Good Skin

Writing about 'good skin' is not something I have ever considered in the past.  What would I know about it?  But as a result of personal experience, comments I have heard recently, and an article in this morning's paper, I decided to give it 'my two-cents worth'.  (a good title for my political blog if it happens)

Over the years I have had the occasion to hear someone tell me that I have 'good skin'.  Or 'soft skin'.  I have always just shrugged it off.  I had not had much to compare it to.

Growing up I was fortunate not to have to deal with acne.  An occasional blemish was all.  And I have small pores.  Both pluses for good skin.

When I was working at the hospital, I noticed that my lab aide always used hand lotion after washing her hands.  I asked her about it and she said you need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  And so I began after every shower (not bath) slathering my body and face with moisturizer.

I also stopped using soap on my face, no matter what is was called.  I always used make-up remover and then a toner followed by, you guessed it, moisturizer.  I made sure that I stayed out of the sun and always had SPF 15 in all my facial products if I was going to be outdoors. 

Only once in my life did I ever have a problem with dry skin or lack-luster hair.  It was when I was a faithful follower and life-time member of Weight Watchers.  My hair was dry.  My skin itched.  I finally decided that limiting the fats in my diet was doing me more harm than good.  I started adding nuts and olive oil and 'voila!', the 'glow' was back.

I was asked recently what my secret was to good skin.  I jokingly told them chocolate, dried fruits and nuts.  But seriously, the fat content of those items (well, not the fruit) makes a huge difference.

My routine for good skin is really simple.  Avoid soap.  Stay out of the sun.  Use products with SPF regularly.  Moisturize morning and night.  Eat healthy fats.  Make sure you have adequate humidity in your home.  Limit those long soaks in hot water.

With everyone making New Year's resolutions about losing weight, we sometimes forget about the complete picture and only focus on the numbers on the scale.  I have seen many thin women who look like 'crap'.  Saggy skin from weight loss.  Dull hair.  Pasty skin. 

My goal this year is to lose enough weight to see the muscle definition I have been working on.  I'd rather be healthy and look healthy than be thin and look sick.  When I was down to a size four, a gentleman friend asked me if I was ill.  When I said 'no', he suggested that I gain some weight to improve my appearance.  He was right.

And it all goes back to having good skin.  The only way to get it is to live a healthy and balanced life.  That's my resolution for the year.  Same one every year.

Looking Back

I do not spend a lot of my time looking back at what has happened in my life.  It is over and done with and I prefer to move forward (though that fall that shattered my leg in 2007 still haunts me - mostly the ensuing weight gain it caused). 

I did, however, look back at my first post on this blog three years ago to see what I said and what my intent was.  I find that not much has changed.  I am still cooking (though no longer taking culinary classes or volunteering in a pastry kitchen), watching TV, and reading.  Gardening, travel, friends, all still there to pass my time.  I have added yoga classes which has been a huge plus in my life.

The upshot is that I am still enjoying retirement.  I've learned that just as I lived within a budget when I was employed, I still live within one in retirement, though the budget is much smaller.  OTOH, my children are all on their own, my home and car are paid for, and I have fewer wants than needs.

Here is my original post from January 1, 2010.  Seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I retired on November 21, 2008. I have spent a good deal of the time since then answering the question (now a big pain in the you-know-what): 'So, how do like retirement?' You would think I had either just returned from experiencing an alien abduction or at least had been the first person ever to survive retirement. EVERYBODY wants to hear the answer.

It's retirement. I love it. I can do what I want whenever I want. Or not do it, too.

When I retired, a long-time friend (that's you Debbie) suggested that I start a blog. Yeah, right. Like I had time to do this. Then I would be wondering, just what DID I do last Friday? It was Friday wasn't it?

So, now that my days and adventures all run together, I have decided to write a blog each night about what has occurred during my day. Sounds boring, I know. And I'll probably not even remember half the stuff.

Today was New Year's Day. I made French Onion Soup and Quiche Lorraine. Both recipes straight out of Julia Child's first cookbook. And the first time I ever made any of her recipes. While cooking I also watched 'The Man from Laramie', Criminal Minds, and 'The Last Days'.

Watching TV, movies and cooking from scratch are all things I didn't get to do enough of when I was employed. Ah, living life. C'est bon.

Now I am off to yoga class and then a trip to Costco - a new sale starts today.  Hope you have a good day too!

A New Year

A happy 2013 to each of you.  If you are reading this, you survived 2012 and surely have made some plans for the new year to come. 

I am starting off the year with a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine.  The bread is rising in the kitchen and the wine is in the short-ribs I prepared last night for today's dinner.  I always find that braised meats seem to taste even better on day two.

I have a cocktail party scheduled in another week to see old friends from my working days.  Well, I still see most of them, but this will be more laid back and festive.

I've also increased my yoga practice to four days a week this month.  The reality is that even with videos at home, yoga is much better practiced with friends.

I am back on the volunteer schedule in the Library bookstore, now that the snow birds have left for the winter.

I've thought about the upcoming Spring and Summer and find that I have no yard projects on my to-do list.  What a treat it will be to just enjoy and maintain what I have.  My plans for indoors consist of replacing the flooring in my family room before it looks much worse.  Actually, the only areas that look bad are coming in from the garage and going out to the patio.  Unfortunately, those are the most- visible and the most-tracked areas.

I have no travel plans for the year other than my annual trek to Oak Park, Illinois for the WrightPlus Housewalk.  Not that I still don't have my list of places to see, but just nothing compelling.  But, if I see a good deal, I'll be running off somewhere.

I vow to ignore all the crap that I have no influence over.  Right!  Well, I am sure you will hear my opinions here after I stop grinding my teeth and find myself able to put thoughts into words on computer.

My biggest goal is to remain healthy.  And active.  With that being said, my biggest problem is remembering to warm-up before I do anything strenuous.  It's just my desire to hurry up and get things done - and then I sit here with an ice bag on a sore muscle.  Well, I am still learning. 

I will finish my recipe project on Pinterest and then start on my travel pictures, which is why I started the account in the first place.

For now, here is a beautiful picture that was sent to me of a road in Michigan.  Luckily, I do not have to drive on anything quite this secluded in the suburbs.