Help for Uneven Skin Tone

A few years ago I started noticing my skin didn’t look quite right. I developed these splotchy dark areas on my cheeks, my upper lip, and on my forehead. Maybe dark isn’t the right word. Discolored is a better one. A neighbor of mine in our current neighborhood here in Nashville told me she’d had the same trouble in her 30s. (Which I am. She’s 50.) She told me hers was due to hormones and the sun. (Which I suspect so is mine. When we lived in Florida I spent a ton of time outdoors. Also, I notice around that … Continue reading

Eating Your Way To Healthy Skin

Last week I was watching some morning show that was promoting Catherine Zeta-Jones’ new movie “No Reservations.” In it she plays a high-powered chef in a busy Manhattan restaurant. Only in real life, Zeta-Jones told the interviewer that she rarely cooks for her family. Interesting (though not surprising, after all, how many millionaires do you know that don’t have a private chef), but that wasn’t the part of the interview that threw me. When Zeta-Jones’ was asked how she maintains such a flawless complexion given her work schedule (apparently many of the restaurant scenes were shot after midnight) she answered: … Continue reading

Important Things Omega-3s Do For Your Body

The right kind of fat can be good for you! Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, avocados, walnuts, vegetable oil, eggs, and more, and can do lots of good for your body. Omega-3 fatty acids can help you lose weight and maintain weight loss! The fatty acids can help stabilize the mood swings that trigger diet-busting emotional eating. Got dry skin? Omega-3 fatty acids can help strengthen cell walls to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple. A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh found that omega-3 fatty acids help the body fight inflammation. If you have chronic … Continue reading

Why Does My Body Need Selenium?

If you look at the list of vitamins and minerals on your multivitamin, you might find selenium there. Selenium is a “trace mineral” — one that your body needs, but only in very small amounts. What does selenium do for the body? This mineral is used by proteins in the body to make antioxidants called selenoproteins. Antioxidants are good things — they help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Selenoproteins also help the immune system function and assist in regulating thyroid function. Many people get their necessary selenium from foods — plant foods in particular. The selenium content of grains … Continue reading

Looking, Feeling, and Living Younger

Aging is natural. Cell turnover slows down, collagen production slows down, and your skin starts to dry out. External factors like too much sunlight and exposure to pollutants can speed up the aging process. Here are some tips to help your skin look younger. You might have heard some of these before, but they bear repeating: Avoid direct sunlight. Wear SPF 30 sunscreen and cover up to protect yourself against UV rays. Get your beauty sleep — it isn’t just a clever name. Skin cells regenerate more quickly while you are sleeping! Drink plenty of water! The more you drink, … Continue reading

Super Hand Softeners

I’ve started to notice one little downside to my new part-time job at the cat boarding facility: my hands are starting to show some serious wear and tear. All the cleaning (and cleaning supplies) is leaving my skin rough and dry. I’m going through lotion like it’s going out of style! It may be time for some super hand softeners. Heat is a great way to soothe and rejuvenate skin. Heat helps make your skin more porous, so the skin treatments can be absorbed faster. There are paraffin dips available in spa versions and home versions. Up until now, I … Continue reading

Natural Fixes For Dry, Cracked Heels

As we get ready to roll into summer, the number of lotion commercials on television seems to increase. Especially commercials for foot creams! According to the ads, we should hide our dry, cracked heels away now that “sandal weather” is here. I’ve got some seriously dry and cracked heels. To be completely honest, if I could go barefoot all year, I would. That sure doesn’t help the state of my feet! But there are plenty of at-home remedies that can smooth over the rough edges and get your feet primped and pampered for “sandal weather”. Soak your feet to soften … Continue reading

Combating The Signs Of Aging

We recently spent an enjoyable Easter with a boatload of family members… and I have the pictures to prove it. Yesterday, I had several rolls of film developed, and while most of the shots are wonderful (mainly the ones with my daughter and nephew) others (any of the ones I am in) leave less to be desired. I am not a fan of botox, nor do I have the time or money to indulge in fancy peels or facials… and frankly, you can tell. The signs of aging on my face are MORE than apparent. After looking at the Easter … Continue reading

Why Does My Body Need Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is good for us. But do you know why? Vitamin C is essential in the body’s production of collagen. Collagen is a part of the connective tissue through our bodies — it helps connect skin, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments, organ tissue, and cartilage. Collagen makes up the separating layer between cells. But vitamin C does so much more than that! Vitamin C helps protect fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin C also helps protect essential fatty acids from oxidation. This vitamin is also useful in treating iron-deficiency anemia. Vitamin C is perhaps most famous for … Continue reading