Blog | resveralife

July 27, 2015 by Mayank

Healthy Meals for Kids

The end of summer is in sight and the stores are packed full of every school supply imaginable. Back to school time usually means that your schedule is fuller and far more hectic than the relaxed days of summer. With all of the running around from school to karate to dance lessons to buy groceries, meal times can become increasingly difficult. Resist the temptation to give into easy, unhealthy options and consider these great meals that are easy to cook, and are perfect for your kids.

Salmon burgers.

Salmon Burgers
Give red meat a rest and serve your kids the burgers they love with the nutrition they need. These quick and easy salmon burgers are ready in under 30 minutes, making them the perfect busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

1 can (14.75 oz) salmon – drained and flaked
1 egg
¾ cup rolled oats
½ onion – diced
½ lemon
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

First, open and drain the can of salmon. Flake the salmon and be sure that no bones remain. Dice ½ onion and squeeze the juice from the ½ lemon. Next, mix the salmon, oats, onion, egg, Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Mix until ingredients until they are evenly combined then divide and separate into 4 patties. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry until salmon is cooked through (roughly 5-7 minutes per side).

Buffalo chicken wrap.

Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Get the taste of wings with serving of veggies with this super quick and easy meal. This recipe is especially great for using leftover chicken in a tasty and fun way.

Ingredients

1 cup chicken breast – shredded
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup juilenned celery
1 cup shredded lettuce
½ cup sharp Cheddar cheese
¼ cup buffalo style hot sauce
4 whole grain tortillas

Cook rice according to package directions – you can make this step quicker and easier by using a ready rice that takes only minutes to cook. Combine the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Place ¼ cup of brown rice on each tortilla and spread across the tortilla, leaving about ½ inch of space. Add ¼ cup chicken to each tortilla and add the sliced carrots and celery. Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese on top of the vegetables and top with shredded lettuce. Fold wrap and roll the wraps and you’re ready to eat. If desired you can serve with bleu cheese or ranch dressing. You can also eliminate the tortillas from this recipe and simply serve a buffalo chicken salad (add more lettuce).

Hummus pizza.

Hummus Pizza
Everyone loves a good slice of pizza, but it isn’t exactly the most nutritious choice to make for your family. For a healthier alternative, make this veggie packed pizza.

Ingredients

1 pre-made pizza crust
1 cup hummus
2 tablespoons black olives – sliced
1 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
½ cup sliced onions
1 cup broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place crust on a baking stone or sheet. Spread the hummus evenly across the crust. Arrange the vegetables over the hummus top with the cheese. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes – until cheese bubbles and crust appears golden-brown.

Healthy meals don’t have to be boring. When you whip up one of these healthy alternatives to food favorites, your kids are sure to enjoy their dinner while you enjoy providing them with added health.

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July 25, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Eat Well: Wine to Pair with Summer BBQs

The summer has not come to an end yet; you still have plenty of time to gather your family and friends for a great backyard barbecue. Whether grilling or preparing real, smoked barbecue, an informal gathering for great food, drink and company is welcome. The beverages of choice commonly associated with backyard barbecues are lemonade, soft drinks, iced tea and beer. Wine is often left out of the barbecue festivities because it can be hard to know what wine to pair with what food you’re making. The first rule of wine pairing is to eat and drink what you like. After all, your enjoyment is the most important aspect of having wine with your favorite foods. However, Resveralife does have several general suggestions when it comes time to uncork your wine bottles and fire up the grill.

Pork brisket on a grill.

Brisket
The Texas staple when it comes to barbecue, beef brisket is definitely a great barbecue food. Often made with a dry rub, brisket begins very fatty but the fat is rendered off of the meat during the smoking process. Because brisket tends to have dry rubs full of spice (and perhaps a hint of sugar) and true brisket is served without sauce, the wine you pair with it needs to be rich and full. A Cabernet Sauvignon is a great pairing for brisket because it features earthy, complex flavors. If you want something that plays perfectly off of the smoky taste of the brisket, consider a Shiraz, which also has earthy notes but also a slight smokiness.

Chicken on a grill.

Grilled Chicken
Chicken, because it is a light meat, is often paired with white wines. Perhaps the most common chicken/white wine pairing is Chardonnay. You can easily enjoy a Chardonnay, just be sure that smooth and dry and not overly buttery. If you’re looking to be a bit more adventurous with your wine, consider reds like a Shiraz or Zinfandel. These two wines pair particularly well if your grilled chicken happens to be smothered in a mouth-watering barbecue sauce. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and medium-dry Rieslings are also popular pairings for grilled chicken.

Grilled Chicken Burger.

Burgers
The staple of many grilling get-togethers, burgers do not necessarily scream “eat me with wine.” More often it’s beer that will accompany a burger, but think outside the box and consider wine. If you are looking to enjoy a red wine with your juicy burger, look to a Zinfandel. Many Zinfandels are full, ripe and have hints of fruits like blackberry. If you would prefer to enjoy a white wine, consider a Sauvignon Blanc, particularly from New Zealand. These wines are full of an herb flavor in combination with tropical fruits, so the wine does not overpower the burger or vice versa.

Vegetables on a grill.

Grilled Vegetables
Typically meat is the star at a barbecue, but if you have vegetarian friends (or just want some tasty veggies), you can load up your grill with vegetables. Again, because vegetables are light, you are going to most likely select a white wine to pair with your veggies. A Chardonnay may not be the first thing you would think of because many have strong notes of oak. However, there are Chardonnays that feature perfect summer fruits like cantaloup, pineapple and lime. If you want to be a bit more exotic with your pairing, try a Gruner Veltliner white. This is comparable to a Sauvignon Blanc but gives a nice change of pace. Veltliner works excellently with grilled vegetables with notes of green pepper and lime.

Your summer barbecue does not have to stock only coolers full of beer. Enhance your barbecue experience by pairing wines with your foods. And remember, the most important rule in pairing wines with foods is to drink what you like!

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July 24, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: Are Wine Baths Good for You

So from reading the title, you might think we’ve gone a bit crazy with our love of wine. While we do love wine, and all of its benefits, we aren’t crazy on this one. Resveralife did some research to discover whether the luxurious spa treatment known as the wine bath is indeed beneficial for your health and skin.

Red Wine
By now you know that the antioxidants in red wine provide your body with some health benefits. One of the most talked about (and our favorite!) antioxidant found in red wine is resveratrol. The resveratrol found in red wine helps lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, prevents damage to you blood vessels and works to prevent blood clots.

So why red wine? Resveratrol is found in the skin of all grapes, so there is an amount in white or blush wines. However, because the grapes are fermented longer with the skins on, there is a higher level of resveratrol in red wine.

Why a Wine Bath?
Perhaps you’ve joked before about how you would bathe in wine if you could, and now you can. But why would you want to? The practice of bathing in wine is known as vinotherapy and is said to boost circulation while healing and helping the body recovery from stress. Professional basketball player, Amar’e Stoudermire of the New York Knicks, is pretty outspoken about how beneficial vinotherapy, or red wine baths, have been for him. He gets vinotherapy at a spa in New York City weekly with a very hot red wine bath, with the red wine being diluted by water. Stoudmermire says he will continue to receive treatments because his entire body, in particular his legs, feel completely rejuvenated after soaking in the bath.

Wine glass and candles next to a bathtub.

Should You Try a Wine Bath?
Only if you really, really want to. While it is entirely possible that a red wine bath helps with feelings of rejuvenation and renewed health, you are more likely to receive the antioxidant benefits by just drinking a glass of your favorite red wine. Many of the beneficial ingredients in red wine are known as phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds do provide great health benefits, but they do not penetrate the skin well.

If that’s the case, then why bother using any skin care containing phenolic antioxidant compounds? Phenolic compounds can penetrate the skin, but require a bit of time to do so. Chances are a red wine bath lasts about 30 minutes maximum, but when you put on a well formulated day cream or serum, you give the phenolic compounds time to fully penetrate and sink into the skin.

Red wine baths are certainly intriguing and may be a luxurious way to indulge yourself. However, they are more about relaxing than providing serious skin care or health benefits. To really experience the benefits of resveratrol and the other antioxidants present in red wine, it is best to use superior quality skin care products, or take your daily dose in the form of our capsules. And don’t forget, you can always enjoy a glass of red wine!

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July 24, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Eat Well: Summer Fruit Smoothies Full of Antioxidants

We’ve focused on antioxidant-rich foods this week, so we figured we would give you some ways to enjoy them! Smoothies are a great way to increase your uptake of antioxidants and get the health benefits berries, and other fruits, have to offer. All of these smoothie recipes are high in antioxidants, taste great and are super quick and easy to make. (Note: all of these smoothie recipes yield one serving)

Cranberry Berry Smoothie.

Cranberry Berry Smoothie
For a festive pink drink, this smoothie is quite healthy.

Ingredients

½ cup cranberry juice
¼ cup fresh (or frozen) raspberries
¼ cup fresh (or frozen) strawberries
¼ cup Greek-style vanilla (or honey) yogurt

Throw your ingredients into your blend and blend until a smooth texture has been reached. For added fun, throw a few fresh raspberries on top or place a strawberry on the rim of your glass.

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie.

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie
This smoothie is perfect for any time of day (we love it for breakfast!). This smoothie combines the antioxidants found in blueberries and pomegranates for a delicious treat.

Ingredients

½ cup of fresh (or frozen) blueberries
¼ cup and 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice
¼ cup rolled oats
¼ almond milk
¼ cup Greek-style plain yogurt
½ teaspoon stevia (powder form…7 drops in liquid form)
dash of cinnamon

Add all ingredients to your blender and blend until a smooth texture has been reached. Usually, it takes about 2 minutes to get the consistency just right, but depending on your blender and ingredients it may take more or less time.

Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie.

Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
The classic combination of kiwi and strawberry comes together in a healthy, antioxidant-rich fruit smoothie.

Ingredients

½ cup fresh (or frozen) strawberries
½ banana
½ kiwi
¼ cup Greek-style plain or vanilla yogurt (for a zestier taste try a citrus flavored yogurt)
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon raw honey

Peel the kiwi and banana and slice both in half. Add all of your ingredients to a blender and blend until you have a smooth consistency.

Berry Chocolate Smoothie

Berry Chocolate Smoothie
Want to indulge your sweet tooth but keep it healthy? This smoothie not only is packed with antioxidants and includes a chocolate taste, it also gives you the benefits of dark, leafy greens.

Ingredients

½ cup shredded kale
¼ cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries
¼ cup fresh (or frozen) raspberries
¼ cup and 2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk
1 and ½ teaspoons cocoa powder (unsweetened is best)
1 tablespoon organic maple syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
pinch of salt

Add everything to your blender and blend until smooth. If using fresh berries, you may want to include a bit of ice. Adjust the level of cocoa powder and maple syrup to your tastes.

Smoothies are the perfect summer treat, especially when fresh fruit is at its peak. Experiment with different smoothie combinations to make one of your very own antioxidant rich smoothie. Blend one up for a quick breakfast before work or unwind at the end of the day with a sweet, and healthy, treat.

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July 21, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Eat Well: Zinfandel Food Pairing Guide

Zinfandel wines are often juicy, delicious, a bit hardy and have a good acidity to them. However, these wines also feature a very distinctive set of descriptors that can make it difficult to know how to pair foods with Zinfandel. Resveralife did some digging and we have come up with several pairings that can help bring out the best in your favorite Zinfandel.

Wine bottle and glass on a wooden table.

Zinfandel Information
The Zinfandel grape came to America by way of Austria sometime around 1820. Zinfandel grapes are considered the most “American” grape, partly because these grapes are the only grapes used by American vineyards that do not originate in France.

Zinfandel wines are considered a cult classic and have very unique flavor profiles. Many Zinfandel wines include the flavors of blackberries, sweet cherries, figs and spice. The wines produced from the Zinfandel grape range from robust and elegant to bright and lively. With such domineering flavors, Zinfandel wines provide a problem when it comes to pairing with food.

Food Pairings
Ultimately the food selections you make for pairing with Zinfandel will depend upon the specific Zinfandel you have chosen, but there are several general guidelines that help determine what foods to pair your Zinfandel with.

Meat and red wine.

Meats
Zinfandels pair extremely well with meat. Because Zinfandel has such a strong taste, you can pair this wine with hearty meals. Barbecue ribs are an excellent meat to accompany a Zinfandel. Grill some Italian sausages and enjoy with peppers and onions. If you are looking for a heavy meal, try pairing a Zinfandel with a lamb stew. You could also prepare your favorite burger with high-quality beef as the star next to Zinfandel.

Assortment of wine and cheeses

Cheeses
The type of cheeses that you can pair with Zinfandels vary from mild cheeses such as mozzarella to a sharper cheese such as smoked Swiss cheese. Parmesan pairs well with a variety of Zinfandels as do aged cheddar, aged gouda or asiago cheese. Lighter Zinfandels pair well with milder cheeses such as brie, mild cheddar and gouda cheeses. For Zinfandels that have a bigger, bold flavor, look for cheeses that are robust like cheddar or aged gruyere. Some Zinfandels feature a heavy flavor of spice. These pair best with cheeses like havarti and gorgonzola.

Pasta and red wine.

Pastas
Light Zinfandels pair extremely well with pasta dishes that feature creamy sauces while bolder Zinfandels work best with dishes that are tomato based. If you are drinking a big tasting Zinfandel, try hearty pasta dishes like lasagna and spaghetti bolognese. A lighter Zinfandel works well with a creamy macaroni and cheese featuring a mild cheddar cheese.

Though Zinfandel wines are not the most popular, in part due to the fact that they make for difficult pairings, they do have a very loyal following. It may take a bit of experimenting until you figure out which Zinfandels pair with certain dishes, but creativity and enjoying new tastes is all a part of the process. Grab a bottle of your favorite Zinfandel and head to your kitchen to try pairing your wine with a great meal.

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July 17, 2015 by Mayank

Next Level Healthy Ideas

Your health is critical to your quality of life. When you are in poor physical health you are more likely to be in poor mental health as well. You know the basics of living a healthy lifestyle; diet and exercise. You need to nourish your body not just dump food into you and if you aren’t moving, your body doesn’t work at peak efficiency. If you are already leading a pretty healthy lifestyle consisting of a healthy, nutritious diet and plenty of activity, you may want some ideas on how to take your health to the next level.

Different types of juices on a wooden table.

Consider a Cleanse
A cleanse is not for everyone but for some it can be a great way to jump-start weight loss. Additionally, cleanses are designed to remove unwanted toxins from the body. There are a multitude of cleanses from juice cleanses to cabbage soup cleanses. Do a bit of detective work to find a cleanse you have the willpower to stick with, because a cleanse does you no good if you don’t follow through.

Vegetarian dish.

Go Vegetarian
Hear us out before you get too upset about losing your bacon. Studies definitely support the idea that a plant-based diet is capable of providing your body with all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that it needs. However, if you aren’t ready to give up meat, consider following a vegetarian diet one day each week. If you are interested in taking your vegetarian diet even further, take it to the next level and go vegan. A vegan diet differs from a vegetarian diet as it includes absolutely no animal products, so cheese and dairy are out. If you are vegan already and you want to up your health game, go raw. A raw foods diet can be difficult to adjust to, but it is an excellent way to eat for your health.

Resveratrol Capsules from Vine Vera.

Think About Supplements
The market is absolutely flooded with vitamins, minerals and supplements designed to take your health to the next level. If you are eating a quality diet with plenty of fresh produce, you really should be getting all of the nutrients you need from your food. However, if you want to add a little oomph, consider supplements. Our resveratrol capsules feature a proprietary blend of antioxidants such as resveratrol, green tea and acai to keep you at maximum health. Not only are our resveratrol supplements great for your general physical health, but they are also incredible for your skin.

Living a healthy lifestyle does not mean that you have to exercise like crazy every day or follow the strictest of diets. Rather, taking care of your health means being more active (like taking the stairs instead of the escalator) and eating a diet full of varieties of fresh produce and lean meats (unless you’re vegetarian/vegan). Adding strength training to your cardiovascular exercise is a great way to increase your health. If you’re already doing both, consider trying something new like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or relax while you improve your body with yoga. Following a good diet and exercise regime promises a healthy, happy life.

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July 15, 2015 by Mayank

Resveralife Investigates Skin Care Brushes

You’ve finally developed a skin care routine that works for you. You have your products, and the ingredients in them, specially chosen to address your specific skin concerns and you are faithful to your cleansing routine. That’s pretty much all you can do for your skin, right? Nope. If you want to take skin care to the next level, consider the use of skin care brushes.

Skin care brushes have become increasingly popular since the Clarisonic turned from a cult beauty product to a mainstream must-have. But is it really worth the price tag? And can is really work on all skin types? Fortunately companies hopped on the skin care brush bandwagon quickly, so there are numerous options for different skin types and different price points. Should you invest in one? We’ve done some research and the answer is….maybe.

In an article published by The Huffington Post, dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad states that cleansing brushes can work, but one needs to be careful. Why do you need to exercise caution while cleansing your face? Dr.Dennis Gross explains, that overuse of these products could lead to excessive dryness, broken capillaries, redness, irritation and sensitivity. If such issues occur, one needs to alter usage or stop immediately.

Cleansing brushes can be incredibly beneficial to your skin. They help with exfoliation, they penetrate the pores more deeply than your fingers can and they help treatments like serums or oils absorb more quickly, and better, into your skin. However, the problem is that with these devices there is some danger in irritating your skin. Experts recommend using skin care brushes a few times a week to avoid completely drying your skin out. If you really can’t go a day without your brush, use it at night to completely remove makeup, sebum and other daily debris from your face.

Woman using a skin care brush to cleanse her skin.

In addition to not using skin care brushes too frequently, Dr. Dennis Gross warns that the brush heads should be well maintained in order to remain as effective as possible. You can keep your brush free from acne-causing bacteria by using soap and water to wash it. If you want to provide a bit of a deeper clean, you can use alcohol to cleanse the brush head and don’t forget that the brush heads do need to be replaced every couple of months.

So do skin care brushes live up to the hype? They can, but there are several conditions that you should keep in mind before investing in a costly skin care brush. Do not buy it planning to use every single time you wash your face, because in this instance the brush is far more likely to cause damage rather than help you get the best looking skin possible. Also, do not forget to sanitize the brush heads frequently (once a week depending on how often you use the brush) and change them out for new ones every few months. Skin care brushes can help you take your skin care routine to a whole new level, but they must be used with caution.

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July 13, 2015September 1, 2017 by Mayank

How to Take Your Skin Care to the Next Level

Taking good care of your skin is important in all stages of life. Everyone wants a beautiful, radiant and clear complexion, but sometimes it can seem absolutely impossible to achieve. The first step in taking good care of your skin is a routine that includes washing, toning (if necessary), exfoliating, moisturizing and always applying your sunscreen. Next, remember that what you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your skin. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help improve your skin’s level of clarity and radiance. If you are looking to up your skin care game, and take it to the next level, we have some great ideas for doing so.

Dermatologist examining a woman's face.

Consult a Professional
You go to a doctor when you have other problems with your body, so why not when you are having skin issues? Your skin is the largest organ of your body and provides the first line of defense against damage. A dermatologist can assess your skin and provide you with products or treatments that target your specific areas of concern. It can be especially beneficial to see a dermatologist if you are concerned with sun damage, premature aging and acne.

If you have relatively clear skin and want to treat it to some extra TLC, make appointments for facials with an esthetician. These facials typically involve warmth to open your pores, a mask or other treatment and professional pimple extraction. Like a dermatologist, your esthetician can provide treatments and products that address what you are most worried about when it comes to your skin. An additional treatment that can be especially helpful for wrinkles and fine lines is a facial massage. A facial massage generally provides extra moisture and is a great way to pamper your skin while relaxing.

Take Supplements
You may already take supplements meant to improve your overall health and well-being, but have you considered looking into supplements for your skin? We have several suggestions for supplements that can help skin tremendously. Take your skin care to the next level by nourishing your skin from the inside out.

Resveratrol Capsules from Vine Vera.

Resveratrol Capsules
Our Resveralife Resveratrol capsules are formulated with ingredients that target and treat a wide array of skin care concerns. Our unique blend includes antioxidants such as resveratrol, green tea, pomegranate and acai. In addition, it contains enzymes to remove toxins and grape seed extract to help build healthy skin.

Vitamin B3 capsule

Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is particularly helpful if you struggle with acne. Forms of this vitamin include niacin and niacinamide. This vitamin supplement could be replaced by tweaking the diet to include more vitamin B3 rich foods such as eggs, green vegetables, meat and milk. Additionally, while you can certainly supplement your diet with this vitamin, preliminary research suggests that this is a skin care component that works most effectively when applied topically.

Salmon with green leafy vegetables.

Lifestyle Changes
In an ideal world, everyone would have the perfectly balanced nutritious diet and an active exercise regimen. However, we don’t live in a perfect world so we have to make do with the best we can. When it comes to skin care and your diet, be sure that you are eating a significant amount of fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that are absolutely essential to great skin such as vitamin B, C, A and E in addition to other antioxidants. To increase your intake of resveratrol through diet, add a glass of red wine to your evening.

Woman going for an evening walk

Exercise does not have to be going to the gym and doing an insane amount of work, it can be as simple as cleaning your house or going for a walk. You do need to be sure that you get moving and active at least three times a week, though many doctors recommend five days per week of moderate cardiovascular activity.

Taking great care of your skin pays off in so many ways. You will more confident about your appearance and more likely to get other areas of your body as healthy as your skin. Try adding some of the ideas to your skin care routine and watch the clarity and natral radiance of your skin improve

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July 11, 2015 by Mayank

Don't Skip Good Habits on Vacation

You pay good attention to your health by eating well, exercising and taking great care of your skin. However, once you are taken out of your normal environment and are free of rigid schedules while on vacation, it can be so difficult to maintain your good habits. The following tips will help you stay on track during your vacation.

Woman jogging in a beach.

Live Well
Exercise may be the very last thing that you want to do but if you continue to exercise while on vacation, it makes getting back to your regular routine so much easier. If you have an entire gym routine that relies on equipment, you may find that you have to wait until you get back home to do everything you normally do. The great thing about vacation is that you likely are excited to spend time exploring your destination. Rather than hopping on a bus or into a cab, walk as much as possible. This benefits you in two ways; you are maintaining regular exercise and you will almost certainly find shops or eateries that you would otherwise miss and pass right by. Additionally, if you end up making purchases, carrying your items home can count as a bit of strength training. Another way to add a bit of movement into your day is to always opt for taking the stairs. Elevators and escalators are so tempting, but walking up and down stairs will burn calories and help you stay fit. If you feel really motivated to workout, you can always look up hotels with fitness equipment and stay there or search for a local place to workout such as a yoga studio.

Dishes served in a fine dining restaurant.

Eat Well
One of life’s greatest pleasures is eating and going to a new place is often culinary bliss. You should definitely be looking for food and drinks that are unique to the region you are in, but be careful not to overindulge. Rather than ordering full sizes of rich and heavy dishes, order a half size or try several small plates of appetizers. Same goes for dessert, when possible of course. Sampling allows you to try all of the local flavors without feeling super guilty and making it hard to go back to a healthy diet at home. However, in the event that you do indulge your food cravings (new foods are so fun and exciting!) you can always put in a little bit of extra walking.

Woman sunbathing in a beach

Look Well
Taking good care of your skin is extra important on vacation as methods of travel can remove moisture from your skin (specifically airplane travel) and new environmental concerns may upset your skin as well. The first thing you need to remember is to always apply your sunscreen. Not only are UV rays incredibly harmful to your health, but getting a bad sunburn on vacation is never fun. Next, keep your skin care routine as close to normal as possible. Take travel sizes of your normal cleanser, toner, exfoliant and moisturizer. Never go to bed with your makeup on and add in a bit of extra moisturizer.

Vacation definitely is a time to let loose and enjoy yourself, but you also should practice your good habits while having fun. Remember to always stay well hydrated, particularly in the heat and don’t forget the sunscreen. Have a great time relaxing and enjoying new experiences while sticking with your good habits.

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July 10, 2015 by Mayank

How to Get Back to Work After Vacation

You have looked forward to your vacation for what feels like forever, yet it feels like as soon as you’ve left you have to prepare to go back to work. And the thought of going back to work is beyond overwhelming. Think of all of the voicemails, the memos and, of course, the many e-mails that are sure to await you when you get back. Doing a bit of work before you leave can help your return to work easier and a bit more pleasant.

Woman working on her laptop.

Write a Great Away Message
To avoid going back to work with an inordinate amount of work waiting you, you need to write a well thought out “away” message. Skip the “family vacation” or “much needed vacay” and instead be a bit more professional. Simply say you are out of the office from your departure date until the day you plan to return to work. Include directions for what is to be done in the event that immediate action is needed and leave contact information so that people are still able to get the information they need. It is also a good idea to ask that the person e-mailing you follow-up upon your return because e-mails can get lost in a crowded inbox (which you are sure to have after a vacation).

Woman working on her tablet in the airport.

Plan for Your Return Before you Depart
Getting everything ready before your departure for vacation is a completely overwhelming task. There’s packing, making last minute changes to your schedule and wrapping up work before you go. With all of this the thought of adding more to-dos before you go may stress you out completely. However, if you actively plan for your return to work instead of merely focusing on leaving work, it can make going back to the office much easier. Having a clear idea of what you will need to do immediately upon your return helps make you more productive when you actually do get back to work. Plan to spend your first day back checking and answering e-mails and leave important meetings until a day or two after you return to make sure that you are back in the swing of things.

Woman with her luggage on an escalator.

Return Earlier
Most people plan vacations with the day of return being Sunday. Bad idea. So many things can go wrong from layovers to cancelled flights, your day of traveling home is stressful enough without having to worry about work. Delay in travel makes having to return to work bright and early on Monday morning that much more undesirable. Instead of planning to head back to work the day after you get home, consider returning on a Friday or Saturday. This gives you a great buffer day in which you can adjust to being home, unpack and mentally prepare yourself for the return to work. Do laundry, read, spend time with the pets you missed, do whatever you need to do in order to get yourself ready for your return to work.

Very few people get excited about going back to work after vacation, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Give yourself plenty of time to travel and ideally some time to relax before heading back to work and once you are back, take it easy for a day or two and spend time returning messages. And of course, do not let the inevitable return to work stop you from enjoying your time spent on vacation.

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