Skincare Tips for Anti-Aging with Dr. Maritza Baez

Healthy Travel Snacks

Healthy Travel Snacks  

 

Here are some tips that will help you eat healthy on your travels!

 

1. Look up natural food stores and grocery stores in the area you will be traveling to that carry the foods you will need. If you are going on a road trip, research health food stores at the larger cities along your way. Do this planning before you leave, so when you arrive it will be a breeze! Do the same for restaurants. If vegan options are not available, search out ethnic eateries and those that are plant-based friendly. Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian cuisine will typically have options that will delight your taste buds and your body. 

2. Pack some healthy snacks for the ride ahead. Don't rely on airplane food or the gas station food along the way for proper nourishment. Some great examples are: nuts, dried fruit (without added sugar), fruits and vegetables, hummus, nut butters, kale chips, granola.

3. Pack your healthy necessities. A good plant-based protein powder and a dried greens powder (like wheatgrass powder, chlorella, or a blend of greens) will be fantastic ways for you to get that healthy summer glow from the inside out! You can toss them in a container with some water or almond milk and perhaps a sweetener of your choice for a delicious, healthy drink on the go. This is a great option to have when fresh veggies or a big salad isn’t readily available.

4. Pack a large water bottle if you're flying and a gallon, if you're on the road. It's very important to stay hydrated when traveling this summer. We also suggest packing coconut water, because it's super hydrating. 

 

 

Easy Snack Ideas:

Frozen Grapes

Wash a bunch of your favorite organic grapes, put them in a travel container and toss in the freezer before you go on your trip. The natural sweetness of the grapes will be amplified when they're frozen. Frozen grapes are nature's mini popsicles! These are good for a summer roadtrip, but be sure to keep them in a small cooler or eat them within the first hour of driving. 

Apples with Cinnamon and Lemon

Chop up a few organic apples, place them in a container with a lid, sprinkle them with a few teaspoons of cinnamon and lemon juice, close the container and shake until all of the slices are evenly coated. The best proportions to use are half a teaspoon of cinnamon and two tablespoons of lemon juice for every medium sized apple. Try a few slices and see if you'd like a little more of either ingredient. This is a great travel snack because the lemon juice slows down the apple's process of browning so you can enjoy them long into your trip. Do bring some napkins with you because the cinnamon is a little messy. 

 

Kale Chips

 

Prepare baked kale chips by first removing the stems and tear leaves into large pieces. Add a bit of olive oil and “massage” the oil into the leaves to ensure all the nooks and crannies are coated. Spread kale onto a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake at 300F for 10 minutes, then rotate the pan, and bake for another 15 minutes. Once out of the oven, cool for 3 minutes. 
 

 

DIY Travel Wrap

Travel Wrap  

A fantastic way to stay organized on your summer adventure is to make your own travel bag for all your grooming goodies. You can use a towel, some scrap fabric, a fun print from your local thrift store or even an old item of clothing that you would like to bring new life to. Instead of purchasing something  brand new, upcycle it! We recommend using a material that is thick and will have a little padding to protect your precious items. The size also ranges widely. You can use a small hand towel or something larger. In this tutorial, we used a pair of pajama bottoms. You will also need some ribbon, string, twine or something of that nature to tie your travel bag up and zip off on your adventure. Once you have your chosen material follow this easy tutorial:

Supplies:

Sewing machine (If you don't have a sewing machine, you can do this project by hand as well.) 

Sewing pins

Scissors

Ruler

Needle

Thread

Fabric

Ribbon, string or twine

Instructions:

Step 1. Decide what purpose you want this bag to serve. Do you want it to hold all of your toiletries, or just the ones you travel with, or perhaps just your makeup brushes? This will determine how much space your travel bag will need to contain and thus what dimensions it is. Once you've made this call, gather all of your items and measure how wide each of them are. Add that width up. This number will be your rough estimate for the minimum width your material will need to be. If you know you have extra material to work with, we suggest adding a few extra inches or even doubling your width to account for any new products or items that you may want to add into the mix. It's up to you!

Step 2. So now that we have the width of the travel bag, you need to know the height. To do this, look at all of your items and measure your tallest item. The height of your rectangle should be about triple the height of your tallest item. 

Step 3. Cut your material into a workable rectangle. Perhaps double up my material for more padding. You may need to iron your material to achieve a perfect rectangle.

Step 4. Sew a zigzag stitch around the entire rectangle if you need to clean your sides up. 

Step 5. Divide the rectangle into thirds hot dog style and then fold the bottom third up onto the middle third. This will create your pocket where your items will go. The top third will fold over the pocket so the items don't fall out when it is wrapped up.

Step 6. Place all of your items on the folded up third to see how they'll all fit and be spaced. Give a little extra room to items that will bulge out of their pockets more than the thinner items.  

Step 7. Place pins connecting the middle and folded over bottom third at the midpoints between items. 

Step 8. Remove items. Sew lines along the pin's guidelines and removing the pins as you go. As you sew over the edge of the fold where the pocket entrances are, double back a few times to reinforce the stitch. 

Step 9. Attach your ribbon the best way you see fit. We opted to cut a small hole in the seam, stick the halved ribbon in and then sew over it again. 

Fold the top third down, roll it from left to right, tie a bow and you're good to go!

Sun Safety Tips

 

SUN SAFETY

Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Whenever outdoors, protect the entire family, including yourself, from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Here are some important sun safety tips:

Seek shade.

UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.

Cover up.

When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor.

Get a hat.

Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses.

They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Skincare tips for travel

Caring for your skin is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Not only does it improve your physical health, but it is essential for your mental well-being. Creating a skin care ritual is the perfect way to take time just for connecting with yourself. Now that travel season is in full swing, it’s time to create your travel skincare ritual. One of the most important times people should be caring for their skin is when they travel, since the skin is likely to experience conditions it isn’t used to. The high tension of packing, sitting in stuffy airplanes, rushing around bustling airports and even hot Caribbean sun can wreak havoc on your skin.

Flying (or even travelling by land) can be harsh on both the body and skin so it is important to make sure you stay hydrated before, during and after your journey. Drink at least 3 cups of water and cleanse your face with an exfoliating scrub before your departure. I recommend Pangea’s Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub. Then follow up with a rich moisturizing serum before finishing with a moisturizer. This will help your skin look vibrant and lock in moisture. I recommend Pangea’s Himalayan Geranium & Pomegranate balancing Oil followed by Pangea’s Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Facial Cream, which also has natural UV filtering properties. For an added refresher, bring along a facial spray that conforms to TSA regulations for carry on products (3 oz). I recommend Pangea’s French Rosemary with Sweet Orange Facial Toner, which is specially designed for thirsty skin.

If you are travelling somewhere with a lot of sun (whether it’s hot or cold), you need a skincare routine that will keep you protected from the sun and hydrated. Avoid products that contain retinol in the morning since it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and therefore more susceptible to sunburn. I avoid retinol for other reasons as well. Retinol (Vitamin A) is a naturally occuring substnace essential for healthy metabolism. Excess exposure to Vitamin A could be associated with toxicity such as effects on reproduction and development. When exposed to UV light, retinol compounds break down and produce toxic free radicals that can damage DNA and cause gene mutations, a precursor to cancer. Recently available data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. As an animal lover and Vanguard member, I also avoid products that can be derived from animals. It can come from fish liver oil (e.g., shark liver oil), egg yolk, butter, etc.
Choose a moisturizer that has SPF of at least 30 that you can bring with you to reapply as needed. Make sure you apply at least 30 minutes before leaving the house, and reapply at least evey 2 hours. Sitting in an aisle seat, whether you’re on a bus, car or airplane (where you’re at an altitude that’s much closer to the sun than you’re used to), can cause skin damage. Pangea’s facial creams have a natural UV filtering property. For colder weather climates, be sure to pack a moisturizing cream as well as a repairing oil to give your skin some extra support. I recommend Pangea’s  Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Facial Cream and Pangea’s Himalayan Geranium & Pomegranate balancing Oil.

Even if you are traveling to a vacation destination set on escaping the stresses of daily life, traveling takes a toll on your skin. Take some time to pamper your skin when you arrive at your destination by using a rejuvenating facial mask. It doesn’t take very long to apply to your face, neck & decollete, and you only need to leave the mask on for about 15 minutes before washing it off and revealing more vibrant skin. I recommend Pangea’s 6 time award winning at home spa facial:  Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask. You can fit two weeks worth of facial masks in a travel container, so there is always room for it in your luggage.

Pangea’s Discovery Kit is the perfect travel skincare kit. It contains (TSA approved) travel sized versions of Pangea’s facial cleanser, facial toner, facial scrub, facial mask, and facial cream! So all you would need to take with you on your journey is the Discovery Kit and your Balancing Oil (1oz).

Unfortunately, these Discovery Kits are sold out everywhere. Lucky for you, I have some available, for a limited time only. You could get one for FREE (while supplies last) when you join my team of Independent Pangea Business Owners. This is a great way to earn an income organically by sharing Pangea with others. If you are interested in learning more, send an email to BuffaloPO@gmail.com with subject line “I want to join your team” or go ahead and sign up at www.PangeaOrganics.com/Buffalo. This offer is exclusive to me and will not be found on the website.
Dr. Maritza Baez
www.facebook.com/buffaloPO
www.PangeaOrganics.com/Buffalo

What are you putting on your skin?

Have you ever stopped to consider what you’re putting on your skin?  Or on your children’s skin?  Or what you’re gifting to your loved ones? 60 – 80% of the ingredients in skincare products are absorbed into your blood through your skin. Children’s bodies absorb 40-50% more than adults! Now is the time to stop & think about it.  Would you be surprised to learn that some well-known brands of skin care are highly toxic?

99% of the 15,000+ skin care and cosmetic products on the market have never been evaluated for safety by the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration), CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) or any other publicly accountable institution.

74% of all personal care products on the market according to chemical industry databases contain:

Carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals),
Teratogens (causing birth defects),
Reproductive toxins (male & female infertility),
Developmental toxins (hazardous to unborn children)
Skin/sense organ toxicants (causing skin disease and rashes)
Allergenic toxicants (causing allergies)
Mutagens (causing cells to mutate)

57% of all skin care products contain “penetration enhancer” chemicals like Propylene Glycol and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that drive down deep through five layers of skin and enter your bloodstream.

The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database provides you with easy-to-navigate safety ratings for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market.  I challenge you to look up your current skin & body care brands to see how safe (or toxic!) they are.  If you're looking for a brand that is non-toxic, made in the USA, certified organic (not just claiming to be), lists ALL it's ingredients right on the label, is fair trade, vegan, cruelty free & amazing, Pangea’s products are nontoxic and always beneficial, never artificial.  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Annual Checkups Matter

Auctions for Free stuff at Listia.com
You're invited to discover our collection of couture and designer accessories!
Folica is my one stop shop for all my hair products - their selection is huge! Save 15% now!

Seeing your family doctor for an annual checkup is important for several reasons. First of all, it gives your doctor the chance to perform and arrange for health screenings appropriate to your age and circumstances. Screening tests may include blood pressure screening, a cholesterol test, a mammogram to check for breast cancer, a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer, and other testing based on your own personal health risk profile, which includes family history and lifestyle choices. Your annual checkup is also a time when your doctor can give you immunizations that can protect you against serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis or shingles. 

This is a perfect time for you and your doctor to get a sense of your general health and to come up with a plan for you to be as healthy as possible so that you can reach your personal and health related goals. You will review any health risk factors you might have and what you can do to reduce those risks. A routine physical can detect problems early on, while treatment is still possible. It can help to treat a problem if caught early enough, and can even avoid problems from turning into something more serious. For example, your exam could uncover that you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Both of these may have no symptoms, but if left untreated, they can cause serious complications, including heart attack or stroke. This is why it's so important to stay on top of your health and make sure you are having regular checkups. 

To make your visit more productive, it helps to be honest with your doctor. They're going to be asking you some personal questions about your family history, your lifestyle and past medical history, all of which are taken into consideration when calculating your health risks. It especially helps if you can bring a copy of your immunization records or any records from your previous health care providers. It may even help to look up the latest preventive medicine guidelines so you'll know what to expect and what questions to ask. 

Your annual physical is an opportunity for you to ask your doctor anything you want about your weight, any addictions you might be fighting, alcohol abuse, or other concerns. Your doctor is more than willing to explain your health risk factors and to give you advice on these matters. You might feel fine and have no major concerns, but the annual exam is a great opportunity to talk to you doctor and share with her some of the little concerns you may have in regards to your health. Maybe you have really dry skin or you may be wondering how you can get a better night's sleep. It could be that some of these concerns you have actually give your doctor some clues to something more serious going on, or your doctor can reassure you that these are not serious and come up with a plan to improve your health. 

A physical is NOT the time to discuss what is bothering you head to toe or to review ongoing medical problems such as migraines or chronic pain. These kinds of issues are better addressed in a follow up appointment of their own, where the doctor can focus the entire visit to your concern. 

Nowadays, most doctors use Electronic Health Records, which means that all of your medical records are in digital form. This can enhance your visit in many ways. If you are a new patients, it may take a few minutes to input your information, such as vital signs and past medical history, but once it is in there, you, won't have to worry about telling your story over and over again. If you have had checkups in the past, your doctor can share with you any progress you have made in improving your health. For example, they can show you a graph of how your blood pressure has been running, if you have had any changes in your weight, or any improvement in your cholesterol count. It is especially beneficial to be able to leave the office with something tangible in hand that outlines your current risk factors and your plan to improve your overall health. You can think of it as a report card of your health status. 

If your doctor orders certain screening tests, such as a pap smear or a cholesterol test, you should always make sure you get your results and understand what they mean. It is up to you whether you prefer to receive these results in writing, over the phone, or face-to-face. Some offices may have their own procedures in terms of how they handle test results. If all of your screening tests were normal and your risk factors were minimal, make sure you come back in a year for another checkup to make sure you stay that way. If the doctor picked up some risk factors, she may want you to come back sooner to closely monitor your progress. 

Some screening exams, like a colonoscopy, may need to be done at another facility. This may mean that the responsibility lies on you to call and arrange those tests. If you need any help in setting up these appointments, please don't hesitate to ask your family doctor for help. She will be more than happy to help you. 

Everyone should know that there are clinics that offer free screenings for people without health insurance or offer reduced fees for low income patients. When you call a doctor's office to schedule a physical, make sure you ask about their payment options or if they can refer you to a free screening program. 

So, if it's been more than 2 years since your last checkup, I encourage you to pick up the phone today to schedule one. If you need a primary doctor, you can call your insurance company for recommendations or search online for a doctor in your area.