Friday Faves

Hi friends! Happy Friday and helloooooo from the Disney Wonder. We’re having the most magical time on this cruise and I can’t wait to report back with all of the details. In a nutshell, the Alaskan scenery is absolutely breathtaking, I’ve been eating salmon upon salmon for pretty much every meal, we’ve loved spending all of this extra time with the Pilot, and the girls are living their best Disney lives. They’ve met so many characters already and are fully enjoying all of the activities and fun aboard the ship.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! Here’s where I share some faves from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re lovin’ in the comments section below. 

Random + fun: 

Vancouver adventures. You guys. Vancouver is INCREDIBLE. We got to spend a few days in Vancouver before heading out to Alaska, but we already can’t wait to go back. There’s so much to do there and so many unique local restaurants.

While we were in town, we ate sushi at Kamei Royale,

(the sashimi salad was out of this world!),

swam at the hotel,

got gelato at Bella Gelateria 

(this flavor was a mix of rose water, saffron, and turmeric)

and enjoyed a full day at the aquarium. This one was highly recommended and didn’t disappoint. The girls LOVED it and the exhibits were so much fun. We got to see live sloths, enormous sea lions, bats (!! this ended up being one of our favorites! They flew around the cave stopping to eating fruit from giant fruit skewers), a dolphin, otters, jellyfish, a tide pool, and so much more. 

We took advantage of public transportation and I was thankful we didn’t have to lug carseats around. We took the Sky Train from the airport to downtown and the rest of the time, we took the bus or walked. 

Another memorable meal was breakfast at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters. We shared a few donuts (vegan double chocolate, peanut butter and jelly, raspberry cheesecake) and for my entree, I chose the keto plate with salmon instead of bacon. (Got the salmon party started early.)

Betsy and I also took an early morning Orangetheory class overlooking the water! Class on Monday morning was super intense (a 1.5 mile run followed by a 2000m row and bodyweight circuit) but a great way to start off vacation. 

A recent find:

Havenly! I’ve been wanting to update the formal living room for a while now and came across Havenly. They ask for dimensions and photos of your room, info about current products you have and want to keep, and you go through a few rounds of questions for the stylist to determine your style preferences. From here, your stylist presents concepts for your room, including where to buy each of the listed products. I LOVE her idea for the formal living room! I asked for an updated feel, wanted to add a plant, and wanted to keep our leather chair and couch from World Market. Here’s what she came up with:

If you want to check it out, my referral link is here! (It gives you $50 off a full design package and $20 off a mini design.) It’s a great way to get ideas for a full refresh or just an update, especially if you’re like me and you get overwhelmed once you start looking online for products. (#notsponsored)

Fashion + beauty:

Beautycounter sunscreen. We’ve been using this a lot lately. I love that it’s mineral-based (so much better for your skin and for the earth!), and it glides on smoothly without being chalky. The kiddos also enjoy using the sunscreen stick. I always have one in my purse to put on my hands while I’m driving. 

Ordered this swimsuit before we left for our trip and it’s SO cute. It’s extremely flattering and the bottoms are high enough to hide the scar on my belly. Wins all around. (It’s on sale right now, too!)

My splurge sandals. I got these in a recent Trunk Club delivery and while they looked incredible and fit well, I felt like the price tag was too steep. I was flooded with DMs on Instagram, and it was a mix of “Keep the sandals, I have three pairs and love them!” or “They have these ones that look the exact same on Amazon.” In the end, I decided to stick with the original ones because the quality is fantastic and they feel really comfortable to wear. The reviews for the Amazon ones were mixed as far as comfort goes and I’m really picky about shoes fitting well and feeling good since we’re out and about all day. The thing that sealed the deal: the Pilot saw them lying on a chair in our room while I was debating and said, “Those are really cool shoes. You’re keeping them, right?” Welp, twist my arm.

Nordstrom half-yearly sale is heeeeeere. This is pretty much a holiday (and ends this weekend).

Some fave picks from the sale:

The famous Leith dress is 20% off. I have three of these because they’re incredibly flattering and perfect to dress up or down.

Love these wedges! They give me extra height and are extremely comfortable to wear all day.

This dress is perfect for summer weddings or date nights.

This chambray romper.

How cute is this phone case?!

Fitness:

One of my fave treadmill workouts.

An interesting reason to maybe consider that marathon…one of these days.

Lower body AMRAP workout.

Read, watch, listen:

Advice for your younger self.

Where the Crawdads Sing. I feel like I was the last person to read this one and why did I wait?? I’ve been devouring this each night before bed. The descriptions in this book are so vivid, you feel like you’re living the story along with the main character. I can’t wait to finish this one.  

The podcast will be back next week! Make sure you’re subscribed if you haven’t already, and I’ll have a giveaway next week to celebrate its return. 

Good eats:

You need this s’mores in a jar.

Delicious packable sandwich options.

Can’t wait to try this baked strawberry oatmeal.

Happy Friday, friends! Hope you have a beautiful weekend.

xo

Gina

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5 personal trainer red flags

When I first started working with a personal trainer (in college) I had no idea what to expect. I got suckered into a contract through a big box gym – it was a pickle to get out of it, let me tell ya – and had a guy with very little experience training me. He had a high school degree and no fitness-related certifications. I learned a lot about muscle groups and how to strength train in the first couple of weeks, but it went south very quickly. For example, he told me to get a bagel with cream cheese after each training session but also said I should only eat 1000 calories per day. (<— never ever do this) 

Now that I’ve been in the fitness industry and have been certified as a personal trainer for 10 years (!), I thought I’d share some red flags I wish I would have known as a personal training CLIENT. We all know that personal trainers should support clients as they work towards their goals in a safe and strategic manner. There are so many incredible trainers out there, but unfortunately, there are some jokers in the mix.

Here are some red flags to look out for when you’re considering working with a personal trainer:

– They don’t do any type of movement assessment before training you. A good trainer should be able to determine your strengths, weaknesses, and body composition, and use this information to develop your training plan. You should also complete a Par-Q (which determines your readiness for exercises), a health history form, and a form that indicates your exercise experience and goals. The first meeting should be very little training; lots of paperwork and movement assessments. You’ll often have to do something like a 3-minute walk or jog, an upper body strength and/or agility test, lower body strength and/or agility, overhead squat assessment, push, and/or pull assessment. 

– They don’t help you with proper form. As a gym-goer, it’s surprising for me to see trainers with their clients, and they’re not actively watching them. They should be correcting you along the way to make sure you’re executing the moves safely and with proper form. If they’re daydreaming, or looking at someone else: red flag. 

– They tell you what and how much to eat. This is a huge NO. It’s outside the scope of our practice to tell clients what and how much to eat. We cannot give specific eating plans. However, we can share healthy meal ideas! If your trainer writes you a meal plan without any background training (like an RD or reputable nutrition certification), bye Felicia. This also holds true for supplements. The only person who should consult you on the types of supplements to use is a medical professional. This also holds true for medical diagnoses. A good trainer will always refer you to a medical professional if you need specialized care.

– They spend the whole time talking about themselves. Yes, friendly banter is important (and makes the session more fun) but the emphasis should be on YOU: your goals, your family, your jobs. If you want to talk about it! And if you want to be silent while your trainer counts reps and corrects form for you, totally cool. 

– They don’t create a plan for you, and seem to “wing it” each time. Many trainers will wing sessions based on a goal they have in their mind. At the same time, they should have a file for you with weight progressions (how much you’re squatting, etc.) so they know how to build up. They should also phase your training (an endurance phase, a max strength phase, and a hypertrophy phase) so you don’t hit a plateau. 

So tell me friends: have you worked with a personal trainer? What was your experience like? 

Any red flags you’d add to the list? 

xo

Gina

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Banana Nice Cream Protein Bites {Gluten-free, dairy-free}

Let’s Smash It: Berries!

We smash open these juicy fruits, showing you just why they’re so great for smoothies.

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Avocado Toast With Poached Egg & Crispy Prosciutto

Take your toast game up a notch with creamy avocado, crispy prosciutto and a warm poached egg.

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Les Mills On Demand Review

This isn’t a sponsored post, but my friends at Les Mills offered you a free 30-day trial! Get yours here. It’s such a fun way to get in workouts at home or while you’re traveling.

When I’m home with the girls, workouts can be hit or miss. P only goes to school for half days – fellow mom friends know that’s just enough time to eat breakfast, run an errand or two, and it’s time to go back – but on the two days she stays for lunch, I can squeeze in a workout. On the half days, I work out at home. This is what I’ll also be doing now that summer is here and they’ll only be at camp for half days.

I’m so thankful for options I can do while the girls play, whether it’s a ride on my Peloton bike or an on demand workout. I usually start a workout with zero expectations, so if something happens and I can’t finish it’s NBD, but I find that I’m usually pleasantly surprised. It’s not too bad to sneak in a workout with the girls at home if I need to, and I feel like when they see my exercise here and there, they notice that it’s a priority for me to move and be active.

Recently, I got to check out the new platform for Les Mills On Demand and was so PUMPED (<— pun?) by the variety and the quality of classes. When I first tried it out, I was pregnant with P, and the available classes were awesome, but they were different from what’s currently available. Many of the classes were the same videos we receive as instructor training, and sometimes it didn’t translate just right for an at-home workout. They’ve completely revamped the site, added new classes (including classes that were specifically filmed for On Demand), and it’s such a great way to shake up your routine and get an awesome sweat at home. They have over 600 classes to choose from!!

Here are some of my favorite workouts:

BODYPUMP:

BODYPUMP is the muscular endurance barbell workout that I fell in love with years ago. It continues to get better over time as they add more recent tracks and new exercises to the format. They offer tutorials on the common BODYPUMP exercises, along with shorter classes (for example, 30-minute remixes and classes focused on solely upper body or lower body). There are also a ton of the hour-long classic classes, which I love.

BODYFLOW:
This was my first time taking a BODYFLOW class and I really enjoyed this fusion of yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. They incorporate breathing elements into the flow, and I felt calm and centered when it was over. As someone who doesn’t like to hold poses for a long time, it felt great to MOVE and breathe the entire time. I’ll definitely be adding this one into my rotation.

BODYATTACK: 

OMG. BODYATTACK makes me feel like a fierce ninja. The movements sync so perfectly with the music, and I feel like it hypes me up with endorphins. This class is focused on conditioning, strength and agility moves, so you’ll do burpees, squats, and push-ups in between cardio drills and agility work. This workout felt extremely balanced and INTENSE. I can’t wait to do it again this week!

Les Mills GRIT:

I’ve had the opportunity to take live GRIT classes at the IDEA conferences, and they destroy me in the best way possible. They’re a 30-minute High Intensity Interval Training workout, and they offer three varieties: cardio, strength, and plyo. 

More of the classes they offer On Demand:

BODYCOMBAT

CXWORX

SPRINT (cycling)

RPM and Immersive Cycling (The Trip)

SH’BAM

BARRE

DANCE (hip hop, contemporary, and house)

You guys. There’s so much to choose from. I’m so excited to continue to try out new workouts, especially since our gym doesn’t offer Les Mills classes. 

Pros about Les Mills On Demand:

– My #1 favorite thing about Les Mills is their dedication to safety. All of their classes are designed with purpose and tested for effectiveness, safety, and motivational techniques. I also love that they hold their instructors to such high standards. It was the most challenging and informative certification process that I’ve completed. The videos are lead by master trainers, who inspire me to be a better instructor every time I take a class.

– If you click on a workout, they break it all down for you. You’ll know what equipment you need, the song tracks, and the exercises beforehand. This is perfect for those who want to avoid certain exercises for injury purposes (though they do provide modifications), or like to know what they’re doing in advance.  

– The comments section is a gold star. You can read what fellow participants thought of the workout.  

Cons:

Some of the formats require equipment, which you can purchase through the website. Usually it’s not a big deal – especially if you have some dumbbells and a mat at home – but you may need to seriously modify or skip a small few of the formats. For example, I don’t have a step, so I didn’t try any of the BODYSTEP workouts. 

I’ll be incorporating some of these workouts in Summer Shape Up (as backup options when you don’t want to do the official workout or would like to switch it up), and here’s a plan I put together for the next few weeks until the Shape Up begins.

I was so excited when Les Mills offered to share a free 30-day trail with you through my referral link. Click here to set it up! I hope you love it as much as I do.

Have you tried Les Mills before? What’s your favorite format?

xo

Gina

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Erectile Dysfunction: What Every Man Should Know About This Common Condition

What Every Man Should Know About Erectile Dysfunction

Expert advice on the possible causes and treatment of erectile dysfunction

24 May 2019

Health

Advice

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Friday Faves

Hi friends! The weekend is here! What do you have going on? We’re headed to Vancouver for our Disney Alaska cruise and CAN’T WAIT for the fun. The Pilot hasn’t taken this much time off work in forever – last time was when P was about 6 months old and we had two weddings to attend- so I’m really looking forward to a true family vacation. The girls are so pumped about seeing their favorite princesses, and I’m looking forward to relaxing and a couple of fun excursions we have planned. I’ll still be blogging next week so be sure to check in! Of course I’ll share a full recap of the cruise when we’re back, too. 

(Not packed yet, but Disney nails are done. #priorities)

For now, it’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! These are some of the things I’m lovin’ this week, and as always, please share any faves in the comments section.

Random:

(Photo source)

Your Vancouver recommendations. We’ll be in Vancouver, Canada for a couple of days, and I put the call out on Instagram for fun things to do a places to eat. You never disappoint with incredible recommendations, and here are all of the things I added to the list:

– Bike around the Sea Wall

– The Vancouver Lookout

– Grouse Grind hike

– Science world/ aquarium

– Capilano suspension bridge

– Drinks at the Diamond

– Fly Over Canada

– Eat: Nuba Lebanese, Vancouver Urban Winery, Nicli Antica Pizza, Chambar (for mussels), Artista Pizza, food trucks (and an amazing grilled cheese food truck), Earnest Ice Cream, Earl’s in Ambleside, Purebread Bakery (many recs for this one!!), Cafe Media, Japadog’s, Miku Sushi (reserve a spot in advance), Deep Cove for Honey’s Donuts, Rain or Shine ice cream, banana coconut latte at Giovane, Red fish blue fish, The Acorn (plant-based), Vij’s (apparently the best Indian food ever; line up 30 min before opening to be in the 1st seating), Shabusen (all you can eat sushi and Korean bbq), Jam Cafe for the best breakfast, Tavola for dinner (amazing garlic chicken), Twisted Fork Bistro (brunch), Lucky donuts, Hubbub sandwiches, Virtuous Pie (many recs for this), Juice Truck, Heirloom, Guu Izakaya, Asian food on Robson street, Nelson the Seagull for avocado toast. 

I wish we could be there for a month after reading all of these suggestions!

Summer fun!! Yesterday was our first official day of summer break and the girls and I did it up right. I rode the Peloton before everyone was moving, and then we had breakfast at home before getting ready for the day. We started the activities at the mall to get mini bottles of shampoo + conditioner, a giant stuffed dragon (to match P’s new giant pink flamingo), and candy from the candy store. 

After that, I took the girls rock climbing at Bloc for almost 2 hours (!!) and then we came home for lunch and some math. I’m trying to avoid the “summer slide” so Liv and I worked on word problems for a little while and P colored a numbers worksheet. They played outside for the rest of the afternoon while I did some chores, madre hung out with them while I got my vacation nails, and then we met up with the fam for Taco Thursday.

Good eats:

LOVING Beyond Meat!! I decided to give it a try after seeing it at pretty much every grocery store. I got a pack of the hot Italian sausage, and it’s kind of creepy how meat-like it is. The flavor is great and it tastes just like real chicken sausage. I read online that their target demographic is people like me: those who eat meat, but are willing to explore other options and diversify their diet. I’m absolutely going to buy these again and can’t wait to try the burgers.

  

(This was lunch yesterday. Cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s cooked in the skillet with Beyond Meat Italian sausage, then I added arugula and basil from our little garden and a drizzle of Primal Kitchen Caesar dressing. This combo needs to be repeated.)

Read, watch, listen:

Yogis who are working to end the stigma associated with mental health.

3 things that bring me hope, perspective, peace, and strength.

The podcast will be back the week of June 3! Make sure you’re subscribed and ready to go.

What makes you come alive?

The War of Art. This book is a serious kick in the pants and just what I needed when motivation was lagging. We’re truly our own worst enemies when it comes to creative content; doubting ourselves, questioning the outcome, and wondering if anyone cares. The section on imposter syndrome really spoke to me, and the author said when you doubt yourself, you’re doing a good job. [I just realized I’ve already featured this in Friday Faves but was worth another mention because it really is that good!]

Why you’re more likely to cry on an airplane.

Fashion + beauty:

Memorial Day shopping! There are so many great sales happening this weekend.
Here are some of my top finds:

Express: 40% off everything! Love this dress, these pants, this swami, and this romper.

gap: 40% off everything with code READY. I’m stocking up on summer dresses for the girls like this one, this one, and this one.

Athleta: 20% off women’s swim! How cute is this blossom rash guard?

J. Crew: 40% off sitewide with code SHOP40. I’m obsessed with this maxi dress and strangely excited that are back in style.

Pottery Barn: tiered savings through the weekend. I’m going to lurk their outdoor furniture since our patio is still pretty bare.

Madewell: 20% off dresses and shoes with code PERFECTMATCH. This dress is so cute with sneakers.

Saks Off Fifth: extra 20% off select styles. 

Beautycounter is also offering a Memorial Day promo, and if you spend $125, you’ll get a free sunscreen combo pack of the sunscreen mist and a 1 oz of the sunscreen lotion. If you’re looking to switch to safer skincare and beauty products, sunscreen is an awesome starting point. Conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that are being questioned for their safety, and can also be damaging to ocean ecosystems. The Beautycounter mineral-based sunscreen works extremely well and is an option that’s safe for your family and the earth. 

Happy Friday, friends!

I’ll see ya on Monday with some new workout ideas you can do during summer break. 

xoxo

Gina

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What Is the GOLO Diet—and Can It Help You Lose Weight?

Acai you, summer

Hi friends! Hope you’re having a lovely week. I had so much fun reading your comments yesterday. Glad I’m not the only one who Googles everything all day long.

Summer is officially here!

Here’s the girls on their first day of school,

and here they are yesterday!

I can’t believe how much they’ve grown and learned this year. We spent a majority of their school year with the Pilot away, and the girls still flourished even though we were all missing him. I’m SO.EXCITED for summer. We have lots of fun stuff on the horizon: vacations, family bbqs, camps, swimming for hours each day, and the best part:

no alarms.

We made Livi’s lunch every day this year for school – she didn’t buy school lunch because a few moms have told me it’s horrible. It was a lot of mornings of rushing around the house, braiding hair, saying, “We’re going to be late!” at least 80 times, and racing out the door. I’m not going to miss any of that haha. I feel so excited to have some time to slow down and enjoy the morning. Today, we’re off to the mall and heading to the pool when it warms up. 

Yesterday was a low-key day. I was feeling significantly better from the cold, so I ran a couple of errands in the morning, then when P was done with school, we met up with friends for celebratory acai bowls and smoothies. We hung out in the courtyard for a bit, stopped into Mildred & Dildred, then came home for naptime. 

 

Dinner was the classic Harney cobb: romaine, grilled chicken, turkey bacon, boiled egg, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and Primal Kitchen Ranch.

Our lil veggie garden is flourishing, so I’m looking forward to the day when we can step outside and gather the ingredients to make a salad.

Right now, we have basil, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, tomatoes, spinach, and arugula. I had planted rosemary and mint, too, but so many people on IG let me know that mint is best in its own pot or it will take over everything else. The zucchini is already going crazy!

I also planted some flowers by our succulents, and am shocked that they’re still alive. The red flowering plant is a sun parasol and I’d love to get a few more. 

For today, I’d love to know what you’re most excited about this summer. Any vacations planned? Also, Summer Shape Up will be here towards the end of June, so get ready for that. I’ll have some workout ideas you can do in the meantime up on Monday.

Have a great day and I’ll see ya in the morning with some faves.

xo

Gina

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What Is the GOLO Diet—and Can It Help You Lose Weight?

The Power-Packed Ingredients Dermatologists Recommend for Every Skin Type

A few short years ago, my friends and I thought the height of skincare was remembering to wash our faces at night. Now, people are embracing 10-step routines, and Instagram is littered with face masks and miracle cures. So what should we actually be using?

In an attempt to end some of the confusion — for myself and others — I spoke to dermatologists to get their expert recommendations for the best ingredients for every skin type. Though there are still mountains of products out there, at least now you’ll know what ingredients to look for as you sort through the wild world of skincare.

When you’re on the lookout for new cleansers, serums, moisturizers, or toners, here’s the best stuff to give you a chance at the J.Lo-esque skin of your dreams.

Acne-prone and oily skin: Salicylic acid

“Salicylic acid works inside the pores to loosen clogs and kill acne bacteria,” says Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, dermatologist and creator of Schique Skincare. “The acid is antibacterial and contains the same anti-inflammatory ingredients as aspirin.” By fighting the germs that cause acne and reducing the inflammation that arises with clogged pores, salicylic acid helps clear the skin without adding shine or oil.

“This is ideal for those who have acne and want to clear up blackheads and whiteheads,” says Schaffer. Still, you can’t drown yourself in this stuff whenever you see a pimple. “Don’t forget to use in moderation because it can cause mild stinging and skin irritation.”

Oily skin: Beta hydroxy acid (BHA)

If acne isn’t a problem, but oiliness is, go for beta hydroxy acid over salicylic acid. Schaffer calls it a “beauty weapon” that works for acne but is especially good for reducing oil. This acid is a little tamer and can be found in everything from facial scrubs to moisturizers.

Dry, sensitive skin: Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)

With sensitive skin, make sure to always test new products carefully. What works for one sensitive-skinned soul, may not work for another. Still, Schaffer finds that alpha hydroxy acids are a great bet. “Glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and citric acids are considered AHAs, and they’re best on skin where breakouts are not a problem.”

Acid and sensitive skin may sound kind of like strawberries and ranch dressing — aka a horrible combination — but these acids are very gentle. Glycolic acid comes from sugar and penetrates deeply into the skin. “It regenerates collagen, thickens the epidermis, dermis, and evens out the skin tone,” says Schaffer. Lactic acid is becoming more widely available and is great for gentle exfoliation. “Mandelic acid is the gentlest one of all. It’s oil-soluble, allowing it to work within the pores as well as on the surface of the skin.”

Dry skin: Honey

Though you could use AHAs for dry, but not necessarily sensitive skin, Schaffer recommends this pantry favorite. “The composition of honey is considered a humectant that attracts moisture and keeps it locked inside,” says Schaffer. The Central Asian Journal of Global Health found that honey also has powerful antimicrobial properties and it might help modulate the skin’s immune system.

Combination skin: Hyaluronic acid

Finding that perfect ingredient that doesn’t dry out your skin or clog your pores can be tough for folks with combo skin. Dr. Arisa Ortiz, MD, recommends hyaluronic acid because it both “hydrates the skin and smooths the appearance of fine lines without feeling greasy.” This ingredient is able to fight both oiliness and dryness, which sounds like some serious skin voodoo. But hyaluronic acid’s ability to work both ends of the spectrum earn it enthusiastic reviews from dermatologists as a treatment for combo skincare.

Hyperpigmentation: Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone may sound like a forgotten Marvel character or a super craft cocktail, but it helps with dark spots. “Hydroquinone turns down the volume on melanocytes that are producing too much melanin that causes the hyperpigmentation,” says Schaffer. She cautions that you shouldn’t use this to “bleach your skin” or expect hyperpigmentation to disappear. “Using hydroquinone only helps prevent future pigmentation, so be sure not to fall for any gimmicks.”

Blotchy skin: Tea tree oil

Uneven skin tone can strike at any time, though in my experience it seems to pop up whenever you’re going on some super Instagram-worthy trip. To combat blotchiness, Schaffer recommends tea tree oil. “Sticking to soft ingredients like tea tree oil nurtures the skin and helps provide an even skin tone.” You can use the essential oil on its own or in a cleanser or moisturizer of your choice.

Aging skin: Retinol

While we embrace our unique beauty at every age, many of us would prefer to downplay lines and wrinkles. And there are a lot of products that promise to do just that, but most are scientifically iffy, at best. A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that retinol is one of the best options.

The study found that 0.4 percent topical retinol showed anti-aging effects by improving the homeostasis of the epidermis and dermis, stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells, and activating dermal fibroblasts. The study showed evidence that 0.4 percent topical retinol is a promising and safe treatment to naturally improve aged human skin.

Last but not least, everyone should use a toner

“The purpose of a toner is to really clean the skin,” says Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, medical director of Mudgil Dermatology. “It’s best used after cleansing with your usual face wash, which sometimes can leave behind some impurities and dead skin cells.”

I was very skeptical about this whole toner deal until my friend (who has incredible skin and doesn’t seem to have aged in the last 14 years) said a good toner was her No. 1 recommendation. Since then, I’ve used a toner every night, and my super dry skin seems to hold in a bit more moisture and generally just feels nice.

But you don’t have to trust just me or my random friend — Mudgil is also adamant about toners. Here are the toner ingredients he recommends for the most common skin types:

• Dry skin: Opt for emollient-based toners. Look for essential oils or glycerin, but avoid alcohol.
• Oily skin: Choose clay-based toners. The clay helps remove excess oil.
• Acne-prone skin: Toners containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid work best.

Sensitive/eczema-prone skin: Aloe-based toners are soothing and nonirritating.

Of course, if you have another ingredient you swear by, use it! Doctors know their stuff, but everyone reacts differently to skincare products. So, stick with the things you love, but give these ingredients a try if you want something new and doctor-approved.

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For Years I Focused on Being Skinny — One Day, I Realized It's About Being Healthy

I’m not what you may consider a thin person. I’ve got thick thighs, a doughy middle, and a double chin. Even at my thinnest, which was sometime in high school when I took my metabolism for granted, I still had a small pooch in my lower abdomen. It drove me crazy. I wondered why I couldn’t have the same body as everyone else.

Despite my personality, I thought guys were never going to go for me because of the way I looked. And I was right. I was told that I was friend material, not dating material. The fat funny friend, some would say. I had a dance teacher that told me I was too fat to be a ballerina. I had judgmental family members who would point out when my weight would fluctuate.

Those comments stick with you. They carve out little spaces in your brain that make you think that who you are is dependent upon how you look — and what you’ll do to look better. It created an unhealthy relationship with me and food and me and my weight. It most certainly created an unhealthy perception of my value. My worth became dependent predominantly on my waistline.

After high school, I stayed home and went to school while all of my friends went away. I read books and watched movies and wasn’t concerned with my weight. I got into a good workout routine and had maintained a pretty good weight. But when my friends would come home, I would revert back to feeling like that fat, funny friend. I loved my personality, but wanted — just once or twice — for someone to compliment me on how I looked instead of telling me I was funny. That’s how much stock I had put into my fitness — it wasn’t about health, it was really about my looks.

By the end of college, I had started dating my current boyfriend and let my workouts fall to the side in favor of spending time with him. I put on “relationship weight” from the late-night snacks and the tour of Mexican restaurants we always seemed to be on. I realized too late that I had gone up two pant sizes and began feeling self-conscious. I would get frustrated and fed up when pushing myself at the gym wasn’t working. I’d give up soda, stop eating sweets. I’d deprive myself and still my waistline wouldn’t change.

It started to upset me more and more. I was so wrapped up in how I looked that I didn’t even want to be seen. I wouldn’t change in front of my boyfriend. I would freak out before weddings and bridal showers and baby showers and tell my friends that I didn’t want to go because I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.

I was so mad at my workouts for not producing results that I was willing to miss milestones in my friend’s lives because of how I looked in a dress.

The whole process got to be so exhausting. I hated working out and not seeing results. I hated reading that stress was making everything worse, which only stressed me out more. I wasn’t getting enough sleep due to my workaholic tendencies. All of the meal prepping and gym sessions in the world wasn’t enough anymore. So, I started to stop caring. Stopped being diligent about what I ate and what I was doing.

I just gave up.

When August rolled around last year, I started to freak out for another reason. I realized I had only one year left of my 20s and I wanted to do a major overhaul. I would still retain all of the wonderful qualities I possessed, such as my humor and loyalty, my empathy and intellect — but I would take a good hard look at myself and see what needed to be changed.

I didn’t want to drag all of the negative energy of my 20s into my 30s. I wanted to go into the next decade of my life with better intentions, better energy, and most importantly: a better body.

So, I started meal prepping again. I upped my veggie intake, only used lean meats or tuna, made my snacks fruit or nuts. The only beverages I was allowing myself were water and green tea. I’d have a margarita here or a Dr. Pepper there, but I drank enough water to outweigh it.

I started taking the long way at work so I could get more steps in. I repurchased BeachBody hoping I could find a program that would really help me go for it and be thinner and looking better. Over the next few months, I stuck with it. I indulged here and there, but never anything that offset all of my hard work.

Then the holidays came.

December was such a busy month that I barely had time to breathe let alone find the time to stick to my workout plan. Then the holiday parties started and with them the delicious desserts and decadent dinners. I had always looked forward to these once-a-year treats and this year was no different. During my holiday break from work, I stopped eating healthy and stopped working out. And I felt terrible.

A few days before I was due back at work, I started to feel sick. My stomach was always in knots and I wasn’t sleeping through the night. I was irritable and couldn’t figure out why. Until it dawned on me that I hadn’t touched a vegetable in nearly two weeks and the only fruit I’d had was baked into a crumble. And while the laziness was welcome, I soon felt like I needed to get up, move around and be active.

That’s when it clicked. I wasn’t feeling terrible for any reason other than I had stopped taking care of myself. That’s when I realized that if I wanted to make a change in the way I was thinking, I had to stop seeing what I was doing as a weight loss journey, but rather a health journey.

It wasn’t about vanity and how I looked, though that never hurt anyone either. It was about changing habits and making better choices for my health and how I feel on the inside. I realized that half of the battle was knowing that what I was doing was going to keep me feeling better and stronger in the long run.

If I took care of myself and focused on being healthy rather than skinny, I’d feel better mentally and physically. Now I look at my meal prep and think, I’m giving my body what it needs to stay strong.

I choose workouts that are going to be enjoyable and challenging, but won’t push myself to do something I can’t. I remember that everyone’s body is different and that their bodies react differently to workouts than mine do. I think about how great I feel after a workout and how well I’ll sleep after.

Changing my perspective on what I was doing to change my physical health had an impact on my mental health that I hadn’t anticipated. I now see myself in a different way. Sure, I’d still like to look like Blake Lively on the red carpet, but I don’t have her budget or personal trainer. Outward physical changes will happen over time, but it’s knowing that you’re fixing your unhealthy tendencies and living a healthier life that’s so much more important.

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Tomatoes Have a 'Secret' Ingredient That Your Skin Loves

Looking for really healthy, beautiful skin? You might want to eat more marinara sauce.

It sounds like a joke, but it turns out the classic combo of olive oil and tomatoes is filled with goodies that may give your skin an antioxidant boost to calm inflammation, reduce sun damage, and fight back against fine lines.

Sadly, this doesn’t mean we get to binge on pizza or penne in the name of glowing skin. At this point, scientists haven’t found any proven skin benefits of mozzarella cheese and wheat flour (yes, it makes me sad too). But more and more dermatologists are telling people to get on the tomato train because of the many benefits of something called lycopene — the nutrient your skin never even knew it needed.

To find out more about the connection between tasty tomatoes and super skin, I spoke to dermatologists to get the straight scoop on lycopene.

Lyco-what?

Lycopene is a red nutrient in the carotenoids family that gives tomatoes, watermelons, and guavas their signature hue. Though it’s found naturally in a few red and pink fruits and vegetables, tomatoes have the most lycopene by far. As the tomato ripens, its lycopene content gets higher and higher.

So why are these ripe, red tomatoes so good for us? “Lycopene is a great food-derived antioxidant with many skin benefits that span the entire skin wellness spectrum,” says Karin Hermoni, PhD, head of science & nutrition at Lycored. “The nutrient not only quenches free radicals but also induces the body’s own protection mechanism against oxidative stress and inflammation, enhancing skin resilience and allowing skin cells to better cope with the environment.”

In simpler terms: When you have too many free radicals, it stresses the body. Antioxidants render the free radicals harmless, helping reduce stress, inflammation, and signs of aging.

Lycopene is an especially strong antioxidant, so it can help your overall health along with the appearance of your skin. Plus, antioxidants help reverse signs of aging, which means plumper skin and reduced fine lines. All in all, tomatoes help you look a little younger and feel a little better.

What exactly does lycopene do for skin?

“Antioxidants help prevent and undo damage to collagen in the skin. Lycopene specifically helps prevent skin discoloration, texture changes, and fine lines and wrinkles,” says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse of Stay Skin Safe.

Lycopene can’t turn back the clock, but by increasing your lycopene intake, you can boost the health of the collagen in your skin and stop some of the fine lines before they start.

Lycopene can benefit any skin type, but works especially well for sensitive and aging skin. “Tomatoes act as an astringent and can reduce the appearance of large pores,” says Shainhouse. Also, the antioxidant calms the body’s inflammatory process, reducing redness and irritation, according to Hermoni. Add the anti-aging properties and lycopene has something to offer for all kinds of skin.

But what really sets lycopene apart from all the other antioxidants is its potential effect on sun damage. A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that lycopene supplements helped protect the skin from UV rays.

The small study found that participants who took extra lycopene had significantly less sun damage compared to the placebo group. That doesn’t mean you can chomp on a tomato and forgo the sunscreen. “The use of sunscreen and tomato carotenoids may increase skin resilience and support a healthy relationship with the sun,” says Hermoni.

The best ways to get more lycopene

Though you can get more lycopene through your diet, will that really help your skin? Hermoni says yes! For best results, she suggests using both topical and dietary treatments. That might mean adding a lycopene-rich serum or a mask to your skin care routine. But the dietary piece of the puzzle is still the most important.

“It was shown that carotenoids from ingestible products contribute more to the accumulation of carotenoids in the skin, compared to the topical,” says Hermoni. “So, if you are going to choose only one, opt for a healthy diet over a carotenoid mask.”

That said, a lycopene topical treatment won’t hurt, so if you’re in the mood to try a different ingredient in your serums or toners, give a tomato-based product a try.

“It’s important to note that lycopene works best for skin when it can team up with other tomato phytonutrients. Eating the whole tomato or supplementing with tomato-based products will provide better nourishment to our body and skin compared to supplementing with lycopene alone,” says Hermoni. Since lycopene is oil-soluble, she suggests cooking tomatoes in olive oil for optimal absorption. So yep, marinara sauce is good for your skin.

Lycopene: Love it or leave it?

There are lots of antioxidants and vitamins out there that can help your skin, but lycopene is an exceptionally easy ingredient to add to your diet — and skin care routine. A few extra bowls of tomato soup won’t transform your skin, but regular added lycopene seems to show real promise for preventing damage and protecting your skin from the sun.

Beyond helping your skin, lycopene helps reduce stress and inflammation in the entire body, and you can get the benefits with only the additional cost of a few ripe tomatoes. “Lycopene lays a foundation for different systems in our body to function in an optimal manner. This includes healthy blood flow, metabolism, and more,” says Hermoni. “Today we know that health is the foundation on which beauty can thrive. When our entire body is balanced and well, this is reflected on the outside.”

With a few extra tomatoes a week, you could reap double benefits: a bit more balance within plus glow-worthy skin.

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Hollywood Sign Run

This route takes you through the breathtaking Hollywood hills and spits you out at the top of the Hollywood sign, treating you to unmatched views.

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Portland Waterfront Loop

Portland is known for beautiful scenery and refreshing, rainy days. This popular route around downtown Portland is likely to treat you to both of these things.

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Avocado Brownie

Yes, an avocado brownie.

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Latest most random Google search

File this one under creepy pick-up lines.

The other night, I was searching for “Do people speak Dothraki?” <— the language that they speak in Game of Thrones. I was ecstatic to find out that yes there are people that INTO IT to learn an entire fictional language, and it also made me stop and think about all of the weird/random things I search for during the day.

In lighthearted jest, many of my friends make fun of my penchant for Googling things. I will google anything and everything, and seriously the thought of Google glasses make my heart giddy with delight because I could instantly find that pair of pants that girl is wearing, or diagnose my illness (kidding but not kidding), or just know random things I’ve always wanted to know. Anyone else? Am I just a weird person with this?

And maybe it’s in my current cold delirium, but I thought this would make a fun idea for a blog post.

What’s the most random thing you googled lately?

On my list:

– How to stop thumb sucking. Everyone says “they’ll stop when they’re ready,” but it was causing her jaw and teeth to move. Most of the time she didn’t notice she was doing it, so we would just kindly remind her throughout the day. After about 5 weeks or so, I looked online for other ideas. We ordered these overpriced gloves (“You get to wear cool gloves like Elsa and these ones have an octopus on them!”) but she wore them for about 30 seconds. Next, I found this stuff which had good ratings on Amazon. It tastes pretty bitter, and after reading the reviews, I knew to just put a tiny bit on her thumb right on the middle instead of painting the entire nail. I think by this point she was ready to stop; she had no prob with me painting it on after I told her what it was. It worked instantly and P is now the proud owner of the enormous stuffed flamingo she’s been wanting for at least a month.

– Today’s Orangetheory workout. (<— from this past weekend before I came down with this cold thing) Do you guys know about this Reddit thread? It’s PURE GOLD if you’re an OTF fan. I always lurk the workout or the schedule before I sign up, especially since I only have one class a week. I love knowing the workout in advance so I can pump myself up for it.

– S-corp vs LLC. I’m going to try and transition to S-Corp for the blog which should be a bundle of fun but worth it for tax purposes. 

– Belt bag. I came across this one and it’s pretty lovely. Just not sure 100% on board with the trend yet, so I love that it converts to a regular crossbody,

– What is colloidal silver? Madre dropped some off to me when my throat was hurting like a thousand daggers. She also brought a framed family pic and some Frida Kahlo socks because she’s the best ever.

– Book suggestions like Crazy Rich Asians. I finished the trilogy and am so sad it’s over. I couldn’t find anything similar that caught my eye, so I downloaded Educated and Where the Crawdads Sing for our trip. I’d love any must-read suggestions you have.

So tell me, friends: what’s the weirdest thing you had to know lately?

Have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya soon!

xo

Gina

Ps. Amazing Beautycounter promo is live today! Get a free sun set (3 oz. sunscreen mist and  1oz. lotion) when you purchase $125 worth of products. If you’re looking to make a swap to safer options, sunscreen is a great starting point, especially since chemical sunscreens are finally being questioned for their safety. You can check out the article here! If you’re shopping and need help, please let me know! I highly recommend the overnight peel, dew skin, cleansing balm, and the Color Intense lipstick (garden party and brunch are my current faves). 

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Jenna Jameson Shares Her Revamped Diet Plan—and the Non-Keto Food She Can’t Stop Eating

Jenna Jameson Shares Her Revamped Diet Plan—and the Non-Keto Food She Can’t Stop Eating

Woman Asks for Advice About How to Help Her 120-Pound, 4-Year-Old Sister

Woman Asks for Advice About How to Help Her 120-Pound, 4-Year-Old Sister

How To Prevent And Treat Blisters, From The Man Who’s Had A Few

How To Treat Blisters, From The Man Who’s Had A Few

Ultra-runner James Williams is all too familiar with popping the odd race-stopping skin-bubble or two…

20 May 2019

Running

Advice

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Cowboy Thanksgiving

Hi friends! Happy Monday to you! I hope you’re having a great day so far. I woke up with some kind of funk – P is coughing up a storm, too – so looks like we’ll be laying low today. We had an awesome fun-filled weekend with the fam, and I’’m hoping we’ll be on the ups tomorrow. (Especially since we leave for Vancouver this weekend!)

Friday evening, Livi and I made the drive to Phoenix to see her fave: JoJo Siwa. (If you’re out of the elementary school crowd, no worries. I had no clue who JoJo was until this year!) She’s a dancer/singer/YouTuber who initially found fame from the Dance Moms TV show. Her branding is focused on her enormous bows, her dog, and her uplifting message. Many of her songs are about believing in yourself, ditching the haters, self love, etc. In an industry that’s so often filled with negativity or societal expectations of young girls, I think it’s a breath of fresh air. 

I bought the tickets as a surprise for Liv and she was SO pumped when I told her we’d make a little road trip for the concert. We got there about 50 minutes early, which almost felt like we were late! The lines for everything were super long, so I’m glad it gave us enough time to get waters, Junior Mints, popcorn, and find our seats. The concert was sold out, and the theatre was filled with thousands of screaming girls, all wearing their multicolored JoJo bows, and many of them waving glow sticks.

(Our seats were amazing!)

The show was wonderful – the costume changes, the sets, and the backup dancers were all fantastic – and Liv had the TIME OF HER LIFE. She was clapping and singing along to her favorite songs and it’s something I’ll never ever forget. (Pro tip for any moms who are taking their kiddos: as soon as she finishes her last song, RUN to the merchandise line. We sprinted to the line and there were about 50 people ahead of us when we got there. It moved very quickly, and by the time we got to the front, there were easily 300-400 people – two staircases fully filled with people – behind us.)

We hit the road back to Tucson, and Liv crashed within 10 minutes. Thankfully, I chatted with my mom on speaker phone for a while which made the drive go by quickly, and we were back home by 11!

While we were at the concert, the Pilot and P were having a little daddy-daughter date. They spent some time playing at the park, got tacos at Blanco Taco and went to the Disney store to get princess dresses for the cruise.) 

(Feelin.herself.)

Saturday morning, Liv had dance, and I took an early Orangetheory class. We snacked on acai bowls,

and the rest of the day kind of got away from us. The Pilot worked from the dining room table, the girls played outside, and I cashed in on my Mother’s Day nap. Before we knew it, it was time to meet up the fam for dinner at Tanque Verde Ranch. We’ve eaten here a few times (our last recap is here!) but it’s an outdoor BBQ buffet with live music and the best prickly pear margaritas.

(Dress is here from a recent Trunk Club delivery)

The girls tried to lasso each other,

played horseshoes,

and danced their little boots off on the dance floor. 

 

The adults drank prickly pear margaritas and we all had a wonderful dinner. We call it Cowboy Thanksgiving: bbq pulled pork, grilled cod, bbq chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, mac n’ cheese, salad, veggies, baked potatoes, cornbread, beans, anything you need, really. For dessert, they also have the BEST cobbler. 

We stayed late and chatted while the girls danced – the musician got a kick out of them – and then called it a night. Both girls crashed in the car on the way home!

Sunday morning, we had breakfast here at home, and went for a family hike at Sabino Canyon.

The weather was insanely gorgeous (heaven-ty degrees) and we walked for about an hour before heading to swim. Afterwards, we were all starving, so the Pilot made a wise suggestion: Saffron Indian buffet for lunch. Our weekend included two buffet meals and I have zero problems with that lol. 

We did the usual grocery run, had a low-key dinner here at home, and once the girls were asleep, Kyle and madre came over to watch GOT. No spoilers, especially since I’ve only seen like six episodes, but I thought they did a good job wrapping up the series.

For today, I’m chugging wellness shots and Emergen-C, and taking it easy with P. Fingers crossed she’ll nap and I can nap, too. Gotta fight the good fight.

Hope you have a happy Monday and I’ll see ya soon!

xo

Gina

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