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Home Beauty Treatments You Can Make Yourself

September 15, 2016 by

Nothing feels better than getting a facial or a fresh blowout, but unfortunately, these types of beauty treatments can be pretty pricey. Luckily, you can mimic their results in your own home at Provence at Valencia, often by using common items that you already have. Here are a few rejuvenating beauty treatments that you can make yourself.

  1. Create a nourishing hair mask that restores each strand by combining common foods from the refrigerator. Simply mix together one egg yolk, one tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1/4 of an avocado, and two tablespoons of olive oil, and then let the mask sit on your hair for one hour before rinsing.
  2. Give yourself an at-home sugar scrub that sloughs off dead skin and leaves your body feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Combine equal parts coconut oil and brown sugar with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then rub it all over the next time you’re in the shower.
  3. Do a DIY facial using a mashed banana mixed with two tablespoons of heavy cream, one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of flour, and one tablespoon of water. Let the mask sit on your face for 10 minutes before rinsing. The banana reduces redness and adds smoothness, while the heavy cream is very soothing and leaves a soft, supple feeling behind.

10 All-Natural Beauty Fixes [Woman’s Day]
Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work [Whole Living]
Our Favorite All-Natural Home Beauty Treatments [Fitness Magazine]
10 DIY Beauty Treatments [Seventeen]

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Did You Know These Cool Facts About Tea?

July 7, 2016 by

There are few things more relaxing than kicking back after a long day with a hot mug of tea, but how much do you really know about the brew that you’re sipping? From its numerous health benefits to its rich, global history, there’s a whole lot to learn about this fascinating beverage!

  • Tea bags were originally designed in the early 1800s. They were created to hold samples of tea brought to America from India. Today, tea bags are much more commonly used than loose-leaf varieties.
  • Darjeeling tea is the world’s rarest tea. It gets its name because it's grown in the Indian region of Darjeeling. While many types of teas are labeled Darjeeling, only 1/4 are actually from the region!
  • While tea styles like black, green, white, and oolong taste very distinct, they all come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. It's the way the leaves are harvested and treated that determines their color and variety.
  • Herbal teas are not really teas at all. Rather, they're infused fruits, flowers, plants, and herbs.
  • China is the world’s largest tea producer. The country supplies 29% of the tea in the world. India comes in a close second.
  • The Chinese are not the world’s largest tea consumers. That title belongs to the United Arab Emirates!

Tea Facts from A to Z: 26 Things You Didn’t Know About Tea [Fine Dining Lovers]
Tea Fact Sheet – 2014 [Tea Association]
10 Interesting Facts About Tea — Iron Chef America Ingredients 101 [Food Network]

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What’s In Season? Your Guide to Spring Produce

May 19, 2016 by

Spring is a bountiful time of the year when it comes to fresh produce, but it always helps to know exactly what’s in season. If you want to purchase only the freshest, most flavorful fruits and veggies and ensure that they last as long as possible in your fridge, use these helpful tips for understanding spring produce.

  1. Artichokes. Whether you use them on pizzas or add them to your salads, artichokes are a great way to add flavor and nutrients to your meals. Their main harvest takes place during the springtime, so look for artichokes with close, compact leaves and clean-cut stems.
  2. Asparagus. This popular veggie is found in a number of high-end restaurants, but you can easily prepare it at home if you purchase it fresh in the springtime. The thickness doesn’t necessarily indicate tenderness, so don’t overlook thinner or thicker spears at your grocery store.
  3. Carrots. While carrots are commonly found in grocery stores year-round, they taste best during the spring season. Only purchase bundles that are firm to the touch for maximum freshness.
  4. Leafy greens. Nutrient-rich veggies like chard, kale, and other cooking greens tend to turn bitter during hot summer months, so purchase them in the spring for the best taste.
  5. Fennel. If you’ve never cooked with fennel, experiment with this green (a relative of celery) when it comes into season during the warmer springtime.
  6. Grapefruit. Create a nutritious breakfast by adding grapefruit, which starts to become plump and juicy in January.

Spring Produce: Your Guide to Picking the Best [Greatist]
What’s in Season? Spring [Fruits and Veggies More Matters]
Fresh Spring Fruits and Vegetables [About Food]

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Counting Calories? Here’s How to Stick to a Diet When Dining Out

March 17, 2016 by

It can be difficult to eat healthy while dining out, but that doesn’t mean you have to sabotage your diet. Here are a few smart tips for finding healthy, low-calorie meals at any restaurant.

  • Look up the menu online. Most restaurants today upload their menus to an online site, which means that you can research the healthiest options and even check the nutritional content before you leave the house.
  • Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your server what type of oil a meal is cooked in, which sides it comes with, and if it’s topped with any decadent sauces. Then, feel free to make modifications as you see fit.
  • Steer clear of the appetizers. If you’re out with a group of friends, don’t fall victim to snacking on nachos before the meal. This can add hundreds of extra calories to your meal.
  • Know some key words. Stay away from dishes with descriptions like “pan-fried,” “cream-based,” “au gratin,” or even “sautéed.” Instead, opt for dishes that are grilled or baked.
  • Moderate your alcohol intake. Enjoy 5 ounces of red wine or 12 ounces of light beer instead of cocktail to add only 150 calories to your meal.

13 Rules for Dining Out On a Diet [Today Health]
How to eat out while sticking to your diet! [Vedonis]
How to eat at a restaurant on a diet – How to survive without blowing your diet! [What’s Cooking America]

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Watching Your Weight? Don’t Make These Dieting Mistakes!

December 17, 2015 by

You might think that you’re on a fairly healthy diet that will eventually lead to your goal weight, but some of your eating habits might actually do more harm than good when it comes to weight loss. Check out these common dieting mistakes to make sure that they’re not a part of your daily routine

  • Eating too fast. By rushing through every meal, you don’t give your body enough time to actually feel full. If you eat slower, you’re more likely to stop eating when you’ve actually had enough.
  • Forgoing meals. Instead of making you lose weight faster, skipping meals actually leads to consuming more calories later in the day. Even if you’re not feeling hungry at meal time, try eating a small snack to keep your appetite regulated.
  • Consuming liquid calories. Many dieters don’t realize just how many calories there are in many common beverages. Drinks like wine, beer, coffee, and even juices can add hundreds of unnecessary calories throughout the day.
  • Eating too-large portions. It’s always smart to measure the portion size of your food before eating it, as it is very difficult to judge the amount of calories simply by looking at a food. You can do this by using a food scale or carrying plastic containers in the recommended sizes.

Diet Mistakes: 6 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight [WebMD]
14 Diet Foods To Avoid [Prevention]
13 Healthy Foods to Avoid For Weight Loss! [Active Beat]
Jillian Michaels: Weight-Loss Tips That Work [Health]

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Facial Care 101: How to Wash Your Face

August 20, 2015 by

You've done it countless times, but did you know there's actually a right and wrong way to wash your face? In fact, there's much more to it than just wash, rinse, dry, repeat. See if you're doing the job correctly by reading these four steps toward a perfectly cleansed face.

1) Wash your hands.
Whatever germs, dirt, and oil is on your hands will be transferred to your face, so be sure to lather up first.

2) Use tepid water.
Water that's too hot will drain your skin of natural protective oils, so turn down the temperature.

3) Wash gently.
Using a nickel-sized amount of cleanser, massage your skin with your fingertips for 30 seconds to a minute. Use circular motions, and be extra gentle around the delicate eye area. Don't neglect your hairline and neck. Rinse with a few splashes of cooler water to close the pores.

4) Pat dry.
Use a clean towel to gently pat your face dry. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp; this will help seal in moisture.

How to Wash Your Face [Howstuffworks]
How to Wash Your Face Properly [Popsugar]

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How to Train for a 5K: A Beginner’s Guide

May 21, 2015 by

Anyone can run a 5K, no matter how inexperienced you are with running. If you want to train on your own for an upcoming race in your area, these smart (and safe) tips will help you to get in shape.

  1. Join a group. Many cities have running groups that help one another to train for a 5K. Visit a running store in your area to see if there’s a group that you can join.
  2. Make a plan. Begin training eight weeks before race day. Begin by running 1 mile four days per week, with alternating rest days in between training days. Build up your running distances in quarter-mile increments each week until you finally make it to 5K.
  3. Add in cross-training. If you prefer, you can replace one day of training with a day of cross training, such as biking, swimming, or working out on an elliptical machine for 30 to 40 minutes.
  4. Don’t skip rest days. Even if you feel strong enough to add in additional running days, remember that your body needs rest in order to build muscle and prevent injury.
  5. Switch days. If you have a busy schedule, feel free to switch training days and rest days from week to week. It’s better to switch your schedule around than to miss a training day entirely.

How to Train for Your First 5K [Active]
The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan [Cool Running]
How to Train to Run Your First 5K [About Health]
Beginner 5K Training Schedule: Go from the Couch to the Finish Line! [Shape]

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What Are Logic Mazes? Find Out Here!

March 19, 2015 by

If you love mazes and other types of tricky logic problems, logic mazes will take your hobby to the next level. These advanced mazes, sometimes called "mazes with rules," have special rules that extend far beyond simply navigating around a two-dimensional maze. In a logic maze, the participant must abide by the rules in order to reach the finish line, and they sometimes even include multiple states of the maze or the navigator.

Here are a few of the most common logic mazes.

  1. Area mazes. These are mazes in which the area of tile traveled must alternately increase and decrease with each step.
  2. Rolling dice mazes. A die is rolled with each turn based on a number of different rules.
  3. Number mazes. A grid of numbers is traveled by moving the number of spaces shown in the current square.
  4. Multi-state mazes. The rules in this type of maze change depending on the person's navigation.

To find out more about logic mazes, click here.

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Imponderable of the Day: Why Does Looking at the Sun Make You Sneeze?

February 19, 2015 by

It’s a very curious sensation: You’re inside a dark room for a bit too long and when you step back outside into the bright sunlight, you suddenly feel a sneezing fit coming on. What’s the deal?

Staring at the sun makes about 20 to 35 percent of humans sneeze, and although scientists have a general idea of what causes this sensation, it’s still a very confusing conundrum. The phenomenon, which is known as “photic sneeze reflex,” is actually a genetic trait, which is why it only affects a small percentage of people. These people have visual systems that are more sensitive than those of other people, causing them to become agitated by the sunlight and send panicked responses to all of the nerves in the face, including the somatosensory system, which controls sneezing!

Now, go ahead and impress your friends with this new tidbit of information!

Looking at the Sun Can Trigger a Sneeze [Scientific American]
Why does bright light cause some people to sneeze? [Scientific American]
Does the sun make you sneeze? It's not just you [NBC News]
How Staring at the Sun Can Make You Sneeze [Gizmodo]

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The Skinny on Fats: 5 Facts You Need to Know

December 18, 2014 by

When it comes to losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet, calories aren’t the only things that you should be concerned with. Fats are an essential part of a healthy eating plan, but if consumed in excess they can also be very dangerous. Here are five key facts about fats.

  1. There are four main types of fats: saturated fats, trans fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. As a general rule, saturated fats and trans fats are the “bad” fats, and they should be avoided.
  2. All fats contain nine calories per gram, no matter which type of fat it is. Just because monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are better for you, they can still cause you to gain weight just as quickly as the “bad” fats if not limited.
  3. Fats are necessary because they promote cell growth, protect your organs, and give your body energy.
  4. Even if a pre-packaged food is labeled “trans fat-free,” it might still contain saturated fats, and vice versa. Real, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are always a healthier choice.
  5. Fats are a major part of a healthy diet, it just depends on which foods you choose. Things like vegetable oils, nuts, fish, legumes, avocados, and low-fat dairy products are good sources of healthy fats.

Know Your Fats [American Heart Association]
Different Types of Fat [Health Check]
Choosing Healthy Fats [HealthGuide.org]
Fats 101 [American Heart Association]

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