Beauty Maverick

David Kirsch's Ultimate Summer Slimdown

If you're looking to get a beach-ready body by Memorial Day, look no further than this free program by fitness expert David Kirsch.

For three weeks, starting May 1st, he'll show you how to combine nutrition, exercise, and supplements to boost your overall health and confidence (and get you into that itsy bitsy 2 pc. bikini). The best part? Everything David outlines can be done in the comfort of your own home/office, without the need for a trainer or gym. 

Registration opens today! Click here to learn more.

Salma Sums It Up Quite Nicely...

"If I go on a diet and work out, I'm always in a bad mood. I'd rather be a little heavier but nice". - Salma Hayek on her priorities.

Blueprint Cleanse

I've been eating out way too much recently (and drinking quite a bit in the process), so I decided last week that it was time to do a proper cleanse. But, I really didn't want to create my own homemade concoctions this time around... So, who to call?

After a good deal of 'Googling', I chose to go with Blueprint Cleanse. They're an NYC based company that specializes in cleansing with a modern, playful (yet professional) approach. And, not the least bit granola, Blueprint is a refreshing change from the standard cleansing companies that promise the sun, the moon, and the stars in a bottle of their spiritually-charged juice.

I chose to do the Foundation Cleanse (there are three different levels you can choose from) for three days and it was wonderfully rejuvenating. I still feel great from the cleanse and it's actually inspired me to eat a bit healthier and drink a little less bubbly, which is something in itself as I generally have zero self-control.

Blueprint delivers (up to) a three-day supply of juice blends (six per day) the day before you start and also include a cute little 'cheat sheet' with what you can nibble on if you're absolutely desperate for solid food or a sip of coffee (amazing, no?). A highly recommend pick-me-up if you're looking to start the season off well.

Cost: $65/day for 1-6 days.

BlueprintCleanse.com
New York, NY
(646) 246 6558

Pilates for Pink

Once upon a time, you could only purchase a pink ribbon to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Now, each October, we're presented with a plethora of products that aim to benefit Breast Cancer charities and research organizations. From beautiful cashmere sweaters to indulgent bubble baths, and even fragrant floral arrangements, the BCA product offering has expanded to include a number of tempting little luxuries. It's never been more rewarding to support such an important cause.

It's a scary thought, but Breast Cancer is currently the 2nd leading cause of death in women (in North America) and has touched many of our lives. One way we can help prevent this disease is to get/stay fit and active, and pilates is a fantastic way to do so.

Mark your calendar (no excuses, you've just been given proper notice!) for October and join Shape Magazine for a Pilates for Pink session at a studio near you. Supporting BCA whilst slimming down for that scandalous Halloween costume you've got set aside- Brilliant, wouldn't you say?

Click here to find a Shape Pilates for Pink class/event near you or click here to purchase the Shape Pilates Workout DVD ($14.98, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation).

Oh Canada

I'm heading to Vancouver tomorrow to see my parents for a week and have decided to detox whilst away. My mum and I have done them (we use the Wild Rose Detox kit) regularly for years and, though it's a bit painful at first, you feel absolutely amazing afterwards. What always got me through the ten day cleanse was the thought of being 5-7 lbs lighter, which is a lovely little side effect of the detox.

You can still eat a large variety of foods with this program so it's really not that big a deal, it's just that I haven't been able to complete one in New York since I moved here a couple years ago. Call me weak, but there's just too much going on here and it's too difficult not to participate. I think being in Vancouver (land of the healthy and fit) will be a great help and I'm also extremely determined this time around, so hopefully I'll stay the course. Wish me luck!

5 (Easy) Ways to Relieve PMS

After having tried everything humanly possible from different birth control brands to the strongest pain meds on the market, I gave in a few months ago and began trying an assortment of holistic recommendations from girlfriends who never seemed to suffer from PMS. Not everything that worked for them worked for me of course, but the five basic suggestions listed below have come to save me (and anyone who interacts with me) from a good deal of pain and upset each month...

Five Ways to Help Alleviate PMS Symptoms:

Break the Cycle
Though you're dying for a taste, walk away from the tub of Haagen Dazs and the takeaway pizza you crave when you're hungry and hormonal. It's best to avoid/minimize your intake of refined sugars, high sodium foods, and caffeine during your period as they can worsen PMS symptoms (sadly!).

Eat More (Of the Right Stuff)
Up your intake of potassium-rich foods (such as fish, tomatoes, peaches, bananas, and avocados) to help reduce water retention.

Pop This Pill
Put aside the liquor and chemical pain killers and opt for a daily dose of Evening Primrose Oil, which helps balance the body and has been known to curb breakouts and reduce fatigue.

Stretch It Out
Use simple yoga positions (see Self.com for details) to ease cramps & bloating instantly.

Pamper Yourself Properly
Use essential oils (in a bath, with a diffuser, or during a massage) to target and relieve specific PMS symptoms such as headaches, cramps, and irritability. I personally love organic Clary Sage, Lavender, and Marjoram essential oils from Neal's Yard Remedies to sort me out when I'm not feeling my best, but I recommend consulting an aromatherapist to find the most healing scents for you.

Diet Confessional

So I'm technically on day two of the 5 Factor Diet and, well, I've had a couple slip-ups today...

11:00am- Eggs benny at Balthazar. Enough said.

4:00pm- Take away banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in the Village. Yes, technically this hasn't been consumed yet but we all know it's bound to happen so I'm counting it anyway. To offset my guilt (and gain major relationship points), I'm planning to cut the calories in half by enlisting my husband's help to finish this gloriously oversized portion of Nilla wafers, bananas, and cream.

I know, I'm absolutely terrible. I think I'm better off returning to my previous diet of replacing tempting foods with overpriced accessories and trips to Sephora... I actually lost weight with that one!

5 Factor Diet

So it's bikini season and I'm in no shape to running down the beach in anything but a (large) burlap sack. It seems about time to reduce my weekly intake of champagne and 3:00am cheeseburgers and finally use that David Barton membership I haven't touched since January...

Enter The 5 Factor Diet. The 5 Factor Diet is the latest health & fitness plan with a celebrity following that's getting loads of press and is based on the following 5 principles (as lifted off their website):

5-week plan
This plan is designed to give you results in five weeks! And it's so easy and effective that you may naturally turn your five-week plan into a lifestyle.

5 meals a day
Say so long to hunger and cravings. By eating five 5-Factor meals every day, not only will you start losing weight but you'll feel less hungry throughout the day!

5-ingredient meals
Eating delicious and healthy meals doesn't have to be hard. Members get hundreds of recipes that use only five ingredients and take only five minutes to prepare.

25-minute workouts
Based on Harley's training experience, he believes that working out more often for shorter periods of time is more effective than spending hours at the gym. 

5 cheat days in 5 weeks
Taking a diet break one day a week can empower you. You should never feel as if you're in a diet prison! Plus, Harley believes that controlled cheating can actually help you reach your goals.

So I'm actually going to give this diet a try and will post my progress weekly, should this not work there's always David Kirsch's hardcore fitness and supplement regime. Have you tried the 5 Factor or Ultimate NY Diet? Any advice/tips for either of these diet plans would be super appreciated!