When I was just 11 years old, I asked my mom to look at my scalp. “It feels strange,” I worried. It was mildly itchy and had a tingly, almost burning sensation. Additionally, I had felt quite a few bumpy patches that I couldn’t keep my hands off. “Have you been picking?” she asked, knowing that I tended to scrape and pick at scabs. “Yes,” I admitted. “It’s very itchy!”
(That was only partially true. Have you ever seen the payoff from psoriasis scabs? They’re like the size of cornflakes and I found them so satisfying to peel! Disclaimer: Don’t do this!)
My mom marched me to our family doctor who a) diagnosed me with psoriasis and b) suggested a coal tar shampoo of which I can still recall the smell to this day. Faithfully, once a week, I tipped my head over in the bathtub while my mom massaged the shampoo into my hair and scalp. When I was older, I took over the duties myself, and weaned myself off the regimen when my psoriasis improved – though it never completely went away.
While I tried not to let my psoriasis get me down, it nevertheless affected me psychologically throughout my teens and twenties. I rarely wore my hair up, concerned that the scales and scabs would be more visible if I pulled my locks away from my scalp. I panicked when my hairdresser went on vacation, knowing I’d be too embarrassed to have a new stylist do my hair. When I dated, I freely disclosed my condition out of fear that a man would nonchalantly run his fingers through my hair – and draw back in surprise.
It’s obvious that while I thought I was “managing” my psoriasis, I was still allowing it to control my day-to-day. Fast forward to 2014, when, after decades of letting my psoriasis symptoms wax and wane, my joints flared to the point where I was disabled with swelling and pain for over six months. The diagnosis: psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Today, I have mild flares of psoriasis on my scalp, lips and elbows, but I’m considered to be in clinical remission thanks to the medications I take for my psoriatic arthritis (which have the added benefit of keeping my psoriasis in check). I regularly see both a dermatologist and rheumatologist for my conditions, making sure to advocate for myself when I need to. Recently, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Geeta Yadav, a dermatologist based in Toronto at Skin Science Dermatology.
In the days leading up to the interview, an idea started to form – I wanted to share with you some things I wish I knew about psoriasis decades ago (that I know now). Dr. Yadav was knowledgeable and thoroughly answered my questions, which in turn allowed me to create the following list for you!
1. Psoriasis is a lifelong condition.
If I had clearly understood that my psoriasis would likely be with me for the rest of my life, I would have taken more definitive steps sooner to get my condition under control (and certainly before it progressed to PsA). …
However, things weren’t always so simple. Let me rewind:
I was first persuaded to 
Be sure to pin the following recipe cards for a taste of paradise at home – I’m sure you’ll feel all the vacay vibes while recreating these popular cocktails! (Tip: Simply leave out the alcohol for a delicious mocktail.) …
Conversations that I’d convinced myself I could put off for months (years?) suddenly became a priority. And while I know that my boy’s father will take the reins for much of the “talk”, as a woman, and as a Canadian mother to boys who may choose to become sexually active in the coming years, it’s my responsibility to openly discuss HPV infection, cervical cancer and how to help protect against both. By getting vaccinated to help protect himself against HPV, his own risk of getting infected is reduced and he may, in turn, be less likely to transmit HPV to his partner(s). …
First impression: the styling is gorgeous. I expected the 2021 Toyota Sienna to be spacious – but I didn’t expect it to be sexy. The interior boasts a clean and streamlined design with a sleek dashboard, a 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system and the innovative Bridge Console, which is the key to allocating personalized space to the driver and front passenger. …
There’s no doubt it’s more important than ever to file correctly and get every dollar we deserve. However, finding work/ life balance in COVID times is also a challenge; both my kids have been learning from home for almost a year, and in between being a parent, entrepreneur, photographer, at-home chef, armchair therapist… sigh, the list goes on!… I don’t necessarily have the time or energy to prepare my own taxes. My main goal heading into this tax season was to obtain the largest possible tax refund while staying safe at home. …
The brand-new 
The HUAWEI P40 Pro boasts a Quad Vision Leica Camera, which allows you to take extraordinary photos at any time of day and at any distance. In a world where we use “the Cadillac of…” to describe the cream of the crop, ladies, Leica cameras are the Cadillac of smartphone cameras. Let’s talk specs:
Enter 
Now that we’ve officially spent 3/4 of the year getting used to our “new normal”, there’s an unspoken willingness among friends, family and fellow parents to simply move forward. No, 2020 isn’t what we expected. Yes, we will pivot and adjust.
The best part is, there’s something for everyone! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at the hottest restaurant near you or play golf with a PGA pro while staying at a world-renowned resort and spa. You can even skip the line at a popular theatre show or take a hands-on donut workshop! …
(Also, read on for information about the Nobul $100K giveaway!)
(Also, no IOU’s! If you can’t afford to make the family vacay, stay drama-free by staying home.) …
Here are my Top Five Surprises with the 2019 Kia Sorento. …
The TWINWash Binge. Go grab that tub of popcorn, lady, but don’t get too comfortable – the main feature is a lot shorter than you think! If you’ve got multiple loads to get through (a “laundry-thon?”) the LG TWINWash SpeedWash feature will make time zip by. It can help save up to 30 minutes per load, cutting wash time by half – without shortcutting cleaning performance. …
At the time, I believed I’d be sleeping on the mattress on the floor for a week or two, just until our bedroom furniture arrived. I couldn’t have been more wrong, yikes!
I’m wondering if we’re the first family to complete the 100-night trial with the mattresses on the floor. Yet every single night, we had the most wonderful, restful sleep imaginable. I remember lazing in “bed” with my husband, marvelling at the cool, perfectly firm support. If you had asked me before trying Endy mattress if I thought a one-mattress-fits-all could be exactly suited to my needs, I wouldn’t have believed you. Now, I want you to believe me.
It’s around this time that I’m starting to hear from friends and family. “I can’t wait for my Endy mattress to arrive!” says 
Want to make your dreams sweeter? Make 2019 the year you invest in rest with 
Entrepreneurs are not born, they’re made – often as a result of circumstances like my own. And today, there’s no shortage of opportunities for those who want to launch their “side hustle” into a career. Direct selling is a prime example of how to work independently and build a business with low start-up and overhead costs. In fact, OVER 1 MILLION Canadians are involved in direct selling! Whether you’re trying to create personal income or simply because you enjoy a company’s products or services, direct selling offers the flexibility to set your own hours, the freedom to run your own business, and of course, an ideal level of work-life balance. Chances are, you know someone who sells beauty or hair products, kitchen essentials, clothing or more!