How often do we take time out to care our hands? These body parts, which we use all day, everyday, from we wake up and wash our face until we turn out the lights at night before we go to bed, are often overlooked in our daily beauty regimen.

But we can have beautiful hands. First we have to keep them clean (it’s is amazing how many people walk around with scruffy dirty nails and hands). Use a nail brush and keep it near the sink so you can use it whenever you wash your hands. The bristles will remove dead cells that make your hands look dull. Also, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! So always follow up with a hand cream or lotion.

If you want an overnight hand treatment, just get some thin cotton gloves, slather on hand cream, put the gloves on and feel the difference in the morning. The cotton will ensure that the cream stays off the sheets. You can do the same for your feet… with cotton socks and cream.

Now let’s nail it!

10 Steps to a manicure

1. Remove old nail polish thoroughly.
2. Soak hands in warm water for 10 or 15 minutes. Dry hands.
3. File nails in one direction only. Do not use a seesaw motion.
4. Push back cuticles. Use a cuticle moisturizer if they do not push back easily after soaking.
5. Massage your hands. Use a moisturizing lotion. Use an exfoliating lotion if your skin is dry and/or roughened.
6. Apply a base coat. Allow it to dry.
7. Apply polish. Clean any stray marks with a cotton swab dipped in polish remover.
8. Add a second coat for deeper color.
9. Finish the manicure with a top coat of clear polish.
10. Find an occasion to show off your new nails!

With temperatures soar in South Florida, and we have to contend with the changes, we often forget to protect ourselves when we are outside. The weather calls for backyard barbecues by the pool and lazy days by the beach, but while we enjoy all the pleasures the warm weather has to offer, let’s not forget that this excessive heat is a danger.

Though not listed as a natural disaster, the number heat related deaths exceed deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes combined. And if the globe continues to warm, we can expect hotter summer… or even heat all-year-round. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, eight of the past ten summers in the United States have been warmer than average.

Cities and especially inner-cities tend to suffer more in extensive heat, since areas are at elevated risk because of the large number of buildings, which absorb and retain heat. Poor air flow and lack of air conditioning also contribute to a high number of heat emergencies.

The young and the elderly are extremely vulnerable as well as people with chronic health issues.

Here is hot to stay safe in the heat:

1. Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing (light colors reflect away some of the sun's energy) and use a hat or an umbrella.
2. Carry water or juice with you and drink frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
3. Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.
4. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
5. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do something physically demanding, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m.
6. Stay indoors as much as possible.
7. Take regular breaks when engaging in physical activity on warm days. Take time out to find a cool place.
8. Wear sunscreen

Strawberry Banana Crush Smoothie

Makes 4 Servings

2 ripe bananas
1 doz. Medium sized strawberries
6-8 ice cubes
¼ cup orange juice/flavored water (optional)

Method:
Slice strawberries and bananas.
Put ice in the blender (I use Magic Bullet)
Add fruits. If ice takes a while to crush, add juice/water. Blend until ice is crushed and fruit is smooth.

Fresh Fruit Salad

1 medium mango (ripe)
1 red delicious apple
1 sweet peach
2 slices cantaloupe (or honeydew)
¼ cup orange juice

Method:
Cut fruits into cubes. Put all in a salad bowl. Toss and pour orange juice over fruits and garnish with cherries. Enjoy!

It’s summer! It’s hot! And as we try to find ways to cool down and fill up without having to chug down a bunch of sodas and munch on bags chips, we turn to the things we can make from the fruit basket.

You hear all the time that you need to have five servings of fruits and vegetables daily to maintain a healthy immune system and for overall health, but seriously, how many of us do that? Not many. But there is a way to get these servings in without having to eat all that.

Isn’t it amazing what you can do with a basket full of fresh fruits and a blender? Using a blender helps to retain the soft fibers, which are good for cleaning and maintaining a healthy colon.

So, making fruit juices, fruit smoothies or fruit salads can help you to improve your health. And these are based on whatever is in season. And, remember, fresh fruits are always better than the canned or processed variety. Notice all the heavy syrup that accompanies those canned fruits? Yup, that’s the same sugar you are trying to avoid.

Another way to ensure you get the daily required fruit intake is by adding pieces of fruit to your regular meals, for example, fresh bananas and strawberries in your cereal or using fruits for dessert instead of that cheese cake. It’s hard, I know. But you know what they say about cheese cake – 1 minute on the lips, 1 hour in the stomach and forever on the hips.

However, sometimes you feel you just don’t have the time. And in our rush hour lives, it seems quite impossible to make our own foods, so we buy the ready-to-eat variety. But wouldn’t you prefer to wash and prepare your own fruits? You can do this once you take the fruits home from the store especially if you hate to have to peal and cut fruits every time you want them. So, wash all fruits, cut and store fruits like cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple so it’s easy to reach into the fridge and take some out. It’s easier to grab and go if they are already prepared.

And, don’t forget that you are improving your overall health by adding fruits to your diet.

An adventurer's paradise, Belize is a peaceful, English-speaking country just two hours away from three major U.S. Gateways. With a diversity of adventure opportunities unmatched by any other country, the Belizean people have protected over 40% of the country as parks and natural reserves.

Belize is on the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mysterious Maya temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond comparison. In a single day, one can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Every destination in Belize offers something special. Throughout Belize, the natural ecology varies significantly and adds to the intrigue and expanse of the country’s environment. Each district also possesses a unique history that has contributed to the social surroundings that exist today. The links below provide visitors with information on the various attractions throughout Belize. And the people are as warm and friendly as the climate.

Traveling to Belize

With so much to see and do it's best to have an idea of the specific destinations you want to visit.

Select your destinations on the basis of the kinds of interests you have, activities you prefer, and the kinds of sights that would most appeal to you.