After an intense workout, we know it’s important to refuel our muscles. And since exercise uses stored carbohydrates, we’ve been replenishing with high-carbohydrate sports drinks. But recent research indicates we could probably replace our specially engineered beverages with one from childhood: chocolate milk. The study, conducted at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, suggests that lowfat chocolate milk is more effective in repairing muscles after training than the average carbohydrate beverage.

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The Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men — which makes its much-awaited third-season return to AMC on Aug. 16 — has been acclaimed for its acting, writing, design and dead-on depiction of life at a Madison Avenue ad agency in the 1960s. But for many of us, there’s another great reason to tune in: the fabulous wardrobe. The men look dashing, of course (Jon Hamm especially!), but we can’t wait to see what vintage styles the show’s female stars will be wearing to Sterling Cooper each week, particularly Christina Hendricks’ curvy Joan Holloway.

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When we worked for a bridal magazine, we used to man the publication’s annual show, taking tickets and signing up couples to win a honeymoon trip. The soon-to-be brides and grooms were always in a good mood, beaming with anticipation. But for those looking for insight beyond the big day, Mary Carty’s new book, The Perfect Marriage Aptitude Test (Glitterati Inc., 2009), offers a crash course in happily ever after — even when your husband has left his wet towel on the bathroom floor again.

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Last December, we let you in on our secret to scoring the best deals on our favorite brands: ideeli. We still can’t believe how much we save on chic products with this exclusive online shopping community! So we’re excited to announce that you’ll find VIVmag on ideeli this week — along with discounts on brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs and Nine West.

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We thought we knew what love was when it came to food. It was our mother’s lasagna, oozing ricotta cheese; it was fresh briny sashimi; pasta carbonara; stracciatella gelato. Love was not granola. Respect, yes, but not love. And so when we received samples of Early Bird Granola, “gathered in Brooklyn,” the label boasted, we put the packages aside until, out of yogurt one morning, we poured out a half-cup along with some nonfat milk and sat down at our breakfast table with the Los Angeles Times. It was love at first bite.

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We’ve had the Kinks’ “Lola” running through our head for days now, thanks to Marc Jacobs. Lola is the name of his new fragrance, created by the designer to be feminine and sexy, much like his clothing. The violet bottle appropriately is topped by a bold, colorful flower cap — inspired by pieces of fabric Jacobs twisted into a bouquet — and bound by a gold coil. The rich floral fragrance features touches of rose and geranium, and also a signature note of fuchsia peony.

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After a screening of Julie & Julia, we narrowly missed walking smack into a building as we ogled a waffle truck, which filled the warm summer air with a scent much more alluring than the usual odor of the nearby subway entrance. The film, in theaters today, follows the true stories of chef/TV personality Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams), who spends a year cooking her way through Child’s groundbreaking 1961 cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking (Alfred A. Knopf, 2001).

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We blog. We tweet. We write on Facebook walls. We cultivate connections on LinkedIn. And according to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Branding Yourself (Alpha, 2009), all that is one secret to securing work. In this economy, especially, standing out in the job market is essential. Whether you’re trying to land a new position, impress your boss or start your own business, knowing how to distinguish yourself from the rest of the online pack is the key to success. (Photo credit: Paul Hill)

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We just returned from Rome, where we stumbled upon a fantastic little restaurant near the Spanish Steps called Babette, owned and run by two sisters committed to cooking with fresh summer produce, like zucchini and basil — two staples you’ll find at your farmer’s market. The dish that made us swoon was warm ziti coated with an emerald-green pistachio pesto, rich with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and garlic, yet lightened with zucchini. Brilliant!

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When we heard that Manhattan’s Hakubai Japanese Restaurant had designed Kenbi lunch and dinner menus with the goal of slowing the aging process, we were intrigued. Would we be served water ladled from the fountain of youth? Yukihiro Sato, executive chef at the restaurant inside The Kitano hotel, designed the menus to be rich in nutrients to prevent degenerative disease and improve skin’s appearance.

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