the truth behind hydration
With so many beverage choices to choose from today, it is hard to determine whether or not you are getting enough fluids to satisfy your body. It is especially important to stay hydrated during the heat of the summer which we are experiencing in full force right now. Not only that, but getting your daily allotment of fluids can help you feel and even look better. Below are some truths behind the "rules" of hydration:
- You don't really need eight glasses of water each day. It is actually recommended that women have about 11 1/2 cups and men have 15 1/2 cups of fluid daily. But, about 20% of this will come from the food you eat.
- Drinking coffee does NOT make you dehydrated. So eight ounces of coffee is still eight ounces of fluid, and every ounce counts.
- Water alone is not a weight loss aid. What it can do, however, is ensure you are not mistaking thirst for hunger. Having a zero calorie beverage with your meal can help slow down your food intake.
- Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. It is very important to sip on fluids throughout the day so that you do not suffer from dehydration.
- You can drink too much water. Our kidneys can process no more than 1 liter per hour, so do not drink too much at once.
- You don't need a sports drink every time you exercise. If you are working out intensely and sweating profusely, than a sports drink can come in handy. Otherwise your body probably already has all the carbs and electrolytes it needs.
- Your body does NOT have to work harder to absorb cold water. Therefore cold water is no better for you than warm water, but it does taste better so go ahead and add the ice.
- All plain bottle water is basically the same. The only difference is the source from which it is taken. Some water may come from natural springs, others are imported, etc.
-Stefanie-
Free Gift with Purchase!!
Allergan has presented a wonderful limited time offer to individuals who purchase Latisse! So if you are a current user of Latisse, now would be a great time to buy your next Latisse treatment. If you are not a current user, now would be a good time to try it out because of the free gift you receive with purchase!
When you purchase Lattise ($120 value) through Conkright Aesthetics, you will receive a FREE VIVITE Vibrance Therapy (a $119 value)! VIVITÉ® Vibrance Therapy is specially formulated with natural ingredients to help brighten and even skin tone while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 8 weeks.
Stop by our office to pick up your Latisse treatment which we keep in stock!
-Stefanie-
Road Trip Anyone? Tips for Eating Healthy when your Choices are few and far between.
Summer fun most always includes a road trip, but along with it comes food you'd never think about eating at home. Chips, candy, slushies, and a McDonald's at every mile marker are what you are faced with. After, you've spent the entire spring getting ready for shorts and that new bathing suit had to have. However, with a little smart packing and a good plan you can eat healthy no matter what your limited choices maybe.
If your only option is a ....
Gas Station: Food that has an expiration date (one that hasn't passed!) is usually much healthier than any shelf-stable food that is loaded with preservatives. Head to the refrigerator case for sting cheese or yogurt, orange juice, or unsweetened iced tea. If nothing here sounds appealing, grab some individual-size bags of dried fruit, nuts or whole-wheat crackers.
Highway Rest Stop: If you are lucky enough to find a Starbucks, skip the Mocha Frappuccino, and order a iced or hot coffee so you can control the amount of sugar and cream added. (Or go for a nonfat latte, with less the 100 calories.) Lunch plates with fruit and cheese, pasta salad or a wrap are great choices that keep you in the 300-390 calorie range. Breakfast options are great too. Whole-wheat wraps with eggs, oatmeal, or a yogurt parfait will give you a healthy, energy packed meal.
Fast Food: Many fast food chains offer salads with protein as a healthier option to pick from. For example, McDonald's Premium Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken or Wendy's Mandarin Chicken Salad both have around 200 calories. Remember, order low-fat dressing, most regular salad dressing have about double the calories. The key to keeping a salad healthy and light is keeping the crispy chicken and cheese off, with these two ingredients added you can end up eating as many calories as a Whopper or a Big Mac. If you just have to have french fries, remember, portion control, and indulge in a small fry with about 230 calories.
Italian or Pizza: Marinara sauce is low in fat and made up mostly with tomatoes and spices, so it offers a dose of nutrients and vitamins. Order a small bowl of pasta with marinara sauce and a small green salad(low-fat dressing of course), and enjoy! Pasta primavera made with broth and not cream is a great option as well. Pay attention to how large a single portion may be, if it could feed a family of four, ask for a half order, or an extra plate and transfer a smaller amount to the plate and just eat that. If pizza is your vice, skip the pepperoni, sausage, and meatball toppings, go for fresh veggies(broccoli, peppers, or extra tomatoes) instead.
A Mexican Chain: Taco Bell is open late!! So you are sure to run into one of these. Stay away from anything that goes crrrrunch. Tacos that are made of soft corn tortillas are a smarter choice. Tortillas should be filled with grilled chicken, fish, veggies, or shrimp, opt for black or pinto beans, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Skip the sour cream and cheese, replace these with guacamole-avocado contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
A Sandwich Chain: Sandwiches are easy to customize from the bread up. Choose whole-wheat bread, add turkey, ham, or grilled chicken, and as many vegetables as you can stand. Skip the mayo which can add 80 calories and 9 grams of fat, add tangy oil and vinegar or a spicy mustard instead. Never pick the Italian calorie-busting subs with pepperoni and salami, these are loaded with sodium and who wants to carry around extra water weight while on vacation.
The best option BYO...(Food,That Is) Pack a cooler with bottles of water, baby carrots, grapes, apples and blueberries. For a protein boost, pack cheese sticks, hummus packs, and drinkable yogurts. Bananas, tail mix, granola bars, and 100-calorie packs of crackers all travel well outside the cooler.
I wish everyone a safe and fun vacation. Use these tips so that your vacation splurges can be used when you get where your going, don't arrive feeling like you have already gained 5 pounds. Have a great time.
Danielle
Top Rated Sunless Tanning Products
I am back to follow up my previous post about sunless tanning products. Through research and my own personal use, I have collected my top 5 choices for sunless tanning products:
1) Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel. This product can be purchased at most department stores and at beauty supply stores such as Sephora. iT is easy to apply and will give you that natural tan you are searching for.
2) Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer. This product I have personally used and absolutely love! It will moisturize your skin while gradually developing a tan. The color is maintained with continuous use. It is available at most drugstores
3) L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Self Tanning Mist. This spray tan can be done in the comfort of your own home and takes just seconds to dry while developing your tan over the next few hours! However, it does take practice to get it just right.
4) Tan Towel Self-Tan Towelettes. Tan Towelettes are perfect for touching up any spots that you may have missed with your tanning mist or loition. It is not recommeded to use over the entire body because it will tend to streak and leave dark spots. But this product is an excellent one to keep in your bathroom cabinet for an emergency touch up session!
5) Mystic Tan. If you would much rather have a professional apply your tan, then I would highly recommend choosing salon that uses the Mystic Tan UV-Free Spray on Tanning. It is more expensive in the long run than any of the above products but will by far give you the best result. Mystic Tan can be found in tanning salons.
-Stefanie-