The Evolve Mag Magazine, February 2020

Photo by Bess Hamiti

CONTENTS

February ’20

STYLE & FASHION 12 Timeless Platinum Jewelry 16 Kelly Rowland And Fabletics 20 Coach Launches “Originals Go Their Own Way” 24 For Love And Lemons 26 10 Stylish and Warm Winter Outwear

12 20 BEAUTY & WELLNESS 30 10 Questions About Cosmetic Surgery You Have Always Wanted To Know 34 Winter Skincare

36

36 Advice from Green Beauty and Wellness Expert Rona Berg 40 ‘Wellnesse’ Personal Care Line 42 Get Rid Of Wrinkles!

44 The HydraFacial Company Announces Their Launch Into Scalp Health 46 Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys Launches Highly Anticipated Product Line

Kate Celenk Editor-in-Chief COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Detkov D.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kate Celenk Aleksandra Slijepcevic Awilda Rivera Liz Galloway

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bess Hamiti Eternal Happiness Alexis Azabache Travis Seera Milena Santos Alexander Krivitskiy Tembela Bohle Kyle Roxas Rakicevic Nenad Steve Johnson Frank Cone Ella Olsson Daria Shevtsova Pixabay Getty Images VisionPic InStar Images Snapwire

CONTACT Editorial Inquiries kate@theevolvemag.com Advertising Inquiries info@theevolvemag.com Copyright © 2020 The Evolve Magazine by Innosance LLC. © 2020 The Evolve Magazine by Innosance LLC.’s Copyright subsists in all work published in this magazine.

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The Evolve Magazine by Innosance LLC. cannot accept responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Innosance LLC a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. The Evolve Magazine by Innosance LLC. endeavors to respect the intellectual property of the owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact with us. Publication of articles does not necessarily reflect the official position of the The Evolve Magazine by Innosance LLC.

CONTENTS

February ’20

TRAVEL & LEISURE 50 Resort Villas by Haute Retreats 54 Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Opens on the Golden Shores of Malaysia 58 One & Only Mandarina to Introduce Elevated, Ultra-Luxury to the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico 62 Odyssey of the Seas To Make Bold, European Entrance, Arriving To Rome For First Mediterranean Season 66 Bungalows Key Largo 70 Niraamaya Wellness Retreats Expand its Luxury Footprints to Goa, Launches its First Private Residence

LIFE & LIVING

50

76 How to Develop Self-Knowledge and Live up to Your Potential 80 6 Keys to Success in Business and Life 82 Can You Stop Depression From Damaging Your Brain?

86 Yoga Meditation and Mindfulness

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CONTENTS

February ’20

ART & CULTURE 92 What Is Contemporary Art? 94 A Dash of Red 96 A Big Apple Adventure!

INNOVATION & TECH 102 Willow Reveals Third Generation Breast Pump Designed With New Tech Inside to Help Moms Pump Their Most Milk Yet 104 Muse by Interaxon Inc. Just Gave Us a New Reason to Meditate 108 DIY Homes

FOOD & BEVERAGE

114

114 What Are The Types and Levels of Vegetarianism?

116 Cuzen Matcha 118 Prime Roots Expands and Shakes Up the Future of the Alternative-Meat Industry

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120 Winter Warm-Up

Photo by Pixabay

Photos by InStar Images

S T Y L E & FA S H I O N

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The 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards Sets The Stage For Timeless Platinum Jewelry Awards show season has officially arrived with the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Platinum jewelry, the naturally white setting that truly enhances the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones, perfectly complemented the stunning array of couture gowns worn by the world’s most famous celebrities on the red carpet tonight.

According to celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger, “The most brilliant stars wore the most brilliant statement necklaces set in platinum tonight. Whether it was Jennifer Aniston’s 1950’s style with 2 rows of diamonds or Zoey Deutch’s dramatic sapphire pendant, platinum necklaces add sparkle, glamour and timeless sophistication.”

Platinum Guild International is pleased to share that leading red carpet jewelry brands such as Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and Fred Leighton chose to style A-list celebrities in naturally white platinum.

Platinum jewelry is the choice accessory for celebrities to capture the most special, glamorous and memorable moments.

The following stars selected platinum jewelry to celebrate their achievements:

Jennifer Aniston in Platinum by Fred Leighton • 1950’s diamond double swag necklace set in platinum, by Cartier • Art Deco ring with a pair shaped diamond set in platinum, by Cartier • 1920’s ring with a marquise diamond, set in platinum

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Charlize Theron in Platinum by Tiffany & Co. • Necklace with an emerald (over 10 carats), sapphires (over 21 carats), and diamonds (over 25 carats), set in platinum (priced at $885,000) • Ring with diamonds (over 6 carats), set in platinum (priced at $900,000) • Ring with a diamond (over 11 carats), set in platinum • Ring with a tsavorite (over 7 carats), set in platinum (priced at $110,000) • Solitaire diamond earrings, set in platinum (priced at $1,400) • Diamond stud earrings, set in platinum (priced at $4,130) • Fleur de Lis key bar earrings with diamonds, set in platinum (priced at $900) 14 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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Zoey Deutch in Harry Winston Set in Platinum Wearing more than 110 Carats of Harry Winston Diamonds and Sapphires, set in Platinum • A sapphire cabochon Pendant Necklace (58.69 carats) with diamonds (22.93 carats), set in platinum • Sapphire and diamond Flower earrings (23.02 carats), set in platinum • Winston cluster sapphire and diamond ring (4.68 carats), set in platinum • Crossover sapphire and diamond ring (2.46 carats), set in platinum

Jennifer Lopez in Harry Winston Set in Platinum • Vintage 1959 diamond bracelet (57.30 carats), set in platinum

Reese Witherspoon in Platinum

by Tiffany & Co. • Ring with a pear shaped diamond (over 4 carats) and diamonds (over 2 carats), set in platinum (priced at $365,000)

Brad Pitt in Platinum by Fred Leighton • 1920’s cufflinks with diamonds and white enamel, set in platinum by Cartier

Billy Porter in Platinum by Tiffany & Co. • Pendant with a pear-shaped diamond (over 11 carats) and diamonds (over 31 total carats), set in platinum • Enchant® dragonfly brooch with diamonds, set in platinum (priced at $46,500) • Victoria® alternating bracelet with diamonds, set

in platinum (priced at $40,000) • Essential Band ring, 4 mm wide set in platinum (priced at $1,825)

Jodie Comer in Platinum by Tiffany & Co. • Victoria® line bracelet with diamonds, set in platinum (priced at $55,000) • Victoria® line bracelet with diamonds, set in platinum (priced at $15,500) 15 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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Photos Courtesy of Fabletics

S T Y L E & FA S H I O N

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Kelly Rowland And Fabletics Kick Off 2020 With A New Limited-Edition Winter Collection Fabletics is excited to announce the launch of the new Kelly Rowland for Fabletics collection.

Delivering on their shared mission to make women feel confident and beautiful, this capsule marks Kelly’s third collaboration with the brand. Launching on January 1st, her latest show-stopping line introduces exclusive, ultra-feminine silhouettes that truly define confidence you can wear.

Inspired by the golden hour, the new pieces offer chic, functional, monochromatic designs in a rich color palette of warm espresso, maroon and tan hues. Constructed in ultra soft performance fabrics, Kelly’s capsule blends covet-worthy style with amazing comfort. Activewear essentials are paired with all-new lifestyle layering pieces, making every outfit perfect for everyday life – whether it’s going

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to the gym, recording studio, brunch with your friends, or lounging at home.

“I love how beautiful and luxe this capsule looks and feels. I’m all about embracing your natural curves and being proud of your body, and I think all women will feel amazing in these pieces,” said Kelly. “When I wear this collection, I feel like I’m always walking in my best light and know I can take on anything with confidence.”

Just in time for the New Year, Kelly’s Winter 2020 collection introduces fresh styles with technical performance details and soft compression fabrics that will inspire women to start the year off strong. New silhouettes include the Tricot Wide-Leg Pant and the High-Waisted PureLuxe Trapunto Legging.

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The capsule features two ribbed seamless bras in brand new halter and crossback styles. Lingerieinspired details were fused into the line through corset-style bras with beautiful seams that contour the body. Staying true to her last two collections, Kelly’s Winter 2020 capsule also includes a new strappy bodysuit, available in sizing XXS-4X. The Kelly Rowland x Fabletics Winter collection will be sold across 10 countries and will be available on Fabletics.com as well as in the 36 Fabletics retail stores nationwide starting on January 1st, 2020.

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S T Y L E & FA S H I O N

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Coach Launches “Originals Go Their Own Way” Coach launches “Originals Go Their Own Way,” its campaign for Spring 2020.

Starring award-winning actor, singer, producer and new face of Coach Jennifer Lopez in her first campaign for the house and global face of Coach menswear, actor and producer Michael B. Jordan, the campaign tells the story of authentic self-expression through the lens of its powerful cast.

Set in New York City, Coach’s home since 1941, “Originals Go Their Own Way” communicates Creative Director Stuart Vevers’ evolved vision for the house. Spontaneous, real and playful to reflect the inclusive and optimistic spirit of the house and New York City, it celebrates authenticity, individuality and those who forge their own unique way in life. Emphasized by the inspiring stories of Lopez and Jordan, both known as courageously independent individuals who have paved new paths while staying true to themselves, the campaign advocates for doing things your own way and expressing yourself through purpose and style.

Photos Courtesy of Coach

To bring the campaign to life, Vevers worked with photographer Juergen Teller, whose partnership with Coach began in the fall of 2019 and has continued through its holiday and spring campaigns.

Shot in iconic locations around the city, including the Edge at Hudson Yards and the High Line, where Coach held its show for the Spring collection, the images also feature the sculpture “Brick House” by the artist Simone Leigh. The public artwork, a 16-foot tall bronze bust of a Black woman which references numerous architectural styles, is a symbol

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of inclusion, optimism and strength that sits beneath the house’s headquarters, and was featured in its recent show.

“At the start of a new decade, I felt instinctively that it was right to celebrate the color, energy and optimism of New York, our hometown and inspiration as a house,” said Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “I loved working with Juergen to bring my vision for Spring to life, and to tell the stories of Jennifer and Michael in a unique and authentic way.”

“I have a unique history with Coach that dates back to ‘All I Have,’ ” said Lopez. “It is a brand that embodies the essence of being born and bred in New York and I, of course, deeply relate to that. In all it creates, Coach promotes individuality and optimism in its style as well as a sense of authenticity and inclusion. Like me, we’re both New York originals, who create a unique mix of high-fashion with street edge. With Stuart’s designs and Juergen’s photography, we captured special and unique visual moments for this campaign with the iconic New York City skyline as the perfectly tailored backdrop.”

“I’m proud to be part of the new spring campaign,” said Jordan. “The story of what makes an original is very meaningful to me for many reasons, and it was a great experience working with Stuart and Juergen to tell that story in a way that feels fresh and powerful.”

“Originals Go Their Own Way” spotlights the house’s new Spring bags, including the Hutton, the Rambler, and the men’s Pacer Backpack and Belt Bag—and a ready-to-wear collection featuring a bold new statement in leather, a reference to the house’s roots.

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S T Y L E & FA S H I O N

&

For Love

Photos Courtesy of Victoria’s Secret

Lemons

for Victoria’s Secret – Spring 2020 The For Love & Lemons for Victoria’s Secret Spring campaign starring Georgia May Jagger is a springtime ballad – a recreation of a sunny bygone era suspended in time, and a dedication to the warmth and carefree spirit of Los Angeles in spring. Innocence and romance within the collection are highlighted with fresh, playful florals, delicate lace detailing and figure-flattering silhouettes.

Breezy, vintage-inspired silhouettes are cut with intricate lace and splashes of modern neon.

Lighthearted, airy, and always fun-loving, the For Love & Lemons Spring Collection puts radiant California at the fingertips of the customer and in their closets forever.

S T Y L E & FA S H I O N

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Photos Courtesy of Eberjey

1

Written by Kate Celenk, Editor-in-Chief Zara’s Summer 2020 Collection coats are finally here! Zara has showcased some of the coolest coats out there. You may struggle to pick the right pieces and combine them every morning. Fortunately, a stylish coat alone can solve this problem and transform your look into a charming one.

Invest in classic coats and jackets that make you stylish for years and dress it down with jeans and sneakers for day, or, up with a dress and heels for a night. One last hint: why not adding a contrasting sweater underneath to give your style a different angle?

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7

6 5

8 9 1. REF.2041-449-251 2. REF.4432-203-711 3. REF.1255-233-704 4. REF.2135-425-802 5. REF.2097-206-800

$169.00 $169.00 $119.00 $49.00 $249.00 $149.00

10 6. REF.2067-696-802 7. REF.3046-145-720 8. REF.2164-666-704 9. REF.8073-229-704 10. REF.3427-207-800

$169.00 $49.90 $119.00 $129.00 $129.00

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Photo by Milena Santos

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

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10 Questions About Cosmetic Surgery You Have Always Wanted To Know Answered By A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

How long do breast implants last until they have to be removed and done again?

After repeated Botox injections, will facial muscles ever lose the ability to frown?

Although the implants themselves last forever, their structural integrity does not. Over time, the average wear and tear could cause a rupture or leak. In general, saline or silicone implants should be replaced or removed every 10 to 15 years if you notice any changes. A rupture in a saline implant tends to be more noticeable, as the deflation is visible. While that may sound scary, it’s actually quite harmless, as the saline is just absorbed by the body. However, it is not as easy to notice if a silicone implant has ruptured. For this reason, most doctors will recommend an MRI every 2 years for their patients with silicone implants to check for leaks. Implants may need to be removed or replaced for other reasons too, but in general, should last from 10 to 25 years.

Even though one of the side effects of Botox is difficulty smiling or frowning, the effects of Botox wear off in 3 to 4 months. Repeated use of Botox causes the muscles treated to atrophy and thin out.

When they “wake” back up they tend to be weaker and less likely to make wrinkle. This is why many consider Botox a great anti-aging treatment. Botox can be administered in a way in which it does not freeze the muscle completely. This is something you would discuss with your injector.

If I have fat removed through liposuction, will it reappear elsewhere?

Technically, yes, it is possible for the fat to return, but only if you let it come back. If the patient maintains their weight, the fat will not return or appear somewhere else on your body. A little bit of weight gain is fine, such as 5 to 10 pounds, as long as patients stay close to their “postlipo weight”. Because fat cells accumulate in an evenly distributed manner, weight gain tends to be more noticeable in areas that are untreated than treated. So, even patients who gained a considerable amount of weight post-lipo look better than they did if they had not undergone surgery.

Discuss with the injector what your goals are. Some people such as actors need to be able to express themselves. In this case, Botox can be administered so as not to freeze the muscle completely. Others want certain muscles not to move at all. An experienced injector has the knowledge to make adjustments. We also have the ability to combine Botox with other treatments to assist your goals.

I thought silicone breast implants can rupture, so why are they still used?

Both saline and silicone implants can leak. But, it is much harder to tell when a silicone implant has ruptured over a saline implant. Someone with silicone implants may go months or even years without noticing. This is due to the very thick and viscous silicone filling, moving only at very slow rates. It will generally stay within the capsule of breast tissue surrounding your implant, which makes for a simple replacement. Additionally, silicone is the gold standard against which other implantable materials get compared. It is a safe material when used in the human body.

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Will liposuction eliminate cellulite?

Although patients used to think liposuction could eliminate cellulite, today doctors are not recommending it for that use. In some cases, liposuction can actually make the cellulite worse by creating more dimples in the skin. While it is true that excess fat can make cellulite worse, it’s not the real cause. Liposuction on the thighs and butt only marginally improve the appearance of cellulite. On the contrary, thin skin in these areas can exacerbate the problem, especially in older women where the skin tends to be less elastic.

Doctors have found that ultrasound and laserassisted liposuction can effectively reduce cellulite because it tightens the skin as it removes fat. But again, these alone will not rid you of cellulite.

Will I have to wear my hair over my ears to cover face-lift scars?

On average, face-lift scars around the ears take about six months to fade and become almost invisible. You probably are going to want to wear your hair down for the first month for recovery purposes. It’s best to choose a hairstyle within this time that will not apply added pressure to the area of incision while still helping to cover up the scar at the same time. Ask your doctor how soon it is safe for you to wear makeup over the scar as a cover up option until they fully fade.

Can my breast implants pop?

Unfortunately, yes breast implants can “pop”, but it is rare and easily treatable. Both saline and silicone implants have an outer shell that can potentially develop a tear, called a rupture. The rupture could be caused by a variety of things such as normal aging of the implant, trauma caused by a car accident, a needle insertion during a biopsy, or other factors. If you experience any changes in breast shape and size, and increased pain, firmness, and swelling over a period of weeks,

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these may be signs that your implant has ruptured.

Most corrective surgeries include removing both implants and replacing them in the same surgery.

Your surgeon might also recommend that you switch to a different type of implant. In any case, discuss with your doctor in detail the best option to avoid risk of rupture in the future.

What happens if I’m not happy with my surgical results?

The first step is to be patient. Some patients look good in as fast as three weeks, others three months, and, for some, the full results aren’t apparent until six months after surgery. You should wait for all the post-surgical swelling and bruising to go away completely before fretting over the end result.

With that being said, speak up if you are feeling anxious. At your follow-up appointment, it is perfectly fine to voice to your surgeon that you are feeling disappointed. A good doctor will address your concerns, walk you through the recovery process, and if necessary, talk about the next steps.

How soon after my lipo can I have sex?

After having a procedure like liposuction or a tummy tuck, you will definitely feel some moderate soreness and swelling. It’s normal. When it comes to resuming sexual activity, your personal level of comfort plays a large factor as there is no specific body structure you can damage after liposuction. This means your soreness or the healing process of your incisions may be the only thing stopping you from being intimate. As soon as you feel both physically and emotionally ready, you are safe to resume having sex. For most patients, it takes about a week. But if we removed excess fat on large areas of your thighs, belly, and/ or buttocks, you might have to wait a week to ten days. Before then, your body will be tender and that could make the experience painful.

What is the youngest age you would consider performing a facelift?

When evaluating a patient for facelift surgery, age is only a relative consideration. I’ve performed facelifts on patients under 40 years of age who lost a lot of weight causing their face to deflate and sag. That being said, most facelift or neck lift procedures are performed on patients between 45-70 years old. If the volume loss can be managed by treatments other than facelift surgery, patients will opt for them. However, once those minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments no longer cut it, a patient can choose to have a facelift. For some patients that may be in their early 40’s.

Is there a trendy cosmetic procedure that you feel is a waste of money and time?

The procedure that I find a waste of time and money is Kybella. It is so expensive for patients and has significant social downtime. I can get better results, more quickly with neck liposuction. Also, I am still waiting to see if patients can get decent results with Sculptra injections for buttocks augmentation. For doctors that can’t perform surgical procedures, or for patients who want to avoid surgery, these may be their only choices.

About Dr. Manish Shah (www.drmanishshah.com)

Plastic Surgeon Colorado | Dr. Manish Shah, M.D. | Denver Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. was born in Canada and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a degree in biomedical engineering. He then completed his medical training at the University of Virginia, earning his Medical Doctorate. During this time he also completed a one-year fellowship in microsurgery research at the New York University School of Medicine / Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. As a prelude to his plastic surgery training, Dr. Shah completed a rigorous five-year training program in General and Trauma Surgery at Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia. His formal training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was completed at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga Unit. After completing his plastic surgery training, he moved to New York City when he was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital.

He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. This fellowship is widely considered to be the best of its kind in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who have undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you! Dr. Shah is a past Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center based at Denver Health Medical Center, the Rocky Mountain region’s only academic Level I trauma center. He is a past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Denver Health Medical Center. He also maintains a private practice in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery on the Dry Creek Medical Center campus (DTC/ Denver) and up in the Aspen Valley (Basalt – in the office of MDAesthetics – Tim Kruse, M.D.).

Dr. Shah is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Shah is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

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Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Winter Skin Care

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Cold weather can take a real toll on your skin. Dry skin can lead to discomfort and, if neglected, can affect your skin’s elasticity and trigger outbreaks of irritated skin.

Help keep your skin feeling healthy and hydrated this winter with these tips: Drink water. Hydrating your body from the inside out plays an important role in keeping skin supple and soft. When you’re dehydrated, the body pulls water from any source it can, including your skin. A good rule of thumb is at least 8 cups of water a day.

Hydrate with food. You can also boost your internal water reserves by eating foods rich in water, nutrients, vitamins and beneficial fats and oils. Fish, nuts and avocados all contain plenty of essential nutrients that help promote well-hydrated skin.

Foods like cucumber, zucchini, lettuce and watermelon also naturally have a high concentration of water.

Use body lotion. Your skin naturally loses moisture throughout the day through evaporation, but you can help trap the hydration you add from bathing by adding a layer of quality lotion. An option like Remedy Dermatology Series Moisturizing Body Lotion contains a proprietary botanical blend of nutrients, emollients and antioxidants, including green tea, clove and safflower

oleosomes. Its smooth, rich formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft with no greasy or oily residue. Formulated by skin care experts, the lotion helps skin stay moisturized for up to 24 hours and is free of 80 of the most common allergens that contribute to rashes and skin sensitivity. Learn more at remedyderm.com.

Protect skin. Exposure to harsh weather can quickly dry and chap your skin, so any time you’ll be outdoors, especially for extended periods of time, be sure to cover up exposed areas.

Keep an extra set of gloves and a scarf in your vehicle so you’re prepared for unexpected time outdoors, whether from an accident or impromptu stop at a local park for some fresh air and exercise.

Change out of wet clothes.

Always remove wet clothes as soon as possible. Not only do cold, wet clothes affect your body’s ability to regulate internal temperature, they can create friction that leads to uncomfortable and painful skin irritation. If getting wet is unavoidable, consider layering your clothing so you can shed wet outer layers quickly before they can soak through.

Use a humidifier. The indoor climate becomes considerably drier in the winter months when the furnace runs regularly.

Using a humidifier can help restore a level of humidity that’s better for your skin. Aim

for humidity levels in the range of 35-50%; depending on your climate, you may need to err on the lower side of the scale to reduce condensation on windows.

Wear sunscreen. Winter sun rays are just as strong as summer rays, even if you don’t feel their heat quite as much. In fact, snow burns that result from sun reflecting off the snow can be even more dangerous than regular sunburns. Protect your skin from burning and drying out by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 any time you venture outdoors.

Lotion Do’s and Don’ts Do use lotion, even when your skin doesn’t feel dry. Experts say you should apply moisturizer onto damp skin to help lock in any water sitting on the surface before it evaporates.

Don’t use too much. Quality moisturizers are highly concentrated and designed to be effective without a thick layer.

If you use too much, it’s more likely to sit on the surface of your skin, occlude the surface and potentially trigger breakouts.

Do look for products that match your skin type. While there are common allergens that are present in many lotions, an option like Remedy Dermatology Series Moisturizing Body Lotion is free of parabens, fragrances and aloe that can irritate sensitive skin or allergies. (courtesy of FamilyFeatures) 35

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Photo by Pixabay

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

&Wellness Expert

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Advice from Green Beauty and Wellness Expert Rona Berg

R

ona Berg is an internationally renowned green beauty and wellness expert, and best-selling author of Beauty: The New Basics and Fast Beauty: 1000 Quick Fixes. Berg is the former Beauty Editor and Deputy Lifestyle Editor of The New York Times Magazine, Editorial Director of ELLE, Contributing Editor to SELF, co-founder/editor-inchief of Organic Beauty. Berg is passionate in her belief that “green is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle.” We sat down with this expert and asked her for advice on switching to natural cosmetics, choosing products for sensitive skin, toxic ingredients to avoid and more.

What is the difference between “organic” and “natural” cosmetics?

There is a lot of consumer confusion about what is and isn’t natural or organic. It’s important to know that there is no regulation behind the term “natural.” Most consumers assume that natural products contain a majority of ingredients derived from natural sources. But even products that are 99 percent synthetic can claim to be natural. That’s why consumers looking for an authentically natural product need to educate themselves on specific ingredients to avoid, or find responsible brands that do not “greenwash” their labels.

Organic is a different story. There are specific USDA criteria, based on organic food and agriculture guidelines--i.e., ingredients grown without pesticides--that allow beauty products to use the term “organic.” To be “USDA organic,” or to claim “made with organic ingredients,” you are expected to comply. If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, the product cannot use the term “organic” anywhere on the main label—but many still do, though that is changing. There are also independent global seals and certifications (Natural Products Association, Ecocert, BDIH, Soil Association, and more) that enable the consumer to know that those products are natural or organic enough to qualify.

What are the benefits of switching to organic or natural cosmetics?

Not only are organic and natural beauty products stylish, sophisticated, and luxurious, they are healthy and they really work! The granola-crunchy days of green beauty are gone. When I interviewed the actress Olivia Wilde she said, “At first I wasn’t committed to natural and organic. I was committed to products that work. Now I realize that natural and organic really do work—so why would anyone sacrifice their health with what they’re putting on their body?”

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Some critics of organic cosmetics argue that most organic products are not clinically tested, and therefore can cause irritation as much as non-organic products.

How would someone with sensitive skin go about choosing organic products with this in mind?

The same way they would choose non-organics. There are certainly natural ingredients that are more sensitizing than others, just like there are irritating non-natural ingredients.

If you have sensitive skin, you need to become familiar with certain essential oils and

Photo by Tembela Bohle

Consumers are beginning to connect the dots and ask, “What is that washing down my drain, and how does that impact my health and the health of the environment?” When we apply moisturizer--if the molecule is small enough--it penetrates through the skin and directly into the bloodstream.

In fact, penetrability has been a selling point in the industry for years, and as consumers eat healthier foods and embrace more sustainable lifestyles, it’s inevitable that they are drawn to natural and organic beauty, because they are thinking, big-picture, in terms of what is safest and healthiest to put in and on their bodies. Major mainstream retailers from Walmart to Target to Barneys are expanding their natural and organic beauty sections and if consumers weren’t seeing results, they wouldn’t be coming back for more!

botanical extracts—i.e., tea tree oil, rosemary essential oil, citrus oils, eucalyptus—that are more apt to be irritating. In the nonnatural realm, alpha-hydroxy acids, retinols, hydroquinone, synthetic fragrances, FD&C dyes—are also known to be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Always do a 24-hour patch test before you try a new product and familiarize yourself with these hot-button ingredients.

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What are five common household items that also have beauty uses?

In my book, Fast Beauty: 1000 Quick Fixes, I devote an entire section to common household items that do double duty for beauty. Of course, DIY is not for everyone. But, in a pinch, you can create your own quick, easy, and inexpensive beauty treatments from simple household products. Your olive

or sesame oil can double as a moisturizer for super-dry skin, and a tiny dab of olive oil will nourish hair at the dry ends.

Olive oil is light and gentle enough even for the most sensitive skin. It is a staple in Mediterranean beauty and spa cultures. Because of its small molecular structure, sesame oil is one of the most deeply penetrating, and it’s rich in linoleic and fatty acids, which carry water-soluble nutrients through the skin.

Baking soda, a fine abrasive, can be used to brush your teeth, applied as a paste to dry a pimple overnight, or worked through damp hair to get rid of built-up of styling products. It can also be massaged into flaky elbows and knees and even used as a gentle exfoliant on the face.

I always say that a toothbrush, like a cat, has many lives. An old toothbrush can be recycled and used to comb through eyebrows and lashes, to apply hair color and touch-ups, with a bit of honey (another household favorite!) to exfoliate lips, elbows, and knees, and to clean and scrub beauty tools like pencil sharpeners, combs, and tweezers. A bag of frozen blueberries or peas is really handy to have in the freezer.

It helps soothe skin irritated by waxing and calms red or inflamed skin. The malleable shape adjusts easily around any part of the body.

And never throw a tea bag away—after your cup of tea has steeped, pop the tea bag in the freezer for later use. Chilled green tea bags will take down puffiness under the eyes and soothe inflamed or bruised skin.

A chamomile tea compress will reduce irritation if your skin is sensitive.

What are some toxic ingredients in cosmetics we should avoid?

It’s important for me to say that a few occasional ingredients are not necessarily going to cause you harm. But when you think about the cumulative effects of these ingredients entering your bloodstream along with all of the other pollutants, pesticides, synthetic preservatives, hormones and antibiotics, etc., in our food, our environment, and the air we breathe, over a lifetime, it is a wake-up call.

I would also like to say that not all synthetic ingredients are bad.

It is not quite that black and white. But let’s replace the ones that are!

I am a strong believer in science, and so far there is enough recent evidence to support reformulating products to remove parabens (butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben), preservatives that, even in small amounts, can mimic estrogen in the body and have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer.

Sulfates (sodium lauryl-, sodium

laureth-, ammonium laureth-, and sodium myreth-sulfate) are harsh detergents found in cleansers, shampoos, and toothpaste. These can cause skin and eye irritation, and may contain 1.4-dioxane, considered a probable human carcinogen by the EPA, though you won’t find it on the ingredient label because it’s a byproduct of the manufacturing process. The tip-off: look for (and try to avoid) ingredients with “eth”—diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), phenoxyethanol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and more. Look for nail polish without toluene (a.k.a. methylbenzene), which is stored in fat tissue and can irritate skin and damage lungs.

Ingredients like diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium 15 can release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that triggers asthma and irritates skin.

With the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, Congress banned three phthalates—DEHP, DBP, and BBP—from baby bottles and children’s toys. But phthalates are still widely used in beauty and personal-care products to stabilize scent in perfume and skincare and make nail polish supple. Phthalates have been linked to hormonal imbalances that lead to infertility and cancer, but companies are not required to list them on the label. Many products with “fragrance” or “parfum” contain phthalates— but not all. Stay tuned for more news on phthalates.

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BEAUTY & WELLNESS

‘Wellnesse’

Wellness Mama’s All-Natural Personal Care Line Officially Launches Direct to Consumers

Photos Courtesy of Wellnesse

Health and wellness-focused families now have access to a new line of safe, clean and 100% effective natural hair care and oral care products, courtesy of ‘Wellness Mama’ celebrity podcaster and DIY author Katie Wells.

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It’s official! ‘Wellnesse’ www.wellnesse.com, an all-natural personal care product line formulated to work better than conventional alternatives, officially launches with free shipping across the continental United States. The passion project of award-winning blogger, author, and podcaster Katie Wells (widely known as ‘Wellness Mama’), Wellnesse offers families safe, effective personal care essentials including shampoos, conditioners, and whitening toothpaste at launch.

Wells, a mother of six, and her husband/co-founder Seth Spears are delivering on their mission to bring simpler, safe personal care options to homes across the country. Wells has been practicing and perfecting her personal care recipes for over a decade. Today, all Wellnesse products are cruelty-, GMO-, paraben-, and sulfate-free and delivered in recyclable cardboard packaging.

Wellnesse Products Are Highly Effective and Naturally Safe “There are plenty of products that work well but contain ingredients that a lot of us prefer to avoid using in our homes or on our skin,” Katie Wells said.

“I set out to create products that accomplish both, by being highly effective and still completely safe.

After many, many rounds of formulation, I’m so excited to share these products with families across America.”

Wellnesse is dedicated to radical transparency and honesty, believing that it is not only possible but essential to create products that are safe for humans and for our planet.

“We go out of our way to make sure that we explain what the ingredients are, where they came from, why they’re beneficial, and where we sourced them,” Wells explained. “I believe that level of transparency is the antidote to a lot of the problems that we’re seeing in the world today.”

Visit Wellnesse.com to see full ingredient listings for each product, learn more about the Wellnesse product line, and shop now with free shipping on orders over $20.

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Photo by Snapwire, Courtesy by BeautyPress

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

GET RID OF

WRINKLES!

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W

hen we are young, our skin feels soft, smooth and supple.

Unfortunately, this does not last forever. But with effective antiaging skincare, you can look forward to the natural aging process quite relaxed. Bye Bye Wrinkles!

What happens under the skin

Collagens are the structural proteins that make up over 60% of the main and most important fibrous content of connective tissue. However, with age, the connective tissue becomes weaker and can cause breakdown of the collagen and elastin fibers. This leads to a loss of elasticity and the energy in the collagen-producing cells decreases. As a result, the skin becomes dry, wrinkles form and the tissue is more permeable to external attacks.

The inner values are important British scientists seem to have deciphered the secret of eternal youth: a research team from Newcastle University has found out that the so-called mitochondrial complex II is no longer intact as the years pass. Because the skin and especially the cells emanate the bio-energy, more and more free radicals are released - fine lines, first wrinkles and onset of elasticity loss are the result.

Researchers are confident they have discovered a new approach to anti-aging treatments. Those who do not want to wait for the “bio-energy miracle cream� should (preferably already in their mid-20s) resort to a care that includes one or more of the following active ingredients: vitamin E, retinol, collagen, coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid and stem cell extracts, Especially the latter are particularly promising and lead to impressive results.

Apply day creams that care for the skin and protect the skin during the day, and night creams that boost regeneration processes at night. When applying cream, do not skip the neck.

Keep eyes open!

The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and has hardly any sebaceous glands. The high stress can quickly cause wrinkles. At the same time, this area is often very sensitive, which is why eye creams should best abstain from fragrances and preservatives. Just gently pat in the morning and evening, thus dryness wrinkles are visually smoothed immediately and prevents the formation of new wrinkles.

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BEAUTY & WELLNESS

The HydraFacial Company Announces Their Launch Into Scalp Health 44 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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he HydraFacial Company announced today the launch of a first of it’s kind scalp treatment, HydraFacial Keravive. Keravive’s proprietary serum targets every aspect of scalp and follicle health, and is a unique treatment designed to cleanse, stimulate, nourish and hydrate the scalp for fuller and healthier-looking hair.

Poor scalp health – dry skin, clogged follicles, dead skin cells, lack of circulation – can lead directly to thinner-looking hair.

HydraFacial has a long history of of revolutionizing skin health and the HydraFacial Keravive treatment for scalp health is the most recent in a long line of personalized skin-ovations. Like the original HydraFacial treatment, the scalp treatment is a 3-step program. Two of the three scalp steps are performed in-office, including the cleanse/exfoliate and stimulate/nourish components, and the third part is a take-home spray that extrends and enhances the results of treatment.

“We are proud that The HydraFacial Company continues to be a category creator – as with our past skin health innovations, we saw an opportunity and a need to develop this new scalp health category,” said Clint Carnell, the Chief Executive Officer. “HydraFacial has always offered consumers the confidence that comes with healthy skin.

We wanted to offer the same confidence to the millions of people who are affected by thinning hair.”

Photos Courtesy of The HydraFacial Company

“The benefits of a healthy scalp are critically important, yet not widely understood,” said Yael Halaas, MD, a Manhattan-based dermatologist.

“Any patient who has concerns about thinning or damaged hair can benefit by improving the health of their scalp. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthier and fuller-looking hair.”

HydraFacial Vortex Technology and Keravive Peptide Complex Solution cleanses, exfoliates, stimulates, and delivers a proprietary blend of growth factors and skin proteins to hydrate, nourish and stimulate the scalp. For best results, it is recommended that consumers have the HydraFacial Keravive in-office treatment once a month for three consecutive months, along with continuous use of the at-home spray.

The HydraFacial Keravive treatment is currently available at select provider locations – visit www.hydrafacial.com to find a provider and ask for the HydraFacial Keravive Treatment.

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BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys Launches Highly Anticipated Product Line

Photos Courtesy of Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop For Guys

Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys, a men’s grooming shop that provides haircuts and shaves as well as hand and foot care in a relaxed and refined environment, recently announced the release of its highly anticipated product line. Available for purchase online and in-store, the product line was designed by skilled Hammer & Nails barbers with their clients in mind, and are the exact products used as part of grooming shops’ services.

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Since its inception, Hammer & Nails has been using proprietary products in all of its shops.

The reason being that there wasn’t anything like them on the market. All of the Hammer & Nails products contain natural essential oils, which not only promote skin and scalp health, but soothe clients with their relaxing, custom scents, like cedarwood and driftwood.

“Our clients have been asking to buy the products we use in our shops since day one, so the

demand for our products became clear pretty early on,” shared Aaron Meyers, President & COO of Hammer & Nails.

“We took a lot of time and care in developing the product line so that it truly is an extension of the Hammer & Nails experience. Our goal is to have our clients feeling like a million bucks, so if we’re able to help recreate that feeling for them at home, that’s a huge win.”

The tried-and-true product line will first feature the Hammer & Nails beard oil, after-shave gel and essential oils with the release of a beard wax, shampoo & conditioner and more to follow over the next six months.

And, since the products were intended for use by barbers in Hammer & Nails shops, clients can rest-assured the ingredients and overall quality are unlike anything else on the market.

With 11 locations currently in operation, each Hammer & Nails shop offers a lowlit atmosphere with tinted exterior windows for privacy.

The interior is furnished with dark wood and steel, to create a relaxing vibe from the moment you walk in. Once you arrive for your appointment, you’re greeted by name and escorted to a beautiful oversized leather chair. You will have a choice of a complimentary beverage ranging from an iced tea to an IPA to a bourbon – all of which is included in the service cost. Every guest has a personal TV, remote and noise-cancelling headphones for entertainment during his visit.

professionally trained technicians examine feet and hands before the services begin in order to best advise clients on any questions related to grooming or overall health. Then, hands are wrapped in hot towels with essential oils. Every part of the process is about giving great service and helping make guys feel relaxed and pampered in a welcoming environment.

The entire experience is not only the pinnacle of relaxation, but the hand and foot care yields significant health benefits. During a visit,

To learn more about Hammer & Nails or its new product line, visit www.hammerandnailsgrooming.com.

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Photo by Kyle Roxas

Photos Courtesy of Haute Retreats

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Resort Villas by Haute Retreats: Personal Luxury Vacation To Enjoy With Your Family & Friends 50 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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or years, one of the many things that travelers love about staying in a hotel has been the familiarity and the comforts, from the initial greetings at check-in through all the stay including the luxury amenities and personalized welcome kits upon arrival in the suite or assigning the favorite suite, lately, this trend has changed. Technology, in some cases, replaced the front desk agents at some hotels by a tablet or in-app check-in. In 2012 Conrad launched the first hotel-branded app, now hotel apps are crucial for many travelers. There have been mergers and acquisitions and many hotel chains expanded creating large hotel brands making easier for travelers to use their points and miles.

The increasing number of short-term rental properties in the market also has changed the way travelers choose where to stay. There has been some issues regarding the lack of hospitality experience in many of the properties offered to create unpleasant stays.

Haute Retreats combines the essence of the hospitality experience in a luxury hotel and the privacy and comfort of a luxury villa. What a luxury home gives are privacy and a flexible schedule. Haute Retreats has made a selection of villas that guarantees you vacation comfortably resort feeling but always giving you the exceptional and luxury feeling of a beautiful vacation villa. A resort villa is a luxury home where guests have all the services ensured in a luxury hotel with your own privacy. The selection of the villas go through a 350 point inspection furthermore a resort villa features services on the demand: a house manager (assisting guests from check-in to check out, arranging yoga lessons, tennis lessons, cooking classes, a private chef or cook - Michelin chefs are the most requested), daily maid service, butler service, personal trainers and all the facilities and amenities like a private gym, a private spa room, an indoor pool, a bar with a bartender, a home office and much more. There are also villas selected that are located within a luxury resort and have free access to the amenities of the resort: restaurants, beach clubs, spa‌

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Check-in and check-out times are usually the same as the check-in and check-out times hotels have. There are cases when your check-in is late but the villas selected have an in house manager that will be delighted to welcome you any time. Families have started to prefer and book a luxury home instead of a hotel so to have access to a private kitchen where guests can access anytime during the day.

What Haute Retreats is including to its portfolio are resort villas. The hotel experience in USA background brought by Sabrina, CEO, and Founder, and also the management of luxury villas in Costa Rica made possible to blend the routine of a vacation resort in a stunning exceptional luxury villa stay with the difference that you can choose your style in a villa selected from Haute Retreats.

New Purpose

With all these changes the goal remains to deliver the best personal luxury vacation your family and friends will enjoy. There are now more than 5 million new places where to stay than there were just a decade ago for travelers including eco-lodges, igloos and other different types of accommodations. Haute Retreats keeps an eye to the most full filling vacation in unique places in the world, a multigenerational vacation where everyone will take great memories back home.

Haute Retreats understands that human touch is not replaceable by technology or bots, but it considers human touch still the best way to create a difference. “The human touch is that little snippet of physical affection that brings a bit of comfort, support, and kindness. It doesn’t take much from the one who gives it, but can make a huge difference in the one who receives it.� - Mya Robarts For more information, please visit www.hauteretreats.com.

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Photos Courtesy of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Opens on the Golden Shores of Malaysia 54 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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A

nantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas announces the opening of the brand’s first luxury hotel in Malaysia.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is ready to welcome discerning travelers to the golden shores of the country’s south-eastern coastline with authentic luxury and indigenous-inspired hospitality.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is located along a pristine 17-kilometer beachfront facing the South China Sea, in a new high-end resort development that offers a range of luxury accommodation nestled in lush tropical gardens.

Desaru Coast is located in Johor Darul Ta’zim and spans over 16 square kilometers. It is near Iskandar Malaysia and is easily accessible via a 45-minute drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport (JHB) and a two-hour drive from Singapore.

Additionally, visitors from Singapore can travel to Desaru Coast by ferry, followed by a short drive.

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The 108 key resort is comprised of 90 tastefully decorated en-suite deluxe rooms in low-rise traditional Malay buildings that overlook the gardens, lagoon, and ocean. They are adorned with indigenous materials and fabrics, such as woven textiles, renowned Malaysian wicker elements and silhouettes of traditional Malay crafts.

Thirteen stand-alone double story luxurious one- and two-bedroom pool villas are located around a lagoon. Their design draws heavily from traditional kampong houses that are designed to suit the tropical Malaysian climate with floor-to-ceiling windows, slanted carved wooden panels, louvers and vents under the roof, and wide-open doors that allow natural airflow to cool the interior.

Five expansive family-sized three- and four-bedroom residences, ranging from 288 to 597 square meters, offer guests utmost privacy with an infinity pool, spacious contemporary living areas, full kitchens and chef and butler services.

Additionally, Anantara Desaru Coast Residences’ real estate portfolio comprises a further

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fifteen luxurious three- and four-bedroom beachfront residences for sale, starting from 1.75 million dollars. Managed and serviced by Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, the development offers the option for each owner to participate in a flexible resort-managed rental program and generate investment income when not in-residence.

Dining at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is a gastronomic nod to fresh coastal dining with an array of options ranging from freshly caught seafood to flavors from across Asia and gourmet international dining, to Dining By Design, Anantara’s private dining experience in exotic locales.

Al fresco beachside dining is served with aplomb at the breezy, Sea.Fire.

Salt. which specializes in succulent grilled seafood and steaks served beachside. The Turmeric restaurant serves authentic local Malaysian fare and delicious Thai, Chinese and international cuisine. The elevated Observatory Bar is set to become everyone’s favorite hangout spot, enjoying 360-degree views of the lush resort and ocean and an extensive range of top wine and spirits, and imported cigars.

Two swimming pools offer refreshing freshwater alternatives to the azure ocean waves, while kids and teenagers alike can laze the day away playing the latest high-tech games or partake in cross-cultural educational activities in separate dedicated clubs.

A signature Anantara Spa and well-appointed health and fitness center offer wellness fanatics and adrenaline junkies a welcome respite to relax or revive. Attractions in the area include The Els Club Desaru Coast, comprised of two beautifully manicured golf courses that feature 45 holes in total.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas’ first venture into Malaysia, is a joint venture between the Bangkok-based international hotel group and its Malaysian partner, Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn. Bhd. (TAR&H), a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

Commenting on the opening of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Mr. Thomas Meier, Minor Hotels’ Senior Vice President of Operations – Asia, said that the company is thrilled to be a part of one of Malaysia’s most anticipated new tourism developments and to establish it as an international luxury destination.

“We are all set to offer discerned travelers authentic Anantara luxury on Malaysia’s golden shores,” he concluded.

For more information, please visit https://www.anantara.com/en/desaru-coast.

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Photos Courtesy of One&Only

TRAVEL & LEISURE

One & Only Mandarina to Introduce Elevated, Ultra-Luxury to the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico 58 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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O

ne&Only, the ultimate collection of ultra-luxury resorts in some of the world’s most exotic locales, introduces One&Only Mandarina, elevating refined luxury to a rare, undeveloped stretch of coastline along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico in summer 2020. Located on a spectacular cliff-side overlooking the Pacific Ocean with dramatic vistas and a lush rainforest setting, One&Only Mandarina will lead the opening of the multi-billion-dollar Mandarina development.

Blending chic interiors amid the verdant jungle wilderness, the resort offers a combination of 104 free-standing villas that float above the treetops or perch against the cliffs – each with their own private plunge pool. Allowing nature to take centre stage, One&Only Mandarina has been designed and built to respect and blend with the environment. Botany experts were consulted on the development of the resort to minimise the effect on the existing natural landscape, and careful low-density planning has preserved the land and the historic and ecological importance of the destination.

In addition, the resort will feature 54 Private Homes, among the first One&Only residences in the world. Available to own, One&Only Mandarina Private Homes offer privacy, seclusion and comfort with unparalleled service – offering luxury resort living for a privileged few.

One&Only Mandarina will showcase a variety of dining and entertainment concepts that will celebrate the best of regional flavours, culture and locally sourced ingredients. The vibrant Jetty Beach Club, located on the resort’s private beach, will serve the freshest catch of the day, while an oceanfront, adult-only destination, elevated above the cliffs, will be helmed by a lauded celebrity chef, serving his signature take on Mexican cuisine.

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The One&Only Spa will feature a collection of six isolated, enclosed treatment rooms, offering experiences cocooned beneath the jungle canopy where guests will find privacy and serenity amidst centuries-old trees. In addition, the resort will have a fully equipped, state-of-the-art fitness studio and outdoor yoga palapa, as well as a specialised outdoor gym carved from the surrounding landscape.

Ocean adventures and water activities begin at The Jetty, where guests can moor their private yachts and set off directly for sailing, fishing and whale watching excursions along the coast.

Younger guests will love their dedicated KidsOnly, where the wonders of Mandarina are brought to life and children will be immersed in nature and have a world of their own. Adjacent to the resort, The Flatlands will provide the ultimate playground destination with miles of nature trails and the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club (scheduled to open in late 2020) which is set to host a number of international events throughout the year, horseback riding tours and lessons, and children’s activities.

“Mandarina allows us to bring One&Only’s signature experiences to this unrivaled destination in Mexico,” says Philippe Zuber, Chief Operating Officer, Kerzner International. “This brand-defining resort will be the latest addition to One&Only’s global portfolio and will showcase our commitment to the destination and creating truly memorable moments.”

To lead the opening of the ultra-luxury resort, One&Only has appointed Serge Ditesheim as General Manager. With more than 15 years of international hospitality experience, Serge has worked with leading luxury resort brands across the globe, including Banyan Tree Hotels in the Maldives, Morocco, Indonesia, Seychelles and Laos, as well as Amanyara in Turks and Caicos Islands.

Most recently, he served as the General Manager of Azerai Resort Chan Tho in Vietnam prior to joining One&Only. Fluent in German, French, English and Spanish, Serge’s prowess in the luxury

hospitality market, combined with extensive language skills, will serve as an integral asset to the successful opening of the resort, development of the team, and ongoing delivery of unforgettable experiences for guests.

“I am thrilled to be leading the One&Only Mandarina team, One&Only’s second resort in Mexico,” commented Serge Ditesheim, General Manager. “The resort will offer our guests the perfect combination of tropical beach living amongst a beautiful lush wilderness. The location is truly exceptional and our guests will experience the ultimate in culinary, adventure and nature.”

One&Only Mandarina will be the newest addition to the collection of One&Only Resorts located in some of the world’s most iconic locales including Los Cabos, Maldives, Cape Town, Dubai, Australia, Rwanda and Mauritius. With breathtaking tropical beauty and an authentic oceanfront atmosphere, One&Only Resorts are destinations ideal for reconnecting, and where guests can really unwind.

For guests looking to live the One&Only lifestyle, 54 Private Homes are available for purchase. Each home is designed specifically for its location, with rich and varied view lines enhancing the living experience, whether capturing the hillsides fading into jungle canopies or the sun slipping beneath the ocean. Featuring two distinct residence styles to choose from, the designs include infinity-edged pools and gracious outdoor spaces for gathering and entertaining. Residents will enjoy the exceptional amenities of One&Only Mandarina, as well as those of the Mandarina community, including the magnificent Flatlands.

A host of residential services is designed for turnkey, effortless ownership, as well as to provide unforgettable experiences, from private chef dinners to nature-driven adventures. Owners can choose to take advantage of the Private Homes Rental Programme.

One&Only Mandarina will begin welcoming guests from June 1, 2020. For more information or reservations, please visit oneandonlyresorts.com.

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Photos Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Odyssey of the Seas

To Make Bold, European Entrance, Arriving To Rome For First Mediterranean Season Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, will deliver a bold lineup of sought-after destinations as the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to homeport in Rome and sail through the Eastern Mediterranean for the summer season. Royal Caribbean’s game-changing ship will be the first to tout a combination of longer stays in every destination and overnights across some xof the Mediterranean’s most luring cities and famed beach destinations. The highly anticipated ship will debut in November 2020, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean for her first season, before continuing her inaugural year in Europe. Odyssey’s Mediterranean cruises for summer 2021 open today for bookings.

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Beginning May 2021, Odyssey will take travelers on sun-soaked summer vacations in the Eastern Mediterranean on 7-, 9- and 12-night itineraries to the scenic shores and ancient ruins of Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, Greece; Ephesus and Rhodes, Turkey; Naples, Italy; Heraklion, Crete; and Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel. Vacationers will have more time than ever to explore local cultures with maximum time on shore, from longer days – up to 15 hours at every port -- spent enjoying the multihued waters and beaches of Mykonos and waterfront tavernas of Santorini on 7-night getaways to the Greek Isles, to a double dose of destinations with overnight stays and two full days in Athens and Naples on both 9-night Greek Isles and 12-night Holy Land sailings.

“Odyssey will set the standard for delivering unforgettable European adventures, on which travelers will cruise to an exceptional combination of destinations that are in a league of their own as the most popular ports in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With extended stays and overnights, Royal Caribbean is combining amazing itineraries with our game-changing ship to create a truly one-of-a-kind Europe vacation.”

The lineup of local experiences available to guests go beyond historic attractions, digging deeper into the vibrant culture and communities

of the picturesque destinations. Highlights of adventures in store for Odyssey of the Seas guests: • Sorrento and Amalfi Coast: When visiting Naples, guests can explore the Amalfi Coast, shop for majolica pottery, sample Southern Italian cuisine and enjoy downtime while wandering the flower-filled streets of Sorrento.

• Athens: Foodies can partake in the culinary history of Athens with a traditional cooking class for a taste of the local culture. Escorted by a local chef, the day begins with ingredient shopping in the Central Food Market before heading to the restaurant to prepare local dishes.

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• Mykonos: A beach day for the books, where the entire family can soak up the Cycladean sun at one of Mykonos’ best stretches of surf and sand.

• Crete: Foodies can embark on a visit to Boutari on the Fantaxometocho Estate, one of the most modern and impressive wineries of Crete, and sample a selection of homegrown wines produced onsite. The neighboring, recently restored village of Archanes is a ‘must see’ with its colorful backstreets, blooming flowers and fruit trees.

• Jerusalem and Bethlehem: The distinguished history of two biblically significant cities are brought to life while touring storied landmarks, such as The Wailing Wall, Church of the Nativity and Mount of Olives.

• Nazareth: By way of Haifa, vacationers will travel the region of Galilee to explore Nazareth and its churches, including the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Gabriel.

When Odyssey of the Seas makes her North American debut in November 2020, the new ship will be the first of her class to sail the Caribbean’s clear blue waters and visit far-flung destinations like Curacao, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Mexico on 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

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Odyssey will return to Fort Lauderdale in November 2021 for a second winter, sailing the same combination of itineraries. Caribbean cruises for winter 2021-22 open on Dec. 19, 2019.

The Quantum Ultra Class ship will tout game-changing, technological innovations like the next generation SeaPlex, the largest indoor space for recreational activities at sea, which will see the addition of this venue’s first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade with club-level views of the competition below; a reimagined Adventure Ocean kids program and a maxed-out teen lounge with gaming consoles, music and movies. Guests onboard Odyssey can enjoy all-new dining, including Teppanyaki, serving East Asian flavors in a traditional Japanese style; and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar with rustic Italian dishes and a contemporary flair. Odyssey’s vibrant, two-level pool deck will feature two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools with shady casitas and hammocks. The ship will also feature guest favorites, including FlowRider surf simulator; skydiving with Ripcord by iFly; the iconic North Star glass capsule that boasts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level; and robot bartenders at Bionic Bar. For more details on the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com.

Photos Courtesy of Bungalows Key Largo

TRAVEL & LEISURE

Bungalows Key Largo Celebrates Grand Opening

“W

e have officially welcomed our first guest, who arrived via seaplane, and we are so proud to have brought our vision to life, introducing this boutique resort to luxury travelers from across the globe,” says owner Jerry Johnson.

“We look forward to curating customized guest experiences, offering visitors an immersive Florida Keys experience that’s authentic to the destination.”

Welcomed with scents of night-blooming jasmine, salt air and unmatched ocean views, this

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adults-only oasis invites guests to slow down and reconnect with nature and each other.

Upon arrival, guests are whisked away to private bungalow-style accommodations, each outfitted with a bougainvillea-laden veranda, oversized alfresco soaking tub and garden shower.

Throughout the stay, visitors indulge in everything from morning yoga on Coconut Beach with the soundtrack of ocean waves, to interactive property-wide activities, as well as happy hours overlooking an unrivaled Florida sunset. While those looking to experience more of the destination can utilize the property’s snorkeling gear, kayaks and paddleboards, perfect for dolphin

and manatee spotting or navigating the surrounding crystal-clear waters, home to the world’s third-largest reef system.

Guests explore the white sand walking paths covered with native palms or hop on one of the two cruiser bikes provided with each bungalow to explore the 12-acre property.

In addition to the array of amenities, nightly rates encompass delectable dining experiences at three on-site restaurants, Bogie & Bacall’s, Sea Señor and Fish Tales, offering taste-tempting meals sure to satisfy any cuisine craving, as well as premium beverages poolside, beachside or at two on-property bars, Hemingway’s and the Sunset Tiki Bar, where exotic cocktails are served across African teak. The menus on-property change often to coincide with the seasons and availability of ingredients, but to ensure an evolving menu, Bungalows Key Largo launched an all new “Chefs in Residence” program, where the resort invites a handful of chefs from different countries and regions to participate and take-up a short-term, rotating residency while preparing their ownspecialties and recipes.

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Chef Pievaleria Vignola from Italy is currently on-property as the very first chef in residence, preparing authentic Italian pizza.

Located just 63 miles south of Miami at mile marker 99 Bayside, Bungalows Key Largo rewrites the rulebook on all-inclusive experiences. This elegant waterfront retreat sits within a botanical garden edged by the tranquil beauty from the Gulf of Mexico and was designed as an intimate escape for memorable moments, ideal for those who believe time spent together is the greatest luxury of all.

Organic textures, soothing tropical hues, and all-natural materials are the quintessential expression of Key Largo’s relaxed cabana lifestyle with bungalows that pair the finest features and furnishings with truly exceptional resort amenities including two pools and two jacuzzi tubs, 1,000-feet of shoreline laced with countless beach cabanas, a variety of watersports, a full fleet of boats featuring the 56-foot “Lady B” catamaran, full-service Zen Garden Spa, Fitness Tiki Hut and more.

For more information on Bungalows Key Largo, please visit BungalowsKeyLargo.com.

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Photo by Rakicevic Nenad

Photos Courtesy of Niraamaya Retreats Private Limited

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats Expand its Luxury Footprints to Goa, Launches its First Private Residence Niraamaya Wellness Retreats presents its first Private Residences – a place of incomparable beauty, peaceful relaxation and healing wellness.

Nestled on the southern coast of Goa overlooking the ivory sands of Benaulim beach, the luxury residences promise the seclusion of a private home, distinctive hospitality, exclusivity and uninterrupted ocean vistas ensconced against a lush tropical backdrop.

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The private residences are interspersed amid breezy coconut palms that look out over the sea and the surrounding greenery. The laterite stone and gabled Mangalore-tiled roof lend a unique character and charm while the hand-picked art in the rooms enhances the sense of the region.

Each Niraamaya Residence has a dedicated chef and housekeeper. All facilities are available at one’s fingertips, so that visitors have their needs met

- from their very own butler to their personal fitness consultant and yoga instructor to spa therapist. Indulge in the long walks on the secluded beach with mesmerizing views and a scintillating atmosphere. Visitors can submerge in the expanse of the backwaters of the Arabian Sea in our Luxury Yacht - Foxy Lady. The charter is tailored to one’s needs which the professional crew provides. It is primarily aimed to enhance the ultimate comfort and personal indulgence.

It features 2 large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a luxurious living room, dining room, bar, and a basement kitchen.

The laterite stone and gabled Mangalore-tiled roof lend a unique character and charm while the hand-picked art in the rooms references the region.

The residence features luxury and comfort that introduces tranquility and warmth. The 5-bedroom residences are spread across 3 acres of land with 3 different units.

The Beach Villa architecture and décor coalesces Indo-Portuguese and colonial influences to create a delightful fusion. The villa offers verdant views of the Arabian Sea and opens onto lush green gardens. The villa encompasses two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and is spread over 2500 sq. ft.

The Premium Pool Villa spread over 5000 sq. ft. opens out to one’s very own private plunge pool and a sun-drenched deck; with serene water bodies and a lush vertical garden at the entrance.

The one-bedroom seaside cottage is the perfect setting for a romantic escape and is perched just meters away from the water. It features a one-bedroom with a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and is spread over 600 sq. ft.

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In keeping with the Goan spirit, Niraamaya Private Residences have an elaborate menu, painstakingly designed by Chef Francis, who concocts different flavours and ingredients to create unique dishes. The menu is dominated by the famous delicacies of Goa – Chicken Cafreal, Chicken Xacuti and a host of pork dishes.

The signature experiences of Niraamaya are a part of this property too, ranging from walking meditation to fishing expeditions, planting of saplings to leave behind a trail of memories, yoga on the beach and a cruise ride on the luxury yacht Foxy Lady. The residences also house the award-winning Niraamaya Spa, with all its wellness offerings including international and traditional Ayurvedic therapies, yoga and meditation.

At Niraamaya Private Residences Goa, you will experience the bucolic Goa, with its pristine beaches, and its culinary and architectural heritage.

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Photo by Pixabay

Photos by Eternal Happiness

LIFE & LIVING

How to Develop

Self-Knowledge

and Live up to Your Potential Written by Awilda Rivera

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“If I have to spend any more time as a cog in the wheel – sacrificing my own creativity & passion to help someone else’s vision come to life – I am going to scream,” I thought staring at the excel spreadsheet on my screen. At that moment, I gained two essential pieces of selfknowledge: Awilda prefers to work for herself & Awilda needs to be engaged in work that she is both passionate about and stimulates her creativity.

In the milliseconds after this information was received, I had a choice to make: would I reject this information as a baseless passing thought or would I integrate this new information as self-knowledge and use it to help change my trajectory?

I chose to accept the information because the realizations were based on the feeling that I was no longer capable of going on as I had. I knew that was not motivated to continue, and I was capable of so much more. The self-knowledge I gained in that moment was invaluable.

Self-knowledge is knowledge or understanding of one’s own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations. One could also think of self- knowledge as Self-Understanding.

Self-knowledge is the keystone in the arc of success, because success requires intentionality. It is difficult to be intentional if you don’t have a clear idea of the type of person you are, what you can do, how you feel, and what motivates you.

Thankfully, every experience and thought you have can provide you with data that gives you an opportunity to gain more self-knowledge – just like my moment of clarity at the computer. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that trying to understand yourself can be life’s greatest challenge because you are both the perceiver and the object being perceived.

Consequently, the idea of actively seeking to attain self-knowledge can be scary and stressful, especially if you feel disconnected from yourself.

Luckily, when the process is broken down into 4 digestible steps, it’s a lot less scary and a lot more like solving a cool personalized puzzle.

Here are the 4 steps to actively attaining more self-knowledge:

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Step 1. Take a Character Inventory Taking an inventory of your character is the first step.

Ask yourself, “What are my distinct mental and moral qualities?”

Are you quick to anger; are you conservative; do you love easily or are you super guarded? Perhaps you are incredibly honest, or dedicated to your spiritual beliefs. All of these things contribute to your character.

If you are not sure about the answers to these questions, examine your lived experiences. You will find supporting examples that support these character traits among your lived experiences.

Step 2. Understand What You Can Do Understanding what you can do is the next rung in the self-knowledge ladder. While you can always become more capable, having an honest grasp of your current capabilities is critical. You don’t want to be applying for your dream job knowing that you are unable to actually satisfy the roles requirements.

If you possess a firm understanding of your strengths and weakness, it will allow you to leverage your abilities in such a way that you don’t overextend yourself. Additionally, knowing where you are deficient in your abilities empowers you to proactively seek out the skills necessary to change that reality.

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Step 3. Feel the Feels Being able to identify what and why you feel a certain way is an integral part of self-knowledge. Yet this can be the hardest of all.

Feelings are tricky. They give us a lot of information, but they aren’t always warm and fuzzy. Spending time getting acquainted with what you feel about various parts of your life will give you a lot of data. Here again, lived experiences are a fertile ground for supporting evidence that can help you understand your feelings more clearly.

For example, you may be confused about your feelings around applying to a particular job or academic program. To get clarity, think about how you feel in the moments associated with this decision. If you feel anxious and unsure every time you try to submit your application, then your feelings may be trying to signal that this is not the best decision for you.

Sometimes, feelings give us data we don’t want to accept, even though we know it’s valid and true. The choice to integrate the information is always yours.

Step 4. Motivation Matters The final piece of the self-knowledge puzzle is to understand your motivations. The question becomes: Why are you doing what you are doing?

Common motivators are: money, prestige, recognition, family obligations, freedom, and personal fulfillment.

You may easily identify with one of those common motivators or you may be motivated by something completely different like a desire to save the planet or simply to live a peaceful existence. Freedom, family, and an unshakable desire to help others are what motivate me.

However, I want to warn you that the first thing that comes to mind when you think of what motivates you may not be the true source of your motivation.

For example, many think money is what motivates them when in fact, it’s a desire for stability that is their true source of motivation.

Final Thoughts Once you have taken the time to intentionally collect more data, you get to decide what to do with it. Will you integrate it and change you trajectory, or ignore it and continue your current path? Whatever you choose to do will undoubtedly be informed by the information you learned about yourself form solving the Self-Knowledge Puzzle.

Inevitably, the Self-Knowledge you gained will help to create immense clarity on your life journey. When you are clear about your character, capabilities, feelings and motivations, it is easier to create intentional strategies for all around success.

Self-Knowledge puts you on a fast track to success; while a lack of information can cause delays, distractions and derailments. If you truly know yourself, you have a better chance of confidently achieving your goals in a timely manner.

About the Author: Awilda Rivera is a Success Coach, Author, Yogi & Spiritual Advisor. She empowers Baby Boomers, Gen X’ers & Millennials to use the power of self-determination to redefine and achieve success on their own terms.

Read the first chapter of her book SUCCESS MATH: A Millenial’s Qualitative Approach for free and get inspired!

Visit www.AwildaRivera.com to sign up for her mailing list to stay in the know! *The post appeared first on Lifehack.

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LIFE & LIVING

6 Keys

to Success in

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Business and Life

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It’s not always easy staying organized. Life is busy, chaotic and fast-moving.

Although it can be easy to get discouraged at times, there are ways to enhance organization and attitude through the peaks and pits life throws at you.

Carol Lavin Bernick, former executive chairman of beauty conglomerate Alberto Culver, published “Gather As You Go: Lessons Learned Along the Way,” a book sharing insights she’s learned through her many roles as a corporate leader, working mother, philanthropist and founder of the nonprofit organization Enchanted Backpack. Bernick offers these tips to be ready for the good times and difficult situations, highlighting the importance of loving what you are doing in both business and life.

1. Attitude is Key

A person who is passionately committed to the success of his or her business – who has an “I-can-do-it” attitude – is more likely to succeed. One person can make a difference, and it’s up to you to demonstrate you are one of those people.

2. If You Never Fail, You Will Never Grow

If it’s always comfortable and easy, you can’t know the big win. When challenged and stretched, you may have a greater chance to learn. Reach out, get involved and take a risk. Oftentimes, the best talent has multiple experiences to share and on which to reflect.

3. Credibility is Everything

Some of the most important career-saving words are “I don’t know.” Never fake it. If you’re wrong, admit it and correct it. If you’ve made a mistake, fix it and learn from it. If it’s going to take some time to find an answer, set a timetable and stick to it.

4. Complaining Gets You Nowhere

People, especially in business, simply do not want to hear complaints. If you are frustrated, it is probably best to keep quiet and figure out how you can fix whatever it is, and if you can’t change it, try changing how you think about it and alter your mindset.

5. Give Back

Communities are not perfect. They are the responsibility of business, government and citizens. If you don’t commit to making a difference, you’re instead leaving the burden to others.

6. Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last; They Win

Aggressive and passionate shouldn’t equate with unpleasant. The higher you rise, the more pleasant and understanding you typically need to be. Never underestimate the importance of being thankful and the value of recognition.

Ego has no place in business. If you have one, try to lose it.

Find more tips and inspiration at gatherasyougo.com, Courtesy of Family Features.

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Photo by VisionPic

LIFE & LIVING

Can You Stop Depression from Damaging Your Brain?

Written by Aleksandra Slijepcevic

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in America, according to the latest mental health statistics. Approximately 17.3 million adults have had at least one major depressive episode.

In this article, we will take a deep look into depression, what a depression brain is like, and how to prevent the damage from depression.

Apart from differing scientific and medical jargon, depression – also known as Major Depressive Disorder – is best categorized as a serious mood disorder.

While it is common, it is anything but innocent.

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an inability to carry out normal tasks, such as working, interacting with friends and family, and sleeping.

Depression itself is an umbrella term for a list of specific types of depression, such as Postpartum Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (which leads into serious symptoms of depression), Bipolar Disorder, and Psychotic Depression (which is depression with symptoms of psychosis), just to name a few.

While everyone experiences moments of depression in their life, being clinically diagnosed with depression is usually done with the aid of medical help. This diagnosis typically relies on a baseline of depression symptoms that have been present for at least two weeks.

Symptoms of Depression Because depression is categorized as a serious mood disorder, most symptoms will begin with a person’s behavior. A person may feel persistent sadness that simply won’t go away, or they may experience a loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed, like gardening, traveling, or working out.

Other symptoms, although not a complete list, may persist:

While this list is not complete or exhaustive to a person’s struggle with depression, it does provide a general picture of some of the common symptoms.

Causes of Depression Mental health disorders still very much pose a mystery to medical professionals and science, in general. While depression is treated in a variety of ways (medicine, therapy, alternative healing, etc.), professionals are still learning more about this disorder and how it affects people of different genders, ages, and backgrounds.

However, a variety of factors are known to be possible contributors to depression, such as: • Hormones – in cases of giving birth or going through menopause, women’s hormones quickly change, which can trigger depression or similar symptoms • Genes – while not everyone gets depression from inherited traits, it is a factor, and research has seen a correlation between depression in families that is carried through generations • Brain chemistry – one of the key factors in understanding cause of depression is brain chemistry, specifically neurotransmitters that work with the neuro-circuits in the brain to balance mood stability. If these neurotransmitters are not working properly, it could lead to depression or similar symptoms

Photo by Alexis Azabache

• Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness • Anxiety • Angry outbursts, followed by a complete mood change (from happy to sad in very quick shifts) • Struggles with insomnia or significant changes in sleep schedule • Inability and lack of desire to get out of bed in the morning • Significant decrease in personal hygiene, nutrition, and maintenance of their home or space • Decreased interactions with friends, family, or colleagues • Lack of energy and physical weakness, apathy, or pains and aches • Trouble concentrating on specific tasks or making decisions • Frequent thoughts about death, or even suicidal plans, thoughts, or attempts • Back pain and headaches

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or connecting to the brain circuitry in normal, functioning ways, we see a correlation between that “misfiring” and mental illness.

To paint a picture, imagine your brain split in half, the two lobes or hemispheres perfectly separated from each other.

Now, imagine the mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters like tiny little ping-pong balls that bounce from one hemisphere of the brain to the other, relaying messages that connect the brain as a whole. This is what we normally see in a healthy functioning brain.

However, if there is a change in this chemistry, and the ping-pong balls are not crossing and relaying as they should, that change creates a shift in your brain circuitry that may cause depression or similar symptoms.

Because our brain is an extremely complex and intricate organ which scientists are still studying and learning about, it wouldn’t be complete to say that only chemical imbalances cause depression.

Photo by Travis Seera

The Link Between Depression and Our Brain We already mentioned brain chemistry, and how it plays an integral part in understanding how your brain works in relation to mood stability.

Neurotransmitters are your body’s chemical messengers. They transmit these messages between neurons for a plethora of reasons – cognitive function, organ function, dopamine release, etc.

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In fact, recent Harvard research suggests that a slew of factors are involved in creating a correlation between depression and your brain function. These are inclusive of the neurotransmitters we described above, but they also include your way of life, medication, stress levels, and even genetic contributions or ways in which you were brought up.

How Does This Link Help You? Because depression is a mood disorder, we have to look at our behavior, and how it is influenced by our brain chemistry.

Behavior is shaped by our temperament, and much of that comes from our genetics. We are predisposed to act in certain social situations in ways that tie us to our family chain.

How we react to life circumstances or other people is very much a reflection of what we picked up from our parents, guardians, friends, or social upbringing. From this, we may make different

choices in life, for better or worse, depending on these genetics.

Similarly, our view of the world and our relation to it also have a hand in how depression may form. We create our world view early on in life, and while it is influenced by our family and life events, it’s also very much our own.

If you’ve experienced loss or disappointment, you’re likely to fall back on your world view to cope with it and allow it to protect you. As an example, you may close yourself off from new relationships because you’ve endured heartbreak and don’t believe that you’re worthy of real love; or, you come from an upbringing that wasn’t emotionally available, so you don’t create habit patterns or behaviors that show you how to handle emotion in a healthy way.

All of these scenarios create behavior. In turn, that behavior creates habit patterns, that in turn, create your daily life and your interaction with it.

While chemical imbalances can have a direct role in manifesting depressive episodes, we have to be aware that our own, inherent behavioral traits are just as powerful contributors.

Medications to re-balance any chemical disruptions in the brain are a proactive tool against depression. These can be explained and provided to you by a medical health professional.

When it comes to our behavior, however, and how we deal with stress, trauma, loss, medical problems, and the like – all of which are triggers for depression – we can implement new habits that can decrease any damage to our state of body and mind, such as: • Meditation • Deep breathing • Yoga or any body-conscious movement or workout • Journaling about life events or problems we encounter on a daily basis • Therapy or group-sharing • Acupuncture, Reiki, or any alternative-healing modality

• Diet and nutrition rich in foods that cleanse and empower (rather than numb and overpack the gut) • Hiking, running, biking, or any cardio-increasing activity • Spending time with others who support you These are habits and tools that you can implement on your own, as well as with a professional. Remember to always consult with your doctor before starting any new regiment.

The Bottom Line Depression is a disorder that affects our mood.

While research has uncovered that depression may be linked to chemical imbalances in the brain, it also suggests that our behavior and inherent genetic traits are strongly connected to how depression manifests.

How you deal with the many ups and downs of daily life are strong indicators of where you may want to make changes, whether medicinal or alternative, to decrease your chances of depression and its damage, and embrace a life of health and well-being.

About the Author:

Aleksandra Slijepcevic is an accredited and certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher, known for her authenticity, humor, and real-life approach to the body-mind-spirit connection in what she’s coined as “YogaSouhl.”

She is a Croatia native living in the United States since 1998, where she graduated from Towson University with a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing, before obtaining her yoga certification under the tutelage of One-Yoga’s Susan Smith.

Since 2015, she has contributed content to a number of platforms, including Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, and Sivana Spirit, on the topics of yoga in the real world, as well as spirituality and self-development in the age of anxiety and depression. She regularly contributes to Lifehack, and is the founder of a free online publication for eager creatives, Souhl. She is the host of a number of meditation sessions on Insight Timer, and she teaches regular classes in brick-and-mortar studios around the world. Check out Aleksandra’s schedule to catch her in a studio near you!

To learn more about Aleksandra and follow her classes, please visit her website at www.aleksslijepcevic.com. *The post appeared first on Lifehack.

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LIFE & LIVING

&

Yoga Me d it at io n Mindfulness

9 Reasons to Incorporate Them into Your Life Written by Liz Galloway

I’m mindful. Mindful in running down my to-do list, my wish list, my dream list, my ‘it seems impossible’ list. Mindful of the demands of life, work, relationships, communication, travel, meetings, traffic, and a constant conversation of positives and negatives having an NPR style narrative in my head.

Being mindful is about being an impartial observer. It’s the ability to stay present in your moment without allowing the mind to get side-tracked. We all know that can be hard to do. Mindfulness is meant to be a state of awareness without judgement. Also, hard especially when we want easy happiness in the midst of a complex world.

Sure, I’m mindful. I’m a yoga instructor. It comes naturally, right? But the reality is, so much of the “mindfulness” in our mainstream is a cheap imitation of real connection, a desire to fast track our minds to a calm, focused space where we can be happy — but without much work, of course.

Mindfulness isn’t exactly a new concept. It’s been a part of ancient meditations and yogic practice for centuries.

Yoga started 5,000 years ago with the Vedic priests of India and yoga meditation has traces in 1500 BCE. Their original purpose was to train the body and mind to be self-aware. Not so different from what we want today.

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Incorporating yoga and mindfulness into my lifestyle has not only allowed me to make it financially beneficial but it has shaped my body and mind in new and important ways. It is a full-time lifestyle, but it can be done with a few simple things. Here are nine reasons to help you increase your yoga meditation and allow everyday miracles to happen while connecting with real people and yourself:

1. On the Go Meditation Tools Are Everywhere Downloading one (or a few) meditation apps is a good alternative to doing nothing at all. There is some controversy on the approach of meditation apps that are based in financial gain but have little to no incentive to get people to an independent place of stillness.

Many feel it takes away from the original purpose of learning with a trained coach. But for those on the go, they offer easy access to guided inspirational words to boost their day.

Mediation shouldn’t be a business about consumption, it should be about improving personal wisdom, real meditative yoga skills and mindfulness. If you’re a traveler these come in handy. Try Pocket Yoga and Universal Breathing apps.

2. It Allows Your Body to Physically Relax (Tons of Benefits) Ever found yourself clenching your muscles, shoulders drawn up to your ears, without even being aware?

This combination of muscle rigidity and stress can create a variety of connected issues including, sharp or persistent pain, body misalignment, and headaches, to start.

Yoga, meditation and mindfulness allow a space to align your body correctly, lengthening and toning muscles that support long term health. Combined with breath, the body can release stress and finally relax. Try Hatha or Vedic Meditation for deep meditative yoga options, and simple poses like Supta Tadasana to open hips, or Up Dog to open the chest and release the back. Five to ten minutes of simple stretching or holding an active resting position with deep breathing allows the muscles of the body to

release. So, release those lines in your forehead and take a moment to try it now.

3. “Active” Silence Is Important It’s a loud world out there, one that seems to distract from our true selves.

One of the most powerful things we can do to be mindful is to take control of our thoughts.

Our inner dialogue creates the reactions that drive our life, and they can dig in and take hold.

Taking a moment (5-10 minutes) to sit in stillness and breathe deep, activates the awareness to slow down. It oxygenates our muscles and tissues, improving real oxygen intake unlike our accustomed shallow breathing habits.

A moment of silence is best recommended in the morning. Before opening email, apps or swiping through dating profiles.

As a reminder, I enjoy spiritual leader and activist, Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote on active silence: “This is not the kind of silence that oppresses us.

It is a very elegant kind of silence, a very powerful king of silence. It is the silence that heals and nourishes us.”

I choose to find active silence in the outdoors hiking a mountain, or resting on my back in the ocean taking in the amplified sounds underwater.

Nature is powerful.

4. Mental Breaks Not Mental Breakdowns Help Productivity The brain naturally gives itself “time outs” by day dreaming. When you find yourself zoning out, your brain is taking time to reconfigure its complex maze of neurons. This usually happens when not involved 87 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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in a detailed task, and the brain is tapping into its muscle memory. Basically, you’re on autopilot, and that’s a healthy part of our physiology.

If we’re not taking time for self-awareness and self-actualization, we’re putting ourselves at a higher risk of mental and emotional stress. Leading to increased anxiety and pressure that affects our ability to concentrate.

If there are underlying genetic factors or negative experiences that spike emotional stress, this increases exposure to breakdowns. On the other hand, a scheduled time out allows our brains to take a break and be more productive.

If you’re new to yoga meditations, here are a few inspirations to start your own personal mantra: What is my deepest desire? What are the emotions I’m feeling? What is my reactivity based in? What can I let go? I invite you to take a moment to breathe deep, hold for five seconds, and breathe out, emptying the chest and belly. Namaste.

Yoga meditation is about observing our own thoughts and sensations in the body with real openness. I’ve had many yoga students share their stories of improved health and focus by adding this into their lifestyle, so I know the physical postures, breathing and mindfulness improve brain health.

We are more than our emotions, and there is a scientific chemistry behind our functions, let’s give ourselves the tools to be as healthy as possible.

5. Brain Health

6. It Allows Depth over Superficiality

When we add time for yoga meditation and mindfulness, we tap into the brain’s state of “waking rest” or our default mode network. If done actively, we can take control of our thoughts and instead of our mind running us, we can run our mind.

The result? The ability to stay centered in many circumstances, circumventing ruminating thoughts, and added stressors.

We are all meant to create and enjoy deep relationships, leaving behind difficulties in our lives, childhood wounds and emotionally charged experiences. We do this inner work to allow authentic connections to happen and for a healthy mindset.

Stress damages our body and brain. Here are just a few ways it does: anxiety and depression, emotional reactivity, eating disturbances, sleeplessness, weight loss, heart disease, chronic pain, affecting memory, over active cortisol levels in the brain, lower decision making and a shrinking pre-frontal cortex.

Luckily, according to Psychology Today, we can repair many damaged neurons and brain connectivity by reducing stress and cortisol production.[1] Yoga meditation is a simple, free, effective tool to do on your own time, almost anywhere.

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I believe most people want to go deeper, they just may not know how. Yoga meditation and mindfulness can help get you there. You don’t need to accept and stay around superficial relationships that don’t serve you, or worse, hurt you.

Start by evaluating your relationships. Which ones can you cultivate to be deep? Which ones lead you into superficiality? Which ones leave you feeling negative, depleted or insecure?

Evaluate your activities. Which ones cultivate deeper thinking, deeper relationships? Which ones benefit long term health and mental clarity? These may sound unoriginal, but ask yourself, when’s they last time you sat and really gave yourself an answer.

7. Connecting IRL with Others Looking for the Same

9. Sharing Your New-Found Stillness with Others

Most of the time it seems like the online world, mindfulness apps and practicing with others have been mutually exclusive. But they don’t have to be.

Finding your yoga tribe at a local studio or wellness retreat can happen for you. There are so many options to choose from, and the increased desire to find more introspection is creating more outlets to explore.

Like our life, the best advice I can give to share your mindfulness journey is to find the unique version that works for you and be supportive of others on their own journey.

According to neuroscience research, a subject I love, mindfulness increases the connections between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, ultimately helping us be less reactive and more resilient to stress. Real social interaction should be the heart of a meditation experience, not an add on, and there are plenty of welcoming tribes.

8. Eventually It Becomes a Habit Productivity isn’t usually what you think of with mindfulness, but the more clarity you have the more productive you are. That starts with creating good habits and minimizing the ones we love to love; chocolate, snooze buttons, procrastination….and practicing regular meditation then becomes part of our lifestyle.

The habit of regular mediation is being explored by schools, pro sports teams and military units to enhance performance, according the Scientific American. In addition, there are positive results with chronic pain, addiction and tinnitus. And because our emotional minds are so connected to our physical responses, there is evidence it helps with certain physical conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, cancer, and HIV. Give yourself time to proactive adding meditation and mindfulness to your life daily. It can be as simple as 90 seconds of deep breathing in the car before work. Breathe, be aware, repeat. Soon those synapses will have new mindful pathways.

The meditative technique that is the “stillness of the mind” is meant to pull us out of our self absorbed state and be more open. It’s basically in search on “mental fitness”.

Just like we would lift weights for physical fitness, accepting that mental health is important is part of the process. Allowing yourself to take a moment of stillness.

Final Thoughts Yoga meditation is not a cure for everything or everyone, and it can unlock subconscious thoughts you’d rather leave alone. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, sometimes it’s hard to face inner truths and feelings or get beyond the monkey mind.

In the end, whether you decide to do this as a personal quest or share it with a partner or group, take the time to prepare your mind for yoga meditation and do the version that works for you.

Make it yours. It takes some work, more than we may be used to, but it’s worth it.

About the Author:

Liz Galloway has danced with locals in Beirut, been lost in a maze of Marrakech souks, worked with Indigenous people in Costa Rica, hiked the highest mountain in Indochina, flown a helicopter, jumped from planes, bridges and cliffs, swam with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, seals, hammerheads, and some humans. She has contributed travel features to Luxury Report, along with Matador, Yoga Digest, Vamoose Outdoors, Bad Yogi, HER Magazine, Spa Opportunities, Pulse, East Asia Backpackers and many other digital and print outlets. You can listen to her on the E-Health and Women Entrepreneur’s podcasts or find her health juice book on Amazon Kindle. She also connects people with transformative travel to break personal boundaries with an online coaching space and in personal adventure retreats with the Wild Adventure Wellness brand. When she is not eating french fries or sipping wine, you can find her working with travel brands or scouting new locations. Connect with Liz online. ( IG: @travel.to.wellness FB: @travelertowellness )

*The post appeared first on Lifehack.

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Photo by Steve Johnson

A R T & C U LT U R E

The Museum of Modern Art Launches Free Online Course Titled

WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY ART?

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he Museum of Modern Art launches the free massive open online course What Is Contemporary Art?, available now on Coursera. This course offers an in-depth look at over 70 works of art from MoMA’s collection—many of which are currently on view in the expanded Museum—from 1980 to the present, with a focus on art produced in the last decade. Learners will hear directly from artists, architects, and designers from around the globe about their creative processes, materials, and inspiration.

What Is Contemporary Art? can be found at mo.ma/ whatiscontemporaryart.

Photos Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art

What Is Contemporary Art? is organized around five themes: Media from Television to the Internet, Territories & Transit, Materials & Making, Agency, and Power. These themes are explored through artworks drawn from every curatorial department at MoMA. Examples include 3-D–printed glass and fiber sculptures, performances in a factory and a museum, interventions into televisions and video games, painted portraits and those made with artificial intelligence, and explorations of the body and collective actions, among many others.

The course features four new, original films made with Sheila Hicks, Arthur Jafa, Pope.L, and Rael San Fratello, whose works are currently on view in the Museum.

Additionally, the course features 30 audio and email interviews with artists in MoMA’s collection, including Beatriz González, Xiao Lu, Dayanita Singh, Amanda Williams, Sheela Gowda, JODI, and Revital Cohen and Tuur van Balen, among others. Learners will develop a deeper understanding of both artists’ practices today and some of the many ways they respond to pressing issues and questions of our time.

This course was created by MoMA’s Department of Education, in collaboration with curatorial staff including Sean Anderson, Associate Curator, Department of Architecture and Design; Erica Papernik, Associate Curator, Department of Media and Performance; Sophie Cavoulacos, Assistant Curator, Department of Film; Arièle Dionne-Krosnick, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design; and Christian Rattemeyer, former Harvey S. Shipley Miller Associate Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints.

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Photos Courtesy of Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., NYC

A R T & C U LT U R E

MARK LAGUE, B. 1964, London Red, Oil on panel, 36 x 30 inches

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pened on January 6th 2020, Rehs Contemporary will present A Dash of Red featuring a selection of paintings that highlight the use of the color. The works on display will include figurative, still life and landscapes ranging from Photorealism to Impressionism – a little bit of something for everyone, as long as you’re ready for some red.

What is color? When you start to think about it, it really is not something so easy to define. Perhaps it is best simply stated as a characteristic of visual perception – one of the things we notice when we observe.

But color can also be so much more than just part of our observation. It can convey messages and conjure feelings all on its own. Take for instance the use of blue, which is known to express peace, tranquility and calm or purple, which may indicate nobility, wisdom and enlightenment and green which symbolizes nature, health and good luck – regardless of which, there is some internal connection we have to these colors and the way they make us feel. But one color is considered to be the most emotionally stirring – red.

Historically speaking, red pigment made of ochre was one of the first colors used in cave paintings dating back tens of thousands of years. Ancient civilizations colored their faces red during ceremonies; Roman generals adorned red to celebrate victory; in China the gates and walls of palaces are painted red – it is a color that has come to signify courage, strength, and power as well as passion and love.

Obviously, color fills the natural world and so it fills our everyday lives… but does red really affect us differently than other colors? The short answer is a resounding yes!

Scientifically, red has the longest wavelength and is the first color we are able to see as infants. It is known to be a physical stimulant – it can activate the adrenal gland which in turn elevates heart rate and blood flow as well our body temperatures. It can enhance our smell and taste, making us more sensitive to our environments. Studies even show that individuals perceive potential partners as more attractive when dressed in red!

With that in mind, it’s not so surprising that advertisers use red frequently to catch our attention and why it’s the color of choice for stop signs and emergency vehicles or why a woman may decide on a red dress and lipstick for a date. It is that same visceral reaction that artists aim to capitalize on by employing red in their compositions.

Whether it was Old Masters adorning their subjects in ornate fabrics or Mondrian painting rectangles, the use of red was prominent and intentional.

Many of today’s contemporary artists maintain that same strategy by attempting to play off our biological reactions to color. It can be seen in Cesar Santander’s Lips with Rose, Mark Lague’s London Red, or even something as simple as Beth Sistrunk’s Red Velvet Cake.

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Photos Courtesy of Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., NYC

A R T & C U LT U R E

Mark Laguë, B.1964 NYSE Red, White and Blue, Oil on panel, 24 x 36 inches, Signed

A Big Apple Adventure!

An exhibition of New York City paintings by Mark Laguë at Rehs Contemporary Mark Laguë paints sprawling cities built by a brush, inhabited by the slightest flecks of paint.

His approach borders on abstract, constructing vast panoramas that seemingly fall into place as he lays down the final strokes. He’s challenged himself with an array of metropolitan areas including London, Rome, Paris, Venice, San Francisco and so many others. But one regularly presses Laguë for another visit – New York City.

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Opened January 27th, New York gallery Rehs Contemporary will present new works that explore this favored locale of Laguë as he takes us on A Big Apple Adventure!

Laguë investigates his subjects on multiple fronts.

There are compositions, like New York City Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge Afternoon, that reach far into the distance, seemingly challenging our perception as the vista becomes one with the sky.

d

Mark Laguë, B. 1964, Open Door, Oil on panel, 30 x 30 inches, Signed

Other times he takes a more intimate approach, bringing us down to street level, fully immersing us in the concrete jungle as in Sixth Avenue Night and Big Apple Store.

There is a delicate balance of precise marking and organic looseness that plays out as Laguë progresses through each work – a high concentration of visual information conveyed through thick paint and swift strokes. Hard edges of buildings bleed into each other. Busy streets fade in the distance as a blur of congestion. Light permeates in the daytime, blanketing his scenes – washing select facades while plunging others into shadowy darkness. At night, he renders the mystical glow that emanates from urban lights – pointing to his remarkable ability to capture atmosphere.

Mark Laguë, B. 1964, Trinity Church Light, Oil on panel, 36 x 18 inches, Signed

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Mark Laguë, B. 1964, Brooklyn Bridge Afternoon, Oil on panel, 30 x 40 inches, Signed

Laguë’s use of color and focus allow him to achieve greater command of the viewers’ attention – pulling our eyes to key features of the composition while allowing other aspects to dissolve in a uniform haze. He notes, “it’s always something dynamic in the large aerial paintings. If there’s a bridge way in the distance for instance, I make it just a whisper.” Further, Laguë will use some artistic freedom to strengthen areas as he sees fit. He points out the prevalence of grey in his subject so splashes of vibrancy can really add some life to the scenes.

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At the end of the day, while the artist acknowledges his work can be enjoyed from a purely technical point of view, his ideal viewer “sees beyond the subject matter.” He wants people to truly experience his work – the abstract qualities, and the feelings they evoke. It is not simply about seeing a city, it’s about feeling it.

A Big Apple Adventure will be open to the public from January 27th through February 21st, Monday through Friday from 10 AM - 5 PM.

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Photo by Frank Cone

I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H

Photos Courtesy of Willow

Willow Reveals Third Generation Breast Pump Designed With New Tech Inside to Help Moms Pump Their Most Milk Yet

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illow, the femtech leader that changed the way women pump with the first quiet, all-in-one, in-bra wearable breast pump, announces today Willow Generation 3, the most advanced model yet, will be available this spring. The next iteration of Willow’s life-changing breast pump features groundbreaking technology that reinforces their commitment to create the smartest and most productive pumping experience for moms.

In testing, those who used Generation 3 pumped 20% more milk on average than with prior generations*. Milk output is maximized through new smart suction automation and a faster transition to expression, which is akin to the way a baby naturally nurses. Willow is also more comfortable than ever before with a softer, slower pumping rhythm and new sensitivity setting. An expanded range of levels puts moms in control of her pumping preference while taking her through the same smart pumping experience Willow is known for.

“At Willow, we continue to innovate and break boundaries in what defines the best in breast pumping technology,” said Vickie Mrva, President and CMO of Willow. “Our third generation pump has been updated from the inside-out to focus on giving mom the ability to tailor her experience to her needs and get the most out of every pumping session.”

The announcement follows the recent launch of Willow’s highly requested Milk Container – making Willow the only pump with the

flexibility of both spill-proof Milk Bags and a reusable Container. In keeping with Willow’s commitment to expanding accessibility, Willow will add a 21mm sized flange to their current size assortment (also compatible with Generation 2).

Willow Generation 3 will be available this Spring on willowpump.com as well as buybuyBaby.com and in buybuyBaby retail stores nationally. *Experienced Willow users who pumped at least 20 times.

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I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H

Photos Courtesy of Muse by Interaxon Inc.

Muse by Interaxon Inc. Just Gave Us a New Reason to Meditate

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M

Muse by Interaxon Inc., a leading consumer neurotechnology and meditation company, today announced the launch of its newest product, Muse S. This multi-sensor fabric headband offers a new way to access biofeedback-enhanced meditation, and promote healthy pre-sleep habits for restorative sleep.

Building on the company’s current roster of award-winning neuro and biofeedback devices, Muse S offers a versatile, soft and flexible form factor as well as newly introduced Go-to-Sleep Journeys.

The Go-to-Sleep Journeys seamlessly blend voice guidance with biofeedback soundscapes that respond to your physiological state for a truly personalized bedtime soundtrack that helps you learn how to turn off your busy mind and let the world melt away - day or night.

“We wanted to offer our users improved ways to hack their bedtime ritual through responsive guidance, neurofeedback and tangible data,” said Chris Aimone, Muse Co-Founder and CTO. “Muse S was designed with two key things in mind: to bring meditation to even more aspects of your life, and to take the advanced neurotechnology we are known for and compile it all into a versatile and extremely comfortable EEG headband that is optimized for a truly unique relaxation experience.”

Made from plush, breathable material, Muse S is designed for improved fit and signal quality on a wider variety of head sizes. With stretch fabric that is travel-friendly, Muse S is our most comfortable Muse ever—so comfortable you’ll love meditating with it anytime, anywhere.

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Imagine slipping into bed with your Muse S, starting a Go-to-Sleep Journey like “Enchanted Forest” or “Underwater World,” tucking away your phone, and closing your eyes. Guided by the calming voice of your selected meditation teacher, you’ll be taken through a soothing and responsive journey, designed to move your wandering mind away from the busy thoughts that keep you awake and gently guide you into a restful slumber.

Each Go-to-Sleep Journey has its own unique soundscape, which is made up of individual sounds that reflect different feedback centers including brain activity, heart rate, and movement.

These individual feedback sounds are layered in real-time to work together to create a personalized soundscape that reflects changes in your physical and mental states - a personalized sleep soundtrack, shaped by you in real-time!

In addition, when you purchase a monthly or yearly Guided Meditation Subscription, you’ll have access to a rich content library of more than 300 106 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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meditations from renowned meditation teachers.

The extensive content also offers a variety of relaxation techniques, Go-to-Sleep soundscapes and curated guided mediation collections geared to a particular condition or goal (e.g. sleep, performance, stress and more). For beginners or those who want even more guidance, the subscription provides in-depth courses with step-by-step instructions, such as The Sleep Basics course by Dr. Shelby Harris, an expert in behavioral sleep medicine.

Pricing & Availability Muse S is now available for $349.99 USD at www. choosemuse.com and Amazon in North America with a worldwide release coming soon.

To unlock unlimited access to 300+ meditations with new content released monthly, you can subscribe to the Guided Meditation Subscription for $12.99 USD per month or $94.99 USD per year.

Now available at www.choosemuse.com.

I N N O VAT I O N & T E C H

Photos Courtesy of Avrame LLC

Di y Ho m es

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Avrame is led by Mr. Indrek Kuldkepp - a man with several years of experience from international wooden house markets. Thanks to him “having grown” into the industry (his father owned a successful wooden house company he used to work for), Kuldkepp developed an industry instinct that has served him well over the years. Needless to say, Avrame is no exception.

“The problem is simple,” he explains. “In many cases, the houses that are sold are expensive, both, from a sales point of view and from a maintenance perspective as well.

It’s not uncommon that a house that’s cheap to purchase proves a (financial) nightmare to maintain and vice versa,” Kuldkepp adds.

Purchasing furniture online and assembling it yourself has pretty much become a standard.

One man is taking it a step further, proposing you assemble your future home too.

According to him, since in most cases people purchase an already built house, it comes with bells and whistles that will cost a new homeowner an arm and a leg in the long run. “Luckily the solution is simple as well,” Kuldkepp says.

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DIY homes. Really?

DIY is a buzzword that’s used quite often, but quite never in the context of housing. “We aim to change that,” Kuldkepp says. “Avrame offers affordable housing that one can build on his own.

Just like a furniture company ships the customer the pieces and instructions you need to build your cabinet or shelf, the same can be done with a house,” Kuldkepp adds. “To the future homeowner, this translates into significantly lower costs.”

The way Kuldkepp has managed to do this is to “rebuild” houses from scratch. “We really started from zero, with our architects and engineers innovating every step of the way,” he explains.

“There was no other way to do this.”

According to Kuldkepp, offering this “simplicity” in a dwelling is not as easy as it sounds, as the main question is: what to keep and what not.

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“On one hand you have to keep the dwelling a functional one, while removing the rest to keep only the essential,” he explains. “And that takes a lot of time and testing figuring that out.”

In addition to the previous, one can have a say in what to add and what not, thus, not paying needlessly extra. Avrame offers the customer only the essentials. If the customer wishes - and only if he wishes - he could then add all the bells and all the whistles he likes, but that’s entirely up to him.

For more information, visit www.avrame.com.

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Photo by Ella Olsson

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Vegetarianism?

What Are The Types AND Levels of

Photo by Daria Shevtsova

Written by Kate Celenk, Editor-in-Chief

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Vegetarianism may be adopted for various reasons. Many people object to eating meat out of respect for sentient life. Such ethical motivations have been codified under various religious beliefs, as well as animal rights advocacy.

Ovo Vegetarian

Other motivations for vegetarianism are health-related, environmental, cultural, economic, or personal preference.

An lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. This is the most common type of vegetarian diet type. Lacto-ovo vegetarians don’t consume any kind of meat, fish or fowl. However, lacto-ovo vegetarians do consume dairy products and egg products such as milk, cheese, yogurt.

There are several levels of vegetarianism, or, types of vegetarian diet that depend on which foods you choose not to eat. Starting from the most strict and working our way down, the types of vegetarian are as follows:

Vegan

This is the most strict vegetarian diet that excludes all animal products or by-products including eggs and dairy. So, vegans don’t consume any kind of meat, fish, fowl, eggs and dairy products. Also, vegan people don’t use honey, gelatin, and any other animal by-product ingredients or products.

Lastly, vegans typically don’t use animal-product-fabrics such as silk, leather, and wool, as well.

Avoidance of all kinds of animal products may require dietary supplements to prevent deficiencies such as vitamin B12 deficiency, which leads to pernicious anemia.

Lacto Vegetarian

Lacto-vegetarians don’t eat any kind of meat, fish, fowl or eggs. However, lacto-vegetarians do consume dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt except eggs.

Ovo-vegetarians do not eat any kind of meat, fish, fowl or dairy products. However, an ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products.

Lacto-Ovo vegetarian

Pescatarian (Pescetarian)

These individuals do restrict their meat consumption to fish and seafood only. Pescatarians do not consume any kind of meat or fowl. This is considered a “semivegetarian” diet. Also, pescatarians do consume dairy products and egg products such as milk, cheese, yogurt.

Pollotarian

Much like the pescatarian, this “semi-vegetarian” diet restricts red meat pork, fish or seafood consumption to fowl only and is not officially considered a vegetarian. They may or may not also exclude fish, seafood or products like eggs and dairy from their diet.

Flexitarian

A plant-based diet with the occasional meat item on the menu. These folks do their best to limit meat intake as much as possible and they have an almost entirely plant-based diet. This is not technically considered a “vegetarian” diet.

There are many different ways vegetarianism, and it’s up to you to make dietary choices that best fit your lifestyle. But when choosing, please consider your health and fitness goals and needs.

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

Cuzen Matcha

Photos Courtesy of Cuzen Matcha

by World Matcha Inc.

World Matcha Inc., a food-tech startup that modernizes authentic matcha for every day, announced that it has been named a CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree for its Cuzen Matcha, a freshly ground matcha drink-maker for the office and home.

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C

uzen Matcha uses hardware (the Matcha Maker) and software (matcha leaves), similar to an espresso machine.

For each drink, the Matcha Maker grinds the matcha leaves into a fine powder with a ceramic mill and blends the powder with water to make a fresh Matcha-presso. The freshly ground matcha drinks are versatile and can be enjoyed straight, poured into milk for a matcha latte, or any other drink of choice. Cuzen Matcha provides sustained energy from freshly ground Japanese matcha, unlike a caffeine crash that follows a cup of coffee.

“We are delighted to be named as a 2020 CES Innovation Awards Honoree,” said Eijiro Tsukada, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of World Matcha Inc. “We are committed to building a sustainable world where people live in harmony with each other and the earth. By introducing Cuzen Matcha, we will provide sustainable energy for people, partner with tea farmers for sustainable tea production, and promote sustainability by reducing waste in single-use product packaging.”

Cuzen Matcha Starter Kit can be pre-ordered today for a limited-time-only promotional rice at $290 for future delivery in the United States cuzenmatcha.com.

This “CES 2020 Innovation Awards Celebration” promotion will end on February 29. 2020.

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

Prime Roots Expands and Shakes Up the Future of the Alternative-Meat Industry

Photos Courtesy of Prime Roots

The plant-based startup will bring Koji-based seafood and meat alternatives to eaters nationwide 118 T H E E V O LV E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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rime Roots, formerly known as Terramino Foods, pioneers of the first plant based salmon burger, is set to debut their delicious suite of seafood and meat alternative products this Spring. Foodies can look forward to ordering delectable meat and seafood alternatives which includes salmon, tuna, lobster, bacon, chicken, and more online. As a community-driven brand, Prime Roots empowers its community of eaters with a voice in determining which products the company first launches, and conducted an extensive product voting initiative over the last several months. Prime Roots currently has a waitlist of over 10,000 “community members” eagerly awaiting to order online and devour their healthy, tasty, and sustainable products.

Unlike most of the players in the alternative meat space that are mostly soy, wheat, or pea based, Prime Roots’ products are made using their Koji superprotein, a healthy whole-food source of protein.

Koji - an all-natural plant-based source of protein that serves as the cornerstone for all of Prime Roots’ delicious meat substitutes and provides meaty umami notes and meaty texture, it is often used by Michelin-star chefs. With Koji, Prime Roots’ chefs can make each of their products with the same mouthwatering taste and texture as meat and

seafood, but without the health or environmental concerns that have put a serious strain on our bodies and on our planet.

Formerly known as Terramino Foods, the company was founded by Kimberlie Le and Joshua Nixon in 2017 while researchers at the UC Berkeley’s Alternative Meat Lab. Kim, a daughter of chefs and food entrepreneurs, and Josh, a social-impact oriented biologist and engineer, are excited to bring the company back to its roots in Berkeley, with the opening of their new headquarters.

Located in a state of the art 12,000 square foot facility in West Berkeley, the headquarters will house the production of all of Prime Roots’ alternative meat and seafood products.

Prime Roots’ meat and seafood alternatives will be available for purchase on its website, and shipped directly to hungry diner’s doors nationwide in early 2020.

For more information, please visit www.primeroots.com.

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Photos Courtesy of FarmToFork

Winter Warm-Up

When cold weather hits, it’s natural to seek comfort in a variety of forms: warm blankets, layers of sweaters and delicious, hearty meals.

Winter is the perfect season for spending time indoors honing cooking skills to take your culinary creations to the next level.

With less daylight hours during the winter, many people tend to get sleepy earlier. Quick weeknight dinner recipes are usually ideal, especially when they take only 30 minutes or so to prepare. Easy dishes are perfect for those nights when you want something savory and delicious, but you also want to get into pajamas and onto the nearest couch as soon as possible. Few things are better than a warm bowl full of flavor like this taste-tempting curry recipe bursting with caramelized onion and roasted garlic notes.

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Chickpea, Spinach and Coconut Curry Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Servings: 6 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 tablespoon turmeric 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus additional, to taste 1 can (29 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 jar (24 ounces) FarmToFork Caramelized Onion & Roasted Garlic Sauce 1 can (15 ounces) light coconut milk

4 cups baby spinach 1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt, stirred 1/2 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped 2 naan flatbreads, toasted and sliced In large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil, ginger, garlic, onions, turmeric, salt and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cook 6-8 minutes, or until onions begin to brown, stirring frequently.

Add chickpeas, sauce and coconut milk; cook 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. Add spinach; cover with lid. Simmer 3-4 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Mix well.

Spoon mixture into six serving bowls and top each with spoonful of yogurt, pinch of cilantro and additional crushed red pepper, to taste. Serve with flatbread slices.

The Perks of Passive Cooking Wintry weekends call for warming meals that bring an extra sensation of coziness through the wafting aroma of slow-cooked dishes. Wintertime is the perfect season to break out your slow cooker or put your stove on low heat and let fragrant dishes such as Savory Harissa-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables simmer slowly and fill your home with enticing smells.

Savory Harissa-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 50 minutes Servings: 6 1/3 cup harissa paste, divided 1/3 cup olive oil, divided 1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slivers 1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets 1 jar (24 ounces) FarmToFork Marinara Sauce, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds) 1 pound rainbow carrots, trimmed and peeled 1 lemon, juice only, divided 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs such as dill, mint or cilantro, divided 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt Heat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons harissa and 2 tablespoons oil. Add onions and cauliflower; toss to combine. Spread vegetable mixture in single layer on 17-by-12-inch foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.

In same bowl, whisk remaining harissa, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup marinara sauce, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken; toss with tongs until well coated. Arrange chicken atop vegetables on baking sheet. Bake 5055 minutes, or until chicken is deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 F. Use vegetable peeler to create long ribbons of carrots. In bowl, toss carrots with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped herbs and remaining oil, salt and pepper. In separate bowl, mix yogurt, remaining lemon juice and remaining herbs.

Serve each chicken thigh with roasted vegetables, dollop of herbed yogurt, carrot mixture and 1/4 cup warmed marinara sauce.

Find more winter recipes at farmtoforksauce.com, Courtesy of Family Features.

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