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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Have you been shellaced? You should.

If you haven't heard the term "shellaced," allow me to enlighten you as this will change your life!

Shellacing refers to a new process of getting your nails did.  It lasts, get this...14 days!!!!!  I was able to get 16 days out of one of my applications.


Shellacing combines nail gel with nail polish, which is then "baked" under a UV light.  As a result, it takes only 30 minutes to get your nails done and you are out the door, baby.  Grabbing keys, washing your hair, whatever!  There is zero drying time required and these babies are hard as a rock!

Go about your business for the next 14 days, because nothing you do is going to cause your nails to chip.  I just planted 20 strawberry plants and my nails are none the wiser.

You may be wondering, why this topic is appearing on The Healthy Hoff.  While this product is neither natural or organic, it is being touted as "healthier" because it causes no damage to the natural nail bed, either in application or removal.  Shellac is also free of  formaldehyde, toluene and DBP (bonus!).  It also doesn't have that awful chemical smell of acrylics, so I don't feel like my brain is deteriorating while sitting in the salon.

While OPI does have a similar system (OPI contains formaldehyde), I am specifically talking about CND Shellac.  I'll walk you through the process so you know what to expect and to ensure your technician knows what she's doing (this has been an issue for a few of my friends).

Getting "shellaced:"
  1. First you will get a "dry" manicure - shaping of the nail, cuticles pushed back and cut (I skip this step)
  2. Wash hands
  3. Next a product called, "ScrubFresh" with be applied to remove any leftover debris
  4. A thin base coat will be applied and then you will bake under the UV light for 10 seconds
  5. Then a thin layer of color, followed by 2 minute baking time
  6. Another thin layer of color and another 2 minute baking time
  7. A final thin top coat and another 2 minute baking time
  8. Nails are wiped down with 99% alcohol
That's it, walk out the door, you're done - nails are 100% dry and hard as "nails." (ha!)  No more prepaying or setting your keys out.

Your nails will feel stronger due to the multiple layers of gel-polish, but nothing that weighs the nail down like an acrylic.  If anything, I am having a hard time adjusting to my nails when they are not shellaced.

Maintenance:

CND advises that you apply SolarOil once a day to the nails to avoid white spots which are caused by dehydration.  I use either olive oil or jojoba oil, that I add vitamin E to instead.  No white spots for me!

Removal:

It takes about 10 minutes to remove the polish, I do this myself at home, but most salons offer free removal. Never, EVER peel the polish off, you will remove the top layer of nail and make the next application of shellac less likely to stick.

At-home Removal:
  1. Apply pure acetone to cotton ball and apply to nail only (don't soak)
  2. Wrap tightly with strip of tin foil (pre-cut 10 strips)
  3. Apply to all 10 nails (this requires help from a friend) or do one hand at a time
  4. Let sit for 10 minutes
  5. Remove "wraps" one at a time
  6. Using a wood manicure stick, scrap off remaining polish
  7. Finally wipe each nail with more acetone to remove any remaining bits
  8. Wash hands

Prep-work:

My advice is to apply a sunscreen prior to your appointment.  You're not under the UV light that long, but if you become a shellac addict (very likely), that UV time is going to add up and who wants fabulous nails with age spots?!?! I like Neutrogena Ultra Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ (perhaps I'm a bit extreme, but I'm German - we don't tan, we burn).

A french manicure is a great use of this application and pedicures last forever - I am currently on week 4 with no signs of chipping.

At this point, at least in my area, shellacing costs the same as a normal manicure or pedicure. 

So far, the only downside to CND Shellac is the limited color selection.  Hopefully, this will increase in time.  I am in love with Fedora, a deep, dark red and I am having fun experimenting with different french manicure color combinations.

I did get my salon to experiment with layering two different colors to get one new color as mentioned on the CND website, and it did not work.  The color was stripey and shrank up from the edges.  FYI, I had to register to the CND website and pretend I was a licensed beauty professional in order to extract that little tidbit (the things I don't do for you guys).

Tip: Tell the nail tech that you work with a keyboard for a living and ask that she concentrate on the tips with each layer of polish.  This should ensure you get the maximum life out of your polish.

Are you ready?
Click here to find a salon near you.

Disclaimer: Shellac is not for every nail.  It will not cover nail issues or correct nail conditions (it will add some strength).  While there is nothing to stop this nail from getting all dolled up, this nail probably won't stay pretty for the full 14 days.  My advice, try it and see how it goes.

Get Shellaced!


P.S. If you're really ambitious, I was able to find everything needed for an at-home shellacing on Amazon. Do not waste your money on the CND Lamp, any UV light with a 36 watt lamp will work.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cleaning for a Reason: Help for Woman Fighting Cancer

If you or any woman you know is currently undergoing chemotherapy, Cleaning for a Reason will provide FREE professional housecleaning services, once a month for four months while treatment is being undertaken.  All that needs to be done is to sign-up online and fax a doctor's note confirming treatment.

This incredible organization services the entire United States, so be sure to keep this in your back pocket, should you ever have a friend who could use a little helping hand.

Click here for more information.

May you never be in need.
The Hoff

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

EOS Organic Lip Balm: The New Kid on the Block!

So lately, I have been getting a lot of people staring at me while I apply my lip balm.  I know I'm a stunner, but that's not actually why.  They were all intrigued by the passion fruit colored, egg-like shaped thing that I was pressing to my lips and wanted to  know what the hell it was!  I'm happy to say it is my latest find, EOS Lip Balm!  It's Organic, it's cheap (under $2 bucks), it smells great, feels great gliding on due to its "egg" shape and it's FANTASTIC!

EOS lip balm comes in a variety of  "flavors":
  • summer fruit (my fav)
  • lemon drop (has spf 15!)
  • honeysuckle honeydew
  • tangerine (it's medicated)
  • sweet mint
I also love that it's paraben-free and petroleum-free and contains jojoba oil!  The unusual shape also makes it extremely easy to find in my purse without looking.

I found mine in the check-out aisles of the Walmart.  But it's also sold at Target, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.

Show your lips some lovin'!
The Hoff

Monday, April 25, 2011

Events: Great Lakes Health Institute Presents...

The Great Lakes Health Institute in Lyndhurst, Ohio has a few health focused events coming up that you may have an interest in:

Purification & Rejuvenation
Learn about their 21 day program for accelerating weight loss, lowering cholesterol and increasing energy.

When: May 10, June 14 & July 12, 2011 (second Tuesday of every month)
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: 5555 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124 (Great Lakes Health Institute)
Call to register: 440.995.0555


Superfoods, Longevity and Vital Living

When: May 11, 2011
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Where: 860 Som Center Rd, Mayfield Village, OH 44143 (Heinen's Mayfield Village Cafe)
Call to register: 440.449.4478 (Heinen's)


Secrets of Long Life: A Return to Our Roots in Holistic Health

When: May 19, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: 25901 Emery Road Cleveland, OH 44128 (Insight Learning & Wellness Center)
Call to register: 216.765.4470

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Me and My Vitamix!

I love my Vitamix.

I have a long history with Vitamix. It all started the day my parent's got married.  As a wedding present, one of my mother's bridesmaids got my mother her very first Vitamix! My mother never spoke to this woman again, but my father began his lifelong love affair with Vitamix.

Growing up, my father would make these disgusting concoctions of anything and everything that he had found in the produce section of the local grocery store that week.  He would blend and blend early in the morning (waking my angry mother) and drink his brew throughout the day.

As a kid, I wanted nothing to do with this ritual or the stuff that resulted.  Even as an adult, I would scuff at the notion of being offered one of his "healthy" drinks.  "Yuck, I would say.  What did you put in that thing, it's green, it's orange, never mind I don't want to know!"

Then one day it hit me!  Smoothies. Smoothies are good.  I like smoothies.  Smoothies would be a great way to get more fruit into my diet.  "I shall make the smoothies and be healthier," I proclaimed!  So, I bought a blender, then another and another.  Finally, realizing the error of my ways, I thought back to my childhood.  What was that machine, that ungodly loud machine, that my father coveted all those years and my mother cursed.  Ah, yes!  The Vitamix!  But, its sooooo expensive - was it worth it?  My father by nature was a very, very cheap man. If he found the value in the Vitamix to shell out that type of dough (for numerous models over the course of his lifetime), surely this machine was worth every penny.  I bit the bullet and made my purchase. And the verdict?

I love my Vitamix!

I began with fruit smoothies and quickly moved onto green smoothies.  But what else could this beast do.  Yes, my Vitamix is a beast, because he can pulverize anything (even berry seeds)!  Yes, my Vitamix is a "he." Because he is mighty and strong like bull and not dainty at all.  "He" can do anything.  "He" really needs a name...  Anyway, I was fascinated by the claims that this machine that makes my delightful, chilled smoothies could also make soup!  Yes, in a mere six minutes, due to the friction of the blades courtesy of a two horsepower motor a Vitamix can produce steaming hot soup, that's ready to serve!

But wait, there's more!

I made pesto sauce, neon green pesto sauce, you know that’s fresh!  I made hummus, I made sorbets, I made milkshakes and as you well know, I made rice milk! I even organized an entire dinner party around my Vitamix.

But this is merely the beginning, as the Vitamix is capable of so much more - so much untapped potential.  I am convinced that there is nothing my Vitamix can't do.  "He" is simply the best.  And when that faithful day arrives in which he has given all that he can, I shall not hesitate to purchase a Vitamix once again.

I love you, Vitamix.







P.S. Be prepared for scenes like the one below once you add a Vitamix to your dojo as veggies and fruits know their fate once they see... 

The Vitamix.

Next in line for Orange Juice

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Hoff's Natural Body Scrub

I'm a big fan of exfoliation, it does skin good.  I'm also a big fan of natural things!  And I'm really a big fan of cheap, DIY solutions!  So I created my own 100% all-natural face and body scrub.  It's super simple and odds are you already have everything in your kitchen to make it.

Here's what you need:
  1. Brown Sugar (the light stuff, the dark stuff disintegrates)
  2. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (you should be eating this anyway!)
  3. A plastic, sealable container
 Here's what you do:
  1. Pour enough oil into the container to coat the bottom
  2. Top with a few spoonfuls of sugar
  3. Continue alternating layers of oil and sugar until you reach the top (leave some room)
  4. Now stir, stir, stir until the sugar appears saturated with oil
That's it! 

You now have a 100% all-natural, super cheap exfoliant (and you can pronounce all the ingredients in your creation).  Get organic ingredients to make it even better!

I usually go through this concoction in about two weeks. I keep it stored in the shower and have never had a problem with it going rancid.

CAUTION: Slathering on olive oil in the shower, leaves the shower floor very slick!  I spray mine down with vinegar afterwards and that tends to do the trick.  Just give a heads up to the next guy in line.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Doc: The Gerson Miracle

This is a must see if you have cancer, have recovered from cancer or know anyone with cancer.  This doc explores the principles of the Gerson Therapy, a holistic method of treating cancer and other degenerative diseases developed by Dr. Max Gerson in 1928.  It follows the work of Gerson’s daughter, Charlotte, who put into practice the findings of her father and her creation of the Gerson Institute.  This doc really speaks to the power of nutrition and gets you thinking about how what you put into your mouth truly affects your body and health.  I myself can’t wait to whip up Gerson’s carrot and apple smoothie.

To watch the entire video online, click here.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Food/Health Chart

Below you will find a neat little chart (courtesy of Das Balwdin) that lists particular foods and then their corresponding health benefits.  Next time I dip into some guacamole, I'll be sure to give it a big "Gracias" for the smooth skin it will deliver me!


  Apples
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Blocks diarrhea
Improves lung capacity
Cushions joints
Apricots
Combats cancer
Controls blood pressure
Saves your eyesight
Shields against Alzheimer's
Slows aging process
Artichokes
Aids digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Guards against liver disease
Avocados
Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Bananas
Protects your heart
Quiets a cough
Strengthens bones
Controls blood pressure
Blocks diarrhea
Beans
Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Protects your heart
Aids weight loss
Blueberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Boosts memory
Prevents constipation
Broccoli
Strengthens bones
Saves eyesight
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Cabbage
Combats cancer
Prevents constipation
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Helps haemorrhoids
Cantaloupe
Saves eyesight
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Supports immune system
Carrots
Saves eyesight
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower
Protects against Prostate Cancer
Combats Breast Cancer
Strengthens bones
Banishes bruises
Guards against heart disease
Cherries
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Ends insomnia
Slows aging process
Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers
Aids digestion
Soothes sore throat
Clears sinuses
Combats Cancer
Boosts immune system
Figs
Promotes weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
Fish
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Supports immune system
Flax
Aids digestion
Battles diabetes
Protects your heart
Improves mental health
Boosts immune system
Garlic
Lowers cholesterol
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Fights fungus
Grapefruit
Protects against heart attacks
Promotes Weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Grapes
Saves eyesight
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Enhances blood flow
Protects your heart
Green tea
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Helps stops strokes
Promotes Weight loss
Kills bacteria
Honey
Heals wounds
Aids digestion
Guards against ulcers
Increases energy
Fights allergies
Lemons
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
Limes
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
Mangoes
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Regulates thyroid
Aids digestion
Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Kills bacteria
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Oats
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
Prevents constipation
Smoothes skin
Olive oil
Protects your heart
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
Smoothes skin
Onions
Reduce risk of heart attack
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Lowers cholesterol
Fights fungus
Oranges
Supports immune systems
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Straightens respiration

 
Peaches
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
Aids digestion
Helps haemorrhoids
Peanuts
Protects against heart disease
Promotes Weight loss
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Aggravates 
Diverticulitis
Pineapple
Strengthens bones
Relieves colds
Aids digestion
Dissolves warts
Blocks diarrhoea
Prunes
Slows aging process
Prevents constipation
Boosts memory
Lowers cholesterol
Protects against heart disease
Rice
Protects your heart
Battles diabetes
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
Strawberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Calms stress

 
Sweet potatoes
Saves your eyesight
Lifts mood
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones

 
Tomatoes
Protects prostate
Combats cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart

 
Walnuts
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Lifts mood
Protects against heart disease
Water
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Conquers kidney stones
Smoothes skin

 
Watermelon
Protects prostate
Promotes Weight loss
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Wheat germ
Combats Colon Cancer
Prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Improves digestion
Wheat bran
Combats Colon Cancer
Prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Improves digestion
Yogurt
Guards against ulcers
Strengthens bones
Lowers cholesterol
Supports immune systems
Aids digestion