Several of you have been asking me for updates on any changes with my skin, or effects health wise I notice from spending time in the new vitality tanning and light bed I have down at the store, so here is a quick update on a few things I've noticed.
My skin:
Everyone is asking me how long it takes to start noticing you are actually getting tan. Pretty much all the literature and even info for regular tanning beds say it takes about 16 tanning sessions before you really start noticing a tan. I think I've probably done 8-10 sessions over the past two and a half weeks, and I'm starting to see the color change in my skin. I'm only doing 8 minutes at a time, so if you are doing more I'm sure you'll see progress faster. A few days ago I was trying on some clothes, and when I looked in the mirror I noticed my legs weren't scary white! I'm not tan by any stretch, but noticing some good color for sure. So don't get discouraged! It takes a little while, but all of a sudden you'll start noticing changes pretty fast!
Other than tanning, I have noticed some other changes in my skin too. One of the main things I have noticed is acne. Now for general purposes tanning is really good for reducing acne, and the blue light kills bacteria, and the red light improves skin tone and collagen production. BUT the infrared light is a pretty powerful form of detox, and my body seems to be ridding toxins through acne. As many of you know I'm on a protocol for lyme disease right now, and my body is flushing out a lot of crap. So while having a little extra acne is a bit annoying, the fact that it's helping my body get rid of toxins is pretty exciting! About 1-4 hours after I tan, I notice I have a little break out. It clears up within a day, so it's not long lasting. I've asked several other gals that are tanning if they have noticed the same thing, and the only one who has is a friend who has very similar health issues to me and has been VERY sick lately. So that leads me to the detox conclusion yet again.
My Body:
As far as other effects, I've noticed it drastically helping my headaches. I have pretty bad migraines, and figured being in the bed would make them worse, since light usually does. But after about 7 minutes in the bed, my headache was almost gone. This has happened several times, so I'm kind of excited about it!
Also, laying in the bed I notice just my general back and leg pain being significantly eased. Of course it is too soon to tell about long term benefits, but short term are pretty clear to me. The first several times I noticed no difference because I could only be in the bed for a few minutes. You have to work up to more time, so don't expect results right away. Once I got up to 8-10 minutes is when I started noticing the pleasant effects. The infrared is supposed to be excellent for pain relief, and in my experience thus far it's working!
For those of you who don't know, I've struggled with severe pain for years now. I try to hide it, so most people wouldn't know. I am on a muscle relaxer, meds for my leg pain, nerve pain meds, and just regular pain meds when it gets too bad. I've been in several accidents, that left me with a broken tail bone, ruptured disks in my back, among other things. As well as multiple heath issues that cause some extensive pain. I just mention this so you know I'm not just a happy healthy 27 year old who noticed my "little bit of achy back" is a bit better. I've dealt with some severe pain for the past while, so I'm tickled at the results I'm seeing!
My Mood:
I have a really hard time in the winters. I'd love to say I glide through them, but that would be lying. Ever since we moved to Idaho from Texas about 15 years ago I've struggled. It's hard cause I hate when people blame their bad attitudes and foul moods on the weather, but SOMETHING sure changes for me in the winter. I cry for no apparent reason, struggle to just keep putting two feet in front of the other. Summer and sunshine come and I feel like a different person. Soooo... with that said, I was really hoping to notice a difference with this light bed. For the first week and a half or so I noticed nothing at all. No improvement. But now that I'm up to 8-10 minutes every two or three days I am starting to noticed changes. Little things like I can stop myself when I start to cry, whereas before the tears just came. I'm not noticing the dark weather NEARLY as much. When its sunny it's nice, but I don't feel like a crazy lunatic starving for light! I don't know how to describe it other than to say I'm feeling more "settled." Those of you that struggle in the winter know what I'm talking about. I just feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel..(or perhaps at the back of my store) and like I can survive until summer, where usually I tell Jesse Idaho has 1 month of summer and 11 months of who cares... it's not summer.
Anyway, that's all I've noticed so far. Too soon to see any long term effects, but that's my experience with the short term.
So, for those of you using my light bed, I'd just like to say don't get discouraged until you get up to spending more minutes in the bed. Like I said, I didn't notice any difference at all until I got up to about 8 minutes per session. And no, for those of you wondering, no, I don't lay in it every day. I don't even lay in it every other day. I'm trying to do 3 sessions a week, cause that is the recommendation for people starting out, or struggling with health issues or seasonal issues. So don't think it will take you twice as long as me to see any results because you can't come in all the time.
I'm super excited to hear any benefits you guys might be feeling too. Please post your comments on the page so we can all hear what you are experiencing! It encourages us all, and also helps me with my recommendations to people asking for info about the bed.
It's seem like no matter how many movies come out with the same story line as "It's A Wonderful Life", I always feel that somehow my life must the the exception. Surely the bad things that I work so hard on, and the past that I wish could be erased, or the prayers that go for years unanswered are the things that keep my life from being what it is supposed to be, not in fact the cornerstones that hold up everything that is good in my life today. I know, I know, all the movies say it's not true. If all the "bad" things were suddenly gone, it would somehow upset the "balance" of life and some colossal chain of events would alter my thinking forever and I would end up completely bewildered with what I wished my life could be, and be left in a miserable heap begging for my "old life" back.
But the reality of day in day out life is never that sudden revelation that all is well, or that life altering visit from ghosts of Christmas past.
For me it is my health. I can't remember a time when I actually felt good and didn't hurt. It seems normal to have to plan everything day to day because of the uncertainty of how I will feel. To one day feel fine and the next not be able to walk up a few stairs, or even dress myself.
I look at my life now, and I think how amazing life would be if only I felt better. If my whole life didn't revolve around not getting too tired so my body collapses, or constantly having to limit even the fun stuff so as not to "overload the system." Looking at it from my perspective, there seems no downside to feeling good. No horrible loss from having a healthy body. I can't see any way my ill health has affected anyone else in any good way, that me being healthy couldn't have accomplished. I'm certain I would have just as much compassion, and empathy, or whatever other good things are supposed to come from hard times, if I didn't have to actually live through it. I see it robbing me, robbing the people I love, and being a constant drain on those that mean the most to me. I feel like I'm missing out on life. Missing out on living. Missing out on what it means to be young. Missing out on "normal".... whatever that means. Missing out on being able to answer honestly to "how are you doing?" without sounding like a grumpy old grinch.
Today Hudsen and I were sitting on the couch. I wasn't feeling good again, so we sat and danced to music while sharing headphones, cause he though that was cool. We sang and watched Daniel Tiger. I listened to my ipod, gave him apples, explained to him what things were, watched his eyes light up when he found some candy in a drawer, and told him for the millionth time today "daddy is at work."
I felt sad, defeated, alone, and worthless. I hadn't really accomplished anything important today. A million things that "should" be done were racing through my head and leaving me feeling dark, despite the fact that sunshine was pouring through my windows.
But then I looked at Hudsen, all smiles and giggles, and I saw how happy he was that mom was there. Right next to him. Not doing some amazing important adult thing, just there. Not chiding him when he spilled water all over the floor. Not grumbling that all the toys were out, and telling him I was too busy to listen to his chatter. And even though I didn't have a sudden rush of happiness that my life is full of pain and lots of couch time right now, I also know I won't ever get do do this over. My little baby will never be 18 months again. There is no way my life could be arranged better for spending time with my baby. There is no project so amazing, no house so clean, no store so wonderful, or business so successful that would make a little boy smile like he did today.
I don't know what the meaning is behind the crappy things in life. I still think things would be so much easier and better if I felt good. But I do know that all the sucky things life throws our way doesn't change love. The love we give to those around us, the love we give our family, and friends, and even complete strangers. And feeling good, or not being in debt, or owning a home, or "living our dream", could never make us feel more loved, or be more able to give love than we are right now.
Tomorrow may never come, or tomorrow may be worse than today. I'm not trying to be a downer, that's just the way life is. So don't wait for it. Love today. Live today. It's all we have. It's all we need.
Do not exceed recommended tanning times for your skin type. Harebrained And Happy is not responsible for skin damages or burns that occur because of exceeding the recommended tanning time for your skin type.
Goggles must be worn at ALL TIMES while int he tanning bed. Harebrained is not responsible for any eye damaged caused from unprotected tanning.
Children may not be left unattended. If you need to bring your children, or cannot get a babysitter for your tanning session, we will be happy to watch your children while you tan for $2 per child, per session. Or you may take your children into the tanning room with you if you prefer, but Harebrained and Happy is not responsible for exposure to children in the room.
The tanning bed is disinfected after each use by one of the owners. Cleaner and paper towels will be provided if you wish to clean the bed for yourself before use for your own peace of mind.
The Vitality Tanning Bed is rated up to 290 lbs. If your weight exceeds 290 lbs please do not use the tanning bed for your own safety.
If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before using the tanning bed.
No persons under the age of 17 will be allowed to tan without signed consent from a parent.
If you miss a tanning appointment without cancellation at least 2 hours prior to your visit it will count as one tan on your punch card. We have limited hours, so it is important that others have the chance to use that time slot if you are unable to make your appointment. Cancellation is simple and easy, simply go to the "schedule now" button on Facebook and change your appointment to "canceled." Emergency situations will be evaluated if such a circumstance causes the need for a sudden cancellation.
If you are more than 5 minutes late for you appointment and there is someone else in the time slot after you, you will be considered a no show. If you want to wait for another available time slot that day you may use your session then, but if you do not wish to wait your punch card will be punched as if you used your session.
If the guidelines for using the tanning bed (wearing goggles, setting tan times for longer than recommended, etc.) are violated, tanning will be suspended for the card holder and a refund will not be given for unused tanning sessions.
No appointments or cancellations by phone. During business hours booking appointments is just not possible for me. You can email appointment requests or cancellations if you are not able to use Facebook, or text appointment requests or cancellations, but preferably please use the online scheduler found on the Vitality Tanning At Harebrained And Happy Facebook page.
Referral Rewards: If you refer your friends or family to our tanning services, and they purchase a punch card for 10 or more sessions, you can receive one tanning session free. We must be informed by the friend at the time of purchase, to give you the credit. So be sure and tell anyone you refer to mention your name when buying their tanning sessions!
Please read the following and sign and print your name below if you agree:
I, (the client) understand that I am solely responsible for my tanning experience, and will not hold Harebrained And Happy liable for any misuse of the equipment provided. I have read the above policies and will be in compliance with them during my tanning sessions.
What is the main difference between regular tanning beds and the Vitality Tanning System?
Q: Aren’t tanning beds bad for you?
A: Two problems that traditional tanning beds have is the two different types of radiation that they emit. The first one is X-rays, which are emitted by the ends of both bulbs. X-rays of course are linked to cancer, and may contribute to studies that show higher rates of skin cancer in people that frequent tanning beds. This occurs with any fluorescent bulb, however, the x rays can be shielded with led wrapped around the last inch of the bulb.
The second is EMF waves emitted by the magnetic ballast used for most all of the traditional tanning beds on the market today. These magnetic ballasts give off the humm that you hear in the tanning bed. The EMF decreases the further you are away from the ballast, but in tanning beds one is only several inches away from the magnetic ballast. In the Vitality Tanning system, there are no magnetic ballasts, but instead electronic one, which do not emit the EMF waves.
Q: Doesn’t tanning or being in the sun cause skin cancer?
A: Sunscreen contains large amounts of chemicals known to be highly carcinogenic, but medical practitioners still insist that you lather yourself in it to “protect” from skin cancer caused by the sun. However research indicates there is more evidence that sunscreen can cause skin cancer than the sun itself. Individuals who have been severely sunburned do have a higher risk of skin cancer, so it is important to slowly work up to higher levels of exposure from the sun, so that your body has time to assimilate the rays, and build up a base tan to prevent burning. Also studies show that vitamin D deficiency doubles your risk of cancer. It seems the incidents of cancer has gone up drastically as the push to stay out of the sun has continued.
Q: What is the difference in the light produced by regular tanning beds and the Vitality Tanning System?
A: Most conventional tanning beds produce primarily UVA rays, and a small amount of UVB rays. UVA rays are the rays primarily involved in the skin tanning, while UVB rays are the light rays responsible for producing vitamin D in the skin. Doctors support that the best way for your body to absorb vitamin D is not through pill form or liquid form, but from UVB light from the sun or a safe tanning bed.
The Vitality Tanning System produces UVA, UVB, Infrared, Blue, and Red light.
Q: What is Infrared light and what does it do?
A: Studies have proven that infrared light brings wound healing and pain relief for scars, arthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, sinusitis, tennis elbow, TMJ, Carpal Tunnel, inflammation, edema, skin care and the list goes on and on. It is often administered to prevent scar tissue formation, inflammation and degenerative osteoarthritis. For more info on Infrared light, please visit our facebook page and view the video posted on our wall, where an MD explains infrared in more detail.
Q: Blue light and what does it do?
A: Blue light therapy is used to treat acne, eczema, and other skin disorders. Unlike most traditional acne treatments that sit on the surface of the skin and cause irritation, blue light therapy gently penetrates below the surface to eliminate the bacteria at the source. The blue light interacts with the bacteria causing it to self-destruct.
Q: What is Red light and what does it do?
A: The primary function of red light is to accelerate wound healing, stimulate collagen production, and aid in fading sunspots and hyper pigmentation.
The bulbs in the Vitality Tanning Bed that are directly over the face and neck are exclusively blue and red light, thus not only reducing the aging that can be caused by UVA and UVB exposure, but also stimulating collagen production, thus helping reduce wrinkles, acne, and age spots.
Red light therapy also has demonstrated effectiveness in treating rosacea and eczema, and helps maintain your skins elasticity and firmness while helping refine texture and smooth lines.
When used together, Blue and Red light can help reduce the appearance of acne scarring, and heal the existing acne lesions that have formed under the skin. It is also used as an anti-aging and skin rejuvenation tool.
These are the main differences between traditional tanning beds, and our Vitality Tanning System. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!
I'm adding a new element to the store!
As most of you know, I'm a Texas girl, and boy does this Texas girl miss the sun! Especially in the 11 months of winter we get here. (ok maybe a little exaggeration, but not much!)
The dark days, the low vitamin D levels, the cold, it all adds up to make winters pretty long for this sunshine loving girl!
But what options are there really when living in northern climates? There is the ever present vitamin D pills which help some, but studies show that it is not nearly as effective as simply getting a little sun. There is traditional tanning beds, which while they are warm and happy they also emit all kinds of negative cancer causing rays and x-rays, so these days for some health conscious people tanning beds are pretty taboo.
Dr. Mercola has come up with a healthier option for keeping a healthy glow, and getting your vitamin d levels higher. Also, this bed has other health benefits such as Infrared, and red and blue light.
These beds are different from regular tanning beds in many ways, one of which is they have electric ballasts on the bulbs, while normal tanning beds have magnetic ballasts causing your body to be subject to x-rays while you are tanning. Also, these specially designed bulbs block many of the harmful skin cancer causing rays that most tanning beds produce in abundance. For more information, please read the article below. Or google "Dr. Mercola Vit D Tanning Bed"
I'm excited about the many health benefits other than just the vit d and tanning. Easing muscle pain and spasms with the infrared, reducing inflammation etc. So whether you just love having a great tan and want to do it in a healthier way for your skin, or you are looking to ease the winter blues, or maybe just struggle with chronic pain, I'm excited to say in a couple weeks this new bed will be down at the store and ready to be used, so stop by and check it out!
"Relax Under the Glow of 4 Health-Enhancing Lights"
Enjoy Vitamin D Producing UVB, Infrared, Red and Blue Light with the Vitality Home Tanning Bed
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can make a world of difference for your heart health, bones, skin, immunity and even your mood. It's so important, that your body produces it naturally when sunlight comes in contact with your skin. In reality, you are your own Vitamin D producing machine! But without enough outdoor sun exposure, it's hard to maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D all year round. I live in Chicago for the most part of the year, so believe me, I know how difficult it can be to enjoy sunshine during colder months.
Get the Triple Support of All 4 Types of Beneficial Light Rays: Vitamin D Producing UVB, Infrared, Red and Blue Simultaneously -- While You're Lying Down Relaxing
For lack of an effective, convenient solution, most people take the problem of Vitamin D Deficiency lying down. This accounts for the sad state of many people's health. The dangers of low Vitamin D levels, such as depression, autism and even cancer, are just too serious to ignore.
Fortunately, there are convenient solutions available to you, and I'm about to show you one that you can actually take - lying down or standing up, if you prefer!
It's the Mercola Vitality Home Tanning System, a complete tanning system that utilizes UVB rays to stimulate natural Vitamin D production in your body. It's made even better than conventional tanning beds because it has two more beneficial types of light which are red and infrared light.
With your Mercola Vitality Home Tanning Bed, you'll enjoy:
The benefits of UV rays that help your body produce just the right amount of vitamin D, without overdose.
Red light in the 633 nm range to reverse wrinkles and help give you more youthful skin.
Infrared light to provide temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and spasm -- and improve blood circulation.
The convenience, privacy, and cleanliness of getting your tanning and health-enhancing light in the comfort of your own town.
The newest technology in indoor tanning systems, which is far more advanced than the often-outdated equipment in tanning parlors.
Getting a tan in the Vitality Tanning System model of your choice is bound to be a favorite health and relaxation activity throughout the year.
Recommended by the Vitamin D Council
Scientists at the Vitamin D Council agree that both children and adults should have a Vitamin D level of 50 ng/ml all year-round. They recommend the use of any Mercola Tanning Systems as a safe and effective way to help you achieve natural levels of Vitamin D. The Vitamin D Council is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to educate the public about Vitamin D deficiency and how to prevent it.
Many of you are aware of the "shop local" movement, but some of you may not be aware that tomorrow is "Shop Small Business Saturday"! People all over America are joining together to support their local small businesses. As I was thinking about tomorrow, I just wanted to give a shout out to a few of the wonderful small businesses in Potlatch. Gallery 255, is a fantastic little shop, full of amazing art and wonderful jewelry. Hatter Creek Treasures And More is full of antiques, gifts, collectables, and just plain fun stuff! Even if antiques aren't really your thing , you might just find the perfect book or movie to help pass the long winter evenings. There is of course Northwest Pharmacy, where they work so hard to keep prescription prices low, and also have lots of great gift items. Crazy For Quilting, the new shop in town has fabric, patterns, and other fun items sure to delight sewers of all ages! Fiddlers ridge always provides fantastic healthy plants, and great gardening advice and Junction Lumber works very hard to keep prices low, and serve the community in any way they can. Of course I know I am overlooking many great places in town, but my point is, there are so many local places that need your support, and Shop Small Business Saturday is a great day to get out and show them you appreciate them being in our town!
When thinking about supporting local businesses, it is important to remember that a little goes a long way. What I mean by this is the "all or nothing" type of thinking is very prevalent in small towns, and it is something that as a business owner, I would like to actively challenge. It is easy to feel that in order to support your local businesses, you need to do all your shopping there. For example, buy all your Christmas gifts, all your plants, all your lumber, etc., but sometimes your budget may prevent that. So the easy thing to do, is just take your business into a larger city and do all your shopping there, justifying it by "Our tight budget just won't let us shop locally." I am not naive, I understand many times smaller businesses have higher prices that larger box stores. But the truth is, if everyone in the community and surrounding area spent a relatively small amount in local shops each month, in many cases it would be more than enough to keep the local shops in business. For example, in the area from Viola to Tensed, Potlatch to Palouse, and Princeton to Harvard, there are easily 3,000 people, including all the rural areas in between. If each of those people, spent $5 a month, at any local shop, thats $15,000 a month, which is more than enough to keep most small businesses going and growing. I know that the picture I have painted is a bit simplistic, but the principle is very true, and often forgotten. What small businesses need is not necessarily big spenders, it is MORE spenders. And if everyone pitches in and supports the little guy, they will thrive, and that helps our communities thrive. For you it may look like picking up a bouquet of flowers for your Grandma, or buying coffee locally instead of at Starbucks. Maybe it's something as small as buying band-aids at the pharmacy, or a card from Gallery 255, but those small things are what keep us going. It does not have to break the bank, or ruin your budget to shop local. So promote your local businesses! Tell your friends about your favorite local spots, post local sales or events on Facebook and twitter. Be proactive. We appreciate it so much! We couldn't survive without your help!
As we all start settling in to the fact that summer has indeed left us, and winter is breathing down our necks, lets take some preventative action to keep the winter blues at bay.
If you are anything like me, the thought of another long winter of dreary days, and dark mornings is enough to make me wish I could just go into hibernation and not wake up till the flowers start blooming in the spring! So what to do? The holidays keep most of us busy until after Christmas, but once January comes, it's all downhill from there. So this year I decided to start planning ahead. To start lining up projects, ideas, and things to look forward to long before the lights on the trees are being taken down and the reality of the long winter ahead truly sets in. First, I have a brand new planner book for 2013. It has special events I am planning for the store next year, along with projects I have been wanting to do this year, but just never had the time. For example, there is a skirt I have been dying to make, with adorable stripes and ruffles, but with all the hubub this year it just didn't get done. So instead of waiting till I "have time" I'm writing it into my calender. We have a date... this ruffled skirt and I. I know it seems simple, but the truth is that by the time Christmas has come and gone, and I actually have time to think about what to do, I will be lethargic, mildly depressed, and loathing winter. And lets face it, it's hard to get motivated or inspired when you feel that way. I'm much more likely to just snuggle under my blanket and watch another episode of "shark tank" then actually think up a project and do it. So that's why I have to start NOW! It's easy to get inspired now! I can flip through magazines, thumb through quilting books, pick out fabrics, and plan out my winter happy time. I can start looking forward each week to the projects that are awaiting me, all lined out so my "winter brain" does not have to be inspired, it simply had to put it all together! So here is my challenge for all my friends that struggle with the winter blues. PLAN IT NOW! Find yourself some fun projects to do, get the supplies you need, and put a date on your calender to complete something you've "always wanted to do". If you have trouble finding something that excites you, go to the book store and thumb through books, or go spend a few hours at the library! Or better yet, come into Harebrained And Happy and thumb through our books and find something that lights your creative fire!
Start now! Don't let this winter drag you down! Go get your creative on!
