Now that it is finally summer, cue the sunshine and margaritas! It is time to take road-trips, jet set to far away beaches, and start tackling that summer reading list. For many of us, summertime means relaxation and getting away from the 9-5 workday. Which, let’s be honest, is very necessary a few times a year. But before you jump into that itty-bitty-yellow-polka-dot-bikini and start throwing back margs. like it’s your job, shouldn’t you set some ground rules first?

Ground rules… on vacation? Sounds crazy, right? Wrong. You’ve been working too hard eating clean, cycling at Soul Cycle, doing brupees at Cross-fit and Yoga-ing your heart out for the past 6 months. There is a way to relax and enjoy, while maintaining your rockin’ figure. In other words, literally having cake and eating it to.

Here are 5 ways (and useful recourses) to maintain your bikini body and to staying motivated this summer: 

1. Don’t throw out the scale. Instead, trade it in for this one! I am a firm believer that you shouldn’t judge how you feel based on the numbers you see on a scale. But, I am advocate for measuring your weight-loss success based on tangible results and personal progress. When I first heard about Taylor’s Smart Scale, I just had to try it! This Bluetooth enabled Smart Scale is outfitted with the latest technology, features the free SmarTrack App, allowing users to store and view recorded data – weight, body fat, body water, etc. – in a variety of graphs, charts and dashboards – a great tool in the journey to maintaining everyday excellence!

And, SmarTrack is compatible with popular fitness and health apps RunKeeper, myfitnesspal and mapmyfitness, which automatically sync data into the consumer’s preferred app for easy tracking. For me, it really put a new perspective on how to monitor my wellness journey.

The Smart Scale is very user-friendly and more importantly, it retails for $59.99, which is a much lower price point then most scales with these capabilities.

2. Apps & Tools. In addition to using Smart Scale and SmarTrack, there are a plethora of apps and fitness tools you can use to keep yourself accountable this summer. The following is a list of our favorites:

MyFitnessPal – A personal food journal right in your phone! This app is great for logging your food and analyzing the amount of nutrients you receive in each meal.

FitBit Charge HR – this fitness tracker does it all! Counts steps, calories, distance, tracks your sleeping habits, tells you your heart rate, has a clock, tells you floors climbed, has a sleep alarm and stop watch, tells you when you need to get moving and even informs you of an incoming phone call!

Follow Fitness and Food Blogs – I recently had the chance to speak with Shelley Cameron, the wellness and fitness blogger of Sea Shells and Sit Ups, who created her own fitness + workout tracker (which can be found on her website.) Shelley has amazing tips and tricks to share, and throughout the rest of this piece we will share some of her favorites. To start, if you need any workout inspiration, Shelley routinely posts all her workouts of the day to her Instagram account. In addition, some of her go-to workouts consist of Tone it Up workouts, Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide and the Couch to 5k mobile app for running intervals.

If you feel like you are getting off track with your diet (and over indulging), surf the web and discover new health conscious food blogs, like this one – it is personally my favorite . Often a little inspiration is all it takes to get back on track.

3. Keep Your Routine. With a busy travel schedule, weddings to attend and vacations galore, it can be hard to maintain the same workout routine you are accustomed to. According to Shelley, “All the workouts I create can be done anywhere, anytime, and are always under 20 minutes! So, I use them when I’m in hotels, on the road and feel out of my routine.” The best thing to do is to plan your work outs apart of your travel routine.

My personal biggest tip when traveling is to always pack workout clothes and running shoes. You never know what kind of resources you may have access to. 

4. Cheat the System. Hey! The weather is warmer and you deserve to enjoy yourself! So cheat… but smartly. For example one of Shelley’s favorite tricks when craving an indulging drink is to order a 1/2 glass of wine when out or at dinner, mixed with 1/2 sparkling water. She says, “You get to enjoy a glass of bubbly with half the guilt; and can even order two (which is really one!)”.

Another great product to “indulge” in is Sealand Birk, a flavored “water” that’s actually 100% harvested from the sap tapped from birch trees in Finland. It has no additives and is USDA organic, and is recommended by athletes and nutritionists as a great pre and post workout drink (a natural substitute to Gatorade to replace electrolytes). Right now, you can try a case for 15% off using ‘bikinibirk’ at checkout. Just visit sealandbirk.com.

Some other tips include: bring your dressing to avoid those harmful ingredients, ask for the meat to be prepared “dry” (without oil or butter), and look for the meals that are inline with your dietary goals.

5. Balance. It is so easy to get off track, give into social pressures and then beat yourself up about it all. But the best thing to do is to set yourself up for success. If you miss a day ( or five), indulge in too many macaroons, and even gain a few pounds, do not get discouraged. You are human and achieving your wellness goals will be a journey. The next morning, wake up, get dressed and jump back on the horse!

“To stay motivated is to set a few realistic, reachable goals for myself once a month. If I try to do everything all at once, it sets me up for failure. By setting a few achievable goals, you get excited when you reach them, which keeps you excited and motivated. I also focus on eating more than working out when my busy schedule swallows me whole! Eating clean(ish) plays a huge role in maintaining my figure, energy, and confidence. A good workout enhances all of that, but abs are made in the kitchen and revealed in workouts” says Shelley.

For more tips and tricks to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, follow Shelley Cameron on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and check out her website!

So tell us, what tips and tricks have you tried and found to be successful? Tweet me at @Jamiedanno or leave a comment below.

Fun times ahead for families living on (or visiting) the East Coast! Killington, Vermont is well known as an incredible ski destination, but now it’s going to be the go-to place in the summer, too! With the launch this summer of the Killington Adventure Center, families now  have access to an awesome array of adventurous activities. From ropes courses to ziplining, from hiking and swimming to mountain biking on trails built by industry leading mountain bike venue designers Gravity Logic, there really is something for every age and ability level.

And we’ve got a family day pass to give away! All you have to do is  leave a comment below, by 12 noon EST on Wednesday, July 29th.

This prize includes 1-day Adventure Center passes for one winner and their immediate family members (up to 4 people), including all taxes and fees. The prize does not include lodging or meals, but the passes include access to: Snowshed Express Quad,  The Beast Mountain Coaster (opening summer 2015: visitors are asked check opening date on the site), Disc golf, Skyeride Zipline (a 1,200-foot long ride that seats two guests at a time and rises over 200 feet in the air!), an AWESOME looking Skye-Ropes Race Course (a four-story ropes course with 42 obstacles above a 5,000 square foot maze), and the Terra Maze. (Make sure to note the height restrictions for some of the activities).

Once inside the Adventure Center, guests can also access the following for an extra fee: Roaring Brook Mining, expanded Mountain Biking terrain for all levels, and Segway/ATV Tours.

Throughout New York City, there are many modern food court-like spots that have a variety of restaurants and eateries. These food courts have become incredibly popular, and an important stop for any foodie living in or traveling to New York City. One of the newest and best food courts is Hudson Eats near the World Trade Center at Brookfield place. Hudson Eats boasts a wide variety of offerings: from BBQ and dumplings to cupcakes and sushi, you can find just about any food you are craving! The individual eateries include Black Seed Bagel, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Chop’t, Dig Inn Seasonal Market, Dos Toros, Little Muenster, Mighty Quinn Barbeque, Northern Tiger, Olive’s, Skinnypizza, Sprinkles, Num Pang, Tartinery and Umami Burger. The giant food hall is packed around lunch time, and is one of the most popular places to eat in the area.

I set out to find the best foods in the Hudson Eats food hall. After trying all sorts of foods within each of the eateries, below are my favorite dishes and recommendations.

1. Best Pizza: Skinnypizza

Plain Slice with original skinny crust-

This incredibly thin slice of pizza has a large amount of light, sweet tomato sauce and a thin layer of mozzarella cheese. The skinniness of the crust highlights the density of the cooked tomato sauce which adds a great taste to the simply delicious slice.

2. Best Ice Cream Sandwich: Cool Haus @Umami Burger

“I’m Pei-nut butter” ice cream sandwich-

At Umami burger, they sell a variety of Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches. Cool Haus has an ice cream sandwich truck that travels around NYC, so it’s very unique that they sell their sandwiches at Umami Burger. I tried an ice cream sandwich with double chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter ice cream. After waiting two minutes for the ice cream to soften, the soft rich chocolatey sweet cookies went perfectly with the mild and subtle sweetness of the peanut butter ice cream.

3. Best Grilled Cheese: Little Muenster

Grilled cheese with white American cheese and caramelized onions-

Little Muenster has the best grilled cheese in Hudson Eats. From the perfect crunch in the buttery, super fluffy toasted bread to the tasty caramelized onions and the white American cheese, it was a delicious grilled cheese!

4. Best Bagel Dish: Black Seed Bagels

“#1” Bagel Sandwich with smoked salmon, plain cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, and red onions-

My favorite bagel dish in Hudson Eats was from Black Seed Bagels. They wood fire their bagels, which gives them a unique toasty but chewy layer. I ordered the #1 bagel sandwich and loved every bite of it. I got a toasted plain bagel which made the plain cream cheese even more melty. The creaminess of the light, warm cream cheese went perfectly with the refreshing cold tomato slices and the saltiness of the thinly sliced smoked salmon and the plump, fresh capers.

5. Best Sandwich: Num Pang

 “Pulled Duroc Pork” Sandwich-

At Hudson Eats was the Pulled Pork sandwich at Num Pang. It was unlike any other pulled pork sandwich I’d ever eaten. On a perfectly toasted baguette-like oval roll laid a delicious layer of sweet and sour tender pulled pork. On top of the pulled pork was a light creamy spicy mayo spread. I added pickled carrots and a refreshing bite of the cold cucumber with some cilantro. It was an incredible mixture of ingredients in an unforgettable sandwich.

6. Best BBQ: Mighty Quinn’s

Brisket Sandwich-

The fall-off-the-bone, well-seasoned brisket at Mighty Quinn’s was out of this world! They included a little sea salt which combines with the juiciness of the meat and creates a great salty flavor. The lean brisket on a soft roll with a few very lightly pickled cucumber slices makes for an especially flavorful meat.

7. Best Sushi: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar

Spicy Tuna Roll-

The Sushi at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar was overall extremely tasty and super fresh. I loved the Spicy Tuna Roll which was very simple. It had just the right amount of tuna with the exact amount of kick needed, a lot of rice with a nice acidity and seaweed created the perfect simple yet complex-in-flavor sushi roll.

8. Best Cupcake: Sprinkles

“Vanilla Milk Chocolate” Cupcake-

Sprinkles, home to the Cupcake ATM, produces some of the best cupcakes in New York City. This outpost reflects the same impeccable standards of the other outposts,  despite not having its own cupcake ATM, features amazing cupcakes. My personal favorite is the Vanilla Milk Chocolate cupcake. It is a light vanilla cake with super creamy and rich sweet milk chocolate icing.

9. Best Dumplings: Northern Tiger

“Heritage Pork and Chive”-

Northern Tiger not only has the best dumplings in Hudson Eats, but features one of the best dumplings in all of NYC. I was shocked at how unbelievable the pork and chive pan fried dumplings were. They have the perfect levels of juiciness and saltiness. he chive adds a delicious complex flavor, with a sublime ratio of filling to dumpling.  The pan-fried wrapper was cooked to perfection With the citrusy-soy sauce, the dumplings are worthy of being named the best of NYC.

Hudson Eats is a cool place.  It not only has great food, but creates a vibrant and fun destination with spectacular views. It is well worth the trip downtown, but if you happen to be visiting the World Trade Center, Battery Park, or Financial District, you have no excuse for not stopping by to check it out.

In the comment section below tell us: what dish from Hudson Eats do you want to try? Or, how would eat your way through Hudson Eats?

David Pines is currently a 10th grader at the Collegiate School in New York City where he serves on the student government and is a member of the Tennis team. David has been writing about food for over five years and is the author of two editions of the award-winning “Pines Picks: A Kid’s Guide to the Best Things to Eat and Drink in New York City.” His blog can be found at www.pinespicks.com.

Help revamp your child’s breakfast and lunchtime routine with these five organic recipes from Whole Foods.

1.   Mini Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches

Photo Via Whole Foods

Ingredients:

-       Olive or canola spray oil

-        2 Brat Hans® Apple Chicken Sausages , each diagonally cut into 8 slices

-       32 365 Everyday Value® Organic Whole Wheat Mini Pancakes or Organic Apple

-       Cinnamon Mini Waffles , (prepared according to package directions)

-        3 tablespoons grape jelly or apple butter

View full recipe here.

2.   Open Faced Apple Tahini Sandwich 

Photo Via Whole Foods

Ingredients:

-      1 tablespoon peanut, cashew or almond butter

-       2 slices whole wheat or multigrain bread

-      1 small apple , cored and thinly sliced

-      1 tablespoon tahini

-      1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

-      1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

View full recipe here. 

3.    Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Muffins

Photo Via Whole Foods

Ingredients:

-      1 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

-      3 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal

-      1 teaspoon baking powder

-      1/2 teaspoon baking soda

-      1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

-      3/4 cup low-fat milk

-      2/3 cup smooth peanut butter

-      1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt

-      2 large eggs

-      1/4 cup fruit-sweetened fruit jelly or jam

View full recipe here. 

4.   Apple Sandwiches with Granola and Peanut Butter 

Photo Via Whole Foods

Ingredients:

-      2 small apples, cored and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds

-      1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

-      3 tablespoons peanut or almond butter

-      2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

-      3 tablespoons granola

View full recipe here.

 5.   Banana Oatmeal Snack Cookies

Photo Via Whole Foods

 Ingredients:

-      2 ripe bananas , mashed

-      1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

-      1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

-      1/2 cup finely ground walnuts

-      1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots and/or dates

View full recipe here.

To find more delicious recipes and products visit  Whole Foods.

Our Favorite Crooner is Back! Christian Josi and his All-Star Lineup Shine on #LEGENDS. It’s the brand new music you don’t know you need—but you need it. Betty crush  Christian Josi has partnered with DulceTone Recordings to make what they’re calling the #LEGENDS album, so named for the incredible lineup of musicians, production and creative staff who came together to make this 8-song dream. Recorded last Spring at the famous Avatar Studios (formerly the Power Station) in NYC, the record features fresh, innovative takes on classic songs, some of which you’ll recognize, some you may not.

From Josi’s rollicking duet with 80-year old Freddy Cole (brother of Nat, and a legend in his own right) on “Two of a Kind” to the tender duet with Antonia Bennett (daughter of Tony) on “I Have Dreamed” to the other 6 tracks where he stands alone with his orchestra and combo, (most of whom were featured on the Tony Bennett-Lady Gaga album that won the Grammy for Best Jazz Album last year). Living legends of jazz like Harry Allen, Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, and Bennett pianist/musical director Mike Renzi are all over #LEGENDS. It’s the freshest thing we’ve heard in a long time. Get it now!

View The Legend’s Debut Album

Photos courtesy of Christopher Makos, Makostudio

Over the summer, I was lucky enough to travel to Tokyo, Japan. I love sushi and Japanese food in general, so it was an incredible and eye opening experience for me to go to Japan and sample authentic Japanese cuisine. Set forth below is a description of my favorite dishes and restaurants in Tokyo.

Best Sushi
-Sushi Mizutani
Sushi Mizutani was my favorite restaurant in Tokyo. I had the sashimi and sushi option, which ended up being a flawless meal. I even liked the rice at Sushi Mizutani, which has the perfect acidity and tecture. From a great selection of the freshest fish, like the perfectly not-at-all-chewy squid, to the delicate sweet cake-like Tamago (egg omelet); Sushi Mizutani served the greatest sushi and one of the best meals overall that I’ve had in my life. Mizutani was trained by the famous Jiro Ono. He cooks his rice differently, but uses creativity to make his food stunningly great!

-Sukiyabashi Jiro
For those of you who have seen Jiro Ono’s movie, you understand that this is certainly a chef who is dedicated to making the best sushi possible. Jiro is almost 90 years old, and is well renowned to be the “Master of Sushi.” But the myths are true, at Sukiyabashi Jiro, Jiro is making some of the best sushi around. My favorites were the super creamy uni and the nicely salty kohada (gizzard shad). Although the meal is only about twenty minutes long and is quite expensive, it is well worth a visiting if you are a true sushi lover.

-Sushi Ikkyu
Sushi Ikkyu is a sushi restaurant located on the fourth floor of Barney’s in the Ginza area of Tokyo. It is a very small restaurant, similar to Sushi Mizutani and Sukiyabashi Jiro. Within the less famous restaurant, the sushi chefs are making incredible sushi in a much friendlier atmosphere. The rice is perfect and the fish is very fresh. The chefs are super nice and skilled, as they craft a very diverse sushi meal. My favorites were the chirasahi ebi (tiny shrimp pressed together, that flavorfully explode in your mouth,) and the soy marinated tuna which had a ton of flavor and just melted in my mouth. A great, well-paced sushi experience!

-Sushisho Saito
Sushisho Saito was another one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Tokyo. At Sushi ShoSaito, you remove your shoes, get comfortable, and then have a first row seat to observe Chef Saito, who was trained by the chef at Sushi Sho.  The ikura (salmon roe) was served over warm rice, and the flavor from the tiny firm fish eggs exploded, creating a perfect salty blend of tasty flavors.

Best Udon Noodles
-Hashida Honten
Hashida Honten has the greatest udon noodle soup that I have ever had. I had the perfect salty chicken broth and fluffy light soft udon noodles, which forever transformed my view on the American comfort food, chicken noodle soup.

Best Yakitori
-Birdland Ginza
Yakitori consists of a variety of grilled skewers. It is a really fun experience as the chefs craft a tasty meal out of skewers of different parts of a chicken and various vegetables and meats. The chicken and scallion was my favorite skewer and the Yakitori at Birdland Ginza is definitely worth trying.

Best Ramen
-Hirugao on Tokyo Ramen Street
My favorite ramen in Tokyo was on Ramen Street in Tokyo Station (the central train station). At Hirugao, although there may be very long lines, it is well worth the wait. You order what you want from a vending machine, and then they make you some of the most flavorful ramen ever. The pork at Hirugao is truly special and the steaming bowl of ramen is nothing less than amazing!

Best Soba
-Akasaka Sunaba Soba                                                                                                                                      My favorite soba in Tokyo is located at Akasaka Sunaba. The two different types of soba (either regular or buckwheat noodles) are available hot or cold. All of the soba noodles are thinly cut and cooked to soft, aldente perfection. I loved the delicious sauce or “soba soup” that came with the cold soba noodles, which was similar to a sweeter version of soy sauce. Whether hot or cold, Akasaka Sunaba serves fantastic soba noodles. This restaurant can have really long lines, so getting there early (around 11am) helps guarantee a spot for lunch.

Best Tempura
-Tempura Kondo
After going to Tempura Kondo and eating the tempura, I could never view tempura the same way. They make every piece in front of your eyes, and the lightness and thinness of the batter is mind boggling. My favorite pieces were the asparagus, the shrimp head (this was the first shrimp head I have ever eaten, and I was shocked by how good it was—particularly its juiciness and complexity of flavor) and the pumpkin (which is seasonal and you must order ahead).

Best Kaiseki
-Nihonryuri Ryugin
I tried a few different Kaiseki restaurants in Tokyo and Ryugin was my favorite by far. Kaiseki is basically a traditional Japanese multi-coursed meal of the highest and finest haute cuisine. I loved the abstractness of the dishes, and I found myself excited to try the next course. Ryugin had some of the coolest and most creative dishes I have ever tasted. My favorite was the ayu fish, which was served whole and had the perfect crispiness (you actually are supposed to eat the head and tail, which are surprisingly crispy and tasty and not a bit gross). It was an awesome experience!

Best Crab
-Kanidouraku
The crab at Kanidouraku was extremely tasty and fresh. There are tanks of live crabs as you walk in, and this all-crab-restaurant serves some delicious crab, with some dishes that you can even cook at your table.

Best Chinese Food
-Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is a Chinese restaurant chain from Taiwan that is also in the US. It has some incredibly thin-wrappered, great soup dumplings that are perfect if you are craving Chinese food in Toyo.

Best Japanese Restaurant Overall
-Narisawa
Overall, the most perfect Japanese meal (other than the sushi meals) that I have had in my life was at Narisawa. Every course there was both highly interesting and delicious. From the clam with something similar to chowder inside of it, to the langoustine to the “bread of the forest,” that is cooked at your table; the variety of flavors and creativity of the dishes made for one unbelievable meal. My absolute favorite dish was the wagyu beef, which cut easily like butter and had a very nice mixture of seasoning around it.

Best Desserts
-Sadaharu Aoki
Sadaharu Aoki makes some excellent French pastries in Tokyo, many delicately and beautifully flavored. For example, the Matcha croissant had many layers and was soft, light, buttery, and flakey. It is a very good pasty shop!

In the comment section below, tell us: What are your favorite places to eat in Tokyo? 

David Pines is currently a 10th grader at the Collegiate School in New York City where he serves on the student government and is a member of the Tennis team. David has been writing about food for over five years and is the author of two editions of the award-winning “Pines Picks: A Kid’s Guide to the Best Things to Eat and Drink in New York City.” His blog can be found at www.pinespicks.com.

I am terrible at winter, in general. I can kind of get into it for a little while, usually, at least through the holidays. And on a totally frivolous note — I do love being able to wear boots and cute sweaters! But once the new year rolls around, and all the holiday cheer is spent, and it’s freezing and DARK all the time …. UG! That’s when I start to start having fantasies of either moving somewhere like Miami beach, or magically morphing into some kind of creature that hibernates. Seriously. I find winter can be terribly depressing, what with the long nights, the cold, dry air, and the difficulty of doing something as simple as walking a few blocks to the park (Too cold! Too slippery! Where’s my hat? It’s dark ALREADY?) — let alone meeting friends for dinner (LEAVE THE HOUSE NOW?!)

I’ve never been officially diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but I know I suffer from all the symptoms, and it’s really easy for me to slip into depression during the winter, which is no bueno for me, my health, or for my family! This year, due to a terrible personal loss, I’m working extra hard to battle the winter blues, so I’m happy to get help and advice from the pros. Dr. Josie Howard, a member of the Simple advisory board, specializes in women’s mental health with a focus on psychodermatology (a popular skincare treatment that connects the mind and body as it examines disorders caused by stress). She gave me some really great advice on how to fight back against SAD: 

1. Let there be light!

“The gold standard for seasonal affective disorder is to go back to the source of the problem — light, ” says Dr. Howard. She  recommends  purchasing a simple light box from places like Costco, etc. which has a broad-spectrum light. Sitting in front of this for the prescribed amount of time, which differs, first thing in the morning can “make a huge difference.”

2. Get moving.

“Lifestyle measures which support mood and emotional wellness become all the more important — and often more challenging — during the winter months of short, grey days,” says Dr. Howard. First, she says, “regular aerobic exercise is essential.” According to Dr. Howard, it takes relatively little — 20-30 minutes — on five or more days per week to make a “huge difference in energy and outlook.” This is especially true in the dark winter months, when you really need that burst of energy and oxygen!

3. Sleep: it’s for more than just beauty.

“Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and good sleep hygiene is paramount,” says Dr. Howard. Here’s a great video where Dr. Howard talks about the importance of relaxation and sleep in terms of your overall heath, as well as your skin’s health and appearance!

(ps: I just want to add my own tip for getting a good night’s sleep: Give yourself the comfort of knowing you cleansed your face before you got in bed! If you really run out of time,  Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes are lifesavers! Followed by Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer = bliss!)

4. Eat right.

“An often overlooked, but very important, component of caring for ones mind and mood is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables,” says Dr. Howard. “There is increasing recognition and research evidence pointing to the link between emotional wellbeing and robust fruit and veggie intake — and, conversely between intake of processed foods and depression.”

And, she points out, the same thing goes for good skin!

Read: Your Gorgeous Skin Loves Apples & Pumpkins! Tips + Recipes (Including Delish Mulled Apple Cider)

5. Be social!

“Nurturing supportive relationships during the winter months can be incredibly strengthening of ones positive outlook on life and sense of resilience,” says Dr. Howard.  “This may take extra effort in the winter months — when it’s dark and cold out, it’s hard to get motivated to get out and socialize — but so critical to do!”

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to have plans seven night a week, or that your plans have to be overly ambitious. “Set realistic goals,” she advises. “You don’t have to go out dancing all night; meeting up with a group of friends for a fireside chat is just as good … though don’t forget to get your body moving during the day!”

Great advice, right? And just remember — after December 21st, the days start getting longer again. Summer will be here before we know it!

Do you feel blue in the winter?

The doctor is in, ladies and gents! We got the chance to sit down with fitness and health expert Dr. Raj for the ultimate holiday health guide. From the worst possible indulgence to make at parties to why Bon Jovi is essential to a good workout playlist, we’ve got the Q&A you won’t want to miss this holiday season! (Also, isn’t he a cutie? SWOON.)

Overall, what do you find to be the cause for overindulgence during the holiday season?

It’s the concept of “having to eat” during the holidays. In the U.S., Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays are within 5-6 weeks of each other, so I think people cram in as much food as possible over a period of two months. New Year’s Eve and having a New Year’s Resolution plays into this as well. People will splurge and eat as much as possible up until NYE, and then plan on dropping the weight in the New Year. Even clothing leads to overindulgence- it’s easier to cover up weight gain in areas where it gets colder, and you have to layer on clothes.

We’re not going to hold back on this one: what is the absolute worst thing to overindulge in at holiday parties?

Sugars and sweets! Wasted calories and simple carbs really just go to fat storage. The appetizers and comfort foods you find at holiday parties are packed with saturated fat. A Swedish meatball can be at least 400 calories of butter, heavy cream, and more! Imagine having 2-3 of these, you have hit your calorie count for the day. Eggnog is also one of my top items NOT to have during the holidays. One cup can have up to 350 calories.

Are there any foods that are more dangerous to consume than they appear in terms of calorie content?

I think a lot of people don’t think about the meats they are eating. For example, pot roast contains a ton of saturated fat; one 3-ounce serving can have around 300 calories and 20 grams of total fat! Prime rib also comes from the fattest part of the cow; it can have up to 750 calories. And for both of these meats, add on mashed potatoes and gravy and that is an insane amount of calories and fat.

How about drinks, especially alcoholic ones?

During the holidays, people drink more than other times in the year. You are around family and friends at events where drinks like eggnog (already on my don’t-drink list) are in abundance. Wine is extremely high in sugar, so as an overall rule of thumb, try to keep your alcohol consumption in moderation- try not to drink more than you normally would. This will also help with avoiding weight gain in the long run. If you still want to have a spirit, skip the cinnamon martini and stick to vodka on the rocks with a twist of lemon- there are fewer calories in it.

What are some of the best holiday dishes to make for everyone that fill you up but don’t leave you sluggish after?

Try serving reduced-fat cheeses, fresh fruits, and nuts for appetizers (my favorites are flavored almonds) over thick fatty dips and meatball dishes. You can make a holiday-themed veggie platter too, which is festive and fun! For meats, choose white meat that is lower in fat, and be careful about how much gravy you use. The same goes for the amount of potatoes you eat. Dessert can be tough- instead of serving cheesecake (which can be up to 700-1000 calories a slice), try pumpkin pie, which is lower in fat and calories. Also, you can serve strawberries which are healthy, and dip them in low-fat chocolate.

More tips from Dr. Raj, including what’s on his ultimate workout playlist, up next!

For anyone who knows me, I’m always searching for the perfect wave (not literally), but that “wave” that translates into “vacation” — one that works for my three kids and me.  And I mean me.  My husband’s busiest time of the work year begins prior to Thanksgiving and ends shortly after the New Year, so I am often on my own with the kids when they get the most time off during the school year.

So, when some of our friends suggested they were going to Northstar California Resort minutes from Lake Tahoe just prior to Thanksgiving, I jumped at the chance to tag along.  I didn’t mind being the fifth wheel at all since my three kids are at different ski levels, and I often need expert skiing friends to accompany my 7-year–old daughter, Dayne, whom on her very first time on skis, skied black diamond runs.  No one in our family has been able to keep up with her downhill skills since.

My 10-year-old, twin boys, Drake and Dominick, often transfer between snowboarding and skiing, so there is always an adjustment for a few hours and many, many, “Mom, wait up…ski with me!!”

What is the secret to being on your own and skiing with three kids?

1)   As I mentioned, tag along with others.  Particularly if you have a kid who is very advanced and there is no possible way you will ever keep up with her.  You need that parent(s) whom your kid can ski with.

2)   I always start with ski school for all of my kids (first hour on the slope) so they can get their ski legs back, and I have more confidence that they can ski on their own.

3)   Once my kids are situated, I then put myself in ski school.   I am not good if I get hurt or make this all about my kids.  After an intense work year with lots of international travel, I deserve some time too. Northstar California’s Ski + Snowboard School offers “4Her” ski lessons.  It’s a semi private lesson that is all about “me” time, advancing my ski technique and learning equipment expertise, as well.

4)   Make sure everyone is properly dressed:  gloves, helmet, goggles, face mask in really cold temperatures, etc.  If your kids are not properly dressed, you will be stressed.

5)   Most importantly:  Stay at a place that caters to and supports families.  I have found no better place than Northstar California Resort.  The area is contained, full of families that look out for one another, and constantly offers “kid activities” on and off the slopes.  My kids made candles at The Village Candle Shop, which also offers ceramics when the kids need a break from skiing.  There is the ice-skating ring, a movie theatre and complimentary S’mores Time every day at 3:30 p.m..

Truth be told, my son, Drake, was missing for an hour during a heavy snow storm in the late afternoon on our first day.  The rescue team was “ON IT” in minutes, and the entire ski staff (hundreds of people) were out looking for my son.  They knew exactly what lift he was last on due to his EPIC Pass, which has a bar code on it and is scanned every time you go up on a lift.  The EPIC Pass also tracks all the runs, your ski level and photos of your kids out on the slopes, so you can put together a diary and history of their skiing throughout the years.  My son was just fine, and had decided to ski down to the Village at Northstar looking for his twin brother, which didn’t require a ride on the chair lift.

Lastly, take advantage of “El Nino” this year.  They say that El Nino 2015 could be the strongest ever, and could pose the best ski season for Lake Tahoe.  This past week, I skied on the BEST powder I have ever encountered.  I forgot what it was like to ski on powder and my technique was far better than it has been in years.

All in all, it was a ski trip that worked for my kids and me!

STAY
Northstar Lodging

Offering numerous different types of accommodations spread throughout Northstar, all minutes away from Northstar Village.

In the comments section below tell us: what is your favorite family getaway that you and your kids can both enjoy together?

Ah… it is that time of year! Stores are filled with holiday decorations, homes are strung with twinkling lights, and everyone is counting down the days until they can share in the holiday spirit with friends and family once more. I love this time of year. And even more, I love gifting! Truly finding a thoughtful gift for friends and family is something I look forward to each year.

The holiday season is about more than just gifting, it is about giving. Many of us are very fortunate to have so many blessings. This time of year there are many unique ways to gift and give back.

This year, we have an awesome opportunity to join T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods in an exciting program. Until December 4th, we are giving one special Betty an opportunity to give back to someone who’s always giving of themselves.

We invite you to be apart of this amazing holiday program by simply nominating someone in your life who is selfless and inspirational. Someone who is always giving of themselves. This could be your best friend, mother, father, grandmother or even a coworker!

Here is how you enter:  In the comment section below, share with us a special individual who is always giving of themselves and how they are worthy of this title. By leaving a comment and tweeting us at @BettyBuzz using the hashtag #BringBackHolidays, your nominee will be automatically entered to win an amazing holiday delivery filled with unique gifts that focus on the person that’s opening the present and not what’s inside the gift box.

*Be sure to enter your email address in the comment section below so we can contact you when you win! 

Ah, the ultimate holiday task – find a perfect gift for everyone on your list. One of the easiest ways to purchase presents for your friends, family members and even coworkers will love, is to think of what they enjoy most.

Start with a simple question: what makes (insert person here) happy?
Are they foodies? Boss-ladies? Sci-fi nerds? Or glam goddesses?

From beauty kits, to organizers and tech gadgets, we have put together a collection of gifts for everyone on your list!

1. The Primper
MAC Cosmetic’s ENCHANTED EVE LIP AND EYE BAG / COPPER (Sale Price: $44.63)
A lip and eye bag that brings a modern edge to evening with creamy, honeyed hues

2. The Star Wars Fanatic
Star Wars Holiday Crewneck Sweatshirt by AllPosters.com ($49.99)

3. The Whiskey Connoisseur
On The Rocks Whiskey Wedge Tumbler ($29.99)

4. The Decorator
Agate Print Poster, a premium print from Art.com ($34.99)

5. The Techie
White Shell/Abalone iPhone 6 Case ($39.99)

6. The Foodie
Sharie’s Berries Christmas Cake Truffles ($19.99)

7. The Homebody
Yarnscombe Throw by Lauren Aston Designs ($250.00)

8. The Coffee Addict
Hot Stuff Thermal Mug by Bando ($14.00)

9. The Athlete
Fusion Athletic Socks by Stance ($16.00)

10. The Organizer
2016, 17-month large agenda by Kate Spade ($36.00)

Holiday baking sure can be time-consuming, so if you are looking for that fast and easy shortcut that will allow you to squeeze in a little more “me” time this holiday season, bake up a storm with these kitchen timesavers. From five-minute Christmas morning scones to festive and easy-to-make sugar cookies, be prepared to rock the inner domestic diva you never knew was inside of you!

1. Mrs. Fields sugar cookie mix ($1, available at Dollar Tree stores nationwide). With all those festive sprinkles, who could resist this classic holiday cookie? Even better, it will take you half the time to bake compared to whipping it up from scratch.

2. Lake Champlain vegan organic Fair Trade unsweetened cocoa ($10.50, lakechamplainchocolates.com). Make those brownies or cookies extra chocolate-y with this organic Fair Trade unsweetened cocoa.

3. Duff blue suede cake mix ($3.49, duff.com). Wow your SO’s parents with this easy-to-make blue suede cake rich with yummy blueberry flavor. Simply ice it up with some store-bought frosting and your guests will think you slaved over this baby all day.

4. Sarabeth’s perfect buttermilk biscuit mix ($10, sarabeth.com). Ideal for Christmas morning entertaining and for those who like minimal cleanup, this ready-to-make buttermilk biscuit mix pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit and hot coffee.

5.  Wholesome Chow organic gluten free scone mix ($5.69, wholesomechow.com). Need another yuletide morning breakfast idea? This dairy and gluten free mix just takes five minutes to make. Add your favorite nuts and dry fruits for an added burst of flavor.

6. Stonewall Kitchen gingerbread cookie mix ($6.95, stonewallkitchen.com). Nothing says Christmas better than some timeless gingerbread treats, so for fast baking, just add an egg and some butter, and voila! A fresh batch of holiday goodness.

A fabulous gift doesn’t need to be expensive. But with holiday party season in full swing, you should always bring your host a little gift. Because when someone says, “Just bring yourself!”, they never really mean it. Here are ten chic buys that’ll put you in the Good Gifter category in no time!

Stylish hostess love these FRANCIACORTA wines. Often referred to as “Italian Champagne” they’re getting a lot of buzz on Vogue.com and Refinery29 as the new “It Drink”. And starting at $20, it’s a fabulous deal.

If you give someone an ornament that’s exquisite, you only need to give them one. So chic and the matching handmade box it comes in equally stunning. At Papyrus stores and online.

Boho Chic PERFECTION. One of a kind, hand made parasols with tasseled edges and detailed embroidery on vintage cotton. Perfectly sized at 26″ to hang above a table or on their own. Also available in a set of three for $108.00. From Olive & Cocoa

In a handcrafted wooden crate, a box full of juicy green apple, sweet strawberry and luscious pineapple licorice! Thanks, Matey!
From Olive & Cocoa

While a gift of blush or eyeshadow for a hostess might be a little weird, a luxe gift set of five (yes, five!) shimmery lip glosses a la Laura Mercier is fab. $50 at better department stores and online

Shot size mini copper mugs. Yes, please!
Available at Target

Show up with a box of vegan minty goodness from LUSH that includes soaps, cream and yummy scrubs. Added bonus: It comes beautifully wrapped and ready. Although, this one is so good, you might want to put this on the one for me/one for you list!

Ever since BuzzFeed showed us we can make Pho and Nutella Bread Pudding in a Crock-Pot®, we’ve been hooked. But, toting a huge stock pot of food into someone’s home is not cute. The foodies in your life will gush when you arrive with this bad boy on your arm. Buy here for free shipping

Puppies and a holiday theme? This handcrafted wooden music box that plays The Magic Flute is positively charming and perfect for the puppy video loving host/hostess on your list!
$34.95 at Papyrus stores and online

And when you need to send a thank you note, look no further! Check out Expressionery for all your stationary needs.

Giving is the greatest gift. Remember that.

I’m excited to share with you a post today that’s all about staying confident even when you’re battling a cold sore. Some of my closest friends are cold sore sufferers and I know the toll they take on their confidence. That’s why they turn to Abreva® at the very first sign of their cold sore to heal it fast! Read below to discover simple ways you can keep your confidence high.

On one hand, I am loving winter season because I have to say that for the first time in years, we are having a great ski season in California.  It is fantastic to ski in our record number of powdered inches, but I am always out of my workout rhythm during the winter months

On the other hand, I do find it a very stressful time as there is something about the winter months that makes it challenging to balance my work and family responsibilities or should I add, family obligations.

There is something about winter that just makes everything harder.   This year, the stress brought me my very first cold sore.  This is particularly bad for me because I speak and give presentations as part of how I make my living and I just don’t feel like myself. Then there is that few extra pounds on my body coupled with a very unattractive cold sore on my lip.

What’s a girl to do?

I know what I have to do about the pounds on my body, but the cold sore?  I called my best friend, Camille, in New York, as she always has the perfect remedy – for everything.

Camille said, “Get Abreva® – period.”  So, I did.

Off to the drug store I went, and bought the Abreva® Cream and then I follow the following simple tips to help keep my confidence high!

1)     Cover your cold sore with cosmetics such as lipstick, maybe applied over Abreva® Cream.

2)     Exercise, exercise, exercise (cold sores can be related to stress so make sure you take a walk, go for a run, do yoga, get to the gym or do some home based exercises);

3)     Breathe fresh air; and/or

4)     Hang out with a friend for girls’ night and laugh up a storm.

You could Knock out your cold sore in 2.5 days*.

Only Abreva® can do it, when you treat at the first sign**. Try Abreva® Cream during your next cold sore! Click here to learn more about Abreva® cream.

*Median healing time 4.1 days. 25% of users healed in 2.5 days. 

**

Among Over-the-counter products

So, have you ever tried Abreva® and what have the results been? Comment here and the most creative story will win a $100 Visa Gift Card!!!

Entry Instructions: 

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 2/8/16 – 3/13/16.

Be sure to visit the Abreva® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

A few years ago, my seven-year-old daughter, Dayne, put on a pair of snow skis and never looked back.

Dayne’s very first time on skis, at six years old, she was onto the black diamond slopes by the mid-afternoon. In the past year, she had complained about being bored by the ski slopes of the area we normally frequented, so we decided to try Squaw Valley Ski Resort (otherwise known as Olympic Village) in North Lake Tahoe, where the 1960 Olympic winter games had occurred.

My husband and I packed up our daughter and twin boys and made the four-hour drive to Northern California’s back yard playground, Lake Tahoe. I skied as a kid and into early adulthood, and then a scare (which I won’t get into) turned me away from skiing. It was my kids that brought me back to having a love for the sport. Skiing is also one of those sports that we can all enjoy simultaneously and be happy — do as a family for part of the time, and depart from one another when some of us are looking for much less challenging runs (like one of my son’s and myself). It is a great way to be together, where we get hardcore exercise by day, and take in a hearty meal and sit by the fire for some Smores in the evening.

When we first pulled into Squaw Valley, I thought we were in Austria, and not in Northern California. The A-framed houses are charming and cozy, and remind me of a first ski trip to Austria when I was a little girl about my daughter’s age. Then, there is the dramatic backdrop of the seven peaks that Squaw Valley is surrounded by. A few minutes drive into the community, and you approach The Village of Squaw Valley, which offers accommodations, restaurants, stores and entertainment.

Most of the accommodations at Olympic Village are ski in/out facilities so it makes it very convenient, and the 6,000 skiable acres keeps the slopes really open, where you can perfect your technique using the whole slope from side to side as you are not concerned with bumping into people or vice versa. As vast as the ski slopes are, the resort is also well contained, so if you lose a kid on the ski slopes, you know that you’ll manage to reconnect.

On our last day, our kids enrolled in half-day lessons at Squaw Valley’s Ski & Snowboard program. What was supposed to be a group lesson ended being a private lesson for our son, Dominick, who became very proficient at snowboarding the steep blues after his lesson. Our daughter, Dayne, picked up some expert moves from the other little girls in her group who looked like they were ready to take on the Olympics. While our kids in our ski/snowboard school, for the first time in over a decade, my husband and I got the opportunity to ski together ourselves – something we don’t get to do – Ever!

Squaw Valley is one of those places that you want to return to over and over. The beauty, fresh mountain air, ease of the resort, the quiet, and yet the fun ways you can entertain kids (such as mini snowmobiles and snow tubing rides), kept all of us entertained and wanting more!

Stay:

Squaw Valley Lodge
http://www.squawvalleylodge.com/

Eat:
High Camp (requires a tram or ski lift to the summit of the mountain, but one of the most spectacular views on earth!)
Fireside Pizza Company
PlumpJack

Rentals:
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
http://squawalpine.com/skiing-riding/lessons-rentals-teams/rentals-demos

Ski Lessons for the Kids
http://squawalpine.com/skiing-riding/lessons-rentals-teams/ski-snowboard-lessons

Fun:
Squaw Valley SnoVentures
Mini snowmobiles and snowtubing for the kids
http://squawalpine.com/events-things-do/mini-snowmobiles

5 Steps to a Safe Pedicure

Easy, expert tips to keep your feet healthy—and sexy.

-Brittany Fenning

With the arrival of spring and summer, it’s time for your toes to make their seasonal debut. But although you want to make them look good as fast as possible, you’ve also got to think about how you can keep them safe and infection-free. Otherwise, you might end up with some surprise results, like a fungus or a bacterial infection.

“A pedicure is something I recommend to my patients who want to maintain both the health and look of their feet, but I warn them to proceed with caution when choosing a nail salon to frequent,” says Dr. Oliver Zong, a New York City cosmetic podiatrist.

What’s the problem? While the number of nail salons and spas are on the rise, their health regulations are not. Unlike hospitals, the cosmetics industry is not required to perform sanitary procedures such as sterilization. So, says Dr. Zong, “The biggest risk factor [in getting a pedicure] is going to be infection. Many places do not sanitize properly.”

Read Are High Heels Bad For You?

And that’ a major problem: Experts say the biggest dangers of unsafe pedicures are fungal infections like athlete’s foot, bacterial infections like staphylococcus and (most dangerous of all) viral infections including plantar warts and hepatitis B and C.

But you won’t have to steer clear of pedicures if you follow Dr. Zong’s tips and tricks:

Wait for cuts to get better. When dealing with bug bites, cuts, bruises or poison ivy on your feet or legs, skip the pedicure until you’re healed. These abrasions can let microorganisms enter the body straight from the footbath, causing infection. And try to wait on shaving your legs, getting waxed, or using a hair removal cream before getting a pedicure. This can help prevent bacteria from entering the skin.