According to an article in the New York Times, scientists have discovered a toxic yet invisible residue left behind after someone smokes. Unlike the second-hand smoke that someone can blow out a window or fan out of a room, these dangerous particles get stuck to surfaces like rugs, clothing and the fabric on a couch.

Also unlike second-hand smoke, which people can obviously see, people do not realize that these particles exist, which makes them even more dangerous. The article explains that the smell on someone’s clothes or in a room after someone smokes is a sign that the toxic chemicals are still present. So, just because the smoke has cleared from a room or car doesn’t mean that the air is clean and safe.

“There are carcinogens in this third-hand smoke, and they are a cancer risk for anybody of any age who comes into contact with them.”

This is something to think about if you are a smoker or know someone who is. This may also be a sign that banning smoking in restaurants and bars isn’t enough; soon they may make you change your clothes when you get back from having that much needed cigarette.

Heat = sweat

Sweat = pimples

As someone who enjoys the outdoors, runs almost daily and has a tendency to break a sweat during even the smallest tasks (like walking to my car!), I have come up with some easy ways to maintain a blemish free face for the warm months.

Less is more. Whether you’re going to work, to a picnic or to a bar, summer days and nights can become excruciatingly hot and humid. One of the best ways to keep your skin clear is to wear less foundation (no cake make-up, ladies) while you’re out and about. Since most individuals have a natural glow in the summer, due to the heat, the use of lots of foundation blocks air from getting to your pores. This prevents your pores from breathing properly, thus creating bacteria build-up that can turn into pimples. If you cannot bear to go without some face make-up, use a tinted moisturizer, light powder or bronzer to give yourself a base.

Wash carefully. Despite what makeup you do use – a little or a lot – you must practice a routine of twice a day (morning and night) face washing. Something mild, like a Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser, will be easier on your humid skin than something stronger, like a Noxzema or Clearasil.

Drink. Drink. Drink. When you sweat, your body is releasing liquids, thus causing you to become more dehydrated. Make sure you drink lots of water to hydrate not only your body, but your skin as well. Drinking roughly two liters a day is enough water to balance your body and its sweat glands.

Wash that sweat off. After you exercise, make sure you take a shower as soon as possible to wash off the sweat, dirt and any other ickiness. Not showering after a workout causes the sweat to dry and go back into your pores, causing the inevitable bacteria build up. Showering soon after working out (or any physical activity…hem hem) can limit the amount of potential pimples that can show up. Note: If you can’t shower, bring a wash cloth with you to dab your sweat off. It helps kill that on-the-surface sweat and bacteria in the meantime.

Eat right. You may be saying, ‘’How does food have anything to do with pimples?” Well, my trusted CC-ers, eating more fruits and vegetables can strengthen your skin.

Leave your Do’ Alone. Use less hair gel and hair spray. The oils in your hair products can run down onto your forehead and face when you sweat, causing the chemicals to get into your skin and produce pimples.

So ladies, next time you’re laying on the beach or going for a job, keep these tips (and a bottle of water!) with you, so you can have clear, flawless skin for the hot summer days.

[Photo courtesy of www.teamsugar.com]

You know what else is a rite of passage while young? Wanting to be beautiful.

We don’t want to be beautiful in the way we wanted to in middle school. For example, I no longer believe that I will transform into Angelina Jolie one day. However, as you become older and more embracing of your natural features, you also become more interested in how exactly to highlight them and make what you were given work for you.

So lets talk skin. We all want clear and firm skin. Many of us already know that the answer to this is a regular face mask. However, did you know that you can make your own face masks with ingredients straight out of your kitchen?

That’s right. No wasting time at the drug store trying to figure out exactly what sort of classification of screwed up skin you have. And no wasting money on a mask you could make in a matter of minutes from crap you already have. On top of all of that…in my experience…I have found that these homemade masks actually work better than the ones I buy from the store. Go figure.

So here are some ideas for you:

AVOCADO MASK. I’m not gonna lie. I eat avocados a lot. A nd sometimes, actually, most of the time, some of the avocado gets on my fingers and I can’t help but notice how thick and sticky it is. (No, I’m not trying to make this sexual. They’re just literally thick and sticky.) So immediately, I think that this could possibly do wonders for my face. (Again, not trying to be sexual.) And it turns out that it does. All you need to do is mash up about half of an avocado, spread it evenly on your face, and leave it on for about 20 minutes.

BANANA/OATMEAL MASK. We’ve all heard of oatmeal masks, but adding the banana to this really helps with result…and SMELL. Mash one banana with 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes.

CUCUMBER/YOGURT MASK. All you need for this one is 1/2 of a cucumber and 1 tablespoon of any kind of yogurt. Mix them together in a blender and apply this to your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.

You may not trust the basic and simple nature of these masks at first, but do yourself a favor and try them out before you bathe your face in chemicals.

Because honestly, the last thing our beautiful, young skin needs is chemicals. Not matter what the skin care industry tells us.

My mom always told me anything that doesn’t go bad after three weeks is made out of stuff you shouldn’t put in your body anyway.

For the most part, I listened to her. But every once in a while…slipping a few coins in a tiny slot and watching that King-Sized Snickers plummet towards your waiting hands is truly the only thing that can get you through a day.

And then of course, the diet industry went and ruined everything.

Kraft Foods, the makers of that oh-so-natural bright orange cheese, have begun to test out vending machines that are stocked with only South Beach Diet approved options. Yes. South Beach Diet.

As in…lame alternatives for bread, sugar, and whole grains.

According to reports, some of the options included in the new machines are, “planters nuts, Breakstone’s low-fat cottage cheese, Crystal Light drinks, Jell-O sugar-free gelatin snacks, Nabisco Wheat Thins and the new South Beach Diet lunch wraps.”

Low fat cottage cheese? Wheat Thins? Why not just eat some paper and chase it down with stale rainwater?

And what’s with a “lunch wrap” sitting inside a box for weeks on end? How is that healthy? Or even remotely natural?

I guess the ingredients, which include words like “aspartame” (the sugar substitute that is proven to cause cancer), “alpha amylase” (??), and “sodium metabisulfite” (?!?), say it all:

If you’re gonna stuff your body with chemicals, at least make sure those chemicals are tasty.

Now give me back my Twinkies!

And, yeah, that’s scary and all, but for one reason or another, everything I read about it really lacked the real-life scariness needed to really light a fire under my ass.

Until I read this.

We are all aware that lipstick goes on our lips, right? Which are fractions of inches from our mouths? Which can easily absorb whatever comes near it just as easily (and much more understandably) as our skin can?

Do we all live in a third world country? Why are companies like L’Oreal and Dior (Dior for God’s sakes!) letting us ingest lethal chemicals?

Personally, I think lipstick feels obnoxiously fake and heavy on my lips (Ha! I wonder why…) and so, I’ve never been a fan but almost every other woman in the world most certainly is.

Never fear, lipstick-wearing readers, there is a solution! At risk of sounding like a hippie, you owe it to yourself to try organic lipsticks! People are always going on and on about organic food…it makes sense to try natural makeup too!

Want to give it a shot? Try Hemp Organics, Green People, or Dr. Hauschka.

In the meantime, someone better call Tyra and let her know that all of that Cover Girl crap she’s peddling in the form of a televised modeling competition is probably going to give us all cancer.

• Did you know that our makeup is causing us to absorb over 5 pounds of chemicals a year? I’m going to go wash my face… (UK Dailymail)

• Some good news for a Friday afternoon! The trapped miners in South Africa have been rescued. All 3,200 of them, thank God. (Associated Press)

• A remix of sorts when it comes to those daily inappropriate teacher/student stories: Advice for young high school teachers. (valleyjew.blogspot.com)

• Drop that Diet Coke…it’ll give you cancer. For real, this time! (dmiessler.com)

• Most important First Aid myth you really should know about: Peeing on wounds DOESN’T HELP. (ririanproject.com)

Jumping on the organic bandwagon a little late, I just discovered Kaia House, the foremost source for organic skin and beauty care. Kaia House focuses on banishing the use over of harmful petrochemicals, parabens and other skin offenders, and offers 20 lines of premium organic and natural products including celeb-trendy Osea, Perfect Organics, Red Flower, and Biotique.

But when it comes to beauty products, is going out of your way to buy organic really worth it? Absolutely, according to Kaia House. And after reading their extensive list of un-safe (and common) chemicals that should be avoided when purchasing beauty products, I think I’m a convert.

Read up on the dangers lurking in your makeup bag and then head to KaiaHouse.com for a more comprehensive list. Your skin will thank you!

In your facial cleanser: Petrochemicals

Check the ingredients for: Comidopropyl Betaine, Coco Betaine, PVP/VA Copolymer, and Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

Possible effects: eye impairment, intestinal damage, kidney and liver problems, breathing problems, cysts, skin spots, rashes and hair loss.

In your face cream: Polyethylene Glycol

Check the ingredients for: PEG-8, PEG-80 Glyceryl, Cocoate, Peroleate and PEG 15 Soyamide/IPDI Copolymer.

Possible effects: increased likelihood of leukemia, uterine, breast, and brain cancer.

In your hair spray: Phthalates

Check the ingredients for: Dimethylphthalate, Diethylphthalate, and Dibutylphthalate

Possible effects: premature sexual development in girls and increased child asthma rates. Phthalates have been linked to breast cancer since 1997.

In your foundation: Butylated Hydroxyanisole

Check the ingredients for: Butylated Hydroxyanisole and preservatives.

Possible effects: Used as an anti-oxidant preservative, Butylated Hydroxyanisole has been known to cause breast cancer tumors to multiply.