Category: Beauty

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The Benefits of Eating Chocolate

The month of February is often associated with Valentine’s Day, an occasion often celebrated with chocolate. Considering its historic use as an aphrodisiac, ability to improve mood, and potential heart health benefits, it is no wonder why this dark delight has long been linked to the celebration of love.

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Here are some benefits of eating chocolate include:

1. Improved mode, libido, and alertness

Eating chocolate releases chemicals in the brain that can help improve mode and libido. As well, its caffeine and threobromine content gives chocolate stimulant properties similar to coffee, which may help to improve alertness. This, in combination with the carbohydrate energy it supplies, makes chocolate a great snack for long romantic evenings.

2. Antioxidants

Chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which help repair damaged cells in the body and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease. However, antioxidant content varies greatly among chocolate products, with the least processed—i.e. cocoa powder and dark chocolate—being highest in flavonoid content and potential health benefits. For the greatest benefit, choose dark or unsweetened chocolate that lists 60% or more cocoa solids on the label.

Despite some health benefits of chocolate, it also contains compounds that are detrimental to health.

Cocoa butter—a saturated fat that can raise cholesterol—is a popular chocolate additive. As well, all chocolate is high in sugar, fat, and calories, which could all lead to increased weight and associated co-morbidities. Unfortunately, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolates with any sort if additives (nuts, nougat, caramel, etc.) are low in flavonoid content and thereby lower in health benefit.

When weighing out the pros and cons, it is still best to enjoy chocolate in small quantities, particularly since research is insufficient to recommend chocolate for its health benefits benefits. If you do choose to indulge,

  • choose dark chocolate containing >60% of cocoa solids
  • use cocoa powder in beverages and baking to reduce the fat and calories content

The health benefit of flavonoids can also be reaped from consuming citrus fruits, apples, berries, nuts, grapes, green tea and onions. In addition, these foods provide other nutrients beneficial to overall health and can easily be incorporated into the daily diet without the drawbacks of chocolate.

If you have any questions about healthy eating, weight loss, chocolate or any other foods, Registered Dietitian Anna Gofeld will be more than happy to answer them for you.

~Live, love, laugh, and eat chocolate in moderation~

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Paying for the Wedding – What to Expect

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A wedding can be very expensive and there are many different areas to consider when planning a budget. The costs can be overwhelming when it comes to one or two people paying for the majority of the wedding fees, and for that reason certain traditions have been set up in regards to who is expected to pay for certain portions of the wedding.

Below, you will more about these traditions so that you will understand what is expected of each of the members of your family and wedding party. Knowing this information may help you to select certain members of your wedding party and will help everyone who is involved with the wedding determine the costs that are related to their specific responsibility.

The Rings

This is one of the lasting memories that comes with a marriage. While it is standard for the groom to purchase both the engagement ring and the wedding ring at once, the bride is typically expected to purchase the wedding ring for her husband later.

Gifts

It is also typical for the wedding party to receive small gifts when they become a member of a family member or friend’s wedding. Usually, the groom purchases gifts for the bride’s attendants and the bride purchases gifts for the groom’s. The bride and groom also normally purchase a gift for each other as well.

The Bride’s Family

Most of the expenses that are related to a wedding are paid by the bride’s family. Below is a list of some of the main items that are typically paid for by the family of the bride:

  • Invitations
  • Announcements
  • Attire for the Bride and the bride’s family
  • Flowers and decorations
  • Fee for the ceremony venue and reception
  • Food and Beverages
  • Photographer
  • Entertainment
  • Limo Rentals

The Groom’s Family

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In order to make the cost of a wedding more affordable for everyone involved, the groom’s family usually takes care of quite a few important elements as well. Here are some of the items that can be expected of the family of the groom.

  • Tuxedos for the groom and his family
  • Flowers for the bridal bouquet
  • Boutonnieres for the grooms attendants and family
  • Corsages for the mothers
  • Rehearsal dinner

The Bride and Groom

There are also some items that are specifically taken care of by the bride and groom. For example, the groom usually handles all of the honeymoon arrangements. Many make the decision to make this a surprise for their bride.

The bride, on the other hand, usually pays for the accommodations for her attendants if the wedding requires hotel rooms. However, the attendants are expected to cover the costs for their travel arrangements and attire on their own.

Conclusion

The costs of a wedding can be very expensive, but with everyone working together, it is more manageable to arrange a suitable wedding for the happy couple. When planning a wedding, it is best to sit down with everyone involved and set up a budget before anything is chosen. This way, no one will receive any surprises when they are expected to pay for a certain portion of the wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride can help keep your budget in place by offering you a wide range of wedding supplies that fit any budget. You will easily be able to find everything you need for your wedding in one of their four convenient locations.

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Most Important Wedding Etiquette Questions

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A wedding is surrounded with traditions and customs that are usually followed throughout the planning process. If you are recently engaged and are just beginning to plan your big day, it is likely that you have many questions to go along with the planning process. Below, you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the etiquette involved with the wedding planning process.

Who hosts the engagement party?

Traditionally, the engagement party planning was left up to the parents of the bride. However, this is not always the case and in recent times other family members have taken on this task as have friends of the bride and groom. It is always best to give a small token of your appreciation to whoever hosts your engagement party.

What should I buy for my attendants?

Purchasing gifts for attendants is common and you can offer something small as a gift. Many people choose gifts that can be personalized with their name or a special message. Some of the most popular items are jewelry boxes or jewelry.

How many attendants is normal?

Sometimes it can be difficult to include every important person in your wedding planning process. When you are faced with this dilemma, focus on your top four options for attendants and ask them first. If you have extra names on your list, you can always select them for other important areas of your wedding instead.

Should I put a registration slip in with my invitation?

Typically, this information will be provided in the invitation that goes along with your bridal shower. It is not considered proper to place registration information in with the invitation to the wedding itself.

How much should we pay the pastor?

If your pastor does not require a certain amount of money to perform the ceremony, it is standard to give him $100 to $200. This will help provide them with the money that they need to clean up after the wedding and a little extra due to your appreciation.

How do I handle the meal response cards?

Many people place these cards in with the RSVP cards that are placed in the wedding invitation. While this is acceptable, you may also choose to make the decision yourself. There are likely to be some people who fail to turn their cards back in and you may find yourself scrambling for an answer as the wedding approaches.

When should I send thank you notes?

It is customary to send thank you cards about four to six weeks after a wedding. It is best if the thank you notes are hand-written and personal. This will make your guests feel as though you truly appreciated their presence at your wedding.

Conclusion

When you begin planning your wedding, you are likely to run into many different questions and concerns along the way. Some of the most common questions have been listed above and are a good starting point for planning your wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride can answer all your questions when it comes to planning and implementing your wedding. They are a full service wedding superstore that has everything that an anxious bride needs to make her special day even better. With four locations to choose from, someone is always available to help answer your questions.

 

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Choosing your Wedding Color Palette

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One of the most powerful ways to showcase the theme of your wedding is by selecting a special color palette. There are so many colors to choose from that finding the best options for your wedding may be difficult at times. However, if you rely on the following tips, you will easily be able to choose colors that are beautiful and that fit your personality and wedding theme.

Time of Year

Some colors work better depending on the time of year that your wedding is taking place. For example, you may want to choose fall colors when the leaves are changing colors, but pastels may be better when the flowers are blooming. Traditionally, spring is the best time for pastels, summer weddings typically use bright colors, earth tones are used in the fall and jewel tones are saved for the winter.

Venue

Another factor that can be important is the venue that you have chosen. Some venues may have décor that will not work well with certain colors. It is best if you avoid matching the colors of the venue too much, but you do want to choose colors that work well with your surroundings. If you don’t, the colors could wind up competing with each other and causing a distraction for you and your guests.

Your Favorite

Is there a color that you love or that will look great on your friends? Keep this in mind when you are planning your wedding colors. You should try to choose a color that will be flattering to everyone and that will work well with their complexions. You should also keep in mind the color that you look best in because you will be surrounded by the color that you choose on your wedding day. Choosing a color that is unflattering to you will make a difference in the way that you look.

Popular Colors

There are many different color options and you can find many options on popular sites like Pinterest and other wedding sites. Getting some ideas that others have used in the past can be helpful when you are planning your own wedding. This will help you to know which colors work well together and allow you to see them put into action in other weddings.

Conclusion

Choosing your wedding colors can be an exciting part of your wedding planning process. Be sure to take some extra time to decide which colors work best for you and will help you to create the theme that you are looking for with your wedding. Take into consideration the colors that work well together and complement each other nicely. When it is time to plan your wedding colors, be sure to keep these tips in mind so that your wedding is as beautiful as you imagined it would be.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride is a wedding specialty shop that offers a one stop shop for all of your wedding planning needs. Their experts will be able to help you select the perfect dresses and décor that will create the theme that you have chosen and the colors that will work best with it.