What Will a Pandemic Halloween Look Like?

What Will a Pandemic Halloween Look Like?

California Issues Some Recommendations

California released its Halloween health and safety guidelines Tuesday as neighborhoods throughout the country re-imagine the fall holiday.

California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the state’s recommendations at a midday news conference. The complete guide outlining safe activities and those with higher levels of risk can be found at: Holidays and COVID-19.gov.

Many longtime annual events have already been canceled. Others have moved online or been downsized to avoid large groups of people.
The recommendations come just days after California released rules allowing social gatherings, its first such guidance since the pandemic began. Those recommendations allow up to three households to get together outdoors.

“Many traditional Halloween celebrations – such as parties and in-person, door to door trick-or-treating – pose a high risk of spreading COVID-19 and could put your family and loved ones at risk,” state health officials said. “These activities involve face-to-face interactions with people from different households, and if an infection is detected among a participant, it will be very difficult to find and notify those who may have been exposed.”

Health officials said residents should follow their county and local health department guidelines.

Lower-risk activities in the guidelines include:

  • Joining online parties, like costume contests.
  • Drive-through Halloween displays or drive-in movies
  • Scary movies at home, candy scavenger hunts.
  • Wear your costumes on a neighborhood walk.

In mid-March, California became the first state in the nation to outline sweeping statewide health safety protocols to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

“As we approach so many traditional days and activities, we expect people asking the question, ‘How do we in a lower-risk way come together with people maybe that we haven’t seen in a long time?'” Ghaly said Monday. “And the purpose of the small gatherings guidance that is now posted on the California Department of Public Health website is really to not say it’s a good idea, or appropriate to gather with three families. But really to say, more than three households, you really are increasing your risk.”

In Los Angeles County, health officials walked back guidelines that initially restricted trick-or-treating, haunted houses and other traditions. Updated guidance stops short of prohibiting door-to-door trick-or-treating, instead recommending that families avoid it.

Trunk-treating, distributing candy from car to car in a parking lot, also is not recommended.

Car parades, drive-through haunted houses and movie nights at drive-in events are ok, if they meet health and safety protocols. Parades, carnivals, indoor haunted houses and concerts are not permitted in Los Angeles County.

Annual events like Knott’s Scary Farm, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash and the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor have already been canceled. You can find a list of Halloween and fall events that are still on by clicking here.

Los Angeles County remains in the state’s highest tier for virus danger.
Across the U.S., Halloween night plans are a mixed bag.

Candy-getting scenarios are afloat on social media, with some planning treat tosses to stationary children in their yards so the young don’t have to leave their pandemic bubbles. Others are considering long sticks with hooks for candy buckets at the end, offering social distance at collection time, or long chutes to send the candy through to dressed-up recipients.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines. The guidelines include a list ranking the relative risk level of certain traditions, like trick-or-treating and pumpkin-carving.

Pandemic changes even extend to stores that sell candy. CVS Pharmacy said it has scaled back the number of large and giant bags of candy its stores will receive in favor of smaller bags for smaller outings and family gatherings.

Walmart is bringing in more masks that can pull double duty as costume accessories, such as versions that feature the words “princess” or “queen.”

Walgreens has increased its assortments of indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations, and it stepped up offerings of beverage and snack options for entertaining at home.


Contributor: NBC Los Angeles

12 Tips for a Healthy Fall

12 Tips for a Healthy Fall

As the days get shorter and cooler and the leaves change color, use these 12 healthy strategies to help prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Get Your Screenings
Visit your doctor regularly for preventive services like cancer and diabetes screenings.

Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds.

Wear A Cloth Face Covering
Use masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Get Your Flu Shot
An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu, especially for cancer survivors.

Practice Social Distancing
Stay at least 6 feet from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Brush Your Teeth
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Sleep
Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

Rethink Your Drink
Substitute water for sugary or alcoholic drinks to reduce calories and stay safe.

Be Sun Safe
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses and use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Move More, Sit Less
Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.

Eat Healthy
Delicious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products make health meals.

Don’t Use Tobacco
You can quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free support.


Contributor: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

11 Ways to Use Castor Oil for Better Skin and Hair

11 Ways to Use Castor Oil for Better Skin and Hair

“Oils, including olive, castor and coconut, are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This means that they not only moisturize, hydrate and replenish, but in terms of your skin, they will also offer anti-aging properties. From avocado to sweet almond, each oil offers their own unique benefits — but today, let’s focus on castor oil.”

Although conventional hair products offer scents that are “fresh” and floral, don’t let flashy packaging fool you. There are most certainly some great all-natural skin and hair products on the market, so do not discount all brands. However, when purchasing all-natural products, they can be rather costly.

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the conventional products which fill our drugstores and department store shelves. They are often packed with ingredients that may be doing more harm than good. The sad truth is, a large variety of beauty products contain a long list of toxic additives, including known human carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. There has to be a better way, right?

Why you should make the switch to natural ingredients
Before we jump into the benefits of castor oil — a substance obtained from castor beans — it’s important to stress the fact that natural ingredients truly are superior. As stated by David Suzuki, researchers have reported that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are “industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins and hormone disrupters. These products also include plasticizers, greasers and surfactants.”

As you can imagine, these not only harm the environment but your own personal health as well. Instead of exposing yourself to these synthetic ingredients, look to nature instead. There are so many oils and butters that are beneficial for both your skin and hair, especially when applied in their raw or natural state.

Oils, including olive, castor and coconut, are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This means that they not only moisturize, hydrate and replenish, but in terms of your skin, they will also offer anti-aging properties. From avocado to sweet almond, each oil offers their own unique benefits — but today, let’s focus on castor oil.

Although fairly common, castor oil is not generally as well-known as say olive oil. High in vitamin E, minerals, proteins and even beneficial fatty acids, castor oil is great for both your skin and hair. If you have a bottle lying around your home, it’s time to put it to good use — here’s how.

1. Enhance the natural look of your hair
Castor oil can enhance the look and feel of your hair, making it look both thicker and richer. Locking in moisture, this oil is what’s known as a humectant, making each strand of hair look that much healthier. After you shower and towel dry your hair, apply a small amount of slightly warmed castor oil, working it into the strands of your hair.

2. Cleanse your skin
Whether you’d like to wash off makeup or benefit from a deep clean, castor oil can help cleanse your pores. In order to benefit from an effective deep cleanse, mix a small amount of castor oil with jojoba oil (1:1 ratio). Massage these oils into your face gently, covering the entire surface of your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with a warm cloth. This steaming process will help remove excess oil, dirt and other pore-clogging material.

3. Target fungal skin conditions
Whether you’re suffering from athlete’s foot or ringworm, castor oil is rich in a biochemical known as undecylenic acid — which helps target fungal growth. It’s recommended that you mix castor or with coconut oil, applying it too problematic areas repeatedly until cured.

4. Reduce the appearance of stretch marks
There are a number of reasons why one may suffer from stretch marks, including the effects of puberty and pregnancy. Castor oil is high in what’s known as ricin oleic acid, a fatty acid that helps target the appearance of stretch marks. Massage castor oil into the desired area and wrap with a cotton cloth, allowing the oil to penetrate the skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat on a regular basis for three to four weeks.

5. Fade scars
If you have scars from when you had chickenpox or acne, castor oil can help you reduce their appearance. Due to its high fatty acid content, castor oil will penetrate through the epidermal layer, helping to heal the scar tissue by promoting new skin cell growth. Apply before bed, massaging the oil deep into the skin. Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off the next morning.

6. Treat acne
Speaking of scars from acne, why not treat acne before it has a chance to scar your skin? Once again, the fatty acid known as ricin oleic acid helps fight acne-causing bacteria. This is especially effective for cystic acne, which is generally more severe. Wash your face, then apply a few drops of castor oil, rubbing it into the affected area. Wash an hour later, or leave on overnight before rinsing.

7. Use as all-natural massage oil
Although you can treat many surface conditions with castor oil, the benefits are more than skin deep. When using as a massage oil, you can help enhance circulation and target sore, achy muscles and joints. Your scalp is also a great area to massage, helping target problematic dandruff. Just remember, this oil can stain your clothes. Wear old clothing after applying it to your body.

8. Balance scalp pH
Ricin oleic acid has been found to potentially help balance scalp pH, replenishing natural oils and promoting positive hair health. In turn, this can help undo some of the damage that has been caused by harsh hair products. When the pH of your scalp is either too alkaline or too acidic, this can lead to bacterial or fungal issues, an itching scalp and dandruff.

9. Supports hair growth
There have been many cases where individuals swear by castor oil for hair growth, helping to enhance the growth rate. When applied to the scalp, this oil penetrates deep into the pores of your hair follicles, providing nourishment. Work around three tablespoons of castor oil into your scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it out with an all-natural shampoo.

10. Soothe bug bites and stings
When you want to soothe an insect bite or sting, castor oil can help reduce itching and encourage more rapid healing. Offering both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, castor oil will help soothe and heal when applied to itchy bites. Simply apply a small amount to the affected area and repeat throughout the day.

11. Combat lines and wrinkles
The fatty acids found in castor oil will penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the production of elastin and collagen. It will also target dark bags and the appearance of crow’s feet. Since the skin around your eyes is so delicate, it’s more prone to damage. To apply, make sure you cleanse your skin, applying a small amount of castor oil around the edges of your eyes and forehead.

Castor oil is not only effective, it’s cost-effective. It helps you benefit from a wide range of uses with just one bottle. Whether you want to brighten the look of your hair or combat eczema, every home should have a bottle of castor oil in the medicine cabinet. It’s time to re-think not only what you put in your body, but what you put on your body as well.


Contributor: Krista Hillis, TheAlternativeDaily.com

Utah2020

Claremont Colonic Center

Elle Sez -Walking the Walk Series: Utah 2020

My birthday gift from Ray this year was a trip to Arches National Park.
That included staying in Moab, a cute little tourist town, visiting Canyonlands National Park, doing some horseback riding and white-water rafting.
Please enjoy our slideshow and remember to keep “Walking the Walk!”
We had a great time and learned a new travel trick to keep from getting so tired while driving: We took the total number of miles, 689, and divided it by four legs which equals 172 miles in each leg. We set the odometer for that and the time seem to just fly by and we were not nearly as tired as driving for an undetermined amount of time.
Try it on your next road trip.