Überrito Fresh Mex Opens First Restaurant in Columbia, SC

Überrito Fresh Mex (Überrito), dedicated to old school Mexican scratch cooking, announced that its first restaurant ever in South Carolina is officially open. The new Columbia Überrito located at 275 Park Terrace Drive, just off Harbison Boulevard and across from Walmart and Sam’s Club. The Columbia Überrito is owned and operated by local residents and business partners Ricky Patel and Deval Patel.

“We’re burrito, taco, bowl, and nacho-loving locals that live and breathe Columbia,” said Ricky Patel, co-owner of Columbia Überrito. “We knew as soon as we tried Überrito for the first time in Houston, we had to bring that authentic, scratch-cooked Tex-Mex flavor straight back to our community. One of the biggest differentiators for us will be our huge menu variety. From students at the University of South Carolina to state capital employees, office workers, families, or those just craving authentic Tex-Mex – there is something for everyone at Überrito. In fact, you could eat Überrito seven days a week and get something different each time, but my favorites are probably a chicken or shrimp burrito with spicy avocado and serrano ranch.”

Since signing the rights to develop Überrito in Columbia, both Ricky Patel and Deval Patel have been active brand ambassadors while their restaurant was under development. Deval’s husband Hiren (Harry) is managing day-to-day operations at the new restaurant. Their new restaurant is part of Überrito’s strategic growth plan that features new restaurant prototypes that accentuate design and operational enhancements such as a stronger focus on delivery, drive-thru, and outdoor dining, while highlighting a softer color palette, more lighting and a modern edge that boosts the customer experience.    

“Now that we are open, we’re so excited to serve our community while giving back through our new Überrito,” said Deval Patel. “Because Columbia is and always has been a community that thrives when we work together, we’re going to do our part to also give back. When we learned that Überrito was interested in developing in South Carolina, we jumped at the opportunity to serve the best scratch-made Mexican food with my friend and business partner Ricky by my side.”

For nearly a decade, Überrito has drawn in crowds for its hand-made Mexican food rooted in a tradition of fresh, hot, and fast with a generous dash of Southwestern hospitality. Today, that set of core values, along with its tradition of quality, variety, and experience, still determines the restaurant’s direction and has kept the brand on solid footing, even during the height of the pandemic.

“There is something classic and quintessential about Überrito that everyone can relate to,” said Pete Pascuzzi, CEO of Überrito and MRI Heritage Brands, Inc. “Almost everyone can relate to a freshly made burrito or taco because people are driven by an emotional connection to our authentic food – it’s very strong and powerful. We’re thrilled that Ricky and Deval have now joined our team to introduce Columbia and the surrounding communities to Überrito. We’re ready to spread our fresh-is-first Überrito approach to the entire region.”

With one foot anchored in tradition and the other firmly planted in the future, Überrito has several original locations spread across greater Houston and its revamped model, upgraded training and support, state-of-the-art technology and new operational efficiencies are igniting the brand’s surge into Columbia and beyond.

“Our longstanding history of operating multiple restaurant brands across several states provided us with the runway and experience to position Überrito for success in Columbia,” said Pascuzzi. “There was a fundamental shift happening in consumer dining habits prior to 2020, which the pandemic accelerated. Überrito is a fresh, fast and friendly environment that has adapted to today’s guest, which allows our owners to take full advantage of dine-in, take-out, delivery, drive-thru, and pick-up lane options.”

The new Columbia Überrito is located at 275 Park Terrace Drive, Suite 800, Columbia, SC. 29212. The restaurant will operate Monday – Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. To learn more about Überrito visit uberrito.com.

About Überrito Fresh Mex:

Überrito Fresh Mex is a Mexican fast casual concept dedicated to craft cooking highly customizable burritos, bowls, salads, and nachos made with fresh ingredients and toppings. This allows Überrito owners to honor traditional Mexican cooking excellence while simultaneously elevating tradition to create better opportunities for growth and profitability. True to its name, Überrito’s signature dish is a burrito, but restaurants also offer a complete menu of Mexican favorites, sides and more. Überrito is part of MRI Heritage Brands, Inc. For more information about Überrito ownership, visit Uberrito.com/franchise.

The Best Gifts for Colorado Alumni

College can hold a special place in people’s lives long after graduation. If you’re looking for gift ideas for a Colorado college graduate who is brimming with school pride, here are some of the best gifts for both new and old Colorado State and Colorado University alumni.

Apparel 

Nothing says school pride like wearing your school’s logo for all to see. Whether your alumnus prefers comfortable sweats or snappy polos, there are plenty of apparel options to choose from. Both Colorado State University and Colorado University offer online shopping through their school’s bookstore, making it easy to find styles that are only available through the university. University bookstores are also a great place to find inspiration for unique gifts, so if you’re feeling stumped take a look and see if something jumps out at you! 

Jewelry

For Colorado alumni who want to show their school pride every day, jewelry is a wonderful gift. CU jewelry featuring Ralphie is sure to be a favorite for Buffs, as is Cam the Ram on CSU jewelry. From elegant and understated to bold and flashy, there are many different styles of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets available, so it’s easy to find a style that matches your giftee’s. 

Jewelry is often considered to be a gift for women, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Simple leather bracelets are a stylish addition to casual wear for both men and women. Add a small CSU or CU engraving to the clasp for a comfortable, soft leather bracelet perfect for everyday wear.\

Engraving

Engraving is a great option for creating a meaningful, personalized gift. Even the simplest items can be made extra special with a personalized engraving. Whether you buy an item from a shop that customizes things directly or take your gift to a specialty store, engraving can elevate a gift from simple to special. Some great options to consider for engraving are travel mugs, pocket knives, glass tumblers, and metal fountain pens. Engrave your giftee’s school logo, name, graduation date, fraternity or sorority letters, or anything else you think will be the most meaningful to them. 

Diploma Display 

Earning a degree takes hard work, dedication, and for some individuals, it’s the realization of a lifelong aspiration. If you know an alum who doesn’t display their diploma or if you are looking for a gift for a soon-to-be college graduate, help them celebrate their achievement with a display for their diploma. There are many different display options, from simple, single-pane frames to sectioned displays for both diploma and tassel. To make your gift even more special, diploma frames with mattes featuring the CU or CSU logo can really add a personalized touch. These diploma displays are easy to find at many different online stores, as well as the CU and CSU bookstores. 

No matter what occasion you need a gift for, celebrating a person’s college of choice is a great way to honor one of their major personal achievements.

Can a Sports Watch Give You Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A couple months ago, I started experiencing some weird sensations in the tip of my thumb. It initially occurred when I was harvesting okra from my garden. It almost felt like my finger was pricked by a splinter, and was a bit tingly. It felt like teeny tiny electric pulses concentrated in my fingertip. When I carefully examined my finger, I saw no signs of a splinter, but more of a pink spot. Then I thought to myself that perhaps it was an insect bite. I decided to watch it for a few days to see what would happen. 

Day after day, it was the same feeling. It felt like a part of a splinter was left in my finger coupled with little electric pulses. This went on for 3 weeks. By that time, it started to skip around to different spots on that same finger. I was definitely able to rule out a splinter at that point because it's not possible for it to move to another spot. I did some online research and I saw mentions of nerve problems associated with diabetes as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. I was able to rule out the diabetes part, and the carpal tunnel had me confused since my wrist seemed fine. 

After going into 7 or 8 weeks of this, the tingling sensation started to jump to a couple other fingers on the same hand. Things started getting uncomfortable at this point so I started to get desperate to get to the bottom of it. I knew I have a an upcoming appointment with my doctor, so I decided to wait out the week before I was going to see her. I did one last bit of research and wondered if a sports watch could cause CTS. After all, I do wear my sports watch during every waking hour and also to bed to track my sleep. The only time I ever really take it off is when I have to shower or enter water for any reason. There was no real evidence that this was the case, until I decided to try something. I took the watch off and within an hour, the electric sensation started to spread throughout my hand and wrist. 

I was so shocked and realized that the watch was the culprit. I saw my doctor the next day and explained what had been going on. She confirmed that it sounded like a mild case of carpal tunnel, and suggested keeping the watch off for a while. She told me if I absolutely couldn't live without it to wear it on the opposite wrist and be sure to not wear it at night. I took her advice, and I now feel 100% relief. I am no longer having any uncomfortable sensations in my fingers or wrist. 

If you wear a sports watch all the time, I highly recommend that you don't wear it as tight if you can help it. I have very tiny wrist, so in order for it to stay put, I pretty much have to wear it on the tightest slot. I left the watch off for a few days, and have started back wearing it on the opposite wrist being sure to leave a tiny gap so that this does not happen again. In the event this happens to you, I suggest taking Ibuprofen only as needed, keep your wrist elevated when you can, limit time on devices, and keep the area warm. Cold temperatures will set it off easily. It's all about resting your hand as much as possible. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

Hallmark Channel Original Premiere of "Christmas in Harmony" on Friday, Oct 29th at 8pm/7c! #CountdowntoChristmas

Can you believe that we are in the last couple months of 2021? The holiday season is nearing, and many of us are making plans to attend parties, decorate our homes, and of course, do some baking. Every year we make it a family affair to decorate our house inside and out. It's so much fun coming across those ornaments the kids made when they were in elementary school. We also start prepping and packing for our annual family beach trip. We started that tradition 4 years ago, and always look forward to that family time. It's such a great way to unwind and reconnect at the end of the year. 

Today's post is sponsored by Hallmark Channel

Another tradition that is a must during the holiday season is watching Hallmark Movies with my daughters. We try to catch every new movie, and this year there are 41 ALL NEW original movies premiering on Hallmark Channel and on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. We grab our snacks, drinks and set up our very own watch parties right at home. 

We are extra excited for the  Hallmark Channel movie premiere, "Christmas in Harmony" on Friday, Oct. 29th at 8pm/7c. Christmas in Harmony Stars: Ashleigh Murray, Luke James, Loretta Devine, Michelle Williams, and Basil Wallace. We will be live tweeting, so please join us! Check out the trailer below. 

Harmony is tricked into auditioning for the Holiday Chorus - directed by an ex-boyfriend. By Christmas Eve, they could be harmonizing in the key of love. You have to tune in to find out! 

If you love all-things-Hallmark Channel, be sure to check out: 

• HMNow- (Hallmark Movies Now service) so you can watch your favorites any time you want 
• Grab the Holiday Cookbook so you can bake up some tasty treats!
• Download the Hallmark Movie Checklist App and get notifications for new movie premieres!
• If you're a wine drinker, check out the collection of Hallmark Channel Wines. We are looking forward to trying them. 

We have some great news for our readers. We have partnered with Hallmark Channel to offer a fun giveaway for one lucky winner! The "Holiday Happiness" Package includes:

(1) Hallmark Channel Gift Wrap Package

(1) Hallmark Channel Wines digital gift card

(1) Holiday tea tin from Republic of Teas

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on November 10, 2021. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

3 Beginner Tips To Help You Master the Art of Horse Riding

Are you hoping to pick up horse riding as a hobby? Whether you’ve dabbled in horse riding in the past and have recently decided to get serious about it or whether you’re a total newcomer to the sport, there are several important tips that can help you learn the ropes of this unique hobby quickly. Take a look at these three tips that can help beginners quickly master the art of horse riding. 

1. Prepare With All the Necessary Accessories and Safety Gear

Before getting on a horse, it’s important to make sure you’re properly prepared with all the necessary horse jump accessories and other safety gear essentials you may require. This gear can help keep you and the horse safe in the event of an accident and is an absolute must for both beginners and those riding at a more advanced level. If you’re just now shopping for your safety gear and other basics, make sure to pick up:

• Helmets
• Knee pads and elbow pads
• Sturdy riding boots
• Riding gloves
• A safety vest
• Riding pants

2. Practice Getting On and Off Your Horse

Although it may sound simple, beginners may need a little practice mounting and dismounting a horse. Spend a little time just practicing this one skill before moving on to others. To successfully get on your horse, you should:

• Start from the left side of your horse
• Hold the reins loosely in your left hand
• Start by putting your left foot in the stirrup and step up
• Swing your other leg over the horse and take your seat carefully

3. Take Lessons and Practice Essential Horse Riding Skills

Lastly, you may want to consider starting off your riding days with some professional lessons to help you master the basic skills you need to know. Having a strong foundation can help set you up for quick progress. You can opt for individual or group lessons for beginners that can help you learn more about:

• Trotting and walking
• Trail riding
• Standing quietly
• Mounting and dismounting
• Slow reversal
• Side-passing

Learning to ride horses as a hobby can help you stay in shape, bond with these majestic animals and enjoy a time-honored tradition. If you’re a beginner, these top tips can help you master the basics of horse riding in no time. Make sure you have all the safety gear you need, practice mounting and dismounting and consider taking lessons to move from beginner to pro at a steady pace.

Easy Ways To Take Care of Your Mental Well-Being

With the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to put yourself and your needs on the backburner. However, when you ignore your needs, you'll find that you eventually burn out. When you face burnout, you might find that you are tired more than usual, have greater anxiety and are unmotivated to do even simple tasks. 

When things get terrible, you might find that you have to see a doctor or use holistic learning materials to feel better. To avoid letting things get out of control, you need to take time for yourself. Here are some simple ways you can take care of yourself physically and emotionally. 

Choose Good Foods

If you have a diet primarily made up of processed, fatty foods, you're probably not feeling the best. A poor diet harms how your body functions. You will likely find that you lack energy and have a hard time thinking clearly. 

To avoid feeling crummy and not thinking clearly, you should eat whole foods. Your body needs the vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. If you eat meat, choose lean, lower-fat options. 

Work on a Hobby

When you do things you love, you will likely find that you're more relaxed and can think more clearly. Hobbies don't have to be anything overly expensive or creative. You could enjoy a nice warm bath and read a book. Work in the garden while listening to a podcast. If you love woodworking, then build some cabinets. You just want to make sure that you're doing something you enjoy. Your life shouldn't just be about other people and work. You matter, too.

Learn To Say No

Sometimes telling someone you don't want to do something can be challenging. You don't want to come off as rude and have them think poorly of you. However, your mental well-being should always be more important than someone's feelings about you. If you don't have the time to do something or it will be too much of a stretch to make it happen, just say no. Explain to the person that you wish you could help, but you just won't be able to work. Anyone who respects you and cares about you will understand. 

Get Moving

Exercise is sometimes thought of as a wonder drug because even a little bit can make a huge difference. Find ways that you can move more each day. Perhaps go for walks in the evenings after dinner, or go to the gym before work. No matter what you do, you're going to see an improvement in your mood and thought processes. 

Celebrate Halloween with Muffin’s Halloween Costume Contest and #LoveLittleBites + A Giveaway

***This giveaway is closed***

The winner is Linda T. Congratulations! 

Happy Fall, y'all! I don't know about you, but I just love this time of year. There is just something about when the seasons change, and things start to cool down. Halloween is coming up, so it's time to get ready for class parties and trick-or-treaters. If you are looking for non-candy goodies to send into your child's class, you should consider *Little Bites snacks. Kids (and their parents) love them, and you can feel good about them being in portion-controlled packs, and they contain no high fructose corn syrup and zero grams of trans fat per serving. 

Our favorite variety during this time of year is the limited edition pumpkin muffins. We definitely stock up since they aren't around for very long. Of course Little Bites snacks come in a wide variety of options to choose from, featuring real ingredients such as chocolate chips, blueberries, and strawberries. 

Right now, Little Bites is running an Instagram contest for Halloween. Here's the scoop: 

Information about Muffin’s Halloween Costume Contest:

• Fans can visit Little Bites® official Instagram page daily to locate an image of Muffin the dog on Instagram Stories, which fans can screenshot and use as a blank canvas to create his unique Halloween costume by drawing/dressing him with various gifs, emojis and coloring using Instagram drawing tools.
• After you customize the image, you can post the design to your Instagram Story and tag the brand @LittleBitesSnacks as your official entry. Be sure to include the hashtag #contest in your entry. 
• Each Friday, four winners will be chosen based on creativity and originality to win exciting prizes, including a year’s supply of Little Bites® product (52 coupons) and a $250 gift card for Halloween supplies. 
  

Entry Period 1: October 4 - October 7 (Winners selected: Friday, October 8)

Entry Period 2: October 11- October 14 (Winners selected: Friday, October 15)

Mom Files is thrilled to offer our readers a sweet prize pack giveaway including a $25 Visa digital gift card (for online purchases only) and (3) coupons for up to $5.29 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s® Little Bites® courtesy of Entenmann's. Enter below:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway   

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on October 14, 2021. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

*The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Little Bites® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Little Bites®.

The Best Nail Products To Simplify Your DIY Manicure Routine

Taking the time to sit and do your nails at home is so much more than a task to achieve appealing nails, as it's also a form of self-care, specifically for those who enjoy nail art.

And while there are several essentials you should have in your nail kit to create a variety of designs, such as Orly black nail polish, french manicure products, nail polish remover, and others, we've listed a few products that will simplify your DIY routines. These products will enable you to achieve glamorous and detailed designs without having to struggle at all. 

A Nail Stamp Set

There's no doubt that you've probably already seen a ton of nail stamping tutorials on various social media platforms. And while nail stamping is incredibly satisfying to watch, it's even more gratifying to try. 

Nail stamp sets are also pretty inexpensive, although the cheaper sets don't always work too well, so you should rather spend a little more for a quality set that will last you quite a while. 

Adhesive Nail Stickers

Quality adhesive nail stickers are another fantastic product you won't regret trying out. These are exceptionally straightforward to use, as you stick them on and paint over the nail with a quality clear top coat to seal the adhesive sticker in properly. 

What's more, you can achieve the most detailed nail designs with adhesive stickers. And because there's such a massive variety to choose from, you can switch up your nail set every week, and you'll likely never run out of new design ideas either. 

Half-Moon Guides And Straight-Line Guides

With half-moon guides and straight-line guide adhesive nail stickers, you'll be able to section off areas of your nail and paint precision lines without any hassle. These products are an absolute must-have for every nail kit as they ensure you can create professional nail sets with ease. 

Peel Off Latex Polish

We've all experienced the frustration of messing while painting our nails and then battling to remove the dry polish from skin and cuticles without ruining the design. Fortunately, there's a perfect solution out there in the form of peel off latex polish.

This latex polish is painted around the nail to dry. Once it's dry, you can paint your nail comfortably and then peel off the latex polish to reveal an impeccable manicure with absolutely no mess at all. 

Press-On Nail Sets

Press-on nails may have previously been considered tacky and unappealing options for a quick manicure. Although things have changed quite a bit, there are quality press-on nail sets out there that you won't regret buying. 

The quality press-on nail sets won't fall off at the slightest touch, and some can even be reused a few times. These are perfect for those days when you don't have enough time to do your nails.

Nail products and sets are also great gift ideas for beauty lovers. However, there's no reason you can't gift yourself these excellent products to simplify your nail routines and achieve professional results every time.

How to Keep Up With a Blog

Blogging, much like any other form of communication or writing, takes work. It is no wonder then that many bloggers get discouraged when their blogs seem to be less than updated on a regular basis. Here are a few ways you can make yours stand out among the rest. 

Create an Account

How to keep a blog up and running, then, begins by creating a blog account, like Julio Herrera Velutini, for example. The first step in the process is choosing a blogging platform. There are many different platforms available to bloggers, but the two that are among the most popular are WordPress and Blogger. If you choose a platform that has less flexibility, then it may be more difficult for you to update your blog. However, if you choose a blog host that offers a lot of options, then you will have greater flexibility in the way that your updates are delivered to your readers. In addition, when it comes to making your own blog posts, there are a number of tools available to make things easier on yourself.

Choose a Domain

The first thing you will need to do when you want to keep up with a blog is to choose a domain name for your blog. If you cannot decide upon a name, you may wish to take a look at some of the popular blog names to see what is being blogged about in the marketplace. You may also try using your favorite catchphrases to come up with a catchy name for your blog. Once you have chosen a name for your blog, the next step is to create your blog's theme. Since your blog will be hosted on your server, this is an important step to consider. 

Update Your Blog

Another important factor you need to consider when learning how to keep up with a blog is to update your blog frequently. Even if you post new material on a regular basis, there is still a chance that it will not be noticed by readers unless you specifically instruct them to do so. For example, if you were writing about the latest trends in real estate, you would want people to take notice of your blog entries. To make sure that your blog is noticed, set aside some time each day to post new material to your blog. This will allow you to know how many people are visiting your blog on a daily basis.

HTMLs, Trackers

As you learn how to keep up with a blog, you may also want to include some sort of tracker on your blog site. This is useful in that you can easily track how many blog entries you have made and how many new links you have posted. By using a tracker, you can easily track updates to your blog. If you do not want to use a tracker, you can include an HTML link at the bottom of every blog post or update in order to track updates yourself. The easiest way to include an HTML link is to include the text "click here to view more" in your post or update. Trackers can help you save time as well as provide you with a source of statistics regarding how often you are updating your blog.

5 Reasons You May Qualify For Special Enrollment

Each year, those who rely on Obama care plans for health insurance sign up during the open enrollment period with the ability to stick with or select a new plan in the upcoming year. There are also several reasons why a person may qualify to sign up or change their plan outside of open enrollment, including: 

1. Change in Marital Status

If you got married or divorced outside of an open enrollment period, you will likely qualify to sign up for a new plan. Married individuals often sign on to a joint plan, which tends to be more economical than having two individual plans. 

Those who get divorced are also able to sign onto a new plan as an individual or with children, instead of having to stay on a joint plan with a former spouse. 

2. Moving Somewhere New

Moving is a stressful time for many, especially if you are headed to a new zip code. If you are moving to a new home within the same zip code, you aren't likely to qualify for a new health plan unless the move is accompanied by another qualifying event. 

If you are moving to a new zip code, you will qualify for special enrollment and you can pick a new plan that covers doctors and other healthcare costs in your new area. 

3. Fluctuations in Your Income

Although many people receive a yearly salary or hourly wage and can expect a steady income throughout the year, others earn their living from freelance or gig work. Others still may experience a change in income if they get a promotion at work or lose their jobs and all of which may be qualifying events for a special enrollment period. 

Not all changes in income constitute a special enrollment period, but it's helpful to check with a healthcare specialist when you experience significant income fluctuations to see if you qualify. 

4. Changes in Household Size

Those who welcome a new child into their household, whether through birth or adoption, have plenty to think about, including a change in their healthcare plans. Those who experience a death in the household, or a household member simply moves to another location, must also update their profile in the system and may qualify for the special enrollment period. 

5. Altered Disability Status

If you or someone in your household has either become disabled or has recovered from injuries that kept them from working or everyday tasks, this change in disability status is likely to qualify you for a special enrollment period. 

The plans available to you and your family may be completely different when there is a disability in the household, or the plans may be offered at a different price. 

There are several life changes that may allow you to sign up for an Obamacare plan or change your current plan even outside of the open enrollment period. Any time you experience a significant life change, be sure to update that in the system to see if you need to pick a new plan. 

Treat Your Beauty Inside and Out with Clean Cosmetics

Let’s be honest, we all want to age like a fine wine – even those of us who aren’t exactly the narcissistic type of people. The good news is it’s possible even for individuals who haven’t been blessed with the perfect genes; the bad news is it takes some effort as well as knowledge when choosing the ideal bits and pieces of skincare.

My advice is to keep your radiant and healthy skin in mind as you’re on the quest for youthful and wrinkle-free results. And, of course, it’s recommended you take a good look at your current collection of beauty products and sweep it clean, replacing all the toxin-packed items with clean cosmetics free from all the nasties.

Clean beauty has turned into quite the buzzword recently, though there’s still some cloud of confusion as to what it truly refers to and encompasses. Lucky for you, this is exactly what this blog post is about – throwing light on clean beauty.

What Is the Definition of Clean Beauty?

The concise answer would be the kind of cosmetics that are great for people as much as the environment. In a broader sense, it’s an umbrella term encompassing ethical, sustainable, organic, vegan and cruelty-free products. Respective of this, you might also hear it associated with conscious beauty.

This stems from the fact such products are created with natural plant-based ingredients at the basis, carefully sourced from renewable sustainable sources, and not tested on animals. As such, they don’t cause skin irritation, redness, sensitivities, serious health and well-being issues, and they don’t lead to environmental pollution as the traditional cosmetic industry with its serious toxic waste.

What Are the Benefits of Clean Beauty?

If you care about your beauty inside and out, in addition to making ground-breaking changes with your nutrition by getting rid of processed foods and substituting them with all-things organic, you ought to invest in clean beauty that’s nurturing your skin. As soon as you implement them in your day to day pampering, you’d get to benefit the following:

• Come across optimal ingredients that nature offers.

• Get a healthy complexion and plump skin worthy of envy.

• Cut down the risk of toxicity.

• Cut down the risk of irritation, redness, sensitivity, and issues like rosacea, and dermatitis.

• Cut down the risk of cancer.

• Cut down the risk of hormonal imbalances and endocrine issues.

• Boost your immunity – healthy skin equals a healthy body.

• Ensure overall health and well-being.

• Protect animals and help cut down the cosmetic industry’s environmental impact.

• In other words, acquiring clean cosmetics from trusted retailers and their carefully curated selections means opening up the path to a clean lifestyle and an even cleaner environment. What you invest in such products pays off in your life in more ways than one.

How Do I Start a Clean Beauty Routine?

The typical woman enamoured with cosmetics has a wide assortment of beauty essentials that she uses on a daily basis. What this means is every day she scrubs and rubs various types of chemicals on the skin, oblivious they’re harmful for her health. If this sounds like you, and you’re afraid of some side-effects along the way, it’s high time you did some beauty routine changes with the following steps.

1. Know Your Foes 

Not knowing where to begin when embarking on the green beauty regimen, it’s advisable to first familiarize yourself with the nasty ingredients present in most traditional cosmetics that most people sadly have in their homes. The dirty thirty would give you a clear idea of what you should avoid, and why that is.

2. Read the Label

The next step would be to do your homework on brands and their products, and if something catches your eye, be sure to look into the ingredients before purchasing. The important thing here is to get in the habit of reading labels. There are sites, like the non-governmental EWG (Environmental Working Group) with its skin deep database, where you could also check the products you’re interested in to see if they’re safe.

3. Take It Slow 

Once you find brands and items of clean cosmetics you want to try out, are sure they’re safe, and don’t contain any of the dirty thirty nasties, it’s advisable to use a slow pace. If you’ve been using beauty care items for long, your skin has become accustomed to the chemicals, so it might take time to adjust to the organic alternatives.

This is why it’s essential to gradually declutter and implement the new products, starting from the items you use to cover most of your skin’s areas, in the likes of body lotions and body washes. You can later move on to moisturisers, toners, serums, eye creams, sunscreens, masks, soaps, makeup, nail polish, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, fragrances, as well as toothpaste. By doing so, you wouldn’t only be doing your skin and beauty a favor, but also your wallet. The future truly looks bright with these products!

4. Make Sure It's Good for You 

Just because something’s clean, organic, green, vegan, or whatever you might call it, doesn’t mean it won’t bring about any side-effects either. Sometimes, a person may not even be aware he or she is allergic to a certain natural ingredient until they start using certain products. With this thought in mind, it’s necessary to always do a patch test first when you decide to introduce a new item of clean cosmetics to your collection.

5. Mind Your Skin Type 

And, of course, the most important step, always buy clean skincare and body care products that are suitable for your skin type. Once you’ve compiled your collection of all-things clean, you ought to build a solid routine and practice it religiously every morning and every night. This would guarantee you’d get the results you’re after and make a change in your life and the planet’s.

6. Stick to the Basics 

To follow through with it, even when you barely have the time, it’s advisable to make it as simple as you can with the most crucial products. Cleanse, nurture with vitamin C serum and protect with an SPF moisturizer in the morning, and cleanse again, treat with special products (e.g. acne or age related), and round it up by moisturizing again before beauty sleep.

Not Just for Wrinkles: 5 Uses of Botox That Might Surprise You

Botox has been around for many years. As a cosmetic drug, it was discovered by two Canadian doctors. They were treating patients with facial spasms when they realized the patient's fine lines and wrinkles were disappearing. This was in 1987. In 2002, the FDA approved the drug as a cosmetic aid.

Today, there are many different effective Botox treatments an individual can use to help regain their health, look better, and feel better in many areas of their life.

Here are the 5 uses of Botox that might surprise you:

1. Migraine and Headache Reducer

 

Many individuals suffer from debilitating migraines in which they can't function normally. These super headaches send the person to bed in a dark and quiet room, sometimes for hours if not days. Botulinum toxin or Botox has been shown to lessen the severity and duration of migraines in both men and women. In some cases, Botox has enabled a headache sufferer to have more pain-free days per month than ever before.  This is with yearly or every six months treatments, depending on the patient.

 2. Bladder Control

Three in 10 men, and four in 10 women suffer from some type of bladder control issue. The FDA approved Botox for a variety of bladder issues back in 2013. A small dose of this drug helps to relax the bladder, making the spasms less while it also helps to expand the bladder. This expansion helps to give more room to collect urine and that means fewer trips to the bathroom.

 

3. Strabismus Correction

Strabismus is a medical condition of the eyes. It is where one eye may look straight ahead, while the other seems to be focused to the left or right, also known as improper alignment of the eyes. Since the early 1980s, small Botox injections have been able to properly align a wandering eye. It is also safe in small children with this eye condition.

 4. Shoulder and Neck Pain

Botox can be helpful in reducing shoulder and neck pain in certain persons. Myofascial and posterior pain are both lessened with Botox injections spaced out for several months for a year or so. Chronic shoulder and neck pain can be a contributing factor in headaches and Botox treatments have also been shown to rid a person of these types of headaches.

5. Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which a person suffers from excessive sweating, even when the weather is not hot out. This is an amount of sweat that is like a dripping faucet or even a flowing river. It is a lot of sweat. Typical antiperspirants and deodorants do not work for this small group of individuals. Botox injections under the arm, and even in the hands and feet, can help to control the excessive sweating many people suffer with and helps to improve their quality of life.

 

These are just a few of the many uses of Botox injections that your doctor can prescribe to help you live a better, less painful life. Always listen to the recommendation of your trusted physician before deciding to get Botox injections. 

The Pros and Cons of Student Loans

This is the time of year where many students have returned to school, whether it's grade school or college. I remember like it was yesterday when my daughters were in high school. They both were high-achieving students with bright futures ahead. They participated in so many school activities ranging from sports, clubs and community service. Those activities were very important when it came to the college application process. Colleges look for well-rounded students who do more than just get good grades. 

If you have a high schooler, you are most likely in touch with the guidance office along with the college coordinator. They are vital in helping your student understand what goals they have to reach to get to applying for college. In my years of volunteering at the high school. I learned that so many students did not take advantage of the resources that their school was offering. It's a shame, because those staff members have so many helpful tools and advice. 

Many parents often stress over saving money for college. It is not something that every family is able to do. Of course, college is not for everyone. Some students end up entering the working world since college didn't seem like it was a possibility. This is why I will again encourage parents to have their student meet with the college coordinator from their school. They have resources that you didn't know existed. They can assist with applying for scholarships as well as student loans. Is the process easy? No, it's not. It does take some real effort, but you would be surprised by how many people qualify for student loans. You can learn more here. 

Taking out a student loan is a huge responsibility, because obviously it has to be paid back. Student loan debt is something so many adults incur, but the end reward will be well worth it as long as you have a game plan in place. Going into college with a career goal in mind is key. If your student successfully makes it through to obtain their college diploma, they will be able to compete in the job market. Don't think that parent ends when your kid goes off to college, because they still can use your guidance to maneuver through the stages to independent adulthood. 

It is so important to give our kids the gift of financial literacy. Teach them about credit, saving money and investing early on. This will make applying for and paying back a student loan a bit easier. We have a handful of years to go with my youngest in regards to applying for a loan, but thankfully his big sisters and dad have been through the process a number of times. If you are currently dealing with your high school student or adult child looking at taking out a loan, be sure you are there to support them. Believe me, that little bit of support goes a long way. 

4 Tips for Dealing With Your Emotions After a Traumatic Birth

Traumatic births come in all shapes and sizes, but they do all have one thing in common: They leave lingering feelings of guilt, sadness, and anxiety in their wake.

While having a baby should be a wonderful and happy time, it’s simply not always that. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, birth can be painful and deeply distressing. Things go wrong, and there’s often no way to make them right.

Even if you and your baby come out of the experience healthy — or at least on the mend — the experience can leave you in a terrible state. Here are some suggestions and tips for helping yourself deal with that pain and struggle.  

1. Face the pain. Don’t hide from it.

There’s often a tendency among women who have experienced traumatic births to try to push the pain down and hide away from it. When it pops up in your mind, you may try to shake it away and not think about it.

Certainly, understanding how to handle memories of your traumatic birth is like walking a fine line. On one hand, it's true that you shouldn't linger on bad thoughts. In any situation where there is trauma, we can spin ourselves up so much that we actually make a simple problem much worse.

On the other hand, it's good to face the pain you have to struggle with. Everyone will experience pain and trauma during their lives, and accepting it for exactly what it is is actually part of moving on. Moreover, if you can learn to use a bad experience to improve your life moving forward, that's always the best possible outcome. We’ll discuss this more in tip #4.

2. Don’t listen to bad advice

Very often, traumatic birth experiences actually end with a healthy mom and a healthy baby. In a way, these are the hardest scenarios to deal with, however, because your friends and family won’t understand if you still feel the need to grieve and if you continue to struggle even after returning home from the hospital.

“Why would you be sad right now!? You have a healthy baby, and you’re fine! You're going to heal!"

Any woman in this situation knows that it’s simply not as easy as that. Whether you had to have an emergency C-section or your labor was prolonged for many days, this trauma can linger. If anyone tries to tell you that it's unfounded or that you should simply be grateful for what you have, don't feel you have to listen to them. Chances are, they’re speaking without experience and simply don’t understand.

Follow your own intuition because in almost all situations, it will be right. You deserve to devote attention to fixing the struggle you're having internally and to move toward a more positive state at your own pace.

3. Find out how best to comfort yourself

As you begin to grapple with the emotional and mental sides of recovery, remember that there are physical things you can do to calm your anxiety as well. Small acts of kindness toward yourself can make a huge difference to your mental state.

Here are some ideas:

• Get some alone time. Ask for help from your partner, your family, or close friends. Let them watch your baby while you shop, get a manicure, or just go for a walk.
• Take a relaxing CBD bath. Go to your local Denver dispensary and grab some bath CBD oils or salts. Dissolving these in your bath can have a positive anti-inflammatory effect and will help calm your body and spirit.
• See professionals. If your back is bothering you, see a chiropractor. If you’re having pelvic floor problems, see your doctor. If you want to start working through your emotions, see a therapist. It’s worth it to seek professional help sooner rather than later.

4. Learn from your experience

Lastly, figure out how you can learn from the experience you had. When anything goes wrong in life, there are always lessons to learn, and the smartest people in the room will learn them. Everyone else will wallow in despair or pretend like it never happened.

So, what can you take away from the traumatic birth you experienced? If, for example, you feel that you were not assertive enough in the birthing room or did not plan enough for unlikely outcomes, maybe these are things you can plan to focus on more if you have another child. Perhaps you were surrounded by unsupportive people who didn’t understand your needs.

Even if you're done having children, there are lessons you can learn from a difficult birth. In the end, it is you who gets to decide your attitude and the next steps you will take to reclaim your life and your outlook as your own.

6 Signs You Might Have PTSD

The majority of people experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime. Trauma affects everyone differently. When you hear the term post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, what do you think of? It is most commonly associated with military veterans. However, anyone can develop PTSD after a terrible event that they have trouble processing. The event could be anything from a car crash or abusive relationship to the death of a friend. The first step to getting help with the disorder is becoming familiar with the symptoms. 

Traumatic Flashbacks

Flashbacks and lingering thoughts of the trauma are signs you might be suffering from PTSD. In extreme cases, your flashbacks may be so vivid that they seem to pull you out of reality. Less intense intrusive thoughts may also occur. If you frequently find yourself anxious and stressed from unwelcome memories, you may have a disorder. Places like Rey Health can help you get to the bottom of these instances.

Changes in Emotions

Traumatic events obviously have an impact on your emotional state, but sometimes that effect lingers in unusual ways. Have you noticed that your distress is fading into numbness? When your brain becomes overwhelmed, you can enter a period where you do not feel much of anything. If you have been in that state for an extended amount of time, there might be an issue.

Being Overly Vigilant

Many who suffer trauma become more aware of risk factors around them. You may even become hypervigilant. Hypervigilance means that you are mentally on edge. That results in mental stress and physical jumpiness. Some aren't conscious of the change, so don't be afraid to talk to a trusted friend or family member about any differences that they've seen.

Increase in Nightmares

The thoughts that plague your mind during the day can present as recurring nightmares. You can have unpleasant dreams night after night that center around the traumatic event which you endured. Be especially aware of this symptom if it starts to interfere with your sleeping patterns. 

Trouble Concentrating

There are many reasons people have a hard time concentrating. You should consider what is causing your trouble. Is your mind wandering back to the event? Are you trying to distract yourself from sadness? Have bad dreams led to sleepiness? A lot of people with PTSD note that their concentration is impaired.

Facing Triggers

The word trigger is used in a variety of ways. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be all too familiar with the definition of emotional trigger. No matter how small they are, certain connections to your trauma can quickly send you into a downward spiral. You may find that there are places, people, shows, objects, or even holidays that affect you differently. Your triggers can lead to intense depression or panic attacks.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is more widespread than you may expect. If you identified with any of the signs of PTSD, be sure not to isolate, blame yourself, or become reckless. There is help available to those who seek it.

How to Create a Relaxing Environment for Your Home Office

Working from home is ideal for people who don't want to deal with long commutes and expensive parking. However, household life can also provide a lot of distractions and create stress. Making your home office as relaxing and stress-free as possible may increase your overall productivity when working remotely. Here are some tips on creating a relaxing environment for your home office. 

Bring Some Greenery into Your Office

Indoor plants are wonderful additions to any home office: They improve air circulation and make the room feel more alive. Succulents and succulent hybrids have become popular features in office spaces because they are visually appealing and require less care than traditional plants. 

Be sure to research which plants might be best for your office by considering their natural lighting requirements and their maintenance needs.

Add Soothing Aromas

Scents are very effective at evoking specific emotions. Having soothing smells in your home office may help you stay calm and alert as you work. Scented candles are traditionally used for this purpose. However, placing a scent diffuser or an electric wax warmer in your office can provide a soothing fragrance without the need for a flame.

If you are growing tired of one particular scent, don't feel afraid to switch it out. Or, if you start to experience nasal fatigue and you cannot smell the scent anymore, sniff some coffee beans to reset your olfactory system. 

Stay Organized and Clutter-Free

A cluttered office can feel overwhelming and cause more stress in your work environment. Not to mention, searching through piles of papers for the documents you need wastes precious time. Keeping home office furniture clear of clutter and all of your files organized is essential for relaxation and productivity. 

Though it may seem like a hassle, reviewing your files every couple of years to get rid of ones that are no longer useful is incredibly helpful in reducing the possibility of future clutter.

Generate Ambient Noise

Having peace and quiet can be relaxing for some people. For others, it is distracting because it allows the mind to wander. If you are someone who thrives when working in coffee shops and cafes, it may be beneficial to purchase an electronic white noise generator or a tabletop fountain to provide ambient noise in your office.

For many people, background noise is stimulating enough to keep errant thoughts at bay without diverting them from the task at hand. It is certainly worth a try to introduce some soundscapes if you feel that this applies to you. 

Ensure That Your Office Chair Is Ergonomic

There is nothing more disruptive to productivity than an uncomfortable office chair. Discomfort caused by a lack of ergonomic support can be quite distracting by prompting you to shift periodically in an effort to find a more comfortable position.

You may even develop neck and back pain over time from improper sitting postures. For this reason, it is crucial that your chair is designed to promote beneficial sitting habits, eliminating unnecessary pressure from areas of the body that are prone to strain.

The home environment presents its own unique challenges to working efficiently. Creating an office space that is calming to the senses can promote productivity and alertness without resulting in burnout. 

The Fresh Market Launches “FREE PREMIUM CHOCOLATE MONDAYS” with Curbside Orders

The Fresh Market knows that Mondays can be tough sometimes so beginning August 30, all curbside order pickups will have one extra item-- a free sample of premium chocolate.  Adding a decadent layer to The Fresh Market’s recently launched “Friendliest Curbside Experience in America” program, The Fresh Market Personal Shoppers will provide each curbside guest a free sample of The Fresh Market’s new 0.3 oz square of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Dark Chocolate. Combining The Fresh Market’s Chocolate Lovers Monday promotions with a free premium chocolate sampling at curbside pickups could transform Mondays into the best day of the week!

Launched in December 2020, The Friendliest Curbside Experience in America continues to meet guests’ needs and the latest chocolate treat sampling enhances the overall experience of grocery pickup. Surprising guests with a treat complements the curbside program’s successful foundation of having The Fresh Market Personal Shoppers to ensure quality and freshness, managers who double check and verify every order with their personal signature handed to each curbside guest, fast and efficient delivery to the car, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed on every item in the curbside basket.

Curbside orders continue to grow since launching nine months ago as guests appreciate the convenience and friendly customer service of the program. For the month of August, orders are up 28% and first-time orders are up 47% with the average guest rating of 4.7/5.  Providing the best experience for guests to shop at The Fresh Market, whether in store or through curbside pickup, continues to be at the forefront of the company’s commitment to provide impeccable guest service.

“Our guests compliment us on the great communication they share with the Personal Shopper throughout the curbside process, quick and friendly service at pick up and the quality food in every order,” said Brian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Operations at The Fresh Market. “We’re thrilled that our guests appreciate the level of customer service and extra touches our friendly curbside provides, so adding a chocolate treat to Monday orders is just a small gesture of gratitude that we know they’ll enjoy!”

Chocolate lovers and all guests can shop in the online store or download the mobile app on the App Store* or on Google Play*. For more information on The Fresh Market’s or to see what’s new, please visit www.thefreshmarket.com.

*Apple and the Apple Logo are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play, and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

About The Fresh Market, Inc.

Voted as the “Best Supermarket in America” by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards,  and “America’s Best Customer Service 2021” by Newsweek and Statista,  The Fresh Market helps guests discover the best with time-saving meal solutions, unique ingredients, and delicious food for any occasion. From fresh produce and exceptional meat and seafood to signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, the specialty grocer has something to please every palate. The Fresh Market currently operates 159 stores in 22 states across the U.S., inspiring guests to discover new flavors and cook with confidence. For more information, please visit www.thefreshmarket.com or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.