Health and Beauty

8 top ways to care for your allergies without damaging the budget

I've had allergies for as long as I can remember. Which probably means that I've had them for longer than I can remember, since allergies aren't usually something that become possible with the advent of memory. I have spent more days sniffly, snorty, with a scratchy throat and sinuses that feel like they're about to explode than many entire families. I've ended up with more ear infections, sinus infections, and cases of bronchitis than I care to recount. In fact, I take so much decongestant that my husband decided that my mutant power is Producing Snot.

Continue reading "8 top ways to care for your allergies without damaging the budget"

Permalink | 2 comments

Is Plastic Killing Us? The True Cost of Convenience

Plastic is really hard to avoid. In fact, it's everywhere. Clothing, mattresses, furniture, carpet - plastic is used to prevent fires as well as food stains.

And now, plastic is in an even more exciting place! Your bloodstream. Can Teflon-coated arteries be far behind?

Continue reading "Is Plastic Killing Us? The True Cost of Convenience"

Permalink | 4 comments

Stop Skin Cancer at the Spa

By way of More magazine, the premier magazine for women over 40, comes exciting news that a trip to your favorite medispa could actually prevent skin cancer!

You already know how important it is to wear sunscreen, and to do all you can not to damage your lovely epidermis, but it turns out that once some of the damage has been done, you can still help to prevent skin cancer with something as simple as a chemical peel.

Continue reading "Stop Skin Cancer at the Spa"

Permalink | 4 comments

Former Pop Princess Figures Out Frugal? Go Bald!

I think every woman should shave her head once in her life. I can say this, because I've already done it, so I'm off the hook now. It's a very liberating experience, feels really neat when you shower, and gives you a fresh start with brand-new, stress-free strands. Also, it saves you a bundle on styling products, because you really don't need anything, save a few tuques or baseball caps to stay warm. It's something that a lot of women do to support friends who are going through chemotherapy, and it can be quite the bonding experience for the shavees.

Continue reading "Former Pop Princess Figures Out Frugal? Go Bald!"

Permalink | 9 comments

Cheap Condoms: Spread the Love, and Only the Love

Will's post about Valentine's Day not only made me snork my coffee when I read it this morning, but also surprised me with a number of its factoids. For instance, who knew that Germans had a word for love?

I'll just go ahead and admit that I hadn't thought much about increased condom purchases due to the impending arrival of the Holiday of Love (from Will's post):

Continue reading "Cheap Condoms: Spread the Love, and Only the Love"

Permalink | 4 comments

Givin' 'em the Slip - Look Rich for Very Little

So I was watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith the other day (OK, I was watching Angelina Jolie, but I feel the context is important here), and there's one delicious scene in which Angelina, I mean, Jane, is getting dressed in an insanely large walk-in closet. And she's wearing a slip, or a slip set (I was looking at her face, perv, so I can't remember if it was a set or not - I think it was).

Continue reading "Givin' 'em the Slip - Look Rich for Very Little"

Permalink | 12 comments

Switching Addictions

Hi, my name is Andrea, and I read Runner's World magazine.

[Hi, Andrea].

I started reading it a couple of years ago. At first, it was just a glance or two when I was at Barnes and Noble trying to pass a cold, rainy Sunday. Then I started looking at it more carefully, actually reading the articles and analyzing the nutrition charts. After that, I maybe tried a few of the lunges and ab crunches. Finally, I bought and issue and took it home. I was hooked. I even started subscribing, and I read it religiously for two years.

Continue reading "Switching Addictions"

Permalink | 7 comments

The Cost of Tanning

It's right around this time of year, as friends and family gear up for Mexican vacations while I stay put under Seattle's gloomy skies, that my thoughts turn to sunbathing. God, I love sunbathing. It's so fun. It's downright addictive. Whether outside or under a tanning lamp, working on a tan is one of the most relaxing ways to pass the time. Of course, it's also the reason that I have to go to the doctor and get layers of skin chemically peeled off of my face in an attempt to regain the clarity and balanced skin tone that I enjoyed before I started tanning.

Continue reading "The Cost of Tanning"

Permalink | 10 comments

Can Beauty Be THIS Basic?

The NY Times has an online article that will probably get the reporter, Natasha Singer, killed by a contract assassin employed by Lancôme or La Mer (you remember that scene at the beginning of Zoolander, where all the heads of major fashion houses are plotting to kill the prime minister of Malaysia? Kind of like that, but with one of the Lauders at the helm).

The basic message of the article is that you can pretty much care for your skin using soap, water, and sunscreen. If this turns out to be true, I imagine that the Earth is about to careen into the sun any minute now.

Continue reading "Can Beauty Be THIS Basic?"

Permalink | 5 comments