Amy Robinson

The line between advertising and journalism has become blurred. Everyone is trying to sell something - products or ideas. And Skin Care and Beauty Products seem to be a hotly debated topic whereby it's no longer just about the brands you choose, but now it's also about the list of ingredients that make up those products.Personally, I'm tired of others constantly trying to convince me. So I'm going to throw an idea out there. I'll try to argue both sides equally, but I won't tell you which side of the fence I'm on. I won't try to convince you one way or the other. You decide.---Think of your morning routine: you wash your face, shampoo and condition your hair, lather up your body with soap. Men shave, women put make up on (or vice versa - whatever floats your boat!) We moisturise, use sunblock, anti frizz hair products and paint our nails.

*Read: 7 Skin Care Tips Before, During and After Your Workout*

In relation to these products, we hear tons of descriptive terms: au Natural, Organic, Fragrance Free, Paroben Free, Eco-friendly, Plant Based, Not Tested on Animals, etc.Opinion A - Soap is a Soap (is a soap!)Skin Care and Beauty Products have been around forever and they're FINE just the way they are. Marketing companies have created 'chemophobia' and are trying to demonize chemicals by lumping them all into one category: BAD! I'm happy to have something in my products that stops fungus, bacteria and other microbes from growing, especially in the moist, warm environment of a bathroom. Plus, natural products or ingredients aren’t necessarily organic, as they can be grown using pesticides and fertilisers. And though organic products are always natural, just because they're natural it doesn’t mean they're sustainable or ethically sourced.Opinion B - It could have existed in Wilma Flintstone's bathroomI know what an avocado is but what the F is Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate? I eat healthy, exercise and don't smoke. I am not about to let my skin, the biggest organ in my body, absorb mystery chemicals and toxins. My skin is a sponge, not a barrier, so what I put ON it goes IN it. I also care about the environment, my carbon foot print, free radicals, toxins, the biodegradable-ness of packaging and future generations.---Are there terrible chemicals in my products? Probably. Maybe. I don’t know.Maybe I just want to live dangerously. Maybe I'm too lazy to change my current habits. Or maybe spending my money on 'fancy' items isn't something I want to do (wait, are they more expensive?!)Then again, maybe I'll pioneer a movement for the eradication of nasty chemicals in skin care and beauty products, adding 10 years to your life (and your face).My main point is this: First decide whether or not you care. If you don't, cool, have a nice life. If you do, do your own research and consider the sources of the information you're about to adhere to. Anything can be presented in a way that makes it scary or convincing.

I spent the morning with RESET Cryotherapy owners Whitney Oakes and Jess Scott, who are like nuclear physicists you'd want to go drinking with! Not only did they provide me with a mind-blowingly detailed account of the origins and theory behind Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC), BUT they also made freezing fun! And we 305'ers know that's a rather arduous task!The term "cryotherapy" comes from the Greek cryo meaning cold and therapy meaning cure. But at RESET, is a bit more complicated than simply slapping an ice pack on a swollen ankle or soaking an aching body in an ice cube-filled tub!Developed in Japan in the 1970s, WBC first came to the US in 2009. Clients strip down to their skivvies - or birthday suits depending on one's inhibition level - and step into a chamber called a 'Cryosauna' (so deceptive - don't be fooled)! For 2-3 minutes, you're engulfed from the neck downward in gasiform nitrogen that is several hundred degrees fahrenheit BELOW zero... so basically colder than the coldest temperature recorded on Earth...EVER!What happens in those 2-3 minutes?Scientifically, the extreme cold causes your body to go through vasoconstriction (blood vessel reduction or tightening) until you exit the chamber and your body goes through vasodilation (the opening or expanding of blood vessels).Emotionally, your brain's regulatory functions are saying "FML!" And this is exactly what Reset Cryotherapy wants ... for you to Feel Better, Move Better, Look Better!... oh, you thought I meant ... well yah, that too!The methodology is based on the belief that the cold provides an analgesic or numbing effect, and that the speed at which nerves fire is slowed. From there, blood flowing through arteries and veins is constricted, leading to a reduction of inflammation (amongst many other reported benefits we'll get to shortly).https://www.instagram.com/p/BP01zh0jAVd/?taken-by=resetfmlFor those like me who are worried about the possibility of freezing to death (admit it, the thought crossed your mind too); I've been assured that you're only lowering your skin's surface temperature. So while thoughts of getting hypothermia in Miami do conjure up utmost irony, your core body temperature, tissues, muscles and organs aren't 'actually' freezing.The experience feels lightning fast as Whitney and Jess play your favorite tunes and encourage you to move and dance around. You also feel super calm because you've been fully briefed on what to expect not just during the freeze, but in the minutes, hours and days after you've frozen!Now for those doing their due diligence, you may have come across articles where skepticism is high, particularly because Cryotherapy is not FDA approved. For me personally, this is far from a red-flag. (I spent 10 years living in London and always found it incredible that tons of funky chemicals - viewed as nothing short of toxins in Europe - find their way into American supermarkets thanks to the FDA's approval).Whitney and Jess offered the below comment when asked about Cryotherapy's FDA status in the US:

"More research on Whole Body Cryotherapy in the United States absolutely needs to be done. There is a lot of research out of Europe. Research on Cryotherapy is interesting, because you can't do a double blind study; if you're receiving the cryotherapy treatment, you would know! It's not like taking a pill where one would be a placebo and the other would be the actual medicine. People have been using various cold therapy modalities for thousands of years; it's a well known principle that cold reduces inflammation. We are excited for more research to be done on Whole Body Cryotherapy in the United States; and if that leads to FDA approval, awesome! And if not, we are confident that most people who do use whole body cryo and see the benefits will continue to do so with or without the FDA approval."

We also spoke heavily about safety, as there was a widely publicised incident in 2015 whereby a Cryotherapy employee in Nevada passed away from nitrogen asphyxiation."This was a very unfortunate happening and we are confident that had safety protocols been in place and enforced, the outcome would have been different," says RESET's owners who were only too happy to tell me about their Juka Cryosauna and how they specifically selected it for its reliability and safety features.They noted that an operator must operate the machine while someone is receiving a treatment, so clients, as well as employees and owners cannot operate the machine themselves. There is no lock on the door to the cryosauna and the flow of nitrogen is immediately haulted upon opening the door. Inside of the sauna is an elevator, so regardless of one's height, their entire face can be elevated above the flow of nitrogen and exposed to oxygen.https://www.instagram.com/p/BPibjvvDLLp/?taken-by=resetfmlWhitney and Jess also highlighted 3 different air detection mechanisms; (1) an oxygen sensor at the height of clients' mouths, so if, for some reason, the nitrogen rises and limits one's oxygen, the operator is immediately aware and the session will end, (2) the JUKA machine's ventilation system which acts like a constant vacuum, sucking nitrogen away from the face and (3) an oxygen sensor that continuously monitors the oxygen level in the facility whereby the release of 100% fresh air is triggered in the event that nitrogen is approaching an unsafe level in the facility.RESET Cryotherapy truly believes in the physical and emotional benefits of WBC and are passionate about their clients' wellbeing and experience. They are wholeheartedly excited to be a part of the Miami community and to facilitate the process of clients embarking on a new adventure with widely reported benefits!So relax, strip off your clothes and freeze your way to ....

• Accellorated Recovery Time
• After Sex Glow (!!!)
• Aids Hair Re-Growth
• Anti-Ageing
• Beautifying Effect - Fewer Blemishes
• Boosts Endorphins and Norepinephrine
• Burns 500-800 Calories
• Energizes
• Enhances Sports Performance
• Cellulite Reduction
• Collagen Producing
• Deepens Sleep / Aids Insomnia
• Improves Immune System
• Increases Antioxident Activity
• Increases Libido
• Lymphatic Drainage
• Metabolic Boost
• Migraine Alleviation
• Oxegenates and Detoxifies Blood
• Reduces Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness
• Reduces Inflammation
• Skin Tightening

Services:

• Whole Body Cryotherapy
• Cryofacial
• Localized Cryotherapy
• Celluma LED Therapy
• BOA Compression Therapy

RESET Cryotherapy

• 1800 Purdy Avenue, Marina Suite 3A, Miami Beach, FL 33139
• Tel: (305) 763 8297
• Web: www.resetfml.com
• Social: @resetfml

Type 'Joseph Pilates' into Google and you'll find side-by-side photographs of its creator at ages 57 and 82. Astoundingly, though a quarter of a century has passed between the two photos, Pilates' incredibly toned body looks virtually identical! #FountainOfYouth!?! Let's start with a bit of background to understand what the Pilates method is all about and how he seemingly managed to defy age... because we want IN!Pilates - A (Very) Brief HistoryJoseph Pilates was a rather sickly child, suffering from a plethora of ailments. He believed that the modern lifestyle, coupled with poor posture and inefficient breathing, lay at the roots of his malaise. He couldn't find what he considered to be a suitable solution to improving his health and fitness, so decided to take matters into his own hands.Pilates created a series of exercises that focused on breathing awareness and the strengthening of deep torso abdominal muscles. He believed that improvement in these two areas would help keep the body balanced, while simultaneously providing support to the spine and improving its alignment and flexibility. He also conceptualised and built various pieces of equipment to effectively practice, and ultimately teach, his method.

JetSet PilatesFast forward a few decades and welcome JetSet Pilates, who have built upon their namesake's traditional methods and created a high-intensity, cardio workout that is sure to give even the fittest fitness enthusiasts a run for their money!The classes center around JetSet's souped-up version of the traditional Pilates Reformer. In a nutshell, there's a carriage that moves back and forth along tracks within a frame. The resistance is provided by the exerciser's body weight and by a set of springs attached to both the moving carriage and a stationary platform. The difficulty level is dependent upon spring tension (or lack thereof) which varies from exercise to exercise. Classes are broken up into segments, some as short as 30 seconds and others well over a minute long. During these intervals the exerciser fatigues a particular muscle by pulling, pushing, holding, pulsing or squeezing, often to the point of physical shaking! (I've been assured "shaking is good!")But what sets JetSet Pilates apart from other reformer studios? Well, A LOT! The pace is rigorous, the difficulty level is incredibly high and they have an elite team of experienced instructors guiding and motivating clients throughout the entire class. Oh, and let's not forget to mention some seriously booming tunes that will reverberate throughout your entire body!

While JetSet's instructors may seem like drill sergeants in leggings, this is not a boot-camp class where you have to worry about the destruction of your joints. JetSet's classes feel incredibly safe for the body, as their traditions are rooted in improving health and fitness and rehabilitating injuries or weaknesses. In fact, prior to the start of each class clients are asked if they have any injuries or concerns so that modifications can be provided.For those who want an added challenge, check out instructor Elisa Miller's focused "Abs and Arms" class. It is quite possibly the hardest and most effective way to sculpt and tone those areas and she is one kick-ass, talented instructor!Make no mistake; JetSet's classes aren't for you if you're looking to chant meditating "omms," spend precious class time stretching or have instructors call frequent water breaks. You'll leave JetSet's 50-minute classes feeling exhausted, exhilarated and desperate for a shower! It's hard AF!! ... but as the adage goes, 'Sweat like a pig to look like a fox!'For more info on JetSet Pilates, visit www.jetsetpilates.com. JetSet Pilates as locations in Coral Gables, Miami Beach (SoFi), Miami Beach (Sunset), North Miami and Wynwood.

A new year provides an excellent opportunity for a fresh start. Exercise is often included in our resolutions, yet many of us find ourselves lacking motivation after a few short weeks or months. The key is to break up the monotony and to find something you actually enjoy doing.If you've never tried stand up paddle-boarding (SUP), it is a welcomed change from staring at a gym wall and gliding (seemingly forever) on an elliptical. Unlike surfing, you'll be able to stand up pretty much right away, making it accessible to novices.Not only does SUP work virtually every major muscle group in your body (core and legs for stability and your arms, shoulders and back through paddling), it also allows you to disconnect from your phone and switch off. Remember, exercise isn't just about the body, it's about the mind too!There are two great Paddle Board Spots in Miami - SoSUP on Key Biscayne and MiamiBeachPaddleboard on South Beach.Miami Beach PaddleboardMiami Beach Paddleboard offers a "Neon Tour" at sunset which is nothing short of EPIC! Boards are equipped with LED lights that illuminate 5 feet under water and 15 feet around the board, allowing you to see fish below and ensuring you don't lose sight of others once the sun sets.You'll be paddling through Sunset Islands channels where you can scope out some uber-lux homes, and hey, let's face it, we're all a bit nosy!A group tour tends to set a more rigorous pace and your body will certainly feel it the following morning! Groups also provide a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar interests.For more info, visit: www.miamibeachpaddleboard.com[caption id="attachment_1563" align="alignnone" width="1000"]

SoSUP Key Biscayne[/caption]SoSUPIf you're after tranquility, SoSUP is the place for you. Here you can take out a board without an instructor. But don't worry if it's your first time, the staff will happily provide a brief tutorial so you know which way the paddle faces!You can go at your own pace, taking in the breathtaking turquoise water and white sandy beaches. The water is normally fairly calm and if you're lucky you may spot a manatee or dolphin in the distance.It's a nice solo activity if you need a bit of R&R, or go with a friend and chat while rowing side-by-side; it certainly beats catching up at a sidewalk cafe with cars whizzing by!For more info, visit: www.sosupkeybiscayne.comSo grab a swimsuit and get paddling!

Aside from a few fast food joints whose anonymity I'll protect in spite of their 'Crimes Against Nutrition;' most restaurants have healthy options IF you order wisely.Personally I'm a fan of the '80-20 Rule.' 80% of the time I try to make sensible choices when it comes to my diet. I think about portion size, where ingredients are sourced and how my food is prepared. I avoid ingesting anything that sounds like it was cooked in a Pyrex chem-lab beaker and also steer clear of ingredients that require extensive Googling (i.e. "What is Butylated Hydroxytolune and should I be concerned that it's in my cereal AND in jet fuel?!) The remaining 20% of the time, well I loosen the reigns and try to chill the F out, because life's about balance, moderation and enjoyment!Now unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know that the Brickell City Centre has finally opened its doors. And with this dawn of a new Brickell-era comes tons of swanky new restaurants. So as long as you're a conscientious order'er and know when to implement discipline and restraint and when to just go for it, you, 305'ers, are now spoiled for some seriously healthy and tasty choices!American HarvestAmerican Harvest is a farmhouse-inspired restaurant that offers diners modern interpretations of timeless, multi-ethnic, comfort cooking classics. But don't let the word 'comfort' conjure up images of greasy eggs or an emotional eater in hysterics weeping into their fork! Quite the contrary!Dishes are made from scratch with high quality, responsibly sourced ingredients that come from local and regional purveyors, farmers and foragers (and who doesn't want to eat foraged food? AM-I-RIGHT!?!) So with a focus on all things unrefined and unprocessed, not only are you going to chow down on something that tastes good, but you're going to get food that's as close to its natural form as possible!Notable dishes: Harvest Cobb Salad with a side of No Mayo Chicken Salad or Sustainable Tuna

Big Easy Winebar & GrillHailing from South Africa's Western Cape region, golfing legend Ernie Els has lent his nickname "Big Easy," (based on his easygoing personality and effortless golf swing) to one of Brickell's newest restaurants. While the wine selection is expansive, the grill features an outstanding selection of small dishes inspired by Ernie's South African heritage. Ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is relaxed and the unique dishes fill a culinary gap in the market (unless you know another Brickell-based South African-inspired eatery that I've missed!)Notable Dishes: Cape Malay Seafood Pot with Nigerian Prawns and anything with their fresh-from-the-farm heirloom tomatoes

Dr SmoodDr Smood is ideal for the über-health conscience or those just jumping on the nutritional bandwagon. Their approach is more along the lines of using food as "functional medicine," meanings they focus on the science 'behind' the ingredients that make up their dishes. Each salad, sandwich and drink has been thoughtfully designed to effectively fuel the body and maximise its absorption of key nutrients, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, proteins and/or fats.To help guide you through what may initially feel like an overwhelmingly large menu, everything is categorised into six focal areas, or "moods" - Power, Beauty, Immunity, Detox, Energy and Health. That's why they call it SMOOD "Smart Food For A Good Mood!"Notable Dishes: Non-Dairy Probiotic Yogurt with Coconut Kefir and any of their Superfood SaladsLuke's LobsterFor seafood lovers, Luke's Lobster brings it to you straight from the source - the source being directly from Fishermen and "Lobstermen" (yah that's a new word for me too). What this means is that from claws to tails, you can trace your meal's exact origins back to the very dock from which it came! Pretty cool right?! While Luke's food is what my husband would refer to as "badass," I'd like to add that Luke's commitment to sourcing superior, sustainable ingredients and supporting small businesses is equally "bad ass!"Notable Dishes: Lobster Roll and the Tail and Kale SaladPubbelly SushiPubbelly Sushi is a Japanese tapas-style restaurant. So if you're like me and tend to unsubtly suggest your friends and family order the stuff you 'actually' want to eat but don't want to commit to ordering because you're trying to eat healthy but still want to pick off their plates - well, PROBLEM SOLVED! Everything is designed to be shared!So go with a few friends and order up a storm to maximise variety! A party of four means that on each small plate you'll probably get one generous sized bite of something packed with serious flavour and complexity. Balance it all off with simple sides like steamed baby bok choy or with some fresh, high quality sashimi.Notable Dishes: Tuna Pizza and Octopus Ceviche

Santa Fe News & EspressoRestaurants seem to pass out WiFi passwords with their menus, as phone use during meals has become ubiquitous in the modern age. 'Video Killed The Radio Star' but has the Internet Killed Books and Magazines? NOPE, not at Santa Fe News & Espresso!They have tons of local, national and international newspapers and magazines that 305'ers can flip through while they eat. The restaurant is feels bright, airy and clean (as restaurants should), so you don't feel like your table-predecessor left bits of his meal in your mag! This menu seems to have every ingredient known to man, tons of cold pressed juices and the pièce de résistance......wait for it....... a Fro-Yo machine! FINALLY BRICKELL!Notable Dishes: Apple, Mango and Hearts of Palm SaladTacologyTacology is a Mexican concept a "Mercado" where you can find traditional tacos, ceviches, tostadas, juices, salads and more. The high-end taquería hasn't opened its doors just yet, so the burning question of whether staff will be called 'Tacologists,' (experts in the Science and Theory of Tacos) remains a mystery! But if it's anything like it's neighbouring BCC restaurants, patrons are in for something special!So whether you need a break from shopping, have popped out of the office for a quick lunch or want to spend an evening enjoying a leisurely meal with friends and family, Brickell City Centre's restaurants have tons of options that do NOT require a nutritional sacrifice!