Well&Chic’s Fitness Pick: Yoga

Most people think that yoga is a fad for hippies that inhabit several regions of California. Those people couldn’t be more wrong. Yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is currently being practiced by some 11 million people in America. Yoga focuses on learning physical poses, which are called asanas, while including some form of breathing technique and in some cases meditation. In fact some yoga classes are designed purely for relaxation. Now before you shake your head no to yoga here are some amazing health and fitness benefits that yoga provides.

Fat Burning Yoga 

When most people think about burning fat they think about various cardio exercises like running or kick boxing. That is not always the case. Depending on the sequence and asanas of your yoga class you can actually burn up to 500 calories an hour. There are specific yoga classes that will help you squeeze into those skinny jeans you’ve been eyeing!

Strengthen Yoga

Yoga can help you get nice lean muscles without picking up a single dumbbell. Poses, such as downward dog, upward dog, and the plank pose, build upper-body strength. Standing and squatting poses strengthen and tone your legs. “Power Yoga” like most forms of yoga, is very focused on the core muscles.

Relaxing Yoga

Yoga done effectively can relieve tightness and pressure in your body. Yoga safely stretching your muscles. This releases the lactic acid that builds up with muscle use and causes stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue. Yoga stretches not only your muscles but all of the soft tissues of your body. That includes ligaments and tendons.

Heart Yoga

Yoga has been known to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A slower heart rate can benefit people with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. And yoga has been associated with decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as a boost in immune system function. (webmd.com)

Results Yoga: 

It doesn’t matter what level of yoga you take, you will probably see results of yoga’s benefits in a short period time. In one study, participants had up to 35% improvement in flexibility after only eight weeks of yoga. The greatest gains were in shoulder and trunk flexibility. In a study conducted by a doctor on Seattle Overweight subjects who did yoga at least once a week over the course of a decade lost eight pounds – while their non-yoga practicing peers gained an average of fourteen pounds during the same time period.

Yoga like most exercises require commitment and focus in order for its results to show. Also if you have certain medical problems make sure consult your doctor before starting yoga.

But if you are a beginner or an expert let us know! Leave us a comment below or on facebook or twitter!

Appetizers: Take Two!

Last week we discussed the perils of bad appetizers. We showed you the bad (fried calamari) and the ugly (appetizer sampler) but today’s article is going to teach you about the good! Even though the list is not as extensive as the one from last week here’s a good and healthy way to avoid those before meal calories.

Spinach Salad: This is a great alternative to its 1,500 calorie neighbor the Spinach Dip. Spinach Salad appetizers are low in calories, but satisfying enough to curb how much you eat during the rest of your meal.

1 Cup: 150 Calories

Sodium: zero

Beef Skewers: Beef skewers satisfy no only your hunger for meat but your diet requirements. They are healthier and tastier than a calorie packed hamburger sliders.

1 Beef Skewer: 130 calories

Sodium: 803mg

Shrimp Cocktail: Naturally nutritious and delicious. Cocktail shrimp is a classic appetizer that is 4 times more healthy then fried shrimp. Shrimp cocktail is very low in saturated fat and calories. It’s also a refreshing source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy circulation.

3oz: 120 calories

Sodium: 670mg

Vegetable Soup: when it comes to soups always opt for the choice with the least amount of starch (rice, pasta, potatoes) and no cream based broths (for example clam chowder). Vegetable soup is a great alternative for some of the lesser soups. This soup is high in sodium so be careful about how often and how much you have.

120z: 160 calories

Sodium: 1,240 mg

Edamame: Edamame are these green pods that are a popular appetizer in Asian restaurants around the world. Go out on a limb and try something entirely different! Edamame is high in fiber and protein.

1 order: 122 calories

Sodium: 0

Like our suggestions? Like us on facebook, Follow us on twitter, or leave a comment below!

Stay Well&Chic!

How’s your technique?

A wise man with a harmonic, a guitar, and a raspy voice once sang that the “Times they are a changing”. And just like records turned into mp3 files and books are turning into nooks and kindles, makeup techniques are changing as well. This post contains videos with tips, tricks, and suggestions on makeup techniques that are being used by makeup artists and makeup lovers from all over.

Eyebrows: People may or may not realize this, but well groomed (meaning waxed, threaded and/or penciled in) eyebrows are essential to a makeup regimen. Well groomed eyebrows balances facial features, frames the eyes, and makes the rest of your makeup look more polished and refined. The video below shows tips on how to maintain your eyebrows.

Highlighter: A makeup highlighter is a shimmer power or cream that highlights the high points of your face. You can highlight the bridge of your nose, cheek bones, temples, chin, or cupids bow. Highlighters help you enhance certain features like cheekbones while giving your face shape.

Contouring: Contouring is a a makeup technique that uses darker and lighter bronzers and highlights to create the illusion of higher cheekbones, a slimmer face, or a more narrow nose. This technique is used by makeup artist and makeup enthusiasts around the globe. Highlighting is often a step in contouring. Check out the two videos below; they show you great tips on how to contour and highlight!

The Nude Lip: You have probably seen this lipstick look on most of your favorite celebrities. Natural glossy skin tone colored lips are actually a little bit harder to obtain than your standard lipstick look. Watch the videos below for tips and tricks on how to obtain fabulous nude lips.

Questions on some of the techniques?  Feel free to leave a comment below or on facebook or twitter! Also If you have ideas on any future articles let us know!

Stay Well&Chic!

Off to a Great Start!

If I were to tell you that I was born a morning person, I would be lying to you. I love to lounge in bed, turn on my macbook, and gradually get up and get my day started. Even when it comes to exercising I would rather do it late at night than to do it in the morning. I didn’t realize that this was not a good habit until a couple months ago while reading a women’s health magazine. This particular post will explain why morning exercise is important and it will suggest a couple exercises to do!

 

 

1. Speed it up!: Exercising early in the morning “jump starts” your metabolism. Therefore you’ll be burning more calories all day long—just because you exercised in the morning.

Don’t forget to stretch: All exercises should start and end with stretching.Stretching increases blood flow to the muscle. It helps you get through your work out and reduces after workout soreness. TRY YOGA

2. Energizer Bunny:Exercising in the morning energizes you for the day

TRY! Jump Rope: Jumping rope is a great calorie-burner. You’d have to run an eight-minute mile to work off more calories than you’d burn jumping rope. Jump Rope for 10 -15 minutes its a fun way to start off your day. 

 

3. Brain Power: Morning exercise is not just good for your body but it’s good for your brain. Studies have shown that morning exercise significantly increases mental acuity.

TRY! Full Body Squats: Slowly lower yourself to a position where your thighs are parellel to the ground. Then spring up fast and reach for the sky. Great for legs and gluteus!

4. Curb that appetite: Several people find that morning exercise has a tendency to regulate their appetite for the rest of the day.

TRY! A variety of crunches: Try Twist Crunches, V shaped crunches, and the reverse crunch.

5. I Did it!: The most rewarding part of excerising in the morning is knowing that you have the will power and that you care enough about yourself to do it!

TRY! Weights: Working your muscles with weights can help your heart and lungs and can improve your health. Plus its a fast way to tone your body up and loose inches off your waist.

Do you have a great morning workout routine? Leave a comment below!

Off to a Bad Start?

Appetizers: the first thing you see on the menu, and the first thing that can totally reck your diet plan. When people order appetizers they never really think about how they fit into a meal as a whole. They consider them to be a “little snack” when some actually contain enough calories to be 2 whole meals! He’re is a list of appetizers to avoid.

The Onion Blossom: 

Despite it’s cool name and enticing appearance the onion blossom is nothing but deep fried onions. So basically it translates to:

1,552 calories and 5,508 mg of sodium

Nachos and Queso

 There are very few things tastier than nacho chips with queso dip. It’s a weakness for even the most health conscious people. But every time you daydream of dipping a triangular chip into a warm cheese dip think of it’s 1,710 calories and 3,490mg sodium.

Mozzarella Sticks

A classic starter that many restaurants offer. And I have to admit, these are a personal guilty pleasure of mine. But when it comes to being guilty mozzerlla sticks should be locked up. The verdict: 940 calories and 2,830mg sodium.

Fried Calamari: 

This is another classic appetizer. Fried Calamari is probably the most popular appetizer at Italian and seafood restaurants. Even though calamari (italian for squid) is actually healthy fried calamari however is 940 calories and 2,300mg 

Appetizer Samplers 

 Appetizer Samplers are what I like to call diet killers. Samplers are the best example of overkill; too much food no matter how many people you share it with. They usually come with buffalo/hot wings, mozzarella sticks, Spinach dip, and quesadillas. All of these fatty greasy “treats” add up to 2,590 calories and 6,630 mg of sodium 

What’s your guilty appetizer pleasure? Take the poll. If yours is not on here leave a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Below

Homemade Facial Masks

This past week my family and I vacationed in sunny Jamaica . We were surrounded by  tropical flowers, breath taking landscape, and delicious fruit. We stayed at The Rainbow Tree Villa; a stunning house that was located on a hill overlooking the beach. It is a great place to reflect and an even better place to draw inspiration from. One of the many things I love about Jamaica is how the people who live there are so resourceful. They use the nature around them for not just food but remedies as well. This way of life influenced this article on Natural Face Masks. We get so caught up in our chemical based face washes, toners, and moisturizers that we don’t even realize that we can use nature to obtain the same, if not better, results. Here are a few facial masks and scrubs that you can make that are 100% natural and easy to make.

Oatmeal Face Mask

Essentials: Oatmeal, Honey, Water Instructions:  Cook regular oatmeal they way you cook it for a meal. Let it cool then add honey. Mix well then apply to your face and leave on for 10-20 minutes before removing with a luke warm towel.

Benefits: This mask is great for acne. The oatmeal’s textures helps take away dead skin cells and exfoliates the skin. It also helps clear up blemishes.

Avocado Face Mask

Essentials: 1 avocado

Instructions: Cut the avocado in half, take out the pit. peel it, cut it in parts and mash it to a pulp. Spread the pulp with your fingertips on your clean face and neck; keep the eye area clear. Keep on for about 30 minutes, after rinse off cold water and pat your skin dry. After add a thin layer of moisturizer.

Benefits: Avocado is great for dry skin;  it nourishes, moisturizes and cleans your pores.

Honey Face Mask:

Essentials: Honey

Instructions: Make sure all cosmetics and lotions are off your face. Dampen your face with warm water so your pores can open up. Apply honey onto your face and neck and relax for 15-20 minutes. Then wash it off with warm water, end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Honey is great for hydrating your skin. It makes your skin instantly and noticeably soft. It also has anti-oxidant properties which play an important role in protecting your skin against damage from UV rays.

Strawberry Face Mask:

Essentials: Strawberries and Honey

Instructions: Mash the strawberries into a pulp. When your face is clear of any cosmetics or lotions apply a layer of the pulp on. Leave on for 20-30 minutes. Then wash it off with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Strawberries cleanse, exfoliate and refresh your skin because the salicylic acid gets rid of your dead skin cells, it tightens your pores and brightens up your face making it look shinier. They refresh, remove impurities, reduce swelling and redness and slightly whiten your skin.

Banana Facial Mask

Essentials: Bananas

Instructions: Mash bananas into a paste. Spread a layer of it on your face and neck. Sit back and relax with this on for 10-15 minutes. Then wash it off with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Bananas contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iodine, iron and vitamins A, B (folic acid), E, and F and much more. All these essential vitamins are GREAT for your skin! And you can’t get more all natural vitamins from anywhere else.

If you add sugar to a majority of these mask you can also make a very good all natural face scrubs! Do you have any recipies that you use? Let us know! Leave a comment on facebook, twitter, or leave a comment below! Stay Well&Chic

Maximize your Maxi Dress

Summer clothing is all about looking good and staying cool. Our Fashion Pick does exactly that. Clothing designers like Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney have channeled the 70s with the rebirth of maxi dress.

The Maxi dress is a very bohemian chic article of clothing that can be dressed up or dressed down. Maxi dresses are frequently seen on the runway. So why not add it to your wardrobe?

Maxi dresses are perfect for the daytime/nighttime transition. Maxi’s are great for the beach; they’re easy to slip on and, depending on the pattern, earthy and beach themed. Maxi dresses are also great for the boardwalk when it gets dark, or drinks with the ladies.

http://sole.shoes.com/2011/06/how-to-master-the-beach-look/

Dress it up: Add metallic accessories like bangles or large earrings. If the dress calls for it try a wide belt. For shoes wear wedge sandals, but make sure the wedges match your purse and the color scheme of the dress.

Dress it down: slip on some flip flops, grab your beach bag, pick up a book, and throw on a hat and some shades!

Have a favorite maxi dress look or place to buy one? Let us know! Leave a comment on facebook, twitter, or in the comment section below.

Healthy Family Activities

Hello Ladies and Gents I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July! I also hope you remembered some of the summer dieting rules. If you didn’t, well it’s understandable, sometimes you just have to live on the edge and eat that peach cobbler. But don’t beat yourself up to much, today we have a list of fun ways to lose those Fourth of July calories. This list is filled with fun family activities that will keep you and your family healthy and active.

Burning calories are dependent on three factors: Weight Time and Intensity. For example someone who is 200 pounds will burn more calories in an hour than someone who is 130 pounds. So this list will show you the calories burned in 1 hour for the following weights(in this order): 130lbs 155lbs 190lbs

Backpacking/Hiking 413-493-604

Bike Riding (Low Intensity): 238-281-245

Basketball: 472-563-690

Canoeing 708-841-1035

Tennis: 413-493-608

Beach Volleyball 472-543-593

Try some of these activities during the week, weekend, or on vacation with your family. If you have any other activity that you would like to suggest to Well&Chic or to our readers leave a comment below!

Is Your Salad Good or Bad?

When most people see salad they automatically think that it’s healthy. We are here to inform you that all salads are not healthy salads. Naturally, lettuce is extremely low in calories (only 6 calories per cup) and provide you with a healthy serving of vegetables. So right off the bat salad is healthy; so where exactly does it go wrong? The toppings. The amount of toppings you put on your salad can determine if it’s healthy or not.

Mainstream restaurants always have a “Salad” portion of the menu. These so called healthy salads are what we like to call Calorie Traps. A Calorie Trap is a meal that appears to be healthy but  actually contains more calories than it’s unhealthy counter part.

Chili’s restaurants offers many different salads that sound delicious, for example the Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad. Something the average restaurant customer may not know is that this particular salad has: 1,070 calories 77 grams fat and 4,380 mg sodium. In comparison the Chili’s Old Time Burger has 800 calories and 1,660 mg sodium. Healthy? Yeah right.

So how do you avoid these Calorie Traps in restaurants or even in your own kitchen? Here are some rules for healthier salad.

1. BEWARE OF TOO MANY TOPPINGS:

Don’t buy/make a salad with more than three toppings. One of the toppings should include some form of vegetables.

 

 

 

2. Ask for low calorie non-fat salad dressing:

A majority of the calories packed into a salad are there because of fatty sodium filled salad dressing. If the restaurant does not have healthy salad dressing options ask for the dressing on the side so you can regulate how much goes on your salad. Also stay away from creamy salad dressing; go for a balsamic vinaigrette.

 

3. Say NO to cheese:

 There are 381 calories in 1 Cup of shredded american cheese. Unless there is a low fat option for cheese, forget about it.

 

 

 

4. Low Calorie Protein:

Always pick a source of protein that is low in sodium and calories. So swap fried chicken poppers and bacon bits for skinless grilled chicken or nuts like almonds and walnuts.

 

 

5. Don’t get distracted:

Just because you were good and ordered a salad does not mean you should double up on the bread basket or order a desert with a million grams of sugar. If they put a bread basket down in front of you for your salad; send it back.

 

 

Do you have a favorite salad recipe? Let us know! Leave a comment below or on Facebook/Twitter!

Have a great weekend ladies and gents! Stay Well&Chic!

Fashion Myth Busters

According to Websters dictionary a myth is a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone. Today’s article is about the fashion “rules” that people have believed for many years. We at Well&Chic are here to debunk them.

Cassie in all black

Myth: All black outfits are fashionable and slimming at any time of the day and/or season.

Why it’s a Myth: Black is a great fall back color. But real fashionistas are always looking for ways to switch it up, and that does not involve more black.

Quick Solution: Shake up your gloomy outfit by adding colorful accessories. Red pumps, metallic belts, or printed scarfs. Also go out and buy other neutral colors like tan, navy, or brown.

Elin King in Stripes

Myth: Stripes make you look heavy

Why it’s a Myth:  For ages women have thought that horizontal stripes would instantly make them look larger or draw attention to unwanted parts of the body. Ladies: stripes can be worn!

Quick Solution: If you feel a certain way about horizontal stripes you can always wear a blazer or a cardigan over the stripes. This look is an extremely chic look that’s great for work or for an afternoon out shopping.

Duchess Kate Middleton in white

Myth: No white after Labor Day

Why it’s a Myth: First things first; isn’t it always after labor day? If we went by this rule no one would ever wear white.

Quick Solution: Did you know that there are over 200 shades of white? White can be worn in any season (hence winter white vs. summer white) depending on the material, the density of the material, and the accessories that you match with the outfit. An example is a white summer dress with gold pattern matched up with simple gold jewelry and gold sandals.

Myth: You Can’t Mix and Match To many Colors.

Why this is a myth: Color palettes were created for a reason. You will be surprised at all the different color combinations you can wear without falling back on the standard tan with one other color.

Quick Solution: Crack into you “Fashion Inspirations” (See steps to unleash your inner fashionista) and look at some of the color palettes used in many of the different spreads. Try mixing and matching your colors; greens and yellows and blues! Why not? It is 2011 ladies!

Myth: Professional women only wear business suits 

Why this is a myth: Even thought business suits are nice, but variation is nicer. Lately department stores have come out with amazing lines of “Business Dresses”; these are great alternatives to monochromatic (one color suits). Also add pencil skirts and colorful cardigans to your work wardrobe.

Heard any other myths you’re not sure of? Let us know! Leave a comment below, follow us on twitter, or like our facebook pace for more Well&Chic information!