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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

NEW New Math

It's back to school, and if you need to help with math homework, good luck...

Don't feel bad if you don't get it. It's not just new math, it's the NEW new math. Some teachers seem to love it, some parents, not so much. Here's the general idea. Memorization is no longer emphasized, nor are the mechanics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, the way most of us learned. Now, kids are encouraged to use language and problem solving skills to find answers, and in many cases, they don't even have to be exact!

Those in favor of the NEW new math say it's not the math that's new, it's the teaching method. Kids are more engaged with it now. And if you don't like it, you're not alone. Some parents are outraged, and some mathematicians hate new math, citing it won't prepare students for college math.

Source: Dr. Sylvain Cappell, NYU Courant School of Mathematics



Black Vs. Green

Put up your dukes green tea, black tea is ready to rumble...
Sure, green tea is tasty, and good for you too, but black tea is no lightweight. As a matter of fact, it's been shown to help fight bad breath and tooth decay, protect our hearts, reduce stress, and even battle the bulge. Just like green tea, black tea is also packed with immune boosting antioxidants.

Both green and black tea are really good for us, and even come from the same plant. But green tea seems to get more of the good press. That's because it's used more often in a lot of the research done on the health benefits of tea.


Yuck!

You stand in line for coffee or some food, and someone in front of you plops that baby right on the counter where your food is going, yuck!

It should be up to the employee to wipe it down for the next customer, or the parent NOT to do that.

And there's another spot that diapered baby goes you might share with your food. The seat in the shopping cart. It's a popular place to put our produce, and it's easy to forget who may have been sitting there. In a recent test, a shocking 90% of them tested positive for e-coli. A lot of grocery stores have anti bacterial wipes where you enter. Use them! Especially on the handle and the basket seat. Better yet, grab a bag on your way in and line that top basket.

Source: Janice Lieberman, Secret Filth Exposed

Balancing Birds

We can all imagine that classic image of a flamingo, gracefully perched on one leg. If you've ever wondered why they do that, there are a few reasons:

Standing on one leg allows the other leg and foot to dry. Just like humans in a bathtub, that foot starts to prune and wrinkle after a while.

It also improves their hunting technique. By standing so still on one leg, their shadow looks more like a tree, and their next meal might swim right up.

Tucking one leg in close to it's body conserves heat and energy for the flamingo. You'll notice lots of birds doing that on cooler days. Much more blood pumps through their legs than the rest of their bodies, and it helps keep them warm.

Source: Discovery Magazine



Work Friends?


Workplace friendships can really help you get through the grind, but they can also hurt your career...

Workplace friendships can be a double-edged sword, and we need to handle those bonds with care. Like it or not, we are judged by the company we keep, and we need to set some boundaries:

When you click with a co-worker, resist to urge share too much personal information right off the bat.

Keep office socializing to a minimum. Sharing lunch breaks or coffee once in a while is fine, but hanging out at each other's desks can be overkill.

An obvious close bond can alienate other's in the office. We might not notice it, but they do. It's best to save the personal stuff for after hours.

Who we associate ourselves with in the workplace also affects how our superiors and co-workers perceive us. And remember, if an office friendship falls apart, it can really make things uncomfortable.

Source: Helen Cooke, Cooke Consulting

Bacteria in a Bag


You pay a little extra for that pre-washed salad in a bag, so do you still have to wash it? I'll tell you, in a moment...

They sure are convenient, but according to Consumer Reports, you really should wash them AGAIN anyway. They tested all different brands and still found bacteria and contamination present in a lot of them. They also report that the packaging didn't make a difference. Salad greens in both bags and plastic clam shell containers tested about the same.

If you're buying packaged salad, check the dates, and choose the one farthest from the use-by date. Even if it's pre-washed or triple-washed, wash the greens yourself. Rinsing won't remove all bacteria, but it will get rid of any residual soil.

Monday, August 30, 2010

SOS!

SOS! It's a universal phrase and signal for distress, but do you know what the letters stand for?

Nothing! If you guessed Save Our Ship, Save Our Souls, or Sink Or Swim, don't feel bad, that's what most people think. but SOS started out as a Morse procedural signal. It was chosen as a distress signal because the three dots, three dashes, then three dots are easy to transmit, and not easily confused with other letters by the sender or recipient.

Once radios hit the waves in the 1920's, Mayday took over as the International Distress Signal. It's another made up word that was chosen because it's easy to remember and can be understood even if the radio signal is weak. It also resembled the French word m'adez, which means HELP ME, so it was a logical choice.

Source: William McNally, author of "Nautilus"



Bad Subject

If you want someone to open your email, use the subject line, and use it wisely. The wrong thing in there can get you deleted.

Phrases like OPEN THIS or PLEASE PASS THIS ON are bound to make your email look like junk, even if it's not. You might also want to avoid HI, HELLO, or WHAT'S UP. Another commonly deleted subject line is anything preceded by Fwd:. If you're forwarding something for fun, consider taking that out, along with all the addresses it came from at the beginning of the email.

The best subject line will summarize your message in a few words. Staff meeting this Thursday, or Hoping to see you, gives the reader a clue. Leaving the subject line blank is okay for close friends or family, but adding a subject will make it easier for them to find if they need to re-read it later.

Source: Stever Robbins, Quick and Dirty Tips

Care Less

Most of us say things we really don't mean, without even knowing it. Here are some of the most common mistakes:

If you could care less, that really means you do care. Most people who use this phrase actually mean to say they could NOT care less.

If you are going to try and do something, you would probably rather try TO do it. Unless of course you plan on keeping the trying and doing separate.

If you plan to bring something to the party, you're better off TAKING it. It's a directional thing. If it's going with you, you're taking it. If it's coming toward you, someone else is bringing it. Of course there's nothing wrong with offering to bring something when talking to the host or hostess. In this case, you're addressing the action from his or her perspective. It's that simple.

Source: Mignon Fogarty, author of "The Grammar Devotional" AND my mom!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Touch Yourself



Go ahead, touch yourself. But you'll need to take your shoes and socks off first. I'll tell you why it helps...

(click play to listen)


Facebook Places


If you've heard about that new Facebook feature that tells everyone where you are, don't panic.


If you use Facebook, you may have seen friends warning you about Facebook Places. It's a new feature available that let's people know where you are, and what you're doing. Sound scary? Don't worry, it's nothing automatic. Facebook Places is an application you would need to choose to use on your smartphone. It's possible to use it on your computer too, but it's nothing that will happen automatically. If you don't choose to check in, your location isn't revealed.

If you do like the idea of Facebook Places, or if you're still concerned about it, just go to your Facebook privacy settings. Hit customize, and you'll be able to see all the options.

What Are You Worth?

What salary are you expecting? It's a question dreaded by a lot of candidates. You don't want to sell yourself short, and you don't want to price yourself out of the running.

Jen Rallis, author of Ugly Resumes Get Jobs, says turning the tables is your best answer. What salary range are you willing to pay for the position? Once you've been given that range, you should be prepared to respond. It's either something you can work with, or not.

Another approach is to answer with your own range. It's best to do a little research on what similar positions in the field are paying. Keep in mind the employer will most likely focus on the low end of any range you give, so make sure you're comfortable with that.





Thursday, August 26, 2010

First Stall

If you need to use a public restroom, head for the first stall...

(click play to listen)

Dr. Patience

If you feel like you're getting the bum's rush at a doctor's appointment, something is wrong.

Hopefully, you've made a list on any concerns before the appointment. It's a good idea to give that list to the doctor as soon as he or she enters the room. That will give them an idea of what to look for and how much time you'll need.

Ten minutes of questions and answers is reasonable. If you think you'll need more time than that, you should call the office ahead of time and let your doctor know you'll need a few extra minutes.  He may need to change your appointment, or his tee time.


Source: Charles B. Inlander, Consumer Advocate, Health Care Consultant

It's Fig Season!

It's fig season, get 'em while you can!

Figs have a really short growing season, and they'll only be around for a few weeks. You can get them dried, or in a newton any time, but fresh figs can be a really tasty treat. When they're ripe, they are sweet and juicy with a really exotic texture, not gritty and sticky like the dried variety.

Figs are a great source of potassium, fiber and antioxidants. They are kind of delicate, so choose figs that are deep in color with firm stems and no bruises. They'll only last for about two days, so don't wait too long to enjoy them.

Why Water Is Best

Did you take your vitamins with coffee or juice? We've got something better to chase them down with...

If you swallow your vitamins, supplements or medications with coffee or juice, you could be reducing their effect. It's best to take those with water. Beverages other than water can effect our metabolism, and can change results or how long the pills stay in our body. Also, water is used in most clinical trials, so by sticking to that, there is less chance of altering the effect of the stuff we take.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Foreign Fat

Why are the French, Danes and Japanese smaller than Americans? We found some international slimming secrets...

(click play to listen)

Good Morning!


If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed more often than not, there are a few things that might just help turn things around:



Flowers. Try putting some on your bed side table. Studies have shown the scent of flowers helps you have happier dreams, and sets a more positive tone first thing in the morning.

Blue accents in your bedroom can help too. Blue is proven to trigger relaxing brain waves and a peaceful state of mind.

Stretch. Cats and dogs do it first thing, and so should we. It helps rev circulation and eases your muscles into action. Take a deep breath for an extra dose of oxygen for maximum effect.

Going Post-All

In a social networking world where new friends and old flames seem to come out of the woodwork, post induced jealousy is on the rise for some relationships. If your significant other is going post-all, and driving you nuts, here's what to do:

Try to avoid filling in the blanks to a troubling post you might stumble upon. It's best to focus on what you know to be true, and avoid reading too much into a comment.

If you come across a comment that's just plain disrespectful or hurtful to you, discuss it with your partner face to face, and refrain from commenting on the post itself, it only makes things worse.

If you're the jealous type, let your partner know that you are working on that, and ask them to be a source of support. It's important to consider each other's feelings when interacting publicly, and hopefully you can both agree on some reasonable ground rules.

If post induced jealousy becomes a recurring problem, you may need to consider distancing yourself from the source, or from the relationship itself.

Source: Susie and Otto Collins, authors of "No More Jealousy"

Back to the Bus Stop

It's back to school time. Some of us can't wait to watch our kid board that bus, the rest of us dread getting stuck behind one. Here's a quick refresher course on some school bus safety:

Little ones may be escorted onto the bus by a parent, but remind the bigger kids to stand back from the curb and avoid rough play at the bus stop.

Both students and drivers need to remember that boarding and exiting a bus are the riskiest times. Even if the flashing signal stops and the bus moves on, keep in mind some kids are more focused on their backpacks or friends.

When crossing, remind kids to stay several giant steps in FRONT of the bus, so the driver will be able to see them.

Whether you have kids or not, If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous location, you can contact your school or transportation office about having it moved.

Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Flight Terror

If the threat of terrorism scares you when it comes to air travel, there are some things you can do that might put your mind at ease a bit. Mary Schiavo, author of Flying Blind, Flying Safe, tells us what they are:

Choose flights on smaller aircraft. If may require making a connection.

Smaller airports. Security is much tighter now at all domestic airports, and the smaller ones often have more time to thoroughly screen each passenger and bag.

Avoid traveling to or through countries that are not in compliance with the International Civil Aviation safety standards. You can access a list on the US State Department web site, click International Travel, then Aviation Safety Oversight.



Better Under Pressure



Are you a procrastinator? We found the most common reasons for being that way and what we can do about that...


If you tend to put things off until the last minute, there's probably a reason for it. Researchers have determined the most common reasons for procrastinating, and how to deal with it:

You like fun. Most of us do, but some of us skip the tough stuff and head right for the desert. Set aside 20 minutes to get a boring or challenging task out of the way, and that fun part will feel even better.

You thrive under pressure. Procrastinating can actually be pretty effective for those who perform better with that last minute adrenaline rush. But it can also work against us if something goes wrong. Instead of putting it off, take on that task sooner and consider challenging yourself with a clock or timer to simulate that pressure performance.

Source: Debbie Mandel, author of "Addicted to Stress"

Kick the Cans

Canned foods are good to have on hand, but not so great to use on a regular basis.
If you're not sure how long those cans of soup or vegetables or have been on your shelf, you might want to toss them. There's a component in some clear plastics and in the linings of a lot of canned foods that can be really bad for us. It's called BPA and canned chicken soup and ravioli tested the highest for it. Canned tomatoes are a risk too, because the high acid content causes BPA to leach into the product more.

It's a good idea to check the dates on cans in your own pantry, and in the grocery store, BPA levels increase over time. The safest bet is to opt for fresh ingredients, or those sold in glass containers.

Source: Olga Naidenko, Environmental Working Group

Monday, August 23, 2010

Stocking Stuffers

Few things are more infuriating that getting a run in that new pair of pantyhose. But there's good news, we found some alternate uses for those holey hose:

Soap on a rope. Stuff a leg with soap, and hang it in the shower, or throw it in a drawer for a nice fresh scent.

Onion caddy. Slide an onion in there, tie it off, and then another, and so on. When onions are stored this way they won't develop that smelly black mold or get squishy.

Shower scrub. A length of pantyhose makes a great back washer and exfoliator.

Pantyhose also make a great draft stopper. Fill a leg with kitty litter, rice or colorful dry beans to seal off drafts from doors or windows.

Seedless Wonders

Seedless fruits sure are convenient. So how do they do that?
Seedless fruits usually taste every bit as good as the seeded variety, and a lot of work goes into growing them that way. There are several different methods depending on the fruit. In some cases, it's basically cloning. A method has been developed by growing fruit through the use of cuttings which produces the fruit, but not the seeds.

Seedless watermelons are grown with another method of breeding. It involves crossing two varieties to create a hybrid. Because the two parents have an unequal number of chromosomes, the offspring produces fruit that never develop seeds.

Application Email

If you're on a job search, consider creating a dedicated email for your that.

The process of applying on line and corresponding puts a lot of personal information out there, and it's important to safeguard the things you can. A specific job search email will prevent your personal email from being shared with people you don't know and also eliminate any unwanted solicitations in your personal mailbox.

When choosing your new address, keep in nondescript, and try to make it relevant to the position you're exploring, such as salesmanager2010 or something along those lines.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Private Eyes


If you want to catch a cheater, we found a private eye who's willing to tell us what he looks for...

If you're suspicious someone's cheating on you, you may not need a private eye to catch them. P.I. Vito Colucci says you can usually do it on your own, and he's got some of the common warning signs of an affair:




  • Suddenly working lots of overtime, especially in the evenings.


  • New efforts to look better, exercise, buying new clothes or a sudden new style.


  • Picking fights in the evening, then storming off for hours.


  • Frequently closing Internet sites as a partner approaches.

Also, keep your eye on the money. Unusual cash withdrawals or an increase of purchases can be a red flag. Colucci says, when in doubt, phone the location where your partner claims to be, not the cell phone. Ask for them by name, but if they ARE there, be prepared with a legitimate reason for calling on a land line.

Source: Vito Colucci, Jr., author of "Inside the Private Eyes of a PI"

Why Whispering Works

If you want to be heard, lower your voice. It's an easy trick we should use more often...

If you have something really important to say, lower the volume, AND the tone. Studies show that pitch and volume can actually have a bigger impact on people than the words themselves. Our brains are wired to perceive lower pitches as calming and inviting, and high pitches as irritating, literally putting our ears on the defensive. When we're talking to someone we really like, we subconsciously lower our voices which makes them feel more appreciated and connected to you.

Few things are more powerful than a whisper. We naturally concentrate and give that subtle statement a lot of attention, so save that for when you really want those words to stick.

Source: Susan Berkly, author of "Speak To Influence"

Toxic Traffic

Trucks, buses and trains are really bad for our lungs.

Their diesel fumes have chemical compounds similar to those in tobacco smoke, and those fumes are responsible for triggering asthma attacks and increased risk for heat attack.

For a healthier commute, if you're stuck in traffic behind a truck or bus, set you AC/ventilation system to re-circulate. That will prevent outside air from getting in. If you can, change lanes so you're not in the direct stream of exhaust.

Source: Linda Smith, PhD, California Air Resources Board

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Inside Outlet Shopping

If you're headed to the outlets, you can save even more than you planned by knowing the ropes a bit:

First, check the website. They often offer free coupon books or added discounts for signing up as a frequent-shopper, even if you're not.

Next, check the retailers website. If you've got a favorite, look for additional coupons there. Some of them even offer extra savings for becoming a fan on Facebook.

Finally, while you're shopping, check the sweet spots first. The front usually has some great deals to lure people in, and the sale rack is most likely tucked away in a back corner. And check near the register, you might find some deep discounts on stuff they need to get rid of.

Pain in the Neck

If you've got a pain in the neck, join the club. Men and women age 20 to 40 stiffen up the most...

If you're under a lot of stress, or just didn't sleep right, a pain in the neck can be bothersome all day long. Try these tricks to avoid stiffening up:

Those foam forearm rests in front of your computer keyboard really work. That position puts a lot of stress on our shoulders and neck.

Pick the right pillow. If you seep on your stomach, you want soft and thin. Sleep on your back, choose medium-firm. Side-sleepers should use an extra firm pillow.

You can strengthen your neck with simple exercises twice a week. Push your forehead against the palm of your hands and count to five. Then do the same to the back of your head for another count, and once more for each side.

Baby On Board


Nobody likes sitting near a crying baby on a plane, and that includes the parents. If you're traveling with a baby, there are some things you can try for a smoother flight:


If your baby is a good sleeper, try scheduling flights around normal sleeping or nap time. On the other hand, if your baby is a finicky sleeper, avoid those times.

For an infant, ask for the bulkhead or front row and request a bassinet.

Eating or drinking during takeoff and landing is important. The more your child swallows, the easier it will be for their ears to adjust to the changes in cabin pressure.

Avoid the aisle seats, tots can get injured by passing travelers, luggage or food carts, and if you're lucky enough to have a sleeping baby, you'll want less activity.

If all else fails, and your baby starts to cry, take a deep breath, stay calm and focus on your child. If fellow passengers seem irritated, just smile and remind them you're doing the best you can.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Good News About Salt

We already know too much salt just isn't good for us, but the right amount can actually do wonders.

Over the centuries salt has been used as everything from currency to cures, and there's nothing quite like it on eggs. But salt is also considered an antidepressant of sorts. Scientist tested the theory on rats, and the ones deprived of salt were downright sad rats. They lost interest in activities they once enjoyed, and even lost some ability to experience pleasure.

Of course loading up on salt will NOT make us happy, but people on salt-restricted diets should mention it to their doctor if they notice an change for the worse in their mood.

Source: Alan Kim Johnson, PhD

Spuds Spa

It happens to the best of us, men, women, old and young, we wake up with bags or circles under our eyes. We've got a fix for that.

Potatoes. They're a natural beauty product. Just cut some slices of raw potatoes, lie down, close your eyes, and let them sit there for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash with warm water afterwards, and presto, those circles and bags will be gone.

While your at it, grate some of that raw potato and apply it to the rest of your face. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with water. That potato mask reduces swelling, absorbs excess oil, and leaves your skin nice and smooth.



I SAID, TAKE THE EARBUDS OUT

We expect to lose some of our hearing in old age, but what about today's teens?

Sure, we need to speak up a bit for Great Grandma to hear us, but there's some scary findings in the hearing of today's teens too. A new national study shows one in five teens has already lost a bit of their hearing, and earbuds could be to blame. Although the hearing loss is considered slight, it can be a big problem. Slight hearing loss can cancel out consonants such as t, k and s, and subtle sounds such as a whisper or dripping water.

Of course teens listening to loud music is nothing new, each generation finds a way, but today's teens are listening much longer. Constant listening at high levels creates scar tissue in the inner ear, so it's important to keep the levels down, and give your device, and your ears a break.

Source: Dr. Gary Curhan, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Dreaming Up Answers

Can't remember where you left your glasses? Ask your dream to tell you. According to Dr. Judith Orloff, author of Second Sight, we can train our brain to deliver specific insight during a dream.

At bedtime, after the lights are out, start thinking of a question. How can I improve my marriage or how can I heal my back pain? Don't be too intense about it, just relax and enjoy the state of sleeping. If you awake during the night, or first thing in the morning, jot down anything you remember and don't worry about making sense of it or analyzing the dream. You can also take note of how you felt, happy, sad, anxious. After about a week, you should be able to detect certain themes in your dreams. Now, look for direct or indirect answers or clues in your dreams to the question you dozed off to.

Applying Online

So many companies require you to apply through their online application, but what if you get confused?

It's okay to call human resources and start asking questions. While you're on the phone, ask for a follow up name. Here are a few more tricks to get you noticed:

Take keywords out of the job ad and put it into your resume AND cover letter. Companies scan online applications for them.

Most formatting doesn't show up on the other end on line, so keep it simple, those bold words and bullet points probably won't be there.

Add your name to the resume file. Recruiters get hundreds of resumes per week, most named resume.doc.

Source: Kathy Sweeney, National Resume Writer's Association

Help for Hoarders

Hoarding, or excessively accumulating stuff until it piles up and covers the floor and furniture, is not as rare as some people think. About one in every 20 Americans suffer from it.

Hoarding is a real psychological condition, and it can happen to anyone. Midlife is prime time, but signs of hoarding sometimes surface in childhood. It usually gets worse with each decade, especially after a traumatic event or if depression sets in.

Hoarding takes a toll on the whole family, and poses an increased risk of falls, lung conditions such as asthma and allergies, and fire hazards. Mental health experts are now recommending a separate diagnostic category for it. If you know someone seeking treatment for hoarding, it's important to find a specialist in the disorder. You can check with the International OCD Foundation at ocfoundation.org, or click here.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Fresher Fridge

Cleaning the refrigerator can be a daunting task, so when you're ready to tackle it, grab some coffee and the newspaper, and let's get to work!
First, crank up the coldness while the door is open, you'll have less condensation to deal with.

Line the crisper drawers with newspaper, it absorbs any lingering moisture and odor, and makes for less cleaning next time.

Remove stains with white toothpaste and a clean cloth. The mild abrasive cuts through stains without damaging the surface.

Baking soda works, but so do coffee grounds. Fill a container and pop it in the fridge, it's great at absorbing odors.



Big Head Big Brain?

Have you ever wondered if people with big heads have big brains? Actually, they do.

Young people with wide heads tend to have higher IQs. Scientists say skull size is directly related to brain volume and mental ability.

And there's more good news for big heads, people with bigger skulls have better memories in old age. Researchers tested people age 70 to 80 with an IQ and memory test, and the ones with the largest head circumference scored much better. They even showed less degeneration three years later, and were at a lower risk of Alzheimer's.


Source: Prof. Grant Hurlburt, California State University



When Working Isn't Working

If your relationship is on the rocks, working at it might not be working at all...

You've probably heard in order to have a happy relationship, you have to work at it. But according to Homer McDonald, author of Stop Your Divorce, all that work can be just the thing that makes it NOT work. His advice is to stop all that working. When we work too hard on a relationship, we put pressure on each other to make the other person happy, and pressure usually doesn't feel good. Here are a few more things to stop doing in order to start turning things around:

Stop calling, or texting. Return calls are fine, but even then, try to keep it under 10 minutes. You'll come across as less dependent or controlling if you avoid overdoing it on the phone.

Stop asking questions. How are you feeling about things? Why did you do that? These inquisitions often put the other person on the defensive.

Stop talking. At least avoid the serious talks. Often, the more serious talking you do, the worse the situation gets because you attack each other's pride and become more defensive. Stick to small talk and happy talk, it takes the pressure off.





Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sight Savers

You've got your wallet, and your phone, don't forget the sunglasses! Even on cloudy days you should be wearing them...

Did you know we should really be putting on our sunglasses every time we step outside? Even on cloudy days. According to Optometrist Marc Grossman, author of Greater Vision, unless it's raining or night time we should have them on. Those shades do more than reduce glare and wrinkles, they help protect us from cataracts and macular degeneration. Excessive exposure to the sun is the leading cause for those. Just be sure to buy glasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation.

Also, relax your eyes at least once a day. Aside from sleep, our eyes never get a rest. Tea bags or cucumbers are nice, but you don't need them. Rub your palms together until they are warm, cup them over your closed eyes and relax for a few minutes.

Battery Boost

You've probably heard that completely draining the battery on your laptop or phone will actually help preserve it's strength, and it's the truth.

Usually we plug it in when it starts to get low, and the battery will forget how much capacity it has. Over time, you'll get fewer and fewer hours of use. So how often do we need to resist the temptation to charge? Technology Specialist Nick McSpadden says to let the battery completely drain about once a month. Just be sure to let it charge back to full capacity before you use it again.

Well Done? Bad News!

Everyone knows grilled food is healthier, right? Not if you like it well done. But we've got a marinade for that...

Grilling your food can be a healthy way to go, but depending on how you do it, it can also produce toxic compounds. A new study found that people who preferred their steaks well-done were about 60% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. But if you do it right, you can be grilling up fewer toxins:

Marinate. 15 to 20 minutes prior to grilling changes the molecular structure of meat protein and reduces the carcinogens by 90%.

Season with spices. Coating the meat with antioxidant herbs and spices makes it safer. Rosemary, ginger and garlic are a few of the really good ones.

Cooler Cooking. Meats cooked at a lower temperature for two minutes longer have much lower levels of toxins. Raising the grill rack helps too. You want to avoid the fat drippings from flaring back up onto your food.

Grilled vegetables don't pose a problem. By grilling smaller portions of meat on one side of the grill, and more veggies on the other, you'll get less of the bad stuff and more of the good.

Source: Karen Collins, RD, American Institute for Cancer Research

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Lose The Shoes

Go ahead, kick those shoes off and go barefoot!

It's not just good for your feet, but it's good for what ails you. Your feet have nerve endings that love to be stimulated, and going shoeless can actually give you a natural acupressure treatment that stimulates the major trigger points that release those feel-good hormones. Sand and grass are excellent surfaces to treat your feet to.

Shoes can protect the feet so much that certain muscles get lazy from not being used. By giving those naked feet a workout, you'll have more flexor strength, more agility and be less prone to developing varicose veins.

Can You See Me Now?

With networking at an all-time high these days, every social event or gathering could be an opportunity for you to stand out in a crowd...

 Here are some tricks to getting noticed:

Wear Red. We naturally notice that color in a crowd, and red actually raises the heart rate, so you'll excite the people around you. Even just a prominent red accessory will do.

Rule of Three. Scan the room for groups of three. One person in a 3 way conversation is often the odd man out, and will welcome a fourth wheel.

The Elevator Pitch. Spend a few minutes thinking up two or three sentences that would get your message across in about the length of an elevator ride. Searching for words or making it up as you go along can really mess things up.

Source: Leil Lowndes, author of "How to Instantly Connect with Anyone"

Attention Shoppers!

If you like to shop, hit the stores on Friday. You'll beat the crowds AND save some money.

Most stores hold their major sales over the weekend, but they start marking items down on Friday. Retailers admit, Friday is the day to get the best selection of sale items before they've been picked through.

If you find an item you like that hasn't been marked down, be sure to ask someone if it will be. Even if you buy the item full price, you can usually go back during the sale and get the difference in a refund or credit.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Smelly Dog

If your dog is more smelly than dirty, skip the regular bath. It's a lot easier to get the odor out while his fur is more dry. You'll be better off taking him outside for this one:

First, start with brushing to remove any tangles. A drop of baby oil can help with the sticky or matted spots.

Next, use a solution of half apple cider vinegar and half water in a spray bottle. Spray it onto a cloth, not directly onto the dog, and then wipe the dog down, avoiding his eyes.

Then, sprinkle your dog with baking soda. Let him shake it off, you can gently blow in his ear to prompt the shake.

Finally, brush any remaining baking soda through his fur, working it's deodorizing power into his coat.

Male Menopause

It seems women don't have the market cornered anymore when it comes to the hot flashes, mood swings and other symptoms of menopause.

It's called male menopause, and up to 25 percent of men will experience it. It comes with age, and lower levels of testosterone, which usually starts declining around age 40. Treatment is available for male menopause, but it's not for everyone. Testosterone therapy can be really pricey and has it's risks. And it's not always the hormones that are to blame, stress and depression can have the same effect and need to be treated individually.


Copy That!

In most offices, there's a unique aroma that comes from the copy machine. What your smelling is ozone, and it's really bad for you.

The EPA warns us that even inhaling small amounts can lead to chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. The good news is that photocopiers are built with a filter to deal with the ozone it produces. The bad news, it's not always changed as often as it should be.

Even laser printers pose a problem. Most of them release tiny particles of toner that can get into our lungs and even our blood stream. Excessive exposure to toner dust from printers and copiers can increase your risk of a lung disease commonly found in coal miners. If your copy machine is not located in a well ventilated area, don't spend a lot of time in there.

Source: Aerias Air Quality Sciences