Recently, Dr. V. took Refinery29 on a tour of her favorite D.C. hangouts. Read the full article here
Author: Dr. Yael Varnado
July is UV Safety Month
It’s summer in the city! And July is UV safety month! This means it’s time to talk about how to be safe while you are out and about in that summer sun. Whether you’re basking on a beach or walking to the office we’re all exposed to the sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) rays. These powerful rays can cause wrinkles, sun spots and even cancer. Yes, cancer! Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed every year in 2 million people. That’s an astounding number, because most skin cancers are preventable.
1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. We’re all exposed to the sun’s rays, therefore, we’re all at risk. Depending on your skin color, activities, and family history the risk is higher for some than others. As a commitment to safe sunning this month why not share the tips below with your loved ones about ways to protect your skin and minimize your risk for skin cancer while enjoying the sun.
- Stay out of the sun (e.g Don’t lay out) between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
- Use sunscreen DAILY with SPF 15 or higher – even on cloudy days
- Check your skin for any changes: e.g. moles, new freckles once a month
- Wear a hat and long sleeves if you’re out in the sun for extended periods of time
- Put sunscreen on 30min before heading outdoors
- Wear stunner shades that block both UVA and UVB rays from your eyes
If you desire that J Lo glow try a tan in a bottle (spray tan) for happy healthy sun-kissed skin this summer. Trust me, your skin will thank you later.
XO
Dr. V
#Live Right at Night … Saluting the Sun and Summer Solstice
#Live Right at Night … Saluting the Sun and Summer Solstice
The days are longer and the nights are shorter – FINALLY – it’s Summer Solstice
It’s officially Summer. Hello Saturday brunch on the outdoor patio and refreshingly light adult beverages! What are your plans this summer you sun goddess? Millions of Americans will spend the summer months traveling and hitting the roads and skies. Even if you didn’t make it to Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Solstice or Cairo or Sedona there’s still ample opportunities to worship the sun this summer.
Summer welcomes a new wardrobe and new activities. For many people it’s also a time for renewal and fulfillment. We’re ½ there to 2014 so why not use these warm summer months to make your life healthy. Re-energize yourself and take stock of what’s going on in your life. Have you strayed from your New Year’s Resolutions or are you still on track? Do you have toxic relationships that need to be tossed out? Well the summer is the time to tell those folks to kick rocks. Are you still trying to get into a regular exercise routine? Why not start everyday this summer with the Sun Salutation poses? Yoga is a great way to align the mind body, and spirit. And today with more than 14hours of sun you have ample time to do your sun salutations and bring harmony to your life through meditation and movement. The energy and vigor you gain will help you Live Right throughout the Day and Night.
Wishing you a Healthy and Happy Summer,
Namaste,
Dr. V
#Live Right at Night … Healthy Takeout
#Live Right at Night … #Healthy Takeout
Are you a gal who always gets a doggy bag for your leftovers? Are you an urban diva and find yourself speed dialing your fave takeout restaurant or getting delivery most nights of the week? Well if you are then read on darling. I’ve got some must-read tips regarding how to ensure your takeout or leftovers are helping you Eat Right at Night (and the morning after when you snack on them as well) because you can’t always smell or see bacteria on food that can make you sick.
First, before you ever order take-out from a new restaurant do a walk-by to ensure the brick and mortar location of your go-to spot is clean and sanitary. As they say, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and the restaurant conditions may be a representation of the establishment’s attitude on food safety. Other things to think about in terms of take-out…
1) Do you know how long to keep leftovers in your fridge? The rule for most take out is 4 days then throw it away.
2) Don’t eat food that’s been left out at room temperature for more than 2hrs. Since it’s summer and it’s getting hot inside if room temperature climbs higher than 90 degrees cut that throw away time point to 1hr.
3) If you left food out and not refrigerated then throw it out!
4) Make sure to re-heat your food thoroughly – ALL the way through – cold spots can serve as hiding spots for bacteria
5) Don’t give leftovers to people who are sick or have food allergies.
6) If you’re going to a deli to get takeout – look at the food stations. The hot food should be HOT – look for steam rising or condensation on the glass covering the food. And the cold food should be COLD – the food storage areas should be cold to the touch and there may even be frost or ice around.
7) Don’t pick food from the sky-high pile. It may not be warmed or cooled appropriately.
8) If food looks “old ” it probably is – don’t buy it.
Yes it’s true that some food tastes better when we eat it on our couch or the next day but it’s important to make sure that your favorite takeout items don’t end up making you sick and slowing you down.
Here’s to safe snacking and a great weekend!
Dr. V
June is Men’s Health Month
June is Men’s Health Month. This June in celebration of Men’s Health Month wear blue and show a man in your life that you care about his health. We all know at least one man in our life that stays as far away from the doctor’s office as possible, but is that really the best thing for his health? NO, it’s not! Well he’s not alone men between the ages of 18 and 44 are 70% less likely to go to the doctor than women, according to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. That’s an astounding number and the difference can be attributed to multiple factors including lack of access to healthcare, barriers to health education, and holding onto that “tough guy I’m OK” mentality and only going to see a doctor when there’s an absolute medical emergency. Overall, both men and women hold off visiting the doctor, but preventative health screenings and health maintenance are extremely important to living a healthy fruitful life.
Many of the leading causes of death for men are silent killers. The #1 leading cause of death for men is heart disease. More than 50% of men who develop heart disease have few or no symptoms. Which means the first time a man may have chest pain it could be the sign of a major cardiac event like a heart attack. The causes of heart disease vary from hereditary and lifestyle factors, to cholesterol, blood pressure, alcohol intake, smoking, and obesity. The 2nd leading cause of death in men is cancer. Lung, colon, and prostate cancer are the leading causes of cancer death in men. Quitting smoking is a great way to decrease your risk of lung cancer, and getting a colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon and rectal cancer screening. Why not sign up your dad or uncle for a screening colonoscopy today? The 3rd leading cause of death in men is unintentional injuries ranging from motor vehicle accidents to accidental death from drug overdose or poisoning. Men are 2x as likely to die from accidents compared to women. Perhaps one of the reasons is due to the fact that men are 10% less likely to wear seatbelts while driving than women.
So, this June make a pledge to help a man in your life live a healthier lifestyle. Why not join him in a 30 day challenge .. to perhaps quit smoking, exercise more, stop texting while driving, or even have one less beer at happy hour. It may mean the difference in life and death.
#Live Right at Night … Safety Words
It’s official: chatting on the phone is so last century. Text messages and social media are the easiest and fastest ways to keep up with your fam and followers. These days it’s not unusual to keep up with your friends and the goings on of their lives via text, or flirt with a new boo via Instagram, but when you step out of the cyber world and have face-to-face interactions do you have all the tools necessary to keep you safe? Ya know, like “Safety Words” with friends – codes you can use in person or via text to get yourself out of sticky situations – cues for when you’re at the bar and need to be “rescued” from an annoying guy, and even signals that tell your friends they need to slow down on the drinks, because that last drink may have been one too many. Texting can be fun but it can also keep you safe. Why not develop a few key phrases this weekend to keep you safe while you’re on the go. These code phrases let people know certain things without making it too obvious about what’s going on and ….could be great for safety and a fun thing to do.
Try some of these or make some of your own ..
“SMHU” .. “Save me he’s ugly”
“DD” .. “Done drinking”
“SWH” .. “Staying with him”
“LG” .. “Let’s Go”
You can also try to include words in conversations that let friends know how you’re really feeling.” Here’s an example”
“ICE” – I’m uncomfortable in the situation I’m in.