FitSugar

Invest That Tax Refund Back Into Yourself

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:00:25 PDT

It's always exciting to receive a check from Uncle Sam come tax season. Like Savvy, I try to save some of my refund and pay off debt. I also invest the money too, and I'm not just talking stocks and bonds. If you've got a little extra money this year, use it toward your health. It's a worthwhile investment that definitely keeps on giving back to you. Here are a few healthy ways you can start spending that tax refund.

Enroll in a new fitness class. Maybe there's a new fitness trend you've been dying to try, or a healthy vacation you've been meaning to take. Why not put those tax dollars to use? Make your money stretch even further by using collective-buying sites.
Get a physical exam. Going to the doctor can be pricey, even with insurance. But at the risk of sounding like a nagging mom, let me say that you shouldn't ignore your health. Go in for an annual physical, eye exam, or make a dentist appointment.

To see more ways to invest in your health,

What's the Deal with Body Wraps?

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Wrap it up, and watch the pounds melt off. If only it were that easy.

With claims that body wraps push fat cells together and allow your body to change into a slimmer shape, many folks are turning towards such treatments in search of losing a few unwanted pounds instead of hitting the gym. Experts, such as Dr. Erica Brownfield, associate professor of medicine at Emory, warn us to use caution when opting for a pricey body wrap. Want to know why? Then

At Home Spa Treatment: Moisturize Dry Hair

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:45:00 PDT

We all know olive oil is a healthy fat that is essential to our health, but it's not just for salads and warm bread. You can use it to nourish your dry and fuzzy hair. I've tried leave-in conditioners and deep conditioning treatments, but they don't seem to work. Here's something I do about twice a month, but you can do it once a week if your hair is really thirsty.

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup olive oil (you may need more or less depending on how long and thick your hair is)
plastic grocery bag

Here's what to do:

Rinse your hair with warm water.
Pour about 1 tbsp into the palm of your hands, rub them together to warm up the oil, then using your fingertips, gently massage it into your scalp and hair.
Continue doing this until your hair is covered evenly with the oil, making sure the ends of your hair are treated too.
Now place the plastic bag over your hair, tying the ends in a knot or securing it closed with a hair clip or clothespin.
Keep the oil on your hair for at least 30 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.

That's it. Your hair will look and feel shiny, soft, and smooth. It's especially good if you have thick and curly hair, but it's also great to do in the summer when the sun and saltwater can really dry out your hair. Try it and let me know what you think.

Fit's Tips: If your hair is NOT dry, do not try this treatment - your hair will end up looking really flat and greasy.

Source

What's Your Favorite Spa Treat?

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 06:00:00 PST

When I put up the cash for a spa treatment, facials are by far my favorite service, but various other friends are die hards for lymphatic drainage massages, seaweed wraps, and blue light therapy. Going to the spa is a real luxury, so the service you choose says something about what you value when you get pampered.

I like to feel better about my often-bothersome skin, so it makes sense that I love facials, and my most stressed out friends are usually the ones who crave massages. When you splurge on a spa service, what kind are you most likely to choose and why?

Can You Guess Which Neuroses These "Mental Spa Treatments" Cure?

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:30:36 PDT

Artists Sonia and Mark Whitesnow have an interesting new photo series out called Psychospa, featuring fictitious spa treatments that improve the psyche instead of the body. This is the "ironic world of Psychospa, a world which reflects modern man living in a metropolis, unsociable and full of fears and anxieties, but attracted to nature," according to the Whitesnows. "Driven by a set of procedures such as therapeutic mud baths, volcanic minerals, plants, chocolate, and honey, his inner energy awakes," they explain. "The man turns into a strong and resolute creature with a significant moment of clearing the body."

The photos are lovely, but the symbolism here is rather vague for a series so focused on the human psyche and catharsis. All the "spa treatments" have Latin names tangentially related to what's being conveyed in the photo, but it would be nice to have a little more semiotic guidance so that we can better appreciate what they're doing with this putative blending of spa and psychotherapy. I've tried to parse what each of these procedures is about. What do you think they're treating?

Source: Sonia and Mark Whitesnow

This New Hong Kong Spa Really Gets You High

Brittney Stephens — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:16:13 PDT

Hong Kong's newest luxury spa might not be so relaxing if you have a fear of heights. The new ESPA just opened in the city's Ritz-Carlton International Commerce Center, the third tallest building in the world. ESPA sits on the 116th and 118th floors, making it the highest spa on Earth.

Don't worry if you're only slightly acrophobic, though. The architects, HBA, gave the space rounded edges and curved walls to create the illusion of insulation and protection from the world below. And in the relaxation room, the custom-designed lounger pods are curtained to create private, safe-feeling cocoons. The treatment we're coveting most? Their 90-minute Lava Shell Treatment ($191 USD), where heated shells, warmed aromatic oils, and deep-tissue-massage strokes will (hopefully) melt away any stress you may be feeling from the hotel's dizzying height.

Get Glowing With This Easy Homemade Scrub

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:05:17 PST

You don't need expensive creams, scrubs, or lotions to get skin that glows. The key is to exfoliate to help slough away dead skin cells. Luckily, it's easy to make a body scrub at home with ingredients you likely already have sitting in your kitchen. Check out our latest video to see how to make it, and get softened skin in an instant.

Fresh Start Resolution: Cut Yourself Some Slack

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:23:53 PST

It's a New Year and a new you! We're offering 12 tips to start off the year right. We've already given you advice on mastering time management and improving your public speaking, so here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

Make this the year that you finally give yourself a break. It's easy to get caught up in stress and to be hard on yourself when it comes to work, finance, and relationships, but the best way to stay happy and healthy is to lighten up a little bit. Here are four ways to cut yourself some slack in the upcoming year:

Schedule time for yourself. In between work commitments and everyday errands, it can be tough to find time for the things that fulfill you. Still, it's crucial to step back and let yourself indulge. Whether it's exercise, spa treatments, lunch dates, or just 10 minutes to sit and breathe, give yourself the gift of leisure. Even tiny moments of joy will have an impact on your mind-set.
Use your vacation days. Companies want eager, enthusiastic employees, so take advantage of your benefits package and schedule a vacation early in the year. With a trip to look forward to, you'll find yourself energized and more satisfied with your workplace. After your break, you'll return to the office with a calmer spirit and the drive to do better - especially since greater success usually means extra days off.

Read on for more stay-sane tips

Make Your Own Pumpkin Body Moisturizer

OnSugar Blog — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:02:57 PDT

Here's a fun seasonal recipe by OnSugar blogger Beauty Basics. Enjoy!

Since we’ve talked about how skin can get dry and flaky when the seasons change from warm to frigid, I figured we should talk DIY pumpkin moisturizing body treatment. In addition to being delicious when baked in a pie, pumpkin is really beneficial for your skin! It’s got tons of enzymes and antioxidants that nourish skin and help get rid of dead skin cells. To find out how to make this moisturizer at home, just keep reading.

Link Time: Stars' Most Controversial Hairstyles

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:20:13 PST

These stars' hairstyles were magnets for controversy - Glo
How to soothe dry skin - InStyle
Easy DIY spa treatments - Refinery29
10 hot hairstyles for 2012 - Beauty High
Why sauerkraut is good for your skin - Beautylish
10 minutes to rehydrated skin? - The Cut
Afraid to wear lipstick? This might be the one for you, then - Stylelist
These celebrity beauty "secrets" are actually hokum - Huffington Post