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  • Yikes, Who Would Actually Wear This?

    How Do I Dress Myself Again?

    I genuinely don’t know how to dress myself, and that’s fine. It is fun though, to imagine how I can dress myself without actually having to do it. What I do know is that pink, white and black go together. That’s what I think, anyways. This outfit also just felt right. It is simple, not flashy, so it should work on a random trip to the grocery store, a nice walk, or hanging out at a dessert store with friends. If anyone feels up to it, they can purchase these items at a relatively cheap price, too. These items came from Old Navy, Marshalls and Walmart.

    White Tank Top

    $8.00

    The price was rounded up, but even then, eight dollars for 3 tank tops is really cheap in todays economy. These tank tops are from Old Navy. It is of great comfort to wear a light sleeveless shirt. White tank tops are also plain, so they’re very versatile. You could wear these as undershirts or with almost anything else in your closet. For the cost and versatility, this is a great piece to have in your closet.

    Black Cardigan

    $36.00

    This cardigan from Old Navy looks very warm, ideal for when Winter hits. It will also protect your bare arms underneath. Cardigans are loose, very comfortable in general. This is also a versatile piece to have in your closet because black also goes with nearly anything. Black and white together is especially cool. The color will also slim you down a bit so wear it with confidence!

    Pink Pants

    $30.00

    The last piece in this outfit recommendation is also from Old Navy and it is a really nice and light colored pink. It is loose fitting so it will be very comfortable. Pink goes really well with black and white so if you have clothing items in these shades, feel free to throw in this pair, too. Versatility makes for a cheaper closet.

    Black Socks

    $8.00

    Do you know what is better than one pair of socks? Two pairs of socks! We all like buying things that come in multiples for a small price. It isn’t a one and done situation either. These socks can be worn with many other outfits because they’re just socks. Black socks and pink pants might look nice. They will also look nice with black pants. Sometimes, you can’t even see your socks because of the length of your pants. You just need to wear socks to prevent your shoes from smelling rotten too fast.

    White Shoes

    $53.00

    At Walmart, you can get a pair of white shoes for cheap. White, pink and black look really nice together. These shoes, like every other piece of clothing item can be very versatile. You can wear these pairs of shoes with almost anything and everything.

    Total Cost

    $135.00

    For a grand total of $135.00, you have yourself a whole outfit. And that might even be a couple of cents more because I rounded a few of these items to a whole dollar. It’s not bad, this price. And it’s not even that you have to wear these items with each other only. For this price, you may have opened your entire closet to a whole bunch of other mix-and-match options. Remember folks, this is just a blog post about an outfit idea. You can like it. Or, you can not. Doesn’t matter, really. Have fun styling yourself!

  • Sun Safety is Very Important

    We need the sun. The sun aids our body in producing vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption of the bones to keep them strong. But there are downsides to unprotected exposure to the sun. The sun gives off UV (ultraviolet) rays, which can damage skin cells. In the long run, it can cause premature aging and even skin cancer.

    When Do You Need Sunscreen?

    Sunscreen is essential all year round, even if it is the middle of Winter and cloudy. The sun’s rays are most harmful during mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so be sure to apply sunscreen then. You can even consult your phone’s weather app to see how high the UV Index is.

    How Often Do You Need to Reapply Sunscreen?

    Most sunscreen’s you purchase will tell you that you need to reapply your sunscreen once every two hours. It may be more often if you have been sweating or swimming.

    Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?

    Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreen contains avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and others. Both sunscreens essentially act the same, taking the energy produced by UV rays and turning the heat negligible. If you have sensitive skin though, chemical sunscreen can sting, so mineral sunscreen can be an option. But the downside to mineral sunscreen is that it can often leave a visible layer of white. Depending on your skin and your personal preferences, pick the sunscreen that works best for you.

    Sunscreen is Key

    Whichever sunscreen serves you best, remember to apply and reapply, even when it is cloudy outside. The negative effects of too much UV radiation can cause harm to your skin over time, so it is best to prevent it. Use that sunscreen, seek shade when you can, and stay safe!

  • I See Warmth in Snowfall

    I don’t think I know how to celebrate Christmas. The little snippets I get of this specific holiday is through television, and it always looked like such a gentle holiday. There’s a pine tree adorned with ornaments, a wreath (not reef), hot chocolate, sweaters, friends, family and a big meal. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Like all the good things in the world and nothing hurts. I would love to celebrate the holiday when I’m older, gather my two best friends and experience that golden warm feel. Maybe it could go something like this:

    There Would Be A Tree in Our Living Room

    There would be a tree in our living room. It would be the most perfect tree, meticulously picked out. It would smell like pine and there would be shiny baubles and bright lights. A star would sit at the very top of the branches. Under the tree would be presents wrapped in pretty paper with bows on top.

    And There Would Be Hot Chocolate

    And there would be hot chocolate. We would heat up some milk and pour it over pieces of chocolate. Then we would add marshmallows and whipped cream and cinnamon sticks. It would taste sweet on our tongues and settle warm in our bellies. The smell of chocolate would linger in the air, a steady reminder of gentle times.

    There Would Be Sweaters

    There would be sweaters. They would wrap us up in softness and warmth. The cold would be left outside and we would be without a care in the world. I can almost feel the yarn against my skin. I can almost feel the fuzzy fibers wrapping gently around me. And we would be in sweatpants and fuzzy socks. I can almost feel Christmas, all comforting and serene.

    And There Would Be Three

    And there would be three. There would be three girls and three mugs. There would be three chairs at the table and three plates. Three sets of utensils and three voices.

    This is what Christmas would look like to me. It would be cold outside, but so very warm inside.

    Happy Holidays

    Remember to be with your loved ones. Or you could give them a call. Write them a letter, I guess.

    And, Merry Christmas.

  • A Guide on How To Curb Cravings

    Let’s Get Real: Cravings Are Annoying

    Cravings are very annoying. Extraordinarily annoying. We don’t like them, we most certainly don’t want to experience them, but, they come and they’re successful in getting us to give in. Then it results in a horrible snack turned almost meal. We might finish an entire family-sized bag of chips, a whole row of cookies, or have three slices of cake. At that moment, in the bliss of the wonderful flavors. we might not care about how much we have consumed. Afterwards, though, when the horrible craving monster exorcises itself from our minds, we feel nasty and regretful. We all know that this won’t be the last time we give in, too.

    Why Do We Get Cravings?

    There are many reasons why cravings come upon us and wreak havoc. Some of us are emotional eaters and food can be extremely comforting. Some of us eat when we get bored. Sometimes that meal we had wasn’t filling or we have to wait too long for another meal. Other times, we just have a really poor relationship with food. Whatever the reason though, that we give into our cravings, there are ways to help you easier curb them. Now, this isn’t saying that you should never have the foods that you want, it’s just that we don’t need to have them all the time. Ugly cycles start when we give into our cravings all the time.

    What Can We Do To Curb Our Cravings?

    There’s a whole lot we can do to curb our cravings. Here are eleven things you can try!

    1. If you find yourself craving sweets or salty foods, have a drink of water and wait a couple of minutes. If the craving passes, you might have just been thirsty. Good job on not giving in!
    2. Including more protein into your diet helps reduce appetite, keeps you from overeating, and keeps you satiated for longer. Eating more protein reduces cravings by up to 60% and reduces night snacking by 50%. You’re doing great on keeping that craving at bay!
    3. The feeling of craving doesn’t last forever, so, remove yourself from where the food is. Go take a shower, take a walk, do another activity away from the source. Your feeling of craving will subdue. Don’t give up!
    4. Not knowing what to eat for your meals might not go well. Planning your meals in advance will help keep you on track. Knowing what you’re going to have means you don’t have to have a whole plethora of options to choose from in spontaneity. Look at you go, keeping those cravings away!
    5. If we get hungry, we want to eat. If we get extremely hungry, cravings start happening. Hunger makes food seem even more appealing than it already is so avoid getting too hungry. Eat at the start of your hunger when you can and listen to your body when it tells you that it’s full. It’s hard to tell when you’re full though, so eat slowly and chew thoroughly, it helps.
    6. Stress eating is real. Find ways to alleviate that stress, and no, we can’t do that through food all the time. It’s not a healthy cycle to fall into. The modern day person is constantly stressed, so if we stress ate, we would probably never stop eating. Step away from the stressor for a bit, meditate, find an activity you enjoy to help with fighting the stress.

    Don’t Give In! Don’t Give Up! You Can Conquer!

    Cravings will always be there. It will always sneak up on you and you will want to give in! And, sometimes it’s okay to give in! Just remember, there are ways to help you with keeping your cravings at bay. You don’t have to let them rule you. For more information you can visit this website.

    Eat good meals. Eat wisely. Do your best out there. Stay safe!

  • Practice Daily Personal Hygiene for Better Health

    To stay clean and healthy, it’s important to maintain good personal hygiene habits. Practicing daily hygiene is crucial for protecting yourself from bacteria and diseases, and more importantly, for keeping your loved ones safe and healthy too. Without proper care for your body, you’ll face the risk of an unhealthy lifestyle. And you won’t feel too pleasant nor happy. There are different types of hygienic practices which include bathing or showering, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing clothes, washing hands, and more. I will cover five in this post and discuss their advantages, which should be everyone’s priorities. 

    Bathing & Showering: 

    Though bathing and showering serve different purposes, they are both beneficial to your personal hygiene. The difference between a bath and shower is that a bath focuses on the body being soaked in a bathtub of water while a shower focuses on standing under a spray of water. Baths are great if you are looking into relaxing your muscles, especially your mind. In addition to, exfoliating skin. In a study mentioned by Kathryn Watson on Healthline, participants who took warm baths experienced improvements in their wellbeing. Moreover, showers are significantly better for cleansing your body. With the use of soap and shampoo they help you stay fresh and clean by removing dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells from your body and hair. Showering with cold water has been shown to have a positive impact on stress, depression and swelling. And showering with hot water can also aid in the relaxation of muscles and stiff joints.

    Cover Mouth When Coughing or Sneezing/Washing hands:

    Covering your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing is important to avoid the spread of germs. And protect those around you. Being sick is no fun! Furthermore, the CDC recommends coughing or sneezing into your elbows if you don’t have a tissue with you. Don’t forget to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol (CDC, 2023). Always wash your hands with soap, especially before and after eating and during bathroom use. 

    Washing Clothes: 

    Last but not least, washing clothes is important for personal hygiene for various reasons. Clothes can become exposed with bacteria, dirt, and sweat, for instance. So, setting a habit to wash your clothes once a week (during weekends/whenever you have time) or after use is a good practice to maintain hygiene. You know, wearing clean clothes is a mood booster of confidence and comfortability. 

    Good personal hygiene is critical for a healthier lifestyle and happier you!

    Sources:

    1. Bath vs. Shower: Which Gets You Cleaner and Which Has More Benefits? (healthline.com) 
    2. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/index.html
    3. https://www.healthline.com/health/personal-hygiene#effects-of-poor-hygiene

  • Apply Sunscreen for Better Health!

    It’s important to consider daily sunscreen use. Applying sunscreen to your skin can improve its health in various ways. By preventing sunburn, reducing the risk of skin cancer, and premature aging from the sun’s UV radiation. In fact, sunscreen is beneficial for all, regardless of gender. Both men and women can benefit from using it. 

    How does UV radiation affect skin?

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of radiation that comes from the sun and has both pros and cons on your health. First and foremost, exposure to the sunlight is beneficial for boosting vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones, immune system, brain, and much more. Especially important for the elderly.  Without Vitamin D, you’ll face the risk of bone weakness, bone pain, and osteoporosis. To obtain the required vitamin D, The World Health Organization (WHO) advises exposing oneself to at least 5-15 minutes of sunlight. And therefore, 2 to 3 times a week. Though, this is good, however too much exposure to sunlight is indeed harmful for skin. There are three types of UV radiation which includes UVA, UVB, and UVC depending on their size of wavelengths. The two types of UV radiation that damages skin are UVA and UVB, in which UVA is a longer wavelength that causes skin aging while UVB is a shorter wavelength causing sunburn, sunspots, to name a few.  You can learn more, by clicking on this link myclevelandclinic.org. This is why the use of sunscreen comes in handy to protect your skin from developing risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and wrinkles. 

    What Sunscreen should I be using? 

    Sunscreens you should be purchasing are with an SPF of at least 30 for daily use or 60 if you are going to spend quite a while outdoors. Therefore, you should be applying sunscreen on all parts of your skin to potential exposure to sunlight. For instance, apply sunscreen to your face, ears, back, shoulders, neck, legs, and hands. One ounce is enough to protect your skin from the harsh UV radiation. It’s also recommended to be used during cloudy days because though the sun may be hiding behind clouds, the sun UV rays can pass through them impacting your skin.

    If you want to prevent premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer – sunscreens are your protector barrier!

    Sources:

    1. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/ultraviolet.htm#:~:text=UV%20exposure%20increases%20the%20risk,cancer%20in%20the%20United%20States
    2. Sunscreen and Your Morning Routine | Johns Hopkins Medicine
    3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation

  • The Most Terrific Winter-Wonderland Activities in Central Park

    Hey y’all! Today, She Ate Dat is collaborating with Kindly Beautiful. Where food meets lifestyle! 

    What activities can you do?

    Imagine going to the beautiful Central Park located in NYC for this winter season. Central Park has many attractions and there are many activities you can do while you are there. Apart from the beautiful views and site seeing. The Wollman ice skating rink is one of them during this winter season. The ice-skating season starts during October and ends around April. Each ticket cost range varies from $10-$35 depending on age and or any additional benefits. You can enjoy an activity such as Ice skating with your friends, family or lover. You will have a great bonding experience with your loved ones while also having a great workout section. Your muscles and joints will get even stronger once you finish your ice-skating section and if you do it constantly it will be even better.

    In addition, once you’re done ice skating, you can always go home and have some rest. However, if you are a foodie just go to the Columbus holiday market, around this time of the year. The Columbus holiday market is located right outside Central Park’s entrance. This market runs from November to December every year. In this market you can have a lot of fun by doing some Christmas shopping while also eating some delicious food. Some of the type of food they sell varies from “bureks to tacos to fancy doughnuts and bratwurst.” 

    Therefore, next time you go to Central Park whether it is to walk, site seeing and or ice skate. Please, do yourself a favor and pass through the Columbus holiday market and do some shopping and go ahead and buy you some delicious food. Enjoy!

    Source:

    1. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nycs-holiday-markets-have-official-opening-dates-083122

    2. https://ilovetheupperwestside.com/a-professional-foodies-guide-to-the-columbus-circle-holiday-market/

    3. https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/sports/ice-skating/

  • Take Time to Travel and Get Packing!

    Taking time to travel with family, friends, or yourself is a way to depart from everyday life stress. Traveling allows us the opportunity to recharge and refresh our minds. And for many reasons, the opportunity to create wonderful memories, building bonds, and moments of joy.

    The previous post on “Spend Good Quality Time with A Destination to San Diego, California”, where I talked about this destination (specifically Balboa Park) for a family vacation over the summer and the endless explorations of activities for families or with friends. Of course, especially yourself if you are planning a solo trip. Anyone can appreciate the fun of this popular tourist destination. 

    Now moving forward, today’s post will be about packing for our visit to San Diego. Probably the first thing to consider is the weather. Is the weather warm or cool? Therefore, depending on the season you are planning your trip. My family and I are planning to travel this summer. While reading online, San Diego’s climate varies during the summer as it can get both warm and cool. 

    So, packing light clothes such as shorts, t-shirts, tanks, tank tops, short sleeve tops, sundresses, swimsuits/swimwear are good choices for warm climates. For cool climates (seems to occur throughout the evenings) packing long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, light cardigans, comfortable hoodies, jeans/pants are good options in keeping comfy. Moreover, packing a comfortable walking pair of shoes, sandals, flip flops, and sneakers based on the occasion. By the way, bringing sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the UV rays, in which sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat are recommended too! Additionally, packing toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, razors, tweezers, along with electronics like chargers, backup chargers, and cameras. More importantly, pack necessary medications, for instance my sisters and mother often have motion sickness, so we’ll pack over the counter dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and allergy medications, including a first aid kit.

    Quite a packing I’ll say, ha-ha. But it’s worth it, when it’s about having fun and creating memorable experiences with family! Makes life happier with your loved ones, indeed.

  • The Importance of Sunscreen in Beauty Care

    Sunscreen is one of the essential elements of the cosmetic care. Not just for easy and safe use, it protects your skin in health and beauty. Sunscreen contains an element referred to as the Sun Protection Factor, which estimates the ability to block out UVB rays that lead to sunburns and skin damage. In addition, broad-spectrum sunscreens extend this protection to UVA rays, which are known to contribute to skin aging and cancer. The dual-action defense of this sunscreen illustrates its importance in preserving the intactness and youthfulness of the skin (Chien, 2023).

    The choice of an accurate SPF level plays a major role in the effectiveness of sunscreen use. Dermatologists recommend using at least SPF 30 cream for everyday common activity to be safe. In cases of long-term exposure, such as in recreational and work activities, a SPF of 60 or more would be better. Individuals generally tend not to apply enough sunscreen (especially with low SPF), so the higher SPF helps provide adequate protection. One should understand the balance between sunscreen protection and the sunlight’s necessity in vitamin D synthesis with the correct sunscreen application approach (Chien, 2023).

    Proper application of sunscreen determines its efficacy. Approximately one (1) ounce should be applied over the exposed areas, including the neck, arms and legs; it’s fine to use less than a half teaspoon over the facial areas of the face and neck. Therefore, one should regularly apply sunscreen every two hours and even more often if one swims or sweats a lot. Particularly during incidental sun exposure, like a short walk during working hours, it is always necessary to maintain skin protection.

    Nevertheless, it is important to note that although sunscreen can protect against different hazards, it is not a comprehensive preventive measure. Adding other protective measures like wearing wide-brimmed hats, sun glasses, and clothes covering the skin and seeking shade increases the defensive shield against negative sun effects. These complementary strategies serve skin safety and aesthetic appeal, emphasizing the need for holistic sun protection (Chien, 2023).

    Therefore, it is important to include sunscreen in one’s daily beauty routine for many reasons besides aesthetics and health. Its function goes beyond seasons and becomes among the yearly necessities for glowing and healthy skin. Taking care of the skin includes the conscientious usage of sunscreen and other preventive tactics, which are fundamental to overall wellness and reflect the harmonious relationship between health and beauty.

  • Personal Hygiene: The Key to Health and Beauty

    Personal hygiene is one of the basic requirements for good health and beauty that acts like a shield from numerous diseases and sicknesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), consistent body cleaning is one of the most effective ways of preventing disease transmission. One of the best ways of minimizing the risk of frequent diarrhea, colds, flu, and even COVID-19 is to wash hands often. People ignore that simple act of hand washing, yet it is vital to one’s health.

    Personal hygiene entails more than just cleanliness. This includes handwashing after using the toilet, continuous oral hygiene and covering the sneeze or cough. If these hygienic measures are overlooked, they may result in respiratory infections, skin conditions, and deadly illnesses such as COVID-19 and gastroenteritis. Additionally, Holland (2018) observes that good personal hygiene affects physical health and how individuals view themselves and their social interactions, leading to improved self-esteem.

    Regular bathing remains one of the most essential aspects of personal hygiene, as it helps fight body lice and other infections. It is important to thoroughly clean all body parts, especially with appropriate products like soaps or hypoallergenic washes for sensitive areas (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2022). Finally, controlling body smell is also one form of hygienic management, which involves bathing or showering regularly, drying the skin well and using deodorants/antiperspirants when necessary. Taken together, one person’s appearance and health are determined.

    Personal hygiene plays a major role in health and beauty care, summing up all said. It goes beyond vanity and looks after well-being and self-confidence. Good health is rooted in personal hygiene, equally vital for an overall beauty regime. This practice improves one’s general wellness, as it boosts health and aids in developing confidence in one’s skin.