The Wine Diet

However, when we heard of the “Wine Diet,” we stopped in our tracks. Is this new diet too good to be true? We immediately set to find out just what it is — and whether it works.

In 1962, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine Helen Gurley suggested that we maintain a diet for 3 days consisting of strictly wine, eggs, steak, and black coffee. Vogue magazine reprinted this diet in its magazine in 1977. Gurley claimed that if people followed this diet, they could lost up to five pounds. Now, we think this sounds incredible, but does it work? And is it healthy?

Is The Wine Diet For You?

Unfortunately, it may just be too good to be true. Roger Corder, who is a nutrition expert says: “I can’t believe it’s serious. The lack of vegetables, [which translates to] no folate, and other important nutrients is not only unhealthy, but also going to predispose you to many harmful effects of alcohol, particularly when the amount of alcohol is not moderate.”

He adds: “You want to optimize your nutrition, not do a crash diet, to lose weight or to change your lifestyle.” While the “Wine Diet” may not actually be a good idea, Corder says that everything in moderation is okay. “There’s plenty of opportunities to have a healthy diet and actually enjoy healthy food — and wine.”

Too Good To Be True?

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A Guilt Free Snack

“Nice” cream is a healthy variation of ice cream that is made out of only wholesome ingredients that are already naturally sweet, so this treat doesn’t require any added sugar! The best part about this delicious dessert is that it is so incredibly easy to make. You can even make it with your kids: they’ll enjoy making it together and will absolutely love eating it!

Additional note: If you’re trying to avoid dairy, this is the best dessert for you as it is completely dairy free!

Berry Banana Ice Cream

Berry Banana Nice Cream

This Is What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup frozen berries of your choosing
• 3 cups frozen bananas, cut into pieces
• 2 tbs honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup mylk or your choosing
• 1/4 cup MCT oil

Directions

1. Place all ingredient into a blender and blend together (preferably on a high setting) until the texture is completely smooth. This may require you to stop and stir the mixture every once in a while to make sure they’re thoroughly combined.
2. Pour our the mixture into a loaf pan or any square container. Cover the container and then place in the freezer for at least two hours.
3. If you find that the nice cream is a bit too hard to scoop, allow it to thaw in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes and then try again.

Berry Banana Nice Cream

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Okay, but what does that mean exactly? Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, who is the author of 2-Day Diabetes Diet, explains:  “Some of these beneficial bacteria aid digestion, whereas others can impact the immune system or fight against dangerous bacteria that can cause infections such as strep throat and gingivitis. Others can even impact mood.”

While you can take probiotic supplements, most nutritionists agree that eating probiotic-rich foods help nourish the probiotic bacteria already present in your body.

Now that that’s been cleared up, you might be wondering how you can incorporate probiotics into your diet. These are some natural probiotic foods that you can easily incorporate into your diet and improve your overall gut health.

Kombucha

Kombucha is really having a moment: it has grown to become an $800 million industry, with over 350 different kombucha companies producing the probiotic drink. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is slighty fizzy and contains live bacteria that help your digestive system.

Kombucha

Yogurt

Yogurt is known for containing bacteria that is a part of the lactobacillus group, which can also help with promoting healthy digestion. Just make sure that you’re reaching for the plain variety, otherwise you’ll be marring the benefits with a ton of added sugar.

Yogurt

Kefir

Kefir is made by adding kefir grains, which are live yeast cultures, into milk. Similar to yogurt, kefir boasts a probiotic called Lactobacillus kefiri that aids in protecting the stomach from harmful bacteria. However, its consistency is quite different from yogurt, and may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Kefir

Miso

Miso, which is often known for being the base ingredient of Miso soup, is a paste which consists of fermented soy beans as well as koji. Koji is a type of mold found growing on rice that is actually safe to consume. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, miso “contains millions of microorganisms similar or identical to those beneficial bacteria that live in your large intestine.”

Miso Soup, Which Contains Miso Paste

Saurkraut

Saurkraut may be known as a popular hot dog topping, but don’t count it out for its health benefits. It’s literally just fermented cabbage, but it still packs quite the punch. While the cabbage ferments, live bacteria is produced. These bacteria contribute to gut health benefits. The cabbage is also a great source of fiber.

Saurkraut

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Copenhagen’s Tivoli

Alright, most Copenhagen tourist sites cover this, but it’s too amazing to skip. Seriously, you might be asking yourself why would I go to an amusement park on vacation in Copenhagen? Well, Tivoli isn’t just an amusement park. It’s magical. It’s everything Disney wishes it could be. Think more laid back, less lines and a taste of local culture. Every time I stumbled into the park there was a new show on the center stage from a local Danish girls’ gymnastic team to professional ballet dancers or a concert. There are tons of restaurants and cafes in the park, as well. Tivoli is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world, but don’t worry, the rides have been updated since its opening in 1843. (Bonus: If you can go over Halloween or Christmas, you’re in for a special treat!)

Copenhagen’s Tivoli

Meatpacking District In Copenhagen

Kødbyen, or the meatpacking district is a chic, hip area to eat, drink or attend cool events. From April to October, you’ll find Kødbyens Food and Market outside with more than 40 stalls of mouthwatering food. Also the cocktails are worth it to treat yourself! But wait…for pizza lovers, you MUST eat at Mother! Their pizzas are to die for and come straight out of a wood fire oven.

Hours after dinner, you’ll want to enjoy one of the lively, grunge bars like Bakken or Jolene, which happen to be a few feet from each other. If you go too early, you won’t understand all the hype, but trust me, by 11:30pm/12am those bars are packed! If you want a more intense club, try KB18.

Meatpacking District In Copenhagen

Freetown Christiania

Christiania was founded by some hippies back in 1971. Soon it became a community totally independent of the Danish government. For years, it was known for its “Green Light District” where hash was not ‘illegal’ per say. However, recently, they’ve shut down most of pusher street. Anyway, it’s an amazing place to check out. In Christiania, you’ll find delicious food, cool concerts, fun outdoor market shopping with handmade items and art galleries. Are you vegan or traveling with a vegan? Then eat at Morgenstedet. If not, have a burger at Cafe Nemoland. Drugs aside, this freetown is adorable and a great place to chill and have a beer. Again, if you happen to be in Copenhagen over Christmas, then the Christiania Christmas market is worth a trip alone!

While you’re nearby, climb up to the top of Church of Our Savior. If you can make it up the 400 steps, you’ll have an unbelievable view of Copenhagen!

Freetown Christiania

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Now you can recreate the full Friends experience for yourself with Central Perk coffee! Central Perk coffee is now available for purchase on Amazon for $11 per bag (each bag is 12 oz).

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Is Selling Central Perk Coffee

Can you believe it’s been a whopping 25 years since our favorite gang Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross first appeared on our TV screens? To commemorate this milestone anniversary, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf announced this limited edition Central Perk coffee.

If you’re wondering whether the coffee will be to your taste, don’t worry, because there are two varieties available. There’s a medium roast, which is a blend of Colombian and Brazilian beans, as well as a dark roast, which at the moment is only available in whole bean form.

The Medium Roast

But what about those of us die-hard Friends fans who don’t like coffee? You haven’t been forgotten! There is also a special Central Perk black tea available. The tea has been blended with lemon peel and cornflowers, giving it a special aroma and flavor.

In addition to buying the coffee and tea on Amazon, they’re also available on Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s website.

So brew yourself a cup of Central Perk coffee and join the gang!

Central Perk Coffee

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Is A Staycation Truly Worth It?

When planning a staycation, it’s important to consider which things you can do that will bring you joy. Often, there are things we wish we could do in own city but we don’t seem to ever get to. A staycation gives you the opportunity to actually do these things and savor some time off at home. These things can include reading a book in the park, cooking up something time consuming but delicious, or just lounging around.

The other benefit of choosing a staycation is the fact that you’ll be saving a huge amount of money. Since you won’t be spending money on flights, accommodation, and other touristy expenses, you can even consider splurging on a really nice meal or a new item or clothing without feeling guilty about it. If you have kids, you can try camping out in your backyard of even the living room! The possibilities are truly endless and this gives you the chance to think creatively.

Try Camping At Home!

We tend to forget just how much there is to do not too far from home, so you can use this as an opportunity to become a tourist in your own city. You can finally head to that museum you’ve been meaning to go to, or try that new frozen yogurt place that you haven’t had the opportunity to try yet. Whatever it may be, the most important thing is that you’re spending quality time with yourself (and your loved ones if they’re around), and that you are focusing on doing things that truly make you happy and relaxed.

What would you do on a staycation if you had the chance to take one?

Staycations Are All About Self Care

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Comfort Shoe In Neutral Color

While packing trendy shoes can be tempting, try to avoid this pitfall, especially if the shoes are not the most comfortable ones you own. Instead, invest in some comfortable shoes in a neutral color. A good example are Tom’s Shoes, which are durable and very comfortable for long trips. As for the neutral color, you’ll be happy with this choice when these shoes not only save your feet but match pretty much every outfit you’ll bring along with you.

Comfort Shoe In Neutral Color

Mirrorless Camera

If you want to step up your photo game, then mirrorless cameras are the way to go. With plenty of affordable varieties, you’ll be able to snap photos are are about 20 times better than phone camera photos. These are nearly as good as those huge DSLR cameras, with the exception of shooting photos in low light. The best part is that this isn’t an improvement to only your travel photos, but all of your photos!

Mirrorless Camera

Portable Battery

This should go without saying, but investing in a good quality portably battery will really make all the difference in the world. Try to get one that can hold five or more charges, you’ll be very happy with this option once you start running low on battery on your devices. Having your phone is almost non-negotiable while traveling at this point, and having a portable battery available is just the smart thing to do.

Portable Battery

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes will change you life — we promise. These will completely revolutionize the way you’re packing, whether for long or short trips. These will help you stay on top of organization while also maximizing your space. While this is very helpful for packing for long trips, this is absolutely essential for packing for short trips, since you’ll be able to make the most of even the smallest bags. Do yourself a favor and invest in a bunch of these packing cubes. We promise you’ll never go back to throwing your stuff into bags randomly, trust us!

Packing Cubes

Tassel Phone Charger

This one is especially useful for traveling in a city. A tassel phone charger is a great way to sneakily keep your phone charged without having to sacrifice on style, which may be the case with bulkier portable chargers. These can also come in handy while you’re not even traveling. Simply throw one of these tassels onto your bag, and you won’t have to worry about running out of battery power. Stylish and useful? Sign us up.

Tassel Phone Charger

The post Absolutely Essential Travel Items You Cannot Forget To Pack With You appeared first on OceanDraw.

Pack Your Own Plane Food

While a lot of airports have been stepping up the quality of the food options and variety, that’s not the case at every single airport and worst of all, these meals and snacks can really set you back a lot more than you’d normally pay for similar items.

Let’s be real, when was the last time you shelled out $15 for a cold turkey sandwich outside of an airport? With that in mind, we decided that we’re done with overpaying for mediocre airport food, and we’ve come up with a list of easy to pack items that travel well.

That being said, while these foods are much more nutritious and cost-efficient, bringing your own meals will require some planning and prepping ahead of time. But we promise it will all be worth it when you see the passenger seated next to you on the plane ripping back the tinfoil off a plastic square to reveal some mushy chicken and veggies.

Planning Ahead Is Key

If you’ll be in need of lunch or dinner (or both!) you can plan ahead by making a solid protein and complex carb option. We recommend making turkey burgers and roasted sweet potatoes. These are yummy and filling options that can travel well. For a side, you can slice up some bell peppers and pack baby carrots along with some hummus, but make sure to pack it in a 3 ounce container so you’ll be within the liquid limitation.

You’ll want to load up on healthy and filling snacks as well, so packing some protein bars will always come in handy. For fruit, make sure you choose options that won’t get crushed or bruise easily, so we recommend apples and grapes. Another helpful option to buy in advance is small packets of nut butters that are perfect for traveling!

Fruits That Travel Well

The most important part is to pack these items in an organized way that is easy to take out while going through security, so we recommend placing all of your tupperware in a clear Ziplock bag so that it will be immediately clear that it’s just food.

With these tips, you’ll never have to overspend for meals and snacks at the airport again. What would you bring with you?

The post Never Settle For Airport Food Again, Here Are Some Easy To Pack Foods For Your Next Long Flight appeared first on OceanDraw.

Treetop Dining In Thailand

If a view of stunning temples and crystal clear water sounds appealing to you, then a trip to Thailand is truly in order. But to top it off, you can now add treetop dining to that list. So what is this all about exactly?

You can now head over to a dining pod that’s basically like a treehouse in the middle of a rainforest and enjoy stunning views while enjoying your meal. At Treepod Dining, which is located in the Soneva Kiri resort in Koh Kood Island, Thailand, you’ll experience this unique experience that you will truly never forget.

Would You Try This?

Luckily, you don’t have to be a resort guest in order to enjoy the treetop pods, which is a relief to most of us as a reservation at this luxury resort will set you back about $3000 per night. But don’t worry, you can still book an amazing dining experience there. You can reserve one of the bamboo pods for up to four people. You can reserve them for two hours for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The Perfect Special Date Spot

If you’re wondering how you get to these seemingly floating pods, we’ll reveal the magic behind it. Before the pod is hoisted up into the air, everyone is first seated on ground level. So in addition to a dining experience, it’s also a fun trip up! This is not for the faint or heart or for those who fear heights.

You might also be wondering how your food arrives if you’re suspended in mid-air. Well, brace yourself, because the waiters literally zip-line their way to your pod to serve you delicious and authentic Thai cuisine.

What do you think, would you want to dine here?

The View Of The Pods

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It’s no secret that celebrities like Kim Kardashian love their green smoothies. Kim recently shared that she is trying to eat a plant-based diet, which includes vegan tacos, and of course — smoothies. While we don’t blame her for admitting that she really misses Oreos, she also shared the newest addition to her smoothies that may really surprise you.

Green Smoothie

Kim shared that she’s been really enjoying sea moss smoothies lately. Yes, you read that correctly. So just what is sea moss? Sea moss, also known as Irish mosh, is a type of red seaweed that has is slowly becoming the newest smoothie-addition craze. Move over kale, you’ve got some competition.

You can get sea moss in powder form , in supplement form, or even in its natural form: fresh seaweed. So at this point, you must be wondering if it actually tastes any good.

Sea moss has actually been used in many countries like Ireland, Spain and Jamaica. A popular Jamaican soft drink features sea moss, condensed milk, vanilla, and nutmeg. Now that really sounds delicious! Its Irish roots can be traced all the way back to the 1800s, as the Irish Potato Famine was going on. Sea moss was used for medicinal and nutritional purposes, according to the International Food Additives Council.

Kim Kardashian Enjoys Sea Moss Smoothies

During a Twitter Q&A session about her personal life, she was asked by a Twitter user: “What do you eat in a day on your plant based diet?” In one of her responses, Kim tweeted out: “Sea Moss Smoothies are really good too.”

The seaweed’s popularity is slowly on the rise in the United States, with Pinterest reporting a 380% increase in searches for “sea moss benefits.” Nutritionist Hillary Cecere, RDN, explained:  “Sea moss is high in many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants…It’s a great source of selenium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s said to have benefits on thyroid function, immunity, digestive health and inflammation, but more scientific evidence is needed.”

While sea moss’s popularity in smoothies is increasing, you can add it to many other dishes as well. You can add it into soups and sauces, and some people have even suggested adding it into homemade ice cream! The possibilities are truly endless.

Dried Sea Moss Smoothie

The post Is Sea Moss The Next Big Smoothie Trend? Kim K Says Yes appeared first on OceanDraw.