5 Skin Care Sins to Avoid

FACIAL FAUX PAS They say your eyes are the window to the soul, but what about your face? Your skin says a lot about how you take care of yourself and what kind of life you lead. It's the first thing people see when you meet them, so if you want to make a good complexion impression, you're going to have to make sure your face looks fabulous. We put together a list of major skin care sins to always avoid. SLEEPING IN YOUR MAKEUP No matter how tired you are, skipping the sink and falling right into bed is never a good idea. We know it's tempting, but leaving all that primer, powder and foundation on your skin can clog pores, irritate skin and cause a whole host of other problems like blackheads and other blemishes. To avoid all that potential complexion chaos, always wash your face before you go to sleep. There's a whole day's worth of dirt, oil and debris on your face – do you really want to leave it there? If you're too tired to turn on the tap, use a facial cleansing wipe to take the day – and your makeup off. Keep a stash on your nightstand for easy access and make sure you use them if you really don't have the energy to wash up. SKIPPING THE SCRUB Exfoliating is a skin care staple and something that should never be skipped. It may seem trivial or like a time waster, but trust us when we tell you it's a must for a fabulous face. Exfoliating once a week is your ticket to smooth, clear, glowing skin. Why? Exfoliation sloughs off all the things (dead skin, dirt, etc.) that can build up on your skin, clog your pores and leave your face looking lackluster, making it an essential ingredient for natural beauty. You'll either need a granular exfoliant (like a sugar or salt scrub), which is great for oily or combination skin, a chemical exfoliant (that uses AHAs), which is best for dry skin, or an enzyme exfoliator (usually fruit based), that dissolves dead skin without scrubbing, making it ideal for more sensitive skin. NOT CLEANING YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES This is an easy one to forget or push to the bottom of your to-do list, but try to make cleaning your brushes a priority for the sake of your skin. Every time your brushes touch your face, they're picking up the natural oils and other debris that are always on your skin. The less you wash your brushes, the more they accumulate all of that icky stuff, which eventually has the potential to cause blemishes and skin irritations. Either use unscented soap and warm water or get a brush cleaner and give your brushes a bath regularly (at least once a month) and then allow them to dry completely (you can gently blow dry them) before using. MISSING OUT ON MOISTURE Your skin needs moisture – both inside and out – to look its best. This means staying hydrated (drink those eight glasses of water a day) plus choosing a good moisturizer that's suited to your skin type and the season and using it daily. Even if you have oily skin, moisture is not your enemy. In fact, the more you dry out your skin, the worse it's going to look and feel. To get the most bang for your buck from your night cream, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Mally Roncal suggests applying a bit of primer on top of your night cream. The primer will seal in your night cream, allowing it to really do its job, instead of just evaporating into the air or rubbing off on your pillowcase. UNDER-WASHING Many skin care experts suggest washing your face twice at night – once to remove makeup and once to actually cleanse the skin. If you are wearing makeup and you only wash once, you could be leaving some product behind where it can then settle into your pores. Of the women we polled, less than half washed twice but all said that they knew they probably should on days where they were wearing a lot of makeup. You don't have to double-wash every time you hit the sink, but gauge the amount of product you have on, and if it's more than usual, make sure skin is truly clean by cleansing twice. **(article courtesy of sheknows.com)**

Treat Yourself at Home

EASY AT-HOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS Next time you stop by your local farmer's market or grocer, pick up a few extras of these spring fruits and vegetables for mixing up your own homemade skin care products! It will save you money -- and taste great. LEMON CLEANSER FOR ALL SKIN TYPES Beauty ingredients 1/8 cup ground almonds (A coffee grinder works well) 2 tbs milk or cream 1 tsp lemon juice Combine thoroughly, and use to gently cleanse skin. Rinse well with warm water. Skin care benefit According to Sue Dolan, M.Ed., author of Naturally Skinsational: Rejuvenating Skin Care Recipes, lemons are a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and antioxidants. Dolan says, "A natural form of AHA such as lemon is found in many natural skin care recipes for not only the cleansing attributes but for toning and exfoliating the skin." SKIN-REVITALIZING ORANGE PEEL Beauty ingredients  1 egg yolk  1 tsp honey 1/8 cup fresh citrus (lemon, orange or lime) juice 1 packet plain gelatin Mix together thoroughly, and apply to skin for 20 to 25 minutes. Skin care benefit Navel oranges are a great source of AHAs and vitamin C, which are clinically proven to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. In this creation by Dolan, "The egg yolk moisturizes and firms, the honey moisturizes and the citrus juice exfoliates the dead skin cells away, stimulating new cell production." AVOCADO BODY MASK Beauty ingredients  2 avocados, thoroughly mashed into a paste  3 tablespoons sea salt or kosher salt  1/4 cup honey Grated rind of two fresh lemons, along with the juice 1/4 cup organic coconut oil Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. (The consistency should be that of a thin sour cream.) Apply to your skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub off well with warm water. Keep unused portion in refrigerator for two to three days. Skin care benefit "Avocados have a treasure trove of anti-aging attributes," gushes Dolan, including vitamins A, D and E, as well as proteins, lecithin, potassium and beta-carotene, a cancer-fighting ingredient. Dolan continues, "Avocados also are high in emollient qualities imparted by sterolins, which work to heal sun-damaged skin, scarring and reduce age spots." STRAWBERRY DRAWING FACIAL MASK Beauty ingredients 1/2 cup fresh strawberries 1 tablespoon fresh milk 1 tablespoon rice flour or cornstarch Mash together all ingredients to make a smooth paste. Spread over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Use twice weekly. Skin care benefit Strawberries contain natural antioxidants, which are known to repair skin and act as anti-aging agents, as well as protect your skin from environmental stress. The salicylic acid in strawberries removes dead skin cells, unveiling the smooth, radiant skin below. APRICOT AND PAPAYA FACE SCRUB Beauty ingredients 1 tsp apricot kernel powder (finely grated)  3 tbs apricot pulp 3 tbs ripe papaya pulp (peak season is beginning of summer; end of spring if you're lucky!) Mix all ingredients together and apply to your face and neck for 20 minutes. Gently scrub while rinsing off. Leon Rao, natural skin care advisor and author of Leon's Anti-aging Beauty Secrets, advises, "If you don't have apricot kernel powder at home, you can substitute it with oatmeal powder or almond powder." Skin care benefit Apricots are high in beta-carotene and known for reducing problematic skin issues. A mixture of sub-acids and sugar, apricots are great for gentle exfoliation and nourishment, leaving your skin soft and brighter. CARROT FACIAL MASK Beauty ingredients 2-3 large carrots 4 1/2 tbs honey Cook carrots, then mash into a smooth consistency. Mix the mashed carrots with honey, and apply to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes before rising off with cool water. Skin care benefit With roots in Afghanistan, carrots are known for their high potency of vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, folacin and potassium. Carrot juice moisturizes and repairs skin tissue, while protecting it from sun damage and toning the skin. **(article courtesy of sheknows.com)**

Get more from your Cereal

What’s in the Box?

Cereal is as versatile as it is popular—it’s a healthy breakfast, an on-the-go snack, even a satisfying dinner. Choose brands that are packed with complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it can also be an ideal fuel, says Tara Gidus, RD, an Orlando, Florida-based dietitian. And research has shown that it can be effective for muscle recovery, even more so when you eat it with milk. 

But with cereal boxes shouting claims like “No cholesterol!” and “Whole grains!” it’s hard to separate the nutritious from the suspicious (a recent study found that 52 percent of cereals marketed to children contain more sugar per one-cup serving than three chocolate-chip cookies). So we shopped the cereal aisle and, with Gidus’s advice, found five of the best options.

 

Post Shredded Wheat

A satisfying belly filler 

Consuming complex carbs in the morning—Shredded Wheat has 47 grams of whole grains per serving—helps restore your muscles’ glycogen stores, your body’s primary source of energy during a ride. 

Per 2 biscuits: 160 calories, 1g fat, 6g fiber, 0g sugar, 5g protein

Nature’s Path Flax Plus Flakes

Good ol’ fashioned raisin bran 

Most raisin brans contain sugarcoated raisins, which push sugar to nearly 20 grams per serving. To get the energy without the crash, add 1/4 cup of unsweetened raisins to plain flakes. 

Per 3/4 cup: 110 calories, 1.5g fat, 5g fiber, 4g sugar, 4g protein

Arrowhead Mills Puffed Rice

Something light and not sweet 

Made from whole-grain brown rice, it’s lower in fiber than some others—not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great choice for immediate energy just before a ride because it digests quickly. 

Per 1 cup: 60 calories, 0g fat, 1g fiber, 0g sugar, 1g protein

KIND Healthy Grains Cinnamon Oat Clusters With Flax Seeds

A hearty granola 

Whole grains, including oats, amaranth, quinoa, and flax seeds, make this low-fat granola high in omega-3 fatty acids—about 720mg per serving—which help combat inflammation. 

Per 1/3 cup: 130 calories, 4g fat, 3g fiber, 6g sugar, 3g protein

Kashi GOLEAN Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble

A touch of sweetness 

High in protein and still below the maximum recommended sugar content, these whole-grain oats and dried berries make for an antioxidant-rich combo to fend off free radicals and help speed recovery. 

Per 3/4 cup: 180 calories, 3.5g fat, 8g fiber, 10g sugar, 9g protein

(**cyclingmagazine.com)

Memorial Day Drinks

Getting ready for the Memorial Day parties?  Here are some great ideas for cool and refreshing cocktails, CHEERS!

Boozy banana split milkshake

Adapted from Pinch My Salt

Serves about 2

Ingredients: 

• 2 frozen bananas, chopped
• 1 cup light cream
• 1/4-1/3 cup Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup whipped cream plus 1 tablespoon

Directions: 

1. Place bananas, light cream, Patron, vanilla and 1/3 cup whipped cream in a blender.
2. Blend on low until smooth and thick.
3. Garnish with extra tablespoon of whipped cream, coffee grounds or chocolate chips and enjoy!

Sparkling gin and juice

Recipe adapted from My Recipes

Serves 2

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup gin
• 2 tablespoons lemonade concentrate (I used Crystal Light)
• 2/3 cup Champagne
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedges for garnish

Directions: 

1. In a small pitcher, mix gin and lemonade until fully mixed. Add in lime juice.
2. Top mixture off with Champagne and mix lightly.
3. Serve with fresh lime wedges over ice and enjoy!

Upside down pomegranate sunrise

Recipe adapted from All Recipes

Serves 2

Ingredients: 

• 3 ounces pomegranate-infused tequila
• 1 cup orange juice
• Ice cubes
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Directions: 

1. In a large glass, pour orange juice over ice. Slowly add in the pomegranate tequila and lightly mix. The red will stay mostly on the top but will trickle down to the bottom like a lava lamp!
2. Garnish with a cherry or chunk of pineapple and enjoy!

The Latin lover

Recipe and photo provided by Voli Vodka

Serves 1

Ingredients: 

• 1-1/2 ounces Voli Orange Vanilla vodka
• 2 ounces low-sugar lemonade
• 1/2 ounce agave nectar
• 1/2 ounce low-sugar pineapple juice
• Ice

Directions: 

1. In a chilled martini mixer filled halfway with ice, add vodka, lemonade, agave nectar and pineapple juice. Shake vigorously. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with fresh lemon peel and enjoy!

(*from sheknows.com)