Tag: summer

Style

Sunscreen Knowledge

Lora Knows...

Sunburns and Summer seem to go hand in hand. No one wants to spend these beautiful sun filled days indoors, so it is important to use sunscreen. Using sunscreen is essential to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Here is some helpful sun protection tips from the American Academy of Dermatology and visit aad.org.

Who should wear sunscreen?

  • Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer by protecting you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
  • According to statistics, an estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime.
  • Everyone—regardless of age, gender, or race

What type of sunscreen is most beneficial?

  • Broad spectrum (which protects against both UVA and UVB rays)
  • SPF 30 or higher
  • Water resistant

When should sunscreen be applied?

  • Every day—UV rays are present throughout the year, even on cloudy days.
  • Be extra cautious around sand, snow, and water, which reflect the sun’s rays and increase the need for sunscreen.

How much sunscreen is necessary?

  • 1 ounce is the amount that is needed to cover exposed areas.
  • If using spray sunscreen, apply evenly. Be careful to avoid inhalation: don’t spray near your face and mouth, and be mindful of the direction of the wind if applying outdoors.

How often should sunscreen be applied?

  • Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes prior to going outside.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or sooner if in water or sweating.

Cooking, Entertainment, Holidays

How to Host a Memorial Day Party

Lora Knows...

One of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate Memorial Day is to throw an outdoor party for friends and family. Here are some fun party ideas!

Decorations

Memorial Day is a time to celebrate freedom, so go red, white and blue. Everything from flags, banners, balloons, flower arrangements, all the way down to plates, plastic wear, napkins and cups. If you’re feeling creative, you could spray-paint stars on the grass in your yard (just use a light touch to avoid killing the grass), tie-dye cloth napkins red, white, and blue, or make festive paper medallions to hang from tree branches or use as centerpieces for your tables.

Keep It Bug Free

Unfortunately, not all your party guests will be welcome ones. Luckily, there are several effective tactics to keep those pesky bugs away. Cover dishes with netted food tents, and give guests pretty cupcake liners to place over their cups when they’re not sipping their drinks. You can also put a few fans out to literally blow bugs away.

Fire Up The Grill

Hamburgers and hot dogs are classic fare. Be ready to grill up lots of these during the party. Have all the yummy condiments like ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, pickles, pickled onions, kimchi, and even grilled pineapple. For guests who prefer a meat free menu, you can also grill eggplant, portabella mushrooms, or veggie dogs and burgers.

Mix It Up

Cool beverages will be a must to pair with food, especially if it’s warm outside. Play up the red, white, and blue theme by serving glasses of patriotic-hued ice-cream soda or lemonade loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries. For a vintage American feel, serve your drinks in Mason jars filled with ice to keep them cool all day long.

Festive Desserts

Blueberries, strawberries, and fresh cream can be combined to make all sorts of delicious treats in colorful renditions of the stars and stripes. For instance, topping cakes with these berries and cream is a simple way to make them patriotic. Other ways to inject American spirit into your desserts include creating red, white, and blue mini cupcakes, baking a berry American flag pie, or dipping pretzels into melted candy melts for colorful

Seating For All

If you’re hosting a bigger bash, you might find it tricky to provide enough chairs for everyone. You could always ask your guests to bring their own seating or rent some folding chairs, or you could embrace the outdoor setting by spreading out a few picnic blankets—the kids might love sitting on them.

Light It Up

To continue the fun after dark, hang string lights in the backyard and scatter lanterns filled with or battery-operated ones. While you’re at it, you could also light your firepit, if you have one, for extra ambience and roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.