Helping Your Teen Get Back to School With Clear Skin
April 30, 2007
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!
If you are anything like three-fourths of the parents Harris Interactive for the American Counseling Association recently surveyed, you are actively involved in helping your teenager treat acne.
While getting everything in order for back to school adds enough stress, the last thing your teen may want to deal with is a pimply face. So how can you send Mr. or Miss "But I have to have it now!" off to school with no fuss and no zits?
Even though little Caitlin’s initial reaction may be to bolt for the strongest acne soap she can find, this is not the way to go. As dermatologist Alanna F. Bree, MD at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, warns, “many of the zealous measures people take can make the blemishes worse."
Then again, after visiting a dermatologist to determine if acne prescriptions like tretinoin (Retin-A), antibiotics or isotretinoin are in order, it will take weeks before your teen sees a marked improvement in their skin’s condition.
Next, perhaps a laser visit may zap the zits away. Yet, Jerome Garden, MD, of the department of dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago advises, "These are highly expensive cash procedures requiring multiple visits to the office."
Dr. Spencer added, "I think light-based therapy for acne represents one more tool in the tool chest, but it’s quite unreasonable for it to be the first thing that pops into your head."
Your best bet for preventative acne measures can start in your own home. Author of Acne Messages: Crack the Code of Your Zits and Say Goodbye to Acne, Naweko San-Joyz, offers three steps to help your teenager get clearer skin fast.
First, after gently cleansing the face, swipe it with a cotton-ball drenched in apple-cider vinegar to help remove excess fatty acid deposits that may provoke zits.
Second, cook a bowl of raw (not instant) oatmeal and let it cool. Mix the oatmeal with one teaspoon of honey and then apply it to the face as a mask for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it off. The mask helps dry up existing zits, exfoliate the skin and reduce overpopulation by p. acnes bacteria.
Third, San-Joyz suggests blending a smoothie of fresh carrots, celery, pineapple and a teaspoon of wheat germ. The nutrients served up in this cocktail help compensate for shortages in vitamins A, B, C and E and the mineral zinc that can sometimes trigger acne.
As the first and final stand against teenage acne, dermatologist Dr. Alan Rockoff Brookline’s offers this encouragement, "Once you rule out conditions that require urgent intervention (pretty easy in dermatology), often the best thing is to relax, and wait."
For now, give your teenager the assurance that the acne can improve after de-stressing and if that fails, give you local dermatologist a ring.
Sources: eSkin and Allergy News
Are you still wondering how to get rid of acne? Naweko San-Joyz has created the only guide to deliver an acne cure as unique as you. Get your "Acne Messages" natural acne cure athttp://www.Noixia.com ISBN: 0974912204.
Product Testing
April 30, 2007
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24, 2002
I suppose there are worse problems than having two men who want to share their life with me. However, it is a genuine problem. I do need advice on sorting this all out.
My former husband and I wanted a baby and soon had one. The problems in our marriage stemmed from two teenage daughters from his first marriage. Their mom jumped ship after 10 years to “find herself,” leaving him to raise the girls.
Suffice it to say the girls were extremely hard on me, and his family didn’t accept that three years after his divorce, he moved on. We sought counseling, but it didn’t resolve anything. I grew weary trying to raise two girls that hated me and dealing with his hostile family.
That was four years ago. For the next two years he was so bitter I left he wouldn’t speak to me, and all communication was through third parties. Life has been difficult for me raising a son on my own. I had to sell the home I bought for the two of us and am still struggling financially.
After two years, I met a man with a son the same age as mine, and the boys rapidly became like brothers. His father and I also developed a close, intimate relationship, and he is financially successful. We’ve been together nearly two years and bought a home with the intention of getting married soon.
My current relationship never had the spark of sexual and emotional intensity my former husband and I shared. Still, we were content until I talked to my former husband for the first time in almost two years.
Therein lies the catch. My former husband says now that his youngest daughter has moved out, he is free to live life as he wants. He gives me flowers, writes me love notes, and says he wants to devote the rest of his years to bringing up our son together.
I never fell out of love with him, I just left the marriage lonely and very hurt. He says he, too, spent a long time trying to heal and is now ready to try to put it together again. We are not having sex. I know better. But my former husband gives me the attention I crave in my current relationship and don’t get.
It seems odd to me that if a man really wanted to share his life with his son and his son’s mother, he could tolerate them living with another man. I also find it unusual that my boyfriend, as an adult man, is willing to tolerate the advances of any man toward the woman he hopes to marry.
My third option would be to tell each man, politely, that neither made a perfect mate for me. Unfortunately, I’m in no position to be without a helpmate. I’m not holding out for a perfect relationship anymore. I realize that just doesn’t exist, at least not in my world.
Jenna
Jenna, your dilemma is like the automobile comparisons in Consumer Reports. Each vehicle offers different features, and what matters most is personal preference. Do you most value safety, styling, or fuel economy?
Your ex-husband didn’t defend you against his family, and people who remarry usually rediscover the good reason they divorced in the first place. Your boyfriend is a good person with no passion, but there is companionship for your son.
In the old song “Torn Between Two Lovers,” a woman can’t decide between two men, which means neither feels right. There is another song from the Hebrides, which contains the line “Thou art the music of my heart.” That’s what it feels like when the connection is true.
What you decide will be largely driven by financial need, so the question you ask is not one we can answer. What do you most value–safety, styling, or fuel economy?
Wayne & Tamara
About The Author
Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.
Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.
Tips on How to Plant Roses
April 30, 2007
When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is time to start planting your rose garden. Roses have been a cherished aphrodisiac since biblical times. They have been around for over 3000 years, yet they still hold a particular mystery and fascination, not to mention the fact that they just look and smell good!
One of the most important rules of growing roses is to plant the rose bush in an area that receives around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day.
It is preferable not to plant too many trees or other plants around the rose bush because most of these are likely to either mix with the rose or stifle it’s growth. If you are replacing an old rose bush, approximately 1 1/2 cubic feet of old soil should be removed, and fresh soil added to replace it. When positioning your rose in the garden or landscape, consider the growth habit of the rose.
For example, place climbers and ramblers along fences, trellises, or next to arches or pergolas. This location offers them free range of growth, and optimal potential for the showiest blooms.
Roses also look beautiful in island beds interplanted with perennials. Miniature roses make great edging plants in front of their taller cousins. Planted singly, shrub roses make excellent specimen plants or they can be clustered to make a flowering hedge. You can also use them to camouflage unsightly garden objects.
Dig a hole large enough for the root mass and loosen the bottom of the hole. You should add bone meal, which is a slow acting source of phosphorus that leads to healthy root growth in the rose plant.
Then the plant should be placed in the hole carefully and the hole refilled with soil, covering the roots properly. Before making the final covering, water the rose plant and let it absorb the water. After this, water the plant more and mound the soil about 6 inches high. The dome will keep the stems from drying out until the plant is rooted. Gradually remove the excess soil as the leaves open.
Special care should be taken with the planting depth. It varies according to the climate you live in.
If you live in a colder area, plant a bit deeper and consult with the people growing roses in your area. If you are buying potted roses, you should plant them about 1 inch deeper than their potted level.
The best time to plant roses varies depending on the winter temperature. Where temperatures don’t drop below -10 degrees F; either fall or spring planting is satisfactory. If you live in an area where winter temperatures go below -10 degrees F, spring planting is preferred. Plants should be planted in a dormant condition if purchased bare root, but container grown plants may be planted throughout the growing season.
Spacing of the rose plant is highly influenced by the temperature. In regions where winters are severe, the rose plant does not grow as large as in mild climates. Taking this into consideration, hybrid tea roses should be spaced 1 1/2 to 3 feet apart. Large vigorous growers, such as hybrid perpetuals need 3 to 5 feet of space, and the climbers need from 8 to 10 feet of space.
If the winter temperature is below 10 degrees F, roses can grow healthy if proper care is taken. The gardener must prepare for that cold, wet reality as he revels in the summer air conditioning.
In zones 7 and colder, the roses enjoy their last fertilization of the season by August 15th to limit the emergence of new rose canes, which will almost certainly not survive the winter.
Masni Rizal Mansor is a successful author and publisher for http://www.buy-trees-online.com.
Building an Arbor
April 30, 2007
Building an Arbor
by: Janeth Duque
It may difficult to believe, but building an arbor for your landscape can actually be quite inexpensive. If you keep the arbor small, to a two-post size, you can have a very attractive landscape feature for a small cost. Even the novice landscaper can build a small arbor without too much trouble in about two days (three at the most). It can be a very rewarding project that provides a sophisticated sense of beauty to your over all landscape design.
Essential to building your arbor is thinking of it as five distinct phases. This will help you break the project down into doable goals and help you accomplish the task better. Breaking projects down into sections also aids the landscaper, as he or she will find that the task does not seem so daunting when done in bite-sized pieces. Additionally, a sense of accomplishment at the end of each stage can help the landscaper stay motivated throughout the project.
The first layer is to prepare the site for concrete placed under ground to secure the structure. In order to lay the concrete, you need to first get some things out of the way. Dig two holes where you want the posts to stand. The holes should be one inch wide and three inches deep. Put half an inch of gravel or crushed stone inside the holes. This will help water drain away, preventing cracks in the concrete. Set one post in each hole and lay a board on top of them. Use a carpenter’s level to determine whether or not your posts are standing at equal heights. Adjust, if necessary, until the level shows that your posts are equal in height. You can use scrap lumber, nailed to the posts, to form temporary stabilizers.
The second layer is anchoring your arbor posts (they should be 4×4 posts) into the concrete. Before doing this, check again for equality in height with the stabilizers in place and make your adjustments to the stabilizers to adjust the height. Next, mix your concrete using concrete mix and water from a garden hose in a wheelbarrow
janeth@geeksonsteroids.com
Your Fashion Style is Important!
April 30, 2007
Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement, and how you’re perceived. Stand straight and carry yourself with grace. You will radiate self confidence.
Here are some fashion tips and advice to look and feel good. Don’t forget your jewelry accessories are like the icing on the cake. They are the finishing touch. Dress to Impress and Make Your Fashion Statement!
Fashion Tips
Make your fashion statement! You are a unique individual with your own look. Portray your self confidence and turn those heads!
© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.
About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.
Avocado - Ooh, What a Lovely Pear!
April 30, 2007
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but the truth is they are packed with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) which burn fat so actually they make you thin! So now you are over that little misconception, let me tell you the rest of the avocado story?
Avocados contain over 12 minerals. These minerals stimulate growth and keep other body functions in check. If you are tired all the time and struggle to deal with stressful situations, you may be suffering from nutritional anaemia, in which case the excellent copper and iron content in one of these little green wonders will aid red blood cell regeneration and help prevent the anaemia. They contain oleic acid which is great for your heart and can help lower cholesterol levels. They are rich in Vitamin E - vital for healthy skin and offer an excellent source of protein. The high magnesium content helps fight against osteoporosis. They have more potassium than a banana, but even though an avocado is technically a fruit, it contains only 2% sugar so are alkalizing in your body and so much better for you if you are trying to reduce your sugar intake to control candida. And research carried out by the University of Ohio shows that avos significantly increase the absorption of phytochemicals contained in other fruits and vegetables.
So to summarise: EAT THEM! THEY ARE REALLY, REALLY GOOD FOR YOU!
And just in case your excuse is that they are difficult to handle and prepare, here’s a top tip when using avocado in a salad or dip or to add to a chilled soup:
With a small knife, make a cut down one side lengthways, carefully feeling around the stone. Continue all the way round ’til you have effectively sliced it in 2 were it not for the stone. Hold it with 2 hands and twist. One half will come away and the other will hang on to the stone. Stab the stone to prise it out. With the peel still on each half, take each one and again with a small knife, from the inside, cut lines lengthways without cutting the skin. Do the same thing width ways so you have a grid of lines creating little cubes inside the intact skin. Now holding a half in the palm of your hand, simply squeeze gently and all the cubes will pop out and straight onto your salad - easy!
Claire Raikes is a Wellbeing Coach, Speaker and Writer who ‘cured’ herself of a chronic, disabling and potentially life-threatening bowel condition without the use of steroids, surgery or any other traditional medical intervention. She now shares her passion for natural and vibrant health through coaching, speaking and writing about the importance and power of a truly healthy diet.
She publishes a free weekly eZine, In Essence and is compiling an eBook of Healthy Fast Food with 25% of the proceeds going to The Cancer Project, a charity set up by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and nutritionists to educate the public on the benefits of a healthy diet for cancer prevention and survival.
If you have a recipe you would like to submit, visit http://www.LiveInEssence.com for further details.
To book Claire to speak at your event, email her at Claire@LiveInEssence.com.
