How to Talk to Your Child About STDs

How to Talk to Your Child About STDs

Most adolescents are woefully ignorant when it comes not only to contracting sexually transmitted diseases, but also about their own bodies, and life in general. One of the key problems is that as humans, we do not run on instinct only. We rely on learning, and this takes years.A�

The body out paces the brain during early teens. Desires are present in the same way and intensity (sometimes more so) than they are in adults. For the parent, this can be a real problem. Some of us honestly don’t want our children to grow up! We are frightened by this stage in their lives and would rather they remained innocent little children.

If you find yourself in this dilemma, one of the key things to understand is how the brain and body work during this phase of your child’s development. Once you gain an insight in to this, you can handle the inevitable conversation about STD’s (STI’s) with confidence.

These are some tips that have helped me over the years:

Just give them the facts. Facts can be quite sobering.

Don’t preach or become emotional. Emotions can get in the way of the facts and create resistance.

Explain in a step by step way what is going on with their bodies.

Don’t talk in code. Talk biology to them like in school. Use the correct names for the bodyparts.

Don’t be scared to scare them! It works.

At the end of your little talk, do an image search on the internet for sexually transmitted diseases. Teens respond more to gross images than the wisest medical advice!

That 6 step process worked for me many times. Also, you might just want to explain in your own words some of the following information below. It all helps.

When the physical changes of puberty have taken place, the male is capable of fertilising a female egg, and the female is able to conceive and produce a baby. However, although the body may be physically capable of these functions, it is still necessary for the emotions to develop. It is during the adolescent period – from puberty to 19 or 20 – that physical and emotional developments link and move towards a mature and adult understanding.A�

Adolescents may form casual relationships and experiment with sex, but they will also be learning moral values and how to become responsible adults. Many adolescents will be looking for a partner with whom to form a permanent relationship, leading to a home and family. The results of unrestricted sexual encounters can be disastrous, possibly ending in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases or emotional damage.

Sexually transmitted disease

Since the 1960s there has been a steep increase in the number of reported cases of STD (venereal disease), from approximately 175 000 in 1960 to a million in 2008 in the UK alone. These are frightening figures, as the results of STD can be infertility, serious illness or even death, and psychological trauma and acute distress to those infected, their partners and family.

These diseases can be easily passed on from person to person during casual sexual relationships. STDs can be successfully treated when diagnosed early and given professional medical treatment. Special treatment clinics (genito-urinary clinics) have been set up in most hospital departments, and treatment is free. Any person with a STD must not have sexual contact with another person until he or she has been cleared of the infection.…

Homeopathy – The 21st Century Treatment

Homeopathy – The 21st Century Treatment

Homeopathy is the second most used form of medical treatment in the world and is considered a safe form of treatment. Hundreds of millions of people use homeopathic treatments and remedies including famous people in both the entertainment and sports industries.

Even royalty have successfully used homeopathic remedies for health issues or just for the sake of keeping healthy and safe naturally.

A Brief History Of Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a kind of alternative medicine that treats a disease with a preparation that is heavily diluted. This science and philosophy was created by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. Despite being thought of as a controversial form of treatment and science, it has been used successfully by both practitioners and patients for many, many years. It is widely accepted all over the world.

Prince Charles himself is an advocate of homeopathic medicine. Soccer superstar David Beckham as well as tennis legend Martina Navratilova chose to be treated by homeopathy, as did Charles Darwin. Sir Paul McCartney, Florence Nightingale, Claude Monet; all use or have used homeopathic treatment. Even Axl Rose of Guns N Roses, so that’s saying something!

Restoring Balance To The Body

Homeopathy works in such a way as to restore the proper balance to the body, the way things “ought to be”. The natural medicines used in homeopathic remedies helps to strengthen the body’s own ability to fight disease and restore the body to its balance.

These remedies are derived from plants, minerals and animals the world over. The success rates of cures are very high and are also safer and more economical in the long run. And let’s face it, everyone wants a high level of health and this is what homeopathic medicine can give you.

Nobody wants to be sick or in pain. Nobody. Though drugs certainly can give quick relief, drugs do have side effects, especially in the long term. Coming off medications can also bring about some nasty side effects.

These are things more and more people are taking into consideration. Alternative treatments like homeopathy have proved both safe and effective with little or no side effects.

Homeopathic Treatment For Children

Even toddlers or infants can be safely treated with homeopathic remedies. Obviously, you want to make sure that you see someone who is qualified. Treatment can help to restore proper balance and function and also strengthen the immune system.

Even doctors sometimes refer their patients to homeopaths! As the 21st century progresses, alternative methods of treatment will not only become more popular, in the long run, it’s safer and that’s something we all want not just for ourselves, but or children as well.…

Celebrate International Girls Day

Celebrate International Girls Day

This week we’re celebrating International Girls Day. Our small celebration included my girls, a friend, homemade pizza and watching Home Alone 4 (It seemed logical since we’d just seen Home Alone 1, 2 and 3.)

What is International Girls Day?

“In 2010, Kappa Delta Sorority created International Girls Day on behalf of the Confidence Coalition. With the message, “She Can Do Anything!” the celebration recognizes the spirit of girls and encourages girls to make their dreams a reality. The celebration takes place each year on November 14.”

– The Confidence Coalition

I completely support the idea that girls can do anything. Making it easier for girls to do anything is our deep mission. One way that girls can begin to feel more confident in their own skin is to better understand how their bodies work, and how to take great care of their bodies.

Starting in your own kitchen, here are a few ways that you can teach your girl a bit more about her amazing body, and how to keep it strong, calm, and energized so that she has the strength, endurance, and courage to do anything!

Some foods are really tough on a girl’s growing body. Instead of providing nourishment for her cells, focus for her mind, and energy for her muscles, they can really drag her down. Interestingly these foods are different for each girl because each girl is different. But, here are a few common ones that are more likely to drag your girl down.

Sugar (or any artificial sweeteners)

Wheat (Gluten) (Gluten is often a problem even if she doesn’t have a diagnosed allergy to gluten or celiac disease.)

Dairy

It’s no fun, and not helpful, to just cut foods out of your girl’s nutrition program. When foods are abruptly taken away, we usually react by craving more of them or feeling deprived. Instead, shift to different foods and build up her nutrient stores, which will lessen her cravings.

To shift away from sugar, adjust your girl’s “sweet-o-meter.” Try eating only fruit, or fruit sweetened desserts instead of sugary treats for a week or two, and see how sweet natural fruit can taste. Look for hidden sugars in salad dressings, condiments, and other packaged foods.

Try these homemade salad dressings, and do a family taste test to decide your favorites.

Lemon Dijon Dressing

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Dijon Vinaigrette

Instead of wheat flour, try using almond flour.

You can even make pizza crust out of it for your International Girls Day Celebration! If your daughter, or her friends, are allergic to nuts, try gluten free or grain free pizza crust.

Instead of cow’s milk, use coconut milk. Often girls with nut allergies can tolerate coconut (check with her doctor to be sure.)

My girls love my coconut milk and pumpkin winter smoothie.

For a fancy treat… top it with coconut whipped cream.

When your girl learns which foods make her body feel good, strong, calm, and focused, it will be so much easier for her to go out and do anything! Isn’t that what we all want for our girls?

Please share this post with your friends, and encourage them to sign up for my Fierce Toolkit so that they can learn more about getting great energy for themselves and their girls. Let me know in the comments below if your daughter struggles with any food sensitivities, allergies, asthma, skin issues, or digestive problems. I would love to share more ideas for food shifts with you to healthy, easy, and delicious alternatives. And, please share what food shifts have worked for you so that other moms can give your ideas a try!

For more information on International Girls Day, go to .…

Is it Possible to Grow Taller Naturally After Puberty?

Is it Possible to Grow Taller Naturally After Puberty?

Many people seem to think that once they reach puberty they stop growing taller. But is this true and is it possible to grow taller naturally after puberty. Many people would love to have the answer to that question and what is more they would love to have a positive answer. Irrespective of attaining puberty individuals continue to grow till they are twenty eight or twenty nine even thirty plus. It all depends on the individual and we do not mean the genes but the lifestyle and the diet of each and every person contributes to how much he or she is going to grow. Sure, genes do play a role but they are not in total control.

The secret to being able to grow taller naturally after puberty is in eating well, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. Everyone grows only when they sleep say researchers. However, this does not mean that if you continue to sleep all day you will grow taller. You will grow in proportion to the nutrients you eat and the way you exercise.

In order to grow taller naturally after puberty one does not need to perform stretching exercises only, these are important, but they are not the only thing that needs to be done. By strengthening some core muscles like the back muscles and the stomach muscles the spine gets straightened out a great deal. This improves the posture of the individual who immediately adds at least three inches to his or her height.

A right diet containing low fat, high fiber and proteins complemented with the required vitamins and a lot of water will aid the process a lot. Not only will the right posture, some additional inches and better health result in ones efforts to gain a few inches this will greatly improve a persons self confidence and self esteem as well. What a lot can be achieved with a few extra inches.…

Could Preventative Natural Medicine Be The Key To Ensuring Long-Term Health and Wellness?

Could Preventative Natural Medicine Be The Key To Ensuring Long-Term Health and Wellness?

As with most days I wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and catch a little business news to see just how quickly my retirement savings are vanishing. Probably, not that much different than many of you reading this article.

But today was a little more depressing than most as the CEO of one of the major medical insurance companies was describing how he had been working on a plan to drive down the cost of health insurance.

I must admit, even for a self described wordsmith like myself what he said made my head spin and wonder whether someone had spiked my coffee. Well, my spouse was gone and that only leaves the pets. Could the cat have done it? Probably not!

My best interpretation of what he said was that he was diligently working with doctors to reduce the amount of treatment provided. Not only that his company was going to reward doctors for providing us less treatment.

A scary message, but I fear this could easily be an omen of things to come leaving most of us to fend for ourselves or at the very least not receiving the quality of care we have become accustomed to.

This leads us to the possibility that achieving wellness with the help of natural remedies possibly combined with better lifestyle choices could be our only defense against disease and illness down the road. In other words focusing on preventative medicine instead of reactive medicine. The world of natural and alternative medicine includes herbal supplements, homeopathic remedies, chiropractic care, aromatherapy, mind and body therapies, and so much more. For those of you who haven’t explored this world, or have opted to go to the dark side with a handful of prescription drugs daily, this might be a good time to rediscover the world of natural health and wellness.

According to the CDC the average American age 60 takes 5 prescription medications every day.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies along with omega 3 supplements will be three of the best tools at your disposal for preventing illness and achieving optimal health.

Herbal remedies such as echinacea (immune system health), goldenseal root (immune system health), bilberry (for eyesight), saw palmetto (prostate health), ginkgo biloba (mental clarity), ginseng (circulation and general wellness), passion flower (anxiety), and St. John’s wort (mild depression) are just a few herbs which have been used for centuries to help prevent illness and work with the body to heal illness.

While herbal medicine can be put to good use many natural health advocates believe homeopathy is perhaps the most underrated natural treatment method of all.

If you aren’t familiar with this type of medicine it is the science of dilutions. When homeopathic remedies are carefully formulated by an expert they are not only considered to be one of the safest treatments available but some of the most effective.

And finally, there are the omega 3 supplements which are thought to help with over 60 different conditions and illnesses including improving heart and artery health, reducing arthritis pain and discomfort, and tamping down internal inflammation.

If a person were to combine these three natural remedies with chiropractic care, exercise, and few lifestyle modifications there is a good chance they would feel a whole lot better and spend less time in the doctor’s office.

Perhaps, the aforementioned CEO believes he has all of us over the barrel but he really doesn’t, that is if we are willing to take aggressive preventative steps to achieve optimal health and wellness.…

Grow Taller Quickly – Understanding What Growing Taller Is About

Grow Taller Quickly – Understanding What Growing Taller Is About

Height isn’t a big conversational factor that people talk about however there are many people who are looking into how to grow taller quickly as it is a great way to increase your sense of confidence. For some gaining height is so important that they will try different programs, supplements, pills, machines etc just so that their appearance can become more appealing to those around them.

There are various arguments which involve the persons age and their ability to grow taller, that after a specific age (after puberty) that every inch of growth is impossible. Our bodies produce the human growth hormone throughout our whole lives and if we work hard to maintain a chemical balance in our bodies and also have the ability to rejuvenate cells we will be able to produce more of the human growth hormones.

During the puberty stage there is an event commonly known as the growth spurt. This happens at different times for different people and there can also be a different amount of growth for different people too. The reason for a growth spurt is because at that stage of puberty the body discharges a ton of HGH throughout the body for growth and development.

Boys and girls will experience the growth spurt differently but they will each last for about a year where they will find that they’re height will start to increase and they will be able to gain some quick inches. After this period the production of the human growth hormone is slowed down and is thought to be the end of growing forever.

To make the most out of the growth spurt it is essential that you keep up a healthy lifestyle as this would go on to help increase the levels of HGH being produced and help you grow even taller. There are plenty of exercises such as running, basketball etc that you should try taking part in whilst you are still going through this phase.

After the puberty stage it is thought that there is no way to grow taller. However, if you are dedicated for putting the time and effort in you can grow taller quickly with the help of natural methods such as exercises, stretches, diet changes, drinking water, taking care of your posture, sleeping for 8-10 hours etc. Just by focusing on these things alone will start to help you on your way to reach your goal of growing taller.…

Teenage Problems

Teenage Problems

Hey girls and guys, you all will be little disheartened to read that teenage is the most sensitive stage of one’s life. In this age, a person suffers from lot of physical as well as emotional changes. This article guides you on all such teenage common problems along with ways to tackle them!

First and foremost acne is the most dreaded skin ailment that affects teenagers. You must have seen number of teenagers complaining about pimples and acne on their skin. The hormonal fluctuations that take place along with the whole growing up process makes the teenager’s skin prone to skin ailments like acne, pimples etc. one should avoid intake of oily and greasy food items to get rid of acne. Also drink plenty of water in your daily diet to treat the teen’s acne condition naturally.

Teenagers also suffer from lot of stress. This stress can be related to their exams or simple anxiety related to various physical and emotional changes that take place in their body. With increased amount of stress in teenagers, they fall for various digestive problems and often suffer from ailments like indigestion, acidity and constipation etc.

Mood swings is another teenage problem which occurs due to puberty. Identity crisis affects the teenagers in the worst way by making them prone to depression. Due to various physical and psychological changes taking place in teenager’s body, he or she fails to understand their transition from child to an adult and feels depressed and dejected. At this time, parental support as well as proper guidance is very much important to keep the morale of teens in high spirits and prevent them from leading to the path of self-destruction.

Apart from above written teenage problems, peer pressure also makes teenagers to get into awful habits like drinking and smoking.…