want to Freshen Your Breath

8 Foods That Give You an Afternoon Energy Boost That AREN'T a Cup of Coffee

8 Foods That Give You an Afternoon Energy Boost That AREN'T a Cup of Coffee

Put down that jittery cup of joe and back away slowly. Here are your new go-to p.m. pick-me-ups.

You know the feeling. Your shoulders sag forward, your eyelids are heavier than paperweights, you've read and reread the same sentence seven times in a row…it's the dreaded 3 p.m. slump, and your options for a quick pick-me-up feel few and far between. Impromptu headstand? You're frightening your officemates. Car nap? Try not to get fired. Instead, you slug another cup of caffeine, only to find yourself tossing and turning at midnight, the cycle beginning again the following day. (Find out 5 other things that make you tired, here.)

Put down the coffee pot. There are other great options for an instant energy upgrade, says Keri Gans, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and author of The Small Change Diet—they just take a bit of know-how and planning ahead.

The key to beating the dreaded afternoon slump, Gans says, is being prepared with healthy snacks on-hand, specifically, foods with carbs for quick energy, and that are high in fiber, protein, and/or healthy fats to provide longer-lasting energy, without the jolt of caffeine.

"A lot of times, when we're crashing in the middle of the day, we're simply hungry," says Gans. "What you need is carbs, that's the bottom line. Then, protein and fat keep you satiated longer, so it's a win-win."

Clear out some space in your desk drawer or office fridge for these 8 snacks that pack a true energy punch:

A fresh piece of fruit + a serving of almonds. "It's perfect: healthy, with quick energy, and so portable," says Gans. And, you'll be pleased to hear that Gans chuckles at the notion that we should steer clear of certain kinds of fruit. "The carbs and sugar in fruit is natural," she says. Oranges, bananas, grapes—they're all delicious and fair game.

Roasted edamame. Peeking in her own cabinets, Gans spots this favorite energy-boosting food—"it's very high in fiber and very high in protein." To make this nutty, chewy snack, simply thaw frozen shelled edamame beans, toss with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper, and roast on a baking sheet at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until the beans begin to dark and crisp up. Gans recommends a ¼ cup serving.

Baked black bean or lentil chips + The Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedges. "It sounds weird, but cheese and chips is a great combo for energy," says Gans. "Just smear it on!" The baked chips are packed with protein and fiber, and The Laughing Cow Light spreadable wedges boast 7 flavors and 35 calories each. Try the Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle flavor. "Spicy can wake you up!" says Gans. For more foods packed with fiber, check out this list of 15 healthy high-fiber foods that make you feel full and satisfied.

Low-fat chocolate milk. "You could be dragging because you're dehydrated," says Gans. "Sometimes, something cold and refreshing is all you need." Gans buys Organic Valley's individual drinks; "I love them as a pick-me-up." For more help in the hydration department, definitely check out these 10 ways to drink more water.

Greek yogurt + fresh berries. Go for the low-fat, not non-fat, version of this go-to snack, Gans offers. "You want that little bit of fat for energy with staying power."

Grapefruit wedges + cottage cheese. Again, opt for the healthy fats from low-fat (2% milkfat) cottage cheese (Gans likes the 90-calorie Breakstone version). Pair a hearty scoop with grapefruit wedges for an instant pick-me-up, courtesy of the protein in the cottage cheese, grapefruit's natural carbs, and the aroma of citrus that instantly awakens your senses.

KIND bars. "They're low in sugar, high in fiber, and easy to take along with you," says Gans. "I love the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, and a new one, the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond." You had us at dark chocolate!

Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars. You can't go wrong with a sweet treat that also fights the urge to doze off under your desk. Gans digs the Mint Chocolate Chip Yasso bars—the minty taste wakes up your senses, and you'll get an energy boost from 13g of sugar (a lot of it coming naturally from the lactose, she says), and staying power from 6g of protein, but all with only 100 calories. Prefer Peanut Butter Cup or 80-calorie Mango? Lucky for you, there are currently 11 flavor choices.

More like this from Women's Health:
QUIZ: What's Your Body Trying to Tell You?
7 Things No One Ever Told You About Caffeine
14 Foods Nutritionists Never Eat

What You Need to Know About the Supreme Court Birth Control Ruling in Favor of Hobby Lobby

What You Need to Know About the Supreme Court Birth Control Ruling in Favor of Hobby Lobby

Find out about the shocking, controversial ruling and what it means for you

Earlier this morning, the Supreme Court ruled that some companies will be exempt from the Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate. In a 5-4 decision, the court sided with Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., ruling that closely held, for-profit businesses such as Hobby Lobby do not have to cover birth control costs under their insurance.

Back in March, Hobby Lobby (a chain of craft stores) and Conestoga Wood Specialties (a cabinet company) argued before the Supreme Court about covering all forms of birth control. Although the government already made exceptions for religious non-profits, Hobby Lobby is a for-profit, closely held company and the owners have strong religious objections to certain forms of birth control (namely, the IUD and emergency contraception, both of which they believe to be forms of abortion. Read more about why that’s not the case, here).

The companies asked for an exemption based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), which states that the government shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion unless it is the least restrictive way to further a compelling governmental interest. Today, the Supreme Court ruled that RFRA did apply to this situation, granting them the same contraceptive mandate compromise that has already been given to religious non-profits.

The Backlash from Birth Control Supporters
As is clear by the 5-4 split, this controversial ruling is not what many hoped to hear. In fact, all three female justices on the case disagreed with it, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg wrote a passionate, 35-page dissent, which included: “In the Court’s view, RFRA demands accommodation of a for-profit corporation’s religious beliefs no matter the impact that accommodation may have on third parties who do not share the corporation owners’ religious faith—in these cases, thousands of women employed by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga.”

MORE: 10 Birth Control Myths—Debunked!

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, also strongly disagrees with the ruling. “It’s hard to imagine that in 2014 in the U.S., there are judges and politicians who continue to object to women’s ability to access birth control,” Richards said in a conference call this morning. Birth control is the most common prescription used by women, continued Richards, so how is it possible that this basic healthcare service may not be covered by your insurance, simply because your company’s owners don’t agree with it?

MORE: Generic Plan B Will Soon Be Available Over the Counter

“National medical organizations disagree with the position of Hobby Lobby and their own personal beliefs about how birth control works and what’s an abortifacient and what’s not,” said Richards. “That’s one of the disturbing parts of this case. There are folks who may have their own religious views, but why should they be able to impose their own religious views on their employees?”

MORE: Free Birth Control Does Not Lead to Risky Sex

The thousands of women employed by these two companies will be directly impacted, but experts say there are many other women who will also feel the blow. That’s because this ruling may make it easier for other closely held companies to come forward and ask for an exemption. The Supreme Court ruling states that these women will be able to get coverage for birth control under the same accommodation given to women working for religious non-profits, though this process is brand new and will likely take a while to work out the kinks.

Read more birth control news here, and check back for more updates.

9 Hilariously Awkward Things That Happen the First Time You Sleep at a New Guy's Place

9 Hilariously Awkward Things That Happen the First Time You Sleep at a New Guy's Place

And we're not even talking about the hookup

Let's face it, adult sleepovers are infinitely better than the ones from your childhood, but they do come with their own set of challenges. Whether this is a casual hookup or someone you've been seeing for a while, the first night together can be equal parts exciting and awkward—and we're not even talking about the sex. Don't believe us? What about these weird, uncomfortable, and kind of hilarious things that always happen the first time you sleep at a new guy's place:

You pretend you'll go home even though you have no intention of going home. Who are you kidding—it's 1 a.m. and you know you're interested in at least some kissing and cuddling. Don't lie, you're definitely staying over.

Brushing your teeth is kind of a stealth mission. You're being sneaky for one of two reasons. Option one: You don't have a toothbrush so you desperately search for mouthwash and finally settle on toothpaste and your finger. Ugh. Option two: You did stash a toothbrush in your purse, but you don't want to look presumptuous.

He offers you clothes to sleep in—and they look ridiculous. This has so much potential to be adorable (i.e. you looking sexy in his oversized button down). But the reality is that you'll probably get his ratty college t-shirt and basketball shorts that make you look like Vanilla Ice. This is not the look you were going for tonight.

You have a serious inner turmoil about whether or not to wash your face. You know you should, but without your trusty eye makeup remover things could get raccoon-like fast. Plus, you're so comfortable snuggling right now and you really don't want to ruin the moment.

You're not sure which side of the bed is his. Well, you're a guest, so technically they should let you sleep where you want. But hey, if you're both strictly left-side-of-the-bed people, it's probably better to know sooner rather than later. These are the things that deal breakers are made of.

Time to pass out—do we stay in this snuggly spooning position or retreat to our own sides? Forget orgasm issues, this is the most confusing part of sleeping with someone new. If one of you is a cuddly sleeper while the other needs at least six inches of space, this could get weird.

OMG is he snoring? Do you find it endearing or annoying? On the upside, this is also one of those surefire ways to figure out how you feel about a person.

You wake up and hope that the sleep gods have graced you with sexy bedhead. Hm, not exactly. Your hair is a mess, you have pillow creases on your face, and you can smell your own morning breath. Meanwhile he looks exactly the same. So yeah, life's not really fair.

You're heading home—and you don't have another outfit. Your look was amazing last night, but we're willing to bet your sparkly LBD won't look as flawless the next morning. Plus, it's 10 a.m. and your barista is going to know you didn't go home last night if you walk in there like this. Your other option is rocking the Vanilla Ice look you currently have going on and returning his clothes another time. Decisions, decisions.

all gifs courtesy of giphy.com

11 Weight-Loss Myths and Presumptions You Probably Believe

11 Weight-Loss Myths and Presumptions You Probably Believe

These faulty assumptions might be getting in the way of your weight loss goals

There are some super-common sayings we all seem to toss around when we talk about avoiding weight gain: Never skip breakfast, don't weigh yourself daily, calories in minus calories out... to name just a few. However, researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham said there's a ton of common "knowledge" that we need to toss out for lack of scientific evidence.

In a new article published this month in the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, researchers discuss nine myths about obesity, and 10 presumptions. The researchers say that these not-so-tried-and-true claims are leading to poor decisions about how best to address obesity as a culture, wasted resources, and bad advice on how the public can avoid that excess weight.

For the myths, the researchers suggest that we just stop believing them entirely. For the presumptions, they suggest that we put more effort into proving these claims. Because here's the scary thing about this: Despite the fact that these presumptions lack significant evidence to support them, healthcare professionals still give advice based on them.

Here are the 11 most shocking myths and presumptions from the report. We think you'll also be surprised:

Myth: Don't Lose Weight Quickly—Go Slowly
You've heard it a million times: If you lose weight super quickly, it'll be hard to keep that weight off in the long-run, compared to losing weight slowly and steadily. Turns out there's not much research to support this, and that weight-loss retention is a lot more complicated than the speed at which you drop the pounds at the outset.

Presumption: Eating Breakfast Every Day Protects Against Obesity
There is mixed evidence about this—on the one hand, keeping your energy levels at a fairly constant state all day prevents crashing and binging later. But if you’re not actually that hungry when you wake up, it might make more sense to wait until you are hungry. Focusing on the cues your body is telling you is a crucial component to mindful eating. That being said, if you are going to eat breakfast, make it really count: Follow these 7 research-backed breakfast tips for faster weight loss.

Presumption: Snacking Leads to Weight Gain and Obesity
In great news for snack-lovers everywhere, it looks like this particular assumption isn't fully born-out in the research. That doesn't mean that all weight-loss plans will now include snack-time as part of the daily grind, but it is something to think about. Going back to mindful eating: If you're hungry, pay attention to what your body is telling you. And if it's telling you that a protein-, healthy fat-, or fiber-rich snack is what you need to keep pushing through the day, then by all means, have that snack.

Myth: Set a Realistic Goal Weight—Or Else You'll Be Totally Discouraged
It sounds reasonable, but there's no evidence to back it up: Feeling frustrated about a seemingly difficult-to-achieve weight isn't going to preclude you from hitting your goal.

Presumption: Eating Close to Bedtime Contributes to Weight Gain
You've heard all the rules: Don't eat after 9 pm; lock up the fridge after dinner; eating close to bedtime throws off digestion. Well, it could also be that people who eat closer to bedtime are just consuming more calories every day than people who stop eating at dinner—in the form of extra snacks. And those added calories can eventually add up. Either way, it's important for researchers to study this tip more. And in the meantime, if you are going to nosh after dinner, make it one of these 5 healthy late-night snacks.

Myth: Weighing Yourself Daily Interferes with Weight Loss
This is a nuanced one—for some people, weighing themselves daily can take a turn to the obsessive, depressing, or unhealthy. For others, it can absolutely be a good way to keep themselves motivated. In any case, if it's something that works for you (in a reasonable and healthy way), don't let this old myth keep you from doing it.

Presumption: Eating More Fruits and Veggies Will Lead to Weight Loss (or Less Weight Gain), No Matter What Else You Do
It's a little shocking... until you actually think about it. See, fruit and veggie consumption is up, but obesity rates are obviously not down. What gives? Eating healthy foods doesn't mitigate the unhealthy ones. If you're still consuming a ton of empty calories in addition to your nutritious ones, that's still a ton of empty calories. The fruits and veggies need to substantially replace the other food, rather than supplement it.

Myth: Genes Aren't a Factor in the Obesity Epidemic
While you'd love to inherit your mom's smarts, smile, and sense of style, her slow metabolism and tendency to crash diet are traits you'd probably rather pass on. Read our story, How NOT To Inherit Your Weight and Eating Habits From your Parents.

Presumption: Yo-Yo Dieting Increases Mortality Rate
While it's true that yo-yo dieting is an unsustainable approach to weight loss, not enough research has been done to show that it actually kills you faster.

Presumption: Drinking More Water Will Lead to Weight Loss or Less Weight Gain, No Matter What Else You Do
Sometimes, reaching for a glass of water will be just as satisfying as reaching for a snack to mindlessly graze on—especially if you tend to munch out of boredom or anxiety, rather than genuine hunger. But yes, it totally makes sense that if you just drink more water but don't limit your portion sizes and the amount of nutrient-poor, high-calorie foods you're consuming, you'll still be taking in the same number of calories. You'll just also be more hydrated. That being said, almost everyone could benefit from drinking more water on a daily basis, whether their goal is to lose weight or not. Try these 10 ways to drink more water to hydrate better.

Myth: The Freshman 15 Is Real
We know, this kind of blew our minds, too. Turns out there's no actual data to support this one. (You might think that the number on your personal scale is data enough, but anecdata does not true research make.)

Ultimately, the most important idea here, as suggested by the researchers, is not to cling to a commonly held belief if it’s not working for you—even if it sounds like such great advice. Take what you hear with a grain of salt (and with the advice of docs and RDs), and try to make the smartest, healthiest decisions you can with your diet.

Stacy Keibler Puts WHAT on Her Food?!

Stacy Keibler Puts WHAT on Her Food?!

Hint: It's trendy and decadent... and she may be onto something.

She first hit the spotlight as a professional wrestler. But these days, Stacy Keibler has expanded her role in the spotlight as actress and model—and not to mention, a lifestyle blogger and mom-to-be (due date: September) who touts a clean-living diet that includes plenty of whole foods. The latest good-for-you item she's adding to her meals? Ghee—a type of butter used in traditional Indian cooking. "Healthy fats help feed your baby's growing nervous system," Keibler wrote in a caption to a photo she shared on Instagram of ghee.

"Try drizzling #ghee over your popcorn or add a heaping to your cauliflower mash! #healthybaby #pregnancytips."

Keibler may be onto something here. Like regular butter, ghee is a saturated fat made from animal products. But it's simmered on a low boil so the dairy content and much of the water evaporates. The result is a rich, nutty topping that’s traditionally poured over bread, lentils, and other foods. Curious to give it a try? Find out more about it the health benefits and drawbacks of ghee here.

The Book You NEED to Bring to the Beach this Summer

The Book You NEED to Bring to the Beach this Summer

Get a preview of The Vacationers by Emma Straub

Every month, Women's Health hosts our 60-second book club, where we invite you to take a quick peek inside a buzzed-about new book and let us know what you think. This month's pick: The Vacationers by Emma Straub (Riverhead Books).

Sure, it's fun to dig your toes into the sand and sip on a drink with an umbrella in it. But one of the best things about going to the beach has to be lying on a towel or sitting on a beach chair with a good book—and we know which one you'll want to dive into first this weekend.

The Vacationers by Emma Straub (Riverhead Books), focuses on the Post family—Franny, Jim, and their children Sylvia and Bobby—during their two-week trip to Mallorca, Spain. Each of the characters is in the middle of a pivotal change, but Jim's drama threatens to upset the balance in everyone else's lives: When the novel opens, he's dealing with the fallout of a mistake that lost him his job at a men's magazine and is threatening his marriage.

In the below scene, Franny, has an unexpected encounter with Lawrence, her best friend Charles's partner, about the turmoil:

"Listen," he said. "I'm really sorry about earlier. About saying something about the magazine, to Jim. I honestly don't know what happened, but I do know that I put my foot in my mouth."

Franny leaned back, drawing her legs up beneath her. She stretched her arms over her head, and then lowered them until they were blocking her eyes. She groaned. Franny had never felt older than she had in the last six months. It was true, of course, that was always true, that you'd never been older than you were at precisely that moment, but Franny had gone from feeling youngish to wizened and crumpled in record time. She could feel the knots in her back tighten, and her sciatic nerve began to send out little waves of distress to the sides of her hips.

"I'm sorry," Lawrence said, not sure if he was apologizing for worsening Franny's mood or for whatever had happened with Jim at the magazine, or both.

"It's okay," Franny said, her eyes still hidden behind her arms. "I'm surprised Charles didn't tell you."

Lawrence sat down on the lounge chair next to Franny's and waited.

"He fucked an intern." She moved her hands and waved them around, as if to say "Abracadabra!" "I know, that's it. Jim fucked an intern. A girl at the magazine, barely older than Sylvia. Twenty-three years old. Her father is on the board, and I guess she told him, and so here we are."

"Oh, Franny," Lawrence said, but she was already sitting up and shaking her head. He had imagined many scenarios for Jim's sudden leave from Gallant, and for the tension in the Post family—prostate cancer, early-onset dementia, an ill-timed conversion to the Jehovah's Witnesses—but not this one. Jim and Franny had always seemed happily solid, still capable of goosing each other in the kitchen, as off-putting as it sometimes was."

"No, it's fine. I mean, it's not fine, we've been married for thirty-five years, it is not fine for him to have sex with a twenty-year-old. A twenty-three-year-old. As if there's a difference. I don't know. Thank you. Sylvia knows some, but Bobby doesn't know anything about it, I'm pretty sure, and I'm trying to keep it that way for as long as possible. Maybe forever."

Something that struck us as we read the novel was how real it was…while the plotline is salacious for sure, nothing comes off as feeling clichéd or one-dimensional.

Tell us: What did you think of the excerpt? Do you plan on reading more? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The RIGHT Way to Choose a Watermelon

The RIGHT Way to Choose a Watermelon

Because be honest—you're not really sure, are you?

Is there anything worse than buying a watermelon, getting home, excitedly cutting into it...and discovering that it has a weird texture or that it tastes more like water than the juicy goodness you were so looking forward to? OK, yes—but it's still an annoying experience. Luckily, it's also one you can avoid—so long as you follow the simple tips in this video:

Most used player for workouts, articles, and cover models

Pretty awesome, right? Once you pick up your perfect watermelon, you might want to consider trying out one of these five ridiculously awesome ways to use it.

4 Ways to Find What Truly MOVES You

4 Ways to Find What Truly MOVES You

It's been said that passion breeds success, but how, exactly, do you zero in on what you love—and make a living at? Start here.

In theory, it's good to do what makes you happy. But finding what spurs you—what you wake up thinking about, or what you would gladly do for free—may take some digging and distilling. Forging my own successful yet unconventional career as a chef, author, and entrepreneur took listening to my gut and, even tougher, trusting it. These four valuable tips can help speed up the process for you.

Put aside practical concerns.
What's stirring in your soul can be blocked by thoughts about, say, what salary you can earn for the work. To unearth what you really want to do, quiet your mind and tune in to your heart. Pose queries such as "At the end of my life, what am I going to wish I'd done?" I moved to Maui, sight unseen, and lived there for 15 years because it was my answer to "If I could live anywhere, where would I live?"

Identify granular interests.
If it's not realistic to give up a regular paycheck for a passion project right now, chances are there are aspects of your current job that intersect with what moves you. Figure out what you dig in your day-to-day and focus on that. For example, if you're interested in social responsibility, scout a nonprofit that is related to your work and create a proposal for how an affiliation would benefit your company.

Figure out what you don't love.
Be honest about where your true talents lie. One critical lesson I learned: As a restaurant owner, I was capable of sourcing competitively priced ingredients, but that wasn't the best or most joyful use of my time. So I enlisted someone to handle that duty while I focused on what really inspired me—developing new recipes.

Be true to you.
Don't let what others say override your inner counsel. At many points, I was told that there wasn't enough interest in the things I wanted to pursue to make them successful. I opened one of the country's first raw-food restaurants in Maui in 1996, which was way ahead of the curve. I also became deeply interested in environmentally responsible practices well before they became mainstream. Trusting my instincts above anyone else's enabled me to be a pioneer in the sustainable-food movement, proving that authenticity is the most valuable commodity of all.

Renee Loux has had a diverse career in the field of sustainable food and is the author of the Gourmand Award-winning The Balanced Plate. Visit her at reneeloux.com.

Friday, June 27, 2014

The Beauty Look Men Find Most Attractive on a Date

The Beauty Look Men Find Most Attractive on a Date

Read this before you spend a billion hours getting ready.

The next time your hair or eyeliner is just not cooperating before a first date, take a deep breath. First of all, this guy is going to be way more impressed with your charm and wit than he will be with your makeup prowess. And second of all, most guys actually prefer a more subtle look.

According to a recent survey from the online dating site Zoosk, men like a more natural beauty look on a date. Of the 1,200 men surveyed, 66 percent said that they didn’t find a date any more attractive if she was wearing dark eye makeup like a smoky eye. As for your hair, 82 percent of men said that a natural hairstyle was the most attractive and 84 percent preferred natural-looking hair color over hair that was obviously dyed.

MORE: You'll Be Shocked By How Long Women and Men Spend on their Hair and Makeup Each Day

So the next time you're preparing for a date, skip the crazy-expensive blowout and opt for one of these quick and easy hairstyles. Then swipe on one or two of these awesome beauty products for after hours and call it a day. Voila—easiest primping ever.

Of course, the thing that's really most attractive is confidence—so if you feel hottest with a blowout and a smoky eye, then you do you!

MORE: The Makeup Men Find Most Attractive

4 Things You Should Be Doing for the Most Effective Workout

4 Things You Should Be Doing for the Most Effective Workout

If you want to have a successful #FitnessFriday, do this.

Your workout routine won't yield any results just by doing different exercises back to back. If you really want to see muscle tonnage and weight loss, you have to make sure your body is fueled properly and allowed time to recover. So for this #FitnessFriday, make sure you've got these four essential workout basics covered.

1. Fuel Up Pre-Workout

To boost your workout endurance—and push yourself harder—you should definitely remember to fuel your body before you get moving (this girl above has the right idea with bananas and peanut butter toast). Here are five of the best pre-workout foods you should stock up on.

2. Stay Hydrated

Make sure that you're hydrating before, during, and after your workout. The 10 ways to drink more water will help you guzzle lots of the good stuff.

3. Break Out a Foam Roller

During your cooldown, work out the kinks and tight muscles all over your body to avoid soreness later. You'll love these seven awesome ways to use a foam roller.

4. Remember to Refuel

Now that your body's been sweating bullets, your system needs to recharge. The bowl above has peanut butter for protein (to repair muscles) and oats and fruits for carbs (to replenish your energy). If you don't have time to whip up an entire meal afterward, just bring along these five post-workout snacks in your gym bag!

7 Things No One Ever Told You About Caffeine

7 Things No One Ever Told You About Caffeine

For starters, you're probably consuming it a lot more often than you think.

Ready for a jolt? According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 80 percent of adults in the United States consume caffeine on a daily basis, and they take in an average of 200 milligrams (the equivalent of two five-ounce cups of coffee) per day. With those numbers in mind, it actually begins to make (some) sense that a recent survey of over 7,000 people found that most of them said they'd prefer coffee over sex. That's one popular stimulant!

That being said, even though you and all your friends and family members probably consume caffeine on the regular (and may exhibit many of these 16 signs you're obsessed with coffee), we're betting that you don't know much more about the stuff, other than (a) it's in coffee and certain sodas, and (b) it's an energy-booster. There's actually a lot more you need to know about everyone's favorite legal drug—so here's a crash course.

Caffeine has a positive impact on short-term and long-term memory. There's been a lot of past research on caffeine's effects on short-term memory, but recent studies are indicating benefits for long-term memory, as well. "Around 300 to 400 milligrams per day may protect against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's," says Jaclyn London, MS, R.D., a senior dietician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. There is one caveat, though: "Getting enough sleep is also important in Alzheimer's prevention, so keep that in mind if you're caffeine-sensitive." (Learn 3 more memory-boosting tricks here.)

Caffeine may enhance athletic performance. Taking in some caffeine about an hour before your workout or race may up your game. "We're seeing statistically significant increases in alertness and decreases in reaction time," says London. "Also cool, caffeine has been shown to decrease your perception of effort." In other words, you can put forth more effort for what seems like the same amount of work.

The effects of caffeine are almost immediate. We can't decide if this is neat or kind of scary. "Caffeine very easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, so the central nervous system is stimulated quickly," says London. That means you'll feel more alert instantly and continue to feel a big boost until effects hit their peak 30 to 60 minutes after consumption.

The caffeine content of coffee varies a lot. In a study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, researchers found that a 16-ounce Starbucks coffee had 100 milligrams more caffeine than the same size from Dunkin' Donuts. The study also showed that the same drink from the same chain can differ by 300 milligrams in its caffeine content, depending on which day you order it. London says a standard serving of coffee typically ranges from 90 to 225 milligrams.

The caffeine content of espresso is actually a whole lot less than coffee. Everyone thinks espresso is a caffeine powerhouse, but London says a single shot of espresso clocks in at 40 to 70 milligrams—much less than the average cup of coffee. Since you get more caffeine in drip coffee, ordering an espresso-based beverage like a cappuccino might be smart if you're sensitive to the stimulant.

Caffeine doesn't actually dehydrate you. Since 98 percent of caffeine is consumed in beverages, according to the FDA, you're also probably hydrating at the same time you take it in. So although caffeine is a diuretic, it's unlikely to truly dehydrate you. Still, that doesn't mean you should drink caffeinated beverages alone exclusively. Enjoy them in moderation, and don't forget that water is still the gold standard for hydration. (Learn more about this, plus 7 other myths about hydration.)

Caffeine sources aren't just limited to beverages. Chocolate is also a major source, and caffeine can also be added to almost any food or substance—which is why you'll also find caffeine in some medications, like Midol. If you have a heart condition or hypertension, check with your doctor before taking any pain relievers with caffeine.