Trick-or-Treat Tips

Halloween- such a fun time to show off costumes but also a potential health trap. Try these 5 quick tips to keep Halloween fun, but slightly healthier:

1. Pass out candy alternatives. You can pass out fun, kid-friendly items like fruit leather, raisins, all-natural crackers, stickers, or cheap dollar store toys (tops, puzzles, etc.) 

2. Monitor and prioritize. Let your kids (and you) pick a few pieces each day to keep within reasonable limits. Discard or donate less desired items to the Food Bank. 

3. Incentive or trade. You can also give your child a nickel for each small piece or quarter for each big piece of candy they give up; they may think they've won the lottery!

4. Travel in groups. Make sure to go treat or treating with little ones and have older kids go in packs in well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods to keep safe. 

5. Try other tasty treats- like pumpkin or squash, roasted nuts, or apples in place of at least some sugary alternatives. 

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

Dealing with Dry Skin

If you're like me, dealing with dry skin is a constant battle- especially in the winter. Try these simple tips to save your skin.

Limit fragrances. Pick cocoa, shea, vanilla, and honey based lotions or washes instead.

Use mild detergents for hand washing, showering, and laundry.

Soften your water to rid it of heavy metals that prevent moisturizers from absorbing into your skin.

Get your vitamins. Getting vitamins A and C can help your skin better absorb moisturizers.

Limit acne medications. You certainly don't have to give them up, but try using them every other day to keep the oil down and keep hydrated.

Humidify. Especially during the winter months when you've got heaters going, a good humidifier will help counteract your skin from drying out.

Use hydro cortisone. At the first signs of chaffing, peeling, cracking, or eczema, use hydro cortisone to quickly restore moisture and prevent itching.

Regulate hand washing. Make sure to continue washing your hands after possible contaminations like using the restroom, sneezing, food prep, etc, but limit to only those times.

Lotion after each wash. Putting lotion on damp skin can further lock in the moisture immediately after washing your hands or showering.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/beauty-pictures/7-surprising-causes-of-dry-skin.aspx?pos=2&xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20150920

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.