Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Solutions To Set Yourself Up For Success in 2020 — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
January is almost over — and, if you haven’t stuck to your resolutions, don’t despair and give up on the idea of change. Personally, I steer away fro resolutions since they tend to be too rigid and hence almost inevitably end up being broken, and the moment that happens, it can feel like a personal failure. That’s so counterproductive! Instead, every year, I focus on setting new goals for myself — but I do so with the understanding that the path to reaching those objectives might not be a straight line, that there will be steps forward and steps back, and that every day is a new opportunity to make changes and move closer to those goals. Also, I’m a firm believer in making tiny changes that help to set yourself up for success. That’s why, in my latest “We Are Austin,” segment, I chatted about beauty, fashion, and wellness solutions to help you make important lifestyle changes, live a healthier lifestyle, and look and feel your best this year and beyond.
You can check out the segment above (or click here to view on CBSAustin.com). And if you’re curious about the products seen on TV, keep reading for more details on each and tips on how to have an epic year!
INVEST IN KITCHEN GADGETS THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE WISER DIETARY CHOICES
Whether you are looking to shed a few pounds or you just want to eat cleaner and greener, you’ll want to invest in some kitchen tools that can help you whip up tasty and healthy dishes with ease. You can find some great gadgets at affordable prices at JCPenney.
If you love fried foods, for instance, you don’t have to cut those out of your diet entirely. Sure, you can benefit from scaling back on eating fried foods but still indulge occasionally — without the guilt! — by using an air fryer like the ModernHome 2.1 QT Compact Air Fryer ($79 at JCPenney.com). Available in a charming teal color, this air fryer uses a convection mechanism to circulate hot air around the food rapidly, thereby producing a crispy outside layer. With this air fryer, then, you can enjoy everything from chicken wings to crispy Brussel sprouts and crunchy sweet potato fries without the excess calories and fat that accompany deep frying.
If you’re trying to consume more veggies, try whipping up some green juices using the Cooks 700 Watt Juice Extractor ($80 at JCPenney.com), which features a large 33 feed chute that accepts larger fruits and veggies with less prep time, along with a pulp collector so your drink can be nice and smooth.
And, if you’re looking to drop a few pounds, you can keep track of portion sizes using the OXO Good Grips Healthy Portions Analog Food Scale ($18 at JCPenney.com).
FIND FITSPIRATION IN SOME CUTE ACTIVEWEAR
The phrase “dress for success” doesn’t just apply to the workplace! If you need motivation to hit the gym, some stylish activewear might just do the trick (it certainly does for me!). And you don’t have to break the bank to reach those squat goals: JCPenney carries a ton of affordable, stylish, functional activewear. I’m particularly excited about the Xersion line available at JCPenney, which offers everything from leggings to sports bras and T-shirts.
The Xersion Mid-Rise Leggings ($44 at JCPenney.com) feature an on-trend color-blocked pattern in a cheerful color scheme — and they have pockets!! Bearing a motivation-boosting “You Got This” phrase, the Xersion Women’s V-Neck Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt ($27 at JCPenney.com) will remind you that you’re stronger than you think. And you can complete the outfit with the Xersion Lightweight Cinched Jacket ($80 at JCPenney.com) in a perky sky blue. The zip-up jacket features a breathable mesh lining, elastic cuffs and a hood with a drawstring closure so you can keep the cold wind out during those morning runs on breezy days. Also, it’s the perfect way to spruce up your look if you’re meeting your friends for brunch after Pilates,
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE WITH THE ORIGINAL STRETCHLACE
Have you ever scrolled down one of those PopSugar or Buzzfeed lists with life hacks and thought, ‘Huh, why didn’t I think of that?’ Well, prepare to have one of those moments! What if I told you that you could turn any lace-up shoes into slip-ons? That you’ll never again have to stop mid-run to tie your shoelaces? Well, that dream can become a reality with The Original Stretchlace.
They may look just like classic shoestrings, but The Original Stretchlace’s offerings are made of high-quality elastic so that, once you tie a taut bow, they won’t come undone, allowing you to slip your feet in and out of your shoes without having to constantly tie and untie laces. Not only are they convenient, but these stretchy elastic laces alleviate pressure points and provide a snug fit that supports any movement — jumping, stretching, and running.
If you’re a mom, these will be the ultimate lifesaver since they’ll help you save time in the mornings as you race to drop your kids off at school. No more waiting for your 6- or 7-year-old son to fuss with his shoelaces for 15 minutes, refusing help and insisting, “I’m a big kid! I can do it by myself!” With these laces, little ones can practice tying their shoes at their own time — preferably not when you’re trying to herd them into the car, drop them off, and make it to work on time.
Runners, meanwhile, will love the way these laces stretch to accommodate swelling feet. Unlike traditional laces, these have enough give to support your feet without your shoes ever feeling tight or constrictive. They’re also great for pregnant women (hard to tie shoes when you can’t see your feet, right?), for the elderly, for anyone dealing with arthritis and mobility problems, and more.
Available in a ton of colors and sizes for both kids and adults, they’re just $9.99 each at TheOriginalStretchLace.com and Amazon.com
GET AN ENERGY BOOST WITH CLEAN CAUSE
While many of us depend on a cup of java, a latte, or a cappuccino to perk up in morning, that energy boost is only temporary. Once that buzz wears off, we’re left feeling sluggish, lethargic, and cranky. Once you’ve reached the point where you’re slumped over your desk, yawning up a storm, head throbbing, you can either give in to your craving and run to Starbucks, or you can try to power through and possibly experience unpleasant withdrawal-like symptoms. Neither one feels like a great choice, right? That’s why it might be time to tackle that coffee dependency and break the cycle once and for all. Enter Clean Cause, a sparkling Yerba Mate beverage that provides you with the caffeine you need to feel focused and alert, but without the crash and the jitters that tend to accompany coffee.
Each can of Clean Cause contains 160mg of caffeine derived from organic Yerba Mate, providing you with sustained and prolonged energy. Moreover, each can is packed with nutrients including 24 vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids. It’s also better for your waistline: an entire can of Clean Cause has as many calories as one tablespoon of coffee creamer (about 30 calories).
Not only will this clean energy drink help you feel better due to its health benefits, but it will make your heart happy as it benefits a great cause. The Austin-based company donates 50% of its profits to alcohol and drug addiction recovery by funding 30-day sober living scholarships known as CLEAN KickStarts. To date, 1,025 scholarships have been granted.
Clean Cause costs $11.95 for a 4-pack and $32.95 for a 12-pack. It’s available at CleanCause.com, Amazon.com, as well as HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market stores
Visit CleanCause.com and get 20% off with the code WEAREAUSTIN
KEEP SKIN, NAILS, AND JOINTS HEALTHY WITH YOUTHEORY
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it makes up 80% of our skin, providing your complexion with the structure it needs to remain taut and elastic. Moreover, collagen is one of the major building blocks in our bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. But as we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and this can lead to everything from wrinkles and sagging skin to brittle nails, stiff joints, and decreased muscle mass.
To combat age-related collagen loss, you can stock up on the YouTheory Collagen Liquid ($19.99 for 12-pack; visit YouTheory.com to find a retailer near you). Each ready-to-drink tube contains 5,000 mg of collagen, and it has this yummy berry flavor. If you’ve tried enough collagen supplements, you know they’re not usually this convenient. Normally, collagen supplements come in either capsule form (and seriously, I have enough pills to swallow daily!) or as an ingestible such as a protein powder or a coffee creamer (both of which require either whipping up a smoothie or a cup of coffee). The YouTheory Collagen Liquid, meanwhile, doesn’t even require you to reach for a bottle of water — you just open the tube and drink! Easy as can be!
STRESS-PROOF YOUR SKIN WITH THE DR. DENNIS GROSS B3 ADAPTIVE SUPERFOODS COLLECTION
Breakouts are just one of the many unwanted side-effects of stress and anxiety on our complexions. See, when we’re feeling stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode, so that circulation to our vital organs is prioritized. Unfortunately, this means a decrease in the skin’s blood flow and that, in turn, leads to less vital nutrients, antioxidants and even oxygen being delivered to skin cells. Moreover, the stress hormone cortisol can break down collagen, the very protein that is primarily responsible for skin elasticity. These factors can result in what I call the Frightful Five: deepened worry lines, redness, dullness and dehydration, flareups, and tired eyes. And you know what happens when you notice one of those five signs of stress? It makes you feel even more stressed out!
While you may not be able to banish stress from your life completely, you can at least better equip your skin to weather those anxiety-ridden times.After studying the effects of stress on skin, Dr. Dennis Gross developed the new B3 Adaptive Superfoods collection, which is comprised of the Stress Rescue Super Serum ($74 at Sephora and Sephora.com), Stress SOS Eye Cream ($65 at Sephora and Sephora.com), and Stress Repair Face Cream ($72 at Sephora and Sephora.com).
The products are formulated with a blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3); superfoods like goji berry, açai, maca root, and coffee seed extracts; and adaptogens such as rhodiola extract. Niacinamide supports the skin’s lipid barrier function, thereby helping it retain moisture, and it reduces the appearance of redness and breakouts. The antioxidant-rich superfoods in each formula, meanwhile, reenergize skin and reduce puffiness. The adaptogens, meanwhile, help the skin to better cope with stress, protecting it from free radical damage and preventing moisture loss. Together, these ingredients help to keep your complexion bright, youthful, and blemish-free — even when you’re under pressure.
UNLEASH YOUR CURL POWER WITH SHEAMOISTURE’S COCONUT & HIBISCUS CURL ENHANCING SMOOTHIE
“Who run the world? Curls!”
If you’re a curly-haired gal, let this be your mantra in 2020 — with a little help from SheaMoisture, of course!
The award-winning SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie ($11.99 at Target, Walgreens, CVS and Walmart) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and it’s still the greatest product for enhancing curl definition, reducing frizz, and boosting shine. Formulated with coconut oil, fair trade shea butter, neem oil and silk protein, this groundbreaking product helped to usher in the textured hair boom and, to this day, it’s keeping curls looking their very best, accentuating natural curl patterns, reducing frizz, bolstering shine, and softening strands — all without weighing hair down. And like all SheaMoisture products, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, paraffin and mineral oil.
SAY GOODBYE TO THINNING STRANDS WITH LOCKRX
Manufactured by Smart Solutions RX, Inc., LockRX is a scientifically based, drug-free hair support system that encompasses both oral and topical solutions to successfully address both the internal and external factors that contribute to scalp health, hair loss and hair thinning.
The LockRX Inside Healthy Hair Program is a 3-step ingestibles plan designed to reduce inflammation, block DHT and support hair growth. The first step in the plan involves the DEFENSE Gut Health ($48 at LockRxHair.com), a prebiotic supplement that includes mineral-rich blue green algae, amino acids like L-glutamine, and botanical extracts like turmeric and aloe vera that work in unison to reduce inflammation and balance the gut microbiome. The supplement comes in powder form, so it can easily be mixed into your daily smoothie or yogurt. After two weeks of taking DEFENSE, you can then begin to take the BLOCK Hair Loss ($39 at LockRxHair.com), a follicle-enrichment supplement formulated that supports hair growth and blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, one of the major causes of hair loss in male and female pattern baldness. Along with the BLOCK supplement, you’ll want to take the GUARD Healthy Hair Tabs ($39 at LockRxHair.com), a supplement in tablet form that includes a blend of B vitamins that contribute to the support of a longer hair cycle (and hence less falling hair).
The LockRX Outside Healthy Hair Program, meanwhile, is a combination of clinical and at-home topical treatments that support the scalp microbiome and create an ideal environment for hair growth. The Growth Factor 3X Professional is the clinical topical treatment, whereby a physician applies a growth factor solution to the scalp using a micro-needling device. The growth factor solution wakes up sleeping follicles, while the micro-needling device makes tiny impressions on the scalp that allow for better absorption of the active ingredients in the formula. Here in Austin, this breakthrough clinical treatment is available at the offices of Dr. Robert Whitfield and Dr. Jennifer Walden. To supplement these in-office treatments, customers can rely on the Growth Factor 3X, a protein-rich growth factor serum that can be applied at home using a micro-channel device, and on the Bio Cleanse Scalp Pre-Shampoo ($38 at LockRXHair.com), which removes debris, dirt, and product build-up around follicles and prepares the scalp for any treatments to follow.
You can visit LockRXHair.com for more details.
To book an appointment with Dr. Robert Whitfield, call 877.785.2832 or visit RobertWhitfield.com. To set up a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Walden, call 512.328.4100 or visit JenniferWalden.com.
MAKE BREASTFEEDING EASIER WITH LEGENDAIRY MILK
According to a 2012 CDC survey, as many as 85% of new moms plan to breastfeed their babies for at least three months, and yet only about 32% manage to do so. Oftentimes, new moms decide to stop breastfeeding due to concerns about whether they’re producing enough milk for their babies. That’s why Austin-based mom and lactation specialist Luna Feehan developed Legendairy Milk, a line of all-natural supplements that promote breast milk production and help improve milk flow.
Legendairy Milk products contain natural herbs like alfalfa, anise, black seed, and milk thistle, and they’re free of fenugreek, a common ingredient in breastfeeding products that can have some undesirable side effects. They’re also vegan and sugar-free.
The best-selling Lactation Support Bundle ($49.99 at LegendairyMilk.com) includes Milkapalooza, Pump Princess and Liquid Gold.
CREATE A GREEN OASIS INDOORS WITH COSTA FARMS HOUSEPLANTS
One easy way to improve your quality of life is to add some greenery to your home and workplace. Indoor plants act as natural air purifiers, releasing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and neutralizing toxins so that you can breathe cleaner air. Houseplants also release moisture into the air thanks to a process called transpiration, so that they act like natural humidifiers — in fact, they release about 97% of the water they take in!
And the benefits of houseplants go beyond physical health: studies show they can reduce stress levels and have a calming effect on the psyche. Moreover, they can improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%.
Costa Farms grows more than 400 varieties of houseplants, which you can find at a variety of garden and home improvement centers. To find the perfect plant for you and start creating your own green haven, visit CostaFarms.com. You’ll find detailed descriptions of their entire catalog of houseplants, instructions on how to properly tend to them, and more!
