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8 Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Space

Your kitchen has a lot more storage space available than you’re currently using. In fact, we’re willing to bet there’s some space you haven’t even considered since there doesn’t seem to be any way to use it.

Free up your counter space and save time and money with these eight brilliant kitchen hacks. If you’re looking for tips to keep your kitchen clean and organized, these will do the trick.

1. Use your walls as storage space

Hanging your pots and pans from hooks attached to the wall looks great, saves space, and makes them easy to get to.

By the same logic, why not attach a magnetic strip on the wall for your knife set instead of taking up counter space with a knife block? It will look beautiful and professional, too.

2. Hang spray bottles from a tension rod

Spray bottles take up a lot of space under the sink, but it’s not like you can do without them. So, why not install a tension rod under the sink to hang the bottles from? You also can hang spray bottles from a towel rack attached to the inside of the door under the sink. This frees up space underneath them for cleaning rags, sponges, and that box of scouring pads.

You can do the same with your bathroom cleaning supplies and use up all that extra room below the sink without having to stack things. It’s such a simple kitchen storage hack that it needs to become standard.

3. Make a magnetic spice rack

This kitchen organization hack will have you admiring all the cabinet space you’ve freed up. If you want to be able to find your spice jars, store them in magnetic tin storage containers and stick them to the side of your refrigerator.

You can get them at any large kitchen or housewares store. Label the bottoms with the contents (since they’ll be sticking to the fridge by their lids). It will also look very decorative and be extremely handy!

4. Store food in plastic desk organizers

One of the easiest and cheapest of all the kitchen organization tips is using plastic desk organizers to store food in the refrigerator. You can buy them at the dollar store and stack them, so you can organize your food and see what you have at a glance.

You have some shelves in your fridge, why not add some more for yourself? Either get clear ones to blend in, or color coordinate and organize your food for easier access.

5. Pick up broken glass with a piece of bread

One of the scariest things that can happen in the kitchen is breaking a glass. The tiny shards go everywhere and you can’t see them or feel them until it’s too late. Even sweeping can miss a few on a rough surface.

Try this kitchen safety tip: once you’ve picked up the pieces you can see, and swept the area, take a piece of soft bread and dab it on the area like a sponge; even the tiniest piece will stick in the bread. Problem solved!

6. Make sponge holders out of alligator clips

When you’re done cleaning the counters, it’s tempting to just leave the sponge at the side of the sink. But if you do that, sponges are prone to grow mildew. There’s nothing worse than a mildew-covered sponge. This kitchen cleaning hack will prevent mildew-spreading and the resulting illness.

Take an alligator clip (the black binder clips for office papers) and use it to stand your sponge upright. It will dry more thoroughly that way and keep your sink area neat too. Give this kitchen cleaning tip a try!

7. Use the space next to the fridge

Every house has one: a space between the refrigerator and the wall that is no more than six inches wide. If you’re not storing brooms and mops there, why not invest in a rolling cart? They come in extremely narrow sizes that you can use to organize dry foods and snacks that don’t need refrigeration.

Remember, the best tip for organizing kitchens is to use all the space, even the space above spaces! Which brings us to…

8. Hang floating mason jars from your shelves

The one space to fill we haven’t discussed yet is that gap underneath your kitchen shelves and cabinets. There’s a way to store items there, too, and it’s ingenious.

Simply attach mason jar lids to the underside of your cabinet or shelf. Since they’re all the same size you can put whatever you need in the jars: pasta, beans, rice, coffee, you name it. Just unscrew the jar from its place and you’re ready to go!

This trick started in garages for nails, screws and other small items, but why not use it in the kitchen, too?

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6 Spectacular Benefits Of Sea Salt

Sea salt has become very popular in the last decade, much more than regular table salt. But what is the difference between the two? Isn’t salt just salt? Well, yes and no.

Table salt is mined from the ground, and then refined and processed. Meanwhile, sea salt is the product of naturally evaporated seawater or salt lake water. Three of the most popular kinds of sea salt come from the North Sea (called Celtic sea salt), the Dead Sea, and the Himalayas (which has the distinctive pink color).

Many newer health products tout the benefits of Dead Sea salt over other types, or claim that the benefits of Himalayan sea salt are superior. But the truth is that they both work. The only difference is the mineral content from the two different parts of the world and the makeup of the sea the salt is gathered from.

Now that you know sea salt can help you, here are six spectacular benefits of sea salt and the different ways you can use it.

Sea salt contains more minerals than table salt

Sea salt may not have the added iodine of table salt, but it does have other vital nutrients. Besides the necessary sodium, it also includes potassium, magnesium, and over 70 other essential minerals.

Even though table salt is processed with added iodine — which the body needs for a healthy thyroid — sea salt naturally contains some, too. Although the natural level of iodine is lower in sea salt, if your diet includes seafood and dairy products, you are probably getting your daily requirements elsewhere, so you can substitute sea salt for table salt without any trouble.

Sea salt makes digestion easier

In addition to making food taste better, sea salt has another use: it helps your body to produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is needed to break food down. If you don’t make enough acid to do the job you can open yourself to stomach trouble. This is the opposite of too much acid created by spicy foods or too much citric acid, which leads to heartburn and ulcers and other reactions.

Sea salt eases and prevents muscle cramps

There are muscle-related benefits of drinking sea salt water — water with just a small amount of sea salt mixed in. (Do not drink actual sea water, which will dehydrate you due to its high salt content.) The magnesium content of sea salt helps prevent charley horses, muscle spasms, and restless leg jitters.

But the health benefits of sea salt don’t just come from ingesting it. It has many uses on the outside of the body, too! For example, the benefits of a sea salt bath include alleviating pain from overwork, stress, and strain. Sea salt has anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates circulation, and can help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness in joints.

Sea salt is great for skin health

Applied externally, sea salt helps keep your skin healthy. Exfoliation is one of the many benefits of sea salt on the face and body. Sea salt can help relieve acne and eczema symptoms as well as other skin issues.

Sea salt has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Soaking your feet in a sea salt solution can help treat athlete’s foot and minor infections (in addition to relieving tiredness by stimulating circulation). Simply dissolve 2 teaspoons of sea salt into a foot basin filled with warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes.

Sea salt helps treat rhinitis and other sinus problems

Besides drinking and soaking, the benefits of sea salt water include one other method of use: the neti pot. A cleansing solution of sea salt and distilled water can help prevent sinus infections and keep the system clean and running.

Neti pots should not be used with table salt because of the added iodine; sea salt is ideal for sinus maintenance. And never use tap water in a neti pot, it’s just not clean enough to flush out your insides. All you need is sea salt and distilled water and you’re set to go.

Sea salt keeps the adrenal glands healthy

Sea salt helps the immune system too. It helps reduce inflammation thanks to its potassium content. The adrenal glands can get overworked because of stress, so there’s an additional benefit to keeping your adrenal glands working right. And lowering stress helps with heart health. So there’s even more reason to use sea salt!

Did you know that the word “salary” derives from the Latin word for salt? Salt used to be so important in ancient times that people were actually paid with it. Even back then, people knew the importance of salt to human survival. Incorporate natural sea salt into your lifestyle and enjoy the many benefits today!

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8 Reasons You’re Probably Eating Chia Seeds Wrong

Welcome to the year 2020. While it’s a brand new year, everyone is singing the same old song: “This will be the year that I eat healthy.”

Our advice: don’t just say it, do it! The key is finding ingredients and recipes that are both tasty and diet-friendly.

Chia seeds may be the ultimate weapon in your healthy eating arsenal. Unfortunately, many people are eating these seeds the wrong way and jeopardizing their health!

With this guide, though, you can eat chia seeds the right way. You’ll be getting healthier with every bite and finally, make “new year, new me” a reality!

Not Eating the Right Amount

One of the main ways most people eat chia seeds wrong comes down to the amount. Think of this as the Goldilocks problem: you’re either eating too much of it or not enough. The goal is to get everything “just right.”

Eating too many chia seeds is dangerous because these seeds will expand inside your body. This can lead to internal discomfort and, in extreme cases, it can lead to seeds being lodged inside your throat.

However, it’s a mistake if you aren’t eating very many seeds or skipping them altogether. This is because they have a number of benefits in terms of regularity and even weight loss. The right amount of chia seeds to maximize their health benefits is 1.5 tablespoons twice a day.

Fiber Plan

Chia seeds are yummy enough to eat just for fun. But if you need to feel a bit more regular, you might want to up your seed intake!

To stay healthy, you should get at least 20 grams of fiber a day. And you can safely go as high as 35 grams. But most Americans are lucky to get 12 grams of fiber a day, leading to problems with health and digestion.

This is where chia seeds come in. A single ounce of these seeds contains a whopping 11 grams of fiber! That means adding an ounce a day can boost you into the healthy fiber range. Your body will thank you for this later.

Not Part of Your Diet Plan

Most weight loss plans include some kind of change in diet. But if your new diet doesn’t include a controlled amount of chia seeds, you’re really missing out.

Chia seeds help with weight loss for a couple of reasons. We’ve already mentioned one of them: the high fiber content. Regular fiber in your diet boosts both digestion and weight loss.

The second reason is that seeds effectively take up extra space in your stomach. A single seed can absorb up to 27 times its own weight. While you should be careful about how much you consume, the bottom line is that chia seeds will make you feel fuller faster.

Ultimately, you’ll end up eating less because of chia seeds!

Never Eat Chia Seeds Dry

For most foods, there is not a wrong way to eat them. There are simply some ways that are better than others.

However, for chia seeds, there is one method of consumption that remains wrong: eating them dry.

Chia seeds don’t expand until they are wet. Therefore, it’s easy to eat too many of them and end up with a stomach or throat in some serious pain.

That’s why we have some killer chia seed recipe ideas below. These ideas help you avoid eating dry seeds while still enjoying a filling and healthy snack.

Pudding Power

Chia seed pudding is surprisingly yummy. It makes for a great breakfast item or mid-afternoon snack. If nothing else, it serves as a solid replacement for eating yet another cup of yogurt.

All it takes is 2 cups of coconut milk, half a cup of chia seeds, some vanilla extract and some maple syrup. With this, you can whip up some pudding that tastes so good that you’ll forget you’re eating something nice and healthy!

Make this a regular part of your breakfast routine for an easy morning fiber boost.

Better Off… Bread?

Breading is one of the guiltier pleasures of cooking. Sure, the skin may be the unhealthiest part of fried chicken, but it sure is the tastiest part.

Fortunately, chia seeds let you have it both ways. Why? Because you can use them to bread chicken and other yummy foods.

With this trick, you can add a tasty crunch to healthy foods. In fact, you can make some gluten-free meals that make every bite feel like you’re on a cheat day.

Chia breading also makes for a stealthy way to trick kids into healthy eating habits.

Better When Baked

By themselves, chia seeds don’t have a ton of flavor. You can use this to your benefit by putting them into bread and other baked goods.

The simple addition of the seeds won’t upset the taste of your favorite foods. However, the seeds add all of the fiber and weight-loss benefits that we touched on earlier.

If you want to really kick your fiber up a notch, try baking some seeds into some homemade granola bars.

Your New Jam

Chia seeds make for a surprisingly good jam. The reason is simple: because they expand in liquid, these seeds provide a shortcut for crafting yummy jam.

Take 2 tablespoons of seeds, a pound of fruit, and a quarter cup of maple syrup. Put it all together and you get something that is both sweet and healthy. Put some of it on your bread or bagels for a surprisingly decadent delight.

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What’s So Special About Gray Eyes?

Gray eyes are a constant source of mystery and fascination. Gray eyes have been described as everything from sexy to brooding to passionate. But what’s the real story behind gray eyes?

We’ve consulted everything from science to Shakespeare in order to figure out what’s so special about gray eyes. And after you learn the full story, you’ll never stare at a pair of gray eyes the same again!

Where do gray eyes come from?

When it comes to other eye colors, there is a specific science behind the exact shade. For example, the exact concentration of melanin helps determine if your eyes are brown, blue, green, and so on.

But what about people with gray eyes? In that case, the scientific verdict is still out.

For example, dark gray eyes might come from a little melanin in the front of the iris dimming what would be blue eyes into a dark gray color. Light gray may come from a similar process, but one involving even less melanin in the iris.

So far, though, these are just theories. And it seems if there wasn’t more too it, gray eyes wouldn’t be so rare throughout the world.

How rare are gray eyes?

When it comes to unique eye colors, it’s natural to ask the question, “Are gray eyes rare?” The answer is “about as rare as it gets!”

Recent research suggests that less than one percent of the world’s population actually has gray eyes. If you think the color is more common, this is most likely a trick of the light.

It’s easy to confuse light blue eyes with gray eyes. But the truth is that even in areas where gray eyes are more common, it’s still extraordinarily rare to find this shade in the wild.

What do gray eyes mean?

We tend to ascribe a lot of cultural meaning to specific eye color. For example, we associate green eyes with envy. Sorry, green-eyed folks — you can blame Shakespeare for that.

So, what do gray eyes mean around the world? As you might expect, the meaning has changed a bit over the years.

Back in ancient Greece, gray eyes were associated with wisdom. This is because the mythological figure Athena had gray eyes and was the goddess of wisdom (among other things). Millennia later, there were more negative superstitions about gray eyes, including that they mean someone is greedy.

Fortunately, due to their rarity, the gray eyes meaning for modern people is quite positive. These eyes are associated with faithfulness, attention, and freedom.

Gray-eyed people are not vampires (we promise)

If you do know someone with gray eyes, you might have noticed some interesting behavior and personality traits. For example, they may like to avoid sunlight, stay up drinking wine, and even enjoy dominating other people in competitions.

Does this mean your gray-eyed friend is a vampire? No: it just means their eyes have caused an interesting set of genetic predispositions.

Someone with gray eyes (especially light gray eyes) may be more sensitive to light. This can happen with anyone who has light eyes and may cause them to shun the sunlight — or, at the very least, bring shades wherever they go.

Your gray-eyed friend may also like to pack away the alcohol. They aren’t just being a lush, though: alcohol may have less of an effect on them unless they drink more than the average.

Finally, studies suggest that those with lighter eyes (including, but not limited to, gray eyes) may be more competitive. This can be very fun or very annoying depending on whether you’re on their team or not!

There you have it: no vampire worries needed. So unless your gray-eyed friend is drinking blood, you can probably put down that wooden stake!

Where can you find gray eyes?

Earlier, we mentioned that some areas of the world have more gray-eyed people than other areas. Where, then, can you find natural grey eyes in your travels around the world?

Generally speaking, you can mostly find gray eyes in Europe. Not just anywhere in Europe, though: you’ll need to scope out Northern and Eastern Europe for the best chance of finding gray eyes naturally.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t find gray eyes any closer, of course. Those with European ancestry always have a chance of manifesting gray eyes. Although among people with European ancestors, it’s still a lot more common to find green, hazel, or blue eyes than it is to find gray ones.

Don’t fret if you still haven’t seen anyone with gray eyes, though. The sheer mystery surrounding this unique shade is what makes these eyes so sexy and endearing. And if nothing else, you’re probably aware of some very famous people with gray eyes!

Famous people with gray eyes

Many famous faces have gray eyes. Some are lighter, some are darker, and some are even tinged with a bit of blue.

Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto (who just so happens to be playing a vampire in Morbius) and has some very piercing gray eyes. Maybe his gray eyes helped him get the role?

Transformers star Megan Fox also has a pair of stunning gray eyes that help to make her a unique beauty. Be on the lookout for them next time you see her on the big screen!

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8 Ways To Become The Best You

The beginning of every year is filled with people who love to say “new year, new me.” But if you fast forward a few months, you’ll notice nothing has really changed.

If this sounds like you, we’ve got two pieces of good news. The first is that you can start changing your life at anytime — no new to wait for the new year! And the second piece of good news is that we know exactly how to make lasting changes in your life.

Are you ready to stop trying and start doing? Then you’re ready for these eight steps to help you unlock your full potential! Here is how to become the best version of you.

Stop saying you’re sorry

Do you feel like just about everything is your fault? Believe it or not, this is most likely a result of your daily language.

Many people get in the habit of saying “I’m sorry” for things that are out of their control or when they haven’t done anything wrong. If you’re not careful, you may eventually end up apologizing for everything you say or do!

Once you stop saying “I’m sorry,” your self-image will seriously improve. Try to find replacement words to get “sorry” out of your vocabulary. For example, if someone offers constructive criticism at work, don’t say “I’m sorry.” Instead, say, “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

Reprioritize whenever possible

Here’s a sobering exercise: at the end of today, try to write down everything that caused you stress. You might be surprised how long that list really is!

Once you know what is stressing you out on a regular basis, you can remove a lot of that stress by adjusting your priorities. If you’re worried about things that are out of your control (like whether it will rain the next day or what other people think of you), then cross those out. When you can’t change something, you shouldn’t let it stress you out ahead of time.

For things you can control, take the remaining list and write down an idea next to each stressor. These should be ideas for what you can do to take control of that situation. And once you start taking control, you’ll feel like you’re in control. It’s that easy!

Cultivate a positive inner circle

If you have issues like low self-esteem or poor body image, it may not be your fault. This may be a result of toxic feedback from people in your inner circle.

Maybe you have a “friend” who likes to comment on your recent weight gain. Or you have a boyfriend who doesn’t pay much attention to the projects that matter to you.

Negativity from others leads to negativity from yourself. But if you surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and loved ones, their positivity will help you feel better about your own life.

Know when to complain

Imagine this scenario: you’re at a restaurant with friends and the food starts coming out. Suddenly, you notice your order is wrong. What are you going to do about it?

For many of us, the first instinct is to say nothing at all. Why rock the boat and annoy other people? This may sound noble in your head, but it reinforces the idea that you are less important than other people.

Like we said before, there are things people can’t change (such as bad weather and the expectations of others). But when someone treats you wrong and it’s possible to fix things, you need to know when to complain.

There is nothing wrong with asking for what you ordered or reminding someone they need to respond to your text message. Not only does this reinforce your importance, but it helps get things done!

Love the person in the mirror

Here’s an interesting secret: becoming the better you involves playing a lot of emotional Judo. That means taking the things that make you feel bad and turning them into things that make you feel better.

The mirror is a great example of this. Many of us hate looking at ourselves in the mirror because it is (quite literally) reflecting our flaws back at us. However, it’s important to remember that the mirror is reflecting your entire image — not just your flaws.

Take a few minutes each day to admire yourself in the mirror. Pick something positive (such as your awesome outfit or your rocking hairdo) and allow yourself to feel good about your appearance. You can even write positive affirmations on the mirror itself in washable marker, like “You are so beautiful!” and “You look great!” Pretty soon, that mirror will lift you up instead of bringing you down!

Find your affirmations

To an outsider, someone’s affirmations often look a bit silly. But these affirmations are one of the most powerful ways to change how you feel and how you act.

An affirmation is typically short and positive. For example, “my hair is beautiful” and “I love my body” are both great affirmations. You don’t have to limit yourself: create as many affirmations as you want!

Say these affirmations to yourself in front of the mirror or whenever you are feeling stressed out. Eventually, constantly speaking about yourself in a positive way will lead to consistently positive thinking.

Make exercise fun

Let’s do some word association. What is your immediate reaction to the word “exercise?”

Many of you probably groaned just now. And why not? Exercise can often be annoying, sweaty, and even painful. Despite this, exercise is a great way to take control over how you look and how you feel.

What’s the solution, then? Make exercise fun! If you hate going to the gym, try jogging around your neighborhood while listening to your favorite podcast. And you can do routines with hand weights at home while watching your favorite trashy TV show.

By pairing exercise with activities that you already love, you can make exercise fun. Eventually, you’ll start looking forward to those exercise sessions instead of groaning!

Take responsibility for your life

The biggest side effect of low self-esteem is a sense of helplessness. You begin to feel like you’re not in control of your life. And this can lead to further misery and even depression because you feel like there is nothing you can do to make things better.

And this is why you’ll never become the “best you” until you take responsibility for your life. If you have a problem, start making an action plan of steps you can take to improve your situation. If you are weighed down by a toxic partnership, don’t hesitate to dump this person and start living a better life.

Remember: only you can change your life. Nobody can do that for you.

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What Happens When You Stop Washing Your Hair

Getting the best out of your hair often feels like you’re running a science experiment. Any day now, you’ll uncover the right mixture of chemicals and emerge a supermodel — or maybe a superhero!

However, some people have taken to a true extreme in terms of haircare: they’ve completely stopped washing their hair! This style trend is exploding from coast to coast, but does it actually work? Or will you come out of this looking like the Bride of Frankenstein?

If you really want the truth behind this trend, we’ve got a full rundown of the pros and cons of not washing your hair.

Natural oils make hair shiny

What do you think of when you think about beautiful hair? For many of us, the answer involves hair that looks really shiny and sleek. But frequent washing actually takes out much of what makes your own hair shine.

When you stop washing your hair, you give the natural oils in your hair time to work their magic. But that oil might need the help of a boar bristle brush to bring out the shine in all of your hair.

Say bye to dry

Here’s a weird paradox: have you noticed that washing your hair can actually make it look and feel more dry? That’s because of the same hair oil (sebum is the technical name) that we mentioned before.

Washing out that oil every day means that after you blow-dry your hair, it will feel seriously dry all day. But letting your hair’s natural oil do its thing means that your hair is going to feel pleasantly silky in addition to looking nice and shiny.

Of course, this may only apply to hair that hasn’t been dyed. If your dyed hair tends to dry out without a lot of conditioner, your natural oils may not be enough to smooth it out.

Your hair will no longer smell like shampoo

We all want our hair to look awesome, but a shower isn’t designed for aesthetic purposes. The main point of washing your hair is to…well…wash your hair! If you stop washing entirely, your hair may develop a pretty funky smell.

Think of your hair as a magnet for moisture. Everything from rain and sweat to simple humidity gets stored in your hair, and that moisture can easily turn into bacteria. The bacteria can get seriously smelly, especially if you never wash it.

Smelly hair won’t happen to everyone, though. This is another case where you should skip washing for a few days and see what happens. Hopefully, you can still pass the “smell test!”

Products, dust, dirt, and smoke will build-up in your hair

Do you use a lot of products in your hair? Unless you want to stop using them, you may need to keep regularly washing your hair.

Think of it this way: unless you wash your hair, all of that product has nowhere to go. It’s just going to keep building up and may even make your hair look very bad. In that sense, this “product pileup” can undo everything you were going for when you decided to stop washing.

Remember when we said that your hair collected moisture all throughout the day? Well, there’s something else that it collects: dust and dirt.

Eventually, letting that dirt stay on your head can make your scalp start to itch. But even if that doesn’t happen, your hair is at risk of storing all the stray dirt and soot that you walk through each day.

If you’re not careful, nasty smells from dirt and smoke may cling to your hair just like the smell of tobacco smoke clings to an old coat.

You could start losing your hair

Some morbid part of you is probably asking: “what’s the worst that could possibly happen if I stop washing my hair?” The short answer is that you could start losing your hair!

Before you freak out, this can only really happen if you simultaneously stop washing your hair and keep using hair products. This combo can actually congest your scalp to a point where hair falls out and/or stops growing entirely.

This isn’t permanent, and it won’t happen to an extreme amount. But if it happens, consider this your warning sign to either ditch the hair products or go back to washing your hair.

Itchy and painful possibilities

While most people aren’t likely to experience hair loss when they stop washing their hair, an itchy scalp is a serious possibility.

This is especially true if you if you wear your hair up in a bun or a ponytail. And let’s face it, if you’re not washing your hair, you’re more likely to wear it up to hide the fact that it looks dirty.

But doing so can cause friction on your scalp, and those nerves are going to be more sensitive soon after you stop washing. To avoid the pain, try to skip the ponytails until you’re further in your “no wash” journey.

Your hair color will last longer

Do you dye your hair? In that case, not washing your hair may help you hold onto the dyed color that much longer.

That’s because frequent showering can wash out the hair color just as easily as it washes out your hair oil. Pretty soon, you need to dye it again or be stuck with your natural hair color. Conversely, if you give washing a rest, you get to enjoy your new color for as long as possible.

It’s up to you to determine if the pleasure of shiny and colorful hair is worth the possible downsides of not washing your hair!

Everyone’s hair will react differently

Basically, everybody’s genetics and hair are a bit different. That means that some people’s hair is going to thrive without washing and others will really suffer.

You won’t really know until you stop washing your hair for a few days and see what happens!

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8 Behaviors That Attract Men The Most

What if you were looking in all the wrong places for ways to attract a man?

Many women focus only on aesthetic considerations when it comes to what attracts men. This includes their physical fitness, their makeup, and their fashion choices.

But while men are definitely visual creatures, the real secret to finding a good man is all about the way you act. Specifically, you can focus on a handful of key behaviors until he’s wrapped around your finger.

What should you be doing to snag a man? Check out these eight behaviors that attract men the most.

Laughing it up

Men love it when women boost their self-esteem. And one of the best ways to do this is to laugh at a man’s jokes.

The simple act of laughter reinforces that you think he is funny. All those men who say they want a woman with a good sense of humor? That’s actually just code for “someone who will laugh at my jokes.”

That doesn’t mean you should fill your relationship with a fake laugh track. But when he says something truly funny, don’t hesitate to let him know!

Exhibiting kindness

In the 1989 movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the titular duo offered simple advice for a better life: “Be excellent to each other.” As it turns out, this is good advice for attracting a man as well!

For both men and women, kindness is one of the most important qualities. Kindness is what attracts men the most because it lets them get a glimpse of your future together.

Will you be a hit with his parents? Will you get along with his friends? He’s likelier to think the answer is “yes” when he sees you being kind toward other people.

Wearing your hair down

While we’re talking about old phrases, you’ve probably heard “letting your hair down” all your life. This usually means you are relaxing by letting your hair hang down instead of putting it into a serious, tight bun.

Interestingly, wearing your hair down may win men over. As it turns out, dudes really dig women who have medium-to-long hair and who wear that hair down. For whatever reason, this combination of long hair and casual style makes men think women are more attractive.

And if you can attract more men by putting in less work on your hair, that’s what we call a “win/win!”

Being persistently positive

The phrase “she has a great personality” has become a cultural punchline. The phrase usually implies that a person is not physically attractive but they make up for it in other ways.

Here’s a bit of irony, though. Having a great personality will actually make you look more attractive to men!

Think of it like beer goggles (minus the calories and hangover). If your personality turns a man on, it won’t take long for your body to do the same.

Showing genuine interest

Think about the last really bad first date you had. In many cases, what makes the date bad is that they aren’t paying attention to you. They aren’t listening so much as just waiting for their turn to start yakking.

When it comes to attracting men, it turns out they feel the same way! Whether it’s casual conversation or a full-on-date, guys respond best to women who are actively showing interest in them.

You can do this conversationally by asking follow-up questions about the things he is passionate about. Or you can simply smile and make frequent eye contact.

This shouldn’t be too surprising. If you want to forge a real love connection, staring into each other’s eyes is a good place to start.

Mirroring his mannerisms

Like we said, simply showing interest is one of the best (and simplest) for attracting men. But if you need other tips for how to attract men, you can take things to the next level by mimicking their behavior.

No, really! Studies have found that men like people more when those people act like them. This is known as the “chameleon effect,” and it refers to people who start acting like others. This includes using similar body language, facial expressions, and other behaviors.

You may already be doing this to some extent. Most of us end up unconsciously mimicking the friends we are close to. But by consciously mimicking the man you want, you can use the chameleon effect to subtly win his heart.

Hanging with friends

Speaking of the friends you are close to, would you believe that hanging with your friends can attract more men?

Women are more attractive when they are part of a group. There are multiple explanations of this that range from demonstrating your social skills to the man hearing your friends talking you up.

It may also come down to how men process information. Because guys can only process so much at once, they will walk away from a group hang only remembering certain details. And if those details include that you are fun, friendly, and well-liked, it makes you more attractive to them.

Keeping it real

Still wondering how women attract men? Our last tip is just as simple as it is frightening: you should be completely honest.

Early in a relationship, and especially on a first date, it can be tempting to tell a few lies. These might be white lies about your hobbies or big lies about your past. But these lies are actually sabotaging your chances at a good relationship.

A lie waiting to be uncovered is like a relationship time bomb waiting to go off. By sticking to the truth, you can avoid the explosion while building an honest connection.

And aside from that, men think women who are honest actually look better. Why not be the real you, especially when it gets you the right attention?

[wineviral]

9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Avocados Every Day

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what are you supposed to throw at him when you run out of apples?

In all seriousness, what we eat has a major impact on our overall health. And eating certain foods each day can make you happier and healthier than ever before.

Avocados are one of these foods. In addition to tasting great, avocados provide a number of awesome health benefits when you eat them each day! Here are nine things that happen to your body when you eat avocados every day.

Avocados may help slow signs of aging

One of the first big avocado benefits is also one of the most important: avocados provide anti-aging effects for your body.

How do you slow down aging, exactly? It all starts with making sure your body gets the nutrients it needs, including essential fatty acids. These EFAs protect your cells and your skin, helping you look a bit younger each day.

Ultimately, avocado is like salmon: it helps your skin glow.

Avocados may help reduce stress

One thing we all have in common is stress. No matter who you are or where you live, chances are that you’re looking for easy ways to reduce stress.

Fortunately, one of the benefits of avocado is that it reduces stress. Why is that? Simple: avocados provide the magnesium your body needs to reduce stress and sleep better. And this creates a cycle where getting better sleep reduces your stress even further!

If you’ve been dealing with a lot of stress, it may be time to learn how to make avocado toast!

Avocados may help you lose weight

Speaking of that dish, ever wonder why avocado toast is so popular among millennials? One reason is that, like coffee, it helps people lose weight!

In theory, losing weight is a matter of mathematics: we just need to eat fewer calories and burn more calories through exercise and activity. But it gets difficult because certain foods make you feel fuller than other foods.

Due to the essential nutrients and healthy fats in avocado, you feel fuller for longer after eating. And while avocado calories can be on the high side, you can eat in moderation and not feel the need to snack later on.

Avocados may help fight depression

Depression is one of the worst things in the world. It can leave a person feeling helpless and miserable from day to day. However, eating avocados may help you fight back against depression.

Why is “fighting depression” one of the avocado health benefits? The healthy fats in avocado help fight depression. And they also help prevent later mental decline which could cause depression (or simply make it worse).

Additionally, avocado provides magnesium to help you sleep and potassium to boost brain function. With regular avocado consumption, you’ll feel better, think better, and sleep better, all of which help fight depression.

Avocados may help your muscles recover from workouts

Working out is pretty tricky. You need to find exercises that challenge your body and strain the right muscles. But you also need to eat the right recovery meals to help your muscles and joints heal after an intense workout.

That’s why more people are turning to avocado recipes after they work out. Avocado provides the potassium, healthy fats, and amino acids your muscles need to recover. Add some avocado oil to your recipes and you’ll be ready to work out again before you know it!

Avocados may lower your risk of heart disease

In many ways, your heart is the most important organ in your body. If you’re not careful, things like heart disease and heart attacks can permanently change the quality of your life.

Avocados, like romaine lettuce, are great for your heart due to the ingredients we mentioned earlier. The healthy fats help to reduce your chances of strokes, heart attacks, and various other heart diseases. And the potassium helps keep your heart strong and your arteries clear.

Avocados may help you grow stronger nails

Few things are quite as annoying as a cracked nail. But have you asked yourself why your nails crack so often? Chances are that you don’t get enough biotin in your diet.

Those with a biotin deficiency often experience weak and brittle nails. However, avocado naturally provides the biotin you need to make your nails healthy and strong. As an added bonus, avocado also provides iron to further strengthen your nails.

Avocados may help you grow strong, shiny hair

Regular avocado consumption provides more than strong nails. It can also provide stronger and shinier hair!

If you’re wondering why, it all comes back to biotin. Just as a biotin deficiency can lead to weak and brittle nails, it also leads to hair damage and loss.

Once again, avocado provides some of the biotin that your body needs. If you’re really worried about hair health, though, you may want to get biotin supplements so that your body gets at least 30 micrograms per day.

Avocados may aid digestion

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, everybody strives for a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, many of the packaged and processed foods we eat each day are seriously disrupting our digestion.

The good news is that avocado can help put your digestion back on track. It has enough nutrients and fiber to promote regular digestion, and the low levels of fructose make avocado less likely to give you gas.

Also, the potassium in avocado helps improve digestion. And consuming avocado can help you fight inflammation caused by other foods like red meat. Between fighting inflammation and boosting digestion, avocado has what it takes to get your body back on track.

[wineviral]

4 Things Emotionally Intelligent People Don’t Do

Sure, you’re smart. But are you emotionally intelligent?

Emotional intelligence doesn’t come from a specific book or a rigorous education. Instead, it refers to how well you understand your own emotions as well as those of others.

Even if you don’t know much about emotional intelligence, it’s easy to spot when someone doesn’t have it. For example, someone who constantly blames other people for their own problems is failing to understand how disrupting their negative emotions are.

Those without emotional intelligence often sabotage their own success as well. They keep getting drawn back into the wringer of anxiety and stress, and this keeps them from making any real progress toward their goals.

All of us should strive to be more emotionally intelligent. To help you out, we’ve prepared a guide for what not to do so you can further improve your emotional intelligence. Here are four things that emotionally intelligent people don’t do.

Criticize people

Criticizing other people is very easy. In fact, it’s basically built into our human nature. But have you ever thought about what drives our constant need to criticize?

There is basically a fine line when it comes to criticism. For example, constructive criticism is always valuable — it’s a way of letting those around you know what they can do to improve themselves or their lives.

Other times, though, “criticism” is just a codeword for tearing other people down. And why would someone do that? Because they think tearing someone down is a way of building themselves up.

Maybe you say (or simply think) another person is stupid because it makes you feel smart. Or you criticize their taste in fashion or decor because it makes you feel good about your own aesthetic sense.

Emotionally intelligent people avoid doing this because they see what a sham it really is. Tearing down another person will never actually build you up. Instead, you should focus on improving your own life.

RELATED: 4 Relationship Red Flags You Should Never Ignore

Worry about the future

Do you know anyone who comfortably lives in the “now” instead of constantly worrying about the future? In all likelihood, that person is emotionally intelligent.

As with criticism, some concern over the future is positive and even necessary. It would be foolish, for instance, if you never gave any thought to your retirement and took plans to make that retirement more comfortable.

However, some people worry about the future so regularly that it disrupts their daily life. This is what those without emotional intelligence do: they put the cart before the horse!

The main reason anyone worries about the future is because it is completely uncertain. It’s easy to make the rookie mistake that constantly worrying about the future helps you take control of that uncertainty. In reality, it makes you worry so much about tomorrow that you can never enjoy the here and now.

What do emotionally intelligent people do instead? Simple: they accept that the future is uncertain and there is only so much they can do to change things. By doing what they can and letting the rest go, these people free themselves from obsessing over tomorrow.

Obsess about the past

Of course, not everyone obsesses over tomorrow. Quite a few people obsess instead about what happened in the past!

This is arguably the most common sign that someone lacks emotional intelligence. It may mean that you’re unable to sleep because you’re remembering a painful argument from years ago. Or you’re focused on how you could have said something different in a past conversation and completely changed your life.

As with criticism, some level of this can be constructive and positive. We can never learn from our mistakes unless we confront them, and confronting our mistakes is the key to personal growth.

Those without emotional intelligence, however, worry about the past is a chronic and toxic manner. Ironically, this obsession over the past is usually because the person wants an illusion of control in an uncertain world.

How do emotionally intelligent people view mistakes from the past? They understand that there is nothing they can do to change what has already happened.

By giving up on a negative obsession with the past, it’s possible to embrace the liberating possibilities of the future.

RELATED: 6 Easy Ways To De-Stress After A Long Day

Live with unrealistic expectations

Those who lack emotional intelligence often drive their friends and even their family members away. Why? We can sum it up in two words: “unrealistic expectations.”

When you’re close to someone, it’s natural that you want what is best for them. Maybe you want them to have a high-profile job or the partner they deserve.

However, those without emotional intelligence go the extra mile and create unrealistic expectations for others. Maybe you think your daughter deserves to be CEO fresh out of college, or you think her boyfriend should be a millionaire.

This creates a feedback loop where you are disappointed that your loved ones aren’t meeting your unrealistic expectations. And when that happens, you end up resenting them and pushing them away instead of helping them succeed.

At the end of the day, these kinds of unrealistic expectations are just a petty way to try to control the lives of others. Emotionally intelligent people drop those expectations and simply accept their family and friends for who they are.

Doing so will make you happier and healthier in your daily life. And more than that, it will make you into the kind of person that your family and friends truly deserve!

[wineviral]

10 Benefits Of Yoga You Never Knew About

Yoga is one of the most popular health-positive activities you can do. It boosts wellness and can make it easier for people to undertake other exercises. It’s an easy way to take preventative measures and increase your life quality.

But what does yoga really do, besides make you stretch? The benefits are numerous. Here are 10 yoga benefits you never knew about.

Yoga relieves stress

Nothing beats stress like controlled breathing, and that’s a major component of yoga. Learning to control your reactions and slowing your heart rate can calm anxiety. Plus, teaching yourself that kind of control will help you mentally in the long run. Practicing controlled breathing through yoga can even help you sleep better at night.

Yoga promotes brain function

Another benefit yoga’s controlled breathing is increasing the intake of oxygen. Increased oxygen stimulates your brain cells, which leads to clearer thinking processes. And being mindful and present increases your ability to function critically. Your brain is a powerful machine, and yoga is a powerful tool to keep it finely tuned.

Yoga lowers risk of illness

One of the great benefits of yoga is the effect it has on the immune system. According to a 2013 Norwegian research study, yoga is beneficial to gene expression, or the way the body makes proteins and other necessary molecules. The better your body can process itself, the better you function. By creating a faster response to disease in your body, yoga boosts your immunity.

Yoga promotes heart health

Among other things, yoga can lead to lower blood pressure, which in addition to lowering stress levels can benefit the heart. The less physical stress you put on the heart, the better it functions. This is more important the older you get. Yoga is one of the easiest ways to contribute to your own continued heart health.

Yoga promotes comfort

Unlike a lot of other workouts, yoga has a hidden benefit in comfort. Yoga clothes are generally light, breathable, and yet close fitting. They are not prone to chafing and will keep you both cool and warm during a session. Many yoga outfits are made of material that wicks moisture away, preventing sweat from accumulating. Not to mention the fact that yoga clothes are easier to wear in daily life than other forms of workout gear.

Yoga promotes body positivity

One of yoga’s greatest benefits is that you don’t have to be super fit to practice it. Because it concentrates on breathing and stretching, anyone can do it. So, if you’re the type of person who avoids the gym because you’re dreading that judging stare, yoga is a place where you can relax. No one cares how you look while doing it. Everyone is concentrating on themselves.

Yoga promotes dating, too

Believe it or not, studies show that having “yoga” in your dating profile is seen as more attractive than not having it. Does this sound shallow? Perhaps, but if you can get yourself a new yoga partner as well as a date, it can’t be that bad. And in today’s dating climate, it’s a welcome advantage.

Yoga improves your sex life

Not only does yoga increase your dating pool, it also does wonders in the sex department. Yoga exercises key core muscles and increases flexibility, making sex more enjoyable and aiding in better and longer orgasms. What better way to tone your muscles and strengthen your body, when the results make everything just that much better?

Yoga can help you eat better

What does yoga have to do with eating? Plenty, actually. Breathing and mindfulness while eating can help with eating problems, like eating too fast or too much. Mindfulness also trains you not to eat when you’re not hungry. Yoga is not itself a diet program, but it can help a regular diet program work. Not only that but yoga stretches the abdomen and helps with problems such as constipation. Use yoga to get your body working for you, even when you’re not.

Yoga can help you bond with your pet

Pets make everything better, but in this case this is a plus: dogs can practice yoga alongside you. They want to mimic your poses and socialize with you while you’re working out. Cats will often want to share your yoga mat with you. There are even classes where baby goats will join in a yoga session, mostly climbing all over people. Yoga can be done in groups or solo but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a furry friend along with you to make it more fun.

[wineviral]

10 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Chocolate Every Day

Chocolate is one of the most sought after foods in the world. Whether you’re a fan of milk chocolate or dark frothy cocoa, there are certain drawbacks to eating it. There are a lot of additives and sugar added to make chocolate sweet and smooth. But that doesn’t mean that chocolate has no nutritional value.

Chocolate has flavonoids, compounds that help regulate cellular activity in the body. They also help protect against environmental toxins and stressors. Flavonoids are found in many foods, like tea, berries, citrus fruits, and legumes. But dark chocolate has the highest levels of all of them.

We all know that eating a lot of chocolate is a bad thing, but are there any good things that happen from taking a small amount of chocolate daily? Here are 10 things that happen to your body when you eat chocolate every day.

Chocolate lowers blood pressure

Believe it or not, as little as 30 grams of dark chocolate, about the size of a Hershey’s mini Special Dark, has been clinically shown to lower blood pressure. Granted, the amount lost was small, and only for dark chocolate. White and milk chocolate showed no difference, but if you’re at risk for hypertension, a small bite of dark chocolate can do your body good.

Chocolate can prevent inflammation

Dark chocolate has been shown to reduce or even prevent inflammation. Inflammation is how your body reacts to fighting off diseases. But when you have chronic inflammation, you run the risk of damaging your body’s cells, which can lead to developing diabetes or arthritis. That same little bit of dark chocolate can do you several favors at once.

Chocolate can prevent sun damage to skin

Dark chocolate to the rescue again! This time, it’s dark chocolate with high levels of flavonoids. Studies have shown that people who ingest high flavonoids are able to withstand the sun’s harmful rays longer than those who do not. This doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen, though. It just means that a little chocolate keeps the sun from doing extra damage.

Chocolate can improve your memory

A research study showed that people who eat a bit of chocolate can boost the gamma frequency in their brains in as few as 30 minutes, and the effect can last for several hours. This boost affects your ability to process new information as well as recall. Of course, again it’s the dark chocolate that has the best benefit.

Chocolate helps you work out

This sounds suspicious but hear us out: dark chocolate in moderation can extend your workout. Cocoa is high in a flavonoids called epicatechin that increases production of nitric oxide. This gives your blood the ability to carry more oxygen. Higher oxygen levels let your body work out longer. See how easy that is?

It’s not just eating your sadness away: there’s science behind it. Chocolate helps regulate serotonin, which is your brain’s happy chemical. It won’t solve everything, but a small dose of dark chocolate can help break a bad mood or even prevent one from starting. But don’t get too excited, as the recommended daily dose is one ounce.

Chocolate reduces risk of heart attack

It’s those flavonoids again! They’re present in a lot of natural foods like açai berries and apples and legumes. But dark chocolate, or the cocoa it’s made from, has a higher level of flavonoids than any of them, which are antioxidants. A little chocolate is good for your heart health, but just remember that other flavonoids-filled foods are lower in fat, sugar and calories.

Chocolate can reduce stress

A dose of dark chocolate also reduces some levels that are bad. One of these is cortisol, a hormone that aggravates anxiety. A Johns Hopkins study showed that taking chocolate during a stressful situation can lower anxiety in as little as half an hour. Cortisol leads to heart damage as well, so that’s one less thing to stress over.

Chocolate can help you sleep

The same serotonin that regulates your mood also regulates your sleep. So, that dark chocolate may also make you sleepy. Yes, there’s caffeine in dark chocolate, but not enough to counteract the serotonin. Milk chocolate has lower cocoa and therefore lower serotonin. So if you’re using chocolate to stay awake, stay away from the dark variety.

Chocolate can make you gain weight

Yes, even dark chocolate with all its health benefits can make you gain weight. Milk chocolate has added milk and sugar and white chocolate has no beneficial cocoa at all. But dark chocolate, even in its purest unsweetened form, still has a boatload of calories. So, if you’re going to take chocolate for the other benefits, be sure to severely limit your intake. Remember, just a little goes a long way.

[wineviral]

8 Behaviors That Attract Men The Most

What if you were looking in all the wrong places for ways to attract a man?

Many women focus only on aesthetic considerations when it comes to what attracts men. This includes their physical fitness, their makeup, and their fashion choices.

But while men are definitely visual creatures, the real secret to finding a good man is all about the way you act. Specifically, you can focus on a handful of key behaviors until he’s wrapped around your finger.

What should you be doing to snag a man? Check out these eight behaviors that attract men the most.

Laughing it up

Men love it when women boost their self-esteem. And one of the best ways to do this is to laugh at a man’s jokes.

The simple act of laughter reinforces that you think he is funny. All those men who say they want a woman with a good sense of humor? That’s actually just code for “someone who will laugh at my jokes.”

That doesn’t mean you should fill your relationship with a fake laugh track. But when he says something truly funny, don’t hesitate to let him know!

Exhibiting kindness

In the 1989 movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the titular duo offered simple advice for a better life: “Be excellent to each other.” As it turns out, this is good advice for attracting a man as well!

For both men and women, kindness is one of the most important qualities. Kindness is what attracts men the most because it lets them get a glimpse of your future together.

Will you be a hit with his parents? Will you get along with his friends? He’s likelier to think the answer is “yes” when he sees you being kind toward other people.

Wearing your hair down

While we’re talking about old phrases, you’ve probably heard “letting your hair down” all your life. This usually means you are relaxing by letting your hair hang down instead of putting it into a serious, tight bun.

Interestingly, wearing your hair down may win men over. As it turns out, dudes really dig women who have medium-to-long hair and who wear that hair down. For whatever reason, this combination of long hair and casual style makes men think women are more attractive.

And if you can attract more men by putting in less work on your hair, that’s what we call a “win/win!”

Being persistently positive

The phrase “she has a great personality” has become a cultural punchline. The phrase usually implies that a person is not physically attractive but they make up for it in other ways.

Here’s a bit of irony, though. Having a great personality will actually make you look more attractive to men!

Think of it like beer goggles (minus the calories and hangover). If your personality turns a man on, it won’t take long for your body to do the same.

Showing genuine interest

Think about the last really bad first date you had. In many cases, what makes the date bad is that they aren’t paying attention to you. They aren’t listening so much as just waiting for their turn to start yakking.

When it comes to attracting men, it turns out they feel the same way! Whether it’s casual conversation or a full-on-date, guys respond best to women who are actively showing interest in them.

You can do this conversationally by asking follow-up questions about the things he is passionate about. Or you can simply smile and make frequent eye contact.

This shouldn’t be too surprising. If you want to forge a real love connection, staring into each other’s eyes is a good place to start.

Mirroring his mannerisms

Like we said, simply showing interest is one of the best (and simplest) for attracting men. But if you need other tips for how to attract men, you can take things to the next level by mimicking their behavior.

No, really! Studies have found that men like people more when those people act like them. This is known as the “chameleon effect,” and it refers to people who start acting like others. This includes using similar body language, facial expressions, and other behaviors.

You may already be doing this to some extent. Most of us end up unconsciously mimicking the friends we are close to. But by consciously mimicking the man you want, you can use the chameleon effect to subtly win his heart.

Hanging with friends

Speaking of the friends you are close to, would you believe that hanging with your friends can attract more men?

Women are more attractive when they are part of a group. There are multiple explanations of this that range from demonstrating your social skills to the man hearing your friends talking you up.

It may also come down to how men process information. Because guys can only process so much at once, they will walk away from a group hang only remembering certain details. And if those details include that you are fun, friendly, and well-liked, it makes you more attractive to them.

Keeping it real

Still wondering how women attract men? Our last tip is just as simple as it is frightening: you should be completely honest.

Early in a relationship, and especially on a first date, it can be tempting to tell a few lies. These might be white lies about your hobbies or big lies about your past. But these lies are actually sabotaging your chances at a good relationship.

A lie waiting to be uncovered is like a relationship time bomb waiting to go off. By sticking to the truth, you can avoid the explosion while building an honest connection.

And aside from that, men think women who are honest actually look better. Why not be the real you, especially when it gets you the right attention?

[wineviral]

7 Myths About Weight Loss You Always Thought Were True

“Losing weight” is one of the most confusing ideas in our culture. It seems like everyone wants to do it, but everyone has different ideas about what works.

This has led to many myths about losing weight that are completely wrong. In fact, not only are these ideas wrong, but some could cause you to gain weight instead of lose it.

This is not just a superficial problem. The benefits and signs of burning fat include everything from increased creativity to reduced depression and less fatigue.

So, if you want to improve your mental and physical health, it’s best to separate fact from fiction. Here, then, are the fake facts and myths about fat loss for women you thought were true!

1. You need to avoid fat

Of all the fake facts, what is number one? The idea that you need to avoid eating fat whenever possible.

Countless low-fat diets are based on the idea that less fat makes it easier to burn calories and lose weight. But your body actually needs that fat for energy, and fatty foods can help you feel fuller for longer. Fats in foods also help with reducing inflammation and stimulating the mind as “brain food.”

Not all fats are created equal, though. Stick with unsaturated and low-percentage fats if you’re interested in losing weight.

RELATED: 5 Habits That Will Help You Lose Weight

2. Carbs are the enemy

You can’t throw a stick without hitting some new no-carb or low-carb diet. And this has caused plenty of people who want to lose weight to swear off carbs forever.

If you’re constantly munching on carbs, it’s true that reducing consumption may cause weight loss. But that is more a matter of reducing your overall caloric intake than any magic about ditching carbs.

And some carbs (including whole-grain bread, fruits, veggies, oatmeal, potatoes, and brown rice) are a cornerstone of a healthy diet. They provide the fiber you need while also making your body feel fuller for longer. The fuller you feel, the less you’ll snack throughout the day!

3. You can target weight loss in one area of your body

Where do most weight loss myths come from? As you might expect, most of them come from someone trying to sell you something. And one of the biggest myths (fueled by countless infomercials) is the idea that you can target weight loss in just one area of your body.

This idea (also called spot reduction) is obviously tempting. For example, many people would love to target fat loss around areas like arms and bellies, but that’s not how weight loss works. You’re going to lose fat in different areas first based on your genetics, and no amount of special diets or exercises can change that.

On the bright side, you can target certain areas for muscle tone, if not weight loss. You can build and tone your muscles, although your hard work may be buried under a layer of fat until you lose the excess weight.

RELATED: Understanding Weight Fluctuations & Erratic Numbers On The Scale

4. The right foods burn fat

What’s the biggest lie anyone has ever said about a particular food? Just three little words: “It burns fat.”

The idea that food literally burns fat is a kind of magical thinking. Who wouldn’t like the ability to eat a certain dish and just watch those pounds melt off?

With that being said, some foods are better for weight loss than others. That’s because some foods do things like make you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Ultimately, combining a balanced diet and exercise are the only ways to consistently lose weight.

“Magical” weight loss tricks like so-called fat-burning creams, fat-burning drinks, and fat-burning essential oils fall into this myth category as well.

5. Healthy food makes you lose weight

That brings us to a related myth: that “healthy” foods inherently help you lose weight. But that’s simply not true, and how we define “healthy” food is something of an open question.

The reason is that it all comes down to calories. You might think a salad is certainly healthier than a burger. But a McDonald’s salad, along with salad dressing, actually has more calories in it than a Big Mac!

As we said before, the key to healthy food is feeling fuller for a longer time and ultimately reducing how many calories you consume. And foods high in calories (even “healthy” foods) will hurt your weight loss plans instead of helping them.

RELATED: 9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Avocados Every Day

6. Cardio is king

It’s an open secret that exercise is an important part of losing weight. But there are plenty of exercise myths out there. For example, plenty of people believe that cardio is the most effective way to burn calories.

Don’t get us wrong: getting at least 10,000 steps a day and throwing in some running sessions is a solid way to burn calories. But if you really want to watch calories burn off, you need to take up strength training. For this reason, fat-burning chest workouts like rowing or swimming are great.

This training develops more muscles throughout your body. And the more muscles you have, the more energy your body uses to maintain those muscles. That means you’ll burn more calories more efficiently, even when you’re doing no exercise at all!

Having more muscle even translates to burning more fat while you sleep, because muscle burns more calories at rest than fat. For fat-burning exercises at home that also build muscle, you can try investing in a rowing machine.

7. Juice detox is effective

Juice detoxes are the latest health craze sweeping from coast to coast. And proponents of juice detoxes love to claim that you will naturally lose weight while enjoying a healthier “de-toxed” body.

It’s possible that a juice detox could help you lose weight, but that’s only because you’re reducing how many calories you consume. And juice detoxes can be dangerous because they hurt your metabolism. This means you may pack the pounds back on as soon as you get off the juice diet.

Adding insult to injury, these detoxes don’t actually remove any toxins. So they are basically nothing more than a disappointing crash diet that can lead to long-term weight gain.

[wineviral]

8 Myths About Vitamins You Always Thought Were True

If you’re taking over-the-counter vitamins without consulting a doctor, you may be headed for trouble. Vitamins aren’t regulated the way prescription drugs are, and some studies claim that vitamins in large doses can actually cause more harm than good.

While people with a vitamin deficiency may find a supplement helpful, the rest of us may be taking more vitamins than needed, or may not need a supplement at all. In fact, it’s possible to get your recommended daily allowance of vitamins (and minerals) from a well-rounded diet.

Before you start taking vitamins, consider these myths about vitamins that aren’t actually true.

Myth #1: You ‘need’ to supplement your diet with vitamins

If you take vitamins thinking it will make up what your diet lacks, you’re doing it wrong. Vitamins naturally exist in a variety of foods, from fruits and vegetables to grains and proteins. Even packaged goods like crackers boast of added vitamins. Vitamin deficiency is definitely a real thing — for example, lack of vitamin C causes scurvy — but you don’t need more than a small serving per day to ward that off.

Myth #2: The more vitamins you take, the better

People might think the more vitamins you take, the healthier you are. But this isn’t true: you can definitely suffer from too high a vitamin intake. Although your body is able to rid itself from some excess vitamins, there are some vitamins that stay in the body.

The difference is that some vitamins dissolve in water, while some dissolve in fat. Vitamin C is water-soluble so it can be excreted through sweat or urine, but vitamin A, which is fat-soluble, cannot. People usually take vitamin A to try to improve their eyesight (a myth we’ll touch on next). But an overabundance of vitamin A is toxic and can cause hair loss, liver damage, and (ironically) blurred vision.

Myth #3: Vitamin A can improve your eyesight

If you’ve been loading up on carrots or taking a vitamin A supplement to improve your eyesight or keep it from getting worse, this one’s going to hurt. While vitamin A does help your body process vision in dim light, it won’t make your eyesight better.

The reason for this myth goes back to World War II, when England didn’t want the Axis powers to know they had invented radar. They spread a false rumor that the English had superior eyesight to spot enemy planes because of carrots. It’s a myth, like the Popeye myth about spinach giving you super strength.

Myth #4: All the B vitamins are equally important

Vitamin B is actually spread over eight different compounds, like B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). The B complex of vitamins affects your brain function and the metabolism of your cells. They also prevent infections and help your body process food into energy.

B vitamins are present in proteins and leafy green vegetables, but they’re also added to cereals and breads. B12 and B6 are the most important ones, as they deal with the formation of red blood cells. A deficiency in those can cause anemia. Since they’re found almost everywhere, it’s unlikely that you would need to supplement them.

Myth #5: Vitamin C helps you shake the common cold

Many people swear by vitamin C as a way to prevent a cold or stop one in its early stages. There are even vitamin C-containing supplements marketed just for that purpose. But vitamin C does not affect a cold.

Another supplement people swear by is zinc, but that too does not prevent or stop colds. While some vitamins do affect how well your immune system works, remember that only a small amount per day is necessary. One orange or a cup of broccoli contains a whole day’s recommended dose of vitamin C.

Myth #6: You need to spend hours in the sun to get enough vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is something everyone should avoid, since it can cause back pain, depression, and even brittle bones. And believe it or not, you can get a vitamin D deficiency by being indoors too long.

Luckily, the sun is your best source of vitamin D. But you don’t need long hours of exposure to get your daily recommended dose. You can get enough vitamin D by going outside at midday for 10-30 minutes, several times a week (even if you’re wearing sunscreen). Also, vitamin D is a major presence in fish and mushrooms, so you can supplement your diet by eating these foods.

Myth #7: Vitamin E boosts your energy

People used to take vitamin E supplements to promote higher energy levels, but really it mainly helps with the immune system. But you need to keep in mind that Vitamin E is fat-soluble, not water-soluble, so it’s easy to take too much Vitamin E. You have to be careful: an overdose of Vitamin E can really do damage.

Vitamin E excess can make it difficult for your blood to clot, causing wounds to bleed longer. If you’re on blood-thinning medication, Vitamin E just makes it worse. You can get vitamin E naturally through vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and those same leafy green vegetables from earlier.

Myth #8: Calcium supplements increase bone density

Everybody knows kids need to drink milk to build strong bones and muscles, and older women need calcium to ward off osteoporosis. But there’s a problem: there are no studies showing that calcium supplements increase bone density at all.

If you don’t drink milk, it’s leafy green vegetables to the rescue. They have all the calcium you need for your daily recommended allowance. Just be careful not to exceed these levels. Too much calcium can result in kidney stones and other urinary system troubles.

[wineviral]

9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Mangoes Every Day

When you think of superfoods you probably think of the more popular ones like açaí berries or blueberries. But it turns out that one of the best things you can eat is the mango. Mangoes are sweet and add brightness to your menu, along with fiber and a host of vitamins, and mango calories are low compared to other stone fruits.

It doesn’t matter how to eat a mango: whether raw or dried or in a blended smoothie, mangoes have a lot going for them. What are the benefits of adding a little mango in your daily routine? Here are nine things that happen to your body when you add mangoes to your diet.

You may reduce your cancer risk

A lot of foods make claims to be cancer-fighting, but mangoes can actually back up that claim. In tests against breast or colon cancers, mangoes repressed growth of cancer cells and prevented new ones from appearing. Mangoes also have been seen to affect other cancer types such as leukemia. Not only that, but mangoes are anti-inflammatory, so they can alleviate other diseases like arthritis.

One benefit of mangoes is that they are loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. Also, they are comprised of a lot of water. These four elements are vital to preventing dehydration, which can cause your cholesterol to rise. If you’re not drinking enough water to begin with, you might want to add mangoes to your diet to make up the difference.

Your body might become less acidic

It’s been reported that cancer cells prefer an acidic environment. The opposite of that is an alkalized environment, and mangoes do a lot to make that happen. Even though mangoes break down into some acids as you digest them, the acids turn alkaline as they’re processed. Mangoes go a long way toward helping maintain the pH balance in your body.

Remember we said mangoes have a lot of fiber? The kind of fiber mangoes have is called prebiotic, which helps keep your gut flora healthy and running smoothly. The fiber is not digestible in itself, and many studies suggest that mangoes can be good if you’re dieting, since a little can fill you up fast. If you have a problem with regular bowel movements, mangoes can help get you back on track.

Your sex life may improve

Mangoes have been known as a natural aphrodisiac for a long time. Mangoes have a high level of vitamin E, which increases the male sex drive. Women, too, can get a boost from mangoes, as it helps female sex hormones as well. A secondary benefit of vitamin E is that it makes your skin healthy, so there is no downside to eating mangoes regularly.

You may be less susceptible to heat stroke

If you live in one of the warmer environments in the world, mangoes can be your new best friend. Mangoes have high water content and potassium, and that helps regulate your body’s internal thermostat. Not only can it help prevent a heat stroke, it can also help treat one if you feel like one is coming on. Just a little mango can go a long way to helping your body withstand heat-related illnesses.

Your immunity may improve

Mangoes are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. Not only do mangoes have high concentrations of vitamins C and E, but they also contain over 20 other antioxidant compounds. These help prevent cell damage and get rid of free radicals that can bring on illness. One cup of mango chunks can give you all the protection you need to face the day.

Your memory and concentration may increase

Mangoes also have high levels of glutamic acid, which is an amino acid. This important compound turns into glutamate as you digest it, which is the chemical necessary for the brain to send and receive messages between brain cells. This boosts memory function and lets the brain communicate faster and more efficiently. Having some mango in the morning can help you concentrate through the day.

You may lower your risk of anemia

Finally, mangoes contain a lot of iron. Your body needs iron to keep your blood healthy; a lack of iron is what causes anemia. This is especially common in women, especially during pregnancy. Mangoes are a good, safe way to keep your iron levels up without taking an iron supplement. Mangoes give a lot of value in such a little package. Adding it to your diet every day can bring you benefits you didn’t know you needed.

[wineviral]

10 Dos & Don’ts When Traveling On An Airplane During The Pandemic

Don’t: spread out all over the seatsDon’t: go barefoot

The only time you’re allowed to take your mask off on board is when you’re eating or drinking. So, staying hydrated in the dry, climate-controlled cabin is a must. Drink water preferably to alcohol, which can dry you out; keep a water bottle with you at all times. This will also help your circulation and digestion while you’re sitting down. But don’t forget drinking all that water may make you have to get up and use the restroom.

Don’t: get dehydrated

Airport security already makes you obey strict guidelines about bringing hand sanitizer on the flight with you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring it, as long as it’s in a container sized 12 ounces or less. And since you’ll be touching any number of surfaces during your flight, from the arm rest to the call button to the window shade, sanitizing your hands frequently is a very good idea.

2020 has been a difficult and challenging year for people who have to travel by air. But the travel industry is slowly coming back, and airlines have had to adapt to a new way of getting people from point A to point B. Until the restrictions of COVID-19 are rescinded, there are a few general ideas to make your travel easier and more comfortable. Here are 10 dos and don’ts to keep in mind when flying on an airplane during the global pandemic.

Do: steer clear of the bathroom

If you’re on a relatively short flight, you are better off going to the bathroom before you get on the plane. The plane’s lavatories are extremely close quarters and you’re sharing it with everyone else, so the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other virus increases.

Do: wash your hands

If you do end up using the restroom, do not forget to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. That way you can feel better about going back to your seat. Hand washing is probably your best defense against anything you might pick up in the restroom.

Do: avoid the aisle seat

If you can, get yourself a window seat. Right now many airlines are blocking the middle seat, so your choices are the window or the aisle. The aisle seats are way too open to picking up something from someone randomly passing by, so opt for the window seat if you can. This is very important to remember since it basically contradicts the next entry.

Do: take a walk around

If you’re on a longer flight, you would do well to get up out of your seat and make a loop around the room. Your legs will thank you for it. Be sure to keep your mask on at all times, though (remember all those people with aisle seats will be eyeing you suspiciously). Or, if you can’t or don’t want to get up and walk around, you can do this next one instead…

Do: exercise in your seat

Did you know you could exercise while in your seat? It’s a small thing you can do anytime you’re seated for long periods. These are simple resistance exercises like rolling your ankles or tensing up your legs for 10 seconds, then relaxing. This will improve blood flow to your extremities. This is extremely important if you have trouble with your circulation. Get up if you can, but you have options if you can’t.

Do: use hand sanitizer

This may seem obvious but it’s true. Much as you might like to, if you’re wearing shoes with socks, please keep the shoes on. No one wants to be in a locked container with your socks. If you can, wear flip flops or sandals before boarding. But just imagine how many germs and microbes a planeload of people can bring in on the soles of their shoes. You wouldn’t want to take home those for a souvenir, would you?

Don’t: spread out all over the seats

Some airlines are keeping the middle seat empty and only allowing passengers every other seat, but some aren’t, and it won’t be forever. So if you’re on a more crowded flight, keep your arms, legs, and everything else in your space. If the middle seat is empty, don’t worry about it, but if there’s some poor person in the middle, treat them like you’d like to be treated and don’t overflow into their area.

Don’t: argue with the flight crew

Of all the important things to remember, this is the single most important. The flight crew is living through the same pandemic as you, so don’t be that person that has to argue about masks or seat assignments or luggage space just because you’re uncomfortable. Flight attendants can and will have you removed from a flight for arguing with them, and your fellow passengers will be only too happy to record the interaction and post it on YouTube. That’s not a good way to use up your 15 minutes of fame.