Winter is just around the corner, and the one thing I hear most when someone comes in is..."my skin is so dry". Most people don't realize that winter is just as harsh on skin as summer, and yet we lay off the protection that we vigilantly apply during the hotter months.

During the blistery, cold winter months, we protect ourselves by layering on hats, gloves and sweaters but aside from efforts to keep warm there are even greater health threats posed to the skin. Lack of moisture in the skin during the winter season causes cracking, chapping and irritation. The sun can also be just as damaging to the skin in the winter as it is during the summer. People don’t realize the health threats associated with the glaring sun and bitter cold temperatures of the winter season. At times, the wind and sun combination is so harmful that it can cause serious burns and skin conditions such as eczema.

Healthy skin takes year round maintenance, so here are some do's and don’ts as we enter the chilling winter months:

Do's:

• Moisturize: Moisturizer helps protects against the harsh elements. It’s best to apply moisturizer directly after a bath or shower to help seal in and replenish the skin with the necessary water and oils.
• Pamper Your Hands: Wearing gloves are a simple, easy way to help protect hands from the cold temperatures and dry air that triggers eczema. Nails can also become brittle; gloves can also help eliminate cracked and splitting cuticles and nails.
• Come see us at Indira Skin Care & Body Waxing, if you develop dry and itchy skin, don’t let the skin condition get worse. We have many treatments that can fight off the winter dryness and homecare products that will help it stay healthy and hydrated.

Don'ts:

• Don’t Forget the Sunscreen: Since the snow reflects sunlight, the ultraviolet rays of the sun during the winter are still strong. Participating in winter recreational activities without applying sunscreen may result in severe burns.
• Don’t forget about the lips: One recent study shows that only six percent of Americans are aware that ultraviolet rays can cause lip cancer. The study also revealed that men in North America have a five to 10 times greater incidence of lip cancer than women. So, during the winter months men and women alike should apply lipblocks or lipsticks that contain a high SPF.
• Don’t Take Long Hot Showers: While everyone enjoys basking a long hot shower, the hot water can strip the skin of its natural elements contributing to dry skin. Instead, use lukewarm water for a shorter period of time, and your skin will benefit in the long run.

Follow these simple yet important rules and your skin will have a long, happy, hydrated winter!

October is here, and it's bearing gifts! Longer nights, falling leaves, cooler weather, butterflies flying south and... finally the option to send chocolate in the mail.

Our little town of Ashland, Oregon is home to some of the finest traditional chocolates ... but did you know it is also home to the best raw chocolate? Zorba's Chocolates are raw, dark and nutritious (true story!). Did you know raw chocolate contains 367% more antioxidants than even the very best cooked dark chocolate?

Todd Bjornson, Zorba's chocolatier, honors the cacoa bean by keeping it as close to 'fresh off the tree" as possible. All preparations, from fermentation to finished chocolate, are kept under 118 degrees. Crafted in small batches, using the finest organic, local and raw ingredients, a few of Todd's creations include dark chocolate superfood truffles in amazing flavors -- like cayenne coconut, espresso (my favorite!) and a vanilla/sea salt, or buy a sampler!

Divine!

Chocolate makes the perfect gift, but it's not always easy to send. With melting points close to body temperatures, even warm (ish) fall temperatures are dangerous for your chocolate. With cooler Autumn temps on their way, it's safe again! Check out Todd's delicious creations and send a few to your favorite friend, family member, or colleague.

The new bookclub for teens in Ashland just announced their October Book. Join LadyJane and local author Christy Raedeke while they adventure their way through Christy's book Prophecy of Days & the Serpent's Coil.
Treehouse Books will be host to the secret bookclub beginning October 14th at 7pm

Secret bookclub readers will journey around the world on a treasure hunt for clues to a Mayan mystery. More than 2,000 years ago the Mayan people were building immense cities and practicing advanced math and astronomy. After their great culture disappeared, one cryptic legacy was left: a set of 20 prophetic calendars. The most important of these, the "long count" calendar ends mysteriously on December 21, 2012. What is meant to happen between now and December 21, 2012? This is where Christy's mysterious thriller picks up.

Dates: Fridays, Oct. 14th, 21st & 28th
7:00pm to 8:30pm

Pre-registration is helpful so they can prepare enough materials for each reader. Email LadyJane at treehouse@ashlandhome.net to sign up, or stop by the store.

Relaxing, thoughtful and sophisticated fitness center - sound like a dichotomy? Hidden Springs Wellness Center is all of that and much more. From the moment you walk through the garden you'll begin to understand what it means to feel your vitality, health and confidence grow.

Hidden Springs is a collaboration of ten wellness practitioners, working as a community health center with the intention of becoming your trusted health advisors. Health advisors -- I love that! This isn't your normal fitness center - a monthly fitness center membership includes far-infrared sauna, cold plunge, whole body vibration exercisers, discounted yoga classes, periodic discounts to practitioner services, pilates machine and enriched oxygen.

To celebrate the arrival of John Hacker, the new Fitness Center Director, Hidden Springs Wellness Center is offering a 3 month special. For $135 you get 24/7 access to the best kept fitness secret in the Rogue Valley! This includes a FREE personal training session with John ($45 value), and they will waive the initiation fee! So for about a buck a day you can make one of the best mind, body, spirit investments on the planet!

Contact Hidden Springs for more information, or sign up here!

Challenge: 2 kids, 2 outfits, $30. Go!

Oh, wait! First, erase that picture in your mind of the Goodwill stores you used to know, complete with dingy floors, piles of clothes in an unorganized, dusty smelling store. The Goodwill stores of Southern Oregon are well lit, clean and bustling with people searching for treasure.

My friend Julie, the new PR/Marketing Director for Southern Oregon Goodwill, recently called me with a challenge: Find 2 complete outfits for my picky pre-teen/teen daughters. My first thought - this is going to be a cinch... but she mentioned complete outfits a few times... she wanted them to find top to bottom outfits with accessories. Without our help... oh boy...

Southern Oregon has 11 stores, most with a unique angle- like the Medford Sequel store, set up like an upscale boutique, carrying all name brands and seriously shabby chic furniture. This is the store we used for our challenge.

Here's what we found:

13 year old outfit: jeans, khaki gap skirt, orange striped tee, Guess denim jacket, sunflower jacket pin, sunglasses, headband, sling style purse = $16

10 year old outfit: Old Navy flower print skirt, graphic tee, Guess denim jacket, sunglasses, leather paten purse = $14

Tips for shopping Southern Oregon Goodwill Stores:

1. Go with a plan! The stores are full and can be overwhelming. Go with an idea of what you are looking for.
2. Look for quality brands. They wear better and last longer. Don't know your brands? Bring your smart phone and look them up!
3. Try things on. Each store has private fitting rooms, use them - exchanges and returns get tricky.
4. Go often! A stores’ inventory changes constantly, you might strike gold one week, and come up with nothing the next.
5. Leave your debit card at home. When you're armed with cash, you'll be more selective with your purchases.
6. Shop on Tuesday. You’ll find the best selection mid-week, when all of the freshly donated merchandise from the weekend before is hitting the floor
7. Have fun! There is no shame in thrift shopping -- Shopping at Goodwill is not only good for your budget but it supports local Goodwill programs. Your donations and shopping dollars funds their local programs. 85 cents out of every dollar of revenue goes to fund local programs!

Did you know that the Southern Oregon Goodwill provided employment and training services to more than 1,400 people last year? Goodwill is the leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for people with disadvantages and for people with disabilities.