Tag Archives: nutrition

3 Ways To Make Healthy Your New Beauty

Hey Rosés,

 

Black Girls Run! NYC chapter at the More-Fitness Magazine Half Marathon
Image via Megan White

As a long time fitness enthusiast, I frequent the gym and love to try the newest quirkiest classes out there. Yet, at this past Sunday’s More Magazine-Fitness Magazine Half Marathon my body was shocked, pushed and stretched to lengths I never knew I could achieve! With the help of my friends, family and my intoxicatingly supportive running group, the New York City chapter of Black Girls Run!, I made it through the 13.1 miles and steep hills of Central Park, inspiring others and myself in my biggest physical and mental challenge yet.

I finished! 13.1 miles!

Too often the beauty industry highlights outer beauty while the fashion industry (though much improved) still paints unrealistic portraits of body image. At Champagne Beauty, I truly believe in “Sparkling beauty for unique skin,” but more importantly, sparkling beauty for unique and healthy lives.

Let’s take a look at 3 ways to jump start your spring/summer health and fitness plans, because healthy has always been the new beauty:

 

SoulCycle offers upbeat and unique spin classes

1. Fitness Is The New Happy Hour

Skip the drinks and heavy appetizers, instead invite a friend, date, or even a client to a fitness party in the evening. Try something fun like a dance class like Zumba, a cult spin class like Soul Cycle nationwide, or simply enjoy the warm weather with a 30 minute jog in the park. Black Girls Run! is a nationwide supportive running group for women of all ages, ethnicities and skill levels, membership is open to all women.

 

Image via Getty

2. Fitness Is The New Commute

Next time you go to work, an event or the store, park your car a little further or get off the subway one stop earlier and walk. In NYC, if you get on one station later (about 10 city blocks) and get off one station earlier (about 10 city blocks) right there in your morning commute you’ve already walked one mile (20 city blocks)!

 

Image via Getty

3. Whole Foods Are The New Beauty

At an event last week, I met a woman who swore by only organic beauty products as she stuffed a larger than life Cheeto in her mouth followed by a huge swig of Coke. I’m no nutritionist, but uh…perhaps she should focus some of that organic willpower to what she puts IN her body, not just on it. Organic and all-natural foods aren’t for everyone but this season take advantage of nature’s summertime gift of fresh fruit and veggies, and lay off the processed foods.

 

“Teamwork makes the dreamwork” with my friends, family and Black Girls Run teammates:
Kalia, Mikelle, Chenelle, Jade and Stacey
Main Image via Megan White

BONUS: Fitness Buddies Are The New Independent Women!

Yeah you can do it by yourself, but having a partner is proven for better results and staying on track with your goals, and in my case above, literally helping you cross that finish line. Plus they might actually need you more than you need them, be someone’s inspiration today!

What are your fitness goals for this season?

 

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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Bottle Poppers: Wendy & Jessica – Nutrition & Health Game Changers

Hey Rosés,

 

The Bottle Poppers series highlights innovators and trendsetters redefining beauty, fashion and healthy lifestyles.

I’d love to introduce you to fierce, fabulous and fit Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones of the hit television show “Food Heaven Made Easy with Wendy & Jess.” Their show teaches you how to make everyday meals that are healthy and budget friendly. These ladies are not only nutritionists, they are natural beauty mavens with GREAT advice to stay healthy and affordable both inside and out.

 

What is Food Heaven Made Easy?

Food Heaven Made Easy with Wendy & Jess is a monthly cooking/nutrition series on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT). The show was created to serve as a creative outlet to help underserved communities in New York City improve their diets and overall health. The show’s mission is to reduce the risk of obesity in NYC by demonstrating how to prepare culturally diverse, delicious, quick and cost conscious meals at home. Most importantly, the show will provide viewers with a wealth of nutrition information as we create healthy vegetarian dishes that are nutrient dense and energy rich. All of our shows are also posted on our website www.foodheavenmadeeasy.com!

What is a fast, easy and healthy meal that someone can make at home?

Buy a can of black beans. Heat and add seasonings like garlic, onion and Cajun seasoning. Cook a grain, like brown rice, to serve with it. Then add a mixed green salad and top with olive oil and lime. Add some slices of avocado and tomato on the side. Such a yummy and healthy meal that can be prepared in no time! It’s vegan too!

Where are the best places to get natural or organic foods?

Farmers markets are the go to place for whole foods. Not only is their produce fresh, it’s also local, which means you’re supporting a sustainable environment and saving money buying directly from the supplier. You learn about where your food is coming from. Most importantly, a lot of farmer’s markets take EBT/food stamps! If you go to http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket they have information for farmers markets in NYC.

 

What are great everyday food alternatives for food allergies like nut, gluten, and seafood?

If you have a gluten allergy, try using potato starch flour when baking instead of wheat flour. If you are a chocolate lover with nut allergy, try a product called cocoa nibs, which substitutes nuts for pieces of cocoa bean for that added crunch. For a seafood allergy, try adding tofu to your stir-fry instead of shrimp.

What foods can double for eating and DIY beauty products?

Avocado for hair and facemask. Cucumbers are refreshing for the mouth and eyes. Green tea bags have antioxidant properties and also may help relieve puffiness under eyes.

What foods can you eat to get healthier skin or hair? 

In a nutshell, water, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts and fish. Specifically tomatoes have lycopene, which helps rid the body of free radicals. Beans have zinc and iron, great for hair growth. Whole grains contain B vitamins, which are essential for skin and hair. Cold-water fatty fish (salmon) has omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for scalp health.

What is your skincare or hair care routine?

Wendy
Hair – Okay so I’m always going through hair transitions, and my base product has always been jojoba oil for moisture and shine. When I was rocking a fro, I washed with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner, and then with locks used Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Soap. When I can’t afford the jojoba oil, I use olive oil from my kitchen and mix it with some tea tree oil extract. Works just as great!

Jess
Face – Since my face is so dry, I don’t wash it. I just splash some water on it, add cocoa butter and sunscreen and call it a day.
Body – I used to only put cocoa butter and Shea butter on my body but then I realized that it was only sitting on my skin and not being absorbed. Hours later, I would be painfully dry again. I also like Cetaphil, but it is more expensive than I can afford.
Hair – I don’t shampoo, and I use DevaCurl One Conditioner. I deep condition once a week, then rinse with apple cider vinegar. Finally I like to sit under a hooded hair dryer to dry my hair, especially in the winter when it is too cold to wash and go.

If can’t afford all organic, how can I mix fresh with packaged foods?

There’s this list called the “dirty dozen” and the “clean 15” that can serve as a great guide while you’re out shopping. The dirty dozen list contains non-organic produce with high levels of pesticides. The clean fifteen list contains non-organic produce that is safer to eat. Shop smart!

The Clean 15 – SAFE

Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions

The Dirty Dozen – HIGH PESTICIDES

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce

 

Learn more about Wendy, Jess and nutrition visit:
Website: www.foodheavenmadeeasy.com
Twitter: @FoodHeavenShow

What are your favorite organic products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

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Birchbox Review: January Box

Hey Rosés,

In my previous post, I introduced you to Birchbox, the members-only service that ships monthly beauty samples. December’s Birchbox was holiday festive, and January’s Birchbox was appropriately filled with products to kick off the new year and give your skin a fresh boost. This was one of my favorite boxes, and after testing for weeks, I give my approval for these Champagne Beauty friendly ingredients for sensitive skin and allergies. Take a look…

January Box:

 

Juicy Couture Perfume in Viva La Juicy

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

Fruit and florals filled my nose with delight, and this will certainly help you get through winter and into spring! Scent notes via Birchbox: “wild berries and sweet mandarin flirt with lady-like middle notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, and gardenia. Warm base notes of caramel, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and praline hover beneath it all.” The alcohol was bit strong and stung my decolletage and wrists, be aware of any potential reactions for allergies or sensitivities.

Ingredients: alcohol denat, parfum/fragrance, water/aqua/eau, butylphenyl methylpropional, propylene glycol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, coumarin, hydroxycitronellal, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, limonene, linalool, methy anthranilate, butyl methoxybenzoylmethane, blue 1 (cl 42090), Red 4 (cl 1400), yellow 5 (cl 19140).

 

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Champagne Rating: 5 out of 5 bottles!

 

 

 

Foams like your favorite beer and creamy like your favorite toothpaste, this combination face wash forms into a rich layer of moisture with a minty smell and tingle. It cleans deeply and removes eye make up. Great for sensitive and combination skin with both oily and dry patches, this will be a summer blockbuster.

Ingredients: water\aqua\eau; lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower water, potassium myristate, glycerin, potassium behenate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, potassium palmitate, potassium laurate, potassium stearate, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil *, mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil*, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil*, lavandula hybrida (lavender) oil*, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) flower oil*, styrax benzoin gum, linalool, peg-3 distearate, tourmaline, laminaria saccharina extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, cetearyl alcohol, polyquaternium-7, butylene glycol, disodium edta, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone *essential oil

 

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Peacock

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

This deep blue-green peacock is the perfect color to wake you up from winter dullness, yet subtle enough to wear during the day. It glides on smoothly, easy to correct, does not irritate eyes, and easily smudges but doesn’t smear once in place.

Ingredients: Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Peg/Ppg-19/19 Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Polydicyclopentadiene, Nylon-12, C20-40 Alcohols, Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polyglyceryl-4, Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Polyethylene, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, May Contain (+/-) Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000)

 

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion

Champagne Rating: 5 out of 5 bottles!

 

 

 

This lotion made me a newfound believer in all-in-one lotions! It made my face glow, and the light exfoliators smoothed my body without irritation. Free of parabens, fragrance, dyes and naughty skin allergens. It is lightweight and nourishing with ingredients gentle enough for most allergies and skin conditions.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Caprate, Sodium Phytate, Kinetin.

 

Lärabar Mini Bar in Coconut Cream Pie

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

I love the story behind these bars: made with only 9 ingredients, no additives, and vegan-friendly. Yet, I just can’t dig the mushy texture nor the bland coconut flavor. Perhaps if the other flavors are good it would fit perfectly in the snack bar known as my purse. Some contain nuts so watch out nut allergies!

Ingredients:
Blueberry Muffin
: dates, cashews, unsweetened blueberries, blueberry juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, vanilla extract
Carrot Cake
: dates, almonds, walnuts, raisins, pineapple, unsweetened coconut, carrots, cinnamon, extra virgin coconut oil
Cherry Pie
: dates, almonds, unsweetened cherries
Chocolate Chip Brownie
: dates, chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla), almonds, walnuts, cocoa powder, sea salt
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
: cashews, dates, chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla), sea salt
Coconut Cream Pie
: dates, unsweetened coconut, almonds, cashews, extra virgin coconut oil
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
: dates, peanuts, chocolate chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla), sea salt
Peanut Butter Cookie
: dates, peanuts, sea salt

 

See you next month Birchbox!

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

*Images via Birchbox
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Birchbox Review: December Box

Hey Rosés,

 Birchbox Ships Monthly Samples

Last fall, I had the pleasure of meeting Katia Beauchamp, co-founder of the members-only beauty start-up Birchbox, at an Advertising Women of New York event. Partnering with her classmate Hayley Barna, from Harvard Business School, these ambitious ladies created a site where members receive a monthly shipment of beauty samples from top brands. You then have the option to purchase the full-sized product at a discount.

 

Birchbox Founding Team – via PopSugar

 

I joined the site immediately, excitedly opening my pink box every month to the beautiful surprise that awaited. Birchbox is a great service for beauty rosés like myself who love trying different products, but don’t want to break the bank on suspect products. 

Let’s kick off December:

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss – Birchbox Pink

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

This product contains parabens, so I immediately would not recommend it…but if you are not sensitive to parabens keep reading! The color looks very bright, but is a subtle sheer pink. The gloss is low shine, and feels moisturizing like Chapstick (contains Vitamins A, C and E), rather than a sticky glob. It can easily be worn alone as a lip balm substitute, but won’t add much color or shine if worn over lipstick.

Ingredients:
POLYISOBUTENE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, DIPENTAERYTHRTYL HEXACAPRYLATE/ HEXACAPRATE, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, SILICA SILYLATE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, C18-36 ACID TRIGLYCERIDE, TRIDECYL STEARATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, BHT, ISOPROPYLPARABEN, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN (+/-): MICA (CI 77019), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410:4), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140:1), RED 6 (CI 15850), CARMINE (CI 75470)

Benefit POREfessional

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This light balm aims at minimizing the appearance of pores. Large pores are not problematic for me, so this product didn’t do much, but its oil-free and translucent finish did make a great foundation primer.

Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Mica, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Limonene, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bht. N° 04932/N.

Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape

Champagne Rating: 5 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

These keep the girls happy! It does what it’s supposed to and lasts all-day, even through heat: hide bra straps, cinch a shirt, hold a new skirt hemline, and more. These are a necessity for wardrobe malfunctions and convenient for a stash at work or in your purse.

Ingredients: Umm, foam and sticky tape?

 

Atelier Cologne Ambre Nue Petite Cologne Absolute

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

According to the site, this cologne is made from a rare flower in Italy called Brunello. I’m not a fan of strong musk, but it has a whimsical hint that lightens it up enough to wear during the day.

Ingredients: N/A

EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

I love that Birchbox even gives you beauty products for the inside! This quickly dissolving energy supplement a great alternative to coffee and sports drinks. The orange flavor was pretty bland, but I felt refreshed and maintained my level of energy throughout the day. If you have medical or health concerns, note that the first ingredient is Sodium.

Ingredients:
Sodium 40 mg Vitamin C as ascorbic acid 1000 mg Niacin (B3) 15 mg Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine HCI 2 mg Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin as folic acid 200 mcg Vitamin B12 as cyanocbalamin 2500 mcg Zinc as zinc citrate 7.5 mg Selenium as selenium yeast 100 mcg Copper as copper citrate 1 mg Chromium chromium polynicolinate 120 mcg Potassium 560 mg Eboost Blend 1055 mg Green Tea Extract Glucurolactone 5 HTP from griffonia simplicifolia seed extract Huperzine A Vinpocetine Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract Grapeseed Extract Other Ingredients: Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Natural Flavors, Potassium Citrate, Beta Carotene (for color), Beet (Beta Vulgaris) Extract, Silica, Sucralose, L Leucine, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Magnesium Stearate, Neotame

 

See you next month Birchbox!

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

*Images via Birchbox.com
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