The Lip Balm Problem DOES IT DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
You may have heard the myth that using lip balm regularly increases your dependence on it. That is, over time, your lips are unable to properly moisturize themselves, leading to increasingly chapped and dry lips, which then require more lip balm. Some myths even suggest that lip balm is addictive. Is there any truth to this? These myths originated from the idea that using lip balm for an extended period of time reduces your lips’ ability to produce their own moisture. Healthy skin, including your lips, produce oils to avoid drying out. In other words, the more we use lip balm, the more necessary it becomes to use it. Over the last year, as more people have worn masks, dry facial skin and lips have become a major issue. As a result, an increasing number of people are turning to daily moisturizers and lip balm. Is this creating a bigger problem? Are people becoming addicted to lip balm? Fundamentally, lip balms do not contain any ingredients that are considered “addictive” or that cause any sort of dependence. Using lip balm is more of a habit than anything else. Some people might call it a
Refer a friend, get a brighter smile! That’s right, every time you refer a friend to Dr. Maddahi, you get one FREE teeth cleaning! Thankfully, due to concerns over potentially harmful ingredients, there are several all-natural brands on the market. It’s easy to find a lip balm that will suit your needs while keeping your lips healthy. Ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba, and vitamin E, just to name a few, can be beneficial. bad habit, but it is habitual all the same. Science and practicality say if your lips are not noticeably chapped or dry, yes, it is a good idea to avoid using lip balm. When it isn’t necessary, let your lips’ natural moisturizers do their job. But sometimes it is necessary to supplement these moisturizers. In these instances, one very important thing to keep in mind is that not all lip balms are created equal. Some can be detrimental to the health of your lips. Don’t use lip balms that contain sugars or highly processed or artificial ingredients. This includes any balms with ingredients like artificial flavoring, artificial sweeteners (saccharine), mineral oil, parabens, or petrolatum (derived from petroleum, which is considered safe).
We’re smack in the middle of broccoli season, and fried rice is the perfect dish to celebrate it. This savory, plant-based recipe is packed with nutritious vegetables and delicious Thai flavors. Tasty Thai Fried Rice
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, chopped •
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5 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
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8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced 4 cups broccoli, chopped to bite-size pieces
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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Toppings of choice for serving (sliced green onions, sliced cucumber, chopped peanuts, lime wedges, Sriracha, etc.)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. 2. Add the mushrooms and broccoli. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. 3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 4. Finally, add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 3–4 minutes. 5. Remove skillet from the heat and stir in the peanuts and soy sauce. 6. Serve garnished with your toppings.
Inspired by OhMyVeggies.com
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