The Y-30 Intense Lift Concentrate cream contains a synthetic form of Waglerin 1, which is a powerful anti-aging peptide found in the snake venom. The face cream is designed to work like Botox by freezing muscles to prevent fine lines, but markets itself as the “painless and convenient” version as it doesn’t involve the hassle of injections.

As a twentysomething female, I can’t say that fighting wrinkles is my top priority right now. I am also in no position to bash the women who are snapping up this face cream with bite; after all, maybe in a few years, I may feel the need or desire to have youthful-looking skin at any cost. But that’s just it—the cost.

I currently am not in any financial position to part with $525 of my hard-earned cash for a face cream with unproven scientific results. My “splurge” on $30 eye cream now pales in comparison.

I can’t help but wonder whether that money could be better spent on other things that would enhance the way you look and/or feel such as:

• A gym membership. Heck, for $525 you could buy your own exercise machine.
• A lot of nice shoes. Or if you’re fancy, maybe just one really really nice pair that would make you feel sexy every time you slipped them on.
• 100 tubs of Vaseline. Vaseline is supposed to be one of the best beauty secrets—just ask Tyra Banks who uses it under her eyes. It sounds gross, but in the winter time when my skin feels like parchment paper, I use it all over my face as a moisturizer. Click here to check out 39 Uses for Vaseline.
• A few upgrades to spice up your wardrobe. There’s nothing like ill-fitting clothes to make you feel blah.
• A few spa days. Treat yourself from head to toe with a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, etc.
• A lifetime supply of multi-vitamins. A daily dose of your recommended vitamins can put some spring back in your step.
• Lots and lots of dark chocolate. While too much chocolate won’t make you look good, the tasty treat with its happy endorphin-releasing ingredients can definitely make you feel good.

And if you still want to get that skin-tightening effect, but on a budget, I’ve heard that hemorrhoid cream does the trick.

To read the Maclean’s article about snake venom face cream, click here.

Other Posts You Might Like:
7 Weird and Wacky Beauty Practices
What’s My Age Again?

Well, we might actually be burning more calories during the day doing normal activities than we think!

I found a nifty little exercise and activity calculator from ProHealth which tabulates the number of calories burned doing various activities and exercises. Here are ten common household activities along with the number of calories burned if you were to do the activity for one hour. For consistency, the following activities are for a 135 lbs. (61 kg) person.

Of course nothing can replace actual exercise, but it’s nice to know we are burning some calories even when we’re not at the gym. To compare, if you were to do a 60 minute low-impact aerobics workout, you would burn 304.96 calories.

Activity #1: Cleaning, moderate effort
Calories: 213.10

Activity #2: Cooking or food preparation
Calories: 154.31

Activity #3: Mowing lawn, general
Calories: 338.02

Activity #4: Child care (I’m assuming this means feeding, changing, etc.)
Calories: 183.71

Activity #5: Playing with children
Calories: 242.49

Activity #6: Pushing or pulling stroller with child
Calories: 154.31

Activity #7: Raking lawn
Calories: 242.49

Activity #8: Sweeping
Calories: 242.49

Activity #9: Walking, 3.0 mph, moderate pace, walking dog
Calories: 213.10

Activity #10: Moving household items, carrying boxes
Calories: 429.88

I feel better about not going to the gym already!

Click here to check out the exercise and activity calculator.

When your days start blurring together and you can’t distinguish one day from the next, you are in a rut. You need to shake things up in your life and change your routine. When you are in a rut, you probably feel bored, tired and unmotivated. Your everyday tasks are accomplished, but you get little satisfaction from them and often don’t even remember doing them.

So how exactly can you vary your days when you are stuck at a 9-5 job? There are many small things that we all can do to add spice to each day. By introducing small changes in your schedule, you will begin to look at things differently, feel more invigorated and refreshed. While most of us need to work for a living, it doesn’t mean we have to become drones.

Get more sleep

Studies show that people who are well-rested not only are more efficient at work, but also enjoy their jobs more. Start by going to bed a half hour earlier and work in small increments until you reach your desired hours of sleep.

Take a different route to work

If you drive, walk or bike to work, take a different path to work. By taking the same route to work every day, your eyes and mind become accustomed to your surroundings and can be less alert. People often get in car accidents not on unfamiliar roads, but rather on the roads closest to home. If you take some form of public transit, try taking an earlier route and get off at a different stop than you normally do.

Try something different for lunch

We all have our favourite spots we frequent for lunch, or pack the same sandwich if we are brown-baggers. Try that new food joint you’ve been eying. Pack a salad instead of a sandwich. Invite a friend you don’t normally see to meet you for a lunch date. And if possible, take a brisk walk for a few minutes to clear up your morning cobwebs.

Take the night off

If you cook dinner every night, try cooking enough for two meals so you can relax at night. Or better yet, try a new restaurant or get take out.

Get a new look

Often people’s appearances reflect their inner self. I’ve often marveled at how some people have clung onto the past with dated fashion and hairstyles. If you have been sporting the same ‘do for more than 5 years, perhaps it is time for a change. Unless the clothes you are wearing are timeless (such as a black pea coat or white t-shirt), clean out your closet to get rid of items you have not worn in a year or more. Invest in a few basic pieces and update your wardrobe with new shoes and accessories. A fresh look can help put some spring in your step.

Clean your work area

De-cluttering and re-organizing your desk or work area can do wonders for your concentration and productivity. File away items that have already been addressed; toss items that have outlived their usefulness. A clean work area will provide a much-needed boost to your regular routine.

Re-arrange furniture in your home

Sometimes all it takes is a different furniture layout in a room to make it seem brand new again. This is also a good time to spruce up those things that need repairing. Make a conscious effort to only fill your home with the people and things that you love.

Try a new activity

Sign up for that yoga class you’ve always been talking about. Start a new book club. Enroll in dancing lessons. Trying something new gives you something to look forward to and is a great chance to meet new people and get inspired about life.

Do a self-inventory

Are you spending a lot of time doing unnecessary tasks? Are you setting aside meaningful activities such as spending more time with family and friends for things that aren’t important to you? Are you unhappy at your current job? If you answered yes to these questions, it may be time to consider making some life changes.

“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
~Anais Nin, author

RLS Defined

According to the RLS Foundation, “RLS is a neurological condition that is characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs.” Restless legs syndrome affects everyone to a different degree—some people describe it as a tickly or tingly sensation while others experience itching and even severe pulling or gnawing feelings.

The common factor is that RLS seems to be triggered when one is at rest (sitting or sleeping); keeping the legs moving helps to alleviate some of the unpleasant sensations. Many people with RLS report that the symptoms flare up more during the evening and get better by the morning.

Who Does RLS Affect?

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reports that RLS affects more than 12 million Americans. It is believed that the number of people with RLS is likely much higher as many cases go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. While RLS affects people of all ages, middle-aged people tend to suffer more severe symptoms and the disorder affects more women than men.

Causes of RLS

There is no known cause of RLS, however there are a number of seemingly related factors that are common amongst those affected:

• People with low iron levels/anemia are more apt to develop RLS.
• Many pregnant women develop a form of RLS during their last trimester, but in most cases, the symptoms disappear once the baby is born.
• Several chronic diseases are linked to RLS including peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, kidney failure, renal disease with dialysis, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Parkinson’s disease.
• Some medications can exacerbate RLS including certain medicines for colds, allergies, nausea, and seizures.
• Some substances such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may worsen RLS.
• Research shows that RLS is often genetic.

Treatment for RLS

Since Restless Legs Syndrome affects everyone differently, there is no particular drug that cures all symptoms in all people. Depending on the severity of the condition, certain changes to one’s daily routine may alleviate symptoms while others may require prescription drugs.

For those with mild symptoms, the following may help provide temporary relief or lessen RLS symptoms:

• Iron or vitamin (i.e. folate and magnesium) supplements.
• Reduce the consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Regular exercise and stretches.
• Ensure you have good sleep habits; some people may need to adjust their sleeping patterns.
• Take a warm bath, gently massage legs, and apply a hot or cold (depending on your preference) compress to the area.

For those with more severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe certain types of drugs such as sedatives, dopaminergic agents, pain relievers, and anticonvulsants.

While I have not been formally diagnosed with RLS, as someone with mild anemia and a penchant for coffee, I can see that I am more prone to develop symptoms. Even after taking iron supplements and reducing my caffeine intake to just one cup of coffee/tea a day, I find that getting up at regular intervals for short walks works the best for me.

While my symptoms are mild, I try to maintain a positive outlook and think to myself: imagine how many extra calories I burn each day while I am sitting down compared to someone who doesn’t have restless legs?

For more information, check out:

• The RLS Foundation
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• We Move

The guilty culprit was a Ma-and-Pa fast food joint which catered to a student’s meagre budget—a “lunch box special” which consisted of a slurpie, fries, gravy and a hamburger for only $3 was the hot seller, and what I devoured a few times a week. The fact that I had high cholesterol came as quite a shock to me. My petit frame did not divulge any unhealthy eating habits; I had what some people call “a fat person trapped in a skinny body” syndrome.

Since that day, I’ve been more mindful of what I consume and am trying (often unsuccessfully) to curb my salt tooth cravings. In an attempt to discourage myself and others from succumbing to greasy deliciousness, here is a very unscientific compilation of the nutritional value of a standard hamburger and fries from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Dairy Queen. Since there is a smorgasbord of bad components in every fast food item, I’ve highlighted just a few of the worst: calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium content.

So if you are like me and are trying to eat more fruits and veggies, the next time you have a hankering for fast food, remember these pictures.

McDonald’s Hamburger

Serving Size: 101 g

McDonald’s Medium Fries

Serving Size: 113 g

Wendy’s 1/4 lb. Single Burger

Serving Size: 241 g

Wendy’s Value French Fries

Serving Size: 113 g

Burger King WHOPPER® Sandwich

Serving Size: 290 g

Burger King Medium Fries

Serving Size: 116 g

Dairy Queen Original Hamburger

Serving Size: 142 g

Dairy Queen Regular Fries

Serving Size: 114 g

The Worst Offenders

Not surprisingly, since the Burger King WHOPPER® has the largest serving size, it also takes the prize in highest caloric and fat content. Wendy’s ¼ lb. single is not far behind.

Serving Size – BK WHOPPER® (290 g)
Calories – BK WHOPPER® (670 calories)
Total Fat – BK WHOPPER® (40 g)
Cholesterol – Wendy’s ¼ lb. single (80 mg)
Sodium – Wendy’s ¼ lb. single (910 mg). (The WHOPPER® also has 910 mg, however Wendy’s ¼ lb. single packs more sodium for its serving size).

On average, the typical adult requires about 2,000 calories per day (of course the number of calories required differs per person depending on a variety of factors such as sex, age, weight, and activity level). A fast food meal which consists of a burger, fries and a soft drink easily eats up your allotted daily calorie intake.

Sadly for many people I know, myself included, eliminating fast food is akin to refraining from drinking water on a hot summer’s day. Personally, my goal is to limit it to once a week however I am constantly tempted by the cheap prices and convenience. My friends and I say that there is a vicious fast food cycle:

• Stage 1 = Craving (on a regular basis)
• Stage 2 = Anticipation (this occurs once you’ve decided to cave in to your craving)
• Stage 3 = Satisfaction (short-lived satisfaction, I might note)
• Stage 4 = Regret (also short-lived)
• Repeat the cycle

Talking about all this food is making me hungry.

Sources:
http://www.mcdonalds.ca/NutritionCalculator/index_en.html
http://www.wendys.ca/food/Nutrition.jsp
http://www.burgerking.ca/RTEContent/Document/nutritionalGuide_webFormat_Nov2009_2.pdf
http://www.dairyqueen.com/upload/DQFoodandTreatNutritionBrochure.pdf

***

This post is featured on FitBuff.com.

The Power of Pee?

Contrary to popular belief, urine is not dirty or toxic; it is in fact chock-full of nutrients that our bodies simply don’t have a need for at a particular time. The kidneys help regulate the levels of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc. in our bodies. The “leftover” nutrients that our bodies don’t need are then purified as it passes through the kidneys and make up the bodily fluid, urine. Like a fingerprint, no two urine samples are the same—our unique urine samples contain the perfect balance of nutrients that nourish our bodies.

Consuming one’s own urine probably brings about a gag reflex in most people. But if you can stomach the yellow liquid (by perhaps pretending that it is apple juice), then urine therapy is said to provide a multitude of health benefits. Urine is an agent used to fight against harmful bacteria, fungus, viruses, and even cancer.

In 1975, Dr. A. H. Free studied the components of urine and published the findings in his book, Urinalysis in Clinical Laboratory Practice. A few of the nutrients found in urine include: folic acid, calcium, iron, urea, magnesium, tryptophan, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, protein, and riboflavin.

Some of the diseases and afflictions urine therapy has been known to treat are common colds, the flu, fever, eczema, psoriasis, hypertension, gall stones, arthritis, cholera, and dysentery. Several case studies also illustrate the cancer-fighting properties of urine and also as a treatment for HIV/aids.

Urine-Based Drugs and Cosmetics

You may already have unwittingly tried urine therapy. Many cosmetic products such as face creams have urea—a great moisturizer—listed as an element. A few of the popular drugs that use urine (or urea) as an ingredient are Murine (eye and ear drops), Urokinase (blood clot remover), and Pergonal (fertility drug).

Urine Therapy Methods

So what exactly do you do with your urine? If you are brave, you can try this natural practice at home. According to Biomedx, the first step is to thoroughly clean the genital area. Next, use a clean container to catch the urine mid-stream. It is best to use fresh urine immediately and in its natural form. However, for new uropathy users, one drop of fresh urine can be mixed with some distilled water and 80-90 proof vodka (this acts as a preservative) and applied under the tongue.

There are several methods to utilize urine therapy:

• Mix mid-stream urine (the most potent part) with another liquid such as orange juice to mask the flavour. Urine can also be mixed with other foods as it is best to ingest it close to meal times. This is food for thought the next time someone uses the expression, “Who pissed in your cereal?”
• Place a few drops under the tongue each morning and gradually increase the dosage until the desired results are achieved. Some people consume as much as one cup at a time.
• Drops of urine can be used for the purpose of eye/ear/nose drops to lubricate/decongest passages.
• Use as a mouth wash. When gargled, urine helps heal gum problems.
• Have a yellow bath! Soaking in your urine, and particularly having the yellow liquid massaged into your skin is said to be one of the most effective ways to moisturize and heal skin problems such as blemishes or burns.

Water From Your Own Well

If urine is free, and is a “perfect” medicine, then why isn’t urine therapy more popular? Well aside from the icky factor, there is a lack of scientific evidence that shows the medical benefits of uropathy. While there are mild (obvious) side effects of urine therapy such as nausea, vomiting and upset stomachs, using urine solely to treat serious illnesses such as cancer is not recommended. Today, urotherapy is offered as a form of alternative medicine in many clinics.

While there may be some benefits of applying urine topically, it will take a lot for me to even fathom ingesting the yellow stuff.

My first encounter with a so-called “weird” beauty practice was in eighth grade. A Filipina girlfriend confessed that she recently got her period. Her mother told her that in order to have a clear complexion a girl should rub her first “blood” onto her face. My friend reluctantly complied. She never had a pimple; her sister who did not follow this practice was not so lucky.

It seems that Japan is the main driving force of beauty trends these days. From sushi to über cool gadgets, the Japanese influence is undeniable in North America. You need to look no further than Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls or movies such as Memoirs of a Geisha or the countless number of animé clubs.

Mud masks and an assortment of facial creams are part of the average woman’s beauty regime. Some of the following beauty practices may be tough to stomach. They are presented in no particular order.

Nightingale Dropping Facial

What it is: Pretty self-explanatory. Take a wallop of nightingale feces and spread it all over your face like a mask. Well actually, the droppings are sterilized and deodorized through a UV light process. The nightingale dropping mask is applied after an adzuki bean scrub, green tea shea butter or a lymph massage.

Purpose: The excrement from nightingales is believed to improve the complexion and translucency of skin.

Origin: Japan. Originally used by Geishas and Kabuki actors to remove their heavy make-up, nightingale droppings contain Guanine, an enzyme believed to lighten and heal skin. Some monks apply this natural ingredient to soothe their scalps. Don’t poo-poo this facial however; it is now offered in high-end spas around the world in London and Hawaii and can cost approximately US $150.

My 2 cents: Who was the brave soul who first tried this treatment? Perhaps the next time your canine leaves you a smelly surprise, or you are the unfortunate target of a fly-by dropping, you can jump with glee. You may have stumbled upon a goldmine.

24 Carat Gold Facial

What it is: This facial oozes opulence. You’re nobody if you’ve never plastered your face with 24 carat gold leaf. A US company called UMO is the brains behind this treatment. Clients enjoy an 80 minute procedure in which gold leaf flakes are arranged on the face and then gently massaged in.

Purpose: This precious metal is believed to enhance skin’s firmness and reduce wrinkles. According to Ron Razeggi, US Chief Operating Officer, UMO, “The skin tries to reject the gold because it’s a foreign object. In order to do that, it builds new cells. Right now, the body produces new cells every 28 days. But this accelerates the cell-building and, as a result, it firms and tightens the skin.”

Origin: The beautiful Cleopatra slept with a gold mask every night. Chinese empresses used gold rollers to massage their faces. The use of gold for beautification is an ancient practice. The 24 carat gold facial is offered in numerous locations including Japan and the US.

My 2 cents: The facial with the Midas touch is sure to please. People love all things gold from jewelry, to facials and even food.

Leech Treatment

This is considered a health treatment rather than a beauty treatment, however, I felt it worthy of mentioning.

What it is: Suck, suck, suck. This treatment is definitely not for the faint of heart. Demi Moore made headlines earlier this year from confessing her penchant for these suckers. The leeches are placed onto the client’s body where they find a juicy place to sink their teeth. For Demi, the leeches started at her belly button. The patient experiences some minor pain and bleeding and a large dose of the heebie jeebies.

Purpose: Leeches release an enzyme called hirudin into the victim’s client’s blood which helps to detoxify it.

Origin: While Demi Moore received her treatment from Austria, the leech treatment is also available in many other countries. Leeches have been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently endorsed the use of leeches as a viable tool in healing skin grafts and reattachment surgery.

My 2 cents: No, please!

Beer Spa

What it is: Nobody likes warm beer. But how about immersing yourself in a large warm tub of the sudsy stuff? If you have to drag your boyfriend to the spa, perhaps he will be more willing to try a beer spa—not only can you soak in beer, you’re also given a few pints to drink.

Purpose: They say that beer contains vitamins (really?!) that improves skin complexion and relaxes tense muscles.

Origin: It seems fitting that the beer spa is offered in great beer countries such as Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. I wonder what type of beer is used to fill up the large hot tubs…

My 2 cents: As tempting as soaking in a vat of warm beer sounds, it sounds a bit gimmicky to me. Won’t soaking in plain warm water also relax tense muscles? And personally I would rather drink the beer to get the “vitamins” than bathe in it. But all doubts aside, I would definitely try out a beer bath just for some drunken fun.

Goldfish Pedicure

What it is: You may never look at that cute guppy in your fishbowl the same way again. We know that fish eat flake food, but did you also know they enjoy feasting on dead, flaky human skin? But don’t worry. These are special fish called gara rufa. Just sit back, relax and watching your feet get nibbled by hundreds of tiny fishies.

Purpose: Nature’s exfoliant. A few minutes of nibbling will leave your feet soft as a baby’s derriere.

Origin: Japan. What would the Japanese do without fish? From delicious sushi to pedicure tools, fish are an essential part of Japanese culture.

My 2 cents: As someone with a low tickle tolerance, allowing my feet to be nibbled non-stop for 15 minutes would be unbearable. I would also worry about animal cruelty if I were to ever involuntarily jerk my feet and squish a school of gara rufa. My answer to a natural exfoliant? Walk on the beach barefoot.

Anti-Aging IV Drip

What it is: Walk into an IV Café. Get hooked up to a machine for 20 minutes. Relax knowing that nutrients are being injected directly into your bloodstream.

Purpose: This service promises to keep shoot-ups youthful by providing skin with a boost of nutrients and your body with a “pick-me-up” to ease everyday stress and fatigue.

Origin: Japan, of course.

My 2 cents: I had childhood asthma so I have first-hand experience with IV machines. They’re no fun. Anti-aging IV drips are an addict’s and hypochondriac’s dream. For an instant “pick-me-up” please just splash some cold water on your face and go for a walk. Or take a nap. Or eat an apple.

Bull Semen Treatment

What it is: Unfortunately, it is exactly what it states—bull sperm. In your hair. The good thing is they dilute Aberdeen Angus Bull semen with an Iranian plant rich in protein called Katera before applying it.

Purpose: Acts as a great moisturizer and leaves you with healthier, shiny hair.

Origin: Japan. It is also available in fancy London salons starting at approximately US $160.

My 2 cents: Personally, I’d rather deal with split-ends and dull hair.