It May Be Winter But Don't Forget The Sunscreen.

 Yes, it is the middle of winter where it is still cold and the days are still short.  The sun can get bright enough to need sun glasses  even though the temperature is below zero.  Most people think this is the perfect weather to enjoy going without skin protection because there is no chance of getting a sunburn! But is that true?

Yes and no.  If you live in a southern state where winter makes the place bearable such as in Florida or Arizona, you definitely want to wear your normal amount of sunscreen because the sun is still direct and you can still get a nasty sunburn.

If you are in the north, where every part of your body is covered and you don't think you need it, you do.  You need to use sunscreen. Although you are fairly well covered, the snow tends to reflect light in the same way water does.  In other words, snow reflects up to 90 percent of the harmful UVA rays. These rays cause both skin cancer and is the source of almost all the wrinkles you find on your face.

In addition, when you are at higher elevations, your are more exposed to Ultraviolet rays due to the thinning atmosphere.  In fact, it has been found that UV radiation increases four to five percent for ever 1000 feet you rise in elevation so the higher you go, the more exposure you face.  Those who engage in outdoor activities need to remember this especially when they spend the day on the ski runs.  This is one reason it is recommended you wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more even if it is the middle of winter.

Furthermore, it may seem cloudy, gray, and cold but people often think clouds offer more protection than they actually do at any time of the year.  Even on a cloudy, cold, day, the clouds only block about 20 percent UVA rays so you really aren't being protected from potential skin cancer and seeing your skin age more rapidly.  In addition, the ozone layer which absorbs UV rays is thinnest during the winter so there are more rays coming through.

The other thing to remember about UV rays is that they penetrate glass so even if you are sitting in front of a picture window with your cup of hot, steaming, chocolate, you are still being exposed and could experience damage.  Furthermore, the damage tends to accumulate over the winter months without you being aware of it.

Don't forget to cover your scalp so you don't get a sunburned scalp.  According to statistics, six percent of the melanomas diagnosed are found on the neck and scalp while ten percent of those who die due to melanoma do so from this type of cancer.  So be sure to wear both a hat and your sunscreen.

One of the best reasons to wear sunscreen in both summer and winter is that it slows down the aging process by almost 25% as compared to those who did not use any sunscreen.   So rather than be one of the 20 percent of the population who ends up with skin cancer, use sunscreen every day, even on the coldest, shortest day so you protect your skin and slow down the aging process.

I wear a light weight broad -spectrum sunscreen every day summer or winter.  When I want a bit of color, I make sure I have a liquid foundation that contains sunscreen and I mix a bit of it with my regular sunscreen so I don't look like I'm wearing anything.  One of my students was surprised I had foundation on because it looked so natural.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

The Best 8 Places To Visit In February.

February is just around the corner along with Valentines day.  Are you thinking about taking off for a bit to enjoy a weekend or a week somewhere just to escape or to surprise your sweetie?  

There are some great places to check out both in the United States and the world depending on how much time you have and your budget?

Want to try somewhere exotic?  Try  the Nam Hoi in Vietnam.  This Four Seasons resort is said to have one of the top five spas in the world.  It is by the beach and close three sites designated as World Heritage sites by UNESCO.  In addition, if you make schedule your visit during the second half of the month, you can experience the healing of a world renown Malaysian healer.  This hotel is only about 30 minutes from the airport in Da Nang and is found along one of the best stretches of sand in the country.

If you prefer somewhere further north, schedule a visit to Trondheim, Norway around mid February to enjoy an event with all many leading chefs and restaurants to launch the Michelin Guide to Nordic Countries 2020 edition. This is the first time this particular event has been held in Norway.

You could always plan a visit to Mendoza, Argentina.  It is the summer time in Argentina so you'll enjoy nice weather and sunny days.  This place is known for its beef cooked over an open fire and it's Malbec flavored ice cream.  Furthermore, the city celebrates the beginning of the harvesting season.  It is said that February is the best month to head there to enjoy the city's offerings.

If you don't want to leave the United States, check out Saranac, New York for it's winter carnival running from February 2 to the 11th. The carnival offers parades, fireworks, and a huge ice castle.  In addition, one can enjoy skiing or explore the recently renovated Hotel Saranac originally built in 1927.

Do you like visiting museums?  If so, then head off to Seattle for Museum month.  During the month of February, all museums in Seattle are half price and you should be able to get a complementary ticket from the hotel concierge.  If you aren't sure it's worth it, it is because there are 40 institutions involved in this.  They range from the Museum of Flight, to the Seattle Art Museum, to the Aquarium.

On the other hand, you could check out Naples, Florida with the reopening Naples Grande Beach Hotel and other places. Even though, Naples underwent Hurricane Irma, it still has the reputation of being the paradise coast of Florida.  At the end of the month, Naples hosts the Naples National Art Festival with tons of artists who are offering wares in 18 different categories.

Prefer something a bit more exotic without leaving the United States?  Head off to Maui because you can get some decent priced flights there and it's off season so the prices of hotels are a better.  Furthermore, there is so much to see there from Haleakala to some beautiful beaches.

Want some excitement and fun?  Head down to New Orleans to enjoy the Mardi Gras It ramps up on Fat Tuesday which is February 25th this year but it starts in January and keeps going till Ash Wednesday about a month later. In addition, New Orleans is known for its music and it's food.

Have fun planning the get away for February.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Why Increase Your Intake of Fruits and Vegetables.

 I am always reading up on the latest recommendations for staying healthy via exercise or diet.  One things that comes up regularly is that Americans need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.  I live in a place with two stores that carry fresh fruits and vegetables but the choices are limited so I order in a box of fruits and vegetables  every two weeks.  This way I get kale, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, onions, bananas, and lots of other great things.

Many might wonder why so many recommend increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.  There are many reasons for this.

1.  The great thing about fruits and vegetables is that they are low in calories and fat.  They have no cholesterol unless cooked with something such as meat or cheese which adds it.

2.  Fresh vegetables are full of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, folic acid, and others.  A diet with sufficient potassium is theorized to help maintain proper blood pressure.  Some sources of potassium include sweet potatoes, white potatoes, white, lima, and kidney beans, beet greens, spinach, and lentils.

3. Fiber from vegetables can decrease cholesteral levels in the blood and decrease heart disease.  In addition the fiber can help with regular bowels, cut down on diverticulosis, and keep people feeling full.

4.  Folic acid helps the body form red blood cells and helps reduce certain birth defects in expectant women. Vitamin A helps keep the eyes and skin healthy, keep us from getting infections while Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, and keeps teeth and gums healthy.

5.  Over all, fruits and vegetables can help decrease heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers while being much  lower in calories yet filling.  It is not recommended one obtains all their fruits and vegetables in the form of juices because many are high in sugar and low in fiber.

6.   The cost of beans and lentils is a lot less than paying for meat and considered much healthier.

With so many vegetables out there, it is important to eat a wide variety to maximize nutritional intake rather than relying on the same few recipes.  Last summer at the farmers market, I found a new way to prepare kale using kale, chickpeas, onions, sweetener, and lemon juice. If you eat meat, you could use chicken instead of chickpeas.

Now if you have family members like mine who think vegetables consist of French fries and tomato sauce or salsa with chips, there are ways to sneak them into your cooking so they are not as noticeable.

1. Chop your vegetables finely before cooking them in a bit of water.  When soft, throw into your spaghetti sauce you use in your lasagna, spaghetti, or other pasta dish.  If you have someone who will refuse to eat it if they see the vegetables, simply mush them up when soft and blend in.

2.  Make soup from scratch using the leftover water from cooking the vegetables.  Add beans, rice, meat, or pasta into it, some tomato paste or broth and spices.  You have a great soup for dinner.  I love making a minestrone type soup for meals.

3.  You can grill or roast vegetables to give them a different texture.  I have an electric grill to grill peppers, eggplant, zucchini but I roast root vegetables in the oven.  I've been known to utilize bbq sauces, or grilling sauces to help make the vegetables more interesting.

4.  Add vegetables or fruits to your salad.  try apple with spinach, or pineapple with tomatoes.  If you aren't a fan of things like cauliflower or broccoli, try grating the stems.  I've added grated carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower stems into my salads.

5.  I've looked at international cookbooks for interesting looking recipes for vegetables such as Kofta made with grated zucchini, onion, chickpea flour and fried like meat balls before being covered in a yogurt sauce.  It is so good.

Have fun increasing your daily intake of vegetables.  I'm off to make something out of my eggplant for tonight's dinner.  One hint for a great eggplant parmesan that is not greasy.  Instead of frying it, bake it till soft, cover with tomato sauce and cheese, then bake till done.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.

Map?

Where did I leave that map?

Lost? Maybe

Hmmm.  This looks familiar.  

Keeping The Size of Your Wardrobe Down

I have a problem, I think many other people have. I have way too many pieces in my wardrobe.  I have so many, I never wear half of what is in my closet.    I am sure many of you have the same problem.  I've started clearing things out by donating them to my local charities but I still have a question of what constitutes a basic wardrobe.

Before you start listing everything, I tend to have only one maybe two dresses because I live in Alaska where it gets too cold in the winter to wear one outside.  I tend to lean towards lots of pants, sweaters, and warm shirts.  I have too many because I can't wear them all and I've changed sizes over the years so some don't fit and I doubt I will ever wear them again.

For a nice basic wardrobe for women, it is recommended you invest in certain basics that can be mixed and matched to create an illusion of a much larger selection.  This cuts costs and makes it so you don't need a huge room to store everything in.  The idea behind such a small selection is that you can layer to create different looks.

As far as tops, it is recommended you invest in a couple of black tank tops because these can be worn under jackets, see through shirts, causal Fridays, or any time you need a little extra under everything. I have a couple tank tops I wear when I travel because they fit under a sweater and take very little room in my suitcase.

One should also have a couple of regular tee shirts because they can be worn tucked into a skirt or pants, worn outside pants, worn under a blazer, or in a pinch, they are great to sleep in.  I enjoy them under sweaters and again they don't take much room if you travel.  In addition, add in a couple long sleeved tee shirts because they can look professional when matched up with pants or a skirt.  Add a blazer or jacket for work.

Finally have a couple of blouses to wear over your tank tops to stay warm or create a nice layered look which when matched with a skirt or pants, it becomes more professional.  On the other hand, when paired with jeans, it gives a casual look with just a small change.

Invest in a couple of light weight sweaters that can be worn over tank tops, under blazers or coats, or by themselves.  When worn with a skirt, it creates one look but when worn with pants you have another look.  The sweaters can be over the head and a cardigan that fastens up the front.  Both provide a different look.  Then add in one little black dress and you've expanded your possibilities because the dress can be dressed up with a bit of jewelry and heels for a night look or use a scarf and plain shoes for a work look.  The dress can be combined with the cardigan or a blazer for a slightly different work.

As mentioned many times, one should have a blazer in the closet because it can be matched with so many other pieces and is extremely practical.  I love wearing a blazer over a tank top when I'm traveling because too many airports are cool and this keeps me warmer.

The final three pieces should be a skirt, pants, and jeans.  The skirt should be one that can go from work, to a night out, to a flirty afternoon event while the pants can look good on a Saturday afternoon at the mall, or at work.  Jeans are jeans but if they are nice enough, they can be worn to a conference when matched up with a tee shirt and blazer.

It is recommended one invest in black, some white, gray, or tan because these colors are easier to coordinate.  I do invest in some brighter colors for my tank tops and long sleeved shirts because they don't take much room and go with black quite easily.

Now for shows, it is good to have a pair of sandals, casual shoes, work shoes and dress shoes to match up with various looks.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

A Small Look At Carnivorous Plants

Drosera - Sundew

 If I asked you to name as many carnivorous flowers as you could, I suspect you'd be able to name one.   The Venus Fly Trap because that is the one I automatically think of but there are others out there.

First is the Drosera genera also known as Sundew flower because they resemble the early morning dew covered flowers.  They range in size from 5 mm for the Australian Drosera pygmaea to the 60 cm King Sundew.

The Drosera use their leaves to capture and digest the nutrients from insects.  The dew like drops on the ends of the flowers is actually a gluey drop that releases a secretion when the insect lands on them.  This substance contains an ingredient that paralyzes the insects.  In addition the sundew can move their tentacles to curve around invading insects so as to maximize contact with them.

Nepenthes

Next is the Nepenthes or tropical Pitcher plants.  This is one of the largest  insect eating plants found in the tropical areas of Asia.  This plant tends to climb and grow up branches and trunks.  It is also known as the "Monkey Cup" because people observed monkey's drinking out of these flowers.

The "pitchers" are made up of sword shaped leaves with a slick waxy cover above it.  The cover is waterproof and emits a sweet scent that attracts insects.  When insects get close enough, they end up sliding into the pitchers which have a syrupy liquid used to drown the creatures.  Although the Nepenthes usually captures insects, the flowers occasionally manage to trap a rat or lizard.

This species covers several different types and colors.  They are often hanging in trees or can even be found growing around felled trees.

Venus Fly Trap

There is the Venus Fly Trap also known as Dionaea muscipula.  This plant catches mostly spiders, scorpions, or insects.  The Venus Fly Trap has a pair of hinged leaves with hairs that trap the creature.

When the insect approaches the flower, all it has to do is touch the plant and the "trap" will spring capturing the insect or arachnid.  As soon as the plant traps the insect, it identifies the creature and begins the digestion process which can take up to 72 hours to complete.

The size of this plant changes throughout the year.  It reaches its largest size during the summer and has the brightest colors.

Cobra Plant

There is the Darlingtonia California also known as the California Pitcher Plant or the Cobra Plant.  This plant is found in boggy areas with running water in California.  In addition, it is on the protected plant list due to being so rare.  It has curved leaves resembling a cobra standing upright, bright flowers, and a sweet scented sap designed to attract its prey.

When insects invade the plant due to it's sweet smell, they end up trapped and drown in the sap but it relies on symbiotic bacteria to absorb the nutrients rather than enzymes.

Butterwort.

On the other hand, there is a really interesting plant, the Butterwort which is carnivorous only part of the year.

This plant captures flying insects such as moths, flies, and gnats.  The Butterwort produces rosette shaped leaves and flowers from spring and summer.  The flowers are found in white, yellow, and purple while the leaves attract insects due to their glistening leaves.  When the insects land on the leaves, they become stuck and remain there until they die.

However, the plant goes through a carnivorous to non carnivorous and back cycle depending on the time of the year.

There are a few more carnivorous plants out there I'll cover sometime in the future.  Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear from you.  Have a great day.