In the past month, I have managed to have been diagnosed with strep, a tonsil infection, upper respiratory infection and exhaustion. Trust me the last one came to a shock – I always thought this was a concoction of BS and PR from a good talent agent to get a C-Lister in the news. How many times have you heard that – “Mrs. Smith was diagnosed with exhaustion and taking to Cedar’s Sinai Medical Center.” Just when I said oh ya I remember her – I am the one that gets diagnosed with something you only see on the national enquirer grocery store rag.
New Yorkers, It’s Time To Reinvent Yourself…Physically
Bikini season is right around the corner. Literally. Is anyone else with me when I say, "I need to see results fast!" I'm not saying I need to lose weight but I'm talking about tightening up ALL areas. Because when you're wearing that bikini, there aint nothing you can do to hide any of those soft areas. New Yorkers, Chaise23 has the solution for you. Chaise23 is a new and unique core-based workout.
"Formatted to 55 minutes of high energy, fun music provides an intense cardio workout, which blasts countless calories and is all done on the revolutionary fitness chair. Fusing sculpting, flexibility, and cardio, this chair isn’t meant for sitting, but to kick butt! With suspended bungees from the ceiling, the fitness chair challenges and fatigues both large & small muscles. The constant resistance of the chair and arm-resistance bungees exhausts muscles by using repetitive movements in a seamless, Pilates and ballet based technique, creating a well-toned, long, lean, well-aligned, and sculpted body. The Reinvention Method improves flexibility and balance, defining the entire body."
Just after 10 classes, you will start noticing a change in your body. With some dedication and time, you will discover a leaner and tighter body.
They have an outstanding team to guide you through the workout. Their brand spankin' new studios are in Chelsea. Go check 'em out! Right now, they have a new client special offer:
Intro Class $16 // 30 Day Unlimited Classes — $223
Click HERE to check out the FAQ section on Chaise23's site.
Images via Chaise23
Get 20% Off The Ritual Cleanse
Because I'm doing the Ritual Cleanse in the next few weeks, so should you! Let's go through it together. It's absolutely nothing like the Master Cleanse (aka it has nutrients and you won't see a person on the street and think they are a hamburger). Oh the things we do to feel healthier and to lose weight. First and foremost, I want to reiterate, to look great all the time, you need to changed your lifestyle diet. These cleanses are solely for people who just want to feel healthier or possibly use as a "crash diet." Not only are cleanses healthy but they really do boost your mood!
Since summer is right around the corner, I am offering my readers 20% off their Habitual Cleanse Order. First hear me out on the benefits!
"The benefits are endless and specific to each individual. Here are the most common benefits Ritual Cleansers report by the end of the program:
- Mental clarity
- Abundance of energy
- Happier Mood
- Better digestion
- Decreased desire for salt and sugar
- Craving for fresh fruits and vegetables
- Glowing skin
- More restful sleep
- Weight loss
- Increased sex drive
- Strong desire to “reset” regularly
Ritual Cleanse was born from the idea that there must be . . . A better way to cleanse. The company’s mission is to provide a superior fresh pressed, 100% organic vegetable and fruit juice cleanse that is packaged in environmentally sound materials and simple enough for busy people to integrate into their life.
The Ritual Cleanse fulfills this mission. The program is designed to include everyone from elite athletes to couch potatoes, raw foodies to fast foodies. The Reset Cleanse floods the cells with vitamins and minerals that gently cleanse and heal your body without the harsh “detox” symptoms associated with other cleanses. The Shred component even provides extra nutrition to fuel workouts.
Whatever category you fall into, whether you are an avid cleanser or a first timer looking for something to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, Ritual has you covered. Ritual makes juice cleansing a simple and rewarding experience by combining the power of nature’s organic produce with man’s most innovative juicer in order to give you a system that is purer, healthier and better for you than any other cleanse on the planet. There are no additives, funky powders, or pills involved, just pure and tasty juice!
Every detail of the Ritual Cleanse honors the founders’ mission, from the juicers and produce to the bottles and coolers they choose. The juicers used at Ritual are estimated to extract at least 4 times more nutrients than the centrifugal juicers used in most juice bars and homes. In addition, one of the many reasons Ritual chooses 100% organic is because organic produce contains 20-50% more nutrients than conventional produce. And with their eco-pledge mind, Ritual’s bottles are 100% recyclable and the reusable coolers the juices come in are made from 100% recyclable materials.
Ritual . . . A better way to cleanse."
For those of you interested, it's your lucky day! Just go to Ritual Cleanse's website and enter the following promo code: theoveranalyst. You will get 20% off your order. Trust me, it's worth it! So get involved and let's do this together! The promotion will end on April 23rd. Happy cleansing!
Warning: There’s Nothing Healthy About A Tan
Have you honestly heard anyone (guy or girl) actually say, "I hate being tan." Everyone is all about the tan. A good tan complements your clothes better, visually makes your body look slimmer and overall, makes you feel sexier. During high school, I ignored all my mom's emails regarding the dangers with tanning. Because spray and airbrush tan had not been invented, I was pro booth for a while. It wasn't until I really started to care about my health and I started to read articles and research on tanning. Obviously, I knew it could cause skin cancer. But just like everyone else, I told myself, "That will never happen to me." Truth is, it could easily happen to me.
According to the Skin Cancer Organization, "A tan, whether you get it on the beach, in a bed, or through incidental exposure, is bad news, any way you acquire it. Tans are caused by harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning lamps, and if you have one, you’ve sustained skin cell damage.
No matter what you may hear at tanning salons, the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more), as well as skin cancer. In fact, indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors."
After college, I decided to stop tanning as much as I used to. I would only go every so often when I had a grand event I wanted to look my best at. But there was a huge wake up call when one of my girlfriends was diagnosed with Melonoma. Her doctor was able to treat it at a very early stage of the diagnosis. Thank God. However, she happened to be one of my friends who took care of skin. It was only in high school that she tanned frequently. So sometimes the frequency of how often you tan doesn't determine how healthy your skin is. Our bodies react differently to the sun. It's just really important to take care of your skin. Make sure to always wear your sunblock, buy face moisturizer with SPF, wear hats and try not to stay in the sun for too long. Remember, there's nothing healthy about a tan.
There are so many products and solutions to give your skin great color without the harmful effects. I recently tried Suvara. A spray tan service, only offered in New York. However, as most people know, there are many other spray tan services offered in around the country. I have tried the spray tan machines which are great. They usually run from $25-$30. But my new obsession is the spray tan services that have tanning specialists. I should warn you that you completely stand in the nude while they work their magic. Why it's better than the machines? Mainly because they do an incredible amount of detailing and the product is much better (lasting much longer). Services like these run from about $70-$90.
Here is some more info on services like Suvara:
"At Suvara, our mission is simple, to help protect as many people from the dangers traditional tanning and the harmful UV rays can wreak on your skin. We have researched, developed and tested the formula of our customized, proprietary solutions to include specific ingredients to protect the health of your skin.
Our solutions are 100% natural, with no harsh chemicals. Only the essential vitamins , moisturizers and anti-wrinklingingredients necessary to rejuvenate, replenish and protect your skin. Our staff of highly trained, experienced specialists will personalize your tan from a light glow to a dark ‘been on the beach’ tan specific to your skin tone. We’re confident Suvara's flawless, natural result will make you look your best and feel your best. Experience the perfect airbrush tan and spray on body treatments with results so flawless, only you will know.
Suvara started with a simple objective, provide our clients with a safe, healthy alternative to UV tanning. The reality is that people like to be tan – we look better…we feel better. But the hard truth is it's just not good for us. Over the last several years it's become more and more documented that the UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds and tanning booths is very harmful. The challenge though, is that most people's experience with a "spray-tan" is that it doesn't look natural.
Suvara solves that problem.
Through our products: Suvara products have been formulated to not only provide you with the perfect tan, but to deliver healthy benefits to your skin.
Rejuvenate Vitamins A & C stimulate cell renewal and increase the skin's production of collagen and elastin improving texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing discoloration from years of sun exposure.
Protect CoQ10 boosts your skin's immune system against environmental damage defending against the signs of aging, increasing cellular rejuvenation, improving elasticity and firmness
Replenish Hyaluronic Acid, a natural constituent in the skin that decreases with age, holds nearly one thousand times its weight in water locking in moisture for smother, softer skin
With our Staff : All Suvara Tanning Specialist have completed our rigorous certification program. Each are highly trained in skin care, all aspects of sun-less tanning, and the breadth of Suvara products. They will answer all of your questions and advise you in how to achieve the most natural result. They will personalize your tan from a light glow to a dark "been on the beach" tan specific to your skin tone and your desire.
We're confident Suvara's flawless, natural result will make you look your best, feel your best, and bring compliments."
Check out my rockin' HEALTHY tan!
A Case of the Mean Reds: 5 Steps Out of Your Funk
A case of the mean reds – something that really struck home this week when a bunch of little things threw me into a downward spiral and I got stuck among the pity dwellers. We all know that we can’t be Audrey Hepburn sitting in a bleakly furnished apartment in New York City strumming Moon River on our ukulele’s while hanging on foot out of the fire escape.
Sometimes life just demands a bit too much from us. Rather we are left to deal with our feelings and emotions in non-Glee fashion we can’t break out in song to change it. I think some of the most prophetic words someone ever said to me were:
“If you don’t like the way things are all you have to do is change your mind.”
Prophetic words from a college professor afforded to me after several thousands in tuition later, which I probably could have found for free on Google – but nonetheless it stuck with me. So I found it appropriate on Friday the 13th of all days to offer up wisdom of 5 steps that can take you from the “mean reds” to the hot pinks and yellows of emotional bliss on a day that is usually left for the superstitious and scared:
1. Wine - Honestly I don’t really care what anyone says, sometimes a stiff drink is really what it is going to take! I know alcohol is a depressant after several glasses and all the jazz but truthfully after a long day where my motivation lacks getting my butt to the gym to get high on those “natural” endorphins sometimes you just have to open a good bottle. I find that a light sauvignon blanc or crisp chard will do the trick. No need to add reds to a mean case of them already – that’s just bad karma!
2. Running – After my aforementioned wine worshiping, you have to burn those calories somehow. Just being outside and running, will get the aggression out. For a single girl, when you don’t have time to work it out on someone, this is a healthy (and for his sake – maybe the right) alternative. Plus, thanks to the Canadians and their brilliant studies “Running Can Make You a Sex God.” My advice, get a good playlist going. Mine includes the soundtrack to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – mash-ups and some killer British Rock Music and let be honest the motivation to run just a bit faster and a bit longer.
3. Good Friends – You have those friends that make going out epic. Others that can be good movie buddies and then you have those girls – your Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte’s of the world that no matter what color your mood are there for you every step of the way. Those are the ones to call. I have to admit I am not one to bug people with trivial problems but what I learned was that they are there for the trivial stuff – lean on them and tell them. I got some of the best advice from my circle this week and could not be more thankful to have such a strong family of friends.
4. Plan Ahead – After an amazing weekend in my favorite city in the world I had to face work, laundry, life drama and then the slow oncoming of my week of foul moods. Around Wednesday, literally the Marianas Trench of the mean reds, two ticks short of crying my friend reminded me of my weekend coming up. A weekend full of birthday parties, pool days and a photo shoot. I TOTALLY FORGOT! This was a mood changer and deal breaker for the better. Make sure to make plans with the people that bring you up the most, pull you out of your “funk and into the fabulous.” (That could totally be a Sex and The City line – and I stole it.)
5. Change Something – This is the biggie but you know it’s totally worth it because we have all been in those life funks where we just need a change – a new apt decoration, hairstyle, trip – something that isn’t just a new dress to make you feel good for a day or two. So tomorrow I am getting a haircut and color. I will of course stay blonde but it’s time for that summer blonde that will bring me into a new season and new look. Sometimes like Carrie, we need a new hairstyle to spring us forward, a new apartment to cleanse the bad and in my case a ticket for my next trip not sure where but I need the next milestone to look forward to.
So happy planning and changing – nothing can be more exciting than stepping out of your red’s and shining like gold! Got any other’s that work for you? Leave a comment and let me know! I am always open to new things…
Get Fresh With A Spring Cleanse
Check out my favorite cleanses from hardest to easiest in my book!
THE MASTER CLEANSE/LEMONADE DIET
The Master Cleanse/Lemonade Diet is by far the toughest cleanse in my book. Mainly because you don't consume many nutrients. Many will argue that this cleanse is downright unhealthy and will advise others not to try it. But I say don't knock it until you try it. The worst part of the cleanse is the first 3 days so once you get past this point, it's not so bad. This cleanse is supposed to be completed in a minimum of 10 days. Big time professional cleansers have reached the 45 day mark. You really don't have to do 10 days. I actually noticed results and felt ultra fresh after day 3. The big issue with this cleanse is the salt water flush mix that must be consume once a day, either in the morning or at night. Let me just tell you to make sure you are near a bathroom. The point of the salt water flush is to rid of all toxins. And it pretty much does the trick! So give it a shot. It's not scary. Just stop doing the cleanse when you feel as if every person looks like a bagel on the street and you can't even form sentences anymore. The one major perk of this cleanse is that you can prepare in your own home and you don't have to waste your money on prepared cleanses. Remember to drink 6-12 servings a day!
#1 (single serving):
- 2 Tablespoons of organic lemon Juice (about 1/2 a Lemon)
- 2 Tablespoons of Organic grade B maple syrup (not the commercial maple flavored syrup you use on pancakes)
- 1/10 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper powder
- Ten ounces of filtered water
#2 (60 oz. daily serving):
- 60 ounces of filtered water
- 12 Tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup
- 12 Tablespoons of organic lemon juice
- 1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
Salt Water Flush requires only the following:
- 1L of filtered water
- 2 Teaspoons of Uniodized Sea Salt
ORGANIC AVENUE
Another popular cleanse is the Organic Diet. The reason I believe this is my favorite, second cleanse is because the juices do taste somewhat healthy. If you are thinking you are going to consume something along the lines of a smoothie, definitely wrong. Think carrot juice type drinks. The main perk of this program is that there are different levels. Some levels actually including food! The one drawback is that it can get pricey. But if you're determined to do a cleanse that you can handle, it's worth every penny. And that penny comes to about $400 on average. You can buy separate juices for an average total of $10. The duration of the cleanses range from 3-5 days.
BLUEPRINT
Next up is Blueprint which most of you may know about already. Reason being is because it's uber popular. I used to work a magazine and if I had a penny for every time I heard the word, Blueprint, let's just say I would be a multi-billionaire. I believe this cleanse is somewhat easier than Organic Avenue due to the fact that juices are sweeter and satisfy cravings more. This may not apply to everyone but usually when I don't eat regular foods on a cleanse, not only do I crave any kind of food but I really crave sweet foods. Just like Organic Avenue, Blueprint does provide food with certain programs as well. Or you can go big and just stick to the juices. The key is to try and understand what your body can handle. And this usually is discovered after some trial and error. There are many different options for this particular so take a look at the site and make sure you select a cleanse that you believe you can manage. Each delivery for a one-day supply can range from $65-$85. So depending on the amount of days you want to try the cleanse will determine your total amount. I've only heard wonderful things about this cleanse.
CRAZY SEXY DIET
Last but not least is The Crazy Sexy Diet, created by Kris Carr. In all honesty, this is the next cleanse on my list! I've had numerous friends rave about this one. This cleanse is more about consuming raw foods and juices. And the inspiring Kris Carr wrote her book talking more about her moving story of when she was diagnosed with cancer at 31 years old. When she made her "Crazy Sexy Diet" lifestyle changes, it saved her life. "Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark And Live Like You Mean It!" Buy the book here and check out more info on Kris Carr's site.
How-To: Get A Colorful Diet
The more color you add into your diet, the more nutrients you will get! With all the various colors, each food has different potential benefits to offer. Next time when grocery shopping, if your cart isn't screaming the colors of the rainbow, educate yourself with the info below and take another lap.
Greens indicate antioxidant potential and fiber that reduce cancer risks and smoothens bowel movement.
Fruits: avocado, apples, grapes, honeydew, kiwi and lime
Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, green peppers, cucumber and leafy greens such as spinach
Orange and deep yellow fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that promote healthy vision, immunity and give you glowing skin.
Fruits: apricot, cantaloupe, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peach and pineapple
Vegetables: carrots, yellow pepper, yellow corn and sweet potatoes
Purple and blue options may have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits and may help with memory, urinary tract health.
Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, plums, raisins
Vegetables: eggplant, purple cabbage, purple-flesed potato, beetroot, turnip
Red indicate products that may help maintain a healthy heart, vision, immunity and to maintain a healthy hemoglobin level.
Fruits: cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, red/pink grape fruit, red grapes and watermelon
Vegetables: red onions, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb and tomatoes
White, tan and brown food contains nutrients that may promote heart health and reduce cancer risks and good vascular circulation.
Fruits: banana, brown bear, dates and white peaches
Vegetables: cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, white-fleshed potato and white corn
via India Blooms
Images via Online Health Store
Natural Sleeping Aids & Remedies
Did you know that we spend 33% of our lives asleep? I know we all want to live as much life as we possibly can but decreasing this percentage is a big no no. It's really important to get enough sleep so you can give your body enough time to self-heal. Sleeping is just as important as eating and breathing. Without deep sleep, you're more likely to get sick, feel depressed and gain an unhealthy amount of weight. Um, no thank you.
With that being said, nothing is more aggravating when you know everything above but your body just won't cooperate. Some people miserably suffer with bad cases of insomnia and need to seek out medical attention. Before resorting to pills that you may not need, try these natural sleeping aids and remedies. Sleep can be very fragile so every little bit helps!
1. A glass of warm milk. It's not a myth, it's true! Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that is also found in turkey. The tryptophan is converted to serotonin in the body, calms the body and consequently, induces sleep. 2. Exercise. Try yoga - meditation causes instant relaxation. Regular exercise during the daytime reduces stress and enhances the quality of your sleep. Do not exercise right before bedtime. It can energize you and you will be bouncing off the walls. 3. Wholegrain cereals, pulses and nuts contain Vitamin B, which is proven to be effective in curing insomnia. 4. Stick to a fixed schedule for going to bed and waking up (6-8 hours is optimal for adults). Your body doesn't like surprises. 5. Avoid refined sugar, white flour, chocolates, high fat foods etc. is very essential. A high intake of salt can worsen insomnia so make sure you restrict the intake of salt in your diet to a max 5g/day. 6. Chamomile can be used as a natural sleeping aid. It comes in different forms so you can either brew as a tea or simply put under your pillow. 7. Avoid caffeine after noon. 8. Avoid TV and computer screens an hour before bed. 9. Try and avoid naps. 10. Take a hot bath or shower. The temperature drop from getting out of the bath signals your body it's time for bed. Images via star of the sea
How-To: Do Home Workouts On A Budget
The hardest part about maintaining your workout routine is getting your booty to the gym - it's half the battle. And as much as everyone likes to say the money is worth putting towards a gym, the cost of a gym membership can really get up there...especially for us, New Yorkers. $100/month? Equivalent to a pair of shoes, a hot dress, dinner with friends...or money spent toward home workout gear. Each piece of equipment below is under $100. At the most, you will spend $400 max and the life span for the equipment lasts for years. And, well, gym membership only lasts for a month.
Essential items for a home workout:
1.) Cardio Training Equipment
Options: jump rope; stepping machine; step-block; aerobic exercise DVDs; cable TV exercise on-demand channel.
2) Strength Training Gear
Options: hand weights (free weights); low end bench; resistance bands.
3) Balance Equipment
Options: burst-resistant stability balls, non-burst-resistant stability balls, soft foam exercise pads; wobble boars; gel-based balance beams; balance dome; hand weights (free weights); low end bench; resistance bands.
4) Flexibility Training Gear
Options: slant board; stretching bands; foam rollers; mat and towel.
If you're missing those classes, try thee home workout DVDs below - you can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour!
via WebMD
Images via TheBreakingStory.com
Do You Know How Many Calories Are In A Shrimp Tempura Roll?
"Let's go out for sushi, it's healthy!" Um, yeah no. Although sushi is the smarter choice than many other cuisines, you might want to take a look at the calories listed below...it can add up. If you really want a healthy sushi meal, order 1 roll + various pieces of sashimi. Substitute spicy mayo for red chili sauce for that extra kick. Tempura in moderation. And always, always low sodium soy sauce.
SUSHI ROLLS(average size)
Tuna Avocado Roll, 260
Spicy Tuna Roll, 290
Shrimp Tempura Roll, 510
California Roll, 255
Spicy Salmon Roll, 330
Yellowtail Scallion Roll, 190
Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll, 360
Eel Avocado Roll, 375
Spicy Tuna Roll (wrapped in cucumber), 175
Tuna Roll, 190
SASHIMI (average size)
Salmon, 156
Tuna, 61
White Tuna, 49
Yellowtail, 41
Red Snapper, 85
Unagi, 90
Sweet Shrimp, 30
Octopus, 26
Spicy Tuna, 225
Scallops, 78
Halibut, 60
King Crab, 27
OTHER FAVORITES
Edamame (1 cup, shelled), 376
Shrimp Shumai (4 pieces), 100
Vegetable Tempura (5 pieces), 350
Seaweed Salad (1 oz.), 35
Ginger Dressing (1 serving), 100
Spicy Mayo (1 tbsp.), 110
Red Chili Sauce (1 serving), 30
Image via John Koinberg
