Wellness Posts by Michelle Pellizzon

Move Over Coconut Oil—The Wonders of Pumpkin Seed Oil

support@wellness.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Move Over Coconut Oil—The Wonders of Pumpkin Seed Oil by Michelle Pellizzon

Photo credit: Paul Delmont, -Thrive Market - Coconut oil may be the reigning queen of oils—and for -a ton of good reasons-—but -pumpkin seed oil- is worthy of a royal title of its own when it comes to beauty. The iconic orange fruit pops up in everything during the fall months, including spiced lattes and rich, creamy pies, but it tends to falls off the map after Thanksgiving dinner ends. And that's a shame, because pumpkins—particularly the pumpkin seeds—are packed full of vitamins, fatty acids, and omega-3s that can boost your beauty naturally. How? Let us count the ways. That Gorgeous Glow - The amount of antioxidants and fatty acids found in pumpkin seed oil help your skin retain moisture, while the vitamins A and E helps improve your skin's texture and tone. The zinc also works to fight free radicals, meaning it'll give you a youthful glow. And—like coconut oil—pumpkin seed oil is a carrier, meaning you don't have to mix it with anything else before slathering it on your skin. (Though you can mix it with essential oils if you want the aroma.) Simply rub it onto clean skin, or add equal parts of -tea tree oil -or -witch hazel- to create an anti-acne toner that will keep your skin balanced all summer long. Tresses That Rival Rapunzel's - All of the vitamins and fatty acids that make pumpkin seed oil so great for your skin makes it great for your hair, too. Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamin K, a vital nutrient needed for strong and shiny hair. The zinc also helps with scalp health. Sold? Create a simple deep conditioner by combining one tablespoon of -shea butter- to one tablespoon of pumpkin seed oil. Add the mixture to freshly washed hair and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing. Goodbye, Hair Breakage - Can this oil really stop your hair from falling out? Recent research says yes. According to a 2014 study from a group of Korean researchers, pumpkin seed oil -inhibits 5-alpha reductase-, an enzyme that is said to produce DHT from testosterone. Translation: It won't make new hair grow, but it could help strengthen the hair and keep more of it from falling out. A Key Player in the Kitchen - Yes, you can cook with pumpkin seed oil, but don't assume you can use it exactly like you do olive or coconut oil. The dark, nutty flavor works well in marinades or dressings, but it has a low smoke point, meaning it loses its nutrition when heated. You can also drink it straight to absorb its antioxidant benefits, which lets the oil do its magic from the inside out. So give it whirl. Pumpkin seed oil- may never take the place of coconut oil in your life, but if you want healthy skin and strong, shiny hair, it definitely deserves a spot in your pantry. You Might Also Like: - 16 Unexpected Ways To Use Coconut Oil-
-How Peppermint Oil Repels Insects-
- Coconut Oil: Which Kind to Buy and Why

10 Foods You Probably Think Are Vegan—But Actually Aren't

support@wellness.com — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - 10 Foods You Probably Think Are Vegan—But Actually Aren't by Michelle Pellizzon

By Dana Poblete for Thrive Market - Going vegan can sometimes feel like all things sinful are suddenly out of reach, and blandness is the price to pay for a soul-soothing, cruelty-free diet. On the other side of the coin, you may be cheerfully gulping apple juice and melting soy cheese on a veggie pizza, proudly reveling in your ethical choices, oblivious to what's really in your food. First of all, kudos to you for caring. As a reward, you can feel free to indulge in a few foods you might not have known fall within the confines of a vegan diet. But there are also those items that are easy to assume are totally free of animal products. After all, why would you have any reason to believe that orange juice is pulling the wool over your eyes? - You have the right to know exactly what you can and cannot put into your body based on your beliefs. To help you navigate the world of veganism a little more easily, here are 10 foods that most of us would assume are vegan, but actually contain animal products. And we've added 10 more surprises—foods that don't seem vegan, but are! - Surprisingly Not Vegan: - 1. Stout Beer - Certain stout beers (particularly British ones) are filtered with isinglass, a membrane from tropical fish bladders. Some apple juices are filtered with the same stuff. R.W. Knudsen organic apple juice boxes- are totally vegan-friendly, though. 2. Worcestershire Sauce - This sauce often contains anchovies. Luckily, Annie’s Homegrown makes a -vegan version. 3. Boxed Cake Mixes - Beef fat, labeled as lard, can be hiding inconspicuously in many boxed cake mixes. 4. Sugar - Refined sugar isn’t naturally white—it’s processed with bone char (sometimes labeled as "natural carbon") to make it so. Instead, opt for unrefined sugar such as -Big Tree Farms’ Organic Coconut Palm Sugar- or -Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Sugar. 5. Red Candies - These are often dyed with red pigment extracted from a cochineal insect, which is typically listed as cochineal, carminic acid or carmine. It’s also found in some wine, vinegar, juice and colored pasta. Replace your Red Vines and Twizzlers with vegan-friendly -Clif Kid Organic ZFruit Rope. 6. Orange Juice - Juices enhanced with omega-3s often get those amino acids from fish oil and gelatin. Also, added vitamin D is derived from lanolin, a natural oil in the fiber of sheep’s wool. 7. Bread - Omega-3 enhanced bread also uses fish oil, along with animal-derived ingredients typically found in bread including eggs, milk, whey, butter, and honey. 8. Margarine - This may seem like an ideal butter alternative, but it sometimes contains whey, gelatin, and a milk protein called casein. 9. Packaged Peanuts - Certain brands, including Planter’s, contain gelatin. 10. Soy Cheese - What’s the point of soy cheese if it’s not vegan? Casein sometimes gives this stuff its cheesy taste and meltable texture. But don’t give up on it, because vegan versions do exist if you keep a discerning eye out. Surprisingly Vegan: - 1. Chipotle Sofritas - Not only has Chipotle opted out of serving their popular carnitas due to a supplier’s poor treatment of farmed pigs, but they now offer a vegan alternative called -sofritas. They’re also making strides in going GMO-free. 2. Oreos - Those creamy centers are unbelievably vegan. 3. Clasico Bacon Habanero Tortilla Chips - Can it be true? Vegan bacon flavor? Yup. 4. Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch - Oddly enough, this childhood staple contains no animal products whatsoever. 5. Thai Kitchen Pad Thai Noodle Kit - Restaurant pad thai typically contains fish sauce, but this kit allows you to make a vegan version of pad thai at home. 6. Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate - The chocolate hazelnut, chocolate mocha, and double chocolate flavors are creamy, yet totally vegan. 7. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (Original) - Buttery goodness with no butter at all. 8. Monster and Red Bull Energy Drinks - These gas station staples are vegan, but -Guru Natural Energy Drink- is a healthier option. 9. Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting - Chocolate and classic vanilla frosting can be paired with your favorite vegan cake recipe. 10. Nature Valley Granola Bars (Brown Sugar) - These vegan granola bars bring a whole new meaning to the "crunchy granola" stereotype.

-You Might Also Like: - A Sugar-Free Blueberry Smoothie to Jumpstart Your Mornings - Ask a Nutritionist: Solving the Vegan Diet Protein Puzzle - ? - Why You'll Fall in Love With This Grain-Free Vegetable Wellness Bowl - ?

What's Better: Working Out in the Morning or Evening?

support@wellness.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - What's Better: Working Out in the Morning or Evening? by Michelle Pellizzon

Photo credit: Alicia Cho, -Thrive Market - “Five a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.” I raised my eyebrows. Sure, my new client seemed motivated to get her butt into gear, but that’s an early morning for anyone, trainers included.
- She promised she’d be there, no matter what. Monday rolled around, and I got a sleepy email explaining that she’d be 10 minutes late. Wednesday, the tardiness increased to a full 30 minutes. Friday, a total no-show. With thinly disguised annoyance—hey, it was 5 a.m. and I was awake for no reason—I suggested we swapped early morning workouts for a less ambitious time. There’s a reason 24 Hour Fitness is one of the biggest gym franchises in the United States—busy work and family schedules sometimes call for fitting in a workout at an ungodly hour. But depending on the time of day that you get your sweat on, you can get some really different results. So when’s the ultimate, best time to get the most out of your workout? There’s a definitive answer, but as with everything it more so depends on your body and your goals. The case for evening workouts - Scientifically, your body will perform best in the early evening. Body temperatures are highest from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., thanks to our natural circadian rhythm. Even though researchers are unsure why circadian rhythm influences performance, - there’s a pretty clear correlation between the two. When researchers compare volunteers who do tests on stationary bikes from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. versus those who train in the evening during the body’s highest temps, the morning spinners reached exhaustion much more quickly, - nearly 20 percent faster than their evening counterparts. So if you’re trying to PR on your bench press or mile time, schedule your gym time for early evening. If you want to burn a few more calories during your workout, pencil in an evening sweat session. Even though the body performs best in the evening—it’s less likely to reach exhaustion—it becomes - less - efficient, meaning it uses more energy and consumes more oxygen to complete exercises. More energy used means more calories burned, so if your goal is to torch calories, shoot for an after-work workout. The case for morning workouts - To rev your metabolism throughout the day, set your alarm. Even though it’s harder to get your heart rate up earlier in the day, - research has proven that a morning workout completed on an empty stomach - elevates the metabolism for the rest of the day, burns more fat, and can - even increase lean muscle mass. Morning workouts can set you up for healthier choices throughout the day. If you begin your day thinking about how to best care for your body, it’s at the forefront of your consciousness for the rest of the day. You’re probably less likely to grab a bagel for breakfast after powering through a workout, which sets you up for healthier choices throughout your day. In a -study from Brigham Young University,- researchers found that women who exercised in the morning were less likely to respond to images of unhealthy food than those who had done zero morning exercise. So when's the right time? - Remember, it doesn't matter how efficient your workout is if you skip it every day because it's at an inconvenient time. Once we switched my “early-bird” client’s workouts to the evening, she showed up on time and ready to witness the fitness. If you’re not a morning person, newsflash: You are - not - going to wake up early in order to get your butt kicked. It ain’t gonna happen! And if you have a stressful job that often has you on your feet, odds are by the end of the day you’re not going to - feel - very strong and therefore your workouts might suffer. Bottom line: - It’s way more important to actually get your session -in-, rather than schedule it at a time that doesn’t feel good to your body or convenient to your life. You Might Also Like: - Ho, Ho, Healthy: This 10 Minute Full-Body Workout Fits Any Holiday Schedule-
- Ask - a Health Coach: The 5-Minute Ab Workout You Can Do Anywhere-
- Which is Better: Sleep or Exercise?

Want to Lose 10 Pounds? Start Here!

support@wellness.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Want to Lose 10 Pounds? Start Here! by Michelle Pellizzon

The busy holiday season is about to hit, and that means heading home to see family and friends, ugly Christmas sweaters, and endless supplies of not-so-healthy foods will be shoved in front of us. And whether you pulled out your winter clothes only to realize that last year's cords are a just -little- tight, or you want to preemptively avoid that inevitable winter weight gain, you might have some extra fluffiness hanging around your midsection that you're itching to get rid of. Illustration Credit: Karley Koenig, -Thrive Market - Don't worry, we hear you. And we've got you covered. Here are our six best tips for losing weight, fast. Whether you try one or all, these tricks will help you feel cleaner, healthier, and lighter this holiday season. Don't overdo the cardio - Whether you love it or hate it (and if you hate it, -check this out-), cardio exercise is necessary to maintain a healthy body. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it will help you lose weight. Our bodies are smart and adaptable, so if you do the same workout every day, eventually you'll plateau. A- daily three mile run at a slow and steady pace- will actually burn muscle (not fat), decrease human growth hormone, and increase cortisol (the stress hormone that's responsible for that annoying belly fat). Plus, it's pretty boring to do the same thing every day. Work out smarter, not harder. Try integrating high intensity interval training into your cardio workouts instead; HIIT workouts consist of a bout of hard work for a short interval, and then a short rest interval. This variety will -increase the body's fat burning capabilities - and- keep things a little more interesting. Start sleeping more - Yes, to lose weight you should be a little lazier and sleep -more. Should be no problem—right? Actually, for some reason, it can be really hard to switch off Netflix an hour earlier every night to get some much needed z's. The issue? When you're not getting enough down time, the body's circadian rhythms, which in turn affect hormonal balance, -get really thrown off. This causes the hormone leptin, which indicates to the brain when the stomach is full,- to decrease by 15 percent-—meaning you're going to eat about 15 percent more food when you're sleep deprived. Add in the fact that ghrelin, the hormone that signals to your brain that you're hungry and regulates appetite, -increases by 15 percent-, and any sort of diet goes out the window! - Fall asleep a little easier at night with the help of a melatonin supplement—-melatonin is naturally produced by the body-, but lack of sleep and exposure to too much light (ahem, like looking at your iPhone all day long) can deplete it in your system. Taking a supplement before bed will help you fall asleep more quickly, but won't leave you feeling drowsy. Break up with sugar—in every form - Excess sugar intake is the biggest cause of fat gain. Transformed by the liver into fat, you don't need to be guzzling granulated sugar by the spoonful to OD on the stuff—unfortunately, it's lurking in much of the food we eat and we don't even realize it. And it could be affecting your waistline in a big way. Sugar is more than just the stuff you bake with—-even alternative sweeteners- that we think are healthier actually have the same effect on blood sugar and the white stuff does. Cutting all sugar from your diet can be tough—the stuff is pretty addicting and has the -same effect on our brains as cocaine-—but it will make a huge difference in losing weight. Eat MORE fat - Yep, really. The 1980's brainwashed us into believing that eating low-fat was the easiest way to lose weight; but in reality, slapping a "fat-free" label on foods usually meant they contained more sugar, more sodium, more artificial flavors, but no fewer calories. It's become clear in recent years that not only is -saturated fat -not- a threat to heart health-, but eating healthy fats keeps bodies more satiated and energized. Want an easy way to kick start your metabolism in the morning and start burning fat from the moment you wake up? Try our easy -fat-burning smoothie-! - Get your gut health in check - The gut is often touted as the second brain. And just like when our brains aren't performing optimally, our body suffers, when gut health isn't in tip-top shape, it can take a serious toll on overall health and metabolism. Because the gut—what medical professionals call the stomach and small intestines—is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, it's possible that weight gain can happen if the body can't absorb the nutrients it needs from food. Try supplementing your diet with a daily probiotic. Often people who start using probiotics notice that -digestion- improves, and a happy side effect is weight loss. Not into swallowing pills? Increase your daily dose of fermented foods, which contain bacteria that's beneficial to gut health too. Start standing - Think about just how much you sit all day long—some days pretty much consist of walking from one chair to the next. Not only does that equal more back and neck pain, but it also brings the body's metabolic rate to a slow roll. Standing up for just three extra hours a day could help you -lose eight pounds a year-, while increasing the ability to focus, reducing the risk of diabetes, and even -reducing the risk of cancer. And if even the- White House is doing it-, shouldn't you? - Make 75 percent of your plate green - Next time you cook dinner, make sure half of your plate is piled high with green veggies. Why? These vegetables offer the body tons of nutrients in the form of antioxidants, fiber, and complex carbohydrates—and they're low in calories, so they'll fill you up. An added bonus? A lot of us never plate our meals, instead opting to eat out of a few containers—a scoop of peanut butter here, a couple crackers there, and handful of cheese cubes a few minutes later—and without a visual representation of what we've eaten, we tend to underestimate our fullness -and -calories ingested. Plating your food can help with portion control and will automatically make you more conscious of what you eat. You Might Also Like: - 5 'Healthy' Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss - 6 'Healthy' Foods You Should Avoid at All Costs

5 Ways to Bring Some Zen Into Your Desk and Your Work Life

support@wellness.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - 5 Ways to Bring Some Zen Into Your Desk and Your Work Life by Michelle Pellizzon

Illustration Credit: Karley Koenig, -Thrive Market - Stress is a natural part of most jobs—a little stress can motivate us to finish projects on time and come up with new ideas, but when the pressure becomes too great, it can take a serious toll on workers' health. Good news, though. You don't need to pop a Xanax to escape the anxiety from your job. The answer is far more simple—just get a little more organized. Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that the -more cluttered a person's desk was, the less they were able to focus at work-, which caused participants to feel the heat when it came time to perform on the job. Become more efficient—and way more zen—by giving your office a healthy makeover. Start with a clean slate - Best thing you can start with to declutter and de-stress your workspace? A clean desk. Most office workers spend seven to ten hours at work, with -one in five even eating lunch at their desk.- That means the average surface sees a lot of coughs, sneezes, coffee spills, and sandwich crumbs, making your workstation a breeding ground for bacteria. Exchange your sick days for a few more vacation days by keeping a germ-free work surface. Use a naturally -antibacterial wipe- to clean off your workspace if you don't have time to step out for lunch, and at the end of every day. Channel your energy - If you're feeling blocked and uninspired at work, rethink your workspace. By using feng shui at your desk, the Chinese practice of organizing objects for better energy flow in space, you can revitalize your office and increase productivity. Start by dividing the desktop into nine sections, starting in the top left corner and moving from left to right. Depending on what each area represents, organize and -place items in their ideal place. According to feng shui tradition-, - if you're single and interested in meeting someone, a single flower in the top right hand corner of your space can help spark romance. Want to boost your creativity? Place a blank sketchbook or notebook for new ideas on the right hand side of the desk—this area is directly related to inspiration and creativity! - Clean air, clear thoughts - In the 1970s, when designers and builders realized that they could cut energy and building costs by eliminating outside air ventilation, -office workers started complaining of rashes, itchy eyes, allergies, and all sorts of illnesses. Because fresh air was no longer being pumped into offices, indoor pollution became a huge issue. It was enough of a problem that NASA - researched some of the easiest ways to reduce indoor pollution-—and they examined the effects of houseplants on air quality. Their top picks? Aloe vera, which helps -filter formaldehyde and benzene- found in many industrial cleaning products , and the peace lily, which -rids the air of even the most volatile organic compounds. Both are relatively easy to take care of—even in low light situations—and can help even the dingiest office space feel brighter and more clear. Light up the room - We can all agree that those fluorescent overheads aren't the most flattering light source, but vanity may not be the only reason you should request a new lighting option. Researchers studied the effects of -lighting temperatures (cool versus warm) on men and women- working in an office. Turns out that if you don't like cool, white light, your long-term memory and problem-solving skills decrease dramatically when you're exposed to it. But if you're not a fan of fluorescent lights, typically there aren't a lot of feasible options for changing up your lighting source: Incandescent bulbs have been -phased out of production due- to their negative effect on the environment, and not everyone has the option to build a skylight. Instead, try a -salt lamp. Not only are they beautiful and an excellent way to create ambiance, but proponents of salt lamps also credit them for -clearing the air of toxins and improving mood. Workplace essentials - Whether your cubicle mate indulged in a stinky tuna sandwich for lunch or you're just having a difficult time focusing, essential oils can be a lifesaver at work. Proven to -affect mood and cognitive response in adults-, different essential oils can have serious effects on productivity and positivity in the workplace. If you need a moment to refocus, consider trying a few drops of rosemary oil on a cotton ball—it can help -memory retention, stave off headaches and mental fatigue, and even act as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Other beneficial essential oils that can help reinvigorate the entire office? -Lemon-,- peppermint-, and -grapefruit. For a more calming effect, try -lavender- or -ylang ylang. You Might Also Like: - Serenity Now: 10 Quick Ways to Zen-
-These Natural Cures Can Help You Beat Jet Lag Forever

Could Sitting at Work All Day Literally Be Killing You?

support@wellness.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Could Sitting at Work All Day Literally Be Killing You? by Michelle Pellizzon

Photo Credit: Steven Mileham via Flickr - Typical office workers spend as much as- 75 percent -of their day in a chair. Think about it: You sit in your car to drive to work, you sit at your desk, you sit in meetings, you sit at lunch, and you probably sit in front of the TV when you come home. Depressing, right? - Even if you hit the gym after work, an hour or so of exertion might not be enough to counteract the eight or more sedentary hours. Not only does sitting not burn any calories, but it -can also lead to- muscle degeneration, sluggish blood flow, and neck and back pain. It's no surprise, then, that people who sat for eight or more hours each day had a -15 percent higher risk of mortality. Luckily, medical researchers have a few suggestions that just might help us kick the sitting habit. New research published in the - British Journal of Sports Medicine - revealed that standing for just a few hours each day could be the solution to office workers' woes. Read Related Articles-
-The Dangers of Sitting All Day and 5 Things To Do About It-
-Sitting at a Desk All Day? (Do This Instead) - Experts recommended that cubicle dwellers spend two hours of their day standing and engaging in "light activities," like walking. Eventually, workers should scale up to standing or moving around for four hours every day. Looking for an excuse to get your daily movement in? Take a conference call while walking around the block or pacing your office. Get a standing desk, or raise your computer monitor so you can stand while typing. It's a win-win: You stay in better health, and your company gains a more productive employee.