The Power of Pomegranate

 

Pomegranate: (n) a several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange with a thick leathery skin and many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor [Merriam Webster].

I am embarrassed to admit I had never heard of nor seen a pomegranate before going to college, where my Californian roommate introduced me to the decidedly-juicy (and good for you) fruit. Pomegranates are anti-oxidant rich, which can aid in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. They are high in Vitamin C and potassium, a good source of fiber, and low in calories. I even read they help fight plaque, so eat up!

Not only are pomegranates healthy, but the festive and exotic seeds are perfect for the upcoming holidays. They add color, texture, and flavor, so be in style at your next dinner party and make something memorable, like Pomegranate Guacamole, Dandalion salad with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and roasted delicata squash, or Pan-fried pork chops with pomegranate and fennel salsa. Drop them in your kir royale or drink of choice for added flair. Here are some potent drink recipes using Pama liquor.  Read more

Sephora Wish List

With the Sephora store opening right around the corner, I thought I’d scour their website in search of all the goodies I can check out in person when the doors open, reportedly, tomorrow. While ordering online has always been available, beauty products are just so much fun to play with. And what I love about Sephora is that you can try just about anything.

I’ve got my staples, but I love discovering new, perhaps playful or seasonal, items. Here are a few that are a must-see: Read more

Corn Syrup Controversy: A Sticky Situation

You know what’s stylish? Looking good, sure. Feeling good, absolutely. Being healthy is stylish.

I will be the first to admit that I’m not an expert when it comes to health and nutrition. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a scientist. I’m not a nutritionist. But I have some common sense when it comes to what I put in my body. There have been a few exceptions to this (undergrad late nights at Buddhist Biker Bar… I don’t like to talk about it).

In any case, I try to be mindful of what I eat and how it makes me feel. Read more

Boar’s Head Spa Review: A Man’s Experience

I was delighted to finally try a Charlottesville spa last week. My first spa experience was in Hua-Hin, Thailand, at the ultra-lux spa resort, Chiva Som. Thailand’s trophy spa consistently ranks in the top 10-15 spas in the world. My day there was unique and the setting was absolutely beautiful. From Thailand I ventured into mainland China during the spa craze that hit Beijing about two years ago. You can’t throw a stone in that city anymore without breaking a spa window.

And now I can add Charlottesville to my list of global spa pursuits. To be quite honest, my visit at Boar’s Head Spa trumps all of my other experiences. Yes that’s right, we have our own little Chiva Som down 250, and I will tell you why.

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Pick up the beat with Bossa Nova’s açai juice

Oh how I hate that random, end-of-summer/transitioning-seasons cold that sneaks up on you at THE most inopportune moment. This is exactly the state I found myself in yesterday morning… red-eyed, head-achy, run-down, and craving sleep. It took everything I had to climb out of my comfy yoga pants and pull myself together for the busy day ahead. (Why is it that you always get sick when you’re in charge of something super important and inescapable?)

Realizing that I had a multitude of meetings and appointments to look forward to throughout the day, I headed to IY- Integral Yoga- my oasis of health- the place I turn to the SECOND I start to feel under the weather. Not knowing what miraculously wholesome cure I would find this time around, I browsed for a bit before settling on a bottle of Bossa Nova açai juice.

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Style Spotlight: The Skin Clinic of Virginia

Shaving, waxing, plucking, Nairing. Since the dawn of our desire for smooth skin, these have been the only weapons in a never-ending battle against the bristles. Well, it is time to take control of our hair follicles and proclaim once and for all, “be gone!” Read more

If I am going to go to the gym, it had better be a really nice one.

I used to go to the gym four to five times a week for at least an hour at a time. I had fun working out, looked good, and felt great. It was easy to keep up the routine when I belonged to the luxurious Sports Club/LA in Washington, DC. Going to the gym was like visiting to a luxury hotel. Come to think of it, it was located in the Ritz-Carlton. It was clean, spacious, smelled nice, and it had a fantastic cafe with gourmet salads and healthy shakes.

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Getting sudsy with locally made soap

I previously wrote about some very talented local Etsy sellers, one of which is the Primitive Earth Soap Company. Soon after the post, the soap maker herself sent me some samples to try.

They arrived adorably packaged and smelled fantastic. In all honestly, though, I expected the homemade soaps to disappoint. In my experience, natural soaps haven’t been sudsy enough and, therefore, feel ineffective as compared to super sudsy mass market body washes. But, I always like to try something new, especially something natural. And I was very pleasantly surprised! Read more

Benefit’s Play Stick…another make-up must have!

I can’t believe I’ve not yet written about this make-up must have - Benefit’s Play Stick. Funny name aside, this is one item I’ve tried to go without (we’re no where near a Sephora) but just cannot find an acceptable replacement. I was reminded to post about it when I received an email from Benefit, one of my favorite make-up brands, offering free shipping (enter code JulyFour). So you know I’ve ordered two!

This is one of those items, when it nears the end, I start digging it out with a Q-tip because I can’t spare a smidgen. Especially great for hot weather in the summer, the Benefit Play Stick is a very lightweight stick foundation in a wide variety of shades that blends extremely well into your skin. I’ve yet to find a foundation that looks so natural and feels like you’ve got nothing on.

It does a great job of evening out your skin. When I only need a little evening out or covering up, I use a brush and blend it in with my moisturizer. Instant tinted moisturizer! It also acts as a concealer, so you really can’t go wrong with one of these babies.

You do need to find one that works perfectly with your skin tone or all of the abovementioned benefits won’t happen. To test ‘em out, I’m afraid you have to find a Sephora or major department store.

Mary Kay Multivitamin Disaster

Before you read on, if you sell Mary Kay, please know that I respect what you do and like some of the products you sell. OK…enjoy…

I recently attended a Mary Kay party hosted by friend on behalf of one of her colleagues who had recently joined the cosmetic company’s ground forces. The soiree was really quite charming with pink prosecco and appetizers, fresh flowers and free samples. I was rather excited to attend one of these infamous sessions and quite curious to hear the schpeel. Read more

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