Holiday Food Survival Guide

The holidays are coming up y’all. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Office parties, Hanukkah, Emperor’s Birthday, New Years, Epiphany, Three Kings… however you do what you do, there’s a lot going on in these next couple months.

Celebrations will come to a halt when you can’t fit into your clothes after all is said and done though, or worse that less-than-covering Carnival costume that you ordered a good six months ago, that God-awful bridal party get up that you’re expected to wear, or that tropical spring vacation you already booked. Egad!

Be ahead of the game by keeping these points in mind:

1. Get moving
Lets be real, we aren’t all gymaddicts. As a matter of fact some of us haven’t even gotten started with that ’09 New Years resolution to join that gym. So hitting the gym in the next month probably ain’t gonna happen. Still there are some things we can do to keep our heart rate up and at least get misty if not build a sweat:

-  Crank up the soca/ parang/ or holiday pop/ jazz/ R&B/ country, whatever music gets your feet tapping when you are at your desk, while you clean up your space for your shindig, cook or whatever constructive people do around the house during these times. 
- Walk or bike, rather than drive, that extra block.
- Choose the stairs rather than the escalator, cause I already know that you don’t take the elevator to go up one floor… 
- Consider doing body weight exercises daily, whichever your body condition/ joints will allow. Pushups, bicep curls/ shoulder press with cans of beans, that economy/family sized laundry detergent, squat, do the plank for 15 seconds and build up to a minute, walk up the flight of steps in your apartment building and then back down, download a yoga podcast on iTunes, garden… whatever. Just get moving.

2. Consider an alternate menu
Undoubtedly, there will be a lot of social events that you will attend, most of which you have no control over what’s going to be served. You can however control the menus of the gatherings that you host.

Consider tasty recipes with a high veggie content over carb ladened ones for your entres. Also consider cutting out cream and sugar where it’s not necessary, or opting for a half/ half option, for example in that pumpkin soup. It tastes pretty good without the cream, and pumpkin is sweet enough, no need to add more sugar to the mix. 

3. Calorie bombs: Drinks

Cream based drinks like eggnog, contain more calories than some complete meals. Damn, that full fat cream and sugar in excess again. And as healthy as those cocktails that bear some exotic fruit in their names may sound, chances are that there is not one trace of real fruit in them, but more likely artificially flavored and sweetened syrup. Pop and juice, real fruit or artificially sweetened, are also guilty of packing calorie overkill.

Wherever you can, opt for wines or clear coloured alcohol like vodka with soda over these cream based cocktails or darker coloured alcohols like scotch and whiskey that contain large amounts of caramel for sweetening and colour enhancening. 

4. Choose wisely

I’ll resist the urge to say anything profound like “Skip Dessert”, because really… who does that? No-one who thought it fit to read this post I’m sure. During the  slow periods of the year maybe, but to pass on every dessert from now till next year? You can’t be serious. We don’t need one more thing to feel guilty and beat ourselves up about, life is exacting enough as it is. 

Instead I’ll say, choose wisely. Consider your daily food intake a bank account. You have, on average, a 2,500 (females) to 3,000 (males) calories in your bank account. Whatever you choose to do with it is up to you, so be sure to make it count. 

Are you going to go with the 2,000 calorie dollar designer plate and then put yourself in overdraft to get through the rest of the day?… Or are you going to go with the chic 200 calorie piece that keeps you satiated longer, allows you to caress that sweet craving you’re bound to get later and still keep the bulge in your form fitting embellished dress in check, or your belt buckle from poppin’?

So instead, grab a drink to keep your hands busy, sip and socialize/ network/ enjoy the view instead until the real meal deal comes out and exercise portion control. 

If you have a few social events to attend in one day, consider having the entre from the first event and then only choosing healthily from the appetizer menu at subsequent events. That way you have the heavier meal first, and then fueling your metabolism with lighter snacks during the rest of the night. Note, veggies that are deep fried, smoothered in cream sauce do not count as ‘healthy’.

5. Pace ya’ self

The alcohol isn’t going anywhere, neither is the food. I’ve read that it takes sometime for your mind to figure out that your tummy is full, about 20 minutes. Savour the food. Enjoy it. Take a chill pill and catch up with friends and family before you head back for those seconds. 

Pace your drinking too. Have a glass of water between drinks. This not only keeps you from acting the fool and embarrassing yourself (office parties anyone?), but it saves your skin as well as it helps replace the water content in your body lost through the dehydrating effect of drinking alcohol. 

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Now, where the party at?

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Related GC Post ->
Munch stress away
Health | Best foods
E.F.A.s: Some things are better FATTY!
Don’t hate. Discriminate
Maintaining the flab  

Supernova

Clean roots, Soften ends

Dry ends?

Hair ends are the oldest part of your beautiful tresses, and as such have battled wear and tear the longest.  Naturally the longer or more processed the ends are, the more susceptible they are to damage.

Consider shampooing roots and conditioning ends to reduce stress on hair ends.

Shampoo roots

Shampoo is primarily formulated to clean hair and may involve removing oils, dirt and all other debris. Even the gentlest, daily shampoo can strip natural hair and definitely wreak havoc on processed hair; relaxed, bleached, coloured, permed and/ or frequently heat styled hair.

Proper nutrition and hydration of the human body allows the  scalp to produce oils and this mixes with sweat, hair care products and who knows what else that comes into contact with hair. Therefore it is very important to clean the scalp properly to allow it to breathe and be healthy. 

Often times we squeeze shampoo out in our palms and take a good go at our hair strands, hoping that some of this eventually makes it’s way to the scalp at some point, and wash that baby out. Focus on cleaning the scalp, where the real action happens. In the lathering and rinsing process the rest of the hair will be cleaned. 

To do this, consider these steps:

1. Purchase one of those bottles with the removable (screwed on) cone shaped top at your local beauty supply store.

There are various cone sizes, but as these bottles are usually used to apply color , which can be runny, some have a very small opening to allow more control over colour application. Do ensure that the one you get contains a hole that is big enough to allow your shampoo to flow through with ease. 

2. Fill bottle with shampoo and apply directly to dry roots.

Apply as much as is necessary to cover scalp

3. Massage dry scalp with fingertips.

Because your scalp is dirty, the shampoo would not lather as much, but continue to work shampoo in, paying special attention to any areas that have a tendency to accumulate build up, like hairline for example.

4. Rinse scalp

In shower or at rinse station, work lather into scalp and move down the hair shaft.

5. Repeat step 2-4, if necessary.

Hair is cleaner now so shampoo will lather more. Apply shampoo to scalp, lather and rinse. 

6. Apply conditioner to to ends

Condition ends

Conditioner is primarily formulated to replace moisture, oils or both, lost from the hair during the shampoo stage. It also attempts to repair the cuticle of the hair, allowing it to lay flat hereby giving shine to the hair. The conditioning agents present in conditioners can leave a residue on the hair which is often welcomed by dry hair as it allows it to appear healthier, as well as allow hair strands to slip over each other giving conditioner it’s ‘detangling’ ability .

However this residue can coat the hair scalp and form product build up, which can contribute to a dry flakey scalp. Synthetic conditioning ingredients, which are present in most commercial conditioners, cannot be absorbed by the scalp. With proper nutrition and hydration the human scalp produces it’s own oils. 

As a result it is best to concentrate on conditioning the ends and the strands of the hair,  rather than the scalp, to avoid product buildup on scalp which can lead to a dry flakey scalp, or a smothered one, depending on the type of condition you use.

Save your hair.

Shampoo scalp. Condition ends.

Consider also getting a trim.
For tips on how to deal with and prevent split ends see GC post Stragglers

Lather up!

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

What is it? | “Dry Scalp”
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Stragglers 

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Random music quote of the day: Robert Palmer

” Her loving is so powerful… the woman is invincible
… She used to look good to me but now I find her simply irresistible”

– Simply Irresistible, Robert Palmer

Happy Tuesday y’alls!

HAIs: Infections anyone?

So now you know how to spot and prevent potential skin or nail infections when you hit up your nail tech for your weekly nail fix. Homey don’t play with nail infections; we’re entirely too fabulous for that. But what about HAIs? Healthcare-Associated Infections. That which happens when you go to the hospital or your doctor’s office and leave sicker than when you arrived.

A nail infection is bad enough, but what about one that takes over your entire body, one that can potentially result in death? Ain’t nothing scarier than leaving your healthcare provider with a more deadly condition than you went there with.

It’s not as far fetched as you may think. Actually, it’s a global crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that at any one point in time, 1.4 people worldwide suffer from infections that they have picked up in a hospital. 

A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximated 98,987 deaths from healthcare associated infections in 2007. If you think that’s alarming, multiply this number by anywhere from 2 to 20 and you get the approximate amount of deaths from HAIs in developing countries.

That’s easily the entire population of your dream Caribbean destination wiped off the face of the earth in one year, just because a procedure as simple as hand sanitization or wearing gloves/ masks was overlooked by a healthcare facilitiy. The best defense is to control the spread of diseases before they start through awareness and education of both medical professionals and patients alike. 

Indeed, healthcare associated infections greatly increase the cost per patient as they often lead to lengthened hospitalization and increased likelihood of readmission; an estimated $6.7 billion to healthcare facilities in U.S. annually. However, the cost of human life is even higher. 

The top three types of HAIs are:

1. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

A global issue, VAP is one of the top concerns of practicing doctors today. It is the source of the highest morbidity and mortality of all HAIs and may account for up to 60% of all deaths from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the U.S.  Read more about VAP. 

2. Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)

Any opening of a patient’s skin can lead to surgical site infections. SSIs may be caused by:

- Complications from surgical hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature)
- Contamination of the incision area by micro-organisms that reside on the skin
- Bacterial cross-contamination i.e. spreading germs, bacteria and/or disease by carrying them from an infected area to a non-infected area
- Surgical instrument contamination

 Read more about global SSI statistics. 

3. Cross Contamination (Contact Transfer)

Touch contamination is the number one source of HAIs. Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that, “Clean hands are the single most important factor in preventing the spread of dangerous germs and antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings.”

Most of us have been bombarded with PSAs regarding hand washing, especially in the wake of the H1N1 virus. Image taking your healthy kid to the pediatrician and then leaving with the swine flu virus. 

HAIs can also result in infections in the blood stream, a surgical wound, urinary tract, as well as pneumonia. Still, the reality is that even with the best intentions, just like us, healthcare workers do not always wash and disinfect their hands as much as they should.

According to Kimberly-Clark Health Care, hand hygiene, the use of gloves, masks, and other personal protective apparel are the first line of defense in preventing the spread of infection from person to person within healthcare settings. Read more on cross contamination.

HealthCare Associated Infection (HAI) Hand Washing Video

More information on the impact of healthcare-associated infections on both medical professionals and patients can be found at www.hainews.com 

Just as you would expect your nail tech to sanitize hands and disinfect nail implements, don’t be afraid to say “Hold up there buddy!” and request that your doctor or health care provider sanitize hands and wear gloves/ masks, where appropriate. See that instruments and implements are stored appropriately and are clean. See that disposable items that come into contact with your skin are ripped right out of a spanking new package. Are there hand sanitizers in the office? If what you can see is not right, what does that leave for that which goes on behind the scenes? I mean, it’s only your life we are dealing with here.

It is your right to protect your health.

Don’t let healthcare associated infections happen on your watch. 

Supernova

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Works Consulted:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.hainews.com
HAI News Release
 

Related GC post
Infection control  
What would you do?: Infection Control

Holiday Glam: Hair Bling

My very best time of year is approaching, Holiday Season. 

Good food + Good parties = Good times with family and friends

Incorporate one of these looks to transform a simple everyday look into a night one and stunt on your ‘not-so-good’ peeps:

1. Messy
Super neat and sleek hair has no personality. Accentuate your playful side with a touchable messy do.
Update a glam updo with a loose messy bun rather than a slick sculptured one. 

2. Sparkle
Add sparkly accessories  - barrettes, clips and Swarovski pins to update and dress up a simple ‘do. 
Less is more – One statement piece or mix and match a few small pieces.
For a sophisticated chic, stick to simple, abstract designs. No pink hearts. No Hello Kitty. No tiaras.
If you wear statement pieces in your hair, keep earrings and necklaces that frame the face minimal. 
This season, feathers are an excellent statement-piece alternative to large flowers which can tend to look bridal or beauty-pagent-ish.

3. Textured locks
Thread sparkly ribbon between braided locks or braids  to create a dimensional texture. Keep it to one colour to avoid looking like the host’s christmas tree. Maybe a sparkly gold, silver, black or even red,  depending on your hair color and outfit.
Can also work when woven into locks or braids that are neatly pulled back into a bun or chignon.

4. Shine
Work gloss serum or pomade in hair according to texture. for a more relaxed look, spray a little sheen on brush or comb and work through hair. A little goes a long way, adding too much will weigh down tresses. 

5. UpBraid
Add a few unexpected plaits or braids to an updo for asymmetrical chic

6. Play with natural texture
Add color. Warm high lights bring out your festive side.
Well placed warm colored sections around face will brighten up your skin and add dimension to hair in a a season of all-black-everything. This look doesn’t have to be permanent. Transform your look with well placed clip in pieces. 

Get glammified.

Supernova

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Random music quote of the day: Sting

“…I lost my faith in science and progress,
… I lost my belief in the holy church,
… I lost my sense of direction,
… all of this and worse, but if I ever lose my faith in you there’d be nothing left for me to do.”

- If I ever lose my faith in you, Sting

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Believe in something

Have a Merry Monday y’alls!

What would you do?: Infection Control

Prevention & Control of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

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Smooches!

Ain’t nothing as unsexy as reaching first base with the hotty, and retreating with your lips more distressed than last year’s denim. Its not a female only thing, men you too need to step up your game in this department.

Follow these tips at least twice weekly to achieve healthy kissable lips.

1. Remove lip product (color or balm) from lips

2. Gently exfoliate wet lips with a wet wash cloth or soft used toothbrush.
Not too much and not to rough, but be careful to remove the dry flakes and/ or product buildup that can be left from mineral oil or wax based lip balms or lip colours.

3. Pat lips dry with tissue or clean dry washcloth

4. Replace oils with hydrating lip balm
Lip balms that contain beeswax or mineral oil as its first ingredient, may extend the wear of the lip balm, but they also leave more residue on the lips. If you wear these types of balms daily, gently exfoliate lips nightly during your facial cleansing routine to prevent buildup on lips.

Licking lips is not an acceptable substitute for lip balm if you have chapped lips. Your saliva may seem like it moisturizes lips in the moment, but when dried it will leave a layer of salty mucous on lips. This salt will aid even further moisture loss from lips. Find a suitable lip balm or gloss.

5. Hydrate
Drink water daily to keep lips, and skin as a whole hydrated. And ease up on salt!

Freakin’Fabulous

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Shake it off: Loose Powder

Loose powder helps set foundation and concealer, and helps it wear longer. It also gives a smooth appearance to the skin when applied and create a good base for the other colour products that are applied after, like blush and eyeshadows. 

Loose powders are also used present a better skin tone by correcting foundation that is not the right colour.

Let’s be real, try as you may, sometimes you may not be able to find foundation in the right skin tone, especially if you live in a temperate country and your skin color fluctuates by a shade during the year. Skin tone can be ‘warmed’ by using a darker tone of powder; foundation that is a touch lighter than your natural skin tone can be ‘warmed’ by the application of a darker powder. Likewise, if your foundation is a tad too dark, you can use a lighter powder to correct the tone. Of course this works best for minor tone changes.

It’s best to use loose powder for makeup application at home and compressed (compact) powder for touchups on-the-go.

Loose powder may be applied with a large fluffy powder brush or for more with a powder puff. (big up all my Trini peeps with Carnival on the cranium 24-7).

Powder puffs deliver more product to the skin and give more coverage. Use if your skin is combination/ oily and has a tendency to become really oily during the day, as powder applied this way helps the foundation not only last longer, but stay true to colour. 

Powder brushes are best used for minimal coverage or on dry skins.

Compact powder may be applied in the same way, depending on skin types. 

- For use with large powder brush:

To get some loose powder out of the container, first lay some tissue to catch any spills. Turn closed loose powder upside down once and set back to original standing position on tissue and open.

Dab powder brush in powder that rests on the top of the perforated tray of the loose powder and knock the brush on the side of the container to remove any excess.

Don’t fluff but rather pat powder brush directly on skin on entire face, paying special attention to T-Zone area (forehead, nose and chin) and well as eye area and any other areas where concealer was applied.  Patting the powder in this way delivers more powder to the face which would assist in absorbing oil, enabling extended wear and giving a dewy look to the skin. 

Then dust off excess powder with brush

- For use with powder puff

Empty some of the loose powder in powder puff, fold like a taco shell and rub the sides together. Pat powder on all areas of the face, paying special attention to tight spaces like around the nose and the eyes. 

When complete, dust off powder with powder brush. 

Now you can check to ensure that your eyebrows are holding it’s shape together and move on to eyeshadow application.

Happy powdering!

Supernova

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Frump to Fab in 10 steps  

Product spotlight: Blush
Beauty | Flawless Face 

Random music quote of the day: Bob Marley

” Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds”

- Redemption Song, Bob Marley

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Happy Sunday y’alls!

Supernova