Health Tips

The process of finding that perfect prom dress, shoes, accessories, and everything else that goes into a prom night to remember is one that takes time and lots of research. It's important to start the process as early as possible in order to ensure you can take your time and not settle for anything you don't want.

Part of the process to be prom ready that isn't always discussed with enough time to make an impact is working out! Toning up your body just the slightest bit can make all of the difference in the world for not only how you look, but how you feel in your dress. Knowing you put the time and effort in to look your best, from choosing a dress that fits your body perfectly, to your hair and make-up, to putting the time in to follow a routine workout, will have you feeling as confident as ever on the dance floor.

That's why we were happy to see that certified fitness instructor of YouTube fame Cassey Ho recently posted a workout specifically for looking perfect in your prom dress to her YouTube channel Blogilates! She calls it her official prom dress workout, and it takes you through a handful of workouts that you can do in your own home - no gym needed, and completely equipment free. All you need is your own body and the will and focus to stay on-point from now through your prom date (and hopefully keeping at it well after prom!).  Continue reading →

Your friends have talked about it for months planning away and setting up airfares and  tours for their awesome spring break getaway to a tropical destination. However, given the astronomical price of the trip, you will not be joining. There is no reason to be bummed out, though - a lot of girls spend spring break at home or on campus for many different reasons. So, for those hanging back, we came up with some ways to fill up your week without emptying your wallet, all while still enjoying your time like you were away on vacation! Read on for some fun and simple Spring Break ideas.

Road Trip It

Just because you didn't plan a lavish resort getaway doesn't mean you have to stay in the house all week. Grab a buddy and take a road trip to somewhere you haven't been in a while, possibly even to a family member's or old friend who moved away. This way, you could save cash on a place to stay. The trip will give you a chance to bond with someone, and have a real adventure. Remember to pack a cooler with drinks and snacks so you don't have to spend money on the road.

Volunteer

Be a do-gooder! Use your week off to do something to benefit others by volunteering somewhere like a community center, nursing home, or animal shelter. It's a great way to spend your week, and you'll for sure feel like it was time well-spent. For a list of places looking for help, check out www.volunteermatch.org.

Spend Time Outdoors

Use the good weather to your advantage by getting a new outdoor hobby like bike riding or hiking. Take it to the beach and play volleyball or Frisbee in the sand! Make it an all day event by having a picnic or barbecue with family or friends. Not only is this good for your mind, but good for your body, too!

Spring Cleaning

Rainy day? Spend some time inside spring cleaning! Go through your closet and make a pile of clothes you know you are never going to wear again. Then, donate the clothing to charity or bring higher priced items to a consignment shop. You will feel refreshed after you eliminate clutter and have room to buy some new Summer stuff.

Focus on YOU!

Our last Spring break idea is to make sure to take some hardcore "you time." Be selfish for a few days and focus only on yourself. Catch up on sleep, or dive into a book you have always wanted to read. Learn something new by taking a dance or cooking class. The possibilities are endless!

Are you staying home this Spring Break? What are your plans? Share with us by commenting below!

Prom is approaching fast and with the school year coming to an end, everything is piling up and we're sure you're overwhelmed with stress. Unfortunately, stress comes with an unwelcomed guest...zits! Before you start panicking and trying a million types of cleansers and creams, why not try to avoid mother nature and end it before it starts?

Many people don't realize it all starts from the inside. What you eat shows on your skin, and your skin needs vital nutrients to keep it healthy and clear. You're only weeks away from prom so let's get started now! Below are some of the best foods to eat to have immaculate skin. Follow these suggestions and you'll be the most confident person on the dance floor!

Water

We put water first for a reason..it's the most important! Drinking 8-10 cups a day is a healthy amount to keep in mind. Just making a simple switch from sugary soda to water can do wonders! By flushing out all those toxins out of your body, it'll help accelerate the healing process of any current blemishes and help prevent new ones.

Fish (Omega 3s)

Eating fish is awesome for your skin! Fatty fishes like salmon are loaded with Omega 3s and they're anti-inflammatory. Once or twice a week should do the trick.

Not a big fan of fish? There are other ways to get Omega 3s like walnuts, beans, fish oil pills, and flax-seed oil. Fish oil pills are also great to take as part of your work out plan.

Whole Grains

Fiber-packed whole grains work like a charm! Whole grain carries a lot of antioxidants. Highly-processed grains like white bread don't carry the antioxidants that helps fight acne. Be careful picking "Whole Grain" foods. Look for the nutrition label and make sure it's low in sugar and high in fiber. Some packaging labels can be misleading.

Lots of Green Veggies

Leafy greens contain lots of fiber and antioxidants, as well. All the nutrients you need to have a healthy glow to your skin. Maybe it's time to start listening to mom and start eating those veggies!

Green Tea (Antioxidants)

Another easy way to get antioxidants is just by drinking green tea! Besides all the health benefits from green tea, it helps prevent pimples. It's an anti-inflammatory. But, beware of the sugary bottled green tea!

Do you have other solutions to getting clear skin? Let us know in a comment below!

Source: NaturalFishOilHealth.com, ModernHealthDigest.com, Care2.com, MNN.com

This year's presidential election couldn't have been more exciting! With President Obama now back in office for a second term, we wanted to dedicate this Fitness Friday to his number one gal - Michelle Obama, of course!

Not only is the first lady an intelligent and admirable person, but she has awesome arms and amazing shoulders. They always manage to steal the show wherever they go!

First Lady Michelle Obama

Most of you probably skip the arm workouts. Listen ladies, men aren't the only ones who need to work out their arms, especially if you really want to rock your favorite sleeveless dress!

Believe it or not, you can actually get those chiseled Michelle Obama arms without even hitting the gym! Women's Health Magazine put together a simple arm workout that you can break out wherever you are - all you need is a set of 5-8 pound dumbbells! Check out the tips below so you can show off those sexy triceps and biceps and look fab at your next formal event! Just make sure to do the workout four to six times a week to get those arms in proper shape.

STANDING V RAISE:
1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides, and palms in.

2. With arms straight but not locked, raise the weights diagonally in front of you, so that your arms form a V shape, until your arms are parallel to the floor

3. Hold for one second, then go back to where you started. Do 12 to 15 reps.

SHOULDER PRESS:
1. Holding a pair of dumbbells just above your shoulders, palms facing each other, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent

2. Press the weights until your arms are straight overhead

3. Hold for one second, then take three seconds to lower the dumbbells back to your shoulders. Do six to eight reps.

ROTATING TRICEPS KICKBACK:
1. Stand with your knees bent and lean forward slightly, with a dumbbell in each hand. Bend your right elbow to bring the dumbbell to your side, making your upper arm parallel with the floor

2. Press the dumbbell back, and as you straighten your arm, rotate it so that your palm faces the ceiling

3. Rotate it back so that your palm faces in, and return your arm to the bent position. Do 12 to 15 reps with each arm.

Source: Women's Health Magazine

This Fall losing weight might be a little bit more challenging since the warm weather of summer will be fading away.  Our bodies naturally want to pack on more pounds during the cold seasons, so in order to maintain or lose weight you need to focus on your diet.  If you want to stay in shape to fit into a special dress for Homecoming or the Holidays then you should think about adding these healthy drinks to your diet to help with your weight loss.

• Organic Pomegranate Juice

If you can’t get enough of soft drinks or sugary juices, organic pomegranate Juice is a healthy alternative.  This super fruit is tasty and packed full of nutrients.  Pomegranate Juice, high in antioxidants, actually helps your body to fight off sickness as well.  While a Diet Coke might have 0 calories, it doesn’t have the health advantages of this fruit juice.  Pomegranate juices contain more antioxidant than green tea, red wine and cranberry juice, but are often forgotten about when it comes to picking out a healthy drink.  Livestrong’s Will McCahill suggests that you check the label before buying pomegranate, or any other fruit juices, to ensure you’re picking a brand with low sugar.

• Ice Cold Water

Since our bodies chemical composition is 60% water, we need H2O to stay hydrated.  Drinking any liquids will do this, but drinking plain water means you’re not additionally ingesting calories that will hinder weight loss.  CNN reported that drinking water instead of soda or sugar filled juices can drastically change your weight loss process.  Specifically, drinking cold water can actually help your body burn calories.  Since your body has to use energy to warm the water inside of you, a few calories are burned in the process.   It’s also a good idea to drink a glass or two of water before meal times.  Doing so will fill you up faster so that you don’t eat as much food.  If you’re terrible at portion control, this is a simple way to help lose weight.

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