Don't Do This Alone: Diet!

Want to peel off those unwanted pounds, pronto? Double your chances of weight loss success by joining forces with a like-minded (read eager to slim down) buddy -- or two or three. Turns out that social networks have a tremendous impact on how you behave when it comes to health, whether you are trying to stop lighting up or are intent on lightening up.

Weight gains and losses are especially susceptible to the influence of friends and family: A woman's chances of being obese increase nearly 60% if her BFF is gaining, too, and rises about 40% if a sibling or husband starts tipping the scales.

The message behind this research isn't to move into a Wi-Fi-free cave if you want to slim down, but to use the power of friendship to meet your weight loss goals. If you don't believe it works, you've never watched The Biggest Loser.

Here are some tips for creating your own team approach to weight loss:

• Dine together. Making healthful, low-cal meals night after night is daunting, especially when it comes to dinner (you're tired, it's late, and take-out Thai with a Chunky Monkey chaser looks awfully appealing). Make regular dates with your diet pal to dine as a duo. You'll keep each other out of food trouble, and sharing or alternating the cooking when you can't eat out makes everything easier.
• Divide and conquer. When people eat together, new research shows they're likely to sync up their portion sizes. In other words, if one diner reaches for a second slice of bread, the other is likely to do the same. So when you're eating out, ask for an extra plate, and go halfsies on everything: Share an appetizer, split an entree (no worries; the wait staff is used to it). Not only will you keep fat and calories in check, but if one of you "forgets" to ask the waiter to remove the bread basket or chips, the other will remember. Just gotta have that margarita? Share it, too (then switch to club soda with a twist during the meal).
• Double up on cooking. Swap fave recipes, and make enough for each other. Salmon with Pepita-Lime Butter, anyone? Or make a date to shop the farmers market, and then make a low-cal casserole or soup afterward. Split, freeze, and serve to families or friends later.
• Join the gym. You'll get more bang for your biceps curls if you do them with a buddy. You're likely to lose a third more weight than if you work out by yourself, according to University of Pittsburgh researchers. Making dates to meet at the gym, the jogging track, or a pole-dancing class is likely to keep you from wimping out on your workout. After all, do you really want your BFF to be miffed when you don't show up for Zumba? If you don't have a friend who wants to work out, you can still take advantage of the power of peer pressure by signing up for an exercise class. Gym attendance for class takers is 69% versus only 54% for people who work out on their own, University of Oregon researchers say.
• Make a date with man's best friend. There's no reason your workout buddy has to be a biped. Numerous studies report that dog owners tend to log more walking time than folks who don't have pups. One study in particular found that dog owners are about 34% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise: They walk about an hour more each week than their canine-less comrades. Want a dog but can't have one where you live? Offer to walk a friend's mutt regularly, or volunteer for exercise duty at your local animal shelter.
• Be a groupie. Don't have a pal to pare down with? Then get your social support by joining a weight loss program that includes regular meet-ups. Groups like Weight Watchers have proved more effective at helping people drop pounds than self-help approaches. Plus, think about it: Lose weight, gain friends. It's a total win-win.

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Diet Dilemma: Low Carb or Low Fat?

Take a stroll through the health and wellness section of any bookstore, and you'll notice that many of the tomes on display are devoted to one of two ways of eating: low-carb or low-fat. Both have their merits and their downfalls, so which is the right approach to weight loss for you? Here's my take on the benefits of each:

Cutting carbs:

The premise behind low-carb diets (think Atkins and South Beach) is that limiting breads, pasta, starchy veggies and fruit can help you shed pounds by keeping your insulin levels in check. Insulin is the hormone that regulates how much sugar is absorbed by our cells to be used as fuel. These sugars are later stored as fat if they aren't used as energy. When your insulin levels remain steady, your body is more likely to burn stored fat for energy. Sounds good, right? But an ultra-low carb diet has its drawbacks. Let's not forget that carbohydrates give us energy and boost our moods, so some people may find they feel unusually tired and irritable when they cut them. And because healthy carbs like vegetables and fruits are alsoa rich source of fiber, restricting them causes constipation and other digestive issues, as well as nutrient deficiencies.

Diet Dilemma: Fried Fish or No Fish?

Skimping on fat:

The basic rationale behind a low-fat diet doesn't seem like much of a stretch: Limit fat, lose fat. Since fat has nine calories per gram, as opposed to protein and carbohydrates, which have only four calories per gram, many believe that reducing your fat intake is an easy way to cut calories and drop a dress size. And here's the 'but': Too often, products labelled "low-fat" are laced with sugar and other sweeteners to make them taste better, so low-fat doesn't necessarily mean low-calorie. Also, low-fat diets are often hard to follow in the long term, because fat helps us feel full and satisfied. And if you're constantly hungry and plagued by cravings, your diet is going to be tough to maintain. Removing "good" fats from your diet can also negatively affect your cholesterol and hormone levels, since fats are a necessary building block of these essential compounds. Finally, healthy fats help control your appetite and reduce cravings.

The Verdict: Follow a balanced approach.

A 2010 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine compared low-carb and low-fat diets and discovered very little difference between the two when it came to weight loss. Low-carb dieters did drop more pounds in the first three months, but two years later, dieters from both groups had evened things out with an average weight loss of about 15 pounds. Researchers found the main difference between the two diets lay in cholesterol levels: Low-carb dieters had a 20 percent increase in HDL (good) cholesterol after six months — more than twice the increase of the low-fat dieters. But the problem with eliminating (or seriously restricting) any one food group is that it's very hard to sustain in the long term. Even better than depriving yourself by cutting carbs or fat from your diet is following a more varied strategy. In an ideal world, your food intake—at every meal—would comprise 35% carbohydrates, 35% protein and 30% fat. If you're trying to lose weight, start by eliminating unhealthy fats (like saturated and trans fats) and bad carbohydrates (including sugar, white flour and anything processed).

Skinny Girls and Spaghetti: The Ins and Outs of Weight Loss With Carbs

Keep enjoying a balance of good fats, carbs and protein. We need fat (healthy sources include olive oil, nuts and avocado) for vitamin absorption and to help us feel full; we need good carbs (whole grains, fruits and veggies) for energy and to improve our moods; and we need protein (meat, fish, dairy and beans) for healthy nerve and muscle function—so a balanced 'carb conscious" approach is best.

Here's a simple balanced breakfast and a few snack ideas:

Breakfast:

P: 1/2 cup egg whites with 1 whole egg
C: 1 cup spinach (cooked or raw)
F: 1 tbsp goat cheese
C: ¼ cup apple slices or berries (optional)

And be sure to take 2 capsules of fish oils.

Snack:

• Shake – 1 serving whey protein isolate (25 to 30 g) with 1 level tbsp of almond butter and 1 serving of Clear Fiber. You can place the ingredients in a shaker cup and add cold water when you are ready to enjoy your high protein snack.  If you have access to a blender you can add ½ cup berries.
• A simply Bar
• 2 pieces Allegro 4% cheese with 10 almonds or 7 walnuts
• ½ cup low fat Greek yogurt with ¼ to ½ cup fresh berries and 10 almonds

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5 Tips To Get Toned Arms Fast!

Lifting weights can get so repetitive. Sometimes it's nice to change up your workout routine and try something new. If you're looking for new ways to get toned arms fast, try these five tips!

1. Change your grip: Your biceps are the strongest of all arm muscles and make a great curve just above the elbow. Make sure to perform bicep curls with three hand positions: palms up, palms down, and thumbs to the side. Perform 12 repetitions to the front and then 12 repetitions of each to the side.

2. Get on the ball: The stability ball will engage your core and amplify the results you get from chest exercises. It's important to work the chest muscles when sculpting the arms to create stability for the shoulder joint. Try the single-arm chest fly on the ball: Start you're your shoulders on the ball, hips lifted, and both hands over your chest holding light weights. Slowly lower one arm extended to the side, pause, and return to center. Perform 15 repetitions on each arm.

RELATED: Work Out Like An Olympic Athlete!

3. Row, tow, tone your arms: Rowing a boat can give you spectacular arms, but since most of us don't have access to water (or a row boat), simulate this exercise in the gym with an Olympic bar (the long bar you use to bench press). Stand with the bar between your legs and pick up only one end. Walk backwards until your about in the middle of the bar. In a slightly bent forward position, bend your arms to bring the bar closer to your body and then extend it in a rowing motion. Perform 20 rows. For even more arm toning, start in the same position and circle the bar 10 times clockwise and then 10 times counter-clockwise as if you were stirring a big pot of soup from both an upright position and a bent over one.

4. Say good-bicep: Target your biceps to get sexy, sleek arms. Start sitting on a ball with hips low so that your back and the backs of your arms are supported by the ball. Perform bicep curls using a ten count up and ten count down timing. Perform as many repetitions as you can until fatigue sets in. Next, turn your arms out to the side and repeat the "targeted" slow curls.

RELATED: 6 Reasons To Take Your Workout Outside

5. Try new triceps toners: Combine traditional triceps toners with long-extend moves like ball overhead reaches: Start with your shoulders and head on the ball, hips lifted, and hands over your chest. Bend at your elbows and slowly lower your hands back over your head (until your arms form a 90-degree angle). Pause and return to start. Beginners can push hands together while advanced may keep arms apart. Perform 15-20 repetitions, holding the last lift for 10 seconds at 45 degrees.

Part two: From the final 45-degree position, bend and extend your arms for a traditional triceps extension. Perform 15 repetitions and then bring hands back to chest. Repeat the set.

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Can eggs be a healthy breakfast choice

Eggs, one of the most commonly consumed breakfast foods in the United States, have long been a subject of controversy. Are they healthy or are they a high-cholesterol trap? The answer depends on what the hen eats, says a Tel Aviv University researcher.

Dr. Niva Shapira of Tel Aviv University's School of Health Professions says that all eggs are not created equal. Her research indicates that when hens are fed with a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids from a young age -- feed high in wheat, barley, and milo and lower in soy, maize and sunflower, safflower, and maize oils -- they produce eggs that may cause less oxidative damage to human health. That's a major part of what determines the physiological impact of the end product on your table.

Her findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Cholesterol oxidation: an industry standard?

Eggs high in omega-6 fatty acids heighten cholesterol's tendency to oxidize, which forms dangerous plaque in our arteries. Dr. Shapira's research shows that eggs laid by hens with healthier feed can lessen oxidation of LDL (low density lipoprotein), the body's "bad cholesterol."

But healthier eggs are likely to cost more, Dr. Shapira says. The price of chicken feed varies from region to region, and in many areas, feed containing products high in omega-6 fatty acids, such as maize, soy, and their oils, are much cheaper for egg producers to purchase.

To test the effect of a healthier feed on the eventual composition of the egg, Dr. Shapira and her fellow researchers designed feeds that were high in anti-oxidants and lower in omega-6 fatty acids, based on wheat, barley, and milo. The specialized feed was given to young hens who had not yet accumulated n-6 fatty acids in their tissues, and the composition of their eggs was then tested. When researchers achieved the desired composition of low omega-6 and high anti-oxidants, the eggs were given to test participants, who were instructed to eat two of these special eggs daily. Their results were measured against daily intake of two standard grocery store eggs, and a weekly intake of only two to four standard eggs.

There were vast differences in outcome among the treatments. Daily consumption of two industry-standard eggs, high in omega-6, caused a 40 percent increase in LDL oxidizability in participants. After eating two per day of the specially-composed eggs, with both high anti-oxidant and low omega-6 levels, however, LDL oxidation levels were similar to the control group eating only two to four eggs a week.

Surprisingly, with the "healthier" eggs, we might be able to eat more than twice today's generally recommended egg intake and still maintain a healthy level of LDL oxidation, Dr. Shapira concludes.

Demanding a better product

The drawback is that these eggs aren't being widely produced. For now, consumers can only buy what the grocery store stocks.

Dr. Shapira recommends that consumers demand "health-oriented agriculture." "In addition to factoring in the cost of the chicken feed, farmers need to think about the health of the consumer," she says. To produce healthy foods, they need support from local authorities and increased consumer awareness. That would help to expand access to better foods.

As her study demonstrates, consumers should beware of egg studies that draw a single conclusion about the health value of all eggs, Dr. Shapira cautions, because the outcome could have a lot to do with how the egg was produced. In Europe, corn and soy are less commonly used in chicken feed, whereas in North America, these two ingredients often make up the bulk of the hen's diet.

 

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3 Stretches to Fix Common Runner Problems

By: Julia Savacool

You've worked hard to get in shape, but suddenly you're feeling more achy than athletic. Prepare for a speedy recovery with these drug-free DIY treatments.

Common Problems for Runners

Lance Armstrong might not let a shattered collarbone keep him from his Tour de France training, but most of us are slower to bounce back when injury strikes. The trick is knowing the right way to rehab. "Too often, a minor injury becomes a major bump in women's fitness routines," says Vonda Wright, MD, a sports medicine surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh and a FITNESS advisory board member. What's the best way to get back in the game? (Hint: It isn't always about speed-dialing your doc.) We asked the experts for tips on how to tackle the most common exercise aches and pains yourself.


Common Problem #1: Heel and Sole Tightness

What hurts?
The sole of your foot and heel are tight and tender.

Here's why: With overuse, the connective tissue that runs the length of your sole can become inflamed or suffer microscopic tears. Known as plantar fasciitis, it usually feels worse early in the morning, better during exercise, and painful once you stop.

Feel better: Sit in a chair and place a cold can of soda on its side on the floor in front of you, says Christopher John Anselmi Jr., a chiropractor at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Put your foot on top of the can and, applying medium pressure, roll it back and forth. The cold willreduce swelling while the massage eases the pain.

Your new game plan: Buy shoes with arch support; women with high arches are especially prone to this injury. And cut down the mileage until your foot feels better (try a nonimpact cardio activity, like swimming, instead).

Self-Massage Tip!
Always stroke in the direction of the heart to prevent blood from being pushed against closed valves, which could damage blood vessels, says Kimberly Mitchell, a licensed massage therapist in New York City.

Common Problem #2: Sore Shins

What hurts?
Your shin area is sore.

Here's why: You have shin splints, caused by doing too much too soon. When you run, your legs absorb a force three or four times your weight. Piling on miles too quickly can cause the tissue surrounding your shins to become inflamed.

Feel better: Wrap an ice cube in a thin rag and firmly rub it up and down your leg, on either side of your shinbone, for 15 minutes at a time.

Your new game plan: Hard surfaces exacerbate the pain, so in addition to curtailing mileage, swap in a few runs on the treadmill or a dirt path. Buy shoes with extra cushioning, and replace them every 300 to 500 miles.

Common Problem #3: Upper Leg Pain

What hurts?
You feel a sudden twinge in the back of your upper leg, followed by tightness.

Here's why: The muscles that run down the back of your leg are delicate. Hamstring pulls happen when you add a burst of speed or quickly change direction, especially if the muscles aren't warmed up.

Feel better: For severe pain, see your doc. Mild to medium? "Sit on the floor with your injured leg bent and your other leg straight for support," says Mitchell. "Using the fingers of both hands, reach behind your leg and apply pressure while stroking upward from your knee toward your glutes for several minutes."

Your new game plan: Strengthen your hamstrings by adding one minute of jogging backward to the end of your regular run.

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5 summer food myths that will surprise you

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., Associate Editior-Nutrition forEatingWell Magazine

Some persistent food and health myths just don't seem to go away. To really be healthy this summer, stick to common sense and don't get duped by these five summer food myths.

The Myth: Garlic is a natural mosquito repellent.
The Truth: Garlic wards off vampires, but it won't keep mosquitoes at bay. Researchers at the University of Connecticut tested the theory without success, although they did suggest that perhaps participants hadn't eaten enough garlic to see results.

The Myth: Doing crunches is the only way to get a flat belly.
The Truth: Crunches may help tone your belly, but they're not the only route to a flatter stomach. Eating whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice or bulgur wheat, may actually help you shed belly fat. People who ate 3 servings of whole grains (such as a 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal, a slice of whole-wheat bread and 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice) a day lost more weight and, specifically, more abdominal fat than those who ate less than a quarter of a serving, according to findings reported in a study in The Journal of Nutrition.
Don't Miss: 5 Summer Foods for Your Best Beach Body
Foods That Fight Pain Naturally

The Myth: Watermelon's tasty, but not terribly nutritious.
The Truth: Even though watermelon is very watery (read: hydrating) and low in calories (only 46 per cup!), it packs a healthy nutrition punch. In addition to some vitamin C (20% of the Daily Value per cup), watermelon delivers lycopene—the same red-tinged antioxidant found in tomatoes, linked to a lower risk of certain cancers.

The Myth: Buying fresh produce at farmers' markets is expensive.
The Truth: Farmers' markets might seem more expensive than grocery stores, but prices at farmers' markets for conventionally grown produce items were lower than they were at supermarkets in a study conducted by Jake Robert Claro for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, according to a blog on the topic written by Barry Estabrook. The same was true for organic produce.
Must-Read: 6 Ways to Save $2,997 on Groceries
12 Fruits & Vegetables You Should Buy Organic

The Myth: Raw foods are healthier than cooked foods.
The Truth: Raw-foodists claim that eating food in its raw state preserves all its nutrients, including enzymes that get destroyed by cooking. They make a point…kind of. Cooking can destroy water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C, but it also makes other nutrients, like lycopene in tomatoes, more absorbable. While cooking does break down, or "denature," enzymes, so does stomach acid. Meaning that even if you preserve the enzymes by sparing them the cooking process, most of the enzymes will be destroyed through digestion anyway. This is not to say that eating a raw-food diet is necessarily unhealthy. On the contrary, a 2005 study in The Journal of Nutrition found that raw-foodists were far less likely than the general population to register high levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol. On the flip side, 38% of the study's 201 subjects were deficient in vitamin B12, a nutrient that's also important for heart health.
Don't Miss: The 13 Biggest Food & Nutrition Myths Busted

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Skinny Fridge: Stock Up with These Eats

Slimming down is as easy as keeping your kitchen free of bad foods.  Nutritionist Robyn Flipse, M.S., R.D., shares her favorite fridge-fillers to stay satisfied and slim. Stock up and always have these eats on hand!

Low-Fat Dips, Dressings, and Spreads

Potentially dangerous food fatigue is brought on by eating boring food. A varied selection of low-fat dips and dressings in your fridge will keep your taste buds stimulated and make it easier to get those five servings a day of fruits and vegetables down. Try any of the Sabra Mediterranean dips, spicy salsas, or a yogurt-based dressing to get started! 


Hint: Try a spicy wasabi dip for veggies, or a sweet yogurt and sugar-free jam dip for fruit!

Rotisserie-Cooked Turkey or Chicken Breast

Keep a Tupperware container filled with precooked chicken or turkey breast in easy reach. These are convenient sources of protein that keep your blood sugar from dipping and your appetite from rising. Eat them cold or reheated; sliced, diced, or cut into strips; alone or on salads and in fajitas.

Mini Versions of Your Favorite Drinks

Just because you're cutting back on calories doesn't mean you have to cut out everything you love. Just look for smaller-sized versions of your favorite drinks. For soda lovers, Coca-Cola offers a new 90-calorie Coca-Cola Mini can as an option.

Fat-Free Yogurt

Protein-rich dairy foods have been shown to aid in weight loss, so try starting your day with a yogurt parfait. Layer your favorite fat-free yogurt (try f-- e  0%, which is thick and super-creamy) with berries and crushed nuts or granola.

Bonus tip: This makes a great dessert, too! Throw one in the freezer for real "frozen yogurt".

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Should You And Your Child Lose Weight Together?

By Laurel House





Is your child overweight? Are you? It's time to take an honest look at yourself and your family and realize that you aren't all overweight thanks only to genetics, but lifestyle habits and food choices. In fact, you very well could be to blame for your child's weight problem. Harsh? Maybe. But the reality is that, except on some occasions, children are overweight because:

-They watch and copy what their parents eat. Do you encourage to eat healthy food, and take joy in eating (or at least fake it) healthy food yourself? Or do you talk about how much you hate vegetables as you deep fry your chicken, snack on chips, wash it down with a soda, then say that you need to go on a diet?

-They watch and copy their parents' interest and participation in physical activities. Do you go to the gym, get outside and play sports, and talk about how much you enjoy exercise, being healthy, and getting your blood flowing? Or do you sit on the sofa watching TV and complain about how much you hate to work out?

-They watch and copy their parents' relationship with food. Do you have a healthy relationship with food (or at least pretend to)? Do you avoid talking about "diets" in front of your child? Does your child watch you eat out of sadness, anger, or loneliness? Does your child watch you sneak into the kitchen late at night, open the fridge with the lights still off, and gorge?

Children are like sponges. They watch, learn, and replicate. What are you unknowingly teaching your children?

Rates of obesity in both children and adults continue to increase, as do the number of obesity-related conditions like high cholesterol and Type II diabetes- both in adults and children. It's time to take your health, and your life back, while giving your child the opportunity to live healthy too. Now the question is… how? Since both you and your child need to lose weight and get healthy, does it make sense to do it together? YES! Here are 5 ways that you and your child can lose weight together:

1.       Talk about the importance of eating healthy foods- not to make you thin, but to make you healthy, give you energy, help you do better in school/at work.

2.      Make healthy eating interactive! Go grocery shopping together, look at the nutrition labels together, then talk about healthy foods that you can prepare together (ex: allow your child to participate- selecting the tomatoes at the store, then stirring the tomato sauce, and finally adding a spoonful to your grilled chicken).

3.      If you can, walk or ride a bike to school each morning. If you can't, carve out time- the same time- every weekend to do a physical activity. Ex: go on a 3 mile hike together, play tennis, learn how to roller skate or ice skate together, play a sport together, go to the park and play Frisbee. Do something consistently that both you and your child can look forward to, while simultaneously giving you the opportunity to bond and talk about what's going on in school, in their head, in life.

4.      Be each other's exercise buddy and encourage each other! Decide to challenge each other to do at least two Daily 100s each day (100 seconds or 100 reps of any exercise- ex: jumping jacks, march in place, standing crunches, lunges- anything). Each night report to each other about what your two 100s were! If you miss one, you owe each other something, maybe .25 cents or a 5 minute shoulder rub (but not food rewards).

5.      Play fitness videogames on xbox like Your Shape, or download workouts on ExerciseTV, then do them together in your living room. Get the whole family involved and do a group fitness class at your home!

Remember, it's not just your health in your hands, it's your child's too. The reason I'm fit today? My mom. She took me on 3 hour Sunday hikes- EVERY Sunday, plus only stocked the kitchen with healthy food. Her healthy mindset stuck, and soon I adopted it too. I'm 33 now, and we still walk every weekend.

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Wake up, coffee drinkers! You're getting duped

Admit it -- we're all pretty lazy about taking care of our health. So it's no wonder that every few weeks it seems another study comes along to reassure us that habits we don't even consciously register anymore -- like drinking coffee or tea on a daily basis -- are what will actually SAVE us from death, disease, mayhem, etc. This time, researchers would have us believe that our favoritecaffeinated beverages are keeping us safe from thesuperbug MRSA.

More from The Stir: Coffee So Good For You, Doctors May Start Prescribing It!

Although what the research really found was that tea and coffee drinkers were half as likely to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus in their nostrils. (Mmmm, MRSA in your NASAL CAVITY. Bet you're extra psyched to bite into that Danish now!) But here's why the research is to be taken with a grain of salt: Only about 1.4 percent of the population carries the superbug in their nose anyway.

It seems the researchers were simply out to prove ... yet again ... that coffee and tea have "antimicrobial properties" against different forms of bacteria. And tea and tea-based products have shown promise in treating MRSA infections. Yay.

More from The Stir: Kick Your Starbucks Habit With These Healthy Alternatives

Sure, I'm all about using food as medicine and things found in nature to cure ourselves or guard against disease. But this sounds more like a gimmick than useful advice. Are we really supposed to up our coffee or tea intake to stave off bacterial infections? No. This is just news meant to make us feel better about our crappy health habits. It's a pat on the head. "It's okay that you suck down four Starbucks red-eyes a day!! You're keeping antibiotic-resistant bacteria at bay! Woo. Hoo."

It's annoying too, because it perpetuates this idea that we can bolster our health with caffeinated beverages, which may or may not be detrimental to our health in other ways. And it's not like we can't get antimicrobial properties out of other foods or drinks. Manuka honey has also been found to curb MRSA. And that stuff surely doesn't cause insomnia or trigger irritability. 

Hey, I'm just as much a Frappuccino fan as anyone else. But I refuse to buy that coffee -- oranything for that matter -- is a quick fix, a miracle cure, the one-stop shop for all that ails ya.

What do you think about this study?

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Amy Winehouse’s last two Fred Perry collections to be released

Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry lives on. Photo courtesy of Fred Perry

Following Amy Winehouse's tragic death, there was one fashion-related question we didn't have the heart to ask: what about her collaboration with Fred Perry? Thestylish singer launched a really cute '50s-inspiredcollection for the brand last fall and the partnership has continued on until now with high-waisted skirts, argyle sweaters, and modified polos. Thankfully we've learned that the collection will live on for two more seasons.

On Fred Perry's website, it says: "After much consideration and the blessing of Amy's family, we have decided to realease the AW11 Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry collection. Amy was passionate and dedicated to the collaboration and her signature style is clearly stamped across each piece. In such circumstances, the usual royalties and fees from the collection will be donated to the soon to be established Amy Winehouse foundation."

Awesome! We're so glad this worked out. WWD got the inside scoop on the continuing partnership. Amy Winehouses father said in a statement: "When Fred Perry came to us to ask what we would like to do with the new collection it was natural to continue…Amy loved working on both collections, and would want them to be made available. All the money we make and the donation that Fred Perry will give will go straight into to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which we are setting up to help children and young people in her name." Fred Perry has said in addition to the collection sales he will be making seasonal donations to the Foundation.

A houndstooth pencil skirt and matching collared shirt from Amy Winehouse's Fall collection. Photo courtesy of Fred Perry

Good clothing for a good cause. Sign us up! Her latest collection features houndstooth patterns, Peter Pan collars, shirt dresses, cardigans, and a few accessories like gloves, belts, and purses. Scoop up a few pieces before they sell out here.

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User Post: How Do You Know When You've Had Too Much To Drink?

I'm suffering from jet-lag. You know the kind when the room is a little unsteady and you have a migraine. Kind of like a hangover. So I figured now was as good a time as any to write about drinking. Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm a total light weight when it comes to alcohol. A good sniff of the cork is almost all I need.

I don't mind a nice buzz, but I don't really like being too tipsy or worse, drunk. Walking unsteadily and slurring my words holds no appeal for me. I have a hard enough time walking in my heels when I'm sober. I'm not judging. Really. I just don't want that to be me. I know my limits and I don't want to embarrass myself or share something that's too personal. At least notthat way. If I'm going to make a complete fool of myself or spill some juicy secrets, I want to be fully present when I'm doing it. And remember having done it the next day.

Which brings me to a small dinner party I was lucky enough to be invited to a few weeks ago. The champagne was flowing, the food was fabulous, there was dancing on the table and a lively dancing train (which some say I started). We were all having a great time, but there came a time when some of us seriously needed to be cut off from more libations. (Names protected to protect the not so innocent.)

Here are some signs that you or your host might want to say "No" to more of the bubbly:

1. Sharing family secrets. I don't really want to know that so and so's marriage is hanging by a thread or how often they have sex. If you're saying intimate things you wouldn't say sober, maybe it's time to scale back a bit.
2. The mean drinker. Tell me how you really feel. No, please don't.
3. When you can't stand, walk or pee on your own volition. Or other gross stuff. No explanation needed.
4. Can you hear me? Why is everyone yelling in here? They start to speak very loud.
5. You start hitting on my husband. Hands off girlfriend!

Aside from that, please do dance on the table or chair. (I'm all about celebrating life!) And with the right 70's Disco and half a Mimosa, I'll be next to you swinging the napkin over my head. But that's as far as I go. I've got things to do tomorrow.

Cheers!

Do you stop yourself when you think you've had too much or is a nasty hangover the ultimate goal?

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How to Soothe Sore Feet

Freeing your feet from the constraints of shoes is a rite of summer, but there can be consequences come fall.

"Walking around barefoot — whether at the beach, pool, or just indoors — is horrible for your feet and can cause dryness, scaling, and calluses," says Blake Feeney, spa director at Canyon Ranch SpaClub Las Vegas. Without arch support, your feet can also feel sore and strained. To soothe and smooth soles at home, Feeney suggests using products that contain peppermint (try this Peppermint Cocoa Scrub) or menthol, both of which cool and refresh. 

And you don't have to be a massage therapist to reap the rewards of a rubdown; according to Feeney, any manipulation of your muscles should ease tension and rev up circulation to the feet. You can also try using a small, chilled plastic water bottle: Lay it on its side, then roll your foot over the top of it, back and forth from your toes to your heels. "The bottle will mold to your foot and give it an even massage," notes Feeney — helping you greet fall with your best foot forward.

The Ultimate At-Home Foot Treatment: For super-soft feet, exfoliate from your soles to your calves with a sugar scrub (we like this DIY Blueberry & Brown Sugar Scrub), making sure to focus on rough spots. Next, remove the scrub with a towel soaked in warm water, then massage in a shea butter-based cream. - Megan O'Neill

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Naked Yoga Allegedly Boosts Self-Confidence -- Would You Try It?

OK, so apparently I'm the only one who thought naked yoga was something to be done in the privacy of one's own home — preferably in a dim-lit area void of mirrors, windows and nosy, sniffing dogs. But, according to a new report, "exposing" yourself to the benefits of this practice in a public class along with other sans-clothes enthusiasts is a growing trend.

I'm all for a little nakedness from time to time, but all of this brings up more questions than answers. Like, how exactly is one supposed to focus in class when you have someone else's asana all up in your space? Is that boob or butt supposed to be your new drishti? What happens during poses like wide-leg straddle, crow and half-moon when your lady parts are on full display? Won't men be wagging their dog all over the place? How are you supposed to react when the teacher comes up behind you to give you an assist during downward dog? Doesn't your mat get all kinds of  yuck on it? And, what's a girl supposed to do during that time of the month? See? Questions.

But according to some naked yoga aficionados, shedding one's clothes brings a new level of honesty and authenticity to the practice — something that can easily get lost in the fashion and branding surrounding yoga, Isis Phoenix, a yoga instructor at Naked Yoga NYC told MyHealthNewsDaily.

"A new reality is created in the first 15 minutes of class — a reality where people can be naked and practice yoga in the room, and it's OK. Nobody's going to point and laugh."

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What's The Best Time Of Day To Eat For Weight Loss?

By SHAPE.com Diet Doctor, Mike Roussell, PhD.

We know that when you're trying to lose weight, you're flooded with all kinds of tips and tricks on the best way to do it. Sometimes that can get overwhelming, and you're left with more questions than answers. So we went to Dr. Mike Roussell, to see if he could answer some of our readers' most pressing questions. Here's what the diet doctor had to say about the best time to consume calories for weight loss:

Q: "If trying to lose weight, when should you consume the majority of your calories? Morning, afternoon, or spread evenly throughout the day?" –Apryl Dervay, via SHAPE magazine's Facebook.

A: I prefer that you to keep your calorie intake spread evenly throughout the day, while changing the types of foods—namely carbohydrate-based foods—that you're eating as the day goes on and your activity level changes. Your body's ability to process carbohydrates (which scientists call insulin sensitivity) decreases as the day goes on. That means you'll more efficiently metabolize (use as energy) carbohydrates in the morning compared to later at night. And the more efficiently your body can use the food you give it, the easier it is to lose weight.

RELATED: Does Fat Affect Your Brain Like Marijuana Does?

Exercise is the one x-factor that greatly increases your insulin sensitivity and your body's ability to use the carbohydrates you eat for fuel and not store them away in fat cells. This is why you should eat a majority of the starchy and grain-based carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, oats, whole grain pasta, quinoa, sprouted grain breads, etc) after your workout and first thing in the morning. During your other meals, vegetables (especially green leafy and fibrous ones), fruits, and legumes should be your main sources of carbohydrates. Round out each healthy meal with a protein source (eggs or egg whites, lean beef, chicken, fish, etc.), and nut, seeds, or oils (olive oil, canola oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil).

RELATED: Top 50 Summer Foods for Weight Loss

Eating the majority of your starchy and grain-based carbohydrates in the morning or following exercise also helps control overall calorie and carbohydrate intake, allowing you to lose weight without having to painstakingly count calories . If you find that your weight loss has slowed, try eliminating starchy carbohydrates from breakfast and replacing them with fruits (berry and Greek yogurt parfait) or vegetables (omelet with tomatoes, feta cheese, and greens).

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Restaurant Survival: 7 Ways to Stay on Track When Dining Out

When on a diet, you inevitably have to give up a lot of your favorite indulgences. No more secret stashes of ice cream in your freezer, no more Friday night pizza binges and definitely no more eating until you feel like you're going to explode. While you will have to make a lot of sad sacrifices, giving up your social life shouldn't be one of them.

We all have that "weight conscious" friend who will literally think of any excuse in the book to skip out on an outing that involves ordering from a restaurant menu. It's like she has a fear of dining out or something. And when she actually works up enough courage to come out, she usually ends up ordering nothing but a diet coke, claiming she's not hungry, yet spends the whole night picking and nibbling off of everyone else's plates.

By the end of the night, you probably wish she hadn't bothered to come. Now I don't mean to be harsh - I get that restaurants can be quite intimidating for someone watching her waistline, but eating out doesn't have to be scary. Here are 7 ways to navigate your way through the dining out process and make sure you don't derail your diet.

1. Sides Matter
I know it may be hard to side step the french fries, but you can substitute greasy sides for a salad at just about any restaurant on the planet. If that seems boring to you, have a look at the list of sides on the menu. Just because the waiter doesn't mention it in the choices, doesn't mean you can't make the swap.

2. Doggy bags are your new best friend
This is by far my favorite, and most effective, diet tip. Before you even get your meal, ask you waiter to put half of it in a doggy bag. Don't worry about still being hungry. Restaurant portions are huge, so chances are that you could easily split the whole plate with two other people and still be satisfied. It's all about portion control.

3. Don't be afraid to "have it your way"
FYI Burger King isn't the only place that let's you have it your way. It's ok to be a little demanding about how you want your food prepared at a restaurant. Ask for light dressing on your salad, no cheese on your sandwich or that your order be grilled instead of pan fried. It's amazing how many calories you can save with little tweaks.

4. Skip the bread basket
The bread basket is my ultimate downfall when dining out. I could devour the whole thing without any help from the table. But I don't have to tell you how bad of an idea this is. It's mindless eating and should be avoided at all costs. If you can't just take one piece of bread and move on, then don't even ask for a basket at all. The same goes for the chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant.

5. Get hydrated
Make sure you have a couple glasses of water before you even start your meal. The water will take up space in your stomach and curb your appetite. We often mistake thirst for hunger, so if you stay hydrated, then you lower your risk of overeating.

6. Don't dine on an empty stomach
It's so easy to skip me

als when you know you're going out to dinner that night. But doing so is actually more harmful than helpful. It's actually better to eat something small, like a piece of fruit, an hour or so before your meal so that you avoid stuffing yourself at dinner.

7. Look out for menu "trap" words
Breaded, tempura, smothered, creamy and loaded are just some of the dangerous words we see lurking on menu item descriptions. They are just another way of saying fatty, fried food. Avoid at all cost!

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