Josephine Fairley visits L'Occitane on 5th

            On Friday, November 30, the L’Occitane en Provence store on Fifth Avenue shone vibrant and gold with glimmering white Christmas lights. An elaborate window display featuring large, pink faux peony trees, artificial snow, golden fairy wands, and festive blue and pink L’Occitane gift boxes created the enchanting visual of a winter wonderland, rather than that of a retail emporium. L’Occitane on Fifth, a Manhattan branch of the French beauty product and skincare empire, was celebrating its one-year anniversary since the store’s opening in 2011, with award-winning author, journalist and business owner, Josephine Fairley, as the night’s guest of honor.

Display window: L'Occitane on 5th

Employees stood by the store’s entrance, distributing free samples of shea butter hand cream, crème précieuse, and all-natural restoring shampoo. Butlers circulated within the store, presenting evening shoppers with complimentary French macarons, tea, and champagne to enjoy while browsing the shop. Fairley, an established writer who once held her own green column in the New York Times, had been invited to discuss her best-selling beauty book, The Anti-ageing Beauty Bible, co-written by beauty and health journalist, Sarah Stacey. In the center of the store stood a large round wooden table holding copies of the sacred text, piled high next to a display of L’Occitane’s “Crème Divine” anti-ageing serum made from fleur immortelle (“immortal flower”) extract.

Just a few minutes past seven o’clock, customers and employees gathered in the back of the store around the antique hand-washing stations, hoping for perhaps just a shred of superior wisdom from the beauty giant. Fairley began by praising the L’Occitane company for its excellent achievement in producing quality skincare, referencing specifically the “Crème Divine,” featured in her and Stacey’s Beauty Bible. She explained that thousands of women trialed countless products for the book, and “Divine” not only made the cut, but it outshone many highly acclaimed competitors as a consumer favorite.

L'Occitane's "Crème Divine"

“Products have to earn their way into our books,” Fairley stated, imparting that in order for an item to win her favor, it must first gain the approval of the thousands of real women who have witnessed and experienced its effectiveness.

The book contains chapters dedicated to make-up and skincare advice, nutrition, exercise, and how to be happy, “the biggest beautifier ever.” Fairley, who once covered topics ranging from sumo wrestling to orphans in Romania, credited her limitless curiosity as the driving force behind her success in the world of beauty editing and journalism.

“Writing is a muscle that becomes easier when exercised over time,” she said.

By refusing to adhere to a certain genre of writing and pursuing any endeavor that might add to her experience, Fairley has emerged as one of the few individuals ever to hold the secret to eternal youth. Through her latest book, she generously offers this knowledge up to a global audience.

Me with the beauty guru herself, Josephine Fairley.

Turkey Day Peace: Thanksgiving Guidelines

Happy Almost-Thanksgiving HD readers!

     Most retail websites have already begun their pre-Black Friday blowouts, and I don't know about everyone else, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. After all, the best thing about Thanksgiving break is getting to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones you might not get to see otherwise.
     With such a short time away from work and school, it can be tempting to try to fit in as many shopping trips, get-togethers and outings as possible--and that can be fun, don't get me wrong! My point is that it's important to make valuable use of the time off, keeping unimportant distractions to a minimum. That's where I come in!
     Tomorrow, as the food is being passed around, you don't want to find yourself in a panic, thinking: What can I eat? Is it even possible to eat healthily on Thanksgiving? It ALL looks good! Eh, forget it! I'll just eat some of everything and worry about it later! ... until later comes, and a tempting variety of homemade pies and desserts circulates before you--too good to refuse, even in your post-feast comatose state.
     "Discipline" is not a word one typically associates with the holidays, and these are the least practical times to try to exercise discipline. It's better and more practical to go into Thanksgiving day with a game plan.

So without further ado...

HD's Simple Thanksgiving guidlines:

1. Choose your carbs wisely. This is perhaps the single most essential rule for holiday meal success. Carbs are hidden everywhere in a traditional Thanksgiving meal--from stuffing, to mashed potatoes (sweet or regular--usually both are offered at my house), to casseroles, and, of course, pie. I'm not one of those carb-nazis, who advocates total withdrawal from anything that might resemble the dreaded offenders, but I am all for minimizing consumption of refined carbs.
My advice is to consider your favorites (think of it as your "carb budget"--this is good prep for Black Friday frugality). If you absolutely have to have your aunt's potato salad, consider skipping the mac and cheese. For me, stuffing is a must; I only have it a few times a year, and I consider it to be a justified splurge. With that in mind, I'll probably forgo the mashed potatoes--a small sacrifice, considering that I normally would just eat these as a matter of tradition.

2. Get your greens. Just because it's green, doesn't mean it's healthy. Go for fresh vegetables whenever possible--salad and veggie trays are perfectly sensible options, as long as dressing is used moderately. Cooked veggies are fine as well, as long as a lot of butter and salt isn't used to appeal to the indulgent crowd of holiday diners.
Avoid veggie casseroles if you can help it. Casseroles in general are loaded with hidden bread crumbs, heavy condensed soup, cheese, and plenty of butter. Green bean and mushroom casseroles are delicious, but take my word for it, you'll be happy you passed them up--especially if you're a dessert person (like me) who likes to have the pie and eat it too.

3. Keep it simple. Food magazines and shows introduce new holiday recipes each year, and it seems like the meals get more elaborate as time goes by. My advice is to enjoy the classics! Like with great works of literature and music, classic holiday foods deserve their proper recognition. Turkey, salad and/or green beans (cooked plain, not the casserole), stuffing or potatoes, and pumpkin or apple pie. The simpler the meal, the easier it is to keep track of what exactly is being consumed, and how much.

4. Eat dessert! If you want--but why wouldn't you?! Like my third tip points out, you want to keep it simple here. Although it might seem tempting to try your cousin's pecan-cheesecake pie (yes, such a thing truly exists--run from it!), Thanksgiving dessert should be a nice way to end a good meal, not wreck your diet altogether. Fruit pies (apple, pumpkin, wildberry) feel just as indulgent as any dessert, but at least here there's the potential for some fiber, and, if it's a berry pie, antioxidants.
With dessert, serving size is crucial. Use three fingers to measure the crust width of a reasonable serving of pie. If you can do without whipped cream and ice cream, it's a good idea to cut empty calories wherever possible. Tea and coffee can be helpful, calorie-free dessert accompaniments (or even substitutes, if dessert isn't your thing) that will help you feel satisfied faster.

 

Additional hint: After the festivities are over, try rounding up a group to have a game of touch football outside, or go for a walk!


Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone! Eat, enjoy time with others, and above all, don't stress!

Much ado about gluten

Since my arrival at King's, I have been writing for our student newspaper, the Empire State Tribune. Have a look at one of my recent articles, concerning the topic of gluten--what do people really know about it? I have been interested in the gluten-free fad for awhile, and I'm thrilled that I get to incorporate two of my loves: nutrition and journalism.
Is the GF diet for everyone? Find out!

http://empirestatetribune.com/?p=7778

Carly

#empirestatetribune #voguevitality #ahealthydoseoffashion

Health On Campus

By Carly Hoilman

     As many of you know, I recently began my freshman year of college in Manhattan, and I am loving it!  Back-to-school (especially if you're just beginning high school or college) means new people, places, experiences, CLOTHES, and, perhaps the most noticeable: new routines.
     For me, a new environment has meant figuring out where to buy food, exercise and study.  After only two weeks of being in New York, I've learned how difficult, yet essential it is to stick to a stringent routine.  I have thus decided to catalogue my freshman year and share it with you all!
     I will be posting pictures/recipes/tips on A Healthy Dose, with the main goal of aiding readers in making healthy decisions of their own, as well as personal accountability for myself.  No "freshman fifteen" for us!
     So no matter whether you are beginning a new chapter in life, or just looking to make some healthful adjustments in your everyday routine, HD has you covered.  Get ready for a year of fabulous food, fun, and fashion!

NYC <3

Running in Central Park!

#voguevitality #ahealthydoseoffashion

Be sure to follow the Healthy Dose page on Pinterest!  Search under "Carly Hoilman".

The Skinny on "la vie francaise"

By Carly Hoilman
     Hello again, dear readers!  To begin, just a little update for the Healthy Dose community on what I've been up to this summer: as many of you are aware, I spent just under two weeks in France, visiting my wonderful exchange family in Bordeaux and Paris.
     Needless to say, the trip was fantastic, and I returned with a renewed love for the French language.  Furthermore, I gained something else from this recent excursion that was just as important for me, and, perhaps, more important for my readers--a new outlook on healthy living, exercise, and food.
     What could have caused such an earth-shattering revelation, you might ask?  Let's just start by saying that, while in France, I indulged in cheese, bread, wine (the legal drinking age is 18 there, mind you), and chocolate, and returned from my petit voyage three pounds lighter.  Intrigued yet?
     Mireille Guiliano has a book out called French Women Don't Get Fat, which, if you couldn't guess from the title, outlines this simplistic and not-so-mysterious "French way".  Although this concept did not become apparent to me until after I returned from Paris and read Guiiliano's book, I found it to be the most precise description of French wellness ideals--which I had already, unknowingly, benefitted from.

Mireille Guiliano's French Women Don't Get Fat

     The gist of this French way is to incorporate exercise and healthy habits into one's daily routine while sacrificing the least pleasure possible.  For example, during the five days I spent in Paris, we walked just about everywhere.  I was able to cover all of the spots I wanted to visit, and Paris's lovely architecture and scenery hardly made walking a chore.
     Besides the concept of "moving like a French woman," as Guiliano calls it, the ritual of mealtime is just as essential.  In France, there are three meals a day--two of which (lunch and dinner) consist of three to five courses.  The key is portion size: eating small amounts, one-at-a-time.  You will never see a full plate at a French dinner table.  Instead, each course is enjoyed separately and slowly, between plenty of good conversation.
     Another thing that the French people do that many Americans have strayed away from for convenience's sake, etc., is the act of buying food in-season.  It is far more common for a family to have its own fruit and vegetable garden, but for those who don't there's the local food market that sells everything from local produce, to flowers, to fish.  Although your town might not have its own farmer's market, I encourage you to seek out local produce for a few reasons: it's fresh, you know where it's coming from, and, if you know where to look, it can be significantly cheaper than supermarket products.
     As some of you may know, I recently began school in Manhattan, and I've found it embarrassingly easy to practice my French rituals here--walking as much as possible (a.k.a. getting lost), hiking up and down subway stairs, buying fresh and local (and cheap!) produce in Union Square on market days, and EATING CHOCOLATE --because why deny myself one of life's delicious pleasures?  The problem we tend to have as Americans, according to Guiliano, is that we often associate "health" and "wellness" with "discipline" and "deprivation". Au contraire!
     I challenge my readers to check out this book and see just how easy healthy living can be --no matter where you live!

Paris, 2012

Bon Chic, Bon Voyage!

     Hello readers!
     As of tomorrow, I will be hopping on a plane to visit my exchange family in "La Belle France"!  To benefit my loyal HD community, I will be taking a thorough look at French fashion, so that upon my return I can share the latest trends and style ideas with you all.  With Paris being my favorite city in the whole world, I have high expectations for street style and haute couture alike.  


     So wish me "bon voyage", and hang tight -- more food, fashion, and fabulous French fun are on the way!


     Carly
     #voguevitality #ahealthydoseoffashion

Les Champs Elysees, 2010

This one's for the girls!

By Carly Hoilman
     Sorry guys, this post is for females only...you've been warned.
     Periods: we all get them (assuming that the person reading this post is indeed a lady).  There is no need for me to go through the never-ending list of uncomfortable symptoms brought on by this monthly "gift".  For many though, one of the worst downfalls of getting your period has to do with food--cravings.  I've received some requests for a list of healthy ways to satisfy those seemingly insatiable cravings that only arrive once a month.
     No matter how hard I try or how disciplined I can be the other twenty-some days of the month, I will always find myself drawn into a food-driven hysteria.  Cake, muffins, cookies, fries, burgers, milkshakes--ohh, the HORROR!  After one of these gluttonous episodes has run its course, I am left feeling lousy, guilty, and (surprisingly) completely unsatisfied.
     When people see me eating things that I normally would avoid or eat only on rare occasions, they either appear shocked or mildly amused.  I, for one, am not amused.
     As a nutrition blogger, and just as someone who cares about her health in general, I recognized (with some prompting from my mom) that I should be looking for ways to fix this problem and help out others who struggle with the same types of cravings.
     So, like any studious young woman in search of a practical solution to her dilemma, I consulted my most prolific and accurate resource: Google.
     I have done some research and compiled a list of good "period foods" (a combination of my personal selections and those suggested by healthcare gurus) that will help satisfy your unavoidable mad-woman hankerings and hopefully leave you feeling even better about yourself afterwards.

Leafy Green Veggies, like kale or spinach, are  packed with iron, fiber, calcium, and B vitamins that will help everything from your hair and skin, to your digestive system.  I know, leafy greens don't usually fall into the category of most-craved foods, but there is no arguing with their benefits.  Don't feel like you have to replace your popcorn for a bag of baby spinach during that Gossip Girl marathon--cook some kale into a steamy bowl of noodles or soup; throw some arugula on top on your hamburger for a bold-tasting garnish. It'll be painless, I promise, and YOU WILL FEEL BETTER.


Red Meats --wait, what?? Yes, it's true.  Red meat, and other iron-rich foods, can help make up for the loss of red blood cells during menstruation.  How are we affected by this?  Much of the fatigue and irritability experienced during this time of the month can be explained by iron deficiency.  Coffee and tea, when taken with meals, can also contribute to this lack of iron.  To counteract this, it is essential to consume some amount of lean red meat (so a cheeseburger might not be your best bet), or take some type of iron supplement.  Tofu and ahi tuna are excellent vegetarian options.


Essential Fatty Acids--they're not called "essential" for nothing!  Essential fatty acids found in foods like salmon, tree nuts, and olive oil will satisfy your craving for fat and grease--without all of the guilt.  EFA's have been proven to promote brain functioning and a healthy weight.  To read more about essential fatty acids, follow the link to my first blog post.


Fresh Fruit and Whole Grains provide fiber that will promote regularity and satisfy carb cravings.  It's always a good idea to have fresh-cut fruit readily available for those times when you need something fast--when those cravings kick in, and the only options are an uncut grapefruit or a bag of chips, which one is more likely to gain your selection?  BE PREPARED, WOMAN.  Whole grain crackers are also a fast and easy snack choice.


Greek Yogurt--I'm sure you are all awaiting the day when this super-snack will not appear on my latest blog post; keep waiting.  When you're in the mood for something cool, creamy, and satisfying, look no further.  Although ice cream--both cool and creamy--can be a tempting fix, it will prove to be ultimately unsatisfying.  Greek yogurt has the protein your body craves.  Mix in some low-fat granola, dried fruit, or honey for an extra-special treat.


Chocolate is something that most women crave while on their periods; there is just no way of getting around it.  There are, thankfully, ways to calm these chocolate cravings with little or no damage to your figure.  Portion control is a big one--"everything in moderation" still rings true for this must-have indulgence.  Buy individually-wrapped servings of chocolate to make it easier to track how much you've had; 1-2 pieces should calm the initial hankering.  Dark chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa, along with important antioxidants that set it apart from the standard milk chocolate.  A quick and easy chocolate recipe that I've used in the past is a cake made with just a box of dark chocolate cake mix and a 12 oz. can of pureed pumpkin--it bakes like a regular cake, and the smooth texture makes it even more delicious!  The pumpkin adds an extra boost of iron and fiber, with hardly any fat--WIN.


I hope these suggestions help!  Comment and let me know which tips worked best for you!

Summer Diaries: Fat-Minimizing Secrets and Snacks

By Carly Hoilman
     It's finally here!  The smell of salty sea air, long, beautiful days, late nights, and that desperate hankering for Vitamin D--satisfied!  Summer 2012 has arrived.
     But along with all of the anticipation and excitement that summer brings comes an equally overwhelming cluster of concerns--incorporating exercise into a busy schedule, bathing suit shopping, poolside confidence, boardwalk treats and temptations--let me stop it right there.  A lot of these concerns stem from one main issue: extra fat.
     Most would agree that if the "fat factor"were eliminated, the carefree spirit of the summer season could fully take its course.  If looking and feeling your best doesn't provide some sort of liberation, I don't know many things that will.
     Maintaining a year-round beach bod that is lean  and healthy begins with the food we eat--how we fuel our bodies.  With this in mind, I have for you a list of foods and snacks that will amplify your body's potential.
     And the lineup is...

Whole grains - these have fiber that helps you feel full longer. oatmeal with skim milk and fruit or a low-sugar, low-fat granola are awesome breakfast options--great for beach days when you want to have lean energy for fun activities (or for sunbathing!).

Greek Yogurt - You know if you've read other posts how crazy I am am about this super-snack; lean protein, satisfying, creamy texture, versatile--what's not to love?  

Ginger - Although this picture of ginger root doesn't seem the most appetizing, ginger is wonderful for cooking and drinking.  I love ginger tea or a good Thai dish with ginger and curry or coconut.  Ginger is energizing, spicy, and a great way to aid digestion/speed up the metabolism.  

Grapefruit - Tart, tangy, and VERY summery; this superfruit is packed with healthy fiber and low-cal satisfaction.  Have a half of a grapefruit with your breakfast for an extra boost of Vitamin C.

Green Tea - Ah, my obsession.  Green tea has been proven to promote energy and a lean belly.

Green Apples - These are tart, crunchy, satisfying, and full of fiber.  They make great salad toppers, but also work as a tasty snack.  Apples are full of water that will help you feel full faster.  Melons and grapes are also good for this.

Fresh Veggies - Water, fiber, vitamins and minerals--need I say more??  Just watch out for those high-fat and very filling dips that appear on veggies trays at every graduation party and summer event.

Nuts - Pistachios, almonds, and peanuts make great high-protein snacks that are easy to grab and fun to eat and share.  I keep a bowl of pistachios on my counter and find that they are great for parties and everyday snacking.

Lean Protein and Fatty Fish - Healthy protein will give you a non-greasy way to stay alert and fueled throughout busy summer days.

Bon Appetit!

Reader Poll

Hey HD followers!

     Having this blog has been a fun and rewarding experience for me, and a big thanks goes out to those of you who have followed the blog and like the Facebook page!

So now the time has come for me to give a little something back as a way of thanking you all:

     I'd like to hear what YOU want to know about nutrition--concerns, questions, recipes, you name it!  Considering a diet and want to know if it's the right one for you and how you can stick to it?  Want to learn tasty ways to incorporate healthy foods into your daily menu?  You got it.

     Simply leave a comment on the HD blog or Facebook group of what you'd like to learn about.  I'll do the rest!

     Thanks for reading, and here's a preview of what's coming up soon:

• Belly fat-burning foods and exercises--just in time for summer!
• The Beck Diet Solution - a review of the book that is changing the way we diet

     Leave comments, and get your friends to follow A Healthy Dose of Fashion!

Carly

Winter woes: Cold concerns, warm solutions

*This article was originally written for my school's newspaper, but, seeing as it pertains to this blog, I decided to share it with my faithful readers. Enjoy!

By Carly Hoilman

Ever gone to bed on a frigid winter night and wondered to yourself: What did I accomplish today?-- only to find that the answer was rather disappointing and even surprising?  

    It’s difficult to ignore the energy-zapping qualities of this blustery season; try as one might, the results always seem to lean towards an increased appetence for sleep, decreased desire to stay active, and an overall sense of defeat.  
    The withering mental endurance, combined with crabby classmates and the circulation of colds and viruses, is enough to make any sane person look upon June 7 with desperate longing.  Is there any way to cope with the shorter, colder, darker days that accompany winter?  Must one be forced to accept the mental and physical defeat?  Certainly not.  
    For most students, the “winter blues” arrive before the end of the second marking period, shortly after winter break.  
Indeed, seasonal depression is an apparent struggle for many.  A recent study conducted by San Diego State University reported an increase in the amount of stress-related anxiety students of this generation face--with school and with life in general--compared to that of previous generations.  The study attributes this increase to the proliferating pressure to strive and to succeed.       
    Depression can develop when these efforts to succeed are met with a weakened immune system, bitter weather, and lower energy levels.
Luckily, there are many ways to stay happy and healthy even when the odds are stacked against you.  
    For starters, as unappealing as it might now seem, energy-replenishing exercise is a proven way to strengthen one’s immune system; it can also be an effective method of stress-relief, as exercise releases positive endorphins.  However, this does not have to mean going out in the cold, or even hitting the gym.  
    Try exercising indoors with a workout DVD or by playing active games on Xbox Kinect (there is a huge variety of dance and fitness games to keep you moving).  If you’re willing to venture outside of your home, consider signing up for a “hot yoga” class--the combination of heat (the room temperature is raised to 100 degrees) and traditional stretching will get rid of the chills and lower stress levels.
    Colds are hard to avoid this time of year, as people tend to be indoors for the majority of the time, resulting in the rapid spread of viruses and germs.  
    Fight colds with Vitamin C and electrolytes.  Both of these can restore energy, and electrolytes are essential in helping cells in the heart, muscle, and brain transmit electrical nerve impulses to the body.  Drinking a lot a fluids, such as warm tea, flushes out toxins and coats the throat (ginger tea with fresh lemon and honey is as delicious as it is salubrious).  An obvious, yet fundamental method of cold-prevention is washing your hands; germs can live for days on virtually any surface, and one touch is enough to pick up a cold virus.

    A universally favored remedy for the winter blues seems to be sleep.  When the sun goes down at around 4:30p.m., it’s normal to feel tired earlier, leaving many with disappointing answers to the “What did I accomplish?” question.  
When your body is too run-down to go to workout, and your brain is to tired to delve into your homework just yet, the best thing you can do is to listen to your body and rest.  A recommended amount of sleep for teens is eight to ten hours each night.  For some, this might mean sacrificing some Facebook time or beginning homework slightly earlier than normal, but the perks of a good night’s rest cannot be matched.
    In order to reduce stress and stay healthy, it might be necessary to clear your schedule so that your body has time to unwind and recharge.  It’s okay to tell yourself that you don’t have to be productive one hundred percent of the time; when you think about it, investing in your mental and physical health now will prove beneficial later on.
It is important to know which strategies work best for you.  Everyone is different, and it may help to try out several tips before settling on a healthful method that suits you.  Personally, I find it helpful to play some Bob Marley before beginning my homework; the relaxing music reminds me of summer and helps me clear my mind.  It's safe to say that hot showers, fuzzy blankets, and Red Box movies are among preferred remedies as well.

*quotes have been removed from this article for the use of this blog