Let Spring inspire you for a fresh start. Simple changes in your diet and lifestyle may be difficult at first, but will surely pay off in the way you feel inside, which will shine on the outside.

Dry skin needs to be pumped up with moisture, which can be found in: avocados, bananas, carrots, papaya, grapes, and potatoes. All of this produce is beneficial for dry skin conditions such as eczema, dehydrated skin, skin blemishes, and rough skin. Increase your intake of these products and top them off with homemade masks and face packs. Dry skin lacks oil and causes premature aging.

The first step in dealing with dry skin is cleansing the proper way. To help preserve your skin’s natural oil barrier and lock moisture in your skin, always avoid cleansing with soap and water. Soap absorbs your skin’s natural oil and dries out your skin even more. Proper cleansing is done twice a day, morning and night, with a soap-free bar or face wash (foam or gel). Constantly wetting and drying the skin makes a dry-skin condition worse. Use oil blotting sheets instead of over-cleansing your face if you feel the need to over-wash your face. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets are available at any pharmacy for $8, I guarantee they will become your new best friend during any season of the year!

Dry skin needs more moisturizing than any other skin type, especially during the fall and winter seasons due to the use of heaters and the change of weather. Apply a moisturizer that is absorbed easily immediately after cleansing your skin. You may need to reapply throughout the day, but remember to wash your hands before applying anything to your skin. For the fall and winter time, the use of heaters tends to over-dry already dry skin types, so consider using a humidifier to lock moisture back into the air and essentially into your skin.

Try this homemade face mask for this fall season:

For Dehydrated (DRY) Skin Types:

Ingredients:

1 small ripe Banana
1 oz (25 grams) ground oatmeal
1 tsp runny honey

Application:

Chop the banana into a bowl and mash to a smooth paste. Stir in the oatmeal and honey. Apply to your face and neck with upward strokes and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Remove with a damp cotton towel or wash off with warm water and a gentle cleanser. You may apply this mask 1 to 2 times a week as needed, and don’t forget to moisturize, even after the mask.

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As the chilly weather sets in and the days get darker and colder, all I can usually think about is how to stay warm. Scratch that—how to get warm! Come winter, living in a damp, humid climate like Vancouver’s is enough to give an Olympic athlete the cough of a middle-aged smoker.

There are a few things that I consistently try to do to combat winter meltdown, and they totally work!

Take my Multi-Vitamins. Plural. When it gets really cold, I take three multi’s a day. I’d recommend getting the good quality ones because they contain more concentrated ingredients and don’t have unnecessary fillers or preservatives (which will actually make you more toxic instead of helping you). You may have to search a little further to find a good multi-vitamin, as many drugstores have limited good quality products available. I like to get mine from my Naturopath, but health food stores also carry great products.

Go outside. Yup, you heard me right! I know that when you feel chilled to the bone the last thing you want to do is go into the cold, and to be fair, there are days when it really is better to be toasty near a fireplace. But those should be exceptions, not the rule. Going for a walk in the cool air can be good for you! Not only are you getting exercise (which is great in and of itself), but the change in temperature makes your heart work harder, which is great for circulation. And then when you do go back inside, you’ll feel that much better.

Exercise. This can be done almost anywhere, which is good because the two feet of snow outside your front door might slightly impede your morning run around the block. Going to the gym is great at any time of year, especially in the winter, because you have access to all of the amenities that can help you reach your fitness goals. You can also workout inside your home doing things like jumping rope and squats, as well as using exercise DVDs in your living room. Even spending an afternoon vacuuming and scrubbing counter tops burns calories. Don’t forget snow sports like skiing, snow-boarding and snowshoeing! I tried snowshoeing for the first time last year and had a blast. The options are almost endless…

Wear scarves and gloves. Scarves are not only a great fashion accessory, but they are also extremely practical. A good wool scarf protects your vulnerable neck and chest from catching cold and can make all the difference in a nippy wind. Gloves are the finishing touch that you won’t be able to live without. In extreme temperatures they prevent frostbite, but even in a milder climate, gloves make your hands feel snug so that you will be able to keep going much longer than you otherwise would have done.

Drink Tea. A steaming cup of tea is a must for so many reasons. After being out in the cold, its hot temperature instantly warms you up from head to foot. The herbs found in many teas also possess natural medicinal ingredients that decrease inflammation, fight free radicals, aid digestion, and improve sleep. One of my favorites is an organic chamomile tea that two of my best friends brought me from their home in Bethlehem in the Middle East.

Up my fat intake. That absolutely does not apply to Twinkies or Snickers bars or chips or any other kind of junk food. You want to put things inside your body that will improve brain function and increase immunity, not compromise it. Fish, flaxseed, hemp and avocado oils all contain Omega 3 essential fatty acids that do wonders for your whole being. I also enjoy taking coconut oil because of its ability to effectively prevent and fight illness. It’s been known to slightly increase metabolism (which is great for people struggling with hypo-thyroid issues), so you won’t put on weight if you use coconut oil in moderation.

Eat carbs prior to exposing myself to the elements. Think quinoa, millet, buckwheat, barley or even some nuts. These extra carbohydrates will provide your body with a little more fuel than usual, which is just what is going to get you through that icy walk across town, or maybe just across your school’s campus!

Wrap yourself in a warm blanket and sit in a cozy armchair. Sometimes this is what it takes to heat you up, and honestly, this is most people’s favorite part of a winter day. So relax, snuggle up, and enjoy reading Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol or listening to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite while you watch the snowflakes fall.

I have been extremely excited for this season’s fashion, and now that it’s in stores everywhere, I am not in the least bit disappointed. From oversized sweaters to sparkly blazers and tank tops, winter fashion has been anything but dull and boring.
Here are a few trends that I have been spotting:

Sparkles and Shine, Oh My!
Sparkles are everywhere. From sweaters to blazers. From oats to pants. It’s rare to walk past a store without sparkles in the display window. This trend is so appropriate, especially for the upcoming holiday gatherings. So rise and shine.

Knee High Boots
These go fantastic with just about anything, including jeans and leggings worn with an oversized sweatshirt. I love pairing them with a long sleeved shorter length dress and black opaque tights.

Patterns & Prints
In the world of fashion, one season was just not enough for this fashion trend. This winter has engulfed some of the most fascinating patterns. If you’re nervous about mismatching patterns, try wearing a patterned top and solid bottoms or patterned bottoms with a solid top.

Oversized sweaters
Comfy yet fashionable, this look looks great with a pair of skinnys or leggings with boots. This look is so effortlessly chic.

Statement Jewelry
It’s all about the accessories this winter. And these aren’t just your normal accessories. These are your POW! accessories. I love having a solid colored top or dress and adding these statement pieces to them. I’d go with more of a simple base because the accessories should be the main focus. If your shirt has embellishments, it might be overbearing.

Peacoats
In the winter, the first article of clothing people see is your coat. This winter fashion experts made sure that first article of clothing would be anything but dull. Peacoats are extremely feminine and fabulous. This winter you can find them in bold brights and winter classic colors. You can also find them patterned and sparkly. My favorite is the winter white.

This winter is going to be anything but dull; fashion says so!

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