NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 19: Actress Viola Davis attends “Fences” New York Screening at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 19, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES – December 20, 2016 – Viola Davis was photographed carrying Tyler Ellis to the Fences premiere in New York City last night. The actress carried the brand new Tyler Ellis Lily Clutch in Black Ostrich Leg (price available upon request, www.tylerellis.com).
Images by www.gettyimages.com.
With the start of a new year it is important to reflect back on the prior year, assess what went well, what didn’t and decide where you want to go next. It takes a lot of mental toughness, self-love, and discipline to create the life you want. Simply coasting along on cruise control reacting to life can lead to victim mentality and stagnation. Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services shares some key ways to get mentally fit for the new year so you can move forward successfully. www.comprehendthemind.com
Look at your surroundings. If you have junk drawers galore, a messy car, countertops and cabinets that are full of stuff you don’t even use, it is time to clear the clutter. According to Dr. Hafeez, “cluttered spaces reflect a cluttered mind. If you want to wipe the slate clean to allow room for new people and circumstances that serve you, you must get your mind clear. Many of my patients who describe themselves as anxious, stressed or even depressed say they feel better when they start clearing up their physical space.”
Dr. Hafeez who also helps people overcome body image issues encourages aiming for smaller attainable wins. “People set high fitness goals for the new year and then fall off after a month or less. This leaves their self esteem shot which is when self loathing and depression can sneak in.” She advises setting a reachable daily goal of perhaps walking 10,000 steps per day. There are step-counting apps available to measure how much you walk and they add up quickly. “When you see accomplishment on a daily basis you stick with it, this sets your mind in a positive direction,” says Dr. Hafeez.
Mental fitness also has to do with how well our minds work. A loss of memory or the ability to concentrate or focus can easily shift with an improved diet. “Research finds that along with other benefits, foods rich in Omega-3, such as some fish and nuts, as well as those full of antioxidants can help protect the brain from memory decline.” So eating more fish such as salmon and add fruits such as blackberries and blueberries to your diet can help. The good news is that brain boosting foods include delicious options such as chocolate, guacamole (avacados) and sunflower seeds.
A fast way to mental fitness is forgiveness! “Carrying around resentments and guilt wears us down and can lead to serious illness such as cancer or stroke. If you experienced a tough break up, divorce or perhaps the 2016 political climate led to arguments and lost friends, reach out apologize and seek forgiveness and move on. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone a hurtful behavior. Forgiveness frees you and the other person making it easier to move forward.
Challenge your brain by learning a new language, how to cook, paint, do Tai Chi. Pick something you think would be interesting or useful to learn and learn it. If you avoided cooking your whole life, learning the basics will serve your brain very well. According to Dr. Hafeez, “the more we can activate the cognitive functions of our brains the better our short and long-term memory and hand eye coordination will be.”
Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens.
Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.
Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind orwww.comprehendthemind.com
Today on Studio62 with Jamarcus Gaston, Enya Flack presents “Beauty: Spice up your New Year”, beauty products that contain cooking spice ingredients.
DECLEOR Paris’ Intense Nutrition Hydra Nourishing Duo Mask
Paprika—this spicy seasoning is a ground spice made from red air-dried fruits of bell pepper or sweet pepper, sometimes others types of peppers are included. For Beauty: Paprika has antibacterial, antioxidant, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and energizing medicinal properties.
ZSS Radiant Skin System nourishes, protects, and renews with this skin care system that brings out natural skin radiance, locks in moisture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles while protecting from damaging environmental aggressors. Formulated with the exclusive skin antioxidant, Zeaxanthin (a carotenoid found in paprika), and naturally derived ingredients. $159 for 45-day program or $129 for 30-day program, ZSS-Skincare.com
Cardamom is one of the world’s most expensive spices. It is made from the seeds of several different plants. It is used as cooking spices in both food and drink. For Beauty: cardamom improves collagen production and is high in antioxidants to fight premature aging.
HydroPeptide Power Lift contains Cardamon. This formula targets visible signs of aging and quenches dry skin. It also includes pineapple ceramides. This formula attracts moisture to the skin’s surface sealing in hydration. Visibly lifts, tightens, and increases skin’s luminosity. $96 HydroPeptide.com
Marjoram has a sweet pine and citrus flavor. The leaves are cultivated for culinary purposes. For Beauty: Marjoram Essential Oil is used to treat skin problems effectively with nourishing, hydrating and protecting properties and has a nice scent.
DECLEOR Paris’ Intense Nutrition Hydra Nourishing Duo Mask contains Marjoram: This mask offers two phases. The unique texture of this duo mask transforms into a delicate oil, providing nutrients and fatty acids to skin suffering from tightness and discomfort. Formulated with Essential Oil of Marjoram along with Oils from Cranberry, Chestnut, Cocoa, and Avocado. $44 DecleorUSA.com
Cumin is a flowering plant. Its seeds are dried are used in the cuisines of many different cultures, in both whole and ground form. For Beauty: Cumin acts as an antioxidant to fight free radicals. It has antibacterial properties, promotes radiant skin.
G.M. Collin Daily Ceramide Comfort Capsules contain Cumin: These replenishing and nourishing single-dose skin care capsules are formulated with combination of ingredients, such as cumin, soybean oil and vitamin E to improve the skin’s epidermal moisture barrier. Gives the skin a silky-smooth texture for fine lines and wrinkles. $98.00 GMCollin.com
Ginger produces a hot, fragrant kitchen spice. Its adds a fiery and pungent flavor to foods. For Beauty: Ginger has major anti-aging benefits. Its antiseptic properties make it great for cleansing and it works wonders for the scalp.
ClausPorto Spiced Citrus Soap is made with 100% vegetable oils and is enriched with walnut extract and Ginger. This formula also contains the Nutmeg spice from the seed of the fruit of the Nutmeg tress. For Beauty: Nutmeg, has curing benefits. $12
www.clausporto.com
Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a clove tree (an evergreen). Cloves flavor meats & deserts and used to give aroma and flavor to hot beverages. For Beauty and grooming Cloves contain many nutrients that are extremely important to the body such as vitamins A and C to keep the skin healthy. Cloves work as a gentle exfoliant and provide a nice smell!
Surya Brasil’s Sapien Men Facial Scrub contains cloves! It’s a 100% vegan and organic facial scrub that removes impurities from the skin’s surface and deeply cleans pores, leaving the skin smooth and soft. It makes shaving more comfortable. The scrub also controls oiliness to leave the skin hydrated, while also helping in the treatment of acne. There are no harsh microbeads along with an organic formula of aloe vera, clover, cedarwood and orange oil. www.suryabrasilproducts.com $16
No nonsense Class Denim Leggings are, indeed, a wardrobe essential.
No nonsense website overview, material description, photos and additional information…
No nonsense Classic Denim Leggings Dark Denim
Overview:
No nonsense New Classic Denim Leggings are made with a new fabric that is more like a “woven” denim jeans! These leggings have functional back pockets, faux front pockets and fly plus a variety of washes. They are super soft with stretch fabric, designed to hug your body while retaining their shape. Inseam measures 29″
Materials:
55% Cotton 40% Polyester 5% Spandex
Available in Light Denim and Dark Denim.
Classic Denim Leggings No Nonsence Light Denim
BUKO posted a review just yesterday; “Love the leggings. The leggings are the best ever. I have four pairs now. I wish there were more colors.”
I have lots of leggings. Especially during Winter in New England, I wear them with bulky, comfy sweaters and boots.
The No nonsense Leggings are very nice. I have the light denim in Medium.
They are packaged as all their leggings are (see below – I pulled this image from riteaid.com. It’s a different style legging, but the same style packaging) and I didn’t know if I could take the packaging apart to try them on so I took a guess on the sizing and it was the right one. I went a size up. The packing sizing chart indicated my pant size to be a Small but the Medium is perfect for me.
I like the faux front pockets and fly. I never wear leggings with a short top so it’s good not to have a belt or button bulge under my long top or sweater.
If you are a leggings fan and shopping at Rite Aid or WalMart or online at No nonsense, try a pair. The price is right at $17, lower depending on where you shop.
Arbonne carries a fantastic line of cosmetics. The cosmetics are formulated without dyes, parabens, animal products or by-products, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates and many more.
Arbonne eyeshadow and lipgloss are my new favorites. When doing everyday makeup, we want reliable, good quality, makeup that looks amazing. This eyeshadow and lipgloss do wonders. The eyeshadow is very easy to apply, unlike many other eyeshadows I’ve tried. The colors are perfect, and it lasts me all day without looking any different when I’m ready for bed. The lipgloss comes in gorgeous colors, and feels great on the lips! It’s smooth texture, is easy to apply and lasts hours with no reapplying.
See for yourself at www.arbonne.com
Vanessa Altongy
When most people think of Botox the first thing that usually comes to mind is wrinkle reduction. Indeed, Botox is the world’s most popular treatment for eradicating wrinkles and fine lines. The toxin is specifically FDA approved for treating frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) and lines around the eyes (crow’s feet). In addition to being the gold standard for wrinkle reduction, Botox can also be used to treat a variety of issues, both cosmetic and non-cosmetic. Dr. John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon. He provides a list of conditions that Botox has been used to treat.
Acne
Botox can curb oil production, reducing breakouts. “To totally treat acne, you’d need to use doses of Botox so large they’d prevent you from constricting your facial muscles,” says Dr. Zannis. “But tiny amounts of Botox injected very superficially help reduce oil production, and you can still have facial expressions.” Though he’d recommend it for almost any patient struggling with acne, Zannis would likely advise trying another dermatologist-prescribed treatment, like spironolactone or birth control pills, first. And though it can technically be used to quell oil production anywhere on the face, he cautions against using it all over because of potential effects on muscular activity (a.k.a. frozen face). The most effective and common area for using Botox to curb oil production, he says, is the forehead.
Gummy smile (not FDA approved)
A “gummy” smile, one that’s characterized by a smile that shows too much of the gums, usually results from “excessive lip elevation” when the upper lip rises too far above the upper teeth when smiling. Injecting Botox into the upper lip weakens the upper lip’s retractor muscles so that it won’t raise as high and your smile will seem better-balanced. It can be done in about five minutes. Usually lasts for four to six months. Costs range from $200-$300. Dr. Zannis says, “This technique is not for the novice Botox injector. Too much, and your lip won’t raise enough, too little and you will need more, or if injected asymmetrically, you might have a funny asymmetrical smile.”
Urinary incontinence.
Overactive bladder problems affect up to 20% of women over 40. For severe cases where medications do not provide complete relief, Botox injections into the bladder wall may provide relief lasting about 6 months.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is uncomfortable, itchy, and not exactly easy on the eyes. Luckily, this flaky skin condition could be a thing of the past thanks to Botox. Though psoriasis is technically incurable, Botox minimizes the activity of inflammatory cells that bring on outbreaks.
Excessive Sweating
For those who suffer from excessive sweating, however, summer isn’t always the sunniest time of the year. Thankfully, Botox could be a saving grace for those attempting to manage this condition, which is officially known as axillary hyperhidrosis. Studies show that just a handful of injections can reduce underarm sweat for up to TWO years. Um, where do we sign up?
Breast Lift
Are your breasts in need of a pick-me-up? Instead of going under the knife and getting permanent augmentation, some experts have suggested a quick and easy Botox lift. Dr. Zannis says that, “Those looking for a modest improvement are said to be able to temporarily plump their assets thanks to injections into the pectoralis minor chest muscle.”
Depression
The benefits of Botox® may be more than skin deep; two recent studies suggest that it may help alleviate the symptoms of depression. In a study published in the May 2014 issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research, more than half of participants who had moderate-to-severe depression showed a substantial improvement in depressive symptoms following one injection of Botox® between the brows. This improvement lasts longer than the cosmetic effects, suggesting that the effect may be more than just feeling better about your appearance. Botox® is not approved to treat depression.
Teeth Grinding
Injections of Botox® were used to control involuntary muscle tension and spasms long before it became the go-to wrinkle buster. Dr. Zannis says that, “these neurotoxin injections may weaken the chewing muscles enough to reduce bruxism (teeth grinding) without affecting your ability to chew, talk and smile. Results last about four months. Botox® is not yet approved to treat bruxism.”
Migraine Headache
Botox® is approved by the FDA to treat chronic migraine headaches in adults who have 15 or more headache-days a month, each lasting four hours or more. Studies that led to this indication show that BOTOX®® prevents up to nine headache-days a month (vs seven for dummy injections). Other research hints that the neurotoxin may also help with low cerebrospinal fluid headaches and cluster or “suicide” headaches.
Brow Boost
Much like lines form over time, your brow may also drop or droop. Botox cosmetic treatments can also be used to improve the appearance of the brow. Dr. Zannis explains that, “the treatment essentially freezes the sagging muscles in place and gives the brow more stability. Lifting the brows in this way leaves you with a less tired and younger, fresher appearance.”
Jaw Reduction (off label use)
Botox can be used to perform jaw reduction (commonly called jaw line softening). Injecting Botox into the masseter muscle (the primary muscle used in chewing actions) reduces its overall size; transforming an overly square and masculine appearing jawline into a more feminine oval or heart shape.
Dr. John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board-certified plastic surgeon and best selling author. A graduate of Stanford University and The University of Cincinnati Medical College, he received his formal training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina under the guidance of world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Argenta. During this time, he performed over 5,000 surgical procedures and covered all aspects of plastic surgery including cosmetic surgery of the face and body, complex reconstructive procedures of face and body, cleft lip and palate surgery, hand surgery, facial and jaw fracture repair, and reconstruction following massive weight loss. He blends his interests and studies of classical art and symmetry to his surgery practices. Connect with him via twitter @JohnZannisMD or his website www.zannisplasticsurgery.com
This is the last month of 2016 and we have so much to do! Decorate the house, shop for that just right gift for everyone, make sure we have everything we need to cook that special holiday dinner, all while continuing with our day to day lives. We get so consumed with many things that we tend to forget about ourself. Not this year! The best way to serve others is to make sure you put yourself as a priority.
The best tip I can share with you for this holiday season is to schedule time to exercise. I know it seem strange but trust me it works. Set aside at least 30 minutes to get that heart rate up and get that stress level down! Here are a few simple exercise you can do right from the comfort of your living room, no excuses. Jumping jacks, do at least 3 – 5 sets 10 to 20 reps. Jump rope (real or imaginary rope) do at least 5 rounds: jump 30 seconds rest 10 seconds. March in place, make sure you get those knee above those hips to really get that heart rate up.
You don’t want to skip on that resistance training. It’s easy to work that whole body with a few simple workouts. Get on the floor and do Push ups 3 sets 5-15, Planks, hold for at 30 seconds and work up to 1 minute. Squats 3 sets 5-15. You have done your cardio, worked up a sweat building some muscles and releasing stress.
Look at you, you got your workout on and still got this holiday time handled! Happy Holiday!
Get more information about Elizabeth Colen, confidence and conditioning coach on http://www.msfitone.com Fit Mind, Fit Body and Fit Spirit
For a quick hair fix this season, go with the Hairdo French Braid Band. This braid band is designed to fully accessorize your look in just one effortless step. Simply slide on the braid band to best match your hair color. It makes the ultimate statement with a minimum investment (Ulta and Ulta.com; $10).
Repair and protect with KORRES Mandarin Lip Butter Sticks. They are a deeply nourishing lip treatment formulated with a luxurious blend of softening oils, butters, and waxes. Mandarin oil refreshes and soothes dry, chapped lips while rich shea butter and sunflower waxes deeply nourish for long-lasting care and comfort. Available in four tints, all of which can be worn alone or layered under a lipstick or lip gloss ($16.50; Sephora.com).
For dry skin and hands, reach for Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla. This super soft, all-natural body butter absorbs instantly for deeply hydrated, luxuriously soft skin. 100 percent pure shea and cocoa butters blend with powerful antioxidants and essential oils for long-lasting hydration. Super soft scents and a non-greasy formula create the ultimate indulgence ($19; Lavanila.com).
Get a pout that is sure to stand out with Minis by Violent Lips. They are the first ever all-purpose temporary tattoos for lips, face, eyelids, body, and nails. They come in packs of 100 with designs ranging from rainbows to emojis to a cute little cactus and more!
$9.99; ViolentLips.com
