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By Amy Zhang March 30, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 2 Comments

These are the Best Natural Detox Teas

Remember the detox tea craze a few years ago? For a while, there were all these teas being promoted on Instagram that claimed to help you lose weight while detoxing your body.

The truth about those tea-toxes?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As nice as it would be to have a miracle liquid that would instantly help you loose weight and flatten your stomach, the reality is many “detox teas” on the market are not what they appear to be. Many of them contain (not so) mild laxatives, which might help you lose weight in the short term (because they are literally emptying you out), but are not good for you in the long run (your body can become dependent on laxatives). Personally, I am not a fan of the tea detox, and prefer more natural alternatives to “detoxing.” Lots of water, greens, and natural detox teas.

There are so many types of teas with so many different health benefits – tea is so good for you! I could go on and on about all of the health benefits of drinking tea. Tea was always a staple in my home growing up – I loved jasmine, ginger, and green tea and would drink it all day. Today, I have an entire cabinet dedicated to different kinds of teas that I drink on different days. When I’ve had an indulgent meal or two, I turn to detox teas to help me feel better. Same goes for when I’ve had too much booze over the weekend. There’s nothing worse than feeling bloated or having tummy troubles – but a good cup of “detox” tea helps so much!

I keep a stash of tea at my desk as well. On Mondays, I’ll make myself a cup of “detox” tea and drink this throughout the day. I say “detox” lightly, because these aren’t like the detox teas you see on Instagram – they don’t “detox” your insides per se, but they do help stimulate digestion and balance your body. These are the best natural detox teas I always keep stocked in my cabinet that I absolutely love.

Benefits of “Detox” Teas

Detox teas typically contain ingredients such as ginger root, licorice, hibiscus, burdock, and dandelion root. These ingredients can help with repairing leaky gut and improving liver functions. They are also anti inflammatory, help boost your immune system, and can help aid with weight loss. I love sipping on tea throughout the day because I swear it helps with bloating and cravings. If I am craving something unhealthy, I always try to chug water and drink tea because 1. you might just be dehydrated and 2. tea can help curb cravings and suppress your appetite.

Detox teas tend to be herbal teas without any caffeine, so they are safe to sip throughout the day. and even at night before going to sleep Of course, you can never go wrong with loose leaf green tea (so many antioxidants!) – but these are the specific teas I drink to “detox” my body.

What Teas are Good for Detox:

Dandelion

Dandelion is more than just a yard weed! In fact, dandelion root is a popular ingredient used in detox teas. Believe it or not, dandelion flowers are filled with healthy nutrients. Plus, you can receive all of the benefits of from just a single tea bag! If you’re looking to do a one day detox, you definitely want to incorporate dandelion tea. Some of the benefits of this tea include: detoxification, cleansing the liver, aiding in weight loss and suppressing appetite, improving digestion, and balancing blood sugar. The taste is strong, but I swear after sipping on a cup of this tea, I feel so much better and lighter.

Fennel

From the first time I tried fennel tea, I have been hooked. Fennel naturally helps with bloating and digestion, and one cup of fennel tea can almost instantly shrink your stomach. In fact, Heather’s Tummy Tea is a must have in my purse and travel bag. Stomach and digestion problems happen, and bloating is a fact of life when you travel or have a bad meal. I tell everyone I know about this miracle tea!

Yogi Detox

The name says it all! Yogi makes several varieties of detox teas that are chock full of different detoxifying herbs. They include: cinnamon bark, ginger root, cardamom pod, licorice root, clove bud, orange peel, dandelion root, and more. The taste is a little strong and intense, but one tea bag and stretch for several cups of tea, and you honestly feel like your insides are being cleansed.

Lemon & Ginger

This is a homemade tea that is delicious and easy to make any time of day. Hot water with lemon is so good for you (one of the best ways to start your day). It instantly gets things moving, if you know what I mean. Lemon is also a diuretic, which helps with bloating and detoxification. When I feel a tickle in my throat, one of the first things I do is brew a big pot of tea with the juice from a whole lemon, several slices of ginger, honey, and as much cayenne pepper as I can handle. So easy to make yourself and it tastes incredible!

Okkkk, now I’m off to make myself a cup of tea!! xx

By Amy Zhang March 16, 2018 in Fitness, Lifestyle, Wellness 16 Comments

How to Look and Feel Your Best By Summer

With sweater weather season coming to an end, my mind is focused on the warmer weather that’s around the corner. If the thought of being in a swimsuit in a few months makes your head spin around, just know we’re in this together! I decided last week it was time to put down the dark chocolate and daily sweets. It’s time to start getting my shit together. I scoured all of my favorite health blogs and magazines for inspiration. I’m determined to make this the year I look and (much more importantly) feel my best.

I think almost every girl has gone through a phase where they haven’t had the best relationship with their body and appearance, or food for that matter. It’s something pretty much every woman I know struggles with or has struggled with a lot. We all have different definitions of what it means to look and feel our best, I do not believe there is a “one size fits all” mentality that is healthy or practical. It sounds obvious, but this realization took the better part of my early and mid twenties to figure out and accept. With that said, I don’t think it’s promoting unhealthy habits or encouraging body issues to say you want to look or feel your best.

So! Back to getting “summer ready”… these are the things I’ve committed to doing in preparation for summer. Feel free to join me! We can hold each other accountable and motivated.

How to Look and Feel Your Best By Summer

+ Find a workout you love.

I had Classpass for years and while I loved it for trying out studios, I found that I could never get into a routine and stick with it. Finding ONE workout I love and go to 3x a week, as opposed to jumping around to different studios all the time (I am convinced that this reduces the effectiveness of each workout) has given me the stability and consistency I was looking for. I never in a million years thought I would be that girl working out in a sports bra, but almost a year of doing Barry’s Bootcamp a few times every week, I’ve seen changes in my body that fuel me to continue and work harder.

As someone who has tried everything under the sun to get in shape and lose weight quickly (the college weight gain was reaaal), it took me a long time realize this:

There are NO quick fixes or magic pills, only hard work, discipline, and CONSISTENCY.

This past year I finally found myself a steady workout routine and recently became friends with the best group of women who never fail to keep me on track and motivated. Having a workout crew that has become some of my close friends has made working out fun and more challenging because we all push each other to work harder! The changes and improvements in my body and strength are a testament to how powerful accountability can be.

+ Cook more.

Every trainer will tell you to make your own food (even better – meal prep in advance). Eating at home is healthier and so much cheaper than always going out to eat. Even when you try to make healthy choices, it adds up quickly. Even the healthiest restaurants will sneak in added sugars or sodium. When you cook for yourself, you know exactly what goes into each dish. You have more control over portions as well. I have a tendency to fall back on Sweetgreen, poke bowls, and other fast casual options. So I’m really making an effort to prepare more meals at home and eat out less!

+ Never skip a meal.

This one is hard for a lot of girls – so often we think eating less = better, but this actually causes your metabolism to slow down and leads to your body clinging onto fat, making it so much harder to lose weight and tone up. If you’re working out, you need to eat. Period.

+ Sleep and rest more.

I read this blog post a few years ago and found myself laughing throughout the post and agreeing with so many of her points. My favorite part: When you lift weights, you are ripping tiny tears in your muscle fibers. When you finish, (aka when you are resting) your body needs to use energy to repair and restore those fibers. I love the idea that while I am lying in bed, watching the Bachlorette, my body is burning calories repairing itself. She goes on to talk about how important rest days are. Plus how overtraining can actually lead to our bodies going into “protective mode” and ends up burning fat instead of muscle. Which is the opposite of what we want!

I’d love to hear what your tips and tricks are for getting summer ready!

* Outfit is by Peony & Me – I love comfortable all of their pieces are! I’m wearing this bra and these leggings. They are perfect for yoga or barre workouts. Call me boring, but you can never have too many pairs of black leggings!

Some of my other favorite brands for workout clothes – Ultracor, Varley, and TLA by Morgan Stewart (<< obsessed with the new spring colors!).

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By Amy Zhang March 13, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 5 Comments

Is Coffee Good or Bad For You?

Who else has been reaching for an extra cup of coffee this week after Daylight Savings Time?? Yesterday was the Monday-est Monday, and today I am finally starting to get back into my groove. I can’t help but wonder if my caffeine habit is doing me more harm than good. There’s SO much conflicting advice on the internet on all sides. So. Is coffee GOOD or BAD for you? As someone who loves caffeine during the week, I’m obviously rooting for YES. The short answer of it is, as with all things, it’s probably good for you in moderation. Here’s the scoop on it.

Is Coffee Good or Bad For You?

The pros of coffee:

+ It’s high in antioxidants

+ It makes you happy : )

+ Boosts brain power

+ Speeds up your metabolism and helps you burn fat

+ Might help prevent Alzheimer’s

+ Decreases risks of diabetes and liver disease

+ Can help you live longer

The cons of coffee:

Doctors tend to warn patients about the dangers of coffee or consuming too much caffeine. These include:

– Caffeine addiction (and withdrawal)

– Sleep disruption

– Can make you more anxious

– Damage to the digestive tract (due to its high acidity) that can lead to ulcers, heartburn, and other stomach problems

– Can increase risk of heart disease

If you’re looking to swap out coffee for something else, try yerba mate or another form of tea with caffeine.

The verdict:

The jury’s out on whether or it’s good for you. If you have a position, chances are there is research to back it up. As with all things, it seems like moderation is key when it comes to coffee. Also, if you’re going to drink it for health benefits, your best bet is drinking it black (no added sugar or milk). As someone who has a tendency to order some slightly less than healthy coffee drinks, it’s a good reminder to stick to black coffee (and try to depend less on caffeine to get me going during the week).

The general consensus seems to be that a cup or two a day is OK (it might even be good for you!), but to not overdo it. If you find yourself really dependent on caffeine, it might be time to switch to decaf or find ways to make more time for rest.

What are your thoughts on the great coffee debate?

By Amy Zhang February 2, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 7 Comments

What Happens When You Give Up Alcohol for a Month

At the beginning of the year, my boyfriend and I embarked on a 31-day no alcohol challenge (or “Dry January” as it’s called) to kick off the year on a healthier note and reset after the craziness of the holidays. Well, it’s now February, and Dry January is “officially over.”

So, what happens give alcohol month off?

I wish I could say I had some insane life changes over the past month or some enlightening revelations to share, but the month really just came and went (for me). Sure, there were stressful moments when it would have been nice to unwind with a glass of wine at night, and there were plenty of occasions (Mexico, anyone?!) when a spicy margarita or good tequila at the rocks would have been appropriate. But overall, the experience helped us both reset, focus on our goals for the month and clear our minds (and bodies). And when February 1st came, I still opted for sparkling water over champagne.

What I learned from giving up alcohol for a month

Social plans can get dicey.

It immediately became very apparent just how heavily alcohol is used as a social lubricant. Once you say you’re not drinking, it seems like every social event revolves around alcohol. I found myself thinking, “well if I’m not going to drink, is it even worth going?”

Expect some strange reactions.

You’ll also definitely get some strange (and weirdly strong) reactions from friends and coworkers. People seem to LOVE giving you a piece of their mind on your decision to not drink. Some people in your life will be positive and encouraging and look for other ways to make time for you. Other friends you might not see as much anymore, and you realize how much of your relationship was based off of going out and getting drinks together.

Opt for mocktails if you have to.

I will say that in many industries, social drinking is a huge part of networking and getting ahead, so sometimes the pressure to drink is not only social, it’s professional. If you’re trying to drink less in these situations, I would recommend nursing one drink the entire evening, or sticking to sparkling water or soda in a cocktail glass (a water glass is a dead giveaway for no booze).

Were there any benefits of not drinking for full month?

For me, hands down yes. There are real benefits. The ones I experienced: waking up every morning naturally refreshed. Not having a hangover (or regret). Not eating crap food or wasting a Sunday away on the couch because of said hangover. Clearer skin and better digestion. Feeling less bloated – dare I say, I see the beginning of some baby abs? Holding myself more accountable to my goals. Having more time to focus on other things that are important to me. Being more productive. Working out more.

One of the biggest (and most obvious) benefits:

Alcohol is expensive! Especially when you’re not drinking at home. When we went out to eat, our dinner bill seemed to be half of what it would normally be if we had each gotten a couple cocktails or split a bottle of wine. To be fair, selling liquor is how most restaurants make a profit, which is understandable. Although we definitely noticed it in how pushy our waiters would be when we turned down drinks.

At our resort in Mexico, it felt as though we were being asked every 5 minutes if we wanted something to drink. Can I get you something from the bar? Are you sure you don’t want a margarita by the pool? While we didn’t go into the month with the intention of cutting out booze to save money, it turns out that you can save a lot of money by eliminating that glass of wine every time you go out to eat.

My final thoughts on giving up alcohol for a month:

Going a month of intentionally saying no to every drink that was offered to me made me rethink my own drinking habits. I’m not a big drinker and have a relatively small frame. So even one drink at night can sometimes lead to me not sleeping well and waking up groggy the next day. Also, now that I’m in my late twenties, the two day hangover is REAL, guys.

Then there’s the whole “adulting” of it all. Most corporate jobs aren’t a 9-to-5 gig anymore, and it’s a busy time of year at the studio where I work. I had to set priorities for myself, and they were: family and friends, work, wellness, and blogging. I don’t drink much because I really just can’t afford to. And a lot of my friends my age and older agree. I know, it doesn’t sound so fun – but I’m also a huge proponent of having fun without booze. I 100% believe you do not need to be liquored up to have (or be) a good time.

That’s why when February came around, I wasn’t jumping to drink and passed on the opportunity. I’m not saying I’ll never have a drink again, but Dry January definitely made me rethink my priorities and set some new intentions. So with that said, happy February everyone, and cheers! xx

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By Amy Zhang January 12, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style, Wellness 11 Comments

Kicking Off the Year With Sober January

It’s Friday night after a long week. How do you unwind? In my early twenties, Friday nights were typically extremely boozy occasions with all of my best friends. Now that I’m in my late twenties, Friday nights are much tamer, to say the least. But they often involve unwinding with a glass of wine, an Aperol spritz, or spicy marg. But not this month. On December 31st, my boyfriend announced he would be doing a Sober January. I thought about it for a second and decided quickly I would join him. That means for the month of January, no alcohol. No evening glasses of wine, no cocktails with dinner, no drinks out with friends. So – what’s the deal with Sober January?

Why we decided to do Sober January

After the holidays, which were indulgent and booze-filled, to say the least, we were both ready for a reset. Combine that with a desire to get sh*t done in the month of January (hey, resolutions + goal setting!) and extremely busy work schedules, and we both knew we had to cut the booze.

I’m not a big drinker to begin with, but a glass or two of wine with dinner can quickly become a habit, especially over the holidays when I wasn’t working every day. Then, of course, there are the more obvious reasons to cut down on alcohol – it can lead to weight gain, interferes with sleep, is horrible for your skin, it’s filled with sugar, etc. etc. I could go on and on.

To be completely honest, we both wanted to debloat from the month of December and not have to deal with hangovers and all the other expenses of drinking. We honestly couldn’t afford to be out all night, wake up late in the morning hungover, and eat junk food. #adulting

The Challenge

It’s also funny how our minds work sometimes – I swear when I tell myself I can’t have something, I just end up wanting it more. Does anyone else feel this way? Even though I often usually go days and weeks without drinking, I noticed that when I set a challenge of having NO drinks, I found myself being more aware of the times I was in social situations and wasn’t drinking. I also quickly realized how much alcohol is ingrained in social outings and our culture in general. You don’t even realize how alcohol is everywhere and so many social situations often involve drinking. Now that we aren’t drinking this month, we’re definitely being more creative with the activities we choose to do with friends. Workout date, anyone?

Sober January Updates

It’s only been a couple weeks, but we’ve already noticed a difference in our bodies and energy levels. My skin has definitely cleared up and smoothed out. I feel way less bloated, and I’m sleeping well and waking up naturally. This isn’t to say I’ll never drink again. I definitely miss having the occasional glass of wine. The other night at dinner I definitely stared at the spicy margaritas at our table enviously. But the mental clarity and focus have been much needed this month to tackle our to-do list and I’m happy with the decision and the little mini-challenge we gave ourselves.

We kicked off the challenge after a champagne-filled New Year’s Eve… I loved the sequined dress I wore from Revolve so much. I know sequins are such a NYE thing, but I really think this dress could be worn during the year as well. Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to wear it again ; ).

What are your thoughts on doing a dry January?

dress: its nbd | jacket: bb dakota | shoes: raye