Rachel, your friendly editor, here to talk about the things I’m most passionate about: health, nutrition, family and fun. A bit about me: I’ve been covering health both as a writer and editor for more than 27 years. I’m also a mom of twins. And I’m always looking for ways to live healthier, learn something new and make my life a little better and let’s be honest, easier.
This will be a space where I share helpful tips I’ve learned and things I’ve tried, along with advice from some of my favorite experts. So whether you want to de-stress, stay on top of your health or try a new recipe, I’ve got you covered.
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✈️ What I learned … avoid sun damage in the sky
While the debate over who decides whether the window shade stays open or closed during a flight rages on, here’s a case for keeping it closed: Skin care expert Renee Rouleau recently shared her skin-saving tip, which is if you’re sitting in the window seat on a plane, pull down the shade to block harmful ultraviolet rays. While pilots get the brunt of it — one study found that flying for under an hour at 30,000 feet exposed pilots to the same level of harmful radiation as a 20-minute session in a tanning bed — it’s still a good idea to keep the shade down. Or if you want to enjoy the view, do what I do and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before flying the friendly skies.
💡 What I’m trying … an easy way to change your mindset
Reese Witherspoon recently shared on TikTok that she was inspired by Steve Guttenburg, who swaps out the word “have to” with “get to.” So instead of saying, “I have to wait for the train,” he says, “I get to wait for the train,” putting a positive spin on the situation and transforming it from a chore to a privilege. It’s called "cognitive reframing" and this mindset shift is something I’ve been doing on the regular, especially when I’m, say, in the middle of a tiring workout. I remind myself that I “get to” do this and how one day I may not be able to.
🥶 What I read … a surprising way to chill out?
A recent New York Times article looked at some of the latest health trends and one tip in particular caught my eye. It was from Aric Prather, a psychologist who treats insomnia at the University of California, San Francisco, who suggested a summer-friendly way to “crush the afternoon slump” without leaning on caffeine: “Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee, stick your head in the freezer to get a jolt of energy.” OK, it sounds a bit bizarre, but I tried it on a hot summer day and have to admit it was invigorating. I can’t say this will become a regular part of my routine — unless hovering over ice cream choices in the freezer qualifies.
🥔 What I made … broccoli and cheddar twice-baked potatoes
Potatoes often get a bad rap — the victim of years of vilifying carbohydrates. Yes, they’re starchy, but they’re also considered a vegetable — in fact, they’re the most popular fresh vegetable in the U.S. — and are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. So when one of my kids said they were craving a twice-baked potato, I got to work. I followed Ashley Manila’s recipe, which is loaded with broccoli and includes Greek yogurt for some protein. I didn’t have buttermilk so I swapped in plain yogurt for even more protein. My kid raved about it, which made the hour-and-a-half wait worth it. (Word to the wise: It’s a time-consuming recipe so keep that in mind when making it.)
🩺 What I did…I got a colonoscopy — you should too, if you’re due
I recently got a colonoscopy. (Two of my grandparents died of colon cancer so it’s been on my radar for years and I started testing early.) As anyone knows, the prep is the worst part. I can’t even look at the leftover orange Jello still sitting in my fridge. But it’s also amazing that there’s a life-saving test that can actually detect and prevent cancer from ever developing. Is it time for you to get a colonoscopy? Here’s when to get one and how to make the prep a little easier (hint: Use flushable wipes instead of toilet paper — just don’t actually flush them).
💬 A healthy chat with … dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss
It’s summertime, which means that heat, sweat and sunscreen are top of mind. I’ve been following Shereene Idriss, dermatologist and founder of the skincare line, Dr. Idriss, who endorses my belief that sunscreen is non-negotiable. (I’m also impressed by her commitment to wearing a giant sun visor to block out UV rays.) I contacted her to ask if she'd share some of her warm-weather skin care advice.
A: Definitely! I actually have a few hacks for this:
For stinky pits, PanOxyl benzoyl peroxide is great for its antibacterial properties. It’s going to minimize the bacteria load on that darkest part of your body because sweat doesn’t stink on its own — it starts to stink when it comes into contact with bacteria living on your skin.
To take it a step further, aluminum chloride antiperspirant spray or wipes, like Certain Dri, can help prevent sweat on your underarms and even your feet. If you use it several times a week, the antiperspirant will get absorbed into the sweat ducts, creating tiny little gel-like plugs that minimize how much you sweat overtime.
Q: Besides daily sunscreen, what is another product everyone should have in their skin care regimen and why?
A: Besides daily sunscreen and a cleanser, of course, everyone needs a targeted serum for their skin’s biggest issue. For the majority of people, that’s discoloration and hyperpigmentation. If you can get a moisturizer that's not just a basic moisturizer, but also has active ingredients targeting your skin’s problem then you have a 2 for 1. The Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal Gel Moisturizer is formulated with vitamin C, ceramides and peptides, which will help with discoloration on top of hydrating.
Q: What is a skin care mistake you often see patients make and how can they fix it?
A: Patients often think they need every single ingredient or step in their routine every single night of the week, and this is false. For example, if you exfoliate and use a retinol every night of the week, you are going to inflame your skin in the process. Skin care should be looked at on a weekly view, not daily. Exfoliation should be two to three nights a week, sometimes less in the summer. When it comes to retinol, start low and go slow with one to two nights on days you’re not exfoliating and work your way up.
