When most women over 50 look at their hands, they see their grandmothers staring back at them—Yikes! Whose hands are those??  As we get older, our skin becomes thinner and the veins pop out, and our nails get brittle and soft, and no matter how good our faces look, our hands often give away our true ages.

For women over 50, Charla Krupp writes in her book How Not to Look Old, nothing ages you like “red nail polish, fake nails, dragon-lady nails, ridged nails, discolored nails, age spots on your hands, veiny hands and bony hands,” Pretty strong words for things most of us experience as we get older, through no real fault of our own.

Charla promotes natural nails, not acrylics. Instead of spending the money on fake nails, keep your own nails short, neat and painted in a neutral color. Faux nails just are not “young and hip” any more, and longer nails make it difficult to use a computer, a cell phone and just about anything else electronic, with all the touch-pads these days.

Charla shares these tips for keeping your over-50 fingertips looking their best—you can have them professionally manicured or just do it yourself.

• Shape—“Squoval,” not quite square and not quite oval, is the chic shape for natural-looking nails.
• Length–Trim nails no longer than ¼ inch beyond your fingertips
• Color—On fingernails, use neutral beiges or pinks, colors that go with anything. Light colors make your fingers look longer, dark colors shorten them. And darker colors show nicks more easily. If you are hooked on having a French manicure, use a soft white, not a bright one, with the tip applied in a very thin line. Wide white lines are NOT chic.
• Art—Don’t even think about it! And avoid polish with excessive glitter. Don’t make people think you spent the night at a teenager sleepover.

If you are like me, and cannot imagine life without your solar nails, Charla recommends Creative Nail Design, a technique that is supposed to help your own nails grow long. You can find a salon on their website —I found five in the Austin area.

Here’s what I found on BeautyBlitz.com about this technique.

It’s the first ever hybrid nail color that marries the best of gel manis with your standard mani. What does that mean exactly? Well, first of all, the application process is like a standard bottle of nail polish – you pick a shade (from the 12 hot shades) – and then the manicurist applies the Shellac like you would a regular polish. This makes it easier to get a not-so-thick application, and it’s a more familiar application for the nail technician. This application also includes a base and top coat with two color coats in between. The thing that makes it different, is you cure it under the specially designed UV light. And, yes, that means no drying time!

The Creative Nail Design website states that “your nails are the ultimate fashion accessories.” But the models look very European and very young, definitely not classy over-50 beauties. But the do have a few lighter shades to choose from, that might just work for our “more refined” look.

Finally, it’s never too late to turn back the clock on your hands. Here are some easy tips to achieve that hand-model look.

• Apply an alpha-hydroxy cream with sunscreen every morning, and several times during the day. This improves the texture of the skin and helps lighten dark spots
• Wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes
• Don’t use your nails as tools!
• Put a thick coat of moisturizer on and cover with gloves right before bed. (I can just hear my husband’s comments now)
• Use cuticle oil regularly
• Get regular manicures to keep your nails healthy

I’m tempted to try the new Creative Nail Design process, but first need to check out the cost. I’ll get back to you if I get brave enough to make the change. Until then, I’ll continue to look “old lady” with my acrylic nails, while I slather the Vaseline on my over-50 hands at night before bed. More on my husband’s reaction another time.

When Debbie Sheridan’s son moved to another continent, she began thinking of the new possibilities for herself and her career. After being a stay-at-home mom for 23 years, it was Debbie’s maternal instincts that really catapulted her into the role of business owner.  She formed a relationship with a young woman she now thinks of as a daughter, and it pushed her to create a company that would benefit them both.

Debbie received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education at Ohio State University and taught elementary school for six years before her son was born in 1987.  When he graduated with a degree in Chinese and economics and moved to China, Debbie and her husband visited him often in Shanghai.  They stayed at the same hotel each time and it was there that they met Pei, a waitress in the hotel’s restaurant.  Her husband was practicing his Chinese and Pei her English, and a friendship was formed.

“I thought she had a lot of potential,” Debbie explained.  “That was what really propelled me to start my business.  I thought, ‘What can I do to boost her up?’”

Debbie and her husband, who has owned his dental business for 30 years, decided that an import business would work well for their situation.  Debbie’s plan was to grow the business so that eventually there would be a place for Pei.  She knew she wanted to work with a product that was unique and not just a trinket imported from overseas; when she came across bamboo towels and blankets, she knew she had found the right product.

Deborah Ann Bamboo officially opened in April 2008, but they didn’t get their first products until the next year.  Debbie works with a small family-owned factory in China; the husband and wife-run company only opened five years ago, so there is a trust and understanding between the two business owners.

“We both have very small businesses, and I’m helping their business grow and their helping mine,” she said.

Deborah Ann Bamboo sells 100% bamboo towels, hooded baby towels, throws and bed blankets, as well as silk comforters.  Debbie’s website has a store where they can be purchased, but her products are also sold at Ecotastic in Arlington and Mukhas Salon.  The product, she described, is eco-friendly, antibacterial and antimicrobial, and extremely soft and comfortable.  She said they are often purchased as gifts, with the giver returning for more.

“I have lots of return customers because they buy it for a gift and then say they have to have some for themselves,” Debbie chuckled.

As she expands the business, Debbie is planning more trips to China and a continued effort to network locally as well.  Through networking, she met a woman who is working on a project called Universal Design Living Laboratory: it is a home she and her husband will live in that is environmentally sound throughout, from utilities to aesthetic touches, including Debbie’s towels.  The project will be open to the public for a month after it’s finished before the couple moves in.

When her son moved to China, Debbie found not only the impetus to start a new business, but lasting relationships like those with Pei and her family and with the couple who own the factory that makes her products.  She truly believes in the products, both their environmental benefits and the luxury they provide; she also believes in the people that she is working with to make this business successful.  As the business grows, she will need more help from Pei as a liaison for the business in China and also to serve as an interpreter as they expand their production.  A place for Pei in the company was, after all, part of the catalyst for the business in the first place.

“I have developed some great friendships through starting this business,” Debbie offered.  “I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and I wanted to start something that would not only help myself, but provide others with opportunities.”

“Be planted firmly in the driver’s seat of your own life.”

Are you planted firmly in the driver’s seat of your own life? Or are you lost in the cacophony of a too-busy lifestyle where one activity blurs into the next without a moment to re-group and catch your breath?

In a society that has bought into the belief that “time is money,” we have taught ourselves to live life on fast forward. So we are left skimming across the surface of life in states of re-activity that blur our priorities, obscures our life-vision, and stifles our creativity and problem-solving skills. In short, we have trapped ourselves in lifestyles that are un-balanced and un-intentional.

Such a lifestyle cannot support health and wellness…or sustain permanent weight loss. To live an intentional life you have to give yourself the opportunity to live from a deeper, quieter place—below the chaos, below the re-activity, and below your superficial desires for immediate relief and gratification.

Yes, you will need to slow down. You will need to carve out moments to be still and to be quiet. You will need to give yourself the time and space to listen for the instructions that only come from deep within you—from your internal guidance system, your authentic self.

Your authentic self is the deeper part of you that not only is constantly pushing you towards greater levels of success, health and wellbeing, but also knows how to get you there. The voice of your authentic self is always speaking. Do you hear it?  It is there to inform your decisions and guide your next steps.

Are you listening?

Living an intentional life requires that we act upon the guidance of our authentic selves; the still, small voice from deep within. The model for intentional living is very simple. However, it does require that you make conscious, moment-by-moment choices to engage a regular practice until that practice becomes a habit:

Slow Down: Most people will never reach a point in life where they feel like they have enough time. Life is going to keep coming at you with the next twist, the next turn, the next curve ball. If you are waiting until you have more time, you will never occupy the driver’s seat of your life.

Sit down today and decide what is truly important to you according to your life-vision (See Winning Strategy #3). Let go of the distractions, the obligations, and the guilt. Prioritize your daily and weekly schedules to reflect what is most important and sustaining to your long-term success, health and wellbeing.

Be Still & Be Quiet: Carve out the time and space in your daily schedule to spend some quality time with your deeper and most authentic self. You will develop the right techniques for yourself over time, but try at least something today: breath deeply, ask yourself a question, and then be still and quiet and wait for an answer to bubble up from deep inside. You will instinctively know it is the right answer at this moment in time.

Simple! And the results will speak for themselves. Other techniques that you can try are journaling, contemplation, meditation, and centering prayer.

Act Intentionally: Use the guidance you receive from your authentic self to inform your next course of action. Then, intentionally take the very next step. It is never enough to just make a decision. You must be willing to take action, even when it is scary or uncomfortable.

In writing this I am reminded of the words from one of my favorite modern philosophers, Dr. Seuss:

On and on you will hike.
And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with you left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

(Excerpt from: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!)

It may take some time to stop all of the spinning and get yourself planted firmly in the driver’s seat of your own life. Until then, be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to feel satisfied with all of the small, intentional steps you are taking.

Remember that money is not the only thing that occupies the space of time. Serenity, health, and wellbeing are there for all those who slow down, carve out moments of stillness and quiet, and dare to live intentionally according to the guidance of their authentic selves. Work, rest, play, live intentionally…and be well!

Here’s the “skinny”on Yogurt. I often recommend yogurt as a healthy snack to my patients because it has countless health benefits. But not all yogurts are healthy, and not all yogurts are created equal. I often recommend yogurt to patients suffering form Candida. Candida Albicans, also known as a thrush, yeast or fungal infection, can overgrow and become a problem that can cause irritating signs and symptoms that are related to many common illnesses. The probiotics, which is the healthy bacteria in the yogurt, will decrease the candida growth. But when a person chooses the wrong yogurt they can be doing more bad than good by feeding sugar to the Yeast.

Some yogurts are sugar bombs. Six ounces of yogurt should contain about 12 grams of natural sugar. Every 4 grams on top of that is equal to eating a teaspoon of added sugar. If your yogurt has 20 grams or more of sugar, consider it a dessert – not a snack. For example, let’s look at Yoplait blackberry pomegranate yogurt, we may think it is good with all the healthy berries…but it has 27 grams of sugar and 170 calories! Another example, Stoneyfield Farm Fat Free Chocolate Yogurt has 180 calories, and 35 grams of sugar, defiantly considered a dessert!

This brings up the topic of calories, 170 calories is too high for a serving of yogurt. McDonald’s Carmel Latte also has 170 calories! To guarantee the slimming effects and belly flattening abilities that yogurt has, keep your yogurts under 110 calories for plain, and 130 calories for flavored. **Avoid non fat yogurts containing saturated fats, artificial flavoring and food dyes. They may have lower calories, but if they are full of chemicals you are not getting any benefit.

So what should you look for in a yogurt?
~At least 8 grams of protein. Thicker yogurts like the plain Greek yogurt will have even more.
~12 grams or less of sugar
~130 calories or less

Benefits of Yogurt (when you choose a good one)
-Healthy bacteria in yogurt strengthens your immune system
-Belly-flattening properties from the probiotics (healthy bacteria)
-Promotes healthy digestion and regulates bowel movements
-Keeps blood sugar levels stable
-Great source of calcium – 30% your daily intake in 6 ounces.
-Most dairy sensitive people can tolerate yogurt, the enzymes and probiotics break down the lactose in it.
-Good source of Protein *the watery layer that sometimes settles on the top of yogurt is whey protein and contains amino acids that build muscle, so don’t skim it off – stir it in and eat.

Yogurt Bonuses
*Add honey to your Yogurt, which is a prebiotic, a carb that helps the probiotics strive and grow.
*Yogurt can be used in place of sour cream in many dips – this will save some serious calories.
*Add Yogurt to a morning smoothie with fruit and water for a perfect thickness.
*Coat baked salmon in yogurt, the Vitamin D in fish helps you absorb the calcium in the yogurt better, and it’s yummy!