The Secret to Doing Your Own Pedicure
Manicurist Mila Yagoudaief showed Health reader Lisa Heywood insider tricks to pulling off a salon-perfect pedi at home. View the slideshow.
Gear Guide: A Cooler Way to Stay Hydrated
Summer has arrived here in Birmingham, Ala. While that doesn’t mean an end to outdoor workouts, having something to sip while I sweat has moved from nicety to necessity. One thing I dread, though, is that moment at which the sun turns my beverage from refreshingly cool to revoltingly warm. So I was intrigued to hear about CamelBak’s new Podium Ice water bottle, whose insulation supposedly keeps water cold four times longer than regular bottles’.
I devised an admittedly less-than-scientific test to check that out. At 6:30 a.m., I filled the Podium Ice and a regular water bottle with ice cubes and water. An hour later, the ice had melted in both, though the water was still chilly. The regular bottle was covered with condensation. However, the Podium Ice was dry on the outside—score one for CamelBak, if only because I hate it when my water bottle sweats more than I do.
I checked the bottles every 30 minutes for the next couple of hours, and the water in the Podium Ice was consistently cooler. By 9:00 a.m. the liquid in my regular bottle was lukewarm, but the CamelBak’s still had a touch of chill. So I put it outside in direct, 85ish-degree sunlight, (until then, I’d kept both bottles inside). Two hours later, the water was still drinkably cool. That impressed me.
Other things to like: Instead of a pesky screw top, the bottle has a valve you can open and close without actually touching the drinking tip with germy fingers. And when it’s closed, it simply doesn’t leak, no matter how often you tip it over. Plus, even though it’s marketed as a “bike bottle,” the Podium Ice fits perfectly into the hydration belt I wear for walking and skating.
A couple of less likable things: You can’t put it in the dishwasher (a noteworthy minus for busy working moms like myself), plus it looks really utilitarian.
But hey, if the trade-off for refreshing summer-workout sips is a little extra time at the sink and a bit of hydration homeliness, so be it.
Product: CamelBak Podium Ice water bottle
Category: Gear
Pros: It keeps water cool during long, hot workouts and won’t leak when tipped.
Cons: You have to hand wash it.
Cost: $20 at CamelBak.com
Extra tip: Click here for helpful tips from the American Council on Exercise on exercising safely in the heat.
Previous posts by Su Reid-St. John:
Best Buys for Eyes
These great finds will enhance lashes, protect lids, and fight fine lines all summer long. View the slideshow.
Sun-Proof Your Skin from A to Z
Get solar-empowered with these secrets for staying healthy (and looking gorgeous!) in the sun. View the slideshow.
What’s Healthier: Vitamin C or Echinacea?
From Health magazine
“It’s cold season. Help!”
Neither. When it comes to fighting off a cold, there’s no definitive evidence that vitamin C or echinacea really work. In fact, a Cochrane Library review of 30 studies found that C is only effective for people under high physical stress, like marathon runners. And several studies have concluded that echinacea is ineffective for preventing colds.
“Anecdotally, I have patients who swear by both,” says Brent Bauer, MD, director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic and author of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine 2007. If taking something makes you feel better (regardless of the evidence), most experts suggest that you go with C: “There are too many variables with echinacea,” Bauer says. Vitamin C is safer, less complex, and more affordable. “You don’t have to worry as much about where it came from or what it really is,” he explains. “It’s something our bodies need anyway, and its anti-inflammatory properties might make you feel a bit better, even if it’s not really preventing colds.”
Want to avoid a cold this winter? Experts agree on this: Wash your hands. A lot.
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Your Life Just Got Less Stressful!
From Health magazine
Q: I’m so stressed that I forget things, like where I put my keys and plans with friends. Help!
A: The first thing to do is stop panicking—and stop telling yourself that you’re losing your mind. Stress can interfere with memory and creative thinking, so the more you calm down about not remembering, the better you’ll actually remember. On the practical side, organizational guru David Allen says that everything you need to get done belongs out of your head and into a tracking system so you can let go of trying to remember it. That alone will reduce stress.
Put plans with friends and other to-do items on a calendar, and refer to it daily. (Set an alarm on your computer or cell phone as reminders, if necessary.) For things you often lose, like keys and sunglasses, pick an easy place to keep them—a tray on the foyer table, for example—and get in the habit of putting them there when you’re not using them. That way, you’ll be far less likely to leave items in random places.
Q: My job is very demanding, and it’s hard to shut out my BlackBerry at night. Any tips?
A: You have to be convinced that your e-mail is not worth looking at. For two weeks, give yourself a deadline (no checking e-mail between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for instance) and see how you feel.
My clients often notice that their work doesn’t suffer significantly, they sleep better, and they have more time for themselves. Once you see the benefits, keeping your commitment to yourself—and logging off from your work e-mail—will be a lot easier.
Q: I get flustered when I talk to someone who has authority, like my boss or a store manager. How can I feel more relaxed and confident?
A: Before you begin a conversation, ask yourself the outcome you’re hoping for. A refund? A raise? Empathy from the other person about your situation? (I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve asked clients what they want out of a conversation and heard them say, “I have no idea.”) Then, when you begin talking, state the issue and your dream outcome: “I would like a refund for my broken toaster oven.” The clearer you are on what you want, the easier it will be for you to speak up and get what you want.
One move that will help calm your nerves: Write down your main points on a note card and practice what you’re going to say with a friend or family member beforehand. That way, you’ll go in prepared and won’t forget the key talking points.
How to Get More Intuitive
From Health magazine
Gut check! Everyone gets a feeling when a situation feels right—or really wrong. It’s our intuition talking, but many of us ignore it. Laura Day, author of Practical Intuition, shows you how to hone your sixth sense and let it lead you to a more rewarding life.
Listen to that nagging feeling
Whenever you start to fret about something, like a relationship or financial matter, pay attention, Day advises. That hunch may pay off: “Out of the blue, I started to worry about the stock market a few years ago, and I sold everything,” Day says. “I avoided a financial crisis.”
Tune in to your senses
Intuition is actually an extension of your senses—so paying attention to the things you smell, hear, taste, touch, and see throughout the day can sharpen your intuitive skills. You’ll pick up info that could feed your intuition and lead you in new directions.
Do a reality check
Not every thought that pops up is worth following. Think about what else could be at play, Day suggests. Maybe you’re feeling down on your new job just because you skipped breakfast and your blood sugar is low. Also, ask yourself if you are reacting to a phobia, rather than your intuition.
Pick up the connection
If your past suddenly comes to mind, it may be a hint about what would make you happy in the future. Say you flashed back to happily playing the violin in school. Your subconscious could be telling you to play again. Not sure why you thought of something? Jot it down and reflect on it. Take action if it feels right.
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