Chris Schmidt

Tone Legs for Optimal Fitness

Sculpting your legs through strength training isn’t simply to look hot in a pair of shorts (although that is definitely a positive byproduct). The results of this type of exercise also include lower overall body fat percentage, as well as strong muscles that act like cushions around the bones — especially important as we age and bone density decreases.

DIY Beauty Products from Your Pantry

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays you may have forgotten to stock up on your dwindling beauty products. Thankfully, your pantry — and refrigerator — provide several quick and easy substitutions when you are running short on supply, time and cash.

If you are like me and love to exfoliate, combine coffee grounds, olive oil, coarse salt and brown sugar to your preference and you have a body scrub substitute. And don’t worry if your facial toner runs out – mix apple cider vinegar with equal parts water to create a refreshing pore cleanser.

Make Your Dreams Come True in 2012

For many of us, January 1st means a new set of resolutions that begin with a bang, but typically end with a fizzle soon after the ball in Times Square drops. So, how do we achieve our dreams this year?

These ideas aren’t original, but they’re good reminders as we prepare ourselves for another 365 days:

Got Milk (and Honey)?

When I was a kid, my mom told me drinking milk promotes strong bones and healthy growth. Little did I know, milk applied topically also serves as an exfoliant for a fresh, youthful glow. And honey, a natural humectant, attracts and retains moisture. So if you’re not allergic to either ingredient, try one or more of these DIY treatments for soft and silky smooth skin and hair.

Facial Mask

Ingredients (preferably organic):

Feel Younger (and Sexier) at Any Age!

There are definite benefits to growing older, and as I become one year closer to the half-century mark, I’ve never felt better about myself. Some say it’s the wisdom that comes with age, or practicing a healthy lifestyle. But I believe there’s more we can do – simply and affordably – to feel good about who we present to the world each day. For example:

Long Hair: How Old Is Too Old?

I’m a woman who typically wears her hair long, but with another birthday fast approaching in less than a week, I find myself wondering (yet again) if it may be time to go with a shorter style. I do see other women my age though – friends and coworkers, and even stars like Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox – who sport long tresses. Still, I have to ask: is there an age when long hair is no longer acceptable?

Post-Holiday Detox

If you’re like me, perhaps you’ve gone into the holiday season with the best of intentions but are failing miserably. Eat a little too much turkey? Blow off your gym time? Down a few too many glasses of wine? Instead of kicking yourself into 2012 with a list of New Year’s resolutions longer than your foot, try some of these safe and effective detoxification tips to help you get back on a healthier track stat.

DIY Spa Treatments

This Thanksgiving I have a lot to be grateful for: a new home, a job I enjoy and a new way to keep the holiday expenditures under control. Instead of heading straight for the spa to unwind after this year's festivities, I plan to raid my pantry and use the leftover ingredients from my Thanksgiving feast to whip up a few DIY spa treatments that are easy on the wallet and must-haves to nourish and revitalize winter skin and hair.

Hydrating Mask

Ingredients

½ avocado (peeled & pitted)

3 seedless grapes

1 egg

Minimize Stretch Marks

They occur when the skin grows too fast for its fibers to manage, tearing and then often causing purple indentations. Stretch marks — most common after pregnancy — are typically located on the stomach and thighs, but teenagers also deal with them usually around the breasts and on the sides of the buttocks.

Green Tea Facial

In a few of my posts, I’ve touted the advantages of green tea because it provides a plethora of benefits from the inside out. For example, a compound in green tea is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Drinking the brew also lowers total cholesterol levels. And because of the high antioxidant content of green tea, regular consumption may also prevent and protect skin against sun damage.

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