Blog Posts by Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine

by Lexi Petronis


CN Digital Studio So a huge international counterfeit condom ring was just busted in China. By "huge" I mean that 4.65 million packaged prophylactics--all bearing the names of real brand-name condoms--and another 1,100 pounds of unpackaged condoms were found at the scene.

Um, wow. Counterfeit condoms.

See more: 15 Hair-Color Makeover Ideas to Try in 2013

Ladies, this may sound very "duh," but we don't want to be dealing with counterfeit condoms. One, because they're not regulated the way real condoms are. Two, they'll likely be made with cheap ingredients that you don't want anywhere near your body. Three, they are far less likely to protect against pregnancy or STDs.

In fact, says Thomas Amedzra, head of drug enforcement at the Ghanaian Food and Drug Authority (FDA): "When we tested those condoms, we found that they are poor quality, can burst in the course of sexual activity, and have holes which expose the users to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease."

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by Lexi Petronis


Arthur Belebeau I think I've told you guys before that my memory is like a sieve (or maybe I didn't! See? Memory!). So if you're anything like me and could use a brain helper every now and again, this latest research is for you.

Brain Booster #1: the Mediterranean Diet

New research has shown that the Mediterranean Diet--which is high in fruits, veggies, and omega-3s (like in fish and olive oil)--may help preserve memory loss as we get older. The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study discovered that participants who ate more olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids and avoided red meats, dairy and cheese were 19 percent less likely to have cognitive problems by the end of the study than those who regularly ate those foods.

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Brain Booster #2: clenching your fists

If you're somebody who forgets someone's name as soon as you learn it, this could be a cool tip: if you're right-handed, clench your right fist

by Grace Gavilanes

Here's what we learned after talking to a smile-inducing group of bloggers, authors, and happiness experts (yes, that's their official title!) about how they get back up after a rough day.

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by Amy Wicks


Fairchild ArchiveThe latest trend in healthy eating involves cutting gluten out of your diet (if you've been to Whole Foods lately, you've probably noticed how the whole store is basically gluten-free). I'm a fan of gluten (pizza and beer are my friends), but I'm thinking about eliminating it from my diet--at least, temporarily--to see how it affects my skin. It turns out many of us could have a sensitivity to gluten, and this could lead to skin inflammations, such as acne and eczema.

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The Mayo Clinic reports that wheat--home to gluten--is one of the most allergenic foods, so it makes sense that many of us are adversely affected by wheat and gluten.

"In addition to frustrating skin problems, those with gluten sensitivity may have a host of other symptoms that include gas, bloating, fatigue, and joint pain," reports the Huffington Post. "Even those who don't experience gas and bloating may suffer from other digestive issues that stop our bodies from absorbing

by Lexi Petronis


Bill DiodatoHalf of the people I know are wheezing, sneezing messes lately, thanks to all the pollen-y stuff floating around in the air. And I don't even live in one of the country's top 10 allergy-inducing places, according to ZocDoc (which determined these based on the number of scheduled doctors' appointments for allergies)--is yours on the list?

See more: The Best Spring 2013 Fashion Trends for Your Body


1. Portland, Ore.
2. Austin
3. Philadelphia
4. Los Angeles
5. Orange County, Calif.
6. Long Island, N.Y.
7. Phoenix
8. Washington, D.C.
9. San Antonio
10. New York City

How are you doing with allergies this season? While there's nothing to magically pull the pollen out of the air and ease your symptoms--yet!--there are at least a few good tools that can help you out...right from your phone:

See more: 21 Style Don'ts to Live By

ZocDoc: When the wheezing or coughing gets out of control, you can find an allergist near you and instantly book an appointment online.

CN Digital Studio

by Lexi Petronis

Most offices have break rooms, or that one table where various (usually sugary) treats magically appear throughout the week. (Right now, I'm looking at a big pile of sugar cookies!)

This, of course, can be a problem. It's easy to head to the table and do some mindless snacking-which can catch up in terms of unwanted extra calories and, if the treats don't have much nutritional value, an afternoon crash that no cup of coffee can cure.

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So having some filling, tasty, healthy snacks in your desk drawer (which don't have to be refrigerated!) can help.

Here are some of my favorites...what are yours?

1) Little cans of veggie juice: I used to think tomato juice was the worst-but now I seriously can't get enough (pretty sure I have one every day). Veggie juice-with spinach, parsley, tomatoes, celery-is low in calories but has lots of nutrients (like vitamin A and lycopene). Just look for a version that's low in

by Lexi Petronis

April is officially National Grilled Cheese Sandwich month! You've got plenty of time left, so start dreaming up cheesy ideas.

Here are some tasty grilled cheese options to try-and, as a bonus, each option has a specific health benefit you might not find in a typical grilled cheese sammie.

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10 Things That Should Be on Every Girl's Beauty Bucket List

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by Amy Valpone


CN Digital Studio It's time to say good-bye to fattening winter staples like creamy soups and heavy comfort foods. These four gluten-free snacks are quick n' easy to enjoy during the workday or in between your weekend dates!

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* Combine ¼ cup raw cashews with 1 cup chilled red grapes.

* Wrap 2 slices of organic deli turkey such as Applegate Farms with a dollop of hummus and sliced avocado in nori (seaweed sheets that your sushi is lined with).

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* Combine 1 cup puffed rice, ½ cup granola, ¼ cup golden raisins and 2 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips; pour over 1 cup Greek plain yogurt for a homemade parfait.

* Slice 1 small jicama into 'fry-like' shapes; dip into honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Which sounds the most yum-tastic to you?

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2013's Most Wearable Fashion Trends
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