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Author: Lizbeth Bolanos

  • The Sun Isn’t Always Our Friend

    I love going out and feeling the sun against my skin. The warmth and comfort that the sun brings my skin is always a wonderful experience for me. Not to mention, it is a great way to make sure you get your dose of vitamin D.  Sadly, the sun isn’t always our friend. Too much sun exposure can have negative effects. Let’s discuss what some of these negative effects are and what we can do to prevent them.

    We’ve all heard of UV rays by now but what are they? UV rays are ultraviolet light radiation that can harm our skin. The negative effects of exposure to UV rays through sun, tanning beds, and other UV sources can cause not only various degrees of sun/skin burn but also cancer. This is because UV rays affect your skin cells and DNA which in turn can lead to skin cancer. It is also important to know that UV rays are not only the strongest during the summer, they’re still very much present throughout the year. UV rays reflect off surfaces like snow and sand and can still affect you during cloudy or colder days! Weather channels and apps on our devices now tell us the UV index, which is key to understanding how low or high they are. This is why sunscreen is your bestie all year long.

    Sunscreen Is Your Bestie!

    Sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits for your skin! It prevents sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Who doesn’t want to stay youthful looking? You’ll often see sunscreen products with a “30 SPF”-”60 SPF” label on it. SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and as you can assume, the higher the SPF value, the more protection your skin will receive. For those of us who wear makeup with SPF, it alone is usually not enough to provide protection and it’s often recommended that we double up with regular sunscreen. Remember to always reapply every couple of hours especially on days when you’re outdoors! Have safe fun in the sun!

    Read more about our health, beauty tips and skincare product recommendations!

  • Menstrual Hygiene, A Fundamental Subject

    Personal hygiene can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about. We’re all human and we all have a personal responsibility to keep up with our own personal hygiene. One personal hygiene topic that may appear especially uncomfortable to talk about is menstrual hygiene. Talking about personal hygiene is how we educate ourselves and others on the topic. It is how we avoid facing negative consequences of poor hygiene and continue to keep up with it. Women should have the liberty to speak freely about menstrual health and hygiene.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has great information on how to keep up with your personal hygiene during your menstrual cycle. When it comes to applying and wearing a menstrual product, Whether it’s a pad, tampon, cup, or underwear, remember to follow the instructions and wash and replace the items as recommended! Unscented products will be your best friend during this time. This goes for toilet paper, pads, and tampons as scented products can cause irritation and pH imbalance. Believe it or not, what you wear also impacts your menstrual hygiene. Cotton and lightweight clothing is recommended as tight clothing and underwear can cause unwanted bacterial growth.  Hydration is key on any day but it is also key during your menstrual cycle! It is also important to know that the vagina is self-cleaning. Using soap or other cleaning products on your genital area can cause potential infections such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Although infections caused by improper menstrual hygiene can be treated, its best to avoid them altogether!

    Other Items to Consider

    Whenever certain things seem unusual, it’s best to act! For example, experiencing extreme pain or unusually heavy flows is reason enough for you to either visit an ER or make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider. Remember to take it easy during these days! I like to stock up on my favorite snacks, dark chocolate, and teas. I usually keep a heating pad handy as well.

  • It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

    Although celebrating Thanksgiving with friends was fun, I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my family. Many families celebrate Christmas differently and again, because my family comes from Mexico, we tend to focus more on Christmas Eve. This is also due to religious reasons. My mom tends to decorate the house and makes it look like a Christmas workshop. It can be quite overwhelming but still very festive and beautiful. My favorite decoration is always the Christmas tree! She keeps it very traditional. It’s always green and has hints of red, gold, and white. She always makes sure to include any ornaments my brother and I have made.

    On Christmas Eve we tend to stay up past midnight. We start our night off by enacting the birth of Jesus. We carry a porcelain baby Jesus, pray, and lull it to “sleep” before finally placing it on a nativity scene. We then eat and pass around bags filled with holiday treats known to us as “aguinaldos navideños”,  to children and adults if there are any left over. The children usually light up party sparklers at the end of the night too. We usually stay up dancing and talking well into Christmas morning. The children usually make an attempt to stay up past midnight so that they have a chance to open their presents. My family and I have celebrated Christmas this way since I was a child, I wouldn’t change a thing about it but I would suggest adding a new tradition.

    New Traditions?

    I have always wanted my family and I to participate in a secret santa. I have always felt that there was pressure from each adult to get every single family member their own present. This can be costly and stressful during the holiday season. I think secret santa is a great way that everyone can end up with a present without the stress and over spending. After all, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and creating valuable memories together.

  • Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and More!

    My family comes from Mexico and Thanksgiving is not a holiday we participate in. However, having been in the United States for many years, certain aspects of the holiday are adapted. We regularly like to have friends and family over for dinner and so we use Thanksgiving as another day to do so. There isn’t a specific dish that anyone prepares but my mom enjoys cooking a big ham that always comes out so decorative and delicious. This Thanksgiving was different for me.

    It has been two years since my parents have moved out of state and because I usually only get Thanksgiving day off, I’m unable to visit my family for the day. I instead find comfort in knowing that I have friends and family nearby who are more than willing  to have me over for this holiday. This year, I went to a friend’s house whose mom dedicated the entire day to preparing all sorts of dishes. They kept it very traditional with turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, Spanish rice, and sweet potatoes.  My favorite had to be the baked sweet potatoes, but I always enjoy sweet potatoes! Since it was warm enough, we had all gone to a nearby park to enjoy a late night walk.

    If I could have spent Thanksgiving at my family’s house I think I would have requested that we make penne alla vodka with shrimp, which happens to be my dads specialty. I would not be able to walk you through how he makes it because he has yet to pass his recipe on to me. Here’s a recipe for someone else’s shrimp penne alla vodka if you’re curious to try it! I would request this dish specifically because it is very nostalgic to me and my dad only makes it on special occasions. Remember to always share your gratitude for your loved ones, even when it isn’t a holiday!

  • Dressing and Styling Made Fun

    As someone who works in retail, I always find it fun and amusing to help others put an outfit together. I always ask several questions such as, is this for a specific occasion? Is it formal or casual? Do you prefer lighter or darker shades? Do you value your comfort or style more, or is it a blend of both? When styling a person, their personality and uniqueness has to be taken into account. At the end of the day, what you choose to wear is a form of self expression. No pressure but your outfit is one of the first things that people notice when observing you. Your outfit can also have the power to make you feel confident! Have fun and don’t be afraid to explore styles outside of your comfort zone!

    For this styling session, I will be grabbing some items from H&M and one accessory from the & other stories. Other Stories is a sister store to H&M. This outfit could be for someone who wants to stand out for any occasion but prefers darker shades and an edgier look.

    Explaining The Vision

    I decided to go for a classic white button up that I would keep a little unbuttoned at the top. This would be paired with a black zip-up corset to layer on top. For the bottoms, a satin midi skirt and a pair of chunky combat boots to pull the look together. I chose silver rigid necklace and silver pearl earrings with a silver cone drop. These would be amazing with several silver rings too! The oversized leather bomber serves as the coat. The emerald scarf for added warmth and a POP of color and contrast. I believe these items capture the essence of what could be requested by this fictional individual!

    Let me know how I did! What would you do differently? All of these items can be found on the H&M website. The green emerald scarf can be found on the stories’ website.

  • Curbing Your Cravings, Challenging But Not Impossible!

    The members of Kindly, Beautiful aim to be open and honest with all of you, our audience. This particular topic is one that I personally struggle with and if we’re being honest, many of us do. Full disclosure, my family health history consists of members that have struggled with diabetes. It is one of the many reasons that I make an effort to watch what I eat, the amount, and always try to make time for any sort of exercise. It’s important to acknowledge that food isn’t bad, even the extra sweet, extra savory foods that we hold close to our hearts. Problems usually arise when we lose control over how much we have and how sedentary our lifestyle can be.

    We all experience cravings, it’s natural, but let’s discuss healthy ways to curb them and why they pop up in the first place!

    According to research, cravings can stem from an imbalance of your hunger hormones which are often a result of stress, poor sleep, diet, and lack of exercise. Targeting these issues can be a great start to curbing cravings. Another great tip is to increase the amount of fiber in your meals. The order in which you eat your meal has an effect on your bodily reaction too! Fiber aids in slowing down digestion and helps reduce glucose levels. Research suggests that we eat our vegetables first! This is something that my mom has always suggested but I thought it was a myth. Staying hydrated also helps avoid unnecessary cravings as thirst and hunger cues can be mistaken by your body!

    Finally, make time to plan meals if you can! Take fiber and protein into consideration as they help you feel and stay full. Keep heavily processed foods and snacks out of your kitchen or home so you don’t feel tempted to have more than you should. Most important of all, don’t skip meals! Hunger is a sign that your body needs nutrients and energy so don’t neglect it. Remember, it’s ok to give into a craving here and there, never feel guilty for doing so but make an effort to avoid over consumption! Take care of your body and the rest will follow.

  • Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I hold this statement to be true. Society has set beauty “standards” that simply do not benefit anyone, even those who fit said “standards”. When the word beauty is mentioned, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The first thing that might come to mind might be physical appearance and that’s ok. Unfortunately, this is how the word and concept of beauty is first taught to many of us. It can be damaging to have one perspective of beauty. It is time to unlearn this single version of what beauty means. Take that power back and define beauty under your own terms, self love is the best kind of love.

    Defining Beauty for Ourselves

    In a society that constantly pushes impossible and ever changing beauty standards, it can be difficult to understand what beauty means to us. The thing about beauty is that it is everywhere! Beauty does not have to look a certain way, be a certain color, have a certain shape, sound a certain way. Beauty is what you decide it is, much like art. The simple fact that someone disagrees with you should not discourage you from believing that something or someone is beautiful. That is the first thing to know about defining beauty, not everyone will agree with you and that is ok because they do not have to. 

    I find beauty in the unconventional, the experimental. The world would be quite boring if everything and everyone in it looked the same. We would not have much to be inspired from. Beauty is inspiration and it is limitless. I find beauty in my culture, in music, in knowledge, in community, in people, in my everyday observations. We are quick to judge but if we take a closer look and remain open-minded, we are bound to find something we may find beautiful. Beauty is not superficial, beauty is also held within. Your thoughts, your kind gestures and your knowledge contribute greatly to how you present yourself to the world. Be kind to yourself, always.

    What are some ways that you redefine beauty?

  • My Love For Carrot Cake

    I have always had a sweet tooth, that’s not bound to change any time soon. Oftentimes, we are told that sweets are bad for us and we should limit our intake. The reality is that too much of anything can be bad for us – even the good stuff! When I think about food, I think of love and connection. It is important that we have a healthy relationship with food. It is important to create a balance and not shy away from what is considered “bad” or “unhealthy”. 

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, my mother and I decided to get into baking. We experimented with different types of recipes and different types of ingredients. In the end, it was a simple carrot cake recipe that won me over. I would make it with or without my mother for my entire family every time I got the chance to. This simple, sweet delicacy brought us together. It is the reason why I enjoy it so much and think of love and togetherness whenever I have it. It can be deemed “unhealthy” because of the oil, butter or sugar content in it and if that is of concern, the amount can alway be adjusted! Nothing is set in stone when it comes to following a recipe. There is always room for experimentation and even if you don’t wish to change the recipe, any food is enjoyable in moderation!

    So far, I have made and ate carrot cake on its own, with chocolate chips, with nuts, with coconut, fruits,  and I have yet to explore other ways of having it. My favorite way to have it is with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top or next to it. It is very easy to feel guilty about what we consume. I see it this way, if it makes you happy and you feel great in the moment, allow that feeling to sit in and last. We all deserve the happiness that comes with enjoying our favorite foods no matter what.

    Aside from carrot cake, fried oreos come in a close second! What are some of your favorite foods to indulge in every once in a while?

    Here’s a recipe you can try!

  • A Travel Destination for Your Bucket List

    Traveling can be as elaborate as you wish it to be. It doesn’t always have to be overseas or miles and miles away from home. I would keep activities, food and culture that you enjoy or are interested in experiencing in mind when deciding where you’d like to travel to. This would help you make the most of your trip. As someone who has yet to travel many places on my own personal bucket list, I would recommend starting with a nearby option. There are many things to prepare for and plan when traveling. My personal recommendation would be visiting El Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Why Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico?

    When considering flight time, traveling to Puerto Rico is only about a three hour plane ride. This would be roughly the equivalent to driving from New York City to the beginning of Pennsylvania! Something to keep in mind is that Viejo San Juan is a residential district so as a tourist, one must respect those who reside there. I was able to stay at an air bnb that had a view of the ocean and one of San Juan’s historic sights. The San Cristobal fortresses were walking distance from where I was staying and I suggest wearing comfortable footwear. There’s a lot of steep hills and walking to be done! The beaches in Puerto Rico are beautiful. They are kept clean and depending on which beach you visit, it can offer calm waters or wild waves. It is always very hot and it rains unexpectedly almost every day.

    Although Viejo San Juan is a residential district, it still offers a lively environment. Music like salsa and merengue are always playing. Some food I’d recommend is mofongo, coconut pudding, flan and arroz con guandules (rice with pigeon peas) and meat of your choice. Traveling is a great way to escape everyday stressors. It is a great way to let your mind and body relax, get exercise through walking, dancing, swimming, sight-seeing and a great way to learn about history and culture outside of your own. What are some places you wish to travel to? I would like to visit the Grand Canyon next!

  • Makeup and Beauty Ethics

    Makeup is an exciting way to express ourselves! Anyone can use makeup to get the desired look they want, there are many ways to express yourself with it. It isn’t always all fun and games though. When it comes to cosmetics, many of us express concerns as to what exactly is IN our cosmetics. What exactly are we putting ON our faces? Makeup product labels usually come with an ingredient list much like food labels come with a nutrition fact label. The only problem is that most of these ingredients can be very difficult to pronounce and we may not know much about them. Many of us also express concerns for brand ethics. Are brands still testing on animals? What is their effect on the world we live in?

    Opting for Clean Beauty

    We all have brands that we feel we simply cannot live without but when should we consider swapping certain products for “cleaner” products. The term “clean beauty” relates to products that are made without ingredients and processes that may harm our health or the planet. Many stores have implemented a “clean beauty” section as well, which shows that companies have taken our concerns into consideration. We won’t necessarily tell you what to buy or what not to buy but here is a list of ingredients we recommend you to look out for and avoid when purchasing cosmetics.

    • Formaldehyde
    • Mercury
    • Isobutyl
    • PFAS
    • M- and O-Phenylenediamine
    • Dibutyl
    • Paraformaldehyde
    • Methylene Glycol
    • Quaternium 15

    Sourced from EWG

    Cosmetics should be fun but they should also be safe! If you’re someone who is also concerned about brands testing on animals, look for the cruelty-free bunny logo, usually placed on the back of the product. A quick google search can also get you an answer to this concern! I will list a couple of my favorite clean beauty products if you need somewhere to start. Clean beauty doesn’t have to be expensive either, some of the best clean beauty products can even be found at your local pharmacy! Comment your favorite clean beauty brand or product below!

    • e.l.f cosmetics
    • Good Molecules
    • Ceremonia
    • ILIA
    • Osea
    • Rare Beauty
    • Purezero

    Image sourced from Cruelty Free Kitty