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Surrounded by Silver – Image Shot By Chaz Photographics
Shot taken August 2nd, 2013
A Fungus Among Us
Tinea versicolor is a stubborn fungus which thrives on tanning beds due to the humidity and sweat which sit on their surfaces. If a bed is not cleaned properly, this fungus can multiply quickly once the tanning bed lights turn off. This fungal infection presents most commonly as small depigmented or white spots on the upper and mid back. Most people will complain that these white spots do not tan no matter how much they sit out in the sun or lie on the tanning bed. If they sweat a lot due to summer weather, this provides a perfect banquet for the fungus as it begins to feed off the sweat and multiply, worsening the condition.
Thankfully, there are a couple of over-the-counter agents which can be used to treat tinea versicolor. Several effective agents are clotrimazole, miconazole, or terbinafine, all of which are found in a number of athlete’s foot remedies. Another effective remedy is selenium sulfide, which is an agent used in dandruff shampoos. If you choose to use the cream, apply to the affected area three times daily until the condition resolves. If you opt for the shampoo, allow the substance to sit on your skin for ten minutes before rinsing off, and make sure to apply to the affected area twice daily. If the condition does not resolve after two weeks, seek the care of your primary care physician to obtain a prescription strength medication.
Chicken Skin On Your Arms?
Some of you may have small, raised bumps on your outer arms and backs of your legs which can be unsightly and difficult to treat. This condition, known as keratosis pilaris (KP), is caused by a buildup of keratin in hair follicles, resulting in these bumps. Regular moisturizers do little to correct this stubborn condition, and dry weather will aggravate it. This is a relatively common condition and one which I have treated frequently over the years, usually by recommending a moisturizer called KP Duty by DermaDoctor. KP Duty is quite effective in treating most cases of KP, but it is also pretty expensive at $36 for 4 ounces.
Luckily, there is a substance which is much cheaper and in many cases more effective than KP Duty in treating keratosis pilaris. What is this magic substance? Coconut oil. If you have never used coconut oil, you may be surprised to discover that it is solid at room temperature. When using it to treat the bumps on your skin, simply scoop up a solid chunk and it will liquefy once it is in the palm of your hand. You can then apply a thin layer to affected areas and allow to soak in for a couple of minutes. Apply one to two times per day until the condition resolves.
If you like using oil on your skin and hair and you don’t mind smelling a bit food-like, you can keep a container of coconut oil in your bathroom and use it both as a general skin moisturizer and as a moisturizing hair mask. One caveat: using coconut oil in the hair can get a bit messy, so be prepared to cover your hair with a shower cap and towel and allow to sit for 20 minutes for an intense moisture boost.
White Bikini Image Shot In July 2013 by LHGFX
Aspirin Masks For Oily Skin
Most of you have baby aspirin somewhere in your medicine cabinet but have not considered using it on your skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin and are not allergic to salicylic acid, you can make a mask which will leave your skin soft and will also calm down acne eruptions. You can either use one teaspoon of water, or you can use lemon juice. Add 4 to 6 baby aspirin tablets or three 325-milligram asprin tablets. Make sure to AVOID coated (aka enteric) aspirin because it will NOT easily dissolve or crush. Next, add about a tablespoon of honey and mix.
This mixture is then applied to the skin in an even layer. If you prefer to get some exfoliation, you can rub it into the skin using a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Allow this mixture to sit on the skin for about ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse off and apply your regular moisturizer. Do not be alarmed if your skin tingles after removing the mask. You can safely apply this mask to your skin one to two times a week.
You can’t beat the economical price of this mask, and it is easy to mix and apply. Many people who suffer from excessively oily skin and acne breakouts swear by this miracle concoction, so it is worth a try if you have similar issues with your skin.
Pack Your Meals!
Anyone who knows me well is aware of the fact that I am consistent about packing clean meals and toting them around with me throughout the day. It can be cumbersome to pack food, especially when I know I will be out of the house for most of the day, but by doing so I have peace of mind knowing that I will be able to stay on track with my meal plan no matter what. Competitors and fitness professionals practice this habit and can attest to the power of clean eating in maintaining a sculpted, muscular physique.
However, I realize that many of you who do not compete or have an involvement in fitness may be wondering if there is any point to packing meals if you are an average person. There are a multitude of benefits to be gained from packing meals for the day:
• Portion Control – If you measure and weigh your portions before placing them into containers, you will have full control over your intake.
• Cooking Method – Steaming, baking, boiling, grilling and poaching are easy cooking methods which also enable you to prepare food without adding unnecessary fat.
• Save Money – By purchasing food at the grocery store and preparing it yourself, you will save a significant amount of money.
• Maintain A Low Sodium Diet – Restaurants often add significant amounts of sodium to enhance the flavor of their dishes. If you are trying to keep your sodium intake low, you are better off preparing your own food.
• Accommodate Medical Dietary Restrictions And Food Allergies – Restaurant meals may add ingredients which are forbidden from your meal plan due to medical conditions or food allergies. Instead of taking a risk, you are better off preparing your meals and packing them with you.
I always recommend tempered glass storage containers over plastic, since heating up ingredients in most plastic containers carries a risk of deranging the plastic and releasing harmful chemicals into the food. An exception is BPA-free containers with locking lids.
The BEST meal packing system out there is made by Six Pack Bags:
https://www.sixpackbags.com/bags.html
By adopting the habit of packing your meals, you will be on the road to better health!
Mineral Oil Sensitivity
Mineral oil is a petroleum product which is used in many cosmetics (including foundations and face powder) as well as ointments to soothe allergic reactions. Ironically, mineral oil can incite allergic reactions which can be severe enough to send one to the emergency room. I always find it alarming how the oil typically used to moisturize babies’ skin is mineral oil, but since it is cheap and hypoallergenic, it continues to be used on infants who may develop reactions to it.
I was compelled to write about mineral oil after I had to use it on my midsection yesterday at a photo shoot. Despite a long history of severe reactions to mineral oil, I reluctantly applied the oil and just hoped that I would not react this time. By the time I got home from the photo shoot I was itchy EVERYWHERE, especially on my arms and legs where I had NOT applied oil. This was a deep, unrelenting itch, one that was not relieved by scratching, and I broke out in a rash on both arms. I was so uncomfortable that I took a shower to soothe my skin. Even with the shower I hardly slept last night because of the itching. I could have calmed the reaction down with Benadryl but did not want to be groggy so I opted not to take it.
Please be aware of mineral oil sensitivity and if you suspect that you might be susceptible, make sure to avoid any products that contain mineral oil. Women who have had regular skin reactions to foundations or face powders should be especially aware of this potential reaction. I NEVER recommend mineral oil to any of my patients and am especially against the use of mineral oil on babies.
As an alternative, you can use almond oil, olive oil, or sesame oil, unless you have allergies to any of those substances.
Daruma Finally Has Two Eyes
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about a Japanese good luck charm known as a Daruma (please refer to
https://drstaceynaito.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/japanese-good-luck-darumas/
for original post). I described the power of putting a wish or intention into one of these figurines as a way of focusing on that wish and also as a way of asking Bodhidharma for guidance in making that wish come true. I also revealed that I had a Daruma for IFBB Pro Status which had been sitting on my desk since 2010 with only his right pupil painted in. As the hot weather approached I stopped sitting at my desk since it is in the one room in the house which has no central air conditioning. In an effort to keep my mind focused on my goal, I took a photo of the Daruma and used it as the wallpaper image on my phone.
I would see the image of the Daruma on my phone every single day and be reminded of why I wanted to achieve this goal. It made me push through very challenging times including job loss, the dissolution of a relationship, financial woes, and physical injuries. I was determined to give Daruma his left pupil. When I arrived in New Jersey for the NPC Team Universe contest, I found myself actually staring at the image of the one eyed Daruma. This was meditative, calming, but possessed of complete focus on my goal of winning an IFBB Pro Card.
About three hours after I earned my Pro Card the thought occurred to me that I would be able to paint in the left pupil I had waited years to do, and this became a high priority item as soon as I returned home. After setting my bags down, I sat down with my Daruma and calmly filled in the left pupil and thanked the universe and Bodhidharma for making a highly coveted dream come true.
My IFBB Pro Card Daruma…with two eyes now!
Discussion Of Booty Blast Video Superset #4
In this superset we will target the gluteal region from multiple angles and positions in order to create a rounder, fuller look. When you perform one legged side lying presses, don’t worry about doing a very heavy weight. Instead, focus on using proper form, driving your heel into the plate and squeezing the glute as you press the plate up. You should feel an intense stretch in the back of the leg and in the glute during this move.
When you perform plie dumbbell squats, stand with feet very wide apart and toes pointed slightly outward. As you crouch into the squat, avoid leaning forward and instead sit into the movement, almost like you are trying to sit in a chair. When you come up from the squat, only come up part of the way and then immediately go into the next repetition.
The last exercise in this superset is barbell good mornings. Start by standing with the barbell on your shoulders and feet close together. Bend at the waist but keep your back straight as you move, stopping when your upper body is parallel with the floor. Maintain back alignment as you return to standing position.
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