Healthy mind, healthy life

Dear followers, I always talk about wine & food but I need to talk to you guys about being healthy and exercising because it is VERY important. I've always been an athlete so I've learned that doing a sport on a regular basis can help your body and your mind in so many ways.

When I came to the USA, of course, like everybody else I was choked by the number of obese people. Reason #1 : the food isn't healthy, you have to look for information more carefully than before. Read the back of each product and do NOT get fooled by the words "healthy, light,low-fat"... because it really doesn't mean anything!
Reason #2:  there is a lack of exercising since you have to drive everywhere, so you just jump in your car all the time instead of walking. So try to walk as much as you can!

Nowadays, you see commercials for losing weight in order looking like Angelina Jolie everyday...BUT this post is not meant to make you wanna be 90pounds. I just want to share with you the benefits of exercising so you can understand why it is important. There is a difference between being skinny and healthy. We want to be HEALTHY!

#1 Exercise controls weight - Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. If you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

#2 Exercise combats health conditions and diseases-  Regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

#3 Exercise improves mood- Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. If need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help.

#4 Exercise boosts energy- Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

#5 Exercise promotes better sleep- Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

#6 Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life- Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.

#7 Exercise can be fun- Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy.

Good websites to help:
http://www.self.com
http://www.health.com

Happy Monday Y'all

HELP...as much as you can

I like the magazine Marie Claire because it makes me keep up with fashion, what's in and out but also, it always has a lot of interesting articles talking about powerful women, women's problems in the world...
Last year, I found an article about women in Afghanistan who were facing terrible injustices; theses women are most of the times raped, their husbands hurt them constantly...but they are not allowed to leave the house. If they do, it is called "moral crimes" and they go to jail for that. (or sometimes they endure worse things than jail). (here is the link: http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/opinion/afghan-women-in-prison-feature)

This month, we got an update on the situation:
-2,000 readers bought NOT GUILTY t-shirts, which raised $30,000 to aid victims
-103,000 signed a petition to end this terrible practice
In December, the President started releasing from prison more women...but there are still thousands of women that remain behind bars.

To help:

-make a donation on the website: awjp.org
(for $25 you will get a t-shirt and provide a week's supply of milk)
(for $100 you will provide a month's salary for an in-prison teacher or midwife)

I consider myself fortunate, I am healthy, independant and free. So I try to do what I can to help others in need.. And if you are just as fortunate as I am, try to do the same.

With love,
B-lou

Long dresses...Keep it classy AND...sexy!

Long dresses (or also called "maxi dresses") have been back in style for quite a long time now and I just love it!
There is one for every occasion. Also, one designer once said that "we don't need to show skin to be sexy". I couldn't agree more.

With love,
B-lou

Post Vacation Blues

So apparently everyone who enjoys traveling is subject to what is common as "post-vacations blues". I definitely feel like I am part of that "stage". I usually don't mind studying/working but right now it doesnt seem as much fun.
Getting back into the routine of work can be a source of stress but... here are some solutions :
- Expect to feel deflated after a great vacation
- Realize that your vacation doesn't necessarily ends there
- Think about how your vacation can have a good impact in your actual life
- Stay connected with the world of travel and... start planning your next trip! (even if it doesn't happen soon, at least you get to dream about something ! )

Flower Power

Headbands are great, it is such a cool accessory! It adds more style to your outfit and it make your hair look wonderful all at once! (especially if you are like me and drying your hair perfectly + straightening it after to make it look perfect isnt your thing...headbands are the way to go!)

AND... Floral garland headbands are rocking this summer! SO Hippy-Chic, you will will them!

You can make your own if you are crafty enough; if not, go get your own, you will look amazing!

You can buy some here: http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=flower+headband#14_0

With love,

B-lou

No more plastic bag!

For a few years now in France, we have been trying to use less plastic bags. In most of the grocery stores, there is a ban on plastic bags and therefore, nowadays, you have to pay to get a plastic bag/ or any kind of bag. The grocery stores are forcing the customers to bring their own "reusable shopping bag" instead of wasting lots and lots of plastic bags.
The process took a while, since customers didn't agree with the idea at first. But later on, they probably have realized that the use of resuable shopping bag was a good idea and great for the environment.

You can find reusable shopping/grocery bag in a lot of stores; for example I found mine at Marshalls for $0.99 ! (it is very cheap, so you have no excuse anymore. go buy one...tomorrow!)

Or make it yourself, like this one: (click on the picture)

With love,
B-lou

Summer---> France