Monday, July 26, 2010

How To Share A Child Poem

For a child, poems are very abstract. They do not have the flashy colors, vibrant energy or loud explosions of Saturday morning cartoons and display little of the exciting, adventurous tones of a particularly engaging comic book. However, to a child, poems that strike the right cord are not impossible to find. You just need to find the right child poem. A child poem is not very much unlike a normal poem. It is however, written and directed toward children, offering details that they would enjoy.

Poetry is a fickle art form with millions of examples; many of them brilliant, many of them awful, and a great deal of them quite dull or too complicated for a child. To strike the right note early on with a child, poems that are simple and interesting are vital. They also serve to create a growing interest in reading at a young age.

What to look for in a Child Poem

Children’s poetry in the 20th century has a very unique flavor to it, having been developed and institutionalized by writers like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. However, they were not the first to write child poems and should not be the last place a parent looks when trying to find the perfect one. With that in mind, what exactly should those parents look for?

A child poem should be lighthearted
A compelling storyline is also a great selling point for a child poem.
Abstract emotion and metaphor will bore a child.
Child Poems should not create unwanted situations with awkward, touchy subjects.
A child poem should be written to entertain, not solely teach. A good combination is always good though.

Who to turn to for a Child Poem

Many of the great writers of children’s literature also wrote poetry during their lives. Lewis Carroll is a great example. Famous for Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Carroll’s poetry is equally as compelling. Jabberwocky is a great, funny nonsense child poem from those books:

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

Rudyard Kipling also wrote his fair share of poetry alongside his novels. Famous for his work on The Jungle Book among many other adventurous children’s stories, Kipling wrote poems like Gunga Din, long story driven pieces that were both funny and compelling for young children.

Louisa May Alcott, the famous author of Little Women and Little Men and an almost essential writer in the canon of American literature wrote her own share of goofy child poems as well. Poems such as “The Rock and the Bubble” and “A Song from the Suds” are funny, entertaining distractions for children. Her poems especially strike at the curiosity of a child, the most important target for any literary work, lest that child grows bored too quickly

Keeping Fit After 40

There are many stages of life when we find ourselves putting on more weight than we should. Middle age is one of those times when those ugly pounds seem to be creeping up on us. There are a number of reasons for this and in order to lose weight and get back in shape it is necessary to understand the causes of the middle aged spread. Here are 3 of the main ones.

•Negative thinking

•Slow metabolism

•Physical problems

Negative thinking: you may be surprised at this factor and how it effects your weight but this is a common problem and cause of weight gain. Here is the reason why. If you feel depressed and sad about your life and the way it is going this can prompt you to indulge in compulsive eating. You may sometimes eat when you are not hungry because you find that food makes you feel better. There is no doubt that eating for most of us is a pleasurable experience but it is dangerous for your wellbeing to just eat to feel better.

My best advice about weight loss for someone who is middle aged and beyond, is to firstly have a positive attitude on life. When you think in a negative mode your whole life becomes covered by a dark cloud. As time goes on you will find it gets thicker and darker until you cannot see your way out let alone have a glimpse of the sunshine in your life. This leads to physical and mental deterioration and the very dangerous mental state of depression.

It is vital for your mental and physical wellbeing to pull yourself up and force yourself to think positively. When you do this you will feel more energetic, and mentally alert. Problems will not go away but you will be able to find solutions to them more easily.

Once you have got yourself into a positive way of thinking you can begin to resolve your weight problems.

Slow metabolism: can be combated by some changes to your eating habits.

•Instead of having 3 large meals a day eat less and more frequently. Try to eat 6 small meals per day. This will encourage your digestive system to work faster.

•Reduce oil and carbohydrates: try to eat carbohydrates for breakfast rather than your evening meal. This is because you will burn more energy in the daytime than at night.

•Increase fiber: this will fill you up and you will eat less. It will also help your digestive system to work better and speed up your metabolism. You can eat whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables to get more fiber.

Physical problems: as we age we do slow down physically and to a certain extent mentally. It is very important to keep active, even if you have some twinges of arthritis. You need to take daily passive exercise to keep your joints mobile and prevent frther deterioration. Walking is a great way to do this. You can even take a pedometer with you to make sure that you are getting enough exercise. These pedometers not only count steps but will show how many calories you have burned. A static exercise bike is good as it will take the weight off your legs and still allow you to exercise your leg muscles.

Daily exercise will burn excess calories and prevent that weight from accumulating. It will also help you to lose weight.

A Simple Critique of Age Defying Skin Creams

This critique of age defying skin creams explains the value of certain compounds. Independent scientists have found that most of the products on the market are not valuable, but that certain compounds are effective.

You see, most companies rely on our knowledge concerning beneficial ingredients when they start advertising a product. You might see something like “now with coenzyme Q10” on a product label or in a TV commercial.

If you do a little research, you will learn that coenzyme Q10 in a reduced form has been used to reverse wrinkling and sun damage. In one study, there was a 30% improvement after three months of use.

As many of you are aware, coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant. It is found in some of the better nutritional supplements.

In order for it to be effective when applied topically, it must be able to penetrate through the skin’s outer layers. In other words, the molecules must be reduced in size.

A label like the one mentioned above does not indicate if the reduced form is included in the product or not. There is also no indication of the concentration included in the product.

In order to do a scientific critique of age defying skin creams, we need to know if the manufacturers have used the right form and the right concentration of a beneficial compound. Most companies do not provide that information.

Some compounds are completely worthless. A good example is collagen. It is somewhat mind boggling that so many companies include this ingredient in their products.

Collagen is a protein that makes up the elastic fibers in one of the deepest of the skin’s layers. In order for it to be of any benefit, it would need to penetrate through 4 or 5 layers of keratinized cells. It cannot do that, because the protein particles are simply too large.

You may find that this critique of age defying skin creams is a bit different. Most reviewers rave about how wonderful a product feels going on or how good it smells.

The goal of this article is to help you evaluate the products before you buy them. Hopefully, that will help you save some money.

Practically any cream will feel good going on. How it smells makes no difference. Added perfumes can actually be detrimental, because they are common causes of allergic reactions.

When a scientist does a critique of age defying skin creams, he or she will pay no attention to things like added fragrances. They are considered “inactive” by most in the scientific community.

On the other hand, some research groups warn that artificial fragrances and even some natural ones can be toxic to the central nervous system. The safest thing to do is to look for a product that is free of added fragrances.

Other compounds that have been beneficial in clinical trials include the active form of a protein called keratin and certain polypeptide complexes. They have been shown to stimulate the production of new cells and fibers; basically rejuvenating the skin’s appearance.

While brief, I hope that this critique of age defying skin creams gives you something to think about. Read what the manufacturers have to say. Look at the ingredients and the scientific proof. Then make your decision.

3 Dangers of Conventional Anti Wrinkle Creams


What are the dangers of anti wrinkle creams? Just by reading a few reviews, you can see what the outcome could be. Women often suffer from adverse reactions. It’s sad to see, because it is totally unnecessary.

No one wants to look older than they feel and no one should have to. But, scientific research has proven that not chemicals or allergens that improve the skin’s appearance. It is nutrients.

While some companies may still be promoting the value of one synthetic ingredient or another, it is the natural ingredients that researchers are focusing on. Scientists know that an artificial ingredient can do more harm than good.

The most common adverse reactions are classified as allergies. It is not always possible to identify the specific allergen, so dermatologists tell their patients to test all new cosmetics or lotions on an inconspicuous area of the skin. You should not have to do that.

There are non-allergenic ingredients. Basically, anything that is safe enough to eat can be used on the skin without fear.

Let’s look at the simple example of natural vitamin E. It has long been recognized as a potent skin antioxidant. It helps prevent wrinkles and age spots, while preserving the moisturizing oils in the bottle.

Many of the dangers of anti wrinkle creams have to do with the artificial preservatives they contain. Parabens are an example.

Parabens have been found in breast cancer tumors. The researchers have not said that they caused the tumor. But, the studies showed that the ingredients do penetrate through the skin. That is something that the cosmetic companies continue to deny.

Parabens are also known allergens. Some companies say they are the safest choice for preserving their products. They are actually just the cheapest choice. They cost a lot less than natural vitamin E.

Other dangers of anti wrinkle creams have to do with fragrance ingredients. What’s the danger of a fragrance?

The most popular fragrance ingredients belong to a class of chemicals called aromatic hydrocarbons. They are derived from petroleum. Some sources refer to them as petrochemicals.

Aromatic hydrocarbons are known to be toxic to the central nervous system. If they are handled regularly in a work environment, they appear on HAZ-MAT lists. HAZ-MAT is short for hazardous materials. Employees that handle them wear masks to avoid inhaling them.

Added fragrances are also the second-most frequent cause of allergic reactions. Artificial preservatives are the first.

How can you protect yourself from the dangers of anti wrinkle creams? First, look for a product that is free of artificial preservatives and added fragrances. Using a little cologne should not cause a problem, but when something is meant to be spread over your whole face, it could be a big problem.

Second, look for a company that adheres to the European Union’s more stringent standards for safe cosmetics. Major US manufacturers do not meet these criteria.

Third, learn more about the hazardous ingredients. Reading the label is the easiest way to avoid the dangers of anti wrinkle creams.

Are Your Home Remedies For Dark Eye Circles Working?


Home remedies for dark under eye circles are not likely to be effective. Don’t worry. You won’t need to make a trip to a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to get rid of them. But, you will need some professional help.

In order to understand what is effective, you need to understand what causes the bruised look that you are seeing. Young, healthy people do not usually have them. Genetics could play a role, but that would be a rarity.

A young person that does have them could either be suffering from a chronic lack of sleep or a nutritional deficiency. So, try to get more rest and take a good multi-nutritional supplement. Be sure that it contains all natural ingredients and that some of them will help strengthen the blood vessels.

The cause of the darkened area is leaky blood vessels. Plasma and waste products passing beneath the skin leaks out. The fluids can cause bags, too.

Older people are more likely to get them, because the skin beneath the eyes, which is already thinner than the rest of the face, becomes even thinner with age. It’s easier to see the blood vessels and the fluids that leak out of them.

Home remedies for dark under eye circles cannot repair or strengthen the blood vessels. They cannot stimulate the production of new skin or make the area thicker in other ways.

The most that a homemade remedy could do is reduce bags or puffiness. Cucumbers and fruit slices are often recommended. If they are chilled, they help reduce puffiness. Lying in a reclined position also helps to reduce the fluid buildup. But, you cannot expect to see a significant reduction in the darkness.

On the other hand, professionally made use at home remedies for dark under eye circles do work. You might be interested in a homemade remedy because you think it is safer. Or, you could be looking for something that will work quickly, because you have plans for the evening.

It is safe to say that the only thing that works quickly is cover-up. Repairing damage to blood vessels takes time. With the right compounds, most people see significant results in about two months. It is a gradual process, though. So, you can expect to see some improvement as the weeks go by.

The compound that seems to be most effective is a proprietary complex called EYELISS. There are no home remedies for dark under eye circles that contain everything you find in this single complex.

First, it contains peptides, which are something like protein fragments. Numerous studies have shown that peptides are effective for stimulating cell growth and improving skin elasticity.

Second, it contains hesperidin. Hesperidin is an antioxidant found in a variety of plants. It is known to support and strengthen blood vessels, while improving circulation.

EYELISS can be combined with other beneficial ingredients like the antioxidant coenzyme Q10, proven to reverse wrinkles and sun damage. The better under-eye serums contain a variety of beneficial ingredients. These professional home remedies for dark under eye circles are effective. They just aren’t homemade.

Have You Found Effective Anti Wrinkle Creams or Serums?

If you are still searching for the best anti wrinkle cream out there to get rid of those wrinkles around your eyes, you should take a moment to consider the following information.

No matter what your age, it is completely reasonable to wish for healthier, younger looking skin. There are a multitude of problems that can affect the appearance of your skin whether you are young or old. From acne and scars, to dehydration and sagging, each condition is open to improvement provided the right treatment.

There are many kinds of products designed to prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Home facials, chemical peels, masks and tonics. Many of them contain sophisticated ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, keratin or elastin. Manufacturers invariably make fantastic claims and invest on elaborate advertising campaigns to promote their goods. Consumers believe the publicity and they try the products hoping that the promises will come true. It is, indeed, a multimillion dollar industry.

You are not alone as a shopper if you have, at one time or another, experienced disappointment and frustration. There is much hype and misinformation when it comes to the effectiveness of these products. Don’t feel bad, but inform yourself before you purchase yet another item. I would like to offer a bit of simple advice that will hopefully help in navigating this treacherous sea of potions and lotions.

First of all, beware of ingredients that are useless as anti aging agents. Often times, these substances cannot penetrate the skin because of their high-molecular weight. The most common and expensive being collagen and elastin. It is true that they will not harm your skin, but you are paying a premium for nothing.

It is essential to understand that skin aging takes place on a biological level and it is a natural process. There are numerous factors that play a role: free-radical damage, changes in fat content of your skin, changes in collagen production, dehydration and degradation of the elastin as well as external factors such as smoking or excessive sun exposure that result in damaged skin. No cosmetic product will eliminate the aging process completely. What the right, effective product can do for you is revive your skin to a state of healthy, fresh appearance that will be clearly noticeable to you and those around you.

A simple, no gimmick formula that plainly records all the ingredients is a good place to start. An unpretentious exterior is also a very good sign. You should not be paying for the box or fancy bottle, but rather for the honest content of the merchandise. Exaggerated claims are a red flag as well. A trustworthy company will invest on the quality of the product rather than on celebrity endorsements and pricey campaigns.

Also keep in mind that your skin regenerates from the inside out. Bad habits will interfere with any benefit you might derive from the constant use of cosmetics. At the very least, you should not smoke and try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

These seem like very common sense tips and, indeed they are. Follow them next time you are on the market for a good cosmetic and you will not become a casualty of aggressive marketing.

Tips For Firming Skin as You Age

Some sagging of the skin is inevitable as you age, there's no need to dread a natural process that can be kept to a minimum. Maturing skin gets progressively thinner and loses some of its firmness, but there are external factors besides age that you can control. You do have many options. There are, in fact, kinds of skin-firming treatments available to tighten and improve your skin.

As always, it is smart to first know what you can and cannot change about your aging skin. Sagging skin is a normal part of the aging process. As you get older, your body produces fewer of the chemicals, fats and oils that help to keep your skin firm and supple. Over time, gravity also takes its toll on the body. The downward force of gravity pulls not only on your skin but every part of your body. These are two unavoidable factors you can't change.

You can control other variables in this process. First, always use sunblock. Apply it generously to your face and neck. Continued exposure to the sun ages your skin considerably. It also causes your skin to lose firmness by breaking down the chemicals it needs to maintain its elasticity.

Secondly, don't smoke. Smoking harms many of your organs, but it is particularly damaging to the appearance of your skin.

Third, keep up with the major breakthroughs in anti-aging technology, including techniques to firm aging skin. There have been many interesting ones in the last decade. You may be thinking about creams, lotions, lasers or even cosmetic procedures. They are all out there available to you.

To understand how skin-firming treatments work, first you have to understand how this organ operates. Skin has three layers: the epidermis on the outside, the dermis in the middle, and the hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer, on the inside of the skin. If you want to keep your skin firm, the layer you want to pay closest attention to is the dermis, or middle layer.

The dermis layer of the skin contains both collagen and elastin. These are types of proteins that your body makes. They work together to keep the skin elastic, strong and moist. As you get older, your body doesn't make as much of these proteins, and the elastin and collagen that you do produce just don't work as well.

If you hope to succeed in firming your skin, the treatment has to reach the dermis layer of the skin. Any other treatment with more superficial results, will only be a temporary fix, but it won't actually affect its firmness. Among the more substantial treatments, some effective ones work by stimulating more collagen and elastin to grow, while others tighten skin, fat, muscle and underlying connective tissues.

Which product will be right for you? It depends on the overall state of your skin and even on your lifestyle habits. In part II of this article we will review the many types of treatments and cosmetics that have flooded the market in these past few years.