BellaSugar

Will Going Vegan Save My Skin?

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:00:11 PDT

I love cheese so, so very much. In fact, I recently downloaded a handy nutrition tracker app and discovered that it comprises a wildly disproportionate amount of my daily food intake. And while my gouda habit keeps my tummy well-satisfied, it may not be doing such great things for my skin. There's a proven link between dairy consumption and acne (although we all know correlation doesn't necessary equal causation). Lately I've been wondering whether my never-ending battle with my skin might be related to my romance with dairy.

I've been a lacto-vegetarian for years, so dropping the dairy will make me a vegan. I'm prepared to test the theory out starting today, and I've been checking out all YumSugar's delicious-looking vegan recipes for ideas. Have you ever cut out dairy and seen good skin results? And do you have any recommendations for making the transition to a cheese-free diet? (I'm looking at you, lactose intolerant people.)

Bella Quiz: Beauty Fact or Myth?

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:34 PST

Besides tips on how to eat right for beautiful skin, nails, and hair, dietitian Lisa Drayer's new book, The Beauty Diet, has wonderful recipes, too. Low-fat double-chocolate milkshake, fire-roasted tomato soup, and white bean "hummus"? Yes, please. Separately, of course.

Another great inclusion? Some common beauty myths are either confirmed or completely busted. Does chocolate actually cause acne? Can carrots improve your eyesight? You're about to find out.

Source

Take the Quiz

Bella Book: The Beauty Diet

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:00:12 PST

You are what you eat, right? That's what nutritionist Lisa Drayer will have you believing (and then some) in her new book, The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious ($15.61).

A registered dietitian, Bayer devotes the majority of this read discussing the nutritional value of foods, naming 10 of the best for a beautiful appearance. (Psst. One of them is chocolate.) She also spills the beans (literally) on what you should eat to provide the best nutrients for hair, nails, skin, teeth, and eyes. And if you tend to get purpley under your peepers, like me, say no to extra salt. Capiche?

While some advice is common sense (get adequate rest, exercise, let go of tension), I found this book to be a great reminder of what it takes to stay healthy - while looking good in the process, of course.

See what other goodies you'll find, along with my opinion, when you

read more. Seeing that I'm a bit of a foodie, the recipes and menu plan towards the end of the book were a personal favorite. I made the sweet potato, zucchini, and goat cheese frittata and it's an 11 out of 10 - delish. I appreciated that her ideas were creative, fresh, and gourmet without the fuss. Green tea frozen yogurt, anyone? Overall, this read provides a great way of looking at food in a different light. While there's lots of information to digest (ha), it's well-organized, and has some solid advice on maintaining your health and gorgeous self. It's true what they say. Garbage in, garbage out - and this one's not headed toward the disposal.

Minka Kelly Shares Her Heart-Healthy Fitness and Diet Tips

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:02:38 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Esquire magazine once named actress Minka Kelly the “sexiest woman alive," so walking in the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness for women’s heart health should be a breeze, right? Not quite. “I’ve been nervous all week!” Kelly said when we got the chance to chat with her on her new ambassador title with Diet Coke. We caught up with the brunette bombshell hours before showtime to get the scoop on how she lives a heart-healthy lifestyle, the exercises she swears by, and more.

Tell us about your partnership with Diet Coke and Heart’s Truth Red Dress Fashion Show. What made you decide to get involved?

Before I started working with Diet Coke as an ambassador, I wasn’t even aware that heart disease is the number-one killer for women. I figured this would be a chance for me to use my voice and let other women know how important it is to eat right and exercise to keep your heart in good health.

How do you manage to stay in shape, especially with such a busy schedule?

I try to do yoga every morning at 7 a.m.; it’s good to get your workout out of the way early. I also work out with my trainer Gunnar Peterson two days a week on top of that. I owe him a lot of credit for the shape I’m in because I love to eat! I have to work out extra hard to balance my love for food out.

Keep reading to learn how Minka Kelly is trying defying gravity.

Foods That Can Make You Look Pregnant

Shape — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:29:06 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Over the weekend, I saw a photo of a female celebrity (who is in a relationship with a male celeb) leaving a café with the caption, "Baby bump?" and I had to refrain myself from shouting out loud, "Come on, can't a girl eat without the world thinking she's having a baby?!"

The truth is having a perfectly flat stomach all the time just isn't normal. After you eat or drink, food and liquids naturally expand your stomach and intestines, so at least a little "bump" is inevitable every single day. So if you regularly get stalked by paparazzi or you have family members who are anxiously awaiting news of a new addition, here's the lowdown on when you might get mistaken for being pregnant:

See which foods may make you look pregnant after the break!

Team Zoe's Joey Maalouf Answers Your Most Hair-Raising Questions

Jaime Richards — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PST

You've learned how he creates Rachel Zoe's signature beachy waves, and you've likely admired his other work from afar (Jessica Alba's soft and pretty Golden Globes makeup, anyone?). And most recently, celebrity stylist Joey Maalouf has signed on as a beauty advisor for Slim Fast's Studio Wow! campaign, which he explains, is a way to help people be at their most confident for a big, upcoming life event.

"You know, there's no one big step that does it; it's a lot of little steps," Joey says. "First the tricks of dieting, then you start to think about your external look: styling, hair and makeup. I love making people feel like they can just do it at home - and they can," Joey adds. And that's why he's answering your most hair-raising questions. From keeping curls bouncy to Spring 2012's hottest trends, see Joey's expert advice on how you can wow the crowd when you read more.

Are Your Birth Control Pills Safe?

Shape — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:06:17 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Last year during my annual exam, when I complained to my doctor about my terrible PMS, she was quick to pull out her pad and give me a prescription for the birth control pill Yaz. "You're going to love this," she said. "All of my patients that are on it think it's the best. It's even helped some of them lose weight!"

Less PMS and not having to worry about my weight? I was sold, even though I'd only intended to talk to her about lifestyle and/or diet modifications since my birth control needs were already taken care of. Before I stopped into the pharmacy, however, I looked up the pill online (Paging Dr. Google!). The results were anything but the lovefest I'd been promised. In fact, the information I found scared me so badly that I never filled that prescription.

Am I Normal? Your Top Six Sex Questions Answered

It quickly became evident that I wasn't the only woman concerned when Yaz and it's sister pill Yazmin, two of the most popular pills on the market, came up for review by the FDA after reports that the manufacturer may have hid and minimized critical health risks. But is the hysteria warranted?

Find out how safe birth control pills are after the break!

How to Get Rihanna's Rock-Hard Abs

Shape — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:58 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Rihanna is one hot singing sensation. Having recently been named the best-selling digital artist of all time - thanks to a whopping 47.5 million downloads of her hits - the sexy songstress is also a top contender for album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.

But not only does the Barbadian beauty know how to rock a stage, she also rocks a bikini, too! No stranger to showin’ off some skin, getting that taut and tight tummy definitely takes work.

The Top 10 Best-Dressed Stars at the Golden Globes

That’s where inspirational fitness expert extraordinaire Ary Nuñez comes in; she’s been training the artist hard for almost four years. “We focus on the core muscles and we do a ton of repetitions,” Nuñez says.

See Rihanna's ab workout after the break.

If Mars Were a Chocolate, It'd Be Orange Praline, of Course

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:30:11 PST

Freeze-dried astronaut ice cream not cutting it anymore in your space-inspired diet? Trade the dehydrated treat for a chocolate translation of the solar system. This set of eight chocolate planets by Japanese chocolatier L'éclat ($50) throws our childhood lessons of sharing into jeopardy. The hand-painted planets come nestled in a beautifully galactic gift box, each with a different and rather appropriate flavor. The rocky terrain on Earth is responsible for its cocoa flavoring, and we'll play along with Neptune having a cappuccino essence.

Noticeably absent from the sweet planet set is Pluto, a necessary accuracy Neil deGrasse Tyson undoubtedly appreciates.

8 Life Lessons Learned From CES 2012

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:31:59 PST

This year's CES didn't just teach us about gadget trends and the future of the industry - it also taught us a few things that we'll remember in our everyday lives as well. Here, we offer up a few tips to take with you on your next journey to a big tech conference, or to keep in the back of your mind for life. Trust me: our pain is your gain!

Get plenty of sleep. Between long hours on the show floor and various industry parties (and afterparties), there's a good reason we'd love to see siesta lounges at CES. But if you can't nap during the day, be sure to get enough shut eye at night. This is true even for the real world, where you've got emails, shows, and news to catch up on. Put away the laptop at a decent hour and get your beauty rest. You'll wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day's to-do list.
Carry water. Downing coffee, cocktails, and Diet Cokes, coupled with the dry weather in the desert, and filtered air in the hotels and casinos can cause dehydration fast. Keep a bottle of water on you at all times. This not only keeps your skin fresh, lips hydrated, and head clear, but it'll keep you from overheating due to thirst.
Wear good shoes. Did I mention how much we walked at CES? Seriously, the biggest expo I've ever seen, it spans the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels. It's not hard to walk six miles in a single day. Multiply that by three or four days, and you've got yourself a good workout. Dress your feet appropriately for CES, and everyday life, since it can save your back later down the road.
Get in the lunch line early. Hungry bloggers line up to get their lunches far before the 11:30 a.m. call time. Although we never saw a shortage of food, who wants to wait in another line when you're tired and hungry? This is another way to say "eat your lunch." Skipping meals can lead to headaches and crankiness, symptoms you don't want to experience when you're in a fast-paced and crowded space or in your office.

Check out the rest of the list when you read more.