Skin Scrub or Skin Care?

What is it that makes a person's skin glow? Is it an inherent gene or is it special care and grooming. To keep your skin looking it's best especially in the dryness of winter, you'll want to try these tips.

1. Start using a creamy facial cleanser. Cleansers, which you use to remove make-up usually, strip away moisture and during winter, this problem gets magnified.

2. Moisturize throughout the day. Use a moisturizing facial mask. Try using body lotion even before you've left the shower, right after rinsing soap or body wash. It will help lock in some extra moisture.

3. Of course, hot water showers feel great in winter, but they wreak havoc on dry skin. Try a lukewarm shower instead, and then pat your skin dry with a towel.

4. Avoid skin products and hairstyling products that have a high alcoholic content. When alcohol evaporates, it feels cool and refreshing, but it also strips away moisture, so opt for alcohol-free products, when the air is already dry.

5. When it comes to hair, if you're already dealing with dry, brittle hair, resist the urge to reach for the hair dryer. It'll only make things worse. Dry and style your hair with a towel, and if you still want to use a dryer, time yourself and try to use it a little less.

6. One of the biggest problems during winter are chapped lips. Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and preferably one with antiseptic agents to aid in healing. Some lip balm products are made with tea tree oil, which helps heal painful cracks.

7. Your hands, feet, knees and elbows need to be looked after too, during winter. Use products containing shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, tea tree oil or glycerin. For intense relief, moisturize hands and feet at night, and then slip on gloves or socks to lock in the moisture.

Organize and Get Paid

If you’re good at organizing, you can help others get organized…and make money at the same time!

If you’ve always been interested in organizing, there’s actually a professional in the world known as ‘professional organizing.’ That’s right…you can actually make money, helping others get organized. What a concept! Whoever thought that someone would pay you to help organize their kitchen, or get their papers into a filing system? But there are people that help others get organized every day, and make lots of money doing so!

What I love most about this business is it doesn't require lots of capital. It doesn't require you to spend thousands on advertising. You don't have to go out and buy expensive equipment. You don't have to invest in any special training. You don’t even need a college education. You basically have to have two things:

* a knack for helping people get organized and

* a desire to run your own successful business

That’s what I find amazing about this business. Anybody who is good at organizing can do it, and can make a great income at the same time.

My good friend and organizing expert, Maria Gracia, has come up with a comprehensive resource that shares every single thing you need to know to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. She makes everything easy-as-pie and fun! I highly encourage you to have a peek at her material.

Get all the details here:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/aff-1shop-ultimateguide.html

Renew Your Passport

Wow, it was minus 14 C this morning with a high humidity index of around 91 % and combined, that is cool and is equivalent to 14 degrees fahrenheit. Now water starts to freeze at 32 F and at 0 C so you know what's happening outside. Inside it's starting to put thoughts of warmer climates in my head.

The Missus noticed it starting last night when her friend "arthur" one of the "itis" boys payed a visit and stayed all night. Her hands were both red, swelling and sore as heck.  Oh yes, she popped her faithful Aleve but that only helped for a little while. She's better today because the Sun came out and its a balmy minus 10.. Hmm I took a bit of a sidetrack there for a minute because this is supposed to be about Renewing your Passports.

So the Missus pulled her passport  out and said " I've got to get mine renewed before the end of 2012 so I went looking to see if it could be done on line.  Eureka, I went to the Canadian Government passport link and sure enough you can --- sort of.

Here's the deal, you still have to get your pictures taken and submit the fees and then wait while they process it. Processing times will vary depending on the way you applied. Here are some general guidelines: 
Processing times — not including postal delivery times

In person (at a Passport Canada counter)		10 business days
By mail		20 business days
Via a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post)		20 business days
From the United States		20 business days

If you plan to travel within the next 20 business days, please submit your application at a Passport Canada office.

There's another great resource page called Traveler's Corner that provides handy tips and suggestions and another link that provides a warning about not getting swindled.  It seems that there are a few nefarious types out there just waiting to get there hands on your travel money or just your money by offering a service to guide you through the process. You don't have to do it because all the resources are right on the page.  If you do get in a bind your local Member of Parliament is a handy resource as well. 

US PASSPORTS

The US passport process is handled by the Department of State (DOS)and they have a completely different process that utilizes the mail service or appearing in person. So far I haven't found an online source yet but I'll keep looking.  One nice thing I noticed is if you are in a hurry and you plan on travelling internationally you can get a passport within 2 weeks.

A VISA might be another option. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel. There's also tons of information on the D O S site about visiting, attending college, temporary working visas and Immigrating and living in the United States full time.

There's certainly several areas I'd like to return to live including Austin, Texas area, the Oregon Coast, Memphis or Nashville Tennessee, and Seattle, Washington to name a few. And, one area I would love to see is the New England states. 

Regardless of your destination though your passport is your best form of identification and you will want to protect it at all times. This document is extremely valuable in the wrong hands so be aware. Enjoy your travels and we'll see you where its warm. Dave

Organization Made Easy

The Easy Way to Get All Your Details, Information and Notes Organized Once and For All

If you’re like me, you’ll agree that we all have way too much to remember. Birthdays, phone numbers, goals, books we want to read, movies we  want to see, chores, store sale dates, home inventory, doctor visits and medications, web sites, travel checklists, things to clean, great ideas, vehicle maintenance, gifts to buy...phew! That's a lot to remember, isn't it?

It’s no wonder there’s so much stress in the world!

So, how in the world do you keep all this information organized, and easily accessible when you need it, without breaking the bank?

Great news...I know of an awesome system, developed by my good friend and organizing expert, Maria Gracia, that can help you keep it all organized. I use it myself, and I can firmly attest that it’s one of the best planning systems out there to help you keep it all organized and accessible when you need it!

I use it--I love it--and I know you will too! Get all the details here:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/aff-1shop-ezorganizer.html

Anti Aging and the Food Pyramid

Are You Getting Enough Of These Anti Aging Foods?

When we think of aging we often think about the external effects - the wrinkles, sagging and weight gain that makes us look older from the outside.  But what a lot of people don't realize is that you can help slow down the aging processes from the inside by eating a lot of anti aging foods. 

You've probably heard the expression you are what you eat, right?  Well, it really is true. 

The foods you eat today are what your body is using for fuel tomorrow.  If you eat foods that are a drag on your system and empty in nutrition, you will not have the vibrant energy and good looks that you want.  Eating too many fast foods like burgers and fries will not only put on weight but are also associated with many diseases.  Not getting enough vitamins and unsaturated fats in your diet can leave your skin and hair looking dull and dry.

Making sure you get enough of the right foods, ones that have antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals will not only improve your appearance but they will also help protect you from disease and Illness like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  So, just what are these anti aging foods?

Fruits And Vegetables

Probably the best foods you can eat are fruits and vegetables.  They are loaded with vitamins and minerals and, when eaten raw, have powerful enzymes that actually help your body with the digestion process - leaving more energy for you to use on other things. 

Fruits and vegetables are also loaded with antioxidants which fight off free radicals.  Free radicals actually play a major role in aging and are thought the be major contributors to disease so the more of them you can fight off, the healthier and younger looking you will be!
   
Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids might not sound like something that are good for you, but they are.  The Omega-3 fatty acids in particular are essential for keeping your cell membranes fluid which helps with a host of body functions not the least of which is younger looking skin.  You can get these essential fatty acids from cold water fish like salmon and tuna, flax seed oil and walnuts.

Fiber

Fibre foods

Fiber is key to keeping your digestive process working and it can also help keep your cholesterol levels in check. While this might not do a lot for your outer appearance, it can do a whole heck of a lot for your insides and this in turn will help keep you vibrant and youthful. 

It's especially important to get enough to keep your bowel movements regular, after all, who can look energetic and youthful when they are constipated?  Fiber can be found in whole grains, black beans, pears, prunes and apples. 

When buying whole wheat breads, don't be fooled by the words whole wheat on the label. Look at the ingredients and make sure the very first one is whole wheat or whole grains.  Otherwise, you are not getting a full whole wheat product.

Finally, the last of the anti aging foods I want to talk about isn't really a food at all - it's water.  Plain and simple water.  You need to drink plenty of it to keep you hydrated.  This not only helps with the inner functions of your body but will also help your skin and hair look younger.

Here's a great guideline for the types of food you should use and in what proportions you should consume.

Here's to healthy living. Dave

Look Younger Today.

Boring salad.

8 Things You Can Do To Look Younger Today

Almost everyone that has reached middle age wants to look younger without succumbing to drastic surgery or painful injections.  Luckily, there are some things you can do right now that will help you have a younger - and healthier - appearance.

1.  Stop Smoking.  Need I say more?  Not only is smoking a major contributor to cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses it will age you like nothing else.  Smoking causes excess wrinkles, a graying pallor to your skin and it makes you smell bad! 

2.  Treasure Your Sleep.  Sleeping rejuvenates your body and when you get enough of it, you'll wake feeling refreshed and energized which, in itself, will make you appear more youthful.  You'll also have a nice glow to your skin and no puffy bags under your eyes.  But how much is enough?  There is no one size fits all amount - you'll have to  figure out how much is right for you but generally around 7 or 8 hours is what most people find works.  It is important to get deep uninterrupted sleep as the deeper sleep is what really rejuvenates you.

3.  Eat Your Fruits And Veggies.  Fruits and vegetables have powerful antioxidants that can actually help slow the aging process.  The fiber will help keep you irregular and the added water content will help keep your skin looking luminous.  Plus all the vitamins and minerals will help keep your immune system strong allowing you to fight off disease and have a healthier life.

4.  Take Care Of Your Hair.  Eating right will help your hair keep it's shine and good looks but if you have a good hair style, this can literally take years off your appearance.  This is especially true for women but men should try to go with a trendy - age appropriate cut as well.  Contrary to what you might think, keeping your hair long as you get older does not make you look younger.  It actually can add years to your appearance!  Go for a stylish haircut that compliments the shape of your face and don't be afraid to add some highlights to mask out those grays!

5.  Sit Up Straight.  Good posture can make you appear more youthful while bad posture will make you look older.  In fact, if you practice good posture it could help you look 10 years younger and 10 pounds lighter!  When you have good posture you appear confident and happy plus it helps to reduce muscle strain and back problems. 

6.  Get Enough Exercise.  Getting enough exercise doesnít have to mean grueling aerobic workouts every day.  You want to incorporate some aerobic activity - walking, swimming, tennis etc as well as strength training and stretching.  Yoga and Pilates are great exercises to keep those muscles stretched and toned which is very important as you age.  Exercising will give you a energetic youthful appearance, help keep your weight off and will also help you keep your muscle tone as well as good balance as you age. This is critical as you get into your golden years since one of the main problems that happens to the elderly is falling which is mainly due to bad balance.

7.  Take Care Of Your Teeth.  Good dental hygiene is important not only for your health but for your looks too.  Many people don't realize that problems with your gums and teeth can actually have adverse affects on other organs in your body so it's critical to go to those dental visits every 6 months and have the recommended work to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Have nice straight, white teeth can do a lot to improve your youthful appearance. 

8.  Keep Your Weight Down.  Excess  pounds adds years to your appearance and also is a contributor to many health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer so why no keep your weight down as you age?  It does take a little bit of work, but you'll feel and look so much better!

Exciting Salad!

It is said that you learn a new habit if you repeat it for 21 days so mark 21 days on a calendar and work on at least one of these tips for those 21 days. For example, finish your day with a nice salad made of raw veggies and spinach or lettuce. Dress it up with slivered almonds or pine nuts and some dried cranberries or blueberries. Ad a few drained fruit slices such as peaches to the top and then sprinkle on a little long strand coconut. For a dressing, use a tablespoon of strawberry or blueberry yogurt. You won't believe how delicious this combo can be. Eating it in the evening will cut down your junk food cravings and will give your stomach something to digest that isn't going to add fat to your body. Challenge your imagination with salad ideas and you will surprise yourself.  Oh make sure to weigh yourself before you start and then at the 21st day.

Until next time, enjoy life and be healthy. Dave

Fall is here and its a dandy

Can you believe its just about October and the flowers are still blooming and a lot of birds are staying around longer. Could it be climate change or are we just having a great fall.

The temperature has been unbelievable for north central Alberta in fact we were just over 30 c here last Sunday. That's around 88 F for the metrically challenged and for late September that is bonus weather.

I've noticed lots of leaves are changing colour and it is a spectacular pallet but the darn winds have been taking them down quicker than candidate posters after election day. In any case we will take as much of this good weather as we can. Bring it on.

Did I mention election? Yes I did and I think it's just about time to wrap it up. It seems like for the past 6 months that's all we've heard on TV, radio, our phones, our emails and pretty much everywhere else  a politician can get some space to tell us how much they're going to do for us. Let's hope this time its different.

Make sure you do get out and vote though. This Saturday is the final kick at the cat and you'll be choosing the next Premier of the province who will run until he or she decides to call another election. Please don't do it right away or I'm going to scream. Fortunately a while ago someone in their right mind decided that we should have scheduled elections. One every four years. Yay. Oops, spoke too soon, March of 2012 could be the next date and that's not that far away.

There are three candidates to chose from - Doug Horner, Gary Mar and Alison Redford. Just Google them if you want more info on who they are and what they are offering. You do have to have a membership in the Progressive Conservative party in order to participate but its only $5 and allows you to participate in not only the election but on boards and committees as well. Its an interesting experience and who knows something you mention at a meeting might get moved forward as a new policy.
Anyway, that's enough about politics for now and its time for me to get to the office. Have a great one and we'll talk soon. Dave

That's enough politics for now