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Easy On the Feet, Easy On the Eyes
Gift News Daily gives the lowdown on Southern Hospitality while at our most recent trade show at AmericasMart!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
The Heat Is...OFF! 4 Tips to Care for Your Skin During the Winter
The temperature outside may be falling, but the need to give your skin the proper care is still at an all-time high. Here are 4 tips to help your skin win the battle against Jack Frost.
Exfoliate
Cold weather brings low humidity and high winds that strips your skin of its natural moisture, leaving your skin dry and- over time- thickened and rough. To rid your skin of those excess, unwanted layers, exfoliate your skin 3 to 4 times WEEKLY. You always want to make sure to exfoliate on wet skin (particularly after soaking, bathing, or showering) to prevent causing further damage to your skin.
Moisturize
Once you remove the skin you don't want, the next step is to nourish the skin that you do want. To make your skin go from rough and scaly to supple and smooth, moisturize your skin 2 to 3 times DAILY- giving priority to the areas that are in direct exposure to the cold.
Sunscreen
Yep, you read right! Sunscreen shields you from sun's harmful ultraviolet rays that are problematic, EVEN during the winter months. A minimum SPF of 15 should be used and applied to sun-exposed skin 30 minutes before going outdoors and RE-applied every 1 to 2 hours. Hitting the slopes this winter? Then you should "up" your SPF to 30. High altitudes puts you closer to the sun, making the sun rays even more damaging to the skin.
What the foot !?!
Socks
Avoid wearing cotton socks in freezing cold temperatures. Instead, look for socks made of synthetic materials (nylon, special polyesters, etc.) to wick away excess moisture and alleviate chilled tootsies. To learn more, check out Jack Frost Nipping at Your...Toes.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
THE MOTHERLOAD (Part 2): Preggers CAN Be Choosers
Just because a baby’s on board doesn’t mean your daily activities have to take a back seat. Whether you’re breakin’ a sweat, layin’ low, or steppin’ out for the evening, here are some tips on what to lookout for in the right shoes you can use for any mama-in-the-making!
SPORTY PREGGERS
A proper athletic shoe always does a (pregnant) body good for any type of workout. When on the quest for the proper shoe, you want to check for 3 things: 1) a rigid sole with shock absorption, 2) a wide toe box, and 3) arch support. A rigid sole with shock absorption protects your feet from forces caused from the added weight they have to support along with the forces and impact from the ground from walking and excessive activity. A wider toe box is essential to accommodate for the increased width and frequent swelling of the feet that may occur. Lax ligaments and reduced arches can also contribute to wider feet. Therefore, having ample arch support maintains the pregnant foot in a more ideal position for a successful workout. Remember, if your feet are in a their proper position, that means less stress for your ankles, knees, hips, and lower back!
CASUAL PREGGERS
As tempting as it may be, going barefoot is a no-go for any future mama. Sure, going shoeless may be comfortable when at home, but it makes your feet a target for debris that you may have the displeasure of stepping on. Anything that can pierce your feet can lead to injury or even infection, which during pregnancy is added (unnecessary) worry. Also, going barefoot provides no arch support, which for flatfeet puts added stress on the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Instead, always wear some type of house shoe- the thicker the sole the better. Remember, coverage is the key-that also means NO flip-flops/thongs…sorry! If you’re out-n-about, a great athletic shoe is always an option. However if you’re in the mood for something more laid back, clogs are nice options. They are backless (giving your feet the feeling of being free), but still provides coverage and support.
CLASSY PREGGERS
You’ve found the perfect outfit for that very special occasion and you’re thinking to yourself that nothing would set-off this outfit more than a swanky pair of heels, right!...Oh HEEL no! In terms of high heels, height is not your friend. Increased weight in the belly region makes for a change in gait and altered balance. Falling can hurt you and the child. However if you just have to have some elevation, shoes with a short wedged heel (~2in high) are a reasonable alternative. The wider sturdier heel provides better rearfoot and ankle support for better balance and walking.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Function vs Fashion
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Check out these shoes you can use for all outdoor activities this Spring! Video courtesy of The Today Show.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Nail Salons? You Better Think Twice!
We here at Southern Hospitality recommend that you take a personal natural approach to show your puppies some love. Check out this video from ABC’s 20/20 and see why putting your feet in the wrong hands can spell danger for your dogs! Well, guess what they say is true.......if you want something done right, you just may have to do it yourself!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Nerves of Still
FOOT FACT:
Ever wonder if you are truly keeping those first date jitters in-check?
Studies reveal that women have a tendency of keeping their feet still when they’re nervous, while men tend to get happy feet. Wanna know if your mate is being honest? Results show that both men and women will show an unusual lack of foot movement.
Renowned Psychologist Geoffrey Beattie says, "The secret language of feet can reveal a great deal about our personality, what we think of the person we're talking to, and even our emotional and psychological state. They are a fascinating channel of non-verbal communication.”
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Turf War
FOOT FACT:
The Seattle Seahawks get set to battle the Denver Broncos at Super bowl XLVIII. But, that may not be the only nemesis that these two teams may be squaring off against this Sunday. Turf toe is a common condition that has slowed the play- and even ended the careers- of many football players. Its name stems from the synthetic “turf” that is commonly played-on by many athletes (most notably, football players). The injury occurs when the player’s cleat becomes firmly planted into the turf as their big toe joint becomes hyperextended (Seen below).
(Figure 1)
As a result, the big toe joint becomes sprained, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, joint capsule, and bones surrounding the joint.
(Figure 2)
Players often complain of tenderness and swelling around the joint and serious pain with range of motion.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Frost BITES!
FOOT FACT:
9 out of 10 cases of frostbite in adults occur in the hands & feet (feet being the most common). Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures can halt blood flow to your extremities, depriving them of oxygen, leading to nerve and tissue damage. Warning signs include: numbness, red to bluish-grey discoloration of the affected area, and “waxy” skin appearance. Skin that is not properly protected from subzero temperatures and intense windchills can fall victim to frostbite in just 10 minutes! It is a good idea to always bundle up with the proper attire to protect yourself before battling the elements. And remember…NO COTTON SOCKS!!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Feel the Burn
FOOT FACT:
You may be thinking to yourself that pain is pain….right?...wrong!
A burning pain in the legs & feet could signal nerve damage (neuropathy). Damaged nerves send constant misfired signals to your brain triggering burning sensations of pain. Diabetes is the most common culprit… but alcoholism, Vitamin B12 deficiency and heavy metal poisoning are some other causes that can hold your feet to the fire.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
