Here’s why:

Chocolate is good for your heart.

A bar of chocolate helps lower your blood pressure and cholesterol AND reduces your risk of heart disease. Start thinking about these things now, so in 40 years that’s at least two less pills you’ll have to be popping.

Chocolate stimulates endorphins and serotonin.

Endorphins are hormones that give us a sense of pleasure. They’re allegedly released when we exercise (I’m skeptical), and also when we have sex (this, I can believe). Eating chocolate also has the same effect. Serotonin is a natural antidepressant, which may help to explain why we ladies crave chocolate so much when we’re premenstrual.

Chocolate is rich in antioxidants.

Antioxidants are crucial for killing off free radicals that roam around your body trying to wreak havoc on your cells. Cacao, the base substance of chocolate, contains 8 times as many antioxidants as strawberries. (New diet plan: chocolate covered strawberries all the time. Hello, 100th birthday!)

There are, of course, caveats to healthy chocolate consumption. So before you go out and buy stock in Hershey’s, read a few of the rules:

1. Stick to dark chocolate instead of its milkier counterparts. Scientists believe that milk ends up blocking a lot of the good stuff in chocolate from being digested.

2. Do it in moderation. Chocolate is rich in sugar and fat, so it’s not a good idea to down 20 bars and day and justify it to everyone side-eyeing you by screaming “IT’S GOOD FOR ME!”

Nom nom nom. That’s me eating a moderately sized piece of chocolate and enjoying it even more than usual. Thank you, science, for justifying my chocoholic ways.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.]

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Korres Raspberry Liquid Lipsticks

“Cooling, water-based liquid lipstick rich in line-smoothing, antioxidant Raspberry & Pomegranate extracts to protect against free-radical damage and smooth lip lines for softer, more youthful looking lips.” Comes in 5 shades.

Why this should be in your bag: I love lipstick and lipgloss and this new product by Korres is almost a hybrid. Korres is known for putting out great quality products using lots of natural ingredients, Raspberry Liquid Lipsticks included. They’re chock full of antioxidants and extracts to keep you looking your best. More compact than a lipstick, but delivering super intense color, they are a great option for those on the go. I also find they apply easier than a lipstick and, similar to lots of glosses, don’t require a mirror or intense concentration to apply. They leave your lips colorful and super-shiny.

How to use it: Like I said, these require little concentration and can totally be applied on-the-go. One swipe on the lips gives great color payoff. Although despite the diversity of the 5 shades, I do wish there were more everyday pinks. With the lighter shade I tried (30 – Nude Beige), I would pair an intense smokey eye and bronzer. The bright shade (54 – Fuschia) is totally stand-alone and will work well with cat-eye liner and a hint of blush. Slip them into your purse for touch-ups during the day!

(30 – Nude Beige)

(54 – Fuschia)

CC Rating: A

Although I love the idea of a liquid lipstick, it takes a bit of getting used to. I find myself overlooking these, as they are too shiny for a “true” lipstick and too pigmented for a true gloss. I also wish there were more shades, but perhaps Korres will fill in the gaps eventually. However, when I do reach for these, I’m always pleased with the results. You will have to do a few touch-ups, especially after eating or drinking, but the ease of use ensures that you’re not constantly reaching for your mirror. You get 0.20 ounces in every tube (compared to 0.1 ounce with normal MAC lipsticks), so the value is pretty much bang on. Overall, I like the Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipsticks and will be purchasing when they come out with a wider range of shades.

This post provided by college nutritionist, author, and all around excellent source of healthful info, Melanie Jatsek.

If I were to tell you that eating certain foods in the right combination will make you more alert and focused, would you give them a try?  How about if I told you that some of your food choices are literally draining your brain power? Would you think twice before chowin’ down on them?

The bad news – it’s true!
The good news – you don’t have to completely overhaul your diet in order to get results.

Three factors influence what I like to call your “brain power”:  meal composition (the foods that make up your meal), meal size and meal frequency. Allow me to break it all down for you:

Meal composition:

Carbohydrates:
Seratonin, the chemical in your body responsible for calmness and sleep, is triggered by carbohydrates.  A meal or snack high in simple sugars will produce more serotonin and sedate your brain.  Not exactly what you need when you’re trying to study for that big exam, is it?  Another reason to limit the sweets: they enter your bloodstream at a rapid rate, leaving you “crashing and burning” within the hour.  Simple sugars include foods like: cake, candy, cookies, frostings, fruit drinks, syrups, sodas, sweet tea, table sugar, etc.

Stick with “brain building” carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, low fat milk and yogurt.  They digest nice and slowly, delivering a steady stream of glucose (your brain’s preferred fuel source) to your brain.

Hint:  If you are really craving something sweet like a piece of candy or cake, eat it after a meal to weaken the serotonin effect.

Protein:
Dopamine is the chemical in your body responsible for revving up your brain, making you alert, energetic and focused.  It’s triggered by protein-rich foods like dairy products, eggs, meats, seafood and soy.  Be careful because a “brain building” protein can turn into a “brain draining” one depending on how it’s prepared- cold cuts, fried or breaded meats and those covered in cream sauces will put you in a slump.

Hint: The American Dietetic Association and The American Heart Association recommend eating 2 servings of lower mercury fish per week.  Salmon and canned or pouched light tuna are two good sources of brain building omega 3 fatty acids that are lower in mercury.  Each serving is 3.5 ounces cooked, or about ¾ cup of flaked fish. Fish with higher mercury levels should be avoided: Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.

Fat:
You have a fat head.  Really!  Your brain is made up of two-thirds fat, so eating enough of it is important.  “Brain building” fats include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  Monounsaturated fats promote healthy blood blow to your brain and include olives, olive oil, nuts and seed, peanut oil, canola oil and avocados.  Polyunsaturated fats, specifically omega 3 fatty acids, are the main structural component of your brain. Eat them and you’ll have a much higher functioning noggin!  They include herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, chia seeds, canola oil, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, soybean oil and walnuts.  Because they are calorie-rich, remember to keep portion sizes small when it comes to oils, nuts and seeds.

Your brain hates trans fats (trans fatty acids), otherwise known as “brain draining” fats.  That’s because it’s not a natural fat, so it stands to reason that it doesn’t act naturally in your body.  Trans fats make their way into your brain cells, line your brain cell membranes and disrupt communication, resulting in diminished mental performance.  In other words, your brain malfunctions in the presence of trans fat.  Possible trans fat-containing foods include:  cookies, crackers, doughnuts, foods fried in partially hydrogenated oils (fried chicken, French fries), frostings, margarine, pastry, potato chips, shortening, snack cakes and tortillas.

To check if a food is made with trans fat, look at the Nutrition Facts Label for grams of trans fat and also under the ingredient list for the words “partially hydrogenated oils.”

Hint:  Carbohydrate, protein, and fat are all necessary components of a meal. Take out the carbs and your brain won’t have a reliable source of glucose to function properly, take out the protein and you may not be as alert, take out the fat and it’s just like eating Chinese food…you’ll get hungry in an hour!

B-Vitamins & Choline:
B-vitamins help your body take the energy from the foods you eat and turn it into energy you can use.  Without B-vitamins it would be difficult for your brain to operate at its peak.  Fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, meats, beans, soy, seafood, nuts and eggs are all good sources of B-vitamins.  As you can see, it’s pretty easy to get your B-vitamins if you follow a balanced diet with lots of variety!

Choline belongs to the B-vitamin family and improves thought, memory and focus.  Eggs, soybeans, wheat germ and whole wheat products are all rich in choline, so be sure to have them on your plate during exam week!

Antioxidants:
Free radicals are harmful substances in your body that cause damage and loss of brain function over time.  Your body naturally eliminates some, but not all of them.  This is where food comes in to finish the job.  Antioxidant-rich foods in particular are what you are after.  Antioxidants literally act like a broom, sweep up these nasty free radicals and eliminate them from your body.  This means a healthier body and brain.  Foods high in antioxidants include fruits (especially berries), colorful vegetables, dark chocolate, legumes, oats, green tea, spices, nuts and garlic.

Meal size:

Larger meals that are higher in calories take longer to digest, contribute to serotonin production, make you sleepy and diminish your mental performance.  Lighter meals with fewer calories, on the other hand, will not only nourish your body and brain, but will keep you energized and with peak mental focus.

You probably have to be at your most sharp during daylight hours, so breakfast, lunch and snacks should be lighter on the calories.

Meal frequency:

If it’s extra energy and more focus that you’re after, it is critical that you “refuel” every few hours.  This includes the most important meal of the day – breakfast of course!  To break the overnight fast that happens when you sleep, breakfast is a must.  When your blood sugar levels drop below a certain level, say after about four hours with no food, your stress hormones go up in an attempt to raise your blood sugar.  This process weakens your brain and your ability to concentrate suffers!

Focusing on that boring lecture and studying for your first exam will come much easier when you:  eat often, eat light, and fuel your brain with a wide variety of “brain building” carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  If you’re dying for something sweet, go ahead and have a small portion of ice cream…after you’ve eaten a well-balanced meal!

Melanie Jatsek is a speaker, author and registered dietitian who teaches college students how to eat to look better, feel better, think better and stress less!  Send her an email at melanie@melaniejatsek.com or connect with her on her new Facebook page for college students: “The Healthy Campus Project.”

Summer is winding down, school is starting up, alumni are still doing the same-sh*t-different-day dance. In summary, the end of August kind of blows. Which is why this week’s Intro to Cooking is throwing nutrition to the wind (sort of), because it’s time for something indulgent!

The Ingredient: Dark Chocolate

In truth, dark chocolate IS good for you. In small servings, it can lower blood pressure, due to its richness in antioxidants. Why the dark stuff, over its milk- and white-chocolate sisters? Researchers think that the milk found in the latter two varieties may temper with the body’s absorption of the healthful nutrients found in pure chocolate.

Easy recipes (do you really need an excuse?)

* Pair a few pieces with a glass of red wine (more antioxidants!) for a refined evening snack.
* Mix 2 tablespoons agave nectar with 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder for a healthier alternative to chocolate dip, and serve over pieces of apples, raspberries, and bananas.
* Toss some dark chocolate pieces in a baggie with almonds, goji berries, walnuts, and peanuts for an upscale, super-tasty trail mix for those really hectic days.

The Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Whoever discovered the combination of chocolate and peanut butter should be given the Nobel Prize, for their contribution to countless moments of decadent dessert bliss. So if you want a cupcake that is truly a religious experience (seriously, just look at that photo), pull out this recipe from Food & Wine, and you’ll be praying to the chocolate gods in no time.

Ingredients
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and position 2 racks in the lower and middle third of the oven. Line 24 muffin cups with paper or foil liners.

2. Put the cocoa powder in a medium heatproof bowl. Add the boiling water and whisk until a smooth paste forms. Whisk in the buttermilk until combined. In a medium bowl, sift the flour with the baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 sticks of the butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

3. Beat in the eggs and vanilla, then beat in the dry ingredients in 2 batches, alternating with the cocoa mixture. Carefully spoon the cupcake batter into the lined muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are springy. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

4. In a medium bowl, beat the peanut butter with the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter until creamy. Sift the confectioners’ sugar into the bowl and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Spoon all but 3 tablespoons of the peanut butter filling into a pastry bag (or a plastic baggie with a small hole cut in the corner). Holding a cupcake in your hand, plunge the tip into the top of the cake, pushing it about 3/4 inch deep. Gently squeeze the pastry bag to fill the cupcake, withdrawing it slowly as you squeeze; you will feel the cupcake expand slightly as you fill it. Scrape any filling from the top of the cupcake and repeat until all of the cupcakes are filled.

5. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Off the heat, add the semisweet chocolate to the cream and let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk the melted chocolate into the cream until smooth. Let the chocolate icing stand until slightly cooled and thickened, about 15 minutes. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the icing, letting the excess drip back into the pan. Transfer the cupcakes to racks and let stand for 5 minutes. Dip the tops of the cupcakes again and transfer them to racks.

It’s officially fall, and I’m going bananas over pumpkins right now. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin pie blizzards, pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks; you name it I’m obsessing over it.  Simply the aroma of pumpkin pie baking in the kitchen is enough to send me over the edge. There is a valid reason for that, however. Well, at least for men.

According to Dr. Alan Hirsh, there is a significant connection between Thanksgiving and sex. The mere scent of pumpkin pie alone increases blood flow to a man’s penis by 40%, therefore increasing his sexual appetite. Just another reason for us women to learn how to bake, am I right, ladies?

But sexual stimulation is not the only benefit of this staple fall fruit (yes, it is a fruit). Pumpkins are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. And one cup of pumpkin will only dock you 50 points from your daily calorie intake. Also, pumpkin seeds are chock-full of protein, not to mention magically delicious.

Pumpkins can make us beautiful inside and out. Have you ever treated yourself to a pumpkin pudding facial? Let me explain. The pumpkin’s wonderful shade of orange comes from carotenoids, which are wrinkle fighting plant pigments that will neutralize free radicals in the skin. It looks like the fountain of youth has been in front of us all along.

Additionally, Healthy Sexy Hair created a line of pumpkin hair products that nourish and moisturize your hair using the natural antioxidants and enzymes from the pumpkin. Or perhaps you’re in the market for a new foot scrub? Try one that uses pumpkin for it’s exfoliating capabilities. I’ll exchange the stinky Ugg-foot smell for a pumpkin aroma any day.

Pumpkins are seducing me from head to foot this fall. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than an additional flavor of coffee to spice up your morning commute, now you can bathe yourself in the stuff. Would you go as far as to say that pumpkins are the essence of perfection? Because I would.

Mmmm. When it hits your lips....

Happy National Coffee Day! You know Americans have a serious caffeine addiction when they single out an entire day in which to celebrate it. But before you check your jittery and wide-eyed self into rehab, let’s take a moment to consider the benefits of that aromatic Americano you pick up every morning at your local Starbucks.

First and foremost, coffee produces mental alertness. A pumpkin spice latte in the morning wakes you up, energizes you and improves performance, both academically and, I imagine, in the sack. And it’s legal and socially acceptable. So go on and abuse it, weary college student, no ones judging you.

Coffee is the drink of the escape artist. Things in the library getting too intense for your liking? Escape to the coffee shop for a breather. The thought of spinach in your teeth on a first dinner date worrying you? Ask him to get a casual cup of coffee instead. If avoidance is your game, coffee is your salvation.

Plus it’s loaded up with antioxidants, which are so hot right now. A cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin in the morning will make your skin a no-fly zone for free radicals.

On the same token, coffee has been proven to protect against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Evidence to be found here, here and here. So, in essence, coffee is basically the caffeinated polar opposite of Diet Coke, which will kill you, apparently.

And last but not least, a cup of coffee will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Which, if you’re wondering, is the caffeine stimulating your bowels. Yummy.

Coffee is a lifestyle choice. Consumers of this drug, excuse me, drink of choice come together in coffee shops across the nation and discuss life, love and why over a steaming cup of their favorite brand of brain food. So celebrate this day with your loved ones, and then hit the bathroom immediately after.

New Year’s Eve, many moons ago, I spent the end of the evening hugging the toilet at my parents’ house. I recall my mother saying, in that all-too-knowing tone, “See Blair, alcohol is poison.”

“Thanks, Mom. Blahhhhh!”

At that moment, while I agreed completely, I still felt like telling her to shut up. I needed her back there holding my hair, not scolding me for drinking “poison.”

Never would I have imagined – in my wildest dreams! – later reading articles boasting, “Alcohol is Good for You!”

But here we are in 2009 and it’s been proven that wine, and now beer and liquor, provide certain benefits to the body.

As we know, wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, fight aging, and improve lung function. This is due to the flavanoids found in red wine that act as antioxidants, as well as the effects in red grape skin (MSNBC.com). But beer and hard alcohol are now showing their good-for-you colors, too. Beer contains vitamin B6, which prevents the buildup of homocysteine, a chemical linked with heart disease (FitnessMagazine.com). (It’s kind of hard to believe that beer has a vitamin in it, but those people at Fitness Magazine know what they’re talking about…) And drinking hard alcohol will raise your good HDL cholesterol levels, something that is obviously very beneficial to people with high cholesterol.

Ok, so clearly there is a catch: In order to receive these benefits, we must drink our drinks in moderation. Booo, I know. But sipping too much too often will only counter the good effects by increasing the risk of certain cancers and liver disease.

But, still, the next time you choose to just have one or two glasses of wine, or beer, or vodka and club soda, remember that you are doing your body a favor. And be sure to tell your mom that, too.

You pry your eyes open as the blaring sound of your alarm clock echoes the throbbing in your head and wonder why your alarm is going off at such an ungodly hour on a Sunday when you suddenly realize, “Sh*t! Brunch with the ‘rents!”

You fling yourself out of bed as quickly as your hungover ass will let you, and as you glance at yourself in the mirror you realize that hangover is written all over your haggard face. You’ve got 10 minutes to pull yourself together and look fabulously fresh so that your folks don’t know the amount of liquor you consumed the night before (and don’t forget that greasy pizza at 2 a.m.). What do you do? Don’t fret – with a few products from Clinique, this feat is a lot easier than it sounds.

I’m personally a fan of Clinique because it’s non-comedogenic (which means it has ingredients that do not clog the pores or lead to breakouts), allergy tested and fragrance free. It’s the first skin care line developed by a dermatologist and has been using the same formulas since it was first released in 1968. I also love that it’s a more budget-friendly prestige line and offers up high-end products at much lower prices than many other upscale lines.

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

I swear by this fantastic moisturizer that works for all skin types and was developed to “maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone” and it’s a great way to start your regime (after washing off last night’s make-up, of course). If you want to be a do-gooder while you moisturize, they’re offering a special limited-edition bottle that includes two charms, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s more expensive than the regular bottle, but $10 of the sales go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

All About Eyes

Put on this eye cream to get rid of those nasty eye puffs, darkness and fine lines (more lovely side effects of too much alcohol and not enough sleep).

Airbrush Concealer

Love, love, LOVE this concealer! It softens fine lines and is made with light-diffusing optics which brightens shadow. It’s another great way to hide those bags under your eyes and also to hide any blemishes that may have popped up in the middle of the night. The brush makes it easy to apply and it’s available in four different skin tones.

Soft-Pressed Powder Blush

Nothing like a little color on those cheeks to make you look more alive and this is a nice, soft, natural looking blush that works with all skin types and offers a wide variety of shades to compliment your skin tone.

High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara

This award-winning mascara’s wand includes a brush and a comb; you brush on the mascara, then comb it out which separates the lashes and gives each lash length and definition. Comes in black/brown or plain black.

Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

Ever wish your trusty lip balm also gave some color to your lips? Well that’s exactly what this is! It relieves that dryness you get with dehydration and includes antioxidants for added protection. It comes in a wide array of colors, so pucker up.

[headliner photo from pro.corbis.com]

University of California scientists have gone a step further with the whole “pomegranate juice is totally healthy” theory. According to a study that tested “53 men with impotence problems”, the antioxidants in pomegranate juice (which “increase blood supply to the genitals”) helped nearly half of the study participants perform better in the bedroom.

Besides possibly helping dudes everywhere satisfy their mate in the bedroom, pomegranate juice has also “been associated with reducing the risk of heart disease and preventing prostate cancer.”

With all this great research behind it, why not buy some pomegranate juice for all the men in your life this year? (just block out whole better-than-Viagra part when it comes to your dad) It’s tasty, healthy, and has a festive red color, making it perfect for holiday stocking stuffers!

Need an extra incentive to start loving pom juice? Try out this double chocolate brownie recipe that’s bursting with pomegranate goodness!