Skin Care for Men

While it’s true that men face a different set of skin care challenges than women do, we all need to take care of our skin. If you want to give your dad some love this Father’s Day, show him how much you care by sharing these simple tips for maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance from the inside out.

Maintain a good daily grooming regimen. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize. For a smooth, close shave, always use hot water, a lubricating shave cream, and finish up with a gentle moisturizer. After shaving apply an aftershave or some kind of toner. The aftershave will soothe nicks and cuts and help to restore the skin’s pH balance. (Gathered’s Facial Toner is great for guys too!)

Stop smoking. Smoking adds wrinkles to your face. Smoking causes blood vessels in the top layers of the skin to constrict, which reduces oxygen levels in the blood and reduces collagen in the skin.

Stay hydrated. Drinking fluids is one of the keys to retaining moisture and maintaining the elasticity of your skin. Avoid carbonated beverages with added sweeteners and go easy on the salt, alcohol and caffeine, all of which can affect your appearance.

Diet Reduce your sugar intake—sugar hastens aging. Add essential fatty acids. They are particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. Flaxseed and walnut oil and cold water fish contain fatty acids or consider fish oil supplements. Excessively fatty or greasy foods can increase the oiliness of your skin and cause blemishes. Drinking plenty of water and eating a high-fiber balanced diet will help you to maintain a young and glowing skin.

Improve circulation and blood flow to the skin. Use a gentle natural fiber brush to brush your skin before showering (dry brushing) to improve circulation. Exercise at least 15-20 minutes a day. Exercise will do more than simply get your heart rate going. It will clear your pores and increase your metabolism.

Avoid over exposure to the sun.
Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face.
And finally, stay away from excessive alcohol, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

 Gathered From the Garden has “Guy Grease”, He-Man Hand Scrub, Tired Tootsie Foot Products and After Shave Lotion to name a few. Our Facial Toner, Love My Face Wash and Moisturizer are great for a man’s skin too.

Wordless Wednesday

A blessing to be so joyful!

(I entered this photo in a contest at I Heart Faces).

Wordless Wednesday

A sand pedicure at the beach? (hubby's toes, not mine!)

The Generosity of Others

Some time ago I entered a contest on a blog to win some free cookies. The baker was going to send her beautiful cookies to a deserving person. I nominated my mom who had raised 10 children and stood by my dad through his many heart surgeries and procedures. I never once heard her complain.

Anyway, the response to the contest was huge and all who were nominated deserved the treats. So the baker asked fellow bakers to help out. That's how I've come to know Kristen at Babcakes Bakery.

She volunteered to send my mom some cookies. The cookies traveled from her bakery in Texas to my mom's home in Minnesota. Opening the box, my mom got a delightful surprise! Here were beautiful individually wrapped cookies. They were just for her.

My mom, being my mom, let my dad try one and then put the rest in the freezer. She was "saving" them. Mom sent a thank you letter to Kristen and happened to mention we was going to be celebrating her 80th birthday soon. Mom also told Kristen that she had stuck the cookies in the freezer. Kristen told mom to eat those cookies that she would send more for her birthday.

So mom did share one or two more. My sister came from FL a week earlier than the party so she got a cookie. My brother-in-law came over to do some repairs so he got a cookie. My hubby stopped in just to visit so he got a cookies. But me? Nope.

Then a few weeks later just as Kristen had promised more cookies arrived. Guess who was there when mom opened the box? Yep, me. Guess who finally got a cookie? Yep, me! There were enough cookies in the box for mom to share with the rest of the family. Her three great-grandchildren really enjoyed them as you can see!

Kristen had asked me what theme or colors we were using for mom's party. We didn't really have a theme (0ver the Hill doesn't really work at 80) but I did tell Kristen that mom is an avid gardener. (She has the greenest thumb I've seen.)So Kristen made the most beautiful flower and butterflies cookies! I can't tell you how much detail was put into them.

All of these treats from the kindness of a stranger. Kristen,you will never know how much joy your cookies brought to my family. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts!!!

How To Paint French Tip Toenails

Amanda over at Every Creative Endeavor has a fun tutorial on how to do your own French Tip Toenails. I love a good pedicure but what fun (and savings) to be able to do your own nails!

10 Ways To Brighten A Summer Day

Grandma's mini-sandbox.

For us here in MN I think summer has finally arrived! We had an exceptionally cool and rainy spring. But hurray--today's high should be about 80 degrees! So with all of the sunshine today it got me thinking of how to brighten your day and that of others. Here are some ideas:


1. Smile. (at everyone and just because- if no one else is around!)
2. Start your day with a workout or some kind of exercise or stretches.
3. Enjoy time with your family.
4. Call a friend. (It's really better than email or a text.)
5. Get outside! Swing in your hammock, garden, bike, go for a walk.
6. Help someone in need. (turn on the news and you will see plenty of others that could use some help! Prayers help those in need too.)
7. Play like you did when you were a child. When was the last time you played hopscotch, hula-hoop, or scooped up sand in the sandbox?
8. Laugh out loud. Tell a good joke. Read the comics.
9. Praise someone. It will make two people happy!
10. Wear bright colors--reflect the glorious colors of nature in summer.


What can you  add to the list?  Let us know what other ways we can brighten our day. I could have added "read and comment on a blog"...or check out Gathered From The Garden's website. Buying and using any of our wonderful products will surely brighten your day!

Wordless Wednesday

A sure sign of spring.