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Summer Fashion / Women 40+

eaadmin — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 04:11:40 +0000

By Erin Busbee

AAs a Wardrobe Stylist, I am always trying to look my best. But, with this impending, milestone birthday, I’m scrutinizing my style in a way I’ve never done before. Gone are the days of throwing anything ‘cute’ on and running out the door. When you are 40, you have to think about pieces being appropriate for your age.

Many of you are probably right there with me. I know my clients are continually facing the same challenge. Asking me if it’s okay to wear shorts (depends), mini-skirts (not really), message T’s (never), capri pants (nope), Bermuda shorts (if they’re fitted)… and so on and so on.

There are exceptions to every rule. Some of you hot, 40-year-old babes, will be able to wear whatever you want. But, most of us need guidance. For those who aren’t sure, I’m breaking it all down… just in time for summer!

DRESSES

Let’s start with dresses. Dresses are a no brainer in a couple of ways. They are easy. You don’t have to worry about what to wear with them, like you do with separates. And, they keep you cooler in the hot summer heat. They also generally offer more length and coverage than shorts.

SLEEVELESS: With sleeveless dresses, you can add a blouse underneath to give you arm coverage. Or simply put a blazer or cardigan over your dress.

OFFICE LENGTH: For work, the fail safe length for your skirts and dresses should be what I call in, “The Knee Zone!” That is; two inches above the center of your knee or two inches below.

CASUAL LENGTH: For casual outings or running errands, make sure your dresses pass the fingertip test. Hold your arms pressed against your sides, and make sure the hemline of your skirt or dress is at least as long as your middle finger. Yes, I know some of you have freakishly long arms. Feel free to give yourself an inch or two. You may also want to sit in your dress to make sure when seated, you are comfortable with everything that shows.

PANTS & JEANS

Even though it gets extraordinarily hot here in the summer, pants and jeans are still a fashionable and functional option, especially in lightweight, breathable fabrics.

SKINNY JEANS: Many women wonder whether skinny jeans are too young. The answer is absolutely not. I would just balance the tight fitting pants with something more voluminous on top. You should also consider the length of your top. A longer top works well to minimize typical problem areas like bigger hips and thighs.

WHITE OR LIGHT SKINNY JEANS: Wearing white or light skinny jeans is a little trickier. The light color is less flattering. It’s best to opt for white jeans rather than cotton pants, because the thickness of the denim will hide lumps and bumps. If you are bigger on the bottom, I would avoid white or light colored jeans/pants. But, if you are smaller on the bottom, the lighter color will make you look more proportionate. White paired with a bright color is so fresh for summer!

CAPRIS: Capris are the pants that hit mid-calf and are traditionally straight leg. In my opinion, they look dated and cut you off, making you look shorter and wider. Opt instead for an ankle pant that is tapered or fitted through the leg and ends in “The Ankle Zone,” that is, at or up to a few inches above your anklebone.

CROPPED ANKLE PANTS/JEANS: Say hello to the new, more modern “capri.” The cigarette or ankle pant is chic while still keeping you cool in the hot summer months. Look for breathable fabrics. These pants will still shorten your legs. To give yourself some added length, choose wedges or heels.

MAXI DRESSES & SKIRTS

Maxi dresses are perfect for vacations, the beach, pool parties and running errands.

They can be age appropriate, but the style is not for everyone. They are usually quite bohemian. You can find classic prints and versions, but if you have trouble buying one because it just doesn’t feel right, again, the maxi is probably not your style.

The maxi dress covers your lower half completely, so you can be a bit more daring with what you show on top.

FASHION TRENDS

Another common question I am asked, “Is it okay to wear trendy things at my age?” My rule of thumb with fashion trends is similar to my philosophy about life, everything in moderation!

Pick ONE trend and ONE piece. Keep everything else quiet. For example, you can add a pop of color and interest to your look by carrying a trendy, printed handbag.

SHORTS

Clients are always asking me about shorts. Can I wear shorts? How long should they be? Let me start by saying, not everyone over 40 should be wearing shorts. If your legs are not looking good, then I would skip shorts or wear longer shorts. If you DO decide to wear shorts, the length is essential.

LENGTH: Make sure your shorts pass the fingertip test (see above). I’m petite (5’4″), so shorter shorts (around 3 to 4 inch inseam) work best on me. If you are taller, or want more coverage, you can opt for slightly longer shorts (5 inch+ inseam.) If you want to look longer and skinnier, wear neutral colored wedges or heels to elongate your legs.

“WALKING or BERMUDA SHORTS:. These are the shorts that hit one to three inches above your knee. These are fine to wear, just make sure they are slim-fitting or tapered. Also, they will cut your legs in half, so wedges would give you some added height.

WHAT TO WEAR WITH SHORTS: Remember, if you are wearing shorts out in public (versus just kicking around house or privately with your family) you should also aim to keep your upper body slightly more covered. I love paper-thin cotton, button up shirts with my shorts. They give me coverage, without adding warmth. You can also try short-sleeve or 3/4 sleeve tops. For a dressier look, DO try a blazer with your shorts. It is an unexpected and modern look for evening.

I always look for shorts in really great fabrics like, thick cotton, silk, or leather. The more luxurious the fabric, the most sophisticated the shorts. I also find shorts that are a bit roomy around my thighs, which makes your legs look smaller. If they are too tight around your legs, it will have the opposite effect.

Style questions? Email Erin: Erin@BusbeeStyle.com

Special thanks to DAISY PEARL BOUTIQUE IN BOERNE for providing all of the clothing and accessories for these 40+ fashions!

Cooking with Zest

eaadmin — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 03:55:16 +0000

WWhat is zest?

The zest of a citrus fruit is the thin, brightly colored skin of the citrus peel. Under the peel is the bitter-tasting white pith and under the pith is the pulp of the fruit. Zest contains the flavorful and aromatic oils of the fruit’s skin which has intense flavor and is used to season food.

The zest of citrus fruit yields a more complex flavor than the juice and pulp of the fruit. Whether grated or cut into strips, the zest of a lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit may be used to brighten and enhance the flavor of all kinds of dishes — sweet and savory — such as cakes, muffins, salad dressings, vegetable and rice dishes, marinades and sauces.

In sweet dishes, zest may be added to give floral and tangy tones to fresh berry fillings, fruit compotes, custards, and creamy frostings. Zest mellows when baked, making it an excellent addition to cakes, muffins and cookies. In savory dishes, a sprinkle of grated zest can brighten soups and stews, perk up a salad, and add zip to stir-fried dishes and sauteed vegetable.

Health Benefits Related to Consuming Citrus Peel or Zest

<> Citrus peel provides protection against a variety of cancers…

Citrus peel provides cancer-protecting activity against a variety of cancers. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit peel are loaded with d-limonene. d-Limonene comprises more than 90% of the oil found in citrus peel and studies have demonstrated that it not only reduces the incidence and size of tumors at several sites, but also the growth of various tumor cells.

A recent study concluded that consuming citrus peel can reduce the risk of skin cancer by 30%. When citrus peel is consumed with hot black tea (by sprinkling 1 teaspoon of zest into a cup of tea), the risk of skin cancer is reduced by more than 70%.

As little as 1 tablespoon of citrus peel per week is enough to make a significant difference in protecting against skin cancer. This may easily be accomplished by adding zest to beverages, soups, salads, salsas or sprinkled over chicken or fish dishes.

<> Citrus peel lowers incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases…

It has been shown that people living in the Mediterranean, where large amounts of citrus fruits are consumed, have the lowest incidence rates for cardiovascular diseases and most tumors associated with diet. A common beverage of the region is Mediterranean-style lemonade which is prepared by simply adding grated lemon zest into a glass of lemonade. In addition to adding the health benefits of d-limonene, the citrus peel adds a burst of extra lemon flavor.

<> Portions of citrus fruit differ in health boosting substances…

The two main differences between the health boosting content of citrus peel and the content of citrus juice with pulp are that:
(1) the peel contains a higher concentration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and
2) the peel also contains higher concentrations of d-limonene.

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How to Zest Citrus Fruit
There are several ways to remove the outer layer of citrus.

<> Using a Box Grater

One way of zesting is to grate the citrus peel with a standard box grater or flat grater. This method is probably the quickest way to zest, but is also the most wasteful. It is a less desirable method, too, because the grating motion will cause a large amount of juice to be forced out of the zest, thereby lessening the zest’s aromatic taste.

1. When using a box grater to zest, hold the citrus firmly in one hand and grate the zest off as you would grate cheese, using the side with the largest holes.

2. Grate the peel off the fruit over a bowl or a piece of waxed paper to catch it.

3. To avoid losing much of your zest in the box grater, first cover the fine grate side with a piece of plastic wrap, then grate.

4. Use a dry pastry brush or fingertips to remove any zest that clings to the grater.

5. When grating the zest, be sure to grate only the colored part of the peel; avoid grating into the bitter white pith underneath.

<> Using a Paring Knife or Vegetable Peeler

You may also use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove strips of peel.

1. Remove the peel from fruit with a knife or vegetable peeler. When using a vegetable peeler, do not press hard into the fruit to avoid removing any pith with the peel.

2. Scrape away any pith that might have been removed with the peel.

3. Slice peel into thin strips and/or chop into small pieces.

<> Using a Zester or Stripper

Zester – Traditional zesters are small handheld tools with a metal end that has 4 or 5 small, sharp edged holes in it, perfectly angled to work the proper depth of a citrus peel.

Stripper – A citrus stripper has a notched, stainless steel edge. It cuts 1/4-inch-wide strips of peel.

1. Press firmly and draw the zester or stripper down along the skin of the fruit.

2. Use short strokes for small pieces or draw it all around the fruit to make long strands.

<> Using a Microplane

The microplane zester shreds tiny, uniform pieces of peel faster and with less pressure than a regular grater or citrus zester. It may also be used for grating nutmeg and garlic, as well as creating fine shreds of chocolate or ginger. The microplane may be used to grate zest by either of the following techniques:

(1) Turn the microplane upside down so the teeth face down with the fruit underneath. Holding the fruit still, move the microplane back and forth so it shaves the peel. The shavings will collect in the trough.

(2) Hold the microplane over a piece of waxed paper with the fruit on top, grater side up beneath it, and let the peels fall below.

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Approximate Zest Yield Per Fruit… (Not all citrus is created equal.)

Lemon – One average lemon will yield approximately 1 tablespoon of zest. Lemons are the most popular citrus fruit used for zesting.

Orange – One large orange will yield approximately 2 tablespoons of zest. The zest from tangerines and blood oranges offers exquisitely flowery aromas.

Lime – The yield of a lime is hard to predict because the thickness of the skin varies considerably. Key limes, because of their thin skins, do not zest well — use a regular lime, instead. Lime zest loses some of its ‘zestfulness’ when cooked.

Grapefruit – One grapefruit may yield 2 to 4 tablespoons of zest depending on size. Grapefruit yields a wonderfully complex and flavorful zest.

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Zesting Tips

<> Look for firm fruit with skin that is clear of soft spots. A vividly colored peel usually (but not always) indicates a flavorful zest.

<> The more fragrant a fruit – the more flavorful the zest. When selecting fruit, scratch the peel to release some of the volatile oils in the skin. It should yield a wonderful bouquet. Avoid any fruit that has dull aroma.

<> The most desirable fruit for zesting is one that is thick skinned and pebbly-textured (not smooth).

<> Always wash and dry citrus fruit carefully before zesting.

<> If the zester skims the fruit without grabbing the skin, it has probably been coated with wax. (Citrus is often coated with an edible wax to maintain freshness.) To remove the wax, scrub the citrus briefly under warm water.

<> The volatile oils are strongest immediately after zesting; always zest just prior to use if possible.

<> It is much easier to zest a whole fruit than one that has been cut. If using both the zest and juice of a fruit in a recipe, zest before juicing.

<> Zest any citrus fruit that you are using in a recipe — even if you will not be using the zest right away. The zest may be frozen for up to 6 months for later use.

<> Consider adding a bit of zest when preparing any recipe that calls for citrus juice only. The zest’s visual and textural presence will enhance the dish.

Add a little zest to your cooking…

Good quality citrus zesters, strippers and microplanes are valuable kitchen tools and certainly worth the price of purchase — usually costing around ten dollars each. They may be found in local kitchenware stores or can be ordered from numerous online sources.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what zest is, how to harvest it, and how to season foods with this fabulous flavoring, begin experimenting with freshly prepared zest to discover your own uses and preferences for this amazingly versatile seasoning.

About the author: Janice Faulk Duplantis, author and publisher, currently maintains a website that focuses on both Easy Gourmet and French/Cajun Cuisine. Visit Bedrock Press at: http://www.bedrockpress.com to see all it has to offer. In addition to writing syndicated culinary articles, Janice publishes 4 free monthly ezines: Gourmet Bytes, Lagniappe Recipe, Favorite Recipes and Cooking 101. Visithttp://www.bedrockpress.com/subscribe.html to subscribe.

– See more at: http://alafare.com/cooking-with-zest/

Good Health is a Choice

eaadmin — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 04:14:08 +0000

by ASHLEY STONE

AAll disease stems from a cellular malfunction that often compounds over time degenerating body systems. With few exceptions, dysfunction in the body and disease do not appear overnight. There are often subtle signs that have been over looked or not diagnosed correctly and yet are clear indications of loss of health. The fact is that with each passing day, we may lose some of our health potential. The pace at which this happens is set by influences from our daily choices.

Understanding the main causes of cellular malfunction, helps us make lifestyle choices that promote restoration of the body creating a life of health and vitality. The main causes of dysfunction and disease can be categorized into three main groups:

• Deficiency
• Injury
• Toxicity

Let’s examine these categories:

DEFICIENCY
Dysfunction and disease are a direct result of the following deficiencies:

• Nutrients
• Emotional and physical rest
• Fresh air and sunlight
• Love and purposeful living

Nutrients
To be optimally healthy, our cells require a steady supply of the following organic micronutrients: vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water, phytonutrients, and essential oils. Phytonutrients are organic components of plants necessary to have and sustain optimum health. Examples of phytonutrients are carotenoids (found in carrots and spinach), flavonoids (found in citrus), insoles (found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower). Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile aromatic compounds. They are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications.
Our cells require energy (calories) to carry out everyday metabolic function. These calories are obtained by burning one of the following: carbohydrates, fat and protein. The best way to nourish our cells, prevent disease, and premature aging is to eat organic nutrient dense foods that are high in micronutrients. If you want extra insurance against nutritional deficiencies, augment your diet with organic whole food supplements. Choosing to eat highly processed food may fill you up but they do not give the body the required nutrients needed to function properly and they ultimately stress the body into a diseased state. Choose wisely because your food becomes your cells, tissues and organs. You literally are what you eat.

Emotional and physical rest
Adequate emotional rest is necessary to easy the mind and nervous system from the stress of our modern life style. Take time to tone the autonomic nervous system by doing activities that help you feel calm. Daily activities such as earthing, journaling, meditation, or prayer are essential for getting and staying well. Use essential oil like bergamot (self acceptance), geranium (love and trust) and basil (renewal) to remain balanced.

Adequate physical rest will rejuvenate and restore the endocrine system. A restful night of sleep is critical in preventing premature aging and cellular dysfunction that result in disease. Be mindful of how you spend your time prior to going to sleep. Research shows that stimulating activities like watching TV and looking at an iPad make it harder to fall asleep and may even be detrimental to your health. If you struggle with a good night sleep try using vetiver, lavender or cedarwood or a combination of them together.

Fresh Air and sunlight
Tremendous research shows that our body needs Vitamin D sourced from the sun to support major organ systems, including our cardiovascular, immune, nervous and skeletal systems. Exposing the skin to sunlight without getting burned 10-15 minutes daily is needed. If you think about it, up until recent times, most human activity ensured this. Our modern life style, school and work schedule greatly interfere with adequate sun and fresh air intake. Be conscious of this fundamental need for these things and take steps to do activities that help you. For instance, walk your dog. It will be good for the both of you!

Love and purposeful living
Consistently feeling cared for and loved is essential to our emotional and physical well-being. Positive emotions motivate us to make better lifestyle choices and have a direct effect on our bodies, giving us better cardiovascular function, stronger immune systems and a longer expectancy of life. Research studies show that closeness to other people is good for your health. Rediscover your inner source of peace, joy and well-being by learning how to communicate in ways that enhance intimacy with loved ones. Search for ways to create a healthy community of friends and loved ones fostering an experience directly transcending the interconnectedness of life. The idea is to feel gratified through our life experiences and efforts to be kind and helpful to people. We can use essential oils to enhance our knowing of life purpose: Frankincense (truth), Roman Chamomile (spiritual purpose), lime (zest for life).

INJURY

There are four main types of injury that contribute to cellular malfunction:
• Cellular Damage from Toxic Foods
• Repetitive or Gross Stress Injury
• Emotional Injury
• Electromagnetic Injury
• Viral Infection

Cellular Damage from Toxic Foods:
Heavily adulterate foods and food-like chemicals are capable of causing direct harm to our cells. Other highly processed foods cause indirect injury to our cells by deteriorating the health of our blood vessels and major organs.
Some of the worst offenders:
• Sugar laden drinks and snacks
• Artificial additives like aspartame and MSG
• Polyunsaturated fats like margarine or shortening
• Nitrates found in highly processed meats like bacon, hotdogs, lunch meat and sausages

Repetitive Stress Injury
Repetitive stress is injury to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression, or sustained or awkward positions. The best way to avoid repetitive stress injury is to be comfortable when performing activities that require the same repetitive action, position or motion for long periods of time. Examples of repetitive stress include carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from having an over extended wrist while typing, carrying a purse or back pack on one shoulder, golfer’s elbow, and trigger finger. Effective ways to avoid injury are managing the environment to avoid exposure to the same task contributing to stress and taking time-outs to stretch often.

Gross Stress Injury
A gross physical injury is an obvious cause of dysfunction. A strained back or sprained ankle may result in scar tissue formation and joint dysfunction resulting in problems with flexibility and mobility. The best way to reduce long term injury is to properly stretch and condition post injury.

You can use essential oils to support repair of damage to an injured area. Some oils to consider: wintergreen (pain), marjoram (muscle), lemongrass (ligaments), oregano (pain), cypress, (circulation) frankincense (inflammation) & helicrysum (nerves).

Emotional Injury
Chronic emotional stress creates cellular damage resulting in emotional injury. This category is not given the attention it deserves and is directly correlated to disease and dysfunction. Our biography creates our biology; the story of our lives is coded in our cellular make up. Our emotional health is the most dominate factor of our overall health because it is the foundation from which all of our daily choices are made. When our body is under chronic stress it effects the equilibrium of the autonomic nervous system.

You can use essential oils to mitigate stress and emotions. Some oils to consider: All citrus oils (uplifing to the spirit) & lavender (stress), frankincense & peppermint (anxiety), bergamot & melissa (depression), cypress & juniper berry (fear).

Electromagnetic Injury
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported in 1990:
“In conclusion, several studies showing leukemia, lymphoma and cancer of the nervous system in children exposed to EMF’s, supported by similar findings in adults in several occupational studies also involving electrical power frequency exposure, show a consistent pattern of response that suggests a causal link.”
There is documented literature validating that X-rays, mammograms and other forms of ionizing radiation accelerate dysfunction and disease. Although, it is not practical to live off the grid completely, you can take steps to reduce exposure. The top 4 to avoid:
1. Cell phone use pressed up against the head
2. Living close to broadcasting antennas and cell phone towers
3. Working in a profession that involves being in close proximity to devises that emit ionizing radiation
4. Tanning beds

VIRAL INFECTION
Viral agent like herpes and Epstein Barr infect 90% of adults. Most people do not understand that a virus needs a host cell to live and reproduce. A virus inhabits cells that are compromised or weak. That is why people with a weak immune system get sick more often. Viral reproduction from herpes and Epstein Barr manifest into degenerative conditions like Alzheimers, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Shingles, Mononucleosis.

Although modern medicine would have you think that you cannot rid your body of a virus, science is proving differently. Studies at the Technical University of Munich reported that applications of Melissa essential oil caused a complete remission of Herpes. A single drop was applied directly on the area a few times a day to speed healing, and following this protocol was shown to prevent further outbreaks in a significant portion of study participants. Some studies claim that some essential oils have the ability to attack viruses inside of the host cell and even stimulate the immune system.

TOXICITY
There are two main types of toxicity that contribute to cellular dysfunction and disease:
• Exogenous Toxicity
• Endogenous Toxicity

Exogenous Toxicity
Chemical made outside of the body when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed into the blood stream can harm cells. Exogenous toxins are found in over-the-counter, prescriptions, recreational drugs, conventionally grown meat and produce, household cleansers, room deodorizers, and toiletries. It is impossible to completely avoid exogenous toxin but the amount can be mitigated with educated choices in what you purchase to consume. A great source to learn which products are safe is the Environmental Working Group where you can look up anything from buying safe sunscreen to food scores. You can help manage the toxic burden we experience daily by adding 3-5 drops of citrus essential to your water three times a day.

Endogenous Toxicity
The body is susceptible to endogenous toxins that are produced by microorganisms inside the digestive track. Some of these toxins travel through the intestinal walls and into the blood stream where they can access cells and contribute to toxic burden. The best way to minimize endotoxic burden is to eat fresh foods. Avoid processed foods which are high in sugar and bad fats ultimately contributing to an acidic environment in which microbes flourish. A good rule of thumb to follow: If bacteria won’t eat it neither should you.

Where do our genes fit into our risk of cellular malfunction that results in disease? Like our emotional health, our genes are the foundation that our daily life choices build up or tear down. Most genetic predispositions for specific health challenges like breast, colorectal, prostate cancer or endometriosis have genetic components that can stay dormant if we minimize our exposure to the major cause of cellular malfunction and If we consistently make health promoting choices.

Most of us won’t make it to 120 years of age, but understanding the main causes of cellular disease and dysfunction, staying emotionally balanced, and making healthy choices each day, we can have peace of mind knowing that we are maximizing our health potential.

Footnote: Use of essential oil for therapeutic purposes is only suggested with oils graded safe for internal consumption. They need to be free of fillers, additives and be sourced from plants tested to be safe for internal use. Anything less is perfume grade and will not have the same effect on the body.