Although the Fountain of Youth may just be a myth, the feeling of youth doesn’t have to be elusive. “The first steps to wellness that can help most health conditions are optimizing nutrition, sleep, and exercise,” says Dr. Alan Weiss, the director of Annapolis Integrative Medicine. From there, there are also medical and cosmetic procedures that can help women look and feel younger.

Here are some anti-aging strategies that you can help you recover the feeling of youthfulness.

Diet and Nutrition

The feeling of youthfulness starts from within, so diet is essential if you are pursuing an anti-aging strategy.

• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: Dr. Weiss says that a nutritious diet will not only help you look better and feel better, but your blood pressure will be lower and your mind will be clearer. Avoid processed foods and eat fresh vegetables and lean meats.
• Avoid a high-sugar diet: A 2007 study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that sugar triggers a process called glycation, whichcan damage collagen in the skin—an essential substance that keeps skin elastic and supple.
• Put protein on your plate: Protein is an essential building block in collagen. By keeping protein in your diet, your body will replace collagen as it breaks down, keeping your skin firm and preventing the formation of wrinkles and lines.
• Exercise: Maintaining bone and muscle strength can help keep you active and strong well into your twilight years. Exercise will help you maintain stamina, balance, and bone density.

Vitamins and Antioxidants

Jennifer Palmer, owner of Nourishing Journey in Columbia, Maryland, says that nutrient-dense diets are very important for feeling youthful and well. “It is vital because it helps you to release stress and enable every cell in the body to function at its best.”

• Eat “red” and “green” vegetables: Foods like carrots, tomatoes, and spinach are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which can help to combat cellular damage that can age your skin.
• Eat fish: Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is good for skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. If you can’t get 8-12 ounces of fish into your diet each week, you can supplement it with fish oil pills.
• Get your vitamin C: Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that combats cell damage that can affect the structure of your skin. Look to get about 75 mg a day of Vitamin C through fruits and vegetables such as citrus, kale, or berries, or through supplements.

Skincare

“As women, we tend to feel better when we look better,” says Wendy Williams, owner of Wendy’s Face Place in Fulton, Maryland. We show our age in our skin, through fine lines, wrinkles, and spots, so it’s important to take measures to protect it from wear and damage.

• Avoid the sun (and tanning beds, too!): Sun exposure can cause premature wrinkles and leathery skin. Even in the winter, wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking is a leading cause of premature wrinkles and can also cause “smoker’s face,” where skin becomes dull, gray, and wrinkled.
• Explore skin treatments: In addition to keeping your body and your skin well hydrated through drinking water and at-home skincare, there are in-office treatments that can help women with dull skin, or skin problems such as hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Women, as they reach menopause, begin to see a decline in levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to a decrease in energy and stamina, as well as symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.

• Pros and Cons: While there are risk concerns, such as an increase in incidence of blood clots and breast cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, “the absolute risk of taking hormone therapy is quite low,” possibly low enough depending on your risk factors.
• Benefits: Women who use hormone therapy in the short term can benefit by gaining protection against osteoporosis, colorectal cancer, and heart disease.

Brain Health

Maintaining your mental health is also important in any anti-aging strategy. Rest, learning and reducing stress are important strategies for keeping your brain, and your spirit, young.

• Relax: “Stress hormones, constant toxin exposure, lack of nutrition and emotional unrest can wreak havoc on the body,” says Jennifer Palmer. “I have had many clients improve all areas of their lives on a wellness journey where they release physical, emotional and,” she adds, “mental toxins.”
• Brain exercises: Are brains naturally being to slow down at the age of 30. Keep your brain active and young by challenging itself with thinking activities, and you don’t have to learn calculus to make this happen. Try learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, or teaching yourself how to brew your own beer.
• Sleep: A 2010 study done at Harvard University showed that healthy nights of sleep helps you to reactive and reorganize things you have recently learned. Sleep also has the added benefit of allowing your body to rest, which lets not only your brain, but your body to rest to look and feel younger.

Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures

Once you are feeling younger, you will want to show off your youthfulness on the outside too! If you don’t want to go under the knife, there are a number of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures you can try to help you look younger, many of them taking less than one hour.

• Skin therapy: Dr. Carol Baltazar, M.D., medical director of Longevity Medical Spa in Columbia, Maryland, recommends nonsurgical medical procedures for anyone who is looking for a solution to achieve a rejuvenated and youthful look. Some procedures include Botox, microdermabrasion, and liquid facelifts. She says, “Anyone tired of looking tired can have a brow lift, cheek lift, or jowl lift with minimal to no downtime.”
• Permanent makeup: Permanent makeup can help give the appearance of thicker lashes and redder lips, which can be effective in the appearance of facial rejuvenation.

Bundle

http://www.bundle.com/

Cost: Free

Bundle is an open platform (meaning that you can contribute to its content) that hosts lots of great financial information from prominent finance writers and other experts. It is free to sign up for an account and once you do, there are a ton of features that help you compare your spending, budget monthly expenses, and track your savings to a future goal. There is a wealth of financial data on the site that enables you to compare spending and saving habits of virtually every location in the country. The Bundle community is a great place to go if you have questions for debt experts, seek second opinions from peers, or are searching for up-to-date financial news.

Buxfer

http://www.buxfer.com/

Cost: Basic: Free, Plus: $3.99/month, Pro: $4.99

Buxfer offers easy online money management with the promise of security and the feature of multiple methods for storing your credentials. If you want, Buxfer will automatically log into your various online money portals and pull data from them for a nightly synching. No matter which account you choose, you will have access to features like split bills, mobile access, and automatic tagging; however, in order to have bill reminders, unlimited budgets, and balance projections, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee.

Clear Checkbook

http://www.clearcheckbook.com

Cost: Basic: Free, Premium: $4/month, $42/year

Clear Checkbook is basically the mother of all checking account ledgers. It’s an extremely easy-to-use site that helps you balance your checkbook online, track your spending, input your daily expenses, and set a budget with spending limits. One of the features the site promotes is that you can mark cleared transactions so you will always know if money has left your account and how much money you actually have. By upgrading to a premium account, you get custom features like a report tool, transaction histories, future balance projections and mass editing.

Mint

http://www.mint.com

Cost: Free

If you have heard of any of these online financial tools, you’ve probably heard of Mint. It has become quite popular due to its emphasis on user-friendliness and strong focus on automation. With Mint, you can track all your accounts—checking, savings, loans, investments—in one place, and the site will generate budgets and projections for you. It keeps the money-managing process very easy for its users, which has made it a favorite among a younger demographic and those with little experience with budgeting and tracking expenses.

Mvelopes

http:www.mvelopes.com

Cost: Free

Mvelopes plays on the old principle of budgeting with envelopes, using a different envelope to hold a set amount of money for each budget category. Just because it uses an old concept, however, doesn’t mean that it is short on new ideas and financial tools. One great feature of the site is that it helps you generate snapshots of your net worth as you adjust your budget and goals. Mvelopes used to charge almost $40 /quarter but now offers users to sign up for free.

Yodlee MoneyCenter

http://moneycenter.yodlee.com

Cost: Free

Yodlee is similar to Mint, but without all the flashy graphics. It is actually the core of many banking and financial institutions, as these organizations use Yodlee-powered interfaces that are rebranded to look like their own. This site focuses more on analyzing raw data than some of the others and allows more manually tweaking so you, as a user, have more control. A great feature for the absentminded is the Yodlee Bill Reminders section, which allows you to link your accounts and get reminders via email; the Real Estate Center tab is another handy feature with its current data for the value of your home.

Also online is Maryland.gov’s Resources Page. If you’re looking for local help, the site offers some great online financial services. Be sure to check out these resources and more on the website.

Temporary Cash Assistance: http://dhr.maryland.gov/fiaprograms/tca/index.php

To Request a Tax Extension: http://individuals.marylandtaxes.com/filinginfo/extension.asp

Avoiding False Credit Repair Promises: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/finance/advisories/advisory11-08credit.shtml

Money saving tips for your home: http://energy.maryland.gov/Residential/energyEfficientLinks.html

Foreclosure Counseling Services Law: http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/foreclose.htm

HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) – Foreclosure Prevention/Assistance Program: http://www.mdhope.org/

Assistance Eligibility Calculator: https://www.marylandsail.org/Screening/Default.aspx

Student Financial Aid Assistance Programs and Applications: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/descriptions.asp

College Savings Plans of Maryland: http://www.collegesavingsmd.org/enroll-today.aspx

Women’s Journal: What general advice can you offer our readers about how to insure their financial futures?

Samuel: The most important thing is that you have your own investing philosophy. A good way to do this is to ask yourself what you’d like to see happen to your investments over, say, the next five, 10, or 15 years. In my experience, most of the serious issues that beset folks down the line stem from the fact that they “borrowed” someone else’s philosophy. Not even your financial advisor is supposed to define this for you—only you can decide what’s most important to you. Once you have a clearly defined philosophy, seek help from a financial professional whose track record and biases are acceptable to you so that you can craft a realistic, practical plan to support your goal.

WJ: Can you talk a bit about some of the common challenges women face as they plan their finances?

Samuel: While many investing challenges occur regardless of gender, women do face certain peculiar challenges. For instance, many women have dedicated themselves to taking care of the family by staying home or working only part-time. For these and other reasons, they often leave the family finances to their husbands. However, women outlive men by three to four years on average, meaning that most will, at some point, find themselves at the helm of their financial affairs, dealing with issues such as spousal entitlements, income longevity, and college funding.

Ideally, I’d suggest that every woman take an active role in all conversations with the family’s financial counselors.

WJ: The stock market has been rather chaotic over the past few years, to say the least. What would you say to those who are worried about their investments?

Samuel: This is actually an opportunity to seriously reevaluate your retirement strategies. As I interact with folks from across this nation, the foremost issues I see plaguing them are pursuing strategies that are completely at odds with their expectations or using dubious, unrealistic assumptions. Every day I meet people who are 100 percent invested in variable mutual funds who want to make money when the markets are up but don’t want to lose anything during the down times or want to ensure that their savings will provide income for as long as they live.

While all of these benchmarks are indeed possible, most people’s investments don’t support achieving their goals. Investors must see the market for what it is: a guaranteed variable. They need to take a hard look at their underlying strategies, particularly when they have concerns about their results.

WJ: We’re sure our readers would like to know about the specific strategies that have enabled some to avoid the direct brunt of the stock market. Also, you mentioned the certainty of income for life. Can you elaborate briefly?

Samuel: There’s a proven strategy that enables investors to make gains up to a certain cap when the stock market goes up, and lock-in those gains so that whenever the markets decrease, you don’t lose money. Regarding income longevity, you can ensure that your 401(k) or other investment vehicle has a special mechanism that guarantees your savings will grow at a specific rate over the next, say, 10 or 20 years, whether the stock market goes up or down, and that it will provide you a given income for as long as you live. This is particularly attractive because it serves as a backup that can save the day, should the markets perform less than favorably. I’d refer your readers to a free report I wrote on this subject which is available at SetForLifeReport.com, or they can call our office at 877.656.9111 and we’d be happy to send them a copy.

WJ: Samuel, can we follow up on something you alluded to earlier—that most people are not aware of some of the things you just described? Why not? Shouldn’t the same information be available to everyone?

Samuel: The reality is that in the field of personal finance, a professional can offer clients only the products and/or strategies that their company makes available to them. And since not every company is licensed to offer all strategies/products, investors sometimes face limitations they may not even be aware of, in terms of product offerings. Not to mention that a financial advisor can offer you only what he or she is specifically licensed to sell—so it’s not really all that surprising that some investors may not be aware of certain options that could benefit them.

WJ: Thank you so much for taking some time to talk to us. Any final thoughts?

Samuel: It’s been my pleasure. While investing isn’t exactly rocket science, I’d strongly recommend that folks seek professional help. Never hold back from asking tough questions, because you just don’t know what you might uncover. There are lots of good resources and advice out there, but make sure you clearly understand the biases and motivations behind them. And finally, it’s okay to be atypical when planning for your future.

About our expert: Samuel N. Asare, MBA, CRPC, CMFC, CTP, CBM, is the senior strategist at Laser Financial group, with nearly two decades of experience in retirement-income planning. Samuel has authored several books and is a regularly featured expert in various print, radio, and television media. Samuel’s Maryland-based firm trains financial professionals on a variety of retirement-related subjects, and he regularly speaks to investors about how to retire successfully.

Varicose and “spider” veins are an incredibly common problem in the USA, afflicting as many at 25 percent of the adult population. Bulging, aching, and unsightly varicose veins often appear as a result of an underlying medical condition called Venous Insufficiency. Over 40 percent of women will have venous insufficiency by the age of 40 (70 percent by the time we turn 60), often presenting with complaints of unsightly leg veins, leg swelling, and various types of discomfort in the legs. In the past, treatment of the condition was limited to either surgical vein stripping or a lifetime of compression stockings. Today, however, we are typically able to treat Venous Insufficiency with minimally invasive procedures. At Maryland Vein Professionals, we utilize radiofrequency ablation, a technique now referred to as the Venefit^TM procedure (previously VNUS Closure). The procedure can be completed during a short visit in the office setting, it’s covered by most insurance plans, and you can return to essentially normal activity the same day. If necessary, persistent veins following the procedure may be cleared using another minimally invasive treatment called Sclerotherapy.

The Venefit^TM Procedure treats venous insufficiency, the underlying cause of most varicose veins. The procedure works by closing the damaged veins below the skin surface that cause abnormal pressure to build up in the bulging skin veins. When the malfunctioning veins are closed, blood flow is redirected into the healthy deep veins of the leg. With correction of the abnormal pressure, the bulging veins at the skin surface flatten, fade and may even disappear completely. Any residual veins may be addressed with cosmetic techniques, such as sclerotherapy, once adequate time, usually 6-8 weeks, has been allowed to assess the response following the Venefit^TM procedure.

Sclerotherapy is a technique where a fine needle is used to inject a medication called sclerosant into the small, diseased veins at the skin surface. As the sclerosant passes through these veins, the blood vessel closes. The vein disappears as the medicine travels. See a video on our website here: mdveinprofessionals.com/video/Sclerotherapy.mov.

Sclerotherapy should not be performed if there is untreated Venous Insufficiency as this underlying condition will diminish the desired outcome. We have seen many patients who had Sclerotherapy treatment elsewhere only to have their veins reappear a short time later. Often when we assess them with duplex ultrasound performed by our specialized sonographers trained in Venous Imaging we identify untreated Venous Insufficiency.

At Maryland Vein Professionals, we advocate a minimally invasive approach. Many patients who were seen elsewhere relate that they were told they must undergo vein stripping or phlebectomy. These are surgical procedures in which the skin is cut and the veins are removed. While it is true that these treatments may be necessary in cases of complex anatomy or severe, longstanding disease, we find that the vast majority of patients can be successfully treated in our office with minimally invasive techniques and without surgical procedures.

Please visit our Website, www.MDVeinProfessionals.com, for before and after images and patient testimonials. Call us at 410-964-VEIN (8346) or 877-7MD-VEIN to arrange your evaluation.

A Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Lingelbach provides vein care services primarily at Maryland Vein Professionals’ Chevy Chase location. Maryland Vein Professionals has multiple offices throughout the area.

I have abstracted for you some of the information concerning the 2011 statistics published by the American Cancer Society (the latest available data) and presented it in a more detailed paper entitled: “Breast Cancer Statistics”, 2011 in CA a Cancer Journal for Clinicians, November/ December, 2011.

Were you aware that your chances of dying from breast cancer are higher if the diagnosis occurs when you’reover65 as opposed to a diagnosis when you are under 50?  Here are the statistics: For females 50 or younger there were 61,760 cases of breast cancer and 6,400 of the women with breast cancer died from the disease, therefore a death rate is calculated to be 10.4 percent. For the greater than 65 age group the incidence was 98,080 with 22,660 dying from the disease. Thus the death rate was 23 percent for this group of women.

Another way to evaluate the statistics is to look at the incidence per 100,000 females in the USA. If you cone down on the number you realize that both the invasive incidence and the mortality rates have already peaked and are on the way down. The invasive incidence of breast cancer appeared to have peaked in the year 2000 at 150/100,000 and has now fallen to 130/100,000 in more recent years. This has also been accompanied by a decline in the death rate of 30/1000 in 1990 to 24/100,000 in the latest statistics available. This decline in mortality was larger for women younger than 50 (3.2 percent less) than among those older than 50 (2 percent less).

Unfortunately for both the incidence and the chance for the survival of females with breast cancer, there is a greater risk of dying in the African American population in comparison to the non-Hispanic White group. The numbers reveal a five-year survival rate of 88.8 percent in the Caucasian group compared to 77.5 percent in the American Black population.

An additional set of statistics that needs to be noted is the rate of mammography screening appears to be totally dependent of your income level. The data available demonstrates that  poverty (as defined by an income of less than $17,050 for a four-person household) occurred 50 percent in the year 2008, while the number rose to 72.8 percent for the non-poor group defined as having an income of 400 percent greater than the poverty level.

It is important for women to follow the recommendation of the American Cancer Society. Every woman over 40 should have an annual mammogram and do not forget to have an annual clinical breast exam, which should be done preferably prior to your mammogram.

Before your daughter’s first gynecological visit, it is important to know what to expect. Armed with information, you can help your daughter feel more at ease and both of you can come prepared with questions. Before her visit, you should talk with your daughter about whether or not she would like for you to be in the exam room with her during her physical. Be prepared for her to ask that you wait in the waiting room during this time. This will give your daughter the opportunity to openly discuss personal issues that she may not feel comfortable asking you such as issues with her periods, breast discomfort, or how her body should look.

During the first visit, the provider will meet with you and your daughter. This allows them to obtain information pertaining to her lifestyle and health habits, including nutrition, exercise, school, and medications. They will also ask about her menstrual, reproductive, and family history. The provider will also want to talk with your daughter alone to hear her concerns and establish a confidential relationship. Stress to your daughter the importance of answering any questions truthfully, even though she may feel uncomfortable. It is also important to encourage her to ask any questions she may have, no matter how embarrassing she fears they will be. Once her detailed history is taken and concerns are addressed, the health care provider will perform a general exam.

The physical exam has in some ways stayed the same through the years; however, it has changed in some areas when it comes to young women and their health. This part of the visit can be very intimidating and it is important for you to give your daughter a sense of what she should expect and how she may feel during this time. Your daughter has probably experienced a physical before, so most of what she is to expect will be familiar territory. What may be different and a little embarrassing for her is the breast and external vulvar exam. These two areas are very important in making sure that there are no abnormalities and also important in teaching your daughter what is normal for her and how to care for her body. By talking with your daughter prior to the exam about staying relaxed, she will find that this portion of the exam is over quickly.

There are two parts of the exam that are no longer required for women under the age of 21. The first is that she no longer needs a pap smear even if she has been sexually active prior to this time. However, this does not exclude her from having an STD screening, which can include a urine test and blood draw. The second is a pelvic exam. The pelvic exam is not indicated unless a problem has been established that requires further pelvic assessment. Once the physical exam is complete, the three of you will rejoin to discuss any concerns and follow up questions as well as what future visits should be scheduled.

Once your daughter has experienced her first exam, encourage her to talk about her experience and share her feelings. It is a great time for the two of you to bond over this “rite of passage” into womanhood. Remind her that should she have questions about her health, she can, at any time, pick up the phone and get answers to the questions she may have. As the mother of a young woman, know that you set a solid foundation for a great relationship between your daughter and her gynecologist.

Previous studies have shown that people who exercise regularly are less likely to develop the condition. It has been thought that better cardiovascular fitness is beneficial to the brain and this new study supports this idea: that regular exercise may help stave off dementia by improving and maintaining physical conditioning.

“These results suggest that in ageing, there’s a close link between the mind and body,” said Dr Larson. “Physical and mental performance may go hand in hand, and anything you can do to improve one is likely to improve the other.”

Seven effective ways to avoid Alzheimer’s

1. Drinking apple juice improves the production of a chemical in the brain that helps with learning, memory and muscle movement.

2. Eating one teaspoon of cinnamon a day blocks the production of a protein that contributes to Alzheimer’s.

3. Coffee is an anti-inflammatory that can block cholesterol in the brain, so drink three to five cups a day.

4. Being social can increase cognitive abilities by 100 percent.

5. The health of your eyes is a good indicator of how well the brain is functioning. Conserving eye health can cut your risk by 63 percent.

6. Meditation helps to lower blood pressure and stress, increasing blood flow to the brain.

7. A Mediterranean diet is rich in leafy greens: fish, root, nuts and a little wine can cut your dementia risk in half.

Studies show that the best way to keep your mind in shape is to start by keeping your physical body in shape. At Metamorphosis Pilates and Fitness we offer Classical Pilates, Yoga and cardio classes. All three require some concentration, which keeps the brain stimulated, are very social and carry more oxygen directly to the brain. Yoga includes some meditation. These are all mind/body movement classes and are extremely beneficial to the body as a whole. Our clientele is a wide variety of ages, gender, fitness levels and fitness goals. We cater to your personal needs and interests while honoring safety and quality of instruction. Our customers appreciate the personal interest taken in them and simplicity of payments. We never ask you to sign a contract or charge you a membership fee.

Ref: www.nhne.org, www.foxnews.com

Sound like the perfect afternoon? Experience it all at the 20^th annual Wine in the Woods, a two-day celebration of local wine, food, arts and entertainment at Symphony Woods in Columbia.

More than 30 Maryland wineries, vineyards, and wine cellars, including Boordy, Cygnus, Berrywine Plantations/Linganore Winecellars, and Sugarloaf Mountain, set up booths to share their variety of products, from reds and whites to blushes and dessert/sweet wines, meads and more. Sample as many as you can in your free souvenir wine glass, available with each wine-taster ticket.

As you indulge in the finest wines the state has to offer, more than 30 food vendors are set up to take care of your hunger pangs. Sample a wide range of appetizers, entrees, or desserts from the newest eateries or longstanding local establishments, or pick out your favorite and make it a meal. If you prefer to bring food from home, pack a blanket and join thousands of others for a picnic under the canopy of trees.

When you’ve had your fill of drink and eats, roam among the more than 65 arts and crafts tents displaying their jewelry, paintings, photography, and much more. If you haven’t had enough of the wine, though, join the experts throughout the day for free seminars on wine-making, tastings, and more.

The Entertainment

And while you’re picnicking, the music will entertain you. Starting at 11 a.m. and continuing throughout the afternoon, bands will play on two stages. From Rock and Reggae to Jazz and Soul, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a rockin’ good time. And special this year, if you come on Saturday, enjoy an evening concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. It is free with your Saturday ticket. All of this and more awaits YOU…in the woods!

Date: Saturday, May 19

Time: 11 AM – 6 PM (Rain or Shine)

Admission*: Wine Tasters: $40 at the gate / $35 in advance.

Non-Tasters: $25

*The Saturday ticket includes lawn admission to an

evening concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Date: Sunday, May 20

Time: 11 AM – 5 PM (Rain or Shine)

Admission: Wine Tasters: $35 at the gate / $30 in advance.

Non-Tasters: $20

Place: Symphony Woods, Columbia, MD

ID required for 21 and up

Go to www.wineinthewoods.com for additional details.

For additional information call: (410) 313-4700 (TTY: 410-313-4665)

Presented by: HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS

My little restaurant is located in an historic area on an historic road. We are located exactly half way between Baltimore and Frederick on the Historic National Pike—the road that built a nation. George Washington himself expanded this road, once an Indian pathway. Later the Ellicott brothers improved the road as it connected to the busy Elkridge landing port. I live in Catonsville where we have a “Rolling Road,” which was used to roll those Hogs Heads of tobacco coming from the National Pike that were exported for good money to Europe. My restaurant is sited in Poplar Springs and in its hey day of the 1800’s, this little town with taverns and a refreshing spring was a natural stopping point for travelers east and west.

So, although my wife squashed the idea of servers in Colonial garb and me as the merry balladeer and host, I still wanted to root myself in the area. We’re surrounded by rich farmlands and seven Maryland wineries, so farm-to-table and Maryland wines are at the heart of what I do. Every month we sponsor a different Maryland winery and do a special wine dinner that I design to be both instructive and delightful to the pallet. There may be no ruffled shirts (yet), but I aim to take the mystery out of wines for our events.

I have worked with so many wine lists and fine dining operations and despite years of wine knowledge, I find that for most people, the world of wine is a mysterious and dizzying place of descriptions and prices. So at our events I like to allow a winery to feature their vintages, explain the grapes and techniques, and then offer flavors and smells that stimulate your senses the way the packaging claims. You know, the “essence of cherry blossom, honeysuckle, etc,”  type of stuff.  Also, we’ll compare a Maryland grape to one of another region to expand the pallet’s experience. So does that Maryland Merlot stand up to the California one? My goal is that at the end of the event, our guests leave with more knowledge, a happy tummy, and are better able to order wine they’ll prefer at prices they’re happy paying. We are a wine store, also, so once found, our guests can always get that special bottle from us for their event.

The Colonial style shirt and balladeer idea is not altogether dead, however. Just as my guests have requested wines from other regions, they have also been requesting some music from the singing chef, so we are going to plan monthly events where we can have both wine and song! And Spring is finally here, so when this article is printed, we should be starting to see wonderful local asparagus, garlic scapes, and baby veggies and we’ll be moving to a Spring Menu. Gone are those hearty root vegetables that sustained our winter menu and heavy sauces. In comes the fresh and piquant with spring colors and blossoms. So while Wine in the Woods happens once a year, Maryland wines are featured every night in the Poplar Springs!

Chemical peels are solutions such as alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), trichloracetic acid (TCA) and Amino acid Filaggrin-based Antioxidants (AFAs), which are applied directly to the skin. These chemicals induce a controlled type of tissue reaction that exfoliates the outer layers of the skin. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids provide light peels. Chemical peels may be used in different concentrations to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation, and acne. Cosmelan® is a chemical peel based on the inhibition of tyrosinase, a basic enzyme in the melanin formation process. Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin its color. When skin undergoes external stresses (such as UV rays), or is exposed to hormonal changes (such as pregnancy), it produces more melanin than it needs. The result is uneven skin tone, blotchiness, and dark patches. The active ingredients in Cosmelan® (azelaic acid, kojic acid, phytic acid, and ascorbic acid) act by blocking this enzyme, which results in more even-toned skin.

Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical peel that involves “buffing” the skin with crystals. The technique exfoliates and resurfaces the skin with tiny crystals. It is usually performed on the face and neck, chest and hands. Microdermabrasion treats rough skin texture, uneven pigmentation, age spots, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Another approach to skin rejuvenation available to individuals is the Vi Peel. The Vi Peel utilizes a combination of acids providing a treatment that is virtually painless with minimal downtime. The Vi Peel will:

• Improve the overall quality, tone, and texture of your skin
• Reduce age spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation including melasma
• Soften lines and wrinkles by stimulating production of collagen
• Treat acne skin conditions, reduce or eliminate acne scars
• Stimulate the production of collagen, for firmer, more youthful skin

The skin peeling associated with the Vi Peel is typically a light, fluffy peel that starts on day three and ends around day four. With the use of a moisturizer, you may go about your usual daily routine. In some cases, the peel is not visible. The Vi Peel is tailored to your skin to produce a deeper, more aggressive peel, if necessary, depending on your skin condition. The Vi Peel’s unique blend of TCA, Phenol, Tretinoic acid, salicylic acid, and Vitamin C delivers effective results on the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, elbows and knees. The Vi Peel is safe to use on all skin types and skin tones. The peel is excellent for both adult and adolescent acne. Patients as young as twelve years old may be treated.

If you are tired of wearing heavy foundation to cover up age, sun, or acne-related imperfections, the Vi Peel may be the treatment for you. Now there are more options for individuals with more specialized needs.

-          Vi Peel Precision and Precision Plus: excellent for treating stubborn hyperpigmentation including melasma and age spots.

-          Vi Peel Acne: clears pores, brightens skin and reduces acne scars.

With proper maintenance, you may finally enjoy flawless looking skin and have the option of living “make-up free.” It is considered the ultimate skin breakthrough for turning back the clock.

Please visit our website, www.LMSmedspa.com, for more information or call us at 410-290-0012 for your complimentary consultation.  Dr. Baltazar will discuss all the treatment options. A careful selection of treatments, based on your unique facial characteristics and skin condition will provide you with a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

TESTIMONIAL

“I developed brown spots on my cheeks and Dr. Baltazar recommended the Vi Peel. Aside from some slight tingling during the treatment, it was virtually pain free. I experienced peeling, but the moisturizer with the post treatment kit helped. I did not experience any downtime and that’s a big plus for me since I’m a busy working mom. After the first week, the brown spots were gone and my skin looked amazing. I wish I had done the treatment sooner!” – AL.