Caution! Not all packages tell the truth!

Sometimes we think what our food says on the package is a good thing! But, really, consider what the packaging is telling you, what the product is and what the ingredients are.

Calorie counting might not be the smartest thing to focus completely on. Sugary foods don't always have a ton of calories, but they aren't the healthiest thing for you to eat. Look at the ingredients, consider what you want to really put in your body. Because it has less calories, doesn't mean you should eat it and it's healthy for you.

Some points to keep in mind while shopping:

1.) Sugar free: if you look at something that's sugar free, there most likely is a "sugar free" replacement inside, which might affect you worse than sugar would. Xylitol is something that can be a good substitute. It's naturally produced and is even found in our bodies! (xylitol.org). If you are concerned about cals, it does have 40 percent less calories than sugar.

2.) Wording: Just because something says "organic," doesn't mean it has less calories and that it's the healthiest thing for you.

3.) Low-fat: According to an article I read on Women's Health, (womenshealthmag.com) less fat makes it easier for people to consume more, because they are less guilty about eating that product. But! Remember, certain fats are good for you. Not all are bad fats.

Torch some calories quick!

Once the workout is done, you're feeling pretty good, right? 

What did you do for your workout? Treadmill, elliptical?  If you're running short on time, and want to get more out of your workouts than just running, intensify your workout. 

In just 15 minutes you can torch the same or even more calories than the half and hour spent running on the treadmill (although changing your incline and speed is great too if you REALLY LIKE running). 

To these short workouts, you don't need the gym, to cut time on parking and trying to find a machine, you can just do this at home. Put on some music to pump you up and get started! 

This is just a sequence sometimes I like doing:

(You can time yourself just using a clock for 15 minutes.)

Swings (1 minute) 

15 sumo squats with bicep curl

Plank (1 minute. Plus, there's a lot of variations to planking)

Swings (1 minute) 

Push-ups (10x)

Diamond push-ups (10x)

Swing (1 minute)

Do this routine maybe 2 or 3 times. If you aren't sure what something is, click the exercise and it'll take you to a video or instructions (I'll try to have pictures later on, but this is something for now).

Make up at the Gym, yes or no?

It's OK to want to look cute when you do your workout. After all, that's why they made some cute workout clothes, right? Aside for the support and moisture wick clothing, make up becomes another part of the question. Is make up a do or don't at the gym? Or even during a outdoor workout with your loved one or bestie.

Less is more. We all know that packing on the foundation, eye shadow and liner isn't going to cut it. You'll look like a raccoon in no time.

Exfoliation and a clean face before going to the gym and putting makeup on will help you start and leave with a fresh, clean looking face.

Keep in mind that wearing too much makeup can cause breakouts, especially since that sweat and heat you're producing will open up your pores. Your makeup will be running and clogging those opened up pores, so be careful of your choice of makeup.

In an article by MyDailyMoment.com, hypoallergenic can really mean anything the company producing the product wants it to mean. There are no federal definitions on what hypoallergenic is. Be careful, just because it says it, doesn't mean it's truly hypoallergenic.

Here are some of my beauty favorites if I'm heading to the gym or going to workout with my loved one.

Bath & Body Works, Warm Vanilla Sugar,
 Fine Fragrance Mist  

1. Bath & Body Works - Warm Vanilla Sugar, Fine Fragrance Mist: It smells great and gives an extra boost to accompany your deodorant you might have remembered to put on...
2. The Body Shop - Mango Lip Butter: This, again, smells good and keeps your lips hydrated and those cracks long gone throughout your whole workout. 
3. BareMinerals MATTE makeup- This face powder is awesome. It's so light and doesn't run all over your face. I don't develop weird breakouts if I wear during my workout. 
4. Hairband: These hairbands can be found at any drugstore right down the street. they keep you hair from flying all over the place and keep those little stray hairs that like to escape halfway through your workout in place. Break these puppies in though, they're kind of tight at first, but they loosen up. 

Left: Mango Lip Butter, The Body Shop; Right: BareMinerals MATTE powder;
Hairband 

"Eye" spy some Eye Cream

Eminence Eye Cream 

When's a good time to start using eye cream?

My mom got me using eye cream in my teens, it's never too early. I personally like the thought of keeping wrinkle free eyes and healthy skin around my eyes for as long as I can.

But, aside from the fact that our eyes are the windows to our soul, by age 30, aging signs around our eyes will begin to show, and in our 20's, sun damage will start to rear is ugly head, unfortunately. It's best to keep that sunscreen on and keep those eyes nourished.

By 30, coQ10, produced by the body is for basic cell functioning. As we age, these levels decrease, which is what will contribute to show those signs of aging around the eyes.

To help prevent those lines around the eyes, pick an eye cream rich with antioxidants and one that'll keep your skin plumped and hydrated. I personally like this eye cream by Eminence my mom passed along to me. Plus it's a certified organic product.