Tag: health

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Featured NYC

Downtown Highlights: Classic Harbor Line

Classic Harbor Line's Full Moon

Somewhere, beyond the sea, Classic Harbor Line waits for thee.

Welcome back to Downtown Highlights, the series in which we take the opportunity to “highlight” businesses in NYC, like Classic Harbor Line – your one-stop (shop? or should we say port?) for seeing the city you love from the water.

After a tumultuous year and a half or so, it is important for us at Downtown to make sure that we’re serving the places that are serving us.

Classic Harbor Line owns a fleet of nine stunning vessels, designed by Scarano Boat Building of Albany, New York. These floating pieces of history call the east coast home. Hop on a Classic Harbor Line yacht in Boston, Massachusetts; Manhattan, New York; Newport, Rhode Island, and Key West, Florida.

Tours specialize in ticketed cruises and private charters, fit for guests and locals alike. Experience a sail as you’ve never experienced before on the luxuriously comfortable yachts that feature teak decks, mahogany trim, and carbon fiber rigging.

We at Downtown magazine had the pleasure of joining Captain Greg Freitas of Full Moon and Captain Sarah Pennington of America 2.0 on the two yachts for our Downtown Highlights series.

The first yacht we had the pleasure of visiting was Full Moon at Brookfield Place’s North Cove Marina in Manhattan. She’s a 65 foot fully restored 1950 classic yacht complete with full bar services, a full-service galley, and catering. We sat down with Captain Greg in her saloon to chat about Classic Harbor Line and his career as a yachtsman. “OLD SALT” fittingly read his cap as he gave anecdotal details of his experienced life on the water.

Over at The Chelsea Piers Marina, we paid a visit to America 2.0. She’s a 105 Feet LOA and a tribute to the first Schooner America — the winner of the very first America’s Cup in 1851. She’s a class act, complete with comfortable seating and bar service, and an open salon below featuring a full-service galley and two heads. Captain Sarah’s invitingly sat with us and gave us America 2.0’s history and her own.

Set sail yourself with Classic Harbor Line or take a walk along the esplanade to watch their stunning ships.

Bon Voyage!

For more Downtown Highlights, click here

Categories
Beauty Featured Health

Summer Beauty Bag: Hair and Skin

Photo by Drew Graham on Unsplash
Photo by Drew Graham on Unsplash

It is easy to get caught up in the abyss of beauty products, especially in the summer. We’re here to help you narrow it down to the bare necessities for your beauty bag. Nurture your hair and skin this summer with only the best and hottest products of this summer season.

Hair

Olaplex.com

Olaplex proves that it is the leading brand in keeping split-ends out of our hair with its No.7 bonding oil. This product is small yet mighty. The 1oz bottle is made to last and is a true jack of all trades. It increases shine, smoothness, promotes growth, and provides UV/heat protection at up to 450°F/232°C.

LivingProof.com

This frizz spray is Living Proof that smooth hair in the summer is attainable. We have all been there.  After all, it’s summer. Humidity is at an all-time high, and all you can do is pray that your locks will stay smooth. Pray no more with Living Proof’s No Frizz Humidity shield! This miracle spray also smells to-die-for. Talk about a hair double whammy.

Skin

SolDeJaneiro.com

This luxurious body cream is an absolute must-have for summer. It is buttery soft, skin tightening (thanks to the caffeine-rich guarana), and addictively delicious smelling. 

  • Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry $22
Laneige.com

This Allure 2019 Best of Beauty Award Winner proves its worth as the best lip product for summer. Slather this luxurious lip mask on overnight to diminish dryness and fine lines, or just to treat yourself. 

SundayRiley.com

Sunday Riley puts good genes in a bottle – literally – with this fantastic lactic acid treatment. Good Genes leaves the skin feeling decadent yet weightless as it exfoliates and clarifies. Not to mention, Sunday Riley products are all entirely cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free, and vegan!

BaliBody.com

Ladies and gents, meet the tanning oil that will have you tossing out those greasy brown bottles. Bali Body is truly the best in the business. This watermelon tanning oil is compact, sweet-smelling, mess-free, all-natural, and features different levels of SPF. The formula is enriched with watermelon seed extract to naturally get you that bronzed summer color.

  • Yes To Cucumbers Daily Eye Treatment $9.99 and Calming Facial Wipes $5.99
YesTo.com

You may know Yes To from their edible-inspired beauty products – namely their sheet masks that decorate the aisles of your local drug store. Introducing their new Yes To Cucumbers Daily Eye Treatment. Skip slicing up your salad ingredients and use this super smooth and soothing eye cream fit for sensitive skin. The formula is buttery soft, smells so refreshing, and will leave your under eyes feeling cool as a cucumber.

YesTo.com

Want more cukes in your daily routine? Try out the Yes To Cucumbers calming facial wipes. Much like their eye cream counterpart, these wipes are equally as soothing and equipped to treat sensitive skin. Skip that rough burning sensation that other facial wipes ail you with. Oh, and get this: these wipes are plant-based and compostable under both municipal and home conditions! That’s huge news people!

Scent

  • Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her 1.0oz $76
Gucci.com

Gucci’s fan-favorite Eau de parfum, “Bloom”  is perfect for summer. Complete with notes of Rangoon creeper, jasmine bud, and tuberose.

And that’s it, summer babes! Grab your favorite beauty bag and head to your next destination with these in your holster.

For more Downtown beauty, click here.

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Uncategorized

Does Collagen Prevent Age-Related Thinning Hair?

Does Collagen Prevent Age-Related Thinning Hair?
Anastasia Shuraeva Pexels

Noticing your ponytail thinning, could it be a lack of collagen?

 

Are you finding one too many loose hairs in the shower?

Many women experience hair thinning as they enter their middle age. Hair loss can be stressful, but it is often treatable. Collagen may be the secret weapon you need in your hair-care arsenal. Continue
reading to learn how collagen helps prevent age-related hair thinning.

What Causes Age-Related Thinning Hair?

As women get closer to their 40s and 50s, hair loss becomes more common. In middle age, hair loss is often caused by genetics and changing hormones. During menopause, your estrogen
levels will drop, which gives rise to testosterone. The drop in estrogen levels causes hair to become thinner and grow more slowly.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a structural protein. It is the most abundant protein in your body and is a major component of connective tissues that make up your tendons, skin, and muscles. With age,
collagen production slows, which can cause the hair to become dull and brittle. Collagen is widely used as a supplement to promote hair health.

Why Does Collagen Help Thinning Hair?

Collagen has been linked to overall hair health. Collagen Acts as an Antioxidant Antioxidants protect your hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress
weakens the hold your scalp has on your hair, which accelerates hair loss. Collagen acts as an antioxidant, helping to fight free radicals and protecting your hair from environmental stress.

Collagen Provides Amino Acids

Your hair is primarily composed of keratin, which is built by amino acids. Collagen provides three amino acids including proline, glycine, and Hydroproxyline. Your body converts collagen
into the necessary amino acids, providing your body with the tools to support healthy hair.

Collagen Encourages Healthy Hair Roots

Collagen increases the elasticity of the middle layer of your skin, the dermis. The structure of the dermis keeps your hair roots in place, helping prevent hair fall. Additionally, collagen is
responsible for replenishing damaged skin cells, which improves the hair-growth cycle.

Conclusion

Hair thinning is a natural part of the aging process. The good news is there are plenty of solutions to combat hair loss. Collagen fights against free radicals and provides amino acids that
are crucial to your hair’s structure. Taking a daily supplement with collagen may prevent age-related hair thinning and boost your overall hair health.

 

By: Cassidy Kolczun

Categories
Uncategorized

Genital Warts: Causes, Symptoms, Removal

Chokniti Khongchum Pexels

 

 

How to know that it is the right time to focus on your body?

The answer is, “When your body starts showing signs of any illness, especially the one that you would never expect.” The lack of awareness of what is going on in their bodies has become one of the problems that busy people face. Having a lot to do with their intelligence and knowledge, they seldom focus on their body. As a result, the body starts showcasing signs of being infected with viruses and struggling to fight the illness that it has long had. One of them is Human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts it causes. 

 

Causes

HPV should be held responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases with the same name. People, who lead an active sexual life, become prone to it at some point in their life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is a widespread virus; however, only 1 out of 10 infected people showcase any symptoms or have genital warts (small growths, also known as venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata). The others usually never know that they are infected until they find these warts around the genitals or anus. They are sexually transmitted, meaning that any type of sexual contact – genital, anal or oral, can lead to the development of this condition. This even means that a mother can infect the baby when giving birth. 

 

Symptoms and Localization

First and foremost, if you don’t have any symptoms, it doesn’t guarantee that you are not infected. On the other hand, you may have genital warts accompanied by no symptoms. In most cases, these warts appear in a variety of shapes and sizes. There can be only one wart, or it could have already formed a cluster by the time you discover it. They can be rough or smooth, flat or raised. Usually, the common symptoms of having warts come from warts themselves. They can itch, burn, hurt or bleed, cause redness and discomfort. Women can find these warts situated near or on their vulva, the internal surface of the vagina, the anus, and the cervix. For men, it is typical to have these warts around or on the penis, scrotum, anus, thigh, and groin. 

Prevention 

As you may have already guessed, the key to preventing genital warts or getting the HPV can be found in two things. The first one is getting regular STI screenings as no one, and even the doctors, can diagnose HPV if the person has no symptoms. The second thing to keep in mind is to use barrier protection, condoms, for instance. Unfortunately, they can eliminate the risk of transmission, but not completely. This means that regular check-ups, especially before you begin a new relationship, are vital. 

 

Removal 

Sometimes warts may go away themselves; nevertheless, removing them has certain benefits. It can help you smooth the pain, understand the type of warts and remove them before HPV causes cancer. (Note that people with HPV usually do not develop cancer; however, they are included in the group of increased risk). Modern healthcare offers a handful of options to get rid of warts. You need to visit a dermatologist before opting for a specific type of treatment, as over-the-counter drugs can do you a disservice. 

 

For genital warts removal, the dermatologist usually suggests the following options:

  1. Cryosurgery, when the warts are frozen by applying liquid nitrogen to the infected area.
  2. Electrocautery, when the warts are removed by directing an electric current after putting some local anesthetic.
  3. Surgical removal, the surgeon removes warts herself after putting some local anesthetic.
  4. Laser treatment, when warts are destroyed with intensive laser light. 

 

Taking care of your health requires a holistic approach. It is not only about what’s obvious; sometimes serious health issues can live in silence for years and show up when your body is exhausted. To prevent this from happening, make sure to have regular check-ups to tailor your care to your body needs and address any issues as soon as you notice them. 

 

Categories
Dining Featured Nutrition Uncategorized

French Onion Soup, Downtown Style – and Gluten Free

Photo by sheri silver on Unsplash

French Onion Soup, Gluten-Free and Downtown Style

Fall is right around the corner, I say reluctantly, with marginally less of a tan than I had at this time last year. As much as I wish not to wish summer away, I am a sucker for fall. I am a cozy sweater fiend, a pumpkin patch regular, and a lover of fall comfort food. That’s why I took it upon myself to prepare the masses for the fall season with French onion soup – Downtown style.

This was my first time attempting this dish that I had only seen in ominous pubs and restaurants, but just never thought to try it. It didn’t help of course, that I have Celiac Disease which prevents me from having gluten and therefore the bready, hearty, decadent soup such as this one.

It wasn’t until I saw a TikTok of the dish being made that I decided I had to have it – and modify it to be gluten-free – regardless of the fact that it is July.

I gathered my nearest family members and got to work. My family is full of restaurant industry veterans, two of which helped me achieve such a task. We didn’t follow a recipe and just went with our gut!

Recipe

Here are the ingredients you will want to add to your grocery list:

  • 3 onions; one white, one yellow, and one sweet.
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • Beef broth (or bouillon)
  • 1 cup of Swiss
  • 1 cup of gruyere
  • Fresh thyme
  • 1 gluten-free baguette
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Butter
  • White wine (we used Riesling)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

 

The first task was to cut the onions. We used three variations; one white, one yellow, and one sweet. Slice them into slivers and toss them into a large pan on low heat. You’ll want this to be ideally large enough to house your whole soup. Prime your pan with a douse of EVOO and two pats of butter. Sweat and sauté the onions until they turn golden and completely caramelized.

Before
After

In a pot on the side, prepare your broth. You can use beef broth for this, but instead, we boiled water and added beef bouillon. Add more or less to taste. Throw in some fresh thyme.

Once your onions are decadently caramelized, add in 3 cloves of minced garlic, a pinch of salt, pepper, and sugar. Let this flavorful mixture combine before de-glazing the pan with a splash of white wine. We used Riesling.

Thyme for the broth, garlic for the onions.
Mince garlic
De-glaze with white wine.

Next, you’ll want to ladle your broth into the onion pan. This will help to gradually introduce flavors before you pour the rest in. Go ahead and do that now. Let your soup simmer while you prepare your other ingredients.

Ladle…
… and pour.

Slice your baguette on the bias at about one inch. We used one from Against The Grain, the brand I go-to for all of my gluten-free recipes that involve bread. The bread is made from tapioca starch and mozzarella cheese, so it mimics that glutinous stretchy texture. It’s delicious. Pop the pieces on a baking sheet and drizzle your olive oil over them. Bake until lightly golden and crispy.

Deceptively gluten-free.
Drizzle with oil

While you wait for your bread to toast, grate your Swiss and gruyere. Combine them in a separate bowl and set them aside.

Swiss and gruyere

Once the bread is out of the oven, rub a fresh-sliced clove of garlic to each face of every slice. This step is crucial and adds so much necessary flavor that really comes through in the end.

Rub toast with garlic

Ladle your soup into oven-safe bowls or ramekins, and top each with a few slices of bread. Work quickly as you can to avoid letting the bread sink into the soup. Top the ramekins with a generous helping of cheese. In hindsight, we could’ve topped ours with even more. Don’t be afraid to be generous.

Ladle in soup
Add bread
Top with cheese

Top each with more fresh thyme, and throw them back into the oven to broil for roughly five minutes.

Finish just in thyme – with thyme. 🙂

Take the bubbly bowls of love out of the oven and dig in. Find that the bread soaks up the rich broth and that the umami flavor of the cheese pairs wonderfully with the sweet onions. I hope you love this dish a much as I do, having had it for the very first time. I certainly don’t think it will be my last. Bon appetit, Downtowners!

Enjoy!

For more Downtown recipes, click here.

Categories
Culture Fitness Health Lifestyle NYC Wellness

Sets in the City: Moving the Gym to your Home

By Lalaina “Lala” Duncan

WHEN NEW YORK LOCKED DOWN FOR THE COVID-19 pandemic last year, I was on vacation and figured I could improvise until things lifted — which had to be in a few weeks tops, right? “Workouts in the sand!” I decided, taking advantage of my surroundings. And honestly, why wasn’t I already doing this? Even though I was supposed to be on vacation, I was still taking meetings for the gym and frantically scouring the internet for fitness equipment I could have delivered and ready when I arrived back home. Back in New York, my clients were all one step ahead of me, transforming their living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens into home gyms. They consulted me in the process:

Client: “Should I get the 15s or 20s or both?”

Me: “Obviously, both.”

Client: “I can’t find 15s but they have kettlebells, should I get those?”

Me: “Absolutely. We can do a lot with kettlebells.”

Client: “Now the kettlebells are sold out but they have a barbell, what do think?”

Me: “You have room for a barbell? Yes, get the barbell — but good luck finding plates for it, because it’s sold out everywhere I looked. You got the bands right?”

Client: “Yeah, those are coming this week.”

Me: “Perfect! Get the barbell and if you can, buy a landmine attachment. You can borrow plates from the gym. You’ll be good!”

As we spoke and they continued to revamp their home gyms, It was becoming apparent that this was going to be longer than a few weeks. I started strategizing with clients on how they could continue to train at home, which led to Live Virtual Training sessions via FaceTime or Zoom. I’m not going to lie, there was something exciting about this new venture. I was able to maintain some normalcy during this time and do it out of the comfort of my own home. From a trainer’s perspective, I relished the challenge of trying to provide a good solid training session for my clients with minimal equipment. “Okay, so we’ve got two mini bands, one long red band, two 20 pound dumbbells, a 26-pound kettlebell, and a yoga mat. I’m going to murder your legs. Happy Monday!”

 

Lala Duncan and Walter Savage photo by Alice Teeple

 

By the middle of summer, the novelty of minimalist training was wearing thin, and many of my clients were starting to install full gyms in their homes. One of my clients in the Hamptons turned her basement into a full gym that would rival any boutique fitness studio, while another client moved to a slightly bigger apartment on the Lower East Side just so that she could have a squat rack in her living room. But our training program never changed. No matter what, in the gym or at home, on Mondays we squat. And as my client, Rachel, says to me, “No problem, let me move the chaise lounge to make room for my new squat rack.” As a strength coach and trainer, this can be better than hearing “I love you” for the first time from a new beau.

Now here we are a year later, and no one can predict what the future holds as the world starts to “open up.” What I can tell you is that in Manhattan and across the world, women are taking their health, fitness, and strength into their own hands. A lot of my clients have expressed to me that they now feel more comfortable strength training at home because there’s less intimidation than being in a crowded gym. And they feel confident that when gyms do fully re-open, they can walk up to the squat rack, adjust the height, load the plates themselves and lift like a boss. The conversations I used to have with my girlfriends and clients about handbags, clothes, and shoes have now turned into “Hey, what do you think if I bought a trap bar, do you think I’ll use it?” My answer? “Abso-freaking-lutely!”