Health, Beauty and Fitness 07.24.2020

The Press’ Guide to

JULY 24, 2020

Health,Beauty Fitness

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We Are What We Eat

Foods that fuel our bodies and taste great too.

The Haircut Experiment

The times have made stylists of us all, but do we dare?

No Gym? No Problem

Fitness enthusiasts are finding new ways to workout sans gym.

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JULY 24, 2020

To cut or not to cut at home?

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It’s tempting for everyone to want to go in and chop away at their COVID hair. But before they do it, I caution clients to just gently trim their bangs.

ocial distancing is challenging for everyone.

It’s especially difficult for the beauty and hair care industry, where close contact is often

necessary for everything from applying foils to trimming bangs to threading eyebrows.

Salons and barbershops are among the businesses that were asked to temporarily close to help flatten the curve of coronavirus cases. Many clients accustomed to frequent salon visits for trims and recoloring are wondering what they can do to look their best during stay-at-home orders.

“It’s tempting for everyone to want to go in and chop away at their COVID hair,” said East County stylist Andrea Sutton. “But before they do it, I caution clients to just gently trim their bangs. Don’t go crazy and don’t try out a new hairstyle. Leave that to us when things get back to normal.”

Other tips include:

Attempt to restyle

Make every attempt to style your hair as it begins to grow out. Even if you feel like your coiffure currently looks less than stellar, a haircut is irreversible and may not turn out as expected. Hairstyle changes, such as parting bangs or hair in the opposite direction, can make roots less visible. Braiding hair or pulling it back can help tame bangs that are getting a tad too long. Men who are accustomed to short hair can use more products like pomades or gels to slick back hair or keep unruly tresses from becoming problematic.

– East County stylist Andrea Sutton

Color conundrum

Hairdressers generally recommend four- to six-week intervals between full color touch-ups at the salon. Fresh foils for highlights generally are applied every six to eight weeks.

As hair color deadlines come and go, men and women can speak to their stylists about their options.

Many stylists are putting together touch-up kits comprised of professionally mixed color and some basic tools to get the job done at home. The supplies can be picked up curbside or through porch drop-offs. See if your stylist can provide a similar service. Video conferencing during the application process can help you avoid missteps. Boxed hair dyes can work in a pinch, but they may not fully match your existing shade. Also, now is not the time for drastic color changes, which almost always require the expertise of trained colorists.

A cut ahead

Frustration may lead nonprofessionals to pick up shears.

While it’s generally best to leave haircuts to the pros, some people have delved into home attempts. Home haircuts

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Unkempt hair can make it tempting to take scissors in hand, but there are some tips you may want to consider first. should be limited to trimming off two inches of hair or less and avoiding drastic style changes.

Haircuts also require the right equipment, including sharp shears or well-oiled electric clippers and comb, along with some patience. Always cut in small sections and take your time.

Experiment with new styles, products and other ways to lengthen time between salon visits. Cutting hair at home doesn’t have to be the first course of action.

It’s a new day.

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Navigating the doctor during COVID-19 A T ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE DAY, you can turn on the news and hear about this awful coronavirus also referred to as COVID-19. Whatever you call it, it’s just plain awful. With the recommendation to stay inside as much as possible, lots of Senior seniors are concerned orner about going to needed doctor appointments or doing recommended health maintenance such as blood work or X-rays.

There is one Marla option you can Luckhardt chose for the utmost safety depending on what you need your doctor for. I personally have used an online doctor visit where I saw the face of my beautiful physician and she saw me. Granted it is on the computer but since the virtual appointment that I had was more of a question-and-answer conversation to follow up on a past test, I was able to be in the comfort of my own home as socially distanced as I could be!

You can set this up with your doctor and it counts as any other visit through your insurance. Once the time is set, you go onto your computer, tablet or phone about ten minutes before to make sure your volume is up and your camera is on. Then you follow the easy instructions they send to you and voila! there she, or he, is smiling at you. That of course is the ideal way to stay safe but don’t let the virus stop you from necessary or essential in-person appointments.

When you need to go to the doctor, speak with someone in the office and find out what their protocol is. Make sure there are very few, if any, other patients waiting in the lobby area before they put you in a sterile room with just the doctor and one nurse. I can pretty much assure you they will all be wearing protective coverings on their faces. Wear your mask too and if you have to remove it for any reason, such as a dental emergency,

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remember to put it on up until the time you must remove it and then put it back on when the dentist is done. Nobody expects us to walk around with a bad toothache.

Bring hand sanitizer with you anytime you go out so that after you touch a door on your way in or out, you can use it before accidently touching your face.

All medical offices now have several hand sanitizing machines or pumps, strategically located around their facility but I don’t take a chance. I am stocked up, thanks to Bath and Body Works and their recent online discounted sales. If you have any wipes, put two or three in a tightly sealed baggie and squeeze the air out as much as you can. Then seal it and keep it handy to wipe down your car door handle and steering wheel. This takes about two seconds and can be very helpful in avoiding any possible cross contamination. Since there is a scarcity of wipes, like toilet paper at times, you can make your own. Watch a tutorial online that shows you what and how much of each ingredient, depending on what you have available in your cupboards.

Should we be wearing gloves? That is a tricky question. It makes sense for your doctor, nurse or the phlebotomist at the lab to wear a mask and use disposable gloves since they use them only once and then toss them after each patient. For us however going from place to place can make wearing gloves counterproductive, possibly spreading germs as opposed to keeping them at bay. Again, wash your hands with soap and water often and for a minimum of 30 seconds but if you are going to an appointment use the hand sanitizer as your back-up alternative. Avoid touching your face until you have washed your hands thoroughly when you get home. I used to laugh at my sweet friend Diana because she is the hand sanitizer queen.

Even before this new normal, she would always offer me some as if it was an appetizer before our luncheon visits.

How I miss that!

Dry hands are an evil byproduct

There are certain things that cannot be put on hold even for this incredibly serious and unknown demon that is raging through our community and around the world.

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bodies tuned up like a vintage car. There are certain things that cannot be put on hold even for this incredibly serious and unknown demon that is raging through our community and around the world. I am optimistic that a cure is in the near future but until then Grandpa and I are following the expert’s advice. We stay in unless it is absolutely necessary to go out, wear our masks for ourselves and others, wash our hands often and stay away from crowds. Please contact your doctor to see what measures they are taking to keep you not only safe but on track for your continued good health. I am not a physician but I try to read everything I about this pandemic and evaluate the A good smile can open doors. A can Sheffield Smile can change lives. information based on scientific evidence of too much washing or use of hand from experts and the advice of my sanitizer but a nice lotion can help deter wonderful doctor. Stay safe and well! the dryness. I personally use foaming Marla Luckhardt is a Brentwood soap at home and it works beautifully resident who works with several local without the need for lotion. senior care and advocacy groups. Reach Aging comes with having to keep our her at marla2054@aol.com.

A good smile can open doors.

A good smile can open doors. A Sheffield Smile can change lives.

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How to stay fit when social distancing

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any people consider their

Fitness centers were among the many nonessential businesses forced to shutter as a result of COVID-19, forcing fitness enthusiasts to find new ways to stay mentally and physically fit.

gyms as much more than a place to exercise.

A gym can be a great place to socialize while trying to stay healthy.

Having friends or fellow fitness enthusiasts around can provide the motivation many people need to stay the course and achieve their fitness goals.

However, fitness centers were among the many nonessential businesses forced to shutter as a result of COVID-19, forcing fitness enthusiasts to find new ways to stay mentally and physically fit. Many creative ideas have surfaced. ♦♦ Online classes: An internet connection is all that’s necessary to find a number of workouts that can be streamed from the comfort of home. The streaming website YouTube can be a gold mine for free workouts. Some cable service providers also may have On Demand fitness channels or rentals that can mirror some of the classes taken at the gym. ♦♦ Social apps: Gym-goers can inquire whether their gyms are offering alternative programs. For example, Jersey Strong, a fitness chain in New Jersey, began livestreaming many of its popular group fitness classes via a special Facebook page. Class instructors guide classes from their own

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

homes or from empty gyms. Other gyms may provide links to subscriber-based gym training workouts free of charge. ♦♦ The great outdoors: Even though some parks, beaches and trails have been closed, workouts can take place in and around the neighborhood. Jogging or walking can be excellent cardiovascular exercises, as can taking a bicycle ride for a few miles down neighborhood streets. People who live in rural areas can run through forested land or even farmland. Pushups, sit-ups, planks, and other body weight exercises can be done right in the backyard. Before making a decision about whether or not to be active outside, be sure to check the latest

guidance from your local health department and community or state leaders. ♦♦ Remote sports: Videos of city dwellers playing tennis across rooftops for muchneeded air and exercise have emerged in recent weeks. Similar benefits can be achieved with a game of catch, volleyball or racquet sports over fences with neighbors, provided limits on participants are placed and social distancing is maintained.

Staying fit during COVID-19 restrictions takes some ingenuity, but it’s certainly possible to maintain your overall health. In fact, some people have found they now have more time to exercise than they did before.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

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How to apply self-tanner like a pro

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he Skin Cancer Foundation warns that prolonged exposure to

ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Damage from UV rays is cumulative, meaning skin cancer risk increases each time the skin is exposed to the damaging rays of the sun.

Self-tanning lotions and creams as well as cosmetic bronzing powders are the safest ways to achieve a sun-kissed glow. Many products are available, and the key to getting even coverage and natural-looking results comes down to a few steps. ♦♦ Recognize that self-tanner will come out darker in areas where the skin is thickest. Exfoliate the skin with a warm washcloth prior to applying self-tanners. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests using an exfoliating product that contains glycolic or salicylic acid as well, and spending more time exfoliating on the elbows, knees, heels and ankles, where skin is the thickest. Moisturize these areas as well. ♦♦ Wait until you are completely dry after showering and avoid using any products that are oil-based.

Oil-based products can leave residue behind that causes streaks, advises Allure magazine. ♦♦ Work in sections (such as the legs, torso, then arms and hands).

Massage the product into the skin in a circular motion. This technique separates a professional-looking glow from a bad faux tan because it prevents weird creasing or marks from bending over with the product on. Wash your hands after each section with soap and water to avoid orange palms. ♦♦ Use product sparingly in certain areas. Don’t go heavy with product on wrists and ankles, lightly extending the tanner from wrists to hands and from ankles to feet, suggests the AAD. ♦♦ Use product sparingly on the face.

Dab a dime-sized amount of product on areas that would tan naturally, such as the cheeks, the bridge of the nose and chin, then blend outward. ♦♦ Allow the product to dry and set according to the directions. Avoid making contact with water or getting dressed too soon.

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

JULY 24, 2020

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Popular beauty trends

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Family Community • Health

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ashion is fickle, and so are the techniques men and women rely on to look and feel great.

Because trends change so often, it can be challenging to figure out which have staying power and which might be passing whims. Here are some of the Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

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Fresh-faced skin is a leading beauty trend this year.

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Simplistic, natural skin Women who do not like a heavily made up look may be glad to learn natural features and skin tones are in style. To this end, many women will be skipping heavy foundations in lieu of quality skin cleansers and moisturizers that let their natural skin shine. Combined with multitasking products like moisturizer with SPF, this means fewer products clogging up makeup cases and bathroom counters.

Masked faces It’s not Halloween revisited, but rather beauty basics 101. Face masks continue to be the DIY beauty treatment of the moment, and the mask market is expected to expand even further. Beauty retailer Superdrug has seen mask sales double. Masks are advantageous because they can target specific problems and provide noticeable results right from home. Masks that target crows feet or dry patches around the nose are already popular, and masks are even being developed for the chest, arms and breasts.

Bold eyes Another popular trend involves playing up the eyes. Models flashed holographic perspec liner at The Blonds fashion week show, and aqua-tinted lashes and liner can

Our goal is for everyone to achieve a happy, healthy smile

offer a beachy, mermaid inspiration for summer. Intense kicks of color are typically balanced out with neutral features elsewhere.

Customized body care Expect to find more products that treat skin on the body as carefully as skin on the face is typically treated. Cleansers, serums and exfoliators for bodily use are just some of the offerings.

Natural tooth whitening If Amazon’s top-selling activated charcoal tooth whitener is any indication, more than 14,000 reviewers have touted the benefits of this natural material for getting their teeth pearly white again.

Other manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon, offering alternatives to bleachbased tooth strips and gels that sometimes create sensitivity issues for people.

Sample boxes Don’t know which products to buy?

Beauty retailers have gotten increasingly innovative by packaging together samplesized items that customers can purchase or have shipped to their homes regularly on subscription. The price is minimal, and there’s no commitment to buy if the sample isn’t just right. Customers may even be eligible for discounts when buying the full-sized product.

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JULY 24, 2020

Easy ways to keep your immune system strong

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he immune system is a powerful component of the human body.

It recognizes when viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders enter or compromise the body and then takes action to prevent illnesses from taking over.

According to the experts at John Muir Health in Brentwood, well-balanced meals and snacks are key to maintaining your weight, feeling good and preventing disease. Below are a few tips from John Muir to help you get all the nutrients you need to be healthy and fit.

How much of each nutrient you consume depends on your age, whether you are male or female, and your activity level. If you have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, be sure to talk to your doctor first before embarking on a new diet since your doctor may want to put you on a meal plan that specifically targets your condition.

Eat whole grains.

Try a whole-grain product in place of a refined product, such as brown rice instead of white rice, or whole-wheat pasta instead of regular pasta.

Don’t be fooled by brown bread.

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grain — molasses or other ingredients can make bread brown. When choosing to buy bread, check the ingredient label to make sure the first ingredient is a whole grain such as “whole oats,” “whole rye,” “whole wheat,” or “whole-grain corn.”

Products labeled “multi-grain,” “stone-ground,” “100 percent wheat,” “seven-grain,” or “bran” are usually not whole-grain.

Add whole-wheat flour or oat flour for up to half the flour in pancake, waffle, muffin, or other flour-based recipes.

Popcorn is a whole grain. With little or no salt or butter it makes a great, healthy snack.

Get adequate sleep.

Doctors believe sleep and immunity are closely tied. A study of 164 healthy adults published by the National Institutes of Health found those who slept fewer than six hours each night were more likely to catch a cold than people who slept for more than six hours. Aim for adequate rest each night to keep your body in top form.

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables supply the powerhouse antioxidants that are essential for protecting a body against free radicals.

Free radicals may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Serve fruits and/or vegetables with every meal to

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Diet, exercise, age and psychological stress may affect immune system response. Certain lifestyle choices can promote a strong immune system. ensure you’re getting enough antioxidantrich foods.

Consume fiber and fermented foods.

Fiber can help feed the gut microbiome, which is linked to a robust immune system. The microbiome also may prevent harmful pathogens from entering

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the body through the digestive tract. Data also suggests that eating more fermented foods can further strengthen and populate healthy bacteria in the gut.

Exercise regularly.

Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, advises the American Heart Association. Thirty minutes of exercise each day can go a long way toward keeping the body healthy. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. Exercise causes changes in antibodies and white blood cells. These antibodies and white blood cells circulate rapidly, so they may detect illnesses earlier than they would if you do not exercise.

Body temperature also rises during exercise, which could naturally prevent bacteria from growing.

Minimize stress.

According to Simply Psychology, when people are stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced, making people more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system.

Limiting stress through meditation and breathing exercises, or trying to remove stressors from one’s life, may help.

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Simple tips to dig into a more plant-based diet

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f you’re considering a more veggie-

paprika and garlic powder for carrot bacon.

These are practical meal solution ideas to address cravings while adding variety to your weekly meals.

forward diet or have incorporated a plant-based approach to meal

Snack smarter

planning in recent years, you’re not alone. According to a One Poll study, one-third of Americans now consider themselves “flexitarians” and more than half of Americans are currently trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into their daily lives.

One key factor behind the rise in popularity could be science-backed health benefits. Specifically, research links largely plant-based diets to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as support for energy levels and immune function. That’s why, when personal health is top of mind, there’s all the more reason to go green and “plant” a healthy foot forward. Luckily, it’s easier and more convenient than ever to work plant-based nutrition into your busy life.

Whether you’re a long-time vegan or plant-based newbie, there are simple ways to strike a healthy balance and support your immune health.

Check out these five tips to help you dig into a plant-forward lifestyle.

Photo courtesy of BPT

When personal health is top of mind, there’s all the more reason to go green and “plant” a healthy foot forward.

Aim for the rainbow

You don’t have to go all-in on greens if you’re slowly trying to get back into the swing of things or if this is your first time following a plant-based diet. Give your food a pop of color with a plant-friendly “charcuterie” plate featuring berries, oranges, peppers, broccoli, and hummus. It works as an office snack or an appetizer for a socially distanced BBQ. Plus, these foods help to provide necessary

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vitamins, including A, C, and E, all of which are key in supporting immune function.

Remix the classics You don’t need to say goodbye to fan favorites like cheeseburgers or bacon. Get your cheeseburger fix by sprinkling nutritional yeast on a plant-based black bean or burger patty, or if you’re craving morning bacon season up some carrot strips with smoked

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Many of us rely on pantry comfort foods to satisfy our hunger and indulge in cravings.

You can still eat delicious snacks on a plantbased diet, and it’s actually a great way to stay energized as we jump back into old routines. Reach for protein-rich, plant-based bites like roasted almonds or chickpeas — spice things up (literally) by tossing them with some BBQ or wasabi flavored seasoning or make it a sweet treat with cinnamon sugar instead. Both are quick and nutrient-packed options to keep you healthy and fueled throughout the day.

Flex your own way

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a plant-based lifestyle. While all variations prioritize foods derived from plants, feel free to flex if you feel the need to replace meat with dairy, eggs, and fish. For simple swaps in your weekly meal plan, top avocado toast with a poached egg for some breakfast fuel, toss together a green salad with shrimp and beans for a midweek lunch, then round out the week with grilled salmon and sweet potatoes for dinner.

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To list your restaurant or bar here please call Greg 634-1441 ext. 115 or email greg@thepress.net

NOW OPEN: Breakfast & Lunch.

WWOUTDOOR DININGWW For carry out and curbside pickup.

Daily from 8am - 3pm.

Call us today 757-4774.

2415 E. 18th Street Antioch www.facebook.com/BridgeheadCafe-115521828470610

BOTH LOCATIONS OPEN DAILY PATIO DINING & PICK-UP From 12-7:30pm. Full menu online.

Alcohol Available for purchase with food order and I.D. Call your order in for curbside pickup BRENTWOOD: 513-8281 8065 Brentwood Blvd.

ANTIOCH: 754-2277 4605 Golf Course Rd. www.tailgaterssportsbar.com

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HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

JULY 24, 2020

See your doctor without leaving home.

Video visits for primary care, pediatrics, specialists and urgent care.

Learn more at johnmuirhealth.com/video.

Be heard.