SUMMER CAMPS AND ITS IMPORTANCE

It is hard to believe it but it is actually time to start thinking about summer camp  for your kids. Whether you chose a day camp or a sleep away experience, by sending your child off to camp you are providing them with a valuable growing experience. 

Every family has their own set of guidelines and comfort level, regarding sending a child to sleep away camp. Most camps will consider campers who are 7 and above for overnights, and some even younger. Developmentally, most kids are ready to be away from home at 8 years old, but again this varies depending upon personality and family dynamics.

The advantages to sending your child to an over night camp are many. Children have an opportunity to relate to adults without their parents present to help them navigate the interaction. They can make new friends and for some kids, reinvent themselves for a small time away from school and familiar social settings. This opportunity helps many children develop competencies that they have yet to develop at home or in school. Your child can build new skills, in a relatively short period of time, when given the opportunity. 

Most parents report that their child returns from sleep away camp with a greater level of independence than they could have imagined gained, in such a limited amount of time. At camp there are expectations placed on kids, with regard to time and self-care, and often those things are managed more closely at home simply because of busy schedules. At camp, the days are a bit more leisurely (hopefully) and the stress level is low which is something most kids desperately need. 

If just reading this article makes you queasy at the thought of sending your sweet little one away from home at such a young age, stop and think about why this is. Is your discomfort because of a past experience you had at sleep away camp or are you simply feeling that the world is too scary a place to allow your children to venture out on their own so young? These are valid concerns but shouldn’t dictate whether or not you take this leap of faith. Be very careful because your reluctance can be contagious and may be the reason your child is either resistant to the idea or outright objects to it. 

By all means, do your due diligence when it comes to choosing a camp. Make sure they have a good reputation and ideally some longevity. Even better, get recommendations from friends or your child’s school or doctor. I don’t recommend ever forcing a child to attend summer camp, if they are adamantly against it, but if they show some resistance gentle encouragement is perfectly acceptable. 

Summer camp may not be the right activity for every child but it is a wonderful experience for most. Homesickness and getting dirty are all a part of the package but the friendships, memories made, and the experiences gained can last a lifetim12

Every family has their own set of guidelines and comfort level, regarding sending a child to sleep away camp. Most camps will consider campers who are 7 and above for overnights, and some even younger. Developmentally, most kids are ready to be away from home at 8 years old, but again this varies depending upon personality and family dynamics. 

It is hard to believe it but it is actually time to start thinking about summer camp for your kids. Whether you chose a  day camp for a sleep away experience, by sending your child off to camp you are providing them with a valuable growing experience. 

The advantages to sending your child to an overnight camp are many. Children have an opportunity to relate to adults without their parents present to help them navigate the interaction. They can make new friends and for some kids, reinvent themselves for a small time away from school and familiar social settings. This opportunity helps many children develop competencies that they have yet to develop at home or in school. Your child can build new skills, in a relatively short period of time, when given the opportunity.

Most parents’report that their child returns from sleep away camp with a greater level of independence than they could have imagined gained, in such a limited amount of time. At camp there are expectations placed on kids, with regard to time and self-care, and often those things are managed more closely at home simply because of busy schedules. At camp, the days are a bit more leisurely (hopefully) and the stress level is low which is something most kids desperately need.

If just reading this article makes you queasy at the thought of sending your sweet little one away from home at such a young age, stop and think about why this is. Is your discomfort because of a past experience you had at sleep away camp or are you simply feeling that the world is too scary a place to allow your children to venture out on their own so young? These are valid concerns but shouldn’t dictate whether or not you take this leap of faith. Be very careful because your reluctance can be contagious and may be the reason your child is either resistant to the idea or outright objects to it.

By all means, do your due diligence when it comes to choosing a camp. Make sure they have a good reputation and ideally some longevity. Even better, get recommendations from friends or your child’s school or doctor. I don’t recommend ever forcing a child to attend summer camp, if they are adamantly against it, but if they show some resistance gentle encouragement is perfectly acceptable.

Summer camp may not be the right activity for every child but it is a wonderful experience for most. Homesickness and getting dirty are all a part of the package but the friendships, memories made, and the experiences gained can last a life time.

Hide your Gray hair

Sure, gray hair seems to be making a comeback in Hollywood – did you see Kelly Osbourne's recent gray locks?! – but most women avoid the straggly little buggers like the plague.

WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS

We're showing you your best options for dealing with your shades of gray.

Once upon a time, gray hairs used to be like battle scars: They showed a woman was dignified and wise, after all. Nowadays, women are pretty terrified of slipping into the silver 

What not to do

You've probably been warned that if you pluck a gray hair, more will grow back. We're not so sure about that, but Piecuch does tell us that getting all tweezer-happy isn't a good thing. "Tweezing them is not necessary. When they grow back in, they'll stick straight up causing the whole world to really know what's going on."

What to do

Whether you decide to cover up your hair with a whole new shade or simply get strategic about covering them up, there's an easy solution for everyone: "There's an option for everyone -- whether you have black, brown or blonde hair, are a six week or a 12 week type of client."
Since gray hair can leave skin looking dull, coloring it has many benefits. A new, fresh color can take years off your age, bring vibrancy and richness to your natural skin, and make wiry gray hair soft and manageable.
"The great thing about color is it can almost always be fixed or altered," Piecuch says. "Trust your stylist to pick out the best color for you and together work on a schedule so you're always looking your best."

What are my options?

Enough talking! Let's check out the best options for dealing with your grays.

For the commitment-phobes:

Maintenance level: These options require the least upkeep and are great for women in the six week maintenance bracket.

If you're not ready to fully commit to a new hair color but are still bothered by your grays, Piecuch says you have a few options. "Highlighting (either balayage or foiling) will add some 
brightness to the hair and the gray will blend in with them," she says. "If you're extremely gray 
but don't plan to be at the salon often, this will be the best for upkeep. With this option, when your roots come in they won't be as noticeable.
Another alternative is to low light, adding your natural color back in and basically turning back the clock a few years. With this option, you'll still have grays but there will be less of them.

For the in-betweeners
Maintenance level: This most common coloring option lasts four to six weeks.
If you want to get rid of grays but aren't ready to commit to a new color totally, demi permanent color is the best option for you! "This is the best gray blending service," Piecuch says. "The color lasts four to six weeks and then slowly fades off the hair, leaving no regrowth lines."
Another bonus? all demi permanent color lines are usually ammonia-free and 
are very gentle on the hair. Plus, it's usually the quickest option, and the hair is left in shiny healthy condition.

For the risk takers:

Maintenance level: Depending on how much gray you have, this option usually requires a four to six week upkeep routine.
"When you're ready to fully commit, it's time for permanent color. This will cover any piece of gray that's on your head and no one will ever know the difference," Piecuch says.
Since regrowth can be very obvious, Piecuch recommends pairing this service with a highlight "to keep the color looking dimensional and minimize the line of the new root and the previously colored hair."

Foot pain ...

Perhaps we should. Whether we notice or not, our feet take a beating, and all those miles can definitely take a toll, leaving feet looking - and feeling - battered.

WHY WE HATE OUR FEET

According to a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than a quarter of US women say they hate their feet, most often because of the way they look. What's more, more than half of all adults say they regularly experience foot pain.

Foot Fact:

People ages 36 to 45 report more acute pain than any other age group.

LIVING WITHOUT FOOT PAIN

The truth is, having painful or unattractive feet is not an inevitable part of life. No one should consider foot problems "normal," says Robert Piccora, DPM, an Associate Professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and chairman of Podiatry at Gramercy Surgery Center in New York City. "Sure, your feet might feel a little sore after you've been on them more than usual - maybe you went for a long hike or spent the day shopping," he says. "And you might get a blister if you wear shoes that don't fit perfectly. But if you're in pain - or if you notice any bumps, bulges or bends in your feet - you should pay attention."

COMMON TYPES OF FOOT PAIN AND CAUSES

Some of the most common types of pain come from problems with the toe joints, says Dr Piccora, and the most common types of these problems are bunions - caused by misalignment in the junction of the big toe and the foot - and hammertoes, which are deformities in the second or third toe joints. Unlike more superficial problems, such as blisters and calluses, these conditions are the result of changes in the bony framework in the foot. They look bad, they often feel worse, and they won't go away on their own.
"Both bunions and hammertoes tend to run in families," Drs says. They're often caused by an inherited defect in the mechanical structure of the foot, which creates abnormal stresses and, eventually, deformities in the bone and joint. "You don't inherit the problem," he explains, "just the predisposition." Other causes are foot injuries, neuromuscular disorders, arthritis and congenital deformities such as flat feet or low arches. People whose jobs place a lot of stress on their feet, such as ballet dancers, are also prone to developing bunions and hammertoes.

Pamper yourself to a pedicure

STEPS TO THE PERFECT PEDICURE

Whether you are doing it for yourself or someone else, the procedure is the same -- although it's easier to massage someone else's feet than it is to completely massage your own.

To start, you will need a footbath or large, wide bowl.

Choose from a selection of bath and essential oils, foot scrubs, or fizzing bath bombs. Organize toe nail clipper, emery board, nail buffer, spongy toe separators (if planning to polish toenails), nail brush, and follow-up scented foot lotion. In addition, you'll need towels for catching spills, and drying freshly washed feet. If you have nail polish on your toe nails, remove polish thoroughly before starting the pedicure.

Take the bowl or footbath and fill it with warm to hot water.

Give yourself the hottest water your feet can take for optimum softening of the tough heel skin, and to promote relaxation. Toss in a fizzing bath bomb. Most are made with scent and Epsom salts, and, when added to water, turn a simple bath, or in this case, a simple footbath, into a bubbling, tickling massage. Add a drop of your favoring essential oil -- lavender is a relaxing choice.

Use a foot scrub.

While feet are wet, use a foot scrub to soften the calluses built up during everyday exercise and ordinary tasks. Be gentle. If the tough skin on your feet has been building up over a few years, realize that it may take a few weekly pampering pedicures to bring your feet back to softness.

Rinse foot scrub off feet in the cooling footbath.

Feet can soften in the footbath for a total of about five minutes, or until water is too cool for enjoyment. Gently dry off feet with an absorbent towel.

Care for your cuticals.

While skin and nails are soft, take a few minutes to gently push back toenail cuticles with an angled cuticle stick. Use big toe nail clippers to cut toe nails straight across. A caution: do not clip them too short for this can cause problems with ingrown toe nails as the cut nails grow back. Grab the nail brush and scrub across the tip of nails and on the top of the nails. This is a safer way to clean out gunk under nails than to poke a stick underneath the tip and down the side of nails.

Now for the foot massage.

If you are giving yourself a pedicure, don't skip this step no matter how awkward or difficult it may seem. Massaging feet increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves aches and pains. Any lotion will do but using a peppermint oil foot lotion brings added benefits: the peppermint also promotes blood circulation in the foot, and overpowers lingering foot odor. You can start at either end of your foot, but make sure the entire foot receives the benefit of the massage.
Pour a quarter-sized dollop of lotion into your hand and start at the heel, rubbing repeatedly with a light touch, softening skin and soothing stresses. Move up the foot, rubbing lotion in the bottom of the foot. Use thumbs to make small circles as you work your way over the sole. Pressure can be increased anywhere it feels good. In fact, ticklish feet prefer a firmer hand; it's the light touch that tickles most!

Pay extra attention to the toes.

Rub between toes, using a gentle touch. Finish by rubbing each toe individually. Give both feet equal care.

Finish with the toenails.

File any jagged or sharp edges and shape the toe nail. Even if you do not want to polish the toenails, use a nail buffer to smooth nail ridges for a clean, healthy look.
If possible, use a nail buffer that has three separate finishes. Start with the roughest surface first and give each nail 20 strokes. Give each nail 20 more strokes with next surface, and finish with 20 buffing strokes with the finest surface on the nail buffer. Use that goofy looking sponge toe separator. This tool keeps polish from smearing as toes bump together.

And finally, the polish.

When polishing toenails, keep in mind the beating your feet take during the day. Start with a clear base coat of polish to prevent the yellowing on the toenails resulting from dark polish painted directly on the nail. Two coats of color will help the nails stay attractive for up to two weeks. Finish with two sheer coats of a protective top coat to keep your pedicure looking great.

Antiaging tips for skin

EAT FOR SKIN HEALTH

What we eat has a huge impact on how we look, especially when it comes to achieving that much-coveted youthful glow. dietitians recommend getting plenty of what she calls "smart" fats - omega-3s and monounsaturated fat - which help regenerate skin at the cellular level, improve texture and tone and help ensure skin looks supple. Get these smart fats from fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, sardines), avocado, olives and olive oil.    
Spano also suggests choosing foods rich in lutein - a carotenoid that may help protect your skin from the inside out. The best sources of lutein are egg yolks, leafy dark green veggies and fresh corn. Some studies have found that lutein may also protect skin from UV damage.  
Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, broccoli, leafy greens (kale, spinach) and tomatoes are also great for your skin. We need antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage (rough texture, wrinkles, sun spots). Vitamin E is another must for skin health, Spano says, and suggests adding vegetable oils, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and olives to your diet for healthy, glowing skin.

STAY HYDRATED

If you want skin to look younger and more supple, drinking enough water is a must. "Dehydrated skin looks wrinkled and rough," Spano says. Aim for eight glasses of a day, which will also help you lose weight, aid digestion, improve your energy and concentration and flush toxins from your body. Keep a reusable bottle in your purse for easy, on-the-go sipping. 

ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE

Cleanse: Gently wash your face both morning and night, but steer clear of cleansers that have high alcohol content and other drying agents , which leaves skin clean, soft and free of pore-clogging debris.
Exfoliate: Exfoliate your skin weekly with a gentle facial scrub, which will get rid of dead skin cells and keep skin smooth, healthy , a gentle but effective product that stimulates cell renewal and brightens skin.
Moisturize: Apply moisturizer over your entire face and neck twice a day. Dry, aging skin loses its elasticity, which is when wrinkles start to form. which strengthens skins' moisture barrier to improve the look of dry, aging skin.

WHAT TO SHOP FOR

Look for skincare products with effective anti-aging ingredients such as vitamins A, C and E, retinol, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and glycolic acid. Most major skincare brands offer products with these anti-aging ingredients, and these products will help reduce the appearance of fine line and wrinkles, as well as help slow the aging process.  

PROTECT YOUR SKIN

No matter your age, you need to protect your skin from the sun. Not only can sun exposure lead to skin cancer, it will also cause dryness, sun spots, wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. Always 
use a moisturizer, sunscreen and cosmetics that contain SPF 15 or higher. If you spend a lot of time in the sun each day, wear both sunglasses and a hat.

HOMEMADE SKIN CARE

Even though you can buy anti-aging products at the store, you can also go the DIY route and make your own. We've created a simple but effective recipe you can try at home using items you probably have in your kitchen.

APPLE ANTI-AGING CREAM

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp apple juice
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp rosemary oil
• 3 seedless grapes
• 1/2 apple
• 2 egg whites

Directions: 

1. Blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
2. Use a cotton ball and dab the mixture over entire face.
3. Pay special attention to areas around the mouth and eyes.
4. Allow mixture to dry completely and then rinse with cool water.
5. Use twice a week for best results.
6. Refrigerate leftover mixture for up to one week. 

How to color your hair at home...

KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you want to cover your gray, or go a couple shades lighter or darker, then home hair color is for you. If you want anything more dramatic, then it's best to go to the salon. Also, if you hair is damaged or chemically treated, stick with a professional to be sure you don't overprocess and damage your hair.

SELECT A SHADE

Don't be overwhelmed by the hundreds of different hair color products on the shelves. Visit the websites of Revlon, Clairol or Loreal where you can fill out a simple questionnaire and figure out the right shade for you.

DON'T MAKE IT PERMANENT

If you are new to coloring your hair or trying a shade that's a little bit different, select a temporary orsemi-permanent hair color rather than permanent. Temporary color washes out in 6-12 shampoos, while semi-permanent hair color will normally wash out in about 20-26 shampoos. Permanent hair color can last six to eight weeks or even longer.

GET ORGANIZED

To make things easier, you can invite over a friend to help color your hair. However, even with a friend, you need to get organized. In addition to your home hair coloring kit, you will also need a few supplies.

• Plastic gloves (normally provided with kit)
• Old button-down shirt
• Vaseline
• Damp rag for wiping up spills
• Hair clip
• Wide tooth comb
• Old towel
• Big safety pin

Put on the shirt and fasten the towel around your neck with the safety pin before you begin.

TESTING. TESTING.

The instructions with your box of hair color say you should test a few strands of hair first, but many women skip this step. If you haven't used this particular hair color before, you should definitely do the test to make sure it's the shade you desire.

COLORING YOUR HAIR

Don't wash your hair the day you are going to color your hair. Most experts suggest waiting 24 to 48 hours after washing your hair before applying hair color. Freshly washed hair is lacking the oils needed to absorb the hair color.
Apply Vaseline to your skin all around your hairline to protect your skin from the dye.

Mix the hair color according to the directions on the box. Use a comb to separate your dry hair into four major sections.  Begin by taking a smaller subsection from one of the sections and applying hair color from the bottle. Don't use too big of a section - you want to make sure the color is thoroughly worked through your hair.

Start with the roots and work your way down and outward, piling your hair on the top of your head as you go. You can use a hair clip or multiple clips to pin your hair up.

Following the instructions included in the box, wait 25-45 minutes for the color to work. If you have a lot of gray hair, it's best to wait the maximum time limit. After your color has processed, rinse your hair with cool water.

WAIT TO WASH

After rinsing out your color, apply the conditioner supplied with your kit but don't wash your hair. Wait at least a full day, preferably 48 hours, after coloring your hair before you wash it. This will also allow the hair color to completely penetrate your hair shaft.

TOUCH-UP YOUR ROOTS

About four to six weeks after coloring your hair, you may need to touch-up your roots. When touching up the roots, don't over-color the ends. Apply conditioner to your ends and then just color the roots and top. Five minutes before it's time to rinse out the color, use a wide tooth comb to distribute the color down the hair shaft to the ends. Then rinse as usual.

HIGHLIGHTS AT HOME

For natural looking highlights, buy a second box of hair color a shade or two lighter to create highlights around your face. You can use a paint brush to paint on the highlights as thin or as thick as you'd like them.