Save money this year and prepare a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Make this amazing dish for a fraction of the price of going out. Light some candles, set the table and get dressed up. Create the atmosphere of a nice restaurant and enjoy a special night with your sweetie at home.

PAN SEARED RIBEYE WITH MERLOT MUSHROOM SAUCE AND POTATO MEDLEY

Steak

Ingredients:

• 16oz ribeye steak
• 2 tablespoons of oil for searing
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of butter

Directions:

• Place oven-safe skillet in oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush both sides of the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper. When the oven is heated, carefully remove the pan and place on stovetop over medium heat.
• Place steak in skillet and sear for 2 minutes. Flip meat, place skillet back in the oven for 6-7 minutes.
• Put skillet back on stovetop over low heat. Flip steak, top with butter and carefully tilt pan while scooping melted butter, to continually coat steak for 3 minutes. Confirm doneness with an instant read thermometer and pull from skillet at 125°F for medium rare.
• Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Top with Merlot Mushroom Sauce.

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons of drippings from pan
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1/4 cup of mushrooms finely diced
• 1/4 cup shallots finely diced
• 1/4 cup of a good Merlot (have the rest with dinner!)
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh garlic
• splash of heavy cream

Directions:

• Saute onions and mushrooms with butter and garlic.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Simmer all the ingredients together for 5 minutes, while your steak is resting.

Potato and Tomato Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 cup purple potatoes (halved)
• 1/2 cup fingerling potatoes (halved)
• 1/4 cup diced shallots
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss all your ingredients together. Place on pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

We all have our own “habits” when it comes to dealing with stress, anxiety and boredom. Some of us tap our fingers, click a pen, play with our hair or bite our nails. The problems with nail biting are the dangers associated with it. Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, not only creates an unflattering appearance but can spark an array of medical and dental issues. It can cause inflammation to the skin around your nails and damage your teeth.  It also increases the risk of infections and colds by spreading germs from your fingers to your mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nail biting can also cause emotional damage. It can create feelings of embarrassment and anxiety.

If you find yourself biting your nails, you’re not alone. Just ask Amber Allen, Nail Lead at ESSENTIALS 5 STAR MEDISPA. She says, “We see people that bite their nails more often than we should.” She’s right. Nail biting affects millions of Americans. According to the TLC Foundation, 20-30% of the population are habitual nail biters. Amber says you can always tell when someone bites their nails by the way they look, they’re red and irritated. She says she always discusses with her clients the dangers associated with nail biting and tries to help find the cause.”I always ask if they have bit their nails since they were little or if they’re under a lot of stress. For some people it’s a habit and they’ve done it since they were kids, so it’s hard to stop. For others, they do it when they are stressed or bored.” This is why the medical world considers nail biting an unsolved medical problem, they can’t figure out the direct cause. Many medical professionals feel that nail biting could also be connected to obsessive compulsive disorders, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

So what can be done to break this habit? Amber says, she always recommends getting manicures every 2-3 weeks. “We can still perform the manicure if a person bites their nails, we have to be careful if it’s irritated.” She notes that, if they have open sores she recommends putting Neosporin on them and avoiding that area until it heals. “Having well-maintained nails makes people more likely to stop biting and keep their hands looking healthy. Whether people get a regular polish, gel polish or even just a buff and shine. It makes a difference.  Amber also recommends the solar oil that is sold in the Essentials Boutique. “If they use the oil at least once to twice a day it moisturizes the nails and cuticles to eliminate hang nails, so there’s less to bite on.” She also suggests a paraffin hand treatment that is infused with lavender that soothes sore hands and really moisturizes their hands and nails. She recommends OPI Nail Envy polish that helps to strengthen nails. This is great for those looking to grow them longer.

Another option to consider is a bitter polish. There are several options. Mavala Switzerland makes a great nail polish that helps prevent biting. It’s a clear coat that has a slight bitter taste to help discourage biting. It’s safe for both children and adults. Use it alone or over your favorite color. You can find it at Walmart or Amazon.com. If you still find your hands restless, keep them busy with something else. Try a stress ball, chew some gum, or click a pen (as long as no one is around you). It’s most important though to find out what is triggering it. Think about how you feel and what you are doing before you start biting your nails. If you can figure this out you can work on other solutions to help you deal with it. If it’s stress; consider massages, meditation, and joining a Wellness Program. All of these stress relieving options are available at ESSENTIALS MEDISPA.

Amber feels that if a nail biter gets used to their hands not hurting and looking beautiful, they will keep up on the maintenance and the at-home care. She adds, “This is such a bad habit and I wish people understood how harmful it is.”  Focusing on keeping your hands healthy and beautiful as well as eliminating triggers is vital for kicking this habit. If this affects you it’s okay you’re not alone. Call one of the experts at Essentials and start loving your hands again.

There’s a reason the “mini backpack” didn’t quite land when the 90’s revamp look was in this past year. I think we can all agree that some things shouldn’t come back. Aside from it’s quirky looks, it simply isn’t big enough. Purses are way bigger than they used to be, but yet never big enough. In fact, we don’t even call them purses anymore. We have satchels, totes, canvas bags and weekenders, to name a few.  When your coworkers make comments like, ” Are you spending the night?” You know you have a problem. I’m just as guilty as the next girl for having an overcrowded bag. There’s the usual suspects taking up space; cell phone charger, lip gloss, tissues. What you don’t need are handfuls of receipts, broken pens and half-opened pieces of gum. All items I just found in mine.

The days where women only needed room for a checkbook and lipstick are over. Today we are women on the go. We have careers, families, hobbies and always something to do. With all this on our plate we end up with overfilled purses full of everything we could possibly need and a lot of stuff we don’t. Clear out the junk and stay at ease. Stuff your bag with these handy necessities that are compact and convenient. Great for any busy girl on the go. Below is a list of the 9 items that every lady should keep in her purse. They will keep you happy, healthy and beautiful.

1.Hand Sanitizer

Flu Season is the worst it’s been in years. Germs are everywhere and we can’t always wash our hands. Keep an antibacterial hand sanitizer with you. Hand sanitizers won’t eliminate all germs but can quickly reduce the number of microbes you come in contact with. When a sink isn’t available, this is the next-best thing. Avoid ones with preservatives and genetically modified ingredients, look for an all-natural sanitizer. One of my favorites is EO Organic Sweet Orange. It’s organic and 99.99% effective against the germs around you. It also comes in a spray bottle for an easy, messy free application.

2. Image Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30

This should already be a part of your daily routine. A great substitute for your foundation. This light weight formula with SPF 30 moisturizes, protects and gives you a healthy glow. I keep my large bottle at home but always carry a travel size one in my purse. It’s great for perking up your face in the middle of the day or making yourself a little more presentable at that happy hour. Available at the Essentials MediSpa and Salon Gift Shop or Imageskincare.com.

3. Face Cleansing Wipes

These are a necessity. Great for removing dirt, oil and makeup. They sell travel size packs that are the perfect size or throw a couple in a small Ziplock bag. They work well for washing your face when you can’t. If you have sensitive skin avoid the scented ones. My favorite is, Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Removing Towelettes.

4. Image lip serum

Whether you live near the beach or the arctic, climate can damage our lips. The cold and wind dry them out, while the sun’s rays can cause premature aging.  Image makes an amazing lip balancing enhancement complex, that instantly hydrates and improves the appearance of lip contours. It also diminishes fine lines and contains a anti-aging polypetide complex that supports collagen in the lips. It comes in a petite size that is perfect for slipping into your purse. Available at the Essentials MediSpa and Salon Gift Shop or Imageskincare.com.

5. Small Mirror/Brush Combo

Whether you are putting your hair down or keeping it up, it’s always a good idea to run a brush through it during the day. Brushing strengthens your hair and helps maintain it’s shine. Not to mention, keeps you from looking like a mess when you are running around after work. No one wants to be the mom picking up their kids from school with frizzy hair. Keep a foldable small brush and mirror tool in your bag. The brush is small and great for checking to make sure that every hair is in place.  The mirror is also a useful tool for making sure that none of your lunch is still in your teeth. This brush and mirror combo from Amazon is my favorite. It comes in a four pack in assorted cute colors. Share them with your friends.

6. Gum/Mints/Floss

This is self-explanatory. It’s always important to have fresh breath and a clean smile. Often hard to maintain when you’re out and about all day. A nice supply of mints and gum sure helps. Also keep a few flossers on hand in case of any pesky foods get stuck in your teeth.

7. Protein Bar

Hectic schedules can mean skipping meals. Avoid being hangry and keep a protein bar at hand. They are filling, packed with protein and usually covered in chocolate.? Not quite a meal but filling enough to stop your stomach from growling. It can also prevent you from overeating later.

8. Nail filer/clipper

Broken nails can not only look bad but hurt. They can be hard to ignore. Plus can snag on your favorite pair of tights. Throw a mini pair of nail clippers with a file in your bag and you’re prepared for any break or hangnail that comes your way.

9. Fold-Up Ballet flats

By the end of a long day, there’s nothing we would like to do more than kick off our heels. The thought of wearing them any longer can be painful. Get a pair of fold-up ballet flats. They are cute, compact and most importantly comfortable. They are dressy enough to wear at work if your feet start to hurt and perfect to wear around town after a long day.  They are designed to fold up neatly into a handbag have an elasticized heel for a flexible fit. You can find them in any color and at every price point. Even designer, Tory Burch has a line of them. 

Welcome to Essentials MediSpa & Salon! Our facility provides an array of medical spa treatments. Below is a list of some of our most commonly performed treatments:

• Laser Treatments
• Laser Hair Removal
• Skin Resurfacing
• Age and Sun Spot Treatment
• Spider Vein Treatment
• Stretch Mark Removal
• Scar Removal
• Dermal Fillers and Injectables
• Microneedling
• Latisse®
• Acne Treatments
• Chemical Peels
• Lip Injections
• Dermaplaning
• Ultherapy®
• Dermabrasion
• Skin Tightening
• Spa Packages

About Dr. Lesser

Dr. Lesser is fellowship trained and board certified in four separate medical disciplines, including internal medicine, cardiology, advanced metabolic medicine and anti-aging, as well as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. He has trained at both the nationally recognized Esthetic Skin Institute in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, as well as the internationally recognized Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills California. There he personally trained under the tutelage of Dr. Zein Obagi, the father of Skin Health and the dermatologist behind both the Obagi and ZO lines of skin care products. Dr. Lesser was personally awarded recognition as an Obagi Skin Health Restoration Specialist. In addition, he is also a Candella certified laser operator with a specialized interest in vascular laser including spider vein and facial telangiectasia therapies.