Author: Aida M. Toro

Categories
Beauty Featured Uncategorized

CLEAN, GREEN, AND BEAUTIFUL

 

Pamper yourself with these eco-friendly products that will glam your style.

 

LIGHT BRITE Naturally clean teeth are possible with Dr. Brite Naturals Whitening Toothpaste, which is formulated with sustainable and effective plant-based ingredients that are safe to swallow and include no artificial sweeteners or colors. Dr. Brite products are created in small batches in their California headquarters, using ingredients sourced from the United States and India (neem oil), and with minimal packaging. drbrite.com

 

BRUSH UP Help skin achieve its best glow by invigorating the lymphatic system with The Ritual Brush by Joanna Vargas. Made from all-natural materials, the brush is designed to stimulate circulation when used on dry skin before bathing. All of the beauty powerhouse’s products are packaged in FSC paper, glass, and recycled plastic, and are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. joannavargas.com

 

DISCO DANCING

A cleansing and energizing body wash for men containing eucalyptus, aloe, and papaya, Disco Body Wash uses clean ingredients that are vegan as well as gluten, aluminum, cruelty, paraben, and sulfate-free. All products come in sustainable and recyclable packaging, and through their membership program, you can put your skincare routine on repeat. letsdisco.com

 

 

BODY BEAUTIFUL

More than 95 percent of the ingredients in Kjaer Wise’s The Beautiful Oil come from organic, sustainable, and biodynamic sources and are certified organic by the CCBP. The oil is loaded with nutrient-rich botanicals like moringa, rosemary, and ginkgo biloba. kjaerweis.com

 

A HIGHER BAR

Luxurious, salon-style shampoo and conditioner bars by HiBar save on packaging and shipping costs without sacrificing quality haircare. Available by subscription or single purchase, in three formulas: Moisturize, Volumize, and Maintain. HiBar arrives in plastic-free packaging, is cruelty-free, and formulated without sulfates, parabens, silicone, or phthalates. hellohibar.com

 

 

FULL BLOWN

Achieve maximum volume and airy texture for fine hair with Fekkai’s Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray. This salon-quality, high-performance products also provide our planet with a deep cleanse by creating packaging from 95% recycled plastic, and they are vegan and cruelty-free, as well as free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and phthalates. fekkai.com

 

 

STRESS LESS

Filled with soothing patchouli, lavender essential oils, antioxidant rosemary, and refreshing eucalyptus, Indie Lee’s DeStress Body Wash is COSMOS-certified, which is a leading third-party global certification process. All products are packaged in glass jars or recycled plastic tubes and use FSC-certified paper. indielee.com

 

 

SHINE TIME

Shampoos and conditioners from Davines OI are steeped in nourishing Roucou oil—an antioxidant-rich Amazonian plant that helps repair cell damage from UV rays–to maintain softness, shine, and volume. The company has pledged to align with the Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the UN and compensates for their own CO2 emissions. In 2018 they eliminated the use of fossil fuels in their company headquarters in Parma, Italy. us.davines.com

 

 

VITAMIN BEAUTY

All of the essential nutrients you need are included in DL.MD 13.5.1 Multivitamin, without fillers or excess ingredients. It is a liquid formulated for maximum absorption, and the Myron glass bottles that store the formula guard the product’s effectiveness. The company gives back by helping to supply essential vitamins and nutrients to children in need. thedlmd.com

 

 

SMART SCENT

Delicate underarm skin can breathe a sigh of relief with Smarty Pits deodorants. Founded by Stacia Guzzo when she decided to go aluminum-free in response to her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, the lightly scented deodorants are powered by prebiotics which helps to nourish the good bacteria living on your skin. They are also phthalate-free, paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, and cruelty-free. Smarty Pits deodorants are available in a super-strength formula as well as a sensitive skin version that is baking soda-free. smartypits.com

 

 

REWILD YOURSELF

The Naturally Considerate line of self-care products was created by Manda Kalimian, founder of the Cana Foundation. The range, which includes gentle, sustainable, naturally fragranced cleansers and moisturizers, also comes with ceremonial sage smudge sticks and instructions on how to get back to nature. Naturally Considerate products are designed to work harmoniously with each other and with nature to benefit your skin and bring out the best within your body and life.

The products are free of parabens, dyes, and harsh chemicals, and are never tested on animals. They are formulated with pure, organic, and wildcrafted essential oils. These gifts from nature synergistically assist the skin’s natural desire to revive, refresh, and rejuvenate; while encouraging healing for your mind, body, and spirit.

The line includes Reflection face serum (above), which is formulated with clary sage, hemp, and neroli; Running Creek face wash; Well Being body lotion; Rewild Sacred spritz face toner; Whitewater body wash, and Speak Only Love lip balm. The company’s commitment is based on reducing or eliminating their carbon footprint as much as possible to provide truly sustainable, natural skincare products. All proceeds support the efforts of the Cana Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. dedicated to the conservation and protection of native wild horses. naturallyconsiderate.com

Categories
Featured Fitness Health Wellness

Pad Training: A Weapon of Wellness

Pad Training: A Weapon of Wellness
Photo Credit: Max Elling @sickpicswmax

By: Adam Que and Aida M. Toro

There is a certain enjoyment to my ears when I hear the crisp cracking sound of a glove against a focus mitt. Each crack becomes a beat that wants me to move and glide across the gym floor, which becomes a dance between the trainer and client, a play between rhythm, and power between relaxation and an explosion between calmness and intensity. All the while, sweat is dripping and there is a smile vibrating from one’s face.

Pad Training: A Weapon of Wellness
Photo Credit: Max Elling @sickpicswmax

Pad Training is a heck of a workout containing many benefits:

Improvement in Hand & Eye Coordination

Having decent hand-eye coordination is key when it comes to health. Coordination portrays a critical part of an individual’s motor skills. Those that tend to have innate hand-eye coordination, have the tendency to reflex and react much better than those who don’t. Throughout the aging process, it is highly important to have your coordination and balance on point.

Pad Training: A Weapon of Wellness
Photo Credit: Max Elling @sickpicswmax

In this case, hitting the pads will assist you in achieving coordination and balance for life.
When hitting the pads, you have to make sure you can see the target, react and hit the target, while the trainer is moving and changing the target’s position. It’s not easy in the beginning, but the more you attend pad training sessions, your hand-eye coordination and balance will develop.

Stress Reliever:

If striking appropriately, you’ll feel your muscles burn. Not to mention, it’s an amazing stress reliever. The American Psychological Association on Gender and Stress mentions that 79% of women report more stress over money and the economy and 68% of men report more stress towards work. Honestly, it isn’t sugar-coated that we’ve all felt this type of stress. In this case, we need stress relievers in our lives to alleviate those woes, which a little punching and kicking can absolutely do.

During a pad training session, you basically transition between high-intensity and recovery rounds where you’ll do some moderately intense work.  Even while taking that 20-second break, you’ll be very concentrated on preparing your moves for the next attack round rather than stress-related issues.

Keeps The Heart Pumping and Aids Overall Physiology

Just as if you’re performing Olympic lifting or calisthenic movements, pad training can improve the fascia. The fascia is the web of tissue weaving around our muscles and internal organs. Most importantly, it aids in our overall physiology and our proprioception.

As performing cardio is known to prevent heart disease, a pad training session provides a balanced amount of stress on both your heart and lungs in order for them to be challenged. The heart and lungs are compelled to create physiologic variations to support a much higher level of physical activity. It’s ultimately up to you on how you want to apply stress on your heart and lungs. As long as the heart rate is up during a pad training session, you’ll be on your merry way to achieving better physiological health.

 

Overall, wrap up those hands, strap on those gloves, react to the trainer’s cadence, and amplify your senses and work that proprioception to become healthier. Of course, seek out medical guidance before starting a new type of workout or fitness program. But if you’re good to go, pad training can be a conduit for a brand new version of yourself.

Pad Training: A Weapon of Wellness
Photo Credit: Max Elling @sickpicswmax

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Categories
Dining Events Featured NYC Restaurants

Downtown Restaurants Participating in NYC Winter Restaurant Week

Downtown Restaurants Participating for NYC Winter Restaurant Week
Photo Credit: Pixabay via Pexels

Every year, major cities from New York City to Los Angeles create special menus for Restaurant Week, a yearly event that allows you to have a bite at some of the nation’s most eloquent restaurants for a bargain. In Manhattan, Restaurant Week is held twice a year. The majority of eateries price lunch at $26 and dinner at $42.

Downtown has a deep love and appreciation for all restaurants, especially those with state-of-the-art menus. We rounded up some of Downtown’s best restaurants participating in NYC Restaurant Week this winter.

Bistrot Leo
60 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
Lunch: $26
Dinner: $42

Photo Credit Bistrot Leo

Nestled inside SIXTY SoHo hotel, Bistrot Leo will offer lunch and dinner menus to Restaurant Week guests. Executive Chef Jesse Freijo curated a menu showcasing French staples such as Escargot Fricassee, Squid Ink Spaghetti Arrabbiata, Steak Frites Au Poivre (+$10), and Banana Pain Perdu for the dinner menu. For lunch, a refreshing Crab Salad, warm French Onion Soup, savory Red Prawn Risotto, and other items will be on the menu for you to order.

Bodega Negra
355 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011
Dinner: $42

Photo Credit: David Jacobson of Bodega Negra

Bodega Negra is located inside the Dream Downtown and is only offering dinner for Restaurant Week. If you are craving Mexican cuisine, Bodega Negra will satisfy your palette. Corporate Executive Chef Brad Warner will feature menu favorites such as Snapper Ceviche, Queso Con Chorizo Fundido, Chicken Pibil, Skirt Steak tacos, and Tres Leches.

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002
3 Course Prix-Fixe DINNER: $42
Offered Monday-Friday & Sunday

Photo Credit: Beauty & Essex

Beauty & Essex is always a great idea for dinner. The restaurant sets a new course in cuisine, drawing on Chef Chris Santos’ experience as a pioneer in small, share-plate dining to create an upscale look at cultural food. The menu contains innovative takes on traditional American, Asian, Italian, and Latin dishes. The three-course Prix-Fixe dinner will include popular items: Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos, Chile Relleno Empanadas, Peruvian Chicken, Apple Pie Milkshake Shot and so much more.

VANDAL
199 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
3 Course Prix-Fixe DINNER: $42
Offered Monday-Friday & Sunday

Photo Credit: VANDAL

Located on Bowery, VANDAL is one of the TAO Group’s and Chef Chris Santos’ most recent restaurants. VANDAL also turns into a nightclub. The restaurant glorifies the art, architecture, and cuisine of global culture from New York to Vietnam to Barcelona. The Restaurant Week Dinner Prix-Fixe menu will highlight items like the Hamachi Escabeche, Tortilla Soup Dumplings, Mezze Rigatoni, Pecan Pie Milkshake Shot, and others.

TAO Downtown
92 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
3 Course Prix-Fixe DINNER: $42
Offered Monday-Friday & Sunday

Photo Credit: TAO Downtown

TAO Downtown provides a specific appearance and revelation as it is the first TAO venue where guests move down into a multi-level space. The underground restaurant is located in the heart of Chelsea, offering delectable Pan-Asian menu items and cocktails. They will offer a dinner prix-fixe where items such as the Spicy Tuna Tartare, Beef Mongolian, Sushi Platter, Honey Glazed Salmon, Molten Chocolate Cake, and others, will be available for ordering.

Kyma Flatiron
15 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
2 Course Prix-Fixe Lunch: $26
Offered Monday- Friday

Photo Credit: Kyma Flatiron

At Kyma Flatiron, you will feel as if you are vacationing at the Greek Islands. The restaurant’s menu and aesthetic focus on the plethora of breathtaking islands in Greece. Contemporary seafood-based menu items are served in a beautiful white aesthetic containing traditional Grecian architecture and design. Kyma Flatiron will offer a two-course lunch prix-fixe that will include menu favorites: Lavraki, Salmon Burger, Chicken Kebab, Spanokopita, Brussel Sprout Salad and more.

Irvington
201 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003
2 Course Prix- Fixe Lunch: $26
3 Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu: $42
Offered Monday- Friday

Photo Credit: Irvington

Irvington is located in the W Union Square’s basement floor. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-influenced New American dishes made of sourced ingredients from the Union Square Greenmarket. The menu regularly offers handmade pasta, meats from the rotisserie, pizzas made in the brick oven, and vegetables from the park across the street. The restaurant space showcases a warm open kitchen and natural elements of wood and leather, connected with an up-to-date industrial palette of blackened metal and glass.

Irvington will have a lunch and dinner prix-fixe menu available. The lunch menu will feature Parsnip Green Apple Soup, Salt Baked Beets, Baked Carbonara ‘Lasagna’, Hudson Valley Farro, and others. The dinner menu will include Pan Roasted Salmon, Yellowtail Tartare, Murray’s Burrata, Kabocha Squash Donut, and other items.

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Categories
Featured Fitness Health Nutrition NYC Wellness

The bodyART Experience

The bodyART Experience
Photo Credit: bodyART

By: Aida M. Toro and Adam Que

To us, bodyART absolutely puts the A.R.T in the heart. Not to be confused with Y-7 Yoga, bodyART is set in Western Exercise Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The bodyART training system is created to help individuals perform at their highest physical level while staying injury-free. It is a non-competitive, welcoming environment where individuals can concentrate on themselves and their personal goals.

Last Wednesday, Downtown had the chance to take a class with Ryan Beck, the owner and Creative Director of bodyART. Beck, a Downtown New York resident, is originally from Los Angeles where he had a voluminous dancing career. He danced for Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, MOMIX, MTV, and more. He was also a content director for companies like ABC, BC/EFA, Good Morning America, and Hard Rock Cafe.

The bodyART Experience
Photo Credit: bodyART

Robert Steinbacher, the creator of bodyART, introduced the concept to Beck in 2011. He loved it. Since then, Beck has been granted exclusive rights to launch, manage, and operate all bodyART studios in the country. 

bodyART has three different class options: Original, Deepwork, and Flow. We took the Original class, a holistic workout providing cardio, strength training and flexibility work inspired by martial arts, yoga, physical therapy, and classical conditioning. As I am an avid CrossFitter and Adam a Fitness Practitioner, we both had different perspectives of the Original bodyART class.

Aida’s Perspective:

Taking this bodyART class made me realize that I can be very stiff. My cardio and strength are decent, but I struggled when Ryan had us swing our arms. Then I began to loosen up and felt amazing doing the rest of the movements. My lower back was hurting all week but, by the time I finished the bodyART class, my back felt as if it had never hurt. In the last ten minutes of the class, we meditated with our eyes closed. I got a tad bit emotional as Ryan told us to imagine ourselves at the end of 2020. Overall, the bodyART class provided me with a sense of emotional and physical relief.

The bodyART Experience
Credit: Jayna Photography

Adam’s Perspective: 

BodyART was a true release for my whole being. The way Ryan had us flow from one movement to the next seamlessly, made me feel in tune with my body. He asked questions about our body during the class like, “Which foot felt heavier than the other.” It made me even more aware of that mind-body connection. And as the music came into sync with the rhythm of the class–fast to slow, exertion to relaxation–I felt that stress and the weak cold I was harboring seep out of my pores. To capture it simply, it was healing. And that becomes even more apparent towards the end of class, where Aida expressed her experience about it so eloquently.

The bodyART Experience
Credit: Jayna Photography

bodyART should be on everyone’s agenda. With this being stated, do your body and mind a favor and book your next class with Ryan by clicking on this link: https://www.bodyart-studios.com/take-class

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Categories
Beauty Featured

Choosing the Right Color Service For Your Hair This Winter

Hair Tips by Daisy Englander and Trending Winter Hair Color Services
Photo Credit: Daisy Englander

With the holiday festivities coming to an end, some people don’t want to get their hair done as much anymore. Why? Simply because it’s cold outside and they just want to be as laid back as possible. Moreso, wearing a messy bun on their head while wearing pajamas under the covers.

Even though the cold temperatures don’t help, the winter season is one of the best times of the year to get your hair done, especially because there isn’t any humidity roaming around. In this case, paying the hair salon a visit will do the trick to making you get out of those pajamas and letting your hair loose from that messy bun. At the hair salon, a plethora of services will be available for you to choose from. All the way from a haircut, to a blowout, to a color service. Of course, many feel that it is color services that will give them that so-called new look.

Downtown spoke to Daisy Englander, who is a Downtown based Master Hair Artist. Englander has a few tips and tricks to assist you with picking your next wintertime hair color service.

 

Daisy Englander

Daisy Englander’s Tips + Tricks:

  1.  Always make sure your hair is healthy enough to endure any chemical process you might want.
  2. Once you know your hair is in healthy condition, consult with your stylist to see which color options are best for your hair type.
  3. Make sure to select a color that goes with your skin tone as hair color should complement your skin and provide it with a radiant glow.

Once you are given the green light for receiving color services, get in the know of what is trending. Since it’s winter, Englander mentioned the ‘Frosted Balayage’, seamless highlights, and face-framing highlights are currently trending.

Frosted Balayage:

The balayage is the technique of free-hand painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and natural gradation of lightness towards the ends. The Frosted Balayage can be done in a variety of colors for brunettes and blondes.

Choosing the Right Color Service For Your Hair This Winter
Photo Credit: Daisy Englander

Seamless Highlights:

These highlights have a natural-looking texture and dimension, which create an effortless yet elegant look.

Choosing the Right Color Service For Your Hair This Winter
Photo Credit: Daisy Englander

Face Framing Highlights:

The lighter-colored pieces of hair around your face adds much more visual interest as well as draws attention to your face. Think Cindy Crawford in the 90s!

Choosing the Right Color Service For Your Hair This Winter
Photo Credit: Daisy Englander

Have fun picking your next color and always consult with a professional hairstylist on which tone works best for you.

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Categories
Fashion Featured Fitness Health Lifestyle

Downtown’s Top Fitness Sneakers For 2020

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For 2020
Photo Credit: Burst via Pexels

“New Year, New Me,” says almost every single individual the night before the ball drops at Time Square.

The majority of folks base their New Year resolutions on working out, weight loss, and clean eating. Fulfilling some of these fitness goals can be a hassle at times, especially if you don’t have the right gear to make it happen. In terms of gear, sneakers are fundamental for performance as well as for your athleisure glam.

With this in mind, Downtown has rounded up the top ten kicks that’ll give you that motivation and swag to get sweating. Most importantly, they are all unisex!

APL TechLoom Phantom Sneaker

Hit the treadmill or waterfront evening jogs with The APL TechLoom Phantom running shoe. This shoe is one of the company’s top sellers as it intertwines innovation and style. The sneaker’s patented upper features a conspicuously yet special sophisticated grid pattern created to move with your feet while it fits you like a sock. The 4-way stretch upper is designed to keep your feet feeling great, meanwhile, the 3D grid pattern provides you all-around support. The neoprene tongue with integrated collar presents you with a noteworthy fit as well as an all-day relaxation for your feet in a sexy low-cut silhouette.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
APL TechLoom Phantom Sneaker

Nike React Metcons

If you’re a big-time CrossFitter, then the Nike React Metcon is the right guy for you. These sneakers grasp the stability and traction from the training original Metcon and associate it with Nike’s most complacent cushioning. These sneakers will allow you to dive into your CrossFit-style workouts with an agile yet bearable upper and durable grip to keep your feet going!

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Nike React Metcons

 

Brooks Running Ghost 12 Sneakers

These are not your typical running sneakers! The Brooks Running Ghost 12 sneakers have so many great benefits. The sneakers will provide you with a balanced yet soft cushioning that gives the perfect softness under the foot without losing responsiveness and durability, which feels softer than you can imagine. Your feet will also experience the ultimate run as the Segmented Crash Pad, a system of shock absorbers included in the sneakers, cushions every single step along with stride for easy-going heel-to-toe transitions.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020

Brooks Running Ghost 12 Sneakers

 

Adidas Originals by Alexander Wang Wangbody Run Shoes

Hit your treadmill workouts with these chic Adidas Originals by Alexander Wang. The Alexander Wang Wangbody Run Shoes embrace a wistful workout aesthetic containing performance-inspired garments that can be worn anywhere. They will serve you appropriately when doing a treadmill interval workout as the boost in the midsole features a very comfortable cushioning.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Adidas Originals by AW Wangbody Run Shoes

Under Armour TriBase Reign 2

Attend your boot camp class with these Under Armour TriBase Reign 2 sneakers. These sneakers maximize ground control with the Under Armour TriBase and also have a bigger heel that’ll provide you with a low stable base containing a lot of natural foot flexibility. The engineered zonal flex and traction in the forefoot will permit you to obtain much more mobility during small runs along with an additional grip while performing planks or sled pushes.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Under Armour TriBase Reign 2

Reebok Speed TR Flexweave

The Reebok Speed TR Flexweave is fantastic to transition into different movements when working out. You can be running around the block and then jumping into a dumbbell circuit once you are done running and your feet won’t feel a thing! The durable synthetic outsole with Metasplit indents that flex to associate with your feet’s natural movement.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Reebok Speed TR Flexweave

Adidas Alpha Bounce Trainer

Hop into your next cardio kickboxing class when wearing these cooperative cross-training shoes. The sneaker’s flexible Alphabounce midsole provides your feet with that soothing cushion for every single kick or stride you do. The fused mesh upper acclimates to your foot’s shape in order to receive that personalized sock-like feel. The adaptive outsole presents physical resistance on any surface.

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Adidas Alpha Bounce Trainer

Altra HIIT XT 2 Cross-Training Shoes

Your next boot camp or HIIT class is going to be a breeze on your feet. These kicks were created to improve your natural foot positioning and toe splay, even though they are also building up comfortability and stability. Not to mention that the updated lacing system and 6mm removable PowerSole™ insoles give additional stability when performing lateral movements as well as in a lifting session. Most importantly, the stick rubber outsole grips any type of court, gym floor, or surface, which means you won’t slip!

Downtown's Top Ten Sneakers For Fitnessing in 2020
Altra HIIT XT 2 Cross-Training Shoes

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