A Latte Lipstick

Archives for March 2015

Torch Calories Cooking Workout

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Have to skip your workout because you got off later than usual and you have a growling belly to quiet? No problem – it’s time to cook!
Too often, you may write off moving during the day because you weren’t able to get a traditional work out in, but that just doesn’t make sense!

Sneak in those extra moves between tasks. I think the Fit Bit obsession and its grow to fame has been useful to show how many steps you can get in each day just by making simple swaps like parking farther away, taking the stairs or getting up every hour to take a brisk quick walk. But back to cooking…

Obviously you are getting less added calories when you cook for yourself, you know exactly what you are putting in your body and each ingredient. But it can even extend beyond that! Burn calories while cooking too…win, win!

Cooking can serve as a great mini exercise. Torch major calories by whisking, beating, and chopping in the kitchen. Cardio kicks in once you begin racing from the refrigerator to the stove to the cutting board. While you’re waiting for that water to boil why not rev up that heart rate and do a wall sit or some lunges?

Burn more calories by rigorously stirring versus using a blender, hand chop versus using a grater. How fast can you chop that onion? How smooth can you beat that batter?

Complete your Cooking Workout by offering to do those dishes and scrub scrub away!

Who else participates in the Cooking Workout?

The good bacteria your gut needs!

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Is your gut balanced with good bacteria? The bacteria in your stomach is super important to keep you slim.

Did you know that your gut is home to 100 trillion microorganisms?! A balanced gut flora promotes healthy gastrointestinal functions, regulates metabolism, and supports your immune system. You can easily see the difference in the gut bacteria produced in obese humans versus healthy lean humans.

Gut imbalance is linked to obesity, inflammation, bad breath, gum disease, cancer, back pain, etc. No thanks! In other words, you want a good gut flora!

So how can you get better gut flora?

Eat fiber. True fiber, not the 20% added fiber promised on a sugary granola bar. Get healthy fiber in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You should have around 20 to 30 grams a day. These foods have probiotics, which is another bacteria you should have in the body.

Less sugar. Too much sugar is starving your gut flora. The needed bacteria thrives on complex carbs, not sugar.

Exercise. Lose the gut and boost gut bacteria all at the same time!

Eat your probiotics! This comes in yogurt, Kombucha tea, dark chocolate, pickles and more!

Love this Kombucha drink! Gingerade is my favorite!

I have no challenge adding dark chocolate to my diet!

What can be hurting your gut flora?

Certain medications like birth control and antibiotics, chronic stress, diets low in fiber, diets high in sugar. Basically a woman who is stressed, on birth control, and eats too much sugar… not a good mix. Try adding Kombucha tea or dark chocolate to your day to help combat this issue!

Take charge of your gut flora and cut out sugar, add probiotics, and stress less!

5 Tips to Grow Healthy Hair Quick

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Do you ever have hair cut remorse? yes, it’s a thing.

Oh how I enjoyed my short hair! But as expected… I want it long again. Now! preferably. But it doesn’t quite work that way. Plus, I want healthy long hair, not split end-y unhealthy hair. Long hair is pointless if it isn’t full, shiny and “brush your fingers through” worthy.

Crossing my fingers that these tips will do the trick to have longer luscious hair by bikini season. Long wavy summer hair is too easy and sexy to miss out on.

Here are some tips to get that short hair where it needs to be and grow it out long and healthy.

Trim it. I know I know it hurts, you just got it past your shoulders. However, if you don’t get a trim it’s going to start splitting and become more unhealthy and stop growing fast. If you must call it “dusting” to make the appointment, call it that.

Eat protein. After all, your hair is made of protein! Make sure that you are eating enough healthy protein from eggs and meats.

Condition. Make sure your hair is not dry. Conditioning the ends will discourage breakage.

Protect. If you’re heating it often make sure you are protecting it with a spray. Also, try not to shower with scalding water, which similarly damages hair.

Massage. Stimulate your head to promote hair growth.

Do you have any grow your hair quick tricks?

The Dairy Free Milk Battle: Almond vs Soy vs Coconut

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Recently I have been trying to wean myself off dairy and it has been no easy task! However, I was tired of the feeling I would get after eating cereal, ice cream or cheese and knew it was a category to potentially kick from my diet, or at least actively limit. I won’t be hard core but will try to do with less.

Naturally I started experimenting with different milks because I needed milk for my lattes! I mean, what would A Latte Lipstick be without it’s latte?!

Soy milk seemed to fit in nicely and I really liked the taste. Soy has benefits like being low fat, and lowering your cholesterol. However, I begrudgingly came to find the disadvantages. Soy really messes with your hormones and doesn’t supply much calcium in compared to regular milk.

Almond milk is rich in potassium, lowers blood cholesterol, and provides many nutrients for our entire body. However, if you are at risk of low thyroid, steer clear of almond milk. Almond milk is also usually full of added sugar, so check out the almond milk that you purchase.

Moving onto coconut milk. Coconut milk is high in fatty acids. Studies show that coconut milk aids in weight loss, improves immune function, reduces heart disease and is great for your hair and skin! However I just can’t get into the taste.

And as always, in all your milk purchases, read the label to find ones with the least preservatives and additives.For me, it looks like I’ll be alternating between all three for awhile…

To Not Drink:
Silk uses neurotoxic chemicals in their milk, I guess it’s time to say goodbye.

To Drink: 
Organic Valley
So Delicious

Do you like almond/soy/regular/coconut milk best?

Pearl Earrings Add Class

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Earrings are still my favorite jewelry piece. I just love the way they shape your face and can be so simple and classic or extravagant and dramatic. Unlike necklaces, they don’t snag your beloved sweater and don’t tangle. My track record with misplacing jewelry is not the best but I hardly lose these babies.

Earrings have recently took it up a notch on exciting styles. Obsessed with the current earring trend of fun earring backs and cuffs. Why would you go with a normal earring when you could add another large gem behind your ear? This trend was seen all over the Christian Dior runway. So very French!

I just had to get some of these earrings for myself! Pearls are one of my favorite stones because they go with anything and can immediately make me feel more sophisticated. Two pearls on one earring – pure class. These earrings and your LBD are the match made in heaven.

And if you don’t take my word for it let these lovely ladies convince you. I’m sure they would be just as excited about this trend. The more pearls the merrier!

“Pearls are always appropriate.” – Jackie O

“A women needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” – Coco Chanel

“I favor pearls on screen and in my private life.” – Grace Kelley

Are you into this earring trend? What’s your staple jewelry piece?

**Post sponsored by R Meyers in Nichols Hills Plaza. All opinions are my own.