Congratulations on making it through week 1 of my 4-week challenge to reboot your health! Keep up the great work. If you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late to join. You can begin today (or any time, really!). Here are 3 recipes – one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – to get you started or keep you going!

Breakfast: Strawberry Smoothie (makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

1-2 cups frozen organic strawberries

1 cup frozen cauliflower (I promise you can’t taste it!)

1 serving of vanilla protein powder

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Pinch of sea salt

1 tbsp. flax seed or chia seeds (optional)

1 tbsp. melted coconut oil or nut butter

~12oz. of water (enough to cover all of the ingredients)

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender (I use a NutriBullet Rx) with enough water to cover everything.
2. If you’re using a smaller blender or a blender cup, be sure not to exceed the “max” fill line. Blend well; if it’s too thick just add more water.
3. Sip over the course of 30 minutes and enjoy!

Lunch: Homemade Chicken Salad (makes 4 servings)

This chicken salad is great because it uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, which is a convenient way to get in extra protein! Plus, with this homemade recipe, you don’t have to worry about any weird ingredients that you might find in store-bought chicken salads! Also, you can make it taste exactly the way you like it by adding different sweet or savory options.

You are welcome to bake your own boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but for this recipe I keep it simple and use rotisserie chicken!

Ingredients:

~ 4-5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/3 cup celery, diced

1/3 cup apples, diced

1/3 cup red onion, diced

1/3 cup grapes, halved

¼ cup chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans

¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional

Salt, to taste

To make it SWEET, add 1-2 tbsp. lemon juice and 1-2 tbsp. honey.

To make it SAVORY, add 1-2 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp. fresh dill, and ¼ tsp. black pepper.

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Add plain Greek yogurt to create your desired consistency.
3. Mix in additional ingredients as desired.
4. Serve on a high fiber bread like Ezekiel bread, in lettuce wraps, or on a warmed corn tortilla if you are sensitive to gluten. You can also serve with apple slices, celery sticks, cucumbers, tomato slices, or avocado. Feel free to get creative if you don’t want to eat bread or crackers!

Dinner: Burger Bowls (Makes 4 Servings)

Who doesn’t love a good burger on their patio when the weather is nice? These burger bowls satisfy my cravings without the bun and the unhealthy fats that come with French fries. (And you don’t even have to fire up the grill… unless you want to, of course!)

Ingredients:

3-4 small (or 1-2 large) russet potatoes; washed, peeled, and cut into ~1 in. pieces

1 lb. ground turkey or lean ground beef

1 head of Iceberg lettuce or 1-2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for seasoning the meat

Burger toppings of choice; for example:

• chopped tomatoes
• chopped red onion (raw or sautéed)
• pickles
• shredded cheese
• mushrooms
• avocado
• bacon
• ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc. (I recommend the brand “Primal Kitchen”)

Directions:

1. Place the cut potatoes on a greased baking dish and sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bake at 425F until crispy, about 30 minutes (flip halfway through).
2. While the potatoes are baking, cook the ground meat in a pan and season generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
3. Chop up the lettuce and place in 4 large bowls to create the “base” for the burger bowls. When the meat is done cooking, separate it into 4 portions and place one portion on top of each bowl of lettuce.
4. Add any and all burger toppings you wish to the bowl – that’s right, even the condiments!
   Mix it all together.
5. You may top your bowl with the roasted potatoes, or you can eat them separately with your condiments of choice!

There is nothing more powerful for your health than eating real, whole food! These recipes are a great place to start. Make sure you check out my other rules for the 4-Week Challenge if you haven’t already. Get started today, and let me know how it’s going in the comments!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you begun the 4-week challenge? How did your first week go? Did you try the recipes above? Which recipe was your favorite? Have you discovered a new recipe that you’d like to share? What has been your greatest challenge so far?

Ariana Madix’s Red Satin Confessional Dress

Vanderpump Rules Season 10 Fashion

Since pics of Ariana Madix’s reunion “revenge dress” broke, I totally think of red as her color. So her satin confessional dress is totally on brand. And unlike her barely there reunion dress, this dress is a bit more wearable for those of us who currently have more of a sit-on-the-couch-and-watch-Vanderpump bod, than a “revenge” bod. Though all of us might just get a workout in racing to get the final, in stock pieces of this cute corset dress.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her House of CB

Originally posted at: Ariana Madix’s Red Satin Confessional Dress

[NOTE: If you are just joining us for the first time, you will find the list of my previous Sixty and Me Free Piano Lessons at the bottom of this post. You can join our lessons any time!]

9.1 Dynamics

When the piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy in the early 1700s, it was a revelation! The instrument that preceded it, the harpsichord, was much less expressive. No matter how forcefully one pressed a key, the volume remained the same.

The harpsichord mechanism plucked a string, but the new piano mechanism consisted of hammers that struck the strings. This meant that if one pressed a key lightly it would sound soft, and if one pressed the key forcefully it would sound loud!

Cristofori named his instrument “clavicembalo col piano e forte” which means “a harpsichord that can play soft and loud.” The name was later shortened to just the “Piano” for ease. The ability to play at different volumes, or “dynamics” changed piano playing and composing forever. Now piano music could be played much more expressively.

For more about how Dynamics add heart and soul to your music, watch my video:

In Upper Hands Piano, BOOK 1 p.36, we start adding dynamics in our pieces. Notice that Waltz for Pianoforte starts with a P which means to play softly, or piano. The last line of the piece begins with an f which means to play loudly, or forte. I like to call piano and forte the Dynamic Duo, because they are the two dynamic markings you will see the most often in sheet music.

Symbols of piano and forte dynamics in sheet music:

9.2 Waltz for Pianoforte, p.36

Turn to p.36 in Upper Hands Piano, BOOK 1. Notice that there is an F-sharp in the second line bass staff. The photo at the top of the page will remind you where to find F-sharp. You can watch my demonstration video of Waltz for Pianoforte here:

9.3 When the Saints Go Marching In, p.37

On p. 37 you are playing When the Saints Go Marching In again, this time with two hands. Notice that you get to start playing some two-note left hand chords, woohoo! Watch to be sure you are using the suggested fingering for the bass notes in order to play them smoothly.

In this song you also have half rests and whole rests. They look almost the same, but the whole rests hang below the fourth line (fourth line from the bottom) while the half rests sit atop the third line.

Read the mnemonic device on p. 38 to help you remember the difference: “The HALF REST sits like a HAT on a table. The WHOLE is so heavy it hangs below.” Here’s a demonstration of When the Saints Go Marching In:

Fill in the blanks for the Musical Math on p.38. You can review note and rest values on pages 9, 27, 29 and 37 if you are not sure. Then check your work on my website’s ANSWERS page.

9.4 Bonus song: Down in the Valley

You can print the sheet music for Down In the Valley here on my website (scroll down).

Watch the fingering as you play each hand separately first. I have included a Treble note B; to play it, slide your 1-finger (thumb) to the B just below middle C. Here is how it goes:

Passion Practice!

1. Exercise #2 in A-flat and E-flat, and review C through D-flat occasionally. Play each exercise twice: 1x Forte (loudly) then 1x Piano (softly). Try to keep your notes consistently Forte or Piano. It can be particularly difficult to play Piano consistently, so keep playing your exercises 1X Forte and 1x Piano to practice your Dynamics.
2. Play Waltz for Pianoforte, p.36 and When the Saints Go Marching In, p.37 both weeks.
3. Play Down in the Valley in your second week, watching your fingering and dynamics.
4. If you have time, review p. 23-24.

Full Course So Far

INTRODUCTION: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lessons/

LESSON 2 https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-number-1/

LESSON 3: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-3-health-issues-and-exercises/

LESSON 4: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-4-feel-the-beat/

LESSON 5: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-5-bass-g/

LESSON 6: https://sixtyandme.com/rests-and-pickups/

LESSON 7: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-steps-skips/

LESSON 8: https://sixtyandme.com/piano-lesson-8-goodnight-ladies/

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is it easier for you to play consistently Piano or Forte? Why do you think that is? Do you find it easier to play songs that you have heard before, such as Down in the Valley or When the Saints Go Marching In? Or do you enjoy the challenge of learning unfamiliar songs? Leave a comment below and let us know how your piano playing is going!

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

Caffeine is useful beyond your morning cup of joe—the stimulating ingredient is also becoming increasingly known as a part of hair growth treatments. As Healthline reported, caffeine has been found in studies to block the effects of DHT and encourage hair shaft elongation, resulting in longer, thicker hair follicles over time. So if you haven’t tried this particular kind of growth treatment yet, you may want to listen up.

In fact, you should perk your ears now more than ever since The Inkey List is holding a sale on all of its scalp and hair treatments, which includes the best-selling Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment. While you can purchase the scalp serum solo for less than $13 right now, the brand recommends stocking up on at least three bottles to see results in as quick as 90 days—the bundle contains three 150l sizes on sale for $38.

The Inkey List

Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment

Here’s how it works: The overnight treatment (that’s right, you’ll have to leave it on, so plan accordingly) relies on caffeine powder and a special ingredient called Redenysl to minimize hair loss by stimulating the skin on the scalp. For those less versed in the beauty/science space, Rendenysl is similar to minoxidil, but mainly prioritizes hair loss in its earlier phases while addressing all types of pattern baldness.

In order to see significant results, the brand recommends consistent use every night over a 3 month period. If you purchase the bundle, you’ll have plenty of product to see this time through without running out.

If you need one last push to take the plunge, let it be the glowing customer reviews from verified shoppers. As one person wrote, “I know this sounds like click bait but it reduced the hair I find in my shower by 75 percent after using it the first time! Need to get used to the texture and feeling, as it leaves the hair/scalp feeling wet for hours, but that is totally fine if you use it over night. In the morning hair looks better than before and you can totally go out of the house before you wash it.”

“I have purchased this and saw a reduction in hair loss and a slight increase in hair growth in the most troublesome area, said another shopper who was on their second bottle. “It is a product that requires constant usage to see results. I have a normal scalp without any dryness/oiliness so this product (at least to me) did not cause any oiliness or irritation. It has a water-like texture and practical and sanitary applicator. Overall I do recommend it and am quite happy with the results so far.”

The Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment is available in a pack of 3 for less than $39. 

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

Move over, contour: Blush is having its moment. From baby pinks to vibrant corals to beaming berries, everyone is reaching for blush to liven up their complexions for an overall healthy-looking glow. But with an oversaturated market and TikTok trends changing weekly, it can be hard to shuffle through the clutter. Whether you’re searching for one to deliver a fresh, dewy color or one to give you the illusion of Bella Hadid’s cheekbones, it’s important to determine your skin tone, type and undertone. That’s why we enlisted the expertise of celebrity makeup artists Jamie Greenberg, Edward Cruz and Emily Gray for pro tips, tricks and picks. Prepare to blush up with the best of the best. 

What to look for when shopping for blushes for your skin type:

 Jamie Greenberg, who glams the faces of Kaley Cuoco and Chelsea Handler, your skin type—dry, oily or combination—is the best place to start when choosing a blush formula. “For dry skin, I suggest choosing something with a dewy finish, like a liquid or cream blush, since powders can accentuate texture and dryness,” she says. “A powder blush is best for oily skin types since powders can help soak up excess oil and will last longer on your skin than a cream based blush would. Edward Cruz, who works with Brooke Shields and Danai Gurira, says regardless of your skin type or tone, blush has tendency to easily wear off, so applying primer—and setting it with a dusting of loose powder—helps lock it into place for all-day wear.

What to look for when shopping for blushes for your skin tone and undertone:

Once you determine how fair or deep the depth of your skin is, go from there. Emily Gray says she prefers to use light pink and peach blushes on fairer skin, while she reaches for vibrant berry, plum and fuchsia blushes for deeper skin tones. Lastly, decipher your skin’s undertone. Greenberg suggests figuring out if your skin has a cool, warm, or neutral undertone by examining your wrists. “If your veins appear more blue, you’re likely cool. If they seem green, you probably have a warm undertone. If it’s somewhere in the middle, that means you’re neutral,” Greenberg says. Gray recommends pinks and berries for cooler undertones and more corals and peaches for warmer undertones. “These colors are more seamless and do not contrast with the undertone of the skin, meaning it looks more natural,” says Gray.

Ready to shop? We’ve rounded up the best 15 pro-approved blushes for every skin tone and undertone. 

Fair 

Best For Cool Fair Skin Tones

Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick in Pale Petal

Photo: Sephora

According to Greenberg, this dreamy, creamy blush from Makeup by Mario is a must-have for fair, cool skin tones. The soft petal-pink color adds a natural flush of color to the cheeks without being overwhelming, which is a common gripe for those with pale skin. “The cream formula works well against dry skin and the gorgeous shade will give you a glowy pink flush,” she says. Plus, the formula itself is divine. The buttery stick is packed with emollient oils for a dewy finish. 

Best For Warm Fair Skin Tones:

Catrice Airblush Blush Glow in Coral Sky

Photo: Amazon

Add a hint of warm peachy color to your cheeks with Catrice’s budget-friendly buy. This lightweight, blendable pick is a great one for warm, fair skin tones thanks to its customizable formula. “You can customize the blush shades by mixing the two different powders in the pan,” says Gray. “Simply swirl more of the lightest color onto your brush.” 

Best For Neutral Fair Skin Tones:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Cream Blush in Parasol

PHOTO: Sephora

Sheer perfection is the only way to describe this tinted moisturizer blush from Laura Mercier. Fair skin tones typically steer clear of super pigmented blushes, and that’s why Cruz, who uses this blush on his client’s often, loves how subtle and natural the effect of this formula is. This particular shade stuns on fair complexions with its soft, neutral raspberry hue. What’s more? It features an infusion of moisturizing raspberry seed and prickly pear oils. 

Light

Best For Cool Light Skin Tones:

Yensa Super Serum Silk Cream Blush in Pink Bliss

PHOTO: Saks Fifth Avenue

Want in on the viral baby pink blush trend? Light, cool skin tones should get into this brand-new formula from superfood-fueled brand Yensa. With its instant melt-into-skin formula, this silk-soft creamy blush adds a cool-toned dewy dash of light pink to your cheeks. It’s made with the brand’s 8SuperBlacks Essence, a mix of oils and extracts including black sesame oil, black seaweed, black tea and more to provide nourishing, non-drying color to the skin.

Best For Warm Light Skin Tones:

NARS Orgasm Blush

Photo: Sephora

NARS’ iconic shimmery peach-pink powder is a cult classic for a reason. Behind its sexy name is one of the most universally flattering blushes on the market, and it shines on light, warm skin tones. “The peachy undertone of this blush looks stunning on lighter skin tones with a warm undertone,” shares Greenberg. 

Best For Neutral Light Skin Tones:

Iconic London Sheer Cream Blush in Fresh Faced

Photo: Sephora

Those seeking a subdued hue have found it with this neutral beige gel-watercolor blush. Housed inside a travel-friendly squeeze tube lives the perfect shade for that covetable just-back-from-the-beach hint of color that feels fresh and summery. 

As one of Cruz’s favorite formulas for light skin tones, he’s a die-hard fan of how sheer, yet buildable the formula is—no matter if you’re a seasoned MUA or a beauty beginner. 

Medium

Best For Cool Medium Skin Tones:

Glossier Cloud Paint in Storm 

Photo: Sephora

Mid-tone rose is the equivalent of baby pink blush for medium skin tones. We adore this second-skin formula from Glossier that’s both makeup artist- and editor-approved. The deep rose shade may look bright in the tube, but the smoothing, gel-cream formula applies sheerly, delivering a blurred finish that melts into the skin. And if you want a more dramatic look, the formula builds beautifully too—without streaking or caking. 

Best For Warm Medium Skin Tones:

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Blush in 50 Euphoric 

Photo: Sephora

Along the same line as NARS’ orgasm is this satin glowy blush from Armani Beauty. Instead of veering more pink like Orgasm, this formula has a stronger orange undertone so it flatters warm medium skin tones like a dream. The oh-so smooth powder boasts light-bouncing pigments in the formula that give it a radiant sheen that’s never garish or glittery. 

Best For Neutral Medium Skin Tones:

Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush in She’s Baked 

Photo: Sephora

Gray loves a spiced cinnamon shade for warm skin tones. Enter this gem from Patrick Ta that comes equipped with both a delicate powder and plushy cream formula. The neutral rosy-brown can be used to sculpt out your cheekbones or make the apples of your cheeks pop. You can wear each formula on its own, but we love layering the two using Ta’s technique of topping the powder over the cream for a lit-from-within finish. 

Deep

Best For Cool Deep Skin Tones:

Beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Cream Blush in Blissful Berry

Photo: Sephora

Beautyblender Bounce Liquid Blush $22

Buy Now

Cruz lives for a soft, deep berry shade with purple undertones for those with cool, deep skin. He specifically grabs Beautyblender’s cream-to-powder formula that’s packed with plumping hyaluronic acid and brightening vitamin C, so it doesn’t dry out your skin or leave it looking dull. The shade Blissful Berry has just the right amount of blue and red in the formula to make just enough impact. 

Best For Warm Deep Skin Tones:

About Face Cheek Freak Blush Balm in Cowgirl

Photo: Ulta

Take this terracotta tone across your cheeks for a hint of sunny color. The warm orange undertone becomes one with a warm deep skin tone leaving a natural flush. And that’s not all. You’re in for a skin treat formula-wise too as its featherlight balmy cream is spiked with hyaluronic acid and meadowfoam seed oil for streak-free application. The best part? A little goes a long way, so you can easily build up the color without messing up the rest of your makeup. 

Best For Neutral Deep Skin Tones:

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Dream Pop 

Photo: Sephora

Place this pinky-red blush on the apples of your cheeks stat if you have a neutral deep skin tone. It’s another viral sensation from makeup queen Charlotte Tilbury’s line that deserves its notoriety. Many cream blushes on the market offer a dewy, luminous finish, but this one dries down matte. You can thank its matte formula that’s filled with silica spheres that give you a more realistic shine-free look.

Rich

Best For Cool Rich Skin Tones:

Haus Labs Color Fuse Powder Blush in Acai Sky

Photo: Sephora

You’ve never experienced a blush quite like this one. From its bold, beaming plummy color to its ultra-blendable powder to cream formula, it checks multiple boxes on our list. With a skin-diffusing texture that can be worn as a soft veil of color or—when applied with a heavier hand—it delivers a more intense and dramatic effect. It’s saturated with good-for-skin ingredients including redness-reducing arnica and hydrating hydraberry, which give the formula that velvety finish.

Best For Warm Rich Skin Tones:

e.l.f Luminous Putty Blush in Barbados 

Photo: Amazon

TikTok made this blush famous for a reason. This shade belongs on standby for those times you need to instantly give life to your complexion. You can’t go wrong with its deep bronze color that features a soft shimmer finish. The pigmented packed formula is boosted with argan oil and vitamin E for added moisture.

Best For Warm Rich Skin Tones:

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed in Golden Nectar

Photo: Danessa Myricks

Don’t sleep on this vibrant tangerine shade if you have warm rich skin. “I love orange tones on deep skin tones—especially creams when they’re applied gently on apples of the cheeks with a Beautyblender,” says Cruz. Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed is one of our favorites. It features a soft-focus balm-to-powder texture that begins as a cream but magically dries down to a non-drying powder to look natural on the skin. A fab pick for those with more oily or textured skin as it immediately blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines.