M a rc h / A p r i l 2 0 2 0
MAGAZINE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS ®
Where the revolution is inclusion ®
WOMEN for Water:
Making a Splash
WOMEN NEED TO TAKE MORE STEPS TO
FINANCIAL SECURITY
March is Women's History Month WWW.OSCEOLAWOMAN.COM
2nd Annual
Lorem ipsum MARCH APRIL
Osceola Woman's
SHOOTING and
2020
速
OUTDOORS EVENT
POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
MAGAZINE
速 FEATURES Where the Revolution is Inclusion p. 14-17
速
速
Women for Water:
Making a Splash p. 18-19
From left to right Corine Ramos and Anusha Ravichand
Toho Water is proud to have these two extraordinary women as part of its workforce. ran
Women May Need Extra Steps for
FINANCIAL SECURITY
p. 20-21
DEPARTMENTS HEALTH 3 EMBARRASSING HEALTH ISSUES MANY WOMEN FACE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
p 6-7
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
MAGAZINE
For more information visit
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p8
THIS FOR THAT 5 EASY SWAPS FOR EATING CLEANER
p 10-11
LIFE & WORK
HOME & STYLE
HOW OLD IS MY PET?
FRESH FROM FLORIDA RECIPES
p 22-23
p 12-13
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS: WHERE THE REVOLUTION IS IS INCLUSION
p 14-17
WOMEN FOR WATER: MAKING A SPLASH
p 18-19
WOMEN MAY NEED TO TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO FINANCIAL SECURITY
p 20-21
WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR DUCTS CLEANED?
p 24
IMPACT FEES IMPACTING YOU
p 26-27
PROPER PRUNING IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT TOOLS
p 28
6 HOMEMADE HAIR TREATMENTS
p 29-30
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM IS PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY AND IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE, BY SUBSCRIPTION, DISPLAY STANDS IN APPROVED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS AND AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS ONLY. TRADEMARK AND U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS PROTECT OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EDITORIAL COMMENT (OTHER THAN ITS OWN), TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS FROM ADVERTISEMENTS SUBMITTED AS CAMERA-READY OR ANY REPRODUCTIONS OF ADVERTISEMENTS SUBMITTED AS CAMERA-READY. IF AN ADVERTISEMENT DOES NOT MEET OUR STANDARDS OF ACCEPTANCE, WE MAY REVISE OR CANCEL IT AT ANY TIME, WHETHER OR NOT IS HAS BEEN ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED AND/OR PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. THE ADVERTISER ASSUMES SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN SUBMITTED COPY AND WILL PROTECT AND INDEMNIFY THE OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGZINETM, ITS OWNERS, PUBLISHERS, AND EMPLOYEES AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, LOSS OR EXPENSE ARISING OUT OF CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, UNFAIR TRADE NAMES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS, AND ALL VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY OR OTHER VIOLATIONS RESULTING FROM THE PUBLICATION BY THIS MAGAZINE OF ITS ADVERTISING COPY. PUBLISHER SHALL BE UNDER NO LIABILITY FOR FAILURE, FOR ANY REASON, TO INSERT AN ADVERTISEMENT. PUBLISHER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE BY REASON OF ERROR, OMISSION AND/ OR FAILURE TO INSERT ANY PART OF AN ADVERTISEMENT. PUBLISHER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DELAY OR FAILURE IN PERFORMANCE IN PUBLICATION AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF ALL OR ANY PORTION OF AN ISSUE IS DELAYED OR SUSPENDED FOR ANY REASON. THE PUBLISHER WILL EXERCISE REASONABLE JUDGMENT IN THESE INSTANCES AND WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE ADVERTISER WHERE AND WHEN APPROPRIATE. OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGZINETM ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MATERIAL OR REPRODUCTIONS MADE BY ADVERTISERS. THIS MAGAZINE WILL BE PUBLISHED BY THE 15TH OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE OPINIONS OF OUR AUTHORS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF OSCEOLA WOMAN MAGAZINETM, OUR PUBLISHER, OUR EDITORIAL TEAM AND/OR OUR ADVISORY BOARD. THE AUTHORS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THEIR SUBMITTED MATERIAL.
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5
HEALTH
3 embarrassing
health issues many women face —
and what to do about them How’s your pelvic floor health? If you’re like many women, that’s not something you really think about until something starts to feel “off” down there. Even then, some women are too embarrassed to talk about uncomfortable issues, like leaking urine while sneezing or feeling discomfort during sex. But why suffer in silence when there are a variety of treatment options available? Educating yourself about your pelvic floor—and some common issues women face—is important. It could not only help improve your overall health but also your quality of life.
What weakens your pelvic floor? Your pelvic floor muscles play an important role in your body’s normal functioning. After all, they keep your pelvic organs—the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra and rectum—in place. Over time, however, these muscles can weaken, particularly after menopause (the accompanying loss of estrogen can increase your risk). Being pregnant and delivering a baby vaginally also increase the likelihood that you may develop pelvic floor weakness, particularly if you’ve had large babies or multiple pregnancies.
Other risk factors for pelvic floor issues include: • Repeated heavy lifting • Chronic coughing or straining from constipation • Being overweight or obese • Having certain medical conditions that can cause
6 osceolawoman.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020
nerve damage, including diabetes or multiple sclerosis (MS) Undergoing certain surgical procedures, such as a hysterectomy
•
Problems linked to pelvic floor weakness Weakness of the pelvic floor can lead to a variety of health issues. If the pelvic organs aren’t supported adequately, they can drop down. This can result in urine leakage or problems emptying the bladder completely, trouble having bowel movements or fecal incontinence (more on this later) and lower back or pelvic pain. In some cases, the pelvic organs may protrude from the vagina or anus. Though women may not often discuss these issues openly, they aren’t rare. In fact, one in five women in the United States experiences a pelvic floor disorder at some point. Here’s what you should know about several common pelvic floor issues.
1
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE (POP)
This disorder occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken and allow one or more of the pelvic organs to descend into the vagina. Women who experience it may develop a range of symptoms, such as: A bulge in the vagina Pelvic pressure or discomfort with sex or physical activity Pelvic pressure that worsens throughout the day, particularly while standing or coughing Leaking urine or having bowel movement problems
• • • •
• Difficulty inserting tampons
From there, depending on your individual circumstances, treatment options may include: Using a pessary, or a removable device that can be inserted into the vagina to help support your pelvic organs Pelvic therapy, which includes exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles Dietary changes, such as eating more highfiber foods to help make stools softer and more regular Surgery, which can help repair the prolapse and support the pelvic floor
• • • •
2
URINARY INCONTINENCE
If you find that you’re leaking urine—whether it be a few drops or more significant accidents— it’s known as urinary incontinence. Depending on the type of urinary incontinence you have, you may also have more urgency or feel the need to urinate more frequently, wake up at night to use the bathroom, have pain while urinating or leak urine while asleep. Incontinence typically affects twice as many women as men. This is likely due to contributing factors unique to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, which can all weaken or damage the pelvic floor. The good news is that urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and it can be treated. Treatment options will likely start with nonsurgical options, such as lifestyle changes and bladder training. If you’re overweight, losing even a few extra pounds can ease pressure on the pelvic floor and help prevent urine leakage. Avoiding beverages near bedtime, limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine, performing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and trying biofeedback—using sensors to locate the muscles you need to strengthen—can also help. Pessaries, which may come in a variety of shapes and sizes, can also help prevent bladder leaks.
3
FECAL INCONTINENCE
This occurs when a bowel movement occurs involuntarily or can’t be prevented despite attempts to stop it. Passive fecal incontinence, on the other hand, is when bowel leakage occurs unknowingly, or without your being aware that it’s happened. Fecal incontinence is more common than you may think; it’s estimated to affect as many as 1 in 3 people. Though it can be embarrassing to discuss, it’s important to tell your doctor if you’re experiencing this issue‚ especially if it’s frequent or severe. Some non-invasive treatments—including dietary adjustments, bowel training, pelvic floor exercises and medication—can be very effective. In fact, they can improve symptoms by about 60% and can even resolve fecal incontinence altogether in as many as 1 in 5 cases. If these options fail, however, your healthcare provider may discuss other therapies such as biofeedback, sacral nerve stimulation, vaginal balloons, non-absorbable bulking agents or surgery. Talking to your doctor While some healthcare providers test for pelvic floor strength regularly, many women who are experiencing symptoms related to pelvic floor disorders are too embarrassed to broach the topic. But opening up about what you’re experiencing can help you get the treatment you need and ease your symptoms.
Don’t wait. It’s better to raise the issue sooner rather than later. This way, you can work with your healthcare provider to outline steps to prevent or improve pelvic floor issues.
If those treatments aren’t effective, your doctor may recommend medication, electrical nerve stimulation, bulking agents to narrow the bladder opening and prevent leakage or possibly surgery.
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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7
C VI D CORONAVIRUS DISEASE
19
Do your loved ones know your
What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
What are severe complications from this virus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness
Some patients have pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure and in some cases death.
an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
How can I help protect myself?
Can people in the U.S. get COVID-19?
People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with
Yes. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of the United States. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Learn more about places with ongoing spread at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/ transmission.html#geographic.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Have there been cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.?
• Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
How does COVID-19 spread?
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should
What should I do if I recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19?
animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of • fever • cough • shortness of breath
restrictions on your movements for up to 2 weeks. If you develop symptoms during that period (fever, cough, trouble care provider before you go, and tell them about your travel and care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, avoid contact with people, don’t go out and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
Is there a vaccine? best way to prevent infection is to take everyday preventive actions, like avoiding close contact with people who are sick and washing your hands often.
Is there a treatment? People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.
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9
HEALTH
Ideas for Swapping Out Unhealthy Foods A few tips for replacing fewer desirable foods with healthier ones include:
This for that 5 EASY SWAPS
REPLACE SUGARY SODAS AND JUICES WITH WATER If you’re looking for more flavor, try enhancing plain water by adding lemon, lime or berries.
EATING CLEANER
REMEMBER TO LOAD THAT BURRITO UP WITH VEGGIES and use a whole wheat tortilla.
REDUCE YOUR CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT — pork, beef and lamb — by eating fish, turkey, tofu or chicken. Substitute black beans and brown rice for beef on taco night.
for
WHY NOT USE A FRESH AVOCADO SLICE instead of sour cream? RUNNING LOW ON FUEL? Grab a handful of unsalted nuts. Michael Arp, MS.RDN/LDN
Clean eating revolves around eating a diet that’s mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds/nuts, lean meats and fish. Clean eating also reduces the amount of processed foods (chips, snack bars, cereals, frozen meals, canned items) and significantly reduces foods high in added sugar. While this lifestyle can be challenging at first, eating clean is also easier than it sounds! One quick way to get started is by swapping a fresh fruit or vegetable for any processed snack item.
on your plate for each meal, ideally ½ of your plate should have non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, kale, spinach), ¼ of your plate should be whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread) and ¼ of your plate should come from a protein source (turkey, chicken, fish). Whether you choose broccoli, beets, carrots, tomatoes or another vitamin-packed food, you should also aim for meals that include many different colors. By choosing a variety of plant-based foods with various colors, you’ll consume a range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and fiber.
Interested in trading out mindless eating with sensible choices? Here are more ideas on how to get started on your clean-eating journey, as well as reasons why it’s so important to leave processed, high-fat and sugary food behind.
Increase Your Health Benefits
What to Aim For Eating clean is an excellent way to take charge of your health and lose weight. It’s also simple to get started. Just remember this tip: When placing food
10 osceolawoman.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020
The many benefits to saying goodbye to foods with unhealthy fats, sugar, artificial ingredients and unnecessary preservatives include weight loss, decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes, decreased blood pressure, slower cognitive decline, increased bone health and reduced cancer risk. You’ll also feel more energetic when you eat clean.
Although processed snacks are tempting, eating nuts and seeds is a smarter choice. Don’t know which nuts to choose? Start with unsalted walnuts. They’re high in fiber, magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation. Remember to limit portion size to ¼ cup. Eliminate desserts high in fat and sugar. Instead, reach for fresh fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. Substitute high carbohydrate snack items, such as chips or granola bars, with fresh fruit or carrots and broccoli dipped in hummus. Switch refined grains for whole grains. Avoid carb-heavy white rice and bread by choosing small portions of brown rice, quinoa or whole wheat bread instead.
The Risks of Not Eating Clean The biggest danger of not following a clean diet is an increased risk of major diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, kidney disease and cancer. By consuming a nutritionally inadequate diet, parents also may influence their children’s dietary habits, potentially increasing their risk of developing certain diseases too. If you’re struggling with sticking to eating clean, don’t give up. The rewards are worth the hard work. Choosing a salmon salad over a cheeseburger or strawberries over cookies may seem tough at first, but healthy food swaps do get easier with time.(407) 354-1202.
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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11
life &
WORK
How Old is My Pet? When I graduated from veterinary school in 1969, it was generally accepted that the average life expectancy for dogs and cats was about seven years. Today the veterinary profession considers that a seven-year-old pet is middle-aged. The “senior” years begin at about eight and well cared-for dogs can live to 15 or 20. I had one feline patient who lived to well over 25 years! So, what is going on? Clearly the average life expectancy of household pets is now much more than seven years. Seven was a fairly accurate number when many dogs and cats lived mostly outside with the attendant road hazards, exposure to parasites and diseases and very little preventative health care. Outdoor dogs and cats are also at risk for attack by wild and domestic animals. Today’s pet foods are an important factor influencing pet health and longevity. Well balanced, high quality,
commercial diets, appropriate for the life stages, can and do extend life expectancy. Conversely, over-feeding of commercial diets or human foods to our pets can cause obesity and decreased life expectancy. Most dogs and cats are fully grown and sexually mature at eleven to twelve months of age, and that corresponds to about 18 years of age for humans. A oneyear old dog or cat can be considered to be 18 years old, in human terms. After that, I usually add five years (human equivalency) for each pet year. A two-year-old pet can be considered to be 23, a fiveyear-old pet can be considered to be 38, and a ten-year-old pet can be considered 63. This formula is not exact science. Large breed dogs generally live a shorter life than small and medium size dogs. Animal health and longevity are influenced and determined by genetics and environment. After
we have chosen our pets (or they have chosen us), we can only influence their environment. The genetics are fixed. Humans are the most important factors in pet health and life expectancy! This of course means the pet parents and their health care providers. As a general rule, the veterinary care of pets during their first year is devoted to preventative health care. This is when we establish and administer immunization and parasite prevention protocols, appropriate for environmental risk factors for the patient. This is when we make initial feeding recommendations. This first year of life is also when most non-breeding animals should be neutered or spayed. The annual wellness examination visits during the next several years are devoted to early detection of adverse health issues, immunization boosters, appropriate for the lifestyle of
The veterinarians and staff of Kissimmee Animal Hospital 407-846-3912 and Poinciana Pet Clinic 407-518-0880 are available to answer your questions about dog and cat nutrition or any other pet health issues. We are here to help and to serve.
12 osceolawoman.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020
the pet, laboratory tests for intestinal parasites and heartworms and blood profile tests appropriate for the pet’s age. The correlation between obesity and adverse health is well established by veterinary research. The Purina company conducted a study at their Gray’s Summit research farms near St. Louis many years ago and found that overweight dogs had shorter lifespans than proper weight dogs. They utilized a numerical body co ndition score (BCS) system of 1 to 9 with 5 being the ideal. A BCS of 1 means severe emaciation, which we fortunately seldom see, and 9 is morbid obesity which we do see far too often. In this study, a group of dogs was fed a balanced diet which maintained a BCS of 4 to 5. A second group was fed a balanced diet which
Dr. Gary Borgman, D.V.M. There is plenty of information available on the internet. Three recommended sites are: UC Davis: VetMed.UCDavis.edu/tags/nutrition WSAVA: WSAVA.org/Committees/globalnutrition-committee Tufts University: VetNutrition.Tufts.edu
maintained a BCS of 6 to7. The lean and healthier group of dogs lived an average of 2 ½ years longer than the heavier group! The healthier group died of the same conditions as the overweight dogs, they just lived longer.
ssnyder;Orlando;Osceola Air;B19864-491682;3.4 x 4.8-4c (20Sp-B1)
Pet health issues for senior pets, generally fall into one or more of the following categories: cardio-pulmonary, hepatic, renal, neoplastic, hormonal, dental, musculo-skeletal, neurological, behavioral, ocular, dermatology, auto-immune, allergic and traumatic. Some of these pet health issues will be discussed in future articles in Osceola Woman As always, the veterinarians and staff at Kissimmee Animal Hospital (407-846-3912) and Poinciana Pet Clinic (407-518-0880) are available to answer your questions about keeping our pets healthy. We are here to help and to serve.
Kissimmee Animal Hospital, Inc. Serving Osceola County since 1974 Annual Wellness Examination Preventative Medicine & Vaccines Complete Medical Dental & Surgical Facility State-of-the-art Ultrasound Telemedicine In-house laboratory, X-ray and Dental X-ray
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Voted 2017 & 2018 Best of Osceola. Readers’ Choice Awards. Cac1817985 Offer expires June 12, 2020. *Rebate requires purchase of qualifying items between March 9, 2020 to June 12, 2020. Qualifying items must be installed by June 19, 2020. Rebate claims (with proof of purchase) must be submitted (with proof of purchase) to www. lennoxconsumerrebates.com no later than July 3, 2020. Rebate is paid in the form of a Lennox Visa® Prepaid card. Card is subject to terms and conditions found or referenced on card and expires 12 months after issuance. Conditions apply. See www.lennox.com/terms-and-conditions for complete terms and conditions. **Offer available March 9, 2020 to June 12, 2020. Offer based on a retail price of $10,000. Requires purchase of qualifying system. Financing available to well-qualified buyers on approved credit. No down payment required. No monthly payment required and no interest is accrued during the 3 month no interest no pay period. After the no payment period, the loan is rolled into 6.99% APR for 120 Months with equal monthly payments of $116 a month. Normal late charges apply. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Minimum loan amount $3,000. Maximum loan amount $100,000. You may prepay your account at any time without penalty. Financing is subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only. See Truth in Lending disclosures available from lender for more information. © 2020 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses.
Stephanie Volpe, D.V.M
Andrew Prather, D.V.M.
Gary Borgman, D.V.M
Kissimmee Office
Poinciana Pet Clinic
407.846.3912
407.518.0880
403 E. Vine St.
884 Towne Center Dr.
www.KissimmeeAnimalHospital.com
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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13
life &
WORK
The Special Olympics: Where the Revolution is Inclusion
Eunice Kennedy Shriver set out over five decades ago armed with a love of sports and a desire to provide opportunities to people with intellectual abilities, and was the pioneering force behind the formation of the Special Olympics. Growing up with a special needs sister named Rosemary, Shriver witnessed firsthand how capable and talented her sister was, but due to her intellectual disability, society offered very little opportunities for someone like Rosemary to show off all that she could do. Eunice Kennedy Shriver noticed the stigma surrounding people with intellectual disabilities early on in life. They were neglected, rejected, ignored, and often were placed in custodial institutions. Shriver had been a college athlete and firmly believed that sports had the ability to unite people of all backgrounds. In 1962 she held “Camp Shriver” in her own backyard. Camp Shriver offered a variety of sports and other physical activities, which allowed children with intellectual disabilities to come together and showcase all that they could do. It provided them with a place to display their unique gifts and talents, bond
®
14 osceolawoman.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020
with others, and be defined only by their abilities rather than their disabilities. It was a movement that quickly gained support and momentum, and six short years later the first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago, Illinois. Today, the Special Olympics has spread to 193 countries and has nearly 5.5 million athletes and offers 32 Olympic-type sports worldwide. Annually, there is also a Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida, and the volunteer State Director of this is retired Chief Deputy Dave Sklarek, of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The Torch Run consists of the Flame of Hope being carried throughout the state via a series of simultaneous routes ran by all different branches of law enforcement. It is the largest annual public relations and fundraising event for Special Olympics Florida. It is through fund raising efforts such as this that participation in Special Olympics is offered to the athletes for free. Here in Osceola County, 15 sports are currently offered to 1,006
participants. 382 of the athletes are female (38%). We also have nearly 200 people who volunteer their time, talents, and passion to provide coaching and year-round sports training. We had the opportunity to talk to four incredible women who volunteer their time and talents as coaches: Jeannette Reed, Christine Baudier, Jennifer Neumann, and Sally Hale.
Jeannette Reed Jeannette is currently the head coach of the gymnastics. She is also a soccer coach for the Osceola County Young Athletes Community Based Program, which is
®
a program for children between the ages of 2-7 with intellectual and developmental disabilities that helps introduce them to sports and work on movement skills. Her inspiration to get involved as a coach stemmed from her personal experience as a parent of a special needs child, and her desire for them to grow up feeling included and discovering their own potential. That led to Jeannette and her child joining the Young Athletes Program. Seeing firsthand the impact the coaches had on her own child prompted her to begin her own journey as a coach, and she has now been volunteering for the Special Olympics for four years. In 2017 she received the Inspirational Coach Medal, and one of her athletes was awarded the Inspirational Athlete Medal. Jeannette also took the Osceola County gymnastics program to the USAG/Special Olympics Championships in Marrietta, GA in both 2018 and 2019 where they proudly represented Osceola County! “Each athlete has something special to bring to Special Olympics. I have learned so much as a coach and as a parent of a Special Olympics athlete. Patience, perseverance, friendship, and bravery are the four biggest lessons that my athletes have taught me. Patience is what you gain when working with all abilities to better understand
®
®
each individual athlete and uncover the untapped potential they bring to the table. Perseverance is what each athlete shows me as I coach them to never give up and to be brave in all attempts to reach their personal goals. Many friendships are made when being a part of the Special Olympics on all levels, with other parents, coaches, and athletes. Bravery is probably the one thing that I take away as a lesson learned. As I coach my athletes on doing their best no matter how big or small the goal, they continue to show me that bravery comes from within. I just help peel back the layers to expose it to them.”
Christine Baudier Christine has been volunteering since 2016 and coaches gymnastics and cheer. Her own daughter is special needs, and when she began participating in Special Olympics Christine felt the urging to help give back to the programs that were giving so much to her daughter. There are two different groups in the gymnastics program: artistic (the traditional gymnastics, with the balance beam, vault, etc.), and rhythmic (where they dance with props such as a ball, a hoop, a rope, and a ribbon). This season they also had two Unified pairs for the first time, which is where an able-bodied athlete is
paired with a special needs athlete and they compete together as a team. “I just love every second that I am able to get out there and help with these athletes,” she expressed. Her favorite moments are watching the athletes progress throughout the season and seeing the sense of accomplishment they have after they perform at a competition, as well as the confidence they gain in themselves as they discover how deep their own abilities and talents run. Christine might be the coach, but the athletes teach her just as much as she teaches them. “They have taught me kindness, patience, friendship, and happiness. It makes my heart so happy to see how much fun we have together.”
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Preparing for the competitions is a significant part of the athletes’ practices, but the main focal point is the friendships they forge with each other. They look forward to seeing their friends every week. “I just love it. It has been such a blessing to my family to provide these opportunities to my daughter, and she has grown so much being a part of this organization,” Christine passionately stated. “I just can’t imagine life without Special Olympics.”
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WORK poured his blessings over me. The amount of love you both experience and witness while coaching is something I have never seen anywhere else.”.
Jennifer Neumann Jennifer has been a volunteer for Special Olympics for eight years. She coaches swimming, track, and basketball. Her original inspiration to get involved to help her daughter develop the same love for special needs people that she has and to help teach her how to give back, as Jennifer herself grew up volunteering with special needs students. They originally volunteered with the bowling team, and after a few months Jennifer took over as the swim coach. “Then swimming became track, and track turned into basketball” she laughed, “so now it’s basically year-round that I’m coaching the three sports.”. She helps coach the Unified basketball and track teams at Harmony High School. “Being a coach, I feel like the athletes don’t stay your athletes-they become your family, as do their parents,” she emphasized. “Every week when I go in and coach, I walk away filled and overflowing. God has just
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One of her favorite memories from her time coaching is the story of a young girl named Marina, who was absolutely terrified of water when she joined the swim team and couldn’t swim. Jennifer is not only a swim coach but a certified swim instructor as well. One day at practice Marina had a flotation belt on and was swimming, and Jennifer slipped the belt off without her noticing and Marina continued swimming all on her own. Fast forward three years later, and Marina is now on the swim team for Celebration High
School as well as the Special Olympics swim team. Seeing the progression that the athletes make is immensely rewarding. As a coach, Jennifer gets to see the smiles on their faces as they cross the finish line and the sheer joy they have as they reach new accomplishments. “They are out there conquering things that to us might be nothing, but
to them, it is one of the biggest mountains in their life. To see that happiness and joy, you can’t put that into any other feeling or word than blessed. I have learned patience and unconditional love from the athletes, and to keep trying without frustration no matter how long it takes to achieve something”. Another thing she loves about Special Olympics is that the athletes aren’t treated like they are special needs; they are treated just like anybody else would be. The meets and games are ran just like any others would be and get very competitive. Sportsmanship is huge, and the athletes are taught that they are not always going to win but if you gave 100% and did your very best, you are still a champion. Jennifer also touched on the other driving forces behind the success of the Special Olympics, beyond the coaches and the athletes. “We can only be as good as our director,” she stated, “and our current county director-Chris Jordan-is absolutely amazing. It makes all the difference in the world to have a supportive director, someone who is there for us to call and text anytime we have an issue, as well as having supportive parents who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and watch their children be encouraged to do things that they think they can’t do. We are all a team, and we have to have that family camaraderie with it to be successful.”.
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Sally Hale Sally coaches tennis, golf, bowling, and swimming, as well as being an assistant coach for cheer, softball, and gymnastics. She has also coached volleyball and basketball in the past. She has coached for 4 years now and self-proclaimed herself as the “gap lady”. “Whatever you need done, that is what I’m going to do!” she said proudly. The lack of coaches is what motivated her to become a coach. “If the kids don’t have a coach, they can’t compete,” she explained “and I was always there anyways with my son at his practices.”. When asked how she has witnessed the Special Olympics impact lives, she said it is incredible for social aspects as well as for teaching sportsmanship and
problem solving. It is also good physically and emotionally by providing the children with a place to get out of the house and express themselves, while giving them a sense of accomplishment as they discover their talents and master new skills. For example, her son was afraid of heights, yet
still received the Most Inspirational Athlete medal in gymnastics because he chose to conquer his fear and still climb up the high bar anyways. Jeannette Reed was his coach, and through watching Jeannette encourage her son she began encouraging kids she coached that same way and ended up receiving the Most Inspirational Coach medal as well. “For them to acknowledge my son and I and say, “you inspire us” is a huge deal to me.”. Her time coaching has helped teach her two significant things-patience and perseverance. “I’m not the world’s most patient person” joked Sally, “and a lot of what we do as a coach can be very repetitive, so working with the athletes has taught me to just step back and be patient. And during the times when I don’t get it and they don’t get it? Well, just keep persevering until we do get it!”. Sally also iterated the need for coaches, and how everyone has the capability to make a positive impact by choosing to volunteer their time. “Being a coach isn’t always about your knowledge,
it’s about the time that you spend with these kids. Anyone can be a coach. I’m living proof of that. All these kids truly need is your time, attention, and support. I think every parent should try to be a coach at least once, because it entails way more than they could ever imagine.” March is also Women’s History Month, and these four women are making a tremendous positive impact in our community and are incredible examples of selflessness and love. Inclusion of everyone is something we all need to strive to work towards every single day. Osceola County is blessed to have these influential women, and many more like them. Anyone wanting more information on the Special Olympics or on becoming a coach can visit: Specialolympicsflorida.org/ Osceola Specialolympicsflorida.org Specialolympics.org
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Playing a role in making the fundamental life resource of water available to the people and the challenges that it brings on a daily basis.
WORK
Women for Water:
What made you choose your career field?
Making a Splash MEET CORINE.
Corine Ramos currently works as a Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician I, and has been with Toho for almost five years. As a female employee, Corine works in a sector where women tend to be underrepresented, though that current (pun intended) is slowly changing. As a GIS Technician, she helps to maintain and update the Toho utility network. She does this by reviewing and adding the utility asset information from engineering drawings to Toho’s existing GIS geodatabase. She can then display this data visually by creating maps for print or web.
When asked to share a little about her career and herself, this is what she had to say:
What do you like best about your job? I like that my job involves both analysis and creativity. It is fun to take large amounts of data and turn it into spatial visualizations for others to inspect and analyze.
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What made you choose your career field?
I originally majored in Environmental science, but when I took a GIS course I was hooked, I really enjlyed working with datqa and making cool maps, so I changed my major to Geography with a GIS specialty. I am very thankful that Toho gave me the opportuntiy to do what I love.
What advice would you give other women pursuing a career in your field? Welcome to the Women in GIS club! GIS is a part of the male-dominated tech industry, so there may not be a lot of us, but our numbers are growing fast!
BE YOURSELF. Let your light
shine. Don’t try to fit into any roles or stereotypes that women are thought to have just to feel accepted.
BETTER YOURSELF.
Corine Ramos doubt your abilities or underestimate your experience, but in order to succeed, you must know your worth even if they don’t.
MEET ANUSHA. We are all inspired to pursue a career; however, sometimes that inspiration can come from meaningful childhood experiences and a desire to make the world a better place. Anusha Ravichandran is our newer member of the Toho team and has been with the organization for just a little under six months. As an Engineer her job requires managing capital improvement projects, including coordination between consultants, contractors, and other internal departments, performing engineering evaluations and hydraulic calculations, reviewing contracts, proposals, plans, and specifications, among others.
Broaden your skill set, always seek to improve your knowledge and performance.
When asked to share a little about her career and herself, this is what she had to say:
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Ignore the haters. People might
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Growing up in India, I could see what contaminated water could do to people - numerous water-borne diseases, people fighting among themselves for few gallons of clean water, communities constantly breathing bad air due to open sewage flows which become insect breeding grounds - it is like a war to attain safe water. I wanted to be able to contribute to making safe water accessible to people and hence, chose this career field.
What inspires and motivates you? Two things, one is the thought that there are still millions of people out there who do not have access to safe drinking
water. Second, imagine this city without the services we do; this city will turn to chaos in a short span. Every morning I feel satisfied that I contribute to this city functioning normally, and this motivates me to do more.
What advice would you give other women pursuing a career in your field? Constantly push your boundaries and try to be a better person than you were yesterday. There is nothing a woman can’t do! Toho is proud to have these two extraordinary women as part of its workforce. We are thankful they have chosen to share their talents in the water industry. Toho Water Authority is the largest provider of water, wastewater and reclaimed water services in Osceola County, serving over 100,000 customers
Anusha Ravichandran in Kissimmee, Poinciana and unincorporated areas of Oscola County.
TOHO WATER AUTHORITY
SUMMER C AMP 2020
Science + engineering activities Field trips promoting sustainability + green practices Everything relating to water + our environment
WHEN: July 6 - 10, 2020 WHO: Grades 6 - 8 COST: $75 per child, includes t-shirts and food (Scholarships Available)
For more information please toho visit our Education page on: water .com
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Women May Need Extra Steps to Reach Financial Security
International Women’s Day 2020 was observed on March 8. This special day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Yet, women still face gender barriers as they seek to achieve their financial goals. How can you address these challenges?
Use Social Security wisely.
You can start taking Social Security as early as 62, but your checks can be larger if you wait until your full retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. And if you’re married, you may be able to choose between claiming your own benefits or receiving 50% of your spouse’s benefits, which could help you if your spouse has considerably higher earnings. (Your spouse does not lose any benefits if you choose this route.)
Look for every opportunity to save and invest. As mentioned above, women often lose out on some retirement savings when they take time away from the workforce to raise families and eventually become caregivers for elderly parents. But even if you aren’t working full time, it
doesn’t mean you have no chance to boost your retirement savings. If you can do any paid work, whether it’s part time or as a consultant, you can contribute to an IRA – and you should. It’s not easy to overcome the structural disadvantages women face when seeking to reach financial security. Taking advantage of the savings and investment possibilities available can help you make progress toward your goals. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Have questions about your 401(k)? CALL 407-891-7833 to make an appointment with Cleve Grissom - Your Edward Jones Financial Advisor To begin with, you need to be aware of what you’re up against. The wage gap between men and women has closed somewhat, but it hasn’t disappeared. Fulltime female employees earn about 82 percent of what men earn, according to the Census Bureau. Over a 40-year career, a woman who worked full time would lose, on average, more than $400,000 because of this wage gap, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Furthermore, a woman turning age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 86.5; for a 65-year-old man, the comparable figure is 84. Those two and a half years can amount to a lot more living expenses. Plus, by taking time off from the workplace to raise children and care for elderly family members, women often end up with lower balances in their 401(k)s and IRAs than men. So, what can you do to help even the playing field, in terms of building adequate resources for retirement?
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Here are a few suggestions: Contribute as much as possible to your retirement plans. During your working years, put in as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. Most people don’t come anywhere near the 401(k) contribution limit (which, in 2020, is $19,500, or $26,000 if you’re 50 or older), and you might not be able to reach it, either, but strive to do the best you can. And every time your salary increases, bump up your annual contribution. If you are able to “max out” on your 401(k), you may still be able to contribute to an IRA. If your income exceeds certain limits, you can’t contribute to a Roth IRA, which offers tax-free withdrawals of earnings if you meet certain conditions, but you may still be able to fund a traditional IRA, although the tax deductibility may be reduced or eliminated.
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Recipes
Florida Grouper with Snap Beans and Bell Peppers INGREDIENTS 4 (6-ounce) Florida grouper fillets 1-pound Florida snap beans, blanched 3 Florida bell peppers, julienned 1 tablespoon Florida orange blossom honey 2 tablespoons Florida orange juice 2 cloves garlic, minced Oil for cooking Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Florida Sweet Corn with Southern Barbecue Butter INGREDIENTS 4 ears fresh Florida sweet corn, shucked ¼ cup your favorite barbecue sauce ¼ stick butter Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Preheat oven broiler on high. In small saucepan over low heat, combine barbecue sauce and butter until melted and smooth. Place sweet corn in a medium-sized baking dish and pour barbecue mixture over sweet corn. Broil sweet corn for 5-10 minutes, 4 inches from broiler, being sure to watch the whole time. Turn and baste the sweet corn until golden. Serve warm.
PREPARATION
Florida Tomato and Cucumber Salad INGREDIENTS
1 Florida cucumber, sliced thin (peeled if desired) 1-pint Florida cherry tomatoes ½ red onion, sliced thin ½ cup white vinegar ¼ cup water Pinch red pepper flakes (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
PREPARATION Combine the vinegar, water, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pour over sliced vegetables and marinate in refrigerator for at least one hour (the longer it marinates the more flavorful it will be). Serve chilled
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Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon oil. Season fish with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through, remove from pan and set aside. Add peppers and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Next, add snap beans and continue cooking for 5-6 minutes or until desired tenderness reached. Season with salt and pepper and finish in pan with honey and orange juice.
Florida Strawberry Brie INGREDIENTS 1 cup Florida strawberries, chopped ½ cup Florida pecans, chopped 3 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 (6-inch) wheel brie cheese 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime zest ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
PREPARATION Preheat oven to 275 degrees. In a small sauce pot, cook jam and vinegar over medium heat until bubbly. Place brie on an oven-safe serving platter or dish. Place chopped strawberries and pecans on top of brie wheel. Cover with jam mixture. Bake brie wheel until it is warm and soft, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped mint leaves. Serve immediately with crackers or crusty bread.
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WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR
DUCTS CLEANED? Your home’s ducts are the pathway for all the air that you’re taking in. In fact, your ducts can be equated to the lungs of your home. Along with taking in and circulating air throughout your home, they are also taking in pollutants. Things like pet dander, pollen and dust all pass through your ducts and will travel into the air you’re inhaling. This is why expert duct cleaning is so important. So how do you know when you should have your ducts cleaned? The National Air Duct Cleaners Association advises that you get your air ducts cleaned every 3–5 years, depending on your environment. There are many factors the team at Osceola Air, LLC considers when thinking about when to have your ducts cleaned based on the conditions in St. Cloud. Everyday life creates contaminants like dust, chemicals and pet dander. There are also climate factors to take into account along with any current home renovations. Also, looking at if anyone in your home is dealing with allergies or asthma is important, as pollutants in your indoor air can aggravate these conditions. The air in your home’s system is typically recirculated 5–7 times a day, with that many more chances for pollutants to fester inside your duct work. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers a few recommendations about when it’s time to plan a duct cleaning: if you think or know you have spotted mold inside your ducts, if you’ve noticed a vermin infestation or spot rodents exiting or entering your ductwork, or if you see visible proof of dust from your air register.
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The pros at Osceola Air, LLC would be happy to talk you through all of these issues and support you through the work to see if you could profit from a duct cleaning. Although the name implies it, a duct cleaning doesn’t just clean your ducts. A professional duct cleaning remembers every piece of your system that air passes through. A clean system doesn’t have to operate as hard to keep pace with your thermostat. You’ll waste less energy and cause l ess wear and tear on your system. If anyone in your home is experiencing the allergies drifting around or you’ve noticed any of the forewarning signs in your duct work, it’s time to start considering duct cleaning. The team at Osceola Air, LLC is always free to answer any questions you have, simply give us a call at 407-908-851.
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IMPACT FEES
IMPACTING YOU? In July 2019, House Bill 207 became an effective state law in Florida, and it now provides important protections to property owners and developers, with regard to impact fees. The law is designed to create state-wide consistency for determining and exacting impact fees from property owners and developers who are seeking to start new residential construction projects. The law’s two main provisions will facilitate new home construction and remove potential barriers that local government bodies were, in some cases, placing. 26 osceolawoman.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020
No More Pre-Payment of Impact Fees Local jurisdictions are no longer allowed to require payment of impact fees before issuing building permits, platting developments, or prior to the approval of development or subdivision plans. This means that developers and property owners no longer have to front and carry the cost of impact fees. The fees will be payable as part of the initial sale (or when the occupancy permit is issued for private construction of new homes).
Dual Rational Nexus Test Impact fees are intended to help local governments fund the infrastructure projects made necessary by population growth due to new home construction. Given that both federal and state funding for new infrastructure projects have been reduced, and are not likely to increase significantly in the foreseeable future, there has been a trend in some municipalities toward using impact fees that are no longer allowed, like normal operational, personnel, or maintenance costs, or to cover shortfalls on other infrastructure projects. The new law requires that there be a reasonable connection, called a rational nexus, between impact fees and the actual expenditures required as a result of the new home construction, and that the residents of those new homes receive some benefit from the impact fees they pay.
a planned improvement project paid for with impact fees is canceled, refunds must now be issued. Finally, impact fee funds must be spent within a reasonable timeframe or encumbered for future use; they cannot be rolled into a general fund or used to address other infrastructure deficiencies unrelated to the development they were paid in relation to.
Qualified Legal Counsel for Impact Fee Issues New regulations tend to bring new issues, and changes to impact fee regulations in Florida are no exception. Jennifer Bondy, Esq. If you need help making Overstreet, Miles, Cumbie, Finkenbinder and Bondy sure you’re not paying more than your fair share, or have questions about how this new law is being applied to your specific situation, please give Jennifer Bondy of Overstreet, Miles, Cumbie, Finkenbinder and Bondy a call at 407-847-5151.
This article is sponsored by
K E NA B L A I N
Further, the impact fees are now required to be a fair and proportionate share of the costs of improvements made necessary by building a new development, and the fees are not allowed to exceed the cost of any improvements, and if outside funds, like local tax, state or federal money, pay for part of the improvements, those contributions now have to be credited and the impact fees reduced accordingly. If
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Proper Pruning is all about the
If you are like most homeowners, you need to prune trees, shrubs, bush and other plants in your yard from time to time. But do you know which tool is best suited for each particular job? Experts say that choosing tools wisely is key to maximizing beauty and minimizing damage to plants. There are a few things to keep in mind as you go about selecting tools for your pruning jobs, big and small, and landscape designer Doug Scott of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga., is sharing a few insights to get you started:
d For most basic
pruning around the yard, bypass or hand pruners, also known as garden or pruning shears, are go-to tools. Best for making clean cuts through living plants and tree branches, they work much like a set of heavy-duty scissors and are capable of getting into tight spots for close, precise cuts. Scott advises against a common pitfall here: the urge to save money. “Since pruning shears see so much use, it makes sense to buy the best ones you can afford. From my experience, inexpensive models simply don’t last very long,” he says. “A well-cared for, high-quality set of bypass pruners however can be a lifetime investment for the average homeowner.”
d
For larger branches, Scott says anvil-style shears can be a good choice, which feature one sharp blade closing against a flat, wide blade and
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6 Homemade Hair Treatments
RIGHT TOOLS
work much like a knife cutting against a cutting board. However, he warns that they should be used selectively, as they crush plant stems more than bypass-style pruners.
d
When it comes to branches of more than 1/2-inch (12.7 millimeters) in diameter, loppers are the best choice. Like hand pruning tools, there are bypass loppers, which operate much l ike a large, long-handled set of bypass shears, while anvil-style loppers use just one cutting blade. “Bypass loppers generally cut with more precision, while anvil-style loppers are typically capable of generating more cutting force,” Scott said. Still have questions? New online resources can help. Scott has partnered with Exmark, a leading manufacturer of commercial mowers and equipment on a new video series for DIY homeowners called “Done in a Weekend.” Among the videos is “Cut It Out,” which explains the differences between different pruning tools, as well as provides tips for pruning more effectively with less effort. To view the video, as well as access the other videos in the series, which cover a range of home and garden topics, visit Exmark.com/DIY. Regular pruning is necessary to keep your yard looking beautiful and well-maintained as well as to improve the health of plants. Be sure you’re equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to do so effectively.
Let’s face it, everyone’s hair gets a little dull and damaged from time to time. Whether it’s from swimming in chlorinated pools in the summer, or having to live with dry, cold air in the winter, our hair goes through a lot. And while going out to get a revitalizing hair treatment from a salon can seem like the only solution, there are some much easier (and cheaper!) options. We’ve rounded up 13 of the best at-home hair treatments that you can easily make yourself. And the best part of all? They use ingredients that you probably already have on hand. When you peek inside your fridge, you'll likely find some eggs, butter, yogurt, and avocados. In addition to whipping up a delicious breakfast, you can use those ingredients to treat your dry and damaged hair. With any one of these treatments, your hair is going to be taking on a whole new life. pretty darn easy. Bonus: black tea has also been known to help with curl loss.
1. Heigten your shine with tea Some of us need tea to get the day started and bring us back to life, and as it just so happens, it can have the same effect on your hair. If you've noticed your hair has been looking a bit dull lately, black tea is a great way to add a revitalized shine to your locks, according to Lifealth. If you're already a tea drinker then this at-home remedy is going to be super simple to add into your routine. And even if you're not, it's still
To use: Brew some black tea and let it sit until it's cooled off. Pour the tea onto your hair and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wash the tea out and enjoy your shiny hair.
can add some softness and moisture to your hair as well. The treatment is inspired by a long-standing similar practice in Ethiopia where people use butter to moisturize their hair and protect it from sun damage, according to the Daily Mail. For those with curly hair, using butter is a great way to enhance your natural texture while adding moisture and shine, according to Naturally Curly.
Add moisture with butter
To use: take a few spoonfuls of room-temperature butter and rub it into your hair. Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for up to an hour. Then wash your hair as you normally would.
We all know butter is rich and creamy, but as it turns out, it
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2.
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3.
Moisturize dull hair with dairy Anything from harsh stylingproducts and air pollution can sap moisture and dull shine — but dairy products like sour cream and plain yogurt can help to reverse this damage. "Lactic acid gently strips away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes," says Lisa Belkin, author of The Cosmetics Cookbook. While this mask can work for all hair types, the protein in the yogurt is especially great for enhancing natural curls. To use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week.
4. Defrizz with avocado Rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, biotin, and vitamins A and E, avocados boast
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the best combination of nutrients for smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, Cox explains. To use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks, or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
5. Use coconut oil to strengthen Coconut oil is one of the most versatile products on the planet: You can use it to cook, clean, and condition your hair. According to Healthline, lauric acid allows coconut oil to be more easily absorbed into the hair shaft, making it a top choice for reducing protein loss from sun exposure or chemical treatment. To use: Massage 2 Tbsp coconut oil from your roots to your ends and let it sit for 5 minutes before a shower. Follow with your normal shampoo and conditioning routine.
6. Revitalize your hair with bananas It's no secret that bananas are good for us — they're nutrient packed and high in potassium, which helps regulate our bodies. And all of those great benefits help make bananas an amazing choice for hair masks. According to Healthline, bananas contain the mineral silica, which helps your body to synthesize collagen, which can make your hair stronger and thicker. A banana hair mask can also reportedly moisturize your hair and help relieve a dry, itchy scalp. To use: Blend together two ripe bananas and half a cup of coconut milk. Coat your hair in the mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash the mask out of your hair.
YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY STARTS HERE.
Trust the advice of a real estate professional with 40+ years of living and working in Osceola county KENA BLAIN REALTOR®
407-572-4444 KBlain@DavisREGroup.com
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