Then, on a trip to Australia last month, I found it! Beach Hut makes a Hair and Scalp Sunscreen. My wife and I immediately bought out the stock (yes all four of them) at $10 a piece. When searched online, I found that the sunscreen could be bought in the US at Circle K’s. Hey there are Circle K’s near where I live. I couldn’t be happier…

…Until I got back to the United States. I found out that my big find wasn’t so big. Banana Boat was busy ignoring my e-mail about their similar products… and then they released one, Sport Body and Scalp Sunscreen. It was available nearly everywhere I looked… and was only $5. I have used a few times and it works as well as the older Banana Boat stuff. In fact it’s got twice the SPF and works well on skin (not just hair and scalp), making it an all around great sunscreen.

If you have a chance and have thinner hair, I highly recommend picking some up.

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Our homes are our castles, but few of us realize just how many dangers may be lurking there. If you are not taking steps to monitor your home’s air quality and looking for potential problem areas, you can end up suffering from a host of different maladies. For people with allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems, many of these symptoms may actually be caused from irritants within your home. Here are five common health hazards that every home owner needs to be aware of.

1. Radon. This is a very serious issue for many, particularly in areas where this a high concentration of uranium in the soil. The only way to know if you have radon present in your home is to purchase a test kit and sample the air. The good news is that there are radon remediation companies that can assist you if there are harmful levels of radon in your home.
2. Black Mold and Regular Mold. While all mold is bad, black mold is particularly harmful to humans and pets. If you have damp areas in your home, or there is a problem with drainage, you are running the risk of creating the ideal breeding ground for mold. Even areas that are very dry can still have homes with mold overgrowth. Mildew is a related problem for many, particularly in crawl spaces and bathrooms where ventilation is poor. Here is an entire post of how to handle mold in the home.
3. Dust Mites. These nasty little creatures are pretty much going to be an inevitable problem for any home, but the rub comes from having too many. If you are finding that your allergies are worse than ever, or you suddenly have breathing problems, these little critters may be the culprit. It is necessary to install dust mite proof bedding and vacuum frequently if you have been overrun with dust mites. There are specialists available in most areas that will be able to assist you in testing your home for dust mites and coming up with a solution.
4. Lead Paint. This is a definite problem in older homes, but it may also be an issue with furniture and even toys that you bring into your home. If you know for a fact that your home has lead paint, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a removal company. You should never attempt to remove lead paint on your own or without protective gear. These particles are very harmful if you breathe them in and can create lasting health problems.
5. Asbestos. Even though the big asbestos scares of the 1980’s and 1990’s have died down, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have this harmful form of insulation in your home. If your home was built prior to 1975, it is a very good idea to get your house inspected for asbestos. This was also a common insulator used in old appliances, so be wary of fixing any of these on your own. Asbestos should only be removed by professionals due to its potential to cause life threatening lung conditions.

With diligence and proper testing, you can rest easy knowing that your home is free of these harmful contaminants. For further reading please see my post a beginners guide to home inspections.

If you are interested purchasing various tools for you DIY projects please consider starting your shopping at the Handyman Fix Home Repair stores: Hardware Store, Garden Store, and Discount Appliances

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Let’s start with where you are sitting. Your chair is very important. If you’re not using the right one, it may be affecting your posture. Try to find a chair that is rated for your activity. For example, someone that works at a data entry job is going to need a chair that allows for sitting for longer periods in comfort. The backs on these chairs are typically lower and it should not have arms. A manager will also need a different type of chair.

Check with your office supply company to see what kind of chairs they offer. If your company will allow it, you may be able to test out several different models until you find the one that will provide you with the best foundation for good posture. Most companies offer a 30 day money back guarantee, so your company will only have to pay for the chair that you keep. If you suffer from chronic neck and back pain, this may be the best solution.

I have this crazy sitting posture where I actually sit on one of my legs. It’s horrible and a habit I’m trying to break. How do you sit? Do you sit hunched over or are you straining to look up. You may need to adjust the height of your chair. If you cannot make it taller, you may be able to get a seat cushion that will lift you up appropriately. I’ve read that your eyes should be level with the top of the monitor.

You can also work on posture exercises while you’re working. Try to imagine a string that is connected from your belly button through the top of your head. Pull that string upwards and feel your body straightening up. Your shoulders should be slightly back and your head should be upright. You should immediately feel relief, especially in your lower back. Whenever you catch yourself slumping, try this to correct it. After time, you’ll be able to train yourself out of slumping.

Lastly, there are specific exercises that you can do away from work that will improve your posture. A lat pull down with a cable machine is the best for strengthening your neck and back muscles. You should be gripping the bar at a little wider that the width of your shoulders. Lean back slightly and make sure that your torso is straight. Pull the bar down and return it for about eight to ten repetitions. Another idea is to get a Wii Fit as it has some posture exercises. The best plan yet is to see an ergonomics expert – I’m certainly not one. Keep working at it and soon you’ll have perfect posture and a problem free back.

Photo Credit: Terry Bain

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The study was conducted with 115 women and originally was focusing on how exercising can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, in the control group where they were not exercising, the study found that these patients came down with several colds. Those that were exercising did not. To make it even more interesting, the study was being conducted at the height of cold season when it is very easy to catch a cold.

Those that were part of the exercise group were exercised around thirty minutes per day, while the other group did virtually no exercise. It is believed that the immune system was stimulated by the extra activity and began producing more white blood cells. These are often the first line of defense against common colds. It was a pretty easy link to make and it is believed that exercise may be beneficial for preventing numerous types of disease.

Since most of the participants kept their exercise light, often walking, the link was made that walking may actually be the key to preventing the common cold. Dr. Cornelia Ulrich, the lead author of the study commented, “The enhanced immunity was strongest in the final quarter of the year-long exercise intervention. This suggests that when it comes to preventing colds, it’s really important to stick with exercise long-term. In everybody this level of aerobic exercise has been recommended for a number of health outcomes. The women also lost a bit of weight and fresh air could go some way to helping strengthen the immune system.”

Ulrich’s colleagues were intrigued by the findings, but have stated that further research will be necessary to determine whether this link is truly present. In the meantime, proper exercise can benefit anyone, regardless of whether they are trying to lose weight or avoid colds. The key is finding the right balance of activity and making sure that you never exercise when you are already sick.

In addition to proper exercise, find the right diet plan and eating healthy foods can also help you prevent many common diseases. Until it is proven that walking reduces colds, you can try your own study to see if it helps you. Try exercising for at least thirty minutes a day during the next round of cold season and keep a log to see if you get any colds during that period. Chances are, you’ll feel better and you may find that you are getting healthier as well as preventing disease. Since there aren’t many options when it comes to preventing colds, this may be the best bet for many years to come.

Mussels

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For this review, I chose the Neutrogena Healthy Defense Moisturizer with SPF 45 from this line. There are a few others, such as hand cream, but I decided on this all purpose moisturizer since it had a broader appeal. First off, the texture of the product is quite nice. It’s not chalky like a lot of sunscreen moisturizers and it didn’t flake off once it was applied.

The Helioplex term refers to the Neutrogena’s use of both Avobenzone and Oxybenzone, which are approved by the FDA for blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Since these are both quite dangerous, it’s nice to see a sunscreen combine both. Typically, Avobenzone can do the job, but doesn’t hold up well after a few hours or so in sunlight. By adding Oxybenzone, the protection will last longer and you’ll have more luck at blocking all of the harmful rays.

It actually feels and functions like a moisturizer which was surprising considering the amount of SPF. With a lot of similar products, you feel like you’re actually drying out right after you apply it, so this was a pleasant surprise. The product didn’t ball up either, which was another bonus. There is a bit of a fragrance, but it’s more of a generic sunscreen smell. It was decent and non-threatening so it passed this test. A lot of moisturizers in this category smell like a garden hothouse in summer, so I was pleased that this had a neutral scent. Plus, my wife really hates the typical sunscreen smell.

My main issue with this product was that it was not waterproof. If you are a heavy sweater or you will be in the water, you’re going to need to frequently reapply. Given the overall price for the product, this may get expensive for some buyers, especially if you are very active.

All of this aside, what is really important is whether or not the sunscreen works. I found that it held up well and reduced burning significantly, even on fair skin. The biggest improvement was a reduction in freckling and that sun baked wrinkle look. It does well on its own and my wife said it worked under makeup. It is a little pricey, especially for someone as frugal as me. However, at the end of the day, it did the job and protected our skin. When compared to similar department store or higher end moisturizers, it performed just as well at about half the cost. We would definitely purchase it again and recommend it for those that aren’t worried about reapplying.

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• Chili Peppers – These hot little numbers are rich in capsaicin, an ingredient which has been found to reduce pain. However, these peppers may also be beneficial in preventing stomach cancers as well as many other forms of cancer. The best peppers are those that are red in color, but there may be some benefits from eating jalapenos as well.
• Garlic – Garlic is one of the world’s oldest antibiotics and although it has a mighty smell, it also has some mighty health benefits. It contains allium compounds, which have been found to prevent several different types of cancer. Diallyl Sulfide is one of these compounds and the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina found that it can be beneficial in preventing colon and stomach cancers. However, the benefits are only found with fresh garlic, not supplements. Read more about the health benefits of garlic.
• Broccoli – This cruciferous vegetable is incredibly good for your health and contains many antioxidants such as lutein. This may be the key in preventing prostate and other cancers.
• Mushrooms – Shitake and reishi mushrooms have been the focus of many studies and researchers have found that there are many benefits from eating them. Polysaccharides are found in mushrooms and may play in an important part in the reduction of cancer risks.
• Soy – The phytoestrogens in soy have been the subject of a lot of controversy over the years, but the research still shows that it is beneficial in preventing many different forms of cancer. It shrinks blood vessels and may actually be able to prevent breast cancer. It is best to keep your intake of soy to a minimum, having no more than four to five servings a day for the best results. Even adding a little soy every once in awhile to your diet can produce big results.
• Green Tea – This tea is being touted as a new wonder drug, but it’s actually been in use for thousands of years. The tea contains polyphenols and other antioxidants that build up the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Cellular Biochemistry released a report in 2001 which showed that green tea may also prevent stomach, lung and colon cancer.

If you’re wondering how to get all of these foods into your diet, you may have noticed that what we’ve listed could all be made into one stir fry dish. That’s a very easy fix that you could add to your diet once a week or even twice a week.

Photo Credit: MC MasterChef

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