versus

healthy living

Some Like It Hot — Showers, That Is

The other night I caught myself saying, "There's nothing quite like a hot shower."

cold showerThe other night I caught myself saying, "There's nothing quite like a hot shower." Yikes — what's happening to me? Have showers become the highlight of my existence, the pinnacle of pleasure? A typical shower for me consists of doing a usual routine under a blazing hot waterfall of water — certainly for more than the recommended 10-minute time limit (to prevent dry skin). So what's so wrong with my technique? If it makes me happy, it can't be that bad, right?

Well let's start with the pros about taking hot showers. A hot shower can warm you up on a cold morning, relax you after a workout, and calm you before bed. It also acts as a natural decongestant to relieve cold symptoms. The hot steam will moisturize your nasal passages and if you're running a slight fever, a hot shower can help break it. And if you have a powerful showerhead like mine, the hot water will soothe stiff muscles and relieve a stiff neck.

But what about cold showers? Here's why you may want to turn down the temps.

healthy living

Why It's Better Going Raw With Honey

Dr.Oz calls it "liquid gold," touting its many healing properties.

Dr.Oz calls it "liquid gold," touting its many healing properties. The substance I'm referring to is raw honey — honey in its purest form. Raw honey isn't filtered, strained, or heated above natural hive temperatures (usually 115 degrees Fahrenheit), a process used in conventional honey that can destroy beneficial enzymes, nutrients, and antioxidants.

One of the major benefits of raw honey is that it's nature's own multivitamin. Vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and even antioxidant-rich vitamin C are found in raw honey. It also contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, and phosphate.

Check out more reasons why raw honey is amazing.

healthy living

Which Is Better: Electric or Manual Toothbrushes?

Watching my friend effortlessly clean her 1-and-a-half-year-old's teeth with an electric toothbrush was all the evidence I needed to get back into using my power tool of a toothbrush.

toothbrushes Watching my friend effortlessly clean her 1-and-a-half-year-old's teeth with an electric toothbrush was all the evidence I needed to get back into using my power tool of a toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are fun — they feel good and they easily glide through your mouth, making brushing a breeze (don't even get me started on the flossing).

I tend to go back and forth between my GUM toothbrush (soft bristles in case you were wondering) and my electric toothbrush. Whereas 69 percent of you said that you use an electric toothbrush, so I can see which type of brush you favor. But when it comes down to it, which toothbrush gives you the biggest bang for you buck? Meaning, which toothbrush — old school manual or electric — gets the cleaning job done better?

To see what the verdict is, continue reading.

Diet

Why Is White Rice So Blah For Your Bod Compared to Brown Rice?

It's been about six years now that I haven't been able to eat gluten.

brown riceIt's been about six years now that I haven't been able to eat gluten. Through trial and error, after finally cutting out bread, pastas, cakes, pizza, beer, and more, the tumultuous stomach tailspins stopped. Brown rice became my savior, since I was easily able to add it to many dishes and I was able to make the switch to brown rice pasta, brown rice bread, brown rice crackers, and more (and no, contrary to belief, it doesn't taste like cardboard!).

I like to have a glass half full outlook on life, so when I learned that my croissant-obsessed days were over, I got creative in the kitchen, real creative. And not only that, but what I learned is that staying away from white rice and its cohorts is actually much better for me healthwise! Compared to white rice, brown rice is light years ahead in terms of nutritional value. Did you know that if you eat just two servings of brown rice a week, you can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, while eating white rice on a regular basis increases the chances of type 2 diabetes by 20 percent? Here's a little tip for all you sushi lovers: If a restaurant doesn't offer brown rice sushi, ask them if they can make your sushi without the rice. Tell them you're not a stickler if it falls apart and they'll usually oblige.

White rice is what's inside brown rice after the brown rice is polished down, removing the bran and the beneficial nutrients. Keep reading to see a white rice vs. brown rice comparison chart.

healthy living

The Pros and Cons of Red, White, and Bubbly

Afer a long day, a glass of wine may just be what's in order, especially since so many studies have proven it to be so good for us.

Afer a long day, a glass of wine may just be what's in order, especially since so many studies have proven it to be so good for us. In fact, alcohol in general has certain health benefits, like reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as decreasing the risk of developing gallstones. However, all these happy benefits come with a huge caveat: they are only seen in moderate drinkers (which for women means one glass a day). Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of breast cancer as well as a host of other well-known alcohol-related problems.

Wine is one of the best ways to celebrate the benefits from one-a-day drinking. But not all wine is equal, and there are definite cons to go along with all those antioxidant pros in your glass.

Are you a fan of red, white, or bubbly? Read on to find out what the pros and cons of your drink of choice are.

Milan Fashion Week

2011 Fall Milan Fashion Week: Versus

For Versace's Versus, Christopher Kane envisions a glittery Fall '11.
Fall 2011 Milan Fashion Week: Versus

For Versace's Versus, Christopher Kane envisions a glittery Fall '11. Still, take that with a grain of salt, or in this case a helping of black leather, minimalist cuts, and sheer details to sober and balance what could be too youthful. Instead, the glittered, bold graphic prints meld easily with the more adult world — calf-length skirts, a bustier, opaque tights, and sheath dresses with sheer middles. He dabbles in the playful, neon-injected world of color that we see in his own namesake collection, but tones it down, adding more pants, separates, even knits — equal parts artsy and edgy with polish and restraint.

  • Trends: Graphic print, leather, sheer paneling.
  • Colors: Black, metallic green, silver, purple.
  • Key Looks: Sheer, corsetted top and metallic, graphic print skirt.
  • Accessories: Black opaque tights, ankle-strap closed-toe platforms, glittery box clutches and sandals.
  • Who Would Wear It: Artsy types who appreciate minimalist cuts with imaginative finish.
  • Source: Catwalking

    Jennifer Aniston

    Link Time: James Franco Interviews Gucci Designer For Harper's Bazaar

    Courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

    Holiday

    Whole vs. Reduced vs. Low-Fat vs. Nonfat Milk

    When you are doctoring up your coffee or tea at the sugar and milk stand, do you know how much of a difference those tall silver canisters can make in your hot drink?

    When you are doctoring up your coffee or tea at the sugar and milk stand, do you know how much of a difference those tall silver canisters can make in your hot drink? Some reach for the skim while others feel free to douse the cup with the heavier cream. And when it comes to choosing milk for cereals or as a beverage, it can make even more of a difference. If you're curious to see how the various types of milk compare, just read more

    healthy snacks

    Olives vs. Almonds

    I never turn down an invitation to a holiday party.

    I never turn down an invitation to a holiday party. Too often, it's the same for the food, cocktails, and treats that often accompany them. To make sure I'm snacking smart at the soirees' snack stands, I've checked out two popular items that tend to find their ways onto many a hostess's serving tray — olives and almonds.

    Ready to see the side-by-side breakdown?