Health Matters | Eternal Spiral Books

Quick Tips for Healthy Skin Care

May 12, 2012 Beauty, Health Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

The skin is the largest organ in our body, and acts as a barrier to keep healthy things in, and harmful substances out. However, if we do not take care of our skin and overall health, it can’t do as good a job of protecting us from harm. If we live an unhealthy lifestyle, such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking, our skin will soon start to show the signs of premature aging.

Fortunately, it does not need to cost a lot to take care of your skin, if you are willing to take the natural approach to skin care, inside and out.

The first thing to consider is your diet. Drink lots of fresh water to flush out impurities, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for key nutrients, fiber and moisture.

Be sure to use a good sunscreen every day, such as in your moisturizer or make up. Aim for an SPF of at least 30, more if you are very fair-skinned and/or live in a climate with a lot of sunshine.

Also remember to wear hats, sunglasses, light clothing that covers the arms and legs, and perhaps even reflective clothing if you have a history of skin cancer in the family, or have had it yourself already.

Always use a good moisturizer to ensure that you keep your skin moist at all times.
Even working in air conditioned offices can dry out your skin. Travel can be even worse for your skin due to the artificial air in the cabin.

Not smoking can help your skin from becoming yellow, and wrinkled around the eye and mouth area. It will also improve your breath and the appearance of your teeth.

Sleep and exercise are essential for good health overall, and are also an essential part of maintaining healthy skin as well. If you do not get enough sleep, you will see dark circles under your eyes, and perhaps even bags and wrinkles.

Exercise helps keep your circulation moving and gives you a healthy glow. It can help you stay fit and trim and get rid of excess fat and impurities in your body. If you have any cellulite, you will want to focus on exercise for the thighs, buttocks, abs and chest area, in order to firm the muscle and collagen in that area and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Even thin women can get cellulite if they eat poorly and do not exercise.

In addition to sun protection, diet, exercise and sleep, you will also want to establish a good skin care routine. It does not have to be expensive, but it does need to be consistent.

Cleanse your skin on a regular basis (once or twice a day) to ensure that any dead skin cells are removed from the surface of the skin and the pores don’t become blocked. Washing in the morning will help you wash away oil that has accumulated from the night before.

Washing before you go to sleep at night will help your skin get rid of all the impurities it has been exposed to throughout the day. Start with a pure soap like Castile soap and some warm water. Massage in circles, rinse well, and pat dry.

Then use a natural astringent like witch hazel to help wipe away anything the washing might have missed. Next will be your moisturizer and sunscreen for day time wear, or an enriching night cream if you are heading to bed.

At night, don’t forget to use astringent and cream on your neck, and a nourishing cream for your eyelids and under your eyes.

If you have problem skin, such as dry or oily skin, use natural products to help keep it in balance. With acne in particular, do not squeeze or pick your pimples. Also be sure to keep your hair clean and out of your face and wash your hands often to avoid the spread of oils and germs if you happen to touch your face. Avoid touching it if at all possible, and avoid any really oily foods in your diet, and see if this helps the acne settle down.

A good skin care routine will also include exfoliating once a week. You can use finely ground oatmeal with water for a scrub and face mask. Leave it on for 1 to 5 minutes depending on how dry or oily your skin is, to help purify and tone the skin.

You do not need to spend a fortune on expensive skin care products to have great-looking skin. Your skin is a barometer of your health, so a healthy lifestyle will give you a glowing appearance that everyone will envy, helping you maintain your young appearance for years.

FURTHER READING
How to Care for Your Skin and Reduce the Signs of Aging
The Importance of Sleep for Your Health and Weight
Safety in the Sun for the Whole Family
How to Treat Insomnia Naturally

Outdoor Fitness Fun for the Whole Family

May 3, 2012 Health Matters 1 Comment

Second Edition, 2011

by Carolyn Stone
Editor, Healthful Goddess
http://Healthful-Goddess.com

With all of the expensive diet and fitness programs available today, it is hard to choose what’s best for you and your family.

Yet there is one thing everyone agrees upon – not only is exercise the best way to maintain a healthy heart, lower cholesterol, and reduce stress, but it is the only thing that is FREE in many cases. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to stay fit. It’s easy to take you health into your own hands for great results once you know how.

In this quick and easy, yet information-packed report, the author discusses the many ways in which a family can engage in outdoor exercise as part of their daily routine.

She also offers helpful hints on what to do when the weather is not so great.

This handy guide is a must for any parent trying to get their family to be more health conscious, as well as stay fit themselves. It is also perfect for any parent dreading spring break and especially summer vacation because they don’t have enough ideas on how to keep the kids occupied without spending a fortune.

The winter may seem like it will never end, but before you know it, the days will be getting longer and the spring holidays will be here, with summer not far behind. If you want to look your best this summer once you start peeling off all the woolly layers, this handy guide will give you a great head start.

37 8.5 x 11″ pages, 11,500 words
Outdoor Fitness Fun for the Whole Family (Health Matters)

Dealing with Childhood Obesity, Part 2

April 17, 2012 Health Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

Emphasizing what is positive and the benefits of changing their behavior can make all the difference. For example, when they lose weight, they will be able to buy that new pair of jeans they have been longing for, or will look great at summer camp in a bikini, are just two of the ways you can give a girl an incentive to slim down.

For boys, it might be great new sports equipment or a trip to the local water park in their new swim trunks. Just fostering the child’s natural inclination to please you, have fun, and discover new things can serve as perfect opportunities to introduce fitness routines, and reduce such incidents like eating out of boredom. If these things are done with every child who is overweight, we will soon have much slimmer children.

Cutting the connection between food and mood is one of the keys. It should not be used as a reward and does not need to be the center of every single celebration, Eating at home, where you can control portion sizes and what is in the dishes, will be key.

Setting a good example too in terms of eating habits and physical activity can also be two of the best ways to instill good habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

You will also gain quite a few benefits from eating healthy and slimming down yourself, no matter what your age. Even losing 10 pounds can help reverse certain health conditions, like hugh blood pressure and insuling resistance.

If you shed your extra weight, you will feel much better about yourself and also be able to keep up with your kids even more.

Remember, the family who plays together, stays together. Plan exercise every day before dinner, such as a walk though the neighborhood or a trip on the bike. You can catch up with each other, share your day, and then go home to a great homecooked meal from your crock pot or out of the microwave, a healthy recipe you prepared in advance and froze.

Make ahead muffins, freezer recipes and Thermos recipes can help you feed your child breakfast, lunch and dinner in healthy ways.Talk to your doctor if you want some recommendations that are specific for your child’s current health situation, and start to slim down together. Your renewed energy and healthy outlook and way you feel will be all the incentive you need to keep up the great work.

Dealing with Childhood Obesity, Part 1

April 13, 2012 Health Matters, Non-Fiction 1 Comment

According to the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) over one-third of children can be considered overweight or obese. The American lifestyle is certain prosperous compared with that of many other developing nations, but it is coming at a high cost in terms of our children’s health.

Being overweight has known implications for adult, but the full impact of obesity in children is now really starting to be felt. Children as young as 4 are developing Type 2 diabetes, and showing issues such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides and high blood pressure, serious and even life-threatening condition which are usually only seen in adults over the age of 40.

The cure for childhood obesity needs to begin at home with the caregivers for these children. Improving overall diet, not dieting, and regular exercise/physical acvity will be the two keys to resolving the problem. The sooner you start, the sooner you can lessen the impact of obesity on your child and reduce the risks.

Protecting your children’s health now and in the future will depend greatly on the way you educate yourself about food and nutrition, in order to teach your children properly.

Preventing an at-risk child from remaining overweight can start a process learning more about living a healthy and active lifestyle to increase their energy levels and help them make smart choices about their daily diet and exercise routine.

There are several things that parents can do right away helping their child to slim down. These include:

+not fighting with your child over food

+not using it is a bribe to get them to do what you want

+setting a good example

+teaching them to make healthy choices

Being hypercritical, and/’or commenting on your child’s weight, will do little to help the situation, and leave them with negative self-esteem. This in turn might trigger even more emotional eating.

Continued in Part 2

ADHD in Children: What You Need to Know

March 18, 2012 Health Matters, Life Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a not yet fully understood medical condition in which a child or adult has trouble concentrating and can behave in a variety of inappropriate ways.

A child with ADHD will often not be able to pay attention to a task for any length of time, misses or does not understand instructions, and tends to do poorly in academic areas. In terms of the hyperactivity part of the disorder, they often have trouble sitting still, don’t finish things that they start, and will often act without thinking (have poor impulse control).

The symptoms can be similar in adults, and many people are not diagnosed with the disorder because they are dismissed has having a certain kind of personality, or tending to be disruptive and unfocused. Sometimes a person with ADHD can actually swing to the opposite extreme, and ‘hyperfocus’ on something that they like, to the exclusion of anything else.

If you have seen your child behave in any of these ways, you might think that your child is just being naughty, but ADHD is a real medical condition that can be dealt with or treated in a number of ways, and not all of them have anything to do with medication.

Even if you think that your child’s condition is severe enough that drug therapy is worth a try, there are a variety of medications to choose from which can help your child while minimizing the risks of any potential side effects.

ADHD is a real medical condition, not a character weakness on their part or bad parenting skills on yours. Learn more about ADHD, its effects on your child’s learning, and its implications for your child’s success at school. Once you learn more about the disorder, how it is diagnosed, and what happens next once you receive a diagnosis, you will be able to explore all the options available to you to help your child succeed in life despite their ADHD.

FURTHER READING
ADHD: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE FOR PARENTS What It Means When Your Child is Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

School Success Secrets for Children with ADHD

Childhood Obesity and How To Combat It, Part 2

March 14, 2012 Health Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

If we want to raise a new generation of healthy children, now is the time to take action. The facts are stark: the health problems that begin to manifest themselves due to being overweight include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risks of Type 2 diabetes (adult diabetes).

These are diseases usually seen adults over age 40, not in children. Combating the weight issues is one that everyone needs to take seriously, from the meal planners in the school cafeteria, to the parents buying groceries and cooking at home. Healthy choices and portion control will win the day, but parents need to look at their own habits first in order to try to take control of their child’s weight.

Parents often have their own eating issues, such as emotional eating, which they then pass along to their child. We all need to cut the link between mood and food, and not see food as an essential part of a celebration or some sort of reward.

Birthdays and holidays can be special even without calorie-laden cakes and vegetable side dishes that should be healthy for us, but get smothered in butter and cream. Wecan eat well at home without resorting to takeaway or convenience foods out of a box-and save money too by cooking it ourselves.

We can learn more about portion control and packing healthy lunches our kids will love, not ones that end up in the trash as they pounce on fast food or snacks from other lunch boxes.

If you are concerned about your child’s weight, or your own, now is the time to learn more about what you can do to help combat dangerous childhood obesity.

Childhood Obesity and How To Combat It, Part 1

March 13, 2012 Health Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

Obesity has been a growing problem for adults in the United States for decades, but it is only recently that people are starting to take note of just how obese our children and teens have become. They now estimate that over 67% of the population is obese, with 33% of children also considered to be overweight or obese.

Obesity is one of the leading causes of morbidity, disability, discrimination, and employment problems. Bad eating habits are not the only culprit. Environment, attitudes to food, and genetic diseases that can predispose children to become overweight cannot be forgotten.

Diseases such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome are common in obese children, for example. Howver, for most children, the main culprit is overeating and a lack of exercise. School curriculums have all but cut gym in favor of more academic subjects without having to lengthen the school day, and most families park on the couch together and eat snacks rather than head to the park for games and activities that can help them all stay slim.

Many health educators, and medical professionals, from psychologists to medical doctors, hope that increased public awareness and preventive policies will eventually improve the situation. Professionals are treating this as a major public health concern that is threatening to damage our most precious resource, our children.

Introducing healthy play, better food choices, and recreation that promotes physical activity are all on the top of the list of ways to battle this epidemic, but everyone needs to get involved.

Having good role models in their parents, who will be prepared to take pro-active measures to keep their child on the right track, will be amongst the best ways to keep children slim and healthy. But with so many Americans overeight or obese, is this even possible?

Continued in Part 2

Earth Day and Every Day: A Beginner’s Guide to Green Activities and Recipes

March 13, 2012 Education, Health Matters, Non-Fiction No Comments

by Evelyn Trimborn, Carolyn Stone and Catherine Edouard Charlot

Earth Day takes place on April 22nd every year. In this guide, the authors provide you with a wealth of ideas you can use to mark Earth Day in your own green way.

Children and adults of all ages can get involved in Earth Day activities designed to raise awareness of ecological issues. You will find activities and projects that can help teach children and teens about green issues and greener choices.

Learn more about:

+What Earth Day is
+How communities can celebrate Earth Day
+Activities you can do with family and friends on Earth Day
+How to follow the Trash Trail
+Why recycling is so crucial for our planet
+How to make cleaner and greener choices when we shop

and much more.

As great as it is to celebrate Earth Day, you will also want to continue the lessons learned on Earth Day all year round if you want a better world for you and your family.

Discover more about key green topics, including:
+Recycling
+Hybrid Cars
+Low-impact parties
+Green weddings
+The true cost of eating meat
Why to eat locally-grown produce

You will also learn more about:

+How to start your own garden
+How to make meatless meals to enjoy on Earth Day and Meatless Mondays, or any time you want a hearty meat-free meal
+The hidden dangers in common baby products
+How to avoid harmful chemicals in your pet products
+How to camp more greenly

and much more.

You will also find ‘Green New Year’s Resolutions’ so that the lessons you learn on Earth Day can continue every day as you do your share to make our planet cleaner and greener.

If you are looking for great ways to go green and save money at the same time, this guide can help you get started today as you plan a great Earth Day celebration with your family and apply all you learn to live a cleaner, greener lifestyle now.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: YOUR EARTH DAY RESOLUTIONS

CHAPTER 2: RAISING COMMUNITY AWARENESS ON EARTH DAY

CHAPTER 3: EARTH DAY IDEAS FOR YOUR FAMILY

CHAPTER 4: WHY RECYCLE?

CHAPTER 5: WHY GOING GREEN CAN SAVE YOU SOME GREEN

CHAPTER 6: GREENER CLEANING AND GROCERY ITEMS

CHAPTER 7: GETTING CHILDREN TO EAT HEALTHIER FOODS

CHAPTER 8: THE BENEFITS OF EATING LOCALLY-GROWN FOODS

CHAPTER 9: GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES