Fruit is an essential part to any diet, but it comes at a slight cost. Being knowledgeable about fruit will help you better integrate it into your daily routine.

Fruit seems like a no-brainer. It’s full of vitamins and antioxidants, and has been a vital part of the food pyramid for years. Since we were young we’ve always been told that a diet filled with fruits and veggies is the way to go. While fruit is necessary to a healthy diet, it’s not a freebie. Fresh fruit still contains calories and carbohydrates and may be the reason your weight loss has hit a plateau.

First, let’s start with why fruit is good for weight loss. Just eating an apple every day can help you lose several pounds within a year if you change nothing else about your lifestyle. Fruits contain a large amount of fiber (just one cup of raspberries has eight grams), slowing your digestion and allowing you to feel fuller. The antioxidants in fruit can also help lower your blood pressure, get rid of oxidative stress and occasionally alter the DNA level to help with weight loss.

But there are two sides to every story, and one of the leading components on other side is fructose. This simple sugar is only processed by your liver, as opposed to glucose, which is sent all over the body for energy. If your liver already has enough energy, it can store the excess as fat. This shouldn’t effect your body weight too significantly, though. The calories in fruit carbohydrates often overtake the fructose and can leave a bigger mark. Just one banana has 100 calories and 27 grams of carbs, while an apple can ring in at 115 calories and 30 grams of carbs. When people limit their carbohydrate intake to try and lose weight, these grams add up.  This doesn’t mean that you need to cut fruit out of your diet, but you need to be conscious of your consumption.

Your mind must be spinning right now, but don’t get too shaken up. You can keep fruits in your diet and still lose weight. First, the fruit you choose matters. Focus on berries, small fruits and those high in fiber like blueberries, strawberries, kiwis, clementines, plums and peaches. Cut starchy carbs and grains from your diet before the fruit. These are often the culprits of those pounds you so desperately want to shed. If you still can’t get the last few pounds off, then limit the fruit.

Finally, if you’re looking for ways to freshen up your fruit routine, mix it into your diet in unexpected ways. Add minced cherries, mashed blueberries and shredded apples or pears to ground turkey and black bean burgers. It’ll add a surge of color as well as moisture, flavor, texture and nutrition. For those more attracted to the sweet side, mix your favorite fruit into frosting. In a food processor you can puree just about any type of fruit and use it on cupcakes or brownies. Feel free to post your favorite fruit ideas below!

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ASOS totally got the playsuit memo, featuring pages of playsuits ranging from $27 to $465. Meet somewhere in the middle for the playfully perfect ones—like this neon yellow playsuit with lace or this bowed one-shoulder suit, both at a reasonable $62.

The playsuit is all about fun—whether you dress them up or dress them down, don’t be afraid to play with colors, patterns and fabrics.

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Espadrille wedges are all the rage during summer months. They are effortless and can be styled for both day and night. Believe it or not, Feather Girls, you can find designer-look-alike espadrilles at an affordable price. There’s no need to break the bank on a single pair of wedges, instead buy multiple pairs that are just as great!

BCBGeneration Gracyn Wedge, $90 (heels.com)
ALDO Drewel Espadrille Platform Wedge, $108 (asos.com)
Jessica Simpson Jackson Wedge, $80, (heels.com)
Steve Madden Pammyy Platform Wedge, $99 (macys.com)

On "Glee," Mercedes and Sam don't let size get in the way of their relationship.

There’s a dilemma for women in their twenties that can be all too common—is it okay to date a guy skinnier than us? Of course, we all have our own preferences and standards when it comes to physical attraction. Some of us can look past the uncomfortable and awkward moments that arise when we’re seen as the “bigger” ones in the relationship, while others just can’t (and won’t). Ultimately, this decision is up to you. If you’re dead set on only being with a man whose physical appearance announces to the world that he can protect you, that’s your prerogative.

Before jumping to the typical, “Oh my gosh! I would never date a guy skinnier than me!” conclusion, follow these Do’s and Don’ts. Or at least humor us by reading them? You may have a change of heart.

Do give him a fair chance.
Even if you’re skeptical about going on a date with a skinnier man, just give it a shot.  You have nothing to lose and all the more to gain.

Don’t be stereotypical.
Just because he doesn’t have a macho athletic build doesn’t mean he’s any less of a man.

Do listen to your conscience and your heart.
They’ll never steer you wrong.

Don’t worry about what others will think.
This one is critical. Ignore people who might be staring or judging, and just enjoy your date. They probably aren’t looking at you, anyway.

Do focus on the chemistry rather than just the physical features.
If you feel a genuine connection, channel that, and don’t even think about his body type.

Don’t do anything that will make you unhappy.
If this guy isn’t making you happy, it’s OK not to see him again. Happiness is the ultimate priority in any relationship.

Do seek advice from your mother.
She always knows exactly what to say. Yes, she’ll tell you to give him a chance. (And she’s right.)

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You don't have to eat Ramen to afford your rent.

After a long day at work, whipping something up from scratch for dinner just doesn’t sound appealing. The next thing you know, your girlfriend sends you a text telling you about this new Italian place you absolutely have to try with her tonight, and when was the last time you had to-die-for tiramisu? You don’t have to turn her down. There are ways to eat well without going broke.

Going out to eat on a 20-something’s budget may seem like a distant dream, but if you plan properly, you can enjoy a culinary night on the town without going hungry the rest of the month.

Pick and choose
Rather than ordering an appetizer, a drink or two, a main course and a dessert all at once, choose wisely.

Portion sizes at restaurants are often oversized, and you can have the best of both worlds if you choose an appetizer as a meal and then share dessert with your dinner date. You will be pleasantly surprised when the bill reaches your table at about half the price you’re used to paying.

Dig for deals
Before you go out to eat, browse sites like Groupon and LivingSocial to find daily discounts at restaurants in your area. Also, try calling ahead and asking about any specials the restaurant is offering. Many restaurants have rotating deals and specials depending on the day of the week, so doing a little pre-dining homework can help you keep some of your hard earned money where it belongs—in your wallet.

Respect the b-word: budget
We know creating and sticking to a budget is no fun, but doing so will keep you from dreaded overdraft fees and having to eat sliced bread for a week when you realize you spent a bit too much money at the bar last weekend.

Don’t worry if finance was never your forte. Mint.com is one of the best places to create an easy-to-use budget. It securely gathers your bank account information, income and personal expenses and creates basic graphs that help you see how much you’re making, how much you’re spending and even ways you can save all in one application. Set up a free account online and if you have a smartphone or tablet, you can take it with you!

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Shelves
This is perhaps the easiest way to store shoes. It will look neat and allows you to see your shoes without any digging or tippie toes involved.

Apothecary Cabinet (left)
It’s along the same lines as shelves, but looks much more elegant.

Ladders (right)
An old ladder can make a charming organizer.

PVC Pipes
This offers a visually interesting way to store shoes. Either PVC glue or a tension belt will be perfect for keeping the pipes together.

Crown Molding
Crown molding is cute and versatile. While you can store your shoes on it, you can also use it to hang clothes!

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Think and talk about yourself positively. When you begin to value your own opinions, thoughts and feelings, other will surely take notice. We’ve all had moments where we feel uncomfortable expressing an opinion and begin a conversation with, “You’ll probably think this is crazy, but….”, as a means of testing the other person’s reaction. But you have a right to your own opinions and decisions, so even if someone disagrees with you, assert yourself with confidence and try to avoid feeling as though you have to justify your thoughts according to other people’s reactions.

Feelings just are. A confident Feather Girl is open-minded enough to admit when she is wrong. Assertive communication does not mean that all of your thoughts and opinions are correct, it just means that you have the right to express them. Feelings, on the other hand, are yours and solely yours. Recognize that no one can tell you how to feel. There are no right or wrong feelings, feelings just are. Take notice of your feelings and learn to express them in a healthy way.

Take responsibility for yourself and avoid taking responsibility for others. Eliminate “should,” “ought to” and “have to” from your vocabulary—they are like the retired handbag patterns that no one buys anymore. While we all have certain obligations, there is a fine line between recognizing your responsibilities and burdening yourself with the expectations and demands of others unnecessarily. While it’s wonderful to want to please others, it should never be at the expense of your own well being.

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Want a good excuse to go to Disney World? It's a great workout!

With Summer just around the corner, it’s finally time to kick off those boots and socks, throw your long pants and sweaters into the back of your closet, and get outside! Summer inevitably has countless opportunities to get fit and burn calories, without even realizing it!

One the best favorite ways to burn calories (and cool off while doing so) in the summer is swimming and water sports. If you live on the coast or near a lake, grab your girls (or guy!), flip-flops, a smoothie and head to the water! Although it’s excellent for cardio, it’s not necessary to do intense laps the whole time to get a good workout. As long as you’re moving and having fun, you’ll burn calories through water frisbee, water volleyball or any other sport you can think of. If you don’t happen to live near the water, check out a community pool or athletic center in your neighborhood. Often, there are several options for water sport classes to join, which is an awesome way to meet new friends and stay motivated by working out with others.

Another awesome way to burn calories while having fun in the summer is hiking—and you don’t even need to live near mountains! Check out your local parks and research nature trails in your area, grab your sunscreen and go for an outdoor adventure. You never know what you’ll encounter!

You can also burn calories without realizing it by grabbing a huge group of friends and taking a road trip to the nearest amusement park. It’s practically guaranteed that you’ll be walking the entire time, as you venture from one ride to the next. You’ll be worn out by the end of the day having, burned hundreds of calories, while making unforgettable memories. What’s not to love about that?

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]]> http://feather-magazine.com/?feed=rss2&p=4696 0 http://feather-magazine.com/?p=4673 http://feather-magazine.com/?p=4673#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:23 +0000 Yara Simon http://feather-magazine.com/?p=4673 In honor of Mother’s Day, we are spotlighting some seriously stylish moms. They know what works for them and dress their age without looking dowdy. You can definitely pick up a few styling tips from these ladies, whether you have kids or not.

Nicole Richie

 Maxi dresses are synonymous with Nicole Richie, and when she isn’t in her signature dress, she tends to look for sleek shapes that don’t overwhelm her small frame.

Beyoncé

New mom Beyoncé has fun with her choices. Whether it’s for a date or just a stroll, she has embraces color and prints.

Natalie Portman

Laid-back style doesn’t have to be boring. The girlish looks Natalie chooses are simple, but still show that the classic look is always in style.

Victoria Beckham

Her monochromatic clothing choices and jeans are always paired with sky-high heels. Though Victoria Beckham is always put together, it’s her choice in footwear that makes her stand out. It also doesn’t hurt that she totes around big, statement-making purses, probably hiding a change of diapers and a binkie for her 10-month or daughter. Or maybe snacks for her three boys.

Gwen Stefani

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