What good is a size 2 body if your hair ends up looking like hell?
photo credit below
I recently read an article about a nameless 42 year-old publicist from San Francisco who ended up losing a significant amount of hair due to extreme dieting. Seems sometimes we just can’t win. This girls goal was to lose 15 pounds in the first month, then re-evaluate how much more she’d need to drop after that – all with the assistance of a nutritionist.
Her calorie intake was just 750 a day, consisting of a protein shake for breakfast, soup and a shake for lunch, then salad, steamed veggies and 6 ounces of protein (like a piece of grilled chicken the size of a bar of soap) for dinner. She was still famished but wasn’t about to argue with the results – and lost every pound. The follow up visit with the nutritionist consisted of being told to set her target weight even lower and stay on the plan.
The trouble started four months later. The clothes were looser but her nice shoulder-length hair was much sparser. At first just a bit in the shower (which can be common) but in a matter of weeks she was dropping tons of hair – she has fine hair to begin with. She began to inspect her brushes after each stroke to see how many strands were tangled up in the bristles and had to disguise the hair sparseness by pulling it up into a bun or back in a ponytail as you could really see the difference when it was worn down.
The nutritionist would not entertain the idea that the diet had anything to do with it. She on the other hand, was not so sure. She eventually ditched the diet and started eating more sensibly, incorporating larger amounts of protein *(particularly red meat) into her meals. After a few months the shedding stopped, hair started to get back to normal and finally she’s at a healthy (but not supermodel thin) weight. *Whole grains, nuts and tofu/tempeh for vegetarians.
My brush
The Diagnosis:
Humans evolved from a feast-or-famine lifestyle: we cycled through periods when we had plenty of food to gobble up and periods when we had little to eat. Genetically, our bodies have a long memory, and in some ways they still react as if we’re living in prehistoric times. So if your body senses that you’re heading towards famine (hello, crash diet!), it diverts energy away from functions that are less essential, like growing hair or strong nails. If you start to undergo dramatic shedding, see your doctor for a blood workup; sometimes the problem could be the result of a chronic health condition, like hypo-or hyperthyroidism. Eating a healthy diet that includes all the food groups can help, as does popping a daily multivitamin, just to be sure you’re getting the nutrients that your hair needs. – Melissa Pilang, dermatologist, Clevelend Clinic.
NOTE **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link:
Apparently a lot, according to author & finance expert SusanHirshman, of a tongue in cheek but interesting & helpful new book on fresh financial advice geared for women (but men could use it too). Before you roll your eyes & tune out let’s just agree that the book puts a cheery spin on something we could all use more sound advice on but at the same time it can all be so mundane and confusing. When was the last time you read a book about financial planning that was enjoyable?
Review: As Susan Hirshman sees it, the rules of successful dieting are the same rules that apply to successful money management. In this upbeat and informative guide she offers women a 3-phase personalized plan that follows common dieting programs to help them understand their finances.
The structure of the book is consistent with that of a typical diet book – it includes an evaluation phase, an induction phase, and a maintenance regimen. Susan offers specific advice on topics that matter most to women including how to develop realistic and attainable goals, how to make smart financial decisions, how to determine the best way to invest based on a reader’s ‘investmentpersonality’, and how and when to get professional help from a financial advisor all while relating it back to a theme that practically every woman has experienced at least once in her life – dieting!.
Susan’s program completely removes the intimidation factor that often accompanies the words ‘personal finance’ and ‘investing’ and provides women with all the information they need to take control of their financial situations once and for all.
From Publishers Weekly – A comprehensive and coherent breakdown of basic financial and wealth management information from a J.P. Morgan financial adviser.
An increasing number of women are controlling more and more of the wealth in America, but studies suggest that women’s financial literacy is not increasing. Hirshman, who counsels investors on their personal finances, uses comparisons with dieting–a framework also used in Alice Wood’s excellent Wealth Watchers–and the metaphor holds up well: both dieting and investing require discipline, take time, and yield rewards. Hirshman presents reviewing a net worth statement as “stepping on the financial scales,” and investment categories as the basic food groups. Though it’s not overtly stated, the advice is aimed at an audience with a fairly old-fashioned view of finances–she speaks passionately about the need for women to be equal partners in their marital finances and admonishes women that “a man is not a financial plan.” Hirshman provides all of the information necessary for a solid financial background, and cheers on her readers with a positive message: “The only person responsible for you is you.”
With NEW glide-on 24/7 EyePencils that come in 40 highly saturated shades. I bought one recently and just got another for 100 points at Sephora – “smoke” a nice deep grey color, not so harsh as black. A super Sephora selection.
What I love is that they stay creamy for blending and dry to a waterproof finish that won’t budge. And as they say in the packaging “the shade range is insane!” Crazy-vivid brights, shimmering metalics or wear-anywhere neutrals. Something for everyone. Choose from every texture imaginable, from micro-sparkle to matte. You can get addicted to the names alone – perversion, smog, bourbon, hustle, corrupt, desperation, freak, psychedelic sister, etc.
Another Urban Decay Staple is the 24/7 concealerpencil. Don’t you just love makeup pencils?
The creamy formula dries matte and stays put (but only on dry skin and not 100% of the time). It’s still nice. Because it’s a pencil, it’s easy to apply with precision.
My color is FBI
With so many choices available it’s nice to sample different products and not stay always with the same brand. For someone who sells beautiful mineral makeup and doesn’t even wear much makeup to begin with I sure have a hefty stockpile. That’s what women do. How about you?
Gold never did go out of style except for quite a while we had a long silver streak. Silver is still going strong and it’s safe but Gold is Bold and it’s beautiful. Plus it was everywhere on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways. I’m enjoying this Gold Rush resurgence.
I love O.P.I.’s limited edition “Man With the GoldenGun” topcoat. It contains real 18K gold flecks and looks great over any dark nail polish (in photo).
Chanel suit from the “love gold” show in Cannes (taken from Images).Bazaar Magazine – May Issue
No wonder top chefsswear by this staple – it retains heat and cooks food evenly. Plus, it can last a lifetime if you treat it properly (see 10 reasons to own one below).
Steak & Frites
Or mashed, boiled or baked.
This casual, simple and tasty meal adapted from a restaurant in Chicago calls for Flat Iron Steak but I’ve used it on other cuts like rib-eye and T-bone. Let steak reach room temperature prior to cooking so the center won’t be cold. After cooking, wait about five minutes before slicing to keep juices in. Serves 4. Pair with a hearty Shiraz or Cabernet – either will go well with this peppery steak.
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 tsp. each black pepper, smoked paprika, crushed fennel seeds and kosher salt.
4 flat iron (top chuck) steaks, about 1 ½ lb.
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Combine 1 Tbsp. olive oil with the seasonings. Spread paste over both sides of steak. Let sit 20 minutes. Heat remaining olive oil and butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook steak 10-12 minutes, turning once or until instant-read thermometer registers 140F for medium-rare. Slice & pour sauce over top.
Crispy Salt and Vinegar Potatoes
Use Yukon Gold and slice as thinly as possible. Sprinkle with some sea salt & olive oil.
Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 375F until cooked through and crispy – about ½ hour. Toss with some malt vinegar and chopped chives. Tip: Cook them as closely to serving time as possible so they don’t get soggy.
10 Reasons to Own a Cast Iron Skillet
1) Made of Iron. This thing is sturdy. You can drop it and it won’t be damaged. You don’t have to worry about scratching it or discolouring it (it’s black already you see). It’s possible that it can rust, but you can easily clean it. Cast iron skillets will take any and all abuse and still last forever. In fact, your skillet will probably outlast even you.
2) It Can Take The Heat. Most cookware comes with heat warnings. Even most stainless steel cookware isn’t supposed to go over 450/500 degrees in an oven. Cast iron? I mean… yea… eventually it’ll melt. But seriously you can cook on an open campfire with this thing. Try that with a non-stick pan. Oh wait. Don’t. I don’t want any lawsuits.
3) It’s Non-stick. Speaking of non-stick, cast iron skillets are non-stick if you season them correctly. Season your skillet by wiping it down with a thin layer of canola oil and then baking it in a 250 degree oven for about 90 minutes. Let it cool and wipe it down and this will be as good as any non-stick pan out there. Go ahead. Try a fried egg on it.
4) It’s a Grill. For the city folk, having a yard is not always an option. But because you can get a cast iron skillet really hot, it can effectively be used as a grill. For example, I cooked this steak in my cast iron and it was just as good as if it’d been cooked on a grill. Perfectly medium rare with a really nice crust.
5) It’s Economical. I think some people are actually turned off by cast iron because they think it’s cheap as in low quality. But the reality is that they just happen to be cheap to make which makes them economical, but not cheap. If you pay more than $40 for one, you are getting super-screwed. Not to mention that a lot of people sell perfectly good cast iron skillets at yard sales just because they don’t know how to season them.
6) It’s Versatile. You can make hundreds of completely delicious things in this one pan.
7) Save on Soap. Once your skillet is seasoned, it actually hurts it to wash it with soap. The soap will break up the tiny oil molecules that are embedded on the pan and make it not-so-non stick. It’s also possible that the next thing you cook it will have a slightly soapy taste to it! So save on the soap. If you need to scrub your cast iron pan, use salt!
8) It’s Vitamin Rich. This is a stretch, but since it’s made out of iron, a little bit of mineral iron does get transferred over during cooking.
9) Heat Distribution. This is maybe one of the most important reasons you should own one of these guys. People spend thousands on pots that evenly distribute heat. A cook’s nightmare is a pan with a really bad hot spot on it so half of your food is burned and the other half raw. Cast iron does such an amazing job of evenly distributing heat that you’ll never have this problem.
10) It’s Sexy. Call me crazy but I find these things kinda hot. There’s something rustic about them. Like a guy with a great beard. When you see someone working with a big heavy pan, it’s a turn on. Or at least… that’s what I tell myself.
The best way to care for your cast-iron pan
The trick to keeping cast iron in good shape: seasoning, a process that protects the metal from moisture (which can turn it rusty) and creates a non-stick surface. Lightly coat the bottom of your skillet with vegetable oil, heat over a medium flame, then dry with paper towels while the pan is still hot. The toast temp will help the porous metal absorb some of the oil. Each time you use and season the pan, you will be reinforcing the non-stick surface. When it comes to cleaning, steer clear of dish-washing soap, which can strip the coating. Instead, just wipe down the pan with paper towels before it cools. To loosen stuck-on-food or remove rust stains, heat the pan, cover the inside with oil and use a handful of coarse kosher salt, then scrub with an old dish towel. Give it a quick rinse with hot water, and dry immediately.
kind of crazy
Want something different for the person who has everything? Buy them a cast-iron pan in the shape of their home state (obviously USA customers only). You heard right.
Made-to-order cast-iron skillet at FeLion Studios, from $150/state – felionstudios.com
It’s the typical MexicanTile that attracted me – seen in Palm Springs.
There are stairs and then there are STAIRS. These are not your typical variety….
Beautiful Italian Tiles – Palm Springs. Painted stairs that lead to mens “opening ceremony” – a store in N.Y. Photo taken by Garance Doré.Some stairs FLOATThis looks like fun – stairs that SLIDE. Why use a bannister if you have an actual slide – makes perfect sense!Others have storage – wish I thought of that sooner.
You will find that both your mood and your energy improve when you work out.
This advice feels as repetitive as the fifteenth bicep curl, but the fact remains: Exercise is, hands down, the best anti-ager.
Everyone has a different strength capacity & choice of what works for them. Ideally the best strategy for me is a combo of running, yoga & weight training. When done properly (which is not always the case) it’s a winning combination. A lot of times I don’t really get around to using actual weights as I should so sometimes I’ll run with little wrist weights and hope that the running and some yoga moves are enough weight bearing exercise. Do what you can – no excuses. Also try not to beat yourself up when you can’t bust a move like the yoga instructor – pigeon anyone? It’s best not to stress. Read on…
John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (Little, Brown), explains how a little sweat can rewire your brain.
A fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to aggression to menopause to Alzheimer’s. Some questions:
How does aerobic exercise help the brain: “It improves your brain’s ability to form new neural connections. It promotes blood flow to the brain, creating a rich environment for brain cells to grow and withstand stress. It also appears to trigger the growth of new brain cells.”
Which exercise is best: “Look for activities that get your heart rate up to the point where you’re sweating but also provide coordination challenges. Activities like tennis, Zumba, kickboxing, or spinning all force you to plan your next move, which makes your brain work harder than if you were just doing a rote movement.”
How can I tell if it’s working? “You should notice an improvement in your overall feeling of well being. If you don’t, then you’re probably doing too much – more than 90 minutes a day – or too little. When people start an exercise program, they often overdo it, which not only increases risk of injury and burnout but also can impact brain function. Once you work out, you should find that your mood and energy improve for the rest of the day.”
Fill in the blank – I work out because……………………….
“I work out because I feel stronger and healthier and it makes me look better”
Also, **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately – how much value do we place on the packaging of a product?
How do you feel about skimping on product ingredients if the packaging looks exceptional? Would you buy something that is deemed incredible except that the packaging is very plain? Can we have both? There should be a balance between the packaging and the quality of the product but many times there is not and the packaging alone sells the product – good or bad!
For instance, that tiny blue tiffany box with the white satin ribbon represents something special without even knowing what’s inside. It could be just a keychain but the box alone is what makes it distinctive and meaningful. Branding is when someone says she’s wearing “tiffany blue” and we immediately symbolize it with the company and know exactly what color in the spectrum of “blues” that person is wearing.
Take the incomparable orange Hermes box containing those luxurious silk scarves. The branding is so familiar that we can say “I’m wearing an Hermes orange dress”, or “Kelly green” blouse (for one of their bags) to describe the exact color.
I recently bought a personal care product that a salesperson told me was “superior” to others but had she not told me that I would never have gravitated towards it – based on the skimpy (& basically cheap looking) packaging it came in. The product itself was not “cheap” but I did wonder why the company didn’t make it more appealing. Packaging can be expensive is most likely the reason why, but even so…put it this way – it’s not something I would display on my bathroom shelf which is reserved for only pretty looking bottles. EXCEPTION: a lot of natural skin care products that I love & work amazingly do not come in fancy packaging.
In general it seems that customers are tempted and pampered by sensual impressions. It makes sense. We acknowledge additional benefits and appeal to nice packaging and are even willing to pay an extra price for it. There is evidence confirming a central conviction held by the packaging industry: that the shopper appreciates and in fact explicitly wants to receive stimulation for the buying decision he is making when standing in front of even a supermarket shelf. With so many products on display your eyes will definitely gravitate to the splashiest looking product first. It doesn’t mean it’s the best so that’s where reading comes into play.
In the meantime if you’re interested: here are the TOP TEN requests about packaging:
1.Eye-catching appearance: A distinctive, unmistakable and eye-catching appearance is a signal at the POS to which all consumers and particularly the younger ones respond positively. Whatever stands out clearly in the monotonous competitive environment, whatever is surprising scores points with the consumer. Special effort makes a special impression – and is allowed to cost more too.
2. Design, shape and colour: The purpose of well-considered design, creative printing and finishing is to entice the consumer to devote attention to the pack and its contents at the POS. Aesthetics and attractiveness are major distinctive features – and are in fact essential in some product segments: beautiful packaging design is of central importance in the cosmetics and confectionery product groups. Consumers like to buy agreeably designed and decorative products!
3. Functionality: Functional aspects are the basis for all successful packaging and for thus greater product success too. Product and aroma protection, hygiene and tightness, environmental responsibility and practical handling (in both use and storage) are just as important here as ideas that improve comfort: closure mechanisms, portioning, see-through windows, for example.
4. Innovation: Novelty has exceptionally strong appeal. An innovative pack can even make “new products” out of familiar ones. Unusual solutions, functional new developments and originality not only set design trends but also boost sales!
5. Material: What is printed on board is read particularly willingly, while what is packaged in board sells particularly well. Sustainability, easy disposal and, above all, great design variety and potential are particular features of the material. Popular with consumers, particularly high appeal and many other advantages too.
6. Efficient communication: The packaging is the credible medium at the point of sale and is consulted willingly and intensively (see “Material”). This makes it an efficient means of communication and, in addition, one that gets closer to the consumer than all others. If several of his senses are appealed to as well, he can be persuaded particularly successfully.
7. Multisensory appeal: Anyone who approaches consumers via several of his senses attracts greater attention, intensifies perception and stimulates interest in buying. Packaging that can be felt, smelled and heard as well as looked at wins the customer’s favour. So much so that he is willing to pay a higher price for this multisensory appeal.
8. Appropriateness for the product: Packaging is considered to be an important indicator of quality. The quality of the product therefore has to be communicated by good packaging and not just by promises of quality made in the text on the packaging. A credible “overall work of art” is created as a result, in which the contents and the packaging are coherent and the consumer is convinced by their consistency.
9. Value: Packaging is an excellent way to communicate sophistication, class and value. This makes it an ideal strategic option for expressing premium positioning – as well as being the instrument of choice when a product needs to be upgraded or a brand needs to be revitalised. Products in classy packaging are particularly popular presents too.
10. Additional benefits: Successful packaging not only combines what is pleasant with what is functionally useful but also provides additional benefits. For example, as a gift or for presentation, with entertaining components or simply by *making it possible to continue using the packaging for something else after the product has been consumed.
*AHA – I’m definitely accountable for using what I deem as exceptional packaging for something other than what it was originally intended for. I’m not one to throw away a lovely box. For instance I use a “Fauchon” chocolate box from Paris and a cigar box from Cuba to store jewellery and vintage hat boxes to store various accessories. Or am I just a package rat?
Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez, Monaco – I adore all of you! I’ve been to the Côte d’Azur (all the above) just once – but that was enough to make me want to feel like I’m there a lot MORE.
Of course wearing clothing like that from the riviera is a start. That’s why I wear stripes so often. I love the casual elegance of a sophisticated but laid-back sea side town with no rules and lovely yachts. And the nicest gambling casino I’ve ever been to where dressing up is part of the game.
Okay, I’m going on a bit too much – this post is really about the style of the French Riviera – particulary St.Tropez. We’ll leave bathing suits for another time.
You must be logged in to post a comment.