Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

I’ve been a bit “under the weather” lately due to my seasonal allergies flaring up like crazy! My eyes water, I’ve got nasal congestion, and histamine outbreaks leave me up nights, itching like mad. I’ve got backup of Benadryl, Sudafed, Nyquil, and other allergy relief products, and though I should seek a medical prescription for the severity of my allergies, I’m trying not to be so reliant on anti-histamines. I find that once your body gets used to them, it takes a higher dose to ward off allergy symptoms. Also, my recent flare-up may have something to do with the fact that I was slacking for a few days on my vitamin/supplement regimen…

After doing a bit of research, combined with some things I’ve already been incorporating into my daily routine, below are a few natural solutions for seasonal allergy relief. Hopefully my fellow allergy sufferers will find them useful! (more…)

Hayden Panettiere’s Diet Tips

How does Heroes star Hayden Panettiere stay fit, you ask?

No, she doesn’t take diet pills. Hayden works out with her personal trainer, Jonathan Bernan, at Crunch Gym in West Hollywood. She uses the Stairmaster, resistance training, circuit training, and lifts weights to stay “feeling good.” (source: USAToday)

Hayden Panettiere’s Diet Trick

“I’m a picker,” Hayden says, “I will eat a quarter of my meal, and then I’ll get full, so I’ll sit there, and then 20 minutes later I’ll eat the other quarter…”

It’s all about portion control.

Watch the video to hear Hayden Panettiere talk about her workout and diet tips:

What Our Food Cravings Really Mean

Do you have any recurring food cravings? My main cravings include nuts (especially almonds and cashews, mmm) and chocolate, usually once every month. According to nutritionists, our food cravings actually allude to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (among others), and can be easily and healthfully satisfied by opting for healthier food choices that contain the nutrients our bodies are after.

For more healthy alternatives to your food cravings, check out 2nd Wind Body Science’s list.

While we’re on the topic of food, check out some of these Thanksgiving recipes.

Fitness Bit: Carbs Can Be Good For You

When we are distraught or in pain — think heartbreak, PMS, or we’re just stressed out — consume complex carbs such as those found in whole wheat pastas and brown rice rather than reaching for candy. Complex carbs trigger serototin production in your brain, which is the feel-good hormone that helps you sleep better, stabilize your mood, and calm your appetite.

When you are trying to lose weight, don’t cut carbs from your diet completely. Complex carbohydrates including green veggies and oatmeal tend to be more filling without being loaded with calories.

How To Cut Calories At Starbucks

I treat myself to one or two “gourmet” Starbucks coffees a week. If I’m going to spend $4-$5 on a latte, it needs to be specially made to suit my diet and taste buds for a truly worthy treat!

With no respect to “Starbucks semantics” (baristas, feel free to correct my request!), this is what I usually order:

a double tall sugarfree skinny cinnamon dulce latte *no whip*

What does all this mean?

• Double tall – Order an extra shot of caffeine for a jolt of energy, tension muscle ache relieve (long days at the office!), and to quicken your metabolism. I order the tall-sized latte to cut calories and coins spent.
• Sugarfree – Says, “No refined sugar, please!” If your latte tastes bland per this request, add Splenda or cane sugar to taste.
• Skinny – Says, “Nonfat milk, please!” Alternatively you could order a soy latte for added protein and lactose-free energy.
• No whip – Hold the whipped cream. I don’t want or need the added sugar!

My guy friend calls this a complicated order. I tease him by telling him he’s trying to make a statement with all his “simplicity.” For good measure, I tip the baristas a dollar or two for their time.

Reader Poll: Cash or Credit?

Do you prefer to pay with cash, or with your credit or debit card? Does it depend on the purchase?

Lately I’ve become a lot more keen on being frugal and guarding against spending my money. Because I tend to spend more when I’m paying with my credit or bank cards, I’ve decided to simply withdraw the money I “allow” myself to spend on discretionary things so that I can monitor more closely how I’m spending my cash. Bank fees have also grown quite ridiculous so I may be using my bank card a lot less from now on! For online purchases, there’s always PayPal.

PS – No need to worry about identity theft, either, if you enroll with life lock.

How To Recover After the Party

With spring & summer warm weather at hand, weekend parties with friends become the norm. I’ve “partied” two weekends in a row now and seem to have recovered gracefully by Sunday morning. Whether you’re drinking Red Bull or Red Bull with vodka (or your party vice of choice…), after a night of stimulants and/or depressants wrecking havoc on your system it’s necessary to have a recovery regimen. Your body (and mood) will thank you!

How to Come Down After the Party

Drink plenty of water. If I told you to drink water on top of alcohol, caffeine, whathaveyou you probably wouldn’t do so. So please, at least drink up while you’re sobering up. Water rehydrates your system and cleanses toxins from your body. You will also look better-rested the day after.

Take your vitamins. My friends are amazed when I break out my vitamins when the party’s over! They don’t understand the benefits. Vitamins, such as fish oil pills and especially B-complex, will help your mood over the next day and metabolize your way to a speedy recovery. I take two fish oil pills and a B-complex pill over a glass of water.

Eat something. This is difficult sometimes, I know it. Even if it’s just a handful of sunflower seeds (with water), replenishing your system with good fats and protein will prevent malnutrition and help rid water weight (sunflower seeds have very little carbohydrates).

Get some rest. If you have trouble sleeping, take a melatonin pill. Melatonin is a natural chemical in your brain that triggers feelings of wellbeing and restfulness. You can get an inexpensive bottle of melatonin sleeping pills at your local drugstore.