Tip: How to tell if eggs are still fresh, plus more egg tips

Kitchen tip: How to test for egg freshness

We have been teaching the kiddos at our house to cook. Egg freshness was addressed. I thought my readers might also benefit from this information.
Have you ever been ready to bake or maybe add eggs to a recipe and wondered if they were fresh or not? They really do go bad. It is amazing how many people think eggs will keep in the refrigerator for months and months. Old eggs are more susceptible to salmonella and other bacteria, so it is important to know if your eggs are fresh before consuming them. Many eggs, however, are completely safe to use after their expiration date.
Here is a few quick and simple ways to determine if your eggs are fresh enough to use.

The Float Test:
(I learned this one from my grandmother many years ago)
What you need:
1. eggs
2. bowl or pan deep enough to hold enough water to cover eggs
3. cold tap water

Image Source

What to do:
1. Fill a bowl or pan with enough cold tap water to cover your eggs completely.
2. Place the eggs in the bowl (in the water) and use the following tips to determine freshness:
* If the egg stay on the bottom, lying on its side, the egg is very fresh.
* If the egg is beginning to stand up a little or bobs up and down just a bit, it is not as fresh and should be used as soon as possible.
*If the egg balances on its smallest tip, with the large tip reaching for the top, it’s probably close to three weeks old. Still fresh but use immediately.
*If your egg floats to the surface, discard it. DO NOT USE. This means your egg is not fresh.

The Slosh Test:
This is another method of egg testing. It may come in handy if you do not have the means for doing the float test.
** Hold the egg up to your ear and shake gently. If you hear a sloshing sound, the egg would not be considered fresh. You should discard.
*If you hear a nothing, the egg is likely fresh and considered to be safe for use.


Surface Test:
Crack the egg on a flat surface, like a plate.
Observe the yolk and egg white (albumen)
If the yolk is "sitting high" and is slightly globe shaped, and the egg white is gathered closely around it, then the egg is considered fresh.
If  the egg white is transparent but still gathered close and the yolk is sitting a bit lower, (see picture) then the egg is a bit older, but still considered safe to eat.
If the yolk is flat and the egg white is runny (almost like water), then the egg is bad.

Image source

Tips for storing eggs:
*Eggs should be stored in the refrigerator.
*Eggs should be stored small end down in their original carton.

What are the best eggs to buy?
Grade AA eggs are best and are the highest grade available for purchase. They usually cost a bit more than other grades, but may be a good choice because of their high quality and longer shelf life.
Partial Information source: WikiHow

Now another little tip I learned from my grandmother years ago. We often kept boiled eggs in the refrigerator in an unused carton that looked just like the eggs that had not yet been cooked. Yes! You guessed it! There were a few times fresh eggs were mistaken for boiled and we had a bit of a mess. There is a simple way to tell if an egg is boiled or not. Simply spin it on a flat counter. (Be careful and don't get too close to the edge!) Watch it closely! If the egg spins smoothly, it is hard boiled. If the egg wobbles, it is fresh!

We are a homeschooling family. I am sure I will have many more subject or ideas to share here from time to time. I hope my sharing benefits some of you as well.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

  

My Crochet socks were featured on Etsy

 

I want to thank Wendy Heckerman of YumYum Baby on Etsy for featuring my custom crocheted socks on her lovely treasury entitled American Freedom. Each and every one of the EtsyKids team designers items was wonderful. I feel truly honored to have been included.
For those of you interested in ordering custom trim crocheted socks, feel free to contact me. Trim can be made from a variety of items to include thread, beading, ribbon and more. Socks can be made in many colors and designs to match about anything. I welcome custom orders.

          

Dishwasher safe or not? How can I tell? What can I put in the dishwasher? What is not safe to go in there?

Did you know your dishwasher can be used for a lot more things than just to cook?
Well, it can. Most people are not aware of the amazing things that can be done in a dishwasher. I thought I would share several the alternative uses here in hopes that at least a few of these tips would prove handy to you. I will also share some of the things I have learned NOT to put in the dishwasher.

I like to get the biggest bang for my buck. Who doesn't, right? I began to think about alternate uses for the common things I had within my household. I focused on the dishwasher. It seemed a shame to use spend all that money on such a nice appliance to use it only for dishes. I decided I would experiment a little. With a little trial and error, I discovered some grand uses for the dishwasher as well as some definite NO-NO's for the dishwasher. I guess I should add that the children who either live in or frequent our house did a few experiments of their own.

Some of them didn't turn out so well. For example, crayons, the children discovered, are not meant to go in the dishwasher. I already knew this, however, some things one simply must learn on their own. Sometimes, the temptation of being told not to do something is just too great for little minds.

The first thing I asked myself was how to know if something is dishwasher safe or not. The dishwasher, by virtue of being built to clean dishes, is a pretty safe environment. We all know that the dishwasher will have high heat and high water pressure. Add to that strong detergents and chemicals and we have a lot going on inside there when it is running. Jets shoot hot pressurized water from different angles, depending on your dishwasher model, in order to efficiently clean your dishes. With that in mind, I began to think about how to tell if something would likely be safe in the dishwasher.

Any item that cannot handle the heat produced in the dishwasher, or the possible agitation of being knocked around or banged against other dishes or the racks would be considered to be unsafe for the dishwasher. If items could potentially come apart in the dishwasher and hit other items during the cycle (like glassware or dishes) it would naturally be unsafe for the dishwasher. Small plastic items can melt a bit or be thrown around and hit the heating element which could cause melting. The small melted plastic items can also melt into dishwasher parts causing damage to your appliance. Not all small plastic items are unsafe to use, but it is best to secure them before turning on the dishwasher. Even some plastic items that are said to be dishwasher safe eventually get fine cracks in them, rendering them unusable. It is good to know that just because something says it is dishwasher safe does not necessarily mean It cannot still be damaged in the dishwasher. Some items are considered safe for top shelf only. Even still, pots and pans with handles made of plastic and similar materials can certainly be damaged from the high heat. One should NEVER put good knives in the dishwasher, as the agitation will dull the blade and they can look dingy pretty fast when they sustain dings and scratches from other items.

This brings me to wooden spoons, utensils with wooden handles, non-stick and anodized pots and pans, non-stick burner covers, etc. Perhaps not initially, but after sustained use, the dishwasher will slowly causes damage to them. The non-stick surfaces of pans will begin to crack and peel up in tiny places. (I have read that this is NOT safe to use when cooking food intended for consumption.) Wooden spoons or wooden handled items often splinter. Lets face it. You paid good money for these items. You want to take care of them right?

Many of us have nice dishes that have a band of silver or gold around the serving dish for decoration. Let me advise you right away that it is best to hand wash these fine items. The pressure of the water in the dishwasher can often damage them. To keep them looking pretty enough to use for guests, I would never chance putting them in the dishwasher.

Sure, your dishwasher makes quick work of cleaning dirty plates and cups, but lets move on to items that I found can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

1. Shower Heads and Faucet HandlesWe have hard water at our house. This takes a toll on shower heads and faucets. If your shower head is spraying sporadically from clogged holes or your faucet handles aren’t as shiny as they once were, place these on the top rack and run the pots and pans cycle. It’s fine to run cookware through at the same time, so you’re not wasting a wash for these few items. Choose the heavy duty or pots and pans cycle for this job.
Tip: I fill a plastic bag with vinegar and water and tie it around my shower head the night before taking it down to run it through the dishwasher. This is really helpful if you have hard water.

2. Shin guards, knee pads, and mouth guards
Toss them all into the top rack of the dishwasher. You will be surprised how nice they come out.

3.  Baseball caps and Visors
If you have been washing hats in the washing machine, you know they can get bent. The dishwasher does a much better job at cleaning them. You can invest in a ball cap washer or you can place the hat on the top rack of the dishwasher, head opening down, on a separate wash cycle from dishes. (Food particles can get trapped in the cloth of the hat, so wash without food items.) Tip: Do NOT use dishwasher detergent when washing your hat in the dishwasher. Most dishwashing agents contain bleach, which can ruin the hat your paid good money for. Instead, fill a laundry detergent cup with Borax. (You can buy this at most supermarkets or big box stores.)
Clean the hat using a regular cycle. Avoid using the heat dry option as this can warp some hats. When your hat is done, hang it over a jar or a glass to dry.
Tip: The best time to reshape the brim is while the hat is wet.

4.Ceramic cabinet knobs
Place these in the silverware basket and they do just fine. This is a real time saver.
5. Kitchen Dish Sponges and BrushesThere is something completely gross about kitchen cleaning sponges. I have read where some people soak them in lemon juice or a bit of lemon water. I admit I have done this. I also put my kitchen sponges in my microwave for about 2 minutes every day. Whenever I run the dishwasher, I toss my sponges in on the top shelf. When I take them out, I run them through the microwave for 2 minutes and then stand them to dry.

6. Light-fixture, light covers, globes & some vases
You will be surprised how much brighter your room will look with clean light fixtures. Place all of these items on the top shelf of the dishwasher, allowing a bit of space between them. Remember, this type of glass is a bit more fragile than the glassware you are accustomed to putting in the dishwasher.
Choose whatever delicate cycles your dishwasher has for items such as crystal or china. Unless your dishwasher has an extremely low heat cycle, I would skip the heat cycle and hand dry these delicate items.  Tip: Do NOT wash fixtures that have been painted, enameled or antiqued.

7. Tools: both garden and tool with metal or plastic handles
**Do NOT run these items through with a load of dishes as they may have come in contact with pesticides or animals. Also...remember not to wash items with wooden handles.
To prevent your tools from rusting, I would advise removing promptly and hand drying them.

8.Pet Bowls and Toys 
Let me first say that pet food dishes need to be washed or sanitized EVERY day, or so I believe. If I am not running my dishwasher, I wash the feeding bowls with soap and water and then in a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. ( I also keep this in a spray bottle to use in my kitchens and bathroom on a daily basis) This solution is fine for toys too. If I am running my dishwasher with hot and using high heat to dry, I toss in my pets stainless steel feeding bowls. My veterinarian recommends this to keep both pets and family from getting sick. Our pediatrician recommends running a separate wash if anyone in your home is suffering from and auto-immune type illness.
Some dog toys are NOT safe for the dishwasher. (some plastics, rope or rawhide toys)
When it doubt, I would recommend skipping the dishwasher and using the bleach solution described above.

9. Kitchen Appliance PartsThis tip, at least to me, is a major time saver. I am going to be cleaning all this stuff anyway, so why not save time and pop it all in the dishwasher at once. Voila'! You will be amazed at the time you saved! Once a week, load all of these into the dishwasher to make the whole kitchen seem cleaner and shinier: chrome drip pans, enamel-coated gas grates and burner caps, fridge water dispenser grate, sink plugs, microwave tray and range hood grease filters. Use the normal washing cycle.

10.Personal Care ItemsHairbrushes, Combs, Toothbrushes, toothbrush holders, goopy soap dishes, nail brushes, plastic makeup brushes and bathtub drain plugs all benefit from an occasional run through the dishwasher.
My dentist actually recommends running toothbrushes through the dishwasher daily. (I have to admit, I don't do it every day but at least a few times a week.) Remover all hair from hairbrushes and combs before placing in the dishwasher, as this can cause a nasty clog.  Place on the top rack with smaller items tucked in a lingerie bag or in a dishwasher basket, and wash on a normal cycle with your other dishes.
TIP: DO NOT use on wood handled or natural boar-bristled brushes because the heat and water pressure can damage them.

11. All those kitchen & Household extras: Butter Dishes, Sugar Bowls, Spoon Rests, and Salt and Pepper Shakers, Fan grilles, switch plates, and vent covers
Look around your kitchen & house. There are a lot of items that get handled often that collect grease and grime. I am talking about condiment and refillable spice containers, and even your storage containers filled with things like sugar, flour, etc. Periodically empty all these containers and wash these along with your regular loads. Tip: Make sure they are completely dry before refilling.
For household extras like switch plates, fan grilles or vent covers, remember if they can be put in the dishwasher if they are plastic, aluminum, or steel. Enameled, painted, or plated should not be put in the dishwasher.
12. Rain boots
While Crocs are not dishwasher safe, you can clean rain boots in the dishwasher. Simply remove the liners and lie them horizontally. Hook flip-flops on tines in the top rack. (I haven't tried this yet but a friends tells me it works like a charm.)

13. Plastic toys like action figures and other small toys:
I will happily tell you that these need to be washed often. It is really so simple to do that there is no reason not to do it. Just load a mesh lingerie bag or a dishwasher basket with the small toys and place on the top rack. You can wash these on a regular or normal cycle.
Couple of tips here:
Be careful not to wash dolls with pretty hair, (like Barbies) in the dishwasher. Believe me, she will never look the same if you do!
Next, we have all seen those little bathtub toys with a tiny hole in the bottom meant to be used in the bathtub with little children. The only place I believe these belong is IN THE TRASH! No matter how hard you try to clean these toys or how you attempt to dry them, one can never get all the water out of them. What happens? Well, after a time, something grows in them. When you go to squeeze the water out, you will see something black that comes out. This is bacteria. Even using 1/10 bleach solution didn't do the trick. That simply can't be good for any child to put in their mouths. Folk! Avoid buying these and if you have any for baby, I would encourage you to throw them out immediately. Not worth making baby sick.

One thing I will warn you against is putting your good crystal, china or good silver or flatware in the dishwasher. (Also you should never mix good flatware with silver when washing. I have read this causes a damaging chemical reaction) It is just better to hand wash some things and this is one of them. Don't take the chance of getting things broken or scratched in the dishwasher that carry such value.
Tip: If hand washing in sink, place a dishcloth in the bottom of the sink to avoid breakage.

**One thing I do and would advise is that if I wash anything besides dishes in my dishwasher, I run a cycle afterward with nothing but soap in it or a cup of vinegar sitting on the top rack. I also frequently wipe the inside of my dishwasher out with the same 1:10 bleach solution that I use on many other things. This takes only a moment. Can't hurt right?

Now, just for those of you who might be wondering. No, I am not a germophobe. There are germs everywhere and we cannot avoid coming in contact with them. I do believe in avoiding germs whenever possible. I have been reminded more than once about how people once grew up and what germs they came in contact with on a daily basis and how they all survived. I get all that. The thing is that today, we battle some germs that are pretty hard to fight and we are running out of antibiotics that prove effective in treating them. While we cannot omit germs, (and it would be laughable to even try) I do believe in trying to avoid them when possible. The tips I have provided above are mostly for those with lots of "jobs" to do around the house and have very little time to do them. I am simply making good use of an appliance in ways that some may not have thought of. My suggested tips are more to save time than anything. After all, what mom wouldn't like a few extra minutes to sit down and snuggle with her children or actually have time to watch a television show with them?

Happy Dishwashing!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Hand-crocheted dress, socks and necklace custom made for pageant wear. Good Luck Lindsay & Sophia!

Welcome to my blog today!

I know a lot of my customers and readers alike participate in pageants. I wanted to share some things I made for a couple little girls (sisters) that will soon be in an upcoming pageant.

I have made many things for pageants, most of those being custom ordered items. Custom requests and brainstorming can really lead one anywhere and in any direction when designing. As long as the outcome is fabulous, everyone is happy.  As those of you who are familiar with pageants know, you may need any number of things when planning your outfit or accessories for a certain "look" for a pageant. I have made everything from crocheted accessories to a rocket girl outfit complete with wings, space helmet and light up shield etc.

 

These first two items below were made for one of the little girls to match her very beautiful outfit.

I love how the socks and necklace turned out.

 

Both could be worn year round. (Sorry! The necklace picture is a little hard to see when I tried

to enlarge it. Trust me, it is cute!)

 

And for the little sister, I want to show you this custom crocheted dress. This one was a bit time consuming but the result was splendid!  It really turned out cute as did the matching bow. Another designer made this little one a multi-layered skirt for underneath. The under-skirt was similar to a pettiskirt but not made exactly the same way.  This dress took a long while to make but it is so cute that I have a feeling, little sister just might win.

The bow shown below is simple and meant to look feminine and soft. Mama wanted a bow that looked feminine instead of one you might see coming before the child. At first, I wondered if her choice was the best one, but after seeing it all together, I am convinced Mama's bow choice was perfect.

 

You might be wondering about socks. Well, I really wanted to show those. Maybe when I finish them, I will come back and put a picture in here. I am doing the socks and they are almost finished. They are beautiful and will be, I believe, perfect with little sisters set. They are very feminine. The thing is, I wanted to go ahead and post here because a few of you (you know who you are) keep asking me to post a picture of the crocheted dress. I decided to go ahead and post the pictures so that you could see how pretty it turned out.

Thanks for allowing me to share with you today.

Hope to see you at my blog again soon.

Order your Sports Team Jersey Bottle Cozy in your favorite team colors today!

 

Most of us who cheer for and support sports
teams love spirit items in the colors of our favorite team.
I wanted to share some pictures of some jersey bottle cozies
that I have been making. These can be done in many color combinations
to match most any team you support.

 

They easily fit most 12 to 16 ounce water or soda bottles.
They also fit most beer bottles, slim neck wine bottles and most wine cooler
bottles. If you happen to like sports themed items to use in decorating, you will likely
love this cozy as it sits nicely on a shelf and also fits many dish washing liquid bottles.
It also looks great pinned to bulletin boards.
These jerseys have numbers on both front and back.

They can be ordered without numbers.
I can also put a letter on them if a custom order is placed.

Cheer teams love this cozy. This pretty little gal shows off her sports themed jersey bottle cozy and her trophy.

 

 

Great for gifts, decorating or team support.
If you are interested in ordering a Team Jersey bottle cozy you can click the link on the right
hand side of this blog. If, for some reason, the link doesn't work, you can click HERE to be taken directly to my Etsy store. You can contact me from that page.

**(If you are a customer who shares a photo of yourself with the item you purchased, as long as the content is proper, I will be happy to feature your photo here on my blog.)

Thanks for visiting today.

Let's Go To The Sea Shore with my featured guest designer from Etsy Kids Team!

 Let's Head to the Sea Shore!

Every now and then I feature the work of another outstanding designer on my blog. Today's feature is from Cranberry Ridge Design, a fellow designer from EtsyKids Team.  I fell in love with this set and I believe you will too. This set is so cute that it would make anyone want to visit the shore.

I just couldn't resist showing off this set made by Cranberry Ridge Design! My goodness, it almost has me wishing it came in adult size! The two piece set features an adorable top and Capri pants made of fine quality 100% Cotton fabric. The appliqued gold fish on the front of the top would likely bring a smile to the face of any onlooker. Just plain cute! The chevron designed trim shown on both the top and Capri's are carried over in the complimentary chevron trim of the hair bow.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, there is a matching chunky necklace and bracelet to accessorize this set! Cranberry Ridge Design has adorable items that offer fine workmanship in both design and construction. This two piece set is available in sizes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and can be purchased for only $49.50 (plus shipping)
*The fabric used for the goldfish may vary slightly, pending availability. Any fabric use will be complimentary and very similar to what is currently shown.
The necklace can be purchased for only $24.00.
The bracelet is available for $9.00.
The matching bow is $6.00.
You can visit the Etsy shop of Cranberry Ridge Design by clicking HERE!
I truly believe you will be glad you did.
Congratulations Cranberry Ridge Design on being my featured guest designer of the month.

 

You can find lots of talented designers and many lovely items by searching for listings on Etsy under

Etsykids Team or by clicking HERE!

 

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Glad you stopped by.

Helpful Household Hints: Easily clean your microwave, cut down on tarnish on your silver and more!

Helpful Hints: 
We are all looking for time or money saving tips these days. I thought it might be nice to add a few tips here for my readers. 

Cut down on tarnish on your good silver:

When preparing to set a pretty table, no one likes to find tarnish on their silver! Polishing silver for that special event is the last thing most of us want to do before setting a lovely table. Cut down on tarnish build up simply by storing a piece of chalk in the case with your silver. It helps cut down on moisture and in turn, tarnish. In actuality, you may go years without having to polish your silver.

Quickly and easily clean your microwave and refrigerator:

 I have always been obsessed with having a clean refrigerator and microwave. Just something I can't seem to help. I always cover food before heating but I can't say the same for my family. Sometimes children (or even my husband) "forget" to cover food while heating and it splatters all over the microwave. If you are like my kids, or if you have been a bit lax in cleaning your microwave, read on. I have a couple great tips for you.

Lemon and citrus is a great smell in the kitchen. Many people equate that smell with clean. I know I do. All you need for keeping your microwave clean is a lemon and some water. UNLESS YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO LEMONS, cut your lemon in half or squeeze the fresh juice into an UNCOVERED microwave safe bowl or container and mix with roughly 300ml (1 1/4 cups) of water. Place container in the microwave and heat (on high) to boiling. (Usually about 5 minutes) Let it sit in the microwave for about 10 minutes and then wipe clean. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave.

(BE CAREFUL! REMEMBER THIS IS BOILING WATER. WEAR OVEN MITS TO REMOVE HOT LIQUID.) Using a soft cloth, wipe the microwave out with amazing ease! You will likely want to remove the inner turn table for cleaning under it before you wipe the microwave.

Why Does this work?

The moisture from the heated water accumulates on the walls of the microwave and loosens food particles making it easy to wipe off. The lemon smell cuts the food odors in your microwave leaving it smelling nice and clean.

But you say you don't have any lemons?

Don't have lemons? Just put a bit of lemon juice in a bowl of water, heat and wipe as above.
Ok, I will admit, I don't always have sliced lemons to work with but when I do, I love using them to clean my microwave. Using the lemon juice in water is something I do daily to quickly wipe my microwave. It is so easy to keep a microwave nice and clean and really only takes a moment. After cleaning, I place a clean paper towel on the turntable to catch any spills that might find their way into my clean microwave. When spills occur, removing the paper towel is quick and easy. Keeping your microwave clean is so easy and takes only moments. While you are cleaning, take a moment to wipe the outside of the microwave with your regular kitchen cleaner. Viola'! Your microwave is sparkling clean.

**If I don't have any lemon juice, I have found that plain, white vinegar works as well. The smell is a bit strong at first but fades quickly.

**BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET EITHER LEMON OR VINEGAR IN YOUR EYE. IT WON'T FEEL GOOD!

Still in the mood for cleaning?

Use any left over lemon or vinegar water to wipe down your refrigerator to keep it gleaming too!

**My sister has a fancy microwave with a venting system so this tip doesn't work for her. She can heat the lemon or vinegar water "till the cows come home" and no moisture builds up on her microwave. Instead of heating water, she slices a lemon and dips it in salt to scrub the interior of her microwave out. Then, she wipes out the salt residue with a warm cloth. (Want to know a secret? I am glad the moisture does work in my microwave, but I do love her fancy microwave.)

How to store lemon zest

Do you run out of lemon zest when cooking? When cooking with lemons, grate the peeling to get zest. Put the grated zest into a freezer bag and store in your freezer. You will always have lemon zest on hand for those recipes that call for zest!

 

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Does Sunscreen Expire? What should I know about sunscreen?

With summer already upon us, many of us (to include myself) find ourselves asking questions about our Sunscreen. I think it goes something like this: we head to the bathroom to dig out the bottle of sunscreen that we haven't really used much of since last summer. After moving things around a bit, we spot the bottle we purchased sometime last summer after using up the one we found stashed in the cabinet at this time last year. We turn the bottle over looking to see if there is anything printed on the bottle regarding expiration date. Is it still good? How can I tell? What are the "rules" about sunscreen expiration. Use it or trash it? That is the question!

Next, I did what most of us do when we have no idea about such things. I headed to the web to see if I could find any reputable information. I found it alright! Enough, in fact, that it left my head swimming with data. Who knew there could be so much information published about sunscreen and yet....here I go adding to the pile. There are a few important things I learned that I thought were important enough to share with others.
It is my hope that sharing what I learned with you will help you avoid a sunburn while enjoying summer.

1. Does Sunscreen expire?

Answer: YES! Sunscreens are designed to remain at original strength for up to three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next. (Hooray, I can use the bottle I have left from last year!)

Tip: Some sunscreens have a printed expiration date on the bottle. (The expiration date is the date that indicates when a product is no longer effective.)
Make a habit of looking for the expiration date on any new bottle of sunscreen that you purchase. If no expiration date can be found, write the date purchased on the outside of the bottle for reference later.
(Remember, if you store remaining lotion until next year, you will likely be asking yourself this same question again.)

2. When should I discard sunscreen?

Answer: Discard sunscreen that is more than 3 years old, has been exposed to high temperatures or has obvious changes in color or consistency.


Let's be honest, if we are applying sunscreen as often as we should be, there probably shouldn't be any sunscreen that ever gets stored until the next summer. A bottle of sunscreen shouldn't last from one year to the next. We should be using it often, and not just in summer. Sunscreen should be used generously and frequently.

3. How much sunscreen should be applied at a time, generally speaking?

Answer: Generally, a liberal application is 1 ounce (30 milliliters) — the amount in a shot glass — to cover all exposed parts of the body. If you have a 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle, you'll use about one-fourth of it during one application.

To maximize protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply sunscreen generously 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply about every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating. Be sure to rub the sunscreen in well.

4. How often should I reapply sunscreen?
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours—sooner if you swim or exercise because water, sweat, and clothing can remove it from the skin. Don’t skimp! You should use at least an ounce with every application, so in a full day at the beach you’d go through half of an eight ounce bottle.


5. What does SPF mean? Does a higher SPF mean better sun protection?

 SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and refers to the theoretical amount of time you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned.
For example, an SPF of 15 would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection. So, if your skin starts to redden in 20 minutes without sun block, applying a product with SPF15 increases that time by a factor of 15, meaning you could stay in the sun for 300 minutes. In addition, a higher SPF blocks out more rays—a product with an SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 filters out about 97%.

***Important things to remember about sunscreen:

*Remember to apply sunscreen initially 30 minutes before going outside and then frequently there after!

 *Remember, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days!

*Remember to apply sunscreen while participating in sports activities.

*Sunscreen can be easily washed off by exposure to water or sweat, which can leave parts of your skin vulnerable to UV rays.  Applying your sun protection unevenly or not reapplying sunscreen often enough can also reduce its effectiveness. Finally, certain medications—such as antibiotics or products with retinol—can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight.

*Remember to apply sunscreen in during winter exposure.

*Special sunscreen products can be purchased for use on face and lips!

*Be extra careful in the sun if you have fair skin or if there is a history of skin cancer in your family. (This may mean that you could be at higher risk for skin cancer than others.)

**Certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight on your body.
(Medications like antibiotics or products with retinol might put you at risk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medications you take cause sun sensitivity.)

**SPF only applies to UVB rays.  There is no SPF equivalent for UVA.
You can look for additional ingredients in your sunscreen to protect you from UVA—such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—but there’s no standard measurement for how long these ingredients will keep you protected. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. Look for products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they protect against the full spectrum of UVA rays.

Good Ideas:

*Sun protective clothing
You might also consider purchasing special sun-protective clothing. A relatively new rating for sun protective textiles is UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
I was surprised to find all the readily available styles available in this line of clothing.

*Wear a hat to help protect your face from burn

*Try using laundry detergent with sun guard included.
Special laundry detergents such as Rit Sun guard (sunguardsunprotection.com) can increase the UPF of most clothing for about 20 washings. Keep in mind that no matter what you’re wearing, all fabrics block less UV light when they’re stretched or wet.

*What should I consider when choosing regular clothing from my closet if I don't have any UPF clothing?
Choose your clothes wisely before you go out in the sun. Dark clothing can block nearly all UV radiation and tightly woven fabrics are more protective than looser weaves. If you’re wondering how well your clothing will protect you, just hold it up to the sun. If you can see light passing through it, UV rays can get through, too.

*My last tip is to keep an eye on your skin: Look for new moles or changes in old moles and report any concerns to your health care provider.
Visit your dermatologist for a head to toe skin examination at least annually, even if you don't see any suspicious areas. If you see skin changes or suspicious areas, I encourage you to visit your health care provider immediately.

Have fun in the sun but be safe!

 

In the market for a snowsuit?

 

Both last year and this year, I have sold Rothschild premium snowsuits at a discounted price. This year, I sold them locally and also to some ski shops. I sold so many, in fact, that I had to restock and still ran out of most requested sizes. I am offering the last one in my store at a bargain. This set retails for $108 and you can get it now for a "Buy It Now" in my eBay store for $59.99
I do not intend to restock this year so this will be the last one I offer until I begin to sell for next season. The set in my store is brand new, with tags...in sealed bag. It is sized at girls 10/12 or medium. This set is adorable on.  It has many desired features. Great for skiing, winter play and gift giving too! Perfect for the ski bunny or last minute ski trip! Looks great in pictures. Even if you are looking for next year, this set would be a great value to put back. Buy it today for immediate shipment with cleared payment or make me an offer. You can click HERE to go to my store.You can see more details and pictures in my previous post. (Please note, all sizes have been sold except this last one in a girls 10/12) Even though this is not winter, I will leave this suit in my store for the time being. This would be an excellent time to buy ahead of time for winter.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.  

SALE! Girl's Rothschild Snowsuit 3 piece set, perfect for winter and skiing!

Listed today are BRAND NEW

Girls Rothschild 3 piece snowsuits.

(Jacket, pants and matching headband)

Perfect for winter and for skiing
*Don't wait! these sets are selling quickly!

GIRLS 3piece ROTHSCHILD SNOWSUIT

Sizes: 4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/16

Snow / SKI outfit

over $108 Retail value... NEW

On Sale at 40% off!

You can get this set right now in my eBay shop

GREAT SAVINGS!

*Perfect for Gift Giving

 

NWT Girl's 3-piece Snowsuit by Rothschild, a well known company that is fully committed to high quality products, technical innovation, updated styling in kids outerwear and their comfortable, excellent fit. These snowsuits offered here today are among Rothschild's best sets and offer many updated  & desired features that are sought after in a top quality snowsuits. These adorable snowsuits would be suitable for gift giving. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your Princess, or if you are looking for the perfect suit for outdoor snow play, skiing or just keeping warm, you've found the perfect suit. You can't go wrong with this item. Snap one up today...while they last!

These pretty snowsuits are:
BRAND NEW WITH TAGS!!!

Maker: Rothschild 3 Piece Snow Suit
First Quality: Retails for over $108
Size: Girls 4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/16 
 Color: Mint green with lavender and white trim
3 piece set includes:
(1) Winter Parka / Jacket, (1) pair ski / snow pants, (1) matching fleece headband.

This adorable set has so many wonderful features making it a real find.

The color of the set offered is a soft mint green trimmed with lavender and white.

The pictures below highlight only a few of the outstanding featured of this suit.

The set features a matching fleece headband too! So pretty!

If you are in the market for a snow suit in this size, you can find these suits in my eBay store or you can message me directly to get one. I am selling these sets locally too, so message me to get one while they last. This would make a great Christmas gift.

You can click HERE to go directly to my listing or you can go to the right hand column of this blog and click the eBay store listing.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.