Health

Health, Health & Beauty

Free Yourself from Body Jail! 5 New Year Beauty Resolutions that Don’t Involve Dieting

By Fern Olivia
Fern OliviaOften times, the New Year brings forth an immense amount of pressure to shape up, perform, and “finally do things right.” We’re often really, really hard on ourselves when it comes to our resolutions. Let’s change that, babes. We’re doing the best we can!

Furthermore, there is immense pressure and expectation around the holidays, so although there is beautiful sacred symbolism embedded in the New Year celebration, it can be quite overwhelming, and often times, it’s the time we begin to be incredibly hard on ourselves and our bodies.

The truth is, it doesn’t take a whole year to create conscious and sustainable change, and it takes a lot less than a year to fall off the wagon and break the promises you made to yourself. Does that resonate with you? I’ve seen it happen time and time again with myself – and my clients. Through my desire to change this so we all can feel more empowered, I discovered a new way to approach resolutions, without the shame or expectation around the “perfect body” or “losing the 10 pounds you gained this year.” (more…)

Fitness, Health

Even Good cooking Oils Can Go Bad When Used at the Wrong Temperatures

Chef Gerard ViveritoBy Chef Gerard Viverito

Back in the 80s, the only cooking oil in home pantries was probably all-purpose vegetable oil (the exact vegetable a mystery). Today’s home cooks have many healthy cooking oil options, but it can be confusing trying to learn when to use them. If you’ve ever heated oil to the point where it starts to smoke, then you have exceeded its smoke point. Once it gets too hot, the oil just isn’t fit for consumption. Some oils can handle high heat better than others.

What’s the big deal about a little smoke? It’s not just the annoying high-pitched beep of your smoke detector going off. When an oil is heated beyond its smoke point, its molecular structure begins breaking down. It may even form trans fats. The oil may lose its nutritional value and give your food a bitter or burnt taste. The smoke from overheated oils isn’t even healthy to inhale. Once it starts smoking, the oil really shouldn’t be consumed. (more…)

Fitness

Thanksgiving Recipes

By Virginie Degryse

Butternut Squash-Apple SoupButternut Squash-Apple Soup
Time: 1 h
Serves: 6

Coming fall these are my favorite flavors… I think that the apples bring a sweetness to the soup that makes it delicious! Sprinkle some seeds, some

crispy quinoa, chopped apples to make it more fancy!

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash, peeled, cut, seeds removed and chopped
  • 2 small apples, cored and chopped
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2-3 tsp of olive oil
  • 2 tsp of turmeric
  • 1 tsp of ginger
  • 1/2 tsp of chili powder
  • 4-5 cups of stock
  • Salt and pepper

(more…)

Health

The Cost of Cleaning Your Home

Lauren RashapBy Lauren Rashap

Having a clean home should never cost you something as valuable as your health, but that’s exactly what you’re putting at risk when you use household cleaners and laundry detergents filled with many of the hazardous chemicals on the market today.

The problem is, when the chemicals in these common household products hit your skin and lungs, they go directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your body’s natural defense system against toxins (the liver and kidneys).

This type of indoor pollution is particularly harmful to your health because just one application of a typical household cleaner can leave dangerous chemicals lingering in your indoor air for hours at a time. For people who spend a large amount of their day indoors, this can amount to a frequent chemical attacks on your lungs.

(more…)

Health

Is your medicine cabinet back-to-school ready?

Alternative health expert Bryce Wylde advises that you may want to change how you prepare for cold and cough season

Kids will bring home more than homework once they’re back in school. They also bring home plenty of germs. The common cold is a leading cause of missed days from school. Parents should brace themselves for cuts, bites, scrapes and other maladies “We buy pencils and backpacks, but what about your back-to-school health supply checklist,” asks alternative health expert Bryce Wylde. (more…)

Fitness, Health

Back to school with Essential Oils

Esther KingWhether you homeschool, send your kids to school or go to school yourself, there are several different essential oils that can help transition from summer back to early mornings and homework.

1. In Tune. Designed to enhance the body’s ability to focus and support healthy thought processes. Whether you are the child, the parent or the teacher (or both!) this blend can help you focus and stay on task. Apply to the bottom of the feet morning and night and whenever needed throughout the day. Can also apply on the neck or rub well into the spine(dilution recommended).

2. Cedarwood. For promoting relaxation. Diffuse then rub into the bottom of the feet or dilute and apply to neck, wrists, neck, etc. This is a wonderfully calming oil and also great if your child is agitated or upset. It’s a wonderful oil to have in your home if you have a child prone to drama or tantrums (and also great for older boys who might not want to smell like a “girly” oil). (more…)

Health, Health & Beauty

Makeup for Teens

By Stephi Maron
Stephi MaronWe are on a mission to change the way that people think about makeup as we believe makeup is not just for special events, but can be for everyday. We created Carte Blush for our clients who often see us more than 2x a month. Carte Blush is our unlimited monthly membership program valid at all Blushington locations that includes UNLIMITED complimentary makeup applications, faux lashes, airbrushing and brow maintenance services in store at all Blushington locations.

We provide access to the best in curated products founded by women and modern beauty services, in a gorgeous setting. One of our favorite services at Blushington is our makeup class. To celebrate summer, for the entire month of August, Blushington is offering their makeup 101 classes at no charge ($150 value). During the one hour class, (more…)

Health

Fun and Easy July 4 Recipes

By Catherine McCord

Watermelon Pizza

watermelon pizzaPrep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 large watermelon
  • unsweetened coconut flakes
  • chopped macadamia nuts
  • kiwi slices
  • strawberries, halved
  • blueberries, halved
  • raspberries, halved
  • blackberries, halved
  • pomegranate seeds
  • cherries, halved

(more…)

Health

Clearing Up Teenage Acne

Beverly Hills Esthetician, Rebecca Palmer shares her secrets on how to help your teen clear up their skin this summer.

Q: My teenager is broken out all over her face and back. Is there anything she can do to clear up for summer?

If the patient is able to be out of the sun for 2 weeks I would recommend a series of chemical peels prior to summer. If they will be in the sun I would recommend a deep pore facial on the face/body including a light glycolic peel with extractions. For body breakouts, I really like to incorporate a body wash that has benzoyl peroxide. (more…)