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Wellness Strategist & LifeStyle Mentor – let’s plan your next steps!

Don’t Skip Your Skin Care Toner!

Yep – we are moving from discussing healthy meals to healthy skin in this post! I am a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician with over 40 years of experience – I can’t believe I can say that! When I work with people, I find that time is always one of the reasons we don’t do “all of the steps” for an ideal skin care regimen. I totally get that. Too many steps cause people to not follow the program because, let’s face it –  Life is busy! But skipping your skin care toner is a bad choice long term! Here is why:

Since skin care toner will neutralize your skin back to it’s normal pH not only will your skin care products work better, they are less likely to irritate the skin. When the pH is normal, application of serums, lotions and creams are more effectively absorbed. If skin nutrition is applied immediately following cleansing, the skin may react negatively to those ingredients. By not using your skin care toner, applying treatments may cause skin problems instead of helping your skin like they were designed.

Use a cotton pad with your skin care toner to remove missed dirt, cleanser residue and give your skin a gentle exfoliation (dead skin cell removal) – FYI this is better than just misting the toner on your skin (which I know feels like a time saver but it is not a “skin saver!)

When hot outside, you can refrigerate your skin care toner for a cooling treatment after cleansing. But don’t put it in the fridge if that makes it more likely for you to forget or not take the time to get it!

If you found this information helpful, let us know! If you have any medical conditions, please consult your medical professional before following any of my suggestions here.

Questions, thoughts? You can call/text at (847) 502-8394, email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com or find me on Facebook (Elizabeth Anthony Gronert).

Glowing, Nourished Skin Even When Cold & Dry Out!

Want to have glowing, nourished skin even when it is cold and dry out? Here are some “winterizing” tips to prepare your skin:

  1. Use only safe, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic products on your body. Unfortunately, many retail products still contain questionable ingredients. Check your product labels! Just because it is expensive or a “brand name” does not mean it is the best or safe.
  2. I know the air is colder but try not to raise the temperature of the water you use in the bath or shower. The hotter the water, the more it dries out your skin!20160110_105110
  3. Exfoliate and remove the dead skin flakes. This way when you apply moisturizers they will hydrate your living skin – not the skin flakes that are about to fall off! Use a fresh mitt or cloth in the shower with a moisturizing bath bar or body wash. Yep – that means 7 on the shelf  so you can use fresh each day. Used ones can be air dried, then placed in your washer on laundry day – just like you would a washcloth. Warm water wash and air dry – the dryer may get too hot for these fabrics.
  4. For any type of cleaning (personal hygiene or home cleaning) I recommend synthetic since natural fibers are not able to be cleaned effectively and definitely not disinfected. Natural fibers like a loofah take a long time to dry (if ever) and may grow microorganisms that are not good for anyone’s skin but especially bad if you are immunocompromised in any way. If you are not used to exfoliating (physical cloth rubbing skin to remove dead skin cells) you may want to start with a simple fabric washcloth. Some find the loopy soft plastic puffs or washcloths with a loopy plastic side a bit more effective. In a few weeks you may try the exfoliating gloves – caution – they may be too exfoliating for sensitive or thinner over-50 skin. Have thos annoying upper arm bumps? (which can occur on a number of body areas – see article on 3.31.2017 for more info). Exfoliating cloth/mitt is the best treatment for those bumps many people get on the back of their upper arm combined with hydrating body wash, then apply protective lotion/cream/oil over the moist skin.
  5. Another option for exfoliation are some of the wonderful salt, sugar and blend scrubs available. I prefer to use these products in the bath so the wonderful, healing ingredients can absorb nicely into the skin after your scrub. Really wonderful if you can find a kind soul to scrub your back too! There are many D-I-Y recipes online – salt or sugar are excellent exfoliators mixed with a healing oil like coconut or almond. For additional benefits, think about incorporating essential oils that leave skin dewy after the salt polish. To keep jars sanitary, use a spoon or spatula to remove what you need. Wash the spoon between uses to avoid contamination jars. I prefer to make things more liquid and put in a squirt bottle. Keep the nozzle free and clear of the skin. For more ideas on keeping things clean, check out my article “The Hand Towel Did It” on 6.30.2019.
  6. Turn your bath into soothing skin therapy by adding a capful of hydrating, calming bath oil. Add some Epsom salts for a healthy body detox plus the added magnesium and sulfur!
  7. After your bath and shower, best to let yourself air dry and apply your lotion while your skin is still moist. Be sure to use a moisturizer with a protectant so you don’t lose all the moisture in your skin back into the air. During the really cold or dry months, add your favorite essential oils, almond oil or other oils to boost the healing and sealing power! Lots of evidence that a relaxing bath, helps one have a good night’s sleep – proper sleep helps the skin look and feel it’s best too!

Using these tips your skin will be polished and nourished – ready for the cold and dry season. With skin being your largest organ, consider using these tips year round to keep it healthy and protecting you.

If you found this information helpful, let us know! If you have any medical conditions, please consult your medical professional before following any of my suggestions here.

Questions, thoughts? You can call/text at (847) 502-8394, email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com or find me on Facebook (Elizabeth Anthony Gronert). We look forward to helping you and your family have Comfort For Life! Elizabeth & Kris Gronert

Crazy Busy Is The New Normal

woman-working-at-home-with-kids

In the last few years, I have been noticing that most people have gone from busy to CRAZY BUSY. We are scheduled tightly from morning to night with an abundance of important activities. The busiest people seem to be parents, especially working moms. When working with families, I find that crazy busy is the new normal….that people are struggling to keep up….which is stressful. It also makes it tough to eat right, exercise and get enough sleep.

What to do? Well, I will admit to feeling overwhelmed on a regular basis – especially since my health has been a bit compromised since a car accident last year….here are some strategies that have calmed me and may work for you too! One thing my husband does is if he sees me doing something that may not be a top priority, he gently asks if that is really the most important thing on my list. At first it used to irk me but after a while, even when he is not around I can hear Kris’ voice in my head as I ask myself if I am working on the most urgent or have I become distracted…..follow the steps below to strategize and then stick to the plan;-)

First – Write it Down on a Calendar! Put the non-negotiables on your calendar and TIME BLOCK! This means mark out the required amount of time on the calendar. Helps us to be realistic about what we really can get done each day. For me this includes the times I want to work since I am self-employed. Next, add in the appointments/commitments for yourself and the family.  Some families create a family calendar so everybody knows where the others will be and/or if they are available. This can be done on a big calendar on a wall or on something like Google Calendar on everyone’s phone. I put my exercise on my calendar. To stay healthy or in my case keep working towards feeling better, exercise has become a non-negotiable. I also mark out times for meal prep, meals, quiet time and walking the dog!

Second – Prioritize – List what is most urgent each day – read Stephen Covey’s Book on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I know I am due a reread!! He has a great system on how to label each task so you know what order they need to be completed. I make myself do the projects that are the most difficult first – otherwise I will procrastinate. Many times I build a reward into getting certain things done I don’t enjoy…or maybe you need to reward yourself when you get to the gym 3 times a week. I reward myself with a manicure every other week – keeps me on track….and I don’t have to fuss with my nails – one less thing for me to do and it makes me happy. The reward has to be something you want in order for it to work!

Which brings us to – Third – what can you delegate or get help with? It was hard for my husband to understand that I would rather take another appointment than clean our house. Cleaning the house also exhausted me and generally I was doing it at warp speed before a meeting in our home that I needed to be energized and prepared for. After a few of those meetings where I was fatigued instead of jazzed for my team, I learned that it makes great sense to have help cleaning my home! I also have had help cooking meals, walking the dog, and shopping for about everything we purchase. I am a small business owner so I always look for another small business to shop or have services from. I employ small business people who are affordable and offer awesome customer service. Nothing like having items delivered to your door. Many people think these services will cost more from the local business person than the “Big Box” stores but in most cases, you will save money….and more important to most of us, SAVE TIME! Plus the bonus of supporting people in your network and neighborhood.

Buy From Mom & Pop Biz

I found this picture on Facebook and post it whenever I can to help remind everyone to shop with their family member, friend, neighbor before going to the mall. Now one more step before running out to “the store” – CALL ME! I have people that Kris and I Know, Like and TRUST who will serve you! Reliable, personable and affordable professionals who will help you shop, cook amazing meals plus can help/have expertise with dietary concerns, clean your home, do your hair/nails, massage therapists to relieve stress, plan special events, take pictures, help you with scrapbooks, fix your computer, teach you how to use your phone, coach you how to effectively exercise for lasting results, share how to sleep better; it is quite an extensive directory of services and products to help you fight the fact that crazy busy is the new normal. Please leverage our resources to simplify your life!

Call Elizabeth & Kris Gronert at (847) 502-8394, email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com or message on Facebook. Let us share how to have more Comfort For Life!

Ideas to Help “Hot” Sleepers or During Menopause Sleep More Comfortable

Man Waking to Alarm Clock

I don’t know who was suffering from my menopause more – Kris or me? I was waking up every hour to two hours kicking off covers from being warm and then waking up shivering and covering up. I rarely had more than 2 hours of sleep at a time…..We both would wake up in the morning exhausted. We were plain old fashioned sleep deprived with poor Kris constantly being disturbed by me. I am so glad we met 10 years ago before all this “old lady nonsense!”

For immediate help for those who tend to perspire or “flash” while sleeping ( I know many people who are not in menopause but perspire when they sleep who will benefit from these suggestions), let’s look at the bedding first – the layers on your bed DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! On top of our mattress we have a featherbed – I had always thought that I was allergic to feathers and down….but have learned that today’s products (bought from a reputable resource and paying a reasonable price) are super clean….I had been staying at Westin Hotels – asking for a fiber-filled pillow but sleeping on the rest of the “Heavenly” bed down & feather layers…..with no symptoms. I now sleep on a down pillow and a featherbed….which allows air to circulate underneath me. The down actually “breathes”….it pulls the heat away from my body (and if you are cold, it will warm you up…a featherbed will help two people with different body temperatures sleep together successfully. Sounds hard to believe but now we have helped dozens of couples “enjoy” sleeping together again!) If you truly have a feather allergy, there are many synthetic products being made available today that will circulate air around and under the body. The way down and these other products support and cradle your body is very comforting. It definitely helps me “get to sleep.” Next, invest in high -quality Bamboo Sheets and Pajamas (more Bamboo fabric content than cotton is what you are looking for)…or find one of the many “cool” fabrics available now in bedding and sleeping apparel. (An up and coming fabric is being made from Eucalyptus!) These fabrics were originally developed for people to work out in and then people realized that these fabrics were fabulous for those who perspire while sleeping! You won’t believe how much better you will feel!

For additional immediate help, I experimented with top quality, pure essential oils. I have found that rubbing Vetiver Oil on the soles of my feet, then a custom blend of oils that encourages deep relaxation on my wrists before crawling under the covers helps me relax and get to sleep. Some mist their pillowcase or bedding with Lavender or other relaxing essential oil or natural essences to promote sleep. I also have a natural supplement for relaxation that I take if I happen to wake up around 3-4 AM and feel like I may not go back to sleep. The product I use is all natural and it helps me get relax back to sleep for a few more hours….and able to wake up refreshed in the morning! (Beware of synthetic supplements or essential oils – they are not good for you! May even have toxic effects!)

For those going through menopause, the sleep issues may be helped by a visit to your doctor. There are prescriptions and natural supplements that do help! I encourage you to consult with your doctor before adding any supplements into your routine, especially if you are taking other prescriptions, under a doctor’s care or have medical issues. I chose the natural supplement route….and it did take some time to build up and have an effect in my body. I added a menopausal support supplement as recommended (one in the morning, one at dinner)…..as I started the second bottle (month) I wondered if I would feel any benefit. You can tell how patient I am, huh!

As usual, patience is a virtue and five weeks after taking this supplement as recommended, I slept 6 hours straight through the night. When I woke up Kris and I looked at each other! He asked me in amazement “is this the first time you have woken up?” Yes it was…..and I have continued to sleep soundly ever since that night. No more flashes. No more tossing and turning. I feel so much better and so lucky to have found this relief……Kris is thrilled too;-) Nothing like a good night’s sleep!

This was a good reminder that sometimes it takes more than just a week or two for a supplement, good nutrition and/or essential oils to help! Commitment and consistency is important in all we value!

If you found this information helpful, let us know! If you have any medical conditions, please consult your medical professional before following any of my suggestions here.

Questions, thoughts? You can call/text at (847) 502-8394, email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com or find me on Facebook (Elizabeth Anthony Gronert). We look forward to helping you and your family have Comfort For Life! Elizabeth & Kris Gronert

Still bringing you Comfort For Life!

September is almost gone and I am wondering where did the time disappear to? Are you feeling the same way? My last post was in June before we went on our 17 day trip right after starting a new business….that was fun and stressful! After the trip, we jumped right back into the “sea of busyness” and are slowly reaching out to all the wonderful people we know to share all the changes we have experienced. Can’t wait to connect if we haven’t already……It really has given us time to be grateful and in awe of the contacts we have developed over the years. And with Facebook we are able to still interact with so many who we don’t see on a regular basis!

Some of you still don’t know that Private Quarters has closed their doors as of June 1, 2012. At first this was quite a shock but as most of us “mature folk” have learned (I think they call that wisdom!) that when a door closes, it gives us an opportunity to take a close look at that “wish list” we keep….and act on it. Kris and I spent a lovely evening in the hot tub with a great bottle of wine to determine what was important to our family now (that list was in my June 2012 post) and I am happy to report that we have found a simpler, very rewarding way to create security for our family and help the people we care about!

Our business partner is a “direct to you” store for safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly and made-in-the-USA products. These products combined with the skills I have acquired over the last 35 years, will create a fine blend of new services we can offer our customers. I continue to speak on Visual Presence, Dress for Success, Put Your Best Foot Forward, How To Sleep More Restoratively….but now will also offer appointments/will speak on topics relating to my Nail Technician, Cosmetology, Esthetician and Makeup Artist Licenses and Experience.

We look forward to helping you or someone you know…continuing our adventure of helping you and yours have Comfort For Life! Please contact us for upcoming events and more information at (847) 502-8394 or Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com

Elizabeth & Kris Gronert bringing you new ideas each month for your family’s Comfort For Life.

Stay tuned as our website evolves – we promise it will be a fun adventure!