DRINKING PROBLEMS AT THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (Beth Teitell)

As a woman of a certain age, I was very interested in Beth Teitell's hilarious journey through our culture's obsession with youthful appearance.  How many times have we heard the phrase "reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles" or "look and feel younger?"  We live in an era where graceful aging is no longer a goal, but a stigma, and revealing one's true age is akin to admitting that you don't think that learning to read should be a priority in public schools.  TV and print marketing have relegated women over 40, unless they are admirably well-maintained a la Demi Moore (and has that served her well personally or romantically?), to almost non-existent status except in the "youth preservation" area.  Products and procedures to slow the aging process, firm sagging skin, color gray hair, minimize flabby chins, fill in deep lines and reduce fine lines, not to mention rejuvenate sexual abilities (albeit mostly for men), control incontinence, enhance nutrition, lighten age spots, and call for help in an emergency have taken over advertising for the older crowd.  Where are the ads for flattering clothes (without fleece, polyester, or elastic waists), fashionable eyeglasses, movies, hair stylists, and recreational equipment that feature smiling middle-aged people with wrinkles who seem to be actually enjoying life rather than hiding in shame or attempting to disguise their true age (that 35-year-old child might just be a dead giveaway that you aren't actually 40!)?

Teitell's research in writing this entertaining search for the fountain of youth is exhaustive.  She consults skin care experts, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, psychologists, retailers, facial exercise experts, friends, and government statistics in her quest to discover the truth about whether or not looking and feeling younger is actually an attainable goal.  Numerous products, advice, and treatments later, she provides a list of 10 tips to maintain a healthy, more youthful look as you age (in other words, advice on aging gracefully without breaking the bank or spending hours each day maintaining yourself) :  exercise, take care of your skin, use a little makeup, take care of your hair, don't obsess about your age, dress appropriately for the occasion, whiten your teeth, use an age-appropriate vocabulary, sleep, and be charming.  Her ultimate advice?  Inner happiness and sunblock are the keys to a beautiful life.  I couldn't agree more!