Tips to Prevent Winter Skin

From Healthline.com:

Cold and dry winters may cause your skin to flake and show other signs of dryness. If you notice this, include moisturizing skin care ingredients, such as emollients and occlusives, in your routine and skip other ingredients. Cold air, dry indoor heat, low humidity levels, and harsh winter wind can all zap your skin of its moisture. This may leave the skin on your face, hands, feet, and other areas exposed to the elements looking a lot less radiant. You can, however, take steps to help keep your skin looking healthy, even when temperatures dip and there’s no escape from winter’s dry, cold air.

How to Prevent Winter Skin

By making some changes to your skin care regimen and habits and using the right products, you may be able to keep your skin looking soft, smooth, and vibrant all winter long.

Moisturize right after washing

Washing your face, hands, or body strips your skin of its natural oils. Since these oils help lock in moisture, it’s important to replace them. That’s why you should try to use a moisturizer after you wash your skin every time, especially in the winter. As a helpful reminder, try stocking a bottle of moisturizer next to your sink and keep a travel-size moisturizer with you when you’re on the go.

Look for moisturizers:

with:

ceramides

hyaluronic acid (and other humectants)

glycerin

urea

without:

fragrance

dyes

alcohol and denatured alcohol

Apply sunscreen daily

Given the shorter winter days and less sunlight, it can be tempting to cut sunscreen from your morning routine. But even in the winter, harmful UV light can still stress your skin’s moisture barrier, which is necessary for maintaining skin health and hydration. Try adding a layer of broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 each morning on top of your moisturizer. You can also opt for a moisturizing sunscreen.

Use overnight treatments

Overnight treatments are an excellent way to revitalize or prevent dry skin. Emollients are great for moisturizing and are commonly added to moisturizers. However, because they’re a heavier type of cream, it can take longer for your skin to absorb them. By applying an emollient to your skin overnight, your skin will have the time it needs to absorb the treatment and for the emollient to replenish your skin with the moisture and oils it needs. If you’re applying an ointment to your hands or feet, consider wearing gloves or socks to prevent spreading the emollient on your sheets or bed covers.

Adjust your skin care routine

If the skin on your face seems to be especially sensitive or irritated due to the dry winter air, you may want to consider simplifying your skin care routine for the time being. Keep in mind that your skin’s moisture barrier needs to be healthy for it to respond well to serums, toners, and other treatments. Irritated skin might be more sensitive to ingredients like fragrance and alcohol. Consider using just a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning, and a gentle cleanser and a thicker cream or moisturizer at night. Once you feel confident that your skin’s moisture barrier has healed, you can slowly incorporate other treatments back into your routine.

Use a humidifier

Humidifiers add moisture back into the air, which can be especially helpful in the cold and dry winter months. A more humid environment may be naturally moisturizing, which may help prevent and relieve skin dryness.

Dial down the temperature

A hot shower or bath at the end of a cold winter’s day may feel especially soothing. But, to keep your skin nourished, you may want to keep the water temperature closer to warm than scalding. Hot water strips away your skin’s natural oils faster than lukewarm water (which is typically around 98.6°F [37°C]), and may damage your skin barrier.

Go easy on exfoliants, scrubbing, and rubbing

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and may result in smooth and vibrant skin. But it’s possible to overexfoliate your skin if you do it too often or use the wrong products. Harsher scrubs with large particles may be more likely to break down your skin’s moisture barrier and cause damage. If your skin looks dry or flaky, you may want to opt for a gentler chemical exfoliant, such as AHAs or BHAs, rather than a physical scrub.

But even these may still be too strong for severely dry skin. If this is the case, or if your skin is cracked, raw, or irritated, it may be best to avoid exfoliation altogether until your skin has healed. After bathing or showering (in warm water, remember), carefully pat your skin dry instead of vigorously rubbing. This may allow some of the moisture to hydrate the top layer of your skin and cause less irritation.

Add occlusives to your routine

Earlier, we mentioned using emollients to help soothe and repair your skin barrier. But if you find that emollient ingredients alone aren’t doing enough to heal your dry skin, you may want to consider incorporating occlusive ingredients into your skin care routine. Occlusive ingredients provide a physical barrier to lock moisture into your skin. Examples of occlusive ingredients include:

petroleum jelly-based products like Vaseline and Aquaphor

shea butter

rosehip oil

jojoba oil

cocoa butter

The best way to work these products into your routine is to apply them once or twice per day after moisturizing.

Hydrate from the inside

Make sure you’re staying properly hydrated throughout the day. Not taking in enough fluid may affect the appearance of your skin and make it more susceptible to drying out, but scientific evidence to support this is lacking. You may also want to focus on eating foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients may help protect your cells from environmental damage and help your body make healthy cells, including skin cells.

Opt for nonirritating fabrics and detergents

A good rule of thumb when facing any skin problem, including dry skin, is to try to avoid wearing or sleeping on harsh or abrasive materials. Though limited scientific evidence supports that they’ll help with dry skin. If your body’s skin is extra dry, try wearing loose, comfortable, natural fabrics, like cotton, to reduce the risk of extra physical irritation. Try to avoid washing your clothes in regular detergents. Instead, look for detergents formulated specifically for sensitive skin, which will likely be free of harsh chemicals and fragrances.

Wear gloves

Gloves are the ultimate physical barrier against environmental agents that can dry out the skin on your hands. To protect your hands, try wearing insulated gloves when stepping out into the cold and using silicone gloves when washing dishes. Limiting the dry air and hot water that touches your skin can help keep your hands smooth and well hydrated.

SOURCE: HEALTHLINE.COM

January Games

Alaska State Tree: Sitka Spruce

Picea sitchensis, commonly known as the Sitka Spruce, is part of the Picea genus in the Pinaceae family, which includes other conifers like pines, firs, and larches. This species is noted for its tall stature, rapid growth rate, and the quality of its wood. The name “sitchensis” refers to Sitka, Alaska, where this tree was first described to science. It is by far the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world, and the third-tallest conifer species.

The Sitka Spruce has a native range along the Pacific Coast of North America, stretching from northern California through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and into Alaska. It’s particularly dominant in the coastal temperate rainforests where it benefits from the moist, foggy conditions, growing from sea level up to about 3,000 feet in elevation. This range makes it the most widely distributed spruce in western North America.

Historically, Sitka Spruce has been significant for both indigenous peoples and later settlers. Native American tribes used its wood for constructing canoes, homes, and tools due to its strength and lightweight nature. With European settlement, its use expanded significantly, especially for shipbuilding, aircraft construction during World War II (due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio), and later for musical instruments like guitars and violins because of its resonant qualities. The tree’s ecological importance in the coastal ecosystems, providing habitat for numerous species, has also been recognized, leading to its protection in various natural reserves and parks.

Sitka Spruce is adapted to USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8, reflecting its preference for the mild, wet winters and cool summers of its native coastal range. Its lifespan can be quite impressive, often living between 500 to 700 years, with some specimens potentially reaching up to 1,000 years in optimal conditions. This longevity is supported by its ability to grow in harsh, wind-swept environments and its resistance to many diseases that affect other spruces.

Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis): Characteristics

Growth Habit: An evergreen conifer that can grow to be one of the tallest trees in the world, reaching heights up to 300 feet with a straight, narrow trunk. Its crown is conical in youth, becoming more irregular with age.

Bark: Young trees have thin, gray bark that becomes thicker, furrowed, and reddish-brown as it matures, providing a protective layer against environmental stresses.

Needles: Features sharp, stiff needles that are approximately 1 to 1.5 inches long, with a glossy, dark green color. They are arranged spirally around the twig, giving the tree a dense, feathery appearance.

Cones: Produces cylindrical cones that hang down from the branches, typically 2 to 4 inches long. Initially green, they turn brown when ripe, with thin, flexible scales that release winged seeds.

Root System: Develops a strong, deep root system capable of anchoring the tree in the often wet, unstable soils of its coastal habitat, but it can also have superficial roots for nutrient uptake.

Adaptability: Thrives in moist, well-drained soils of coastal regions but can tolerate a variety of soil types, provided there’s adequate moisture. It prefers the cool, humid conditions of its native range.

Growth Rate: Known for its rapid growth, especially in youth, making it one of the faster-growing conifers in its habitat, which is beneficial for reforestation but can pose challenges in managed landscapes.

Wood Quality: The wood is light, strong, and with excellent acoustic properties, making it sought after for musical instruments, aircraft construction, and high-quality lumber.

Ecological Role: Plays a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, providing habitat for wildlife, stabilizing soil, and influencing local microclimates through its canopy’s shade and moisture retention.

Cultural Significance: Historically used by Indigenous peoples for various purposes and later by settlers for shipbuilding and other constructions due to its superior wood quality. Its towering presence has also been a symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s natural grandeur.

SOURCE: AMERICANGARDNER.NET

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp

A rainbow-colored crustacean skitters along the ocean floor, adding a splash of brightness to the murky setting. The animal’s narrow, hard-shelled body sports orange, green, red, and blue hues. Known as the peacock mantis shrimp, this beautiful, seven-inch-long critter looks harmless. But the marine animal packs a punch—literally.

SHRIMP SMACKDOWN

Peacock mantis shrimp mostly live in shallow parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The crustacean spends much of its time looking for crabs and mollusks to eat. When it finds a delicious-looking snack, the animal goes into full-on boxer mode. Springing out one of its club-like front claws, the animal delivers a swift punch to its prey. The punch is 50 times faster than the blink of an eye and strong enough to break glass!

These shrimp also rely on their sparring moves to keep enemies away from burrows in the ocean floor that they use as shelters. Hovering at the opening of its burrow, a peacock mantis shrimp will strike at intruders that come too close.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

The crustacean has another eye-popping feature in addition to its strong punch. Its eyes—which protrude from its head and move independently—can see in two different directions at once. They can also detect colors that humans are unable to see. It’s easy to be floored by this animal’s cool traits!

SOURCE: NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM

Happy National Florida Day!

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is a one-of-a kind experience where you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, feed tropical birds, play inches from a family of otters and even walk on the Grand Reef floor-all in one day. Between adventures, recharge with unlimited island fare and refreshments. With this all-inclusive experience your family can unwind, explore, learn, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

NASA Kennedy Space Center

Enjoy an out-of-this-world day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex! From the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions, get an up-close, hands-on feel for the story of humans in space, and fuel your quest for inspiration. Learn about space pioneers at Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® or go behind the gates on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. Stand nose to nose with the Saturn V rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center or get an up-close view of Atlantis, the only space shuttle displayed in flight, at Space Shuttle Atlantis

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

Step inside a world where magic is real. Within Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme park you can visit the iconic Hogwarts™ castle and explore Hogsmeade™ village. And, at Universal Studios Florida™ theme park, you can enter Diagon Alley™ to enjoy a multi-dimensional thrill ride, magical experiences, and more. Get ready to explore more of Harry Potter’s world than ever before. With a Park-to-Park Ticket, you can board the Hogwarts™ Express* and travel between both Hogsmeade™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ and Diagon Alley™ in Universal Studios Florida™.

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! : Eight lush acres of endangered wildlife surrounded by a botanical garden situated in the palmetto and pine forest of West Palm Beach! Over 200 animals from White Tigers to African Lions, Black Leopards, Ligers, Lynx and Amur Leopards seen from just four feet away. You can’t get any closer than this by law! Hands on experiences with alligators, snakes, tarantulas, and who knows what else. You will have to come by and experience it for yourself!

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Walk among hundreds of living butterflies and colorful birds! Take a stroll through a tropical paradise… walk through an exotic and inviting environment filled with hundreds of the most beautiful winged creatures in nature –butterflies. During your breathtaking journey, you will experience an impressive collection of flowering plants, cascading waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the “flowers of the sky.” Witness some 50 to 60 different species from around the world, as well as varieties of colorful birds, all under a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

What Shall We Bake Today?

These Carrot Cake Muffins sound yummy!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

In another bowl, beat the egg with the brown sugar and oil until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.

Fold in the grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins (if using).

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Happy National Peanut Butter Day!

In honor of the day, I’m bringing my best Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe!

Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

⅔ cup milk

2 cups smooth peanut butter

I cup marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper or foil.

Place evaporated milk and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally and then continue to stir and heat for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and marshmallow creme stirring until combined, then add the vanilla.

Quickly pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Let cool for about 3 hours, then remove from the pan using the edges of the parchment paper and cut into small squares.

ENJOY!

7 Things to Get Organized in January

After the chaos of holiday season, the new year means a fresh start. It’s a motivating time to set goals, whether it’s trying a new hobby, eating healthier or getting more organized. If the new year has you re-evaluating your lifestyle, decluttering the house is one way to improve your daily routine — and, professional organizers swear January is the best time to do it.

“January is the perfect time to refresh and reset after the busy holiday season,” says Lindsay Melvin, owner and lead organizer of Orchid Organizing. “I recommend starting with areas that have accumulated post-celebration mess — the kitchen, living room and entryway.” Keep in mind: Starting small, like with a single drawer, will help you avoid getting overwhelmed.

Not sure where to begin? From packing away seasonal decor to purging the pantry, here are the things professional organizers always do around the house in January.

Seasonal decor

As you take down your holiday decorations, assess your collection. Are there items you didn’t use this year that could be given away or donated? Most thrift stores will accept seasonal decor. Once you decide what to purge, “consolidate remaining decor into clearly labeled bins or totes,” says Melvin. If you want holiday decorating to be easier next year, take note from Beata Kozlowski of Tidy Step by Step, who always takes photos of what worked well, so she can easily recreate it.

The kitchen — namely, your fridge and pantry

Over the holidays, you spent a lot of time in the kitchen — cooking and hosting — and chances are, it’s accumulated clutter. “After the influx of holiday treats, pantries and refrigerators can become cluttered with gifts, expired items and half-used ingredients,” says Gretchen Moen, chief clutter cutter of Cut the Clutter. Make room for healthier eating habits in 2026 by streamlining the pantry, fridge and kitchen cabinets. Donate any unopened, unexpired items to your local food pantry. It’s also a great time to check your specialty appliances, utensils and gadgets — give away any unused items.

Expert Tip: “Declutter one drawer or cabinet per day to make the task more manageable.” — Gretchen Moen

The entryway

The entryway is a high-traffic area — especially when you’re hosting, so it can quickly become a catchall for coats, shoes and outdoor gear. “Consider setting up organized drop zones for each member of your family with functional pieces, like benches with storage,” says Victoria Tran, founder of Sorted. Bring in systems for shoe storage, hooks for jackets and sort through piles of mail. “January’s colder weather makes it a great time to organize the entryway, ensuring that coats and shoes are easily accessible,” adds Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.

Toys and kids’ items

Your kids probably received a lot of new toys and clothes last month. Get them involved in deciding what to keep and what to purge. “With the ‘one in, one out’ rule in mind, ask your children to consider letting go and donating some of their toys and clothes to make room for the new items they received over the holidays,” says Emily Mass, owner of Spaces by Emily.

Your desk

Returning to work after the holidays can be challenging — but an organized desk can put you more at ease. “A clean workspace can help boost productivity and reduce stress,” says Tomlin. “January is a great time to sort through paperwork, files and office supplies that have piled up throughout the year.”

The new year is an excuse to get your finances in order — especially with tax season coming up. “Winter weather often keeps us indoors, so you have the time,” says Kozlowski. Sort through old doctor bills, tax documents and other financial paperwork, creating organized folders (whether digital or physical).

Digital devices

Once you’ve organized your physical spaces, consider a digital declutter — think emails, photos, apps and cloud storage. “Technology decluttering takes priority this year,” says Kozlowski, who also suggests consolidating streaming services and digital subscriptions.

“Many people start the year by organizing their digital files and emails,” adds Tomlin. “This helps reduce digital clutter, making it easier to find documents and stay organized in a tech-heavy world.”

SOURCE: GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM

Alabama State Tree: Southern Long Leaf Pine

With needles 8 to 17 inches long, longleaf pine is the southern pine with the longest needles. The bright green, flexible needles grow in clusters of three at the end of the branches, giving the tree an almost weeping appearance. The spiny, grayish-brown cones are equally large (5 to 12 inches long) and attractive. Both the needles and the cones are used in crafts. The reddish-brown bark has paper-like scales.

Due to their size, longleaf pine is not commonly grown in residential landscapes but it makes an attractive specimen if you have the space. The tree grows slowly and for the first five to seven years, it looks more like a clump of grass than a tree. Various mammals and birds use this native evergreen for food and shelter.

The best time to plant container-grown seedlings is between November and February when there is no frost and the temperature is below 75 degrees F.

Longleaf Pine Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a longleaf pine:

Plant it in a location with full sun and deep, well-drained, loamy soil.

Water the tree regularly during the first couple of years until it is fully established.

Do not fertilize the tree but keep the areas around it clear so the tree does not have to compete with other plants for water and nutrients.

Pruning off the lower limbs of mature trees is optional.

Light

Longleaf pine is a tree that needs to be planted in full sun to thrive.

Soil

Because of its long taproot, longleaf pine needs deep soil. Sandy loam with good drainage and a pH between 5.0 and 5.5 is ideal.

Water

Young trees need regular watering until they are established. Make sure to keep the area weed-free to avoid competition for water and nutrients. Mature longleaf pine trees are fairly drought-resistant but benefit from occasional watering in periods of dry weather.

Temperature and Humidity

Longleaf pine is not winter-hardy below USDA Zone 7. It does well in any climate that is similar to its native habitat with hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Fertilizer

The tree does not require fertilizer and does better without. Instead, scatter a layer of compost around the tree every spring and make sure to keep it free from weeds to avoid competition for nutrients.

Types of Longleaf Pine

No cultivars, varieties, or subspecies of longleaf pine are available. However, longleaf pine tree does sometimes produce natural hybrids with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii).

Pruning

Some homeowners do not like the look of the lower limbs on the trunk of a longleaf pine and prefer to prune them off. If you choose to do this, make your pruning cuts flush with the trunk. You can prune in summer, fall, or winter; avoid pruning in spring, because this is when the sap is flowing. It’s best to remove, at most, a few branches each year, so that you don’t slow down the growth of the plant excessively.

SOURCE: THESPRUCE.COM