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Protection Your Skin From The Sun

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With the sunny months ahead of us it’s important to pay attention to our skin’s health and protecting it. We know today that we should wear sunscreen and avoid tanning beds; however, many people still don’t listen.  According to the American Cancer Society it is estimated that nearly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Women may be more prone to talking about their skin and sun damage, but skin cancer is common in men too.

Sun screen is your best source of prevention, tanning oil does not count. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher needs to be applied every day to sun exposed areas of your skin, and if you’re outside for prolonged period of time it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours or after getting wet. Also to get the full effects of the SPF it claims, you need to slather it on. Depending on the size of the person, around one ounce is enough to cover the average sun exposed areas of a person for two hours. The majority of Americans don’t come close to using the correct amount. Spray sunscreens are the newest thing, sweeping the shelves at every store. They are easy, convenient and great if you are trying to put sunscreen on a handful of anxious children waiting to go swimming. However it is hard to tell if the proper amount is being applied because it is hard to tell how much is actually coming out. Many of us forget that lips are skin too. You can tell when they become chapped, but it is also important to realize they can get burned too and are easily susceptible to getting skin cancer. Find a chapstick with SPF 30 also. You may have to put down the ones that taste like your favorite jelly beans but there are a lot of options out there.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but also the most easily preventable. With all that is in this world that we can’t control, you might as well get the edge on something you can. There aren’t excuses anymore.  We know UV rays are bad for us and thousands of products have been developed to help us. There is a vast array of sunscreens out there for you and your family’s outdoor activities, you can find something that works for everyone. Standard sunscreens are effective but can be greasy and aren’t always the best thing to wear daily under makeup.  There is; however, a variety daily products to help keep your protective and looking healthy.

There are a lot of noteworthy face lotions out there to try. Everyone has different skin and reacts differently to certain products, try a few and see what works for you. A moisturizer is important for skin to keep it hydrated and also helps with a smoother makeup application. A lot of us think that our foundation protects are skin and some even have SPF in it but it’s not at a high enough level to get the needed protection.  An ideal face lotion will have, like your sunscreen, a SPF 30 or higher with antioxidants to decrease damaging effects of the sun and environmental exposures. My favorite daily moisturizer is by Image. Their tinted moisturizer is amazing for all skin types. It evens out your skin tone and gives you a natural glow, while protecting you from future damage. Win Win!

Emotional Wellbeing

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Maybe you didn’t stick with your New Year’s Resolution or perhaps gave up chocolate for Lent then ate a whole bowl of Hershey Kisses. Okay that may or may not have been me. It’s fine. It’s spring, a time to start anew. Known as the season of rejuvenation and regrowth, however, I always think of it as a time for new beginnings and experiences. The abundance of lush greenery and active wildlife only match the beautiful weather we start to see. If you live in colder environments like me, you can definitely feel the switching of seasons. Sometimes you hear people say they live somewhere because they like “the seasons” and it sounds corny, but it’s true. I could probably do with a few months less of winter, but it’s a pretty amazing thing to see and feel the changes. If it wasn’t for the cold, dreary months, however, my appreciation of spring might not be as high. Once you learn to appreciate what surrounds you, big and small; you become grateful for everything.

As I write this, I have every window open in my house. It’s only 41 degrees out, and I have a hoodie on, but it feels like a perfect day. The sun is beaming through, and I can hear the birds chatting away. I often wonder what they talk about; they’re probably excited that spring is here too. It can be easy to take things for granted, even something as simple as the sun. We all know what it feels like to go a few cloudy days in a row. You aren’t as happy; it’s something about when it’s sunny that makes us smile and feel better. A lot of experts now believe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is linked more to lack of sunlight than the temperature dropping. The sun is proving to make you emotionally happier; this is why it’s so important just to get outside. With a lot of our jobs, we’re indoors with artificial lighting, recycled air and sometimes just dirty conditions. Get some fresh air. Spend your breaks outside. On the weekends get out of the malls and off the couch and in the presence of nature.

I went for a walk through this gorgeous park last weekend, and it was incredible. I was covered in mud and walked into a couple of branches but was worth all of it. I saw natural rock foundations that would rival the work of Picasso. I heard beautiful melodies from water running off enchanting waterfalls, the types of sounds they sell on CD to help you relax. Save your money and experience it firsthand. It’s important to get outside and immerse yourself in nature.

You may think you can’t appreciate the seasonal changes if you live in a warm climate but you’re wrong. No matter where you live there’s so much to admire. Florida’s weather is pretty amazing year-round but, it gets even better in the spring. Not only do different flowers and animals come about but farmers go to work. A lot of their fruit and vegetable crops start mass producing this time of year. They supply delicious food to the whole country. A simple little change in the season enables them to provide nourishment to millions of people every day. Think about how amazing that is.

Spring is a time to encompass all things new. They’re new challenges, new journeys, and new growth. Enjoy it all and reflect on the changes and appreciate them. There is so much to experience out there that we often take for granted. Once you realize this, it’s a humbling feeling. Leave the last few months behind and don’t think about what we messed up on or what we didn’t accomplish. Instead, use this opportunity to get excited. It’s about new beginnings and embracing all the beautiful changes that surround us.

Stop Using Expired Makeup

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When talking about spring cleaning we usually think about cleaning out our cars and straightening our closets. How so much stuff ends up in the back of it, I’ll never understand. There’s a lot of things to focus on washing and organizing but, this is also the perfect opportunity to clean out your makeup bag. This is often overlooked and sometimes never done but, it’s essential to our health. We, women, like to hoard makeup. Let’s face it, we send away for every free sample, grab add-on gifts and use coupons on items we probably won’t use just because we have a coupon. We are also always trying to keep up with the latest trends and products. This leaves us with a plethora of makeup. It’s crucial to know that just like food, makeup can go bad and does expire.

It’s not that the color isn’t as vibrant as it once was or the coverage isn’t as good; it’s a much more severe issue. Expired make can cause an array of skin and health problems. Sheena Joslin is an Aesthetician and Nail Technician at ESSENTIALS MEDISPA, she stresses the importance of throwing away expired makeup. She says using expired makeup can lead to problems such as, skin irritation, eye infections, pink eye, staph infection, fungi infections, clogged pores, acne breakouts and can even cause you to lose eyelashes. Yikes! So how do we know when these products expire? Sheena says makeup products have an expiration date usually on the back bottom corner of the product. “you will find a picture of a small jar with a number inside of it, that number is how many months you have until it expires once the product has been opened.” Below are general timelines of when makeup generally expires, natural products may be less time because they use little to no preservatives.

  • Powdered shadows, blushes, and bronzers- 2years.
  • Cream shadows and blushes-12 months.
  • Oil-free foundation-18months.
  • Concealer-12-18 months.
  • Lipstick and liners-1year. (Unless you notice an odor sooner)
  • Lip gloss-18-24 months.
  • Liquid and gel eyeliner- 3months.
  • Mascara-3 months.

Aside from following this timeline another option Sheena notes is trying makeup that includes antimicrobial ingredients. They’re ingredients that protect against the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi. And viruses. “Keeping an eye out for these products are always a plus.” It’s also very beneficial to keep your makeup clean. Sheena says shadows and powders can be wiped down with a tissue after each use to remove the last layer that was used. Lip liners and eyeliner pencils can be sharpened to remove the previously used product. It’s also important to keep your makeup in a cool, dry place. Also, keep the makeup bag itself clean or replace it when you can no longer clean it. This will help prevent your hands from getting dirty before you are about to touch your face and eyes. Maybe you’ve been using expired makeup and didn’t realize it or dirty brushes. It would be a great idea to get a facial and get a deep cleanse to get any unwanted bacteria that may be there out.

Next time you get excited because you found your favorite lip gloss you haven’t seen in forever, check the date. Spending another ten dollars or trying a new shade is a lot better than ending up with a possible infection or an skin irritation. Your makeup’s status shouldn’t be overlooked. Keep your face and makeup clean with these helpful tips from ESSENTIALS.

Blueberry Peach Basil Salad

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Welcome spring with this healthy and fresh salad that’s bursting with flavor. In the beginning spring months, we start to see new plants and flowers pop out of the ground. Flordia has great weather year-round, creating a long and bountiful planting season. Spring, however, is when their crops begin to shine. It’s a beautiful season because it’s a time of regrowth. Embrace it. This salad encompasses all things spring. The fresh herbs and juicy fruit make this unique dish a crowd pleaser. Make one big salad for your family or set up individualized ones in mason jars so that you can see the vibrantly colored layers. They say we eat with our eyes first; well enjoy. The colors and textures of this salad will leave your mouth watering.

This recipe makes four individual salads.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. sweet basil
  • 1 cup of blueberries
  • 4 peaches ( cut into pieces)
  • 1 cup of crumbled goat cheese
  • 4 tbsp. chopped cashews

Layer everything in mason jar and make your dressing.

Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly grated garlic
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced red onion

Whisk together pour over your salads.

Weight Loss Testimonial

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Medical Weight Loss in Melbourne, FL

Testimonial for Essentials Weight Loss Program:

Over the last 6 years I have struggled immensely with my weight. For a guy who was always fit, competed in sports, and never had to worry about his appearance, these 6 years have been extremely difficult. I worked hard on my own to try and get myself back to a healthy point with no success. I even attempted fad diets, extreme fasting, low carb and some crazy “magical smoothie cleanse”. You name it, I’ve tried it. Like most people who struggle with their weight, I kept falling off the wagon and ultimately gained it all back. I woke up one morning in January 2017 and got on the scale; I weighed 201 pounds. In other words, for my 24 year old, 5’5 body frame, I was officially obese. It was then that I decided that enough was enough. I hated what my weight gain had done to my personality, my self esteem and most importantly my physical health. I have been a member of Essentials Medi-Spa and Salon for 5 years, and on the morning of 1/27/17 I was reading their most recently monthly newsletter. It was then that I saw a program hosted by Essentials called “Lypoburn”. Already knowing how amazing everyone at Essentials is, I hadn’t even finished the article when I picked up the phone and made my appointment. I’m proud to say that I have been on this program for 9 weeks and have lost a total of 40 pounds. My pants went from a size 36 to 28. I truly can’t explain how thankful and appreciative I am to Renee and the staff at Essentials. This program, and the staff that run it, provide me the tools and support necessary to succeed. I have never felt alone on this journey. This program is so successful because of its approach. Unlike other’s, you’re not restricted (I still have my beloved slice of pizza once in a while). Instead, I was taught a better way of living, how to make good choices in order to see results, and how to truly understand what my body needed to be sustainable and healthy. My friends and family are begging for the “magic secret to my transformation”. I simply give them Essential’s phone number. Thank you Essentials, for helping me reach my goals and ultimately finding my confidence and happiness again. This program has changed my life.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS AT ESSENTIALS

*Results may vary from person to person