We all know that fried chicken or even faux fried chicken is the way to go. Even pan-sauteed with butter and garlic and wine and… um. I want that right now. You know what I’m getting at though. It can be challenging to come up with healthy chicken recipes that taste as fantastic as the chicken you love that is meant for splurges and, well… frankly: the weekends. Because on the weekends, calories don’t count.

ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo)
2 limes, zested and juiced
2 garlic cloves, minced

avocado ranch
1 ripe medium avocado
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

directions:
Add the chicken to a large bowl and season it with the salt, pepper and paprika. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, adobo sauce, lime zest and juice and garlic. Pour it over the chicken and toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes. At this time, if you are using bamboo skewers, make sure to soak them in water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Preheat the grill to the highest setting. Take the skewers and add as many pieces of chicken to them as you want (I went with 3 or 4), not smashing them together but allowing them to touch. Place the skewers on the grill and grill on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side and 10 to 12 minutes total. Remove from the grill and serve with a drizzle of the avocado ranch.

avocado ranch
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until creamy, scraping down the sides occasionally when needed. Taste and season additionally if desired. Store avocado ranch in a seal-tight container for 1-2 days!

A new study in mice adds more weight to the link between heart disease and gum disease.

For the study, researchers infected mice with four kinds of bacteria that are known to cause gum disease. Once the bacteria had been carried into the hearts and aortas of the mice, they measured levels of known heart risk factors -- such as cholesterol and inflammation -- and found increases in the levels of these risk factors.

"In Western medicine there is a disconnect between oral health and general health in the rest of the body; Dentistry is a separate field of study from Medicine. The mouth is the gateway to the body and our data provides one more piece of a growing body of research that points to direct connections between oral health and systemic health," study researcher Kesavalu Lakshmyya, of the University of Florida’s Department of Periodontology, said in a statement.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology; because they have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, they should be considered preliminary.

The mice used in the study were specially engineered to be able to develop severe periodontal disease, so that they could serve as a model for the disease. The bacteria the mice were infected with were Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum; they were all infected orally.

According to the American Heart Association, there is not yet conclusive evidence proving a causal link between periodontal disease and heart disease. The two conditions share many risk factors -- such as smoking and age -- and they both promote inflammation, the AHA says.

"Keeping teeth and gums healthy is important for your overall health, but current data don't conclusively indicate whether regular brushing and flossing or treatment of gum disease can cut the incidence of atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes," according to a 2012 AHA statement.

However, the researchers say that this new finding suggests that there is a potential causal relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease.

Spices are generally known for the unique flavours they add to our food, but turmeric contributes much more to your dishes. The powdered, bright orange spice is often regarded as a superfood in and of itself, with seemingly unlimited health benefits.

Turmeric is a rich source of vitamins C, E and B6, and minerals such as potassium and iron. It’s also widely used for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidant qualities. According to Turmeric: The Wonder Spice, an ebook by Helen Saberi and Colleen Taylor Sen, the spice has a lengthy history in South Asian culture, with use dating back about 4,500 years.

The spice is often used as a common household remedy for minor aches and pains. It's even mixed in milk and spread on bride and grooms’ bodies to help their skin glow before their wedding day.

In addition to these household remedies, research shows that turmeric can also provide relief when it comes to more serious health issues, such as arthritis and cancer, according to CNN.

And then, of course, there's the food element. Turmeric is a key ingredient in a majority of traditional South Asian food. In fact, more than 90 per cent of the world’s turmeric is produced in India alone. The spice has an earthy, slightly bitter taste.

Haldi, as the spice is called in Hindi, is derived from the underground stems of a plant belonging to the ginger family, so it makes sense it would share in ginger's health benefits. If you’re using the spice, be sure to wear gloves and be extra careful not to get it on your clothes or on your kitchen counter – it can leave permanent stains!

A woman's 30s are a busy decade—careers take off, dating gets serious, and families get started. Your haircut needs to keep up. We rounded up five styles so gorgeous, you'll be looking forward to your next birthday.

SOFTENED PIXIE

Anne Hathaway

A short cut is perfect for women who are on the move, says hairstylist Bridget Brager. While this cut isn't exactly wash and go, your drying time will be seriously reduced. But not all pixies are created equal: Ask your stylist for layers that, in Brager's words, "melt—they're barely noticeable, and keep the sides from looking choppy or poufy." All it takes to style is a bit of pomade (we love Göt2b Defiant Define + Shine Pomade) or, for those with heart-shaped faces, a spritz of volumizing spray, such as Alterna Bamboo Volume 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray, to give the roots a boost. The goal is for this to look effortless, so those with coarse, curly hair may want to avoid, as it will require lots of styling. "It's such a confident style," she says. "And at 30, that's how you should be."

GRADUATED BOB

Michelle Dockery

Dockery may play an Edwardian lady in Downton Abbey, but her haircut is far from stuffy—or worse, soccer mom–ish. "It's a beautiful way to do a bob," Brager says. "Shorter in back and slightly angled in front, it has so much volume and shows off her natural texture." A bonus? It's easy to style (and flatters just about every face shape and hair texture). Just blow-dry with a diffuser until it's about 60 percent dry, then let your natural texture take care of the rest. Curl a few face-framing pieces, and run a pomade, such as WELLA Texture Touch Reworkable Clay 2.51oz, through the ends to make them look piecey.

BLUNT LOB

Olivia Munn

"The common thread with all of these styles is that they look so effortless, but put together," Brager says. "A collarbone-length cut is one of the most versatile. You can wear it up or down without it getting in the way." For those with round or heart-shaped faces, ask your stylist for a version that's all one length with blunt ends. If your face is oval or square, request a few face-framing layers to give it dimension and accentuate your cheekbones. Those with thicker hair will also want to ask their stylist to thin it out, eliminating bulk (and any chance of helmet head). All this cut needs for that tousled finish is a little volumizing spray, such as Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray, before blow-drying. Spritz from the roots to midshaft, Brager says.

TOUSLED LAYERS

Zoe Saldana

"When you're younger, you want to make a statement," Brager says. "In your late teens and 20s, you try every trend and fry the crap out of your hair. For your 30s, you want your hair to do its own thing, not be overdone." And Saldana does just that with this wavy, medium-length cut. Because of its length, anyone can pull off this cut—heart-shaped or square face, coarse or fine hair. Using your natural part, ask for layers that start at your chin. "They make waves look even more bouncy," she says.

LONG LAYERS WITH SOFT BANGS
Jessica Biel

Now, we're not saying you should try fringe as a way to cover up signs of aging. There's actually a much better reason to give bangs a try: "They frame your best features," Brager says. Those with round faces can pull off straight-across styles, while others should go for a lash-grazing version that angles down at the corners. Long, below-the-shoulder layers are a perfect complement; just blow-dry smooth with a round brush (a little bend at the ends adds softness) and dab an oil, like L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, at the ends for major shine. "It looks so healthy—and totally age appropriate," Brager says.

Most hair thickeners coat strands and thus are easily washed off, but newer versions add volume from within. In laboratory studies, L'Oréal Paris researchers have shown that the compound filloxane (also known as Intra-Cylane) penetrates the hair shaft, expands and strengthens the hair, and lasts for several washes. Similar to the silica gel used to fill cracks in car windshields, the technology is also inspired by wrinkle fillers for the skin, says Elisabeth Bouhadana, global scientific communications director for L'Oréal Paris. Added to serums or shampoos and conditioners, filloxane's small molecules slip through hair cuticles, attracted like magnets to proteins inside the fiber. They bind to the hair proteins as well as to each other, forming a rigid, stable network that adds volume to naturally thin or aging hair, according to the company's research. Hair reaches its maximum thickness after ten uses, and the effect lasts for five to ten washes after that, Bouhadana says. The ingredient (found in L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Volume Filler products) is compatible with colored hair.

When Suki Waterhouse stepped out in Victoria Beckham’s color-block dress from spring paired with coordinating pink kicks, we appreciated her youthful approach to dressing. Enter Miranda Kerr, who recently donned a modified version of the same print—but in a slick sheath—with nude stilettos. These two different takes got us thinking about other ways to wear the look. For those desiring a subtle route, DSquared2 offers a spring-into-summer cocktail dress which pairs well with flat sandals for a casual look, or slingbacks for dressier occasions. Ralph Lauren and Roksanda Ilincic provide more modest options appropriate for office or leisure. And to truly stand out, slip into a pleated Victoria, Victoria Beckham dress, requiring little more than a few golden accents à la Kerr.

DSquared2 color block cotton cocktail dress, $1,495 stylebop.com	Ralph Lauren Black Label color block shift dress, $958 farfetch.com
Roksanda Ilincic color blocked dress, $1,539 farfetch.com	Victoria, Victoria Beckham pleated silk midi dress, $1,250 net-a-porter.com

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