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summer

Vintage Shades Compliment Sizzling Summer Looks

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Living in the ever so sunny state that is Arizona, you can bet that there are two things that I see most people always with: A bottle of water to prevent dehydration, and a nifty pair of shades to block the sun from their eyes; for that matter some high-rated SPF sunscreen is always must-have, too. However, what I have tended to notice is that many people prefer a wide variety of different sunglasses, which offer umpteen amounts of countless and endless accessory possibilities whenever you are getting ready to go out in the sun on a particular day. But when it comes to men’s fashion—and its relationship to sunglasses—boy do I see some really just horrible and heinous combinations! From cheap, plastic glasses, to the always ‘damn bro’ wrap-around sunglasses that really make most men look like they are about to go on a skiing expedition during the middle of July!

For these reasons, and oh’ so many more, I have decided to yap to you about my affinity for vintage shades. There are several ways that vintage shades can help you avoid a fashion ‘faux paw’ these days. And, you don’t have to spend your entire checking account just to get your hands on a sweet pair. This is a lesson that I have learned a long time ago, after losing numerous pairs of costly designer sunglasses, and fretting over them getting scratched, broken or misplaced. Long gone are those woes: Easily replaced by ordering decent quality, ‘knock-off’ vintage shade brands online for pennies on the dollar—when compared to their so-called ‘designer’ counterparts.

If you are a ‘brand whore,’ well you probably will greatly disagree with me. That’s okay, those major mall department stores LOVE to keep taking you to the bank by charging you $200 to get a pair of sunglasses that you more than likely will lose, or break within a year—assuring that you once again head back there for another pair. So go figure.

As for me, a nice pair of vintage sunglasses, as the ones you see pictured to the upper left, always suit my summer attire. And they don’t cost me a fortune. For that matter, I could care less if they get lost; I simply buy another pair for cheap online. And that’s that!

Hottest Summer Hair Styles

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People are always obsessed with their hair or lack there of. This is why people who cut hair professionally have such rich success. At the same time, products and procedures that promise to bring hair back also enjoy great success. There are almost as many styles of hair do’s as there are people. Knowing what the current trends are can help a person remain relevant and up to date. This helps to provide a person with confidence since they then know that their hair looks good. This also helps to add the finishing touches to a person’s appearance, bringing everything together.

Women: Ladies, you do not neglect your time picking out a wardrobe and applying make-up, please do not neglect your hair any longer. The current trends include that long hair with a sleek shine to it. This is not accomplished by tying the whole mess into a sloppy pony tail as you rush out the door. Instead, consider putting a texturing cream in your hair and leaving it down. This creates a more sultry appearance that is appropriate for both the work environment and the night life.

Not everyone can wear long hair. For those who prefer the medium length styles, remember that retro is still in. Stick to classic styles. The medium length hair can be made more daring by adding splashes of color, such as red highlights. The tussled look for medium length hair is not a good idea because it simply looks not brushed, rather than sultry or daring.

Short hair can also be very stylish. Using the texturing creams and a gel, you can create a great and fashionable spiky style. The sleek look is also in for the short hair, with bobs being a big hit. If highlighting short hair, keep the highlights blocky and limited. If the highlights are all over, the short hair will make it look as though your hair is that color rather than being highlighted with another color as the base.

Men: You are not off the hook. If you are going to shave you head, please leave a little bit of hair on top. The clean shaven head only looks good on a few people. Instead consider a little bit of hair on your head. Fades are all the rage, with longer hair on top and shorter hair on the back and sides of the head. This can be played down for work by leaving it without any product and then made sexy with a little bit of gel, spiking the hair on top. Long hair is not necessarily a good idea for guys and the mullet is so out. Please, either long or short, not both. You cannot have work in front and party in the back.

The Skinny on Salt

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Summer is here and that means heat and humidity, and heat and humidity means we are going to sweat.  Sweating is the body’s way of cooling off, but with that sweat you lose salt, an electrolyte that needs to be replenished, because the body cannot manufacture this element on its own.

Salt is basically sodium chloride-two essential minerals required by the body that helps communication between cells, and the regulation of fluid in our bodies.  Salt is naturally occurring-in any form, from Epsom salts to kosher, and is found in the sea and in minerals.  Salt helps regulate blood volume and blood pressure.  The relationship between salt and blood pressure can be traced back nearly 4000 years to the Chinese emperor Huang Ti, who wrote of the connections between salt and a “hardened pulse.”

As of today, the dietary guidelines for salt intake are 2300 milligrams per day.  The typical American diet ranges from 3000 to 5000 milligrams.  For our bodies to survive, we need about 500 milligrams.  A teaspoon of salt is about 2400 milligrams.

The salt shaker on the table is NOT the smoking gun.  The danger is in the convenience and frozen packages, and in fast food.

I recently did some research in the grocery store, going through the freezer section and stayed exclusively with what we use to call TV dinners.  I looked at the nutrition labels from about 8 or 9 of the big brand name labels and was shocked to see that the sodium in each serving was giving us anywhere from 28% to 45%  of the daily allowance of sodium we need per day.  In one meal!  Now think back on what you had for breakfast, lunch, possibly those snacks in between, and dessert and a late night snack you may eat after dinner.  We are exceeding our daily sodium intake by nearly 200%

Here are a few tips to lowering our salt intake:

-Be more concerned with the ratio of salt to potassium than the actual amount of salt in your diet.

-Do not try to eliminate salt from your diet-it is essential to the body-instead, try to reduce the excessive intake by eating whole, unprocessed foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grain breads without the butter.

-Drink plenty of water after you exercise, perspiring drains the salt out of your body, and needs to be replenished.

-When cooking, use herbs and spices instead of the salt shaker.  There are many good seasoning blends in the spice aisle of you grocery store.  Low sodium broths are also a good way to poach foods in order to give them better flavor.

-Whenever you buy canned foods such as beans or vegetables, always drain and rinse them well in a sieve, because they are soaking in brine that is loaded with salt.

We also like to dine out more than ever.  Be alert on the cooking styles of the chefs and ask your server how the foods are prepared.  Avoid anything pickled, cured or smoked.  Order your salad dressing on the side instead of mixed in.  Avoid the ketchup, mustard and pickles, or at least cut down the amount you use.  Opt for fruit instead of those salty appetizers.

Keeping in mind that we need salt, but not an excessive amount, and an insufficient amount can be detrimental to our health as well.  So drink plenty of fluids, watch your diet and prepare food wisely by limiting the amount of salt in recipes.

Dealing With the Heat Without Losing Your Cool

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This has so far been a very warm summer. Humidity levels are high and tempers are higher. People are doing everything that they can do to stay cool. Dealing with the heat takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to this year’s record temperatures and humidity levels. Here are some helpful hints for how to deal with the weather without losing your cool.

1. Dress cool. I don’t mean to dress what is hip or to wear skimpy outfits, but simply dress appropriately for the weather. Wear clothing that is loose and light weight. Do not wear the over jackets if you do not have to. Skip the long sleeves for a shorter sleeve shirt if possible. Do not out looking like a slob, but do try to be comfortable.
2. Tank tops look great when they have a little bit embellishment. This is true for women only. Men, do not embellish you tanks and say that this blog told you to. Please. Women, a little ruffle on the tank top or a fancy collar goes a long way to make a plain tank top fancy and work or dinner appropriate.
3. Shorts are not un-appropriate when dealing with this weather. If you are going to work, clear it with your boss or the company rule book before you wear shorts, but in most cases a pair of khaki shorts is acceptable. Just make sure that the shorts are long enough. The shorts should not come much past the knee for both men and women. No hot-pants please. They do not look good on anyone.
4. Cheap flip flops are not a good way to keep your feet cool. Not only do they look bad, but they are bad for your feet. Instead, consider a fancier slide or sandal that is more appropriate for adults. Wear shoes that fit you for your comfort. Wear socks with your shoes if appropriate. Skipping socks in athletic shoes may seem like a good way to keep your feet cool, but instead you will find that your feet sweat more and are more uncomfortable.
5. Stay hydrated for your comfort and health. It may seem almost unfashionable to go walking around with water, but there is nothing further from the truth. Carrying a reusable bottle full of water has become a hot trend in environmentally conscious cities and should be one in your city. Staying hydrated is essential to your health and a reusable bottle is essential to the world’s health.
6. Keep to the shade whenever possible. There is a huge craze for tanned and bronzed bodies. This may look good when the person is young, but the tans will turn to crinkled skin in time. Not only will sticking to the shade help you feel cooler, but it will also help to keep your skin young. If you are going to go into the sun, consider wearing a sun block, even if it is just for a quick walk to the coffee shop.
7. Enjoy a frozen beverage. Everyone knows that ice is cold. A cold coffee or frappachino is a great way to beat the heat and enjoy a flavored beverage. Have one with friends and combine a great beverage with great company. Enjoy the summer and have fun. That’s what the summer is all about, right?

A Neanderthal Welcomes Summer

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Summer has made a premature appearance here in Minnesota, and beside the long-awaited thaw and the resurrection of baseball, golfing and fishing, we dream of the day we can pull our Weber’s out of the garage and anoint them with a slab of animal flesh to grill upon their hallowed embers.
I live in a row of townhouses with close proximity to our neighbors. I noticed all the men on both sides of my dwelling rediscovering their inner caveman as they pulled out their grills and loaded them with coals and raw lean protein in a humble offering to the gods of fire and vinegar based sauces.
Not to be outdone, I too uncovered my portable fire pit and drove off to Costco to hunt down a worthy prey. With one kill shot I brought down two racks of pork ribs for $24.19 to bring home and lay at my woman’s feet. As she prepared a dish called “salad”, I seasoned and rubbed the meat with spices and herbs to best augment the essence of the day’s hunt. It slowly crackled and seared itself to perfection with a teriyaki glaze while I enjoyed a refreshing beverage and listened to a baseball game on the radio, contemplating when I should take the fishing poles and golf bags out of hibernation.
My neighbors and I enjoyed our fire cooked meat and I knew that winter was over and all was right with the world, at least until the next snowflakes fell and the blizzards once again covered our caves. But until then, we will search our DNA, cook our meat over an open flame, and take pleasure in the fact that Costco is inexpensive and not that far away.