Protecting your skin from the sun is something everyone should do. Melanoma is one of the most common, and deadliest, forms of cancer. Regularly wearing sunscreen can greatly reduce your risk of developing this cancer by blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays.
There are actually two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are longer and don’t show signs of a sunburn. The UVB rays are shorter and cause sunburns from overexposure. Both of these UV rays can cause cancer. Even if you don’t regularly burn in the sun, you can still develop melanoma.
Even though people are aware of these dangers, it can be difficult to know just what to look for in a sunscreen for you and your family. Some experts recently weighed in with their recommendations for picking the right sunblock.
The biggest question people have is about SPF. Many of us look for the highest SPF sunblock we can find, assuming that’s giving us the best protection. While this can be true, it does come with a warning from experts.
Many experts recommend no less than an SPF 30 sunscreen, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. The problem with sunscreen higher than that is that people assume it protects them longer, so they’re less likely to reapply it. That’s a problem.
No matter what type you choose, you should reapply it throughout the day. Whether it’s SPF 30 or SPF 100, you should be reapplying it throughout the day at the beach or the pool.
Experts also caution against using spray on sunscreen. It’s not that they offer less protection if applied correctly, it’s that people tend to use less when they use the spray. The lotion may be messier, but it’s easier to cover your body with the proper amount of sunblock.
There are also two ingredients consumers may want to avoid: oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. People with sensitive skin may have an allergic reaction to these chemicals. Some studies have also claimed there’s a link between retinyl palmitate and skin tumors, but the Food and Drug Administration disputes that. In general, it’s best to look for a sunscreen that doesn’t have these ingredients.
Another word of caution is that there’s no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen. If you’re in the water or sweating, the sunscreen is going to come off. Do not assume that waterproof sunscreen will somehow protect you throughout the day.
To keep your skin safe, experts recommend the following: sunscreen with at least SPF 30, along with zinc oxide and titanium oxide. The sunscreen will protect against the UVB rays while the zinc oxide and titanium oxide will protect against the UVA rays. They also recommend reapplying the sunscreen at least every two hours.
If you’re swimming or sweating a lot, you may want to reapply it more than that. You run a much greater risk of under-applying sunscreen than over-applying it, so don’t be stingy with the sunblock.
In most cases, the ingredients are more important than the brand. So long as your sunscreen contains the above ingredients and you apply it throughout the day, you should keep yourself and your family mostly safe from UV rays.
Selectively breeding plants has allowed humans to create more versatile and plentiful sources of food throughout history. By carefully selecting which plants to breed based on their properties, horticulturalists have drastically changed the appearance and characteristics of many foods.
In the same way that humans turned wolves into Chihuahuas and Great Danes, farmers took wild plants and made them into the foods we see in produce aisles today. Here are three foods that are unrecognizable from when they started.
1. Wild Cabbage
Wikipedia
Humans have selectively bred wild cabbage for so many years that the resulting cultivars look like completely different plants. In reality, many of these cultivars are technically the same species.
Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, and broccoli are all of the species of Brassica oleracea. Other popular foods that come from wild cabbage include horseradish, boy choy, rutabaga, arugula, watercress, radish, and wasabi. Every single one of these variations came from breeding three different strains of wild cabbage in different ways.
Wikipedia
All of these veggies fall under the category of cruciferous vegetables. The name comes from the fact that the flowers of these plants look like crosses (Cruciferae is New Latin for “Cross-bearing”).
Knowing that they’re related, it’s easier to see the resemblance. For instance, brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages because that’s exactly what they are.
2. Watermelon
Hyperallergic
Many people complain that supermarket produce is selectively bred for all the wrong reasons. Instead of breeding for taste, growers look for hardiness, uniformity, and lack of seeds. Selecting for these qualities can subtly degrade the taste of the fruit or vegetable.
This situation may be true today, but for hundreds of years farmers did the opposite. They bred fruits and vegetables to be the best tasting possible. True, farmers have always taken into consideration disease-resistance and production, but the main goal was to create better and better tasting food.
In the case of the watermelon, humans turned the fruit from bitter and hard to sweet and succulent. We can observe the changes that watermelons went through by studying paintings through the years.
Wikipedia
The giant fruit was a popular subject for still life paintings in the Middle Ages. This allows us to see what watermelons looked like hundreds of years in the past. We can watch them growing redder through the years (which translates to sweeter because the same gene is responsible for redness and sweetness).
We can also compare modern watermelons to their ancient counterparts because those wild ancestors still grow in the deserts of Egypt and Sudan. Surprisingly, people first harvested wild watermelons to eat the seeds. Now, we’ve gone so far as to create entirely seedless varieties.
3. Eggplants
Specialty Produce
Have you ever wondered where this large purple veggie got its name? This relative of potatoes and tomatoes used to be white and small. In fact, it looked a lot like an egg.
The Chinese carefully cultivated eggplants to develop the purple skin color and better flavor. They also bred out prickles, which the wild plants had to defend against being eaten.
The result is the massive purple vegetable (or fruit, to be more accurate) that we see in supermarkets today. The evolution of the eggplant is easy to trace because Chinese botanists documented their achievements. From the seventh to 19th century, we can see how farmers cultivated this unique plant.
A mother in India has given her daughter an incredible—and medically unprecedented—gift.
Doctors announced a successful uterus transplant, the first of its kind in India, performed in the city of Pune, India. An unnamed 43-year-old mother donated her uterus to her 21-year-old daughter, who was born without a womb.
The mother hopes that the incredible gift will allow her daughter to experience natural childbirth. However, that remains to be seen; the 21-year-old will need to recover for at least a year before attempting impregnation through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“The patients are fine,” said Pune Galaxy Care Hospital’s medical director, Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar. “The surgery took nine and a half hours in total.”
“The procedure is difficult because multiple large arteries are to be joined there, and veins that are small and short,” said Puntambekar. “It is technically very tough.”
The world’s first successful uterine transplant was performed in 2014 by a team led by Dr. Mats Brännström of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg.
CBS News
Doctors aren’t sure whether the new womb will allow the woman to give birth.
While that’s certainly the goal, the transplant process isn’t always predictable. Typically, patients undergo a procedure prior to surgery to remove embryos, which are then fertilized and frozen. Those eggs are then reintroduced to the patient’s new uterus about a year after the transplant surgery.
Patients must take immunosuppressive drugs in order to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new uteruses. Those drugs can have serious side effects, and because of this, most patients have the donated wombs removed after they’ve given birth.
Even when the procedure is carefully controlled, success isn’t guaranteed. Only six babies have been born via donated uteruses, and two of the children were born to the same mother.
“We are responsible for the patient and fulfilling their dreams of becoming a mother, which was impossible for them until now,” Puntambekar said to CNN.
Currently, uterine transplants are only performed in a very small number of carefully selected cases, though there have been attempts in the United States, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Czech Republic, and Sweden.
The process is extremely difficult for surgeons, and the procedure itself is still in a clinical trial stage. That means that scientists are still collecting information from the trials to gauge the safety of this new form of childbirth. According to leading experts, the procedure won’t be widely available for at least 3-5 years.
Indian Express
Could uterine transplants become an option for trans women?
Some researchers have also speculated that the process could allow trans women to give birth. However, other aspects of pregnancy might create complications, and some doctors have raised ethical considerations, since a hypothetical child born to a trans mother might be more susceptible to certain diseases and developmental disorders.
For the time being, uterine transplants are only an option for mothers with damaged, diseased, or nonexistent wombs, and the procedure isn’t exactly a sure bet.
Still, it’s an incredible development for women who’ve been diagnosed as permanently infertile. India’s first uterine transplant was the 30th attempt in the world, and success rates seem to be improving.
The Affordable Care Act may have played a beneficial role in early cancer diagnoses.
A study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology will make the case that the Affordable Care Act, commonly called “Obamacare,” resulted in an increase in early detection of certain cancers.
The study analyzed data from 273,000 patients, primarily focusing on breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and other cancers that can be detected through early screening. Researchers hypothesized that by improving access to healthcare, the Affordable Care Act would allow for improved early detection rates, thereby reducing the cost of cancer treatment and improving survivability for patients.
Those assumptions may be correct. Researchers showed a 1 percent increase in early detection of several cancers, including breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancer.
However, they also showed a 1 percent decrease in prostate cancer diagnoses. This may be related to public policy, as in 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against routinely screening for the cancer.
While 1 percent may not sound like an impressive number, it’s significant given the size of the study. Researchers also showed that the increases occurred in states that expanded access to Medicaid, an insurance program that provides low-cost or free medical care for the poor and disabled.
To the researchers behind the study, the results are hardly surprising.
“People without insurance are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, especially for the cancers that can be detected early through screening or symptoms,” said Xuesong Han, the lead author for the study and the strategic director of health policy and healthcare delivery research at the American Cancer Society.
“Obviously the changes aren’t enormous,” said Bruce Johnson, chief clinical research officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, in an interview with Bloomberg. “Because the uptake of screening is relatively slow, this is certainly consistent with the idea that doing the additional screening you could potentially find more stage 1 patients. The earlier the stage, the more likely the person is to be cured.”
“Whatever form our health care takes over the next several years, we advocate for patients to have early access to screening, which can identify cancers at an earlier stage in more curable forms,” Johnson added.
While this research seems credible, long-term research will be necessary to prove the study’s claims.
There are several important caveats; the study is limited in that it only compares data between two years, 2013 and 2014. It was also funded by the American Cancer Society, which has advocated for the Affordable Care Act through its political arm, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
However, the study used credible resources, as its information came from the National Cancer Database, a registry that covers about 70 percent of new cancer diagnoses in the United States. The American Cancer Society hopes that the information will be used to guide policy, as the Republican-led Congress recently launched an effort to replace the Affordable Care Act with the American Health Act of 2017 (sometimes called “Republicare”).
The AHCA may negatively affect Medicaid, and some policy experts have criticized the legislation’s treatment of preexisting conditions, as the proposed law would allow insurers to significantly increase premiums for people with certain diseases.
If you’re trying to eat healthy, you probably look for the “organic” label.
According to conventional wisdom, organic foods are free from artificial additives, and they’re subjected to less processing than non-organic alternatives. They’re effectively more “natural,” and therefore easier on farmland. Organic meats and dairy products result in a higher quality of life for livestock.
But that might not actually be the case.
As it turns out, “organic” is big business; in the United States alone, the market brings in more than $40 billion annually, according to the Washington Post. There’s a very strong incentive to sell organic products—and the rules surrounding the “organic” label are remarkably lax.
Here’s how the United States Department of Agriculture defines organic:
“Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”
But companies have quickly identified loopholes that allow them to maximize production while still maintaining their organic labels. For instance, many organic producers use pesticides—in fact, because organic pesticides are typically less effective than synthetics, farmers may use a much higher concentration of pesticides on their organic crops.
For processed foods, only 95 percent of the item must come from organic sources. The remaining 5 percent can be made up of non-organic substances. That all assumes that the labeling laws are followed—in some cases, enforcement seems extremely lax.
The issues are particularly noticeable in the dairy industry.
The USDA enforces organic labeling, requiring farms to allow cows to “graze daily throughout the growing season,” feeding on grass instead of readymade feeds.
However, a Washington Post investigation found that less than 10 percent of a herd at the Aurora High Plains complex grazed at any given time.
“The requirements of the USDA National Organic Program allow for an extremely wide range of grazing practices that comply with the rule,” a spokesperson for Aurora said in response, dismissing the claim as “isolated.”
Journalists also discovered that USDA inspectors visited the complex after grazing season—when the complex wasn’t required to let cows graze. This was a violation of USDA rules, and, as the Washington Post argues, an unfair practice that hurts the small farms that actually follow the rules.
“About half of the organic milk sold in the U.S. is coming from very large factory farms that have no intention of living up to organic principles,” said Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute, a nonprofit group that represents smaller organic farms.
“Thousands of small organic farmers across the United States depend on the USDA organic system working.”
Unfortunately, right now, it’s not working for small farmers or for consumers.”
This isn’t to say that consumers shouldn’t buy organic foods. The report does, however, show that the USDA system is inadequate for assessing the true quality of a dairy.
So, what’s the right way to buy organic? Consumers should do their own research and buy from smaller farms that don’t have as much of an incentive to game the system. While organic processes are important for protecting the environment, the USDA label isn’t especially useful for identifying those processes.
For more information, be sure to check out the full Washington Post report on organic dairies. It’s an interesting read—even if it is fairly frustrating to consumers.
Lavinia Kelly stopped by a gas station in Walnut Grove, California for a quick snack.
She purchased some Doritos from the Valley Oak Food and Fuel, then added some nacho cheese from a dispenser in the deli area. Within hours, she was feeling sick.
The next day, she had double vision. She went to the hospital, but was sent home; later that night, she became extremely ill, prompting a visit to the emergency room. Now, she’s struggling to recover after three weeks of intensive care.
Kelly was suffering from botulism, which she contracted from the cheese sauce.
Nine other people came down with the illness, according to state officials, who urged anyone who purchased prepared food from the gas station to seek medical treatment. State officials revoked the store’s license to sell prepared foods during their investigation.
Botulism is a toxin, and proper food preparation essentially prevents it from developing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that outbreaks are extremely rare, and cases are rarely fatal. Still, it’s a serious disease that can cause paralysis.
ABC7
Early signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing and speaking, dry mouth, and facial weakness, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can be accompanied by blurred vision and drooping eyelids.
Eventually, the disease progresses, causing nausea, difficulty breathing, and paralysis.
Most patients report feelings of extreme fatigue. However, botulism can be difficult to diagnose due to its rarity, and in some instances, patients are sent home without effective treatments—as was the case with Lavinia kelly.
Botulism is caused by a toxin created by a bacteria, and heating food to 185 degrees Fahrenheit for more than five minutes kills the toxin. As such, food preparers can prevent contamination by following appropriate food handling guidelines.
The bacterium that causes botulism requires low oxygen environments, so the toxin is sometimes found in improperly packaged foods, especially canned foods that have been dented or pierced. Symptoms start to appear within 12-36 hours and progress rapidly.
Doctors can treat botulism cases with antitoxins. Patients also receive supportive care, which allows them to recover safely. Paralysis caused by botulism can last anywhere from two to eight weeks, but typically resolves on its own. As such, Kelly is expected to make a full recovery.
Kelly’s family has pursued litigation against the gas station that sold the infected cheese.
Lavinia Kelly/Facebook
“Only human mistakes create the environment for botulinum toxin to form,” the family’s attorney, Bruce Clark, said to the Sacramento Bee.
“We will use the lawsuit to learn more about the source of the food product that was contaminated. The source of the food product may be unrelated to the gas station; it could be a commercially made, pre-packaged item.”
Lavinia Kelly/Facebook
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help support Lavinia. While she had medical insurance, she will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, so she’ll use any money she collects to cover expenses while she focuses on her recovery. To find out more or to donate, visit the page here.
This article was updated on Oct. 23, 2018.
Most of us live in relatively ignorant bliss when it comes to our food. We know that we shouldn’t eat from the salad bar of a seedy motel, for instance, and that we’re better off avoiding fast-food sushi.
Ultimately, however, we don’t really know what happens to our food before it’s presented to us. iStock
Studies show that 76 million people are affected by food illness every year. Those illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, molds, and even parasites—and in some cases, the symptoms are life-threatening.
Food poisoning attorney Bill Marler has seen just about everything. He has represented clients in some of the biggest food safety cases on record, and over time, his professional life has shaped his food preferences. [pullquote align=”center”]“I have a different relationship with food because of my profession.” —Bill Marler[/pullquote]
In early 2016, Marler compiled a list of six foods that he never eats (although, as we’ll explain shortly, he’s taken occasional liberties with one of those foods). The article quickly went viral, which didn’t surprise the attorney.
“I get asked a lot about what foods I stay away from,” Marler explains to HealthyWay. “It was one of those kind of things where I finally decided to just put them [together], and I came up with six.”
But while Marler thought that the piece would do well, he might not have anticipated its reach. Courtesy of Marler Clark
“My daughter called me and said, ‘Dad, you’re trending [online],'” he recalls. “It was the first time she actually thought I was interesting!”
We spoke with Marler to review the original list—and to find out whether he’s really serious about some of these. Then we consulted with registered dietitian nutritionist Kelsey Peoples of The Peoples Plate to get advice on alternative options that are, well, way less likely to give you food poisoning.
Like Marler, Peoples’ education and profession (she has a master’s in nutrition and food science and a background in health research and clinical nutrition) mean she knows a thing or two about what you should—and shouldn’t—be putting on your plate.
1. The first item isn’t exactly a hard one to pass up…
What’s healthier than raw sprouts? They’re a great addition to any sandwich, right?
Not quite. In the past 20 years, over 30 reported illness outbreaks resulted from sprout consumption, including numerous cases of poisoning from Salmonella and E. coli bacteria. iStock
In 2014, 19 people were hospitalized with Salmonella poisoning from eating sprouts. Marler warns that there have been too many outbreaks to not pay attention to the risks.
The U.S. government’s consumer food safety website, Foodsafety.gov, includes this warning: “Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts).” iStock
Of course, the site also notes that cooking the sprouts kills the harmful bacteria, so if you prefer your bean sprouts cooked, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Plus, sprouts are, well, kind of gross, so we don’t really mind avoiding them.
This one isn’t so much about the food as the way it’s prepared.
Pre-cut fruit seems like a great idea, in theory; you get delightfully sliced pieces of perfectly ripened fruit filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
However, in his original article, Marler wrote that he avoids pre-cut fruit “like the plague.” iStock
As Marler wrote, the extra handling and processing increases the chances that the fruit will be contaminated. According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety, pre-cut fruit is one of the most common foods associated with foodborne illnesses.
Still, Marler admits that he doesn’t exactly avoid cut fruits “like the plague.” He was using a bit of hyperbole to get his point across.
“If I’m traveling or looking for a quick lunch, sometimes it’s just too convenient,” he says.
Here’s what you should eat instead…
Marler and People’s agree: You should try to eat whole fruits instead of anything pre-cut. Marler says it’ll help you avoid Listeria, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal and nervous system issues. Alex Kotomanov
Why’s that? “So many fruits come with their own protective barrier—bananas, oranges, kiwi, grapefruit,” explains Peoples, “so take advantage of those whole fruits when trying to avoid contamination. If you want pre-cup options, commercially processed canned fruits are still an option, but choose varieties packed in fruit juice instead of syrups and drain out the liquid to avoid excess added sugars.”
See? Even the professionals acknowledge that you’ve got options for getting your fruit fix—without a side of food poisoning.
3. Ready for a healthy breakfast? Well…sorry in advance.
This one might be hard for some people to stomach; we can’t imagine asking for our eggs over-hard.
Though there have been recent changes to the way eggs are handled and processed, it wasn’t long ago that people were getting sick from raw eggs. Eggs cooked incorrectly can still pose some health risks. To learn what to watch for, check out the video below.
A representative of Foodsafety.gov tells HealthyWay that eggs pose a particularly significant risk to immunocompromised people, and consumers need to understand that risk before partaking.
Here’s what you should eat instead…
Peoples agrees that to minimize your risk of foodborne illness, you need to cook your eggs all the way through. She says scrambled and hard boiled eggs pose a much lower risk than any runny eggs. Luísa Schetinger
She also shares that, “for some immunocompromised individuals, the safest option may be to try pasteurized liquid eggs, egg whites, or egg beater alternatives. Whites and beaters are also incredibly low in cholesterol, which is a benefit for those with any history of cardiovascular disease.”
4. This food trend might seem healthy, but that’s not the case.
Pasteurization removes some of the nutrients in juice and milk and that doesn’t bode well with the super health-conscious crowd. As a result, raw milk and juices have become more popular over the past few years, despite warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). iStock
Marler argues that there’s no benefit compelling enough to minimize the risks involved with these drinks. Since pasteurization is an important safety procedure that eliminates harmful parasites, bacteria, and viruses from beverages, it would be irresponsible to risk possible infection for a couple of extra nutrients.
Of course, his opinion is informed by his casework. In 1996, Marler fought for several children against the popular beverage company Odwalla. One client developed a serious affliction called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from drinking unpasteurized apple juice. HUS is caused by E. coli and is linked to anemia and kidney failure. iStock
Ultimately, Odwalla was held responsible and had to pay a $1.5 million fine and another $12 million to the victims.
Here’s what you should drink instead…
“Although a fresh farm-made juice may sound delicious, it just isn’t worth the risk,” says peoples. “I always recommend choosing pasteurized products.”
She also shares this word of caution, which is especially important in light of the raw, unpasteurized juice = a healthy pour misconception:
Even 100 percent fresh fruit juice is an incredibly high source of sugar … an eight-ounce glass has as many grams of carbohydrates as two pieces of bread. I highly recommend diluting it with water to avoid blood sugar spikes, or better yet, choose fresh whole fruit instead.
5. We’ve got bad news for meat eaters.
Although something of a delicacy, rare steak (and other kinds of beef) carry with them a host of potential foodborne pathogens, including Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. Marler recommends steering clear of meat that is cooked rare.
He suggests that steak should only be consumed if it’s medium-well or well done, which should kill the harmful bacteria. iStock
It may not be the most delicious way to eat a steak, but Marler says the risks outweigh the rewards. The FDA cautions that red meat needs to be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees for ground meats) in order to be safe.
Ground meat products (like hamburgers and meatloaf) need to be cooked even more thoroughly since bacteria that sit on the surface of the meat are often ground into it.
Still, we had to ask: Does he really order all of his steaks well done? Yes, although he recalled one meal in which a restaurant confused his order with his colleague’s. iStock
“They switched the order, and I quickly looked at his steak and my steak and realized it,” Marler recalls. “We had to switch them back.”
Here’s what you should eat instead…
“If you can’t imagine eating a well-done beef burger, why not try an alternative version?” asks Peoples.
“Chicken and turkey burgers can be juicy and flavorful while being much leaner than most beef burgers, which is a perk for anyone looking to minimize their saturated fat intake. Vegetarian and vegan options are a fantastic way to get extra nutrients,” she says. Janine/Flickr
“Try grilling a portobello mushroom as your patty, buy a more traditional ‘veggie burger’ made from a blend of vegetables and whole grains, or opt for one of the newest commercial faux meat options like The Better Burger, which is being praised as the most meat-like vegetarian burger ever invented.”
You’ll have something to put on your bun, and you can top it with your condiments of choice rather than worry about a stomach bug tomorrow.
6. But Marler received the most complaints for this final item.
Most people know that oysters are not the cleanest food available, but often people don’t realize why. Oysters filter feed, which means they eat (and hold on to) everything that’s in the water—and we mean everything. iStock
When you eat raw oysters, you ingest their bacteria (somewhat obviously). Marler says that he has seen many more issues with the consumption of raw oysters over the last five years as compared to 20 years ago, and he believes that warmer water temperatures are to blame.
Why? Well, higher water temperatures mean more microbial growth, which means more cases of foodborne illness. In order for an oyster to be safe from bacteria and viruses, it must be cooked thoroughly. That reduces the risk of an illness but doesn’t eliminate it altogether.
https://twitter.com/EmperorGunter/status/997516553859059712
“We’re starting to see more cases [involving oysters],” Marler says, noting that, despite the pushback from his friends on the East Coast, he wouldn’t take the mollusks off of his list.
Here’s what you should eat instead…
There’s something très chic about knocking back oysters in good company, but Peoples says “any raw shellfish comes with a higher risk of foodborne illness.”
So what’s a gourmand to do? People’s suggestions: “Cooked alternatives like shrimp cocktail, crab cocktail, or baked clams are just as glamorous with far lower risk.” fevol/pixabay
And don’t forget that fried oysters are fair game. BRB—we’re headed to Sir Cricket’s for the best fried oysters on the cape (of Cod)—and Marler better not try to stop us!
So, would Marler make any changes to this list?
Nope. He says that while he’s seen contamination with specific brands, he doesn’t think he’d make any additions.
“There’ve been lots of outbreaks linked to, for example, soy nut butter,” Marler says. “But [the list] includes things that, historically, in my experience, have been much more risky. They involve products that don’t have a ‘kill’ step—they’re not cooked.” iStock.com/krblokhin
He also says that while he’s fairly strict about his own diet, he doesn’t ask his friends to order differently at restaurants.
“Most people know what I do, and they either don’t care or they change their order,” Marler says with a laugh. “I have a different relationship with food because of my profession.”
Looking great can be a tough and tedious job! It can take hours to pick out the right tools and learn how to use them properly. Makeup artists take tons of classes and work to gain years of experience to perfect their trade. You can learn how to be your own makeup pro—in less time—by learning some tricks of the trade.
Does your face often end up looking like a 2-year-old was your makeup artist? Are you tired of spending your entire paycheck on beauty products that don’t work? Try these easy makeup hacks—and go from frustrated to fancy!
Check your makeup in different lighting.
Nothing looks worse than uneven makeup. Since makeup looks different in different lighting, be sure to check it in the car, in the bathroom, and outside.
If you don’t have time to run outside with your handheld mirror, of course, you could try this remarkably affordable lighted mirror. Its warm LED lighting mimics daylight and seven-times magnification will help you apply your makeup like a pro.
Get the smoky eye effect without all the work.
Dark eyes look great but achieving the look, flawlessly, is a challenge. Try this hack next time you’re going out. The South Beach Blog
Choose your favorite eyeliner, and draw a hashtag (or number sign) at an angle on the outer corner of your lid. Then smudge and blend it in with your other eyeshadow.
Use a white base coat instead of clear.
In order to make your nail polish color stand out a little more, use white polish instead of clear. Polly Polish
It brightens the color and still protects your nail from discoloration.
Get off glitter polish with ease.
Instead of using base coat, swipe a coat of white glue (like Elmer’s) on your nails. Next time you want to remove your glitter polish, you won’t need polish remover—it peels right off!
Sweep mascara toward your nose, not upwards.
Most women make the mistake of applying mascara in an upward fashion. iStock
If you want thicker looking lashes and eyes that pop, angle your brush inward, not upward.
Use white eyeliner all over your lid to make eyeshadow stand out.
The color white helps colors on eyes pop, like it does on nails. Fashion Lady
Apply white eyeliner all over your lid, then apply your eyeshadow on top of it.
Turn a regular pencil eyeliner into gel liner.
Want soft, smooth lines? Beth Bender Beauty
Place the tip of your eyeliner over a match or other flame for a second, wait 15 seconds for it to cool, then gently apply it.
Use t-shirts instead of towels to dry your hair.
If your hair seems to always be frizzy and look untamed—no matter how much product you try to weigh it down with—you might want to try drying it a different way! Just Curly
Instead of using a towel to mop your hair up, wrap it in a soft, cotton t-shirt. It’ll keep your curls smooth and under control.
Even better, pick up a few of these ultra-wicking microfiber turban wraps. They pull moisture out of your hair for a frizz-free ‘do, and they free you to finish getting ready instead of laboring with the blow dryer. This pack of two even throws in a detangler comb for the final step.
Keep the mascara brush you love.
Love the mascara brush that you have, but don’t love the actual mascara? You can keep it! Just clean it with soap and warm water, then let it dry thoroughly. Make Beauty Simple
It’ll be ready to use again with other tubes of mascara.
Apply glue to your fake lashes a better way.
Applying glue to your fake eyelashes can be somewhat of a nightmare, leaving you with glue everywhere and your lashes sticking to everything. Priceza
Try placing the glue on the edge of a bobby pin and use it to apply the glue quickly and easily to lashes.
Set lipstick with powder.
There’s no need to buy drying, “24-hour” lipsticks in order to try to get your lipstick to stay. Try it the old-fashioned way! A Beautiful Mess
Apply your lipstick, then place a tissue over your lips. Dust translucent powder over the tissue on your lips and you’re ready to go!
Get the perfect pout.
Does your pout end up looking more pathetic than perfect? You can make it flawless with this easy tip.
Choose a lip liner in the same color as your lipstick and line your entire lips, ending in an “x” at the top. Fill in your lips with lipstick for the perfect shaped pout.
Make your foundation even smoother.
Do you find that your concealer ends up looking cakey and unnatural? Place a little on the back of your hand and mix it with a little of your favorite moisturizer. It’ll go on smoothly!
Keep your lipstick off your teeth.
Every woman hates lipstick on her teeth! Next time you’re heading out, clean off excess lipstick by putting your finger in your mouth, closing your lips around your finger, and gently pulling it out. The excess will get on your finger, not your teeth.
Conceal those under-eye circles perfectly.
Most women place concealer in dots, directly under the eye. This brightens up that small area but ends up making the rest of your face look “flat.” Cosmopolitan
Try applying it in a triangle shape starting the widest part at the base of your bottom eyelashes, then extending the tip to the bottom of your cheeks. This will hide redness, even out your skin tone, and brighten your whole face.
Use a spoon or credit card to get perfect wings.
Having trouble getting the perfect wing on your eye? Place the base of the spoon at an angle, against your eye and make a “cat eye” stroke. StyleCraze
Then press the rounded part of the spoon against your eyelid and wing your eyeliner stroke against the edge.
Use a spoon to keep mascara off of your face.
Have trouble keeping mascara off of your face when you apply it to your bottom lashes? Use a spoon to help! Hold the rounded part below and against your lower lids, and apply it. The excess will go on the spoon, not your lashes.
Curl your lashes with a heated eyelash curler.
Give your eyelashes even more va-va-voom by heating your eyelash curler before you use it. Use your hairdryer to heat it for a couple of seconds, let it cool…then curl. The heat will set the curl.
Create your own lip gloss out of broken eyeshadow.
Shattered eye shadow? Don’t throw it out! Make your own one-of-a-kind lip color in just a few easy steps.
Plump your lashes with face powder.
Plump lashes are in, baby! But most mascaras don’t do the job nearly as well as you’d like. Kathryn Wirsing/Elle
Try dusting a little translucent powder on your lashes in between mascara coats. Just be sure to use a little at a time so that it doesn’t get in your eyes.
Fix French manicures with a rubber band.
French manicures are beautiful and clean, problem is—they last about a day before you need to head back to the salon. Save time and money by doing your own touch-ups! Paper Raindrops
Place a rubber band at the base of the nail color tip and paint the tip. The rubber band ensures a perfect, flawless line.
Use dry shampoo at night.
As handy as dry shampoo is, it can leave your hair looking clumpy and feeling icky. Try spraying your hair before you go to bed. As you move around it’ll evenly distribute and you’ll wake up with clean and voluminous hair.
Use leave-in conditioner right after you shower.
Do leave in conditioners often leave your hair feeling weighed down? Can’t go without it? Try this hack! iStock
Apply the conditioner as soon as you get out of the shower when your hair is sopping wet, then use that t-shirt we mentioned to dry your hair. The shirt will evenly distribute the conditioner and also mop up any extra.
If you took our advice and picked up those microfiber turban wraps, by the way, you could use that instead to save even more time.
Mix leave-in conditioner with gel for soft, supple hair.
Hate that crunchy, sticky feel of gel on your hair but still need the control and moisture? In your hand, mix your favorite leave-in conditioner with gel—it’ll leave your hair feeling soft and manageable.
Former first lady Michelle Obama expressed dismay at a recent move by the Trump administration.
Her remarks came on May 12 at the Partnership for a Healthier American 2017 Healthier Future Summit, an annual conference in Washington, DC.
The former first lady did not mention Donald Trump by name, but in an interview with former White House chef Sam Kass, she criticized the actions of Trump appointee Sonny Perdue. Perdue, the current Secretary of Agriculture, delayed a rule that would limit the amount of sodium in school meals.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
As first lady, Michelle Obama focused on promoting healthy nutrition for American youth.
“We gotta make sure we don’t let anybody take us back,” she told Kass.
“This is where you really have to look at motives, you know. You have to stop and think, why don’t you want our kids to have good food at school? What is wrong with you? And why is that a partisan issue? Why would that be political? What is going on?”
Michelle Obama insisted that she didn’t think of the issue as partisan, then expressed some choice words for the Trump administration.
iStock
“Take me out of the equation—like me or don’t like me,” she added. “But think about why someone is okay with your kids eating crap. Why would you celebrate that? Why would you sit idly and be okay with that? Because here’s the secret: If someone is doing that, they don’t care about your kid.”
The former first lady also addressed one of Perdue’s defenses for his rollback of sodium rules in school lunches.
The Secretary of Agriculture said that many kids didn’t like the new, low-sodium foods.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
“That to me is one of the most ridiculous things that we talk about in this movement—’the kids aren’t happy,'” Obama said. “Well, you know what? Kids don’t like math either. What are we gonna do, stop teaching math?”
iStock
Secretary Perdue did not respond to the remarks directly, but a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said that Perdue “has nothing but the utmost respect for Michelle Obama.”
Traditionally, ex-presidents and their families rarely directly criticize successive administrations.
However, in late 2016, President Obama implied to Vanity Fair that he might become politically active after leaving office.
“Having had this office has given me this incredible perch from which to see how the world works. The power of the office is unique and it is a humbling privilege,” Barack Obama said. “With that power, however, also comes a whole host of institutional constraints. There are things I cannot say…”
Pete Souza/Obama White House
“Not out of any political concerns,” he continued, “but out of prudential concerns of the office. There are institutional obligations I have to carry out that are important for a president of the United States to carry out, but may not always align with what I think would move the ball down the field on the issues that I care most deeply about.”
However, in former President Obama’s first remarks since leaving office, he did not mention Trump or directly criticize the new administration, keeping with longstanding White House tradition.
Every parent of an infant has had that moment where they look at the baby’s snacks and wonder, “What does this taste like?” That’s when they take a quick nibble and learn that…well, it’s not too bad, actually. iStock
Babies, after all, are just extremely young and tiny humans, and products that work for humans tend to work for all humans. Granted, your kid’s food might not be especially tasty, but most baby products have a variety of practical uses—some of which are pretty surprising. iStock
The next time you go shopping for your baby, pick up two of everything. You’re going to want to get in on this stuff. We assembled a list of baby products that can be life-changing pickups for adults; if you’re only using this stuff for its intended purpose, you’re missing out.
1. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste isn’t just for butts.
This stuff is a goldmine of DIY hacks. It’s full of zinc oxide, which is a great remedy for irritated skin. That’s why it’s one of the best diaper rash ointments on the market; it offers instant relief without parabens, talc, and other harsh ingredients. Alex Zivatar
This stuff is pretty magical, and it’s just as useful on adult skin—don’t let the silly name scare you off. Try a small amount of paste on your next horrible mosquito bite or dab it on your sunburn for a bit of immediate relief. Remember, a little goes a long ways.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Boudreauxs-Ointment-Original-Paraben-Preservative/dp/B0009RF8G0/”]Get a 16-ounce jar of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste on Amazon for $9.49[/link-button]
By the way, if you’re using this product regularly, you really need to pick up the brush applicator. Made from BPA-free silicone, it lets you keep your hands clean while evenly applying Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (or the ointment of your choice) to your baby. It’s easy to clean, and if you’ve ever had diaper rash ointment stuck under your nails, you’ll certainly appreciate the appeal. Amazon
Alternately, you could just use a silicone spatula, but you’ll never be able to use it for cooking again. Trust us, the brush is worth your $10.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Boudreauxs-Brush-Diaper-Applicator-Silicone/dp/B07CJQWSHB/”]Get Boudreaux’s Butt Brush on Amazon for $9.49[/link-button]
2. Baby shampoo is a super-gentle cleanser.
High-quality baby shampoo is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and free from parabens and other potentially harsh ingredients. That means it’s ideal for people with sensitive skin, and it’s useful on skin that you wouldn’t want to expose to soaps and harsher cleansers. iStock
The possibilities are pretty limitless; if you’re prone to eyelid irritation, for instance, you can use a drop of the stuff on a washcloth to scrub those lids in the shower. Goodbye, mascara.
Even if you don’t need baby shampoo yourself, it’s helpful stuff to have around. It’s the ideal cleanser for dog and cat baths (assuming you can get your pet into the tub in the first place). It’s also excellent for cleaning your combs and makeup brushes when they start to get a little greasy. iStock.com/MartinPrescott
In short, baby shampoo is the ultimate soap. Why do we even bother with anything else?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Johnsons-Baby-Shampoo-Ounce-Pack/dp/B00WEBX65O?th=1″]Get a 20-ounce bottle of Johnson’s Baby Tear Free Shampoo on Amazon for $6.65[/link-button]
3. Baby wipes seem tailor-made for makeup removal.
Many makeup removers are soaked with alcohol, which can dry out your skin, causing irritation and redness. Sure, they’re effective, but if you’re left with damaged skin, what’s the point? Alex Zivatar
Instead of using one of those products, reach for a nice, cool baby wipe to scrub away your makeup. Pack a few with you when you go out of town to use as a quick, hassle-free face wash.
Since they’re typically free from soaps and other harsh ingredients, baby wipes are also excellent for cleaning computer keyboards. They can even shine your shoes, although you’ll want to spot test on a small area before you throw out your other products.
Everyone should have these on hand—and manufacturers should really consider renaming them “everything wipes.” Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Elements-Wipes-Sensitive-Flip-Top/dp/B00M4M2W1W/”]Get a box of 480 Amazon Elements sensitive baby wipes on Amazon for $11.99.[/link-button]
4. Diapers are a key ingredient in a super-effective ice pack.
As the video below demonstrates, you can use diapers for something way beyond their intended purpose. With some specific liquids and an absorbent diaper, you can create a reliable, reusable ice pack.
Sure, diapers are expensive in bulk, but when you can get them for about $0.15 per count, they’re much cheaper than commercial ice packs—and for new parents, they’re much more readily available.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Luvs-Leakguards-Disposable-Diapers-Newborn/dp/B01EKZO93O”]Get 252 Luvs Ultra Leakguards diapers on Amazon for $33.95.[/link-button]
5. Baby powder has all kinds of uses.
The purpose of baby powder is to prevent friction. Well, we could all use a little less friction in our lives, right?
Commercial baby powders make for a decent stand-in for dry shampoo or deodorant, and they can help prevent stinky feet by sucking up moisture. Bring your favorite baby powder to the beach, and you can use it to remove sand from your feet. Really, we’re just scratching the surface here. Watch the video to see a few of our favorite baby powder hacks:
While the link between modern talcum powder (which no longer contains asbestos) and ovarian cancer is unclear, you might want to find a talc-free baby powder just in case. There are plenty of them on the market, and talc-free formulas can be just as effective. Look for a product with corn starch or another natural talc alternative, and if possible, pick something with a light, natural fragrance.
Our pick is Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder (you’ll notice that they left “baby” out of the name, despite the fact that this is a baby skin care product—the good people at Burt’s Bees apparently realize that this stuff is great for adults, too). iStock.com/KAZITAFAHNIZEER
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Baby-Natural-Talc-Free/dp/B000UVX7KE”]Get three 7.5-ounce bottles of Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Natural Talc-Free Dusting Powder on Amazon for $20.50.[/link-button]
We should note that Burt’s Bees has a light fragrance. If you’re looking for a completely unscented option, check out Ora’s Amazing Herbal Baby Powder. It’s made with pure kaolin clay powder, tested to ensure that it’s lead-free, along with baking soda, arrowroot powder, and organic plantain leaf powder. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Oras-Amazing-Herbal-Grain-Free-Gluten-Free/dp/B00FLGG1HO/”]Get Ora’s Amazing Herbal Baby Powder on Amazon for $13.27.[/link-button]
6. Pedialyte can help to quickly hydrate adults.
After a night of overindulgence, try sipping Pedialyte. It’s packed with electrolytes and it has less sugar than most sports drinks. Catherine Lo/Spoon University
It was designed to rehydrate sick children, but it can do the same thing for adults. Whether you’re fighting through a nasty flu or you simply need to rehydrate quickly after a long hike, this stuff works will do the trick. It doesn’t taste awful, either; just don’t expect the sugary sweetness of a sports drink, and you won’t be disappointed.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Pedialyte-Electrolyte-Powder-Variety-Hydration/dp/B01JO4KWAU”]Get 24 powder packs of Pedialyte on Amazon for $26.97.[/link-button]
Just add water to the powder packs and you’re good to go. It’s wonderful for preventing headaches, muscle cramps, and other common symptoms of dehydration.
Another option is Pedialyte Advanced Care, which is formulated for higher electrolyte loss. We’re not sure whether Pedialyte is recognizing that a sizable portion of their consumer base is made up of (ahem) dehydrated adults, but one glance at the Amazon reviews will show you that grown-ups seem to appreciate this new formulation. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Pedialyte-AdvancedCare-Electrolyte-Electrolytes-Prebiotics/dp/B06XSZPNQ7/”]Get four one-liter bottles of Pedialyte Advanced Care on Amazon for $21.96.[/link-button]
7. People with sensitive skin should try switching to baby detergent.
Soaps for babies are super gentle, and the same is true about laundry detergent made for the pre-K set. iStock
Many adults with allergies or skin sensitivities find that baby detergents bother them less than typical adult detergents, which are packed with chemicals and fragrances. Ultimately, any detergent should work about the same—and if you’re dealing with especially tough stains, we’ve got tips to help you out.
Dreft is a liquid detergent specifically formulated for babies, and it’s the baby detergent most commonly recommended by pediatricians.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Pedialyte-AdvancedCare-Electrolyte-Electrolytes-Prebiotics/dp/B06XSZPNQ7/”]Get a 150-ounce bottle of Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent on Amazon for $35.99.[/link-button]
If you’re looking for a dry detergent, Nellie’s All-Natural Baby Powder Laundry Detergent is one highly reviewed option. It’s free from fragrance, phosphates, and other potentially harmful additives, and it contains an extra concentration of sodium percarbonate, an oxidizing agent, for extra stain-fighting power. Plus, it’s affordable; a single tin can clean up to 80 loads. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nellies-Natural-Detergent-Sensitive-Non-Toxic/dp/B01891M11C/”]Get Nelly’s All-Natural Baby Powder Laundry Detergent on Amazon for $18.00.[/link-button]
8. Baby sunscreen is powerful enough to work for adults, too.
No matter how old you are, SPF is SPF.
SPF—which stands for Sun Protection Factor, if you’re unaware—is a measure of how much time your skin would take to turn red while wearing the product, as opposed to how much time that would take when you’re not wearing the product. iStock
We’ve got a much more detailed look at sunscreen here, if you’re interested, but the bottom line is that SPF ratings aren’t age dependent. Try pilfering a little of your infant’s sunscreen the next time you head to the beach. As with many of the other products on this list, infant sunscreens are often formulated without harsh additives, so they’re ideal for sensitive skin.
For the most protection, pick the highest SPF level you can find and enjoy your day at the beach with peace of mind.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Babyganics-Mineral-Based-Baby-Sunscreen-Lotion/dp/B00HYV2F7E”]Get two 6-ounce bottles of Babyganics Mineral-Based SPF 50 Sunscreen on Amazon for $18.52.[/link-button]
9. Baby oil helps you remove mascara.
Waterproof mascara is awesome stuff; it doesn’t smudge, even when you’re exercising, and you can break into a blubbering mess during Won’t You Be My Neighbor? without rocking a total goth look. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come off easily—hey, that’s sort of the point. iStock
If you find yourself struggling to clean your mascara off of your eyelashes, reach for a bottle of baby oil. Why is this effective? Waterproof mascara is, well, waterproof, so trying to wash it off in the sink won’t do much. Fortunately, oil and water don’t mix, so oil can help to break down tough cosmetics. Just dip a cotton swab in baby oil and gently apply to your eyelashes with side-to-side swipes. Rinse and you’re done.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Baby-Original-Ounce-Pack/dp/B00JF76E54/”]Get two 14-ounce bottles of Johnson & Johnson’s Original Baby Oil on Amazon for $12.98.[/link-button]
Johnson & Johnson’s oil is just mineral oil, formulated to absorb quickly into your baby’s skin without causing irritation. It’s hypoallergenic, and it’s frequently recommended by dermatologists. That means that it’s safe for your infant, and it’s also safe for your eyelids and other sensitive areas.
Baby oil is also useful for keeping your skin hydrated. If that’s the type of thing you’re after, we’d recommend something like Mountain Falls baby oil, which has added aloe vera and vitamin E. However, if you’re just looking to wash off mascara, stick with the simplest formula you can find. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Falls-Vitamin-Compare-Johnsons/dp/B0711Y7J79/”]Get a four-pack of 20-ounce bottles of Mountain Falls Baby Oil with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E on Amazon for $12.75.[/link-button]
10. Speaking of which, diaper cream is extraordinarily effective as a moisturizer.
You can spend $100 on a tub of super-fancy, age-defying face cream, or you can just reach for the nearest tube of diaper cream. It locks in moisture and helps your skin stay hydrated. iStock
Diaper cream is also good for dry skin wherever it shows up, and it can soothe the sting of razor burn.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Calendula-Moisturize-Sensitive/dp/B0021HR94K”]Get a 2-ounce tub of Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm on Amazon for $8.32.[/link-button]
11. Nursing cream is designed for nursing mothers, but it has other uses, too.
If you’ve nursed a baby, you know that nursing cream is one of the most wonderful substances ever invented. It gently hydrates while relieving soreness and chafing, keeping your skin soft and healthy. iStock
And while these ointments are designed for extremely sensitive skin (which might be an understatement), they’re also useful for dry skin anywhere else on your body. If you notice your skin cracking, try dabbing with a bit of high-quality nursing cream and enjoy the instant relief.
We especially like nursing cream for treating chapped lips. Other treatments seem to dry out our lips, so we’re constantly applying more and more to get the same effect; nursing cream, on the other hand, can soothe sensitive skin with a single application. We’re big fans of cocoa butter, so Palmer’s Nursing Butter is our favorite. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Palmers-Cocoa-Butter-Nursing-Cream/dp/B000H8DVKG”]Get a 1.1-ounce bottle of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Nursing Cream on Amazon for $6.50.[/link-button]
It’s a simple formula—pure petrolatum with cocoa butter and pro-vitamin B5—but sometimes, simplicity is a good thing.
While we’re on the subject, if you’re currently nursing, high-quality breast pads can make your life much easier. Lanisnoh nursing pads are our pick, since they’re comfortable, leak proof, and discreet. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Nursing-Pads-Disposable-Breast/dp/B003U3SWEA/?th=1&psc=1″]Get a 36-pack of Lansinoh nursing pads on Amazon for $5.99.[/link-button]
12. Gripe water has been keeping colicky babies comfortable for generations.
It can ease adults’ upset stomachs, too. The best brands use real ginger and fennel, two herbs that soothe belly pain without unpleasant gastronomical side effects.
Next time you get a little gassy or come down with some nausea, reach for your infant’s bottle of gripe water for quick relief. Alex Zivatar
Wellements’ formula is pediatrician recommended, and the vegan, USDA-certified organic ingredients provide some extra peace of mind. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated—those organic ingredients won’t stay fresh forever. The manufacturer recommends using the entire bottle or discarding it within four weeks of opening. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Wellements-Organic-Gripe-Water-Tummy/dp/B000GCHOEW”]Get a 4-ounce bottle of Wellements Organic Gripe Water on Amazon for $8.49.[/link-button]
Another highly ranked gripe water is Mommy’s Bliss, which relieves discomfort from gas and colic with organic ginger and fennel. Again, it’s certified organic, and because it contains no artificial colors or flavors, it’s safe for sensitive stomachs. Adults may not find the formula too tasty, but it works—and really, that’s the important thing. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Bliss-Occasional-Discomfort-Fussiness/dp/B00E3Y0N5G/”]Get Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water on Amazon for $19.96.[/link-button]
13. Baby shampoo doubles as a perfect detergent for delicate fabrics.
You can’t throw your cashmere sweater in the wash with everything else. Fragile, high-quality fabrics require a little babying, and in this case, we mean that literally.
Baby shampoo can gently wash your nicest clothes without fading colors, and it’s also effective for spot-treating stains. Simply add a small quantity to your laundry load; for best results, wash small loads with cold water.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Baby-Wash-Shampoo-Tear-Free/dp/B005CPGJTO”]Get two 8-ounce bottles of Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo for Hair & Body on Amazon for $9.48.[/link-button]
14. Baby oil also works well for polishing stainless steel.
Nothing looks classier than a kitchen full of stainless-steel appliances. Unfortunately, nothing collects grease and grime like this chic metal, either. iStock.com/iiievgeniy
The simple solution is to rinse down your stainless steel appliances with a bit of dish soap. Once you’ve got the gunk removed, it’s time to start polishing, and that’s where the baby oil comes in. It smells better than steel polish, it’s less abrasive, and it leaves your appliances sparkling.
Rub down steel surfaces with an oiled cloth to create a clean, bright shine. Use a circular motion to distribute the oil evenly, then sit back and admire your handiwork. This works on faucets too, by the way—if it’s made from steel, a bit of baby oil will leave it looking brand new. iStock.com/tommaso79
Since baby oil is basically just mineral oil, it’s also an effective polish for wooden surfaces. Wooden tables tend to collect water rings (regardless of how many times you tell your guests to use a coaster).
Polish a table with baby oil and those rings will disappear. The oil also forms a barrier against moisture, so it’ll make new water rings less likely to show up.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Natural-Nourishing-Packaging/dp/B006L1OA6M”]Get three 4-ounce bottles of Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Natural Baby Nourishing Oil on Amazon for $17.96.[/link-button]
15. Baby wipes can get rid of deodorant stains.
Oh, you thought we were done with baby wipes?
We’ve yet to meet a dark shirt that doesn’t show deodorant streaks. Deodorant is a tough thing to get out of your clothes, and unless you decide to forego your favorite deodorant entirely—and, by the way, we’ve got a full piece dedicated to natural deodorants that actually work—you’re going to have to deal with the occasional stain. iStock
The only surefire remedy: baby wipes. They gently draw out the stain without leaving behind any dull spots on dark clothes. Wipe down the white residue on your dark clothing with a baby wipe, then marvel at the results. This is seriously a game changer. We’d recommend choosing an unscented pack of baby wipes for this purpose since you don’t want any strange fragrances intermingling with the scent of your deodorant.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/bloom-Sensitive-Unscented-Hypoallergenic-80-Count/dp/B019YLCH06/”]Get bloom BABY Unscented Baby Wipes on Amazon for $7.99.[/link-button]
16. We’ve got one more use for those baby wipes, and it’s a weird one.
They’re remarkably effective for cleaning your pets. Stay with us, here.
There’s no way you’re coaxing your cat into the bathtub, and you can’t take her to the grooming place every time she gets a little dirty. Baby wipes are a great way to take care of a feline’s messy face (or, uh, any other messy areas) without infuriating them. Alex Zivatar
Baby wipes aren’t wet enough to irritate your cat, and you might even be able to convince them that you’re just petting them. Once again, we’d go with an unscented product, since cats are notoriously sensitive to fragrances. Read the ingredients; the simpler, the better.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/HUGGIES-Natural-Unscented-Sensitive-Water-Based/dp/B01BOGG5KM/”]Get a 648-count box of Huggies Natural Care unscented baby wipes on Amazon for $13.90.[/link-button]
17. While we’re discussing animals, we’ve got another strange tip.
If you’ve got a bird feeder, you know that it’s difficult to keep squirrels from driving off your avian friends. Sure, you can shoo the rodents away, but the second your back’s turned, they’ll climb up to the top of the birdfeeder and gorge themselves on birdseed. iStock.com/hmproudlove
Experienced parents usually have a few tubs of petroleum jelly sitting around. It’s great for preventing diaper rash and keeping skin soft and supple, but it’s also effective for preventing squirrels from climbing. Apply a thin layer to the outside of your bird feeder, and squirrels won’t be able to keep their grip.
It doesn’t hurt the squirrels, it won’t bother the birds, and it’ll save you some money on wasted birdseed. Plus, it’s nearly invisible after it’s applied, so you can enjoy your birdwatching in peace.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Falls-Petroleum-Protectant-Petrolatum/dp/B072PSTJY3/”]Get a four-pack of Mountain Falls Petroleum Jelly here on Amazon for $7.98.[/link-button]
