Here's Why I Don't Think I'll Ever Be Able To Eliminate Dairy

Dairy is literally the bulk of my grocery bill. I love milk, the kids are still on whole milk, yogurt is the perfect snack and cheese sticks are the easiest proteins that I can "hand off" to my kids (and for me too!).  

I know that it's recommended to cut back on dairy if you want to keep your skin clear.  This is definitely a "work in progress" for me....with no end in sight :)

I Gained A Few Laugh Lines This Weekend

This past weekend I went to a dear friend's bridal shower in the town inwhich I grew up.  It was a quick overnight trip so all of my boys stayed behind while I stayed in my parents' home.

From the moment I arrived- kid free- at my parents' home, I was able to relax and unwind.  I was able to have an actual conversation, alone, with my parents.  

After a nice long dinner, I went to visit with old high school friends.  While I had recently seen all of these girls at the bachelorette weekend a few weeks prior, there was something different about sitting in a home that I had spent so much time in as a kid- connecting with friends who've known me longest.

So many funny stories and happy memories had me smiling the entire night...all the way until one in the morning!!!!  

It was an amazing weekend celebrating the upcoming wedding of a great friend and connecting with some of my favorite people!!  Laugh lines welcome :)

Are you doing enough for your skin?

We workout to keep our heart and lungs healthy.  We lift weights to strengthen our muscles.  But do we do enough for the largest organ in (on) our body??

Could you be doing more for your skin?

1.  Are you drinking sugary sodas and juices when you could be drinking more water?

2.  Are you eating processed foods and too many carbohydrates when you should be eating more fruits, vegetables and proteins?

3. What are your snacking habits?  Salty, sugary snacks like chips or wholesome powerful snacks like nuts?

4.  Are you using skincare products designed specifically for your skin or are you "testing" products that span the spectrum of too harsh to ineffective?

5.  Are you optimizing your skincare routine with age-appropriate topicals (hint: if you're over 30 you may want to consider chemical exfoliation like peels and retinol creams)?

Sit Down With a Plastic Surgeon

I sat down with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon John D. Noonan* of The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, NY.  Here are his top five quick and easy healthy skin "musts" for busy parents (he has five kids...he should know!).

1.  Sunscreen- according to "Dr. John", sunscreen is the #1 way to prevent premature aging and, more importantly, certain skin cancers.

2.  Moisturizer- for the majority of people, dehydrated skin is actually the main contributor for their problem areas.  Invest in a good moisturizer.

3.  Exfoliate- It's important to polish off the dead layers on top of the skins surface to reveal the healthy and more youthful appearing skin below.

4.  Visit your esthetician- in an ideal scenario, you'd be able to get a monthly facial from a licensed esthetician.  But seeing as how this blog is for busy moms, try aiming for once every three months or once a season.  A professional has access to powerful treatments and procedures that will help you look your best and can even recommend more involved procedures like laser and, if necessary, surgery.

5. Sleep- it's important for both our physical and mental health to get enough sleep- often tricky with young kids.  Make sleep a priority and you will notice a difference in your skin (and energy!).

*He's my dad :)