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Several times this morning I heard on NBC-TV that the UV index was very high and to wear sunscreen even if out for a short period of time. I think back on my teens sitting out with a foil-lined album reflecting the sun on my fair skin covered in baby oil in May. Early in the spring/summer UV index can be the highest. May is now skin cancer awareness month. Today, Melanoma has become the second most common cancer in women ages 15-29 - YIKES and young! As myself and my peers visit the dermatologist decades later, we are learning the hard way that those burns and simply being outdoors without sunscreen was a very bad choice we made in the past. Skin cancer is not just a warning any more, but more and more patients find it necessary to freeze or surgically remove a potential area for cancer. Some receive the devastating news of the diagnosis of skin cancer. I cannot impress upon people how important a good sunscreen is whether you have fair skin or dark skin. UV rays are dangerous! UVA rays affect aging. UVB rays affect Basal cell growth. 'A' for Aging...'B' for Basal. And now we are learning about HEV - High Energy Visible Light (or blue light emitted from your hand held, tablet and computer). Research is showing that HEV causes premature aging with uneven skin tones, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles. So how do you protect yourself, your young children and loved ones from UVA, UVB and HEV? Beautycounter is a mission-based, safer skincare line. They educate, advocate for change and intentionally ban 1500 ingredients commonly used in personal care from their products. Beautycounter screens rigorously, learns constantly, sources responsibly and shares transparently, and this is why I love being a part of the Beautycounter company. Countersun is ground breaking technology; not only countering the effects of the sun's UV rays but also blocking HEV light. Countersun Mineral Sunscreen products guard against sun’s damaging rays with this innovative sunscreen. Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide and antioxidant-rich California Poppy, this physical formulation provides an effective shield from UVA, UVB & Blue Light rays, while being gentle and pleasant feeling on the skin. It comes in a Mist, Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Lotion and even a Travel-sized Mist for your purse, glove box or carry-on luggage. I use Beautycounter because of their safety standards. Why is it safer? At Beautycounter, they prohibit chemical SPF filters due to their high potential for skin irritation. Beautycounter uses physical sunscreens, more commonly known as mineral sunscreen. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, sit on the surface of the skin and physically bounce or reflect sun’s rays away from the skin. Mineral sunscreens are great for people with sensitive skin as well as babies and kids. SPF 30 sun protection is not the only factor you should look at when choosing your sunscreen. Beautycounter's formula is lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen using non-nano zinc oxide. They evaluate the particle size of the non-nano zinc oxide and formulate to ensure that there is no potential risk of respiration when sprayed and does not enter the blood stream to cause harmful effects to the body. It’s formulated with organic coconut oil and organic shea butter to deliver an ultra-moisturizing experience without the need for neurotoxic preservatives and serious allergens like MIT (Methylisothiazolinone). Beautycounter would never use Octinoxate & Oxybenzone ingredients known to contribute to the collapse of coral reefs around the world making our sunscreens safer for both people and our oceans. To check out the ingredients in sunscreens (or any personal care product) refer to the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep guide. Every ingredient is evaluated and rated. You should choose 0-2 for overall ratings on all personal care products. Once you learn something you cannot unlearn it and simply want to share the information to help others make wise and healthy decisions! 
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YEARS ago I used to say the beauty of my daughter was that she had such an eye for detail, she would pause and get totally absorbed in the wonder of whatever she was looking at. She wasn’t thinking about yesterday or even the playgroup she left an hour ago. She wasn’t thinking what she would be doing on vacation in a week. She was totally focused on the here and now, studying the patterns on a leaf, or mixing paints on her palette - at that moment. Practicing presence, years before ‘living in the present’ was on my radar:). When I began my new P/T job I found this book “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much” sitting on my desk. Each morning when I get to Christ Lutheran Church, I try to read that day’s reading. Yesterday’s reading made me realize one of the reasons I love my new job. For those four to six hours I only think about that job. I am learning something new so I have to be focused! I don’t check personal emails, Facebook posts, texts (which is simply other people trying to control your time)... I can’t change a load of laundry, or worry about whether there are enough speakers for the Cohasset Rotary Club for the next month. I simply focus on the project I am working on that hour. It works. Even though I’ve added a 20 hour a week job to my already busy schedule I feel I’m more relaxed. I’m not focusing on the past, present and future of all the balls in the air because I’m only focusing on that one ball and doing my best at that job at the moment. I am still doing my two other jobs, advocating and educating with Beautycounter and Integrated Nutrition Health Coaching, I’m just more effective at them in a shorter period of time. I used to believe I was excellent at multi-tasking. OK, I found I’m not! As I tell my son, don’t be obsessed on making that sales goal at the end of the month because you won’t be your best at what you’re doing now. Simply be the best you can be for the client you are working with at that moment. The rest will fall into place. Single Focus (practicing presence) = less stress = lower blood sugar/lower blood pressure = better health/more effective.  |
Diane HerthEducator, coach, Yin Yoga instructor and advocate for healthy, toxin-free living. Organic gardener, whole-food cook. Service-minded Rotarian. Photographer. Storyteller. Archives
March 2022
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