New Social Network for Women Facing Breast Cancer

Heads up—there’s a new social network in town, and The Center of Natural Breast Reconstruction couldn’t be happier to share the news!

My Breast Cancer Team (MyBCTeam) is a brand-new social network open to women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, those currently in treatment, and even women 15 years out from treatment. MyBCTeam enables women to find others just like them, share experiences, tips and referrals and make real, lasting connections with other women who have been in their shoes.

Other features of the social network include:

  • Activity Page: The heartbeat of the site, where women share their ups and downs with each other. Triumphs are cheered and challenging moments are supported.
  • Find People: Women can search for other women by diagnosis (both stage and type) and also by age and location.
  • Provider Directory: A searchable directory (by keyword and location) of a variety of providers, submitted by women, specializing in breast cancer treatments.
  • The Team: Users share the team of providers who have helped them during and after treatment—from an oncology radiologist to a breast reconstruction surgeon to hair stylist. Women can also add other women they find supportive to their team, offering another great way to connect.
  • Q & A: This searchable database is a forum for questions and answers submitted by the community of women.
  • Pinboard: A discovery area where women visually share their journey with breast cancer and treatment. Pins can include ways of managing their self-image, recipes, family photos, or places they’d like to travel after treatment.
  • “Hug” Button: The unique “hug” button is used to show empathy and understanding to other women. Women can also choose to “like” someone else’s status, story, or photo to show their approval.
  • Mobile App: Gives women the ability to ask questions and connect to the community wherever they are. The freeMyBCTeam app is available on iOS and Android devices.

 

Connect and share with other women with breast cancer at http://www.MyBreastCancerTeam.com.

 

 

Why Food Labels Can Be Deceiving

Food labels can be tricky. Nutrition labels are a slippery slope. While most packaged foods contain multiple servings, the single serving nutrition facts on the label lull many health-conscious eaters into a false sense of security.

And before we know it, we’ve already consumed 2.5 servings of our “healthy” snack…just like that.

According to a new study commissioned by the FDA, this is a pretty common scenario.

In order to determine which design conveyed health information the most clearly, researchers redesigned food labels and tested them against standard ones. In one revamp, nutritional information was separated into two columns when a package contained multiple servings. The first column indicated stats for a single serving, while the second offered nutritional details on the entire package. In another revision, packages were only labeled with the latter info.

Researchers then assigned these labels to a bag of chips and a frozen mealand tested them on a group of consumers. The result? Participants were more inclined to consider a food “healthy” if they only saw nutritional info on a single serving, which is what’s currently on labels.

Don’t let the nutrition labels fool you. Next time you reach for a smart snack, check out these three most important nutritional details:

Ingredients. Read the ingredients in every packaged food you eat, and you’re bound to find some surprises. (There are at least 10 covert names for sugar.) Ingredients are listed from the biggest component of the product to the smallest.

Conversion.Download a handy conversion app on your smartphone and measure out servings.Pro-tip: 28 grams equals one ounce equals 1/8 cup, which is the average serving of cheese. If you don’t have a measuring cup handy, know that would be a piece of cheese roughlyequivalent to the end of your pointer finger.

Units. Pay attention to the units on your food label. Know roughly how much a gram, milliliter, or milligram is to avoid overdoing it on ingredients (such as salt or saturated fat) or portions.

Share your portioning tips below!

 

Manicure Tips For Younger-Looking Hands

Manicure Tips for Younger Looking HandsHands may be one of the easiest ways to age-check a person, but age-defying experts have culled a few foolproof tricks to hide the signs. According to a study by plastic surgeons in England,wearing nail polish can distract people from noticing veins and age spots.

Researchers asked people to estimate women’s ages based solely on photographs of their hands. Surprisingly, 49% thought women’s hands looked younger when adorned with nail polish.

Pamper your hands and look younger—simply follow these 8 steps.

1. File. Skip the rough nail file, which weakens nails and leads to splitting and peeling. Opt for a crystal glass file instead for a smooth, chip-free nail edge.

2. Shape. Use a fine emery board to shape nail tips only—filing the sides weakens nails. Remember to keep nails no longer than ¼ inch beyond your fingertips for a more youthful appearance.

3. Push.Instead of snipping your cuticles, moisturize and push them back. This skin protects the nail’s growth center, which keeps nails strong and long.

4. Prep. Contrary to popular belief, yellow nails aren’t caused by the nail’s inability to “breathe.” Nails don’t need any air to stay healthy. In fact, polish actually protects weak nails from breaking. It’s dark polishes that cause yellow stains over time. To prevent yellowing, apply a base coat before colored polish—especially if you’re using a darker shade. If your nails are tinged yellow, rub them with a lemon wedge to help whiten them up.

5. Paint. Pale metallic polishes reflect more light, which helps disguise nicks. Plus, the shimmery particles make these formulas adhere better, so they’re less likely to chip in the first place. Try OPI Nail Lacquer in Suzi’s Hungary Again! for a pop of color and a bit of glimmer.

6. Seal. The secret to a lasting manicure is the top coat. Extend lacquer’s life by finishing your manicure with Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat ($6; drugstores), which contains color-saving UV filters.

7. Strengthen. Stop nail breakage with a daily 2.5 mg dose of the B vitamin biotin. Research shows that a daily dose of the nutrient increases nail thickness by 25%, making nails less apt to split, peel, and tear.

8. Start again.When you’re ready for a new shade, remove old polish with a non-acetone remover. Acetonedries out your nails, and breathing in the fumes can cause throat irritation and even increase your pulse rate. After you’ve removed your old lacquer, repeat these steps, and enjoy your youthful hands!

How do you keep your hands eternally youthful?

Share your best-kept beauty secrets in the comments below!

 

3 Easy One-Pot Meals

Let’s face it—you’re busy. Between work, running errands, hitting the gym, and stealing a little “you” time, there aren’t many hours in the day left to plan and prepare a gourmet meal.

Luckily, these 3 one-pot meals are the ticket to saving time and eating delicious, healthy food. Simply put all the ingredients together, bake, and you’re done:

Rustic Ratatouille
Chickpeas are what gives this easy recipe a boost of serious nutrition and taste. These high-fiber legumes leave you feeling full and offer your body a low-fat dose of protein.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 small zucchini (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium eggplant (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 medium red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 medium onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Vegetable oil cooking spray
  • 2 cans (14 oz each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 8 plum tomatoes (about 1 lb), seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 ½ teaspoons sherry wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

PREPARATION
Heat oven to 450°. In a bowl, toss zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper and onion with thyme, rosemary, ¾ tsp salt, black pepper, 2 tbsp water, and oil. Coat a rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray. Spread veggies in pan in a single layer, and roast for 25 minutes, stirring once.

In same bowl, combine chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste and remaining ¼ tsp salt. Add to the pan with veggies in a single layer, and roast for about 10 to 12 minutes more. Toss veggies with vinegar, divide among 6 bowls, and sprinkle with basil. Serves 6.

Teriyaki Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids found in the salmon are not only beneficial for your brain, but they also reduce inflammation, boost heart health, lower triglycerides, relieve rheumatoid arthritis, and even aid in the treatment of depression. Make this simple dish, and reap the benefits of better health!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 4 teaspoons chopped garlic, divided
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • 6 salmon fillets (about 1 ½ lb)
  • 1 lbbrussels sprouts, halved if large
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • Vegetable oil cooking spray
  • ½ lb shiitake mushrooms, thickly sliced

PREPARATION
Position rack in middle of oven; heat oven to 450°. In a bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, honey, vinegar, 1 tsp garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Place salmon in a shallow dish; sprinkle with 1 ½ tbsp teriyaki mixture, and marinate for 15 minutes.

In a second bowl, toss brussels sprouts with 1 ½ tsp garlic, ½ tbsp canola oil, ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Coat a rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray. Spread brussels sprouts in pan in a single layer; roast until light brown—about 5 minutes.

In the second bowl, toss mushrooms with remaining ½ tbsp canola oil, 1 ½ tsp garlic, ¼tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Move brussels sprouts to center of pan; top with salmon; place mushrooms in pan around edges; roast, stirring mushrooms occasionally, until salmon is just cooked through—about 8 to 10 minutes. Top salmon with remaining teriyaki mixture, and serve over brussels sprouts and mushrooms. Serves 6.

Scallops à la Provençal

Scallops are a great way to introduce a rich taste to your meals and save some money, too. Shellfish tend to cost less than a good cut of beef, and they are lower in fat to boot. So eat up, and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 2 ½ tablespoons chopped garlic, divided
  • 5 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
  • 5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • Vegetable oil cooking spray
  • 2 cups fresh corn
  • 1 lb sea scallops
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, chives or a combination, divided
  • 2 cups arugula

PREPARATION
Heat oven to 375°. In a bowl, combine tomatoes with 2 tbsp garlic, 3 tsp thyme, 3 tsp oil, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Coat a rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray; spread tomato mixture on pan in a single layer. Bake, stirring once or twice, until tomatoes are soft and slightly charred—about 20 to 25 minutes.

Stir corn into tomato mixture. In same bowl, toss scallops with remaining 2 tsp thyme, 2 tsp oil, ½ tbsp garlic, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Place scallops on top of tomato mixture, and bake until scallops are just cooked through—about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer scallops to a plate, and cut in half. Stir vinegar and 2 tbsp herbs into tomato mixture. Divide arugula, tomato mixture and scallops among 4 bowls; sprinkle with remaining 1 tbsp herbs.Serves 4.

Do you know a great one-pot healthy recipe? Share your go-to dish in the comments below!

How to Tell the People In Your Life About Your Diagnosis

When it comes to telling others about a breast cancer diagnosis, there are numerous reasons patients have difficulty putting to words what they’ve learned. Saying it aloud means it’s real—but it also begins the process of coping.

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know how tumultuous telling loved ones about a diagnosis can be. Here are some ways you can ease into sharing the information with your family and friends.

Take your time. Though it’s important to share this information with the people closest to you, know that you can tell them when the time feels right for you. You don’t have to do it all at once, and you don’t have to tell everyone. Prioritize the people you need to tell first. You can tell them to share the news with others by phone or e-mail, or you can do it yourself.

Tell your children. The sooner you inform your kids that you have breast cancer, the better. Be direct and make sure to use the word: “Mom has cancer.” They need to hear it from you—your explanation will be far less scary than what they will imagine is happening. If they have questions, simply answer them and move on.

Tell your parents. As with your children, the sooner your parents know you have breast cancer, the quicker they can adapt to the situation. Speaking up may not be easy. After all, no one wants to cause their parents pain and anguish, especially if they are elderly. But if you do plan on telling your parents, you can enlist the support of a sibling or close family friend to help you break the news.

Need more encouragement? Find out how other women dealt with their breast cancer diagnoses

Your Skin Problems Solved

Nothing makes you feel quite as beautiful as does healthy skin. Yet, every flaw you treat seems to produce another problem. What gives?

If you’re ready to achieve gorgeous skin without all the guesswork, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve broken down the most common skin problems and how to fix them, once and for all:

If your skin type is oily and flaky…

Improve your skin’s appearance by using a face wash with 2% salicylic acid (the active oil-fighting ingredient in most acne-prevention treatments) on your forehead, nose, and chin. Skip the cheeks and splash them with warm water instead. Before bed, trace your T-zone with an exfoliating glycolic serum. Oil is less likely to take a shine to healthy skin.

Protect your skin with an oil-free sunscreen with SPF 30 and hyaluronic acid daily. It hydrates your skin without leaving it greasy.

If the skin on your face feels tight…

Washing your face with soapy face wash may be the cause of high-wire tight skin. It leaves dry skin a little too squeaky clean. Instead, rinse with lukewarm water and a milky cleanser that won’t strip your skin’s natural oils.

Keep your skin feeling great by patting a thick layer of ceramide-laced face cream on damp skin to hold in moisture. In the morning, add a second layer of moisturizer with SPF 30+.

If your skin is shiny before lunch…

Try a gel-based cleanser with glycolic acid, a heavy-hitting exfoliant that penetrates deeply, washing away hidden oil in pores. Then dab a mattifying gel all over to absorb shine.

Protect your skin with sunblock made with avobenzone, which is known to be a bit drying—in a good way. Before bed, dab on a little retinol serum, which prevents the skin from producing excessive oil.

If your skin looks red when you’re not blushing…

Supersensitive skin is quick to redden, so be sure you avoid sudsy cleansers with harsh detergents. Your best face wash will be one labeled soap-free.

Safeguard your skin from UV rays with a cream that has SPF 30+ and zinc oxide, a natural anti-inflammatory that calms redness. At night, use a lotion labeled hypoallergenic, meaning it won’t irritate your sensitive skin.

How do you keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant all day long?

 

How to Look Incredibly Well Rested

So you haven’t been getting enough zzzz’s lately…and it’s starting to take its toll where it shows the most: your eyes.

Don’t despair! While you work on righting your sleep schedule, you can still look remarkably well-rested with these eye-opening makeup tricks:

Color Me Awake
Dark circles are the bane of the sleepless. Combat yours with a little concealer under the eyes, blending it in the corners and the dark areas on the sides of your nose. Be sure to set the concealer with a little powder so it keeps looking fresh and finished all day long.

Line It Up
Nothing makes your eyes pop more than the illusion of more white around your iris. Try lining the inner rims of your lower lash lines with a flesh-colored pencil to give your eyes more openness.If your beauty regime usually calls for colored eyeliner, be sure to only lightly line the top lash and leave the lower lashline with only the flesh-colored liner.

Brighten and Shine
Blend a matte skin-toned shadow over your lids, and then dust a shimmer version of the shade just beneath brows. The shimmer eyeshadow helps reflect the light, giving the illusion of brighter eyes.

Finish the Look
Skip the mascara-loaded lashes that weigh down the openness of your eyes, and opt for a more natural lashline instead. Use any mascara that promises a natural or light look, sweep on two coats.

Finish your face with a touch of highlighting powder on your T-zone. Just like the shimmery eyeshadow, this helps reflect the light and brightens up your face on days you need the boost most. Now get out there and show the world a healthy, more alert version of yourself!

What are some makeup tricks you use to look bright-eyed in the early mornings?

7 Ways to Defy Your Age

Sure, no one wants to be 21 again—some misadventures and irresponsibility are better left in the past. But to feelyoung again? Now that’s a different story!

Rediscover the zest and optimism you felt when you were younger for a happier life now. Just follow these simple stepsto reclaim the energy, zeal, and sense of well-being you enjoyed in your youth:

Hit the hay early. Getting your beauty sleep is the simplest way to feel younger right now. Resting up gives your brain and body the chance to fully recharge. But in all likelihood, you’re not getting as much as you need. Make the effort to turn in early and get 8 hours of sleep for 6 weeks straight. After 6 weeks, you’ll have a healthy sleep schedule formed, and feel the difference.

Eat healthy food. You are what you eat—so fuel your body with age-proof meals. Start every meal with a fruit or vegetable and a tall glass of water. Loading up on the vitamins and antioxidants in fruits and veggies will make you feel refreshed, recharged, and reenergized.

Build up your strength. The right kind of strength-training can help you feel decades younger. When done properly, weight-training makes microtears in the muscles, which leads your body to generate thicker, stronger muscle fiber. Strengthening your muscles in this way leaves you less vulnerable to injuries and builds your stamina.

Indulge your vanity. Forget the nips and tucks—there’s no such thing as eternal youth. But don’t underestimate the power of taking care of your looks. There’s a vast difference between trying too hard to look 10 years younger and trying to look your best at whatever age you are. So schedule that salon date and invest in a good face cream, guilt-free. It’s good for you.

Throw in a little spontaneity. Doing the same thing in the same order everyday is a surefire way to make you feel run down. Give your brain the stimulation you did in your youth by keeping your day fresh and trying new things. Just make little, out-of-the-ordinary changes like stopping at a different café for your morning latte or trying a new workout routine.

Get nostalgic. Load your iPod with your favorite tunes from your youth, and have a nice long stroll down memory land. Harvard University found that people who were placed in an environment that resembled their youth—with movies, music, and memorabilia from the past—experienced marked improvements in their memory, vision, happiness level, and overall health.

Play up the positive. Age has a way of making you clearly see the gloom in the world, from natural disasters to divorce and lost jobs.That’s why the final step to feeling younger is to shift your focus from what makes you unhappy to the things that make you happy. This isn’t an exercise in denying what is unpleasant—rather, it’s a way to tap into your gratitude. In turn, your optimism will motivate you to live your life fully and meaningfully.

What are some ways you cultivate your youthful vigor?

 

5 Restaurant Mistakes Healthy Eaters Make

Just because Charleston offers up some of the best restaurant experiences in the country, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a healthy meal. Check out our 5 tips below to make your next dining experience here in the lowcountry or anywhere for that matter a healthful one.

For most of us, light eating means passing up the Alfredo and opting for veggies over the fries. Problem is, even if you adhere to conscientious eating while dining out, healthy options still fall prey to the decadent trappings of extra oil, bigger portions, and serious calories.

But that doesn’t mean you have to eat at home every night. Simply follow these tips when you dine on a diet, and your meal will be both delicious and guilt-free:

Go easy on the olive oil. Sure, olive oil is a better option than slathering your bread with butter, but it’s still a quick source of fat and calories—and that bread soaks it up like a sponge. Olive oil may not have saturated fat or increase your bad cholesterol, but it can still wreak havoc on your waistline. Next time you want to garnish your bread with heavenly flavor, opt for extra-virgin olive oil and add a splash of balsamic vinegar to cut down the calories. Instead of dipping, drizzle it on with a fork.

Beware the small plates. They look innocuous enough, but tapas and appetizers add up, especially since most come to your table deep-fried and calorie-packed. Not to mention, these small dishes trick your brain into thinking you haven’t eaten much, so you tend to eat more. Avoid the extra calories by looking for grilled options, and opt for veggies or protein over carbs.

Watch out for plain old veggies. Steamed veggies are always a smart option for the figure-conscience patron. After all, they are a great source of fiber and antioxidants. Still, chefs often finish them in a sauté pan with a slick of butter or oil to boost the flavor. To avoid the fat-trap, order your veggies by asking for them “dry.” That will let the chef know to steam them and leave the bacon drippings and oil far away from your greens so you can control your calorie count.

Don’t fall for looks. Gorgeously plated meals can make a large serving suddenly look tiny when dwarfed by a huge platter or when piled sky-high. Dodge the extra intake with a proper-portion check. Lean protein should be no bigger than your smartphone. A serving of carbs should be the size of your fist—much smaller than the average pasta entrée.

Be salad savvy. You’ve been ordering your salads with dressing on the side for years now, but the ingredients in even a mixed green salad can mean unwanted calories. One with goat cheese, pears, and candied walnuts, for instance, can set you back 500 calories. Most restaurants are willing to let you custom-create your salad with dressing on the side to avoid these unnecessary temptations.

What are some ways you avoid extra calories while enjoying a meal out?

Striking the Work-Life Balance

Have you found yourself working late and spending your off-the-clock time doing work-related activities (like replying to work emails or prepping work for the next day)? If so, it may be time to reconsider where to draw the boundary between your work life and your personal life.

It can be tempting to rack up hours at work, especially if you’re vying for a promotion, trying to earn a raise, or managing an ever-increasing workload. But when you spend most of your time working, your home life will take a hit—resulting in added stress, fatigue, and lost time with your family and friends.

Try these tips to take control of your work-life and regain the you-time needed to feel your best, both on and off the job:

• Track where your time goes.Work is an endless well. There will always be more for you to do if you’re looking for it. Start taking note of your daily tasks, including work-related and personal activities. Where is most of your time spent? Can you delegate the extra work you’re taking on? If so, take that option.

• Practice saying no.This simple word is the key to your sanity. Whether it’s a co-worker asking you to spearhead an extra project, or your boss asking for you to do “just one quick favor” when you’ve already worked overtime the past four days, remember that it’s OK to respectfully say no. You’ll have more time for the activities that are meaningful to you when you learn to stop feeling guilty over not taking on more responsibilities.

• Take advantage of your options. Ask your employer about flex hours, a compressed workweek, job sharing, telecommuting, or other scheduling flexibility. The more control you have over your hours, the less stress you’ll feel.

• Leave work at work.Reinforce the boundary between work and home by refusing to check your work email or opening your laptop after you leave the office. Instead, fully invest yourself in the time you spend with your loved ones and unwinding from the long day.

• Manage your time.Don’t save household chores and errands solely for your day off. Instead, organize them in batches throughout the week so you don’t feel as though you trade one kind of workday for another. Simply do what needs to be done and let the rest go.

• Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet, get a little physical activity in your day, and catch your beauty sleep. And be sure each day you do something you love, such as curl up with a great book or practice yoga. Remember your well-being is just as important as your work demands and deadlines. Treat it accordingly.

What are some ways you maintain the work-life balance?