What Happens When You Drink Carrot Juice Every Day? A Nutritionist Explains

Carrot juice is one of those wellness staples that’s been around forever. Long before green juices had PR teams and glass bottles became accessories, this bright orange classic was quietly doing the job.

Which is exactly why it caught our attention when Pressed Juicery recently launched a new carrot juice. Not because it felt new, but because it made us pause and ask the obvious question. What actually happens when you drink carrot juice consistently? Their version keeps it simple, 100% cold-pressed, made with over 12 carrots per bottle with justt a touch of lemon for brightness. Each bottle delivers over 200% of your daily vitamin A, along with naturally occurring electrolytes that make it especially refreshing as warmer days approach.

We asked Sahar Berjis, Dietitian, Nutrition Coach, and CEO of Inner Health & Wellness, to break it down. With over 20 years of experience, Sahar is known for blending functional and traditional nutrition into a more holistic, whole-body approach. She’s lectured at institutions like NYU and Columbia, spoken at major nutrition conferences, and built a practice rooted in helping people create results that actually last.

Her philosophy is simple but powerful. Wellness isn’t about extremes. It’s about understanding your body, working with it, and building habits that feel as good as they are effective.

In Conversation with Dr. Sahar Berjis

Carrot juice is rich in beta carotene and antioxidants. When someone drinks it regularly, how does that actually influence things like inflammation, cellular health, or oxidative stress in the body over time? Carrot juice is like a little daily “cellular support drink.”

Beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, helps neutralize oxidative stress, the kind that builds up from everyday life such as stress, pollution, and lack of sleep. Over time, this can support healthier cells and help calm low-grade inflammation in the body.

It’s actually a great addition to anti-inflammatory protocols when used thoughtfully. It’s not a magic solution, but it’s a powerful support tool when layered into a balanced routine.

Some practitioners recommend carrot juice as part of gut healing or anti-inflammatory protocols. In your experience, are there specific situations or health goals where drinking carrot juice regularly can be particularly beneficial? I love using carrot juice strategically, especially in anti-inflammatory protocols.

It can be helpful for supporting anti-inflammatory pathways, providing easy-to-digest nutrients when digestion feels sluggish, and offering gentle nourishment during recovery phases.

However, it’s not always ideal for everyone. Carrot juice is naturally higher in sugar, so for clients with gut healing issues or blood sugar imbalances, it can sometimes do more harm than good if overused.

Is there an optimal time of day to drink carrot juice for better nutrient absorption or digestive benefits? Yes, and it’s refreshingly simple.

Morning or midday tends to be best, when your body is ready to absorb nutrients.

Pairing it with a little healthy fat, like nuts or a meal, helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like beta carotene.

I usually avoid recommending it at night. It’s naturally sweet and can give a subtle energy boost.

Think of it as a morning glow ritual, not a bedtime drink.

Some people swear carrot juice improves their skin or gives them more of a natural glow. Is there real nutritional science behind that connection between carotenoid rich foods and skin health? This is one wellness trend that actually has some science behind it.

Carotenoids can build up slightly in the skin over time, giving that subtle warm tone people call a natural glow. More importantly, vitamin A supports skin repair and cell turnover, which contributes to healthier-looking skin overall.

But it’s not overnight. It’s consistency over time.

Final Sip

Carrot juice may not be the loudest player in the wellness space, but that’s kind of the point. It’s steady, effective, and surprisingly versatile when used with intention.

As Sahar puts it, it can be a beautiful addition to your routine, especially for anti-inflammatory support, but it’s not one-size-fits-all.

The real takeaway feels simple. The most powerful habits are often the ones that don’t try too hard. And sometimes, it really is as easy as a glass of something bright, familiar, and quietly doing the work in the background.

The post What Happens When You Drink Carrot Juice Every Day? A Nutritionist Explains appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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The Pink Moon and Your Energy: What to Lean Into (and What to Let Go Of)

There’s a moment every spring where everything around you starts to speed up… and something in you quietly resists it.

Plans return. Energy picks up. There’s this subtle pressure to get back into momentum. But internally, it can feel less like a fresh start and more like a checkpoint. Like you’re being asked to pause before moving forward.

That’s exactly where this year’s Pink Moon meets you.

On April 1, 2026, the first full moon of spring rises in Libra, illuminating the space between where you are and what actually feels aligned. Not in a dramatic way, but in that unmistakable, hard-to-ignore clarity that shows up when something has been sitting beneath the surface for a while.

The Real Theme: Balance Isn’t Neutral
This full moon forms an opposition between the Sun in Aries and the Moon in Libra, a dynamic that always brings the tension between independence and connection into focus.

Aries pushes forward. It’s instinctive, self-led, decisive.

Libra pauses. It evaluates. It asks whether what you’re moving toward actually feels right, not just whether it’s available or expected.

That tension can show up in subtle but specific ways:

+ Wanting more space, but feeling responsible for others

+ Craving ease, but continuing patterns that feel effortful

+ Knowing something is off, but not wanting to disrupt the dynamic

This is where the clarity comes in.

Libra doesn’t force change. It reflects it back to you until you can’t unsee it.

Why This Moon Feels Heightened
Full moons mark a point of culmination. Something that began around the new moon is now fully visible, emotionally or situationally.

With Libra involved, that visibility tends to center around relationships, but not just romantic ones. It includes:

+ Your relationship to your time

+ Your relationship to your energy

+ Your relationship to your own needs

There’s also a Venusian influence here. Libra is ruled by Venus, which sharpens awareness around pleasure, value, and reciprocity.

In other words, this isn’t just about balance in theory. It’s about whether something actually feels good to you anymore.

And if it doesn’t, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.

What to Lean Into

Discernment Over Default
Libra energy is often misunderstood as passive or indecisive, but at its core, it’s highly discerning. This is a moment to question what you’ve been doing on autopilot.

Where are you saying yes out of habit rather than intention?
Where are you maintaining something simply because it’s been that way?

Clarity doesn’t arrive as a grand realization here. It shows up in small, specific moments where something feels slightly misaligned.

Pay attention to those.

Energetic Reciprocity
This full moon sharpens your awareness of exchange. Not just what you’re giving, but what’s being returned. That can show up in obvious ways, like relationships that feel one-sided. But it can also be more internal:

+ The effort you’re putting into something vs. what it gives back

+ The way you speak to yourself vs. what you expect from yourself

+ The balance between output and restoration

Libra doesn’t demand equal halves. It looks for mutuality. A sense that what you’re investing feels supported, not depleted.

Letting Something Complete
Full moons don’t initiate, they conclude.

Something is reaching its natural endpoint here, whether that’s a pattern, a perspective, or a way of showing up.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic.

It might just be a quiet internal shift:
“I’m not doing this the same way anymore.”

And that’s enough.

What to Let Go Of
Over-Accommodating to Maintain Harmony.
Libra seeks harmony, but when it’s out of balance, that can turn into over-accommodation.

Smoothing things over
Avoiding discomfort
Prioritizing someone else’s experience at the expense of your own

This moon tends to highlight where that’s happening.

Not to push you into conflict, but to show you that harmony built on self-abandonment isn’t actually sustainable.

Outdated Dynamics
Because Libra governs relationships, this full moon often coincides with shifts in how those relationships function.

Not necessarily endings, but recalibrations.

You may notice:

+ You have less tolerance for certain dynamics

+ You’re less willing to overextend

+ You’re more aware of where you’re not being met

That awareness alone begins to change the dynamic.

Forcing Forward Momentum
Aries season brings urgency. Move, act, decide.

But the full moon interrupts that.

It asks you to pause long enough to assess whether the direction you’re moving in is actually aligned.

If something feels rushed, unclear, or slightly off, there’s value in waiting.

Not everything needs immediate action. Some things need recognition first.

How to Work With This Energy
This isn’t a moon that requires elaborate rituals.

It responds more to awareness than action.

Notice where your energy goes throughout the day.
Notice what feels expansive vs. constricting.
Notice what you’re tolerating that you don’t actually want to be.

If you want to engage with it more intentionally:

+ Write down what feels out of balance right now

+ Have one conversation where you’re more honest than usual

+ Pull your energy back, even slightly, from something that feels draining

Small shifts are amplified under this kind of clarity.

A Subtle Turning Point
The Pink Moon doesn’t push. It reveals.

It shows you where something has already shifted internally, even if your external life hasn’t caught up yet.

And once you see it, even quietly, you start to move differently.

Not because you have to.

Because you can’t unknow it anymore.

The post The Pink Moon and Your Energy: What to Lean Into (and What to Let Go Of) appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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From Burnout to Balance: What a 9X Fitness Champion Learned About Real Strength

There’s a version of strength most of us are taught to chase. It looks like discipline, consistency, and pushing through no matter what. It’s early mornings, structured routines, and the ability to override how you feel in pursuit of a goal.

For a long time, that definition worked for Ryall Graber.

As a 9X IFBB Fitness Champion with over two decades in the world of health and performance, discipline wasn’t just part of her life, it was the foundation of it. It’s what built her career, shaped her identity, and allowed her to perform at the highest level. But over time, the same mindset that created success began to take something back.

What looked like strength from the outside started to feel like depletion from within.

“Burnout tested me the most because it stripped away the version of myself that thrived on discipline and achievement,” she says. “I had to redefine strength, not as pushing harder, but as listening, connecting, slowing down, and rebuilding from the inside out.”

That shift didn’t happen overnight. Like many high performers, Ryall had spent years believing that if something stopped working, the answer was simple: do more, try harder, stay more consistent. But eventually, her body stopped responding the way it used to. The signals were there, but they were easy to ignore until they weren’t.

When Pushing Harder Stops Working

There is a common belief in wellness and performance that if you’re not seeing results, you simply need to do more. More structure, more precision, more control. But the body doesn’t always interpret that as progress. At a certain point, it reads it as stress.

“Most people aren’t stuck because they lack information,” Ryall explains. “They’re stuck because their nervous system is overloaded.”

It’s a perspective that reframes the entire idea of a plateau. What feels like a lack of progress is often the body protecting itself. When stress is constant, whether from training, restriction, or internal pressure, the body shifts into survival mode. In that state, change becomes difficult, no matter how well-designed the plan may be.

“Chronic stress, fear of failure, and self-pressure keep the body in survival mode, where change becomes biologically difficult,” she says. “When people feel safe, supported, and regulated, progress often happens naturally.”

This is where many high performers get it wrong. They respond to stalled progress by tightening control, when in reality, their body is asking for support.

The Signals We’re Taught to Ignore

One of the most overlooked parts of health is the body’s ability to communicate. It is constantly sending signals, but in a culture that rewards discipline and output, those signals are often ignored or overridden.

Ryall sees this pattern often, both from her own experience and in the clients she works with today.

“Binge eating, persistent fatigue despite doing everything right, digestive issues or bloating that never fully resolve, and feeling constantly wired but tired,” she says. “These are signs the body isn’t responding to structure anymore.”

Instead of being viewed as red flags, these symptoms are often met with more restriction or more effort. But in reality, they are indicators that the body has moved out of a place where it can adapt and into a place where it is simply trying to cope.

“These are signs the body needs nourishment, timing, and nervous system support, not more restriction.”

Learning to recognize and respond to those signals becomes a critical part of shifting out of burnout and back into balance.

Rebuilding From the Inside Out

When Ryall reached that point, the solution wasn’t another program or a stricter routine. It was a complete shift in how she approached her health.

She began focusing on the fundamentals that support the body at a deeper level, rather than pushing for short-term results.

“Start by protecting sleep and blood sugar,” she says. “Eat consistently, don’t skip meals, and create a calm evening routine.” These changes may seem simple, but they create the conditions the body needs to feel safe again. And from that place, real progress becomes possible.

“These are simple actions, but they send powerful signals of safety to the body and lay the groundwork for deeper healing.” The process wasn’t about losing discipline, but about redirecting it toward something more sustainable.

A Different Way to Measure Strength

Through this process, her understanding of strength evolved in a way that reshaped how she lives and works. It is no longer about endurance or pushing through discomfort at all costs. It is about awareness, adaptability, and the ability to respond to what the body needs in real time.

“I had to redefine strength,” she says. “Not as pushing harder, but as listening.” That perspective now influences how she structures her days, especially when it comes to energy. Rather than focusing solely on productivity, she pays attention to how she feels and adjusts accordingly.

“I manage energy before I manage time,” she explains. “I take one non-negotiable personal day each month that doesn’t fall on the weekend. I rest fully, just as I work fully.” This approach creates a rhythm that is sustainable, something she now sees as essential rather than optional.

“Passion fades when the nervous system is constantly taxed,” she adds. “Sustainability comes from regulation, not hustle.” That idea is central to her philosophy and something she consistently brings into her work with others.

The Rituals That Support Her Now

That same mindset shows up in her daily routine, which is designed to support both her energy and her focus. Her mornings are no longer rushed or reactive, but intentional and steady.

“My mornings are calm and intentional, sunlight, hydration, light movement, grounding, and a slow start with a nourishing breakfast before the gym,” she shares. “The non-negotiable is presence.” Starting the day this way allows her to move into her work with clarity rather than urgency, which ultimately makes everything else feel more aligned.

“I don’t rush into my day anymore. How I start sets the tone for how I lead,” she explains. And when she begins to feel overwhelmed, she doesn’t rely on pushing through the way she once did. Instead, she returns to practices that help her reset.

“I come back to breath and stillness. Even a few minutes of intentional breathing or time in nature helps reset my nervous system.” These rituals are not extreme or complicated, but they are consistent, and that consistency is what makes them effective.

What Real Transformation Actually Feels Like

Today, this approach is reflected in everything she creates, from her coaching to her immersive retreats in Cancun under RyFit Intentional. The focus is no longer just on physical transformation, but on helping people shift the way they relate to their bodies and their lives.

“Transformation happens when people feel both supported and challenged in the right environment,” she explains. “It’s not about escape, it’s about giving people the tools, experiences, and perspective to return home changed.” That distinction is what allows the changes people experience to last beyond the moment.

For Ryall, that is the real goal. Not just progress, but sustainability. Not just results, but a way of living that continues to work over time.

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The Plant Based Niçoise We Can’t Stop Making Right Now

There’s something about a Niçoise salad that just always hits. Fresh, satisfying, a little bit elevated without trying too hard. So when we heard Sabrina Rudin was releasing her debut cookbook, Healthy with a Side of Happy: 100 Plant-Based Recipes to Feed Your Family, this was one of the first recipes we bookmarked.

Rudin, the founder of Spring Café Aspen, is known for her feel-good, plant-based approach to cooking, and this take on a Niçoise is exactly that. It has all the classics we love, butter lettuce, tender potatoes, radishes, olives, but swaps the tuna for smashed chickpeas layered with sun-dried tomato oil and caper brine for that same savory, briny bite.

It’s fresh, flavorful, and one of those recipes that makes eating plant-based feel easy, not like a compromise. 

THE VEGETARIAN NICOISE

Recipe reprinted with permission from Healthy with a Side of Happy by Sabrina Rudin © 2026. Published by Union Square & Co., an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Photography by Linda Pugliese.

Serves 4 to 6

8 small red new potatoes (about 2 pounds total)
1 pound string beans, trimmed
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
1 (13-ounce) jar chickpeas, such as Jovial, or 1 (15-ounce) can, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons capers, with brine
5 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
10 to 12 radishes, halved
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
4 Hard-Boiled Eggs, halved lengthwise
Mustard Vinaigrette

In a medium saucepan, cover the potatoes with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the potatoes until fork-tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

Drain them and, when cool enough to handle, slice them in half.

Refill the saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Blanch the string beans until bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain the string beans in a colander and immediately run under cold water, or place in an ice bath, to stop the cooking.

Meanwhile, line a large serving platter with the butter lettuce.

In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, 2 tablespoons of the capers with their brine, the sun-dried tomatoes, and salt. Using a fork, mash the mixture together until the ingredients are broken down and resemble the consistency of tuna fish. Place the chickpea mixture on the platter.

Add the potatoes and string beans to the platter, arranging so that each has its own area of the plate. Similarly, arrange the cherry tomatoes, radishes, olives, and eggs on the platter. Scatter the remaining 1 tablespoon capers over everything and drizzle the vinaigrette on top.

Serve immediately, or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving.

 

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The Softest Bedding We’ve Tried That Doesn’t Feel Overpriced

Some of the links in this story are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to purchase—helping us continue to share mindful, inspiring content.

Bedding has quietly become one of those categories where prices climb fast. The kind of “luxury” sheets that promise better sleep, better skin, better everything… often come with a price tag that makes you pause.

And while we’re all for investing in quality, not everything needs to feel excessive to feel good.

So when we came across Quince, a brand known for sourcing high quality materials without the traditional retail markup, we were curious. Could bedding at this price point actually deliver on softness, breathability, and that elevated, sink-in feel we all want at the end of the day?

We put it to the test and below are the picks we’ve tried and loved. 

Looking for more ways to upgrade your space? Explore our recent edit of kitchen upgrades that instantly elevate your space.

What We Look For in Actually Good Bedding

Not all “soft” sheets are created equal. Some feel good for a week, then lose their appeal. Others look elevated but don’t actually improve how you sleep.

Here’s what we actually pay attention to:

Softness that feels natural, not synthetic.
Breathability, especially if you run warm.
Fabric that gets better over time, not worse.
That subtle feeling of wanting to stay in bed just a little longer.

It’s a high bar. But when something checks all of those boxes, you notice immediately.

The Standouts From Quince

For That Soft, Almost Silky Finish

Bamboo Sheet Set

This one is silky in that way you immediately notice the second you get into bed. Smooth, slightly glossy, and cool to the touch. If you run hot or just love that luxe, almost hotel meets spa feel, this is it. We’ve been reaching for this on warmer nights and honestly… we’re stocking up in multiple colors. SHOP HERE

For That Fluffy, Hotel-Level Comfort

Luxe Goose Down Comforter

This is what gives your bed that full, cloud-like look. It’s plush, evenly filled, and actually stays that way thanks to the baffle box construction. What we love most is that it comes in three options, so you can choose based on how you sleep. Lightweight, all-season, or ultra-warm depending on your vibe. It makes the whole bed feel more put together, instantly. SHOP HERE

For That Elevated, Soft-Layered Look

Bamboo Duvet Cover

This was one of our most recent upgrades and it completely changed the feel of the bed. It looks super luxe, almost delicate, but still holds up. It’s soft, breathable, and has that cool-to-the-touch feel that makes getting into bed at night feel extra good. Especially perfect for warmer weather or if you hate feeling overheated. SHOP HERE

For Beauty Sleep That Actually Does Something

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

This is where bedding meets skincare. I started using this after realizing my regular pillowcase might actually be contributing to breakouts, and the difference was noticeable. It’s gentle on the skin, doesn’t pull at your face, and helps keep your skincare where it belongs. Also amazing for hair. Less frizz, less breakage, and you wake up looking slightly more put together than you probably should. SHOP HERE

For That Effortless, Lived-In Linen Moment

European Linen Duvet Cover Set

We got this last year for that effortless linen look that somehow always feels elevated without trying too hard. A year later, it’s even better. Softer, more relaxed, and still looks like a cozy, fluffy cloud on the bed. It’s one of those pieces that just keeps getting better over time, which we love. SHOP HERE

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Living Well with Lauryn Bosstick: On Wellness, Alignment, and the Next Chapter

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Long before morning routines became content and supplement stacks became status symbols, Lauryn Bosstick was quietly cataloging what actually worked. When she launched The Skinny Confidential in 2011, it was never about oversharing. It was about editing. Testing. Refining. Turning everyday rituals into something sharper, smarter, and undeniably intentional.

Over time, that instinct expanded into a chart topping podcast, a cult favorite beauty brand, and a loyal community that listens closely when she speaks. Now, on the 10 year anniversary of their hit show, The Skinny Confidential Him and Her, Lauryn and Michael are stepping into a new chapter, with the podcast entering a new era under a new name, The Bossticks.

In this next phase, wellness feels less like accumulation and more like discernment. Fewer commitments. Better products. Earlier nights. Stronger boundaries. A move to Austin, three children, and a fuller life have sharpened the lens. Living well now is about protecting energy as fiercely as she once protected growth. It is about alignment over urgency. Refinement over reinvention.

We sat down with Lauryn to talk about discipline, maturity, and why the real luxury is clarity.

Living Well with Lauryn Bosstick

You were one of the first beauty bloggers and one of the first female podcast hosts before it was “cool.” Did you always know you were building a brand, or were you just documenting your life? I always saw it as a brand, even when it was only a blog in the beginning. When I started The Skinny Confidential in 2011, it was never meant to be a personal diary. It was a curated system of information. I was collecting the best tips, rituals, and routines. I was constantly saving and testing myself and organizing them in a way that felt elevated but tangible.

I paid very close attention to what women were actually trying to solve in their daily lives. I read every email, every comment, every DM. Patterns emerge quickly when you are listening- and The Skinny Confidential became a resource. 

From the beginning, I saw that trust compounds. If you build credibility, you are not just building content, you are building equity. I did not know exactly how it would expand, but I knew it was meant to extend beyond one platform.

The show was a natural evolution. Michael and I were already having long conversations about culture, business, beauty, and ambition. Podcasting felt wide open at the time, which meant opportunity. We treated it seriously from day one! It was always intentional.

You’ve built an empire across content, podcasting, product, and community. At what point did you realize you weren’t just influencing trends, you were creating them? Instead of creating trends, I try to think in terms of identifying behavior shifts early on.

I am constantly experimenting, refining, and eliminating what does not work. If something meaningfully improves my life, I share it. Because of the show, I have access to founders, operators, scientists, and creatives who are operating at a very high level. When they share something that materially moves the needle, I listen carefully and test it before ever speaking about it.

I also stay extremely close to our community. When you hear the same friction points repeated over and over, you begin to see where change is coming. If something scales within our audience, it is usually because we identified that friction early and zoned in on the innovation part. 

Trust is the multiplier. Influence without trust is temporary. Trust built over years becomes market power.

You’ve built an empire over the last decade, how has your definition of wellness changed as your life has grown fuller? My definition of wellness has very much matured.

In the early years, I was more focused on experimentation and performance. I still love innovation and testing, but after becoming a mother of 3 I realized wellness is ultimately about sustainability and capacity.

The mental architecture became more important than the physical tools. How you regulate your nervous system. How you speak to yourself- mindset is key. How you structure your time. Those decisions determine longevity.

Protecting my energy is the most important self-care I practice- it’s strategic. Being selective creates clarity. Clarity is a real asset- I personally need clarity to create 

Moving to Austin reinforced that shift. There is more space, more time outdoors, slower mornings, earlier evenings, mixed with a grounded-ness. I have found a lot of joy in creating a sanctuary for my family. Wellness now feels less like stacking more and more and more, and more like refining what truly matters to me.

What made you want to move into launching your own clean beauty and wellness brand? Ownership. After years of studying consumer behavior and identifying gaps in daily rituals, it felt natural to build solutions rather than just recommend them. I was already observing what worked, what did not, and how they looked laying on your vanity. 

The Ice Roller came from a personal need after surgery, but it also was a larger opportunity. There were culturally familiar tools that lacked elevation, intention, and strong brand identity. 

I am not interested in adding unnecessary steps to anyone’s routine! I am interested in refining what already exists and making it more effective and more beautiful…just better overall. 

If someone is totally new to your brand and wants to dip their toe in, where should they start? Mouth tape is transformative because it works while you sleep. It improved my sleep quality, my energy, and even the brightness of my eyes. It is simple, but it really is a better sleep. SHOP THE MOUTH TAPE

For a tool, the Mint Roller is a strong entry point. It is compact, efficient, and dual purpose. It integrates easily into real life, and it is fabulous for de-puffing the face. SHOP THE MINT ROLLER 

Is there one product that really captures what The Skinny Confidential stands for? The Ice Roller, reimagined, reflects where we are now. The softer pink, cleaner lines, and custom dust bag are not just aesthetic updates. They represent maturation. The brand and taste has evolved.

As your life grows, the tools you use daily should reflect that evolution. It is not about reinvention. It is about refinement.

What excited you most about bringing electrolytes, colostrum, and pearl powder into the same formula in Beauty Salt? Where did you see the synergy? Those three supplements were already non-negotiables in my routine because of their effectiveness. The synergy came from efficiency. Instead of multiple powders and containers, it became one streamlined formula that supports you from the inside out first thing in the morning.

I am very focused on habit stacking. The easier something is to maintain, the more likely it becomes permanent. Beauty Salt is my morning hydration before coffee every morning.

How do you personally use the Ice Roller in your routine? Morning? Night? Before glam? After travel? All the time. First thing in the morning, before makeup, after travel, whenever I want immediate depuffing. The reason it remains foundational is simple. IT WORKS.

The results are visible and immediate, which has always been my vibe. SHOP THE ICE ROLLER 

What does real success look like for you today? Has that definition changed? Success has always meant autonomy to me. Now it also means alignment, meaning a strong marriage, present motherhood, lots of reading, intellectual growth, and time to think and write.

Time has become the most meaningful currency. The ability to build aggressively while still being fully present at home feels like the ultimate achievement with 3 kids!

What boundaries are non-negotiable for you now that weren’t early in your career? Early on, I equated growth with availability. I believed I had to say yes to everything. It was sort of a hustle.

Now I understand that discernment is key for me. Energy is a strategic resource, meaning I structure my time carefully, delegate intentionally, and prioritize like no other!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give women who want to build something big but feel intimidated? Build with intention, not urgency. I have learned consistency compounds quietly. The small disciplined actions you take daily take shape over time.  Protect your energy! And raise your standards as you grow. 

When you hear the phrase “living well,” what does it mean to you right now in this season of life? Living well right now means alignment to me. It also means quality over quantity in every category, meaning fewer commitments, better products, deeper conversations, and very much intentional, interesting relationships.

When how I spend my time, what I consume, and what I create feels thoughtful, that is when I feel my best. Living well, on my own terms.

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6 Everyday Habits That Are Quietly Damaging Your Eyes, According to an Eye Surgeon

Your skincare routine is dialed. Your hair routine, curated. Your supplements, stacked.

Your eye health? Probably running on vibes.

Somehow, the same people who won’t skip SPF or sleep in makeup are still rubbing their eyes, staring at screens for hours without blinking, and calling it “just being tired.” Meanwhile, ophthalmologists are seeing a whole new wave of issues that used to show up much later in life, now becoming part of everyday complaints.

Dr. Julie Chung sees it all. As an eye surgeon at UCLA and co-founder of T3, she lives at the intersection of health and beauty, which means she not only understands the science behind what’s happening, but also the real life habits causing it.

Below, she shares the everyday habits she sees most often and what to do instead.

1. Staring at your screen all day

When I started practicing medicine, dry eye was something I saw in patients in their 50s and older, or those with underlying medical conditions. Now? It's an epidemic and screens are the culprit. When you stare at a screen, you blink less, which leads to evaporative dry eye. My advice is simple: blink. Purposefully. I call them "blink breaks." Stop every 15 to 30 minutes, blink deliberately, and look at something far away. Add artificial tears as needed.

2. Not removing your eye makeup thoroughly

This also leads to dry eye and worse. Makeup debris that accumulates at the base of your lashes blocks the meibomian glands, which secrete the oil your tear film needs to stay intact. No oil, no tear film. No tear film, dry eye.

It always gets a reaction when I ask a patient "did you wear glitter makeup last weekend?" when they swear they have no makeup on. I can see everything under a microscope. Remove your eye makeup every night, thoroughly, preferably with micellar water.

And one more thing, makeup buildup leads to demodex infestation. A mite that overproliferates on your lashes. We all have a little demodex unfortunately, but poor makeup removal really lets it thrive.

3. Skipping sunglasses

UV exposure leads to cataracts and pterygiums, a fleshy overgrowth that literally creeps onto your cornea. Wear your sunglasses. Especially if you live somewhere sunny like Southern California. This one is easy.

4. Semi permanent lash extensions

I'll just say it, they're gross. Doesn't matter if you go to the best salon and spend a fortune. You will never be able to clean your lash line properly while you have them. The buildup I see under a microscope is something I wish I could photograph and show every patient sitting in my chair. And yes, demodex loves them too.

They also contribute to dry eye. And over time, the weight and adhesive weaken the lash follicle, meaning you may lose lashes permanently. Use daily temporary lashes instead, though honestly, even those will weaken the follicle over time.

5. Sleeping in your contacts and other contact lens sins

Sleeping in your contacts causes microabrasions on the cornea. Those tiny abrasions become entry points for bacteria, and that can lead to a severe infection that may require a corneal transplant. Take it seriously.

Swimming or soaking in a jacuzzi with contacts in is a separate danger entirely. This is where a terrifying organism called Acanthamoeba thrives. The infection it causes can be devastating. And please, never rewet your contacts with faucet water or spit. I have seen the consequences and I promise you, you do not want to. Dailies are your best option overall, and they significantly reduce your infection risk.

6. Using lash growth serums without knowing the risks

Latisse and other prostaglandin analog lash serums have become incredibly popular and I understand why. But there are side effects that most women are not told about, and they need to be. Hyperpigmentation around the eye, a change in eye color to brown, inflammation, and perhaps most concerning, periorbital fat atrophy. That last one happens slowly and quietly over years, and what it leads to is a hollow, sunken eye appearance. By the time you notice it, it has been building for a long time.

Please, never let your child or teenager use these serums. Not ever. And if you choose to use one yourself as an adult, here is what I will tell you as both a physician and someone who has used it on occasion. You really only need it once a week, maybe even once every other week, to see an effect. Less is genuinely more. Your eyes will thank you.

The post 6 Everyday Habits That Are Quietly Damaging Your Eyes, According to an Eye Surgeon appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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