Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Haiti - I'm Overwhelmed!!
Hi friends,
I want to do something for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, and I am reaching out to you for a few reasons:
1) I'm overwhelmed by the choices of which organization to donate to - any suggestions?
2) My company is matching all employees' donations, so that got me thinking:
If we can pool together a bunch of money for one organization, my company will match it and we'll double our impact.
Anyone interested in working on this with me?
I need to turn in my receipts to Human Resources by FRIDAY! So please respond if you have any feedback.
Some organizations that I'm considering (It needs to be an organization that will spend the money only on Haiti victims):
Partners in Health
Doctors without Borders
Unicef
Red Cross
Save the Children
Habitat for Humanity
any other ideas?
xoxo,
Steph
I want to do something for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, and I am reaching out to you for a few reasons:
1) I'm overwhelmed by the choices of which organization to donate to - any suggestions?
2) My company is matching all employees' donations, so that got me thinking:
If we can pool together a bunch of money for one organization, my company will match it and we'll double our impact.
Anyone interested in working on this with me?
I need to turn in my receipts to Human Resources by FRIDAY! So please respond if you have any feedback.
Some organizations that I'm considering (It needs to be an organization that will spend the money only on Haiti victims):
Partners in Health
Doctors without Borders
Unicef
Red Cross
Save the Children
Habitat for Humanity
any other ideas?
xoxo,
Steph
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A Woman Should Have...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a youth she’s content to leave behind….
a youth she’s content to leave behind….
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family…
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored…
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a feeling of control over her destiny.
a feeling of control over her destiny.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to fall in love without losing herself.
how to fall in love without losing herself.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship…
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect…but its over…
that her childhood may not have been perfect…but its over…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month…and a year…
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month…and a year…
This has been credited to Maya Angelou for years, but it's actually written by Pamela Redmond Satran.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Solve Skin Problems with These Dietary Changes
I just found this interesting article:
Solve Skin Problems with These Dietary Changes
As the adage goes, you are what you eat. Our skin is a reflection of our overall health. The good news is that you can overcome or manage many common skin disorders like acne, eczema, sensitivity and blotchiness by paying close attention to your diet.
Acne, Large Pores and Oily Skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin B6. This B vitamin helps regulate the skin’s sebaceous glands. Excellent sources include yellow fin tuna, salmon and bananas. Taking zinc supplements and eating foods rich in zinc (pumpkin seeds, red meat) can help calm the inflammation associated with severe acne.
Atopic Dermatitis
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin B complex, especially Biotin. Food sources of Biotin include bananas, eggs, oatmeal and rice.
Blotchy skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Zinc. Food sources of zinc are organic eggs, beef, pumpkin seeds. Try taking an additional 15-30mg. zinc supplement daily.
Broken Capillaries
Solution: Visible capillaries on the skin are more likely result of lifestyle and genetics than a nutritional deficiency. People prone to broken capillaries need adequate amounts of Vitamin C (from citrus fruits and supplements). When taken with Flavanoids, Vitamin C helps to strengthen the capillary walls. The flavanoid Pycnogenol supports the body’s vascular structure and keeps vaso-dilation in check.
Dry, Flaky Skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin A. This antioxidant is necessary for maintaining and repairing the skin’s tissue. Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin A.
Dull, Lifeless Hair
Possible nutritional deficiency : Selenium is found in foods like steel-cut oats, apples, honey, avocados, artichokes, sunflower seeds
Excessive Female Facial Hair
Possible problem : When women have more facial hair than normal, it’s usually due to a hormonal imbalance. Foods high on the Glycemic Index like white flour, bagels, muffins, pasta, bread and sugar can trigger hormonal problems and unwanted facial and body hair.
Solution : Follow a well-balanced, low carbohydrate diet.
Hives (Uticaria)
Hives are raised red blotches on the skin`s surface. They are usually the result of an allergy to food or medication and can cause itching and swelling. The most common food allergies are strawberries, citrus fruit, seafood, shellfish, nuts and peanuts.
Solution : Avoid foods that have caused hives or allergic reactions in the past.
Psoriasis
Possible nutritional deficiency : This unsightly skin rash is linked to low levels of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Food sources of EFAs include salmon and flaxseed oil. Consider adding fish oil or evening primrose supplements to your diet.
Rosacea
Any number of foods can trigger a flushing episode in a Rosacea sufferer. At some point, flushing gives way to bumps, pimples and papules that resemble acne. To control flushing, learn to recognize your food triggers— and avoid them.
Problematic foods often include : sugar, spicy dishes and hot soups. Some experts also suggest avoiding acidic beverages like coffee, tea and soda. Keep skin cool by drinking lots of water though out the day.
Solution : Some studies show that washing or spraying your face with mineral water can help reduce irritation and encourage the skin cells absorb the moisture.
Solve Skin Problems with These Dietary Changes
As the adage goes, you are what you eat. Our skin is a reflection of our overall health. The good news is that you can overcome or manage many common skin disorders like acne, eczema, sensitivity and blotchiness by paying close attention to your diet.
Acne, Large Pores and Oily Skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin B6. This B vitamin helps regulate the skin’s sebaceous glands. Excellent sources include yellow fin tuna, salmon and bananas. Taking zinc supplements and eating foods rich in zinc (pumpkin seeds, red meat) can help calm the inflammation associated with severe acne.
Atopic Dermatitis
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin B complex, especially Biotin. Food sources of Biotin include bananas, eggs, oatmeal and rice.
Blotchy skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Zinc. Food sources of zinc are organic eggs, beef, pumpkin seeds. Try taking an additional 15-30mg. zinc supplement daily.
Broken Capillaries
Solution: Visible capillaries on the skin are more likely result of lifestyle and genetics than a nutritional deficiency. People prone to broken capillaries need adequate amounts of Vitamin C (from citrus fruits and supplements). When taken with Flavanoids, Vitamin C helps to strengthen the capillary walls. The flavanoid Pycnogenol supports the body’s vascular structure and keeps vaso-dilation in check.
Dry, Flaky Skin
Possible nutritional deficiency : Vitamin A. This antioxidant is necessary for maintaining and repairing the skin’s tissue. Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin A.
Dull, Lifeless Hair
Possible nutritional deficiency : Selenium is found in foods like steel-cut oats, apples, honey, avocados, artichokes, sunflower seeds
Excessive Female Facial Hair
Possible problem : When women have more facial hair than normal, it’s usually due to a hormonal imbalance. Foods high on the Glycemic Index like white flour, bagels, muffins, pasta, bread and sugar can trigger hormonal problems and unwanted facial and body hair.
Solution : Follow a well-balanced, low carbohydrate diet.
Hives (Uticaria)
Hives are raised red blotches on the skin`s surface. They are usually the result of an allergy to food or medication and can cause itching and swelling. The most common food allergies are strawberries, citrus fruit, seafood, shellfish, nuts and peanuts.
Solution : Avoid foods that have caused hives or allergic reactions in the past.
Psoriasis
Possible nutritional deficiency : This unsightly skin rash is linked to low levels of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Food sources of EFAs include salmon and flaxseed oil. Consider adding fish oil or evening primrose supplements to your diet.
Rosacea
Any number of foods can trigger a flushing episode in a Rosacea sufferer. At some point, flushing gives way to bumps, pimples and papules that resemble acne. To control flushing, learn to recognize your food triggers— and avoid them.
Problematic foods often include : sugar, spicy dishes and hot soups. Some experts also suggest avoiding acidic beverages like coffee, tea and soda. Keep skin cool by drinking lots of water though out the day.
Solution : Some studies show that washing or spraying your face with mineral water can help reduce irritation and encourage the skin cells absorb the moisture.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Hey Ladies: Stop STRESSING OUT! Hints for Glowing Skin
I'm already performing facials and let me tell you, looking at skin up close is teaching me a lot. I've always been my own guinnea pig. Now I see how different everyone is and it's fascinating. But there's one thing that we all have in common: STRESS.
Women's skin has changed over the decades. We now have full time careers (often the breadwinners), while taking care of kids and partners, trying to be healthy and pretty, on top of dealing with traffic, debt, processed office air, crazy people on the street, crime, office politics, housekeeping and pollution. I'm getting stressed just thinking of the numerous ways that our daily lives are assaulted by ugly situations. And most women put themselves last on their list of priorities. Who has time for pampering? The skin shows it.
Stress takes it's toll in a variety of ways. First, we stop doing the things that are good for us: drinking lots of water, working out, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol, smoking or caffeine. Some nights, we collapse in to bed and the last thing we want to do is wash our faces and floss our teeth. I totally get it.
Well, this causes break-outs (stress and hormones cause congestion specifically around the chin area). Stress also causes dehydration, blotches, allergies, puffy eyes and (shriek!) wrinkles. So, the fight for equality has some pitfalls. Whatever. We're smart enough to look amazing while taking over the world, right?
So I have a few tasks that should help ease you in to getting prettier skin while kicking the world's ass:
1) Drink a lot of water, especially if you like to party!
2) THIS IS ONE IS CRUCIAL: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (no soap) for at least ONE FULL minute, every morning and night and follow with a good fragrance-free & dye-free moisturizer. Your face will get clean, and the massaging action stimulates circulation to get rid of a lifeless complexion. This also massages out those worry wrinkles - seriously. DO IT.
3) If you have acne or break-outs, BE GENTLE. People tend to attack their skin with harsh products to dry up the break-out quickly, over exfoliate and touch, pick and obsess over the pimples. Nobody's perfect, let the pimple run it's course or you will make it worse and possibly create a scar. Over-cleansing and scrubbing causes the skin to overreact and perpetuates the problem. A break-out is your skin saying "I need TLC, not punishment." Be patient, it has it's own schedule.
4) Take a multi-vitamin every day.
5) Take deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed.
6) Put yourself first every once in while. Scratch that. Put yourself first EVERY DAY, even if it's for only ten minutes while you wash your face and treat yourself with a little kindness. You deserve it.
Women's skin has changed over the decades. We now have full time careers (often the breadwinners), while taking care of kids and partners, trying to be healthy and pretty, on top of dealing with traffic, debt, processed office air, crazy people on the street, crime, office politics, housekeeping and pollution. I'm getting stressed just thinking of the numerous ways that our daily lives are assaulted by ugly situations. And most women put themselves last on their list of priorities. Who has time for pampering? The skin shows it.
Stress takes it's toll in a variety of ways. First, we stop doing the things that are good for us: drinking lots of water, working out, eating healthy, avoiding alcohol, smoking or caffeine. Some nights, we collapse in to bed and the last thing we want to do is wash our faces and floss our teeth. I totally get it.
Well, this causes break-outs (stress and hormones cause congestion specifically around the chin area). Stress also causes dehydration, blotches, allergies, puffy eyes and (shriek!) wrinkles. So, the fight for equality has some pitfalls. Whatever. We're smart enough to look amazing while taking over the world, right?
So I have a few tasks that should help ease you in to getting prettier skin while kicking the world's ass:
1) Drink a lot of water, especially if you like to party!
2) THIS IS ONE IS CRUCIAL: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (no soap) for at least ONE FULL minute, every morning and night and follow with a good fragrance-free & dye-free moisturizer. Your face will get clean, and the massaging action stimulates circulation to get rid of a lifeless complexion. This also massages out those worry wrinkles - seriously. DO IT.
3) If you have acne or break-outs, BE GENTLE. People tend to attack their skin with harsh products to dry up the break-out quickly, over exfoliate and touch, pick and obsess over the pimples. Nobody's perfect, let the pimple run it's course or you will make it worse and possibly create a scar. Over-cleansing and scrubbing causes the skin to overreact and perpetuates the problem. A break-out is your skin saying "I need TLC, not punishment." Be patient, it has it's own schedule.
4) Take a multi-vitamin every day.
5) Take deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed.
6) Put yourself first every once in while. Scratch that. Put yourself first EVERY DAY, even if it's for only ten minutes while you wash your face and treat yourself with a little kindness. You deserve it.
WOW! Esthetician School is Awesome but I'm BUSY!!
Hi everyone! I've been having so much fun going to school that I haven't had time for the Viva Bella Forte Blog. I'm not having fun working full time during the day, but the schedule isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Extra-curricular activities like blogging, partying, cooking, socializing, etc. are sacrificed, however.
The esthetician program is teaching me so much about skin care, I am pretty overwhelmed by all of the new information. It's humbling to realize how much I don't know. It's been really eye opening and exciting.
Taking a hobby to the next level is turning out to be a really good decision for me. The only regret is that I wish I would have done this a long time ago. Like, five to ten years ago. But, alas, I cannot live my life saying "I shoulda...". Now is the right time and I can't wait to get this party started!
I'm going to dedicate myself to one posting a week. Happy Holidays!
The esthetician program is teaching me so much about skin care, I am pretty overwhelmed by all of the new information. It's humbling to realize how much I don't know. It's been really eye opening and exciting.
Taking a hobby to the next level is turning out to be a really good decision for me. The only regret is that I wish I would have done this a long time ago. Like, five to ten years ago. But, alas, I cannot live my life saying "I shoulda...". Now is the right time and I can't wait to get this party started!
I'm going to dedicate myself to one posting a week. Happy Holidays!
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