By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Did you have a stressful week? If the fact that it's Friday isn't enough to make your stress levels take a dip, then try one of these three things..
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Sniff some lavender: Multiple studies have confirmed the soothing properties of lavender. Whether you just keep a little sachet at your desk or try it in the form of lavender-scented shampoo, it's a cheap and easy way to feel zen. I love lavender, do you?
Eat a mango: Oddly, Japanese researchers say that the scent of mango produces calm feelings. They're not sure why, but since mango is such a healthy snack, it's worth trying!
Have a good cry: Confession: I cried recently, and it felt really good. I felt calmer afterward, less worried about the thing I was crying about in the first place. Turns out, I'm not alone. More than 85 percent of women say that crying helps them feel calmer. So don't hold back those tears!
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Blog Posts by Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine
3 Things That Can Make You Feel Really Calm
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Working It – Mon, Jun 6, 2011 10:41 PM EDTWhy Cilantro Could Be Dangerous to Your Health
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Healthy Living – Fri, Jun 3, 2011 9:48 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
I love cilantro, but I know plenty of people who don't. And they may be saying "I told you so!" about the latest news that is frankly, a bit shocking...
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Making salsa or guacamole? Hold the cilantro, or better idea: Make sure yours is organic. Here's why: The U.S. Department of Agriculture randomly tested samples of cilantro in the U.S. and recently revealed shocking findings. In short, the tests showed that most cilantro is swimming with unapproved pesticides (34 different pesticides in total were detected on cilantro).
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These pesticides may be dangerous to your health, say experts. Before new regulations can be put in place, consider paying a little extra and buying organic in this case. It's worth it.
Do you like cilantro? Do you usually choose organic?
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What Nosebleeds May Tell You About Your Health
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Healthy Living – Thu, Jun 2, 2011 5:56 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Do you get nose bleeds? They're often considered harmless, but experts say they may signal something alarming about your health.
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According to experts, nose bleeds may mean you're too stressed out!
Prevention points out that nose bleeds may be correlated with stress. In fact, British Medical Journal research indicates that nose bleeds may happen because of spikes in blood pressure, which is common when people are overly stressed. Here is some important info on blood pressure for every woman.
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Do you get nose bleeds? Have you ever figured out if they were caused by stress?
P.S. You've heard about people putting Neosporin inside their noses to cut back on germs on airplanes, but does it work? And, the weird health risk of ... blowing your nose!
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How Wine Can Mess With Your Weight Loss Goals
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Healthy Living – Wed, Jun 1, 2011 9:46 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
I am a very light wine drinker--I only have a glass every few days. But, I realized that the way I drink wine (even the tiny amount that I do) can really impact my weight loss goals.
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We've all heard that alcoholic drinks can add up, from a calorie standpoint. But, since I don't drink very much--just a single glass of wine a few nights a week--that's not a big concern to me. But something else is. You see, I've found that after I have a glass of wine, my willpower goes out the window and I'm more apt to eat bigger portions at dinner or get the munchies later on.
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I asked my nutritionist, Stephanie Middleberg, about this phenomenon, and she says it's absolutely real. She says that you're most likely to fall guilty to overeating and food cravings if you drink before dinner. The solution? Order your wine with dinner or, better yet, have an after-dinner drink.15 Percent of Divorces May Be Due to This Surprising Thing
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Love + Sex – Wed, Jun 1, 2011 9:35 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
What are you guy's bad habits? If he likes to do this in his spare time, you may be more likely to get a divorce, say experts.
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If your guy plays a lot of video games, experts warn that it may be hard on your relationship. Really. In fact, according to reports, video games are blamed for 10 percent more divorces--a total of 15 percent--this year than last year. And, certain video games are worse than others, say experts. For instance, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and Halo were all given thumbs down for their apparent ability to create conflict in relationships.
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Have video games been a source of conflict in your relationship?
P.S. Do you eat more or less healthfully when your guy isn't around? And, date night on the calendar? Here's a surprisingly healthy idea!
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Cutting Back On Sugar Could Make You Smarter
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Healthy Living – Wed, Jun 1, 2011 9:13 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Do you have a sweet tooth? I admit, I do. But cutting back on sugar could be good for your brain, say experts.
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Want to be a smart cookies? Well, maybe don't eat the cookies, say researchers. Elevated blood sugar may contribute to cognitive decline (that's code for a dull mind).
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Recent research from Columbia University Medical Center found that higher sugar intake was associated with decreased blood flow to the hippocampus region of the brain. Yes, your brain needs fuel to pay attention and remember things, but if you overdo it on the sweet stuff, "the body pumps out excess insulin, which causes inflammation and oxidative stress that prematurely age your brain."
And now I'm getting why eating a cupcake puts me in a "sugar coma."
Do you have a big sweet tooth? Are you thinking of cutting back on sugar in your diet?
P.S. More thoughts on sugar and itsCoffee Has Health Benefits, But Could It Be Blamed for Infertility?
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Parenting – Tue, May 31, 2011 10:11 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Your double espresso keeps your eyes open at work, but could it also be making you infertile? Surprising news from researchers for anyone interested in having a baby...
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If you're trying to get pregnant, consider passing on the coffee, at least for now. Caffeine may mess with your fertility by impairing the muscles in the fallopian tubes, which carry your eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, say University of Nevada researchers who studied caffeine's effect on female mice.
"Caffeine inhibits the contractions of the muscles in the fallopian tube, so the egg stops getting transported," the lead researcher said.
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Yes, it was a study of rodents, so it's hard t know exactly whether the effects are true for humans, but it's still interesting, and worth filing away if you're trying to get pregnant.
Are you trying to get pregnant? Do you drink coffee/otherBreakfast at Your Desk: The #1 Immune-Boosting Breakfast
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Shine Food – Tue, May 31, 2011 9:45 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Got a case of the post-holiday-weekend sniffles? If you're feeling a little run down, start your day right with the foods that can help your body fight off infections and boost your immunity...
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A great, simple, healthy immune-boosting breakfast?
Oatmeal with chopped almonds and a grapefruit on the side!
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Here's why it can benefit your health, say experts: Oatmeal contains beta glucan, a compound that has been shown to boost immunity in studies. Almonds contain vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that can fight respiratory infections (aka, that annoying cold you picked up), and grapefruit is loaded with immune-boosting vitamin C, plus some good fiber to keep your feeling satisfied.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
P.S. More healthy breakfast ideas here!
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R.I.P. Food Pyramid: The USDA Is Replacing the Familiar Icon
By Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine | Shine Food – Tue, May 31, 2011 9:23 PM EDT
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By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine
Remember knowing the good ol' food pyramid-you know, that kinda confusing chart aimed at outlining the dietary choices you should be making-like the back of your hand? Well, if you said no, you're not alone; turns out tons of people found both the old and new versions of the pyramids confusing, which is why this Thursday, the USDA will be scrapping the old illustration in favor of...
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...a dinner plate.
CNN Health reports that, this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to swap the old pyramid with an icon of a portioned-out plate, outlining the way you should be divvying up your meals between fruits, vegetables, grains and protein (with a lil' dairy in there, too). They hope that the new diagram will help inform people about the best diet and nutrition choices to make, especially reminding them that fruits and veggies rule the roost and should be taking up half of your plate.
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