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Ready in less than 20 minutes, this chicken pesto flatbread is super easy to make. Perfect for a weeknight dinner when strapped for time!Here’s why I love this recipe:

10 minutes of cook time and less than 10 minutes of prep! (if your garlic is pre-roasted or you skip the garlic).
Kid-friendly and perfect for baby-led weaning.
Only 6 ingredients needed!
Deliciously satisfying.
Packed with protein, fat, and fiber (all three macronutrients!).
Can easily half the recipe for one individual pizza or double it for the whole family!
You can get your kids involved with helping to assemble the pizzas.
Perfect for weeknight dinner or as an appetizer for a party!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes on Ingredients

flatbread: I like using naan bread for flatbread recipes. Naan is a leavened flatbread that originated in Western and Southeast Asia. You could also use pita bread, tortillas, or other flatbreads. 

pesto: I use store-bought basil pesto to save on time but you could make your own pesto if you’re feeling ambitious or use up some pesto that you’ve stored in the freezer!

tomatoes: I used tomatoes on the vine but beefsteak tomatoes would also work well. 

mozzarella: I used a block of mozzarella that I could slice for the pizza but shredded mozzarella would also work just fine

garlic: This ingredient isn’t necessary, especially if you’re strapped for time, but if you have the time to roast a head of garlic, it can really level up your pizza!

chicken: You can use any type of chicken – just cut it into small pieces or shred it. Leftover chicken works well if you’re looking to repurpose leftovers! I used shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken for this recipe.

Equipment You’ll Need (affiliate links – if you make a purchase I receive a small commission)

Pizza stone

or baking sheet

How to Make Chicken Pesto Flatbread

1. Preheat your oven.

Place pizza stone (if using) on the lowest rack in the oven and preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. 

2. Start with the base of the flatbread.

Spread roasted garlic and then pesto onto flatbreads so that the entire flatbreads are covered.

3. Add your toppings.

Evenly distribute chicken, tomatoes, and mozzarellas onto flatbreads.

4. Bake your flatbreads.

Transfer assembled flatbreads to the pizza stone, if using. Or place assembled flatbreads onto a baking sheet and place sheet in oven. Bake until flatbreads are crispy and cheese is bubbling, about 8-12 minutes.

5. Serve hot, and garnish with basil, if desired.

Garnish flatbreads with fresh basil, if desired. Slice your flatbreads using a sharp knife or pizza cutter and serve warm.

EXPERT TIPS

Make sure to place your cold pizza stone in the oven before preheating your oven. Placing a cold pizza stone in a hot oven can cause the stone to crack.

Naan is slightly leavened so it will taste like a medium pizza crust. If you’re using a thin flatbread or tortilla, you will need to adjust your cooking time.

TIME SAVING TIPS

Use store-bought pesto or pesto you’ve been storing in your freezer (make sure to defrost ahead of time).
Use pre-cooked chicken like a rotisserie chicken.
Use shredded mozzarella so you don’t have to slice the cheese. 
Sliced tomatoes would work just as well as diced.
Skip the roasted garlic or roast garlic ahead of time. Did you know you can freeze roasted garlic for up to three months?
Pre-assemble the pizzas and store in the refrigerator.

Flatbread FAQs

How do you heat a flatbread?

If making a flatbread pizza, you’ll want to bake the flatbread at 425 degrees F until crispy, about 8-12 minutes.

Do flatbreads have sauce?

Yes! Flatbreads have sauce just like pizza. You can use tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, pesto, or simply olive oil and garlic.

Is flatbread the same as pita?

Flatbreads are often unleavened whereas pitas are usually slightly leavened. 

How do you reheat a flatbread pizza?

To reheat flatbread, bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Recipe Variations

If making vegetarian version, you can substitute chicken with white beans, jackfruit, or seitan.
If making a vegan version, you can use a non-dairy cheese alternative.
Instead of whole-wheat naan, you can use plain naan or garlic naan, or you can use pita bread, tortilla, or other flatbread products.
You can add more veggies if desired like diced onion, bell pepper, or mushrooms.
For a gluten-free flatbread, use a gluten-free flatbread or pizza round or gluten-free flatbread mix.
Use my garlic scape pesto recipe instead of basil pesto.
Drizzle balsamic glaze over top for a delicious addition.

Storage and Preparation

Leftover flatbread pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat leftover flatbread, bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

You can also store leftover flatbread in the freezer for up to three months. Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and then store in freezer container or freeze slices first on a sheet pan and then transfer to a freezer bag.

You can also freeze assembled flatbreads to cook later. Freeze first on a sheet pan for toppings to set and then transfer to a freezer bag. Assembled pizzas will keep up to two months. 

To reheat frozen pizza, bake at 275 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Recipes That Pair Well

Summer Peach Corn Salad

Charred Asparagus Salad

3 Pantry-Friendly Salad Recipes

Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup

Vegan Turmeric Pumpkin Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup

For more flatbread and pizza inspiration, check out my other recipes below!

Grilled Hemp Pesto Peach Flatbread

Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Naan Pizza

Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza

White Clam and Kale Pizza

Spring Vegetable Pizza

If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!

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Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Butternut Squash – The Real Food Dietitians

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Are you frequently undereating and looking to kick the habit? Keep reading to learn what to eat so you can stop.

Not eating enough food can be the result of a multitude of different factors. Commonly, we see it happen when individuals are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or more emotional than usual. These are often the causes of unintentional undereating. On the other hand, we also see cases of somewhat intentional undereating as a result of restrictions from diets, detoxes, and cleanses. 

Whatever the cause for you, it’s important to identify it and turn it around early on. That way, you can either prevent the habit from developing further or break the habit if it already exists. 

Are you Undereating?

So how do you even know if you’re undereating? Your body will most likely be communicating with you to let you know that it needs more energy than you’re providing. 

You may feel tired or lethargic, experience dizziness or poor cognition, or notice hair loss and brittle nails. You may also find yourself to be very irritable and feel cold all the time. In the case of females specifically, you may even experience the loss of your period, or amenorrhea. 

If you’re experiencing three or more of these symptoms, chances are you’re undereating. 

5 Steps To Stop Undereating

Try out implementing the following 5 steps to start eating in accordance with your body’s nutritional needs. 

Add a Source of Fat to your Meals and Snacks 

For some reason, fat is often easily forgotten. When listening to client recalls during our first few appointments, I often hear meals that sound so incredible, but they simply have no fat in them. 

Try adding a source of fat to each of your meals and snacks whenever you can. Fat is the body’s most nutrient-dense food source. That means, a tiny bit of it packs a big nutritional punch! By simply adding one fat-containing food item to your snack or meal, you’ll significantly increase the amount of energy you’re getting. That means you’re one step closer to no longer undereating! 

Think of food sources like fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines), nuts, seeds, nut butter, seed butter, avocados, avocado oil, olives, and olive oil for this step. 

Don’t be Afraid of Carbohydrates

There’s nothing to fear when it comes to carbohydrates, or starchy carbohydrates to be more specific. Starchy carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. We thrive on them! They provide the brain and red blood cells with the glucose they need to survive and thrive.

When it comes to starchy carbohydrates, people often believe they should avoid them entirely or significantly restrict them because of all the negative health connotations associated with them. Do we want to be cognizant of balance when it comes to processed starchy carbohydrates? Absolutely. But does that mean we want to restrict starchy carbohydrates? Absolutely not. This will lead to undereating over time. 

Try and incorporate natural, complex sources of starchy carbohydrates on a regular basis. Think of ancient grains (such as quinoa, farro, and amaranth), whole grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, peas, and squash) for this step. 

Pay Attention to your Hunger Cues 

Your body uses hunger cues to communicate with you when it needs more energy and when it has enough. When we listen to these cues and abide by them regularly, it’s much easier to avoid undereating. On the flip side, when we ignore these cues and attempt to follow an eating schedule or a diet, undereating is much more prevalent. 

Start by getting to know your hunger and satiety cues. On a regular basis throughout the day, pause and reflect. How are you feeling in regard to hunger? Are you very hungry, slightly hungry, or content? What about fullness? Are you very full, slightly full, or content? 

Once you have an idea of what your cues feel like, you can start to abide by them. This is one of the best ways to prevent undereating in the long term. 

Food First, Caffeine Next 

Beverages, particularly caffeinated ones, can mess with those hunger cues we just spoke of. Sometimes they can suppress your hunger, even when it’s unintentional. 

Instead of starting your day off with a coffee first-thing, try having your breakfast first. This can help prevent the coffee from curbing your hunger. In reality, it’s a good idea to abide by this guideline with most beverages that aren’t water. That way, you know you’re satisfying your hunger with food as often as possible! 

Manage Stress and Overwhelm

When we’re feeling stressed, anxious or emotional in general, it’s much easier to ignore those hunger cues. The body becomes preoccupied with coping, which can push off hunger. 

If you know this is the case for you, try to get into the habit of practicing regular stress management. Whether that’s a form of journaling, meditation, or movement, it can help to minimize those stress levels and in turn, let your hunger and satiety cues thrive. 

The Takeaway

When it comes to undereating, the key is to first figure out what’s not working well. Are you restricting intake intentionally? Do you feel more stressed than usual? Or maybe you’re forgetting to add fat to your meals? 

Once you know what you may be missing, you can then use these 5 steps to build a balanced, sustainable diet and prevent undereating for good. 

Do You Want to Experience More Balance with your Food Choices?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Since 2012, Charlotte Cho has been leading the way when it comes to Korean skincare. She and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Dave launched Soko Glam to bring the best of Korean beauty into our lives. They launched their own brand, Then I Met You, in 2018 and it’s been a hit since. The brand has never even done a sale — until now. Then I Met You’s Friends & Family sale is here but only for a few days short days.

If you’ve been wanting to try the best in Korean beauty technology, such as cleansing balms, tonics, lip masks and more, this is the sale you’ve been waiting for. In fact, Then I met You fans have been asking for a discount since the brand launched. Now, four years later, they can finally grab their favorite brand for 20 percent off. Shop some of our favorites below but there’s a lot more where this came from. The sale ends after the weekend and certain products have already sold out.

Birch Milk Refining Toner

Equal parts hydrating Korean toner and exfoliating Western acid treatment, this skin-refining toner brightens and clears pores.

The Giving Essence

Ellagic acid, black chokeberry and galactomyces work to brighten skin, hydrate and reduce the appearance of pores.

Calming Tide Gel Cream

Hydrate, stimulate collagen production and bolster the skin’s moisture barrier with this antioxidant-rich moisturizer. The gel formula feels almost cooling going on to calm any skin irritation.

Honey Dew Lip Mask

Antioxidant-rich honeydew, moisturizing squalane and honey come together in this luxe lip mask.

Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask

A blend of 6 percent glycolic and lactic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and leaves skin silky smooth in just 15 minutes.

Holiday shopping can be really exciting but finding the best skincare gifts for everyone on your list may get slightly overwhelming. Gifting is all about surprising your loved ones, turning the experience into something special for them and of course, making sure they will actually use whichever present you’ve purchased for them. That’s a lot to consider! But there’s no need to panic. We’ve curated the best holiday gift sets and stocking stuffers for every skincare enthusiast in your life.

Holiday gift for mom

Moms should always be able to take a bit more time for themselves and deserve to be pampered every day of the year. Show your mom how special she is to you and give the gift of self-care this holiday season. Mario Badescu’s Winter Glow Essentials will make her and her skin feel cozy and hydrated. This limited edition four-piece set features Coconut Body Soap, Coconut Body Butter, Facial Spray with Aloe, Coconut and Adaptogens, and Lip Balm for radiant and healthy complexion from head to toe – the perfect Christmas gift for mom.

Holiday skincare gift for your sister

You and your sister probably share the same taste for beauty and let’s be honest, she likely loves to borrow your favorite facial mist that you carry in your handbag at all times. Or perhaps you know nothing about skincare and don’t have the slightest clue on what to gift her. Now you can surprise her with her own Mini Mist Collection that has all five of Mario Badescu’s must-have facial sprays including Rosewater, Lavender, Cucumber, Orange Blossom, and Coconut Water. You can also split this set into five mini stocking stuffers or keep your favorite mist for yourself to refresh and hydrate your skin throughout the day.

Holiday gift idea for your girlfriend

Everyone’s lips need to receive a bit more love in the winter season and we have the perfect pairing for your girlfriend (and it’s a gift you’re sure to love too). Mario Badescu’s Lip Care Duo features Lip Balm and overnight Lip Mask with Acai and Vanilla. The lip balm is great for all-day hydration and easy application while the innovative overnight lip mask intensely hydrates the lips and protects them from moisture loss by sealing in all the powerful nutrients. Our Lip Care Duo is sure to deliver extra soft, kissable lips – perfect for kissing under the mistletoe.  Go the extra mile by surprising her with another gift like one of our larger gift sets. Our lip duo is the perfect little stocking stuffer to team with a luxurious body care collection like our Coconut Body Trio. 

Holiday gift set for a friend

Reminiscing of summer with friends? You don’t have to wave goodbye to your warm memories just yet, keep the scent of summer for a bit longer and surprise your friend with Mario Badescu’s Coconut Body Trio. The holiday gift set contains Coconut Body Scrub to refine and balance the skin, Coconut Body Soap to replenish and condition, and the luxurious Coconut Body Butter that seals in the moisture and leaves the skin smooth, soft and radiant.

Skincare gift ideas for everyone

We’ve covered holiday gift ideas for the lead characters in your life – gifts for her, Christmas gifts for mom, skincare gifts for sister but what about some adorable stocking stuffers for everyone or a little skincare gift for someone dear who you didn’t expect to see this Christmas? We narrowed down a few holiday picks for your friends and family to enjoy. Make sure to save a couple for yourself.

Who wouldn’t love indulging in a holiday gift set comprised of three moisturizing lip balms? Mario Badescu’s Hydrating Lip Trio is a real treat with its rich and coconutty Lip Balm, cushiony and floral Rose Lip Balm, and fresh Mint Lip Balm. Now you and the special people in your life can have a lip balm for every room, bag… and mood. 

For the self-care aficionado, a thoughtful gift to help them step back, take a deep breath and spend some relaxing time, gift our Rose Lip & Mist Duo. Each spritz of Mario Badescu’s Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater Facial Spray hydrates and refreshes the skin for a dewy glow while the rich and nourishing formula of the Rose Lip Balm softens and smooths dry lips. The delicate rose scent feels soothing and relaxing for the ultimate “me” time.

For your loved one or friend who is a skincare enthusiast we’ve got you covered. Skincare enthusiasts love trying new products and they will fall in love with Mario Badescu’s Essentials Mini Set that includes all the basics they might possibly need. The skincare gift set features our Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Botanical Exfoliating Scrub and Oil Free Moisturizer. These three universal skin staples rejuvenate, refine, soften and protect the skin. This holiday season, choose the gift of healthy skin!

Categories: Skin Care |
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Are your Clients looking to soften the first signs of aging with something more than skin care products? Do they ask questions about tightening up the skin but show concerns about the costs, recovery and risk involved? If so, it might be time to investigate the world of ultrasound facials.

Although the word “ultrasound” may conjure up images of babies or pregnancies, there’s an increasing amount of industry buzz about non-invasive ultrasonic facials to stimulate collagen and improve sagging skin. Plus, with no recovery time needed, no scarring, and lower treatment costs, ultrasound facials could be an effective alternative to a surgical facelift. Read on to find out why an ultrasound facial treatment could be what your Clients have been looking for.

What Is An Ultrasound Facial? | How Do They Work? | The Procedure | What Should Clients Expect? | Who Benefits & Who Should Avoid? 

What Is An Ultrasound Facial? 

Ultrasound facials, also known as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are used to improve the look of sagging skin around the eyes, eyebrows, jowls, neck and chin area. An ultrasound facial treatment is non-invasive and uses energy to stimulate deep layers of skin. HIFU is ideal for those who would like to firm up soft, crepey skin and improve the look of fine lines.

How Do Ultrasound Facials Work? 

According to Medical News Today after prepping the area, a trained skin care professional holds a handheld HIFU device to their Client’s skin. When switched on, the machine head emits intense heat and high energy waves through the skin’s layers, to a single point deep below the skin’s surface, between 4.5mm and 5mm. Bypassing the top layers of skin and going deep into the skin’s layers is “crucial,” according to WebMD. It’s important because collagen production takes place in these deeper layers.

Without leaving any visible marks on the skin, the heat targets specific cells in these deeper layers, causing cellular damage that serves to trigger a healing response. This response stimulates the production of skin-plumping collagen and elastane. In the following two to three months as collagen is produced, the skin should begin to thicken and tighten. 

According to The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, ultrasound facial benefits the skin in several ways:

Smoothing facial wrinkles and improving the look of fine lines
Improving skin elasticity 
Improving both neck and facial skin
Reducing the appearance of “jowls” and firming up the skin under the jaw
Lifting drooping eyelids or eyebrows
Tightening the skin on the chest

 

The Ultrasound Facial Procedure

Healthline.com breaks down the procedure into the following steps:

First, clean the target area.
If needed, apply a topical anesthetic cream to your Client’s treatment area.
Apply an ultrasound gel to the treatment area.
Place the HIFU device against the Client’s skin.
Adjust the device to the right setting, using an ultrasound viewer.
Deliver ultrasound energy to the Client’s target area in short pulses for roughly 30 to 90 minutes.
Remove the device from the Client’s skin.
Although the procedure is not considered painful, Clients might experience “a slight discomfort,” similar to tiny electric pulses, small bursts of heat or “a light prickly sensation.”
The appointment should take between 30 – 90 minutes depending on the size of the treatment areas and type of machine.

What Results Should Clients Expect?

Although a small “lift” is noticeable soon after the treatment, full results appear between three to six months after the appointment as this is how long the body takes to rebuild new collagen. The results are plumped-out wrinkles, tighter skin and reduced crepiness. This replenished skin can last between a year to 18 months. 

According to The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, most Clients will only need one procedure for optimal results. However, depending on skin laxity and a biological response to the collagen-building process, some could benefit from two sessions. 

Prior To The Treatment

Clients should arrive for their booking with a clean face; no make-up or moisturizer and as standard, the area should be cleaned before the treatment. Healthline.com suggests that If your Client is sensitive to pain, they may want to speak with a doctor about taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil). 

Ultrasound Facial: After The Treatment

One of the biggest advantages of an ultrasound facial is your Client’s ability to immediately resume normal life once the appointment is over. However, it’s important to advise your Client that they may experience some redness and swelling on the day of treatment as well as tingles around the treatment area in the weeks after. More extreme reactions include numbness or bruising but these are rare and are likely to disappear in a few days. 

According to WebMD, Clients should monitor for possible side effects and should reach out for professional assistance if they notice:

Redness that lasts more than one day after treatment
Persistent skin tenderness or swelling that lasts more than a month
Skin bleeding under the dermis for a few weeks post-treatment
Scratch-like marks on the skin

Which Clients Benefit from an Ultrasound Facial And Who Should Avoid it? 

Healthline.com suggests the treatment is best for younger Clients with “mild-to-moderate skin laxity” who might be looking to minimize the early signs of aging. HIFU is also ideal for those looking for an alternative to a traditional facelift but who wants to avoid the risks and recovery involved with surgery.

Although ultrasound therapy has an “excellent safety profile” according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, there are some Clients who won’t benefit from the treatment. Clients with severely sagging skin wouldn’t be ideal candidates as they won’t see as strong results. Clients who have infections, wounds or active acne lesions around the treatment area should also avoid energy treatments to those same areas until any wounds have healed. Pregnant Clients and those on certain strong medications should also avoid energy-based treatments. 

The Benefits Of An Ultrasound Facial

The Downsides 

While not as expensive as a facelift, the treatment is still expensive.
Although full results are expected in a few months, results aren’t instant.
This procedure is not ideal for older Clients and those with severe skin sagging.

If you’re interested in ultrasound facials, visit your nearest Eminence Organics spa to find the professional service nearest you.

Each month Yon-Ka Paris features our top spa partners as a way of helping you find the very best when it comes to luxury skincare experiences.

Due to their commitment to excellence when it comes to high touch, luxurious professional spa treatments, we award Canyon Ranch Lenox with our May 2022 “Spa of the Month”.

At Canyon Ranch Lenox, you are invited to curate a custom experience to move you along the path to your health and wellness goals.

Enjoy a bundle of spa, fitness, and nutrition services that focus on health, performance, mind, and spirit. With a comprehensive menu of services, you’re guaranteed to have a transformative and memorable experience at Canyon Ranch.

The spa at Canyon Ranch Lenox is directed by Sam Cooper. Not only is Sam driving alignment and innovation, but she works to develop destination spas within each new Canyon Ranch resort and retreat location.

Having been a part of the Canyon Ranch family for nearly 13 years, Sam offers in-depth knowledge and experience that helps contribute to sustaining the luxurious and therapeutic experiences for which Canyon Ranch resorts and spas are famous for.

What Makes Canyon Ranch Lenox Unique?

Director of Wellness Development, Sam Cooper, describes Canyon Ranch Lenox as “a truly immersive experience.” From spa and fitness services to general health, spiritual health, and wellness, Canyon Ranch Lenox “is an incredibly special place where [spa staff] meet the needs of each and every guest no matter where they are in their wellness journey.”

The spa at Canyon Ranch Lenox offers an integrative approach to wellness. Spa and beauty services are combined with fitness, nutrition, and spiritual services to support your goals in physical, mental, and spiritual health. Your personal Wellness Guide will help you create a tailored itinerary for your stay.

At Canyon Ranch Lenox, guests are invited to enjoy services in the following categories:

Spa and Beauty
Fitness and Movement
Nutrition and Food
Health and Performance
Mind and Spirit

With the help of a Canyon Ranch professional, you can find the perfect combination of services to meet your needs. Whether you’re focused on healthy weight, spiritual wellness, or improved fitness, you’ll find the service catalog to be plentiful and comprehensive.

Featured Services and Treatments

A generous menu of therapeutic services awaits you at Canyon Ranch Lenox. No matter where you are on your wellness journey, you’ll find services, classes, and experiences to propel you along your individual pathway to health and wellness.

Some of the most popular treatments at Canyon Ranch Lenox include:

Canyon Ranch Facial – This treatment includes gentle exfoliation and light extractions combines with facial massage to improve the smoothness, hydration, and radiance of your skin.
Ayurvedic Herbal Rejuvenation – Tailored to your dosha or body type, this treatment helps boost immunity and reduce tension with an exfoliating, herbal masque, and massage.
Detoxifying Ritual – This detoxifying body treatment combines a cleansing scrub using olive stones with a body clay detox and a relaxing massage.
Daily Moisturizing Massage – Restore your skin’s hydration with this signature full body massage featuring a solid moisturizer that melts on contact, softening and nourishing the skin.
Healing Energy with Aromatherapy – Enjoy a meditative experience led by a healing energy practitioner using essential oils to open and balance your body’s energy.

Every treatment at Canyon Ranch Lenox is delivered by expertly trained professionals and tailored to your individual needs. Whatever treatment you choose, you’ll be guided toward a single state of wellbeing that’s uniquely yours.

Canyon Ranch Lenox’s Partnership with Yon-Ka Paris

As Director of Wellness Development Sam Cooper played a key role in the selection of Yon-Ka Paris products for the spa at Canyon Ranch Lenox. With the goal of offering four distinct nature-based body treatments at each of Canyon Ranch’s four properties, San chose Yon-Ka “for its effectiveness and plant-based approach, the 100% recycled packaging, and the beautiful sensorial experiences from its scents.”

The spa at Canyon Ranch Lenox offers four wellness journeys featuring Yon-Ka products:

Detoxifying Journey – Relax and unwind with this exfoliating body treatment featuring a synergistic blend of plant-based aromatics and a warm bamboo and mango butter scrub.
Energizing Journey – Restore the healthy flow of your body’s energy with an acupressure massage paired with a citrus-scented double-sugar scrub to relieve physical and mental fatigue.
Firming Journey – This full body massage features a Chinese Bamboo stick treatment to tone and sculpt the body, boosted by an oxygenating essential oils blend.
Relaxing Journey – This deeply relaxing double-sugar scrub is infused with tiare flowers and jasmine followed by a mineral-rich volcanic stone massage to relax the entire body.

Each of these multifaceted 100-minute rituals delivers a true mind-body experience. With spring in full swing, Cooper comments that the Yon-Ka Paris Detoxifying Journey is particularly popular among guests who are “ready to detox and start fresh” for the season.

No matter your goals, your time spent at the spa at Canyon Ranch Lenox is sure to be luxuriously therapeutic and unforgettable.

I’ve been an esthetician for over 30 years, so as you can imagine, I get asked many questions about skincare. Whether it’s in person, on Instagram, or through my popular skincare blog, I’m constantly sharing advice. One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How should I apply my products, with a rubbing or pressing motion?” This is an important question because the way you apply products will change their efficacy (yes, really!). Keep reading to learn how to apply skincare products the right way.

Rubbing vs. Pressing

Let’s start off by talking about the benefits of each application method.

The Benefits of Rubbing

The benefit of using a rubbing motion is that it can boost circulation. When using a gentle, circular motion, you’re temporarily increasing blood flow to the skin, which can bring a glow to the complexion and aid in lymphatic drainage. This can benefit specific skin types (like Skin Type 7) that are prone to dullness. This is the method I personally use since one of my main skincare goals is to get more circulation in my skin. Stimulating blood flow helps bring fresh oxygen and nutrients to the skin (I also use this 2-minute trick every night for glowing skin).

However, if you have sensitive or redness-prone skin (like Skin Types 5 & 9) you should avoid this method. It could be overly stimulating and contribute to even more redness, which is precisely what you want to avoid. The same goes for those dealing with chronic hyperpigmentation (like Skin Type 8). Too much stimulation can activate already overactive melanin cells—the culprit behind those pesky brown spots. Gently rubbing shouldn’t be too much of an issue as long as you have something to provide slip, such as a moisturizer or cleanser. That said, vigorous rubbing should be avoided, and you may be better off following the pressing method.

The Benefits of Pressing

When I used to travel to France to study skincare, I noticed that French estheticians would promote a patting or pressing technique when applying product to the skin. When I asked about it, they told me it benefits the skin in two ways. First, it’s a more gentle application technique than rubbing. Second, by pressing a product into the skin with gentle pressure, you may enhance absorption.

FYI, another great way to enhance absorption is by applying your products onto slightly damp skin. (This is why I always suggest leaving an alcohol-free toner damp before applying your serum or moisturizer, to allow for that effect.)

The Verdict

So, how should you apply skincare products, with a rubbing or pressing motion? My answer is that it truly depends on your skin type. If you’re looking to brighten your complexion and get a glow, I suggest a gentle rubbing motion. The key word is gentle. You shouldn’t be rubbing aggressively or using too much pressure.

If your skin is more sensitive or you have redness, I suggest using a pressing technique. This will keep your skin calm. It might even enhance absorption!

It’s also worth noting that it can depend on the product you’re using. For example, eye creams are best applied with a gentle pressing motion, as skin in this area is particularly delicate. Sunscreen, on the other hand, is best applied with a gentle rubbing motion. This will ensure a more even application.

Next, this is the most effective way to apply toner.

by Caitlin H,

Oct 3, 2022

Name: Judith Nelson
Age: 77
Occupation: Retired from research lab, corporate aviation
Meal Plan: Balance-D
Favorite Meal: Basil Chicken
Start Date: July 2020
Starting weight: 194
Height: 5’2”
Pounds Lost: 45
Activity Level: Water aerobics, swimming
When I get a craving, my go-to trick is: A handful of almonds
 

For 77-year-old Florida resident Judith Nelson, weight loss came secondary to a deep desire to regain control of her health and expand her lifespan.

“Healthy living is what’s most important to me,” Judith said. “Right now longevity and not being a burden to my children is my primary goal, and that comes from being healthy.”

Judith’s desire to not burden anyone reflects her general approach to life, too. Judith, who retired from working in a research lab and corporate aviation, volunteers for her neighborhood as the liaison between the 70-home community and the landscaping company. She works to ensure the $200,000 budget for landscaping brings beauty and joy to all the residents. And she also makes it a daily goal to make a difference in others’ lives.

“I feel like every day at end of the day, if I look in the mirror and haven’t helped someone or influenced them to be better or gotten a smile out of them, I haven’t had a good day,” she said.

Judith was also a former competitive ballroom dancer, but back issues and degenerative disc disease limited her mobility to swimming only over the years, causing her to gain weight.

She decided it was time to make a change in July 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after finding out she was on the verge of having diabetes. Her A1C was 5.7 and she was taking two diabetes medications. A1C measures the percentage of the blood’s hemoglobin proteins that are coated in sugar and determines diabetes risk.

Judith said she spent time researching different meal programs online before trying Diet-to-Go.

“When I found you guys, everything I read said it was the best tasting food you can get,” she said. “I thought, ‘Let me give it a go.’ I knew, living alone, I wouldn’t cook for myself anymore. I knew I wasn’t eating well.”

Judith said she purposely tried a meal she didn’t think she’d like after her Balance-Diabetes meals arrived on her doorstep.

“My first Diet-to-Go meal was Orange Roughy Pomodoro,” she said. “I thought, ‘If I like this, it’ll be okay.’ And wow, I loved it. The fact you all can cook fish…it’s just amazing. I literally licked the plate.”

Judith was hooked, adding that the convenience of the food being delivered, the taste, the heat-and-eat aspect, the customer service, and the fact that she can go on a vacation hold and substitute meals with the click of a mouse using the myDiettogo online portal all played a role.

“Everyday at 11 a.m., I go to freezer and say, ‘Do I want Thai? Do I want chicken? Southwestern?’” she said. “Then, I pull it out and put it on the counter and at 4 p.m., I stick it in microwave and eat it. I love the flavor. It’s restaurant-quality food. It’s so convenient, especially for a single person.”

Judith has stuck with the program ever since. Today, her A1C is down to 5.1, and she no longer takes diabetes medications. Her glucose has dropped from 125 to 89, she went from taking three blood pressure medications to the lowest dose of just one, and she shed 45 pounds.

“That’s all from eating Diet-to-Go food,” she said. “It all comes down to healthy eating. Eighty percent of my success is what I put in my mouth. If I didn’t get it straight with eating, I was never going to get it.”

Judith also said the controlled portion sizes have helped her learn how much to eat.

“Living alone, having no one to cook for, eating and preparing good, nutritious food…it’s challenging,” she said. “Portion sizes at the store and restaurants aren’t geared for people living alone.”

Judith’s success on the program was exemplified at a May 5 doctor visit.

“When I met with my doctor and my A1-C was at 5.1, she stuck out her hand and said, ‘Congratulations, you just cured your diabetes with your diet,’ and she shook my hand,” Judith said. “I mean, that was so much pride…relief, really, to know that I could be in control of myself and stay healthy through my eating.”

She had a similar experience in July, when her doctor’s nurse practitioner praised her for gaining control of her health, her skincare and her weight loss.

“I have so much gratitude that [Diet-to-Go] makes this happen for people like me,” she said. “It shows up on my doorstep, and I eat it knowing the quality is good, the taste is great and the portion is controlled.”

Judith added that although the weight loss was exciting, it came secondary to getting healthy.

“My goal was to eat better and be more healthy,” she said. “I definitely reached that goal. The fact that my medications have changed so dramatically is evidence of that. It shows in my blood work.”

“At end of the day, you need to look in the mirror and say, ‘You did good today,’ or ‘Today wasn’t a great day, but thank God we have tomorrow.”

Do you have a Diet-to-Go success story to share? Email us at support@diettogo.com with “Success Story” in the subject line to learn how you can get free meals in exchange for sharing your story!

 

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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.