You’ve eliminated soda. You’re all about juice, not drink. You even drink water as much as you can. But when you hit the store, your taste buds want something sweet and light, and since you’re on the healthy tip, you want something nutritious. A kaleidoscope of colors catch your eye…VitaminWater . You pick one up and read the short blurb about how its special ingredients will boost your body in some way. Your eyes skip over the nutrition facts label…it’s called VitaminWater after all, and it promises benefits, so it must be good for you, right?

Well, not exactly. You gotta give it up to the marketing strategies of the drink company, as most of these beverages promise something that you’re in need of. Tired? Drink Revive. Need help concentrating? Try Focus. Even rapper 50 Cent has his own grape-flavored formula, boasting that it gives 50% of some recommended daily vitamins. While that may be true, just because something has vitamins doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for your body. What company is behind all of this marketing? Coca-Cola, yes, VitaminWater is owned and distributed by Coca-Cola. Red flag! While Coca-Cola owns Minute Maid, a popular brand that is made of 100% juice, it’s almost safe to say that the Coca-Cola company doesn’t have their consumer’s health as a priority.

If it promises benefits, it must be good for you, right?

The labels contain phrases like “Drink better water,” “Hydrate responsibly,” and even “The inside is natural,” but I can already taste the fallacies with those statements. Nothing is better than fresh clean water, and that’s the most responsible hydrating you can do for yourself. There is no way that VitaminWater can be better than water because it contains just as much sugar as a can of soda, and it’s the same type of processed sugar, too. True, VitaminWater contains more liquid than a can, but chances are, either way you’re going to finish all of either size. Reading the label may be tricky because the facts show that one bottle is 2.5 servings. If you just skim over to look at the sugar content, you’re not taking the whole bottle into consideration unless you do your math. And about the “natural” ingredients? There is nothing natural about a flavored fruit water containing almost no juice.

So what is the real vitamin water? Walk in to your favorite Mexican joint and you’ll see it sitting gloriously in huge jugs, in a kaleidoscope of colors just like VitaminWater, except these colors are natural, from real fruits, and processed fresh daily. Yes, aguas frescas, meaning fresh water, is exactly what its name says. While these drinks don’t come with witty remarks and nutrition labels, you don’t need those to want to buy it. Depending on the flavor, the drinks can also contain a good amount of natural sugar, but most of the sugars come from the fruits. The best part is that the vitamins don’t have to be processed into the drink for it to be healthy because the fruits used already contain vitamins. There is nothing better than fresh!

You can easily make your own aguas frescas at home, and the summertime is the best time to enjoy it because there are so many refreshing and nutritious fruits that you use.

Try these yummy flavors:

• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew
• Mango
• Pineapple

All it takes is a little patience and time and you can have your own batch of aguas frescas faster than it takes to drive back and forth to the store.

1. Choose your fruit and chop into small pieces. De-seed if necessary.
2. Blend chopped fruit and then strain the puree into a pitcher. If you like your drinks with pulp (which contains more fiber for the digestive system), skip the straining!
3. Add water. You can determine how much water you want, more for a lighter drink, less for more flavor.
4. Chances are, your drink is already sweet, but if you need more sweetness, try adding a little bit of honey, 100% maple syrup, or agave nectar, which are all great alternatives to sugar. If you don’t have those, a spoonful of sugar should do the trick.
5. For more flavor, try to mix different fruits together, or add lemon, lime, or even mint.

If you don’t have the time or energy to make a giant jug or even a small pitcher of your own aguas frescas, then try a simpler version. I’ve seen infused water at fancier restaurants and bars, and the preparation is quite simple. Slice or muddle fruit and let it soak in cold water. I particularly enjoy sliced cucumbers, or muddled strawberries and mint. The longer you let it sit, the more flavor you’ll get. The result is a simple water with a kick, and, a little vitamin power for your body. No need for gimmicky labels, you get what you get, flavored water with vitamins.

And for those of you taking the Soda Free Summer challenge, VitaminWater is now a no-no.

Summer, the season of heat, calls for extra attention to drink fluids!

Have you been living soda free so? Last week, we encouraged you to have a soda free summer, and if you accepted the challenge, kudos to you! But if you couldn’t resist popping some pop, don’t worry because now, summertime has officially begun so it’s not too late. Summer, the season of heat, calls for extra attention to drink fluids, and soda and artificial juice ain’t gonna do any good for your body. The best bet is water, and I’ll bet that you already knew that.

Water is something that is so intuitive to drink yet many deprive themselves from it. The different flavors of beverages make water seem like a boring choice, but actually, it’s essential for your body. A typical adult is generally two-thirds water, and if we don’t replenish ourselves with more water, a slew of health problems could arise. From headaches, to kidney stones, to weight gain, and even depression, water can help prevent those ailments and keep you healthy.

Check out a few ways water helps our bodies:

• Boosts metabolism
• Prevents weight gain
• Aids in digestion
• Lubricates joints
• Delivers nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Detoxifies the kidneys
• Assists the lungs in breathing
• Cools down the body
• and of course, quenches thirst!

By substituting unhealthy drinks with water, you’re doing something ultimately beneficial for yourself. But if the only time you drink is with a meal, then you might not be getting the right amount of liquid you need. To prevent dehydration and other problems, try to drink at least 8 full glasses of water a day. For those on the more active tip, your body will need more water so try to get at least 12-14 full glasses daily. Refills please!

Carrying a disposable water bottle will help to ensure that you’re getting enough water, but is it the best choice?

I’ve seen people carry around gallon jugs full of water. That method is a great way to check that you’re getting enough water, but lugging around all that weight could get heavy and burdensome. Others buy disposable plastic water bottles and either refill throughout the day or just buy another bottle. Carrying a disposable water bottle will help to ensure that you’re getting enough water, but environmentally, it’s not the best choice. Although more and more companies are recycling water bottles to make clothing, reducing the amount of plastic you consume will help the environment and could even benefit your health. Many water bottles contain BPA, or Bisphenol A, a chemical that has been linked to developmental problems and even cancer.

Reusable water containers: Environmentally-friendly, fashionable and fun!

So what’s the best way to make sure you’re getting all the water you need? Carry around a reusable water bottle that’s BPA-free. Companies are tuning into consumer demands and label their containers as such. Or, if plastic ain’t your thing, go for a stainless steel bottle. One great thing about reusable containers, aside from being environmentally-friendly, is that you won’t be stuck at a picnic unknowing of which plastic water bottle is yours, causing you to crack open a brand new one. But perhaps the ultimate benefit of having your own water canteen is that it can be your latest fashion accessory! Containers come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes, and for the DIY-types, you can always decorate your own. How fabulous would it be to carry around a bottle that matched your fit and enhanced your style?

Drop that soda, recycle that can, and invest in a reusable water bottle for this summer. Water you waiting for?

Take our M.I.S.S. Healthy Bites Challenge and have a Soda-Free Summer!

Greetings M.I.S.S. Readers,

This week, I pose a challenge to you, a challenge that requires dedication, determination, and endurance. Upon accepting this challenge, you’ll be bombarded with constant messages, trying to trick you into failure. If you shall complete this challenge, you’ll have the ability to overcome more obstacles as they come your way.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to have a soda free summer.

No soda!?!? In the summer!?!? Yes, this is the toughest time to abstain from it, but remember, this is a challenge. And if you can make it through all summer without a sip, you can probably go all year! Already living soda free? Then take it to the next level and encourage your loved ones to do the same. After all, soda is no longer just a beverage used to quench thirst; it’s a lifestyle.

Soda has flooded the mainstream, making it difficult to go anywhere without having an option to get a drink. So much money is pumped into advertising for soda, watching the latest movie or enjoying your favorite sports outing almost always has the famous logos. When it comes to soda ads, the perfect marketing formula has been to use pop culture to sell pop. From Michael Jackson’s Pepsi commercial, which almost left him burned and bald, to Sprite commercials laced with lyrics from some of hip hop’s most recognized, the combination of music, pop culture, and sugary soda seemed to all come together like Voltron (yes, Voltron was also used for marketing purposes!). One of the latest celebs to campaign for soda is Dr. Dre for….Dr. Pepper. Apparently, since his name dons the doctor title, you can trust him to prescribe a soda. While you might listen to his music, don’t listen to his advice, because slowing down to sip a soda could also slow you down.

Check out these facts from the Soda Free Summer website:
• Drinking just one 20-once bottle of soda each day for a year can result in gaining 25 extra pounds.
• Soda is the #1 source of sugar in the American diet.
• Over 30 percent of all calories from added sugars consumed daily are from sweetened beverages.
• Americans spend $56 billion annually on purchasing sugary soft drinks.
• U.S. teens consume twice as much soda as milk.

Don’t cheat and chug on the diet kinds, because those count too! If you’re trying to substitute, go for healthier alternatives, like juice (not drink!) or good old-fashioned ice-cold water. For those that drink heavier beverages, alcoholic drinks that contain soda can be switched for drinks that contain juice. Get your healthy on while at the bar!

If you’re down for the pledge, let us know and leave a comment. Have a soda free summer and good luck!

P.S.  Stay tuned for more ideas on how keep hydrated this summer…and tickle your taste buds!

You can get with this, or you can get with that...

If the hot summer sun is beating you down, don’t reach for the purple stuff.  A nice tall glass of ice cold water will always be the best choice for refreshment, but if you want something on the sweet side, chug juice- not drink.  Confused?  Yes, juice is a drink, but is drink a juice?  Check the nutrition label on the side to make sure you’re hydrating yourself with 100% juice, and nothing less.

When I was a young girl, some of my favorite juices came in boxes, pouches, squeeze bottles, gallon jugs, or even the mix-with-water kind.  You know what I’m talkin’ about.  The drinks were so bright that they turned your tongue the same color and the sweetness tasted like your favorite candy- in liquid from.  The packaging even adorned the juicy fruits that the beverages were flavored from, or cartoon characters that hopped out at you as you cruised the grocery store aisles.

But as refreshing as the drinks were, they definitely were not nourishing.  Even comedian Dave Chappelle knows the deal with “juice” drinks when he said in his act, “Ain’t no vitamins in that sh*t!” That was true; juice drinks usually contained sugar (or high fructose corn syrup), water, color, and artificial flavors, or as Mr. Chappelle said, “Sugar, water, and of course, purple.” As more became aware of how those drinks had no nutritional benefits, companies got smart and started adding vitamins, minerals, and actual juice to their formulas to have better appeal with consumers. Now, juice drinks boast “natural” flavors and even claim to have the daily recommended value of vitamins.

Don’t let those marketing gimmicks fool you. Although a drink may contain vitamins, it doesn’t mean it’s good for your body. The sugars are enough to offset the benefits of the added vitamins. And if your drink comes in an unnatural color, like electric blue, you know already it has colors in it that are in no way real juice. The only ways you’ll be able to tell if your juice is actual juice is by looking at the label, like mentioned earlier, or by making your own. If infomercials persuaded you into getting that fancy juice machine, then hopefully you’ve been squeezing some healthy juices into your day. There are so many different concoctions that can be made with an electric juicer, you can’t get tired of the yummy nutritional drinks that can be mixed up. There’s nothing like a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, or even better, orange-carrot-banana-mango juice!

Some of us aren’t so lucky to have an electric juicer, so buying 100% juice is the next best thing. When you drink 100% juice, you get all of the vitamins that the fruit contains in a refreshing beverage sweetened by natural sugars. Orange juice and apple juice contain loads of vitamin C, while cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail) will provide great antioxidants for your body. Juices are even getting exotic because some tropical fruits, like açaí and mangosteen, are infiltrating the market, blessing us with health benefits that we’re not used to. Give those drinks a taste!

So the next time you need to quench your thirst, make sure it’s juice, not drink!

Stila's Indian Summer Collection

Standouts would have to be the Charmed Eyeshadow Palette with four brilliant wet-to-dry super shimmery shades and the non-sticky 24kt Gloss adorned with a genuine handmade bindi. And as a known antioxidant with microbial properties, the gold-infused products will do more than just have you looking pretty on the surface!

Peep the Indian Summer Collection at the website, and to keep up to date follow Stila’s Twitter.

M.I.S.S. Healthy Bites: Strawberry Fields Forever

During the cold winter months, I often dreamed of bright red, fresh strawberries and longed for summer days when strawberries are in abundance. The crops found in the markets during the winter months aren’t the best quality when they’re grown in faraway lands and harvested early to withstand the long travel times. But now that the days are warming up, strawberries fields are ready for harvest, and the yummy fruit is popping up in farmer’s markets and grocery stores everywhere. This is the best time of year to enjoy the heart-shaped berry.

Aside from being such a cute fruit, strawberries are rather unique for many reasons.  First, the seeds are found on the outside!  Most fruit seed are found in the core, but strawberries need the seed on their coat to define their look.  Strawberries are also loaded with vitamin C, an important antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and heals cuts and bruises.  But one of the best reasons to love strawberries is the versatility of the fruit.  Sprinkle some strawberries in your daily summer diet and you’ll love the flavor!

Try out these delectable ways to eat strawberries:

• Salsa- Chop some up and add to your Pico de Gallo recipe.
• Salad- Slice and top on greens for a punch of sweetness.
• Smoothies- Hull the stem and freeze the berry.  Toss in the blender with other fruits and juice or milk.
• Bruschetta- Mix with tomatoes for an updated flavor.
• Ice cream- Forget the syrup and go with fresh slices.
• Lemonade- When life gives you lemons, make strawberry lemonade.
• Champagne- Nothing else goes better with bubbly!

Just remember, that if you’re going to use strawberries in your recipe, always have extra because you might not be able to stop yourself from eating the fruit before you even get a chance to use it!

Step into the Darkside for Your Summer Sneakers

The Darkside Initiative just received a gang of new sneakers for your warm weather rendezvous, some of which should spark memories of summers long gone. For all you true sneaker heads, the Air Max ’90 is usually a popular pick, and this time it receives an updated ’09 look with shiny patent. If you’re up for a punch of color, go for the purple/white pair, but for those who are not so bold, the silver/black/red will be the go-to pair for everyday life, from running errands to running the track. My personal fave, the Air Max ’95, has been re-released in a colorway popular to Frisco folks, orange and grey.  Thankfully the shop thinks of the ladies, because although the ’95s are men’s sizes, they ordered down to a size 6, equivalent to a women’s 7.5 (sorry for the tiny feet!).  If your old pair from high school has been around the block one too many times, it’s now time to upgrade!

Those that favor the new new have a few choices to pick from. The Blazer Mid “Bamboo” just breathes summertime with its woven look and green accents. And…these are strictly for the ladies so rock them out to make the fellas jealous! For something on the dark side, opt for the black/metallic pewter pair with subtle hints of snakeskin, or even the Air Rift in a similar colorway. With the ninja-inspired split-toe box and easy-access Velcro elastic straps, you’ll be able to swiftly handle your business and pleasure. Then, art and Dunk lovers alike can feel fly with the latest “skinny” silhouette that feature French textile designer Paule Marrot’s feathers pattern. Again, this is only for the females.  The Darkside Initiative has you covered!

Cop these kicks at the shop at 1827 Powell Street in San Francisco. Don’t sleep or you’ll be left in the dark.

Summer is just around the corner, making this the season to be looking for the perfect beachwear that brings your sexy back for 2009. And you can’t really get much sexier than luxury lingerie brand, Agent Provocateur. With their new collection of swimwear, there will be no more swimming and a lot more sexy-time posing on the beach; you don’t really want to hide your goddess body adorned in hot Agent Provocateur under the sea now, do you?

Agent Provocateur is a brand that definitely knows the meaning of sexy and seductive. So much so, the brand may as well be filed under ‘sexy’ and ‘seductive’ in the definitions of a dictionary! Famous for their saucy lingerie which is designed to release one’s innermost desires, Agent Provocateur really does embody the risqué lifestyle. They have also translated this through their new range of swimwear, letting us know that the seductive sirens do not just reside in the bedrooms. Agent Provocateur has never failed to bring out the sexy confidence in all the ladies, and they have done it again with their new swimwear collection. Designed with deep décolletage and cut-away sides, these swimwear pieces are bound to make you stand out on any beach across the globe. Whatever your preference, Agent Provocateur has designed something for everyone: from the front cross-strap, monochrome two-piece, to the Über sexy mesh panelled one piece and through to the 60s inspired piece with oversized buttons.

Continue reading to see more pieces from the new range.

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Ramping up the game in women’s streetwear for the warmer months ahead, the new collection from AKDMKS features distinct colours, bold patterns and a certain edge guaranteed to catch ones eye.

Channeling sexy chic with a little bit o ‘tude like no other, the new line boasts none other than the animal print and acid wash jeans, flattering cuts and graphic tees all set to be staples for the coming months ahead. Cropped jackets and playsuits prove this line to be versatile for a day chillin’ with the ladies or a night on the town.

See something familiar? Well, it could be that you recognise the jewellery in these photos – which are exclusive Cubannie Links pieces made by one of our women making history, Annie Basulto. As if that isn’t enough, fellow woman making history miss Radio Rose Garcia styled the fierce AKDMKS campaign - It’s just too good to be true, ahh!

Be sure to keep your eye out for the Spring 09 collection due to hit stores soon!

Read the story to see more photos of the collection.
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You know when your clothing is featured on shows like Gossip Girl, Sex & the City, America’s Next Top Model, and The Hills you’re onto a good thing.  Further proof that things are on the up would be having your clothes worn by the likes of Eva Mendes, Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.  So it’s safe to say that Boy Meets Girl founder/designer Stacy Morgenstern Igel is doing pretty well for herself!  This Lady kinda makes me feel like an underachiever – she triple-majored in Fashion Design, Retail and Business (I’m flat-out just doing one!) and then single-handedly built her company from the ground up.

Boy Meets Girls is all about “comfortable clothes that make you feel happy and sexy,” with a variety of inspiration taken from 1920’s Hollywood icons, to the music and art scene of downtown NY.  Great for girly-girls and tomboys alike, pieces range from sporty-casual to sleek and sexy – a lot of the time a mix of the two.

The Summer ‘09 range screams simple sophistication with some slight preppyness, while managing to stay coy and playful at the same time – sounds like an impossible combo I know! Taking a step away from the sportiness of their Spring drop, the current line is a mix of playsuits, simple tees and tanks, and some cute dresses perfect for both day and night. The colour palette consists of a lot of black, with splashes of neon tangerine, mushroom pink, and grey. The beauty of such simple pieces is how you can either throw them on and walk out the door or pile on the accessories (and then walk out the door). Looking over the collection I had a hard time selecting images as I pretty much loved everything (a rare thing for me) - pick up any of these and you’ll be snapping necks in no time! Click here for stockists.

Continue to read on to see more from the Summer collection! Read the full story