What Habits Make You Crazy Nuts?

I speak from experience -- don't wait until you have a major health crisis to let the excuses, and the bad habit, go. Close the door to that unfriendly behavior and enjoy the freedom of an open, healthy body and environment.

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Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss - Mini Fast Your Way to Lower Blood Sugar

You are likely interested in more than just weight loss. It is a safe bet to say you would like to improve your health as well. Who doesn't? The difference between people is the strength of their intent. We would all welcome better health - but how many of us are willing to work hard for it? You may also be interested in lowering your blood sugar levels. It is a common concern for many middle-aged adults, and increasingly young adults and teenagers. Parents, although with the best intentions, may not be providing healthy nutritional guidance to their children. Children then develop poor dietary habits that are hard to change, and this causes them to be vulnerable to high blood sugar and obesity-related conditions as they age.

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How To Stay Looking Young Naturally

You wake up, as usual, every morning, slap on those layers of make-up, feel you are looking great and step out of your home to face challenges of the day. The self-esteem and confidence freeze when someone in the neighborhood calls you "Aunty".

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Germaine De Capuccini: A Holistic Name in the World of Cosmetics

Use of cosmetic products for looking good has become a common practice in recent years among men and women of all age groups. And therefore going through the increasing craze of people towards these products you can find a plethora of manufacturers offering a wide range of cosmetic products that are endorsed to give the desired results within the short span of time by their regular use.

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Is Organic Wine Really Better for You (and Your Hangovers)?

Whenever my birthday rolls around, I inevitably end up with a card telling me I’ve aged like a fine wine. While flattering, it’s also a sign that I’ve moved on from my buoyant 20s and rolled into my 30s. And though I’d love to think I’m aging (somewhat) gracefully, the truth is that I am starting to feel old(er)—especially when it comes to hangovers.

So when I read that organic wines decrease day-after vino woes—and have additional health benefits to boot—I nearly cried. Full-bodied reds are my vice, and though I could drink them like water in my 20s, my 30s have proved a different—and much more painful—story. Is organic wine the fountain of youth I’ve been looking for?!

Organic Wine 101

As more people flock to organic foods, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of interest—and controversy—surrounding organic wines. But similar to food, what makes wine “organic” and the benefits of it, can be a bit muddled.

The Cliff’s Notes version is that organic wine is made from ingredients that are grown without herbicides, pesticides, or any other synthetic or artificial chemicals. Though many presume this applies solely to the grapes, it means everything in the bottle—which can include numerous added ingredients, like preservatives, yeasts, dyes, added sugar, and animal byproducts.

Say whaaat? If this comes as a surprise, it’s probably because unlike most foods and drinks, wine is governed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, as opposed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA), and isn’t required to list ingredients on the bottle. Not concerning at all...

The good news is that truly organic wines have to be approved by the USDA, just like fruits and vegetables. And certification for 100-percent organic isn’t exactly easy breezy. For the stamp of approval:

• Grapes must be grown without synthetic fertilizers and in a manner that protects the environment and preserves the soil.
• Agricultural ingredients that go into the wine, like yeast, have to be certified organic.
• Non-agricultural ingredients must be on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and can’t exceed 5 percent of the total product.
• Sulfites, which are commonly added to wines to preserve the flavor profile or stop the fermentation process, can’t be added.

Not too shabby. But that’s just 100-percent organic. Other certifications include “organic” and “made with organic grapes,” which each have different standards. And to make things even more complicated, there are other categories, like “biodynamic” and “natural” wines, which also have their own meaning, and, you guessed it, standards and guidelines. Oh, and that’s just in the U.S.—other countries, like Australia (another popular producer of organic wines), have their own certifications and guidelines. Is sobriety sounding good yet?

Drunk on Love: The Rumors

It’s true that hangover-free mornings after wine-fueled nights are what originally caught my attention, but those aren't the only reason people are opting for organic.

Some claim that the lack of pesticides makes the grapes, and therefore the wine, actually taste better. Others insist that the nutritional value is higher, and therefore the health benefits are greater. And then there are those who argue that organic is better for the environment and, in turn, better for you. (“It’s a circle of liiiife!”)

Then there are the mold- and sulfite-averse, who believe that organic vino varieties diminish the risk for allergic reactions, like hives, headaches, and difficulty breathing. But no claims are quite as alluring, or as talked about, as the one about being hangover-free, an argument that is largely based on those sneaky sulfites.

Interesting? Certainly. Factual? TBD...

Sober Up: The Science

My palate and I are pleased to report that organic wine has many redeeming qualities.

According to a study of 74,000 bottles of wine—where was I when they were looking for testers?—organic wines do, in fact, taste better. And though I’m no sommelier, I would agree. From what I’ve sipped—and I’ve sipped—organic wines tend to have more robust (what experts call “lively”) flavors. Why? It's speculated that the lack of pesticides allows the soil to flourish, which enhances the flavor of the grapes. Would ya look at that?

But unfortunately, better taste doesn’t necessarily mean better nutrition (if that were the case, I’d be eating ice cream all day, erryday).

While it’s true that some organic foods are better for you, there’s little research to suggest that organic wine, in particular, provides more nutrition than non-organic. That said, the potential harms of pesticides—more research is needed, but some studies point to possible developmental delays and some links to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and ADHD—are enough to convince me that organic wine could be a better choice. Especially considering that grapes are number five on the Environmental Working Group’s 2018 Dirty Dozen list, with the latest findings stating that a whopping 96 percent of conventional grapes test positive for pesticide residues.

As for those hangovers… if hangover-free alcohol seems too good to be true, that’s because it is.

One the one hand, organic wines do have lower amounts of sulfites—organic wine can only contain up to 10 parts per million (ppm); conventionally processed wine can have up to 350 ppm—which, if you’re allergic to sulfites, could mean smoother sipping for sure. But that would mean you’re part of the 1 percent—which, in this case, is the tiny percentage of the U.S. population that actually suffers from true sensitivity to sulfites.

On the other hand, the evidence does not support that sulfites cause hangovers in the first place—so stop salting the sulfur! If you want to point the finger, look at the histamines and tannins. Or, you know, the booze.

Which brings me to my next point: the booze! Though organic wines can be lighter in nature and lower in alcohol, at the end of the day, alcohol is alcohol, and overconsumption will result in a hangover (unless you have some superpowers that you must tell us about).

Much to my chagrin, I tested this theory, and though the results were mixed, I’ll never forget the morning I woke up after having a few glasses of organic Australian chardonnay and could barely open my eyes because of the piercing pain shooting through my forehead. Perhaps I’m secretly Harry Potter, perhaps it’s because I'm 30, or perhaps it’s because… alcohol.

The Takeaway

Organic wine isn’t going to shield you from hangovers or provide noteworthy nutritional benefits, but it does taste pretty darn good and does mean you’re ingesting fewer chemicals, which I think is a plus. What it really comes down to is personal taste—yes, taste in terms of flavor, but also general preferences like price point and environmental considerations. My advice: Conduct your own experiment, because a.) it’s an excuse to drink wine, and b.) you can decide for yourself what vino suits you.

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The Best Workouts When You're Exhausted From Whole30

The Whole30 diet is about as polarizing as pineapple on pizza (... sorry to bring up pizza if you're currently Whole30-ing). I've done the diet twice, and people's reactions range from "Good for you!" to "That's stupid, why would you ever do that?" Many people swear by Whole30 as a way to reset their bodies and repair their relationship with food, which sounds amazing, right? But as with anything that seems magical, there's a catch.

First, a quick refresher on what Whole30 is: For 30 days, you eat only vegetables, eggs, meat, seafood, fruit, and healthy fats. No grains, no dairy, and certainly no sugar allowed. This is a premise that seems simple in theory, if not always in execution—giving up croissants and wine (oh, the wine) can be a real bummer.

As if giving up booze, bread, and cookies for a month isn't enough of a downer, for the first two weeks, there's a good chance you'll feel fatigued, headache-y, and generally like the line-face emoji—I learned firsthand that this emotional state is not exactly conducive to a good sweat session.

Again, it's not all bad—I've done this thing twice for a reason. Reported perks after those questionable first two weeks include better energy levels, clearer skin, improved sleep, and of course, weight loss.

So why do you feel so ick in the first couple of weeks, anyway?

"When you take away gluten and refined carbs (a.k.a. sugar), it will affect your body until it adjusts," explains Astrid Swan, NASM certified trainer and Barry's Bootcamp instructor. Carbs like sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are allowed on Whole30, but grains are not. Your body has to adjust to the lack of these common ingredients in your diet, especially sugar—which often means your energy levels take a nosedive.

EDITOR'S PICK

Another reason for Whole30 fatigue is that most people are severely restricting their calories on this diet. "When you cut your energy source, you'll feel tired," says clinical exercise specialist Charlie Seltzer, M.D.

But I didn't want to give up working out when I did Whole30, so instead, I looked for ways to optimize my workout routine for the "blah" phase of my Whole30 experience. I went to the experts for help and was told the following (by pretty much everyone): When you embark on Whole30, you're already making a drastic change to your lifestyle, so don't make big changes in your workout routine. For instance, if you predominately do yoga, the first couple of weeks of Whole30 probably isn't the best time to sign up for your very first CrossFit class. With that in mind, here's how to adjust your current workout routine to fit in with your Whole30.

If you love yoga:

Swan says yoga is great when you're doing a Whole30 because it focuses on breath, core, form, and mental game. "So much of Whole30 is mental," she adds, "and yoga can help you find your balance—it's a lower intensity workout that won't drain you." Also, yoga can increase your serotonin levels—a.k.a. one of the happiness hormones—and trust me, extra serotonin will come in handy those first couple of weeks without bread.

If you love CrossFit:

Stop doing CrossFit on Whole30 because it's too intense? Annie Thorisdottir would never. I won't suggest you skip CrossFit for two weeks while you're Whole30-fatigued, because a) I'm not a monster and b) as a fellow CrossFitter, I know you probably wouldn't heed that advice.

So here's the good news: Even if you feel tired and sluggish, you can still keep up your CrossFit routine. The key is being OK with scaling the movements to accommodate your lower energy levels.

"I would suggest people understand that they probably aren't going to PR their Fran or Grace when following Whole30 because they will be calorie- and carb-deficient," says certified Level 1 CrossFit trainer Julie Upton, MS, RD. "They should just set their CrossFit fitness goals aside for the month or so and focus on getting leaner on Whole30." You may not Rx every workout, and that's OK.

If you love Pilates:

"The key principles of Pilates are concentration, centering, precision and control," says Anastasiya Goers, a Pilates instructor who has survived—er—done Whole30. "During the workout, you learn to pay attention to your body and work with it, not against it," she says. It's these qualities that make it a good complement to Whole30. Plus, a lot of the moves in Pilates are done while you're lying down. #Winning.

If you love running:

Reality check: Don't expect to beat your mile time in the first couple of weeks of Whole30. Your body is still going to be adjusting to the new way you're giving it fuel—and pushing yourself when you're fatigued could lead to injury or further exhaustion.

"It's fine if you only log four miles instead of five," Seltzer says. "If you push yourself and end up tearing your Achilles tendon, then you're going to be out for months." We're guessing you don't want that, so scale down the distance you run and take it easy on yourself. If you find you need more energy for your run, Seltzer says that it can be helpful to restructure your meal timing so that you eat some carbs a couple of hours before you work out.

EDITOR'S PICK

If you love indoor cycling:

An indoor cycling class is a good choice for people in the first couple of weeks of Whole30 because you're in control of your pace and resistance. (Don't worry, everyone at SoulCycle is looking at themselves in the mirror, not checking to see if you turned your resistance up.) "Focus more on low intensity, as opposed to being the fastest in the front row," Swan says. "Keeping your pace slower will help you get through the transition and keep your workouts on the books."

If you're just starting to work out...

So you're doing it. Jumping straight in. An entire lifestyle overhaul. To be honest, Seltzer says you probably shouldn't. Whole30 takes a lot of work and prep, and it's unlikely you'll have room to do both. If you're dead-set on starting a new workout plan while on Whole30, here's his advice: "First pick something that you want to do, that you can do—not something you think you should do. And start slowly." If you hate your workout, it'll make it harder for you to motivate yourself to go do it. "Make sure you eat something before you work out, like a small protein and healthy fat, like avocado," Swan says.

Patience pays off.

If you're feeling too tired to even make it to your regular HIIT or yoga, it 's OK to skip a class or two—your energy should return in a couple of weeks. Think of this time as an opportunity to really dial in your form and technique for the movements you're doing. "Be patient and listen to your body," Swan says. "Most people will start seeing major improvements in their workout after 14-21 days on Whole30." If you can stick it out through the first few weeks, you'll find yourself with more energy than when you started—and that's something I'd go a month without bread for.

Most importantly, Swan suggests you make a commitment to yourself and don't get discouraged if you have moments of struggle. "These are the moments that make us stronger."

Allie Flinn is an LA-based beauty, fitness, and wellness writer. She's passionate about working out, neutral colors, young adult novels, and her rescue dogs. Follow her fitness journey on Instagram @allieflinn.

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The One Sex Toy You're Afraid of for No Reason

Cock rings are a super-fun toy and great for anyone with a penis—but they also come with some serious stigma despite how great they are. But sex toys in the bedroom are the norm nowadays, and a cock ring is just another option—and shouldn't be any more shameful than using a vibrator or any other sex toy (which is to say, not at all).

So why use one?

The purpose of a cock ring is to prevent the backflow of the blood, which keeps the penis hard for longer than it otherwise would, says Laurie Mintz, Ph.D., author of Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters—and How to Get It. When a penis isn't aroused, the blood flows in and out easily. During an erection, the blood stays in the erectile tissue until the man ejaculates, and the blood flows freely again.

This means cock rings have been used as an aid for erectile dysfunction long before Viagra was a thing, but they can also help you enjoy yourself in the moment and remove stress about staying up.

EDITOR'S PICK

"When used recreationally, many men report that it makes their penis more sensitive and that when they finally do ejaculate, the sensation is more intense," Mintz says. "It also makes erections last longer, which many men like not just for the longer erection itself, but also for the psychological bonus of not worrying about losing one's erection or lasting 'long enough.'"

Plus, some of them vibrate...

Vibrating cock rings can offer clitoral stimulation, which makes them great for a partner, whether you're using them on a penis or a strap-on—talk about a win/win. But for a sex toy that pretty much acts as a mini-vibe, the stigma surrounding them can make people feel reluctant to try them out. But why are folks so intimidated by this harmless-looking sex toy?

"There is so much pressure on men to last long and thrust hard to be a 'real man,'" Mintz says. "Anything associated with making this happen is fraught with pressure."

The way to break the stigma is to shift the mindset.

Sexual pleasure comes from a lot more than plain ol' P-in-V action, Mintz says, noting that there are many alternative methods to get intimate. Just think of a cock ring as another fun way to experiment with your sex life.

If you're curious about trying one with your partner, have an honest, open discussion and explain why you think it'd be fun to try it, suggests Mintz. Keep in mind, however, that sex is a two-way street—if your partner isn't into the idea of using a cock ring, don't force it.

What kind should you go for?

Like all sex toys on the market, cock rings come in different shapes, colors, and sizes, and are made in a variety of materials, including glass, metal, and silicone. If you're trying one for the first time, Mintz suggests using a silicone cock ring that's stretchy and easily adjustable.

To use the cock ring, you'll want to place it on a semi-hard penis and position it at the base. Make sure it feels snug, but not to the point where it's pinching. Remove it immediately once you finish.

What not to do...

Mintz says that if used correctly, cock rings are a safe toy, but in very rare cases, they can damage the erectile tissue of the penis. Using it too long will cause the blood to coagulate and give you an erection for a long time, Mintz says.

Basically, as with any new sex trick, you should take precaution. "The general recommendation is to use it for no longer than 30 minutes and to remove immediately if your penis begins to swell a great deal, hurts, feels numb, or feels hot or cold," Mintz says. Also, never wear a cock ring while you sleep or use one under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Bianca Mendez is a writer in New York covering health, sex, relationships, and beauty. Follow her on Instagram @biancammendez and Twitter @biancamendezz.

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How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your Workout to Keep From Plateauing?

People like to say that around the six- to eight-week mark, your body adapts to whatever workout you've been doing and stops getting the same results. At that point, the rumor goes, you have to up your game by adding more time, weight, new strength moves—anything that changes things up. But what's so special about that specific length of time? And is it really true?

Turns out, not so much. "There's nothing magical about that number. It's a myth," says Richard Weil, M.Ed., an exercise physiologist and director of the weight loss program at Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital in New York City. "The fact is that research-based guidelines on how often you need to vary your workout to avoid a plateau just don't exist."

So where did this idea come from in the first place? The basic principle was actually developed by a Hungarian endocrinologist named Hans Selye, way back in the 1930s (yep, that's right—looong before CrossFit and Megaformers). "He theorized that muscles needed continual stress to change. Otherwise, they would adapt," explains Pete McCall, a San Diego-based personal trainer and exercise physiologist. "It's called general adaptation syndrome—and it's what the basic science of periodization is based on."

EDITOR'S PICK

Furthermore, neural adaptations are most prominent in the early phase of training when our body is learning how to do the moves effectively and efficiently; those become less prevalent around eight weeks of training. Structural adaptations, however, continue to occur past the eight-week mark, so switching programs at that time limits the very increases in muscle strength you set out for. The human body is efficient, so continuing to challenge it by making small changes (such as the number of repetitions or duration of time) to the same routine is ideal for using both neural and structural adaptations.

To be clear, McCall says it's true that as you get stronger or more aerobically fit, you'll eventually hit a point of diminishing returns. "Your body becomes more efficient at doing the same exercise and your muscles go on autopilot because there's no new stimulation," adds McCall. When that happens, however, can vary wildly from person to person.

"There are so many variables: how often you work out, what shape you're in, how much weight you're lifting—even genetics plays a role," Weil says.

You'll know you're due for a workout goose, he says, when your current routine starts to feel easier. Say you've been doing 12 to 15 reps of an exercise for a while, and you get to a point where you can finish the last rep, no sweat. Bingo—you're due. (The goal is to barely be able to eke out that last rep.)

Same goes for cardio: When your usual elliptical routine doesn't get your heart rate going in the same way, it's time for a change. And it's worth noting, McCall says, that even doing something less intense, like switching from boot camp to Pilates, can do the trick, simply because it's something new and different—and therefore more challenging.

But keep in mind that fitness doesn't increase indefinitely. After exercising regularly for a certain amount of time—usually between 12 to 16 weeks, for most people—you physically won't be able to get much fitter. "Everyone has a biomechanical max that they can't go past," Weil says. "For instance, you have a certain number of muscle fibers in your biceps, and once you accumulate as many as you possibly can, you can't gain any more strength."

Think of it less as a plateau than a pinnacle. At that point, it's all about maintenance, and whether or not you change your workout altogether doesn't really matter—unless boredom strikes. "Look at elite marathoners. Do you think they're doing Zumba? No! They're running all the time. They never change their workout," Weil says. So if whatever you're doing is something you like—and are more likely to actually stick to—well, then that's your real ticket to long-term results.

Shaun Dreisbach is a Burlington, Vermont-based writer and editor who specializes in health, fitness, and nutrition.

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I Used to Judge People on Anxiety Meds. Here’s What Changed My Mind

I'll admit to a serious character flaw here: I spent most of my adult life feeling smugly superior to people who took meds for their mental health issues. I thought that anyone who "succumbed" to medication was simply weak and hadn't tried hard enough to find a natural solution.

Growing up, I got stomach aches whenever life was particularly stressful, and racing thoughts kept me from falling asleep at night. At the time, I was just called a worrier—anxiety wasn't a word that got thrown around much in the '90s. Later, I thought I had it under control because I spent my 20s learning meditation and yoga (and pretending that I didn't spend some nights obsessing over the future deaths of my parents to the point of making myself physically ill).

And the truth is, mindfulness really can work for plenty of people.

Many people who deal with mild anxiety are able to manage it proactively by engaging in some kind of mindfulness practice, says Gail Saltz, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the NY Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.

EDITOR'S PICK

"I'm all for preventive options," Saltz says. "If you're a person who's biologically and psychologically primed for anxiety and likely to experience recurrent anxiety, then strategies like mindfulness meditation and yoga can help you feel more relaxed physiologically and psychologically on a day-to-day basis."

Yoga and meditation aren't the only answers here, either. Any form of exercise can help bring you into the present, as can prayer or breath work. Whatever works for you.

But I also discovered that sometimes you need meds—here's what changed my mind.

Basically, I had kids. There were problems with breastfeeding, trouble getting my baby to gain weight, colic that had her screaming for hours… all of it was too much. It was a tough first year, but I got through it. I was an anxious mother, but my anxiety was manageable.

Then I became pregnant again. There were a hundred reasons I was scared of having another baby—my first had been a hard birth, I was worried I'd have more problems breastfeeding, money was an issue, and I had just signed up for five years of grad school. During my second pregnancy, I went from being relatively in control of my emotional state to hiding in the bathroom so I could scream into a clenched fist. More and more frequently, my toddler's tantrums ended in both of us crying.

My midwife noticed my strange behavior and asked me some direct questions during one appointment that resulted in an immediate referral to a psychiatrist who specialized in perinatal depression and anxiety. An assessment revealed I suffered primarily from anxiety and was borderline OCD as well. Strangely, it was kind of a relief to be officially diagnosed with something—at least there were solutions ahead.

Early on in the pregnancy, I remember begging the universe to help me through this ordeal. I wanted to feel less alone, less upset, less afraid.

I tried to meditate, but my skin crawled within a few seconds of closing my eyes. All of the techniques I'd used to manage my anxiety up until this point were now completely useless.

This isn't unusual, Saltz says. "When you're in the throes of an actual anxiety disorder," she says, "usually those preventive techniques aren't enough."

I still wasn't ready to try medication, however. My psychiatrist had given me the option of starting an anti-anxiety medication that was considered safe for the fetus during pregnancy; however, when I found out the baby might experience some symptoms of withdrawal when they were born, my anxiety quadrupled. So instead, I tried therapy and tabled the idea of taking meds until after.

My son was born in an easy home birth, which was a relief since I'd been so worried about having another challenging baby. He was good at breastfeeding and slept for much longer stretches than my first—basically, I was in love, and all was right with the world.

And then it wasn't. I was months past the baby blues, but things still felt off, and I felt this irritability constantly building up inside me. I was still seeing a therapist regularly, but something had changed, and my anxiety no longer felt manageable. Then postpartum depression hit me full force.

At this point, I was still desperately trying to avoid medication.

I kept thinking that if I could just hold out one more day, putting one foot in front of the other, I could find my way, and my psychiatrist, therapist, and postpartum depression support group all supported my choice to remain medication-free. I wasn't suicidal, after all—I was angry a lot, and I had kind of forgotten what happiness felt like, but what mattered to me was that I wasn't taking medication.

But then I realized that wasn't what mattered. My quality of life was what mattered. According to Saltz, the point at which a disorder becomes a pathology is when it negatively impacts your quality of life and ability to function in a significant way. I was definitely at that stage, despite my weekly therapy sessions and support group meetings.

I was also worried that I would never be able to stop taking medication once I started it.

One of the main reasons I didn't want to try the meds was that I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to feel things—good or bad—as much. I was also worried that I would never be able to stop taking medication once I started.

But it turns out that isn't the case. "We're not talking about medication forever, for a lot of people," Saltz says. "We're talking about short-term medication to be able to bring down the anxiety enough to participate meaningfully in your therapy." Meds can enable you to really engage in the emotional work of therapy—which can be the real key to long-term change.

So I gave it a shot.

When I finally started taking medication for my anxiety, I realized that the pills didn't dull my emotions. Instead, they gave me an added buffer in my everyday interactions with both loved ones and strangers. Instead of reacting immediately with anger to a situation, I had a few extra milliseconds to consider my response, which allowed me to respond more positively. This hasn't just helped my own state of mind, it's also made me a better parent since I'm not as easily upset by my kids.

Three years later, I'm still taking my medication, and I've stopped judging when someone tells me they're taking meds for a similar reason. After all, meds have allowed me to enjoy being a parent instead of constantly fighting off anxiety attacks—and who doesn't want that.

Glynis Ratcliffe used to be an opera singer, but after her daughter begged her to stop singing and be quiet for the millionth time, she decided to use her inside voice and write instead. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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