E-Zines Roundup

via abelow pr

With the ease of technology and the proliferation of creative minds everywhere, e-zines, or electronic magazines, or web-zines, are becoming more and more popular. I personally prefer flipping through a traditional magazine in my hands, but once in a while, I still love to look at e-zines online for their super gorgeous pictures and designs. Here, I share some of my finds in hopes that you may find one (or a couple) that you would enjoy.


:: Sweet Paul Magazine ::
A beautiful magazine from front to back, including recipes, crafts, designs, and cupcakes. Who doesn't like cupcakes?! The current issue's feature is Beach Life.


:: Festivities Magazine ::
"A magazine to inspire the home entertainer with quick party tips, elegant designs, tutorials and recipes for celebrations. In [the latest issue], fall celebrations: Halloween, Apples, Johnny Appleseed and Dia de los Muertos!"


:: Anthropologie Magazine ::
Produced by everyone's favorite Anthropologie store.


:: Rue Magazine ::
Like an upscale boutique, it's perfect for an (aspirating) home decorator and entertainer.


:: Lonny Mag ::
Home decorating. I want to live in this magazine.


:: Frankie ::
Let the Australians show you what's hip in food, arts, culture, fashion, and more.


:: Style Me Pretty ::
Ethereal inspirations for brides and weddings.


:: Utterly Engaged ::
Ideas and inspirations for weddings.

{Stylebook} July 4th

This is my first attempt at making a stylebook and I must say, I suck.

I don't really know how to do it (aka make it look nicely) nor the patience/time to get everything right. So I resorted to using a website called Kaboodle to help me. Kaboodle is just like Beso or Net-a-Porter where you can browse a whole bunch of different shops all in one site. Say, you are looking for a red top. Just type it in and it will do the search for you. It's like Google for shopping.

Anyway, I'm not big on July 4th fashion (as in the flags and stars) but I thought these outfits would be nice for your barbecues and July 4th get-togethers. Something easy-breezy. Something I wouldn't be doing as I will be working that day with a really terrible cold then going to my nephew bday party/barbecue.

Happy July 4th!!

July 4th by lyndagp


* I was not compensated in any way for my mention of Kaboodle. Just sharing a tool, 'tis all.

Last month of Summer

Summer is really the best time to get fit. No matter where you live, the weather is most likely to be comfortable most of the time to be outside. Not to mention, it stays light out longer! As we approach the end of summer, there is definitely still enough time to make the most of it.

* Go outdoors! Whether it be taking a short walk after dinners on weekdays, or going to outdoor concerts on the weekends, being outdoors more can make you instantly feel healthier and help you unconsciously move around more. Try bike riding, walking on the beach, anything you like!

* Eat more fruits! That's right, I am telling you to eat more. Summer is really the best time to get a good variety of fruits reasonably priced: cherries, strawberries, kiwis, peaches, melons. If you are not a fruit eater to begin with, don't let these colorful things intimidate you! Stick to the fruits you know you will like but don't be afraid to try new ones once in a while. Make it a challenge among your family and friends to eat at least two servings of fruit a day. Try fruits with breakfast and as a snack. Be wary of juices and smoothies though as they tend to be high in calories and laden with sugar.

* Eat when you are hungry! As temperature heats up, our appetites actually go down. We can capitalize on this natural phenomenon by reminding ourselves to eat when we are hungry, not when the clock says "meal time." Ask yourself if you are truly hungry, or if you are eating because you are bored, because it is noon-time, etc.

Epigenetics: Changing Your Genes (...sort of...)

(Picture of DNA, courtesy of Molecular Station)

Everybody knows that we should eat healthily, stop smoking, and exercise regularly. But how much good can those habits really do? It turns out that the answer may lie in the theory of epigenetics.

Wikipedia defines epigenetics to be "the changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA." Simply put, it's the idea that external factors, other than your individual DNA, can cause changes to what genes get turned on and off. "Our genes, not the whole story" in US News & World Report (February, 2010) explores this new area of research.

The article mentions a pilot study led by Dean Ornish that found that 30 men with prostate cancer were able to change lower their prostate-specific antigen scores and the activity of their tumors with intensive lifestyle changes, such as exercising 30 minutes daily, doing yoga or meditating for an hour daily, boosting their social support networks, and eating a low-fat diet based primarily on fruits, vegetables, beans, and soy protein.

Furthermore, the article cites stress as one of the factors that can change gene expression, for the worse. According to Moshe Szyf, an epigenetics researcher and profession at McGill University in Montreal, stress hormones "are pervasive...traveling to every organ and tissue" which can ultimately change actual genes that help us deal with stress.

This article excites me. It validates my belief that we have more control over who we are than we think. As Ornish states, "our genes are a predisposition, but our genes are not our fate." Family history may be strong for cardiovascular disease, or diabetes, or Parkinson's, or disease XYZ, but we do have the power to change or at least postpone its onset by developing good living habits and learning how to deal with stress (short and long term ones). Eating adequate fruits and vegetables and skipping sodas does matter; not smoking does matter; exercising regularly does matter - all in ways we may not be able to see. But our bodies can most certainly feel it. And in the long run, that is what matters the most.

For some education videos on epigenetics, check out University of Utah's site.

Source: Baldauf, Sarah. "Our genes, not the whole story." US News & World Report Feb. 2010: 24-26.

Ornish D, et al. Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008;105:8369-74.