Shade and Style!

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, and we are always looking for the best ways to protect our family from unnecessary sun damage.  So what type of sunscreen works the best? Below I’ll be sharing some great information that will help you to better understand the world of sunscreen!

Types of UV Rays

Understanding exactly what happens upon setting out for a day at the beach will help you determine what sunscreen is best.  There are two types of UV’s, the first is UVA – this is the reason you may see darkening age spots, wrinkles or feel a bit sick after too much sun.  UVA ray’s soak into the skin so deeply that it can actually effect your immune system. UVB rays are what cause you to sunburn.

Finding a sunscreen that can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays also known as Broad Spectrum helps to prevent tumors on the skin, Squamous Cell Carcinoma – which is a form of cancer, sunburn, age spots and wrinkles. Because companies aren’t required to offer protection from both UVA and UVB (yet), it’s a good idea to look at the ingredients.

What SPF Is The Safest To Use?

There is a common misconception that the higher the SPF, the better the protection.  SPF is the calculation for how long it takes for you to get a sunburn while wearing the sunscreen, because it deflects only UVB rays the SPF number is not critical. What is important is if it’s a broad spectrum sunscreen or not. However, it’s been recommended by dermatologist to use a minimum SPF 30 or higher, especially if you’ll be exposed to the sun for a long period of time. If you plan on being outside for an entire day, SPF 50 is recommended.

Whether you use an SPF 30 or SPF 50 it’s a good idea to apply and apply often.  When we’re enjoying outdoor activities it’s easy to sweat off your sunscreen so try to apply often if you’re running or playing sports.  Finding a sunscreen that’s waterproof can help protect you during swimming where it’s very easy to burn, especially on the face, chest and shoulders. My best suggestion is to find a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, waterproof and has broad spectrum protection.

How Else Can I Protect Myself?

In addition to a proper sunscreen, finding other means to protect yourself from harsh UV rays is important. Sun protection can be easy when you’re prepared.  If going to the beach, try bringing a sun umbrella or tent.  Escaping from the sun to some cool shade will make the day more enjoyable and the kids will thank you while eating their lunch.  If you like to

50+UPF Sunny Sleevez

exercise outdoors with activities like jogging or hiking, sun protection clothing can greatly reduce your risk of sunburn and cut down on sunscreen applications during your workout.

When it comes to sun protection it’s best to be proactive and prepared.

What’s your favorite sunscreen?

Bike to Work Week is May 13-17 and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17.

People ride bikes for lots of different reasons.

Here are the top five reasons why you should be out there too.

1. For Your Body

Riding a bike offers many health benefits. Here are just a few:

• increased cardiovascular fitness
• increased strength
• increased balance and flexibility
• increased endurance and stamina
• increased calories burned

It can be done by people of all ages, from kids to seniors. Cycling is much lower impact on your joints and customized bikes allow for a variety of disabilities.

2. For Your Inner Well Being

Riding a bike is a proven stress reducer. Whether you are riding for pleasure or as a mode of transportation, you will arrive at your destination feeling relaxed, energized and happier.

3. For Your Community

Being out on your bike is good for the environment. You get where you want to go without adding another vehicle on the road and bikes take up almost no room to park.

You can feel good about yourself for not contributing to noise & exhaust pollution and no gas consumed.

Did you know the energy and materials used to manufacture one automobile could be used to create a hundred bikes!

4. For Convenience

There is an undeniable convenience factor you’ll discover when riding a bike. Front row parking spaces are guaranteed no matter where you go. Traffic jams are also irrelevant.

Though cars will certainly make better time on long trips, you’ll find for many short trips or through heavy traffic, you can travel just as fast or faster on your bike.

Have you ever been to a massive festival or concert in a park somewhere, the type of event that draws so many people that just getting there is a problem? Going in on a bike is a perfect solution. Zip in, zip out.  No getting there hours in advance to get a parking spot or else face parking miles away from the event. And you won’t have to wait hours in traffic to get out once it’s over.

5. For Your Wallet

It costs between 20 and 35 cents per mile to operate a car, depending on the vehicle. This is based on expenses like gas, oil, maintenance, etc., which increases the more you drive and doesn’t include the hidden costs of vehicle ownership like depreciation, taxes, and insurance. These factors make the actual per mile cost to operate a car much higher.

When you start multiplying cost per mile to operate a car (don’t forget to throw in the price of parking & tolls) you can easily calculate how much money you save by riding a bike.

Bike Week L.A.

Angelinos are being encouraged to dust off their bikes this week and pedal to work and other places.

In LA there are events will being held throughout the week to encourage people to ride their bikes, including an interfaith Blessing of the Bicycles at the Good Samaritan Hospital that took place on Tuesday and “Urban Expedition” guided bike rides on Wednesday that are intended to introduce new and veteran bicyclists to iconic destinations they may not visit on their own.

Thursday has been dubbed Bike to Work Thursday, and Metro, Metrolink, and other municipal

Transit providers will offer free rides to people with bicycles or bicycle helmets.

Several pit stops will be set up across the county so bicyclists can receive refreshments and free giveaways.

Free bike maps detailing more than 1,200 miles of bike paths, bikeways and bike lanes in the county may be downloaded at metro.net/bikes, or by calling the Metro Customer Center at 213-922-2811.

On Friday, Metro partners will offer discounts to bicyclists who mention “Bike Week” at more than 60 retailers and venues.

To date, Metro has invested almost $200 million in bike facilities and programs in recent years, including putting bike racks on its expanding network of bus and rail services.

For more information on May 16′s Bike to Work Day, visit http://www.metro.net/bikes/bike-week/bike-work

Dirty Dozen

• Apples
• Grapes
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Imported Nectarines
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Celery
• Spinach
• Hot Peppers
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Potatoes
• Cucumber

You may be asking yourself what you can do to make sure your family doesn’t bite down on pesticide infused foods; the first step you can take is trying out only organically grown fruits and veggies. Sure the price is a bit higher but certainly worth it when you consider some of the health risks of pesticides.  Some of these side effects may include disruption of hormones, brain/nervous system toxicity, cancer and eye, lung and skin irritation.  Some studies have shown that even if you scrub clean or peel these fruits and veggies pesticides still come up. The reason for this is because most farms, even one’s that no longer spray pesticides will have residual amounts left in the soil, most likely these farms will not be able to completely rid their crops of pesticides.

The EWG suggests that thorough washing can get rid of some pesticides on the surface (see below) and remove peel where possible which will at least reduce exposure. The best way to avoid this is by switching to organic, at least for items on this list! The way I remember these Dirty Dozen is to tape it on the fridge and when I’m making my shopping list I just jot down organic next to it for quick reference, I also have the EWG app which is super helpful.

A cheap and easy way you can drastically reduce your exposure to pesticides and bacteria found on produce is with a thorough vinegar and water wash.  Experts found that a white vinegar and water wash kills 98% of bacteria and removes pesticides.

You can concoct your own vinegar/water mixture at home to save money.  You’ll probably spend less than 20 cents  to make a homemade vinegar and water rinse, compared to around $4 for a premade produce wash.

Fill a bowl with water and add 1/8 to 1/2 cup of vinegar, depending on the size of your bowl.

• Place your fruits and veggies in the bowl.
• Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse with water.

Do you typically shop for Organic foods?

Rock Haven Sculpture Joshua Tree airbnb

Traveling with your kids can be tough, let’s face it hours spent traipsing through airports, long car trips and grumpy kids can get a little overwhelming!  After a long journey we would arrive at our destination only to find that staying in hotels with children wasn’t much fun either. Confined in 1 room they would be bouncing off the walls and the alternative was just vegging in front of the TV. If we wanted any adult time we’d have to wait till the kiddo’s fell asleep, which was often late at night which not only meant we were sitting in the dark trying to get them to sleep for hours but in the morning they were exhausted and grumpy.

Often we’d resort to the divide and conquer method.  I love to read so my husband would take over while I snuck in some reading in the over lit bathroom and after a few chapters I’d come and take over so he could go wet his whistle with a nightcap down at the hotel bar. I would have much rather had a great evening with him together but with kids waking up it just wasn’t possible. It certainly wasn’t the ideal vacation.

If your kids are anything like mine, they have bigger eyes then stomachs.  The hotel would feature menu items full of sugary pancakes, cinnamon rolls and French toast which my kids automatically wanted and I would unwillingly allow.  High hotel prices and lots of leftovers led to hyper kids and a big ding in my wallet! Needless to say with the lack of nutritious foods my kids were naturally hungry an hour later.

Returning from many failed vacation attempts I began looking for a more suitable way to take a trip with my family and actually enjoy it.  The answer I found has been Airbnb and  Vrbo which will allow your family to stay in someone else’s house,  with  a wide variety of options ranging from just a bedroom in someone’s home to an entire house to yourself.

Table Art Joshua Tree Airbnb

For a quick overnight we love AirBnB which is more of a Bed and Breakfast and the owner is usually present it also includes a light breakfast which means no waiting to eat in the morning and works so much better for our children. Coffee, cereal, fruit & pastries are fairly standard; we have also had some amazing experiences where we’ve been treated to a slap up cooked breakfast too!

Vrbo (Vacation rental By Owner) is great for longer stays when we want to spread out as it typically offers an empty apartment, condo or house.

It’s like being in your own home but in a beautiful location! Here we could cook our own meals, saving us lots of money & often owners will also leave addition items for use such as books, board games, DVDs and even beach chairs or coolers that can be used during our stay.

Finally the kids can play and sleep on their own, while we enjoy the patio and a nice glass of something.  Now this is a vacation!

rock haven joshua tree airbnb

I always read reviews of any accommodation we are considering, interestingly not only do guests leave reviews of their vacation experience but also hosts can actually review guests as well.  A surprising notion but a great idea, finding out how my family and I faired was a cool and it’s helped us secure future accommodations!

*HINT – At times when I haven’t been able to find available accommodation listed for 4 people, I have searched instead for 3 person availability, and then emailed the owner explaining we have 2 kids who are happy to sleep on the floor etc and have found they are often happy to take the addition little one.

Have you used these sites?  Have you been happy?  Do you have any other sites to recommend?  I would love to hear your story, tell us about it!

Easy Shade for A Quick Cool Down

Cooling Off

If your pups are anything like mine, putting a halt on play time stinks!  I came up with a play area that I can set up either under a large beach umbrella or a shade tent. I create my own shade with a lightweight UV blanket designed for babies that has stretchy ties on the four corners which I tie between either 2 beach chairs or from the back of one chair to a tree. I put things like cold water, food and some Kong toys filled with peanut butter to ensure once they get a sniff they will stay under the shade for a longer period of time making cool down time still fun.  I also check for signs of sunburn or any kind of overheating.

Sunscreen for Pets

At first I had no idea this stuff existed, but when my poor little Japanese Chin burned his little ears I went searching for pet friendly sunscreens.  I was shocked to see so many great products were out there that help pets stay safe from harsh UV rays.  I found a brand called Epi-Pet and it works great, I simply rub some on his ears, nose, belly, forehead and any areas that will be in direct sunlight. I make sure it’s all absorbed before I let him run off just to make sure he won’t lick it off.

I take additional steps as well, since I live in an area where the sun can be harsh I never take my dogs out between 10am-3pm,  I find that they enjoy the morning or early evening weather better and are less prone to wearing out or getting overheated.  I also try not to trim their hair too short, shaving them makes it easier to get sunburns and it causes them to itch. When I do take them out I make sure that all areas are covered with a non-toxic sunscreen and I have my sunshade, treats and water in hand. Once I find a good area I usually set up and allow them to see everything laid out, this way, when I call them back they will come running without much fuss.  My dogs love the outdoors so finding ways to let them play while still proving adequate shade, sun protection and overall safety is a good feeling!

Do you have a great idea for protecting your pet from the sun? We would love to hear your stories, tell us about it!

Sarah Shade (Guest Blogger)

Sarah Shade is a long time writer that brings tips, education, and the latest trends in all things heath, fitness, technology & green living. She lives in Sterling and is mommy to Mikey and Foxy the BEST dogs on the face of the earth!

Showing your little one’s how to recycle is a great way to make a big impact in their future, and it’s not just recycling cans, paper or plastic anymore either.  Left over scrapes from dinner can become an interesting project that will allow them to see how never wasting food can help them actually create more food!  Creating rich soil with compost show’s your children that everything is reusable.  The best part is, when the compost is ready they will have a great time helping you spread the compost all over the garden.

Composting doesn’t have to be complicated or hard work. Although all the instructions on how to compost will advise  you to ‘turn’ the compost often I’m just too busy instead so my suggestion is the “Slack Gardener Method” which involves filling 2 bins alternately. When the first is full-ish I give it a good soaking with the hose then leave it to work it’s magic whilst we dump all our leftovers in the second. It only takes a couple of months for the stuff at the bottom to start breaking down so I harvest that as needed (I use the type of bin with the door at the bottom), by the time I have used up the first bin, bin 2 is just about cooked and ready to use.

*Bonus the kids love watching all the bugs, worms and roly-polies that quickly make our compost bin their home and do such a fantastic job breaking down everything from egg shells to vacuum dust and dryer lint!

**To save $ check to see if you local department of sanitation do compost workshops. I got both of our bins through LA Sanitation, they do monthly composting workshops, give away FREE mulch and sell bins at a BIG discount.

Fabric bags can also be a great way to organize toys and other odds and ends that don’t have a place

To find more creative ways to design these reusable bags click here:  http://crafts.kaboose.com/canvas-grocery-tote.html

Plastic bag facts

• Approx. 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per US resident, per year.
• An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.
• Only 1 to 2% of plastic bags in the USA end up getting recycled.
• Plastic bags are often mistakenly ingested by animals, clogging their intestines which results in death by starvation. Other animals or birds become entangled in plastic bags and drown or can’t fly as a result.
• Even when they photo-degrade in landfill, the plastic from single-use bags never goes away, and toxic particles can enter the food chain when they are ingested by unsuspecting animals.

Reblogged from Health:

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Here in the UK we have a love hate relationship with the weather but finally it seems that the sun is putting its hat on and making an appearance. After months of rain, sleet, hail, snow and freezing temperatures spring is making it long awaited entrance. The days are longer and filled (mostly) with sun shine and the temperatures are soaring into double figures, a cause for much celebration.

Read more… 775 more words

When preparing for a beautiful summer hike most likely you’ll have sunscreen and insect repellent in your handy backpack or a combination cream including both ingredients.

Any time we can reduce the number of items we need to bring along we get excited but with 2 in 1 sunscreen and insect repellent, is it safe to use?

All sunscreens  requires you to re-apply frequently at least every 2 hours , sunscreen combined with insect repellent poses an issue because you’re reapplying not only the sunscreen but the repellent as well which can lead to skin irritation or rash.

Depending on how sensitive your skin is this can be a real issue.  It’s best to use separate products if you plan on going out into the sun.

Sunscreen should be used to protect your skin from harmful rays and insect repellent should be used only if you’re going to an area known for high insect activity especially ticks & mosquitoes.  If you do decide to use a combination cream carefully read and follow the manufactures directions.  Applying too much or not enough could make for an unpleasant day outdoors.

Though combination sunscreen and repellent products have not been shown to be harmful there can be some unpleasant side effects for those with sensitive skin.  Make sure you test any product first to see how your skin will react.

Wearing lightweight, breathable clothing that blocks both UV rays and protects skin from insects gives you reliable chemical free protection. You may still need to apply insect repellant to the outside of your clothing in some areas but the clothing acts as a barrier keeping toxic chemicals off your skin and leaving smaller areas of skin exposed and in need of sunscreen.

Have you found a combination sunscreen/insect repellent that works for you? 

When I first mentioned this healthy snack to my children I did not receive the reaction I had hoped for, a wrinkling of noses and the assertion that they would “never, ever, not-never “ eat anything containing the “scustulous zucchini”.

As a mother I try to incorporate healthy ways to give my children their daily dose of vegetables and make it pleasing to the palate but when we are out and about  it can be particularly challenging.

When I came up with this recipe I already knew my kids would not take to it right away but I also knew that once I started baking these delicious yet healthy cookies their curiosity would soon take over, I was right!  The overwhelming and delicious aroma of cinnamon and raisins enticed the smallest of my children first, then her older brother agreed to try “just a bite”.

Later that day I caught him sneaking more and the first dozen didn’t make through one day!

Happily  we all enjoy these cookies now and it’s a great way to fit a full half day of vegetables which is amazing & makes a welcome change from sandwiches for a day of hiking or at the beach.

With only three cookies they receive an abundant amount of vegetables while enjoying the sweet tastes of cinnamon, raisins and sugar.  If you’re looking for something to help you get your little ones to eat more vegetables try this recipe, they are irresistible!

Here Is What You Need:

• 3/4 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

*NOTE I also add a couple of handful of walnuts for extra protein and Omega 3 & replace a couple of ounces of flour with ground flax

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream margarine and sugar in a large bowl.
3. Add egg and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
4. Mix shredded zucchini and carrots.
5. Combine remaining ingredients in a separate bowl.
6. Add these dry ingredients to the large bowl, stirring until well combined.
7. Drop teaspoons of dough approximately 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake 10-12 minutes.

The best part about this recipe is you can over time start to dwindle down the amount of sugar making this an even healthier snack, by simply sprinkling some sugar on top of the cookies before you bake them the first initial taste your children will notice is sugar.  Cutting the sugar back in the recipe shouldn’t be noticeable to your kids so try it out, you may find that they like it just as much as the last batch.

***Sorry the cookies didn’t last long enough to photograph!

I did a batch of muffins though that went down equally well and travel even better

Zucchini-Raisin Muffins
Makes one dozen

This is one of our favorite instead-of-a-sandwich muffins. If you won’t be using the whole batch within a couple of days, pop some in the freezer for later use.

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup natural granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup organic vanilla low-fat yogurt or soy yogurt
• 2 tablespoons light vegetable oil
• 1 cup firmly packed grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine the first 6 (dry) ingredients in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yogurt and oil. Stir together until smoothly combined. Stir in the zucchini, raisins, and optional walnuts.

Divide the batter between 12 muffin tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a small knife inserted in the center of a muffin tests clean. Cool on a rack. Wrap well in plastic wrap to send in a lunch box.

Do you have any healthy sweet snacks full of vegetables you like to make your kids? Tell us about it!