Join me for a Clean Beauty Master Class with Dr. Macrene Alexiades, Director and Founder, Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center of New YorkCEO and Founder, MACRENE Actives Clean Beauty Authority® at Neiman Marcus at The Westchester on Friday, February 24th at 12.
Clean Beauty is a multi-part series defining and addressing toxic exposure from skincare, environmental effects of manufacturing practices and packaging, and ethical concerns surrounding animal or human-derived ingredients.
I am looking forward to meeting Dr. Alexiades. I have included her bio below. Please email me to save your spot for this workshop.
Macrene Alexiades, MD Ph.D. FAAD holds three degrees from Harvard University: a BA from Harvard University, MD from Harvard Medical School, and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard University, and she was a Fulbright Scholar with a research award year in Europe. Dr. Macrene is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and has achieved the rare status of Double Board-Certification in Dermatology in the European Union as well as the US.
Dr. Macrene is a Diplomat of both the American and European Boards of Dermatology and an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. She founded and directed her dermatology, laser surgery, and research center in Manhattan and a lab-based skin care research company NY Derm LLC. She is an attending at Lenox Hill Hospital, Yale/New Haven Hospital, and Yale/West Haven VA Hospital.
Dr. Macrene has numerous publications and discoveries in the fields of basic science, dermatology, and laser surgery. Her practice and academic work are focused on topical dermatologic anti-cancer and anti-aging therapies, laser technology, and skin rejuvenation.
Our overall well-being and health must become top priorities as we approach our fifties. After all, we’re not getting any younger!
The body’s metabolism starts to slow down. It makes it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it.
Women enter menopause, which can lead to changes in hormone levels and an increased risk of osteoporosis. As for men, their testosterone levels decrease. It reduces their muscle mass and bone density.
Plus, adults aged 50 and older are likelier to suffer from chronic conditions than any other age group.
And so, it is paramount to take preventive measures to stay as healthy and energetic as possible. It’ll also help you ward heft medical bills.
Here are a few tips that you should consider:
Assess Your Lung Health
COPD is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. It affects over 15 million Americans, and 90% are over 40.
It is caused mostly by smoking but could be triggered by long-term exposure to air pollution, dust, and asbestos. If inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer type that affects the lining of the lungs.
Veterans, in particular, are more likely to suffer from mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos during the Gulf War. If you observe any symptoms like a persistent cough, chest pain, or fatigue, you must visit your doctor and get tested. You can also seek legal help if you believe the exposure was due to someone else’s negligence. Simmons Firm is a veteran-focused law firm that serves clients on a no fee unless you win basis.
Cholesterol Screening
The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that the occurrence of CVD in US adults is around 40% between ages 40-59 years, a whopping 75% among those aged 60-79 years, and reaches an eye-opening 86% for people 80 and over.
High cholesterol levels are at the core of these numbers.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance the liver produces. It is also present in many foods. It is essential for many bodily functions like digestion and hormone production, but too much can lead to heart disease.
A cholesterol screening involves a blood test that measures the levels of various types of cholesterol in the blood. These include the following:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Blood Pressure Check
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk of stroke and heart attack. It is estimated that 1 in every 3 Americans suffers from this condition.
It is essential to keep your blood pressure under control, especially after age 50, when it starts to increase naturally. The ideal values are 120/80 mmHg or below.
Regular monitoring and the right lifestyle can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
You can also try natural remedies like reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, and managing stress.
Mammograms and Prostrate Exams
Women over 50 should get regular mammograms.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that is used to detect breast cancer. It’s recommended for women aged 50 or older to get one every year or as per their doctor’s advice.
Some signs that you should contact a doctor include:
- Lump in the breast or underarm area
- Skin dimpling
- Nipple discharge
Breast cancer can be treated successfully if it’s detected early.
For men, it is recommended to get a prostate exam every year after the age of 50. It involves a simple physical examination to check for any irregularities in the shape and size of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among men aged 60 and up, so it’s important to get tested and stay ahead of the game.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the large blood vessel (aorta) that runs through the abdomen. It can be because of high blood pressure or atherosclerosis. Men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked are advised to get an AAA screening.
During the screening, a doctor will use ultrasounds to measure the size of the abdominal aorta. It takes about 15 minutes and is usually pain-free. The screening will help detect the aneurysm before it becomes life-threatening.
Engage Your Mind
Mental health is equally important as physical health. Mental stimulation can help keep your mind sharp and prevent memory issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
You can engage your mind by keeping up with hobbies, playing chess or other games, solving puzzles, reading books, and engaging in cognitive activities. Social interaction with family and friends is also important for keeping your mind engaged. So, plan a day of chess and tea with your friends or a round of Scrabble with the family!
You can also take up a new hobby like painting, dancing, or playing an instrument. There are many online classes available to help you get started.
And if you’re looking for a lifelong company, you can always get a pet! They’ll keep you active and offer a loving companionship.
Learn to Deal with Stress
Stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It is especially true after the age of 50 when it’s harder to cope with the changes that come with aging.
Finding healthy ways to manage stress and take care of your well-being is vital. You can try practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation to help you cope. Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress and stay connected with friends and family.
Regular exercise will also keep your body in shape. Try to include at least thirty minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Also, make sure to warm up and cool down properly before and after each session.
Final Thoughts
Your body might undergo severe changes, but it still is strong enough to communicate its needs. So, be aware of any changes and take action immediately if you feel something is wrong.
It’s also important to get regular checkups with your doctor and take all medications as prescribed. Remember to prioritize your mental health — engage your mind, connect with people, and try to manage stress in healthy ways. Sometimes it’s the simple things that can make a big difference in our lives.
In today’s age of technology, many of us take advantage of being able to shop from the comfort of our homes. However, items of clothing seem to be the exception, especially if you are unsure of your sizes. Don’t get me wrong; many people shop for clothing items online. Yet, buying these sorts of things in person is still common. If you haven’t decided to buy your high heels online, here are some good reasons to do so.
Convenience
The most obvious reason to buy women’s high heels online is the convenience of it. If you know what type of shoe you want and your size, you should have no problem getting the pair delivered right to your door. However, there are a couple of things to remember when shopping online for high heels.
- Some shoemakers may run sizes a bit differently. It has been recorded that some online shoppers occasionally have to get a size up or down of something. Luckily, most places will probably let you return them or switch them out if you have the wrong size.
- Please, stay away from fishy online places like Wish. Wish is a site that sells items at an extremely cheap rate. Sounds too good to be true, right? That’s because it is. So many buyers have reported getting things that look nothing like the items they purchased. Or, they ended up with the item they wanted, but it was an extremely tiny version of it.
Online Shopping Could Appeal to People Who Don’t Like Feet
Some people don’t like feet at all, let alone their own. By buying heels online, you don’t have to go through the awkward process of trying on shoes in public. Once they are delivered, you get to try them on in the comfort of your home without prying eyes.
You Can Use Apps to Find Awesome Deals Online
Some apps like Honey find you deals from specific stores and brands. Using some apps, you could get some killer deals on a sweet pair of high heels. Some online stores even use coupons on their site that are exclusively for online purchases. Online shopping could save you money.
There are plenty of places to find good deals on women’s high heels. You just need to know where to look. Try out different stores and apps to get some discounts. You will be amazed at the deals you can find online.
I have received so many requests from our readers to get tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webbers Bad Cinderella. We have a block of tickets reserved for March 14th at 8 pm. They are $140. Email Me to save your spot!!
In the exceptionally beautiful kingdom of Belleville, the fields are idyllic, the prince is charming, and the townsfolk are ravishing. Only one stubborn peasant stands in the way of absolute perfection: Cinderella. To the flawless residents and royals of Belleville, this damsel IS the distress.
From ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER comes “a big, colorful, fun fairy tale rewrite” (The New York Times), featuring an original story and book by Oscar®-winning writer EMERALD FENNELL (Promising Young Woman, “Killing Eve”) and lyrics by Tony Award® winner DAVID ZIPPEL (City of Angels). Choreographed by JOANN M. HUNTER (School of Rock) and directed by LAURENCE CONNOR (Les Misérables, School of Rock).
Shopping for a leather jacket is as simple as a click of a button or a swipe of a credit card. However, finding a quality leather jacket made from high-grade material is challenging, especially if you don’t know what to look for.
When buying a leather jacket, there are several things that distinguish a real leather jacket from a fake one.
Quality Leather
Finding a premium leather jacket starts with the material. The quality of the grain is the best way to determine the quality of the leather.
Leather has four grades of grain or quality. The grain quality simply means how tight the collagen bundles are. For example, the tighter the collagen bundles, the higher the quality is.
There are four basic types of grain quality in leather.
- Full-grain – Full-grain is the highest quality of leather and has a smooth, luxurious surface with few flaws.
- Top-grain – Top-grain leather is slightly thinner than full-grain leather as a layer was stripped away by sanding. However, the material is still durable.
- Genuine leather – Genuine leather does not make it authentic and the name can be misleading. It does not mean the leather itself is genuine. Genuine leather is the “leftovers” or the “scraps”. Suede is a good example of genuine leather.
- Corrective- or bonded-grain – This type of leather grain is the lowest of quality and is the lowest quality of leather.
The quality of leather can be determined by looking and feeling the material. If it looks and feels cheap, the chances are it is.
What is Italian Leather?
Simply put, Italian leather is leather that is made in Italy. Also, the method in which the leather is made makes it Italian leather. For example, many tanneries in Italy, or a place where animal hide is tanned, use a method called vegetable tanning.
This technique uses natural ingredients, such as organic vegetable oils, and ingredients found from plants, trees, and fruits to tan or create leather.
What is Pleather?
Pleather or faux leather is a textile that mimics leather, but is not actually made from animal material. Pleather is made of synthetic materials such as plastic.
To differentiate pleather from leather, simply look at and feel the material. Pleather is typically more flimsy as compared to leather which is thicker because it’s made from real animal hide.
Whether you’re looking to buy a smart women’s motorcycle jacket or a slick men’s leather jacket, you can find a quality leather jacket in any category for a reasonable price. Just ensure you investigate the grain quality first.
This tomato pie makes an incredible dinner for a chilly night. The combination of fresh tomatoes, basil, and 4 tangy types of cheese is perfection. It is a huge hit around here and on constant rotation. Bon Appetit!!
Ingredients
- 3-4 tomatoes, cut in half horizontally, squeezed to remove the excess juice and roughly chopped to yield approximately 3 cups of chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (9-inch) pie shell, store-bought
- 1/2 cup yellow or red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup basil, sliced
- 2 cups cheese, grated, combining sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, gruyere, and mozzarella
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Combine the salt and the tomatoes.
Step 3 –Place the tomatoes in a colander over a bowl to drain while you pre-bake the pie crust.
Step 4 –Pre-bake the pie crust according to package directions.
Step 5 –Squeeze as much moisture out of the tomatoes as possible using paper towels, a clean dish towel, or a potato ricer.
Step 6 –Sprinkle the bottom of the pre-baked pie crust shell with the onion.
Step 7 –Spread the drained, chopped tomatoes over the onions.
Step 8 –Sprinkle the sliced basil over the tomatoes.
Step 9 –In a medium bowl, mix the grated cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and pepper.
Step 10 –Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
Step 11 –Bake until the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 35-45 minutes.
Step 12 –Serve hot.