Preventing Sunburn Inside and Out

We all enjoy a good picnic in the park or day lazing on the beach in the summertime. A little bit of sun is good for us, and even recommended. It may not make you impervious from harm or give you the power of flight, but sunlight is still super for increasing your levels of contentment and boosting the much-needed Vitamin D most of us lack. But what do you do when you want to spend more than 30 minutes in the great outdoors? Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Too much sunlight on your skin breaks down your skin cells. You can slow down that breakdown with a diet packed full of nutrition. The nutrients and antioxidants in food will mop up any cell damage and stimulate your cells to produce new healthy cells to replace the damaged ones. The most nutrient dense foods you can eat are dark leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, berries and citrus fruits, nuts, cocoa, avocados, coffee, tea, olive oil and coconut oil. A healthy diet won't completely protect you from the sun, but it will reduce the damage considerably and help you heal much faster.

Essential Oils
There are a lot of plant oils that naturally prevent sunscreen. Coconut oil is a good start, but add 5 to 10 drops of other oils to boost protection. Myrrh, lavender, helichrysum and red raspberry seed oil all block out a significant percentage of harmful radiation when applied to the skin. Mix essential oil with some coconut oil in a jar and apply every hour or two throughout your time outside.

Cover Up
Anyone who's ever experienced Farmer's Tan or a Phantom Watch knows that clothing will block out sun exposure. bring a swimsuit cover-up like a long-sleeved linen shirt, a hat or a long cotton dress to wear after a swim.

Have a Friend Watch Your Back
Many times you'll be burned way before you even feel it. Hang out with friends, and especially if you burn easy, let them know they can feel free to point it out when you're starting to look red so you can stop it in its tracks before it gets worse.

Soothe the Burn
As careful as you are, it's probably going to happen eventually. Cut a leaf of aloe or mash up a cucumber to cool raw skin, or cut a raw potato and apply directly where it hurts. Bonus points: put the potato in the fridge first. The starch will help soothe your skin. Oatmeal can be used similarly by applying to the skin or soaking in a bath of it. White vinegar will kill the pain too. Apply every 20 minutes to where it hurts the most.

Enjoy your summer fun, and until next time, keep it clean!

Tips to Beat the Sweltering Heat!

   The heat is definitely on in Texas, as well as all over the US! For most of us, air conditioning is a much needed savior during these scorching months. However, you can't stay inside all the time!! Here are some tips on how to stay cool and beat the sweltering summer heat!
  If you are an exerciser, it's best to keep your activities indoor if you can. If you must jog, walk, or bike outside, it's best to do it either early in the morning or later in the evening. Just be sure to wear light reflective clothing if you choose the latter. Speaking of clothing, you should go for loose fitting, light colored clothing over tight and dark. Also, choose organic cotton over other synthetic fabrics as it will breathe better and keep you cooler!
   Another tip for staying cool? Try keeping a spray bottle with water in the fridge to refresh you after a hot day! It's also great to store your lotion or body oil in the fridge during the summer. While you're at it, keep your showers on the cool side as well to keep yourself most comfortable. Fans are a great way to keep the house cooled down, or you can even carry a portable fan to take with you on the run!
   You'll also want to drink plenty of water to keep dehydration at bay. Try to keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to a minimum as these greatly promote dehydration, especially if you are outdoors!!  You can also eat cooling foods to help lower the temp from the inside out! Try watermelon, cucumber, mint, coconut, summer squash, fennel, cilantro, and aloe vera. It's best to steer clear of anything spicy, heavy, or greasy as these will only increase the heat!
   Use your best judgement this summer, along with these tips and you will stay cool enough to enjoy this heat wave! From all of us at Azuma, have a safe and fun summer! And as always, keep it clean!! :)

Red, White, and Blue Parfaits for Your Holiday!

   The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. It's the day we celebrate our independence and also enjoy time outdoors with family and friends. The best part: fireworks of course! This 4th of July, why not surprise your guests with a healthy and patriotic dessert!!
   I found this recipe on the Better Homes and Gardens website. It consists of very few ingredients, just berries and yogurt!! The original recipe calls for whipped topping but if you are wanting to keep this light, I would skip that and just focus on a premium yogurt. If you are vegan, I highly advise substituting coconut milk yogurt instead!
 
      You will need:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries or Strawberries (cut into small pieces) 
• Yogurt
• Vanilla or almond extract
• Optional: Whipped topping

   All you have to do is mix your yogurt with whichever flavored extract you choose. Fold in the whipped topping (if you are using that). Then layer in clear glasses starting with blueberries, then a dollop of yogurt, and finally strawberries and/or raspberries. If you are using larger containers, keep alternating this way until you reach the top! You can even make the parfaits up to an hour ahead and just place in the fridge until ready to eat!! 
   I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy treat for your 4th of July outing. Have a happy and safe holiday from all of us at Azuma Leasing. Stay clean for now!

Labor Day

Who doesn't love a three day weekend??? I know I do but have you ever wondered why we have the Labor Day holiday? Here is a little bit of info about it! Labor Day is observed the first Monday in September. It is a tribute to acknowledge the social and economic achievements of our nations workforce. Its a celebration of the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Our reward for working hard and making our country great! The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday September 5, 1882 in New York City and was set up by the Central Labor Union. By 1894, Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday in September the official national holiday.

Nowadays, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But there is no reason to not get out and enjoy some Labor Day activities in your community. There are parades, picnics, carnivals, fun runs and so much more! Enjoy your long weekend everyone! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Summertime Laundry Tips

Ahhh, summertime!! Time for fun and outdoor activities by the pool or beach or out in the backyard. All of that outdoor activity can lead to some seriously dirty clothes though! What to do when you a scoop of ice cream falls from your cone and onto your favorite t-shirt? Or how should you treat grass stains that end up on your child's shorts after an afternoon of backyard football?
Here are a few tips that may help with those pesky messes you may encounter!

• In a well ventilated room, dab some mineral spirits on grass stains (of course, test for color-fastness of the clothing before doing this). Scrub with an old toothbrush and then launder. The stain should come right out!
• To remove mustard, ketchup or BBQ sauce from fabric, soak the item in white vinegar for 10-15 minutes and then toss in the washer on cold. *Poof*! No more stain!
• Did you eat some greasy BBQ along with that sauce and get grease on your shirt? Never fear, cornstarch is here!! Immediately pat cornstarch onto the grease stain to absorb the offending oil. Let it sit then wash it with the rest of your clothing as usual. The stain will come right out (learned that little trick from my Mom!).
• If you happened to get ice cream on your shirt, soak the item in warm water for approximately 15 minutes, apply a stain pre-treater and wash as usual. Launder as you normally would!
• Gum can be removed from clothing by putting it in the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for at least 6 hours and then chip away the hardened bits with a butter knife.
  
• Lemon juice works wonders for removing berry stains from clothing. Now, be careful because the acid from the juice may bleach the clothing. Always best to test in an inconspicuous area before treating the stain.
• Hydrogen peroxide is very good for removing blood stains from clothing. Soak the spot in HP and watch the stain magically disappear!!
• Salt and baking soda make EXCELLENT laundry boosters. On a side note, they (along with white vinegar) are also really good for cleaning your home if you are concerned about using noxious chemicals.

Hope these tips help you and get you and your clothing through a wonderful summer!!! Until next time, keep it clean!

It's a scorcher!!!

It's summertime and that means more outdoor activities in the heat. This summer has been unseasonably hot which can be very dangerous especially for children, the elderly and pets (okay, so just about the entire general population!!). While you don't need to curtail your activities, it is a good idea to take some precautions if you will be out in the sun for a prolonged amount of time. Here are some helpful ideas on how to stay cool and protect yourself (and others!) from the summer sun and heat:

• Try to take advantage of the early morning or late evening when planning outdoor activities or work outs.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes that are in a light color to keep your body cool.
• Use fans to circulate air to make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned home.
• Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer and grab one when going outside. As the ice melts, you will have a supply of cold water to enjoy!
• Drink plenty of water or sports drinks when engaging in outdoor activities to replenish the electrolytes in your body that are lost when perspiring.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol since they promote dehydration.
• Use products with mint or menthol. Body washes, lotions and body sprays refresh the skin and create a cooling sensation.
• Wear a hat to keep the sun off of your face.
• Drink chrysanthemum tea. The tea is said to have a cooling effect on the body.
• Eat spicy foods. Yep, you read that right! Foods that create warmth in the body enhance circulation and causes sweating that will cool you down.
  
• Dogs are less efficient at cooling themselves than people are. If your dog lives outdoors, consider bringing him indoors during the hotter times of day and be sure to provide a shaded area in your yard for him (like a dog house beneath a tree).
• Always use sunscreen. And don't forget to put sunscreen on your pets too! Short-haired dogs are susceptible to sunburn especially on the bridge of their noses, tips of their ears and belly area. May sound silly but it works and can save Fido from a lot of discomfort later on!
• Your dogs paws can get burnt on a hot sidewalk or asphalt driveway. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws. If the dog MUST go out, keep the walk very short and keep him in the grass if at all possible.

Hope those tips help to keep you and your entire family safe during the dog days of summer. Now, go grab a cold glass of lemonade and head for the nearest pool! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Gotta Get Away!

Deadlines. Schedules. Activities. Finances. Meetings. Do these sound like a few things that permeate your world on a weekly or even daily basis? Sometimes you just gotta get away and take a vacation! A few days off to decompress, relax and do things that aren't tied to a schedule can do wonders for one's psyche. Times are hard and budgets are limited so trying to vacation on limited funds can be challenging.

One very important ways to maximize your traveling bucks is to be flexible. Most people leave on vacations during the weekend but did you know that you can save some money by leaving during the week instead? Yep! You can easily save some serious cash on airline tickets if you adjust your departure date. Another thing that can help with saving is to plan your trip for the off-season. That can give a substantial savings on hotel rooms and car rentals. Do some research on various destinations. For example, if you have your heart set on a beach vacation, compare prices. You could save a lot by being flexible and choosing Puerto Escondido over Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. And I don't know about you but I have ALWAYS enjoyed traveling with my family and friends. Why not get together and split a rental house on the beach or a cabin near a lake? Taking family and/or friends along will not only defray the cost of lodging but some great memories you can be made together! Nothing like quality time with those nearest and dearest to you. Camping at a national park can be a wonderful budget-friendly experience. There are countless outdoors activities to take part in such as hiking, canoeing and swimming.

Ya know, you can also use your vacation time as an opportunity to volunteer. Giving back can be very rewarding. WWW.globalvolunteers.org arranges volunteer vacations for individuals, couples and families. During your vacation, you will live with locals and work on various community development projects. It's very rewarding and benefits a community of people. WWW.americanhiking.org also has volunteer vacations where trails across the country are maintained, created or improved. It's a good way to get out in nature and enjoy some fresh air!

There ya have it - a few ideas to get you started on your summer vacation ideas! Until next time, keep it clean!