Habits That May be Aging You

Has this been happening to anyone else lately? You’re scrolling through Facebook and suddenly one of those “Facebook Memories” from three or four years ago pops up….and your first thought: “Wow, I look SO young.” You’re wondering what happened. It’s only been a few years, but when you look in the mirror you feel like you’ve aged more like ten? You look tired, you feel tired and that glow you seemed to have in that memory photo is nowhere to be found. What were you doing differently back then? How did age creep up so fast? Believe it or not, you probably don’t look that different. But your self-critical habits can’t help but sneak up on you – and if you think about it, maybe you have been a little stressed, spending less time with friends and feeling generally overworked. If any of those things feel like issues you’ve been dealing with, you just may be creating a few bad habits that may be aging you. Let’s take a closer look and see.

1 – You’re working around the clock. This happens to so many of us at one point or another in our careers. You feel like you can’t get it all done and just when you think you’re catching up, more projects appears. It becomes a vicious cycle. And, when you’re trying to get ahead, advance your career and make moves – it’s very tough to walk away. But, here’s the thing. No one performs their best when they are stretch beyond capacity…no one. And, what you really need is to deliver your best for the duration of the working day – not around the clock and into the wee hours of the night. So stick to a schedule. Get done what you can during your set hours and at the end of that day, pack up and go relax. You’ll be more rejuvenated and on point in the morning. You’ll also give your body that much needed time to unwind and keep you looking (and feeling) young and fresh.

2 – You aren’t getting enough sleep. This is one of the worst things you can do for your poor body. Sleep is the thing that keeps us going – all living beings need sleep to let their whole body take a break and recharge in order to operate at peak performance. No matter if you’re working too much, partying too much or your kiddos are keeping you up all night, you have to find a way to get on a regular sleep schedule. Not only will that keep you looking and feeling younger, but you’ll stay nice and healthy too. Pretty much a win win.

3 – You aren’t drinking enough water. Guilty as charged on this one! (It’s so hard sometimes) You have to make hydration a priority in your life – it’s essential for keeping your body functioning at top performing levels and keeping your skin and complexion looking renewed, young and glow-y. Try investing in a fun water bottle you really like or use an app to track your water consumption each day if you have trouble remembering. You’ll have more energy, you’ll look amazing and your body will thank you for it.

4 – You aren’t getting enough exercise. This is a tough one when you’re super busy and trying to juggle and balance it all. You want to exercise, but sometimes finding that motivation is a real challenge – you just have to get out there. Once you make exercise a regular habit in your life, you’ll find yourself craving that awesome high that comes from working your body and working up a sweat. Next time you want to exercise, don’t just think about it – make a move.

What do you think? Can you break these bad habits by exchanging them for good ones and get your youthful glow back?

Keep doing

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Drink Water

It often seems that our solution to everything when it comes to health and beauty is to drink more water – and you know why? Because believe it or not, it actually works. Your body is made up of nearly 80% water and when it comes to taking care of that body, helping to replace that water content is essential. No matter if you’re exercising more than the average person or even not exercising at all, adding a routine of drinking a ½ an ounce of water for each pound of your body weight (example: if you weigh 150lbs, drink 75 ounces of water) every day is essential for keeping your body in tip top shape and your skin looking bright and clear. So how about it? Have you ever tried drinking that much water in a day?

If you’re not sure about all this, how about thinking of it in the form of a challenge? Sort of a resolution where the prize at the end is clearer skin and other great bonuses like more energy. Here’s what to do… Take a look at your body weight (like we did above) and drink a ½ ounce of water for every pound. Challenge yourself to take on this task every day for 10 whole days. Here’s what you can probably expect:

• First of all, you’re going to be in the bathroom, a lot. More than you’d expect because the water is flowing. It may be tough to get used to that at first – but you can do it!
• You’ll probably want to eat less snacky stuff. Drinking all this water will help keep you full throughout the day and will be an excellent meter for knowing when you actually are hungry.
• You may experience some initial bloating and headaches because you’re body isn’t used to all this water – don’t worry, you aren’t drinking too much, it will go away.
• Your skin will start to look clear and glowy.
• More than likely you’ll lose a few pounds – some people even lose up to 10!
• And, as an added bonus, you’ll probably lose a couple of inches off your waist.
• You may notice you have less joint pain and you aren’t sweating as much as you normally do – incredible, right?
• You’ll have increased energy and start to feel pretty great from the inside out
•  

So, what do you think? Are these incredible after effects enough to help you jumpstart your own water challenge? Take before and after photos to get the full effect – look at your skin, your weight, your waist size – anything you’re interested in changing to track your water challenge results and go for it for 10 days. Can you do it?

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com 

(credit: L.R.)

February is Heart Month: How to Support

If heart health hits close to home in your family or with your friends, you’ll be excited to know February is “Heart Month,” and there’s a whole bunch of great ways you can support the cause and help bring heart health awareness to the table. If you’re ready to get started and learn a little bit more, here’s some info on this year’s “Heart Month..

 

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. It’s easy to get your blood pressure checked. You can get screened at your doctor’s office and drugstores or even check it yourself at home, using a home blood pressure monitor.

Once you’re sure you’ve got your blood pressure under control, it’s time to help spread the word to family and friends. Think about offering a ride to older relatives and neighbors to visit their doc or a local pharmacy for an annual blood pressure screening.

  Wear red on National Wear Red Day (February 6th) to help remember and raise awareness for all those who have been affected by heart disease. Share your Wear Red efforts on social media with selfies, pet picks and anything else you’re doing to raise awareness. Join thousands of others who will use #HeartHealth to raise awareness.

There are so many ways you can support Heart Health and help raise awareness during Heart Month. For more information about all of the ways you can help, check out The American Heart Association @ heart.org.

  Keep doing

Angelika

(credit: L.R.) 

Morning Tips to Start in 2016

The New Year is just around the corner. Let’s ring in 2016 with a “bring it on,” attitude. Don’t be afraid to try new things this year. Be open to change. Changing can bring you happiness in ways you never would have expected otherwise. One thing you can change is your morning ritual. Starting your day right is important, which is why I wanted to bring you some daily rituals that’ll help jumpstart your New Year. Start your day right this 2016, and watch the world open up to you! Read on and let me know what you think in the comments section. 

Start With The Inside- Start your day by drinking some hot water with lemon. Doing this, activates your intestines. It’s lubricates your internal system. It helps to jumpstart your body in a natural and healthy way. Water keeps your intestines flowing while the lemon engages your digestive system. Try it and see what happens.

Practice A Stretching Routine- Find a stretching routine that’s right for you. I love doing a sun salutation when I wake up in the morning. It’s a time for myself to breathe and relax. At the same time, it helps to activate my muscles for the day ahead. It’s a time where I listen to what my body wants.

Move!- Start your day by fitting in a cardio exercise. I love a quick jog in the morning. Get your blood flowing by doing the same. Not only will you feel just a bit more energized during your day, but you’ll also get that workout out of the way. Keep moving, people!

Eat Breakfast- Take some time for your breakfast. Enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal. It’s the most important meal of the day and deserves its rightful place.

Keep healthy 

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com 

(credit: L.R.)

Ways To Waste Less Food

If you’re on a budget, saving food is imperative. Even if you’re not on a budget, wasting less food is great for the environment. Check out how you can waste less food.

Start Storing Smarter- Doing small things like separating bananas rather than keeping them in a bunch, keeps them fresher longer. You could also reconsider the organization of your fridge to have everything in the right places so they last longer. Don’t put fruits and veggies in the same drawer because they spoil together. All it takes is some research.

Only Buy What You Need- Make a list before you go to the store and be sure to only add what you need. Don’t get distracted by adding extra apples or tomatoes. You could even download an app for keeping your grocery list.

Freeze Your Veggies- Get into the habit of freezing your veggies. It doesn’t take much time and it saves you a whole lot of rotten vegetables.

Make More Trips- Making more trips to the store to get what you need on a biweekly or triweekly basis is better for saving food than going for weekly trips.

Don’t Buy In Bulk- Buying in bulk is a trap. How many people are there in your family? Do you really need that many crates of produce? Things like toilet paper or foods that have long expiration dates can be bought at discount when it comes to buying in bulk. Aside from that, stay away.

Use All Your Food- Use all of your food, like all of it. Cook with every part of your food, use veggie scraps to make broth, and leftover veggies for a frittata. Using all your food will definitely keep you from wasting food.

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

Anti-Inflammatory Cocktail Recipes

Ready to get a flatter tummy and start eating healthier? Me too!


After a brutally cold winter for much of the country, it’s time to embrace the changing season and cleanse and rejuvenate our bodies with lighter foods, juices and smoothies, says nutritionist and juicing pioneer Cherie Calbom, MS. (“The Juice Lady”).
What’s considered healthy and unhealthy seems to change on a regular basis, which is why it’s helpful to recognize further studies that confirm previous findings. Most recently, a study by Georgia State University microbiologist Benoit Chassaing has further confirmed the destructive properties of an inflammatory diet.
Researchers found that common additives in processed foods including ice cream, margarine, packaged bread and many more may promote the inflammatory bowel diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease as well as a group of obesity-related conditions.
“It’s not only intestinal problems; low-grade inflammation caused by food additives has been shown to contribute to weight gain and blood sugar control problems, as well as a host of other chronic disease,” says Calbom, author of “The Juice Lady’s Anti-Inflammation Diet”, which offers healthy meal options, smoothies and robust juice recipes to help readers live an anti-inflammation lifestyle.
“No matter the kind of diet you may lean toward – vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, no-carb, Mediterranean, Neanderthal or any other kind of diet – any and all anti-inflammation efforts are well worth it!”
Healthy juices and shakes are a convenient way to reduce inflammation, revitalize your cells and lose some of those winter pounds.
“Yes, you can lose weight on the anti-inflammation diet and rejuvenate your body,” says Calbom, who offers just a few of her recipes and discusses their health benefits.

3 Anti-Inflammatory Cocktail Recipes

•  Anti-Inflammatory Cocktail
  1 green apple
  ½ large fennel with fronds
  1-inch-piece ginger root
  1 large broccoli stem
  3 leaves kale
  ½ cucumber, peeled if not organic

Cut produce to fit your juicer. Start by juicing the apple and finish with the cucumber. Drink as soon as possible.
Benefits
Fennel: anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, analgesic, and antioxidant
Apple: inhibits the development of allergies; rich in histamine-lowering quercetin
Cucumber: analgesic (pain killer); antioxidant that prevents the synthesis of the inflammatory compound prostaglandin
Broccoli: anti-carcinogenic, prevents gastric mucosal damage (suggesting potential histamine-lowering action)
Ginger: as effective as an H2 receptor antagonist prescription drug

•  Morning Energy
  1 – 2 carrots, scrubbed well, tops removed, ends trimmed
  ½ small beet, with leaves
  1 cucumber, peeled if not organic
  1 handful spinach or several chard leaves
  ½ lemon, peeled
  1-inch-piece ginger root, scrubbed, peeled if old

Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Juice all ingredients and stir. Pour into a glass and drink as soon as possible.
Benefits
Beets contain unique phytonutrients called betalains, which have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification

•  Antioxidant Power Smoothie
  1 cup unsweetened plant milk such as hemp, coconut, or almond milk
  ½ cup blueberries
  1 pear
  ½ cup baby spinach
  1 tsp. Indian gooseberry extract (optional)*
  1 Tbsp. flaxseed
  Ice cubes (optional, depending on how cold you like your smoothie)

Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.
Benefits
Berries help prevent damaging effects of free radicals and inflammation by turning off the inflammation signals triggered by cytokines and COX-2s, making them an ideal part of your diet. Yummyyyyy xo

Keep doing
Angelika
(credit : L.R. + Cherie Chalbom)

Insomnia - How to Get Better Sleep

Are you getting enough sleep? While experts agree that the amount of sleep each person needs is based on individual characteristics, the quality of that rest is certainly still deemed essential.  Insomnia has become a common ailment considering the amount of hours we are all putting into our work days. And even if insomnia isn’t the problem, many individuals are suffering from poor quality of sleep simply because they aren’t aware of the many seemingly innocent culprits that are cutting into proper rest and relaxation. The choices you make throughout the day will affect the kind of rest you get at night. Read ahead for 8 tips to getting the sweet sleep you really need.

How to Get Better Sleep

Turn off the TV and stash your electronics at least one hour before bedtime – Allowing blue light emitting objects to run while you’re in bed will make it even more difficult for your brain to relax and get to sleep.

Don’t do anything but rest and sleep on your bed – In other words, don’t also work in bed, take care of bills, watch TV, etc. You should only associate your bedroom with rest and relaxation. Bringing in your other tasks will change your state of mind and make it difficult to shut your mind off when you enter the bedroom.

Don’t take naps – Busy schedules mean the need for more rest. But including naps in your day can make it more difficult to get to sleep at night. If you absolutely must nap, keep it under 20 minutes and not so late in the day.

Limit your caffeine intake – Keep your coffee or other caffeinated products in the earlier part of your day, such as before lunch. Any caffeine consumed in the latter part of the day will still be in your system by bedtime, even if it’s a small amount. Consider any pain relievers and weight loss supplements, as well.

Exercise regularly and well before bedtime – Regularly exercising has been shown to improve quality of sleep, but only if it’s done 3 to 4 hours before going to bed since a post-workout burst of energy will likely last for a while.

Don’t eat too late – Limit your snacking to at least one hour before going to bed. If your digestive system is still active as you’re trying to sleep, chances are you won’t be resting as you should.

Turn your clock around – Or block it. The idea is to not keep looking at the time, creating anxiety about going to sleep and getting enough rest. If your clock has an LED or emits a blue light similar to that of a tablet or smart phone, it will make it harder to get to sleep.

Establish a bedtime ritual – Take a warm bath, read a book, meditate – whatever gets you to relax is fine. just be consistent and wind down to ensure you are in the right state of mind before going to sleep.

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

Workout Inspiration: Kate vs. Beyonce

Staying fit and healthy is a great reason to start hitting the gym and working out but wouldn’t it motivate you even more to get moving if you knew you had cute clothes to wear to the gym? Sure, they’re not that important but just knowing that you have fab clothes to wear can really give you that last push you need to ditch the couch and go to the gym. If you’re looking for stylish clothes that you can wear while keeping fit, check out these fab fitness brands that have the best workout gear.

FABLETICS – just the first three words on the name of this brand is enough to tell us what we can expect from them: clothes that are both fab and athletic. And if that’s not enough to convince you to browse this line, perhaps the fact that the ever so fit and fab Kate Hudson is co-founder and wears these clothes herself is. They even have a “Kate’s Picks” section in case you’re wondering which ones are Kate-approved. Shop at fabletics.com.

BEYONCE x TOPSHOP – okay, so this one has not been launched yet which means you can’t get your hands on these goodies just yet BUT it will be launched anytime this year so keep your eyes peeled! And, even without seeing the line yet, you just know it’s going to be good. I mean, have you seen Beyonce and her sporty looks? Come on! 

Check them out! xo

Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(Credit: L.R.)

Wintertrend: YOGA auf der Skipiste

Wenn Sie im Winter leiber Geist als Muskeln aufbauen wollen, dann sollten Sie diese Schweizerin , Sabrina Nussbaum, kennenlernen!

Seit 2012 bietet die Schweizerin in St. Moritz die Ypga-Skipiste an und hat damit inzwischen schon sehr grosse Erfolge.

Man kann es selbstständig oder in einer Gruppe buchen. Wie das geht?

 

 

 

 

Man fährt auf einer markierten Piste, mit dern Skiern ab und zwischendruch hält man an und turnt acht Übungen! Belohnt wird das ganze mit einer Traum-Aussicht.

 

 

Für wen geeignet?

Für alle die gern auf Skiern stehen!! xo

 

Keep skiing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: Sabrina Nussbaum)

Skinny Mom Secrets

We all know how tough it is to keep our body looking exactly the way we want while also finding the time to manage a household, be a mom and maintain a career. The daily grind of getting the kiddos out of bed and either out the door to school or entertained all day long leaves little time for taking care of yourself. When you see those skinny moms with the body of your dreams, you have to wonder how they do it? What are the tricks to staying so slim?

1. Go for the healthy options. When you’re fueling your body with healthy foods, your body will continue to crave healthy foods. Go for leafy greens, veggies and other low calorie options that fill your body with good-for-you vitamins and minerals and simply skip the junk.
2. Portion control is the name of the game. Really, you can enjoy any type of food you like and stay looking your absolute best – how much of that food you consume is what matters. Eating small portions throughout the day means never feeling overly full – and, ultimately helps keep your calories in check.
3. Embrace your workout. Being a mom means being on-the-go, but squeezing in those workouts is essential for keeping your body in tip top shape. Can fit in a trip to the gym? Pull out the stroller and get walking. Can’t even squeeze that in? Get outside with your kids for a quick game of basketball in the driveway. Whatever you have to do – be sure to get your heart pumping at least once a day.
4. Eat when you’re hungry, not just for the sake of eating. Eating nourishes the body, so why not save it for those times when you actually feel like you need those vitamins and nutrients? Rather than mindlessly eating empty calories while the kids are doing their homework or getting ready for school, save eating for when you feel like you need to fuel the body.
5. Skip the diets and embrace an all-encompassing healthy lifestyle. Making your health your priority is the first step to having the body you want.  And, fad dieting isn’t the answer. Taking all these tips into consideration: eating when you’re hungry, stopping when you’re full; everything in moderation; go for the healthy stuff and make exercise part of your daily routine – and you’re on your way understanding the skinny mom secrets after all.

Remember, we are all built differently – some of us will never be what society deems as “skinny”, but you know what – who cares! YOU are you and being your best, most conscientious self is the ultimate goal. Teach your children to embrace their beauty, bodies and minds and remember – they watch everything you do. When you embrace a holistic and healthy lifestyle, they will too.

Keep eatingAngelika(credit: L.R.)

“Healthy” Foods That Are Actually Bad For You

Ugh. Just when you thought you were doing the right thing, reeling in your unhealthy habits and getting your nutrition plan back on track, you find out this discouraging news: there’s a bunch of “healthy” foods that are actually really bad for you out there. At least when you indulge in a small serving of ice cream or a delicious slice of chocolate cake – you know it’s an indulgence and it’s a must-do special treat every once in a while. But what about those foods you thought were healthy and really they’re packed with nutrition busting calories and ingredients. Take a look at these waistline busters that seem healthy, but in reality may be sabotaging your diet plan. 

1. Pre-made salads. The already prepared salad is a super simple way to fall victim to having more calories than a big mac packed onto a big pile of leafy greens – it can be a real calorie buster. Watch out for salads packed with cheese, crutons, meats and dried fruits (like Cobb, Caesar, Chef’s salads) – often they also like to pack on the dressing. Try asking for the dressing on the side and make selections that include greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and grilled chicken and turkey. Most restaurants are pretty go-with-the-flow these days when it comes to making heart-healthy substitutions.

2. Multi-grain or wheat bread. As it turns out, even when you think you’re making the right decision by choosing wheat over white, many mass produced brands of wheat bread do not actually give you the benefit of the whole grain. When you’re checking out the ingredients list, watch out for breads that include the terms: unbleached enriched or bleached. Try skipping the calories of bread in general – or cut your normal intake in half, by trying an open-faced sandwich with just one slice instead of two.

3.  Granola. Just the word sounds earthy, crunchy and healthy – doesn’t it? Well, think again. Most store-bought granola packs a calorie punch exceeding 400 calories per serving. Often made with loads of sugar and fat, store-bought granola doesn’t offer much in the way of nutritional value. Opt to skip granola entirely and try a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal instead.

4. Gluten-free products. This is tricky as gluten-free living is all the rage right now, but the products made specifically for those who have a gluten allergy do not mean they’re healthier or low in calories. If you’re choosing to go gluten-free as a diet option, skip out on replacing all your foods with gluten-free products and simply focus on a diet high in leafy greens, fresh fruits and lean proteins. If you must have gluten-free products – be sure to check those labels and carefully read the calorie count. The extra eggs and oil used in these products can really add up.

5. Pre-packaged applesauce. This one is sneaky as it seems like such an innocent and healthy snack – too bad most store-bought applesauce packs on the sugar and high fructose corn syrup in those tiny little snack packs. If apple sauce is your must-have snack, look for unsweetened, try making your own or simply opt for a nice, crisp apple.

Have you recently adjusted your diet for a more balanced and healthy option? 

Keep eating

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: L.R.)