"Don't Fry Day"

May 25th is the official "Don't Fry Day." 


This is me back in 2008 in Cozumel, Mexico.
Note the sunglasses and yes, I have
suncreen on and in the bag!



Now, you might be thinking about not deep frying foods this day, but that is not what it means at all.  According to the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, it is a day to remind us to protect our skin while we are outdoors.

My husband is a farmer, therefore his job is mostly outside.  How many farmers do you know have a farmer's tan?  You know, their arms and face have a real nice tan, but when you pull those t-shirt sleeves up, LOOK OUT, you can see the ghostly white skin underneath! 

“Farmers and ranchers are fortunate to be able to spend much of their working lives outdoors,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “The downside of prolonged exposure to the sun while on the farm or ranch is that it can lead to skin damage and cancer.”

If you are outdoors for a period of time, work outdoors, or are letting your children play outside it is always good to do the following:

• Wear sunscreen and apply it generously.  Don't forget places like your face and ears!  Apply more than once if necessary.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Drink lots of water to help keep you hydrated.
• Seek shade when you feel you are getting too hot.  Let yourself cool down and make sure you are not burning your skin.

According to the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention's website, "The number of women under age 40 diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma has more than doubled in the last 30 years." I only tend to lay out in the sun when we are on vacation and nobody will be able to snap a picture of me in a swimsuit, but I always make sure to wear sunscreen, even if there is a breeze blowing and it's overcast.  Since a lot of skin cancer's are traced back to overexposure to UV radiation, I don't want to take any chances.

For early dection of skin cancer, like anything else, check your skin frequently for any type of changes in growths, moles or skin discoloration and schedule a visit with your doctor if needed.

ALSO - Don't forget about any pets that you may have that are outdoors.  Be sure to provide them with plenty of shade and water!  We want to make sure we take good care of our pet kids as well.

See you outside:)