Page 23 of 74

Posted on

My Favorite Health and Beauty Products

I love hearing about great products, especially when the recommendation is from an actual user and not someone benefitting from the product review. I also find that as I have aged, I need more products to help with my maintenance. Here are a few that work for me.

Hair

Kenra Platinum Pearl detangler and leave-in conditioner

The first day I used this I received two compliments on my hair because not only does it do an amazing job of detangling your hair, it also leaves a beautiful shine, and it doesn’t weigh your hair down.

L’Oreal Pro longer shampoo and conditioner

I had complained to my hairdresser that since my hair was longer I was having trouble finding a shampoo that cleaned my hair well. I also needed a conditioner that didn’t weigh my hair down. These products have been wonderful. My hair feels clean and bouncy, but not frizzy.

L’oreal Techni art finishing spray and hair spray

The finishing spray gets rid of frizz without leaving your hair stiff or sticky. The hair spray delivers the hold you might be looking for.

Skincare

No 7 Future Renew Serum and No 7 Protect and Perfect

The No 7 products are amazing. I noticed a difference with the serum in a week. My skin looked brighter and clearer, and the redness was less noticeable. There is a Protect and Perfect cream as well as a hand cream. The hand cream makes your hands feel so good.

Witch Hazel

I use witch hazel as a toner. It has kept my skin clear.

Vaseline

I have had some issues with skin cancer, and within the last year, my dermatologist has been telling me to use Vaseline to heal any spots that have been removed.

Miracle Oil by Pure Romance

Pure Romance has some amazing beauty products. In my opinion, the best is the miracle oil. It is a combination of essential oils, and it heals cuts and bruises quickly. I also use it as a moisturizer. I had Moh’s surgery on my shoulder and I had been using the oil. When I went back for a follow-up appointment the dermatologist was surprised to see how quickly it had healed.

Body boost

Body Boost is also by Pure Romance. It’s a rich cream that has caffeine in it. It takes my face a few minutes to wake up, and I need a good moisturizer first thing in the morning, so Body Boost has been great. I use it on my face and hands.

Aveeno Tone and Texture cream

I use this all over my body. It is such a rich cream that it feels amazing, and I don’t have to reapply moisturizer during the day.

Lancôme Absolue Eye Cream

This Christmas, Lancôme was having a sale, so I tried the eye cream. I love it! Watch for sales or look for samples at Macy’s.

Cicalfate by Avène

Because of the skin cancer, I have some small scars and this scar cream is amazing.

SCS Advanced Scar Gel

Another very good scar cream.

Teeth

Mint Instant Purple toothpaste

This works! I was skeptical, so I was surprised to see a difference in the color of my teeth. It is a little pricey, but if it makes you feel better and you can afford it I would try it.

Eyes

Optase Cleansing Wipes

I developed a clogged spot on my eyelashes. When I went to the eye doctor he told me to use these wipes. They feel cool and have green tea in them, so they feel great on your eyes.

Essential oils

I believe that essential oils can go a long way in improving our health. Here are a few I use.

After a shower, I put several different oils on my feet and rubbed them with peppermint foot cream. I use Turmeric, Balance, Frankincense, peppermint, and OnGuard.

Several years ago, I started to develop a ringing in my ears, and a friend recommended putting lavender behind my ears before I went to bed. The ringing went away, and I haven’t had any since. I sprinkle lavender and peppermint on my pillow at night because I love the smell and lavender will help you sleep.

I diffuse an oil called Breathe, and I cannot remember the last time I had a cold. It smells amazing.

Makeup

I love anything by Elf. The products are affordable, and they work.

I discovered a primer by Bobbi Brown that is amazing.

Stay Matte is a great product to reduce shine.

I went to a makeover once at a department store, and the makeup artist told me to never buy the expensive brands because Maybelline and Cover Girl were just as good. What do you think?

I hope one of these products fills a need for you, and I would love to hear about products that have worked for you.

Posted on

The Importance of Family Dinners

When I was growing up we always ate dinner as a family. It was our chance to share our days and tell each other our stories. I always thought family dinners brought a sense of comfort, but I never realized how important they were until I became a parent myself.

We decided when we had children that no matter what we would sit down together for dinner. Throughout the years it has been a chance to take some time to be together as a family. Our children always had a chance to tell us what had happened during the day. We also took them out to dinner often to teach them how to behave, and I always smiled when they saw a child who was not behaving. They would say, “Someone needs to teach him how to act.”

Eating as a family provides opportunity and encouragement to share and listen to others. Eating together helps children gain confidence in developing and expressing their thoughts.

Research shows that the more children eat dinner with family, the less likely they are to drink, smoke, or use drugs. Perhaps that is because they feel part of a community where they are heard and included.

Dinner together provides opportunities for safe discussion. When several generations are included, everyone can hear stories from the past and feel they are included in a multigenerational unit.

Posted on

10 Reasons to Keep Writing

1) Your words are powerful, and they can make a difference. Have you ever been having a bad day and when you look on social media you find just the words you need to soothe you? What an amazing gift it is to lift someone with your words, and as an author you have that chance. Your words can soothe, convince, incense, and educate. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

2) You only need one yes to be published. I have received so many rejections over the years, and because I am so sensitive most of them still sting. When you receive a rejection tell yourself two things. First, that is only one voice judging your work, and not accepting it does not mean that your writing is trash. Many famous writers received rejections. Secondly, remember that it doesn’t matter how many people say no. What matters is when someone says yes, and it’s a good fit for you. Sometimes, you need to say no to the yes because it is not the best fit.

3) Using writing as a form of expression is healthy. Writing is a great way to release your thoughts and feelings. It’s free therapy for both you and your readers. When I look at Stephen King’s photo on his books I always think that it’s a good thing he is a writer because he looks to me like he could be a potential serial killer if he didn’t have a way to release all his thoughts and plots.

4) You will make amazing connections with your writing.

Writing is both a private and public activity. Your thought process and writing might be in a quiet room at 3 a.m., but when you release your writing It becomes very public. As a writer, you have to market yourself, so I have met a lot of interesting people at vendor events and speaking events. Interacting with other writers is also a learning experience and a great way to make connections.

5) The more you practice your craft the more you can perfect it. Every writer wants to be the best he can be, and to do that he has to practice working with words as well as taking a good look at his writing and reflecting on how to improve it. Reading also helps a writer improve.

6) You will keep your brain strong. Science proves that we must regularly stimulate our brain to keep it strong. Writing makes us reflect on a myriad of topics, and we need to focus on how we form our writing.

7) You can leave a legacy with your writing. A French writer, Ronsard wrote a poem, Il faut Laisser Maisons, which translates to It is Necessary to Leave Houses. What he meant was we need to leave traces of ourselves behind so we will be remembered. Our writing is a way to remember us and what we stood for.

8) You can be an inspiration for another writer. How do you know that you haven’t already encouraged other people to start writing? Someone might decide to follow a passion because you led the way.

9) Writing can be a gift to someone who needs to be celebrated. As a writer, you can write about someone special and tell the world about her. We need to celebrate each other, and writing is a way to do that.

10) If you are like me you have to write because it gives you peace and because you have all sorts of ideas tapping at the edge of your brain demanding to come out. Writing is something you have to do even when you have one of those days when you question whether you should do it.

Posted on

Own Your Day

 

I believe completely in the idea that although we can’t always know what will happen to us each day, we do have a choice about how we react to what happens. Adjusting our attitude, staying rooted in positivity, and seeing the good side of a situation can not only change a situation but it can also change your whole day. You have the power to own your day.

You might ask why it is important to stay positive while your day feels like it should be in a disaster movie, so here are a few reasons why it makes a difference.

· Positivity is power. There are days when so many things are going wrong that you feel like you have to choose between laughing or crying. When you keep a positive attitude you are also maintaining control of the situation which makes you powerful. You can choose how you react, and choice gives you power. My morning started off a little shaky. I wanted to get up early to run because I had an early appointment, but the covers dragged me in longer since I knew how cold it was outside. As I headed out, I was carrying a cup of coffee and a can of seltzer I was going to put in the mailbox while I ran around the neighborhood. I tried to open the mailbox, but it was slightly stuck from the cold, and I dropped the open can of seltzer. As I tried to save it the coffee splashed everywhere. I could have started the oh, woe is me lament, but instead, I said, “Oh, Well.” And headed inside for a fresh drink.

· Your attitude could make you a change-maker. You might be the inspiration and the catalyst for change others need. If they see you handling difficult situations with ease, it might make them consider improving their attitude as well. I used to always tell my students that they were in control of their day. If someone or something had thrown negativity at them it was up to them to turn it around.

When my children were 14, 11, and 3, we had one of the roughest starts to the day I can remember. My husband was away on business, and I had a small window of time to get the three-year-old to day care and return to take the other two to school with me.

I had the three-year-old all ready to go and I was heading up the stairs to wake up the other two when I heard my daughter open her door and scream. I’m pretty sure that’s not a signal for a good start in anyone’s book. When I reached the top of the stairs, I saw that the dog had pooped all along the hall, (it was a long hall) and when I opened my son’s door I saw that the dog had thrown up behind the door. I picked up the youngest who was moving toward the poop, and I noticed the other two were looking at me waiting for my reaction. I said, “You know, I have meetings all day, so I’m not sure when I can come back and clean this, but, oh well, I’ll be back after I drop off Katie.”

When I returned I was surprised to see that not only were they ready to go, but they had also cleaned up the whole mess and all I needed to do was run the steam cleaner that night. I felt so much better about the reaction I had than the one I think my children expected.

Here are a few ways that you can own your day.

· Whenever it’s possible laugh at the pitfalls. If you get worked up over everything that doesn’t go perfectly it will only raise your stress level. Laugh at it instead and keep moving.

· Have an attitude of gratitude. When you start to have a pity party remember that it could be worse.

· Start the day off right. Starting the day in a pleasant way will leave you with that memory for the rest of the day.

· Disconnect from everything at some point during the day. I don’t know if you watch the amazing show called Bluey, but the mom says, “Sometimes, you just need 20 minutes without speaking.”

Start tomorrow knowing you have the power to own your day. It is your decision every day.

Posted on

Mental Health and Running

No one would argue that running is a great sport to help us get fit and healthy. Physical benefits range from heart health, strengthening and toning the body, and weight loss. The physical benefits are so obvious that we might forget that the mental health effects are just as evident.

In the article, Whole Brain Health, Amrita Sharma PhD says, “When we do high-intensity exercise our heart rate increases, supplying more blood flow to the brain. The increased heart rate also increases our breathing, making us breathe harder and faster. As a result, more oxygen is supplied in our bloodstream, and more oxygen reaches our brains. This leads to neurogenesis, which is the production of neurons. Research has indicated that physical Exercise increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain area important for learning and memory. Additionally, Exercise also influences the neurotrophins, it’s the family of proteins that aids in neuron survival, development, and function. This leads to greater brain plasticity and as a result better memory and learning. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of developing cognitive impairment, such as dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This improvement from the exercise is for people with normal and also impaired cognitive health, including people with ADHD, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke.”

Matt Vilardo tells how his running journey started when his dad asked him to come for a run. He thought this was odd because his dad was not a runner, but he went and enjoyed that time with his dad. The next day, Matt’s dad died in the attack on the Trade Center. He has used running to deal with depression and anxiety ever since. He says that running helps him to be a better husband and dad. Here is what he says about running. “According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five Americans will suffer from a mental illness during their lifetime. I view running as a strong, first-line treatment for many problems that we face today. In fact, in other countries, exercise is used as a first-line medical treatment as opposed to just prescribing a pill. And that’s not to say that there aren’t many, many circumstances that require more than just physical exercise, but if you can combine running into your treatment, the benefits will be amplified.” You can read Matt’s story here. https://www.stillirun.org/post/how-running-for-mental-health-helped-me-through-grief-and-depression?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MjgprbEgwMVpJ9aBR1VkwOPEAAYAiAAEgII_vD_BwE

Can exercise be medicine? The answer for myself would be yes. Running has always been what I turned to when life became overwhelming. It has been a healthy escape and a way to calm my stress. Sometimes I just need to get away from everything and recharge.

Running is restorative. There is something spiritual about being out in nature. I can work out problems, or I can think about nothing. I have had friends comment that I smile when I run, and that is proof to me that running makes me happy.

Running is a mood booster because you can see a transformation in your body if you are consistent, and the physical improvements will improve your mental health.

I am the most creative when I am out running, which isn’t always convenient. Something about running opens my mind, and I come up with tons of ideas for writing.

Running can also provide an individual with community. We can feel more connected and supported when we have friends.

I am so thankful for running because it has kept me sane in the tougher times. I hope more people will give it a try.

References

Whole Brain Health by Amrita Sharma PhD, July 2020 https://wholebrainhealth.org/exercise-and-brain-health/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MjgprbEgwMVpJ9aBR1VkwOPEAAYASAAEgJ45fD_BwE

Posted on

15 Reminders for 2024

There are many tips I know I should follow, and I have good intentions to do that, but sometimes I need a reminder. Do you feel that way too? I will read something inspirational on social media and say, “Oh, that’s so true. I need to remember that. Here are a few that I will hang in my office to do my best to live my best 2024.

Worry is wasted energy. I am a worrier, but I am working hard on recovering from it because I know how it can drain your energy and hurt your mental and physical health. If you work yourself into a state of anxiety you aren’t much good to anyone, and what you are worried about might not even happen.

I deserve good people around me. Why do we give second chances to people who are toxic to us? Spend your time with positive people who enjoy spending time with you. Walk away from negativity and hatefulness. You deserve better.

What I put into my body determines my health. We can make excuses all day long, but until we take responsibility for how we fuel our bodies we will have health issues, including feeling sluggish and unmotivated.

I shouldn’t judge anyone else until I’m perfect. (so, never!) none of us have perfect lives even though we try to portray our lives like that on social media. We don’t have any right to judge someone else when we have junk of our own.

I will not compare myself to others. Social media can stomp on your self-esteem when you see others who seem to have it all figured out while you aren’t there yet. Everyone is struggling with something, and you might not want to trade burdens with someone else.

Boundaries are important. Speak up for yourself when it comes to what you accept from others. Communicate clear boundaries.

Time spent on mental and physical health is always a good idea. Do what brings you peace and be intentional on working on your health.

Doing nothing sometimes is productive. Resting well and taking time to recharge can make you stronger and more productive.

Laughter is healing. It is difficult to stay sad when you are laughing.

Do what makes you happy. Don’t worry what others say about what makes you happy. Life is too short not to have fun.

Unplug sometimes. Sometimes we can be too connected and putting all our devices away can give us time to recharge.

Connecting with nature is good for you. There is something basic about being outside. It’s spiritual.

Love is a great response. Love feels so much better than hate

Kindness is a superpower. You can change someone’s life with kindness.

Travel makes you better. Travel can educate you, and make important connections for you.

Posted on

My Scariest Race

I have been racing for years, and I can attach emotions and stories to many of them, but one stands out as the scariest.

I enjoy running in any form, but my favorite races are ultramarathons. I have always done better with distance running when endurance was more important than speed. It is also the race that has taught me the most about my body and the limits where I can take it. Even though I love ultras I always feel like a fraud, as if I don’t compare with the other ultrarunners because they are a pretty tough group of people. At each race I go to I’m sure the ultramarathoners will discover I am an imposter.

I had heard about the Yeti races from several friends. They said they were amazing experiences, and they were also tough. I signed up for my first Yeti and was typically nervous about what to expect. I had no idea that I was about to experience so much.

The morning of the race, we heard the meteorologist say there might be storms. My first mistake was not to have brought rain gear. The race information said space was limited for canopies, so I asked my husband if we could be at the park as soon as it opened. He told me he wanted to have breakfast first and he was sure we would be fine. This was also the moment he chose to tell me he forgot the top of the canopy. Mistake number two and three were waiting to set up because there wasn’t any more room, and it began to rain very hard, so a canopy would have been nice. We found a corner to put a small tent that later flooded.

The race started and off we went in the rain and the dark. The course was tough but beautiful. A group of us had walked up a steep hill and at the top there was a lake. Suddenly one of the men fell. He stood up and then one of the women fell. Another woman said, “Can we all agree that this lake is cursed?” Have you ever been in a spot where the energy felt negative? Let’s just say I was happy to leave that lake behind. I finished the four-mile loop told my husband about the course, and then headed back out. I had no idea that a thunder and lightning storm was about to hit.

A mile into the loop, the storm hit. There was very heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. I was by myself, but I could see two women ahead of me, so I ran to catch up to them. I asked them if they minded if I stayed with them for a while. My new friends Eva and Marie were as nervous as I was about the storm. I was going against all the storm rules my mom taught me when I was younger. I could hear her saying, “Don’t be in water, don’t be up high, or around trees.” I was in a lot of water, in the woods, walking up to a ridgeline. None of this added up to a good time.

Marie said, “As long as you can hear the birds, we are okay.” I’m not kidding you that 3 seconds after she said that it went dead quiet. I said, “Marie, I don’t hear the birds.” She said, “I know. We’re screwed.”

I have never been on a run before and I feared for my life. Lightning struck once not far from me, and I jumped off the trail. I kept thinking I didn’t want the headlines to say, “She died doing what she loved.”

We weren’t the only ones running out there. Every once in a while, someone would come running by because why would you let possibly being struck by lightning keep you from your mileage goal?

When I made it to the staging area I was soaked. I asked my husband if he knew when the storm would stop, and he said it was going to be off and on all day. I was still healing from a torn meniscus, so the slick conditions also were worrying me.

A friend of mine was there, and I said, “I think I’m going to stop.” He knew about my knee, and he said, “What if you slipped on those hills and hurt yourself again?” That helped me a little, but as we were leaving, my husband turned around just as my face was crumpling and the tears were about to come because I don’t like to quit. He said, “There is a difference between being a badass and a dumbass. You need to be able to run another day instead of being hurt.”

It bothered me to stop, but I will be back this year to try again. I will also be praying for no storms.

Posted on

Ten Things a Runner Should Not Do

Runners are rebels and rule breakers, and what works for one person might not work for someone else, so I offer this list knowing that some runners will agree with some and not others. I would love to hear what you would add to the list of what not to do as a runner.

Don’t scrimp on shoes.

I have seen runners running in all kinds of footwear, and I know everyone has different preferences, but a good pair of shoes can make a difference in keeping your feet safe. Shoes that are too small can cause black toe. Shoes that are too big can produce blisters, and shoes that don’t provide enough cushioning or support can lead to other injuries. There is usually someone knowledgeable at a local sports store who can help find the shoe that is good for you.

Don’t increase mileage too fast.

Trying to do too much too soon can cause an injury from overuse, and too much stress on the body can lower the immune system and make a runner more susceptible to illness. Runners should increase their mileage gradually and allow the body to adapt.

Don’t run in the dark without reflective clothing.

Drivers are distracted enough by everything around them and in the car. Don’t expect them to see a dark figure running on the side of the road. Runners shouldn’t let themselves be distracted either. Running at night might be a good time to run without music.

Don’t run alone at night.

There is always safety in numbers and running with friends will cut down on the risk of crime. It also ensures if you are injured someone will be there to help you.

Don’t think of a day off as a bad thing.

Everyone needs rest; a rest day can be vital to any training program. A day off from running is an opportunity to cross-train, but you also need a true rest day sometimes.

Don’t eat unusual or hard-to-digest food before a race.

Everyone’s system is different. I cannot eat chili the night before unless I want to be miserable during the entire race. It’s a better idea to stick to food that the stomach will manage easily.

Don’t run the same distance and the same route every day.

You can train your body to do almost anything, but if you do the same routine every day you might not see the same results that you will see if you do a combination of speed, strength, distance, and easy runs. It also makes your training more interesting.

Don’t skip the warm-up.

The warm-up can consist of what works for you. I do a nice easy slow run when I first start out to warm up all my muscles and work out the kinks. Adopt a routine that works; but, in any case, do not start running hard without warming up the muscles.

Don’t ignore an injury.

It is very hard for a passionate runner not to run, and often runners will try to ignore a small injury. The problem is that a small injury can become a serious injury-one that will take a person away from running much longer than if the small injury had been taken care of in the first place.

Don’t just run.

I remember when the soccer coach walked over to me before cross-country practice and said, “You have such an easy job. All you have to do is tell them to run.” I smiled and said, “Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.” The truth is if I thought I could get away with it I would choose only to run, but I know I will be a better runner if I strength train and cross-train.

Posted on

You Never Know

Life is so full of uncertainty and possibilities that you can never be sure of what is going to happen next. You can prepare and pray to the best of your ability, but you can never know for sure what adventure awaits you. Here are a few situations that fall under the category of you never know.

A new opportunity

I have a sign on my desk that says, “Always imagine that your next adventure is about to happen.” When you think that way, it feels as if every day is a gift, and the possibilities inside are endless. New doors open all the time when we least expect it. It helps to be open to the possibility of allowing change to enter your life.

When your words matter

Words are so powerful, and you never know when yours will make a difference. I always start my day with the same prayer that I will lift people up and not tear them down. You never know when simple words you offer someone might be exactly what she needs.

How kindness can make a difference

Everyone struggles with something in life, so kindness is always needed. I do my best to respond to hatefulness with kindness, but I admit that I have a limit where the ugly side of me comes out.

When transparency can save someone

So many people are afraid of being judged, but if we are honest about our junk, it can give relief to someone who is struggling.

What positivity can do

Positivity is a game changer, and you don’t have anything to lose by using it. It can change the outcome of a situation and make you feel better.

When new friends will enter

Wonderful people can come into your life at any moment, so be ready to receive them.

When a good attitude is needed

I had some health issues this year. I had an afib incident which meant I had every heart test in the book but did not find any answers. I also tore my meniscus which was rough for an avid runner, but I decided I was going to have a good attitude and it made a huge difference.

So, prepare yourself for a new year because you never know!

Posted on

Don’t Lose Yourself in a Relationship

I believe in love and its healing power, but I also know that people’s perceptions of love can be vastly different and sometimes twisted. Most relationships take at least a little work to make them the positive connections they can be. Still, there are also many situations where one of the people in the relationship becomes lost and overpowered by the other personality. It could be that one person is a controller and the other person becomes passive to avoid conflict. Another possibility is one person is a perfectionist who constantly critiques the other person until he feels less than others. No matter what the situation is if you are unhappy or feel you have lost your voice in a relationship then it is time for a change. Here are a few things you can do to avoid losing yourself.

Set boundaries

Every relationship needs to establish what is acceptable or not for each individual. Talk about what are the deal breakers, and what are those things that you expect. Expectations include being heard. Decisions should be a collaboration and not decided by only one person. There has to be some compromise about likes and dislikes.

Communicate

Talk about everything. What are your expectations? As husband and wife, you should discuss major decisions before acting on them. I heard a story recently of a husband who drained the couple’s savings account and bought a truck because he said he would need it for a business he wanted to start. The wife was blindsided. Have those uncomfortable conversations before a problem arises.

Know your worth

Being criticized constantly makes you question your self-worth. You might also ask if the conflict is your fault, but you need to know that your feelings and needs count as much as anyone else. You don’t have to be condemned to a toxic situation.

Know the difference between support and a need to change

As partners or friends, we want to be supportive in the bad times, but there are situations where change is the solution, and we cannot support destructive continued behavior.

In a good relationship, you should feel supported and as if someone always has your back. There should be trust and communication. When those elements are missing it’s time for some tough decisions.