Red Kettle Guilt

If you’re like most people – you probably suffer from red kettle guilt...

Are you suffering from red kettle guilt? A lot of people do. It generally kicks in as you approach a store and hear that bell ringing - it’s the Salvation Army. Most of us give a little something here and there – but for those who already gave, don’t feel like digging for money, or are just in a hurry – sometimes an uneasy feeling sets in. Psychologist Brad Riemann who deals with holiday anxiety says, don’t feel guilty. The anxiety of that moment is all in your head and pretending you don’t see or hear that bell ringer only makes things worse.

One bell ringer chimes in for us – if you’re not going to give, we really don’t need an explanation – just a warm smile or a nod is usually appreciated. But by all means, if the spirit moves you, give what you can – even pennies help.

Party Saver

Food and alcohol are usually the bulk of the budget when it comes to hosting a party – but you can save a bundle by timing it just right...

Avoid the hungriest hours of 5 to 7pm. If you start the party around 3 – your guests will probably make alternate plans for dinner – and you can keep the menu simple along the lines of wine and cheese. Another good option is around 8pm – with a more desert oriented menu.

The more streamline you keep the cocktails, the better. Stick to the staples or have one signature drink to serve with a non-alcohol version for the designated drivers.

Source: Jamie Novak, author of “Stop Throwing Money Away”

Speaking Up

If you just show up for meetings at work – consider speaking up too.

Speaking up at company meetings comes naturally to some people – but if you’re the type that doesn’t – and would like to – here’s some advice from the experts:

• Practice – it really does help to rehearse a bit – especially if you’re shy.

• Get to the point – think in Twitter terms – most of us tweet more effectively than we speak.

• Pay attention to your body language – try to make eye contact with everyone in the room and keep your hands visible – we trust people more when we can see their hands.

• Learn from others – if there’s someone you’re impressed by, examine what it is about their approach that you like. Chances are you will be able to apply a few aspects of their style to your own.

Source: Dianna Booher, author of “Communicate with Confidence”

Habits Unwrapped

61% of women admit doing it – 44% of men do too...

Everyone seems to have their own system when it comes to wrapping presents. Scotch Tape did a survey of wrapping habits and found some things we have in common:

• One in four people wrap their holiday gifts the day before giving.

• 22% wrap them the week before.

• 3 out of 4 people actually wrap the presents – while that other person opts for the gift bag instead.

• Only 3% of us have gifts wrapped at the store.

• 25% of wrappers admit they don’t have all the supplies they need once they start.

And if you saved paper from last year’s gifts to re-use – you’re not alone. 61% of women do it and 44% of men do too.

Yes or No?

I am going to ask you a yes or no question – and the way you answer could say a lot about you...

Go ahead and answer this question out loud. Are you paying attention? The word you answered that with says something about your personality. According to Dr. W. Beryl West, professor of psychology, there is a big difference between yesses and nos:

• If you respond "yeah" or "nah," you’re a spontaneous person.

• If you answer "yessiree" or "nosiree" - or "yo", "yay" or "nay" – consider yourself a free spirit with an active social life.

• Responding with "yes, sir" and "no, sir" means you're polite and enjoy being in charge.

• If you answer "yes" or "no" you are a precise person and always know the proper thing to do or say.

• If you respond with "mm-hmmm" for "yes" and "uh-uh" for "no," you're physically strong and like people and animals.

• People who reply "yep" or "nope" are creative and have lots of self-confidence.

Stop Shopping!

If you’re feeling stressed out while you’re shopping – go home!

If you’re trying to get all that shopping done in one fell swoop – take a break the minute you feel frazzled. Research shows that shoppers spent a whopping 300% MORE when they started stressing out – or got in a bad mood. If you can’t put the shopping off – at least sit down for a relaxing cup of tea and take a few deep breaths. It will give you a chance to regroup and think more constructively – saving you time and money.

Source: Journal of Consumer Research

Menu Fonts Matter

Have you ever noticed some items on a menu are in a different font?

The next time you open a menu – notice the fonts. When you see items with an elegant or hip looking font – it’s probably LESS of a bargain. On the other hand – items in all caps or block types are usually the less profitable ones. It’s all part of menu psychology – and a lot of restaurants are really good at it. Long, detailed descriptions are a good trick too – that can make the price seem like a bargain with all the great healthy stuff and hard work that goes into it.

At a finer restaurant – you’ll probably see a $15 item on the menu instead of $14.95. That’s because they’re flattering you – you don’t want to feel like you’re counting cents while enjoying the finer things.

Source: Gregg Rapp, Menu Engineering Consultant

Hidden Talents

Most of us have hidden talents we’ve forgotten about...

We’re all born with some hidden talents that we use as kids – and then a lot of us forget about them until retirement! According to Tom Rath, author of “How Full Is Your Bucket,” once we’re fully immersed in our career or family paths – those hidden talents often get buried – and we should dig them up now:

• Ask close friends and relatives what your hidden strengths and talents are – they often have a different perspective than you.

• Make a list of things you enjoyed as a kid – and see if any of those can be applied to your adult life.

• Get expert advice. Once you tap into something you feel passionate about – seek out someone who’s actually done it to point you in the right direction.

Rath says people who tap into and develop those hidden talents as an adult often end up with greater fulfillment in life – and sometimes even some extra income.

Interview Your Doctor

It’s more common these days to interview a doctor before choosing them – but should you be charged for that?

If you need to choose a family doctor or a doctor for a specific condition – interviewing them is a good idea – but be prepared to pay for that. When you call to make the interview appointment, tell the receptionist that you’d like to spend 15 or 20 minutes with the doctor without the examination. According to Charles B. Inlander, author of “Take This Book to the Hospital with You,” most practices will charge for that time – but insurers usually cover all or part of the cost.

If a doctor is not willing to meet first – look for one who is. The objective is to make sure you and the doctor are on the same wavelength and are willing to work together. He or she may have the expertise – but you will have the ultimate decision-making authority.

Getting Dishes REALLY Clean

If you’d like your dishwasher to work even better – I’ll tell you what to do BEFORE you turn it on...

Your dishwasher depends on HOT water to really get the job done. Most of us just load it up and push start – but we should be letting the sink run a bit first. That purges the plumbing of cold water. Wait until the stream runs hot – then start the dishwasher.

And if you want your glasses to come out sparkling – just place a cup of white vinegar in a bowl on the bottom rack when you’re ready to run a full cycle. The acid in the vinegar cuts through any leftover soapy film.

Source: Mr. Appliance Corp.

Side Sleepers

If you sleep on your side – it could be messing up your posture...

41% of us sleep on our side – and it’s the preferred position for most women. Sleep expert Bill Lauretti says side sleepers really need the right pillow. It turns out that sleeping on our side can cause our top shoulder to sag forward – which can result in bad posture and rounded shoulders. He says a boomerang-shaped pillow is the best choice. It supports the head and neck and helps keep the torso and shoulders in line.

A lot of side sleepers also have their bottom leg straight – and the top leg drawn up. This position is no good – it twists your lower body and can trigger back pain. Try putting a pillow between your knees to keep the legs parallel.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

If you’ve still got Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge – toss 'em!

That leftover turkey really should go. According to nutritionist Kathleen Zuratsky of the Mayo Clinic - four days is the longest you should keep meat in the fridge. And while you’re at it – toss anything with cream in it too. You can hang on to the preserved sauces like cranberry for a few more days – just avoid reheating anything more than once.

If you froze any of those leftovers – the FDA suggests using them within two to three months.

Give Me a B!

Move over vitamin D – vitamin B needs some attention too!

Vitamin D gets a lot of attention in the winter – we need more of it to fight the winter blues with shorter days. But the B vitamins are really important too. Deficiencies in B vitamins make us more prone to SAD – seasonal affective disorder – because it’s a mood booster and also helps to synchronize our body’s internal clock. If you’re feeling sleepy or sad – consider popping a B complex supplement – and don’t forget to expose yourself to as much sunlight as possible for an extra dose of D.

Source: Nadine Masseron, ND

E-Greetings

E-cards are a convenient and inexpensive way to get your greetings out to everyone – and scammers like them too!

It’s that time of year again – people are sending their Christmas cards through the mail – and online. E-greetings are getting more popular each year and scammers find them convenient too. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Check the “From” line. If it’s something generic like “From a relative” or “From a friend” – don’t open it. Most people who send e-cards put their real name in there.

• Check the spelling. If your name or any portion of the greeting is misspelled – skip it.

• Check permissions. If the greeting asks you for permission to download something in order to see it – or take you to another site – DON’T DO IT.

Source: Scambusters.org

Drama Queen

Do you know a drama queen? There IS a way to deal with her – or him...

Most of us have a high maintenance friend in our circle somewhere – or a drama queen. According to Jonathan Littman, author of “I Hate People!” - they require a LOT more attention – so go ahead and give them some. The more you try to downplay or ignore someone who craves drama – the harder they’ll work to get it. He suggests responding to them the same way you would anyone else – but with about 75% more energy. REALLY? WOW! Some people will keep driving the same point home until they get the reaction they think it deserves. The sooner you give it to them – the sooner they’ll move on or give you an opportunity to change the subject.

It's Plumber Time!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for the plumber!

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for most plumbers! According to Roto-Rooter spokesman Paul Abrams, the calls spike by about 50% on BlackFriday. So what’s all the clogging about? Grease, potato peelings, rice, celery and poultry skin in the disposal – and LOTS of clogged toilets.

Paul says to avoid putting fats and cooking oils down the drain. They might go down easy – but they’ll turn solid and create clogs. He also says too much stringy and starchy waste in the disposal can really mess things up – use the garbage can instead. If you’ve got guests staying over – try to wait 10 minutes between showers so slow drains have time to do their job.

Hefty Holidays

The average weight gain over the holidays is about 6 pounds...

Tis the season – for weight gain. If you’d like to avoid packing on the extra pounds – you should probably avoid this meal:

• Drink: Eggnog – 350 calories, 20 grams of fat – and that’s WITHOUT the booze.

• Appetizer: Spinach and artichoke dip – 285 calories and 17 grams of fat – and that’s WITHOUT the crackers.

• Entrée: Prime rib – 750 calories and 45 grams of fat – and that’s WITHOUT the horseradish dip.

• Desert: Pecan Pie – 800 calories and 65 grams of fat – and that’s without the a la mode.

Grand total of this festive meal: 1900 calories and 130 grams of fat.

Source: Woman’s Day Magazine

Better Bread

The next time you buy bread – do yourself a favor – get it at the bakery....

There is a big difference between the packaged bread we get in the grocery store and bakery bread. Whole-grain bread is much better for us – and really helps to keep things moving. A recent study found whole-grain rye bread to be more effective than laxatives. Unfortunately, fresh baked bread is a lot easier to find in Europe than it is here. When you buy bread at a bakery or deli you can ask which ones have the most whole-grain – and it’s always tastier than packaged bread.

The denser the bread, the more whole grain in has – and crunchy breads are the best – they have bigger grain particles which really get things moving.

Source: Lonanne Slavin, PhD, RD, professor of food science and nutrition

Mobile Allergy

If you get a rash near your ear or jaw – you could be allergic to your cell phone!

Almost half of all cell phones contain nickel – and a lot of people are allergic to nickel. Skin irritations and rashes are pretty common after prolonged exposure to it, that’s why some people can’t wear jewelry or watches containing nickel. According to the British Association of Dermatologists, there has been a surge in facial rashes - especially near the ear and jaw – due to exposure to nickel in cell phones.

If you are allergic to nickel and are stuck with your phone – using a phone cover should help. Also try to use the hands free or speaker option as often as you can.

Keeping Your Job

Good jobs are hard to come by – here's some expert advice on how to keep yours...

In a shaky job market – you probably don’t want to take any chances with yours. Monster.com has some career hazards we should avoid:

• Social Networking - Personal posts and tweets from work - when you’re supposed to be doing your job - can tag you as a slacker.

• TMI - Sharing too much about your personal life with colleagues is unprofessional. Your coworkers don’t want to hear about your fights with your spouse or how great your kids are.

• Self-Control - Getting drunk at the office party or on a business trip damages your credibility. Ditto for a romantic indiscretion that your colleagues know about.

• Job-Hopping - If you’ve had seven or eight jobs by the time you’re 35 - employers are not going to want to invest in you. Keep in mind that the top dogs in a lot of large corporations have been there a long time – and many companies have “last in, first out” layoff policies. You could wind up out of a job if you don’t stick around long enough to build tenure.

Carving The Turkey

If you’re in charge of carving the turkey this year – I found a professional chef to help...

 

If you’d like to carve that turkey like a pro – you’ll need a really sharp knife and two cutting boards. Chef Gordon Drysdale tells us how to do it:

• Let the turkey cool off for about 20 minutes. Remove all the strings and stuffing if it’s in there.

• Pull the legs away first – separating them with a knife at the joints – and leave the wings – they help steady the bird.

• The best way to get clean cut, even breast meat is to continually slice along the breast bone – all the way down until that half comes off.

• Put that large chunk of breast meat on another cutting board – skin up - and cut across it in ¼ inch slices for a really nice display of white meat.

The pros often leave the legs and wings unsliced. You can add them to the display – or save them for leftovers.

Breathing Like Baby

Apparently most of us don’t really breathe right...

Most adults aren’t all that great at breathing – but babies are REALLY good at it. It’s deep abdominal breathing and it’s not hard to get it back – even if it’s just for a few minutes now and then. Picture your lungs as two balloons – and take a slow deep breath in – filling the deepest parts of your lungs until your belly rounds out. Exhale even slower, and then repeat. If you can – do your deep abdominal breathing through your nose – it warms, moistens and filters the air better than your mouth does.

If you’re wondering what deep abdominal breathing is good for – it lowers our heart rate and blood pressure, relieves stress, pain and hot flashes, increases blood flow and gives us a better overall feeling of well-being.

Source: Carol Krucoff, Healing Moves Yoga

Airport Security

If you’re not a frequent flyer – the new security screening techniques are confusing enough...

Here are some basic tips to get through that check point a little easier:

• Carry-on bags save money – and packing them right will save you time. Layer the stuff in there and put the toiletries and 3 ounce liquids on top or in a side pocket where you can get them in and out quickly.

• Wear slip-on shoes if you can - and avoid items with metal buckles and buttons.

• The fewer layers of clothing you wear – the better. Take coats and sweaters off and empty your pockets before you get to the check point.

• If you’re taking gifts – make sure they’re unwrapped.

• Tag or label everything – carry-ons, laptops, pocket books – everything. If it gets left behind it will look a LOT less suspicious.

Source: Greig Waddell, Your Guide to Business Travel

Commuter Germs

If you need to cough or sneeze in public – I’ve got 150 reasons to cover your mouth...

The next time you need to cough or sneeze in public – cover your mouth! Research shows that one sneeze on a packed commuter train can end up giving 150 other passengers those germs in just 5 minutes. A typical sneeze is filled with 100,000 germ filled droplets that are projected into the air – then land on people, seats, and handrails. Coughing or sneezing into your sleeve helps a bit – but using a good old fashioned handkerchief or tissue is the most effective way to keep your germs to yourself.

The same study found that those who use public transportation get sick a lot more than those who don’t. If you’d like to avoid commuter germs – don’t pick up that newspaper lying on the seat.

Source: Hanna Nowak, Lemsip Max All In One

Free Shipping!

If you’re going to be shopping on line – don’t pay for shipping!

According to the National Retail Federation – four out of five retailers will be offering free shipping sooner or later. If you’re shopping on line, don’t pay for shipping until you make sure you have to. The easiest way to check for free shipping is to Google your favorite retailer and add the phrase “free shipping” in your search. That will bring up codes and tips to narrow your search – and save you a bunch of time trying to navigate each site for their shipping policies.

Shopping later can get you some better deals on shipping too. A lot of retailers offer free shipping AFTER December 17th in order to get your business in time for Christmas.

Source: Christine Romans, CNN

Deadly or Not?

Some foods are downright deadly! Or are they?

If you enjoy eating hot dogs or tuna fish – you could be asking for it. These were on TIME Magazine’s list of the most dangerous food – but are they?

• Hot Dogs? 17% of food-related asphyxiations in kids under ten are caused by hot dogs that get lodged in the throat. Dice them up before serving them to kids or people with no teeth.

• Peanut Butter? Only 1% of the U.S. population is allergic to them – but peanuts are still the most common cause of food-allergy deaths. The other 99% of us should be fine.

• Tuna Fish? It’s got mercury in it which can damage the nervous system if you eat too much. The average adult shouldn’t eat more than one can every four days.

• Rhubarb? Beware of the pie plant! Actually, the stalks are fine – just don’t eat large amounts of the leaves, they’re poisonous. That’s why rhubarb is usually sold without them.

• Tapioca? The popular pudding flavor comes from the roots of the cassava plant. If you can find a cassava root – resist the temptation to gnaw on it – it contains cyanide.

No Thanks!

Will you be dealing with a criticizer this Thanksgiving?

Just about every family has a know-it-all – and that person can drive you nuts at family gatherings. Comments about how you raise your kids or what you’re wearing can eat away at your thankful disposition – but don’t take the bait! Defending yourself usually makes things worse and gives their critique more attention. Caroline Tiger, author of “How to Behave,” suggests cutting them off at the pass. Have a confident, breezy comeback ready – something along the lines of “Don’t worry about me – I’m fine!” Say it with a smile and prepare yourself to engage in something else. Check on something in the kitchen or strike up a conversation with someone else at the table. That will give you some time to let it go – and the know-it-all a chance to pick on someone else.

Moving Plants Inside

If you’re moving those patio plants inside for the winter – don’t do it all at once...

It’s not too late to move those outdoor plants inside for the winter – but doing it all at once is like sending them to another planet. A lot of plants will just go in to shock and shut down or die. To avoid stressing them out you should really get them acclimated. It’s not difficult – usually just putting them into the garage or on a porch for a few days first is a good approach.

Make sure to check the leaves for bugs before moving them all the way inside - and if you can – lift them out of their pots to check the soil and roots too.

Source: Ellen Brown, Green Living and Gardening Expert

Older, Wiser, Drunker?

Before you pour Granny a second glass of Beaujolais Nouveau – there are a few things to consider first...

The older we are – the quicker the liquor. That’s because as we age, the levels of water in our body decreases. With less water to dilute that drink – blood alcohol levels go up higher and faster. Alcohol can really be a problem with prescription medication and with some over-the-counter types too. It takes older brains longer to bounce back after drinking - which means it could be a full 24 hours or longer for driving skills to rebound.

Remember that balance and falling are big concerns for most elderly people – it doesn’t take much alcohol to throw it off and get tipsy.

Source: David W. Oslin, MD, geriatric and addiction psychology, Philadelphia VA medical Center

Mind Games

The next time you get a tickle in your throat – scratch your ear...

Our bodies are full of secret remedies to temporarily relieve discomfort. Men’s Health has some tricks to try:


• If you’ve got an itchy throat – scratch your ear.

Stimulating the nerves in your ear can create a spasm reflex in the throat to relieve the tickle.


• Getting a shot? Cough.

That can reduce pain at the moment of injection.


• If your heart is racing – blow on your thumb.

The vagus nerve that governs the heart rate can be controlled through breathing.


• Got a toothache? Rub the V shaped area between your thumb and forefinger with an ice cube.

It blocks the brain’s pain signals for the face and hands.


• If you REALLY need to go – and there’s no bathroom nearby – think about sex.

It preoccupies that part of your brain.

Check Your Eyelids

If you’ve got tiny white bumps on your face or eyelids – it could indicate a serious health problem...

A lot of people have cholesterol deposits somewhere on their body – they are tiny white or yellowish bumps in the skin. It’s fairly common to have them on your face – but if they’re on your eyelids you should really point them out to your doctor. In a recent study, about half the people with those deposits on their eyelids were at a much higher risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke.

Having those deposits removed doesn’t solve the problem – and they’ll probably come back anyway - but consider them a valuable warning and ask your doctor to run the appropriate tests.

Source: Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark

Restless Phone Syndrome

If your kids seem restless or cranky – it could be their cell phone...

When it’s time for bed – you might want to confiscate your kid’s cell phone – or at least the battery. Using electronic gadgets near bedtime could trigger mood and cognitive problems – especially for teens. All that rapid fire thumb and finger action - and the thinking involved with phones, computers and video games - stimulates the brain and vision which can really interfere with quality sleep.

Kids in the study who admitted being connected right before bed experienced more leg cramps and restless sleep during the night – and were more prone to depression, ADHD, anxiety and learning problems during the day. Some kids even reported waking up in the middle of the night to notifications if there was a computer or phone nearby.

Source: Peter G. Polos, MD, PhD. of JFK Medical Centre in Edison, N. J.

Thanksgiving Advice

If you’re stressing out about Thanksgiving – relax!

Food, family, football – Thanksgiving is supposed to be fun – but some people end up getting dumped on. Julie Elaine Brown, Editor of Strength for Caring, has some advice for us:

• Just say no. In a lot of families, it’s practically tradition for one person to get stuck doing all the work. Go ahead and break the cycle – let them know in advance you just can’t do it all this time.

• Take turns at the kids table. It shouldn’t be up to one adult to keep the peace over there. A new adult every 15 minutes or so gives everyone a chance to relax – or bond with the kids.

• Embrace your family – warts and all. If your group doesn’t resemble that made for TV family – go with the flow. That grouchy grandpa, unruly kid or quirky in-law could provide you with some entertaining leftovers to chew on for years to come.

Kombucha Craze

Have you heard about Kombucha tea? It’s all the rage in Hollywood, and it sounds disgusting!

There’s a new Hollywood health craze brewing – Kombucha tea. What is it? A fermented drink made from a bacteria and yeast culture and then grown into tea. To make it yourself you’d have to drop a pancake like tea fungus into a jar filled with brewed black tea and sugar and let it ferment for about a week. The fungus eventually produces a baby that rises to the surface for your next batch – yum.

They say it tastes sort of like vinegar - and it’s supposed to prevent wrinkles, cure baldness, insomnia, cancer and more. Health experts and the FDA have issued warnings about Kombucha – siting allergic reactions and bad side effects. So who’s drinking this stuff? Halle Berry, Alec Baldwin, Anna Panquin, Lindsay Lohan and Madonna.

Source: Brent A. Bauer, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Bracing for the Blues

Are you prone to the holiday blues? It's time to brace yourself...

One of the most effective ways to beat the holiday blues is to brace for them BEFORE they hit. For people who are vulnerable – there’s a five week stretch ahead which could be rough and now is the time to get prepared:

• If it’s a lonely time of year for you - there will be constant reminders everywhere. Getting involved with a charity or volunteer program can help a lot. That won’t erase all the sad feelings - but it can dramatically reduce them.

• If you’ve got resentments with family or friends, this time of year can fan the flames. Be prepared to declare amnesty and ask for the same in return. Putting yourself in control of a potential anxious situation can help prevent being blindsided with the blues.

Source: Mark Sichel, author of “Healing from Family Rifts”

Handling Old Photos

If you’d like to store your vintage photos like the pros - I’ve got advice from the Smithsonian...

Lots of old photos are in magnetic photo albums – and should really come out. Those pages leach acids into the photos, changing the colors and making them brittle. Sometimes they come off easy – but if they’re still sticky, it’s tricky. I found a Smithsonian Archives Conservation Fellow to help:

• You’ll need rubber gloves, some dental floss and a few paper weights.

• After you peel back the top cover, weight the page so it doesn’t slide around.

• Starting at one corner of the photo, gently slide some dental floss side to side under the image, without lifting up.

Write as much information as possible on the back of the images in pencil – and store them in photo safe Mylar sleeves so you can see both sides without getting finger oil on them. Put those into labeled envelopes and the envelopes into labeled photo archiving boxes – and they’ll be Smithsonian worthy.

Pumpkin Perk

If you get a kick out of chocolate – you’re going to LOVE pumpkin seeds. I’ll explain, in a minute…

Pumpkin seeds are natural mood stimulants – just like chocolate – but without the sugar! The secret ingredient that makes us feel good is tryptophan. And two ounces of pumpkin seeds has a full daily dose of magnesium to strengthen bones.

If you don’t care for pumpkin seeds by the handful, you might like the raw seeds baked into muffins or cookies – or the toasted type tossed into soups or salads.

Source: Melina Jampolis, author of “The Busy Person’s Guide to Permanent Weight Loss”

Road Trip

If you’re planning a road trip – don’t forget the flip flops and the paper map!

The tank is full, you’ve got some snacks and suitcases – but you might need to pack a few more items. Road Warrior Britt Reints has a survival list for your road trip:

• Registration and insurance card – make sure they are not from last year – or on the kitchen counter.

• Sunglasses – have them in reach before you hit the road.

• A garbage bag – and backup garbage bags so you can toss them as you go.

• A map - an actual paper map. Even if you don’t need it, it could quiet the “Are we there yet?” passengers. Kids can mark the route as you go.

• Flip flops. People who take their shoes off on long trips can just slip them on for rest stops. The driver should keep their real shoes on though.

If you’re traveling with kids, pack some games or a surprise – or have an on the road activity in mind. Bickering kids can ruin even a short trip and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Balckwashing

If you plan on shopping on Black Friday – don’t get blackwashed!

The retail world is gearing up for Black Friday – and some of them are busy blackwashing. Blackwashing is basically when stores promote sales as a Black Friday deal when it’s really not – it’s the same deal you’d get any other day. The difference is some of them are marking merchandise UP now – so they can slash the price come Black Friday.

According to industry experts – a lot of retailers are also starting to slap that Black Friday promotional push on stuff sooner, trying to cash in on the frenzy ahead of time. They say we’re seeing more Black Friday deals popping up BEFORE Black Friday – and just like the Christmas season seems to start earlier every year – Black Friday will soon be more like Black November.

Source: Brad Wilson, BlackFriday2010.com

What Are You Sleeping In?

The next time you buy a new set of beds sheets – wash them first!

Don’t you just love slipping into a bed with a crisp new set of sheets – and wrapping yourself up in formaldehyde? Sheets that have a permanent press finish often use formaldehyde to minimize wrinkling. According to The Green Guide Product Report, formaldehyde becomes a gas at room temperature – and those unwashed sheets can release the fumes - and cause flue like symptoms.

The same rule applies to new clothes and towels too. There’s no way of really knowing what chemicals were used in the manufacturing of the stuff we wrap our bodies in – so washing it all before putting it on is the way to go.

Daydream Your Chores

If you’ve got some chores you keep putting off – realx...

Don’t feel like cleaning that bathroom – or paying those bills? Then just relax, close your eyes – and picture yourself doing it. You’ll be 200% more likely to get up and get it over with. Psychological tests show that just imagining and doing actually trigger the same parts of the brain – so picturing yourself in motion helps switch your body and mind into action mode.

The same trick works with mood. People who imagined themselves feeling great - actually felt a little better after their daydream.

Source: Journal of Neurophysiology

Scented Headache

Got a headache? Skip the scents - they could be making things a LOT worse!

If you get headaches – you might want to stay clear of scented candles and air fresheners. 50% of people who suffer from headaches are actually really sensitive to those artificial scents that affect our central nervous system. This phenomenon gets much worse in the winter time when windows are shut and holiday aromas are practically everywhere. And if you don’t like the scent – it’s even worse. That’s why most of us can get a wicked headache when someone near us is wearing really bad perfume or cologne.

Source: Dr. Vincent Martin, UC College of Medicine

Oh Brother!

If you have a brother – he’s had an influence on your personality. I’ll tell you what he’s done...

It turns out having a brother is really good for girls. Women who grew up with a brother tend to end up more confident in social situations – especially with the opposite sex. Those sisters are also more likely to take on roles traditionally dominated by men and are a lot less intimidated by careers and hobbies that are stereotypically male.

And if you’ve got a sister – consider yourself lucky. Researcher Tony Cassidy says that his studies have found families with sisters have deeper bonds and better communications skills.

Source: British Psychology Society

One Good Binge Deserves Another

If you pig out on Friday – there’s a good chance you’ll be extra hungry on Sunday! 

(click play to listen - email subscribers click on title)

Holiday Shift

Employees with kids tend to get more days off - and some people REALLY resent that...

Some employees are expected to work on holidays without even being asked – or thanked. According to Katherine Reynolds Lewis, author of “Why Your Co-Workers May Hate you,” those worker are usually the ones without kids. Single people often get less time off – and less of a choice in work shifts. On the other hand – some companies opt to fill positions with single people under the assumption they are more available and less expensive in the long run.

Katherine says if you feel the employees with kids are getting preferential treatment where you work – speak up. Find out what perks your company might offer working parents and ask them what they can offer single employees to balance things out.

Read the full story:    Parental Guidance: Why Your Co-Workers May Hate You

Watch the interview:  CNN Feature - Katherine Reynolds Lewis

Cashing Out

The next time you buy food – pay for it with cash.

Leave the credit card at home for your next trip to the grocery store. New research shows we buy more junk when we pay for food with a credit card. The six month study found that people who had to pay with cash or check were less impulsive shoppers and made healthier choices than those who paid with credit or debit cards.

Experts say paying with cash is more psychologically painful than swiping a card. The convenience of charging stuff encourages immediate gratification – and more pain when the bill comes in and that impulse treat is long gone.

Source: Kalpesh Desai, Binghamton University

Tablecloth - or Heirloom?

When you set your Thanksgiving table – don’t forget the pens!

How would you like to start a modern family heirloom? Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity – and all you’ll need is a plain white tablecloth and some pens. Before the meal begins, ask everyone to write down something they’re most thankful for this year – then sign and date their message. If you use indelible fabric markers those messages won’t wash out. The idea is to add to the tablecloth each year. Any kids at the table are bound to get a kick out of their thanks as they get older – not to mention future generations. A light colored cloth table runner is good alternative to the table cloth idea – or if you’re setting more than one table.

Double Chin Fix

If you have a double chin - go ahead and pout...

REALLY pout – and hold it for a full three seconds. That’s the move that fights off a double chin. That area under the chin has more fat and is less prone to wrinkles because of the added cushioning – but it’s also more prone to sagging. The way to stretch and strengthen those muscles is to stick your bottom lip out as far as it will go – and hold it. Repeat that five times and you’ll be toning up that lazy chin and droopy neck.

Source: Dr. Theodore Diktaban, New York City plastic surgeon.

Tis the Season - For the Troops

If you’d like to send Christmas greetings to our troops – do it soon!

It can take up to 21 days for our troops to get stuff sent from the states – so if you’d like to send a Christmas greeting – do that soon. The Red Cross has a Holiday Mail for Heroes program - and is accepting cards to be sent overseas from now through December 10th. A lot of local schools and companies also have their own holiday programs underway – and would love you to jump on their bandwagon. The USO, AnySoldier.com and the U.S. Department of Defense are good resources too - and all have holiday links and information posted on their websites.

American Red Cross  Any Soldier  U.S. Department of Defense - Community Relations

Sizing Your Turkey

How big should your Thanksgiving turkey be?



If you’re ordering a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving – you’ll probably be doing that soon. So how big should it be? That depends on the amount of leftovers you’d like. What’s Cooking America has a guide for us:





• 1 pound of raw turkey per person should leave you with a moderate amount of leftovers.

• 1 ½ pound per person is recommended if you want ample leftovers, or have hearty eaters – and still want leftovers.

If you’re buying a frozen turkey – add a full day of defrosting time for every 5 pounds. That should be done in the fridge – NOT at room temperature where bacteria breeds.