Put the freeze on winter colds and flu

Here at Graffiti Pink, we're all about helping you look fabulous throughout the holiday season. But puffy eyes, runny nose, and swollen sinuses? Ain't nobody rocking that look, honey. Fortunately, a few simple strategies can help you keep winter colds and flu at bay to stay feeling—and looking—fabulous throughout the season.

The single most effective cold/flu prevention method is to wash your hands thoroughly and often. Think about all the surfaces you touch in public areas every day—doorknobs, elevator buttons, phones, coffee pots, refrigerator doors—then consider that germs can survive on any surface for 2 hours or more. A thorough hand-washing lasts 15 to 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice) with soap under warm-to-hot water. And keep antibacterial gel handy for times when you can't get to a sink.

Another effective prevention method involves what you put into your body. Remember to drink plenty of water; this will help the body flush out germs and toxins more efficiently. Also, foods that are rich in natural vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids can bolster your immune system and help you send viruses packing. Some flu-fighting superstars include spinach, bell peppers, blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, turkey, salmon, sweet potatoes, low-fat yogurt, nuts, and beans.

Finally, don't neglect your exercise routine. Regular aerobic exercise intensifies the delivery of nutrient-rich blood to all areas of the body, promotes toxin flushing through perspiration, and helps increase your count of virus-killing cells.

When it comes to winter colds and flu, the best defense is a good offense—and a little proactive prevention can keep you healthy all season long.

(Source: WebMD.com)

Tips for trouble-free travel

Tomorrow will be the busiest air-travel day of the year, with over 27 million travelers hitting the friendly—or not so friendly—skies to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

If your holiday plans involve a plane ride or two, the following tips will help you arrive refreshed, relaxed, and (relatively) stress-free.

• Leave for the airport extra-early so you won't have to rush, taking into account extended parking, checkin, and security check times. If you wind up having time on your hands at the airport, it's a great chance to catch up on the latest hot reads, such as Eat, Pray, Love and The Daring Book for Girls.
• Remember the TSA allowances for fluids in carry-on luggage (3-ounce or smaller containers sealed in a quart-sized zip-top bag) to avoid unnecessary delays in security.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight, as air travel can be extremely dehydrating.
• Treat your body to a relaxing stretch when you get to where you're going; check out FitSugar's easy stretches for banishing post-flight stress.

Happy—and safe—travels, girls!

(Image source: knowledgeflow.com)

Beauty with a purpose

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and Olay is teaming up with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery to offer free skin cancer screenings--for you and a friend--all month long. Under the banner of Skin Cancer Takes Friends, the campaign, fronted by porcelain-skinned beauty Marcia Cross, is dedicated to promoting awareness and providing resources to help us better protect ourselves and the ones we love.

To get your free screening, just go to the Dermatologist Locator for a list of participating doctors, and mention the Skin Cancer Takes Friends campaign when you make an appointment.

It's about your health, ladies--and you're never too young to start taking it seriously!