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Refreshing Summertime Drinks

July 28, 2014 by

<alt="Raspberry Lemonade"/>Are you hosting a BBQ this summer for your friends and family? Maybe you’re planning a great summer supper with all of your favorite seasonal ingredients. If you’re like us, we love hosting get-togethers and fun parties for our loved ones in the summer. You enjoy planning the event, picking out the right dishes to serve, and creating signature drinks for your guests to enjoy.

For a refreshing alternative to cocktails and punches, how about offering some delicious fruit waters to your guests? These waters are not only great for staying hydrated in the sun, but they’re also great for those guests who may not drink alcoholic beverages or want a “lighter” libation alternative.

Here are some great fruit waters to make and serve at your next summer party:

Cinnamon Apple Water

For a great water that both adults and kids alike will enjoy, mix up a pitcher of cinnamon apple water. Cut up your favorite apple—or add a few different varieties—and sitr in some fresh cinnamon and cinnamon sticks, place your water pitcher in the fridge for a few hours, and you’re all set! This water is perfect for sipping at parties, as well as when you’re lounging by the pool or sitting on the beach. You’ll stay hydrated, fuller longer, and cleansed of harmful toxins.

Cucumber, Ginger, and Lemon Delight

Cut up some cucumber, wedge lemons, slice up fresh ginger, and add all of your ingredients to a large pitcher of ice water. The cucumber and citrus not only give this fruit water a great flavor, but these ingredients also have detox properties that cleanse the body of toxins, stimulates fat burn, and boosts your metabolism.

Watermelon Refresher

Who doesn’t love biting into a juicy watermelon when it’s hot and sunny outside? This watermelon drink is suitable as an everyday treat, or a crowd pleaser at your next outdoor dinner. Slice up and muddle some watermelon—and remember to take out the seeds first! You can even create watermelon or mint ice cubes to include in your pitchers for a tasty and visually stunning surprise. Watermelon keeps your liver and kidneys clean and healthy, making this fruit water one of the best choices to include on your beverage table.

Triple Berry Threat

This one is a true favorite of ours. If you’re hosting a party, a bridal shower, a dinner with friends, or even your kids’ birthday parties this summer, try making this tasty fruit water. Slice up some local strawberries, pop in some fresh blueberries, and add in ripe raspberries to a pitcher of cold water. Add berry or mint ice cubes to the water, and voila: an instant hit. Hosting a party? Berries are known for their cancer- and age-fighting properties, so you’ll help stave off cancer and keep your skin beautiful and clean this summer!

Have a favorite fruit water recipe you love? Share the recipe with us below.

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Ask the Doctor: Will Scar Tissue Buildup Be A Concern With The Gap Flap?

July 25, 2014 by

 

<alt="pink lotus flower"/>This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your questions.

Question: My wife had a double mastectomy 10 years ago. At that time she had latissimus surgery to fill in her breasts. Since then, we’ve had numerous surgeries, about every 2 years, due to scar tissue building up in 1 of the 2 (or both) breasts that causes tightening and even pain. Will scar tissue buildup be a concern with the Gap Flap? 2. Regarding the Gap Flap procedure, what is the rate of failure that you experience with any of the 4 surgery sites (2 buttocks, 2 breasts)? Thanks.

Answer: Hi — I’m assuming your wife has implants under the latissimus flaps, which would explain the buildup of scar tissue. GAP flaps are generally large enough to make a breast by themselves (obviously, sizes differ among different people), so implants are not needed, and internal scar buildup would be a very rare event. We last calculated our statistics in October of last year. Over 10 years, we did 217 GAPs, 49 as unilateral, 168 as simultaneous bilateral. The GAP flap survival rate was 97% overall. All of the failures were in bilateral cases, but no patient lost both flaps, yielding a simultaneous bilateral flap survival rate of 96.4%. We have done quite a few GAPs since then with no failures (most recently a simultaneous bilateral last week), so the current statistics are actually a little better than that. We don’t bury flaps, and therefore can’t miss (or ignore) a failure, so these are ironclad statistics that could survive a GAO audit. To our knowledge, only Dr. Allen (who invented breast perforator flaps and trained the rest of us), his ex-partners in New Orleans, and ourselves actually do simultaneous bilateral GAP flaps on a routine basis. I’d be happy to discuss your situation further if you wish, just call or email.

Dr. James Craigie

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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DYI Facial Masks

July 23, 2014 by

<alt="home Facials"/>Keeping your skin healthy, hydrated, and clean is your top priority. It’s imperative that you maintain great skin care—especially on your face—to keep your skin looking younger, brighten your complexion, and regularly hydrate your pores to prevent adult acne, blemishes, and skin discoloration.

There are countless facial cleansers, scrubs, and masks on the market, but many are filled with harmful chemicals and unnatural ingredients. We suggest creating your own at-home facial mask to ensure that you’re putting only the very best mixture on your precious skin!

At your next “girls’ night,” mani-pedi day, or personal relaxation time, try mixing together one of these DIY facial masks for a fresh, clean, and bright face:

Olive Oil Facial Cleanser

Combine 2 teaspoons of high quality olive oil, half a teaspoon of lemon oil (NOT lemon juice), and 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt. Rub the mixture into your skin and leave it on your face and neck for a few minutes. Try not to leave it on for too long! Wipe the mask away with a warm washcloth. You can use this mask every day, and we recommend using it as soon as you wake up in the morning. Your skin will be refreshed and softer than you could imagine! Remember to use very high quality olive oil and lemon oil. This mask combats acne and moisturizes dry skin.

Teatime Toner

It’s important to use toner on your skin, especially on the delicate skin around your eyes. This toner treatment is designed to reduce swelling, relax your face, and bring energy and revitalization back into your skin. To create this “Teatime Toner,” choose a high quality green tea and brew a cup. Let the tea sit out and cool (DON’T put ice cubes in this, or it will dilute the solution). Take a round makeup sponge and soak it in the tea. Gently squeeze out the excess and place the makeup sponges directly on your eyelids, or around that area. Keep these sponges on your face for 15-20 minutes before bed, and you’ll notice tighter skin and cleaner pores in no time. Forget the alcohol-based toners. This one is skin-friendly and smells great, too!

The Dry Skin Solution

In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Add this sticky mixture to a cleaned, washed face for 20 minutes or more, and then gently remove the mask from your skin with cold water. Use this mask when you’ve spent the day at the beach, outside, or after a workout. Your skin will be refreshed, moisturized, and healed.

Oatmeal Scrub

For a great at-home skin exfoliator, try this facial scrub: combine 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a bowl. Take a packet of plain oatmeal (just the original kind—no flavor), use slightly less water than the packet calls for, and cook it. Mix this together and ensure you’ve created a sticky paste. After the oatmeal cools, add the honey-oil mixture to it. Take the oatmeal mask in your fingers and apply small amounts to your skin, and anywhere on your body you may need to exfoliate. You’ll end up with beautiful, soft skin!

Photo Credit: Neeta Lind

Do you make your own facial masks? Share your favorite recipes and combinations with us below.

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Summertime Treats for Better Health

July 21, 2014 by

<" alt="cherries" />Summertime means sunshine, picnics, and an abundance of seasonal foods like the ones we feature below.

You might commonly associate the word treat with candy, ice cream, or pastries. While those are treats, they’re not the only kind of treats out there. The dictionary definition of the word treat means “something that gives great pleasure.” A strawberry pie may taste good, but fresh and juicy strawberries taste good AND are healthy…two treats in one!

Here are some of our favorite healthy summertime treats to enjoy this summer:

Corn

Fresh and sweet corn is a staple summer treat. Corn also has way of providing you protection from the sun. Thanks to two antioxidants in corn—lutein and zeaxanthin—eating corn assists in the formation of macular pigment filters. Additionally, corn helps combat age-related macular degeneration: the leading symptom responsible for blindness in people over the age of 60.

Tart Cherries

Drinking cherry juice is a common way to get better sleep and combat workout fatigue. But juice isn’t the only way to get the benefits of cherries: you get a full spectrum of health benefits from eating them whole. (Minus the pits, of course.)

Researchers found tart cherries provide weight management benefits. The test subjects in the study that ate cherry powder did not gain as much weight or belly fat as those who did not. Additionally, cherry eaters had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Tomatoes

Fighting the burning sun requires sunscreen. Layering on a protective lotion or oil keeps you safe from UV rays. The next time you consider what sunscreen to put on, consider what you can put in your body to protect yourself, too! Nature provides a wide assortment of natural sun blocking foods, one of them being the tomato.

Eating tomatoes obviously should not replace wearing sunscreen to protect your skin, but consuming them does provide a much-needed extra boost of natural protection, thanks to their high lycopene content.

Iced Tea

When the sun is beaming, there’s nothing better than an ice-cold drink. Instead of reaching for a sugary juice, satisfy your thirst with some iced tea instead. It provides the same treat-like satisfaction and has way more benefits than processed drinks.

Tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which lower the risk of Alzheimers and diabetes, and provide healthier teeth, gums, and bones.

It doesn’t matter what variety you choose to drink—black, oolong, green, or herbal—because all tea contains flavonoids. To preserve the flavonoids in the tea, squeeze a lemon inside the pitcher before storing it in your fridge. The citric acid and vitamin C in the lemon (or lime or orange, if you prefer) will work its magic on its own.

Watermelon

There’s no doubt the best thing you can do during summer is drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated keeps your body from overheating. Thanks to watermelon, you get both the benefit of hydration (because watermelon is 92 percent water) and skin-protection (thanks to lycopene).

Additionally, eating foods full of water, like watermelon or kale, keeps you satisfied on fewer calories. Out of all of the treats shared here, watermelon is our favorite and most nutritious choice.

Do you have a favorite treat to eat in the summertime? Please let us know and share it in a comment below!

Photo Credit: motumboe

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Ask the Doctor: What Are My Options for Natural Breast Reconstruction?

July 18, 2014 by

 

<alt="pink peony"/>This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had right breast ductal carcinoma, Stage 2. Two out of 22 lymph nodes had cells. I did a gene test, and had both chemo and radiation. The expanded radiation destroyed it. I had a mastectomy in Charleston, and now I’m ready to have my breasts fixed. I don’t want to have implants. I’d rather have a reconstruction using my own body fat and tissue. What are my options?

Answer: Hi — I’m sorry you’ve had so much trouble, and hopefully things will continue to improve for you. Your history of radiation fortunately has no bearing on our ability to do a reconstruction using only your own tissue. Many of our patients initially had failed implant reconstructions elsewhere, only to be later successfully reconstructed with their own tissue. Please feel free to come by for a consultation if you live locally, or, if you’d rather, we can arrange a phone consultation. Thanks for your inquiry, have a great day!

Dr. James Craigie

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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Historic Charleston Hotels for Your Next Visit

July 16, 2014 by

<alt="hotel lobby"/>If you’re visiting Charleston this summer, you’ll need a place to stay. We highly recommend choosing a hotel that exemplifies all that our great city has to offer: Low Country hospitality, great amenities and dining, and historic charm.

Known for its stunning historic hotels, Charleston has some spectacular places to stay on your next visit to South Carolina. Here are some of the city’s favorite resting spots:

The Restoration on King

For a real Charleston experience, book your stay at The Restoration on King. This restored boutique hotel features exposed brick, hardwood floors, condo-style suites with full kitchens, and the finest amenities in Charleston. Their one-of-a-kind rooftop terrance and upscale service are renowned throughout Charleston and the South.

Planters Inn

Looking for a hotel that’s unlike any other? Stay at the Planters Inn: an award-winning 64-room Relais & Chateaux hotel located in the heart of downtown Charleston. Getting around to all of the city’s historic places, delicious dining options, and can’t-miss summertime activities couldn’t be easier, as Planters Inn overlooks City Market. Enjoy dreamy four-poster king beds, AAA Four-Diamond cuisine at the Peninsula Grill, and a comfortable and classic hotel atmosphere.

The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel

This famous Charleston hotel was originally opened in 1853. Restored in 2008, this charming hotel combines all of the elegance and style of 19th century Charleston with modern luxury. This hotel is truly a standout choice when choosing an historic hotel to rest your head this summer.

Francis Marion Hotel

Since 1924, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed staying at historic Charleston’s landmark hotel: the Francis Marion Hotel. This historic landmark features a restored marble lobby, crown moldings, and signature wrought iron. Centrally located in downtown Charleston, the Francis Marion sits across from Marion Square and offers breathtaking views of the Charleston Harbor. The Francis Marion is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Elliott House Inn

The Elliott House Inn is a fully restored architectural treasure in downtown Charleston. This gorgeous hotel sits among the prominent homes of historic Charleston and is within walking distance to the City Market, galleries, and delicious South Carolina cuisine. Enjoy a stroll through the hotel’s courtyard, daily continental breakfast, a wine and cheese reception, and complimentary bicycle rentals to pedal through the memorable streets of Charleston.

Do you have a favorite historic hotel you recommend to guests and visitors? Share it with us in the comments below!

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How to Unwind After Work

July 14, 2014 by

<img src="image.gif" alt="A bench in a park" />

Is it just us, or does time seem to slow down toward the end of the workday?

Don’t get us wrong – we’re passionate about what we do! But even if you enjoy your career or business very deeply, unwinding is important for your health. In fact, taking time off leads to even greater productivity and increased happiness.

Shutting down your workday means not opening any work until tomorrow! Even if you have several more things to do in the evening (we know what it’s like to be a woman with a lot responsibility!), you must make time to unwind. Just one hour of “me time” can make a day’s worth of difference.

One hour is recommended, but even if you spend fifteen minutes by yourself, you’ll get the benefits of ridding stress and tension. Here’s how:

Unwind by Napping

Being well-rested is key to regenerating your energy for the following day. A small nap in the evening provides the perfect transformation from “work mode” to “home mode.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are three different ways to nap.

1. Planned napping. This is when you nap before you’re sleeping. It’s like keeping your gas tank half full instead of full or empty.
2. Emergency napping. If you feel extremely fatigued after work, then you need this kind of nap. Don’t try to fight drowsiness. Nothing is more important than your health.
3. Habitual napping. These are scheduled naps you take daily. When you know in advance what your evening looks like, you can take planned naps.

Of these three, habitual napping is the best way to unwind. Why? Because when your body is used to always resting at a certain time, it will provide you a deeper period of sleep.

Get Physical

Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Try doing 15-30 minutes of exercise in the evening. Even if your mind is racing, having a tired body will kindly force you to rest. It’s a win-win, because you’ll wake up feeling healthier and rested (aside from the sore muscles).

Working out to unwind may seem contradictory. Just keep in mind how your post-workout euphoria will put you at ease.

Make New Friends

Sites like meetup.com provide a place for you to go and make new friends. Perhaps you have a hobby like painting or hiking. With Meetup, you can schedule regular gatherings in the evening.

Many people share the desire to unwind after work. Mingling with like-minded people may be that helpful boost in energy you’ve been looking for!

Social Media Time

You don’t have to leave home to catch up with friends. Sites like facebook.com are a way to see what everyone is up to. Instead of using Facebook throughout the day, try Facebooking on a schedule (as weird as it sounds, this is a healthier way to use social media):

Schedule a time to use Facebook (e.g., 6:00-6:30 P.M).

Post something positive, leave positive comments on your friend’s posts, and share things you like on your wall.
At 6:30, shut down Facebook. Don’t let it suck you in — it will still be there tomorrow.

These are just a few ways to unwind after work. Do you have a favorite way? Please let us know by sharing it in a comment below!

Photo Credit: alexcoitus

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Ask the Doctor: What Are My Options For Post-Op Reconstruction Using Implants?

July 11, 2014 by

<alt="pink dahlia"/>This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I’m 42 years old, and I have a surgery this month for breast reconstruction. Due to my genetic history, a plastic surgeon will be performing a double mastectomy. I want to know what my options are for post-op reconstruction? Thanks.

Answer: Hi — Thanks for the information about your planned surgery. If you have requested using your own tissue and were told that was not a good option for you, then you certainly can get a second opinion. You stated that your mastectomies were for preventive reasons, which gives you the time to consider all possibilities. Before having surgery you should feel good about your decision and be confident you know all your options. You have excellent surgeons and I know you will do well.

One advantage of using an implant is that you don’t require an incision anywhere else on your body in order to donate the tissue to make the new breasts. Using your own tissue requires a longer recovery and more healing. The donor area ends up healing with a scar. If you don’t need a tummy tuck or have “excess” tissue in your thighs or buttocks then you may not want a scar in these areas. You should also know that it is not necessary to sacrifice any of your muscles in order to use your own tissue. Finally, it is important to know that if you have implant reconstruction and it does not work out you can still use your own tissue later–even years later! Most likely it will work out and you will have an excellent result and speedy recovery. I hope this has helped. Let us know if you have more unanswered questions. If you would like a second opinion, you could set up an appointment in our office, or we could also consult over the phone if you cannot make the trip to Charleston.

Dr. James Craigie
Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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The Best Low Country Beaches

July 9, 2014 by

<alt="woman at the beach"/>Did you know: Charleston was the winner of the 2013 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for “Top City in the United States.”

We love our city. It has great shopping, a fun nightlife scene, plenty of delicious restaurant options—and we especially love catching rays on our beautiful beaches!

Summertime is in full swing, so why not spend this weekend enjoying the sand and ocean breezes on one of Charleston’s award-winning beaches? Here are the most popular spots for having some fun in the sun around Charleston:

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island is known for its family-friendly and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to take your family and loved ones for a weekend of sunshine, South Carolina history, and Low Country dining. Tourists and locals love Sullivan’s Island for its beautiful scenery, friendly environment, and spacious beaches.

Isle of Palms

If you’re looking for a place that’s one-of-a-kind and full of activities the entire family will enjoy, look no further than Isle of Palms. You’ll find virtually every activity you can think of to enjoy on your vacation or day off on Isle of Palms—and it’s only 12 miles away from downtown Charleston! The Isle of Palms beaches are clean, safe, and even feature a designated swimming area and family park that you and your kids can enjoy throughout the entire summer.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is a private beach community with undisturbed scenic views, natural beauty, and forests rich with pine trees, magnolias, and oaks. This Island is only accessible to owners and guests of the resort or rental properties, but it also features a publicly accessible beach area at Beachwalker County Park. Travel to Kiawah and you’ll enjoy the 10 miles of stunning beach that Travel Channel has named one of the country’s “Top Ten” beaches to visit.

Seabrook Island 

Seabrook Island is another private destination located nearly 22 miles south of downtown Charleston. Residents and rental guests enjoy Seabrook’s gorgeous, pristine Atlantic beaches. The laid-back atmosphere and stunning shorelines make for an unforgettable South Carolina experience for all who visit and reside on this special island.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach is truly one of South Carolina’s hidden treasures. Conveniently located just 15 minutes away from historic Charleston, this barrier island is the home of surfing, rich Low Country history, the Morris Island Lighthouse, and delicious South Carolina fare. Guests can visit the Folly Beach County Park and enjoy amenities like outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and much more. Bring the entire family to Folly Beach for a wonderful weekend of sun and fun on “The Edge of America.”

Ready to plan your next beach getaway in Charleston? Click here to get more information about our favorite local vacation spots.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , ,

Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier

July 7, 2014 by

<img src="image.gif" alt="A branch" />Remember being a kid and your biggest chore was eating all of your dinner?

What a “problem” to have!

When it comes to living happier, you could learn a lot from a children. In fact, children laugh an average of 300 times a day while adults only laugh around 20 times.

It’s easy to forget to live a happy life as you get older. Bills, careers, stress, relationships, and countless other adult activities can burden your day-to-day routine. If you don’t remember to be happy, you’ll walk around with a frown, as if there’s a permanent rain cloud above your head.

But there’s a bright side to being an adult: you have more control over your life than you did as a child. While you have more responsibilities than a child, you don’t need anyone’s permission to do exactly what you want. Making a change for the better is simply a matter of wanting to do it.

So, give yourself permission to be happy. Here are a handful of ways to get happy:

Do Nice Things for Others

Giving to others is just as nice as receiving. For some people, giving is actually more beneficial. Think about the last time you received a random gift. Remember how happy it made you feel? Re-create that experience for someone else. When you see her face light up, you’ll feel happy you’ve made someone else happy—for no particular reason at all! Spreading happiness works like spreading the flu, except with less coughing.

You don’t need to buy your friend a new car to make her happy (although if you did, we’re sure she’d be ecstatic). A simple cup of coffee does the trick.

It doesn’t even have to be a friend, either. Why not buy something nice and give it away to a stranger? Even better: do something nice for someone without them knowing it was you. Doing this removes them feeling the need to reciprocate, too. You still get the good feeling of being helpful and they don’t have the pressure of paying you back.

Learn a New Skill

You can do anything you want. Yes, anything! All it takes is the desire to do so and a little effort. Taking on a new hobby and seeing your newfound skill develop over time will make you happy!

If you ever wanted to play the piano, do it! No one is stopping you. Start today, and in six months you’ll be amazed at your progress.

You could even take a class completely unrelated to anything you do or thought you’d be interested in. Imagine the surprise of your friends and family when you take up karate or archery. Not only will they be impressed by how outgoing you’ve become, but they’ll be inspired to pursue new skills, too!

The takeaway for learning a new skill is to break the mold of regularity. You don’t have to dye your hair pink and buy an entire new closet of clothes. Simply start making small adjustments by learning something new, and happiness will flow through you.

Handwrite a Letter to Someone

Can you recall the last time someone wrote a letter to you? Perhaps it was a card for an event, like a birthday or a wedding invitation. There’s something magical about receiving a handwritten letter. Not only is it more exciting to open than a bill, handwritten letters make you feel special. Getting a handwritten letter means someone took the time to write to you!

Think of someone who brings happiness in your life. Maybe it’s a family member, or perhaps it’s a friend. It could be someone you’ve never met, like a book author or a celebrity. Regardless of who it is, spend a solid hour writing them a letter expressing how good they make you feel. When you’re done: fold, stamp, and send. Oh, and don’t forget to smile, too.

You never know what can come from sending a letter. One couple sent a wedding invite to the Queen of England on a whim. And guess what? The Queen showed up!  It just so happened the Queen of England was in the area that day and didn’t have any other plans. Just a simple letter made that couple’s day much happier.

They didn’t ask for permission — they simply took the action.

Remember: you have the freedom to go out and create a happier life for yourself. No one is stopping you. You can start to be happy right now by just putting a smile on your face.

Share your favorite ways to make yourself happy below!

Photo Credit: Denis Collette https://www.flickr.com/photos/62202285@N00/2206463202

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , ,
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