Archives for health category

Why You Should Encourage Your Child to Be Curious but Cautious

Posted on Jul 14, 2017 under health | No Comment

When you encourage your child to be curious but cautious, you are allowing them to explore the world while implementing safety techniques. Teach them to be wary of strangers, but give them a creative outlet to come to their own conclusions about life and people.

Healthy Curiosities Open Doors for New Learning Experiences

A healthy curiosity is something like wondering how many fireflies you can catch in a single night, then releasing them all at once to create a twinkling wave. Things like this help children thrive in science and nature, while opening the proverbial door to more questions and greater learning experiences.

Encourage Your Child to Question the World Around Them

Rather than telling your child what they should do or believe, allow them to come to their own conclusions by asking questions about the world around them. Adults often feel pressure to conform to their surroundings, but children should feel undaunted by society norms. An expressive, curious child becomes a creative, fulfilled adult. Read the rest of this entry »

DermaUtopia Acne & Skin Care Product Review

Posted on Jul 07, 2016 under health | No Comment
DermaUtopia Acne Skincare Products

DermaUtopia Acne Skincare Products

As summer heat comes into full swing, there will be many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. But as you’re packing for that upcoming beach trip or hike up the mountains, one thing you should not forget to bring with you is protection from the sun!

I did some research and found a bunch of interesting facts about the skin.

  • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
  • Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (the 1st and 2nd most common forms of skin cancer, respectively) at least once.
  • About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
  • One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 52 minutes).
  • The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. One study found that about 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
  • An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun.

Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen

You should not necessarily be afraid to go outside, you just need to be prepared whenever you do plan to be out under the sun. I’m actually deficient in vitamin D, which you get from natural sunlight! A product that I’ve been using is the Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen from DermaUtopia. It is a medical grade sunscreen that offers broad spectrum SPF 40 protection, and water resistant with micronized zinc oxide. I’m pretty sensitive to other sunscreens but I’ve been able to use this particular sunscreen from DermaUtopia without any issues or irritation!

One thing to note about the DermaUtopia Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen (and other skin care products): while other sunscreens can still allow you to burn your skin, DermaUtopia products are safe for all problem and sensitive skin including eczema, psoriasis, etc. All products are 100% organic, free of parabens and toxins.

Blueberry & Coffee Bean Exfoliating Cleanser

I’ve been a runner for the past 15 years or so, including high school cross country and track. But I’ve had acne well before that, probably back around middle school. Running in the hot and humid LA weather probably made me break out more often than I would have liked. Since then, I’ve tried many different over the counter acne products with little to no success. But I’ve seen pretty quick results from the line of acne products from DermaUtopia. The first is the Blueberry and Coffee Bean Exfoliating Cleanser. This acne product has a natural, organic (fruity) scent but is professional grade and allows you to scrub away dead skin from the surface for noticeably smoother skin each and every time. I’ve used the St. Ives Apricot Scrub before and found that product is a little too rough on the skin and causes unwanted irritation.

Benzoyl Peroxide

The acne product that has made the biggest difference for my skin is definitely the DermaUtopia Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Wash. This product is medical grade so it is much more effective than any over the counter medication you’ll find at the drug store. You can also use it for spot treatment for new acne breakouts. Similar to the exfoliating cleanser, the Benzoyl Peroxide wash is safe on my skin but works really well due to the medical grade ingredients. Combining the exfoliating cleanser with the wash has provided amazing results for my acne in a very short time.

Restorative Marine Moisturizer

The other DermaUtopia skin care product I’ve tried is the Restorative Marine Moisturizer. Another professional grade product within their skin care line, it’s a great way to treat irritated or dehydrated skin. My face is usually pretty oily, but there are times where certain parts of face are dry. Vitamins A, E, & C are also added to act as anti-oxidants to fight free radicals that cause damage to the skin.

The sun can cause a lot of harm to your sensitive skin if exposed long and hard enough. But it doesn’t mean you should live the life of a hermit and stay indoors all the time. As long as you take preventative measures, use the right skin care products like line from DermaUtopia and you should be safe to enjoy the outdoors under the sun!

How to Diet and Exercise After Weight Loss Surgery

Posted on Apr 02, 2016 under health | 1 Comment

The top weight loss surgeries reduce the size of your stomach, which lets you eat less and still feel full. As you consume fewer calories, you’ll notice that you start losing weight rather quickly. Though your doctor will give you a list of instructions to follow after you leave the clinic or hospital, you can get a jump start on your recovery long before going through that procedure. With a proper diet and exercise program, you can lose more weight and avoid suffering from saggy skin or flabby spots.

Exercise Guidelines

It can take up to six full weeks or even more before you completely recover from the surgery and feel comfortable doing any type of physical activity. Make sure that you do not push yourself or try to do too much starting out. Tampa bariatrics specialists generally recommend that patients work out for no more than 30 minutes a day and no more than three times a week. Try splitting those exercises into 10 minute increments until you feel more comfortable. Taking a walk around the block, going for a short swim or going for a short bike ride are some exercises you can safely do after your surgery.

Diet After the Surgery

Some patients assume that they can eat anything they want after the surgery, which isn’t true. For the first 48 hours or longer, you’ll need to stick to bland foods and liquids until your body recovers. The hospital will likely put you on a liquid diet that includes clear broths, water, skim milk and coffee. You may eat ice cream or gelatin that contains no added sugar. Once you feel comfortable eating those foods, you can soft or blended foods to your diet like unseasoned mashed potatoes, smoothies and shakes made from sugar-free ice cream.

Dieting Later

It’s important to keep in mind that you will need to completely change your diet after undergoing weight loss surgery. You need to stick to a healthy diet that features little fat or sugar. Many patients find that they can only eat ½ cup to one cup of food at a time. You’ll also want to drink liquids after eating to keep those liquids from filling your stomach. When you schedule your weight loss surgery, your doctor will talk with you more about how you can workout and eat after you go home.

Healthier alternatives to alcoholic common alcoholic beverages

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 under health | No Comment

Alcohol has never been and never will be a health drink. Companies that produce alcohol sell it for what it is and expect customers to be responsible enough to know the risks associated with more than moderate drinking. Alcoholic beverages were never meant to be consumed in large quantities, although some customers take this route. For those more health conscience drinkers who simply enjoy a delicious drink once in awhile, there are companies out there producing a hybrid alcoholic beverages that try to reduce the health consequences of alcohol consumption.

Low carb alcoholic mixers

A good mixed drink is a luxury. Even people who don’t regularly drink often like to have a few mixers on hand to enjoy. Diet conscious people will appreciate the benefits of low carb mixers. Brands like VLiNG offer a unique line of already mixed low carb alcohol beverages that adhere to the standards of both taste and diet conscious people.

Low calorie and low alcohol content drinks

Some people want to enjoy the great taste of alcoholic beverages without getting a lot of the alcohol content. Lower alcoholic content per drink means that you can enjoy more of these beverages. Many companies are trying to bring out brands that give you the opportunity to put taste before alcoholic content. It makes for a safer – albeit not safe – alternative to drinking as much as you might want just for the sake of the feeling you get.

As more people discover these drinks, more companies make efforts to accomodate drinkers who want to be responsible in their alcohol consumption. While drinking will never be a completely safe option for the majority of people, for those who can enjoy a good beverage once in awhile, it’s a wonderful thing that companies are trying to go with alternatives that foster and encourage more responsible drinking. Low carb mixers are great for low carb dieters, of course, who might not ever drink much but who want to keep the high carb content of most alcohol out of their beverages. In the end, people get the kind of drinking experience they want, with the great taste of mixers, and the health consequences are reduced, although never eclipsed.

These beverages are sometimes sold only in specialty stores but for the most part they are found even in grocery stores. Checking out low carb and low calorie alcohol products might be a great step toward a healthier drinking experience.

With So Many Available, Which Fitness Tracker Should I Choose?

Posted on Sep 20, 2015 under health | 1 Comment

As runners, we know how important it is to accurately track and monitor exercise and sleep patterns in order to workout effectively and allow time for your body to recover. With so many fitness wearables on the market, it’s difficult to know which one to pick, but figuring out what information you need from your wearable, whether that’s calories burned, miles run, or heart rate changes, can help you to make your decision. This helpful infographic breaks down each wearable, so you can choose which one would best suit your lifestyle and needs.

which-fitness-tracker-is-best

Pilates & Osteopathy Solutions for Better Health

Posted on Aug 18, 2015 under health | No Comment

As a runner, I’ve always wanted to try other forms of exercise that would help me get stronger and possibly run faster. I’ve only done Pilates once in my life, but heard that it is a good way to strengthen your core muscles, while improving your flexibility which is very important for someone like me that almost never stretches before or after a run.

The one Pilates class I did take was pretty well known, ‘CoreBody Pilates Plus is a 45-minute signature workout that will burn up to 500 calories’. It was interesting how we utilized this one machine to perform all exercises during the session. There was basically a series of pullies and strings that got easier or harder to pull depending on the tension level. I did struggle with some exercises, not because I didn’t have the strength, but because I have poor balance. I usually gauge a workout by the amount of sweat I produce. But since this is a different workout than running or going to the gym, it’s hard to make an apples to apples comparison.

There are many places to address any physical injuries or ailments you may have. For example, there are osteopathy clinics that can help lead you to the path of recovery. Whether you have chronic pain, random sports injuries or some complex back pain, there are clinics and osteopaths that can help you.

6 Hacks for a Longer Life

Posted on Aug 03, 2015 under health | 1 Comment

long healthy life

Do you know that you can improve your health and longevity by just making a few simple lifestyle changes? That’s one of the most eluding and strangest secrets ever.

In fact, if you are still looking for the fountain of youth, then your quest is futile.

Studies has shown that people who outlive the rest of the populace do so because they follow a simple and easy set of dietary and lifestyle rules.

Therefore, to add years, healthier years, to your lifespan, here are the exact lifestyle habits you need to develop. The keys to a longer and healthier life lie within your hands. Just go for it. Read the rest of this entry »

US Olympic Wrestling Legends Have More Than Athletic Ability

Posted on Aug 03, 2015 under health | No Comment

Wrestlers are not just your average athletes. In order to reach the caliber to earn the title of World Champion and Olympic gold medalist, each wrestler must have a substantial amount of guts. If you take a look at the history of many wrestling legends, you’ll see that they have more traits in common than just their physical abilities. Wrestling superstar Dan Gable said, “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” That is exactly what sets these individuals apart from the crowd.

When you’re watching Olympic wrestling matches in person or on your television screen, you probably notice each individual’s moves, skills, and setups. If you scratch the surface and take a closer look at each athlete’s background, you’ll find more than meets the eye. Through the history of Olympic wrestling, many of the champions share some commonalities. You’ll find men who overcame cancer, accidental injuries, dyslexia, bullying, and poverty. You’ll find athletes born into large families, men who worked on farms as children or in shipyards during earlier portions of their lives, and each of these men developed strength and toughness in the process.

Wrestling legends over the years have had much more than strong muscles and quick moves; they have had guts. For more details on the lives of some remarkable US Olympic wrestling legends, take a look at this infographic.

Train for Your Cycling Adventure

Posted on Jun 28, 2015 under health | No Comment

If you love to travel and you are an avid bicyclist, going on a bike tour can be the perfect vacation. Even if you’re just getting started with bicycling, a cycling adventure can be an unforgettable journey. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a novice, you’ll need to devote 12 weeks to getting in shape for your tour. Preparation will include physical training, eating the right foods to fuel your body, and gathering the equipment and apparel you’ll need.

A typical weekly-training schedule will include four days of bicycling, two days of cross training, and one day of rest. The number of miles you ride during your preparation weeks will depend on the intensity of the tour you’re going on. If you plan to take a moderate tour that consists of riding 30 to 40 miles each day, you’ll have an easier schedule than if you plan to ride 60 to 80 miles per day on your trip. Cross training exercises should include core exercise that strengthen your back, glutes, hip flexors, and abs. Adding some cardio such as swimming and jogging will enhance your aerobic capacity. Be sure to allow your body enough time to fully recover before you set off on your tour. For more information about physical training, dietary needs, gear to pack, hydration, and other pertinent details, take a look at this infographic.

Psyched for Cycling: Preparing for a Bike Tour | Bicycle Adventures Infographic
Presented By Bicycle Adventures Bike Tours & Vacations

Easier Ways To Scan

Posted on May 12, 2015 under health | No Comment

Patients who need testing to determine if there is anything wrong in the body might be ordered to get an MRI. This is an easy way to get a better look at the body in the form of slides. Details can appear on the MRI slides that might not show up on an x-ray or other types of scans. Some patients might not be able to lay inside an ordinary MRI machine. This is when an open MRI is beneficial.

Those who don’t like to be in enclosed spaces will find that this is a better option as it’s not as confining. The sides are open instead of being enclosed, giving more room while the test is being done. It’s a solution for young children who might be afraid of the machine itself as there will likely be enough room for a parent to lay on the bed with the child. Older adults can also have someone with them so that they feel safer. This kind of MRI makes it easier to accommodate IV poles and other equipment that the patient might need to have instead of needing to maneuver it to the side of an ordinary machine. The open design is also beneficial if there need to be images of an area of the body that might not be able to be centered in a traditional machine, such as the ankle or the wrist.

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