The Fixer Upper

I still feel like a child within. I have a hard time peering into the mirror and recognizing a real adult. I would have believed the delivery of my second child might have altered it, but I still seem to be in denial of the aging process.

And regarding aging — or instead putting it off — my dear wife and I moved into a new house and this house has enough room in the basement for the home gym my dear wfe has always wanted. I’m seeing dollar signs when I brainstorm all the large and tiny things required, from the necessary but oft-neglected weight bench and exercise mats to selecting the most reliable exercise bike. An exercise bike can be difficult now a days. Do I go with a recumbent or an upright bicycle? Should I select an old-school analog or electronic?

Of course, my wife seems determined to get an elliptical trainer as well. You read that accurately. An exercise bike and an elliptical machine — not only one or the other. My guess is that it will go with the cream for stretch marks she started using after the birth of youngest child. Oh boy I’m gonna get it for that jest.

I must be careful with our budget because our new house is a bit more of a diamond in the rough. We wanted it this way, but we still have to cautiously budget every little thing, even to a knob for a cabinet (no kidding). My wife has an ambitious kitchen cabinet refacing design projected, but I have to remind her the sink for the bathroom she wants installed shall set us back a pretty penny, too.

Thankfully, she and I both like the organic, rustic look, so we are furnishing our new home with unstained furniture. It still requires some polishing off, but she and I can keep our costs down and create higher quality furniture than we could buy anywhere anyways. I recently found a good table for coffee with some nice, natural knotting and a couple console tables in matching oak.

And then there’s the great outdoors. For our patio outside we are considering outdoor fireplaces and we will furnish with some budget wicker furnitures at first.

Supplying a brand new home seem so mature, but I cannot help but sense I’m merely playing house. The new exercise equipment and furniture merely feel like a new era of playthings.

The Basics Of Healthy Skin Care

When it comes to skin care, many people don’t think about it until they start to see the first signs of wrinkles time in their thirties.  Although paying attention to skin care is beneficial at any age, it is important to learn the basics of good skin care as early as possible, and make it a routine.

Many times, however, people just don’t know where to start.  With all of the beauty products on the market, and all of the claims of their cleansing and anti-aging benefits, how can we figure out what are the best skin care regimens?  There have been many strides made in the field of skin care, and some of the new skin care products combined with some old, tried-and-true methods of care can help anyone keep their skin in the best shape possible.

1. Skin care from the inside out – One thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that skin care is more than just keeping your skin clean and applying the right kinds of creams.  The skin is an organ – the largest organ of the body – and all the organs of the body need good nutrition in order to function properly.  With today’s fast food diets and busy lifestyles, where many peoples’ idea of a meal is grabbing a quick bite on the way in or out the door, it’s no wonder that there is a nutritional crisis going on.

When it comes to skin care, proper nutrition should be the first thing that we think of.  Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats like olive or canola oil can go a long way in helping the skin stay healthy and supple.  A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement each day can help too, especially for busy people who don’t watch their diets as closely as they should.

To be healthy, the skin needs the right balance of vitamins and minerals, especially the B vitamins, anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.  Proper eating habits and vitamin and mineral supplementation should be considered the first and most essential beauty products and anti-aging products on our lists.

2. The Importance of Prevention in Skin Care – It is much harder for skin care beauty products and anti-aging products to work when we don’t work to prevent many skin care problems.  Good nutrition is one way to do this, but we also need to do more. 

One of the most damaging elements to the skin is the sun.  Not so long ago, people regarded a nice tan as a sign of healthy skin. Today, most of us know that too much exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun and even the so called “safe” UVA rays that come from tanning booths is extremely damaging, and dangerous, to the skin.  UV and UVA rays cause premature aging of the skin, and can also cause other skin conditions such as rashes, inflammation, and skin cancer.

A good quality sun block lotion is an essential beauty product to have on hand at all times – with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sun block should be worn all the time when you are outside – ultra violet rays are still present even on cloudy days – and should be reapplied whenever necessary.  Hats work well for shielding our faces from the sun, as well as trying to always sit in the shade and not directly in the sun.

3. Cleaning – Keeping skin clean is essential for good skin care.  A mild soap that doesn’t dry the skin can be good, and there are several beauty products on the market that focus on safe skin cleansing.  Your skin should be cleansed before applying or reapplying any creams or lotions, and any make-up used on the face should be as clean as possible.
 
4. Creams and Lotions – Today there are a variety of creams and lotions on the market that are very helpful for skin care.  Beauty products and anti-aging products for the skin have been developed over the years that can help the skin renew itself, prevent or reduce wrinkles, help prevent or reduce other signs of skin aging, and clear up acne and other debilitating skin conditions.

Exfoliating skin creams help the skin slough off old skin cells and produce newer, more resilient skin cells. Certain moisturizers not only keep the skin supple, they can also help the skin rejuvenate itself, and can soften or plump lines and wrinkles, making them noticeably smoother and less apparent. There are creams and lotions for specific areas of the face and body, such as creams for the delicate area around the eyes, the thicker and rougher area of the elbow, or the vulnerable area of the neck.  There are non-prescription and prescription creams that can be extremely helpful for clearing up acne and blackheads.

One of the best things that you can do is consult a dermatologist to figure out the best beauty regimen for your skin type.  With all of the wonderful beauty products and anti-aging products on the market, as well as some knowledge about nutrition and preventative skin care, your skin can look its best for a very long time.

Summer Cottage Adventure Travel in Iceland

Traditional options for accommodation when you travel to iceland sometime prove too costly for families and small groups. Foreign tourists looking for bargain travel deals in Iceland get great value for money while staying in a summer cottage rather than in a hotel or a guesthouse. Viator an an online reservation/booking service  provides an exclusive but inexpensive booking service on behalf of 130 owners of privately owned summer cottages in all parts of Iceland.

Viator.is was founded in 2002 by Petur Oskarsson and Bjarnheidur Hallsdottir. The company represents the owners of 130 privately owned cottages located in all parts of the country who make their cottages available for rent to foreign tourists visiting Iceland. Although each cottage is furnished and decorated differently they all include hot and cold water as well as heating. The cottages also include a shower or a bath, fully equipped kitchen and one or more bedrooms.

“About 80 percent of our customers spend their time here during the summer season which coincides with the traditional school holidays in Europe and North America,” says Oskarsson. Those visiting the country in winter would enjoy a different kind of experience such as sitting in a hot-tub heated with geothermal water while gazing at the northern lights.

Nearly half of all summer cottages in Iceland are located within an hour’s drive from Reykjavik the country’s capital where 65 percent of the population lives.

Further information about renting privately owned summer cottages in Iceland is available both in English and in the German language as Ferienhäuser in Island on Viator’s website: www.viator.is

Pub Fundraising Ideas

An Awesome Vacation On Marvelous Maui

Presented by Susan

So you are thinking about coming to Hawaii. If this is your first trip to Maui, there are many things you should know about obtaining the kind of Maui vacation that you want.

It just so happens that Maui, Hawaii, is one of the most popular islands with tourists. Not only does Maui have a wide variety of things to do when compared to the other islands, you’ll find that there are many Maui Resorts and Condos where you can stay inexpensively. And this is a great time to come to Maui because rates are very competitive.

If you are coming to Hawaii to get married, you might want to seriously consider getting married on Maui. It is the best of the islands for sunset weddings, which is shown by the fact that half of all weddings in Hawaii take place on Maui. If you decide to get married in Hawaii you will want to find a company who offers Maui Weddings Packages for your special day.

If you sincerely want to save money, the easiest way to plan your trip is to put together your airfare, accommodations and car rental as part of a package. All of those vendors will give you a much better deal than if you booked those items independent of each other. So, what’s the best way to get a travel package deal? Simple. . .

Use a travel consultant, who offers the kind of travel advice that is missing from the do-it-yourself Internet travel websites. But be sure to find an agent from whom you can receive advice about making your trip to Hawaii the vacation of a lifetime.

The best way to have a really good vacation in paradise is to do a little research about  Hawaii Travel.

Minuteman Fire

Seniors need hobbies too!

Hobbies like reading, scrapebooking, writing fiction, researching family history can do wonders for a senior’s physical and mental well being. Some seniors prefer hobbies like ball room dancing while others like quieter hobbies like stamp collecting. It is completely up to you to decide whether to pursue the traditional stereotypical hobbies (like gardening or golf) or to begin with something totally wild like skydiving. Try the hobbies you always wanted to do when you were younger. Most seniors do have hobbies and use them to pass the time wisely. If the hobby you are interested in requires a minimal of physical activity, you will still benefit physically from the mental activity. Your brain loves to think and stay active. Remember the old cliche, “Never stop learning.” Well, this evens applies more as we get older and helps us maintain proper mental functions.

Once you decide to undertake a new hobby, check your local newspaper. Look for gatherings or information about others doing the same hobby. You will be able to meet other hobby enthusiasts interested and just as enthusiastic about your hobby as you are. This feeling of enthusiasm can be quite contagious and fun for all. You will find other hobbyists ready to socialize, full of new ideas, and time spent together will become something to look forward to.

For more thoughts and ideas about hobbies for seniors, checkout our web site at www.ConcerningAging.com. Be sure to leave us a note in our comment section to give us your great hobby ideas!

Authored by: A ConcerningAging.com Staff Writer

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