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Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Feb
13

Boys and Puberty: 7 Tips On How To Deal With Acne

Posted by Stephanie

Many people think that boy’s puberty and acne are not a cause for concern but boys might disagree. Acne can have an affect on the self esteem of the young man and makes this transitional time harder to deal with.

Boys, puberty and acne can be managed if you know what to do. When the boy starts showing signs of acne you can try a change in his diet. Some folks agree that eating greasy foods or foods that contain chocolate may add to the problem of boys, puberty and acne. Although most experts disagree with this acne myth.

It is important for the boy to keep his face clean. There are many products on the market that can be used for cleansing if acne is a problem. Boys during puberty may find these products to be helpful.

Sometimes puberty and stress can combine to make acne even worse. Find the causes of stress and work on reducing or eliminating it. The acne itself can lead to stress and then you have a vicious cycle. A boy during puberty does not need the added stress of acne.

When you are dealing with boys during puberty it is helpful to know some things about acne. Here are some tips about boys during puberty who are experiencing acne.

Acne tip #1: Take the condition seriously. Acne outbreaks may not seem like a big deal to you but they may be a big deal to a boy during puberty.

Acne tip #2: Suggest a gentle skin cleaning regimen rather than severe scrubbing with harsh cleaners. A mild cleanser that can be used twice a day is all that is needed.

Acne tip #3: Ask a doctor or dermatologist for skin car advice. A health care professional will be able to guide you as far as a good cleaning program.

Acne tip #4: It is not a good idea to squeeze or pick at blemishes. This practice only makes the acne worse, and makes the scars last longer.

Acne tip #5: Try using acne lotion or acne skin care products that do not promote blemishes. There are skin care products that are labeled as non-comedogenic that should not clog pores.

Acne tip #6: If the boy is shaving try using different types of razors. Sometimes an electric razor is the best but for other boys a safety razor will be more comfortable.

Acne tip #7: If the acne is severe you may need a dermatologist to prescribe a medication for the boy during puberty. Sometimes a prescription is necessary to lessen the affects of the acne.

Boys during puberty need a lot of support and understanding. Learning the best way to combat an acne condition will help a boy during puberty so that he can cope with all the other changes that he is going through.

Feb
03

Boat Storage Buildings - What Are Your Options?

Posted by Stephanie

You have a boat and you need to store it for the winter. There are all sorts of buildings that you can use for that purpose, whether you prefer to store your boat near or away from the water. This article will briefly outline the types of boat storage buildings that are often used, how you can get one yourself, and some points to be aware of.

The old standby for storing your boat is the wooden boathouse at the lake. This tends to be a simple structure with an opening on the lakeside to let the boat in, and the other 3 walls are windowless to avoid prying eyes from seeing what is inside.

The rafters within the boathouse are usually exposed to allow you to hoist a wooden boat from the water and hang it when not in use. This is fine, but be aware that wood and water (or ice) are not good friends. Both the boathouse and boat are at risk from being so close to the water. But if you have a fairly small, inexpensive boat, this may be your best choice.

Less traditional, but broadly available, are the easy bolt-together metal buildings that are sold by many portable automobile garage manufacturers. Some of these are fairly typical design with a peaked roof, and some are a single large arch. If you are not attached to the traditional look, the single-arch ones have the advantage of strength and simplicity. Not being on the water, these are less convenient and take up a chunk of space, but they can be used for many other purposes as well, when your boat is not being stored. These can be a pretty good buy.

For a small boat, almost any sort of building that will fit it will do fine, and many people use garages or purchase pre-fabricated sheds. For those with larger boats, a common solution is to store the boat in rented indoor space at a marina or a warehouse along with other boats. This can be great because the buildings are usually dedicated to boat storage, although it adds a rental expense to your budget. Others rent space at a small self-storage facility, which can work out very well too.

In short, the best storage building for your boat is the one that keeps you, your boat and your property safe and worry-free. That leaves you free to dream up your boating adventures for the fair weather months coming up sooner than you think. Happy boating!

Jul
22

Choosing the Right Cell Phone Plan

Posted by Stephanie

Cellular phones, just about everyone has one, right? On the other hand, if you’re like some you’ve been holding off committing to a cell phone because you’re afraid of receiving an outlandish bill of overages, fees and charges that you didn’t see coming. Sound familiar?

If you need to have a phone available while you’re out and about for either business calls or personal reasons, this it’s probably a good idea to get a cell phone. However, before committing to any phone it’s a good idea to search out the many options available before taking the plunge. There are two most basic options to choose from: Prepaid verses a Monthly Plan.

Prepaid Plans: When you will only use your cell phone on occasion then it’s a good idea to consider a prepaid phone, but look into several different companies very carefully as they vary greatly, which can absorb your minutes like a sponge.

__Coverage: Can you get service where you need it without extra charges, such as roaming tower access fees, extra taxes?

__Service Access Fees: Some companies charge a daily access fee, which could end up being more expensive than a monthly plan.

__Activation fees: Prepaid phones shouldn’t have an activation fee.

__Cost per Minute: Some companies offer lower rates for buying bulk minutes, but check to see when the minutes expire (this is the popper) and if they roll over if not used when adding more minutes to the phone.

__Are there any other fees, taxes or other charges for making/receiving calls?

__In what increments are minutes charged for making/receiving calls. Some companies charge a whole minute for just using a small fraction of a minute; others round it off to the nearest minute…this makes a huge difference in how long your minutes last.

__Is there a requirement to keep purchasing minutes in order to keep the same phone number? Some companies don’t allow you to keep the same number if you fail to refill your minutes after a specific time.

__Phone cost? Usually, prepaid phones cost very little. If you lose a phone or it breaks it can replace it fairly inexpensively, but you’ll most likely have totally different phone number.

Monthly Plans: Monthly plans require a contract (usually at least two years) and you agree to pay the charges under the terms of the contract. Before signing any contract, read it carefully–never rely on a salesperson’s verbal statement–get it in writing.

__Coverage: Find out exactly where you can make phone calls without incurring extra charges, such as roaming, tower access fees, taxes and such. Some companies offer nation-wide free long distance and with no roaming fees. This is a definite plus. Check to see if the company frowns on the majority of the usage outside your area. Some companies may kick you off their plan if you roam too much.

__Phone Features: Some plans require you to pay for extra services when more features are included with your phone such as text messaging, email, web surfing and more. These charges can be for incoming and outgoing usage.

__Plan Types: There are basic plans that offer single usage and family plans that you can share minutes. Compare and consider the plan type carefully. Perhaps, having a family plan would cost less in the long run. Look at all the benefits before deciding.

__Corporate/Business Discounts: Some companies offer discounts if you either own a business or work for certain companies. Don’t forget to ask if you qualify.

__Extra Charges, taxes and fees (both from the phone company and the state/federal, etc…for all usages. Some companies add extra usage fees, so check it out.

__In what increments are your minutes charged? Again, some companies charge a whole minute for using a smidgen over a minute; others round it up to the nearest minute.

__Contract Duration: Make sure you know how long you are obligated to the contract and what penalties will be charged if you choose to end it. There is usually a small grace period (from 14 to 30 days) to try out the phone service and if it doesn’t suit your needs you can cancel your contract (this is called buyers remorse).

Only you know which type of cell phone service fits your needs. It’s silly to pay more when you rarely use your cell phone, but on the other hand, if you are traveling in areas that a prepaid doesn’t get service it may be better to go with a basic monthly plan so you can actually talk to someone when you use your phone.

Jul
22

4 Easy Steps to Writing a Great Reference Letter

Posted by Stephanie

Have you ever been asked by someone to write a letter of recommendation for a possible employee background check?  This person values your opinion of him or her.  Although you are flattered, the problem is you’re unsure of what to say or how to say it! Here are four tips to keep in mind when preparing your recommendation.

1. Ask the employee about the new position they are applying for. What types of job duties are involved? What sort of characteristics are they looking for in a good employee? In your letter, describe certain instances where this employee or colleague really shined – such as staying late to complete a mission-critical project, working diligently to help a customer make a product decision, providing thorough technical support or service, and so on. These specific situations have more effect on the person doing the hiring than general run-of-the-mill phrases like “terrific manager”, “enthusiastic worker” and so on.

2. Use powerful statements that really show your depth of knowledge about the person. A description like “X is a keen observer who knows how to make customers act and is there with them every step of the way if they are hesitant or have questions” gives a true, in-depth knowledge of the person in a way that a casual letter may not.

3. Print off five letters of reference on company stationery and give them to the recipient. This gives your colleague or coworker additional letters for any other positions that he or she may be applying for in the future, and saves you from having to write them if the request comes around again! If you know it, put the address of the company to whom the letter is being sent, as well as the name of the person in Human Resources who will be collecting and organizing these reference letters. A personalized greeting is far better than a general “To Whom It May Concern” salutation. For the other four copies, leave the address area blank so that the employee can use them for other job opportunities that arise.

4. If you’re really stuck on what to write, or simply don’t have time, ask the person requesting the reference to write a letter about themselves in their own words and you’ll sign it for them. This is a great time-saver and a perfect idea if you’re struggling to put the right words on paper.

If you keep these four tips in mind, writing a letter of recommendation will not only come easier to you, but it will let the person receiving the letter know how much you value them as an employee or colleague, and will help them feel more confident when they move on to the next step – the interview. Good luck!

May
16

Diet Product Comparisons - Which is best for you?

Posted by Stephanie

How many diet products have you heard about? How many have you tried for yourself? If you are like the average person who wants to lose a little weight, you have probably tried quite a few. So what is the best?

This summary comparison will focus on two broad categories. Chemical and Natural.

Chemical based products, which has two sub-categories, prescription only and “over the counter”, include:-

Dermal patches which pass chemicals through your skin to change your thyroid activity.

Pills which claim to block your body’s absorption of carbohydrates by changing the way you digest them.

Pills which block your body from absorbing fat and oil, allowing it to pass through your digestive system.

Pills which use caffeine or pure ephedrine to boost your metabolism.

Pills which claim to imitate your brain’s signals to make your brain think your stomach is full.

People often turn to chemical based diet products looking for a “quick fix”, however as you can see from the summary above, these products interfere in some way or another with your body’s natural processes. In addition, by definition, they involve adding chemicals to your body.

We are all individuals and have our own particular metabolism and chemistry, so the effects of these chemical based diet products can be unpredictable. Unpleasant and even dangerous side effects have been reported by many people.

Chemical based diet products do not aim to provide you with any nutritional benefit, in fact they often aim to interrupt your body’s absorption of nutrients.

Natural diet products do not require any prescription. They are food. Natural diet products include:-

Green Tea. Green tea’s health benefits are undisputed. Hundreds of years of usage have proven the benefits which have now been backed by scientific studies. Green tea adds nutrition to your diet, with high levels of antioxidants, catechins, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. The natural ingredients in green tea promotes thermogenesis and naturally boost your metabolic rate causing you burn calories faster.

Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant from Africa which is proven to suppress appetite. So you simply eat less.

Acai Berries (euterpe oleraceae) -a dark purple berry from an Amazonian palm tree which is now known as one of the top ten superfoods. Acai berries are proven to be rich in minerals, vitamins, including natural vitamin E, fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, oleic (omega-9) fatty acids, antioxidants (including anthocyanidins), phytosterols and polyphenols. Acai berries, available as a juice product or in convenient capsule form, help you lose weight by detoxifying your system, eliminating built up waste and reducing water retention.

Maqui Berries (aristotelia chilensis) - a new superfood discovery from Patagonia. Maqui (pronounced mah-key) berries are like Acai berries on steroids. They have more than twice the antioxidant ORAC score of Acai berries. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)is a measure of a foods ability to neutralize damaging free radicals.

Chlorella - is a microscopic dark green algae superfood nutrient source. Is is 60% protein with all 8 essential amino acids, has 23 vitamins and minerals and a special ingredient called Chlorella Growth Factor which supplies RNA and DNA. It’s superior nutritional qualities reduce food cravings which can cause over-eating. Additionally, chlorella’s fibrous cell wall has the ability to remove heavy metals from your system.

Spirulina - a blue-green algae which is considered to be a whole food. Spirulina provides total nutrition, so like chlorella it nourishes your body so you don’t feel the need to eat junk foods or overeat.

This summary comparison clearly shows which group is the most beneficial to your body. The products you select to help you lose weight will be your individual choice. Do your self a favor - choose wisely.