Throughout my youth, I was the typical tanning bed obsessed, social smoker who snubbed my mother’s constant reminders about the damage I was causing to my health and my skin. Lathering in my tingle lotion and jumping into the highest level bed, the naive know-it-all in me laughed because there was NO WAY those dreaded wrinkles would ever happen to invincible me. Even if by some off chance the dreaded lines somehow found their way to my face, I’d be 70 or 80 by then – - thats way too old to care, right? Wrong! Sadly, I was very, very wrong.

Two months before turning “the big 3-0,” a more mature me knew my former lifestyle had way past its expiration date. I desperately needed to start preserving my damaged skin before its fate quickly became matching the weathered handle of my latest Louis Vuitton. Just short of two years thereafter, I’ve religiously followed a daily skin care regimen, including SPF.

Despite my tireless effort and having become a slave to every anti aging product on the market, I’m still overly conscious of the permanent reminder my careless youth has etched across my forehead. Therefore, when presented with the opportunity to try Botox, I happily obliged. I jumped at it actually, while jumping up and down (like the little girl who created the necessity in the first place).

My SmoothMED Experience

Today I had an appointment at the SmoothMED spa for my very first Botox treatment. Beside myself with excitement (yet nervous inside), I walked into the 59th Street clinic; which is conveniently located midtown, between Park and Lexington Avenues. The door opened off the street into a cute and modern setting with a super friendly and helpful staff. After I filled out the typical doctor’s office paperwork, the receptionist took a quick “mug shot” for my chart. This office has a unique way of uploading a patients image onto a graph, so the exact location of injection points is conveniently filed for quick follow-ups. This is the only salon in the city that offers that specific charting protocol. After my picture was taken, I was led to an office where I met Dr. Jack Berdy, SmoothMED owner and medical director, for our consult. He was amazing, a wealth of information and excellent at breaking down medical jargon into terminology that was understandable to my non-medical mind.

What is Botox?

Dr. Berdy explained that Botox is the brand name that represents the protein (botulinum toxin) that is produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium Botulinum. In large doses, this protein causes “Botulism,” a paralytic illness most often seen in cases of food poisoning. It was discovered however; that in small dosages, this protein could be used in cosmetic medicine to treat facial creases, folds and wrinkles. Botox can also be used in non-cosmetic medicine to treat excessive underarm sweating, migraine headaches, chronic pain, esophagus problems, lazy eye syndrome and in some cases, severe clinical depression due to aesthetic and body image distortion mental disorders.

How Does it Work?

“Acetylcholine” is the substance responsible for transmitting messages from our nerves to our muscles, triggering them to contract. Botox works by blocking the transmission of acetylcholine; therefore, the muscles lose their ability to contract. As a result, wrinkles smooth out and soften. It takes the human body 4-6 months to recreate and replace this protein, hence the reason Botox is a temporary solution that needs to be repeated every 4-6 months (depending on individual tolerance and the patient’s personal vanity as fine lines begin to resurface and appear).

Let the Botox’ing Begin

Yep, I learned ALL of that interesting information during my ten minute consult. I’ve never been so thoroughly educated by a physician, this eased the butterflies in my stomach slightly. So did learning the fact that all physicians must be Board Certified in order to administer any injections in the SmoothMED office. It was during this consult that we decided on a “non surgical eyebrow lift” and to fill the lines in my forehead. The doctor asked if I was sensitive to needles, in which I am not. He offered a numbing cream, but I decided against using it only after he assured me that he uses one of the thinnest gauged needles.

About ten minutes after walking into SmoothMED, I was laying on the exam table and ready to begin my injections. The doctor wiped off my makeup but assured me (speaking more to my vanity) that I could touch it up as soon as he was finished. He started my treatment and explained each move he made and reminded me of the reasoning behind doing so, throughout the duration. Any nervousness that was left had diminished.

The entire process lasted a couple of minutes and was relatively painless. Honestly, I was shocked at how little pain was involved. There were a handful of injections, the most severe was slightly less intense than a minor mosquito bite. If patients have 2-4 minutes to spare, it is recommended to ice the area to reduce redness and minimal swelling. I had plenty of time and was handed an ice pack. A few minutes later, the physician removed the ice and handed me a mirror to assess “the damage.” To my surprise, there were only a few miniscule red dots across the top of my forehead. I didn’t bring any make up with me and didn’t think twice about the 26 block walk back to Penn Station which speaks volumes for it not looking bad at all.

I was reminded that it takes 5-7 days to see any results; therefore, if you’re planning on getting Botox for an event, be sure to schedule your appointment at least a week in advance. Also, I was instructed not to rub the area, lay down flat or work out to avoid dissipating the injected bacterium to an unwanted spot, potentially causing an adverse reaction such as eyelid and/or eyebrow drooping. Although this is extremely uncommon and reversible, these precautions should be taken seriously. All normal activity (including normal skin care) can be resumed the following day. I was warned there could be a slight headache as a side effect, but its 4 hours later and I feel great. The only thing I feel is a slight tightness around my eyes, very similar to when a ponytail is pulled too tight. There is no pain or discomfort involved.

Twenty minutes after walking into SmoothMED, I was thanking the staff and walking right back out the door. SmoothMED’s “concept is to obtain expert Botox® treatments and/or injectable facial fillers in a safe medical setting in 30 minutes or less.” I can truly vouch for that and I would absolutely do a “fly by” Botox treatment on a lunch break and even before a date or a big night out. My favorite “perk” is that there are no appointments necessary. I can guarantee I’ll be back at SmoothMED for my follow-up “Expert Botox…On the GO!” before my sister’s wedding in September.

Okay, so you got me to admit my age this once but now I’m going right back to claiming my eternal 21…thanks to todays “lunch break Botox” I have the smooth, young face to “prove” it!

For more information checkout SmoothMED.com and ask about some of their specials for SpaWeek! Check out our video below!

Whether we enjoy eating them or not, vegetables are mother natures way of saying “I love you” to us every spring/summer. Here are a few reasons why:

Eat Fresh Veggies to Lose Weight

Increasing your vegetable intake in order top lose weight is not new. This tried and true weight-loss method has been used by some many for so long and for good reason too! Vegetables can be high in dietary fiber and low in calories which both fills you up and keeps you slim. They also help with water retention and give you extra energy due to their bountiful nutrients.

Eat Fresh Veggies to Look Beautiful

Vegetables aren’t just good for your insides, they’re great for your outsides too! Carotenoids in carrots help to repair skin damage, radishes and celery help reduce body acids which, in turn, reduces acne, and the Selenium in asparagus helps the skin battle signs of aging. This is but a taste (pun intended) of what vegetables can do for your beauty regiment.

Eat Fresh Veggies to Help Your Community

We all know vegetables are good for you, but did you know that eating them can be good for your community too? Community Supported Agriculture groups (CSA) allow city residents to have direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown locally by regional farmers. Bridging the ever present gap between city mouse and country mouse.

When you become a member of a CSA, you’re purchasing a “share” of vegetables from a regional farmer. Weekly or bi-weekly, from June until October or November, your farmer will deliver that share of produce to a convenient drop-off location in your neighborhood. CSA members pay for an entire season of produce upfront (typically $400-$600). This early bulk payment enables your farmer to plan for the season, purchase new seed, make equipment repairs, and more. Not only do you get farm fresh veggies each week, you can go to sleep at night knowing you’re doing your small part to help support your local farmers and keep fresh, organic vegetables accessible for all.

Find a CSA near you by checking Local Harvest

Last week I was invited to a Post Cereal making challenge and to say I was excited was an understatement. Not only would I learn HOW to make Grape Nuts and Shredded Wheat but the winner for best product won a $500 gift certificate to Williams Sonoma. Momma needed a new pair of copper pots so I was seriously gearing up for this event. Big money, big money, big money NO WHAMMY!

I arrived early to the Natural Gourmet Institute (a fantastic vegetarian cooking school – more on that in a later blog) and was greeted by the very friendly Post Cereal staff with the most adorable light blue apron I had seen in a long time. For me? Why THANK YOU Post Cereal. Guests were treated to a delightful healthy breakfast and a brief presentation by the Diet Doctor herself; Dr. Melina Jampolis. Dr. Jampolis spoke about her life mantra “food is medicine” and the health benefits of Post Cereal Shredded Wheat. You might not know this ladies and gentlemen but Shredded Wheat is made solely of wheat berries. Don’t feel bad, I was totally shocked when I heard that too. I mean, I knew Shredded Wheat was good for me but I never realized it was that good for me. How could I have been eating this cereal for years and not know what was really in it? I felt like a total goose…

How nutritious are wheat berries? Unlike many other types of grains, wheat berries retain nearly all of their nutrients after being cooked. Wheat berries are packed with fiber, protein and iron. They are also loaded with vitamin E, a cell-protecting antioxidant, and magnesium, which are needed to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Talk about Healthy!!! Also, Dr. Jampolis went on to point out that unlike most cereal brands today trying to first incorporate whole grains into their products, Post Cereal Shredded Wheat has always been composed of naturally occurring grain.

Although I am not allowed to tell everyone the recipe for Shredded Wheat, I will simply say: it is easy, healthy, and delicious. Go out and get yourself a box this weekend because it will surely help you with any kind of diet/health program you have laid out for yourself. I know I bought a box during my grocery trip this weekend.

Oh…and in case you were wondering, I lost the competition. There go my plans for two new Ruffoni monogrammed copper pots…

The New Year is here and all around all I hear are people talking about their new diet. You cannot turn on the radio or the TV without commercials for diets, diet pills, gyms, exercise equipment, prepackaged “health” foods or any one of probably one-hundred more products promising a new year means a “new you.”

I am okay with the old me, thank you very much. Even if I am currently giving Jennifer Lopez a run for her money. You, too, may be reflecting on the 5, 10, 13, 20, 27, 42 or even 2 pounds put on over the holidays, the semester, the season, the last year, the last five years, since you got married… or since the original 90210 went off the air. But I digress.

Is weight loss really a secret? We all know that diet and exercise is the way to go. The downside is, although it’s no secret, it’s really hard work! The biggest secret is how to get and stay motivated. Instead of thinking about what you want to wear, think about your health and longevity. Talk to a doctor before starting a diet or exercise regimen. Figure out how much time you have to workout, to cook, and okay, okay… how much time you’re gonna need to shop for new bikinis when you succeed.

A lot of women (and men) get discouraged because weight loss does not happen quickly enough. It’s totally okay and NORMAL to start an exercise regimen and notice a couple of extra pounds the first weeks. It can be anything from your muscles holding water to repair themselves, or new muscle (which as we all know, weighs more than fat)! So stop obsessing over the scale and start focusing on baby steps towards keeping yourself healthy.

For the New Year, I plan to cut out most sweets, junk food, and simple carbs. This means I’ll be eating a lot less of my favorite candy, breads (I really won’t miss ‘em), pasta, and chips. I’ll be eating more lean protein like salmon and grilled chicken, greens like spinach and broccoli, and healthy carbs like whole wheat pasta and brown rice. If you like detox (as always, consult a physician), check out a simple detox from our own Rosanne Clemente. A former Miss Fitness New Jersey, she also holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine, in addition to having trained many people successfully.

Take your exercise slow. Don’t overdo it with activities your body is not used to, or too-heavy weights. You have to build your body to higher fitness levels. Jumping in head first may cause exhaustion, frustration with your body’s limitations– or worse: It can cause serious injuries to your body. That will get you nowhere, fast!

I am typically a long distance runner, but since I am starting out the year with a knee injury common to runners, my doctor advised me to do lower impact workouts. Some good examples are speed walking, biking, swimming, or running on an elliptical machine.

Beware of the “get thin quick” schemes. Baby steps. You’ll get there.