Follow these tips to turn your vacation acquaintances into lifelong friends

Making Summer Friendships Last - Summertime isn’t just about getting dirty, staying up all night, playing in the rain, and going off to camp--It’s about meeting new people. Follow these tips to turn your vacation acquaintances into lifelong friends. 

1. Summer Memory Book 

Make the summer last forever by preserving memories in a special book. Fill the plastic sleeves of a photo album with photos, ticket stubs, sections of road maps from summer trips, and other mementos. When you’re finished, exchange memory books with your closest summer buddy. 

2. Picture Postcards 

Keep in touch with vacation friends by sending picture postcards. Scan summer photos and print them on cardstock paper, 4 per page. Use scissors to cut individual cards. On the blank side, include your friend’s address, your return address, and a postage stamp. Don’t forget to write a cool message! 

3. Pen Pal Club 

Start your own pen pal club! Swap addresses with your new friends and make a commitment to keep in touch. Be creative— don’t limit yourself to writing letters. Send an inexpensive gag gift every so often, or an audiotape letter. Send lists of your favorite things. For instance, one month send your pen pals a list of your 20 favorite movies, and then compare your lists. 

No matter how you decide to keep in touch, don’t let summer friendships end when summer ends.

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Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads

Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet. We insist on it! But dogs usually don't have that luxury, and routinely walk over ice, rock, grass, cement and soil on their bare paws. Their paws' thick pads give them protection we don't have, and that's why they're less susceptible to cuts and grazes. But this doesn't mean a dog's paws are indestructible. In fact, the areas between the pads are very sensitive and can suffer from cuts, burns, and other ailments. 

One of the clues to a paw problem is when your dog comes back limping or favoring only one of its legs. The only way for you to narrow down the issue is to check his paw for any visible and physical signs of bleeding, swelling, redness or blisters. 

Some dogs are very protective of their paws and don't like people touching them -- and they'll let you know! Keep persisting. One of my dogs, who just hates having her paws touched, will usually relax when I gently reassure her that I'm only trying to help. Although dogs don't understand many of our words, they do just fine at detecting our emotions, and sometimes intentions, from our actions and tone of voice. 

If your dog has a cut, wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and apply a layer of antiseptic cream. Check the wound again the next day to see if it's getting better. If it looks infected, you should bring your dog to the vet. I was once shocked to discover maggots wiggling inside a paw wound on my dog -- ugh. Needless to say, we went to the vet immediately (she was fine after treatment). 

In certain breeds, hair mats may grow between the pads, which can cause irritation. In these breeds, it's essential to trim regularly between the mats to keep the paws in good shape. Even in other breeds, dogs that run outdoors can get mud trapped between the pads. Again, this will irritate the paw, so it's best that you clean up with soap and water when you see mud between the toes. 

Just as we humans get dry and cracked heels, dogs also experience dry and calloused paw pads. The solution for them is similar to ours -- apply moisturizers. In fact, you can even use your hand moisturizer on your dog! But there's a challenge involved: stopping your dog from licking it away after you apply it. A good trick is to apply the moisturizer right before your dog has his meal. This way, you can allow a little time for the moisturizer to settle in. Otherwise, you can play with your pooch to keep him occupied and restrain him if he starts licking his paws. 

Finally, you probably have seen dogs in dog boots and wondered if these boots would effectively protect your dog's feet. But your dog may be better off without them, as they can easily walk out of these boots -- active, athletic dogs in particular. In the end, your dog will enjoy himself more walking on his own paws, with some occasional care and maintenance from you.

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Getting sufficient essential fatty acids is of prime importance in clearing acne

To eliminate or clear your face of acne it will require you take a variety of health steps. The use of essential fatty acids is but one step. I have identified 10 different steps but will only discuss one step in this article - using essential fatty acids. 

Getting sufficient essential fatty acids is of prime importance in clearing acne. It's these fatty acids that help to control the production of excess androgens - the hormones that surge during the teen-age times It is androgens, which causes excess sebum oil to clog your hair follicle and contribute to creating your acne. 

The three fatty acids you need to get daily are: 

• omega-3 
• omega-6 
• omega-9 

When you are deficient in these essential fatty acids, you will have, 

• A weaken immune system 
• Inflammatory disorders 
• Poor skin 
• Skin eruptions and other wounds that won't heal 
• Sebum production increases (this is what happens when you have acne) 
• Sebaceous glands size increases 

Eating essential fatty acids are necessary to provide you the right oils that are used in the sebaceous glands. These oils can come from straight vegetable oils or from oils in specific foods such as nuts and seeds. 

Here's what you need to do. Use flax seed oil (omega-3 oil) and olive oil (omega-6 oil) in your salad. These are the best oils to eat and are called polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

The other oil that is even better for you is called monounsaturated fatty acid or omega-9. This oil is found in avocados and somewhat in olive oil. 

Most diets people have contain an excess of omega-6 oil (olive oil), so mostly likely you need to concentrate on getting more omega-3 oil (flax seed oil) into your diet. 

You can get omega-3 oil from, 

• avocados 
• sesame seeds 
• pumpkin seeds 
• walnuts 
• dark leafy green vegetables (spinach, mustard greens, kale) 
• wheat germ oil 
• salmon 
• sardines 
• albacore tuna 

Or, you can take one to two tablespoon of flax seed oil, omega-3 oil, each day. This will give you the amount of omega-3 oil that your body needs. You can add this oil to your morning cereal, soups, smoothies, salads and other liquid foods. 

You can get omega-6 oil from, 

• · olive oil 
• · flaxseed oil 
• · flaxseeds 
• · grape seed oil 
• · pistachio nuts 
• · olives 
• · sunflower seeds 
• · chicken 
• · evening primrose oil 
• · pumpkin seeds 
• · pine nuts 

Taking 2-3 tablespoons of omega-6 oil a day will give you the amount of this oil that you body needs. 

So, to control those androgens and help your body reduce the creations of acne or pimples start using more essential fatty acids.

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Following are ways to treat eczema based on the intensity and cause of the eczema

Your hands are peeling. Your scalp itches and dandruff flakes cover you shoulder. Your shoulders and knees are weeping with sores. You feel like your skin is falling apart. This is a dire situation. You go to the doctor worried that you have some unmanageable skin disease.

Your worries are lessened when you are diagnosed with eczema. Your Dermatologist informs you that eczema is an autoimmune skin condition. You feel devastated when your Dermatologist says that eczema can’t be cured. However, eczema can be managed. You listen intently as your Dermatologist explains how to effectively treat eczema.

There are several ways to treat eczema. Following are ways to treat eczema based on the intensity and cause of the eczema.

Mild Cases of Eczema: 

It is fairly easy to treat eczema that is mild. It is a matter of changing your skin care regimen. Avoid using harsh soaps and opt for milder skin cleansers instead. Maintain skin moisture by using potent moisturizers on a daily basis. Cut down on the number of showers/bathes per week. Do not shower in hot water because it tends to dry out skin.

Moderate Cases of Eczema: 

You should take a moderate temperature bath to treat eczema that has created skin crusts. Adding oil to the bath can help add moisture and remove the skin crust. Lather the eczema infected areas immediately after your bath with heavy moisturizers. Your doctor can prescribe strong moisturizers and ointments to use.

Extreme Cases of Eczema: 

Ultraviolet light has been used to treat eczema that is extreme. Another way to treat eczema that is rampant is to take immune suppressing drugs. If allergies are a cause of the eczema then allergy shots may be used to treat eczema. Eliminating allergens and skin irritants in your environment can successfully treat eczema.

Handling stress properly can help treat eczema as well. Stress can be detrimental to your body and can show up in the form of eczema. Engaging in a stress management program such as therapy, exercise, and proper nutrition can make a world of difference.

It is crucial to try these therapies to triumph over your eczema. Your body and skin will thank you for taking the time to understand the cause and intensity of your eczema.

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Everyone knows the myths about acne, but few know the truth

As a kid, you hear a lot of things about acne. Everybody has their opinion on what causes it or how to stop it. My nana insisted that it came from a teenager having premarital sex. My papa said she was crazy. Everybody knew that acne was the result of eating too many sweets. My mamma didn’t care who was right or wrong as long as I didn’t make her a grandma before I was married and all of the Cannoli was eaten. 

My family joked a lot about acne at my expense, but the reality is that most people really don’t understand what acne is and where it comes from. Everyone knows the myths about acne, but few know the truth. 

Acne is the result of natural oil that your body produces becoming clogged in your pores. Once the pores or hair follicles are clogged, bacteria starts building up and mixes with the oil. This leads to the bumps, zits, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads that we commonly refer to as acne. 

Doctors know that this is the process by which acne takes place. From this information, they have developed several treatment options to help clear up acne over a period of time. However, no one knows for sure how to prevent acne or completely stop it from occurring in the first place. Because of this, there are countless myths and old wives tales floating around. 

I have heard it all and you probably have to. Acne comes from eating too much chocolate. If you have a huge zit, you obviously haven’t been drinking enough water. Pimples are simply a matter of cleanliness. If you wash your face more, then you won’t have bumps. Of course, my favorite myth is the one that says since acne occurs most often during the teenage years. It is a sign that teenagers are having premarital sex. 

Hysterical right? I know. The truth is that these are myths and not scientific facts. Yes, if you change your diet, your acne may subside for a while. Sure, if you reduce your stress level and drink more water, you may see an improvement in the condition of your skin. However, what works for one may not work for another. 

That is why it is so important to talk with your dermatologist about what treatment options and preventive steps can be taken based off of your unique skin composition. By understanding what acne is and what habits trigger acne in your skin, you can put an end to the myths and start regaining control over your appearance and self esteem.

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Rid yourself of acne today!

Acne is one skin condition that almost everyone in the world has had at some point in their life. Although acne generally hits hardest during the teenage years, most adults still suffer from acne from time to time. There are hundreds of myths surrounding what triggers acne and thousands of acne home remedies and acne medicines available with and without a prescription. Although there is no known cure for acne, you can do a pretty good job of riding yourself of acne with three easy and proven steps. 

First, you need to exfoliate your skin. This can be done through exfoliating creams, acne medicines, home remedies, or even a good bathing with a loofah sponge. Exfoliating skin removes dirt, dead skin, and other impurities that add to the blocking of the skin pores. 

The second step you need to take in acne treatment is unclogging your pores. Several topical acne creams can be used to unclog pores. Most of these products will contain retinoids made from Vitamin A or microbials such as Benzoyl Peroxide. These acne products will penetrate the skin and unclog the inflamed pore. 

The reason why skin pores need to be unclogged or unblocked is because essentially acne is the result of a pore that has become blocked with sebum (oil) and dead skin. This blockage is complicated by bacteria growth which results in the inflammation commonly referred to as acne, zits, and pimples. 

After exfoliating the skin and unclogging the pores, the last step you need to take in ridding yourself of acne is applying a deep penetrating and conditioning lotion formulated to thoroughly cleanse the skin pores as well as reduce any irritation, dryness, or redness that may have occurred during the exfoliation process. Depending on which acne treatment product you are using, this lotion may also contain some topical cleansing agent such as Benzoyl Peroxide to further medicate and cleanse the inflamed area. 

By following these three easy steps (exfoliation, unclogging, and conditioning), your acne problem will be solved. It may not happen immediately, but if this process is continued over time, you will see a remarkable improvement in the health and appearance of your skin. Remember there is no known cure for acne. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t significantly limit acne’s hold on your life. Rid yourself of acne today!

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Here are two simple remedies for foot problems

Over the years I have collected many different natural remedies – some from my family and friends from Eastern Europe, some from other places. I have tried them myself and what have worked – I put in my notebook for later use. I intend to bring them to you in a series of short articles.

Here are two simple remedies for foot problems:

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection affecting the areas around toes and can spread to other areas of the foot. Some forms are mild, but most can cause flaking, itching, deep painful cracks and bleeding and can produce a foul odor. The fungus thrives in warm and moist places and it can be easily transmitted, specially in places like public showers, swimming pools,locker rooms, etc.

Most over-the-counter drugs stop the symptoms for a while, but it usually returns with vengeance. Here is a simple and effective way of treating athlete's foot I have learnt from my Grandmother with easy to obtain natural ingredients:

Get some mutton fat (tallow) from a butcher's shop (beef tallow can also be used), trim the skin and blood vessels. Cook over slow heat until it melts, strain and pour into jars, let it cool. (Mutton tallow can be stored in a fridge in an air-tight jar to prevent oxidation for a few weeks, beef tallow stores almost indefinitely without refrigeration).

Wash and dry your feet and apply the tallow to affected areas in a thin layer. Put clean socks on to prevent staining your clothes.

Taking zinc supplements and vitamin E from a good source will help speeding up the process and make it more permanent.

Corns are areas of hardened skin, usually on the tips or tops of the toes, sometimes on the side of the foot. They can be extremely painful. Usually they form in response to rubbing and pressure from too tight or too narrow shoes.

You can get rid of them using very simple method:

Get a clove of garlic, run it through a garlic press or cut up into small pieces, add a small pinch of sea salt and using a spoon - mash it till smooth. Put a dab of it on the top of the corn and cover with band-Aid.

In 2-3 days pull the band-Aid off – in most cases the corn will come off.

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Whatever the cause, acne is very much in existence across America

In the United States almost 17 million people are affected by some form of facial acne, making it the most common skin disease afflicting mankind. However, despite the large numbers of people who are affected by acne and its sheer commonality, it is still a fairly embarrassing experience for anyone who has it.

Though it is not clear what the exact cause of acne actually is, it has become common knowledge that such breakouts occur during the onset of puberty and pregnancy when particular hormone levels in the body are known to increase in large doses. Genetics, heredity and certain cosmetics also play a role in the development of acne with some skin types. Whatever the cause, acne is very much in existence across America.

The good news is that acne can be cured. Today, there is an absolute bevy of acne treatments designed to permanently eradicate with the unwanted skin disease. There are many solutions ranging from prescription medication to more natural acne treatments. Rather than allowing it to thrive on your precious face, why not put an end to the misery it brings with it?

Whether you use the checmical based Accutane or a more natural acne treatment, you can do away with the unwanted blemishes relatively quickly. After all, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by treating your acne - confidence and self esteem are both known to rise when acne is curbed. The truth is, you don't have to overhaul your lifestyle and eating habits, though that may help speed the process along. You simply need to find the right product for your skin, even if that means trying out more than one before becoming discouraged.

If you are among the 17 million Americans that has some form of acne, you don't have to remain a victim anymore. With so many affordable treatments available on the market, teh path to clear skin is yours once again.

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People often think they are alone in their sufferings

 

Aside from investing in a product to treat and eliminate your stretch marks, one of the best ways to deal with the situation is to discuss it with other people. If you search the Internet you can find numerous stretch mark forums. A forum is basically a meeting place for people who share common interests. You can read messages and post replies. If you are considering a particular product for treating your stretch marks, you may want to ask people in a stretch marks forum if they have any information that they can provide in relation to the product.

Experience is one of the best resources when you are dealing with a condition, and stretch marks forums have people that are willing to share their experiences with you so that you can avoid their pitfalls and enjoy some success. While many of the people that participate in a stretch marks forum are not trained to offer medical advice, there are times when people with professional knowledge will contribute to a forum. In addition, you will be able to share your experiences. People often think they are alone in their sufferings. The prevalence of stretch marks forums proves that if you are suffering from stretch marks you are not alone. The anonymity associated with a stretch marks forum usually makes people more open about sharing their experiences. It is often the case that people make longtime friendships with people they meet in forums.

To locate a stretch marks forum you can simply type a particular question that you have regarding stretch marks directly into your favorite search engine search field. People tend to ask similar questions, so by searching for a question it is very likely that you will come across a forum with a discussion thread featuring your question. You can also type “stretch marks forum” in a search engine browse window to obtain a list of such forums.

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You shouldn’t consider natural remedies for stretch marks as weak products

Some of the products designed to remove stretch marks contain very potent ingredients. These ingredients are not superfluous, but are necessary to cause dramatic results. The only problem with these ingredients is that they can cause negative reactions in some people. If you are sensitive to chemicals, you may want to opt for a natural stretch mark removal product.

You shouldn’t consider natural remedies for stretch marks as weak products. Stretch Out Fading Cream is a product that is reported to result in as much as a 50% reduction in stretch marks. The product does not contain any man-made ingredients. Instead, all of the ingredients are derived from plants. Chemicals usually work by working against nature and forcing a reverse reaction to occur. The ingredients in Stretch Out Fading Cream work with your skin naturally to produce results.

The ingredients that are key to eliminating stretch marks include vitamin E, cocoa butter, and wheat germ oil. Stretch Out Fading Cream contains these elements and a host of other skin nourishing ingredients such as collagen, aloe vera, and vitamin C. While this natural stretch mark removal product is designed to treat stretch marks, its compilation of essential vitamins and minerals will also improve the general condition of your skin. You will end up with skin that is not only stretch mark free, but that is also healthy and glowing. Another added bonus of the product is that it can diminish the appearance of wrinkles.

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Moisturizing the skin is a helpful preventive measure against stretch marks

The question, “” sounds simple enough, but the answer to the question is not so easy. Ask 10 skin specialists this question and you are likely to receive answers spread across the board. On one side of the issue are the specialists who believe that the answer to the question is an emphatic, “no.” The reason behind this school of thought is associated with collagen. Some skin specialists believe that once collagen is decreased in an area of the body, there is no way to regenerate it so that the skin heals and is restored to its normal elasticity.

On the other side of the debate are those skin specialists who believe that the answer to the question, “Can you get rid of stretch marks?” is “yes.” There have been reports from tests that indicate that it is possible to rebuild the level of collagen in an individual’s body. These tests also reveal that it doesn’t take intense prescription medication to rebuild collagen. Many people, pregnant women in particular, have reported a reduction in their stretch marks by using common products

Moisturizing the skin is a helpful preventive measure against stretch marks. Since there are different answers to the question, people will basically have to decide for themselves which side of the debate they want to believe.

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The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to treat the skin condition

The teen years can be a very difficult period. Your body undergoes some significant hormonal changes that can wreak havoc on your daily life and consequently your level of confidence. Many teenagers experience sudden growth spurts while these hormonal changes are taking place. At the end of a growth spurt you may notice tiny lines on your skin. Teen stretch marks are very common and unfortunately can cause many teenagers sleepless nights. Fortunately there are products available on the market to diminish your stretch marks and help to restore your self-confidence.

The best solution to teen stretch marks is the same for adults—time. There are a variety of products on the market, however, that are marketed as weapons against both adult and teen stretch marks. If you want to give them a try, you should first discuss the matter with a dermatologist. Some products on the market that treat stretch marks are potent and can cause damage to young skin. Once your dermatologist gives you the OK to try the solutions on the market, it is a good idea to get started right away. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to treat the skin condition.

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In addition to these steps, you should also moisturize your skin

 

 

Of the common ways that people develop stretch marks, weight lifting is probably in the top three. When you lift weights your skin has to stretch to accommodate for the extra skin that is needed. Most of your body is able to keep up, but sometimes your body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of collagen to handle the additional growth. The problem with weight lifting and stretch marks is that you can develop the scarring in numerous places, including your arms, stomach, buttocks, and thighs.

If you are considering lifting weights and are concerned about developing stretch marks, there are a few tips that may help you reduce your risk of developing weight lifting stretch marks. You first want to make sure that you take your time. Try a moderate approach to weight lifting as opposed to an aggressive one, which will result in you increasing your muscle too fast. Keeping your skin hydrated can also thwart weight lifting stretch marks. In addition to these steps, you should also moisturize your skin.

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