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Snow and Charming know what’s up…
Love this.
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The final Stefon sketch from Saturday Night Live.
The Stefon bit was one of my favorites. I’m gonna miss him
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Me for the past three days!
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Paleo Banana Bread
After starting the paleo diet, I started craving the exact foods I wasn’t allowed to eat. This is my first...
Sex appeal, strength, beauty and yoga. Personally, I see nothing wrong with any of those things and the combination makes divine sense to me: I feel beautiful, sexy and strong whenever I practice yoga (though, I suppose that would depend on which way I’ve got my body twisted, if I’m in public with a hole in my crotch and whether or not I feel a fart coming on).
I’d seen this video awhile back, and had posted it on facebook. Videos like these do not scream ‘controversy’ to me: much of that has to do with my own sense of self, and acceptance of my body (typically, when things ‘irk’ us, it speaks to our our insecurities or fears: not necessarily the thing itself). I thought she looked stunning, and many of my friends/fans did too. Essentially, the video shows a woman practicing yoga, likely at home, and it showcases her incredible yoga body while she strikes many difficult poses. It’s certainly not unique, but like others that preceded it, it has garnered both admiration and criticism.
Let’s start with the obvious: the woman (Briohny Smyth) is truly mesmerizing to watch. She’s strong, practiced, has incredible control over her body and shows remarkable confidence while practicing yoga. When I watch her, I’m both inspired and in awe: I can’t do what she’s doing, and I envy her control and strength. As a regular yoga practitioner (who’s just okay), some of the poses she’s able to maintain truly blow me away.
Hey there,
Stretch marks are normal: almost everyone has them and some are more visible than others.
Proper hydration and moisturizing can help, and most stretch marks are visibly reduced over time. Stretch marks react like scars and can be treated with certain creams and lotions: but it’s not a guarantee they’ll go away. Vitamin E cream, a diet high in Vitamin C & A, and plenty of water can help naturally. If you’re not sure, talk to your dermatologist about what products they recommend.
Like elastic, skin stretches and if it’s stretched too much it doesn’t always bounce back to it’s original form. Loose skin & stretch marks can occur in those who are overweight, and tend to be more visible as we slim. Remember that skin is resilient, especially the younger you are, & it can take a few years for it to bounce back as much as it can on its own. Try not to focus on the parts you hate: focus on gaining muscle, strength and getting fit & healthy instead.
Importantly: stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed or, or to hide. They’re normal, common and almost every woman will have them at one point or another. Even thin people who’ve never been overweight have stretch marks, many women have them on their breasts, hips and thighs, and tummies. Not everyone will get them, and they are slightly genetic. Those with darker pigments may notice them more, but the bottom line is that they aren’t something you need to be worried about.
As for arm flab, the same rules apply as normal fat loss: we lose fat at the same rate everywhere. Women tend to have shallow ends and deep ends: your arms may be your deep end, which means it’s where your body loses fat the slowest. Adding muscle all over, eating clean, reducing your overall body fat percentage and lifting heavy can help dramatically, but it takes time and effort! Fat loss is a combination of diet, exercise and general health (sleeping enough, reducing stress and hydrating). You can’t spot reduce; you need to burn fat everywhere in order for your arms to slim down. Excess skin may be an issue, but you can still reduce fat and add muscle to tighten and tone.
Don’t stress about it too much! Just be as healthy and happy as you can. In the grand scheme of things, you’re perfectly normal. Models, athletes and celebrities all have stretch marks too. :)
xo
“Maybe She’s Born With It… Nah, I’m pretty sure it’s fotoshop”
This commercial isn’t real, neither are society’s standards of beauty.
This ad is a tongue and cheek look at the makeup/beauty commercials we see on television EVERY DAY. The only beauty secret that magazines can count on, is digital re-touching. Everyone has flaws, and celebrities are no different (the commercial highlights some pre & post celebrity photoshopping that the celebs themselves released).
If you’ve ever wondered why on earth we’re so obsessed with perfection, and why even the most gorgeous women in the world are still insecure about their bodies, THIS is why. Everything is retouched. Everything. Even photos you wouldn’t think need to be.
Full post here with behind the scenes: http://jesserosten.com/2012/fotoshop-by-adobe
This mask is loaded with natural exfoliating acids and antioxidants. It can brighten your skin, calm breakouts, and soften the appearance of fine lines and sun damage (from the summer!)
It’s also a great way to use all those leftover pumpkin GUTS lying around after you carve. :)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh pumpkin pulp
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon almond milk (for dry or combo skin - not necessary for oily)
- 1 teaspoon honey (for dry skin)
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice (if you have oily skin, use only the cranberry juice if you have really sensitive skin)
Preparation:
Purée the fresh pumpkin pulp into a thick paste. Add the egg (this acts as a binder). If your skin is dry, stir in a splash of omega-rich almond milk and the honey. For oilier complexions, instead stir in apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice. Mix well. Apply the mask, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, depending on your skin sensitivity. Rinse with cool water and moisturize as usual.
Hey there!
Glad I could help. I know my views on body image are different than most, but I choose to look at the root of the problem, and not engage in the blame game. I don’t find the blame game effective, and personally, I don’t think it helps anyone.
My bottom line: all women, all body types, all sizes can be beautiful, healthy and are ‘real’. Size zero exists. It does. So do sizes 1-44. Most models are chosen because of their specific body type and ability to maintain it (which sadly, for MANY, includes unhealthy behaviors). But there are models who are healthy, who are not anorexic, who are size zeros… and they were chosen for the industry because of it. Just like some gymnasts will excel because of their natural body types (taller isn’t ideal), some swimmers (longer arms), basketball players (again height) etc… they have a genetic (and I use the next term loosely) advantage.
There is a disparity in the industry though, I can’t deny it: there is a bias towards that teeny tiny body type. And tallness (I’m 5 foot 2, so modeling? Nope). It would be amazing and healthy for more body types to be represented: if you looked at fashion magazines, you’d assume that it was easy, normal and common for women to be able to attain those tiny sizes. The truth is, those women exist, but they represent less than 3% of the population. So yes, it would be nice if more body types were represented. But it would ALSO be nice if women started realizing that this was not an ideal that was attainable: it’s mostly genetics and/or unhealthy behaviors. Oh, and AFTER all that: photo-shopping. Even the thinnest of the thin in the fashion world (and sadly, even those who starve to be THINNER) are photoshopped for other purposes. They are not perfect. They have scars and birthmarks AND CELLULITE. And they also all have some genetic ADVANTAGE on their side. Literally, it’s INSANE to want to achieve the body types we see. Even the models aren’t achieving them, lol.
Diddy loves himself some booty. So much, that he’s making a new coffee table book dedicated to bum bums. I’ll rephrase: artistic bum bums.
Oh boy. Can you hear the sighs? Now.. if only ladies could love their OWN booties HALF AS much as Diddy.
The tagline? “The World Is No Longer Flat.” (even though I have my reservations about the book, this line made me giggle). Hey, I’m half Irish. Flat booty is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Neither is big booty. Hell, if you know me you know I FULLY believe ALL booties are beautiful.
Please read on to see the post about the Emmy’s that inspired my rant today. Well, I hesistate to call it a rant. I’d prefer to call it a long thought. A really long thought.
I won’t beat around the bush.
We need to stop telling people they need to eat a sandwich every time we think they’re too thin. That’s one. But what we really need to do is emphasize that it’s not okay to comment on other people’s bodies. We need some body acceptance up in here, because valuing ONE type over another (no matter what) is detrimental to us all.
I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but I find that it’s a subject that people have a hard time internalizing. I’ve seen girls like my posts on the topic, even reblogging them with a ‘hell yeah!’ and then a week later, start commenting on how someone looks. It is never helpful OR appropriate to comment on other people’s bodies. No matter what you’re intention is, valiant OR mean. The act in and of itself is detrimental.
Why you should keep your peep hole shut…
1. You don’t know if they’re healthy. Bottom line. You don’t KNOW. There’s no such thing as a healthy body type, only healthy bodies. And that’s between a girl and her doctor. You CAN be very thin and still be healthy (and you CAN have an eating disorder and not be thin). Many things affect weight, not just diet & exercise. Stress levels, physical & emotional states & more can cause weight loss: not just improper diet (depression, hormones etc…If people started commenting on how someone who’s depressed looked, believe me… DOESN’T MAKE THEM FEEL BETTER).
2. Sizes 0-3 DO exist. They do. It’s not average, but neither is being 6 foot 7, (and we know that exists). It’s common enough that one should never assume that someone is unhealthy based on general thinness (emaciation is entirely different, and characterized by other traits as well). Some people are perfectly healthy, as thin as they are, and shouldn’t be forced to gain weight to suit an ideal standard of beauty (same as how women who are larger shouldn’t lose to fit that standard).
3. Eating disorders are a matter of health & behavior. NOT LOOKS. Yes, one of the side effects of an eating disorder is being thinner. But many, MANY sufferers look normal, are overweight and range too widely in symptoms for thinness to be considered unhealthy in and of itself. Being thin does NOT an eating disorder make.
4. If they do have an eating disorder or body dysmorphia? Telling them they look gross (en mass, as witnessed at the Emmy’s) is NOT helping. In fact, telling someone with an eating disorder that they look disgusting is more likely to reinforce the disorder. It’s a bullying behavior, not helpful, to anyone. Way to go.
5. While it’s 100% true that eating disorders are a problem in Hollywood (and beyond), they have more to do with control, self-esteem & self-worth than we’re conditioned to think. Most girls with high self-esteem and a good sense of self-worth would not engage in such body destruction (seeking esteem, control and worth in doing so). While the magazines might IRK you, it’s what’s inside of YOU that will decide how you react to it.
6. Fight the right battle. Don’t use other people’s bodies as targets in your war on _______. What you’re fighting is what you’re fighting. If you want to promote healthy body images, eating & fitness… well promote it. Tearing someone down is NOT the way to do it. Like I said above, it’s social bullying. Picking on one person and using them as an example with ZERO factual basis discredits your cause. Don’t engage in it.
Some thoughtful takeaways…
When we put others down, we are generally trying to raise ourselves up. Whenever I hear comments putting women down for how they look, I almost ALWAYS wonder what’s happened to the person who’s making the comments. What’s going on in their head. Because truly secure individuals don’t need to tear other people down.
If it’s a matter of raising awareness about body image, body talking is REINFORCING the idea that looks matter, that judging someone is okay (anyone), and that there is an ideal standard of beauty. It’s counter productive and horrifying to tell one group that they’re accepted and another not. Fight the right battle: if you’re concerned about body image, you need to be focused on sending the message that ALL bodies are beautiful. Not just the ones you decide are beautiful. (Ummm… hello!!!). Promote positivity, go after unhealthy BEHAVIORS, single out theories and find ways to make the situation better.
How you feel about others is between YOU and YOUR self-esteem. - Fit Mama Training
Now, it’s pretty much almost completely socially unacceptable to call someone fat. It happens, but usually there’s OUTRAGE that follows. There’s an unspoken girl on girl solidarity when it comes to making sure that when someone’s called fat, we rise up on their behalf. But what happens when someone’s too ‘thin’? The solidarity is gone. We don’t want to question the fact that we know nothing about her health and we don’t want to defend her: she’s not as worthy of our solidarity. And she becomes a causality because of it.
When I recently(-ish) lost weight (the healthy way… had an unhealthy bout earlier on), I didn’t have the support of a few of my friends (granted, I was a little nuts the first time around, but this time I was even steven doing it right). Regardless, they started rumors about me, unable to accept that I had lost weight through diet & exercise. Rumors about eating disorders and starving myself (which weren’t true). I’d go out of my way to eat crap in front of people so the rumors would stop: I was playing into them instead of ignoring them like I should. Either way, it was hurtful. They had no right to comment on my body. But then I realized that it wasn’t about me. If they were really concerned, they wouldn’t have started rumors. It was about them. It had ZERO to do with me. So it became easier to ignore it.
Tips to those who are being pressured by others to look a certain way…
1. 99.99% of the time, their comments have NOTHING to do with you. How they feel about your body is between them and their self-esteem. Repeat this as often as possible and try to develop some compassion for them. This will help you deal with them better.
2. If possible, let them know that it’s hurtful. Sometimes people make comments without realizing that you’re a PERSON. They might not mean to, so without getting defensive (you have no reason to be), let them know that they’re comments hurt. This might help them become more aware of what they’re actually doing.
3. On some occasions, they might be confusing health and body type… but on some occasions they might be right. A sudden drop in weight can be a sign of a health PROBLEM. Sometimes we don’t know when we’re getting unhealthy, especially if it’s stress/hormone related. Ask yourself: am I eating enough? Have I been stressed out? Is it more than one person making comments (more than one from more than one group? Family, friends, teachers, co-workers etc). Is the person concerned about your BEHAVIOR (mentioning eating HABITS, not just your appearance). Sometimes this is a wake-up call. While I don’t think it’s okay to comment on bodies, I don’t think it’s okay to be unhealthy either. Open up, be self-aware and be willing to take a look at yourself if needed.
DISCLAIMER: This is a post for HEALTHY individuals who might not fit the mold of what’s considered ideal beauty. If people are concerned about your HEALTH, that’s one thing. Your body is another. The two shouldn’t be confused. Health is about disease & behavior. Only in extreme cases should how thin you are be a factor in someone else deciding you’re healthy.
Other Fit Villains posts on body image…
Stop the bad body talk… and body talk all together.
Please think before you speak! We need more body loving up in this bitch… No more hate. No one should be told what they should look like.
Loved this post today. It reflects everything I’ve mentioned above. Excerpt from: “Hey Emmy Viewers! Quit Telling Actresses To Eat A Sandwich”
During last night’s Emmy telecast, I was following the conversation on Twitter. I liked the real-time reactions of everyone from friends to professional entertainment reporters as awards were handed out and truly terrible music played. But there was one recurring theme that really started to bother me: people giving unsolicited eating/nutrition advice to actresses, specifically telling some thin women to “eat a sandwich.” While Julie Bowen was winning an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her work on Modern Family, Twitter lit up with jokes about how her breasts looked saggy (“Maybe she should have won for least-supported actress!”) or how thin she looked. Instead of celebrating Bowen for her achievement or her hard work, too many people chose to focus on her looks.
As a person who has always been on the thin side because of genetics, I know that many people have a hard time feeling sorry for people who have trouble putting weight on. In my late 20s, my permanently-bony look started to go away and I was able to reach a comfortable body weight that didn’t make me self-conscious all the time. But I’ve definitely been told to “eat a sandwich” or “eat a cheeseburger” by people who have no idea what my exercise and nutrition are like, and it’s hurtful. While it’s no secret that women in Hollywood feel enormous pressure to be thin and some develop eating disorders, it’s wrong to assume that every thin woman just needs to eat a sandwich in order to magically cure her body image issues or gain those last few pounds. Imagine if the tables were turned and someone snapped at Christina Hendricks or Melissa McCarthy (also a winner last night) to “eat a salad!” I think those people would be quickly called out and reprimanded for calling those actresses fat, as well they should be. But promoting positive body image means promoting positive body image for everyone, not just for people who look the way you think it’s acceptable to look. I have a hard time imagining a person struggling with body dysmorphia or an eating disorder hearing a stranger’s cry to eat a sandwich and suddenly having a life-changing revelation.
I often find that the same people shouting “eat a sandwich!” at women on TV are the same ones who bemoan the lack of women’s solidarity in the entertainment industry. Focusing on achievement and talent over looks, even if you think someone’s unhealthy, is a good way to reverse that trend.
Read More: http://blisstree.com/look/hey-emmys-viewers-quit-telling-actresses-to-eat-a-sandwich-677/
Tip: Plan a salad before you get this facial mask ready! You’ll only need about a tablespoon of cucumber for the mask, which means plenty left over.
Not only will this mask moisturize your skin, it will also reduce inflammation, puffiness & redness in your face.
Did you know: the term ‘cool as a cucumber’ has been around since the 1700’s.
Ingredients
- Cucumber (just a few slices - plan to use the rest in a salad)
- Parsley (about a tablespoon)
- Plain yogurt (about a tablesppon)
Why It Works
Cucumbers contain compounds known to tighten pores and reduce inflammation, which is why they’re the classic choice for minimizing puffiness around the eyes.
How It Works
Blend/puree all ingredients together until creamy. Rub on your face & leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with water.
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Natural Beauty - Avocado mask
This one’s easy! All you need is 1-2 slices of peachy goodness. Have the rest as a snack while you make your skin nice & smooth. :)
Via MNN.com
Why It Works
Peaches are rich sources of skin-renewing alpha-hydroxy fruit acids, which get rid of dead cells, and vitamins A and C to nourish new ones. Peach juice helps unblock pores, fight blemishes and may even lighten age spots and minimize wrinkles. Its astringent, toning effects are especially effective for oily skin.
How To Make It
For a simple skin pick-me-up, cut a slice of a juicy peach and massage the flesh on your face. Leave the juice on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Or rub the inside of the skins of a peach on your face for a few minutes at bedtime and let the juice absorb overnight.
Mango-Peach Frozen Treats - 40 calories
Don’t throw out those avocado peels! Because you don’t need a lot of avocado to get the moisturizing benefit, the small amounts left over on the peels are usually enough for your whole face.
The best time to moisturize is when your skin’s already exfoliated, so try this recipe after you’ve scrubbed those dead skin cells off.
Natural Beauty - Strawberry Exfoliant
Ingredients: Only Avocado. Peels should suffice
Why It Works
Loaded with vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as potassium and fat, avocado is the perfect moisturizer. This natural soother is ideal for mature and weather-worn skin, reducing roughness, cracking and irritation. The oil found in the peel of the avocado contains a humectant, a substance that locks in moisture.
How To Make It
Take a spent avocado peel and using gentle upward strokes, lightly massage your face with the inside of the peel. You can either leave on as a nighttime moisturizer or, for daytime, wash your face with it gently, rinsing three or four times with warm water; pat dry.
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Natural Beauty - Strawberry Exfoliant Natural Beauty - Onion & Oatmeal Puree Facial Mask Easy ‘Feet Treat’ - Refreshing Mint Soak
Now that summer’s almost done, this recipe seems a tad more appealing (although it’s cheaper in the summer, I prefer wearing these masks outside. The thought of wasps/bees/bugs getting all excited to be around my face totally turns me off).
Wear an old T-shirt before trying this recipe (or something you don’t mind getting dirty). Strawberry stains can be tough to get out, so if you get any on you, rinse & wash right away.
You can use this goop on your face, body or even on bikini zones: it can minimize ingrown hairs & remove dead skin cells. ATTENTION FELLAS: This exfoliant is perfect for you too! It’s great for sensitive shaved skin and can prevent breakouts.
Tip for Vegans: Make recipe with molasses instead of honey, but expect it to be a little more sticky.
Ingredients: Strawberries (about 8-9 medium sized, or 4-5 larger) & honey (molasses if vegan). Makes 2 mask mixtures.
Why It Works:Each strawberry packs a mighty dose of exfoliating vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids, which help remove dirt and dead skin cells. AHAs also help reduce pore size and minimize ingrown hairs due to shaving, especially important for men. Perfect for oily skin, strawberries improve texture, minimize greasiness, and encourage a healthy, radiant complexion.
How To Make It: With a fork, mash strawberries into a paste. Add 3 tbsp of honey & mix. (Be sure not to over blend or the mask will be runny.) Apply directly to your skin and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse off with water.
Not really… but she does go pretty much makeup free.
Rather refreshing!
Are you guys on the Beauty Bean yet?
Great tips, motivation and wonderfully natural recipes to keep you looking and feeling your best.
It’s been a watermelon kind of a summer, and lately I’m hitting sales all over the place (tangent: carrying home 3-4 watermelons on a 15 minute walk? Fabulous cardio). Loved seeing this article in my feed this morning!
5 Do It Yourself Facial Mask Recipes featuring Watermelon.
Watermelon Facial Masks Recipes: 5 DIY Facials For Every Skin Type via The Beauty Bean
Watermelon isn’t just a juicy summer treat. Rather, it’s also a great skin saver for (almost) any skin condition from sun damage to blemishes and everything in between! With its 93% water content and its multi-vitamin combination of vitamins A, B6 and C, it will not only hydrate your skin, but also repair and protect your skin too. Follow the below recipes to see how to make watermelon juice work best for your particular skin needs.
For sun damaged skin Soak cotton pads with fresh watermelon juiceand apply to any sunburned areas. Let the juice sit on your skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
Make this watermelon salad recipe too!
For glowing, softer skin Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon plain Greek Yogurt. The lactic acid and enzymes in the yogurt will help gently exfoliate and purify while the watermelon hydrates and heals. Apply the mask to your face and neck for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
For aging skin Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of mashed avocado. The avocado is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps plump the skin, as well as vitamin C and vitamin E, which act as antioxidants for a powerful anti-aging combination. Apply to your face and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Have leftover champagne? Make these skin treatments too!
For dry skin mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon organic honey. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it will help bring moisture deep into your skin, making the watermelon juice work double duty in hydrating your skin. Apply to your face and let sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
For inflamed, acne-prone skin Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of mashed Banana. The banana, which contains vitamins B2, B6 and B12, will help to reduce skin inflammation while simultaneously making the skin supple and soft all as the watermelon works its magic too as an oil-free moisturizer. Apply to your face and let sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
I love The Beauty Bean! Visit the site for more natural & easy beauty tips…
I think it’s funny that even after we try everything, know it doesn’t work & spend money on the most expensive creams that we STILL don’t know that most beauty products are just hope in a jar. $35 hope in a jar. And that’s what we buy.
This is today’s weigh-in! Add your thoughts please!
Going through the archives, thought you might like some beauty recipes for a change!
Being beautiful is all in your head. These recipes are natural, good for your skin health, good for the environment and fun to do with friends! (I’m a big fan of the mask myself).
Enjoy your weekend!
Rejeuvenate Your Balls - Eye Puffiness Reduction Mask
Do It Yourself SPA - Exfoliating Mask Recipe (vegan)
