TresSugar

Ask a Savvy Bride: Can I Afford This Destination Wedding?

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:59:55 PDT

Most people have a love/hate relationship with destination weddings. While they automatically sound expensive, aside from the cost of getting there and staying there, they aren't necessarily budget killers. To see what I mean, check out the advice below given to someone who isn't sure she can swing her friend's wedding in Mexico. You can also submit your wedding-related finance questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

A friend from college is getting married this summer in Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised to be invited with my boyfriend and while a jaunt south of the border with him sounds lovely in spirit, I just don't know how feasible it is - money is tight right now. I'd love to see all my old friends and have the opportunity to introduce them to my boyfriend, but I'm still on the fence. What should I expect to pay for if we decide to go?

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

DrSugar Answers: Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me?

DrSugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:17 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
Mosquitoes love me. Aside from using repellent featuring DEET (the natural sprays don’t work for me at all), is there anything else I can do to make myself less attractive to hungry pests? I heard drinking white vinegar helps. Also, once bitten, what is the best way to calm down the itchy factor of the bites? I end up bruising myself from scratching so hard!
- Covered With Bites

I must admit, mosquitoes and bugs love me too! In fact, my husband says I must be made of "sweet meat" because bugs love to sink their teeth into me! I think this is a great question to discuss while it's still Summer, so

read more. Whether or not my husband's "sweet meat" theory is correct, there does seem to be some truth to the fact that certain people are more prone to getting bug bites than others. There is no medical or scientific research that I could find that supports this, but I’m guessing it may have to do with certain people's body chemistry. Either way, there are things that can be done to prevent insect bites. To prevent mosquito bites, Dr. Greene recommends wearing light, neutral-colored clothing that covers most of the body, as bright, floral colors attract mosquitoes; avoiding fragrant soaps, shampoos, and lotions; avoiding "peak biting times," which are from dusk until dawn and worse in hot, humid weather; and staying away from still water (either indoors or outdoors). WebMD also has good tips on preventing any type of insect bite or sting: apply insect repellent prior to entering woods or other areas where you may come into contact with insects, apply repellents safely, wear light-colored clothing that covers the body, avoid fragrant lotions and products, and avoid swatting at insects. There are all types of insect repellent out there; some are natural and not made with chemicals and others have chemicals (the most common one out there is DEET). From what I read, drinking white vinegar was not mentioned as a way to repel insects, but there are tons of homemade spray-repellent recipes that use white vinegar. In terms of nonchemical, natural repellents, Dr. Greene recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET is the active ingredient in many insect repellents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a safety review on DEET in 1998 and, based on extensive toxicity testing, believes that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population. However, consumers can reduce their risks when using DEET by reading and following product label directions. To read the directions on all products containing DEET, refer to the EPA website! Well, you've done all you can do and you still end up with a bug bite; what’s the best way to treat it? According to WebMD, most bites will heal on their own without a visit to the doctor. Emedicine health recommends cleaning the area with soap and water to remove any contaminated particles left behind by the insect. You should also refrain from scratching because this can cause the skin to break down and an infection to form. In the first six hours after the bite, a cool wet cloth or ice pack can help reduce symptoms as well. Itching can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine (such as Benadryl) in pill or cream form. Hydrocortisone 1 percent cream or calamine lotion may help relieve itching as well, but Benadryl and hydrocortisone creams should not be given to children until speaking with the pediatrician! Have a question for DrSugar? You can send it to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

You Asked: Is "Holding It" Harmful?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:00:26 PST

Dear Fit,
I do a lot of driving and running around for my job, which I love because I'm not one of those people who could sit at a desk all day. The only issue is that I don't have a lot of extra time to do normal things like use the bathroom. I often experience a full bladder and "hold it" if I have a deadline to meet or place I need to be. Aside from being uncomfortable, is this bad for my body? Do I have to worry about bladder infections or, worse, my bladder bursting?
-No Time to Pee

Believe it or not, you're not alone. Many people have jobs where they go, go, go and don't have much time to really "go" when they need to. To find out of you're doing your body harm

read more. Have no fear because holding it instead of urinating when you feel the urge won't lead to a burst bladder, because it's a strong muscle. Holding it, however, may make you more prone to developing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). When you wait too long to relieve yourself, it can cause the muscle to overstretch, which over time can actually weaken your bladder. You'll know if you have a UTI because it causes a strong urge to pee, pain in your urethra, blood-streaked urine, or a burning sensation when you do use the bathroom. If you've never had a UTI, I'd recommend doing all you can to prevent one, because take my word for it - it's not something you want. Not only are UTIs not fun, but they can lead to incontinence, which means you may lose your ability to hold it. I'm also worried that because you're limiting your bathroom breaks, you may also be limiting your water intake to decrease your need to have to go. Not getting enough fluids can cause constipation, dehydration, and just makes you feel crappy. My advice is to listen to your urge to go and make a point to take regular stops to the ladies room. Not only will you keep your bladder healthy, but washing your hands afterward will also help prevent you from getting sick.

You Asked: Adequate Protein on a Vegetarian Diet?

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:00:41 PST

Dear Fit,
I'm thinking of going vegetarian, but my brother said that there are certain proteins in meat that my body needs that I can't get from any other foods. Is this true? Or can I go meat-free and still be healthy?
- Veering Toward Veggies

I'm so glad you asked this question because so many people believe that proteins from meat are superior to the ones you get from other sources. Is this true or is it a myth? You'll find out when you

read more. You may have heard the one thing animal products have over a plant-based diet is that meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products contain complete proteins. A complete protein or whole protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins. Your body manufactures 12 amino acids, but there are eight others adults need to obtain from their diet. If your vegetarian diet includes eggs and dairy products, you're definitely getting the proteins you need. If you're not, and are eating a strictly vegan diet, you'll be happy to know that complete proteins can also be obtained through non-animal sources including soybeans, spirulina, hemp seeds, amaranth, buckwheat, and my personal fave, quinoa. Another way that vegetarians and vegans can make sure they get all the proteins they need is by pairing foods together to make their own complete protein. Beans paired with either nuts, whole grains, or seeds will do the trick. Some examples are black beans with rice, hummus on a pita, nut butter on whole grain bread, or split pea soup with barley. That's easy, right? You don't even have to eat them in the same meal. As long as you consume then through the course of a day, you're body will still recognize and utilize all the amino acids. Aside from proteins, vegetarians (and vegans especially) need to make sure they're getting enough vitamin B12, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin D. For those eating dairy products, you'll most likely get enough B12, calcium, and D. If you've ditched dairy, then you'll need to find sources of these nutrients either from your diet, from fortified foods, or from supplements. Iron and zinc are found in beans, whole grains, soy products, and veggies, so vegans also need to make sure they get their fill of these. This is good news, right? Go ahead and explain to your caring brother that he doesn't have to worry about your switch to a vegetarian diet. You'll definitely get what you need, and will also get less of what you don't need, such as cholesterol and saturated fat. He may even be inspired to go veggie too!