Patients in my dermatology clinic frequently ask me about how their diet is affecting their skin. I love these questions, because I have an opportunity to use my background in nutrition to guide patients toward a more skin-healthy diet. Unfortunately, there are not evidence-based recommendations I can offer regarding supplements and vitamins because high-quality, non-industry studies are lacking. However, I can share some emerging theories on inflammation and the skin that encourage a diet … [Read more...] about How Diet Affects Your Skin
Columnists
Preparedness is Key to Surviving an El Niño Winter
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Benjamin Franklin – and looking at our weather forecasts, this seems good advice for the winter. It is probably always good advice for winter, but this year, the National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a wetter than normal winter season for Northern Arizona because of a strong El Niño weather pattern. This means winter preparedness is more important than in recent years for Coconino County residents. There are several things you … [Read more...] about Preparedness is Key to Surviving an El Niño Winter
Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One
The holidays are here and although they can be a time of joy, they also can be a time of sorrow, remembering those who are no longer with us. Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deep and difficult challenge at any time. But the holiday season can magnify the loss and mourning. Many face the holidays with dread and their joy is overshadowed by sorrow and loss. Family gatherings and seasonal events can be painful reminders of the absence of a loved one. At the same time, they can also be … [Read more...] about Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One
How Congressional Inaction Affects Tax Planning
Every year the scenario is the same – taxpayers, as individuals or in pairs, will gather their tax information and prepare their taxes for the prior year. They may prepare the taxes themselves or they may hire a professional to prepare them. Either way, tax returns are required. The well-prepared taxpayers will have all the necessary documents in one place already. The REALLY well-prepared taxpayers will have done some tax planning. Tax planning consists of taking advantage of your individual … [Read more...] about How Congressional Inaction Affects Tax Planning
How to Get the Good Night’s Sleep You Deserve
After a long day of work, running around with the kids or running errands, getting a good night’s sleep should be top of mind. Unfortunately, for the roughly 60 million Americans who experience insomnia, this is not the case. Those who experience insomnia have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Insomnia can be caused by a number of things such as stress, a change in one’s schedule, anxiety or even a result of certain kinds of medications. In some cases, insomnia can be hereditary. Put a … [Read more...] about How to Get the Good Night’s Sleep You Deserve
NALA Encouraging Leadership on Environmental Issues
Those of us living in Northern Arizona are acutely aware of our environment. We live here in part because of our desire to be in close proximity to the natural wonders surrounding us. We also know that healthy snowfall brings visitors to our city and replenishes water supplies. Dark Sky initiatives further allow us to differentiate ourselves as an environmentally aware community. Recently, there has been a spate of conversations and meetings regarding the Four Forest Restoration Initiative … [Read more...] about NALA Encouraging Leadership on Environmental Issues
Do HOA Managers Have to Hold a Real Estate License?
Interesting enough, HOA managers do not have to be licensed by any entity. What does this mean for the consumer? (Concerning HOA management, a “consumer” would be any member of an association or a board member.) When managers are not licensed, consumers are not able to file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) and the ADRE cannot investigate any conduct or claim against a HOA manager or that of a management company. ADRE does not have the authority to investigate the … [Read more...] about Do HOA Managers Have to Hold a Real Estate License?
Getting the Most Out of Estate Sales
When a family member passes away or transfers to a nursing home, loved ones are often faced with the task of deciding what to do with what’s left behind. While family heirlooms and beloved possessions may be spread among relatives, plenty of nice things (and many not-so-nice things) will need to be sold or donated. Whether it’s a collection of rare musical instruments, a couch with plenty of life left, or a pile of old records, the challenge is to figure out what’s worth selling — and how. It’s … [Read more...] about Getting the Most Out of Estate Sales
It is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
National Lung Cancer Awareness month is November, and it’s also the perfect time to see how far we’ve come in the fight against the number one cancer killer of men and women. The good news is that according to American Cancer Society (ACS) data, more than 430,000 people alive today have been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point, and National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports show that lung cancer rates overall are down nationally and in Arizona. NCI trends show that the overall mortality … [Read more...] about It is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Investing in Flagstaff Real Estate
We live in one of the best towns in America. Outdoor Magazine recently named our town Number 7 on their annual Best Places to Live list. Yahoo Finance named Flagstaff as one of the Happiest Cities in America. Countless sources have recognized Flagstaff as a highly desirable place to live. For those of us who call Flagstaff home, none of that is surprising. Being such a desirable place to live also makes Flagstaff an ideal place for owning real estate investment property. Top employers include … [Read more...] about Investing in Flagstaff Real Estate