FDA Questions Antibacterial Soaps, Health Benefits of Swimming and More!
Contrary to popular belief, the FDA is reportedly claimimg there "is no evidence" that antibacterial liquid soaps and washes help counteract the spread of germs. [ABC News] Swimming laps is a seriously healthy form of exercise, but how does it stack up against other land-based aerobic activities? [NYTimes] (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 16, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Lunch Break alcohol beauty treatments cardio health holiday music skincare study swimming Source Type: blogs

Super-Quick Vegan Black Bean Soup That's Perfect for Chilly Weeknights
OMG, you guys! My very first book, Schedule Me Skinny: Plan to Lose Weight and Keep it Off in Just 30 Minutes a Week, which hits stores in just a few weeks, is based around our busy, hectic schedules -- and how we can still eat healthy despite 'em. I pulled one of my favorite recipes from the book to pre-share with you guys: I figured we could all use something to warm us up! This hearty, flavorful soup is a cinch to prep and make, plus is loaded with good-for-you fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. You'll slurp up every last sip -- we promise! (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 16, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Meatless Monday food meatless meals nutrition recipe recipes soup vegan Source Type: blogs

The Weekender: Three Things to Do, Try and Make
TGIF! As with every Friday, Adriane and Claudia Kiss of TheKissters.com, the sisters' website, which features entertaining tips and tricks to help you "live large on small change," give us fun ideas to try, make and do over the weekend. You know, those fun days. Get ready to start filling up your calendar -- fast. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Weekender DIY cooking dessert food holiday nail polish nails Source Type: blogs

Beginner Ski Tips From Pro Powder-Shredder Caroline Gleich
It's that time of year when we can't help but crave powder, whether it is a much-needed snow day or the adrenaline rush we get when we hit the slopes.  But for some of us novices, we have nothing but visions of awkwardly walking around in ski boots, face planting and snow patrol. So we got one of the freshest people to ever hit the trails, professional big mountain and powder skier Caroline Gleich, to share some beginner tips so you don't feel stupid on your skis. Seriously!  (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Fitness fitness apparel fitness gear fitness tips skiing sports winter Source Type: blogs

SELF's #FitGirl Shares Her Crazy-Busy Schedule
WHOA. What an absolutely INSANE week I've had! Especially yesterday, which was one of those days where I woke up at 5 AM, got home at 9 PM, cooked a late dinner (WHY DID I NOT GET TAKEOUT?!), worked till after 11 PM, and up again today at 5:45 AM. Oy, right?!?! But despite the crazy-busy schedule -- and the winter storms that have been affecting said schedule -- I have managed to hit all my workout goals for the week. However, the only way I've been able to get them in are with the super-early wake-up calls -- and lots of espressos. It's been OK for this week, but I tend to need more sleep most of the time. I know I hav...
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: FitGirl Elettra Wiedemann abs gym treadmill workout Source Type: blogs

Holiday-Ready Drinks Perfect for Entertaining (or Just Enjoying)
We've already told you about our favorite holiday cocktails under 150 cals. While those babies are easy to mix (and, of course, delicious to drink) sometimes you might be in the mood for something that's ready to go. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Work and Life alcohol beer cocktails entertaining holiday liquor party seasonal wine Source Type: blogs

How to Get All of Your Holiday Shopping Done in Three Hours Flat
We're stoked to share our favorite story of the week from our sister mag, Lucky! Despite your sincere intentions to buy Christmas presents before Thanksgiving this year, it's December 11 and the search has yet to begin. There's no time left to scour Etsy, local indie boutiques and eBay for one-of-a-kind items because you've still got cookies to bake, flights to book and parties to attend. You can't even bring yourself to think about gift-wrapping. Sound all too familiar? Stop stress eating that box of candy canes and read on--we've got a plan. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Fashion beauty gifts holiday shopping Source Type: blogs

Gym Germs, Sugar Trumps Fat When It Comes to Cravings and More!
New research reminds us that sweaty surfaces -- like shared gym equipment -- are perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Wipe that machine down, girl!  [Huffington Post] Turns out your sweet tooth is pretty powerful: A recent study suggests that the draw of sugar beats out that of fat in our brain's pleasure centers. [NYTimes] (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Lunch Break fashion fitness fitness apparel food gifts gym health health news holiday music study yoga Source Type: blogs

Q: How Can I Look Holiday Glam on a Budget? A: Wear Bold Makeup Instead of Scooping Up Accessories!
It's officially time to get festive and make the eggnog-spiked rounds. I have four holiday parties on Saturday night alone, and that's not including the fifth one I have Sunday night. But, after buying a zillion gifts, it's hard to justify shopping for a new head-to-toe look for each party (not that I would, but of course I secretly want to). But, if you've got that one knockout LBD or two, looking party perfect isn't necessarily about finding a complimentary zillion-dollar statement necklace, or the most fantastic earrings (though if you have the cash to do that, rock it out). It's about making a statement with your makeu...
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Beauty Keltie Knight accessories beauty products celebrity celebrity beauty holiday makeup manicure nail art nail polish party Source Type: blogs

Beyonce Broke the Internet, We're OK With It
Just when we all thought we couldn't get enough of Beyonce...girl, stop playing with our emotions! So, have you done a single bit of work today? Or you too busy following the Queen's news, jamming out to her new album, and watching the millions of videos on repeat? We thought we had all our December music-musts down, and now, man, she totally played us. We must discuss. (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Celebrity Beyonce music music video Source Type: blogs

Make These Party-Perfect, Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms This Weekend
Remember when I told you about one of my fave fast food joints, Zoe's Kitchen, and specifically their awesomely healthy Fresh Takes menu picks? As a refresher, the casual, Mediterranean-style restaurant has a Southern twist, and also offers take-home tubs of several of their freshly-made menu favorites like hummus, quinoa salad and pimento cheese. You can grab a Fresh Takes recipe booklet to help you transform the tubs into healthy, delicious meals and snacks that you can make in minutes at home. And my pals over at Zoe's ask me to create a cool new recipe that's party perfect. Meet my pimento cheese-stuffed mushrooms, fol...
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 13, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Nutrition diet food recipe recipe of the week recipes vegetables Source Type: blogs

Spike This Throat-Soothing Drink With Booze for a Perfect Pick-Me-Up
Welcome to Thirsty Thursday! Each week we toast the coming weekend with a new adult beverage for you to enjoy. Tweet @SELFmagazine and our associate editor of food + nutrition @MarjorieKorn and tell us what you're imbibing. Cheers! (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 12, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Thirsty Thursday alcohol cocktails colds drinking Source Type: blogs

Yum: Rhythm Superfoods Kale Chips
Imagine if there were Zesty Nacho-, Texas BBQ-, Honey Mustard- and Kool Ranch-flavored chips that are actually good for you. Wouldn't that be amazing? Well, Rhythm Superfoods has launched all these flavors with chips made from one of our favorite superfoods, kale. We're just so pleasantly surprised how delicious they are, to be honest!  (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 12, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Nutrition calories diet grocery store find snacks vegetables Source Type: blogs

Whip Up a No-Bake Holiday Treat!
The holidays are awesome -- we're big fans of all the different seasonal recipes out there. (And we're always game to chase it down with a festive cocktail!) (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 12, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Recipes cooking dessert food Source Type: blogs

Let's Play Battle of the Blondes: Cameron Diaz vs. Kate Upton Edition
So Cameron Diaz wrote a book, you guys. And she's pretty stoked about it. It's called The Body Book. And she's already found a fan in her girl (and fellow blonde), Kate Upton, who she co-starred with in the movie, The Other Woman, which is set to be released in April. Naturally, Cameron responded to Kate's props with a little sass: "Thanks Friend!! I want your BODY... To read my BOOK!!" Of course now we're inspired to play this totally legitimate and time-well-spent game: Which Leggy Blonde Bod Would You Rather Have For 24 Hours? (Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.)
Source: The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S. - December 12, 2013 Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Tags: Celebrity Blonde Cameron Diaz Kate Upton books entertainment hair color Source Type: blogs