An 11-Minute Yoga Flow to Ease Holiday Stress and Fight Weight Gain

Between dealing with family drama, preparing excessive amounts of food, and shopping for way too many gifts, there’s no denying the holidays can be pretty stressful. But despite the challenges thrown at us in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there really are ways we can remain relaxed. One healthy coping strategy: Yoga.

Here, Equinox trainer Noemi Henriquez guides us through a Baptiste Yoga workout designed to challenge your body and help you unwind during the holidays. Her 10-minute flow was designed to be done Thanksgiving morning to relax and burn calories before chowing down on a big dinner, but you could do it any time of year that you have a stressful (or indulgent) day ahead of you.

Baptiste Yoga is perfect for both stress relief and calorie burning. It combines a fast-paced physical flow with meditation and self-inquiry practices. As far as yoga styles go, Baptiste is on the more rigorous side (a la Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Bikram), so expect to sweat and feel your muscles burn.

Watch this video to follow along with Henriquez in this fun, yet challenging flow. She’ll guide you through a big variety of poses and flows—down dog, sun salutations, and wheel. This class is meant to offer you both a physical and mental workout, leaving you totally ready to take on your holidays.

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The Best Hydrating Makeup for Dry Winter Skin

No question about it: Cold, dry winter air can be bad news for your

 complexion. But luckily, it is possible to have gorgeous skin all year

 long with the right products. Follow these tips from professional 

makeup artists to ensure that your winter makeup is hydrating and

 not drying out parched skin even more. Plus, a few of our favorite

 new products, from a liquid foundation that works wonders on dry

 skin to creamy lipstick that combats chapped lips.

Smooth on a hydrating base

Matte or oil-control foundations are no-nos, obviously, but so
 are hybrid formulas like tinted moisturizers and BB creams.
They offer many benefits but only a fraction of the moisture
 you need. It's like the difference between taking a multivitamin
 and individual ones for specific deficiencies, says Andrew Sotomayor,
 a celebrity makeup artist in New York City. Grab a moisture-rich product
 for dry skin, such as Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation.

Use your tools

You might think it's best to rely on fingers to put on base,
but on dry, flaky skin, doing so makes it harder to achieve a
smooth finish. "Using fingers causes makeup to catch and
 highlight dry patches even more," says Sotomayor. Apply with
 a damp synthetic brush in short, smooth strokes, or tap
 and blend in with a wet makeup sponge, like Beautyblender
 Royal makeup sponge.

Waterproof your lashes

Waterproof mascara may seem like a summertime-only thing,
 but when it's super windy or snowing, regular mascara can
start running each time you tear up or your lashes get wet.
Since long-wear formulas tend to be more drying, look for ones
with nourishing oils, like jojoba, to keep your flutter soft rather
 than crunchy (we love L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Feline Mascara 
Waterproof).

Choose creamy color

When it comes to lips and cheeks, go with creamy textures.
 For lips, switch out matte formulas (they leave lips tight)
 for moisturizing balms and lipsticks. For cheeks, opt for a
 cream blush in a warm nude, like peachy beige, taupe
 or caramel (we like Bite Beauty The Multistick in Honeywheat).

"Cheeks naturally flush when you're outside, and pink or rosy
shades will make you look ruddy," explains New York
City-based celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.

 Apply powder sparingly

By now, you know that anything powdery can zap your glow. But if you'd like a little finishing powder (such as Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder) to set your look, dust it on only where you need it with a small, fluffy brush. "An eye shadow brush is the perfect size for targeting small areas like the bridge of nose, lids and chin," says Hughes.

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Can a Cold Shower Really Benefit Your Hair, Skin, and Metabolism?

A blast of chilly water may do the body good—but are the shivers worth it? Of all the beauty trends out there right now, this one might take the cake: searches for "cold showers" are up 75% on Pinterest, according to the social platform. Proponents claim the brrr-inducing temps help increase metabolism, boost mood, and even lead to healthier skin and hair. 

But showers aren't just about getting clean (hello, relaxation!), so a cold one better offer real perks. But does it?

Well… maybe. First, let’s talk beauty benefits. In terms of your hair, "the cold will flatten the ruffled cuticles and lock in moisture to prevent breakage," says Jessie Cheung, MD, a dermatologist in the Chicago area. Cold water will initially help constrict blood vessels in your skin to temporarily tighten pores and decrease redness and puffiness, she adds. What’s more, cold temperatures boost circulation (it’s your body’s way of keeping warm). For your face, that might mean a healthy glow.

A cold shower is also said to help boost mood, but the evidence for this is slim. One study from the International Journal of Circumpolar Health looked at the practice of "winter swimming," which is popular in Finland. Their findings suggest that regularly taking a dip in cold water (the participants swam four times a week) might improve energy and overall well-being. And a 2007 study published in Medical Hypotheses found that short 2-3 minute cold showers may help relieve depressive symptoms—but the researchers noted more widespread studies on this are needed.

There has been some emerging research suggesting cold temperatures may stimulate brown fat, a type of fat that burns extra calories. In a small 2014 study, men exposed to a cold environment had an increase in brown fat volume as well as corresponding fat metabolic activity. But again, there’s not enough research to suggest that taking cold showers can lead to weight loss.

The real benefits may come from avoiding super-hot showers in the first place. Hot water might feel good, but it does a number on your skin and hair, explains New York City-based dermatologist Lance Brown, MD. "Hot water will strip away some of the natural, protective oils that your skin makes," he says, which can leave skin feeling dry and itchy and possibly exacerbate skin conditions like eczema. This is especially problematic during the winter months, when cold air outside and dry heat inside naturally make skin more parched.

The good news: "You don’t need to be in the cold for too long to see skin and hair benefits," says Dr. Cheung. "A short blast—aim for at least 10 seconds—at the end of your shower will do."

If that’s just not going to work for you, don’t feel guilty about skipping the cold shower altogether. Dr. Brown recommends short, 10-minute showers in lukewarm or mildly cold water. Lather up with a gentle, fragrance-free soap, pat your body dry with a towel, and follow up with a moisturizer on still-damp skin. Enjoy the glow!

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5 Weight Loss Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

 

Setting resolutions that work

Get this: 30% of all New Year's resolutions are broken before February, according to a poll by the time management firm Franklin Covey. "People tend to fall off the weight-loss wagon so quickly because their goals are unrealistic,", a registered dietitian based in New York City. "When people feel as though they've failed, they tend to throw in the towel for good instead of giving their resolution another shot." Here, four of the nation's top diet experts reveal common weight loss resolutions that almost always backfire.

01."I want to lose 20 pounds"

"Dropping 20 pounds is a great long-term goal, but dieters tend to fall off track when they have such a lofty resolution," .

Revised resolution: Lose 1 pound per week
"Instead of taking on such a big task, focus on losing one pound a week by setting small diet and exercise goals," . "For example, resolve to pick skim dairy over whole and pledge to work out 30 minutes, three times a week. You'll be surprised how small tweaks can result in major change."

02."I'm going to try the ________ diet"

Fill in the blank with any fad diet and you're doomed for failure. A typical diet-of-the-moment requires cutting out one or more major food groups, like fruits, grains, or meats. That's simply unhealthy and can also prove overwhelming, .

Revised resolution: Eat lean protein and veggies at every meal
A well-balanced and properly portioned eating plan that includes a variety of produce and lean meats (and the occasional sweet treat!) will always be the ticket to long-term weight loss, .

03."I'm going to stop eating at restaurants"

Nixing a night out with friends for the sake of your diet is no way to live,  You'll only wind up frustrated and will be more likely to fall off the wagon.

Revised resolution: Order smarter at restaurants
"Before dining out, have 10 almonds or an apple so you don't arrive ravenous, and then start with a small salad," suggests . In a 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Diet Association, Penn State researchers found that women who started a lunch with a salad consumed up to 12% fewer calories than those who skipped the first course. "Choose a light appetizer as your entree and have the bread basket removed,".

04."I'm going to eat 900 calories a day until I lose the weight"

Sure, severely restricting your calorie intake will spur weight loss, but you'll gain it all back as soon as you start eating normally again (not to mention that starving yourself is dangerous). "This is often the attitude of yo-yo dieters, who go from a size four to a 12 and back again, seemingly overnight,".

05."I'm going on a juice cleanse"

After a holiday binge, a detox may seem like a good idea, "but an all-or-nothing approach to weight loss will ultimately fail," says Lisa DeFazio,RD, a celebrity nutritionist based in Los Angeles.

Revised resolution: Do a mini-cleanse
Jumpstart your weight loss plan with a two-day, 1,200-calorie juice cleanse instead. "Replace breakfast and lunch with a fresh vegetable juice or a protein shake and eat a balanced dinner of whole grains, vegetables, and a lean protein like chicken or fish," suggests DeFazio.

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Why I Eat Local

One of the best strategies for healthy, sustainable eating is choosing fresh, local ingredients. But as we all know, it can be challenging to locate in-season produce from nearby growers without putting in some major effort. That’s why Natalie Chanin, founder of the sustainable lifestyle and clothing company Alabama Chanin took it upon herself to provide local foods to her community.

Because her grandparents grew and raised all of their own food, Chanin knew what quality ingredients tasted like from a young age. When she got older, however, it was harder to find sources of locally grown foods. Chanin’s solution to the problem: she started growing her own!

Eager to share healthy meals with the world—or at least Florence, Alabama—Chanin opened a café inside of her clothing store. The creative café offers unique and delicious takes on classic Southern dishes, using all local, in-season ingredients. The menu changes daily based on the time of year, as the head chef (also Chanin’s son) resourcefully translates available ingredients into delicious meals.

Watch this video to see Chanin’s inspiring story come to life, and learn more about the importance of eating local.

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8 Egg Tricks You Need to Learn in 2017

This article originally appeared on ExtraCrispy.com.

Many people think of a brand new year as a chance to kickstart their all-around self-improvement. We think it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on refining your breakfast techniques and simplifying your mornings, especially with clever egg hacks. Whether you like ‘em scrambled, poached, or over-easy, preparing eggs for breakfast is suddenly about to get way more entertaining—not to mention foolproof. With these egg hacks, you can peel an egg in five seconds flat, make fluffier pancakes, boil a perfectly soft egg every time, or prepare two dozen eggs all at once. We've tested plenty of egg hacks, so we know whereof we speak. These are the eight egg tricks you shouldn’t live without a moment longer.

Crack an Egg with One Hand

There’s nothing worse than cracking an egg and having to fish bits of shell out of the bowl. This year, save time and cut down on mess by mastering the one-hand cracking technique. Now you will never again have to experience a sneak attack from shards of eggshell in your omelet or frittata.

Peel a Hard-Boiled Egg in a Glass of Water

Sure, you could use a spoon to peel a hard-boiled egg, but a mason jar filled with a bit of water does the deed in less time. Just place a cooked egg in a jar, add one to two inches of water, cover, and give it a good shake. In just five seconds, the shell will break loose in big pieces, and you’ll be left with a perfectly peeled hard-boiled egg.

Make 24 Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Oven at Once

When you're cooking eggs for a crowd, it’s much easier and more convenient to make hard-boiled eggs in the oven. Seriously, you can cook two dozen eggs all in one shot. (And free up plenty of space on the stove for other important breakfast foods like bacon, pancakes, and hash browns.) A whole, unpeeled egg fills each cup of a muffin tin and cooks perfectly. All you need to do is set the temperature, start the timer, and walk away. 

Make Perfect Boiled Eggs Every Time

It’s easy to misjudge the right cooking time for boiled eggs, and once you’ve encountered the icky sulphuric taste of overcooked eggs, you can’t un-taste it. But, you can completely avoid this common mistake by following our boiled egg timeline. Timing is everything and with our help, you’ll only ever cook the most flawless soft-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs.

Mix Pancake Batter into Your Omelet the IHOP Way

IHOP is known for its pancakes, but the breakfast chain also makes the fluffiest omelets. Sure, stirring pancake batter in your omelet mixture might seem a little odd, but we figured if this is the trick IHOP uses to get their omelets on lock, it has to work for the average home cook, too. And it certainly does. Adding pancake batter to eggs adds a touch of sweetness and results in an omelet that’s hefty and airy at the same time. 

Grate Eggs and Trick Your Brain into Thinking You’re Eating Cheese

Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ nifty egg grating technique will add unique and excellent texture to any breakfast your heart desires. Because of its similarity to cheese, you could even skip it altogether. (Though you totally don’t have to.) The technique itself is incredibly simple, and can be done with a rotary grater, hand or box grater, or a Microplane at home. Just hard boil an egg to whatever level of firmness you like, grate it, and top any cheesy breakfast of your choice, like last night’s pizza, huevos rancheros, quesadillas, tacos, and more. 

Put Eggs in Water to See If They’re Good or Bad

People have strong feelings about food expiration dates—especially when it comes to telling how old eggs are. The best way to test the freshness of eggs is to drop them into a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s still ok to eat. If it floats, throw it away. It’s as simple as that.

Make Hollandaise Sauce in a Blender and Never Whisk Again

Although hollandaise sauce sounds über fancy and complicated, it’s actually super easy to make with this blender hack. Instead of constantly whisking the egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice on the stove to fully emulsify the sauce, dust off your blender and swirl together all the ingredients for a couple of minutes. It’s totally foolproof, won’t leave your arm exhausted from a ton of whisking, and you don’t have to worry about the sauce breaking.

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15 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science

The best weight loss tips of all time

Losing weight is hard. Losing weight and then keeping it off is even harder. Case in point: 74% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and weight loss is a $20 billion industry. All that said, if you're trying to slim down, there's no reason to lose hope. Plenty of studies show that lasting weight loss is not a myth. Work some of the 15 research-backed food, exercise, and lifestyle tips that follow into your routine, and watch the pounds start to come off.

01.Eat a big breakfast

Yeah, yeah—you've heard a million times that you must start your day with a balanced breakfast. This advice bears repeating, however. An Imperial College London study found that when people skipped breakfast, the reward centers in their brains lit up when they were shown pictures of high-calorie foods. That means if you skip breakfast, you'll be more tempted by bad-for-you snacks later in the day. What's more, a 2013 study found that women who enjoyed a large morning meal had a larger drop in ghrelin, the hunger hormone, than those who ate a small breakfast.

Finish breakfast with something sweet

Wrap up your morning meal with dessert—yes, really. In a Tel Aviv University Medical Center study, one group had a 304-calorie breakfast with 10 grams of carbs, while the other group ate a 600-calorie breakfast with 60 grams of carbs, which included a small sweet, such as chocolate, a doughnut, a cookie, or cake. Halfway through the 8-month study, both groups had lost an average of 33 pounds per person. At the end, however, the low-carb group regained 22 pounds, while the dessert group dropped an additional 15. Researchers say the dessert-eaters reported dealing with fewer cravings, and had a better chance of sticking to their calorie requirements for the rest of the day. 

Eat 30 grams of fiber a day

Try upping your fiber intake—it may work just as well as following a strict diet. In an American Heart Association study, one group was instructed to follow a diet with strict nutrient goals and limits on calories, sugar, and saturated fat, while the other group was given one goal: consume 30 grams of fiber a day. At the end of the 3-month study, both groups lost weight and improved their heart health, showing that losing weight may be as easy as filling up on more fiber.

02.Wean yourself off any beverage that's not water, tea, or coffee

Sodas and juices are essentially liquid candy: They contain up to 18 teaspoons of sugar and upwards of 240 calories per 20-ounce serving, and provide zero nutritional value. Experts point to soda as one of the top contributors to the obesity epidemic. Diet drinkers aren't off the hook, either. A study in the journal Obesity found that diet soda drinkers were more likely to have a high percentage of fat in their bellies. Researchers believe diet drinkers may overestimate the calories "saved," and then overeat. 

03.Reduce your meat intake

Vegetarians are generally thinner and healthier than meat-eaters, according to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. While going totally vegetarian may not be realistic for you, one way to slim down your meals is to replace some meat with plant protein. Black beans, for example, give you 15 grams of protein per serving, and mushrooms are rich in umami flavor, and can be used to replace half the ground beef in most recipes. 

04.Pump up your protein intake (but not too much)

Women need about 46 grams of protein a day (56 for men), and it's important to hit that goal if you want to keep your weight in check. Your body needs more time and energy to digest protein than fat or carbs, so you feel full for longer and also burn more calories absorbing the nutrients in the process. That said, you don't want to OD on protein, either—if you have too much, the excess gets stored as fat. 

05.Drink black coffee

Your morning java jolt doesn't just wake you up. Having a cup of coffee may also jumpstart your metabolism by 12% for 3 hours, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Just don't overdo it—experts recommend no more than 3 cups a day for the average woman.

06.Measure out your wine

A heavy-handed pour will negate any of the health benefits you get from sipping a glass of wine. One serving of wine racks up 125 calories, and many of today's fishbowl-sized glasses hold three servings. (For the math-challenged, that's 375 calories—the size of a small meal.) 

07.Snack on pistachios

Foods that require peeling, shelling, or individual unwrapping—like pistachios—force you to slow down your eating, and may help you consume less overall. Plus, a 1-ounce serving of pistachios provides 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber for just 159 calories.

08.Beware other booze-related calories

A single serving of beer, wine, or spirits clocks in at about 125 calories, and it's obvious that those calories can add up if you overindulge. Thing is, it doesn't end there. Ever notice that during a night of drinking, a plate of chicken wings or nachos suddenly appears in front of you? A recent study published in Obesity helps explain why. Researchers found that alcohol makes women's brains more sensitive to the smell of food, leading them to eat more. 

09.Have a MUFA at every meal

Fearing all fat is a thing of the past. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) actually help you lose weight, not gain it. When researchers asked women to switch to a 1,600-calorie diet high in MUFAs, they lost a third of their belly fat in just 4 weeks. Sprinkle a handful of nuts on your salad, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over steamed veggies, or mash a quarter of an avocado onto your breakfast toast.

10.Watch out for added sugar

You're probably eating more sugar than you realize. The average person takes in 22 teaspoons of sugar a day—more than three times the amount suggested by the American Heart Association. The white stuff is added to foods that don't even taste sweet, such as breads, condiments, and sauces. Read food labels carefully: ingredients are listed in the order of how much is in the food, so if sugar is near the top, put it back on the shelf. 

11.Don't skimp on spinach

Spinach and other dark leafy greens are rich in magnesium, which regulates more than 300 functions in the body. A 2013 study revealed that people who consumed more magnesium had lower blood sugar and insulin levels, which can play a role in weight.

12.Fill up on fish

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, herring, and other fish may help amp up your body's fat-burning power. These heart-healthy fats balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation, which helps regulate metabolism.

13.Have soup before your sandwich

In a 2007 study published in Appetite, people who ate soup before the rest of their lunch reduced their total calorie intake by 20%. The type of soup didn't matter in the study—all kinds led to consuming fewer calories. That said, your best bet is a broth-based, veggie-heavy soup for an extra dose of fiber.

14.Pair protein and fruit

Apples, bananas, strawberries—they're all good for your body and your waistline. But to take this snack from good to great, pair it with a bit of protein to make it more satisfying. An apple and cup of skim milk is one easy option that provides 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for 200 calories. Half an avocado filled with 2 ounces of cottage cheese is another 200-calorie fruit-and-dairy combo that fills you up with 9 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.    

15.Swap white bread for wheat

Better yet, replace all refined grains with whole. People who eat a lot of whole grains are more likely to keep their weight down than those who eat refined grains. In one study, women whose diets contained the most wheat germ, brown rice, dark bread, and popcorn had a 49% lower risk of major weight gain over time

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