Why I’m Making Some Changes

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been trying to slow down time and it hasn’t worked. And now, November is arriving which means it’s time to recalibrate. Unlike January which is a month of possibility and action, November is a month of reflection and revision. It’s also a time for change. Which is why I’m making some changes.

I mourn Summer, although technically, for me, it’s summer all year round. But I feel as though summer is suspended in time — which means I am suspended in time. During the summer months, I don’t pay too much attention to what motivated me at the beginning of the year — the resolutions I haven’t kept or the goals I haven’t achieved — and I’m not thinking ahead to the waning year.

Summer is the glorious bridge where everything is still possible.

But Fall brings the recognition that another year is almost up. A spark of awareness of the passing of time. When another year-end is staring you in the face, all of a sudden, everything becomes clearer. What you do with the rest of the year becomes even more important.

Yet…there is something beautiful about nature reminding you that it’s time to take stock, that it’s time for a plot twist.

So this is what I’m doing this month to propel me into the last month of the year and prepare me for a new one.

skincare

Fall air is cooler and dryer and my skin reacts to this almost as much as the leaves. Even here in south Florida, where nature’s humectant makes your skin dewy (sweaty) and plump most of the year, come November, I have to make up for nature’s turn and use plenty of skin-plumping ingredients. This means products with hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body — it’s essentially the body’s natural hydrator, a natural humectant capable of holding 1000 times its weight in water.

As we age, we have less of it. Sadly.

So products containing Hyaluronic acid that boost the skin’s moisture content and leave the skin looking plump and hydrated, become a necessity.

As soon as the air becomes even a bit dryer, I load up on hyaluronic acid, inside and out.

Fountain Hyaluronic acid the Molecule: I know, I know, you’re probably tired of hearing rave about this product, and I promise, I am not getting paid for this. But this product works. This season, though, I’m upgrading to Super Hyaluronic Molecule. While the regular one contains 130 mg/2 teaspoons, the Super strength contains a whopping 1,000 mg/2 teaspoons.

HELL TO THE YEAH.

I don’t kid around with my hydration.

I’ll go back to using the normal one again once the humidity returns, or maybe I won’t, but for now, this is my jam.

Niod, Multi-molecular Hyaluronic Complex: This Hyaluronic acid serum is potent. It’s what I use when my skin is feeling dehydrated. Contains a variation o hyaluronic compounds plus peptides. It’s a small bottle and not cheap ($60), but a little goes a long way.

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense: I had heard great things about this moisturizer and finally bought it. It’s perfect for this time of year. It’s rich but easily blendable and leaves your skin feeling super hydrated.

Youth to the People Superfood Peptide Eye Cream:  My new favorite eye cream ( and I’m an eye cream aficionado). It’s super rich and hydrating, but not heavy like my Kiehl’s one. It sinks right into your skin without feeling oily so you can apply your makeup on top without a problem. I can’t rave enough about this one. Seriously.

Food 

The holidays are right around the corner, and so is stress and overeating due to stress, and overeating because it’s the holidays. I’m changing up my diet (I no longer diet, but you know what I mean) to include mostly plant-based foods (note to self: cheeseburgers are not plant-based unless their VEGGIE burgers…and neither are fries). Lots of sweet potatoes which are super nutritious, as well as squash, and all the cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower (roasted cauliflower is my fave). And of course, pumpkin. Not pumpkin pie. Pumpkin.

I’ve been making a lentil salad similar to one I had in Greece, and it’s super filling and healthy. I’m not big on posting recipes, but basically, it’s this:

♥ Cooked lentils (about one cup)

♥ chopped celery (about a handful)

♥ chopped cucumbers (another handful)

♥ Sundried tomatoes (same), or halved cherry tomatoes

♥ Feta cheese and olives (optional)

♥ Extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper

Sorry for my sorry recipe but my cooking abilities are very limited. But I hope you get the idea.

I eat salmon regularly and I encourage you to do the same. It’s great for your skin. Fun fact: Dr. Perricone the famous dermatologist, is said to eat salmon every day. I eat it about twice a week. Every Monday we have salmon for dinner (Salmon Monday), and that’s what I usually order when I eat out.

Fitness

I’ve hit a plateau with my fitness. In other words, I’m tired and bored of my same routine. Since the weather is nicer now, I’m taking my cardio outside (maybe that will motivate me). Some of you may have to take your workouts indoors depending on where you live, but the idea is to not get bored and quit.

I’ve read so many studies on the importance of exercise for maintaining your youthful looks, but it’s so much more than that, especially as we age. It’s one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, not only for our bodies but for our faces and our minds too.

I hope this gave you some ideas to incorporate into your Fall routines. Are you making any changes?

xoxo,

V