HOW TO BECOME A PICTURE OF HEALTH

Are you leading a healthy life? If you feel you are not, take advantage of the useful tips given by Dr. Paul Benton from the Health Education Council

ü What is health?
Although some people think that health equals 2keeping the doctors at bay” or being the ideal weight for their height, this is only one side of the coin. Being healthy is much more than that. It covers all the measures we can take to prevent illnesses plus all the steps we can follow to feel even better. So, here are the ins and outs of healthy living.
ü You are what you eat
When it comes to health , food is a crucial factor to take into account. What you eat deeply affects your daily living. That´s why a alanced diet is essential to satisfy your body´s needs. Make sure your diet is rich in vegetables, meat, dairy products and cereals. This is the surest way to meet your body´s need for proteins, vitamins or minerals.
ü Being fit is part of being healthy
Remember that a varied diet and physical activity go hand in hand. If you eat more than body burns up, the extra energy is stored as body fat. So, try walking, running, swimming or practising a sport and you will soon be able to tell the difference.When you are fit, your muscles have strenght and resilience, and your blood pressure is lower. This means it is easier for the heart to pump the blood around the body. What are you waiting for? Start moving!
ü Stay away from bad habits
Smoking and drugs are typical health hazards these days. That smoking is a cause of diseases and premature death is nothing new. Tabacco smke contains harmful substances that can cause cancer. Apart from this, it can hinder smokers´ sports performance. Though they make you feel confident, they can have side effects such as infertility, heart attacks and even death.
ü It´s time for a change!
So, start thinking about your lifestyle. It may feel good. But how much good is it doing you? If you want to live to be a hundred and run without gasping, this is the moment for a change: prevention is better than cure!!

COPING WITH EXAMS

An exam hangs over and you feel it´s driving you round the bend? I know it´s a slog to go through it, but there are many useful tips you can follow to make it go well.
First of all, relaax. You will find it easier to keep your mind on your books if you don´t let the pressure of the test prey on you.
Besides, you can make a plan of what you are doing to swot and try to keep up with it. In this way, you won´t go nuts. And make sure you take enough rest. If studying does you in, it is unlikely that you will pass. Set up little goeals and whenever reach one, take a quick break to stretch your legs or grab a snack.
There are things you should avoid: spending too much time under artificial light, studying in bed or after a heavy meal: you will nod off! And lastly, be confident. You can do it!

I DON´T LIKE MY APPEARANCE

I know how it feels to look at yourself in the mirror and think everything is wrong with your bedy: your hair is too curly; your eyes are oo big; your skin is too pale. And you could do without those extra kilos you have lately put on as well.
It always happens some time in our lives. But don´t let such feelings of self-pity beat you! You have all those other virtues for which your family and friends love you, don´t you? Have you tried listing them? Come on! You´ll find you have many more thatn you can imagine now.
It´s OK if you wear make up, go on a healthy diet ot try new clothes to boost your cocnfidence. But remember: life is not all about looks. What counts is NOT what you look like but what you ARE! This is the side of yourself you should be paying attention to!

“How to cope with adolescents”

Your 14-year-old son is growing into a rebel and you don´t know how to control the situation? Here are some tips from our psychologist, Dr Paul Bonton.
Staying up till all hours: it is characteristic of teenagers and their parents to be at loggerheads over the time they go out. You may wonder where the enthusiasm for being night hawks comes from. The fact is, yougsters tend to feed freer and safer under the moonlight. So let him enjoy himself till past midnight. Just check this does not affect health.
How about some junk food?: if you heard him complain over and over again about your steak and nice, or if he dines more at Mc. Donald´s than at home, it´s time you changed your culinary habits.
Delight him with a hamburger and chips every now nd then. This will not only gain you his gratefulness, but you will also be able to control his diet.
Tell me what you are wearing and I´ll tell you who you are: clothes are quite an issue when it comes to adolescents. Is they have a sense of belonging to a group, it´s likely that they will all dress alive. Or maybe he has his own attention-seeking style. However scruffy his outfit is, avoid hagging him about his looks. Having to face a mirror daily is enough of a hassle for him. His clothes are the shield of his identity, and trying to alter this will be more of a hindrance than a help.
Better alone than in ill company?: he has forgotten his old folks and goes out with a gang of strangers instead? It´s only natural that he needs to experience new sensations. Don´t try to influence him on this matter. Certainly, he has taken the values you´ve taught him, so he will feel a wisfit and return with his old pals in no time.
A Hitler won´t do: finally, think about how you get along with him . Avoid complaining about everything or trying to have him under your thumb. Just let him know you´re there if he needs you. He will soon learn to trust you and count on you.
And a final point. Don´t impose your will on your son. If you want him to respect you, start by letting him feel a member of your family.

BUENOS AIRES!

If you think you have seen it all in your visit to Buenos Aires, you are wrong. Why not try to move away from the deafening city centre? You will discover a whole new world in an hour´s drive from it.
Are you an art enthusiast? Then San Isidro has two spots you would not want to miss for the world. Witness the enchanting beauty of its cathedral, richly adorned with the finest aboriginal works of art.
A guided tour around Pueyrredon´s House is also a must. You will feel a colonist of the 1800s the moment you cross its front door. This historical “house-museum” will delight you with the magnificent sculptures and paitings created y Mr. Pueyrredon himself, while you tour its river-facing spacious rooms.
So far, you are wondering where the “gauchos” are. Spend a day at “Estancia la Milagrosa”, a generous piece at land filled with all you need to experience from the Pampa. Horses will be set at any time of the day for you to enjoy a ride or perhaps work on your polo. Besides, you can try any traditional dishes, sweet meat “empanadas” or “pastelitos de batata”.
The highlight od the outing is a live doma, in which you will laugh out loud ar a daring native twisting on the back of a wild horse.
A third indisputable optio is taking a boat trip along the channels of “ El Tigre”. Specially planned for those seeking quietness, it promises relaxation and fun in a most natura environment. As you sail, you will appreciate the original fauna and flora of the region, with scattered islanders´houses. The best bit of this excursion is having tea at “ El tigre Athletic club”, where the most pleasurable and combined the smell of the fine trees.

NOTTING HILL

“ A place called Notting Hill”, directed by Richard Raphmer, is a typical love story between man and women of different social classes. It is set in the pisturesque London suburb, Notting Hill, hence the name of the film.
The main character is an archetypal cute, reserved English man, played by Hugh Grant, who runs a travel-book shop. The plot revolves round his romance with Anna Scoot ( Julia Roberts), who happens to be a film star at the height of her fame.
It is love at first sight when layman and princess meet in his bookshop. However, an American boyfriend, hard core photographs revealinng a dark past and much press gossip prove scandalous enough to make happiness come to an end.
An incomparable sound track accompanies the ups and downs of the lovers in their messy relationship, while David´s acquitance , incluiding Spike, his scruffy roomate, add the humorous touch to the romantic dialogues.
Though with predictable outcome, the plot finds it highlight in a thrilling climax, at which avant´s a Robet´s roles become most brilliant and moving.
London is also shown at its best, from the “Rita” to David´s blue door in Notting Hill. Its parks and avenues have been shot in such a law-dropping way that even a Parisian would be tempted to spend his honey moon love.
So, if you are fond of light, romantic comedies “Notting Hill” is the next film you should rent. Star-studded and with the most touching script,, it is a classic of its kind you would not miss for the world.

A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING

Oxford has put on the market its third edition of Jeremy Harmer´s latest best seller among teachers of English: “ The Practice of English teaching”.
In twelve chapters, the author offers the reader a brief description of the first principles underlying the instruction of English as a foreign language.

He starts by making an accoun if the most influential linguists and psychologgists and the fundations of their appearanc to language teaching. Based on all these theories, Harmer redefines the roles of teacher and student, stressing the importance of environment and motivation in their interaction within the language classroom. Moreover, he provides us with examples of typical classroom situations and how deal with them, as well as creative teachingresources which have proved very practical when applied to real-life learning conditions.

Personally, I found “ The practice of English teaching” really enriching. Apart from making me aware of the old and new conceptions of learner, teacher and subject matter, its advice made me confident in front of the class at the moment of practice.

I would highly recommend this book to any would be teacher of English, though not exclusively of tehm: it is worth reading for those who are educators, too. It may make them more knowledgeable of their profession and more practical and resourceful at work. Certainly, this can bring about nothing but the betterment of our profession.