Be Inspired

Unsolicited Advice: My anti-aging supplement and skin care recommendations

This is a good regimen for individuals that travel a lot (no matter what age) and those who want to delay the aging process.  Personally, I have experienced a 're-wind effect' that reversed signs of aging from travel and continues to work.

 

Someone thought they might have offended me by saying that I look like I am in my late twenties.  Considering that I am 38, I just agreed and kept my mouth shut.

 

Preventative Measures:

Stay hydrated and take Vitamin C every day.  One of the products I recommend is Emergen-C.  It is a powder that is effervescent  in water with over 1,000% of Vitamin C and high doses of B6 & B12 including a broad range of vitamins and minerals.  If you are not familiar with it already, I purchase it at a large chain drugstore for about twelve dollars.

Extensive travel also takes a toll on our skin.  When I worked for VMware, it wasn’t unusual for me to be in 3 states in one day.  As a result of dry air in planes & hotels, I looked noticeably older in about 6 months.   I started doing some research (on layovers at O’Hare)  and became a natural health enthusiast. As a result I have a good vitamin regimen to nourish from within:

Multi-vitamin: I use Just1once Women’s One Multivitamin & Mineral. I like it because it is a comprehensive natural formula that is also gentle on the stomach with or without food and even includes healthy bacteria. Whole food & Vitamin stores will have a similar product.  Guys, you are on your own as I am not going to test man-vitamins. Please post a comment with your recommendation.

The other components are:

-Co-Q10 with High absorption rates

-A quality Fish-Oil along with a combination Flax & Borage supplement: Great for, brain, heart, skin & hormone balance.

-Dandelion Root for liver protection and to eliminate travel induced water weight.

-Milk Thistle is a great addition to take at least 60 minutes prior to cocktail hour to protect the liver and reduce the effects of alcohol. 

-Hyarulonic Acid Supplement: This is found in almost all adult connective tissue including joints and skin.  As we age our bodies produce less of it.  I am a Creaky McCreakerton just about every time I move. I  have used several joint health formulas but the results from glucosamine and chondroitin can take months to take effect and then lose their effectiveness if discontinued.

My grandma has replaced every major pivot joint from the hip down.  Due to the fact that I have already inherited her eye problems, I am concerned that genetics will  effect my joint health.

-Sam-E is an anti-inflammatory which is beneficial for the entire body.  Another documented benefit is an improved sense of well-being. I personally agree with both statements and I take 400mg daily.

Additionally, Skin Care products with a high content of Hyarulonic Acid bond with the water in your skin  to help prevent topical dehydration and provide an immediate plumping effect.  

Be sure to include a vitamin C topical treatment.   If possible, purchase Individual use capsules because Vitamin-C loses potency in a clear or opened container. 

 

Sunscreen can  be found in nearly every day-time skincare product...Use it! That is the best way to prevent further sun damage..

 

DO use an eye treatment.  When my budget is limited I purchase Vitamin E pills, poke it with a pin and apply to lower eye area, crows feet, neck (front and back) and just below shoulders. I use the extra for my nails and hands.  It is best to use this at night unless applying only to crow's feet in the morning.

 

I will always be slightly uncertain regarding the effects of night-time treatments but here is my hypothesis:

 

Large Pores &/or oily skin:  Use a vitamin c or other anti-aging serum and skip the cream which could result in clogged pores.  Add an exfoliating cleanser or scrub that is safe and gentle enough to use daily. 

 

Dry/Aging Skin: Use an aforementioned serum with a nourishing or anti-wrinkle night cream. 

 

What to avoid:

 

Products that have alcohol, water, and paraben as the first listed ingredients.  Paraben clogs pores, alcohol is used for delivery but can have a stripping/drying effect. Water just means that you aren't getting a high concentration of the product. 

 For example: If the packaging proclaims an effective balance of anti-oxidants or natural ingredients, investigatethe ingredients. If they are listed last, it could be a waste of money. Products are so complex these days that the ingredients in the middle of the list could be the most effectve but I select the most simple products that emphasize the benefits of natural remedies.

 

Everything that I have recommended can be purchased at a good drug store, vitamin shop, or organic store. 

 

If you love  and can afford a department store brands, I recommend Chantecaille for both skincare and makeup.  The Neiman Marcus Beauty Event is in effect until Sunday the 19th. This is a great opportunity to get some samples, makeovers, & goody bags with purchase.  My favorite product right now is the SPF 48 Mineral Powder which is dispensed with a quick tap of the brush with a refillable compartment at the base.   It is  a Revolutionary concept for mineral makeup application.  The coverage is natural looking, lasts all day, and does not give you FrankenFace if it is touched up.

 

 I will offer more extensive reviews  in my annual Profashional Makeup Review.  In the meantime, I welcome your questions. 

 

 Your friend,

Kytari

Are you holding yourself hostage?

I was having dinner with a friend last night and discussing my recent breakup, the anxiety it has caused and that I haven't been able to live in the moment and find joy everyday. I just haven't been myself.  He made a point that I hope to never forget:

"Matters of the heart are very different than matters of the mind.  You cannot see that you are free and YOU are the only one holding yourself hostage. In real life, if a jail cell was opened for you; you would walk out... Not stand there and decide to punish yourself further."

Only someone that can genuinely relate can convey such a profound message and I am grateful for his candidness. 

“Two prisoners whose cells adjoin communicate with each other by knocking on the wall. The wall is the thing which separates them but is also their means of communication. It is the same with us and God. Every separation is a link.” *Simon Weil

If you think about it, the advice that my friend shared can apply to more than just love and dating but other transitional periods in our lives where we may have a perpensity to be much too hard on ourselves. 

As a result of the challenges I have faced, I have been putting my best effort into acting positive. In all sincerity, I was not liberating myself.  Incarceration, even though I built these walls, is not my natural habitat.  Reading my own blog from earlier years served as a reminder of my bouyancy combined with my depth and sense of humor.

That being said, I have recently relocated from Cell Block KYT to the Sunny Side of the Street. Please note the Forwarding Address: 1111 Hope Avenue in Happy, USA strategically located in the Counties of Success and Accomplishment

Your Friend,

Kytari

Snowtorious B-I-G in Dallas

It has been snowing in Dallas all day long. It is quite beautiful and about 5 inches have accumulated on my balcony.  I have some very funny neighbors that built a few snowmen at the pool.  One is sitting leisurely on a bench and the other is just hangin' around. 
 

Chilly in Dallas? Go to the Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park

About a month ago, I went to Fair Park with a friend who is passionate about photography so he invited me to the season opening of the Texas Discovery Gardens. The event was geared to children who wanted to release a butterfly into the atrium.  It was 18 degrees that morning and everyone was dressed in their "Texas warmest" gear and bright colors to attract the effortlessly beautiful and flighty creatures.

There was a breakfast, crafts, and even a zydeco band playing tropical music as we waited for admission.  Ahhhhhh! The relief of entering the warmest, balmy, eighty degree atmosphere on the coldest day of the year was exhilarating. It was as though the season of Winter no longer existed even if it was only for an hour. 

If you despise the chill of this season, I encourage you to put on a t-shirt, leave your coat in the care of your closet and enter this splendid place.  Who knows?..You may even get a few mosquito bites.

Listening to Travis right Now

If you aren't a fan of Travis yet, chances are that you will be.  Lovely melodies & thoughtful words to match the emotional ambience of their musical message.

I have been listening to them for nearly a decade and have never been disappointed!

Restoration

-What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.

-Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves.

*Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you read my last post, it was about the heartache associated with learning that someone I loved was duplicitious in our relationship.  In the weeks that have passed, I heard a lot of talk from my friends and family that I should experience hurt from the situation for quite some time. 

Can I be honest and just tell you the truth that I simply did not want to dwell on it after the initial shock?  I had to make a choice between being a victim, martyr, or decide to be over it.  I had to face the fact that the only person I would be punishing is myself. Why put more personal energy into a relationship that ended on such bad terms?  Life is far too brief. What would be the point in holding onto the past after being given the knowledge I needed to set myself free from a disasterous situation? 

I had to take control over my thoughts and it isn't as easy as it seems but it can be done. I still have waking moments that force me to reflect on my experiences with this individual. Apparently, there were always red flags but I never recognized one until after the fact. My point is that while I still feel this it is experienced in a more distanced way. I am no longer letting it disrupt my sleeping, eating, or allowing it to infect my mind with worry and regret.

This is how I interpret everything today: While I will never respect his decisions and actions; we were completely incompatable and forged a relationship that would never last. Our Definitions of Love were different enough to make us lose faith in each other a long time ago.  

Growing Pains

When I was a little girl I had the worst growing pains.  I would wake up in the middle of the night in such anguish because my legs hurt so badly. Surprisingly, I am not tall but what everyone told me about the pain made me think that one day I would be.

I feel like a small child again, crying out in pain because I am still growing and there isn't anything that can be done. It simply has to happen. Whatever I am going through, while extremely unpleasant, is part of some process and learning experience.

Today would be our two year anniversary and I learned beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has been in another relationship for several months.  He would tell her he was in Oklahoma because he wanted to spend the weekend with me and then drop me off at the airport only to meet her.  He took her out of town on Christmas weekend while I was visiting my family in Ohio. 

There is so much more but I don't feel the need to rant...my family and friends have been gracious enough to listen and comfort me in my time of need. Even my last post serves as a reminder of my hopes for 2010 and this situation doesn't change my goals one bit. 

Sounds kind of strong but it is only because I know that I dodged a bullet. In all honesty,  I am heartbroken, saddened, and confused by the whole situation.  I thought we would get married but the only time that discussion resurfaced again is when his hand was caught in the cookie jar.  I ingratiated myself placing all of the blame for this on me and that was wrong too.

I know this is a pain that I am experiencing right now but I am determined to learn and grow from it.  After all, that is how this blog got started in the first place.

Productive and Joyous Living: My personal thoughts and goals for 2010

Financial:

Improving my financial situation has a direct relationship with my effort at work. After a lengthy period of unemployment, I eventually fell behind. While I have been catching up the last few months that doesn't mean that I am content with the debt I have accrued. In my job there are monetary incentives for achieving my quota.  Therefore, as I focus wholeheartedly on the objectives outlined in my job description, I will achieve a greater sense of personal fulfillment. The natural by-product is a larger commission check.  Maintaining a consistently high level of execution could lend itself to exceeding quota for the bonus commission rate.  I love my career and hold everyone I work with in the highest esteem.  Everything is aligned for success in this area of my life.

Emotional:

I need to remind myself daily that I am in control of my thoughts as they will directly affect the nature and purpose behind my activities. When I choose to dwell on the negative, it reflects in my personal nature...After the ugly eye surgery and then not having a job, I was overwhelmingly negative. I thought I hid it fairly well from my friends and family but as my situation got better so did my attitude and everyone noticed the difference in me. I know people that have been through far worse and they are positive thinkers to the core.  I am striving to be more like that. Which leads me to this next thought: I want to have a better understanding of what my purpose is in life. Surely it has to be greater than what I can see from this vantage point coming from a perpetual state of anxiety. I just need to wake up every day with the intention and hope that nearly all of the actions I take should promote a sense of well-being and accomplishment. Part of that is taking time to communicate with God and listen.   

Relationships:

I want to treat all of my relationships with a deeper respect and have a greater sense of urgency for expressing my gratitude and love for the people in my life who mean so much.  If I feel like calling someone I haven't spoken to in a while, I won't to put it off like a fleeting thought or feel guilty because it has been so long. Likewise, if someone calls me that I haven't talked to in years, I am going to pick up the phone.  It is the honorable thing to do and I will listen.

I will offer to help willingly before being asked if it is within my power to do so.

I want to take the time to form stronger bonds all year long with my family rather than waiting for holidays.

Body and Soul: A little about the past and goals for the future

I haven't been so good to myself. I thought not having the funds for pedicures, expensive haircuts, and botox made me less attractive when infact, other than longer hair, not much has changed.  Now that I can afford a few things here and there, they don't own me.  Beyond all of the superficial add-ons and expensive make-up, I learned that I want to treat my body with all of the respect it deserves. This form I am in has been abused, misused, and negatively viewed for as long as I can remember. Fantastic toenails and a gorgeous coif are nice but they don't define me anymore.

I just thought of an analogy: We invest in a car to get us from place to place. We pay for insurance, wash it,  sometimes even adore it as the vehicle that defines our status. All the while the check engine light could be on.  

I treated my physical appearance similarly and having less helped me come to realize the truth about where I was running low:  Self-esteem. I blamed it on not having all of the tools but I was reaching for the wrong toolbox.

Conclusion:

I want to enjoy the new vision I have for 2010: To be stronger and more viable than ever rather than pine away for regrets, lost causes and even my old best friend, Youth. I want to mature gracefully by taking better care of every aspect of my life and do so productively and joyfully so I can share my wisdom with the next generation of my family. That is my mission.

Profashional Makeup Review for Lean Purses: 2009

This year's Profashional Makeup Review is designed for lean purses.

With the advent of the economy, I haven't reviewed as many high-end products for one purpose as in the past but I will re-affirm some of my previous selections and offer some alternatives at a lower price point.

This year I will highlight what I think is essential first.

Teeth:

No matter what, buy a Sonic Toothbrush. The vibrating toothbrushes aren't quite the same. The Sonic technology vibrates/removes the majority of plaque from the surface as well as the gum line and between the teeth. The initial investment is about 100 dollars but it lasts for years. While replacement heads are necessary and more pricey than a traditional toothbrush, it is a lot cheaper than cavities, scaling beneath the gums and other expensive dental procedures that could all be avoided with the correct toothbrush.   Don't be fooled by imitations! 

Vitamins:

I have grown fond of the Emergen-C packets over the years because I like the flavors and they do offer a good morning boost of B and C; however they don't offer much in the way of minerals and anti-oxidants.  An affordable option that I think works better for me than some of the more well known brands is Just Once Women's One Multivitamin and Mineral. One thing that I like about this product is that it never seems to upset my stomach or give me a headache. I bought this at a local chain pharmacy.

Just to name a few supplements that I always keep on hand and take almost every day: Iron, Dandelion Root, Milk Thistle, CoQ10, Viactiv Calcium chews, Omegas, SAM-e & Probiotics.  

A few months ago, I took about 3-4 weeks to change my diet completely. The effects were profound. No matter how many supplements I take now with my current eating habits, there is nothing better than the pure diet which consisted only of whole foods and was wheat, gluten, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, dairy, meat, and all processed things free. I can't tell you that I was always satisfied with brown rice, oatmeal and miso soup but I learned to add fresh pico and avocado to my rice and make it extremely tasty. What I learned is that I was obsessed with food and the accessibility to it. It took a few weeks to create a delectable table with only fresh ingredients. But even so, I could chomp all day and never get above 1200 calories.

If you want the information that I was given from a Doctor as it was the same diet he offered to my friend with Chrons disease I will be happy to share that with you if asked.  

Body:

Shea Butter...I still swear by it after all these years. I use straight shea butter from the tin and it keeps my skin extremely soft but I have always had skin reactions and as long as I use that I don't get dry skin in the winter or allergic skin on bare legs in the summer. Plus, I think it has some sort of natural sunscreen although that is not documented.

Jergens Natural Glow with Firming is the other daily body moisturizer that I use. I like it a lot for keeping a believable color.  One thing to be mindful of in any body creme is that one of the main ingredients is alcohol. The same is true for Jergens but it seems to work for me because of all of the other essential extracts and I think their claim to visible firming is fair.  I have used a lot of other lotions and they don't seem to work as well as Jergens if I run out of Shea Butter.

Shaving:

Well, it all goes back to Shea Butter...If you can find a cream that has this in the mix with less of the alcohol and menthol products, women are likely to get a closer shave. Follow that with Shea Butter and your skin will be so soft, you can skip a day. 'Nuff Said.

Skincare:

I recently found a few product lines that I like but I don't really have a favorite.  If you are used to spending about 500-1000/year on skincare products, invest it in treatments and buy the less expensive products in the drugstore.  If you don't have an aesthetician, go for Kate Somerville. It is a product line you can buy in Neiman's, Bliss Spa or at her website.  Her products are less than Department Store Brands and most are just above the price of the High End Drug Store Brands; however, I really think that you should take advantage of a facial event if you can get to one.  If not...Don't fear. That is why I am here. 

The 3 Kate Somerville Must Have's In My Humble Opinion:  ExfoliKate, Vitamin, & Quench. But don't be afraid to buy the entire line as you won't be disappointed. 

If you or someone you love has really clogged pores, pimples, and or fine lines but also needs a simple regimen and you can help them with that, I have another favorite recommendation which is SkinAuthority. They have a beginner set with the cleanser, pore/anti-bacterial treatment with a vitamin C chaser followed with a really nice Sunscreen/Moisturizer with SPF 30. The starter Kit is about 100 dollars and last about 4 months. I like this solution a lot because it works!

Foundation:

I still use Armani Silk Foundation although I have tried nearly everything including mineral foundations on the market.  I never liked Bare Minerals but also tried Bare Essentials because my Mom gave gave it to me. Truth is, it looks FABULOUS on her! She is very pale and if she gets flushed her cheeks and nose get red but not with Bare Essentials. I am so happy because she enjoys wearing makeup again.

Hate it but Love it Category:

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse advertises very correctly. This is the closest an average consumer can get to a true airbrush finish. It works BUT you can't even wash it off of your hands after application. Imagine how deep it gets into your pores? Yes, I still use it for events, holidays and photographs! Are You KIDDING ME?  I like flawless, but if I strived for that every day, I would create more flaws than even the best foundation could hide.

Hair:

There was never any need to spend a lot of money on hair products. The most simple of ingredients which are likely in your household will sooth and smooth EVERY type of hair. There are two recipes but I recommend the second:

1. Olive Oil (1- 2 TBS depending on length) &  (1 Cup) Real Mayonaisse. Apply to hair, wet or dry and use the warmth of the hair dryer to bind the oils to the hair shaft. Rinse Repeatedly to remove the mayo smell.

2. Olive Oil (1-2 TBS depending on length) & One egg or two egg yolks. Avoid heat unless you want to become a meringue. Some people add a beer rinse and others like simple room temperature water.  In the beauty pageant days, my friends and I collected rain water because it was supposed to make you hair more shiney.  Fun.

Other fun facts about hair: Girls with long hair can brush it with corn starch and it is more shiney, healthy-looking and full of body than ever versus washing it every day. Although I don't recommend doing this in your bathroom it is an easy fix especially if you are a blonde and purchase the same pure corn starch that is on the shelf for babies because the white powder is intended to be brushed out. A person with any other color hair could do the same however some of the powder might be noticable on the scalp so there are a lot of colored products that offer similar effects with the power of a aerosol can to boost the roots..

Ooh La La. 

I hope you enjoyed my post.  Let me know if you have any questions. I would love to share that diet that I mentioned from a Chinese Physician if there is enough interest.

Winter Dream

I have very unusual dreams. They have a beginning, middle, and end much like a short story in a book. I often wake up when one ends, ponder it for a few minutes searching for some introspective link to my psyche and go back to sleep. Hey! If my subconcious mind is doing all of the work, why worry about it? Last night was unique because I had 3 such dreams in a row but the final one woke me up, not just because I had completed a story-cycle but also because I broke out in laughter. I considered writing about it this morning at 6:30 but wanted to see if the memory would last all day: 

It all started with an excursion with a group of people. None of which I would recognize but in my dream they were my friends. We were hiking or exploring a very icy terrain when a few individuals realized that their passports were missing so we decided that we were going to Canada but the park officials were hot on our trail. Once we realized that was happening it was like a grand adventure to escape and I left my bright blue back pack in the snow joining into the hijinks and pretending that I was also part of the defection. 

We did everything to get to Canada. Hiding in caves evading the people searching for us and eventually we reached the final test; an upside down L-shaped lake between two mountains. It was glassy and glacial blue.  Everyone else started to swim but I combined skipping and running across the water to reach the Consolate. Time was of the essence as we were being chased.  In my dream state I was able to combine my ambition to succeed with skills that aren't humanly possible.

Once we arrived, there was a check-in procedure much like an airport and our group of 12 or more was expecting some sort of document that needed to be issued and then signed by us before being activated. At this point, the officials were hot on our trail and as we were intermingled with numerous others presenting their documents for acceptance we all tried to blend in and not look too anxious. All I had was my college identification but the woman at the desk was deeply concerned and offered everyone in my group hospice.

Trying to avoid detection, we secretly handed the only pen in our group to each other so we could sign the pass to our freedom because the situation was still precarious. One of the agents in pursuit had his eyes on me. I sat at a table trying to look casual and sign it beyond his watchful eyes. Of course, we were all soaking wet and freezing so it was hard to avoid detection. He came over to me and requested that I present it before it was signed. I had to stand up and I looked deep into his eyes and told him the situation. I lost my Passport during the trip. He explained that they found a blue backpack but there was no identification or passport. I thought to myself that I had tossed the back pack for the adventure but never really thought about the consequences.

 I promised that I would be able to find my documents if he could take me to the last camping site where we ditched everything. At this point, he cuffed my left arm and for some bizarre reason, I held up my arm and asked my friends that made it to at least take a picture for Pete's sake! At that point he leaned up against the left side of my hip and detected that I had something square in my back pocket.

It was my PASSPORT but I was too cold to ever realize that it was there the whole time. And then, I proclaimed,  "false arrest and imprisonment" as a joke and the entire room went into fits of laughter.

And that is how I woke up...