New Year, New Beginnings — Tips To Start 2021 On The Right Track (As Seen On CBS Austin)

Every day is a new beginning, but there’s something about welcoming in a new year that fills all our hearts with hope and optimism. As we symbolically end one chapter and begin a new one, we tend to reflect, do a through personal inventory, and assess what changes we want to make in our lives and what goals we want to accomplish. We know there may be setbacks and stumbling blocks along the way, but it’s our commitment to overcoming those obstacles and reaching our ultimate objectives that keeps us waking up in the morning with a sense of determination and purpose. With that in mind, I (virtually) stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” to talk about ways we can feel energized and confident as we embrace the new year and the new beginnings it offers!

Click here to view the segment and read on for more details on the tips and products I discussed on air!

ADD SOME PEP TO YOUR STEP WTIH THE NEW HEMPZ FRESH FUSIONS PINK CITRON & MIMOSA FLOWER ENERGIZING COLLECTION

In a November 2020 interview published in The New Yorker, country legend and Texas icon Willie Nelson, 87, was asked to reveal the secrets of his longevity, to which he replied, “Positive thinking. That’s something I believe with all my heart: energy follows thought, so be careful what you’re thinking.” It may sound simplistic, but a positive attitude makes all the difference in the world. When I need a little help turning a frown upside down, I use all the tools at my disposal — including the mood-boosting powers of scent. I really can’t overstate this enough: an uplifting aroma will work wonders to help you harness your inner optimist.

That’s one of the reasons why I love the new Hempz Fresh Fusions Pink Citron & Mimosa Flower Energizing Collection: the scent exudes joy and vibrance. Designed to hydrate and energize skin, the products in the collection are formulated with a blend of bright citrus and tropical flower, hemp seed oil, vitamins, and electrolytes so they hydrate, soften, and smooth skin while awakening your senses with their zesty, vigorous, light and refreshing, citrus-y aroma. Once you apply these products, you’ll feel ready to conquer the day.

You can begin your routine with the Energizing Herbal Body Cleansing Oil, then apply the Energizing Herbal Body Moisturizer to soften, smooth, and invigorate skin. You can then complete your routine by spritzing on the Energizing Herbal Body Mist & Refresher for all-over hydration and an aromatic pick-me-up.

The collection is available at Hempz.com, Kohl’s and ULTA. Prices range from $7.30 for the travel-sized body moisturizer to $19.99

GIVE SKIN A FRESH START WITH THE PERFECT IMAGE GLYCOLIC GEL PEEL

A new year means a clean slate, so why not give your skin a fresh start too? Whether you’re struggling with maskne, tackling pesky dark spots or noticing your skin is looking sallow and dull, you can breathe new life into your complexion with the help of the Perfect Image Glycolic Peel (prices start at $24.95; available at PerfectImage.com and Amazon.com).

Perfect Image is a top-rated, professional-grade line of at-home chemical peels and peel care products designed to improve users’ skin and, in turn, bolster their self-confidence.

The Glycolic Peel incorporates glycolic acid and retinol to exfoliate skin and stimulate collagen production, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles and improving the texture of rough skin. By  removing dead and dull surface skin cells, these ingredients also help to give skin a healthy glow and they allow other serums and creams to better penetrate skin so that they can fulfill their true potential.  In addition to glycolic acid and retinol, the peel incorporates green tea, chamomile, and cucumber extracts, all of which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, soothing skin and preventing inflammation and irritation. The Glycolic Peel is vegan and cruelty-free and contains no parabens, phthalates or SLS.

It’s available in various strengths to cater to different skin type and skincare needs, with options ranging from 10% to  30% and  50%, as well as a super-charged 70% iteration that’s only sold to skincare professionals.

REPLENISH DRY SKIN WITH AVON’S PHYSIOGEL COLLECTION

The 2021 party is just getting started, so you don’t want to kick it off with skin that looks like a deflated, crinkled, drooping helium balloon! But when the skin’s natural moisture barrier is compromised, your complexion can suffer a similar fate to that of our metaphorical helium balloon, going from boasting a glowing and bouncy surface to appearing dull and lifeless, wrinkled and weathered. To nurse skin back to health and gift yourself a plumper, dewier, smoother countenance, it’s important to look beyond hydrating ingredients and also consider how to best repair the skin’s moisture barrier so that skin can actually retain moisture.

And that’s precisely the goal of Avon’s new Physiogel skincare collection. Featuring a proprietary Physiogel BioMimic Technology, Physiogel’s moisturizing creams and lotions contain lipids (natural fats) similar to those found naturally in skin. They thereby mimic the skin’s natural structure to effectively repair the moisture barrier and restore the hydration skin needs to stay healthy.

Available at Avon.com, the collection includes products for the face and body — all hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, preservative-free and formulated with pure and gentle ingredients.

FACE THE DAY WITH CATRICE’S TRUE SKIN FOUNDATION

To crush your goals this year, you need to put your game face on — and, for most os us beauty lovers, that means applying a great foundation that will provide a much-needed confidence boost. These days, I’m living for the Catrice True Skin Foundation, which is just $11 at ULTA and Amazon.

Available in 20 shades, Catrice Cosmetics’ new foundation offers light-to-medium, buildable coverage that gives your complexion a believable, true-to-life, “real skin,” naturally matte finish. Boasting a lightweight texture that’s beyond comfortable and breathable,  this longwearing foundation features a vegan, cruelty-free, paraben- and alcohol-free formula. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid and watermelon seed oil to deeply hydrate skin, making it an ideal choice for these dry winter months when skin yearns for more moisture.

SNACK CLEAN WITH NEW HUNGRY BUDDHA KETO BARS

Forget fad diets, juice cleanses, and detox challenges. Whether you want to shed a few pounds, build lean muscle, or simply follow a more nutrient-dense diet, you should focus on long-term lifestyle changes rather than “quick fix” alternatives. Clean eating is a simple way to improve your health that simply involves focusing on wholesome, minimally processed, nutrient-rich foods. The one challenge when it comes to eating clean? Finding something to consume when on the move. If you’re not great about meal prepping, you might find yourself out and about when hunger strikes and there may not be any options that fit your nutritional criteria. Luckily, you can avoid such a scenario by stocking up on the delicious and healthy Hungry Buddha Keto Bars (available at H-E-B stores and online at ThriveMarket.com and Amazon.com).

Each bar contains only 1-2 grams of sugar, 9 grams of plant protein and 4 grams net carbs. They’re certified keto, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and peanut-free, plus they’re the first keto bars on the market without the use of palm oils, sugar alcohols, dairy or soy.

Many protein bars and snack bars on the market that claim to be “healthy,” but are packed with preservatives or feature so many added sugars or artificial sweeteners that they might as well be in the candy bar aisle. But Hungry Buddha Keto are keto done clean, so they contain only natural, good-for-you ingredients: MCT oil and sunflower seed oils as a source of healthy fats, pea protein for plant-based fuel, and monk fruit for a touch of sweetness.

Plus, you don’t have to follow a keto diet to eat these — they’re great as a post-workout snack or breakfast on the go!

They come in 4 decadent varieties: Triple Chocolate, Coconut Cocoa, Espresso Brownie (obsessed with this one!), and Chocolate Chip.

MAXIMIZE YOUR ATHLETIC RECOVERY WITH MUSCLE REHAB’S BATH SOAKS AND BATH BOMBS

Determined to be more active this year? Amazing! But as you move into a steady fitness regimen, remember to focus on both your athletic performance and your recovery.Many athletes know that a warm bath with Epsom salt works wonders to relieve muscle soreness. See, Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which helps to relax muscles and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating any aching, cramping, and tightness.  After a grueling workout, then, I seek some relief using bath soaks and bath bombs from Muscle Rehab, which is part of the Texas-based Enfusia family of brands.

Founded in 2008 by cosmetologist and medical aesthetician Debra Myers, Enfusia specializes in handmade bath and body products like bath bombs, soaks, bubble baths, soaps, and perfumes that are free of potentially irritating harsh chemicals and fragrances.

Designed to target muscle soreness and lactic acid build-up, Muscle Rehab’s bath soaks and bombs contain Epsom salt and are infused with 10 relaxation-boosting essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, vetiver, clary sage, and ginger. These bath soaks and bombs not only soothe muscles, but they also promote overall relaxation thanks to the aromatherapy benefits of the essential oils they incorporate.

You can find Muscle Rehab at H-E-B, Central Market, Whole Foods, and on Amazon.com and Enfusia,com.

Can’t wait to try them out? Well, visit Enfusia.com and enter the code THISISAUSTIN at checkout for 25% off your order!

STAY ENERGIZED, FOCUSED, AND ALERT THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH BRÈINFÚEL 

Whatever our day entails, we all want to go harder for longer periods of time. Whether you’re a teacher, doctor, police officer, athlete, dancer, marketing executive, or stay-at-home mom, you want to be as productive as possible every single day – and that requires sustained physical and mental energy as well as focus. Many of us look to our morning cup of coffee for a jolt of energy but, inevitably, that A.M. caffeine boost leads to a mid-afternoon slump. And most energy drinks on the market produce a similar spike-and-crash effect. That’s why BRÈINFÚEL  is such a game-changer, providing you with a much-needed energy boost to eliminate any brain fog and sluggishness, and allowing you to sustain that level of energy throughout the day so you can accomplish all your tasks, push through tough workouts, and remain focused during all your endeavors — all without feeling jittery, enduring a dreaded crash, or having difficulty sleeping at night.

Dubbed a “cerebral beverage,” BRÈINFÚEL  is designed to enhance your physical performance and improve focus, alertness and productivity. It contains a Super Charge Caffeine Blend, derived from unroasted green coffee beans and green tea, to help get you going, then pairs this with a Sustain Fuel Blend, a low-glycemic blend comprised of MCT Oil, collagen protein and D-ribose , all of which work together to help the body metabolize that caffeine and deliver a more prolonged energy boost. And there’s more! BRÈINFÚEL contains antioxidants like vitamins C and E that support the brain’s response to caffeines well as brain-boosting minerals and amino acids that support cognitive function such as zinc, creatine, glycine and L-theanine.

To start fueling your brain and body, visit Breinfuel.com

HELP EXPECTANT MOMS TRANSITION INTO MOTHERHOOD WITH THE MOBY BUMP & BEYOND T-SHIRT WRAP

In the words of Eda J. Le Shan, “A new baby is like the beginning of all things — wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” When we become mothers, we not only have the pleasure of witnessing our babies’ growth and their own sense of wonder as they discover the world around them, but we get to begin a whole new exciting chapter of our own lives. To help expectant moms during the final stages  of pregnancy and facilitate their transition into motherhood, MOBY designed the ultra-versatile MOBY Bump & Beyond T-Shirt Wrap ($49.99 at MobyWrap.com).

This T-shirt features a soft, stretchy breathable fabric that gives pregnant moms the back and belly support they need during their second and third trimesters, providing just enough compression to help improve posture and relieve aching backs. During these final stages of pregnancy the T-shirt will have a wrap-around fabric that can be tied at the back — after labor, this fabric can be tied in a different fashion so as to fashion a baby sling. In other words, the T-shirt does double duty as a babywearing wrap, allowing moms to safely carry and cuddle their babies. Moreover, the MOBY Bump & Beyond T-Shirt Wrap facilitates skin-to-skin contact, which helps to promote bonding, and it’s sturdy enough to support babies weighing up to 19.8 lbs. It also makes breastfeeding a breeze and helps to regulate your baby’s temperature.

To see how the T-shirt transforms into a baby carrier, check out this video and make sure to visit MOBYwrap.com

GET YOUR #MOMLIFE ORGANIZED WITH A STYLISH DIAPER BAG FROM PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM

Those of us who love giant handbags also know that those spacious interiors can quickly become sinkholes, seemingly swallowing all the contents of our beloved purses — from our keys to our phones, wallets, sunglasses, lip balms, and so forth. If you’ve ever frantically dug through the inside of your purse looking for one elusive object, you know that a disorganized oversize handbag can be a nightmare. But you wanna know what’s even worse? Trying to fish out a fresh diaper or a baby bottle from inside a cluttered diaper bag — all while holding a crying and fussy baby on one hip. Parenting is messy enough without a disheveled diaper bag raising your stress levels.!

To stay organized and do so in style, check out the fashionable and functional Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack ($189 at Petunia.com). A perfect marriage of fashion and function, this bag is a top pick for baby registries and has earned over 1,000 5-star reviews thanks to its many useful features. Available in tons of colors and pattens, the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack features a zip-top spacious interior with 5 pockets (2 for stowing bottles) and a key clip, 2 exterior bottle pockets, a magnetic front flap closure, a zip-out diaper changing station, and a case for baby wipes. The durable fabric, meanwhile, is water-resistant and eeasy to clean, so it’s tough enough to endure the spills and messes that accompany parenting life.

Not only will this modern diaper bag simplify your life and keep you organized, but it will help you retain that A+ style grade thanks to its sleek design. Plus, you can wear it as a backpack or as a cross-body bag, making it all the more versatile.

SAFEGUARD YOUR BABY’S HEALTH WITH EVIVO

We’ve heard about the connection between gut health and a thriving immune system. And yet, when  we discuss these topics, we typically do so in the context of adult health. Well, as it turns out, we need to start talking about infant gut health. Research indicates that safeguarding infant gut health is imperative– especially during the first six months of life when a baby’s immune system and metabolism are in key developmental stages. Today, more than 90% of newborns are missing the good bacteria known as B. infantis. Without B. infantis in a baby’s gut, bad bacteria can thrive and lead to health issues like colic, eczema, gassiness, diaper rash and more.

Evivo is the only baby probiotic that contains the superior strain of B. Infantis, EVC001, which can reduce bad bacteria. In just 2 days of use  EVIVO can drastically improve discomfort.

You can find EVIVO Starter Kits on Evivo.com and Amazon, with offerings ranging from 1-month to 6-month supplies.