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By Amy Zhang October 30, 2017 in Wellness 13 Comments

You Are What You Eat! Superfoods to Add to Your Diet This Week

Superfood is a bit of a health buzz word, but for good reason. The name is fitting – superfoods are exactly what their name sounds like! They are foods that are highly rich in nutrients and have a variety of health benefits. Basically, foods that you should be eating more of. After doing some research, I found out there are so many superfoods that are not only good for you, they happen to be in season right now! Read on for some of my favorite fall superfoods (bonus: they’re all vegan!) that I’m really loving right now + some of the health benefits they offer. Notice how they’re all fresh and so vibrant in color and taste.

Vegan superfoods that are in season right now:

+ Pomegranate:

A real bitch to get all the seeds out (unless you buy the little packages of seeds that have already been removed and cleaned), but trust me when I say the juice is worth the squeeze. Pomegranates are filled with antioxidants and Vitamin C. This superfood packs a real punch and has anti-inflammatory benefits, which helps reduce the risk of a variety of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. If you’re drinking green tea or red wine for their antioxidants, then you need to be drinking pomegranate juice. Pomegranates contain 3x the amount of antioxidants as green tea or red wine! Insane, right? I love just eating the seeds raw on their own, but they also taste great in an arugula or kale salad or mixed into greek yogurt.

+ Apple:

Turns out an apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Apples are a cheap and accessible superfood! My favorite is the Honeycrisp variety, but there are so many different ones you can try at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Growing up in the midwest, apple picking was one of my favorite fall activities! Apples are full of antioxidants and fiber and are the perfect snack! Studies have also shown that eating a small apple before meals can help you eat less during your actual meal, helping with weight loss!

+ Acai:

I love a good acai bowl! I love making my own topped with berries, bee pollen, and coconut flakes (<< even more superfoods!). Acai has even more antioxidants than other types of berries, and is a great way to get vitamins, fiber, and satisfy any sugar cravings you might have.

+ Brussels Sprouts:

These little guys made a huge resurgence in popularity over the past several years. On their own, they are full of vitamins C and K as well as tons of other nutrients! These sprouts are a great source of vegan protein, iron, and potassium. As delicious as they are cooked with bacon, the healthier option to eating them is roasted with some olive oil, sea salt, and pepper, or raw in a shaved brussels sprouts salad (I love adding dates to mine!).

+ Turmeric:

This bright yellow spice has so many health benefits! The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. It has also been shown to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. This spice has been used in Indian cooking for centuries. If you’re new to using turmeric, try adding it to roasted vegetables or rice. Turmeric lattes have been gaining popularity recently as well – I like this recipe.

+ Sweet Potato:

One of my favorite sources of healthy carbs! I love a good roasted sweet potato or sweet potato fries (my absolute favorite! Make them healthier by making your own at home). Not only are sweet potatoes delicious, they’re insanely good for you. This superfood is chock full of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide your body with healthy carbs that give you energy without causing your blood sugar to spike. Make sure to include sweet potatoes in your fall recipes and at Thanksgiving dinner!

What are your favorite superfoods? xx

By Amy Zhang October 27, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 23 Comments

How to Prepare for the Holidays

My goal is to be like a boy scout – always prepared. In all seriousness, my Type-A mind can’t wrap its head around being unprepared. Even though I’m focused on Halloween at the moment, I’ve already begun planning for the rest of the year. Namely, the holiday season. You bet as soon as November hits I’ll be decking my halls and swinging into full-on festive mode.

The end of the year is always crazy. Between Thanksgiving, holiday parties, and any other holidays you might celebrate, November and December tend to be jam-packed with events and to-dos. This year, I refuse to let the chaos get the best of me and plan on keeping my cool and doing it all. Goals, right? So with that said, here’s my plan of attack.

Holiday Prep Tips: How to prepare for the holidays

+ Boost your immune system:

There’s nothing worse than getting sick over the holidays when there’s so much going on. Some of my favorite immune system boosting tips? Get enough sleep, take Vitamin C packets, wash your hands religiously, and always stay hydrated! If I know I’m going to be having a particularly crazy week, I try to limit the alcohol and junk food as well.

+ Get a head start on errands:

Finalize your plans and book any remaining travel you have left. Have guests coming into town? Schedule a cleaning before they arrive and family time gets the best of you. Hosting a big dinner or party? Menu plan and prep in advance. Planning on giving gifts? Make a list and get a head start on your holiday shopping now. Chances are some things will be left until the last minute, but if you can get a sense of what needs to get done and what you can start on now, you’ll be better equipped to handle the craziness of the holiday season.

+ Stay organized:

To the point above, now is the time to get organized. Your calendar is your best friend! Make sure to write down important dates, take notes, and keep a to-do list. These will come in handy later.

+ Learn how to say no:

Rather than overcommit, be realistic in how many events you can attend. It’s ok to say no – it’s always better to follow through on your plans than flake or bail at the last minute. As much fun as the holidays can be, it isn’t worth it to run your body into the ground over a busy social calendar. There will always be more events, and nothing is more important than your health and quality time with loved ones.

In the spirit of thinking ahead, this look is definitely created with the holidays in mind! Shades of burgundy/wine are always a fall favorite, but throw in some velvet and all of a sudden you have a holiday party-ready look! This Free People dress is from Lulus and it happens to be comfortable (accommodating a large meal, ha!) AND festive (love love love the dramatic sleeve details). You really can’t go wrong with the selection of dresses from Lulus for all of your fall and holiday festivities!

I’ll be sharing more tips on getting your body and mind ready for the holidays over the next few weeks. In the meantime, what is everyone dressing up as for Halloween?! xx

dress: free people | shoes: who what wear x target | bag: gucci | earrings: similar

By Amy Zhang October 20, 2017 in Fitness, Lifestyle 11 Comments

Why Interval Training is the Best Thing Ever and How You Can Add it to Your Fitness Routine

If you know me, you know I love a good fitness class. But the fact is, I simply don’t always have time to get ready and go to an hour long class – and you probably don’t either. And though any length of workout is absoltuely better than nothing, there are times when I want the most bang for my buck. A result-based workout that can be done quickly, for busy weeknights or when traveling.

I’m a HUGE fan of interval training. I have found nothing gets me results faster than incorporating intervals into my fitness routine. As someone who used to run long distances regularly, intervals have been a godsend. No more hour long sessions on the cardio machine at the gym for this girl!

Why Interval Training is the Best Thing Ever and How You Can Add it to Your Fitness Routine

HIIT is a good example of that, and after taking classes regularly at Barry’s Bootcamp, I wanted to talk more about intervals. Interval training in general usually means you’re getting a great workout, and is why successful gyms like Barry’s are advocating for it. They’re definitely onto something worth sharing.

What are intervals?

To sum it up, intervals are working at different paces & intensities for a set amount of time, over and over. Working out in intervals keeps your body from feeling “comfortable” during your workout. When you disrupt it every minute or so to pick up or slow down your pace, you end up burning more calories and strengthening your heart, among other things.

Who should do intervals?

Anyone and everyone, though it’ll look different for each person. Intense intervals are something you build up to after spending a few months getting in shape. If you’re a newbie, find the variables that work for you (maybe you’re jogging instead of running – more on this below). Don’t push yourself too hard. Definitely don’t get down on yourself if your intervals don’t look like the person next to you.

Believe me, I wasn’t nearly as strong as a lot of people at Barry’s, but I still felt great after each workout (and kinda dead, in a good way). You’ll get to where you want to be after consistently doing intervals a few times a week. Some benefits of interval training: better endurance for long runs, other cardio workouts, improved cardiovascular health, more calories burned, and the biggest one for me – losing belly fat!

How do I incorporate intervals into my workout?

One of the most common ways to incorporate interval training into your everyday workout is to hop on the treadmill. I definitely understand the treadmill can be a bore, but stay with me here, it’s worth it! And yes, you can totally do intervals off a treadmill, but personally, I appreciate the effectiveness that a treadmill provides (a time clock, ways to monitor speed, stay efficient, etc.).

When you’re ready to take your workout to the next level, start adding in intervals by varying your speed on the treadmill. Make sure to get completely warmed up at a slow pace before you begin to increase your speed (avoid those injuries!) and then determine what your “fast” pace will be and what your “base” pace will be. Test your speeds and find out what works best for you!

Adding incline

If you feel ready to kick your workout up even more, consider adding an incline to your intervals. Don’t be intimidated – you don’t have to run at 6 mph while running uphill (unless you’re into that). You’re actually going to keep the speed the same on this one. Instead of changing the speed every other minute, you’ll increase and decrease your incline – simple! Doing this will definitely intensify your workout and burn even more calories. It’ll also make your heart and body stronger too.

Easy Treadmill Interval Workouts You Can Do

Luckily, I was able to steal a couple treadmill workouts from Justine Cuenco (follow her on Instagram @cococuenco) – if you look at her page you’ll see she is a total boss and a huge fitness buff. The girl’s dedication to fitness and working out is super admirable. So I had to get her custom “Coco Run” and try it out for myself. See below for three examples of interval workouts you can try on the treadmill.

This run should take you to 4 miles, which is perfect if you’re training for a race! If you’re looking for something a little more quick or dirty, try some hill or speed intervals.

Repeat 2-3 times for a KILLER workout.

I used to hate, hate, HATE sprints, but now I love them! Love getting my cardio done for the day. Repeat this set at least twice for best results.

If you’re ready to start doing intervals right away, here is some edgy workout clothes I am absolutely loving right now too!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang October 2, 2017 in Beauty, Lifestyle 8 Comments

Is La Mer Worth It? + My Current Skincare Routine

If you’re into skincare, chances are you’ve heard of La Mer. Specifically, their famous Creme de la Mer. Celebs and beauty editors rave about this product! La Mer’s most popular product is touted as a “miracle cream” but it comes with a steep price tag. A 1 oz. jar of this stuff is $170! So, let’s get to the bottom of this. Is La Mer worth it?

To be honest – I was very, very skeptical. I mean, is any cream worth $170 an ounce?

For the price, I was hoping it would be the equivalent of putting liquid gold on my skin. I also had sky high expectations for the price. I mean, it better be damn good! Luckily, I received a jar of Creme de la Mer as a gift and I’ve been using it since.

My initial reaction to Creme de la Mer:

The cream is incredibly rich and thick. If you have oily skin or aren’t used to extremely moisturizing creams, it may almost be too much for you. For this reason (and for the sake of stretching out my jar of product as long as possible), I only use it at night. I have dry skin, so my thirsty skin soaks up the rich cream. It almost works as a sleeping mask – when I wake up my skin is hydrated, smooth, and supple. Not to mention unbelievably soft!

I really love the cream. I’ve had so many people compliment me on my “natural glow” – even on days when I wasn’t wearing any makeup or hadn’t gotten much sleep. My skin feels smooth, plump, and always hydrated (something I struggle with!). If I could bathe in creme de la mer, I would. When my jar is used up (RIP), will I repurchase? Maybe. The price tag is high enough that I have to think hard about it.

Is La Mer Wroth It?

So – back to the initial question. Is it worth it? After testing it out myself for a few months, my answer is yes. It’s worth it – for me. I love the effect it has on my skin and it works noticeably better than other products I have in my bathroom. BUT, here’s my caveat: it is only worth it if you can afford it in your budget! If you’re on the fence about spending $170 for a jar of face moisturizer, you probably can find alternate products for a lower price! There are so many high quality skincare products on the market today, I guarantee you can find something that suits your skin and budget. It may take more digging and require looking into brands you haven’t heard of – but in the end, you’ll be happy to found the perfect products for your skin type.

So there you have it – my honest thoughts on Creme de La Mer and if it’s a must have in your vanity. All things considered, I think the product is amazing!

Are there comparable products on the market available for less?

Probably. I’ve heard Olay Regenerist, which can be found at a drugstore, is very comparable to Creme de la Mer! It really depends on your current skin, your routine, and your skincare needs. A little trick if you want to try it out – most department stores will offer a small sample for you to take home before committing to buying the full sized product.

In addition to this Creme de La Mer, I’ve been incorporating a variety of other products in my daily routine. I tend to get lazy with products, so I try to stick to the essentials and focus on problem areas when I can. I can’t deal with crazy ten step routines, it’s just unreasonable for my current lifestyle and my hectic schedule. Full disclosure – I do receive a lot of free products as a blogger. I do my best to try them all and provide honest reviews and feedback – I won’t mention one unless I absolutely love it and I would never endorse something I didn’t like or had a bad reaction from. Knowing that everyone’s skin is so different, I just wanted to share what’s been working for me since I do get questions about my skin often.

The rest of my current skincare routine:

Glossier Cleanser:

This continues to be my go-to cleanser. It takes off all of my makeup and is just a great basic cleanser. I keep one in the shower and one in my gym bag. I really like Glossier’s minimalist products, you can read my full review of their products here. I’m not a rep, just a normal girl that happens to love some of their products : ).

Skinesque Enzyme Washing Powder:

I’ve raved about this cleanser before. If you haven’t tried a powder cleanser or exfoliant yet, you really need to! This one is gentle enough to use daily and keeps my skin super soft and smooth.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum:

Filled with Vitamin C and antioxidants, this serum is great for everyday use. I’ve been using it pretty consistently for years and notice a big difference when I’m using it vs. when I’m not. Another vitamin C serum I love is this one by Eminence.

SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum:

Currently writing an entire post to retinol, but here’s the quick version of it. I read that your mid twenties are a good time to start incorporating retinol into your skincare routine (some people say as early as your late teens, but the majority of research I’ve come across suggests starting around 24-26). Why? Because retinol helps your skin cells turn over, producing more collagen which helps with skin texture and elasticity. If you’re looking into an anti-aging regime without opting for lasers or needles, definitely try a retinol cream to start! This one was recommended to me by Facile and I use it a couple times a week at night.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel:

My current daily daytime moisturizer. For daytime, I look for lightweight and moisturizing ingredients and formulas that work well on their own or underneath makeup.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Hydro Sleep Mask:

Another one for dry skin lovers. I’ll layer a “sleeping mask” over my nighttime moisturizer for an extra boost of skin hydration. There’s nothing better than waking up to as close to perfect skin as you can get.

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask:

As I get older, I’ve started to experiment more with gentle peels. I haven’t gone full on yet with a spa-grade peel, but I have been testing different at home products. I really like this REN mask because it smells amazing and it leaves my skin just GLOWING. I’m a sucker for anything that has the word “radiance” in the description, only this product actually does that.

Kiehl’s Super Fluid Sunscreen:

I’ve been using this sunscreen everyday for the past five years. The formula is thin, easy to layer, and non-irritating. This sunscreen works well over your daily moisturizer and under makeup. I only wish I started wearing sunscreen religiously sooner… : )

Diet:

I really do believe diet is correlated to the texture and appearance of my skin. I try to drink at least 3L of water a day and I notice a huge difference when I eat junk food or drink alcohol compared when I eat less processed foods. Again, everyone’s skin is different and what triggers your skin may be different than mine.

I know environment also plays a huge role in your skin – for example my skin changed drastically when I moved to LA, it’s been pretty much nonstop dry from the desert climate, sun exposure, and crazy pollution. So I’ve been trying to adjust my skincare routine accordingly as well.

By Amy Zhang September 27, 2017 in Lifestyle, Travel 7 Comments

Travel in Comfort – Long Haul Flight Essentials

Gearing up for a long-haul flight? Whether it’s for work or play, traveling can be exhausting. And let’s face it, for the majority of travelers, unless you’re in business class, flying can be seriously uncomfortable. When I worked in consulting, I traveled every week. I was flying to and from my client site every Monday and Thursday – sometimes from coast to coast. During that time, I became very familiar with making long haul travel as efficient and comfortable as possible. I learned how to navigate airports, hotels, and the world of credit card points and travel loyalty programs.

Although I switched jobs a few years back and no longer travel for work, I still make a point to travel as often as I can – now for fun! Traveling can bring out the worst in anyone (dealing with delays and other cranky people doesn’t make for the best experience), but I always try to keep my cool and make the flight itself as comfortable as possible. I’m fortunate that I’m relatively petite so I don’t have too many issues with the seats, but even then long-haul flights can leave me feeling depleted and less than 100%. Over the years, I’ve developed a bit of a “travel pack” – a set of items I consider to be my long haul flight essentials that I seriously will not get on a flight without.

But first, a few general rules of thumb I always follow when I travel.

Long Haul Flight Essentials – Tips for long flights:

+ Drink water!! And then drink some more water.

Flying dehydrates your skin and body like crazy. Ever notice how sometimes your digestive system gets all funky after flying? It’s partially because we become so dehydrated during our flights, making it more difficult for food to digest and move through our systems. I try to drink at least a cup (8 ounces) of water for every hour I’m on a plane, but truthfully the more the better. Splurge on a 1L bottle of water at the airport or bring your own refillable bottle. If there’s one thing I always do on planes, it’s drink a TON of water. I’ll usually choose the aisle seat too so I’m not that annoying person that keeps getting up to use the bathroom ; ).

+ Avoid eating plane food.

As a general rule of thumb, I won’t eat the food on planes. Airplane food is loaded with sodium and preservatives, not to mention your taste buds are totally different at a higher altitude (meaning you can’t taste food the same way you do normally, hence why plane food has so much sh*t in it to make it taste palatable in the sky). Also, fasting during long haul flights supposedly helps with jetlag. Sometimes I’ll bring my own snacks but usually I just try to wait until I land to eat. Same goes for alcohol – 9 times out of 10, I won’t drink on a plane.

+ Dress comfortably.

Or at least pack a change of clothes for the plane. It is so worth it. Sometimes I’ll grab the slippers from my hotel room and wear them on the plane. The more comfortably dressed you are, the easier it will be to fall asleep – that’s my rationale at least!

+ Bring your own entertainment.

The last thing you want to be on a long haul flight is bored. You can hope for the best on the in flight entertainment (which I will admit usually occupies me for the majority of the flight), but it doesn’t hurt to pre load some movies or shows on your laptop or tablet, download all of your favorite music from Spotify, and bring a book or two. You know, options.

Then of course, you want to be Mary Poppins with everything that’s in your bag. Noise cancelling headphones, a water bottle, and a toothbrush aside, here are some of the things you will always find packed with me on a long haul flight.

Travel Bag Essentials for a long flight:

1. Slip Silk Eye Mask

Sleeping on planes can be hard. A luxurious silk eye mask helps. Keep out distractions with headphones and this luxe eye mask. You might even forget where you are and temporarily drift off into a peaceful state of sleep…

2. Kiehl’s Ultra Hydrating Hand Cream

Back when I lived in Chicago, I relied on this stuff to get me through the crazy cold winters and the nasty dry and chapped hands that came with them. The formula is super thick and hydrating – one of the best hand creams I’ve come across ever. Also, yay for Sephora carrying Kiehl’s now!

3. A Sheet Mask

Forget the strange looks you’ll get from your seatmates, your thirsty skin will soak up a sheet mask and thank you for it. There’s no better way to fight dry skin and fake looking fresh and wide awake (and pretend you’re at a spa and not on a plane) than with a sheet mask. Opt for a hydrating, soothing mask to calm your skin down.

4. Emergen-C

The last thing you want is to get sick on a long flight. Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, so even if you don’t normally take any vitamins or supplements, consider bringing some along when you travel. Call it a placebo effect or not, but I notice a tremendous difference in my ability to fend off the beginning stages of a cold or illness when I take vitamin C. I’ll down a couple Emergen-C packets in a day and with proper rest and nutrition, it’s usually enough to nip a cold in the bud.

5. BYOT (Bring Your Own Tea)

In the same vein of staying hydrated, I usually try to drink a cup or two of tea on a flight. No matter what I’m wearing, I ALWAYS find myself super cold on planes. Hot water helps (you could even bring your own lemon to make hot lemon water), but a couple herbal tea packets of your choice will usually come in handy at some point during your trip.

6. Moisturizing Lip Balm

I’ve shared my love for Glossier before and I’m doing it again now. This balm is so reliable, comes in different tints and flavors, and is like vaseline on crack. SUPER hydrating, keeps your lips and any other dry parts of your face or body moisturized, and travels well.

7. Face Mist

Yes, Evian facial spray is a little bougie. But flying just sucks all of the moisture out of the body, you know? Between the altitude, time change, and any food/alcohol you may consume on the flight, your body is screaming for water inside and out! After you’ve chugged all the water you can handle, refresh your skin with a super hydrating face mist. You’ll feel better instantly and look more awake. Try to avoid heavy makeup on planes (you wouldn’t go to sleep normally with a face full of makeup on, would you?) and opt for an au naturale, dewy glow from this face mist instead. Bonus: it comes in a travel friendly size (less than 3 oz!) so you can bring it on the plane in your carry on.

What are your long haul travel tips and essentials? I’ll take any advice and recommendations I can get to make the journey a little easier and more comfortable : ).

Safe and happy travels, everyone! xx

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