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Great Foods for You, Your Skin, Hair & Nails, Too!

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

We all desire to look fashionable, presentable and generally our very best on any given day of the week. Of course, many times our skin hair and nails can determine whether or not we meet these high personal expectations, or not. These are some of our most noticeable external amenities and they can really make or break our fashion sense. The good news is that there are some foods that you can eat daily – and if you are not already consuming them you can add them to your diet rather easily – that can allow for you to enjoy improved hair, skin and nail health. So before you give up on looking and feeling great, try incorporating these delicious eats into your diet.

Foods to eat for improved hair, nail and skin health:

Red peppers, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, oranges, blackcurrants, curly kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli are rich with vitamin C and antioxidants; great for hair and skin health.
Oily fish, liver, carrots, sweet potato, red peppers, spinach, butternut squash, watercress, apricots and mangoes are loaded with antioxidants and rich in vitamin A.
Rapeseed oil, olive oil, hazelnuts, almonds, other nuts, seeds and tomatoes deliver a solid dosage of vitamin E as well as antioxidants; great for your hair, skin and nails.
Corn on the cob (YUMMY), strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit, apples, avocados, plums, blackberries and wholegrain foods taste great, are great for you and deliver plenty of Ferulic acid, too.
Brazil nuts, lobster, tuna, lemon sole, squid, scallops, sardines, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, mixed nuts & raisins, and walnuts pack a serious punch of selenium, which improves hair health, skin health and nail health; wow!
Try adding yeast extract, nuts, brown rice, eggs, dairy to get your daily amounts of biotin in, which improves hair and nails.

A Night with Four Loko

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

This past New Year’s Eve was definitely one to remember. There were plenty of great friends, great music, and amazing times. We had a great little house party that we attended, and I came across the most interesting drink I’ve had yet. This is Four Loko. This beverage is a caffeinated drink that also has alcohol. It tastes like a strong energy drink, but definitely has the affects of both alcohol and the caffeine. It was definitely worth the try, and something I learned a lot about when I tried to buy it later.

My friend had Four Loko that he brought to the party with him from New York. He said he had been hanging onto it for a while, but that it was the last he could get. I did not understand what he meant by that. I rather figured that it meant he either could not afford more of it or that his wife did not want him to buy more. Either way, I enjoyed what he offered.

Four Loko was rather interesting. It was rather strong in flavor, but it had a great affect. I felt more awake but without losing my buzzed feeling. It has the caffeine level of a cup of coffee, and the alcohol strength of a glass of wine. A wonderful mix, in my mind. The Four Loko beverage did come in a brighter and busier can, initially making me think that it was just an energy drink, until I noticed the 7 warning labels indicating that it did have alcohol in it.

Well, the next day, I found why my friend said he could not get any anymore. The Four Loko product has been taken off the market. There was simply too much risk that it would be used by those who are underage. In addition, there seemed to be a belief that the caffeine level and the alcohol level of the beverage were too high, and therefore too dangerous. I can understand this, but it didn’t deter the feeling of disappointment when I found that Four Loko is not currently on the market.

From what I hear, Four Loko is going to take the caffeine and other stimulants out of the drink all together. This would allow the drink to then be sold on the market. While it is rather sad that the drink would no longer pack the pick-up that it previously had, at least it would be back on the market. The controversy behind the drink might even increase the sales of the beverage, helping it become an absolute hit.

The Saddest Day of the Year

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

There have been numerous studies though out the years that has helped to determine the happiest and saddest days of the year. Unfortunately, we have one of the saddest days of the year is almost on top of us. This is January 17^th. This day is the one day a year that most people feel sad, even those who are generally quite happy. Here are some reasons why this might be, and some ways to combat that sorrow the day causes.

Why It’s The Saddest Day

This is when most people are beginning to get their bills from the holiday spending. A lot of people have put the gifts that were purchased on their credit cards, as well as traveling expenses and restaurants. All of this adds up, and this is the day that most people get to see how much they actually spent.
Sad Woman - Graur Codrin
This day is when most people realize that the holidays are done. The tree is done, the decorations have been put away, and there are no more holiday excitements to look forward to. The next holiday is in February, but that seems so far away by the middle of January.
A lot of people feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that they have ahead of them due to the postponing of tasks during the holidays. This can include home improvements or chores, as well as at work tasks. Even after weeks of working, many people feel as though they will never catch up, and this leads to depression.

How to Be Happier

Make a list of reasons to be happy, and read this list through out the day. This can help you to keep yourself optimistic and upbeat through this and other depressing days.
Make a plan on how to pay the bills and handle the tasks. By having a plan, you can feel better knowing that you have means of handling all of the work set before you. The plan will also help you to handle all of the challenges ahead of you, and keep you in line with what you want to achieve.
Take some time to pamper yourself. Take time at the end of the day, or the beginning if you have it, and do something that you enjoy doing. This could be as small as having a Starbucks coffee, to having a total spa day. Whatever it is, make sure you enjoy it, forget about your concerns, and relax. This is the only way to make these pampering activities truly affective.

If you experience depression on a frequent basis, feel free to talk to your doctor about this. There are plenty of medications that can help you to feel better and live healthier. No one deserves to be sad for extended periods of time. Yes, sadness happens, but if it is happening too often to you, please get help and live happier.

Top US New Year Resolutions in 2011

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

If you have ever wondered what the top New Year Resolutions were by and far for citizens of the United States, look no further than here! Every year, the top resolutions are submitted to particular sites on the net, and national surveys are also conducted to conclude what the top ten resolutions are for that particular New Year. The same can be said for this New Year in 2011. Perhaps a few of these top ten New Year resolutions apply to your situation.

Let’s take a gander at them, shall we?

Weight loss. This one really shouldn’t come as any shocker to any American. That’s because we are more obese than any other nation, per capita, in the world.
Becoming more organized and punctual. We are always so rush-and-go in the US that often we’d forget our own heads if they weren’t attached to our bodies.
Saving more money. It’s crazy how fast things can really add up. That $5 cup of coffee, that $10 fast food meal. Before you know it, your bank account is hollering at you in dismay.
Happiness. Perhaps this can be denoted as the lifelong quest for all human beings ever since we first evolved into Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, it’s #4.
Getting back into shape stay and staying healthy. People are living longer and longer, as we all embrace healthier lifestyles that promote longevity and wellbeing.
Learning or developing new skills. Most Americans desire to be well educated and diverse. We also desire to learn new skills, such as a hobby like a musical instrument or a foreign language.
Quit smoking. Seemingly, this one has dropped on the list to #7. One has a good mind to think that this is because less people are smoking thanks to education and insane taxation on all tobacco products.
Helping friends, family and those who are less fortunate. It’s true: Americans donate more money to charity and beneficial causes than anywhere else in the world. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet can attest to that.
Finding our one ‘True Love.’ In par with reason #4, we all desire to be happy. For most people this encompasses falling in love.
Allocating more time to spend with our family and loved ones. The busyness of our daily schedules is only ever so permitting. So this makes sense that many of us want to spend more time with those whom we care for the most.

Fashion: Sparkle motion on Vita.mn

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

Fashion: Sparkle motion

January 6, 2011

Sequins, sequins, sequins and one guy without sequins at IamMoody’s holiday party at the View.

By Ellen Dahl Lawson

Photos by Ellen Dahl Lawson

Clockwise from top – Linda S. Froiland, Vincent Wanga, Susan Kim, Carolyn Vandenberg

Linda S. Froiland

Image consultant and personal shopper

What are you wearing? Vintage Harrods sweater, J. Crew wrap sweater and belt, Hue sequined leggings, Aerosoles booties, Marc Jacobs bag.

Describe your style: New/old, cheap/expensive. Lots of texture and mix it up.

Who are your fashion icons? Annie Lennox, Gwen Stefani, Diane Keaton, Kate Moss, Lauren Hutton.

Have you ever passed on a purchase and regretted it? A pair of boots in a shop window in Pisa.

Vincent Wanga

25, graphic designer

What are you wearing? Vintage blazer, vintage brown vest from Tatters, dress shirt and pants from Express, Steve Madden shoes.

Describe your style: Simple, layered, efficiently eclectic and minimally pretentious.

What do you enjoy buying for others? Anything delicious and strategically shareable.

Have you ever passed on a purchase and regretted it? A big custom fake-bling chain that said “Priorities” on it. But I waited too long. Maybe next year.

Carolyn Vandenberg

49, marketing and sales

What are you wearing? Tahari sequined tank from T.J. Maxx, DKNY jeans, August Silk jacket, black ankle boots from DSW.

Describe your style: Trendy and sophisticated.

Who are your fashion icons? Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and, of course, my mother.

Have you ever passed on a purchase and regretted it? Boots I saw in Colombia a few years ago. They were really unique and never to be found in the U.S.

Susan Kim

30, visual stylist for Bloomingdale’s

What are you wearing? Vintage sequined top and black leather shorts, Forever 21 bucket bag, ankle boots.

Describe your style: Simple, comfortable, muted colors, trend-influenced but not trendy.

Who are your fashion icons? Alexa Chung, Freja, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Bosworth, Olsen twins.

What do you enjoy buying for others? Clothes. If I could, I’d be a personal shopper and buy everyone clothes that would fit their body types.

Original article on Vita.mn (http://www.vita.mn/story.php?id=112964249)

Rock it at the Office with these Three Easy Office Fashion Tips

January 15, 2011 by IamMoody

Who says that you can’t look great when you are at work. No matter if you are employed at a formal office, semiformal office or even one that allows you the pleasures of dressing in business casual. The reality is that we could all use some well-founded fashion tips from time to time. Perhaps these office fashion tips can help you get there.

Get your getup tailored. It does not really matter whether you bought your suit at the Men’s Warehouse, Nordstrom’s or even at the local thrift store. A tailoring job can do wonders for the way that you look. This also goes for the ladies as well. You can find local tailors near you that don’t charge nearly as much as you think that they would. They can make that outfit really hug your body and truly accentuate your curves, allowing you to fully shine.
A simple blazer can really up your look at the office. Even if you work at an office where you are allowed to wear blue jeans. A simple button down and a nice black or dark grey blazer from Target can make your look that much more fashionable. And for the ladies, check out the many different and chic lady’s blazers that are out there, you can rock it too!
Accessories are everything. Men and women can both benefit from the allure that accessories add to their look. The couture found in the simplest of accessories, like some stylish earrings, bangles and bracelets for women, can truly sup up your look and external appeal. For the men out there, check out some nice chain necklaces, a leather cuff, or a watch-cuff combination, and even some new cufflinks to add some spice to your office look.