Steps To Take the Pause Out of Menopause

Let’s face it, women fear growing old. The prospect of wrinkles, body aches, fatigue and especially menopause adds to negative feelings about aging. Menopause is defined as the point when a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs. Ovulation stops, and as a result, production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone also comes to an end. You can’t pause menopause, but you can prepare for its arrival. The signs of menopause can be both subtle and blatantly obvious and how you handle it will have a lot to do with how you’ve prepared.
Mental Preparation For Menopause

As with anything in life, being mentally prepared for challenges ahead can help you win the battle to come. Preparation for menopause includes having that important talk with your doctor and discussing the signs of menopause, treatment options and the effect it can have on you and those around you. It you know what to expect, then you will know how to react to it. Like the pre-menstruation phase, menopause can cause emotional ups and downs. So instead of actually believing that the world hates you, you will recognize that it’s just your hormones playing tricks on you and you can control those false sentiments. Instead of having that “why do I feel this way?” day, you will be able to identify exactly the cause and nip that feeling in the butt.
Physical Preparation For Menopause

You might have noticed that this is a common theme of many of my articles, but it’s so true… exercise, exercise, exercis! Exercise can solve a lot of our health problems if we only would put down the remote and go do it! For menopause, exercise is helpful in many ways including preventing the rapid onset of osteoporosis. Exercise can come in many forms. It can be regular walking, 3-4 sessions a week at the gym for both cardio and weight training, yoga, swimming, cycling, dancing or simply being active in a team sport. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something to get that heart rate up and those pounds down.
Dietary Preparation For Menopause

Your diet during your 30’s is vital to handling the signs of menopause. Foods rich in calcium can help strengthening bones, which become weaker as women age. After the age of 30, a woman experiences regular bone loss and while it’s only minimal each year, it can add up to significant levels by the time you reach 50. Not only is it important to eat healthy to maintain healthy bones, but also healthy eating can help lower the risk of heart disease. Healthy eating with regular exercise can significantly lower any risk of problems settling in.
Menopause can be a challenging time in the lives of many women, but being prepared for it can make the transition easier. Life after menopause can be as healthy, independent and fulfilling as any of the younger stages of a woman’s life. While it may mean that you can no longer bare children, it also means that you don’t have to worry about that annoying monthly “friend,” which should actually be called “enemy.” So don’t let menopause put a pause on your life. Live, eat, dance, play! Enjoy the freedom that this new stage of life brings and feel younger then you ever felt before. So stay young, and stay pretty.

How to Avoid Turning the Holidays Into Heavy Days

The holiday season is quickly approaching and no matter if you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, one thing unites us...we all indulge in delicious holiday meals. Most people believe that the average person gains about five pounds during the holiday season. The truth is, the average weight gain is only about one pound. But this one pound tends to remain through the season and into the next season. Not only does it remain, but we also add to it as time goes on. So here are some tips on how to stay away from the dreaded holiday weight gain.

Never Party Hungry

Many of us have heard that you should not go grocery shopping hungry because it will cause you to buy more than you need. Well the same goes for holiday partying. Never go to a holiday party hungry because it will cause you to overeat. Have a healthy meal before you head out to that Christmas party that way you will be sure to have self-control when aunty brings out that juicy pineapple glazed ham.
Alcohol is Not Your Friend
Besides the fact that alcohol leads to the embarrassing acts that make for a legendary office story, alcohol is also not worth consuming during the holiday season because it has no nutritional value and add empty calories. Calories from alcohol tend to be stored as fat, so while your holiday hangover will go away the next day, the calories from the consumption won't. Stick to virgin eggnog and apple cider. If you must consume alcohol, do so in moderation.
Talk Away From the Snack Table
Talking by the snack table brings nothing but trouble. While mingling with friends, you're reaching every two seconds to grab a chip or a piece of cheese and before you know it, you've just consumed 300 calories for no good reason. So instead of talking by the snack table, grab a small plate of the goodies you want and take the conversation to the other side of the room. You are less likely to overeat if you have to walk back and you are more likely to forget about the table of snack when it is out of sight and out of reach.
Opt For Diet Drinks
Ideally you should drink water with those holiday meals in order to avoid consuming any extra calories, but if you have to have a flavored beverage, opt for diet drinks over regular soda and juice. A 12-ounce can of soda and or 8-ounce glass of juice contain about 150 calories. But diet soda contains about 2-4 calories and club soda is calories-free. So choose these options as they can save you about 450 calories a day!

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Not only is exercise good for your health in general, but exercise can also help prevent candied yam and turkey stuffing weight gain. Increasing your current exercise regimen during the holiday season will allow you to eat all of the candied yams your heart desires. For example, on average we eat about 500 calories more a day during the holidays. So increasing your work out regimen to burn 500 more calories than usual will allow you to have a zero calorie balance. It's simple. If you burn the extra calories you consume, you can maintain you current weight.
Many of us expect to gain weight over the holiday season, but that does not have to be the case this year. By following these simple tips, you can maintain your current weight and avoid those unwanted pounds. You don't have to treat holiday foods like they are your enemy, but know that they are definitely not your body's best friends. So consume with caution. Stay healthy, and stay pretty.

TRANSITIONING FROM RELAXED TO NATURAL HAIR

Going from relaxed hair to natural hair is a process that involves patience, love and dedication. This is the time you decide you no longer want to relax your hair. During this period proper care must be taken to care for your hair. It may be frustrating sometimes dealing with the two textures – that’s why some opt for "the big chop". This is the point where the relaxed hair is completely removed. Depending on how much natural growth you have, this may mean shaving your head or if you have an inch or two of new growth, you can cut the hair to the point of the new growth. This is known as a TWA (teeny weeny afro) - which looks great on most women! If "the big chop" or TWA are not options you’re willing to take, try to embrace your hair during the transition period. Take the time and energy to care for your hair with the right styling options. In order to hide the two textures, you may opt for styles that require very little or no daily grooming like cornrows, braids, extensions, straw-sets or twist-outs. But, you must remember that during this transition period – LOVE YOUR HAIR!

One of the most important things to do is condition, condition, condition! Also, trim your hair gradually to get rid of the straight ends. This also aids in helping the hair avoid breakage. Another way to avoid breakage is to use a wide tooth comb, conditioning the hair regularly, and by giving your hair a hot-oil deep conditioning treatment. This is essential to restore moisture and balance. When you transition, the point where the two textures meet is known as the "line of demarcation". This is the weakest point. The curly/coily hair meets the relaxed or straight hair. At this point the structure of the hair is completely different due to the two different textures. This is the point where the hair is more prone to breakage.

While you transition, if you are conditioning your hair, comb the hair carefully with the wide tooth comb while the conditioner is still in the hair. Leave the conditioner in the hair for 10 minutes and then rinse out. A great after wash and conditioner is Infusium Leave-In Conditioner. Add to the hair after washing and conditioning with the creamy conditioner. Infusium Leave-In Conditioner is a great product to use after every wash because it rids the hair of tangles.

Try to consult with a professional stylist to help you through your transitioning period. A visit to the stylist for a professional deep conditioning will also be very beneficial and helpful during the transition period. It’s best to go to a stylist that embraces natural hair. The last thing you need is a stylist who makes you feel like you’ve lost your mind because you’ve decided to go the natural route. You need to surround yourself with people who support your decision. It’s amazing how many stylists frown upon natural hair. Your stylist will also be able to recommend the best products and methods to use for your hair. Another key point to having good hair (whether transitioning or not), is a healthy diet. So, get healthy! Try to eat right so that your hair will grow quickly and grow thick and healthy. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli are great at growing long healthy locks.

Transition Tip: Try to avoid slicking your hair back because the tension may cause breakage. Your hair is more susceptible to breakage because of the two different textures.

Stay Motivated, and Stay Pretty.

Staying Summer Silky in the Winter.

It’s the beginning of November and it seems quite clear that we’re in for a cold, cold winter. During the cold winter months, your beauty routine needs to go into overdrive. The harsh winter weather, along with the dry heat of the indoors, can cause skin to crack, nails to split, and hair to break. But there are some simple, but routine habits you must develop for your daily winter grooming.

Hydrate Your Skin

Whatever lotion you use to moisturize your skin during the warmer months, may not work as well in the winter months. Hydrate your skin with lotions that are rich in shea butter, glycerin, or petroleum. A lotion that I have found to protect the skin very well during the winter is Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion. Apply lotion right as you get out of the shower for maximum hydration. During the winter, we tend to take warmer showers and wear more abrasive clothing. However, try to bathe in lukewarm water using a gentle soap, such as Dove. And to counter the effect of thick, harsh sweaters and jackets, wear a cotton, long sleeve shirt underneath your clothing. Also, wear leggings underneath your pants to protect from the brisk air and from those heavy pants materials. For many of us, our hands and feet experience a persistent dryness during the winter. Just because you’re not wearing sandals anymore does not mean that your feet should not still look their best. To maintain soft, beautiful feet, latter your feet in a thick moisturizer and wear socks to bed. This will allow moisture to penetrate and soften the skin. You can perform a similar practice on your hands by applying lotion to your hands and wear gloves at all times when outside in the cold weather.

Nourish Your Nails

It is very important to apply lotion to your cuticle area several times a day. Do not just apply lotion, but massage it into each cuticle. This will prevent nails from chipping and skin from peeling in the cuticle area. It is important to have frequent manicures to keep the cuticle area free of jagged or peeling skin that can sometimes lead to painful and sore spots when we rip or bite the hanging skin.

Moisturize Your Hair

Keep your hair from breakage during the winter months by conditioning it every time you wash and by applying a leave-in conditioner. Once a week or every two weeks apply a deep conditioning treatment and leave it in for at least twenty minutes before rinsing it out. Like with showering, avoid washing your hair in extremely hot water. This dries out the scalp, which can lead to breakage. Also, taking vitamins (particularly Vitamin E and Biotin) and hydrating the scalp with oils rich in Vitamin E can help keep hair strong during the winter months.

Maintaining your skin, nails, and hair during the winter requires more effort than during the summer months, but it is an effort that is necessary to make sure that when next summer comes around, you are sandals and stripy dress ready. So as you use this time to hibernate, also use this time to hydrate. Stay moisturized, and stay pretty.

Ideal Winter Gear To Protect Your Hair

No one wants to think about winter right now, but the truth is that it’s right around the corner. It’s about that time again to start buying hats, scarves, and coats, but before you invest in those items, it’s important to know how they may affect the health of your hair.
Coats Cause Chaos

While coats may protect your body from the winter weather, they can also be very damaging to the hair. Coats with a high collar can rub against the nape of the neck, which cause breakage to the hair at the back of the head. Not only can the height of the collar cause this to happen, but also the coat material. Wool coats can cause a lot of snagging and the constant friction can cause the hair to become dry and brittle. To prevent breakage, choose coats with hoods versus collars and choose coats that of a softer material, such as cotton or soft leather. Avoid wearing rough wool fabrics. And if you are going to wear wool because it tends to be the warmest, be sure to protect the neck area with a soft scarf.

Scarves Create Shedding

The best type of scarf to wear to protect your nape hair from damage is a soft cotton or silk scarf. Stay away from scarves made of rayon because rayon absorbs moisture, so it can leave the back of the hair dry. Materials such as polyester and nylon do not absorb moisture well, so they will not strip the hair of its moisture. Wools should also be avoided, unless it is pashmina, which is a form of cashmere wool. Also, how you wear your scarf can cause breakage. Wearing the scarf tightly, right at the nape of the neck can cause friction that will break the hair. To avoid this problem, wear your scarf loosely, either below or above the back of the neck. Also, keep the hair tucked in the scarf instead of hanging over the scarf. This will keep the nape hair from coming into direct contact with the scarf.

Hats Wreak Havoc

Like scarves, the best type of hat fabric for your hair is soft cotton or silk or satin. When choosing a hat, it is important to wear a breathable material, so that air can circulate to the scalp. It is also important to wear hats that do not come down tightly on the head, as this may create tension that can stress the hairline and clog the pores. It can also strip the hair of moisture, causing the hair to become brittle and dry. So wear a soft, loose-fitting hat. For a warmer option, you can wear a satin or silk bonnet under a wool hat.

In sum, softer, breathable materials are the best way to go when choosing coats, scarves, and hats for winter. While these are not the warmest fabrics, they are the fabrics that are best for the hair. So to have the best of both worlds, be sure to wear layers underneath those soft fabrics. It’s important to stay warm during the winter, but your hair’s health should not be compromised in the process. So stay warm, and stay pretty.

De-Stressing Your Way to Healthy Hair, Skin, And Nails

With the stress of finding a way to pay all the bills, costs associated with sending your kids back to school, and allergy season wearing your body down, it’s no wonder why your hair, skin, and nails are the least of your concern. But did you know that stress can be very damaging to your hair, skin, and nail health?

Stress and the Skin
When a person becomes stressed, the level of the body’s stress hormone (cortisol) rises. This in turn causes an increase in oil production, which can lead to oily skin, acne and other related skin problems. Even if you do not typically get acne, you can develop temporary stress-related acne due to increased oil production. While dermatologists are still debating whether stress actually causes skin disorders, they seem to agree that stress triggers or aggravates skin conditions such as acne, hives, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, warts, cold sores and blisters. So to keep your skin healthy, it is important to control your stress level. It can make a difference between having smooth clear skin and having a skin condition that may need medical attention.

Stressed-Out Hair
There are many reasons why men and women lose their hair, but stress may be the primary reason for unexplained hair loss. When someone is under stress, hair can go into the telogen (fall-out) phase. Telogen effluvium is a very common hair loss problem that can occur up to three months after a stressful event. After the initial hair loss, hair usually grows back in six to nine months. But if it does not, consult a dermatologist as the hair loss may be due to a medical condition.

Effects of Stress on Nails
Some people develop the nervous habit of biting their nails or picking at them when they feel stressed. Another stress-related nail habit is rubbing the fingers over the thumb nail, which can create a ridge across the nail. This rubbing causes a distortion of the nail plate, and when the nail grows, a raised ridge forms in the middle of the nail. Additionally, physical or emotional stress can cause white horizontal lines to appear across the nails. Brittle, peeling nails also are a common side effect of stress. To control the effect stress has on your nails, it is important to control your physical reaction to stress. So avoid biting, sucking, or rubbing your nails.

How to Reduce Stress
The easiest way to reduce stress is to change the way you react to a situation. But we all know that is easier said than done. Some other ways to reduce the effect stress has on your body include, adequate rest, exercise, proper nutrition, and relaxation. An adequate amount of sleep can help recharge and rejuvenate the body, making it more resilient. Exercise helps release hormones (endorphins) in the body that can reduce stress. Proper nutrition provides vitamins and nutrients to promote hair growth, nail strength, and skin health. And relaxation calms the body, soothes the mind, and may even give you the boost you need to face those stressful events head on. So when the stress becomes overwhelming, take a moment to take a break. Walk in the park, go to the spa, or simply have a good laugh with friends and family. Something as simple as a change in perspective can make a difference. So tonight, pour a glass of wine (or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice) and toast to looking at the glass half full.

By Emily James (Avenue L Salon And Spa)

TOP 7 TIPS FOR EATING HEALTHY ON A BUDGET

A healthy diet can help you to keep your medical costs down, but how do you justify the added expense of healthy foods? Try these simple tips and you won't have to:

1. Buy Reduced Produce

It's no secret that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but the price of fresh produce isn't nearly as good for your budget. To stretch your shopping dollars, look for a reduced rack at the grocery store. You can often pick up super ripe produce for a fraction of the regular price.

2. Go frozen

Frozen vegetables are usually fresher and cheaper than anything that can be found in the produce and canned sections of the store. Cruise down the frozen food aisles, and you'll find big bags of veggies at bargain prices – sometimes as little as $1 a bag.

3. Shop locally

Your local produce stand or farmer's market can be a great source for healthy bargains. For the best deals, shop often and look for reduced produce or end-of-the-day specials.

4. Grow Your Own

Slash your produce prices even further by growing your own healthy eats. Start a plot in your backyard or a container garden on your patio, and enjoy homegrown fruits and vegetables all season long. Like fresh herbs? Grow your favorites in small pots by the kitchen window, and take a snip whenever you need it.

5. Substitute Oil

Slash the fat grams in your cakes, muffins and other baked items by replacing the oil in recipes with an equal amount of no-sugar-added apple sauce. It won't change the taste of your recipe, but it will change the healthfulness of it.

6. Substitute Eggs

Reduce your cholesterol consumption by substituting the eggs in baked goods with a tablespoon of soy flour. You can pick up a bag for as little as $2-3, and it will last you for quite a long time.

7. Skip the Salt

Sodium lurks in lots of foods, and it's just not something that your body needs a lot of. Limit your consumption by purchasing no-salt-added or low-sodium versions of canned foods. This switch won't cost you a dime, so it's probably the simplest switch of all.

PREPARING HAIR FOR SPRING

Ladies Spring is around the corner and a lot of you are ready to free yourself from the winter braids and weaves, ready to get the new cropped do, add some color and put a bounce in your step. The key to this is healthy hair and you should educate yourself about whichever process you are going to do.

HAIR TIPS

·         After removing braids or weave you should wait at least 24hrs before getting your hair chemically processed.

·         The night before getting hair processed do not wear a scarf and try to refrain from itching as this can irritate the scalp.

·          You should definitely have a consultation with your stylist so you can decide on the best process/choice for your hair.

If you are thinking of doing a color talk it over with your stylist because she would best know the condition of your hair and which method of color is best for you.

Temporary Rinse

The rinse is applied to the shaft to enhance your natural color.

Pros: A temporary rinse is gentle enough to apply on relaxed hair without damage. You can also use it at home.

Con: It only lasts from shampoo to shampoo

Semi permanent

A color formula, created without peroxide or ammonia, coats the hair shaft.

Pros: A semi permanent formula enriches your natural shade, covers gray and causes no damage.

Cons:  It lasts only four to eight shampoos and since the color doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft, it cannot lighten but only darken hair.

Demipermanent

A formula consisting of pigment mixed with low-grade peroxide (5 to 10%) deposits color onto the hair shaft.

Pros: It uses no ammonia, which can cause hair to dry out. It deepens and intensifies your               existing color.

Con: You might need to wait at least two weeks after a relaxer to apply, depending on the condition of your hair.

Permanent

Color is mixed with peroxide and ammonia to penetrate the hair shaft, which changes the hairs natural shade.

Pro:  Permanent formulas can create a completely different color that cannot be rinsed away.

Cons: This type penetrates the hair shaft making it more porous and prone to extreme dryness. New growth starts to show within a few weeks.

THE SMOKEY EYE

Smokey eye confuses a lot of people even though it is an easy look to do. People always think of dark,dramatic colors when they hear smokey. Although the look can definitely be dramatic,it is not necessarily dark. Smokey eye is actually about how you place he eye colors, not the colors to choose.


You will need three eye colors: a highlight, mid-tone and a contour. The highlight color is a light fleshy color, usually a shimmer. Your mid-tone is almost always a matte and should be a shade or two darker then your natural skin tone. The contour color can be matte or shimmer. I prefer a matte for the Smokey eye look. Most often the color will be a dark brown or grey but a pretty green or purple can look awesome.

So how do you achieve a Smokey eye? Three simple steps.


Apply the highlight shadow to the brow bone and to the duct of the eye.

1. Next apply a mid-tone from lash line to crease, blend where it meets the highlight.
2. Then apply the contour color starting at the lash line and blend it up towards the crease so it blends with the mid-tone. It should look like it softly fades from light to dark. Smudge the contour color along the bottom lash line as well.

Finish the look by applying eyeliner to the top and bottom lash line. Add your favorite mascara and you are set!

HEALTHY SKIN AT EVERY AGE

       Today our skin has to work hard to stay healthy. Pollution, toxins, UV rays, cigarette smoke, stress – these are some of the culprits that irritate our skin and cause fibrous tissue-elastin and collagen, which give the skin its structure to break down. Premature aging is the result. Technology is on our side, however. Today we have unlimited skin-care options. Here’s the tried and true information to keep your skin healthy and clear 

*Come Clean: it’s important to cleanse your face twice daily, morning and before bedtime. Cleansers containing 1 or 2 % salicylic or up to 10 % glycolic acid works wonders on ace prone skin. If dryness is a problem, look for ingredients like lactic acid, glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Sensitive skin types benefit from products that are soap and fragrance free.

*Exfoliate: cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin is not enough, you have to go deeper, especially if you have oily skin. Sometimes the old dry and dull skin hangs on, dulling your complexion and clogging pores. Oily skin is a magnet for dead skin.

*Tone Up: you can use an astringent or other toner or freshener after washing your face to remove any trace of make up or pollution. Toners and fresheners recommended for dry to normal skin are usually mild and contain no alcohol. Astringents best for oily skin normally contain alcohol. This is more drying to the skin. Both can work to restore the skins ph balance.

*Moisturize: All skin types need regular moisturizing with humectants, ingredients that attract water from the atmosphere to the skin. Generally creams contain the highest percentage of humectants followed by lotions, then balms and gels. Choose based on your skins needs for moisture.

*Protect: Sunscreen is very important whether in your lotion, moisturizer or makeup. We need to keep our skin protected. It is very crucial against the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

LOVING YOUR HAIR........

     Our hair in all its diverse textures- from kinky to curly to wavy to straight - is truly one of the marvels of our ethnicity. Whether we celebrate the rhythm of our natural coils or opt for straighter styles, our options are greater than ever. Know your hair, the TLC your mane needs to stay healthy and luscious, and you can make everyday a good hair day.
      To keep hair healthy and looking great, you have to know its strengths and weaknesses, what stresses it, and what it can and cannot do. Knowledge is power-and the more you know about the true nature and structure of your hair, the healthier it will become and the better you will look and feel.



BASIC HAIR CARE TIPS TO KNOW:

* Increase your use of moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to counteract the dehydration that is caused by the elements.
*Whenever possible apply leave in conditioner especially on the ends, to keep frizzies and split ends in check
*Let go of the old time saying about squeaky clean hair. The truth is that squeaky hair means you have stripped the hair of its natural oils.
*With relaxed or color-treated hair frequent deep oil and moisture conditioning is vital to maintain its health.
*Cover your hair with a silk scarf before bedtime to help your hair stay put and protect it from friction and breakage that can result from sleeping on cotton pillowcases
*Feed your hair from the inside. Include these essential nutrients to your diet:
   - Omega 3 fatty acids (found in an abundance of salmon and flaxseed oil).
   - Protein (found in soy and tofu, meat, poultry and dairy products).
   - Vitamins and Minerals (found in fresh fruit and vegetables).