BellaSugar

Do You Bite Your Cuticles?

BellaSugar — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 06:00:00 PDT

I have previously determined that the majority of you claim pimple picking as your worst beauty habit. While I'm uncertain of how many of you actually bite your nails, I've never explored the topic of biting your cuticles and/or skin around the nails. So, now it's time.

While having my iPhone checked out at the Apple store the other day, I noticed that the friendly gal who helped me out was guilty of a little cuticle nibbling. I thought, "I have been there myself, sister." It's a bad habit that's hard to break. Now it's your turn to dish. Do your cuticles not get the love they deserve?

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Do You Have a Beauty Bad Habit?

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:00:11 PDT

A bad habit is an undesirable behavior pattern, like whipping out the credit card a bit too often during those late night infomercials or spending a mind boggling amount of time on the Wii. But what about beauty - do you have any bad habits you'd like to break? Whether it's pimple popping or nail biting, what's your worst vice? Such a delightful topic, no?

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Two Unexpected Ways to Be Kind to Your Teeth

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:00:00 PDT

Dental health is important for a variety of reasons, and the two that top my list are:

When my teeth hurt, eating is painful and I like to eat.
Dental work is expensive and I would rather spend my money on something fun.

Aside from the proactive activities of brushing and flossing, there are two rather surprising things you should avoid to help keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

Nail biting is the more obvious of the two tooth-damaging activities. It can wear down your teeth, aging them prematurely. Nail biting mainly stresses the front teeth. Not only are the front teeth the most visible ones in our mouth, these teeth were designed for cutting and not chewing and are not strong enough to be used constantly.

To see the other culprit,

read more. Often considered health food, smoothies can actually do a doozy on your teeth. Smoothies often contain high levels of both sugar and acid – a combination that can lead to the decay of tooth enamel. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth immediately after drinking a smoothie can cause even more damage to the already weakened enamel. Your best bet is to brush your teeth prior to having a smoothie, but then I can't imagine it would taste very good. Source

Nail-Biting Kitty Needs to Chill

GiggleSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 PDT

This self-grooming business is a little stressful for Winston here. Looking this immaculate takes a whole lot of primping and licking and - do you see that hair out of place? Oh hell no. He's gotta get the paws clean and pristine, he's just gotta. The pressure is overwhelming. So the nail biting helps ease the tension every now and again, no biggie. It's not a habit or anything . . .

Nail Nibblers Get a New Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:30 PDT

I used to have a boyfriend who, because he was so stressed from law school, couldn't stop biting his nails. So then he moved on to nibbling his knuckles. By the end of his first year, he had barely any nails left and puffy, swollen joints. Sound vaguely familiar? Lots of people bite their nails, whether absentmindedly or actively, and most chompers have told me that they just can't stop the habit.

That could change, though, if a Dutch business manages to sell its idea. Alain-Raymond van Abbe, a former cosmetics marketer, has created a barely-visible tooth guard for nail biters. The mouthpiece makes it impossible for people to bite their nails, but it can be removed for eating. After four weeks, van Abbe says, the impulse to gnaw goes away.

Van Abbe's treatment fee can climb as high as $670, which seems awfully expensive for what basically amounts to a clear retainer. But for that kind of fee, I think I'd try to win with will power first.

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Dutch Nail Biting Cure: The "Preventer"

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:30:00 PDT

One of the most common symptoms of stress, pathological nail biting troubles some people 6 million people worldwide. Or so estimates Alain-Raymond van Abbe the Dutch inventor of the "Preventer."

Although his background is in marketing and not medicine, van Abbe describes himself as a "problem solver." His solution for nail biting, The Preventer, is essentially a molded mouth guard, worn on either the upper or lower teeth. The Preventer is barely visible and it prevents biting, hence your fingernails cannot be bitten. It can, however, be removed for actual eating. It takes about 4 weeks of wearing the Preventer to control the nail biting impulses. Van Abbe has created an entire clinic for chronic nail biters and he is doing a brisk business. Treatment costs about $640.

Pathological nail biting is now classified as a category of obsessive-compulsive disorders called Body-Focused Repetitive, along with hair pulling and biting the inside of the cheek, and these habits are gaining more scientific attention. Some American psychologists believe Van Abbe might be onto something, since his treatment deals with both cognitive and behavioral aspects. However there is skepticism that an entire clinic dedicated to nail biters can remain afloat.

And you, are you a nail biter? If so would you try this treatment? Let me know in the comments below.

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The Vampire Diaries "The Ties That Bind": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:56:35 PST

It's a family reunion for Bonnie and her estranged mother on this week's The Vampire Diaries, but their meeting is less than magic (I'm sorry, I had to). They need her to open up one of Klaus's sealed coffins, but like most things on this show, they have to get through a bit of sticky business first. Meanwhile, Tyler recruits someone to help free him of his sire bond to Klaus so he can be with Caroline again, and Elena gets something off of her chest.

Even though there were no hot makeouts this week and not much major happened, it's still another entertaining episode with a lot going on. Ready to discuss? To get to the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.

Take All of Our Midseason TV Quizzes!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:43:15 PST

Last Fall's primetime lineup was chock-full of hilarious shows and nail-biting dramas, so we've rounded up all of our midseason quizzes to test your knowledge on your favorite series. Before the shows return, here's your chance to quiz yourself on the best moments, quirky facts, and priceless quotes from the first half of the season.

Happy Endings Quote Quiz

Grey's Anatomy Quiz

Glee Quiz

Community Quote Quiz

The Vampire Diaries Quiz

Parks and Recreation Quote Quiz

Gossip Girl Quiz

Modern Family Quote Quiz

90210 Quiz

5 New Year's Resolutions For Beautiful Nails

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

If you've resolved to treat your nails and hands better this year, there are a few ways to ensure that you have the gorgeous, healthy digits you want in a few weeks' time. You don't have to expend a lot of effort on your nails to get them in great shape, either, so to get started, check out the tips below.

Doctors Say We Should Bribe Our Kids to Eat Well

BabyCenter — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:33:21 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Dr. Lisa Dana about convincing kids to eat healthy foods.

A study out of the University College London in the United Kingdom says yes. Reuters reported on the study.

Children rewarded with a small sticker after eating 3 to 4 bites of a previously disliked vegetable would ultimately change their attitude toward the vegetable. After the 12 day experiment, kids who were rewarded with stickers, would change their opinion from “yucky” to “okay” or “yummy.”

Related: Teaching Bad Sleep Habits

The experiment compared three different groups of children. One group was rewarded with a small sticker after eating vegetables, one group received verbal praise, while the control group was simply offered the vegetable without praise or rewards for eating. The vegetables in the study included carrots, celery, cucumber, red pepper, cabbage and sugar snap peas.

The children in the reward group gave higher ratings to the previously disliked vegetable, and they were more likely to eat it 3 months later.

Jane Wardle, a researcher on the project emailed Amy Norton of Reuters, “We would recommend that parents consider using small non-food rewards, given daily for tasting tiny pieces of the food - smaller than half a little finger nail.”

I have never been an advocate for the reward system. Why do we need to bribe kids to do something that is ultimately good for them. Also, when do the rewards stop? I believe that if we start healthy eating habits early, then babies and toddlers will love these healthy foods from the beginning.

When parents tell me that their toddlers and children are picky with vegetables, I suggest they keep trying. At meals, offer vegetables first, and if you are out and about, bring it along as the snack option. You should also expect to offer it at least 15 different times before giving up on a particular food.

As the kids get older, I speak directly to the kids about healthy eating options. I remind them how important vegetables are for their growing bodies. I also tell them that no one, including their parents wants to argue about food at meal time. Meal time should be more relaxing. For these older picky eaters, I ask that when they return for their annual check up in a year, that they try to expand their repertoire by at least 3 -4 new foods.

*Note: The advice provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment for specific medical conditions

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
7 guilt trips moms can do without
7 gifts you pray your kids don't get this year
Do you spoil your kids? Should I?
Do the kids sit at a different table?
You know you're a mother when . . .