Blog Posts by Self Magazine

By Shannon R., SELF magazine

It may sound odd to wash your face with oil since oil is usually what you are trying to remove from your skin. However, oil can be an effective way to remove makeup. Olive oil in particular is becoming a more popular skincare ingredient so lets take a look at how olive oil works as a cleanser and the pros and cons of the "oil cleansing" method.

How does oil cleansing work?
You may remember from your high school science class that "like dissolves like." In other words, materials will dissolve other materials that have a similar chemical structure. Since makeup is often made of oil and heavy waxes, it makes sense that olive oil can dissolve oily makeup. Cosmetic chemists use the "like dissolves like" principle to formulate oil-based cleansers and makeup removers. Liquid makeup removers are usually pure oil, while creams (like cold creams) are oils mixed with water, emulsifiers and thickeners. Standard facial cleansers don't always work well on makeup

By Melinda Carstensen, SELF magazine

You know consuming too much sugar can be detrimental to your health, but now, some researchers are suggesting it's so harmful that the government should regulate it as heavily as alcohol and tobacco -- and even put a tax on it.

Like alcohol, sugar affects your blood pressure, metabolism and liver, argues Dr. Robert Lustig, endocrinology director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health Program at the University of California at San Francisco.

"It can also suppress the hormones in our bodies that tell us we have eaten enough, thereby leading to overeating and craving for more sugar. It also, like alcohol, affects the 'pleasure center' of the brain and makes you consume more," Dr. Lustig tells HealthySELF.

See more: The Healthiest Cities for Women

So why should the government tax sugar? In an opinion piece published in the Feb. 1 edition of the journal Nature, Lustig and colleagues argue that value-added taxes

By Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Before heading out of town for President's Day weekend, you're going to want to make sure you remember to pack this...Staying fit on vacation isn't easy, even for the gym devotees. Here's how to overcome some common roadblocks:

Problem: Luggage space is precious, what are the absolute essentials I'll need to still be able to get a good workout in?
"My priority travel items are a good pair of trail running shoes and swim goggles. No matter where you fly to, there is always a route you can run, if not on the treadmill, and there is almost always a pool or ocean. I bring trail shoes because the support is slightly better and they give you greater versatility to choose a simple route for sightseeing, even if its dirt road or unpaved terrain of some sort," says David Erlich. David is one of the guys behind planning the innovative spa and fitness programs at the luxe Viceroy Anguilla resort. The resort brings in the biggest names

CN Digital Studio

By Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Today is National Almond Day! I just had to blog about almonds because I'm a little nutty for this nut! Almonds are the perfect snack because they are portable, don't have to be prepared or refrigerated, and they are easy to portion out. But if you need more reasons to grab a handful of almonds for your next snack, here are a few more wonderful things they can do for you!

Almonds can help you eat less and weigh less. Studies have shown that people who snack on almonds every day while following a diet and exercise program lose more weight than people who just diet and exercise. Also, almonds may be particularly helpful for women. One study found that after women ate almonds they had higher levels of satiety hormones than men did, meaning they could stay fuller longer after snacking on almonds, which can lead to eating fewer calories overall.

See more: The Healthiest Cities for Women

Almonds can help lower your LDL

By Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Do you eat enough protein? Maybe not. SELF reports in the March 2012 issue that recent research from the University of Sydney revealed people who upped their protein intake from 10 percent of their daily diet to 15 percent ate 12 percent fewer calories. Extra protein satisfied eaters more, so they snacked less.

I have also seen this to be true working with my clients. When a client complains of being hungry all the time, even shortly after meals and snacks, one of the first things I do is look at their protein intake. Many times they are not eating enough protein to keep them full. I tell them that protein is like the period at the end of a sentence. It ensures that your hunger will be quelled. So I encourage them to have at least one good source of protein at every meal and snack.

See more: The Healthiest Cities for Women

For most women, this means aiming to eat 70g of protein per day, having at least 20g at each

By Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Dining together is one of the #1 activities couples share. But eating meals with your man can lead you to make some food choices that are less than the best, if you're not careful. In fact, if your spouse or partner is overweight, you are 37% more likely to become overweight, as well. But never fear-- these tips will help you upgrade your guy's diet. He'll hardly notice the changes, but you'll both benefit from them!

By Shannon R., SELF magazine

Not all of us are lucky enough to have been born with full, pouty lips. There are products and procedures out there promising to plump our pucker but do they really work? Lets take a look at the technology behind the various lip plumping options.

How do temporary lip plumpers work?
Temporary lip plumpers usually come in the form of a gloss or lipstick. They work by temporarily irritating lips, causing them to swell slightly. That tingly feeling is not your imagination, it's your lips reacting to a chemical like caffeine, mint, cinnamon or menthol that most plumpers use.

See more: The Healthiest Cities for Women

Pros: Inexpensive, temporary way to get a slight plumping effect.
Cons: Irritating and continued use could lead to excessive irritation and potential lip damage. Also, some people do experience allergic reactions to the "plumping" chemicals (particularly menthol or cinnamon).

Are there permanent

By Bari Lieberman, SELF magazine

Turn your workouts into a healthy weapon! February is all about the heart, but your workouts might be missing the mark when it comes to protecting the vital organ.

"The difference between preventing disease and getting in shape is a question of intensity," American Council on Exercise Senior Consultant of Personal Training, Jonathan Ross said on a recent episode of Lifetime's The Balancing Act. While he recommends a little activity on a daily basis (like housework or washing the car) 2-3 days of week, you need to challenge the body with heart-pumping workouts.

According to a recent release issued from President Barack Obama, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. The two key elements to maintaining a healthy heart are regular exercise and a healthy diet, Ross explains. "The idea with heart health is we want to make sure we're challenging the cardio system to do its job better."

How do you know if your