Can Foods Work as SPF?

Foods that can keep sunburns at bay.

Certain foods have been proven to benefit your skin, but can they act as a substantial source of SPF? And do supplements dubbed “edible sunscreen” really work? As a pale person always on the quest for maximum sun protection, I reached out to Dr. Ava Shamban, a Beverly Hills dermatologist and author of Heal Your Skin, to find out if my produce-heavy diet can keep sunburns at bay.

“Some foods have been shown to protect against UV rays and the more of these foods you eat, the better,” says Shamban. “These foods are loaded with antioxidants so they protect you internally as well.” But don’t toss your sunscreen! Foods do not work as well as a topical lotion. “Eating different types of food is not a substitute for sunscreen, but it is a nice supplement,” says Shamban.“Some foods have been shown to improve the repair aspect of the skin and the prevention of damage to the skin, and they also have nutritional benefits and are useful for all of your organs.” Shamban says regular intake can increase your SPF factor up to a 4 or 5. If you’re game, here are the tasty foods to chow down on.

Tomatoes are one such food. “They have lycopene, which can protect the skin against the sun,” she says. “Go to farmers market — the redder you get those are the ones you want to eat.” She says tomato paste has been shown to have high levels of lycopene too, because each jar contains so many concentrated tomatoes.

Another skin saver is dark chocolate. “It contains flavonoids, which have been shown to protect against UV rays and sunburns,” says Shamban. She says studies have shown that if you eat it regularly (done and done) you’ll build up protection in your skin. Just make sure to get the strong stuff — anything that says 80% dark chocolate should do the trick.

Apples also contain protective flavonoids called procyanidins. “Studies have shown it helps reduce skin cancer when exposed to UV rays,” says Shamban. “Quercetin is another potent antioxidant found in apples that protects DNA.”

Lastly, green tea may help you combat the sun. “Polyclonal is a green tea extract that’s very potent at preventing cancer growth internally and externally — and good for the skin, too,” says Shamban. “For summer swap your regular iced tea for an iced green tea.”

– Read Full Article –

Paper Holders

I’m not really sure what to name this Invention.  My Mother invented this.  Take a clear sleeve and insert your paper (article, notes, inspirational quotes or whatever), then insert a hook through the top hole.  Hang however you want.  I hung these in my Kitchen onto a cute Bamboo Hook.  It holds recipes I want to try or other helpful Kitchen Tips / Gardening / Cooking Ideas.  Protects the paper from getting splashed with water, wrinkled or plain lost.

43 Good Things to Know

Sent in by Bamber Bear of NJ

  1. Your shoes are the first thing people subconsciously notice about you.
    Wear nice shoes.
  1. If you sit for more than 11 hours a day, there’s a 50% chance you’ll die
    within the next 3 years.
  1. There are at least 6 people in the world who look exactly like you.
    There’s a 9% chance that you’ll meet one of them in your lifetime.
  1. Sleeping without a pillow reduces back pain and keeps your spine
    stronger.
  1. A person’s height is determined by their father,
    and their weight is determined by their mother.
  1. If a part of your body “falls asleep”, You can almost always “wake it up”
    by shaking your head.
  1. There are three things the human brain cannot resist noticing, food,
    attractive people and danger.
  1. Right-handed people tend to chew food on their right side
  1. Putting dry tea bags in gym bags or smelly shoes will absorb the
    unpleasant odor.
  1. According to Albert Einstein, if honey bees were to disappear from
    earth, humans would be dead within 4 years.
  1. There are so many kinds of apples, that if you ate a new one everyday,
    it would take over 20 years to try them all.
  1. You can survive without eating for weeks, but you will only live 11 days
    without sleeping.
  1. People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don’t.
  1. Laziness and inactivity kills just as many people as smoking.
  1. A human brain has a capacity to store 5 times as much information as
    Wikipedia.
  1. Our brain uses the same amount of power as a 10-watt light bulb!!
  1. Our body gives enough heat in 30 mins. to boil 1.5 liters of water!!
  1. The Ovum egg is the largest cell and the sperm is the smallest cell !!
  1. Stomach acid (conc. HCL) is strong enough to dissolve razor blades!!
  1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day & while you walk, SMILE. It is the
    ultimate antidepressant.
  1. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
  1. When you wake up in the morning, pray to ask God’s guidance for your
    purpose, today.
  1. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
    manufactured in plants.
  1. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and
    almonds.
  1. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
  1. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
    the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest
    your energy in the positive present moment.
  1. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college
    kid with a maxed out charge card.
  1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
  1. Life is too short to  waste  time hating anyone. Forgive them for
    everything.
  1. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  1. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  1. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
  1. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
    is all about.
  1. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
  1. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
    ‘In five years, will this matter?’
  1. Help the needy, Be generous! Be a ‘Giver’ not a ‘Taker’.
  1. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  1. Time heals everything.
  1. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  1. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.
    Your friends will.  Stay in touch.
  1. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
  1. Each night before you go to bed, pray to God and be thankful for what
    you’ll accomplish, today.
  1. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

How to Protect Suede Boots

Tips from wikiHow to do anything….

Most people don’t realize that suede is actually leather and should essentially be cared for as such. As with most types of boots and leather, taking proper care of them will keep them looking brand new over the years. Taking the time to protect the suede as a preventative measure will allow you to get a great deal more wear from them.

STORING BOOTS:

Let the suede breathe. Unlike some types of footwear that can be stored easily in plastic containers, suede requires exposure to air. When storing the boots in a closet, slip them into cotton pillowcases. The cotton will promote air circulation while also protecting the boots from the accumulation of dust.

Store the boots in a cool dry place. Don’t leave suede boots exposed to direct sunlight when they are not in use. Excessive exposure to the light will cause fading, while long periods of exposure to humidity will trigger dampness that could eventually become mildew. Store them in a clothes or linen closet, where they will remain cool and dry.  Avoid storing your boots somewhere that could become warm and/or humid, such as a bathroom, garage or basement.

Before you store the boots you might consider having them professionally dry cleaned.

CARING FOR THE BOOTS:

Purchase a suede protective spray. Experts recommend a water and stain protector formulated specifically for suede. Water can be damaging to suede and eventually change the color and texture, but a protective spray will prevent this from happening. This can be purchased online through Amazon or from a big box store like WalMart.

Ensure the boot is clean. Before using the spray, ensure that the boot is clean. An optimal time to do this is right after purchasing or receiving the boots, before even wearing them once. This way, you will be prepared for the elements and do not have to worry about cleaning them beforehand.

Seal the suede. Hold the spray bottle about six to eight inches away from the surface of the boot. It should come out of the bottle as a mist. Spray the boot all over with the protective spray, ensuring that you cover the entire surface of the boot. You only need to lightly spray the boot; too much could affect the boot’s texture or color.

Avoid wearing the boots in wet weather. The protective spray should prevent the boots from becoming ruined by water or snow. However, on days when it is especially rainy, it is best to avoid wearing the boots altogether. If they do get wet, let them dry naturally, away from any sources of heat. When they are dry, brush them well with a suede brush.

Maintain the nap. Purchase a special suede brush to use to brush out the nap, otherwise known as the surface of the suede. This will buff out any minor scuffs and help the shoes retain their soft, pleasant texture. Suede brushes are relatively inexpensive so it may be in your best interest to purchase one in order to keep your shoes looking their best.

  • Suede brushes are available at stores like Target or department stores like Macy’s.
  • Before brushing the shoes, stuff them with crumpled newspapers. This will help the shoe retain its shape.
  • Gently brush the nap in the direction of the fibers. You can tell which direction the fibers are going in if you run your fingers or hands along the surface and see which way the fibers lay the flattest. Once this is established, brush in that direction.

TREATING STAINS:

Keep talcum powder or cornmeal handy. When you are wearing your boots, be sure to slip a small package of cornmeal or talcum in your bag. This could be a zip-lock bag or very small Tupperware container. In the event that any type of liquid is spilled on the boots, pat the area dry with a clean cloth, and immediately apply a layer of the meal or talcum powder. Allow the product to set overnight, and then use a suede brush to gently remove the dried powder.

  • If you are going to be away from home, bring an extra pair of shoes and a clean cloth and keep them in a bag or the trunk of your vehicle. This way, if you spill something on your shoes, you will be able to clean the stain and not have to walk around with dirty boots.
Treat stains. If you are unable to treat a stain right away and the stain has dried, use a suede brush to scrub away the stain but avoid using too much pressure. For stubborn stains, use a small amount of white vinegar and a clean cotton towel. Moisten the towel with the vinegar, and blot the stain without applying a lot of pressure to the area, to avoid spreading the mess. Repeat as necessary with clean sections of the towel until the stain is loosened and removed from the surface of the suede.Avoid cleaning the boots with water. Water can change the texture and even the color of the suede. If the boots are stained so deeply that talcum powder or cornmeal does not soak up the stain before it sets, take the boots to a professional cleaner. You can do this by taking them to a local dry cleaning service or shoe repair shop.

25 Uses for Fabric Softner

25 Alternative Uses for Fabric-Softener Dryer Sheets – read full article by curbly

1. Dusting: used dryer sheets can knock the dust off nearly any surface.
2. Keep bugs away: Tuck some in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture to repel bees.
3. Keep your clothes fresh: tuck a few fabric-sheets in your drawers
4. Scrub your showers: Lightly wet a used dryer sheet, and scrub to remove soap build-up
5. Freshen your home: Place (or tape) a dryer sheet on your HVAC vents to scent the air circulating through your home.
6. Reduce static cling: Pat your self with a sheet to combat static on your clothes, stockings, and even long hair!
8. Clean your laundry room: When you finish drying a load, hold on to the dryer sheet, and wipe down the inside of your dryer’s drum, your lint trap, the outside of your washing machine and dryer.
9. Scrub the bugs from your car: Simply wet your car down, and use a dryer sheet to scrub away carnage with ease.
10. Wipe up hair: The cling of a dryer sheet is perfect to wipe up pet hair from your furniture, or even your own hair from your bathroom.
11. In your shoes: Toss a dryer sheet in the toes of your shoes to minimize odors and prolong the just-purchased smell.
12. While traveling: Place a few dryer sheets in between items in your suitcase to keep both your clothes fresh.
13. In your crafts: Use dryer sheets to add texture to cards, scrapbooks, etc. Also use for reinforcement in appliqué and quilting work.
14. For diapers: Keep your used dryer sheets in your diaper bag, and roll one up in the diaper to prevent odors before you have to chance to throw it away.
15. In the kitchen: Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water, with a dryer sheet or two. Makes clean-up easier than you’d expect. Also works on cook tops and dingy cabinet doors.
16. Clean paint brushes: Soak your used paintbrushes in warm water with a dryer sheet, and that pesky latex paint will come off in under a minute.
17. In books: placing a dryer sheet in new books or photo albums will keep them smelling fresh, and can combat the musty paper smell of used or old books. Also works as a killer bookmark.
18. In toilet paper: Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.
19. As you sleep: keep a fabric-softener sheet in your pillow case and under your mattress or mattress pad for sweet dreams of summer all year ‘round.
20. While sewing: use a dryer sheet to store your needles while threaded to keep them from tangling, for paper piecing whilst you quilt, and for backing for embroidery.
21. Repel rodents: Use dryer sheets to keep out mice, skunks, squirrels, rats, etc from your basement, garages, boats, campers, and clubhouses.
22. In your car: stash dryer sheets under your car seats and floor mats, and in your glove box and trunk for fresh scents as you travel.
23. At work: Hide dryer sheets in drawers, behind computers, and in cabinetry to keep your workspace fresh.
24. In you vacuum cleaner: Place a dryer sheet in your vacuum bag or dust containment unit. As the hot air moves as you vacuum, you’ll bulk up your cleaning efforts. (Make sure this is in NO WAY a fire hazard)
25. In storage: tuck dryer sheets in your rarely used items such as luggage, camping gear, sports equipment.

Cleaning Fruit

cleaning-fruitWe all have the frustrating experience day after day on how quick the fruits perish after purchased and taken home! For this reason, you and your family will treasure this simple but important piece of information.

Vinegar is so great for many things, from fungus infections in the ears, tusch, feet, etc. It’s great to clean windows , mirrors countertops, bug bites and bee stings. Not to mention that it will give food a ‘salty’ flavor so you can use less sodium. Also good to use as a finial hair rinse to remove any excess shampoo……….

Who would know that it has so many uses?

This will also wash away our fears and doubts about the pesticides and chemical covers on the various fruits.

~ Idea from BuzzFeed ~

How to store cleaning supplies (and crafts)

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I love this idea for cleaning products.  I have used this idea before in my office to store gift wrap items: bows, pretty ties, labels, tape, colored markers, spray paint and other crafting supplies. It makes it easy to see your stuff and keeps them neat, tidy and dust free.

If I had another door in our garage then I would use one of these shoe racks to hold my gardening seeds, tools, nutrients and tools.

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