Fun (but scary) Halloween Recipes

Witch's Fingers Recipe

Halloween Cupcake Recipe

Halloween Sugar Cookies Recipe

Eyeball Cakeballs Recipe

Witch Hats Recipe

Ghost Cake Recipe

RIP Mousse Recipe

Devils Cupcake Recipe

Love,

ALPHA

Makeup Brushes For Dummies

 

Love,

ALPHA 

Amazing Paris Fashion Week Dresses

These are 5 of ALPHA's favorite Paris Fashion Week dresses! What do you think?

Elie Saab

Louis Vuitton

Maiyet

Love,

ALPHA

Foods To Never Eat

Artificial Sweeteners

Since sweeteners are sweeter than sugar, they can reset your taste buds to crave sugary foods. As a result, you end up eating more junk. 

Margarine

Margarine has loads of trans fats, which increase your cholesterol. And it contains a lot of ingredients vs butter's one or two. The calorie count is also similar to butter, but we tend to eat more of it because we think it's healthier. Stick with small does of butter or use heart-healthy olive oil.

Soy Protein Isolate (don't know why people would eat this in the first place)

All soy isn't bad, but the isolate (a refined, often genetically-modified form of soy that pops up in a lot of soy-based products) resembles estrogen, which is iffy—some research has shown that it can increase the risk of cancers and infertility in women. If you want to go vegetarian, opt for veggie burgers with quinoa, chickpeas, or black beans as a base, and eat protein bars that are based on nuts and seeds. And for meat subs, go for beans, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and natural sources of soy like edamame, tofu, and tempeh.

Diet Foods

"Diet" or "low-fat" doesn't mean low-calorie. Diet bars and low-fat foods usually have more sugar, salt, and unhealthy fillers to make them taste okay. Even worse, we typically eat double the serving we should because we're not satisfied or think that it's okay to eat more because it's "healthy."

Frozen Foods

These are often heavily processed and filled with fat and salt. Instead of going this route, make a big meal at home when you have some downtime, portion it out, and freeze the servings. 

More information on Cosmo

Love, 

ALPHA

Foods That Fight Fat

Salmon

Research suggests the omega-3s in salmon and other fatty fish help build muscle—and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. Omega-3s may also help reduce fat storage by lowering cortisol levels.
Go for: Two 3-oz servings of fatty fish per week.

Yogurt
Calcium-rich foods have slimming superpowers. Get too little of this mineral and your body's more likely to pack away calories as fat, according to a review of studies. With up to 50 percent more calcium per ounce than milk, yogurt is a potent source. Better yet, its probiotics may help keep belly fat under control.
Go for: At least two servings a day.

Avocado

For a speedy metabolism, you need to keep inflammation in check and blood vessels clear and supple. Avocado's unique combo of essential fatty acids, monounsaturated fats, and antioxidants helps you do just that. Plus, one avocado's 14 grams of fiber kicks up your calorie burn.
Go for: One to two daily servings of foods high in healthy fats.

Beans

High in resistant starch and fiber, beans force your system to use extra energy (as in calories) to break them down. Research suggests that if you choose foods high in resistant starch—it's also found in whole grains and not-quite-ripe bananas—you can increase your calorie-burning power by up to 24 percent over the course of the day.
Go for: One serving of a resistant-starch food per meal.

Chili peppers
Chilies' heat signals the presence of capsaicin, a compound that, along with capsiate, can propel the body to scorch an extra 50 to 100 calories following a spicy meal.
Go for: Chilies as hot as you can stand. 

Green tea
This packs caffeine and antioxidants called catechins, a dynamic duo believed to stimulate your nervous system and increase fat-burning. Studies suggest that drinking green tea can help you drop pounds and trim your waist.
Go for: Several cups a day (keeping in mind how caffeine affects you).

Coffee
The caffeine in one cup of joe temporarily perks up your metabolism by as much as 15 percent. Caffeine also helps mobilize the forces that burn stored fat.
Go for: One to two cups a day, especially before exercise.

Love,

ALPHA

Birth Control Methods

The Shot

How It Works: This shot contains progestin, a hormone that stops your ovaries from releasing eggs (and keeps you from getting pregnant). Women who use this get the shot every three months.

How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

An Implant

How It Works: This is a tiny rod that's inserted under your skin, which releases hormones that stops your ovaries from releasing eggs. 

How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent—and you don't have to remember to do anything but get it replaced every three years.

An IUD

How It Works: This hormone-free, T-shaped piece of plastic is inserted in your uterus, where it prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. It lasts for five to 12 years, depending on the brand. 

How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent

The Patch

How It Works: Users stick this beige piece of plastic on their skin once a week for three weeks. It gives off hormones that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. 

How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

The Ring

How It Works: You insert this small ring into your vagina once a month and it stays there for three weeks at a time. It gives off hormones that prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. 

How Effective It Is: 99 percent, if used correctly

The Pill

How It Works: Users take a pill which prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs at the same time every day. 

How Effective It Is: More than 99 percent, if used correctly

A Diaphragm

How It Works: This latex or silicone dome-shaped cup is inserted into your vagina, where it covers your cervix and keeps sperm out of your uterus. You also need to use it with spermicide 

How Effective It Is: 94 percent, if used correctly

Male Condoms

How It Works: One of the most popular forms of birth control out there, these slip over a man's penis and keep sperm from entering your vagina. 

How Effective It Is: 98 percent, if used correctly 

Bonus: It helps prevent STDs.

The Female Condom

How It Works: This is condom that you insert into your vagina. It looks and works like a male condom, but you wear it instead of him—and you need to insert it every time you have sex. 

How Effective It Is: 95 percent, if used correctly 

Bonus: It helps prevent STDs.

The Sponge

How It Works: Kind of like a wide, short tampon, this piece of plastic foam is inserted into your vagina before you have sex. It blocks sperm from reaching your cervix and releases spermicide. 

How Effective It Is: 81 to 91 percent, if used correctly

Spermicide

How It Works: These gels, creams, foams, and suppositories contain chemicals that prevent his boys from moving. You insert it deep into your vagina to keep sperm out of your uterus. Experts recommend you use it with other forms of birth control. 

How Effective It Is: 82 percent, if used correctly

Emergency Contraception

How It Works: This pill can stop a pregnancy before it starts by blocking hormones your body needs to get pregnant. Users can take it up to five days after they have unprotected sex. 

How Effective It Is: This is extremely effective, but experts don't recommend that you use this as a regular method of birth control (it can cause heavy bleeding, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects).

Love,

ALPHA