Need a break from the day-to-day grind? Plan a vacation! Researchers in the Netherlands found that just the act of planning a vacation alone can boost happiness levels for a full eight weeks. Surprisingly, they found no increase in happiness levels after the vacation was over. This is likely due to the stress that can come from catching up on all the work you missed while you were away. Still, we all know that a good getaway can help us de-stress and relax, providing a fun little escape from reality for a few days. Pamper yourself and plan a trip this month. Ride the pre-vacation high and try to get organized before you leave so you can keep up the cheer when you get back to the real world.

NLT: Our friends at Travel to Wellness have teamed up with Spa & Club Casa Marino to give away a 6-night wellness retreat in San Miguel de Allende. The 6-night stay includes airport shuttle, accommodations for two, daily breakfast, spa treatments and more. Contest closes at midnight EST on April 21. What better way to pamper thyself than to escape on this wellness retreat with that special someone? Enter now to win!

Need a break from the day-to-day grind? Plan a vacation! Researchers in the Netherlands found that just the act of planning a vacation alone can boost happiness levels for a full eight weeks. Surprisingly, they found no increase in happiness levels after the vacation was over. This is likely due to the stress that can come from catching up on all the work you missed while you were away. Still, we all know that a good getaway can help us de-stress and relax, providing a fun little escape from reality for a few days. Pamper yourself and plan a trip this month. Ride the pre-vacation high and try to get organized before you leave so you can keep up the cheer when you get back to the real world.

NLT: Our friends at Travel to Wellness have teamed up with Spa & Club Casa Marino to give away a 6-night wellness retreat in San Miguel de Allende. The 6-night stay includes airport shuttle, accommodations for two, daily breakfast, spa treatments and more. Contest closes at midnight EST on April 21. What better way to pamper thyself than to escape on this wellness retreat with that special someone? Enter now to win!

I always get a little itch, right in the beginning of April. It is a kind of anticipatory nag to clean, clean-out and overhaul my home in preparation for spring. Usually, getting started is rather simple: I open my pantry. Tempted as I may be by pretty packaging and seductive scents, I am almost always disappointed in the new cleaning products I try. I sometimes even clean with a new product, only to re-clean with lemon, vinegar or baking soda! So, today, in honor of making my world a place I love to thrive in, I praise the merits of food once again – only this time for reasons above and beyond their nutritive properties!

Lemon – I always have lemons at home. I have a stash of sliced or wedged lemons in my refrigerator at all times to toss into a glass of water, or squeeze on my salad or fish. There is no denying that they are a staple in my world, and I love lemon for liver support, vitamin C burst, and fresh scent. In my home, I use lemons to clean, and I love this product to make my own cleaning solution. I squeeze a lemon into a spray bottle and wipe down my countertops. It works beautifully to remove grease without chemicals. It can also be used as a bleaching agent on clothing, so if I accidentally have a spill at a restaurant, I ask for a slice of lemon to treat a potential stain.

White Vinegar – I love all types of vinegar, but it is safe to say that I always have white vinegar in the pantry. I use it in cucumber and tomato salads (instead of mayonnaise), and love the role of all vinegars in my health and wellness. For no calories but tons of flavor, vinegar aids the digestive system; it contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, pectin and acetic acid. It improves the absorption and utilization of several essential nutrients. When I am in doubt about how to clean something, white vinegar is my usual go-to. I use it mixed with a little water (and sometimes a bit of castile soap) on my floors, windows, shower doors, toilets and as a drain cleaner. Though it may not be my favorite scent in the world, I’m always thrilled when I smell vinegar b/c I know my home is clean.

 Baking soda – An obvious choice, baking soda is not just a leavening agent, used to make your dough rise. Most of us have this baking staple all over our homes to absorb odors. I keep a box in the pantry, one in the fridge, one in the freezer and one in the closet with my kids’ sports equipment. While I often don’t change the boxes often enough (change every 30 days!), I am comforted to know they are there. There is not much nutritional benefit to baking soda, which is a source of sodium (1/2 your daily needs in a teaspoon) and little else. Still, baking soda is a cleaning powerhouse, and can be mixed with a little water to form a paste and clean between bathroom tiles, sterling silver, and stains on china and ceramics. Also, there is nothing better at removing red wine stains. Simply pour the baking soda over the stain (as soon as you can), let it dry, and all of the wine will transfer to the baking soda. Vacuum it up and no one will be the wiser!

Olive oil – A prince among oils, olive oil contains those wonderful monounsaturated fatty acids that are cardio-protective, it can improve cholesterol profiles when used in the place of other fats and provides delicious satiety. It is also used in my beauty routine as a moisturizer for my hair, nails and skin and my home care routine as a wood polish! Used to return shine to otherwise dull or untreated wood, simply combine three parts olive oil to one part vinegar or lemon juice.

Oh, how I look forward to my clean, green, delicious and sparkling spring home!

Nothing says spring like bright, short nails!

Choose a nail salon where equipment is sterilized, and make sure to wash your hands between cutting and polishing. Even better, bring your own set of tools to the salon, for your tips and toes only! Studies show that long nails are closely associated with lingering bacteria on the hands and increased risk of illness. Even though the cold and flu season is coming to a close, keep nails au naturel and short to avoid catching or passing those end-of-the-season germs. Then, after six months of dark colors, punch up your shade to something chic and colorful!

NLT: Try this DIY treatment for hands that stay hydrated well into spring. Rub 1 teaspoon of almond oil into hands and cuticles. Wrap each hand in a small towel (or place each hand in a clean sock!), and allow the oil to penetrate for at least 5 minutes. Wipe the excess oil off hands, but don’t rinse them; any remaining oil will be absorbed over the next few minutes. Make sure nail beds are oil-free by swiping them with a polish-remover soaked cotton swab before painting on a surprising spring lavender!

Here are five easy ways to get glamorous for a big day.  Okay, so you may not be walking the red carpet to accept an Oscar, but you may need to ramp yourself up for a big date of your own.  Whether it’s for a date with the man of your dreams, a special birthday, or for that tropical vacation you have planned with your gals, these five tips will help you achieve your ultimate glam.

One Week Countdown:

 1.      Eat Empowered

Order Nutritious Life Meals.  Stop worrying about what extreme diet you need to start and get NLM delivered right to your door.  No more counting calories and no more worrying about getting all the nutrients your body needs to be in top shape.  When time is limited and you can’t afford to waste any precious glam-time at the market and in the kitchen, let Keri work out the menu details for you so you can sit back and relax, and feel confident knowing you are eating empowered.

Fact: Nutritious Life Meals will make you feel better, give you more energy and help you lose weight.  You will eat fresh, portioned, nutrient dense foods to fuel you for your special event and every day after that to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 2.      Exercise Steady

Get 45 minutes of aerobic exercise and 15 minutes of weight training each day the week before your main event.  Alternate days between different muscle groups to allow muscle recovery and growth time, for example: shoulders, triceps, calves and hamstrings one day; back, biceps, quads and abdominals the next.  And don’t forget to stretch for at least 5 minutes before and after your workout.  The morning of your big day, do some good ol’ classic pushups and crunches to boost blood flow and invigorate you for the night.  Also, most people find more muscle definition in the hours immediately following their work out, which is a nice added bonus.

Fact: You will shed pounds by burning calories in your aerobic exercises and tone muscles with your weight training.  Exercising increases blood flow which helps with circulation giving your skin a healthy glow.  Exercise can also help reduce stress and it can help you sleep better, which are both needed to calm your nerves for your special occasion.

 3.      Sleep Deep

Aim for 8 hours a night, settle for no less than 7.  For some reason sleep has become one of those things that we give up to fit everything else into our busy schedules, but sleep should really be a top priority, especially when we want to be looking and feeling our best.

Fact:  They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing.  While we sleep, our body’s natural antioxidant melatonin, a sleep hormone, fights off free radical invaders.  If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, you’re reducing the amount of time that melatonin gets to fight off wrinkles and those bags under your eyes will only get worse.  By getting enough sleep at night, we will not only look and feel well-rested, but our immune system will be strengthened.  What a bummer it would be to feel sick and run down on the red carpet!

 4.      Drink Up

Drink 8 glasses of water and 2 cups of green tea a day.  The day before your special occasion, drink a cup of dandelion root tea as well.

Fact: Sounds counterintuitive, right?  But by drinking water throughout the day, you reduce bloating, flush out toxins, hydrate your skin to achieve a healthy glow, and keep your digestive organs in good working order.  Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and dandelion tea will help flush you out, further reducing toxins and any bloating.

 5.      Pamper Thyself

Cleanse!  No time or money to book that expensive facial?  Have no fear, your cleanser is here.  Give this easy homemade cleanser and mask a try and you will almost be able to feel the antioxidants and nutrients seep into your skin making it soft, smooth, and younger looking.  Don’t forget to moisturize twice daily.

Pink Dairy Cleanser: Each day in your countdown, use this quick and easy cleanser by mixing 2 teaspoons milk, 2 teaspoons pink grapefruit juice with pulp, and 2 teaspoons Greek plain yogurt or sour cream until smooth.

Soothing Green and White Mask: 7 days and 4 days before the big day puree ¼ can white beans and 5 cucumber slices in a food processor until smooth.  Gently massage the mask onto your face and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Fact: Pink Dairy Cleanser – the yogurt will gently exfoliate and stimulate collagen, to help firm your skin.  The pink grapefruit will protect your skin from sun damage and the formation of free radicals.  Soothing Green and White Mask – This refreshing mask will help sooth redness and inflammation and leave your skin feeling serene.

1. Take a tea break. Baby its cold outside—why not curl up with a warm cup of tea? While you might not be as thirsty in the winter as you were during the summer heat, staying hydrated in the winter is equally essential.  Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and tea per day can help flush out toxins, prevent the skin from drying, increase cell turnover and keep your skin young and fresh. Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated; we love Pukka teas from England. Or you can choose a green tea variety to help reduce inflammation for extra beautification. Just be sure to combine drinking plenty of water and/or tea with applying plenty of topical moisturizer—moisturizers help hold water in the skin’s top layer, so they work hand in hand. This translates into great glowing skin despite the harsh winter weather!

2. Eat one orange food and one green food (and no we don’t mean M&Ms!). Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean orange is out just yet—orange veggies, such as carrots, squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are full of carotenoids. Carotenoids increase our defense against the sun and damage from UV rays (remember it is important to always use sunscreen for protection, even in the winter!).  They also help prevent acne breakouts and flare-ups that can make your skin blemished and blotchy. Green foods, such as kale and spinach, are full of vitamin C, which can act as your food equivalent of the fountain of youth—vitamin C helps to repair skin by building collagen and helping to ward off those pesky wrinkles. Eat at least one orange and one green food every day and your skin will thank you!

3. Snack on (healthy) fat. We love fat. We aren’t talking about the kind you find in butter, pie and french fries, but rather the healthy fats found in salmon, avocados and chia seeds. These foods contain omega 3 fatty acids, which aid in heart health and weight loss…but did you know they can also give you healthy skin? They help reduce inflammation and prevent collagen breakdown (translation: less wrinkles).  New to chia? Simply mix 2 tablespoons into your yogurt for an added 5 grams of omega 3s. One food that is as good in your belly as it is on your face is an avocado. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is rich in vitamins A and E. Vitamin E enhances your skin’s collagen production (translation: smoother skin) while sealing in vital moisture. Try this avocado Go Green Scrub from the O2 Diet and let this double-duty powerhouse work its magic!

4. Eat at least one colorful fruit every day. Fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants not only fight damaging free radicals in your body, they also can fight those winter skin blues too! Antioxidants help protect your skin against damage caused by the sun and harsh weather conditions in the winter. Blueberries have the added benefit of containing compounds that slow wrinkles and the effects of aging. Think of antioxidants as your youth elixir, keeping you beautiful, ageless and energized no matter what the weather has in store. An apple a day could keep those wrinkles at bay!

Got any winter skin secrets of your own that you want to share with us?

‘Tis the season of giving thanks and reflecting on everything that we are grateful for.  This month, how about pampering thyself by pampering others? Research shows that we get a huge boost by helping others in need, so go get a smile on your face and donate, volunteer, and make your purchases from a company that is giving back.

NLT: To prepare for Black Friday, know in advance what stores or brands make charitable donations that you find meaningful to you. Toms donates a pair of shoes for each pair purchased. Macy’s has made several charitable donations with an environmental impact. You can donate your shoes to Soles4Souls which Puma often teams up with. West Elm has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. These are just a few—do your homework before you do your shopping and make your purchases pamper others!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and chances are you know somebody who has been affected by this terrible disease. Research shows that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. This month, we ask that you pamper yourself or encourage someone you love to pamper herself with a self breast exam. Take a moment to learn your body, care for it, and give it the longest, healthiest life you can. Let’s help eradicate this disease one self-breast exam at a time!

 NLT: Learning how to give yourself a breast exam doesn’t have to be too clinical. Download this free image from I Heart Guts and send it to someone (or everyone!) you love. It’s a great reminder of why the ‘girls’ need extra attention each month, and it is sure to bring a smile to those special women in your life.

 What are some ways you have brought awareness to breast cancer or other causes/diseases? How can others help?

While your mind and body may have enjoyed a restful summer in the sun, harsh rays, chlorine and salt water may have left your hair feeling dull and dry. Polyphenols found in olive oil can be directly absorbed through the skin. These antioxidants increase the skin’s (and scalp’s) ability to absorb moisture, which means healthier, shinier and more radiant hair! Olive oil is also rich in fatty acids, which penetrate the hair cuticles and treat drying hair. Gorgeous locks here we come!

NLT: Whip up your own olive oil hair treatment. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Massage small amount into your scalp and hair, until completely covered. Place hair in shower cap and let stand for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse. No time to make your own? Pick up Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak. It has organic olive oil, avocado oil and lemon extracts that help condition dull or damaged hair.

While we all love to be bronzed and beautiful in the summer, all that time in the hot summer sun can leave you and your skin looking exhausted. Months of extra sunscreen application, while extremely important for blocking harmful UV rays, can wreak havoc on your skin. So give yourself a little extra TLC this month with an energizing dose of coffee. Yes, coffee! Coffee is not only a perfect morning pick-me-up beverage, but it can also be a great morning pick-me-up for your skin. A recent study from the University of Tennessee found that topically applied caffeine reduces inflammation of the skin. Coffee grounds act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead cells and revealing fresh and healthy skin. Research also suggests that caffeinated substances such as coffee can help repair cellulite damage. Caffeine reduces the puffiness associated with cellulite by moving fluid quickly throughout the body and also tightens up blood vessels, so skin looks smoother and sleeker. Start your morning off right – with some coffee in the shower!

NLT: Don’t throw away leftover coffee grounds – use them to make your own coffee body scrub. After you’ve had your morning cup, mix 3 tablespoons of the used coffee grounds, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl.  Apply while taking a hot shower. Lather, rinse, dry and voila – a caffeinated way to healthy, smooth, beautiful skin! Looking for more do-it-yourself ways to maintain that healthy glow? Check out more skin care recipes on our website. We love this Carotenoid Protective Mask, as it helps protect against sun damage for firmer, healthier skin. http://www.nutritiouslife.com/carotenoid-protective-mask/

Have you ever wondered what Nutritious Life really is?

“Nutritious Life” is a new way of looking at nutrition.  It reaches beyond a good diet and takes a whole person approach to health and wellness, both inside and out.  We teach people to listen to their bodies and empower them with the support and tools they need to create change towards an enriching and balanced life.

There are 8 pillars that make up a Nutritious Life, all equally important to personal well being. These pillars are as follows:

Drink Up

Our bodies are 50-75% water. The most common reason people are sluggish in the afternoon is due to dehydration. If we don’t drink enough water our bodies do not function properly, we become tired and do not metabolize food properly. It is a must to get your water in. Water also helps us feel clean, healthy and refreshed. The lemon in water helps detoxify our liver keeping it in greater health to metabolize the food we consume.  Begin every a.m. with water and a slice of squeezed lemon. Take a tea break for green, black, white or herbal mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Eat Empowered

Feel empowered putting the most nutrient rich food in your body. It’s not “I can’t eat the dessert” – it is – “I can eat the blueberries!”  When you focus on how good you feel fueling yourself with the best foods you will continue to be motivated to eat these foods.  Then the benefits from skin health to weight loss, and all that’s in between, will follow.

Exercise Steady

Aside from burning calories, exercise is important because when you exercise your body releases endorphins which make you feel good and motivate you to eat well, do your job well and simply be happy! Weight bearing exercises increase muscle mass which in turn burns more calories even while you are sitting on the couch.  Interval training is also important to help rev your metabolism for hours after you have left the gym. Try 30 seconds at your max followed with 2 minutes at a more relaxed pace.

Pamper Thyself

Treating yourself to something special can have emotional and physical benefits. Simple small indulgences, like a manicure, massage, or bubble bath can make you look and feel great. The time that you spend caring for yourself physically can reap huge mental and physical rewards.

Sex Ed

Is there a link between low libido and weight? Absolutely! The good news is that not only does losing weight help your sex life, but having sex also helps with your weight loss.  First of all, while it’s not (usually!) as strenuous as an afternoon of tennis, sex does burn calories. Second, researchers know that oxytocin – a hormone released after orgasm in men and women, through cuddling, and even by simply holding hands – acts as a soothing antioxidant and may make it easier for people to stick to their healthy eating style.

Sleep Deep

When you are well rested you make better food choices, have more energy to go the gym, walk to work or take time for your favorite activities. When you are not well rested, your defenses are down and you are more likely to overeat and make poor food choices. One more thing… Ever heard of cortisol? Lack of sleep makes this hormone rise as well! You can improve your sleep by practicing a calm ritual before bed. Try dimming the lights in your bedroom and reduce stimulation by turning off the TV, computer, and yes even your Blackberry!

Stress Less

Stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol in our bodies, which in turn makes our bodies crave carbohydrates, specifically high sugar carbohydrates, and store fat around the mid-section. So, even if you don’t eat more due to stress you can still gain weight due to stress. To make matters worse, stress also causes an increase in appetite… We all know what that does! Make time in your day to unwind and reset. Take 5 minutes to sit quietly and practice deep breathing or go for a walk outside for a breath of fresh air.

Your World

The environment that surrounds us can impact both our mental and physical health.  There are some aspects of our environment that we can’t always control – like the traffic or the construction down the street. But there are plenty of factors that are within our reach and can make a big difference in our lifestyle and mood.  For example, make a clutter-free zone in your office or home or turn off the TV when you aren’t really watching.