How Can Your Skin Benefit From Leftover Halloween Pumpkins?

From pumpkin spice lattes to Halloween decorations, when fall hits, it is pumpkin season-mania. With approximately 65,900 acres of pumpkins harvested in the United States last year alone, and most pumpkin patches closing up after Halloween, what are you to do with all the leftover pumpkins you used as decorations for your spooky festivities?  

Dr. Gretchen Frieling, a Boston-area board-certified dermatopathologist, explains that instead of throwing out the pumpkins you used this October 31st for decorative functions, you can reuse them for various beauty and health purposes. “Pumpkin is a great way to incorporate more vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as essential fatty acids that help reduce markers of aging while also moisturizing the skin,” says Dr. Freiling, who is a Harvard-trained physician with a 10+ year background in the Dermatology and Pathology fields.

So how can you incorporate your leftover pumpkin into your daily regimen? 

Dr. Frieling suggests “mashing it up into a facemask to moisturize, using it as an ingredient in an exfoliant mixture with brown sugar and honey, or using some of it in your meal prep to garner some of the benefits of pumpkin from the inside out.”  

Dr. Frieling shared four reasons why you should incorporate your Halloween pumpkin leftovers into your wellness routine. 

Addresses Age marks: Wrinkles and brown spots

Pumpkin contains Vitamin A derivatives that aid in reducing the depth of fine lines over extended periods. Excessive sun exposure may accelerate spots of hyperpigmentation and the degradation of the skin’s firmness. Pumpkin can add an extra nudge to your beauty routine to address this.  

Alleviates Acne and helps with Oily Skin

Pumpkin contains a healthy portion of zinc in its seeds. Zinc can help alleviate acne in some people. While not nearly as powerful as a prescription acne treatment, adding pumpkin seeds to your daily routine as a snack can help give you extra zinc, iron, magnesium, fiber, and even protein. It will also work to regulate oil production in the skin, helping to prevent the build-up of excess oil in the pores.  

Uneven skin tones and smoother texture

Many patients experience problems with their skin texture and uneven skin tones. Today, a variety of beauty products use pumpkin as an additive to aid in smoothing out skin tones and textures. Pumpkin can get the job done because it contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which are naturally found in food and which is often used to improve dry, wrinkled, or acne-prone skin. What AHAs do to the skin is clear out the outermost layer of dead skin cells and thickening the deeper layers to create the appearance of tighter skin. 

Anti-Inflammatory

Nutrients and minerals such as zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin E also reduce inflammation. These are found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Some examples include carrots, pumpkin, squash, beans, spinach, kale, sunflower seeds, broccoli, blueberries, and brown rice. Vitamin C in pumpkin helps reduce inflammation, puffiness, and redness in the skin while also calming the epidermis. Vitamin C is also popular for its collagen-boosting effect.

About the Expert: 

 

Board-Certified Dermatopathologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling

Boston Area

www.gfacemd.com

 

Dr. Gretchen Frieling (“Dr. G”), MD is a Harvard-trained, board-certified Dermatopathologist, with over 10 years of experience in Medicine and Dermatopathology.  With a background notable for intensive ballet, including the Juilliard School, Dr. G combines her artistic eye, perfectionistic qualities, and medical expertise, to give her patients the ability to be better versions of themselves.  Dr. G has an extensive academic background, including numerous publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, selected Editor of medical journals, an author of noteworthy medical textbook chapters, an educator at the Harvard Medical School, and speaker at many national medical conferences.

She has been featured across all media channels including online, print, and broadcast. Some of her highlights include US News &World Report, NBCNews, Elle, Everyday Health, RealSimple, Shape, Refinery29, Well + Good, Healthline, Bustle, Popsugar, StyleCaster, and ABC News.

Keeping Your Vehicle in Good Condition: 4 Types of Preventative Measures to Consider Every Year

Your vehicle is essential to your daily life. You use it to pick up groceries, take loved ones to the doctors, and drive to work. When your vehicle breaks down, it can halt your life. You become stranded; or, at best, have to shell out money for Uber or inconvenience a friend to help you.

But what if you were able to follow a few simple steps that could prevent you from being stranded down the road? I’m speaking of preventative maintenance that you can do every year, simple measures that you can take to keep your vehicle running smoothly. All these preventative measures can be handled by the experts at Telle Tire and Auto Center. Just check out telletire.com and see how their services can help keep you on the road and prevent future auto troubles.

 

Tire Rotation and Alignment

Have you ever been driving and your car seems to want to pull you to the right or the left? There’s a simple explanation:

• Over time, varying road conditions wear tires down unevenly.

• Because the tires are uneven, they do not stay properly lined up.

• This misalignment causes your cars steering to become imbalanced, and your car begins to favor the left or the right

Without the proper alignment, your car will consistently try to veer either off the road or worse, into oncoming traffic. Over time, other issues can become factors for you as well, such as decreased fuel economy and vehicle performance, as well as further tire damage.

Having your tires rotated helps to keep your vehicle evenly balanced. This will keep your vehicle in alignment longer, helping you save on fuel as well as avoiding some expensive auto repairs in the future. So, you can see the importance of regularly maintaining your tires.

 

Battery Check

When you’re having issues with your battery, unfortunately, there is usually only one solution: to replace it. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until your stranded on the side of theroad before you can do anything about it. There are signs that can help you know when your battery is dying.

• Your headlights are dimming

• You hear a clicking when you turn the key in the ignition, and it takes a moment for the vehicle to start

• The dashboard lights are on, but the engine won’t start

• Your vehicle won’t start after sitting overnight

One misconception is that the battery light tells you when your battery is dying. It is not the battery, but an indication that you have a problem with your charging system, and your vehicle is only running on battery power. You will be able to drive for a little while, but your electronics system will shut down; so, no power seats or windows, no radio, and your headlights may dim, making driving at night treacherous.

Jumping your battery is a simple, short term fix to some of these issues, but it’s a very temporary solution. It is best to have your battery routinely checked to be sure it is in proper working order. This will ensure that your electronics system is running at its best.

 Oil Change

This is one of the most common things that is recommended by mechanics. Ensuring that you have clean oil will keep your engine from seizing; in essence, keeping your car from becoming a massive paper-weight that will take thousands of dollars to repair.

There are some important things an oil change does for your engine.

• It keeps the working parts of your engine lubricated

• It keeps the temperature of the engine down

• It loosens debris and sludge from between the moving parts

• It saves on gas

• It helps your engine last longer

The parts of your engine move at a very fast pace, the friction causing tremendous heat. Over time this heat and friction wear down the parts of the engine. Oil acts as a lubricant, coating the parts, allowing for less friction as the parts move. This keeps the parts cooler. It also keeps the parts from wearing away as quickly, helping the engine to run longer.

Oil also helps to remove small debris that would otherwise get trapped between your engine’s parts. The lubrication between the working pieces helps to keep any particles or other buildupfrom getting a foothold in your engine.

By keeping clean oil in your vehicle’s system, you are reducing the wear and tear the engine suffers over time. As a result, your engine will run smoother, and more efficiently throughout its lifetime.

It is important to make sure your engine oil is changed according to the type used and the make and model of your vehicle. This simple, inexpensive maintenance will help keep your engine running clean and is critical to the overall health of your vehicle.

 

Belt Inspection

Your engine has a lot of moving parts. Many of these require belts and pulley systems to operate. These belts are essential for many different parts of your vehicle’s engine from the steering to the electronics system to cooling fans and water pumps.

The timing belt is what keeps everything in the engine is doing just what it needs to at the right time. It balances out the timing of all the different parts and allows them to run smoothly together.

These belts are made of a metal band covered in rubber, and over time, the rubber begins to deteriorate. When this happens, you can see cracks forming on the rubber’s surface. This is a sign of extreme wear, and you should think about replacing it.

Another issue is on the inside edge of the belt. There are rubber teeth that keep the belt in alignment. If one of these teeth break, it can offset the timing between different parts of the engine, and your vehicle will run terribly.

Some signs that it may be time to replace your timing belt are:

• There is a ticking sound coming from your engine

• You see there is some oil leaking in front of your motor

• You hear your engine misfiring

• Your engine won’t turn over

Keeping up with belt maintenance ensures the parts of your engine are moving together in perfect synch, allowing your vehicle to run healthy while giving you a better performance from your engine.

 

Take Time

Taking the time to have these things checked is extremely important for the health of your vehicle. With simple preventative maintenance, you can ensure you will not be stuck on the side of the road from unseen engine trouble, and your vehicle may be on the road for a few years longer.

The Reports Are In: The Couples Who Snuggle Often Tend to Have a More Fulfilling and Healthier Relationship

 

There are actually quite a few health benefits attached to hugging and squeezing someone you care about, especially if you do it on a regular basis.

 

Hugging is a physical interaction that seems to sometimes say a whole lot more than words can and if you like the idea of snuggling up to your partner the good news is that you will most likely be doing your emotional and physical wellbeing a power of good.

 

We are hardwired to enjoy a hug

 

Your sensitivity to touch is something that you actually develop in the womb and it is no coincidence that babies love being held and cuddled as it the first sense that we develop.

 

Psychologists appreciate the importance of this natural leaning towards physical contact in this way and if you are a couple who love to snuggle up to each other you are only doing what comes naturally to you and you will be reaping the reward that cuddling delivers in terms of your emotional wellbeing.

 

If you want to get together for a snuggle and just chat about how your day has been with each other you might want to look at oversized bean bags here which could be just right for spending some quality time together in each others arms.

 

Sideline the stress

 

The act of hugging and snuggling up to your partner has the ability to lower your cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone.

 

Stress is far too prevalent in our lives these days and snuggling is the perfect antidote as it has the impact of lowering your cortisol levels and reducing your level of stress.

 

If you are less stress you are going to be happier and that can only be a good thing for your relationship.

 A great way to strengthen your relationship

 

The secret to a great relationship has probably got a lot to do with being able to achieve a good emotional and physical connection with your partner.

 

With that in mind, it is worth knowing that when you snuggle up to your partner and enjoy a nice cuddle you will be experiencing a positive physiological response by boosting your oxytocins levels.

 

Cuddling is an excellent activity for helping to encourage a natural release of oxytocins in your brain and the effect of this response is a strong feeling that your bond with your partner is getting stronger.

 

If that wasn’t a good enough reason for having regular snuggles with your partner there is also the fact that an increased level of oxytocin has the capacity to improve your heart health too.

 

Hug it out

 

There are bound to be a few disagreements and upsets in any relationship but the sign of a strong relationship is how successfully you deal with these brief moments of tension.

 

You will be amazed at how powerful and healing a simple hug can be and when you are in each others arms there is a much higher chance that you will soon want to kiss and make up.

 

Who knew that snuggling could be so good for the strength of your relationship with your partner?

 

 

Turn Your Photos Into Paint By Numbers!

Bring your favorite photo to life with a custom paint by numbers. You might want to paint a family picture, a loved one or a pet. Whatever you prefer, it is an amazing way to preserve your memories.

A personalized painting by numbers will also make an amazing gift for someone you love. 

Each set contains everything you need to get started:

• A high-quality linen canvas,
• A color set (ranging from 24 to 36 colors); no need to mix the colors,
• Three paintbrushes,
• and a complete instruction folder.

I absolutely loved watching the colours start to blend together and create the photo I had sent in. I highly suggest choosing a simple photo rather than one with as much detail as I chose. It took me hours to complete and would have looked even better if I chose a simple shot. 

I would definitely choose to do more of these fantastic paint by numbers they are tons of fun and would make amazing gifts for any art lover! Winnie’s Picks has a vast selection of paint by numbers products to suit anyone! 

If you love art and painting beautiful photos order yours today! 

Pouch Couch Inflatable Loungers And Hammocks The Ultimate Gift For Anyone

The Pouch Couch inflatable lounger is one of the most comfortable and portable seats we have ever used. They are super easy to inflate, although you may look a bit silly catching the air. They can be used indoors and out making them fun everywhere you go. 

We used our loungers for chilling in the backyard, playing video games, and watching movies. They are quickly deflated and can be placed in their carrying pouches for easy travel. You can take them pretty much anywhere you wanna go, camping, the beach, a picnic, or lounging around in the house. My oldest boy uses his as a gaming lounger. 

You can get Pouch Couch’s in a variety of colours to suit anyone.

 

• Perfect gift, and great for camping, beach, backyards, living rooms. Pouch Couch is a CANADIAN brand, sold by a CANADIAN company.
• PORTABLE: Easy roll up design fits in small pouch (included) makes it easy to take anywhere you need to relax
• EASY: No pumps, blowing, or any mechanical devices required, Please ROLL END 4-5 times to retain air for longer periods.
• DURABLE: double layer heavy duty design with parachute fabric is more resistant to tears and punctures and allows more weight (up to 400 lbs)
• INCLUDES: Inflatable couch and tent pegs (to hold it in place outside)

The classic Pouch Couch hammock is the ultimate in relaxation and portability. Whenever you think of a hammock you picture swinging in a tree in the warm sunshine. As soon as I put our hammock up in the backyard the kids were thrilled. What better way to get them playing outside than sharing a hammock together. 

Hammocks can be used in your backyard, camping, at the beach or wherever you can find a hanging spot. These ones come with rope but you can buy super strong hammock straps to make swinging even safer. 

• LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT: Pouch Couch Camping Hammocks are Made From Parachute Nylon Fabric Which is Lightweight, Strong, Breathable, Durable, Fast-Drying, Comfortable and Portable. Unlike Tents, All the Accessories can be Perfectly Fit into the Attached Small Sack in Less than 1 Minute.
• DURABLE: Holds Up To 400 lbs Comfortably
• ANTI-FADE CLOTH:No Fabric Color Transfer! Our Fabric Has 4 Colour Treatments to Ensure No Fading From Rain, Sweat, or Sun. Easily Cleaned and Dries Quickly after being Wet. Hand Wash, Air Drying, Do Not Iron.
• MULTIFUNCTIONAL:Our Camping Hammock is a Perfect Alternative for Tent,Sleeping Pad,Hanging Bed,Ground Mat,Swing,Cradle.It can be Easily and Quickly Hung on in Jungle,Beach,Patio,Bedroom,Backyard,Garden,Indoor or Outdoor as Long as There are Trees,Hammock Stands,Rings or Hoocks.Our Hammocks Are Comfortable for Adults,Kids and Your Family Whenever You Want to Relax.
• MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: Any Quality Issue Please Return it within 90 Days and Get A Full Refund.☆If You have any Question, Please Contact us Anytime, We will Reply You in 12 Hours. ☆We did not permit any other Seller to sell our Items, Please Choose Authentic Brands of POUCH COUCH.

SwimOutlet.com’s Sporti Line - The Highest Quality In Swimwear

SwimOutlet.com’s Sporti line is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! 

During its 10 years, Sporti has sold millions of swim suits and styles, becoming a top value swim brand for the full range of swimmers from competitive swimmers looking for training suits to fitness swimmers, from beach fashion mavens to swim moms & dads.

Swimwear makes a great gift all year round! The decision to encourage activities like swimming is a fantastic choice and provides not only a fun filled activity but a healthy lifestyle! Swimming at the local indoor pool can be done all year even during the coldest months.

The holidays are approaching and the last thing on gift givers minds in many places is swimwear. Choose to think outside the box this year and select some awesome swimwear for your friends and family members! My family absolutely loves the Sporti line and said it fits great, it’s lightweight, and looks incredible!

SwimOutlet.com carries all kinds of swimming accessories from towels to floaties, suits and more! Don’t miss out on their awesome products and amazing sales.

How To Combat Daylight Savings Time Like A Champ

DON’T LOSE YOUR MOJO WHEN THE CLOCKS FALL BACK NOVEMBER 3rd

Neuropsychologist Offers Practical Tips to Prepare for  Daylight Savings Time

That post-summer sluggishness usually kicks in every October as we head into fall. The temperatures drop and the one thing that makes winter’s rapid approach evident regardless of climate is the loss of daylight. For many, this loss of daylight also leads to a loss of energy, an uptick in short temper and even bouts of depression. So how can we ease into the rapidly approaching winter months? Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an NYC based licenses clinical psychologist and faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teachers College, offers practical tips to prepare for the clock change.

 

Before we get into the tips, it’s important to understand the clock change’s impact on our brains and therefore our bodies, so we understand what is actually going on. Dr. Sanam Hafeez explains that “a cell in the retinas of our eyes called a ganglion cell contains the photopigment melanopsin. When we are exposed to sunlight, melanopsin signals a pathway to cells in the hypothalamus specifically responsible for regulating our bodies biological functions. This process then triggers the pineal gland which is in charge of melatonin secretion which peaks at night and wears off during the day. In simpler terms, the less light exposure we get, more out of whack we feel.”

 

According to Dr. Hafeez, the following simple adjustments leading up to the clock falling back can make a significant difference for those who don’t struggle with more severe depression or bipolar disorder. 

 

1. Avoid alcohol. 

When the clocks are turned back in the fall, many bars stay open an additional hour. This is typically celebrated by people in their 20’s and 30’s who only pay for it the next day opting to sleep away their Sunday. Drinking alcohol before turning back the clocks can add more sluggishness the next morning. “Even with just a one-hour clock change, our body’s circadian rhythm is thrown off making our brains a bit confused. Alcohol only heightens these effects,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Imagine the double whammy of a hangover after the fall back clock change? 

 

2. Enjoy physical activity during the daytime. 

The more time spent outside in the daylight doing physical activity, the less sluggish you will feel once the clocks fall back. Fall is a great time to powerwalk or go for a run. If you’re an early riser then you will love the earlier sunrise at least for the next few weeks. “A lot of people shift their exercise routines to include more high energy group workouts in the evenings to give themselves something to look forward to as a way to shake off the workday. You really want to pay attention to when you feel most energized and align your exercise to that,” suggests Dr. Hafeez. 

 

3. Don’t sleep in. Go to bed earlier instead.

In the days leading up to the clock change, add extra “wind-down” time before bed and get to bed an hour earlier. On the Sunday morning of the clock change, people mistakenly opt to sleep in. You really want to stick to the same wake-up time while getting to bed earlier. That’s the key according to Dr. Hafeez. “People think they are gaining an hour of sleep, they’re not because at bedtime they’re losing it. When you keep the wake-up time and get to bed earlier that extra hour isn’t felt as much the next day,” explains Dr. Hafeez.

 

4. Avoid watching the news before bed. 

People think that getting to bed an hour earlier means it’s ok to watch TV in bed before sleep. TV or any kind stimulates the brain. Your favorite show causes you to focus when you’re trying to shut down stimulation. The news is even worse. You get wrapped up in the doom and gloom watching the news. “If you want to really make sure you still wake up refreshed, opt for tranquil music or guided meditations available on YouTube or an app, recommends Dr. Hafeez.” 

 

5. Plan ahead! Consider taking Monday off!

For those who find their mood is negatively impacted after the fall clock change, consider taking Monday off and make it about self-care. Waking up early, taking advantage of the early light, enjoying a healthy breakfast, getting a massage or catching up on reading, tidying and whatever you feel necessary to feel good, do it. “People can feel the effects of the clock change for up to 3 weeks. Taking a day off to focus on your own well-being can become a nice post clock change ritual,” she says.  

 

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

How To Help Your Child Settle In After Moving

Every move is chaotic, and it’s easy to get lost in all the preparations before the big day. Parents get lost in all the detailed planning so much that the children’s feelings at these stressful times are often neglected. It’s easy to forget how much children thrive on routine and familiarity, especially in times of uncertainty. In fact, this is exactly when they need reassurance the most. By easing your children through the relocation process and familiarizing them with the topic, they’ll smoothly settle in after moving. Read on to learn how to make your child trust in the magic of new beginnings!

Prepare them beforehand

The key to a successful, anxiety-free move with children is being mindful of their feelings. While you might be brimming with joy because of that long-awaited job in a new state, your child is probably far from enthusiastic. And who can blame him – he is leaving everything he’s ever known. This loss of a sense of belonging can be kept under control when a parent is there to manage the child’s anxiety. This is usually done by presenting the ‘new life’ in a positive light.

To a toddler, drawings of a new home or neighborhood will be enough to spark their interest. For older kids, however, changing schools might be a stressful event, which is why it’s good to visit the town before the move. Seeing the new surroundings will help them make sense of reality as they’ll know what to expect. Plan family time after the move such as a fun family trip or an afternoon picnic to give them something to look forward to. This won’t only help your kids settle in after moving, but the whole family as well.

Let them help

As the moving day draws near and the packing process begins, don’t let your child be a passive observer. It’s important to make them feel in control in these stressful moments, as they will feel valued and understood. The golden rule is to pack their room last and unpack it first. Of course, enlist them with packing and unpacking as much of the stuff as they can. This is a great method to keep them distracted and out of their heads. Once the children’s room is organized, they’ll have their own space to explore while you go about unpacking all the other rooms. You’ll want to make the right choice when hiring movers so that the process goes smoothly – you don’t want any additional stress on the big day. The goal here is to make the first day as exciting as possible. Let them explore the house on their own terms.

Introduce them to the new surroundings

We’ve already mentioned that the best way to slowly introduce your children to the new life is to take them to see the house prior to moving in. If that’s not possible, then at least show them the neighborhood or take them to a play park – introduce their interests in new surroundings. An even better idea is to interest them in new activities they’ve never done before, like going to the zoo or a science museum. Give them a tour of the city – they’ll quickly discover that the new city isn’t really that different from their hometown. It’s unbelievable how much of their fear will dissipate with this trip, especially if you’re a good guide. Children are easily entertained, and the excitement of the new environment will soon kick in, as long as they start feeling at home in the new setting.

Maintaining routines helps children settle in after moving

Every kid is different, and even if they require some time to settle in after moving, it’s all perfectly normal. The goal is to hit the right balance. Allow them to process separation anxiety and slowly push them to experience the new life. This is best done by retaining the day-to-day routines that the child is used to, which brings the homey feeling back into the child’s life. The familiarity of everyday life should remain the same as much as possible. For example, the child’s room should be similar to the one in the old home. If your child had a small playground in your old backyard, recreate it! A lot of parents make the mistake of leaving too much of the stuff behind in order to simplify the move. But, why do that when you've got a moving company like usantini.com? They'll easily transport all the bulky items you’d rather not part with and retain the familiar atmosphere.

Once you’ve unpacked and somewhat settled, get the whole family together for the child’s favorite meal. Nothing says ‘home’ more than a favorite dish for dinner! Basically, balance the unknown with the familiar and your child is bound to thrive in the new environment.

Starting a new school

And now for the scary part, a settling process which scares both parents and children equally. Familiarizing the child with the new school and its routines are the number one priority once you arrive. If the school year is already underway, enroll your child in school as soon as you can. Making new friends and creating a social circle will play a major role in the acclimatization process. As we’ve already mentioned above, a sneak peek before the first day will lessen the anxiety to some extent. Knowing where the lockers, the cafeteria, and the gym are will set the basics so he isn’t as disoriented on the first day.

The key is to be patient with your child’s transition. Even extroverted kids might have trouble blending in right away, so give them some space to settle in after moving and let things unfold on their own. Check with the teachers after a few weeks to see how the adaptation process is going. Remember that you can help your child but you can’t get through the process for them. All both of you can do, really, is trust the magic of new beginnings.