Blog Posts by YouBeauty.com

Equinox's new Animal Flow class blends dynamic bodyweight movement-in other words, no equipment required-with modern athletic training to sculpt your whole body in an entirely fresh, new way.Think cross training goes primal. "After a lifetime of lifting weights and 12 years in the fitness industry, I had a ton of muscle but lacked the ability to move," says Animal Flow creator Mike Fitch. "I completely switched to bodyweight-only disciplines and discovered the true meaning of movement and its link to the longevity of our bodies. The end result, Animal Flow, is a program that works the entire body, increasing flexibility, stability, strength and endurance-and most importantly, it's fun!"

Curious? We thought so. Take a look at these animal-inspired moves. Just be sure to do a five-minute warm-up before test driving them to mobilize the wrists as well as the shoulders, spine, hips and knees.

- YouBeauty Editors

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Surely your gynecologist (and your mom or daughter or best friend) has repeated the mantra: Get a Pap smear every year. Whether or not you listened (and we hope you did!), it has been and is the standard of care. But recent research has brought new questions to light and led to a rewrite of the old standard.

The details have changed, but the test is still as important as ever. Here's what you need to know.

What is a Pap smear?

To perform the test, usually as part of your annual gynecology check-up, your doctor first inserts a speculum to hold your vagina open and uses a swab to collect cells from in and around your cervix, where your uterus opens into the vaginal canal. The cells are put on a slide and sent to a laboratory where they are examined for abnormal cells that might signal cancerous growth.

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Why get a Pap smear?
A Pap is typically done in order to look for cervical cancer. New studies show that a Pap smear may also

ThinkstockDonuts, cookies, chips-there's no denying that certain high-fat and high-sugar foods are the go-to ways to self-medicate when we're stressed. But the truth is, those same foods can send our feel-good hormones on a roller coaster ride and leave us feeling sluggish, depressed and worse than ever. So rather than reaching for junk food the next time you're feeling frazzled, do your mind and body a favor by going for complex carbs, healthy fats or lean proteins.

These 10 healthy options have all of the nutrients you need to fend off mental and physical stress and get back to a state of bliss.

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Play up your eyes no matter their color

Picking from what seems like an army of eye makeup shades on store shelves can feel like a perplexing task, but our experts say you can rely on certain hues that are guaranteed to work for your eye color. "Like a simple ribbon that pulls together and brightens wrapping paper for a gift, eyeshadow can make your natural eye color pop!" explains Karim Sattar, International Makeup Artist for Dr. Hauschka.

Find your eye color in our gallery to discover which makeup shades and simple application tips will give you captivating eyes.

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Raspberry-Orange Smoothie (Shutterstock)You may be overlooking your sensory organs when you think of eating healthfully, but when you realize that your sense of smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing are largely responsible for your quality of life, you'll think again. And when you enjoy the movies you see, the food you eat, the book you read, your sex life and more, you'll find that you look better, too. So, go ahead and load up on vitamins and antioxidants to harness sensory benefits.

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What: Raspberry-Orange Smoothie

Why it's great: Vitamin C, antioxidants and flavonoids help boost your immune system.

What you'll need:

• 1 cup nonfat or low-fat vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 medium ripe banana
• ½ cup orange juice with one ice cube or 1 Tbs frozen orange juice concentrate

How to make it:
Combine all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend until smooth.

Nutritional Info:
Calories 253
Fat 0.2 grams

What you consume can have a major effect on how you look-and no one knows this better than nutrition experts. That's why we tapped seven savvy nutrition pros to share their personal secrets for everything from glowing skin to endless energy. So make a commitment to turn over a new, even more beautiful leaf in the New Year with their look-good, feel-good secrets.

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For millions of people each year, sore throats serve as the major warning signal that they are about to be hit with the flu, common cold or bacterial infection like strep throat. On a far less ominous note, allergies, dry air and pollutants can also cause them.

While there are lots of over-the-counter medications that can treat aching throats, there are also countless home and natural remedies to sooth the soreness for those that prefer more organic healthcare or just can't make it to the pharmacy. Since it can often be difficult to separate the scientific fact from fiction, we've compiled a guide to the everyday, affordable materials that have been shown to relieve the pain and wipe out early infections.

Other Options

Some of the most popular alternative choices to the treatments discussed above:

Slippery elm - The bark of this North American tree is often used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, skin ulcers, coughs, and sore throats. More specifically, the tree's

Want to get in shape but not sure where to begin with your New Year's fitness resolution? Look no further. According to a recent Harvard Medical School newsletter, there are five ideal exercises that can whip your body into shape. (Bonus: Being young, skinny and adept at all things sports not required.)

"If you're not an athlete or serous exerciser, these exercises are good for an intro to fitness," according to Sabrena Merrill, exercise physiologist and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). "Once you have mastered them, you can still do these-just enhance your workout by upping the intensity."