Tips on What to Eat and Avoid for Healthier Skin
Posted 01/07/2012 by Lara
There’s always all this chatter about how stressful the holidays are, however for me it’s usually the period right after new years that gets me. Something about adjusting back into work and getting myself on a schedule after a weeks of over eating and sweat pants shocks my system.
However, the holidays are over, and hopefully my not-so-great eating habits have gone with them. I’ve already taken the first step and joined Equinox, now I just need to pay more attention to my diet. Skin Expert Dominique Tinkler (of OMIC Skincare) shares her tips on what foods to eat and avoid for healthier skin:
For Breakouts
What to eat – Bright red and orange fruits and vegetables have beta carotene which your body converts to oil reducing Vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables contain Vitamin B6 which minimizes swelling, so pimples are reduced.
What to avoid – Iodine rich salt, shrimp and seaweed stimulate oil glands, inducing irritation of pores.
For Stress-Induced Wrinkles
What to eat – Fruits rich in color (such as berries) have Vitamin C which help to promote anti-aging, skin firming collagen and Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
TriBeCa Whole Foods Launches the Wellness Club to Promote Healthy Living
Posted 10/19/2011 by Lara
By Pretty Connected Contributor, Elizabeth Borenstein
Whole Foods is defiantly my go to grocery store when I am looking for food that I think is healthy. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Indian hot bar station I usually beeline to is not the most energy producing, nourishing option. It can be hard to know what to pick up that is healthy and delicious and Whole Foods can feel overwhelming to navigate. For confused consumers like myself and health conscious neighborhood residents, Whole Foods is looking to add a whole new dimension in how to shop their grocery store. Starting this month, with a pilot program at their Tribeca location in NYC, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey introduces the Wellness Club. “Created by doctors, this program offers members a wide-ranging set of tools for a greater chance of sustaining a healthier lifestyle.” Mackey describes.
Whole Foods Bread Breaking Ceremony
I stopped by the TriBeCa store for a traditional bread breaking ceremony and cooking demonstration in the brand new wellness center to learn more about this new initiative and what it means for Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
Fashion Week Eats: Collagen soup anyone?
Posted 09/11/2011 by Lara
When I hear the word collagen a picture comes to mind of overly puffed lips and The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This is not the case for chef Takashi Inoue of Takashi and beauty expert Hinako Israel. Inspired by the fact that “we are what we eat” these two have teamed up to create a “beauty from within” menu for fashion week that works to nourish the skin and boost the immune system by eating items that include collagen.
Delicacies include flash boiled achilles and ox foot. This menu is not for the faint of heart, but might be for those working toward a healthy heart, beautiful skin, and a strong body.
Leave a Comment
Pretty Connected Featured on The Look on TPN
Posted 05/13/2011 by Lara
Behind the scenes with Maggie Rulli
A few weeks ago, The Look, a new show on The Pulse Network, asked to interview me for a fashion and beauty segment. Hosted by the fabulous Maggie Rulli, The Look, is all about helping women be their most fabulous self by going behind the scenes and interviewing experts in health, beauty/skincare and the fashion industry.
The first of my two segments just aired! So here’s me talking spring fashion trends!
So what’s spring all about? 70’s, 70’s, 70’s. From the maxi dresses to high wasted pants the 70’s are what’s hot for right now. Platform shoes, cork and wood wedges. Well what am I still writing about, watch the segment! It’s all in there.
Leave a Comment
Abdi Assadi Talks Intuition at Norma Kamali’s Wellness Cafe
Posted 04/09/2011 by Lara
Abdi Assadi. Check out his book, Shadows On the Path
Fashion designer/icon, Norma Kamali is on a wellness kick. Well more then a kick, it’s a way of life. I mean look at her, she’s definitely doing something right (it’s probably the Organic Avenue diet and all of those Physique 57 fitness classes). Back in September she hosted “Conversations”, a dialogue on wellness solutions with notable speakers including, Twyla Tharp, Horst Rechelbacher, and Abdi Assadi, which I was very lucky enough to be apart of. She’s additionally has been hosting various wellness events at her store (sign up for her mailing list to stay informed). Her latest, featured a speech by Abdi Assadi, spiritual advisor, acupuncturist, and author of Shadows On the Path, on intuition.
Abdi Assadi, Norma Kamali
I was first turned on to Abdi Assani over a year ago by my former roommate (and best friend) Mike, who ordered me his book, after I was going though some distress. Probably some ‘what’s my purpose in life crisis’ or freak out over my 16th breakup with my boyfriend at the time. If you’ve ever met Mike, you’d probably recognize his endurance level for any type of bullshit is at 0.05% –and even then, he’s probably only tolerating that much out of friendship. Mike was one of the lucky individuals who got through Abdi’s waitlist, and gets to see him professionally. An endorsement from Mike has more value to me than 3 Michelen stars, so needless to say, I’ve been Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
Win A Trip in Celebration of Kiehl’s Partnership With National Geographic
Posted 04/09/2011 by Lara
In recognition of their adventurous heritage, skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 is partnering with National Geographic’s Young Explorers Program, in support of three promising young explorers, Joe Riis, Asa Firestone and Benjamin Horton during their thrilling pursuits around the globe.
They launched a very cool Adventure Facebook tab which shows footage of these explorers journeys– Joe as he travels through Grand Teton National Park to documents the migration of the Pronghorns, Ben as he scuba dives into the waters of the Cocos Island of Costa Rica to create change for the wildlife, and Asa as he climbs through Rio de Janeiro.
Inspired? Become a fan of Kiehl’s on Facebook and enter to win your own adventure. Kiehl’s is offering one lucky winner a chance to win a trip for two anywhere of their choice in Costa Rica, Brazil or The US, with 3 days/2 nights hotel accommodations (up to a $2,500 value); 2nd place wins Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
Breakfast with Dr. Hirsch for SENSA
Posted 04/07/2011 by Lara
By now you’ve probably heard of SENSA, I had but knew nothing beyond it being some type of weight loss supplement. And frankly all that type of stuff kind of freaks me out. I tend to generalize them all into one category; innovative pills filled with chemicals, in fancy boxes promising to miraculously dissolve away those extra pounds. Of course when you read the fine print it has some comment about how it works best as part of a healthier diet and exercise regimen. And doesn’t that somewhat defeat the purpose? If I can get myself to eat healthier and regularly work out, I think I’m on my way to solving the problem.
Dr. Alan Hirsch
Out of pure curiosity, I got off my high horse and decided to join Dr. Alan Hirsch, M.D. for a breakfast he was hosting to learn more about SENSA, the 6-month weight-loss system that uses science and your sense of smell to shed unwanted pound. And I’m glad I did because he’s a breath of fresh air. I’m used to nutrition buffs or fitness obsessed working-out-is-my-life types starting these weigh-loss programs that for the life of me I cannot relate to (although I am envious of their drive and healthy endorphins). Dr. Hirsch on the other hand is a Neurologist and Psychiatrist, and his passion for research and how the brain and sensory system of the human body operates is evident in every anecdote and fact he delivered.
“Did you know in a study we did on what people want kisses to taste like we found married and single women prefer their dates or husband’s kisses to taste fresh, like mint toothpaste; married men like their wives to taste like spearmint or peppermint, and single men prefer them to taste like alcohol,” he told the audience. That narrative is slightly off topic, but I couldn’t get enough of these random studies. I asked him Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
Susan Sarandon and Mary-Louise Parker Host a Benefit for Hope North
Posted 04/01/2011 by Lara
Susan Sarandon and Mary-Louise Parker Host a Benefit for Hope North
While generally my Sunday nights consists of sweats, my laptop and takeout (it’s a joyous ritual), I had a more exciting night planned for the evening. Susan Sarandon and Mary-Louise Parker we’re hosting a benefit for Hope North, a boarding school in Uganda for escaped child soldiers, orphans, and other victims of the country’s civil war. I posted the invite so hopefully some of you made it and bought tickets in advance since the event sold out! That’s quite a feat considering it was hosted at 13,000sq ft table tennis social club, SPiN New York.
Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright
Jay Mohr, Nikki Cox
And apparently the line (even for ticket holders) was out the door and around the corner—I somewhat anticipated this type of reaction considering besides our lovely celebrity hosts, Rufus Wainwright, Josh Ritter, Jesse Malin, Joseph Arther and Martha Wainwright were all playing. I devised a not-so-solid plan for my date and I to crash the VIP cocktail party to avoid any unnecessary crowd shenanigans –I am the club’s #1 member. My club card should come with some perks… although even then I needed text message verification from one of the owners and contemplated an attempt to sneak in through the back (always a solid fall back plan). But for the record, I did buy my tickets and donate to the raffle.
I look like a deer caught in headlights w/ Judah Friedlander
I had a great time and played a lot of ping pong (Charlie Mars walked by my match and heckled me with a Steffi Graf comment). I appreciated it. And seriously what better way to hit then with great live performances in the background. The last time I saw Rufus Wainwright live was 2005 at Sundance and I LOVE HIM. I was hoping he’d sing Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, but it wasn’t in the line up.
The Benefit also had an awesome silent auction –I wanted the autographed Soup Nazi picture, but a friend, Roxy won it so I compromised with getting a picture of the picture of the Soup Nazi.
No Soup for You! But a picture for Roxy!
4 Comments
Fight Dry Mouth and Bad Breath
Posted 01/31/2011 by Lara
Orazyme Mouthwash
Alcohol and smoking dehydrates you; coffee gives you, well ‘coffee breath’, mix that in with the winter weather drying everything from your skin to you’re mouth you may be experiencing an increase of dry mouth and bad breathe!
What’s a girl to do? Well for starters you could quit drinking, smoking and coffee and drink a lot of water. If that’s not realistic, start drinking water in between alcoholic beverages to help hydrate and protect you from (or at least lessen the effects) a hangover and a dehydrated mouth.
Sweet Breath Mist
Add a mouthwash specifically formulated to protect against dry mouth into your regimen. I’ve been using Orazyme Dry Mouth Mouthwash for the past month and it’s been very effective. It contains bioactive enzymes to help restore the moisture balance. Most mouthwashes make my teeth feel clean, where as this one I feel more so targeting my tongue and gums. It isn’t too strong and contains no parabens, saccharin, sugar or alcohol, and has an enjoyable mint flavor.
Carry around mints or sprays for a quick fix to stinky breathe. I have a Sweet Breath Micro Mist spray on my key ring. It’s super convenient since my keys are always on me when I’m out. So when in need I just spray a hit into my mouth and it instantly kills germs and freshens my breath.
If your dry mouth is really bad, Continue Reading…
Leave a Comment
Stay Hydrated, Drink Safe
Posted 01/31/2011 by Lara
What product can give you beautiful glowing skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, increases your energy level, and helps your overall health?
ANSWER: Water
So drink it, and lots of it! This winter has been brutal and oh so drying on the skin, that alongside a hydrating beauty regimen it’s essential to drink a lot of water. Filtered is ideal, but if your tap is safe then fill those water bottles up keep some on you at all time.
For bottled water, I’m currently all about Icelandic Glacial water. It’s sourced from a 4,500 year old volcanic spring and untouched by humans until you open the bottle. The water is so pure that Parfums Christian Dior has recently partnered with Icelandic Glacial to include the water in specific products that will launch next year. While I’m excited for the unveiling of this product, what I like about Icelandic Glacial is it’s crisp, clean, taste. It’s very refreshing!
Also, invest in a good water bottle. It’s a great way to save money, protect the environment and keep you drinking all day. When choosing one, I prefer not to use plastic and ideally go with glass or aluminum/stainless steel containers. Here are some of my favorites, but depending on if you carry it in your purse, car, when you’re off to the gym or otherwise, it’s important to pay attention to design, weight and size when picking the one that’s right for you!
Love Bottle ($12-$18) – Environmentally sound, dishwasher safe and comes in a variety of whimsical labels, I love my Love Bottle! It has an old-school-milk-bottle type lid, which adds to its charm, but takes some getting used to –especially if you’re used to a twist off cap. The only downfall is it’s heavy, especially Continue Reading…
