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Do you know your sunscreen?
Watch out for:
- Oxybenzone – this is a hormone disrupting chemical which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream. It is the most popular ingredient in chemical based sunscreens and only blocks UVB ray (sun’s good rays that provide vitamin D production), not UVA which are the most free radical damaging rays. Avoid any sunscreen that has this chemical at all costs, especially for children.
- Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) – A 2009 study by U.S. government scientists released by the National Toxicology Program found when this is applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, it may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions.
- Fragrance – Sure it may make the product smell nice, but this is a petroleum based product that is linked to organ toxicity and allergies.
- High SPF – The FDA does not regulate SPF higher than 50 and there’s no scientific proof they work better than lower SPF. Many of the higher SPFs do not provide any additional protection and studies have suggested that users are exposed to as many or more ultraviolet rays as those who use lower-SPF products.
- Sprays or Powders – Generally speaking, sprays and powders have additional chemicals added to them for performance purposes. These additional chemicals are usually not something you want to be spraying on your body and can be toxic to the lungs. Besides, remember sunscreen is formulated for your skin, not your lungs. Many of the side effects of sprays and powders on the lungs are not tested before being approved.
- Popular Conventional Brands – Aveeno, Banana Boat, Coppertone Sport, Coppertone Water Babies, Bull Frog, Neutragena, Storebrands (CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens), Hawaiian Tropic and many other popular brands are rated the worst in terms of safety in the Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide. You can use this guide to find out how good or bad the brand you have or want to buy is rated.
How To Choose A Safe Sunscreen:
- Look for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide based mineral sunscreens, which do not penetrate the skin and provide UVA protection against the sun’s most damaging rays.
- Choose non-nano products that do not have small particles that can absorb into skin
- Choose sunscreens that are unscented or use essential oils as fragrance
- Pick lotion based sunscreens with water resistance
- Pick broad spectrum sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB rays
- Choose sunscreen products that are rated 0-2 in the Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide.
Check out my own personal Arbonne link http://nicksmith.arbonne.com to see some of the safest sunscreens and other Arbonne products that are Botanically based and free of Toxins! Find out about their discounts from 20 up to 35%!
Diet Myths
First of all I don’t like the word diet, I prefer eating plan. Diet is short term and to reach goals and maintain them you need long term.
1) Yes you can eat late night but don’t make it a habit. Have a sensible healthy light meal.
2) Control sugar intake, all added sugars are not good.
3) Fat is a necessity but the good kind is what you want, like found in nuts, seeds, fish and avocado.
4) Watch salt intake especially in soups, pasta sauces, condiments, mixes, cheeses, canned goods and even in protein like chicken(no need to add more when cooking).
5) Speaking of protein, about 20- 25% of your daily calories for a active adult is good. Some may have other opinions and the numbers may very but this is about middle ground. Try to get 20-25g post exercise.
8) Carbs are good! Again stay mostly with the good kind(fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
Do indulge once in awhile. For me the key is Moderation! Too much of one thing is not good.
Lemon Mint Detox Drink
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 lemon, cut in half, half reserved for garnish
Several sprigs of mint
Directions:
Boil water and make ginger tea by pouring hot water into a cup with the ginger
Allow to steep for 2- 3 minutes
Pour the water from the ginger tea through a strainer to remove the ginger and pour into a glass
Squeeze juice from ½ lemon into ginger tea
Slice remaining half of lemon and use to garnish
Add several sprigs of mint
Drink warm or cool