The next time you write “Happy Birthday” on someone’s Facebook wall, prove you really mean it...

Thanks to Facebook, most of us rarely miss a friend’s birthday... 

Pretty soon, you’ll be able to show you really mean it, with just a click. Facebook is rolling out a new birthday feature that lets you add a gift. This isn’t just a virtual cocktail or icon gift, it’s the real thing. The feature is already available in some areas, and will let you click a link and choose from a variety of approved vendors. 

Starbucks, Gund teddy bears and Magnolia Bakery are among the first to get in on the gifting option. You can keep your gift-giving just between the two of you or let the whole Facebook world know what a great friend you are. Most of the gifts are in the $20 to $30 range.

What clothing size would you have been in 1950?

You may have heard that Marilyn Monroe was a size 12 in her hay day... 

While that might be technically true, that size 12 dress label would read size 2 or 4 today. Clothing sizes have been shrinking over the decades, to accommodate for our growing body sizes. It’s the industry’s way of making us feel good about ourselves, and US sizes are the most generous.

What was considered a size 8 in the 1950’s became a size 4 by the 1970’s. They didn’t stop there. That size 4 is now a size 0, according to most manufacturers, especially for younger, trendy clothes.

Breaking up is hard to do. How to do it right...

Regardless of which side of a breakup situation you’re on, there is a right and wrong way to do it...

According to Tatiana Gray, relationship expert and divorce attorney, there are 5 important steps the dumper and the dumpee need to follow:

• Be Gracious: As difficult as it may be, remove yourself from the situation and vent in private. There is nothing worse than people posting nasty Facebook comments or angry Tweets about their ex. Never stoop that low!

• Inquire: Once the initial pain of the break up dulls a bit, you can try to talk to your ex to find out what caused the break up. If your break up was so bad that you never want to talk to your ex again, that’s fine. Don’t force yourself into a conversation that is unlikely to be productive anyway.

• Analyze: What do you think went wrong in your relationship? What was great about the relationship? Get a piece of paper out and create two columns: positive and negative. Try to find patterns in good and bad things in your past relationships.

• Learn: Do you see any good or bad trends emerge from your past relationships? What are your weak and strong points? What types do you usually fall for? Use your breakup to your advantage in making the right choices in your next relationship.

• Move on. Even if you’re sure your ex will come back, don’t give more than a month to this often false hope. Take some time to heal and then get back into dating! 

Frito Lays, Twix and Snickers are the favorite picks from the vending machine. What we should be choosing instead...

The next time the vending machine at work is taunting you, put a little thought into your selection...

Aimee Raupp, author of “Chill Out & Get Healthy,” says we should go ahead and go nuts – with nuts. That’s always the best option, assuming you aren’t allergic. If there’s a trail mix or mixed nuts in there, you’ll get some protein and satisfaction. 

If you’ve just gotta have chips – find a baked option. Those healthy sounding choices usually aren’t. Granola bars and wheat thins actually have a lot of processed elements in there, which are bad. The same goes Kashi and other cereal bars. Aimee says the Nutri Grain bar is okay – but Fig Newtons are the best in that department.

If candy is in order, Peanut m&ms are the way to go. In the cookie row, punch in the Oreos number. They’ve got a shorter list of ingredients and aren’t overly processed. If you’re feeling really naughty, go ahead and get the Pop Tart or the Rice Krispies Treats. Those are considered bad choices.

Do you let your child jump on a trampoline? The move they should NOT try...

Pediatricians have been warning parents about trampolines for decades now – to no avail for some...

If you’re going to throw caution to the wind, there are a few things you need to know about trampolines. In the U.S. alone, there are 100,000 trampoline injuries a year. 75% of those injuries occur when there are multiple jumpers on the tramp. If your child MUST bounce – have them bounce one at a time and skip the flip! The majority of head, back and neck injuries result from a misstep during a flip, somersault or fancy trick.

Don’t be fooled by mats and nets on a trampoline. A recent report in the journal Pediatrics suggests the so-called safety equipment just gives jumpers and parents a false sense of security.

Do you lie to your doctor? A lot of people do and it’s a problem...

Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – at your next checkup...

Lying to your doctor could be a lot more serious than you think. Here is a list of lies that doctors DON’T want to hear:

• I quit smoking months ago: This may cause the physician to believe that a disease or the symptoms of a disease are progressing.

• I rarely drink: Too much drinking will cause abnormal liver tests. Your doctor will find out sooner or later. Secret drinking could also dangerously interfere with other treatments.

• I only take prescribed medications: More and more people are becoming addicted to prescription meds. Lying about it or going from doctor to doctor for more prescriptions is dangerous for both you and your doctor.

• I’m a healthy eater: This makes it harder for the doctor to determine what’s really wrong with you – or the scale you just hopped off of.

• My sex life is fine: Sure, it’s personal – but your doctor isn’t there to judge. Give him or her information they need to keep you healthy. This includes sexual function, orientation and promiscuity. All of these have important health consequences. 

Do gentlemen really prefer blondes?

Blondes may have more fun – but the brunette may go the distance... 

According to research from Florida State University, men prefer brunettes in long-term relationships because they perceive them as more reliable and steady. 

If you’re blonde, you may like the next statistic. The brunette is more likely to lose her hair. Most American women with visible hair loss are brunettes because they have fewer follicles to begin with and thinning patches are more noticeable.

The study also determined that redheads are actually having more fun than both the blondes and brunettes. They scored the highest on the fiery passion scale, which might explain why Clairol says shades of red are their most popular.

When is the best time of day to take a walk?

What is the best time of day to exercise? 

5 pm. According the a study from Albany Medical College in New York, the risk of injury during exercise is lowest between 3 and 6 pm. At 5 pm, most of us will find our muscle strength, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and lung function at their peak. 

That exercise time frame is also the best to keep your circadian rhythm in sync. A late-afternoon stroll, jog or workout will help maintain the timing of your internal clock.

Body language can be very revealing – and your shoulders could be giving you away...:

If you rely on body language to give you the upper hand, watch the shoulders...

Former FBI Counterintelligence Agent Jo Navarro says how the shoulders look is a key factor for those who seek to prey on us. Confident people who prefer to be in charge will most likely have rigid, military-like shoulders, while slumped, heavy shoulders could indicate someone feels defeated or depressed. 

It’s also important to watch for shrugs. A duel shoulder shrug is the classic unspoken “I don’t know.” People also tend to shrug their shoulders to emphasize a statement. However, if you notice just one shoulder rise or drop, that could be a sign of deception or lack of confidence on their part.

Where did the time go? Who better to ask than Timex?

How much time do you waste waiting around? 

Timex decided to find out. They surveyed Americans to find out how much time they spend or waste on everyday tasks. Here are the timely results:

• Waiting for a cup of coffee: 7 minutes

• Wasted in traffic: 20 minutes

• Waiting in the doctor’s office: 32 minutes

• Time spent getting ready: 32 minutes

• Time spent waiting for their significant other to get ready: 20 minutes

• Waiting for a table at a restaurant: 15 minutes

Timex also wanted to know how many minutes is considered officially late. Most agreed, any amount of time, even one minute, counts. The survey also determined that those who wore a wrist watch were much better at budgeting their time.

Fall foods are in season. Which ones you NEED to start eating...

Ah, fall. Cooler temperatures, sweaters, vibrant colors and sweet potatoes! 

Some of fall’s seasonal picks are super good for us and sweet potatoes top the list. They’re much better than white potatoes and have lots of fiber. They’ve also got a type of carbohydrate that doesn’t affect your blood sugar as much. Eating sweet potatoes will improve your energy levels and even boost your concentration throughout the day.

Cabbage family vegetables are also peak right now and extra nutritious. Varieties such as cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and all types of cabbage have cancer-fighting properties and are full of vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

You know you’re supposed to wash the chemicals out of new clothes and linens – but do you know how?

Some new clothes and linens are often full of toxic chemicals including formaldehyde...

Unfortunately, running them through a regular laundry cycle isn’t enough to get them out. To really detox your clothes, consider adding powdered milk to the load. Just add a half cup while the basin is filling with cold water, add the new items and let them sit for about a half hour. Next, add your detergent and let the cycle complete.

If you’re not sure if those new clothes are toxic, check the labels and tags. If there are instructions to wash before using, you really should. New clothes that are stiff, pressed or have a fragrance are probably full of chemicals.

Does your child snore? Why that could be problematic...

We know that snoring has been linked to some health problems in adults...

...and new studies suggest it could lead to behavioral issues in children. Researchers looked at children from birth to age 7 and found that kids who snore or breathe with their mouths open were more likely to have behavior problems at about age 4. By age 7, they were more likely to be hyperactive and had higher rates of depression, anxiety and ADHD.

If your child snores, it’s important to discuss that with your pediatrician. Some experts believe that removing kids’ tonsils or adenoids could improve their breathing, sleep and behavior during the day.

What’s the background on your desktop? What that says about your personality...

Are people with the default background on their desktop boring? 

Far from it! Default desktop types are actually rather intriguing and full of mystery. You’re comfortable in your own skin and don’t feel the need to show off or give too much away about yourself. Psychologist Donna Dawson has some other desktop personality traits to watch for:

• Having too many icons strewn across the screen suggests a person is disorganized and maybe even insecure.

• Evenly arranged icons on each side says that person values balance and proportion and tends to keep a cool head in tricky situations.

• People with desktop pictures displaying their past successes risk revealing their egocentric side to colleagues.

• Personal photos, such as kids or vacations as wallpaper indicates what priorities you have. If it’s friends, you have good people skills.

• Animals are usually found on the desktop of the go-to problem solver who is a consummate team player.

• A solid blue or black screen reveals that user is ultra-private.

If you like bacon, Britain’s National Pig Association has a message for you, really...

If you love your BLTs or bacon and eggs, Britain’s Nation Pig Association has some bad news: 

A global shortage of bacon and pork is now unavoidable! Annual pig production for Europe’s main pig producers took a dive in the past year – and shrinking herds means we’ll be bringing home less bacon, or paying a lot more for it.

Thanks to this year’s Midwest drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says higher costs for, or lack of pig food such as soy and corn will only be adding to the bacon deficit and driving pork prices up. 

Does your town have an adult playground yet? The new trend in fitness...

The next time you drive pass a kids’ playground, keep your eye out for an adult-sized one nearby...

The European fitness trend is seeping into the states and adult playgrounds are cropping up in some of our big city communities, and beyond. It’s an attempt by health advocates to encourage couch potatoes to get outside and play. It’s also a great alternative for those who prefer not to share sweaty equipment in a stinky gym.

While some of the most popular sites in Europe have fancier equipment such as rock climbing walls, elephant slides and mazes, most adult playground state-side are starting small with standard equipment including monkey bars, chin-up bars, sit-up racks and balance beams. If there's a slide and swings, you're probably on the wrong playground. 

The boss isn’t the only one you need to impress on a job interview. Who else to suck up to...

If you’re headed into a job interview – turn on the charm for the security guard and receptionist...

Apparently, a lot of good hiring managers have “secret agents” watching you. Rusty Rueff of Glassdoor.com, says smart recruiters may ask for feedback from anyone you’ve come in contact with. It could be the travel agent, the driver that picked you or anonymous office staff just walking by. It’s a good idea to be prepared to make eye contact, smile or engage in some chit-chat with anyone while you’re waiting – even if it’s another applicant. 

Neti pots are great – IF you use the right kind of water...

Cold and flu season is creeping up on us – and if you rely on a neti pot for congestion relief, you NEED to take some precautions...  

According the the FDA, improper use of neti pots can be dangerous, even deadly. Neti pots, which look like little teapots, flush out the sinuses. However, using plain old tap water could inject dangerous brain-burroughing amoeba right in.

Experts agree, neti pots are perfectly safe as long as you’re using the right kind of water in there. The safest bet is to buy distilled water. Another option is to boil your tap water for 3 to 5 minutes, then let it cool. You’ll be able to safely store and use that for 24 hours.

If you’re doing laundry today – throw the bed sheets in there. Why you’ll thank me tonight...

If you’ve got an extra set of clean sheets in the linen closet – put them on before you go to bed tonight and you’ll sleep better...

A National Sleep Foundation poll found 73% of us fall asleep faster and sleep sounder on clean sheets. Michael Breus, author of “The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan explains the phenomenon: It’s soothing to know the place you’re about to spend the next six to eight hours is clean and well cared for.

To really enhance your dream-time, give your clean sheets a tumble in the dryer or spritz with scented linen spray. The fresh aroma will encourage relaxation and help to relax muscles.

Do you ever hand your smartphone over to your kid? If so, I’ve got some apps that will keep them happy...

We’ve covered the best free apps out there for you – but what about your kids? 

Here is a list of some that get great scores – and a few of them are free!

• LEGO Creationary: It’s for ages 5 and up and it’s free. 

• Montessori Numbers: This one for ages 3 to 7 costs $2.99 – but that’s a small price to pay for nuturing your budding mathematical genius.

• NASA Science: A Journey of Discovery: It’s for 8 year olds and up and it’s free. It’s got photos, movies and weather and even lets you search for other habitable planets out there.

• Where’s My Perry: Also for 8+, it’s just .99 cents. This one falls into the highly-addictive category.

• PlaySquare: WorldWorld’s Happy Birthday Dog! It’s free for kids 3 to 6 and describes itself as “touchable television.”

Don’t take a bite of that food until you smell it...

If you can’t wait to dig into that roast beef sandwich or apple pie – make sure you smell it first...

A recent study out of the Netherlands found that we will eat less of that delicious food if we take a big whiff first. They used creamy custard for their test. The folks that got to smell it first took smaller bites than the people who had to skip the sniff. That’s because the aroma of whatever we’re about to eat starts to satisfy us before it hits our lips.

The authors of the study also suggest staying away from bland food, which takes longer to send satisfying signals to your brain. The more aroma and flavor it has, the less it takes to satisfy your senses.

There is something you can do today to reduce your risk of heart attack by 50%!

People who are happy reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 50%! 

That’s the good news from researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health. Our happy goal should be to increase our overall feeling of optimism and satisfaction – and every smile or warm and fuzzy moment helps. Just making an effort to think of something positive or talk to someone who makes you smile a few times each day can lower your risk. Every time you shake a bad mood or stave off negative thoughts you’re actually reducing stress and giving your immune system a positive boost.

If you’ve got an iPhone, I’ve got some handy FREE apps for you...

Whether your waiting for your iPhone 5 to arrive, or you’re on the old fashioned one, there are some really handy apps you can download for free... 

Some of them work with the iPad and Android phones too. Here’s the list from Mashable:

• iRuler: You’ll never have to guess again with this pocket ruler.

• Flashlight: It’s super handy and will direct the flash on your phone to stay on in a pinch. And yes, it will drain your battery, so use it sparingly.

• Bump: This one lets you literally bump another device to share photos, contacts or information. Bump your phone with your friend or with your computer and in 5 to 10 seconds, your transfer is there.

• Find My Car: Activate this app before you leave your car and it will guide you back later via GPS and satellite map in real time as you walk. It will even display the best route.

• Decide Now: Spin the virtual wheel to help you decide where to go tonight, where to vacation, which stocks to buy and more.

Beware of people wearing dark glasses!

Dark glasses can make someone look mysterious or shady, with good reason...  

It turns out a lot of us actually change our behavior when wearing shades or while in a darker environment. Participants in a study were asked to divvy up money between themselves and a stranger. Those wearing dark glasses took more for themselves. 

In another experiment, people were asked to complete some math problems and then score themselves. Those in a dimly lit room gave themselves a curve and higher grades than they deserved.

Millions of Baby Boomers have a dangerous disease they’re not aware of...

If you’re a Baby Boomer, you should probably be tested for Hepatitis C...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.2 million Americans, mostly Baby Boomers, have it. The problem stems back to the 1970s and 80s when little was known about Hep C, which is transmitted in bodily fluids. Because there was no screening for the virus back then, a significant amount wound up in the nation’s blood supply. 

The symptoms for Hepatitis C are mild and not always noticed. They can include fatigue, fever and joint pain. It’s important to consider getting tested because detection and treatment can cure an HCV infection and lower risk for liver cancer and cirrhosis.

If you’re taking your pet to the vet – YOU need to behave...

A trip to the vet is a lot easier on you, the doctor and the other patients if your pet behaves. The same rule applies to you!

Here are a few things good human patients do in the veterinarian’s office:

• They turn off their phone. Hopefully, you wouldn’t do that during your checkup. Your pet and vet need your full attention. 

• They leave their kids at home. A lot of pets are fearful and anxious in this environment – and some don’t like kids. For everyone’s safety, it should be just you and your pet at the vet.

• They keep their dog on a regular, non-retractable leash at all times. 

• They keep their cats in an escape-tight container – not in their arms.

• They prepare for their visit. Make notes or take videos of any behavior concerns ahead of time. Your pet likely won’t repeat the behavior on command.

• They don’t argue. Your vet does not need a list of excuses why your pet is overfed, has bad teeth or no discipline. Acknowledge the problem and listen to the advice.

Can’t get rid of those hiccups? Some new tricks to try...

You’ve tried holding your breath and drinking water upside-down – but you can’t shake those annoying hiccups...

You might want to consider massaging them away. Self-massage can help to relax the phrenic or vagus nerves – which send the hiccup signal from your irritated diaphragm to your brain.

To perform the hiccup massage – you’ll need to massage the front part of the neck and chest area right below the collarbone for 5 solid minutes. 

If that doesn’t work, try eating some peanut butter or cream cheese. Swallowing sticky peanut butter will massage those same key nerves from the inside

If you had to spend a wad of money – what would you buy?

Let’s just say that you stumbled across a windfall of money – and you had to get rid of it...

CouponCabin.com asked 2,500 adults that very question and here’s what they are buying:

• A divorce

• A business

• Student debt payoff

• Home makeover

• A maid

• Steinway D Concert Grand piano

• A big RV

Some of the nouveau riche had a generous streak, opting to spend a portion of that money on others, in the form of a new house for their parents, generous church donations and scholarship endowments at their colleges.

We tell our teens what NOT to do behind the wheel – but do we practice what we preach?

Do as I say, not as I do. According to 90 percent of teens – that’s the message they’re getting from their bad-driving parents... 

Liberty Mutual Insurance surveyed 1,700 11th and 12th graders and this is what they see their parents doing behind the wheel:

• A whopping 91% are talking on the phone while driving.

• 88% of parents are speeding.

• 59% are seen by their teen texting while driving!

• 47% of parents forgot to buckle up.

• A frightening 20% have been busted driving under the influence of alcohol by their teen.

• 7% of parents are driving high – on pot.

Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for policy, research and education at SADD says the best teacher for a teen driver is a good parental role model. Young drivers who witness this behind-the-wheel behavior in their parents are far more likely to take the same risks. 

Show them how easy it is to pull over to a safe spot before using your phone or to call a cab if you’ve had too much to drink. They WILL notice.

If your kids buy lunch at school – there is one popular sandwich they might want to skip...

Does your child opt for the tuna sandwich from the school cafeteria? 

If so, they should only choose that about twice a month. A new report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest says school lunch tuna tends to have higher Mercury levels than the average reported FDA levels. 

Ned Groth, an environmental health scientist, says kids who eat tuna frequently can easily get very high mercury doses. Children under 55 pounds should only have canned tuna once a month. Monitor what they eat at school so you can skip it at home if necessary. 

Your closet could be a work of art! If you do this...

While you’re in your closet, switching over to fall and winter – think Monet...  

According to Zen organizer, Regina Leeds, author of “The 8 Minute Organizer,” arranging your clothes by color will not only make your closet look much more appealing to the eye, it will probably save you some time while choosing what to wear.

Regina says to start with the lightest colors, whites, yellows and beiges and work your way darker, rainbow style. She says she does it with everything, from hanging clothes, to belts, purses, shoes and accessories to the socks and underwear drawer, which looks like a calming impressionist painting.

Fall allergies acting up? Turn on the AC...

Fall allergies are kicking in for a lot of people...

...and the cooler temperatures and beautiful weather could be making matters worse. It’s only natural we’d like to turn off the AC and open the windows – but you might want to think twice about that. Allergy experts suggest that we keep running our air conditioners on low. That helps filter the air and reduces humidity. 

Ragweed and mold are two allergy triggers which are in full bloom during the fall. By keeping the windows closed in your car and in your home, and filtering the air with your AC, you’ll be preserving a few spots of refuge from fall allergies. 

If you’re a scientist – you’re probably on your 3rd cup of coffee already. Which jobs drink the most java...

There’s something brewing in the lab – and it smells great...

According to a survey by Dunkin’ Donuts and Careerbuilder.com, scientists and lab technicians drink more coffee than any other workers. Here are the professionals right behind them in the coffee line:

• PR and marketing executives

• Educational administrators

• Editors and writers

• Doctors

• Food preparers

• Social workers

• Personal caretakers

• Human resource benefits coordinators

• Nurses

• Government professionals

The survey looked a little deeper into the coffee cup to see which workers were taking cream and sugar and such. Judges, attorneys and hotel workers prefer it black. Human resource professionals take cream and sugar, while writers, teachers and government workers prefer a shot of flavor in there.

‘Tis the season – for the list of the anticipated most-wanted toys for Christmas 2012...

Remember the Furby craze a few Christmas’ ago? They’re back...

Furby has made it onto the most wanted list for Christmas 2012. Here are the other top toys on the just-released Toys R Us list: 

• Doc McStuffins Time for Your Check Up doll by Just Play, $39.99: Doctor doll based on Disney Jr. show character.

• Furby by Hasbro, $59.99: Update on hit 1998 furry interactive toy robot.

• Gelarti Designer Studio by Moose Toys, $24.99: Sticker set that lets kids paint and customize reusable stickers.

• Hot Wheels R/C Terrain Twister by Mattel, $99.99: Radio-controlled car that takes on all terrains.

• Jake and the Never Land Pirates Jake's Musical Pirate Ship Bucky by Mattel's Fisher-Price, $44.99: Ship from Disney Jr. animated series.

• Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Stars Harmony B. Sharp by MGA Entertainment, $69.99: Version of popular button-eyed dolls that talks and sings.

• LeapPad2 Explorer by LeapFrog, $99.99: Latest iteration of LeapFrog's kids tablet with faster processor and more memory.

• Micro Chargers TimeTrack by Moose Toys, $34.99: Miniature car racing track set.

• Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Playset by Playmates, $119.99: 42-inch playset that recreates TMNT's lair.

• Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle by Lego Systems Inc., $139.99: Ninja-themed Lego board game.

• One Direction collector dolls by Hasbro, $19.99: Dolls of each of the five members of One Direction.

• Skylanders Giants Starter Pack by Activision Publishing Inc., not yet priced: A sequel to Skylanders Spyro's adventure that combines real-life action figures with a video game.

• Tabeo by Toys R Us, $149.99: Toys R Us' own tablet offering with enhanced safety features and 50 preloaded apps.

• Wii U by Nintendo, not yet priced: Nintendo's new two-screen gaming console.

• Y Volution Fliker F1 Flow Series Scooter by Atomic Sports, $99.99: A three-wheeled scooter that is self-propelled by the rider's movement.

What time will you go to sleep tonight? The ideal bedtime...

In order to get the most benefit from sleep tonight – you’ll need to start around 11 pm... 

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of “Take Control of Your Health,” your body is hard-wired to do most of its recharging between 11 pm and 1 am. If you’re asleep during that window, you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and energized.

In order to hit that sweet sleep zone, you’ll need to prep your body ahead of time. Lights out at 10:30! Now would be a good time to start practicing your new bedtime, seeing as we’ll all get to readjust anyway, when we gain an hour on November 4th.

If you have a favorite pair of shoes, give them a break!

You know those go-to shoes that are perfectly molded to your feet? 

They need a rest. According to Kathleen Hall, PhD, wearing those comfortable shoes every day can actually prevent you from relaxing. She says the nerves in your feet are constantly sending messages to your brain. When the same old shoes are hitting the same old spots, it can dull some sensitive nerves that help trigger feel-good sensations. 

Dr. Hall says we need to be alternating our shoes on a regular basis. For some extra pleasant foot stimulation, take a few minutes each day to walk barefoot on a variety of surfaces, such as grass, sand, carpeting and tile.

Do you drink water during your meal? Cut that out!

It’s important to drink plenty of water each day – just don’t do it during a meal...

...especially if it’s cold water. Drinking water while eating slows our digestion and the colder the water is, the harder your body will work at warming it up. The ancient science of Ayurveda recommends we avoid drinking water for 30 minutes before and after we eat – and many modern scientists agree. If you must drink something with your meal, sip on a room temperature beverage, preferably not alcohol which also slows digestion.

If you’d like to get your day off to an extra healthy start – grab your partner...

Attention men and women: 

New research says fooling around in the morning can do wonders for your health! A little “quality time” in the morning can go a long way for both genders. For women, morning intimacy releases estrogen, which makes hair shinier, nails stronger and gives skin a healthy glow for the day. For most men, testosterone levels spike overnight which means they’ll likely wake up “in the mood.”

The research revealed some other health benefits for the morning lovers. They raised their immunity levels and lowered their chances of catching a cold. Enjoying good mornings just 2 to 3 times a week also lowered blood pressure and risk of stroke and heart attack for both genders.

Is it true that drinking alcohol with antibiotics will stop them from working?

If you’ve ever heard that drinking alcohol with antibiotics will cancel them out, that’s wrong...

According to James M. Stekelberg, MD, alcohol does not necessarily reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics; however, he strongly recommends you avoid alcohol while taking them. The truth is, alcohol can increase the potential side effects of antibiotics. Those could range from stomach upset, dizziness and drowsiness to more severe reactions such as headache, vomiting and rapid heart rate.

Drinking alcohol also can also reduce your energy levels and delay your recovery from the illness. Keep in mind that many cold remedies and mouthwashes also contain alcohol and you’d be better off avoiding those while taking antibiotics.

Winning great stuff on the radio is not as hard as you think. Here are some tips from both sides…

So what’s the trick to winning big on the radio? 

According to self-proclaimed radio contest queen Angela Dixon, just keep listening and you’ll have the upper hand. She’s has determined that if you listen carefully, every day, you’ll start to pick up on some winning rhythm.

Angela says each DJ has a slightly different style. The morning crew might field the calls a little faster than the midday or afternoon DJs, or vice-versa. She says the bottom line is to keep listening and keep trying until you hear them announce they have a winner. She also checks the station’s website, Twitter and Facebook regularly and signs up for any email alerts.

I thought I'd add some personal advice from the answering end of the of the phone:

• Don't call ahead of time.  A lot of stations clear the lines before they start counting off the callers.
  
• Check the station contest rules.  There may be limits as to how many times a month you can win. 

Last but not least, pay close attention to the PRIZE!  I can't tell you how many times I've congratulated a winner who  had no idea what he or she had just won.  Give someone else a chance to win those concert tickets for the day after your surgery or family 4 pack for the kids you don't have.

Feeling tired and achy? Bread could be to blame...

If you’re feeling worn-out and achy – but you aren’t sick, consider cutting back on bread today...

New research from Harvard says 1 in 10 of us are sensitive to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go gluten free or skip all your bread. Just cutting back a bit without eliminating gluten all together could do the trick. 

If you eat a lot of bread, cereal, pasta or baked goods, try gradually eliminating a serving or 2 a day. When you notice your energy levels rise, you’ve hit your gluten toleration sweet spot.

If you think you may have celiac disease, a gluten allergy, you’ll need to be properly diagnosed and treated. Symptoms of celiac include severe gas, cramping and fatigue or frequent bouts of diarrhea or anemia.

If you rely on pain-reliever creams and patches – use them with caution. The FDA warning...

Topical pain-relief in the form of creams and patches can be effective at relieving muscle and joint aches – just be careful with them....

The FDA has issued a warning due to complaints of chemical burns after using over-the-counter patches, balms and creams. The risky ingredients include menthol, methyl salicylate and capsaicin. Some of the reported burns were even severe, including blistering and hospitalization.

When using pain-relieving patches and creams, be very careful not to apply them to skin that is damaged and irritated. Also, never apply bandages over the cream or patch. Heating pads, heat lamps and hot water bottles are also a dangerous combination and should never be used with topical pain relief.